JP2010088810A - Stimulus output device and posture improvement support device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a stimulus output device and a posture improvement support device, easily improving a user's posture. <P>SOLUTION: This stimulus output device A is used in a posture improvement support system which gives a user vibrating stimulus changing in the direction of improving user's posture. A vibration setting part 32 controls the amplitude of vibrating stimulus given to the user by vibrators 21L-24L, 21R-24R to be 5-1,000 μm and the frequency to be 30-400 Hz. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a stimulus output device that improves a posture of a user and a posture improvement support device.

Conventionally, an accelerometer is attached to the user's waist, and longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration, and vertical acceleration at the user's waist are detected, and when the user is stationary based on the time change of each acceleration detected by the accelerometer There is a posture analysis device that estimates a posture during walking (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2007-125368 A

  However, with the conventional technology, it is possible to analyze the posture of the user and present the analysis content to the user, but there is no configuration for judging the posture and improving the posture based on this judgment result. The person had to think about how to improve himself, and his posture was not easy to improve.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said reason, The objective is to provide the irritation | stimulation output device which can improve an attitude | position easily, and an attitude | position improvement assistance apparatus.

  The invention according to claim 1 is a stimulus output device used in a posture improvement support apparatus that gives a vibration stimulus to the user in a direction in which the posture of the user is improved, and the amplitude is 5 μm or more and 1000 μm or less. It is characterized by comprising stimulus output means for giving a vibration stimulus of 30 Hz to 400 Hz to the user.

  According to the present invention, the vibration applied to the skin is set by setting the amplitude of the vibration stimulus within the range of 5 μm or more and 1000 μm or less and setting the frequency of the vibration stimulus within the range of 30 Hz or more and 400 Hz or less. Stimulation can be easily detected, and the posture improvement effect by the posture improvement support device is also improved. That is, the posture can be easily improved by giving vibration stimulation having an amplitude and frequency that can be easily detected by the user.

  The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in claim 1, the stimulus output means gives a vibration stimulus having an amplitude of 100 μm or more and 1000 μm or less and a frequency of 100 Hz or more and 280 Hz or less to the user.

  According to the present invention, the amplitude and the frequency range in which human beings are most sensitive to vibrational stimulation are in the range of 100 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, and the frequency is in the range of 100 Hz or more and 280 Hz or less. By setting the range of the amplitude and frequency of the vibration stimulus within the range, it becomes easier for a human to sense the given vibration stimulus, and the posture improvement effect by the posture improvement support device is further improved.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stimulus output means for giving a vibration stimulus to the user that changes the posture of the user to be improved, a pressure detection means for detecting a ground pressure on the sole of the user, and a detected ground pressure. The center-of-gravity deriving means for deriving the position of the center of gravity of the user and the amplitude of the vibration stimulus output from the stimulus output means are set from a range of 5 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, and the frequency of the vibration stimulus is 30 Hz or more and 400 Hz or less. Vibration setting means for setting from the range and setting at least one of the amplitude and frequency of the vibration stimulus based on the difference between the derived gravity center position and the gravity center position corresponding to the predetermined posture of the user It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, the vibration applied to the skin is set by setting the amplitude of the vibration stimulus within the range of 5 μm or more and 1000 μm or less and setting the frequency of the vibration stimulus within the range of 30 Hz or more and 400 Hz or less. Stimulation can be easily detected, and the posture improvement effect by the posture improvement support device is also improved. That is, the posture can be easily improved by giving vibration stimulation having an amplitude and frequency that can be easily detected by the user.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect, the vibration setting unit sets the amplitude of the vibration stimulus output from the stimulus output unit from a range of 100 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, and the frequency of the vibration stimulus is 100 Hz or more. It is set from the range of 280 Hz or less.

  According to the present invention, the amplitude and the frequency range in which human beings are most sensitive to vibrational stimulation are in the range of 100 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, and the frequency is in the range of 100 Hz or more and 280 Hz or less. By setting the range of the amplitude and frequency of the vibration stimulus within the range, it becomes easier for a human to sense the given vibration stimulus, and the posture improvement effect by the posture improvement support device is further improved.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect, the stimulus output means applies a vibration stimulus to a user's sole.

