Magnetic adjustable loading device with eddy current

• US 5,711,404 A
• Filed: 02/05/1997
• Issued: 01/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Chi Hua Fitness Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Ying-Che Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Ying-Che
• Primary Examiner(s): Butler, Douglas C.
• Application Number:
  US08/794,888
• Time in Patent Office: 356 Days
• Field of Search: 188/164, 188/163, 188/161, 188/158, 188/159, 188/160, 188/267, 310/93, 310/103, 310/105, 192/84.5, 482/5, 482/6, 482/57, 482/63, 482/903, 482/92, 242/288
• US Class Current: 188/164
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 2213/09 Machines characterised by the presence of elements which are subject to variation, e.g. adjustable bearings, reconfigurable windings, variable pitch ventilators
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 49/043 with a radial airgap
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/903 Utilizing electromagnetic force resistance

Abstract

A magnetic adjustable loading device with eddy current comprises a flywheel and a rotor made from metal conductor. A stator comprises with a magnetic plate and permanent magnet. By changing the air gap between the rotor and stator, the magnetic flux density is changed. Characterized in that the axial displacement of the stator is replaced by a stator which performs the radial displacement. The loading or resistance can be adjusted in a stepless manner. The overall dimension of the loading device can be reduced and it can be applied in a more flexible and subtle way.

Claims

1. A magnetic adjustable loading device with eddy current comprising:

a flywheel having a bearing disposed therein, a transmission element being disposed at outer side;

a metal conductor being disposed at an inner rim of said flywheel;

a shaft being provided for mounting said bearing of said flywheel and said transmission element thereof, both end of said shaft being provided with threaded portions;

a stator disk being provided and disposed at inner side of said flywheel, said stator disk being locked to said shaft by a flush-head bolt disposed at central portion;

a stator being installed to said stator disk;

a cover lid being locked to said stator disk to enclose said stator therein, an adjusting means and a braking means being also provided;

characterized in that said stator is configured by a pair of opposite circular magnetic plates made from magnetic material, an outer rim portion being provided with a permanent magnet, a top portion of said circular plate being pivotally mounted to said stator disk, a bottom end of said circular plate being free to move, the inner rim portion of said circular plate facing toward the central portion of said stator disk being disposed with a biasing spring;

said adjusting means comprising an adjusting element which is provided with projected pin at both ends, said projected pin being movably received within the grooves of said stator disk and said cover lid such that said projected pins can move up and down within said grooves, said projected pin being further connected to the bottom portion of said stator with a cable, said cable being further guided by a pair of guiding posts disposed at sides of said grooves;

said braking means being connected to a controller on a sporting equipment by a cable, said cable being installed to said cover lid by means of an eyelet, said cover lid being provided with a transfer idle cam which is connected to said adjusting element of said adjusting means;

by the provision of those above described elements, the level of said adjusting element can be readily adjusted by said braking means, consequently, an air gap between said stator and said metal conductor of said flywheel is varied and the magnetic flux density is also changed, as a result, the resistance can be readily changed and adjusted in a stepless manner.

2. A magnetic adjustable loading device with eddy current as recited in claim 1, wherein the top of said circular magnetic plate is folded to form a pivotal hole for mounting on a pin of said stator disk, said stator disk further including four positioning elements for mounting said cover lid thereon, consequently, the inner rim of said circular magnetic plate can be readily positioned.

3. A magnetic adjustable loading device with eddy current as recited in claim 1, wherein a transmitting element can be a chain or belt and the transmission element can be a gear or teeth pulley.

4. A magnetic adjustable loading device with eddy current, comprising

a flywheel having a bearing disposed therein, a transmission element being disposed at outer side;

a metal conductor being disposed at the inner rim of said flywheel;

a shaft being provided for mounting said bearing of said flywheel and said transmission element thereof, both end of said shaft being provided with threaded portions;

a stator being pivotally mounted on a supporting bracket, an adjusting means and a braking means being disposed at said supporting bracket;

characterized in that said stator is comprised by a pair of circular magnetic plate having provided with permanent magnet at an outer rim portion, in the suitable position at an inner rim portion, a pulling spring being provided, top portions of said circular magnetic plates being assembled to form a loop while bottom ends are set to free, the inner side of each of said circular magnetic plates being provided with two opposite surfaces;

a top of said supporting bracket corresponding to said loop of said stator being provided with a threaded hole, a locking bolt being applied for locking pivotally said stator on said supporting bracket, in turn said supporting bracket being attached to said shaft by a flush-head screw, a bottom of said supporting bracket being provided with an eyelet and a stopper;

said adjusting means including an L-shaped, adjusting rod disposed within said eyelet of said supporting bracket, an end portion of said adjusting rod which passes therethrough said eyelet being provided with a rectangular cross section which can be received and retained within a corresponding rectangular hole of an adjusting plate which is disposed between said two opposite surfaces of said stator;

said braking means including a controller which includes a cable thereof, an end of said cable being directed to pass through said stopper of said supporting bracket and in turn connect to said adjusting rod of said adjusting means;

when said adjusting rod is moved and shifted an angle by manipulation of said braking means, said adjusting plate is moved and shifted to the same angle, consequently, said stator is expanded outwardly and in turn an air gap between said stator and said metal conductor is varied, as the air gap is varied, the magnetic flux density is also changed and the loading or resistance resulted by inducing eddy current is also changed, the loading device can be adjusted in a stepless manner.