U.S. patent application number 10/831429 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-27 for method and apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive load during exercise.
Invention is credited to Lee, Ping-Ru, Liang, Shin-Lung.
Application Number | 20050239600 10/831429 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35137194 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050239600 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liang, Shin-Lung ; et
al. |
October 27, 2005 |
Method and apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive
load during exercise
Abstract
An apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive load
during exercise includes a wheel unit, a resistance generator, a
torque transfer device, an angle measuring device, and a control
unit. The wheel unit rotates in response to exertion of a
user-applied force during an exercise stroke. The resistance
generator generates a resistive torque for resisting rotation of
the wheel unit when the user-applied force is exerted. The torque
transfer device transfers a fraction of the resistive torque from
the resistance generator to the wheel unit. The angle measuring
device detects angular rotation of the wheel unit during each
exercise stroke. The control unit, in accordance with the angular
rotation of the wheel unit during a current exercise stroke,
controls the torque transfer device to adjust the fraction of the
resistive torque that is transferred to the wheel unit.
Inventors: |
Liang, Shin-Lung; (Keelung
City, TW) ; Lee, Ping-Ru; (Chia-Yi City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TROP PRUNER & HU, PC
8554 KATY FREEWAY
SUITE 100
HOUSTON
TX
77024
US
|
Family ID: |
35137194 |
Appl. No.: |
10/831429 |
Filed: |
April 23, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/1 ;
482/8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/4043 20151001;
A63B 23/03525 20130101; A63B 21/0058 20130101; A63B 2220/16
20130101; A63B 23/0494 20130101; A63B 21/00076 20130101; A63B
23/1281 20130101; A63B 21/154 20130101; A63B 21/4047 20151001 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/001 ;
482/008 |
International
Class: |
A63B 071/00; A63B
021/005; A63B 015/02 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A method for providing a dynamically variable resistive load
during exercise, the method being implemented using an apparatus
that includes a wheel unit that is operable so as to rotate in
response to exertion of a user-applied force during an exercise
stroke, a resistance generator that is operable so as to generate a
resistive torque for resisting rotation of the wheel unit when the
user-applied force is exerted, and an electrically controlled
torque transfer device that couples the resistance generator to the
wheel unit and that is operable so as to transfer a fraction of the
resistive torque from the resistance generator to the wheel unit,
the method comprising the steps of: a) detecting angular rotation
of the wheel unit during each exercise stroke; and b) in accordance
with the detected angular rotation of the wheel unit during a
current exercise stroke, controlling the torque transfer device to
adjust the fraction of the resistive torque that is transferred to
the wheel unit.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in step b), the
fraction of the resistive torque is gradually increased with an
increase in angular displacement of the wheel unit from an initial
position during the current exercise stroke, and is gradually
reduced when otherwise.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in step b), the
fraction of the resistive torque is increased upon detection that
the time for the wheel unit to reach a predetermined angular
displacement during the current exercise stroke is smaller than a
first threshold, and is reduced upon detection that the time for
the wheel unit to reach the predetermined angular displacement
during the current exercise stroke is greater than a second
threshold.
4. An apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive load
during exercise, comprising: a wheel unit that is operable so as to
rotate in response to exertion of a user-applied force during an
exercise stroke; a resistance generator that is operable so as to
generate a resistive torque for resisting rotation of said wheel
unit when the user-applied force is exerted; an electrically
controlled torque transfer device that couples said resistance
generator to said wheel unit and that is operable so as to transfer
a fraction of the resistive torque from said resistance generator
to said wheel unit; an angle measuring device for detecting angular
rotation of said wheel unit during each exercise stroke; and a
control unit coupled to said torque transfer device and said angle
measuring device; wherein, in accordance with the angular rotation
of said wheel unit detected by said angle measuring device during a
current exercise stroke, said control unit controls said torque
transfer device to adjust the fraction of the resistive torque that
is transferred to said wheel unit.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said control unit
controls said torque transfer device to gradually increase the
fraction of the resistive torque with an increase in angular
displacement of said wheel unit from an initial position during the
current exercise stroke, and to gradually reduce the fraction of
the resistive torque when otherwise.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said control unit
controls said torque transfer device to increase the fraction of
the resistive torque upon detection that the time for said wheel
unit to reach a predetermined angular displacement during the
current exercise stroke is smaller than a first threshold, and to
reduce the fraction of the resistive torque upon detection that the
time for said wheel unit to reach the predetermined angular
displacement during the current exercise stroke is greater than a
second threshold.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said resistance
generator includes an electric motor that is coupled to said
control unit so as to control activation of said electric
motor.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said control unit
is further operable so as to control direction of the resistive
torque generated by said electric motor.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said torque
transfer device includes an electromagnetic mechanical particle
clutch.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said wheel unit
includes an optical encoder wheel, and said angle measuring device
includes a photoelectric sensor operably associated with said
optical encoder wheel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a load for exercise equipment, more
particularly to a method and apparatus for providing a dynamically
variable resistive load during exercise.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A known apparatus for providing a resistive load during
exercise includes a wheel unit, a resistance generator, an
electrically controlled torque transfer device, and a control unit.
