Sensor device and pulse measuring device

Abstract

To provide a sensor device capable of measuring pressure fluctuation of a measurement object more accurately.SOLUTION: A sensor device includes a sensor part including a piezoelectric sheet and a support member including a cover sheet to which a portion of the sensor part is fixed. The portion of the sensor part is fixed to the cover sheet so that a portion different from the above portion of the sensor part can slide on the cover sheet so that the piezoelectric sheet does not deform to the curvature of the cover sheet when the cover sheet is curved.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sensor device and a pulse measuring device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional methods for measuring minute pressure fluctuations such as the pulse of a living body include optical sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and piezoelectric sensors using polymer piezoelectric films. Polymer piezoelectric films can be made thin and flexible, so their application to wearable devices such as wristwatches has been considered.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a biosensor that can easily and stably measure biovibrations by covering a band-shaped piezoelectric sheet with a curved cover member, even when the biovibrations are measured by placing the sheet against a curved surface of the skin. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-061971 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The biosensor described in Patent Document 1 uses a curved cover member, making it difficult to apply to areas with different degrees of curvature. In addition, because the piezoelectric sheet and biosensor are fixed, unintended force may be applied to the piezoelectric sheet when the biosensor is worn, causing the piezoelectric sheet to deform, and there is a risk that minute pressure fluctuations in the measurement target, such as the pulse of the blood vessels in the human wrist or ankle, cannot be measured accurately.

[0006] In one aspect, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has an object to provide a sensor device or the like that can measure pressure fluctuations of a measurement target with higher accuracy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] [1] A sensor device according to one embodiment of the present invention is A sensor unit including a piezoelectric sheet; a support member including a cover sheet to which a portion of the sensor unit is fixed; Equipped with the portion of the sensor unit is fixed to the cover sheet so that a portion of the sensor unit other than the portion of the sensor unit can slide on the cover sheet so that the piezoelectric sheet does not deform in accordance with the curvature of the cover sheet when the cover sheet is curved. It is a sensor device.

[0008] [2] In one embodiment of the present invention, the support member includes a first column portion and a second column portion arranged to sandwich the sensor portion in a first direction, the cover sheet being attached to the first column portion and the second column portion, the portion of the sensor unit is fixed to the cover sheet so that a portion of the sensor unit different from the portion of the sensor unit can slide on the cover sheet between the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion so that the piezoelectric sheet does not deform in accordance with the curvature of the cover sheet when the cover sheet is curved. The sensor device according to [1].

[0009] [3] In one embodiment of the present invention, The sensor device according to [2], wherein one end of the sensor portion is fixed to the cover sheet along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0010] [4] In one embodiment of the present invention, The sensor device includes: a base portion attached to the first column portion on the opposite side to the side to which the cover sheet is fixed; a slide part attached to the second pillar part on the opposite side to the side to which the cover sheet is fixed, the slide part being arranged so as to be able to slide on the base part when at least one of the first pillar part and the second pillar part is displaced; The sensor device according to claim 2 or 3,

[0011] [5] In one embodiment of the present invention, the support member includes a first column portion and a second column portion arranged to sandwich the sensor portion in a first direction, the cover sheet being attached to the first column portion and the second column portion, The support member includes a fixing sheet attached to the first column portion, The portion of the sensor unit is fixed to the fixing sheet so that a portion of the sensor unit different from the portion of the sensor unit can slide on the cover sheet between the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion so that the piezoelectric sheet does not deform in accordance with the curvature of the cover sheet when the cover sheet is curved. The sensor device according to [1].

[0012] [6] In one embodiment of the present invention, The sensor device includes: a base portion attached to the first column portion on the opposite side to the side to which the cover sheet and the fixing sheet are fixed; a slide part attached to the second pillar part on the opposite side to the side to which the cover sheet is fixed, the slide part being arranged so as to be able to slide on the base part when at least one of the first pillar part and the second pillar part is displaced; The sensor device according to [5] is provided with:

[0013] [7] In one embodiment of the present invention, The sensor device is a sensor device described in any one of [1] to [6], which acquires a signal caused by pressure fluctuations in blood vessels in a human wrist or ankle.

