KR102489647B1 - Wearable monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

In the present embodiments, in a wearable monitoring system wearable by a user, a wearable part worn on the user's body, a soft sensor built into the wearable part and measuring body movement for each position where the wearable part is worn on the user's body, and a soft sensor We propose a wearable monitoring system that includes an integrated module that measures the user's fatigue using the movement measured in connection with and analyzes the user's musculoskeletal disease or injury based on the fatigue.

Description

Wearable monitoring system {Wearable monitoring system}

The present invention relates to a wearable monitoring system, and more particularly, to a wearable monitoring system for preventing musculoskeletal disorders and injuries of a user.

The contents described in this part merely provide background information on the present embodiment and do not constitute prior art.

In the case of carrying a heavy weight or a large amount of weight for a long time, the user's fatigue increases and the user continues to work in an incorrect posture for a long time, which can lead to an accident or injury. In addition, recently, with the growth of the e-commerce market, the workload has increased significantly due to the increase in the volume of logistics and parcel delivery, and industrial accidents and manpower loss caused by injuries or accidents of related workers are currently emerging as a major issue in society. .

In general, when a heavy object is repeatedly lifted, lowered, or transported, it is difficult for a worker to independently obtain work-related information other than working hours. In addition, it is also difficult for managers to grasp information about individual workers, and accordingly, musculoskeletal diseases and injuries often occur in workers.

Conventionally, a person's movement is measured using a sensor such as an IMU or an encoder, or a person's muscular strength or strength is measured using an electromyogram sensor, a torque sensor, or a force sensor. However, most commercial sensors are made of inflexible and hard materials, making it difficult to integrate them into flexible clothing, and additional structures and devices are required to manufacture them in a form worn by a person. Supplementary structures and devices may restrict the movement of the wearer, and may cause the wearer to feel discomfort and heterogeneity.

In addition, there are many cases in which one system is used for only one purpose, such as measuring only a user's movement or measuring only force, and the system is complex, making it difficult to use in a real working environment other than a controlled experimental environment.

Korean Patent Registration No. 10-1815640 (2017.12.29)

The main purpose of the present invention is to prevent musculoskeletal diseases and injuries of workers by measuring information such as work intensity according to the degree of muscle power use of the worker and amount of work according to joint movement, and then providing feedback to the worker. there is.

Other non-specified objects of the present invention may be additionally considered within the scope that can be easily inferred from the following detailed description and effects thereof.

According to one aspect of this embodiment, the present invention provides a wearable monitoring system wearable by a user, comprising: a wearing unit worn on the user's body; a soft sensor built into the wearable part and measuring movement of the user's body for each position where the wearable part is worn on the user's body; and an integrated module that is connected to the soft sensor, measures the user's fatigue level using the measured motion, and analyzes the user's musculoskeletal disease or injury based on the fatigue level.

Preferably, the wearing unit is worn on the user's waist and includes a waist wearing unit on which at least one integrated module is mounted; a leg wearable part connected to the waist wearable part and worn on the user's lower body, in which the soft sensor is embedded; and an ankle wearable part worn on the user's ankle and in which the soft sensor is embedded.

Preferably, in the waist wearable part, the integrated module is provided on the left or right side of the back of the user's waist and is connected to the soft sensor built in the left or right side of the user, respectively, and the integrated module is installed on the left or right side of the user's waist. It is characterized in that the degree of fatigue of the left side or the right side of the user is respectively measured through movements measured by the soft sensor built into the right side.

Preferably, the soft sensor includes: a muscle hardness sensor provided on the front or rear surface of the user's thigh and measuring the hardness of the thigh muscle on the front or rear surface; And a knee joint sensor provided at the center of the user's knee or both sides of the center of the knee and measuring a bending motion of the knee joint, wherein the root hardness sensor and the knee joint sensor are embedded in the leg wearing unit. to be characterized

Preferably, the integrated module checks the strength of the thigh muscle strength of the user using the hardness of the front or rear thigh muscle measured by the muscle hardness sensor, and the user's strength through the strength of the thigh muscle strength. It is characterized in that the work intensity is identified and the torsion occurring during the bending motion of the knee joint is corrected by using the signal difference of the knee joint sensors provided on both sides of the center of the knee.

Preferably, the soft sensor includes: an instep joint sensor provided at the center of the instep of the user and measuring a motion by flexion-extension of the user's ankle; and an ankle joint sensor provided to cross the front and back or up and down directions of the user's ankle, and measuring the movement of the user's ankle by adduction-abduction or inversion-eversion. And, the instep joint sensor and the tarsal joint sensor are characterized in that they are embedded in the ankle wearing unit.

Preferably, the wearing part is formed of a fabric material, includes silicon and a pad so as to be in close contact with the user's body and is fixed, and includes a fastening part to be easily attached to and detached from the user's lower body, and the soft sensor It is characterized in that the liquid metal circuit printed in a specific pattern is implemented in a form sewn with silicon.

Preferably, the integrated module comprises: an inertia measurement unit for measuring the bending and straightening motion of the user's waist according to the speed, direction, gravity, and acceleration of the user's waist; a signal processing unit measuring and analyzing fatigue of the user according to the movement measured through the inertia measurement unit and the soft sensor; a location tracking unit that tracks the location of the user; and a communication unit receiving motions measured through the inertia measurement unit and the soft sensor and transmitting the user's position, wherein at least one integration module is provided on the user's waist, and connects the soft sensor and the wire. It is characterized by being connected through.

Preferably, the signal processing unit comprises (i) work strength according to the hardness of the thigh muscles of the front or rear surface of the user measured by the root hardness sensor of the leg wearable part of the wearable part, and (ii) the knee joint of the leg wearable part. Fatigue is analyzed using the posture and workload of the user according to at least one signal obtained through the sensor, the inertia measurement unit, and the instep joint sensor and the ankle joint sensor of the ankle wearable unit, and the analyzed fatigue level is greater than or equal to a certain level of fatigue. In this case, it is characterized in that the work stop notification is generated by analyzing the user's musculoskeletal disease or injury possibility.

