Virtual Flywheel Training With Motor-Controlled Eccentric Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fitness equipment lacks the ability to simulate the increased resistance during the eccentric portion of flywheel training, which is crucial for improving strength and endurance, and often requires a physical flywheel, limiting versatility and convenience.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electric motor, tensile member, end effector, sensor, and controller that simulate flywheel training by generating forces based on position, velocity, and acceleration data to mimic the resistance patterns of a virtual flywheel, without the need for a physical flywheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a physical flywheel is used for flywheel training, then the increased resistance during eccentric portion is provided, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual flywheel simulation that copies the dynamic resistance characteristics of a physical flywheel without requiring the actual mechanical component. The controller generates force profiles that replicate the inertial resistance patterns of a real flywheel during concentric and eccentric phases, providing the same training effect while eliminating the need for heavy mechanical flywheel hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical flywheel system with an electric motor-controlled tensile member system. Instead of using a physical flywheel's rotational inertia to provide resistance, the system uses an electric motor that dynamically adjusts tension based on simulated flywheel physics models, substituting mechanical inertial resistance with electronically controlled force.
2Force
If a physical flywheel is used, then flywheel training resistance is provided, but the ease of operation and convenience are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual flywheel simulation copies the resistance characteristics while eliminating the need for users to manually manage a physical flywheel. The system automatically handles the complex dynamics of flywheel rotation, wind-out, and wind-in phases through electronic control, making the operation simpler while maintaining the training effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically managing the force application based on sensor feedback. The controller continuously monitors position, velocity, and acceleration data, and automatically adjusts motor output to maintain accurate flywheel simulation without requiring user intervention or manual adjustment of mechanical components.
3Measurement precision
If sensor data is collected for simulation, then the accuracy of flywheel training simulation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system serves multiple functions: it measures position, velocity, and acceleration for both controlling the motor output and validating the virtual flywheel simulation accuracy. The same sensor data is used for real-time force generation and for verifying that the simulated resistance matches the actual user experience, eliminating the need for separate verification 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
Provides a realistic flywheel training experience by dynamically adjusting resistance during concentric and eccentric phases, enhancing user performance and convenience by eliminating the need for a physical flywheel.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor, a tensile member, an end effector, a sensor, and a controller... the electric motor is operable to provide a force to the end effector through the tensile member
Implementation Method 2
the sensor is configured to obtain at least one of a position, a velocity, or an acceleration of the end effector
Implementation Method 3
the controller is programmed to cause the electric motor to operate to exert the force on the end effector during the interaction with the user by generating motor controls by simulating rotation of a virtual flywheel using the at least one of the position, the velocity, or the acceleration of the end effector
Data Source
AI summary
A control system for simulating flywheel training includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is programmed to obtain sensor data indicating movement of an end effector of fitness equipment. The processing circuitry is also programmed to operate an electric motor of the fitness equipment, based on the movement of the end effector, to exert a force on the end effector. The force on the end effector is determined based on a result of a physics-based simulation of a virtual flywheel in order to provide a flywheel training experience for a user without requiring a flywheel physically coupled to the end effector.