Apparatus for training a person's lower and/or upper extremities

Abstract

It is provided an apparatus for training a person's lower and/or upper extremities, comprising at least two motion elements which are arranged on a base element, wherein the motion elements each have an axis of rotation around which an actuating element can be moved. The motion elements each are independently movable relative to the base element about a first axis of movement, wherein the first axis of movement extends substantially perpendicular to an extension surface of the base element. Each motion element has a separate drive in order to rotate the actuating elements about the axis of rotation, and that the apparatus includes a control element which can individually actuate each drive in order to provide for a movement of each drive independent of a movement of another drive.

Claims

1. An apparatus for training a person's lower and/or upper extremities, comprising: at least two motion elements, wherein: a first of the at least two motion elements is arranged on a first base plate and a second of the at least two motion elements is arranged on a second base plate, the first base plate and the second base plate are configured to be arranged on a table or a floor and are capable of independent movement and placement on the table or floor with respect to each other, the motion elements each have an axis of rotation around which an actuating element each can be moved, the first of the at least two motion elements is movable relative to the first base plate about a first axis of movement of the first motion element independently from the second of the at least two motion elements that is moveable relative to the second base plate about a first axis of movement of the second motion element, the first axis of movement of the first motion element extends substantially perpendicular to an extension surface of the first base plate, each motion element has a separate drive in order to rotate the actuating elements about the axis of rotation, and the apparatus includes a control element being designed and configured to individually actuate each drive in order to provide for a movement of each drive independent of a movement of another drive during operation of the apparatus.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the motion elements includes a means for detecting at least one variable applied by a person onto the actuating element, which variable is selected from the group consisting of torque, force, angular velocity and rotational speed.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the motion elements is movable by an angle of at least 90° about the first axis of movement.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: an intermediate element is arranged between the base element and least one of the motion elements.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein: each motion element has a respective intermediate element, the motion elements each are independently movable about a second axis of movement relative to the respective intermediate element, and the second axis of movement extends substantially parallel to the extension surface of the respective base element, substantially perpendicular to the first axis of movement and substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

6. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate element is movable about the first axis of movement relative to the base element independent of another intermediate element arranged between the base element and another of the motion elements.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first axis of movement extends substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the motion elements includes an adapter for fixing one of the actuating elements to be movable about the axis of rotation.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein to the adapter one of the actuating elements is releasably attached to the adapter, wherein the actuating elements are chosen from the group consisting of i) pedals, ii) pedals with pedal arm, and iii) handles with crank.

10. The apparatus according to any claim 1, further comprising a means for releasably fixing the motion elements against a movement relative to the base element.

11. A method for controlling the apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motion elements and their drives are individually actuated by the control element.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein a resistance of the first motion element is adjusted different from a resistance of the second motion element and/or an active movement of the first motion element is adjusted different from an active movement of the second motion element.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein a speed of the first motion element is adjusted different from a speed of the second motion element.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the motion elements is movable by an angle lying in a range of from 210° to 360° about the first axis of movement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The solution described above will be explained in detail below with reference to Figures and embodiments.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of a training device.

(3) FIG. 2 shows another exemplary embodiment of a training device with a user.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a first operating mode which can be realized with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, namely a bicycle training.

(5) FIG. 4 shows a second operating mode which can be realized with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, namely a handbike training.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a third operating mode which can be realized with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, namely a pedal simulation.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a fourth operating mode which can be realized with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, namely a training in a standing position.

(8) FIG. 7 shows a fifth operating mode which can be realized with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, namely a training in a lying position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) As a first exemplary embodiment, FIG. 1 shows a training device as an apparatus for training the arms and/or the legs of a person.

(10) The training device comprises a first motion module 1 as a first motion element and a second motion module 2 as a second motion element. The first motion module 1 is arranged on a first base plate 3, which serves as a first base element. The second motion module 2 is arranged on a second base plate 4, which serves as a second base element. The shape of the first base plate 3 and of the second base plate 4 is not decisive for the function of the training device.

