KR20100108412A - Exercise assisting system - Google Patents

Abstract

The exercise assisting device includes a support unit 1 and a drive device 2 configured to support the user's body. The support unit 1 comprises a pair of foot supports 4 having bearing members configured to support the user's left and right feet. The drive device 2 is configured to drive the support unit to move the user's body in order to vary the load on the lower limb of the user. The exercise assisting apparatus further comprises a tilting device A. The tilting device A comprises a load detection unit 5, a tilting mechanism unit 6 and a control unit 8. The load detection unit 5 includes two sensors 50 provided respectively at the outer part 40a and the inner part 40b of the bearing member 40. The tilting mechanism unit 6 is configured to incline the bearing member 4 inward or outward with respect to the foot of the user. The control unit 8 is configured to control the tilting mechanism unit 6 to reduce the difference between the loads respectively detected by the two load sensors 50.

Description

Exercise assistance system {EXERCISE ASSISTING SYSTEM}

The present invention relates to an exercise assisting device that provides an exercise effect to a user even if the user does not exercise voluntarily (active).

Background Art Various types of exercise assisting apparatuses have been proposed in which a user passively exercises to provide an exercise effect to a user. Passive exercise refers to an exercise in which the user's muscles are stretched without the user's effort by the help of external force applied to the user. Therefore, the exercise assisting device can give the user an exercise effect such as exercise by the user voluntarily.

Exercise aids are known to be classified into two types, one configured to apply the force of the user's joints to stretch the muscles associated with the joint, and the other to stimulate the user's body to stimulate nerve reflexes (nervous). reflex) is a type of stretching related muscles.

In addition, the exercise assisting device allows the user to take various postures as the muscle is stretched. One example of an exercise assist device is to simulate the walking of a user in a standing position, as proposed in JP 2003-290386 A and JP 10-55131 A.

JP 2003-290386 A discloses a training apparatus including a pair of steps for supporting the user's left and right feet, and providing a skating simulation exercise to the user by overlapping the reciprocating motion of the left and right steps. The device has the effect of stretching muscles by moving the user's weight back, forth, left and right, and using nerve reflexes to balance the user. The step is driven by a moving drive mechanism so that the user can enjoy the exercise manually without effort or voluntary movement by simply placing his foot on the step. JP 10-55131 A discloses a walking experience device, which is designed for walking training or virtual-reality experience, and has a pair of left and right foot plates driven by a horizontal drive unit.

JP 2003-290386 A or JP 10-55131 A is widely used by users who suffer from knee pain when training lower limbs. If the skeleton of the user's lower extremities, such as bow-legs and knock-knees, is twisted for a long time, that is, the load axis (the axis through the hip and ankle joints) If you are away from the center for a long time, you may develop knee arthritis. Therefore, it is important to correct skeletal malformations of the lower extremities to prevent knee pain. However, the devices disclosed in JP 2003-290386 A or JP 10-55131 A are not considered for correcting skeletal malformations of these lower extremities.

In view of the above drawbacks, it is an object of the present invention to provide an exercise assisting device capable of correcting skeletal malformations in the lower extremities.

The exercise assisting device according to the present invention includes a support unit and a driving device configured to support a user's body. The support unit includes a pair of foot supports having bearing members each configured to support the user's left and right feet. The drive unit is configured to drive the support unit to move the user's body to change the load on the user's lower limb. The exercise assisting apparatus further includes a tilting device. The tilting device includes a load applied to the outer portion of the bearing member corresponding to the outer part of the user's foot and an inner portion of the bearing member corresponding to the inner part of the user's foot. It is configured to incline at least part of the bearing member in order to reduce the difference between the loads exerted on it.

According to the invention, it is configured to incline at least a part of the bearing member to reduce the difference between the load applied to the outer side of the bearing member and the load applied to the inner side of the bearing member. Therefore, if the load on the outer part of the bearing member exceeds the load on the inner part of the bearing member (i.e. the user is the inner nail), the load on the inner part of the lower leg should be parallel to the horizontal plane of the user's foot. It is much higher than it is in the situation. Therefore, the inner part of the muscles of the lower limbs can be trained intensively. On the other hand, when the load applied to the inner part of the bearing member exceeds the load applied to the outer part of the bearing member (that is, when the user is a valgus), the load applied to the outer part of the lower part of the user's foot is in the horizontal plane. Much more than in a parallel situation. Therefore, the outer part of the muscles of the lower limbs can be trained intensively. Even if the user's leg is the valgus or valgus, it is possible to improve the balance (capacity imbalance) between the outer and inner parts of the lower extremity muscles. As a result, the modified skeleton of the lower limb can be corrected (i.e. restoring the skeletal alignment of the lower limb). In addition, the user can exercise while balancing the load on the lower leg (ie, equalizing the load on the outer and inner parts of the lower leg), thereby reducing the load on the knee joint. . Thus, the user can enjoy a comfortable passive exercise (training) while relieving knee pain, which means that even a user suffering from knee pain during walking can perform passive exercise.

In a preferred embodiment, the tilting device is provided with the foot support, the load detecting unit detecting a load applied to the bearing member, and a tilting configured to tilt at least a portion of the bearing member inward or outward of the user's foot. Mechanism unit. The tilting device further comprises a control unit configured to control the tilting mechanism unit based on the load detected by the load detection unit.

According to this embodiment, at least a part of the bearing member is inclined inward or outward with respect to the foot of the user based on the load detected by the load detection unit. Therefore, the inclination of the bearing member can be adjusted to the inclination appropriate for the user.

In a more preferred embodiment, the load detection unit comprises two load sensors respectively provided on the inner part and the outer part of the bearing member. The control unit is configured to control the tilting mechanism unit such that the difference between the loads respectively detected by the two load sensors is reduced.

According to this embodiment, since the load applied to the outer part of the bearing member and the load applied to the inner part of the bearing member are detected, the deformation of the lower limb of the user can be estimated. Therefore, the inclination of the bearing member can be adjusted to be inclined to the user.

In a more preferred embodiment, the load detection unit comprises a load sensor provided on either the inner part or the outer part of the bearing member. The control unit compares the load detected by this load sensor with a predetermined threshold and based on the comparison result to determine the difference between the load applied to the outer part of the bearing member and the load applied to the inner part of the bearing member. Consists of.

According to this embodiment, the number of load sensors of the load detection unit can be reduced to one. Therefore, manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Fig. 1A is a block diagram illustrating the main parts of the exercise assisting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
1B is a sectional view showing a main part of the exercise assisting device.
2 is a plan view of the exercise assisting device.
3 is an operation explanatory diagram of the exercise assisting device.
4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the exercise assisting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
5 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a main part of the exercise assisting device having another configuration.
6 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a main part of the exercise assisting device having another configuration.
Fig. 7A is a side view showing the exercise assisting device of another configuration.
7B is a top view of the exercise assisting device of another configuration.

