Body-worn device

Abstract

A body-worn device S100 includes: a device assembly 40 including a device for applying a stimulation to a user's body; and a support body 10 having elasticity or flexibility and supporting the device assembly 40. The support body 10 has a base member 20 and a cover member 30. The cover member 30 is fixed to the base member 20 by welding so that an accommodation space Sa for accommodating the device assembly 40 is formed between the cover member 30 and the base member 20.

Description

Body-worn device

[0001] The present invention relates to a body-worn device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 proposes a navigation device that is disposed between footwear and a user's foot and provides predetermined information to the user by vibration.

[0003] WO2021 / 106770

[0004] Since this type of device is worn on the user's body, the support for the device preferably has flexibility and is formed thin. Conventionally, when attempting to produce a support by laminating a plurality of members, in the method of joining the members with an adhesive, the time until the adhesive cures is long, and it has been difficult to manufacture the device with good workability.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to provide a body-worn device that can be manufactured with good workability.

[0006] A body-worn device according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a device assembly including a device that gives a stimulus to a user's body or acquires motion information or biological information of the user's body, and a support having elasticity or flexibility and supporting the device assembly. The support has a flat base member and a cover member attached so as to be laminated on the base member. The cover member is fixed to the base member by welding so that an accommodation space for accommodating the device assembly is formed between the cover member and the base member.

[0007] One of the base member and the cover member has a sheet-like base portion and a protruding portion that protrudes in the thickness direction of the base portion and extends along at least a part of the periphery of the device assembly. A recess for defining the position of the other of the base member and the cover member with respect to one of the base member and the cover member may be formed by fitting the protruding portion into the other of the base member and the cover member.

[0008] The device assembly includes wiring connected to the device, the thickness of the housing space is greater than the thickness of the wiring, and the wiring may be arranged in the housing space without being fixed to the cover member and the base member.

[0009] The device assembly includes wiring connected to the device, and the projection includes a first portion extending along one edge of the wiring and a second portion extending along the other edge of the wiring, wherein the width of the groove formed between the first portion and the second portion is wider than the width of the wiring, and the wiring may be movable in the width direction of the wiring.

[0010] The device assembly includes wiring connected to the device, and the cover member and the base member may be welded together in an area surrounding the device assembly other than the portion where the wiring is brought out to the outside of the support, thereby forming a welded portion.

[0011] The device assembly includes wiring connected to the device, and the support has a connecting extension connected to a housing that houses a control unit for controlling the device, the connecting extension having a flattened portion through which the wiring passes, and a mounting portion that extends at the end of the flattened portion in a direction intersecting the flattened portion and is attached to the housing, the mounting portion being a member through which a tunnel passage is formed for the wiring, and there may not be a joint interface around the tunnel passage where multiple members are bonded or fused to each other.

[0012] The flattened portion has a configuration in which a first flattened portion, which is part of the base member, and a second flattened portion, which is part of the cover member, are stacked, and the second flattened portion may be provided with a second engaging portion that engages with a first engaging portion formed on the first flattened portion to position a part of the first flattened portion and a part of the second flattened portion.

[0013] The device assembly includes wiring connected to the device, and the support has a resin flat portion through which the wiring passes, the flat portion being constructed by laminating a first flat portion which is part of the base member and a second flat portion which is part of the cover member, and one or both of the first flat portion and the second flat portion have protruding portions that extend outward in the width direction from the flat portion, and the protruding portions may have locking portions that engage with a part of a jig when welding is performed.

[0014] The present invention offers the advantage of providing a body-worn device that can be manufactured with good workability.

[0015] This figure shows the body-worn device attached to the user's foot. This is a perspective view of the body-worn device from the front. This is a side view of the body-worn device positioned inside footwear. This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit. This figure shows the configuration of the device assembly. This is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the support. This is a side view of the support in Figure 6. This is a perspective view of the base member. This is a partial cross-sectional perspective view along line A-A in Figure 7. This is a diagram for explaining the shape of the welded part. This is a schematic diagram for explaining the laser welding process. This is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the end of the connecting extension. This is an exploded perspective view of the connecting extension. This is a schematic diagram showing an example where there is a joining interface between members around the passage and an example where there is no joining interface.

