WO2010093077A1

WO2010093077A1 - A cycling machine

Info

Publication number: WO2010093077A1
Application number: PCT/KR2009/000727
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gyu Je Jaw
Original assignee: Gyu Je Jaw
Priority date: 2009-02-13
Filing date: 2009-02-13
Publication date: 2010-08-19

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cycling machine, and provides a cycling machine that provides exercising load through a speed reduction device employing rotational force of a motor. The present invention is configured to include a supporting portion defining a framework, a pedal provided on the supporting portion for a user to apply motive force to, a gear connected to the pedal to be rotated by the motive force from the user, a motor provided on the supporting portion and supplied with external electrical power to generate rotational force, a speed reduction device with a rotating shaft intersecting a rotating shaft of the motor to provide exercising load on the motive force through the rotational force of the motor, a sprocket provided on a side of the speed reduction device, a connecting member connecting the gear and the sprocket, and a controller controlling the motor. Thus, the present invention has the advantage of facilitating reduction of maintenance costs of a cycling machine.

Description

A CYCLING MACHINE

The present invention relates to a cycling machine.

In general, a bicycle is a vehicle that is propelled forward by force generated through a person stepping on pedals with both feet to rotate the wheels, and although initially developed as a mode of transportation, bicycles are being used as an exercise tool to improve health by an increasing number of people due to recent burgeoning interest in health enhancement.

However, when bicycles are used where there is much automotive traffic such as central city areas, a plurality of dangerous elements such as road conditions and moving vehicles are presented, and the use of bicycles for exercise has many restrictions imposed in the summer or winter seasons from environmental factors such as rain, snow, and temperature.

To therefore solve these problems, cycling machines, that permit cycling exercise indoors instead of outdoors, have been developed and are being used.

In general, while maintained in a fixed position, a cycling machine enables exercise through cycling and is configured with a wheel-type disk connected to pedals on a fixed frame forming the chassis, and employs a brake on the disk connected to the pedals to apply rotational resistance to provide exercise results.

Specifically, when a user rotates the disk by pressing the pedals, by controlling the amount of friction between the disk and the brake, the amount of force that must be exerted for the user to rotate the disk is varied, thus enabling the user to control exercise intensity.

However, a cycling machine according to the related art as configured above is made to adjust the exercise intensity for a user through direct friction between the disk and the brake, thus presenting the problem of extensive brake wear after prolonged use.

Thus, when brake wear becomes extensive, the problem of reduced results from exercising on the cycling machine is manifested, which in turn, causes the problem of emotional dissatisfaction of a user.

Also, cycling machines configured as above with a disk and brake enable pedaling in only one direction - that is, because a user can only push the pedals in a forward direction, the user can experience boredom while exercising, thus giving rise to the problem of users easily losing interest.

To solve the above problems of the related art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cycling machine that uses a speed reduction device connected to a motor to control exercise loads.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cycling machine configured so that the pedaling force of a user is controlled by the rotating force of a motor through a speed reduction device and a connecting member.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cycling machine that enables a user to rotate pedals in a reverse direction as well as a forward direction.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a cycling machine that does not transmit the operating load of a motor through a connecting member when the pedals are rotated in the reverse direction described above.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a cycling machine provided with a controller for controlling the rotational force of a motor.

The present invention provides a cycling machine including: a supporting portion forming a framework; a force input unit provided on the supporting portion for a user to apply motive force to; a load generating unit provided on the supporting portion to provide exercising load on the motive force; a connecting member connecting the force input unit and the load generating unit to transmit the exercising load to the force input unit; and a controller controlling the load generating unit, wherein the load generating unit includes a motor receiving external electrical power to generate rotational force, and a speed reduction device connected to a rotating shaft of the motor to generate rotational force in a same direction as the motive force, and varying in rotational speed according to a control input through the controller.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cycling machine including: a supporting portion forming a framework; a pedal provided on the supporting portion for a user to apply motive force to; a crank unit connected to the pedal to be rotated by the motive force of the user; a motor provided on the supporting portion, and receiving external electrical power to generate rotational force; a controller controlling the motor; a speed reduction device connected to a rotating shaft of the motor to generate rotational force in a same direction as the motive force, and providing exercising load on the motive force through varying rotational speed according to a control input through the controller; and a sprocket that is a component of the speed reduction device and transmits rotational force in only one direction; and a connecting member connecting the crank unit and the sprocket to apply the exercising load to the motive force.

