EP1656921B1 - Training apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves introducing vibrations into the body of the human being by a vibration plate (8). A person (6) is positioned to lie in a horizontally-arranged vacuum chamber (4) so that a part of the body of the person for training is outside the vacuum chamber and the feet of the person contact the vertically-arranged vibration plate in the vacuum chamber. A pressure below the atmospheric pressure is produced in the vacuum chamber so that the person is drawn against the vibration plate and the vibration plate is made to oscillate and the oscillations generated are introduced into the body of the person. An independent claim is included for a device for training muscle groups of a human being.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for training human muscle groups with a vibration unit having at least one vibration plate, at least one vibration generator for coupling vibrations into the vibration plate, and at least one control unit for controlling the vibration amplitude of the vibration plate.

A device of the aforementioned type is known for example from WO 02/053084 A1. This document discloses a device for vibrational excitation of a human body with a base platform on which a vibrating plate in the form of an oscillating rocker is arranged. For training purposes, the human is on the vibration plate, where he can hold on two handles, which are mounted laterally of the vibration plate on the base platform hold. If the vibrating plate is now vibrated, it will vibrate with low amplitude and frequency over the soles of the feet of the human initiated into the lower body and trigger there a muscle reflex. The muscle groups in the area of the calves, thighs and / or hips are thus stimulated.

A disadvantage of this system is considered that the training must be performed in an upright position of the person, since on the one hand only by the weight of the person continuous contact between the vibrating plate and the feet of man can be maintained and on the other hand, the vibration plate firm contact with the foundation must be able to couple the vibrations.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device of the type mentioned, which makes it possible to perform a training by means of vibration coupling also to horizontal persons.

This object is achieved by the characterizing features of claim 1.

The invention is thus based on the idea to produce the force required for vibration in a person to be trained in the direction of the vibrating plate by a pressure below the ambient pressure, so that the oscillation coupling is possible in a recumbent position and that by suitable measures the vibrations also without firm ground contact be introduced into the human body and parasitic vibrations are prevented by appropriate vibration damping on their forwarding to the frame.

Furthermore, due to the pressure below the ambient pressure, blood is collected in the part of the body located in the vacuum chamber, whereby the entire circulation of the human is stimulated and the autonomic nervous system is activated. The activity in the sympathetic branch of the nervous system is increased, and both the frequency and the contraction force of the heart are increased. Furthermore, tissue fluid is redistributed in the area exposed to the pressure below ambient pressure. Lymphatic or interstitial fluid of the skin is present in the subcutaneous tissue mobilized and redistributed through the stimulated cycle. Finally, the intercellular volume is increased and the micro and macro circulation in the lower limbs increased. Reflexes of the autonomic nervous system increase the plasma volume. In this way, for example, a disturbed by a disease-related prolonged lying phase fluid balance or a disturbed circulatory system of the person to be trained stabilized and a new type of lymph drainage treatment can be performed. The inventive method can be used accordingly for the treatment of metabolic disorders, obesity and cellulitis or to stimulate the circulation.

In order to obtain an optimal training result, the invention provides to detect the set pressure in the vacuum chamber and the Schwingungsamplitute the vibration plate by means of sensors and tuned to each other via a control unit. This can be done, for example, by adjusting the vibration amplitude of the vibrating plate as a function of the pressure prevailing in the vacuum chamber. In addition, during use, the pressure may pulsate such that the method or device of the invention acts as an external lymphatic stimulator.

The individual muscle groups are preferably trained in application cycles, wherein an application cycle adjusting the pressure below the ambient pressure in the vacuum chamber and generating vibrations in a predetermined vibration cycle. An application cycle can last up to 4 minutes, starting the oscillation cycle immediately after reaching the maximum pressure to be set below the ambient pressure. At the same time, the pressure in the vacuum chamber is never greater than the ambient pressure during the entire application cycle.

