Patent Application
20240226651
The invention relates to a training apparatus, also referred to as a fitness apparatus, such as an ergometer, a speed bike, a recumbent bike or recumbent ergometer, respectively, home training bike or ergometer without watt functionality, respectively, a rowing apparatus, an elliptical trainer, a cross trainer or even a treadmill. Such training or fitness apparatuses, respectively, of different apparatus types are in particular intended for use at home as home trainer or in a fitness studio.
Increasing interest in physical activity in order to stay healthy and increasing urbanization of societies lead to more and more people training indoors using fitness apparatuses, either in fitness studios or at home. Parallel thereto, the range and variety of training apparatuses that can be used in the fitness studio or at home have increased. This includes apparatuses of different apparatus types, such as ergometers, speed bikes, recumbent bike or recumbent ergometers, home training bikes, rowing apparatuses, elliptical trainers, cross trainers, or treadmills. In spite of the wide range, it has been shown that the users view the training at home, possibly even in the basement, but also in the more elaborately designed fitness studio to be rather dull in the long run.
An attempt was made to address the dullness by setting up television screens or similar entertainment equipment. However, this is not always successful because this is basically only a distraction. This can even create risks because focus on the actual physical activity is thus decreased. Depending on the type of sport, the reduced attention can also pose a safety risk (EP 3 327 597 A1). It is further known to display a virtual competitor on the screen of the training apparatus, in order to provide the user with a benchmark for the performance he generates and to thus create a type of artificial competitive atmosphere. The virtual competitor can thereby be computer-generated or can display the actual performance of other users, who train in the same room, for example in the case of an indoor cycling group, and who thus compete with one another, or who also train somewhere else remotely, and with whom there is contact via an Internet data connection (U.S. Pat. No. 8,409,057 B2).
In the case of a different design of training apparatuses, which have a stand for receiving a regular bike on the rear axle thereof, it is known to place such training apparatuses onto a platform-like foundation (U.S. Pat. No. 10,434,394 B2). The platform can be inclined and is additionally mounted in a longitudinally displaceable manner on the foundation by means of a curved roller track. The curvature of the roller track results in a stable central position, around which the platform can perform a passive oscillating longitudinal movement; the same applies for a back and forth movement as lateral inclination. The user is thus given a certain illusion of movement and the balancing ability of the user is improved.
As a whole, however, the problem remains that the pure training on the training apparatus is relatively dull and offers little feedback to the user about his training performance.
The invention is based on the object of creating an improved training apparatus or fitness apparatus, respectively, by means of which said disadvantages can be reduced.
It is particularly advantageous thereby when a technical design solution can be found, which, on the one hand, provides for a simple implementation for training or fitness apparatuses, respectively, of different apparatus types, and which, on the other hand, is safer, e.g. by reducing a danger of crushing, as well as less maintenance-intensive for the user of the apparatus.
The solution according to the invention lies in the features of the independent claim. Advantageous further developments are subject matter of the dependent claims.
According to the present invention, a training or fitness apparatus, respectively, comprises a drive device for receiving a training performance generated by a user and a force transmission device for transmitting the performance generated by the user during the training to the drive device.
According to the present invention, different types of fitness apparatuses are thereby provided, such as ergometers, speed bikes, recumbent bike or recumbent ergometers, respectively, home training bikes, rowing apparatuses, elliptical trainers, cross trainers, or treadmills, wherein the fitness apparatus is embodied as apparatus of one of these different apparatus types. The technical design concept according to the invention thereby works for a fitness apparatus of each of the above-mentioned apparatus type. In other words, the technical design setup structure or platform, respectively, is unified for all apparatus types, i.e. a technical design base is created, on which externally different apparatus types can be based. This is made possible, in turn, by means of the below-described special technical design features of such a setup structure or base, respectively.
The fitness apparatus further comprises a frame, on which the drive device and a force transmission device are arranged, wherein the frame is further designed to support the user of the fitness apparatus while performing fitness exercises, as well as a pedestal supporting the frame for resting on a subsurface.
The fitness apparatus is furthermore equipped with at least one sensor for determining the training performance generated by the user as well as with a control device, wherein the control device is formed to receive data from at least one sensor. The control device thereby cooperates with a processing unit, wherein the processing unit is formed to determine a so-called measure of success from the training performance generated by the user. As will be described in detail below, a measure of success is understood to be a quantifiable measure, which provides an image of the training performance generated by the user.
The fitness apparatus also comprises a signal unit, which is formed to generate a signal for a so-called progress indicator, based on the determined measure of success. As will likewise be described in detail below, a progress indicator is understood to be a measure, which is calculated from the above-mentioned measure of success, based on a selectable reference.
The above-mentioned advantage that the fitness apparatus of each apparatus type can be produced on a setup structure or base, respectively, which is unified in terms of technical design, is due to the special features of this structure.