[0014] [8] A pulse measuring device according to one embodiment of the present invention is A pulse measuring device comprising a sensor device according to any one of [1] to [7], a holding part for holding the sensor device, and a wearing member for wrapping the sensor device around a human wrist or ankle, the holding part being attached to the wearing member. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to more accurately measure pressure fluctuations in a measurement target. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a pulse measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a sensor device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 3 is a front view of the sensor device shown in FIG. 2 as seen from direction B (y-axis direction). [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional view of a sensor unit, taken along a cross section perpendicular to the surface of the sensor unit (piezoelectric sheet). [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a state of the sensor device when worn; [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a state of the sensor device when worn; [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another example of the configuration of the sensor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a sensor device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, a pulse measuring device 1 and a sensor device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The pulse measuring device 1 and the sensor device 10 measure pressure fluctuations such as biological vibrations of a measurement target. In this specification, measuring pressure fluctuations is a concept that includes obtaining a signal caused by pressure fluctuations. In this specification, a sheet is a concept that includes a film, and there is no particular limit to its thickness, and it can represent a thickness of, for example, 100 μm to 2 mm. In this specification, curvature is a concept that includes simply bending. In this specification, the same symbols in each figure indicate the same or equivalent parts unless otherwise specified, and for convenience of explanation, the vertical and horizontal scales of members or parts may be expressed differently from the actual ones.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a pulse measurement device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pulse measurement device 1 includes a sensor device 10, a holding unit 2 for holding the sensor device 10, and a mounting member 4 for mounting the sensor device 10 so as to surround the wrist (forearm). The holding unit 2 is fixedly attached to the mounting member 4, and the mounting member 4 is configured so as to be able to be mounted around the wrist. In the description of the embodiment of the present invention, the measurement target of the sensor device 10 is a blood vessel (pulse) 50 in a human wrist, and the mounting member 4 is configured so as to be able to be mounted around the wrist, but is not limited thereto. The sensor device 10 (sensor unit 11) is arranged so as to be positioned on the surface of the wrist when the mounting member 4 is attached to the wrist, and is configured to directly or indirectly contact the wrist and measure pressure fluctuations in the blood vessel 50 in the wrist. At this time, the inner surface of the wrist is the contact surface of the sensor device 10 (sensor unit 11). For example, the pulse measurement device 1 can acquire data on the pulse of the blood vessel 50 by measuring pressure fluctuations in the blood vessel 50.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the sensor device 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention. The sensor device 10 includes a sensor unit 11, a cover sheet 12, a first pillar unit 13, a second pillar unit 14, a base unit 15, and a slide unit 16. FIG. 3 is a front view of the sensor device 10 shown in FIG. 2 as viewed from the direction B (y-axis direction). In FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, coordinate axes of the x-direction, the y-direction, and the z-direction, which are orthogonal to each other, are shown to explain the positional relationship of the components of the sensor device 10. In this specification, the components of the sensor device 10 other than the sensor unit 11, such as the cover sheet 12, the first pillar unit 13, the second pillar unit 14, the base unit 15, and the slide unit 16, can be called support members.

[0020] In this specification, when describing the state of the sensor device 10, a case where the pulse measuring device 1 is worn on the wrist and a case where the pulse measuring device 1 is not worn on the wrist or the sensor device 10 is not attached to the pulse measuring device 1 will be described. In this specification, the former is sometimes referred to as "worn" and the latter as "not worn." The sensor device 10 shown in FIG. 2 shows the sensor device 10 when not worn, and in this case, the sensor unit 11 of the sensor device 10 is not measuring pressure fluctuations.

