Exercise Device Arm with Pivot Counterweight and Positioning Pin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional exercise devices require two hands to adjust the position of arms, making them difficult and dangerous for individuals with disabilities to use.
Innovation Solution
A counterbalanced arm mechanism with a pivot connection and counterweight allows single-handed adjustment of the arm's position, using an adjustment pin that can be locked in place without requiring continuous support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional arm adjustment mechanism is used, then the arm position can be adjusted, but two hands are required to operate it making it difficult and dangerous for individuals with disabilities
Solution Approach 1:
A counterweight is attached to the arm assembly to balance it, allowing the arm to be held stationary with minimal effort. This counterbalancing enables single-handed operation by compensating for the arm's weight, eliminating the need for continuous manual support during adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The counterweight provides automatic position maintenance without requiring continuous user input. Once the adjustment pin is positioned, the counterweight automatically holds the arm in place, reducing the operational burden from two hands to one hand.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the arm is made adjustable with multiple positions, then versatility is improved, but the adjustment mechanism becomes more complex requiring continuous support
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism uses discrete positioning holes arranged at specific angular intervals rather than continuous adjustment. This segmentation allows the arm to be positioned at predetermined angles (e.g., 0°, 15°, 30°) providing versatility while simplifying the mechanism through discrete rather than continuous positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment pin can be moved between different positioning holes to change arm angles, and the counterweight dynamically adapts to maintain balance at each position. This dynamic positioning system provides multiple configurations without requiring complex continuous adjustment mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the adjustment pin is made movable between positions, then ease of adjustment is improved, but the pin may accidentally move requiring continuous monitoring
Solution Approach 1:
The counterweight acts as an intermediary force that stabilizes the arm at each positioned hole. It provides passive locking through gravitational balance, preventing accidental movement without requiring active monitoring or complex locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The counterweight creates a gravitational equipotential system where the arm naturally rests at balanced positions. By designing the counterweight to compensate for the arm's weight, the system achieves stable equilibrium at each positioning hole, preventing accidental displacement through gravitational balance.
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 easy and safe single-handed adjustment of arm positions, improving accessibility and ease-of-use for all users, including those with disabilities.
Implementation Method 1
A counterweight is connected to the arm at the pivot connection. The counterweight balances the arm about the pivot connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable-operated exercise device includes an adjustable arm. The adjustable arm includes an adjustment mechanism that is operable by a single hand. To adjust the vertical angular position of the arm, the user pulls a pin out of a positioning hole on an adjustment plate. The arm is counterbalanced about a pivot connection so that the position of the arm does not change when the pin is pulled out of the positioning hole. The user then moves the arm into a second position and puts the pin back into a second positioning hole.