JP2009195600A - Body motion sensor and body motion detecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a body motion sensor capable of easily and correctly detecting a body motion without imposing a load on a subject, and also to provide a body motion measuring device. <P>SOLUTION: The body motion sensor 2 includes: an expansible base material 22; expansible sensor bodies 20 and 21 supported by the base material 22 and made of conductive elastomer; pairs of electrodes 230-233 connected by separation at a prescribed interval in the expansion direction of the sensor bodies 20 and 21, and outputting electric resistance; and a restriction member 23 arranged between at least the pairs of electrodes 230-233 in the sensor bodies 20 and 21, and restricting the excessive expansion of the sensor bodies 20 and 21. The sensor bodies 20 and 21 are expanded/contracted with the body motion of the subject 90, thereby detecting the body motion of the subject 90, based on the change of the electric resistance on the basis of the expansion/contraction of the sensor bodies 20 and 21. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a body motion sensor and a body motion detection device that can detect the motion of the body of a subject.

  For the purpose of health management and treatment of diseases, the number of steps and the respiratory state are measured. For example, energy metabolism can be calculated by measuring heart rate, number of steps, exercise intensity, and the like. Usually, the heart rate is measured by attaching electrodes directly to the skin of the subject. For this reason, the burden on a subject is large and it cannot be said that measurement is easy. The number of steps is measured by a pedometer. In the pedometer, the number of steps is indirectly calculated by detecting a vertical vibration accompanying walking with a sensor or detecting a change in acceleration with a sensor. In other words, the pedometer does not measure the number of steps by directly measuring leg movement. For this reason, the error is large.

On the other hand, in order to detect and treat apnea syndrome, it is necessary to measure the respiratory state. The measurement of the respiratory state is generally performed by attaching a device such as a mask or a tube to the subject's nostril or oral cavity. However, according to this method, the subject feels stuffy and pressured by wearing the instrument, and the burden on the subject is large. In addition, the subject becomes conscious of the instrument, and the normal breathing state is difficult to be reproduced. As an apparatus for measuring a respiratory state without using these instruments, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a belt-shaped respiratory sensor that is used by being wound around a chest of a subject.
JP-A-6-121786 JP 2007-20654 A

  Each of the respiration sensors disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 includes a conductive rubber. For example, if the subject's chest expands during inhalation, the circumference of the chest becomes longer. Along with this, the conductive rubber disposed on the chest stretches, and the electrical resistance of the conductive rubber increases. On the other hand, if the chest contracts during expiration, the circumference of the chest becomes shorter. Along with this, the conductive rubber contracts, and the electrical resistance of the conductive rubber decreases. As described above, the respiration sensors disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 measure the respiration state by using the change in electrical resistance due to the expansion and contraction of the conductive rubber.

  According to the respiration sensor, the conductive rubber repeatedly expands and contracts according to changes in the circumference of the chest. However, there is nothing that regulates excessive elongation of the conductive rubber. For this reason, when the circumference change of the chest is large, there is a possibility that the conductive rubber becomes fatigued and cannot be used while it is repeatedly expanded and contracted. Moreover, there exists a possibility that conductive rubber | gum may be destroyed by excessive expansion | extension and it may not restore to an original shape. As described above, in the sensor using the expansion and contraction of the conductive rubber, the durability of the conductive rubber becomes a big problem.

  Further, in order to actually measure the respiratory state using the above-described respiratory sensor, a separate control device for outputting a respiratory signal based on the change in the electrical resistance of the conductive rubber is necessary. In many cases, the control device includes a calculation unit that processes data, a display unit that displays a respiration waveform, an operation unit that switches the display unit, and the like. For this reason, the control device needs to have a certain size. Therefore, it is difficult to attach the control device to the body of the subject together with the respiration sensor.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a body motion sensor and a body motion measurement device that can detect body motion simply and accurately without imposing a burden on a subject. The task is to do.

  (1) In order to solve the above-described problems, a body motion sensor of the present invention includes a base material that can be stretched, a stretchable sensor body that is supported by the base material and is made of a conductive elastomer, and a stretch direction of the sensor body. A pair of electrodes connected to each other at a predetermined interval and capable of outputting electrical resistance, and a regulating member disposed between at least a pair of the electrodes in the sensor body and restricting excessive extension of the sensor body. The sensor body expands and contracts with the movement of the subject's body, and detects the movement of the subject's body from a change in the electrical resistance based on the expansion and contraction of the sensor body. (Corresponding to claim 1).

