Thermometer for masks, mask with thermometer, and thermometer attachment for masks

Abstract

To provide a clinical thermometer for a mask, a mask with a clinical thermometer, and an attachment of a clinical thermometer for a mask which facilitate measuring the temperature of an exhaled air, while reducing an influence of an inhaled air.SOLUTION: A temperature sensor 2 is fitted, in the state of facing a user side, to the inside of a mask body M in a shape of a mask for covering a user's mouth and nostrils therewith and thereby measures the temperature of the user's exhaled air. An exhaled air introduction part 3 makes it easier to introduce the user's exhaled air to the temperature sensor than the user's inhaled air.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mask thermometer, a mask with a thermometer, and a mask thermometer attachment that can measure the temperature of a user's exhaled breath.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a facial mask type biological signal measuring device that measures body temperature by measuring the temperature of exhaled breath with a temperature sensor attached to a mask has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when a person breathes, the exhaled breath is warmed in the body and released into the mask, so the body temperature is reflected in the exhaled breath. On the other hand, since the outside air is taken into the mask during inhalation, the body temperature is not reflected in the inhaled breath. Therefore, it is considered preferable to measure the temperature of the exhaled breath while reducing the influence of inhalation.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a mask thermometer, a mask with a thermometer, and a mask thermometer attachment that can easily measure the temperature of exhaled breath while reducing the influence of inhalation.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The mask thermometer according to the present invention includes a temperature sensor that is attached toward the user side inside a mask-shaped mask body portion for covering the user's mouth and nostrils, and measures the temperature of the user's exhaled breath, and an exhaled breath introduction portion that makes the exhaled breath more likely to be guided to the temperature sensor than the user's inhaled breath.

[0007] With this configuration, the exhaled breath is more easily guided to the temperature sensor than the inhaled breath by the exhalation intake section, thus reducing the influence of inhalation and making it easier to measure the temperature of the exhaled breath.

[0008] Furthermore, it is preferable that the exhalation introduction section includes a cover portion having a cover-like shape that expands toward the user so as to cover at least a part of the temperature sensor, and that an opening is formed in the cover portion.

[0009] In this configuration, an opening is formed in the cover-like portion that expands toward the user, making it easier for the exhaled breath of the user to enter the cover through the opening. Since the cover covers at least a portion of the temperature sensor, the exhaled breath that enters the cover is more easily guided to the temperature sensor.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable that the temperature sensor and the cover portion are attached to the user-facing surface of the plate-shaped base, and that the cover portion has a dome shape which is cut off at an angle of 60 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less with respect to the user-facing surface, with the cut surface being the opening.

[0011] The cover portion, which is attached to the user-facing side of a plate-shaped base and has a dome shape, is cut off at an angle of 60 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less to the user-facing side, with the cut surface forming an opening. This allows the user's exhaled breath to come into contact with the inside of the mask body and flow along the inner surface of the mask body, facilitating efficient capture of that breath and guidance to the temperature sensor.

[0012] Furthermore, it is preferable that multiple openings are formed in the cover portion so as to open toward the user.

[0013] With this configuration, multiple openings in the cover face the user and are oriented in the direction from which the user's breath is exhaled, making it easy to efficiently draw exhaled air into the cover through the multiple openings and guide it to the temperature sensor.

[0014] Furthermore, the mask with a thermometer according to the present invention comprises the above-mentioned mask thermometer and the mask body, wherein the temperature sensor is attached to the inside of the mask body.

[0015] This configuration makes it easy to measure the temperature of exhaled breath while reducing the influence of inhaled breath, using a mask thermometer attached to the inside of the mask body.

[0016] Furthermore, the mask with a thermometer according to the present invention comprises the above-mentioned mask thermometer and the mask body, wherein the temperature sensor is mounted on the inside of the mask body, and the opening is located in the direction of the center of the mask body in the left-right direction.

