Self-Powered, Mechanically-Isolated/Decoupled Vibration Mechanism for Bicycle Pedals

Abstract

A self-powered vibration mechanism is provided that can be mounted on an existing pedal shaft yet operates independent from the existing pedal. Mechanical isolation or mechanical decoupling permits transferring the vibrating energy to the foot rather than to the pedal shaft and the bicycle. In another embodiment, a full removable pedal with self-powered vibration mechanism can replace an existing pedal.

Claims

1. A self-powered vibration device, comprising: (a) an electrical generator with a rotatable generator shaft, wherein the rotatable generator shaft rotation is driven by a rotation of a cycling pedal, and wherein the rotatable generator shaft rotation generates power for the electrical generator; (b) an electrical motor powered by the electrical generator, wherein the electrical motor produces a rotation of an eccentric shaft; and (c) a vibration plate that is mechanically vibrated by the rotation of the eccentric shaft, wherein the mechanical vibration is transmitted from the eccentric shaft via a vibration transmission element to the vibration plate, wherein the vibration plate is mechanically isolated and decoupled by mechanical isolation mounts from the cycling pedal, and wherein the vibration plate is capable of mechanically vibrating a body part of a person while in contact with the vibration plate.

2. The self-powered vibration device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the electrical generator is mounted on the cycling pedal.

3. The self-powered vibration device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a control unit to control the rotation speed of the eccentric shaft produced by the electrical motor based on physiological parameters measured by one or more sensors.

4. The self-powered vibration device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors to measure physiological parameters from the person, wherein the one or more sensors control the mechanical vibrations of the body part of the person.

5. The self-powered vibration device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mechanical vibrations of the body part of the person are in the order of 20-50 Hz.

6. The self-powered vibration device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the device has one or more gears configured to determine respective rotation speed(s).

7. The self-powered vibration device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rotation of the eccentric shaft is adjustable through a motor-driver control unit.

8. The self-powered vibration device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the rotation of the eccentric shaft is adjustable through a pulse-width modulation.

9. The self-powered vibration device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the vibration transmission element is made of stiff material to minimize vibration damping.

10. The self-powered vibration device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising one or more gears to adjust rotation speeds and therewith the mechanical vibration frequency.

11. The self-powered vibration device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the self-powered vibration device and the cycling pedal are an integral unit.

12. The self-powered vibration device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the self-powered vibration device is a self-standing device which is adapted to be integrated with the cycling pedal.

13. A cycling pedal comprising as a single unit a cycling pedal and a self-powered vibration device to mechanically vibrate a body part of a person cycling using the cycling pedal, wherein the self-powered vibration device is mechanically isolated and decoupled by mechanical isolation mounts from the cycling pedal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] FIG. 1 shows the concept of a self-powered vibration device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0035] FIG. 2 shows a self-powered vibration device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of a self-powered vibration device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a self-powered vibration device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention whereby eccentric rotation are achieved without involvement of electrical components.

[0038] FIG. 5 shows a self-powered vibration device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention whereby the spinning rotation of the pedal is used to drive rotations of magnets whose attracting-repelling force can be used to produce oscillating vibrations to the footplate.

[0039] FIG. 6 shows a self-powered vibration device according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention whereby the use of a gear can adjust the rotation speeds and achieve the required vibration frequency given the typical round-per-minute of the pedal about its shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] A self-powered vibration device is defined as a device where the power to run the vibration component of the device originates from the activity performed by the person receiving the vibration. In a specific exemplary embodiment of this invention a bicycle pedal's rotation generated by a person pedalling generates the power for the vibration device.

[0041] In one embodiment, the self-powered vibration mechanism can be mounted on an existing pedal shaft yet operates independent from the existing pedal. Mechanical isolation or mechanical decoupling permits transferring the vibrating energy to the foot rather than to the pedal shaft and the bicycle. In another embodiment, a full removable pedal with self-powered vibration mechanism can replace the existing pedal.

[0042] The implementation of the device can make use of electromagnetic, magnetic, or mechanical power generated by the spinning rotation of the pedal. Vibrating oscillations can then be generated exploiting the action of eccentric rotation, attractive-repelling magnetic force, or magnetic breaking, depending on the preferred vibrating action.

