DE102017003587A1 - Exercise machine with treadmill unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a training device comprising a treadmill unit (1) with a continuously circulating around rollers treadmill, wherein at least one of the rollers is driven by a drive and wherein the inclination of the treadmill unit (1), in particular with respect to a background or the horizontal, with a Tilting device (5) is adjustable, wherein the tilting device (5) comprises at least one actuator (5a), in particular at least one linear actuator with which the inclination of the treadmill unit (1) is adjustable and the treadmill unit (1), in particular the tilting device (5) the treadmill unit (1) comprises a sensor (6), in particular a force and / or acceleration sensor, with which a physical variable, in particular a force and / or acceleration, generated by the impact of a user can be measured, further comprising control electronics (7), is provided in particular in the tilting device (5), which is set up, depending on the measured G To change the inclination of the treadmill unit (1) by controlling the actuator. The invention also relates to a training device comprising at least one position sensor (8) with which the position of a user on the treadmill is measurable and it has a control unit which is adapted to change the treadmill speed in response to at least one position measured value, in particular by change the treadmill speed to minimize the deviation between the measured position of a user and a desired position.

Description

The invention relates to a training device comprising a treadmill unit with a continuously revolving around rollers treadmill, wherein at least one of the rollers is driven by a drive and wherein the inclination of the treadmill unit, in particular with respect to a background or the horizontal, with a tilting device is adjustable.

Training devices of this type are well known in the art and find application for example in gyms, but also in the private sector. In this case, it is essentially known that a person using the exercise device can preselect the rotational speed of the treadmill and, in particular, can change it during operation, for example by pressing a control unit.

The set treadmill speed is then kept constant by the treadmill unit of the exerciser and the exercising user must adjust his tempo accordingly to the treadmill unit, not to run on the one in front of him operating unit of the training device and on the other not from the revolving treadmill back from the Training device to be moved down.

In order to avoid accidents resulting, for example, from a user falling or being moved backwards off the treadmill unit because his walking speed is not sufficiently high, it is known in the art that a exercising person attaches a clip to the treadmill Wear clothing that is connected by a cord to an emergency stop button on the exerciser.

If the user exceeds a maximum distance to the emergency switch, e.g. tightened the cord or tore off the clip of clothing or tore the cord from a recording of the training device, the emergency stop function of the training device is activated and the treadmill stops. Such a security function is simply ineffective in that the user does not infect the clip on his clothes, which is sometimes omitted for sheer negligence.

It is also possible in the known state of the art to change the inclination of the treadmill unit relative to the ground or the horizontal, so as to simulate, for example, whether a trainee is walking on a flat road or possibly uphill.

As far as the prior art knows the possibility to change the damping of the impact impact when using the training device this is so far only passively possible by differently adjustable damping values of damping elements between the treadmill unit and a frame of the training device and / or the ground. The adjustment of the damping during operation of a treadmill, however, has not yet been developed.

While a user may be able to adjust damping to simulate, for example, running on a soft forest floor, this one-time set damping can not be changed without interrupting the running of the training device. Different route courses, such as the transition from a soft forest floor to a hard road during a simulated training course, have thus far not been feasible in the prior art.

In addition, the state of the art has hitherto had no possibility of variably setting the damping of a treadmill with respect to the impact impact of a user as a function of the weight of a person, thus in particular thus changing the person-related automatically.

Against the background of the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art, it is an object of the invention to provide a training device of the type mentioned, which opens up the possibility to keep damping of the impact of a person exercising variably adjustable, in particular to be able to change from impact to impact impact, in particular, moreover, to be able to adapt the adaptation of damping specifically to the weight of the person currently exercising.

It is also an object of the invention to make the training of a running on the treadmill safer with regard to possible accident hazards, in particular to avoid accidents to a greater extent, based on a discrepancy between the current running speed of a user and the speed of the treadmill. In addition, a running training should be made more comfortable overall with a training device according to the invention.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in that the tilting device comprises at least one actuator, in particular at least one linear actuator with which the inclination of the treadmill unit is adjustable and the treadmill unit, in particular the tilting device of the treadmill unit comprises a sensor, in particular force or acceleration sensor, with the a physical variable, in particular a force and / or acceleration, generated by the impact of a user is measurable, wherein furthermore a Control electronics, in particular in the tilting device is provided, which is adapted depending on the measured size to change the inclination of the treadmill unit by controlling the actuator, in particular to increase and particularly preferably to reduce.

