Stationary Resistance Element in Rowing Machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rowing machines are bulky, noisy, and lack sufficient stability and rigidity, especially in domestic settings, and struggle to accurately simulate rowing due to limitations in resistance element movement and noise from liquid-based resistance units.
Innovation Solution
A rowing machine design featuring a stationary resistance element and a cord guiding member that remains stationary with respect to the footrest, allowing for a heavier, quieter liquid-based resistance unit and improved rowing simulation accuracy by decoupling the resistance element's movement from the footrest and handle, enabling direct force interplay and reduced bulkiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the resistance element is arranged on the structural member to provide sufficient stability and rigidity, then the stability and rigidity are improved, but the device becomes bulky and occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the resistance element is separated from the footrest assembly and positioned independently on the structural member. This segmentation allows the footrest to move freely while the resistance element remains stationary, providing stability without adding bulk to the moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
A cord guiding member (pulley system) is introduced as an intermediary between the handle and the resistance element. This mediator transfers the force from the user's pulling action to the resistance element without requiring the resistance element to move with the footrest, thus maintaining stability while reducing bulkiness.
2Strength
If the resistance element is arranged on the structural member to provide sufficient rigidity, then the rigidity is improved, but the device becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The rigidity function is separated from the moving footrest assembly. The resistance element is positioned independently on the structural member where it can provide rigid support without being part of the moving components, thus maintaining structural rigidity while reducing the bulkiness of the moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The cord guiding member acts as an intermediary that allows the resistance element to remain stationary and rigid on the structural member while still transmitting force to the moving footrest assembly through the cord system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the resistance element moves with the footrest in traditional dynamic machines, then the dynamic movement is achieved, but the liquid-based resistance unit cannot be used reliably due to sloshing and inconsistent resistance force
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance element is extracted from the moving footrest assembly and positioned independently on the structural member. This extraction allows the footrest to move dynamically while the resistance element remains stationary, preventing liquid sloshing and ensuring consistent resistance force throughout the exercise range.
Solution Approach 2:
The cord guiding member serves as an intermediary that couples the dynamic movement of the footrest with the stationary resistance element. This mediator allows the footrest to move freely while reliably transmitting force to the resistance element without causing liquid sloshing, thus maintaining both dynamic movement and resistance consistency.
4Force
If a heavier resistance element is used to increase resistance force, then the resistance force is improved, but the simulation accuracy of rowing deteriorates due to the influence of resistance element weight
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance element is taken out from the moving components and positioned independently on the structural member. This allows the use of heavier resistance elements to increase resistance force without the weight affecting rowing simulation accuracy, as the resistance element no longer moves during the exercise.
Solution Approach 2:
The cord guiding member acts as an intermediary that decouples the weight of the resistance element from the moving footrest assembly. This allows the resistance element to be heavy for increased resistance force while the cord system ensures smooth force transmission without the negative effects of moving weight, thus improving resistance force while maintaining simulation accuracy.
5Force
If the resistance element is arranged to provide increased resistance force, then the resistance force is improved, but the noise level increases due to non-liquid resistance units
Solution Approach 1:
The resistance element is extracted from the moving footrest assembly and positioned independently on the structural member. This stable positioning enables the use of quiet liquid-based resistance units that can provide increased resistance force without the noise associated with moving resistance elements, thus improving resistance force while reducing noise.
Data Source
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AI summary
Exercise device, comprising at least one elongate track onto which a seat and a footrest are slidingly movably arranged, such that the seat and the footrest are mutually independently movable along the at least one track, a resistance element connected to a handle via a drive cord through which the resistance element can be driven upon pulling the handle towards the seat, and a cord guiding member arranged between the handle and the resistance element over which the drive cord passes, wherein the cord guiding member is arranged stationary with respect to the footrest, and wherein the resistance element is arranged stationary with respect to the at least one track.