Exercise equipment load adjustment device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an exercise equipment load adjustment device and, more specifically, to an exercise equipment load adjustment device wherein a load adjustment module is used to provide a load instead of weights conventionally used for exercise equipment, thereby reducing the size of the exercise equipment load adjustment device, a BLDC motor is used such that the load generated by the load adjustment module can be adjusted precisely, and a torque sensor is used such that the amount of torque load applied to the load adjustment module can be accurately measured in real time.

Description

Load control device for exercise equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a load control device for exercise equipment, and more particularly, to a load control device for exercise equipment including a load control module that provides a load in place of a weight used in the exercise equipment.

[0002] Recently, various types of exercise equipment have been introduced for the purpose of promoting health, and these exercise equipment are installed and used in indoor places such as health clubs and homes, and outdoor places such as parks.

[0003] These exercise machines can be divided into treadmills, step machines, cycle machines, and weight machines depending on the purpose of the exercise. Among them, weight machines are exercise machines that stimulate the body parts that you want to exercise and increase muscle strength. These weight machines are configured to maximize the stimulation effect of exercise by generating the optimal exercise load according to the different physical conditions, muscle strength, and exercise ability of each user.

[0004] Weight machines like this primarily allow users to adjust the weight load of the weights according to their abilities, thereby controlling the intensity of their workout. In other words, users stack weights in multiple layers according to their abilities, secure the stacked weights using pins, etc., and exercise, thereby controlling the weight load of the weight machine using the weights.

[0005] However, these weight machines require the user to continuously increase or decrease the weight load by the weights while exercising. At this time, the process of detaching the pin and removing or adding weights to adjust the load is not only inconvenient, but there is also the problem of the exercise time being delayed as the exercise is stopped during the process of increasing or decreasing the weights.

[0006] To solve this problem, registered patent No. 10-1573410 discloses a weight load adjustment device for weight training equipment, but it is bulky and difficult to use in conjunction with the weights of conventional training equipment, making it uneconomical.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a load control device for exercise equipment that can miniaturize the size of exercise equipment, precisely control the weight felt by a user, and accurately measure the weight or load felt by a user in real time.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a load control device for an exercise device is provided, comprising: a case having an internal space; and a load control module provided in the internal space of the case to provide a weight load to a user, wherein the load control module comprises: a rotary drum disposed in the internal space of the case and including a fixed shaft that rotates around the fixed shaft by electrical control; a binder protrudingly formed on one surface of the rotary drum and having a wire wound around an outer circumference thereof, the binder providing a load to the wire according to the rotation of the rotary drum; and a first sensing unit coupled to the fixed shaft of the rotary drum and the case to measure a torque applied to the fixed shaft by the rotation of the rotary drum.

[0009] At this time, a groove may be formed on the outer periphery of the binder for the wire to be fixed therein.

[0010] Additionally, to prevent the wire from coming off, the end of the binder may be placed on the inner wall of the case to be narrower than the thickness of the wire.

[0011] At this time, in order to prevent the wire from coming off, a guide roller may be further included that is positioned adjacent to the binder and guides the wire being wound around the binder.

[0012] Additionally, the case may further include a second sensing unit coupled to a plate disposed in the internal space of the case to measure the rotational speed of the rotating drum.

[0013] At this time, the second sensing unit may include a magnet fixed to the rotational axis of the binder connected to the rotating drum; and a magnetic sensor fixed to the outer wall of the case corresponding to the magnet and configured to measure a magnetic force emitted from the magnet.

[0014] At this time, a coupling hole is formed through the outer wall of the case, and the magnetic sensor can be coupled to the coupling hole so as to be spaced apart from the magnet.

[0015] Meanwhile, a weight block may be provided in the internal space of the case.

[0016] Accordingly, the present invention can provide a stable load in place of the weights used in exercise equipment, while simultaneously reducing the size of the exercise equipment. In addition, the present invention can precisely control the load generated from the load control module using a BLDC motor, and can accurately measure the torque load applied to the load control module in real time using a torque sensor. In addition, the present invention can accurately measure the rotational amount of the rotating drum of the BLDC motor included in the load control module in real time using a magnetic sensor.

