Variable Resistance Exercise Device With Cable Winding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise equipment, including free weights and machines, face challenges in providing controlled motion and variable resistance, leading to potential injuries and limited adaptability for different muscle groups and user positions, with a need for a low-cost, flexible, and safe solution that allows for precise control over the trajectory and velocity of motion.
Innovation Solution
A controlled motion exercise apparatus featuring a frame with adjustable uprights and cross members, guided cables, a winding/coiling mechanism, and a variable resistance power mechanism driven by a motor, allowing for customizable resistance and motion control through electronic impulses and a feedback loop, enabling users to perform exercises with predetermined velocity and force profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If free weights are used for exercise, then exercise flexibility and low cost are improved, but motion control precision and safety deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A cable system with pulleys and guides acts as an intermediary between the weight stack and the user's hands, transforming uncontrolled free weight motion into controlled cable tension. The cable mechanism mediates the force transmission, allowing precise control of motion trajectory while maintaining the benefits of weight-based resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical interaction of free weights with a cable-pulley mechanical system. This substitution enables controlled motion through guided cable paths while maintaining the essential weight-based resistance mechanism, achieving both control precision and exercise flexibility.
2Reliability
If exercise machines with fixed configurations are used, then safety and motion control are improved, but adaptability and versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The exercise machine is designed with universal components including multiple guide positions, adjustable cable lengths, and interchangeable handles that enable a single machine to perform multiple exercises targeting different muscle groups. This multi-functionality achieves both safety through controlled motion and adaptability for various exercise types.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine incorporates dynamic adjustment capabilities where guides can be repositioned along the frame, cable lengths can be modified, and resistance weights can be changed. These dynamic elements allow the fixed mechanical structure to adapt to different exercise requirements while maintaining safety and control.
3Device complexity
If uniform resistance weights are used, then simplicity and low cost are improved, but controlled velocity and precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cable system provides continuous feedback on user force application through tension changes, enabling real-time adjustment of resistance. The mechanical feedback loop allows the system to respond to user motion velocity and force, achieving controlled velocity precision while maintaining relatively simple uniform weight components.
Data Source
AI summary
An exercise apparatus includes a frame, one or more pull cables running through cable guides to provide resistance exercise, and a winding/coiling mechanism for providing variable resistance to the one or more pull cables. A resistance power shaft is engageable with a winding shaft and effective for turning the winding shaft upon rotation of the resistance power shaft. A coupling effective to temporarily disengage the winding/coiling mechanism from a resistance power mechanism, and thus to allow the one or more pull cables to be wound or unwound at a rate different from a rate at which a motor is running may also be included. A cable management spring to bias the one or more pull cables toward a wound condition may be used. A computer/processor may be used to control a resistance force applied to the one or more pull cables and/or to record exercise results.