Tongue movement measuring device, tongue movement monitoring system, and tongue movement monitoring method

Abstract

To provide a tongue motion measurement device excellent in wearability and expansion / contraction durability.SOLUTION: An excellent tongue motion measurement device of the present invention is a tongue motion measurement device for measuring a subject's tongue motion. The tongue motion measurement device comprises: a glove for being attached to a measurement person's hand, which is made of an insulating silicone rubber; a pressure sensor for measuring tongue pressure, which is provided in a fingertip region on the outer surface side of the glove; and stretchable wiring that is electrically connected to the pressure sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tongue movement measuring device, a tongue movement monitoring system, and a tongue movement monitoring method. [Background technology]

[0002] Various tongue movement measurement devices have been developed. One example of this type of technology is described in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1 describes a breastfeeding monitoring device that includes a sensor that detects the movement of an infant's tongue, a breastfeeding detection output unit that generates and outputs a breastfeeding display signal that indicates the breastfeeding state, and metal leads that electrically connect the sensor and the breastfeeding detection output unit (see, for example, Claim 2, paragraph 0010, and Figure 1 of Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-340777 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, as a result of investigations by the present inventors, it has been found that the breastfeeding monitoring device described in Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of wearability and durability against stretching. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] After further investigation, the inventors found that by using stretchable wiring as the wiring connected to the pressure sensor in the tongue movement measuring device and by constructing the gloves in which these are mounted from a silicone rubber material, the device can be easily put on the hand of the person being measured and breakage of the wiring can be suppressed even when the gloves are repeatedly deformed during use or when putting on and taking off, thereby completing the present invention.

[0006] According to the present invention, A tongue movement measuring device for measuring tongue movement of a subject, a glove made of insulating silicone rubber to be worn on the hand of the measurer; a pressure sensor provided in a fingertip region on the outer surface side of the glove for measuring tongue pressure; an elastic wiring electrically connected to the pressure sensor; A tongue movement measuring device is provided, comprising:

[0007] Further, according to the present invention, The tongue movement measuring device, a tongue movement information processing device; A tongue movement monitoring system is provided, comprising:

[0008] Further, according to the present invention, There is provided a tongue movement monitoring method, which includes a step of obtaining tongue movement information regarding tongue movement of a subject using the tongue movement measuring device described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, there are provided a tongue movement measuring device that is easy to wear and has excellent durability against stretching, a tongue movement monitoring system that uses the same, and a tongue movement monitoring method. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a tongue movement measuring device. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the α region of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing schematic diagrams of modified examples of the layered structure of the tongue movement measuring device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of a tongue movement information processing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a tongue movement monitoring system. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a tongue movement measuring device according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic diagrams and do not correspond to actual dimensional proportions.

[0012] The tongue movement measuring device of this embodiment will be outlined below.

[0013] The tongue movement measuring device of this embodiment comprises a glove made of insulating silicone rubber to be worn on the hand of the person being measured, a pressure sensor for measuring tongue pressure provided in the fingertip area on the outer surface of the glove, and an elastic wiring electrically connected to the pressure sensor. Such a tongue movement measuring device is a wearable measuring device that is worn by the measurer to measure the tongue movement of the subject.

[0014] The subject is not particularly limited as long as it is a living organism with a tongue, and specifically may be a human or an animal including a non-human mammal. The human may be an infant, a toddler, an elderly person, or an adult or child of any other age, and may be healthy or unhealthy, such as a rehabilitation subject.

[0015] The tongue movement measurement device described above makes it possible to monitor and even quantitatively evaluate tongue movement in subjects. Tongue movement is closely related to infant sucking and human eating and swallowing, and can serve as an indicator for understanding health status. Therefore, evaluating tongue movement not only allows for accurate understanding of the state of a subject's tongue function, such as an infant's sucking ability, but is also expected to have a variety of applications in rehabilitation and various types of care.

[0016] Specific examples of applications include the evaluation of infants' sucking ability during breastfeeding in various settings such as childcare, medical checkups, and medical care, the evaluation of the relationship between a subject's tongue motor function and various diseases, and the evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of diseases and health disorders associated with a decline in a subject's tongue motor function.

[0017] In the artificial nipple type measurement device described in Patent Document 1, the position of the sensor installed in the artificial nipple is fixed, making it difficult to finely adjust the sensor position within the subject's oral cavity. In contrast, with the glove-type measurement device of this embodiment, the person wearing the device on their hand can move their fingers to fine-tune and fix the sensor position to an appropriate position in the subject's oral cavity, making it easy for anyone to perform measurements.

[0018] According to this embodiment, by forming the glove and the wiring from a stretchable material, it is possible to realize a tongue movement measuring device that has good stretchability and / or bending and is easy to operate. Furthermore, even when the glove is stretched or deformed, breakage of the stretchable wiring is suppressed, enabling stable measurement of tongue movement. This makes it possible to realize a tongue movement measurement device with good durability against stretching.

[0019] Each component of the tongue movement measuring device of this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0020] Fig. 1 is a top view schematically showing an example of the configuration of a tongue movement measuring device 100. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of a region α in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in Fig. 2.

[0021] The tongue movement measuring device 100 in FIG. 1 includes a glove 120, a pressure sensor 110, and an elastic wire 130.

[0022] The measurer is a person who performs measurements to monitor the tongue movement of the subject. The examiner places hand 200, equipped with tongue movement measuring device 100, into the oral cavity of the subject. When the subject moves his or her tongue, pressure sensor 110 in the oral cavity detects a sensor signal indicating information related to the pressure of the tongue movement, and transmits the signal to the outside via elastic wiring 130.

[0023] (gloves) The glove 120 is not particularly limited as long as it has a structure that allows it to be worn on the hand 200 of the person being measured. Glove 120 has at least one finger 123, and may have any number of fingers 123, from two to five. Glove 120 in Fig. 1 has two fingers 123, finger 123a (thumb) and finger 123e (little finger). By setting the number of fingers 123 to four or less, the glove 120 can be made easier to put on and take off compared to when the number of fingers is five. By setting the number of fingers 123 to two or more, the positional deviation of the finger 123 in the circumferential direction of the finger 203 can be suppressed compared to when the number of fingers is one. This improves the measurement stability of the tongue movement measuring device 100.

[0024] A pressure sensor 110 is placed in the fingertip region of finger portion 123. With finger portion 123 inserted into the oral cavity of the subject together with the subject's finger 203, pressure sensor 110 measures the tongue movement of the subject. The pressure sensor 110 may be installed on one or more of the multiple fingers (thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, and little finger). In the glove 120 of Fig. 1, the pressure sensor 110 is installed on the finger 123e (little finger). This makes it easy to insert the measurer's little finger 203e inserted into the finger 123e into the oral cavity of a young subject such as an infant or toddler.

[0025] The distal end region where the pressure sensor 110 is placed is not particularly limited as long as it is a location that can be inserted into the oral cavity of the subject. An example of the distal end region may be, for example, a range from the tip to 1 / 2L or a range from the tip to 1 / 3L of the total length L of the finger portion 123, or may be a range from the fingertip to the distal phalanx when the pressure sensor 110 is attached to the finger 203 of the measurer.

[0026] The glove 120 may have a back portion 124 connected to at least one finger portion 123. The back portion 124 may cover at least a portion of the back portion 204 of the subject's hand 200, or may cover the entire back portion 204. An example of a partially covered back portion 124 that covers a portion of the back portion 204 is one that covers the upper half of the back portion 204, or one that covers the left half or right half of the back portion 204. The covering area of ​​the partially covered back portion 124 can be adjusted appropriately depending on the number of fingers 123 to which the back portion 124 is connected. Such back portion 124 can prevent finger portion 123 from shifting position compared to a finger cot alone. Note that glove 120 may have a portion that connects multiple finger portions 123, without having back portion 124. This connecting portion will be in a state that aligns with the position of the webs of hand 200 when glove 120 is worn on hand 200.

[0027] The glove 120 may have a back portion 124 and a flat portion that covers the palm of the hand 200. The flat portion may be configured to have a symmetrical structure to the back portion 124 when viewed from the top side of the back portion 124 when the glove 120 is placed flat, or may have a different shape from the back portion 124, such as a different coverage area or shape.

[0028] The glove 120 may have a wrist portion 126 that is connected to the back portion 124 and circumferentially covers the wrist 206 of the person being measured. The wrist portion 126 preferably covers the entire circumference of the wrist 206 of the person being measured. The wrist portion 126 can prevent the back portion 124 from shifting position when the hand 200 is moved.

[0029] The glove 120 is made of insulating silicone rubber and has flexibility and stretchability. Therefore, the glove 120 fits well on the subject's hand 200. In addition, the stretchable wiring 130 installed in the glove 120 can prevent bioelectric current generated in the subject's hand 200 from flowing through it.

[0030] Glove 120 has a sheet-like insulating silicone rubber having an outer surface 121 and an inner surface 122 in a cross section in the thickness direction. Glove 120 typically has a structure in which two sheets of insulating silicone rubber are stacked on top of each other. When back part 124 of glove 120 is viewed vertically, the two sheets of insulating silicone rubber may be seamlessly joined to each other except for holes through which hand 200 or fingers 203 pass, or the peripheries may be joined with a joining material such as thread or adhesive. Note that part of back part 124 of glove 120 may be configured to be freely connectable to other parts of back part 124 with buttons or the like.

[0031] An uneven structure may be formed on at least a portion of the surface of inner surface 122 of glove 120. This uneven structure is preferably formed on the surface of inner surface 122 in finger portion 123 and / or the surface of inner surface 122 in back portion 124. This improves the ease of putting on and taking off glove 120 when hand 200 is put in and taken out. It also prevents two sheets of insulating silicone rubber from adhering to each other in glove 120 before use.

[0032] The lower limit of the surface roughness Ra of the inner surface 122 having the uneven structure is, for example, 1.0 μm or more, preferably 1.5 μm or more, more preferably 2.0 μm or more, and even more preferably 5.0 μm or more. On the other hand, the upper limit of the surface roughness Ra is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 100 μm or less, 50 μm or less, or 20 μm or less.

[0033] The surface roughness Ra is measured using a Keyence VK-9700 laser microscope with a lens magnification of 20x and a pitch of 0.2 μm. Next, the surface roughness Ra (μm) of the planar surface is measured in accordance with JIS B0601-2001 as described in the analysis software VKanalyzer under the condition of a measurement area of ​​300 μm × 300 μm.

[0034] The upper limit of the tack peak value TP of the inner surface 122 having the uneven structure is, for example, 4.0 N or less, preferably 3.0 N or less, and more preferably 1.0 N or less. This allows the inner surface 122 of the glove 120 to have good slipperiness. The lower limit of the tack peak value TP is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, more than 0 N or 0.1 N or more.

[0035] The procedure for measuring the tack peak value TP is as follows. Area 150mm 2 The flat surface of an aluminum probe having the above flat surface is brought into contact with the surface to be measured under the conditions of a probe movement speed of 2.3 mm / sec, a probe crimping strength of 12 N, and a crimping time of 6 seconds, and the flat surface of the aluminum probe is then peeled upward at a probe movement speed of 2.3 mm / sec. The tack peak value of the surface to be measured in the probe tack test is measured five times, and the average of these five measured values ​​is defined as the tack peak value TP.

