Portable Hand Cycle with Adjustable Riser for Upper Body Exercise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise equipment is often costly and space-intensive, making it difficult for individuals to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives, especially for those with limited leg mobility due to handicap, age, or health conditions.
Innovation Solution
A portable hand cycle that can be stabilized using a user's weight, with an adjustable riser and rotational resistance mechanism, allowing for upper body exercise in a sitting position, and optionally featuring leg rests or a foot pedal mechanism for increased stability and versatility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional exercise equipment is used, then exercise functionality is provided, but cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The exercise device is segmented into a compact hand-crank mechanism that can be integrated into existing furniture or equipment, eliminating the need for dedicated large exercise equipment space. The hand-crank assembly is a small, self-contained unit that provides full exercise functionality without requiring a separate exercise room or large equipment footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand-crank exercise mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides upper body exercise, can be integrated into various settings (home, office, medical facilities), and works for users with different mobility needs. This universal design allows the same compact mechanism to replace multiple specialized exercise devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional exercise equipment is used, then exercise functionality is provided, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the exercise function into a simple hand-crank mechanism, the device uses basic mechanical components rather than expensive electronic systems or complex mechanisms. This segmentation allows for manufacturing with inexpensive materials and assembly methods, significantly reducing production costs while maintaining exercise functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand-crank mechanism is designed to be a simple, durable mechanical device that can be manufactured at low cost. Rather than investing in expensive, complex exercise equipment, users can acquire an affordable, functional exercise solution that provides sufficient durability for its intended purpose.
3Adaptability or versatility
If leg-based exercise equipment is used, then lower body exercise is provided, but accessibility for users with limited leg mobility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of designing exercise equipment that requires leg movement (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by using hand-crank operation to drive the exercise mechanism. This allows users with limited leg mobility to perform exercise through upper body movement, making the equipment accessible to a broader range of users including those with disabilities, elderly individuals, or those recovering from injuries.
Solution Approach 2:
The hand-crank mechanism provides universal exercise capability that adapts to various user needs and mobility levels. The same basic mechanism can serve users with full mobility, limited leg mobility, or upper body strength focuses, making it universally accessible without requiring modification for different user groups.
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 space-efficient incorporation of exercise into daily activities, accommodating users of different sizes and mobility levels, with adjustable resistance to suit individual fitness needs.
Implementation Method 1
By adjusting the amount of force used to compress a brake pad against axle, the user may adjust the difficulty of axle rotation.
Data Source
AI summary
The portable hand cycle is a user-stabilized device for upper body exercise. The portable hand cycle is held in place using the weight of a user, holding a platform against the seat of a chair, couch, or other surface. In a sitting position, a riser connected to the seat extends up and away from the user. The riser is optionally of an adjustable length in order to fit users of different sizes. The riser ends with a sleeve that encloses an axle, the center of which is placed at chest-level with respect to the user. The crank is connected to a pair of crank-arms that in turn terminate with grips. To operate, the user extends her arms and holds the grips in her hands. Her rotation of her hands moves the grips, which in turn rotates the crank-arms, finally rotating the axle.