(First Example )

The exercise assisting device according to the first embodiment is used on a floor. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the exercise assisting device includes a support unit 1, a drive device 2 and a housing 3 configured to support the body of the user M (see FIG. 3). The support unit 1 comprises a pair of foot supports 4 configured to support the right and left feet of the user M, respectively. The drive device 2 is configured such that the body of the user M is moved by the pair of supports 4 when the user M's feet are on the pair of foot supports 4 to change the load applied to the user M's lower extremities. It is. The support unit 1 and the drive device 2 are housed in the housing 3).

The housing 3 is used as a carrier mounted on the floor and includes a base plate 30 of a rectangular parallelepiped shape. A pair of foot support 4 and the drive device 2 are provided on this base plate 30. In this embodiment, the base plate 30 is a rectangular parallelepiped, but the outer circumferential shape is not limited. In the following, for the sake of simplicity, it is described to have a top surface parallel to the bottom when the base plate 30 is installed on the bottom. Therefore, the upper and lower sides in FIG. 1B become upper and lower sides when using the exercise assistance apparatus.

An upper plate 31 is installed on the base plate 30, and the upper plate 31 and the base plate 30 are combined to form a housing 3. Arrow X in FIG. 2 indicates the front of the housing 3. 2 does not show the top plate 31.

Two openings 31a are provided in the thickness direction of the upper plate 31 to expose the pair of foot supports 4, respectively. The two openings 31a are each formed in a rectangle. The two openings 31a extend so that the centerlines along their longitudinal directions intersect with respect to the back-and-forth direction of the housing 3 so that the distance between these centerlines is after the two openings 31a. Longer at the front end than at the end.

Each pair of foot supports 4 has a bearing member 40 which is a footrest on which the foot of the user M is placed. In order to distinguish the pair of foot supports 4 as necessary, the foot supports 4 supporting the user M's left foot are denoted by the left foot support 4A, and the foot supports 4 supporting the user M's right foot. Is indicated by the right foot support (4B). The foot support 4 is designed in the same way. Therefore, the left foot support 4A will be described with reference to FIG. 1B, and the description of the right foot support 4B will be omitted.

The left foot support 4A has a bearing member 40 for seating the user's left foot. The bearing member 40 is formed of a rectangular plate so as to have a dimension capable of supporting the entire foot of the user M. The bearing member 40 has a bearing surface (the upper surface in FIG. 1B), which is made of a material or shape that allows the user M to seat his feet and have a large coefficient of friction.

The load detection unit 5 is provided in the bearing member 40. The load detection unit 5 is configured to detect a load applied to the bearing member 40 and has two load sensors 50. One load sensor 50 (also indicated by reference numeral 50A as necessary) is provided on the outer side (left side in FIG. 1B) of the bearing member 40 corresponding to the outer side of the user's foot. Another load sensor 50 (also indicated by reference numeral 50B as necessary) is provided at the inner side (right side in FIG. 1B) of the bearing member 40 corresponding to the inner side of the user's foot. That is, the load detection unit 5 includes a load sensor 50A configured to detect a load applied to the outer portion 40a and a load sensor 50B configured to detect a load applied to the inner portion 40b. Note that a sensor made of a semiconductor is adopted as the load sensor 50. In addition, a load cell using a strain gauge may be adopted as the load sensor 50.

A base 41 is disposed below the bearing member 40 (between the base plate 30 and the bearing member 40) and is rotatably connected to the bearing member 40. The base portion 41 has an opposing face (upper face in FIG. 1B) facing the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40, and is provided with a side wall portion 42. A tilting axle 43 is provided at an apex of the side wall portion 42, and the tilting axle is rotatably connected to the bearing member 40. A tilting bearing 44 having an axle hole 44a of the tilting axle 43 is provided on the lower surface (back surface) of the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40. The tilting axle 43 is formed such that its central axis extends along the front-back direction of the user M's leg. Rotating the bearing member 40 about the tilting axle 43 may tilt the bearing member outwardly (left in FIG. 1B) or inwardly (right in FIG. 1B) with respect to the foot of the user M. FIG. The bearing surface 40 on which the user M rests his foot can be inclined as the bearing member is inclined.

By the way, the inclination adjustment unit 45 is provided in the foot support 4. The inclination adjustment unit 45 is comprised so that the inclination of the bearing member 40 may be adjusted. The inclination adjustment unit 45 includes a rack 45a provided on the lower surface of the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 and a gear 45b provided on the base portion 41. The gear 45b is engaged with the rack 45a. The inclination adjustment unit 45 further includes an adjustment motor 45c, which is a stepping motor (pulse motor) for rotating the gear 45b clockwise or counterclockwise. The base 41 has a through hole for the rack 45a penetrating in the thickness direction.

The inclination adjustment unit 45 drives the adjustment motor 45c so that the gear 45b rotates clockwise or counterclockwise. The rack 45a moves up and down with respect to the gear 45b when the gear 45b rotates or rotates in the opposite direction. The movement of the rack 45a changes the distance between the bearing member 40 and the base stand 41, and the base stand 41 is formed at the opposite end (outer side 40a of the bearing member 40) of the foot support 4. It changes in the width direction. Therefore, the inclination of the bearing member 40 changes. And the base stand 41, the side wall portion 42, the tilting axle 43, the tilting bearing, and the tilt adjusting unit 45 are not shown in FIG.

As described above, the left foot support 4A includes the load detecting unit 5 and the bearing member 40 configured to detect the load applied to the bearing member 40 (that is, the load applied by the left foot of the user M). A tilting mechanism unit 6 configured to be inclined inward or outward with respect to the foot (left foot). Similarly, the right foot support 4B foot (right foot) the load detecting unit 5 and the bearing member 40 configured to detect the load applied to the bearing member 40 (that is, the load applied by the user's right foot). ) A tilting mechanism unit 6 configured to be inclined inward or outward. In the following description, in order to distinguish the load detecting unit 5 and the tilting mechanism unit 6 of the left foot support 4A and the load detecting unit 5 and the tilting mechanism unit 6 of the right foot support 4B, respectively, If necessary, the subscript "A" is attached to each reference numeral of the load detection unit 5 and the tilting mechanism unit 6 of the left foot support 4A, and the load detection unit 5 and tilting of the right foot support 4B. Each reference numeral of the mechanism unit 6 is denoted by the subscript "B".

Moreover, a pair of bearing 46 is integrally provided in the lower surface of the base stand 41. The pair of bearings 46 are spaced from each other in the width direction of the bearing member 40. The base plate 41 is rotatably coupled to a bearing plate 47 having a U-shaped cross section open upward. An axle 48 penetrating the bearing plate 47 and the leg 4a of the pair of bearings 46 is used for rotational engagement of the bearing member 47. In this way, the axle 46 is located along the width direction of the bearing member 40. The bearing member 40 can rotate about the axle 48 so that the both ends in the longitudinal direction of the bearing member 40 move up and down with respect to the bearing plate 47. In addition, the bearing 46, the bearing plate 47, and the axle 48 are not shown in FIG. 1B.

