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DE-202025003502-U1 - System for the automatic recording and analysis of training parameters on cable pulley fitness equipment

DE202025003502U1DE 202025003502 U1DE202025003502 U1DE 202025003502U1DE-202025003502-U1

Abstract

System for the automatic recording and analysis of at least one training parameter on a cable pulley fitness machine, characterized in that the system comprises: a) a measuring device (10) that can be retrofitted to the fitness equipment (1) without structural modification, comprising: • a housing (11) that can be positioned either below or above a vertically movable weight selection pin (2) of the fitness device, • a distance sensor (12) arranged in the housing (11), which is configured to detect the vertical position of the weight selection pin (2) and to generate corresponding distance measurements, • a microcontroller (13) with wireless communication unit (14) for wireless transmission of the distance measurements, b) an evaluation unit (18) which is trained: • to receive the wirelessly transmitted distance measurements, • to determine the weight set on the fitness equipment from the received distance measurements, • to identify training repetitions from a temporal progression of successive distance measurements.

Assignees

  • EXERCISABLE GMBH

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20251117
Priority Date
20251117

Claims (16)

  1. System for the automatic acquisition and analysis of at least one training parameter on a cable pulley fitness machine, characterized in that the system comprises: a) a measuring device (10) that can be retrofitted to the fitness machine (1) without structural modification, comprising: • a housing (11) that can be positioned either below or above a vertically movable weight selection pin (2) of the fitness machine, • a distance sensor (12) arranged in the housing (11) which is configured to detect the vertical position of the weight selection pin (2) and to generate corresponding distance measurements, • a microcontroller (13) with a wireless communication unit (14) for wireless transmission of the distance measurements, b) an evaluation unit (18) which is configured to: • receive the wirelessly transmitted distance measurements, • determine the weight set on the fitness machine from the received distance measurements, • recognize training repetitions from a time series of successive distance measurements.
  2. System according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the measuring device (10) can be mounted on the fitness device (1) without tools.
  3. System according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the distance sensor (12) is designed as a single-point distance sensor (12) with a focused measuring beam.
  4. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance sensor (12) is configured to detect the vertical position of the weight selection pin (2) by continuous distance measurement.
  5. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit (18) is configured to determine the weight set on the fitness device from the received distance measurements by detecting stable pin positions.
  6. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit (18) is configured to recognize the training repetitions by analyzing the changes in distance over time of successive distance measurements.
  7. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (11) can be attached to the fitness device (1) without tools, in particular by magnetic attachment, clamping connection or positive locking connection.
  8. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance sensor (12) is an optical distance sensor, in particular a LiDAR sensor with Timeof-Flight or Phase-Shift technology.
  9. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance sensor (12) has a focused measuring beam with an opening angle of less than 10°.
  10. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wireless communication unit (14) is selected from Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module, WiFi module or Mesh network module.
  11. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit (18) is configured to calculate at least one additional training parameter from the distance measurements for detected training repetitions, which is at least one additional training parameter selected from movement amplitude, movement duration and movement speed.
  12. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit (18) is configured to calculate at least one aggregated performance indicator from the at least one recorded training parameter, which is at least one aggregated performance indicator selected from One Repetition Maximum (1RM), training volume and training intensity.
  13. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit (18) is configured to provide a calibration function for automatically determining at least one device-specific parameter by measuring the distance in at least two defined pin positions, the at least one device-specific parameter being selected from plate thickness and weight increments.
  14. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the evaluation unit (18) is designed as a mobile application on a smartphone or tablet or as a cloud-based application.
  15. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the The measuring device (10) comprises a power supply unit (15) which is optionally designed as a rechargeable battery or as a power cable supply for continuous operation.
  16. system Claim 15 , characterized in that , in a power supply unit (15) in the form of a rechargeable battery, the microcontroller (13) provides adaptive sampling rates and energy-saving strategies for operation lasting several weeks.

