Adjustable Buffering Apparatus for Treadmill Shock Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Large treadmills are heavy, occupy more space, and are costly due to increased material usage, posing challenges in terms of safety, reliability, and practicality for home and gym use.
Innovation Solution
A buffering apparatus for treadmills featuring a crossbar with multiple buffer sets of varying elastic blocks that can be positioned to absorb shocks, comprising a crossbar with different elastic coefficients, a helical spring, and a locking mechanism to secure the crossbar's position, allowing for adjustable buffering based on user needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the treadmill frame is made bigger to improve safety and reliability, then the strength and stability are improved, but the weight increases and more space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating a buffering apparatus with elastic blocks and springs that absorb shock before it can damage the frame or cause injury. The buffering blocks are positioned to contact the belt during operation, providing preventive shock absorption that enhances safety without requiring a heavier frame structure.
2Reliability
If the treadmill frame is made bigger to improve safety and reliability, then the strength and stability are improved, but the device occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The buffering apparatus provides beforehand cushioning through elastic blocks and springs that absorb shock during normal operation, enhancing frame strength and reliability without requiring a larger overall frame structure. This allows the treadmill to maintain compact dimensions while achieving the desired structural integrity through active shock absorption rather than passive size increase.
3Reliability
If more materials are used to make the treadmill bigger for improved safety, then the strength is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs beforehand cushioning with a buffering apparatus consisting of elastic blocks, springs, and damping elements that absorb shock during operation. This approach enhances frame strength and safety by actively managing mechanical stresses rather than relying on excessive material usage, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining or improving structural reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the buffering apparatus uses multiple buffer sets with different elastic coefficients, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the buffering apparatus adjustable through a crossbar that can be positioned at different locations along the frame. The crossbar selectively engages with different buffer sets containing elastic blocks with varying elastic coefficients, allowing the system to dynamically adapt its buffering characteristics based on operational requirements. This provides versatility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular buffer sets and a straightforward adjustment mechanism.
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 buffering apparatus enhances the safety and reliability of treadmills by providing adjustable shock absorption, reducing the weight and space requirements while maintaining effective exercise performance, thus addressing the issues of size and cost associated with larger treadmills.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the buffer sets includes a plurality of buffering blocks made with different elastic coefficients
Implementation Method 2
a helical spring
Data Source
AI summary
A treadmill includes an external frame, an internal frame connected to the external frame, a belt in the form of a loop supported on the internal frame and a buffering apparatus for buffering the internal frame. The buffering apparatus includes a crossbar and two buffer sets. The crossbar is rotationally provided on the external frame between various positions. Each of the buffer sets includes a plurality of buffering blocks made with different elastic coefficients so that a selected one of the buffering blocks is brought into contact with the internal frame when the crossbar is in a related one of the positions.