TWI876573B - Safety protection apparatus for fitness equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

A fitness equipment with a safety protection apparatus arranged on the fitness equipment and electrically connected to a power supply unit and an electromotor of the fitness equipment includes a processor, a plurality of image reading units and a warning unit. The processor internally stores at least one setting parameter of a specific distance, and receives image signals read by each of the image reading units, and compares the image signals with the at least one setting parameter. The warning unit is arranged on the fitness equipment and is electrically connected to the processor. Moreover, the image signals read by the image reading units are transmitted to the processor, and the processor compares the image signals with the at least one setting parameter to determine when an external moving object enters the fitness equipment to activate the warning unit to generate warning signals.

Description

Safety protection devices for fitness equipment

The present invention relates to a fitness equipment, in particular to a fitness equipment equipped with a safety protection sensing mechanism to sense whether an external object is entering the fitness equipment, so as to ensure the safety of the fitness equipment in use.

In a busy society, people don’t have time to exercise outdoors due to busy work schedules. Over time, their bodies gradually start to show signs of poor health. When their bodies start to show signs of poor health, they start looking for places to exercise, such as sports venues, sports centers, or fitness centers near their homes, to improve their poor health.

In order to adapt to the work and rest schedule of office workers, the best place to exercise is at a sports and fitness center. Because sports and fitness centers are indoors, they are not afraid of wind and rain, and they can adapt to the schedule of office workers. There are also professional coaches to guide them, so most office workers choose to go to sports and fitness centers.

Although the sculptures of various equipment in the sports and fitness center can improve the health and body lines of the body. However, when using sports and fitness equipment, there are often people passing by or approaching the sports and fitness equipment. If the athletes are unaware or the people approaching are not careful, it is easy for the people passing by or approaching to touch the fitness equipment, causing injuries to the athletes and others who are using the sports and fitness equipment.

Therefore, how to improve the use of sports and fitness equipment to ensure that athletes or others will not be hit and injured is the main issue to be solved by this invention.

Therefore, the main purpose of the present invention is to install a safety protection device on the fitness equipment to sense that there are moving objects approaching the surrounding environment of the fitness equipment. The safety protection device will start to warn the approaching person, or slow down or stop the fitness equipment to ensure the physical safety of the exerciser and others.

To achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention provides a safety protection device suitable for fitness equipment, which is installed on the fitness equipment and electrically connected to the power supply unit and the motor of the fitness equipment. The safety protection device includes: a processor, a plurality of image reading units and an alarm unit. The processor stores at least one setting parameter of a specific distance, and receives the image signals read by the image reading units and compares them with the setting parameters. The alarm unit is installed on the fitness equipment and electrically connected to the processor. The image signals read by the image reading units are transmitted to the processor, and the processor performs parameter comparison to determine when an external moving object enters the fitness equipment, thereby activating the warning unit to generate a warning signal.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the processor is a central processing unit, a digital signal processor, a microprocessor or a microcontroller.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the setting parameters include: parameters of a first specific distance, a second specific distance, and a third specific distance.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first specific distance is approximately 1 meter.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the second specific distance is approximately 0.5 meters.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the third specific distance is approximately 0.3 meters.

In one embodiment of the present invention, when the processor receives the signals from the sensing units and determines that the external moving object has entered the second specific distance of the fitness equipment, the processor outputs a signal to control the power supply unit to reduce the voltage of the motor, so that the motor reduces the speed and decelerates the motor.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the safety protection device further includes a deceleration unit electrically connected between the processor and the power supply unit and the motor. When the processor determines that an external moving object has entered the second specific distance of the fitness equipment based on the image signals read by the image reading units, the deceleration unit reduces the voltage output from the power supply unit to the motor, so that the motor runs slower and slower.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the safety protection device further includes a power-off unit, which is electrically connected to the processor, the power supply unit and the motor. When the processor receives the image signals read by the image reading units and determines that the external moving object has entered the third specific distance of the fitness equipment, the processor outputs a signal to drive the power-off unit to cut off the power supply unit from supplying power to the motor, so that the motor stops running.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the power-off unit is a relay.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the relay is a mechanical relay or a solid-state relay.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the image reading units are CCD lenses or CMOS lenses.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fitness equipment is a treadmill, a sliding stepper, a flywheel, a rowing machine, a thigh press machine, a double leg extension and flexion machine, a supine press, a pulley pull-down machine, a hand and foot muscle training machine, an eccentric exercise bike or an elliptical training machine.

