Thermometer

Abstract

The invention provides a thermometer for oral cavity, which can enable a temperature detection part to touch the same part or enable the temperature detection part to touch the same part easily without depending on the consciousness of a user. An oral thermometer (100) is provided with a holding part (120) having a base part (121) and a flat plate part (122) thinner than the base part (121), and a temperature detection part (130) formed above the flat plate part (122). The flat plate section (122) and the temperature detection section (130) are inserted into the oral cavity of a user (300), and the temperature detection section (130) is formed so as to be centered with respect to a central axis (C1) in the width direction (W) of the base section (110) and the flat plate section (122).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a thermometer. Background Technology

[0002] Among thermometers, there is a so-called oral thermometer that measures sublingual temperature by having the temperature sensing part contact the base of the tongue (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-071776 Summary of the Invention The problem the invention aims to solve However, regarding the thermometer in Patent Document 1, when the user holds the thermometer in the center of their lips, with the central axis of the thermometer inserted vertically into the mouth, the temperature sensing part located on the central axis of the thermometer touches the frenulum under the tongue, causing discomfort to the user. Therefore, the user tilts the central axis of the thermometer relative to the center of the mouth and holds it in their mouth again.

[0004] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an oral thermometer that can prevent discomfort to the user.

[0005] means for solving problems The present invention is an oral thermometer comprising: a holding portion having a base and a plate portion formed above the base and having a thickness thinner than the base portion; and a temperature sensing portion formed above the plate portion; the temperature sensing portion being eccentric to the central axis in the width direction of the base and the plate portion.

[0006] Invention Effects The oral thermometer according to the present invention can prevent discomfort to the user. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional diagram showing an oral thermometer.

[0008] Figure 2 This is the front view of the thermometer as seen from the front surface.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a rear view of the thermometer viewed from the rear surface.

[0010] Figure 4 This is a left view of the thermometer viewed from the left side.

[0011] Figure 5 This is a top view of the thermometer.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a bottom view of the thermometer.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section along the center of the user's body in use, illustrating the position of the thermometer and the temperature sensing part inserted into the mouth of a user in a supine position.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the thermometer in use from the user's line of sight, illustrating the state of the holding part and the temperature sensing part inserted into the mouth of a user in a supine position.

[0015] Figure 9 This illustrates a modified example of a structure where the base also serves as a base. Figure 2 A comparable main view.

[0016] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures 100 thermometers 110 Base section 120 Maintenance Department 121 Base 122 Flat Plate Section 124. Bend section 130 Temperature Detection Department 300 users 310. Lips. Detailed Implementation

[0017] Referring to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the oral thermometer of the present invention will be described below.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional view showing an oral thermometer 100. Figure 2 This is a front view of thermometer 100 viewed from the front surface 110A. Figure 3 This is a rear view of the thermometer 100 viewed from the rear surface 110B. Figure 4 This is a left view of thermometer 100 viewed from the left side (110D). Figure 5 This is a top view of the thermometer 100 from above. Figure 6 This is a bottom view of the thermometer 100. The thermometer 100 is one embodiment of the oral thermometer of the present invention.

[0019] <The overall structure of a thermometer> The thermometer 100 is an oral thermometer used to measure the temperature under the tongue by having the temperature sensing part 130 contact the area at the base of the tongue. Oral thermometers are often used to measure the basal body temperature of women, but the thermometer 100 in this embodiment is not limited to women.

[0020] like Figure 1-6 As shown, the thermometer 100 has a base portion 110, a holding portion 120, and a temperature sensing portion 130 in sequence from the bottom. The base portion 110 has a quadrangular prism shape.

[0021] <Base section> The base portion 110 is formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis C1 extending along the height direction H in the front-rear direction D and the width direction W. The interior of the base portion 110 is a cavity, in which a battery serving as a power source, a circuit, a display component 111, and a power switch 112 are disposed. The circuit operates via the battery, performing actions to display the body temperature measured by the temperature detection unit 130 on the display surface of the display component 111.

