TWI898467B - Stairlift and resistance control device - Google Patents

Abstract

A resistance control device suitable for use in a stairlift comprises a flywheel and a damping unit. The flywheel is made of metal conductor. The damping unit includes a mounting bracket corresponding to the flywheel and multiple permanent magnets mounted on the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket can move relative to the flywheel between a high-resistance position and a low-resistance position. In the high-resistance position, the mounting bracket is close to the flywheel, creating a larger resistance between the permanent magnets and the flywheel. In the low-resistance position, the mounting bracket is away from the flywheel, creating a smaller resistance between the permanent magnets and the flywheel. Thus, this invention can provide adjustable rotational resistance with a simpler and more compact structure, effectively reducing volume and weight, and with lower production costs.

Description

Stair machine and resistance control device thereof

The present invention relates to a motion mechanism and a resistance control device thereof, and in particular to a stair machine and a resistance control device thereof.

A stair machine is a piece of exercise equipment that allows users to simulate climbing stairs. Because stair climbing exercises can enhance cardiovascular fitness, improve endurance, and strengthen leg and buttock muscles, stair machines are a popular piece of fitness equipment.

Currently, stair climbers on the market use a motor to provide resistance when the user steps up the stairs. The resistance is adjusted by varying the motor's current or speed. However, the motor and motor control system are complex, bulky, heavy, and costly. Therefore, there is still room for research and development and improvement.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a resistance control device that can reduce volume and weight.

Therefore, the resistance control device of the present invention is suitable for use in a stair climber and includes a flywheel and a damping unit.

The flywheel is made of a metal conductor and has an axis suitable for installation on the stair lift, and can rotate around the axis.

The damping unit is suitable for installation on the stairlift and includes a mounting frame corresponding to the flywheel and a plurality of permanent magnets mounted on the mounting frame. The mounting frame is movable between a high-resistance position and a low-resistance position relative to the flywheel. In the high-resistance position, the mounting frame is close to the flywheel, thereby forming a greater resistance between the permanent magnets and the flywheel. In the low-resistance position, the mounting frame is farther away from the flywheel, thereby forming a smaller resistance between the permanent magnets and the flywheel.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a stair climber that can reduce volume and weight.

Therefore, the stair machine of the present invention includes a base device, a transmission device, a control device, and a resistance control device as described above.

The transmission device includes a transmission unit arranged on the base device, and a ladder unit arranged on the transmission unit. The ladder unit can rotate relative to the base device and link the transmission unit to operate.

The control device is arranged on the base device and is used for outputting a control signal.

In the resistance control device, the axis of the flywheel is connected to the transmission unit, and is rotated by the stair unit through the transmission unit. The damping unit signal is connected to the control device, and the position of the mounting frame relative to the flywheel is changed according to the control signal.

The present invention utilizes a flywheel made of a metallic conductor, a mounting frame that can move in response to the flywheel's movement, and permanent magnets mounted on the mounting frame. These permanent magnets provide reverse resistance to the flywheel's rotation, and the amount of resistance can be adjusted by moving the mounting frame. This allows the present invention to provide adjustable rotational resistance with a relatively simple and compact structure, effectively reducing both size and weight, and resulting in lower manufacturing costs.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, one embodiment of the stair climber of the present invention provides a user with a simulated stair climbing motion and includes a base device 2, a transmission device 3, a control device 4, and a resistance control device 5. The forward, backward, left, right, and up and down directions described below are all based on the user's position while exercising on the stair climber, which should be noted first.

The base device 2 includes a bottom frame 21, a base frame 22 mounted on the bottom frame 21, and two handrails 23 mounted on the left and right sides of the base frame 22. The bottom frame 21 has a mounting portion 211 for mounting the resistance control device 5. The handrails 23 are for users to hold onto during exercise.

The transmission device 3 includes a transmission unit 31 mounted on the base device 2, and a stair unit 32 mounted on the transmission unit 31 and rotatable relative to the base device 22. The transmission unit 31 has a plurality of drive shafts 311 extending left and right, a plurality of gears 312 mounted on the drive shafts 311, and a plurality of connecting belts 313 connecting the gears 312. The connecting belts 313 can be chains or belts. Through the connection between the connecting belts 313 and the gears 312, the stair unit 32 can drive the transmission unit 31 to operate. Since those skilled in the art can infer the expanded details of the transmission device 3 based on the above description, they are not further explained.