The connecting member may be a chain.

The speed reduction device may include a worm shaft connected to the rotating shaft of the motor, a worm gear crossing perpendicular to the worm shaft, a driven shaft connected to a center of rotation of the worm gear, a fixing housing provided on the driven shaft and having the sprocket mounted thereon, and a fixing member preventing disengaging of the sprocket mounted to the fixing housing.

The fixing member may include a nut fastened to the fixing housing to prevent rearward disengaging of the sprocket, a key passed through the fixing housing and received in a key slot provided in the driven shaft, and a fixing pin for fixing the key received in the key slot.

The fixing housing may define a screw thread in an outer periphery thereof, the screw thread having a fastening direction that is opposite a rotating direction of the driven shaft to fix the sprocket and a nut.

The sprocket may include a sprocket gear and an interfering piece having a sloped surface and a perpendicular surface, and may transmit external rotational force only when the perpendicular surface of the sprocket gear and the perpendicular surface of the interfering piece are in contact.

The present invention provides an exercising load for controlling the pedaling force of a user through a speed reduction device connected to a motor, without the use of a separate friction member. Thus, the portion that generates exercising load does not wear, so that the advantage of a reduction in maintenance costs can be realized.

Also, because the pedaling force of a user is transmitted through a chain to a speed reduction device that provides exercising load to generate mechanical noise similar to that generated when riding an actual bicycle, and because rotational force from the rotating motor is not transmitted when the pedals are rotated in a reverse direction, the advantage of a user being able to rest when fatigued can be realized.

In addition, because the sound of the pedals during such periods of rest is the same as when pedals are rotated in the reverse direction when riding an actual bicycle on the road, the advantage can be realized in that a user can experience more realism when exercising, and the advantage can also be realized in that the operating noise thus generated can foment interest in a user.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the structure of a cycling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a force transmitting unit and a load generating unit of a cycling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of a speed reduction device of a cycling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the coupling of a worm and worm gear that are components of the speed reduction device in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the effects of the operating force and exercising load of a cycling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

As shown in the diagram, a cycling machine according to the present invention is fixed in position on a floor by a supporting portion 100 forming the framework thereof.

The supporting portion 100 is formed with a plurality of frames, and the supporting portion 100 is thus provided with a force input unit 200 to which a user applies motive force, a load generating unit 300 providing exercising load on the motive force, and a connecting member 400 connecting the force input unit 200 and the load generating unit 300 to transmit the exercising load to the force input unit 200.

Also, the supporting portion 100 further includes a seat 120 on which a user can sit in order to apply motive force to the force input unit 200, and the seat 120 is mounted at a position maintained a predetermined distance from the force input unit 200, by means of a seat frame 160 mounted to the rear of the supporting portion 100 and a seat post 140 mounted to the seat frame 160.

The thus-mounted seat 120 is configured to enable the force input unit to be operated by varying the length of the seat post 140 according to the physique of a rider.

Also, a handle 180 is provided to the front of the supporting portion 100 to be grasped by a rider when the rider is seated on the seat 120 as described above.

A controller 500 is further provided at the central portion of the handle 180 in order to control the load generating unit 300 (to be described in detail below).

The load generating unit 300 is mounted below the handle 180 at the front of the supporting portion 100.

The load generating unit 300 is configured with a motor 320 and a speed reduction device 340, where the rotational speed of the motor 320 is varied through manipulation of the controller 500, and such varying of the rotational speed causes the rotational speed of the speed reduction device 340 to vary also, in order to vary the exercise load provided to the force input unit 200.

A description in further detail will be provided below of the force input unit 200 and the load generating unit 300, with reference to the attached drawings.

