Ear thermometer

Abstract

To provide an ear thermometer capable of measuring body temperature further accurately.SOLUTION: The ear thermometer that is used in a state where it is attached to the ear in a predetermined direction, includes an ear canal insertion part at least a part of which is inserted into the ear canal when attached, and a temperature sensor that is provided in the ear canal insertion part closer to the head than the center of the ear canal insertion part when viewed from the direction of insertion into the ear canal. This allows the temperature sensor to detect the temperature of a part of the ear canal that is closer to the deep body temperature.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an ear thermometer. [Background technology]

[0002] Ear thermometers that can measure the temperature in the ear canal as body temperature when part of the thermometer is inserted into the ear canal have been known. Patent Document 1 discloses an ear thermometer that has a structure in which a substrate on which a thermistor is provided as a temperature sensor is covered with a retaining resin having high thermal conductivity, and is used with the retaining resin in contact with the ear canal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-276590 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology in which a temperature sensor is provided in the center of the retaining resin, heat is not easily transferred from the ear canal to the temperature sensor, which poses the problem that errors are likely to occur in the measured body temperature.

[0005] The present invention aims to measure body temperature more accurately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the ear thermometer according to the present invention comprises: An ear thermometer used in a state where it is attached to the ear in a predetermined direction, an ear canal insertion portion at least a part of which is inserted into the ear canal in the attached state; a temperature sensor provided in the ear canal insertion portion on a head front side relative to a center of the ear canal insertion portion as viewed from a direction of insertion into the ear canal; Equipped with. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, body temperature can be measured more accurately. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an ear thermometer. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ear thermometer with the earpieces and jacket removed. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an ear thermometer in a worn state. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining each direction in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining each direction in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an ear thermometer in which a portion of the ear canal insertion portion is made of a hard, highly thermally conductive material. [Figure 7] 3 is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction of the ear canal insertion portion and the earpiece. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the ear canal insertion portion. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a top view of the temperature distribution measuring device. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the temperature distribution measuring device. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a front view of the temperature distribution measuring device. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a rear view of the temperature distribution measuring device. [Figure 13] 1 is a graph showing the results of measurement of the temperature distribution inside the ear canal using a temperature distribution measuring device. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the ear thermometer. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the ear thermometer according to the first modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the ear thermometer according to the first modified example. [Figure 17] 13 is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction of an ear canal insertion portion and an earpiece according to Modification 2. FIG. [Figure 18] 13 is a diagram showing an ear canal insertion portion according to Modification 2 as viewed from the front and below. FIG. [Figure 19] 13A is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of an earpiece according to Modification Example 2A and a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction. FIG. [Figure 20] 13A is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of an earpiece according to Modification Example 2B and a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction. FIG. [Figure 21] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of an earpiece in accordance with Variation Example 2C and a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction. [Figure 22] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of an earpiece according to modification example 2D and a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction. [Diagram 23] 13A is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of an earpiece according to Variation 2E, and a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] (Ear thermometer configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an ear thermometer 1 of this embodiment. The ear thermometer 1 includes a main body 10, an ear canal insertion part 20, and an earpiece 40. The ear thermometer 1 is used in a state where it is attached to the ear in a predetermined direction (hereinafter referred to as the "attached state"). In the attached state, at least a part of the ear canal insertion part 20 is inserted into the ear canal. The earpiece 40 is detachable from the ear canal insertion part 20, and covers at least a part of the ear canal insertion part 20 when attached to the ear canal insertion part 20. The main body 10 is connected to the ear canal insertion part 20, and at least a part of the main body 10 is exposed to the outside when attached. The main body 10 has a housing 11 and a jacket 12. The jacket 12 is detachably attached to the main body 10. The jacket 12 is made of a flexible material such as silicone, and is provided for protecting the housing 11 and adjusting the fit when attached.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the ear thermometer 1 with the earpiece 40 and the jacket 12 removed. The housing 11 includes a circuit element section 111, a battery 112, etc. The ear canal insertion section 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a groove 25 that goes around the outer circumferential surface of the ear canal insertion section 20. The inner circumferential surface of the earpiece 40 has a circular protrusion 411 (see FIG. 7 ) that fits into the groove 25. The protrusion 411 fits into the groove 25 on the outer circumferential surface of the ear canal insertion section 20, thereby fixing the earpiece 40 to the ear canal insertion section 20.

