Self-Powered Treadmill with Dynamic Belt Speed Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional running machines require external power and have slow response times in adjusting rotation speed, leading to potential user injuries due to mismatched running and belt speeds.
Innovation Solution
A sporting apparatus with an electricity generating unit, position sensing unit, and modulation unit that transforms kinetic energy into electric power and adjusts armature current to control the endless belt's rotation speed, allowing for dynamic speed adjustments without external power and rapid response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a motor drives the endless belt to rotate, then the user can run on the rotating belt, but the machine requires external power and consumes high power
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a motor to drive the belt rotation, the invention inverts the approach by using the user's running motion to drive the belt through a generator. The generator converts the mechanical energy from the user's movement into electrical energy, which then powers the motor to provide assisted propulsion. This inversion eliminates the need for external power while maintaining belt rotation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's own running motion as the energy source to power the belt rotation. The generator captures the mechanical energy from the user's movement and converts it to electrical energy, creating a self-sustaining system where the user's action directly powers the apparatus without requiring external power supply.
2Device complexity
If the rotation speed is set already, then the control is simple, but the user may fall down and get hurt if the running speed does not match the belt rotation speed
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor the user's position and running speed on the belt. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust the belt rotation speed to match the user's movement, preventing mismatches that could cause falls or injuries while maintaining relatively simple control through automatic adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a fixed rotation speed, the system dynamically adjusts the belt speed based on real-time detection of user position and movement characteristics. This dynamic adaptation ensures the belt speed always matches the user's running speed, enhancing safety while the underlying control mechanism remains relatively simple through automated detection and adjustment.
3Ease of operation
If a mechanical control mechanism is used to adjust the rotation speed, then the control is direct, but the response time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical control mechanisms with an electronic control system that uses sensors to detect user position and a controller to adjust motor speed electronically. This substitution eliminates the inertia and mechanical delays associated with mechanical control, achieving both direct control capability and fast response time through electronic actuation.
4Device complexity
If the electricity generation function is only performed when motor speed decreases, then the structure is simple, but the electricity generation function does not work in other situations
Solution Approach 1:
The system design allows the generator to function in multiple operating modes: it can generate electricity during deceleration phases, maintain electricity generation during steady-state operation, and provide power assistance through the motor. This multi-functional design ensures continuous electricity generation capability across all operating situations while maintaining relatively simple structural integration of the generator and motor components.
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
Enables continuous electricity generation and rapid adjustment of the endless belt's speed to maintain user position, preventing injuries by synchronizing user speed with belt speed without the need for external power.
Implementation Method 1
an electricity generating unit (23) disposed in the structure body and transforming kinetic energy, which is transmitted from the endless belt, into electric power
Implementation Method 2
The controller controls the duty ratio of the semiconductor switch to control the armature current, so that the armature current is adjusted according to the sensing signal for controlling the rotation speed of the endless belt
Data Source
AI summary
A sporting apparatus comprises a structure body, an endless belt, an electricity generating unit, a position sensing unit and a modulation unit for continuously outputting electricity as the sporting apparatus is continuously operated. The electricity generating unit transforms kinetic energy, which is transmitted from the endless belt, into electric power. The position sensing unit senses a position of a user on the endless belt so as to generate a sensing signal. The modulation unit includes a DC/AC inverter, a current sensing element, an inductor and a semiconductor switch with a controller. The current sensing element senses an armature current outputted from the electricity generating unit and outputs a signal to the controller. The controller controls the duty ratio of the semiconductor switch to control the armature current, so that the armature current is adjusted according to the sensing signal for controlling the rotation speed of the endless belt.