RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT DEVICE IN EXERCISE MACHINES

Abstract

A resistance management device for exercise machines, characterized in that it comprises an actuator (1) connected to a processing unit (2); wherein the actuator (1) comprises a piston (3) separating two chambers, a primary chamber (4) and a secondary chamber (5); wherein the actuator comprises a pressurized air inlet (6) in the primary chamber (4), and comprises an air outlet (7) with an air outlet adjustment diaphragm (8) in the primary chamber (4), the air inlet (6) and the diaphragm (8) being connected to and controlled by the processing unit; and comprises an air opening (9) in the secondary chamber (5) that is connected to and controlled by the processing unit.

Description

RESISTANCE MANAGEMENT DEVICE IN MACHINES FOR PERFORMING PHYSICAL EXERCISES Technical field The present invention relates to a resistance management device by means of mass flow regulation, intended for integration into machines for performing physical exercises, more specifically coupled to low friction pneumatic actuators. The object of the invention is to modify the density of the resistance medium in a stochastic or predictive manner and is intended to solve the technical problem existing in conventional machines, relating to the deadlift where there are linear or fixed resistance curves that do not respect the changing biomechanics during the performance of a physical exercise. The invention falls within the industrial and technological sector related to machines and equipment intended for a user to perform physical exercises, such as sports machines. State of the art Within the sector related to systems and equipment for performing physical exercises, the problem of the destructive impact inherent in traditional weight or resistance systems is well known. This problem stems from the constant inertia of the mass, as well as the fact that adding physical load instantaneously in the descent, relaxation or return phase of the effort is mechanically unfeasible due to the risk of component breakage or impact injury, commonly known as "whiplash". Modern machines exhibit parasitic inertia and a lack of synchronization with the firing rate of the human nervous system. In this context, the invention described below consists of a device based on high-speed proportional valves and low-friction pneumatic actuators, configured in such a way that the device allows resistance to be varied almost instantaneously, something impossible with known mechanisms based on cables, pulleys or weights. Additionally, the invention comprises a data processing unit allowing load adjustments in microseconds, so that it not only reacts to movement, but also synchronizes with the user, eliminating joint impact from the moving mass and allowing for improved exercise. The applicant is unaware of any solution that is similar or as effective as the one described and claimed below. Explanation of the invention The invention consists of a device according to the claims that, in its different embodiments, solves the problems and limitations of the state of the art. The device consists of an element attachable to exercise machines comprising a diaphragm with a double-chamber pneumatic actuator, means for controlling the mass flow through a diaphragm, and a processing unit, which is a closed-loop, programmable electronic module for fluid resistance management that governs the operation of the device. The device utilizes dynamic fluid dynamics to generate variable accommodating resistance, rather than relying solely on opposing forces. The closed-loop processing unit monitors differential pressures in real time to instantly alter the load vector and magnitude, enabling the application of independent resistance forces and asymmetrical intensities during different phases of movement (concentric, eccentric, and transitions), adapting to the user's bone leverage advantage. In greater detail, the device comprises a pneumatic cylinder or actuator connected to a processing unit. The actuator includes a piston separating two chambers, a primary chamber and a secondary chamber. The actuator also includes a pressure-controlled air inlet in one chamber, preferably the primary chamber, and an air outlet with an adjustable diaphragm for controlling the air flow in the same chamber. The air inlet and outlet are controlled by the processing unit. Furthermore, the device includes a controlled air opening, also connected to the processing unit, in the other chamber, preferably the secondary chamber. The piston is designed to withstand a preselected and adjustable applied force and may be connected to the processing unit. When a user applies a force, this force induces a pressure difference between the two chambers.The magnitude of the resistance force generated by the actuator is controlled by adjusting a diaphragm, which regulates the airflow through the chambers. By modulating the diaphragm's configuration, the actuator can produce a variable opposing force in response to user input, thus controlling the machine's resistance. The processing unit can be connected to an electronic device with a screen, such as a computer, smartphone, tablet, or similar device, providing an interface that allows a user—either the person performing the exercise or an exercise monitor—to control exercise parameters, adjust device settings, and / or monitor the physical activity. The device can also be connected to other similar devices, creating a system that allows a single user to manage all of them. It should be understood that the core of the invention does not lie in the mechanical displacement of the actuator (piston), which acts solely as a passive means of execution. The innovation resides in the method of differential pressure control implemented by the processing unit. This unit, acting on high-speed electromechanical proportional valves (which conceptually replace the traditional, slow-response mechanical diaphragms), regulates the pressure between chambers with actuation times in the millisecond range (<50ms). This allows for instantaneous switching of resistive forces, emulating variable load vectors in the time domain.In this way, the actuator transmits these dynamic forces and pressures directly to the machine's structure, allowing the application of complex resistances that go beyond simple constant passive traction, adapting to the physiological reality and biomechanical requirements of the user at every moment of the journey. . In one possible embodiment of the invention, the device may further comprise a conduit connecting the air outlet of one chamber's adjusting diaphragm to the air inlet of the other chamber. In this case, the user applies a linear force to the piston of the pneumatic actuator, and as the user applies the force, the piston moves clockwise into the secondary chamber. Simultaneously, this piston movement causes air to flow from the secondary chamber into the actuator's primary chamber. The rate of this airflow is predetermined and controlled by the adjustable diaphragm in conjunction with the processing unit. The diaphragm regulates the effective flow area, thereby controlling the volumetric flow rate of the air moving between the two chambers as the piston moves.This coordinated interaction between the applied linear force, the piston's resistance force, and the controlled airflow through the diaphragm allows the pneumatic actuator to operate as designed, with the