[0017] The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a load control device of an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 2 is an internal configuration diagram of a load control device of an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a load control module of a load control device of an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view (a) and a cross-sectional view (b) thereof for explaining a load control module of a load control device of an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a reference diagram for explaining a load control module of a load control device of an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 6 is a reference drawing for explaining a state in which a load control device of an exercise machine according to the present invention is mounted on the exercise machine.

[0024] Specific structural or functional descriptions of embodiments according to the concept of the present invention disclosed in this specification are merely illustrative for the purpose of explaining embodiments according to the concept of the present invention, and embodiments according to the concept of the present invention may be implemented in various forms and are not limited to the embodiments described in this specification.

[0025] Embodiments according to the concept of the present invention may have various modifications and take various forms, and thus, embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in this specification. However, this is not intended to limit embodiments according to the concept of the present invention to specific disclosed forms, but rather includes modifications, equivalents, or alternatives that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0026] While terms such as "first" or "second" may be used to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are intended solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component may be referred to as a "second component," and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a "first component," without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0027] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components in between. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between. Expressions that describe relationships between components, such as "between" and "directly between," or "adjacent to" and "directly adjacent to," should be interpreted similarly.

[0028] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be understood that the terms “comprise” or “have” used herein specify the presence of a described feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof, but do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0029] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0030]

[0031] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, a load control device (200) of an exercise machine according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a load control device (200) of an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of a load control device (200) of an exercise machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The load control device (hereinafter, abbreviated as “load control device”) (200) of the exercise equipment according to the present embodiment includes a load control module (100), and is mounted on the exercise equipment (10) to provide a weight load to the user during a strength training process.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a load control device (200) according to the present invention may include a case (210) in which an internal space is formed, and a load control module (100) provided in the internal space of the case (210) to provide a weight load to a user.

[0035] The case (210) may be formed of steel or synthetic resin material, and may include a load control module (100) therein, and the internal space of the case (210) may be sealed by a cover (not shown). At this time, the internal space of the case (210) may be provided with a plate (230) for partitioning the internal space, and a second sensing unit (150) to be described later may be connected to this plate (230).

[0036] The load control module (100) is provided in the internal space of the case (210) and provides exercise load to the user.

[0037]

[0038] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a load control module (100) of a load control device (200) according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a perspective view (a) and a cross-sectional view (b) thereof for explaining a load control module (100) of a load control device (200) according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a reference view for explaining a load control module (100) of a load control device (200) of an exercise machine according to the present invention.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 3 to 5, the load control module (100) may include a rotating drum (110), a binder (120), and a first sensing unit (130).

[0040] The rotary drum (110) is formed in a cylindrical shape and rotates by electrical control, and generates a load by providing a rotational force to a wire (123) wound around a binder (120) to be described later. At this time, the rotary drum (110) may be an outer rotor type BLDC motor (Brushless Direct Current Motor). Specifically, a magnet rotor is arranged on the inner wall of a cylindrical housing forming the outer shape, a stator is provided inside the housing, and the motor is driven in such a way that the housing rotates as current is applied to the stator. By this driving method, the rotary drum (110) rotates and provides torque, and the intensity of the torque is adjusted by controlling the rotation amount and rotation speed of the rotary drum (110), and the amount of load is adjusted by the intensity of the tension applied to the wire (123) connected to the rotary drum (110) via the binder (120) to be described later.

[0041] At this time, the rotary drum (110) can be connected to a fixed shaft (115). The fixed shaft (115) is fixed to the case (210), and the rotary drum (110) is connected to the fixed shaft (115) so as to be rotatable, so that when a load is applied from the outside, it can rotate around the fixed shaft (115).

[0042] Meanwhile, a binder (120) is formed on one side of a rotating drum (110), and a wire (123) can be wound along the outer circumference. For example, the binder (120) is formed in a cylindrical shape concentric with the rotating drum (110) on one side of the rotating drum (110), and a wire (123) is wound and connected along the outer circumference.

[0043] At this time, a groove (121) may be formed on the outer circumference of the binder (120) for winding the wire (123), and the wire (123) may be wound along the groove (121) on the outer circumference of the binder (120). The groove (121) allows the wire (123) to be aligned on the outer circumference of the binder (120), and specifically, when the wire (123) is unwound or wound according to the user's use of the exercise device (10), the wire (123) is stably unwound or wound along the groove (121) so that a constant load can be maintained on the wire (123).

[0044] In this way, when the rotary drum (110) rotates by applying current, the binder (120) formed on the rotary drum (110) rotates, and as the binder (120) rotates, the wire (123) connected to the binder (120) is wound or unwound to provide a load.

[0045] The rotation axis (125) may be formed protrudingly on one surface of the binder (120). Specifically, the rotation axis (125) is formed protrudingly in a cylindrical shape concentrically with the binder (120) and the rotation drum (110) on one surface of the center of the binder (120), and may be connected to the second sensing unit (150) described later.

[0046] At this time, the binder (120) and the rotation shaft (125) can be formed as one piece.

[0047] The first sensing unit (130) is coupled to the fixed shaft (115) of the rotary drum (110) and the case (210) to measure the torque applied to the fixed shaft (115) by the rotation of the rotary drum (110). The first sensing unit (130) may be a torque sensor. Specifically, one side of the torque sensor is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the case (210), and the other side of the torque sensor is connected to the fixed shaft (115), so as to measure the torsional strength applied to the fixed shaft (115) by the rotation of the rotary drum (110), thereby measuring the torque load applied to the rotary drum (110). In this way, according to the present embodiment, the load generated from the load control module (100) can be precisely controlled using the BLDC motor, and the torque load applied to the load control module (100) can be accurately measured in real time using the torque sensor.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a second sensing unit (150) may be further included to measure the rotational speed of the rotating drum (110) by being coupled to a plate (230) placed in the internal space of the case (210).

[0049] The second sensing unit (150) may include a magnet (151) fixed to a rotational shaft (125) and a magnetic sensor (153) for measuring a magnetic force emitted from the magnet (151). The magnet (151) is fixed to the rotational shaft (125) of a binder (120) connected to a rotational drum (110), and may rotate together with the rotational shaft (125) of the binder (120) formed integrally with the rotational drum (110) as the rotational drum (110) rotates. The magnetic sensor (153) is fixed to the outer wall of the case (210) corresponding to the magnet (151), and may measure a magnetic force emitted from the magnet (151) to measure a rotational angle or rotational speed of the rotational shaft (125).

[0050] Specifically, the magnet (151) of the second sensing unit (150) is coupled to the end of the rotation shaft (125), and the rotation shaft (125) is formed at the center of the binder (120) that is integrally formed with the rotation drum (110). When the rotation drum (110) rotates, the rotation shaft (125) rotates at the same angular velocity as the angular velocity of the rotation drum (110), so that the magnetic sensor (153) fixed to the outer wall of the case (210) measures the magnetic force of the magnet (151) coupled to the rotation shaft (125), thereby measuring the rotation angle or rotation speed of the rotation shaft (125), thereby enabling the measurement of the rotation angle or rotation speed of the rotation drum (110).

[0051] At this time, the magnetic sensor (153) can be fixed to the outer wall of the case (210) by being coupled to the coupling hole (215) formed on the outer wall of the case (210). In order to measure the magnetic force emitted from the magnet (151), the magnetic sensor (153) must be spaced apart from the magnet (151) coupled to the rotation axis (125) of the binder (120) by a certain distance, and in order for the magnetic sensor (153) to effectively measure the magnetic force emitted from the magnet (151), there must be no obstacle (e.g., a magnetic material) that interferes with the magnetic force measurement between the magnetic sensor (153) and the magnet (151). Accordingly, in this embodiment, by forming a coupling hole (215) on the outer wall of the case (210) and coupling the magnetic sensor (153) to the coupling hole (215) and fixing it to the case (210), the magnetic sensor (153) and the magnet (151) are separated from each other, and at the same time, there is no obstacle that interferes with the magnetic force measurement between the magnetic sensor (153) and the magnet (151), thereby improving the precision of the magnetic force measurement of the magnetic sensor (153).

[0052] The load control device (200) according to the present embodiment applies a load to the wire (123) by controlling the rotation speed and rotation angle of the rotary drum (110) by electrical control when the wire (123) is pulled and the rotary drum (110) rotates due to the use of the user's exercise device (10), and the first sensing unit (130) measures the torque applied to the fixed shaft (115) by the rotary drum (110), the second sensing unit (150) measures the rotation speed and rotation angle of the rotary drum (110), and controls the rotation of the rotary drum (110) using the measurement results of the first sensing unit (130) and the second sensing unit (150), thereby allowing the wire (123) to be unwound or wound at a constant speed, thereby applying a constant load to the wire (123).

[0053] In this way, the present invention manufactures a load control module (100) of a load control device (200) by combining a rotary drum (110), a binder (120), a first sensing unit (130), and a second sensing unit (150), thereby miniaturizing the size of the load control module (100).

[0054] In addition, the present invention can improve the exercise effect of the user by providing a constant load to the user during the user's exercise period.

[0055] In addition, the present invention can adjust the load by the rotation of the rotary drum (110), thereby enabling detailed load adjustment in units of 1 kg, and automatically assisting the user's exercise by adjusting the load in real time through a preset program, so that when the user becomes tired of exercising due to repeated movements, the load can be automatically lowered, or unexpected injuries caused by the user's excessive exercise due to exceeding the load can be prevented.

[0056] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5, the end of the binder (120) of the load control module (100) can be arranged narrower than the thickness of the wire (123) on the inner wall of the case (210). That is, the gap (A2) between the end of the binder (120) and the inner wall of the case (210) is formed narrower than the thickness (A1) of the wire (123).

[0057] When the wire (123) is wound and unwound according to the user's movement, if the wire (123) is detached from the binder (120) during the process of winding the wire (123) onto the binder (120), the wire (123) may become tangled inside the case (210), which may cause a failure of the load control module (100). According to the present embodiment, the end of the binder (120) is arranged narrower than the thickness of the wire (123) on the inner wall of the case (210), thereby preventing the wire (123) from being detached from the binder (120) during the process of winding the wire (123) onto the binder (120) during the user's movement, thereby enabling the user to exercise stably.

[0058] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the load control device (200) may further include a guide roller (140) to prevent the wire (123) from coming off. Referring to FIG. 4 (a), the guide roller (140) formed to be rotatable is disposed adjacent to the binder (120) and presses the wire (123) located on the outer periphery of the binder (120) to guide the wire (123) being wound around the binder (120), thereby preventing the wire (123) from coming off from the binder (120) during unwinding and winding of the wire (123). At this time, the guide rollers (140) may be formed in a pair spaced apart from each other.

[0059] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the load control device (200) may further include a control unit (250), a heat dissipation fan (220), and a weight block (270) in addition to the load control module (100).

[0060] The control unit (250) is provided in the internal space of the case (210) to control the load control module (100), and the control unit (250) may include a PCB and a power supply unit (not shown) may include a power supply module for supplying power to the load control module (100).

[0061] At this time, a heat dissipation fan (220) may be provided in the internal space of the case (210) to dissipate heat generated from the power supply unit (not shown) and maintain the temperature of the power supply unit (not shown) at an appropriate level, and a plurality of heat dissipation holes (not shown) may be formed in the case (210) to discharge heat of the internal space to the outside, so that together with the heat dissipation fan (220), heat of the internal space of the case (210) may be discharged to the outside, thereby improving the heat dissipation effect.

[0062] In addition, a weight block (270) may be provided in the internal space of the case (210). The weight block (270) is arranged inside the load control device (200) to increase the weight of the load control device (200). The load control device (200) according to the present invention, which replaces weights (weights) used in exercise equipment, is lighter than existing weights (weights), so that if a user applies excessive force during exercise, the load control device (200) may move. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a weight block (270) having a constant weight is added inside the load control device (200) to increase the weight of the product and prevent the device from moving, thereby allowing the user to exercise stably.