Preferably, the integrated module further includes a vibration unit that transmits a work stop notification to the user when there is a possibility of a musculoskeletal disorder or injury of the user analyzed through the degree of fatigue, and the work stop notification includes the work stop notification. It is characterized in that it is generated when the intensity or the amount of work exceeds a certain threshold value.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present embodiment, the present invention provides an integrated module for monitoring the user's condition, inertia for measuring the bending and straightening motion of the user's waist according to the speed, direction, gravity, and acceleration of the user's waist. measuring unit; a signal processing unit for measuring and analyzing the degree of fatigue of the user according to the movement measured through the inertia measurement unit and the soft sensor built into the wearing unit worn by the user; a location tracking unit that tracks the location of the user; and a communication unit receiving motion measured through the inertia measurement unit and the soft sensor and transmitting the user's location.

Preferably, the signal processing unit comprises (i) work strength according to the hardness of the thigh muscles of the front or rear surface of the user measured by the root hardness sensor of the leg wearable part of the wearable part, and (ii) the knee joint of the leg wearable part. Fatigue is analyzed using the posture and workload of the user according to at least one signal obtained through the sensor, the inertia measurement unit, and the instep joint sensor and the ankle joint sensor of the ankle wearable unit, and the analyzed fatigue level is greater than or equal to a certain level of fatigue. In this case, it is characterized in that the work stop notification is generated by analyzing the user's musculoskeletal disease or injury possibility.

Preferably, the vibration unit for transmitting a work stop notification to the user through the user's musculoskeletal disorder or injury possibility analyzed through the fatigue degree, wherein the work stop notification is at a certain threshold value It is characterized in that it is generated when it is above.

As described above, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the present invention reduces the sense of difference and resistance felt by the wearer through the wearing part composed of fabric material, and a separate mechanism or device in the form of a sensor integrated into the wearing part. can be worn without

In addition, the present invention has an effect of measuring only the operation of a desired part because it can be used independently for each part or left/right.

In addition, the present invention can give feedback to the operator by vibration when the worker's work intensity and workload are excessive, and when the worker cannot move due to injury, the manager identifies and rescues, thereby preventing musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. It works.

Even if the effects are not explicitly mentioned here, the effects described in the following specification expected by the technical features of the present invention and their provisional effects are treated as described in the specification of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram showing a wearable monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a diagram illustrating a wearable monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a diagram illustrating a waist wearing part of a wearing part of a wearable monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating a leg wearable part of the wearable monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 to 8 are diagrams illustrating an ankle wearable part of a wearable monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 to 11 are diagrams illustrating integrated modules of a wearable monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
12 is a flowchart illustrating a wearable monitoring method by a wearable monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods for achieving them, will become clear with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and may be implemented in various different forms, only the present embodiments make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and the common knowledge in the art to which the present invention belongs It is provided to fully inform the holder of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numbers designate like elements throughout the specification.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification may be used in a meaning commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly specifically defined.

Terms used in this application are only used to describe specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention, and singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, the terms "include" or "have" are intended to designate that there is a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but one or more other features It should be understood that the presence or addition of numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof is not precluded.

Terms including ordinal numbers such as second and first may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, a second element may be termed a first element, and similarly, a first element may be termed a second element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The terms and/or include any combination of a plurality of related recited items or any of a plurality of related recited items.

The present invention relates to a wearable monitoring system.

The wearable monitoring system 10 monitors the body movements of manual workers to obtain information such as work intensity and amount of work, and to provide feedback to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. In addition, the wearable monitoring system 10 may facilitate rescue in the event of an injury by tracking a worker's indoor location.

In general, in the case of repeatedly lifting and lowering or transporting items, it is difficult for workers to obtain work-related information on their own, except for working hours, and it is also difficult for managers to grasp information about individual workers. Workers often suffer from musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. The present invention quantitatively measures information such as how much muscle strength a worker actually uses (work intensity) and how many repetitions of actions such as bending down or sitting down (workload), and then giving feedback to the worker for musculoskeletal disorders. and prevent injuries.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wearable monitoring system 10 may be used for the purpose of grasping information such as work intensity and workload in a work environment handling various items such as a distribution warehouse, a factory, and a construction site.

In addition, the wearable monitoring system 10 can give feedback to workers or managers based on the identified work information, can be used to prevent musculoskeletal disorders and injuries, and can quickly and quickly detect injuries in the event of injury by identifying the indoor location of the worker. The structure can be easily implemented.

1 is a block diagram showing a wearable monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the wearable monitoring system 10 includes a wearable part 100, a soft sensor 200, and an integrated module 300. The wearable monitoring system 10 may omit some of the various components exemplarily shown in FIG. 1 or may additionally include other components.

The wearable monitoring system 10 may be worn by a user.

The wearable part 100 may be worn on a user's body.

The wearable part 100 is formed of a cloth material, includes silicon and a pad so that it is closely attached to and fixed to the user's body, and may include a fastening part so that it can be easily attached to and detached from the user's lower body.

The soft sensor 200 is built into the wearable part 100 and can measure body movements for each position where the wearable part 100 is worn on the user's body.

The soft sensor 200 may be implemented by sewing a liquid metal circuit printed in a specific pattern with silicon.

The integration module 300 may measure the fatigue of the user's left side or right side, respectively, through the movement measured by the soft sensor 200 built in the left or right side.

The integration module 300 is connected to the soft sensor 200 to measure the user's fatigue using the measured motion, and analyzes the user's musculoskeletal disease or injury based on the fatigue.

