Eddy Current Resistance Adjuster for Balanced Exercise Machine Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional exercise machines often have resistance adjustment mechanisms that provide unequal or unbalanced increments, making it difficult for users to modify the exercise intensity consistently, and existing belt tensioning systems can be challenging to manufacture and assemble correctly.
Innovation Solution
The exercise machine incorporates a resistance adjuster with a flywheel and an array of magnets that use an eddy current brake system, allowing for balanced resistance adjustments through a tie rod and knob mechanism, and a tensioning system with eccentric shaft supports and a ball bearing to easily modify belt tension during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional resistance adjustment mechanisms are used, then the exercise machine can provide resistance adjustment, but the resistance increments are unequal or unbalanced making it difficult to modify exercise intensity consistently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical friction-based resistance adjustment with an eddy current magnetic braking system. Magnets are positioned near a conductive flywheel, creating electromagnetic resistance that is smoothly adjustable and provides equal resistance increments, eliminating the unequal steps problem of mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the resistance adjustment parameter from mechanical friction contact to magnetic field strength. By varying the position or strength of magnets relative to the conductive flywheel, the system achieves smooth, balanced resistance increments that are consistent across the entire adjustment range.
2Reliability
If conventional belt tensioning systems are used, then the belt can be tensioned, but the system is challenging to manufacture and assemble correctly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary adjustment features into the belt tensioning system during manufacturing, such as pre-positioned adjustment mechanisms or self-tensioning features. This allows the belt to be properly tensioned during assembly without requiring complex manual adjustment procedures, reducing assembly difficulty while maintaining reliability.
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 provides consistent, balanced resistance adjustments and simplifies the belt tensioning process, enhancing user control over exercise intensity and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an array of magnets, a flywheel having a conductive surface... When the knob is operated, an angle between the rod and the array of magnets and an angle between the rod and the knob changes
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to exercise machines. In some embodiments, the device may include a resistance adjuster configured to adjust the difficulty of an exercise performed on the exercise machine. Particularly, the exercise machine may include a knob configured to modify the resistance in even steps. The exercise machine also may include functional components, such as pulleys, for transmitting a drive force from a user to a resistive body. The functional components may be operatively connected via one or more belts. In some embodiments, the exercise machine may include one or more belt tensioners to regulate the tension of the one or more belts.