[0063] FIG. 6 is a reference diagram for explaining a state in which a load control device (200) including a load control module (100) of an exercise device according to the present invention is mounted on an exercise device (10). Referring to FIG. 6, a process in which a load is generated by the load control device (200) and a user performs muscle strength training will be explained.

[0064] The user can input the desired exercise load amount through a tablet installed on the exercise device (10) so as to be electrically connected to the load control module (100), or log in to the installed exercise program on the tablet and load exercise data stored on the server to automatically set the exercise load amount.

[0065] When the exercise load is set through the tablet, the user starts exercising using the exercise device (10). When the wire (123) is pulled and the rotary drum (110) rotates due to the user's use of the exercise device (10), the set load is applied to the wire (123) by controlling the rotation speed and rotation angle of the rotary drum (110), and the first sensing unit (130) measures the torque applied to the fixed shaft (115) by the rotation of the rotary drum (110), and the second sensing unit (150) measures the rotation speed and rotation angle of the rotary drum (110). By controlling the rotation of the rotary drum (110) using the measurement results of the first sensing unit (130) and the second sensing unit (150), the wire (123) is unwound or wound at a constant speed, thereby applying a constant load to the wire (123), thereby allowing the user to exercise while maintaining the set exercise load.

[0066] At this time, exercise information such as exercise time and exercise load according to the user's exercise performance is saved to the server via the tablet, and the saved exercise information can be used to establish the user's exercise plan using the exercise information.

[0067]

[0068] The load control module and load control device according to the present invention have been described with reference to the above drawings, and thus, according to the present invention, a load can be stably provided in place of a weight used in exercise equipment, and the size of the load control module can be reduced to be compatible with the weight of the existing exercise equipment, thereby providing an effect. In addition, the load control device according to the present invention can precisely control the load generated from the load control module using a BLDC motor, can accurately measure the torque load amount applied to the load control module in real time through a first sensing unit, and can accurately measure the rotation amount of the rotating drum of the load control module in real time through a second sensing unit including a magnetic sensor.

[0069]

[0070] It should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention will be determined by the claims that follow, rather than by the detailed description set forth above. Furthermore, the meaning and scope of these claims, as well as all modifications and variations derived from their equivalent concepts, should be construed as encompassing the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A case in which an internal space is formed; and A load control module provided in the internal space of the case to provide a weight load to the user; The above load control module, A rotary drum arranged in the internal space of the case and rotating around the fixed axis by electrical control, including a fixed axis: A binder formed on one side of the rotating drum so that a wire is wound along the outer circumference thereof and provides a load to the wire according to the rotation of the rotating drum; and A first sensing unit coupled to the fixed shaft of the rotary drum and the case to measure torque applied to the fixed shaft by rotation of the rotary drum; A load control device for an exercise machine, including:

2. In paragraph 1, A load control device for an exercise machine, wherein a groove is formed on the outer periphery of the binder for the wire to be fixed therein.

3. In paragraph 1, A load control device for an exercise machine, wherein the end of the binder is positioned narrower than the thickness of the wire on the inner wall of the case to prevent the wire from coming off.

4. In paragraph 3, A load control device for an exercise machine, characterized in that it further includes a guide roller arranged adjacent to the binder to guide the wire wound around the binder in order to prevent the wire from coming off.

5. In paragraph 1, A second sensing unit coupled to a plate placed in the internal space of the case to measure the rotational speed of the rotating drum; A load control device for an exercise machine, further comprising:

6. In paragraph 5, The above second sensing unit, a magnet fixed to the rotation axis of the above rotating drum; and A magnetic sensor fixed to the outer wall of the case in response to the magnet and configured to measure the magnetic force emitted from the magnet; A load control device for an exercise machine, including:

7. In paragraph 6, A connecting hole is formed through the outer wall of the above case, A load control device for an exercise machine, wherein the magnetic sensor is coupled to the coupling hole so as to be spaced apart from the magnet.

8. In paragraph 1, A load control device for an exercise machine, wherein a weight block is provided in the internal space of the above case.

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