U.S. patent application number 10/090417 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-04 for self-powered fitness equipment.
This patent application is currently assigned to Illinois Tool Works, Inc.. Invention is credited to Demuth, Donald A., Lopez-Santillana, Juan-Luis, Olariu, Laurentiu.
Application Number | 20030166434 10/090417 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22222683 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030166434 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lopez-Santillana, Juan-Luis ;
et al. |
September 4, 2003 |
Self-powered fitness equipment
Abstract
A self-powered fitness device to simulate various types of
stepping motions is provided. The device includes a frame (10), a
guide (20) movably associated with the frame, and first and second
foot supports (22a, 22b) coupled to the guide. The device further
includes a generator (32) coupled to the first and second foot
supports, which is actuated to produce power by the user's stepping
motions. The device also includes a battery coupled to the
generator to store at least part of the power produced by the
generator. Finally, the device includes a lift system (24) for
automatically changing at least one of the elevation and the
angular orientation of the guide relative to the frame. Since the
lift system is powered by both the generator and the battery,
actuation of the lift system will not alter the resistance to the
user pedaling the foot supports during exercising.
Inventors: |
Lopez-Santillana, Juan-Luis;
(Edmonds, WA) ; Olariu, Laurentiu; (Bellevue,
WA) ; Demuth, Donald A.; (Snohomish, WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTENSEN, O'CONNOR, JOHNSON, KINDNESS, PLLC
1420 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 2800
SEATTLE
WA
98101-2347
US
|
Assignee: |
Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
22222683 |
Appl. No.: |
10/090417 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/52 ; 482/51;
482/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/205 20130101;
A63B 2022/067 20130101; A63B 21/225 20130101; A63B 21/0055
20151001; A63B 21/0054 20151001; A63B 22/0023 20130101; A63B
21/0053 20130101; A63B 2022/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/52 ; 482/57;
482/51 |
International
Class: |
A63B 022/00; A63B
071/00; A63B 022/04; A63B 022/06 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A self-powered fitness device to simulate various types of
stepping motions, comprising: a frame; a guide movably associated
with the frame; a foot support for receiving a user's feet, the
foot support being coupled to the guide; a generator coupled to the
foot support, the generator being actuated to produce electric
power by the user's stepping motions acting on the foot support; an
electric energy storage medium coupled to the generator to store at
least part of the power produced by the generator; a lift system
for selectively and automatically changing at least one of the
elevation and the angular orientation of the guide relative to the
frame, the lift system being powered by both the generator and the
electric energy storage medium; and a microprocessor coupled to the
generator, the electric energy storage medium, and the lift system
for coordinating their respective operations, the microprocessor
being powered by the generator.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the generator comprises a
three-phase AC generator.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the electric energy storage
medium comprises a battery.
4. The device of claim 1, further including a resistance controller
for selectively adjusting the resistance applied to the foot
support, the resistance controller being coupled to the
microprocessor to maintain the resistance substantially constant
regardless of whether the lift system is actuated or not.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the resistance controller
selectively adjusts the resistance applied to the foot support as a
function of a field current.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the electric energy storage
medium is used to power the device for a predetermined period of
time after the user stops pedaling.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the foot support comprises first
and second foot supports for receiving the user's left and right
feet, respectively.
8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a display panel
attached to the frame, the display panel being coupled to the
microprocessor, wherein at least part of the power produced by the
generator is not stored in the electric energy storage medium and
is used to power the display panel.
9. A self-powered fitness device, comprising: a frame; an
actuatable component associated with the frame; an exercise input
unit that translates exercise of a portion of a user's body into a
predefined motive force; a generator coupled to the exercise input
unit, the generator being activated to produce electric power by
the user's exercising motions via the exercise input unit; an
electric energy storage medium coupled to the generator to store at
least part of the power generated by the generator; and an actuator
for selectively and automatically actuating the actuatable
component, the actuator being powered by both the generator and the
electric energy storage medium.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the actuatable component
comprises a liftable guide.
11. The device of claim 9, wherein the generator comprises a
three-phase AC generator.
