Cooling systems and methods for exercise equipment

• US 10,441,844 B2
• Filed: 10/16/2017
• Issued: 10/15/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IFIT Incorporated (Amynta Agency, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Powell, Wade A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen R
• Application Number:
  US15/785,302
• Publication Number:
  US 20180036585A1
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/009 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled in synchronism with visualising systems, e.g. hill slope
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/068 Input by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0683 Input by handheld remote control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0055 the produced electric power used as a source for other equipment, e.g. for TVs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0057 using electromagnetic clutches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0088 by moving the surrounding air
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/154 using special pulley-assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0076 Rowing machines for conditioning the cardio-vascular system seats moving during exercise A63B22/0087; training appliances for rowing or sculling on boats A63B69/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0235 driven by a motor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/025 electrically, e.g. D.C. motors with variable speed control
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0257 Mechanical systems therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/30 Maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load

Abstract

An exercise machine may include a deck, a motor housing incorporated into the deck, a lift motor located in the motor housing, and a cooling mechanism that cools the lift motor when the cooling mechanism is activated. An airflow pathway may be defined to direct air from the cooling mechanism to a location above the motor housing and on to a user of the exercise machine. The exercise machine may be configured such that upon beginning operation of the machine, substantially all of the airflow exhausts to the location above the motor housing. A mechanism may be provided to selectively alter a characteristic of the airflow after the exercise machine has begun operation.

Claims

1. An exercise machine comprising:

a deck;

a motor housing incorporated into the deck;

a console positioned at an elevation above the motor housing;

a fan associated with at least one of a lift motor and a drive motor located in the motor housing;

an airflow pathway extending from a location adjacent the fan through a first outlet vent located in a location above the motor housing; and

a mechanism configured to selectively alter airflow flowing through the airflow pathway.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes a clutch coupled with the fan.

3. The exercise machine of claim 2, wherein the clutch includes an electromagnetic clutch.

4. The exercise machine of claim 3, wherein the clutch is in a normally engaged state.

5. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the mechanism includes a diverter.

6. The exercise machine of claim 5, wherein the diverter is displaceable between at least two different positions, including a first position wherein substantially all airflow is directed through the first outlet vent, and a second position wherein all airflow is directed through a second vent to a location away from the location above the motor housing.

7. The exercise machine of claim 6, wherein the diverter is displaceable to at least a third position wherein a first portion of the airflow is directed through the first outlet vent and a second portion of the airflow is directed through the second outlet vent.

8. The exercise machine of claim 5, wherein the diverter is in the first position upon starting operation of the exercise machine.

9. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising at least one post member extending from a location adjacent the deck up to the console, and wherein the airflow pathway extends through an interior portion of the at least one post member.

10. The exercise machine of claim 9, further comprising an inlet vent formed in the at least one post member and in fluid communication with the airflow pathway.

11. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising at least one auxiliary fan disposed within the airflow pathway.

12. The exercise machine of claim 11, wherein the at least one auxiliary fan is configured to begin operation upon starting operation of the exercise machine.

13. A method of operating an exercise machine, the method comprising:

providing a deck with a motor housing;

providing a motor in the motor housing to alter an operating characteristic of the deck;

providing a fan to circulate air over the motor;

providing an airflow pathway from a location adjacent the fan, to a first exhaust vent located in a console of the exercise machine;

exhausting substantially all airflow from the fan through the first exhaust vent to a location above the motor housing upon starting the exercise machine;

altering at least one characteristic of the airflow through the airflow pathway during subsequent operation of the exercise machine.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein altering at least one characteristic of the airflow includes turning off the fan.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein altering at least one characteristic of the airflow includes diverting at least a portion of the airflow through a second exhaust vent.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein altering at least one characteristic of the airflow includes diverting substantially all of the airflow through a second exhaust vent.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein altering at least one characteristic of the airflow is responsive to a user command.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein altering at least one characteristic of the airflow is responsive to a command associated with a predefined workout program.

19. A treadmill, comprising:

a deck;

a motor housing incorporated into the deck;

a first pulley incorporated into the deck;

a tread belt incorporated into the deck and in engagement with the first pulley;

a drive motor located within the motor housing in mechanical communication with the first pulley;

a flywheel being rotationally fixed with respect to the drive motor where the drive motor causes the tread belt to move in a rotational direction and causes the flywheel to spin;

a lift motor located within the motor housing;

a fan assembly that cools the lift motor;

a console;

at least one post member extending from a location adjacent the deck to the console;

an airflow path extending from the fan, through the at least one post member, through an exhaust vent located in the console; and

a mechanism configured to selectively alter airflow flowing through the airflow pathway.