METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN EXERCISE APPARATUS

Abstract

The invention relates to a method, in particular a computer implemented method, of controlling a force, displacement, and/or resistance generator of an exercise apparatus (1), which apparatus comprises a user force input device (7-9) arranged to follow a path. The method comprising the steps of imposing on the user force input device (7-9) a main force, a main displacement, and/or a main resistance along the path, superimposing a vibratory force, displacement and/or resistance on the main force, the main displacement, and/or the main resistance along the path, wherein the amplitude of the superimposed vibrations is in excess of 0.2 mm.

Claims

1. A method, of controlling a force, displacement, and/or resistance generator of an exercise apparatus, which apparatus comprises a user force input device arranged to follow a path, the method comprising steps of imposing on the user force input device a main force, a main displacement, and/or a main resistance along the path, superimposing a vibratory force, displacement and/or resistance on the main force, the main displacement, and/or the main resistance along the path, wherein the amplitude of the superimposed vibrations is in excess of 0.2 mm.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of the superimposed vibrations is in a range from 10 to 100 Hertz.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the vibration is a function of the displacement of the user input device and/or a function of time.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising a step of monitoring an intensity that is applied by the user on the user force input device and/or including signalling the user if the intensity exceeds a preselected threshold in a range from 20% to 70% of the maximum intensity the user can apply.

5. The method according to claim 1, including a step of monitoring an energy of a vibratory force, a displacement and/or a resistance absorbed by the user.

6. The method according to claim 5, including a step of reducing the energy of the vibratory force, the displacement and/or the resistance absorbed by the user.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the main force, the main displacement, and/or the main resistance is/are imposed on the user force input device by means of the generator and/or wherein the vibratory force, the vibratory displacement, and/or the vibratory resistance is/are imposed on the user force input device by means of the generator.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the exercise device is selected from the group consisting of a bicycle trainer, a smart trainer, a rowing machine, and a fitness apparatus.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the path is fixed and/or circular and the superimposed vibratory force, displacement, and/or resistance vibrates tangentially.

10. An exercise apparatus, comprising: a frame; an axle rotatably mounted in or to the frame; a force input device coupled to the axle; a force, displacement, and/or a resistance generator coupled to the axle, and means, for carrying out the method of claim 1.

11. The exercise apparatus according to claim 10, comprising sprockets, a free hub body or freewheel for mounting the sprockets, or a roller, to be placed in frictional contact with a rear wheel of a bicycle, which said sprockets, said free hub body, said freewheel, or said roller are coupled to the force and/or the resistance generator.

12. The exercise apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the means for carrying out the method of claim 1 is configured to adjust the superimposed vibratory force, displacement, and/or resistance during exercise.

13. The exercise apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the means for carrying out the method of claim 1 is configured to receive input from the user to enter and/or adjust one or more parameters of the superimposed vibratory force, displacement, and/or resistance.

14. A computer program comprising instructions to cause the means of for carrying out the method of claim 1 to execute the steps of the method of claim 1.

15. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon the computer program of claim 14.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the frequency of the superimposed vibrations is in a range from 20 to 80 Hertz (Hz), and the vibration is a function of the displacement of the user input device and/or a function of time.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the amplitude of the superimposed vibrations is from 0.5 mm to 5.0 mm.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising a step of monitoring an intensity that is applied by the user on the user force input device and/or including signalling the user if the intensity exceeds a preselected threshold in a range from 20% to 70% of the maximum intensity the user can apply, a step of monitoring an energy of a vibratory force, a displacement and/or a resistance absorbed by the user, and a step of reducing the energy of the vibratory force, the displacement and/or the resistance absorbed by the user.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the main force, the main displacement, and/or the main resistance is/are imposed on the user force input device by means of the generator and/or wherein the vibratory force, the vibratory displacement, and/or the vibratory resistance is/are imposed on the user force input device by means of the generator.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the exercise device is selected from the group consisting of a bicycle trainer, a smart trainer, a rowing machine, and a fitness apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle trainer according to the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a method for force feedback in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a smart trainer 1, comprising a frame 2 in a housing 3. A force generator, in this example an electric motor, is fixedly mounted to the frame and accommodated inside the housing. A cassette 4 of sprockets is mounted on the axle of the force generator or coupled to the axle of the force generator via a transmission, such as a belt drive. A computer 5 (FIG. 2), e.g. a single board computer, for controlling the force generator as well as sensors for measuring the angular speed of and the torque exerted on the axle carrying the sprockets are also accommodated inside the housing. More details on these components can be found in WO 2020/071913 A1.

[0033] A road bike 6, with its rear wheel and cassette removed, is mounted in the frame in a manner known in itself. The bike 6 comprises a user force input device, i.e. pedals 7 and cranks 8 rotatable about and fixed to a bottom bracket and to one or more e.g. two chain rings. A chain 11 extends over one of the chain rings and one of the sprockets. The bike comprises, in a usual manner, shifters 12 to derail the chain and move it to another chain ring or sprocket to change the physical transmission ratio.

[0034] When a force, F.sub.ped (in FIG. 2) is applied to the padels, the cyclist will experience a resistive force, F.sub.res, from the force generator. The computer includes a kinetic model of the exercise apparatus, e.g. in the form of a software program, that is configured to receive an input and to generate a control signal for the force generator as an output. The kinetic model may be based on the equations of motions describing the behavior of the exercise apparatus and may further include external parameters relating to road conditions, e.g. wind and slope angle of the road in case of an exercise bike. This way, the kinetic model may accurately control the force generator to simulate certain exercise conditions, examples of such kinetic models are for example described in WO 2020/071913 and WO 2021/186083.

[0035] Input from the sensors for angular speed and torque determine the force the athlete applies to the exercise apparatus and a computer may use this information as an input to the kinetic model of the exercise apparatus to generate the control signal for the force generator to generate a resistive force F.sub.res that opposes the force of the athlete, i.e. F.sub.pedF.sub.res.

[0036] Operation is illustrated in FIG. 2 and involves measuring force and angular speed of the axle and adjusting the force provided by the generator to impose superimpose on the pedals a vibratory force, displacement and/or resistance, such as a sine wave, block wave, or white or grey noise and/or a combination thereof, on the main force and/or the main resistance along the path, wherein the amplitude of the superimposed vibrations is in a range from 0.1 to 5 mm and/or the frequency of the superimposed vibrations is in a range from 10 to 100 Hertz (Hz).

[0037] A trial consisted of vibration cycling at moderate intensity trice a week for six months and testing to assess symptoms before, during, and after the training program. [0038] 1. Warmup: cycle at a comfortable intensity without vibrations for 5 minutes; [0039] 2. ride a simulated course of 25 km with two to five climbs of around 4-8% incline, all 3 km in length and at a cadence of approximately 70-80 rpm; [0040] 3. during each climb vibration was added at an intensity of 90%, an amplitude of 3.5 mm, and a frequency of 14 Hz; [0041] 4. during downhill and flat sections no vibrations were added for recovery purposes; [0042] 5. cooldown: cycle without vibrations for 5 minutes.

[0043] Target heart rate (THR) for moderate intensity was calculated based on heart rate reserve (HRR), derived from resting heart rate and age. Additionally, Borg's Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale was used to monitor whether participants adhered to the intended exercise intensity level.

[0044] The trial according to the present invention appeared effective in improving certain symptoms, such as impaired gait and/or balance, of polyneuropathies and/or reducing pain.

[0045] The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described above and can be varied in numerous ways within the scope of the claims.