Study of New Type Elliptical Cross Trainer with Symmetrical Driving Mechanism

10.6567/IFToMM.14TH.WC.PS8.004

Francois Liang；Chia-Hsun Chuang

Symmetrical ； Elliptical ； Gait

Proceedings of the 14th IFToMM World Congress

14th-5（2015 / 11 / 06）

292 - 300

英文

The elliptical cross trainer (hereinafter referred to as E. C. T.) is a type of indoor fitness equipment. Similar to the treadmill, the E. C. T. provides a type of exercise based on the gait of walking or running. With a lower impact effect on the user's knee, the E. C. T. is becoming increasingly popular. However, there are limitations to its design when just using the existing types of E. C. T. mechanisms. This study focuses on function requirements that have not been realized in existing designs and making them tasks of the new E. C. T. design. We perform synthesis of the new mechanism type by using the kinematic chain, TRIZ method, and gait theory. Afterward, dimensional synthesis is carried out by using vector loop analysis. Finally, we realized a design and a prototype of the new E. C. T. to prove the results of the design. The new E. C. T. possesses the following four features: (a) less floor space requirements; (b) a more suitable pedal angle that meets the gait; (c) smaller and adjustable pedal spacing; (d) with a similar view as real walking or running.