A preferred embodiment of the invention provides to set a differential pressure of up to -60 mmHg (-8 kPa) below the ambient pressure at the beginning of an application cycle, and to steadily increase the pressure from this level during the application cycle, so that a sawtooth-like pressure curve during the Treatment stops. This pressure pattern mobilizes blood and lymph fluid at different pressures due to the elasticity differences of the skin, muscles and vein walls in the vicinity of the deep arteries. The venous walls near the skin surface are firmer and more relentless than the more elastic regions in depth, such as in the middle of the leg cross section. Furthermore, the skin is stronger in the ankle area than, for example, the skin at hip height. With decreasing pressure, the elastic veins are first stretched in depth. Blood and lymphatic fluid is thus redistributed from the skin into the deep vessels. At -60 mmHg (-8 kPa), as the difference in pressure increases, veins and lymphatics in the foot are also distended, spreading blood and lymph to the feet. When the pressure difference in the Vacuum chamber subsides, blood and lymph fluid shift to the heart. Since there are valves in the veins and lymph vessels, which act like valves, the pressure pulsation redistributes blood and tissue fluid and gently massages the heart.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides to generate the oscillations cyclically, wherein a vibration cycle lasts up to 2 minutes.
Depending on the physical condition of the person to be trained, complete training may involve two to eight application cycles.

Stimulation of the circulation and metabolism creates heat. For cooling purposes, an air flow can be passed through the vacuum chamber. This is expediently kept constant despite changing pressure conditions in the vacuum chamber. For this purpose, the exiting air flow is measured taking into account a leakage current which can occur, for example, at the transitional areas between the person to be trained and the vacuum chamber. The air supply is controlled in accordance with a throttle valve, whose cross-section may be variable, so that the total air flow remains approximately constant. This can dissipate the heat generated by the patient during exercise. The exiting air flow can also be used to cool electronic components outside the vacuum chamber and to avoid their overheating.

In order to be able to ensure the stability of the organism of the person to be trained even during training, it is provided in one exemplary embodiment to measure and check the vital parameters of the human being such as heart rate, blood pressure correlation and muscular performance during the entire training.

A further embodiment of the present invention provides that the muscle strengthening is supplemented and supported by vibration coupling into the human by an electrical muscle stimulation device. For this purpose, electric current pulses are used, which cause a contraction of the muscle fibers. The electrical current introduced into the body by means of electrodes allows an even more targeted contraction of individual muscle parts - also called electrical muscle stimulation (EMS). The contraction of the muscle groups increases blood flow and metabolism so that individual muscles can be strengthened and fat in certain problem areas can be broken down.

According to the invention, a weak beta emitter can be used (minus ion therapy) in order to be able to further increase the perfusion of the skin by means of ionization. In addition to stimulating the circulation and metabolism of the skin, this procedure also stimulates the regenerative ability of skin cells.

To seal the interior of the vacuum chamber relative to the ambient pressure, an elastic sleeve may be provided at the access opening of the vacuum chamber, which simply adapts itself to the body to be trained of the person to be trained due to an example manually by a diaphragm (iris) manually variable bias in their elasticity.

In order to generate vibrations without transmission of parasitic vibrations from the housing, the vibration generator in one embodiment has an intermediate mass which is resilient in a housing of the vibration generator is suspended, coupled to the vibrating plate and can be vibrated via the vibrator. In this case, the intermediate mass oscillate in phase opposition to the vibrating plate.

To take account of variable parameters such as the mass of the person to be trained, the intermediate mass and the vibrating plate can be coupled to each other in the apparatus according to the invention in particular by means of immersion coil magnets such that the ratio of their oscillation amplitudes is adjustable relative to each other. As a result, an adaptation of the amplitude of the intermediate mass to the mass of the masses of the person to be trained to be vibrated. If, for example, the weight of the person to be trained is 40 kg and the weight of the intermediate mass is 8 kg, then, according to the conservation of momentum, a coupling is desirable which allows a vibration ratio of intermediate mass to vibration plate of 5: 1.

In another embodiment of the present invention, to assist in transmitting the vibrations of the intermediate mass to the vibrating plate, an electrically generated magnetic field may be applied to the coils. The current can be passed through the springs of the suspension.

In a further embodiment of the device according to the invention means are provided in the vibration generator to the device also to possibly unequal Adjust leg lengths of the person to be trained.

To avoid remaining parasitic oscillations between the vacuum chamber and the vibrator, damping elements may be inserted between them.

A preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention provides two separate vibrating plates, which form opposing systems within the device and are operable to alternately load and unload the human legs. The vibrating plates may be formed, for example, as magnetically driven linear oscillators. The alternating load ensures that the musculature of both legs is alternately exposed during exercise both stress and relief phases, so that a good training result can be achieved without having to put an overload of the muscles in purchasing.

