Mountable Resistance Exercise Device with Motorized Torsion Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Most exercise machines are designed to target specific muscle groups, leaving other muscles underutilized, and there is a need for a portable, lightweight device that can provide supplemental exercises and easily adjustable resistance for various machines.
Innovation Solution
A modular exercise device with a magnetic or mechanical attachment mechanism, a rotational winding assembly, and a motor-controlled resistance system that can be adjusted via a user interface, including a smartphone or remote control, allowing for supplemental arm exercises on machines like bicycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed exercise machine is designed to target specific muscle groups, then the exercise machine provides focused muscle strengthening, but other muscles remain underutilized and the device lacks versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The exercise device is designed with multiple cables extending in different directions, each capable of engaging different muscle groups. The device can perform bicep curls, tricep extensions, chest presses, and rowing motions, allowing a single device to target multiple muscle groups including arms, chest, back, and shoulders, thereby achieving multi-functionality without requiring separate machines for each exercise type
2Weight of moving object
If an exercise device is made portable and lightweight for easy movement between machines, then the device becomes more versatile and user-friendly, but the structural integrity and resistance stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The exercise device uses multiple independent cables instead of a single heavy frame structure. Each cable is individually tensioned and can be engaged or disengaged as needed. This segmentation allows the device to maintain light weight while providing stable resistance through the cumulative effect of multiple cable tensions, and enables easy attachment to various exercise machines without requiring a heavy base
3Ease of operation
If manual resistance adjustment is used in exercise devices, then the device structure remains simple, but the user experience and exercise precision are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates an electric motor that dynamically adjusts cable tension based on user input through a wireless interface. The motor can increase or decrease resistance in real-time during exercise, allowing users to precisely control the difficulty level. This dynamic adjustment capability transforms the static resistance system into an adaptive one that responds to user needs without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical resistance adjustment mechanisms (such as pulley systems, weight stacks, or spring tensioners) with an electric motor-controlled system. The motor receives wireless signals from a user interface and electronically adjusts cable tension, substituting complex mechanical adjustment hardware with a more compact and controllable electromechanical system that simplifies the overall device architecture
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 effective supplemental muscle exercise on various machines with adjustable resistance, enhancing workout versatility and ease of use, while being portable and simple to manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
a winding spool configured for receiving a proximal end of at least one cable wound therearound in a first rotational direction under the urging of a coil spring that has a winding spring tension
Implementation Method 2
The attachment mechanism preferably includes at least one magnet fixed with the enclosure and configured for magnetically attaching to a magnetically-attractive surface of the exercise machine
Implementation Method 3
A torsion spring is fixed between the rotor plate and the winding spool such that rotating the rotor plate causes the torsion spring to increase or decrease a cable unwind resistance
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise device for attachment to an exercise machine includes an enclosure having an outer wall that defines an internal space therein, at least one cable aperture and an attachment mechanism for attaching to the exercise machine. A winding assembly is rotationally captured within the internal space and includes a winding spool configured for receiving at least one cable wound therearound under the urging of a coil spring. A motor is used to compress or retract a torsion spring fixed between a moving rotor plate and the winding spool for changing a cable unwind resistance. A controller circuit is electrically connected with at least a power source, a user interface, and the motor. To perform exercises with the exercise device, a person sets a desired cable unwind resistance with the user interface and then repeatedly pulls and releases the cable.