The control device 4 is disposed on the base device 2 and includes a control panel 41. The control panel 41 can be operated by a user to adjust the resistance provided by the resistance control device 5 and output a control signal corresponding to different resistance levels.

The resistance control device 5 is mounted on the base device 2, is signal-connected to the control device 4, and adjusts the resistance according to the control signal. The resistance control device 5 includes a flywheel 6 and a damping unit 7. The flywheel 6 is made of a metal conductor, has a shaft 61 mounted on the base device 2, and can rotate about the shaft 61. The shaft 61 of the flywheel 6 is connected to the connecting belt 313 and is rotated by the stair unit 32 via the transmission unit 31. That is, when the user steps on the stair unit 32, the stair unit 32 drives the transmission unit 31, and the flywheel 6 is driven to rotate via the transmission unit 31.

3 to 6 , the damping unit 7 is mounted on the base device 2 and includes a mounting frame 71 corresponding to the flywheel 6, a plurality of permanent magnets 72 mounted on the mounting frame 71, a motor 73 mounted on the mounting frame 71, a fixing member 74 mounted on the mounting portion 211 of the base frame 21, and a screw 75 having two ends connected to the motor 73 and the fixing member 74, respectively.

The mounting frame 71 has a swing shaft 711 mounted on the base device 2, a fixed end 712 adjacent to the swing shaft 711, and a swing end 713 away from the fixed end 712. The mounting frame 71 can swing around the swing shaft 711 as a rotation center.

The mounting frame 71 has a frame 714 that can be swung with the swing shaft 711 as the rotation center, and two mounting plates 715 that are spaced apart on the frame 714 along the extension direction of the axis 61. The mounting plates 715 are respectively arranged on both sides of the flywheel 6 along the extension direction of the axis 61, and are respectively provided for the installation of multiple permanent magnets 72.

The permanent magnets 72 are disposed at the swing end 713 and on one side of each mounting plate 715 facing the flywheel 6, with a gap therebetween and without contacting the flywheel 6. In this embodiment, there are six permanent magnets 72, with three permanent magnets 72 disposed on each inner surface of the mounting plate 715 on the left and right sides. However, the number of permanent magnets 72 can be determined based on the magnetic force of the permanent magnets 72, the required resistance, and other requirements, and is not limited thereto. Thus, when the flywheel 6 rotates, the electromagnetic induction generated by the relative motion between the flywheel 6 and the permanent magnets 72 generates an eddy current on the flywheel 6, thereby providing reverse resistance to the rotation of the flywheel 6. That is, the permanent magnets 72 provide reverse resistance by means of an Eddy current brake (ECB).

The motor 73 is mounted on the swing end 713 and is, for example, a stepper motor. Because the fixing member 74 is pivotally mounted on the mounting portion 211 of the chassis 21, it can rotate while maintaining a fixed position. Therefore, when the motor 73 is in operation, it rotates the screw 75, driving the motor 73 toward or away from the fixing member 74. When the motor 73 approaches the fixing member 74, it drives the swing end 713 away from the flywheel 6, providing less resistance. When the motor 73 moves away from the fixing member 74, it drives the swing end 713 toward the flywheel 6, providing greater resistance.

With the above arrangement, the mounting frame 71 can swing relative to the flywheel 6 between a high-resistance position (as shown in FIG. 4 ) and a low-resistance position (as shown in FIG. 6 ). In the high-resistance position, the swing end 713 is close to the flywheel 6, and the overlapping area of the permanent magnets 72 and the flywheel 6 along the extension direction of the shaft 61 is larger, thereby generating a greater resistance between the permanent magnets 72 and the flywheel 6. In the low-resistance position, the swing end 713 is far from the flywheel 6, and the overlapping area of the permanent magnets 72 and the flywheel 6 along the extension direction of the shaft 61 is smaller, thereby generating a smaller resistance between the permanent magnets 72 and the flywheel 6. When the mounting bracket 71 is swung from the high resistance position to the low resistance position, the resistance provided by the damping unit 7 decreases. When the mounting bracket 71 is swung from the low resistance position to the high resistance position, the resistance provided by the damping unit 7 increases.

