Stair Stepper Adjustable Guide Rail and Magneto Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current stair steppers have fixed exercise difficulty levels, failing to accommodate users with varying physical strength or changing fitness demands.

Innovation Solution

The stair stepper design includes an adjustable guide rail that changes its inclination angle relative to the base, allowing for customizable exercise difficulty through a telescopic mechanism and resistance systems, such as a magneto resistance mechanism and fan resistance disc, to adjust the movement trajectory and resistance levels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the guide rail is hinged to the main body to enable adjustment of inclination angle, then the adaptability of the stair steppers to different user requirements is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of exercise difficultyVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic member is nested within the bracket structure, with one end hinged to the main body and the other end hinged to the guide rail. This nesting approach allows the adjustment mechanism to be integrated into the existing structure rather than adding external components, thereby improving adaptability while minimizing increases in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide rail is designed with hinged connections at both ends, allowing it to dynamically adjust its inclination angle relative to the base. This dynamic structure enables the stair steppers to adapt to different user requirements by changing the exercise difficulty, while the hinged mechanism provides a relatively simple implementation compared to more complex adjustment systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a telescopic member is added to push the guide rail to rotate for adjusting inclination angle, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adjusting exercise difficultyVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The telescopic member is designed to be extended and retracted by the user through direct manual operation. This self-service approach allows users to adjust the inclination angle themselves without requiring external assistance or complex control systems, improving ease of operation while keeping the mechanism relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The telescopic member provides a smooth, continuous motion path for adjusting the guide rail inclination. By using a telescopic (extensible) rather than segmented mechanism, the adjustment motion is simplified and made more intuitive for users, improving ease of operation without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Reliability

If resistance mechanisms are added to generate resistance to rotation, then the effectiveness of exercise is improved, but the device complexity and use of energy increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of exercise resistanceVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical friction-based resistance systems with a magneto resistance mechanism. This mechanism uses magnetic fields to generate resistance to rotation of the rotary discs, eliminating the need for complex mechanical friction components and providing a more reliable, maintenance-free resistance system that improves exercise effectiveness without significantly increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magneto resistance mechanism allows for adjustment of resistance levels by changing the distance between the magnetic member and the rotary discs. This parameter-based adjustment provides a simple way to vary exercise intensity without requiring multiple resistance mechanisms or complex mechanical adjustments, improving reliability while keeping the system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Adaptability or versatility

If a generator device is added to generate electricity upon rotation, then the adaptability and additional functionality are improved, but the device complexity and use of energy increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy generation capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The generator device is integrated into the existing motion mechanism, allowing it to perform dual functions: maintaining the magneto resistance effect during exercise and generating electricity when the rotary discs rotate. This multi-functionality approach improves adaptability by adding energy generation capability without requiring a completely separate system, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic field serves as an intermediary that accomplishes two functions simultaneously: it provides resistance to rotation through magneto resistance and enables electricity generation through electromagnetic induction. This intermediary approach allows the generator to be integrated into the resistance mechanism without adding significant complexity, as the same magnetic components serve both purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 adjust exercise intensity based on their physical condition, providing a tailored workout experience by modifying the movement trajectory and resistance, enhancing user satisfaction and fitness outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

the magneto resistance mechanism comprises a magnetic member, a magnetic force is generated between the magnetic member and the rotary discs, the fan resistance disc or the driving disc

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic force: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

a fan resistance disc or the driving disc to generate a resistance to rotation of the rotary discs, the fan resistance disc or the driving disc

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir drag: Drag

Data Source

PatentEP3342468B1Stair steppers
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 OMA METAL IND CO LTD
  • EP3342468B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3342468B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3342468B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a stair steppers, comprising a base, a bracket and a motion mechanism, the base supports the bracket, and the motion mechanism is disposed on the bracket, the bracket comprises a main body fixed to the base and a guide rail hinged to the main body, the guide rail is disposed to be inclined to the base, the motion mechanism comprises pedal links, pedals and pedal cranks, the pedal is disposed on the pedal link, the pedal link is hinged to the pedal crank, the pedal cranks are further hinged to the main body of the bracket, a hinge point of the pedal crank and the pedal link is disposed to be spaced apart from a hinge point of the pedal crank and the main body, the pedal link is provided with an abutting portion which abuts against the guide rail and is reciprocatingly movable along the guide rail. Since the guide rail is hinged to the main body, it is feasible to adjust an inclination angle of the guide rail relative to the base so as to change a movement trajectory of the pedal links and thereby adjust the difficulty of exercise of the stair steppers. When an angle between the guide rail and the base is larger, the difficulty of exercise is higher, otherwise, the difficulty of exercise is lower.