U.S. patent application number 15/336824 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-03 for exercise apparatus capable of measuring force that user applies on.
This patent application is currently assigned to Johnson Health Tech. Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is Shu-Wei Chang, Joe Chen. Invention is credited to Shu-Wei Chang, Joe Chen.
Application Number | 20180117401 15/336824 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62020365 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180117401 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Joe ; et al. |
May 3, 2018 |
EXERCISE APPARATUS CAPABLE OF MEASURING FORCE THAT USER APPLIES
ON
Abstract
The present invention provides an exercise apparatus for
allowing a user to perform an exercise. The user drives at least
one moving member to rotate a flywheel. The flywheel must overcome
a resistance generated by a magnetic field generating module during
rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic field generating
module is supported by a flexible support member and tends to
restore to an initial position. The magnetic field generating
module will be pushed by the flywheel in a rotational direction of
the flywheel and to generate a corresponding displacement. The
displacement or the deformation of the support member is measured
by a first measuring device so as to appropriately calculate the
output force of the user, and further obtains power, metabolic
equivalent or calorie consumption rate if correlated with
rotational speed of the flywheel or corresponding parameters
measuring by a second measuring device.
Inventors: |
Chen; Joe; (Taichung,
TW) ; Chang; Shu-Wei; (Taichung City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chen; Joe
Chang; Shu-Wei |
Taichung
Taichung City |
|
TW
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
Johnson Health Tech. Co.,
Ltd.
Taichung City
TW
|
Family ID: |
62020365 |
Appl. No.: |
15/336824 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0076 20130101;
A63B 22/0664 20130101; A63B 2230/75 20130101; A63B 21/225 20130101;
A63B 22/0605 20130101; A63B 2220/58 20130101; A63B 71/0622
20130101; A63B 21/0052 20130101; A63B 22/02 20130101; A63B 2220/50
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 24/00 20060101
A63B024/00; A63B 21/22 20060101 A63B021/22; A63B 21/005 20060101
A63B021/005; A63B 22/00 20060101 A63B022/00; A63B 22/02 20060101
A63B022/02; A63B 22/06 20060101 A63B022/06; A63B 22/04 20060101
A63B022/04; A63B 71/06 20060101 A63B071/06 |
Claims
1. An exercise apparatus for performing an exercise, comprising: a
frame; at least one moving member driven by a user to be movable
with respect to the frame when the user performs the exercise; a
flywheel pivotally mounted to the frame; a transmission mechanism
connected between the moving member and the flywheel for driving
the flywheel to rotate as the moving member is driven by the user;
a base mounted to the frame; a support member having a first
portion and a second portion, the first portion connected to the
base, the second portion being movable from an initial position to
other positions with respect to the base, the support member
affected by an elastic force, the elastic force increased as the
second portion of the support member departs from the initial
position and biasing the second portion of the support member to
return to the initial position; a magnetic field generating device
fixed to the second portion of the support member and being
adjacent to the flywheel, the magnetic field generating device
configured to generate a magnetic field for exerting a drag force
opposing rotational motion of the flywheel; and a first measuring
device for measuring a value of a first parameter, the first
parameter representing displacement of the second portion of the
support member departing from the initial position.
2. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising
a second measuring device for measuring a value of a second
parameter, the second parameter representing a rotational speed of
the flywheel, an operational control unit configured to calculate
values of power, metabolic equivalent or calorie consumption rate
by using at least two parameter values including the values of the
first parameter and the second parameter.
3. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
magnetic field generating device comprises at least one permanent
magnet; the base is movable with respect to the frame between a
first position in which the magnetic field generating device is
close to the flywheel and a second position in which the magnetic
field generating device is away from the flywheel.
4. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
magnetic field generating device comprises at least one
electromagnet; the exercise apparatus further comprises an electric
current control device for controlling electric current applied to
the electromagnet.
5. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
support member is flexible, and the elastic force is generated by
deformation of the support member between the second portion and
the first portion as the second portion is departed from the
initial position.
6. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first
parameter corresponds to the deformation of the support member
between the second portion and the first portion.
7. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
support member is plate-shaped, having a surface that is deformed
flexibly as the second portion departs from the initial position;
the first measuring device comprises a strain gauge mounted on the
surface of the support member for sensing the deformation of the
surface of the support member.
8. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
portion of the support member is movably connected to the base for
allowing the support member to move with respect to the base; the
exercise apparatuses further comprises an elastic member, the
elastic member having one end connected to the base or the frame
and the other end connected to the support member, the elastic
member being deformed as the second portion of the support member
departs from the initial position and providing the elastic force
to the support member.
9. An exercise apparatus for performing an exercise, comprising: a
frame; at least one moving member driven by a user to be movable
with respect to the frame when the user performs the exercise; a
flywheel pivotally mounted to the frame; a transmission mechanism
connected between the moving member and the flywheel for driving
the flywheel to rotate as the moving member is driven by the user;
a display device for displaying information to the user; an
operational control unit for controlling the information displayed
on the display unit; a base mounted to the frame; a support member
having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion
connected to the base, the second portion being movable from an
initial position to other positions with respect to the base, the
support member affected by an elastic force, the elastic force
increased as the second portion of the support member departs from
the initial position and biasing the second portion of the support
member to return to the initial position; a magnetic field
generating device fixed to the second portion of the support member
and being adjacent to the flywheel, the magnetic field generating
device configured to generate a magnetic field for exerting a drag
force opposing rotational motion of the flywheel; and a first
measuring device for measuring a value of a first parameter, the
first parameter representing displacement of the second portion of
the support member departing from the initial position, the first
measuring device electrically connected to the operational control
unit; wherein at least one of the information displayed on the
display unit which is controlled by the operational control unit
includes an output force from the user driving the moving
member.
