Shoulder Strength Measurement With Multiplanar Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional exercise equipment for shoulder rehabilitation lacks dynamic, weight-bearing capabilities that can isolate the shoulder joint in 360 degrees of motion, limiting the effectiveness of shoulder strengthening exercises, particularly post-surgery rehabilitation.
Innovation Solution
An exercise apparatus with a shaft, user engagement structure, position sensors, and a processor that tracks multidirectional movements, providing resistance at various physiological planes and angles, and counts repetitions based on predefined regions or vectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional exercise equipment (elastic bands, medicine balls, dumbbells) is used for shoulder rehabilitation, then the equipment is simple and easy to manufacture, but the equipment cannot provide dynamic weight-bearing resistance in multiple planes of motion simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the resistance mechanism into multiple independent magnetic braking systems, each controlling a specific degree of freedom (DOF) of the shaft assembly. This allows complex multi-plane motion to be achieved through coordinated simple components rather than a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic braking system serves multiple functions: it provides resistance in multiple planes of motion, enables dynamic weight-bearing capability, and allows independent control of each DOF. This universal approach replaces multiple specialized conventional equipment items with a single multi-functional device.
2Measurement precision
If conventional exercise equipment is used, then the equipment structure is simple, but the equipment cannot accurately track and measure shoulder joint position and movement repetitions
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously receives position data from sensors, compares it against predefined regions, and provides real-time feedback through repetition counting. This closed-loop feedback system enables accurate measurement of shoulder joint position and movement repetitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual observation and mechanical measurement methods with electronic sensors and digital processing. The position sensor and processor automatically track joint position and count repetitions, eliminating the need for manual measurement and significantly improving precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional exercise equipment is used, then the equipment is easy to operate, but the equipment cannot provide isolated shoulder joint stabilization in 360 degrees of motion
Solution Approach 1:
The device transitions from static conventional equipment to a dynamic system where magnetic braking forces adapt in real-time to the user's movement. The system provides active stabilization across all DOFs, allowing isolated shoulder joint movement in 360 degrees while maintaining ease of operation through automatic control.
Data Source
AI summary
Exercise devices can provide multidirectional and dynamic resistance to movement of a user, such that complex movements can be evaluated and assessed. An exercise apparatus includes a shaft, a user engagement structure coupled to the shaft, a position sensor coupled to the shaft configured to detect a position of the shaft, and a processor operatively coupled to the position sensor. The processor is configured to receive position data from the position sensor, calculate position coordinates based on the position data that are representative of a position of the user engagement structure, determine whether the position coordinates are within a previously-defined region, and count a repetition when the position coordinates are within the previously-defined region.