[0036] The lower limit of the tear strength of the glove 120 is, for example, 25 N / mm or more, preferably 28 N / mm or more, more preferably 30 N / mm or more, even more preferably 33 N / mm or more, and even more preferably 34 N / mm or more. This improves durability during repeated use. Also, a device that is tear-resistant even when thin can be configured. This improves the design freedom of the glove 120. Also, the glove 120 can be sewn with thread. On the other hand, the upper limit of the tear strength of the glove 120 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 80 N / mm or less, or 70 N / mm or less, thereby making it possible to balance the various properties of the glove 120.

[0037] The upper limit of the sheet thickness of the glove 120 can be set depending on the application, and may be, for example, 2 mm or less, preferably 1 mm or less, but from the viewpoint of ease of deformation, it is more preferably 500 μm or less. On the other hand, the lower limit of the sheet thickness of the glove 120 is, for example, 20 μm or more, preferably 50 μm or more, and more preferably 100 μm or more, from the viewpoint of mechanical strength.

[0038] The upper limit of the durometer hardness A of the glove 120 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 80 or less, and preferably 70 or less, which improves the ease of deformation, such as bending and stretching. On the other hand, the lower limit of the durometer hardness A of the glove 120 is, for example, 10 or more, preferably 20 or more, and more preferably 30 or more, which can improve the friction durability and mechanical strength.

[0039] The lower limit of the breaking elongation of the glove 120 is, for example, 100% or more, preferably 200% or more, more preferably 300% or more, and further preferably 400% or more, thereby improving the high stretchability and durability of the glove 120. On the other hand, the upper limit of the breaking elongation of the glove 120 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 2000% or less, or 1800% or less, thereby making it possible to balance the various properties of the glove 120.

[0040] The lower limit of the tensile strength of the glove 120 is, for example, 5.0 MPa or more, preferably 8.0 MPa or more, and more preferably 10.0 MPa or more. This improves the mechanical strength of the glove 120. Furthermore, the glove 120 has excellent durability that can withstand repeated deformation. On the other hand, the upper limit of the tensile strength of the glove 120 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 25 MPa or less, or 20 MPa or less. This allows the various properties of the glove 120 to be balanced.

[0041] In this embodiment, the characteristics of each component of the tongue movement measuring device can be measured by using each component as a test piece, or by cutting each component into a predetermined shape or stacking multiple components to a predetermined thickness. Also, the silicone rubber (insulating silicone rubber or conductive silicone rubber) used for each component can be used for measurement.

[0042] (Durometer hardness A measurement procedure) A sheet-like test piece is prepared using silicone rubber, and the durometer hardness A of the obtained sheet-like test piece at 25°C is measured in accordance with JIS K6253 (1997).

[0043] (Tensile strength measurement procedure) Using silicone rubber, dumbbell-shaped No. 3 test pieces are prepared in accordance with JIS K6251 (2004), and the tensile strength of the dumbbell-shaped No. 3 test pieces at 25°C is measured.

[0044] (Measurement conditions for breaking elongation) Using silicone rubber, dumbbell-shaped No. 3 test pieces are prepared in accordance with JIS K6251 (2004), and the resulting dumbbell-shaped No. 3 test pieces are measured for breaking elongation at 25°C. The breaking elongation is calculated by [gauge line movement distance (mm)] ÷ [initial gauge line distance (20 mm)] × 100.

[0045] (Tear strength measurement procedure) A crescent-shaped test piece is prepared using silicone rubber in accordance with JIS K6252 (2001), and the tear strength of the obtained crescent-shaped test piece at 25°C is measured.

[0046] The gloves 120 may be configured to be sterilizable by boiling. That is, the insulating silicone rubber constituting the gloves 120 may be resistant to alcohol, and the rubber may have small changes in the above-mentioned properties before and after heat treatment at 100°C. This allows the gloves 120 to be sterilized with alcohol or heat before use. Such properties are even more effective when the gloves 120 are used repeatedly. The glove 120 may be configured to be alcohol-resistant. For example, the glove 120 may be configured so that the change in volume (volume after immersion / volume before immersion) before and after immersion in alcohol for 5 minutes is 10% or less. Examples of alcohol include, but are not limited to, ethanol and isopropyl alcohol, which are commonly used for disinfection. Furthermore, the glove 120 may be configured so that the change in physical properties (physical property value after heating / physical property value before heating) before and after heating at 100° C. for 10 minutes is 1% or less. The physical properties include, but are not limited to, the hardness, elongation at break, and tensile strength as described above.

[0047] The gloves 120 may be configured to be biocompatible. That is, the insulating silicone rubber that constitutes the gloves 120 may be one that is biocompatible. Furthermore, since the gloves 120 are made of silicone rubber having the above tear strength, it is possible to prevent fragments of the gloves 120 from being accidentally swallowed by the subject due to breakage of the gloves 120. This improves safety when using the gloves 120.

[0048] (pressure sensor) The pressure sensor 110 converts the external force received by the pressure-receiving surface into an electrical signal. The pressure sensor 110 may be any sensor that includes at least a component whose electrical characteristics change in response to an external force, and may be, for example, a sensor that utilizes the piezoresistive effect, a sensor that utilizes the piezoelectric effect, or a sensor that utilizes electrostatic capacitance. The pressure sensor 110 may be a commercially available pressure sensor such as a strain gauge type, a pressure-sensitive conductive rubber type, a capacitance type, a film type, a resistance wire type, or a mechanical type. The pressure sensor 110 includes a force sensor made of a micro electromechanical system such as a MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System), and may be any sensor capable of detecting a force received from an external force on a pressure receiving surface.

[0049] The pressure sensor 110 only needs to have a pressure-receiving surface, and may be configured in the form of, for example, a chip, but is not limited to this.

[0050] An example of the pressure sensor 110 may include a pressure-sensitive resistor having a piezoresistive effect, a piezoelectric element having a piezoelectric effect, or a capacitance film. Among these, the pressure-sensitive resistor may include elastomer or plastic, and preferably may include silicone rubber.

[0051] A specific example of the pressure sensor 110 may be made of, for example, pressure-sensitive conductive silicone rubber, which is a type of pressure-sensitive resistor, and preferably made of conductive silicone rubber containing a conductive filler and silicone rubber. When both the pressure sensor 110 and the elastic wiring 130 are made of conductive silicone rubber, it is sufficient that the volume resistance value of the conductive silicone rubber of the pressure sensor 110 is configured to be higher than the volume resistance value of the conductive silicone rubber of the elastic wiring 130.

[0052] As a specific example, the conductive silicone rubber constituting the pressure sensor 110 can contain a conductive carbon material as a conductive filler. In this case, the conductive silicone rubber constituting the stretchable wiring 130 may contain metal powder such as silver powder. For example, when the volume resistivity of the conductive silicone rubber containing the conductive carbon material in the pressure sensor 110 is 10 ―1 Ω·cm~10 3 In this case, the volume resistance of the conductive silicone rubber of the elastic wire 130 may be, for example, 10 -5 Ω·cm~10 -1 This volume resistivity is measured at 25°C when unstretched. Such a pressure sensor 110 may be formed by a printing method using a conductive paste containing a conductive carbon material and silicone rubber, for example.

[0053] 1 is mounted on the outer surface 121 of the finger 123 of the glove 120 as shown in FIG. 3. However, the position of the pressure sensor 110 in the thickness direction is not limited to this. The entire pressure sensor 110 or a part of the entire pressure sensor 110 may be embedded in the sheet-like insulating silicone rubber that constitutes the glove 120. The pressure sensor 110 may be arranged in the circumferential direction either in the nail region where the nail 210 is present, in the pad region of the finger 203, or in the side region of the finger 203. From the viewpoint of the installation area of ​​the pressure sensor 110, the pressure sensor 110 may be arranged in the nail region or the pad region, but from the viewpoint of the measurement stability of the pressure sensor 110, the pressure sensor 110 is preferably arranged in the nail region. The pressure sensor 110 reinforces the underside of the pressure sensor 110, thereby improving the measurement stability of the pressure sensor 110.

[0054] The measurer can stimulate the palate of the infant with the pad of a finger 203, which is not provided with a pressure sensor 110, to induce a sucking reflex. If necessary, the measurer (healthcare worker) may check the state of the subject's tongue movement by palpation (feeling with the fingers) in addition to monitoring the tongue movement with tongue movement measuring device 100.

[0055] The number of pressure sensors 110 may be one or more, or may be two or more. The pressure sensor 110 in FIG. 2 includes, for example, two pressure sensors, 110a and 110b.

[0056] When the direction from the tongue base to the tongue tip is defined as the front direction of the tongue, it is preferable that the multiple pressure sensors 110 are arranged in a row in this front direction of the tongue. This makes it possible to measure the tongue movement of the tongue base and tongue tip independently. It also makes it possible to detect tongue pressure, which is the pressure or force exerted by the tongue during peristaltic movements of an infant. Furthermore, the number of pressure sensors 110 in the row may be two or more, or three or more. This makes it possible to more accurately evaluate tongue movement from the tongue base side to the tongue tip side. Furthermore, the arrangement of the multiple pressure sensors 110 when viewed in the front direction of the tongue may be in one row or in two or more rows. For example, two rows of three sensors, two rows of five sensors, or three rows of five sensors, etc. This allows for more accurate evaluation of tongue movement from the right side of the tongue to the left side of the tongue.

[0057] The number and arrangement of the pressure sensors 110 can be selected appropriately from the viewpoint of the tongue movement information to be acquired.

[0058] (Stretchable wiring) The elastic wire 130 is electrically connected to the pressure sensor 110 and can transmit an electrical signal from the pressure sensor 110 to the outside.

[0059] The elastic wiring 130 may be made of conductive silicone rubber. Since the elastic wiring 130 and the glove 120 are made of the same type of elastomer, silicone rubber, the adhesion at the portion where the elastic wiring 130 and the glove 120 come into direct contact can be improved.

[0060] Furthermore, the stretchable wire 130 may be made of a printed conductive paste containing a conductive filler and silicone rubber. The printing method allows for good flexibility in the wiring design of the stretchable wire 130. However, the method for forming the elastic wiring 130 is not limited to the printing method using a paste, and other general printing methods using conductive paint may also be used.

[0061] The elastic wire 130 has elasticity. In this specification, stretchability is expressed as the stretch rate when stretched in a predetermined direction. The predetermined direction may be the extension direction in which the length of the elastic wire 130 is at its maximum. Having elasticity when stretched in the extension direction means that the stretchable wiring 130 can be stretched to an elongation rate of, for example, 10% or more, preferably 20% or more, and more preferably 50% or more, and does not break at that elongation rate.

[0062] The volume resistivity of the elastic wiring 130 at 25°C when unstretched is, for example, 1 × 10 -5 Ω cm or more 1×10 -1 Ω·cm or less, preferably 5×10 -5 Ω cm or more 5×10 -2 Ω·cm or less, preferably 1×10 -4 Ω cm or more 1×10 -2By keeping the electrical resistance within this range, it is possible to realize an elastic wiring 130 with excellent electrical properties both when unstretched and when stretched. It also becomes possible to measure tongue movement stably.

[0063] The elastic wiring 130 may have two output signal wirings for each pressure sensor 110, and may further have a constant voltage power supply wiring and / or a GND (ground) wiring depending on the circuit design of the pressure sensor 110. It should be noted that a common GND wiring may be used for a plurality of pressure sensors 110.

[0064] 2 are connected to the pressure sensor 110a, and the wires 130c and 130d are connected to the pressure sensor 110b. These elastic wires 130 serve as wires for output signals. When an external force is applied to the pressure sensor 110a to change the resistance value of the pressure sensor 110a, the output voltage between the wires 130a and 130c changes. Based on this output voltage change, the external force received by the pressure sensor 110a is measured.