Description

Technical field The invention relates to a system for the automatic recording and analysis of one or more training parameters, in particular a weight set on a cable pulley fitness machine with a weight stack by means of a weight selection pin, of repetitions performed and of other performance data on the cable pulley fitness machine. State of the art Cable-operated weight stack machines are widely used in gyms. These machines have a stack of weight plates, which are selected by inserting a pin into the corresponding position. When the cable is pulled, the pin moves vertically up and down along with the selected weight plates. Currently, trainees have to manually document their training data, such as weight set, number of repetitions, and other parameters. This is time-consuming, prone to errors, and often leads to incomplete training data. Existing technical solutions and their limitations Several technical approaches are known for automatic training data collection: 1. Multi-part sensor systems with external ground unit From US 10 610 733 B2 (UBODY INC., 2020) discloses a two-part system with a pin unit and a separate ground unit. The pin unit contains an ultrasonic transducer for time-of-flight measurement between the pin and the ground unit. Similarly, it is disclosed EP 3 099 386 A1 (2016) a system with a pin unit and a floor unit with infrared communication. Disadvantages: These systems consist of two separate components, each requiring a power supply: a pin unit that moves up and down with the weight plates, and a stationary floor unit. The pin unit must be battery-powered and is subject to mechanical stress from the vertical movement with each repetition. This significantly complicates the design and increases the susceptibility to errors. Furthermore, wireless communication between the two moving and stationary units must be synchronized. The ultrasonic distance measurement achieves an accuracy of only about ±3 mm and is prone to multipath problems due to the typical beam angle of 15°. The floor unit must be repositioned with each device change, and both components require regular recharging. 2. Force sensor-based systems From US 11 235 201 B2 (FORME LIFE INC., 2022) is known for a combination of force sensors (load cells) on the pulley and position sensors to measure the weight stack movement. Similar approaches using strain gauges on the cable are described in WO 2016/111827 A 2 and US 5 785 632 A Disadvantages revealed: These systems require structural modifications to the fitness equipment, as the force sensors must be mounted on the frame or pulley. Installation is expensive and requires qualified personnel. The sensors measure the applied force, not the weight selected, which can lead to inaccuracies. The systems are not universally compatible and require equipment-specific calibration. 3. Optical systems with external infrastructure US 6 494 811 B1 (TECHNOGYM SPA, 2002) describes an optical system with multiple vertically arranged infrared (IR) emitters and photodiode receivers. The weight plate selection pin must be fitted with an IR-reflective cylindrical surface. Disadvantages: This system requires both pin modification and the installation of multiple IR emitters and receivers on the machine. Calibration is complex, and optical systems are susceptible to contamination from chalk, dust, and sweat. The system is not suitable for retrofitting, as the original pin must be replaced. 4. Camera-based and IMU-based systems. Camera-based systems with 3D depth sensors (Perch, Tempo) and IMU-based wearable sensors (Beast Sensor, Push Band), which use accelerometers and gyroscopes, are available on the market. Disadvantages of camera systems: High purchase and operating costs, professional wall mounting required, critical camera positioning, occlusion problems in crowded gyms, privacy concerns. The set weight can only be inferred visually with accuracies of 84-96%. Primarily optimized for free weights, not for cable machines with weight stacks. Disadvantages of IMU systems: Studies show accuracy deviations of 10-35% in motion measurement. Sensor placement significantly affects measurement accuracy. A critical drawback is that IMU sensors cannot measure the set weight – users must enter the weight manually. Identified technical vulnerability None of the known systems combine the following features: A single, compact stationary measuring device with an integrated distance sensor that can be easily mounted on the fitness equipment, detects the pin position by direct distance measurement, and requires no structural modifications to the equipment. All known systems require either: • Multi-part systems with movable electronic components (pin unit + base unit), each requiring a power supply • External sensor units (cameras, cable encoders) • Structural modifications to the fitness equipment (installation of force sensors, IR emitters) • Modification of the original pin or weight plates • Manual setup steps