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, on the front surface 110A of the base portion 110 in the front-rear direction D, the display surface of the display member 111 disposed inside faces outward. When the power is turned on, the display surface displays the user's body temperature, the remaining battery level, etc., as measured by the temperature detection unit 130.

[0023] like Figure 3 As shown, on the rear surface 110B of the base portion 110 in the front-rear direction D, the power switch 112 is exposed to the outside. Each time the power switch 112 is pressed, the power is alternately switched on and off. When the power is on, power is supplied from the battery to the circuit, putting the thermometer 100 into use. When the power is off, the power supply from the battery to the circuit is cut off, putting the thermometer 100 into a non-use state.

[0024] like Figure 5 As shown, a cover 114 is provided on the bottom surface 110F in the height direction H of the base portion 110, which can be installed and removed for replacing the battery disposed inside. When the cover 114 is installed on the base portion 110, the battery is not exposed and is covered by the cover 114. When the cover 114 is removed from the base portion 110, the battery is exposed and can be replaced with another new battery.

[0025] like Figure 6 As shown, a retaining part 120 is provided on the upper surface 110E in the height direction H of the base part 110.

[0026] <Maintenance Section> The retaining portion 120 extends upward from the upper surface 110E toward the height direction H. The retaining portion 120 has a base portion 121, a curved portion 124, a flat portion 122 and a narrow head 123 formed sequentially from the lower part of the retaining portion 120 in the height direction H.

[0027] A base 121 is formed on the upper surface 110E. The base 121 is composed of components having... Figure 6 The shape formed is smaller than the generally rectangular upper surface 110E in the top view shown, and is the outline of the inner side of the upper surface 110E. The base 121 is formed to extend in the width direction W and the front-rear direction D respectively.

[0028] The base 121 is formed as follows: Figure 2 The front surface facing forward in the front-rear direction D and Figure 3 The upper edges 125 of the rear surface facing the front-rear direction D are shown as a contour that is concave towards the central axis C1.

[0029] A flat plate portion 122 is disposed above the base portion 121. The width W dimension of the flat plate portion 122 is approximately the same as that of the base portion 121, and the front-to-back dimension D is smaller than that of the base portion 121, forming a dimension with the same diameter as the temperature sensing portion 130 described later. That is, the flat plate portion 122 is formed with a thickness thinner than that of the base portion 121, and its width is the same as that of the base portion 121. The thickness direction of the flat plate portion 122 corresponds to the front-to-back direction D, and the width direction of the flat plate portion 122 corresponds to the width direction W.

[0030] like Figure 4 As shown, the front surface of the plate portion 122 facing forward in the front-rear direction D and the rear surface facing backward are both formed as planes. The plate portion 122 is formed such that the front surface and the rear surface are both formed as plates that are approximately parallel to each other along the height direction H.

[0031] like Figure 4 As shown, the curved portion 124 is formed such that its thickness gradually decreases from the base 121 to the flat portion 122 along the front-rear direction D. The curved portion 124 is formed by bending in such a way that it smoothly connects to the plane of the flat portion 122 from the upper edge 125 of the base 121. The lower part of the curved portion 124 that connects to the upper edge 125 of the base 121 is relatively flat relative to the horizontal direction ( Figure 4 The curved portion 124 extends obliquely in both the front-to-back direction (D) and the vertical direction (height direction H). The upper portion, which connects to the front and rear surfaces of the flat plate 122, extends approximately vertically. As it moves upwards, its thickness rapidly decreases, and it has a cross-sectional profile with a radius of curvature R1 of 10-14 (mm), preferably around 12 (mm). The lower portion of the curved portion 124 connects to the upper edge 125 of the base 121, thus the central portion in the width direction W (refer to...) Figure 2 , 3 (Indentation)

