Foldable Treadmill Transverse Bar Base Frame Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable treadmills occupy excessive space due to their design, which prevents minimization of the base frame size necessary for retractable cylinder mounting, leading to inefficient use of installation space.
Innovation Solution
A foldable treadmill design incorporating a treadbase, base frame, linkage unit, and retractable unit, where the linkage unit controls clearance between the second link and treadbase, allowing the retractable unit to interlock between the base frame and treadbase without affecting the retracting function, enabling a transverse bar-like base frame to replace the conventional open frame design, thus reducing space occupation and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the retractable cylinders are mounted at the side bars or end bars of the base frame, then the retracting function is achieved, but the base frame size cannot be minimized leading to excessive space occupation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from mounting retractable cylinders on the side bars (horizontal dimension) to mounting them on the transverse bar in the vertical dimension. This dimensional shift allows the base frame to be minimized in horizontal space while maintaining the retracting function through vertical movement of the treadbase.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage unit is pre-configured with a transverse bar that establishes the mounting position for retractable cylinders before the folding operation begins. This preliminary structural arrangement enables the retractable cylinders to be mounted in a space-efficient configuration that doesn't interfere with the folding mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If another end bar is added to the base frame for connection of the treadbase, then the connection function is achieved, but the base frame size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transverse bar serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural connector between side bars, provides a mounting surface for retractable cylinders, and enables the folding mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional end bars, maintaining connection functionality while minimizing base frame size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of connection and retractable cylinder mounting into a single transverse bar structure. By combining these functions, the design eliminates the need for separate end bars, thereby reducing the overall base frame size while achieving both connection and mounting objectives.
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
This design significantly reduces space occupation and apparatus cost while improving space efficiency by allowing the treadmill to fold compactly without compromising its retracting functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The linkage unit is pivotally connected between the treadbase and the base frame, defining with the treadbase a clearance therebetween
Implementation Method 2
The retractable unit comprises a pivot-connection portion pivotally connected to the base frame, and a retractable member pivotally connected to the transverse section of the second link
Implementation Method 3
the treadbase 12 is biasable relative to the base frame 11 between a vertically extended collapsed position and a horizontally extended operating position
Data Source
AI summary
A foldable treadmill includes a treadbase having two short sides and two long sides, a base frame extended in the extending direction of the short sides of the treadbase and supported on a supporting surface, a linkage unit coupled between the treadbase and the base frame, and a retractable unit including a pivot-connection portion pivotally connected to the base frame and a retractable member interlocking with the linkage unit and movable relative to the pivot-connection portion between a retracted position where the long sides of the treadbase are disposed in proximity to the supporting surface and an extended position where the long sides of said treadbase are disposed far from the supporting surface and the position of the linkage unit is shifted with the retractable member to reduce the clearance between the linkage unit and the treadbase to minimize space occupation.