According to this, the frame or the pedestal of the fitness apparatus has rollers, which are arranged on the frame or on the pedestal in such a way that a tilt-stable positioning of the frame with respect to the subsurface as well as a longitudinal displacement of the frame or of the frame together with the pedestal relative to the subsurface is made possible.
The fitness apparatus furthermore has at least one actuating drive, which is formed to displace the frame in the longitudinal direction relative to the pedestal or the frame together with the pedestal relative to the subsurface as a function of the signal produced by the signal unit based on the measure of success by means of the rollers in a motorized manner.
As already described, the fitness apparatus according to the invention can be formed for example as an ergometer, a speed bike, a recumbent bike, a home training bike, a rowing apparatus, an elliptical trainer, a cross trainer, or a treadmill. Such fitness apparatuses, which belong to different apparatus types, often have different dimensions. A treadmill will thus usually have a wider frame than, for example, an ergometer, speed bike, or home training bike, and a rowing apparatus or a recumbent bike (recumbent ergometer) will usually have a longer frame than an ergometer, speed bike, or treadmill. Dimensions of respective pedestals for fitness apparatuses of different apparatus types are thus also adapted accordingly. The pedestal, which is to support the frame of a rowing apparatus, can thus be embodied to be correspondingly longer and the pedestal for a treadmill to be correspondingly wider, while the technical design setup structure or construction, respectively, for training or fitness apparatuses, respectively, of different apparatus types still remains the same. Dimensions of the respective apparatus pedestal can thereby be compensated by a telescopic construction of the pedestal. The pedestal, for example for a rowing apparatus, can thus simply be extended to be longer and the pedestal, for example for a treadmill, can simply be extended to be wider.
Fitness apparatuses, such as an ergometer, a speed bike, and a home training bike (i.e. ergometer without watt functionality), in contrast, have approximately identical dimensions. The same pedestal can thus be used for apparatuses of these apparatus types. Due to a unified setup structure or base, respectively, the user can thereby easily exchange the apparatuses himself, for example an ergometer can be replaced with a speed bike. The same also applies for an elliptical trainer and a cross trainer.
In a preferred embodiment, a fitness apparatus has at least one roller, which is driven by an actuator of the actuating drive, so that a longitudinal displacement of the frame or of the frame together with the pedestal relative to the subsurface can be created.
In a further preferred embodiment, a fitness apparatus has at least one sensor for determining the training performance generated by the user. The sensor can thereby be arranged on the drive device and/or on the force transmission device.
One or several of the above-mentioned rollers can thereby preferably be embodied as a friction roller, a serrated roller, a toothed roller, a sliding roller and/or a running roller.
According to the present invention, it is particularly preferred that a fitness apparatus is embodied as an ergometer, a speed bike, a recumbent bike or a home training bike.
The pedestal of such a fitness apparatus, namely of an ergometer, of a speed bike, of a recumbent bike or of a home training bike, can thereby be formed by two cross members, on the ends of which a roller is arranged in each case, wherein the rollers rest on the subsurface, and wherein at least two rollers are driven by an actuator.
Alternatively, the pedestal can be formed by two cross members, on the ends of which sliders and/or rollers are arranged in each case, which rest on the subsurface, wherein the at least one roller driven by the actuator is arranged either as steerable central roller or as set of driven rollers on a beam between the cross members.
In a further embodiment, the rollers of a fitness apparatus, namely of an ergometer, of a speed bike, of an recumbent bike or of a home training bike, can be arranged on the frame and can run in or on guide rails of the pedestal. The at least one driven roller is thereby formed to displace the frame relative to the stationary pedestal and thus also relative to the subsurface.
It is preferred that the processing unit of the fitness apparatus is formed to control the actuating drive in a reversible manner.
It is further preferred that the signal unit of the fitness apparatus cooperates with an amplifier module, which is formed to consider an acceleration generated by the training performance for the progress indicator.
It is furthermore preferred that the actuating drive of the fitness apparatus is provided with an end position detection, which is formed to turn off and/or to reverse the actuating drive when reaching an end position. The actuating drive can thereby be embodied in a form-fit manner.
In a further preferred embodiment, the actuating drive of the fitness apparatus is embodied as creep drive, which drives the at least one roller at a speed, which is lower than walking speed and is maximally 1 m/s.
It is further preferred that the actuating drive of the fitness apparatus has a traction control for the at least one driven roller, wherein a detected slip of the at least one driven roller is guided back to the processing unit.
In a further preferred embodiment, the actuating drive of the fitness apparatus has a device for position detection, which is formed to output a signal to the processing unit.
The device for position detection preferably has a sensor, wherein the sensor is formed to detect floor track markings.
The floor track markings can thereby be formed as track markings with distance markings.
The floor track markings can thereby be formed as marking tape. The marking tape can thereby be arranged on the subsurface.
The fitness apparatus can furthermore have an alignment module, wherein the alignment module is formed to detect and display directional deviations by means of the floor track markings.
