Abstract:
Embodiments allow the application of a settable and/or a programmable resistance to a trainee's leg Drive Phase and/or Recovery Phase while walking or running over extended or infinite distances. Multiple mechanical or electrical feedback loops or combinations of both to monitor the applied resistance to the Trainee by the tether or tethers and then control the amount of breaking (drag) or propulsion created by the Mobile training module during the acceleration and constant speed training phases to accurately generate, control and transfer resistance through the elastic tethers to the Trainee. Embodiments apply multiple, non-varying loads or programmable loads to multiple body parts of a trainee where applied resistance can be manipulated to both increase or decrease over distance as desired by trainee while the trainee is walking, running or sprinting over any distance.
Abstract:
Elliptical exercise machines with a footskate on a reciprocating rail that provides for the ability to alter the horizontal stride of the user utilizing the machine, without significantly altering their vertical stride height on the machine. This is generally performed by altering the angle through which any point on the rail can, and does, move. Such adjustment may be performed by having the rail attached to a swing arm, where the arc of rotation of the swing arm relative to the frame is altered.
Abstract:
The various embodiments of the present invention generally provide a control system and a process for an exercise apparatus configurable into a combined treadmill and stepper mode. The apparatus may also be configured into stepper only and treadmill only modes. The apparatus generally includes a master control unit, a first sensor, in communication with the master control unit, which generates a first signal indicative of an effective tread speed for the apparatus, and a resistive element that includes at least one resistance level. Using the first signal, the resistance level, and empirical information, the amount of energy expended by a user of the apparatus may be calculated and the operation of the apparatus controlled. Various sensors, actuators and information, such as that obtained from various data structures, may be utilized in performing calculations and controlling the features, functions and operation of the apparatus.
Abstract:
A treadmill includes a body having a belt for supporting an exerciser, an exerciser detecting portion installed in a predetermined area of the body to detect movement of the exerciser, a driving motor coupled to the body to drive the belt, a control portion for generating a first control signal for adjusting a rotation speed of the driving motor based on a signal received from the exerciser detecting portion, a motor driving portion for adjusting the rotation speed of the driving motor according to the first control signal received from the control portion, and an electrical braking portion for reducing the rotation speed of the driving motor. The treadmill quickly follows acceleration or deceleration of an exerciser; provides an experience as if the exerciser is exercising on the ground, thereby improve an exerciser's exercising experience; accepts various exercising patterns of an exerciser; resolves a problem in that a motor driving portion is tripped due to a load caused by quick deceleration; and preprocesses measured values of an exerciser's position to resolve a problem in that a speed of a belt cannot be controlled due to measurement errors contained in measured values.
Abstract:
On a training device, in particular for developing human muscles, having a torque-generating unit which comprises an electric motor and a reduction gearing, and whose output interacts with at least one training element offered to the exercising person, an electric motor is designed as a three phase AC motor. Associated with the latter is a frequency converter for adjusting the frequency and amperage of the three phase current supplied to the electric motor. A control unit is provided upstream of the frequency converter. An angle-of-rotation sensor is associated with the motor whose measured signal is supplied to both the frequency converter and the control unit. The frequency converter is fed by the control unit with a setpoint value of the torque to be generated by the motor which setpoint value receives the measured signal from the angle-of-rotation sensor. The frequency converter adjusts the frequency and the amperage of the motor current using the principle of field-oriented control. The control unit comprises two control circuits in cascade arrangement for controlling the position and the speed of rotation of the training element.
Abstract:
An energy absorbing unit for physical exercising devices is arranged as an asynchronous motor the stator of which has windings to be connected to an AC supply and cooperates with the rotor of ferromagnetic material having a circular circumference, and an input shaft and an epicyclic gearing arranged inside the rotor circumference operatively connecting the input shaft to the rotor with the input shaft adapted to be driven by the training person, in order to generate an electromagnetic motive force on the rotor to tend to drive it in the direction opposing movement of the shaft by the training person and thereby act as a braking force on the shaft independently of the movement thereof.
Abstract:
A first determination that a range of motion of a user of an exercise machine is between pre-determined motion thresholds is made. While the range of motion of the user is between the pre-determined motion thresholds, a velocity of the cable being below a pre-determined velocity threshold is determined. In response to determining that the velocity of the cable being below the pre-determined velocity threshold while the range of motion of the user is between the pre-determined motion thresholds, a second determination that the user should be spotted is made, Torque of a motor is reduced based at least in part on the second determination that the user should be spotted.
Abstract:
A training apparatus including a training element for a user performing exercises, an AC motor and a frequency converter being arranged to control the AC motor, wherein the frequency converter comprises measuring means being arranged to measure a voltage and a current of the AC motor and calculation means being arranged to calculate a magnetic state of the AC motor using the measured voltage, the measured current, a reference torque and a reference flux in order to generate a torque of the AC motor. The training apparatus further comprises a control unit having a machine control module being arranged to calculate the reference flux and the reference torque using an intended overall torque, wherein the machine control module is connected to the frequency converter and arranged to transmit the reference flux and the reference torque to the frequency converter.
Abstract:
The subject matter of the invention relates to a method and system for energy absorption designed for use in particular in exercise apparatuses, and especially in the so-called fitness equipment.The method for energy absorption consisting in that suitable current load values are selected in order to balance the kinetic energy expended by the person performing exercises with the energy absorbed by the system (100) for energy absorption, wherein the value of current load, which is selected by a computer (PC), is dependent on the psychomotor parameters of the person performing exercises.The system (100) for energy absorption is provided with a variable current load circuit (150) connected to an element (S) producing direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) electric energy, which is controlled by the computer (PC). The system (100) is also provided with a real-time counting/positioning circuit (120) incorporated between the element (S) producing direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) electric energy and/or a mechanical system (UM), and the computer (PC).
Abstract:
Methods and systems are presented for accepting inputs into a treadmill or other exercise equipment to control functions of the treadmill or exercise equipment. An exercise control system can receive gestures and other inputs. The exercise control system can also obtain information about the user of the exercise control system and information about the environment in which the exercise equipment is operating. Based on the input and the other information, the exercise control system can modify or improve the performance or execution of user interface and functions of the exercise equipment. The changes make the user interfaces and/or functions user-friendly and intuitive.