RESISTANCE ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM FOR STATIONARY EXERCISE EQUIPMENT
20220008790 ยท 2022-01-13
Inventors
Cpc classification
A63B71/0619
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B21/0051
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B24/0087
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B21/0125
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B2071/0675
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B22/0605
HUMAN NECESSITIES
H02K11/215
ELECTRICITY
Y02E60/16
GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
International classification
A63B24/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B21/00
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B21/005
HUMAN NECESSITIES
A63B71/06
HUMAN NECESSITIES
Abstract
A resistance adjustment system for adjusting a resisting force to a flywheel of a stationary exercise equipment is provided, including a resistance control circuit, a manual adjustment member, a power unit, a transmission assembly, and a resistance device. The power unit is in electrical connection with the resistance control circuit, wherein, in response to receipt of a resistance adjustment signal from the manual adjustment member, the resistance control circuit generates a driving signal to drive the power unit. The power unit then moves the resistance device via a transmission assembly to cause a change of the resisting force to the flywheel.
Claims
1. A resistance adjustment system adapted to adjust a resisting force applies to a flywheel of a stationary exercise equipment, comprising: a casing mounted to a frame of the stationary exercise equipment; a resistance control circuit arranged in the casing; a pushbutton-fashion manual adjustment member including an increment button and a decrement button electrically connected to the resistance control circuit, operable by a user to generate a resistance adjustment signal to the resistance control circuit; a power unit electrically connected to the resistance control circuit, wherein, in response to receipt of the resistance adjustment signal from the manual adjustment member, the resistance control circuit generates a driving signal to drive the power unit; a transmission assembly having an end connected to the power unit; and a resistance device connected to an opposite end of the transmission assembly, wherein the power unit drives, via the transmission assembly, the resistance device to move so as to cause a change of the resisting force applied to the flywheel.
2. The resistance adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein the resistance control circuit comprises: a processor unit; a signal input/output interface, which is connected to the processor unit; and a drive circuit, which is connected to the processor unit and the power unit; wherein the processor unit receives the resistance adjustment signal from the manual adjustment member, such that the processor unit generates the driving signal to the drive circuit, to allow the drive circuit to drive the power unit.
3. The resistance adjustment system according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit, which is disposed on the casing and is in electrical connection with the processor unit, wherein the display unit is one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, and an external display device.
4. The resistance adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein: the power unit comprises: a motor, which is connected to the transmission assembly; an angle detection unit, which is connected to the transmission assembly to detect a rotation angle of the transmission assembly and to generate an angular signal to the resistance control circuit, wherein the angle detection unit comprises one of a magnetic material, an optical material, an encoder, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, a gear, and a Hall sensor; and the transmission assembly further comprises: a screw rod, which is connected to a rotary spindle of the power unit and is driven by the rotary spindle to generate the movement stroke.
5. The resistance adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein the increment button and the decrement button of the manual adjustment member are respectively disposed on a left grip and a right grip of the stationary exercise equipment.
6. The resistance adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein the increment button and the decrement button of the manual adjustment member are disposed on the casing.
7. The resistance adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein the increment button and the decrement button are each one of a mechanical button and a touch-control button.
8. The resistance adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein the resistance device comprises one of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet unit.
9. The resistance adjustment system according to claim 1, wherein when the resistance adjustment device is downward depressed to move the transmission assembly downward, a braking member mounted at a lower end of the transmission assembly applies a pressing force to the wheel surface of the flywheel to stop the flywheel.
10. A resistance adjustment system adapted to control a resisting force that an electromagnetic resistance device applied to a flywheel of a stationary exercise equipment, comprising: a resistance control circuit with a signal input/output interface for receiving a resistance value signal transmitted from an electronic device; a power source for supplying electricity to the signal input/output interface and the resistance control circuit; a transmission assembly; a manual adjustment member coupled to the transmission assembly; and an electrical adjustment member including an electromagnetic drive unit electrically connected to the electromagnetic resistance device, wherein the electromagnetic drive unit includes an electromagnet signal transceiver and an electromagnetic drive circuit in electrical connection with the electromagnet signal transceiver, wherein the resistance value signal transmitted from the electronic device is transmitted through the signal input/output interface to the electromagnet signal transceiver to allow the electromagnetic drive circuit to drive the electromagnetic resistance device to cause a change of the resisting force applied to the flywheel.
11. The resistance adjustment system according to claim 10, wherein the electromagnetic resistance device includes an electromagnetic pole and a winding wound around the electromagnetic pole, wherein the electromagnetic pole is arranged to face a metallic material formed on one of an outside surface and a side surface of the wheel, wherein when the flywheel is rotating, the metal material of the flywheel cuts a magnetic field generated by the winding, and thus, an eddy current is inducted on the metal material of the flywheel to generate a resisting force to the wheel.
12. The resistance adjustment system according to claim 10, wherein the electronic device comprises one of an electronic bicycle dashboard, a smart mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer, a workstation, and cloud.
