JP6883848B2 - Back pain prevention device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a low back pain preventive device for supporting the prevention of low back pain in the human body.

Conventionally, as a low back pain prevention device for supporting the prevention of low back pain in the human body, a belt attached to the trunk of the human body and an angle sensor attached to the vicinity of the waist of the trunk by the belt are provided and detected by the angle sensor. When the inclination angle of the trunk in the vertical direction exceeds the reference angle, there is a device that predicts and notifies the occurrence of low back pain (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-85262

The cause of low back pain is related not only to the posture of the trunk but also to the usage of muscles in the lower back and back. We could not provide sufficient support for back pain prevention.

An object of the present invention is to provide a low back pain prevention device that supports low back pain prevention in consideration of the posture of the trunk and the usage of muscles in the lower back or back.

The low back pain prevention device of the present invention
The mounting members that are mounted on the trunk of the human body,
When the mounting member is mounted on the trunk, it is arranged between the mounting member and a detection target portion located on the waist or back of the trunk, and the force input by the muscle activity of the detection target portion is applied. Based on the muscle activity sensor that outputs information about the muscle activity,
A posture sensor that outputs information about the posture of the trunk, and
Based on the information output from the muscle activity sensor and the information output from the posture sensor, a processing unit that performs processing to support the prevention of low back pain of the wearer of the mounting member, and a processing unit.
It has.

The low back pain prevention device of the present invention
A notification unit for notifying the wearer of the mounting member is further provided.
The processing unit determines that the muscle contraction of the detection target portion has occurred based on the information output from the muscle activity sensor, and the processing unit with respect to the vertical direction of the trunk based on the information output from the posture sensor. It is preferable that the notification unit executes the notification when it is determined that the inclination angle exceeds a predetermined range.

In the back pain prevention device of the present invention
The muscle activity sensor
A substrate that is placed facing the detection target portion and
A first pressing member arranged on the substrate and pressed toward the detection target portion,
A first reaction force detecting unit that detects the reaction force received by the first pressing member, and
A second pressing member arranged on the substrate, pressed toward the detection target portion, and the reaction force received by the pressing is smaller than that of the first pressing member.
A second reaction force detecting unit that detects the reaction force received by the second pressing member, and
Have,
The processing unit receives a reaction force received by the first pressing member detected by the first reaction force detecting unit and a reaction force received by the second pressing member detected by the second reaction force detecting unit. It is preferable to determine whether or not the muscle contraction of the detection target portion has occurred based on the difference from the above or the change in the ratio.

In the back pain prevention device of the present invention
It is preferable that the second pressing member is formed in an annular protrusion shape surrounding the first pressing member.
Here, "the second pressing member is formed in an annular shape ..." means that the second pressing member surrounds the first pressing member without a gap over the entire circumference. Not only when it is continuously formed, but also when it is divided into a plurality of separated portions arranged intermittently around the first pressing member, or when it is formed in a C shape having one notch portion. It is intended to include various forms surrounding the first pressing member, such as when it is formed in. Further, the "ring" includes not only a shape that surrounds the circumference of the first pressing member in a circular shape (annular shape), but also various shapes such as a shape that surrounds the first pressing member in a rectangular shape or a polygonal shape.

In the back pain prevention device of the present invention
It is preferable that the second pressing member is formed in a flexible bag shape in which a fluid is sealed.

In the back pain prevention device of the present invention
It is preferable that the first pressing member is formed in a flexible bag shape in which a fluid is sealed.

In the back pain prevention device of the present invention
When the first pressing member is formed in a protrusion shape having a circular cross section and the second pressing member is formed in an annular protrusion shape surrounding the first pressing member. Suitable.

In the back pain prevention device of the present invention
It is preferable that the first pressing member and the second pressing member are formed on a cover body that is detachably attached to the substrate.

In the back pain prevention device of the present invention
It is preferable that the fluid is air.

In the back pain prevention device of the present invention
It is preferable that the protruding height of the first pressing member from the substrate in the no-load state is higher than the protruding height of the second pressing member from the substrate in the no-load state.

In the back pain prevention device of the present invention
The first reaction force detecting unit is provided between the substrate and the first pressing member, and the second reaction force detecting unit is provided between the substrate and the second pressing member. It is preferable to have it.

In the back pain prevention device of the present invention
It is preferable that the substrate contains an amplifier circuit that amplifies and outputs a detection signal input from the first reaction force detection unit and the second reaction force detection unit.

In the back pain prevention device of the present invention
It is preferable that the posture sensor is provided on the substrate of the muscle activity sensor.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a low back pain prevention device that supports the prevention of low back pain in consideration of the posture of the trunk and the usage of muscles in the lower back or back.

