초록 ▼

An exercise machine utilizes a mechanical brake to provide the principal resistance. A dynamoelectric machine has its rotor connected to the flywheel of the exercise machine and its stator rotatably mounted to the apparatus frame and connected to the actuation input of the mechanical brake. The torq

An exercise machine utilizes a mechanical brake to provide the principal resistance. A dynamoelectric machine has its rotor connected to the flywheel of the exercise machine and its stator rotatably mounted to the apparatus frame and connected to the actuation input of the mechanical brake. The torque applied between the rotor and stator of the dynamoelectric machine tends to turn the stator and thus actuates the mechanical brake. A control system is arranged to control the current flow through the dynamoelectric machine and thereby control actuation of the brake. This allows a small dynamoelectric machine to effectively control a very large resistance. The dynamoelectric machine may also be used as a motor to drive the apparatus. Thus, the control system can actuate the dynamoelectric machine either to apply drag or to drive the apparatus thereby provided through constant speed operation.

대표청구항 ▼

Exercise apparatus comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a main motion element movably mounted to said frame; (c) work input means for moving said main motion element in a forward direction responsive to force applied by a person using the apparatus; (d) mechanical brake means having an actuation input eleme

Exercise apparatus comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a main motion element movably mounted to said frame; (c) work input means for moving said main motion element in a forward direction responsive to force applied by a person using the apparatus; (d) mechanical brake means having an actuation input element mounted to said frame for movement in an engage direction and in a release direction for retarding motion of said main motion element relative to said frame upon application of an engaging force urging said actuation input element in said engage direction; (e) a drag device having first and second elements movable relative to one another and relative to said frame in first and second directions, said first element being linked to said main motion element for motion therewith in said first direction upon motion of said main motion element in said forward direction, said first and second elements of said drag device being mounted to said frame for rotation about a common axis, said first and second directions being directions of rotation about said common axis, said second element of said drag device being connected to said actuation input element of said mechanical brake means so that movement of said second element in said first direction will cause movement of said actuation input element in said engaged direction, said drag device including means for controllably resisting movement of said first and second elements relative to one another, whereby upon motion of said main motion element in said forward direction said means for controllably resisting will cause said second element to apply an engaging force urging said actuation input element in said engaged direction, said means for controllably resisting movement of said first and second elements relative to one another including means for applying a drag torque between said first and second elements so as to urge said second element in said first direction of rotation and urge said first element in said second direction of rotation; and (f) control means for controlling resistance applied by said drag device to thereby control said engaging force and the degree of retardation applied by said mechanical brake means.