Patent Application
20240367007
This application claims priority to European patent application no.: 23167403.7, filed on Apr. 11, 2023.
The invention relates to a method, in particular a computer implemented method, of controlling a force, displacement, and/or resistance generator of an exercise apparatus, which apparatus typically comprises a user force input device arranged to follow a path, such as a handle at the end of a cord in a rowing machine or weight lifting device or the pedals on a bicycle trainer that follow the revolutions of the crank, the method comprising imposing on the user force input device a main force, displacement, and/or a main resistance along the path. The invention also relates to an exercise apparatus, such as an indoor bike or smart trainer, a rowing machine or a fitness apparatus.
Exercise equipment typically mimics reality using a force-feedback system, wherein some form of force is generated to counter the motion and force of the user, e.g. an athlete. The motion and force may be measured by sensors in terms of speed and force, in case of a trainer for cycling in terms of rotational or angular speed and torque. Based on the sensor information, a resistive force is calculated by a computer and used to control a device that is capable of generating a variable resistive force using mechanical, electrical and/or magnetic means. The resistive force can be applied directly or indirectly, e.g. by prescribing a desired speed of the user force input device.
WO 2019/059759 relates to a bicycle trainer comprising a seat, handlebars and rotatable pedals, and an electronically variable brake acting directly or indirectly on the rotatable pedals with a braking resistance that depends on a predetermined setting of a computer-controller, which predetermined setting is variable and depends on selected parameters to reflect simulated cycling conditions comprising at least one of a road, wind conditions and a cyclist, wherein the bicycle trainer excludes a flywheel and includes a variable-ratio transmission system. The predetermined setting of the braking resistance also depends on a setting or change of setting of the variable-ratio transmission system so as to simulate a level of inertia or change of inertia as experienced by an outdoor cyclist when changing the variable-ratio transmission system.
EP 3 199 211 relates to a method for operating a bicycle trainer, and such a bicycle trainer comprising a stand with a seat, handlebars and rotatable pedals, or such a bicycle trainer comprising a stand for mounting a bicycle frame with a seat, handlebars and rotatable pedals, wherein the stand incorporates an electronically variable brake acting directly or indirectly on the rotatable pedals with a braking resistance that depends on a computer-controlled predetermined setting, wherein the pre-determined setting is variable and wherein said setting depends on selected parameters to reflect a simulated surface condition of a road.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of controlling a force, displacement, and/or resistance generator of an exercise apparatus, as well as an improved exercise apparatus.
To this end, the method according to the invention comprises the steps of imposing on the user force input device a main force, displacement, and/or a main resistance, which force, displacement, and/or resistance can be constant or variable, along the path and superimposing a vibratory force, displacement and/or resistance, such as a sine wave, block wave, or white or grey noise and/or a combination thereof, on the main force, displacement, and/or the main resistance along the path, wherein the amplitude of the superimposed vibrations is in excess of 0.2 mm, preferably in a range from 0.3 to 20 mm, preferably in a range from 0.4 to 10 mm, preferably in a range from 0.5 to 5 mm.
In an embodiment, the frequency of the superimposed vibrations is in a range from 10 to 100 Hertz (Hz), preferably in a range from 20 to 80 Hz.
In an embodiment, the vibration is a function of the displacement of the user input device, e.g. vibrations per revolution in a bicycle trainer, and/or a function of time, e.g. in case of a bicycle trainer is independent from the cadence, i.e. revolutions per minute, of the user.
The method according to the present invention appeared effective in improving certain symptoms, such as impaired gait and/or balance, of polyneuropathies and/or in reducing pain. Moreover, a reduction of symptoms has been observed in Restless Leg Syndrome and tendinitis in the legs and hips.
Polyneuropathies are common disorders of the peripheral nervous system, with an estimated prevalence of 4% for definite polyneuropathy in the general Dutch population, and higher prevalence in older cohorts. Polyneuropathy subtypes affect motor and sensory functions to different extents. Polyneuropathies that selectively affect motor fibers can cause muscle fasciculations, cramps, weakness and paralysis. Sensory fiber involvement can present as numbness, paraesthesia or dysaesthesia involving uncomfortable sensations such as neuropathic pain, tingling or itch, but impaired sensory function is also involved in ataxia and problems with balance and gait.
An embodiment includes monitoring the intensity, such as force, power, and/or speed that is applied by the user on the user force input device and optionally signalling the user if the intensity exceeds a preselected threshold, preferably a threshold in a range from 20% to 70%, e.g. 60%, of the maximum intensity, e.g. force, power, and/or speed, a user can generate. Maximum intensity of a user can be determined by a number of methods including but not limited to a lookup table based on age, prior physiological tests and/or expert opinion.
It was found that for achieving optimum results and/or avoiding injury, lower intensities and/or variable intensities are more efficacious than higher and/or constant intensities.
An embodiment includes monitoring the energy of the vibratory force, displacement and/or resistance absorbed by the user, e.g. by comparing vibratory energy inputted by the generator absent user input and during user input, the difference being a measure for the vibratory energy absorbed by the user, and optionally reducing the energy of the vibratory force, displacement and/or resistance absorbed by the user.