(11) Between the first motion module 1 and the first base plate 3 a first motion plate 5 is arranged. Between the second motion module 2 and the second base plate 4 a second motion plate 6 is arranged, so to speak. The first motion plate 5 serves to provide for a movement of the first motion module 1 with respect to the first base plate 3 about a first axis of movement 7 of the first motion module 1. In the same way, the second motion plate 5 serves to provide for a movement of the second motion module 2 with respect to the second base plate 4 around a first axis of movement 8 of the second motion module 2.

(12) The first axis of movement 7 of the first motion module 1 and the first axis of movement 8 of the second motion module 2 each are arranged substantially perpendicular to a first surface 9 in which the first base plate 3 extends, or to a second surface 10 in which the second base plate 4 extends.

(13) Expressed in other words, the first axis of movement 7 of the first motion module 1 is aligned vertically when the base plate 3 is arranged horizontally. In the case of a horizontal arrangement of the second base plate 4 this applies identically for the first axis of movement 8 of the second motion module 2.

(14) The first motion module 1 furthermore has a first axis of rotation 13 which extends substantially perpendicular to the first axis of movement 7 of the first motion module 1 and is arranged substantially parallel to the first surface 9. The second motion module 2 likewise has a second axis of rotation 14 which extends substantially perpendicular to the first axis of movement 8 of the second motion module 2 and substantially parallel to the second surface 10. The first motion module 1 can be rotated around the first axis of rotation 13. The second motion module 2 can be rotated around the second axis of rotation 14.

(15) To provide for a simple rotation of the first motion module 1 around the first axis of rotation 13, a first adapter 15 is mounted on the first motion module 1. This first adapter 15 serves for releasably fixing an actuating element movable around the first axis of rotation 13 together with the first motion module 1. In the same way, a second adapter 16 is mounted on the second motion module 2, which serves for releasably fixing an actuating element by which the second motion module 2 can be moved around the second axis of rotation 14.

(16) The first motion module 1 and the second motion module 2 each have a separate electric drive in order to provide for a movement of an actuating element mounted on the first adapter 15 and on the second adapter 16, respectively. These drives are not shown in the representation of FIG. 1. Due to these drives it is also possible to train a purely passive user or to provide for a movement support of an active user of the training device. Due to different drives, left and right extremities and/or upper and lower extremities of the user can be addressed flexibly and differently. This is advantageous in particular when there are differences in the motor skills of the left and right or upper and lower extremities of the user.

(17) The training device of FIG. 1 includes a PC 19 which serves as a common control element for the first motion module 1 and the second motion module 2. Via an electric line 20, it therefor is connected both to the first motion module 1 and to the second motion module 2. Instead of the PC 19 a notebook or a smartphone might also be used as a common control element. The electric line 20, which connects the first motion module 1 and the second motion module 2 to the PC 19, can also be realized by a network. Both a wired and a wireless connection, for example via bluetooth or WLAN, is possible here.

(18) Instead of the variant of an external control by the PC 19 as shown here, it would also be possible to integrate a corresponding control element into the first motion module 1 or into the second motion module 2. Then, no further component would be necessary for the common control element.

(19) As can be seen in FIG. 1, the first base plate 3 and the second base plate 4 are not mechanically coupled to each other. Such a constructive separation between the first base plate 3 and the second base plate 4 however does not exclude that the first motion module 1 and the second motion module 2 are connected to the PC 19 via a common electric line 20.

(20) The first axis of movement 7 of the first motion module 1 and the first axis of movement 8 of the second motion module 2 are axes of rotation which permit a rotation of the first motion module 1 and of the second motion module 2 about 360°. If necessary, a smaller movement of the first motion module 1 around the first axis of rotation 7 and/or of the second motion module 2 around the first axis of rotation 8 can be adjusted.

(21) Different actuating elements which can be attached to the first adapter 15 or to the second adapter 16 will be explained in detail in conjunction with FIGS. 3 to 7.

(22) FIG. 2 shows another exemplary embodiment of a training device, which in essential aspects corresponds to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1. Identical elements are provided with the same reference numerals. In this connection, reference is made to the above explanations of FIG. 1 and in the following merely the differences between the two exemplary embodiments will be discussed.