10. The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 9, further
comprising a second measuring device for measuring a value of a
second parameter, the second parameter representing a rotational
speed of the flywheel, the second measuring device electrically
connected to the operational control unit, at least one of the
information displayed on the display unit which is controlled by
the operational control unit including exercise power, metabolic
equivalent or calorie consumption rate of the user.
Description
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus. More
particularly, the present invention relates to an exercise
apparatus capable of measuring force that a user applies on.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] Nowadays, various exercise apparatuses such as treadmills,
stationary bikes, elliptical trainers, stair climbing machines,
rower machines, and most of them can display a variety of numerical
information for a user during exercise such as
difficulty/resistance level of movement, speed/frequency of
movement, elapsed time, accumulated distance/number of steps,
accumulated calorie consumption for presenting the use's exercise
condition. Furthermore, some exercise apparatuses will display
instant exercise power (the basic concept is the amount of
energy/calorie consumption per unit time of the user, usually in
watts), and/or metabolic equivalent (MET, the basic concept is the
ratio of metabolic rate during a specific exercise to a reference
metabolic rate at rest as sitting quietly) for allowing the user to
quickly know the current exercise. The electric treadmill or the
stair climbing machine usually obtains the aforementioned metabolic
equivalent according to a set of established standards directly
from the running speed (and slope) of the running belt or the
stair. For example, an activity with a MET value of 3.6, such as
walking 5.5 km/h (3.4 mph). If necessary, the metabolic equivalent
and the user's weight (or an assumed average body weight) could be
substituted into a conversion formula or use a conversion table to
obtain the exercise power. On the other hand, for the exercise
apparatuses such as stationary bikes, elliptical trainers, rower
machines, non-electric treadmills that require the user to drive
moving members (e.g. pedals, handles, running belts) for movement,
the exercise power can be understood as a work done by the user in
a unit time on the aforementioned moving members or the entire
motion system. In contrast, the metabolic equivalent is generally
obtained by substituting the exercise power and the user's weight
(or an assumed average body weight) into a conversion formula or
using a conversion table. The higher/lower the values of the
exercise power and the metabolic equivalent, the stronger/weaker
the intensity of the user's movement and the faster/slower the
calorie consumption rate, which is an important indicator for sport
management.
[0003] However, for the exercise apparatuses that require a user to
drive a moving member to perform the exercise, the exercise power
and the metabolic equivalent displayed on most of the current
exercise apparatuses during exercise are not actual values really
derived from measuring the rate at which the user works on the
motion system (e.g. by measuring the torque and rotational speed of
the crank shaft of the stationary bike to calculate the rotational
power of the crank shaft driven by the user), but using the
so-called lookup table to calculate estimated values appropriately.
Specifically, in the case of a stationary bike that can be used to
adjust the pedal rotation resistance, the manufacturer will test
the prototype of the bike at the development stage first, driving
the pedal set of the bike with a driving device (e.g. a hydraulic
motor), and then measuring and recording the output power of the
driving device at different levels of pedal resistance and various
rotational speeds to create a two-dimensional array of power
contrast table and/or a corresponding metabolic equivalent contrast
table for use in pre-existing control systems of the same product.
Accordingly, in a bike having the same motion system and resistance
system, when the user drives the pedals to rotate at a rotational
speed and resistance level, it is presumed that the exercise power
of the user is equivalent to the output power of the driving device
at the same rotational speed and resistance level. Therefore, it is
able to appropriately obtain the corresponding exercise power
and/to metabolic equivalent through the aforementioned contrast
table.
[0004] Relative to table lookup method, recently, some exercise
apparatuses will actually measure the mechanical work or power of
the motion system during operation to actually calculate the
exercise output or exercise power of the user. For example, two
annular gratings may be coaxially mounted to the crank shaft of the
stationary bike, and obtaining the successive pulses generated as
the two annular gratings rotate with the crank shaft by a fixed
sensor. The phase difference of the two groups of pulse signals
reflects the distortion of the crank shaft under the driving
torque, and thereby calculate the torque of the crank shaft
(proportional to the exercise output of the user), and it can be
measured with rotational speed to calculate the rotational power
(proportional to the exercise power of the user). But the
implementation of this method is complex, high precision and high
cost.
[0005] Another possible method such as a strain gauge may be
mounted to the radial spokes of the driving pulley of the
stationary bike for measuring the deformation of the spokes, such
pulley is a transmission component between the crank shaft (drive
end) and the flywheel (load end). The torque of the crank shaft can
be calculated based on the degree of blending deformation of the
radial spokes, and the rotational power can be calculate with the
measurement of the rotational speed. Since the measuring device
(strain gauge) is arranged on the rotating member (pulley), the
measuring signal must be transmitted via a wireless transmission
module or a slip ring and slip ring bushes to the operational
control unit on the fixed frame, which has high cost and unstable
signal transmission problems.
SUMMARY
[0006] The main object of the present invention provides an
exercise apparatus, which is capable of practically measuring
specific parameters corresponding to the force endured by the
motion system during exercise for relatively accurately measuring
the output force that the user applies to the motion system or
further obtaining motion rate, metabolic equivalent, calorie
consumption rate, etc. Furthermore, the present invention is
applicable to any exercise apparatus with a flywheel and a
resistance system, such device for measuring the output force of
the user is relatively simple and low cost.