It is the schematic which shows the back pain prevention device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention together with the appearance that the measurement subject stood upright. It is the schematic which shows the main part of the back pain prevention device of FIG. 1 together with the appearance of the person to be measured standing leaning forward. It is sectional drawing of the muscle activity sensor of FIG. It is a top view of the muscle activity sensor and the posture sensor shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing a muscle activity sensor and a posture sensor shown in FIG. 3 in a state where the cover body is removed from the substrate. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the muscle activity sensor when the muscle is not contracted in a state where the muscle activity sensor is attached to the trunk, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the muscle activity sensor. It is a cross-sectional view which shows the state of the muscle activity sensor when the muscle contracts in the state which is attached to the trunk. 7 (a) to 7 (c) are cross-sectional views showing different modified examples of the muscle activity sensor shown in FIG. 3, respectively. It is sectional drawing which shows still another modification of the muscle activity sensor shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be illustrated with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of the back pain prevention device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. FIG. 1 shows the back pain prevention device 1 of the present embodiment together with the measurement target person. The low back pain prevention device 1 is a device for measuring the posture of the trunk of the measurement target person and the usage status of the muscles of the waist or back, and supporting the back pain prevention of the measurement target person based on the measurement result. For example, it can be suitably used in nursing care sites and medical sites.
In the example of FIG. 1, the low back pain prevention device 1 of the present embodiment notifies the mounting member 20, the muscle activity sensor 10, the posture sensor 30, the computer unit 70, which is mounted on the trunk of the human body of the measurement target person. A unit 50 and the like are provided. The computer unit 70 has a processing unit 40 and a storage unit 60. However, the back pain prevention device 1 does not have to include the storage unit 60 and the notification unit 50.

In FIG. 1, the wearer of the mounting member 20 stands straight and looks at the wearer from behind. FIG. 2 shows only the mounting member 20, the muscle activity sensor 10, and the posture sensor 30 in the back pain prevention device 1 of FIG. In FIG. 2, the wearer of the mounting member 20 stands leaning forward and looks at the wearer from the side. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing only the muscle activity sensor 10 and the posture sensor 30 of the low back pain prevention device 1 of FIG. 1 in a state where they are not attached to the trunk. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which the muscle activity sensor 10 and the posture sensor 30 shown in FIG. 3 are viewed from the upper side of FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the muscle activity sensor 10 is attached to the mounting member 20. The posture sensor 30 is provided in the muscle activity sensor 10. As a result, the mounting member 20, the muscle activity sensor 10, and the posture sensor 30 form a mounting portion 100 that is mounted on the trunk of the human body.

The mounting member 20 is preferably made of, for example, a corset or an elastic belt that is wrapped around the trunk and mounted. As shown in FIG. 2, when the mounting member 20 is mounted on the trunk of the measurement target person, the mounting member 20 is placed between the mounting member 20 and the detection target portion located on the waist or back of the trunk. The attached muscle activity sensor 10 is arranged. The mounting member 20 maintains a state in which the muscle activity sensor 10 is sandwiched between the mounting member 20 and the detection target portion of the trunk in this way, and the position of the muscle activity sensor 10 is located from the detection target portion even if the wearer moves. It has a role to prevent it from shifting and to keep it from the part to be detected. The mounting member 20 may be mounted on the trunk from above the clothes C as in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, or may be directly applied to the skin of the trunk without passing through the clothes C. ..

The muscle activity sensor 10 is used by the low back pain prevention device 1 to measure the usage status of the muscle M (for example, the erector spinae muscle) of the waist or back of the person to be measured. More specifically, when the mounting member 20 is mounted on the trunk, the muscle activity sensor 10 is a detection target in a state of being arranged between the mounting member 20 and a detection target portion located on the waist or back of the trunk. It is configured to output information on muscle activity based on the force input by the movement of a partial muscle (hereinafter, also referred to as muscle activity). The information output from the muscle activity sensor 10 is transmitted to the computer unit 70, and is used by the processing unit 40 of the computer unit 70 to determine the muscle usage status (for example, whether or not muscle contraction has occurred) in the detection target portion. Be done.
The muscle activity sensor 10 is detachably attached to the surface of the attachment member 20 that is in contact with the wearer with a clip, velcro (registered trademark), or the like, or is fixed with an adhesive, a fastener, or the like. ..
The part to be detected may be anywhere as long as it is on the lower back or back, but considering that the load applied to the erector spinae muscles is often related to the cause of low back pain in the human body, the part corresponding to the erector spinae muscles is the part to be detected. preferable.

The information output by the muscle activity sensor 10 changes according to the direction (or the direction opposite to the pressing direction) and the magnitude of the force input to the muscle activity sensor 10 depending on the muscle activity of the detection target portion. Any information can be used as long as it is available. By using such a muscle activity sensor 10, the back pain prevention device 1 can accurately grasp the muscle activity of the detection target portion.
The muscle activity sensor 10 has one or a plurality of pressure sensors that output information (for example, an electric signal) when an external force is applied so that such information can be output. The muscle activity sensor 10 may be composed of one pressure sensor itself. As will be described in detail later, the muscle activity sensor 10 in the example of the figure has two pressure sensors (first reaction force detecting unit 6 and second reaction force detecting unit 7), and is a detection target portion. Based on the force input by the muscle activity, the information (first reaction force information, second reaction force information) output from these two pressure sensors is used as the information related to the muscle activity via the wirings 6b and 7b, respectively. Is configured to output.
The pressure sensor included in the muscle activity sensor 10 is any type of pressure sensor (for example, strain gauge type pressure sensor, electrostatic capacity) as long as it outputs information (for example, an electric signal) corresponding to the input of an external force. It may be composed of a type pressure sensor, a piezoelectric type pressure sensor, a pressure sensor using a pressure-sensitive conductive rubber, etc.).

