Movable Wheel Force Applicator for Fitness Rope Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fitness devices lack an effective mechanism to apply resistance on a rope while allowing it to be pulled, limiting user engagement and muscle strengthening options.
Innovation Solution
A force applicator comprising a base with a movable wheel positioned between two fixed wheels, allowing the user to control the counter force applied to a rope by moving the wheel towards or away from the fixed wheels, thereby adjusting the resistance level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If friction-based resistance wheels are used with a stationary belt, then resistance force can be produced, but the rope cannot be pulled effectively and the system lacks adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the stationary belt system into a dynamic pulley system. The movable pulley can move along the rope, creating variable mechanical advantage that allows both resistance generation and effective rope pulling. This resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable - when the pulley is positioned centrally, it provides balanced resistance; when positioned asymmetrically, it enables effective rope pulling with reduced friction constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the movable pulley with rope accommodation - between the resistance wheels and the pulling force. This intermediary allows the system to decouple the friction-based resistance generation from the rope pulling function, enabling both to occur simultaneously without the limitations of the direct friction-based approach.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable wheel is added to adjust resistance levels, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable pulley serves multiple functions simultaneously: it generates resistance through friction against the rope, provides mechanical advantage for pulling, and enables resistance level adjustment through its position along the rope. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by consolidating what would otherwise require separate mechanisms into a single integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows resistance adjustment by changing the position parameter of the movable pulley along the rope. By varying this single parameter, users can control the mechanical advantage and resistance level without adding complex control mechanisms. This simple parameter-based adjustment resolves the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
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 exert controlled force while pulling the rope, enhancing muscle strengthening exercises by varying the resistance level, which can be manually or motor-assisted.
Implementation Method 1
Another force applicator known in the art is disclosed in US 2010/0204024 A1, which is based on the idea of producing a resistance force through friction between resistance wheels and a belt.
Implementation Method 2
a force applicator configured to apply counter force on a rope when the movable wheel moves toward the first fixed wheel and the second fixed wheel
Data Source
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AI summary
A force applicator (10) for a fitness device (1) having a rope (19), the force applicator comprises a base (12); a first fixed wheel (14) comprising a first center (142) pivotally fixed to the base (12), and configured to allow rotation of the first fixed wheel (14) about the first center (142); a second fixed wheel (16) comprising a second center (162) pivotally fixed to the base (12), and configured to allow rotation of the second fixed (16) wheel about the second center (162), wherein the second fixed (16) wheel is substantially in line with the first fixed wheel (14); a movable wheel (18) positioned above and between the first fixed wheel (14) and the second fixed wheel (16), and comprising a movable center (182) configured to move either toward, or away from, the first fixed wheel (14) and the second fixed wheel (16), and is configured to allow rotation of the movable wheel (18) about the movable center (182), and an elastic element (190), placed between a nut (170) and a fixing element (122). The force applicator (10) is configured to accommodate the rope (19) above the first fixed wheel (14) and the second fixed wheel (16) and under the movable wheel (18), in a manner that allows application of a counter force on the rope (19) when the movable wheel (18) moves toward the first fixed wheel (14) and the second fixed wheel (16), and release of the counter forced applied on the rope (19) when the movable wheel (18) moves away from the first fixed wheel (14) and the second fixed wheel (16).