[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an
exercise apparatus comprises a frame, at least one moving member, a
flywheel, a transmission mechanism, a base, a support member and a
magnetic field generating device. The moving member is driven by a
user to be movable with respect to the frame when the user performs
the exercise. The flywheel is pivotally mounted to the frame. The
transmission mechanism is connected between the moving member and
the flywheel for driving the flywheel to rotate as the moving
member is driven by the user. The base is mounted to the frame. The
support member has a first portion and a second portion. The first
portion is connected to the base and the second portion is movable
from an initial position to other positions with respect to the
base. The support member is affected by an elastic force. The
elastic force is increased as the second portion of the support
member departs from the initial position and biasing the second
portion of the support member to return to the initial position.
The magnetic field generating device is fixed to the second portion
of the support member and being adjacent to the flywheel. The
magnetic field generating device is configured to generate a
magnetic field for exerting a drag force opposing rotational motion
of the flywheel. A first measuring device is configured to measure
a value of a first parameter which represents displacement of the
second portion of the support member departing from the initial
position.
[0008] Preferably, the exercise apparatus further comprises a
second measuring device for measuring a value of a second
parameter. The second parameter represents a rotational speed of
the flywheel. An operational control unit is configured to
calculate values of power, metabolic equivalent or calorie
consumption rate by using at least two parameter values including
the values of the first parameter and the second parameter.
[0009] Preferably, the magnetic field generating device comprises
at least one permanent magnet. The base is movable with respect to
the frame between a first position in which the magnetic field
generating device is close to the flywheel and a second position in
which the magnetic field generating device is away from the
flywheel.
[0010] Preferably, the magnetic field generating device comprises
at least one electromagnet. The exercise apparatus further
comprises an electric current control device for controlling
electric current applied to the electromagnet.
[0011] Preferably, the support member is flexible, and the elastic
force is generated by deformation of the support member between the
second portion and the first portion as the second portion is
departed from the initial position. The first parameter corresponds
to the deformation of the support member between the second portion
and the first portion. The support member is plate-shaped, having a
surface that is deformed flexibly as the second portion departs
from the initial position. The first measuring device comprises a
strain gauge mounted on the surface of the support member for
sensing the deformation of the surface of the support member.
[0012] Preferably, the first portion of the support member is
movably connected to the base for allowing the support member to
move with respect to the base. The exercise apparatuses further
comprises an elastic member. The elastic member has one end
connected to the base or the frame and the other end connected to
the support member. The elastic member is deformed as the second
portion of the support member departs from the initial position and
provides the elastic force to the support member.
[0013] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed
description with appropriate reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an exercise apparatus in
accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of the measuring system of the
first embodiment and illustrates the operation of the measuring
system for measuring the torque of the flywheel;
[0016] FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2, but the magnetic field
generating module is closer to the flywheel;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a measuring system in
accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, illustrating the operation of
the measuring system for measuring the torque of the flywheel;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of a measuring system in
accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0020] FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of a measuring system in
accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION
[0021] In the following detailed description, for purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It
will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be
practiced without these specific details. In other instances,
well-known structures and devices are schematically depicted in
order to simplify the drawings.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, which shows a constitution of an
exercise apparatus in accordance with a first preferred embodiment
of the present invention (note: the figure only briefly depicted
parts related to the technical contents of the present invention
directly). For example, in the preferred embodiment, the exercise
apparatus is a general stationary bike. The stationary bike
includes a frame (not shown), a pedal assembly 10, a flywheel 20
and a belt mechanism 30. The frame is served as a fundamental base
for installation of other components. The pedal assembly 10 has a
crank axle 12 pivotally mounted to the frame, two crank arms 14
fixed at two opposite ends of the crank axle 12, and two opposite
pedals 16 respectively mounted to the outer ends of the two crank
arms 14. The flywheel 20 is pivotally mounted to the frame as well.
The axle of the flywheel 20 and the crank axle 12 are parallel and
spaced apart in a predetermined distance. FIG. 1 shows that the
flywheel 20 is located directly behind the crank axle 12 (the right
side in the figure). The belt mechanism 30 has a large belt pulley
32 coaxially secured to the crank axle 12, a small belt pulley 34
coaxially secured to the flywheel 20, and a driving belt 36 mounted
around the large belt pulley 32 and the small belt pulley 34.
[0023] The pedal assembly 10, the flywheel 20 and the belt
mechanism 30 together constitute the motion system of the
stationary bike, and the two pedals 16 each regards as a moving
member for allowing a user to perform pedaling exercise. In
general, the user will sit on the seat (not shown) of the
stationary bike, grip the handle (not shown) of the stationary
bike, and then step on the pedals 16 with two feet alternately to
drive the pedals 16 to rotate forwardly in a predetermined circular
path. Besides, the crank axle 12 is driven by the crank arms 14 to
revolve around the axle itself on the frame. By the transmission of
the belt mechanism 30, when the crank axle 12 is revolved, the
flywheel will be revolved around the axle itself on the frame at a
relatively faster speed, namely, when the user pedals the pedals
16, it is actually forced to drive the whole motion system to be
operated.
[0024] According to one aspect of the present invention, in the
stationary bike motion system shown in FIG. 1, the crank arms 14
and the crank axle 12 of the pedal assembly 10, and even the large
belt pulley 32, the driving belt 36 and the small belt pulley 34 of
the belt mechanism 30, which are regarded as a transmission
mechanism for transmitting the power from the pedals 16 to the
flywheel 20. It should be noted that, unlike one-way transmission
mode in general bicycles for outdoor riding (e.g. one-way clutch
mechanism for a bicycle freewheel hub), in the structure of the
aforementioned stationary bike, no matter the pedals are rotated
forwardly or reversely, it will drive the flywheel 20 to rotate in
the same direction.
