Treadmill Load Cell Layout for Accurate Running Force Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing treadmills require complex mechanical and electrical interventions to install a high number of force transducers for accurate force measurement, occupying space, increasing installation time, and costs.

Innovation Solution

A method using a treadmill with a base comprising rotating elements and load cells under the surface to detect local force vectors, processed by a data processing unit to determine resulting force vectors, reducing the need for multiple force plates and simplifying installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a high number of force transducers are installed under the treadmill belt to improve measurement accuracy, then the accuracy and reliability of user interaction data is improved, but the device complexity, space occupation, installation time, and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of force measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of treadmill configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The treadmill belt is divided into multiple sections, each equipped with its own force transducer. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high measurement accuracy across the entire belt surface while using a manageable number of transducers, rather than requiring a dense array that would increase complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The force transducers are integrated into the treadmill belt structure itself, serving both as structural components and measurement devices. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measurement apparatus, reducing device complexity and space occupation while maintaining high measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of force measurementVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The force transducers are pre-integrated into the treadmill belt during manufacturing, so that when the treadmill is deployed, the measurement system is already in place and functional. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site installation of multiple transducers while maintaining high measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The force measurement function is merged with the treadmill belt structure, combining the mechanical support function and the measurement function into a single integrated system. This merging reduces the number of separate components that need to be installed and connected, significantly reducing installation time and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of force measurementVSAvoidspace occupation inside treadmill

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The treadmill belt serves dual purposes: as the moving surface for exercise and as the mounting structure for force transducers. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate spaces to house measurement devices, reducing space occupation inside the treadmill while maintaining high measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The force transducers are nested within the treadmill belt structure, with measurement components integrated into the existing mechanical framework. This nesting approach allows the measurement system to occupy minimal additional space while achieving high measurement accuracy across the belt surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Achieves accurate and reliable user interaction data with reduced complexity and cost, minimizing space occupation and installation time.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality P-C of load cells arranged under the portion PZ of the surface of physical exercise 10 so as to detect data representative of local force vectors F-11, F-12, F-21, F-22, F-31, F-32 along a direction orthogonal to the portion PZ of the surface of physical exercise 10 at each load cell and due to the interaction of the user U with the surface of physical exercise 10

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce detection via load cells: Deformation

Data Source

PatentUS12582869B2Representative of a user's interaction with a surface of physical exercise of a treadmill and treadmill thereof

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 TECHNOGYM SPA

AI summary

A method for determining information representative of a user's interaction with a surface of physical exercise of a treadmill is provided. The method, for each sampling time instants ti, with 1<i<N, of a plurality of subsequent sampling time instants t1, t2, . . . , tN, with positive integer N, involves detecting, by each load cell of a plurality of load cells, data representative of a respective local force vector value along a direction orthogonal to a portion of a surface of physical exercise of the treadmill at the load cell due to the user's interaction with the surface of physical exercise, and determining, by a data processing unit of the treadmill, information representative of a resulting force vector based on the data representative of the local force vectors detected by the plurality of load cells.