[0012] Inside the ear canal insertion portion 20, a hole 21 (see FIG. 7) is provided that extends in a direction parallel to the central axis C (cylinder axis) of the ear canal insertion portion 20, and a temperature sensor 30 is provided on the inner wall surface of the hole 21. The temperature sensor 30 of this embodiment is a chip-type temperature sensor IC (integrated circuit) that outputs a digital signal representing the detected temperature. However, the temperature sensor 30 is not limited to this, and may be a temperature sensor IC that outputs an analog voltage signal whose magnitude corresponds to the detected temperature, or a temperature detection element (e.g., a thermistor) whose electrical characteristics change according to temperature.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the ear thermometer 1 in a worn state. 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the various directions in FIG. 3 and 4, in this embodiment, the upward and downward directions are axial directions fixed to the head, and are vertically upward and vertically downward directions in a standing or sitting position, respectively. The forward and backward directions are axial directions fixed to the head, and are perpendicular to the upward and downward directions, and are horizontal and generally facing forward and generally facing backward in a standing or sitting position, respectively. 3 and 5, the depth direction is the direction from the entrance of the ear canal 90 toward the depth, and the outward direction is the direction from the depth of the ear canal 90 toward the entrance. Since the depth direction is the direction in which the ear canal insertion portion 20 is inserted into the ear canal 90, a direction parallel to the depth direction (and the outward direction) will hereinafter be referred to as the "insertion direction (into the ear canal 90)". In this embodiment, the upper direction, lower direction, front direction, and rear direction are all perpendicular to the insertion direction.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, when worn on the ear, the ear canal insertion part 20 and the earpiece 40 are inserted deep into the ear canal 90. The main body 10 has a shape that fits into the shape of the auricle 91. For this reason, the ear thermometer 1 is worn in a predetermined orientation in which the main body 10 fits into the shape of the auricle 91. In other words, the ear thermometer 1 can be worn only in a state in which the rotation angle is a certain angle (or within a certain angle range, for example, ±10°) when rotated around the central axis C from a certain reference orientation (for example, an orientation in which the front axis and the temperature sensor 30 overlap as shown in FIG. 3). When the ear thermometer 1 can be worn in a state in which the rotation angle is within a certain angle range, the above-mentioned predetermined orientation represents an orientation in which the rotation angle is the center of the above-mentioned certain angle range. In the worn state, the earpiece 40 deforms along the shape of the ear canal 90 and contacts the inner wall surface of the ear canal 90. The earpiece 40 adjusts the fit in the worn state. The earpiece 40 transfers heat from the ear canal 90 to the ear canal insertion portion 20. The earpiece 40 is made of a soft, highly thermally conductive material that has the flexibility to deform to follow the shape of the ear canal 90 and a certain level of thermal conductivity or higher. An example of a soft, highly thermally conductive material is a material called heat-dissipating silicone rubber, which has a higher thermal conductivity (for example, about 1 to 8 W / m·K) than the thermal conductivity of general silicone rubber (about 0.2 W / m·K).

[0015] Meanwhile, the housing 11 of the main body 10 can be made of known resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride resin, and ABS resin. The thermal conductivity of these resins is approximately 0.3 W / m·K or less. The jacket 12 can be made of the above-mentioned general silicone rubber. Therefore, the thermal conductivity of the earpiece 40 is higher than that of the parts of the main body 10 (housing 11 and jacket 12) that are exposed to the outside when worn.

[0016] The ear canal insertion part 20 may be made of the same material as the housing 11, but is preferably made of a hard material (hereinafter referred to as "hard, highly heat-conductive material") having a higher thermal conductivity than the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 6, only a specific part 20a of the ear canal insertion part 20 where the temperature sensor 30 is provided may be made of a hard, highly heat-conductive material. In FIG. 6, the specific part 20a is marked with a dot. The specific part 20a in FIG. 6 is, for example, a part of the cylindrical ear canal insertion part 20 that corresponds to a certain angle range (for example, ±45° from the front direction of the head (the front direction in the worn state)) around the central axis C of the ear canal insertion part 20. As the hard, highly heat-conductive material, for example, a highly heat-conductive resin obtained by blending a heat-conductive filler into a resin can be used. Such a highly heat-conductive resin has a thermal conductivity of about 10 to 100 times that of a general resin.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction of the ear canal insertion portion 20 and the earpiece 40. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the ear canal insertion portion 20. As shown in FIG. 7, the earpiece 40 has a base 41 that fits into the outer peripheral surface of the ear canal insertion portion 20, and an umbrella portion 42 that extends from the tip of the base 41 on the rear side in the insertion direction so as to face the outer periphery of the base 41. The above-mentioned protrusion 411 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the base 41. As described above, the cylindrical hole 21 is provided inside the ear canal insertion part 20. As shown in FIG. 8, the hole 21 and the outer circumferential surface of the ear canal insertion part 20 have the same central axis C. When viewed from the insertion direction, the position of the central axis C corresponds to the "center of the ear canal insertion part 20". As shown in FIG. 7, the end of the hole 21 in the back direction is sealed with a waterproof membrane 24 that does not allow moisture to pass through. This ensures that the inside of the hole 21 is waterproof. In addition, by providing the hole 21, it is possible to make it easier to hear external sounds when the ear thermometer 1 is worn. In addition, by providing the hole 21, it is possible to make it easier to hear sounds output from the speaker when a speaker is provided on the opposite side of the waterproof membrane 24 of the hole 21 to make the ear thermometer 1 function as an earphone.

