Body movement monitoring device

Abstract

To provide a body motion monitoring device that can be mounted easily without effort, and can be achieved at low cost.SOLUTION: A body motion monitoring device A mounted on clothes of a user for monitoring a motion of the body includes: a detection sensor 21 for detecting a motion; a detection part 2 in which the detection sensor 21 is put; a buzzer mechanism B1 and a vibration mechanism B2 (notification means) connected to the detection sensor 21 capable of making notification in response to a signal from the detection sensor 21; and a body part 1 for accommodating the notification means. A space S that can hold the clothes is provided between the detection part 2 and the body part 1. The detection sensor 21 includes a leaf spring 21B disposed so as to be bent and deformed on a body side of the user in the detection part 2. The detection part 2 includes an elastic cover 22 that is swollen on the body side of the user while covering the leaf spring 21B.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a body movement monitoring device capable of monitoring the movements of, for example, an infant. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, for example, in order to monitor the regular movements of an infant, a body movement monitoring device has been proposed which is equipped with multiple non-contact proximity sensors and is configured to sound an alarm when the pattern of measurement distances obtained from at least one of the proximity sensors changes to a predetermined limit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6371302 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the conventional body movement monitoring device, since it is necessary to provide a control circuit that performs complicated processing such as pattern recognition and identification of the measured distance together with the multiple proximity sensors, the cost of parts and the price tend to rise. Also, since the alarm is issued based on a predetermined pattern of the measured distance, there is a risk of unexpected malfunction depending on the installation position, so it is troublesome to have to pay attention to the installation position when installing the device.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVETION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a body movement monitoring device which can be easily attached without any trouble and which can be realized at low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following features.

[0007] (1) A body movement monitoring device that is attached to a user's clothing and monitors body movements, A detection means for detecting a movement; A detection unit that houses the detection means; an alarm means connected to the detection means and capable of issuing an alarm in response to a signal from the detection means; A main body portion that accommodates the notification means, A gap capable of holding the clothing is provided between the detection unit and the main body unit, The detection means has a detection piece that is bendably arranged on the user's body side in the detection portion, A body movement monitoring device, characterized in that the detection unit has an elastically deformable cover that covers the detection piece and bulges toward the user's body.

[0008] In the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a body movement monitoring device that is attached to a user's clothing and monitors body movement. The body movement monitoring device includes a detection means, a detection unit, a notification means, and a main body. The detection means detects the movement. The detection section houses the detection means. The notification means is connected to the detection means and is capable of issuing a notification in response to a signal from the detection means. The main body accommodates the notification means. A gap large enough to hold clothing is provided between the detection unit and the main body. The detection means has a detection piece that is arranged in the detection portion on the side of the user's body so as to be bendable and deformable. The detection unit has an elastically deformable cover that bulges toward the user's body while covering the detection piece.

[0009] According to the invention (1), the device can be easily attached without any hassle, since it is only necessary to attach the cover of the detection unit facing the user's body and clamp the clothing in the gap between the detection unit and the main body. Furthermore, since the notifying means is configured to notify in response to a signal from only one detecting means, the number of parts and manufacturing costs can be reduced, making it possible to realize the device at low cost.

[0010] (2) The body movement monitoring device according to (1), characterized in that the detection piece extends from the peripheral edge of the cover to a bulging top.

[0011] According to the invention of (2), when the bulging top of the cover is pressed, the detection piece is bent and deformed, and the detection means detects the user's movement accordingly. Therefore, a simple mechanical detection means can be adopted, and even such a detection means can accurately detect and report the movement. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a body movement monitoring device which can be easily attached without any trouble and which can be realized at low cost. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a body movement monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of a body movement monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. [Diagram 3] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a main part of a body movement monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. [Figure 4] 1 is a top view of a body movement monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a body movement monitoring device according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0015] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a body movement monitoring device A according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are exploded perspective views showing the main part (detection unit 2) of the body movement monitoring device A from above and below. FIG. 4 is a top view of the body movement monitoring device A, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the body movement monitoring device A. The body movement monitoring device A of this embodiment is capable of monitoring the movements of an infant as a user, for example, to prevent sudden infant death syndrome caused by an infant sleeping face down, and of notifying the user of inappropriate behavior by sound or vibration when the device detects such inappropriate behavior. The body movement monitoring device A of this embodiment can also be applied to, for example, bedridden medical patients and people requiring care.