As shown in the drawing, the force input unit 200 is configured of pedals 220 that a user steps on with the feet while seated, and a crank unit 280 connected to the pedals 220 to be rotated by motive force from the user.

The crank unit 280 is inserted and mounted on a rotating shaft provided on the supporting portion 100, and configured to include a gear 240 with a plurality of teeth defined on the outer surface of the crank unit, and a crank 260 connecting the gear 240 and the pedals 220 to rotate the gear in connection when a rider steps on and rotates the pedals 220.

Also, an end of the connecting member 400 catches on the teeth formed on the outer surface of the gear 240.

The load generating unit 300 is configured with the motor 320 that is supplied with external electrical power through a power connector 322 to generate rotational force, and the speed reduction device 340 has a rotating shaft that intersects with the motor 320 and is connected to the gear 240 through the connecting member 400, etc.

Below, a more detailed description of the speed reduction device 340 will be provided with reference to the attached drawings.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the structure of a speed reduction device of a cycling machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the coupling of a worm and worm gear that are components of the speed reduction device in Fig. 3.

As shown in these drawings, the speed reduction device 340 reduces the rotational speed of the motor 320 with a worm shaft 344 housed within a case 342 and connected to the rotating shaft of the motor 320, and a worm gear 346 intersecting the worm shaft 344.

Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, a screw thread is defined in the outer surface of the worm shaft 344 progressing in one direction, and the teeth of the worm gear 346 engage correspondingly in a one-to-one ratio with the screw threads.

Also, a driven shaft 348 is further provided at the center of the worm shaft 346, the rotational force of the motor 320 is transmitted to the worm shaft 344, and the rotational force thus transmitted rotates the driven shaft 348 via the worm gear 346.

Also, a sprocket 360 connected to the above-described gear 240 through the connecting member 400 is provided on the driven shaft 348, and provides exercising load on the motive force exerted by a user on the force input unit 200 by transmitting the rotational force of the driven shaft 348 to the gear 240.

Furthermore, a key slot 349 is further provided in the driven shaft 345 to house a key 345 (that is a component of a fixing member 350 to be described below), in order to prevent slipping of the sprocket 360 and a fixing housing 341 on the driven shaft 348.

The sprocket 360 is installed to be capable of rotating while fixed in position on the driven shaft 348 by the fixing member 350 described above.

In further detail, the sprocket 360 is a component of the fixing member 350 and fastened to the fixing housing 341 (formed in a pipe shape with an inner diameter corresponding in size to the diameter of the driven shaft 348, having its front end formed larger than its back end, and having screw threads provided on the rear, outer periphery to fasten to the fixing housing 341).

Here, the screw threads formed at the rear of the fixing housing 341 define a fastening direction opposite the rotating direction of the driven shaft 348 so that the sprocket 360 installed on the fixing housing 341 is not disengaged through rotation.

Also, while not shown in the drawing, the inside of the sprocket 360 is further provided with sprocket gears sloped in one direction and a rotating piece that interferes in rotating direction with the sprocket gears, constituting a structure in which transmission of force occurs in only one direction.

That is, the sprocket gears are regularly and repeatedly formed along the inner periphery of the sprocket with a vertical surface and a sloped surface, and the interfering piece is also formed with a sloped surface and a vertical surface.

Accordingly, when the interfering piece is rotated in the same direction as the motive force, the vertical surface of the sprocket gear and the vertical surface of the interfering piece interfere with each other so that rotational force is transmitted, and when the interfering piece is rotated in the direction opposite to that of the motive force, the sloped surface of the sprocket and the vertical surface of the interfering piece contact each other so that rotational force cannot be transmitted and the sprocket 360 slides and rotates idly.

When the sprocket 360 rotates idly as above, as the interfering piece passes the sloped surface of the sprocket gear, a contacting noise is generated.

The fixing member 350 is configured to further include a nut 343 having a fastening direction opposite to the rotating direction of the driven shaft 348 and corresponding to the screw threads defined in the outer surface of the fixing housing 341, the key 345 inserted and mounted in the driven shaft 348, and the key slot 349 recessed in the driven shaft 348 to receive the key 345.

