Seated Exercise Apparatus with Reciprocating Pedal Arms
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a seated exercise apparatus with reciprocating foot movement that reduces stress on the knees, allows natural foot articulation, and features a simple linkage design without expensive rollers or tracking systems, while also providing coordinated arm movement that does not obstruct access for users, particularly the aging population.
Innovation Solution
A seated exercise apparatus with first and second cranks rotatably coupled to a frame, elongated members with handles, and pedal arms that move in a steep up and down reciprocating motion, coordinating with the cranks and handles to provide a natural ankle movement and arcuate arm motion, utilizing a pulley and pivot mechanism for easy access and reduced joint stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If recumbent exercise devices use traditional horizontal stepping motion, then cardiovascular benefit is achieved, but foot stress on knees increases and natural foot articulation is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The pedal assembly is designed to move dynamically through both horizontal and vertical ranges of motion, allowing the foot to articulate naturally while reducing knee stress. The pedal path transitions from purely horizontal to a combined horizontal-vertical trajectory, adapting to the user's natural foot movement patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a vertical dimension to the traditional horizontal pedal motion. By incorporating vertical movement into the pedal path, the system allows feet to move outside the bending knee area, reducing knee stress while maintaining natural foot articulation through increased degrees of freedom.
2Ease of operation
If recumbent exercise devices use elliptical foot motion with rollers and tracking systems, then natural foot articulation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the horizontal and vertical motion paths into a single integrated pedal arm mechanism. Instead of using separate rollers and tracking systems to achieve elliptical motion, the pedal arm directly combines both motion components through its geometric design and pivot points, simplifying the overall mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The pedal arm utilizes curved linkages and arc-shaped pivot paths to naturally generate the elliptical motion trajectory. By incorporating curved geometric elements into the linkage design, the system achieves smooth elliptical foot motion without requiring complex roller-based guidance systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If recumbent exercise devices include coordinated arm movement, then full body workout and cardiovascular benefit are enhanced, but arm movement may obstruct access to the seated area for aging users
Solution Approach 1:
The arm movement mechanism is segmented into distinct phases and spatial zones, allowing the handles to move primarily in the vertical plane and away from the seat area during operation. This segmentation separates the arm exercise function from the seating access path, enabling both functions to coexist without interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage system acts as an intermediary between the user's arm movement and the pedal motion. By using elongated members and pivot points as mediators, the system translates arm movements into coordinated pedal motion while keeping the handles positioned away from the seated area, ensuring unobstructed access for users.
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 apparatus provides a full-body workout with reduced joint stress, allowing users to maintain an upright seated position while moving their feet and arms in a coordinated, natural motion, and is easy to manufacture and assemble, making it accessible and comfortable for the aging population.
Implementation Method 1
first and second cranks rotatably coupled to a frame, elongated members with handles, and pedal arms that move in a steep up and down reciprocating motion
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a pulley and pivot mechanism for easy access and reduced joint stress
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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 medial portion of each of a pair of elongated members are rotatably connected to the frame at a second axis. A first end of each elongated member has a handle and a second end of each elongated member is rotatably connected to a one end of a respective pedal arm. The other end of each pedal arm is in turn rotatably connected to a respective crank. Each pedal arm has a pedal adapted to receive a user's foot. In operation, the apparatus provides the user with coordinated seated exercise of both the arms/hands and legs/feet. The feet move in an up and down motion and the arms move in a coordinated arcuate motion.