DAP Platform with Damping Gaskets for Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional differential air pressure (DAP) systems for unweighting in exercise and rehabilitation are bulky, complex, and costly, with rigid support structures that limit user adjustment and comfort, generate excessive forces that strain exercise equipment, and produce noise and vibrations, leading to maintenance challenges and user discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A support platform for DAP systems featuring a top cover with a truncated access opening, reinforced side regions, and a frameless design that secures an inflatable enclosure over a treadmill, reducing size and complexity while distributing forces effectively and minimizing noise through damping gaps and gaskets, and allowing for independent adjustment of the exercise device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If conventional DAP systems use rigid support structures to provide stable support, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity and size increase, and user adjustment capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid support structures with flexible DAP garments that wrap around the user's body. These garments use flexible materials to provide support while maintaining stability through differential air pressure, eliminating the need for complex rigid frameworks and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses differential air pressure applied through inflatable garments to provide support and stability. By controlling air pressure differentials between inner and outer chambers of the garment, the system achieves structural stability without mechanical rigid supports, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional DAP systems apply pressure differential across large body portions, then unweighting effectiveness is improved, but harmful forces increase that strain exercise equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pressure differential locally to specific body regions rather than across the entire body. By targeting specific muscle groups or body portions with controlled pressure zones, the system achieves effective unweighting while distributing forces more evenly, reducing peak forces that strain exercise equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts pressure differential parameters to optimize unweighting effectiveness while controlling forces. By varying pressure levels and differential magnitudes based on user needs and exercise intensity, the system maintains effectiveness without generating excessive forces that could damage equipment.
3Ease of operation
If conventional DAP systems use large enclosures to accommodate users, then user comfort is improved, but device size and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the inflatable DAP garment chambers within each other, with inner pressure-controlled chambers positioned inside outer chambers. This nested configuration allows the system to accommodate user movement and maintain comfort while minimizing the overall volume and space requirements of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamically adjustable inflatable chambers that can expand and contract based on user movement and exercise requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the garment to maintain user comfort during various movements while keeping the device compact when not in use, reducing overall space requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution reduces the size and complexity of DAP systems, enhances user comfort by minimizing noise and vibrations, and extends the lifespan of exercise equipment by distributing forces more efficiently, thereby improving overall system performance and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
minimizing noise through damping gaps and gaskets
Implementation Method 2
systems creating a pressure differential across a portion of a user have been developed... These systems apply a pressure difference at a portion of the user's body with a net force at the center of pressure. If the net pressure differential is oriented parallel with the force of gravity and located near the user's waist, this off-loading force acts approximately directly counter to the force of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A support platform for retaining a DAP system inflatable enclosure is provided that includes a top cover including a support surface defining a truncated access opening, a bottom cover including a panel, and a plurality of side covers each including a panel, in which the top, bottom and side covers are connected to form an airtight platform defining an interior for retaining an exercise device. A base opening of the enclosure can be secured at a perimeter region of the access opening above the exercise device. The platform further includes an exercise device upper interface for securing the support surface to an upper region of the exercise device, a lower interface for securing a lower region of the exercise device to the bottom cover or ground, and a blower interface for forming an airtight connection with a blower. The truncated access opening limits pneumatic forces secured by the exercise device.