Cross-Country Skiing Trainer with Segmented Movement Phases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing training devices, such as rowing machines and treadmills, primarily focus on specific muscle groups and can stress joints and the spine, leading to wear and tear, while cross-country skiing equipment is more comprehensive but lacks versatility in usage.
Innovation Solution
A training device with a horizontally arranged base frame, front and rear support elements, hinge tubes, pivot tubes, and footrests that simulate cross-country skiing movements by engaging multiple muscle groups without joint or spine impact, allowing for versatile use as both a cross-country skiing trainer and cross trainer with adjustable resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rowing machines are used to train muscle groups, then muscle training is achieved, but the strain on back muscles does not correspond to natural movement and causes excessive stress
Solution Approach 1:
The training device segments the movement into distinct phases: leg push phase, body lean phase, and handle pull phase. Each phase engages different muscle groups in sequence, mimicking the natural movement pattern of cross-country skiing rather than the continuous back strain of rowing machines
Solution Approach 2:
The device changes the movement parameters by allowing the user's body to lean forward and backward dynamically during the exercise, rather than maintaining a fixed seated position. This dynamic parameter change enables natural movement sequences that reduce strain on back muscles while maintaining muscle training effectiveness
2Strength
If treadmill or bike training devices are used, then leg muscles are trained, but joints and spine are stressed by impacts leading to wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The device uses the user's body weight as a counterbalance during the exercise. As the user pushes with their legs and leans forward, their body weight naturally counteracts the movement, eliminating the need for impact-based resistance that stresses joints and spine. The movement is controlled by gravity and body mechanics rather than external impact forces
3Object-affected harmful factors
If cross-country skiing training equipment is used to simulate natural movement sequences, then multiple muscle groups are engaged without joint impact, but the device lacks versatility in usage
Solution Approach 1:
The training device incorporates multiple functional elements that enable different training modes: footrests for leg exercise, handles for upper body exercise, and support elements for stability. Users can adjust the intensity and focus of their workout by utilizing different components, providing versatility while maintaining the low-impact cross-country skiing movement pattern
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A training device (1) is described, comprising a base frame (2), two support elements (3v, 3h), two front and two rear hinge tubes (4rv, 4lv, 4rh, 4lh), wherein the hinge tubes (4rv, 4rh, 4rh, 4lh) are each slid onto a hinge rod (5v, 5h) and define a rear and front hinge axis, respectively. The training device (1) also includes four swivel tubes (6rv, 6rh, 6lv, 6lh) which, in their un-displaced resting state, are oriented essentially vertically, with each swivel tube being connected to the corresponding hinge tube. In addition, two footrests (7r, 7l) are provided, each of which is movably connected to two swivel tubes (6rv, 6rh, 6lv, 6lh) by means of two hinge pins.In the right-hand edge region of the base frame (2), a right-hand rail (8r) extending along the right footrest (7r) is provided, while in the left-hand edge region of the base frame (2), a left-hand rail (8l) extending along the left footrest (7l) is provided. A right-hand, elongated push bar (9r), shaped like a handle at its upper end, is movably mounted at its lower end in the right-hand rail (8r), and a left-hand, elongated push bar (9l), also shaped like a handle at its upper end, is movably mounted at its lower end in the left-hand rail (8l). In addition, two handle elements (10r, 10l) are provided: a right-hand handle element (10r) fixedly but detachably connected to the right-hand front hinge tube (4rv) and a left-hand handle element (10l) fixedly but detachably connected to the left-hand front hinge tube (4lv).