[0025] The transmission mechanism shown in FIG. 1, especially the
belt mechanism 30, is just a simple and typical structure. In
practice, the transmission mechanism of the stationary bike may be
slightly more complicated or in various types. For example, the
belt mechanism 30 may have a guide pulley/tension pulley, may adopt
sprockets and a chain to replace the belt pulleys and the driving
belt, may adopt two-stage transmission, may adopt gear transmission
system, etc. However, no matter what structure is used, the
function of the transmission mechanism is to transmit the
rotational power of the pedals 16 to the flywheel 20 by a
predetermined transmission ratio eventually, namely, when the user
forces the pedals 16, the flywheel 20 is rotated at the same time
and its rotational speed and torque respectively correspond to the
rate and the output ratio of the pedaling movement. In short, the
specific structure of the transmission mechanism is not limited in
the present invention.
[0026] In general, the flywheel 20 is made of metal and has a
predetermined mass. The main function of the flywheel 20 is to
generate a rotational inertia while rotating for allowing the
motion system to work smoothly. In the present invention, the
flywheel 20 is also a resistance system (magnetic resistance
system) of the exercise apparatus and a part of measuring system
which will be described later.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the stationary bike further comprises a
display device 42 for showing the information for the user such as
various LCD, LED devices, and an input device 44 for allowing the
user to input a command such as various pressed keys, touch control
devices. In practice, the display device 42 and the input device 44
are disposed on a console (not shown) of the stationary bike and
located in front of the user who is exercising. The display device
42 and the input device 44 are not limited in the present
invention.
[0028] The stationary bike further comprises an operational control
unit 50 such as a programmable control circuit which includes a
microcontroller unit (MCU). In practice, the programmable control
circuit is generally installed in the console (at least core
portion of the programmable control circuit). It is able to process
any judgement, calculation and command according to the
predetermined program, data, real time command, signals, etc. The
operational control unit 50 is electrically connected to the
display device 42 and the input device 44 respectively for
controlling the display content of the display device 42, receiving
and processing the input commands through the input device 44.
[0029] As shown in the lower right portion of FIG. 1, the
stationary bike further comprises a base 62, a support member 64
and a magnetic field generating module 66. The base 62 is mounted
on the frame and movable with respect to the frame between a first
position and a second position. In the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, as depicted in FIG. 1, the base 62 is a sliding
block that located directly behind the flywheel 20 (right side in
the figure), it is capable of sliding forth and back on the frame
substantially in the radial direction of the flywheel 20. The front
and rear of its range of movement are respectively defined as the
first position and the second position. Furthermore, there is a
position control device 46 for driving the base 62 to move and
position the base 62 in a predetermined position within the range
of movement. The support member 64 has a first portion (right end
in the figure) and a second portion (left end in the figure)
opposite to each other. The first portion of the support member 64
is fixed to the base 62, the second portion of the support member
64 is suspended between the base 62 and the flywheel 20 as a
cantilever end, and the whole support member 64 extends
substantially horizontally at the height of the axis of the
flywheel 20. The magnetic field generating module 66 is fixed to
the second portion of the support member 64 such that the magnetic
field generating module 66 is supported by the support member 64 at
a position adjacent to the rear end of the flywheel 20. The
magnetic field generating module 66 is configured to generate a
magnetic field for exerting a drag force opposing the rotational
motion of the flywheel 20. For example, in the preferred
embodiment, the magnetic field generating module 66 has a plurality
of permanent magnets, one half of which is located at one side in
the axial direction of the flywheel 20 and arranged so that the
north pole faces toward the flywheel 20, and the other half is
located at the opposite side of the flywheel 20 and arranged so
that the south pole faces toward the flywheel 20. Each magnet is
opposite to the other magnet at the opposite side. Therefore, parts
of the magnetic field lines of the magnetic field generated by the
permanent magnets will pass through the flywheel 20 along the axial
direction of the flywheel 20. Based on eddy-current effect, it will
generate a drag force on the flywheel 20 contactlessly for
resisting the rotational motion of the flywheel 20. Accordingly,
when the user rotates the pedals 16 to drive the flywheel to
rotate, it is necessary to overcome the drag force applied on the
flywheel 20 by the magnetic field generating module 66.
[0030] The position control device 46 is able to control the
position the base 62 relative to the frame. For example, the
position control device 46 may include an electric motor (not
shown) and a motor-driven gear set (not shown). Correspondingly,
the base 62 is screwed by a screw rod 48 in a front-rear direction.
The screw rod 48 has one end coupled to an output end of the gear
set. When the electric motor is running in a forward or backward
direction, the screw rod is driven to rotate forward or backward on
its own axis via the gear set to drive the base 62, the support
member 64 and the magnetic field generating module 66 to move
forward or backward. As shown in FIG. 3 relative to FIG. 2, the
magnetic field generating module 66 moves closer to the axis of the
flywheel 20 as the base 62 moves more forward (toward the first
position), namely the more working area of the permanent magnets
against the flywheel 20, the more magnetic flux passes through the
flywheel 20 to increase the drag force. In contrast, the magnetic
field generating module 66 moves away from the axis of the flywheel
20 as the base 62 moves more backward (toward the second position),
namely the working area of the permanent magnets against the
flywheel would be decreased such that the magnetic flux passing
through the flywheel is reduced to decrease the drag force. In
another embodiment of the present invention (not shown), the base
is pivotally mounted to the frame, and it is controlled to rotate
between a first position and a second position (angular position)
to drive the magnetic field generating module to approach or move
away from the flywheel so as to adjust the magnetic intensity
applied to the flywheel.
