Wearable devices

Abstract

To achieve downsizing.SOLUTION: A wearable device (1) includes a device body (3) and a band (2). The band (2) is a band for mounting the device body (3) to a user and includes a power source (4) that supplies power to the device body (3). Since the wearable device (1) includes the battery (4) not in the device body (3) but in the band (2) as described above, the device body (3), and in turn, the wearable device (1) itself can be downsized.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to wearable devices, particularly wearable devices that can be miniaturized.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a smartwatch that displays the user's blood pressure measured by a sensor unit on a display or transmits it to another computer such as a paired smartphone (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The entire specification, claims, and drawings of Patent Document 1 are incorporated herein by reference.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, conventional smartwatches have a problem in that since the battery is built into the main body, the size of the main body depends on the size of the battery, and increasing the battery capacity increases the size of the main body. There is also a problem that startup operations such as long-pressing the power button are required. Furthermore, there is a problem that the number of components inside the main body increases.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a wearable device that can be miniaturized.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, a wearable device (1) according to the present invention includes a device main body (3) and the front byThe device comprises a band (2) for attaching the main body (3) to a user, the band (2) being equipped with a power supply (4) for supplying power to the main body (3).

[0007] In the above-described wearable device (1), the band (2) is a fastener (5a, 5b) for attaching to the device body (3), and the fastener (5a, 5b) has an internal conductive portion (50a, 50b) that is electrically connected to the power supply (4) inside the fastener. The device body (3) is provided with a fitting portion (30a, 30b) that can be fitted with the fastener (5a, 5b) and an internal conductive portion (32a, 32b). Power from the power supply (4) may be supplied to the device body (3) by fitting the fastener (5a, 5b) into the fitting portion (30a, 30b) and bringing the internal conductive portion (50a, 50b) and the internal conductive portion (32a, 32b) into contact and enabling conductivity.

[0008] In the above-described wearable device (1), the conductive portions (50a, 50b) inside the fasteners are partially exposed through the gaps (51a, 51b) of the fasteners (5a, 5b), and the conductive portions (32a, 32b) inside the device have protrusions (33a, 33b), and when the fasteners (5a, 5b) are fitted into the fitting portions (30a, 30b), the protrusions (33a, 33b) come into contact with the conductive portions (50a, 50b) inside the fasteners through the gaps (51a, 51b), thereby establishing electrical contact with the conductive portions (50a, 50b) inside the fasteners.

[0009] In the above-described wearable device (1), the protrusions (33a, 33b) may be configured to be expandable and retractable, and when the fasteners (5a, 5b) are inserted into the fitting portions (30a, 30b), the fasteners (5a, 5b) may push the protrusions into the device body (3), and when positioned at the slits (51a, 51b), they may protrude from the device body (3) and come into contact with the conductive portions (50a, 50b) inside the fasteners through the slits (51a, 51b).

[0010] In the above-described wearable device (1), the fasteners (5a, 5b) may be configured such that when the protrusions (33a, 33b) are positioned in the gaps (51a, 51b), the protrusions (33a, 33b) are rotatable around the fitting portions (30a, 30b) as axes, within a range in which the protrusions (33a, 33b) can move in the gaps (51a, 51b). [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wearable device that can be miniaturized. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] (a) is a transparent perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a wearable device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] (a) is an enlarged front view showing an example of the fastener configuration, and (b) is an enlarged top view showing an example of the fastener configuration. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged perspective view showing an example of the device's configuration. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the conductive part inside the device. [Figure 5] This is a surface cross-sectional view illustrating the conductive portion inside the device and the fastener before band attachment. [Figure 6] (a) is a surface cross-sectional view illustrating the conductive part inside the device and the fastener when the band is attached, and (b) is a surface cross-sectional view illustrating the conductive part inside the device and the fastener after the band has been attached. [Figure 7] (a) is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the conductive part inside the device and the fastener after the band has been attached, and (b) is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the rotational movement of the conductive part inside the device and the fastener. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The following describes embodiments for carrying out the present invention.

[0014] First, the configuration of the wearable device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described while referring to the drawings.

[0015] The wearable device according to this embodiment is composed of an electronic device such as a wristwatch, for example, a smartwatch.