The posture sensor 30 is used by the back pain prevention device 1 to measure the posture of the trunk of the person to be measured. The posture sensor 30 is configured to output information regarding the posture of the trunk. In the example of the figure, the attitude sensor 30 is composed of, for example, an inclination angle sensor, a speed sensor, an acceleration sensor, or the like. The information output from the posture sensor 30 is transmitted to the computer unit 70 via the wiring 31, and the processing unit 40 of the computer unit 70 determines the posture of the trunk (for example, the inclination angle θ with respect to the vertical direction of the trunk). Used for.
However, the posture sensor 30 may have any configuration and arrangement position as long as it can output information on the posture of the trunk of the person to be measured. For example, the posture sensor 30 may be attached to a position that follows the movement of the trunk (for example, the mounting member 20, the skin of the trunk of the person to be measured, clothing C, or the like). Alternatively, the posture sensor 30 has an object attached at a position that follows the movement of the trunk and a measuring instrument that is installed at a position away from the measurement target and is configured to measure the position of the object and the like. , May be included.
The information output by the posture sensor 30 may be of any form or content as long as the processing unit 40 that reads the information can grasp the posture of the trunk.

The processing unit 40 is composed of, for example, a CPU or an MPU, and is a process for supporting the prevention of back pain of the wearer of the mounting member 20 based on the information output from the muscle activity sensor 10 and the information output from the posture sensor 30. I do. The processing unit 40 may be mounted on a computer device or the like installed at a position away from the measurement target person, or may be mounted on the muscle activity sensor 10, the posture sensor 30, or the mounting member 20. Part 100 may be configured.

The processing unit 40 grasps the muscle activity of the detection target portion based on the information output from the muscle activity sensor 10. For example, the processing unit 40 identifies whether or not muscle contraction of the detection target portion has occurred based on the information output from the muscle activity sensor 10.
Further, the processing unit 40 grasps the posture of the trunk based on the information output from the posture sensor 30. For example, the processing unit 40 specifies the inclination angle θ with respect to the vertical direction of the trunk based on the information output from the posture sensor 30. Then, the measured inclination angle θ is compared with a preset range (for example, a range from −30 ° to + 30 ° when the front is positive (+) with respect to the vertical direction) and measured. It is determined whether or not the tilt angle θ has exceeded this predetermined range.
Then, for example, the processing unit 40 determines that the muscle contraction of the detection target portion has occurred based on the information output from the muscle activity sensor 10, and based on the information output from the posture sensor 30, the trunk When it is determined that the inclination angle θ of the mounting member 20 exceeds a predetermined range (for example, a range from −30 ° to + 30 °), a process is performed to support the prevention of back pain of the wearer of the mounting member 20.

The processing unit 40 may perform an arbitrary process as a process for supporting the prevention of back pain of the wearer of the mounting member 20.
For example, the processing unit 40 may cause the notification unit 50 connected to the processing unit 40 to notify the wearer of the mounting member 20 as a process for supporting the prevention of low back pain. The notification unit 50 is composed of, for example, a speaker, a display, a printer, a vibrating device, or the like, which gives an auditory, visual, or physical stimulus to the wearer. The notification unit 50 may be provided at a position away from the wearer, or may be provided on the muscle activity sensor 10, the posture sensor 30, or the attachment member 20 to form the attachment unit 100. .. As a result, the wearer who receives the notification can recognize that he / she is at high risk of developing low back pain and can take preventive measures for low back pain such as correcting his / her posture.
Alternatively, as a process for supporting the prevention of low back pain, the processing unit 40 controls a drive device (not shown) attached to the wearer's trunk, and for example, the inclination angle θ of the wearer's trunk is determined as described above. The trunk may be moved to return within a range (eg, from −30 ° to + 30 °). This drive device may be built in, for example, the mounting member 20.

The storage unit 60 is composed of, for example, a ROM and / or RAM, and stores a program for execution by the processing unit 40 and various data (information output from the muscle activity sensor 10, information output from the posture sensor 30, etc.). ,Remember. The storage unit 60 may be mounted on a computer device or the like installed at a position away from the measurement target person, or may be mounted on the muscle activity sensor 10, the posture sensor 30, or the mounting member 20. Part 100 may be configured.

As described above, according to the low back pain prevention device 1 of the present embodiment, the wearer's low back pain prevention is supported in consideration of both the posture of the trunk and the usage of the muscles of the lower back or back. Therefore, for example, the lower back pain. Alternatively, the timing and content of the treatment for supporting the prevention of low back pain can be made more appropriate than when the usage status of the back muscles is not taken into consideration.