[0017] With this configuration, when the user's exhaled breath hits the inside of the mask body and flows along the inner surface of the mask body, the cover of the mask thermometer makes it easy to efficiently capture that exhaled breath and guide it to the temperature sensor. As a result, it becomes easier to measure the temperature of the exhaled breath while reducing the influence of inhalation.

[0018] Furthermore, the mask thermometer attachment according to the present invention comprises the above-mentioned mask thermometer and an attachment portion for attaching the mask thermometer to the mask body, wherein the attachment portion comprises a plate-shaped base portion for supporting the mask thermometer and a clip portion attached to one end of the base portion, the clip portion can be attached to the mask body by clamping the edge of the mask body portion, and when attached to the mask body portion, the other end of the base portion is held toward the center of the mask body portion in the direction of attachment of the clip portion.

[0019] With this configuration, the mask thermometer can be attached to a position further inside the mask body by clipping the edge of the mask thermometer attachment. As a result, it becomes easier to measure the temperature of exhaled breath while reducing the influence of inhaled breath using a mask thermometer attached to the inside of the mask body by the mask thermometer attachment.

[0020] Furthermore, the mask thermometer attachment according to the present invention comprises the above-mentioned mask thermometer and an attachment portion for attaching the mask thermometer to the mask body, wherein the attachment portion comprises a plate-shaped base portion for supporting the mask thermometer and a clip portion attached to one end of the base portion, the clip portion can be attached to the mask body by clamping the edge of the mask body portion, and when attached to the mask body portion, the other end of the base portion is held toward the center of the mask body portion in the direction of attachment of the clip portion, and the opening is open toward the other end portion.

[0021] With this configuration, the mask thermometer can be attached to a position further inward than the edge of the mask body by clipping the edge of the mask thermometer attachment. Furthermore, in this state, the opening of the cover opens towards the center of the mask body. As a result, when the user's exhaled breath hits the inside of the mask body and flows along the inner surface of the mask body, the cover of the mask thermometer can efficiently capture that exhaled breath and guide it to the temperature sensor. Consequently, it becomes easier to measure the temperature of exhaled breath while reducing the influence of inhaled breath.

[0022] Furthermore, it is preferable that the covering portion has a lower thermal conductivity than the base portion.

[0023] This configuration reduces the risk of the user's exhaled breath entering the cover being cooled by heat conduction from the cover. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] A mask thermometer, a mask with a thermometer, and a mask thermometer attachment having such a configuration can easily improve the accuracy of body temperature measurement.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 8 is a front view of a mask thermometer attachment according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a mask body portion as viewed from the inside of the mask body portion. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mask thermometer attachment shown in FIG. 1 attached to a mask body portion as viewed from the outside of the mask body portion. [Figure 3] FIGS. 1 and 2 are four-sided views of the mask thermometer attachment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mask thermometer attachment shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the mask thermometer attachment shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the mask thermometer attachment shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a user wears a mask body portion to which a mask thermometer attachment is attached and breathes. [Figure 8] FIG. 3 is a two-sided view showing a modified example of the mask thermometer attachment shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the mask thermometer attachment shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a user wears a mask body portion to which the mask thermometer attachment shown in FIG. 8 is attached and breathes.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings. In each figure, components denoted by the same reference numerals are the same components, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0027] Figure 1 is a front view from the inside of the mask body showing the mask thermometer attachment according to one embodiment of the present invention attached to the mask body. Figure 2 is a perspective view from the outside of the mask body showing the mask thermometer attachment shown in Figure 1 attached to the mask body. The mask body M shown in Figures 1 and 2 is a so-called mask that covers the user's mouth and nose.

[0028] Figure 3 is a four-view drawing of the mask thermometer attachment 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the mask thermometer attachment 1 shown in Figure 1. The mask thermometer attachment 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 comprises a temperature sensor 2, an exhalation intake section 3, a circuit block 4, a base section 5, and a clip section 6. The exhalation intake section 3 consists of a cover section 31 with an opening 32. The base section 5 and the clip section 6 are examples of mounting sections.

