Control circuit using toggled activation to reduce inrush currents

• US 7,481,744 B2
• Filed: 08/08/2006
• Issued: 01/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Core Industries Incorporated (SPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Unisen Incorporated (Prosegur Compañia de Seguridad SA)
• Inventors: Wallace, Gregory A., Reyes, Javier J.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US11/500,582
• Publication Number:
  US 20070032351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482/51, 482/52, 482/54, 482/57, 482/62, 482/72, 482/73, 482900-902, 434/247, 434/253, 310/62, 363/141, 318/471, 318/782, 318/772
• US Class Current: 482/54
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• 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 2225/30 Maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/66 Cooled
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/682 for beverages
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/685 for electronic devices, e.g. phone, PDA, GPS device, notebook
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/687 for others, e.g. keys, wallets, books
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

Aspects of the present invention include a controller circuit for an exercise machine, where the controller circuit includes a board mounted transformer having tolerances near or below the inrush current generally present in activating one or more cooling fans. According to one embodiment, the controller circuit attempts to power on a subsequent fan after the sum of the inrush or steady state current of presently operating fan or fans, and the inrush current generally associated with powering on the subsequent fan, is within the tolerances of the transformer.

Claims

1. A method of activating one or more fans mounted on an exercise machine, the method comprising:

determining a user-selected fan setting for a plurality of fans designed to provide moving air to a user of an exercise machine through one or more openings in the exercise machine, the opening generally positioned around or above a height of an upper torso area of a user; and

outputting a drive signal activating the fans based on the user-selected fan-setting, wherein the drive signal accounts for current tolerance levels that can be drawn through a board-mounted transformer, said tolerance levels being near or below current levels needed to jumpstart the fans, wherein direct application of current sufficient to simultaneously jumpstart said fans draws currents at a level potentially harmful to one or more components of fan controller circuitry.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the outputting further comprises outputting a first drive signal to a first of the fans before outputting a second drive signal to a second of the fans.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising connecting a voltage key to configure the exercise machine to accept a specific power source.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the connecting said voltage key comprises configuring windings of said board-mounted transformer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-selected fan setting comprises “

OFF.”

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-selected fan setting comprises “

LOW.”

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-selected fan setting comprises “

HIGH.”

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the connecting said voltage key comprises inserting into a receptacle one of a plurality of mechanically interchangeable and electrically matable plugs, at least two of said plugs differently configuring said windings of said transformer.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the inserting said voltage key into said receptacle further comprises inserting said voltage key including wiring exterior to a housing of said plug, said wiring useful in disconnecting said plug from said receptacle.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein a printed circuit board, to which said transformer is mounted, includes a plurality of diagnostic indicators.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said exercise machine comprises a treadmill.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said exercise machine comprises a stationary bike.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said exercise machine comprises an elliptical device.