A wearable device for accurately monitoring individual climate exposures

Abstract

The invention provides a wearable housing for supporting a climate sensor on a user's body to enable standardised measuring of personal ambient temperature, humidity, air quality and other climate exposures, around the user's body. The housing comprises an inner cavity for receiving the climate sensor; first supporting means for supporting the climate sensor in thermally insulated relationship to a surface of the user's body; a heat shield configured for shielding the climate sensor against thermal radiation; and second supporting means for supporting the heat shield in thermally insulated relationship to the climate sensor; the arrangement being such that the climate sensor is housed within the inner cavity intermediate the first supporting means and the heat shield.

Description

[0001] A WEARABLE DEVICE FOR ACCURATELY MONITORING INDIVIDUAL CLIMATE

[0002] EXPOSURES

[0003] BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0004] Proper functioning of biological systems is extremely sensitive to prevailing environmental conditions, including climate parameters such as ambient temperature, radiant temperature, humidity, wind speed and air quality. Exposure to excessive heat, for example, has significant impacts on individual health, livestock and labour productivity, as well as athletic performance, to name but a few. However, each individual in any given setting may be exposed to vastly different conditions due to differing interactions with micro-climates and adaptation interventions. Micro-climates exist as variations in the climate of a specific area due to influencing factors such as reflective surfaces, or heat-sinks, for example. Adaptation interventions include the use of a fan, or air-conditioning, among others, to modify wind speed or reduce the temperature to improve comfort.

[0005] Moreover, the subjective experience of a thermal environment differs from one individual to the next as it is influenced by factors such as species, body habitus, metabolic rate and clothing insulation, the state of movement, the state of perspiration; as well as climatic factors, such as air temperature, mean radiant temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and air quality. Even in the same location, the influence of radiation from the ground, for example, is greatly different between a tall adult and a short child. Psychological parameters in humans, such as individual expectations, and mood also affect thermal comfort. Understanding and monitoring the surrounding personal or individual climate exposures, in concert with these individual modifying factors, is an important step towards monitoring overall thermal comfort and safety in agricultural, occupational, athletic and medical research contexts.

[0006] So, for example, in research studies it is important to be able accurately and continuously to measure immediate ambient temperature around a participant’s body, regardless of whether they are indoors or outdoors or moving between different thermal environments, in the sun or in the shade, on the grass or on concrete, so as to track changes in individual heat exposure in participants to understand impacts on important health outcomes. A wearable environmental sensor is required to monitor the environment in a desired place, particularly in the vicinity of a human body, but conventional environmental sensors are constructed to specific standards, require specific placement in the environment, are too large in size to wear and inconvenient to carry, and there may be restrictions on the location where the sensor is worn, due to interactions with the individual. Certain prior art solutions in human-centric approaches to thermal comfort assessments provide a wrist-mounted wearable thermometer, such as an iButton™ temperature logger, to monitor temperature, paired with a fitness device, such as a Fitbit™, to monitor physiological responses. These systems are used to predict core temperature, thermal comfort and heat stress.

[0007] However, in order accurately to record parameters relating to a person’s heat exposure, it is important that ambient temperature readings are not influenced by the person’s own body heat (which is influenced by e.g., individual metabolic factors and clothing level), or by mean radiant temperature (which is a result of e.g., direct sunlight), while further allowing for the measurement of other exposures which influence heat exposure, or constitute harmful exposures in and of themselves, such as humidity and air quality (e.g., PM2.5, CO2, CO, etc.). It is herein that the prior art falls short: in many prior art solutions, wearable devices support these types of thermometers in such a way that temperature readings are indeed influenced by one or both of a wearer’s body heat and / or radiant temperature, and do not allow for measurement of air quality, humidity or other factors. If an ambient temperature reading is influenced by radiant heat, the sensor's temperature will be a mix of the true air temperature and the temperature of the surrounding surfaces. This means the recorded value will not accurately reflect the air temperature alone, leading to inaccurate readings that can be influenced depending on whether the surrounding surfaces are hotter or colder than the air. This error is significant in conditions with low air velocity where convective heat exchange is minimal. Additionally, many calculated heat exposure metrics require both the radiant temperature and ambient temperature to be accurately measured.