13. The resistance adjustment system according to claim 10, wherein the resistance control circuit comprises: a processor unit connected to the signal input/output interface; an operation signal detector connected to the processor unit; and a drive circuit connected to the processor unit and the power unit; wherein the operation signal detector detects an operation signal generated through operation of the manual adjustment member and the operation signal is transmitted through the signal input/output interface to the electronic device, and wherein the operation signal comprises one of an angle signal, a turn-count signal, and a stage signal.
14. The resistance adjustment system according to claim 10, wherein when the manual adjustment member is downward depressed to move the transmission assembly downward, a braking member mounted at a lower end of the transmission assembly applies a pressing force to the wheel surface of the flywheel to stop the flywheel.
15. The resistance adjustment system according to claim 10, wherein the stationary exercise equipment comprises one of an indoor stationary bicycle, a rowing machine, an indoor bicycle trainer, an elliptical trainer, a treading machine, a climbing trainer, a jogging machine, and a spinner bike.
16. The resistance adjustment system according to claim 10, further comprising a pole-coil-based resistance device, which comprises a plurality of pole-wound coils coaxially mounted to the flywheel.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0048] Referring to
[0049] Also referring to
[0050] When the user forcibly presses down the dual-mode resistance adjustment device 3, a transmission assembly 33 is forced to move downward, so that a braking member 22 of the magnet-based resistance device 2 applies, in a downward direction, a pressing force to a wheel surface of the flywheel 11 to stop the flywheel 11, and thus achieving an effect of emergency braking.
[0051]
[0052]
[0053] The signal input/output interface 61 is operable to receive a resistance value signal transmitted from an electronic device 7 (such as an electronic bicycle dashboard, a smart mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer, a workstation, and cloud) for transmission to the processor unit 62, or to transmit a signal from the processor unit 62 to the electronic device 7. The manual adjustment member 31 is also connected to the signal input/output interface 61. The operation signal sensor 63 can be an angle sensor, a turn-count sensor, a stage sensor, or a magnetometer, and said other signal sensors 64 can be example a touch-control sensor, a speed sensor, and the likes.
[0054] In the manual operation mode, the user operates the manual adjustment member 31 to control a stroke of the transmission assembly 33, so as to change the magnitude of the resisting force that the magnet-based resistance device 2 applies to the flywheel 11. During the user's manual operation of the manual adjustment member 31, the operation signal detector 63 is also operable to detect an operation signal for transmission to the processor unit 62, and further transmission through the signal input/output interface 61 to the electronic device 7.
[0055] In the electrical operation mode, the electronic device 7 generates a resistance value signal that is supplied through the signal input/output interface 61 to the processor unit 62, and then, the processor unit 62 generates, by means of the drive circuit 66, a driving signal to drive the power unit 51 to rotate and thus drive the transmission assembly 33, so as to vary the resisting force that the magnet-based resistance device 2 applies to the flywheel 11. The power unit 51 may be combined with a stroke detection device 531.
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[0058] In practical uses, taking simulation of a bicycle as an example, the magnet-based resistance device 2 serves as derailleur of the bicycle (meaning applying a first resisting force to the flywheel 11), and the electromagnetic resistance device 2a may serve as control of slope resistance (meaning applying a second resisting force to the flywheel 11).
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[0061] In practical uses, taking simulation of a bicycle as an example, the magnet-based resistance device 2 serves as derailleur of the bicycle (meaning applying a first resisting force to the flywheel 11), and the pole-coil-based resistance device 2b may serve as control of slope resistance (meaning applying a second resisting force to the flywheel 11).
[0062]
[0063] When the flywheel 11 is rotating, the metal material of the flywheel 11 cut a magnetic field generated by the winding 24, and thus, an eddy current is inducted on the metal material of the flywheel 11. The eddy current and the electromagnetic pole 23 generate a resisting force through mutual attraction or repulsion. The magnitude of the magnetic force generated by the winding 24 can be controlled through a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal.
[0064] A lower end of the transmission assembly 33 is mounted with a braking member 4. When the user forcibly presses down the manual adjustment member 31, the transmission assembly 33 is forced to move downward, so that the braking member 4 applies a pressing force to the wheel surface of the flywheel 11 to stop the flywheel 11, and thus achieving an effect of emergency braking.
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[0069] In the electrical operation mode, the electronic device 7 generates a resistance value signal that is transmitted through the signal input/output interface 61 to the processor unit 62, and is also transmitted through the signal input/output interface 61 to an electromagnet signal transceiver 81 to allow an electromagnetic drive circuit 82 to drive the electromagnetic resistance device 2c so as to change the resisting force applied to the flywheel 11.
[0070] Further, the processor unit 62 can be connected, in a wireless or wired manner, with an increment button 341 and a decrement button 342. When the processor unit 62 receives a resistance adjustment signal generated through operation of the increment button 341 and/or the decrement button 342, the processor unit 62 generates a driving signal that is transmitted through the signal input/output interface 61 to the electromagnet signal transceiver 81, in order to allow an electromagnetic drive circuit 82 to drive the electromagnetic resistance device 2c to change the resisting force applied to the flywheel 11.