  According to the present invention, since the feeling of feeling the ground pressure to the sole becomes dull at the part of the sole that has been subjected to vibration stimulation, the ground pressure is balanced by balancing at the part of the sole that has not been subjected to vibration stimulation. Weight shift occurs to feel. By using this, by giving a vibration stimulus so as to fill between the center of gravity position (load center point) of the user's sole and the center of gravity position (reference center of gravity position) corresponding to the predetermined posture of the user, The posture can be easily improved. In addition, since the human reaction to the vibration stimulus is fast, the posture improvement effect is also high. Furthermore, since the contact pressure with the stimulus output means increases at the sole portion where the ground pressure is applied, vibration stimulation can be transmitted more effectively.

  As described above, according to the present invention, vibration stimuli having an amplitude and frequency that can be easily sensed by the user are provided, so that the posture can be easily improved.

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

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the posture improvement assisting apparatus of the present embodiment includes a pressure detection unit 10 (a pressure detection unit 10 _L on the left foot side, a pressure detection unit 10 _R on the right foot side), and a vibration unit. 20 (a left foot side vibration unit 20 _L , a right foot side vibration unit 20 _R ) and a control unit 30 are provided on a plastic plate 100.

The plastic plate 100 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape with a lateral direction of 400 mm and a longitudinal direction of 250 mm. The upper surface side of the plastic plate 100 is a mounting surface on which the user puts both feet, and the vibration unit 20 _L is the left foot of the user. The vibration portion _20R is embedded and disposed facing the back of the right foot of the user.

The vibrating unit 20 _L is configured with four vibrators 21 _{L to} 24 _L , and the vibrating unit 20 _R is configured with four vibrators 21 _{R to} 24 _{R. As} illustrated in FIG. vibrator ₂₁ L, 21 _R are disposed to face the thumb of the back legs of the user, the vibrator ₂₂ L, 22 _R are disposed opposite the thumb ball back the user's foot, the vibrator 23 _L and 23 _R are arranged to face the base of the fifth heel (little finger) on the sole of the user, and the vibrators 24 _L and 24 _R are arranged to face the center of the heel of the user's sole. Each vibrator includes a motor and a diaphragm (not shown), and individually vibrates the thumb, thumb ball, base of the fifth hook, and heel using a battery or a commercial power source as a driving power source. The vibrators 21 _{L to} 24 _L and the vibrators 21 _{R to} 24 _R are arranged along the soles of the legs that are opened outward at an angle of θ = 80 degrees from the rear to the front.

Further, pressure detection units 10 _L and 10 _R are attached to the lower surface of the plastic plate 100, and the pressure sensors are arranged in a matrix. The pressure detectors 10 _L and 10 _R are piezoelectric or a method using a change in resistance due to pressure, and detect the distribution of the ground pressure of the user who stands with both feet on the plastic plate 100. That is, the pressure detection units 10 _L and 10 _R detect the distribution of the contact pressure on the sole for each of the left and right feet of the user in the standing posture.

  And the above-mentioned pressure detection part 10 and the vibration part 20 are connected to the control part 30 comprised by CPU etc. FIG.

The control unit 30 includes a center-of-gravity deriving unit 31 and a vibration setting unit 32, and the center-of-gravity deriving unit 31 derives the position of the user's center of gravity based on the detection data of the pressure detection unit 10. The vibration setting unit 32 controls the vibration unit 20 _L and the vibration unit 20 _R so as to change the user's standing posture based on the derived center-of-gravity position to change the user's foot. Give vibration stimulus to the back. The vibration units 20 _L and 20 _R constitute a stimulus output means, and the vibration units 20 _L and 20 _R and the vibration setting unit 32 constitute a stimulus output device A.

  Hereinafter, operations of the gravity center deriving unit 31 and the vibration setting unit 32 will be described in detail.

