The Toro Company

Frederic D Wucherpfennig

Robert B Carlson

An improved electronic control system for an exercise machine of the type having electrically actuated brakes as the resistance force for the exercise. The accuracy of the system in terms of actual resistance force delivered by the machine compared with the user-selected value is improved through techniques for compensating for hysteresis effects in the brakes. When changing the output of the brakes on each half cycle of the exercise in accordance with user-selected values, the system compensates for hysteresis effects in the brake in responding to increased current, decreased current, or steady-state current conditions. A simple but effective system is provided to let the user select 'soft' limits for a particular range of motion of the exercise apparatus. The limits are in the form of an audible beep rather than a hard mechanical limit, and they are set as the system learns the desired range of motion from the user on a first cycle through the exercise.

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Bloomington, MN, United States of America

Frederic D Wucherpfennig