U.S. patent application number 11/725145 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-20 for method and apparatus for controlling repetitive movements.
Invention is credited to Georg Korfmacher.
Application Number | 20070219068 11/725145 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35519943 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070219068 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Korfmacher; Georg |
September 20, 2007 |
Method and apparatus for controlling repetitive movements
Abstract
Method and apparatus for controlling movement patterns in
repetitive movements, in particular in cyclical or alternating
movements defined by the parameters of the amplitude and frequency
of the movement, in which these parameters are correlated with the
mean velocity of a body effectively or fictively driven forward by
the movement as well as a device for realizing the method.
Inventors: |
Korfmacher; Georg; (Munchen,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BEYER WEAVER LLP
P.O. BOX 70250
OAKLAND
CA
94612-0250
US
|
Family ID: |
35519943 |
Appl. No.: |
11/725145 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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PCT/EP05/10076 |
Sep 19, 2005 |
|
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11725145 |
Mar 16, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20130101;
A63B 2208/12 20130101; A63B 22/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/057 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/06 20060101
A63B022/06; A63B 69/16 20060101 A63B069/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 19, 2004 |
DE |
DE102004045140 |
Claims
1. A method for controlling movement patterns in repetitive
movements, in particular in cyclical or alternating movements
defined by the parameters of the amplitude and frequency of the
movement, characterized by the fact that these parameters (A, F)
are correlated with the mean velocity (V) of a body effectively or
fictively driven forward by the movement.
2. The method according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that
the relationship between the parameters (A, F, V) is adjusted
according to the equation X=A.times.F/V.
3. The method according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that
the value of the factor X is adjusted to 0,3.
4. An apparatus comprising means to realize a cyclical or
alternating movement, characterized by the fact that it comprises
means (5, 7; 18) for setting the amplitude (A), frequency (F) or
mean speed (V) of a body effectively or fictively driven forward by
the movement.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized by the fact
that the length of the crank (5; 11; 13; 22) and thus the amplitude
(A) of the movement is adjustable.
6. The apparatus according to one of claim 5, characterized by the
fact that it comprises a control unit (7; 18) with means to adjust
the amplitude (A) of the movement, its mean real or fictive
velocity (V) as well as its frequency (F).
7. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by the fact
that the control unit (7; 18) comprises a calculator determining
the amplitude (A) of the movement as a function of its frequency
(F) and velocity (V).
8. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by the fact
that the control unit (7; 18) comprises a calculator determining
the frequency (F) of the movement as a function of its amplitude
(A) and velocity (V).
9. The apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by the fact
that the control unit (7; 18) comprises a calculator determining
the velocity (V) as a function of the amplitude (A) and frequency
(F) of the movement.
10. The apparatus according to one of claim 9, characterized by the
fact that the calculator comprises means to determine the amplitude
(A), frequency (F) and/or velocity (V) on the basis of the Strouhal
equation.
11. The apparatus according to claim 10, characterized by the fact
that the Strouhal number has he value 0,3.
12. The apparatus according to one of claim 11, characterized by
the fact that the calculator comprises means to write a
force-time-diagram.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of International
Application No. PCT/EP2005/010076, entitled "METHOD AND DEVICE FOR
CONTROLLING RECURRENT MOVEMENTS" by Korfmacher and filed Sep. 19,
2005, which in turn claims priority from German Patent Application
No. DE102004045140, entitled same and filed Sep. 19, 2004, both of
which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety and
for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is related to a method for controlling
movement patterns in repetitive movements, in particular in
cyclical or alternating movements defined by the parameters of the
amplitude (A) and frequency (F) of the movement, as well as a
device for realizing the method.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Such method are well known in training or therapy devices in
the form of bicycle or rowing devices (ergometers) where the person
concerned is obliged to exercise against (a) resistance or
depending on his pulse measurement. The pulse measurement, however,
is a relatively irregular value and depends on the general
constitution of the person. Furthermore, it needs explanation and
very often is misunderstood or misinterpreted by the person
considered. This may lead to erroneous demands on the circulatory
system or to counter-indicated results. In particular, constant
loads may result in undesirable collateral effects or even damage.