[0018] The temperature sensor 30 is provided on the inner wall surface 22 of the hole 21 on the head front side (front direction side in the wearing state) of the central axis C as viewed from the insertion direction. In other words, the temperature sensor 30 is provided on the head front side of an imaginary plane that passes through the central axis C and is perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The entire temperature sensor 30 does not necessarily have to be located on the head front side of the central axis C or the imaginary plane, and it is sufficient that the position of the center (for example, the center of gravity) of the temperature sensor 30 is located on the head front side of the central axis C or the imaginary plane. Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the temperature sensor 30 is provided on the ear canal insertion portion 20 within an angle range of ±45° from the head front direction (front direction in the wearing state) around the central axis C as viewed from the insertion direction. From another perspective, the temperature sensor 30 is provided at a position that passes through an imaginary line extending from the central axis C to the head front direction as viewed from the insertion direction.

[0019] The reason for providing the temperature sensor 30 on the head forward side relative to the central axis C will be described below. The temperature inside the ear canal 90 is not uniform, but has a certain temperature distribution. The temperature of the eardrum located at the deepest part of the ear canal 90 is closest to the human core body temperature, and it is preferable to measure the temperature by providing the temperature sensor 30 at a part of the ear canal 90 whose temperature is as close as possible to the core body temperature.

[0020] In order to specify a preferable installation position of the temperature sensor 30, the temperature distribution inside the ear canal 90 was measured using the temperature distribution measuring device 3 shown in Figs. 9 to 12. Figs. 9 to 12 are views of the temperature distribution measuring device 3 as seen from above, below, front, and back when worn on the ear. The temperature distribution measuring device 3 has a test insertion portion 3a to be inserted into the ear canal 90. The test insertion portion 3a is molded by taking a mold of the ear canal 90 and has a shape that fits the ear canal 90. Thermistors 3b are attached to the surface of the test insertion portion 3a at a total of 15 attachment positions, A1 to A4, B1 to B4, C1 to C4, and D2 to D4. In Figs. 9 to 12, the thermistors 3b are represented by circles representing the attachment positions for convenience. The temperature distribution measuring device 3 can measure the temperature at the attachment positions of each thermistor 3b. The position of each thermistor 3b in the insertion direction is either "outermost" on the outermost side, "outer" on the side further back than the outermost side, "rear" on the side further back than the outer side, or "innermost" on the innermost side. As shown in FIG. 9, thermistors 3b are attached to the “outermost” mounting position A1, the “outer” mounting position A2, the “rear” mounting position A3, and the “innermost” mounting position A4 on the upper surface of the test insertion portion 3a. As shown in FIG. 10, thermistors 3b are attached to the “outermost” mounting position B1, the “outer” mounting position B2, the “rear” mounting position B3, and the “innermost” mounting position B4 on the downward surface of the test insertion portion 3a. As shown in FIG. 11, thermistors 3b are attached to the front surface of the test insertion portion 3a at the “outermost” attachment position C1, the “outer” attachment position C2, the “rear” attachment position C3, and the “rearmost” attachment position C4. As shown in FIG. 12, thermistors 3b are attached to the "outer" attachment position D2, the "rear" attachment position D3, and the "innermost" attachment position D4 on the surface on the rear side of the test insertion portion 3a. The temperature distribution measuring device 3 having such a configuration was inserted into the ear canal 90, and the temperatures detected by each thermistor 3b were obtained.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a graph showing the results of measurement of the temperature distribution inside the ear canal 90 by the temperature distribution measuring device 3. The horizontal axis of the graph represents the position in the insertion direction (rearward) based on the "outermost" mounting position. From the graph, it can be seen that the temperature is higher the further back in the insertion direction, whether it is upward, downward, forward, or backward. Also, at the same position in the insertion direction, the temperature is generally highest on the forward side, followed by the upward and downward sides, and lowest on the rear side. In addition, when the insertion direction reaches a certain depth, the temperature rise is almost saturated. In detail, the temperature rise is saturated at the shallowest depth in the forward direction, the upper and lower sides are saturated at the next deepest depth, and the rear side is saturated at the deepest depth. In all of these cases, it is believed that the reason is that the front side of the entrance of the ear canal 90 (external ear canal) is partially blocked by the tragus 92 (see Figure 4), making it difficult for the temperature on the front side inside the ear canal 90 to decrease.

