Sensing device for training machine

A sensing device for a training machine is disclosed. The training machine includes a base frame and two linkage assemblies, which are provided on two lateral sides of the base frame, and are pivotally connected to the base frame. The sensing device includes a sensed member and a sensing unit. The sensed member is engaged with the inside of one of the linkage assemblies, and moves along a movement path along with the linkage assemblies. The sensing unit includes sensors and a processor. Each of the sensors outputs a signal when the sensed member is located in a sensing range thereof. When the sensed member moves along the movement path, it is sequentially sensed by the sensors, and each of the sensors outputs the signal respectively. The processor receives the signals to determine a moving distance of the sensed member accordingly. Whereby, an amount of training could be measured accurately.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a training machine, and more particularly to a sensing device for measuring a training route.

2. Description of Related Art

Modern people are usually busy and restless, and such lifestyle may cause poor circulation, the problem of inattention, and even illness. With the trend of health consciousness, using a training machine to increase the amount of exercise has become a popular choice, which could enhance the physical ability, increase lung capacity, and maintain the body in a better condition.

The amount of exercise while using a training machine is a basis for determining whether the amount is sufficient to facilitate the metabolism of the body. Therefore, a sensing device would be provided on a training machine to measure the training set and to display the related data for reference.

A training machine adapted to perform a swinging motion is common to have a wheel body indirectly connected to an operable structure. When a user completes a periodic motion, the wheel body makes a complete turn as well. Hence, a sensing device is usually provided on the wheel body, whereby the amount of exercise could be measured by counting the revolution of the wheel body.

However, when the training machine is used by someone with impaired limb function for the purpose of rehabilitation, the wheel body of the training machine may not make a complete turn every time. In such a case, the wheel body would not make a complete revolution, either. As a result, the validity of the measuring of the amount of exercise would be greatly affected. In light of this, if there is a product capable of improving the above problem, it would certainly meet the market requirements.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a sensing device for a training machine, which could accurately measure an amount of training.

In order to achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a sensing device for a training machine, wherein the training machine includes a base frame and at least one linkage assembly. The at least one linkage assembly is pivotally connected to the base frame, and is adapted to be pivoted relative to the base frame by a force. The sensing device includes a sensed member and a sensing unit. The sensing device is engaged with the at least one linkage assembly, wherein the sensed member moves along a movement path along with the at least one linkage assembly. The sensing unit includes a plurality of sensors provided on the base frame, wherein each of the sensors outputs a signal when the sensed member is located in a sensing range of each of the sensors. When the sensed member moves along the movement path, the sensed member is sequentially sensed by the sensors, and the sensors correspondingly output the signals respectively.

With the aforementioned design, the amount of training could be measured accurately.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A training machine which includes a sensing device of the embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIG. 1, wherein the training machine includes a base frame10and a wheel body20.

The base frame10includes a bottom bar11, two cross bars12,13, a support14, and a post15, wherein the cross bars12,13are respectively connected to two ends of the bottom bar11. The support14is arched, and an end of the support14is connected to the bottom bar11, while another end thereof is connected to one of the cross bars (i.e., the cross bar12). The post15is located between the support14and the bottom bar11, and two ends of the post15are respectively connected to the support14and the bottom bar11. Said support14is adapted to be provided with a seat (not shown). The wheel body20is rotatably provided on the post15. Two connecting portions13aare provided on the other one of the cross bars (i.e., the cross bar13).

The training machine further includes two linkage assemblies provided on two lateral sides of the wheel body20. Each linkage assembly includes a driving member30and a driven member32, wherein the driven member32is a rod. The driving member30has a main shaft and two subsidiary portions provided on the main shaft, wherein the two subsidiary portions are respectively provided on the main shaft in different radial directions. The main shaft of the driving member30is connected to the corresponding connecting portion13a. A free end of the driving member30is connected to a pedal (not shown), while another free end thereof is pivotally connected to an end of the driven member32. Another end of the driven member32is eccentrically and pivotally connected to a disk34, wherein the disk34is provided on the post, and is coaxial with the wheel body20. Whereby, the driven member32could be rotated along an elliptical movement path along with the rotation of the wheel body20. With the design above, when the seat is sat on and the pedals are alternately pedaled, the driving member30could be pivoted relative to the base frame10by a force, and the wheel body20would rotate along with the driven member32. In this way, a specific type of leg exercise could be performed.

The training machine further includes a sensing device, wherein the sensing device includes a sensed member40and a sensing unit42. The sensed member40is engaged with the inside of one of the driven member32of the linkage assemblies, and includes a magnet, wherein the sensed member40would rotate along an elliptical movement path along with an operation of the training machine. As shown inFIG. 3, the sensing unit42includes a circuit board421, a processor422, and a plurality of sensors423, wherein the circuit board421is provided on the support14, and faces the sensed member40. The processor422and the sensors423are provided on the circuit board421and electrically connected to the circuit board421. In the embodiment, the sensors423are Hall Effect sensors. Furthermore, the sensors423are located within an area surrounded by the elliptical movement path of the sensed member40, and are arranged in a line, wherein the line passes through a major axis of the elliptical movement path of the sensed member40.

As shown inFIG. 4, when the seat is sat on and the pedals are alternately pedaled, the wheel body20would be rotated smoothly, and the sensed member40would rotate along the elliptical movement path. Whereby, the sensors423would sequentially sense the sensed member40and respectively output a signal to the processor422. The signals could be processed by the processor422to determine an actual moving distance of the sensed member40, which could be then used as a reference to an amount of training.

As shown inFIG. 5, when the training machine is used by someone with impaired limb function for the purpose of rehabilitation, the seat would also be sat on, and the pedals would be alternately pedaled as well, except that the user may not be able to drive the wheel body20normally to make a complete turn every time, subjecting to the physical strength and the limb movements of the user. In such a condition, the sensed member40could still move along a curved path along with the operation. Whereby, the sensed member40could sequentially pass through a sensing range of each of the sensors, whereby the sensors which successfully senses the sensed member40would respectively output the signal to the processor422. Therefore, the actual movement of the sensed member40could be realized by the processor422.

In other words, no matter whether the wheel body20is turned for one complete revolution or not, as long as the sensed member40is within the sensing range of any one of the sensors423, the sensors423could output the corresponding signals to the processor422. In this way, the processor422could determine the moving distance of the sensed member40accordingly, whereby the actual moving distance could be accurately measured.

It is worth mentioning that, in order to ensure the reliability of the sensors423, the sensors423in the embodiment are not simply arranged in the line, two ends of the line are further positioned on the curved path of the sensed member40. Whereby, the sensors423could be located quite near the curved path, which ensures that the sensed member40falls within the sensing range of one of the sensors423.

However, the arrangement of the sensors423on the circuit board421is not a limitation of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 6, a plurality of sensors52in the sensing unit are arranged in a staggered order and located within the area surrounded by the elliptical movement path of the sensed member40. Also, as shown inFIG. 7, a plurality of sensors62are arranged along a curved path and, again, located within the area surrounded by the elliptical movement path. As shown inFIG. 8, a plurality of sensors72are arranged in a line, which is similar to the arrangement shown inFIG. 3, yet the sensors72are located outside of the area surrounded by the elliptical movement path of a sensed member74. A width and a length of the sensed member40,74could be appropriately modified to ensure the sensors423,52,62,72able to perform their function.