U.S. patent application number 11/584283 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-24 for performance monitoring & display system for exercise bike.
Invention is credited to Dennis L. Keiser.
Application Number | 20080096725 11/584283 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39318634 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080096725 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Keiser; Dennis L. |
April 24, 2008 |
Performance monitoring & display system for exercise bike
Abstract
An apparatus and method for determining the power of a user of
an exercise cycle by measuring an RPM and resistance level achieved
by the user in combination with a predetermined relationship. The
RPM may be measured by sensing the rotation of, for example, a
driving wheel or flywheel of the exercise cycle. The resistance
level experienced by the user may be varied by an eddy current
braking system. The eddy current braking system may include a pair
of magnets that sweep across the face of the flywheel to thereby
vary the experienced resistance level.
Inventors: |
Keiser; Dennis L.; (Sanger,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET, FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
39318634 |
Appl. No.: |
11/584283 |
Filed: |
October 20, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/8 ;
482/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0605 20130101;
A63B 21/0051 20130101; A63B 2220/54 20130101; A63B 21/225 20130101;
A63B 21/015 20130101; A63B 2024/0093 20130101; A63B 2220/34
20130101; A63B 2220/51 20130101; A63B 21/0052 20130101; A63B
2022/0658 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/8 ;
482/57 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/00 20060101
A63B071/00; A63B 22/06 20060101 A63B022/06 |
Claims
1. A method for determining a power level for an exercise cycle
having a flywheel rotating against a variable resistance braking
system by a user and having a monitoring system that measures an
RPM of the flywheel and a resistance level of the braking system,
the method comprising: adjusting the variable resistance braking
system to the resistance level; monitoring the rotation of the
flywheel against the resistance level; providing a pre-determined
relationship between the rotation, torque and power for the
exercise cycle; and using the resistance level, the rotation of the
flywheel, and the pre-determined relationship to determine a power
level of the user.
2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein adjusting the variable
resistance braking system to the resistance level comprises
positioning magnets on opposite sides of the flywheel.
3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein monitoring the
rotation of the flywheel against the resistance level comprises
sensing when a fixed point on the driving wheel passes a fixed
point on the exercise cycle.
4. The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising displaying a
number representing the power generated by the user.
5. A cycle apparatus for determining a power level of a user,
comprising: a controllable resistance; a flywheel rotatable
relative to the controllable resistance by a user; a monitoring
system that measures a speed of movement of the flywheel when the
controllable resistance is set to a resistance level; and a display
device that determines a power based on the controllable
resistance, the speed of movement of the flywheel, and a
predetermined relationship.
6. The cycle as defined in claim 5, wherein the predetermined
relationship is between RPMs, positions of the controllable
resistance, and power.
7. The cycle as defined in claim 5, wherein the display device
displays a number representing a power generated by the user.
8. The cycle as defined in claim 5 further comprising an eddy
current braking system for a user to vary the resistance level.
9. The cycle as defined in claim 8 further comprising pair of
movable magnets disposed on opposite side of the flywheel.
10. The cycle as defined in claim 5 further comprising a gear shift
and a handlebar assembly, the gear shift and handlebar assembly
being simultaneously adjustable for height by a user.
11. The cycle as defined in claim 10 further comprising a cable
extending between the gear shift and the controllable resistance,
the cable being coiled at a location between the gear shift and the
controllable resistance so as to allow the gear shift and handlebar
assembly to adjust for height.
12. The cycle as defined in claim 5, wherein the display device
display has a normal mode and a start-up mode, the display device
displaying an odometer reading during the start-up mode and not
during the normal mode.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an exercise bike,
and is applicable to the fields of fitness, exercise, physical
rehabilitation, and sports medicine and is directed to methods and
apparatuses useable in such fields.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] There are numerous kinds of exercise bikes available in the
marketplace. The main structure of these conventional exercise
bikes includes a frame,.a handlebar mounted at a front end of the
frame, a display, a seat mounted at a rear end of the frame, and a
pair of pedals. The benefits of regular aerobic exercise have been
well established and accepted. Exercise bikes provide a convenient
means of exercising to those who are too busy to find time to ride
a bicycle.
