Friction Exercise Device With Arcuate Surface Profiling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise devices with friction-based resistance lack the ability for instantaneous and continuous adjustment, making it difficult to seamlessly transition between warm-up, isometric, and isokinetic exercises.
Innovation Solution
An exercise device featuring a shell body attached to a stationary object with a core cylinder having an arcuate friction surface, an elastic band, and a non-elastic strap that provides adjustable frictional resistance through surface profiling and a counterbrake, allowing for proportional resistance based on applied force, enabling quick changes in intensity without mechanical adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If friction-based resistance is used in exercise devices, then resistance force can be provided, but instantaneous and continuous adjustment of resistance is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from static mechanical adjustment to dynamic force-proportional resistance. The frictional resistance automatically adjusts in real-time based on the ratio of pulling force to resistive force, eliminating the need for mechanical adjustment mechanisms while providing continuous adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance parameter changes dynamically based on the applied forces. By varying the pulling force and resistive force ratios, the frictional resistance automatically adjusts to provide different resistance levels without mechanical intervention, enabling instantaneous parameter changes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If frictional resistance is used, then resistance force is provided, but resistance cannot be continuously adjusted between exercise types
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables dynamic transitions between warm-up, isometric, and isokinetic exercises through real-time force ratio adjustments. The frictional resistance automatically adapts as the user varies their pulling and resistive forces, eliminating time loss associated with mechanical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment based on the user's applied forces. The frictional resistance automatically provides appropriate resistance levels for different exercise types without requiring external mechanical adjustment, allowing seamless transitions between exercise intensities and types.
3Force
If the strap is pulled with increasing force, then resistance increases, but frictional heating of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device converts the potentially harmful frictional heating into a beneficial feature by using the friction between the strap and arcuate surface to generate the resistance force. The surface profiling optimizes this friction to provide proportional resistance while managing heat generation through the inherent friction mechanism.
4Reliability
If surface profiling is added to the friction surface, then form-lock resistance is provided, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arcuate friction surface features localized profiling elements (bumps, grooves, or ribs) that create form-lock resistance only where needed. This localized quality enhancement provides reliable resistance consistency during strap movement while minimizing overall manufacturing complexity compared to fully profiled surfaces.
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 efficient performance of warm-up, strength, and power training in a shorter time, allowing for continuous transitions between exercise types with increased resistance that is directly proportional to the applied force, reducing the need for mechanical adjustments and minimizing heat generation.
Implementation Method 1
a frictional force between the friction surface and the strap opposes a movement of the strap across the friction surface
Implementation Method 2
a substantially elastic band extending between the shell body and the substantially stationary object
Data Source
AI summary
A frictional exercise device includes a shell body to be attached to a stationary object, for instance a door, a doorjamb or a floor, either directly or via a resistance band. A core cylinder in the shell body has an arcuate friction surface. A non-elastic strap winds partially around the core cylinder and hugs the friction surface. When said strap is pulled at one end, a frictional force between the friction surface and the strap opposes a movement of the strap across said friction surface. The magnitude of the frictional force is proportional to a resistive force applied at the opposite end. The arcuate friction surface is formed with a depression and adjoining elevations. A counterbrake projects towards the depression in the friction surface and deflects the strap towards the depression to define an undulating course of the strap along the friction surface and the counterbrake.