Motorized Cable Fitness Equipment With Foot-Tap Load Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional strength training equipment poses challenges in safely returning weights to an unloaded state, especially when users are at their physical limits or in compromised positions, discouraging them from fully attempting exercises.

Innovation Solution

Exercise equipment equipped with a motor, cable, sensor, and control circuitry that allows users to control force exertion through foot tapping, enabling easy and reliable reduction or elimination of load without needing to return to a specific body position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional dead weight equipment is used, then strength training effectiveness is improved, but safety and ease of operation deteriorate when users are at their physical limits

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength training effectivenessVSAvoidease of returning weights to rack

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical weight stack system with an electronic motorized system that uses a motor, cable, and control circuitry to generate and control resistance force. This substitution allows the resistance to be dynamically adjusted and removed electronically rather than requiring mechanical manipulation of weights, solving the problem of safely returning weights when users are exhausted or in compromised positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Strength

If users push to their physical limits, then strength gains are improved, but safety and ability to control load deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength gainsVSAvoidability to safely control load

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates sensors that detect user state (such as position, velocity, or physiological parameters) and feed this information back to the control circuitry. This feedback loop enables the motor to automatically adjust the resistance force in real-time based on user performance and safety parameters, allowing users to push their limits while maintaining safe and controllable load conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control of the resistance force through the motorized system, allowing the load to be continuously adjusted during the exercise rather than remaining fixed. This dynamic capability enables the system to adapt to changing user conditions, maintaining optimal resistance levels that both challenge the user's limits and ensure safety through real-time control adjustments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 users to safely push their limits by allowing easy and reliable force adjustment from any position, improving usability and enabling full engagement with exercises, even when fatigued or in compromised positions.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor arranged to measure a parameter affected by tapping of a foot of a user of the exercise equipment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce measurement: Force

Data Source

PatentUS12458846B2Fitness equipment with tap control

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 OXEFIT INC

AI summary

Exercise equipment includes a motor, a cable coupled to the motor such that the motor is operable to create a tension in the cable, a sensor arranged to measure a parameter affected by tapping of a foot of a user of the exercise equipment, and control circuitry programmed to modify operation of the motor in response to detecting a pattern in the parameter as measured by the sensor.