Hemispherical Platform for Omnidirectional Exercising Machine Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercising equipment, such as treadmills and bicycles, lack the ability to provide omnidirectional movement and realistic terrain adjustments, limiting their integration with Augmented Reality systems and restricting user freedom of movement.
Innovation Solution
A platform with a hemispherical inner body accommodating exercising machines, allowing omnidirectional movement through rotatable engagement and powered by motors, and equipped with communication units to receive user inputs for movement control, enabling circular motion, inclination, and declination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If linear movement mechanism is used in treadmills, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the user is limited to forward movement only and cannot achieve omnidirectional movement
Solution Approach 1:
The movement mechanism is divided into independent rotational segments: the inner body rotates independently within the outer body, and the outer body rotates independently on the base. This segmentation allows complex omnidirectional movement to be achieved through combination of simpler rotational motions, resolving the contradiction between movement versatility and mechanism complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner body is nested within the outer body, which itself is nested on the base structure. This nested configuration allows multiple degrees of freedom to be integrated in a compact arrangement, enabling omnidirectional movement while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fixed inclined plane structure is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the treadmill cannot provide dynamic inclination adjustments for realistic terrain simulation
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined plane is transformed from a static structure to a dynamic one through the rotatable inner body mechanism. The inner body can rotate to adjust the inclination angle dynamically during exercise, providing realistic terrain simulation while using a relatively simple rotational mechanism rather than complex mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable inner body serves multiple functions: it enables omnidirectional horizontal movement, provides inclination adjustment, and facilitates terrain simulation. This multi-functionality achieves complex terrain adjustment capabilities while avoiding the need for separate mechanisms for each function, maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional treadmill design is used, then the device is simple and cost-effective, but it cannot integrate with AR systems for immersive experiences
Solution Approach 1:
The communication unit receives real-time movement data from the user and provides feedback control signals to adjust the inner and outer body rotations accordingly. This feedback mechanism enables seamless integration with AR systems, allowing the physical movement to synchronize with virtual reality elements while using a relatively simple control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication unit acts as an intermediary between the mechanical movement system and the AR system. It translates physical movement parameters into digital signals for AR integration and converts AR control commands into mechanical actuation signals, enabling integration without requiring complex direct coupling between systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If omnidirectional rotation mechanism is added to treadmill, then circular and tilted movements are enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The omnidirectional rotation is segmented into two independent rotational mechanisms: inner body rotation for circular movement and outer body rotation for tilted movement. This segmentation allows each rotation to be controlled independently with simpler mechanisms, achieving complex omnidirectional movement freedom while managing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The nested configuration of the inner body within the outer body allows both rotational mechanisms to be integrated in a compact space. The inner body rotates within the confines of the outer body, which itself rotates on the base, enabling omnidirectional movement freedom while maintaining a space-efficient and relatively simple structural arrangement.
Data Source
AI summary
A platform for enabling omnidirectional movement of an exercising machine is disclosed. The platform may comprise a hemispherical inner body comprising a hollow cavity. The hollow cavity may be used for accommodating an exercising machine into the hollow cavity. The exercising machine may be one of a treadmill, treadclimber, and bicycle. The platform may further comprise an outer body. The outer body may be rotatably engaged with the hemispherical inner body. The rotatable engagement may allow an omnidirectional movement of the hemispherical inner body in a horizontal plane and an inclination and declination of the exercising machine. The platform further comprises a communication unit. The communication unit may be connected with the hemispherical inner body for receiving user's inputs for movement. At least one of the hemispherical inner body and the exercising machine may move based on the user's inputs for movement. The platform may also find use in virtual shopping environments to help a user in buying products.