Systems and Methods Related to Coupling an Energy Harvester to Exercise Equipment

• US 20150375028A1
• Filed: 01/15/2015
• Published: 12/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Strength Companion, LLC
• Original Assignee: Strength Companion, LLC
• Inventors: Oteman, David G., Lee, Jin W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,692,276 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0063 Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0081 Stopping the operation of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/065 Visualisation of specific exercise parameters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0054 for charging a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/025 Spiral springs with turns lying substantially in plane surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0628 for vertical array of weights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/153 wound-up and unwound during exercise, e.g. from a reel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/157 Ratchet-wheel links; Overrunning clutches; One-way clutches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/169 for anchoring on or against a wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4043 Free movement, i.e. the only restriction coming from the resistance A63B21/00043, A63B21/072 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/08 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03533 With separate means driven by each limb, i.e. performing different movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0054 Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers mats or the like for absorbing shocks for jumping A63B6/00
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 1/02 : characterised by shape or material of spring, e.g. helical, spiral, coil
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 1/026 : using torsion springs
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 5/06 : other than of endless-walk type
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 5/065 : operated by the hand
• CPC Class Codes: F03G 7/08 : recovering energy derived from swinging, rolling, pitching or like movements, e.g. from the vibrations of a machine
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/00 : Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/001 : Energy harvesting or scavenging
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/1407 : on vehicles not being driven by a motor, e.g. bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 7/1853 : driven by intermittent forces

Abstract

A system and method for mechanically coupling an energy harvester to strength training type exercise equipment is disclosed. An energy harvester with unwanted vibration forces is mechanically isolated from exercise equipment by a system comprising a plurality of mechanically compliant vibration isolators and a ballast mass; a flexible cord, pre-loaded with a near constant force spring is used to transmit motion from the weight stack to the energy harvester; the flexible cord has a force limiting feature to pre-excessive force from being transmitted from the energy harvester to the weight stack during an exercise motion.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

an exercise device having a mechanical element forming a majority of resistive force to be overcome by an exercise motion of a user of the device;

an electrical generator comprising a rotatable shaft, the electrical generator configured to produce electricity as a result of rotation of the shaft; and

a flexible cord coupled between the mechanical element and the electrical generator,

wherein the shaft of the electrical generator is rotated in a first direction during motion of the flexible cord in a first cord direction.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the shaft of the electrical generator is rotated in a second direction during motion of the flexible cord in a second cord direction.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the resistive element comprises a weight stack including a plurality of plates.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the plates are selectively translatable along a translation path between a first position and a second position.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the translation path is linear.

6. A system according to claim 4, further comprising a force limiter connected to the cord and to the weight stack, the force limiter configured to decouple the cord from the weight stack if a tension force conducted by the cord exceeds a predetermined force threshold.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the force limiter comprises a magnet.

8. A system according to claim 6, wherein the force limiter comprises a mechanical fuse.

9. A system according to claim 6, wherein the electrical generator comprises a portion of an energy harvester, the energy harvester further comprising a frame and a reel rotatably supported by the frame, wherein the cord extends about an outer circumference of the reel.

10. A system according to claim 9, further comprising a second shaft rotatably supported by the frame, the reel being fixed to the second shaft.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the reel comprises a housing radially at least partially surrounding an arbor secured to the frame, the reel substantially containing a biasing member anchored to the arbor and the housing.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the biasing member is a constant force spring.

13. A system according to claim 9, wherein the exercise device rests upon a floor surface, the energy harvester being positioned between the floor surface and a first height parallel to the floor surface defined by at least one of the plates.

14. A system according to claim 9, wherein the exercise device rests upon a floor surface, all of the plates being positioned between the floor surface and a first height parallel to the floor surface defined by the portion of the frame of the energy harvester closest to the floor surface.

15. A system according to claim 9, further comprising a ballast mass coupled to the frame.

16. A system according to claim 9, further comprising vibration isolation mounts coupled to the frame.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the vibration isolation mounts are disposed between the frame and a support surface.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the support surface is attached to the exercise device.

19. A system according to claim 1, the electrical generator comprising a direct current generator.

20. A system according to claim 1, the electrical generator comprising an alternating current generator.