Walking training system

• US 9,782,659 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2015
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Yamazaki, Seisuke
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn
• Application Number:
  US14/961,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20160158622A1
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51, 482 54, 119700
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0092 for training agility or co-ordination of movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0094 for active rehabilitation, e.g. slow motion devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0081 Stopping the operation of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/285 in cooperation
• 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 2220/52 Weight, e.g. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/807 Photo cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/04 for lower limbs training appliances for special sports A63B69/00; for the purpose of producing mechanical power F03G5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• 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 69/0064 Attachments on the trainee preventing falling
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0009 for handicapped persons
• 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

Abstract

A walking training system according to the present invention includes a belt conveyor on which a trainee walks, a frame, a sensor, and a control device. The frame, positioned on both sides of the belt conveyor, allows an assistant to place each of the feet thereon. The sensor measures the presence state of a foot on the frame. The control device determines whether there are three or more feet on the frame based on the measurement result of the sensor and, if it is determined that there are three or more feet, performs abnormal-time control.

Claims

1. A walking training system comprising:

a belt conveyor that is configured so that a trainee walks on the belt conveyor;

a pair of frames that are positioned on both sides of the belt conveyor, one frame being positioned on each side of the belt conveyor to allow an assistant to place a foot on each frame;

a sensor that is configured to detect the presence of a foot on each frame; and

a control device that is configured to;

determine whether there are three or more feet on the pair of frames based on a measurement result of the sensor, and

perform abnormal-time control if the control device determines that there are three or more feet on the pair of frames.

2. The walking training system according to claim 1, wherein:

the sensor is configured to measure a load on the pair of frames from foot, and

the control device is configured to determine that there is a foot on the pair of frames when the sensor measures the load.

3. The walking training system according to claim 2, wherein:

the sensor is configured to measure a load distribution on the pair of frames from the foot, and

the control device is configured to;

determine that there are two feet on one of the frames when a length between two load distributions on the one frame is longer than a predetermined length, and

determine that there is one foot on the one of the frames when the length between two load distributions on the one of the frames is equal to or shorter than the predetermined length.

4. The walking training system according to claim 3, wherein:

the sensor includes a plurality of load sensors, each of which measures the load distribution on the pair of frames from the foot, and the plurality of load sensors are arranged close together on the pair of frames within a predetermined range on a side in a direction opposite to a direction of movement of the trainee.

5. The walking training system according to claim 4, wherein:

the sensor includes an ON/OFF sensor, the ON/OFF sensor being turned on when a foot is placed on one of the frames, and being turned off when a foot is not placed on one of the frames, the ON/OFF sensor being positioned outside a range in which the plurality of load sensors are arranged on the pair of frames, and

the control device is configured to determine that there are three or more feet on the pair of frames when the control device determines that there are two feet on the pair of frames based on a measurement result of the plurality of load sensors and when the ON/OFF sensor is turned on.

6. The walking training system according to claim 1, wherein:

the sensor includes a plurality of photo-electronic sensors, the photo-electronic sensors being configured to observe a boundary between the belt conveyor and the pair of frames, and

the control device is configured to determine that there is a foot on one of the frames if a blocking of light is detected by the photo-electronic sensors.

7. The walking training system according to claim 6, wherein:

the control device is configured to;

determine that there are two feet on the belt conveyor when a length of a blocked light is longer than a predetermined length, and

determine that there is one foot on the belt conveyor when the length of the blocked light is equal to or shorter than the predetermined length.

8. The walking training system according to claim 1, wherein:

the sensor includes at least one camera that captures the pair of frames, and

the control device is configured to determine that there is a foot on the pair of frames when the control device recognizes the foot by analyzing an image generated by the capturing by the camera.

9. The walking training system according to claim 1, wherein:

during the abnormal-time control, the control device decelerates the belt conveyor or stops the belt conveyor.

10. A walking training system comprising:

a belt conveyor that is configured so that a trainee walks on the belt conveyor;

a pair of frames that are positioned on both sides of the belt conveyor, one frame being positioned on each side of the belt conveyor to allow an assistant to place a foot on each frame;

a sensor that is configured to detect the presence of a foot on the belt conveyor; and

a control device that is configured to;

determine whether there are three or more feet on the belt conveyor based on a measurement result of the sensor, and

perform abnormal-time control if the control device determines that there are three or more on the belt conveyor.