[0065] The stretchable wiring 130 in FIG. 3 is placed on the surface of the outer surface 121 of the glove 120, but is not limited to this. The entire stretchable wiring 130 may be placed on the surface of the outer surface 121, or a portion of it may be embedded inside the glove 120, or the lead-out wiring portion other than the end may be embedded in the glove 120.

[0066] The stretchable wiring 130 may have an extraction wiring portion that extends from the finger portion 123 to the back portion 124 of the glove 120. The extraction wiring portion may be arranged not only on the back portion 124 but also on the opposite palm portion or wrist portion 126. This allows for a variety of wiring structures to be realized, making it possible to integrate the pressure sensor 110.

[0067] The elastic wiring 130 may have a multi-layer wiring structure. One example of a multi-layer wiring structure is one in which wiring layers made of conductive silicone rubber and insulating layers made of insulating silicone rubber are alternately stacked, resulting in two or more wiring layers. This allows for further integration of the pressure sensor 110.

[0068] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a modified example of the layered structure of the tongue movement measuring device 100. As shown in FIG. The tongue movement measuring device 100 may have a cover part 140 that covers at least a part of the surface of the elastic wire 130 in Fig. 4(a). This makes it possible to further increase the mechanical strength of the elastic wire 130.

[0069] The cover 140 may be made of insulating silicone rubber. Insulating silicone rubber can be given boiling disinfection properties and biocompatibility. This increases safety for subjects and makes it easier to maintain hygiene during use. Furthermore, the cover part 140 may cover the outer surface 121 of the glove 120 after covering the elastic wiring 130. This allows for improved adhesion between the cover part 140 and the glove 120 and / or the elastic wiring 130, since they are made of the same silicone rubber.

[0070] Furthermore, the cover part 140 is configured so as not to cover the external connection part at one end of the elastic wiring 130. The one end is the end opposite to the other end where the elastic wiring 130 is connected to the pressure sensor 110. For example, an opening may be formed in the cover part 140, and one end of the elastic wiring 130 may be positioned in the opening.

[0071] The cover part 140 in FIG. 4(a) is configured so as not to cover the pressure receiving surface (upper surface) of the pressure sensor 110, while the cover part 141 in FIG. 4(b) is configured so as to cover the pressure receiving surface of the pressure sensor 110. By exposing the pressure-receiving surface, the sensitivity of the pressure sensor 110 to external forces can be maintained at a high level. Covering the pressure-receiving surface can more firmly securely fix the pressure sensor 110 to the glove 120, thereby improving safety in use. Furthermore, by using insulating silicone rubber for the cover part 141, even if the cover part 141 covers the pressure-receiving surface, it is possible to prevent the external force that the pressure-receiving surface receives from being reduced due to elastic deformation of the cover part 141.

[0072] 4(c) may be disposed on the inner surface 122 of the glove 120 at a position facing the pressure sensor 110. The reinforcing portion 150 can improve the measurement stability of the pressure sensor 110.

[0073] The reinforcing portion 150 may be made of, for example, insulating silicone rubber. For example, a thicker layer portion of the glove 120 may be used as the reinforcing portion 150, or the reinforcing portion 150 may be made of a separate member having a harder material than the glove 120.

[0074] (Tongue movement monitoring system) The tongue movement monitoring system of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of functional blocks of the tongue movement information processing device 10. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of the tongue movement monitoring system 1.

[0075] Tongue movement monitoring system 1 includes at least tongue movement measuring device 100 and tongue movement information processing device 10. Tongue movement information processing device 10 is a device that acquires, analyzes, stores, and / or displays information (electrical signals) acquired by pressure sensor 110 of tongue movement measuring device 100.

[0076] 6 includes a tongue movement measuring device 100, a network 20, and a terminal 30. The tongue movement information processing device 10 is installed in the tongue movement measuring device 100. However, some or all of the functions of the tongue movement information processing device 10 may be realized on a device (computer) separate from the tongue movement measuring device 100.

[0077] The tongue movement information processing device 10 of FIG. 5 includes an acquisition unit 11, a storage unit 12, an analysis unit 13, and a communication unit 14.

[0078] Acquiring unit 11 acquires tongue movement information relating to the tongue movement of the subject, such as the sensor signal of pressure sensor 110 sent from tongue movement measuring device 100 .

[0079] The tongue movement information includes at least one or more of tongue pressure, tongue pressure distribution, and changes therein over time. The tongue pressure information includes information for each measurement point on the subject's tongue. The tongue pressure information may be the tongue pressure value at a predetermined time, the maximum value, the minimum value, the average value over a predetermined period, the time corresponding to a predetermined value such as the maximum or minimum value, and / or waveform data showing changes therein over time. The tongue pressure distribution information may include information from a plurality of measurement locations, and may be a calculated value calculated using an appropriate formula from tongue pressure information such as the sum of tongue pressures within a specified area.

[0080] The acquisition unit 11 can calculate tongue pressure by, for example, dividing the output voltage from the pressure sensor 110, which fluctuates depending on the pressure received from the tongue, by the area of ​​the pressure-receiving surface, and may convert it into a digital signal using an A / D conversion circuit, or may approximate the output voltage using an approximation curve. Furthermore, the acquisition unit 11 can calculate the above-mentioned tongue movement information based on the sensor signal of the pressure sensor 110.

[0081] The acquisition unit 11 stores the tongue movement information of the subject in the storage unit 12.

[0082] The analysis unit 13 analyzes the tongue function of the subject based on the tongue movement information. As an example of the analysis, the analysis unit 13 reads out the tongue movement information and the predetermined conditions stored in the storage unit 12, and determines whether the predetermined conditions are appropriate.

[0083] The predetermined conditions can be set appropriately depending on the purpose of measurement, and examples include classification conditions, pass / fail judgment conditions, etc. An example of classification is to classify the degree of success of the infant's sucking into three or more levels.

[0084] The analysis unit 13 stores the analysis results of the tongue function of the subject, such as the pass / fail result of the tongue function of the subject, in the storage unit 12.

[0085] The communication unit 14 outputs the analysis results stored in the storage unit 12 to the display unit 31. The display unit 31 is provided in the terminal 30 in FIG. 6, but is not limited to this, and may be provided in the tongue movement information processing device 10 or another device (external monitor, etc.).

[0086] The display unit 31 includes an LED (Light Emitting Diode) display, a lamp, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (ElectroLuminescence) display, or the like. The display unit 31 displays the tongue movement information and / or the analysis results.

[0087] The tongue movement information processing device 10 may further include an operation unit. The operation unit receives operations of the operation unit by the user and notifies the processor that controls the tongue movement information processing device 10. The operation unit is composed of physical buttons such as switches or touch panels, and voice input means. By operating the operation unit, it is possible to start or end various operations of the tongue movement measuring device 100, or to set various operations.

[0088] The tongue movement information processing device 10 may further include a notification unit. The notification unit notifies the measurer by light means, sound means, etc. Examples of the light means include a lamp, and examples of the sound means include a speaker. The notification unit can notify various information such as the pass / fail result of the tongue function of the subject by emitting a sound from a speaker or by turning on or off a lamp, etc. For example, instead of displaying on the display unit 31 that the infant's sucking ability is good, the notification unit may notify the subject.

[0089] The tongue movement information processing device 10 is provided with a power supply, which may be a primary battery, a secondary battery (battery), or an indoor power outlet.

[0090] The analysis unit 13 may analyze the tongue movement information output from the acquisition unit 11. The communication unit 14 may output the analysis result output from the analysis unit 13 to the display unit 31. The operation unit and / or the notification unit may be provided in the terminal 30. Furthermore, the storage unit 12 may be provided on the tongue movement measuring device 100, but is not limited to this and may be an external storage device such as a cloud.

[0091] The following describes an example of the hardware configuration of the tongue movement information processing device 10. The tongue movement information processing device 10 includes a bus, a processor, a memory, a storage device, an input / output interface, a network interface, and the like.

[0092] A bus is a data transmission path through which processors, memories, storage devices, input / output interfaces, and network interfaces transmit and receive data to and from each other. However, the method of connecting processors and the like to each other is not limited to bus connection. The processor is implemented by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or the like. The memory is a main storage device realized by RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like.

[0093] The storage device is an auxiliary storage device realized by a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a memory card, a read only memory (ROM), etc. It stores program modules that realize each function (e.g., the acquisition unit 11 and the analysis unit 13) of the tongue movement information processing device 10. The processor loads and executes each program module into the memory, thereby realizing each function corresponding to the program module.

[0094] The input / output interface is an interface for connecting the tongue movement information processing device 10 to various input / output devices. For example, the tongue movement information processing device 10 communicates with the tongue movement measuring device 100, the operation unit, the display unit 31, the notification unit, etc. via the input / output interface.

[0095] The network interface is an interface for connecting the tongue movement information processing device 10 to a network 20. This network is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The network interface may be connected to the network 20 by wireless connection or by wired connection. The tongue movement information processing device 10 may communicate with the tongue movement measuring device 100 and the terminal 30 via the network interface.

[0096] An example of a tongue movement measuring device 100 having some of the functions of the tongue movement information processing device 10 includes at least an acquisition unit 11 and a communication unit 14. Tongue movement measuring device 100, which includes acquisition unit 11 and communication unit 14, may be a wireless communication type measuring device having a wirelessly connectable network interface installed in glove 120. This allows wireless communication connection with another device via the wirelessly connectable network interface. In this case, analysis of the tongue function of the subject is performed in a device separate from tongue movement measuring device 100. Furthermore, wireless communication type tongue movement measuring device 100 may be a portable measuring device further including a mobile power source that is installed in glove 120 and can be driven by a primary battery, a secondary battery, or the like. This makes it possible to communicate tongue movement information of a subject measured by tongue movement measuring device 100 to an external party and use or utilize that information, making it easy to measure on the go or at home. The tongue movement measuring device 100 may further include not only the network interface and mobile power supply, but also some or all of the hardware constituting the tongue movement information processing device 10, which is installed in the glove 120. Since the glove 120 is made of silicone rubber having the above tear strength, even if the hardware is installed on the glove 120, damage to the glove 120 can be suppressed.

[0097] The tongue movement monitoring method of the present embodiment can monitor tongue movement using tongue movement measuring device 100. This tongue movement monitoring method includes a step of acquiring tongue movement information regarding the tongue movement of the subject from the detection results of tongue movement measuring device 100.

[0098] The movement monitoring method also includes a step of determining whether the predetermined conditions are met based on the obtained tongue movement information.

[0099] (silicone rubber) The silicone rubber that constitutes each member of tongue movement measuring device 100 will be described below.

[0100] In this specification, silicone rubber refers to a stretchable elastic body. Among elastomers, silicone rubber is chemically stable and has excellent flexibility. Silicone rubber is also preferred from the viewpoints of hygiene and biocompatibility.

[0101] Silicone rubber is classified into insulating silicone rubber and conductive silicone rubber.

[0102] The insulating silicone rubber contains silicone rubber but does not contain a conductive filler, which can improve the elasticity and the like.

[0103] The conductive silicone rubber contains silicone rubber and a conductive filler, which improves the elasticity and conductivity of the conductive silicone rubber.

[0104] The conductive filler may include, for example, one or more selected from the group consisting of powder or fibrous metal-based fillers, carbon-based fillers (conductive carbon materials), metal oxide fillers, and metal-plated fillers.