[0029] The temperature sensor 2 and the exhalation intake unit 3 correspond to an example of a mask thermometer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] The base 5 has a roughly rectangular plate shape. The base 5 has sufficient strength to support the temperature sensor 2, the exhalation intake section 3, and the circuit block 4, and is made of a material that is not permeable to air.

[0031] A clip portion 6 is attached to one end E1 of the base portion 5. The clip portion 6 is a so-called clip and is made of, for example, an elastic metal. The clip portion 6 can be attached to the mask body portion M by elastically gripping the edge of the mask body portion M.

[0032] A circuit block 4 is attached to the base portion 5 on the side 51 opposite to the mask body portion M, which is clamped by the clip portion 6. The circuit block 4 is housed in, for example, a disc-shaped housing. A temperature sensor 2 is attached to the circuit block 4, approximately in the center on the side opposite to the base portion 5.

[0033] Surface 51 is the surface of the mask body M to which the mask thermometer attachment 1 is attached that faces the user when the mask is worn. Hereinafter, the direction in which the mask body M to which the mask thermometer attachment 1 is attached faces the user when the mask is worn will simply be referred to as the user side.

[0034] Figure 5 is an enlarged side view of the mask thermometer attachment 1 shown in Figure 3. The cover portion 31 is attached to the base portion 5. The cover portion 31 rises from the edge of one end E1 of the circuit block 4 and has a cover-like shape that bulges toward the user so as to cover at least a part, for example, about half, of the temperature sensor 2. The cover portion 31 has a shape that is cut off by a cut surface C that makes an angle R1 of 60 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less with respect to the surface 51 of the base portion 5. The cut surface C of the cover portion 31 forms an opening 32 that opens toward the other end E2. The cover portion 31 is made of a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the base portion 5.

[0035] When attached to the mask body M, the clip portion 6 holds the other end E2 of the base portion 5 toward the center of the mounting direction of the clip portion 6 on the mask body M. When the clip portion 6 is attached to the left and right edges of the mask body M, the mounting direction is left and right, and when the clip portion 6 is attached to the top and bottom edges of the mask body M, the mounting direction is up and down.

[0036] Figure 1 shows the case where the clip portion 6 is attached to the left and right edges of the mask body portion M, and the attachment direction is left to right. As a result, the other end E2 side of the base portion 5 is held toward the center CT in the left to right direction of the mask body portion M. The opening 32 opens toward the other end E2 side. Consequently, when the mask thermometer attachment 1 is attached to the mask body portion M, the opening 32 opens toward the center CT.

[0037] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of the mask thermometer attachment 1 shown in Figure 3. The mask thermometer attachment 1 shown in Figure 6 comprises a temperature sensor 2 and a circuit block 4. The temperature sensor 2 is a so-called temperature sensor that detects temperature t using, for example, a thermocouple or thermistor, and is connected to the control unit 41 of the circuit block 4.

[0038] Circuit block 4 comprises a control unit 41, a communication unit 42, and a battery 43. The communication unit 42 is a wireless circuit capable of wireless communication with an external terminal device. Various wireless methods can be used for the communication method of the communication unit 42, such as Bluetooth®, WiFi®, and mobile wireless communication. The terminal device that receives the wireless signal from the communication unit 42 may be various information processing devices such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, and personal computer.

[0039] The control unit 41 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs predetermined arithmetic processing, RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporarily storing data, a non-volatile storage device such as flash memory, and peripheral circuits. The control unit 41 functions as a communication processing unit 44 by executing a program stored in the aforementioned storage device.

[0040] The communication processing unit 44 transmits the temperature t detected by the temperature sensor 2 to an external terminal device via the communication unit 42. The battery 43 supplies power for the operation of the temperature sensor 2, the control unit 41, and the communication unit 42.