  The sensor body in the body motion sensor of the present invention is made of a conductive elastomer. In this specification, “elastomer” includes rubber and thermoplastic elastomer. The conductive elastomer is formed by blending a conductive filler in the elastomer. When the conductive elastomer is elongated, the number of contact points between the blended conductive fillers decreases. For this reason, electrical resistance increases.

  A pair of electrodes are connected to the sensor body at a predetermined interval in the expansion / contraction direction. “A resistance can be output by a pair of electrodes” means that an electrical resistance can be output directly or indirectly. That is, not only the case where the electrical resistance is directly output from the electrode but also the case where the other electrical quantity related to the electrical resistance such as voltage or current is output.

  In the body motion sensor of the present invention, a regulating member is disposed between at least a pair of electrodes of the sensor body. The restricting member restricts excessive extension of the sensor body. For this reason, destruction of the sensor body is suppressed. Further, the sensor main body is not easily deteriorated even if the expansion and contraction is repeated. That is, the sensor body is excellent in durability.

  The body motion sensor of the present invention detects the body motion (body motion) of the subject. The type of body movement to be detected is not particularly limited. For example, when the body motion sensor of the present invention is disposed near the subject's chest and abdomen, movements of the chest and abdomen due to breathing can be detected. Thereby, a respiratory state can be measured. Further, when the body motion sensor of the present invention is arranged on the subject's thigh or calf, it is possible to detect the movement of the leg due to walking or the like. Thereby, the number of steps and the like can be measured. Further, if the body motion sensor of the present invention is placed on the upper arm or forearm of the subject, the movement of the elbow or wrist can be detected. The “subject” in the present invention includes not only humans but also animals.

  The body motion sensor of the present invention directly detects the movement of the subject's body. For this reason, a respiratory state, the number of steps, etc. can be measured correctly and simply. That is, according to the body motion sensor of the present invention, it is possible to perform various measurements accompanying body motion without making the subject feel short of breath, feeling of pressure, or the like. Moreover, since there is little tension at the time of measurement, it is possible to detect normal body movement. Further, by fixing the body motion sensor of the present invention to the body of the subject, it is possible to detect the body motion regardless of the posture and state at the time of measurement. Therefore, it can be used regardless of whether it is resting or exercising such as walking. In addition, the body motion sensor of the present invention may be fixed directly to the subject's skin, or may be indirectly fixed via clothing or the like.

  The sensor main body is made of a stretchable conductive elastomer and supported by a stretchable base material. For this reason, the body motion sensor of the present invention can be easily disposed even on a non-flat part, and can be disposed in a wide region of the body of the subject. In addition to the thickness of the sensor body and the length in the direction of expansion and contraction, the electrical resistance of the sensor body should be set within a specified range by adjusting the type of elastomer and conductive filler, the filling rate of the conductive filler, etc. Can do. Furthermore, it is possible to easily realize frequency characteristics suitable for body movement.

  (2) Preferably, in the configuration of (1) above, between the pair of electrodes, the length of the restricting member in the expansion / contraction direction is 1.02 times or more of the natural length of the sensor body in the expansion / contraction direction. It is better to have a configuration of 2 times or less (corresponding to claim 2).

  The length of the regulating member in the expansion / contraction direction is larger than the length of the sensor body in the expansion / contraction direction in the natural state. Therefore, it arrange | positions in the loose state between a pair of said electrodes by that much. For example, when the body motion sensor extends greatly, the sensor body can extend only until the slack of the regulating member is consumed. Thus, according to this configuration, the maximum extension amount of the sensor body can be easily regulated.

  (3) Moreover, the body motion detection device of the present invention includes the body motion sensor of the present invention described in (1) or (2) above, a power source for supplying current to the body motion sensor, and the body motion A control circuit unit having an arithmetic unit that processes an electrical resistance value output from the sensor, and the body motion sensor and the control circuit unit are integrally attached to the body of the subject. (Corresponding to claim 3).

  According to the body motion detection device of the present invention, the body motion sensor and the control circuit unit are both attached to the body of the subject. For this reason, it is excellent in portability and body motion can be easily detected even during exercise such as walking. In addition, by reducing the size of the control circuit unit, it is possible to further reduce the sensation of foreign objects during mounting. Thereby, body motion can be detected without putting a burden on the subject even at bedtime.