First, the center-of-gravity deriving unit 31 stores in advance a center-of-gravity position G ₀ (x ₀ , y ₀ ) (hereinafter referred to as a reference center-of-gravity position G ₀ (x ₀ , y ₀ )) when the user's standing posture is good. Keep it. The reference center-of-gravity position G ₀ is calculated from the positions of the vibrators 21 _L , 23 _L , 24 _L , and the vibrators 21 _R , 23 _R , 24 _R , and is an abbreviation of both feet as shown in FIG. When the center is the origin O, the left-right direction is the X-axis, and the front-back direction is the Y-axis, the polygon C having the transducers 21 _L , 23 _L , 24 _L and the transducers 21 _R , 23 _R , 24 _R as vertices setting the center of gravity of the (FIGS. 2 (a) broken line in) to the reference center-of-gravity position G _0.

Then, by operating a switch (not shown) while the user stands with both feet on the mounting surface of the plastic plate 100 (operation by wireless communication using a remote control or operation by wired communication), the control unit 30. When the posture improvement support process starts, the center-of-gravity deriving unit 31 acquires the user's ground pressure distribution detected by the pressure detection unit 10, and based on the acquired ground pressure distribution, the current center of gravity of the user in the standing posture A position G ₁ (x ₁ , y ₁ ) (hereinafter referred to as a load center point G ₁ (x ₁ , y ₁ )) is derived. Instead of detecting the ground pressure distribution using the pressure detector 10 _L and the pressure detector 10 _R , the plastic plate 100 may be placed on a device capable of measuring the center of gravity fluctuation to detect the ground pressure distribution. Good.

Next, the vibration setting unit 32 determines the difference between the load center point G ₁ (x ₁ , y ₁ ) derived by the centroid derivation unit 31 and the previously stored reference centroid position G ₀ (x ₀ , y ₀ ) ( ΔG (Δx, Δy) = (x ₁ −x ₀ , y ₁ −y ₀ ), which is a difference in the center of gravity) (1)
Is derived. Then, by setting parameters [amplitude, frequency] of the vibrator to be driven and the vibration stimulus applied to the sole of the user based on the center of gravity difference ΔG, the user is effectively conscious of posture improvement.

  First, in the case of using amplitude as a vibration stimulus parameter, the vibration setting unit 32 is set so that the amplitude of the vibration stimulus can be adjusted within a range of 5 μm to 1000 μm (5 μm or more and 1000 μm or less). It is assumed that the fluctuation range from the amplitude 5 μm to the maximum amplitude 1000 μm is normalized to be “1”. Note that the frequency of the vibration stimulus at this time is set in advance to a constant frequency within the range of the lowest frequency 30 Hz to the highest frequency 400 Hz.

Next, the vibration setting unit 32 multiplies the absolute value of the difference between the X coordinates of the vibrators 22 _L and 24 _L (or the X coordinates of the vibrators 22 _R and 24 _R ) by 1/2. M _X, a value obtained by multiplying 1/2 to the absolute value of the difference between (the Y coordinate of the or vibrator 21 _R and 24 _R) each Y-coordinate of the transducer 21 _L and 24 _L as _{M Y,} factor P _X , P _Y ,
P _X = ((x ₁ −x ₀ ) / M _X ) (2)
P _Y = ((y ₁ −y ₀ ) / M _Y ) ......... Formula (3)
Ask for. Each absolute value of the coefficients P _X and P _Y becomes the amplitude target value of the vibration stimulus normalized by ΔG (Δx, Δy).

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the vibrator to be driven is determined by the positive and negative of the coefficients P _X and P _Y. Coefficient Px, Py if both positive, driven by an amplitude corresponding vibrator 23 _R to the coefficient _{P X,} transducer _{[21 L,} 22 _L], corresponding to the coefficient _{P Y} to _{[21 R,} 22 R] Drive with amplitude. When the coefficient Px is negative and Py is positive, the vibrator 23 _L is driven with an amplitude corresponding to the coefficient P _X , and the vibrators [21 _L , 22 _L ] and [21 _R , 22 _R ] are set to the coefficient P _Y. Drive with the corresponding amplitude. Coefficient Px is positive, if Py is negative, driven by an amplitude corresponding vibrator 23 _R to the coefficient _{P X,} it drives the vibrator ₂₄ L, 24 _R with an amplitude determined in accordance with the coefficient _{P Y.} Coefficient Px, Py if both negative and driven with an amplitude determined in accordance with the vibrator 23 _L in the coefficient _{P X,} drives the vibrator ₂₄ L, 24 _R with an amplitude determined in accordance with the coefficient _{P Y.} [21 _L , 22 _L ] may drive either one or both of the vibrators 21 _L and 22 _L , and [21 _R , 22 _R ] may be either one of the vibrators 21 _R or 22 _R. Or both may be driven.

