Bicycle trainer including support-mounted electromagnetic brake

Abstract

An exercise device includes a frame assembly having a flywheel support member and supporting a drive axle adapted to be driven by a bicycle. The exercise device further includes a flywheel assembly supported by the flywheel support member and that includes a flywheel supported by a flywheel axle extending through the support member. The flywheel axle is coupled to the drive axle such that rotation of the drive axle drives the flywheel axle and the flywheel includes an outboard portion and a rim that collectively define a flywheel volume. An electromagnetic brake assembly coupled to the support member and including an electromagnet extends within the flywheel volume to provide magnetic resistance. The electromagnet may include two asymmetrical outer legs. The electromagnet may be disposed inside or outside the flywheel volume.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise device, comprising:
 a frame assembly including a flywheel support member and supporting a drive axle, the drive axle adapted to be driven by a bicycle;
 a flywheel assembly supported by the flywheel support member, the flywheel assembly including a flywheel supported by a flywheel axle extending through the support member, wherein the flywheel axle is coupled to the drive axle such that rotation of the drive axle drives the flywheel axle; and 
   an electromagnetic brake assembly coupled to the support member and including an electromagnet, wherein:
 the electromagnet includes a core comprising a first outer leg at a first end of the core and a second outer leg at a second end of the core, 
 the second end is opposite the first end, 
 the first outer leg is characterized by a first width, 
 the second outer leg is characterized by a second width, and 
 the first width is different from the second width. 
   
     
     
         2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the core comprises a support from which the first outer leg and the second outer leg extend,   the first width is greater than the second width, and   the first width and the second width are parallel to a longitudinal axis of the support.   
     
     
         3 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first width is greater than the second width, and   the electromagnet is configured such that upon rotation of the flywheel driven by the bicycle, the majority of the flywheel passes by the first outer leg before the second outer leg.   
     
     
         4 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a ratio of the first width to the second width is in a range from 1.2 to 1.4.   
     
     
         5 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the flywheel includes an outboard portion and a rim that collectively define a flywheel volume.   
     
     
         6 . The exercise device of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the electromagnet is disposed within the flywheel volume.   
     
     
         7 . The exercise device of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the electromagnet is disposed at a position radially outward from the rim and the flywheel axle.   
     
     
         8 . The exercise device of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the electromagnet is disposed at a position axially outward from the flywheel and the outboard portion.   
     
     
         9 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the core is an e-shaped core,   the e-shaped core comprises the first outer leg, the second outer leg, and a center leg disposed between the first outer leg and the second outer leg, and   the electromagnet further includes a coil wound about the center leg.   
     
     
         10 . The exercise device of  claim 9 , wherein the electromagnet is coupled to the support member such that the first outer leg, the second outer leg, and the center leg extend parallel to the support member. 
     
     
         11 . The exercise device of  claim 9 , wherein each of the first outer leg, the second outer leg, and the center leg have a curved tip that conforms to an inner surface of the flywheel 
     
     
         12 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the drive axle is coupled to a drive wheel and the drive wheel is coupled to the flywheel axle by a belt. 
     
     
         13 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnet is coupled to the support member below the flywheel axle. 
     
     
         14 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnet is a first electromagnet of the electromagnetic brake assembly, the exercise device further comprising a second electromagnet coupled to the support member. 
     
     
         15 . The exercise device of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first electromagnet includes a first e-shaped core having the first outer leg, the second outer leg, and a center leg disposed between the first outer leg and the second outer leg,   the first electromagnet includes a coil wound about the center leg, and   the second electromagnet includes a second e-shaped core.   
     
     
         16 . The exercise device of  claim 14 , wherein the second electromagnet is disposed opposite the first electromagnet across the flywheel axle. 
     
     
         17 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a memory having computer-executable instructions; and   at least one processor to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
 wirelessly connect the exercise device to receive communications from a computing device running an exercise application; 
 wirelessly receive a control signal from the computing device; and 
 modify control of the electromagnetic brake assembly responsive to the control signal. 
   
     
     
         18 . An exercise device, comprising:
 a frame assembly including a flywheel support member and supporting a drive axle, the drive axle adapted to be driven by a bicycle;   a flywheel assembly supported by the flywheel support member, the flywheel assembly including a flywheel supported by a flywheel axle extending through the support member, wherein:
 the flywheel axle is coupled to the drive axle such that rotation of the drive axle drives the flywheel axle, and 
 the flywheel includes an outboard portion and a rim that collectively define a flywheel volume; and 
   an electromagnetic brake assembly coupled to the support member and including an electromagnet disposed outside the flywheel volume.   
     
     
         19 . The exercise device of  claim 18 , wherein the electromagnet is disposed at a position radially outward from the rim and the flywheel axle. 
     
     
         20 . The exercise device of  claim 18 , wherein the electromagnet is disposed at a position axially outward from the flywheel and the outboard portion.