The wearing part 100 includes a waist wearing part 110 , a leg wearing part 120 and an ankle wearing part 130 .

The waist wearable unit 110 is worn on a user's waist, and at least one integration module 300 may be mounted thereto.

The waist wearable unit 110 may have the integrated module 300 provided on the left or right side of the back of the user's back and connected to the soft sensor 200 embedded in the user's left or right side, respectively.

The leg wearable part 120 is connected to the waist wearable part 110 and is worn on the user's lower body, and a soft sensor 200 may be incorporated therein.

The soft sensor 200 includes a root hardness sensor 210 and a knee joint sensor 220 . At this time, the root hardness sensor 210 and the knee joint sensor 220 may be embedded in the leg wearer 120 .

The muscle stiffness sensor 210 is provided on the front or rear surface of the user's thigh, and can measure the stiffness of the front or rear thigh muscles.

The knee joint sensor 220 is provided at the center of the user's knee or both sides of the center of the knee, and can measure a bending motion of the knee joint.

The integration module 300 checks the strength of the user's thigh muscle strength using the hardness of the front or rear thigh muscles measured by the muscle hardness sensor 210, and can determine the user's work intensity through the strength of the thigh muscle strength. there is.

In addition, the integrated module 300 may correct the torsion that occurs when the knee joint is bent using a signal difference between the knee joint sensors 220 provided on both sides of the center of the knee.

The ankle wearable part 130 is worn on the user's ankle, and the soft sensor 300 may be embedded therein.

The soft sensor 300 includes an instep joint sensor 230 and an ankle joint sensor 240 .

The instep joint sensor 230 is provided at the center of the user's instep, and can measure movement by flexion-extension of the user's ankle.

The malleolus joint sensor 240 is provided to cross the front and back or up and down directions of the user's ankle, and can measure the movement of the user's ankle by adduction-abduction or inversion-eversion. there is.

The integrated module 300 includes an inertia measurement unit 310, a signal processing unit 320, a location tracking unit 330, a communication unit 340 and a vibration unit 350. The integrated module 300 may omit some of the various components exemplarily shown in FIG. 1 or may additionally include other components.

The inertia measurement unit 310 may measure the bending and straightening motion of the user's waist according to the speed and direction, gravity, and acceleration of the user's waist.

The signal processing unit 320 may measure and analyze the user's fatigue according to the movement measured through the inertia measuring unit 310 and the soft sensor 200 .

At least one integration module 300 is provided on the user's waist and may be connected to the soft sensor 200 through a conducting wire.

The signal processing unit 320 is configured to (i) work intensity according to the hardness of the user's front or back thigh muscles measured through the root hardness sensor 210 of the leg wearable part 120 of the wearable part 100 and (ii) In at least one signal obtained through the knee joint sensor 220 of the leg wearer 120, the inertia measurement unit 310, and the instep joint sensor 230 and ankle joint sensor 240 of the ankle wearer 130 Fatigue can be analyzed using the user's posture and amount of work.

The signal processor 320 may generate a work stop notification by analyzing the user's musculoskeletal disease or injury possibility when the analyzed fatigue level is equal to or greater than a certain level of fatigue.

The location tracker 330 may track a user's location.

The communication unit 340 may receive motion measured through the inertia measurement unit 310 and the soft sensor 200 and transmit the user's location.

The vibrator 350 may transmit a work stop notification to the user when there is a possibility of a musculoskeletal disorder or injury of the user analyzed through the degree of fatigue. Here, the work stop notification may be generated when work intensity or work amount exceeds a predetermined threshold value.

2 is a diagram illustrating a wearable monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Conventional techniques for analyzing human body motion require devices such as mechanical joints attached to the human body, or separate equipment such as a camera for observing human body motion, and a sound wave/magnetic field generating device. Since these devices interfere with the free movement of the human body and are difficult to use while moving from place to place, there are many restrictions on the measurement place. Therefore, it is difficult to analyze a human body motion of a worker in an actual field using the prior art. On the other hand, the wearable monitoring system 10 can measure the wearer's position and human body motion simply by wearing it in the same form as clothing (or guard), so even if the wearer works while changing places, it is possible to analyze the operator's human body motion Do.

Therefore, since the wearable monitoring system 10 enables analysis of human body motions of workers at work sites, it is possible to analyze musculoskeletal diseases and injuries during work in advance and give feedback to workers.

The wearable monitoring system 10 is a system implemented for the purpose of preventing musculoskeletal diseases and injuries of physical workers. Accordingly, the wearable monitoring system 10 may be implemented with the wearable part 100 , the soft sensor 200 and the integrated module 300 .

The wearable monitoring system 10 can determine the worker's work intensity, workload, indoor location, etc., and can configure one entire lower body system by connecting each wearable part worn on the waist, thigh/knee, and ankle.

The waist wearing unit 110 may be implemented in a shape similar to that of a waist belt, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The waist wearable part 110 may be coupled with the integration module 300 at the back of the user's waist. For example, the waist wearable part 110 may be implemented such that two integrated modules 300 are provided at the back of the waist, and provided on both left and right sides of the leg wearable part 120 and the ankle wearable part 130, respectively. / It can be connected to the soft sensor 200 provided on the right.

The leg wearable part 120 is worn on the user's thighs and knees, and a soft sensor 200 may be incorporated therein. Specifically, the leg wearable part 120 may be implemented to cover a certain range above and below the user's knee.

The soft sensor 200 embedded in the leg wearer 120 may include a root hardness sensor 210 and a knee joint sensor 220 .

The ankle wearable part 130 is worn on the user's ankle, and the soft sensor 200 may be embedded therein. Specifically, the ankle wearing unit 130 may be implemented to cover the entire foot of the user to include the user's ankle.

The soft sensor 200 embedded in the ankle wearer 130 may include an instep joint sensor 230 and an ankle joint sensor 240 .