It was found that for achieving optimum results and/or avoiding injury, lower energies absorbed are more efficacious than higher energies absorbed.
In an embodiment, the vibratory force, displacement, and/or resistance is/are superimposed during one or more preselected periods, e.g. periods of 3 to 5 minutes, preferably alternated with periods with lower frequency/amplitude vibrations or without vibrations.
In an embodiment, the main force, the main displacement, and/or the main resistance is/are imposed on the user force input device by means of the generator and/or the vibratory force, the vibratory displacement, and/or the vibratory resistance, and thus the vibratory energy, is/are imposed on the user force input device by means of the generator.
In an embodiment, the exercise device is a bicycle trainer (such as an indoor bike or a smart trainer), a rowing machine, or a fitness apparatus.
In an embodiment, the path is fixed and/or circular and the superimposed vibratory force, displacement, and/or resistance vibrates tangentially, preferably purely tangentially. Tangential components can be controlled more accurately and typically by more straight-forward configurations.
The invention also relates to an exercise apparatus, such as a bicycle trainer, rowing machine or fitness apparatus, comprising: a frame, an axle rotatably mounted in or to the frame, a force input device coupled to, preferably mounted on, the axle, a force, displacement, and/or a resistance generator coupled to the axle, e.g. via a transmission, and means, such as a computer, e.g. a single board computer, or a controller, for carrying out the method described above.
In an embodiment, these means, such as a computer, are configured, e.g. programmed, to change one or more or even all of the parameters, such as amplitude and frequency, governing the vibratory force, preferably at any point in time and/or independent of main force, displacement, and/or resistance, and/or to any degree of accuracy.
In an embodiment, the exercise device comprises no fly wheel and/or is designed to reduce inertia of the drive train.
In an embodiment, the exercise apparatus is a bicycle trainer comprising sprockets, a free hub body or freewheel for mounting sprockets, or a roller, to be placed in frictional contact with the rear wheel of a bicycle, which sprockets, free hub body, freewheel, or roller are coupled to the force, displacement, and/or a resistance generator.
In an embodiment, the means for carrying out the method are configured to adjust the superimposed vibratory force, displacement, and/or resistance during exercise.
In an embodiment, the means for carrying out the method are configured to receive input, e.g. via a keypad, computer, or smartphone, from a user to enter and/or adjust the one or more parameters of the superimposed vibratory force, displacement, and/or resistance.
The invention further relates to a computer program comprising instructions to cause the means described above to execute the steps of the method described above, as well as to a computer-readable medium having this computer program stored thereon.
EP 2 848 288 relates to an exercise device, such as a bicycle or spinning bike, comprising a frame and a set of crank arms connected to a rotary shaft having an imaginary rotational axis stationary with respect to the frame. A further set of crank arms is mounted eccentrically with respect to the rotational axis of the shaft.
US 2009/0011907 discloses a stationary exercise bike, comprising: a support structure; a pair of pedals rotatably mounted to the support structure; a force-generating device operably connected to the pedals and generating a variable resistance force to the pedals; a force sensor configured to measure a force applied to the pedals by a user, wherein the force sensor measures a relative displacement of first and second points on the stationary bike that are interconnected by a drive structure defining a stiffness whereby a force can be determined based on the relative displacement and the stiffness; and a controller operably connected to the force-generating device and the force sensor, wherein the controller varies the resistance force generated by the force-generating device to simulate inertial effects based, at least in part, on a force measured by the force sensor.
The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the Figures, which show preferred embodiments of the present invention.
A road bike 6, with its rear wheel and cassette removed, is mounted in the frame in a manner known in itself. The bike 6 comprises a user force input device, i.e. pedals 7 and cranks 8 rotatable about and fixed to a bottom bracket and to one or more e.g. two chain rings. A chain 11 extends over one of the chain rings and one of the sprockets. The bike comprises, in a usual manner, shifters 12 to derail the chain and move it to another chain ring or sprocket to change the physical transmission ratio.
When a force, Fped (in
Input from the sensors for angular speed and torque determine the force the athlete applies to the exercise apparatus and a computer may use this information as an input to the kinetic model of the exercise apparatus to generate the control signal for the force generator to generate a resistive force Fres that opposes the force of the athlete, i.e. Fped≈Fres.
Operation is illustrated in
A trial consisted of vibration cycling at moderate intensity trice a week for six months and testing to assess symptoms before, during, and after the training program.
Target heart rate (THR) for moderate intensity was calculated based on heart rate reserve (HRR), derived from resting heart rate and age. Additionally, Borg's Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale was used to monitor whether participants adhered to the intended exercise intensity level.
The trial according to the present invention appeared effective in improving certain symptoms, such as impaired gait and/or balance, of polyneuropathies and/or reducing pain.
The invention is not restricted to the embodiments described above and can be varied in numerous ways within the scope of the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23167403.7 | Apr 2023 | EP | regional |
