EP1813245A1 - Device for stimulating the human body by vibrations. - Google Patents

Abstract

A vibration activator has at least one rotating weight eccentric in relation to the rotational axis and driving mechanisms that induces the eccentric weight to rotate. The die position of rotational axis or axes is fixed in relation to a vibrating plate. The driving mechanism has a single electric motor (66). The rotational axis or axes extends or extend, respectively, transversely to the defined sagittal plane. The vibrating plate is coupled to the base element to deflect vibrating plate in vertical and horizontal directions with the rotation of eccentric weight.

Description

The invention relates to a device for stimulating the human body by means of vibrations, as it is useful for muscle training, or more generally the stimulation of the body.

Such devices can be designed as fitness devices with a vibrating platform on which a user or a user stands or sits or on which he / she supports a body part. It is also possible for a user to take hold of belt loops attached to the platform and to tension. The vibrations cause reactions of the body, resulting in a stimulating effect as well as a training effect.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device with a vibrating plate and / or such a device with reduced manufacturing costs available.

According to the invention, a device for stimulating the human body by means of vibrations is provided which has a vibration excitable vibration plate with a footprint. The device defines how the user should stand in normal operation on the stand area: through Arresting means (handles) and / or markings is defined as a forward direction (and thus also a backward direction). That is, the sagittal plane (the vertical plane in which the forward-backward axis extends with respect to the human body) of the user is defined relative to the device.

The device has a vibration exciter. This has at least one rotatable and with respect to a rotation axis eccentric weight and an electric motor by means of which the eccentric weight is set in a rotational movement, wherein the position of the axis of rotation is fixed relative to the vibrating plate, so that forces acting on the axis of rotation due to the unbalance on the swing plate are transferred. The axis of rotation or axes of rotation is / are now chosen so that they run transversely (preferably at right angles or approximately at right angles, i.e. between 75 ° and 105 °) to the defined sagittal plane.

In the following description, the spatial directions with respect to the device are defined by a Cartesian coordinate system. The z-direction is vertically upwards. The x direction corresponds to the horizontal sagittal direction (forward) when the user is standing on the device in the manner defined by the device. The sagittal plane is thus in this normal operation, the x-z plane.

The device according to the invention has the advantage that three-dimensional oscillations are generated, specifically in such a way that they have a particularly stimulating effect. It has been shown that the generated vibrations lead to an intense irritation of the proprioceptive system (mechanoreceptors). The harmonic oscillations acting in the z and x directions lead to biopositive adaptations in the human organism due to the various influences on different physiological systems with correct operation of the device (exercise position according to normal operation). In contrast to exclusively in the vertical plane Working vibration platforms (z-direction) leads the additional deflection in the x-direction to increased neuro-muscular and proprioceptive stress. It has also been shown that vibrations in the y direction would be undesirable for physiological reasons.

In this form of vibration generation thus results in a way to increase the effectiveness of vibration training.

Another advantage is that by using only one motor, the manufacturing costs are lower than in the case of dual-motor solutions according to the prior art.

These advantages are exacerbated when only a single shaft is driven, on which both sides of the motor ever an eccentric / group of at least two eccentrics are rotated. Then no mechanically heavily loaded deflecting means (cardan shaft or the like) are necessary. If the two eccentric / eccentric groups have the same eccentricity, hardly any shear forces are applied to the motor.

Particularly preferred are embodiments of the device in which the vibrating plate is coupled via first elastic elements to a - preferably plate-shaped - intermediate element and the intermediate element is coupled via second elastic elements to a base plate, a base frame or a base housing. This principle is in the application EP 04 405 659.6 and the one based on it PCT / CH 2005/000626 described, it is explicitly referred to here Also particularly preferred is the principle that two stages with different oscillation amplitudes is possible at the same oscillation frequency. This principle is also in the EP 04 405 659.6 and the one based on it PCT / CH 2005/000626 (each Fig. 6) described. It is based on the fact that at least one eccentric weight is assigned a compensating eccentric per eccentric group, wherein the compensating eccentric is pivotable with respect to the shaft between two stops, wherein the compensating eccentric is in one direction of rotation at the first stop and rotated by a rotation of the shaft is and at a rotation in the other direction of rotation abuts the other stop and is rotated by this, and that the compensating eccentric makes another contribution to the total imbalance when it is present at the first stop than when it rests against the second stop. Reference is also made to the description of this principle with reference to FIG. 6 of the aforementioned applications.

