Motorized Strength Training Machine With Automated Range Stops
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motorized strength training machines lack user-friendly and reliable mechanical range limiting mechanisms, which are crucial for safety, especially in medical applications, and often require complex manual adjustments that can be erroneous.
Innovation Solution
A motorized strength training machine with a simplified mechanical range limiting mechanism using a single ring and engagement mechanism to control both end stops, accompanied by visual indicators and a display to ensure correct positioning, and integrated force sensors for balanced user input.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical range limiting mechanism is added to motorized strength training machines, then user safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the range limiting function with the existing motorized drive system by integrating stop elements that interact with the motor's rotation path. This merging approach adds safety functionality without creating a completely separate mechanical system, thereby improving user safety while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The range limiting mechanism is designed to operate automatically based on the motor's rotation position. The stop elements engage with the drive mechanism at predetermined angular positions, providing self-regulating range limitation without requiring external control systems or complex sensing mechanisms. This self-service approach enhances safety while keeping the system relatively simple.
2Device complexity
If manual adjustment mechanisms are used for range limiting, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to potential user error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated system that uses the motor's own rotation to position the range limiting stop elements. The system eliminates the need for users to manually calculate and set angular positions, thereby improving ease of operation while the integrated mechanical design keeps overall device complexity manageable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If independent control of first and second stop elements is provided, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control where the positions of the first and second stop elements can be independently adjusted based on different exercise requirements. The system allows flexible configuration of rotation ranges by independently positioning stop elements at various angular locations, providing high adaptability for different training protocols while using a relatively simple mechanical adjustment approach.
Data Source
AI summary
Motorized strength training machine comprising an electric motor unit, an axle and a user force input element, said electric motor unit comprising an electric motor, said electric motor being connected to said axle, such that rotation of the electric motor drives said axle and rotation of the axle drives the electric motor, and said user force input element being connected to said axle such that rotation of said axle displaces the user force input element and displacement of said user force input element rotates the axle, said machine further comprising a mechanical range limiting mechanism comprising displaceable first and second rotation limiting stop elements which can be locked in specific angular locations around the axle to mechanically limit the range of rotational motion of the axle. The mechanical range limiting mechanism comprises a motorized displacement mechanism which is arranged to displace the first and second rotation limiting end stops angularly around the axle based on inputs from a controller. In this way, a safer and easier to adjust strength training machine is provided.