Oral function measurement device

Abstract

Provided is an oral function measurement device that can be made more compact. This oral function measurement device 10 has a holder 11 and a measurement instrument 15. The measurement instrument 15 has a base part 60, a rotating body 80, and a rotation-impelling member 100. Pulling the measurement instrument 15 relative to the holder 11 causes the rotating body 80, via a connecting member 55, to rotate against rotation-impelling force. The measurement instrument 15 is provided with a rotation amount display part 95 for displaying the rotation amount of the rotating body 80 from an initial position when the measurement instrument 15 is pulled relative to the holder 11, the initial position being the position of the rotating body 80 before the measurement instrument 15 is pulled relative to the holder 11.

Description

Oral function measuring device

[0001] The present invention relates to an oral cavity function measuring device for measuring lip-closing force and / or occlusal force.

[0002] Having the mouth open on a daily basis, known as a gaping mouth (lip incompetence), makes it easier for bacteria and viruses to enter the mouth, leading to inconveniences such as tooth decay, periodontal disease, colds, and influenza, and can also lead to facial distortion. One way to eliminate this gaping mouth is to train the orbicularis oris muscle to improve lip closure.

[0003] Furthermore, the occlusal force required to bite down with teeth is important for maintaining life, but it can weaken with age or in the event of an accident, etc. In such cases, it may be desirable to strengthen the masticatory muscles to improve occlusal force.

[0004] Furthermore, if users could understand the extent to which their lip-closing force or bite force has improved, it would be helpful for them to further train. For this reason, devices for measuring lip-closing force and bite force exist.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 listed below describes an orbicularis oris muscle strength measuring device that has a mouthpiece portion that is fitted inside the lips, a traction portion formed on the mouthpiece portion so that it can protrude outside the lips and pull the mouthpiece portion outward, and a measuring portion that can detect the tensile stress of the mouthpiece portion towards the outside of the lips via the traction portion.

[0006] The measuring unit also has a rectangular cylindrical case that extends a predetermined length, a coil spring stored in the case, a movable case that can slide relative to the case, a hook portion that is attached to the movable case and can be connected to the traction unit, and a display unit that can quantitatively display the tensile stress on the traction unit based on the amount of deformation of the coil spring.

[0007] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-73896

[0008] The measuring unit that constitutes the orbicularis oris muscle strength measuring device in Patent Document 1 is configured to utilize the elastic force of a coil spring, so the case of the measuring unit must be made long enough to accommodate the coil spring, which results in the measuring device becoming larger in the height direction (length direction of the coil spring).

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an oral function improvement device that can measure lip closing force and / or bite force and can be made compact in height.

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an oral function measuring device for measuring lip closing force and / or bite force, comprising: a retainer having a gripping portion at its tip that is held in the mouth or teeth and is temporarily held in the mouth or teeth; and a measuring instrument that is connected to the retainer via a connecting member and measures the lip closing force and / or the bite force, wherein the measuring instrument has a base portion, a rotating body that is rotatably supported on the base portion, and a rotational biasing member that rotationally biases the rotating body in a predetermined direction, one end of the connecting member is connected to the retainer and the other end is connected to the rotating body, and is configured so that by pulling the measuring instrument relative to the retainer, the rotating body is rotated against the rotational biasing force of the rotational biasing member via the connecting member, and the measuring instrument is provided with a rotation amount display unit that displays the amount of rotation of the rotating body from its initial position when the measuring instrument is pulled relative to the retainer, with the position of the rotating body before the measuring instrument is pulled relative to the retainer being an initial position.

[0011] In the present invention, when the holding portion is held in the mouth or teeth and the holder is temporarily held in the mouth or teeth, and the measuring device is pulled relative to the holder, the rotating body rotates against the rotational force of the rotational force member via the connecting member.At this time, the amount of rotation of the rotating body can be grasped by the rotation amount display unit, which displays the amount of rotation of the rotating body from the initial position, so oral function including lip closing force and bite force can be measured, and since the oral function is measured using the rotating body, the oral function measuring device can be made compact.

[0012] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of an oral function measuring device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the oral function measuring device. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the oral function measuring device with some cases removed. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the case of the base part of the oral function measuring device. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the rotating body and rotating display body of the oral function measuring device. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the oral function measuring device with the holder and measuring instrument separated to measure oral function. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the oral function measuring device with some cases removed in the state of FIG. 6. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the oral function measuring device according to the present invention in use. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the oral function measuring device with some cases removed in the state of FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken at a position corresponding to the cross section taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the rotating body returned to its initial position from the state of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the oral function measuring device with some cases removed in the state of FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view taken at a position corresponding to the cross section taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2. 19 is a plan view showing a case where oral function is improved using a holder constituting the oral function measuring device according to the present invention, with a part of the case removed and the opening force between the tip ends of the pair of arms being smaller than that shown in FIG. 18. FIG. 20 is a plan view showing a case where oral function is improved using a holder, with a part of the case removed and the opening force between the tip ends of the pair of arms being larger than that shown in FIG. 17. FIG. 21 is a plan view showing a state where the pair of arms have been rotated from the state shown in FIG. 17 in a direction where their tip ends approach each other against the biasing force of the biasing member. FIG. 22 is a plan view showing a state where the pair of arms have been rotated from the state shown in FIG. 18 in a direction where their tip ends approach each other against the biasing force of the biasing member. FIG. 22 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of the oral function measuring device according to the present invention. FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the oral function measuring device. FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the oral function measuring device with a part of the case removed. FIG. 25 is an enlarged perspective view showing a first case of a base part of a measuring instrument constituting the oral function measuring device. FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken along arrows D-D in FIG.30 is a plan view showing the same oral function measuring device, in a state where the opening force between the tips of the pair of arms is smaller than in the case of FIG. 30. FIG. 26 is a plan sectional view of the state of FIG. 26 when the holder and the second case of the measuring device are removed. FIG. 26 is a plan sectional view of the state of FIG. 26 when the first case of the base part constituting the holder is removed and the structure of the second case side is seen. FIG. 26 is a plan sectional view at a position different from FIG. 27 when the holder and the second case of the measuring device are removed and the structure of FIG. 26 is removed and the structure of FIG. 26 is removed and the structure of FIG. 26 is removed and the structure of FIG. 27 ...

[0013] (One Embodiment of Oral Cavity Function Measuring Device) Hereinafter, one embodiment of an oral cavity function measuring device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, this oral function measuring device 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as "measuring device 10") is used to measure oral functions including lip closure force, which is the force used by the orbicularis oris muscle to close the mouth, and occlusal force, which is the force used by the masticatory muscles to bite into food with the teeth.

[0015] This measuring device 10 has a case-shaped base portion 20 consisting of a first case 21 and a second case 22, a holding portion 48 that is held in the mouth or teeth, a retainer 11 that is temporarily held in the mouth or teeth, and a measuring device 15 that is connected to the retainer 11 via a connecting member 55 and measures oral function.

[0016] The retainer 11 is mainly composed of a case-shaped base portion 20 consisting of a first case 21 and a second case 22, a pair of arm portions 40, 40 having a gripping portion 48 at a tip portion 43 that can be held in the mouth or teeth (in this embodiment, the gripping portion 48 is held by the upper lip 1 and the lower lip 2) and that are rotatably supported on the base portion 20 so that the tip portions 43, 43 move toward and away from each other, and a biasing member 50 that biases the tip portions 43, 43 of the pair of arm portions 40, 40 in directions that move them away from each other.

[0017] The biasing member 50 is a so-called torsion spring, which is made up of a wound portion 51 around which a wire is wound and a pair of arms 52, 52 extending from both ends of the wound portion 51.

[0018] On the other hand, the measuring instrument 15 is mainly composed of a base portion 60 consisting of a first case 61 and a second case 62, a rotating body 80 rotatably supported on the base portion 60, a rotating display body 90 rotatably supported on the base portion 60 and arranged coaxially with the rotating body 80, and a rotational biasing member 100 that biases the rotating body 80 to rotate in a predetermined direction.

[0019] The connecting member 55 is in the form of a string that extends to a predetermined length, and one end 56 of the extending member is ring-shaped and connected to the retainer 11, while the other end 57 has a hook portion that is larger in diameter than the other portion and is connected to the rotating body 80.

[0020] The rotational biasing member 100 is a so-called torsion spring, which is made up of a wound portion 101 around which a wire is wound and a pair of arms 102, 102 extending from both ends of the wound portion 101. As shown in Figures 7 and 9, the rotating body 80 is rotationally biased in a rotational biasing direction R by the rotational biasing force of the rotational biasing member 100.

[0021] In this measuring device 10, the measuring device 15 is pulled relative to the holder 11, causing the rotating body 80 to rotate against the rotational force of the rotational biasing member 100 via the connecting member 55 (see Figures 7, 12, etc.).

