Braking system for gymnastic machines and operating method thereof

• US 10,272,280 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2017
• Issued: 04/30/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Technogym SpA
• Original Assignee: Technogym SpA
• Inventors: Leonardi, Andrea, Nenna, Guido, Magnarosa, Marco
• Primary Examiner(s): Urbiel Goldner, Gary D
• Application Number:
  US15/434,552
• Publication Number:
  US 20180229065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00192 using resistance provided by magnetic means A63B21/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0052 induced by electromagnets A63B21/0056 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/72 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/89 Field sensors, e.g. radar systems
• 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

Abstract

A braking system for gymnastic machines having one rotating member, as a flywheel, on which magnetic braking members are arranged, and operating methods thereof. The system comprises a magnetic sensor for detecting the magnetic field intensity induced from the braking members on the flywheel, and a sensor for measuring the rotation velocity of the flywheel. The braking system comprises also a second magnetic sensor, arranged at a predetermined distance from the first magnetic sensor, to measure the magnetic field induced on the flywheel as conditioned by the structure of the gymnastic machine, and a temperature sensor, arranged in correspondence of the first magnetic sensor, to detect the temperature of the flywheel. The system comprises a control logic unit, operatively connected to the first and second magnetic sensor, to the temperature sensor and to the angular velocity sensor.

Claims

1. A magnetic braking system installable on a flywheel of an exercise bicycle, wherein magnetic braking members are arranged on said flywheel and are capable of generating a magnetic braking force on said flywheel, the magnetic braking system comprising:

a first magnetic sensor arranged proximate to said magnetic braking members for detecting an intensity of a magnetic field induced from said magnetic braking members on said flywheel;

an angular velocity sensor for measuring a rotation velocity of said flywheel;

a second magnetic sensor arranged at a predetermined distance between 5 and 15 cm from said first magnetic sensor and configured for detecting an effect of a frame of the exercise bicycle on the magnetic field induced on said flywheel;

a temperature sensor arranged in correspondence with said first magnetic sensor for detecting a temperature of said flywheel; and

a control logic unit operatively connected to said first and second magnetic sensors, to said temperature sensor, and to said angular velocity sensor,

wherein nominal calibration values are stored in said control logic unit, said control logic unit being capable of acquiring and processing electric signals from said first magnetic sensor, from said second magnetic sensor, from said temperature sensor, and from said angular velocity sensor, whereby said control logic unit is configured to calculate an actual magnetic braking force generated by said magnetic braking members on said flywheel during an operation of the exercise bicycle, wherein said actual magnetic braking force may be different from said magnetic breaking force,

wherein said control logic unit is capable of correcting said calculation after a comparison between said storage nominal calibration values and data acquired from said first and second magnetic sensors, from said temperature sensor, and from said angular velocity sensor, and

wherein the braking system is made on a printed circuit board having a shape which extends substantially longitudinally so that said first and second magnetic sensors are arranged at opposite ends of said printed circuit board at said predetermined distance.

2. The braking system according to claim 1, wherein said first and second magnetic sensors are Hall effect sensors.