By the way, the bearing plate 47 is attached to the upper surface of the footrest cover (not shown). This footrest cover is slidably attached to the base plate 30. A truck 70 having a U-shaped cross section that is opened downward is fixed to the bottom of the footrest cover.

The exterior face of the truck 70 is equipped with two wheels. The base plate 30 is formed with two fixing rails 72 for each of the left foot support and the right foot support 4A and 4B. The truck 70 is provided on these two fixed rails 72 and the wheels 71 are rolled in the rail grooves 72a on the upper surface of the rails 72. A derailment prevention plate (not shown) is provided on the upper surface of the rail 72 to prevent the wheel 71 from rolling off the rail groove 72a.

By the way, the rail 72 extends in the direction different from the longitudinal direction of the opening 31a in the housing 3. As described above, the openings 31a intersect each other at intervals in which the individual longitudinal centerlines are longer than the distance at the front end. In addition, the rails 72 cross with each other in the same longitudinal direction.

However, the rail 72 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction of the housing 3 at an angle larger than the opening 31a. For example, the length of the opening 31a is inclined at an angle of 15 ° with respect to the front and rear direction of the housing 3, and the length of the rail 72 is inclined at an angle of 45 °. In summary, the user's foot lies on the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B and the center line of each foot is aligned with the respective length of the opening 31a and the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B. While the rail moves along the rail 72, the rail 72 is directed in a direction to prevent an increase in the shear stress acting on the knee joint. Further, the left foot support 4A and the right foot support, respectively, such that the longitudinal direction of each of the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B is inclined at an angle of, for example, 9 ° with respect to the front-rear direction (direction indicated by arrow X). 4B is located. Therefore, the user can take a natural posture without twisting the foot while standing on the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B. The present invention describes a preferred form in which the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B move along separate movement paths in which the positions of the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B move in the front-back direction and the left-right direction. The direction of the rail 27 may be determined so that the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B move in either the front-rear direction or the left-right direction.

According to the above-described configuration, the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B can each reciprocate along the length of the rail 27. Since the lengths of the rails 27 respectively cross the center line in the longitudinal direction of the opening 31a, the bearing member 40 can move in the opening 31a along the direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the opening 31a. . In summary, the truck 70, the wheels 71, and the rails 72 constitute a guide 7 regulating the movement path of each of the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B. 1b briefly shows the guide 7.

A drive device 2 is provided for moving each of the pair of foot supports 4. The drive unit 2 is. As a driving source for generating a rotational driving force to move the pair of foot supports 4, a driving motor 2 which is a rotational motor is included. The drive device 2 further comprises a router 21 and a reciprocating driver 22. The router 21 is configured to transmit the rotational driving force of the motor 20 to the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B. The reciprocating driver 22 is configured to use the driving force to cause the truck 70 to reciprocate along the rails 72, respectively. The present invention is configured to separate the driving force from the router 21 and transmit the separated driving force to the reciprocating driver 22, but likewise generates the reciprocating driving force in the reciprocating driver 22 and divides it in the router 21 in the same way. It is also possible.

The router 21 includes a worm (first gear) 21a and a pair of worm wheels (second gear) 21b. The worm 21a is connected to the output shaft 20a of the drive motor 20. Each of the worm wheels 21b is engaged with the worm 21a. The worm 21a and the worm wheel 21b are held in a gearbox (not shown) fixed to the base plate 30. A pair of bearings (not shown) are installed in the gearbox. The pair of bearings are configured to support both ends in the longitudinal direction of the worm 21a.

The rotary shaft 21c housed in the gear box extends through the worm wheel 21b. The rotary shaft 21c is coupled to the worm wheel 21b so that when the worm wheel 21b is driven and rotates, it rotates accordingly. An engaging portion 21d having a non-circular cross section (rectangular in the illustrated example) is formed at the upper end of the rotary shaft 21c.

The reciprocating driver 22 includes a crank plate 22a, a crank shaft 22b, and a crank rod 22c. At one end of the crank plate 22a, the engaging portion 21d of the rotary shaft 21c is engaged. The crank rod 22c is coupled to the crank plate 22a by the crank shaft 22b. A crank plate 22a is fixed to one end of the crank shaft 22b, and the other end is housed in a bearing 22d accompanying one end of the crank rod 22c. That is, one end of the crank rod 22c is rotatably coupled to the crank plate 22b, and the other end of the crank rod 22c is rotatably coupled to the truck 70 by the axle 22e. .

As is apparent from the foregoing, the crank rod 22c functions as a motion converter for converting the rotational motion of the worm wheel 21b into the reciprocating motion of the truck 70. The crank rod 22c is attached to each worm wheel 21b. The truck 70 is attached to the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B, respectively. Therefore, the crank rod 22c functions as a separate reciprocating transducer which converts the rotational motion of the worm wheel 21b into the reciprocating motion of the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B.

As described above, the movement path of the truck 70 is regulated by the wheels 71 and the rails 72. Therefore, the truck 70 reciprocates along the length of the lane 72 as the one wheel 21b rotates. That is, the rotation of the motor 20 is transmitted to the crank plate 22b by the worm 21a and the worm wheel 21b, so that the truck 70 is driven by the crank rod 22c coupled to the crank plate 22b. Linear reciprocating motion is performed along the rail 72. Thereby, the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B are driven to reciprocate along the length of the rail 72, respectively.

In this embodiment, the worm 21a and the worm wheel 21b serve to route the driving force for driving the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B to two channels, respectively, thereby driving the drive unit 2. Drives the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B in relation to each other. The worm wheel 21b is engaged with the worm 21a at another portion spaced 180 degrees so that the left foot support 4B is in the movable range when the left foot support 4A comes to the rear end of its movable range. Comes with a shear. The left foot support 4A comes to the right end of the movable range when the left foot support 4A comes to the rear end of the movable range, and the left foot support 4A comes to the right end of the movable range when the right foot support 4B comes to the front end of the movable range. And the right foot support 4B move in the same direction along the left and right directions.

As is apparent from the foregoing, by varying the position at which the worm wheel 21b engages with the worm 21a, it is possible to provide a desired phase difference in movement between the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B. If the user uses the device in a standing position, with the feet resting on the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B, the phase difference of 180 ° is effective to minimize the center movement of the user in the front and rear directions, and the balance is achieved. It can be used even by a user who has a poor grasping ability. Alternatively, in the absence of imparting a phase difference, the device requires the user to shift the center of gravity in the forward and backward directions, thereby not only exercising for the leg muscles but also for the movement of the lumbar back muscles to maintain the user's balance function. useful.

