Elliptical Trainer Pedal Trajectory Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional elliptical trainers have a fixed pedal trajectory, which fails to meet users' varied exercise needs and makes workouts repetitive and uninteresting, lacking adjustability in both trajectory and height.

Innovation Solution

An elliptical trainer design featuring a base frame, front upright frame, transmission device set, guide rail device set, retractable device set, and pedal device set, allowing the guide rail seat to pivot and adjust, enabling the pedal trajectory and height to be modified through a power unit-driven retractable bar, allowing the pedals to change their path and height.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the pedal trajectory is fixed in conventional elliptical trainers, then the structure is simple and stable, but the exercise variety and user adaptability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise varietyVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the guide rail seat movable rather than fixed. The guide rail seat can pivot around a rear axis and is positioned at different locations along the elliptical trajectory through the retractable device. This dynamic positioning system allows the pedal trajectory to be adjusted between multiple predetermined locations, providing exercise variety while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through the use of pivot mechanisms and retractable positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the guide rail seat position is fixed, then the manufacturing cost is lower, but the trajectory adjustment capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrajectory adjustmentVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the guide rail seat positioning into discrete, predetermined locations along the elliptical trajectory. Rather than allowing continuous adjustment, the system segments the trajectory into specific positions that can be selected based on user needs. This segmentation approach simplifies the manufacturing process compared to continuous adjustment mechanisms, while still providing meaningful trajectory variation for different exercise requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide rail seat incorporates a retractable device that enables dynamic positioning between predetermined locations. This retractable mechanism allows the guide rail seat to move to different positions along the trajectory, providing adjustment capability without requiring a completely complex manufacturing process. The dynamic nature of the positioning system balances manufacturing simplicity with trajectory adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If the pedal trajectory remains unchanged, then the damping system can effectively control exercise load, but the exercise becomes repetitive and boring

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise varietyVSAvoidexercise effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by making the pedal trajectory dynamic rather than static. The guide rail seat can be repositioned to different predetermined locations along the elliptical path, creating varied exercise experiences. This dynamic trajectory adjustment maintains exercise effectiveness because each position still provides controlled resistance through the damping system, while simultaneously preventing repetitiveness through trajectory variation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If a retractable device is added to adjust guide rail seat position, then the trajectory adjustability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrajectory adjustabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retractable device incorporates a pivot mechanism that allows the guide rail seat to rotate between different positions. This pivot-based dynamic system provides trajectory adjustability through rotational movement rather than complex linear actuation. The retractable nature of the device allows it to extend to different positions and lock, providing adjustability while keeping the mechanical complexity manageable through the use of simple pivot and retractable components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10471300B2Elliptical trainer

Publication Date: 2019.11.12 JOONG CHENN IND CO LTD

AI summary

An elliptical trainer includes a base frame, a front upright frame mounted at the front side of the base frame, a transmission device set mounted at the front upright frame, a guide rail device set including a guide rail seat pivotally connected with its rear side to the rear side of the base frame, an upper support unit affixed to the front side of the guide rail seat and a lower support unit pivotally connected to the front side of the guide rail seat and biasable up and down relative to the front side of the guide rail seat, a retractable device set pivotally connected between the upper support unit and the lower support unit, and a pedal device set connected to the transmission device set and slidably supported on the guide rail seat.