Magnetic Brake Mechanism for Treadmill Power Failure Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric treadmills lack a mechanism to prevent unexpected belt movement when power is interrupted, posing a safety risk to users as the belt can rotate due to external forces without electrical control.
Innovation Solution
An electric treadmill equipped with a magnetic brake mechanism that automatically engages to stop the belt rotation when power is lost, using a lifting device and position sensors to move the magnetic brake into position to create a drag force via eddy currents on a rotating disc, ensuring the belt remains stationary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the treadmill uses electric power to drive the motor for belt rotation, then the treadmill can operate normally for exercise, but when power is interrupted the belt may rotate unexpectedly due to external forces
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic brake mechanism is pre-positioned to apply preliminary anti-action against the rotating disc. When power is interrupted, the brake mechanism automatically engages without delay, creating a drag force through eddy currents that prevents the belt from rotating unexpectedly. This preliminary positioning ensures immediate safety response when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical brake systems with a magnetic brake mechanism that uses electromagnetic fields and eddy currents to create the braking force. The magnetic brake mechanism generates a drag force on the rotating disc through electromagnetic induction, eliminating the need for mechanical contact and reducing complexity while improving reliability.
2Reliability
If a magnetic brake mechanism is added to prevent belt rotation during power outages, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical brake systems with a magnetic brake mechanism that utilizes electromagnetic fields. The magnetic brake mechanism includes a magnetic portion that generates eddy currents in the rotating disc, creating a drag force without mechanical contact. This substitution reduces overall device complexity while maintaining safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic brake mechanism is designed to automatically engage when power is interrupted, without requiring external control or additional components. The lifting device automatically positions the magnetic brake mechanism to engage with the rotating disc, and the eddy current braking effect activates automatically, making the system self-servicing and reducing complexity.
3Force
If the magnetic brake mechanism is positioned close to the rotating disc, then the drag force increases to stop the belt, but the lifting device must overcome stronger magnetic attraction
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic brake mechanism applies partial braking force by positioning the magnetic portion at an optimized distance from the rotating disc. This distance is sufficient to generate the necessary drag force through eddy currents to stop the belt during power outages, while not requiring the lifting device to overcome excessive magnetic attraction. The partial action approach balances braking effectiveness with lifting power requirements.
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 solution effectively prevents unexpected belt movement during power outages, enhancing user safety by ensuring the treadmill belt remains stationary even when power is interrupted, thus preventing accidents.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic field created by the magnetic portion will pass through the rotating disc to generate the drag force against rotation of the rotating disc due to eddy currents induced in the rotating disc
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic field created by the magnetic portion will pass through the rotating disc to generate the drag force against rotation of the rotating disc due to eddy currents induced in the rotating disc
Data Source
AI summary
An electric treadmill includes a treadmill frame, an endless belt, a motor coupled to the endless belt for driving the endless belt to rotate, a brake device and a lifting device. The brake device has a rotating disc coaxially fixed to a motor shaft of the motor and a magnetic brake mechanism. The magnetic brake mechanism has at least one magnetic portion for applying a drag force against rotation of the rotating disc. The lifting device is operable to drive the magnetic brake mechanism to move between a first position where the magnetic portion is located close to the rotating disc and a second position where the magnetic portion is located away from the rotating disc. When there is no electric power supplied to the electric treadmill, the magnetic brake mechanism will automatically move to the first position due to gravity to stop rotation of the endless belt.