Portable Elliptical Device with Perpendicular Crank and Flywheel Axes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional elliptical exercise devices are bulky, heavy, and have a large footprint, making them unsuitable for use in confined spaces or portable applications, and they lack the ability to be easily folded or compacted for storage or transport.
Innovation Solution
A portable, compact elliptical exercise device design featuring a base and a rotation assembly with a crank and flywheel system that allows for elliptical motion, with a foldable structure and adjustable resistance, enabling use in seated or standing positions and allowing for easy storage and transport by folding into a compact form.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional elliptical exercise devices are designed with traditional structures, then they provide stable exercise function, but they become bulky, heavy, and occupy large space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the flywheel rotational axis to be substantially perpendicular to the crank rotational axis, transitioning from a traditional horizontal configuration to a vertical configuration. This dimensional change allows the device to achieve a compact footprint while maintaining exercise stability through the flywheel's vertical orientation providing a low center of gravity and stable operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a foldable frame structure with movable connections that allow the device to transition between an extended exercise position and a collapsed storage position. This dynamic design enables the device to reduce its footprint and weight for portability while maintaining structural integrity and stability during exercise operation.
2Ease of operation
If the device structure is made rigid and stable, then exercise performance is improved, but portability and ease of storage are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The frame incorporates movable connections that enable the device to be folded and collapsed for transport and storage, while maintaining rigid structural integrity when in the extended exercise position. The movable connections allow transition between states without compromising stability during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is divided into multiple segments connected by movable joints, allowing the device to be folded into a compact configuration for portability. Each segment maintains sufficient rigidity to support exercise loads when assembled in the extended position, while enabling easy folding when collapsed.
3Volume of moving object
If the device is designed for compact storage, then space efficiency is improved, but the complexity of folding mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foldable frame utilizes simple movable connections that allow the device to collapse into a compact storage configuration without requiring complex locking or latching mechanisms. The dynamic design enables intuitive folding and unfolding while maintaining structural stability during exercise use.
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise device comprises a base and a rotation assembly movably attached to the base. The rotation assembly comprises an exercise interface assembly comprising at least one exercise support portion configured to be moved by a user, a crank assembly comprising at least one crank rotatably attached to the at least one exercise support portion and configured to be rotated about a crank rotational axis by the at least one exercise support portion, and a flywheel assembly comprising a flywheel configured to be rotated about a flywheel rotational axis due to rotation of the at least one crank. The crank rotational axis and the flywheel rotational axis are substantially perpendicular to each other.