| Method and apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive load during exercise -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Method and apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive load during exerciseRelated Patent Categories: Exercise Devices, Having Specific Electrical FeatureThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050239600. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates to a load for exercise equipment, more particularly to a method and apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive load during exercise. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] A known apparatus for providing a resistive load during exercise includes a wheel unit, a resistance generator, an electrically controlled torque transfer device, and a control unit. The wheel unit is operable so as to rotate in response to exertion of a user-applied force during an exercise stroke. The resistance generator, such as an electric motor, is operable so as to generate a resistive torque for resisting rotation of the wheel unit when the user-applied force is exerted. The torque transfer device, such as an electromagnetic mechanical particle clutch, couples the resistance generator to the wheel unit, and is operable so as to transfer a fraction of the resistive torque from the resistance generator to the wheel unit. The control unit is coupled to the resistance generator so as to control activation of the resistance generator and direction of the resistive torque generated by the resistance generator. The control unit is further coupled to the torque transfer device, and controls operation of the torque transfer device in order to gradually increase the fraction of the resistive torque that is transferred to the wheel unit with reference to a predetermined load variation curve during each exercise stroke. [0005] While the aforesaid known apparatus provides a variable resistive load during exercise, it does not take into account the actual physical condition of the user during exercise. As a result, when the resistive load is too heavy, the user is likely to get injured due to over-exertion. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive load during exercise that can overcome the aforesaid drawback of the prior art. [0007] According to one aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for providing a dynamically variable resistive load during exercise. The method is implemented using an apparatus which includes a wheel unit that is operable so as to rotate in response to exertion of a user-applied force during an exercise stroke, a resistance generator that is operable so as to generate a resistive torque for resisting rotation of the wheel unit when the user-applied force is exerted, and an electrically controlled torque transfer device that couples the resistance generator to the wheel unit and that is operable so as to transfer a fraction of the resistive torque from the resistance generator to the wheel unit. The method comprises the steps of: [0008] a) detecting angular rotation of the wheel unit during each exercise stroke; and [0009] b) in accordance with the detected angular rotation of the wheel unit during a current exercise stroke, controlling the torque transfer device to adjust the fraction of the resistive torque that is transferred to the wheel unit. [0010] According to another aspect of this invention, there is provided an apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive load during exercise. The apparatus comprises a wheel unit, a resistance generator, an electrically controlled torque transfer device, an angle measuring device, and a control unit. The wheel unit is operable so as to rotate in response to exertion of a user-applied force during an exercise stroke. The resistance generator is operable so as to generate a resistive torque for resisting rotation of the wheel unit when the user-applied force is exerted. The torque transfer device couples the resistance generator to the wheel unit, and is operable so as to transfer a fraction of the resistive torque from the resistance generator to the wheel unit. The angle measuring device detects angular rotation of the wheel unit during each exercise stroke. The control unit is coupled to the torque transfer device and the angle measuring device. In accordance with the angular rotation of the wheel unit detected by the angle measuring device during a current exercise stroke, the control unit controls the torque transfer device to adjust the fraction of the resistive torque that is transferred to the wheel unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: [0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a multi-function exercise machine that incorporates the preferred embodiment of an apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive load according to the present invention; [0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the preferred embodiment; [0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the preferred embodiment; [0015] FIG. 4 is a flowchart to illustrate operation of a control unit of the preferred embodiment; and [0016] FIG. 5 is a flowchart to illustrate operation of a modified control unit of the preferred embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0017] Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of an apparatus 3 for providing a dynamically variable resistive load according to the present invention is shown to be incorporated in a multi-function exercise machine 2 that includes a known pull unit 21, a known leg extension unit 22, and a known tread unit 23. A transmission device 24 is provided to couple the apparatus 3 to each of the pull unit 21, the leg extension unit 22 and the tread unit 23. The transmission device 24 includes rope means 241 coupled to the pull unit 21 and the leg extension unit 22, belt means 242 coupled to the tread unit 23, and a set of pulleys 243 for controlling transmission direction of the rope and belt means 241, 242. [0018] With further reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the apparatus 3 of this embodiment includes a wheel unit 51, a resistance generator 7, an electrically controlled torque transfer device 8, an angle measuring device 52, and a control unit 6. [0019] The wheel unit 51 is coupled to the rope means 241 and the belt means 242 of the transmission device 24. The wheel unit 51 is thus operable so as to rotate in response to exertion of a user-applied force on any one of the pull unit 21, the leg extension unit 22 and the tread unit 23 during exercise. In this embodiment, the wheel unit 51 includes a wheel shaft 512 mounted rotatably on the exercise machine 2, and an optical encoder wheel 510 mounted co-rotatably on the wheel shaft 512 and formed with a plurality of angularly displaced radial slots 511. [0020] The resistance generator 7 is mounted on the exercise machine 2, and includes an electric motor 72 that is operable so as to generate a resistive torque for resisting rotation of the wheel unit 51 when the user-applied force is exerted. A known transmission unit 73, which includes two transmission wheels 731, 732 and a transmission belt 733 trained on the transmission wheels 731, 732, is used to transmit the resistive torque generated by the motor 72 to the torque transfer device 8. Continue reading... Full patent description for Method and apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive load during exercise Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive load during exercise 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 Method and apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive load during exercise or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Bi-directional resistance exercise apparatus Next Patent Application: Virtual exercise system and method Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method and apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive load during exercise patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 2.18973 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry |
||
