Motorized Treadmill Deck and Handrail Rotation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foldable treadmills require manual effort to fold and lock, occupy large space even when folded, and lack automatic folding capabilities, posing safety and space efficiency issues.
Innovation Solution
A treadmill design featuring a rotatable deck and handrail assembly controlled by a motorized system, allowing for automatic folding and unfolding, with sensors and voice control for safety and stability, and a telescopic bracket for compact storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual folding mechanism is used, then the treadmill can be folded, but it requires great effort and is complicated to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical folding system with an automated control system. The controller automatically coordinates the rotation of the deck and handrail assembly, eliminating the need for manual operation of complex mechanical folding mechanisms while reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The treadmill performs self-folding through automated control. The controller manages the entire folding process by coordinating motors that rotate the deck and handrail assembly automatically, allowing the device to fold itself without human intervention in the mechanical folding process.
2Volume of moving object
If the deck is folded to erect state, then space is reduced, but the handrail and chassis still occupy large space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the folding actions of multiple components (deck, handrail assembly, and stand columns) into a coordinated sequence. By controlling these parts to fold together in a specific order, the entire treadmill structure compactly consolidates into a minimal space configuration rather than leaving individual parts scattered.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic folding sequences where the deck, handrail, and stand columns rotate to different positions in a coordinated manner. This dynamic approach allows the structure to transform from a stationary spread-out configuration to a compact folded state, maximizing space reduction.
3Extent of automation
If automatic folding is implemented, then operation is simplified, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it manages motor control for deck rotation, coordinates handrail assembly folding, monitors sensor inputs for safety, and sequences the overall folding operation. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single integrated control unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that coordinates between multiple motors and sensors without requiring direct complex mechanical linkages. By using electrical control signals as the intermediary medium, the system achieves automation while managing complexity through software coordination rather than mechanical complexity.
4Reliability
If sensors and safety systems are added, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor provides feedback to the controller about the folding state and safety conditions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically adjust its operation, stop when obstacles are detected, and confirm proper folding completion, improving reliability while managing complexity through automated feedback loops rather than manual safety checks.
Data Source
AI summary
The resent disclosure provides a treadmill, including a chassis, stand columns mounted at both sides of the chassis, a deck rotatably mounted on the chassis and configured to rotate relative to the chassis to a longitudinal direction or a horizontal direction, a handrail assembly rotatably mounted on the stand columns and configured to rotate relative to the stand columns to a folded state or an unfolded state, and a controller configured to control rotation of the deck and the handrail assembly. The controller is configured to control the deck to rotate to the longitudinal direction when the controller controls the handrail assembly to rotate relative to the stand columns to be in the folded state, and control the handrail assembly to rotate relative to the stand columns to be in the unfolded state when the controller controls the deck to rotate from the longitudinal direction to the horizontal direction.