JP2010227270A - Rocking type exercise apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a rocking type exercise apparatus having improved safety. <P>SOLUTION: The rocking type exercise apparatus includes: a base section 1 installed on a floor face; a seat section 2 on which a user is seated; and a drive unit 3 which is interposed between the base section 1 and the seat section 2 and applies an exercise load to the user seated on the seat section 2 by rocking the seat section 2 with respect to the base section 1. The exercise apparatus further includes: a use state detection section which generates an output reflecting the use state; and a control section which determines whether the use state is safe or dangerous based on the output of the use state detection section and, when determining that the use state is dangerous, controls the drive unit 3 to stop or ease the rocking of the seat section 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an oscillating motion apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided an oscillating type exercise device that gives a user an exercise load imitating riding by swinging a seat on which a user is seated (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-149468 A

  With this type of swing type exercise device, if the user is used unfamiliarly or playfully in a dangerous use state, accidents such as the user falling from the seat or the swing type exercise device falling may occur. Can be considered.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above reasons, and an object of the present invention is to provide an oscillating motion apparatus with improved safety.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a base portion installed on the floor, a seat portion on which a user is seated, and the base portion and the seat portion are interposed between the base portion and the seat portion is swung. The driving unit that applies an exercise load to the user seated on the seat, the usage state detection unit that generates an output reflecting the usage state, and the usage state is safe based on the output of the usage state detection unit And a control means for performing a safe operation for controlling the drive unit so as to stop or reduce the swing of the seat part when it is determined that the use state is dangerous. Features.

  According to the present invention, safety is improved as compared with the case where safe operation is not performed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a notifying means which is controlled by the control means and notifies the start of a safe operation by at least one of visual and auditory senses, and the control means is dangerous in use. After the determination, before starting the safe operation, the notification means is controlled to notify the start of the safe operation.

  According to the present invention, compared to the case where the start of the safe operation is not notified, the user is less likely to lose his posture immediately after the start of the safe operation, so the safety is further improved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the use state detecting means is seated on the seat, and a mechanical sensor for detecting a force applied to a portion contacted by the user seated on the seat. It includes at least one of a foot direction sensor that detects the orientation of the sole of the user and an overall inclination sensor that detects the inclination of the base with respect to the horizontal plane.

  The invention of claim 4 is the gripping part connected to the seat part in a form displaceable with respect to the base part and the seat part in any one of the inventions of claim 1 to claim 3, A gripping part gripped by a user seated on the part, and a gripping part displacement detecting means as a use state detecting means for detecting a displacement amount of the gripping part with respect to the seating part. When the displacement of the gripping part is detected, the control means uses the normal mode in which the output of the gripping part displacement amount detecting means is used to determine the use state, and the output of the gripping part displacement amount detection means is not used to determine the use state. The operation mode is switched between the operation mode for changing the operation of the drive unit in accordance with the output of the displacement amount detection means.

  According to the present invention, since the user can change the operation of the drive unit without releasing his / her hand from the gripping unit, it is safer than when the user needs to release his / her hand from the gripping unit when changing the operation of the drive unit. Improves.

  The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the seat is seated in a form straddled by the user, and the portion of the seat where the user's inner thigh is in contact is: When an internal thigh pressure sensor is provided as a use state detection means for detecting the pressure received from the user's internal thigh sitting on the seat, and the pressure change in a predetermined pattern is detected by the internal thigh pressure sensor The control means operates in accordance with the output of the thigh pressure sensor in the normal mode in which the output of the thigh pressure sensor is used for the determination of the use state and the output of the thigh pressure sensor without using the output of the thigh pressure sensor in the determination of the use state. The operation mode is switched between operation modes for changing the operation mode.