[0022] From the measurement results shown in Fig. 13, it can be seen that when the temperature sensor 30 is installed at a certain position in the insertion direction, the temperature closest to the deep body temperature can be detected by setting the installation position on the head front side of the central axis C. From another perspective, in order to realize temperature detection in which the temperature drop from the deep body temperature falls within a predetermined range, the installation position can be set to the outermost side by setting the temperature sensor 30 on the head front side of the central axis C. Since inserting an object deep into the ear canal 90 causes discomfort such as pain, from the viewpoint of wearing comfort, it is desirable to set the temperature sensor 30 in such a position close to the outside.

[0023] FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the ear thermometer 1. The ear thermometer 1 includes a CPU 51 (Central Processing Unit), a RAM 52 (Random Access Memory), a storage unit 53, a temperature sensor 30, a communication unit 54, and a bus 55. Of these, the CPU 51, the RAM 52, the storage unit 53, and the communication unit 54 are provided in a circuit element unit 111. Each part of the ear thermometer 1 operates with power supplied from a battery 112. Each part of the ear thermometer 1 is connected via the bus 55.

[0024] The CPU 51 is a processor (processing unit) that controls the operation of the ear thermometer 1 by reading and executing the program 531 stored in the storage unit 53 and performing various arithmetic processing. The ear thermometer 1 may have multiple processors (e.g., multiple CPUs), and the multiple processes performed by the CPU 51 of this embodiment may be executed by the multiple processors. In this case, the processing unit is configured by the multiple processors. In this case, the multiple processors may be involved in a common process, or the multiple processors may independently execute different processes in parallel. For example, the CPU 51 acquires data related to the detected temperature from the temperature sensor 30, and transmits the acquired data to an external device via the communication unit 54. The CPU 51 may estimate the eardrum temperature or deep body temperature according to a predetermined algorithm based on the data acquired from the temperature sensor 30, and transmit data related to the estimation result to the external device.

[0025] The RAM 52 provides a working memory space for the CPU 51 and stores temporary data.

[0026] The storage unit 53 is a non-transitory recording medium readable by the CPU 51 as a computer, and stores a program 531 and various data. The storage unit 53 includes a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory. When a temperature detection element such as a thermistor is used as the temperature sensor 30, a conversion table for converting the magnitude of the voltage output by the temperature sensor 30 into a detected temperature may be stored in the storage unit 53.

[0027] The communication unit 54 transmits and receives data to and from an external device in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol. For example, the communication unit 54 transmits data on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 30 to an external device such as a smartphone. The ear thermometer 1 may further include components not shown in FIG. 14, such as a display unit that displays the body temperature measurement result, the speaker described above, and the like.

[0028] (effect) As described above, the ear thermometer 1 according to this embodiment is used in a state where it is attached to the ear in a predetermined direction, and includes the ear canal insertion section 20, at least a part of which is inserted into the ear canal 90 when it is attached, and the temperature sensor 30, which is provided on the ear canal insertion section 20 on the front side of the head from the center of the ear canal insertion section 20 when viewed from the direction of insertion into the ear canal 90. The temperature of the ear canal 90 is closer to the deep body temperature on the front side of the head than on the rear side of the head. Therefore, according to the above configuration, the temperature of the part of the ear canal 90 that is closer to the deep body temperature can be detected by the temperature sensor 30. The ear canal 90 loses less heat to the outside on the front side of the head than on the rear side of the head, and the temperature is saturated at a position shallower from the entrance of the ear canal 90. Therefore, according to the above configuration, stable body temperature measurement with reduced influence of the outside air temperature is possible. As a result, the body temperature can be measured more quickly and accurately.