However, each foot support 4 may rotate about the axle 48. Therefore, not only the height position of the rear end of the bearing member 40 but also the height position of the front end can be changed. Accordingly, the height positions of the toes and the heel of the foot lying on the bearing member 40 are varied, thereby enabling plantarflexion and dorsiflexion of the ankle joint. The present invention adopts the following structure for connecting the bearing member 40 about the axle 48 to the swinging movement of the bearing member 40 along the rail 72. That is, the base plate 30 has a guide face (not shown) having an inclination at a portion along the movement path of the bearing member 40. In this connection configuration, a follower projection (not shown) is provided at the bottom of the base 41 to engage the guide surface. The roller is provided in the upper part of this tracking protrusion, and this roller comes into contact with the guide surface and rolls. Although this tracking protrusion has a roller, it is preferable to form the leading end of the tracking protrusion with a material having a small coefficient of friction and / or a shape.

In this case, the tracking protrusion arranged to contact and roll the guide surface moves the inclined surface of the guide surface up and down while each foot support 4 is driven by the drive motor 20 to reciprocate, whereby 41 rotates about the axle 48, thereby varying the inclination angle of the bearing member 40 and the base 41 relative to the base plate 30, thereby allowing the ankle joint to flex and flex. Done.

In the exercise assistance device of the present invention, the control unit 8 controls not only the control of the tilting mechanism unit 6 (control of the operation of the regulating motor 45c of the tilting mechanism unit 6) but also the control of the driving device 2 (driven Control of the drive motor 20 of the device 2).

The control unit 8 is for example a microcomputer. The control unit 8 controls the electric power supplied to the drive motor 20 or the adjustment motor 45c from a power source not shown, thereby performing the operation start, stop and adjustment of the rotation speed of the drive motor 20. . In addition, the control unit 8 starts the operation of the drive motor 20 when the switch (not shown) installed in the housing 3 is turned on, and stops the operation of the drive motor 20 when the switch is turned off. It is configured to.

The control unit 8 is also configured to supply pulse power from the power supply to the regulating motor 45c of the tilting mechanism unit 6 to adjust the inclination of the bearing member 40.

The control unit 8 adjusts the inclination of the bearing member 40 with reference to the detection result of each load detection unit 5. The control unit 8 controls the tilting mechanism unit 6, i.e. to reduce the difference between the loads detected by the two load sensors 50A and 50B of the load detection unit 5 respectively. Tilt 40). In particular, in the present invention, the control unit 8 is configured such that the load detected by the load sensor 50A is such that the difference between the loads detected by the two load sensors 50A and 50B becomes almost zero (ie, the load sensor 50A). The tilting mechanism unit 6 is controlled to be equal to the load detected by 50B.

Therefore, in the exercise assisting apparatus of the present invention, the load detecting unit 5, the tilting mechanism unit 6, and the control unit 8, which include two load sensors 50, are tilted configured to incline the bearing member 40. The device A is configured to reduce the difference between the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 and the load applied to the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40.

Next, the operation of the exercise assisting apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. In the initial state, it is assumed that the switch is turned off and the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B are positioned at predetermined initial positions, respectively. In this initial position, the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B are located at the same position along the front-back direction. That is, when the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B are in the initial position, the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B lie in a straight line along the left and right directions. Thus, when the user stands on the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B in this initial position, a straight line descending vertically from the user's center of gravity passes through the center between the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B. do.

As described above, the inclination of the bearing member 40 is adjusted so that the load detected by the load sensor 50A is equal to the load detected by the load sensor 50B. In the initial position, therefore, the bearing surface of the bearing member 40 remains almost parallel to the horizontal plane unless the foot of the user M is on the foot support 4.

When the foot of the user M is placed on the foot support 4, the following operation is performed.

For example, if the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 exceeds the load applied to the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40 (ie, the leg of the user M is shown in FIG. 3B). As long as the bow legs, the bearing member 40 is inclined by the tilting device A so that the outer portion 40a rises with respect to the inner portion 40b (that is, the bearing member is inclined inward) (see FIG. 3B). ). Further, as described above, the bearing member 40 continues to be inclined until the difference between the loads respectively detected by the two load sensors 50A and 50B becomes zero. While the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 rises to a position higher than the inner portion 40b, the load applied to the inner part of the lower limb is such that the width direction of the user's legs is parallel to the horizontal plane. It increases more than in a state that remains parallel (ie, the bearing surface of the bearing member 40 lies in a horizontal plane). Therefore, the inner part of the muscles of the lower limb can be trained intensively. It is not necessary to keep the difference between the loads to zero in a strict sense. The difference between the loads may be kept at approximately zero.

On the other hand, if the load applied to the inner part 40b of the bearing member 40 exceeds the load applied to the outer part 40a of the bearing member 40 (that is, if the legs of the user M are the knee knees), The bearing member 40 is inclined by the tilting device A so that the inner portion 40b is raised relative to the outer portion 40a (that is, the bearing member is inclined outward). Further, as described above, the bearing member 40 continues to be inclined until the difference between the loads respectively detected by the two load sensors 50A and 50B becomes zero. While the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40 rises to a position higher than the outer portion 40a, the load applied to the inner part of the lower limb is the foot breadth direction. It is increased compared to a state in which it is kept parallel to the horizontal plane (ie, a state in which the bearing surface of the bearing member 40 is kept parallel to the horizontal plane). Therefore, the inner part of the muscles of the lower limb can be trained intensively. It is not necessary to keep the difference between the loads to zero in a strict sense. The difference between the loads may be kept at approximately zero.

When the load applied to the inner part 40b of the bearing member 40 is equal to the load applied to the outer part 40a of the bearing member 40 (that is, the legs of the user M are neither the inner knee nor the knee knees). When not), the tilting device A does not tilt the bearing member 40.

To turn on the exercise aid from its initial position, simply turn it on. When the switch is turned on, the control unit 8 supplies power to the drive motor 20 to operate the drive motor 20. While the drive motor 20 is in operation, the drive motor 20 can drive the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B to move in the front-rear direction and simultaneously move in the front-rear direction. The left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B respectively linearly reciprocate along the rail 72 to move in a direction different from the longitudinal direction of the foot. For example, the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B move in an inclined direction at an angle of 45 ° with respect to the front and rear direction of the housing 3, for example, over a movement distance of 20 mm.

In addition, the bearing member 40 and the base stand 41 are driven to rotate about the axle 48 when the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B reciprocate along the rail 72, respectively. While the bearing member 40 is moving, the following protrusion protrudes up and down the inclined surface of the guide surface, causing the ankle joint's back flexion when the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B reach their shear positions, When the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B reach their rear end positions, they cause a low buck. The axle 48 is positioned near the heel within the length of the bottom of the foot. Each of the dorsal and low oysters is realized at an inclination angle of about 10 ° with respect to the reference plane defined by the upper surface of the base plate 30. The back flexion and the bottom flexion can be made at the rear end position and the front end position of the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B, respectively, in the opposite relationship to the above. In addition, the inclination angle with respect to the reference angle may be selected differently from the aforementioned angle. This deforming operation can be easily realized by a guide surface of a suitable shape.

The exercise assisting apparatus of the present embodiment causes the user M to perform passive exercise by moving the left foot support 4A and the right foot support 4B as described above.

