Noise abatement for fitness machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fitness machines lack a sufficient range of adjustable stiffness settings, making it difficult for users to customize the resistance level, especially for workout regimens requiring soft or very-soft settings, and often require dedicated equipment, increasing facility costs.
Innovation Solution
A fitness machine with a base and mobile portion supported by resilient bodies like leaf springs, where the frame is moveable relative to the base to adjust resistance, and a fastener assembly expands to prevent movement, allowing for a wide range of stiffness settings from stiff to very-soft, using a cushion to reduce noise and a fastener assembly to stabilize the frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If resilient bodies are used to support the mobile portion, then the range of stiffness settings is improved, but the noise generated during operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
A cushion is introduced as an intermediary element between the resilient body and the mobile portion. The cushion absorbs and dampens vibrations and noise generated during operation, while allowing the resilient body to maintain its shock-absorbing function. This mediator enables the system to achieve both adaptability in stiffness settings and noise reduction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the frame is made moveable to adjust resistance, then the adaptability is improved, but the stability during operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The frame is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to be moveable for adjustment but stable during operation. The frame can be positioned at different resistance levels and locked in place, providing both adaptability and stability as needed. This dynamic design enables the system to transition between adjustment mode and stable operation mode.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a fastener assembly is used to prevent frame movement, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The noise-abatement function is extracted from the fastener assembly and placed into a separate cushion component. This allows the fastener assembly to focus solely on providing stability through a simple expansion mechanism, while the cushion handles the noise reduction function. This separation reduces the complexity of the fastener assembly while maintaining both stability and noise abatement functions.
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
The system provides a full range of stiffness settings, enhancing user experience and reducing noise, while maintaining stability and adjustability without the need for additional equipment.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient body is configured to provide a resistance against the mobile portion moving towards the base in the height direction
Implementation Method 2
A cushion is positioned between the resilient body and the mobile portion to reduce the noise generated from contact therebetween during operation of the fitness machine
Data Source
AI summary
A fitness machine operable by a user. The fitness machine has a base that extends in a length direction, a width direction, and a height direction that are perpendicular to each other. A mobile portion is configured to support the user during operation of the fitness machine. A resilient body is supported by a frame and configured to provide a resistance against the mobile portion moving towards the base in the height direction. A fastener assembly couples the frame to the base, wherein the fastener assembly is configured to expand to prevent the frame from moving relative to the base during operation of the fitness machine.