12. The device of claim 9, wherein the electric energy storage
medium comprises a battery.
13. The device of claim 9, further including a resistance
controller for selectively adjusting the resistance applied to the
exercise input unit to be felt by the user, the resistance
controller being configured to maintain the resistance
substantially constant regardless of whether the actuator is
actuated or not.
14. The device of claim 13, wherein the resistance controller
selectively adjusts the resistance applied to the exercise input
unit as a function of a field current.
15. The device of claim 9, wherein the electric energy storage
medium is used to power the device for a predetermined period of
time after the user stops exercising.
16. A method of self-powering a fitness device, comprising:
providing a fitness device comprising a frame, an actuatable
component associated with the frame, an exercise input unit that
translates exercise of a portion of a user's body into a predefined
motive force, a generator coupled to the exercise input unit, an
electric energy storage medium coupled to the generator, and an
actuator for selectively and automatically actuating the actuatable
component; allowing the user to exercise using the exercise input
unit on the fitness device; producing power via the generator based
on the user's exercising motions; storing at least part of the
power generated by the generator in the electric energy storage
medium; and powering the actuator for the actuatable component with
both the generator and the electric energy storage medium.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the fitness device comprises a
self-powered fitness device to simulate various types of stepping
motions, the actuatable component comprising a guide, the exercise
input unit comprising at least one foot support, and the actuator
comprising a lift system for selectively lifting the guide.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein the electric energy storage
medium comprises a battery.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of powering the
actuator further comprises maintaining the resistance applied to
the exercise input unit substantially the same as the resistance
applied to the exercise input unit when the actuator is not being
powered.
20. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of powering
the device with the electric energy storage medium for a
predetermined period of time after the user stops exercising.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to exercise equipment, and
more specifically to a self-powered stationary exercise device
including a storage battery for actuating certain components of the
exercise device so as to maintain the resistance felt by the user
substantially constant during the device's use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A stationary exercise device that can simulate a wide range
of stepping motions, including skiing, walking, jogging, running
and climbing, is known under the trademark of EFX Elliptical
Fitness Crosstraining.RTM. and is available from Precor
Incorporated of Bothell, Wash. Some embodiments of Elliptical
Fitness Crosstraining.RTM. machines are described in U.S. Pat. No.
6,146,313, which is explicitly incorporated by reference
herein.
[0003] Briefly, referring to FIG. 1, an Elliptical Fitness
Crosstraining.RTM. machine includes a floor engaging frame 10
incorporating a forward post 12. A pair of flywheels 14a and 14b
(overlapping with each other and thus only flywheel 14a is shown)
are located at the rear of the frame 10 for rotation about a
horizontal, transverse axis 16. The rearward ends of foot links 18a
and 18b are pivotally attached to corresponding flywheels 14a and
14b to travel about a circular path around axis 16 as the flywheels
rotate. The forward ends of foot links 18a and 18b are movably
mounted to an adjustable guide 20. The forward ends of foot links
18a and 18b are adapted to ride along guide 20, to reciprocate back
and forth therealong, as the rearward ends of foot links 18a and
18b rotate about axis 16, causing foot pedals (or foot supports)
22a and 22b carried by the foot links to travel along various
elliptical paths. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows the path of travel of
the foot pedal at three different angular orientations of guide 20
corresponding to different elevations of a lift system 24. In the
smallest angular orientation (approximately 10.degree. above the
horizontal), the corresponding foot pedal travel path 26 is
illustrated. This generally corresponds to a gliding or
cross-country skiing motion. The guide 20 is shown at a second
orientation at a steeper angle, approximately 20.degree. from the
horizontal, with the corresponding foot pedal travel path 28. This
path of travel generally corresponds to a walking motion. FIG. 1
also illustrates a third, even steeper, angular orientation of the
guide 20, approximately 30.degree. from the horizontal, with the
corresponding foot pedal travel path 30. This path of travel
generally corresponds to a climbing motion. Additionally or
alternatively to changing the angular orientation of guide 20,
changing the elevation of guide 20 relative to the frame 10 will
also cause the path of travel of the foot pedals to change. The
Elliptical Fitness Crosstraining.RTM. machine of this type is
connectable to a standard amperage AC power supply.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is directed to providing self-powered
fitness equipment, such as a self-powered Elliptical Fitness
Crosstraining.RTM. machine.