[0105] At least one of the insulating silicone rubber and the conductive silicone rubber, and preferably both, may contain a non-conductive filler, which further increases the mechanical strength. As the non-conductive filler, known materials can be used, such as silica particles, silicone rubber particles, talc, etc. Among these, silica particles may be included.

[0106] The silicone rubber contained in the insulating silicone rubber and / or the conductive silicone rubber may be composed of a cured product of a silicone rubber-based curable composition containing a vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane.

[0107] At least two or all of the insulating silicone rubber of the glove 120, the conductive silicone rubber of the stretchable wiring 130, and the conductive silicone rubber of the pressure sensor 110 may be configured to contain the same silicone rubber.

[0108] In this specification, "containing the same silicone rubber" means that the silicone rubber-based curable composition contains at least the same type of vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane, and may further contain one or more selected from the group consisting of the same type of crosslinking agent, the same type of non-conductive filler, the same type of silane coupling agent, and the same type of catalyst.

[0109] The same type of vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxanes are sufficient as long as they contain the same vinyl groups as functional groups and have a linear structure, but may differ in the amount of vinyl groups in the molecule, the molecular weight distribution, or the amount of vinyl groups added.

[0110] The same type of crosslinking agent may have at least a common structure such as a linear structure or a branched structure, and may have different molecular weight distributions in the molecule, different functional groups, or different amounts of functional groups added.

[0111] Non-conductive fillers of the same type may have at least a common constituent material, but may differ in particle size, specific surface area, surface treatment agent, or amount of the surface treatment agent added.

[0112] Silane coupling agents of the same type are only required to have at least a common functional group, and may differ in other functional groups in the molecule or in the amount added.

[0113] The same type of catalysts are those that have at least common constituent materials, and may contain different compositions or may have different amounts of the components added.

[0114] The silicone rubber-based curable composition constituting the same silicone rubber may further contain one or more different types of vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxanes, crosslinking agents, non-conductive fillers, silane coupling agents, and catalysts.

[0115] The components of the silicone rubber-based hardening composition will now be described in detail.

[0116] The silicone rubber-based curable composition of this embodiment may contain a vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A). The vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A) is a polymer that serves as the main component of the silicone rubber-based curable composition of this embodiment.

[0117] The vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A) can contain a vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1) having a linear structure.

[0118] The vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1) has a linear structure and contains vinyl groups, which become crosslinking points during curing.

[0119] The vinyl group content of the vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1) is not particularly limited, but preferably has two or more vinyl groups in the molecule and is 15 mol% or less, which optimizes the amount of vinyl groups in the vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1) and ensures the formation of networks with the components described below.

[0120] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the symbol "to" indicates that the upper and lower limits are included.

[0121] In this specification, the vinyl group content refers to the mole percent of vinyl group-containing siloxane units when all units constituting the vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1) are taken as 100 mole percent, where it is considered that there is one vinyl group per vinyl group-containing siloxane unit.

[0122] The degree of polymerization of the vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1) is not particularly limited, but is preferably within a range of, for example, about 1,000 to 10,000, and more preferably about 2,000 to 5,000. The degree of polymerization can be determined, for example, as the polystyrene-equivalent number-average degree of polymerization (or number-average molecular weight) measured by GPC (gel permeation chromatography) using chloroform as a developing solvent.

[0123] Furthermore, the specific gravity of the vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1) is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of about 0.9 to 1.1.

[0124] By using a vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1) having a degree of polymerization and specific gravity within the above ranges, it is possible to improve the heat resistance, flame retardancy, chemical stability, etc. of the resulting silicone rubber.

[0125] As the vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1), those having a structure represented by the following formula (1) are particularly preferred.

[0126] [ka]

[0127] In formula (1), R 1 is a hydrocarbon group selected from substituted or unsubstituted alkyl groups, alkenyl groups, aryl groups, or combinations thereof having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Examples of alkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms include methyl groups, ethyl groups, and propyl groups, with methyl groups being preferred. Examples of alkenyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms include vinyl groups, allyl groups, and butenyl groups, with vinyl groups being preferred. Examples of aryl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms include phenyl groups.

[0128] Also, R 2 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, alkenyl group, aryl group, or a hydrocarbon group combining these groups, each having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Examples of alkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms include methyl, ethyl, and propyl groups, with methyl being preferred. Examples of alkenyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms include vinyl, allyl, and butenyl groups. Examples of aryl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms include phenyl groups.

[0129] Also, R 3is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or aryl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or a hydrocarbon group consisting of a combination thereof. Examples of alkyl groups having 1 to 8 carbon atoms include methyl, ethyl, and propyl groups, with methyl being preferred. Examples of aryl groups having 1 to 8 carbon atoms include phenyl groups.

[0130] Furthermore, R in formula (1) 1 and R 2 Examples of the substituent of R include a methyl group and a vinyl group. 3 Examples of the substituent include a methyl group.

[0131] In addition, in formula (1), multiple R 1 are independent of each other and may be different or the same. 2 , and R 3 The same is true for .

[0132] Furthermore, m and n are the numbers of repeating units constituting the vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1) represented by formula (1), where m is an integer of 0 to 2000 and n is an integer of 1000 to 10000. m is preferably 0 to 1000, and n is preferably 2000 to 5000.

[0133] Specific examples of the vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1) represented by formula (1) include those represented by the following formula (1-1).

[0134] [ka]

[0135] In formula (1-1), R 1 and R 2 are each independently a methyl group or a vinyl group, and at least one of them is a vinyl group.

[0136] The vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1) may contain a first vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1-1) having two or more vinyl groups in the molecule and having a vinyl group content of 0.4 mol% or less. The vinyl group content of the first vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1-1) may be 0.1 mol% or less.

[0137] The vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1) may also contain a first vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1-1) and a second vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1-2) having a vinyl group content of 0.5 to 15 mol %.

[0138] By combining a first vinyl-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1-1) with a second vinyl-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1-2) having a high vinyl group content as the raw rubber used to make the silicone rubber, the vinyl groups can be unevenly distributed, allowing for more effective formation of a crosslink density distribution within the crosslinked network of the silicone rubber, thereby more effectively increasing the tear strength of the silicone rubber.

[0139] Specifically, as the vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1), it is preferable to use, for example, a first vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1-1) having two or more units in which R1 is a vinyl group and / or units in which R2 is a vinyl group in the molecule, and containing 0.4 mol % or less of these units, and a second vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1-2) containing 0.5 to 15 mol % of units in which R1 is a vinyl group and / or units in which R2 is a vinyl group, in the above formula (1-1).

[0140] The first vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1-1) preferably has a vinyl group content of 0.01 to 0.2 mol %, and the second vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1-2) preferably has a vinyl group content of 0.8 to 12 mol %.

[0141] Furthermore, when the first vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1-1) and the second vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1-2) are combined and blended, the ratio of (A1-1) to (A1-2) is not particularly limited, but for example, the weight ratio of (A1-1):(A1-2) is preferably 50:50 to 95:5, and more preferably 80:20 to 90:10.

[0142] The first and second vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxanes (A1-1) and (A1-2) may each be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0143] The vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A) may also contain a vinyl group-containing branched organopolysiloxane (A2) having a branched structure.

[0144] <<Organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B)>> The silicone rubber-based curable composition of this embodiment can contain an organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B). The organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B) is classified into a linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B1) having a linear structure and a branched organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B2) having a branched structure, and may contain either one or both of these.

[0145] The linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B1) has a linear structure and a structure in which hydrogen is directly bonded to Si (≡Si-H), and is a polymer that undergoes a hydrosilylation reaction with the vinyl groups of the vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A) and with vinyl groups of the components blended into the silicone rubber-based curable composition, thereby crosslinking these components.

[0146] The molecular weight of the linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B1) is not particularly limited, but for example, the weight average molecular weight is preferably 20,000 or less, and more preferably 1,000 or more and 10,000 or less.

[0147] The weight average molecular weight of the linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B1) can be measured, for example, by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using chloroform as a developing solvent, in terms of polystyrene.

[0148] Furthermore, it is generally preferred that the linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B1) does not contain a vinyl group, which can reliably prevent the crosslinking reaction from proceeding within the molecule of the linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B1).

[0149] As the linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B1) described above, for example, one having a structure represented by the following formula (2) is preferably used.

[0150] [ka]

[0151] In formula (2), R 4 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, alkenyl group, aryl group, a hydrocarbon group combining these, or a hydride group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Examples of the alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms include a methyl group, an ethyl group, and a propyl group, with a methyl group being preferred. Examples of the alkenyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms include a vinyl group, an allyl group, and a butenyl group. Examples of the aryl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms include a phenyl group.

[0152] Also, R 5is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, alkenyl group, aryl group, a hydrocarbon group combining these, or a hydride group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Examples of the alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms include a methyl group, an ethyl group, and a propyl group, with a methyl group being preferred. Examples of the alkenyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms include a vinyl group, an allyl group, and a butenyl group. Examples of the aryl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms include a phenyl group.

[0153] In addition, in formula (2), multiple R 4 are independent of each other and may be different or the same. 5 The same applies to multiple R 4 and R 5 At least two of these are hydride groups.

[0154] Also, R 6 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or aryl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or a hydrocarbon group combining these. Examples of alkyl groups having 1 to 8 carbon atoms include methyl groups, ethyl groups, and propyl groups, with methyl groups being preferred. Examples of aryl groups having 1 to 8 carbon atoms include phenyl groups. 6 are independent of each other and may be different from each other or may be the same.

[0155] In addition, R in formula (2) 4 ,R 5 ,R 6 Examples of the substituent include a methyl group and a vinyl group, and a methyl group is preferred from the viewpoint of preventing intramolecular crosslinking reactions.

[0156] Furthermore, m and n are the numbers of repeating units constituting the linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B1) represented by formula (2), where m is an integer of 2 to 150 and n is an integer of 2 to 150. Preferably, m is an integer of 2 to 100 and n is an integer of 2 to 100.

[0157] The linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B1) may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0158] Because the branched organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B2) has a branched structure, it forms regions with high crosslink density, and is a component that significantly contributes to the formation of a sparsely crosslinked structure in the silicone rubber system. Like the linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B1), it has a structure in which hydrogen is directly bonded to silicon (≡Si-H), and undergoes a hydrosilylation reaction with the vinyl groups of the vinyl-group-containing organopolysiloxane (A) and with the vinyl groups of other components incorporated into the silicone rubber-based curable composition, forming a polymer that crosslinks these components.

[0159] The specific gravity of the branched organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B2) is in the range of 0.9 to 0.95.

[0160] Furthermore, it is generally preferred that the branched organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B2) does not contain vinyl groups, which can reliably prevent crosslinking reactions from occurring within the molecules of the branched organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B2).

[0161] The branched organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B2) is preferably one represented by the following average composition formula (c).

[0162] Average composition formula (c) (H a (R 7 ) 3-a SiO 1 / 2 ) m (SiO 4 / 2 ) n (In formula (c), R 7 is a monovalent organic group, a is an integer ranging from 1 to 3, and m is H a (R 7 ) 3-a SiO 1 / 2 The number of units, n, is SiO 4 / 2 (the number of units)

[0163] In formula (c), R 7 is a monovalent organic group, preferably a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or aryl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a hydrocarbon group consisting of a combination thereof. Examples of alkyl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms include methyl, ethyl, and propyl groups, with methyl being preferred. Examples of aryl groups having 1 to 10 carbon atoms include phenyl groups.