Here it is an essential core idea of the invention to detect the impact of a user, that is the impact of the respective foot on the treadmill of the treadmill unit by measuring a physical quantity generated thereby, such as a force or an acceleration, then hereafter and in dependence of measured value to change the inclination of the treadmill unit, namely preferably in the direction of a reduction in inclination, so therefore the tread surface recedes relative to the impinging foot, whereby the runner is simulated a more or less soft, that is compliant ground. There is also the possibility of increasing the inclination, e.g. to simulate a very hard ground. All subsequent preferred embodiments, which are described in connection with a reduction in inclination apply equally to an increase in inclination.

In contrast to the prior art, damping is not based on the use of passive elements, such as a passive spring-damper suspension of a treadmill unit, but on an active or semi-active adjustment of the inclination of the treadmill unit depending on the size measured at the impact ,

An active setting may e.g. done by an electromechanical actuator. Likewise, active actuators can be used with a hydraulic, pneumatic or electromagnetic action principle. A semi-active actuator can also work by means of magnetorheological or electrorheological principles of action.

It thus opens up by different activation of the named at least one actuator in the tilting device the ability to produce variable damping, that is to actively change this during training, possibly to make even different from impact to impact impact.

Variable attenuations can be generated, for example, by changing the dynamics of a tilt reduction, for example with regard to the duration of a tilt reduction and / or with regard to the speed of a tilt reduction, thus the change in inclination per unit of time or with respect to the temporal gradient of the tilt.

The invention can provide here in a preferred embodiment that the designated control electronics is set to change the inclination of the treadmill unit, starting from an initial inclination, in particular a target inclination for the detected impact impact over the duration of a limited time, preferably after this and decrease Time to return the inclination again at least to the desired slope or initial slope.

This causes that the inclination of the treadmill does not always successively change in the same direction, so especially reduced, but repeatedly reset to the desired inclination or any. Above or below initial tilt and only at the time by the successive impact impulses of the impact impaction or thereafter and in the said time interval thereafter the change, preferably reduction of the inclination, is adjusted by the actuator, so as to counteract the differentiated resistance of the treadmill unit to dampen it to different degrees.

The invention can provide here that the named limited time is shorter than the time interval between two steps or between two impact impacts, in particular the limited time to be used is determined as a function of the measured distance between two impact impacts, in particular between the two immediately preceding impact impacts , This ensures, for example, that the inclination reduced for damping is already set back to the desired inclination or an overlying initial inclination of the treadmill unit before each occurrence impact, so as to achieve a smooth running feeling with a constant inclination.

The time interval between the steps can here be detected automatically by the same sensor and this value can be used to calculate or determine the limited time.

Very well, the invention can provide the named target inclination to change during a running workout, for example, when different slopes of a simulated running distance to be set.

The invention may also provide in one embodiment also by means of the above-mentioned sensor or one or more other sensors to detect the time interval between successive impulses of the user and then to calculate from a concrete impact kick the time of the expected next impact impact to then already in time the next expected impulse to drive the actuator of the tilting device to begin a slope change of the track unit, for example in the direction of lesser inclinations before the next impact. As a result, the user of such a training device at a reduced inclination, a particularly soft sensation and thus also a joint gentle running training can be offered.

In this embodiment as well, the invention ensures that, before the next following impact impact, the treadmill unit inclination, which is reduced in this example, is initially returned to the predetermined desired inclination or an initial inclination above it. With an increased inclination in the other example, it is ensured that the increased inclination of the treadmill unit is initially returned to the specified desired inclination or an underlying initial inclination.

For example, For example, if slope reduction is to be performed, the initial slope may be set above the slope to ensure that the slope is reduced prior to the next expected slope from the initial slope. This makes it possible that at the actual time of the expected impact stroke, the target inclination is already reached, but the treadmill unit moves down at this time. Thus, the user has the impression to run at the selected Sollneigung, while the treadmill unit moves down.

In all embodiments, the invention can preferably provide that the at least one actuator of the tilting device is fastened, in particular articulated, by means of a restoring resilient element, in particular a spring or an elastomeric buffer, to the mounting surface or to a frame element of the training device.

In particular, when using two actuators, the invention can provide that these are arranged in the vicinity of the bearings of that roller, in particular the front roller, around which the endless treadmill is guided around.

