Patent Abstract:
The fitness cycle of the present invention is equipped with a DC motor along with a control circuit, enabling the users to drive the trampling set via the DC motor. Multiple speeds can be adjusted via a control device to generate a steering effect. Conversely, if the users need an increased movement resistance load, the fitness cycle allows for free switching to generate resistance by the same DC motor through current control. The resistance value to generate a multi-speed resistance movement effect is adjustable. With the configuration of the seating unit, the users flexibly adjust and adapt themselves to an optimum ergonomic posture.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable. 
       NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    cycleThe present invention relates generally to a fitness cycle, and more particularly to an innovative cycle with electric driving and resistance functions, allowing for multi-speed adjustment, cycle 
         [0007]    2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98. 
         [0008]    cycleA conventional fitness cycle can be referred to as a track stepper, which allows a user to set a damping value for a damping device, this value being adjustable when necessary. The user will sense the resistance as if stepping on a trampoline, having to drive the stepper with greater force to achieve the desired fitness purpose. So, a fitness cycle is an piece of active fitness equipment for healthy users. 
         [0009]    For physically disabled users, a self-driven fitness cycle is also developed for driving force against resistance. When the user steps on the equipment, a switch button is pressed to activate the trampoline-like stepping movement, thereby achieving the purpose of fitness or rehabilitation. So, this fitness cycle is a piece of passive fitness equipment for physically disabled users. 
         [0010]    However, the aforementioned structures are unavailable with a dual motion mode that can be switched between active and passive motions. Thus, there is still a room for improvement in this industry. 
         [0011]    Moreover, the seating unit of existing fitness cycles is generally equipped with an adjustment mechanism. However, such adjustment mechanisms have a single position or height configuration that does not allow the user to adjust in dual directions. So, the motion angle cannot be adapted efficiently to meet customized ergonomic demands. 
         [0012]    Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement in the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve efficacy. 
         [0013]    Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    cycleWith the configuration of a control circuit, the fitness cycle, users drive along with a DC motor to generate a multi-speed steering effect, when intended for passive movement. Conversely, if the users need resistance, the control circuit allows for free switching into the resistance training with foot movements on a trampling unit, so as to generate resistance by the same DC motor through current control, The resistance value is adjusted to generate a multi-speed resistance movement effect. 
         [0015]    Thus, the present invention is suitable for physically healthy users or disabled users, who can physically exercise through manual or automatic switching between a fitness purpose or recovery purpose. 
         [0016]    With the configuration of the seating unit, users flexibly adjust the guide device and slide device via the chair seat in a manual or automatic adjustment mode. An optimum ergonomic movement gesture is adapted for each user. For example, the included angle between two legs and feet can be set at 45° when the feet step on the footplate. 
         [0017]    Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    cycle  FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  depicts a side elevation view of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  depicts a schematic view of an illustration of the flow control of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  depicts another schematic view of an illustration to the flow control view of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  depicts a schematic view of the circuit of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  depicts a side elevation view of the chair adjustment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  depicts a side elevation view of the usual chair adjustment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    cycleThe features and the advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1-7  depict preferred embodiments of the fitness cycle of the present invention. The embodiments are provided for only explanatory purposes with respect to the patent claims. 
         [0027]    The fitness cycle A comprises a carriage  1 , a trampling unit  2  on the carriage  1 , a control device  3  as an operating display panel, and a seating unit  4 . 
         [0028]    The trampling unit  2  is composed of DC motor  20 , trampling set  21  and secondary drive unit  22 . The secondary drive unit  22  is composed of a big pulley, fly wheels  23 ,  24  and drive belt  25 . The DC motor  20  is driven by a power supply and also connected with the control device  3 . The control device  3  comprises a circuit control unit  30  and an output module  31  connected to the circuit control unit  30 . A signal control and switching unit  32  connects with output module  31 . A vector compensation module  33  connects with the signal control and switching unit  32 . A resistance control loop  34  and a steering control loop  35  connect with the signal control and switching unit  32 . A brake module  36  connects to resistance control loop  34 . 
         [0029]    When the control device  3  inputs a signal to the circuit control unit  30  enabling the power supply to feed an output power to DC motor  20  for generating a rated voltage, the signal is transmitted via the output module  31  to the signal control and switching unit  32 . Next, the signal is read and computed along with vector compensation module  33 , and then output to the steering control loop  35 , enabling DC motor  20  to drive the trampling set  21  so as to form an electric steering system. Conversely, if the trampling set  21  is applied to drive DC motor  20  when the input voltage of trampling set  21  is greater than the rated voltage of DC motor  20 , the signal will be detected by circuit control unit  30  and fed back reversely to output module  31 , then being transmitted to signal control and switching unit  32  for reading and computation. Finally, output to the resistance control loop  34  and the damping value is output by the brake module  36 , so as to shape a motion resistance system. 
         [0030]    Said seating unit  4  is equipped with a mobile unit  40 , a lifting unit  41  and a chair seat  42 . The mobile unit  40  is composed of a slide device  43  and a mobile motor  44 . The mobile motor  44  is adapted onto the front end of the carriage  1 , and also provided with a shifting axle  45  mated with the slide device  43 . The lifting unit  41  is coupled with the mobile unit  40 , and also provided with a support frame  46 , a guide device  47  and a lifting motor  48 . The support frame  46  is fastened onto the slide device  43 , and the guide device  47  is mounted onto the support frame  46 . The lifting motor  48  is mounted onto the slide device  43 , and also provided with a lifting shaft  49 . The chair seat  42  is coupled with the lifting unit  41 . The back of the chair seat  42  is coupled with the guide device  47  of lifting unit  41 , and the bottom of the chair seat  42  coupled with the lifting shaft  49  of lifting motor  48 . 
