GYMNASTIC APPARATUS FOR CYCLING SIMULATION AND OPERATING METHODS THEREOF

• US 20180036586A1
• Filed: 08/03/2017
• Published: 02/08/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Technogym SpA
• Original Assignee: Technogym SpA
• Inventors: CRISTOFORI, Claudio, Urbini, Fabio, Giraldi, Daniele, Faedi, Alberto, Gorza, Roberto
• Granted Patent: US 10,799,755 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0033 Lower limbs performing together the same movement, e.g. on a single support element
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0611 Particular details or arrangement of cranks
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0675 Input for modifying training controls during workout
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00076 on the fly, i.e. varying the resistance during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00192 using resistance provided by magnetic means A63B21/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0054 for charging a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0025 Particular aspects relating to the orientation of movement paths of the limbs relative to the body; Relative relationship between the movements of the limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0087 with a seat or torso support moving during the exercise, e.g. reformers A63B22/0076 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0285 Physical characteristics of the belt, e.g. material, surface, indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/54 Torque
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0476 by rotating cycling movement arrangements on or for real bicycles A63B69/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0619 Displays, user interfaces and indicating devices, specially adapted for sport equipment, e.g. display mounted on treadmills
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 23/06 Levers
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 11/145 : built in, or adjacent to, the bottom bracket
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 25/04 : hand actuated
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/02 : characterised by the signals used for shift actuators F16H61/28, for continuously variable gearings F16H61/66

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a gymnastic apparatus and method for cycling simulation having a transmission portion driven by pedals, through which a user may perform cycling training. The transmission portion may comprise a flywheel and a braking portion, which may apply a braking force to the flywheel. The apparatus may further comprise a control logic unit, through which training parameters may be set, and a sensor coupled to the control logic unit. The sensor may detect a signal relating to the torque acting on the flywheel and thereby send a signal to the control logic unit; the control logic unit may be configured to adjust the braking force of the braking portion applied to the flywheel, thereby adjusting the resistance to the pedals as a function of parameters set, as appropriate, and communicate information and adjust such changes via a feedback signal from the sensor.

Claims

1. Apparatus for cycling simulation comprising:

a support frame;

a transmission portion rotatably driven by pedals and installed on said support frame, the transmission portion comprising;

a transmission assembly, for the transmission of the motion from said pedals; and

a braking assembly, comprising a flywheel, rotating about a flywheel shaft operated by said transmission assembly, said braking assembly being arranged for braking said flywheel;

said apparatus further comprising;

a control logic unit, wherein cycling training parameters are stored or are settable by a user; and

a sensor connected to said control logic unit, said sensor being capable of detecting a feedback signal related to the torque acting on said flywheel shaft during the rotation of said flywheel and of sending said signal to said control logic unit;

said control logic unit being configured so as to allow the adjustment of the braking force exerted by said braking assembly on said flywheel by adjusting the resistance to the rotation of said transmission portion when a force is applied to said pedals based on said parameters and on the feedback signal received from said sensor.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said motion transmission assembly comprises a gearshift for the selection of a gear ratio, for adjusting the resistance to the rotation of said transmission portion.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said gearshift comprises gear wheels, coupled to each other by epicyclical gearing.

4. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said motion transmission assembly comprises a main shaft,

cranks to which said pedals are coupled, said cranks being coupled with said main shaft,

a crown keyed on said main shaft,

a first pulley,

a secondary shaft, to which said first pulley is keyed, and

a first force transmitting portion engaged with said crown and with said first pulley.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that said gearshift for the selection of a gear ratio is mechanically coupled with said secondary shaft.

6. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises:

a transmission ratio selecting device mechanically coupled with said gearshift;

a handlebar fixed to said support frame of the apparatus, comprising a first handle and a second handle arranged thereon, and a first lever, fixed on said first handle and connected to said first cable, and a second lever fixed on said second handle and connected to said second cable, said first and second lever being pivotally operable;

a first cable extending from said first lever to said transmission ratio selecting device, for operating said gearshift; and

a second cable extending from said second lever to said transmission ratio selecting device, for operating said gearshift.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that said transmission ratio selecting device is connected to said gearshift by a selecting cable, said transmission ratio selecting device comprises:

a gear reducer assembly mechanically connected to said cable;

a gear increase assembly mechanically connected to said cable; and

a snap operable mechanism, which said selecting cable is coupled to, said snap operable mechanism being operable by said gear reducer assembly and said gear increase assembly such that;

when said first lever first lever is operated and said first cable is pulled, said gear reducer assembly operates said snap operable mechanism, so as to release said selecting cable of a stretch; and

when said second lever first lever is operated and said second cable is pulled, said gear increase assembly operates said snap operable mechanism, so as to pull said selecting cable of a stretch.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized

in that said snap operable mechanism comprises a first and a second ratchet wheels keyed each other, one end of said selecting cable being fixed to said first and a second ratchet wheels, said first and second ratchet wheels being arranged so as to rotate in a gear reducing direction, in which the selecting cable is released, and in a gear increase direction, opposite to said gear reducing direction, in which the selecting cable is pulled;