When executed as a linear actuator, the actuator may comprise a spindle to whose nut the treadmill unit is fastened. The actuator may be a stepping motor that allows the speed of the stride frequency of the striker to decrease (or increase) and return to the desired incline or above (or below) initial value.

The advantage of variably changeable damping, even during a training operation, can also be used in the training device according to the invention to repeatedly set the damping for two consecutive impact impacts and thus consecutively different for the impact impact of the right foot and the left foot of a user.

This makes it possible for a user who makes use of the exerciser to experience a different damping for his left foot than for his right foot.

This may be useful, in particular in conjunction with therapeutic measures, for example, if one of the feet is injured and the training of this foot must be performed particularly gentle on the joints. The invention may thus provide for adjusting the damping differently for an injured foot than for a healthy foot. These different attenuation settings for left and right foot can be repeatedly changed during training for each foot repeatedly, so thus repeatedly be changed with the cadence of each user.

The invention may also provide for changing the damping as a function of an elapsed time. This makes it possible to change the attenuation during training as a function of the elapsed time so that different running surfaces are simulated. For example, in training it can be taken into account simulatively that a user walks from a road into a forest area where there is a softer ground compared to the previous road surface.

Thus, during training, different simulated background properties can be easily taken into account.

It is also possible, depending on the circumvented track of the treadmill and thus ultimately to change the damping depending on a virtually covered distance of a user. For this purpose, the circumvented distance of the treadmill can be detected by measurement, in order then to change the damping at respectively stored values. Thus, for example, the runner may specify at the outset that he would like to walk one kilometer of road ahead, simulating a hard ground and then walking for one kilometer on a comparatively soft forest floor, simulating a relatively soft ground due to the changed compliance of the treadmill performance impact.

In the end, the training device according to the invention also offers the possibility of changing the damping as a function of the weight of a user. For this purpose, it can provide the invention that with the same initially mentioned at least a sensor of the tilting device or else with at least one other sensor, in particular at least one load cell, the weight of the currently standing on the training device runner is detected, then to select as a function of this detected magnitude of the attenuation.

Thus, for example, for different substrates, such as the previously mentioned road surface on the one hand or a forest background on the other hand, the designated attenuation can be chosen differently depending on the weight of the runner. For example, for a runner with a comparatively higher weight, the damping can be set more strongly than for a runner with a comparatively lower weight with the same simulated ground condition.

In connection with the aforementioned embodiments, but also basically independent thereof, the invention may also relate to a training device of the type mentioned, in which at least one position sensor is provided, with which the position of a user on the treadmill is measurable and the training device further comprises a control unit adapted to change the treadmill speed in response to at least one position measurement value of this position sensor. In particular, the invention can provide by varying the treadmill speed to minimize the deviation between the measured position of the user and a desired position.

In contrast to the prior art is achieved by this inventive embodiment of a training device that the runner now no longer has to adjust its running speed to the predetermined constant speed of a treadmill, but conversely, the invention achieves that the speed of the treadmill on the running speed of the user oriented. Namely, when the user increases his running speed, his position on the treadmill changes, which can be detected by the position sensor, after which the treadmill changes its treadmill speed to return the user to the target position.

Thus, for example, a runner using the exerciser can easily complete his running training by simply reducing his running speed to a standstill, with the exerciser reducing and adjusting the speed of the treadmill so that the runner remains at the desired set position of the treadmill.

Thus, on the one hand this increases the comfort while running and on the other hand also significantly increases the safety of such a training device.

The invention can provide, for example, here that the desired position can be predetermined by a user himself, so that the user can preselect a pleasant running position on the treadmill, for example a comfortable distance for him to the operating element of the training device. For example, it may be provided here that the target position at the time of a trigger operation can be determined by the position of the rotor relative to the treadmill measured at this time, in particular by a distance between the sensor and a user.

In order to make such a desired position particularly easy to find for the user, the invention may provide that initially a constant rotational speed of the treadmill is set on the treadmill, which is not changed by the initially named regulating mechanism. So the runner can choose his distance to the controls by changing its running speed so that the distance is comfortable for him.

For example, a runner with a long arm reach will choose a greater distance to controls than a runner with a relatively lower arm reach.

If the runner has found his comfortable running position on the treadmill, he can, for example, actuate a button on the operating element, which corresponds to the abovementioned trigger actuation, so that in this case his position is measured by means of the at least one sensor and stored as the desired position, after which the exerciser Thereafter, it proceeds with the above-described control algorithm, that is, the position of the runner centered around the stored target position regardless of how the runner chooses its running speed.