  The invention of claim 6 comprises the sole pressure sensor as the use state detection means for detecting the pressure received from the sole of the user sitting on the seat in the invention of any one of claims 1 to 3, When a pressure change in a predetermined pattern is detected by the pressure sensor, the control means uses the output of the sole pressure sensor to determine the use state and the output of the sole pressure sensor to determine the use state. The operation mode is switched between the operation mode in which the operation of the drive unit is changed according to the output of the sole pressure sensor without being used.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the use state is determined to be dangerous based on the output of the use state detecting means, the safety operation for controlling the drive unit to stop or ease the swing of the seat portion is performed. Therefore, safety is improved as compared with the case where safe operation is not performed.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is provided with notifying means that is controlled by the control means to notify the start of the safe operation by at least one of vision and hearing, and the control means is determined that the use state is dangerous. Since the start of the safe operation is notified by controlling the notification means before the start of the safe operation, the user is less likely to lose his posture immediately after the start of the safe operation compared to the case where the start of the safe operation is not notified. , Safety is improved more.

  According to invention of Claim 4, it is the holding part connected with respect to the seat part in the form which can be displaced with respect to a base part and a seat part, Comprising: The holding part grasped by the user who seated on the seat part And a grip part displacement detection means as a use state detection means for detecting a displacement amount of the grip part with respect to the seat part, and when the displacement in the predetermined pattern is detected by the grip part displacement detection means, the control means The normal mode in which the output of the gripper displacement amount detection means is used for determination of the use state, and the output of the gripper displacement amount detection means is not used for the determination of the use state in accordance with the output of the gripper displacement amount detection means. Since the operation mode is switched between the operation modes for changing the operation, the user can change the operation of the drive unit without releasing the hand from the grip unit. Compared to when it is necessary to release Sex can be improved.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows a usage form same as the above. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure same as the above. (A) (b) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the use condition detection part in each same, (a) is a left view, (b) is a top view. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of the use condition detection part in the same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of the use condition detection part in the same as the above. It is explanatory drawing which shows another example of the use condition detection part in the same as the above. (A) (b) is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the usage pattern of the example of a change same as the above, respectively. It is a perspective view which shows the example of a change of FIG.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a base part 1 installed on the floor, a seat part 2 on which a user M sits and a base part 1 and the seat part 2 are placed. And a drive unit 3 that imparts an exercise load to a user seated on the seat unit 2 by swinging the seat unit 2 with respect to the base unit 1. Hereinafter, with respect to the expression of the front / rear / left / right / up / down directions, the front / rear / left / right / up / down directions for the user M seated on the seat 2 at the initial position where the base 1 is correctly installed on the horizontal plane and the drive unit 3 is not operating. Will be described as a reference.

  The drive unit 3 converts a pedestal 30 fixed to the seat unit 2, a motor (not shown), and a rotational force of the motor into a driving force that displaces the pedestal 30 with respect to the base unit 1. And an appropriate link 31 such as a crank or a gear for swinging the seat 2 with respect to the base 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the drive of the drive unit 3 causes the seat unit 2 to move horizontally and longitudinally with respect to the base unit 1 (hereinafter referred to as “front-rear linear motion”) X and the front-rear direction. Rotational motion (hereinafter referred to as “horizontal rotational motion”) θX in the plane as viewed from the side (hereinafter referred to as “horizontal rotational motion”) Hereinafter, it is referred to as “front-rear rotational movement.”) ΘY is possible. By combining the above three types of exercises, a swing simulating the movement of a horse's back while walking or running is realized, and the user M seated on the seat 2 is given an exercise load simulating riding. . Since the drive unit 3 as described above can be realized by a known technique, detailed illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the present embodiment has a use state detection unit 4 that generates an output reflecting the use state, and whether the use state is safe based on the output of the use state detection unit 4. And a control unit 5 that performs a safe operation for controlling the drive unit 3 to stop or alleviate the swinging of the seat unit 2 when it is determined that the usage state is dangerous. Here, as specific means for alleviating the swing of the seat portion 2, specifically, for example, a means for reducing the swing speed of the seat portion 2, or one of the above three types of motions. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to stop the two types and continue only the longitudinal linear motion while maintaining only the orientation (tilt) of the seat 2 with respect to the base 1 at the initial position. The drive unit 3 is provided with a seat tilt sensor (not shown) that detects the tilt of the seat 2 with respect to the base unit 1, and the control unit 5 stops the drive unit 3 to stop the base unit 1. When the swinging of the seat portion 2 with respect to the base portion 1 is stopped, the drive portion 3 is controlled so that the posture of the seat portion 2 with respect to the base portion 1 is returned to the initial position. The seat inclination sensor described above can be realized by a known technique using, for example, a potentiometer or an infrared distance measuring device, and thus detailed illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