As described above, according to the motion assist device of the present embodiment, the bearing member 40 is provided between the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 and the load applied to the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40. Inclined to reduce the difference. Therefore, if the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 exceeds the load applied to the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40 (that is, the leg of the user M is shown in Fig. 3B) bow legs), the load exerted on the inner part of the lower limb increases more than when the width direction of the user's legs remains parallel to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the inner part of the muscles of the lower limb can be trained intensively. On the other hand, if the load applied to the inner part 40b of the bearing member 40 exceeds the load applied to the outer part 40a of the bearing member 40 (that is, if the legs of the user M are the knee knees), The load exerted on the outer part of the lower limb increases more than the state in which the foot width direction of the user's foot remains parallel to the horizontal plane. Therefore, the inner part of the muscles of the lower limb can be trained intensively. Therefore, even if the user's leg is the inner or outer valgus, it is possible to improve the balance (capacity imbalance) between the outer and inner parts of the muscles of the lower limbs. As a result, the malformed skeleton of the lower extremity can be treated (that is, the alignment of the lower extremity can be restored). In addition, the user can enjoy a comfortable passive exercise (training) in a state where the knee pain is alleviated, which means that even a user who feels knee pain while walking can perform passive exercise.

In addition, since the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 and the load applied to the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40 are detected, it is possible to accurately estimate the deformity of the lower limb of the user. . The control unit controls the tilting mechanism unit 6 to reduce the difference between the loads detected by the two sensors 50A and 50B, respectively, thereby tilting the tilting mechanism unit 6 inward or outward. It is. Therefore, the inclination of the bearing member 40 can be adjusted to be inclined to the user M. FIG.

And the configuration of the tilting mechanism unit 6 is not limited to the above example. For example, a set of rotary motors and feed screws, a set of rotary motors and belts, a set of rotary motors and pantograph mechanisms, linear movement mechanisms using solenoid coils, and air bags The linear movement mechanism used can be adopted as the configuration of the tilting mechanism unit 6.

In the above embodiment, the router 21 has a worm 21a and a worm wheel 21b to transfer power from the output shaft 20a of the drive motor 20 to the rotating shaft 21c of the worm wheel 21b. It is configured to decelerate while implementing. However, the belt can be used to transfer electric power from the output shaft 20a of the drive motor 20 to the rotary shaft 21c perpendicular to the output shaft 20a. In this example, instead of the worm wheel 21b, the pulley can be used to store the belt by omitting the worm 21a.

In the above embodiment, the output shaft 20a of the drive motor 20 extends along the top surface of the base plate 30. However, when the output shaft 20a needs to extend perpendicular to the upper surface of the base plate 300, instead of the combination of the worm 21a and the worm wheel 21b, spur gearing is adopted to transfer and route rotational force. In this example, pulleys and belts are used instead of spur gears to transfer rotational force between the pulleys.

Instead of using the crank plate 22a and the crank rod 22c, the drive reciprocator 22 is a grooved cam driven to rotate by the drive motor 20 and a cam follower engaged with the groove of the cam. cam follower). In this example, the groove cam can be used in place of the worm wheel 21b, and the rotation axis of the groove cam is arranged to be parallel to the output shaft 20a of the drive motor 20, so that the pinion from the output shaft 20a is pinned. Power is delivered to the home cam through.

In addition, when only one home cam is used to transfer power from the output shaft 20a of the drive motor 20 to the home cam, the two cam followers are engaged with the cam grooves of the cam, respectively, so that the home cam and the cam follower It cooperates to function as router 21 and drive reciprocator 22.

In the illustrated embodiment, the guide surface is formed on the base plate 30 and the following protrusion is formed on the base plate 41, but the guide surface is provided on the base plate 41 and the following protrusion on the base plate 30. The same operation can also be achieved with a configuration to install the.

Since the exercise assisting apparatus of the present embodiment includes the load detection unit 5, the exercise assisting apparatus automatically sets the inclination of the bearing member 40. However, it is not necessary to necessarily install the load detection unit 5. That is, the exercise assisting device may be configured to allow the user to manually adjust the inclination of the bearing member 40 according to his foot condition (eg, inner and outer valgus). In this example, an operation unit (not shown) for operating the tilting mechanism unit 6 may be provided in the housing 3.

Although the exercise assisting device of the present invention is configured to be suitable for use in a floor position installation, a part of the exercise assisting device may be embedded in the floor. It is possible to select whether or not the exercise assisting device is fixed to a fixed position or a configuration capable of moving the position. This aspect can be applied to the exercise assisting apparatus of the second embodiment described later.

(Second Example )

The exercise assisting device of the present embodiment differs in the configuration of the tilting device A from the exercise assisting device of the first embodiment. The other components of the exercise assisting apparatus of this embodiment are the same as those of the exercise assisting apparatus of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are attached to other components, and description thereof is omitted.

In the tilting device A of the present embodiment, as shown in Figs. 4A to 4C, the load detecting unit 5 applies a load sensor 50 configured to detect a load applied to the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40. Figs. Include. In summary, unlike the load detection unit 5 of the first embodiment, the load detection unit 5 of the present embodiment includes only one load sensor 50.

The control unit 8 of the present invention is configured to control the tilting mechanism unit 6 based on the load detected by one load sensor 50. The control unit 8 compares the load detected by the load sensor 50 with a predetermined threshold value, and based on the comparison result, the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 and the bearing member 40 of the bearing member 40. It is configured to determine the difference between the loads applied to the inner portion 40b. The threshold is a load applied to the inner side 40b, for example, in a state where the user M applies the same load to the inner side 40b and the outer side 40a of the bearing member 40. In this example, the difference between the load applied to the outer portion 40a and the load applied to the inner portion 40b is determined by the difference between the predetermined threshold value and the load detected by the load sensor 50. And the predetermined threshold can be estimated from the weight of the user M. The user M may have previously inputted his / her weight into the exercise assisting device in preparation for using the exercise assisting device. In addition, the predetermined threshold value can be estimated from the load detected by the load sensor of the load detection unit 5 of each foot support 4.

The control unit 8 has a determination value as a value to be compared with a load detected by the load sensor 50 as well as a predetermined threshold value. The determination value determines whether or not the user M has rested the foot on the foot support 4. Is the value used to. The control unit 8 is comprised so that when the load detected by the load sensor 50 is smaller than a determination value, the user M will not have set foot on the foot support 4. In this case, the control unit 8 controls the tilting mechanism unit 6 so that the bearing surface of the bearing member 40 of each foot support 4 is kept parallel to the horizontal plane.

The control unit 8 of the present embodiment supplies pulse power from the power supply to the regulating motor 45c of the tilting mechanism unit 6 to adjust the inclination of the bearing member 40 and thereby the load applied to the outer portion 40a. And the load applied to the inner portion 40b. As described above, in the case where the user M applies the same load to the outer portion 40a and the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40, the control unit 8 is a load applied to the inner side 40b. The load detected by the load sensor 50 inclines the bearing member 40 to be equal to the threshold.