[0008] These prior art shortcomings affect accurate measurement of heat exposure. Firstly, if a thermometer reading is influenced by radiant heat, it results in misleading ambient temperature measurements, and therefore a miscalculation of actual heat exposure. A person in a room will feel a temperature that is influenced by both air temperature and radiation. For example, if a person is in a room with air at 22°C, but the walls are very cold (e.g., 10°C in winter) or very warm (e.g., 25°C in summer), that person will feel colder or warmer than the air temperature indicates because of the radiant heat exchange with the body. A temperature sensor that is not shielded from radiation will give inaccurate sensor readings - e.g., a sensor exposed to warm surfaces will report a higher temperature than the actual air temperature, while one exposed to cold surfaces will report a lower temperature. This is especially problematic in patient studies that require measuring air temperature accurately. Additionally, the prior art fails accurately to measure radiant temperature in isolation, such that both ambient temperature and radiant temperature can be measured independently and used to calculate more complex heat exposure metrics compared to Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, and others.

[0009] Secondly, if a thermometer reading is influenced by body heat, it can also lead to inaccurate or unreliable results. This is because external factors like the person's physical condition, core body temperature, and user technique can affect the thermometer's reading, preventing it from accurately reflecting the ambient temperature. For example, drinking a hot beverage before a temperature reading or exercising can temporarily raise body temperature and will likely cause the temperature reading to be falsely high. A person's normal or baseline temperature can vary: someone who typically runs "hot" or "cold" will have a different baseline than the average, which can lead to a misinterpretation of the reading. Emotional or physical stress, infections, and other pathologies can affect the body's ability to regulate its temperature, leading to an exacerbated influence of body temperature on the reading.

[0010] It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a wearable housing for supporting a climate sensor on a user’s body to enable accurate monitoring of an individual’s climatic exposure, wherein the climate sensor is isolated from a user’s body surface and the influence of body temperature, while simultaneously being shielded from the influence of thermal radiation for the purposes of measuring accurate ambient temperature. In addition, it allows air to flow freely across the climate sensor such that it can accurately measure temperature, humidity, and other measures of air quality, such as air pollution and carbon monoxide, to name but a few. It is a further object of the invention to provide a wearable device for accurately monitoring comprehensive individual climate exposures.

[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] According to the invention there is provided a wearable housing that is configured for supporting a climate sensor on a user’s body to enable standardised measuring of personal ambient temperature, humidity, air quality and other climate exposures, around the user’s body, the housing comprising - an inner cavity configured to receive the climate sensor; first supporting means for supporting the climate sensor in thermally insulated relationship to a surface of the user’s body; a heat shield configured for shielding the climate sensor against thermal radiation; and second supporting means for supporting the heat shield in thermally insulated relationship to the climate sensor; the arrangement being such that the climate sensor is housed within the inner cavity intermediate the first supporting means and the heat shield.

[0013] For purposes of this specification, the term “heat shield” should be interpreted to include its technical equivalents like thermal shield, radiation shield, heat barrier, thermal / radiation deflector, or the like protective means for sensors which block radiation, including from direct sunlight to prevent solar heat from causing inaccurate readings. Similarly, the term “climate sensor” should be interpreted to include its technical equivalents like sensor for environmental monitoring, personal environmental tracker, environmental I temperature I weather sensor, climate monitor, thermometer and the like devices that measure environmental factors like temperature (including ambient and radiant temperature), humidity, atmospheric pressure, and air quality (e.g., PM2.5, CO2, CO, dust, etc.) such as an iButton™ temperature logger, or air quality monitor.

[0014] The inner cavity may be configured circumferentially to engage and support the climate sensor.

[0015] The first supporting means may support the climate sensor such that at least a film of air flow is created intermediate the climate sensor and the user’s body surface. More specifically, the first supporting means may create an air chamber intermediate the climate sensor and the user’s body surface to allow free air flow between the climate sensor and the user. Alternatively, or additionally, the housing may include thermally- insulated material supported between the climate sensor and user’s body surface to insulate the climate sensor from the user’s body.