[0164] In formula (c), a is the number of hydride groups (hydrogen atoms directly bonded to Si), and is an integer ranging from 1 to 3, preferably 1.

[0165] In addition, in formula (c), m is H a (R 7 ) 3-a SiO 1 / 2 The number of units, n, is SiO 4 / 2 The number of units.

[0166] The branched organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B2) has a branched structure. The linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B1) and the branched organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B2) differ in their structures, that is, whether they are linear or branched. The number of alkyl groups R bonded to Si (R / Si), where the number of Si is 1, is in the range of 1.8 to 2.1 for the linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B1) and 0.8 to 1.7 for the branched organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B2).

[0167] Because the branched organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B2) has a branched structure, it leaves a residue amount of 5% or more when heated, for example, in a nitrogen atmosphere to 1000°C at a heating rate of 10°C / min. In contrast, because the linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B1) is linear, it leaves almost no residue amount after heating under the above conditions.

[0168] Specific examples of the branched organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B2) include those having a structure represented by the following formula (3).

[0169] [ka]

[0170] In formula (3), R 7 R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or aryl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or a hydrocarbon group combining these, or a hydrogen atom. Examples of alkyl groups having 1 to 8 carbon atoms include methyl, ethyl, and propyl groups, with methyl being preferred. Examples of aryl groups having 1 to 8 carbon atoms include phenyl groups. 7 Examples of the substituent include a methyl group.

[0171] In addition, in formula (3), multiple R 7 are independent of each other and may be different from each other or may be the same.

[0172] In addition, in formula (3), "-O-Si≡" indicates that Si has a branched structure that spreads three-dimensionally.

[0173] The branched organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B2) may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0174] Furthermore, the amount of hydrogen atoms (hydride groups) directly bonded to Si in the linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B1) and the branched organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B2) is not particularly limited. However, in the silicone rubber-based curable composition, the total amount of hydride groups in the linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B1) and the branched organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B2) is preferably 0.5 to 5 moles, more preferably 1 to 3.5 moles, per mole of vinyl groups in the vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1). This ensures the reliable formation of a crosslinked network between the linear organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B1) and the branched organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B2) and the vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1).

[0175] <<Silica particles (C)>> The silicone rubber-based curable composition of this embodiment may contain silica particles (C) as a non-conductive filler, if necessary.

[0176] The silica particles (C) are not particularly limited, but examples thereof include fumed silica, calcined silica, precipitated silica, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0177] The silica particles (C) have a specific surface area of, for example, 50 to 400 m2 as measured by the BET method. 2 / g, and 100 to 400m 2 / g. The average primary particle size of the silica particles (C) is, for example, preferably from 1 to 100 nm, and more preferably from about 5 to 20 nm.

[0178] By using silica particles (C) having a specific surface area and average particle size within the above ranges, it is possible to improve the hardness and mechanical strength of the silicone rubber formed, particularly the tensile strength.

[0179] <<Silane coupling agent (D)>> The silicone rubber-based curable composition of this embodiment may contain a silane coupling agent (D). The silane coupling agent (D) may have a hydrolyzable group, which is hydrolyzed by water to form a hydroxyl group, which undergoes a dehydration condensation reaction with the hydroxyl groups on the surface of the silica particles (C), thereby modifying the surface of the silica particles (C).

[0180] The silane coupling agent (D) may also contain a silane coupling agent having a hydrophobic group. This provides the surface of the silica particles (C), thereby reducing the cohesive strength of the silica particles (C) in the silicone rubber-based curable composition and, ultimately, in the silicone rubber (reducing aggregation due to hydrogen bonding via silanol groups). This is thought to result in improved dispersibility of the silica particles in the silicone rubber-based curable composition. This increases the interface between the silica particles and the rubber matrix, enhancing the reinforcing effect of the silica particles. Furthermore, it is thought that the sliding properties of the silica particles within the matrix are improved during deformation of the rubber matrix. The improved dispersibility and sliding properties of the silica particles (C) contribute to improved mechanical strength (e.g., tensile strength, tear strength, etc.) of the silicone rubber.

[0181] Furthermore, the silane coupling agent (D) may contain a silane coupling agent having a vinyl group. This introduces a vinyl group onto the surface of the silica particles (C). Therefore, during curing of the silicone rubber-based curable composition, i.e., when the vinyl groups of the vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A) and the hydride groups of the organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B) undergo a hydrosilylation reaction to form a network (crosslinked structure), the vinyl groups of the silica particles (C) also participate in the hydrosilylation reaction with the hydride groups of the organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B), thereby incorporating the silica particles (C) into the network. This allows for a silicone rubber with a low hardness and a high modulus to be formed.

[0182] As the silane coupling agent (D), a silane coupling agent having a hydrophobic group and a silane coupling agent having a vinyl group can be used in combination.

[0183] Examples of the silane coupling agent (D) include those represented by the following formula (4).

[0184] Y n -Si-(X) 4-n ···(4) In the above formula (4), n represents an integer of 1 to 3. Y represents a functional group having a hydrophobic group, a hydrophilic group, or a vinyl group, and when n is 1, it is a hydrophobic group, and when n is 2 or 3, at least one of the groups is a hydrophobic group. X represents a hydrolyzable group.

[0185] The hydrophobic group is an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an aryl group, or a hydrocarbon group formed by combining these groups, such as a methyl group, an ethyl group, a propyl group, or a phenyl group, with a methyl group being particularly preferred.

[0186] Examples of the hydrophilic group include a hydroxyl group, a sulfonic acid group, a carboxyl group, and a carbonyl group, and among these, a hydroxyl group is particularly preferred. Although a hydrophilic group may be contained as a functional group, it is preferable that the hydrophilic group is not contained from the viewpoint of imparting hydrophobicity to the silane coupling agent (D).

[0187] Further, examples of the hydrolyzable group include alkoxy groups such as methoxy and ethoxy groups, chloro groups, and silazane groups. Among these, silazane groups are preferred because of their high reactivity with the silica particles (C). Note that, those having a silazane group as the hydrolyzable group have structural characteristics such that (Y n -Si-) structures.

[0188] Specific examples of the silane coupling agent (D) represented by the above formula (4) include those having a hydrophobic group as a functional group, such as alkoxysilanes like methyltrimethoxysilane, dimethyldimethoxysilane, phenyltrimethoxysilane, methyltriethoxysilane, dimethyldiethoxysilane, phenyltriethoxysilane, n-propyltrimethoxysilane, n-propyltriethoxysilane, hexyltrimethoxysilane, hexyltriethoxysilane, and decyltrimethoxysilane; chlorosilanes like methyltrichlorosilane, dimethyldichlorosilane, trimethylchlorosilane, and phenyltrichlorosilane; and hexamethyldisilazane. Examples of the vinyl group-containing silane include alkoxysilanes such as methacryloxypropyltriethoxysilane, methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane, methacryloxypropylmethyldiethoxysilane, methacryloxypropylmethyldimethoxysilane, vinyltriethoxysilane, vinyltrimethoxysilane, and vinylmethyldimethoxysilane; chlorosilanes such as vinyltrichlorosilane and vinylmethyldichlorosilane; and divinyltetramethyldisilazane. Among these, taking into consideration the above, hexamethyldisilazane is particularly preferred as the silane having a hydrophobic group, and divinyltetramethyldisilazane is particularly preferred as the silane having a vinyl group.

[0189] In this embodiment, the lower limit of the content of the silane coupling agent (D) is preferably 1% by mass or more, more preferably 3% by mass or more, and even more preferably 5% by mass or more, based on 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A). The upper limit of the content of the silane coupling agent (D) is preferably 100% by mass or less, more preferably 80% by mass or less, and even more preferably 40% by mass or less, based on 100 parts by weight of the total amount of the vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A). By setting the content of the silane coupling agent (D) to the above lower limit or more, the silicone rubber has an appropriate adhesion to the glove 120, and when silica particles (C) are used, it can contribute to improving the mechanical strength of the silicone rubber as a whole. Also, by setting the content of the silane coupling agent (D) to the above upper limit or less, the silicone rubber can have appropriate mechanical properties.

[0190] <<Platinum or platinum compounds (E)>> The silicone rubber-based hardenable composition of this embodiment may contain platinum or a platinum compound (E). Platinum or platinum compound (E) is a catalytic component that acts as a catalyst during curing. The amount of platinum or platinum compound (E) added is a catalytic amount.

[0191] As the platinum or platinum compound (E), known compounds can be used, such as platinum black, platinum supported on silica or carbon black, chloroplatinic acid or an alcohol solution of chloroplatinic acid, a complex salt of chloroplatinic acid and an olefin, and a complex salt of chloroplatinic acid and a vinylsiloxane.

[0192] The platinum or platinum compound (E) may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0193] <<Water(F)>> Furthermore, the silicone rubber-based hardening composition of this embodiment may contain water (F) in addition to the above components (A) to (E).

[0194] Water (F) functions as a dispersion medium to disperse the components contained in the silicone rubber-based curable composition, and also contributes to the reaction between the silica particles (C) and the silane coupling agent (D). This allows the silica particles (C) and the silane coupling agent (D) to be more reliably bonded to each other in the silicone rubber, allowing the composition to exhibit uniform properties overall.

[0195] Furthermore, when water (F) is contained, its content can be appropriately set, but specifically, for example, it is preferably in the range of 10 to 100 parts by weight, more preferably in the range of 30 to 70 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the silane coupling agent (D), which allows the reaction between the silane coupling agent (D) and the silica particles (C) to proceed more reliably.

[0196] (Other ingredients) Furthermore, the silicone rubber-based curable composition of this embodiment may further contain other components in addition to the above components (A) to (F), such as inorganic fillers other than the silica particles (C), such as diatomaceous earth, iron oxide, zinc oxide, titanium oxide, barium oxide, magnesium oxide, cerium oxide, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, zinc carbonate, glass wool, and mica, as well as additives such as reaction inhibitors, dispersants, pigments, dyes, antistatic agents, antioxidants, flame retardants, and thermal conductivity improvers.

[0197] The content ratio of each component in the silicone rubber-based hardening composition is not particularly limited, but may be set, for example, as follows:

[0198] In this embodiment, the upper limit of the content of silica particles (C) may be, for example, 60 parts by weight or less, preferably 50 parts by weight or less, and more preferably 40 parts by weight or less, per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A). This allows for a good balance of mechanical strength, such as hardness and tensile strength. The lower limit of the content of silica particles (C) is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 10 parts by weight or more, per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A).

[0199] The silane coupling agent (D) is preferably contained in an amount of 5 to 100 parts by weight, more preferably 5 to 40 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A), which ensures improved dispersibility of the silica particles (C) in the silicone rubber-based curable composition.

[0200] The content of organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B) is preferably 0.5 to 20 parts by weight, more preferably 0.8 to 15 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the total of vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A), silica particles (C), and silane coupling agent (D). By keeping the content of (B) within this range, a more effective curing reaction may be achieved.

[0201] The content of platinum or platinum compound (E) refers to the catalytic amount and can be set as appropriate. Specifically, it is an amount such that the platinum group metal in this component is 0.01 to 1000 ppm by weight, preferably 0.1 to 500 ppm, relative to the total amount of vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A), silica particles (C), and silane coupling agent (D). By ensuring that the content of platinum or platinum compound (E) is at or above the lower limit, the resulting silicone rubber composition can be sufficiently cured. By ensuring that the content of platinum or platinum compound (E) is at or below the upper limit, the curing rate of the resulting silicone rubber composition can be improved.