The currently known methods and exercise devices comprise in
particular pulse measurements, performance measurements,
measurements of the step frequency, the speed and the time. These
measurements have to be correlated and adjusted by complex medical
equations, which frequently are not understood by the person
exercising, and therefore induce to errors.
[0004] Importantly, these known devices essentially recruit
mobiliser muscles that are recruited at .gtoreq.40% of (the)
maximum voluntary muscle contraction. These devices are inadequate
to train stabilizer muscles which are recruited at lesser
loads.
[0005] Furthermore, currently known devices such as rowing
ergometers necessitate a relatively high and complex mechanical
design comprising a fly-wheel for storing the energy between two
strokes (simulation of the inertia moment of the boat), a handle
element connected to the fly-wheel through a chain, belt or cable
(simulation of the paddle), a damping mechanism on the fly-wheel
(simulation of the friction between the hull and the water) as well
as haul-back mechanism (simulation of the starting situation).
Thus, one has to do with numerous simulations, which inevitably,
alone or in their combination, are subject to errors.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention, thus, proposes a method and
apparatus, wherein the mechanical complexity of currently known
devices is largely avoided so as to essentially simplify the method
and apparatus and enable the understanding by the person exercising
by a minimum of parameters, and wherein the person exercising is
not stressed by pulse numbers or other simulations, in particular
when under permanent load, but just by the optimum use of his body
energy, for the control of which only one single objective
parameter is necessary.
[0007] The present invention suggests a method and apparatus, as
specified above, to correlate the parameters (A, F) with the mean
velocity (V) of a body really or fictively moved forward by the
movement.
[0008] In a device according to the invention, three values are
important in this context, namely the amplitude of a movement, the
frequency of the movement as well as the desired real or fictive
speed of a body driven forward by the movement. The amplitude is
given by the total diameter of a pedal drive, the frequency by the
number of rotations of the pedal drive per second and the desired
speed in km/h according to walking, (trotting), jogging or running
of the person exercising.
[0009] What is important is to optimally correlate these parameters
in the sense of an optimum use of the body energy of the person
concerned. The model for such optimum relationship is nature itself
with the migration of birds. They have to overcome long distances
without overstressing their body forces (energy). On the other hand
they do not reach their goal if they do not make optimum use of
their energy.
[0010] Physics teach us in fluid mechanics an equation which puts
the above mentioned parameters in an optimum relationship, the
so-called Strouhal equation defined as follows:
S.sub.t=A.times.F/V. This equation is equally valid for cyclical as
well as for oscillating movement patterns. It is independent of any
mass to be moved or from any outer resistive load. It describes a
pure movement pattern in relation to a speed.
[0011] Therefore, in an advantageous embodiment of the inventive
method and apparatus, the relationship between amplitude, frequency
and speed is adjusted by the equation X=A.times.F/V. In a
particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention the value of
X is 0,3.
[0012] Science has confirmed that the Strouhal number S.sub.t
defined by this equation is between 0,2 and 0,4 for optimum energy
performance of fish and birds. This applies for sardines aw well as
for whales, for bats as well as for swallows or geese. This value
seems to be an evolutionary optimum valid in the whole universe.
Dimensionless numbers are important in biomechanics as they may
imply by their constancy dynamic similarities, despite possible
differences in media and size.
[0013] The device according to the invention provided for realizing
the method accomplishing the objective described above comprises
means to perform a cyclical or alternating movement and suggests
that means are provided to adjust the amplitude, frequency and the
desired mean speed of the body really of fictively driven by the
movement.
[0014] On the device according to the invention and adequate for
realizing the method the mean speed V can be chosen according to
the target idea such as walking, jogging or running, where walking
is i.e. 6 km/h. S.sub.t is given with 0,3. It is important now to
adjust A and F in such a way that the Strouhal equation is
satisfied with S.sub.t=0,3. In case the amplitude is given with a
(fix) diameter of i.e. 0,3 m for the pedal drive, the frequency
must adjusted to 1,67 Hz to achieve optimum use of the body's own
energy.