  Specifically, the control unit 5 determines, for example, whether the use state is safe or dangerous every predetermined determination time during the operation of the drive unit 3. Further, when the control unit 5 variably controls the swing speed of the seat portion 2 with respect to the base portion 1 in a plurality of stages, the safe operation is performed at the highest speed of swinging of the seat portion 2 with respect to the base portion 1. When it is a stage other than the slow stage, the drive part 3 is controlled so that the swing speed of the seat part 2 with respect to the base part 1 is slowed by one stage, and the swing speed of the seat part 2 with respect to the base part 1 is the highest. The drive unit 3 may be controlled so as to stop the swinging of the seat 2 with respect to the base unit 1 at a late stage.

  Furthermore, this embodiment is provided with the alerting | reporting part 6 controlled by the control part 5 and performing alerting | reporting by at least one of hearing and vision. For example, a buzzer or a speaker can be used as the notification unit 6 that performs notification by hearing. For example, a light-emitting diode or a liquid crystal panel can be used as the notification unit 6 that performs visual notification. Since it is feasible, detailed illustration and description are omitted. Of the notification unit 6, the display unit 61 (see FIG. 9) used for visual notification is provided, for example, at a portion exposed upward from between the legs of the user M straddling the seat 2 on the upper surface of the seat 2. It is done. The control unit 5 controls the notification unit 6 to notify the start of the safe operation before starting the safe operation after the use state is determined to be dangerous. As a result, the user M who has confirmed the notification can prepare for the inertial force applied at the start of the safe operation, so that the safe operation is immediately started immediately after the use state is determined to be dangerous. Compared to the above, the safety is further improved because the user M is less likely to lose his posture at the start of the safe operation. Since the control unit 5 as described above can be realized by a well-known electronic circuit, detailed illustration and description thereof are omitted.

  Hereinafter, a specific example of the configuration of the usage state detection unit 4 and the method of determining the usage state will be described.

  As the use state detection unit 4, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a pressure distribution sensor 41 provided in a region on the upper surface of the seat portion 2 where the buttocks of the user M are placed can be used. The pressure distribution sensor 41 of FIG. 4 includes a total of four unit pressure sensors 41a to 41d divided into two rows in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Each of the unit pressure sensors 41a to 41d generates an output corresponding to the applied pressure. For example, by comparing the average value of the outputs of the two front unit pressure sensors 41a and 41c with the average value of the outputs of the two rear unit pressure sensors 41b and 41d, the center of gravity of the user M can be obtained. It is possible to detect how much it is biased in the front-rear direction. Further, by comparing the average value of the outputs of the two unit pressure sensors 41a and 41b on the left side with the average value of the outputs of the two unit pressure sensors 41c and 41d on the right side, the center of gravity of the user M can be It is possible to detect how much the direction is biased. In this case, the control unit 5 determines the difference between the average value of the outputs of the front unit pressure sensors 41a and 41c and the average value of the outputs of the rear unit pressure sensors 41b and 41d (hereinafter, “ Compared with the predetermined front and rear center of gravity bias upper limit value and the front and rear center of gravity bias lower limit value. It is determined that the center of gravity of the person M is in a dangerous use state where the center of gravity is excessively biased in any of the front and rear directions. Further, the control unit 5 determines the absolute value of the difference between the average value of the outputs of the two left unit pressure sensors 41a and 41b and the average value of the outputs of the two right unit pressure sensors 41c and 41d (hereinafter, Is compared with a predetermined upper left / right center of gravity bias upper limit, and if the left / right center of gravity bias absolute value is equal to or greater than the upper left / right center of gravity bias upper limit, the center of gravity of the user M is either in the left / right direction. It is determined that it is a dangerous use state that is excessively biased.