[0022] The measuring device 15 is also provided with a rotation amount display unit 95 which displays the amount of rotation of the rotating body 80 from the initial position (see Figure 7) of the rotating body 80 before the measuring device 15 is pulled relative to the holder 11 when the measuring device 15 is pulled relative to the holder 11.

[0023] First, the cage 11 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1, 3, 17, 18, etc. A pair of rotation support portions 25, 25 that support the rotation of a pair of arm portions 40, 40 are erected on both sides of the base end of the first case 21 and the second case 22 that constitute the base portion 20 of the cage 11. In addition, a spring support portion 26 that supports the wound portion 51 of the biasing member 50 is erected on the tip end side of each case 21, 22 in the center in the width direction.

[0024] Furthermore, a fixing portion 27 is erected between the pair of rotation support portions 25, 25 of each case 21, 22. Shafts of fasteners 27a such as bolts are inserted into these fixing portions 27, 27 and fastened with nuts or the like, thereby joining and integrating both cases 21, 22 to form the case-like base portion 20. Note that a ring-shaped one end 56 of a connecting member 55 is fitted onto the fixing portion 27, and one end 56 of the connecting member 55 is connected to the cage 11.

[0025] In addition, a notched groove 28 (see Figure 3) is formed in the base end of each case 21, 22, at the center in the width direction, and when both cases 21, 22 are integrated to form the base portion 20, it forms an insertion hole through which the connecting member 55 can be inserted.

[0026] 2, fitting portions 30 each having a generally T-shaped projection are formed on both sides in the width direction at the base end of base portion 20. These fitting portions 30 are adapted to detachably fit into fitting portions 69 (see FIG. 2) on the measuring device 15, and holder 11 and measuring device 15 are detachable via fitting portions 30, 69.

[0027] An arm insertion / removal opening 31 is formed at the tip of each of the cases 21 and 22 in the widthwise center thereof, allowing the pair of arms 40 to be inserted into and removed from the base 20 .

[0028] Furthermore, an elongated opening 34 is formed in the widthwise center between the spring support portion 26 and the arm receiving portion 33 of each of the cases 21 and 22. A pair of arms 52, 52 of the biasing member 50 are exposed from this opening 34 (see FIG. 6), and the arms 52 can be operated via the opening 34.

[0029] Next, the arm portion 40 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1, 3, 17, 18, etc. The holder 11 of this embodiment includes a pair of arm portions 40, 40 that are separate and independent from each other. The rotation support portion 25 of the base portion 20 is inserted into the base end portion 42 of the arm portion 40, and the pair of arm portions 40, 40 are rotatably supported by the base portion 20 so that the tip ends 43, 43 move toward and away from each other.

[0030] The jaw portion 48 attached to the tip 43 of each arm 40 is made up of a jaw portion main body 48a having a generally U-shaped frame shape so as to hold the upper lip 1 or the lower lip 2, and a generally square frame-shaped attachment portion 48b connected to the jaw portion main body 48a. The jaw portion 48 is attached to the tip 43 of the arm 40 by inserting the jaw portion attachment portion 44 (see FIG. 17) provided on the tip 43 side of the arm 40 into the attachment portion 48b.

[0031] A first protrusion 45 is provided on the inner surface of each arm 40 in the width direction, at a position adjacent to the base end 42, and a second protrusion 46 is provided at a position farther away from the base end 42 than the first protrusion 45. The first protrusion 45 is located on the base end side in the thickness direction of the arm 40, and the second protrusion 46 is located closer to the tip end in the thickness direction of the arm 40.

[0032] When the biasing member 50 is mounted on the base portion 20, the wound portion 51 of the biasing member 50, which is a torsion spring, is fitted onto the spring support portion 26 of the base portion 20, and the pair of arms 52 are engaged with the first protrusions 45 (see FIG. 17) or the pair of arms 52 are engaged with the second protrusions 46 (see FIG. 18). As a result, the tip ends 43 of the pair of arms 40 are biased in directions moving away from each other.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 17, when the arms 52 of the urging member 50 are engaged with the first protrusions 45 of the pair of arms 40, the force required to open the distal ends 43 of the pair of arms 40 is smaller (weak load) than in the state shown in Fig. 18. On the other hand, when the arms 52 of the urging member 50 are engaged with the second protrusions 46 of the pair of arms 40, the force required to open the distal ends 43 of the pair of arms 40 is larger (strong load) than in the state shown in Fig. 17.

[0034] Next, the measuring device 15 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 9. In Figures 6 and 7, the user holds the gripping portions 48, 48 between the upper lip 1 and the lower lip 2, temporarily holding the holder 11 in the mouth, and in this case, the tip ends 43, 43 of the pair of arms 40, 40 are close to each other.

[0035] The first case 61 and second case 62 that make up the base 60 of the measuring device 15 have an irregularly shaped base 63 consisting of a substantially circular plate-shaped base portion 63a and a tip plate portion 63b that is connected to the base portion 63a and extends at a constant width, and a peripheral wall 64 that extends from the periphery of the base 63 (see Figure 4). The base 63 and the peripheral wall 64 of both cases 61, 62 have shapes that fit together. In Figure 4, the width direction of the base 60 (the direction in which the tip plate portion 63b of the base 63 extends) is designated "W".

[0036] Furthermore, a generally cylindrical tubular portion 65 stands upright from the base plate portion 63a of the base 63 of the first case 61. This tubular portion 65 rotatably supports the rotating body 80. A generally cylindrical spring accommodating portion 66 stands upright on the radially inner side of the tubular portion 65, coaxially with the tubular portion 65. Furthermore, a frame-shaped spring locking portion 66a integrally projects from a predetermined circumferential position of the spring accommodating portion 66.

[0037] The wound portion 101 of the rotational biasing member 100 is accommodated and held within the spring accommodating portion 66, and one arm portion 102 of the rotational biasing member 100 is inserted into the spring locking portion 66a, so that the arm portion 102 is locked to the spring locking portion 66a.

[0038] A rotation restriction frame 67 having a generally arc-shaped frame shape is provided between the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 65 and the outer periphery of the spring accommodating portion 66. This rotation restriction frame 67 receives a rotation restriction protrusion 85 (see FIG. 9 ) of the rotating body 80, and one end 67 a in the circumferential direction of the rotation restriction frame 67 is abutted by the rotation restriction protrusion 85 of the rotating body 80, which is rotationally biased in the rotation biasing direction R, thereby restricting the rotation of the rotating body 80.

[0039] Furthermore, a connecting member pull-out opening 68 for pulling out the connecting member 55 is formed on the peripheral wall 64 of each of the cases 61 and 62 on the side of the tip plate portion 63b of the base portion 63.

[0040] Furthermore, roughly U-shaped frame portions 69a, 69a are provided on both sides in the width direction W at the very ends of the tip plate portions 63b of the base portions 63 of both cases 61, 62. When both cases 61, 62 are integrated to form the base portion 60, the frame portion 69a on the first case 61 side and the frame portion 69a on the second case 62 side are integrated to form a fitting portion 69 having a roughly T-shaped frame shape as shown in Figure 2. The fitting portion 30 on the retainer 11 side is detachably fitted into this fitting portion 69, and the retainer 11 and the measuring device 15 are detachable via the fitting portions 30, 69.

[0041] Furthermore, a substantially cylindrical fixing portion 70 is erected on one side in the width direction W on the tip plate portion 63b side of the base portion 63 of each of the cases 61, 62. The shafts of fasteners 70a, such as bolts, are inserted into these fixing portions 70, 70 and fastened with nuts or the like, thereby joining and integrating the cases 61, 62 to form the case-shaped base portion 60. The internal space of the base portion 60 is adapted to accommodate a rotating body 80, a rotating display body 90, a rotation biasing member 100, etc.

[0042] A thin plate-shaped upright wall 71 projects from the outer periphery of each fixing portion 70 toward the other side in the width direction W of the tip plate portion 63b of the base portion 63, and a groove portion 71a is formed at the tip of the upright wall 71. When both cases 61, 62 are integrated to form the base portion 20, an insertion hole for inserting the connecting member 55 is formed on the radially outer side of the fixing portions 70, 70 by the pair of upper and lower groove portions 71a, 71a.

[0043] Furthermore, a generally fan-shaped opening 34 is formed at a predetermined location on the substrate portion 63a of the base 63 of the second case 62. As shown in Figure 2, the rotation amount display portion 95 of the rotary display body 90 is exposed from this opening 34.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8, a substantially cylindrical support shaft 73 stands upright toward the first case 61 from approximately the center of the inner edge of the substantially fan-shaped opening 34 on the substrate portion 63a of the base 63 of the second case 62. This support shaft 73 rotatably supports the rotary display body 90.