[0005] In addition to enhancing the performance of athletes, such
devices are used to improve or maintain the fitness and health of
non-athletes, both to enhance the lifestyles of non-athletes and to
potentially increase their respective life spans.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The systems and methods of the present invention have
several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for
its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this
invention as expressed by the claims which follow, its more
prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering
this discussion, and particularly after reading the section
entitled "Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments," one
will understand how the features of this invention provide several
advantages over traditional exercise apparatus.
[0007] One aspect in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention is a method for determining a power level for an exercise
cycle having a flywheel rotating against a variable resistance
braking system by a user and having a monitoring system that
measures an RPM of the flywheel and a resistance level of the
braking system. The method comprises adjusting the variable
resistance braking system to the resistance level and monitoring
the rotation of the flywheel against the resistance level. The
method further comprises providing a pre-determined relationship
between the rotation, torque and power for the exercise cycle and
using the resistance level, the rotation of the flywheel, and the
pre-determined relationship to determine a power level of the
user.
[0008] Another aspect in accordance with embodiments of the present
invention is an apparatus for determining a power level of a user.
The apparatus comprises a controllable resistance and a flywheel
rotatable relative to the controllable resistance by a user and a
monitoring system that measures a speed of movement of the flywheel
when the controllable resistance is set to a resistance level. The
apparatus further comprises a display device that determines a
power based on the controllable resistance, the speed of movement
of the flywheel, and a predetermined relationship.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will now be described in connection with
preferred embodiments of the invention, in reference to the
accompanying drawings. The illustrated embodiments, however, are
merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective rear view of an exercise apparatus
in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of the exercise apparatus of FIG.
1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an opposite side view of the exercise apparatus of
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus from
FIG. 1 with a frame housing removed to show the path for a belt
that links a driving wheel to a flywheel;
[0014] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an upper portion of the
exercise bike from FIG. 1 showing a gear shift for controlling the
eddy current braking system in a low gear position;
[0015] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the upper portion of the
exercise apparatus from FIG. 5A showing the gear shift in a high
gear position;
[0016] FIG. 6A is a side view illustrating a rear portion of the
exercise apparatus from FIG. 1 with a gear cover removed to show an
eddy current braking system in a low resistance position;
[0017] FIG. 6B illustrates the eddy current braking system from
FIG. 6A in a higher resistance position;
[0018] FIG. 6C is a right side perspective view showing the teeth
of a potentiometer and of a gear cover engaged with one another to
allow the potentiometer to sense the position of the eddy current
braking system relative to the flywheel;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view illustrating a speed
system that includes a pick-up on a rib of the driving wheel and a
magnetic switch for sensing when the pick-up passes by the magnetic
switch during revolutions of the driving wheel so as to monitor the
speed of the driving wheel;
[0020] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the rib of the driving wheel
that includes the pick-up of the speed system illustrated in FIG.
7.
[0021] FIG. 9A illustrates a display device in a normal mode
showing, for example, at least a power output in watts of a user of
the exercise apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 9B illustrates the display device from FIG. 9A in a
start-up mode displaying an odometer instead of the gear and trip
indicators illustrated in FIG. 9A;
[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates a flow chart of a power determination
process in accordance with a preferred embodiment; and
[0024] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary table of predetermined
values for the procedure in FIG. 10 for determining the power based
on the relationship between RPM, position of the magnets or
potentiometer, and power.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a graph illustrating exemplary predetermined
values of RPMs and watts for multiple resistance positions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective rear view of an exercise
apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate side views of the exercise
apparatus of FIG. 1. The apparatus 10 can be used for evaluating
power generated by a user when rotating a flywheel against levels
of resistance that are varied to correspond to varying resistance
levels.
[0027] The apparatus 10 comprises a frame 12 having a lower portion
that rests on a floor of an exercise facility or a fitness
evaluation facility. The frame 12 is generally v-shaped and
supports a seat assembly 22 and a handlebar assembly 20 at the
distal ends of the v-shaped frame 12. A housing 14 conceals
components of the apparatus 10 which may easily hurt the user and
provides an integral appearance to the apparatus 10. The frame 12
further supports a driving wheel 30 and a flywheel 32.
[0028] The seat assembly 22 comprises a seat post 24 and a seat 26.
