Treadmill Running Unit Assembly Using Slide Grooves and Threaded Rods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing treadmills face difficulties in assembly, particularly when mounting the running belt to the frame, requiring multiple people due to the weight and design of the belt, leading to increased assembly costs.
Innovation Solution
A treadmill design featuring a frame unit with slide grooves and assembly modules that allow the running unit to be easily mounted by a single person, using threaded rods and ring frames to move the belt ends into position, facilitated by a tensioning module for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the running belt is mounted to the frame using traditional methods, then the belt can be securely attached, but multiple people are required due to the weight and design of the belt
Solution Approach 1:
The side seats are divided into multiple functional sections: main plate, top plate, bottom plate, first slide groove, second slide groove, first through groove, and second through groove. This segmentation allows the running belt to be mounted through coordinated movement of individual components, enabling single-person assembly while maintaining secure attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide grooves and through grooves act as intermediaries between the side seats and the running belt. These grooves guide the belt through the frame structure, allowing the belt to be mounted without requiring multiple people to manually position and secure it.
2Ease of manufacture
If the running belt is sleeved on the frame from top to bottom or slidably sleeved from one side, then the belt can be mounted, but the assembly process requires joint efforts of many people
Solution Approach 1:
The side seats incorporate dynamic elements through the slide grooves that allow controlled movement during assembly. The first slide groove with vertical and horizontal sections, and the second slide groove enable the running belt to be dynamically positioned and secured through a systematic movement sequence that can be performed by one person.
Solution Approach 2:
The through grooves are pre-formed in the bottom plates of the side seats, and the slide grooves are pre-configured with specific geometries. These preliminary structural preparations allow the running belt to be mounted through a straightforward process without requiring complex manual manipulation or multiple people's efforts.
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 efficient assembly of the treadmill with minimal manpower, reducing the need for multiple individuals and lowering assembly costs.
Implementation Method 1
Each assembly module includes a vertical threaded rod extending through the top plate of a corresponding side seat in the up-down direction, and a ring frame for insertion of the vertical threaded rod threadedly therethrough. The vertical threaded rod is rotated to allow the ring frame to move up and down along the vertical threaded rod.
Implementation Method 2
The tensioning module includes a horizontal threaded rod that can be rotated to move the rotating shaft forward or backward along the horizontal groove section.
Data Source
AI summary
A treadmill includes a frame unit having two side seats, and a running unit disposed between the side seats. Each side seat includes a main plate, top and bottom plates respectively connected to top and bottom ends of the main plate, first and second slide grooves respectively formed in rear and front end portions of the main plate, and first and second through grooves formed in the bottom plate and respectively communicating with the first and second slide grooves. The running unit includes rear and front rotating shafts. Two opposite ends of the rear rotating shaft are moved upwardly and respectively into the first slide grooves through the first through grooves in the side seats. Two opposite ends of the front rotating shaft are moved upwardly and respectively into the second slide grooves through the second through grooves in the side seats.