Segmented Stair Treadmill Structure for Compact Ergonomic Climbing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stair climbing exercise machines lack an efficient and ergonomic design that provides a continuous, resistant, and adjustable stair climbing experience, with conventional designs often being cumbersome and not fully utilizing the space for user comfort and effective workout.
Innovation Solution
A stair stepping apparatus comprising a series of pivotably interconnected stairs forming a treadmill or endless belt, where each stair has a major step portion and a minor riser portion connected by rigid elbows, allowing for a continuous step surface and adjustable angle of incline, with a resistance device to enhance the workout experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional stair climbing exercise machines are designed with traditional step structures, then the basic stair climbing function is provided, but the device occupies excessive space and reduces user comfort
Solution Approach 1:
Each stair is divided into multiple links (first link with major step portion and minor riser portion, second link with major riser portion and minor step portion) that are pivotably interconnected. This segmentation allows the stair structure to fold and compact while maintaining the functional step surface area, reducing the overall space occupation of the device without compromising user comfort during exercise.
Solution Approach 2:
The stair structure utilizes vertical folding through pivotable connections between links, transforming the spatial arrangement from a fixed two-dimensional layout to a three-dimensional collapsible structure. This allows the stair to maintain its functional dimensions during use while compacting vertically when not in use, effectively reducing the space occupation without sacrificing user comfort.
2Area of stationary object
If the stair structure is made compact to reduce space occupation, then the device footprint is minimized, but the ergonomic design and workout effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The stair structure incorporates pivotable connections that allow dynamic adjustment of the stair configuration. The links can rotate relative to each other to accommodate different user heights and workout intensities, maintaining ergonomic design requirements while in compact form. This dynamic capability ensures adaptability to different users and workout preferences without increasing the device footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus allows adjustment of the incline angle and stair configuration parameters to optimize ergonomic design for different users. By changing these parameters dynamically, the compact structure can still provide effective and comfortable workouts, resolving the contradiction between compact footprint and ergonomic adaptability.
3Productivity
If resistance is added to enhance workout effectiveness, then the training intensity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance device is integrated into the existing stair climbing mechanism, utilizing the user's own weight and climbing motion to generate resistance. The system automatically adjusts resistance based on the user's climbing speed and effort, eliminating the need for complex external resistance mechanisms while maintaining workout effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides workout resistance, controls the descent speed of the stairs, and contributes to the overall structural stability. This multi-functionality allows resistance to be added without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same mechanical elements serve multiple purposes in the system.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A stair stepping apparatus (5) comprises a plurality of stairs (70) mounted on a frame (10) and hingedly interconnected to each other in succession to form a treadmill or endless belt (20), the treadmill or endless belt being rotatably mounted on the frame for rotation around a path of travel. Each stair comprises: a step (50) comprising a foot support having a generally planar upper step surface (SS) having a front to rear length extending from a front edge to a rear edge, the upper step surface being comprised of a forward step surface (SSF) and a rearward step surface (SSR) between the front edge and the rear edge; and a riser (60) having a top to bottom vertical length extending from the rear edge of the upper step surface to a front edge of a generally planar upper step surface of an immediately successive stair. The forward step surface and the rearward step surface are hingedly joined to each other between the front edge of the step surface and rear edge of the upper step surface.