The wheel unit is operable so as to rotate in response to exertion
of a user-applied force during an exercise stroke. The resistance
generator, such as an electric motor, is operable so as to generate
a resistive torque for resisting rotation of the wheel unit when
the user-applied force is exerted. The torque transfer device, such
as an electromagnetic mechanical particle clutch, couples the
resistance generator to the wheel unit, and is operable so as to
transfer a fraction of the resistive torque from the resistance
generator to the wheel unit. The control unit is coupled to the
resistance generator so as to control activation of the resistance
generator and direction of the resistive torque generated by the
resistance generator. The control unit is further coupled to the
torque transfer device, and controls operation of the torque
transfer device in order to gradually increase the fraction of the
resistive torque that is transferred to the wheel unit with
reference to a predetermined load variation curve during each
exercise stroke.
[0005] While the aforesaid known apparatus provides a variable
resistive load during exercise, it does not take into account the
actual physical condition of the user during exercise. As a result,
when the resistive load is too heavy, the user is likely to get
injured due to over-exertion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide
a method and apparatus for providing a dynamically variable
resistive load during exercise that can overcome the aforesaid
drawback of the prior art.
[0007] According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided
a method for providing a dynamically variable resistive load during
exercise. The method is implemented using an apparatus which
includes a wheel unit that is operable so as to rotate in response
to exertion of a user-applied force during an exercise stroke, a
resistance generator that is operable so as to generate a resistive
torque for resisting rotation of the wheel unit when the
user-applied force is exerted, and an electrically controlled
torque transfer device that couples the resistance generator to the
wheel unit and that is operable so as to transfer a fraction of the
resistive torque from the resistance generator to the wheel unit.
The method comprises the steps of:
[0008] a) detecting angular rotation of the wheel unit during each
exercise stroke; and
[0009] b) in accordance with the detected angular rotation of the
wheel unit during a current exercise stroke, controlling the torque
transfer device to adjust the fraction of the resistive torque that
is transferred to the wheel unit.
[0010] According to another aspect of this invention, there is
provided an apparatus for providing a dynamically variable
resistive load during exercise. The apparatus comprises a wheel
unit, a resistance generator, an electrically controlled torque
transfer device, an angle measuring device, and a control unit. The
wheel unit is operable so as to rotate in response to exertion of a
user-applied force during an exercise stroke. The resistance
generator is operable so as to generate a resistive torque for
resisting rotation of the wheel unit when the user-applied force is
exerted. The torque transfer device couples the resistance
generator to the wheel unit, and is operable so as to transfer a
fraction of the resistive torque from the resistance generator to
the wheel unit. The angle measuring device detects angular rotation
of the wheel unit during each exercise stroke. The control unit is
coupled to the torque transfer device and the angle measuring
device. In accordance with the angular rotation of the wheel unit
detected by the angle measuring device during a current exercise
stroke, the control unit controls the torque transfer device to
adjust the fraction of the resistive torque that is transferred to
the wheel unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings,
of which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a multi-function exercise
machine that incorporates the preferred embodiment of an apparatus
for providing a dynamically variable resistive load according to
the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the preferred
embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the preferred
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a flowchart to illustrate operation of a control
unit of the preferred embodiment; and
[0016] FIG. 5 is a flowchart to illustrate operation of a modified
control unit of the preferred embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of an
apparatus 3 for providing a dynamically variable resistive load
according to the present invention is shown to be incorporated in a
multi-function exercise machine 2 that includes a known pull unit
21, a known leg extension unit 22, and a known tread unit 23. A
transmission device 24 is provided to couple the apparatus 3 to
each of the pull unit 21, the leg extension unit 22 and the tread
unit 23. The transmission device 24 includes rope means 241 coupled
to the pull unit 21 and the leg extension unit 22, belt means 242
coupled to the tread unit 23, and a set of pulleys 243 for
controlling transmission direction of the rope and belt means 241,
242.