The seat post 24 extends rearward from the seat 26 and is fitted
into an elevating rod 28. The upper end of the elevating rod 28
receives the seat post 24. A fastener 36 fixes a position of the
seat post 24 relative to the elevating rod 28. A user may loosen
the fastener 36, adjust the forward-aft position of the seat 26,
and retighten the fastener 36 to thereby fix the forward-aft
position of the seat 26 in a desired position.
[0029] The lower side of the elevating rod 28 passes through a tube
34 secured to the frame 12. The elevating rod 28 may have a
plurality of holes formed therein. The holes are selectably
engageable with a vertical seat fastener 38.
[0030] The seat fastener 38 may include a spring-loaded pin which
is inserted in the selected hole. The fastener 38 can be
temporarily disengaged from one of the holes and the seat 36 can be
raised or lowered to change the distance between the pedals 46 and
the seat 26 to adapt the position of the seat 36 to the physical
characteristics of a particular user. The spring-loaded fastener 38
may re-engaged the most closely aligned one of the holes to
restrain the elevating rod 28 at the selected height.
[0031] Alternatively, the vertical seat fastener 38 may compress
the elevating rod 28 within the tube 34 so as to fix the vertical
position of the seat 26. In such an embodiment, the elevating rod
need not have holes formed therein to receive the vertical seat
fastener 38.
[0032] The seat 26 is adjustable in a generally vertical direction
to accommodate variations in the physical characteristics of users.
The seat 26 may also be tilted so as to rotate about the elevating
rod 28 independent from the generally vertical adjustments to
change the angle of the seating surface on the seat 26.
[0033] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exercise bike 10 from
FIG. 1 with a portion of the frame housing 14 removed to show the
path for a belt 50 that links the driving wheel 30 to the flywheel
32. The belt 50 is preferably grooved and comprises an elastic
material. For example, an elastic belt 50 known by the trade name
Flexonic is available from Hutchinson Worldwide in France. Of
course other materials for the belt 50 could be used including
inelastic materials. Further, the belt need not be grooved and may
be smooth.
[0034] The driving wheel 30 is mounted at a middle section of the
frame 12 at a suitable position between the handlebar assembly 20
and the seat assembly 22. Pedals 46 are attached to both sides of
the driving wheel 30. The pedals 46 may be toe clip style pedals or
clipless style pedals. The driving wheel 30 is driven by the pedals
46.
[0035] The flywheel 32 is mounted at a rear section of the frame 12
and is supported by a rear frame member 48 that extends in a
rearward direction from the frame 12. The flywheel 32 is connected
to the driving wheel 30 via the belt 50. The driving wheel 30 and
the flywheel 32 may be provided with grooves or teeth to grip the
belt 50.
[0036] The illustrated embodiment of the apparatus 10 includes an
idler 52. The idler 52 is located near the flywheel 32 and in
contact with the belt 50. The belt 50 wraps around at least a
portion of the idler 52. The idler 52 is positioned so as to force
more of the belt 50 around a pulley 64 that is attached to the
flywheel 32 and thereby increase the contact surface area between
the belt 50 and the pulley 64. The increased contact surface area
increases friction between the belt 50 and the pulley 64 so as to
inhibit slipping of the belt 50 relative to the pulley 64. The
idler 52 may be fixed or spring loaded. In the illustrated
embodiment, the position of the idler 52 is fixed relative to the
rear frame member 48.
[0037] In embodiments having a spring loaded idler or tensioner,
the tensioner pivots so as to maintain tension in the belt and
accounts for variations or changes in the length of the belt 50. In
such embodiments, an inelastic belt may be employed in combination
with the tensioner. Of course the tensioner need not be located
near the pulley 64 and may be located at a different location along
the path of the belt 50 and still maintain tension in the belt 50.
The tensioner maintains sufficient tension on the belt 50 to avoid
slippage between the belt 50 and the driving wheel 30 and the
flywheel 32. Alternatively, a fixed idler 52 in combination with a
tensioner may be employed.
[0038] The upper front end or neck portion of the frame 12 supports
a gear shift 54. By actuating the gear shift 54 a user is able to
control a resistance level at which the apparatus 12 is operated.
Preferably, magnetic resistance, which is described below, is used
to change the resistance level of the apparatus 10.