A variant of this embodiment provides that the two vibrating plates are coupled via a lever mechanism and jointly movable in opposite directions. In this case, the lever mechanism may be articulated on a fixed to the vacuum chamber support, in particular via an intermediate piece of rubber, wherein the support receives the pressure forces exerted on the vibrating plates.

The vibrating plates can be elastically supported in this embodiment, leaf springs on the lever mechanism and / or stationary. Such a support has the advantage that in the entire vibration system only a hinged connection between the lever mechanism and the fixed to the vacuum chamber support is provided. Also, the lever mechanism may be resiliently supported by leaf springs or the like on the coupling member of the vibrator and / or on the vibration unit.

A further variant provides that each of the two vibrating plates is associated with a vibrator, wherein the vibrators are coordinated so that they stimulate the vibrating plates in direct contact alternately and in opposite directions.

Since the compressive forces exerted on the vibrating plates can not be intercepted by a support in this embodiment, a base mass is expediently provided in the oscillators, which is coupled via springs to the intermediate mass, whereby the bias of the springs can be changed by displacement of the base mass is. Now, if the position of the intermediate masses due to compressive forces acting on the vibrating plates, shifted, this positional shift can be compensated by the change in the spring preload. Such a displacement of the base mass can be done for example by means of a hydraulic system, via which the bias of the Springs can be adjusted according to the forces exerted on the vibrating plates pressing forces, for example, to achieve a desired amplitude of vibration.

Furthermore, the position of the vibrating plates can be adapted separately to each leg of the person to be trained by this displacement possibility.

In order to be able to adapt the device according to the invention to the different body sizes or the leg lengths of the persons to be trained, a further exemplary embodiment provides that the chamber housing of the vacuum chamber and / or a lying surface arranged in the vacuum chamber can be displaced separately from the vibration unit for the persons to be trained is / are.

Figur 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung zum Trainieren von Muskelgruppen eines Menschen;

Figur 2

die erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung gemäß der Figur 1 im Teilschnitt;

Figur 3a

eine Schnittdarstellung entlang der Schnittlinie I-I in der Figur 2;

Figur 3b

eine Schnittdarstellung entlang der Schnittlinie II-II in der Figur 3a;

Figur 4

eine Darstellung eines Teilquerschnitts durch ein alternatives Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung; und

Figur 5

eine schematische Darstellung des Druckverlaufs zweier erfindungsgemäßer Applikationszyklen in Abhängigkeit von der Zeit.

With regard to further advantageous embodiments of the present invention, reference is made to the dependent claims and the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIG. 1

a schematic side view of an inventive device for training muscle groups of a person;

FIG. 2

the inventive device according to the figure 1 in partial section;

FIG. 3a

a sectional view taken along section line II in Figure 2;

FIG. 3b

a sectional view taken along section line II-II in Figure 3a;

FIG. 4

a representation of a partial cross-section through an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention; and

FIG. 5

a schematic representation of the pressure curve of two inventive application cycles as a function of time.

Figures 1 and 2 show an inventive device 1 for training of muscle groups of a human.

The device 1 comprises a frame 2 on which a vibration generator 3 and a vacuum chamber 4 are mounted, the vibration generator 3 partially protruding into the vacuum chamber 4. In the vacuum chamber 4, a lying surface 5 is also used. A person to be trained 6 is positioned by an access opening 7 in the vacuum chamber 4 with its lower body in a horizontal position so that the feet of the person to be trained 6 with an upright in the vacuum chamber 4 arranged mounted on the vibrator 3 vibrating plate 8 in abutment , To generate a pressure below the ambient pressure, a generator 9 connected to the vacuum chamber 4 is provided in the frame 2. The vibrator 3 is connected via a holder 2a fixed to the frame 2.

Below the vacuum chamber 4 and the Außenbegrezung the lying surface 5 1 rollers 10 are arranged in the figure, via which the housing 4a of the vacuum chamber 4 and arranged in the vacuum chamber 4 lying surface 5 for adapting the device to the height or leg length of the person to be trained 6 can be moved. In the figure 1 different adjustable positions are shown by the dashed lines by way of example.

In Figures 3a and 3b, an embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention is shown, which has two separate vibrating plates 8, which form opposing systems within the device 1 and are operable to the legs of the person to be trained 6 as indicated by arrows, alternately load and unload. By shifting the vacuum chamber 4, the vibrator 3 can be adapted to different leg lengths. The length compensation on the side of the vacuum chamber via a bellows 25 shown in Figure 3a.