[0018] With further reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus 3 of
this embodiment includes a wheel unit 51, a resistance generator 7,
an electrically controlled torque transfer device 8, an angle
measuring device 52, and a control unit 6.
[0019] The wheel unit 51 is coupled to the rope means 241 and the
belt means 242 of the transmission device 24. The wheel unit 51 is
thus operable so as to rotate in response to exertion of a
user-applied force on any one of the pull unit 21, the leg
extension unit 22 and the tread unit 23 during exercise. In this
embodiment, the wheel unit 51 includes a wheel shaft 512 mounted
rotatably on the exercise machine 2, and an optical encoder wheel
510 mounted co-rotatably on the wheel shaft 512 and formed with a
plurality of angularly displaced radial slots 511.
[0020] The resistance generator 7 is mounted on the exercise
machine 2, and includes an electric motor 72 that is operable so as
to generate a resistive torque for resisting rotation of the wheel
unit 51 when the user-applied force is exerted. A known
transmission unit 73, which includes two transmission wheels 731,
732 and a transmission belt 733 trained on the transmission wheels
731, 732, is used to transmit the resistive torque generated by the
motor 72 to the torque transfer device 8.
[0021] The torque transfer device 8 couples the transmission unit
73 of the resistance generator 7 to the wheel shaft 512 of the
wheel unit 51, and is operable so as to transfer a fraction of the
resistive torque from the resistance generator 7 to the wheel unit
51. In this embodiment, the torque transfer device 8 includes a
conventional electromagnetic mechanical particle clutch. Since the
feature of the invention does not reside in the specific
construction of the known torque transfer device 8, details of the
same are omitted herein for the sake of brevity.
[0022] The angle measuring device 52 is mounted on the exercise
machine 2 proximate to the wheel unit 51, and serves to detect
angular rotation of the wheel unit 51 during each exercise stroke
when the pull unit 21 or the leg extension unit 22 is in use. In
this embodiment, the angle measuring device 52 includes a known
photoelectric sensor associated operably with the optical encoder
wheel 510 of the wheel unit 51. Preferably, the radial slots 511 of
the optical encoder wheel 510 are formed at 10-degree
intervals.
[0023] The control unit 6 is coupled to the torque transfer device
8, the angle measuring device 52 and the resistance generator 7,
and includes a control panel 61 for inputting user settings, a
processor 62 connected to the control panel 61 and the angle
measuring device 52, a motor driver 65 connected to the processor
52 and the electric motor 72 of the resistance generator 7 for
controlling activation of the electric motor 72 and direction of
the resistive torque generated by the electric motor 72, a
digital-to-analog (D/A) converter 63 connected to the processor 62,
and a current controller 64 connected to the D/A converter 63 and
the torque transfer device 8 for controlling operation of the
torque transfer device 8.
[0024] The control panel 61 can be operated to select the type of
exercise to be performed by the user, i.e., which one of the pull
unit 21, the leg extension unit 22 and the tread unit 23 is
intended to be used, and a target resistive force value for the
exercise to be performed by the user. The control panel 61 can be
disposed in front of the pull and leg extension units 21, 22, or in
front of the tread unit 23 to facilitate user operation.
[0025] Depending on the type of exercise to be performed, the
processor 62 controls activation of the electric motor 72 of the
resistance generator 7 through the motor driver 65 such that the
resistive torque generated by the resistance generator 7 can resist
rotation of the wheel unit 51 due to application of the
user-exerted force on the selected one of the pull unit 21, the leg
extension unit 22, and the tread unit 23.
[0026] The processor 62 has predetermined load variation curves for
the different types of exercise stored therein. Since the feature
of the present invention does not reside in the load variation
curves, which are obtained through known techniques, a detailed
description of the same is omitted herein for the sake of brevity.
The processor 62 receives the user settings inputted through the
control panel 61, and calculates different resistive load values
with reference to the user settings and the load variation curve
for the type of exercise to be performed by the user. Thereafter,
with further reference to the angular rotation of the wheel unit 51
detected by the angle measuring device 52, the processor 62
generates varying torque control outputs that correspond to the
calculated resistive load values.