For example, when P _X = 0.5 and P _Y = −0.3, the vibrator 23 _R is driven with an amplitude of [100 + 995 × 0.5] μm, and the vibrators 24 _L and 24 _R are [100 + 995 ×]. 0.3] Drive with an amplitude of μm.

  Moreover, when using a frequency as a parameter of the vibration stimulus, the vibration setting unit 32 is set so that the frequency of the vibration stimulus can be adjusted within the range of the lowest frequency 30 Hz to the highest frequency 400 Hz (30 Hz or more and 400 Hz or less). It is assumed that the fluctuation range from the frequency 30 Hz to the maximum frequency 400 Hz is normalized to be “1”. The amplitude of the vibration stimulus at this time is set in advance to a constant amplitude within the range of the minimum amplitude 5 μm to the maximum amplitude 1000 μm.

Then, as in the case of using the amplitude as the vibration stimulation parameter, the coefficients P _X and P _Y are obtained from the center of gravity difference ΔG (Δx, Δy), and the vibration stimulation is based on the absolute values of the coefficients P _X and P _Y. Frequency target values are calculated, and the vibrator to be driven is determined based on the positive and negative of the coefficients P _X and P _Y.

And since the user feels the feeling of touching the ground pressure on the sole in the part of the sole that has been given the vibration stimulus, the user must balance the ground pressure in the part of the sole that has not been given the vibration stimulus. Weight shift occurs to feel. Using this, by giving vibration stimulation so as to fill the space between the load center point G ₁ (x ₁ , y ₁ ) of the sole and the reference center of gravity position G ₀ (x ₀ , y ₀ ), Can be improved. In addition, since the human reaction to the vibration stimulus is fast, the posture improvement effect is also high. Furthermore, since the contact pressure with the vibrator increases at the sole portion where the ground pressure is applied, vibration stimulation can be transmitted more effectively.

  Here, there are mainly 4 mechanoreceptors (Meissner body, Merkel board, Patini body, Rufini terminal) under human skin, and these mechanoreceptors have sensing functions such as tactile sensation in tactile sense. ing. Each mechanoreceptor has a resolution and frequency region with good sensitivity. If the amplitude and frequency of the vibration stimulus are matched with the mechanoreceptor resolution and frequency region, the tactile sensitivity becomes high.

  For the threshold of vibration amplitude and frequency that can be sensed when humans are given vibration to the skin, see, for example, Gescheider et al. (GAGescheider etal. 18, p191 (2001)), in this embodiment, the amplitude of the vibration stimulus is set within the range of the minimum amplitude 5 μm to the maximum amplitude 1000 μm, and the frequency of the vibration stimulus is set to the minimum frequency 30 Hz to the maximum frequency 400 Hz. By setting within this range, it becomes easier for humans to sense vibration stimulation applied to the skin (in this embodiment, the sole of the foot), and the posture improvement effect by the posture improvement support device of this embodiment is also improved. In other words, the standing posture can be easily improved by giving a vibration stimulus having an amplitude and frequency that can be easily detected by the user. The minimum amplitude and the maximum amplitude of the vibration stimulus may be set as appropriate within a range of 5 μm to 1000 μm, and the minimum frequency and the maximum frequency of the vibration stimulus may be set as appropriate within a range of 30 Hz to 400 Hz.

  Furthermore, the amplitude and the frequency range in which humans are most sensitive to vibrational stimulation are in the range of the minimum amplitude of 100 μm to the maximum amplitude of 1000 μm (100 μm or more and 1000 μm or less), and the frequency is the lowest frequency 100 Hz to the highest frequency 280 Hz. Therefore, by setting the amplitude and frequency range of the vibration stimulus within the range, humans can most easily detect the vibration stimulus given to the sole of the foot, The posture improvement effect by the posture improvement support device of this embodiment is further improved.