[0016] The following describes one embodiment of the body-worn device of the present invention. Figure 1 shows the body-worn device attached to the user's foot. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the body-worn device from the front. Figure 3 is a side view of the body-worn device positioned inside footwear. Figures 1 to 3 all show an example configuration for the right foot. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit. Figure 5 shows the configuration of the device assembly.

[0017] In the following description, terms indicating directions such as front, back, left, right, up, and down are used, but these terms are not intended to limit the invention. "Front-back direction" corresponds to the front-back direction of the user's foot. "Left-right direction" corresponds to the left-right direction (width direction) of the user's foot. "Up-down direction" corresponds to the vertical direction.

[0018] The main feature of the body-worn device of this embodiment lies in the structure of the support body that holds the sensor device. First, the basic configuration and function of the device will be described.

[0019] (Overview of the device) The body-worn device S100 is a guidance support device that is worn on the user's foot. The body-worn device S100 provides the user with information about the path they should take, for example, by applying vibrations to the user's foot. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5, the body-worn device S100 comprises a support body 10, a device assembly 40 (Figure 5), and a control unit 50.

[0020] The support 10 is a component that supports the device assembly 40. When in use, the support 10 is inserted inside the footwear. The support 10 has a shape that conforms to a part of the user's foot. As an example, the support 10 is a molded product that has been given a predetermined shape in advance. The support 10 is elastic and flexible so that it can be positioned along the user's body. Since the support 10 is positioned between the inner surface of the footwear and the user's foot, it is formed in a flat shape so that the user does not feel discomfort while walking.

[0021] A vibration generating device 41 is positioned on the support 10. The vibration generating device 41 is provided as part of the device assembly 40, and its details will be described later with reference to Figure 5. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the support 10 includes a central portion 11a, an upper portion 11b, a heel portion 11c, and a connecting extension portion 12.

[0022] The central portion 11a is the part that extends along the outer side of the user's foot (the side of the user's foot opposite to the arch). The instep portion 11b is the part that extends from the front of the central portion 11a to cover the instep of the user's foot. The heel portion 11c is the part that curves from the rear of the central portion 11a to follow the heel of the user's foot.

[0023] The connecting extension 12 is the part that connects to the housing 51 of the control unit 50. The connecting extension 12 protrudes from the inside to the outside of the footwear when the support 10 is worn on the user's foot (Figure 3). The connecting extension 12 has, for example, a strip shape and is flexible.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the control unit 50 includes a housing 51, which is a physical component, as well as electrical components: a communication unit 56, a power supply 57, a storage unit 58, a measurement unit 59, and a control unit 55.

[0025] The housing 51 is a case that houses the control unit 55 and the like. The housing 51 is made of resin, for example, and in one example, it has a clip for attaching the housing 51 to footwear.

[0026] The communication unit 56 is the part that allows the control unit 55 to exchange signals with external devices. The communication unit 56 includes, for example, a wireless communication module and a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiving module.

[0027] The power supply 57 is a battery that supplies power to each part. The power supply 57 is a secondary battery such as a lithium-ion battery. The memory unit 58 is a storage device that stores the OS (Operating System), application programs, and various information that is referenced when the application programs are executed.

[0028] The measurement unit 59 includes, for example, at least one of an acceleration sensor, a gyroscope, a compass sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, and an image sensor. Data acquired by the measurement unit 59, for example, regarding the user's movements, is processed by a control unit 55 that is electrically connected to the measurement unit 59.

[0029] In Figure 4, a measurement unit 59 is provided as a component of the control unit 50, but the measurement unit may also be provided as a device connected to the control unit 50. This device may be provided together with the vibration generating device 41, or it may be provided as a substitute device for the vibration generating device 41.

