The solution to Treadmill Noise Problems
Are silent treadmills silent?
There are treadmill brands on the market that use quietness as a selling point, but this is just a commercial marketing tool. The treadmill itself is driven by a high-speed rotating motor, so there will be sound naturally, and many people run while listening to music or watching movies.
In addition, compared with most household appliances such as vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, and other turbofans running at high speed (the noise standard is between 70-90db), the sound of a normal running treadmill is much smaller. Therefore, it is meaningless to worry about whether the treadmill is silent.
The sound of a normal treadmill motor drive system is unavoidable. However, excessive or abnormal sounds will not only lead to a poor product experience for consumers and affect others, but also indicate that there may be quality problems in the product.
This article mainly discusses the quality of treadmill noise (abnormal sound) from the perspective of product design, manufacturing, and after-sales service.
Causes of Noise and Countermeasures
The treadmill is mainly composed of three parts: the main frame structure, the control system, and the transmission components, and the transmission system mainly includes motors, belts, rollers, and running belts. According to our experience, most of the abnormal noise of the treadmill comes from the machine structure and transmission system.
Let’s introduce common abnormal noise causes and countermeasures.
01
Product design structure
A customer once chose a very beautiful shape design when developing a treadmill, but its excessively long extension length caused the electronic screen at the end to double and amplify the vibration amplitude and make a vibration sound during use. Although remedial solutions such as material reinforcement and adding buffer materials were adopted later, the vibration and abnormal sound problems caused by unreasonable structural design have not been completely solved.
Countermeasures: This is a bit difficult! If the design is finalized, the mold is completed, and it has been mass-produced and launched, it is really difficult to deal with the problem of abnormal sound caused by the structural design. Or just sell it like this, or think of a way to optimize it a little bit.
02
Resonance
Although some people in the industry have mentioned resonance and the resulting sound problems, it is difficult to say that the vibration felt on the treadmill is mechanical resonance in the strictly physical sense.
We also don’t know if events such as the one-step pace of Napoleon’s soldiers resonated and caused the bridge to collapse occurred on the treadmill.
In fact, what we usually call “resonance” usually refers to the amplification effect of the vibration and vibration of the entire machine caused by the configuration of the transmission components of the treadmill.
Therefore, the vibration is the cause of the noise, and the unreasonable configuration of the transmission parts is the cause of the so-called “resonance”.
Some manufacturers also use a vibration tester to detect the vibration intensity of the motor during the production process. However, this value is only used as a guiding reference. At present, there is no unified evaluation standard in the industry, and more depends on the subjective feelings of quality inspectors.
Countermeasure: After eliminating the quality problems of the motor itself, you can try to adjust the fixed position of the motor, the tension of the belt, and the fit of the belt groove to see if the problem can be solved. The amplification of the “resonance” or vibration effect is also related to the product structure, but it is difficult to avoid it in the early design stage of the treadmill.
03
Transmission parts clearance is too small
Some transmission parts, such as the distance between the roller pulley and the motor lower cover or between the running belt and the motor upper cover, or between the roller and the running board are too close, and the moving parts interfere with each other during operation, causing abnormal friction sounds.
Countermeasures: find the location of the interference in time, and see if it is possible to adjust the assembly position and angle between them.
In the product design specification, usually, at least 2mm clearance should be guaranteed between the fixed parts around the transmission parts. If it is a material or area that is prone to deformation, at least a 5mm or more reserved gap must be guaranteed.
The reason why the gap is too small is sometimes that the product structure layout is limited by space, leaving only a small margin. Of course, the more common reason is that the operation of the production assembly line is not carried out according to the standard operation process, resulting in the out-of-tolerance assembly size, which belongs to the quality problem in the production process.
04
Lift motor mount
The gap and looseness of the lifting motor and the hydraulic cylinder fixing mechanism will also cause the sound of impact or friction. Sometimes it occurs when the slope is adjusted, and the abnormal sound disappears after the slope adjustment is completed (this is the case with the treadmill at home).
Countermeasure: You can try to add some lubricating oil to the mechanical joint to see if it can be solved. If it cannot be solved, it is necessary to optimize the mechanical structure and solve it.
