Seated Exercise Apparatus with Elliptical Linkage
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a seated exercise apparatus that provides a low-impact, full-body workout with reciprocating foot movement that reduces stress on the knees, while allowing natural foot articulation and coordinated arm movement, without the use of expensive rollers and tracking systems, and is accessible for the aging population.
Innovation Solution
A seated exercise apparatus with a frame and seat that includes first and second cranks, elongated members, and pedal arms, allowing for reciprocating foot motion and coordinated arm movement, with handles that can be adjusted for different exercises and pivot joints located outside the plane of motion to minimize interference and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional recumbent exercise devices use rollers and tracking systems to achieve elliptical foot motion, then the foot motion is smooth and coordinated, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex rollers and tracking systems from the design, extracting only the essential function of guiding foot motion. Instead of using continuous contact guidance systems, the invention uses a simplified linkage mechanism with discrete pivot points to achieve the desired elliptical motion path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the roller-and-tracking mechanical system with a pure linkage mechanism consisting of cranks, connecting rods, and pivot joints. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous surface contact and complex guidance systems while maintaining the coordinated elliptical motion of the feet.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If recumbent exercise devices use a reclined seating position, then the user experiences reduced joint impact, but the device becomes less accessible to the aging population who have difficulty getting into and out of the reclined position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional recumbent design by providing an upright seating position instead of a reclined one. This inversion maintains the low-impact benefits through the elliptical foot motion pattern while dramatically improving accessibility for users who cannot easily get into or out of reclined positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the seating angle parameter from reclined (typically 30-45 degrees backrest) to upright (approximately 90 degrees or slightly reclined). This parameter change fundamentally alters the accessibility characteristics while maintaining the therapeutic low-impact exercise benefits through the coordinated elliptical motion.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the foot pedals are positioned to allow natural foot articulation outside the knee, then knee stress is reduced, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the foot pedals in a three-dimensional space that allows natural foot articulation and places the feet outside the knee joint line, utilizing vertical and lateral dimensions rather than simply extending the device length. This spatial arrangement reduces knee stress while maintaining a compact footprint through efficient use of available space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent nests the pedal mechanism within the overall device structure, positioning the elliptical motion path to utilize space efficiently. The linkage mechanism is compactly arranged to allow the feet to move outside the knee line during the elliptical path while keeping the overall device envelope compact.
4Productivity
If coordinated arm movement is added to achieve full body workout, then cardiovascular benefit increases, but the moving arms may interfere with the operator's access to the seated area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the arm movement mechanism asymmetrically, with the handles and arm levers arranged to move in coordination with the foot pedals while clearing the seated area. The asymmetric arrangement allows full arm range of motion for cardiovascular benefit while preventing interference with user access to the seat.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the arm movement in a different spatial plane and timing phase relative to the foot motion. The coordinated but phase-shifted arm and leg movements occur in three-dimensional space, allowing full body engagement without the arms obstructing the user's path to or from the seated position.
Data Source
AI summary
A seated exercise apparatus comprises a frame having a seat attached to the frame. A pair of opposed cranks are rotatably coupled to the frame such that they rotate about a first axis. A first end of each of a pair of elongated members is rotatably connected to the frame at a respective pivot joint. A second end of each of the elongated members is connected to a respective. The pivot joints are located outside of a plane of motion of their respective right and left pedals, such that the apparatus can fit within a more compact form factor, especially in a longitudinal dimension. The pedals move in a reciprocating path having an elliptical shape, in which the major axis is more vertical than horizontal, giving a more up and down, natural, pedal motion.