Further, as described above, the low back pain prevention device 1 of the present embodiment provides information on muscle activity based on the force input by the muscle activity of the detection target portion in order to grasp the usage status of the muscles of the lower back or back. The muscle activity sensor 10 configured to output is used. If a myoelectric potential sensor is used to grasp the muscle usage status, it is generally necessary to attach three electrodes directly to the skin when attaching the myoelectric potential sensor to the person to be measured. For stable mounting, it is necessary to apply a special gel to the skin before mounting the electrodes, and in order to ensure detection accuracy, place each electrode at an appropriate position near the detection target part. Need to be installed. However, it is sufficient to attach one muscle activity sensor 10 of the low back pain prevention device 1 of the present embodiment to the detection target portion, and it is not essential to directly touch the skin, and the muscle activity sensor 10 is attached from above the clothes C. However, since muscle activity can be detected without any problem, the work of attaching to the wearer becomes easy.

Here, an example of the muscle activity sensor 10 used in the low back pain prevention device 1 of the present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference mainly to FIGS. 3 to 6.
The muscle activity sensor 10 of this example has a substrate 2. The substrate 2 is arranged so as to face the muscle of the detection target portion.
The substrate 2 is preferably formed in a disk shape having a diameter corresponding to the muscle width (width in the direction perpendicular to the expansion / contraction direction) of the muscle of the detection target portion of the muscle activity sensor 10. Further, the substrate 2 can be formed of, for example, a synthetic resin material such as engineering plastic or a metal material such as brass (brass), and is preferably rigid enough not to cause excessive deformation during use. ..
The diameter of the substrate 2 can be variously set according to the muscle of the detection target portion. Further, the shape of the substrate 2 is not limited to the disk shape, and can be variously changed such as a rectangular plate shape.

A first pressing member 3 and a second pressing member 4 are arranged on the upper surface of the substrate 2 which is the upper side in FIG. The first pressing member 3 and the second pressing member 4 project from the upper surface of the substrate 2, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, when the muscle activity sensor 10 is attached to the detection target portion, the first pressing member 3 and the second pressing member 4 are on the detection target portion side with respect to the substrate 2. The posture is such that the sensor is facing, and the sensor is pressed toward the detection target portion.

In the example of FIG. 3, the posture sensor 30 is provided on the substrate 2 of the muscle activity sensor 10. As a result, the feeling of foreign matter given to the wearer can be reduced and the comfort of the wearer can be improved as compared with the case where the posture sensor 30 and the muscle activity sensor 10 are provided at different positions. More specifically, in the example of FIG. 3, the posture sensor 30 is formed in a recess formed on the surface of the substrate 2 opposite to the first reaction force detecting unit 6 and the second reaction force detecting unit 7. It is fitted. However, the posture sensor 30 is formed on the surface of the substrate 2 of the muscle activity sensor 10 on the side of the first reaction force detection unit 6 and the second reaction force detection unit 7, as shown in FIG. 7A, for example. It may be fitted in the recess, or it may be embedded inside the substrate 2.

In this example, the first pressing member 3 and the second pressing member 4 form a cover body 5 that is detachably attached to the substrate 2. The cover body 5 is formed on the surface of a thin base material sheet 5a formed of a synthetic resin material such as vinyl chloride resin in a circle having a diameter larger than that of the substrate 2, and is also first made of a synthetic resin material such as vinyl chloride resin. A thin surface sheet 5b having a convex shape corresponding to the pressing member 3 and the second pressing member 4 is attached by means such as heat welding or adhesion.

The cover body 5 is mounted on the substrate 2 by arranging the base material sheet 5a on the upper surface of the substrate 2 and covering the folded-back portion 5c provided on the outer peripheral edge of the cover body 5 on the outer peripheral edge of the substrate 2. To. Further, by removing the folded-back portion 5c from the outer peripheral edge of the substrate 2, the cover body 5 can be removed from the substrate 2 as shown in FIG. In this way, the cover body 5 is detachably attached to the substrate 2.
With such a configuration, the cost of the muscle activity sensor 10 can be reduced by making the cover body 5 an inexpensive configuration that can be easily manufactured by laminating two sheets. Further, since the cover body 5 can be configured to be inexpensive and disposable, it can be replaced with a new cover body 5 when the first pressing member 3 or the second pressing member 4 is damaged or dirty. As a result, the first pressing member 3 and the second pressing member 4 can be easily replaced with new ones.
The folded-back portion 5c is formed in a gathered shape, or a rubber band is attached to the inner peripheral edge of the folded-back portion 5c so that the cover body 5 is hard to come off from the substrate 2 and can be easily removed. You can also do it. Further, the mounting structure of the cover body 5 on the substrate 2 is not limited to that of the folded-back portion 5c described above, and various configurations can be adopted.

