Dual Axis Abdominal Exercise Apparatus Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional abdominal exercise machines lack the ability to mimic the natural movement of the human spine during abdominal muscle contraction, leading to incomplete muscle engagement and inefficient exercise.
Innovation Solution
The abdominal exercise apparatus features dual pivot axes with interconnected four-bar linkage drive mechanisms, allowing the upper and lower carriages to move in concert, closely replicating the natural bending motion of the spine and hips, thereby enhancing muscle contraction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional single-axis clamshell structure is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to mimic natural spine movement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The movement system is divided into two independent carriages (upper and lower) that can move separately along the frame, each controlled by its own four-bar linkage mechanism. This segmentation allows each carriage to replicate different segments of natural spine movement, thereby improving the ability to mimic natural spinal curvature while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from single-axis rotation to dual-axis movement, adding a dimensional aspect to the exercise apparatus. The upper carriage moves along a first axis while the lower carriage moves along a second axis, creating a more complex but physiologically accurate movement pattern that better replicates the multi-planar nature of spinal motion
2Productivity
If upper and lower carriages move independently, then device complexity is reduced, but muscle engagement completeness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The upper and lower four-bar linkage mechanisms are interconnected through a common ground link, creating a coordinated system where movement of one carriage is mechanically linked to the other. This merging ensures that both carriages move in concert to replicate the integrated motion of spinal segments, achieving complete muscle engagement while managing device complexity through the shared ground link connection
3Adaptability or versatility
If dual four-bar linkage mechanisms with common ground link are used, then movement coordination is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The common ground link serves multiple functions: it acts as a structural support element, a mechanical connector between the upper and lower four-bar mechanisms, and a reference frame for both carriages. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of separate components needed, thereby improving manufacturability while maintaining the coordinated dual-axis movement capability
Data Source
AI summary
An abdominal exercise apparatus is provided that includes at least a lower carriage, an upper carriage, and a frame supporting the lower and upper carriages. A linkage mechanism operably associates the upper and lower carriages together to allow coordinated movement relative to one another. The upper carriage includes an upper pivot axis relative to the frame, and an upper carriage pivot axis relative to the upper carriage, and the lower carriage includes a lower pivot axis relative to the frame.