The connecting member 400 that connects the gear 240 and the sprocket 260 is a chain having tooth holes corresponding in size to the plurality of teeth formed on the gear 240 and the sprocket 360, in order to receive one tooth in one tooth hole.

When a user exerts motive force through the force input unit 200 in a forward direction (that is, in the same direction as the rotating direction of the driven shaft 348), the connecting member 400 receives the effects of exercising load generated by the speed reduction unit 340 for these teeth and tooth holes to receive the exercise load of the speed reduction unit 340.

In further detail, when a user operates the force input unit 200 in the same direction as the driven shaft 348, the teeth of the sprocket 360 rotate while inserted in the tooth holes, and during this rotation, the connecting member 400 is extended straight to transmit the exercising load of the load generating unit 300 to the force input unit 200.

When the user operates the force input unit 200 in the direction opposite the driven shaft 348, the sprocket gear and the interfering piece provided inside the sprocket 360 only rotate the outer periphery of the sprocket 360 (or, the portion on which the teeth are formed) in a reverse direction, and the rotational force of the speed reduction device 340 is not transmitted.

Accordingly, when the teeth and the vertical surface of the sprocket gear and the vertical surface of the interfering piece rotate in a mutually engaged state, the rotational force transmitted to the sprocket 360 is transmitted as is, and when the rotation is one in which the sloped surface of the sprocket gear and the sloped surface of the interfering piece contact one another, the rotational force cannot be transmitted.

Therefore, during reverse rotation as above, the exercising load generated by the load generating unit 300 is made to not be transmitted to the force input unit 200, by means of the sprocket 360 configuration.

Below, the effects of a cycling machine configured as above according to the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

When a user starts exercising with a cycling machine according to the present invention, first, the user sits atop the seat 120 and places his/her feet on the pedals 220.

Then, in this state, the handle 180 is grasped, and the controller 500 provided at the center of the handle 180 is used to set a required exercising load.

Specifically, when the controller 500 increases the rotational speed of the motor 320 of the load generating unit 300, the driven shaft 348 of the speed reduction device 340 connected to the motor 320 rotates quickly, so that the sprocket 360 is rotated quickly through the rotation of the driven shaft 348.

Then, the rotational force of the sprocket 360 is transmitted to the gear 240 through the connecting member 400, and the gear 240 transmits this rotational force to the pedals 220 that the user is stepping on, so that a high-speed exercising load is provided to the user to enable the user to easily rotate the pedals 220.

Specifically, the above situation provides an exercising load similar to one in which the user is riding a bicycle downhill.

When the rotational speed of the motor 320 of the load generating unit 300 is reduced by the controller 500, the driven shaft 348 of the speed reduction device 340 connected to the motor 320 is rotated slowly, so that the sprocket 360 is rotated slowly by the rotation of the driven shaft 348.

Then, the rotational force of the sprocket 360 is transmitted to the gear 240 through the connecting member 400, and the gear 240 transmits this rotational force to the pedals 220 that the user is stepping on, so that a slow exercising load is provided to the user, requiring the user to exert a large amount of force to rotate the pedals 220.

Specifically, the above situation provides an exercising load similar to one in which the user is riding a bicycle uphill, and because the speed reduction device 340 is configured with a worm shaft 344 and a worm gear 346, the user cannot rotate the pedals 220 beyond the rotating speed of the worm shaft 344, regardless of the degree of force exerted on the pedals 220 by the user.

If a user wishes to temporarily rest while exercising through controlling exercising loads as described above, the user has the option of resting temporarily by rotating the pedals 220 in the direction opposite to the rotating direction of the sprocket 360 without having to stop the cycling machine.

That is, by changing the rotating direction of the pedals 220, the connecting member 400 (that is, the chain) cannot transmit the exercising load generated by the speed reduction device 340 to the force input unit 200, due to the inner structure of the sprocket 360.

Thus, the same effect can be realized as when a user is riding an actual bicycle down a sloped surface and rotates the bicycle pedals in the direction opposite to the rotating direction of the bicycle wheels, where the sprocket 360 generates an operating noise.