[0045] Next, the rotating body 80 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5, 8, 9, etc. The rotating body 80 has a substantially circular plate-shaped base 81 and a peripheral wall 82 extending from the periphery of the base 81. As shown in Figure 8, the peripheral wall 82 is disposed on the outer periphery of the tip of the cylindrical portion 65 provided in the first case 61 of the base portion 60, and the rotating body 80 is rotatably supported relative to the cylindrical portion 65.

[0046] A circular shaft insertion hole 83 is formed in the radial center of the base 81, and the support shaft 73 provided on the second case 62 side of the base 60 is inserted through this hole (see FIG. 8 ). Furthermore, an annular protrusion 83a having a ring-shaped projection is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the shaft insertion hole 83 on the front (outer) surface of the base 81. As shown in FIG. 8 , this annular protrusion 83a partially abuts against the back surface (inner surface) of the base 91 of the rotating display body 90, preventing the entire front surface of the base 81 of the rotating body 80 from contacting the entire back surface of the base 91 of the rotating display body 90, thereby reducing contact resistance between the rotating body 80 and the rotating display body 90.

[0047] 9, a spring locking portion 84 having a generally U-shaped frame shape is provided on the inner surface of the base portion 81. The other arm portion 102 of the rotational biasing member 100 is disposed so as to be able to be locked at a predetermined location on the inner surface of this spring locking portion 84, and the rotational biasing force of the rotational biasing member 100 is applied to the rotating body 80, so that the rotating body 80 is rotationally biased in the rotational biasing direction R (see FIGS. 7 and 9).

[0048] 8, a rotation restricting protrusion 85 protrudes from the tip surface of the spring locking portion 84. This rotation restricting protrusion 85 is inserted into the rotation restricting frame 67 provided on the first case 61 of the base portion 60, and when the rotating body 80 is rotationally biased in the rotation biasing direction R, it abuts against one circumferential end 67a of the rotation restricting frame 67 to restrict rotation of the rotating body 80 (see FIG. 9). In other words, the one end 67a of the rotation restricting frame 67 and the rotation restricting protrusion 85 function as a rotation stopper that restricts rotation of the rotating body 80 in the rotation biasing direction R relative to the base portion 60.

[0049] 5, a pressing portion 86 and a support portion 87 bulge out from the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 82 at positions spaced apart in the circumferential direction. The pressing portion 86 and the support portion 87 are provided at a predetermined height from the tip of the peripheral wall 82 in the extension direction (the end opposite the base portion 81) toward the base portion 81.

[0050] 8, the pressing portion 86 and the support portion 87 are disposed adjacent to the tip (lower end) of a peripheral wall 92 of a rotating display body 90 that is disposed coaxially with the rotating body 80, and hold the rotating display body 90 in a stable position. The pressing portion 86 also presses a pressed portion 94 (see FIG. 9) of the rotating display body 90, causing the rotating display body 90 to rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating body 80.

[0051] Furthermore, a thin, plate-like flange portion 88a extending in an approximately arc shape protrudes from the outer periphery of the peripheral wall 82 at a location a predetermined distance away in the circumferential direction from the pressing portion 86, and a connecting member engaging portion 88 in the form of an approximately arc-shaped protrusion is protruded from one end of the extending direction of this flange portion 88a, which is the outer edge portion.

[0052] Then, as shown in Figure 9, the portion of the connecting member 55 closer to the other end 57 is placed on the flange portion 88a, and the other end 57 of the connecting member 55 is hooked onto and engaged with the connecting member engaging portion 88 through the gap 88b between the peripheral wall 82 and the connecting member engaging portion 88, thereby connecting the other end 57 of the connecting member 55 to the rotating body 80.

[0053] Next, the rotary display body 90 will be described in detail with reference to Figures 5, 7, 8, etc. The rotary display body 90 is linked to the rotor 80 only when rotating in a direction against the rotational biasing force of the rotational biasing member 100 (the direction opposite to the rotational biasing direction R), and has a rotation amount display unit 95. The frictional force of the rotary display body 90 with respect to the base unit 60 is configured to be greater than the frictional force of the rotary display body 90 with respect to the rotor 80.

[0054] More specifically, the rotating display body 90 of this embodiment has a base 91 in the shape of a substantially circular plate, and a peripheral wall 92 extending from the periphery of the base 91. The peripheral wall 92 is disposed radially outward of the outer periphery of the base 81 of the rotating body 80 and a portion of the peripheral wall 82, and supports the rotating display body 90 rotatably relative to the rotating body 80. At this time, frictional force is generated between the outer periphery of the outer periphery of the base 81 of the rotating body 80 or the outer periphery of the portion of the peripheral wall 82 and the inner periphery of the peripheral wall 92.

[0055] A circular shaft hole 93 is formed in the radial center of the base 91, and the support shaft 73 provided on the second case 62 side of the base unit 60 is inserted into the shaft hole 93, so that the base 91 is rotatably supported relative to the second case 62 of the base unit 60 (see FIG. 8). That is, the rotating display body 90 is rotatably supported by the base unit 60, and is also rotatably supported by the rotating body 80. In other words, the rotating body 80 and the rotating display body 90, which are coaxially arranged, are configured to rotate relative to each other.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 5, a stepped portion 93a is formed on the inner periphery of the shaft hole 93, and an O-ring 110 made of an elastic material is disposed on the stepped portion 93a (see Fig. 8). As shown in Fig. 8, this O-ring 110 is disposed between the support shaft 73 of the base part 60 and the shaft hole 93 of the rotary display body 90, and generates a frictional force between the support shaft 73 and the shaft hole 93, i.e., generates a frictional force between the base part 60 and the rotary display body 90.

[0057] Furthermore, a ring-shaped protrusion 93b is formed on the surface (outer surface) of the base 91, on the outer peripheral edge of the shaft hole 93. As shown in Fig. 8, this ring-shaped protrusion 93b partially abuts against the back surface (inner surface) of the base 63 of the second case 62 of the base part 60, and prevents the entire surface of the base 91 of the rotating display body 90 from contacting the entire back surface of the base 63 of the second case 62, thereby reducing the contact resistance between the base part 60 and the rotating display body 90.

[0058] 8, a tongue-shaped pressed portion 94 hangs down from the axial tip end surface at a predetermined circumferential position of the peripheral wall 92. A pair of parallel ridges 94a, 94a are provided on the outer surface of this pressed portion 94 and on corresponding positions on the outer surface of the peripheral wall 92, thereby improving the rigidity of the pressed portion 94.

[0059] 9 , when the measuring device 15 is pulled relative to the holder 11 via the connecting member 55 from a state (initial state) in which the measuring device 15 is not being pulled relative to the holder 11 and the rotating body 80 is not rotating, a pulling force acts on the other end 57 of the connecting member 55, causing the rotating body 80 connected to the other end 57 to rotate in the direction opposite to the rotational biasing direction R against the rotational biasing force of the rotational biasing member 100. Then, the pressing portion 86 of the rotating body 80 presses the pressed portion 94 of the rotating display body 90, so that the rotating display body 90 rotates in conjunction with the rotating body 80 in the direction opposite to the rotational biasing direction R (see FIGS. 11 to 13 ).

[0060] Furthermore, when the rotating display body 90 rotates in the rotational bias direction R relative to the rotating body 80, the pressed portion 94 comes into contact with the pressing portion 86 of the rotating body 80 (see FIG. 9 ), restricting further rotation of the rotating display body 90. In other words, the pressing portion 86 of the rotating body 80 and the pressed portion 94 of the rotating display body 90 also function as a rotation stopper that restricts rotation of the rotating display body 90 in the rotational bias direction R relative to the rotating body 80.

[0061] Furthermore, a protruding rotation amount indicator 95 is provided on the surface of the base 63 (the surface facing the base 63 of the second case 62) at a position circumferentially close to the pressed portion 94. The rotation amount indicator 95 in this embodiment is a rod-shaped protrusion that extends linearly, and protrudes toward the opening 72 of the second case 62 that constitutes the base 60. The protruding rotation amount indicator 95 is visible through the opening 72, and can be touched (picked up) from outside the base 60 through the opening 72.

[0062] Furthermore, the rotation amount display unit 95 sets the initial position to the position of the rotating body 80 when the rotating body 80 is in an initial state (see FIGS. 6, 7, and 10) before the measuring device 15 is pulled relative to the holder 11 and the rotating body 80 is not rotating. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the initial position of the rotating body 80 is set to a state in which one end 67a of the rotation restriction frame portion 67 of the base portion 60 and the rotation restriction protrusion 85 of the rotating body 80 abut against each other and rotation of the rotating body 80 relative to the base portion 60 in the rotational biasing direction R is restricted.