  Further, as another example of the usage state detection unit 4, as shown in FIG. 5, a load sensor is provided at a plurality of locations on the lower surface of the base unit 1 to detect the contact pressure of the base unit 1 with respect to the floor surface. 43a and 43b may be used. For example, if load sensors 43a and 43b are provided in the vicinity of the four corners of the lower surface of the base unit 1, the control unit 5 uses the outputs of the load sensors 43a and 43b in the same manner as the output of the pressure distribution sensor 41. It is possible to determine a dangerous usage state in which the center of gravity of the person M is excessively biased to either the front, back, left, or right.

  Furthermore, as another example of the use state detection unit 4, an inclination sensor (not shown) that detects the inclination of the base unit 1 with respect to the horizontal plane can be used. Here, the inclination of the base unit 1 with respect to the horizontal plane strictly refers to the actual inclination of the base unit 1 with respect to the orientation of the base unit 1 when the base unit 1 is correctly installed on a horizontal floor surface. In this case, the control unit 5 is in a dangerous use state in which the base unit 1 itself is tilted when the tilt sensor detects that the tilt angle of the base unit 1 with respect to the horizontal plane is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit angle. It is determined that

  Moreover, when the user M is seated in a manner straddling the seat 2 as in the present embodiment, the use state detection unit 4 is configured as shown in FIG. You may provide the internal thigh pressure sensor 42 which produces | generates the output according to the pressure received from the user's M thigh in the site | part which an inner thigh contacts (contacts). In this case, the control unit 5 compares the pressure detected by the inner thigh pressure sensor 42 with a predetermined lower limit pressure, and if the detected pressure is less than the lower limit pressure difference, no force is applied to the inner thigh and the body Judged as a dangerous use condition that is difficult to balance.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when the heel 71 on which one foot of the user M is placed is provided on each of the left and right sides of the seat portion 2, the heel 71 is received from the sole of the user M. A sole pressure sensor 44 that detects pressure may be provided, and the sole pressure sensor 44 may be used in the use state detection unit 4. In this case, the control unit 5 compares the absolute value of the pressure difference detected by the sole pressure sensor 44 of the right and left heel 71 (hereinafter referred to as “the sole pressure difference absolute value”) with a predetermined upper limit pressure difference. If the absolute value of the sole pressure difference is equal to or greater than the upper limit pressure difference, it is determined that the user M is in a dangerous use state where the center of gravity of the user M is excessively biased to the left or right.

