Motor Resistance Control for Exercise Equipment Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional exercising apparatuses with constant counterweights can cause muscle strain due to rapid counterweight free fall when user fatigue sets in, and offer only constant resistance, limiting user flexibility in training modes.
Innovation Solution
A motor resistance structure with a control unit, sensing element, and output shaft that adjusts resistance dynamically based on user force, allowing for variable resistance modes and automatic release of resistance when needed, eliminating the need for counterweights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a constant counterweight is used for resistance training, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the resistance cannot be adjusted and may cause muscle strain when user fatigue sets in
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical counterweight system with an electric motor system. The motor can dynamically adjust resistance through electronic control, eliminating the need for physical counterweight adjustment mechanisms. This substitution enables variable resistance training while maintaining structural simplicity through electronic rather than mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic resistance adjustment capability where the motor can change resistance levels during exercise based on user performance and fatigue levels. The system transitions from static counterweight resistance to dynamic motor-controlled resistance, allowing real-time adaptation to user needs while preventing excessive resistance that could cause injury.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a latch mechanism is added to adjust counterweight, then resistance adjustment becomes possible, but the device complexity increases and manual intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The motorized system automatically adjusts resistance levels based on sensor feedback about user performance and fatigue. The system serves itself by detecting user state and independently modifying resistance without requiring manual latch operation or external intervention, thereby eliminating manual adjustment requirements while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensors that continuously monitor user performance metrics and feed this information back to the motor control system. This feedback loop enables automatic resistance adjustment based on real-time user state, eliminating the need for manual intervention while providing adaptive resistance training that responds to user fatigue and performance levels.
3Speed
If the counterweight is allowed to free fall for rapid return, then the operation speed increases, but it causes rapid body tilt and potential muscle strain
Solution Approach 1:
The motor system applies preliminary counteracting force to prevent the harmful effects of uncontrolled free fall. By actively controlling the motor during the return phase, the system opposes the gravitational force that would cause rapid counterweight descent, thereby preventing the sudden body tilt and muscle strain that would result from uncontrolled free fall while still enabling relatively quick return.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor provides beforehand cushioning by applying controlled resistance during the counterweight return phase. This pre-applied counterforce acts as a cushion against the gravitational pull, preventing the abrupt deceleration and body tilt that would occur with free fall. The motor cushioning ensures smooth, controlled return motion that protects the user from injury while maintaining operational efficiency.
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 safe and adaptable resistance training by preventing counterweight free fall, allowing for customizable resistance levels and reducing muscle strain, facilitating continuous and comfortable exercise without manual counterweight management.
Implementation Method 1
The control unit controls the motor to generate a resistance, and outputs a first instruction. The first instruction allows the output shaft to rotate by a first preset revolution along a first sense of rotation which overcomes a sense of rotation of the resistance.
Implementation Method 2
The sensing element senses the applied force and gets a sensing result which is transmitted to the control unit.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor resistance control structure for an exercising apparatus comprises a motor, a drawing member, a control unit, and a sensing element. The control unit controls the motor to generate a resistance and outputs a first instruction to allow an output shaft to rotate by a first present revolution along a first sense of rotation. The drawing member receives an applied force and pulls the output shaft to rotate by a training revolution along the first sense of rotation. The sensing element senses the applied force and gets a sensing result. By the comparison of the applied force with the resistance, the control unit controls the output shaft to rotate by a second preset revolution along a second sense of rotation or release the resistance of the motor, which avoids a problem in an ordinary exercising apparatus that a counterweight may fall freely to injure a user.