In the exercise assisting apparatus of the present embodiment, the load detecting unit 40, the tilting mechanism unit 6, and the control unit 8 constitute the tilting apparatus A.

Next, the operation of the exercise assisting apparatus of the present embodiment will be described.

In the initial state, the load detected by the load sensor 50 becomes less than the determination value unless the user M rests the foot on the foot support 4. The control unit 8 controls the tilting mechanism unit 6 such that the bearing surface of the bearing member 40 is kept parallel to the horizontal plane (see FIG. 4A).

Hereinafter, the operation when the user M rests the foot on the foot support 4 will be described.

For example, when the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 exceeds the load applied to the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40, the bearing 40 moves the outer portion 40a to the inner portion 40b. Be inclined to ascend to a position higher than (ie, the bearing member is inclined inward). As described above, the bearing member 40 continues to tilt until the difference between the threshold and the load detected by the load sensor 50 becomes zero. While the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 rises to a position higher than the inner portion 40b, the load applied to the inner part of the lower limb is such that the width direction of the user's legs is parallel to the horizontal plane. It increases more than in a state that remains parallel (ie, the bearing surface of the bearing member 40 lies in a horizontal plane). Therefore, the inner part of the muscles of the lower limb can be trained intensively.

On the other hand, if the load applied to the inner part 40b of the bearing member 40 exceeds the load applied to the outer part 40a of the bearing member 40, the bearing member 40 will become the inner part 40b by the tilting apparatus A. FIG. Is inclined to rise to a position higher than the outer portion 40a (that is, the bearing member is inclined outward) (see FIG. 4C). Further, as described above, the bearing member 40 continues to be inclined until the difference between the threshold and the load detected by the load sensor 50 becomes zero. While the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40 rises to a position higher than the outer portion 40a, the load applied to the inner part of the lower limb is parallel to the horizontal plane of the user's foot. More than in a state where it is kept in a stable state (ie, a state in which the bearing surface of the bearing member 40 is kept parallel to the horizontal plane). Therefore, the inner part of the muscles of the lower limb can be trained intensively.

When the load applied to the inner part 40b of the bearing member 40 is equal to the load applied to the outer part 40a of the bearing member 40, the tilting device A does not tilt the bearing member 40 (Fig. 4A). Reference).

The user can perform the above-described passive exercise by turning on the switch after seating each of his feet on the foot support 4.

According to the above-described exercise assisting apparatus of this embodiment, as in the exercise assisting apparatus of the first embodiment, the bearing member 40 has a load applied to the outer side 40a of the bearing member 40 and the inner side of the bearing member 40. Inclined to reduce the difference between the loads applied to 40b. Therefore, the inner part of the muscles of the lower limb can be trained intensively when the user's leg is the varus. In addition, even when the user's leg is the valgus, the outer portion of the muscles of the lower extremity can be concentrated. Therefore, even if the user's leg is the varus or valgus, it is possible to improve the balance between the outer part and the inner part of the muscles of the lower extremity or to treat the imbalance. As a result, the malformed skeleton of the lower extremity can be treated (that is, the alignment of the lower extremity can be restored). In addition, the user can enjoy a comfortable passive exercise (training) in a state where the knee pain is alleviated, which means that even a user who feels knee pain while walking can perform passive exercise.

In addition, the bearing member 40 is inclined inward or outward with respect to the foot of the user based on the load detected by the load sensor 50 of the load detection unit 5. Therefore, the inclination of the bearing member 40 can be adjusted to an angle suitable for the user. Obviously, according to this embodiment, the manufacturing cost can be reduced because the load detection unit 5 can be reduced to one in the number of the load sensors 50.

In the above-described example, although the load sensor 50 is configured to detect the load applied to the inner side portion 40b, the load sensor 50 may be configured to detect the load applied to the outer side portion 40a. In this example, in a state where the user M applies the same load to the outer portion 40a and the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40, the predetermined threshold may be the load applied to the outer portion 40a. The control unit 8 of the above-described example is configured to tilt the bearing member by controlling the tilting mechanism unit 6 so that the load detected by the load sensor 50 is equal to the threshold, but the control unit 8 of another example Is configured to vary the inclination angle of the bearing member 40 in steps. For example, when the load detected by the load sensor 50 is less than the first threshold, the control unit 8 tilts the bearing member 40 outward at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane. When the load detected by the load sensor 50 is not greater than the second threshold, the control unit 8 tilts the bearing member 40 inward at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane. The control unit 8 causes the bearing member 40 to be level when the load detected by the load sensor 50 exceeds the second threshold but is less than the first threshold.

5A to 5C, there is shown the exercise assisting apparatus of another embodiment of the present invention. The exercise assisting device shown in FIG. 5 differs in the configuration of the foot support 4 from the exercise assisting device shown in FIG. 4 and the exercise assisting device in the first embodiment. Other components of the exercise assisting device shown in FIG. 5 are the same as those of the exercise assisting device shown in FIG. 4 and the exercise assisting device in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same reference numerals are attached to the other components, and description thereof will be omitted.

The foot support 4 shown in FIG. 5 has a pair of airbags (air cells) 60 configured to define the distance between the bearing member 40 and the base 41. The pair of air bags 60 are identical in form. One air bag 60 is positioned to support the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40, and the other air bag 60 is positioned to support the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40. Therefore, the bearing member 40 is inclined when one air bag 60 is stretched relative to the other air bag 60. In summary, the exercise assisting device shown in FIG. 5 has a tilting mechanism unit 6 consisting of a pair of air bags 60. In addition, the housing 3 is configured to receive an air pump (not shown) configured to supply air to each air bag 60. Moreover, the regulation member 41b is provided in the both ends of the base stand 41 in the width direction. This adjustment member 41b is comprised so that the bearing member 40 may define the range which can be inclined.

The air bag 60 has a valve member (not shown). The valve member is configured to close the exhaust port 60a of the air bag 60 until the pressure inside the air bag 60 exceeds a predetermined value. The predetermined value is selected such that the air pump can supply the air bag 60 with sufficient air such that the bearing surface of the bearing member 40 of the foot support 4 is kept parallel to the horizontal plane. In other words, the predetermined value is a value at which the air bag 60 does not discharge air when supporting the bearing member 40 such that the bearing surface is kept parallel to the horizontal plane.

Holder 40c is provided in each of the outer side part 40a and the inner side part 40b of the bearing member 40 shown in FIG. The through hole 40d for the discharge valve 49 penetrates a part of the bearing member 40 opposite the holder 40c in the thickness direction. The discharge valve 49 includes a valve portion 49a configured to open and close the discharge port 60 and a load detection portion 49b integrally formed with the valve portion 49a so as to extend left and right from the valve portion 49a. It is formed in an L shape. The valve portion 49a passes through the through hole 40d. The discharge valve 49 is configured to forcibly close the discharge port 60a of the air bag 60 during use.