[0016] FIG. 1(a) is an external perspective view showing a configuration example of the wearable device according to this embodiment, and FIG. 1(b) is a transparent perspective view showing a diagram of the configuration example of the wearable device.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1(a), the wearable device 1 includes a band 2 and a device body 3. In this embodiment, when the wearable device 1 is worn, the surface of the device body 3 that contacts the user's wrist is the back surface, the opposite surface (the surface with the touch screen) is the front surface, the joint surfaces of the band 2 and the device body 3 are the upper and lower surfaces, and the remaining surfaces are the side surfaces.

[0018] The band 2 is for wearing the wearable device 1, and includes a battery 4 at the central part and fasteners 5a and 5b at both ends, respectively. The user can wear the wearable device 1 by winding the band 2 around the wrist so that the back surface of the device body 3 faces inward. The battery 4 may be attached to the inside and outside of the band 2 or may be enclosed within the band 2.

[0019] The battery 4 is composed of a secondary battery such as a thin and bendable lithium-ion battery, for example. The battery 4 supplies power to the device body 3.

[0020] The fasteners 5a and 5b are for attaching the band 2 to the device body 3.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1(b), the fasteners 5a and 5b each include a fastener internal conduction part 5ba and 50b made of, for example, a metal with excellent conductivity inside.

[0022] Figure 2(a) is an enlarged front view showing an example of the fastener configuration, and Figure 2(b) is an enlarged top view showing an example of the fastener configuration.

[0023] As shown in Figures 2(a) and (b), the fasteners 5a and 5b each have elongated slits 51a and 51b formed in their center, and parts of the internal conductive portions 50a and 50b of the fasteners are exposed through the slits 51a and 51b, respectively.

[0024] As shown in Figure 1(b), the band 2 has a conductive wire 20 inside.

[0025] The conductive wire 20 is made of, for example, a metal with excellent conductivity. The conductive wire 20 electrically connects the battery 4 and the conductive parts 50a and 50b inside the fastener, and transmits the power supplied from the battery 4 to the conductive parts 50a and 50b inside the fastener.

[0026] The main device 3 consists of electronic components such as various sensors, a touchscreen, wireless communication equipment, operation buttons, a speaker, and a microcomputer. Under the control of the microcomputer, the main device 3 measures the user's core body temperature, blood pressure, and other biological information using sensors, and displays it on the touchscreen or wirelessly transmits it to an external computer such as a smartphone.

[0027] Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing an example of the device's configuration.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, fitting portions 30a and 30b are provided on both sides of the device body 3, respectively, into which fasteners 5a and 5b are rotatably fitted.

[0029] As shown in Figure 1(b), the device body 3 includes a substrate 31 inside.

[0030] The substrate 31 is made of an insulating material such as polyimide. The substrate 31 mounts various circuits such as antenna circuits and communication circuits, electronic components, and internal conductive parts 32a and 32b. The various circuits and electronic components mounted on the substrate 31 operate by receiving power supplied from the battery 4.

[0031] The conductive parts 32a and 32b within the device are made of, for example, a metal with excellent conductivity. The conductive parts 32a and 32b transmit power supplied from the battery 4 to various circuits and electronic components mounted on the substrate 31.

[0032] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of the conductive part inside the device.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the conductive portions 32a and 32b inside the device are provided with expandable and retractable spring pins (protrusions) 33a and 33b, respectively.

[0034] The spring pins 33a and 33b each comprise a substantially cylindrical pin portion 330a and 330b, and a spring portion 331a and 331b, respectively.

[0035] The pin portions 330a and 330b are made of, for example, a metal with excellent conductivity.

[0036] The spring sections 331a and 331b are made from general-purpose springs or the like.

[0037] When the band 2 is attached to the device body 3, the pin portions 330a and 330b of the spring pins 33a and 32b come into contact with the conductive portions 50a and 50b inside the fastener via the slits 51a and 51b, respectively. As a result, the conductive portion 32a inside the device and the conductive portion 50a inside the fastener become electrically connected. Also, the conductive portion 32b inside the device and the conductive portion 50b inside the fastener become electrically connected. Consequently, power is supplied from the battery 4 to the various circuits and electronic components mounted on the circuit board 31.

