Passive Treadmill Workstation Assembly for Intuitive Movement Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional office workstations, either sitting or standing, have been shown to have negative health effects such as back problems, glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, and reduced cognitive abilities due to prolonged physical inactivity.
Innovation Solution
A workstation arrangement with a passive treadmill in the foot area, driven exclusively by the user's walking movement, allowing intuitive control over circulation and adjustable resistance, combined with a height-adjustable desk and ergonomic design for comfortable walking and working.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motorized treadmill is used, then the treadmill can provide controlled movement, but the user loses intuitive control over walking speed and intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The treadmill is designed as a passive device that is driven exclusively by the walking movement of the user. The user's own motion serves as the driving force, eliminating the need for an external motor or control system. This allows the user to have full intuitive control over walking speed and intensity while maintaining simple device architecture.
2Productivity
If the treadmill allows bidirectional rotation, then the user has more movement freedom, but the return movement creates distraction and reduces working efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing the treadmill to rotate in both directions freely, the invention inverts the approach by using a return locking device that prevents rotation in the opposite direction. The treadmill belt is locked during the return phase, ensuring that only the forward walking direction is permitted. This eliminates distracting return movements while maintaining user comfort and working efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed running resistance is used, then the treadmill structure is simpler, but it cannot adapt to individual user preferences and weight variations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates a braking device with an adjustment mechanism that allows the running resistance to be varied. By changing the braking force parameter, the treadmill can adapt to different user preferences and weight variations. This enables individualized resistance settings while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical braking structure.
4Area of stationary object
If the treadmill is integrated into the workstation, then space is saved, but the desk and treadmill may interfere with each other mechanically
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the workstation into functionally independent segments: the desk and the treadmill are mechanically separated despite being spatially integrated. The treadmill is positioned in the foot area with its own independent support structure, while the desk remains autonomous. This segmentation prevents mechanical interference between the two components while achieving space-efficient integration.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a workstation arrangement (01) with a desk (02) and a seat and/or leaning position (03), wherein a treadmill (04) is arranged in the foot area of the workstation arrangement (01), and wherein the treadmill (04) is mounted circumferentially on a frame (08), and wherein the feet of a user can roll on the treadmill (08) while walking, the treadmill (04) being passively driven by the walking movement of the user.