Automatic Ergometer Fit Adjustment From External Ergonomic Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ergometers require significant manual effort to adjust to the individual ergonomic parameters of multiple users, which is inefficient and time-consuming.

Innovation Solution

An ergometer with an internal controller and actuators that automatically adjust saddle, handlebar, and crank positions based on ergonomic data captured by an external device, such as a smartphone app, to optimize user comfort and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of saddle and handlebar positions is performed for each user, then ergonomic parameters can be optimized for individual users, but the time and effort required for setup increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveergonomic adaptation to individual usersVSAvoidsetup time for each user

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses sensors to automatically detect user anatomical parameters and the controller autonomously calculates and adjusts the saddle and handlebar positions without requiring manual input or user involvement in the adjustment process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the positional parameters of the saddle and handlebar based on detected user characteristics, automatically modifying the ergonomics to match individual user needs without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple users share the ergometer, then device utilization increases, but the complexity of managing and adjusting the device for different users increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-user capabilityVSAvoidadjustment management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects user parameters and performs self-adjustment for each user, eliminating the need for manual adjustment management and reducing the operational complexity of sharing the device among multiple users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors detect user anatomical parameters and provide feedback to the controller, which then automatically adjusts the positions, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to different users without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250288863A1User-customizable ergometer

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 CLAUSTHAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

AI summary

An ergometer (1) has a saddle, the saddle support point position (2) of which is adjustable in the vertical direction (y) and longitudinal direction (x) of the ergometer (1), a handlebar, the handlebar position (9) of which is adjustable in the vertical direction (y) and longitudinal direction (x) of the ergometer (1), a pedal part (15), the bottom bracket shaft (14) of which is arranged fixedly on the ergometer, and an adjustment device (5) by means of which the saddle support point position (2) and the handlebar position (9) can be set. In order with minimum effort to perfectly set the ergometer to the individual anatomical dimensions of a person using the ergometer (1), it is proposed that the adjustment device (5) has a control device (21) by means of which the adjustment device (5) can be automatically motor-operated corresponding to predetermined setpoint values for the saddle support point position (2) and the handlebar position (9), and that the predetermined setpoint values for the saddle support point position (2) and the handlebar position (9) can be individually calculated for a person in a computing unit (22) from ergonomic data of said person that are recorded by means of an external device unit (23).