Nonpowered Treadmill Variable Resistance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nonpowered treadmills face issues with user comfort due to varying rotation speed and resistance, leading to instability at low speeds and smoothness at high speeds, as the rotation resistance affects the maximum speed and smoothness of the track part.
Innovation Solution
A nonpowered treadmill with a rotation unit and resistance controller that detects speed and adjusts rotation resistance by applying a variable force, increasing resistance at low speeds and decreasing it at high speeds to provide stability and natural motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the rotation resistance of the track part is decreased to increase maximum speed and smoothness, then the maximum speed and smoothness of rotation are improved, but the track part becomes slippery and rotates fast unintentionally at low speed, causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the rotation resistance variable rather than fixed. The resistance controller dynamically adjusts the rotation resistance based on the detected rotation speed, increasing resistance at low speeds to prevent slippage and decreasing resistance at high speeds to maximize performance. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between stability and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of rotation resistance from a constant value to a variable value that depends on rotation speed. By using the resistance controller to modify the resistance parameter in real-time based on speed feedback, the system achieves both stability at low speeds and high speed performance, resolving the technical contradiction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the rotation resistance of the track part is increased to provide stability at low speed, then the stability and comfort at low speed are improved, but the maximum speed and smoothness of rotation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic control to adjust rotation resistance based on operating conditions. At low speeds, high resistance provides stability and prevents slippage. At high speeds, the resistance is automatically reduced to allow maximum speed and smooth rotation. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between stability and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation resistance parameter is changed from a fixed high value to a variable value that decreases with increasing speed. The resistance controller modifies this parameter in real-time, maintaining high resistance for stability at low speeds while reducing resistance to enable high speed performance.
3Device complexity
If a fixed rotation resistance is used in the nonpowered treadmill, then the structure is simple, but the treadmill cannot provide both stability at low speed and smoothness at high speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where the detector continuously monitors the rotation speed of the track part and provides this information to the resistance controller. The controller uses this feedback to automatically adjust the rotation resistance, enabling the system to adapt to different speeds while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The treadmill system performs self-adjustment of rotation resistance based on its own operating conditions. The detector and resistance controller work together to automatically modify resistance without external intervention, allowing the system to adapt to varying speeds and maintain optimal performance across different operating conditions.
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
The treadmill maintains user stability at low speeds and natural motion at high speeds by dynamically controlling rotation resistance, enhancing the exercise experience by preventing slipperiness and ensuring smooth high-speed rotation.
Implementation Method 1
the resistance controller may apply a variable force to at least one of the rotation unit and the track part in an opposite direction to a rotation direction of the track part
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a nonpowered treadmill driven by a user's foot motion. The nonpowered treadmill includes a track part, a rotation unit rotatably supporting the track part, a detector configured to detect a rotation speed of the track part, and a resistance controller configured to control a rotation resistance of the track part in response to the rotation speed detected by the detector.