In order to detect the position of the runner relative to the treadmill for carrying out the named control algorithm, the invention can provide in a preferred embodiment that a non-contact position sensor is used, in particular that is arranged on a frame of the exerciser in a forward direction in the running direction, for example, in the field of controls.

For example, such a position sensor can detect the distance of the abdominal or thoracic region of the runner to the sensor. For example, the invention may provide that the sensor is designed as a laser range finder, as an ultrasonic range finder or as Radar rangefinder. These rangefinders have in common that runtime differences are evaluated by the specific specific emitted signals, so as to measure the distance in connection with the propagation speed of these signals.

The invention may also provide with at least one position sensor to measure the position of the feet of a user on the treadmill. For this example, pressure-sensitive sensors may be provided in a lying under the tread surface.

However, the invention can also provide for such position sensors to be formed by at least one camera which optically detects the position of the feet relative to the treadmill. Even with the help of radar sensors, the foot position relative to the treadmill can be detected by measurement.

By means of the invention it is also facilitated to carry out a running analysis of a runner on the training device. For example, by means of radar sensors, the position of defined body parts of a runner, for example ankle or other extremity positions are detected, the detected positions are fed by their coordinates in an analysis software, for example in real time, to perform an analysis of the running style by means of such an analysis software and then optionally to correct.

For example, it may be provided here at the predetermined body locations, such as joint or extremity positions, to use reflectors for radar waves in order to detect and evaluate the coordinates of these reflectors and thus indirectly also the position of the body locations marked therewith using the named software.

• 1: Die Figur zeigt in einer schematischen Darstellung ein als Laufband ausgebildetes Trainingsgerät mit aktiver Neigungsverstellung zur Dämpfungsrealisierung.
• 2: Die Figur visualisiert eine alternative parallele Anordnung von Aktor 5a und federnd nachgiebigem Element 5b.
• 3: Die Figur zeigt einen symbolisierten Regelkreis, um die Position des Läufers auf dem Laufband unabhängig von seiner Geschwindigkeit konstant zu halten.

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the following figures.

• 1 : The figure shows a schematic representation of a trained as a treadmill exercise device with active tilt adjustment for damping realization.
• 2 The figure visualizes an alternative parallel arrangement of actuator 5a and resilient element 5b.
• 3 The figure shows a symbolized control loop to keep the position of the runner on the treadmill constant regardless of its speed.

1 illustrates the basic structure of a training device of the type according to the invention with a treadmill unit 1 on which an endless circulating treadmill (not further visualized here) is guided around front and rear rollers and is motor-driven by means of a drive, thus enabling a user of the exerciser on the treadmill unit 1 can run.

Usually, under the endless revolving treadmill, a substructure, a so-called running table is provided over which the treadmill sweeps away, so that the runner has the impression to run on a fundamentally solid surface.

The treadmill unit 1 is here in this example further with a frame construction 2 the training device connected, for example, a projecting to the runner control unit 3 has, by means of a runner operating parameters of the training device can change.

The invention provides here that the treadmill unit 1 via a tilt device 5 on the frame 2 is attached and thus ultimately on the ground 4 supports on which the frame 2 gets up.

The tilting device 5 here includes a resilient element 5b , such as a compression spring or an elastomeric rubber buffer over which an actuator 5a , eg electromechanical actuator 5a supported on the frame, the upper side with the treadmill unit 1 is connected, in particular rigidly connected in comparison to the resilient connection down to the frame 2 , The springy element 5b is shown here as a separate icon, but can be part of the actuator 5a be, for example, the actuator housing.

Instead of a series connection can actor 5a and resilient element 5b also be connected in parallel, as is the 2 shows. This arrangement, instead of the series connection of these elements in the 1 be used.

These designs allow it either directly in the tilting device 5 or elsewhere, for example, on the treadmill unit 1 at least one sensor 6 is arranged, which is formed for example as a force and / or acceleration sensor, by means of the impact, the feet when hitting the treadmill 1 generate metrologically detectable.

The metrologically detected variable, that is, for example, a force or an acceleration can be a here just as symbolically illustrated control device 7 are fed, then the function of this size the actuator 5a controls so that this the inclination of the treadmill unit 1 changes, eg reduced or enlarged, as mentioned in the general description part.