As shown in FIG. 3, according to the above configuration, in the first pressing member 3, a fluid (air in this example) is sealed in the internal space 3a partitioned between the base sheet 5a and the surface sheet 5b. It is formed in a flexible bag shape. Further, the first pressing member 3 has a protruding shape in which the upper end (tip) is rounded and the cross section (cross section parallel to the upper surface of the substrate 2) is circular, and the axis thereof is the axis of the substrate 2. It is arranged on the substrate 2 so as to coincide with the center, and protrudes from the upper surface at a predetermined protruding height.
In this example, the second pressing member 4 is also formed in a flexible bag shape in which a fluid is sealed. More specifically, the second pressing member 4 also has a flexible bag shape in which a fluid (air in this example) is sealed in an internal space 4a partitioned between the base sheet 5a and the surface sheet 5b. It is formed. Further, in this example, the second pressing member 4 is formed in an annular protrusion shape surrounding the first pressing member 3. More specifically, the second pressing member 4 is formed in a protruding shape having an annular shape as a whole and a curved upper surface, and the substrate 2 is formed on the substrate 2 so as to surround the periphery of the first pressing member 3. It is arranged coaxially with. In this example, the second pressing member 4 is formed in an annular shape as a whole. Further, in this example, the second pressing member 4 is continuously formed so as to surround the circumference of the first pressing member 3 without a gap over the entire circumference. The second pressing member 4 is not limited to a continuous annular shape that surrounds the circumference of the first pressing member 3 without a gap over the entire circumference, for example, around the first pressing member 3. Of the first pressing member 3, such as one formed by dividing into a plurality of separated portions arranged intermittently along the circumferential direction, and one formed in a C shape having one notch portion. Various shapes can be used as long as they are arranged so as to surround the periphery. Further, the second pressing member 4 is not limited to an annular shape that surrounds the circumference of the first pressing member 3 in a circular shape in a plan view, and for example, the first pressing member 3 is rectangular or polygonal in a plan view. It can also have various shapes such as a shape surrounding the shape.
The internal space 3a of the first pressing member 3 and the internal space 4a of the second pressing member 4 are respectively designed to enclose air as a fluid, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, compressibility other than air It is also possible to enclose an incompressible fluid such as a fluid (gas) or water.

In the no-load state, that is, in the natural state where the muscles are not pressed, the protrusion height of the first pressing member 3 from the upper surface of the substrate 2 is the substrate of the second pressing member 4, as can be seen from FIG. It is higher than the protrusion height from the upper surface of 2. In this case, in the no-load state, the pressure in the internal space 3a of the first pressing member 3 and the pressure in the internal space 4a of the second pressing member 4 are equivalent.

As described above, by forming the second pressing member 4 in the shape of an annular protrusion surrounding the first pressing member 3, when the muscle activity sensor 10 is attached to a predetermined part of the human body, the second pressing member 4 allows the substrate 2 to be stably supported by a predetermined portion of the human body. In particular, when the second pressing member 4 is formed in a continuous annular shape so as to surround the circumference of the first pressing member 3 without a gap, the substrate 2 is formed by the second pressing member 4. It can be stably supported by a predetermined part of the human body. Therefore, the substrate 2 can be stably pressed toward the muscle without being greatly tilted from the posture facing the muscle. Further, by suppressing the inclination of the substrate 2, it is possible to prevent the substrate 2 from directly touching the human body or the like, and to improve the detection accuracy of the muscle activity of the muscle by the muscle activity sensor 10.

Further, by forming the first pressing member 3 and the second pressing member 4 into a flexible bag shape in which a fluid is sealed inside, these pressing members 3 and 4 are pressed against the human body toward the muscles. It is possible to improve the feel that the human body receives at the time. That is, it is possible to reduce the pain and discomfort felt by the human body when the muscle activity sensor 10 is attached to the human body for a long time.

In order to detect the reaction force (pressure) that the first pressing member 3 receives from the human body when the first pressing member 3 is pressed against the human body toward the muscle, the substrate 2 has a first reaction force detecting unit. 6 is provided. In this example, the first reaction force detecting unit 6 is composed of a disk-shaped pressure sensor, and is fitted into the first circular groove 2a formed at the axial center position on the upper surface of the substrate 2 to fit into the substrate 2. It is mounted and its pressure detection surface 6a is exposed on the upper surface of the substrate 2 so as to be flush with the upper surface. That is, the first reaction force detecting unit 6 is arranged between the substrate 2 and the first pressing member 3.

Further, in order to detect the reaction force (pressure) that the second pressing member 4 receives from the human body when the second pressing member 4 is pressed toward the muscle, the substrate 2 has a second reaction force detecting unit. 7 is provided. In this example, the second reaction force detecting unit 7 is also composed of a disk-shaped pressure sensor, and is formed at a position corresponding to directly below the second pressing member 4 (center position in the radial direction) on the upper surface of the substrate 2. It is fitted into the second circular groove 2b and mounted on the substrate 2. The pressure detecting surface 7a of the second reaction force detecting unit 7 is also exposed on the upper surface of the substrate 2 so as to be flush with the upper surface. As a result, the second reaction force detecting unit 7 is arranged between the substrate 2 and the second pressing member 4. In this example, since the second pressing member 4 has a configuration in which air is sealed in the internal space 4a, even if only a part of the second pressing member 4 receives a reaction force from the human body. Since the pressure of the internal space 4a increased by receiving the reaction force is transmitted to the entire second pressing member 4 via air, the change in the pressure is accurately detected by one second reaction force detecting unit 7. Can be detected.

