Electromagnetic force strength training device

Abstract

The present invention describes a system for utilizing electromagnetic force as resistance in a strength training device. A controller is used to receive desired exercise parameters from the user. Based upon the desired exercise parameters, an electric current level is calculated and applied to an impermanent magnet to generate an electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field exerts an electromagnetic force on a magnet belonging to a force applicator to provide resistance to the user during the exercise of muscles with the force applicator. As a result, the strength training device provides resistance for the user in the form of an electromagnetic force rather than conventional gravitational force associated with free weights.

1 . A strength training device arranged for providing resistance to a user in the form of an electromagnetic force during the exercise of at least one group of muscles, the strength training device comprising:
 a force applicator for receiving a repetitious motion by the user during the exercise of at least one group of muscles, the force applicator including a magnet;   an electromagnetic plate, wherein the electromagnetic plate generates an electromagnetic field based upon an electric current received;   a user input indicative of a user's desired exercise parameters when performing the repetitious motion; and   a controller for controlling the electric current applied to the electromagnetic plate, wherein the electric current applied is based at least in part upon the user input,   wherein the electromagnetic field exerts the electromagnetic force on the magnet, the electromagnetic force providing resistance to the user during the exercise of at least one group of muscles.   
     
     
         2 . The strength training device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the repetitious motion is perpendicular to the direction of the electromagnetic field. 
     
     
         3 . The strength training device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the electromagnetic plate includes a wire wrapped around at least one impermanent magnet, wherein the electromagnetic field is generated when electric current is carried through the wire. 
     
     
         4 . The strength training device as recited in  claim 1  further comprising at least one sensor for measuring positional information 
     
     
         5 . The strength training device as recited in  claim 4  wherein the positional information is used by the controller to calculate the electric current to apply to the electromagnetic plate. 
     
     
         6 . The strength training device as recited in  claim 5  wherein the positional information includes the distance between the force applicator and the electromagnetic plate. 
     
     
         7 . The strength training device as recited in  claim 4  wherein the positional information is continuously measured. 
     
     
         8 . The strength training device as recited in  claim 7  wherein the positional information is used by the controller to determine whether the force applicator is within a working boundary. 
     
     
         9 . The strength training device as recited in  claim 8  wherein when the force applicator is outside the working boundary, current is not applied to the electromagnetic plate. 
     
     
         10 . The strength training device as recited in  claim 9  wherein the working boundary is set based upon the path of the repetitive motion. 
     
     
         11 . The strength training device as recited in  claim 7  wherein the controller dynamically adjusts the current applied to the electromagnetic plate according to the position of the force applicator with respect to the electromagnetic plate. 
     
     
         12 . The strength training device as recited in  claim 4  wherein the user input includes a desired resistance value associated with a range of motion that is part of the repetitious motion and the current applied to the electromagnetic plate is dynamically adjusted to maintain the desired resistance value throughout the range of motion. 
     
     
         13 . The strength training device as recited in  claim 1  wherein the user input includes a desired number of repetitions and the electromagnetic force gradually decreases as the user approaches the desired number of repetitions. 
     
     
         14 . The strength training device as recited in  claim 14  wherein the force applicator further includes an activation sensor, wherein electric current is applied to the electromagnet plate based upon the state of the activation sensor. 
     
     
         15 . A method for using electromagnetic force as resistance in a strength training device comprising:
 receiving desired exercise parameters from a user;   measuring the position of a force applicator used for repetitious motion by the user during the exercise of at least one group of muscles, wherein the force applicator includes a magnet; and   calculating an electric current level based at least in part upon the desired exercise parameters and the position of the force applicator; and   applying the electric current level to a wire wrapped around an impermanent magnet, the electric current level generating an electromagnetic field exerts an electromagnetic force on the magnet, the electromagnetic force providing resistance to the user during the exercise of at least one group of muscles.   
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 15  wherein when the position of the force applicator is outside a working boundary, the electric current level is zero. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 15  wherein the electric current level is further based upon the position of the force applicator with respect to the electromagnetic plate. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 15  wherein the desired exercise parameters include a desired resistance level associated with a range of motion that is part of the repetitious motion. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 18  wherein the electric current level is dynamically adjusted to maintain the desired resistance level throughout the range of motion. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 15  further comprising determining the state of an activation sensor belonging to the force applicator, wherein electric current is applied to the electromagnet plate based upon the state of the activation sensor.