[0202] Furthermore, when water (F) is contained, its content can be appropriately set, but specifically, for example, it is preferably in the range of 10 to 100 parts by weight, more preferably in the range of 30 to 70 parts by weight, per 100 parts by weight of the silane coupling agent (D), which allows the reaction between the silane coupling agent (D) and the silica particles (C) to proceed more reliably.

[0203] <Silicone rubber manufacturing method> Next, a method for producing the silicone rubber of this embodiment will be described. In the method for producing the silicone rubber of this embodiment, a silicone rubber-based curable composition is prepared, and the silicone rubber can be obtained by curing the silicone rubber-based curable composition. Details are provided below.

[0204] First, the components of the silicone rubber-based hardening composition are mixed uniformly using any kneading device to prepare the silicone rubber-based hardening composition.

[0205] [1] For example, a predetermined amount of vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A), silica particles (C), and silane coupling agent (D) are weighed, and then kneaded using any kneading device to obtain a kneaded product containing these components (A), (C), and (D).

[0206] The kneaded mixture is preferably obtained by first kneading the vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A) with the silane coupling agent (D) and then kneading (mixing) the silica particles (C), which further improves the dispersibility of the silica particles (C) in the vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A).

[0207] Furthermore, when obtaining this kneaded mixture, water (F) may be added to the kneaded mixture of the components (A), (C), and (D) as needed, which allows the reaction between the silane coupling agent (D) and the silica particles (C) to proceed more reliably.

[0208] Furthermore, the kneading of components (A), (C), and (D) is preferably carried out through a first step in which the components are heated at a first temperature and a second step in which the components are heated at a second temperature. This allows the surfaces of the silica particles (C) to be surface-treated with the coupling agent (D) in the first step, and allows by-products formed by the reaction between the silica particles (C) and the coupling agent (D) to be reliably removed from the kneaded mixture in the second step. If necessary, component (A) may then be added to the resulting kneaded mixture, followed by further kneading. This improves the compatibility of the components in the kneaded mixture.

[0209] The first temperature is preferably, for example, about 40 to 120° C., and more preferably, for example, about 60 to 90° C. The second temperature is preferably, for example, about 130 to 210° C., and more preferably, for example, about 160 to 180° C.

[0210] The atmosphere in the first step is preferably an inert atmosphere such as a nitrogen atmosphere, and the atmosphere in the second step is preferably a reduced pressure atmosphere.

[0211] Furthermore, the time for the first step is, for example, preferably about 0.3 to 1.5 hours, more preferably about 0.5 to 1.2 hours, and the time for the second step is, for example, preferably about 0.7 to 3.0 hours, more preferably about 1.0 to 2.0 hours.

[0212] By setting the conditions for the first and second steps as described above, the above-mentioned effects can be more significantly obtained.

[0213] [2] Next, predetermined amounts of organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B) and platinum or a platinum compound (E) are weighed out, and then, using any kneading device, components (B) and (E) are kneaded into the mixture prepared in step [1] above, thereby obtaining a silicone rubber-based curable composition. The obtained silicone rubber-based curable composition may be a paste containing a solvent.

[0214] When kneading components (B) and (E), it is preferable to first knead the mixture prepared in step [1] with the organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B), and then knead the mixture prepared in step [1] with platinum or a platinum compound (E), and then knead the respective mixtures together. This ensures that components (A) to (E) are dispersed in the silicone rubber-based curable composition without promoting the reaction between the vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A) and the organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B).

[0215] The temperature at which the components (B) and (E) are kneaded is, for example, preferably about 10 to 70°C, more preferably about 25 to 30°C, as the roll temperature.

[0216] Furthermore, the kneading time is, for example, preferably about 5 minutes to 1 hour, and more preferably about 10 to 40 minutes.

[0217] In steps [1] and [2], by maintaining the temperature within the above range, it is possible to more effectively prevent or inhibit the progress of the reaction between the vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A) and the organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B). Furthermore, by maintaining the kneading time within the above range in steps [1] and [2], it is possible to more reliably disperse the components (A) to (E) in the silicone rubber-based curable composition.

[0218] The kneading device used in each of steps [1] and [2] is not particularly limited, but for example, a kneader, a two-roll mill, a Banbury mixer (continuous kneader), a pressure kneader, etc. can be used.

[0219] Furthermore, in step [2], a reaction inhibitor such as 1-ethynylcyclohexanol may be added to the kneaded mixture, which makes it possible to more effectively prevent or inhibit the reaction between the vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A) and the organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B) even when the temperature of the kneaded mixture is set at a relatively high temperature.

[0220] [3] Next, the silicone rubber-based hardening composition is hardened to form a silicone rubber.

[0221] In this embodiment, the curing step of the silicone rubber-based curable resin composition is carried out by, for example, heating at 100 to 250°C for 1 to 30 minutes (primary curing), followed by post-baking at 200°C for 1 to 4 hours (secondary curing).

[0222] By going through the above steps, a silicone rubber consisting of a cured product of the silicone rubber-based curable resin composition is obtained.

[0223] [3] Next, the silicone rubber-based curable composition obtained in step [2] is dissolved in a solvent to obtain an insulating paste. [3] Next, the silicone rubber-based curable composition obtained in step [2] is dissolved in a solvent, and a conductive filler is added to the solution, thereby obtaining a conductive paste.

[0224] (solvent) The conductive paste and the insulating paste contain a solvent. As the solvent, various known solvents can be used, including, for example, high-boiling point solvents, which may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0225] The lower limit of the boiling point of the high-boiling solvent is, for example, 100°C or higher, preferably 130°C or higher, and more preferably 150°C or higher. This can improve printing stability in screen printing and the like. On the other hand, the upper limit of the boiling point of the high-boiling solvent is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 300°C or lower, 290°C or lower, or 280°C or lower. This can suppress excessive thermal history during wiring formation, thereby preventing damage to the substrate and maintaining a good shape of the wiring formed from the conductive paste.

[0226] The solvent can be appropriately selected from the viewpoint of the solubility and boiling point of the silicone rubber-based curable resin composition, and may include, for example, an aliphatic hydrocarbon having 5 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably an aliphatic hydrocarbon having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and more preferably an aliphatic hydrocarbon having 10 to 15 carbon atoms.

[0227] Examples of the solvent include aliphatic hydrocarbons such as pentane, hexane, cyclohexane, heptane, methylcyclohexane, ethylcyclohexane, octane, decane, dodecane, and tetradecane; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene, mesitylene, trifluoromethylbenzene, and benzotrifluoride; diethyl ether, diisopropyl ether, dibutyl ether, cyclopentyl methyl ether, cyclopentyl ethyl ether, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, ethylene glycol diethyl ether, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, and diethylene glycol. Examples of such solvents include ethers such as dichloromethane, chloroform, 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and 1,1,2-trichloroethane; carboxylic acid amides such as N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide; sulfoxides such as dimethyl sulfoxide and diethyl sulfoxide; and esters such as diethyl carbonate. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The solvent used here may be appropriately selected from among solvents that can uniformly dissolve or disperse the components in the conductive paste.

[0228] The above solvents are the polarity term of the Hansen solubility parameters (δ p ) is, for example, 10 MPa 1 / 2 or less, preferably 7 MPa 1 / 2 or less, more preferably 5.5 MPa 1 / 2 The silicone rubber-based curable resin composition may contain a first solvent having the following polarity term (δ) of the first solvent. This makes it possible to improve the dispersibility and solubility of the silicone rubber-based curable resin composition in the paste. p The lower limit of the pressure is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0 Pa. 1 / 2 More than that is fine.

[0229] The hydrogen bond term (δ h ) is, for example, 20 MPa 1 / 2 or less, preferably 10 MPa 1 / 2 More preferably, it is 7 MPa or less. 1 / 2 This allows the silicone rubber-based curable resin composition to have good dispersibility and solubility in the paste. h The lower limit of the pressure is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0 Pa. 1 / 2 More than that is fine.

[0230] Hansen solubility parameter (HSP) is an index that indicates the solubility of a substance, i.e., how much a substance dissolves in another substance. HSP expresses solubility as a three-dimensional vector. This three-dimensional vector is typically expressed as a dispersion term (δ d ), polarity term (δ p ), hydrogen bond term (δ h ) and those with similar vectors can be judged to have high solubility. The similarity of vectors can be judged by the distance of the Hansen solubility parameter (HSP distance).

[0231] The Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSP values) used in this specification can be calculated using software called HSPiP (Hansen Solubility Parameters in Practice). The computer software HSPiP, developed by Hansen and Abbott, includes a function for calculating HSP distances and a database listing the Hansen parameters for various resins and solvents or non-solvents. The solubility of each resin in pure solvents and mixed solvents of good and poor solvents is investigated, and the results are entered into the HSPiP software to calculate D: dispersion term, P: polar term, H: hydrogen bond term, and R0: radius of the solubility sphere.

[0232] As the solvent of this embodiment, for example, one can be selected that has a small difference in HSP distance, polarity term, or hydrogen bond term between the silicone rubber or the structural units that make up the silicone rubber and the solvent.

[0233] The lower limit of the viscosity of the conductive paste and / or insulating paste when measured at a shear rate of 20 [1 / s] at room temperature 25°C is, for example, 1 Pa·s or more, preferably 5 Pa·s or more, and more preferably 10 Pa·s or more. This can improve film-forming properties. Also, shape retention can be improved even when forming a thick film. On the other hand, the upper limit of the viscosity of the conductive paste and / or insulating paste at room temperature 25°C is, for example, 100 Pa·s or less, preferably 90 Pa·s or less, and more preferably 80 Pa·s or less. This can improve the printability of the paste.

[0234] At room temperature of 25°C, the viscosity measured at a shear rate of 1 [1 / s] is η1, the viscosity measured at a shear rate of 5 [1 / s] is η5, and the thixotropy index is the viscosity ratio (η1 / η5). In this case, the lower limit of the thixotropic index of the conductive paste and / or insulating paste is, for example, 1.0 or more, preferably 1.1 or more, and more preferably 1.2 or more. This allows the shape of the wiring obtained by the printing method to be stably maintained. On the other hand, the upper limit of the thixotropic index of the conductive paste and / or insulating paste is, for example, 3.0 or less, preferably 2.5 or less, and more preferably 2.0 or less. This allows the paste to be more easily printed.

[0235] The content of the silicone rubber-based curable composition in the insulating paste is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 15% by mass or more, and even more preferably 20% by mass or more, based on 100% by mass of the insulating paste. The content of the silicone rubber-based curable composition in the insulating paste is preferably 50% by mass or less, more preferably 40% by mass or less, and even more preferably 35% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the insulating paste.

[0236] (Conductive filler) As the conductive filler, a known conductive material may be used, but metal powder (G) or a conductive carbon material may also be used. The metal constituting the metal powder (G) is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, at least one of copper, silver, gold, nickel, tin, lead, zinc, bismuth, antimony, or alloys thereof, or two or more of these metal powders. Among these, the metal powder (G) preferably contains silver or copper, i.e., silver powder or copper powder, due to their high conductivity and availability. These metal powders (G) may also be coated with other metals.

[0237] Examples of conductive carbon materials include conductive carbon black, carbon nanotubes, and graphene.

[0238] In this embodiment, the shape of the metal powder (G) is not limited, and conventionally used shapes such as dendritic, spherical, scale-like, etc. Among these, scale-like metal powder (G) may be used.