As described above, in this example, since the second pressing member 4 is formed in the shape of a bag filled with air, even if the second pressing member 4 is formed in the shape of an annular protrusion, 1 The reaction force (pressure) applied to the second pressing member 4 can be detected by the second reaction force detecting unit 7. As described above, when the second pressing member 4 is formed by a plurality of separated portions arranged intermittently along the circumferential direction around the first pressing member 3. By connecting the separated portions of the second pressing member 4 with a tube or the like so that the internal pressures of the second pressing member 4 are the same, the reaction force (pressure) received by the second pressing member 4 from the human body is one. It can be configured to be detected by the second reaction force detecting unit 7. When the second pressing member 4 is formed of a plurality of separated portions arranged intermittently along the circumferential direction around the first pressing member 3, the second pressing member 4 is formed. By providing a plurality of second reaction force detecting units 7 corresponding to each of the separated portions of the member 4, the reaction force (pressure) received by the second pressing member 4 from the human body is received by the second reaction force detecting unit 7. It can also be configured to detect.

The first reaction force detecting unit 6 and the second reaction force detecting unit 7 detect the reaction force received by the first pressing member 3 and the second pressing member 4, such as a strain gauge type pressure sensor, and detect the reaction force. Any type of pressure sensor that can output this as first reaction force information and second reaction force information composed of electric signals and the like can be used.

The first reaction force detecting unit 6 and the second reaction force detecting unit 7 are connected to the processing unit 40 via the wirings 6b and 7b, respectively.
The processing unit 40 determines the detection target portion based on the first reaction force information output from the first reaction force detection unit 6 and the second reaction force information output from the second reaction force detection unit 7. Detect muscle activity. For example, the processing unit 40 determines the reaction force received by the first pressing member 3 from the human body and the reaction force received by the second pressing member 4 from the human body based on the first reaction force information and the second reaction force information. Detects muscle contraction in the area to be detected based on changes in the difference or ratio.

Here, an example of a method of detecting muscle contraction using the muscle activity sensor 10 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A shows a state in which the muscle M is not contracted in a state where the muscle activity sensor 10 is attached to the detection target portion, and FIG. 6B shows a state in which the muscle activity sensor 10 detects the muscle activity sensor 10. It shows the state when the muscle M contracts in the state of being attached to the target portion. In the example of the figure, the muscle activity sensor 10 hits the skin SK of the detection target portion via the clothes C, but the presence or absence of the clothes C does not affect the operation of the muscle activity sensor 10, and thus will be described below. For the sake of convenience, clothing C is not mentioned.

In the state of FIG. 6A, the first pressing member 3 and the second pressing member 4 are slightly deformed by receiving a reaction force from the skin SK of the human body, respectively. Even in this state, the protruding height of the first pressing member 3 from the upper surface of the substrate 2 is higher than the protruding height of the second pressing member 4 from the upper surface of the substrate 2 as in the no-load state. ing.
At this time, since the contact on both the first pressing member 3 and the second pressing member 4 bends flexibly skin SK, with added reaction force F _B from the skin to the first pressing member 3, the second so that the applied reaction force F _D from the skin SK the pressing member 4. These reaction forces F _B, F _D are respectively detected by the first reaction force detection unit 6 and the second reaction force detection unit 7, the first reaction force information, a second reaction force information, processor 40 Is output to. In this pressed state, the protruding height of the first pressing member 3 from the upper surface of the substrate 2 is higher than the protruding height of the second pressing member 4 from the upper surface of the substrate 2. reaction force F _B which first pressing member 3 receives from the human body is larger than the reaction force F _D which the second pressing member 4 receives from the human body. Processing unit 40 detects the muscle contraction of the detection target portion based on the difference or the ratio changes in the reaction force F _B and the reaction force F _D.

In this example, in order to detect muscle contraction more accurately, the processing unit 40 receives a reaction force F _B from the human body and a reaction force F B received from the human body by the second pressing member 3. calculating a sum F _T and _D, and detect the muscle contraction the value obtained by dividing the reaction force F _B by the sum F _T as the parameter value S of the degree of muscle contraction. The formula (1) that is the formula for calculating the parameter value S is shown below. The parameter value S is a dimensionless variable that changes in the range of 0 to 1.
[Number 1]
_{S = F B / (F B} + F D) = F B / F T ··· Equation (1)

The processing unit 40 calculates the parameter value S in the state shown in FIG. 6A, and detects muscle contraction based on the change in the parameter value S based on the parameter value S. Here, the parameter value S, because it is a value that changes based on the change of the ratio of the reaction force F _D which the reaction force F _B and the second pressing member 4 in which the first pressing member 3 is subjected is subjected, the parameter values detecting a muscle contraction on the basis of a change in S is muscle based on the change of the ratio of the reaction force F _D which the reaction force F _B and the second pressing member 4 in which the first pressing member 3 is subjected is subjected It is the same as detecting contraction. The processing unit 40 is not limited to the configuration for detecting a muscle contraction on the basis of the change of the ratio of the reaction force F _D which the reaction force F _B and the second pressing member 4 in which the first pressing member 3 is subjected is subjected It may be configured to detect the muscle contraction on the basis of the change in the difference between the reaction force F _D which the reaction force F _B and the second pressing member 4 in which the first pressing member 3 is subjected is subjected.

