Vertical-Column Folding Mechanism for Foldable Treadmill
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vertical-column folding mechanisms for products like foldable treadmills have oblique supporting members in the unfolded state, which occupy additional space and obstruct users, reducing the user experience.
Innovation Solution
A vertical-column folding mechanism with a first arm and a second arm, where the supporting member is retractably mounted within the second arm, eliminating external supporting members and allowing the arms to rotate without exposing the supporting member, thereby preventing obstructions and reducing volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If external supporting members are used in the vertical-column folding mechanism, then the mechanism can maintain structural stability, but the supporting members will occupy additional space and obstruct users in the unfolded state
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is nested within the second arm's supporting member mounting cavity. When folded, the supporting member is completely contained inside the second arm, eliminating external protrusions. This nesting approach maintains structural stability while removing the oblique supporting member that would obstruct users in the unfolded state.
2Device complexity
If the supporting member is located outside the vertical column and main body, then the folding mechanism can be simple in structure, but the supporting member will be obliquely disposed and make users trip
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of the supporting member (oblique disposition causing user obstruction) is extracted by relocating it from an external position to an internal nested position within the second arm. The supporting member is extracted from the external space-occupying configuration and repositioned within the supporting member mounting cavity, eliminating the tripping hazard while preserving the simple folding mechanism structure.
3Volume of moving object
If the supporting member is retractable within the second arm, then the volume of the mechanism is reduced, but the supporting member needs to be precisely mounted within the cavity
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting member is precisely nested within the supporting member mounting cavity of the second arm. The cavity provides a defined space that guides and constrains the supporting member during retraction and extension, ensuring proper positioning without requiring complex external mounting structures. This nested configuration reduces the overall mechanism volume while the cavity design facilitates precise mounting.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a vertical-column folding mechanism and a foldable treadmill. The vertical-column folding mechanism includes a first arm and a second arm; the first arm and the second arm are rotatably connected; a supporting member mounting cavity is arranged in the second arm; a retractable supporting member is arranged in the supporting member mounting cavity; two ends of the supporting member are respectively rotatably connected to the first arm and the second arm; and a rotatable connection point of the first arm and the second arm and rotatable connection points of the two ends of the supporting member are in a triangular distribution. The foldable treadmill includes the vertical-column folding mechanism.