and

an unlocking pawl member, having a lever and a pawl, said pawl of said unlocking pawl member being kept engaged with a tooth of the second ratchet wheel by a spring; and

in that said transmission ratio selecting device comprises;

a containment casing having a housing within which first and a second ratchet wheels are arranged and where a cam shaped surface is obtained, said unlocking pawl member being pivoted about said containment casing;

said gear reducer assembly comprises a reducing slider, provided with return springs and a reducer pawl member, operable by said reducing slider and having a pawl arranged so as to engage, when operated, said lever of said unlocking pawl member, said reducer pawl member being pivoted about said containment casing, fixed to said containment casing and provided with a return spring, for returning said reducer pawl member in the initial position, after the operation by said reducing slider; and

said gear increase assembly comprising a rotating plate, pivoted about said containment casing, an increase slider, provided with return springs and said increase slider being also rotatably coupled with said rotating plate in a point placed eccentric with respect to the pivot said rotating plate is pivoted about with respect to said containment casing, and an increase pawl member, pivoted about said rotating plate and provided with a return spring, said increase pawl member having a lever and a pawl and being arranged for engaging a tooth of said first ratchet wheel, so as to rotate the same toward said gear increase direction, so as to cause the pawl of said unlocking pawl member to slide over the second ratchet wheel and engage with a following tooth.

9. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises an actuator for the electronic activation of said gearshift, said actuator being connected to, and operated by said control logic unit.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that said actuator operates said transmission ratio selecting device.

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said braking assembly comprises

at least one permanent magnet,

a magnet holder bracket housing said at least one permanent magnet, said magnet holder bracket being capable of assuming an inactive position, in which said at least one permanent magnet does not overlap over said flywheel, and an active position, in which said at least one permanent magnet is at least partially overlapped over said flywheel, and

a motor connected to, and controlled by said control logic unit, said motor being arranged for causing said magnet holder bracket to pass from said inactive position to an active position and vice-versa.

12. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said braking assembly are of electromagnetic type comprising a coil and a clutch, actuated by said coil made of winding turns, where the adjustment of the braking action is achieved by adjusting the current flowing through said winding turns.

13. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said sensor is a torque sensor for detecting the torque acting on said flywheel shaft during the rotation of said flywheel, and/or for detecting the rotation speed of said flywheel, and/or for detecting the pedaling cadence of said user by means of said pedals.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said cycling training parameters comprises power of the workout and/or the slope to be simulated by the workout.

15. Operating method for a cycling simulation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a constant power training mode and a constant slope training mode.

16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that said constant power training mode comprises:

a main selecting step, where, by said interface device can be selected whether to carry out the workout following one of the available programs or to carry out a workout selecting manually one of the power levels of the workout;

a program selecting step, in case of in said step were selected to carry out the workout following one of the available programs, where the workout program among the ones available is selectable;

a workout control procedure, comprising the substeps of running the power level of the workout among the possible set of the selectable power levels of the workout;

checking the cadence, showing it the user, by means of said sensor;

adjusting the torque in order to maintain the selected power level of the workout;

a power level selecting step, in case of the user in said step selected to carry out to the workout selecting the power level of the workout; and

a workout control procedure step, comprising the substeps of checking the cadence, showing it the user, by means of said sensor;

adjusting the torque in order to maintain the present power value.

17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that it comprises:

after said control procedure step, a manual power level change step, where the user can change the power level of the workout among the possible set of power levels of the workout, such that, in case of the power level of the workout is changed, the procedure comes back to the workout control procedure, otherwise the workout ends; and

/or

after said workout control procedure step, a manual level of power level of the workout change step, where the user can change the power level of the workout among the possible set of power levels of the workout, such that, in case of the power level of the workout is changed, the procedure comes back to the workout control procedure, otherwise the workout ends.

18. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that said constant slope training mode comprises:

a main selecting step, where, by the interface device, it can be selected whether to carry out the workout following one of the available programs by an interface device or to carry out a workout selecting manually one of the simulating slope values; and

a program selecting step, in case of in said step were selected to carry out the workout following one of the available programs, where the workout program among the ones available is selectable;

a workout control procedure, comprising the substeps of running the simulating slope value among the possible set of levels of selectable simulating slope values;

checking the cadence, showing it to the user, by means of said sensor;

a checking step, where it is checked whether the user is able to carry out the suggested cadence, so that, in case of the user is not able to carry out the suggested cadence, said constant slope training mode comprises an adjustments step of the cadence by said gearshift;

otherwise a slope level manual change step is provided, where the user can change the slope level of the workout among the possible set of slope levels, coming back to said workout control procedure;

a level of slope selecting step, in case of the user in said step selected to carry out to the workout selecting the slope level;

a workout control procedure, comprising the step of checking cadence, showing it to the user, by means of said sensor;

a checking step, where it is checked whether the user is able to carry out the suggested cadence, so that, in case of the user is not able to carry out the suggested cadence, said constant slope training mode comprises an adjustments step of the cadence by said gearshift;

a slope level manual change step, where the user can change the slope level of the workout among the possible set of slope levels, such that, in case of the selected slope level is changed, the procedure comes back to the workout control procedure, otherwise the workout ends.