[0039] The driving wheel 30, noted above, drives the flywheel 32
via the belt 50. At least a portion of the flywheel 32 is
preferably made from a conductive material such as aluminum,
copper, gold, silver and the like so as to be capable of generating
internal electric currents. The flywheel 32 may comprise a
conductive outer circumference and a non-conductive or insulating
inner region. The conductive portion of the flywheel 32 preferably
passes between the magnets 70, 72 when rotating. In the illustrated
embodiment, the flywheel 32 is solid aluminum while the driving
wheel 30 is die cast aluminum.
[0040] The flywheel 32 is mounted on an axle shaft 66 passing
through the rear frame member 48. The pulley 64 may be a
multi-groove pulley to receive a grooved belt 50. In the
illustrated embodiment, the pulley 64 is located inboard of the
flywheel 32 and between the flywheel 32 and the rear frame member
48. The pulley 64 preferably rotates with the flywheel 32 and may
be integral with the flywheel 32.
[0041] The pulley 64 has a smaller outer diameter than the flywheel
32. The belt 50 wraps around the smaller pulley 64. The relative
sizes of the driving wheel 30 and pulley 64 are such as to achieve
a step up of speed. In other words, the flywheel 32 rotates faster
than the driving wheel 30.
[0042] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an upper portion of the
apparatus 10 from FIG. 1 showing a gear shift 54 of a handlebar
assembly 20 controlling an eddy current braking system in a low
gear position. FIG. 5B illustrates the gear shift 54 in a high gear
position. The handlebar assembly 20 is mounted at the upper front
end or neck portion of the frame 12 and comprises handlebars 44 and
a display device 42.
[0043] The handlebars 44 may be a racing-type handlebar which
includes an upper handlebar grip portion connected with a lower
handlebar grip portion via a forwardly and downwardly extending
curved member, an aero-type handlebar which has two parallel,
forward extending hand grips spaced narrowly apart and located at a
relatively high position, or a combination thereof or the like. The
illustrated embodiment, for example, includes features of an
aero-type handlebar. A left handgrip 58 extends generally along a
longitudinal axis of the apparatus 10 and includes a 180 degree
bend to form a general u-shape. The u-shape portion advantageously
provides a resting surface perpendicular to the forearms of the
user. Similarly, a right handgrip 60 extends generally along a
longitudinal axis of the apparatus 10 and includes a 180 degree
bend to form a general u-shape. Because at least portions of the
hand grips 58, 60 extend in a forward direction, a user may lean
forward to a greater extent, thus simulating a racing stance with a
reduced frontal surface area.
[0044] Each handgrip 58, 60 has a length sufficient to accommodate
the width of a user's hand and to further accommodate variations in
the position of a user's hand. Preferably, each handgrip 58, 60 is
cylindrical and has a respective gripping surface mounted thereon
to assist a user in grasping the handgrips. The gripping surfaces
may advantageously be padded for the comfort of the user's hands.
The handlebars 44 may provide a user multiple positions for their
hands. As most clearly shown in FIGS. 1 through 3, a vertical
handlebar fastener 40 fixes the height of the handlebar assembly 20
relative to the frame 12.
[0045] The gear shift 54 comprises a lower lever portion 62 that
extends generally below and slightly forward of the gear shift 54.
The lower lever portion 62 is fixedly attached to an end of a cable
84. The other end of the cable 84 attaches to a resistance assembly
56. As most clearly illustrated in FIG. 2, the cable 84 is routed
inside the upper front end or neck portion of the frame 12. The
cable 84 continues downward to a location within the frame housing
14 near the intersection of the neck portion and the seat portion
of the frame 12. Preferably at that location, the cable 84 is
coiled in a counter-clockwise direction and then continues rearward
to the resistance assembly 56. By coiling or keeping slack in the
cable 84 at a location between the gear shift 54 and the resistance
assembly 56, the height of the gear shift 54 together with the
handlebar assembly 20 may be adjusted by a user. Advantageously,
the accessibility of the gear shift 54 to a user is maintained even
when the handlebar assembly 20 is adjusted upwards or
downwards.
[0046] A user seated in the seat assembly 22 is able to grip the
handgrips 58, 60 while their feet engage the pedals 46 and apply
forces to the driving wheel 30 to cause the flywheel 32 to rotate.
The user is further able to pivot the gear shift 54 about the lever
portion 62 to actuate the cable 84 and thereby change resistance
levels.