[0021] The sensor unit 11 is disposed on the surface of the cover sheet 12 in the +z-axis direction. The sensor unit 11 includes a piezoelectric sheet 31 capable of detecting pressure fluctuations, and sheet-like electrodes 32 and 33 attached to both sides of the piezoelectric sheet. The piezoelectric sheet 31 is formed from a piezoelectric material or is formed to include a piezoelectric material. In one example, the piezoelectric sheet 31 can be a sheet-like piezoelectric element made from a polymer material. In one example, the piezoelectric sheet 31 can be made of PVDF (Polyvinylidene Difluoride) or a material including PVDF. In one example, the electrodes 32 and 33 can be made of a conductive polymer such as PEDOT (poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)):PSS (polystyrene sulfonate) or a material including PEDOT:PSS. The two electrodes 32 and 33 are each connected to a wiring (not shown).

[0022] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a cross-sectional view of the sensor unit 11, and is a cross-sectional view cut along a cross section (for example, an xz plane) perpendicular to the surface of the sensor unit 11 (piezoelectric sheet 31). The piezoelectric sheet 31 and electrodes 32, 33 included in the sensor unit 11 are produced on a sheet-shaped printing substrate by a known method as one unit with the printing substrate. For example, the printing substrate may be a material such as a PEN (Polyethylene Naphthalate) film or a cross-linked PVP, PET (Poly Ethylene Naphthalate), or acrylic formed on a PEN film. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the sensor unit 11 that does not include a printing substrate, but the sensor unit 11 includes a printing substrate. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the sensor unit 11 is composed of a printing substrate (not shown) and a piezoelectric sheet 31 and electrodes 32, 33 on the printing substrate. In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, the sensor unit 11 is described as being composed of a printing substrate (not shown) and a piezoelectric sheet 31 and electrodes 32, 33 on the printing substrate, but is not limited thereto. For example, the thickness d of the entire sensor unit 11 is 20 to 30 μm when the printing substrate is not included. For example, the thickness of the entire sensor unit 11 is 270 μm when the printing substrate is included, and in this case, for example, the dimensions (length x width x thickness) of the sensor unit 11 are 14 mm x 16 mm x 270 μm. In this case, for example, the dimensions (length x width x thickness) of the piezoelectric sheet 31 are 12 mm x 14 mm x 6 μm, and the length x width dimensions of the piezoelectric sheet 31 are set to be slightly smaller than the length x width dimensions of the printing substrate.

[0023] The sensor device 10 includes a measuring unit (not shown) that measures a voltage signal. The wires to which the two electrodes 32, 33 are connected are each connected to the measuring unit. When pressure fluctuations in the blood vessel 50 are transmitted to the piezoelectric sheet 31, the piezoelectric sheet 31 converts the pressure into a corresponding voltage by the piezoelectric effect. The voltage is extracted by the electrodes 32, 33 and output to the measuring unit as a voltage signal via the wires. The measuring unit acquires the voltage signal via the electrodes 32, 33.

[0024] The measurement unit may include a known amplifier circuit for amplifying the acquired voltage signal and a known filter circuit for extracting a signal of a predetermined frequency from the voltage signal. In one example, the measurement unit may include a known transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the amplified and filtered signal to the outside. This configuration allows an external device to acquire the voltage signal caused by the pressure fluctuation of the measurement target. In another example, the measurement unit may include an interface for transmitting the amplified and filtered signal to the outside.

[0025] In order to prevent short-circuiting between electrode 32 and electrode 33, the area of ​​the contact surface of piezoelectric sheet 31 with electrodes 32, 33 is larger than the area of ​​the contact surface of electrodes 32, 33. The size of the surface of piezoelectric sheet 31 that directly or indirectly contacts the wrist (contact surface with the wrist) is large enough for piezoelectric sheet 31 to detect pressure fluctuations. In one example, the size of the contact surface of piezoelectric sheet 31 with the wrist is, for example, the size of a rectangle with sides of 10 to 20 mm that can detect pressure fluctuations from an artery (blood vessel) in the wrist, and is particularly preferably the size of a rectangle with sides of 12 to 16 mm.

[0026] The cover sheet 12 is attached (fixed) to the surfaces of the first column 13 and the second column 14 in the +z axis direction. The cover sheet 12 bends or flexes when an external force is applied. In one example, the cover sheet 12 can be a PET sheet. In one example, the cover sheet 12 can be a material or substance containing PEN.