[0038] Next, the method for attaching the band 2 and the device body 3 in the wearable device 1 having the above configuration will be explained with reference to the drawings.

[0039] Figure 5 is a surface cross-sectional view illustrating the internal conductive part of the device and the fastener before band attachment, Figure 6(a) is a surface cross-sectional view illustrating the internal conductive part of the device and the fastener when band attachment is performed, and Figure 6(b) is a surface cross-sectional view illustrating the internal conductive part of the device and the fastener after band attachment.

[0040] As shown in Figure 5, before attaching the band 2 to the device body 3, the spring portions 331a and 331b of the spring pins 33a and 33b provided in the internal conductive portions 32a and 32b of the device are extended, and the pin portions 330a and 330b protrude from the internal conductive portions 32a and 32b of the device.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6(a), when the fasteners 5a and 5b of the band 2 are inserted into the fitting portions 30a and 30b of the device body 3, the spring portions 331a and 331b of the spring pins 33a and 33b are contracted by the fasteners 5a and 5b, and the pin portions 330a and 330b are pushed into the device body 3.

[0042] As shown in Figure 6(b), when the pin portions 330a and 330b of the spring pins 33a and 33b are positioned in the notches 51a and 51b of the fasteners 5a and 5b, the spring portions 331a and 331b of the spring pins 33a and 33b extend, and the pin portions 330a and 330b, which were pushed into the device body 3, protrude and come into contact with the conductive portions 50a and 50b inside the fasteners through the notches 51a and 51b. As a result, the conductive portions 32a and 32b inside the device are electrically connected to the power supply 4, and the device body 3 becomes electrically connected to the power supply 4 and can operate by receiving power supplied from the power supply 4. In other words, in this embodiment, the power supply 4 of the wearable device 1 is turned on when the band 2 is attached to the device body 3. Conversely, the power supply 4 is turned off when the band 2 is removed from the device body 3.

[0043] Figure 7(a) is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the internal conductive part of the device and the fastener after the band has been attached, and Figure 7(b) is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the rotational movement of the internal conductive part of the device and the fastener.

[0044] As shown in Figure 7(a), the longitudinal length of the elongated slits 51a and 51b of the fasteners 5a and 5b is longer than the diameter of the substantially cylindrical pin portions 330a and 330b of the spring pins 33a and 33b. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7(b), the fasteners 5a and 5b can rotate around the fitting portions 30a and 30b as axes, within the range in which the pin portions 330a and 330b can move within the slits 51a and 51b.

[0045] As described above, the wearable device 1 according to this embodiment comprises a device body 3 and a band 2. The band 2 is for attaching the device body 3 to the user and includes a power supply 4 for supplying power to the device body 3 and fasteners 5a and 5b for attaching to the device body 3.

[0046] Thus, because the wearable device 1 has the battery 4 in the band 2 rather than in the main device body 3, it is possible to miniaturize the main device body 3 and, consequently, the wearable device 1 itself. In addition, the number of components inside the main device body 3 can be reduced. Furthermore, by stacking a thin battery 4 on the band 2, the battery capacity can be easily increased.

[0047] Here, fasteners 5a and 5b have internal conductive parts 50a and 50b that are electrically connected to the power supply 4. Parts of the internal conductive parts 50a and 50b are exposed through the gaps 51a and 51b of fasteners 5a and 5b.

[0048] The device body 3 comprises fitting portions 30a and 30b that can be fitted with fasteners 5a and 5b, and internal conductive portions 32a and 32b. The internal conductive portions 32a and 32b have retractable spring pins (protrusions) 33a and 33b.

[0049] The fasteners 5a and 5b are fitted into the fitting portions 30a and 30b, and electrical conductivity is established by bringing the conductive portions 50a and 50b inside the fasteners into contact with the conductive portions 32a and 32b inside the device, thereby supplying power from the power supply 4 to the device body 3.

[0050] More specifically, when the fasteners 5a and 5b are fitted into the fitting portions 30a and 30b, the spring pins (protrusions) 33a and 33b come into contact with the fastener internal conductive portions 50a and 50b via the slits 51a and 51b, thereby establishing electrical contact with the fastener internal conductive portions 50a and 50b.