[0029] The temperature sensor 30 is provided within an angle range of ±45° from the head front direction around the center of the ear canal insertion portion 20 when viewed from the insertion direction. This allows the temperature of the ear canal 90 to be detected at a portion that is closer to the deep body temperature and dissipates less heat to the outside. This allows the body temperature to be measured more quickly and accurately.

[0030] Further, a hole 21 extending in the insertion direction is provided inside the ear canal insertion portion 20, and the temperature sensor 30 is provided on an inner wall surface 22 of the hole 21. This makes it possible to protect the temperature sensor 30 from moisture, dirt, impact, and the like.

[0031] The ear thermometer 1 is connected to the ear canal insertion section 20 and includes a main body 10 that is at least partially exposed to the outside when the thermometer is attached, and the thermal conductivity of at least the part of the ear canal insertion section 20 where the temperature sensor 30 is provided is higher than the thermal conductivity of the part of the main body 10 that is exposed to the outside. This configuration makes it possible to prevent heat transferred from the ear canal 90 to the ear canal insertion section 20 from being released to the outside via the main body 10. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the detection temperature due to the influence of the outside air temperature and to measure the body temperature more accurately.

[0032] The ear-type thermometer 1 also includes an earpiece 40 that covers at least a part of the ear canal insertion portion 20 and contacts the ear canal 90 to transfer heat from the ear canal 90 to the ear canal insertion portion 20. This allows the temperature of the ear canal 90 to be efficiently transferred to the temperature sensor 30. Therefore, the temperature of the ear canal 90 can be detected more quickly and accurately.

[0033] In addition, the thermal conductivity of the earpiece 40 is higher than that of the portion of the main body 10 exposed to the outside. This allows the heat from the ear canal 90 to be efficiently transferred to the temperature sensor 30 via the earpiece 40. In addition, by making the thermal conductivity of the portion of the main body 10 exposed to the outside lower than that of the earpiece 40, it is possible to prevent the heat transferred from the ear canal 90 to the ear canal insertion portion 20 via the earpiece 40 from being released to the outside via the main body 10. This allows the body temperature to be measured more accurately by suppressing a decrease in the detection temperature due to the influence of the outside air temperature.

[0034] Moreover, the earpiece 40 is detachable from the ear canal insertion portion 20. This allows the earpiece 40 to be replaced, so that the ear thermometer 1 can be used repeatedly in a hygienic condition while ensuring safety.

[0035] (Variation 1) Next, a first modified example of the above embodiment will be described. Below, differences from the above embodiment will be described, and a description of configurations common to the above embodiment will be omitted.

[0036] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the ear thermometer 1 according to the first modification. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction of the ear thermometer 1 according to the first modification. The ear thermometer 1 according to the first modification includes a first temperature sensor 30a and a second temperature sensor 30b provided on the back side of the first temperature sensor 30a in the insertion direction. Both the first temperature sensor 30a and the second temperature sensor 30b are provided on the front side of the head from the central axis C. The CPU 51 estimates the temperature of the eardrum or the deep body temperature according to a predetermined algorithm based on the data of the detected temperatures acquired from the first temperature sensor 30a and the second temperature sensor 30b, respectively, and transmits data related to the estimation result to an external device. In detail, the CPU 51 estimates the temperature of the eardrum or the deep body temperature by correcting the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 30b based on the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 30a. Since the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 30a located on the outside is easily affected by the outside air temperature, the outside air temperature is reflected in the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 30a and the difference between the detected temperature and the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 30b. Therefore, according to the configuration of the first modification, the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 30b is corrected taking into account the influence of the outside air temperature, so that the eardrum temperature or the core body temperature can be estimated more accurately. The ear thermometer 1 may include three or more temperature sensors 30 located at different positions in the insertion direction.

[0037] (Variation 2) Next, Modification 2 will be described. Modification 2 differs from the above embodiment mainly in the configuration of the earpiece 40. Below, the differences from the above embodiment will be described, and a description of the configuration common to the above embodiment will be omitted. Modification 2 may be combined with Modification 1.