Referring to Figures 1 and 4 , in actual use, a user can operate the control panel 41 to adjust the resistance provided by the resistance control device 5 . The resistance control device 5 receives the control signal output by the control panel 41 and, accordingly, changes the position of the mounting frame 71 relative to the flywheel 6 , thereby adjusting the overlapping area between the permanent magnets 72 and the flywheel 6 along the axis 61 .

For example, when a user wishes to increase the resistance to stepping on the stair unit 32, they can operate the control panel 41 to output a corresponding control signal. The resistance control device 5 receives the control signal and rotates the motor 73, which in turn drives the screw 75, moving the motor 73 away from the fixed member 74. This in turn drives the swing end 713 closer to the flywheel 6, increasing the overlapping area between the permanent magnets 72 and the flywheel 6 along the axis 61. This increases the reverse resistance to the rotation of the flywheel 6.

Conversely, when the user wishes to reduce the resistance to stepping on the stair unit 32, they can similarly operate the control panel 41 to output a corresponding control signal. The resistance control device 5 receives the control signal and causes the motor 73 to rotate in the opposite direction, driving the screw 75 in the opposite direction, driving the motor 73 closer to the fixed member 74, and thus driving the swing end 713 away from the flywheel 6. This reduces the overlapping area between the permanent magnets 72 and the flywheel 6 along the extension direction of the axis 61, resulting in a lower reverse resistance to the flywheel 6 during rotation.

Based on the above description, the effects of this embodiment are as follows:

First, the flywheel 6 is constructed of a metallic conductor, along with a mounting frame 71 that can move in response to the flywheel 6 , and permanent magnets 72 are mounted on the mounting frame 71. These permanent magnets 72 provide reverse resistance to the flywheel 6 during rotation, and the resistance between the permanent magnets 72 and the flywheel 6 can be adjusted by moving the mounting frame 71. Thus, compared to conventional techniques, this embodiment can provide adjustable rotational resistance with a simpler, smaller structure, effectively reducing both size and weight, and resulting in lower manufacturing costs.

Second, by providing the mounting frame 71 so that it can be swung about the swing shaft 711, the overlapping area between the permanent magnets 72 and the flywheel 6 can be adjusted through the swing of the mounting frame 71. This allows the aforementioned effect of adjusting the resistance by moving the mounting frame 71 to be achieved with a relatively small mechanism, thereby reducing both volume and weight.

3. By installing the motor 73, the fixing member 74 and the screw 75, the mounting frame 71 can be swung with the swing shaft 711 as the rotation center through a simple structure, thereby having the advantages of easy maintenance and low cost.

In summary, the stair lift and its resistance control device of the present invention can indeed achieve the purpose of this invention.

However, the above description is merely an example of the present invention and should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. All simple equivalent changes and modifications made within the scope of the patent application and the contents of the patent specification of the present invention are still within the scope of the present patent.

2: Base assembly 21: Base frame 211: Mounting unit 22: Base frame 23: Handrail 3: Drive unit 31: Drive unit 311: Drive shaft 312: Gear 313: Connecting belt 32: Staircase unit 4: Control unit 41: Control panel 5: Resistance control unit 6: Flywheel 61: Shaft 7: Damping unit 71: Setting frame 711: Swing shaft 712: Fixed end 713: Swing end 714: Frame 715: Setting plate 72: Permanent magnet 73: Motor 74: Fixing member 75: Screw

Other features and functions of the present invention are clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, including: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the stair climbing machine of the present invention; Figure 2 is a partial schematic view of the embodiment; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a resistance control device of the embodiment; and Figures 4-6 are schematic views of a mounting bracket of the resistance control device of the embodiment shown in different positions.