100:Fitness equipment

101: Power supply unit

102: Electric motor

200: Safety protection device

201: Processor

202: Image reading unit

203: Warning unit

204: Power off unit

300:Moving objects

400: First specific distance

500: Second specific distance

600: The third specific distance

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the fitness equipment and the sensing unit of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the circuit block of the safety protection device of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the sensing range configuration of the safety protection device of the present invention.

The technical content and detailed description of the present invention are now described as follows with the help of diagrams:

Please refer to FIG1, which is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the fitness equipment and the sensing unit of the present invention. As shown in the figure: the safety protection device applicable to the fitness equipment of the present invention is mainly a safety protection device 200 installed on the fitness equipment 100, and the safety protection device 200 includes a plurality of image reading units 202, and the image reading units 202 read whether there is a moving object entering the surrounding environment of the fitness equipment 100, and transmit the image signal to the safety protection device 200 for judgment, so as to control the warning, deceleration and stop state of the fitness equipment 100, so as to ensure the safety of users and non-users. In this diagram, the fitness equipment 100 is a treadmill, a sliding stepper, a flywheel, a rowing machine, a thigh press machine, a double leg extension and flexion machine, a supine press, a pulley pull-down machine, a hand and foot muscle training machine, an eccentric exercise bike or an elliptical training machine.

Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the circuit block of the safety protection device of the present invention; refer to Figure 1 at the same time. As shown in the figure: the safety protection device 200 of the present invention includes: a processor 201, multiple image reading units 202, a warning unit 203 and a power-off unit 204. The safety protection device 200 is electrically connected to the power supply unit 101 and the motor 102 of the fitness equipment 100, and the image reading units 202 read the moving objects in the surrounding environment of the fitness equipment 100, and transmit the image signal to the safety protection device 200 for judgment, so as to control the fitness equipment 100 to warn and the motor 102 to slow down and stop, so as to ensure the safety of users and non-users.

The processor 201 stores at least one setting parameter of a specific distance, and receives the image signal read by each image reading unit and compares it with the setting parameter to determine whether the external moving object gradually enters the safety protection distance range of the fitness equipment 100. In this figure, the processor 201 is a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor (MPU) or a microcontroller unit (MCU).

It is worth mentioning that the setting parameters stored in the memory of the processor 201 include: a first specific distance, a second specific distance and a third specific distance. The first specific distance is that when an external moving object (not shown) enters the fitness equipment 100 within a range of about but not limited to 1 meter, the safety protection device 200 will activate the warning signal. The second specific distance is that when an external moving object enters the fitness equipment 100 within a range of about but not limited to 0.5 meters, the safety protection device 200 will control the motor 102 of the fitness equipment 100 to decelerate. The third specific distance is when an external moving object enters the fitness equipment 100 within a range of about but not limited to 0.3 meters, the safety protection device 200 cuts off the power supply of the fitness equipment 100 and stops the motor 102 from rotating. The above three distances are sensed to ensure the safety of users and non-users of the fitness equipment 100.

The image reading units 202 are installed on the fitness equipment 100 and are electrically connected to the processor 201. The image reading units 202 capture the external moving objects that have entered the first specific distance, the second specific distance, or the third specific distance, and the processor 201 outputs a signal to drive the warning unit to produce a warning effect, or to decelerate the motor 102, or directly cut off the power supply of the motor 102 to stop the motor 102 from running. In this figure, the image reading units 202 are CCD lenses or CMOS lenses.

The warning unit 203 is installed on the fitness equipment 100 and is electrically connected to the processor 201. When the processor 201 receives the image signals read by the image reading units 202 and determines that the external moving object has entered the first specific distance of the fitness equipment 100, the processor 201 outputs a signal to drive the warning unit 203 to generate an alarm to warn the user or the external moving object. In this figure, the warning unit 203 is a speaker, a loudspeaker, a buzzer or a lamp.

The power-off unit 204 is electrically connected to the processor 201, the power supply unit 101 and the motor 102. When the processor 201 receives the image signals read by the image reading units 202 and determines that the external object has entered the third specific distance of the fitness equipment 100, the processor 201 outputs a signal to drive the power-off unit 204 to cut off the power supply unit 101 to the motor 102, so that the motor 102 stops running. In this figure, the power-off unit 204 is a relay, which is a mechanical relay or a solid-state relay.

Please refer to Figures 2 and 3, which are schematic diagrams of the circuit blocks and sensing range configuration of the safety protection device of the present invention. As shown in the figure: when the fitness equipment 100 is in use, the safety protection device 200 will automatically start the safety protection mechanism. When the processor 201 receives the image signals read by the image reading units 202 and determines that the external moving object 300 has entered the first specific distance 400 of the fitness equipment 100, the processor 201 outputs a signal to drive the warning unit 203 to generate a sound or light warning to warn the user or the external moving object 400.