[0030] The control unit 55 is a processor, such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and performs various functions by executing programs stored in the memory unit 58. The control unit 55 communicates with, for example, the user's smartphone via the communication unit 56. Specifically, as an example, the control unit 55 receives a control signal transmitted from the smartphone to guide the user to a predetermined destination, and vibrates one or more vibration generating devices 41 provided on the support unit 10 (Figure 2) based on the received control signal.

[0031] The control unit 55 operates one or more vibration generating devices 41 in a predetermined pattern at the moment when a user needs to perform an action, such as turning right or climbing stairs while moving. This allows the user to obtain tactile information indicating the direction they should move.

[0032] The body-worn device S100 can provide the user with information indicating the direction they should go by providing information other than visual or auditory information, by applying vibrations to the user's feet in conjunction with the navigation function of the user's smartphone.

[0033] (Detailed Structure of Support 10 and Device Assembly 40) The support 10 and device assembly 40 of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to other drawings. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the configuration of the support. Figure 7 is a side view of the support in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the base member. Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view along line A-A in Figure 7.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, the device assembly 40 includes a vibration generating device 41 and wiring 42. The vibration generating device 41 is provided as a first vibration generating device 41-1, a second vibration generating device 41-2, and a third vibration generating device 41-3.

[0035] In this example, the vibration generating device 41 is a device that stimulates the user's body. The vibration generating device 41 may be a piezoelectric element or a motor, but in this example, it is a motor.

[0036] The wiring 42 connects the control unit 55 to each vibration generating device 41. The wiring 42 is, for example, a flexible cable. The wiring 42 is flat and flexible. The wiring 42 includes a first part 42-1, a second part 42-2, a third part 42-3, and a fourth part 42-4. The fourth part 42-4 is the part connected to the control unit 55, and the first part 42-1, the second part 42-2, and the third part 42-3 are the parts connected to the first vibration generating device 41-1, the second vibration generating device 41-2, and the third vibration generating device 41-3, respectively.

[0037] The device assembly 40 is located inside the support 10 and is not exposed to the outside, except for a portion of the fourth part 42-4 which is connected to the control unit 55. In this example, almost the entire device assembly 40 is housed inside the support 10.

[0038] (Structure of the support 10) The detailed structure of the support 10 will be described below. As shown in Figures 6 to 9, the support 10 has a base member 20 and a cover member 30. The base member 20 and the cover member 30 are fixed to each other in a stacked state. The base member 20 and the cover member 30 sandwich the device assembly 40.

[0039] As shown in Figure 8, the base member 20 has a flat shape overall. The base member 20 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer and is flexible. The base member 20 has a portion formed thereon on which the device assembly 40 is placed. Specifically, the base member 20 has a device placement portion 21a and a wiring placement portion 21b.

[0040] The device placement section 21a is formed as a first device placement section 21a-1, a second device placement section 21a-2, and a third device placement section 21a-3. The first device placement section 21a-1, the second device placement section 21a-2, and the third device placement section 21a-3 are respectively arranged in the first device placement section 21a-1, the second device placement section 21a-2, and the third device placement section 21a-3.

[0041] The wiring arrangement section 21b is the area where the wiring 42 is arranged. The wiring arrangement section 21b is formed in a shape that corresponds to the contour shape of the wiring 42.

[0042] The cover member 30 (see Figures 6 and 7) is an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, similar to the base member 20. The cover member 30 is also formed in a flat shape and is flexible. The cover member 30 is fixed to the base member 20 such that a housing space Sa (Figure 9) for housing the device assembly 40 is formed between the cover member 30 and the base member 20. In the configuration of this embodiment, both the base member 20 and the cover member 30 are formed in a flat shape and are stacked together, so the support 10 as a whole also has a flat shape.