(23) In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 a first tilt holder 17, which serves as an intermediate element, is arranged between the first base plate 3 and the first motion module 1. A movement of the first tilt holder 17 relative to the first base plate 3 about the first axis of movement 7 of the first motion module 1 leads to a similar movement of the first motion module 1 relative to the first base plate 3. In addition, it is possible to move the first motion module 1 around a second axis of movement 11. The second axis of movement 11 is arranged substantially perpendicular to the first axis of movement 7 and also substantially perpendicular to the first axis of rotation 13. It extends substantially parallel to the first surface 9 in which the first base plate 3 extends.

(24) In the same way a second tilt holder 18 is arranged between the second motion module 2 and the second base plate 4, which can be moved around the first axis of movement 8 of the second motion module 2. Such a movement leads to a similar movement of the second motion module 2 relative to the second base plate 4. In addition, the second tilt holder 18 also is movable around a second axis of movement 12, which extends substantially perpendicular to the first axis of movement 8 of the second motion module 2 and also substantially perpendicular to the second axis of rotation 14. The second axis of movement 12 also extends parallel to the surface 10 in which the second base plate 4 extends.

(25) By means of the first tilt holder 17 and the second tilt holder 18 an additional degree of freedom of movement can be achieved for the first motion module 1 relative to the first base plate 3 and for the second motion module 2 relative to the second base plate 4. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 the second axis of movement 11 of the first motion module 1 and the second axis of movement 12 of the second motion module 2 are designed as axes of rotation around which the first motion module 1 and the second motion module 2 can each be steplessly rotated or tilted, namely relative to an orientation of the first axis of rotation 13 and of the second axis of rotation 14 parallel to the surface 10. After being rotated or tilted correspondingly, the first motion module 1 and the second motion module 2 can each be fixed in its rotated or tilted position.

(26) FIGS. 3 to 7 show possible operating modes of an apparatus according to any of the two exemplary embodiments explained above. FIGS. 3 to 7 each show the first motion module 1 and the second motion module 2, wherein various actuating elements have been mounted to the first adapter 15 and to the second adapter 16, respectively.

(27) As shown in FIG. 3, the actuating element can be a pedal 21 with a pedal arm 22, similar to a bicycle pedal. The same can then be actuated by a user like a bicycle pedal. The pedal 21 with the pedal arm 22 is rotated about the first axis of rotation 13 and/or the second axis of rotation 14. As a result, the user can train like on a bicycle ergometer when such pedals 21 with corresponding pedal arms 22 are mounted on both motion modules 1, 2.

(28) As shown in FIG. 4, the actuating element can be a handle 23 with a crank 24, similar to a handbike. This handle 23 can then be actuated by a user like in a handbike. The handle 23 with the crank 24 is rotated about the first axis of rotation 13 and/or the second axis of rotation 14. As a result, the user can train like on a handbike when handles 23 with cranks 24 are mounted on both motion modules 1, 2.

(29) As shown in FIG. 5, the actuating element can be a pedal 25, similar to a gas, brake or clutch pedal of a motor vehicle. This pedal 25 can then be actuated by the user like a corresponding motor vehicle pedal. The pedal 25 is rotated or pivoted about the first axis of rotation 13 and/or the second axis of rotation 14. Thereby, for example the ankle joint of the user can be trained optimally.

(30) In all three of the aforementioned variants the motion elements 1, 2 generally are aligned such that the first axis of rotation 13 and the second axis of rotation 14 substantially are coaligned with each other.

(31) Alternatively, the first motion module 1 and the second motion module 2 can also be aligned as shown in FIG. 6. The first axis of rotation 13 and the second axis of rotation 14 are aligned truly parallel to each other. The first motion module 1 and the second motion module 2 furthermore are aligned such that a user can stand with each foot on each pedal 22 with the corresponding pedal arm 21 and at the same time perform swivel movements. For illustration purposes, the legs of a user are schematically shown in FIG. 6 with broken lines.

(32) Another alternative for the alignment of the first motion module 1 and the second motion module 2 is shown in FIG. 7. The first axis of rotation 13 and the second axis of rotation 14 in turn are aligned truly parallel to each other. Furthermore, the first motion module 1 and the second motion module 2 furthermore are aligned such that a lying user can put a foot on each pedal 22 with the corresponding pedal arm 21 and at the same time perform swivel movements.