  Further, a foot direction sensor (not shown) for detecting the direction of the heel 71, that is, the direction of the sole placed on the heel 71 may be provided and used for the use state detection unit 4. For example, when the collar 71 is supported by being suspended from the seat section 2 via a suspension string 72 having one end rotatably connected to the seat section 2 and the other end coupled to the collar 71, the suspension is suspended from the seat section 2. Since the inclination of the string 72 substantially reflects the direction of the sole as it is, a potentiometer that detects the direction of the hanging string 72 with respect to the seat 2 provided at the connecting part between the seat part 2 and the hanging string 72 is used. The above-mentioned foot direction sensor can be realized. In this case, the control unit 5 detects, for example, by the foot direction sensor that the sole is directed backward such that the angle formed by the direction in which the sole is directed with respect to the vertical downward direction is equal to or greater than a predetermined upper limit angle. It is determined that the user is in a dangerous use state where his / her legs are bent excessively and the body is difficult to balance.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B and FIG. 9, a grip 8 that is displaceably connected to the seat 2 and is gripped by the user M may be provided. Specifically, for example, both ends of the gripping portion 8 are pivotally attached to the seat portion 2 so that the grip portion 8 can be rotated in a plane viewed from the left-right direction with respect to the seat portion 2. The gripping portion 8 may be formed in a flexible string shape imitating the reins, or may be configured by a U-shaped part made of synthetic resin, for example. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the use state detection unit 4 includes a gripping force sensor 45 that is provided at a position where the user M grips the gripping unit 8 and detects the gripping force by the user M, or both ends of the gripping unit 8. A pulling force sensor 46 that detects a pulling force that is provided on each part and acts on the gripping part 8; and a gripping part tilt sensor that detects the tilt of the gripping part 8 relative to the seat part 2 (gripping part displacement amount detecting means in claims). (Not shown) can be used. A known pressure-sensitive element can be used for the gripping force sensor 45 in the same manner as the pressure sensor described above, a known strain sensor can be used for the tensile force sensor 46, and the gripping portion inclination sensor can be, for example, the seat 2 And a potentiometer provided at the connecting portion between the grip portion 8 and the grip portion 8. When the gripping force detected by the gripping force sensor 45 is greater than or equal to a predetermined upper limit pressure or when the tensile force detected by the tensile force sensor 46 is greater than or equal to the predetermined upper limit tensile force, the control unit 5 Is determined to be a dangerous use state that relies excessively on the grip 8. Moreover, the control part 5 has protruded the hand which the user M grasped the holding part 8 excessively forward, or has pulled the hand which the user M grasped the holding part 8 excessively back. Is detected by the gripping part inclination sensor, it is determined that the user M is in a dangerous usage state seated in an unnatural system.

  The determination based on the outputs of the various sensors that constitute the use state detection unit 4 can be used as a final determination of whether the use state is safe or dangerous by appropriately combining them as a logical sum or logical product.

  8A and 8B and FIG. 9, various sensors provided on the grip 8 and constituting the use state detector 4 can be used for operation input by the user M. It may be usable. Specifically, for example, when the displacement in a predetermined pattern is detected by the gripping unit inclination sensor, the control unit 5 normally uses the outputs of the various sensors provided in the gripping unit 8 to determine the usage state. The operation mode is switched between the mode and the operation mode for controlling the drive unit 3 according to the output of the various sensors without using the output of the various sensors provided in the grip unit 8 for the determination of the use state. . In order to avoid a malfunction that erroneously shifts to the operation mode, the predetermined pattern that causes the control unit 5 to shift from the normal mode to the operation mode is a pattern that cannot occur in a normal use state. Desirably, for example, when the gripping part tilt sensor detects that the gripping part 8 has been swung up and down twice at intervals within a predetermined operation time, the control part 5 switches the operation mode.

  As an operation of the control unit 5 when the operation mode is the operation mode, for example, when the pulling force sensor 46 detects that the grip unit 8 is pulled to the right side at intervals within the operation time, The base part 1 is increased when the swinging speed of the seat part 2 with respect to the part 1 is increased by one step, and the pulling force sensor 46 detects that the grip part 8 has been pulled to the left twice at intervals within the operation time. The swing speed of the seat portion 2 with respect to is reduced by one step. In addition, when the swinging of the seat 2 with respect to the base 1 does not include a forward / backward rotational motion, the control unit 5 changes the inclination of the seat 2 in the forward / backward direction with respect to the base 1 in the operation mode. The control unit 5 may rotate so that the seat portion 2 is gradually tilted forward during the period when the gripping portion tilt sensor detects that the gripping portion 8 is lifted, for example, as shown in FIG. During the period when the gripping portion inclination sensor detects that the gripping portion 8 is lowered as shown in FIG. 8B (that is, the center portion is directed rearward of both ends). The seat 2 is rotated so as to be gradually tilted backward. Further, in the operation mode, the control unit 5 notifies each of the possible operation options and the actions that the user M should perform in order to specify the options (for example, the pulling operation of the gripping part 8 and the raising / lowering operation of the gripping part 8). Announcement by voice or text display by the unit 4, and then an operation according to the option specified by the operation of the user M (for example, change of the operation of the drive unit 3, change of the option presented by the notification unit 4, (Return from the operation mode to the normal mode) may be performed.