[0031] The operational control unit 50 is electrically connected to
the position control device 46 for controlling the operation of the
position control device 46, such as transmitting commands to a
driving circuit of the electric motor or directly controlling the
operation of the electric motor so that the user is able to input
commands to the operational control unit 50 via the input device
44, and therefore the operational control unit 50 is able to
control the position of the base 62 via the position control device
46 according to the commands for adjusting the resistance level of
the flywheel 20, that is, to adjust the resistance level of the
pedaling exercise. According to the prior art, the operational
control unit 50 is able to receive the present position of the base
based on the commands to the position control device 46, the
feedback from the position control device 46 (such as number of
turns, angular position of the motor or gear set), or by means of
sensing devices (not shown) that can sense the position of the base
62 to obtain the present position of the base 62 so as to know the
resistance level applied on the flywheel by the magnetic field
generating module 66.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the support member 64 is extended
horizontally in a state where no external force is involved, and
its second portion (left end in the figure) is located at an
initial position relative to the base 62 to support the magnetic
field generating module 66 at a corresponding position. As shown in
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the support member 64 is flexible, that is, the
support member 64 could be bending-deformed between two opposite
ends (namely the first portion and the second portion) such that
the support member 64 can return to its previous shape by its
elasticity. Since the first portion of the support member 64 is
fixed to the base 62, it means that the second portion of the
support member 64 would be displaced relative to the base 62 as the
deformation occurs, and vice versa. When the support member 64 is
deformed, or when the second portion of the support member 64 is
departed from the initial position, the elastic force of the
support member 64 itself would be increased simultaneously to make
the support member 64 tend to return to its previous state where no
external force is involved. In other words, the elastic force is
configured to bias the second portion of the support member 64 to
return to the initial position. In the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the support member 64 is a metal plate having a
predetermined thickness, or a metal plate having an increased
thickness by choice. The metal plate defines two opposite surfaces
facing upward and downward respectively in a thickness direction.
The metal plate defines a longitudinal direction corresponding to
the front-rear direction (the left-right direction in the figure),
and the first portion and the second portion are defined at
opposite ends of the metal plate in the longitudinal direction, so
that the second portion is easily displaced in a vertical
direction. Furthermore, the support member 64 and the base 62 may
be fixed by means of welding, riveting, or the like, or they may be
integrally molded.
[0033] The magnetic field generating module 66 applies a
(contactless) drag force to resist the rotational motion of the
flywheel 20. Therefore, when the user pushes the pedals 16 to
rotate the flywheel 20, the magnetic field generating module 66
will be pushed relatively by a (contactless) force in a rotational
direction of the flywheel 20 such as an upward force in above
relationship. As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, based on the elastic
deformation ability of the support member 64, when the flywheel 20
obtains the torque from the user and overcomes the magnetic
resistance (and friction resistance, etc.) for rotation, the second
portion of the support member 64 would be displaced upward since
the magnetic field generating module 66 is pushed by the upward
force from the flywheel 20, namely the support member 64 is bent
upwardly. Suppose the other conditions are the same, the greater
the torque of the flywheel 20 is, the more force can resist the
elastic force of the support member 64 such that the bending
deformation of the support member 64 is increased. In contrast, as
the torque of the flywheel 20 is decreased, the bending deformation
of the support member 64 is decreased. Based on the elastic
recovery force of the support member 64, the deformation of the
support member 64 is reduced as the torque of the flywheel 20 is
increased. When the flywheel 20 stops rotating without any torque,
the support member 64 will return to the initial state as shown in
FIG. 1.
[0034] The stationary bike further comprises a first measuring
device 70 for measuring a value of a first parameter. The first
parameter represents the displacement amount of the second portion
of the support member 64 departing from the initial position, or in
correspondence with the displacement amount. For example, in the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first measuring
device 70 includes a strain gauge 72 mounted on the top surface of
the support member 64. When the support member 64 is bent, the
resistance value between the two ends of the strain gauge 72
(substantially a resistance circuit) will have a corresponding
change. Therefore, based on the general application of the strain
gauge, the first measuring device 70 uses the strain gauge 72 as a
variable resistance and cooperated with other circuits (such as
cooperated to form a Wheatstone bridge), amplifier, voltmeter,
etc., it can accurately measure the degree of the bending
deformation of the support member 64. That is, in the preferred
embodiment, the first parameter corresponds to the bending
deformation amount of the support member 64, and the bending
deformation amount has a corresponding relationship with the
displacement amount of the second portion of the support member 64
departing from the initial position. However, in other possible
embodiments of the present invention (without corresponding
figures), the first measuring device 70 may measure the
displacement amount of the second portion of the support member 64,
the displacement amount of other portion of the support member 64,
or the displacement amount of the magnetic field generating module
66 in other manners as the first parameter. In short, the value of
the first parameter corresponds to the magnitude of the torque of
the flywheel 20.
[0035] It should be noted that, in order to effectively express the
measuring principle in the preferred embodiment, the degree of the
bending deformation of the support member 64 is exaggerated in FIG.
2 and FIG. 3 to clearly present the upward displacement of the
second portion of the support member 64 (it may shift a few
millimeters or even more than a centimeter). However, in the
present invention, the term "deformation" or "displacement" may
occur in addition to the scale that can be recognized with naked
eyes, and may also occur to the scale that the human is difficult
to recognize with the naked eyes but it can be measured by suitable
measuring devices such as strain gauge or piezoelectric sensor.
[0036] Referring back to FIG. 1, the first measuring device 70 is
electrically connected to the operational control unit 50 for
transmitting the value of the first parameter (its corresponding
signal) to the operational control unit 50 so that the operational
control unit 50 is capable of obtaining a value of a predetermined
function by using at least one parameter value including the value
of the first parameter. The predetermined function is an applied
force that the user drives the pedals 16, or in correspondence with
the applied force. For a simple example, when the user pedals the
pedals 16 to rotate the flywheel 20, the torque of the flywheel 20
is substantially in proportion to the torque which the user applies
on the pedal assembly 10 (note: transmission losses and other
energy losses can be corrected in the calculation). Furthermore,
the amount of the bending deformation of the support member 64 has
corresponding relationship with the torque of the flywheel 20.
