Power generation system

Abstract

The objective is to provide a power generation system that can improve power generation efficiency and has a configuration that can be easily implemented. [Solution] The power generation system 1 comprises an exercise machine 2, a generator 6, a sensor 8a for measuring the amount of power generated by the generator 6, and a controller 8 connected to the sensor 8a. The exercise machine 2 has a third pulley 4b positioned on the second side 4d of a rotating disc 4. The generator 6 has a fourth pulley 5, and a second belt 7b is stretched between the third pulley 4b and the fourth pulley 5. The controller 8 is configured to receive measurement signals from the sensor 8a and calculate point information corresponding to the amount of power generated by the generator 6.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power generation system equipped with exercise equipment.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a system has been proposed that gives points according to the amount of power generated using exercise equipment (Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-275919). Also, a system has been proposed that reduces points according to the amount of power saved by the user (Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-106944). And a system has been proposed that reduces the facility usage fee or pays part of the facility electricity bill according to the amount of power generated using exercise equipment in the facility (Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2025-070813).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the conventional technologies described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 have problems such as low power generation efficiency and large-scale equipment investment, and thus have not been widely spread.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention is made, and an object thereof is to provide a power generation system having a configuration that can improve power generation efficiency and can be easily introduced.

[0006] The above problem is solved by the solution disclosed below as one embodiment.

[0007] The power generation system according to the present invention comprises an exercise machine having a first pulley arranged on a first shaft, a rotating disk arranged on a second shaft, a second pulley arranged on the first side of the rotating disk, a first belt stretched between the first and second pulleys, a generator having a third shaft, a sensor for measuring the amount of power generated by the generator, and a controller connected to the sensor, wherein the exercise machine has a third pulley arranged on the second side of the rotating disk, the generator has a fourth pulley arranged on the third shaft, and a second belt stretched between the third and fourth pulleys, The second pulley and the third pulley are configured to have the same outer diameter and the same weight. The controller is characterized by having a configuration that allows it to receive measurement signals from the sensor and calculate point information corresponding to the amount of power generated.

[0008] This configuration ensures stable rotational balance of the rotating disc, thereby increasing power generation efficiency. Furthermore, it does not require large-scale equipment investment, making it easy to implement. Additionally, it allows for easy awarding of points to users based on the amount of electricity generated using the exercise equipment.

[0009] As an example, the exercise equipment is an exercise bike with pedals connected to the first axis, and the exercise bike has a holder on which the user's communication device can be placed. With this configuration, it is easy to award points to the user via a communication device such as a smartphone.

[0010] For example, the controller is configured to communicate with the communication device, and an application program capable of identifying the exercise bike and displaying the amount of power generated is installed on the communication device. When the application program is running on the communication device, the controller transmits the point information as data to the communication device, and the application program running on the communication device acquires the point information. and make it convertible to electronic money.This configuration allows for a simple and versatile system while also making it easy to award points to users. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the power generation system of the present invention, a power generation system can be realized that has excellent power generation efficiency, is easy to implement, and allows for easy awarding of points to users according to the amount of electricity generated using exercise equipment. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a power generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic front view showing the arrangement configuration of the rotating disks in the power generation system of this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the power generation system of this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the power generation system 1 of this embodiment comprises an exercise machine 2, a generator 6, a sensor 8a for measuring the amount of power generated by the generator 6, and a controller 8 connected to the sensor 8a. The exercise machine 2 has a base 2e, a frame 2a fixed to the base 2e, a handle 2b attached to the front side of the frame 2a, and a saddle 2c attached to the rear side of the frame 2a. In all the figures used to explain the embodiments, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions may be omitted.

[0014] The exercise apparatus 2 has a pedal 2d and a first pulley 3 arranged on a first shaft 11, and a rotating disk 4 arranged on a second shaft 12. The rotating disk 4 is made of iron, magnesium alloy, aluminum alloy, ceramics, etc., and is formed by casting, forging, laser processing, sintering, etc. The rotating disk 4 has a second pulley 4a arranged on a first side 4c and a third pulley 4b arranged on a second side 4d. As an example, the outer diameter of the second pulley 4a is equal to the outer diameter of the third pulley 4b. As an example, the weight of the second pulley 4a is equal to the weight of the third pulley 4b. Thereby, the rotational balance of the rotating disk 4 is stabilized.

[0015] The exercise apparatus 2 has a holder 2f arranged above a handle 2b, and a controller 8 and a first battery 9a arranged below the handle 2b. The holder 2f is configured to be able to place a communication device S1 of a user who uses the exercise apparatus 2. The first battery 9a supplies power to the controller 8 and can supply power to the communication device S1 via a USB cable. The communication device S1 can be signal-connected to the communication device S1 via a USB cable.