[0015] Imagining that the person exercising shall walk, at these
adjustments, for 1/2 hour using optimum body energy, it is
important to control the frequency of the pedal movement at 1,67
Hz. This means that one single and objective value only is
decisive, in this case the frequency, which is totally independent
of any judgment or arbitrary decision and which is not subject to
simulation errors.
[0016] On the other hand and according to the invention it is also
possible to bring a person back to a movement pattern with optimum
energy use without overstressing him. A frail person may not
immediately be able to reach or hold a frequency calculated for him
over a longer period of time. That means that an objective value is
fixed independently of the current condition of the patient.
[0017] After an exercise according to the invention other well
known load tests may be performed to evaluate the condition of the
patient such as energy balance, pulse rate and other medical key
values.
[0018] The device according to the invention in particular has no
energy storing masses and thus there are no complex mechanics or
controls that correlate energies and losses with medical key values
as in well known devices. The device according to the invention,
therefore, works much more precisely and is essentially less prone
to failures.
[0019] Due to the absence of masses to be moved, the device
according to the invention is particularly suited for children,
elderly and people who are not, or are only insufficiently, able to
control their movements. Due to the simplicity of its design even
bed-rest patients in a supine position can use it. By properly
choosing the value for V it is possible to determine movement
patterns from slow walk to fast run without overstressing the
patient energetically. As there is no mass to be moved in the
device according to the invention, it can also be used under
weightlessness conditions for the controlled training of
astronauts.
[0020] With the device according to the invention it is furthermore
possible to bring a person to his best performance level at optimum
energy use. Thus, the method according to the invention and the
device for its realization can be used to determine the optimum
longtime energy performance level of a person. Based on this
knowledge the person then can do further and well-known
optimizations.
[0021] This applies e.g. for a long distance runner. It is easy to
determine the mean speed to achieve a desired performance. The
runner will train according the method and apparatus of the
invention with the aim to reach the optimum frequency or step
length at optimum energy performance adequate for that mean speed.
With this knowledge he then will use known means and methods to
train for special stress situations during the starting phase, for
intermediate or final sprints.
[0022] The situation is different for a patient who shall be
reeducated e.g. after an accident to regain his optimum energy
performance. Here again, the target speed would be walking,
jogging, running etc. as well as the optimum Strouhal number of 0,
3. For a given movement amplitude of a bicycle or rowing type
device it is possible to bring the patient progressively back to
his optimum frequency. Pulse measurements may serve to control that
there will be no risk of overstress for the circulatory system in
particular for a rehabilitation measure. In this case, the pulse
frequency is not used as a determining parameter, yet just for the
purpose of monitoring. With S.sub.t=0,3 and an adjustment of A and
F feasible for the patient the optimum pulse frequency will come,
so to say, automatically by the time. In the same way it is
possible to imagine an over-weight person who is not immediately
able to reach or hold a frequency given for a certain movement
amplitude over a longer time. It is well possible to help the
person to lose weight by means of well known methods. The method
according to the invention will then serve to determine the long
term energy performance on the basis of objective, reproducible and
repeatable criteria.
[0023] According to the invention it is also possible to adjust the
amplitude and frequency according to the capacity and condition of
the person exercising and then to calculate the speed with
S.sub.t=0,3. In this case S.sub.t=0,3 directly is the single unique
parameter controlling the movement. Therefore and according to the
method and apparatus of the invention it is possible to train
specifically stabilizer muscles which are recruited at only 20-30%
of the maximum voluntary muscle contraction. By holding the control
constant at S.sub.t=0,3 it is also possible, according to the
invention, to avoid that due to unconscious or uncontrolled
movement or load muscle forces come into play (.gtoreq.40% maximum
voluntary contraction) which then would involuntarily recruit
mobiliser muscles and switch off stabilizer muscles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The present invention has other objects and features of
advantage that will be more readily apparent from the following
description of the best mode of carrying out the invention and the
appended claims, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawing, in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a side elevation schematic diagram of one specific
embodiment of the apparatus according to the present invention for
a rotary movement.
[0026] FIG. 2 a side elevation schematic diagram of another
specific embodiment of the apparatus according to the present
invention for reciprocating movement.