[0016] Body movement monitoring device A is used, for example, by pinching an edge of clothing near the user's back. Body movement monitoring device A is broadly composed of a main body unit 1 and a detection unit 2. Between the main body unit 1 and the detection unit 2, there is a gap S for pinching the clothing.

[0017] 5, the main body 1 includes a main body base member 10, a main body cover 11, a circuit board 12, a rechargeable battery 13, a buzzer mechanism B1 and a vibration mechanism B2 as notification means, etc. The detection unit 2 includes a detection base member 20, a detection sensor 21 as detection means, an elastic cover 22, an anti-slip pad 23, a fixing cover 24, etc.

[0018] The main body base member 10 forms the bottom of the main body 1, and holds a circuit board 12 and a rechargeable battery 13. A main body cover 11 is attached to one end of the main body base member 10.

[0019] The body cover 11 is egg-shaped and forms the entire upper part of the main body 1. The body cover 11 is attached to the body base member 10 via bosses 11A. Convex portions 110 are formed on both sides of the body cover 11 to facilitate easy handling by hand. A charging port 111 is formed at the tip of the body cover 11, which exposes a charging connector 120 (described later) to the outside.

[0020] The circuit board 12 is formed with a power supply circuit and a control circuit (not shown), and is also equipped with a buzzer mechanism B1, a vibration mechanism B2, and a charging connector 120. The charging connector 120 is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery 13 through the power supply circuit, and can be connected to, for example, a USB cable. Power supplied to the charging connector 120 from an external power supply (not shown) through the USB cable is supplied to the rechargeable battery 13 through the power supply circuit while preventing overcharging. The buzzer mechanism B1 is electrically connected to the control circuit, and emits a buzzer sound as an alarm when a signal from a detection sensor 21 (described later) is interrupted. The vibration mechanism B2 is composed of an unbalanced weight motor electrically connected to the control circuit, and generates vibration as an alarm when a signal from a detection sensor 21 (described later) is interrupted.

[0021] The detection base member 20 forms the central core of the detection unit 2, and holds the detection sensor 21 on the underside of the tip. The base end of the detection base member 20 is fastened and fixed to the boss 11A of the main body cover 11 by a screw 30 while one end of the main body base member 10 is sandwiched between the boss 11A. An elastic cover 22 is attached from the tip to the center of the detection base member 20 so as to cover both the upper and lower surfaces while covering the detection sensor 21. As shown in Fig. 2, the upper surface of the detection base member 20 is provided with a plurality of boss holes 20A into which anti-slip pads 23 are fitted and fixed while positioning the elastic cover 22.

[0022] The detection sensor 21 is a contact type sensor of the so-called leaf spring contact type, and has a sensor body 21A and a leaf spring 21B as a detection piece. The sensor body 21A is electrically connected to the control circuit of the circuit board 12, and in a normal wearing state in which the body movement monitoring device A is worn by the user without any abnormality, the leaf spring 21B contacts a contact (not shown) of the sensor body 21A to output, for example, a certain level of detection signal to the control circuit, while in an abnormal wearing state in which the leaf spring 21B is not in contact with the contact, the control circuit does not output a detection signal. As a result, when the detection signal is interrupted, the control circuit activates the buzzer mechanism B1 and the vibration mechanism B2.

