Stair-Climber Adjustable Inclination and Step Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stair-climbers have fixed and unadjustable climbing slopes, failing to meet diverse user needs and provide enhanced physical fitness or safety during workouts.
Innovation Solution
A stair-climber design featuring adjustable inclination units, step regulators, sensors, and a control unit that allows users to customize the slope and step angles, ensuring ergonomic posture and automatic safety features by stopping the machine if the user loses footing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the climbing slope is made fixed and unadjustable, then the device structure is simple, but it fails to meet diverse user workout needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the climbing slope adjustable through an inclination unit that can change the angle of the second inclination unit relative to the base. The first inclination unit slides forward and backward, while the second inclination unit pivots, allowing the climbing slope to be dynamically adjusted to meet different workout needs, transforming a static structure into a dynamic, adaptable system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the inclination mechanism into two separate units: the first inclination unit with sliding capability and the second inclination unit with pivoting capability. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each unit, providing versatile slope adjustment while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the steps are made fixed in angle, then the structure is simple, but it does not accommodate different user postures and comfort needs
Solution Approach 1:
The step unit applies the dynamics principle by enabling each step to rotate independently relative to the second inclination unit through the step regulator. This allows the steps to dynamically adjust their angle to accommodate different user postures and comfort requirements, transforming fixed steps into adaptable, user-customizable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing each step to have its own independent angle adjustment capability through the step regulator. Each step can be individually oriented at a specific angle suitable for the user's needs, rather than requiring all steps to be at the same fixed angle, providing localized customization for optimal ergonomics.
3Reliability
If safety features are added to detect user loss of footing, then user safety is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback through the sensor disposed at the rear end of the second inclination unit that detects when a user's feet are on the steps. The sensor sends sensing signals to the control unit, which processes the information and automatically stops the driving source when loss of footing is detected, creating a closed-loop safety system that responds to user conditions in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The safety system applies self-service by automatically detecting user loss of footing and stopping the machine without requiring user intervention. The sensor and control unit work autonomously to monitor user safety and take corrective action, eliminating the need for manual safety mechanisms or user awareness of potential hazards.
Data Source
AI summary
A stair-climber includes a base, a first inclination unit, a second inclination unit, a step unit, and a sensor. The front end of the first inclination unit is slidably disposed at the base. The second inclination unit is pivotally connected to the rear end of the first inclination unit. The rear end of the second inclination unit is pivotally connected to the base. The inclination angle of the second inclination unit is adjusted by an inclination unit regulator disposed between the first and second inclination units. The step unit is disposed at the second inclination unit and has multiple steps. The steps undergo angle adjustment with a step regulator disposed at the second inclination unit and thus tilt at angles suitable for a tread performed by users ergonomically. The sensor is disposed at the rear end of the second inclination unit to detect whether the users have lost footing.