In the wearable monitoring system 10, when several workers wear the present invention and work, work intensity, workload, and indoor location data for each worker can be measured. At this time, each wearable monitoring system 10 may transmit feedback to the operator by causing the integrated module 300 to vibrate through the vibration unit 350 when it is determined that the work intensity or workload is excessive. In addition, the data measured by the soft sensor 200 and the integrated module 300 is transmitted to the management system through wireless communication so that the administrator can monitor it.

3 is a diagram illustrating a waist wearing part of a wearing part of a wearable monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The waist wearing unit 110 surrounds the waist and may be made of a cloth material.

The integrated module 300 may be coupled to the waist wearable part 110 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , the waist wearable unit 110 is illustrated as having two integrated modules 300 at the back of the waist, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may be implemented such that at least one integrated module 300 is provided. can

The waist wearable part 110 may be implemented to be connected to the leg wearable part 120 through a separate string behind the waist, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The waist wearable part 110 may be configured to include a fastening part so as to be detachable. For example, the fastening part may be implemented as Velcro, a belt, a zipper, a snap button, etc., but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may be implemented in a detachable form.

4 and 5 are diagrams illustrating a leg wearable part of the wearable monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a view showing the front and rear of the leg wearing part according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The leg wearable part 120 may be made of fabric, and may be implemented to cover the user's knees and thighs.

Specifically, the leg wear unit 120 is implemented with a fabric 122 made of a cloth material, and a silicone 124 for increasing friction and a friction pad 126 may be provided on the fabric 122 made of a cloth material.

Referring to FIG. 4 , a silicone 124 for friction increase may be provided on the front surface of the leg wear part 120, and a friction pad 126 may be provided on the rear surface of the leg wear part 120. At this time, the silicone for increasing friction 124 and the friction pad 126 may adhere the fabric 122 made of cloth to the user's body and fix it so as not to be pushed or rubbed.

The leg wearable part 120 may have a soft sensor 200 embedded therein. Specifically, the soft sensor 200 embedded in the leg wearer 120 may include a root hardness sensor 210 and a knee joint sensor 220 .

Referring to FIG. 4 , when the leg wearable part 120 is worn on the user's leg, the near longitude sensor 210 may be provided to be positioned on the user's thigh, and may be provided on the front and rear surfaces, respectively. The near longitude sensor 210 may include a front near longitude sensor 212 and a back near longitude sensor 214 .

The front near longitude sensor 212 may be built in so as to be positioned at the center of the thigh above a certain portion of the user's knee, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The front near-hardness sensor 212 may be embedded in a portion where the silicone 124 for increasing friction is formed to prevent movement by a user's movement.

The front muscle hardness sensor 212 measures the hardness of the thigh muscle Vasti (VA), and through this, the strength of the thigh muscle strength can be measured. Here, the thigh muscle Vasti (VA) represents the muscle of the front part of the thigh.

The rear near longitude sensor 214 may be built in so as to be biased to one side of the left or right side above a certain portion in the crook of the user's leg, but is not necessarily limited thereto. Specifically, the reason why the rear muscle hardness sensor 214 is built in such a way that it is biased to one side is that it is built in a part where a change in muscle hardness is noticeable when a user applies force to the muscle of the thigh.

Therefore, the anterior musculoskeletal sensor 212 targets the Vasti (VA) and Rectus femoris (RF) muscles passing through the front of the thigh, and the posterior musculoskeletal sensor 214 targets the Hamstrings (HA) passing through the back of the thigh. is doing

The rear near-hardness sensor 214 may be embedded in a portion where the friction pad 126 implemented on the rear surface is formed to prevent movement by a user's movement.

The rear muscle strength sensor 214 measures the hardness of the thigh muscle Hamstrings (HA), and through this, the strength of the thigh muscle strength can be measured. Here, the thigh muscle Hamstrings (HA) represents the muscles of the back of the thigh.

The muscle hardness sensor 210 is shown as having a front muscle hardness sensor 212 and a rear muscle hardness sensor 214 built into the front and back of the user's leg, respectively, but is not limited thereto, and measures the hardness of the thigh muscles. It may be formed to be embedded at least one or more on the front or rear surface of the fabric 122 made of cloth material so as to do so.

Referring to FIG. 4 , three knee joint sensors 220 may be provided on the front side. The knee joint sensor 220 is provided in the center of the user's knee and on both sides thereof, and is shown as having a total of three, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and fabric material 122 made of cloth to measure the bending motion of the knee joint. ) It may be formed to be embedded in at least one or more.

The knee joint sensors 220 are located in the center of the knee and may be located on both sides of the center of the knee, respectively. At this time, the integration module 300 measures the bending motion of the knee motion with the sensor value obtained through the knee joint sensor 220 provided in the center of the knee, and the knee joint sensors 220 provided on both sides of the center of the knee. Using the difference between the two signals with the sensor value obtained through this, it is possible to correct the fine twist during the bending motion of the knee joint.

5 is a view showing the front, inner, outer and rear surfaces of the leg wearable part according to an embodiment of the present invention, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the fastening part 127 configured in the leg wearable part 120 is shown to be implemented in the form of a zipper, and may be implemented to include elastic force so that it can be attached and detached regardless of the circumference of the user's leg. At this time, the fastening part 127 may be formed on the inner surface of the leg wear part 120, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The leg wearable part 120 may include a fastening part so as to be detachable. For example, the fastening part may be implemented as Velcro, a belt, a zipper, a snap button, etc., but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may be implemented in a detachable form.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the leg wearable part 120 may include a plurality of handles 128 . For example, the plurality of handles 128 may include upper thigh handles 128a, upper knee handles 128b, and lower knee handles 128c, but are not limited thereto.

The upper thigh handle 128a may be formed above the user's thigh, the upper knee handle 128b may be formed above the user's knee, and the lower knee handle 128c may be formed below the user's knee. At this time, each of the plurality of handles 128 may play a role of arranging by passing a connection line connected to the knee joint sensor 220 .