Therefore, the operational control unit 50 is able to substitute
the value of the first parameter (corresponding to the deformation)
into a predetermined calculation formula to calculate the output
force that the user applies to the motion system and displayed on
the display device 42 for allowing the user to view such
information. The unit can be newton, or appropriately converted
into kilogram, pound, or the like for friendliness. The calculation
formula may include constants about the transmission ratio, the
energy loss, the proportion of the deformation of the support
member and the torque of the flywheel, or it may also contain other
arithmetic parameters.
[0037] Relative to the instantaneous calculation, the operational
control unit 50 may use the value of the first parameter as an
index value (there may be other index parameters) to quickly
identify the corresponding output force in a predetermined contrast
table, or combine with interpolation method to obtain the output
force if necessary. The contrast table can be established by a
technique similar to the field of prior art, that is, driving the
pedal assembly 10 by a driving device and recording the
correspondence between the output of the driving device and the
resistance level, the flywheel rotational speed, the first
parameter (e.g. the bending deformation of the support member 64),
etc.
[0038] As mentioned before, in the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the drag force applied to the flywheel 20 by the
magnetic field generating module 66 is adjustable, namely, by
controlling the base 62 to drive the magnetic field generating
module 66 to approach or move away from the flywheel 20, the drag
force will be increased or decreased correspondingly. For example,
suppose the rotational speed of the flywheel 20 is constant (note:
the faster/slower the rotation of the flywheel 20, the
greater/lesser the drag force and the eddy current), the rotational
resistance of the flywheel 20 in FIG. 2 is relatively small, and
the rotational resistance of the flywheel 20 in FIG. 3 is
relatively large. The greater the resistance of the flywheel 20,
the greater the force exerted by the user on the pedals 16 to drive
the flywheel 20. For example, suppose the rotational speed of the
flywheel 20 is constant, the flywheel 20 in FIG. 3 obtains more
torque from the pedal assembly (not shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3)
than the flywheel 20 in FIG. 2. In other words, although the
bending deformation of the support member 64 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3
are the same, the output force of the user in the state of FIG. 3
is larger than the output force in the state of FIG. 2. In the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, since the position
of the base 62 substantially determines the rotational resistance
of the flywheel 20, the position of the base 62 is also one of the
arithmetic parameters/index parameters used to calculate the output
force of the user. In other words, the operational control unit 50
is configured to measure the value of the specific function (e.g.
the output force of the user) by using at least two parameter
values including the value of the first parameter and the position
of the base 62.
[0039] The stationary bike further comprises a second measuring
device 80 for measuring a value of a second parameter. The second
parameter represents the rotational speed of the flywheel 20 or in
correspondence with the rotational speed. For example, in the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second measuring
device 80 includes a light emitter and a light sensor (not shown)
mounted to the frame for sensing angular displacement of an annular
grating (not shown) coaxially fixed to the flywheel 20 per unit
time so as to measure the rotational speed of the flywheel 20, and
such technique is well known in the prior art. In other possible
embodiments of the present invention (without corresponding
figures), the second measuring device 80 may measure the motion
rate or period of any one element of the pedal assembly 10 or the
transmission mechanism in similar manner or other manners as the
aforementioned second parameter.
[0040] The second measuring device 80 is also electrically
connected to the operational control unit 50, which is able to
transmit the measured value of the second parameter (its
corresponding signal) to the operational control unit 50, so that
the operational control unit is able to calculate exercise power,
metabolic equivalent, calorie consumption rate, etc. of the user by
using the value of the second parameter on the basis of above
calculation for the output force of the user and displayed on the
display device 42 for allowing the user to view such information.
At the same rate of motion (e.g. the rotational speed of the pedals
is the same in the present embodiment), the more/less the output
force of the user, the higher/lower the value of motion rate,
metabolic equivalent, calorie consumption rate, etc. Therefore, the
aforementioned motion rate, metabolic equivalent, calorie
consumption rate, etc. are also "the predetermined function about
the output force of the user".
[0041] For the aforementioned description, the exercise apparatus
of the present invention is capable of practically measuring the
specific parameter corresponding to the force endured by the motion
system during exercise for relatively accurately measuring the
output force that the user applies to the motion system or further
obtaining motion rate, metabolic equivalent, calorie consumption
rate, etc. In addition to the stationary bike as disclosed in the
preferred embodiment, the present invention is also applicable to
other various kinds of exercise apparatuses that require the user
to drive a moving member for a specific movement, such as an
elliptical trainer, a rowing machine, a non-electric treadmill, a
stepper machine, a hand driving exercise machine (e.g. commercial
product "Krankcycle.RTM."), various weight training machines.
However, the present invention may also be applied to other types
of exercise apparatuses not listed. Each motion system of above
exercise apparatuses includes at least one moving member (e.g.
pedals, handles, running belts), a flywheel and a transmission
mechanism connected between the moving member and the flywheel such
that the moving member is driven by the user to rotate the
flywheel. The motion system of each exercise apparatus is relevant
to the prior art, and the detailed description is not mentioned in
the present invention.