[0038] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction of the ear canal insertion portion 20 and the earpiece 40 according to the second modification. FIG. 18 is a view of the ear canal insertion portion 20 according to the second modification, viewed from the front and below. In the ear thermometer 1 according to the second modification, a recess 23 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the ear canal insertion portion 20, and a protrusion 43 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the earpiece 40. The recess 23 is fitted with the protrusion 43, so that the earpiece 40 does not rotate around the ear canal insertion portion 20. The recess 23 is a through hole that penetrates from the outer peripheral surface of the ear canal insertion portion 20 to the inner wall surface 22 of the hole portion 21, and the protrusion 43 has a length that penetrates the recess 23. As shown in FIG. 18, the opening shape of the recess 23 is circular, but is not limited thereto. The temperature sensor 30 is provided at a position that blocks at least a part of the opening of the recess 23 on the inner wall surface 22 of the hole portion 21. As a result, the temperature sensor 30 is in contact with the protrusion 43 of the earpiece 40. With this configuration, the temperature of the ear canal insertion portion 20 can be transmitted directly to the temperature sensor 30 via the convex portion 43 of the earpiece 40 (i.e., not via the ear canal insertion portion 20). This allows for faster and more accurate temperature measurement.

[0039] 17 and 18 show an example of a configuration in which one set of recess 23 and protrusion 43 is provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and two or more sets of recess 23 and protrusion 43 may be provided. For example, in a configuration in which a plurality of temperature sensors 30 are provided as in Modification 1, a plurality of sets of recess 23 and protrusion 43 may be provided so that the protrusion 43 contacts each temperature sensor 30.

[0040] The following describes variations in the configuration according to Modification 2 (Modifications 2A to 2E).

[0041] <Variation 2A> FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction and a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction of earpiece 40 according to modification 2A. The earpiece 40 according to the modification 2A includes a member 45 that fills a part of the gap 44 between the base 41 and the umbrella portion 42 on the rear side of the head from the central axis C. More specifically, the member 45 is provided at a position that passes through an imaginary line extending rearward from the central axis C when viewed from the insertion direction. As a result, when the ear canal insertion portion 20 and the earpiece 40 are inserted into the ear canal 90, the amount of crushing (deformation) of the earpiece 40 on the front side of the head becomes greater than the amount of crushing on the rear side of the head, so that the position of the temperature sensor 30 can be biased further toward the front side of the head. Therefore, the temperature sensor 30 can be brought closer to the wall surface of the ear canal 90 on the front side of the head, which is closer to the core body temperature.

[0042] <Variation 2B> FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction and a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction of earpiece 40 according to modification 2B. The earpiece 40 according to Modification 2B has a rib 46 that connects the base 41 and the umbrella portion 42 in a portion of the gap 44 between the base 41 and the umbrella portion 42 that is toward the rear of the head from the central axis C. The rib 46 may be integral with the base 41 and the umbrella portion 42. Furthermore, multiple ribs 46 (for example, three as shown in the upper part of FIG. 20) may be provided. One rib 46 may be provided at a position that passes through an imaginary line extending rearward from the central axis C when viewed from the insertion direction. This allows the hardness of the earpiece 40 on the rear side of the head to be greater than the hardness of the earpiece 40 on the front side of the head. Therefore, when the ear canal insertion portion 20 and the earpiece 40 are inserted into the ear canal 90, the amount of crushing (deformation) of the earpiece 40 on the front side of the head becomes greater than the amount of crushing on the rear side of the head, so the position of the temperature sensor 30 can be biased further toward the front side of the head. Therefore, the temperature sensor 30 can be brought closer to the wall surface of the ear canal 90 on the front side of the head, which is closer to the core body temperature.

[0043] <Variation 2C> FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction and a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction of earpiece 40 according to modification 2C. In the umbrella portion 42 of the earpiece 40 according to the modification 2C, the length L1 in the insertion direction on the head front side of the central axis C is shorter than the length L2 in the insertion direction on the head rear side of the central axis C. For example, the length L1 of the portion of the umbrella portion 42 that intersects with a virtual line extending from the central axis C in the head front direction as viewed from the insertion direction is shorter than the length L2 of the portion at the position intersecting with the virtual line extending from the central axis C in the rear direction. The shape of the umbrella portion 42 may be a shape obtained by cutting the outward end of the umbrella portion 42 along an inclined surface. The inclined surface is, for example, a surface in which the direction of the normal toward the outward side is inclined toward the head front side with respect to the insertion direction. This allows the position of the temperature sensor 30 to be biased further toward the front of the head when the ear canal insertion portion 20 and the earpiece 40 are inserted into the ear canal 90. Therefore, the temperature sensor 30 can be brought closer to the wall surface of the ear canal 90 on the front side of the head, which is closer to the core body temperature.

