Treadmill Retaining Mechanism for Object Interference Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motorized treadmills pose a safety risk when children or pets come into contact with the rotating belt, as they can be pulled or entrapped, leading to potential injury or damage.
Innovation Solution
A motorized treadmill with a retaining mechanism and sensor system that detects interference from objects or children, stopping the motor to slow or stop the belt rotation and preventing objects from entering the unsafe zone beneath the treadmill.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the treadmill belt rotates continuously to enable exercise, then the exercise function is maintained, but the risk of objects or children being pulled under the treadmill increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining member is installed in advance at the rear end of the base to prevent objects from entering the unsafe zone before the harmful event can occur. This preliminary protective structure blocks the path to the dangerous area under the treadmill belt
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining member acts as an intermediary barrier between the treadmill belt and objects/children. It intercepts potential hazards before they can contact the rotating belt, transferring the safety function from a reactive stop mechanism to a proactive physical barrier
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a retaining mechanism is added to prevent objects from entering the unsafe zone, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety function is segmented into two independent parts: a passive retaining member structure and an active sensor-controller-motor system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without overcomplicating the overall design
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining member serves as a simple intermediary structure that physically blocks objects without requiring complex mechanisms. Its simplicity contrasts with the electronic control system, creating a layered safety approach that balances structural and technological solutions
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the motor stops immediately when interference is detected, then safety is enhanced, but the interruption of exercise function occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor continuously monitors the space near the treadmill belt and provides real-time feedback to the controller. When an object is detected, the feedback loop triggers an immediate motor shutdown, creating a responsive safety system that prioritizes hazard prevention over exercise continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by stopping the motor before the object can be pulled under the belt. This preemptive shutdown prevents the harmful event from occurring, accepting temporary exercise interruption as the cost of preventing injury
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
Effectively prevents objects from being pulled under the treadmill by detecting interference and immediately shutting off power to the motor, enhancing user safety and reducing the risk of accidents.
Implementation Method 1
the retaining mechanism has a sensor coupled to the retaining member for sensing a force applied to the retaining member and transmitting an electrical signal to the controller
Data Source
AI summary
A motorized treadmill includes a base, an endless belt movable relative to the base for allowing a user to exercise thereon, a motor coupled to the endless belt for driving the endless belt to rotate, a retaining mechanism and a controller in communication with the motor. The retaining mechanism has a retaining member mounted at a rear end of the base under the endless belt and a sensor coupled to the retaining member. The sensor is configured to sense whether an object contacts the retaining member. The controller is configured to determine whether rotation of the endless belt is interfered by the object. When the sensor detects that the retaining member comes into contact with the object, the controller determines that the endless belt is interfered by the object and stops rotation of the motor to slow down or stop rotation of the endless belt.