Inclinable Exercise Device with Gas Strut Brake
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise devices do not adequately alleviate the impact on knees and other joints during jumping and squat exercises, leading to potential injury and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A jumping exercise device with a sliding user support platform on adjustable incline rails, featuring a gas strut brake and adjustable bungee resistance, designed to reduce joint impact by controlling the deceleration and inclination, along with a knee flexion limiter to limit maximum downward travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a traditional foot plate and slidable carriage exercise machine is used, then basic jumping and squat exercises can be performed, but the impact on knees and other joints is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a braking mechanism that actively decelerates the glide board during the upward phase of the exercise movement. This controlled deceleration prevents excessive momentum from transferring to the user's joints during the downward phase, thereby cushioning the impact before it reaches the knees and other joints. The brake system is engaged in advance to control the descent, rather than allowing free fall.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary braking mechanism between the user's body weight and the joints. The brake acts as a mediator that absorbs and dissipates the impact forces through controlled friction, preventing the direct transmission of high-impact forces to the joints. This intermediary system converts harmful kinetic energy into heat through the braking action.
2Length of moving object
If the rail length is reduced to make the device more compact, then space requirements are minimized, but the deceleration distance is insufficient leading to higher impact forces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a gas strut brake mechanism that uses pneumatic principles to provide controlled resistance during the glide board's movement. The gas strut contains compressed gas that provides progressive resistance as it extends, enabling effective deceleration over a shorter distance. This pneumatic system allows the device to achieve sufficient deceleration in a compact rail length without compromising impact reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of deceleration force by implementing an adjustable braking mechanism. The brake can be configured to provide varying levels of resistance, allowing the deceleration profile to be optimized for different rail lengths and user weights. This parameter adjustment enables effective impact control even with shorter rails by increasing the braking force compensating for the reduced deceleration distance.
3Device complexity
If fixed resistance is used in traditional exercise machines, then the structure is simple, but it cannot be adjusted for different user needs and exercise intensities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static fixed resistance to dynamic adjustable resistance through the implementation of a variable braking mechanism. The gas strut brake can be adjusted to provide different resistance levels during the glide board's movement, adapting to various user strengths, weights, and exercise intensities. This dynamic resistance system allows the same device to serve multiple user needs without requiring multiple fixed-resistance machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes in the resistance mechanism by allowing adjustment of the braking force. The gas strut can be configured with different pre-loads or stiffness values, and the brake engagement point can be varied, thereby changing the resistance characteristics. This parameter adjustability provides versatility while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
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 device effectively reduces the impact on joints during landing by decelerating the glide board, allowing for customizable resistance and shorter rail lengths, enhancing user safety and comfort during exercises.
Implementation Method 1
a gas strut brake... designed to reduce joint impact by controlling the deceleration
Implementation Method 2
adjustable bungee resistance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An inclinable exercise device includes a support; an adjustable incline having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion operably supported by the support to allow adjustment in an angle of the adjustable incline; a user support platform movably attached to the adjustable incline for movement of the user support platform along the adjustable incline during at least one of jumping and squat exercises; a foot support stand secured to the adjustable incline in the lower portion, the foot support engaged by ones feet during at least one of jumping and squat exercises; one or more resistance mechanisms resisting upward movement of the user support platform along the adjustable incline during at least one of jumping and squat exercises.