In a preferred embodiment, the alignment module is formed to display a correction direction.
The above-described preferred features of the training or fitness apparatus, respectively, according to the invention contribute to the user of the fitness apparatus being able to experience an intensified illusion of training success, which leads to an increased training performance and thus also to the improved actual fitness of the user.
The rollers of the fitness apparatus can furthermore be arranged on the frame or on the pedestal in such a way that, for example, a crushing danger-minimizing longitudinal displacement of the frame or of the frame together with the pedestal relative to the subsurface is made possible. The frame of the fitness apparatus is arranged relative to the pedestal with the help of rollers so that the extremities of the user, for example his feet, can normally not get trapped or crushed, respectively, between the frame and the pedestal, in contrast, for instance, to a device known from the publication KR 20190029151 A. This safety aspect is important especially when the user uses the fitness apparatus without supervision of another person, for example without supervision of medical personnel in hospitals or doctors' offices, which is usually the case in the fitness studios or at home.
Additional advantages of the fitness apparatus according to the invention become evident using the example of a below-described ergometer.
In the case of an ergometer, in particular bike ergometer, with a tilt-stable frame, on which a seat for a user and a pedal unit to be actuated by the user are arranged, and a pedestal supporting the frame with feet for resting on a subsurface, wherein the pedal unit acts on a braking device, and a control device is provided, which controls the braking device and to which at least one sensor for determining a training performance generated by the user is connected, it is provided according to the invention that the control device cooperates with a processing unit, which is formed to determine a measure of success from the training performance generated by the user with respect to a training reference, as well as with a signal unit, which generates a signal for a progress indicator based on the measure of success, and an actuating drive is provided, which displaces the frame with seat and pedal unit in the longitudinal direction in a motorized manner (so that the relative position thereof to the subsurface changes), wherein the actuating drive is controlled automatically by the processing unit as a function of the signal for the progress indicator.
Some used terms will initially be explained below:
An ergometer is usually understood to be a training apparatus, which is embodied for being used in an interior space (fitness studio, room in the home of the user). It goes without saying that an ergometer can also be set up outdoors.
A pedal unit is understood to be that device, with regard to which the user predominantly exerts his training force. This usually takes place by means of the lower extremities, such as legs or feet, respectively, for example in the case of the stationary bike or bike trainer, respectively, indoor cycling bike (in particular without freewheeling), treadmill training apparatus or cross trainer. However, this term is to be understood in the broadest sense and is to also refer to the upper extremities, as used in particular in the case of the rowing apparatus or similar training apparatuses for exerting the training force.
A pedestal is understood to be that component of the supporting structure of the ergometer, with which the ergometer stands on a support, in particular the floor of the room or of the fitness studio.
The longitudinal direction is a direction, which is oriented predominantly parallel to the support (horizontally), namely approximately along a longitudinal axis of the ergometer.
Depending on the type of the ergometer, the training force exerted by the user results in certain training work, wherein the quotient thereof by time results in the training performance.
The training force exerted by the user and the training performing resulting therefrom cannot readily be dissipated in the case of an ergometer, which is located in an interior space, in contrast to, for example, in the case of a bike, which is moved in the open in nature, in the case of which the training performance is expended to increase the riding speed and to overcome the air resistance. In the case of an ergometer, a braking device replaces these natural resistances. Said braking device can be formed in a variety of inherently known ways, for example as friction braking device, as magnetically acting braking device, as a generator for generating electrical energy, or as a braking device acting against a fluid (for example a fan or elements rotating in a water vessel).
A measure of success is understood to be a quantifiable measure, which provides an image of the training performance generated by the user. For example in the case of a bike ergometer, this can thus be the speed and/or the covered riding distance, in the case of a treadmill training apparatus this can be the speed and/or the reached incline, in the case of a rowing apparatus this can be the covered rowing distance or the reached boat speed, etc. It can be an absolute measure or a relative measure with respect to a selectable and/or predetermined training reference. The training reference can be created artificially, for example calculated by a processor of the ergometer, it can result from stored history (for example previously reached training performance of the user), and/or it can also result from training performance of other users, who previously used the same apparatus or who use or have used, respectively, another similar apparatus, which is connected to the ergometer, for example via a (remote) data connection, in particular the Internet.
The progress indicator is a measure, which is calculated from the measure of success, based on a selectable reference. In the case of a bike ergometer or a treadmill training apparatus, for example, this can be the ratio of the covered distance to a predetermined target distance as reference, for example which portion of a 10,000 meter race has already been mastered or which portion of a 50 km bike training. However, this can also be a relative measure, for example the reached progress relative to a different training, for example one's own previous training (running against oneself) or against the training performance of another user on another training apparatus.
The motorized displacement of the frame with seat and pedal unit in the longitudinal direction is understood such that, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the training unit, the relative position of the frame with seat and pedal unit to the subsurface, on which the ergometer training apparatus is arranged, changes.
