Incremental Weight Selector Mechanism for Exercise Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise devices with weight systems require complex and costly mechanisms for adding smaller incremental weights, making it tedious and inefficient to select intermediate weight amounts.
Innovation Solution
A weight system that includes a main weight selection mechanism, a weight lift, incremental weights, and an incremental weight selection system with a hook and actuation mechanism, allowing for intuitive and automatic adjustment of incremental weights between main weight increments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed number of weight plates with predefined weight increments are used, then the weight selection is simple, but adding smaller incremental weight becomes tedious and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The weight system is divided into two independent segments: main weight plates with larger predefined increments and a separate incremental weight mechanism for smaller adjustments. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently without complicating the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary mechanism (peg or pin) is introduced to selectively engage with notches on the incremental weight, enabling easy addition or removal of the incremental weight portion. This intermediary component simplifies the operation of adjusting small weight increments.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a mechanism is added to allow smaller incremental weight selection, then weight selection flexibility is improved, but the mechanism becomes costly and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The weight adjustment capability is segmented into a simple, dedicated incremental weight portion rather than requiring a complex universal adjustment mechanism. This segmentation provides versatility for small weight changes while keeping the mechanism simple and cost-effective.
Solution Approach 2:
The incremental weight mechanism is designed to be self-contained and self-explanatory, with the incremental weight portion automatically engaging or disengaging from the main weight stack through simple manual manipulation of the peg, eliminating the need for complex control systems.
3Measurement precision
If a complex mechanism is used for incremental weight adjustment, then precise weight selection is achieved, but the operation becomes tedious
Solution Approach 1:
A simple peg or pin acts as an intermediary to quickly engage or disengage the incremental weight from the main weight stack, enabling precise weight selection without requiring time-consuming manual adjustments or complex procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The incremental weight is pre-configured with notches at specific weight increments, so that when the peg engages with a notch, the precise weight selection is immediately achieved without requiring further adjustment or calculation during the exercise setup.
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise apparatus comprises an incremental weight system. The incremental weight system comprises an incremental weight and an incremental weight selector. The incremental weight selector is liftable by a weight lift and has a lever movable between a lowered position and a raised position to actuate the selector between an engaged position engaging the incremental weight such that the incremental weight is liftable with a first weight by the weight lift and a disengaged position disengaged from the incremental weight such that the first weight is liftable independent of the incremental weight.