[0016] The heat shield may releasably be receivable within the housing and may be dimensioned to cover at least part of, but preferably the entirety of, the climate sensor surface. The second supporting means may support the heat shield such that at least a film of airflow is created intermediate the climate sensor and heat shield. In one embodiment of the invention, the second supporting means may include at least one, but preferably a number of air vents circumferentially extending about the housing and protruding through the second supporting means for allowing free air flow over the surface of the climate sensor underneath the heat shield.

[0017] The housing may include connecting means for releasably connecting the housing to a strap which can be worn around a user’s wrist, leg, neck or other body part. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the housing may be incorporated into a wrist watch, collar, earphone or other wearable devices.

[0018] The climate sensor may be an iButton™ temperature and humidity logger, or other suitable prior art climate sensors.

[0019] The invention extends to a wearable device for accurately monitoring individual climate exposures, the device comprising the housing as set out herein, and a climate sensor housed within the housing. The device also may include a wireless transmitter housed within the housing and operatively associated with the climate sensor, the transmitter being suitable for transmitting climate exposures readings, including, but not limited to, personal ambient temperature, humidity, and air quality, to a smartphone, smartwatch or other remotely monitored receiver. SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Without wishing to be bound thereto, the invention will now further be described by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] FIGURE 1 is a perspective view from above of a housing according to the invention, including the heat shield;

[0022] FIGURE 2 is a side elevation at one angle of rotation of the housing of Figure 1 ;

[0023] FIGURE 3 is a side elevation at 90° different angle of rotation of the housing of Figure 1 ;

[0024] FIGURE 4 is a perspective view from above of the housing of Figure 1 with the heat shield removed to illustrate positioning of the climate sensor;

[0025] FIGURE 5 is a perspective view from below of the housing of Figure 4;

[0026] FIGURE 6 is a side elevation of the housing of Figures 4 and 5;

[0027] FIGURE 7 is a sectional view on line A-A of Figure 6;

[0028] FIGURE 8 is a perspective view from above of the housing mounted onto a strap; and

[0029] FIGURE 9 is a perspective view from below of the housing of Figure 8.

[0030] Unless otherwise defined, all the technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. The terms “first,” “second,” etc., which are used in the present application for disclosure, are not intended to indicate any sequence, amount or importance, but only distinguish various components. Also, the terms such as “a,” “an,” etc., are not intended to limit the amount, but indicate the existence of at least one. The terms “comprise,” “comprising,” “include,” “including,” etc., are intended to specify that the elements or the objects stated before these terms encompass the elements or the objects and equivalents thereof listed after these terms, but do not preclude the other elements or objects. The phrases “connect”, “connected”, “connecting”, etc., are not intended only to define a physical connection or mechanical connection, but may include an electrical connection, directly or indirectly. “On,” “under,” “right,” “left”, “atop”, and the like are only used to indicate relative position relationship, and when the position of the object which is described is changed, the relative position relationship may be changed accordingly. The term “user” may refer to a human, or an animal, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0031] A wearable housing according to the invention is generally designated by reference numeral (10). The housing (10) is configured for supporting a climate sensor (12), such as an iButton™ temperature and humidity logger, on a user’s body to enable standardised measuring of personal ambient temperature and humidity around the user’s body, and is specifically configured both to shield the climate sensor (12) from radiation, as well as thermally to insulate it from a user’s body heat, while the sensor (12) is also ventilated, thus allowing for accurate climate hazard monitoring, including air quality (e.g., PM2.5, CO2, CO, dust, etc.).

[0032] The housing (10) comprises an inner cavity (14) which is configured to receive the climate sensor (12) and first supporting means (16) for supporting the climate sensor (12) in thermally insulated relationship to a surface of the user’s body. The inner cavity (14) is configured circumferentially to engage and support the climate sensor (12). The first supporting means (16) support the climate sensor (12) such that an air chamber is created intermediate the climate sensor (12) and the user’s body surface such that at least a film of air flows between the user and the climate sensor (12). The housing (10) additionally or alternatively may include thermally-insulated material (not shown) supported between the climate sensor (12) and a user’s body surface.

[0033] The housing (10) further comprises a heat shield (18) configured for shielding the climate sensor (12) against stray radiation; and second supporting means (20) for supporting the heat shield (18) in thermally insulated relationship to the climate sensor (12). The climate sensor (12) is housed within the inner cavity (14) intermediate the first supporting means (16) and the heat shield (18). The heat shield (18) sits within the housing (10) such that it covers the entire surface of the climate sensor (12).

