Foldable Treadmill Upright Post Locking for Safe Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Treadmills with upright posts pose safety hazards due to sudden collapse when switching from a locked to a folded state, as the upright post falls due to gravity during the folding process, compromising safety and usability.
Innovation Solution
A treadmill design featuring a movably connected upright post that rotates relative to the running deck and belt assembly via a movable connector, allowing for used, folded, and suspended states, with a locking mechanism that prevents sudden falls by engaging and disengaging the chuck components based on the position of the locking member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the upright post is unlocked to transition from locked state to folded state, then the treadmill can be folded for storage, but the upright post suddenly falls down due to gravity causing safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is pre-loaded in the locking mechanism to automatically engage with the upright post when it enters the locking cavity during rotation. This preliminary preparation of the locking action prevents the safety hazard of sudden collapse while enabling smooth folding transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the upright post and the running deck assembly. It includes the locking cavity in the rotating shaft, the elastic member, and the locking protrusion that mediates the transition by controlling when and how the upright post engages or disengages during rotation.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the upright post is locked in perpendicular position, then the treadmill is stable for use, but the treadmill occupies large storage space when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The upright post transitions from a static locked position to a dynamic rotating state. The movable connector allows the upright post to rotate around the rotating shaft, enabling it to change from the perpendicular used state to the parallel folded state, thus adapting to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
When folded, the upright post aligns parallel to the running deck assembly, effectively nesting the vertical space within the horizontal footprint. This reduces the overall volume occupied by the treadmill from its extended height to a compact flat configuration for storage.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A treadmill (2) includes a running deck and belt assembly (21) and an upright post (12). The upright post (12) is movably connected with the running deck and belt assembly (21) through a movable connecter (23), and the upright post (12) is configured to rotate relative to the running deck and belt assembly (21) around the movable connecter (23) which serves as a fixed point, to allow the treadmill to have a used state and a folded state during rotation.