When both amplitude and frequency are used as vibration stimulation parameters, the amplitude target value and frequency target value of the vibration stimulation may be calculated based on the absolute values of the coefficients P _X and P _Y.

(Embodiment 2)
Posture improvement supporting device of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the pressure detecting portion 10 _L of the left foot side, consists of four pressure sensors 11 _L to 14 _L, the pressure sensing portion 10 _R of the right leg side, The four pressure sensors 11 _{R to} 14 _R are configured so that the pressure sensors 11 _L and 11 _R are arranged to face the thumb of the user's sole, and the pressure sensors 12 _L and 12 _R are The pressure sensors 13 _L and 13 _R are arranged to face the base of the fifth heel (little finger) on the sole of the user, and the pressure sensors 14 _L and 14 _R are arranged to face the thumb ball on the sole. It is placed facing the center of the heel of the user's sole, and the ground pressure of the thumb, thumb ball, the base of the fifth heel, and the heel is measured, and the pressure distribution of the sole is measured for each left and right foot is doing. These pressure sensors 11 _{L to} 14 _L and pressure sensors 11 _{R to} 14 _R are of a piezoelectric type or a type using a resistance change due to pressure.

The pressure sensor ₁₁ L to 14 _L each load the _M L1 _~M due to contact pressure detected is _L4, the pressure sensor ₁₁ R to 14 _R each load due to contact pressure detected is _M R1 _{~M R4,} pressure sensor The coordinates of 11 _{L to} 14 _L are (x _L1 , y _L1 ) to (x _L4 , y _L4 ), and the coordinates of the pressure sensors 11 _{R to} 14 _R are (x _R1 , y _R1 ) to (x _R4 , y _R4). ) If the weight of the user is M and the current load center point G ₁ (x ₁ , y ₁ ) of the user is
_ML1 * ( _xL1 , _yL1 ) + _ML2 * ( _xL2 , _yL2 ) + _ML3 * ( _xL3 , _yL3 ) + _ML4 * ( _xL4 , _yL4 ) + _MR1 * ( _xR1 , _yR1 ) + M _R2 · (x _R2 , y _R2 ) + M _R3 · (x _R3 , y _R3 ) + M _R4 · (x _R4 , y _R4 ) = M · G ₁ (x ₁ , y ₁ )... (4)
Therefore, the center-of-gravity deriving unit 31 derives the load center point G ₁ (x ₁ , y ₁ ) of the user in the standing posture from the equation (4). The pressure sensor ₁₁ L to 14 _L each coordinate _{(x L1, y L1) ~} (x L4, y L4), the coordinates of the pressure sensor _{11 R ~14 R (x R1,} y R1) ~ (x R4, y _R4 ), the weight M of the user is stored in advance in the gravity center deriving unit 31.

Next, the vibration setting unit 32 determines the difference between the load center point G ₁ (x ₁ , y ₁ ) derived by the centroid derivation unit 31 and the previously stored reference centroid position G ₀ (x ₀ , y ₀ ) ( ΔG (Δx, Δy) = M · G ₀ (x ₀ , y ₀ ) −M · G ₁ (x ₁ , y ₁ ) (Equation (5))
Is derived. Then, by setting parameters [amplitude and frequency] of the vibrator to be driven and the vibration stimulus applied to the user's sole in the same manner as in the first embodiment based on the gravity center difference ΔG, the user is aware of posture improvement. Is effectively aroused.

  Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

(Embodiment 3)
Posture improvement supporting device of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pressure detector 50 provided in the inner sole S1 _L of Hidarikutsu S _L the user is wearing _L, the vibration unit 60 _L and the radio a communication unit 70 _L, the pressure detector 50 _R provided on the inner sole S1 _R of the right shoe _{S R} a user wearing a vibrating portion 60 _R and the wireless communication unit 70 _R, is attached to the waist of a user It is comprised with the controller 80, and analyzes and improves a user's gait.