A connection line 129 connected to the rhizome sensor 210 and the knee joint sensor 220 may pass through the outer surface of the leg wearable part 120. At this time, the connection line 129 connects the rhizome sensor connection line 129a and the knee A joint sensor connection line 129b may be included, and different connection lines may be formed according to the sensors provided.

The connection line 129 may be connected to the integrated module 300 and transmit values measured by the rhizome sensor 210 and the knee joint sensor 220 to the integrated module 300 . In this case, the leg wearable part 120 may wirelessly transmit the sensor value to the integration module 300 without including the connection line 129 .

6 to 8 are diagrams illustrating an ankle wearable part of a wearable monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The ankle wearing unit 130 may be made of a cloth material, and may be implemented to cover the user's ankle, instep, and sole.

Specifically, the ankle wearing unit 130 is implemented with a fabric 132 made of a cloth material, and a silicon 134 for increasing friction and a friction pad 136 may be provided on the fabric 132 made of a cloth material.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 , a silicone 134 for increasing friction may be provided on the rear surface of the ankle wearable part 130, and friction pads 136 may be provided on both sides of the ankle wearable part 130. there is. Here, the back side represents a side where the user's Achilles tendon is located, and both side surfaces are connected to the back side and represent a portion surrounding the instep.

The silicone for increasing friction 134 and the friction pad 136 may adhere the fabric material 132 to the user's body and fix it so as not to be pushed or rubbed.

The soft sensor 200 may be embedded in the ankle wearable part 130 . In detail, the soft sensor 200 embedded in the ankle wearer 130 may include an instep joint sensor 230 and an ankle joint sensor 240 .

The instep joint sensor 230 is a sensor located at the center of the instep and can measure the flexion-extension movement of the ankle. Here, flexion-extension represents a movement in which the angle between the upper side of the foot (instep) and the front side of the lower leg decreases or increases.

The malleolus joint sensor 240 may include a first malleolus joint sensor 242 positioned to cross the malleolus in the front and rear directions and a second malleolus joint sensor 244 positioned to cross the malleolus in the vertical direction.

The first malleolus joint sensor 242 may measure an adduction-abduction motion of the ankle. Here, adduction-abduction refers to adduction and abduction, respectively. Abduction of the foot indicates an outward rotation of the centerline or vertical axis, and adduction of the foot indicates an inward rotation of the centerline or vertical axis.

The second malleolus joint sensor 244 may measure an inversion-eversion motion of the ankle. Here, in inversion-eversion, eversion represents bringing the ankle into a neutral posture and bending the foot to the outside, and inversion represents bringing the ankle into a neutral posture and bending the foot to the inside.

8 is a diagram showing motion of an ankle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 8 (a) shows a state without movement of the ankle.

Figure 8 (b) shows a movement in which the angle between the upper surface of the foot of the ankle and the front surface of the lower leg increases. At this time, the movement as shown in (b) of FIG. 8 may be measured through the instep joint sensor 230.

Figure 8 (c) shows the movement of the foot turning inward with respect to the center line or vertical axis. At this time, the movement as shown in (c) of FIG. 8 may be measured through the first malleolus joint sensor 242 .

Figure 8 (d) shows the movement of the ankle bending the foot inward in a neutral posture. At this time, the movement as shown in (d) of FIG. 8 may be measured through the second malleolus joint sensor 244 .

9 to 11 are diagrams illustrating integrated modules of a wearable monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The integrated module 300 includes an inertia measurement unit 310, a signal processing unit 320, a location tracking unit 330, a communication unit 340 and a vibration unit 350. The integration module 300 may omit some components or additionally include other components among various components shown as examples.

9 is a diagram illustrating an integrated module according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9(a) shows the overall shape of the integrated module, and FIG. 9(b) shows the disassembled shape of the integrated module.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the integration module 300 may be protected from the outside by having a plurality of components provided in the main body 370 and blocking them from the outside through the cover 380 .

At this time, the main PCB may include an inertia measurement unit 310, a signal processing unit 320, a location tracking unit 330, a communication unit 340, and the like, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the main PCB may be formed as shown in FIG. 10 .

In addition, the integrated module 300 may further include a battery 360 . At this time, the battery 360 may supply power so that the main PCB operates, and may be charged through the power switch 374.

A status LED 382 may be formed on the cover 380 of the integrated module 300, and various states may be indicated through LED colors. For example, the status LED 382 may indicate a state according to a problem of the integrated module 30 itself, such as low battery, or a state according to a user's work intensity or workload.

The location tracking unit 330 may track the user's location, and may be used to check the user's location when a problem occurs while the user is working.

The vibrator 350 may give feedback through vibration when the user's work intensity or workload is excessive. In this case, the vibration unit 350 may be implemented as a vibration motor, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and may be implemented as a device capable of giving feedback to a user.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wearable monitoring system 10 includes two integrated modules 300, and is attached to the left/right side of the waist wearable part 110 behind the user's waist, and the software located on the left/right side respectively. It may be connected to the sensors 200 . In this case, the integrated module 300 and the soft sensor 200 may be connected wirelessly or wired.

11 is a block diagram illustrating functions of an integrated module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11 , the integrated module 300 may perform an operation when a power switch is input.

The inertia measuring unit 310 may measure the movement of the user's waist.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the inertial measurement unit 310 may be implemented as an IMU, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The IMU can measure speed, direction, gravity, and acceleration.