• Fig. 1 eine Ansicht eines erfindungsgemässen Geräts zur Stimulation des menschlichen Körpers mittels Vibrationen.
• Fig. 2 schematisch eine Ansicht der Standfläche von oben, in der auch die Orientierung des Schwingungsanregers sichtbar ist,
• Fig. 3 sehr schematisch eine Darstellung des einzigen Elektromotors, an welchen zwei Exzenter (bzw. Exzentergruppen) gekoppelt sind,
• Fig. 4 eine Explosionsdarstellung einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung mit Zwischenelement,
• Fig. 5 eine Skizze zur Illustration einer Ausführungsform, die den Betrieb mit zwei verschiedenen Vibrationsamplituden bei gegebener Vibrationsfrequenz erlaubt.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to drawings. In the drawings show:

• Fig. 1 is a view of an inventive device for stimulating the human body by means of vibrations.
• 2 shows schematically a view of the base from above, in which the orientation of the vibration exciter is visible,
• 3 very schematically a representation of the single electric motor, to which two eccentrics (or eccentric groups) are coupled,
• 4 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the invention with intermediate element,
• Fig. 5 is a sketch illustrating an embodiment which allows operation with two different vibration amplitudes at a given vibration frequency.

The device in Figure 1 has a swing plate 1 with a footprint 1.1. The vibrating plate can be vibrated to stimulate a user. On a control column 11 retaining means 12, namely handles are attached. This defines the orientation of the user - the user turns the body front (sagittal horizonal forward, i.e., in the direction perpendicular to the frontal plane) to the control column, i. the so-called sagittal plane of the user corresponds to the x-z plane according to the device coordinate system drawn.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a view of the base 1.1 from above. As in the following figures, the coordinate system corresponds to that according to FIG. 1. It can be seen how the electric motor 66, which is present underneath the standing surface and coupled to the oscillating plate, is installed transversely to the x-z plane. This means, in particular, that the shaft 61, on or with which the eccentrics 60 rotate, runs transversely to the x-z plane.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the drive means is shown very schematically in FIG. FIG. 3 shows an electric motor 66 (stator 66.1, rotor 66.2, housing 66.3, bearing 66.4) which drives a shaft 61. On the shaft an eccentric 60 is fixed rotatably on both sides. The two eccentrics are in their angular position aligned so that no shear forces can result. The electric motor is attached as a whole to the swing plate.

Figure 4 shows an exploded view of a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, namely an embodiment with intermediate element. The oscillating plate 1 is coupled to an intermediate element 3 via first elastic elements 2, namely honeycomb-shaped elastomer bodies. This is in turn coupled via second elastic elements 4 to a base plate 5. The base plate stands on a base - for example, a floor of a gym - on, in a conventional manner still damping elements between the base plate and the floor can be provided.

The intermediate element 3 can be designed as a substantially rigid, for example, plate-shaped body. But it can also include at least one weight that can move within certain limits relative to the rest of the intermediate element.

The base plate 5 is substantially rigidly connected to the control column 11, which includes the handles 12 for the user and a control panel 13. In the interior of the structure or attached to this is also a control electronics and possibly power supplies and the like. The oscillating plate 1 is made of a rigid glass fiber composite material or any other suitable material (reinforced plastic, metal alloy, etc.) and has a pleasant to the user stand surface 1.1, for example, due to an anti-slip coating or a non-slip mat. The swing plate 1 still has mounting holes 31, 32 for electric motors and elastic elements and belt loops. The intermediate element 3 is rigid in itself, substantially plate-shaped and has a T-shaped opening 3.1.

This opening 3.1 is used in the illustrated embodiment to provide space for the electric motor which is fixed to the swing plate and as drawn above is connected via a shaft with two eccentrics or groups of eccentrics. The drive block 16 consisting of the transversely mounted electric motor, shaft, and eccentrics is shown only very schematically in this figure.

Even if the intermediate element 3 is particularly advantageous - it decouples the vibrating plate 1 better from the surface -, it is not necessary. For example, the oscillating plate 1 can also be coupled directly to the base plate 5 by first elastic elements-for example, in the manner of the drawn first elastic elements 2.