[0042] Each of the exercise apparatuses further comprises a
magnetic resistance system for applying a predetermined resistance
to the flywheel by using magnets. Typically, the use of magnets and
a flywheel to form an eddy current brake (ECB) and thereby to
adjust the resistance by controlling the magnetic intensity of the
magnets applied to the flywheel is a conventional technique that is
well known in the art. In addition to the manner in which the
preferred embodiment is used (i.e. the opposite permanent magnets
are disposed at two sides of the flywheel in the axial direction
and the resistance is adjusted by controlling the working area of
the magnets facing toward the flywheel), it may only provide one
permanent magnet at one axial side of the flywheel. Furthermore,
the magnet may radially approach or move away from the axis of the
flywheel, or it may axially approach or move away from the circular
plane of the flywheel. Another very common way is that the
permanent magnets are arranged at the outer periphery of the
flywheel (generally arranged in an arc shape) and adjacent to the
outer peripheral surface of the flywheel for increasing or
decreasing the resistance of the flywheel by controlling the
magnets toward or away from the outer peripheral surface.
Furthermore, in contrast to the use of permanent magnets to
generate a magnetic field for exerting a drag force opposing the
rotational motion of the flywheel, the prior art also uses
electromagnets to generate a required magnetic field. For example,
a solenoid (often spirally wrapped around a metal core) is arranged
adjacent to the outer peripheral surface of the flywheel, which
produces a magnetic field with intensity proportional to the
current value when a controlled direct current passes through the
solenoid, so that the flywheel through the magnetic field must
overcome the magnetic resistance therebetween during rotation.
Whatever the permanent magnet or the electromagnet, in addition to
be arranged at outer periphery of the flywheel, it is also possible
that the flywheel has a convex ring protruded axially and the
magnet is arranged at inner periphery of the convex ring. The
structure and principle of various magnetic resistance systems in
the prior art can be appropriately applied in the present
invention.
[0043] For example, the magnetic field generating module 66 in
above preferred embodiment may be substituted by an electromagnet
(not shown), and replacing the position control device 46 for
controlling the position of the base 62 with an electric current
control device (not shown). The electric current control device is
able to apply direct current (DC) to the electromagnet and to
control the current magnitude of the direct current for controlling
the magnetic intensity applied to the flywheel 20 namely
controlling the rotational resistance of the flywheel 20. Since the
base 62 has no need to move forward and backward, it can be fixed
to frame. In other words, the first portion of the support member
64 would be fixed to a specific part of the frame (such part is
regarded as a base). Since the electromagnet exerts a drag force
against the rotational motion of the flywheel 20, it would be
pushed relatively by the force in the rotational direction of the
flywheel 20 to make the first portion of the support member 64
produce a corresponding displacement, namely the support member 64
is deformed correspondingly and the first measuring device 70 would
obtain a corresponding first parameter. The magnitude of the
current applied to the electromagnet substantially determines the
rotational resistance of the flywheel 20, and therefore the
operational control unit 50 will obtain the value of the specific
function by using at least two parameter values including the value
of the first parameter and the current value of the current.
[0044] Incidentally, the main object of the present invention is to
measure the exercise output or the exercise power of a user for a
motion system with resistance, and it is not limited that the
resistance of the motion system is adjustable. In other words, the
present invention allows the rotational resistance of the flywheel
to be unadjustable, namely, if the magnetic field forming the
resistance is generated by the permanent magnet, the spatial
relationship between the permanent magnet and the flywheel is not
adjustable. And if the magnetic field forming the resistance is
generated by the electromagnet, the magnitude of the current of the
electromagnet is fixed and unadjustable.
[0045] Next, referring to FIG. 4, there is shown a schematic
diagram of a measuring system according to a second preferred
embodiment of the present invention (note: the relation of the
parts shown in FIG. 4 in the whole exercise apparatus corresponds
to the relation of the parts in FIG. 2 in the exercise apparatus
shown in FIG. 1, and the following third and fourth embodiments are
the same). The flywheel 20a, the base 62a and the second measuring
device 80a in FIG. 4 are substantially the same as the flywheel 20,
the base 62 and the second measuring device 80 in the previous
preferred embodiment, and such parts will not be described again.
The difference between the two embodiments is that the support
member 64a is a rod having front and rear ends. The rear end (first
portion) is pivotally connected to the base 62a via a pivot 65 so
that the support member 64a can be pivotally displaced about the
pivot 65 with respect to the base 62a, namely the front end of the
support member 64a is rotatable with respect to the rear end of the
support member 64a. The magnetic field generating module 66a is
fixed to the front end (second portion) of the support member 64a
for producing a magnetic field that exerts a drag force opposing
rotational motion of the flywheel 20a. The second preferred
embodiment of the present invention further comprises an elastic
member 67 using a plate spring that is capable of flexible
deformation. The elastic member 67 has one end fixed to the base
62a and the other end abutting against the support member 64a for
providing an elastic force to bias the support member 64a. As shown
in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the direction of the elastic force
corresponds to the direction that deflects the support member 64a
downward about the rear end of the support member 64a as the axle
center. In a condition of no external force involved, the support
member 64a is biased by the elastic member 67 downward until the
support member 64a is stopped by a retaining 63 of the base 62a at
a horizontal state as shown in FIG. 4. At the same time, the
position of the front end of the support member 64a with respect to
the base 62a is defined as an initial position.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 5, when the flywheel 20a is rotated by the
movement of the user, the flywheel 20a applies an upward force to
the magnetic field generating module 66a, and such force will
resist the elastic force of the elastic member 67 applied on the
support member 64a so as to deflect the support member 64a upward
about the rear end of the support member 64a as the axle center and
the deformation of the elastic member 67 is increased
simultaneously. The first measuring device 70a measures the
deformation of the elastic member 67 by a strain gauge 72a mounted
on the surface of the elastic member 67 (plate spring) and provides
such information to an operational control unit (as described
previous) to obtain the output force of the user, the exercise
power, etc. The first parameter (i.e. the deformation of the
elastic member 67 in the present embodiment) measured by the first
measuring device 70a has a corresponding relationship with the
displacement amount of the front end of the support member 64a
departing from the initial position. In other possible embodiments
(without corresponding figures), the first measuring device 70a may
use other methods to measure the displacement amount of the
magnetic field generating module 66a, the displacement amount of a
specific portion (e.g. the front end) of the support member 64a, or
the deflection angle of the support member 64a as the first
parameter.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a schematic diagram of a
measuring system in accordance with a third embodiment of the
present invention. The flywheel 20b and the second measuring device
80b shown in FIG. 6 are the same as described above. The main
feature of the third embodiment is that the magnetic field
generating module 66b is supported at a position adjacent to the
rear end of the flywheel 20b by upper and lower opposing support
members 64b. Each of the two support members 64b is a helical
compression spring, and the axial direction (compression direction)
of the spring corresponds to the up-down direction. The lower
support member 64b is connected between the bottom of the magnetic
field generating module 66b and the base 62b for maintaining an
upward elastic force applied to the magnetic field generating
module 66b. The upper support member 64b is connected between the
top of the magnetic field generating module 66b and the base 62b
for maintaining a downward elastic force applied to the magnetic
field generating module 66b. If the magnetic field generating
module 66b is a permanent magnet, the base 62b may be movably
mounted to the frame of the exercise apparatus for being controlled
to approach or move away from the flywheel 20b. If the magnetic
field generating module 66b is an electromagnet, the base 62b may
be fixed to the frame (or substantially a specific portion of the
frame). In a condition of no external force involved, the support
member 66b is supported by the two support member 64b which are
competed with each other.