[0027] FIG. 3 a side elevation schematic diagram of another
specific embodiment of the apparatus according to the present
invention for various movement patterns.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] While the present invention will be described with reference
to a few specific embodiments, the description is illustrative of
the invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention.
Various modifications to the present invention can be made to the
preferred embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing
from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims. It will be noted here that for a better
understanding, like components are designated by like reference
numerals throughout the various figures.
[0029] The device according to the invention comprises a base 1
with a bearing structure 2. A crank 5 is pivoted on this bearing
structure 2 by means of a bearing 3. The crank may be a pair of
pedals or a double lever hand crank. Pedals or handles 4 are
pivoted at the free ends of the crank 5. These pedals or handles
may be provided with well known retention buckles.
[0030] A suitable cable 6 connects the device to a control unit 7
for transmitting the number of rotations of the crank to the
control unit 7. In this unit the freely selectable mean speed V can
be set as well, i.e. the amplitude of the crank 5. The control unit
7 furthermore comprises a timer T as well as a display 8 displaying
the optimum work of the device according to the invention.
[0031] The control unit 7 can be connected to a monitor 9
visualizing, saving or printing recorded data.
[0032] The device according to the invention works as follows: A
person is for instance lying on the base 1 and activates the crank
5 with his feet by means of the pedals 4. The device may equally
well present the shape of a bicycle. A desired mean speed such as
walking, jogging or running is set in V on the control unit 7 with
the dimension km/h. The diameter adjusted on the crank 5 is set in
A with the dimension meter (m). A built-in calculator now
calculates the frequency F of the crank 5 according to the Strouhal
equation and with the value 0,3 for the Strouhal number. The
frequency currently performed on the crank 5 is visualized on the
display 8 through a color display comprising an optimum, green
central area as well as areas for showing deviations up or
down.
[0033] The person training can now observe on the display 8 whether
she/he is or remains in the optimum frequency area. The training
time can be adjusted in T. It is independent from the calculator.
For later evaluation purposes a protocol may be registered by means
of the monitor 9, showing i.e. the frequency behavior over the
time.
[0034] With a fixed crank 5 length and thus with a fixed amplitude
A the control unit 7 may as well vary V to calculate the optimum
frequency. It would also be possible to set the frequency F and
vary the amplitude.
[0035] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the device according to
the invention for linear and reciprocating movements. The bearing
structure 2 according to FIG. 1 comprises here a rotating crank
disk 10 acting together with push-pull bars 11, 12. At its rotating
end, bar 11 is pivoted on the crank disk 10 along a coulisse 13.
This allows for determining the amplitude A of the movement. Bar 12
is suitably located in a housing 14 and presents at its grip end a
handle 15. As described in connection with FIG. 1, the device is
connected to a control unit 7 on which the settings as described
may be made. With this embodiment and together with an appropriate
design it is possible, for instance, to control movements of
fingers, head and feet.
[0036] As the device according to the invention doesn't need any
fly-wheel or friction elements combined with complex mechanics, it
can be built extremely lightweight. The device is not "loaded". It
only does control the movements.
[0037] The device according to the invention is particularly suited
for long term exercises and for the "normal" training of the
movement and muscle apparatus. It specifically does not aim at
movements under external loads so that during its application false
loads may be largely excluded. By reducing the exercise to one
single out of three objective, yet variable, parameters to control
the movement over a certain period of time, it is almost impossible
for the person exercising to make any interpretation error. On the
display 8 the person sees exactly whether she/he is in the optimum
or sub-optimum area of the value calculated.
[0038] Due to the absence of masses the device according to the
invention can equally well be used under weightlessness conditions.
With the device according to the invention priority always is given
to the optimum use of body own energy while doing a controlled,
pre-defined movement over a longer period of time. This way,
erroneous developments such as uncontrolled muscle build-up or wear
of joints are avoided. As the device guides the user to perform
natural movement patterns, the exercise on the device is not felt
as an unpleasant load. The single (only) parameter that can be
deliberately set by the user is the time. A healthy person will
just set a desired time. With a sick or convalescent person, the
time will be set by a doctor or physiotherapist according to
medical indications. In any case, a person will stop exercising
when she/he feels that he "walked" or "ran" enough or simply feels
tired. As there are no forced movements in the device according to
the invention that could be felt unnatural or over-stressing, the
user doesn't feel over-taxed by the movement control.