[0027] 2, one end of the sensor unit 11 is fixed to the cover sheet 12 by an adhesive tape 21 along a direction (y-axis direction) perpendicular to the direction A (x-axis direction). For example, the sensor unit 11 is fixed to the cover sheet 12 by an insulating polyimide adhesive tape along the y-axis direction. For example, the dimensions (length x width x thickness) of the cover sheet 12 are 14 mm x 50 mm x 250 μm.

[0028] The first column 13 and the second column 14 are arranged to sandwich the sensor unit 11 in the x-axis direction. In one example, the first column 13 and the second column 14 can be made of a soft resin. In one example, the first column 13 and the second column 14 can be made of a polymer compound having viscoelasticity, such as an ether-based polyurethane made of polyol and MDI (diphenylmethane diisocyanate), for example, Sorbothane (registered trademark). By using such a material for the first column 13 and the second column 14, the pressure applied to the entire sensor device 10 when worn can be uniformly distributed by the first column 13 and the second column 14 due to the viscoelasticity, and even if a strong pressure is applied to the entire sensor device 10 when worn, it is possible to prevent the cover sheet 12 from being subjected to an excessive load. In addition, it is possible to reduce the pressure transmitted to the sensor unit 11 by absorbing unintended impacts from the outside of the sensor device 10 (for example, impacts when the sensor device 10 is hit against an object while worn on the wrist).

[0029] When worn, the sensor device 10 is placed (disposed) on the inner surface of the wrist while being pressed in the direction C (+z-axis direction) shown in Fig. 3. At this time, the first pillar 13 and the second pillar 14, or one of the first pillar 13 and the second pillar 14, are displaced to match the shape of the wrist, and the cover sheet 12 is configured to curve along the longitudinal direction (x-axis direction). When the sensor unit 11 and the cover sheet 12 receive a force in the -z-axis direction, the portion of the cover sheet 12 that is not supported by the first pillar 13 or the second pillar 14 is configured to bend in the -z-axis direction.

[0030] In one example, the entire portion of one end of the sensor unit 11 in the y-axis direction may be fixed to the cover sheet 12 by the adhesive tape 21. In one example, if the one end of the sensor unit 11 is fixed to the cover sheet 12 even when attached (when pressed in the direction of C shown in FIG. 3), a part of the one end in the y-axis direction may be fixed to the cover sheet 12 by the adhesive tape 21 as shown in FIG. 2. In other words, if the one end of the sensor unit 11 is fixed to the cover sheet 12 even when attached, a part of the one end in the y-axis direction may not be fixed to the cover sheet 12 by the adhesive tape 21 as shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the width of the adhesive tape attached along the y-axis direction may be large enough so that the one end of the sensor unit 11 is fixed to the cover sheet 12 even when attached. In addition, the sensor unit 11 may be disposed on the surface of the cover sheet 12 in a state where a part of the sensor unit 11 protrudes from the cover sheet 12 in the y-axis direction. With such a configuration, wiring or the like that connects to an electrode can be provided on the protruding part of the sensor unit 11. Even in this case, as long as one end of the sensor unit 11 is fixed to the cover sheet 12 even when the sensor unit 11 is attached, it is sufficient that part or all of the end of the sensor unit 11 that is positioned on the cover sheet 12 is fixed to the cover sheet 12.

[0031] As described above, one end of the sensor unit 11 is configured to be fixed to the cover sheet 12, and when the cover sheet 12 is curved along the longitudinal direction, a part of the sensor unit 11, which is a part different from the one end of the sensor unit 11, is configured to slide on the cover sheet 12 between the first column portion 13 and the second column portion 14, so that the piezoelectric sheet 31 is not pressed or deformed in accordance with the curvature of the cover sheet 12. In this configuration, it can be said that the one end of the sensor unit 11 is fixed to the cover sheet 12 so that the part of the sensor unit 11 can slide on the cover sheet 12 between the first column portion 13 and the second column portion 14 so that the piezoelectric sheet 31 does not deform in accordance with the curvature of the cover sheet 12 when the cover sheet 12 is curved along the longitudinal direction. The part of the sensor unit 11 configured to be slidable on the cover sheet 12 is a part of the sensor unit 11 different from the one end of the sensor unit 11 fixed to the cover sheet 12, for example, the other end of the sensor unit 11 opposite to the one end of the sensor unit 11. As described above, the sensor unit 11 is made of a material or substance that allows a part of the sensor unit 11 to slide on the cover sheet 12 .