[0063] Furthermore, in a state where rotation of the rotating body 80 relative to the base part 60 in the rotational bias direction R is restricted, the pressing part 86 of the rotating body 80 and the pressed part 94 of the rotating display body 90 abut against each other as shown in Fig. 9, and the rotation of the rotating display body 90 relative to the rotating body 80 in the rotational bias direction R is restricted. This state is defined as the initial position of the rotating display body 90. In this state, the rotation amount display part 95 is located on one circumferential end side of the opening 72 of the base part 60 (see Figs. 6 and 10).

[0064] As described above, when the measuring device 15 is pulled relative to the holder 11 via the connecting member 55 from a state in which the rotation of the rotating body 80 is restricted in the rotational biasing direction R relative to the base portion 60 and the rotation of the rotational display body 90 is restricted in the rotational biasing direction R relative to the rotating body 80 (see FIGS. 9 and 10 ), the rotating body 80 rotates in the direction opposite to the rotational biasing direction R against the rotational biasing force of the rotational biasing member 100, and the rotational display body 90 rotates in conjunction with the rotating body 80 in the direction opposite to the rotational biasing direction R (see FIG. 12 ), and accordingly, the rotation amount display unit 95 moves within the opening 72 of the base portion 60, as shown in FIG. 11 . In this case, the rotation amount display unit 95 moves from one circumferential end of the opening 72 to the other circumferential end.

[0065] As described above, in this measuring device 10, as the measuring device 15 is pulled against the holder 11, the rotation amount display section 95 within the opening 72 is displaced (see Figures 10 and 11), making it possible to determine how much the rotating body 80 has rotated from its initial position, i.e., the amount of rotation of the rotating body 80 from its initial position, and as a result, it becomes possible to measure oral function (lip closing force in this embodiment).

[0066] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, after the rotating display body 90 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotating body 80, when the pulling force from the measuring device 15 no longer acts on the holder 11, i.e., when the pulling force from the connecting member 55 no longer acts on the rotating body 80, the rotating body 80 rotates in the rotational biasing direction R due to the rotational biasing force of the rotational biasing member 100 and returns to its initial position (see Figures 15 and 16).

[0067] At this time, as described above, in this embodiment, an O-ring 110 is disposed between the support shaft 73 of the base portion 60 and the shaft hole 93 of the rotary display body 90 (see FIG. 8 ), which generates a frictional force between the support shaft 73 and the shaft hole 93, thereby generating a frictional force on the rotary display body 90 relative to the base portion 60. This frictional force is configured to be larger than the frictional force of the rotary display body 90 relative to the rotary body 80 (the frictional force generated between the outer peripheral edge of the base portion 81 of the rotary body 80 or a part of the outer peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 82 and the inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 92).

[0068] Therefore, even if the rotating body 80 is returned to its initial position by the rotational biasing force of the rotational biasing member 100 as described above, the rotating display body 90 is maintained in that position without rotating, as shown in Figures 15 and 16.

[0069] (Variant example) The shape, structure, layout, etc. of the holder (base portion, first and second cases constituting the base portion, arm portion, urging member, etc.), connecting member, and measuring instrument (base portion, first and second cases constituting the base portion, rotating body, rotating display body, rotation urging member, etc.) that constitute the oral function measuring device of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0070] The base portion 60 of the measuring instrument 15 is in the shape of a case that houses the rotating body 80 and the rotating display body 90, but the base portion may be in the shape of, for example, a rectangular case or an oval case, or may be in the shape of a plate of a predetermined shape rather than a case.

[0071] In this embodiment, the connecting member 55 is in the form of a string with a predetermined diameter, but the connecting member may also be, for example, a flat string, a wound flat plate, or a plurality of foldable plate-like bodies, as long as it is capable of connecting the holder and the measuring device.

[0072] Although the present embodiment includes the rotating body 80 and the rotating display body 90, the configuration may include only the rotating body. In this case, for example, the rotating body itself may be provided with a rotation amount display unit.

[0073] In this embodiment, the rotation amount display unit 95 is a rod-shaped protrusion extending in a straight line, but the rotation amount display unit may also be, for example, a circular dot, a triangular dot, a rectangular dot, or the like, or a number such as Arabic numerals, Chinese numerals, or Roman numerals, or a specified figure, and further, these may be made into protrusions, colored protrusions, depressions, or recesses, or the depressions or recesses may be filled with paint or printed, as long as the user can grasp the amount of rotation of the rotating body.

[0074] The rotation amount indicator may also be provided on the connecting member. For example, the rotation amount indicator can be provided by marking the intermediate portion between both ends of the connecting member with a scale or by color coding. In this case, it is preferable that the connecting member has a width large enough to accommodate the rotation amount indicator.

[0075] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the periphery of the opening 72 of the second case 62 is plain and has no markings or the like, but various kinds of markings may be provided around the periphery of the opening. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the opening 72 is provided in the base 60 and the rotation amount display unit 95 is visible through the opening 72, but for example, the base of the measuring device may be partially or entirely made of a transparent material so that the rotation amount display unit is visible from outside the base.

[0076] In addition, in this embodiment, a support shaft 73 is provided on the base portion 60, and an axial hole 93 into which the support shaft 73 is inserted is formed in the rotating display body 90, but a support shaft may also be provided in the rotating display body, and an axial hole into which the support shaft is inserted may be formed in the base portion.

[0077] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an O-ring 110 that generates a frictional force is arranged between the support shaft 73 of the base portion 60 and the shaft hole 93 of the rotating display body 90, and this O-ring 110 makes the frictional force of the rotating display body 90 relative to the base portion 60 greater than the frictional force of the rotating display body 90 relative to the rotating body 80.

[0078] However, for example, (1) the outer periphery of the support shaft and / or the inner periphery of the shaft hole may be subjected to a surface treatment that makes them rougher than other parts, or they may be made of a different material than other parts, (2) a friction resistance imparting member such as a plate-shaped rubber may be placed between the base part or the rotating display body, or (3) the back surface of the base part and / or the surface of the rotating display body may be subjected to a surface treatment that makes them rougher than other parts, or they may be made of a different material than other parts, so that the frictional force of the rotating display body against the base part is greater than the frictional force of the rotating display body against the rotating body.

[0079] Furthermore, the measuring device 10 in this embodiment measures lip-closing force, which is one of the oral functions, by holding the biting portion 48 between the upper lip 1 and lower lip 2, but the measuring device may also be configured to measure bite force, which is another oral function, by holding the biting portion 48 between the upper and lower teeth.

[0080] (Operation and Effect) Next, the operation and effect of the measuring device 10 configured as described above will be described.

[0081] First, the engagement between the engaging portions 30, 69 is released to separate the holder 11 and the measuring device 15. In this state, as shown in Figure 10, the user holds the gripping portions 48, 48 between their upper and lower lips 1 and 2 to temporarily hold the holder 11 in their mouth. Furthermore, the rotation amount display unit 95 of the measuring device 15 is aligned to its initial position, i.e., at one circumferential end of the opening 72 in the base unit 60 (see Figures 6 and 10). The rotating body 80 is automatically positioned in its initial position by the rotational biasing force of the rotational biasing member 100.

[0082] In this state, the measuring device 15 is pulled relative to the holder 11 via the connecting member 55. This causes the rotating body 80 to rotate in the direction opposite to the rotational biasing direction R against the rotational biasing force of the rotational biasing member 100, and in conjunction with this, the rotational display body 90 also rotates in the direction opposite to the rotational biasing direction R (see FIG. 12), and the rotation amount display unit 95 moves within the opening 72 of the base part 60 (see FIG. 11).

[0083] When the user releases holder 11 from their mouth, exceeding the lip closing force, temporary retention of holder 11 by the mouth is released, and the pulling force from connecting member 55 no longer acts on rotating body 80 (pulling of measuring device 15 against holder 11 stops). Then, due to the rotational biasing force of rotational biasing member 100, rotating body 80 rotates in rotational biasing direction R and immediately returns to its initial position (see FIGS. 15 and 16 ).

[0084] At this time, the O-ring 110 arranged between the support shaft 73 of the base portion 60 and the shaft hole 93 of the rotating display body 90 generates a frictional force between the support shaft 73 and the shaft hole 93, and since this frictional force is greater than the frictional force of the rotating display body 90 against the rotating body 80, even if the rotating body 80 returns to its initial position by the rotational force of the rotational force member 100, the rotating display body 90 is held in that position without rotating (see Figures 15 and 16).

[0085] As a result, the amount of rotation of the rotating body 80 from its initial position can be ascertained by visually checking the rotation amount display unit 95 through the opening 72 of the base unit 60, and therefore lip-closing force, which is an oral function, can be measured. In other words, the amount of rotation of the rotating body 80 displayed by the rotation amount display unit 95 at the moment the user releases the holder 11 from their mouth can be measured as the user's lip-closing force.