When the muscle M gradually contracts from the state shown in FIG. 6A, the skin SK strongly contacts the first pressing member 3 having a higher protrusion height from the substrate 2 and elastically deforms the first pressing member 3. , It will gradually move away from the second pressing member 4. Therefore, gradually increased the proportion of the reaction force F _B to the sum F _T with the muscle contraction, so that the proportion of the reaction force F _D on the opposite decreases gradually. That is, the parameter value S gradually increases to the reference value as the muscle contracts. Then, when the muscle is further contracted, as shown in FIG. 6B, the skin SK strongly contacts the first pressing member 3 while elastically deforming it, and weakly contacts the second pressing member 4. In this state, the value of the parameter value S becomes close to 1, and when the muscle contracts further, the skin SK comes into contact with only the first pressing member 3 and the value of the parameter value S becomes 1. In this way, the parameter value S increases from the reference value to 1 with the contraction of the muscle. Therefore, the processing unit 40 can detect that the muscle is contracting from the increase in the parameter value S, and can also detect the degree of muscle contraction from the parameter value S at that time.

Conversely, when the muscles from the state shown in FIG. 6 (b) is relaxed shrinkage is eliminated, and gradually decreases the rate of the reaction force F _B to the sum F _T, the parameter value S toward the reference value from 1 And gradually decrease. Therefore, the processing unit 40 can detect that the muscle is relaxed from the decrease in the parameter value S, and can also detect the degree of muscle relaxation from the parameter value S at that time.

Parameter value S can be set to, for example, _{S = F D / (F B} + F D) = F D / F T. In this case, since the parameter value S gradually decreases with the contraction of the muscle, the processing unit 40 can detect that the muscle is contracting from the decrease of the parameter value S.

As described above, the muscle activity sensor 10 of this example, the difference or the ratio changes in the reaction force F _D which the reaction force F _B and the second pressing member 4 in which the first pressing member 3 is subjected is subjected (the parameter value S Detects whether or not muscle movement, such as muscle contraction, is occurring based on (change). Accordingly, the reaction force F _B, it is not necessary to accurately detect the value itself of F _D, therefore, accurately muscle contraction be mounting the muscle activity sensor 10 from the top of clothing C to the human body Can be detected.

7 (a) to 7 (c) are cross-sectional views of different modified examples of the muscle activity sensor 10 shown in FIG. 3, respectively. In FIG. 7, the same reference numerals are given to the members corresponding to the above-mentioned members.
Like the muscle activity sensor 10 of the modified example shown in FIG. 7A, the first pressing member 3 is formed in a protruding shape having a circular cross section, and the second pressing member 4 is formed into the first pressing member 3. By forming the first pressing member 3 in an annular shape and making the protruding height of the first pressing member 3 from the upper surface of the substrate 2 lower than the protruding height of the second pressing member 4 from the upper surface of the substrate 2. when muscle activity sensor 10 attached to the body of the predetermined portion, so that the first pressing member 3 is the reaction force F _B which receives from the human body, becomes smaller than the reaction force F _D which the second pressing member 4 receives from the human body It can also be. With such a configuration, the substrate 2 can be more stably supported by the human body by the second pressing member 4 having a protrusion height higher than that of the first pressing member 3.

Further, as in the muscle activity sensor 10 of the modified example shown in FIG. 7B, the first pressing member 3 and the second pressing member 4 are not integrated but are configured as separate bodies, and these are individually configured as a substrate. It can also be configured to be fixed to the upper surface of No. 2 by means such as adhesion. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the reaction forces received by the first pressing member 3 and the second pressing member 4 from being transmitted to each other.

Further, as in the muscle activity sensor 10 of the modified example shown in FIG. 7C, the first pressing member 3 is made of a soft material such as silicon at the tip while the second pressing member 4 remains in the bag shape. Can also be formed in a protruding shape having a hemispherical shape and a circular cross section. In this case, it is preferable to arrange the rubber sheet 11 between the first pressing member 3 and the first reaction force detecting unit 6.

