Pulley Cable Quick-Release Coupling for Exercise Equipment Service
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise apparatuses face difficulties in efficiently assembling, disassembling, repairing, and servicing the coupling between the pulley cable and rotatable pulley member, particularly due to hard-to-reach locations and time-consuming disassembly processes, which can lead to incorrect reassembly and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A plunger device with a biasing mechanism and keyhole aperture configuration that facilitates easy coupling and uncoupling of the pulley cable to and from the rotatable pulley member, allowing for secure attachment and preventing jamming or false engagement, without requiring disassembly of the pulley wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional threaded connectors are used to attach the pulley cable to the exercise apparatus, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the assembly and disassembly process is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate components: a body portion with a keyed aperture and a removable key element. This segmentation allows the cable to be quickly inserted and locked without threading operations, reducing assembly time while maintaining connection reliability through the key-lock mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyed aperture is pre-configured with specific keyways that guide and constrain the key element during insertion. This preliminary configuration ensures proper alignment and engagement before the actual coupling action, enabling quick and reliable connection without complex assembly procedures.
2Reliability
If the pulley cable is firmly secured to the rotatable pulley member, then the connection is stable and safe, but servicing and maintenance become difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connector transitions from a static threaded connection to a dynamic quick-release mechanism. The removable key element can be quickly extracted to disconnect the cable, enabling easy servicing and maintenance while maintaining stable connection during operation through the keyed locking mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The key element is designed to be completely removable from the keyed aperture. This extraction capability allows the cable connection to be quickly disconnected for servicing without requiring disassembly of the pulley wheel or other complex operations, improving ease of repair while maintaining operational stability.
3Strength
If complex disassembly procedures are required to service the pulley cable connection, then the connection structure is robust, but incorrect reassembly becomes more likely creating safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The keyed aperture contains asymmetric keyways with specific orientations and positions that only accommodate the key element in the correct orientation. This asymmetric design prevents incorrect reassembly by making it physically impossible to insert the key in wrong positions, ensuring safety while maintaining robust connection structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The keyed mechanism provides tactile and visual feedback during assembly. The key element naturally aligns with the correct keyway orientation, and proper engagement is indicated by the smooth insertion and secure locking feeling, giving operators immediate feedback that correct assembly has been achieved.
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 quick and secure assembly, disassembly, and maintenance of the pulley cable and rotatable pulley member, ensuring correct coupling and preventing unintended uncoupling during use, thus improving service efficiency and user safety.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient member biased in a first direction by an elastic element
Data Source
AI summary
Assemblies are for attaching a resistance mechanism to an exercise apparatus. In one example, the assembly has a pulley cable having a first end portion for being coupled to the resistance mechanism and a second end portion coupled to the exercise apparatus; and a plunger device facilitating coupling and uncoupling of the pulley cable to and from the exercise apparatus. The plunger device is movable into a first position in which the plunger device couples the pulley cable to the exercise apparatus and into a second position in which the plunger device uncouples the pulley cable from the exercise apparatus.