[0239] The particle size of the metal powder (G) is not limited, but for example, the average particle size D 50 The particle size of the metal powder (G) is, for example, an average particle size D 50It is preferably 1,000 μm or less, more preferably 100 μm or less, and even more preferably 20 μm or less. Average particle size D 50 By setting the value of the thickness of the silicone rubber in this range, the silicone rubber can exhibit an appropriate electrical conductivity. The particle size of the metal powder (G) can be defined as the average particle size of 200 arbitrarily selected metal powder particles, for example, by observing the conductive paste or silicone rubber molded using the conductive paste with a transmission electron microscope or the like and performing image analysis.

[0240] The content of the conductive filler in the conductive paste is preferably 30% by mass or more, more preferably 40% by mass or more, and even more preferably 50% by mass or more, based on the total weight of the conductive paste, and is preferably 85% by mass or less, more preferably 75% by mass or less, and even more preferably 65% ​​by mass or less, based on the total weight of the conductive paste. By setting the content of the conductive filler to the above lower limit or more, the silicone rubber can have appropriate conductive properties, and by setting the content of the conductive filler to the above upper limit or less, the silicone rubber can have appropriate flexibility.

[0241] The content of the silicone rubber-based curable composition in the conductive paste is preferably 1% by mass or more, more preferably 3% by mass or more, and even more preferably 5% by mass or more, based on 100% by mass of the conductive paste. The content of the silicone rubber-based curable composition in the conductive paste is preferably 25% by mass or less, more preferably 20% by mass or less, and even more preferably 15% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the conductive paste. By adjusting the content of the silicone rubber-based curable composition to be equal to or greater than the lower limit, the silicone rubber can have an appropriate degree of flexibility, while by adjusting the content of the silicone rubber-based curable composition to be equal to or less than the upper limit, the mechanical strength of the silicone rubber can be improved.

[0242] The lower limit of the content of the silica particles (C) in the conductive paste can be, for example, 1% by mass or more, preferably 3% by mass or more, and more preferably 5% by mass or more, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the silica particles (C) and the conductive filler. This can improve the mechanical strength of the silicone rubber. On the other hand, the upper limit of the content of the silica particles (C) in the conductive paste can be, for example, 20% by mass or less, preferably 15% by mass or less, and more preferably 10% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the total amount of the silica particles (C) and the conductive filler. This can achieve a balance between the elastic electrical properties and the mechanical strength of the silicone rubber.

[0243] The lower limit of the content of the conductive filler in the conductive cured product obtained by curing the conductive paste that constitutes the stretchable wire 130 is, for example, 65% by mass or more, preferably 70% by mass or more, and more preferably 75% by mass or more, based on 100% by mass of the conductive cured product. This improves the stretchable electrical properties. On the other hand, the upper limit of the content of the conductive filler in the conductive cured product is, for example, 95% by mass or less, preferably 90% by mass or less, and more preferably 85% by mass or less, based on 100% by mass of the stretchable wire 130. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in rubber properties such as stretchability.

[0244] (Method of manufacturing a tongue movement measurement device) Next, a method for manufacturing the tongue movement measuring device of this embodiment will be described.

[0245] For forming the glove, a method of overlapping two sheets of insulating silicone rubber and processing them into a predetermined glove shape is used, but the method is not limited to this. The sheet-shaped insulating silicone rubber may be produced by a general molding method such as calendar molding or compression molding using a silicone rubber-based curable composition (compound) that does not contain a conductive filler, or by a printing method using an insulating paste that contains a silicone rubber-based curable composition.

[0246] For processing into a glove shape, a method using a mold, a cutting method, or in the case of insulating paste, a method using a mask with openings, etc. After forming the stretchable wiring on a sheet-shaped insulating silicone rubber, it may be processed into a glove shape, or the stretchable wiring may be formed on the glove-shaped insulating silicone rubber after processing into a glove shape. It is also possible to form gloves with a three-dimensional structure by immersing a mold in insulating paste and drying and hardening the insulating paste that adheres to the surface of the mold.

[0247] For forming the stretchable wiring, a printing method using a conductive paste containing a silicone rubber-based curable composition is used, but the method is not limited to this. For example, a conductive paste is applied to a sheet of insulating silicone rubber or the outer surface of a glove made of insulating silicone rubber through a mask having a predetermined opening pattern. The application method may be a squeegee printing method using a squeegee. The conductive paste is then dried to form a wiring pattern. Drying conditions can be set appropriately depending on the type and amount of solvent in the insulating paste, but for example, the drying temperature can be set to 120° C. to 180° C., and the drying time can be set to 1 minute to 30 minutes. Subsequently, the wiring pattern is cured to form the stretchable wiring. Curing conditions can be set appropriately depending on the silicone rubber-based curable composition, but for example, the curing temperature is 120°C to 220°C, and the curing time is 1 hour to 3 hours. The pressure sensor is then mounted on the stretchable wiring, and they can be electrically connected using a connecting material such as conductive paste or solder material. In this way, a tongue movement measuring device is obtained.

[0248] If necessary, a step of forming a cover portion on the wiring pattern or on the stretchable wiring having the wiring pattern cured may be added. Examples of a method for forming the cover portion include the printing method using the insulating paste described above. The curing treatment of the insulating paste for the cover may be performed together with the curing treatment of the conductive paste for the stretchable wiring, but is not limited to such a collective curing treatment, and each paste may be cured individually.

[0249] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations may be adopted. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and modifications and improvements within the scope of achieving the object of the present invention are included in the present invention. Below, examples of reference forms are added. 1. A tongue movement measuring device for measuring tongue movement of a subject, comprising: a glove made of insulating silicone rubber to be worn on the hand of the measurer; a pressure sensor provided in a fingertip region on the outer surface side of the glove for measuring tongue pressure; an elastic wiring electrically connected to the pressure sensor; A tongue movement measuring device comprising: 2. The tongue movement measuring device according to 1., A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the tear strength of the glove is 25 N / mm or more. 3. The tongue movement measuring device according to 1. or 2., A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the glove can be sterilized by boiling. 4. A tongue movement measuring device according to any one of 1. to 3., A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the glove is alcohol-resistant. 5. A tongue movement measuring device according to any one of 1. to 4., A tongue movement measuring device, wherein an uneven structure is formed on the surface of the inner surface of the glove. 6. A tongue movement measuring device according to any one of 1. to 5., A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the glove sheet thickness is 20 μm or more and 2 mm or less. 7. A tongue movement measuring device according to any one of 1. to 6., A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the durometer hardness A of the glove is 10 or more and 80 or less. 8. A tongue movement measuring device according to any one of 1. to 7., The glove is a tongue movement measuring device having a back portion that covers the back of the hand of the person being measured and at least one finger portion connected to the back portion. 9. A tongue movement measuring device according to any one of 1. to 8., A tongue movement measuring device having a reinforcing portion on the inner surface of the glove at a position facing the pressure sensor. 10. A tongue movement measuring device according to any one of 1. to 9., The glove is a tongue movement measurement device that has a structure in which two sheets of insulating silicone rubber are layered on top of each other. 11. A tongue movement measuring device according to any one of 1. to 10., A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the stretchable wiring is made of conductive silicone rubber. 12. A tongue movement measuring device according to any one of 1. to 11., A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the stretchable wiring is made of a printed conductive paste containing a conductive filler and silicone rubber. 13. A tongue movement measuring device according to any one of 1. to 12., A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the elastic wiring has an extraction wiring portion that extends from the fingers to the back of the glove. 14. A tongue movement measuring device according to any one of 1. to 13., A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the stretchable wiring has a multilayer wiring structure. 15. A tongue movement measuring device according to any one of 1. to 14., A tongue movement measuring device comprising a cover portion made of insulating silicone rubber that covers the surface of the stretchable wiring. 16. A tongue movement measuring device according to any one of 1. to 15., A tongue movement measuring device is attached to the glove and includes a wirelessly connectable network interface. 17. A tongue movement measuring device according to any one of 1. to 16. a tongue movement information processing device; A tongue movement monitoring system comprising: 18. A tongue movement monitoring method comprising a step of acquiring tongue movement information regarding the tongue movement of a subject using a tongue movement measuring device described in any one of 1. to 16. [Example]

[0250] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the descriptions of these examples.

[0251] The raw material ingredients shown in Table 1 are as follows: (A1-1): First vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane: a vinyl group-containing dimethylpolysiloxane (structure represented by the above formula (1-1)) synthesized according to the following synthesis scheme 1. (A1-2): Second vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane: A vinyl group-containing dimethylpolysiloxane (having the structure represented by the above formula (1-1) and R 1 and R 2 is a vinyl group)

[0252] (Organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B)) (B-1): Organohydrogenpolysiloxane: Momentive Corporation, "TC-25D"

[0253] (Silica particles (C)) (C): Silica microparticles (particle size 7 nm, specific surface area 300 m 2 / g), Nippon Aerosil Co., Ltd., "AEROSIL300"

[0254] (Silane coupling agent (D)) (D-1): Hexamethyldisilazane (HMDZ), manufactured by Gelest, "HEXAMETHYLDISILAZANE (SIH6110.1)" (D-2) Divinyltetramethyldisilazane, manufactured by Gelest, "1,3-DIVINYLTETRAMETHYLDISILAZANE (SID4612.0)"

[0255] (Platinum or platinum compounds (E)) (E-1): Platinum compound (manufactured by Momentive, product name "TC-25A")

[0256] (Water(F)) (F):Pure water

[0257] (Metal powder (G)) (G1): Silver powder, manufactured by Tokuriki Chemical Laboratory Co., Ltd., product name "TC-101", median diameter d 50 :8.0μm, aspect ratio 16.4, average major axis 4.6μm

[0258] (Synthesis of vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A)) [Synthesis Scheme 1: Synthesis of First Vinyl Group-Containing Linear Organopolysiloxane (A1-1)] A first vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1-1) was synthesized according to the following formula (5). Specifically, 74.7 g (252 mmol) of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and 0.1 g of potassium siliconate were placed in a 300 mL separable flask equipped with a condenser and stirring blade and purged with Ar gas, and the mixture was heated to 120° C. and stirred for 30 minutes. An increase in viscosity was confirmed during this time. The temperature was then raised to 155°C and stirring was continued for 3 hours, after which 0.1 g (0.6 mmol) of 1,3-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane was added and the mixture was further stirred at 155°C for 4 hours. After another 4 hours, the mixture was diluted with 250 mL of toluene and washed three times with water. The washed organic layer was reprecipitated and purified by washing with 1.5 L of methanol several times, and the oligomer and polymer were separated. The resulting polymer was dried under reduced pressure at 60°C overnight to obtain a first vinyl group-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1-1) (Mn = 2.2 × 10 5 , Mw=4.8×10 5 The vinyl group content calculated by H-NMR spectroscopy was 0.04 mol %.

[0259] [ka]

[0260] [Synthesis Scheme 2: Synthesis of Second Vinyl-Containing Linear Organopolysiloxane (A1-2)] A second vinyl-containing linear organopolysiloxane (A1-2) was synthesized as shown in formula (6) below, by the same procedure as in the synthesis of (A1-1) above, except that 0.86 g (2.5 mmol) of 2,4,6,8-tetramethyl-2,4,6,8-tetravinylcyclotetrasiloxane was used in addition to 74.7 g (252 mmol) of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane. Furthermore, the vinyl group content calculated by H-NMR spectroscopy was 0.92 mol%.