[0086] In this measuring device 10, the amount of rotation of the rotating body 80 can be grasped by the rotation amount display unit 95, which displays the amount of rotation of the rotating body 80 from the initial position, so that lip-closing force can be measured, and since the measuring device 10 is configured to measure oral function using the rotating body 80, it is possible to make the measuring device 10 compact. In particular, the rotating body 80 does not take up much space in the height direction (the direction along the center of rotation of the rotating body 80 and the rotating display body 90) relative to the base unit 60, so it is easy to make the measuring device 10 compact in the height direction.

[0087] In addition, in this embodiment, a rotating display body 90 arranged coaxially with the rotating body 80 is rotatably supported on the base portion 60, and the rotating display body 90 is linked to the rotating body 80 only when rotating in a direction against the rotational force of the rotational force member 100 and has a rotation amount display portion 95, and the frictional force of the rotating display body 90 relative to the base portion 60 is configured to be greater than the frictional force of the rotating display body 90 relative to the rotating body 80.

[0088] According to the above-described embodiment, the frictional force of the rotating display body 90 relative to the base portion 60 is configured to be greater than the frictional force of the rotating display body 90 relative to the rotating body 80. Therefore, when the holder 11 is temporarily held in the mouth to measure lip-closing force and the measuring device 15 is pulled relative to the holder 11, and then the pulling of the measuring device 15 relative to the holder 11 is stopped, the rotating body 80 returns to its initial position due to the rotational biasing force of the rotational biasing member 100, but the rotation of the rotating display body 90 is restricted and held in that position (see FIGS. 15 and 16 ). As a result, the amount of rotation of the rotating body 80 can be reliably determined, and oral function can be accurately measured.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a support shaft 73 is provided on the base portion 60, an axial hole 93 into which the support shaft 73 is inserted is formed in the rotating display body 90, and an O-ring 110 is arranged between the support shaft 73 and the axial hole 93 to generate frictional force (see Figure 8).

[0090] According to the above-described embodiment, when the measuring device 15 is pulled against the holder 11 and then the pulling of the measuring device 15 against the holder 11 is stopped, a structure that restricts the rotation of the rotating display body 90 and holds it in that position can be realized with a simple structure of the support shaft 73, the shaft hole 93, and the O-ring 110, thereby simplifying the structure of the measuring device 10 and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0091] In addition, in this embodiment, the base portion 60 is in the shape of a case having an opening 72, and the rotating display body 90 is provided with a rotation amount display portion 95 in the form of a protrusion that protrudes toward the opening 72.

[0092] According to the above aspect, the rotary display body 90 is provided with the rotation amount display unit 95 that has a protruding shape and protrudes toward the opening 72, and therefore the protruding rotation amount display unit 95 can be touched through the opening 72 of the base unit 60. As a result, the rotary display body 90 can be rotated via the rotation amount display unit 95, which makes it easier to return the rotary display body 90 to its initial position after measuring oral function.

[0093] Furthermore, in this embodiment, fitting portions 30, 69 that enable detachment of the holder 11 and the measuring device 15 are provided between the holder 11 and the measuring device 15. According to the above aspect, the fitting portions 30, 69 allow the holder 11 and the measuring device 15 to be detached from each other, which prevents the holder 11 or the measuring device 15 from being lost and makes management easier.

[0094] Incidentally, if the rotation amount display unit is provided on the connecting member, when measuring oral function, the rotation amount of the rotating body can be grasped by utilizing the connecting member, which is an essential component that connects the holder 11 and the measuring device 15, and there is no need to provide a separate rotation amount display unit, thereby simplifying the oral function measuring device.

[0095] The retainer 11 can also be used to improve oral functions such as lip-closing force and bite force. In this case, after the upper lip 1 and lower lip 2 bite the jaw portions 48, 48, the user opens the pair of arms 40, 40 (movement to open the mouth) due to the biasing force of the biasing member 50, and then the user closes the pair of arms 40, 40 (movement to close the mouth) against the biasing force of the biasing member 50 (see FIGS. 17 to 20 ). This strengthens the user's orbicularis oris and masticatory muscles, improving lip-closing force and bite force. As a result, the so-called gaping mouth can be eliminated and the device can also be used for rehabilitation to strengthen masticatory muscles.

[0096] 21 to 35 show other embodiments of the oral function measuring device according to the present invention. Note that parts that are essentially the same as those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0097] The oral cavity measuring device 10A of this embodiment (hereinafter also referred to simply as "measuring device 10A") differs from the measuring device 10 of the previous embodiment mainly in the shapes of the holder 11A and the measuring device 15A. In addition, the holder 11A is structured so that the biasing member 50A can be moved by the moving tool 300.

[0098] In this measuring device 10A, the connecting member 55 is constantly pulled by the rotational biasing force of the rotational biasing member 100, and the measuring device 15A is in contact with the holder 11A as shown in Figures 22, 23, 26, 30, etc. This state is the initial position, which is the position of the rotating body 80 before the measuring device 15A is pulled relative to the holder 11A. Note that "constantly" above refers to a state other than the state in which the measuring device 15A is pulled relative to the holder 11A via the connecting member 55.

[0099] In addition, the abutment holding structure that holds the measuring device 15A in abutment against the holder 11A in the above-mentioned initial position is, in this embodiment, composed of a protrusion 163 that is provided on the measuring device 15A and protrudes toward the holder 11A, and a receiving portion 123 that is provided on the holder 11A and receives the protrusion 163 in the above-mentioned initial position.

[0100] The protrusion may be provided on the holder and protrude toward the measuring device. In this case, a receiving portion for receiving the protrusion is formed on the measuring device.

[0101] Furthermore, a guide structure is provided between the protruding portion 163 and the receiving portion 123 to guide the protruding portion 163 when the protruding portion 163 is received in the receiving portion 123 .

[0102] Furthermore, the biasing member 50A in this embodiment is a torsion spring like the biasing member 50 in the previous embodiment, but as shown in Fig. 24, the pair of arms 52 are bent inward so that their tip ends 53, 53 in the extension direction approach each other. The bent portion of each arm 52 on the tip end 53 side in the extension direction is referred to as a "bent portion 54."

[0103] As shown in Figure 24, the moving device 300 is mainly composed of an operating section 301, a support section 303 connected to the operating section 301, and a retaining section 305 provided on the support section 303 and having a pair of protrusions 309, 309, and this moving device 300 will be described in detail later.

[0104] First, the base portion 20A of the cage 11A will be described in detail. As shown in Figures 21 to 23, the first case 21 and second case 22 constituting the base portion 20A each have a plate-shaped base portion 23 that has a predetermined width and extends a predetermined length, and a peripheral wall 24 that stands upright from the periphery of the base portion 23. Compared to the cases 21 and 22 of the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 20, the first case 21 and second case 22 have a generally rectangular shape that is elongated and extends in a predetermined direction.

[0105] The width direction of the base portion 20 is designated as "W", and the extension direction of the base portion 20 that is perpendicular to the width direction W in a plan view is designated as "E". The width directions and extension directions of members other than the base portion 20A, such as the arm portion 40A and the moving tool 300, are also designated as "W" and "E", respectively.

[0106] As shown in Figure 21, on the inner surface of the first case 21, near the tip end in the extension direction E and at the center in the width direction W, there is protruded an axis guide portion 121 having an approximately rectangular frame shape that slides and guides the support portion 303 of the moving device 300.

[0107] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 22, a receiving portion 123 having a substantially square hole shape is provided at the base end portion in the extending direction E of the base portion 20A to receive the protruding portion 163 of the measuring device 15A.

[0108] In this embodiment, substantially U-shaped openings 123a, 123a are formed at the base ends of the first case 21 and the second case 22 in the extending direction E and at the center in the width direction W.

[0109] When the first case 21 and the second case 22 are assembled together to form the base portion 20A, the openings 123a, 123a form a receiving portion 123 having a generally rectangular hole shape at the base end of the base portion 20A in the extension direction E and at the center in the width direction W. The receiving portion 123 has a generally rectangular hole shape that is long in the width direction W of the base portion 20A and short in the thickness direction of the base portion 20A.

[0110] The protrusion 163 provided on the measuring device 15A is inserted into and received in the receiving portion 123, thereby making it possible to attach and detach the measuring device 15A to the holder 11A.

[0111] Furthermore, guide surfaces 124a, 124a having a curved surface shape that is recessed toward the tip end side of the cases 21, 22 in the extension direction E are formed at the base end parts of the first case 21 and the second case 22 in the width direction W of the openings 123a, 123a. The guide surfaces 124a, 124a are also curved so that the side opposite the base parts 23, 23 of the cases 21, 22 is most raised and gradually becomes lower toward the base parts 23, 23 of the cases 21, 22.

[0112] When the first case 21 and the second case 22 are assembled together to form the base portion 20A, the two guide surfaces 124a, 124a form a guide portion 124 having a concave curved surface at the base end of the base portion 20A in the extension direction E and on both sides of the width direction W of the receiving portion 123.

