Pull-up Machine Latch Mechanism for Safe Plate Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pull-up fitness exercise machines pose safety concerns and inconvenience due to the support plate being lifted to an unsuitable height, making it difficult for users to step on or off, and there is a risk of accidents when the plate is pushed back up by the assisted pushing member.
Innovation Solution
A pull-up fitness exercise machine design featuring a linking rope, rotary latching plate, elastic member, and linking hook lever that maintains the support plate at a low static position, allowing easy mounting and dismounting, along with a height and angle adjusting mechanism and adjustable pushing force to accommodate different users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the assisted pushing member pushes the support plate to a specific height, then the user can be assisted to apply forces, but the user has difficulty stepping on or off the support plate and feels psychologically scared
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is engaged in advance to hold the support plate at a low static position before the user steps on it. This preliminary action ensures the plate remains at a safe, accessible height throughout the user's mounting and dismounting process, eliminating the need for the plate to be elevated beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the support plate position based on operational state: during exercise, the plate is lifted to provide assistance; during mounting/dismounting, the plate is held at a low static position. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by adapting the plate height to the specific phase of use.
2Reliability
If the assisted pushing member pushes the support plate upward after exercise, then the support plate returns to its original position, but the user may accidentally fall or be injured
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is engaged in advance to secure the support plate at a low static position before the user dismounts. This preliminary action prevents the plate from moving upward unexpectedly, allowing the user to leave the plate safely without fear of accidental movement or injury.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism applies a preliminary counter-action to prevent the assisted pushing member from moving the support plate upward during the user's dismounting process. This anti-action ensures the plate remains stationary and safe during the critical transition period when the user is leaving the equipment.
3Ease of operation
If the support plate is kept at a low static position, then the user can step on/off easily, but the user cannot perform pull-up exercises effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically transitions the support plate between two states: a low static position for mounting/dismounting and a lifted position for exercise. This dynamic behavior allows the plate to be accessible when not in use while providing the necessary elevation and assistance during exercise performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The support plate alternates between low static position and lifted position in periodic cycles corresponding to exercise sessions: low position during mounting/dismounting, lifted position during exercise, and back to low position after exercise. This periodic action satisfies both accessibility and exercise effectiveness requirements.
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
Ensures user safety and convenience by keeping the support plate at a low position during use and automatically returning to it after exercise, reducing the risk of accidents and enhancing usability for various body types and strengths.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member driven by the other end of the linking rope for constantly pulling a rotary latching plate to rotate appropriately
Implementation Method 2
an assisted pushing member (such as a spring pneumatic cylinder) installed at a position under the support plate to assist the user to apply forces
Implementation Method 3
most of the pull-up fitness exercise machines adopts the gravitational force of the whole of the user's body weight as the source of the load for the exercise
Data Source
AI summary
A pull-up fitness exercise machine comprises a base for securing all components, an upright column fixed to the rear of the base, a top cantilever pivotally coupled to the top of upright column, a linking rope coupled to an end of the cantilever, and an elastic member driven by the other end of the linking rope for constantly pulling a rotary latching plate to rotate appropriately. A pull ring unit is installed at the other end of the cantilever and operated together with a pull string and a plurality of pulleys to provide an up and down displacement stroke for pulling the support plate. Moreover, a rotating rod assembly is pivotally coupled to the bottom of the upright column, and the other end of the rotating rod assembly is pivotally coupled to the support plate. An assisted pushing unit is interposed between the rotating rod assembly and the base and has an adjustable pushing force to provide an appropriate upward pushing force to the support plate. In addition, a linking hook lever is coaxially coupled to a first pivot point of the rotating rod assembly and configured to be corresponsive to a hook post of the rotary latching plate for constantly locking the rotating rod assembly and maintaining the support plate at a low static position. In this way, the pull ring unit can be pulled to perform an expected motion when the support plate bears a gravitational force, the cantilever is pulled downwardly, and the linking hook lever is released from a locked status relative to the rotary latching plate. When the external force of the pull ring unit disappears, the support plate is descended by the gravitational force to resume its original position and locked to a low static position automatically.