The signal processing unit 320 is a device that processes signals of the entire system, and measures the movement of the waist measured through the inertia measurement unit 310 and the movements of the thighs, knees, ankles, etc., measured through the soft sensor 200. It is possible to check the user's work intensity or workload.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the signal processing unit 320 may be implemented as an MCU (WTM3F), but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The location tracking unit 330 may perform indoor location tracking, and the communication unit 340 may perform wireless communication.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the location tracking unit 330 and the communication unit 340 may be implemented as a UWB module and may perform UWB, Bluetooth communication, and the like, but are not necessarily limited thereto. UWB can transmit data over a short distance.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the signal processing unit 320 may analyze a user's fatigue level and determine the possibility of a user's musculoskeletal disease or injury according to the analyzed fatigue level. In this case, the signal processing unit 320 may generate a work stop notification by analyzing the user's musculoskeletal disorder or injury possibility, and transmit the work stop notification to the vibration unit 350 .

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the wearable monitoring system 10 analyzes the work movement line to determine the type of work according to the user's moving distance and the area visited, and the root hardness of the user's thigh is measured through the sensor 210 Through one value, the work intensity can be determined according to how strong the user is using during the work of lifting a heavy object. In addition, the posture and amount of work can be grasped according to the number of repetitions of a certain posture by the user through movements of the waist, knee, and ankle joints. Therefore, the wearable monitoring system 10 may calculate a score corresponding to the degree of fatigue by converting and summing the above-identified information into a score. Fatigue can be calculated through Equation 1.

Referring to Equation 1 above, Score _fatigue represents a value obtained by summing scores corresponding to fatigue. S _{movement distance} represents fatigue according to movement distance, S _{work intensity} represents fatigue according to work intensity, and S _workload represents fatigue according to workload. In addition, X represents a value measured through the soft sensor 200 or location tracking unit 330, T _{work type} represents a variable according to the work type, and C represents a coefficient according to the effect on fatigue. Also, F and G represent predefined functions. Here, T _{task type} is a variable preset according to the task type. At this time, the type of work may be determined in consideration of the weight of the heavy object, the moving distance, and the like.

Specifically, F represents a function that derives S by receiving two variables X and T, the _{type of work} , as factors, and can be expressed as the product of coefficients C, X, and function G. Here, the function G is a function that derives a value by receiving the variable T _{type of work} as an argument, and is defined with data collected in advance.

Therefore, the S _{movement distance} is calculated by a function F ₁ that derives the S _{movement distance} by receiving the X _{movement distance} representing the movement distance value measured by the location tracking unit 330 and the _{type of work} T as factors, which is It can be calculated by a function G that derives a value by receiving the coefficient according to the effect on fatigue, the movement distance value measured through the location tracking unit 330, and the _{type of work} T as factors.

The S _{work intensity} is calculated by a function F ₂ that derives the S _{work intensity} by receiving the X _{work intensity} and T _{work type} , which represent values measured through the soft sensor 200, as factors, which is related to the effect of work intensity on fatigue. It can be calculated by a function G that derives a value by receiving the coefficient according to the sensor value measured through the soft sensor 200 and the _{type of operation} T as factors. At this time, the _{work intensity} X may be calculated using the near hardness sensor 210 of the soft sensor 200.

The S _workload is calculated by a function F ₃ that derives the S _workload by receiving the X _workload representing the value measured through the soft sensor 200 and the _{type of T work} as factors, which is a coefficient according to the effect of workload on fatigue and soft It can be calculated by a function G that derives a value by receiving the sensor value measured through the sensor 200 and the _{type of task} T as factors. In this case, the X _workload may be calculated using the knee joint sensor 220, the instep joint sensor 230, and the ankle joint sensor 240 of the soft sensor 200.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, in a working environment, after being worn by a user, the wearable monitoring system 10 collects data to determine (i) how much work is done at what intensity and how much injury occurs. It is possible to analyze whether it is frequent or (ii) which posture is less burdensome to the user during work. Based on this, it is possible to set the threshold of work intensity, workload and basic posture. Thereafter, the possibility of musculoskeletal disease and injury can be determined according to the degree of exceeding the threshold value and the degree of deviation from the basic posture during work, which can be calculated through Equation 2.

In Equation 2 above, Probability _injury represents a value representing the possibility of injury. P _{work intensity} indicates the possibility of injury according to work intensity, P _work amount indicates the possibility of injury according to work amount, and P _posture indicates the possibility of injury according to posture. Also, X _critical represents a critical value. Specifically, it may be a preset value as a dangerous criterion value according to the X _critical movement distance and workload. C ₄ represents the coefficient according to the effect of work intensity on the possibility of musculoskeletal disorders and injury, C ₅ represents the coefficient according to the effect of workload on the likelihood of musculoskeletal disorders and injury, and C ₆ represents the coefficient according to the effect of posture on the likelihood of musculoskeletal disorders and injury. Indicates the coefficient according to the effect.

Therefore, P _{work intensity} is calculated by a function F ₄ that derives P _{work intensity} by receiving X _{work intensity} and T _{work type} , which represent values measured through the soft sensor 200, as factors, which indicates that the work intensity is related to musculoskeletal disorders and The X _{work intensity} measured through C ₄ and the soft sensor 200, which represents the coefficient according to the effect on the possibility of injury, and the value that is the dangerous criterion according to the work intensity, the value obtained by subtracting the preset X _{work intensity critical} and the _{type of T work} It can be calculated by a function G that takes as a factor and derives a value. At this time, the _{work intensity} X may be calculated using the near hardness sensor 210 of the soft sensor 200.

The P _workload is calculated by a function F ₅ that derives the P _workload by receiving the X _workload representing the value measured through the soft sensor 200 and the _{type of T work} as factors, which is A function that derives a value by receiving a value obtained by subtracting the preset X _{work direction critical} as a value that is a dangerous criterion according to the amount of X _work measured through C ₅ and the soft sensor 200 and the _{work type} T as factors It can be calculated by G. In this case, the X _workload may be calculated using the knee joint sensor 220, the instep joint sensor 230, and the ankle joint sensor 240 of the soft sensor 200.

