Weight Plate Gap Adjustment Module for Training Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing tolerances in the matching aperture between the locking pin, weight plates, and traction shaft in weight training equipment result in a gap, leading to poor operating feel and movement intuition when adjusting the load.
Innovation Solution
A weight plate gap adjustment module comprising an elastic member and an adjustment member, where the elastic member is mounted inside a socket on the first weight plate and the adjustment member is rotatable to increase or decrease the elastic force, allowing the elastic member to push the first weight plate and traction shaft relative to other weight plates, ensuring the locking pin can be inserted through the weight plates and traction shaft, eliminating the gap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manufacturing tolerances are applied to the matching aperture between locking pin, weight plates, and traction shaft, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the gap between components increases resulting in poor operating feel
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member acts as an intermediary element between the locking pin assembly and the weight plates. It fills the gap created by manufacturing tolerances and transmits force effectively, allowing both loose tolerances (easy manufacture) and tight fit (good operating feel) to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member changes the physical state of the connection from rigid to flexible, allowing dynamic adjustment of the gap. When compressed, it eliminates the gap and provides direct force transmission, improving operating feel while maintaining ease of manufacture.
2Ease of operation
If a rigid connection is used between locking pin, weight plates, and traction shaft, then operating feel is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member serves as a mediator that compensates for manufacturing imprecisions. It provides the necessary rigidity for good operating feel when compressed, while allowing the manufacturing tolerances to remain loose.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member is pre-compressed during assembly to eliminate gaps before operation. This preliminary action ensures that during normal use, the connection feels rigid and precise without requiring high manufacturing precision.
3Ease of operation
If the elastic member is compressed to eliminate the gap, then the operating feel is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is a simple intermediary component that requires no complex mechanism to function. It passively eliminates gaps through compression, providing improved operating feel without adding significant device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic member automatically adjusts and maintains the gap-free connection through its own elastic properties. It self-regulates the compression force, eliminating the need for additional control mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity.
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 effectively reduces the gap between the weight plate and related components, enhancing the operating feel and movement intuition by ensuring smooth and direct movement of the locking pin and traction shaft, thereby improving the overall training experience.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic force of the elastic member drives the elastic member to push the first weight plate and the traction shaft to move relative to the other weight plates
Data Source
AI summary
A weight plate gap adjustment module for weight training equipment includes an elastic member located at the topmost weight plate of the weight training equipment and having a supporting portion arranged on the weight plate adjacent to the topmost weight plate, and an adjustment member set on the topmost weight plate and movable toward the elastic member to increase the elastic force of the elastic member, so that when the elastic force of the elastic member is greater than the total weight of the topmost weight plate and the traction shaft, the elastic force of the elastic member drives the elastic member to push the topmost weight plate and the traction shaft to move relative to the other weight plates, allowing the locking pin to be selectively inserted through one weight plate and the traction shaft and joined to the traction shaft.