[0048] When the flywheel 20b is rotated by the movement of the
user, the magnetic field generating module 66b will be pushed by
the flywheel 20b with corresponding longitudinal displacement and
the flexible deformation of each support member 64b changes
accordingly at the same time. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when
the flywheel 20b is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the
magnetic field generating module 66b is displaced upward by an
upward force. Accordingly, the upper support member 64b is
compressed in the axial direction, and the lower support member 64b
is stretched in the axial direction. The first measuring device 70b
is configured to measure the first parameter corresponding to the
displacement of the magnetic field generating module 66b or the
deformation of the support member 64b, and provide such information
to the operational control unit (as described previous) to obtain
the output force of the user, the exercise power, or the like. For
example, a piezoelectric material 68 with a direct piezoelectric
effect is provided between at least one support member 64b and the
base 62b. When the compressive deformation amount of the support
member 64b is changed (i.e. the elastic forced is changed), the
piezoelectric material 68 is changed correspondingly by a
longitudinal pressure so that the voltage value between the upper
and lower ends of the piezoelectric material 68 is changed
correspondingly, and the deformation amount of the support member
64b could be obtained by measuring the voltage value. The
deformation amount corresponds to the displacement amount of the
connecting portion between the support member 64b and the magnetic
field generating module 66b, namely the displacement amount of the
magnetic field generating module 66b.
[0049] The measuring system in FIG. 6 is applicable to the exercise
apparatus in which the flywheel 20b may rotate in both directions,
that is, when the flywheel 20b rotates in the reverse direction
namely clockwise in the figure, the magnetic field generating
module 66b is displaced downward. At the same time, the lower
support member 64b is compressed and the upper support member 64b
is stretched, the change of which is reflected in the voltage value
of the piezoelectric material 68.
[0050] Referring back to FIG. 1, the measuring system in the first
embodiment is also applicable to the exercise apparatus in which
the flywheel 20 may rotate in both directions. Continuing to refer
to the stationary bike in FIG. 1, the support member 64 is bent
upward when the user drives the pedals 16 in the forward direction
to rotate the flywheel 20 in the counterclockwise direction, so
that the resistance value of the strain gauge 72 on the top surface
of the support member 64 is correspondingly reduced. In contrast,
when the user drives the pedals 16 in the backward direction to
rotate the flywheel 20 in the clockwise direction, the support
member 64 is bent downward to increase the resistance value of the
strain gauge 72 correspondingly.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a schematic diagram of a
measuring system in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the
present invention. The flywheel 20c and the second measuring device
80c shown in FIG. 7 are the same as described above. The main
feature of the fourth embodiment is that the support member 64c is
a piezoelectric material having a direct piezoelectric effect and
its bottom (the first portion) is fixed on the base 62c. The
magnetic field generating module 66c is fixed on the top (the
second portion) of the support member 64c and is adjacent to the
flywheel 20c. According to the magnet type of the magnetic field
generating module 66c, the base 62c may be stationary relative to
the flywheel 20c, or it may be controllably movable. The first
measuring device 70c is capable of measuring the voltage value
between the upper and lower ends of the support member (the
piezoelectric material) 64c as the first parameter. When the
magnetic field generating module 66c is pushed relatively by a
downward force from the flywheel 20c, the pressure on the support
member 64 is increased and the voltage value between the upper and
lower ends of the support member 64 is increased correspondingly.
The aforementioned voltage value reflects the magnitude of the
torque of the flywheel 20c. In this embodiment, the first parameter
(said voltage value) corresponds to the flexible displacement of
the second portion of the support member (the top plane of the
piezoelectric material), except that the flexible deformation and
displacement may occur at micro-scale.
[0052] Accordingly, the exercise apparatus of the present invention
is capable of practically measuring a specific parameter
corresponding to the force endured by the motion system during
exercise for relatively accurately measuring the output force that
the user applies to the motion system or further obtaining motion
rate, metabolic equivalent, calorie consumption rate, etc. In
addition, the present invention is applicable to various exercise
apparatuses having a flywheel and a resistance system, and the
device for measuring the output force of the user is relatively
simple in structure and low cost.
[0053] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the
present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the
invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the
present invention cover modifications and variations of this
invention provided they fall within the scope of the following
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *