Exercise device and method of adjusting resistance thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a fitness device and a resistance adjusting method thereof. The fitness device comprises a movement assembly, a first damping module and a second damping module. The movement assembly comprises an offset angle sensing unit. The first damping module and the second damping module are connected to the movement assembly. The resistance adjusting method comprises the following steps: starting the movement assembly, the first damping module and the second damping module, the first damping module being communicatively connected to the movement assembly and the second damping module and forming a synchronous network; detecting, by the offset angle sensing unit, whether an offset angle of the movement assembly operated by a user exceeds an angle threshold; and if the offset angle exceeds the angle threshold, the first damping module controls a resistance provided by the first damping module to adjust a resistance balance state of the movement assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a fitness device and its resistance adjustment method, and more particularly to a fitness device capable of providing a resistance compensation mechanism and its resistance adjustment method. Background Technology

[0002] For safety reasons, home fitness equipment often uses resistance bands (or fitness pumps) instead of weight plates. Resistance bands output a set torque to provide resistance by pulling the resistance bands, allowing users to train all the muscles in their body with various exercises.

[0003] Generally, home fitness equipment has multiple damping modules. For example, when a user performs barbell curls or barbell overhead presses, they use the barbell in conjunction with two damping modules located on the left and right sides for training. However, because the damping modules have a relatively long response time after sensing the user's pulling force, the two damping modules can easily become asynchronous, causing the user to feel an imbalance of resistance on both sides, resulting in a poor user experience.

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings, the present invention proposes a fitness device and a method for adjusting its resistance. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, one technical solution adopted by the present invention is to provide a fitness device, comprising a motion component, a first damping module, and a second damping module. The motion component includes an offset angle sensing unit for sensing the offset angle of the motion component. The first damping module and the second damping module are connected to the motion component and each includes a resistance sensing unit for sensing the resistance applied to the motion component by the first and second damping modules. The first damping module communicatively connects the motion component and the second damping module, forming a synchronization network. When the offset angle sensing unit detects that the offset angle of the motion component exceeds an angle threshold, the first damping module controls the magnitude of the resistance provided by the second damping module.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, another technical solution adopted by the present invention is to provide a resistance adjustment method for a fitness device. The fitness device includes a motion component, a first damping module, and a second damping module. The motion component includes an offset angle sensing unit. The first damping module and the second damping module are connected to the motion component. The resistance adjustment method includes the following steps: activating the motion component, the first damping module, and the second damping module; the first damping module communicatively connecting the motion component and the second damping module to establish a synchronization network; detecting whether the offset angle of the motion component when operated by the user exceeds an angle threshold using the offset angle sensing unit; if the offset angle exceeds the angle threshold, the first damping module controls the magnitude of the provided resistance to adjust the resistance balance state of the motion component.

[0007] The beneficial effect of the present invention is that the fitness device and its resistance adjustment method provided by the present invention can form a synchronous network by communicating with the motion component and the second damping module through the first damping module. Therefore, when the resistance on both sides of the motion component is unbalanced and the offset angle is too large, the first damping module controls the resistance magnitude to adjust the resistance balance state of the motion component.

[0008] To further understand the features and technical content of this application, please refer to the following detailed description and drawings. However, the detailed description and drawings are only for illustrating this application and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims in any way. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The above and other features and advantages of this application will become more apparent from a detailed description of exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a fitness device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating the first use of the fitness device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 3 This is a second usage diagram of a user operating the fitness device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the use of the fitness device according to an embodiment of the present invention when the resistance is unbalanced.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a resistance adjustment method for a fitness device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the resistance compensation procedure in the resistance adjustment method of the fitness device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a user terminal device.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a flowchart of the process for constructing a synchronization network in the resistance adjustment method of a fitness device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure Labels

[0019] 1. Motion Components

[0020] 11 Offset Angle Sensing Unit

[0021] 12 acceleration sensing units

[0022] 13 processors

[0023] 14 Communication Module

[0024] 2 First Damping Module

[0025] 21 First resistance sensing unit

[0026] 22 First linear displacement sensing unit

[0027] 23 First Motor

[0028] 24 Motor control modules

[0029] 25 processors

[0030] 26 Communication Module

[0031] 3 Second Damping Module

[0032] 30 Second pull rope

[0033] 31 Second resistance sensing unit

[0034] 32 Second linear displacement sensing unit

[0035] 33 Second Motor

[0036] 34 Motor control module

[0037] 35 processors

[0038] 36 Communication Module

[0039] Θ Offset Angle

[0040] L1 and L2 line lengths

[0041] O terminal device

[0042] A~D, F~G damping modules

[0043] E Motion Components Detailed Implementation

[0044] The following specific examples illustrate the implementation methods of this application. Those skilled in the art can easily understand the other advantages and effects of this application from the content disclosed herein. This application can also be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this application can be modified or changed according to different viewpoints and application systems without departing from the spirit of this application. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other.

[0045] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the application. This application may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein.

[0046] In this application, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics represented in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics represented may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate different embodiments or examples represented in this application, as well as features of different embodiments or examples.

[0047] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the representation of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0048] For the purpose of clearly describing this application, devices that are not relevant to the description are omitted, and the same or similar components throughout the specification are given the same reference numerals.

[0049] Throughout this specification, when it is said that a device is "connected" to another device, this includes not only "direct connection" but also "indirect connection" by placing other components in between. Furthermore, when it is said that a device "comprises" a certain constituent element, unless otherwise stated otherwise, this does not exclude other constituent elements, but rather implies that other constituent elements may be included.

[0050] When we say that a device is "above" another device, this can mean that it is directly above the other device, or it can mean that other devices are present in between. Conversely, when we say that a device is "directly" "above" another device, there are no other devices present in between.

[0051] Although the terms first, second, etc., are used in some instances herein to refer to various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, first interface and second interface, etc., are used. Furthermore, as used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to also include the plural forms unless the context indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, components, items, kinds, and / or groups, but do not exclude the presence, occurrence, or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, items, kinds, and / or groups. The terms “or” and “and / or” as used herein are interpreted as inclusive, or mean any one or any combination thereof. Thus, “A, B, or C” or “A, B, and / or C” means “any one of: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C.” Exceptions to this definition will only occur if the combination of elements, functions, steps, or operations is inherently mutually exclusive in some way.

[0052] The technical terms used herein are for reference only to specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. The singular form used herein includes the plural form unless the statement explicitly indicates otherwise. The word "comprising" as used in the specification means to specify a particular characteristic, region, integer, step, operation, element, and / or component, and does not exclude the presence or addition of other characteristics, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components.

[0053] Although not explicitly defined, all terms, including technical and scientific terms used herein, shall have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries shall be further interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the relevant technical literature and the content of this present application, and shall not be over-interpreted as having an ideal or overly formulaic meaning unless otherwise defined.

[0054] See Figures 1 to 3 As shown, this embodiment of the invention provides a fitness device, which includes a motion component 1, a first damping module 2, and a second damping module 3. Both the first damping module 2 and the second damping module 3 are connected to the motion component 1. In this embodiment, the motion component 1 is exemplified by a long bar, but this form is not limiting. The first damping module 2 and the second damping module 3 are resistance pumps (or resistance pumps) that provide resistance when the user operates the motion component 1 for training. It should be noted that the fitness device in this embodiment includes at least two damping modules (i.e., the first damping module 2 and the second damping module 3), but the specific number of damping modules is not limited.

[0055] The motion component 1 includes an offset angle sensing unit 11, the first damping module 2 includes a first resistance sensing unit 21, and the second damping module 3 includes a second resistance sensing unit 31. For example, the offset angle sensing unit 11 may be a gyroscope, and the first resistance sensing unit 21 and the second resistance sensing unit 31 may be force sensors.

[0056] When the user lifts the object, the first damping module 2 and the second damping module 3 each apply resistance to the motion component 1. At this time, the offset angle sensing unit 11 senses the offset angle of the motion component 1, the first resistance sensing unit 21 senses the resistance applied to the motion component 1 by the first damping module 2, and the second resistance sensing unit 31 senses the resistance applied to the motion component 1 by the second damping module 3.

[0057] The motion component 1 also includes an acceleration sensing unit 12 and a processor 13. The offset angle sensing unit 11 and the acceleration sensing unit 12 are electrically connected to the processor 13. The acceleration sensing unit 12 is mainly used to sense the moving speed of the motion component 1. The first damping module 2 also includes a first pull rope 20, a first linear displacement sensing unit 22, a first motor 23, a motor control module 24, and a processor 25. The first resistance sensing unit 21, the first linear displacement sensing unit 22, and the motor control module 24 are electrically connected to the processor 25. The processor 25 controls the first motor 23 through the motor control module 24. The first pull rope 20 connects the barbell and the first motor 23. The first motor 23 is used to output resistance and control the length of the extended line of the first pull rope 20. The first linear displacement sensing unit 22 is used to sense the length of the extended line of the first pull rope 20. Similarly, the second damping module 3 also includes a second pull rope 30, a second linear displacement sensing unit 32, a second motor 33, a motor control module 34, and a processor 35. The second resistance sensing unit 31, the second linear displacement sensing unit 32, and the motor control module 34 are electrically connected to the processor 35, and the processor 35 controls the second motor 33 through the motor control module 34. The second pull rope 30 connects the barbell and the second motor 33. The second motor 33 is used to output resistance and control the length of the extended line of the second pull rope 30, and the second linear displacement sensing unit 32 is used to sense the length of the extended line of the second pull rope 30. Alternatively, for example, the first linear displacement sensing unit 22 and the second linear displacement sensing unit 32 can be displacement sensors. The processors 25 and 35 can be microcontrollers (MCUs).

[0058] The motion component 1, the first damping module 2, and the second damping module 3 each include a communication module. The first damping module 2 communicates with the motion component 1 and the second damping module 3 via its respective communication module. The first damping module 2 can communicate with the communication module 14 of the motion component 1 and the communication module 36 of the second damping module 3 through its communication module 26 to jointly form a synchronization network. The composition of the synchronization network enables the first resistance sensing unit 21 and the second resistance sensing unit 31 to transmit information and operate synchronously. For example, communication modules 14, 26, and 36 can simultaneously support Bluetooth. This invention is not limited to communication modules using communication methods such as ZigBee.

[0059] Users can centrally control the operation and output values ​​of all damping modules on the synchronous network. Therefore, users can input the desired resistance intensity from the terminal device O to the first damping module 2, which then transmits the set resistance intensity to the second damping module 3. In this way, the processor 25 of the first damping module 2 adjusts the resistance output of the first motor 23 to the set value via the motor control module 24, and the processor 35 of the second damping module 3 adjusts the resistance output of the second motor 33 to the set value via the motor control module 34.

[0060] See Figure 5 In step S501, when the user begins training (e.g.) Figure 2 and Figure 3 (As shown in the lifting action), the offset angle sensing unit 11 and the acceleration sensing unit 12 are triggered to detect the offset angle and movement speed of the motion component 1 when it is operated by the user, and transmit the detected offset angle and movement speed to the processor 13. In steps S502 and S503, the processor 13 determines whether the movement speed of the motion component 1 exceeds the speed threshold, and determines the offset angle θ of the motion component 1 (e.g., ...). Figure 4 Is the moving speed greater than the angle threshold? When the moving speed exceeds the speed threshold, proceed to step S504, where a warning message can be issued through a warning unit (not shown) set on the motion component 1 to remind the user that the movement is too fast. For example, the warning unit can be a miniature display screen, a speaker, or a light-emitting diode (LED), and the warning message can be corresponding text, images, sounds, or lights. When the offset angle θ exceeds the angle threshold (e.g. Figure 4 If the condition is met, proceed to step S505 to trigger the resistance compensation procedure.

[0061] Then as Figure 6As shown, the resistance compensation procedure will be further explained. When the processor 13 of the motion component 1 determines that the offset angle θ is greater than the angle threshold and triggers the resistance compensation procedure, in steps S601 and S602, the processor 13 will notify the first damping module 2, which is the coordinator node. The first damping module 2 sends a communication request to the second damping module 3, requesting the second damping module 3 to provide information including the current resistance output by the second motor 33 and the length of the second pull rope 30. After receiving the communication request, the second damping module 3 will send the information back to the first damping module 2.

[0062] Next, in steps S603 to S605, the processor 25 of the first damping module 2 compares the current resistance output by the first motor 23 and the length L1 of the first pull rope 20 with the information returned by the second damping module, and determines whether the current resistance output by the first motor 23 is greater than the current resistance output by the second motor 33, and whether the length L1 of the first pull rope 20 is greater than the length L2 of the second pull rope. If so, the processor 25 of the first damping module 2 sends an adjustment request to the processor 35 of the second damping module 3. The processor 35 controls the second motor 33 to reduce its speed and torque through the motor control module 34, thereby increasing the output resistance of the second motor 33. If not, the processor 25 of the first damping module 2 sends another adjustment request to the processor 35 of the second damping module 3. The processor 35 controls the second motor 33 to increase its speed and torque through the motor control module 34, thereby reducing the output resistance of the second motor 33. In this way, the resistance on the left and right sides of the barbell will reach a balanced state.

[0063] Since multiple motion components and multiple damping modules may be used by multiple users in some scenarios (such as gyms), the following examples will illustrate how to avoid interference between different users when starting the fitness device by pre-establishing a whitelist and establishing a synchronization network between motion components and damping modules in the same whitelist.

[0064] Before activating the fitness equipment, users can create a whitelist, which can include multiple damping modules and motion components. Users can add motion components and damping modules to the whitelist using a mobile phone scan or other short-range communication methods, such as Near Field Communication (NFC) or Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). A single whitelist can contain multiple damping modules and motion components. See also... Figure 7 Users can view the whitelist of each motion component and damping module through the terminal device. Damping modules A to D and motion component E belong to the same whitelist, while damping modules F and G belong to another whitelist.

[0065] Figure 8This is a flowchart of the process for setting up a synchronous network. After the user starts one of the damping modules, please refer to steps S801 and S802. The damping module will search through its internal communication module and determine whether there is another damping module acting as a coordinator node in its vicinity.

[0066] When a damping module determines that it has not found another damping module that has become a coordinator node, it proceeds to step S803. The damping module automatically becomes a coordinator node and allows other damping modules in the whitelist to automatically communicate and connect with it after being started, thus jointly building a synchronization network. When a damping module determines that it has found another damping module that has become a coordinator node, it proceeds to step S804 to further determine whether it is in the same whitelist as the other damping module that has become a coordinator node. If they are in different whitelists, it proceeds to step S803; if they are in the same whitelist, it proceeds to step S805. The damping module becomes an end-device and automatically communicates and connects with the damping module that has become a coordinator node, thereby building a synchronization network. It should be noted that there is no limit to the number of damping modules in the synchronization network. The first damping module to be started will become the coordinator node, and other damping modules that are started subsequently will become end-devices. The coordinator node is responsible for establishing the network and allocating network addresses, while end-devices can only choose to join an existing network.

[0067] by Figure 7 Taking damping module A as an example, if damping module A is activated and finds damping module B in the same whitelist, then damping module A becomes a terminal node and automatically establishes a communication connection with damping module B, which has become a coordinator node, thus establishing a synchronization network between damping module A and damping module B. If, after being activated, damping module A does not find a damping module in the same whitelist, or only finds damping module F or damping module G which are not in the same whitelist, then damping module A automatically becomes a coordinator node. In this way, when a user wants to use damping module A, there is no need to worry about damping module A mistakenly forming a synchronization network with damping module F (which is used by someone else in another whitelist).

[0068] Furthermore, when the user activates the motion component, the motion component also searches for nearby damping modules that have become coordinator nodes through its internal communication module. Figure 7 Taking the motion component E as an example, if a damping module A that is in the same whitelist and has become a coordinator node is found nearby, the motion component E will automatically communicate and connect with the damping module A and join the synchronization network; if no damping module in the same whitelist is found, or only damping module F or damping module G that is not in the same whitelist is found, it will not join the synchronization network.

[0069] In summary, the fitness device and its resistance adjustment method provided in this invention can establish a synchronous network consisting of damping modules and a barbell, allowing multiple damping modules to operate synchronously. When the barbell detects an imbalance in resistance, it can actively compensate for the output of the damping modules, preventing the user from feeling an imbalance in resistance on both sides when operating the fitness device.

[0070] The above-disclosed content is only a preferred and feasible embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the patent application of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent technical changes made based on the content of the present invention specification and drawings are included in the scope of the patent application of the present invention.

Claims

1. A fitness device, characterized in that, include: A motion component includes an offset angle sensing unit for sensing the offset angle of the motion component; A first damping module and a second damping module are connected to the motion component, and each includes a resistance sensing unit for sensing the resistance applied to the motion component by the first damping module and the second damping module. The first damping module is communicatively connected to the motion component and the second damping module, and forms a synchronous network. When the offset angle sensing unit detects that the offset angle of the motion component exceeds an angle threshold, the first damping module controls the magnitude of the resistance provided by the second damping module. The procedure for setting up this synchronization network includes the following steps: Establish a whitelist that lists multiple damping modules and the motion component; One of the damping modules is activated, and this damping module searches the vicinity to see if another damping module in the whitelist has been activated, wherein: If not, the damping module becomes a coordinator node and communicates with other damping modules in the whitelist that are subsequently activated to jointly build the synchronization network. If so, the damping module becomes a terminal node and communicates with another damping module that has been started to jointly build the synchronization network. The damping module that serves as the coordinator node is the first damping module, and the damping module that serves as the terminal node is the second damping module.

2. The fitness device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The motion component also includes an acceleration sensing unit, which issues a warning message when the acceleration sensing unit detects that the movement speed exceeds a speed threshold.