[0016] The communication device S1 is, as an example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PHS, a PDA, or a remote controller. As an example, the communication device S1 is a smartphone. Thereby, it can be configured to be more familiar and convenient for the user.

[0017] A plurality of exercise apparatuses 2 are installed in facilities such as a sports gym or a fitness club. The exercise apparatus 2 in the figure is an air bike. Note that it is not limited to the above configuration.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing the arrangement configuration of the rotating disk 4 in the power generation system 1. The frame 2a has a plurality of bearings 2g. The first shaft 11 and the second shaft 12 are respectively supported by each bearing 2g so as to be parallel to gravity.

[0019] The exercise apparatus 2 has a first belt 7a looped around a first pulley 3 and a second pulley 4a. As an example, the outer diameter of the first pulley 3 is smaller than the outer diameter of the second pulley 4a. The generator 6 has a fourth pulley 5 arranged on a third shaft 13. And a second belt 7b is looped around a third pulley 4b and the fourth pulley 5. As an example, the outer diameter of the fourth pulley 5 is smaller than the outer diameter of the third pulley 4b.

[0020] A first axis P1 passing through the first shaft 11 and a second axis P2 passing through the second shaft 12 are parallel axes. According to this configuration, the rotational force of the first shaft 11 can be efficiently transmitted to the second shaft 12. A second axis P2 passing through the second shaft 12 and a third axis P3 passing through the third shaft 13 are parallel axes. According to this configuration, the rotational force of the second shaft 12 can be efficiently transmitted to the third shaft 13.

[0021] The base 2e has a generator 6 and a second battery 9b for storing the electric power generated by the generator 6. Here, the capacity of the first battery 9a is smaller than the capacity of the second battery 9b. Note that the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. For example, one battery 9 can also be used to supply power to the controller 8.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of the power generation system 1. The power generation system 1 includes a sensor 8a for measuring the power generation amount of the generator 6 and a controller 8 signal-connected to the sensor 8a, and the controller 8 is configured to be able to communicate with a communication device S1. And the controller 8 is configured to be able to receive a measurement signal from the sensor 8a and calculate point information corresponding to the power generation amount of the generator 6. The point information corresponding to the power generation amount of the generator 6 is point data that can be converted into electronic money.

[0023] Communication device S1 has an application program 8b installed that can identify the exercise equipment 2 used by the user and display the amount of power generated by the generator 6. The user starts the application program 8b on communication device S1. Controller 8 calculates point information according to the amount of power generated by the generator 6 and transmits the point information to communication device S1 as data. The application program 8b started on communication device S1 acquires the point information.

[0024] According to this embodiment, a power generation system 1 can be realized that has excellent power generation efficiency, is easy to install, and allows for easy awarding of points to users according to the amount of power generated using the exercise equipment 2. Therefore, it can be easily introduced to multiple pieces of exercise equipment 2 installed in facilities such as sports gyms and fitness clubs. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0025] 1. Power generation system 2 exercise equipment, 2a frame, 2b handlebars, 2c saddle, 2d pedals, 2e base, 2f holder, 2g bearing 3. First Pulley 4. Rotating disk, 4a. Second pulley, 4b. Third pulley, 4c. First side, 4d. Second side 5. Fourth Pulley 6 Generators 7a First belt, 7b Second belt 8. Controller, 8a. Sensor, 8b. Application program 9 Battery, 9a First Battery, 9b Second Battery 11 1st axis 12 2nd axis 13 3rd axis P1 1st axis P2 2nd axis P3 3rd axis S1 Communication equipment

Claims

1. The exercise machine comprises a first pulley arranged on a first shaft, a rotating disk arranged on a second shaft, a second pulley arranged on the first side of the rotating disk, a first belt stretched between the first and second pulleys, a generator having a third shaft, a sensor for measuring the amount of power generated by the generator, and a controller connected to the sensor. The exercise machine has a third pulley positioned on the second side of the rotating disc, and the generator has a fourth pulley positioned on the third shaft, with a second belt stretched between the third and fourth pulleys, and the second and third pulleys are configured to have equal outer diameters and equal weights. The controller is configured to receive measurement signals from the sensor and calculate point information corresponding to the amount of power generated. A power generation system characterized by the following.

2. The exercise equipment is an exercise bike in which pedals are connected to the first axis, and the exercise bike has a holder on which the user's communication device can be placed. The power generation system according to claim 1, characterized by the following:

3. The controller is configured to communicate with the communication device, and an application program capable of identifying the exercise bike and displaying the amount of power generated is installed on the communication device. When the application program is running on the communication device, the controller transmits the point information as data to the communication device, and the application program running on the communication device acquires the point information and makes it convertible into electronic money. The power generation system according to claim 2, characterized by the following:

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