Exercise machine safety enhancements
Sensor data is collected from a sensor monitoring a tension generating device of an exercise machine. The sensor data is analyzed to determine whether the sensor data is within a specification. In an event that the sensor data is not within the specification, an error stop mode is entered for the tension generating device.
1. A computer program product, the computer program product being embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium and comprising computer instructions for:
collecting a sensor data from a sensor monitoring a tension generating device of an exercise machine, wherein the tension generating device includes a motor, wherein the motor and a spool assembly are coupled together, wherein the spool assembly includes two spools, wherein the two spools includes a front spool and a rear spool, wherein the front spool is coupled to a first arm via a first cable, wherein the rear spool is coupled to a second arm via a second cable, wherein the motor is a three-phase motor having three leads, and wherein the sensor monitors motor speed, a first speed of the front spool, and a second speed of the rear spool;
analyzing the sensor data to determine whether the sensor data is within a specification, comprising:
one or more of the following:
A) determining whether a first sum of a current on all three leads of the three-phase motor equals zero; and
in response to a determination that the first sum of the current on all three leads of the three-phase motor does not equal zero, determining that the sensor data is not within the specification;
B) determining whether a speed of the motor equals a second sum of the first speed and the second speed; and
in response to a determination that the speed of the motor does not equal the second sum, determining that the sensor data is not within the specification;
C) determining whether a current consumed by the motor is directly proportional to a torque being generated by the motor; and
in response to a determination that the current consumed by the motor is not directly proportional to the torque, determining that the sensor data is not within the specification; or
D) determining whether an accelerometer mounted to at least one of the first arm or the second arm reports movement greater than a movement threshold; and
in response to a determination that the accelerometer reports movement greater than the movement threshold, determining that the sensor data is not within the specification; and
in an event that the sensor data is not within the specification, entering an error stop mode for the tension generating device.
2. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the sensor monitors at least one of the following: rotation of the motor and electrical current in a phase of the motor.
3. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the sensor monitors at least one of the following: motor torque, motor speed, motor voltage, and motor acceleration.
4. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the sensor monitors at least one of the following: cable tension, cable speed, cable position, and cable acceleration.
5. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the sensor monitors at least one of the following: a voltage associated with the exercise machine, and a temperature associated with the exercise machine.
6. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the specification is based at least in part on little or no acceleration of a frame of the exercise machine.
7. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the specification is based at least in part on at least one of the following: a safe range of system voltage; a safe range of system electrical current; and a safe range of temperature.
8. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the sensor monitors acceleration of a frame of the exercise machine.
9. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the specification is based at least in part on a physics model.
10. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the physics model calculates a safe amount of torque.
11. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the physics model determines the specification based at least in part on a cable speed and/or cable tension.
12. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the error stop mode disables all power to the exercise machine.
13. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the error stop mode disables all power to any device driving the first and second cables.
14. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the error stop mode disables a main system power supply and/or relies on an auxiliary supply to keep a safety controller operational.
15. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the error stop mode reduces tension on the first and second cables.
16. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the error stop mode reduces cable retraction speed.
17. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the tension generating device is configured to provide an arm cable assist feature.
18. The computer program product of claim 17 , wherein the arm cable assist feature comprises using the first and second cables providing tension for exercise to be routed to support a weight of the first and second arms, respectively, in an event that corresponding first and second translatable arm mounts are unlocked.