Foldable Treadmill Three-Segment Folding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable treadmills either fail to reduce occupied space effectively or compromise on stability and safety due to high center of gravity and poor design.
Innovation Solution
A foldable treadmill design featuring a running board module with symmetrically arranged sub-modules and folding connection assemblies, including a motion part, transmission units, and four-connection-rod hinges, allowing for three-segment folding and stabilization, reducing overall size and preventing toppling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the treadmill is designed to be foldable to reduce occupied space, then the area for storage is reduced, but the stability and safety deteriorate due to high center of gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The running board is divided into multiple sections that can be folded relative to each other. The first running board section can be folded relative to the second running board section, allowing the treadmill to be compacted into a smaller storage space while maintaining structural integrity through the segmented design.
Solution Approach 2:
The treadmill utilizes vertical space by allowing the running board to fold upward, changing from a horizontal footprint to a vertical configuration. This dimensional transition enables compact storage in a small area while maintaining stability through the folded structure's center of gravity positioning.
2Ease of operation
If the running board is made foldable to enable easy storage, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability deteriorates due to poor design and high center of gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The treadmill incorporates a dynamic folding mechanism where the running board can transition between unfolded and folded states. The first running board section is rotatably connected to the second running board section, enabling easy manual operation for folding and unfolding while maintaining stability in both configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the running board into multiple rotatable sections, the design enables easy manual folding operations while each segment contributes to overall structural stability when folded, preventing toppling through distributed weight arrangement.
3Device complexity
If the treadmill structure is simplified to reduce complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to reduce occupied space deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The running board is segmented into multiple sections connected by rotation mechanisms, enabling compact folding without requiring complex mechanical systems. This simple segmented design achieves space reduction through basic rotational joints rather than complex actuators or mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The treadmill achieves compact storage by transitioning to a vertical configuration, utilizing vertical space instead of requiring complex compression or disassembly mechanisms. This dimensional change simplifies the overall device structure while effectively reducing the occupied floor area.
Data Source
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AI summary
A foldable treadmill includes a running belt (1) and a running board module (2) that includes a first running board sub-module (21) and a second running board sub-module (23) symmetrically arranged on both sides of an intermediate running board sub-module (22). Two groups of folding connection assemblies (3) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of a center line along a width direction of the running belt. A first connection part (32) is coupled to the first running board sub-module and the intermediate running board sub-module, and a second connection part (33) is coupled to the second running board sub-module and the intermediate running board sub-module. A motion part (31) drives the first running board sub-module to rotate relative to the intermediate running board sub-module through the first connection part, and drives the second running board sub-module to rotate relative to the intermediate running board sub-module through the second connection part.