U.S. patent application number 11/894466 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-26 for exerciser for generating electricity.
This patent application is currently assigned to Cell Power Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Chun Chih Lin, Hui Chi Lin.
Application Number | 20090054207 11/894466 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40382732 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090054207 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin; Hui Chi ; et
al. |
February 26, 2009 |
Exerciser for generating electricity
Abstract
An exerciser includes an exercising mechanism for being operated
by a user who may spend and consume an energy to operate the
exercising mechanism, an electric generating device coupled to the
exercising mechanism for being actuated by the exercising mechanism
to generate an electric energy, a converter coupled to the electric
generating device for receiving and converting the electric energy
into an alternate current, an electric energy reservoir coupled to
the converter for receiving the alternate current generated by the
converter, and a control circuit for the exerciser may be coupled
to the converter for being energized with the alternate current
generated by the converter.
Inventors: |
Lin; Hui Chi; (Taipei,
TW) ; Lin; Chun Chih; (Taipei, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARLES E. BAXLEY, ESQUIRE
90 JOHN STREET, SUITE 309
NEW YORK
NY
10038
US
|
Assignee: |
Cell Power Co., Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
40382732 |
Appl. No.: |
11/894466 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/0055 20151001;
A63B 21/0053 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/2 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00 |
Claims
1. An exerciser comprising: an exercising mechanism for being
operated by a user who may spend and consume an energy to operate
said exercising mechanism, an electric generating device coupled to
said exercising mechanism for being actuated by said exercising
mechanism to generate an electric energy, a converter coupled to
said electric generating device for receiving the electric energy
from said electric generating device and for converting the
electric energy into an alternate current, an electric energy
reservoir coupled to said converter for receiving the alternate
current generated by said converter, and a control circuit coupled
to said converter for being energized with the alternate current
generated by said converter.
2. The exerciser as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control
circuit includes a processor device coupled between said electric
generating device and said converter.
3. The exerciser as claimed in claim 2, wherein said control
circuit includes a power controller coupled to said processor
device, and an energy consuming mode setting and a power command
processing unit coupled to said power controller.
4. The exerciser as claimed in claim 3, wherein said control
circuit includes a current controller coupled between said power
controller and said converter.
5. The exerciser as claimed in claim 4, wherein said electric
energy reservoir includes an input terminal coupled to a portion
between said power controller and said current controller.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an exerciser or exercising
device, and more particularly to an exerciser for being operated or
actuated by the users and including an electric generating device
for being powered by the users to generate an electric energy and
to supply the electric energy to the electric energy reservoir,
and/or to energize the electric facilities or devices for the
exerciser.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Typical exercisers or exercising mechanisms, such as
treadmills, cycling exercisers, pedaling exercisers, stepping
exercisers, rowing exercisers, or other hand actuating or foot
actuating exercisers comprise an exercising mechanism for being
operated or actuated by the hands or the feet of the users.
[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,788,211 to Ivanoff discloses
one of the typical amusement and therapeutic devices comprising a
pair of foot pedals for being stepped or operated or actuated by
the feet of the users, and a motor switched on or actuatable only
when the coin is inserted into a coin box, and provided for
operating a braking device.
[0006] However, the motor is required to be energized by the
commercial electric energy, but may not be energized by the energy
spent by the users, or the typical amusement and therapeutic
devices may not be used to generate an electric energy and may not
be used to energize or to operate or actuate the braking devices
for the exercisers.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,622 to Swenson discloses another typical
foot and leg exerciser comprising a pair of foot pedals for being
stepped or operated or actuated by the feet of the users, and a
motor for operating or actuating crankshafts to operate or actuate
the foot pedals.
[0008] However, similarly, the motor is required to be energized by
the commercial electric energy, but may not be energized by the
energy spent by the users, or the typical exercisers may not be
used to generate an electric energy and may not be used to energize
or to operate or actuate the motor for the exercisers.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 4,869,494 to Lambert, Sr. discloses a further
typical exerciser for the handicapped and comprising a pair of foot
pedals for being stepped or operated or actuated by the feet of the
users and/or by the hands of the users, and one or more gear motors
for operating or actuating the foot pedals or the handles.
[0010] However, similarly, the gear motors are required to be
energized by the commercial electric energy, but may not be
energized by the energy spent by the users, or the typical
exercisers may not be used to generate an electric energy and may
not be used to energize or to operate or actuate the gear motors
for the exercisers.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,392 to Lo discloses a still further
typical exerciser comprising a pair of foot pedals for being
stepped or operated or actuated by the feet of the users, and a
magnet-type resistance generator for braking the cycling or
rotational movement of the exerciser.
[0012] However, similarly, the magnet-type resistance generators
are required to be energized by the commercial electric energy, but
may not be energized by the energy spent by the users, or the
typical exercisers may not be used to generate an electric energy
and may not be used to energize or to operate or actuate the
magnet-type resistance generators for the exercisers.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,857 to Watterson et al. discloses a
still further typical treadmill exerciser comprising an electric
motor coupled to two rollers in order to rotate or drive an endless
treadmill belt.
[0014] However, similarly, the electric motors are required to be
energized by the commercial electric energy, but may not be
energized by the energy spent by the users, or the typical
exercisers may not be used to generate an electric energy and may
not be used to energize or to operate or actuate the electric
motors for the exercisers.
[0015] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate
the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional exercisers or
exercising mechanisms.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide
an exerciser for being operated or actuated by the users and
including an electric generating device for being powered by the
users to generate an electric energy and to supply the electric
energy to the electric energy reservoir, and/or to energize the
electric facilities or devices for the exerciser.
