Recumbent Exercise Pedal Dynamics for Comfortable Leg Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recumbent exercise apparatuses are challenging for individuals with lower physical fitness levels due to excessive thigh elevation, knee flexion, and monotonous leg movements, and pose safety risks with components extending under the seat.
Innovation Solution
A recumbent exercise apparatus with a movement mechanism allowing for gentle thigh elevation and knee flexion, featuring pedals that cyclically displace along a predetermined path with changing elevation angles, and a compact design that avoids crossing components during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the pedal rotates along a large diameter circular path to provide sufficient foot movement range, then leg activity is improved, but the natural range of motion is exceeded causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal mechanism dynamically adjusts the pedal angle throughout the rotation cycle rather than maintaining a fixed angle. The pedal angle varies from approximately 45 degrees at the bottom position to 15 degrees at the top position, allowing the foot movement range to adapt to the user's natural range of motion while still providing sufficient leg activity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pedal angle parameter continuously during the rotation cycle. By varying the pedal angle from 45 degrees to 15 degrees, the system optimizes the balance between foot movement range and natural range of motion, making the exercise comfortable for users with different fitness levels.
2Length of moving object
If the seat is adjusted to extend legs fully at the farthest pedal position, then leg extension range is improved, but the thighs and knees are lifted to high positions causing abdominal pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal angle dynamically varies during the rotation cycle, which naturally controls the thigh elevation and knee flexion. The pedal angle ranges from 45 degrees at the bottom position to 15 degrees at the top position, preventing excessive thigh elevation that would cause abdominal pressure while still providing adequate leg extension range.
3Ease of manufacture
If connecting rods extend between seat underside and front for pedal connection, then pedal mechanism functionality is improved, but users must cross components creating tripping hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting rods are extracted from the traditional configuration that extends under the seat. Instead, the pedal mechanism is arranged so that the connecting rods are positioned in front of the seat, allowing users to access the seat without crossing over the mechanical components, thereby eliminating the tripping hazard while maintaining full mechanical functionality.
4Shape
If parallel four-bar linkage mechanism is used for pedal motion, then nearly linear reciprocating motion is achieved, but the exercise range is shortened when pedals move in opposite directions
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal mechanism uses dynamic angle adjustment rather than a fixed parallel four-bar linkage. The pedal angle varies continuously from 45 degrees to 15 degrees during the rotation cycle, allowing each pedal to achieve full reciprocating motion independently while maintaining a natural exercise range without the limitations of opposite-direction movement constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise apparatus includes a seat and a movement mechanism located in front of the seat, the movement mechanism has two pedals for the user to step on with both feet respectively. During exercise, the middle portion of each pedal cyclically displaces along a predetermined pedal exercise path based on the guidance of the movement mechanism. Additionally, an elevation angle of the toe end relative to the heel end gradually increases and decreases in a cycle period. The predetermined pedal exercise path includes a highest position, a lowest position, a frontmost position, a rearmost position, a maximum elevation position, and a minimum elevation position. The maximum elevation position is located within a path from the highest position to the lowest position, passing through the frontmost position. Similarly, the minimum elevation position is located within path from the lowest position to the highest position, passing through the rearmost position.