Plate-Sensing Base for Adjustable Free Weights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable free weight systems, such as dumbbells and barbells, lack an efficient method to track and communicate the weight selection and configuration, leading to user inconvenience and inefficiency in exercise tracking and fitness coaching.
Innovation Solution
A plate-sensing base with a cradle and plate-sensing assembly that detects the presence or absence of individual weight plates, using mechanical components like pivoting levers and sensors to determine the weight configuration, and communicates this information to external computing devices via wireless communication protocols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual tracking of weight plates is used, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and information accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into multiple plate wells, each equipped with its own sensor and rigid member. This segmentation allows independent detection of each weight plate's presence or absence, achieving precise weight configuration tracking while keeping each sensing unit relatively simple and modular.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual tracking methods with an automated sensing system using sensors (optical, mechanical, or capacitive) that automatically detect weight plate presence. This substitution eliminates human error in tracking while maintaining manageable device complexity through automated operation.
2Productivity
If automated plate detection is implemented, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system operates autonomously to detect weight plate presence and communicate weight configuration without requiring user intervention. The base automatically senses plate placement, processes the information through rigid members and sensors, and transmits data to external devices, enabling efficient weight selection while minimizing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The base structure serves multiple functions: it supports the adjustable free weight, provides plate wells for organizing weight plates, houses the sensing assembly for detection, and communicates weight information to external devices. This multi-functionality improves productivity by consolidating operations into a single system rather than requiring separate components for each function.
3Loss of information
If real-time weight data communication is added, then information availability is improved, but loss of time for setup and communication is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The base incorporates a communication interface that provides real-time feedback about weight configuration to external computing devices or displays. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate information transmission about which weight plates are present, eliminating information loss and enabling users to see weight configurations immediately without manual input or setup time.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing base for an adjustable free weight may include a cradle, and a sensing assembly, which includes a plurality of sensors and mechanical components (e.g., pivoting levers), each associated with a respective plate well that accommodates a weight plate of the adjustable free weight such that each mechanical component actuates the state of a respective sensor upon placement or removal of the weight in a plate well. Sensor signals reflecting the states of the sensors are communicated, via a circuit, a processor to determine the weight selection of the adjustable free weight when removed from the base. The sensing assembly may be implemented using individual sensors of a variety of different types such as hall effect sensors, optical interrupt sensors, IR optical sensors, and the like. The base may be configured to automatically communicate the determined weight to an external computing device to facilitate activity tracking and/or fitness coaching.