Movable Step Transition Mechanism for Lower Exercise Step Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise devices do not effectively simulate the experience of climbing stairs in a safe and efficient manner, particularly in terms of reducing the step height and maintaining user safety during repetitive motion.
Innovation Solution
A movable step mechanism with a drive mechanism and guide tracks that allow steps to move along a step path, including a support zone, transition zone, and return zone, where rear wheels transition from a rear guide track to a base guide track, maintaining the step parallel to the surface and reducing height, and a positioning element ensures smooth orientation changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional stair climbing exercise device is used, then the user experience simulates real stair climbing, but the step height is large and reduces user safety
Solution Approach 1:
The step path is divided into three distinct zones: support zone, transition zone, and return zone. This segmentation allows the rear wheels to transition smoothly between different guide tracks, reducing the effective step height while maintaining the stair climbing simulation experience
Solution Approach 2:
A positioning element acts as an intermediary mechanism in the transition zone to guide the rear wheels from the rear guide track to the base guide track. This intermediary structure enables continuous motion while minimizing the vertical displacement that users experience
2Reliability
If the step path includes a transition zone with multiple guide tracks, then user safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple guide tracks (front guide track, rear guide track, and base guide track) are merged into a single integrated step path structure. The positioning element combines the functions of guiding and transitioning, reducing the overall structural complexity while maintaining safety
Solution Approach 2:
The guide track system serves multiple functions: supporting the step during descent (support zone), facilitating smooth transition (transition zone), and enabling return motion (return zone). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms, simplifying the overall device structure
Data Source
AI summary
A step path for an exercise device includes a support zone, a return zone, and a transition zone between the support zone and the return zone. In the support zone, a front end of a movable step is supported by a front track guide and a rear end of the movable step is supported by a rear track guide. A transition element supports the rear end of the step between the rear guide track and a base guide track, thereby lowering the step-up height of the exercise device.