Sliding Foot Pads with Roller Units for Seated Leg Exercise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing leg exercise machines for seated users lack lateral sliding foot pads and effective resistance adjustment, limiting the variety and intensity of leg exercises and calorie burn tracking.
Innovation Solution
A seated leg exercise device featuring slidably coupled foot pads with roller units and an adjustable resistance unit, integrated with a calorie counter to track calorie burn based on foot pad movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If foot pads are hingedly disposed on housing (prior art), then users can perform leg exercises while seated, but the exercise variety and intensity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a fixed hinged mechanism to a dynamic sliding mechanism where foot pads can move laterally along the housing. This allows the exercise device to adapt to different exercise types (forward/backward sliding, lateral movements) while maintaining a relatively simple linear track structure rather than complex hinge assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The foot pad assembly is segmented into movable components that can independently slide along the housing track. This segmentation enables multiple exercise motions (pushing, pulling, lateral movements) using the same basic sliding mechanism, increasing versatility without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If resistance unit is added to adjust force required to move foot pads, then workout intensity can be adjusted, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance unit is nested within the housing structure, with resistance elements (such as springs or friction mechanisms) integrated into the existing sliding track system. This allows resistance adjustment functionality to be added without requiring separate external resistance mechanisms, minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistance unit enables adjustment of physical parameters (force, friction, spring tension) within the existing sliding mechanism. By changing these parameters rather than adding entirely new mechanical systems, the device achieves variable resistance functionality with minimal complexity increase.
3Loss of information
If calorie counter is integrated to track calorie burn, then user progress can be monitored, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical calorie-counting mechanisms with simpler electronic or digital sensing systems. Motion sensors detect foot pad displacement and integrate this data to calculate calorie expenditure, reducing mechanical complexity while providing accurate tracking information.
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary computational system (microcontroller or processing unit) mediates between the simple motion detection sensors and the calorie calculation algorithm. This intermediary layer translates basic motion data into meaningful calorie metrics without requiring complex direct mechanical measurement systems.
4Ease of operation
If roller units are used to enable foot pads to slide laterally on housing, then exercise movement is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The roller units are designed as self-contained components that automatically provide smooth lateral motion without requiring external adjustment or complex assembly. Each roller unit is a standardized module that self-aligns within the housing track, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly processes while maintaining smooth operation.
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 users to perform varied leg exercises with adjustable resistance, effectively tracking calorie burn while seated, enhancing workout intensity and monitoring progress.
Implementation Method 1
A pair of roller units is each rollably integrated into the housing and each of the foot pads is coupled to a respective one of the pair of roller units for sliding the foot pads back and forth on the housing
Implementation Method 2
A resistance unit is movably integrated into the housing for either increasing or decreasing the force required to move the footpads to accommodate the physical strength of the user
Data Source
AI summary
A leg exercise assembly includes a housing that is positionable near a user's feet. A pair of foot pads is each disposed on the housing for having a respective one of the user's feet positioned upon the foot pads. A pair of roller units is each rollably integrated into the housing and each of the foot pads is coupled to a respective one of the pair of roller units for sliding the foot pads back and forth on the housing. A resistance unit is movably integrated into the housing for either increasing or decreasing the force required to move the footpads to accommodate the physical strength of the user. A calorie counter is integrated into the housing and the calorie counter counts each time the pair of roller units is moved back and forth to calculate the calories being burnt by the user.