System and method for electronically controlling resistance of an exercise machine

• US 20060003872A1
• Filed: 06/08/2005
• Published: 01/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Core Health & Fitness LLC
• Original Assignee: Unisen Incorporated (Prosegur Compañia de Seguridad SA)
• Inventors: Corbalis, Kevin P., Wallace, Gregory Allen, Chiles, Mark W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,648,446 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/57
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0652 for cycling in a recumbent position
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0078 Exercise efforts programmed as a function of time
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/005 using electromagnetic or electric force-resisters
• 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 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: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A stationary exercise machine includes a system for electronically controlling a pedal resistance so as to simulate the riding of a road-going bicycle. The exercise machine includes a control system that monitors pedal velocity and that controls the resistive load generated by an electronically-controlled resistance mechanism. In one example, an electromagnetic device may vary a resistive load placed on a flywheel, which, in turn, varies the pedal resistance experienced by a user. When the user increases the pedal velocity, the resistance mechanism increases the resistive load. When the user decreases the pedal velocity, the resistance mechanism decreases the resistive load. In another example, the resistance mechanism varies the resistive load based on a gear selection by the user. The control system may also take into account other factors, such as the grade of the simulated ride, simulated wind resistance, or other frictional forces when calculating the resistive load.

Claims

1. A stationary bicycle capable of approximately simulating a pedal resistance felt by a rider of a multi-gear, road-going bicycle, the stationary bicycle comprising:

a flywheel;

a rotatable crank connected to the flywheel such that rotation of the crank translates into rotation of the flywheel;

pedals rotatably attached to the crank;

an electronically controlled resistance device capable of interacting with the flywheel to apply more or less resistance to the flywheel, where the resistance is translated back to the pedals causing a user to have to apply respectively more or less to force to maintain a pedal velocity;

a display;

a user input device capable of supplying a resistance level selection of a user representing a selected bicycle gear; and

a processor capable of receiving the resistance level selection and outputting one or more control signals causing the electronically controlled resistance device to apply more or less resistance based at least upon the resistance level selection and a magnitude of a change in the pedal velocity.

2. The stationary bicycle of claim 1, further comprising a sensor capable of outputting a first signal indicative of the pedal velocity.

3. The stationary bicycle of claim 2, wherein the sensor is configured to monitor the angular velocity of the flywheel.

4. The stationary bicycle of claim 1, wherein the more or less resistance applied by the resistance device proportionally corresponds to the magnitude of the change in the pedal velocity.

5. A stationary bicycle capable of approximately simulating a pedal resistance felt by a rider of a road-going bicycle, the stationary bicycle comprising:

a flywheel;

a rotatable crank connected to the flywheel, wherein rotation of the crank translates into rotation of the flywheel;

pedals rotatably attached to the crank;

an electronically controlled resistance device capable of interacting with the flywheel to apply more or less resistance to the flywheel, where the resistance is translated back to the pedals causing a user to have to apply respectively more or less to force to maintain a pedal velocity;

a sensor capable outputting a first signal indicative of the pedal velocity; and

a processor capable of receiving the first signal and outputting one or more control signals causing the electronically controlled resistance device to apply more or less resistance based at least upon changes in the pedal velocity.

6. The stationary bicycle of claim 5, wherein the processor is capable of outputting the one or more control signals causing the electronically controlled resistance device to apply additional resistance proportional to a magnitude of an increase in the pedal velocity.

7. The stationary bicycle of claim 5, wherein the processor is capable of outputting the one or more control signals causing the electronically controlled resistance device to apply less resistance proportional to a magnitude of a decrease in the pedal velocity.

8. The stationary bicycle of claim 5, wherein the processor is capable of outputting the one or more control signals causing the electronically controlled resistance device to apply resistance accounting for a simulated linear momentum of the stationary bicycle.

9. The stationary bicycle of claim 8, wherein the simulated linear momentum accounts for an inputted mass of the user.

10. The stationary bicycle of claim 8, wherein the simulated linear momentum accounts for a selected bicycle gear.

11. The stationary bicycle of claim 5, wherein the processor is capable of outputting the one or more control signals causing the electronically controlled resistance device to apply resistance accounting for one or more simulated parasitic forces of the stationary bicycle.

12. The stationary bicycle of claim 5, further comprising at least one controller board capable of receiving the one or more control signals from the processor and capable of outputting one or more signals that cause the electronically controlled resistance device to apply more or less resistance to the flywheel.

13. A method of manufacturing a stationary bicycle capable of substantially simulating a road-going bicycle, the method comprising:

providing a frame comprising;

pedals;

a flywheel, wherein rotation of the pedals translates into rotation of the flywheel; and

a resistance mechanism capable of applying more or less resistance to the flywheel;

providing at least one sensor capable of outputting a first signal indicative of a rotational velocity of the pedals; and

providing a processor capable of receiving the first signal and outputting one or more control signals causing the resistance mechanism to apply more or less resistance to the flywheel based at least in part on the first signal.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the resistance mechanism comprises an electromagnetic device.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the processor is also capable of outputting the one or more control signals causing the resistance mechanism to apply additional resistance proportional to a magnitude of an increase in the pedal rotational velocity.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the processor is also capable of outputting the one or more control signals causing the resistance mechanism to apply less resistance proportional to a magnitude of a decrease in the pedal rotational velocity.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor is capable of monitoring a velocity of the flywheel.

18. The method of claim 13, additionally comprising providing a user input device capable of supplying a resistance level selection of a user representing a selected bicycle gear.

19. The method of claim 13, additionally comprising providing an electronic display capable of receiving a resistance level selection of a user representing a selected bicycle gear.

20. A stationary bicycle capable of approximating a pedal resistance felt by a rider of a road-going bicycle, the stationary bicycle comprising:

means for receiving a user-applied force during the performance of a cycling exercise, wherein said means for receiving is capable of being operated at a rotational velocity during said cycling exercise;

means for applying a resistive load that is translated to said means for receiving;

means for sensing said rotational velocity of said means for receiving, wherein said means for sensing is capable of outputting a first signal indicative of said rotational velocity; and

means for processing said first signal and for outputting one or more control signals causing said means for applying a resistive load to increase or decrease the resistive load based at least on an increase or decrease in said rotational velocity.