  (4) Preferably, in the configuration of the above (3), a long belt member for winding around the subject's body is provided (corresponding to claim 4).

  With the belt member, the body motion sensor can be easily attached to the subject. In addition, by winding the belt member around the body of the subject, the displacement of the body motion sensor at the time of going to sleep or during exercise such as walking can be suppressed, and the body motion sensor can be securely fixed.

  (5) Preferably, in the configuration of (3) or (4) above, a configuration is provided that includes at least the surface of the base material and a cover member for preferentially expanding and contracting the sensor body with respect to the base material. Is better (corresponding to claim 5).

  When the spring constant of the base material is small compared to the spring constant of the sensor body, only the base material is stretched before the sensor body is stretched, and there is a possibility that body movement cannot be detected accurately. According to this configuration, since the sensor body can be preferentially expanded and contracted with respect to the base material, the sensor body can be reliably extended. Moreover, a test subject's body can be protected from an electrode, a control circuit part, etc. by coat | covering the base-material surface with a cover member. Thereby, safety is improved and the burden on the body of the subject can be reduced. On the other hand, the electrode, the control circuit unit, and the like can be protected from moisture, sebum, and the like of the subject's body. Furthermore, if the wiring is covered with the cover member, the handling becomes easy and the design is improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments in which the body motion sensor and the body motion detection device of the present invention are embodied for detecting human respiration will be described.

<First embodiment>
[Structural structure of body motion detection device]
First, the structural configuration of the body motion detection device of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 shows a mounting diagram of the body motion detection device of the present embodiment. FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the same body motion detection device. FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view in the III-III direction of FIG. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the body motion detection device 1 of the present embodiment includes a body motion sensor 2, a controller 3, and a belt member 4. The controller 3 is included in the control circuit unit of the present invention. The body motion detection device 1 has an annular shape as a whole. The body motion detection device 1 can be expanded and contracted. The body motion detection device 1 is worn around the chest of the subject 90.

  The body motion sensor 2 includes a pair of sensor main bodies 20 and 21, a base material 22, a total of four electrodes 230 to 233, and a pair of regulating members 23. The base material 22 is made of stretchable woven rubber and has a long shape. Here, the spring constant in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the base material 22 is smaller than the spring constant in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the sensor bodies 20, 21 described later. That is, the base material 22 is easier to expand and contract than the sensor bodies 20 and 21. Hook fasteners 220 and 221 are disposed on the back surfaces (surfaces on the subject 90 side) of both ends in the left-right direction of the base material 22 as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. The base material 22 is disposed on the front surface of the chest of the subject 90.

  The sensor body 20 is made of a conductive elastomer that can be expanded and contracted, and has a thin plate shape. The conductive elastomer is obtained by blending conductive carbon in EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer). The sensor body 20 is disposed on the left side of the center of the base material 22 in the left-right direction. The sensor body 20 extends in the left-right direction. The sensor body 20 is arranged on the front side (front side) of the base material 22. The sensor body 20 is arranged so as to be in a no-load state (natural state) in a state where the breath has been exhausted.

  The restricting member 23 is made of nylon and has a film shape. The regulating member 23 is interposed between the base material 22 and the sensor body 20. Between the electrodes 230 and 231 described later, the length of the restriction member 23 in the left-right direction is larger than the length of the sensor body 20 in the left-right direction in the natural state. Therefore, as emphasized and shown in FIG. 3, the restricting member 23 is disposed in a state slightly slackened in the left-right direction.

  The electrodes 230 and 231 are metal rivets. The electrode 230 is disposed at the left end of the sensor body 20. The electrode 230 fixes the left end of the sensor body 20 and the left end of the regulating member 23 to the base material 22. On the other hand, the electrode 231 is disposed at the right end of the sensor body 20. The electrode 231 fixes the right end portion of the sensor body 20 and the right end portion of the regulating member 23 to the base material 22.

  Similar to the sensor body 20, the sensor body 21 is made of a conductive elastomer that can be expanded and contracted, and has a thin plate shape. The sensor body 21 is disposed on the right side of the center of the base material 22 in the left-right direction. That is, the sensor body 21 faces the sensor body 20 in the left-right direction. The sensor body 21 extends in the left-right direction. The sensor body 21 is disposed on the front side (front side) of the base material 22. The sensor main body 21 is arranged so as to be in a no-load state (natural state) in a state where the air is exhaled.