[0043] The thickness of the housing space Sa is greater than the thickness of the wiring 42 (see Figures 5 and 8). The wiring 42 is arranged in the housing space Sa without being fixed to the cover member 30 and the base member 20. The wiring 42 is not fixed to either the cover member 30 or the base member 20, and is provided so that it can move relative to these members. As described above, the body-worn device S100 is positioned to conform to the user's feet. When the user walks, the shape of the support 10 changes to conform to the user's feet. Therefore, for example, in a configuration where the wiring 42 of the device assembly 40 is fixed to the base member 20 or the cover member 30 with adhesive or the like, there is a possibility that unexpected force will be applied to the wiring and cause it to break. In contrast, with a configuration in which the wiring 42 is not fixed, as in this embodiment, the wiring 42 can move within the housing space Sa, so the effect is obtained that it is less likely to break compared to a configuration in which the wiring 42 is fixed.

[0044] Incidentally, for example, the surface of the vibration generating device 41 of the device assembly 40 may be roughened so that the frictional force between the vibration generating device 41 and the support 10 does not increase. Also, the portion of the support 10 that contacts the device assembly 40 may be roughened, or a material or the like that enhances slidability may be applied to the portion.

[0045] (Regarding the fixation of the cover member 30 and the base member 20) When the cover member 30 is fixed to the base member 20 by, for example, an adhesive, there is a problem that the throughput of manufacturing the support 10 decreases because it takes time for the adhesive to cure. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cover member 30 is fixed to the base member 20 by welding.

[0046] As welding, ultrasonic welding, high-frequency welding, laser welding, etc. can be used, but laser welding is used in the present embodiment. Laser welding joins members by melting the members at a high temperature with laser light at the interface between one member through which the laser light passes and the other member through which the laser light does not pass.

[0047] In order to enable laser welding, in the present embodiment, the material of the base member 20 is a material through which laser light does not pass. The material of the cover member 30 is a material through which laser light passes. The cover member 30 is, for example, transparent or translucent. If both members are members through which laser light does not pass, it is not possible to weld the interface between the two members laminated on each other. The same is true if both members are members through which laser light passes. When one member in the stacking direction is a member through which laser light passes and the other is a member through which laser light does not pass (a member whose part melts by laser irradiation) as in the present embodiment, the interface can be laser welded well.

[0048] As illustrated in FIG. 9, the cover member 30 has a recessed portion 31 and a peripheral edge portion 33. The recessed portion 31 is a portion into which the protruding portion 25 (described in detail below) of the base member 20 fits. When the protruding portion 25 of the base member 20 fits into the recessed portion 31, the positions of the base member 20 and the cover member 30 are defined.

[0049] The peripheral edge portion 33 is a part formed to follow the edge of the cover member 30. The peripheral edge portion 33 is formed in a shape that contacts the upper surface of the base portion 23 of the base member 20 (specifically, in a shape where the lower surface of the peripheral edge portion 33 is in surface contact with the upper surface of the base portion 23). The peripheral edge portion 33 includes a flat plate-like portion. In areas where the surface of the base member 20 that the peripheral edge portion 33 contacts is formed in a curved shape, the peripheral edge portion 33 is also formed in a curved shape that is complementary to that surface.

[0050] Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the shape of the welded portion. As shown in Figure 10, the welded portion Sb (see dashed line) formed by laser welding is formed to surround the entire circumference of the device assembly 40 in areas other than the portion where the wiring 42 is pulled out to the outside of the support 10. With this configuration in which the welded portion Sb is continuously formed to surround the device assembly 40, the welded portion Sb functions as both a fixing portion that secures the components together and a sealing portion, thereby preventing water from entering the inside of the support 10. Therefore, damage to the device assembly 40 due to water ingress is less likely to occur, resulting in improved reliability of the body-worn device S100.

[0051] Note that the shape and range of the welded portion Sb shown in Figure 10 are merely examples, and the shape of the welded portion Sb can be changed as appropriate in the present invention.

[0052] (Structure for positioning the base member 20 and the cover member 30) Both the base member 20 and the cover member 30 are flexible members with elasticity. If the two members are not positioned relative to each other with high precision, there is a possibility that fixing by welding will not be performed properly. Therefore, the base member 20 and the cover member 30 have the following structural parts.

[0053] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the base member 20 has a base portion 23 and a protruding portion 25. The base portion 23 is a sheet-like portion.

