Fluid Displacement Exercise Equipment with Hub-Mounted CVT
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid displacement stationary exercise equipment has fixed ratios of pulleys, gears, or sprockets, leading to a non-linear relationship between energy input and turbine speed, making it challenging for novice users due to excessive difficulty and inadequate for elite athletes, limiting the practical range of users and preventing incremental performance measurement.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) between the driven displacement turbine and the driving source, allowing adjustable transmission ratios via a hub-mounted CVT with planetary spheres and Bowden cables, enabling seamless gear shifts from low to high ratios, accommodating various user intensities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed ratios of pulleys, gears or sprockets are used, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability for different user levels is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a continuously variable transmission (CVT) system that dynamically adjusts the transmission ratio between the driving source and turbine, replacing fixed gear ratios with continuously adjustable pulley systems. This allows the equipment to adapt to different user fitness levels by smoothly varying resistance without requiring complex multi-gear mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the transmission ratio parameter continuously rather than in discrete steps. By varying the effective diameter of the pulleys in the CVT system, the equipment can provide a wide range of resistance levels suitable for novices, rehabilitation clients, and elite athletes, thereby improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Speed
If fixed transmission ratios are used, then the device is easier to operate, but the useful cadence range is very limited
Solution Approach 1:
The CVT system enables dynamic adjustment of the transmission ratio during operation, allowing users to maintain optimal cadence across a wide speed range. The continuous variability of the transmission system ensures that the equipment remains easy to operate while expanding the useful cadence range from a compressed few RPM to a broad spectrum suitable for different exercise intensities.
3Power
If the turbine speed is increased, then the power output increases, but the input power required increases exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a CVT system that dynamically optimizes the transmission ratio to match the user's power output capability with the turbine's power requirements. This prevents the exponential increase in input power by allowing users to operate at comfortable, linear power levels while still achieving effective turbine rotation through continuous ratio adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
By continuously varying the transmission ratio parameter, the system transforms the non-linear power relationship into a more linear operational characteristic. Users can produce power at a comfortable, steady rate while the CVT adjusts the ratio to maintain effective turbine speed, avoiding the exponential power escalation inherent in fixed-ratio systems.
4Measurement precision
If fixed ratios are used, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the measurement precision for elite athletes is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The continuously variable transmission system provides precise, incremental adjustment of the transmission ratio, enabling elite athletes to measure and track small performance improvements. The continuous parameter variation allows for fine-grained control and measurement of power output and cadence relationships, significantly improving measurement precision compared to discrete fixed gear ratios.
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 CVT system provides a wide range of workout intensities, allowing novice users to perform comfortably and elite athletes to achieve high loads, ensuring accurate performance measurement and a more enjoyable workout by adjusting the power and resistance levels dynamically.
Implementation Method 1
fluid (air, liquid or both) displacement resistance
Implementation Method 2
fluid (air, liquid or both) displacement resistance
Data Source
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AI summary
A stationary exercise equipment has a supporting structure, a movable user interface (42) connected to the supporting structure，and a force-resisting device (1). The force-resisting device (1) with a hub mounted continuously variable transmission (2) configured therein provides a variable resistance force that varies an amount of force with a movement of the movable user interface (42). The hub mounted variable transmission (2) is operably to vary the resistance force of the movable user interface (42) in a manner of varying a rotational rate of the user interface (42) to increase or decrease as required.