Adjustable Gas-Spring Chest Expander for Variable Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chest expanders lack the ability for users to easily adjust the magnitude of the elastic force to match their individual muscle strength.
Innovation Solution
A chest expander design that incorporates a pair of operating arms and gas springs, where the magnitude of the elastic force provided by the gas springs is adjustable through a slider mechanism with a stopper that can be moved between engaging and release positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the elastic force magnitude is fixed in conventional chest expanders, then the structure is simple, but the user cannot adjust the force to match their muscle strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the gas spring position adjustable rather than fixed. The slider mechanism allows the upper end of the gas spring to be positioned at different locations along the arc-shaped moving hole, dynamically changing the elastic force magnitude according to user needs. This transforms a static structure into a dynamic, adjustable one.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the position parameter of the gas spring along the arc-shaped moving hole to adjust the elastic force magnitude. By varying the position parameter (distance from the rotation axis), the system achieves different force outputs without changing the gas spring itself, thereby providing adaptability while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If a slider mechanism with stopper is added to adjust gas spring position, then the elastic force becomes adjustable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper mechanism is designed to be manually operated by the user themselves. The user can easily move the stopper along the moving hole to engage with coupling teeth at different positions, adjusting the gas spring position without requiring additional tools or complex mechanisms. This self-service approach maintains ease of operation despite adding components.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is segmented into discrete coupling teeth along the moving hole, allowing the stopper to engage at specific predetermined positions. This segmentation provides clear, distinct adjustment levels while simplifying the engagement mechanism, as the stopper only needs to snap into one of several predefined tooth positions rather than continuous adjustment.
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 users to adjust the elastic force to suit their muscle strength, allowing for more effective and personalized muscle training.
Implementation Method 1
at least one gas spring disposed between and coupled to the two operating arms... a magnitude of an elastic force provided by the gas springs is adjusted
Implementation Method 2
a slider is provided to movably support the upper end of the gas spring along the moving hole, and the slider includes a stopper engaged in the moving hole to fix the upper end of the gas spring at an adjusted position
Implementation Method 3
two operating arms of which upper end portions are coupled to the head using rotating shafts and which operate to move toward or away from each other
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a chest expander including a head, two operating arms of which upper end portions are coupled to the head using rotating shafts, and at least one gas spring disposed between and coupled to the two operating arms by a lower end of the gas spring being rotatably coupled to one operating arm and an upper end of the gas spring being coupled to an upper portion of the other operating arm, wherein a moving hole extending in an arc shape about the lower end of the gas spring is formed in the upper portion of the operating arm, a slider is provided to movably support the upper end of the gas spring along the moving hole, and the slider includes a stopper which fixes the slider.