Rowing Machine With Shared Resistance And One-Way Drives
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rowing exercise machines are limited in their functionality as they can only be operated by either paddles or a pull bar, restricting their scope of use and requiring complex structures that occupy more space.
Innovation Solution
A rowing exercise machine design that incorporates a base frame, paddle unit, paddle linkage unit, resistance unit, pull bar unit, and pull bar linkage unit, allowing both paddles and a pull bar to be operated independently, with the paddle and pull bar linkage units connected to a shared resistance unit, enabling various exercise modes on a compact frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the rowing exercise machine is operated by paddles only, then the resistance ropes can be positioned above the paddles to achieve rowing exercise function, but this causes obstruction and inconvenience when pulling and affects the user's action
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the resistance ropes from a vertical position above the paddles to a horizontal position behind the paddles. This spatial reconfiguration in another dimension eliminates the obstruction issue while maintaining the rowing exercise function, allowing smooth user action without affecting the resistance mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rowing exercise machine uses separate resistance systems for paddles and pull bar, then both operations can be supported, but the structure becomes more complicated and occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the resistance systems for paddles and pull bar into a single shared resistance system. Both the paddle operation and pull bar operation utilize the same resistance ropes and resistance mechanisms, allowing multiple operation modes without requiring separate resistance systems, thereby reducing structural complexity and space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance ropes are designed to serve multiple functions: they provide resistance for both paddle rowing and pull bar exercises. The same resistance mechanism supports different operation modes, making the system universal and eliminating the need for duplicate resistance systems.
3Ease of operation
If the guide rod is constrained to move in a limited orientation, then the paddle rotation can drive the guide rod along its axis, but the user must pull the paddles in an inclined inward and upward direction which deviates from natural rowing motion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the guide rod orientation adjustable rather than fixed. The guide rod can dynamically change its angle and position to match the natural rowing motion trajectory, allowing users to pull paddles in a more natural horizontal backward direction rather than being constrained to an inclined upward path.
Data Source
AI summary
A rowing exercise machine includes a base frame, a paddle unit, a first rotating shaft, a paddle linkage unit, a resistance unit, a pull bar unit, a second rotating shaft, and a pull bar linkage unit. When a first operating force is applied to the paddle unit, a paddle one-way driving wheel and the first rotating shaft are driven to rotate in a first rotational direction. When the first operating force disappears, the paddle one-way driving wheel is idling on the first rotating shaft in a second rotational direction. When a second operating force is applied to the pull bar unit, the pull bar linkage unit is driven to rotate in the first rotational direction. When the second operating force disappears, a second return force drives a pull bar one-way wheel to be idling on the second rotating shaft in the second rotational direction.