Electric Treadmill Motor Circuit Braking via Power Resistor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric treadmills lack a cost-effective and low-maintenance solution to prevent unexpected belt movement when power is interrupted, posing a safety risk to users due to high rotational resistance and potential for falls.
Innovation Solution
An electric treadmill with a motor driving circuit that includes a power resistor and switch element, which automatically switches to a closed state when power is lost, converting kinetic energy into electrical energy to generate a high magnetic force resisting belt rotation, ensuring a sliding speed of the belt does not exceed 1 mph.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional braking device with electromagnet and spring member is used to stop the endless belt when power is lost, then the safety problem is resolved, but the cost increases and maintenance becomes troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex electromagnet, spring member, and brake member components from the braking system. Instead, it uses only the motor and a simple switch element connected to a power resistor, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining safety functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor serves dual functions: it drives the endless belt during normal operation and automatically generates electromagnetic braking force when power is lost. The system uses its own motor to provide the braking function without requiring separate braking components, achieving self-service and reducing complexity.
2Loss of energy
If the switch element remains in closed state during normal operation, then the power resistor continuously consumes energy, but if it opens during power loss, then braking function is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The switch element automatically detects the power supply state and responds accordingly: it remains closed during normal operation to prevent energy consumption, and automatically opens when power is lost to activate the braking function. This feedback mechanism ensures both energy efficiency and safety without manual intervention.
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 solution effectively prevents dangerous belt speeds during power outages by applying a resistive load, reducing the risk of user injury and maintaining low maintenance and cost, while ensuring the belt stops rotation automatically.
Implementation Method 1
the power resistor becomes a load for consuming power generated by the motor when the endless belt is driven by an external force, such that the motor operates to resist rotation of the endless belt
Data Source
AI summary
An electric treadmill includes an endless belt, a motor and a motor driving circuit. The motor driving circuit is operable to control electric current flow from a positive electrode through the motor to a negative electrode to drive the motor. The motor driving circuit has a power resistor and a switch element connected in series between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. When the motor driving circuit receives power from an external power source, the switch element automatically switches to an open state so that the power resistor is inactive. When the motor driving circuit does not receive power from the external power source, the switch element automatically switches to a closed state, and the power resistor becomes a load for consuming power generated by the motor when the endless belt is driven by an external force, such that the motor operates to resist rotation of the endless belt.