[0032] The base portion 15 is for protecting the sensor portion 11 from the outside when the sensor portion 11 is worn. The base portion 15 may be made of a sheet-like material or substance, such as PET or PEN.

[0033] The base portion 15 is attached to the -z axis direction side of the first pillar portion 13, i.e., the first pillar portion 13 opposite the side to which the cover sheet 12 is fixed. Attaching the base portion 15 to the first pillar portion 13 may mean that the first pillar portion 13 is attached to the base portion 15. The base portion 15 has a size capable of covering the faces of the -z axis direction side of the first pillar portion 13 and the second pillar portion 14, and is disposed on the -z axis direction side of the first pillar portion 13 and the second pillar portion 14.

[0034] The sliding portion 16 is disposed with at least a portion thereof sandwiched between the second column portion 14 and the base portion 15. The sliding portion 16 can be made of a sheet-like material or substance, such as PET or PEN.

[0035] The slide part 16 is attached to the second pillar part 14 on the -z axis direction side of the second pillar part 14, i.e., the side opposite to the side to which the cover sheet 12 is fixed. Attaching the slide part 16 to the second pillar part 14 may mean that the second pillar part 14 is attached to the slide part 16. The slide part 16 is arranged so as to be able to slide on the base part 15 when at least one of the first pillar part 13 and the second pillar part 14 is displaced.

[0036] 5 and 6 are diagrams showing an example of the state of the sensor device 10 when worn. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are cross-sectional views of the sensor device 10 cut on the xz plane in Fig. 2, or front views of the sensor device 10 seen from the direction B in Fig. 2. The sensor device 10 is placed (disposed) on the inner surface of the wrist 60 in a state where it is pressed in the direction D shown in Fig. 5, for example, by wearing the pulse measuring device 1 on the wrist. Note that in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the positions on the cover sheet 12 are described as points for convenience, but it is understood that in reality, they are, for example, linear regions (areas).

[0037] position P b is the position on the cover sheet 12 of one end of the sensor unit 11 fixed to the cover sheet 12, and the position does not change before and after the cover sheet 12 is curved. The other end of the sensor unit 11 moves to a position P on the cover sheet 12 before bending in accordance with the curvature of the cover sheet 12. a0 1 to a position P on the cover sheet 12. a1 When the cover sheet 12 is curved, the sensor unit 11 is located at a position P a1 and position P bThe sensor unit 11 (piezoelectric sheet 31) is pressed at two points (two areas) and a space S is formed between the sensor unit 11 and the cover sheet 12. In this way, the sensor unit 11 (piezoelectric sheet 31) is not subjected to force in areas other than the two areas being pressed and is held in an undeformed state while being able to contact the inner surface of the wrist 60, making it possible to more accurately measure weak pressure fluctuations in the measurement target.

[0038] In addition, when pressed in the direction D shown in Figure 5, the slide portion 16 slides on the base portion 15 as shown by arrow E in Figure 6, thereby preventing distortion of the first pillar portion 13 and the second pillar portion 14 and preventing distortion and curvature of the cover sheet 12.

[0039] Next, the effects of the sensor device 10 (pulse measuring device 1) according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0040] In the embodiment of the present invention, one end of the sensor unit 11 is configured to be fixed to the cover sheet 12, and when the cover sheet 12 is curved along the longitudinal direction, the other end of the sensor unit 11 opposite to the one end of the sensor unit 11 slides on the cover sheet 12 between the first pillar 13 and the second pillar 14. At this time, as shown in Fig. 6, the sensor unit 11 comes into contact with the cover sheet 12 at the part of the one end fixed to the cover sheet 12 and the part of the other end that has slid, and the other part does not come into contact with the cover sheet 12.