[0054] The protrusion 25 is a rib-like portion that protrudes in the thickness direction of the base 23. The protrusion 25 extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the device assembly 40. Specifically, the protrusion 25 is provided with a first portion 25-1 that extends along one edge of the wiring 42 (Figure 8) and a second portion 25-2 that extends along the other edge of the wiring 42. The width d1 of the groove (Figure 9) formed between the first portion 25-1 and the second portion 25-2 is wider than the width of the wiring 42, thereby allowing the wiring 42 to move in the width direction of the wiring.

[0055] As described above, the wiring 42 (Figure 8) is configured to be movable in the width direction within the housing space Sa. Compared to a configuration in which the wiring 42 is arranged in an immovable manner (for example, a configuration in which the width of the wiring 42 is the same as the width d1), this configuration makes it less likely for force to be applied to the wiring 42, and effectively suppresses the occurrence of wire breakage.

[0056] As can be seen from Figure 9, in cross-sectional view, the side wall portion of the rib-shaped first portion 25-1 is an inclined surface. This inclined surface is formed on the side opposite to the second portion 25-2 (opposite side in the left-right direction). Similarly, the side wall portion of the rib-shaped second portion 25-2 is also an inclined surface. In this way, the inclined surfaces provided on the first portion 25-1 and the second portion 25-2 make it possible to position the cover member 30 well by placing it over the first portion 25-1 and the second portion 25-2.

[0057] (Explanation of laser welding) Figure 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the laser welding process. In Figure 11, the shapes of each part are simplified for ease of explanation. As mentioned above, the base member 20 and cover member 30 that constitute the support 10 are both flexible members with elasticity. Therefore, positioning the members is more difficult compared to positioning rigid parts that can maintain their shape, such as resin molded products. In this embodiment, a jig T is used to position the base member 20 and cover member 30. As shown in Figure 11, the jig T has a base T1, a cover T2, and a pin P.

[0058] The base T1 has, for example, a recess T1a in which the base member 20 is placed and a hole T1b into which the pin P is inserted. The base member 20 is placed in the recess T1a. The cover member 30 is placed on the base member 20 such that the device assembly 40 is sandwiched between the base member 20 and the cover member 30. The base member 20 and the cover member 30 are positioned relative to the base T1 by passing the pin P through the hole 27h in the protruding portion 27 of the base member 20 and the hole 37h in the protruding portion 37 of the cover member 30.

[0059] In this state, the cover T2 is positioned above the base member 20 and the cover member 30. The cover T2 is a material through which laser light can pass. The cover T2 is made of, for example, acrylic.

[0060] With the cover T2 pressing down on the base member 20 and the cover member 30, a laser beam is shone from above the cover T2 toward the cover member 30 (see arrow in Figure 11). The laser beam passes through the cover T2 and the cover member 30, heating the base member 20 and the cover member 30 at the interface between the cover member 30 and the base member 20, thereby partially melting both members. The base member 20 and the cover member 30 are fixed in place by the welded portion formed in this way.

[0061] In Figure 11, the base member 20 and the cover member 30 are depicted as planar members, but the base member 20 and the cover member 30 have three-dimensional shapes, and the actual pedestal T1 and cover T2 also have three-dimensional shapes corresponding to the shapes of the base member 20 and the cover member 30.

[0062] (Structure of the part connected to the control unit 50) As described above, the connecting extension 12 of the support 10 is the part that is connected to the housing 51 of the control unit 50. The connecting extension 12 is connected to the housing 51 in the manner shown in Figure 2. Specifically, the connecting extension 12 is connected to the upper surface of the housing 51, and the wiring passed through the inside of the connecting extension 12 is electrically connected to the control unit inside the housing 51.

[0063] Incidentally, since the housing 51 is attached to the outside of the footwear, and the user may walk outside on a rainy day, for example, it is preferable that the housing 51 be configured in a way that makes it difficult for water to penetrate inside.