[0032] When the thermometer 100 is in use, the curved part 124 is touched by the upper and lower lips 310 of the user 300 (see reference). Figure 7 , 8The curved portion 124 is held in place by the user's upper and lower lips 310. The dimension of the curved portion 124 in the width direction W is the same as the dimension of the base 121 and the dimension of the flat portion 122 in the width direction W. The dimension of the curved portion 124 in the width direction W is, for example, 20-40 (mm), preferably 30 (mm). The lower limit of the dimension of the curved portion 124 in the width direction W is the length to which the thermometer 100 will not rotate around the central axis C1 when the curved portion 124 is held in place by the user's upper and lower lips 310, and the upper limit of the dimension in the width direction W is the length to which the curved portion 124 and the flat portion 122 can be easily inserted into the oral cavity.

[0033] The base 121, the curved portion 124, and the flat plate portion 122 are formed to be symmetrical with respect to the central axis C1 in the front-rear direction D and the width direction W, respectively.

[0034] A fine head 123 is formed above the flat plate 122, connected to the flat plate 122. Figure 4 In the front-rear direction D, the fine head 123 is the same as the flat plate 122, with its front and rear surfaces formed as planes, and the front and rear surfaces respectively formed as flat plates that are approximately parallel to each other along the height direction H. In the front-rear direction D, the fine head 123 is formed symmetrically with respect to the central axis C1.

[0035] exist Figure 2 , 3 In the width direction W shown, the thin head 123 is formed such that its size gradually decreases as it faces upwards. The size of the thin head 123 in the width direction W continuously decreases from the size in the width direction W of the flat plate portion 122. As described later, the thin head 123 is connected to the temperature detection portion 130, which is configured to be offset to one side relative to the central axis C1 in the width direction W. Therefore, the thin head 123 is thinned in an asymmetrical shape by being offset to one side relative to the central axis C1 in the width direction W.

[0036] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the thermometer 100 in use along a cross-section of the user 300's body center, showing the holding part 120 and the temperature sensing part 130 inserted into the mouth of the user 300 in a supine position. Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the thermometer 100 in use, viewed from the user's line of sight, showing the holding part 120 and the temperature detection part 130 inserted into the mouth of the user 300 in a supine position. Figure 9 This illustrates a modified example of a structure where the base also serves as a base. Figure 2 A comparable main view.

[0037] In addition, such as Figure 7 , 8As shown, in the thermometer 100, when the curved part 124 is held by the upper and lower lips 310 of the user 300, the flat part 122 and the thin head 123 are held by the teeth 340 of the user 300 or pressed by the tongue 320.

[0038] In the thermometer 100 of this embodiment, the retaining portion 120 has a base 121 and a curved portion 124. However, in the thermometer of the present invention, the retaining portion may not have a base or a curved portion. In the thermometer of the present invention, when the retaining portion does not have a base, for example... Figure 9 As shown in the modified thermometer 100, the base 121 and the base portion 110 are integrated, with the base 121 also serving as the base portion 110. In this modified thermometer 100, a battery, circuitry, a display component 111, and a power switch 112 are housed within the base 121, which also serves as the base portion 110. Furthermore, this modified thermometer 100 also has a curved portion 124 formed between the base 121 and the flat plate portion 122.

[0039] Therefore, in the thermometer of the present invention, when the holding part does not have a base and a curved part, the flat plate part can be directly disposed on the base part. Furthermore, in the thermometer of the present invention, when the holding part does not have a base, the curved part can be directly disposed on the base part. In the thermometer of the present invention, when the holding part does not have a curved part, the flat plate part can be directly disposed on the base part.

[0040] <Temperature Detection Department> The temperature detection unit 130 has a built-in thermocouple or thermistor to measure the body temperature of the user in contact with the outer surface. The body temperature measured by the temperature detection unit 130 is processed by the circuit built into the base 110 and displayed on the display surface of the display member 111.