05
Running board shock absorption function
The hardness of the running board is too high and the elasticity is poor. Moreover, there is no good shock-absorbing device under the running board or the shock-absorbing function is not fully exerted.
Countermeasure: This is a component specification setting problem. The solution can be to buy treadmill mats to alleviate the sound caused by impact and vibration. The floor sound insulation effect of some residential buildings in China is poor, and there is a problem that treadmills disturb residents. Using a treadmill mat can also be regarded as a “good way” to treat the symptoms but not the root cause.
Of course, to improve the product grade, it is necessary to configure high-end running boards and effective shock absorption devices.
06
The quality of the motor itself
The motor is the “heart” of the treadmill and the source of power for the drive system of the treadmill. Motors with low-quality grades will make abnormal hissing noises.
Countermeasures: There is not much to say about this. Simple and crude, replace the motor.
07
Belt joints are too thick
A running belt with too thick joints will have a more obvious “boom, boom, boom” sound when it comes into contact with the roller. In addition, if the treadmill is idle for too long, the running belt will become stiff, and the sound will be more obvious when it first starts running. But after running for half an hour, it will decrease a lot.
Countermeasure: Check the condition of the running belt. If the sound is normal after running for a period of time, it is OK. If the sound is still obvious, and the thickness of the joint is thick. If consumers mind, they should consider replacing the running belt.
08
loose fasteners
Loose assembly screws or sliding teeth will lead to the loosening of related parts, which is prone to impact and abnormal noise during movement.
Countermeasures: The assembly of fasteners is divided into two parts: user assembly and factory pre-assembly. The part assembled by the user can first ask the user to check whether it is loose and make sure it is locked. If it is the internal structure part pre-assembled by the factory, after-sales personnel need to come to check and deal with it.
Knock down the small blackboard: The production department of the treadmill factory is about to review!
09
Bad roller
The abnormal sound from the drum may be due to the fall of the internal balance weight or a problem with the bearing system.
Countermeasure: Replace the roller.
10
The main frame of the machine is uneven
Treadmills may have “three corners” where there is a gap between one of the rollers and the ground. In this way, during running, there will be a sound of hitting the ground.
Countermeasure: Check whether the user’s ground is flat. If the phenomenon of “three corners” is relatively minor, you can adjust the knob of the foot pad (if any) to make up for the gap problem. It is worth noting that the serious unevenness of the main frame is caused by improper correction after welding in the treadmill factory. In this case, it is necessary to control and check in the production and inspection links.
11
The running belt is not lubricated enough
After a long time of use, the running belt and running board will also emit dry friction sound due to insufficient lubrication and increased friction.
For more information about running belts, please refer to another article in the official account: “Frequently asked questions about running belts for treadmills and selection instructions”
Countermeasures: The treadmill needs to add silicone oil regularly and timely, and the user can operate it according to the instruction manual.
12
Running belt deviation and edge friction
The running belt is not centered, and the friction between the running belt and the side strip will also cause abnormal noise. This is easier to spot.
Countermeasure: The user can adjust it in the adjustment hole of the rear tailstock with an Allen wrench according to the instruction manual. Of course, some users with poor hands-on ability may not be able to handle it by themselves and need after-sales service personnel to come to deal with it.
13
A foreign object is involved in the transmission system
Figure: Peloton treadmill child deaths Source: MIRROR
Sometimes pieces of paper, thread ends, etc. at home will also be involved in the drive system of the treadmill, causing friction sounds.
There is also an extreme situation where pets or small children are caught on the treadmill. Of course, this is beyond the scope of this discussion and is a serious product security issue. In the future, we will have a special introduction to the design safety requirements of fitness equipment.
Countermeasures: fold up the treadmill and carefully check whether there is any winding, and open the motor cover to check. Non-professional users must open the motor cover for inspection when the power is cut off, and operate under the guidance of professionals.
Written by: JOYEN
The Exporter and Manufacturer of Fitness Equipment since 2003
Welcome OEM ODM
www.treadmillspinbike.com