         [0031]    DC motor  20  is a brush motor or brushless motor. 
         [0032]    The circuit control unit  30  is operated through the control device  3  to change the revolution number of DC motor  21 , allowing for multi-speed variation. 
         [0033]    The signal control and switching unit  32  is an OP AMP (operation amplifier). 
         [0034]    The circuit control unit  30  is equipped with an A/D converter to detect the change of rated voltage. 
         [0035]    The control device  3  is available with a manual mode or a manual/auto switching mode. The control device is provided with a startup key, a manual switching key, an auto switching key, a mode switch key and a stop key, all of which are connected with the circuit control unit  30 . 
         [0036]    Based upon above-specified structures, the present invention is operated as follows: 
         [0037]      FIGS. 3 and 4  depict flow control views of the present invention, which are read in conjunction with the schematic view of the circuit of  FIG. 5 . Since DC motor  20  is used as a drive motor, the drive power of the DC motor is power supply E, and the operation amplifier (OP AMP) Q 2  is applied to control the feedback circuit. According to the relational expression of Vref 2 =Vo×R 4 /(R 4 +R 3 ), rated voltage will be generated at both ends of DC motor  20 , the positive and negative electrodes. 
         [0038]    Generally, the output of operation amplifier (OP AMP) is switched through Pulse Width Modulation circuit (PWM), and Tr 1  (FET or IGBT) switched via drive unit. Then, the rated voltage Vo will be generated. Referring to  FIG. 4 , although the input of operation amplifier (−) is switched through a circuit at both ends of the DC motor, the input is performed through a low-pass filter in an actual circuit. Additionally, given the fact that the rated voltage Vo of Tr 1  is higher than the potential of grounding end (GND), the basic potential of operation amplifier (OP AMP) Q 2  is the potential of grounding end (GND), and the drive level of Tr 1  must be switched. A High Side Driver and optical coupler shall be required. Subsequently, Vref 2  is controlled by a microcomputer (MPU). Due to a proportional relationship between revolution number of controlled motor and the rated voltage Vo, there is also a proportional relationship between revolution number and Vref 2 , and the revolution number of DC motor  20  can be set randomly via microcomputer (MPU). In such a case, since the growing load of DC motor  20  leads to increase of current, the motor current must be controlled, thus forming a rated current circuit controlled by operation amplifier (OP AMP) Q 3 . The upper limit of motor current could be determined as the voltage of Vref 3 ×(R 2 /R 1 ) generated at both ends of Re 2  is measured from the current. When the fitness cycle A is used as a DC motor  20 , the revolution number obtained from Vref 2  and maximum torque could be determined, and the torque load for the feet is also set for the safety of the elderly users and physically disabled users. 
         [0039]    If the user steps on the footplate more energetically, namely, making the rotational speed faster than the revolution number decided by Vref 2 , the generating voltage of DC motor  20  will be bigger than the aforementioned rated voltage Vo. The feedback circuit controlled by operation amplifier (OP AMP) Q 2  will be switched off, while the output voltage of operation amplifier (OP AMP) Q 2  will be smaller than the feedback circuit. The voltage change is detected by an A/D converter of microcomputer (MPU). The output voltage of operation amplifier (OP AMP) Q 2  will make Tr 1  in an OFF state. 
         [0040]    The aforementioned describes the principle of generating electricity by stepping on the footplate, whereby electricity is generated by DC motor  20 , and whereby voltage is generated from the positive and negative electrodes as shown in  FIG. 5 . In the feedback circuit of operation amplifier (OP AMP) Q 1 , the electric energy generates via Tr 2  a rated current Io from the positive electrode of the DC motor to Re 1 , and finally back to the negative electrode of DC motor. The current of power supply (E) does not flow to the DC motor when Tr 1  is in OFF state. The rated current Io is determined by Vref 1  controlled by microcomputer (MPU). The load of fitness cycle A is caused from trampling set  21  since there is a proportional relationship between rated current value Io and torque of DC motor. This torque will increase the footplate torque for the gear ratio of the big pulley and fly wheel  23 ,  24 . 
         [0041]    It is thus learnt that, this circuit can be applied to the fitness cycle. Since the DC motor can be switched smoothly from a drive motor to a generator, it is possible to increase Vref 1  from 0V, and also to convert the current in reverse, thereby achieving an active/passive switching mode to meet customer demands. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 6 and 7  depict the application view of seating unit  4  of the present invention, which controls the mobile unit  40  and lifting unit  41  of seating unit  4  through chair seat controller  50 , so that the chair seat  42  moves forward/backward and lifts up/down in the carriage  1  along with the slide device  43  and guide device  47 , allowing flexible adjustment according to the stature of users and achieving a most comfortable and appropriate motion angle. 
         [0043]    Additionally, said chair seat controller  50  could be arranged at a preset location of the chair seat  42  by manual adjustment or onto the control device  4  by electrical adjustment. 
         [0044]    With the use of the electric steering/resistance switching system, a bigger resistance ratio may be set when a healthy user starts to step on the footplate. After the foot muscles gradually adapt, the resistance ratio may be reduced by an automatic electric switching system, and the stepping motion of user is driven by a DC motor for a better movement effect. As for female users, the muscle of legs could also be trimmed. 
         [0045]    When a physically disabled user starts the fitness movement, the DC motor is used to drive the movement along with the trampling set. When the legs gradually recover, a resistance ratio may be set through the control device  4 , enabling the user to step continuously via the user&#39;s own force for better recovery efficacy.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0