An elastic member 51 is interposed between the load detector 49b of the discharge valve 49 and the bearing member 40. The elastic member 51 is made of an elastic material such as rubber to shrink when subjected to a load above a prescribed value. While the load applied to the elastic member 51 is not greater than this prescribed value, the elastic member 51 keeps the discharge valve 49 in a position to open the discharge port 60a. In contrast, when the load applied to the elastic member 51 exceeds the prescribed value, the elastic member 51 is retracted so that the discharge valve 49 can move to a position to close the discharge port 60. In the state where the user M applies the same load to the outer part 40a and the inner part 40b of the bearing member 40, the prescribed value is slightly smaller than the load applied to the outer part 40a (or the inner part 490b). In addition, since the elastic member 51 may have a known configuration, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the example shown in Figs. 5A to 5C, the air bag 60, the discharge valve 49, and the elastic member 51 constitute the tilting device A. In the following description, the airbag 60, the discharge valve 49, and the elastic member 51 in the outer part 40a are replaced with the airbag 60 and the discharge valve 49 in the inner part 40b. , And the subscript " A " ", And the subscript" B "is attached | subjected to the airbag 60, the discharge valve 49, and the elastic member 51 in the inner part 40b.

Next, the operation of the exercise assisting apparatus shown in FIG. 5 will be described. In the initial state, the air pump supplies air to each air bag 60 so that the bearing member 40 is kept parallel to the horizontal surface. In the initial state, the valve member closes the discharge port 60a of the air bag 60 before the user M rests his foot on the foot support 4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5A, a pair of air bags 60 support the bearing member 40 so that the bearing surface remains parallel to the horizontal plane.

When the user M rests his foot on the foot support 4, the following operation is performed. For example, if the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 is the same as the load applied to the inner portion 40a of the bearing member 40, the valve members of each of the airbags 60A and 60B correspond to each other. The discharge port 60a is opened at about the same time. After the air bag 60 releases air from the inside thereof, the elastic members 51A and 51B start to contract at about the same time. Therefore, the discharge valves 49A and 49B close the discharge port 60a of each of the air bags 60A and 60B at about the same time. As a result, the bearing member 40 does not become inclined and the bearing surface remains parallel to the horizontal plane.

When the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 exceeds the load applied to the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40, each air bag 60A and 60B discharges air from the inside thereof. . However, the elastic member 51A contracts before the elastic member 51B contracts. That is, the discharge port 60a of the air bag 60A is closed before closing the discharge port 60a of the air bag 60B. As a result, the air bag 60A acts to keep the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 spaced apart from the base 41 by a certain distance (see FIG. 5B). As a result, the load applied to the inner portion 40b increases, and then the elastic member 51B starts to contract. Therefore, the discharge port 60a of the air bag 60B is closed, and the air bag 60B acts so that the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40 is spaced apart from the base 41 by a certain distance (Fig. 5c). While the discharge port 60a of each air bag 60A and 60B is closed as described above, the air bag having the discharge port 60a that was closed before the discharge port 60a of the air bag 60B was closed. 60A retains a greater amount of air than air bag 60B and the discharge port 60a of air bag 60B is closed following closure of discharge port 60a of air bag 60A. As a result, the distance between the base 41 and the bearing member 40 is farther from the outer side 40a side than the inner side 40b. In summary, the bearing member 40 is inclined inward with respect to the user M's foot.

When the load applied to the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40 exceeds the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40, each air bag 60A and 60B discharges air from the inside thereof. . However, the elastic member 51B contracts before the elastic member 51A contracts. That is, the discharge port 60a of the air bag 60B is closed before closing the discharge port 60a of the air bag 60A. As a result, the air bag 60B acts to keep the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 spaced apart from the base 41 by a certain distance. As a result, the load applied to the outer portion 40a increases, and then the elastic member 51A starts to contract. Therefore, the discharge port 60a of the air bag 60A is closed, and the air bag 60A acts to keep the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 spaced apart from the base 41 by a certain distance. While the discharge port 60a of each air bag 60A and 60B is closed as described above, the air bag having the discharge port 60a that was closed before the discharge port 60a of the air bag 60A was closed. 60B retains a greater amount of air than airbag 60A and the discharge port 60a of airbag 60A is closed following closure of discharge port 60a of airbag 60B. As a result, the distance between the base 41 and the bearing member 40 is farther from the inner side 40b side than at the outer side 40Ab. In summary, the bearing member 40 is inclined inward with respect to the user M's foot.

As is apparent from the foregoing, the exercise assisting device shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C is provided between the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 and the load applied to the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40. The bearing member 40 can be inclined to reduce the difference. Therefore, it is possible to improve the balance (capacity imbalance) between the outer and inner parts of the muscles of the lower limbs. As a result, the malformed skeleton of the lower extremity can be treated (that is, the alignment of the lower extremity can be restored). In addition, the user can enjoy a comfortable passive exercise (training) in a state where the knee pain is alleviated, which means that even a user who feels knee pain while walking can perform passive exercise. In addition, since an electric circuit for the load detection unit 5 or the like becomes unnecessary, manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The bearing member 40 of the exercise assisting device shown in FIGS. 5A-5C is one board, but for example, the bearing member 40 may be divided into two in its width direction as shown in FIG. 6A. . The exercise assisting device shown in FIG. 6A has a basic structure similar to the exercise assisting device shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts, and description thereof is omitted.

In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the bearing member 40 is divided into an outer portion 40a formed of a rectangular plate and an inner portion 40b formed of a rectangular plate. The outer side part 40b and the inner side part 40a are rotatably coupled to the side wall part 42 provided in the center of the width direction of the base part 41 using the tilting axle 43 and the tilting bearing, respectively. Thus, in the example shown in Fig. 6A, the outer portion 40a and the inner portion 40b are inclined separately from each other.

In the example shown in FIG. 6A, the air bag 60, the discharge valve 49, and the elastic member 51 constitute the tilting device A.

The above-described configuration regarding the division of the bearing member 40 is applicable to the example and the first embodiment shown in FIG. In summary, the tilting device A is designed to reduce the difference between the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 and the load applied to the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40. At least a portion may be configured to be inclined. The bearing member 40 is not limited to the above-described example, so that the distance between the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 and the load applied to the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40 can be varied. Can be configured.

The examples shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 utilize the deflation of the air bag to tilt the bearing member 40. Also as another example, the air pump may be configured to supply air to the air bag 60 to control the inflation of the air bag 60, thereby tilting the bearing member 40.

In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the holder 40c is provided below the rear side of the outer portion 40a and the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40, and the tilting axle ( 43 are rotatably coupled to each other. In the outer part 40a and the inner part 40b of the bearing member 40, the projection part 40e used as a valve | bulb for the discharge port 60a is formed, respectively. An elastic member 51 is disposed between each of the outer side portion 40a and the inner side portion 40b and the holder 40c (the elastic member 51 is not shown in Fig. 6B). The elastic member 51 is contracted when a load greater than a predetermined load is applied, and the protrusion 40e is configured to close the discharge port 60a. The predetermined load is the same as the load applied to the outer portion 40a (or the inner portion 40b) in a state where the user M applies the same load to the outer portion 40a and the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40.