[0041] With this configuration, it is possible to prevent or reduce deformation of the sensor unit 11 (piezoelectric sheet 31) in accordance with the curvature of the cover sheet 12. Furthermore, when the cover sheet 12 is in a curved state, it is possible to prevent or reduce deformation by preventing force from being applied to the piezoelectric sheet 31 in any area other than the two pressed portions, while allowing the piezoelectric sheet 31 to come into direct or indirect contact with the inner surface of the wrist, etc. This makes it possible to more accurately measure weak pressure fluctuations in a measurement target, such as blood vessels in a human wrist.

[0042] It is also assumed that the sensor device 10 will be used on various types of human wrists, etc., and in this case, it is assumed that the shape, such as the degree of curvature, of the contact surface of the sensor device 10 will vary. The sensor device 10 having the configuration of this embodiment can be applied to areas with different degrees of curvature.

[0043] In the embodiment of the present invention, a polymeric compound having viscoelasticity can be used for the first column 13 and the second column 14. With this configuration, the pressure applied to the entire sensor device 10 when worn can be uniformly distributed by the first column 13 and the second column 14, and even if a strong pressure is applied to the entire sensor device 10 when worn, the cover sheet 12 can be prevented from being subjected to an excessive load. In addition, it is possible to reduce the pressure transmitted to the sensor section 11 by absorbing unintended impacts from the outside of the sensor device 10. This makes it possible to measure weak pressure fluctuations of the measurement target with greater accuracy.

[0044] In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, when at least one of the first column section 13 and the second column section 14 is displaced, the slide section 16 slides on the base section 15, thereby preventing distortion of the first column section 13 and the second column section 14, and also preventing distortion and curvature of the cover sheet 12. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent further curvature of the cover sheet 12, which may cause deformation of the piezoelectric sheet 31. This makes it possible to more accurately measure weak pressure fluctuations of the measurement target.

[0045] The above-described effects and advantages are applicable to other embodiments and examples, unless otherwise specified.

[0046] In the embodiment of the present invention, as long as the sensor device 10 has at least one of the effects described above, the sensor unit 11 is not limited to being composed of a printed substrate, a piezoelectric sheet 31 on the printed substrate, and electrodes 32 and 33. For example, the sensor unit 11 may not include a printed substrate, and may include other components. When the sensor unit 11 does not include a printed substrate, the dimensions (length x width x thickness) of the sensor unit 11 may be, for example, 14 mm x 16 mm x 20 μm. For example, the sensor unit 11 may have an insulating layer on the upper part of the electrode 32. In this case, the sensor unit 11 may include a piezoelectric sheet 31, electrodes 32 and 33, and an insulating layer.

[0047] In the embodiments of the present invention, as long as the sensor device 10 exhibits at least one of the operational effects described above, the sensor unit 11 can include a piezoelectric sheet 31 and any configuration capable of acquiring a pressure fluctuation (voltage signal) detected in the piezoelectric sheet 31. Alternatively, in one or more embodiments of the present invention, the sensor unit 11 may be the piezoelectric sheet 31. In this case, the sensor device 10 can include a configuration capable of acquiring a voltage signal detected in the piezoelectric sheet 31 and have a function of measuring pressure fluctuations.

[0048] In the embodiment of the present invention, the dimensions of the sensor unit 11 and the position of the sensor unit 11 relative to the positions of the first pillar 13 and the second pillar 14 can be designed to achieve at least one of the above-mentioned effects. For example, as shown in Figures 3 and 6, the sensor unit 11 can be arranged on the surface on the +z axis side of the cover sheet 12 so that a space exists between the first pillar 13 and the second pillar 14 in the -z axis direction of the arrangement position of the sensor unit 11 when not attached and when attached. Alternatively, for example, the sensor unit 11 may be arranged so that the second pillar 14 exists in the -z axis direction of the arrangement position of a part of the sensor unit 11 when not attached, or so that the first pillar 13 exists in the -z axis direction of the arrangement position of a part of the sensor unit 11 when attached.