[0005] Specifically, a self-powered fitness device to simulate
various types of stepping motions is provided. The device includes
a frame, a guide movably associated with the frame, and at least
one foot support coupled to the guide. The foot support is
configured to receive a user's feet. The device further includes a
generator drivably coupled to the foot support. The generator is
activated to produce power by the user's stepping motions on the
foot support. The device also includes a battery coupled to the
generator to store at least part of the power produced by the
generator. Finally, the device includes a lift system for
automatically changing at least one of the elevation and the
angular orientation of the guide relative to the frame. Since the
lift system is powered by both the generator and the battery,
actuation of the lift system will not alter the resistance to the
user pedaling the foot support during exercising.
[0006] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
device may be configured so that the battery will power the device
for a predefined period of time even after the user stops
pedaling.
[0007] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the use of
a battery to activate an actuator (e.g., a lift system) of a
fitness device so as to maintain a substantially constant
resistance to the user can be applied in various types of fitness
equipment, and is not limited to an Elliptical Fitness
Crosstraining.RTM. machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages
of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same
become better understood by reference to the following detailed
description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an Elliptical Fitness
Crosstraining.RTM. machine shown in schematic form, illustrating
the paths of the user's foot at different angular orientations of a
guide for foot pedals, as known in the prior art;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a self-powered Elliptical
Fitness Crosstraining.RTM. machine formed in accordance with the
present invention; and
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating electrical components
of the self-powered Elliptical Fitness Crosstraining.RTM. machine
formed in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0012] Referring to FIG. 2, a self-powered fitness device to
simulate various types of stepping motions in accordance with the
present invention includes a frame 10, a guide 20 movably
associated with the frame, and a pair of foot pedals (foot
supports) 22a and 22b carried by elongated foot links 18a and 18b.
The forward ends of the foot links 18a and 18b are movably
supported by the guide 20. The device further includes a lift
system 24 (enclosed in a forward hood 25) for selectively and
automatically changing at least one of the elevation and angular
orientation of the guide 20 relative to the frame 10. Thus, the
user may readily adjust the guide 20 to simulate a wide range of
stepping motions. These components are generally equivalent to
those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,313 referred to in the
background section above.
[0013] Referring additionally to FIG. 3, in accordance with the
present invention, the self-powered fitness device still further
includes a generator 32 (enclosed in a rearward hood 34) drivably
coupled to the first and second foot links 18a and 18b. The
generator 32 is actuated to produce power by the user's stepping
motions when the user's feet are in the first and second foot
pedals 22a and 22b. In one embodiment, the generator 32 is formed
of a three-phase AC generator including a DC permanent-magnet
alternator, which produces a sinusoidal voltage proportional to its
rotational speed (RPM). To actuate the generator 32 by the user's
stepping motions, the generator is drivably coupled with the
flywheels 14a and 14b coupled to the foot links 18a and 18b (see
FIG. 1) using any suitable transmission means such as a shaft,
chain, transmission, or belt (not shown). The generator 32 is
designed so as to produce a voltage even when a user is pedaling at
very low speeds. The resistance on the pedals for the user is
controlled by a resistance controller 36 based on the amount of
current being demanded from the generator 32, i.e., the more
current is demanded from the generator 32, the higher the level of
torque required to power the generator 32, and the higher the
resistance on the pedals. For example, this can be accomplished by
a CPU/microprocessor 60 determining the amount of current being
demanded from the generator 60, and sending a corresponding command
signal to the resistance controller 36. The resistance controller
36 responds by sending a corresponding field current signal (e.g.,
pulse width modulated signal) to the generator 32. Changes in the
field current signal varies the field current in the alternator in
the generator 32, i.e., increasing current in the alternator field
tends to increase the strength of its magnetic field, thereby
increasing resistance of the alternator to the user; and decreasing
current in the alternator field tends to decrease the strength of
its magnetic field, thereby decreasing resistance of the alternator
to the user. The field current signal may be varied by the user's
programming for imparting a desired level of resistance to the
user. The voltage produced by the generator 32 is used to power
various components of the self-powered fitness device, as will be
more fully described below.