[0064] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the end portion of the connecting extension. Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the connecting extension. In this embodiment, the connecting extension 12 has a configuration that includes a flattened portion 12-1 and a mounting portion 12-2, as shown in Figure 12.

[0065] The flattened portion 12-1 is the part through which wiring is passed. As shown in Figure 13, the flattened portion 12-1 has a structure in which a first flattened portion 22, which is part of the base member 20, and a second flattened portion 32, which is part of the cover member 30, are stacked.

[0066] The mounting portion 12-2 is formed to extend in a direction intersecting the flat portion 12-1 at the end of the flat portion 12-1. The mounting portion 12-2 is attached to the housing 51, for example. The mounting portion 12-2 is a member through which a tunnel passage Pa is formed. The tunnel passage Pa extends through the mounting portion 12-2. There are no joint interfaces around the tunnel passage Pa where multiple members are bonded or fused to each other.

[0067] The effects of this configuration will be explained with reference to Figure 14. Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing an example in which there is a joint interface between members around the passage and an example in which there is no joint interface. In the configuration of Figure 14(a), a joint interface Sc between members exists in the tunnel passage Pa. In other words, the configuration of Figure 14(a) is a structure in which the mounting portion 12-2 is formed by a part of the base member 20 and a part of the cover member 30. In such a configuration, for example, the sealing performance of the joint interface Sc may decrease due to relative displacement between the base member 20 and the cover member 30. In this case, there is a risk that water may enter the tunnel passage Pa from the outside of the connecting extension 12.

[0068] In contrast, as schematically shown in Figure 14(b), in the configuration of this embodiment, the mounting portion 12-2 is formed solely by the base member 20. With this configuration in which there is no joint interface Sc around the tunnel passage Pa (a configuration in which there is no joint interface Sc connected to the tunnel passage Pa), unlike the configuration in Figure 14(a), the sealing performance of the joint interface Sc does not decrease due to the relative displacement of the base member 20 and the cover member 30 at the location of the tunnel passage Pa. Therefore, water is prevented from entering the tunnel passage Pa from the outside of the connecting extension portion 12, and as a result, the reliability of the body-worn device S100 can be improved.

[0069] (Structure for positioning the cover member 30 and the base member 20) As described above, in the configuration of this embodiment, a tunnel passage Pa is formed in the mounting portion 12-2 provided as part of the base member 20. As shown in Figure 13, the end portion 32a of the cover member 30 is positioned to cover the member forming the tunnel passage Pa. This end portion 32a is fixed to a part of the base member 20 by the welding described above.

[0070] In order to properly position the cover member 30 and the base member 20, in the configuration of this embodiment, a first engaging portion Ea is formed at the end of the first flattened portion 22 of the base member 20. On the other hand, a second engaging portion Eb is formed at the end of the second flattened portion 32 of the cover member 30.

[0071] In this example, the first engaging portion Ea is a recess. One first engaging portion Ea is provided at each end of the first flattened portion 22 in the width direction. This recess is formed to have depth in the direction in which the cover member 30 is attached (downward in Figure 13). The second engaging portion Eb is a protrusion that engages with the first engaging portion Ea. This protrusion projects outward in the width direction from the cover member 30. When the second engaging portion Eb at the end 32a engages with the first engaging portion Ea, a part of the first flattened portion 22 and a part of the second flattened portion 32 are positioned. With this configuration, the elastic and easily deformable cover member 30 and the base member 20 can be positioned well relative to each other, and therefore, the effect of good welding of the two members can be obtained.

[0072] As shown in Figure 13, a welded portion Sb is formed not only on both sides of the area where the wiring is arranged, but also in the area covering the tunnel passage Pa, and the cover member 30 is fixed to the base member 20. This configuration makes it difficult for water to penetrate the interior and prevents damage to the wiring, etc.

[0073] (Technical significance of the protruding portion) As shown in Figure 13, a protruding portion 27 is formed on the first flattened portion 22, which is part of the base member 20. The protruding portion 27 is a portion that extends outward in the width direction from the first flattened portion 22. As already explained with reference to Figure 11, a hole 27h is formed in this protruding portion 27 into which the pin P of the jig T is inserted.