[0041] The temperature sensing section 130 is continuous with the fine head 123 and is disposed above the fine head 123. The temperature sensing section 130 is formed into a cylinder having a central axis C2 parallel to the height direction H. The diameter of the cylinder of the temperature sensing section 130 is, for example, 3.5-5.5 (mm), preferably 4.6 (mm). The length along the height direction H from the upper surface 110E of the base section 110 to the front end of the temperature sensing section 130 is, for example, 45-55 (mm), preferably approximately 51 (mm). The upper end of the temperature sensing section 130 is formed into a hemispherical shape.

[0042] exist Figure 4 In the forward-backward direction D shown, the central axis C2 of the temperature detection unit 130 coincides with the central axis C1. Figure 2 , Figure 3In the width direction W shown, the central axis C2 of the temperature detection unit 130 is offset by a dimension w1 relative to the central axis C1 to the left side 110D. The dimension w1 (offset) is, for example, 2.5-5 (mm), preferably 3 (mm). The temperature detection unit 130 is formed to be offset to the left relative to the central axis C1 in the width direction W, but the specific value of the offset is not limited to the above value.

[0043] Among them, such as Figure 2 As shown, in the temperature detection unit 130, the central axis C2 of the temperature detection unit 130 is preferably formed in the region m between the intermediate line C3 and the central axis C1. The intermediate line C3 is the line between the extension line L of the left side edge 122a of the base 121 and the left side edge 122a of the plate 122 and the central axis C1 of the plate 122 in the width direction W.

[0044] That is, regarding the eccentricity of the temperature detection unit 130, when the user 300 holds the thermometer 100 in the center of the left and right direction with the lips 3310 and inserts the thermometer 100 straight into the mouth with the central axis C1 of the thermometer 100, it is sufficient to avoid the temperature detection unit 130 touching the frenulum 321 of the user 300, and it is not necessary to be eccentric to the vicinity of the left side edge 122a of the flat plate 122.

[0045] Therefore, it is preferable that the central axis C2 of the temperature detection unit 130 is not eccentric to the area between the intermediate line C3 and the extension line L, where the intermediate line C3 is the center line in the width direction W between the extension line L of the left side edge 122a of the base 121 and the plate part 122 and the central axis C1 of the plate part 122.

[0046] The temperature detection unit 130 can be formed to be offset to the right relative to the central axis C1 in the width direction W. When it is offset to the right, the eccentricity is preferably the same as the above-mentioned size when it is offset to the left. In addition, it is preferable that the central axis C2 of the temperature detection unit 130 is formed in the region between the center line and the central axis C1. The center line is the line between the extension of the right side edge of the base 121 and the plate 122 and the center axis C1 of the plate 122 in the width direction W.

[0047] In addition, the central axis C2 of the temperature detection unit 130 is formed in the width direction W at a position closer to the central axis C1 than the side edge of the base 121.

[0048] <Function> like Figure 7 As shown, the thermometer 100, configured as described above, is inserted into the mouth of a supine user 300 for use. The thermometer 100 in use is as shown... Figure 7 As shown, it is formed as... Figures 1-4The non-use state shown is the opposite of the top and bottom, with the base 110 on the top and the temperature detection unit 130 on the bottom.

[0049] The thermometer 100 is used with its width direction W aligned with the left-right direction of the user's mouth. That is, from the user's perspective, the holding part 120 and the temperature sensing part 130 are placed in the user's mouth with the front surface 110A or the rear surface 110B of the thermometer 100 entering the field of vision.

[0050] The thermometer 100 is held in place by the user's (300's) lips 310 such that the curved portions 124 on the front surface 110A side and the rear surface 110B side follow the user's (300's) lips 310 (upper lip 311, lower lip 312), respectively. For example... Figure 8 As shown, from a top-down view, the outline 315 of the lips 310 is generally symmetrical about the left and right sides of the center of the user's body 300, and is a convex shape that protrudes forward most at the center of the left and right sides of the body.