[0044] <Variation 2D> FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction and a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction of earpiece 40 according to modification 2D. In the earpiece 40 according to Modification 2D, the width of the gap 441 between the base 41 and the umbrella portion 42 on the head front side of the central axis C is smaller than the width of the gap 442 between the base 41 and the umbrella portion 42 on the head rear side of the central axis C. For example, in the umbrella portion 42, the width of the gap 441 at a portion intersecting with a virtual line extending from the central axis C in the head front direction when viewed from the insertion direction is smaller than the width of the gap 441 at a portion at a position intersecting with a virtual line extending in the rear direction from the central axis C. In other words, when viewed from the insertion direction, the center of the base 41 is biased (offset) toward the head front side with respect to the center of the umbrella portion 42. This allows the position of the temperature sensor 30 to be biased further toward the front of the head when the ear canal insertion portion 20 and the earpiece 40 are inserted into the ear canal 90. Therefore, the temperature sensor 30 can be brought closer to the wall surface of the ear canal 90 on the front side of the head, which is closer to the core body temperature.

[0045] <Variation 2E> FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a cross section perpendicular to the insertion direction and a cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction of earpiece 40 according to modification 2E. In the earpiece 40 according to Variation 2E, the umbrella portion 42 has a thickness T1 on the front side of the head relative to the central axis C that is thinner than a thickness T2 on the rear side of the head relative to the central axis C. For example, the thickness T1 of the umbrella portion 42 at a portion intersecting an imaginary line extending from the central axis C in a forward direction of the head when viewed from the insertion direction is thinner than the thickness T2 of a portion at a position intersecting an imaginary line extending from the central axis C in a rearward direction. As a result, when the ear canal insertion portion 20 and the earpiece 40 are inserted into the ear canal 90, the amount of crushing (deformation) of the earpiece 40 on the front side of the head becomes greater than the amount of crushing on the rear side of the head, so the position of the temperature sensor 30 can be biased further toward the front side of the head. Therefore, the temperature sensor 30 can be brought closer to the wall surface of the ear canal 90 on the front side of the head, which is closer to the core body temperature.

[0046] All of the earpieces 40 of Modifications 2A to 2E have a structure that prevents rotation by fitting the recessed portion 23 and the protruding portion 43 together. This allows a specific portion of the earpiece 40 to abut against the front side of the head of the ear canal 90. Therefore, the earpiece 40 can employ various configurations for biasing the position of the temperature sensor 30 toward the front side of the head, as described above. However, the earpiece 40 may have a structure that does not rotate around the ear canal insertion portion 20 by a method other than the recess 23 and the protrusion 43. For example, the outer shape of the ear canal insertion portion 20 as viewed from the insertion direction may be a polygon or an ellipse, and the shape of the inner circumferential surface of the base 41 of the earpiece 40 may be a polygon or an ellipse to match this, thereby forming a structure that does not rotate. If the outer shape of the ear canal insertion portion 20 as viewed from the insertion direction is other than a circle, the center of the ear canal insertion portion 20 as viewed from the insertion direction may be, for example, the area center of gravity of the shape of the outer shape.

[0047] (others) The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be modified in various ways. For example, in cases where waterproofing is not a consideration, the temperature sensor 30 may be provided on the outer circumferential surface of the ear canal insertion portion 20. In this case, the ear canal insertion portion 20 does not need to have the hole 21.

[0048] The earpiece 40 may be provided integrally with the ear canal insertion portion 20. In other words, the ear canal insertion portion 20 may have a configuration corresponding to the earpiece 40. In this case, the temperature sensor 30 may be provided in a portion of the ear canal insertion portion 20 that corresponds to the earpiece 40.

[0049] Furthermore, the detailed configuration and operation of each component of the ear thermometer 1 in the above embodiment can of course be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0050] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1 Ear thermometer 3 Temperature distribution measuring device 10 Main body 11. Cabinet 12 Jacket 20 Ear canal insertion part 21 Hole 22 Inner wall surface 23 Recess 24 Waterproof membrane 25 groove 30 Temperature Sensor 30a First temperature sensor 30b Second temperature sensor 40 Earpiece 41 Base 411 Protrusion 42 Umbrella section 43 Convex 44, 441, 442 void 45 Materials 46 Ribs 51 CPU (Processing Unit) 90 External auditory canal C Central axis (center)

Claims

1. An ear thermometer used in a state where it is attached to the ear in a predetermined direction, an ear canal insertion portion at least a part of which is inserted into the ear canal in the attached state; a temperature sensor provided in the ear canal insertion portion on a head front side relative to a center of the ear canal insertion portion as viewed from a direction of insertion into the ear canal; An ear thermometer equipped with

2. The temperature sensor is provided in the ear canal insertion portion within an angular range of ±45° from the head front direction around the center when viewed from the insertion direction. The ear thermometer according to claim 1.

