Elliptical Stride Maker with Adjustable Pedal Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise equipment, such as varying stride elliptical cross trainers, face difficulties in providing easy startup and maintaining heel contact during pedaling, especially with longer stride lengths, leading to numb toes and inefficient full-body workouts.
Innovation Solution
A stand-up exercise apparatus with separately supported pedals that simulate walking and jogging, featuring adjustable stride lengths determined by handle movement, with pedals guided through oblong curves and arm exercise coordinated with foot motion, utilizing a pulley system for load resistance and adjustable tension to vary exercise intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If longer stride lengths are used in elliptical cross trainers, then more comprehensive full-body exercise is achieved, but the heel of the foot remains off the pedal for significant part of the pedal cycle resulting in numb toe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamically adjustable stride lengths through a mechanism that allows the pedal curve to change shape based on user selection. The system transitions from fixed-geometry pedal paths to variable-geometry paths that adapt to different exercise requirements, ensuring heel contact is maintained across all stride length configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes geometric parameters of the pedal mechanism to achieve different stride lengths while maintaining the critical parameter of heel contact. By adjusting linkages, crank lengths, and guide curve geometries, the system provides variable stride lengths (short, medium, long) without compromising foot comfort or exercise effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If shorter stride lengths are used with arcuate pedal curves, then easier startup is achieved, but the exercise effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pedal curve geometry based on selected stride length, allowing the mechanism to provide easy startup characteristics when needed while maintaining exercise effectiveness. The adjustable linkages and guide mechanisms enable the pedal path to optimize between arcuate (easier startup) and elongated elliptical (more effective) shapes as required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional pedal mechanism that can deliver different exercise intensities and startup characteristics through a single unified system. The same mechanism serves both as an easy-start arcuate curve generator and as an effective elongated stride exercise device, depending on configuration selection.
3Device complexity
If fixed pedal curves are used in existing elliptical trainers, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide varying stride lengths with proper heel contact is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pedal mechanism into adjustable components including separate linkages, crank arms, and guide elements that can be reconfigured for different stride lengths. This modular approach allows complex variable-geometry functionality to be achieved through coordinated simple components rather than a single complex fixed mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static fixed pedal curves to dynamic adjustable curves through mechanisms that modify the geometry of the pedal path. Adjustable linkages, movable guide points, and reconfigurable crank configurations enable the system to adapt its complexity level based on the selected exercise mode.
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
Enables variable intensity exercise with elliptical pedal paths that maintain heel contact throughout the cycle, ensuring easy startup and reducing joint impact, while allowing for long, medium, and short stride lengths, thus providing a comprehensive full-body workout.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a pulley system for load resistance and adjustable tension to vary exercise intensity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a standup exercise apparatus that simulates walking and jogging 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 where the pedal stride length is determined by the movements of an operator. Crank arms are positioned on the framework forward the operator at a height comparable to the pedals. Compound guides are used to achieve elliptical curve pedal paths.