[0051] also, Figure 8 The front surface 110A is shown facing the user 300's field of vision, with the holding part 120 and the temperature detection part 130 inside the user 300's mouth. However, the thermometer 100 can also be used with the rear surface 110B facing the user 300's field of vision, with the holding part 120 and the temperature detection part 130 inside the user 300's mouth.

[0052] In contrast, the upper edge 125 of the base 121 of the retaining portion 120 is formed as a concave shape that is symmetrical about the left and right sides with respect to the central axis C1. Therefore, when the curved portion 124 is along the lip 310, the upper edge 125 is easily kept in a state where the center of the lip 310 in the left and right direction is aligned with the central axis C1.

[0053] As a result, even if the user 300 in a supine position does not hold the thermometer 100 with his / her hands but only holds it with his / her lips 310, it is easy to keep the thermometer 100 in a straight position with the central axis C1 not tilted to the left or right (the central axis C1 is aligned with the vertical direction in the width direction W).

[0054] Furthermore, when the thermometer 100 is held in a position that is perpendicular to the center of the user's body 300, the temperature detection part 130 inserted into the mouth is positioned to the left or right of the center of the body. Figure 8 The state shown is left. (The same applies below) at part 330.

[0055] like Figure 8As shown, in the mouth of the user 300, there is a frenulum 321 supporting the tongue 320 at the center of the body. Therefore, when the thermometer 100 is held in a position that is straight relative to the center of the user 300's body, the frenulum 321 is located on the central axis C1 of the thermometer 100.

[0056] In the thermometer 100 of this embodiment, the temperature sensing unit 130 is formed at a position offset to the left or right relative to the central axis C1. Therefore, when the thermometer 100 is held in a posture that is perpendicular to the center of the user's body 300, the temperature sensing unit 130 is located to the left or right of the frenulum 321. Figure 8 As shown, from the user's perspective, for example, with the thermometer 100 in a position where the front surface 110A enters the field of vision and is held in a straight position relative to the center of the user's body, the temperature detection unit 130 is in contact with the portion 330 to the left of the frenulum 321, and measures the body temperature of that portion 330.

[0057] On the other hand, from the user's perspective, for example, with the thermometer 100 facing the direction from which the rear surface 110B enters the field of vision, and in a posture that is straight relative to the center of the user's body, the temperature detection unit 130 is in contact with the part to the right of the frenulum 321, and measures the body temperature of that part.

[0058] In the thermometer 100, the upper edge 125 of the base 121 is formed in a concave shape. With the center of the lips 310 in the left-right direction aligned with the central axis C1, it is easy to maintain a straight posture relative to the center of the body. Therefore, the thermometer 100 is easy to maintain a straight posture relative to the center of the user's body 300.

[0059] Furthermore, the curved part 124 of the thermometer 100 collides with the lips 310 of the user 300, so the front part (base 121, etc.) from the point of collision will not be inserted into the mouth of the user 300. For each user 300, the length of the holding part 120 and the temperature detection part 130 inserted into the mouth of the user 300 is a predetermined length.

[0060] For each user 300, the area of ​​the oral cavity in contact with the temperature sensing part 130 of the thermometer 100 can be easily limited to a predetermined area on one side of the frenulum 321. That is, in the thermometer 100, the temperature sensing part 130 is formed off-center relative to the central axis C1 of the base 121 and the plate part 122 in the width direction. Therefore, when the user 300 holds the thermometer 100 in the center of the left and right direction of the lips 3310, and the central axis C1 of the thermometer 100 is aligned with the center of the left and right direction of the lips 3310 and inserted straight into the oral cavity, the temperature sensing part 130 can be prevented from touching the frenulum 321 of the user 300.

[0061] Therefore, the thermometer 100 will not cause discomfort to the user 300 due to the temperature sensing part 130 touching the frenulum 321. Furthermore, in this embodiment of the thermometer 100, the center line of the base 110 is also aligned with the central axis C1. The base 110 is larger than the holding part 120 and the temperature sensing part 130; therefore, when the central axis C1 of the base 110 is aligned with the center of the lips 3310 in the left-right direction and inserted vertically into the mouth, and the thermometer 100 is held in the mouth with the lips, it is easy to achieve left-right balance and hold the thermometer 100 vertically.

