Method and apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive load during exercise

Abstract

An apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive load during exercise includes a wheel unit, a resistance generator, a torque transfer device, an angle measuring device, and a control unit. The wheel unit rotates in response to exertion of a user-applied force during an exercise stroke. The resistance generator generates a resistive torque for resisting rotation of the wheel unit when the user-applied force is exerted. The torque transfer device transfers a fraction of the resistive torque from the resistance generator to the wheel unit. The angle measuring device detects angular rotation of the wheel unit during each exercise stroke. The control unit, in accordance with the angular rotation of the wheel unit during a current exercise stroke, controls the torque transfer device to adjust the fraction of the resistive torque that is transferred to the wheel unit.

1 . A method for providing a dynamically variable resistive load during exercise, the method being implemented using an apparatus that includes 
 a wheel unit that is operable so as to rotate in response to exertion of a user-applied force during an exercise stroke,    a resistance generator that is operable so as to generate a resistive torque for resisting rotation of the wheel unit when the user-applied force is exerted, and    an electrically controlled torque transfer device that couples the resistance generator to the wheel unit and that is operable so as to transfer a fraction of the resistive torque from the resistance generator to the wheel unit,    the method comprising the steps of:    a) detecting angular rotation of the wheel unit during each exercise stroke; and    b) in accordance with the detected angular rotation of the wheel unit during a current exercise stroke, controlling the torque transfer device to adjust the fraction of the resistive torque that is transferred to the wheel unit.    
   
   
       2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, in step b), the fraction of the resistive torque is gradually increased with an increase in angular displacement of the wheel unit from an initial position during the current exercise stroke, and is gradually reduced when otherwise.  
   
   
       3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, in step b), the fraction of the resistive torque is increased upon detection that the time for the wheel unit to reach a predetermined angular displacement during the current exercise stroke is smaller than a first threshold, and is reduced upon detection that the time for the wheel unit to reach the predetermined angular displacement during the current exercise stroke is greater than a second threshold.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus for providing a dynamically variable resistive load during exercise, comprising: 
 a wheel unit that is operable so as to rotate in response to exertion of a user-applied force during an exercise stroke;    a resistance generator that is operable so as to generate a resistive torque for resisting rotation of said wheel unit when the user-applied force is exerted;    an electrically controlled torque transfer device that couples said resistance generator to said wheel unit and that is operable so as to transfer a fraction of the resistive torque from said resistance generator to said wheel unit;    an angle measuring device for detecting angular rotation of said wheel unit during each exercise stroke; and    a control unit coupled to said torque transfer device and said angle measuring device;    wherein, in accordance with the angular rotation of said wheel unit detected by said angle measuring device during a current exercise stroke, said control unit controls said torque transfer device to adjust the fraction of the resistive torque that is transferred to said wheel unit.    
   
   
       5 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said control unit controls said torque transfer device to gradually increase the fraction of the resistive torque with an increase in angular displacement of said wheel unit from an initial position during the current exercise stroke, and to gradually reduce the fraction of the resistive torque when otherwise.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said control unit controls said torque transfer device to increase the fraction of the resistive torque upon detection that the time for said wheel unit to reach a predetermined angular displacement during the current exercise stroke is smaller than a first threshold, and to reduce the fraction of the resistive torque upon detection that the time for said wheel unit to reach the predetermined angular displacement during the current exercise stroke is greater than a second threshold.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said resistance generator includes an electric motor that is coupled to said control unit so as to control activation of said electric motor.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said control unit is further operable so as to control direction of the resistive torque generated by said electric motor.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said torque transfer device includes an electromagnetic mechanical particle clutch.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said wheel unit includes an optical encoder wheel, and said angle measuring device includes a photoelectric sensor operably associated with said optical encoder wheel.