Weight Training Machine Rest Position Adjustment Under Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise machines for weight training, such as leg press exercises, face challenges in providing consistent resistance throughout the exercise motion and efficient adjustment of the rest position, leading to inefficiencies and limited range of motion.
Innovation Solution
An exercise machine with a movable member resisted by a resistance mechanism, featuring a stop device and selector mechanism that allows adjustable rest positions and maintains consistent resistance through a pulley system and curved rails, ensuring smooth movement and varied exercise angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed rest position is used in existing exercise machines, then the structure is simple, but the range of motion and exercise effectiveness are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The rest position is made adjustable through a selector mechanism that allows the user to choose from multiple predefined positions along the guide rail. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the same machine to accommodate different exercise ranges and user preferences without requiring a completely different machine design for each configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail is divided into multiple discrete position markers, and the selector mechanism engages with these segmented positions. This segmentation allows the rest position to be adjusted in controlled increments, providing versatility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular position selection.
2Ease of operation
If the rest position is adjusted while engaged with the resistance mechanism, then the adjustment is integrated, but the resistance mechanism may be damaged or the adjustment is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The selector mechanism is designed to disengage the resistance mechanism from the movable member before allowing rest position adjustment. This preliminary disengagement action protects the resistance mechanism from damage during adjustment while enabling easy position changes. After adjustment, the resistance mechanism re-engages automatically to resume normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The selector mechanism acts as an intermediary between the user and the resistance mechanism during position adjustment. It provides a dedicated adjustment interface that temporarily decouples the movable member from the resistance mechanism, allowing safe and easy position changes without directly loading the resistance mechanism.
3Measurement precision
If the engagement member translates along a curved stop surface, then the rest position can be adjusted precisely, but the stop device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop surface is designed as a curved guide surface that the engagement member follows during translation. This curvature provides natural guidance for precise position setting while the engagement member's rotational motion along the curve simplifies the overall stop device structure, avoiding the need for complex mechanical positioning mechanisms.
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 solution provides consistent resistance and a wider range of motion, enhancing the effectiveness of weight training exercises by allowing precise adjustment of the rest position and maintaining tension in the pulley cables, thus improving user experience and exercise efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
maintains consistent resistance through a pulley system and curved rails
Implementation Method 2
Movement of the movable member towards the extended position is resisted by the resistance mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
An exercise machine (100) comprising a resistance mechanism (106), a supporting frame (102), and a movable member which is movable relative to the supporting frame into and between a rest position and an extended position during performance of an exercise motion by a user. Movement of the movable member towards the extended position is resisted by the resistance mechanism. A stop device (204) stops the movable member in the rest position, the stop device having an engagement member (206) which engages and is able to translate along a stop surface (208) on the supporting frame when the movable member is moved into the rest position.