An actuating drive is understood to be a servo drive with a control unit, which changes the position of a component of the ergometer training apparatus (optionally of the entire apparatus) by a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction (by the construction of the ergometer) in a controlled or regulated manner. Typically, a position feedback exists thereby, in the case of which the position change effected by the servo drive is determined and is guided back to a control unit of the servo drive. The energy required for the servo drive can preferably be taken from a separate energy storage of the ergometer training apparatus or can be generated by means of a generator (for example auxiliary generator on the braking device or generator as braking device); however, a supply from the outside by means of power cord or the like is to not be excluded.
It is attained by means of the invention that the user situated on the ergometer does move slowly but noticeably, depending on his training performance. The result of his effort is made clear directly to the user in this way, which has a motivating effect on the user. An incentive for continuing to generate the training performance is thus created, in that in this way, the user can determine intuitively by means of the movement effected by the actuating drive, what and how much he has accomplished. This applies equally for an individual user, to whom the completed portion of a predetermined training spectrum is made clear and tangible in this way. However, this also applies in particular for an increase of the comparability in the case of several users, for example in a fitness studio, where the user with the highest training performance advances slowly in this way ahead of the other users with a lower training performance. However, if this user slows down and thus loses his lead position and slips into positions further back, this can be made clear to him in that the actuating drive no longer moves (while the other users, who have now become faster, are moved forward) or is even moved backward. A competitive atmosphere can be created in this way in the fitness studio or in the home studio, whereby the danger of monotony, which occurs otherwise during prolonged use or training, respectively, can be counteracted effectively.
Thanks to the invention, the user can detect immediately and physically perceptibly, where he stands with regard to a training task and/or what his position is based on other participants, whereby increase (or decline) of his training performance are made clear to him by adjusting the actuating drive.
The user experience is thus improved and a physically perceptible comparability with the training performance of other users (or of himself, for example based on an earlier exercise of the same user) is thus created. This has a motivation-increasing effect and keeps the joy of exercising going.
The actuating drive is advantageously controlled in a reversible manner, in particular by the processing unit. It can be attained therewith that, depending on his training performance, the user cannot always just be moved forward, but also in the opposite direction, thus backward. The latter makes it clear to the user that his training performance has decreased. The previous performance of the user, a specified reference or the training performance of other users can act as reference here.
The signal unit advantageously cooperates with an amplifier module, which is formed to consider further parameters for the progress indicator, in particular an acceleration and/or speed generated by the training performance. In that for example the acceleration, thus the increase of the training performance of a user, is evaluated by the amplifier module in addition to the reached position, the most recent performance increase of the user can be displayed quasi in an enlarged manner by means of a stronger movement of the actuating drive. This thus results in a type of magnifying glass effect, in the case of which the battles of two users for positions are emphasized clearly and even small progress is in each case made clear by means of the enlargement effected by the amplifier module, thus resulting in a special motivational effect. If, for example on a 10 km distance, a user is 1 m behind another user, this basically has a hardly noticeable effect on the actuating drive (position difference is only 0.1%). However, if this user picks up his pace significantly and can thus manage to now be 1 m in front of the other user, this performance can be emphasized by means of the amplifier module by means of a stronger adjustment of the actuating drive (for example by means of a 10- or even 50-fold increase); if the other user catches up again, the same applies or the first user is moved back again, respectively. Battles for positions or other small changes then become well visible even if these are actually large distances.
The amplifier module is preferably further formed to perform a compression in the time domain. The adjustment can thereby not only take place continuously but can optionally even take place discontinuously. During the discontinuous adjustment, a forward adjustment takes place in a pulse-like manner, for example in the case of a corresponding training performance of the user. The acceleration resulting therefrom intensifies the effect experience for the user. In the case of a consistent training performance of the user, a return can then take place (imperceptibly) slowly, in order to optionally be able to subsequently adjust forward with a pulse again. In the case of a drop in performance, a backward adjustment is optionally also performed quickly again.
The actuating drive is advantageously provided with an end position detection, which is formed to turn off and/or to reverse the actuating drive when reaching an end position. An exceeding of a maximum deflection of the actuating drive is thus avoided, which benefits the operational safety and/or stability of the ergometer.
It is expedient when the actuating drive is embodied in a form-fit manner. Even though it is not ruled out that it also works in a non-form-fit manner, an actuating drive embodied in a form-fit manner simplifies the precise reaching of a predefined position. Incorrect positioning due to slip, as they can occur in the case of actuating drives based on frictional engagement, can be virtually ruled out in this way.
The actuating drive is preferably arranged between frame and pedestal, so that the frame can be displaced relative to the pedestal. This makes it possible to integrate the actuating drive in a space-saving manner in the pedestal. In addition, this thus results in a low center of gravity. On the other hand, however, it is to not be ruled out that the actuating drive is arranged on the displaceable frame. This embodiment can be expedient if relatively large adjustment paths for the actuating drive are provided and/or the actuating drive comprises long guides, in particular telescopic guides.