  Furthermore, while the power is off, the control unit 5 monitors the output of any sensor that constitutes the use state detection unit 4, and turns on the power when the output of the sensor satisfies a predetermined condition. It may be turned on. That is, the sensor of the use state detection unit 4 can be used for an operation input for turning on the power. Specifically, for example, when the control unit 5 detects that the gripping unit 8 has been pulled twice at intervals within a predetermined operation time while the power is off, the control unit 5 Turn on.

  Instead of the sensor provided on the grip 8, the inner thigh pressure sensor 42 at the part where the user M's inner thigh abuts or the sole pressure sensor 44 provided on the heel 71 may change the operation mode. You may make it use for the operation input for operation | movement in an operation mode, or power ON. In this case, the operation mode is switched or the power is turned on when a change in pressure in a predetermined pattern is detected in any of the pressure sensors 42 and 44 (for example, a pressure exceeding a predetermined threshold is applied for a predetermined time). When it is detected twice).

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Base part 2 Seat part 3 Drive part 4 Use condition detection part 5 Control part 8 Grip part 42 Inner thigh pressure sensor 44 Foot pressure sensor

Claims (6)

A base installed on the floor;
A seat where the user sits;
A drive unit that is interposed between the base unit and the seat unit and applies an exercise load to a user seated on the seat unit by swinging the seat unit with respect to the base unit;
Usage state detection means for generating an output reflecting the usage state;
Based on the output of the use state detection means, it is determined whether the use state is safe or dangerous, and when the use state is determined to be dangerous, the drive unit is configured to stop or relax the swinging of the seat portion. And a control means for performing a safe operation for controlling the oscillating motion apparatus. Informing means that is controlled by the control means and informs the start of the safe operation by at least one of vision and hearing,
2. The swing type according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the notifying means to notify the start of the safe operation before starting the safe operation after it is determined that the use state is dangerous. Exercise equipment.   The use state detecting means includes a mechanical sensor that detects a force applied to a portion of the user who is seated on the seat, a foot direction sensor that detects the orientation of the sole of the user seated on the seat, and a base relative to the horizontal plane. 3. The oscillating motion apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one of an overall inclination sensor for detecting an inclination of the base portion. A gripping part connected to the seat part in a displaceable manner with respect to the base part and the seat part and gripped by a user seated on the seat part;
A gripping part displacement detecting means as a use state detecting means for detecting a displacement amount of the gripping part with respect to the seat part,
When a displacement in a predetermined pattern is detected by the gripping part displacement detection means, the control means outputs a normal mode in which the output of the gripping part displacement amount detection means is used to determine the use state and an output of the gripping part displacement amount detection means. The operation mode is switched between an operation mode and an operation mode in which the operation of the drive unit is changed according to the output of the gripper displacement amount detection means without using the determination of the use state. The rocking | fluctuation type exercise device as described in a term. The seat is to be seated by the user,
A part of the seat where the user's inner thigh comes into contact is provided with a thigh pressure sensor as a use state detecting means for detecting the pressure received from the user's inner thigh seated on the seat,
When a change in pressure in a predetermined pattern is detected by the internal thigh pressure sensor, the control means uses the normal mode in which the output of the internal thigh pressure sensor is used for determination of the use state and the output of the internal thigh pressure sensor in the use state. The operation mode is switched between an operation mode and an operation mode in which the operation of the drive unit is changed according to the output of the thigh pressure sensor without being used for the determination. Dynamic exercise device. Provided with a sole pressure sensor as a use state detection means for detecting the pressure received from the sole of the user seated on the seat,
When a change in pressure in a predetermined pattern is detected by the sole pressure sensor, the control means uses a normal mode in which the output of the sole pressure sensor is used for determination of the use state and an output of the sole pressure sensor in the use state. The operation mode is switched between an operation mode and an operation mode in which the operation of the drive unit is changed according to the output of the sole pressure sensor without being used for the determination. Dynamic exercise device.

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