Elliptical Skier Exercise Apparatus with Adjustable Lateral Pedal Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current exercise equipment, such as elliptical cross trainers, do not effectively simulate the lateral foot movements of downhill skiing, which are essential for exercising the inner and outer leg muscles and ankle control, and lack adjustable pedal motion to vary muscle engagement.
Innovation Solution
A standup exercise apparatus with separately supported pedals that mimic lateral elliptical motion, coordinated with arm exercise, using a linkage system with pivotally connected cranks and guides, adjustable rocker links, and load resistance via pulleys and flywheels to simulate downhill skiing while minimizing joint impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional elliptical cross trainers are used, then forward and rearward foot movements are simulated, but lateral foot movements similar to downhill skiing are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The foot support is divided into separate pedals for each foot, with each pedal independently guided through its own elliptical path by separate cranks and guides. This segmentation allows each pedal to follow a specific lateral elliptical trajectory that simulates downhill skiing movements, resolving the contradiction by enabling lateral foot movement capability through divided functional elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism employs movable guides (rocker links) with adjustable pivot positions that can be relocated manually or by actuator. This dynamic adjustability allows the pedal motion paths to be changed to exercise different muscle groups, providing lateral foot movement capability while maintaining manageable device complexity through reconfigurable rather than fixed complex mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed pedal motion paths are used, then consistent exercise routine is provided, but ability to exercise different muscle groups is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The guides are rocker links pivotally connected to the foot supports and framework, with rocker link pivots that can be relocated manually or by actuator to change the pedal motion. This dynamic reconfigurability enables users to adjust the pedal paths to target different muscle groups while maintaining ease of operation through simple manual or automated adjustment mechanisms rather than complex reassembly procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The same linkage mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides the primary lateral elliptical pedal motion for skiing simulation, enables adjustment of pedal paths for different muscle group targeting, and coordinates with arm exercise handles. This multi-functionality achieves muscle group targeting flexibility without increasing adjustment complexity, as the adjustment mechanism is integrated into the existing linkage structure.
3Productivity
If arm exercise is not coordinated with leg exercise, then simpler mechanism is used, but full body exercise benefit is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The arm exercise handles are pivotally connected to the framework and coordinated with the foot supports through the linkage mechanism. When the foot is up, the corresponding handle is generally up, creating a coordinated full-body exercise motion. This merging of arm and leg exercise functions into a single coordinated mechanism achieves full body exercise efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the coordination is achieved through the existing linkage geometry rather than separate control systems.
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
Provides a full-body workout with variable intensity, effectively exercising the inner and outer leg muscles and ankle control, with adjustable pedal motion to target different muscle groups, offering a safer and more effective exercise experience compared to existing equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The cranks are connected by a coupling device such as a gear pair which rotate in opposite directions with the cranks.
Implementation Method 2
Load resistance is imposed upon the crank arms through pulleys and belts from a flywheel and frictional resistance.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates downhill skiing with arm exercise. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise machine having separately supported pedals for the feet and arm exercise coordinated with the motion of the feet. Each pedal follows an separate elongate curve with lateral movement. As one pedal moves downward on the inside portion of one pedal curve, the other pedal moves sideways upward following the outer portion of the other pedal curve. A pair of cranks rotate in opposite directions when driven by the pedal movement. The orientation of the pedal curves is adjustable to exercise leg muscles differently. Arm exercise is coordinated with the foot pedal movements.