Alternatively, it can also be provided, however, that the pedestal is provided with roller feet and the actuating drive is arranged on the pedestal, wherein the actuating drive drives at least one of the roller feet. A roller foot is thereby understood to be a foot, with which the pedestal stands on the floor, wherein the foot is thereby not a rigid body but is provided with a roller. By driving at least one of the roller feet, the ergometer can thus be displaced as a whole with the entire frame by the actuating drive. The actuating drive is expediently embodied as a creep drive, which drives the at least one of the roller feet at a low speed, which is lower than walking speed, preferably maximally 1 m/s or maximally at a safe speed, respectively, as it is defined according to relevant machine guideline. A danger arising from an ergometer, which moves too quickly, is thus counteracted in the confined surroundings of a room or of a space within a building.
All feet of the pedestal are expediently embodied as roller fee, at least one of which, preferably two, are driven by the actuating drive. In the case of two driven roller feet, one is preferably arranged on the left and one on the right of the pedestal, viewed in the longitudinal direction.
The actuating drive advantageously has a traction control device for the roller foot, wherein detected slip of the at least one driven roller foot is preferably guided back to the processing unit. Especially on the smooth floor, which can often be found in fitness studios, there is the danger that the actuation of the actuating drive leads to slip on the roller foot, whereby the desired displacement in the longitudinal direction is not attained or only incompletely.
The danger of occurring slip is even exacerbated in that accumulations of sweat or puddles of sweat typically form on the floor in the region of the ergometer in response to great effort from the user, whereby the floor becomes slippery and the danger of occurring slip increases. In order nonetheless attain the desired displacement in spite of slip, the slip is expediently determined and is guided back to the processing unit, which is expediently formed to be able to compensate the slip. It is expedient to determine the slip by means of a comparison of the displacement distance resulting during a slip-free actuation of the actuating drive, to the actually covered displacement distance. Several roller feet are preferably driven and detected slip is compensated. For this purpose, it is in particular provided that that roller foot, in the case of which slip occurred, is additionally driven, in order to thus attain the desired slip compensation.
The roller feet are advantageously spring-loaded. It is attained therewith that the roller feet stand firmly on the floor even in the case of a not completely flat subsurface, as it can often be found in the home environment, and thus provide for a low-slip or slip-free actuation, respectively, of the actuating drive.
The actuating drive is expediently provided with a device for position detection, the signal of which is guided back to the processing unit. A precisely defined displacement distance can be set and attained securely by means of the actuating drive. For this purpose, it can in particular be provided that the device for position detection is provided with a sensor, which is formed for detecting floor markings. The floor of the room or of the fitness studio can thus expediently be used for the position detection.
The floor markings are preferably embodied as a marking tape, which can more preferably be adhered to the support. The required marking of the floor can thus be created in a simple way in any space or room, namely in that the tape is simply unrolled on the floor and is optionally fastened by means of gluing.
It is particularly advantageous when the floor markings are embodied as a track marking with distance markings. A determination of the reached displacement distance can take place by means of the distance markings as well as an ensuring the straightness of the displacement distance by means of the track marking. The securing of the straightness of the displacement distance is significant in particular in those cases when several ergometers are arranged relatively closely next to one another, as is typically the case in fitness studios. An overlapping of the displacement distance can be avoided by means of parallel alignment of the ergometers, but only if the displacement distance of the respective ergometer is straight and deviations from it do not occur. This can be attained in that the floor markings are embodied as track marking for the respective ergometer.
An alignment module can advantageously be provided, which is formed to detect and to display directional deviations by means of the floor markings, wherein a correction direction is further preferably displayed. It can thus be detected by means of such an alignment module when the actually resulting displacement does not exactly follow the provided trajectory according to the floor markings. This can be displayed to the user. He can then optionally manually correct the position and/or alignment of the ergometer, or this can take place automatically, in particular by means of one-sided driving of the roller feet. This can take place in such a way that the displacement along a straight line, which is effected by the actuating drive, is monitored and optionally corrected in an automated manner. For this purpose, the correction device preferably acts on at least two roller feet and controls them at a differential speed, which is a function of a desired correction effect. The desired straight course of the displacement distance can thus be attained automatically.
A separate energy source, in particular a storage and/or (auxiliary) generator, is provided for the actuating drive on the ergometer. The ergometer becomes independent of an external energy supply in this way. This is a considerable advantage in particular for the alternative with roller feet because there would otherwise be the risk that, depending on the displacement distance, energy supply cables would be too short or would form a trip hazard for users. A cable-free supply is further advantageous in the case of several ergometers, which are set up next to one another, in order to avoid a mutual obstruction.