In addition, in the example shown in FIG. 6B, the air bag 60 is disposed between the holder 40c and the base stage 41. Each air bag 60 is provided with an air supply port 60b connected to the air pump described above. The air pump has a bearing surface of each of the outer and outer portions 40a and 40b of the bearing member 40 while the user M equally applies the load to the outer and outer portions 40b and 40a of the bearing member 40. It is configured to supply (pressurize) the air to each air bag 60 so as to remain parallel to the horizontal plane.

Next, the operation of the exercise assisting apparatus shown in FIG. 6B will be described. When the user M rests his foot on the foot support 4, the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 is equal to the load applied to the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40. (I.e., when the user is neither inner varus or valgus), the elastic members 51A and 51B do not contract. Therefore, the discharge port 60a of each air bag 60A and 60B is not closed. In this case, pressure is applied by an air pump to keep the bearing members of each of the outer side portion 40a and the inner side portion 40b parallel to the horizontal plane.

If the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 exceeds the load applied to the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40, the elastic member 51A contracts before the elastic member 51B contracts. . That is, the discharge port 60a of the air bag 60A is closed before the discharge port 60a of the air bag 60B is closed. Therefore, the air bag 60A expands as air is supplied from the air pump, whereby the outer portion 40a is inclined. As a result, the load applied to the inner part 40b (that is, the load applied to the elastic member 51B) increases, whereby the elastic member 51B contracts. When the elastic member 51B contracts, the discharge port 60a of the air bag 60B is closed. As a result, the load applied to the elastic member 51A is reduced, whereby the discharge port 60a of the air bag 60A is opened. In this case, as the air bag 60A0 expands, the air bag 60A contracts, therefore, the inner portion 40b is raised, thereby reducing the load on the inner portion 40b. The load on 40a increases, which not only opens the discharge port 60a of the air bag 60B, but also closes the discharge port 60a of the air bag 60A. It acts to incline the outer part 40a and the inner part 40b so that the load applied to 40a is equal to the load applied to the inner part 40b .. The load applied to the inner part 40b of the bearing member 40, respectively. Even when the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 is exceeded, the exercise assisting device operates in a manner similar to that described above.

As is apparent from the foregoing, the exercise assisting apparatus shown in FIG. 6B reduces the difference between the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 and the load applied to the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40. The bearing member 40 can be tilted to make it. Therefore, it is possible to improve the balance (capacity imbalance) between the outer and inner parts of the muscles of the lower limbs. As a result, the malformed skeleton of the lower extremity can be treated (that is, the alignment of the lower extremity can be restored). In addition, the user can enjoy a comfortable passive exercise (training) in a state where the knee pain is alleviated, which means that even a user who feels knee pain while walking can perform passive exercise. In addition, since an electric circuit for the load detection unit 5 or the like becomes unnecessary, manufacturing cost can be reduced.

The technical features of the present invention can also be applied to the exercise assisting apparatus shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

The exercise assisting device shown in FIG. 7 includes a carrier 30 installed at a predetermined position such as a floor. The support base 32 and the handle post 33 are provided in this carrier 30. The upper end of the support 32 is provided with a seat 9 configured to support the buttocks of the user M. The handle post 33 has a handle 33a which is to be held by the user M as needed during use. A pair of foot supports 4 attached to the carrier 30 are provided between the support 32 and the handle post 33. This foot support 4 is identical to the configuration of the foot support 4 of the first embodiment or each foot support 4 of FIGS. 4 to 6. In the exercise assisting device shown in FIG. 7, the support unit 1 is constituted by a pair of foot supports 4 and a seat 9.

The support 32 is provided with a drive device 2 configured to reciprocate the seat 9. The drive device 2 is configured to reciprocate the seat 9 which is part of the support unit 1 using a drive source (not shown), whereby the user's feet are respectively seated on the foot support 4 and the user The buttocks of the user M are displaced while the buttocks of the user are seated on the seat 9. In summary, the drive device 2 is configured to vary the weight acting on the user M's leg. The drive device 2 displaces the buttocks of the user M, whereby the ratio of supporting the user's weight between the seat 9 and the foot support 4 is variable. In conclusion, the drive device 2 varies the weight of the user acting on the buttocks, thereby varying the weight acting on each foot of the user.

In the state where the angle of the knee maintains the predetermined angle, the load on the thigh of the user M increases as the ratio of the weight of the user's weight supported by the seat 9 decreases. This is analogous to bending the user's knees during squat exercise. That is, the user M is a passive exercise rather than a voluntary movement due to the swing of the seat 9. According to this passive exercise, the femur repeats tension and laxity. Therefore, the user M can exercise mainly for the thighs.

As is apparent from the foregoing, the exercise assisting device shown in FIG. 7 reduces the difference between the load applied to the outer portion 40a of the bearing member 40 and the load applied to the inner portion 40b of the bearing member 40. The bearing member 40 can be tilted to make it. Therefore, even if the user is a varus or valgus, the balance (capacity imbalance) between the outer part and the inner part of the lower extremity muscle can be improved. As a result, the malformed skeleton of the lower extremity can be treated (that is, the alignment of the lower extremity can be restored). In addition, the user can enjoy a comfortable passive exercise (training) in a state where the knee pain is alleviated, which means that even a user who feels knee pain while walking can perform passive exercise.

Claims (4)

In the exercise assist device,
A support unit configured to support a user's body, the support unit including a pair of foot supports having a bearing member for supporting the user's left and right feet;
A drive unit configured to drive the support unit to move the user's body to vary the load applied to the user's lower limb; And
A load applied to the outer portion of the bearing member corresponding to the outer part of the user's foot and an inner portion of the bearing member corresponding to the inner part of the user's foot Tilting device configured to tilt at least a portion of the bearing member to reduce the difference between the loads
Exercise assistance device comprising a. The method of claim 1,
The tilting device,
A load detection unit installed on the foot support and detecting a load applied to the bearing member;
A tilting mechanism unit configured to tilt at least a portion of the bearing member inward or outward of the user's foot; And
A control unit configured to control the tilting mechanism unit based on the load detected by the load detection unit
Including, exercise assisting device. The method of claim 2,
The load detection unit includes two load sensors respectively installed on the outer portion and the inner portion of the bearing member,
And the control unit controls the tilting mechanism unit to reduce the difference between the loads respectively detected by the two load sensors. The method of claim 2,
The load detecting unit includes a load sensor provided on either the outer portion or the inner portion of the bearing member,
The control unit compares the load detected by the load sensor with a predetermined threshold and based on the comparison result, the difference between the load applied to the outer side of the bearing member and the load applied to the inner side of the bearing member. To determine, exercise aids.

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