Exercise machine combining a physical weight resistance source and an electromechanical resistance source

Abstract

The present application generally relates to an exercise machine. The exercise machine comprises a body, a physical weight, an electromechanical resistance module, a pulley system attached to the body and a user interface. The physical weight provides a first resistance source for a first cable, while the electromechanical resistance module provides a second resistance source for a second cable. The pulley system is configured to integrate a resistance from the first and second resistance sources into a single output resistance by guiding the first cable and second cable to an adapter to which the first cable and the second cable are attached. The user interface is connected to the adapter and serves to apply a force against the single output resistance.

1 . An exercise machine, comprising:
 a. a body,   b. a physical weight providing a first resistance source for a first cable,   c. an electromechanical resistance module providing a second resistance source for a second cable,   d. a pulley system attached to the body configured to integrate the resistance from the first and second resistance sources into a single output resistance by guiding the first cable and second cable to an adapter to which the first cable and the second cable are attached,   e. a user interface connected to the adapter for applying a force against the single output resistance.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the pulley system comprises at least a first pulley and a second pulley,   wherein the first pulley guides the first cable and the second pulley guides the second cable in such way that the first cable and the second cable are oriented parallel to each other.   
     
     
         3 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first cable and the second cable are continuously attached to the adapter via a double cable coupling.   
     
     
         4 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first cable and the second cable are attached to the adapter in such way that the adapter can pull the first cable and the second cable parallel to each other, when force is applied to the adapter.   
     
     
         5 . The exercise machine of  claim 2 ,
 wherein the adapter comprises a force application point for applying a force against the single output resistance, wherein the force application point is located centrally between the parallel-aligned first and second cables, and wherein the user interface is connected to force application point.   
     
     
         6 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the adapter comprises two sleeves which respectively receive the first and second cables, wherein the first and second cables, which are guided in parallel, have a maximum distance from one another which lies in a range between 5 mm-200 mm.   
     
     
         7 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the pulley system comprises four pulleys, wherein a first pulley and a third pulley guide the first cable and a second pulley and a fourth pulley guide the second cable,   wherein the first pulley and the second pulley are arranged on a first axis,   wherein the third pulley and the fourth pulley are arranged on a second axis, the first axis and the second axis being arranged parallel to each other.   
     
     
         8 . The exercise machine of  claim 7 ,
 wherein the first axis and the second axis have a different distance in respect to an attachment surface of the body which is parallel aligned to the first axis and the second axis.   
     
     
         9 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the electromechanical resistance module comprises an electric motor with a winch on which the second cable can be wound and unwound.   
     
     
         10 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the electromechanical resistance module comprises a housing which serves as a structural component of the body.   
     
     
         11 . The exercise machine of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the electromechanical resistance module comprises a control unit with a data processing unit for controlling the second resistance source and a communication unit for data communication.   
     
     
         12 . The exercise machine of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the user interface comprises means for providing an input signal to the control unit.   
     
     
         13 . The exercise machine of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the exercise machine further comprises a sensor system configured to acquire the resistance of the first resistance source or the second resistance source or the single output resistance or the movement of the physical weight or the force applied to the adapter or the movement of the first cable, the second cable or the adapter,   wherein the sensor system comprises means for providing acquired data to the control unit.   
     
     
         14 . The exercise machine of  claim 13 ,
 wherein the electromechanical resistance module and the sensor system is in data communication with an external device having a data processing unit and a communication unit,   wherein the sensor system comprises means for providing acquired data to the external device,   wherein the user interface comprises means for providing an input signal to the external device,   wherein in external device is configured to process the provided data of the sensor system or the provided input data of the user interface or to transmit control commands to the electromechanical resistance module.   
     
     
         15 . A Method for adjusting a force to be applied by a user to an exercise machine comprising:
 a. a body,   b. a physical weight providing a first resistance source for a first cable,   c. an electromechanical resistance module providing a second resistance source for a second cable, wherein the electromechanical resistance module comprises a control unit with a data processing unit for controlling the second resistance source and a communication unit for data communication,   d. a pulley system attached to the body configured to integrate the resistance from the first and second resistance sources into a single output resistance by guiding the first cable and second cable to an adapter to which the first cable and the second cable are attached,   e. a user interface connected to the adapter for applying a force against the single output resistance, wherein the user interface comprises means for providing an input signal to the control unit,   f. a sensor system configured to acquire
 a resistance of the first resistance source or the second resistance source or the single output resistance or a movement of the physical weight or a force applied to the adapter or a movement of the first cable, the second cable or the adapter, 
   wherein the sensor system comprises means for providing acquired data to the control unit,   
       the method comprising the following steps:
 i. applying a force against the single output resistance by the user interface, 
 ii. acquiring the movement of the physical weight, in particular a speed or an acceleration of the movement, by the sensor system, 
 iii. providing the acquired data of the sensor system to the control unit of the electromechanical resistance module, 
 iv. detecting by the control unit of a decrease in the speed or acceleration in relation to previously acquired data by the sensor system, 
 v. adjusting the second resistance source by the control unit, or 
 i. applying a force against the single output resistance by the user interface, 
 ii. providing an input signal to the control unit by the user interface, 
 iii. adjusting the second resistance source by the control unit, or 
 i. providing an input signal to the control unit of the electromechanical resistance module which sets the control unit in an automatic training mode, 
 ii. applying a force against the single output resistance by the user interface, causing the physical weight to be lifted, 
 iii. reducing the force against the single output resistance causing the physical weight to be lowered, 
 iv. adjusting the second resistance source by the control unit.