Reciprocating Arm Mechanism for Jogging Stroller Propulsion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional jogging strollers inhibit natural arm rhythm and coordination, leading to reduced energy efficiency and increased risk of injury, as they require independent and unbalanced force input from the user's arms to propel the stroller.
Innovation Solution
A stroller design featuring mechanically coupled arm members that facilitate natural periodic arm movement through a coupling mechanism, such as gears, pistons, or linkages, ensuring reciprocal opposition between the arms to mimic the body's natural limb coordination during walking or jogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a stationary push-bar handle is used to propel the stroller, then the stroller can be pushed forward, but the natural arm rhythm and coordination of the runner is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the stationary push-bar with movable arm members that can reciprocate back and forth. This dynamic structure allows the user's arms to move naturally during jogging while still effectively propelling the stroller forward, resolving the contradiction between maintaining natural arm rhythm and ensuring safe propulsion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the propulsion function into multiple independent arm members (first arm member, second arm member, third arm member) that can move independently. This segmentation allows each arm to follow its natural motion pattern during jogging while collectively providing the necessary propulsion force, thus preserving natural arm rhythm without compromising safety.
2Ease of operation
If independent pivotally connected arms with resistance devices are used, then arm movement is improved, but inter-dependent motion relationship between arms is not facilitated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple arm members into a unified propulsion system where all arm members work together to propel the stroller. The coupling mechanism integrates the motion of individual arms into a coordinated system, maintaining arm movement freedom while simplifying the overall force distribution through combined action rather than complex individual control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm members are designed to perform multiple functions: they provide natural arm movement during jogging, distribute propulsion force across multiple contact points, and adapt to the user's natural jogging rhythm. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate complex control mechanisms for each arm.
3Power
If resistance devices are used on each arm, then propulsion force is generated, but user's input energy surges from one arm to the other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by having multiple arm members simultaneously engaged in propelling the stroller throughout the jogging cycle. This continuous multi-point contact distributes the propulsion effort evenly across time, preventing energy surges and maintaining consistent energy transfer from the user to the stroller.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling mechanism acts as a counterbalancing system that distributes the propulsion force evenly across multiple arm members. When one arm exerts force, the coupling mechanism balances this with the other arms, preventing energy surges and ensuring smooth, continuous propulsion that matches the user's natural jogging rhythm.
Data Source
AI summary
A stroller is provided that features a frame element and at least one wheel supporting the frame, a first arm member configured to be gripped by a human hand mechanically coupled to the frame element such that the first arm member moves in a reciprocating manner with respect to the frame element, and a second arm member configured to be gripped by a human hand mechanically coupled to the frame element such that the second arm member moves in a reciprocating manner with respect to the frame element. A coupling member is provided that mechanically couples the first arm member to the second arm member such that the reciprocating movement of the first arm member is substantially maintained in opposition to the reciprocating movement of the second arm member whereby the natural periodic movement of human arms during walking or jogging is facilitated.