[0034] The second supporting means (20) support the heat shield (18) such that at least a film of air flow is created intermediate the climate sensor (12) and the heat shield (18). In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the second supporting means (20) include a number of air vents (22) circumferentially extending about the housing (10) and protruding through the second supporting means (20) for allowing free air flow over the surface of the climate sensor (12) underneath the heat shield (18).

[0035] The housing (10) includes connecting means (24) in the form of strap-accommodating slots extending through the first supporting means (16) and through which a strap (26) extends for releasably connecting the housing (10) to the strap (26), which can be worn around a user’s wrist, leg, or neck, or another body part. It will be appreciated that alternative embodiments of the invention may be possible without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A wearable housing (10) that is configured for supporting a climate sensor (12) on a user’s body to enable standardised measuring of personal ambient temperature, humidity, air quality and other climate exposures, around the user’s body, the housing (10) comprising - an inner cavity (14) configured to receive the climate sensor (12); first supporting means (16) for supporting the climate sensor (12) in thermally insulated relationship to a surface of the user’s body; a heat shield (18) configured for shielding the climate sensor (12) against thermal radiation; and second supporting means (20) for supporting the heat shield (18) in thermally insulated relationship to the climate sensor (12); the arrangement being such that the climate sensor (12) is housed within the inner cavity (14) intermediate the first supporting means (16) and the heat shield (18).

2. The wearable housing (10) according to claim 1 wherein the inner cavity (14) is configured circumferentially to engage and support the climate sensor (12).

3. The wearable housing (10) according to claim 2 wherein the first supporting means (16) support the climate sensor (12) such that an air chamber is created intermediate the climate sensor (12) and the user’s body surface to allow at least a film of air flow between the user’s body surface and the climate sensor (12) to shield the climate sensor (12) from the user’s body.

4. The wearable housing (10) according to claim 3 wherein the housing (10) additionally or alternatively to the air chamber includes thermally-insulated material supported within the housing (10) between the climate sensor (12) and user’s body surface to shield the climate sensor (12) from the user’s body.

5. The wearable housing (10) according to claim 4 wherein the heat shield (18) is releasably receivable within the housing (10) and is dimensioned to cover at least part of, but preferably the entirety of, the climate sensor (12) surface.

6. The wearable housing (10) according to claim 5 wherein the second supporting means (20) support the heat shield (18) such that at least a film of air flow is created intermediate the climate sensor (12) and heat shield (18) to ventilate the sensor (12) for accurate climate hazard monitoring.

7. The wearable housing (10) according to claim 6 wherein the second supporting means (20) include at least one, but preferably a number of, air vents (22) circumferentially extending about the housing (10) and protruding through the second supporting means (20) for allowing free air flow over the surface of the climate sensor (12) underneath the heat shield (18).

8. The wearable housing (10) according to claim 7 wherein the housing (10) includes connecting means (24) for releasably connecting the housing (10) to a strap (26) which can be worn around a user’s wrist, leg, neck or other body part.

9. The wearable housing (10) according to claim 7 wherein the housing (10) is incorporated into a wrist watch, collar, earphone or other wearable devices.

10. The wearable housing (10) according to anyone of claims 1 to 9 wherein the climate sensor (12) is an iButton™ temperature and humidity logger.

11. A wearable device for accurately monitoring individual climate exposures, the device comprising the housing (10) as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 10, and a climate sensor (12) housed within the housing (10).

12. The wearable device according to claim 11 wherein the device also includes a wireless transmitter housed within the housing (10) and operatively associated with the climate sensor (12), the transmitter being suitable for transmitting climate exposures readings, including, but not limited to, personal ambient temperature, humidity, and air quality, to a smartphone, smartwatch or other remotely monitored receiver.

13. A wearable housing (10) according to anyone of claims 1 to 10 substantially as herein illustrated and exemplified with reference to the accompanying Figures 1 to 9.

14. Awearable device according to anyone of claims 11 to 12 substantially as herein illustrated and exemplified with reference to the accompanying Figures 1 to 9.

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