  A restriction member similar to the restriction member 23 is interposed between the sensor body 21 and the base material 22. The restricting member is arranged in a slightly slackened state in the left-right direction, like the restricting member 23 (see FIG. 3).

  The electrodes 232 and 233 are metal rivets. The electrode 232 is disposed at the left end of the sensor body 21. The electrode 232 fixes the left end portion of the sensor body 21 and the left end portion of the regulating member to the base material 22. On the other hand, the electrode 233 is disposed at the right end of the sensor body 21. The electrode 233 fixes the right end portion of the sensor body 21 and the right end portion of the regulating member to the base material 22.

  The controller 3 is disposed approximately at the center of the base material 22 in the left-right direction. The controller 3 is arrange | positioned at the back surface of the base material 22, as shown with a dotted line in FIG. The controller 3 and the electrodes 230 to 233 are electrically connected.

  The belt member 4 is made of woven rubber that can be expanded and contracted, and has a long shape. As shown in FIG. 2, hook-and-loop fasteners 40 and 41 are arranged on the surfaces of both ends in the longitudinal direction (left and right direction) of the belt member 4. The belt member 4 is disposed on the rear surface of the chest of the subject 90. The surface fastener 40 at the left end of the belt member 4 and the surface fastener 220 at the left end of the base material 22 are engaged, and the surface fastener 41 at the right end of the belt member 4 and the surface fastener 221 at the right end of the base material 22 are engaged. Thus, the base material 22 and the belt member 4 are connected in an endless ring shape. In this state, the base material 22 and the belt member 4 (that is, the body motion detection device 1) are wound around the chest of the subject 90 and attached.

[Electrical configuration of body motion detection device]
Next, the electrical configuration of the body motion detection device 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the body movement detecting device. As shown in FIG. 4, the controller 3 includes a power supply 30, a calculation unit 31, a storage unit 32, a battery 33, a lamp 34, and a button 35.

  The battery 33 is a power source for the controller 3 and the body motion sensor 2. The power supply 30 is a constant current circuit. The power supply 30 supplies a predetermined current to the body motion sensor 2.

  The voltage of the sensor bodies 20 and 21 is input to the calculation unit 31 via the electrodes 230 to 233. The storage unit 32 temporarily stores data processed by the calculation unit 31. The button 35 is for switching the power supply 30 on and off. The lamp 34 lights up in conjunction with the ON state of the power supply 30. A personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as “personal computer”) 91 can be connected to the calculation unit 31 of the controller 3.

[Motion of body motion detection device]
Next, the movement of the body motion detection device 1 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view in the left-right direction in the vicinity of the sensor main body when the sensor main body of the same body motion detection device is extended. FIG. 5 corresponds to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the chest circumference of the subject 90 expands and contracts as the subject 90 breathes. For this reason, the body motion sensor 2 expands and contracts in the left-right direction. The sensor body 20 periodically repeats the natural state shown in FIG. 3 and the extended state shown in FIG.

  When the natural state is switched to the extended state, the number of contact points between the conductive fillers blended in the sensor body 20 decreases. For this reason, the electrical resistance of the sensor main body 20 increases. As described above, the spring constant of the base material 22 is smaller than the spring constant of the sensor body 20. For this reason, even if the body motion sensor 2 extends greatly due to, for example, the yawn of the subject 90, the base material 22 extends preferentially, so that rapid expansion of the sensor body 20 is suppressed.

  Further, the left and right ends of the restricting member 23 are fixed to the left and right ends of the sensor body 20, respectively. Further, the regulating member 23 is loose in the natural state shown in FIG. For this reason, even when the body motion sensor 2 extends greatly, the sensor body 20 does not extend until the slack of the restricting member 23 is consumed (the restricting member 23 in FIG. 5 is not loosened). Thus, the regulating member 23 regulates the maximum extension amount of the sensor body 20.

  When the stretched state is switched to the natural state, the number of contact points between the conductive fillers blended in the sensor body 20 increases. For this reason, the conductivity of the sensor body 20 is improved. In other words, the electrical resistance of the sensor body 20 decreases.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the electrical resistance of the sensor body 20 is input to the controller 3 as a voltage and stored in the storage unit 32. This process is continuously executed for a predetermined time. After the process is completed, the body motion detection device 1 is removed from the subject 90. Then, the controller 3 and the personal computer 91 are connected. Respiratory data for a predetermined time stored in the storage unit 32 is transferred from the controller 3 to the personal computer 91. The respiratory data is displayed as a time-series graph on the display 910 of the personal computer 91.

