Fluid Container With Adjustable Water Levels For Exercise Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise machines with fluid-based resistance lack the ability to dynamically adjust resistance levels during a workout, limiting user customization and flexibility in simulating different physical activities.
Innovation Solution
An exercise machine assembly featuring a fluid container with an inner and outer reservoir, where fluid can flow between the two to adjust resistance levels, utilizing an adjustment assembly with a fluid displacement device and an adjustment input device to control fluid flow, allowing users to select desired resistance levels through a user-friendly interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed volume of fluid is used in the fluid container, then the structure is simple, but the resistance level cannot be adjusted during workout
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid container is divided into two separate reservoirs (first reservoir and second reservoir) that can independently hold different volumes of fluid. This segmentation allows the system to adjust resistance by controlling fluid distribution between reservoirs, achieving variable resistance levels without requiring a completely different container design for each level.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a drain mechanism that allows fluid to dynamically transfer between the first and second reservoirs based on user selection. This dynamic fluid redistribution enables real-time adjustment of resistance levels during workouts, transforming a static fluid system into a dynamic one that adapts to different exercise requirements.
2Force
If the fluid volume is increased to provide higher resistance, then the resistance force increases, but the device becomes harder to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of fluid volume in the first reservoir through the drain mechanism, enabling users to select optimal resistance levels. This means users can start with lower resistance (less fluid) and progressively increase it as their strength improves, or adjust during workouts to maintain proper form and prevent injury.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the volume parameter of fluid in the first reservoir, the system directly controls the resistance force. The drain mechanism enables this parameter change on-demand, allowing the resistance force to be optimized for different user capabilities and exercise phases without being locked into a fixed high-resistance configuration.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fluid levels are provided to simulate different exercise conditions, then the versatility increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid management system is segmented into two reservoirs with a controlled drainage pathway between them. This segmentation provides multiple fluid levels (first level in first reservoir, second level in second reservoir) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure compared to having multiple separate containers or complex variable-volume mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain mechanism acts as an intermediary element that controls fluid transfer between reservoirs. This single intermediary component enables multiple fluid levels and resistance configurations without requiring complex valve systems, pumps, or multiple separate fluid management subsystems.
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 customizable resistance levels during a workout, providing a wider range of simulated exercises by varying the fluid volume, allowing users to adjust resistance on the fly, enhancing the versatility and effectiveness of fluid-based resistance training.
Implementation Method 1
during operation of the exercise machine assembly, the fluid displacement device displaces fluid in the outer reservoir, causing the fluid in the outer reservoir to separate from the inner reservoir
Implementation Method 2
the adjustment assembly can establish a plurality of resistance levels by causing predefined amounts of fluid to flow from either of the inner reservoir or the outer reservoir to the other
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 2B
AI summary
An exercise machine assembly provides a fluid-based resistance force and allows a user to exert a force against the resistance force. A fluid displacement device is coupled to the exercise machine assembly and rotatably driven by the force exerted by the user. A fluid container has a hollow body enclosing the fluid displacement device, allowing for the fluid displacement device to rotate therein, and encloses a fluid. The fluid container includes an inner reservoir and an outer reservoir that cause the fluid-based resistance force to vary based on amounts of fluid in the inner and outer reservoirs, respectively. Further, the inner reservoir has one or more openings through which fluid can flow from either of the inner reservoir or the outer reservoir to the other.