Exercise assisting device

Abstract

The exercise assisting device includes a support unit ( 1 ) configured to bear a user's body and a drive device ( 2 ). The support unit ( 1 ) includes a pair of foot supports ( 4 ) having a bearing member ( 40 ) configured to bear the user's left foot and right foot respectively. The drive device ( 2 ) is configured to drive the support unit ( 1 ) to move the user's body so as to vary a load applied to user's lower limb. The exercise assisting device further includes a tilting device (A). The tilting device (A) includes a load detection unit ( 5 ), a tilting mechanism unit ( 6 ), and a control unit ( 8 ). The load detection unit ( 5 ) includes two load sensors ( 50 ) provided to an outer portion ( 40 a ) and an inner portion ( 40 b ) of the bearing member ( 40 ) respectively. The tilting mechanism unit ( 6 ) is configured to tilt the bearing member ( 40 ) inward or outward with regard to the user's foot. The control unit ( 8 ) is configured to control the tilting mechanism unit ( 6 ) so as to reduce a difference between loads detected by two load sensors ( 50 ) respectively.

1 . An exercise assisting device comprising:
 a support unit configured to bear a user's body, said support unit including a pair of foot supports having a bearing member configured to bear the user's left foot and right foot respectively;   a drive device configured to drive said support unit to move the user's body so as to vary a load applied to user's lower limb; and   a tilting device configured to tilt at least one part of said bearing member so as to reduce a difference between a load applied to an outer portion of said bearing member corresponding to an outer part of user's foot and a load applied to an inner portion of said bearing member corresponding to an inner part of the user's foot.   
     
     
         2 . An exercise assisting device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein
 said tilting device comprises:   a load detection unit provided to said foot support so as to detect a load applied to said bearing member;   a tilting mechanism unit configured to tilt at least one part of said bearing member inward or outward with regard to the user's foot; and   a control unit configured to control said tilting mechanism unit based on the load detected by said load detection unit.   
     
     
         3 . An exercise assisting device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein
 said load detection unit includes two load sensors provided to said outer portion and said inner portion of said bearing member respectively,   said control unit being configured to control said tilting mechanism unit so as to reduce a difference between loads respectively detected by said two load sensors.   
     
     
         4 . An exercise assisting device as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein
 said load detection unit includes a load sensor provided to either said outer portion or said inner portion of said bearing member,   said control unit being configured to make a comparison of a load detected by said load sensor with a predetermined threshold, and determine the difference between the load applied to said outer portion of said bearing member and the load applied to said inner portion of said bearing member based on the resultant comparison.