In addition, when the processor 201 receives the image signals read by the image reading units 202 and determines that the external moving object 300 has entered the second specific distance 500 of the fitness equipment 100, the processor 201 outputs a signal to control the reduction of the voltage output by the power supply unit 101 to the motor 102, so that the motor 102 reduces the speed (deceleration). Or the safety protection device 200 further includes a deceleration unit (not shown) electrically connected between the processor 201 and the power supply unit 101 and the motor 102 to reduce the voltage output by the power supply unit 101 to the motor 102, so that the motor 102 runs slower to achieve a deceleration effect.

In addition, when the processor 201 receives the image signals read by the image reading units 202 and determines that the external moving object 300 has entered the third specific distance 600 of the fitness equipment 100, the processor 201 outputs a signal to control the power-off unit 204, so that the power-off unit 204 cuts off the power supply unit 101 from supplying power to the motor 102, so that the motor 102 stops running.

The safety protection device 200 reads and controls the image signals of the external moving object 300 at three distances to ensure the safety of the user and non-user of the health care equipment 100.

However, the above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of patent protection of the present invention. Therefore, all equivalent changes made by using the contents of the present invention's specification or drawings are also included in the scope of protection of the present invention and are hereby stated.

100:Fitness equipment

101: Power supply unit

102: Electric motor

200: Safety protection device

201: Processor

202: Image reading unit

203: Warning unit

204: Power off unit

Claims (13)

A safety protection device suitable for fitness equipment is installed on the fitness equipment and electrically connected to the power supply unit and the motor of the fitness equipment. The safety protection device includes: A processor, which stores at least one setting parameter of a specific distance and receives each image signal and compares it with the setting parameter; A plurality of image reading units are installed on the fitness equipment and electrically connected to the processor; A warning unit is installed on the fitness equipment and electrically connected to the processor; The image signals read by the image reading units are transmitted to the processor, and the processor performs parameter comparison to determine when an external moving object enters the safety protection distance range of the fitness equipment. The processor activates the warning unit to generate a warning signal or controls the running motor to slow down or stop. A safety protection device suitable for fitness equipment as described in claim 1, wherein the processor is a central processing unit, a digital signal processor, a microprocessor or a microcontroller. A safety protection device suitable for fitness equipment as described in claim 1, wherein the setting parameters include: parameters of a first specific distance, a second specific distance and a third specific distance. A safety protection device suitable for fitness equipment as described in claim 3, wherein the first specific distance is approximately 1 meter. A safety protection device suitable for fitness equipment as described in claim 3, wherein the second specific distance is approximately 0.5 meters. A safety protection device suitable for fitness equipment as described in claim 3, wherein the third specific distance is approximately 0.3 meters. As described in claim 5, the safety protection device applicable to fitness equipment, wherein the processor receives the image signals read by the image reading units and when it is determined that the external moving object has entered the second specific distance of the fitness equipment, the processor outputs a signal to control the power supply unit to reduce the voltage of the motor, thereby reducing the rotation speed of the motor and decelerating the motor. A safety protection device for fitness equipment as described in claim 5, wherein the safety protection device further includes a deceleration unit electrically connected between the processor and the power supply unit and the motor, and when the processor determines that the external moving object has entered the second specific distance of the fitness equipment based on the image signals read by the image reading units, the deceleration unit reduces the voltage output by the power supply unit to the motor, thereby slowing down the operation of the motor. A safety protection device for fitness equipment as described in claim 6, wherein the safety protection device further includes a power-off unit, which is electrically connected to the processor, the power supply unit and the motor. When the processor receives the image signals read by the image reading units and determines that the external moving object has entered the third specific distance of the fitness equipment, the processor outputs a signal to drive the power-off unit to cut off the power supply unit from supplying power to the motor, causing the motor to stop running. A safety protection device suitable for fitness equipment as described in claim 9, wherein the power-off unit is a relay. A safety protection device suitable for fitness equipment as described in claim 10, wherein the relay is a mechanical relay or a solid-state relay. A safety protection device suitable for fitness equipment as described in claim 1, wherein the image reading units are CCD lenses or CMOS lenses. A safety protection device suitable for fitness equipment as described in claim 1, wherein the fitness equipment is a treadmill, a sliding stepper, a flywheel, a rowing machine, a thigh press machine, a double leg extension and flexion machine, a supine press, a pulley pull-down machine, a hand and foot muscle training machine, an eccentric exercise bike or an elliptical training machine.

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