[0047] The illustrated embodiment includes a system for selectively
applying the braking or retarding force on the rotation of the
flywheel 32 through the resistance assembly 56. In the illustrated
embodiment, the resistance assembly 56 utilizes an eddy current
brake system. The eddy current brake system employs swinging
magnets 70, 72 positioned on opposite sides of the flywheel 32. The
magnets 70, 72 generate a magnetic field that intersects the
flywheel 32. The magnets 70, 72 allow a user to control the braking
action by varying the strength of the magnetic field. The strength
of the magnetic field is varied by swinging the magnets across the
surfaces of the flywheel 32.
[0048] FIG. 6A is a side view illustrating a portion of the
apparatus 10 from FIG. 1 with a gear cover 88 removed to show the
eddy current braking system in a low resistance position. FIG. 6B
illustrates the eddy current braking system in a higher resistance
position. The braking system retards motion or causes deceleration
of the flywheel 32 by converting the kinetic energy of the flywheel
32 to heat without contacting the flywheel 32.
[0049] The resistance assembly 56 includes a support member
pivotally attached to the rear frame member 48 and having a pair of
rearwardly extending plates 74, 76. The plate 74 is located on the
left side of the apparatus 10. The plate 76 is located on the right
side of the apparatus 10. The plates 74, 76 may be formed from a
single unshaped support member. The plate 74 includes threaded
holes for receiving fasteners 78, 80, 82. The fasteners 78, 80, 82
fix the gear cover 88 over the resistance assembly 56. The plates
74, 76 carry magnets 70, 72, respectively.
[0050] The magnets 70, 72 are mounted to the resistance assembly 56
and closely adjacent to the faces of the flywheel 32. As
illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the magnets 70, 72 are positioned
along the outer perimeter portion of the flywheel 32. The location
of the magnets 70, 72 may be adjusted relative to the adjacent face
of the flywheel 32 so as to move across the face of the flywheel 32
while being positioned as closely as possible to the flywheel 32
without actually touching or interfering with the rotation of the
flywheel 32. This positioning of the magnets 70, 72 is accomplished
by pivoting the plates 74, 76 carrying the magnets 70, 72 relative
to the rear frame member 48. A user rotates the plates 74, 76 by
actuating the gear shift 54 which is coupled to the cable 84. The
cable 84 runs along the front portion of the frame 14 and connects
the gear shift 54 to the resistance assembly 56.
[0051] As the flywheel 32 rotates inside the magnetic field created
by the magnets 70, 72, electric currents are induced inside the
flywheel 32. The electric currents generate a magnetic field in
opposition to the original field thus creating a force which acts
to decelerate the rotating flywheel 32. Rotation of the support
member of the resistance assembly 56 in a counter-clockwise
direction as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, swings the magnets 70,
72 generally rearward so that a larger portion of the surface area
of the flywheel 32 passes between the magnets 70, 72 and thereby
increases the electric currents induced in the flywheel 32.
[0052] Heat is created in the flywheel 32 due to the electrical
resistance of the flywheel material and the current induced in the
flywheel 32. The heat represents the dissipated kinetic energy.
[0053] Electromagnets may be used instead of permanent magnets 70,
72. Unlike permanent magnets, an electric current is passed through
the electromagnets to produce the braking force. In such an
embodiment, the electromagnets may be stationary while the electric
current passing through the magnets is increased to thereby
increase the braking force.
[0054] Because the induced current is proportional to the speed of
the flywheel 32, the braking torque decreases as the flywheel 32
decelerates resulting in a smooth stop. Accordingly, the eddy
current brakes may be unable to completely stop the flywheel 32.
For this purpose, the resistance assembly 56 may further include a
conventional brake which operates by causing friction between a
brake pad 68 and the flywheel 32. The conventional or friction
brake is employed when a user desires to completely stop the
flywheel 32 or keep it from moving. Other types of resistance
systems may also be used for the eddy current brake system and the
friction braking system.
[0055] As noted above, the significant difference in size between
the diameters of pulley 64 and driving wheel 30 results in a
substantial step up in rotational speed of the flywheel 32 relative
to the rotational speed of the drive wheel 30. The rotational speed
of the flywheel 32 is thereby sufficient to produce relatively high
levels of braking torque through the eddy current brake assembly as
well as sufficient kinetic energy to simulate the actual feel of a
road bike.