[0027] The D/A converter 63 receives the torque control output of
the processor 62, and converts the same into an analog control
signal. The current controller 64 subsequently converts the control
signal into a control current that is supplied to an electromagnet
(not shown) of the torque control device 8. In response to the
control current, the torque control device 8 adjusts the fraction
of the resistive torque that is transferred from the resistance
generator 7 to the wheel unit 51, thereby resulting in a variable
resistive load during exercise.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a flowchart to illustrate operation of a preferred
implementation of the control unit 6. In the flowchart of FIG. 4,
it is assumed that the leg extension unit 22 was selected by the
user, and the user inputted 30 kilograms as his target resistive
force value. During an exercise stroke, the user exerts a force to
move the leg extension unit 22 with the use of his legs such that
the user's legs are moved from an initial position, where the
user's legs stand uprightly on the ground, toward a fully extended
position, i.e., the user's legs are substantially horizontal. The
angle measuring device 52 detects the angular rotation of the wheel
unit 51 during each exercise stroke, and provides the detected
information to the processor 62. The processor 62 gradually
increases the torque control output thereof with reference to the
predetermined load variation curve for the leg extension unit 22 in
case of an increase in angular displacement of the wheel unit 51
from an initial position, and gradually decreases the torque
control output with reference to the same predetermined load
variation curve for the leg extension unit 22 in case of a decrease
in the angular displacement of the wheel unit 51 from the initial
position. For instance, during an initial stage of a current
exercise stroke, the torque control output of the processor 62 can
be set to 20% of the target resistive force value. The torque
control output is then gradually increased to increase the fraction
of the resistive force that is transferred to the wheel unit 51 as
the angular displacement of the wheel unit 51 from its initial
position increases. When the user's legs are at the fully extended
position, the torque control output of the processor 62 can be set
to correspond to 120% of the target resistive force value, i.e., 36
kilograms. Thereafter, when the user's legs are moved from the
fully extended position back to the initial position, the processor
62 gradually decreases its torque control output from an initial
value corresponding to 40% of the target resistive force value,
i.e., 12 kilograms, to a value corresponding to 0% of the target
resistive force value (which is the resistive force transferred to
the wheel unit 51 when the user's legs are at the initial
position). Since the resistive load transferred to the wheel unit
51 varies with the measured angular displacement of the wheel unit
51, the risk of injury can be reduced to a minimum during
exercise.
[0029] Preferably, the processor 62 is configured to control the
control panel 61 to show the current resistive load transferred to
the wheel unit 51 thereon for user monitoring purposes.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a flowchart to illustrate operation of another
preferred implementation of the control unit 6. In the flowchart of
FIG. 5, the fraction of the resistive torque is increased upon
detection that the time for the wheel unit 51 to reach a
predetermined angular displacement during the current exercise
stroke is smaller than a first threshold, and is reduced upon
detection that the time for the wheel unit 51 to reach the
predetermined angular displacement during the current exercise
stroke is greater than a second threshold.
[0031] In the flowchart of FIG. 5, it is assumed that the leg
extension unit 22 was selected by the user, and that the standard
time period for completing a lifting action of an exercise stroke
ranges from 1.6 to 2.4 seconds. During an initial exercise stroke,
the torque control output of the processor 62 can be set to
correspond to a 20-kilogram resistive load. If the time that took
for the user to move his legs from the initial position to the
fully extended position is smaller than 1.6 seconds (the first
threshold, t.sub.min), this indicates that the resistive load is
too small, and the control unit 6 controls the torque transfer
device 8 to increase the resistive torque transferred to the wheel
unit 51 to 25 kilograms for the succeeding exercise stroke. On the
other hand, if the time that took for the user to move his legs
from the initial position to the fully extended position is greater
than 2.4 seconds (the second threshold, t.sub.max), this indicates
that the resistive load is too heavy, and the control unit 6
controls the torque transfer device 8 to reduce the resistive force
transferred to the wheel unit 51 to 15 kilograms for the succeeding
exercise stroke. As a result, the resistive load is dynamically
varied according to the actual condition of the user during
exercise in order to minimize the risk of injury.
[0032] Preferably, the processor 62 of the control unit 6 is
adapted to be coupled to an external computer 620 to permit
downloading of the load variation curves for the different types of
exercise therefrom.
[0033] While the present invention has been described in connection
with what is considered the most practical and preferred
embodiment, it is understood that this invention is not limited to
the disclosed embodiment but is intended to cover various
arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest
interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
equivalent arrangements.
* * * * *