Sensor-Guided Isometric Exercise Positioning for User Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exercise equipment lacks the ability to accurately adjust to the user's size and position during isometric exercises, requiring manual estimation and potentially leading to improper muscle engagement and joint alignment.

Innovation Solution

An exercise apparatus with a load-bearing mechanism incorporating an actuator, position sensor, and force sensor, which adjusts the distance between the user support and loading interface dynamically, providing precise control and feedback to ensure correct muscle contraction and joint alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual estimation is used to adjust exercise equipment settings, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and manufacturing precision deteriorate leading to improper muscle engagement and joint alignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmeasurement precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated actuator system that uses electrical signals to precisely position the loading interface. The actuator receives control signals from a control unit and automatically adjusts the distance between the user support and loading interface, eliminating the need for manual estimation while achieving precise positioning through electronic control rather than mechanical estimation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where position sensors detect the actual position of the loading interface and force sensors monitor the load applied by the user. This feedback information is sent to the control unit, which compares the actual position with the target position and adjusts the actuator accordingly to achieve precise muscle engagement and joint alignment, ensuring measurement precision through continuous monitoring and adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If automated actuators and sensors are added to improve measurement precision, then measurement precision and manufacturing precision improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it receives target position inputs, controls the actuator for positioning, processes feedback from position sensors, monitors force sensor data, and adjusts parameters in real-time. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single control unit, the patent manages device complexity through functional integration rather than requiring separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment through the automated actuator that responds to control signals without requiring manual intervention. The position sensors and force sensors continuously monitor the system state and provide feedback to the control unit, which automatically makes adjustments to maintain optimal positioning and loading, enabling the device to self-correct and self-regulate, thereby managing complexity through automation rather than manual operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the loading interface is kept static relative to the user support, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates preventing accommodation of users of varying size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static loading interface into a dynamic component that can automatically adjust its position relative to the user support. The actuator enables the loading interface to move along the longitudinal axis, and the control unit dynamically adjusts the distance based on user-specific parameters such as body size, strength level, and exercise requirements, allowing the same device to adapt to multiple users with different physical characteristics through automated dynamic reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes key parameters including the distance between the user support and loading interface, the amount of load applied, and the position of the loading interface based on detected user characteristics and exercise requirements. By dynamically adjusting these parameters rather than maintaining fixed settings, the device achieves adaptability to accommodate users of varying size and capability while managing complexity through automated parameter optimization rather than multiple fixed configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260077239A1Exercise systems and related methods
Publication Date: 2026.03.19 TRUE WELLNESS INC
  • US20260077239A1 patent drawing
  • US20260077239A1 patent drawing
  • US20260077239A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An exercise apparatus and related method according to which the exercise apparatus includes a loading interface, a user support, and a load-bearing mechanism operably coupled between the loading interface and the user support. A load-bearing mechanism adapted to be operably coupled between a loading interface and a user support of an exercise apparatus. The load-bearing mechanism includes an actuator, a position sensor, and a force sensor. A method for adjusting a relative distance between a loading interface and a user support of an exercise apparatus using a load-bearing mechanism to accommodate users of varying size. Exercise systems and related methods according to which a kiosk is in communication with one or more of the following: a grip-strength tester or component(s) thereof; a balance board or component(s) thereof; a vibration system or component(s) thereof; and/or other exercise devices or systems.