Exercise apparatus capable of measuring force that user applies on

Abstract

The present invention provides an exercise apparatus for allowing a user to perform an exercise. The user drives at least one moving member to rotate a flywheel. The flywheel must overcome a resistance generated by a magnetic field generating module during rotation. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic field generating module is supported by a flexible support member and tends to restore to an initial position. The magnetic field generating module will be pushed by the flywheel in a rotational direction of the flywheel and to generate a corresponding displacement. The displacement or the deformation of the support member is measured by a first measuring device so as to appropriately calculate the output force of the user, and further obtains power, metabolic equivalent or calorie consumption rate if correlated with rotational speed of the flywheel or corresponding parameters measuring by a second measuring device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus for performing an exercise, comprising:
 a frame;   at least one moving member driven by a user to be movable with respect to the frame when the user performs the exercise;   a flywheel pivotally mounted to the frame;   a transmission mechanism connected between the moving member and the flywheel for driving the flywheel to rotate as the moving member is driven by the user;   a base mounted to the frame;   a support member having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion connected to the base, the second portion being movable from an initial position to other positions with respect to the base, the support member affected by an elastic force, the elastic force increased as the second portion of the support member departs from the initial position and biasing the second portion of the support member to return to the initial position;   a magnetic field generating device fixed to the second portion of the support member and being adjacent to the flywheel, the magnetic field generating device configured to generate a magnetic field for exerting a drag force opposing rotational motion of the flywheel; and   a first measuring device for measuring a value of a first parameter, the first parameter representing displacement of the second portion of the support member departing from the initial position.   
     
     
         2 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a second measuring device for measuring a value of a second parameter, the second parameter representing a rotational speed of the flywheel, an operational control unit configured to calculate values of power, metabolic equivalent or calorie consumption rate by using at least two parameter values including the values of the first parameter and the second parameter. 
     
     
         3 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field generating device comprises at least one permanent magnet; the base is movable with respect to the frame between a first position in which the magnetic field generating device is close to the flywheel and a second position in which the magnetic field generating device is away from the flywheel. 
     
     
         4 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic field generating device comprises at least one electromagnet; the exercise apparatus further comprises an electric current control device for controlling electric current applied to the electromagnet. 
     
     
         5 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support member is flexible, and the elastic force is generated by deformation of the support member between the second portion and the first portion as the second portion is departed from the initial position. 
     
     
         6 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first parameter corresponds to the deformation of the support member between the second portion and the first portion. 
     
     
         7 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the support member is plate-shaped, having a surface that is deformed flexibly as the second portion departs from the initial position; the first measuring device comprises a strain gauge mounted on the surface of the support member for sensing the deformation of the surface of the support member. 
     
     
         8 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first portion of the support member is movably connected to the base for allowing the support member to move with respect to the base; the exercise apparatuses further comprises an elastic member, the elastic member having one end connected to the base or the frame and the other end connected to the support member, the elastic member being deformed as the second portion of the support member departs from the initial position and providing the elastic force to the support member. 
     
     
         9 . An exercise apparatus for performing an exercise, comprising:
 a frame;   at least one moving member driven by a user to be movable with respect to the frame when the user performs the exercise;   a flywheel pivotally mounted to the frame;   a transmission mechanism connected between the moving member and the flywheel for driving the flywheel to rotate as the moving member is driven by the user;   a display device for displaying information to the user;   an operational control unit for controlling the information displayed on the display unit;   a base mounted to the frame;   a support member having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion connected to the base, the second portion being movable from an initial position to other positions with respect to the base, the support member affected by an elastic force, the elastic force increased as the second portion of the support member departs from the initial position and biasing the second portion of the support member to return to the initial position;   a magnetic field generating device fixed to the second portion of the support member and being adjacent to the flywheel, the magnetic field generating device configured to generate a magnetic field for exerting a drag force opposing rotational motion of the flywheel; and   a first measuring device for measuring a value of a first parameter, the first parameter representing displacement of the second portion of the support member departing from the initial position, the first measuring device electrically connected to the operational control unit;   wherein at least one of the information displayed on the display unit which is controlled by the operational control unit includes an output force from the user driving the moving member.   
     
     
         10 . The exercise apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , further comprising a second measuring device for measuring a value of a second parameter, the second parameter representing a rotational speed of the flywheel, the second measuring device electrically connected to the operational control unit, at least one of the information displayed on the display unit which is controlled by the operational control unit including exercise power, metabolic equivalent or calorie consumption rate of the user.