Floor-Based Exercise Machine Cable Routing Without Wall Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing strength training machines are often expensive and complex due to the need for arms with degrees of freedom, requiring wall mounting and additional installation costs, while lacking versatility in exercise configurations.
Innovation Solution
Floor-based exercise machines with internal motors and cable systems that mimic weight stacks, using adjustable torque control and auxiliary pulleys to provide versatile and cost-effective strength training exercises without the need for wall mounting, allowing for various exercise configurations and portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional strength training machines use arms with degrees of freedom and wall mounting, then exercise stability and support are improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional mounting approach by placing the motor and cable system on the floor rather than mounting arms on the wall. The motor unit sits on the floor and uses cables to provide resistance, eliminating the need for complex wall-mounted arms with multiple degrees of freedom while maintaining exercise stability through the cable tension system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the motor from the traditional arm structure and places it separately on the floor as a standalone motor unit. This separation removes the complexity of integrating motors into wall-mounted arms while preserving the resistance function through the cable connection system.
2Strength
If traditional strength training machines use wall mounting and fixed configurations, then structural support is improved, but adaptability and portability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adjustability through cables that can be configured at various heights and angles, and a motor unit that can be repositioned on the floor. This dynamic configuration system allows the same basic structure to adapt to multiple exercise types without requiring fixed wall mounting, enhancing both versatility and portability while maintaining structural support through the cable-tension-based load-bearing system.
3Device complexity
If traditional strength training machines use fixed cable paths, then cable guidance is simplified, but exercise versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal cable system where a single cable configuration can support multiple exercise types through adjustable attachment points and flexible routing. The cable connects the motor unit to the user via adjustable mechanisms that allow the same cable system to accommodate various pull angles and heights, enabling one system to perform multiple functions without increasing complexity.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, versatile, and portable strength training experience that mimics traditional weight stacks, offering a range of exercises with adjustable resistance and reduced complexity, enhancing user engagement and safety.
Implementation Method 1
A floor-based digital exercise machine includes a motor configured to apply a torque to a spool
Implementation Method 2
The cable is routed around a pulley
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise system includes an exercise platform comprising an internal motor coupled to a cable exiting the exercise platform via a portal in an exit direction to transmit force to a remote handle. It further includes an auxiliary pulley external to the exercise platform that redirects the cable from the exit direction to facilitate a direction of an exercise motion.