[0049] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the measurement target of the sensor device 10 may be the blood vessel (pulse) of a human ankle, instead of the blood vessel (pulse) 50, or may be blood vessels in other parts. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the measurement target of the sensor device 10 may be an object or a living body other than a human blood vessel that generates pressure fluctuations of a magnitude similar to that of a pulse.

[0050] In the embodiment of the present invention, the position and method of fixing the sensor unit 11 to the cover sheet 12 are not limited to the position and method described above. In the embodiment of the present invention, a part (part α) of the sensor unit 11 may be fixed to the cover sheet 12 so that a part (part β) different from the part (part α) of the sensor unit 11 can slide on the cover sheet 12 between the first column 13 and the second column 14, so that the piezoelectric sheet 31 does not deform in accordance with the curvature of the cover sheet 12 when the cover sheet 12 is curved along the x-axis direction. In this case, the part (part β) of the sensor unit 11 configured to be slidable on the cover sheet 12 is a part of the sensor unit 11 different from the part (part α) of the sensor unit 11 fixed to the cover sheet 12, and for example, the part α is one end of the sensor unit 11, and the part β is the other end of the sensor unit 11 opposite to the one end of the sensor unit 11.

[0051] In the embodiment of the present invention, the sensor unit 11 is fixed to the cover sheet 12, which may be interpreted as the sensor unit 11 being directly or indirectly fixed to the cover sheet 12. The same applies to the fixing of other components. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a part of the sensor unit 11 may be fixed to the cover sheet 12 by a material or substance other than the adhesive tape 21. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, a part of the sensor unit 11 may be fixed to the cover sheet 12 by, for example, engaging or fitting the sensor unit 11 with a structure provided on the cover sheet 12, without using a material or substance such as the adhesive tape 21. FIG. 7 shows another example of a perspective view showing the configuration of the sensor device 10 of the first embodiment of the present invention. In this example, one end of the sensor unit 11 can be fixed to the cover sheet 12 along the y-axis direction by an adhesive 22 instead of the adhesive tape 21.

[0052] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the sensor device 10 may not include the base portion 15. In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the sensor device 10 may not include the slide portion 16. Even if the sensor device 10 does not include at least one of the base portion 15 and the slide portion 16, a part of the sensor portion 11 slides on the cover sheet 12, thereby preventing or reducing deformation of the piezoelectric sheet 31 in accordance with the curvature of the cover sheet 12. This makes it possible to more accurately measure weak pressure fluctuations in the measurement target.

[0053] In one or more embodiments of the present invention, the base portion 15 may be attached to the -z axis direction side of the second pillar portion 14, and the slide portion 16 may be attached to the -z axis direction side of the first pillar portion 13. In this embodiment, the slide portion 16 is disposed with at least a portion sandwiched between the first pillar portion 13 and the base portion 15. Even with this configuration, by sliding the slide portion 16 on the base portion 15 during mounting, it is possible to prevent distortion of the first pillar portion 13 and the second pillar portion 14, and also to prevent distortion and curvature of the cover sheet 12.

[0054] In the embodiment of the present invention, the pulse measuring device 1 is not limited to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, and it is sufficient that the sensor device 10 can measure pressure fluctuations of a measurement target such as blood vessels (pulse) in the wrist or ankle. The sensor device 10 may be a sensor device 10 of a device other than the pulse measuring device 1 that is used to measure pressure fluctuations other than pulse, for example. The sensor device 10 may be configured to be used alone.

[0055] 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a sensor device 10 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The sensor device 10 includes a sensor unit 11, a cover sheet 12, a first pillar unit 13, a second pillar unit 14, a base unit 15, a sliding unit 16, and a fixing sheet 17.

