Device for physical exercise

Abstract

To improve the dynamic response, a method is described for managing a physical exercise device ( 10 ) comprising an endless belt ( 16 ) to create a track on which a user (U) can walk or run, and an electric motor ( 30 ) to slide the belt. The method has the steps of controlling the driving torque applied by the electric motor ( 30 ) to the belt ( 16 ) so that the driving torque is proportional to the force component (F), or to the torque, which the user imparts on the belt ( 16 ) to advance on the belt ( 16 ).

1 . Method for managing a physical exercise device ( 10 ) comprising an endless belt ( 16 ) to create a track on which a user (U) can walk or run, and an electric motor ( 30 ) to slide the belt,
 with the steps of   controlling the driving torque applied by the electric motor ( 30 ) to the belt ( 16 ) so that the driving torque is proportional to the force component (F), or to the torque, which the user imparts on the belt ( 16 ) to advance on the belt ( 16 ).   
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the driving torque is regulated to transmit to the belt a force or torque that has equal direction as said force or torque generated by the user. 
     
     
         3 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the driving torque is regulated to transmit to the belt a force or torque having opposite direction to that of said force or torque generated by the user. 
     
     
         4 . Physical exercise device ( 10 ) comprising:
 an endless belt ( 16 ) to create a track on which a user (U) can walk or run,   an electric motor ( 30 ) to slide the belt,   a sensor ( 22 ) for generating an electrical signal indicative of the force component, or indicative of the torque, that the user imparts on the belt for advancing on the belt,   an electronic circuit ( 40 ) configured for
 reading the sensor's signal, and
 controlling the driving torque applied by the electric motor ( 30 ) to the belt ( 16 ) so that the driving torque is proportional to said component or said torque imparted by the user. 
 
   
     
     
         5 . Device according to  claim 4 , wherein the electronic circuit ( 40 ) is configured to regulate the driving torque so as to transmit to the belt ( 16 ) a force or torque that has same direction as said force or torque generated by the user. 
     
     
         6 . Device according to  claim 4 , wherein the electronic circuit ( 40 ) is configured to regulate the driving torque so as to transmit to the belt ( 16 ) a force or torque having opposite direction to that of said force or torque generated by the user. 
     
     
         7 . Device according to  claim 4 , wherein the sensor ( 22 ) is configured to detect a force imparted by the user along a direction (F) parallel to the sliding direction of the belt and/or a direction parallel to that of the supporting surface (T) on which the device is placed. 
     
     
         8 . Device according to  claim 4 , wherein the sensor ( 22 ) is placed at a point located between the device and the supporting surface (T), and/or on and/or below the surface of the belt, and/or on the user's shoes. 
     
     
         9 . Device according to  claim 4 , wherein the sensor ( 22 ) is a load cell, or a strain gauge or a pressure sensor. 
     
     
         10 . Device according to  claim 4 , comprising a low-pass filter for filtering the signal generated by the sensor before sending it to the electronic circuit.