Movable Exercise Device with Roller and Tilt Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor exercise equipment lacks the ability to realistically simulate the dynamic movements experienced in outdoor environments, such as the fore-aft movement and tilting motions encountered during cycling or biking, which can lead to a less immersive and engaging workout experience.
Innovation Solution
A movable support system for exercise equipment, including a frame with a user input arrangement and a support arrangement that allows for axial movement and tilting, utilizing rollers and biasing mechanisms to replicate the movements and sensations of outdoor cycling, enhancing the user's experience by providing a more realistic feel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If exercise equipment is fixed in place, then structural stability is improved, but realism of outdoor movement simulation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a fixed exercise equipment structure to a movable support system. The frame is mounted on a support arrangement with rollers that enable fore-aft movement and tilting motion, allowing the equipment to dynamically respond to user input forces and simulate outdoor riding conditions while maintaining structural stability through controlled movement mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If exercise equipment allows movement in multiple directions, then realism of outdoor movement simulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the support system into distinct functional components: a support arrangement with rollers for fore-aft movement, a tilt mechanism for side-to-side motion, and a neutral biasing arrangement. This modular segmentation enables multiple degrees of freedom for realistic movement simulation while keeping each component relatively simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses rollers as intermediary elements between the frame and the support surface. These rollers serve as mediators that enable smooth fore-aft movement and tilting motion without requiring complex mechanical linkages, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving realistic outdoor movement simulation.
3Ease of operation
If neutral biasing arrangement is added to return frame to neutral position, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the self-service principle through the neutral biasing arrangement that automatically returns the frame to its neutral position after movement. The biasing mechanism (such as springs or dampers) provides self-correcting force without requiring user intervention, improving ease of operation by enabling natural, intuitive movement while the system self-regulates its position.
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 movable support system enhances the realism of indoor exercise by allowing the equipment to move in multiple directions, simulating the dynamic forces and movements of outdoor activities, thereby improving the user's engagement and workout experience.
Implementation Method 1
A neutral biasing arrangement may be provided for biasing the frame toward a fore-aft neutral position and a tilting neutral position. The neutral biasing arrangement may include a first biasing arrangement for biasing the frame toward the fore-aft neutral position and a second biasing arrangement for biasing the frame toward a tilt neutral position.
Implementation Method 2
The frame may be engaged with the support arrangement via engagement of a pair of rollers with a pair of support members, with the support members and rollers cooperating to provide fore-aft movement of the frame relative to the support arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
An item of exercise equipment with a movable support that is movable in a fore-aft direction and simultaneously movable laterally, e.g. about a tilt axis. The exercise equipment may be a cycle mounted to a base. A roller and track arrangement may be provided between the cycle and base, to provide movement of the cycle in the axial direction and in a tilt direction relative to the base. The roller and track arrangement may be one or more curved roller and track engagement surfaces that extend in the axial direction and provide a gravity bias of the platform toward an axial neutral position. The cycle and base include a tilt biasing arrangement for biasing the cycle toward a tilt neutral position relative to the base.