P _{work intensity} and P _{work amount} may be calculated when X work _intensity is greater than X _{work intensity critical} , respectively, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

The P _posture is calculated by a function F ₆ that derives the P _posture by receiving the X _posture and the _{type of T work} as factors representing the value measured through the soft sensor 200, which is related to the effect of the posture on musculoskeletal diseases and injury It is calculated by a function G that derives a value by subtracting the X _posture measured through the C ₆ and the soft sensor 200 and the _basic posture X preset as the user's basic posture and the _{type of work} T as factors. can At this time, the X _posture may be calculated using the knee joint sensor 220, the instep joint sensor 230, and the ankle joint sensor 240 of the soft sensor 200.

The user's fatigue analysis may be performed through the user's work flow, work intensity, posture, and amount of work. Specifically, the signal processing unit 320 determines the total movement distance of the user through the work movement line, determines the intensity of the work performed by the user through the root hardness of the thigh, and determines the user's movement through the movement of the waist, knee, and ankle. posture and workload can be identified. At this time, in the fatigue analysis, the analysis may be performed by accumulating the total working time or the analysis may be performed by dividing the total work time by unit. This can be compared with the calculated fatigue by setting the fatigue threshold for each time, and the user's fatigue can be analyzed by checking each for a certain period of time and cumulatively. In addition, the signal processing unit 320 may generate different work suspension notifications for each specific time and accumulation, and transmit the work suspension notification to give feedback to the user.

The signal processing unit 320 may determine the possibility of a user's musculoskeletal disease or injury regardless of the level of fatigue. At this time, the possibility of disease or injury to the user's musculoskeletal system can be determined by comparing values measured through the soft sensor 200 and the inertial measurement unit 310 with a predetermined threshold. At this time, the signal processor 320 may set the basic posture during activity by accumulating values measured through the soft sensor 200 and the inertia measurement unit 310 for each user wearing the wearable monitoring system 10, The possibility of musculoskeletal disease or injury can be determined through the measured difference from the basic posture during this activity.

12 is a flowchart illustrating a wearable monitoring method by a wearable monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wearable monitoring method is performed by the wearable monitoring system, and detailed descriptions of operations performed by the wearable monitoring system and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

In the wearable monitoring method, a user connects the wearable monitoring system from a waist wearable part to an ankle wearable part and wears the wearable monitoring system on the entire lower body, and then monitors the user's movement.

The wearable monitoring method includes acquiring a signal according to the user's movement (S1210), analyzing muscle strength (S1220), identifying the user's work performance (S1230), and analyzing the user's fatigue (S1240). ), analyzing the possibility of musculoskeletal disease and injury (S1250), and checking whether or not there is a possibility of musculoskeletal disease and injury (S1260).

Acquiring a signal according to the user's movement (S1210) includes acquiring location information of the user through a location tracking unit (S1212), obtaining a near-longitude signal of the user's thigh through a near-longitude sensor (S1214), Acquiring the user's waist motion signal through the inertial measuring unit (S1216), obtaining the user's knee joint signal through the knee joint sensor (S1218), and obtaining the user's ankle joint signal through the instep joint sensor and the ankle joint sensor. It may include obtaining (S1219).

In step S1214 of obtaining a muscle strength signal of the user's thigh through the muscle hardness sensor, when the user applies force to the thigh, the muscle strength of the thigh can be measured through the muscle hardness sensor.

In the step of analyzing the muscle strength ( S1220 ), the muscle strength of the thigh may be analyzed through the muscle strength signal of the user's thigh through the muscle strength sensor.

Obtaining the user's waist motion signal through the inertia measuring unit (S1216) may obtain the user's waist motion signal by measuring motions of bending and straightening the waist.

In the step of acquiring the user's knee joint signal through the knee joint sensor (S1218), when the user bends the knee, the knee joint signal may be obtained by measuring the degree of bending of the knee.

In step S1219 of obtaining an ankle joint signal of the user through the instep joint sensor and the ankle joint sensor, when the user moves the ankle, the ankle joint signal may be obtained by measuring the motion of the ankle.

The step of determining the user's work performance level (S1230) includes the step of identifying the work flow (S1232), the step of determining the work intensity (S1234), and the step of determining the posture and amount of work (S1236).

The step of identifying the work flow (S1232) can be checked through the user's location information, the step of figuring out the work intensity (S1234) can be checked through the strength of the user's thigh muscles, and the step of figuring out the posture and amount of work (S1236 ) can be confirmed through a waist motion signal, a knee joint signal, and an ankle joint signal.

The wearable monitoring method may perform a step of determining whether a musculoskeletal disease or injury is possible (S1260) and, if it is determined that there is a possibility of a musculoskeletal disease or injury, providing a work stop notification to the user (S1270).

In the step of providing work interruption notification to the user (S1270), if it is determined that the user's work intensity or workload is excessive, vibration feedback can be given to the worker with the vibration unit of the integrated module, and in the event of injury, the worker's indoor location is identified and rescued can be carried out.

In the above-described wearable monitoring method, a manager may grasp job information wirelessly collected.

In FIG. 12, each process is described as sequentially executed, but this is merely an example, and a person skilled in the art changes and executes the sequence described in FIG. It will be possible to apply various modifications and variations by executing one or more processes in parallel or adding another process.

