Torque generator device, application thereof to physical exercise apparatus, and variable speed motor drive therefor
OwnerBruno Sellierinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A torque generator device for simulating in physical exercise apparatus a load opposing a force exerted by a user includes an asynchronous motor controlled by a variable speed drive of the flux vector control reversible type whose current is controlled by a torque regulator loop. The variable speed drive fixes the flux in the motor so that the torque can be controlled independently. The torque regulator loop processes measurements from a force sensor which it compares with a force set point to control the current fed into the motor by the variable speed drive. The device thus generates a constant torque which opposes the force exerted by the user.
Claims5
Physical exercise machine comprising a torque generator device for simulating a load opposing a force, comprising:
- an asynchronous electric motor;
- a flux vector control reversible type variable speed drive connected for supplying a variable speed drive current to said electric motor for controlling said electric motor;
- and torque regulator means connected for controlling said variable speed drive so that said electric motor supplies a predetermined torque simulating the load, wherein said torque regulator means include a force sensor for measuring the force opposed by said torque generator device, said measured force being compared with a predetermined reference force to provide a basis for controlling variable speed drive current, said torque generator device further comprising switching means controlled by said force sensor to reverse the direction of the torque exerted by said asynchronous motor and to modify accordingly the control action of said torque regulator means if the force measured by said force sensor exceeds an upper limit dependent on said predetermined reference force, said machine further comprising a column on which slides a carriage carrying an exercise bar, said carriage being coupled by a chain to a shaft mechanically coupled to said asynchronous motor, in which machine said force sensor is operative at the level of bearings supporting said shaft.
Torque generator device for simulating a load opposing a force, comprising:
- an asynchronous electric motor;
- a flux vector control reversible type variable speed drive connected for supplying a variable speed drive current to said electric motor for controlling said electric motor;
- and torque regulator means connected for controlling said variable speed drive so that said electric motor supplies a predetermined torque simulating the load, wherein said torque regulator means include a force sensor for measuring the force opposed by said torque generator device, said measured force being compared with a predetermined reference force to provide a basis for controlling variable speed drive current, said torque generator device further comprising switching means controlled by said force sensor to reverse the direction of the torque exerted by said asynchronous motor and to modify accordingly the control action of said torque regulator means if the force measured by said force sensor exceeds an upper limit dependent on said predetermined reference force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.