[0113] 25, a cylindrical shaft 125 stands upright from the tip end surface of the arm support portion 122 provided on the second case 22. This shaft 125 is inserted into the base ends 42, 42 of the pair of arm portions 40A, 40A to support the rotation of these base ends 42, 42. The shaft of a fixing device 127a, such as a nut, is inserted into the shaft 125.

[0114] 21 , an elongated slide hole 127 having a constant width and extending a predetermined length along the extension direction E of the second case 22 is formed in the center of the width direction W of the base 23 of the second case 22 near the tip end in the extension direction E of the base 23 of the second case 22. An operating unit 301 of a moving tool 300 is slidably arranged on the front side of the slide hole 127 in the base 23 of the second case 22.

[0115] Furthermore, a plurality of scales 129, 130 are formed on one side edge of the slide recess 128 in the width direction W. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 26, the scale 129 is formed at a position closer to the base end of the second case 22 in the extension direction E, and the scale 130 is formed at a position closer to the tip end of the second case 22 in the extension direction E.

[0116] 28 and other figures, a pair of slide guide grooves 131, 131 having a constant width and a groove-like shape extending a predetermined length along the extending direction E of the second case 22 are formed on the inner surface of the base 23 of the second case 22 at positions spaced a predetermined distance from both side edges of the slide hole 127 in the width direction W. A pair of protrusions 309, 309 provided on the retaining protrusion 309 of the moving tool 300 are slidably inserted into the pair of slide guide grooves 131, 131 to guide the sliding movement of each protrusion 309.

[0117] Furthermore, a raised portion 133 is provided on the inner surface of the base portion 20A, which the protrusion 309 rides over when the urging member 50 moves due to the sliding operation of the operating portion 301 of the moving tool 300. In this embodiment, the raised portion 133, which the protrusion 309 of the moving tool 300 rides over, is provided midway in the extension direction E of each slide guide groove 131.

[0118] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 28, on the inner surface of the base 23 of the second case 22, near the outside of both ends of the extension direction E of the slide hole 127, there are provided a pair of rotation guide grooves 135, 135 which are groove-shaped with a constant width and a predetermined length, approximately arc-shaped, and are arranged point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the slide hole 127 (the center of the extension direction E and width direction W).

[0119] In order to mount the moving device 300 on the base part 20A, after the retaining portion 305 of the moving device 300 is passed through the slide hole 127, when the moving device 300 is rotated, a pair of protrusions 309 provided on the retaining portion 305 enters these pair of rotation guide grooves 135, 135, thereby guiding the rotational movement of the pair of protrusions 309, 309. Furthermore, at the circumferential tip of each rotation guide groove 135, at a position adjacent to the slide guide groove 131, a raised portion 135a is formed.

[0120] Next, the pair of arm portions 40A will be described in detail. As shown in Figure 21, each arm portion 40A has a thin, approximately cylindrical base end portion 42 that is bent via a bent portion 141 toward the opposite side from the mounting portion 44 at the base end side in the extension direction E of the arm main body 41 and one end side in the thickness direction. Note that the pair of arm portions 40A have the same shape, as in the above embodiment. In addition, a pair of approximately arc-shaped protrusions 142 are provided on the outer peripheral edge portion on the one axial end side of the base end portion 42 of each arm portion 40A.

[0121] 25 , when the pair of protrusions 142, 142 on the base end 42 of one arm portion 40A and the protrusions 142, 142 on the base end 42 of the other arm portion 40A are opposed to each other, a shaft portion 125 provided on the second case 22 is inserted into the base end portions 42, 42, whereby the base end portions 42, 42 are rotationally supported by the shaft portion 125. In other words, the base end portions 42, 42 of the pair of arm portions 40A, 40A are rotationally supported by the same shaft portion 125. Furthermore, the base end portions 42, 42 and the shaft portion 125 have the same rotation center C.

[0122] 25, when the base ends 42 of one arm portion 40A are rotatably supported by the shaft portion 125, the protrusions 142 are arranged opposite each other in the axial direction. As a result, the protrusions 142 are arranged on the outside of the ring-shaped one end 56 of the connecting member 55, thereby protecting the one end 56 of the connecting member 55.

[0123] 21, 27, 31, etc., the base end 143 of the arm body 41 of the arm section 40A is hollowed out to make it thin. A first protrusion 145 is provided on the inner surface 41a of the arm body 41 at a position adjacent to the base end 143, and protrudes by a predetermined length beyond the thin base end 143. This first protrusion 145 has a flat surface.

[0124] A curved spring locking portion 145a is provided at one end (the end on the base end 143 side) of the flat first protrusion 145 in the extension direction E. Furthermore, a second protrusion 146 having a curved outer periphery is provided on the inner surface 41a of the arm body 41 at a position adjacent to the other end of the first protrusion 145 in the extension direction E.

[0125] In addition, a second protrusion 146 having a curved outer periphery is protruded from the inner surface 41a of the arm body 41 at a position farther from the base end 42 than the first protrusion 145, specifically at a position adjacent to the other end of the first protrusion 145 in the extension direction E (the end on the tip end 43 side).

[0126] Next, the moving tool 300 that moves the urging member 50A will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 21 , the moving tool 300 of this embodiment is mainly composed of an operating unit 301 that is exposed from the slide hole 127 formed in the base unit 20A and is arranged to be slidable relative to the slide hole 127, a support unit 303 that is connected to the operating unit 301, is arranged inside the base unit 20A, and supports the urging member 50A, and a retaining unit 305 that is provided on the support unit 303, is arranged on the back side of the slide hole 127 in the base unit 20A, and extends in a direction intersecting the extending direction E of the operating unit 301.

[0127] In this embodiment, the operating unit 301 is disposed on the front side of the slide hole 127 formed in the base unit 20A and has a generally long plate shape extending in a predetermined direction, with a marker 301c formed in its center. The support unit 303 has a generally cylindrical, axial shape extending a predetermined length. The retaining portion 305 provided midway along the axial direction of the support unit 303 has a generally long plate shape extending perpendicular to the extending direction E of the operating unit 301 when viewed from the axial direction of the support unit 303. Furthermore, a pair of curved projections 309, 309 project from both ends 305a, 305a of the retaining portion 305 in the extending direction E toward the inner surface of the second case 22.

[0128] When the moving device 300 having the above-described configuration is attached to the base portion 20A, the following steps are taken, for example.

[0129] First, one end of the retaining portion 305 in the extension direction E is inserted obliquely from the front side of the slide hole 127 to one end of the slide hole 127 in the extension direction E, so that one end of the retaining portion 305 in the extension direction E is positioned on the back side of the slide hole 127, and the support portion 303 is pushed in until it abuts against one end of the slide hole 127 in the extension direction E. Thereafter, the other end of the retaining portion 305 in the extension direction E is inserted obliquely from the front side of the slide hole 127 to the other end of the slide hole 127 in the extension direction E, so that the other end of the retaining portion 305 in the extension direction E is positioned on the back side of the slide hole 127, and the retaining portion 305 passes through the slide hole 127.

[0130] As a result, a pair of protrusions 309, 309 provided on the retaining portion 305 enters the circumferential base ends of the rotation guide grooves 135, 135. In this state, the operating portion 301 is gripped and the retaining portion 305 is rotated in a predetermined direction. As a result, the protrusions 309, 309 rotate within the pair of rotation guide grooves 135, 135, and as the protrusions 309, 309 attempt to climb over the raised portions 135 a, 135 a of the rotation guide grooves 135, 135, the retaining portion 305 is flexed and deformed.

[0131] Thereafter, when the protrusions 309, 309 overcome the raised portions 135a, 135a of the rotation guide groove 135, the deflected and deformed anti-slip portion 305 elastically returns to its original shape, and the protrusions 309, 309 enter the slide guide grooves 131, 131 with a clicking sensation (a sense of moderation), and the moving device 300 is attached to the second case 22 that constitutes the base portion 20A (see Figures 28 and 32).

[0132] The moving tool 300 is configured so that the biasing member 50A can be moved by operating the operating unit 301 to slide the support unit 303 along the slide hole 127. The biasing member 50A can be moved via the support unit 303 by operating the operating unit 301 to slide the support unit 303 along the slide hole 127.

[0133] 26 to 29 are states in which the arms 52, 52 of the biasing member 50A, which is a torsion spring, or in this case, the portions of the arms 52, 52 closer to the base ends 52 a, 52 a than the bent portions 54, 54, as shown in Fig. 27, are engaged with the spring engaging portions 145 a, 145 a of the first protrusions 145, 145 of the pair of arm portions 40A, 40A, and the opening force between the tip ends 43, 43 of the pair of arm portions 40A, 40A is smaller (weak load) than in the states shown in Figs. 30 to 32. Note that, as shown in Fig. 26, the marker 301 c of the operating unit 301 of the moving device 300 is aligned with the scale 129 of the base unit 20A.

