Trunk Width Measuring Unit for Visceral Fat Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing visceral fat measuring devices face challenges in accurately measuring trunk width due to breathing-induced shape changes, leading to unreliable precision, as they often rely on physical information that varies with inhalation and exhalation.
Innovation Solution
A trunk width measuring unit with movable contact portions that can follow the shape changes of the trunk during breathing, allowing for simultaneous measurement of vertical and horizontal widths at the same breathing timing, using detectors to calculate these dimensions and reflect breathing state in measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the pressed portion is used to closely attach electrodes and measure physical information simultaneously, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to breathing-induced shape changes
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the measurement function into two separate components: a pressed portion for electrode attachment and a trunk width measuring unit for physical measurement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its dedicated function without interference, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The trunk width measuring unit is extracted as a separate functional module from the pressed portion. This extraction enables independent optimization of the measurement system, allowing precise measurement of trunk dimensions without the interference of electrode attachment requirements.
2Ease of operation
If only horizontal width or vertical width is measured, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to insufficient precision
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system transitions from one-dimensional measurement (either horizontal or vertical width alone) to two-dimensional measurement by simultaneously capturing both horizontal and vertical dimensions. This dimensional expansion provides more comprehensive trunk size information, improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation through automated multi-dimensional detection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If measurement is taken at different breathing states, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to shape variation
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates breathing state detection and uses this information as feedback to standardize measurements. By detecting the current breathing state and using it to adjust or select appropriate measurement timing, the system maintains measurement precision across different breathing conditions while preserving adaptability to various user states.
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a trunk width measuring unit capable of improving reliability of measurement precision, and a visceral fat measuring device. The trunk width measuring unit is provided with a first contact portion to be brought into contact with an upper surface of a trunk of a user in a supine position, a second contact portion to be brought into contact with one of side surfaces of the trunk, a third contact portion to be brought into contact with the other side surface of the trunk, and a trunk width calculating unit for calculating vertical width and horizontal width of the trunk from height from an upper surface of a bed to a contact position of the first contact portion and a distance between the second contact portion and the third contact portion.