It is expedient to provide transport rollers on the pedestal, which are preferably not driven. The transport rollers enable the user, for example after the training, to easily displace the ergometer, in order to put it away. The transport rollers are preferably arranged so that they reach the floor only when the pedestal is raised on one side and thus enable a rolling away, while they are spaced apart from the floor in the case of a pedestal, which is located completely on the floor, so that the pedestal cannot roll away but stands immovably in its place.
The ergometer can in particular be a bike, a rowing apparatus, or a treadmill. In the case of the first, the user spot is formed by a seat, while the treadmill by nature does not have a seat but the user spot replaces the seat, which, by design, is defined by the point on the treadmill, at which the user is located on the treadmill during actuation. In the case of a rowing apparatus or in the case of the treadmill, pedal unit is to be understood to be the corresponding actuating actuators (the rowing handles or the moving treadmill, respectively).
The invention further extends to a corresponding method for operating the ergometer, in particular a controlling of the actuating drive. It further also relates to a method for operating an ergometer, in particular bike ergometer, with a tilt-stable frame, on which a seat for a user and a pedal unit are arranged, and a pedestal supporting the frame, with feet for resting on a subsurface, wherein the pedal unit acts on a braking device, comprising an actuation of the pedal unit by the user, a determination of a training performance generated by the user by means of a sensor, and a control of the braking device by means of a control device, to which the sensor is connected, wherein what is further provided according to the invention is a determination of a measure of success from the training performance generated by the user with respect to a training reference, generation of a signal for a progress indicator based on the measure of success, and automatic controlling of an actuating drive as a function of the signal for the progress indicator, whereby the actuating drive displaces the frame with the seat and the pedal unit in the longitudinal direction in a motorized manner.
The method further comprises an exchange of data, in particular comprising training data and/or data for the measure of success, with other ergometers via a networking unit. A generation of the training reference based on users on the other ergometers can preferably further be provided. The other ergometers can be located locally, for example in the same fitness studio when networking in particular via LAN, WLAN, or Bluetooth, or remotely, when networking in particular via a WAN (Wide Area Network) or the Internet, respectively. The actuating drive of the respective ergometers is further preferably adjusted so that the ergometers are positioned according to a relative placement of the users. By comparing the respective measure of success and/or progress indicator of the participating users, a relative placement can be determined, possibly optionally by including the amplifier module as described above. Virtual competitions with other users can be performed in this way on further ergometers. Depending on the performance, the user can thus be moved forward by the actuating drive, if he is better (has a higher measure of success) than the other users, or he can be moved backward, if he is worse, thus falls behind relative to the other users. This can be made to be experienced highly vividly by the user, which increases the motivation and thus also the training performance.
With regard to the further description of the method, reference is moreover made to the above description relating to the device, which therefore analogously also applies for the method, in order to avoid repetitions.
It can preferably further be provided for the device and method that the other ergometers are substations and communication signals, such as receiving training instructions and sending corresponding responses, are exchanged via the networking unit. This provides advantages in particular when one of the ergometers acts as master, for example when it is a trainer or exercise instructor station, from where one or several substations with users, who are training, are controlled.
In the present case, the term “exchanging” is understood to be unidirectional as well as bidirectional data traffic.
The invention will be described below in an exemplary manner with reference to the drawing on the basis of advantageous embodiments, in which:
The fitness apparatus 1 comprises a drive device 27, for receiving a training performance (which can be synonymously called also a “training output”); generated by a user, and a force transmission device 21 for transmitting the performance generated by the user during the training to the drive device 27.
The present invention thereby provides different types of fitness apparatuses 1, e.g. ergometers 1a, speed bikes 1a′, recumbent bikes or recumbent ergometers, respectively, home training bikes, rowing apparatuses 1b, elliptical trainers 1c, cross trainers 1d, or treadmills 1e. The fitness apparatus 1 is embodied as apparatus of one of these different apparatus types 1a, 1a′, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e. However, the technical design setup structure or base, respectively, is embodied uniformly, i.e. unified, for all apparatus types 1a, 1a′, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e.
The fitness apparatus 1 also comprises a frame 2, 2a, 2b, on which the drive device 27 and a force transmission device 21 are arranged, wherein the frame 2, 2a, 2b is further designed to support the user of the fitness apparatus 1 while performing fitness exercises, as well as a pedestal 3, 3′ supporting the frame 2 for resting on a subsurface.
As a rule, the drive device 27 has a controllable braking device, so that the user of the fitness apparatus 1 can either set his training load himself during the exercises or so that the fitness apparatus 1 can specify a training load, which is optimized for the training success, for the user.
The force transmission device 21 can be embodied differently for apparatuses 1 of different apparatus types, e.g. as a pedal unit 21, 21a in the case of an ergometer 1a or a speed bike 1a′, a pull rope 21b in the case of a rowing apparatus 1b, as running arms, including movable arms 21c, 21d and pedal arms 21c′, 21d′, in the case of an elliptical trainer 1c and a cross trainer 1d, or as running belt 21e in the case of a treadmill 1e.