[0261] [ka]

[0262] (Preparation of Silicone Rubber-Based Curable Composition) Silicone rubber-based curable compositions Samples 1, 2, and 3 were prepared according to the following procedure. First, a mixture of 90% vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A), silane coupling agent (D), and water (F) was pre-kneaded in the proportions shown in Table 1 below, and then silica particles (C) were added to the mixture and further kneaded to obtain a kneaded product (silicone rubber compound). Here, the kneading after adding the silica particles (C) was carried out through two steps: a first step of kneading for 1 hour under a nitrogen atmosphere at 60 to 90°C for the coupling reaction, and a second step of kneading for 2 hours under a reduced pressure atmosphere at 160 to 180°C for the removal of the by-product (ammonia).The mixture was then cooled, and the remaining 10% of the vinyl group-containing organopolysiloxane (A) was added in two portions, followed by kneading for 20 minutes. Next, organohydrogenpolysiloxane (B), platinum or a platinum compound (E) were added to 100 parts by weight of the obtained kneaded product (silicone rubber compound) in the proportions shown in Table 2 below, and the mixture was kneaded with a roll to obtain a silicone rubber-based curable composition.

[0263] (Preparation of insulating paste) 32 parts by weight of the obtained silicone rubber-based hardening composition of Sample 1 was immersed in 68 parts by weight of decane (solvent) and then stirred with a planetary centrifugal mixer to obtain an insulating paste.

[0264] (Preparation of conductive paste) 13.7 parts by weight of the obtained silicone rubber-based curable composition of Sample 2 was immersed in 31.8 parts by weight of decane (solvent), then stirred with a planetary centrifugal mixer, 54.5 parts by weight of metal powder (G1) was added, and then kneaded with a triple roll mill to obtain conductive paste 1.

[0265] In addition, 11.1 parts by weight of the obtained silicone rubber-based curable composition of Sample 2 was immersed in 25.9 parts by weight of decane (solvent), and then stirred with a planetary centrifugal mixer. 63.0 parts by weight of metal powder (G1) was added, and then kneaded with a triple roll mill to obtain a conductive paste 2.

[0266] [Table 1]

[0267] [Example 1] (Production of tongue movement measurement device) The obtained silicone rubber-based curable composition of Sample 3 was pressed at 170°C and 10 MPa for 10 minutes to form a sheet with a thickness of 150 μm, and then subjected to primary curing. Subsequently, secondary curing was performed at 200°C for 4 hours to obtain two A4-sized sheets of silicone rubber (cured product of the silicone rubber-based curable composition). Next, as shown in Figure 7, the obtained conductive paste 1 was used to draw seven wiring patterns, each 0.4 mm wide and 40 μm thick, on one side (outer surface) of the sheet-like silicone rubber using a mask having a predetermined pattern, and the pattern was dried at 140°C for 30 minutes to form seven wiring patterns. Next, the obtained insulating paste was used to form a coating film on the seven wiring patterns through a mask having a predetermined pattern, and dried at 140°C for 30 minutes to form a cover part pattern with a thickness of 50 μm. However, openings were formed in the cover part pattern so that both ends of the wiring pattern were exposed. Thereafter, two pressure sensors (force sensor, HSFPAR003A, manufactured by Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.) were placed across the ends of the four corresponding wiring patterns (power supply, GND (common to the two pressure sensors), output signal (+), output signal (-)), and these were adhered with the above-mentioned conductive paste 1, dried and hardened at 120°C for two hours. This hardening process formed an elastic wiring from the seven wiring patterns, formed an elastic cover from the cover pattern, and electrically joined each elastic wiring to each pressure sensor. A laminated sheet was prepared by placing another sheet of silicone rubber on which no wiring was printed on the printed surface of the sheet of silicone rubber on which the stretchable wiring had been formed. The laminated sheet was sewn into a glove shape using a sewing machine with thread, and the margins were cut off. The glove-shaped laminated sheet was then turned inside out to create the tongue movement measurement device shown in Figure 7. The tongue movement measuring device in Figure 7 consisted of a five-finger glove, two pressure sensors formed on the outer surface of the little finger part of the glove, and seven stretchable wires electrically connected to the pressure sensors and formed on the outer surface of the glove.

[0268] (hardness) The silicone rubber-based curable composition of Sample 3 used for the gloves was pressed at 170°C and 10 MPa for 10 minutes to form it into a sheet, and then subjected to primary curing. Subsequently, secondary curing was performed at 200°C for 4 hours, and a sheet-like glove 120 (cured product of the silicone rubber-based curable composition) with a thickness of 150 μm was obtained and used as a test specimen. The above test pieces were stacked to a thickness of 6 mm, and the durometer hardness A of the resulting sheet-like test piece at 25° C. was measured in accordance with JIS K6253 (1997). (tear strength) Using the above test piece, the tear strength at 25°C was measured in accordance with JIS K6252 (2001), with the unit being N / mm. (tensile strength) Using the above test pieces, the tensile strength was measured at 25°C in accordance with JIS K6251 (2004), with the unit being MPa. (Elongation at break) The test specimens were used to measure the elongation at break in accordance with JIS K6251 (2004). The elongation at break was calculated by [movement distance between chucks (mm)] ÷ [initial distance between chucks (35 mm)] × 100. The unit is %.

[0269] The obtained gloves for the tongue movement measurement device had a hardness of 29.7, a tear strength of 39.1 N / mm, a tensile strength of 9.4 MPa or more, and a breaking elongation of 1,036%. In addition, the volume resistance of the elastic wiring of the tongue movement measurement device at 25°C was 3.2 × 10 -4 The resistance was Ω·cm. Furthermore, the volume of the obtained silicone rubber sheet changed by within 10% before and after immersion in ethanol for 5 minutes, and the tear strength changed by within 1% before and after heating at 100°C for 10 minutes.

[0270] [Comparative Example 1] A tongue movement measuring device was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that a 0.5 mm thick urethane rubber sheet (commercially available) with a hardness of 90 was used instead of the above-mentioned silicone rubber sheet.

[0271] The obtained tongue movement measurement device was evaluated for the following items.

[0272] <Wearability> The ease of wearing (wearability) of the tongue movement measurement device when it was attached to the subject's hand and when it was removed from the hand was evaluated. It was confirmed that the tongue movement measuring device of Example 1 provided a much better wearing feeling than that of Comparative Example 1.

[0273] <Stretching durability> The obtained tongue movement measuring device of Example 1 was subjected to 10 repeated stretching operations in which it was stretched by 20% in the extending direction of the expandable wire, and the resistance value between the wires was measured over time. In Example 1, the resistance value when unstretched was 9.1Ω, the resistance value when unstretched after 10 stretches was 9.5Ω, and the maximum resistance value when stretched during 10 stretches was 13.3Ω. It was confirmed that the tongue movement measuring device of Example 1 can measure the resistance between the wires even after stretching. The resistance was measured in an environment of 25°C. Furthermore, it was confirmed that in the tongue movement measuring device of Example 1, separation of the glove from the stretchable wiring did not occur even after repeated stretching operations.

[0274] <Tongue movement measurement> (Development of a tongue movement monitoring system) The elastic wiring of the obtained tongue movement measuring device of Example 1 was electrically connected to a personal computer via an A / D conversion circuit (sampling frequency: 100 Hz, quantization resolution: 10 bit) to prepare a tongue movement monitoring system.

[0275] (characteristic evaluation) An external force (N) was applied to the pressure sensor using a load measuring device, and the output voltage (V) from the pressure sensor was measured. The force (N) was divided by the area of ​​the pressure-receiving surface to convert it into pressure (kPa). The nonlinear output voltage of the pressure sensor was converted to pressure (kPa) using an approximation curve so that the approximation error was within 12%. A force of 3 N was applied to the pressure-receiving surface of the pressure sensor, and the response time was measured when the force was instantly removed. Using the above tongue movement monitoring system, it was confirmed that it was possible to measure the relationship between the force (Pa) applied to the pressure sensor (when the output voltage is converted into pressure) and the response time.

[0276] (Subject tongue movement monitoring) After putting the glove of the tongue movement measurement device on the examiner's hand, the examiner inserted his little finger into the oral cavity of the subject (adult, male, 38 years old), and placed the pressure sensor placed on the fingertip on the surface of the subject's tongue. It was confirmed that when a subject moved their tongue, the external force (pressure) from the tongue movement could be monitored over time. [Explanation of symbols]

[0277] 1. Tongue movement monitoring system 10 Tongue movement information processing device 11 Acquisition Department 12 Storage section 13 Analysis Department 14 Communications Department 20 Network 30 devices 31 Display section 100 Tongue movement measurement device 110 Pressure Sensor 110a pressure sensor 110b Pressure sensor 120 gloves 121 Exterior 122 Inside 123 Finger section 123a Fingers (thumb) 123e Finger part (little finger part) 124 Instep 126 Wrist part 130 Stretchable wiring 130a wiring 130b wiring 130c wiring 130d wiring 140 Cover 141 Cover part 150 Reinforcement 200 moves 203 fingers 203a Thumb 203e pinky 204 A 206 Wrist 210 Nails 210e Nail

Claims

1. A tongue movement measuring device for measuring tongue movement of a subject, a glove made of insulating silicone rubber to be worn on the hand of the measurer; a pressure sensor provided in a fingertip region on the outer surface side of the glove for measuring tongue pressure; an elastic wiring electrically connected to the pressure sensor; Equipped with The glove has at least one finger, The pressure sensor converts a force received by a pressure receiving surface from an external force into an electric signal, and is disposed in a nail region where the measurer's nail is present in a circumferential direction of the finger portion, but is not disposed in a pad region where the measurer's finger is present. Tongue movement measurement device.

2. The tongue movement measuring device according to claim 1, A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the tear strength of the glove is 25 N / mm or more.

3. 3. The tongue movement measuring device according to claim 1, A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the glove can be sterilized by boiling.

4. The tongue movement measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the glove is alcohol-resistant.

5. The tongue movement measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A tongue movement measuring device, wherein an uneven structure is formed on the surface of the inner surface of the glove.

6. The tongue movement measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the glove sheet thickness is 20 μm or more and 2 mm or less.

7. The tongue movement measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the durometer hardness A of the glove is 10 or more and 80 or less.

8. The tongue movement measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The glove is a tongue movement measuring device having a back portion that covers the back of the hand of the person being measured and at least one finger portion connected to the back portion.

9. The tongue movement measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, A tongue movement measuring device having a reinforcing portion on the inner surface of the glove at a position facing the pressure sensor.

10. The tongue movement measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The glove is a tongue movement measuring device having a structure in which two sheets of insulating silicone rubber are layered on top of each other.

11. The tongue movement measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the stretchable wiring is made of conductive silicone rubber.

12. The tongue movement measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the stretchable wiring is made of a printed conductive paste containing a conductive filler and silicone rubber.

13. The tongue movement measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the elastic wiring has an extraction wiring portion that extends from the fingers to the back of the glove.

14. The tongue movement measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, A tongue movement measuring device, wherein the stretchable wiring has a multilayer wiring structure.

15. The tongue movement measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, A tongue movement measuring device comprising a cover portion made of insulating silicone rubber that covers the surface of the stretchable wiring.

16. The tongue movement measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, A tongue movement measuring device is attached to the glove and includes a wirelessly connectable network interface.

17. A tongue movement measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, a tongue movement information processing device; A tongue movement monitoring system comprising:

18. A tongue movement monitoring method, comprising a step of acquiring tongue movement information regarding the tongue movement of a subject using a tongue movement measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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