[0041] Next, the operation of the mask thermometer attachment 1 configured as described above will be explained. Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the state when a user wears the mask body M to which the mask thermometer attachment 1 is attached and breathes. The flow of exhaled air by the user is shown by solid arrows, and the flow of inhaled air by the user is shown by dashed arrows. As shown by the solid arrows in Figure 7, some of the exhaled air that the user exhales from their mouth and nose hits the inside of the mask body M and flows outwards from near the center of the mask body M.

[0042] On the other hand, the opening 32 of the cover portion 31 opens toward the central CT. Therefore, the direction of the opening 32 is oriented toward the direction from which exhaled air flows. As a result, the user's exhaled air enters through the opening 32 and is received by the cover portion 31. Since the temperature sensor 2 is located in the area covered by the cover portion 31, the temperature t of the user's exhaled air is efficiently measured by the temperature sensor 2.

[0043] The temperature t of the exhaled breath, measured by the temperature sensor 2, is wirelessly transmitted from the communication unit 42 to an external terminal device by the communication processing unit 44. Since the temperature t of the exhaled breath reflects the user's body temperature, the terminal device that receives the temperature t transmitted from the communication unit 42 can obtain the user's body temperature based on the temperature t.

[0044] On the other hand, as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 7, the inhaled air from the user passes through the mask body M and heads towards the user's mouth and nose. Therefore, the direction in which the inhaled air flows is different from the direction of the opening 32. Consequently, inhaled air is less likely to enter the cover 31 from the opening 32 compared to exhaled air. As a result, the user's exhaled air is more easily guided to the temperature sensor 2 than their inhaled air.

[0045] Therefore, since exhaled breath, which reflects the user's body temperature, is more easily guided to the temperature sensor 2 than inhaled breath, which does not reflect the user's body temperature, it becomes possible to measure the temperature of exhaled breath while reducing the influence of inhaled breath.

[0046] Figure 8 is a two-view view showing a modified example of the mask thermometer attachment 1 shown in Figure 3. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the mask thermometer attachment 1a shown in Figure 8. The mask thermometer attachment 1a shown in Figures 8 and 9 differs from the mask thermometer attachment 1 in that the exhalation intake section 3a is different. In other respects, the mask thermometer attachment 1a is configured the same as the mask thermometer attachment 1.

[0047] The exhalation intake section 3a consists of a cover portion 31a with multiple openings 32a formed therein. Multiple openings 32a are formed in the cover portion 31a so as to open toward the user. The cover portion 31a is attached to the base portion 5 and has a cover-like shape that rises from the periphery of the circuit block 4 and bulges toward the user so as to cover the temperature sensor 2. More specifically, the cover portion 31a has a roughly bottomed cylindrical shape, with multiple openings 32a formed at the bottom facing the user. The cover portion 31a is made of a material with a lower thermal conductivity than the base portion 5.

[0048] By making the covering portions 31 and 31a from a material with lower thermal conductivity than the base portion 5, the risk of the temperature of the user's exhaled breath entering the covering portions 31 and 31a decreasing due to heat conduction from the covering portions 31 and 31a is reduced. However, the covering portions 31 and 31a are not necessarily limited to being made from a material with lower thermal conductivity than the base portion 5.

[0049] Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a user wearing a mask body M with the mask thermometer attachment 1a shown in Figures 8 and 9 attached, and breathing. The flow of exhaled air is shown with solid arrows, and the flow of inhaled air is shown with dashed arrows. As shown by the solid arrows in Figure 10, the exhaled air that the user exhales from their mouth and nose flows from the user's side towards the mask body M.

[0050] On the other hand, the opening 32a of the cover portion 31a is open toward the user. Therefore, the direction of the opening 32a is oriented toward the direction from which exhaled air flows. As a result, the user's exhaled air enters through the opening 32a and is received by the cover portion 31a. Since the temperature sensor 2 is located in the area covered by the cover portion 31a, the temperature t of the user's exhaled air is efficiently measured by the temperature sensor 2.