[0014] This arrangement, without more, would require that whenever
substantially more current is demanded from the generator 32, for
the purpose of actuating the guide 20 in this example, the
resistance on the pedals for the user will be increased. This is
undesirable when the user wishes to continue exercising while
maintaining a substantially constant resistance to his/her stepping
motions.
[0015] Accordingly, still referring to FIG. 3, the present
invention provides a novel arrangement of a battery 48 to actuate
the lift system 24 to move the guide 20 up and down, so as to
maintain the resistance to the user substantially constant during
exercising regardless of whether the guide 20 is activated or not.
Specifically, according to the present invention, the voltage from
the generator 32 is rectified and converted into DC voltage via an
AC-DC converter 38, which will then power a universal power supply
40. The universal power supply 40 will create an isolated power
supply 42 (for example, 18 volts) and a non-isolated power supply
44 (for example, 12 volts). For safety regulations purposes, the
18-volt isolated power supply 42 is connected to a digital ground,
which is isolated from the non-isolated power supply 44 connected
to an analog ground, to completely isolate those components that
may contact the user from any circuits powered directly from the AC
generator 32 (see "isolation barrier" line in FIG. 3). The
non-isolated power supply 44 is used to operate the resistance
controller 36.
[0016] In one embodiment, the 18-volt isolated power supply 42 is
then converted into 14.5 volts for a battery charger 46 for
charging the battery 48, which will be used to power the DC guide
lift motor (actuator) 24 to move the guide 20 up and down, under
the control of a lift controller 52. In place of a conventional
battery, any type of electric energy storage medium may be used, as
will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The isolated power
supply 42 is also converted into 8 volts via a DC-DC converter 54
to power a display panel 56 of the fitness device. (See FIG. 2,
also.) As well known in the art, the display 56 includes one or
more display screens and a command console composed of a number of
depressible buttons. The display screens are used for presenting
various information useful to the user, while the command console
is used to allow the user to activate or program the device. The 8
volts from the DC-DC converter 54 is further converted to 5 volts
via a linear regulator 56 for powering a CPU and other peripherals
60. The CPU 60 coordinates the operation of the lift controller 52,
the upper display 56, and the resistance controller 36.
[0017] Importantly, because the battery 48 is used to power the
guide 20, actuating the guide 20 will not produce a change in the
resistance on the pedals 22a and 22b felt by the user (except when
the user's programming changes the current being demand from the
generator 32). The normal guide duty cycle operation is typically
16.6%, meaning that for each minute that the guide 20 is actuated
("on"), there will be 5 minutes that the guide 20 is not actuated
("off"). Accordingly, the battery 48 is configured to be charged
during the "off" cycle, and then, during the "on" cycle, the 14.5
volts from the battery charger 46 supplies some of the current for
actuating the guide 20 while the battery 48 will provide the rest.
Consequently, while the user is pedaling, the whole system is
powered using solely the energy provided by the user, and the
resistance on the pedals will not change even when the guide 20 is
actuated. Furthermore, the battery 48 may be used to power the
guide 20, and also maintain the CPU 60 and the display panel 56,
for up to 20-30 seconds after the user stops pedaling.
[0018] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been
illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various
changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, while the self-powered fitness
device of the present invention was described in specific reference
to a Elliptical Fitness Crosstraining.RTM. machine of the type
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,146,313, the invention may be
incorporated in other types of self-powered fitness devices with an
actuatable component (e.g., a guide) in order to maintain the
resistance for the user substantially constant regardless of
actuation of the component. Thus, any device wherein a user may
translate exercise of any portion of the body into electric power
via a generator (e.g., rowing machines, treadmills, stair climbers,
weight machines, exercise cycles, etc.) can incorporate the present
invention.
* * * * *