[0074] Similarly, a protruding portion 37 is also formed on the second flattened portion 32, which is part of the cover member 30. The protruding portion 37 is a portion that extends outward in the width direction from the second flattened portion 32. A hole 37h is also formed in the protruding portion 37 into which the pin P of the jig T is inserted.

[0075] Holes 27h and 37h are locking parts that engage with pin P. Note that locking parts of other shapes may be provided instead of holes.

[0076] In the configuration of this embodiment, the formation of the protruding portions 27 and 37 provides the advantage of being able to fix the base member 20 and the cover member 30 to the desired position on the jig T during laser welding. In addition, because the formation of the protruding portions 27 and 37 results in excess material, it is possible to prevent defects in the resin cover member 30 and defects during molding of the cover member 30 (for example, the occurrence of weld lines and sink marks).

[0077] In particular, the protruding portions 27 and 37 are parts that become unnecessary and are cut off after welding is complete. In this embodiment, however, these parts also serve as excess material to prevent molding defects. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the part for fixing the member during welding and the excess material to prevent molding defects are provided separately, the structure can be simplified, and the subsequent processes can also be simplified.

[0078] (Effects of the body-mounted device S100) As described above, with the body-mounted device S100 of this embodiment, since the base member 20 and the cover member 30 are fixed by welding rather than adhesive, the support 10 and, consequently, the body-mounted device S100 can be manufactured with good workability.

[0079] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the protruding portion 25 fits into the recessed portion 31, and the base member 20 and the cover member 30 are positioned relatively accurately, resulting in the advantage of good fixing by welding. This means that the welded portion Sb is formed well. Since the welded portion Sb also functions as a seal that prevents water from entering the interior of the containment space Sa, it is preferable that the welded portion Sb is formed well in that it can prevent water from entering the interior of the containment space Sa.

[0080] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, since the wiring 42 is arranged in a state in which it is not fixed to the cover member 30 and the base member 20 (that is, the wiring 42 is not constrained by the cover member 30 and the base member 20), the effect is obtained that the wiring 42 is less likely to break.

[0081] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, the cover member 30 and the base member 20 are welded together in the area surrounding the device assembly 40, excluding the portion where the wiring 42 is pulled out to the outside of the support 10, thereby forming a welded portion Sb. With this configuration, the welded portion Sb surrounding the device assembly 40 functions as a seal, preventing water from entering the inside of the support 10, and thus reducing the likelihood of damage to the device assembly 40 due to water ingress.

[0082] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, there are no joint interfaces around the tunnel passage Pa through which the wiring passes, where multiple members are bonded or fused to each other. Therefore, the problem of water intrusion caused by a decrease in the sealing performance of the joint interface Sc, which can occur in the configuration of Figure 14(a), is less likely to occur, and as a result, the reliability of the body-worn device S100 can be improved.

[0083] (Modification) In the above embodiment, the device of the device assembly was exemplified as a vibration generating device. However, in the present invention, the device of the device assembly may be a device that acquires the user's body movement information or biometric information.

[0084] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which a protrusion 25 is formed on the base member 20 and a recess 31 is formed on the cover member 30 is illustrated. However, the protrusion may be formed on the cover member and the recess may be formed on the base member.

[0085] In the above embodiment, an example was shown in which a protruding portion 27 is formed on the base member 20 and a protruding portion 37 is formed on the cover member 30. However, the protruding portion may be provided on only one of the base member 20 and the cover member 30 at the location of a single pin P. However, with a configuration in which the protruding portions of both members are locked to a single pin P, as in this embodiment, the effect of being able to position the members well can be obtained.

[0086] In the above embodiment, an elastic and flexible support was exemplified. However, in the present invention, the support may have only one of elasticity or flexibility. The same applies to the base member and / or cover member. The base member and / or cover member may be made of a material such as a flexible film that does not have elasticity.