The two vibrating plates 8 are coupled via a lever mechanism 11 and movable in opposite directions together. The lever mechanism 11 is pivotally supported on a support 12 via an intermediate piece 13 made of rubber. The support 12 and the intermediate piece 13 serve, inter alia, to absorb pressure forces exerted on the vibrating plates 8. The coupling of the vibrating plates 8 and the lever mechanism 11 is realized here via leaf springs 14, a different type known in the art coupling is also conceivable. The vibrating plates 8 and the lever mechanism 11 are additionally suspended in a stationary elastic manner by leaf springs 15 in this embodiment.

In order to couple vibrations via the lever mechanism 11 into the vibrating plates 8, the vibrator 3 has an intermediate mass 16 which is resiliently suspended in a housing 3a of the vibrator 3 and coupled via the lever mechanism 11 to the vibrating plates 8. For this purpose, the vibration generator 3 has a via a leaf spring 17 connected to the lever mechanism 11 coupling member 18, which in turn can be magnetically coupled via a Tauchspulmagnetsystem 19 with an intermediate mass 16.

The intermediate mass 16 and the lever mechanism 11 are coupled together such that the ratio of their vibration amplitudes is adjustable to each other. To generate vibration, the spring-suspended intermediate mass 16 is first set in vibration via a Tauchspulmagnetsystem 20. The coupling to the lever system via the Tauchspulmagnetsystem 19. The ratio of the vibration amplitudes of the Tauchspulmagnetsysteme 19, 20 to each other is adjustable. As a result, the amplitude of the intermediate mass 16 can be adapted to the mass of the person to be trained 6. If the weight of the mass to be vibrated of the person to be trained 6, for example 40 kg and the weight of the intermediate mass 16 eight kg, so after the pulse conservation rate, a coupling is desirable, which allows a vibration ratio of intermediate mass 16 to vibrating plate 8 of 5: 1.

4 shows an alternative embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, in which the two vibrating plates 8 each having a vibrator 3 is assigned, the vibrators 3 are coordinated so that they stimulate the vibrating plates 8 in direct contact alternately and in opposite directions. In the vibrator 3, a base mass 21 is provided, which is coupled via springs 22 to the vibrating plate 8 and by the displacement of the bias of the springs 22 between the base mass 21 and the vibrating plate 8 is variable. Now, if the position of the vibrating plate 8 due to compressive forces acting on the vibrating plates 8, shifted so this positional shift can be compensated by the change in the bias of the springs 22.

Such a displacement of the base mass 21, for example, by means of a hydraulic system 23, via which the bias of the springs 22 can be adjusted according to the force exerted on the vibrating plates 8 compressive forces.

To avoid parasitic oscillations 3 additional damping elements 24 are provided between the vacuum chamber 4 and the vibrator. You can simultaneously operate as a second hydraulic system, by which a displacement possibility for each vibrating plate 8 can be realized, with the aim that each system can be adapted to the length of the respective leg of the person to be trained 6 separately.

In order to train various muscle groups of a person, the person to be trained 6 is positioned horizontally in the horizontally oriented vacuum chamber 4 such that the upper body of the person to be trained 6 is outside the vacuum chamber 4. The feet of the person to be trained come to the upright in the vacuum chamber arranged vibrating plates 8 in Appendix. Subsequently, a lying below the ambient pressure in the vacuum chamber 4 is set so that the person 6 is pulled due to the lying below the ambient pressure in the negative pressure chamber 4 against the vibrating plates 8 and held it. Thereafter, the vibrating plate 8 are vibrated and initiated the vibrations generated via the soles of the feet in the body of the person 6, so that there a muscle reflex is triggered and the muscle groups in the calf, thigh and / or hip are stimulated.

The training of the muscle groups takes place in application cycles, wherein an application cycle comprises adjusting the pressure below the ambient pressure in the vacuum chamber 4 and generating vibrations in a predetermined vibration cycle. An application cycle lasts up to 4 minutes, starting the vibration cycle immediately after reaching the maximum differential pressure to be set.

