Treadmill Drive Motor Power Analysis for Running Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Runners face challenges in accurately assessing their running efficiency and interaction forces with treadmills due to factors beyond their form, such as weather and diet, making it difficult to determine the impact of form changes on efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A treadmill equipped with sensors to detect energy usage by the drive motor and a console that analyzes this data to provide users with feedback on their running form, efficiency, and suggested improvements, including cadence and force analysis, through a computer system with visual and audio outputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If runners evaluate their running efficiency by subjective feelings during or after runs, then they can assess their performance without additional equipment, but the accuracy of the assessment is reduced due to external factors such as weather conditions, diet, and sickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective human perception with electronic sensing and computational analysis. Sensors detect mechanical forces applied to the treadmill deck, and a computer system processes this data to objectively calculate running efficiency metrics, eliminating the influence of external factors on assessment accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary measurement system consisting of force sensors and a computer analysis system that mediates between the runner's physical performance and the efficiency assessment. This intermediary layer captures objective mechanical data that directly reflects running form without being influenced by environmental or physiological factors
2Measurement precision
If traditional gait analysis methods are used without force plate integration, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to measure interaction forces between the runner and treadmill is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the treadmill structure with force plate technology by integrating force sensors into the deck assembly. This combination allows the treadmill to simultaneously function as both an exercise device and a measurement instrument, enabling precise capture of interaction forces during running
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the treadmill multi-functional by enabling it to serve both as an exercise platform and as a measurement device. The same structural components that support running also detect forces, allowing the device to provide both workout functionality and gait analysis capabilities
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
Enables users to receive accurate assessments and guidance on improving running efficiency, posture, foot placement, and cadence, leading to measurable improvements in running form and efficiency over time.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor for detecting the energy used by a drive motor of the treadmill
Data Source
AI summary
A method for improving running efficiency includes measuring power usage of a drive motor of a treadmill while a user is running on the treadmill for a first period of time and analyzing the measured power usage of the drive motor for the first period of time with a computer. The method further includes providing the user with information about the user's running form based on the analyzed data and providing the user with information on how the user can change their current running form to improve running efficiency.