user's input force opposed by the actuator's preselected resistance. One of the advantages of the present invention is that the processing unit replaces the inert mass with a dynamically responsive actuator, allowing for almost instantaneous resistance variation. To achieve this, the processing unit comprises a closed-loop control system operating at a frequency of 1000 Hz, enabling the measurement of acceleration and the user's intent to adjust the actuator pressure in real time. This unit is a safety system that, upon detecting critical risk or extreme fatigue, executes a progressive and controlled load release with eccentric return control, eliminating or reducing joint whiplash through progressive fluidic decompression. This allows the device to act as a mechanical and digital shock absorber that detects the end of the range of motion and dissipates residual energy, eliminating impact and shear stress on the joints.It can also include a safety algorithm configured to detect anomalies in the power / speed curve and activates a total pressure relief in the system within a <50ms interval, thus reducing the risk of muscle rupture or structural failure in high-intensity exercises and therefore enabling a proactive solution based on biological monitoring and not just mechanical monitoring. The device allows for exercises that are not possible with conventional machines, as it forces the braking muscle to perform the work of a loading muscle, but without failing, under a force it could not lift, but can withstand. Unlike what is known in the prior art, the invention eliminates the impact and isoinertial shear inherent in fixed loads. The device optimizes isolated eccentric overload by autonomously supplying a resistive tension greater than the user's maximum concentric capacity during the elongation (return) phase. This algorithmic control, executed during vector transitions, requires the user, and in particular the stabilizing and antagonist muscles responsible for braking, to perform an adaptive and progressive co-contraction.The system eliminates dead zones of tension loss and prevents joint trauma resulting from uncontrolled ballistic accelerations present in traditional machinery. Additionally, the device can be connected to multiple sensors located on the machine and the user. Unlike existing technologies that measure data in isolation, the processing unit merges a multitude of data in real time, including vital data such as heart rate and oxygen saturation; biomechanical data such as position and force vectors; and intention data such as initial acceleration velocity. The processing unit uses this data as input parameters to modify the machine's resistance within the same repetition cycle. As previously mentioned, this allows the device to synchronize the machine's operation with the user's intention, eliminating joint impact from the moving mass and aligning the exercise with the user's neurobiological response frequency.Essentially, the system integrates, as an essential input parameter, measurements from load cells and pressure sensors (strain gauges) strategically placed at the user's support or traction interfaces with the machine. This data flow allows the processing unit to instantly compare the force applied by the user against the resistance generated by the actuator, quantifying the necessary addition or subtraction of pressure for each millimeter of movement. Furthermore, the processing unit is algorithmically configured to inject micro-pulses or stochastic pressure disturbances through the proportional valve. This control subjects the user to dynamic variations of unpredictable intensity, forcing continuous neural stabilization in response to resistance. As previously stated, the applicant is unaware of a solution as effective as the one previously described. Furthermore, it should be noted that, throughout the description and claims, the term includes and its variants are not intended to exclude other technical features or additional elements. Brief description of the figures In order to complete the description and to aid in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of figures and drawings is presented which, for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, represent the following: Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of one embodiment of the device that is the subject of the present invention. Figure 2 shows the integration of the device that is the subject of the present invention into a machine for performing physical exercises with an articulated seat. Figure 3 shows the integration of the device that is the subject of the present invention into a machine for performing physical exercises with a moving seat. Detailed explanation of a mode of implementation of the invention The following section briefly describes an example of an embodiment of the device of the invention. As shown schematically in Figure 1, the device (D) comprises a pneumatic cylinder or actuator (1) connected to a processing unit (2), wherein the actuator (1) comprises a piston (3) separating two chambers, a primary chamber (4) and a secondary chamber (5); wherein the actuator comprises a pressure-controlled air inlet (6) in the primary chamber (4), and an air outlet (7) with an adjustable diaphragm (8) in the primary chamber (4), the air inlet and diaphragm being connected to and controlled by the processing unit (2); and comprising a connected and controlled air opening (9) in the secondary chamber (5), also connected to the processing unit. The piston (3) may be connected to and controlled by the processing unit (2). The device of the present invention is not limited to a specific type of exercise machine. The device (D) can be integrated into various machines, for example, as shown in Figure 2, into an exercise machine with an articulated seat; or, as shown in Figure 3, into an exercise machine with a moving seat; and can also be integrated into other types of machines. The invention further includes the ability to integrate these actuators into dynamic support bases, such as pivoting or oscillating seats (Figs. 2 and 3). The processing unit synchronizes the resistance response of the linear actuator with the displacement or tilt of the seat, maintaining constant anatomical alignment of the force vector with respect to the user.This prevents joint shear by absorbing the angular variations in trajectory imposed by the morphology or movement of the individual.

Claims

1. A resistance management device for exercise machines, characterized in that it comprises an actuator (1) connected to a processing unit (2); wherein the actuator (1) comprises a piston (3) separating two chambers, a primary chamber (4) and a secondary chamber (5); wherein the actuator comprises a pressurized air inlet (6) in the primary chamber (4), and comprises an air outlet (7) with an air outlet adjustment diaphragm (8) in the primary chamber (4), the air inlet (6) and the diaphragm (8) being connected to and controlled by the processing unit; and comprises an air opening (9) in the secondary chamber (5) that is connected to and controlled by the processing unit.

2. A resistance management device for exercise machines, according to claim 1, wherein the piston (3) is connected to and controlled by the processing unit. 3.Resistance management device in exercise machines, according to claim 1, comprising a conduit connecting the air outlet (7) with the adjustment diaphragm (8) and the air opening (9).