[0023] The leaf spring 21B is a bendable thin piece made of metal. As shown in FIG. 5, the base end of the leaf spring 21B is supported by the sensor body 21A in a cantilever manner, and in the non-wearing state of the body movement monitoring device A, the leaf spring 21B is inclined slightly downward in the drawing so that the distance from the detection base member 20 increases from the base end to the tip end. In the normal wearing state, the leaf spring 21B is bent upward and comes into contact with the contact point of the sensor body 21A when the lower surface bulge 22A of the elastic cover 22 described later is pressed by the user's body, and the leaf spring 21B comes into contact with the contact point of the sensor body 21A. As a result, the leaf spring 21B comes into contact with the contact point, and a detection signal is output from the sensor body 21A. On the other hand, when the lower surface bulge 22A of the elastic cover 22 is not pressed by the user's body and the wearing state becomes abnormal, the leaf spring 21B takes the same posture as in the non-wearing state and comes into non-contact with the contact point of the sensor body 21A. When the leaf spring 21B is not in contact with the contacts, the sensor body 21A no longer outputs a detection signal, and as a result, the control circuit determines that the sensor is abnormally attached and activates the buzzer mechanism B1 and vibration mechanism B2.

[0024] The elastic cover 22 is an elastically deformable exterior member made of, for example, silicone. The elastic cover 22 is attached to the detection base member 20 by inserting it from its tip side. As shown in Figs. 3 and 5, a lower surface bulge 22A is formed on the lower surface of the elastic cover 22 so as to bulge downward near the center, and a flat lower surface peripheral end 22B is formed around the lower surface bulge 22A. The gap between the lower surface side of the elastic cover 22 and the detection base member 20 is larger at the lower surface bulge 22A than at the lower surface peripheral end 22B, and the leaf spring 21B is arranged in such a position that it extends from the lower surface peripheral end 22B to the top of the lower surface bulge 22A. The lower surface of such an elastic cover 22 is closer to the user's body than the upper surface.

[0025] 2, a recess 22C for positioning an anti-slip pad 23 (described later) is formed on the upper surface of the elastic cover 22, and a through hole 22D is formed in the recess 22C so that the boss hole 20A of the detection base member 20 faces the anti-slip pad 23. A gap S is formed between the upper surface of the elastic cover 22 and the lower surface of the main body base member 10, and the gap S serves as a surface for sandwiching the user's clothes via the anti-slip pad 23.

[0026] The anti-slip pad 23 is a member that is relatively easily elastically deformed, like the elastic cover 22, and prevents the body movement monitoring device A from falling off by engaging with the clothing sandwiched in the gap S between the main body base member 10 and the elastic cover 22. The upper surface of the anti-slip pad 23 faces the gap S, and as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of sawtooth portions 23A that engage with the clothing are formed on this upper surface. The sawtooth portions 23A are inclined so that they gradually become larger as they move deeper into the gap S into which the clothing is inserted. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of hook portions 23B are formed on the lower surface of the anti-slip pad 23, which are inserted into the through holes 22D (see FIG. 2) of the elastic cover 22 and engaged with the boss holes 20A of the detection base member 20. Such an anti-slip pad 23 is positioned and fixed in the recess 22C of the elastic cover 22, and since the multiple sawtooth portions 23A are almost in contact with the underside of the main body base member 10, they securely bite into the clothing, preventing the pad from falling off from the clothing that has been caught in the gap S.

[0027] The fixing cover 24 is assembled by pressing the base end of the elastic cover 22 attached to the detection base member 20 and fitting it onto the base end of the detection base member 20 while covering the screws 30 .

[0028] Next, the operation of the body movement monitoring device A during use will be described in detail below.

[0029] 1, 4, and 5, clothing on the back side of the user is inserted in the direction of the outline arrow into the gap S between the main body 1 and the elastic cover 22. At this time, the lower surface bulge 22A of the elastic cover 22 is the closest part to the user's body than the main body 1 and the gap S.

