Exercise Machine Dynamic Resistance Control for Consistent Effort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing exercise machines for lower limb strength training and rehabilitation face challenges in accurately controlling user effort and ensuring regular, controlled return movements, leading to inconsistent workouts and potential overload during eccentric movements.
Innovation Solution
An exercise machine equipped with a logic control unit and a detection system that adjusts resistance based on the position of a tubular element along an arm, ensuring consistent effort perception across different anatomical adjustments and assisting in controlled eccentric movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the distance of the tubular element from the fulcrum of the pulley is varied to adapt to user anatomy, then the adaptability of the machine is improved, but the effort perceived by the user changes and becomes inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the resistance force variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the resistance force based on the detected position of the tubular element, allowing the system to adapt to different user anatomies while maintaining consistent effort perception. This transforms the static resistance mechanism into a dynamic one that responds to real-time position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using a detection device to monitor the position of the tubular element and feeding this information back to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the resistance force based on this feedback signal, ensuring that the effort perceived by the user remains consistent regardless of the tubular element's position. This closed-loop control system resolves the contradiction between adaptability and effort consistency.
2Device complexity
If the flexible cable exerts the same resisting action during concentric and eccentric movement, then the simplicity of the machine is maintained, but the user experiences overload during eccentric movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the resistance force variable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the resistance force based on the detected position of the tubular element, allowing the system to adapt to different user anatomies while maintaining consistent effort perception. This transforms the static resistance mechanism into a dynamic one that responds to real-time position changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using a detection device to monitor the position of the tubular element and feeding this information back to the control unit. The control unit then adjusts the resistance force based on this feedback signal, ensuring that the effort perceived by the user remains consistent regardless of the tubular element's position. This closed-loop control system resolves the contradiction between adaptability and effort consistency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an exercise machine (M) for performing at least one gymnastic exercise, of the type comprising a resistant device (31), configured to provide resistance to the execution of said at least one gymnastic exercise, an arm (34), connected to said resistant device (31), capable of rotating around a rotation axis (Z), a tubular element (35), coupled to said arm (34), so as to slide along said arm ( 34), to vary its distance from said rotation axis (Z), and a logic control unit (U), connected to said resistant device (31), in which the parameters relating to said at least one gymnastic exercise are memorized, said gymnastic machine (M) comprising a detection device (4) for detecting the position of said tubular element (35) along said arm (34), and for sending the corresponding signals to said control logic unit (U), and said control logic unit (U) being configured to vary the resistance of said resistant device (31) as a function of the signals sent to said logic control unit (U), relative to the position of said tubular element (35). The present invention also relates to the operating method of such exercise machine.