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  Balance training deviceRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Having Specific Electrical FeatureThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060229159. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a balance training device for training the sense of equilibrium of a user by swinging a plate with a user carried thereon. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART [0002] There is a known device according to a prior art as an actively operating balance training device, including one directed to an application in a sitting posture (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-102523) and another having a complicated linkage mechanism (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-286578). [0003] Such an actively operating balance training device of the prior art has a drawback that it can provide only the training in the sitting posture for a user but it is difficult to provide the training in the leg segment, which is essential to control the sensible balance. There is another problem in association with such a device of the prior art that a mechanism for controlling a swing motion is complicated, as it has employed a plurality of linkages, for example, thus being subject to a higher risk of failure of the device. The device of the prior art has been also associated with another drawback that it is unable to provide the training independently and exclusively directed to each of three organs, including a semicircular canal, a vision and a deep sensibility, each governing a personal sense of equilibrium. [0004] An object of the present invention is, on the premise of its use in a standing posture for realizing the training in the leg segment, to provide a balance training device that allows a motion of a plate with a user carried thereon to be achieved in the form of a rotation in the lateral direction with respect to the body of the user while eliminating a need for any complicated linkage mechanism. Another object of the present invention is to realize the specified training that may be provided independently and exclusively directed to each of the three organs, including the semicircular canal, the vision and the deep sensibility, each governing the personal sense of equilibrium. [0005] The term "deep sensibility" used herein refers to the sensibility to recognize a position for a certain part to be taken relative to other parts of a body of a person experiencing the training and the deep sensibility is classified to a proprioceptive sensibility. The deep sensibility is provided by the receptors, including a contact pressure receptor of skin, a muscle spindle, a pacinian corpuscle of subcutaneous tissue and a neural free terminal (cited from: "Medical Dictionary, 2nd Edition", Ishiyaku Publishers Inc., 1996). SUMMERY OF THE INVENTION [0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, provided is a balance training device usable in a standing posture or a sitting posture, said device comprising: a plate 1 for carrying a user; a motor 2 for driving said plate 1; a sensor 3 for measuring a rotation angle of said plate; a torque measuring mechanism for measuring a torque applied to said plate; a kinetic model analyzer 5 for determining a target rotation angle for said plate from said measured torque; and a motor controller 6 for controlling said motor in accordance with a predetermined kinetic model. [0007] The balance training device of the present invention may be characterized in that said plate 1 is rotated around an axis of rotation extending in parallel with a top surface of the plate. [0008] The balance training device of the present invention may have a configuration in which said top surface of said plate 1 coincides with a plane containing a center of the axis of rotation. [0009] The balance training device of the present invention may have a configuration in which said top surface of said plate 1 is spaced apart by a certain distance from the center of the axis of rotation. [0010] The balance training device of the present invention may have a configuration in which said torque measuring mechanism has a pair of force plates 41 each comprising an integrated sensor unit composed of one sensor for measuring a load applied to said plate 1 and the other sensor for measuring a position of a center of loading. [0011] The balance training device of the present invention may have a configuration in which said torque measuring mechanism comprises a sensor 42 for measuring a torque applied to said plate 1, which is mounted on a shaft of the motor 2 for driving said plate 1. [0012] The balance training device of the present invention, in one configuration, may have a kinetic model analyzer 5 characterized in that a motion of said plate 1 is defined by a spring constant, a viscous braking coefficient and a moment of inertia, all of which are virtual. [0013] The balance training device of the present invention, in one configuration, may have a motor controller 6 for controlling the plate 1 with a user carried thereon in accordance with an angle of equilibrium that has been arithmetically determined by said kinetic model analyzer 5. The term "angle of equilibrium" used herein refers to an angle making the force applied by the user in balance with the rotational force of the motor. Increasing or decreasing of the rotational force will modify the angle of making the equilibrium. [0014] Said balance training device of the present invention can provide the training independently and exclusively directed to each one of three organs, including the semicircular canal, the vision and the deep sensibility, each governing a personal capability of balancing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a balance training device according to the present invention; [0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a balance training device according to the present invention, showing an example including a rotation torque sensor mounted thereon; [0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram for controlling a measuring operation and a motor in an embodiment of a balance training device according to the present invention; [0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view for facilitating the understanding of equations (1) and (2) for arithmetically determining a rotation torque and a kinetic analytical model for an embodiment of a balance training device according to the present invention; and [0019] FIG. 5 provides a graphical representation of simulation results for different viscous braking coefficients with respect to an embodiment of a balance training device according to the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Continue reading... Full patent description for Balance training device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Balance training device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Balance training device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Torque control apparatus and vehicle control system having the same Next Patent Application: System for creating a personalized fitness video for an individual Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Balance training device patent info. 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