[0051] In this way, when the band 2 is attached to the device body 3 of the wearable device 1, and the conductive parts 50a and 50b inside the fastener come into contact with the conductive parts 32a and 32b inside the device (more specifically, the spring pins (protrusions) 33a and 33b), electrical conductivity is established, and power can be supplied from the power source 4 to the device body 3. As a result, the attachment point between the band 2 and the device body 3 of the wearable device 1 can be used as a contact point, allowing the user to turn on the power source 4 of the wearable device 1 with an intuitive operation such as attaching the band 2 to the device body 3. Furthermore, even if the power source 4 runs out of charge, the user can immediately use the wearable device 1 by replacing it with a band 2 equipped with a fully charged battery 4.

[0052] Furthermore, as the fasteners 5a and 5b are inserted into the fitting portions 30a and 30b, the spring pins (protrusions) 33a and 33b are pushed into the device body 3 by the fasteners 5a and 5b, and when they are positioned at the notches 51a and 51b, they protrude from inside the device body 3 and come into contact with the conductive portions 50a and 50b inside the fasteners via the notches 51a and 51b.

[0053] In this way, the spring pins (protrusions) 33a and 33b protrude when positioned in the slits 51a and 51b, and engage with the slits 51a and 51b, thereby enabling the wearable device 1 to position the band 2 and prevent the band 2 from shifting laterally.

[0054] In addition, the fasteners 5a and 5b are configured to be rotatable around the fitting portions 30a and 30b as axes, within a range in which the spring pins (protrusions) 33a and 33b can move between the gaps 51a and 51b when the spring pins (protrusions) 33a and 33b are positioned between the gaps 51a and 51b.

[0055] This allows users to easily wear the wearable device 1.

[0056] Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented in various forms and modified without departing from the broad spirit and scope of the invention. The above-described embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 1. Wearable devices 2 bands 3. Device body 4 Power supply 5a, 5b Fasteners 20 Conductive wires 30a,30b fitting part 31 circuit boards 32a, 32b Conductive parts within the device 33a, 33b Spring pin (protrusion) 50a,50b Conduction part inside the fastener 51a, 51b cut 330a, 330b Pin section 331a, 331b Spring section

Claims

[Claim 1] The device body (3) and A band (2) for attaching the device body (3) to a user, the band (2) comprising a power supply (4) for supplying power to the device body (3), It is equipped with, The band (2) is a fastener (5a, 5b) for attaching to the device body (3), and the fastener (5a, 5b) has an internal conductive part (50a, 50b) that is electrically connected to the power supply (4) inside. The device body (3) comprises fitting portions (30a, 30b) that can be fitted with the fasteners (5a, 5b), and internal conductive portions (32a, 32b), The fasteners (5a, 5b) are fitted into the fitting portions (30a, 30b), and the conductive portions (50a, 50b) inside the fasteners and the conductive portions (32a, 32b) inside the device are brought into contact and electrically connected, thereby supplying power from the power supply (4) to the device body (3). The conductive portions (50a, 50b) inside the fasteners are partially exposed from the gaps (51a, 51b) in the fasteners (5a, 5b). The internal conductive portion (32a, 32b) of the device has a protrusion (33a, 33b), and when the fastener (5a, 5b) is fitted into the fitting portion (30a, 30b), the protrusion (33a, 33b) comes into contact with the internal conductive portion (50a, 50b) of the fastener through the slit (51a, 51b), thereby establishing electrical contact with the internal conductive portion (50a, 50b) of the fastener. The protrusions (33a, 33b) are configured to be expandable and retractable, and when the fasteners (5a, 5b) are inserted into the fitting portions (30a, 30b), they are pushed into the device body (3) by the fasteners (5a, 5b), and when positioned in the slits (51a, 51b), they protrude from inside the device body (3) and come into contact with the conductive portions (50a, 50b) inside the fasteners through the slits (51a, 51b). The fasteners (5a, 5b) are configured to be rotatable around the fitting portions (30a, 30b) as axes, within a range in which the protrusions (33a, 33b) can move within the gaps (51a, 51b) when the protrusions (33a, 33b) are positioned in the gaps (51a, 51b). A wearable device (1) characterized by the following.

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