[0056] The fixing sheet 17 is attached (fixed) to a position adjacent to the cover sheet 12 on the surface in the +z-axis direction of the first column portion 13. The fixing sheet 17 may be disposed in a position in contact with the cover sheet 12, or may be disposed in a position slightly spaced apart from the cover sheet 12. The fixing sheet 17 can be made of the same material or substance as the cover sheet 12, and the fixing sheet 17 bends or flexes when an external force is applied.

[0057] The sensor unit 11 is not fixed to the cover sheet 12, but is fixed to the fixing sheet 17. In one example, the sensor unit 11 is fixed to the fixing sheet 17 using an insulating double-sided polyimide tape.

[0058] By configuring a portion of the sensor portion 11 to be fixed to the fixing sheet 17, when the cover sheet 12 is curved along the longitudinal direction, a portion other than the portion of the sensor portion 11 slides on the cover sheet 12 between the first pillar portion 13 and the second pillar portion 14, preventing the piezoelectric sheet 31 from deforming in accordance with the curvature of the cover sheet 12.

[0059] Except for the points described above, the components of the sensor device 10 of the second embodiment can be configured similarly to those of the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0060] The above-described examples are merely illustrative of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. The examples can be combined as appropriate and applied to any embodiment of the present invention, provided that no inconsistency occurs. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1: pulse measuring device, 2: holding part, 4: wearing member, 10: sensor device, 11: sensor part, 12: cover sheet, 13: first pillar part, 14: second pillar part, 15: base part, 16: slide part, 17: fixing sheet, 21: adhesive tape, 22: adhesive, 31: piezoelectric sheet, 32: electrode, 33: electrode, 50: blood vessel, 60: wrist

Claims

1. A sensor device, A sensor unit including a piezoelectric sheet; a support member including a cover sheet to which a portion of the sensor unit is fixed; Equipped with the portion of the sensor unit is fixed to the cover sheet so that a portion of the sensor unit other than the portion of the sensor unit can slide on the cover sheet so that the piezoelectric sheet does not deform in accordance with the curvature of the cover sheet when the cover sheet is curved. Sensor device.

2. the support member includes a first column portion and a second column portion arranged to sandwich the sensor portion in a first direction, the cover sheet being attached to the first column portion and the second column portion, the portion of the sensor unit is fixed to the cover sheet so that a portion of the sensor unit different from the portion of the sensor unit can slide on the cover sheet between the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion when the cover sheet is curved, so that the piezoelectric sheet does not deform in accordance with the curvature of the cover sheet. The sensor device according to claim 1 .

3. The sensor device according to claim 2 , wherein one end of the sensor portion is fixed to the cover sheet along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

4. The sensor device includes: a base portion attached to the first column portion on the opposite side to the side to which the cover sheet is fixed; a slide part attached to the second column part on the opposite side to the side to which the cover sheet is fixed, the slide part being arranged so as to be able to slide on the base part when at least one of the first column part and the second column part is displaced; The sensor device of claim 2 .

5. the support member includes a first column portion and a second column portion arranged to sandwich the sensor portion in a first direction, the cover sheet being attached to the first column portion and the second column portion, The support member includes a fixing sheet attached to the first column portion, the portion of the sensor unit is fixed to the fixing sheet so that a portion of the sensor unit different from the portion of the sensor unit can slide on the cover sheet between the first pillar portion and the second pillar portion so that the piezoelectric sheet does not deform in accordance with the curvature of the cover sheet when the cover sheet is curved. The sensor device according to claim 1 .

6. The sensor device includes: a base portion attached to the first column portion on the opposite side to the side to which the cover sheet and the fixing sheet are fixed; a slide part attached to the second column part on the opposite side to the side to which the cover sheet is fixed, the slide part being arranged so as to be able to slide on the base part when at least one of the first column part and the second column part is displaced; The sensor device of claim 5 .

7. The sensor device according to claim 1 , which acquires a signal resulting from a pressure change in blood vessels in a human wrist or ankle.

8. A pulse measuring device, comprising:

7. A pulse measuring device comprising: a sensor device according to claim 1; a holding part for holding the sensor device; and a wearing member for wearing the sensor device around a human wrist or ankle, the holding part being attached to the wearing member.

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