Dual-Function Exercise Equipment Transmission Mechanism Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stair stepper designs face issues with high cost, difficult assembly, and instability due to rope transmission mechanisms, and rock climbing machines are unsuitable for young and old users due to excessive gravity load, limiting their applicability and safety for rehabilitation purposes.

Innovation Solution

A dual-function exercise equipment that combines the stair stepper and rock climbing machine, featuring a transmission mechanism with adjustable connecting bars to reduce friction and gravity load, allowing for smoother operation and adaptable exercise intensity, incorporating a damping device with a counterweight flywheel and oscillating arms to simulate climbing motions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If rope transmission mechanism is used in stair stepper, then the left and right pedal levers can drive the drag wheel to rotate, but the transmission mechanism becomes complex and the rope may slip, drop, escape, break or turn over

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission stabilityVSAvoidtransmission mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the rope transmission mechanism from the system, replacing it with a direct mechanical connection between the pedal levers and drag wheel through connecting rods. This eliminates the rope entirely, solving the problems of slippage, dropping, escaping, breaking, and overturning while simplifying the overall transmission mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a flexible rope to transmit force from the pedals to the drag wheel, the patent inverts the approach by using rigid connecting rods that directly mechanically link the pedal levers to the drag wheel axis, providing a more reliable and simpler transmission path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If two-stage transmission form is used to reach expected gravity state, then the gravity drive function is achieved, but the cost increases and assembly becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegravity drive functionVSAvoidassembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the transmission function into two independent single-stage mechanisms: one connecting rod connecting the left pedal lever to the drag wheel axis, and another connecting rod connecting the right pedal lever to the drag wheel axis. This segmentation achieves the gravity drive function through simpler, more easily assembled components compared to a complex two-stage transmission system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If vertical member with hand grip structure is mounted on stair stepper, then the center of gravity stability is improved, but the hand movement track does not match human engineering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecenter of gravity stabilityVSAvoidhand movement track

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static vertical hand grip structure into a dynamic oscillating lever system where the hand grip moves in an arc trajectory that mimics natural human walking motion. The oscillating lever is pivotally connected to allow it to swing back and forth, providing a hand movement track that alternates with foot movement, matching human engineering principles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The oscillating lever creates an asymmetric, alternating motion pattern where the hand grip moves in opposite directions during different phases of the exercise cycle, replicating the natural asymmetric swinging motion of human arms during walking, rather than providing a static or symmetric vertical support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

4Power

If strong gravity load is used in rock climbing machine, then muscle exercise effect is enhanced, but young and old people cannot use it and sports injuries may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemuscle exercise effectVSAvoiduser range

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces adjustable parameters into the exercise equipment through the damping device with adjustable damping coefficients and the adjustable gravity load mechanism. Users can change the resistance parameters to match their physical capabilities, allowing young and old people to safely use the equipment while still achieving effective muscle exercise. The gravity load can be adjusted to provide appropriate challenge levels for different user groups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10328302B2Rock climbing machine

Publication Date: 2019.06.25 YEH YUNG SUNG

AI summary

A rock climbing has a base placed flat on a bearing surface, a damping device mounted on the base, a pedal structure is connected to both sides of the damping device respectively and two rock climbing simulators upright fixed to the base. The two rock climbing simulators are mounted on both sides of the damping device respectively. Each rock climbing simulator is provided with a slide grip device, and each grip device is connected to a corresponding pedal structure. When the two pedal structures are trodden alternately, the corresponding grip devices reciprocate up and down, simulating the rock climbing action.