[0039] Clearly, the invention is not limited to the embodiments
shown and described. It encompasses any embodiment realizing the
inventive idea. Thus, the method and apparatus according to the
invention are not slavishly bound to the optimum factor value of
0,3. If, for a certain case or circumstance another factor should
be indicated it is evidently possible to use that factor value
without leaving the scope of the invention. It is also possible to
use other means to realize movement patterns defined by amplitude
and frequency. FIG. 3 shows a particularly advantageous embodiment
of the invention. A base frame 16 is provided with a front post 17
presenting at its upper end a control unit 18. The front post 17
furthermore comprises a grip bar 19 connected to it via a hinge and
lockable in different angle positions.
[0040] At its rear end, the base frame 16 furthermore comprises a
support frame 20. On this support frame 20 a disk shaped crank
shaft 21 is articulated, diagonally comprising a coulisse 22 for
adjusting the length of the crank arm. The support frame 20
furthermore comprises a height adjustable bearing post 23 for a
length adjustable saddle 24.
[0041] As schematically shown in FIG. 3 for one side only of the
device according to the invention, the coulisse 22 comprises a not
shown slide stone connected via a hinge with the rear end of a
crank bar 25. The front end of this crank bar 25 is connected via a
hinge to the lower end of a pendulum bar 26. With its upper end,
this pendulum bar 26 is appropriately articulated on the front post
17 so that the circular movements of the crank disk 21 are
translated, through the crank bar 25, into pendulum movements of
the pendulum bars 26.
[0042] The crank bar 25 comprises a step plate 27 which can be
fixed over its total length of the crank bar 25 so that it also can
assume the position shown by the dotted lines.
[0043] The articulation of the pendulum bar 26 comprises fixation
means not shown for adjustably holding oscillating arms 28 shown in
dotted lines. The holding means allow the oscillating arms 28 to be
adjusted in any angular position with respect to the pendulum arms
26.
[0044] The function of the particularly advantageous embodiment of
the invention schematically shown in FIG. 3 is as follows;
[0045] The user sits on the saddle 24 adjusted in height and length
according to the person's needs. At the same time, the grip bar 19
is adjusted in such a way that the person can grasp it comfortably.
The desired radius of the crank arm is adjusted on the coulisse 22
according to the conditions of the person exercising. This gives
the amplitude of the movement around the crankshaft 21. The step
plates 27 are adjusted along the crank bar 25 in such a manner that
any movement pattern from circular at the coulisse end of the crank
bar 25 to slightly bow shaped length-ways movement at the pendulum
bar end of the crank bar 25. Between these two extreme positions
various positions of the step plate 27 are possible so as to
produce almost elliptical movement patterns. As described in
connection with FIG. 1, the number of rotations of the crankshaft
21 is counted and sent to the control unit 18 where they are
processed according to the Strouhal equation.
[0046] The person can exercise while sitting on the saddle 24 or by
freely standing. It is also possible that the person is suspended
in a trapeze not shown over the device or lies on a table or bed
not shown behind the device for activating the step plates 27. In
such a case the post 23 and the saddle 24 would be removed from the
support frame 20.
[0047] The person, however, may also execute up and down movements
with his/her arms or legs by activating the oscillating arms
28.
[0048] The embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 3 allows
for numerous movement patterns with only one device.
[0049] According to the invention such embodiment can be
advantageous where the amplitude and frequency are given and the
speed is calculated with 0,3. In this case the single unique
control parameter is the value 0,3 showing up on the display 8 as a
green area. This is also applicable to a railway trolley where the
activation of the handle can be programmed and controlled in a
manner similar to a rowing boat mechanism.
[0050] Without leaving the scope of the invention it is also
possible that the control unit 7 calculates a force-time-diagram
shown or printed on the monitor 9 to register the work performed by
the movement of the person exercising.
* * * * *