Rowing Exercise Pedal Design for Foot Flexibility and Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lower limb exercise devices do not effectively improve foot flexibility during exercises.
Innovation Solution
A lower limb exercise device with pedals designed to guide a predetermined trajectory, preventing a relative roll turn of the forefoot part while allowing a relative roll turn of the rearfoot part, enhancing foot flexibility through a simple configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional pedals are used in lower limb exercise devices, then the exercise function is provided, but foot flexibility cannot be improved
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal is divided into two functional segments: a forefoot part (cup part) that prevents roll turns and a rearfoot part that allows roll turns. This segmentation enables different portions of the foot to experience different constraints, thereby improving foot flexibility while maintaining a relatively simple overall pedal structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the pedal are designed with different mechanical properties. The forefoot region (cup part) provides rigid constraint against roll turns, while the rearfoot region provides flexible allowance for roll turns. This local differentiation of mechanical properties directly addresses the need to improve foot flexibility without requiring complete structural redesign.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the forefoot part is allowed to roll turn freely, then foot flexibility is improved, but stability during exercise is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The foot is functionally segmented into forefoot and rearfoot zones with different mobility requirements. The cup part constrains the forefoot to prevent excessive roll turns and maintain stability, while the rearfoot is permitted to roll turn freely to improve flexibility. This spatial segmentation resolves the contradiction between stability and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different stability characteristics are applied to different foot regions. The forefoot area experiences high stability (roll turn prevention) while the rearfoot area experiences high flexibility (roll turn allowance). This local differentiation enables the foot as a whole to achieve both stability and flexibility simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A rowing exercise device includes: a pair of pedals; and a device body that guides the pair of pedals in such a way that the pair of pedals repeatedly move along a predetermined trajectory. A user performs a lower limb exercise by putting his/her feet on the pair of respective pedals. Each pedal is configured in such a way that a relative roll turn of a forefoot part relative to the device body is prevented while a relative roll turn of a rearfoot part relative to the forefoot part is allowed, whereby a relative roll turn of the forefoot part relative to the rearfoot part occurs during the lower limb exercise.