Exercise machine with pancake motor

{
  "publication_number": "US10335626B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Exercise machine with pancake motor",
  "abstract": "An exercise machine is disclosed. The exercise machine comprises a pancake motor. The exercise machine comprises a torque controller coupled to the pancake motor. The exercise machine comprises a high resolution encoder coupled to the pancake motor.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An exercise machine comprising: a pancake motor, wherein the pancake motor is in an out-runner configuration; a torque controller coupled to the pancake motor; a spool coupled to the pancake motor, and a cable wound about the spool; an arm to position the cable, wherein the arm comprises: 1) an arm slider to translate the arm and guide the cable along a rail associated with the arm, 2) a vertical pivot locking mechanism to position and keep the arm in a fixed vertical pivoted position, and 3) a horizontal pivot mechanism for the rail; an actuator coupled to the cable at an end of the arm; a high resolution encoder coupled to the pancake motor wherein the high resolution encoder determines motor position of the pancake motor; and a second encoder with resolution lower than a high resolution encoder, wherein the second encoder determines position of the actuator.",
    "2. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a voltage stabilizer coupled to the pancake motor to dissipate power, wherein the voltage stabilizer comprises a control signal to modulate power dissipated through a resistor.",
    "3. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the exercise machine is a strength training machine.",
    "4. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a differential coupled to the pancake motor.",
    "5. The exercise machine of claim 4, further comprising a first spool and a second spool, each spool coupled to the differential.",
    "6. The exercise machine of claim 5, further comprising: a first arm; a second arm; a first cable; and a second cable, wherein: the first cable is wound about the first spool; the second cable is wound about the second spool; the first arm positions the first cable; and the second arm positions the second cable.",
    "7. The exercise machine of claim 6, wherein the pancake motor, first spool, and second spool are mounted near the top of the exercise machine.",
    "8. The exercise machine of claim 6, wherein the cables are routed over the top of the exercise machine.",
    "9. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a low profile gear box coupled to the pancake motor.",
    "10. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a low profile differential coupled to the pancake motor.",
    "11. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the exercise machine is low profile.",
    "12. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a second pancake motor.",
    "13. The exercise machine of claim 12, further comprising a first spool and a second spool, wherein the first spool is coupled to the pancake motor, and wherein the second spool is coupled to the second pancake motor.",
    "14. The exercise machine of claim 13, further comprising: a first arm; a second arm; a first cable; and a second cable, wherein: the first cable is wound about the first spool; the second cable is wound about the second spool; the first arm positions the first cable; and the second arm positions the second cable.",
    "15. The exercise machine of claim 1, further comprising a wall bracket, wherein the exercise machine at least in part hangs on the wall bracket.",
    "16. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the pancake motor has teeth compatible with a belt integrated into a body of the pancake motor along an outer circumference.",
    "17. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the pancake motor uses cable tension and gravity to move a slider up and down to desired positions for a first arm."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "Strength training, also referred to as resistance training or weight lifting, is an important part of any exercise routine. It promotes the building of muscle, the burning of fat, and improvement of a number of metabolic factors including insulin sensitivity and lipid levels. Many users seek a more efficient and safe method of strength training.\n\nVarious embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.\n\nFIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an exercise machine.\n\nFIG. 1B illustrates a front view of one embodiment of an exercise machine.\n\nFIG. 1C illustrates a perspective view of the system of FIG. 1B wherein for clarity arms, cables, and belts are omitted.\n\nFIG. 1D illustrates a front view of the system of FIG. 1B.\n\nFIG. 1E illustrates a perspective view of the drivetrain of FIG. 1B.\n\nFIG. 2A illustrates a top view of one embodiment of an exercise machine.\n\nFIG. 2B illustrates a top view of an alternate embodiment of an exercise machine.\n\nFIG. 3A is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of a voltage stabilizer.\n\nFIG. 3B is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a process for a safety loop for an exercise machine.\n\nFIG. 4 is an illustration of arms in one embodiment of an exercise machine.\n\nFIG. 5A is an illustration of a locked position for an arm.\n\nFIG. 5B is an illustration of an unlocked position for an arm.\n\nFIG. 6 is an illustration of an embodiment of a vertical pivot locking mechanism.\n\nFIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate locking and unlocking for arm vertical pivoting.",
  "cpc": [
    "A63B 21/0058",
    "A63B 2024/0093",
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  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A63B 21/00",
    "A63B 21/005",
    "A63B 21/015",
    "A63B 21/16",
    "A63B 24/00",
    "A63B 71/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Tonal Systems Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Aly E. Orady",
    "Michael Valente"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-10-02",
  "publication_date": "2019-07-02",
  "grant_date": "2019-07-02",
  "priority_date": "2017-10-02",
  "application_number": "US-201715722719-A",
  "family_id": "65897464",
  "cited_by_count": 62,
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