[0043] Embodiments of the invention aim at embedding WBV concepts in a bicycle pedal, such that no external power source is necessary. It is noted that if the person is pedalling then such action could be regarded as external power, however, with no external power for the purposes of this invention it is meant to say no external power device instead of human power source. Embodiments of the invention, referred to as self-powered vibration device, can either be added to existing pedals if the pedal is not part of the self-powered vibration device, or if the pedal is part of the self-powered vibration device one could simply replace the pedals of any existing device without need for any additional modification.

[0044] Key to the invention is the use of the spinning rotation of the pedal about its axis to generate sufficient power to produce oscillating vibrations. Effective transmission of these vibrations to the foot are obtained by mechanically isolating (decoupling) the pedal shaft from the vibrating element, which is instead mechanically connected to the foot plate. Several embodiments are envisaged to generate vibrations.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows a conceptual schematic of an embodiment, where the self-powered vibration mechanism is integrated in an existing pedal. The cycling power generates relative rotation of the pedal shaft with respect to the pedal, which can be used to actuate an electrical generator. This powers an electrical motor which generates vibrations by rotating an eccentric shaft. The vibrating element (defined in FIG. 1 as an electrical motor and an eccentric shaft; electrical motor in FIG. 3 is referred to as vibration motor) is mechanically isolated or decoupled from the original pedal and pedal shaft, while it is directly connected to a vibrating plate which is directly underneath the foot. This way, effective mechanical transmission of the generated vibration is obtained to the foot, while minimizing any vibration energy loss to the mechanical structures of the bike. The spinning rotation of the eccentric mass can be adjusted through a motor-driver control unit by e.g. PWM (pulse width modulation) technology. Remote control of the speed, leading to vibrations in the order of 20-50 Hz, can also be envisaged through e.g. communication via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth with a smartphone. Similarly, the use of on-body sensors can also be envisaged in order to dynamically adjust the vibration frequency.

[0046] Lower frequencies can be adopted to reach distant muscles (e.g., leg extensors) whose stimulation can be adjusted by sensing the degree of muscle fatigue. To this end, EMG sensors as well as pressure sensors embedded in the pedal can be employed. Sensors for heart-rate monitoring by either electrocardiography or photoplethysmography can also be used to assess the degree of effort and central fatigue, and consequently adjust the vibration frequency to optimally stimulate different muscles. To this end, dedicated control loops can be implemented in the motor-driver control unit that translate the estimated sensor parameters into spinning frequency.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows a self-powered vibration mechanism integrated with an existing pedal 7. The spinning rotation of pedal 7 about its own shaft 1 can be used through transmission gear 8 to rotate generator shaft 10 of an electrical generator 2 that is mounted on pedal 7.

[0048] The electrical generator 2 powers an electrical (vibration) motor 3 that produces the spinning rotation of an eccentric shaft 9. Such rotation generates vibrations that are mechanically transmitted to the foot via a vibration transmission element 4 directly connected to the foot vibration plate 5. Transmission element 4 is made of stiff material to minimize vibration damping. Instead, the foot vibration plate 5 is mechanically isolated (decoupled) from pedal 7 and pedal shaft 1 via mechanical isolation mounts 6. Mechanical isolation or decoupling permits enhancing the efficiency of the vibration transmission to the foot by minimizing the transmission (loss) of vibration energy to the bicycle frame via the pedal. As a skilled artisan would readily appreciate, different types of vibration (vertical, circular, transversal) in different directions can be transmitted by different isolation mounts and isolation-mount geometries.

[0049] The eccentric mass can be realized by using high-density material, such as metal. Depending on the adopted isolation, a mass in the range of 100-300 gram is sufficient to generate vibration displacements in the range 0.3 to 1 mm, which is sufficient for effective stimulation of the leg muscles. The frequency should at least cover the range 20-40 Hz. Higher and lower frequencies have been proven less effective to stimulate neuromuscular reflex mechanisms. The rotation of multiple eccentric masses can be used to modify the vibration direction and balance the system.

