Rowing Device with Movable Seat and Weight Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rowing machines for fitness purposes fail to accurately mimic real rowing movements due to their design, leading to uncontrolled and unsynchronized weight movements, which disrupt the synchronization of rudder and lifting movements, causing stress and making it difficult to perform reproducible rowing-like movements.
Innovation Solution
A rowing device with a seat that can be displaced relative to rotatable rowing rods, connected to a resistance device with a traction mechanism that slows down the lifting movement of weights, ensuring the rowing movement is more harmonious and synchronized, and using deflection rollers to guide the traction means for smooth and controlled resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a weight stack is used as a resistance element in conventional rowing machines, then the construction is simple and robust, but the weight stack executes uncontrolled or oscillating movements due to inertia and lack of direct coupling, disrupting synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cable pull device with pulleys as an intermediary mechanism between the lever system and the weight stack. This intermediary system provides controlled coupling, allowing the weight stack to move in a guided manner that synchronizes with the rowing motion while maintaining the simplicity of using a weight stack for resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic cable pull system that adapts to the varying forces and speeds of rowing movements. The cable and pulley arrangement allows the weight stack to respond dynamically to the rower's actions, maintaining synchronization even during high-frequency or powerful strokes where conventional fixed systems fail
2Device complexity
If the seat is fixed in conventional rowing machines, then the construction is simpler, but the movement is only remotely similar to real rowing movement and is more stressful on the body
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fixed seat into a movable seat that can slide along the base frame, replicating the dynamic motion of real rowing. This dynamic seat arrangement allows the rower to experience the same body movements and muscle engagement as in actual rowing, while the sliding mechanism maintains construction simplicity through the use of basic guide rails and rollers
3Reliability
If high-maintenance or expensive resistance devices are used to achieve smooth weight movement, then the movement behavior is reliable, but the cost increases and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a cable pull device with pulleys as a low-cost intermediary mechanism that provides smooth, controlled movement of the weight stack. This mechanical intermediary system achieves reliable synchronization without requiring expensive fluidic or electronic resistance devices, maintaining simplicity and reducing maintenance needs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive mechanical components such as cables, pulleys, and rollers that can be easily replaced if needed. These basic mechanical elements provide reliable performance at low cost, avoiding the need for expensive, high-maintenance resistance devices while achieving the desired movement characteristics
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
The device provides a training experience that closely approximates real rowing movements, reducing stress and ensuring a comfortable, reliable movement behavior, even for dynamic rowers, without the need for high-maintenance resistance devices, making it suitable for fitness studios and users of varying experience levels.
Implementation Method 1
the weight stack can execute uncontrollable or oscillating movements due to its inertia and the lack of direct coupling with the lever system
Implementation Method 2
the traction means is guided in such a way that the lifting movement of the weights when the rowing movement is carried out takes place more slowly and/or less than the displacement of the traction means
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for carrying out rowing training, comprising an arrangement of a seat (3) for a rower mounted on a base frame (2) and two rotatably mounted and independently movable rowing bars (4), which the rower must move around their pivot bearing (5) against resistance when performing the rowing motion. The seat (3) is displaceably mounted on the base frame (2) relative to the pivot bearing (5) of the rowing bars (4), and the rowing bars (4) are connected by means of a tension member (6) running continuously between the rowing bars (4) to a resistance device (8) consisting of an arrangement of liftable and lowerable weights (7), wherein the tension member (6) is guided such that the lifting movement (24) of the weights (7) during the rowing motion is slower and/or smaller than the displacement of the tension member (6) in the area of the rowing bars (4).