[0017] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is
provided an exerciser comprising an exercising mechanism for being
operated by a user who may spend and consume an energy to operate
the exercising mechanism, an electric generating device coupled to
the exercising mechanism for being actuated by the exercising
mechanism to generate an electric energy, a converter coupled to
the electric generating device for receiving the electric energy
from the electric generating device and for converting the electric
energy into an alternate current, an electric energy reservoir
coupled to the converter for receiving the alternate current
generated by the converter, and a control circuit coupled to the
converter for being energized with the alternate current generated
by the converter.
[0018] The control circuit includes a processor device coupled
between the electric generating device and the converter. The
control circuit includes a power controller coupled to the
processor device, and an energy consuming mode setting and a power
command processing unit coupled to the power controller.
[0019] The control circuit includes a current controller coupled
between the power controller and the converter. The electric energy
reservoir includes an input terminal coupled to a portion between
the power controller and the current controller.
[0020] Further objectives and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed
description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exerciser in accordance with
the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 2 is another block diagram of the exerciser having an
electric generating device for being powered by the users to
generate an electric energy and to supply the electric energy to
the electric energy reservoir, and/or to energize the electric
facilities or devices for the exerciser.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1, an
exerciser 1 in accordance with the present invention comprises an
exercising mechanism 10 for being operated or actuated by the hands
or the feet of the user 11 who may spend or consume an energy (Pi,
FIG. 2) to operate or actuate such as the foot pedals or the
handles (not shown) of the exercising mechanism 10 and to generate
an energy or power (Pm, Wm, FIG. 2), such as to generate a
rotational or sliding or reciprocating or cycling energy or power
(Pm, Wm), an electric generating device 12 coupled to the
exercising mechanism 10 for being operated or actuated by the
exercising mechanism 10 to generate an electric energy (Pe, FIG. 2)
which is normally a direct current energy.
[0024] A converter 20 is coupled to the electric generating device
12 for receiving the electric energy (Pe) generated by the electric
generating device 12 and for converting the electric energy (Pe)
into another electric energy, such as an alternate current (Is,
FIG. 2) which may be sent or supplied or introduced into an
electric energy reservoir 21, and/or to energize the electric
facilities or devices 30, such as the control circuit 30 disposed
in the exercising mechanism 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 2,
the control circuit 30 for the exercising mechanism 10 may include
a power calculator or processor device 31 coupled between the
electric generating device 12 and the converter 20, such as coupled
between the output terminal 13 of the electric generating device 12
and the input terminal 22 of the converter 20 for controlling or
operating or actuating the electric generating device 12 and/or the
converter 20.
[0025] The control circuit 30 further includes a power controlling
device or power controller 32 coupled to the processor device 31,
an energy consuming mode setting 33 and a power command calculator
or processing unit 34 coupled to the power controller 32, in which
the energy consuming mode setting 33 and/or the power command
calculator or processing unit 34 may be controlled or operated or
actuated by the user 11 to set or select a selected or
predetermined power or energy (Pe*) to be applied or spent or
generated by the user 11, and the set or selected or predetermined
power or energy (Pe*) may then be supplied to the power controller
32 in order to generate or send out an output current (Im*), for
example, the power controller 32 may compare the set or selected or
predetermined power or energy (Pe*) with the electric energy (Pe)
generated by the electric generating device 12, and the deviation
or difference between the energies (Pe, Pe*) may generate or
determine the output current (Im*).
[0026] A current controller 35 is coupled between the converter 20
and the power controller 32. The electric energy reservoir 21 may
include an input terminal 23 coupled to the converter 20 for
receiving an electric power or energy (Vs), and the input terminal
23 of the electric energy reservoir 21 may then be coupled to an
intermediate portion 36 between the power controller 32 and the
current controller 35. For example, the output current (Im*)
generated or sent out from the power controller 32 and the electric
power or energy (Vs) sent or supplied into the electric energy
reservoir 21 may then be combined or timed with each other to
generate or send out a current order or current command (Is*) which
is sent to the current controller 35, and the current controller 35
may compare and maintain the current command (Is*) equal to the
electric energy (Is) supplied or introduced to the electric energy
reservoir 21.
[0027] In operation, as shown in FIG. 2, the user 11 may spend or
consume an energy (Pi) to operate or actuate the exercising
mechanism 10 in order to operate or actuate the electric generating
device 12, and the converter 20 may convert the electric energy
(Pe) generated by the electric generating device 12 and may supply
the electric energy (Pe) into the electric energy reservoir 21
and/or stored in the electric energy reservoir 21, and/or to
energize the control circuit 30 or the other electric facilities or
devices disposed in the exercising mechanism 10, the user may
actuate the energy consuming mode setting 33 and/or the power
command calculator or processing unit 34 and/or the power
controller 32 to operate or actuate the processor device 31 and to
control or operate or actuate the electric generating device 12
and/or the converter 20, and/or to determine the energy to be spent
by the user to operate or actuate the exercising mechanism 10,
and/or to determine the energy to be generated by the electric
generating device 12, and/or to determine the energy to be supplied
and stored in the electric energy reservoir 21.
[0028] Accordingly, the exerciser in accordance with the present
invention may be provided for being operated or actuated by the
users and includes an electric generating device for being powered
by the users to generate an electric energy and to supply the
electric energy to the electric energy reservoir, and/or to
energize the electric facilities or devices for the exerciser.
[0029] Although this invention has been described with a certain
degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present
disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous
changes in the detailed construction and the combination and
arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
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