2: Base assembly 21: Base frame 211: Mounting unit 5: Resistance control device 6: Flywheel 61: Axis 7: Damping unit 71: Mounting frame 711: Swinging shaft 712: Fixed end 713: Swinging end 714: Frame 715: Mounting plate 72: Permanent magnet 73: Motor 74: Fixing member 75: Screw

Claims (8)

A resistance control device, suitable for use in a stair lift, comprises: A flywheel, made of a metal conductor, having an axis suitable for installation on the stair lift and rotatable about the axis; and A damping unit, suitable for installation on the stair lift, comprising a mounting frame corresponding to the flywheel and a plurality of permanent magnets mounted on the mounting frame. The mounting frame has a swing shaft suitable for installation on the stair lift, a fixed end proximate the swing shaft, and a swing end distal from the fixed end. The mounting frame can swing about the swing shaft as its rotation center and can be rotated in a high resistance position relative to the flywheel. The magnet is swung between a high-resistance position and a low-resistance position. In the high-resistance position, the swing end is close to the flywheel, and the overlapping area of the permanent magnets and the flywheel is larger, so that a larger resistance can be formed between the permanent magnets and the flywheel. In the low-resistance position, the swing end is far from the flywheel, and the overlapping area of the permanent magnets and the flywheel is smaller, so that a smaller resistance can be formed between the permanent magnets and the flywheel. A resistance control device as described in claim 1, wherein the setting frame has a frame that can be swung with the swing axis as the rotation center, and two setting plates are arranged on the frame at intervals along the extension direction of the axis, and the setting plates are respectively arranged on both sides of the flywheel along the extension direction of the axis, and are respectively provided for the setting of multiple permanent magnets. A resistance control device as described in claim 2, wherein the permanent magnets are arranged on a side of each of the setting plates facing the flywheel. As described in claim 1, the resistance control device further includes a motor disposed at the swing end, a fixing member suitable for installation on the stair machine, and a screw having two ends respectively connected to the motor and the fixing member. When the motor is operated, the screw rotates to drive the motor closer to or farther away from the fixing member, thereby driving the swing end away from or closer to the flywheel. A stair lift comprises: a base device; a transmission device comprising a transmission unit mounted on the base device and a stair unit mounted on the transmission unit, the stair unit being rotatable relative to the base device and driving the transmission unit in rotation; a control device mounted on the base device and configured to output a control signal; and A resistance control device includes a flywheel and a damping unit. The flywheel is made of a metal conductor and has a shaft connected to the transmission unit. The flywheel is driven by the stair unit via the transmission unit and rotates about the shaft. The damping unit is mounted on the base device and includes a mounting frame corresponding to the flywheel and a plurality of permanent magnets mounted on the mounting frame. The mounting frame has a swing shaft mounted on the base device, a fixed end adjacent to the swing shaft, and a swing end remote from the fixed end. The damping unit is signal-connected to the control device. The position of the mounting frame relative to the flywheel is changed according to the control signal. The mounting frame can be swung about the swing axis and can be swung between a high-resistance position and a low-resistance position relative to the flywheel. In the high-resistance position, the swing end is close to the flywheel, and the overlapping area of the permanent magnets and the flywheel is larger, thereby generating a greater resistance between the permanent magnets and the flywheel. In the low-resistance position, the swing end is far from the flywheel, and the overlapping area of the permanent magnets and the flywheel is smaller, thereby generating a smaller resistance between the permanent magnets and the flywheel. The stair lift as described in claim 5, wherein the mounting frame has a frame that can be swung with the swing axis as the rotation center, and two mounting plates arranged on the frame at intervals along the extension direction of the axis, the mounting plates are respectively arranged on both sides of the flywheel along the extension direction of the axis, and are respectively provided with a plurality of permanent magnets. The stair lift as described in claim 6, wherein the permanent magnets are arranged on a side of each of the setting plates facing the flywheel. In the stair lift as described in claim 5, the damping unit further comprises a motor disposed at the swing end, a fixing member mounted on the base device, and a screw having two ends connected to the motor and the fixing member, respectively. When the motor is in operation, the screw rotates, thereby driving the motor closer to or farther away from the fixing member, thereby driving the swing end away from or closer to the flywheel.