[0062] Furthermore, body temperature varies depending on the measurement site. Therefore, if the measurement site is changed every time, the accurate body temperature cannot be measured. Thus, the user 300 consciously (intentionally) makes the temperature detection part of a thermometer other than the present invention touch the same site. However, the temperature detection part of the thermometer touched by the user 300's conscious temperature detection part is deviated and cannot be kept constant.

[0063] However, the thermometer 100 of this embodiment does not rely on the user's consciousness, and can always measure the temperature at a predetermined location on either side of the frenulum 321 for each user, enabling highly accurate temperature measurement and management.

[0064] Furthermore, as described above, regardless of whether the thermometer 100 of this embodiment is positioned with the front surface 110A or the rear surface 110B entering the field of view from the user's perspective, it can measure body temperature. Moreover, when measuring body temperature with the thermometer 100 positioned with either the front surface 110A or the rear surface 110B entering the field of view from the user's perspective, the temperature detection unit 130 can always contact a portion equidistant from the frenulum 321.

[0065] In the thermometer 100 of this embodiment, one example of the base portion 110 is formed as a large block in the shape of a quadrangular prism, so that it can stand upright with the base portion 110 as the lower side and the temperature sensing portion 130 as the upper side. Moreover, compared with the holding portion 120 and the temperature sensing portion 130, the base portion 110 is not only larger in size, but also heavier in weight due to the built-in battery, circuit, display component 111 and power switch 112, etc., so that the upright state can be made more stable.

[0066] In the thermometer 100 of this embodiment, the flat plate portion 122 and the thin head 123 of the holding portion 120 are formed into a flat plate with a large width and a thin thickness, so that the user 300 can easily hold it in the mouth with his teeth 340 or tongue 320.

[0067] In the thermometer 100 of this embodiment, both the front and rear surfaces of the plate portion 122 are formed as planes; however, for example, both surfaces may be formed as recessed in the thickness direction.

[0068] Furthermore, the thermometer 100 of this embodiment is not limited to use by a user 300 in a supine position. When used by a user 300 in an upright position, the temperature sensing part 130 can easily detach from the part 330 behind the tongue due to the weight of the base 110. By pushing the flat part 122 and the thin head 123 downward with the teeth 340 or the tongue 320, the temperature sensing part 130 can be kept in contact with the part 330 behind the tongue.

[0069] In contrast, when the user 300 uses the thermometer 100 while lying on their back, the base 110 is placed on the user's lips 310, which is stable and therefore preferred.

Claims

1. An oral thermometer, characterized in that, have: The retaining portion has a base and a flat plate portion, the flat plate portion being formed above the base and having a thickness thinner than the base portion. A temperature detection unit is formed above the plate portion; The temperature detection unit is eccentric to the central axis in the width direction relative to the base and the plate portion.

2. The oral thermometer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The retaining portion has a base formed below the flat plate portion and is thicker than the flat plate portion. The retaining portion has a curved portion between the base portion and the flat plate portion, and the curved portion is formed such that the thickness gradually decreases from the base portion to the flat plate portion.

3. The oral thermometer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The holding part and the temperature detection part are formed in a centrally symmetrical manner with respect to the front and rear directions.

4. The oral thermometer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The plate portion is formed as a plate that is thinner than the base portion in the front-to-back direction and wider in the width direction.

5. The oral thermometer according to claim 2, characterized in that, The curved portion has a cross-sectional profile that rapidly thins as it faces upwards.

6. The oral thermometer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The temperature detection unit is formed in the area between the center line and the central axis, wherein the center line is the line between the side edge of the base and the central axis in the width direction.

7. The oral thermometer according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Below the retaining part is a base part, which has a power supply, circuitry, and a display component for displaying the user's body temperature measured by the temperature detection part.

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