Muscle exercise and rehabilitation apparatus

Abstract

A muscle exercise and rahabilitation apparatus includes a movable fixture against which a force can be applied; a servo motor having an output shaft coupled to the fixture; a strain gauge effectively coupled between the output shaft and the fixture for producing a load signal corresponding to the force applied to the fixture; a speed detector for producing a velocity signal corresponding to the speed of the fixture; a closed loop servo circuit for controlling the motor in response to the load and velocity signals to regulate the velocity of the fixture; a limit circuit for preventing movement of the fixture past opposite limits; a storage circuit for storing limit signals corresponding to each limit; a limit setting circuit for enabling the storage circuit to store each limit upon movement of the fixture thereto; a position sensing circuit for producing a position signal corresponding to the position of the fixture; a deceleration circuit for slowing down movement of the fixture as the fixture approaches each limit, in response to the velocity, position and limit signals; detecting circuits for detecting a plurality of predetermined operational faults of the apparatus; an emergency stop circuit for terminating operation of the apparatus upon detection of some of the operation faults; a dynamic brake for braking the servo motor to stop movement of the fixture in response to the emergency stop circuit; and a stop circuit for controlling the motor to stop movement of the fixture upon detection of other operation faults.