Load control unit

Abstract

This load control unit executes: first display processing for disposing a load axis representing a load of a training implement along the vertical direction of a display device screen, disposing a stroke axis representing the stroke amount of a user of the training implement along the horizontal direction of the display device screen, and displaying a reference load waveform representing load displacement for one stroke on the display device; first determination processing for determining whether or not a peak load position in the reference load waveform displayed on the display device has been pressed; and first changing display processing for, upon determining that a position in the vicinity of the peak load position in the reference load waveform has been pressed in the first determination processing, replacing the reference load waveform with a new load waveform in which the load on the load axis at the pressed position is defined as a peak load, in accordance with movement of the pressed position in the load axis direction, and displaying the new load waveform on the display device screen.

Description

Load Control Unit

[0001] The present invention relates to a load control unit.

[0002] In the traction device for muscle training described in Patent Document 1, the form of exercise load is displayed linearly on the screen of a display device. The vertical axis represents the magnitude of the load, and the horizontal axis represents the stroke amount. The device describes a configuration in which the user can operate six keys located to the right of the display screen to set the linearly displayed set load to the optimum condition for the user.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-248786

[0004] In the traction device for muscle training described in Patent Document 1, in order to set six linearly displayed set loads, it is necessary to operate six keys located to the right of the display screen, which makes the setting operation cumbersome and reduces the degree of freedom in adjustment.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a load control unit that allows a user of a training device to easily set the load for one stroke that is to be applied to the weight of the training device.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a load control unit according to one aspect of the present invention is a load control unit that is installed on training equipment and controls the load of the training equipment, and executes the following steps: a first display process in which a load axis representing the applied load is arranged along the vertical direction of the screen of a display device, a stroke axis representing the stroke amount of a user of the training equipment is arranged along the horizontal direction of the screen of the display device, and a reference load waveform representing the load displacement for one stroke is displayed on the screen of the display device; a first determination process in which a determination is made as to whether or not a peak load position of the reference load waveform displayed on the screen of the display device has been pressed; and a first modification display process in which, if it is determined in the first determination process that a position near the peak load position of the reference load waveform has been pressed, a new load waveform in which the load on the load axis at the pressed position is the peak load is displayed on the screen of the display device in place of the reference load waveform, in accordance with the movement of the pressed position in the load axis direction.

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a load control unit according to one aspect of the present invention is a load control unit that is installed on training equipment having a weight and controls an additional load applied to a load caused by the weight of the training equipment, and performs the following steps: a first display process in which a load axis representing the total load caused by the weight and the additional load applied by the load control unit is arranged along the vertical direction of a screen of a display device, and a stroke axis representing the stroke amount of a user using the training equipment is arranged along the horizontal direction of the screen of the display device, and a reference load waveform representing the load displacement for one stroke is displayed on the screen of the display device; a first determination process in which a peak load position of the reference load waveform displayed on the screen of the display device is determined to have been pressed; and a first modification display process in which, if it is determined in the first determination process that a position near the peak load position of the reference load waveform has been pressed, the reference load waveform is replaced with a new load waveform whose peak load is the load on the load axis at the pressed position, in accordance with the movement of the pressed position in the load axis direction, and the new load waveform is displayed on the screen of the display device.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a user of the training device can easily set the load for one stroke that is to be applied to the load generated by the weight of the training device.

[0009] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a training apparatus to which a load control unit according to one embodiment of the present invention has been retrofitted. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the X1-X1 arrow in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the load control unit and the display device. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation and processing of a user, the display device, and the load control unit when adjusting the load waveform of the training apparatus. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a training mode selection screen displayed on the display device. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a reference load waveform for a stroke amount of one stroke in each load mode. FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining an example of a plurality of braking force waveforms stored in each auxiliary memory unit of the display device and the load control unit. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for changing the peak load of the reference load waveform. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in which the peak load position of the reference load waveform has been changed. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for changing the peak load of the reference load waveform according to another embodiment.

[0010] [General Configuration of Training Apparatus 1] An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a training apparatus 1 to which a load control unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention has been retrofitted. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows X1-X1 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the training apparatus 1 is a weight stack-type chest press used for exercise or rehabilitation aimed at strengthening muscles. Note that the front-rear, left-right, top-bottom directions in this embodiment correspond to the directions seen by a user of the training apparatus 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as the user) (not shown) seated on the seat 300, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the training device 1 includes a load generating device 100, a load control unit 10, a support device 200, a display device 30, a seat 300, a handle 301, and the like.

[0012] The load generating device 100 employs a weight stack system and includes a frame 101, a cable 102, a weight stack 104, a lift shaft 105-1, a front guide shaft 105-2, and a rear guide shaft 105-3.

[0013] The frame 101 is a skeleton that supports the weight stack 104. The frame 101 shown in FIG. 1 includes a rear frame 101-1, an upper frame 101-2, a front frame 101-3, and a lower frame 101-4. The rear frame 101-1 and the front frame 101-3 are pillars that extend in the vertical direction. The upper frame 101-2 connects the upper end of the rear frame 101-1 to the upper end of the front frame 101-3. The lower frame 101-4 connects the lower end of the rear frame 101-1 to the lower end of the front frame 101-3.

[0014] The cable 102 is hung around a pulley 103 connected to the tip of the lift shaft 105-1, and one end of the cable 102 is fixed to the upper frame 101-2. The other end of the cable 102 is fixed, via a group of pulleys (not shown) provided on the upper frame 101-2 and the front frame 101-3, to the lower end of a swinging member 302 that swings back and forth in conjunction with the movement of the handle 301. Therefore, the pulley 103 around which the cable 102 is hung moves up and down in conjunction with the movement of the handle 301 by the user.

[0015] The weight stack 104 has multiple weight plates stacked vertically along the front guide shaft 105-2 and the rear guide shaft 105-3. The weight stack 104 is configured so that the load applied to the cable 102 can be adjusted for each weight plate. In Figure 2, a weight pin P is inserted into one of the multiple weight plates. The weight plate with the weight pin P inserted and the weight plate located above it are integrated with the lift shaft 105-1.

[0016] When a user performs training by pulling handle 301, a load corresponding to the total weight of the weight plates integrated with lift shaft 105-1 is applied forward to the other end of cable 102. When the user pulls handle 301 against the load, cable 102 is pulled out to the outside of load generator 100. When cable 102 is pulled out to the outside of load generator 100, pulley 103, lift shaft 105-1 connected to pulley 103, and the weight plates integrated with lift shaft 105-1 are lifted upward.

[0017] As shown in Figure 1, a load control unit 10 is retrofitted and installed directly below the weight stack 104 of the load generator 100. As shown in Figure 2, the load control unit 10 includes a reel 11, a second cable 12, a rotation detector 13, a magnetorheological fluid device 14, and a laser distance meter 19 inside a unit case 17. The load control unit 10 also includes a control device 15 housed inside a protective case 18.

[0018] The reel 11 has a rotary shaft member 11a and rotates around the rotary shaft member 11a. A second cable 12 is wound around the reel 11. The tip 12a of the second cable 12 is tied to a joint 12b. The second cable 12 is connected to the lower end of the lift shaft 105-1 via the joint 12b.

[0019] The rotation detector 13 detects the amount and direction of rotation of the rotating shaft member 11a. The rotation detector 13 is, for example, a rotary encoder, a magnetic sensor, or the like. When the lift shaft 105-1 rises, the rotating shaft member 11a rotates in the normal direction, and the second cable 12 is pulled out from the reel 11. At this time, the rotation detector 13 outputs a detection signal to the control device 15, the detection signal including information indicating that the rotating shaft member 11a has rotated in the normal direction and information indicating the amount of rotation.

[0020] The rotating shaft member 11a is biased in the reverse direction opposite to the normal rotation direction by a biasing member such as a spiral spring. When the magnetorheological fluid device 14 is not applying a braking force, the second cable 12 is wound onto the reel 11 by the biasing force of the biasing member.

[0021] The magnetorheological fluid device 14 has a magnetorheological fluid 14a and a container 14b that stores the magnetorheological fluid 14a. The magnetorheological fluid 14a has a characteristic that its viscosity changes depending on the strength of the applied magnetic field. The container 14b has an opening 14c on its side that faces the reel 11 in the left-right direction. A portion 11b of the rotating shaft member 11a is inserted into the container 14b through the opening 14c.

[0022] The control device 15 is, for example, a semiconductor substrate equipped with a microcontroller (MCU), and controls the magnetorheological fluid device 14. Under the control of the control device 15, the magnetorheological fluid device 14 applies a magnetic field to the magnetorheological fluid 14a, thereby changing the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid 14a and applying a braking force to the rotating shaft member 11a. Specifically, the magnetorheological fluid device 14 has a rotor to which the rotating shaft member 11a is fixed and a coil that applies a magnetic field to the rotor. The magnetorheological fluid device 14 generates a magnetic field by passing an electric signal through the coil. This magnetic field changes the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid 14a. The change in viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid 14a applies a braking force that impedes rotation of the rotor, i.e., the rotating shaft member 11a.

[0023] When the lift shaft 105-1 is lifted upward, the second cable 12 connected to the lower end of the lift shaft 105-1 via the joint 12b is pulled out from the reel 11. At this time, the load control unit 10 applies an additional load to the training load provided by the weight stack 104 by causing the magnetorheological fluid device 14 to apply a braking force to the rotating shaft member 11a of the reel 11.

[0024] The laser range finder 19 measures the distance to the first weight, through which the weight pin P is inserted, among the multiple weight plates included in the weight stack 104, and outputs the distance to the control device 15. The laser range finder 19 is housed on the upper surface side of the unit case 17, and the laser light emitting surface and light receiving surface are exposed to the outside of the unit case 17.

[0025] 2 shows the weight plates that make up the weight stack 104, including the bottom weight plate 104-1, the second-lowest weight plate 104-2, and the third-lowest weight plate 104-3. The weight plates that make up the weight stack 104 each have a pin insertion hole into which a weight pin P can be inserted. For example, weight plate 104-1 has a pin insertion hole 104-1h, and weight plate 104-2 has a pin insertion hole 104-2h. In FIG. 2, the weight pin P is inserted into the pin insertion hole 104-2h of weight plate 104-2, and weight plate 104-2 is the first weight.

[0026] The lift shaft 105-1 has pin insertion holes 105-1h that correspond to the pin insertion holes 104-2h of the weight plates 104-2 that make up the weight stack 104. The weight pin P is inserted from the opening on the right side of the pin insertion hole 104-2h of the weight plate 104-2, passes through the pin insertion hole 105-1h at a position corresponding to the weight plate 104-2, and reaches the left side of the pin insertion hole 104-2h. This allows the weight plate 104-2 to be integrated with the lift shaft 105-1.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 1 , the support device 200 supports a display device 30 that is retrofitted to the load generating device 100. The display device 30 is, for example, a tablet-type display device having a display screen. When a user trains while looking at the display screen, for example, the position at which the support device 200 should support the display device 30 is preferably in the extension of the user's line of sight while training, and in a position that does not collide with the training apparatus 1 or the user. Because the user's posture and line of sight during training vary depending on the training, it is preferable to support the display device 30 in an appropriate position.

[0028] The support device 200 includes an attachment portion 201, an arm 202, and a holding portion 203. The attachment portion 201 is attached to a front frame 101-3 of the frame 101 of the load generating device 100. An arm 202 is connected to the attachment portion 201 so as to be rotatable in the yaw direction. The arm 202 is provided so that the display device 30 can be attached to its tip. The arm 202 is a multi-joint arm having a first arm 202-1, a second arm 202-2, and a third arm 202-3.

[0029] One end of the first arm 202-1 is connected to the mounting portion 201 so as to be rotatable in the yaw direction, and the other end is connected to the second arm 202-2. One end of the second arm 202-2 is connected to the first arm 202-1 so as to be rotatable in the yaw direction, and the other end is connected to the third arm 202-3. One end of the third arm 202-3 is connected to the second arm 202-2 so as to be rotatable in the yaw direction, and the other end is connected to the holding portion 203. In other words, the arm 202 has one end connected to the mounting portion 201 and the other end opposite to the holding portion 203.

[0030] The arm 202 can change the relative position of the holding part 203 with respect to the attachment part 201 in the horizontal direction by rotating the first arm 202-1, the second arm 202-2, and the third arm 202-3 in the yaw direction. By moving the arm 202, the user can change the relative position of the holding part 203 with respect to the position where the attachment part 201 is located in the front-back direction and the left-right direction.

[0031] The holder 203 is provided so as to be tiltable relative to the extension direction of the third arm 202-3, and holds the display device 30. That is, the holder 203 holds the display device 30 so as to be tiltable relative to the extension direction of the arm 202. The tilting mechanism of the holder 203 is, for example, a two-axis hinge, and can tilt the holder 203 in two directions that are perpendicular to the extension direction of the third arm 202-3.

[0032] [Electrical configuration of load control unit 10 and display device 30] Next, the electrical configuration of the load control unit 10 and display device 30 configured as described above will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the load control unit 10 and the display device 30. First, an example of the electrical configuration of the load control unit 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 3.

[0033] 3, the load control unit 10 includes a control unit 20, a rotation detection unit 13, a magnetorheological fluid device 14, a laser distance meter 19, a communication unit 21, a main memory unit 22, and an auxiliary memory unit 23. The control unit 20, the rotation detection unit 13, the magnetorheological fluid device 14, the laser distance meter 19, the communication unit 21, the main memory unit 22, and the auxiliary memory unit 23 are electrically connected to one another via a bus. The control unit 20, the communication unit 21, the main memory unit 22, and the auxiliary memory unit 23 are mounted on the control device 15.

[0034] The communication unit 21 is an example of a communication interface for serial communication such as UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) with the display device 30 via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0035] The main memory unit 22 is a temporary storage area such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), and temporarily stores data required for the control unit 20 to execute processing.

[0036] The auxiliary storage unit 23 is a memory such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores a program 23A that causes the load control unit 10 to execute processing, and parameters 23B. The auxiliary storage unit 23 also stores load mode information 23C. The load mode information 23C includes data on braking force waveforms for one stroke that represent braking forces relative to stroke amounts by the magnetorheological fluid device 14 for each of a plurality of load modes. The data on the braking force waveforms for one stroke is composed of data on multiple braking force waveforms with different peak loads, including a reference braking force waveform, for each load mode.

[0037] Here, one stroke refers to a single action in which the user operates the handle 301 to pull out the cable 102 and move the weight plates of the weight stack 104 from the lowest position to the highest position. The amount of cable 102 pulled out in response to the user's stroke is the stroke amount.

[0038] The load modes include, for example, a normal mode, a beginning high mode, and a final high mode. The normal mode is a mode in which a constant braking force is applied to the lift shaft 105-1 by the magnetorheological fluid device 14 via the second cable 12. The beginning high mode is a mode in which a braking force is applied to the lift shaft 105-1 by the magnetorheological fluid device 14 via the second cable 12 so that the additional braking force reaches its maximum value in the first half of one stroke. The final high mode is a mode in which a braking force is applied to the lift shaft 105-1 by the magnetorheological fluid device 14 via the second cable 12 so that the additional braking force reaches its maximum value in the second half of one stroke.

[0039] The control unit 20 is equipped with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and performs various information processing by executing a program 23A stored in the auxiliary storage unit 23. The control unit 20 calculates the load caused by the weight stack 104 from distance data input from the laser rangefinder 19 to the first weight through which the weight pin P is inserted.

[0040] The control unit 20 calculates the user's stroke amount and the speed at which the weight of the weight stack 104 rises (hereinafter simply referred to as "weight speed"), for example, from information indicating the amount and direction of rotation input from the rotation detection unit 13. The control unit 20 controls the magnetorheological fluid device 14, for example, to apply a braking force corresponding to the load mode selected by the user to the load applied by the weight stack 104, depending on the stroke amount.

[0041] 3, the display device 30 includes a terminal control unit 31, a display 32, a touch panel 33, a communication unit 34, a main memory unit 35, and an auxiliary memory unit 36. The terminal control unit 31, the display 32, the touch panel 33, the communication unit 34, the main memory unit 35, and the auxiliary memory unit 36 ​​are electrically connected to one another via a bus.

[0042] The display 32 is a display screen such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and displays images. The touch panel 33 is disposed on the screen of the display 32, detects a pressed position on the screen, and outputs the detected position to the terminal control unit 31.

[0043] The communication unit 34 is an example of a communication interface for serial communication such as UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) with the load control unit 10 via short-range wireless communication such as Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0044] The main memory unit 35 is a temporary storage area such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), and temporarily stores data required for the terminal control unit 31 to execute processing.

[0045] The auxiliary storage unit 36 ​​is a memory such as a solid state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD), and stores a program 36A (application program) that causes the display device 30 to execute processing. The application program is pre-installed in the auxiliary storage unit 36.

[0046] The auxiliary memory unit 36 ​​also stores load mode information 36B. The load mode information 36B includes data on the braking force waveform for one stroke, which indicates the braking force relative to the stroke amount by the magnetorheological fluid device 14 for each of the multiple load modes. The data on the braking force waveform for one stroke is composed of data on multiple braking force waveforms with different peak loads, including a reference braking force waveform, for each load mode. Therefore, the load mode information 36B is substantially the same data as the load mode information 23C.

[0047] The terminal control unit 31 is equipped with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and executes various information processes by executing application programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 36. In the following description, for convenience, the application programs executed by the terminal control unit 31 are also referred to as "apps."

[0048] [Process Flow for Adjusting the Load Waveform of the Training Apparatus 1] Next, an example of the operations and processes of the user, the display device 30, and the load control unit 10 when adjusting the load waveform of the training apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 9. Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operations and processes of the user, the display device, and the load control unit when adjusting the load waveform of the training apparatus 1. The display device 30 and the load control unit 10 have been started up and are paired via Bluetooth (registered trademark). The terminal control unit 31 of the display device 30 also displays a login request screen on the display 32.

[0049] 4, first, the user inputs login authentication information from the login screen displayed on the display 32 of the display device 30. Specifically, the user inputs the user's user ID and password (S101). Alternatively, the user may simply input the password.

[0050] If the login authentication information entered by the user is not stored in the auxiliary storage unit 36, the terminal control unit 31 of the display device 30 displays the login request screen again on the display 32. On the other hand, if the login authentication information entered by the user is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 36, the terminal control unit 31 permits the user to log in, displays a load mode selection screen on the display 32 for selecting a load mode, and waits for a selection (S201).

[0051] The user's login authentication information is stored in advance in the auxiliary storage unit 23 of the load control unit 10, and is transmitted by the control unit 20 to the display device 30 via the communication unit 21 when the display device 30 and the load control unit 10 are paired. When the display device 30 receives the user's login authentication information via the communication unit 34, the display device 30 stores the user's login authentication information in the auxiliary storage unit 36.

[0052] An example of the load mode selection screen will now be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the load mode selection screen displayed on the display device 30. As shown in Fig. 5, a normal mode button 41A, a beginning high mode button 41B, and a final high mode button 41C are displayed on the display 32 of the display device 30.

[0053] The normal mode button 41A is a button for selecting the normal mode as the load mode. The beginning high mode button 41B is a button for selecting the beginning high mode as the load mode. The final high mode button 41C is a button for selecting the final high mode as the load mode. If there are four or more load modes, the terminal control unit 31 may display four or more mode buttons for selecting those modes on the display 32.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 4, the user then presses one of the normal mode button 41A, the beginning high mode button 41B, and the final high mode button 41C on the load mode selection screen displayed on the display 32 of the display device 30 to select a load mode (training mode) (S102).

[0055] The terminal control unit 31 of the display device 30 detects via the touch panel 33 that one of the normal mode button 41A, the beginning high mode button 41B, and the final high mode button 41C has been pressed. The terminal control unit 31 stores the load mode corresponding to the pressed button as the "selected load mode" in the auxiliary storage unit 36. The terminal control unit 31 then transmits this stored load mode as the selected load mode to the load control unit 10 via the communication unit 34 (S202).

[0056] For example, when the terminal control unit 31 detects that the normal mode button 41A has been pressed via the touch panel 33, it stores the "normal mode" corresponding to the normal mode button 41A as the load mode selected by the user in the auxiliary storage unit 36. Then, the terminal control unit 31 transmits the "normal mode" as the selected load mode to the load control unit 10 via the communication unit 34 (S202).

[0057] The control unit 20 of the load control unit 10 stores the load mode received via the communication unit 21 as the "selected load mode" in the auxiliary memory unit 23. Next, the control unit 20 detects the load (weight) caused by the weight stack 104 from the distance data to the first weight through which the weight pin P is inserted, input from the laser rangefinder 19, and stores this in the main memory unit 22 (S301). For example, if the first weight is the fifth weight plate from the top of the weight stack 104, the total weight of the first five weight plates from the top is detected as the load caused by the weight stack 104 and stored in the main memory unit 22 (S301).

[0058] Then, the control unit 20 transmits the detected load (weight) caused by the weight stack 104 to the display device 30 via the communication unit 21 (S302).

[0059] Next, the control unit 20 reads out the load mode stored in the auxiliary storage unit 23 in S301. The control unit 20 reads out a reference braking force waveform for one stroke, which represents the braking force for the stroke amount by the magnetorheological fluid device 14 and corresponds to this read-out load mode, from the load mode information 23C in the auxiliary storage unit 23. The control unit 20 then adds the reference braking force waveform for one stroke to the load by the weight stack 104 to set a reference load waveform for the stroke amount of one stroke, and stores this in the auxiliary storage unit 23 (S303).

[0060] The reference braking force waveform is a predetermined one-stroke braking force waveform among multiple one-stroke braking force waveforms with different peak loads stored for each load mode in the load mode information 23C of the auxiliary memory unit 23.

[0061] An example of a reference load waveform for one stroke amount corresponding to each load mode will now be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a reference load waveform for one stroke amount for each load mode. As shown in the upper part of Figure 6, the normal mode load mode is a training mode in which the magnetorheological fluid device 14 applies a constant braking force. Therefore, the reference load waveform 45 for one stroke in the normal mode is a constant load waveform with a load W2 obtained by adding the braking force applied by the magnetorheological fluid device 14 to the load (weight) W1 of the weight stack 104.

[0062] 6, the beginning high mode is a load mode for instantaneous power training in which the magnetorheological fluid device 14 applies a braking force that is maximum in the first half of one stroke. Therefore, the reference load waveform 46 for one stroke in the beginning high mode is a load waveform in which a reference braking force waveform 46A-0 that is maximum in the first half of one stroke is added to the load (weight) W1 of the weight stack 104.

[0063] Here, an example of a plurality of braking force waveforms in the beginning high mode contained in the load mode information 23C, 36B of each auxiliary storage unit 23, 36 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of braking force waveforms stored in the auxiliary storage units 23, 36 of the display device 30 and the load control unit 10. As shown in the upper part of Fig. 7, the plurality of braking force waveforms in the beginning high mode contained in the load mode information 23C, 36B are a reference braking force waveform 46A-0 and braking force waveforms 46A-1, 46A-2, 46A-3, ... etc.

[0064] The reference braking force waveform 46A-0 and each of the braking force waveforms 46A-1, 46A-2, 46A-3, etc. are set to waveforms in which the peak load decreases from a maximum peak load, for example, about 20 kg, at predetermined load intervals, for example, about 2 kg. Furthermore, the reference braking force waveform 46A-0 and each of the braking force waveforms 46A-1, 46A-2, 46A-3, etc. are set to waveforms in which the rising start position and falling end position of the waveforms are the same.

[0065] 6, the final high mode is a load mode in which the magnetorheological fluid device 14 applies a braking force that is maximum in the latter half of one stroke. Therefore, the reference load waveform 47 for one stroke in the final high mode is a load waveform in which a reference braking force waveform 47A-0 that is maximum in the latter half of one stroke is added to the load (weight) W1 of the weight stack 104.

[0066] Here, an example of the multiple braking force waveforms in the final high mode contained in the load mode information 23C, 36B of each auxiliary memory unit 23, 36 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. As shown in the lower part of Fig. 7, the multiple braking force waveforms in the final high mode contained in the load mode information 23C, 36B are a reference braking force waveform 47A-0 and braking force waveforms 47A-1, 47A-2, 47A-3, ....

[0067] The reference braking force waveform 47A-0 and each of the braking force waveforms 47A-1, 47A-2, 47A-3, ... are set to waveforms in which the peak load decreases from a maximum peak load, for example, about 20 kg, at predetermined load intervals, for example, about 2 kg. Furthermore, the reference braking force waveform 47A-0 and each of the braking force waveforms 47A-1, 47A-2, 47A-3, ... are set to waveforms in which the rising start position and falling end position of the waveforms are the same.

[0068] Meanwhile, in S203, the terminal control unit 31 of the display device 30 stores the load (weight) caused by the weight stack 104 received from the load control unit 10 via the communication unit 34 in the main memory unit 35. Then, the terminal control unit 31 reads out the "selected load mode" stored in the auxiliary memory unit 36 ​​in S202.

[0069] The terminal control unit 31 reads out a reference braking force waveform for one stroke, which represents the braking force for the stroke amount by the magnetorheological fluid device 14 corresponding to the read load mode, from the load mode information 36B in the auxiliary storage unit 36. The terminal control unit 31 then adds the reference braking force waveform for one stroke to the load (weight) by the weight stack 104, to set a reference load waveform for the stroke amount of one stroke. The terminal control unit 31 then stores the reference load waveform corresponding to this "selected load mode" in the auxiliary storage unit 36.

[0070] The reference braking force waveform is a predetermined one-stroke braking force waveform among multiple one-stroke braking force waveforms with different peak loads stored for each load mode in the load mode information 36B of the auxiliary memory unit 36.

[0071] The terminal control unit 31 also displays a reference load waveform corresponding to this "selected load mode" on the display 32 (S203). For example, the terminal control unit 31 displays the reference load waveform for one stroke as a solid line on the display 32, with the horizontal axis representing the stroke amount [mm] and the vertical axis representing the load [kg] applied to the lift shaft 105-1 (S203). The terminal control unit 31 also displays a load adjustment button (not shown) on the display 32, which accepts an instruction to adjust the reference load waveform.

[0072] Thereafter, in S103, the user presses a load adjustment button (not shown) displayed on the display 32 to input a request instruction for adjustment of the reference load waveform, which is the load [kg] applied to the lift shaft 105-1.

[0073] In S204, the terminal control unit 31 of the display device 30 detects that a load adjustment button (not shown) has been pressed via the touch panel 33. Next, the terminal control unit 31 displays on the display 32 a display screen for changing the peak load of the reference load waveform displayed on the display 32.

[0074] An example of a display screen for changing the peak load of the reference load waveform will now be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for changing the peak load of the reference load waveform. As shown in Fig. 8, the terminal control unit 31 displays the reference load waveform 46 for one stroke as a solid line, with the horizontal axis representing the stroke amount [mm] and the vertical axis representing the load [kg] applied to the lift shaft 105-1.

[0075] The horizontal axis is a stroke axis representing the stroke amount [mm] of the user using the training device 1. The vertical axis is a load axis representing the total applied load of the load (load) generated by the weight of the weight stack 104 and the additional load (load) applied by the load control unit 10. Note that the reference load waveform 46 is an example of a reference load waveform when the load mode is the beginning high mode.

[0076] Also, above the reference load waveform 46, a guidance message 53 is displayed that provides guidance on how to change the peak load of the reference load waveform 46. The guidance message 53 may, for example, include a message saying, "You can change the peak position by moving the peak," and to the right of the message, an image of pressing the peak of the reference load waveform 46 with a finger and moving it up and down. In other words, the guidance message 53 provides guidance that the peak load position 52 of the reference load waveform 46 can be changed by pressing the finger on the peak load position 52 of the reference load waveform 46 and moving the finger in the load axis direction (up and down) on the display screen.

[0077] Furthermore, a cross arrow is displayed diagonally above and to the right of the peak load position 52 of the reference load waveform 46, indicating that it can be moved in the load axis direction (up and down) and the stroke axis direction (left and right). Furthermore, below the peak load position 52 of the reference load waveform 46, a "changeable range" within which the peak load position 52 can be moved in the stroke axis direction (left and right) is displayed.

[0078] Also, below the reference load waveform 46, a "peak set value" indicating the load at the peak load position 52 of the reference load waveform 46 is displayed, for example, as "23 kg." To the right of this, a "stroke" indicating the stroke amount at the peak load position 52 is displayed, for example, as "300 mm." Also, at the bottom of the display screen, a complete button 54 is displayed to accept completion of adjustment of the reference load waveform 46.

[0079] 4, in S104, the user presses his / her finger on the peak load position or the vicinity of the peak load position of the reference load waveform displayed on the display 32. Then, in S105, the user moves his / her finger in the load axis direction (up and down) on the display screen while pressing the peak load position or the vicinity of the peak load position of the reference load waveform. Note that the vicinity of the peak load position is, for example, within a radius of approximately 3 mm to 5 mm from the peak load position.

[0080] As a result, in S205, if the terminal control unit 31 of the display device 30 determines that the peak load position or the vicinity of the peak load position of the reference load waveform has been pressed via the touch panel 33, it detects the load on the load axis at the pressed position in accordance with the movement of the pressed position in the load axis direction (up and down direction).The terminal control unit 31 then sets a new load waveform in which the load on the load axis at this pressed position is the peak load, and displays it on the display 32 in place of the reference load waveform.

[0081] Here, setting of a new load waveform to be displayed in response to movement of the pressed position in the load axis direction (up and down direction) when the peak load position or the vicinity of the peak load position of the reference load waveform 46 is pressed will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen in which the peak load position of the reference load waveform 46 has been changed.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 9 , with a finger pressing on the peak load position 52 or the vicinity of the peak load position 52 of the reference load waveform 46, the peak load position 52 is moved to a new peak load position 55A, for example, approximately 2 kg lower. In this case, the terminal control unit 31 reads, from the load mode information 36B in the auxiliary memory unit 36, a braking force waveform 46A-3 (see FIG. 7 ) for one stroke, which has a peak load approximately 2 kg lower than the peak load of the reference braking force waveform 46A-0 for the beginning high mode. The terminal control unit 31 then adds (adds) the braking force waveform 46A-3 for one stroke to the load (weight) W1 of the weight stack 104, sets a new load waveform 55, and stores it in the main memory unit 35. The terminal control unit 31 then displays the new load waveform 55 on the display 32, replacing the reference load waveform 46.

[0083] Next, as shown in FIG. 4, in S106, the user moves his / her finger in the stroke axis direction (left / right direction) while keeping his / her finger pressed on the peak load position or the vicinity of the peak load position of the new load waveform displayed on the display 32.

[0084] As a result, in S206, the terminal control unit 31 of the display device 30 determines via the touch panel 33 that the finger has moved in the stroke axis direction (left and right direction) while pressing the peak load position or the vicinity of the peak load position of the new load waveform with the finger. Then, the terminal control unit 31 detects the amount of movement of the finger's pressed position in the stroke axis direction.

[0085] Then, the terminal control unit 31 displays on the display 32 the peak load position of the new load waveform moved in the stroke axis direction by the amount of movement of the pressed position. Note that the peak load position of the new load waveform is set to be movable in the stroke axis direction only within a predetermined changeable range in the stroke axis direction.

[0086] Here, an example of a new load waveform that is displayed in response to a movement of the finger's pressed position in the stroke axis direction (left and right direction) when the peak load position or the vicinity of the peak load position of the load waveform is pressed with a finger will be described with reference to Fig. 9. As shown in Fig. 9, when the peak load position or the vicinity of peak load position 55A of new load waveform 55 is pressed with a finger, the new load waveform moves, for example, to a new peak load position 56A. In this case, the terminal control unit 31 displays the new load waveform 56 so that the peak load position 55A of the load waveform 55 moves in the positive direction of the stroke axis (rightward), for example, by approximately 100 mm.

[0087] 4, in S107, the user removes his / her finger from the screen of the display 32. Then, in S108, the user presses the complete button 54 (see FIG. 9) displayed on the display 32.

[0088] As a result, in S207, the terminal control unit 31 of the display device 30 detects via the touch panel 33 that the complete button 54 has been pressed. Then, the terminal control unit 31 sets the new load waveform displayed on the display 32 as the load waveform to be added to the lift shaft 105-1, and stores it in the auxiliary storage unit 36. Furthermore, in S208, the terminal control unit 31 transmits the new load waveform displayed on the display 32 to the load control unit 10 via the communication unit 34 as new load waveform information to be added to the lift shaft 105-1, and ends the process.

[0089] For example, in S208, the terminal control unit 301 transmits, as new load waveform information, data including any one-digit number from "0 to 9" representing the load mode, a spare number "0" from "0 to 9," any three-digit number from "000 to 999" representing the stroke amount [mm] of the rising edge start position of the load waveform, and any three-digit number from "000 to 999" representing the stroke amount [mm] of the falling edge end position of the load waveform, to the load control unit 10 via the communication unit 34. The terminal control unit 31 also transmits, as new load waveform information, data including the peak load of the new load waveform to the load control unit 10 via the communication unit 34.

[0090] On the other hand, in S304, when the control unit 20 of the load control unit 0 receives new load waveform information via the communication unit 21, it sets it as the load waveform to be added to the lift shaft 105-1 in the load mode stored in the auxiliary memory unit 23 in S301 above, stores it in the auxiliary memory unit 23, and then terminates the processing.

[0091] This allows the user to easily set the load (load waveform) for one stroke to be applied to the lift shaft 105-1 by pressing the finger down on or near the peak load position of the reference load waveform displayed on the display 32 and then moving the finger in the load axis direction (up and down) or stroke axis direction (left and right).

[0092] [Modifications] Modifications of the above embodiment will be described. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0093] [Variation 1] For example, another setting of a new load waveform obtained by changing the peak load of the reference load waveform in S205 above will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for changing the peak load of the reference load waveform in the beginning high mode according to another embodiment. As shown on the left side of Fig. 10, the terminal control unit 31 of the display device 30 displays the reference load waveform 61 for one stroke in the beginning high mode as a solid line, with the horizontal axis representing the stroke amount [mm] and the vertical axis representing the load (weight) [kg] applied to the lift shaft 105-1.

[0094] The terminal control unit 31 also displays arrows pointing in both directions at the peak load position 61A of the reference load waveform 61. The terminal control unit 31 also displays the peak load [kg] of the reference load waveform 61, for example, 6.25 [kg], below the reference load waveform 61. The terminal control unit 31 also displays a setting completion button 63 at the bottom of the screen of the display 32, which accepts completion of adjustment of the reference load waveform 61.

[0095] When the terminal control unit 31 detects via the touch panel 33 that the user's finger has pressed the peak load position 61A of the reference load waveform 61 or the vicinity of the peak load position 61A, it displays an operation bar 65 on the left edge of the display 32, as shown in the center of Fig. 10. The operation bar 65 is displayed, for example, as two rows of small squares along the load axis direction (vertical direction). The operation bar 65 is also colored in different colors, for example, white from the bottom to about one-third of the height upward, green from there to about two-thirds of the height upward, and gray from there to the top, to indicate an increase in load.

[0096] Next, as shown on the right side of FIG. 10 , the user presses the operation bar 65 with their finger, moves the finger upward on the operation bar 65, and stops. The terminal control unit 31 detects via the touch panel 33 that the finger has pressed down on the operation bar 65, and that the pressed position of the finger has moved upward and stopped. The terminal control unit 31 then reads from the auxiliary storage unit 36 ​​the load (weight) [kg] applied to the lift shaft 105-1 at the position where the finger stopped on the operation bar 65. The load (weight) [kg] applied to the lift shaft 105-1 at each position on the operation bar 65 is stored in advance in the auxiliary storage unit 36.

[0097] The terminal control unit 31 reads from the auxiliary memory unit 36 ​​a braking force waveform for one stroke in the beginning high mode, in which the peak load is the load (load) obtained by subtracting the load (weight) W1 of the weight stack 104 from the load (load) [kg] applied to the lift shaft 105-1 read from the auxiliary memory unit 36. The terminal control unit 31 then adds (adds) this braking force waveform for one stroke to the load (weight) W1 of the weight stack 104 to set a new load waveform 62, and stores this in the main memory unit 35. The terminal control unit 31 then displays the new load waveform 62 on the display 32, replacing the reference load waveform 61. The terminal control unit 31 also displays the peak load [kg] of the new load waveform 62, for example, 10.5 [kg], below the new load waveform 62.

[0098] Thereafter, the terminal control unit 31 detects via the touch panel 33 that the setting completion button 63 has been pressed. Then, the terminal control unit 31 sets the new load waveform 62 displayed on the display 32 as the load waveform to be added to the lift shaft 105-1, and stores it in the auxiliary storage unit 36. The terminal control unit 31 may also transmit the new load waveform 62 displayed on the display 32 to the load control unit 10 via the communication unit 34 as new load waveform information to be added to the lift shaft 105-1.

[0099] On the other hand, when the control unit 20 of the load control unit 0 receives new load waveform information via the communication unit 21, it may set it as the load waveform to be added to the lift shaft 105-1 in the load mode stored in the auxiliary memory unit 23 in S301 above, and store it in the auxiliary memory unit 23.

[0100] This allows the user to easily set the load (load waveform) for one stroke to be applied to the lift shaft 105-1 by pressing with his / her finger at or near the peak load position 61A of the reference load waveform 61 displayed on the display 32, and then pressing with his / her finger on the displayed operation bar 65 and moving it upward to the desired load position.

[0101] [Variation 2] Furthermore, for example, the display device 30 may not display a login screen. Therefore, the user does not need to log in at S101 above. Furthermore, the display device 30 may display a load mode selection screen when started up. This allows the user to quickly set the training content for the training machine.

[0102] [Variation 3] Furthermore, for example, in S204 above, the terminal control unit 31 of the display device 30 may display arrows pointing in both directions, instead of a cross arrow positioned diagonally above and to the right of the peak load position of the reference load waveform, at the peak load position to indicate that movement in the load axis direction (up and down direction) is possible. Furthermore, the user may not need to perform the operation in S106 above. Furthermore, the terminal control unit 31 may not need to perform the process in S206 above. As a result, in S207 above, the terminal control unit 31 may set only a new load waveform in which the peak load of the reference load waveform is increased or decreased.

[0103] [Variation 4] The display device 30 may be operated by an instructor who provides training guidance to a user. This allows the instructor to easily set the load for one stroke of the user of the training equipment, making it possible to provide optimal training guidance to the user.

[0104] [Summary] A load control unit according to aspect 1 of the present invention is a load control unit that is installed on training equipment and controls the load of the training equipment, and executes the following steps: a first display process that arranges a load axis representing the applied load along the vertical direction of a screen of a display device, arranges a stroke axis representing the stroke amount of a user of the training equipment along the horizontal direction of the screen of the display device, and displays a reference load waveform representing the load displacement for one stroke on the screen of the display device; a first determination process that determines whether or not a peak load position of the reference load waveform displayed on the screen of the display device has been pressed; and a first modification display process that, if it is determined in the first determination process that a position near the peak load position of the reference load waveform has been pressed, replaces the reference load waveform with a new load waveform whose peak load is the load on the load axis at the pressed position in accordance with movement of the pressed position in the load axis direction and displays this on the screen of the display device.

[0105] According to the above configuration, the user can press a position near the peak load position of the reference load waveform and move the pressed position in the load axis direction to display a new load waveform with the load in the load axis direction at the pressed position as the peak load. As a result, the user of the training device can easily set the load for one stroke of the training device. Furthermore, when adjusting the load in daily training, the user can feel their own improvement and be motivated.

[0106] A load control unit according to a second aspect of the present invention is a load control unit that is installed on training equipment having a weight and controls an additional load to be applied to a load caused by the weight of the training equipment, and executes the following steps: a first display process in which a load axis representing the total load of the load generated by the weight and the additional load applied by the load control unit is arranged along the vertical direction of the screen of a display device, and a stroke axis representing the stroke amount of a user using the training equipment is arranged along the horizontal direction of the screen of the display device, and a reference load waveform representing the load displacement for one stroke is displayed on the screen of the display device; a first determination process in which a peak load position of the reference load waveform displayed on the screen of the display device is determined to have been pressed; and a first modification display process in which, if it is determined in the first determination process that a position near the peak load position of the reference load waveform has been pressed, the reference load waveform is replaced with a new load waveform whose peak load is the load on the load axis at the pressed position, in accordance with the movement of the pressed position in the load axis direction, and the new load waveform is displayed on the screen of the display device.

[0107] With this configuration, a user can press a position near the peak load position of the reference load waveform and move the pressed position in the load axis direction to display a new load waveform with the load in the load axis direction at the pressed position as the peak load. As a result, a user of the training device can easily set the load (load) for one stroke to be added to the load (weight) provided by the weight. Furthermore, when adjusting the load in daily training, the user can feel their own improvement and be motivated.

[0108] The load control unit according to aspect 3 of the present invention executes a second determination process in the above-described aspect 2 to determine whether the screen of the display device has been pressed and then released, and a load setting process to set the load waveform displayed on the screen of the display device as a load displacement of one stroke to be added to the weight if the second determination process determines that the screen of the display device has been pressed and then released.

[0109] With the above configuration, the user can set the load waveform displayed on the display screen as the load displacement for one stroke by ceasing to press the peak load position of the load waveform. As a result, the user can easily set the load (load) for one stroke to be added to the load (weight) provided by the weight. The user can set a load waveform that suits them, allowing for more effective training.

[0110] In the load control unit according to aspect 4 of the present invention, when it is determined in the first determination process that a position near the peak load position of the reference load waveform has been pressed in the above-described aspect 3, a second modification display process is executed to display on the screen of the display device a new load waveform in which the peak load position has been moved in the stroke axis direction in accordance with the movement of the pressed position in the stroke axis direction.

[0111] With this configuration, the user can press the peak load position of the reference load waveform and move the pressed position in the stroke axis direction to display a new load waveform in which the peak load position has been moved in the stroke axis direction. As a result, the user of the training device can easily set the load for one stroke to be added to the load (weight) provided by the weight.

[0112] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides the load control unit of the fourth aspect, wherein the movable range of the pressed-down position in the stroke axis direction is set within a predetermined range.

[0113] According to the above configuration, the movable range of the pressed position in the stroke axis direction is set within a predetermined range in advance, so that a new load waveform can be set without changing the training effect.

[0114] A load control unit according to aspect 6 of the present invention, in any one of aspects 2 to 5 above, executes a mode display process for displaying a plurality of modes on the screen of the display device, a reception process for accepting the selection of one mode from the plurality of modes displayed in the mode display process, and a mode setting process for setting the one mode selected in the reception process as a selected mode, and in the first display process, displays the reference load waveform corresponding to the selected mode on the screen of the display device.

[0115] According to the above configuration, the user can display the reference waveform of a desired mode from the reference load waveforms of multiple modes with different training effects, and can easily set the load waveform of the desired training.

[0116] [Additional Notes] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0117] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 training equipment 10 load control unit 20 control unit 30 display device 31 terminal control unit

Claims

1. A load control unit that is installed in a training device and controls the load of the training device, and that executes the following: a first display process that arranges a load axis representing the applied load along the vertical direction of a screen of a display device, arranges a stroke axis representing the stroke amount of a user of the training device along the horizontal direction of the screen of the display device, and displays a reference load waveform representing the load displacement for one stroke on the screen of the display device; a first judgment process that determines whether or not a peak load position of the reference load waveform displayed on the screen of the display device has been pressed; and a first modified display process that, if it is determined in the first judgment process that a position near the peak load position of the reference load waveform has been pressed, replaces the reference load waveform with a new load waveform whose peak load is the load on the load axis at the pressed position in accordance with the movement of the pressed position in the load axis direction and displays this on the screen of the display device.

2. A load control unit that is installed on a training device having a weight and controls an additional load applied to a load caused by the weight of the training device, the load control unit executing the following steps: a first display process that arranges a load axis representing the total load created by the weight and the additional load applied by the load control unit along the vertical direction of a screen of a display device, arranges a stroke axis representing the stroke amount of a user using the training device along the horizontal direction of the screen of the display device, and displays a reference load waveform representing the load displacement of one stroke on the screen of the display device; a first determination process that determines whether or not a peak load position of the reference load waveform displayed on the screen of the display device has been pressed; and a first modification display process that, if it is determined in the first determination process that a position near the peak load position of the reference load waveform has been pressed, replaces the reference load waveform with a new load waveform whose peak load is the load on the load axis at the pressed position in accordance with movement of the pressed position in the load axis direction and displays this on the screen of the display device.

3. A load control unit as described in claim 2, which executes a second determination process to determine whether the screen of the display device has been pressed and then released, and a load setting process to set the load waveform displayed on the screen of the display device as a load displacement of one stroke to be added to the weight if the second determination process determines that the screen of the display device has been pressed and then released.

4. A load control unit as described in claim 3, wherein if the first judgment process determines that a position near the peak load position of the reference load waveform has been pressed, a second modification display process is executed to display on the screen of the display device a new load waveform in which the peak load position has been moved in the stroke axis direction in accordance with the movement of the pressed position in the stroke axis direction.

5. The load control unit according to claim 4, wherein the movable range of the depressed position in the stroke axis direction is set within a predetermined range.

6. A load control unit as described in claim 2, which executes a mode display process for displaying a plurality of modes on the screen of the display device, a reception process for receiving a selection of one mode from the plurality of modes displayed in the mode display process, and a mode setting process for setting the one mode selected in the reception process as a selected mode, and in the first display process, displays the reference load waveform corresponding to the selected mode on the screen of the display device.

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