Self-Aligning Pivoting User Support for Arm Exercise Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing arm exercise machines, such as those for biceps curls and triceps extensions, face challenges in allowing users to initiate movements effectively at bio-mechanically weak positions, break through gravitational apexes, and achieve full range of motion without resorting to 'cheat' methods that can lead to injury or engage unnecessary muscle groups.
Innovation Solution
An arm exercise machine with a self-aligning pivoting user support system, where the user support and exercise arm move together, providing a stable position throughout the exercise and mimicking the momentum of free-weight 'cheat' movements without the risks, using a pivotal mounting system and connecting linkages to redistribute weight and adjust resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user support is fixed in position, then the user can maintain strict exercise form, but the user cannot effectively initiate movements at bio-mechanically weak positions or break through gravitational apexes
Solution Approach 1:
The user support is made dynamically movable rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot about a horizontal axis. This enables the support to move forward during exercise initiation and break through gravitational apexes, while returning to its original position to maintain strict exercise form during the controlled phase of movement.
2Ease of operation
If the user support moves freely to mimic cheat movements, then the user can break through gravitational apexes, but the user may engage unnecessary muscle groups and increase risk of injury
Solution Approach 1:
The user support moves dynamically only during specific phases of the exercise (initiation and breaking through gravitational apex), then returns to a fixed position that enforces strict exercise form. This controlled dynamic movement allows momentum assistance when needed while preventing engagement of unnecessary muscle groups during the controlled lifting phase.
3Productivity
If the exercise arm is heavily loaded at the end of movement, then the user can achieve full flexion, but the user may stop short and not complete the full range of motion
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic movement of the user support to redistribute weight and adjust resistance throughout the range of motion. The user support moves forward to assist during initiation and breaking through the gravitational apex, then returns to maintain proper form. This dynamic adjustment allows the user to complete the full range of motion even with heavier loads at the end of the movement.
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 perform isolation arm exercises with stricter form, reduced joint stress, and full range of motion, focusing on target muscle groups while minimizing involvement of other muscle groups and maintaining stability throughout the exercise.
Implementation Method 1
the user support is pivotally mounted on a main frame by a pivotal mounting system to rotate about a horizontal axis
Implementation Method 2
movement of the user support is linked to movement of the exercise arm by a connecting link
Implementation Method 3
A load provides resistance to movement of the user support, exercise arm, and/or connecting link
Data Source
AI summary
An arm exercise machine for performing isolation exercises has a self-aligning pivoting seat or user support on a main frame and an exercise arm for performing biceps curl and/or triceps extension exercises which is linked to the pivoting user support to translate movement of the exercise arm into movement of the user support. The user support is pivotally mounted on the main frame so as to automatically align in order to maintain positioning of the user throughout the exercise motion.