It can be provided that each eccentric is associated with at least one compensating eccentric, wherein the compensating eccentric relative to the shaft between two stops is pivotable, wherein the compensating eccentric is present at a rotation of the shaft in the one direction of rotation of the first stop and rotated by this and a Rotation in the other direction of rotation abuts the other stop and is rotated by this. As a result, the compensation eccentric can make a different contribution to the total imbalance when it is present at the first stop than when it is present at the second stop. Thus, even at a fixed speed (which fixes the vibration frequency), two modes of operation result (high / low). Incidentally, the eccentric itself does not have to be rotatably mounted, but can also be rotated by standing against stops; is essential in this embodiment only that the relative angular position of eccentric and Ausgleichsexzenter is not the same for both directions of rotation.

This is illustrated by way of an exemplary embodiment in part in FIG. The components shown in FIG. 5 correspond, for example, to the components present on one side of the electric motor 66 shown only schematically in FIG. Preferably, these components are in the same (i.e., mirror image) arrangement on the other side of the electric motor once again. The rotatable about a rotation axis 55 shaft 61 is supported by bearing means 71 on webs 72 which are rigidly connected to the swing plate. Rotationally connected to the shaft is a first eccentric 50. In addition, there is also a pair of compensating eccentrics 51 (instead, there could be only one compensating eccentric per side, i.e. per group of eccentrics). These have a smaller imbalance with respect to the axis of rotation than the eccentric 50, for example because they are lighter than this. They are not rotatably connected to the shaft in contrast to the eccentric 50 but pivotally relative to this. Also, they are arranged directly to a rotatably connected to the shaft 54 wheel. The wheel has two drive pins 52 due to which also the compensation eccentric are rotated during a rotational movement of the wheel 54. In a rotation in the one direction of rotation while the compensating eccentric 51 are arranged so that their eccentricity counteracts that of the eccentric 50 as in the drawing. Then the total eccentricity and thus also the inertial forces decrease at a rotation speed given by the fixed vibration frequency. Upon rotation in the other direction, the compensating eccentric automatically come on the other side of its driving pin 52 - the two sides of the driving pin serve as stops for the Ausgleichsexzenter - to lie, then in the same rotational position as the eccentric 50 and increase the imbalance and therefore the inertial forces. With this simple measure, therefore, the vibration amplitude can be varied between two values by selecting the direction of rotation of the drive.

Claims (8)

Apparatus for stimulating the human body by means of vibrations, comprising a vibration-excitable vibration plate (1) having a footprint (1.1), wherein a sagittal plane is defined by a detention means (12) and / or markers for a user, and a vibration exciter which is at least one rotatable and with respect to a rotational axis eccentric weight (50, 51) and drive means by means of which the eccentric weight (50, 51) is set into a rotational movement, wherein the position of the axis of rotation or the axes of rotation relative to the vibrating plate (1) is fixed , characterized in that the drive means comprise a single electric motor (66), and in that the axis of rotation or the axes of rotation runs or extend transversely to the defined sagittal plane. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that on two opposite sides of the electric motor depending on an eccentric weight or a group of eccentric weights is or are, which are rotatable about mutually coaxial axes of rotation. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the two weights or groups of eccentric weights are mounted on a common shaft (61). Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the oscillating plate is coupled via first elastic elements (2) to an intermediate element (3) and the intermediate element (3) via the second elastic elements to a base plate (5), a base frame or a base housing is coupled. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the intermediate element (3) is substantially plate-shaped. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the intermediate element (3) and the oscillating plate (1) are parallel to each other and that the intermediate element has at least one opening (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) which extends at a lateral position of the electric motor (66). located. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one eccentric weight (50) is assigned a compensating eccentric (51), wherein the compensating eccentric relative to the shaft (61) is pivotable between two stops, wherein the compensating eccentric upon rotation of the shaft in one rotation is present at the first stop and is co-rotated with it and is in rotation in the other direction of rotation at the other stop and is co-rotated, and that the compensation eccentric makes a different contribution to the total imbalance when he on the first Stop is present as if it is present at the second stop. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one eccentric weight (50) is rotatably coupled to a shaft, and that the unbalance caused by the Ausgleichsexzenter (51) increases the total imbalance when it is present at the first stop, whereas the imbalance of the at least one eccentric weight (50) by the Balancing eccentric caused unbalance is at least partially compensated if this is due to the second stop.

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