The frame 2 or the pedestal 3′ of the fitness apparatus 1 formed by two cross members 32, 33 thereby has rollers 48, 49, 48′, 49′, which are arranged on the frame 2, 2b or on the pedestal 3, 3′ in such a way that a tilt-stable positioning of the frame 2 with respect to the subsurface as well as a longitudinal displacement X, X′ of the frame 2 or of the frame 2 together with the pedestal 3, 3′ relative to the subsurface is enabled.
Such a longitudinal displacement X, X′ of the frame 2 relative to the pedestal 3 or of the frame 2 together with the pedestal 3′ relative to the subsurface is thereby ensured with the help of at least one actuating drive 9 as a function of a measure of success of the user training.
The fitness apparatus 1 furthermore has at least one sensor 26 for determining the training performance generated by the user and a control device 6, wherein the control device 6 is formed to receive data from at least one sensor 26. The control device 6 thereby cooperates with a processing unit 7, wherein the processing unit 7 is formed to determine a so-called measure of success from the training performance generated by the user. The fitness apparatus 1 also comprises a signal unit 8, which is formed to generate a signal 80 for a so-called progress indicator, based on the determined measure of success, whereby the above-mentioned longitudinal displacement X, X′ of the frame 2 relative to the pedestal 3 or of the frame 2 together with the pedestal 3′ relative to the subsurface is controlled.
The embodiments for the ergometers according to the invention illustrated in
A bike ergometer according to a first embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in
The frame 2 is longitudinally displaceable with respect to the pedestal 3 by means of an actuating drive 9, which is installed so as to be largely concealed in the case of the illustrated embodiment (not illustrated in
Details relating to a guide of the actuating drive 9 are illustrated in
The embodiment alternatives according to
A further alternative for the actuating drive 9 and the guide thereof is illustrated in
Examples for the positions of the frame 2 relative to the pedestal 3, which can be reached by means of the actuating drive 9, are illustrated in
If the performance of the user lies within the average or expected range, the frame 2 can thus assume the central position again, as illustrated in
The schematic setup and the functional contexts of the essential components will be described below on the basis of the block diagram according to
The control device 6 further cooperates with a processing unit 7. The signals from the control device 6 are applied to said processing unit, in particular the training performance generated by the user, the covered distance, speed as well as acceleration. A signal for a training reference, as it is set by the user via the input device 23, is further applied thereto. From the training performance generated by the user, the processing unit 7 determines, with respect to the training reference, a measure of success, which can be absolute and/or relative. For this purpose, the processing unit 7 cooperates with a signal unit 8, which is formed to generate a signal 80 for a progress indicator 81, based on the measure of success. The signal 80 is output and is applied as input signal to an actuating drive 9, which, depending on this signal 80, displaces the frame 2 with seat and pedal unit 21 in the longitudinal direction in a motorized manner as a function of the generated training performance, as will be described below. Processing unit 7 and actuating drive 9 form the actual core of the invention.
The actuating drive 9 has an actuating motor 94, which, for displacement by means of a driven roller 49, acts on the frame 3. A non-driven roller 48 is further illustrated, which is provided with a device for determining the rotation (encoder or resolver) 96. The signal generated by said device is a measure for the distance covered by the roller 48, thus a signal for the displacement of the frame 2 and is guided back to the actuating drive 9. The speed of the actuating motor 94 is preferably likewise monitored, from which a signal for the speed of the driven roller 49 can be generated. This signal is likewise guided back to the position drive 9. The latter comprises a traction control device 93, to which both the speed signals of the driven roller 49 as well as the speed signals of the non-driven roller 48 are applied. It can be determined therefrom whether and to what extent slip occurs on the driven roller 49, a corresponding compensation can further take place when slip is detected, in particular by means of additional actuation of the roller 49, which is subject to slip, by means of the actuating drive 9 and/or—in the case of two or more driven rollers—by means of complementary control of the actuating drive on the opposite side of the frame 2, in order to create symmetry in this way.
The actuating drive 9 further comprises limit switches 92, 92′, which are arranged in the region of the ends of the guide rails 90 (not illustrated in
The signal unit 8 further cooperates with an amplifier module 82. Signals for speed and/or acceleration, as they are determined by the control device 6 from the training performance generated by the user, are additionally applied to said amplifier module. Said signals can be considered as further parameters for the progress indicator. For example, a catching-up of the user based on a training reference as well as an exceeding of the training reference can thus be intensified, so that even small progress is intensified by the amplifier module 82 in this way and is made clear for the user thereby. This applies accordingly when the training reference is formed by further users on other ergometers 1′, in particular when position struggles of two users result. If a user catches up, based on another user, even small progress while catching up is made visible more strongly by means of the amplifier module 82 in that the frame 2 of his ergometer is accordingly displaced forward more strongly by the actuating drive 9, in order to be approximately at the center position in the case of a tie, and to lastly be displaced significantly forward once again when passing the other user. Accelerations generated by the user by means of his training performance can be intensified in a corresponding manner by the amplifier module 82. As a whole, the faster user is thus given the impression of experiencing an “actual passing maneuver” in this way. The same applies vice versa when the user is passed by another user, and the passed user is then moved backward by the actuating drive 9.