[0134] 30 to 32 show a state in which the arm portions 52, 52 of the urging member 50A (here, as shown in FIG. 31, the bent portions 54, 54 of the arm portions 52, 52) are engaged with the first protrusions 145, 145 of the pair of arm portions 40A, 40A, or a portion of the arm portions 52, 52 closer to the base ends 52a, 52a than the bent portions 54, 54 is engaged with the second protrusions 146, 146 of the pair of arm portions 40A (not shown), and the opening force between the tip ends 43, 43 of the pair of arm portions 40, 40 is greater (strong load) than in the state shown in FIGS. 26 to 29. Note that, as shown in FIG. 30, the marker 301c of the operating unit 301 of the moving device 300 is aligned with the scale 130 of the base unit 20A.

[0135] When switching from the weak load shown in Figures 26 to 29 to the strong load shown in Figures 30 to 32, the operating part 301 of the moving device 300 is pinched and the moving device 300 is moved toward the tip end of the extension direction E of the base part 20A.

[0136] Then, the support portion 303 slides along the slide hole 127, and the support portion 303 moves the winding portion 51 of the urging member 50A toward the tip end of the base portion 20A, and in response, moves the pair of arm portions 52, 52 of the urging member 50A toward the tip ends 43, 43 in the extension direction E of the arm portions 40A, 40A.

[0137] Accordingly, the pair of protrusions 309, 309 of the moving tool 300 slides toward the tip end of the base part 20A within the pair of slide guide grooves 131, 131, and then the pair of protrusions 309, 309 are pressed by the pair of raised parts 133, 133, causing flexural deformation of the retaining part 305. Thereafter, when the pair of protrusions 309, 309 climb over the pair of raised parts 133, 133, the retaining part 305 elastically returns to its original state and enters into the region on the tip end side of the slide guide grooves 131, 131 in the extension direction E, accompanied by a clicking sensation.

[0138] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 31, the bent portions 54, 54 of the arms 52, 52 of the urging member 50A are engaged with the first protrusions 145, 145 of the pair of arms 40A, 40A, and as shown in FIG. 30, the marker 301c of the operating unit 301 is aligned with the scale 130 of the base unit 20A, making it possible to switch to the high load structure shown in FIGS. 30 to 32.

[0139] On the other hand, when switching from the strong load shown in Figures 30 to 32 to the weak load shown in Figures 26 to 29, the operating part 301 of the moving tool 300 is pinched and the moving tool 300 is moved toward the base end part in the extension direction E of the base part 20A.

[0140] Then, the support portion 303 slides, moving the winding portion 51 of the urging member 50A toward the base end portion of the base portion 20A, and following this, the pair of arm portions 52, 52 of the urging member 50A move toward the base ends 42, 42 in the extension direction E of the arm portions 40A, 40A.

[0141] Accordingly, the pair of protrusions 309, 309 of the moving tool 300 slides toward the base end of the base part 20A within the pair of slide guide grooves 131, 131, and then the pair of protrusions 309, 309 are pressed by the pair of raised parts 133, 133, causing flexural deformation of the retaining part 305. Thereafter, when the pair of protrusions 309, 309 climb over the pair of raised parts 133, 133, the retaining part 305 elastically returns to its original position and enters into the region on the base end side of the extension direction E of the slide guide grooves 131, 131, accompanied by a clicking sensation.

[0142] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 27, the portion of the arm portions 52 of the urging member 50A that is closer to the tip portions 53 than the bent portions 54 is engaged with the spring engaging portions 145b of the first protrusions 145 of the pair of arm portions 40A, and as shown in Figure 26, the marker 301c of the operating portion 301 is positioned in alignment with the scale 129 of the base portion 20A, making it possible to switch to the weak load structure shown in Figures 26 to 29.

[0143] Next, the measuring device 15A connected to the holder 11A via the connecting member 55 will be described in detail.

[0144] As shown in Figure 22, a protrusion 163 protrudes radially outward from a predetermined circumferential position on the base portion 60A that constitutes the measuring device 15A, and is inserted into and received in the receiving portion 123 provided on the retainer 11A.

[0145] More specifically, as shown in Figures 21 to 24, the first case 61 and second case 62 constituting the base portion 60A have a base portion 63 having an approximately circular plate shape and a peripheral wall 64 having an approximately circular shape erected from the outer peripheral edge portion of the base portion 63.

[0146] Additionally, box-shaped protrusions 163a, 163a protrude radially outward at predetermined circumferential positions of the first case 61 and the second case 62. Each box-shaped protrusion 163a has an approximately half-square box shape with an open tip protruding radially outward and an open side facing the mating case.

[0147] Then, when the first case 61 and the second case 62 are assembled together to form the base portion 60A, the box-shaped protrusions 163a, 163a are arranged opposite each other, so that the protrusion 163 having an approximately square shape is formed to protrude radially outward from a predetermined circumferential position of the base portion 60A.

[0148] In addition, the protrusion 163 has an approximately square box shape with a long width on the circumferential side of the base portion 60A and a short thickness, and is formed with a shape and dimensions that fit the approximately square hole-shaped receiving portion 123 provided in the base portion 20A of the retainer 11A.

[0149] Furthermore, guide surfaces 164a, 164a each having a convex, generally arc-shaped surface are formed on both circumferential sides of the box-shaped protrusions 163a, 163a of the first case 61 and the second case 62. The guide surfaces 164a, 164a are also part of the generally circular peripheral wall 64.

[0150] When the first case 61 and the second case 62 are assembled together to form the base portion 60A, the guide surfaces 164a, 164a form convex curved guide portions 164 on both circumferential sides of the protrusion 163 of the base portion 60A. The guide portions 164 are formed with a shape and dimensions that fit the concave curved guide portions 124 provided on the base portion 20A of the cage 11A.

[0151] When the measuring device 15A having the above configuration is brought into contact with the holder 11A and connected, the direction of the approximately square box-shaped protrusion 163 of the measuring device 15A (the long and short portions are aligned) is roughly aligned with the approximately square hole-shaped receiving portion 123 provided in the holder 11A, and then the measuring device 15A is pushed into the holder 11A. Note that the measuring device 15A is automatically pulled against the holder 11A by the connecting member 55, which is constantly pulled by the rotational biasing force of the rotational biasing member 100.

[0152] At this time, even if the protrusion 163 is misaligned with respect to the receiving portion 123, the protrusion 163 is guided to the receiving portion 123 while abutting against the guide portion 124 provided on the retainer 11A side, and the protrusion 163 is inserted into and received in the receiving portion 123.

[0153] That is, in this embodiment, the guide portion 164 provided on the base portion 20A of the holder 11A corresponds to the "guide portion" of the present invention. Note that if a protrusion is provided on the holder side and a receiving portion is provided on the measuring device side, the guide portion provided on the base portion of the measuring device (for example, the above-mentioned guide portion 164) corresponds to the "guide portion" of the present invention.

[0154] Then, as shown in Figures 22, 26, 30, 33, etc., when the protrusion 163 provided on the measuring device 15A is inserted and received into the receiving portion 123 provided on the holder 11A, the guide portion 164 provided on the measuring device 15A comes into contact with the guide portion 124 provided on the holder 11A, and the rotating body 80 reaches its initial position, which is the position before the measuring device 15A is pulled relative to the holder 11A.

[0155] Furthermore, a plurality of (three in this example) locking portions 161 extend from the leading end of the peripheral wall 64 of the first case 61 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, a plurality of locking holes 162, into which the locking portions 161 engage, are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction in the peripheral wall 64 of the second case 62. The base portion 60A can be assembled as shown in FIG. 22 by locking the locking portions 161 of the first case 61 with the locking holes 162 of the second case 62.

[0156] 24, a guide protrusion 165 is provided protruding from the inside of the box-shaped protrusion 163a of the first case 61. A guide hole 166 is formed at the tip of this guide protrusion 165 in the protruding direction. As shown in FIG. 29, the connecting member 55 is inserted into the guide hole 166 of the guide protrusion 165, which serves as a guide when the connecting member 55 is pulled or retracted.

[0157] (Operations and Effects of Other Embodiments) Next, operations and effects of the measuring device 10A configured as described above will be described.

[0158] First, as shown in Figure 33, the protrusion 163 provided on the measuring device 15A is received in the receiving portion 123 provided on the holder 11A, and the guide portion 164 provided on the measuring device 15A abuts against the guide portion 124 provided on the holder 11A, and the initial position is set to be the position of the rotating body 80 before the measuring device 15A is pulled relative to the holder 11A.

[0159] 33 and 34, the user holds the holder 11 temporarily in the mouth by holding the gripping portions 48, 48 between the upper lip 1 and the lower lip 2. The rotation amount display unit 95 of the measuring device 15A is aligned with its initial position, i.e., at one circumferential end of the opening 72 of the base portion 60.