[0056] FIG. 6C is a right side perspective view showing the teeth
of a potentiometer 90 and teeth of the gear cover 88 engaged with
one another to allow the potentiometer 90 to sense the relative
position of the eddy current braking system relative to the
flywheel 32. The gear cover 88 further prevents a user's feet from
contacting the components of the resistance assembly 56 and
provides a sleek appearance.
[0057] The gear cover 88 includes teeth on an inner surface that
are disposed so as to contact the teeth of the potentiometer 90.
The potentiometer 90 is preferably fixed to the rear frame member
48 while the gear cover 88 pivots with the magnets 70, 72. As the
magnets 70, 72 and gear cover 88 pivot relative to the rear frame
member 48, the teeth of the gear cover 88 rotate the teeth of the
potentiometer 90. This rotation of the gear is sensed by the
potentiometer 90 and converted to an electrical signal. A wire 110
running along the frame 12 and connecting the potentiometer 90 to
the display device 42 provides a signal indicative of the sensed
gear position to the display device 42.
[0058] The resistance assembly 56 may further include a spring 86
and a spring stop 92. The spring 86 may bias the resistance
assembly 56 towards high or low resistance levels. In the
illustrated embodiment, the spring 86 biases the resistance
assembly 56 towards a low resistance level.
[0059] The electrical signal provided to the display device 42 is
indicative of the relative position of the magnets 70, 72 with
respect to the surfaces of the flywheel 32. The signal provides the
display device 42 with the precise location of the magnets 70, 72
that has been selected by the user. As the user changes the
position of the gear shift 54, the cable 84 rotates the magnets 70,
72 to increase or decrease the resistance force while the gear
cover 88 rotates the potentiometer 90. The precise position of the
magnets 70, 72 allows the display device 42 to calculate, for
example, the power being expended by the user. As discussed below,
the revolutions of the flywheel per unit time is also needed to
determine power.
[0060] As discussed more fully below, it is desirable to monitor
the speed of the flywheel 32 so as to measure the distance traveled
by the user and also to control the level of workout experienced by
the user. Any standard method of measuring the speed of the
flywheel 32 may be utilized. For instance, an optical or magnetic
strobe wheel may be mounted on the flywheel 30, driving wheel 32 or
other rotating member of the present apparatus 10. The rotational
speed of the flywheel 32 may be monitored by an optical or magnetic
sensor 94 to generate an electrical signal related to such
rotational speed.
[0061] FIG. 7 illustrates a speed system that includes a pick-up
112 on a rib of the driving wheel 30 and a magnetic switch 94 for
sensing when the pick-up 112 passes by the magnetic switch 94
during revolutions of the driving wheel 30 so as to monitor the
speed of the driving wheel 30.
[0062] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the rib of the driving wheel
30 that includes the pick-up 112 of the speed system illustrated in
FIG. 7. The speed sensed by the magnetic switch 94 is provided to
the display device 42 via the wire 110.
[0063] The apparatus 10 further includes a display device 42
supported on a riser 96 so that the display device 42 is positioned
in front of a user seated in the seat assembly 22. FIG. 9A
illustrates the display device 42 in a normal mode showing at least
a power output in watts of a user of the exercise bicycle
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0064] The display device 42 houses a processor or CPU 120 and
stores software for determining the values of the operational
parameters displayed on the device 42. In certain embodiments, the
display device 42 is optionally capable of communicating, wired or
wirelessly, with an external computer system via a communications
cable and an adapter unit. The communications cable, the adapter
unit, and the external computer system are not necessary to an
understanding of embodiments described herein and will not be
discussed further.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 9A, the display device 42 comprises a GEAR
indicator 98 that displays the relative resistance currently
selected by the user. In the embodiment described herein, the gear
may be selected by a user by selectively rotating the gear shift 54
in an upward direction to increase the resistance force created by
the resistance assembly 56 and selectively rotating the gear shift
54 in a downward direction to decrease the resistance. In
alternative embodiments, the gear may also be selected
automatically. The resistance may be numerically displayed by
numbers from, for example, 1 through 24 and is preferably
calibrated to evenly space adjacent gears so as to correspond to
equal percent increases in resistance levels between adjacent
gears. The resistance may be calibrated to correspond to the force
required to rotate a wheel of a conventional road bicycle in the
selected gear.