[0087] The above description has described the invention of the body-worn device S100, but this application also discloses a method for manufacturing the body-worn device S100. That is, one embodiment of the present invention is a method for manufacturing a body-worn device comprising: a device assembly including a device that stimulates the user's body or acquires motion information or biological information of the user's body; and a support having elasticity or flexibility that supports the device assembly. This method includes a step of fixing a cover member and a base member of the support to each other by welding such that a housing space for housing the device assembly is formed between the cover member and the base member.

[0088] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments.

[0089] 10 Support 11a Central part 11b Upper part 11c Heel part 12 Connecting extension part 12-1 Flat part 12-2 Mounting part 20 Base member 21a Device placement part 21b Wiring placement part 22 First flat part 23 Base part 25 Protruding part 25-1 First part 25-2 Second part 27 Overhanging part 27h Hole 30 Cover member 31 Recessed part 32 Second flat part 32a End part 33 Peripheral part 37 Overhanging part 37h Hole 40 Device assembly 41 Vibration generating device 42 Wiring 55 Control unit 56 Communication unit 57 Power supply 58 Memory unit 59 Measurement unit Ea First engaging part Eb Second engaging part P Pin Pa Tunnel passage S100 Body-mounted device Sa: Containment space; Sb: Welding area; Sc: Joining interface; T: Jig; T1: Base; T1a: Recess; T1b: Hole; T2: Cover

Claims

1. A body-worn device comprising: a device assembly including a device that stimulates the user's body or acquires motion information or biometric information of the user's body; and a support having elasticity or flexibility that supports the device assembly, wherein the support has a flat base member and a cover member attached to the base member so as to be laminated thereon, and the cover member is fixed to the base member by welding such that a housing space for housing the device assembly is formed between the cover member and the base member.

2. The body-worn device according to claim 1, wherein one of the base member and the cover member has a sheet-like base and a projection that protrudes in the thickness direction of the base and extends along at least a portion of the periphery of the device assembly, and the other of the base member and the cover member has a recess formed in which the projection fits, thereby defining the position of the other of the base member and the cover member relative to the other of the base member and the cover member.

3. The body-worn device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device assembly includes wiring connected to the device, the thickness of the housing space is greater than the thickness of the wiring, and the wiring is disposed within the housing space without being fixed to the cover member and the base member.

4. The body-worn device according to claim 2, wherein the device assembly includes wiring connected to the device, and the projection includes a first portion extending along one edge of the wiring and a second portion extending along the other edge of the wiring, the width of the groove formed between the first portion and the second portion being wider than the width of the wiring, and the wiring being movable in the width direction of the wiring.

5. The device assembly includes wiring connected to the device, and the cover member and the base member are welded together in a region surrounding the device assembly, excluding the portion where the wiring is brought out to the outside of the support, thereby forming a welded portion, as described in claim 1.

6. The device assembly includes wiring connected to the device, the support has a connecting extension connected to a housing that houses a control unit for controlling the device, the connecting extension having a flattened portion through which the wiring passes, and a mounting portion that extends at the end of the flattened portion in a direction intersecting the flattened portion and is attached to the housing, the mounting portion being a member through which a tunnel passage is formed, and there are no joint interfaces around the tunnel passage where multiple members are bonded or fused to each other, the body-worn device according to claim 1 or 2.

7. The body-mounted device according to claim 6, wherein the flat portion is configured by stacking a first flat portion which is part of the base member and a second flat portion which is part of the cover member, and the second flat portion is provided with a second engaging portion which engages with a first engaging portion formed on the first flat portion to position a part of the first flat portion and a part of the second flat portion.

8. The device assembly includes wiring connected to the device, the support has a resin flat portion through which the wiring passes, the flat portion is constructed by laminating a first flat portion which is part of the base member and a second flat portion which is part of the cover member, and one or both of the first flat portion and the second flat portion have protruding portions that extend outward in the width direction from the flat portion, and the protruding portions have locking portions that are locked to a part of a jig when welding is performed, the body-mounted device according to claim 1 or 2.

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