Stair Stepper Pedal Linkage With Tensioned Elastic Damping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stair steppers face safety hazards due to drooping elastic ropes during the downward pedal movement, have complex structures with magnetic or mechanical resistance wheels, and lack adjustable pedal angles for diversified exercise.

Innovation Solution

A stair stepper with a damping mechanism using a linear elastic element between pedals, providing adjustable resistance through a linkage mechanism and adjustable pedal angles, ensuring the elastic element remains tensioned and offers changing elastic force for smoother movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If elastic ropes are used between pedals and rack lower ends to form resistance, then pedal resistance increases and exercise intensity improves, but the elastic rope droops when the pedal moves downward causing safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepedal resistanceVSAvoidsafety hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional elastic rope connection by placing the upper end of the elastic element on the fixed rack and the lower end on the moving pedal. This inversion ensures that during downward pedal movement, the elastic element remains taut and provides resistance rather than drooping, thereby eliminating the safety hazard while maintaining the resistance function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a connecting component as an intermediary between the elastic element and the pedal. This connecting component includes a reversing part that extends the elastic element, allowing the elastic force to act effectively on the pedal while preventing the elastic element from drooping during downward movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If magnetic or mechanical resistance wheels are used to provide resistance, then safety hazards from elastic rope drooping are overcome, but the structure becomes complicated and structural layout is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety hazard eliminationVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex magnetic or mechanical resistance wheel structures from the system. Instead, it uses a simplified elastic element connection that directly provides resistance through elastic force, achieving safety without the need for complicated resistance mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of resistance provision from mechanical/magnetic interaction to elastic force interaction. By using the elastic element's inherent elastic force instead of external resistance mechanisms, the structure is simplified while maintaining safety and resistance functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If fixed angle pedals are used, then the structure is simple, but users cannot perform diversified exercise manners

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidexercise diversity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed angle pedal structure into a dynamic, adjustable angle structure. The pedal component can be adjusted to different angles relative to the connecting component, allowing users to perform various exercise manners while maintaining structural simplicity through a straightforward adjustment mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

The solution ensures safe operation by preventing drooping, simplifies the structure, and allows for adjustable resistance and angles, enhancing user comfort and exercise diversity.

Implementation Method 1

the linear elastic element expands or contracts with the reverse synchronous movement of the pedal components, to form a changing elastic force, and the changing elastic force acts on the pedal components, to form resistance to the movement of the pedal components

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12491404B2Stair stepper

Publication Date: 2025.12.09 XIAMEN ZHOULONG SPORTING GOODS

AI summary

The present invention relates to a stair stepper, including: a rack provided with two slide rails, each of the slide rails is slidably provided with one pedal component, where the two pedal components form linkage in the form of reverse synchronous movement; and a damping mechanism, including a linear elastic element, where the linear elastic element is straddled between the two slide rails, two ends of the linear elastic element are respectively connected to the pedal components. The linear elastic element expands or contracts with the reverse synchronous movement of the pedal components, to form a changing elastic force, and the changing elastic force acts on the pedal components, to form resistance to the movement of the pedal components.