[0050] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the separate elements of the self-powered, mechanically-isolated/decoupled vibrating pedal as shown in FIG. 2 evidencing how these elements work independently and how they can be mounted on an existing pedal. The Generator motor mounting yoke holds the Generating motor fixed to the Cycling pedal while two Timing belt pulleys are used to accommodate a transmission belt and transfer the rotation of the pedal shaft to the Generating motor. The electrical current produced by the Generating motor is used to drive the Vibration motor, which is fixed to the Vibration motor mounting yoke. The Vibration motor mounting yoke supports and facilitates the rotation of the motor shaft (Axle) by the Bearings fixed on each end. Through these bearings, the force generated by the spinning Eccentric mass connected to the Axle is transferred via the Vibration transmission bar to the Footplate, which is mechanically isolated from the Cycling pedal by the Vibration isolation mounts.

[0051] In another embodiment, one could use the mechanical power from the spinning rotation of the pedal to produce the spinning rotation of an eccentric mass about a shaft connected to the pedal and therefore producing vibrating oscillations. Rotation speed can be determined by a gear.

[0052] In yet another embodiment, the spinning rotation of the pedal as shown in FIGS. 2-3 can be used to drive the rotations of magnets whose attracting-repelling force can be used to produce oscillating vibrations. The oscillating potential energy produced by the relative magnets' rotation can also be exploited to produce a modulated resistance to pedal rotation, resulting in additional vibration effects to the user. Magnets' rotations can also be combined as to produce a modulated braking action, also resulting in vibration effects for the user. The use of a gear can again be envisaged to adjust the rotation speeds and achieve the required vibration frequency given the typical round-per-minute of the pedal about its axis. Alternatively, to the use of static magnets, the vertical attraction-repelling force can be generated by an electromagnet (linear motor or solenoid) powered by the electrical generator in FIG. 2.

[0053] In a different embodiment (FIG. 4), eccentric rotation can also be achieved without involvement of electrical components. The mechanical power from the spinning rotation of the cycling pedal (7) about the pedal shaft (1) can be transferred through the timing belt pulleys (9) to generate the spinning rotation of the eccentric mass (3), therefore generating a vibrating force that is transmitted through the eccentric shaft mounting yoke (2) and the vibration transmission bar (4) to the foot vibration plate (5). The rotation speed can be determined by varying the ratio between the timing belt pulleys, for instance by a gear system.

[0054] In yet another embodiment (FIG. 5), the spinning rotation of the pedal as in the other embodiments can be used to drive rotations of magnets whose attracting-repelling force can be used to produce oscillating vibrations to the footplate. The spinning rotation of the cycling pedal (7) about the pedal shaft (1) can be transferred through the timing belt pulleys (9) to generate the spinning rotation of the rotating magnet (3), whose rotation is guided by the rotating magnet mounting yoke (8). Depending on the orientation of the magnet polarity, the rotating magnet will apply an oscillating attractive-repelling force to the fixed magnet (2). This will generate a vibrating force that is transmitted via the vibration transmission bar (4) to the foot vibration plate (5), which is mechanically isolated from the cycling pedal (7) by the mechanical isolation mounts (6).

[0055] Magnets' rotations can also be combined to produce a modulated braking action, also resulting in vibration effects for the user. Braking magnets can also have electromagnets, which can be driven by the electrical current generated by the generating motor in FIGS. 2-3. Both magnetic and electromagnetic brakes can modulate the resistance to the cycling pedal rotation about its own shaft. The resulting vibration will therefore have the oscillation of the pedal about its own shaft. The use of a gear can again be envisaged to adjust the rotation speeds and achieve the required vibration frequency given the typical round-per-minute of the pedal about its shaft. A schematic representation of this additional embodiment is provided in FIG. 6. The spinning rotation of the cycling pedal (4) about the pedal shaft (1) can be transferred through the timing belt pulleys (5) to generate the spinning rotation of a disk (3), whose rotation is guided by the rotating magnet mounting yoke (6). The disk can be designed with magnetic properties such that its rotation through the fixed magnet results in an oscillating breaking action, which will modulate the resistance to the rotation of the cycling pedal (4) about the pedal shaft (1).