Force generation and control system for an exercise machine
First Claim
1. A force generation and control system for an exercise machine in which the exercise machine includes a user interface engaged by a user to exercise using said exercise machine, comprising:
- an electric motor for use as a force producing element;
a mechanical linkage for mechanically connecting said user interface to said electric motor; and
a digital data processor operatively connected to said electric motor for determining the position and direction of movement of said mechanical linkage relative to said electric motor and for operating said electric motor to provide one of forcing movement and resistance to the movement of said mechanical linkage depending on said direction of movement of said mechanical linkage.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An exercise machine having a user interface engaged by a user to perform exercises using the exercise machine is disclosed in which an electric, direct current (DC), servo control motor is used as the force producing element to which the user interface is mechanically connected and in which a digital data processor, operatively connected to the electric motor, is used for monitoring the position and direction of movement of the linkage relative to the electric DC servo motor and for controlling the electric DC servo motor to operate as one of a generator or a motor depending upon the determined position and direction of movement of the linkage is disclosed. The force exerted by the electric motor, whether it is operating as a motor or a generator, is dependant upon the position and direction of movement of the mechanical linkage as well as upon the force exerted by the user on the mechanical linkage, and other parameters, depending upon which one of three modes of operation is selected.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A force generation and control system for an exercise machine in which the exercise machine includes a user interface engaged by a user to exercise using said exercise machine, comprising:
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an electric motor for use as a force producing element; a mechanical linkage for mechanically connecting said user interface to said electric motor; and a digital data processor operatively connected to said electric motor for determining the position and direction of movement of said mechanical linkage relative to said electric motor and for operating said electric motor to provide one of forcing movement and resistance to the movement of said mechanical linkage depending on said direction of movement of said mechanical linkage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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6. An exercise machine having a user interface engaged by a user to perform exercises using said exercise machine, comprising:
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an electric motor for use as a force producing element; a mechanical linkage for mechanically connecting said user interface to said electric motor; and a digital data processor operatively connected to said electric motor, for determining the position and direction of movement of said mechanical linkage relative to said electric motor and for controlling said electric motor to operate as one of a generator or motor depending on said determined position and direction of movement of said mechanical linkage. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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18. A force generation and control system for an exercise machine, in which the exercise machine includes a user interface engaged by a user to exercise using said exercise machine, comprising:
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an electric motor for use as a force producing element; a computer controlled, programmable power supply for supplying power to said electric motor; a mechanical linkage for mechanically connecting said user interface to said electric motor; and a digital data processor operatively connected to said electric motor and said mechanical linkage, for determining the position and direction of movement of said mechanical linkage relative to said electric motor and for controlling the power delivered to said electric motor, whether resisting movement or forcing movement of said mechanical linkage. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification