Exercise Device Dynamic Resistance Control via Virtual Physics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise equipment fails to accurately simulate the dynamic forces and inertial effects of actual physical activities, leading to a less realistic and less effective workout experience, as it typically uses constant force or constant power control schemes that do not account for the complex interactions of riding a bicycle or walking.
Innovation Solution
A control system that simulates the physics of the activity by generating a virtual value of velocity, acceleration, or force, and uses the difference between virtual and measured values to control resistance forces, providing a more accurate simulation of the forces experienced during actual physical activities, such as cycling or walking, by using a strain gauge, encoder, and alternator to adjust resistance dynamically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If constant force or constant power control schemes are used in exercise equipment, then the control system is simple, but the simulation accuracy of actual physical activity forces is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic resistance control where the resistance force varies continuously based on the user's instantaneous velocity and acceleration. The control system adjusts the resistance mechanism in real-time to match the dynamic conditions of actual physical activities, transitioning from static constant force/power schemes to a dynamically adaptive system that responds to user motion patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback control by continuously measuring the user's velocity and acceleration through sensors, comparing these measurements against the virtual model of actual physical activity, and adjusting the resistance force accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables accurate simulation of real-world forces while maintaining automated control.
2Measurement precision
If expensive and complicated power measurement systems are used, then measurement accuracy is improved, but system complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical power measurement systems with a combination of simpler sensors (velocity and acceleration sensors) and computational modeling. Instead of using expensive torque sensors or power meters that directly measure mechanical power, the system infers power output by measuring kinematic parameters and calculating power from the virtual physical model, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the actual physical activity's physics model, which includes the mass, friction, air resistance, and gravitational forces of the real activity. This virtual model is used to calculate the expected forces and power output based on measured velocity and acceleration, providing an accurate representation of real-world conditions without requiring direct measurement of all physical parameters.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual physics-based control is implemented, then workout realism and effectiveness are improved, but computational requirements and control complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal virtual physics engine that can simulate multiple different physical activities (cycling, rowing, running, etc.) using a single control system. The system incorporates general physical principles (Newton's laws, friction, air resistance, gravity) that apply across different activities, allowing the same hardware and control architecture to adapt to various workout types by changing the virtual model parameters rather than requiring activity-specific control systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides a workout experience that closely mimics the forces and dynamics of real cycling or walking, optimizing muscle engagement and efficiency by accurately simulating the inertial and resistive forces, allowing for more effective and longer workouts with reduced perceived effort.
Implementation Method 1
An alternator may be operably connected to the driven member to provide a variable resistance force
Implementation Method 2
A strain gauge, encoder, and alternator to adjust resistance dynamically
Data Source
AI summary
A control system and method for exercise equipment and the like provides a way to simulate a physical activity in a manner that takes into account the physics of the physical activity being simulated to provide an accurate simulation. According to one aspect of the present invention, the control system and method takes into account the physics of the corresponding physical activity to generate a virtual or predicted value of a variable such as velocity, acceleration, force, or the like. The difference between the virtual or expected physical variable and a measured variable is used as a control input to control resistance forces of the exercise equipment in a way that causes the user to experience forces that are the same or similar to the forces that would be encountered if the user were actually performing the physical activity being simulated rather than using the exercise equipment.