[0066] In alternative embodiments of the apparatus 10 in which a
gear shift 54 is not used, controls for increasing and decreasing
the resistance may be implemented into the handlebar assembly
20.
[0067] The display device 42 also advantageously includes an RPM
indicator 100, a trip or distance indicator 102, a heart rate
indicator 104, a time indicator 106, and a power or energy
indicator 108. As previously discussed, the apparatus 10
incorporates a sensing system, preferably in the form of a
potentiometer 90, to sense the extension and retraction of the
magnets 70, 72. This information is routed through the wire 110 to
the display device 42. The rotational speed of the driving wheel 30
is also monitored by the sensor 94 and provided to the display
device 42 via the wire 110. As discussed below, with this
information in combination with a predetermined relationship
between power, RPM, and resistance for the apparatus 10, the
display device 42 determines, for example, the power expended by
the user.
[0068] In certain embodiments in which the display device 42 is
powered by batteries rather than by AC power, the selected gear
indicator 98 and/or the trip indicator 102 is advantageously caused
to display OFF rather than a gear value or distance in order to
indicate that the display device 42 has gone into a low power
consumption (e.g., "sleep") mode to increase battery life. The
display device 42 can also be advantageously used to display a
message indicating that the batteries supplying the display device
42 are low and need to be replaced.
[0069] FIG. 9B illustrates the display device from FIG. 9A in a
start-up mode displaying an odometer 122 instead of the gear 98 and
trip 102 indicators illustrated in FIG. 9A. Preferably, the
odometer 122 value is displayed for a brief period of time at
start-up so that a service person can view the information. The
brief period of time could be, for example, 5 or 10 seconds. After
10 seconds, the lower portion of the display device 42 switches to
the normal mode illustrated in FIG. 9A and displays gear and trip
data instead of the odometer value 12.
[0070] During use of the apparatus 10, the display device 42 is
apprised of the RPM being sensed by sensor 94 and the rotational
position of the potentiometer 90 which corresponds to the relative
position of the magnets 70, 72. This information, or related
information, may be displayed to the exerciser through the display
device 42.
[0071] The apparatus 10 may also display a physical workout
parameter, e.g., user's heart rate. An electrical signal, typically
analog in nature, related to the user's heart rate is generated.
Various types of heart rate monitors may be employed, including
chest worn monitors, ear lobe monitors, hand and finger monitors.
As is illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a sensor 114 may be employed
in the left handlebar 58 to sense the heart rate. The output from
the sensor 114 is routed to the display device 42 via wire 118. In
addition to, or in lieu of, the user's heart rate, other physical
parameters of the exerciser may be utilized, including respiratory
rate, age, weight, sex, etc.
[0072] In certain embodiments, a desired workout level may be
maintained by inputting certain parameters, such as age, height,
sex, into the display device 42 via a communications cable and an
adapter unit to achieve a desired heart rate range during exercise.
Alternatively, the desired heart rate range may be directly entered
by the exerciser into the display device 42. In such an embodiment,
the display device 42 may include one or more user actuated buttons
or a touchpad. Other parameters may or may not be inputted by the
exerciser, such as the desired speed of the flywheel 32
corresponding to cycles per minute.
[0073] It is to be understood that in certain embodiments various
courses or workout regimes may be preprogrammed into the display
device 42 or designed by the user to reflect various parameters,
including a desired cardiovascular range, RPM, energy rate, etc. In
such an embodiment, the display device 42 may directly control the
position of the magnets 70, 72 via a cable (not shown) linking the
display device 42 to the resistance assembly 56. The display device
42 thereupon will control the resistance assembly 56 to correspond
to the desired workout regime.
[0074] The display device 42 uses the position of the magnets and
RPMs derived from the signal received from the magnetic sensor 94
to calculate the power achieved by the user. The calculated power
is advantageously displayed as the power on the power indicator 108
of the display device 42 so that a seated user can readily observe
the power being achieved by the user. The power is displayed as the
work (preferably in watts) required to rotate the driving wheel 30
at a selected RPM and gear that is calibrated to be equivalent to
the displayed power.