Further, as in another modification shown in FIG. 8, detection signals (first reaction force information and second reaction force information and second reaction force information) input to the substrate 2 from the first reaction force detection unit 6 and the second reaction force detection unit 7, respectively. An amplifier circuit 120 that amplifies the reaction force information) and outputs it to the processing unit 40 may be built in. In this case, the detection signals (first reaction force information and second reaction force information) input from the first reaction force detection unit 6 and the second reaction force detection unit 7, respectively, are processed by the amplifier circuit 120. It is output to 40. The substrate 2 may have a space inside by providing a spacer between the plate material on the front side and the plate material on the back side, and the amplifier circuit 120 may be arranged in this space. With such a configuration, even if the detection signals output by the first reaction force detection unit 6 and the second reaction force detection unit 7 are weak, the detection signal is generated by the amplifier circuit 120 on the substrate 2. By amplifying the inside of, the influence that the detection signal is affected by noise can be suppressed. The amplifier circuit 120 may be configured as a circuit including a function of reducing a noise component included in the detection signal in addition to the function of amplifying the detection signal. Further, a noise reduction circuit (not shown), which is configured separately from the amplifier circuit 120 and is connected between the first reaction force detection unit 6 and the second reaction force detection unit 7 and the processing unit 40, is provided. Similar to the amplifier circuit 120, it may be built in the substrate 2 or arranged outside the substrate 2.

Further, by making the first pressing member 3 have a higher elasticity or repulsive force than the second pressing member 4, the pressing member pressed toward the muscle regardless of the protruding height in the no-load state. If the reaction force received by the first pressing member 3 from the human body in the state is configured to be larger than the reaction force received by the second pressing member 4 from the human body, the first pressing member 3 in the no-load state The protruding height from the substrate 2 is the same as the protruding height of the second pressing member 4 from the substrate 2 in the no-load state, or from the protruding height of the second pressing member 4 from the substrate 2 in the no-load state. Can also be configured low.

The low back pain preventive device of the present invention can be suitably used in, for example, a nursing care site or a medical site.

1 Low back pain prevention device 2 Substrate 2a First circular groove 2b Second circular groove 3 First pressing member 3a Internal space 4 Second pressing member 4a Internal space 5 Cover body 5a Base sheet 5b Surface sheet 5c Folded part 6 1st reaction force detection unit 6a Pressure detection surface 6b Wiring 7 2nd reaction force detection unit 7a Pressure detection surface 7b Wiring 10 Muscle activity sensor 11 Rubber sheet 20 Mounting member 30 Posture sensor 31 Wiring 40 Processing unit 50 Notification unit 60 Memory Part 70 Computer part 100 Mounting part 120 Amplification circuit M Muscle SK Skin

Claims (11)

The mounting members that are mounted on the trunk of the human body,
When the mounting member is mounted on the trunk, it is arranged between the mounting member and a detection target portion located on the waist or back of the trunk, and the force input by the muscle activity of the detection target portion is applied. Based on the muscle activity sensor that outputs information about the muscle activity,
A posture sensor that outputs information about the posture of the trunk, and
Based on the information output from the muscle activity sensor and the information output from the posture sensor, a processing unit that performs processing to support the prevention of low back pain of the wearer of the mounting member, and a processing unit.
A notification unit that notifies the wearer of the mounting member, and
Bei to give a,
The processing unit determines that the muscle contraction of the detection target portion has occurred based on the information output from the muscle activity sensor, and the processing unit with respect to the vertical direction of the trunk based on the information output from the posture sensor. When it is determined that the inclination angle exceeds a predetermined range, the notification unit executes the notification.
The muscle activity sensor
A substrate that is placed facing the detection target portion and
A first pressing member arranged on the substrate and pressed toward the detection target portion,
A first reaction force detecting unit that detects the reaction force received by the first pressing member, and
A second pressing member arranged on the substrate, pressed toward the detection target portion, and the reaction force received by the pressing is smaller than that of the first pressing member.
A second reaction force detecting unit that detects the reaction force received by the second pressing member, and
Have,
The processing unit receives a reaction force received by the first pressing member detected by the first reaction force detecting unit and a reaction force received by the second pressing member detected by the second reaction force detecting unit. A low back pain preventive device that determines whether or not muscle contraction of the detection target portion has occurred based on a change in the difference or ratio with the above. The back pain prevention device according to claim 1 , wherein the second pressing member is formed in an annular protrusion shape surrounding the first pressing member. The back pain prevention device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the second pressing member is formed in a flexible bag shape in which a fluid is sealed. The back pain prevention device according to claim 3 , wherein the first pressing member is formed in a flexible bag shape in which a fluid is sealed. A claim that the first pressing member is formed in a protrusion shape having a circular cross section, and the second pressing member is formed in an annular protrusion shape surrounding the first pressing member. Item 4. The back pain prevention device according to item 4. The back pain prevention device according to claim 5 , wherein the first pressing member and the second pressing member are formed on a cover body that is detachably attached to the substrate. The back pain prevention device according to any one of claims 3 to 6 , wherein the fluid is air. Any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the protruding height of the first pressing member from the substrate in the no-load state is higher than the protruding height of the second pressing member from the substrate in the no-load state. The back pain prevention device described in the section. The first reaction force detecting unit is provided between the substrate and the first pressing member, and the second reaction force detecting unit is provided between the substrate and the second pressing member. The back pain prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 8. Any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein an amplifier circuit that amplifies and outputs a detection signal input from the first reaction force detection unit and the second reaction force detection unit is built in the substrate. The back pain prevention device described in the section. The low back pain prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the posture sensor is provided on the substrate of the muscle activity sensor.

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