Innovative Design of an Elliptical Trainer with Right Timing of the Foot Trajectory

Fu-Chen Chen; Yih-Fong Tzeng; Meng-Hui Hsu

doi:10.46604/aiti.2020.5645

Authors

Fu-Chen Chen Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kun Shan University, Tainan, Taiwan
Yih-Fong Tzeng Department of Mechatronics Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Meng-Hui Hsu Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kun Shan University, Tainan, Taiwan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46604/aiti.2020.5645

Keywords:

innovative design, mechanism design, kinematics, elliptical trainer

Abstract

The existing elliptical trainer cannot provide the user with the real jogging exercising mode and does not meet the principles of ergonomics. The purpose of this paper is to propose and study an innovative elliptical trainer that imitates the right timing of the foot trajectory while jogging. First of all, this study proposes and illustrates the structure and function of the innovative elliptical trainer with quick-return effect. Then, by using vector-loop method and motion geometry of the mechanism, the proposed innovative mechanism is studied kinematically. A design example is presented for interpreting the design process. At last, the foot trajectory of the innovative elliptical trainer is analyzed and confirmed. The simulation results confirm that the timing of the foot trajectory of the foot support members satisfies the principles of ergonomics, and keeps the user’s legs from injury.

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