Due to the exemplary reduction in the inclination immediately following the detected impact impulse or in accordance with the embodiment described in the general part of the description, it is achieved that the occurrence of the feet of a runner undergoes an attenuation which, according to the invention, is variable in some cases before an expected impact impulse and during the impact impulse can be, for example, by the amount of inclination adjustment and / or the speed of tilt adjustment.

In the tilting device, for example, in the resilient element 5b It is also possible to integrate a weighing cell by means of which it is possible to detect the weight of the upstanding rotor and to select the damping.

The 1 further visualizes that, for example, at the area of the operating unit projecting to the runner 3 a position sensor 8th may be provided, with which the distance of an on-treadmill, but not shown here runner to this sensor 8th can be measured, for example, without contact by transmitted waves and measurement of the time to reception of a reflex.

Such a distance value can according to 3 represent a current rotor position, according to 3 the deviation is determined to an ideal or desired desired position of the rotor and this control deviation is then thereafter the belt speed, that is, the rotational speed of the treadmill adapted to minimize the measured control deviation, so the runner to the desired ideal or target rotor position center.

Accordingly, according to this embodiment, the speed of the treadmill concretely adapts to the speed of the runner and not vice versa, as heretofore provided in the prior art.

Claims (12)

Training device comprising a treadmill unit (1) with a continuously circulating around rollers treadmill, wherein at least one of the rollers is driven by a drive and wherein the inclination of the treadmill unit (1), in particular with respect to a background or the horizontal, with a tilting device (5) is adjustable, characterized in that the tilting device (5) comprises at least one actuator (5a), in particular at least one linear actuator, with the inclination of the treadmill unit (1) is adjustable and the treadmill unit (1), in particular the tilting device (5) of Treadmill unit (1) comprises a sensor (6), in particular force and / or acceleration sensor, with which a generated by the impact of a user impact physical amount, in particular a force and / or acceleration is measurable, further comprising control electronics (7), in particular is provided in the tilting device (5), which is set up, depending on the measured size ße the inclination of the treadmill unit (1) to change by driving the actuator. Training device after Claim 1 , characterized in that the control electronics (7) is adapted to decrease or increase the inclination starting from a desired inclination or initial inclination after the detected impact impact over the duration of a limited time and after this time, the inclination back to the nominal inclination or Reset initial tilt. Training device after Claim 2 , characterized in that the limited time is selected to be shorter than the time interval between two steps, in particular the limited time to be used is determined as a function of the measured time interval between two impact impacts, in particular between the two immediately preceding impact impacts. Training device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuator (5a) of the tilting device (5) by means of a resilient element (5b), in particular a spring or an elastomeric buffer attached to the ground or on a frame element (2) of the training device, is articulated in particular. Training device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that variable damping can be generated by changing the dynamics of a tilt reduction, in particular with regard to the duration of the tilt reduction and / or the slope change per unit time. Training device after Claim 5 , characterized in that the damping for two successive impact shocks, in particular for the impact of the right foot and the left foot of a user, is repeatedly adjustable differently. Training device after Claim 5 or 6 , characterized in that the damping in dependence of elapsed time and / or in dependence of the circulated distance of the treadmill and / or in dependence of the weight of a user is changeable. Training device comprising a treadmill unit (1) with an endless around rollers circulating treadmill, wherein at least one of the rollers is drivable by a drive and wherein the inclination of the treadmill unit (1), in particular with respect to a background or the horizontal, with a tilting device (5) is adjustable, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one position sensor (8) with which the position of a user on the treadmill can be measured and which has a control unit which is set up to change the treadmill speed as a function of at least one position measured value, in particular by varying the treadmill speed the deviation between the treadmill speed measured position of a user and a target position to minimize. Training device after Claim 8 , characterized in that a non-contact position sensor (8) is arranged on a frame or an operating element of the training device, in particular in a forward direction in the area. Training device after Claim 8 or 9 , characterized in that the sensor (8) is designed as a laser rangefinder, ultrasonic rangefinder or radar rangefinder. Training device after Claim 8 , characterized in that the position of occurrence of the feet of a user on the treadmill is measurable with at least one position sensor. Training device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the desired position can be predetermined by a user, in particular the desired position at the time of a trigger operation can be determined by the measured at this time position of the user relative to the treadmill, in particular by the distance between the sensor and a users.

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