That said, the actuating drive 9 always uses a limiter 98 to consider that the adjustment speed of the frame 3, which is effected by the actuating motor 94, is a safe speed, which is permissible according to machine guideline, in order to thus avoid the danger of injury to the user. The limiter 98 is expediently formed so that, together with the actuating motor 94, it forms a creep drive, the adjustment speed of which is limited to maximally 1 m/s.
To have sufficient energy for the actuating drive 9 as well as the control device 6 or processing unit 7, respectively, even network-independently, a separate energy storage 99 is provided on the frame 2 or on the pedestal 3, which energy storage is connected to the actuating drive 9, the control device 6, or the processing unit 7, respectively, via (non-illustrated) supply lines. The energy storage 99 is embodied as an accumulator and stores electrical energy, which is required for the displacement of the frame 2 according to the invention.
In the case of the embodiment alternatives according to
A networking unit 5 is provided for communication with the further users on other ergometers 1′. It is formed to establish a connection to a data network (in particular the Internet) 50, in order to be able to communicate with the further users and their ergometers 1′ in this way. The further users can thereby be anywhere, whether in the same or another room of the fitness studio or at home or at a completely different point in the world. The training data is exchanged with these further users, so that competitive competitions can take place virtually.
A non-driven roller 48, which is expediently arranged on the other cross member 32, can act as device for position detection. As already described above in connection with an encoder 96, signals for the actually covered displacement distance can be acquired in this way and can be guided back to the actuating drive 9.
Alternatively, however, it can also be provided that the actuating drive 9 is provided with a tracking device 97. As illustrated in
The floor track marking 100 is preferably embodied to be adhesive, for example as a unilaterally acting adhesive tape. Distance markings 102 are expediently printed onto the top side thereof, which can additionally also be provided with intermediate markings 103. A marking for the starting point 105 as well as a target marking 106 is further expediently provided on the top side of the floor track marking 100. Expediently, the floor track marking 100 is shorter, so that a shortened version thereof can also be used in the home environment with the smaller room dimensions, which typically arise there. The edges 101 of the floor track marking 100 act as longitudinal guide for the tracking device 97.
Moreover, an actuation of the driven roller 49, 49′ takes place by means of the actuating drive 9 in a corresponding manner as described above with regard to the displacement of the frame 3 relative to the pedestal 2 of the first embodiment.
If the user performs an overachievement based on the training reference (absolute or relative based on optionally virtual competitors on other ergometers 1′), the frame 3 is moved forward along the floor track marking 100 by the actuating drive 9 by means of the driven rollers 49, 49′ (see
A special feature in the case of the second embodiment with driven rollers 49, 49′ lies in that different vertical loads can result on the feet arranged on the left side, based on the feet arranged on the right side, under the effect of the oscillating pedaling force of the user on the pedals arranged on both sides of the ergometer 1. An example for this is visualized in
Alternatives for the second embodiment with driven rolling foot are illustrated in
Transport rollers 41 can optionally be provided on the rear side on the cross member 32 on both sides. They are arranged so that in the case of the position of the ergometer 1 illustrated in
In the case of the embodiment alternative according to
An alternative for
A use of this type in fitness studios is visualized in
The relative positioning is thereby also shown. If two users compete with one another for a position (for example the lead position), it can be highlighted thanks to the amplifier module 82 for clarification purposes, which user is in front right now, even if the lead is only a few centimeters. The competition for the positions can thus be made to be clearly tangible, namely even if the simulated competition distance of 10 or 100 km is shortened to a typically 5 to 15 m short displacement along the floor track marking 100. The invention thereby also utilizes that the position loss of a user compared to another user then optionally also results in a reversing of the actuating drive 9, i.e. the user who fell behind in the position order then does not only move relative to the other users, but also absolutely backward. This is illustrated, for example, in
An example for an alignment of the bike ergometers 1, 1′ on the floor track markings 100 is illustrated in
A possible positioning of rollers 48, 49, 48′, 49′ of a frame 2 and of a pedestal 3 consisting of round tubes 71 is shown in
The pedestals 3 can thus be adapted to the particular features of respective apparatus types 1a, 1a′, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e by the user, e.g. lengthened for a rowing apparatus 1b or widened for a treadmill 1e.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21157617.8 | Feb 2021 | EP | regional |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2022/051410 | 2/17/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20240131391 A1 | Apr 2024 | US |