[0071] The increment button 341 and the decrement button 342 can be arranged on a left grip 13a or a right grip 13b that will be discussed hereinafter in a different embodiment (such as that shown in
[0072]
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[0074] Referring to
[0075] The stationary bicycle 1 includes a left grip 13a and a right grip 13b that are respectively provided with an increment button 35 and a decrement button 36. Similarly, the increment button 35 and the decrement button 36 can each be a control button of either a mechanical button or a touch-control button.
[0076] When the user forcibly presses down the resistance adjustment device 3a, the transmission assembly 33 is forced to move downward, so that the braking member 4 mounted at the lower end of the magnet-based resistance device 2 applies a pressing force to the wheel surface of the flywheel 11 to stop the flywheel 11. Further, the casing 32 of the resistance adjustment device 3a may be provided, on a side wall thereof with a pair of corresponding slide rails 37, for the purposes of reducing frictional force with respect to the frame 10 during operation and movement, in order to make the movement smooth.
[0077] Referring to
[0078] In the circumference of the casing 32 of the resistance adjustment device 3a, a pushbutton-fashion manual adjustment member 34 is arranged at a predetermined location that is convenient for operation by the user and is in electrical connection with the resistance control circuit 6. When the user operates the pushbutton-fashion manual adjustment member 34, a resistance adjustment signal is generated and applied to the resistance control circuit 6.
[0079] The pushbutton-fashion manual adjustment member 34 comprises an increment button 341 and a decrement button 342. In a preferred embodiment, the pushbutton-fashion manual adjustment member 34 may also comprises a mode selection button 343 and a setting button 344.
[0080] Also referring to
[0081] In the instant embodiment, an angle detection unit 532 may be further included, which can be one of a magnetic material, an optical material, an encoder, a magnetometer, a gyroscope, a gear, and a Hall sensor. For example, the angle detection unit 532 may comprises a magnetic element and a circuit board that is mounted, in a manner of corresponding thereto, on the transmission assembly 33. When the circuit board is rotated with the rotation of the transmission assembly 33, the magnetic coupling thereof with respect to the magnetic element can be used to detect an angular position of the transmission assembly 33.
[0082] The transmission assembly 33 comprises a screw rod, which is connected to a rotary spindle 533 of the power unit 51, and is driven by the rotary spindle 533 to rotate in order to make a moving stroke.
[0083] Electrical power required for operation of the resistance control circuit 6 and the power unit 51 can be supplied from and by the power source 52. The power source 52 can be one of a rechargeable battery, a primary battery, and an external electrical power source.
[0084]
[0085] When the processor unit 62 receives a resistance adjustment signal generated through operation of the increment button 341 and/or the decrement button 342, the processor unit 62 generates a driving signal applied to the drive circuit 66, and the drive circuit 66 drives the power unit 51. Power generated by the power unit 51 drives the transmission assembly 33 to generate a moving stroke to the magnet-based resistance device 2.
[0086] Upon being driven to rotate, the power unit 51 uses the angle detection unit 532 to detect a rotation angle of the transmission assembly 33 and an angular signal is generated and fed back to the processor unit 62.
[0087] During operation, the increment button 35 and the decrement button 36 that are disposed on the left grip 13a and the right grip 13b of the stationary bicycle 1 transmit, by means of signal transmission units 351, 361, in a wireless manner, the resistance adjustment signal to the signal input/output interface 61, for subsequent transmission to the processor unit 62. The processor unit 62 similarly generates a driving signal applied to the drive circuit 66, and the drive circuit 66 drives the power unit 51. Power generated by the power unit 51 drives the transmission assembly 33 to generate a moving stroke to the magnet-based resistance device 2.
[0088] Preferably, a resistance adjustment signal generated by an electronic device 7 is transmitted through the signal input/output interface 61 to the processor unit 62, so that the processor unit 62 generates a driving signal to the drive circuit 66, to allow the drive circuit 66 to drive the power unit 51, and then, the transmission assembly 33 generates a moving stroke to the magnet-based resistance device 2.
[0089] Based on the structural arrangements provided above, the present invention is fit for the virtual reality technology and the need for group exercise training, exercise power training, and cardiovascular training in virtual reality, for being used in a virtual-reality landform (such as slope variation for uphill and downhill and various levels of riding difficulty in respect of resistance and level shifting of resistance), or terrain features (such as emergency braking), or change among different difficulty levels in virtual reality, and so on, for realization of synchronization with various situations in virtual reality, so that during exercise training, the user may achieve a scenario of unification among man, machine, and controller. Further, the structural arrangement of present invention allows for enjoyment of the interesting of instantaneous man-vehicle interaction for emergency and an interaction process of the man-vehicle interface.
[0090] In practical uses, the present invention is applicable to stationary exercise equipment including an indoor stationary bicycle, a rowing machine, an indoor bicycle trainer, an elliptical trainer, a treading machine, a climbing trainer, a jogging machine, and a spinner bike.
[0091] The embodiments provided above are only for illustration of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Equivalent variations and substitutes that fall within the spirit of the present invention are considered within the scope of the present invention that is solely defined in the appended claims.