3. The fitness device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The procedure for setting up this synchronization network further includes the following steps: The motion component is activated, and it searches for the first damping module in the whitelist in the vicinity. If it is found, the motion component establishes a communication connection with the first damping module and joins the synchronization network.

4. The fitness device as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The first damping module and the second damping module each further include a pull rope, a motor and a linear displacement sensing unit. The pull rope connects the motion component and the motor. The motor is used to output resistance and control the length of the pull rope. The linear displacement sensing unit is used to sense the length of the pull rope. The motion component, the first damping module, and the second damping module each further include a communication module, and the first damping module communicates with the motion component and the second damping module through their respective communication modules. The first damping control of the resistance provided by the second damping module includes the following steps: The first damping module sends a communication request to the second damping module, causing the second damping module to provide information including the current resistance output by the second damping module and the length of the cord extended by the second damping module. The second damping module transmits this information back to the first damping module; and The first damping module compares its output current resistance and the length of its pull cord with the information returned by the second damping module, and determines whether the current resistance output by the first damping module is greater than the current resistance output by the second damping module, and whether the length of the pull cord of the first damping module is greater than the length of the pull cord of the second damping module, wherein: If so, the first damping module sends an adjustment request to the second damping module, causing the second damping module to reduce the speed and torque of the motor in the second damping module; If not, the first damping module sends another adjustment request to the second damping module, causing the second damping module to increase the speed and torque of the motor in the second damping module.

5. A method for adjusting the resistance of a fitness device, characterized in that, The method includes a motion component, a first damping module, and a second damping module. The motion component includes an offset angle sensing unit. The first damping module and the second damping module are connected to the motion component. The resistance adjustment method includes the following steps: The motion component, the first damping module, and the second damping module are activated. The first damping module communicates with the motion component and the second damping module and establishes a synchronization network. The offset angle sensing unit detects whether the offset angle of the moving component exceeds a certain angle threshold when operated by the user; and If the offset angle exceeds the angle threshold, the first damping module controls the magnitude of the resistance provided to adjust the resistance balance state of the moving component. The procedure for setting up this synchronization network includes the following steps: Establish a whitelist containing multiple damping modules and the motion component; and One of the damping modules is activated, and this damping module searches the vicinity to see if another damping module in the whitelist has been activated, wherein: If not, the damping module becomes a coordinator node and communicates with other damping modules in the whitelist that are subsequently activated to jointly build the synchronization network. If so, the damping module becomes a terminal node and communicates with another damping module that has been started to jointly build the synchronization network. The damping module that serves as the coordinator node is the first damping module, and the damping module that serves as the terminal node is the second damping module.

6. The resistance adjustment method of the fitness device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The procedure for setting up this synchronization network further includes the following steps: The motion component is activated, and it searches the surrounding area for the first damping module that is on the whitelist; and If the motion component is surrounded by the first damping module in the whitelist, the motion component will communicate with the first damping module and join the synchronization network.

7. The resistance adjustment method of the fitness device as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The first damping module and the second damping module each further include a pull rope, a motor and a linear displacement sensing unit. The pull rope connects the motion component and the motor. The motor is used to output resistance and control the length of the pull rope. The linear displacement sensing unit is used to sense the length of the pull rope. The motion component, the first damping module, and the second damping module each further include a communication module, and the first damping module communicates with the motion component and the second damping module through their respective communication modules. The first damping control of the resistance provided by the second damping module includes the following steps: The first damping module sends a communication request to the second damping module, causing the second damping module to provide information including the current resistance output by the second damping module and the length of the extension of the pull cord of the second damping module. The second damping module transmits this information back to the first damping module; and The first damping module compares its output current resistance and the length of its pull cord with the information returned by the second damping module, and determines whether the current resistance output by the first damping module is greater than the current resistance output by the second damping module, and whether the length of the pull cord of the first damping module is greater than the length of the pull cord of the second damping module, wherein: If so, the first damping module sends an adjustment request to the second damping module, causing the second damping module to reduce the speed and torque of the motor in the second damping module; If not, the first damping module sends another adjustment request to the second damping module, causing the second damping module to increase the speed and torque of the motor in the second damping module.

8. The resistance adjustment method of the fitness device as described in claim 7, characterized in that, Prior to the step of detecting the offset angle of the moving component when operated by the user via the offset angle sensing unit, the resistance adjustment method further includes the following steps: The motion component's movement speed is detected by an acceleration sensing unit when operated by the user, and it is determined whether the movement speed exceeds a speed threshold; and If the movement speed exceeds the speed threshold, the motion component will issue a warning message to remind the user.

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