Item of sporting equipment with integrated muscle stimulation system and activation method

Abstract

An item of sporting equipment with an integrated muscle stimulation system is proposed, the item of sporting equipment having: one or more actuators on at least one region at which a contact surface with a user is provided, the actuators being designed to carry out muscle stimulation, at least one control device which is designed to activate the actuators, at least one energy supply unit which is designed to supply electrical energy to the actuators and the control device, the control device being designed to activate the actuators in such a way that they stimulate the user's muscles in such a way that a movement of the user for operating the item of sporting equipment is supported. In addition, a method for activating a muscle stimulation system arranged in the item of sporting equipment is proposed.

Description

[0001] Sports equipment with integrated muscle stimulation system and method for controlling

[0002] The invention relates to a sports device with a muscle support system and a method for controlling it.

[0003] Systems are already known that support a user during training, for example, by delivering EMS impulses to their muscles. A variety of clothing items with corresponding equipment are already known for this purpose, such as those disclosed in DE 102014 108 316 A1, which provides assistance while cycling. US 2023 / 0226345 A1 and WO 2016 / 131936 A2 also disclose corresponding clothing items that support the user. EMS devices that actively train and strengthen muscles are also already known for training in the gym.

[0004] In all applications, the user must wear appropriate clothing or have electrodes applied to the skin. This can be cumbersome. Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved sports device with a muscle support system. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0005] A sports device with an integrated muscle stimulation system is proposed, wherein the sports device has: one or more actuators in at least one region where a contact surface to a user is provided, wherein the actuators are configured to carry out muscle stimulation, at least one control device configured to control the actuators, at least one energy supply unit configured to supply the actuators and the control device with electrical energy, wherein the control device is configured to control the actuators in such a way that they stimulate muscles of the user in such a way that a movement of the user for carrying out an operation of the sports device is supported.

[0006] Furthermore, it is provided that the actuators are designed to carry out electromagnetic stimulation or functional magnetic stimulation.

[0007] Furthermore, it is intended that the sports equipment is a bicycle, a rowing machine or a fitness machine.

[0008] Furthermore, a method for controlling a muscle stimulation system arranged in the sports equipment is proposed, wherein the stimulation of the user's muscles takes place as soon as an actuation of the sports equipment or a start signal given by the user has been detected.

[0009] Furthermore, it is intended that the correctness of the intended activity for the sports equipment is monitored and, if necessary, corrected by adjusting the stimulation.

[0010] Furthermore, it is intended that the user can adjust the intensity of the stimulation.

[0011] Furthermore, a computer program product with program code for carrying out the method is proposed when it is executed on at least one control device of the sports equipment.

[0012] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, with reference to the figures of the drawing, which illustrate details of the invention, and from the claims. The individual features can be implemented individually or in combination in a variant of the invention.

[0013] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0014] Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a bicycle with a stimulation system for muscle support according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] As already mentioned, clothing items are already known that support a user during their training, including cycling. However, support can also be provided for other sports or equipment.

[0016] The user's assistance while riding a bicycle is currently also provided by an electric drive. Here, the force applied by the user on the pedals is amplified by the electric drive as assistance. Alternatively, the drive can also be set to run in the opposite direction to the pedaling direction, creating a training effect. However, no stimulation is provided if the user is not wearing appropriate clothing.

[0017] According to the invention, it is proposed to provide a sports device with an integrated (muscle) stimulation system for muscle support, wherein the actuators are arranged on a contact surface to a user depending on the sports device.

[0018] A bicycle 1, as shown in Figure 1, as well as a fitness machine or a rowing machine, can be used as exercise equipment. It is important that the muscle group to be supported is located on a part of the exercise equipment so that the muscle group can be stimulated.

[0019] Using the example of the bicycle 1 shown in Figure 1 (with or without electric drive), it can be provided that the actuators 3 used for stimulation are arranged in the area of ​​the bicycle saddle 10, i.e., the gluteal muscles and possibly even the thigh muscles, in particular the posterior thigh muscles (leg extensors). A control device 4 and a power supply 5 are also provided here. As soon as the control device 4 either detects pedaling of the pedals 11 of the bicycle 1 or a user 2 gives a start signal (e.g., pressing a button), it activates the actuators 3 in the bicycle saddle 10 in order to stimulate the gluteal muscles and, possibly, part of the leg muscles. By stimulating the muscles, the user 2 can apply more force when pedaling, allowing them to progress faster. At the same time, the muscles are also strengthened.Depending on the level of fitness, it may even be possible for the user 2 to no longer require an electric drive, i.e. to replace the bicycle 1, which is very heavy due to the drive, with a lighter bicycle 1, which has the stimulation system.

[0020] In the case of a rowing machine, the stimulation system can also be provided on a seat of the machine, but also additionally or alternatively in a backrest or armrest, etc. In the case of other fitness equipment, the stimulation system can also be provided on a seat, backrest, armrest, etc.

[0021] The necessary power supply for the actuators 3 of the stimulation system and the control device 4 can be provided either via a power supply of the sports equipment or via a rechargeable battery 5, or both. In the case of a rechargeable battery 5, this can be charged by operating the sports equipment (through recuperation). In this case, stimulation cannot occur simultaneously, but only when the rechargeable battery 5 is sufficiently charged. However, it can also be directly connected to an external power supply for charging, or the rechargeable battery can be removed and taken to a charging station and / or replaced with another rechargeable battery.

[0022] From the description, it is clear that the stimulation system integrated into the sports equipment contributes to strengthening the muscles of the user 2 and enabling more effective use of the sports equipment. This does not require the user 2 to wear special clothing with integrated electrodes, nor does it require electrodes to be placed on the skin. Rather, the stimulation effect is demonstrably sufficient even through the user's normal clothing. The control device 4 also eliminates the need to select a program for the stimulation system, since the type of sports equipment determines which muscle groups are to be stimulated, allowing pre-programmed stimulation.

[0023] In one embodiment, the user 2 can adjust the intensity of the stimulation, preferably for each stimulable muscle group.

[0024] In one embodiment, monitoring of the operation of the sports equipment, i.e., the exercise being performed, is provided, e.g., by the control device 4. The execution of the user's movement is compared with a stored target movement. If the user 2 deviates from this (the permitted degree of deviation can be specified), the stimulation device intervenes to correct the movement, e.g., by more strongly stimulating a muscle that is not being used enough by the user 2. This can promote the correct use of the sports equipment and the correct execution of the exercise. It can also strengthen a weaker muscle group of the user 2.

[0025] The stimulation system integrated into the sports equipment allows the user to improve their movement performance and perform muscle training without the user having to wear special clothing or having electrodes applied to their skin.

[0026] Stimulation can be achieved using EMS (electromagnetic stimulation) or FMS (functional magnetic stimulation).

[0027] List of reference symbols

[0028] 1 vehicle

[0029] 10 vehicle seat

[0030] 11 Pedal

[0031] 2 users

[0032] 3 Actuator

[0033] 4 Control device

[0034] 5 Accumulator

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Sports equipment (1 ) with an integrated muscle stimulation system, the sports equipment comprising: - one or more actuators (3) in at least one area where a contact surface with a user (2) is provided, wherein the actuators (3) are designed to carry out muscle stimulation, - at least one control device (4) which is designed to control the actuators (3), - at least one energy supply unit which is designed to supply the actuators (3) and the control device (4) with electrical energy, wherein the control device (4) is designed to control the actuators (3) in such a way that they stimulate muscles of the user (2) in such a way that a movement of the user (2) for carrying out an actuation of the sports device (1) is supported.

2. Sports equipment (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuators (3) are configured to carry out electromagnetic stimulation or functional magnetic stimulation.

3. Sports equipment (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sports equipment is a bicycle (1) or a rowing machine or a fitness device.

4. Method for controlling a muscle stimulation system arranged in a sports device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the stimulation of the muscles of the user (2) takes place as soon as an actuation of the sports device (1) or a start signal given by the user (2) has been detected.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein a correctness of the actuation provided for the sports device (1) is monitored and corrected if necessary by adjusting the stimulation.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the user (2) can adjust the intensity of the stimulation.

7. Computer program product with program code for carrying out the method according to one of claims 4 to 6, when it is executed on at least one control device (4) of the sports equipment (1).

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