Systems and methods for selectively rotationally fixing a pedaled drivetrain

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12270441-B2
Application number	US-202318205299-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 2, 2023
Priority date	Dec 9, 2017
Publication date	Apr 8, 2025
Grant date	Apr 8, 2025

Abstract

A pedaled drivetrain includes a drive mechanism, a wheel, a freewheel hub, and a locking mechanism. The wheel has a rotational axis. The freewheel hub connects the drive mechanism to the wheel, and the freewheel hub transmits torque from the drive mechanism to the wheel in a first rotational direction around the rotational axis. The locking mechanism has a locked state and an unlocked state. The locked state rotationally fixes a component of the drive mechanism to the wheel relative to the rotational axis.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising:
rotating a drivetrain of an exercise device in a locked state, the drivetrain including a flywheel and pedals, wherein, in the locked state, the flywheel and the pedals are rotationally fixed in both a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction;
while rotating the drivetrain in the locked state, receiving an input to transition the drivetrain from the locked state to an unlocked state; and
based on the input, transitioning the drivetrain from the locked state to the unlocked state, wherein, in the unlocked state, the flywheel and the pedals are not rotationally fixed in one of the first rotational direction or the second rotational direction.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein, in the unlocked state:
rotating the pedals in the first rotational direction transfers torque to the flywheel; and
rotating the pedals in the second rotational direction does not transfer torque to the flywheel.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the input comprises:
receiving the input from a controller.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the controller is located on a frame of the exercise device.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the controller is located on handlebars of the exercise device.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein receiving the input comprises:
receiving the input from a computing device of the exercise device.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein transitioning the drivetrain from the locked state to the unlocked state comprises:
actuating a magnetic actuator to move a locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state.

8. A method for operating a pedaled exercise device, comprising:
receiving a first input torque from pedals on a drivetrain when the drivetrain is in a locked state;
transferring the first input torque from the pedals to a flywheel through the drivetrain, wherein transferring the first input torque to the flywheel causes the flywheel to rotate and wherein, in the locked state, the flywheel and the pedals are rotationally fixed;
while the flywheel is rotating, receiving a user input at a controller on the pedaled exercise device to transition the drivetrain from the locked state to an unlocked state;
transitioning the drivetrain from the locked state to the unlocked state; and
while the drivetrain is in the unlocked state, receiving a second input torque from the pedals, wherein the second input torque is not transmitted to the flywheel.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein:
receiving the first input torque includes receiving the first input torque in a first direction; and
receiving the second input torque includes receiving the second input torque in a second direction opposite the first direction.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein transitioning the drivetrain from the locked state to the unlocked state comprises:
moving locking mechanism parallel to a rotational axis of the flywheel.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein transitioning the drivetrain from the locked state to the unlocked state comprises:
actuating a magnetic actuator.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the controller is located on handlebars of the pedaled exercise device.

13. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
deactivating a lockout device configured to prevent movement between the locked state and the unlocked state based on a rotational velocity of the flywheel.

14. A stationary bicycle, comprising:
a pedaled drivetrain, comprising:
a flywheel;
pedals; and
a locking mechanism movable between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein, in the locked state, the pedals are rotationally fixed to the flywheel in a first direction and a second direction, and wherein, in the unlocked state, the pedals are not rotationally fixed in one of the first direction or the second direction; and

a locking controller connected to the locking mechanism to switch the locking mechanism between the locked state and the unlocked state, the locking controller configured to move the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state while the flywheel is rotating, wherein the locking controller is integrated with an exercise program implemented by the stationary bicycle.

15. The stationary bicycle of claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism includes a magnetic actuator.

16. The stationary bicycle of claim 14 , wherein the locking mechanism moves axially parallel to a rotational axis of the flywheel to move between the locked state and the unlocked state.

17. The stationary bicycle of claim 14 , wherein the locking controller includes a computing device to move the locking mechanism from the locked state or the unlocked state while the flywheel is rotating.

18. The stationary bicycle of claim 14 , further comprising:
handlebars, wherein the locking mechanism is located on the handlebars.

Assignees

• Ifit Inc

Inventors

• Wrobel David E

Classifications

• F16D41/04

  combined with a clutch for locking the driving and driven members (F16D41/02, F16D41/24 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16D41/30

  with hinged pawl co-operating with teeth, cogs, or the like · CPC title

• F16D48/06

  Control by electric or electronic means, e.g. of fluid pressure · CPC title

• F16D2300/24

  Concentric actuation rods, e.g. actuation rods extending concentrically through a shaft · CPC title

• F16D2500/10406

  Clutch position · CPC title