FIG. 5 shows the pressure curve of two application cycles as a function of time. At the beginning of an application cycle, a pressure of up to -60 mmHg (-8 kPa) is set below the ambient pressure. The pressure is then steadily increased linearly during the application cycle of this level, so that sets a sawtooth-like pressure curve. In this case, the pressure in the vacuum chamber 4 during an application cycle at any time greater than the ambient pressure. The generation of the vibrations is cyclic at a frequency of 15 to 25 Hz, wherein a vibration cycle as shown by the black bars in Figure 5, begins when the maximum differential pressure is reached and lasts up to 2 minutes.

In Figures 3a and 3b, the two counter-vibrating plates 8 are alternately vibrated in the vacuum chamber 4 to couple vibrations in the respective vibrating plate 8 associated leg of the person to be trained 6. A common vibration generator 3 stimulates the vibration plates 8 which are coupled to one another via a spring-suspended lever mechanism 11 in opposite directions.

According to FIG. 2, the vacuum chamber 4 forms an air stream 25 represented by the dashed arrows guided. The air flow 25 serves to cool the person 6 to be trained in the vacuum chamber 4 during the entire training. In order to keep this air flow 25 constant even with changing pressure conditions in the vacuum chamber 4, the emerging from the vacuum chamber 4 air flow 26 is measured taking into account the emerging at the access opening 7 leakage air 27, and the air supply via a throttle valve 28 to the exiting air flow. 9 customized. The air flow 26 emerging from the vacuum chamber 4 is guided through the vibration generator 3, as shown in FIG. 2, in order to additionally cool it as well. The control of the air flow 26 takes place in this embodiment by means of the throttle valve 28, whose cross-section is variable. The air sucked in via this throttle valve is guided in a suitable manner to outlet openings in the lying surface 5 within the vacuum chamber. The control of the pressure in the vacuum chamber 4 tracks by means of a speed control of the generator. 9

During the entire training, the vital parameters of the human being such as heart rate, blood pressure correlation and muscle performance are continuously measured and checked.

Claims (6)

1. An apparatus (1) for training a person's muscle groups with

   - at least one vibration plate (8),

   - at least one vibration producer (3) for introducing vibrations into the vibration plate (8), and

   - at least one control unit for controlling the vibration amplitude of the vibration plate (8),

   characterised in that the vibration plate (8) is disposed upright in a vacuum chamber (4) with an access opening (7) through which a person (6) to be trained can be positioned in a horizontal position in the vacuum chamber (4) such that he projects with at least one body section from the access opening (7) of the vacuum chamber (4), and his feet come into contact with the vibration plate (8) in the vacuum chamber (4), it being possible to set a pressure lying below the ambient pressure in the vacuum chamber (4) so as to draw the person (6) onto the vibration plate (8) and to hold him on the vibration plate (8), and that the vibration producer can produce vibrations with a frequency of between 15 and 25 Hz.
2. The apparatus (1) according to Claim 1, characterised in that the vibration producer (3) has an intermediate mass (16) which is carried in a housing (3a) of the vibration producer (3) and is coupled to the vibration plate (8), and which can be caused to vibrate by stimulation means, the intermediate mass (16) and the vibration plate (8) being coupled to one another, in particular by means of plunger coil magnets (19, 20) such that the ratio of their vibration amplitudes to one another can be adjusted.
3. The apparatus (1) according to Claim 2, characterised in that it has two separate vibration plates (8) which form systems running counter to one another within the apparatus (1) and which can be operated such that they alternately apply and release a load to/from the legs of the person to be trained (6).
4. The apparatus (1) according to Claim 3, characterised in that the two vibration plates (8) are coupled by means of a lever mechanism (11) and can be moved together in opposite directions, the lever mechanism (11) being flexibly supported, in particular on a prop (12), in particular by an intermediate piece (13) made of rubber, the prop (12) absorbing compressive forces exerted on the vibration plates (8), and transferring them via the housing (3a) and via a mounting (2a) onto the frame (2).
5. The apparatus (1) according to Claim 3, characterised in that a vibration producer (3) is respectively allocated to the two vibration plates (8), the vibration producers (3) being co-ordinated with one another such that they stimulate the vibration plates (8), which are in direct contact, alternately and in opposite directions.
6. The apparatus (1) according to Claim 4, characterised in that in the vibration producers (3) a base mass (21) is respectively provided which is coupled by springs (22) to the vibration plate (8), it being possible to change pre-tensioning of the springs (22) between the base mass (21) and the vibration plate (8) by moving the base mass (21), and a hydraulic system being provided in the vibration producer for moving and/or supporting the base mass (21).

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