Control System Of An Electric Treadmill

Abstract

The present invention provides an auto-control system of an electric treadmill, which includes at least a speed control unit, a slope control unit and a calorific capacity setting unit. After the value of calorific capacity setting unit is set, the speed control unit and slope control unit allow for automatic matching of an operational value according to the set-value. When either the speed control unit or slope control unit is activated with varying values, the other one will be automatically adjusted. A predefined value of energy consumption through the calorific capacity setting unit can be set, while the control system enables automatic matching of the speed and slope, so that the user achieves the preset energy consumption within a preset period of time. Moreover, if either speed or slope is manually adjusted, the other option will be automatically adjusted to maintain the preset value of energy consumption.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

[0003] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

[0004] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] 1. Field of the Invention

[0006] The present invention relates generally to an electric treadmill, and more particularly to an innovative treadmill with an auto-control system.

[0007] 2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.

[0008] The electric treadmill, one of the most commonly used fitness equipment, now becomes a preferred option for fitness exercise in the gymnasiums, health clubs or even general family homes.

[0009] To meet diverse user requirements, the electric treadmill has evolved from a simple structure to a multi-functional structure, with the tailor-made functions such as speed control, climbing and timing. In addition, a recently developed electric treadmill has the capacity to calculate and display calories used, a sign of energy consumption during movement.

[0010] Despite existing control functions mentioned above, the typical electric treadmill cannot attract strong attention of the users and satisfy their varying demands owing to the limitation of its simple pattern.

[0011] Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement in the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve efficacy.

[0012] To this end, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] After the value of calorific capacity setting unit is set, a speed control unit and slope control unit allow for automatic matching of an operational value according to the set-value of the control system. When either the speed control unit or slope control unit is activated with a varying value, the other one will be automatically adjusted. With this innovation, the user could set a predefined value for energy consumption through the calorific capacity setting unit, while the control system enables automatic matching of the speed and slope, so that the user achieves the preset energy consumption within a preset period of time. Moreover, if either speed or slope is manually adjusted during operation, the other option will be automatically adjusted to maintain the preset value of energy consumption, thus improving the function and applicability of the electric treadmill to meet diversified user requirements.

[0014] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the location of the control system on the electric treadmill.

[0016] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the application of the control system of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 3 shows another schematic view of the application of the control system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The features and the advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 depicts the preferred embodiment of improved auto-control system of electric treadmill of the present invention. The embodiment is only provided for explanatory purposes. The control system 10 of the electric treadmill A comprises at least a speed control unit 11, a slope control unit 12 and a calorific capacity setting unit 13.

[0020] The speed control unit 11 and slope control unit 12 allow for automatic matching of operational value according to the set-value of the control system 10, after the value of calorific capacity setting unit 13 is set.

[0021] When either the speed control unit 11 or slope control unit 12 is activated with a varying value, the other one (i.e. slope control unit 12 or speed control unit 11) will be automatically adjusted.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, if the calorific capacity setting unit 13 is defined with 500 calories, the control system 10 will automatically mate with the speed control unit 11 and slope control unit 12 under 4 m/sec (i.e. 4 m/s) and 7th degree of slope. In such a matching state of the speed and slope, the electric treadmill will reach the predefined 500 calories after a preset period of operation (e.g. half an hour). Referring also to FIG. 3, when either speed control unit 11 or slope control unit 12 is manually adjusted during operation of the electric treadmill, and the slope control unit 12 is increased from 7th to 8th degree of slope, the speed control unit 11 will be automatically adjusted. For example, the speed control unit 11 is automatically adjusted from 4 m/sec to 3 m/sec, so that the calorific capacity setting unit 13 will be maintained at 500 calories.

[0023] The value of said calorific capacity setting unit 13 may be a set value of the control system 10 or a value manually set by the user.

[0024] Additionally, the interrelationship between said speed control unit 11 and the slope control unit 12 could be computed logically by the following formula:

Human weight.times.9.81.times.seconds.times.degree of slope=watt (energy consumption)

[0025] The "9.81" is a fixed value obtained from the gravity acceleration rule of Newton's Law. As for the degree of slope, the gradient of the electric treadmill is divided into preset degrees and then converted into mean angle for every degree. However, the degree of slope for the slope control unit 12 is actually converted into easily identifiable value, such as: grade 1, 2, 3. Moreover, "watt" could be converted into easily identifiable calories using the embedded procedure of control system 10.

Claims

1. An auto-control system of an electric treadmill, the control system comprising: a speed control unit; a slope control unit; and a calorific capacity setting unit; having a set value, said speed control unit and slope control unit automatic matching an operational value according to said set value; said speed control unit or said slope control unit being activated with a varying value, each other being automatically adjusted.

2. The system defined in claim 1, wherein said set value of said calorific capacity setting unit is a set-value of the control system, or a value manually set by a user.