[0051] On the other hand, as shown by the dashed arrows in Figure 10, the inhaled air from the user passes through the mask body M and heads towards the user's mouth and nose. Therefore, the direction in which the inhaled air flows is different from the direction of the opening of each opening 32a. Consequently, inhaled air is less likely to enter the cover portion 31a from the opening 32a compared to exhaled air. As a result, the user's exhaled air is more easily guided to the temperature sensor 2 than their inhaled air.

[0052] Therefore, since exhaled breath, which reflects the user's body temperature, is more easily guided to the temperature sensor 2 than inhaled breath, which does not reflect the user's body temperature, it becomes possible to measure the temperature of exhaled breath while reducing the influence of inhaled breath.

[0053] Furthermore, the mask thermometer attachments 1 and 1a may not have a base 5, and the circuit block 4 may be used as the base, and the cover portion 31 and 31a and the clip portion 6 may be attached to the circuit block 4 which serves as the base.

[0054] Furthermore, the mask thermometer, which includes a temperature sensor 2, exhalation intake sections 3, 3a, and a circuit block 4, is not limited to the example that constitutes the mask thermometer attachment 1, 1a. The mask thermometer may be attached to the mask body M by means of, for example, an adhesive or an adhesive sheet.

[0055] Alternatively, the mask may be configured as a mask with a thermometer attached to the mask body M. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1,1a Thermometer attachment for masks 2 Temperature sensors 3,3a Exhalation intake section 4 Circuit Blocks 5. Base (mounting part) 6. Clip part (mounting part) 31,31a Covering part 32,32a opening 41 Control Unit 42 Communications Department 43 Batteries 44 Communication Processing Unit 51 sides C Cut surface CT center E1 one end E2 Other end M Mask body R1 angle t temperature

Claims

1. A temperature sensor is attached to the inside of a mask-shaped mask body that covers the user's mouth and nose, facing the user, to measure the temperature of the user's exhaled breath. The system includes an exhalation introduction section that makes it easier for the exhaled air of the user to be guided to the temperature sensor than the inhaled air of the user, The aforementioned exhalation introduction section is, The cover portion includes a cover-like shape that expands toward the user so as to cover at least a part of the temperature sensor, An opening is formed in the covering portion. The temperature sensor and the cover are attached to the user-facing surface of the plate-shaped base. The cover portion has a dome shape, which is cut off at a cross-section that forms an angle of 60 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less with respect to the user-facing surface. A mask thermometer in which the aforementioned cut surface is the aforementioned opening.

2. A mask thermometer according to claim 1, The mask body portion is included, The temperature sensor is mounted on the inside of the mask body. The aforementioned opening is a thermometer-equipped mask that opens towards the center of the mask body in the left-right direction.

3. A mask thermometer according to claim 1, The mask thermometer is provided with an attachment part for attaching it to the mask body, The aforementioned mounting portion is A plate-shaped base that supports the aforementioned mask thermometer, It comprises a clip portion attached to one end of the base, The clip portion can be attached to the mask body by clamping the edge of the mask body, and when attached to the mask body, the other end of the base portion is held toward the center of the mask body in the direction in which the clip portion is attached.

4. A mask thermometer according to claim 1, The mask thermometer is provided with an attachment part for attaching it to the mask body, The aforementioned mounting portion is A plate-shaped base that supports the aforementioned mask thermometer, It comprises a clip portion attached to one end of the base, The clip portion can be attached to the mask body by clamping the edge of the mask body, and when attached to the mask body, the other end of the base portion is held toward the center of the mask body in the direction in which the clip portion is attached. The aforementioned opening is a mask thermometer attachment that opens on the other end side.

5. The mask thermometer attachment according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the covering portion has a lower thermal conductivity than the base portion.

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