[Function and effect]
Next, the effect of the body motion sensor 2 and the body motion detection apparatus 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated. In the present embodiment, the base material 22 is easier to expand and contract than the sensor bodies 20 and 21. For this reason, as described above, even when the chest circumference is greatly extended and the body motion sensor 2 is greatly extended, the base material 22 is preferentially extended. For this reason, rapid expansion of the sensor main bodies 20 and 21 is suppressed. The maximum extension amount of the sensor main bodies 20 and 21 is restricted by the restriction member 23. Therefore, destruction of the sensor main bodies 20 and 21 is suppressed. Moreover, the sensor main bodies 20 and 21 are not easily deteriorated even if the expansion and contraction is repeated.

  The body motion detection device 1 of this embodiment includes a belt member 4. Therefore, the body motion sensor 2 can be easily attached to the subject 90. In addition, according to the body motion detection device 1 of the present embodiment, the breathing state can be simply and accurately performed only by being worn around the chest of the subject 90 and without causing the subject 90 to feel stuffy or tight. Can be measured. Moreover, since there is no restriction | limiting of the action of the subject 90 and there is little tension at the time of a measurement, the normal breathing state can be measured.

  In the present embodiment, the controller 3 includes a power supply 30 for a constant current circuit. As the power supply 30, a constant current diode, FET (field effect transistor), or the like can be used. Since the sensor bodies 20 and 21 can be driven by the power supply 30 without requiring an amplifier circuit or the like, the control circuit can be simplified. Accordingly, the controller 3 can be easily reduced in weight and size. Thereby, the portability of the controller 3 is improved, and the controller 3 can be attached together with the body motion sensor 2.

<Second embodiment>
The difference between the body motion sensor and the body motion detection device of the present embodiment and the body motion sensor and the body motion detection device of the first embodiment is that a cover member is disposed as the backing of the base material. Therefore, only the differences will be described here. FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the body motion sensor of the present embodiment. In addition, about the site | part corresponding to FIG. 2, it shows with the same code | symbol. In FIG. 6, the body motion sensor is viewed from the back side.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a cover member 5 made of nylon and stretchable is sewn on the back surface of the base material 22. The spring constant in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the cover member 5 is larger than the spring constant in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the base member 22. That is, the cover member 5 is less likely to expand and contract than the base material 22. The cover member 5 covers the electrodes 230 to 233 and the controller 3 from the back side. Further, hook-and-loop fasteners 220 and 221 are arranged at both ends in the left-right direction of the cover member 5.

  The body motion sensor 2 and the body motion detection device of the present embodiment have the same operational effects as the body motion sensor and the body motion detection device of the first embodiment with respect to the parts having the same configuration. Moreover, the cover member 5 is arrange | positioned at the body motion sensor 2 of this embodiment. Here, the spring constant in the left-right direction of the cover member 5 is larger than the spring constant in the left-right direction of the base member 22. For this reason, according to the body motion sensor 2 of the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the expansion of only the portion of the base material 22 where the sensor main body is not disposed (the left and right ends of the base material 22), and the expansion of the chest. The sensor main body can be accurately extended following the contraction. Further, the body of the subject can be protected from the electrodes 230 to 233 and the controller 3 by the cover member 5. Thereby, safety is improved and the burden on the body of the subject can be reduced. On the other hand, the electrodes 230 to 233 and the controller 3 can be protected from moisture, sebum and the like of the subject's body. Furthermore, since the wiring (not shown) can be covered with the cover member 5, it is easy to handle and the design is improved.

<Others>
The embodiment of the body motion sensor and the body motion detection device of the present invention has been described above. However, the embodiment is not particularly limited to the above embodiment. Various modifications and improvements that can be made by those skilled in the art are also possible.

  For example, in the above embodiment, a pair of left and right sensor bodies are arranged. However, the number of sensor bodies constituting the body motion sensor may be one or three or more. The sensor body may be made of a conductive elastomer, and the type of elastomer or conductive filler is not limited. The electrical resistance of the sensor body may be set within a predetermined range by adjusting the type of elastomer or conductive filler, the filling rate of the conductive filler, the thickness of the sensor body, the length in the expansion / contraction direction, and the like. Moreover, what is necessary is just to optimize a sensor main body so that the frequency characteristic of about 0.1-10 Hz can be obtained according to a motion of a body, for example.