[0030] The lower surface bulge 22A is elastically pushed inward by being pressed by the user's body. Accordingly, the tip of the leaf spring 21B of the detection sensor 21 located inside the lower surface bulge 22A is pushed further inward and bent. As a result, the base end of the leaf spring 21B comes into contact with the contact point of the sensor main body 21A. As a result, a detection signal is output from the sensor main body 21A to the circuit board 12 of the main body 1, and while this detection signal is being output, the sensor is in a normal mounting state, and no notification action is performed by the buzzer mechanism B1 or the vibration mechanism B2.

[0031] On the other hand, when the user sleeps face down with his / her back facing up, the pressure from the user's body (back) is weakened, and the lower bulge 22A of the elastic cover 22 is not pushed inward significantly, resulting in the user being in the same position as when the cover is not being worn, or in a position similar to that in which the cover is not being worn.

[0032] In other words, when the user is lying face down with the body movement monitoring device A attached to the back of the user, the leaf spring 21B of the detection sensor 21 assumes a straight inclined position similar to that when the device is not attached, so that the base end of the leaf spring 21B does not come into contact with the contact point of the sensor main body 21A. As a result, the detection signal output from the sensor main body 21A to the circuit board 12 of the main body 1 is interrupted, and an abnormal attachment state is detected based on this interruption in the output of the detection signal, and accordingly, an alarm operation is performed by the buzzer mechanism B1 and the vibration mechanism B2.

[0033] With such a body movement monitoring device A, it is only necessary to attach the lower bulge 22A of the elastic cover 22 of the detection unit 2 facing the user's body and sandwiching clothing in the gap S between the elastic cover 22 and the main body 1, so that the device can be worn easily and without any hassle.

[0034] In addition, since the buzzer mechanism B1 and the vibration mechanism B2 as the notification means are configured to perform an alarm operation in response to a detection signal from a single detection sensor 21, the number of parts and manufacturing costs can be reduced, and the device can be realized at low cost.

[0035] In addition, when the top of the lower bulge 22A of the elastic cover 22 is compressed, the leaf spring 21B of the detection sensor 21 is bent and deformed, and the sensor body 21A detects the user's movement accordingly, so that a simple mechanical detection sensor 21 can be adopted, and even such a detection sensor 21 can accurately detect and report movement.

[0036] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0037] In the above embodiment, the main body 1 has built-in alarm means (buzzer mechanism B1, vibration mechanism B2) and the main body 1 is configured to perform the alarm directly; however, the main body 1 may also be configured to have a built-in communication circuit using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and transmit a detection signal wirelessly from the main body 1 to the outside, thereby performing the alarm operation using an external communication device such as a smartphone or personal computer.

[0038] In addition, in this embodiment, the body movement monitoring device A is described as being attached to the back side, and an alarm operation is performed when the bending deformation of the leaf spring 21B is released and the output of the detection signal is discontinued. However, conversely, the body movement monitoring device A may be configured to be attached to the abdominal side, and an alarm operation is performed when the bending deformation of the leaf spring 21B causes the output of a detection signal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] A. Body movement monitoring device B1 Buzzer mechanism (notification means) B2 Vibration mechanism S Gap 1 Main unit 2. Detection unit 21 Detection sensor (detection means) 21B Leaf spring (detection piece) 22 Elastic cover 22A bulge 22B Peripheral end

Claims

1. A body movement monitoring device that is attached to a user's clothing and monitors body movements, A detection means for detecting a movement; A detection unit that houses the detection means; an alarm means connected to the detection means and capable of issuing an alarm in response to a signal from the detection means; A main body portion that accommodates the notification means, A gap capable of holding the clothing is provided between the detection unit and the main body unit, The detection means has a detection piece that is bendably arranged on the user's body side in the detection portion, A body movement monitoring device, characterized in that the detection unit has an elastically deformable cover that covers the detection piece and bulges toward the user's body.

2. 2. The body movement monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the detection piece extends from a peripheral edge of the cover to a bulging top.

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