3. A hole extending in the insertion direction is provided inside the ear canal insertion portion, The temperature sensor is provided on an inner wall surface of the hole. The ear thermometer according to claim 1.

4. a main body portion connected to the ear canal insertion portion and at least a portion of which is exposed to the outside in the attached state; the thermal conductivity of at least a portion of the ear canal insertion portion where the temperature sensor is provided is higher than the thermal conductivity of a portion of the main body that is exposed to the outside; The ear thermometer according to claim 1.

5. the temperature sensor includes a first temperature sensor and a second temperature sensor provided on a deeper side than the first temperature sensor in the insertion direction; a processing unit that corrects the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor based on the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor; The ear thermometer according to claim 1.

6. an earpiece that covers at least a part of the ear canal insertion portion and contacts the ear canal in the worn state to transmit heat from the ear canal to the ear canal insertion portion; The ear thermometer according to claim 1.

7. a main body portion connected to the ear canal insertion portion and at least a portion of which is exposed to the outside in the attached state; The thermal conductivity of the earpiece is higher than the thermal conductivity of a portion of the main body that is exposed to the outside. The ear thermometer according to claim 6.

8. The earpiece is detachable from the ear canal insertion portion. The ear thermometer according to claim 6.

9. The earpiece has a structure that does not rotate around the ear canal insertion portion. The ear thermometer according to claim 6.

10. The earpiece has a protrusion that fits into a recess provided on an outer circumferential surface of the ear canal insertion portion.

10. The ear thermometer according to claim 6 or 9.

11. A hole extending in the insertion direction is provided inside the ear canal insertion portion, The recess is a through hole that penetrates from an outer peripheral surface of the ear canal insertion portion to an inner wall surface of the hole portion, The protrusion has a length that penetrates the through hole, The temperature sensor is provided at a position on the inner wall surface of the hole portion so as to cover at least a part of an opening of the through hole, and is in contact with the protrusion of the earpiece. The ear thermometer according to claim 10.

12. The earpiece has a base that fits onto an outer peripheral surface of the ear canal insertion portion, an umbrella portion that extends from a tip end of the base on the inner side in the insertion direction so as to face the outer periphery of the base, and a member that fills a part of a gap between the base and the umbrella portion that is on the rear side of the head from the center. The ear thermometer according to claim 9.

13. The earpiece has a base that fits into an outer peripheral surface of the ear canal insertion portion, an umbrella portion that extends from a tip end of the base on the rear side in the insertion direction so as to face the outer periphery of the base, and a rib that connects the base and the umbrella portion in a part of a gap between the base and the umbrella portion that is toward the rear of the head from the center. The ear thermometer according to claim 9.

14. The earpiece has a base portion that fits into an outer peripheral surface of the ear canal insertion portion, and a umbrella portion that extends from a tip portion of the base portion on a rear side in the insertion direction so as to face an outer periphery of the base portion, a length of the umbrella portion in the insertion direction on a front side of the head from the center is shorter than a length of the umbrella portion in the insertion direction on a rear side of the head from the center; The ear thermometer according to claim 9.

15. The earpiece has a base portion that fits into an outer peripheral surface of the ear canal insertion portion, and a umbrella portion that extends from a tip portion of the base portion on a rear side in the insertion direction so as to face an outer periphery of the base portion, The width of the gap between the base and the umbrella portion on the front side of the head from the center is smaller than the width of the gap between the base and the umbrella portion on the rear side of the head from the center. The ear thermometer according to claim 9.

16. The earpiece has a base portion that fits into an outer peripheral surface of the ear canal insertion portion, and a umbrella portion that extends from a tip portion of the base portion on a rear side in the insertion direction so as to face an outer periphery of the base portion, The thickness of the umbrella portion on the front side of the head from the center is smaller than the thickness of the umbrella portion on the rear side of the head from the center. The ear thermometer according to claim 9.

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