  In the above embodiment, a restriction member made of nylon is used. However, the material of the restricting member is not particularly limited as long as the restricting member itself is difficult to extend and can restrict excessive extension of the sensor body. Further, the length of the regulating member in the expansion / contraction direction between the pair of electrodes may be appropriately determined according to the allowable extension amount of the sensor body. In the said embodiment, the control member was interposed between the base material and the sensor main body. However, it is not always necessary to interpose the regulating member between the base material and the sensor body, and the base material / sensor body / regulating member may be laminated in this order.

  In the said embodiment, the belt member and the base material were connected by the hook-and-loop fastener. However, the belt member and the base material may be integrally formed. Moreover, the connection method of a belt member and a base material is not limited to the said embodiment. For example, you may connect using a hook, a buckle, etc. In the above embodiment, both the belt member and the base material are made of woven rubber. However, the belt member and the base material may be made of different materials. Further, the material may be the same and only the spring constant may be changed.

  In the second embodiment, the cover member is disposed on the back surface of the base material. However, the cover member may be disposed on the surface of the base material or may be disposed so as to cover the entire body motion sensor. Moreover, the material of the cover member is not particularly limited, but a material that is less likely to expand and contract than the base material is desirable.

  In the above embodiment, the controller is connected to a personal computer to display respiration data. However, the data processed by the controller may be wirelessly transmitted to the display device. Further, the respiration data accumulated in the controller may be taken out with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or the like and displayed on a personal computer.

  The body motion sensor and the body motion detection device of the present invention may be directly attached to the subject's skin as in the above-described embodiment, or may be indirectly attached through clothing or the like. Moreover, in the said embodiment, the body motion sensor and the body motion detection apparatus were actualized for human respiration detection. However, with the body motion sensor and body motion detection device of the present invention, the movement of muscles such as the thigh and calf (specifically, the expansion and contraction of the thigh due to the movement of the knee, the expansion and contraction of the calf due to the movement of the ankle, etc.) It may be detected. Thereby, the movement of the leg in walking or the like can be detected, and for example, the number of steps can be measured. Moreover, you may detect the motion of the muscles of the upper arm and the forearm with the body motion sensor and the body motion detection device of the present invention. Thereby, movement of an elbow or a wrist can be detected.

It is a wearing figure of the body movement detection device of a first embodiment of the present invention. It is an exploded view of the same body motion detection apparatus. It is the III-III direction sectional drawing of FIG. It is a block diagram of a body movement detection apparatus. It is sectional drawing of the left-right direction of the sensor main body vicinity at the time of sensor main body expansion | extension of the same body motion detection apparatus. It is a perspective view of the body motion sensor of 2nd embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Body motion detection apparatus 2: Body motion sensor 20, 21: Sensor main body 22: Base material 23: Restriction member 220, 221: Surface fastener 230-233: Electrode 3 Controller (control circuit part) 30: Power supply 31: Calculation part 32: Storage unit 33: Battery 34: Lamp 35: Button 4: Belt member 40, 41: Hook fastener 5: Cover member 90: Subject 91: Personal computer 910: Display

Claims (5)

A stretchable substrate;
A stretchable sensor body supported by the substrate and made of a conductive elastomer;
A pair of electrodes that are connected to each other in the expansion / contraction direction of the sensor body at a predetermined interval and are capable of outputting electrical resistance;
A regulating member that is disposed between at least a pair of the electrodes in the sensor body and regulates excessive extension of the sensor body,
The sensor main body expands and contracts with the movement of the body of the subject, and the movement of the body of the subject is detected from a change in the electrical resistance based on the expansion and contraction of the sensor main body. Sensor.   2. The body motion sensor according to claim 1, wherein the length of the restricting member in the expansion / contraction direction between the pair of electrodes is 1.02 to 1.2 times the length of the sensor body in a natural expansion / contraction direction. . The body motion sensor according to claim 1 or 2,
A control circuit unit having a power source for supplying a current to the body motion sensor and a calculation unit for processing an output from the body motion sensor,
The body motion detecting device, wherein the body motion sensor and the control circuit unit are integrally attached to the body of the subject.   The body motion detection device according to claim 3, further comprising a long belt member wound around the body of the subject.   The body motion detection device according to claim 3, further comprising a cover member that covers at least a surface of the base material and preferentially expands and contracts the sensor body with respect to the base material.

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