Hybrid resistance generation system for an exercise machine

1 . A hybrid resistance generation system for an exercise machine, comprising:

a housing;

a sensor system;

a weight stack with a plurality of weights that can be coupled with a weight sword providing a first resistance source; and

an electromechanical resistance module providing a second resistance source;

wherein the first resistance source and the second resistance source are connected in series, so that a resulting resistance source is applied to a first cable, which is coupled to the weight sword; and

wherein a first end of a second cable is connected to a bottom end of the weight sword, a second end of the second cable is connected to the electromechanical resistance module, and the second cable is located entirely below the weight sword.

2 . The hybrid resistance generation system of claim 1 ,

wherein the housing comprises at least two chambers.

3 . The hybrid resistance generation system of claim 2 ,

wherein the weight stack is located in a first chamber and the electromechanical resistance module is located in a second chamber.

4 . The hybrid resistance generation system of claim 2 ,

wherein the electromechanical resistance module comprises an electric motor with a winch on which the second cable can be wound and unwound.

5 . The hybrid resistance generation system of claim 4 ,

wherein the electric motor is designed as a brushless outrunner motor.

6 . The hybrid resistance generation system of claim 4 ,

wherein the weight stack is located in a first chamber, the electric motor is located in a second chamber, and the winch is located in a third chamber.

7 . The hybrid resistance generation system of claim 6 ,

wherein the second chamber or the third chamber are located below the first chamber.

8 . The hybrid resistance generation system of claim 1 ,

wherein the hybrid resistance generation system further comprises at least one pulley which guides the second cable to the weight sword of the weight stack.

9 . The hybrid resistance generation system of claim 1 ,

wherein the electromechanical resistance module comprises a control unit with a data processing unit for controlling the second resistance source and a communication unit for data communication.

10 . The hybrid resistance generation system of claim 9 ,

wherein the hybrid resistance generation system further comprises at least one display which can display data processed by the control unit of the electromechanical resistance module or a control unit of the sensor system.

11 . The hybrid resistance generation system of claim 1 ,

wherein the sensor system is configured to acquire a resistance of the first resistance source, the second resistance source, the resulting resistance source, a movement of the weight stack or the weight sword, or a movement of the first cable.

12 . The hybrid resistance generation system of claim 1 ,

wherein the sensor system comprises a laser device, and

wherein the laser device is positioned either below a lowermost weight plate of the weight stack or above a plate of the weight sword and is directed to a pin of the weight stack, the laser device being configured to emit a laser beam towards the pin and to analyze a reflection of the laser beam on the pin.

13 . A An exercise machine, comprising:

a body;

b. the hybrid resistance generation system of claim 1 ; and

c. at least one pulley which is attached to the body guiding the first cable to a user interface for applying a force against the resulting resistance source, wherein the user interface is attached to the first cable.

14 . The exercise machine of claim 13 ,

wherein the electromechanical resistance module and the sensor system are in data communication with an external device having a data processing unit and a communication unit;

wherein the sensor system comprises means for providing acquired data to the external device;

wherein the user interface comprises means for providing an input signal to the external device; and

wherein the external device is configured to process the provided acquired data of the sensor system and the provided input signal of the user interface and to transmit control commands to the electromechanical resistance module.

15 . A method for adjusting the force to be applied by the user to the exercise machine of claim 14 , the method comprising the following steps:

i. applying the force against the resulting resistance source by the user interface;

ii. acquiring a movement of the plurality of weights of the weight stack, in particular a speed or an acceleration of the movement, by the sensor system;

iii. providing the acquired data of the sensor system to a control unit of the electromechanical resistance module;

iv. detecting by the control unit a decrease in the speed or the acceleration in relation to previously acquired data by the sensor system; and

v. adjusting the second resistance source by the control unit.

16 . A method for adjusting the force to be applied by the user to the exercise machine of claim 14 , the method comprising the following steps:

i. applying the force against the resulting resistance source by the user interface;

ii. providing the input signal to a control unit by the user interface; and

iii. adjusting the second resistance source by the control unit.

17 . A method for adjusting the force to be applied by the user to the exercise machine of claim 14 , the method comprising the following steps:

i. providing the input signal to a control unit of the electromechanical resistance module which sets the control unit in an automatic training mode;

ii. applying the force against the resulting resistance source by the user interface, causing the plurality of weights of the weight stack to be lifted;

iii. reducing the force against the resulting resistance source causing the plurality of weights of the weight stack to be lowered; and

iv. adjusting the second resistance source by the control unit.