The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications, changes, and substitutions without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. will be. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention and the accompanying drawings are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but to explain, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments and the accompanying drawings. . The protection scope of the present invention should be construed according to the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent range should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

10: wearable monitoring system
100: wearing part
110: waist wearing part
120: leg wear part
130: ankle wearing part
200: soft sensor
300: integrated module

Claims (13)

In the wearable monitoring system wearable by the user,
a wearing part worn on the user's body;
a soft sensor built into the wearable part and measuring movement of the user's body for each position where the wearable part is worn on the user's body; and
An integrated module connected to the soft sensor to measure the degree of fatigue of the user using the measured movement and analyzing the user's musculoskeletal disease or injury based on the degree of fatigue;
The soft sensor may include: a muscle hardness sensor provided on the front or rear surface of the user's thigh and measuring the hardness of the thigh muscles on the front or rear surface; And a knee joint sensor provided at the center of the user's knee or on both sides of the center of the knee and measuring a bending motion of the knee joint,
The root hardness sensor and the knee joint sensor are embedded in a leg wearable part worn on the user's lower body,
The integrated module checks the strength of the user's thigh muscle strength using the hardness of the front or rear thigh muscle measured by the muscle hardness sensor, and grasps the user's work intensity through the strength of the thigh muscle strength. And, the wearable monitoring system characterized in that for correcting the torsion that appears during the bending motion of the knee joint using the signal difference of the knee joint sensors provided on both sides of the center of the knee. According to claim 1,
The wearing part,
a waist wearing unit worn on the user's waist and to which at least one integrated module is mounted;
a leg wearable part connected to the waist wearable part and worn on the user's lower body, in which the soft sensor is embedded; and
A wearable monitoring system comprising an ankle wearable part worn on the user's ankle and in which the soft sensor is embedded. According to claim 2,
The waist wearing part,
The integration module is provided on the left or right side of the back of the user's back and connected to the soft sensor built in the left or right side of the user, respectively;
The wearable monitoring system, characterized in that the integrated module measures the fatigue of the left or right side of the user through the movement measured by the soft sensor built into the left or right side, respectively. delete delete According to claim 2,
The soft sensor,
an instep joint sensor provided at the center of an instep of the user and measuring a motion caused by flexion-extension of the user's ankle; and
It is provided so as to cross the front and back or up and down directions of the user's ankle, and includes an ankle joint sensor for measuring movement by adduction-abduction or inversion-eversion of the user's ankle, ,
The instep joint sensor and the tarsal joint sensor are wearable monitoring systems, characterized in that built into the ankle wearing unit. According to claim 2,
The wearing part,
It is formed of a cloth material, includes silicone and a pad so that it is closely adhered to and fixed to the user's body, and includes a fastening part so that it is easily attached to and detached from the user's lower body,
The soft sensor is a wearable monitoring system, characterized in that implemented in the form of sewing a liquid metal circuit printed in a specific pattern with silicon. According to claim 1,
The integrated module,
an inertia measurement unit for measuring the bending and straightening motion of the user's waist according to the speed, direction, gravity, and acceleration of the user's waist;
a signal processing unit measuring and analyzing fatigue of the user according to the movement measured through the inertia measurement unit and the soft sensor;
a location tracking unit that tracks the location of the user; and
A communication unit receiving the movement measured by the inertia measuring unit and the soft sensor and transmitting the user's location;
The wearable monitoring system of claim 1 , wherein at least one integrated module is provided on the user's waist and is connected to the soft sensor through a conducting wire. According to claim 8,
The signal processing unit,
(i) the work intensity according to the hardness of the thigh muscles on the front or back of the user measured through the root hardness sensor of the leg wearable part of the wearer, and (ii) the knee joint sensor of the leg wearer, the inertia measurement unit, and the ankle wear Fatigue is analyzed using the user's posture and workload according to at least one signal obtained through a negative instep joint sensor and an ankle joint sensor,
The wearable monitoring system, characterized in that for generating a work stop notification by analyzing the user's musculoskeletal disease or injury possibility when the analyzed fatigue level is greater than or equal to a certain level of fatigue. According to claim 9,
The integrated module,
Further comprising a vibration unit that transmits a work stop notification to the user when there is a possibility of a musculoskeletal disease or injury of the user analyzed through the degree of fatigue,
The work stop notification is a wearable monitoring system, characterized in that generated when the work intensity or the work amount is greater than a predetermined threshold value. In the integrated module for monitoring the user's status,
an inertia measurement unit for measuring the bending and straightening motion of the user's waist according to the speed, direction, gravity, and acceleration of the user's waist;
a signal processing unit that measures and analyzes fatigue of the user according to motions measured through the inertia measuring unit and a soft sensor built into the wearing unit worn by the user;
a location tracking unit that tracks the location of the user; and
A communication unit receiving the movement measured by the inertia measuring unit and the soft sensor and transmitting the user's location;
The soft sensor may include: a muscle hardness sensor provided on the front or rear surface of the user's thigh and measuring the hardness of the thigh muscles on the front or rear surface; And a knee joint sensor provided at the center of the user's knee or on both sides of the center of the knee and measuring a bending motion of the knee joint,
The root hardness sensor and the knee joint sensor are embedded in a leg wearable part worn on the user's lower body,
The integrated module checks the strength of the user's thigh muscle strength using the hardness of the front or rear thigh muscle measured by the muscle hardness sensor, and grasps the user's work intensity through the strength of the thigh muscle strength. and correcting the torsion that occurs when the knee joint is bent using a signal difference between the knee joint sensors provided on both sides of the center of the knee. According to claim 11,
(i) the work intensity according to the hardness of the thigh muscles on the front or back of the user measured through the root hardness sensor of the leg wearable part of the wearer, and (ii) the knee joint sensor of the leg wearer, the inertia measurement unit, and the ankle wear Fatigue is analyzed using the user's posture and workload according to at least one signal obtained through a negative instep joint sensor and an ankle joint sensor,
An integrated module characterized in that for generating a work stop notification by analyzing the possibility of a musculoskeletal disease or injury of the user when the analyzed fatigue level is greater than or equal to a certain level of fatigue. According to claim 12,
Further comprising a vibration unit for transmitting a work stop notification to the user through the user's musculoskeletal disease or injury possibility analyzed through the fatigue,
The work stop notification is integrated module, characterized in that generated when the work intensity or the work amount is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value.

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