Resultantly, as shown in Fig. 5, motive force applied to operate the force input unit 200 by a user is transmitted to only the speed reduction device 340 of the load generating unit 300, the exercising load generated by the speed reduction device 340 using the rotational force of the motor 320 is made to be transmitted to the force input unit 200 through the connecting member 400, and the user is restricted by this exercise load when manipulating the force input unit 200.

The scope of the present invention shall not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described above, and those having ordinary skill in the art of the present invention will easily be able to devise numerous other embodiments based on the present invention.

According to the present invention, an exercising load for controlling the pedaling force of a user is provided through a speed reduction device connected to a motor, without the use of a separate friction member. Thus, the portion that generates exercising load does not wear, so that maintenance costs can be reduced, enabling fitness clubs or households to more economically use cycling machines.

Also, because a cycling machine according to the present invention transmits the pedaling force of a user through a chain to a speed reduction device that provides exercising load to generate mechanical noise similar to that generated when riding an actual bicycle, and because rotational force from the rotating motor is not transmitted when the pedals are rotated in a reverse direction, a user is able to rest when needed.

In addition, because the sound of the pedals during such periods of rest is the same as when pedals are rotated in the reverse direction when riding an actual bicycle on the road, a user can experience more realism when exercising, and the operating noise thus generated can foment interest in a user.

Accordingly, because the cycling machine according to the present invention presents a different technical configuration and effects derived therefrom from those of existing cycling machines, it will be able to receive interest from household and fitness club users, and is expected to achieve impressive sales figures not only in Korea, but abroad as well because it is consistent with the current era in which there is much interest in exercise.

Claims

A cycling machine comprising:

a supporting portion forming a framework;

a force input unit provided on the supporting portion for a user to apply motive force to;

a load generating unit provided on the supporting portion to provide exercising load on the motive force;

a connecting member connecting the force input unit and the load generating unit to transmit the exercising load to the force input unit; and

a controller controlling the load generating unit,

wherein the load generating unit comprises

a motor receiving external electrical power to generate rotational force, and

a speed reduction device connected to a rotating shaft of the motor to generate rotational force in a same direction as the motive force, and varying in rotational speed according to a control input through the controller.
The cycling machine according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is a chain.
A cycling machine comprising:

a supporting portion forming a framework;

a pedal provided on the supporting portion for a user to apply motive force to;

a crank unit connected to the pedal to be rotated by the motive force of the user;

a motor provided on the supporting portion, and receiving external electrical power to generate rotational force;

a controller controlling the motor;

a speed reduction device connected to a rotating shaft of the motor to generate rotational force in a same direction as the motive force, and providing exercising load on the motive force through varying rotational speed according to a control input through the controller; and

a sprocket that is a component of the speed reduction device and transmits rotational force in only one direction; and

a connecting member connecting the crank unit and the sprocket to apply the exercising load to the motive force.
The cycling machine according to claim 3, wherein the speed reduction device comprises:

a worm shaft connected to the rotating shaft of the motor;

a worm gear crossing perpendicular to the worm shaft;

a driven shaft connected to a center of rotation of the worm gear;

a fixing housing provided on the driven shaft and having the sprocket mounted thereon; and

a fixing member preventing disengaging of the sprocket mounted to the fixing housing.
The cycling machine according to claim 4, wherein the fixing member comprises:

a nut fastened to the fixing housing to prevent rearward disengaging of the sprocket;

a key passed through the fixing housing and received in a key slot provided in the driven shaft; and

a fixing pin for fixing the key received in the key slot.
The cycling machine according to claim 5, wherein the fixing housing defines a screw thread in an outer periphery thereof, the screw thread having a fastening direction that is opposite a rotating direction of the driven shaft to fix the sprocket and a nut.
The cycling machine according to claim 3, wherein the connecting member is a chain.
The cycling machine according to claim 3, wherein the sprocket comprises a sprocket gear and an interfering piece having a sloped surface and a perpendicular surface, and transmits external rotational force only when the perpendicular surface of the sprocket gear and the perpendicular surface of the interfering piece are in contact.