[0075] FIG. 10 illustrates a flow chart of a power determination
process in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The power
achieved by a user depends on the design of the exercise apparatus
10. For example, the mass of the rotating components, ratio of
between the outer circumferences of the pulley 64 and the driving
wheel 30, and friction losses affect the power achieved by a user.
Applicant has discovered that by testing the exercise apparatus 10
over a range of speeds and resistance levels a relationship between
speed, resistance level, and power can be determined. This
relationship is programmed into the display device 42 and accessed
by the processor or CPU 120 when the exercise apparatus 10 is
subsequently used after completion of testing. For the purposes of
the following discussion, a range in resistance levels
corresponding to the rotation of the gears of the potentiometer 90
between 0 and 100 percent or 85 and 215 is assumed. The resistance
levels shown in FIG. 11 are listed under the column heading
"position" and range from 85 to 215.
[0076] In block 200 of FIG. 10, the RPM sensed by the speed system
is provided to the display device 42. An optical or magnetic strobe
wheel may be mounted on the flywheel 30, driving wheel 32 or other
rotating member of the present apparatus 10 to determine speed. The
rotational speed of the flywheel 32 may be monitored by an optical
or magnetic sensor 94 to generate an electrical signal related to
such rotational speed. Preferably, the speed system includes a
pick-up 112 on the driving wheel 30 and a magnetic switch 94 for
sensing when the pick-up 112 passes by the magnetic switch 94
during revolutions of the driving wheel 30
[0077] In block 202, the position of the potentiometer 90, for
example from 0 to 100 percent, is provided to the display device
42. As the magnets 70, 72 pivot relative to the rear frame member
48, the gear cover 88 presses against the teeth of the
potentiometer 90 and correspondingly rotates the gear of the
potentiometer 90. This rotation of the gear is sensed by the
potentiometer 90 and converted to an electrical signal. A wire 110
runs along the frame 12 and connects the potentiometer 90 to the
display device 42. The electrical signal provided to the display
device 42 is indicative of the relative position of the magnets 70,
72 with respect to the surfaces of the flywheel 32.
[0078] Next at a block 204, the display device 42 determines, for
example, the power being expended by the user by accessing the
pre-determined relationship programmed into the display device 42.
For example, the pre-determined relationship may be in the form of
one or more look-up tables.
[0079] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary table of predetermined
values 206 for the procedure in FIG. 10 for determining the power
based on the relationship between RPM, position of the magnets 70,
72 or potentiometer 90, and power. The look-up table 206 includes
an RPM column 208, a position column 210, and a power column
212.
[0080] The processor or CPU 120 selects a power value that
corresponds to the RPM sensed in block 200 and the position of the
magnets sensed in block 202 to determine power in block 204. If an
exact match to the sensed values is not found in the look-up table
206, the CPU 120 may select a power that is close to or at least
relates to the sensed values.
[0081] Preferably, a dynamometer is used to determine the
relationship between RPM, position, and power. The dynamometer
drives the exercise apparatus 10 through a range of speeds for a
given magnet position and measures the torque being applied to the
pedals 46 to maintain that speed at that resistance level. A
different resistance level is then selected and the process
repeated until an adequate amount of data is accumulated at each
resistance level over the full range of speeds. FIG. 12 is a graph
214 illustrating exemplary predetermined values of RPMs and watts
for multiple resistance positions.
[0082] Power may be calculated by multiplying the measured torque
by the speed and dividing by a constant. The constant is selected
depending on the units of measure. The exemplary predetermined
values from FIG. 12 are programmed into the exercise apparatus 10
and accessed to display the power expended by a user after testing
is concluded.
[0083] Preferably, the testing process for determining the
relationship, between RPM, position, and power is not performed on
each exercise apparatus 10 and instead is performed on a few
selected exercise apparatuses 10. Preferably, the machining and
tolerances of the components of the exercise apparatus 10 are
controlled so that the relationship between RPM, position, and
power is consistent between exercise apparatuses. In this way, the
test results for a single exercise apparatus 10 are applicable to
multiple exercise apparatuses 10. For example, the display device
42 is programmed to work with a specific model of exercise
apparatus 10 so that the measurement of RPM and position and the
calculations of power correspond to the configuration of a
particular exercise apparatus 10.
[0084] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The
described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as
illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is
therefore indicated by the appended claims rather than by the
foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning
and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within
that scope.
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