Treadmill Power Analysis Device Using Current Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Treadmill exercises, such as walking or running, can lead to repetitive motions reducing user motivation and insufficient monitoring of health status due to lack of quantitative evaluation of gait and calorie burn.

Innovation Solution

A device that analyzes power consumption information from a treadmill using a current sensor and processor to determine movement patterns, enabling medical diagnosis and personalized exercise therapy by adjusting speed and time based on user data, and providing interactive displays to enhance motivation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If treadmill exercises are performed at predetermined speed for predetermined time, then exercise quantity can be controlled, but quantitative evaluation of gait and health status monitoring becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexercise quantity controlVSAvoidgait evaluation precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical gait analysis systems with an electrical measurement system. By measuring current consumption of the treadmill motor, the system indirectly detects user gait patterns, weight distribution, and exercise intensity without requiring complex mechanical sensors on the user's body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses current consumption data as an intermediary parameter to infer gait characteristics. Instead of directly measuring gait parameters, the system measures electrical current which varies according to the motor load caused by different gait patterns, user weight, and exercise intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If separate analysis device is used to monitor power consumption, then treadmill modification is avoided, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreadmill modification simplicityVSAvoidanalysis device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The analysis device is designed to be universally applicable to different treadmill models by measuring electrical current at the power input stage. This multi-functional approach allows the same device to work with various treadmill types without requiring model-specific modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses electrical current as an intermediary measurement that can be obtained without modifying the treadmill's mechanical structure. By placing sensors on the electrical supply line, the system achieves monitoring capability while keeping the treadmill's mechanical components intact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If current sensor is used to sense instantaneous current changes, then movement pattern determination becomes possible, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement pattern detection accuracyVSAvoidanalysis device energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces energy-intensive mechanical or optical sensing systems with low-power electrical current measurement. The current sensor consumes minimal energy compared to cameras, force plates, or inertial measurement units that would provide similar gait analysis functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 accurate determination of walking or running patterns, medical diagnosis of musculoskeletal issues, and customized exercise therapy without modifying the treadmill, improving user engagement and health status analysis.

Implementation Method 1

a current sensor configured to sense, in real time, a change in instantaneous current generated in the treadmill due to a variation in a load of an electric motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentUS12117470B2Analysis device based on power consumption information about treadmill

Publication Date: 2024.10.15 CHO HYUN SANG

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an analysis device based on power consumption information about a treadmill. The analysis device includes: a current sensor configured to sense, in real time, a change in instantaneous current generated in the treadmill due to a variation in a load of an electric motor in a case in which a belt of the treadmill is driven while repeating rotational motion at a predetermined speed and an object to be measured exercises while stepping the belt according to the predetermined speed; and a processor configured to determine a movement pattern of the object to be measured based on a value of the change in instantaneous current sensed by the current sensor. Thus, it is possible to monitor a health status of the object to be measured.