[0160] In this state, measuring device 15A is pulled relative to holder 11A via connecting member 55. This causes rotating body 80 to rotate in the direction opposite rotational biasing direction R against the rotational biasing force of rotational biasing member 100, and in conjunction with this, rotational display body 90 also rotates in the direction opposite rotational biasing direction R, causing rotation amount display unit 95 to move within opening 72 of base portion 60, as shown in FIG.

[0161] When the user removes the holder 11A from the mouth beyond the lip closing force of the user, the temporary retention of the holder 11A by the mouth is released and the pulling force from the connecting member 55 no longer acts on the rotating body 80.

[0162] Then, the rotating body 80 rotates in the rotational biasing direction R due to the rotational biasing force of the rotational biasing member 100 and returns to its initial position, but the rotating display body 90 is held in that position without rotating due to the frictional force of the O-ring 110 arranged between the support shaft 73 of the base part 60A and the shaft hole 93 of the rotating display body 90. As a result, by visually checking the rotation amount display part 95 through the opening 72 of the base part 60, it becomes possible to grasp the amount of rotation of the rotating body 80 from its initial position and measure the lip closing force.

[0163] In this measuring device 10, the connecting member 55 is constantly pulled by the rotational force of the rotational force member 100, and as shown in Figures 22, 23, 26, 30, etc., the measuring device 15A is in contact with the holder 11A, and this state is the initial position, which is the position of the rotating body 80 before the measuring device 15A is pulled against the holder 11A.

[0164] According to the above aspect, the connecting member 55 is constantly pulled by the rotational force of the rotational force member 100, so that the measuring device 15A is in contact with the holder 11A, and this state is designated as the initial position. Therefore, when measuring with the measuring device 15A, there is no need to separate the measuring device 15A from the holder 11A; it is sufficient to simply pull the measuring device 15A relative to the holder 11A from the initial state, so that the user's lip closing force can be measured quickly.

[0165] 1 to 20, in order to ensure measurement accuracy, it is planned to perform measurements with the measuring device 15 in a predetermined position relative to the holder 11. For example, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, 14, and 15, it is planned to position the measuring device 15 so that the tip end of the measuring device 15 is spaced apart from the base end of the holder 11 so as to be approximately parallel to the base end of the holder 11.

[0166] In contrast, in the measuring device 10A of this embodiment, the initial position is when the measuring device 15A abuts the holder 11A, and it is planned that the measuring device 15A will be pulled toward the holder 11A from this initial position.Therefore, with the simple task of simply pulling the measuring device 15A toward the holder 11A at the initial position, the user's lip closure force can be measured accurately and user convenience can be improved.

[0167] Furthermore, since the connecting member 55 is constantly pulled by the rotational force of the rotational force member 100, when the connecting member 55 is pulled by the rotational force of the rotational force member 100 after the measuring device 15A measures the user's lip closing force, the measuring device 15A is pulled via the connecting member 55 and returns to its initial position where the measuring device 15A abuts against the holder 11A, so there is no risk of the connecting member 55 becoming tangled or caught inside the measuring device 15A.

[0168] In addition, in this embodiment, the abutment holding structure that holds the measuring device 15A in abutment against the holder 11A in the above-mentioned initial position is composed of a protrusion 163 that is provided on the measuring device 15A and protrudes toward the holder 11A, and a receiving portion 123 that is provided on the holder 11A and receives the protrusion 163 in the above-mentioned initial position.

[0169] According to the above aspect, since the abutment holding structure is configured as described above, while the protrusion 163 is received in the receiving portion 123, the measuring device 10A of this embodiment can maintain the measuring device 15A in the intended initial position relative to the holder 11A, thereby further improving the accuracy of measuring the user's lip closing force by the measuring device 15A.

[0170] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a guide portion (here, a guide portion 124 provided on the retainer 11A) is provided between the protrusion 163 and the receiving portion 123 to guide the protrusion 163 when the protrusion 163 is received in the receiving portion 123.

[0171] According to the above aspect, after measuring the user's lip-closing force with measuring device 15A, when measuring device 15A is pulled via connecting member 55, guide portion 124 guides protrusion 163 to be received in receiving portion 123, making it easier to return measuring device 15A to the initial position in contact with holder 11A. Furthermore, guide portion 124 makes it easier for measuring device 10A of the present embodiment to maintain measuring device 15A in the intended orientation at the initial position relative to holder 11A.

[0172] In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 25, the base ends 42, 42 of the pair of arm portions 40A, 40A are rotatably supported by the same shaft portion 125, and one end 56 of the connecting member 55 is positioned between the base ends 42, 42 of the pair of arm portions 40A, 40A and is connected to the shaft portion 125.

[0173] According to the above aspect, one end 56 of the connecting member 55 is disposed between the base ends 42, 42 of the pair of arms 40A, 40A and is connected to the common shaft 125, so there is no need to provide a separate structure for connecting one end 56 of the connecting member 55 to the measuring device 10A, thereby simplifying the structure and saving space of the measuring device 10A. Furthermore, because one end 56 of the connecting member 55 is disposed between the base ends 42, 42 of the pair of arms 40A, 40A, it is possible to reliably prevent one end 56 of the connecting member 55 from coming off the shaft 125.

[0174] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modified embodiments are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention, and such embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

[0175] 1...upper lip, 2...lower lip, 10, 10A...oral function measuring device (measuring device), 11, 11A...holder, 15, 15A...measuring instrument, 20, 20A...base portion, 30, 69...engaging portion, 40, 40A...arm portion, 48...holding portion, 50...urging member, 55...connecting member, 60, 60A...base portion, 73...support shaft, 80...rotating body, 90...rotation display body, 93...shaft hole, 95...rotation amount display portion, 100...rotation urging member, 110...O-ring, 123...receiving portion, 124...guide portion, 163...protruding portion, 300...moving tool.

Claims

1. An oral function measuring device for measuring lip closing force and / or occlusal force, comprising: a retainer having a gripping portion at its tip that is held in the mouth or teeth and is temporarily held in the mouth or teeth; and a measuring instrument that is connected to the retainer via a connecting member and measures the lip closing force and / or the occlusal force, wherein the measuring instrument has a base portion, a rotating body that is rotatably supported on the base portion, and a rotational biasing member that rotationally biases the rotating body in a predetermined direction, one end of the connecting member is connected to the retainer and the other end is connected to the rotating body, and the measuring instrument is configured to rotate the rotating body against the rotational biasing force of the rotational biasing member via the connecting member by pulling the measuring instrument relative to the retainer, and the measuring instrument is provided with a rotation amount display unit that, using the position of the rotating body before the measuring instrument is pulled relative to the retainer as an initial position, displays the amount of rotation of the rotating body from the initial position when the measuring instrument is pulled relative to the retainer.

2. An oral function measuring device as described in claim 1, wherein a rotating display body is rotatably supported on the base portion and is arranged coaxially with the rotating body, the rotating display body is linked to the rotating body only when rotating in a direction against the rotational force, and has the rotation amount display portion, and the frictional force of the rotating display body relative to the base portion is greater than the frictional force of the rotating display body relative to the rotating body.

3. An oral function measuring device as described in claim 2, wherein a support shaft is provided on one of the base part or the rotating display body, an axial hole into which the support shaft is inserted is formed on the other of the base part or the rotating display body, and an O-ring that generates frictional force is arranged between the support shaft and the axial hole.

4. An oral function measuring device as described in claim 2 or 3, wherein the base portion is in the form of a case having an opening, and the rotation amount display portion is provided on the rotating display body in the form of a protrusion that protrudes toward the opening.

5. The oral function measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the rotation amount display unit is provided on the connecting member.

6. An oral function measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a fitting portion is provided between the holder and the measuring device to enable them to be attached and detached from each other.

7. An oral function measuring device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the connecting member is constantly pulled by the rotational force of the rotational force member, so that the measuring device is in contact with the holder, and this state is the initial position.

8. An oral function measuring device as described in claim 7, wherein the contact holding structure that holds the measuring instrument in contact with the holder in the initial position comprises a protrusion provided on one of the holder or the measuring instrument and protruding toward the other of the holder or the measuring instrument, and a receiving portion provided on the other of the holder or the measuring instrument and receiving the protrusion in the initial position.

9. The oral function measuring device according to claim 8, wherein a guide portion is provided between the protruding portion and the receiving portion to guide the protruding portion when the protruding portion is received in the receiving portion.

10. The oral function measuring device of claim 7, wherein the holder has a pair of arms with the gripping portions at their tips, the tips of which move towards and away from each other, and a biasing member that biases the tips of the pair of arms in directions that move them away from each other, the base ends of the pair of arms are rotatably supported on the same shaft, and one end of the connecting member is positioned between the base ends of the pair of arms and connected to the shaft.

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