Pressure sensing portion 50 _L is constituted by four pressure sensors ₅₁ L through 54 _L, the pressure detecting unit 50 _R is constituted by four pressure sensors ₅₁ R through 54 _R, as shown in FIG. 7, the pressure The sensors 51 _L and 51 _R are disposed to face the thumb of the user's sole, and the pressure sensors 52 _L and 52 _R are disposed to face the toe ball of the user's sole and the pressure sensor 53 _L. , 53 _R are arranged to face the base of the fifth heel (little finger) on the sole of the user, and the pressure sensors 54 _L and 54 _R are arranged to face the center of the heel of the user's sole, The ground pressures of the thumb, thumb ball, base of the fifth thumb, and heel are measured, and the pressure distribution on the sole is detected for each of the left and right feet. These pressure sensors 51 _{L to} 54 _L and pressure sensors 51 _{R to} 54 _R are of a piezoelectric type or a type using a resistance change due to pressure.

Vibration portion 60 _L is constituted by four transducers ₆₁ L to 64 _L, the vibrating section 60 _R is configured of four transducers ₆₁ R to 64 _R, as shown in FIG. 7, the transducer 61 _{L 1} and 61 _R are arranged to face the thumb of the user's sole, and the transducers 62 _L and 62 _R are arranged to face the toe ball of the user's sole and the transducers 63 _L and 63 _R is arranged to face the base of the fifth heel (little finger) on the sole of the user, and the vibrators 64 _L and 64 _R are arranged to face the heel of the user's sole. Includes a motor and a diaphragm (not shown), and individually vibrates the thumb, thumb ball, base of the fifth hook, and heel using a battery or a commercial power source as a driving power source.

Further, buffer materials 91 _{L to} 94 _L are arranged between the pressure sensors 51 _{L to} 54 _L and the vibrators 61 _L to 64 _L , respectively, and the pressure sensors 51 _{R to} 54 _R and the vibrators 61 _R to 64 _R The cushioning materials 91 _{R to} 94 _R are disposed between the two. The cushioning materials 91 _{L to} 94 _L and the cushioning materials 91 _{R to} 94 _R are formed of a material that hardly transmits vibration, such as polyurethane foam, and by providing a cushioning material between the pressure sensor and the vibrator, The influence of the vibration of the vibrator on the measurement data of the pressure sensor is reduced.

Furthermore, in the inner sole S1 _L of the left shoe S _L , the vibration part 60 _L is arranged at the upper part, the pressure detection part 50 _L is arranged at the lower part, and between the pressure detection part 50 _L and the vibration part 60 _L , the cushioning material is provided, the vibration portion 60 _R placed on top in Hidarikutsu _S innersole S1 of _{R R,} by disposing the pressure detection unit 50 _R at the bottom, the pressure sensing portion 50 _R and the vibrating portion 60 _R A configuration in which a cushioning material is provided therebetween is preferable.

The wireless communication unit 70 _L transmits detection data (pressure distribution data) from the pressure sensors 51 _{L to} 54 _L to the controller 80 by a wireless signal, and the wireless communication unit 70 _R detects from the pressure sensors 51 _{R to} 54 _R. Data (pressure distribution data) is transmitted to the controller 80 by a wireless signal.

The controller 80 includes a microcomputer or the like, and includes a wireless receiver 801 that receives each detection data transmitted from the pressure sensors 51 _{L to} 54 _L and the pressure sensors 51 _{R to} 54 _{R as} wireless signals, and the pressure sensor 51. Gait analysis unit 802 that analyzes the gait of the user based on the detection data of _{L to} 54 _L and pressure sensors 51 _{R to} 54 _R , and the gait of the user based on the analysis result of the gait analysis unit 802 In order to improve the vibrators 61 _L to 64 _L , the improvement information generation unit 803 that generates a control signal that vibrates the vibrators 61 _R to 64 _R , and the control signal to the wireless communication units 70 _L and 70 _R as wireless signals A control signal transmission unit 804 for transmission is configured.

The vibrators 61 _L to 64 _L and the vibrators 61 _R to 64 _R are driven by control signals received by the wireless communication units 70 _L and 70 _R , respectively, and give vibration stimulation to the user's sole.

  Next, improvement of the user's gait by the posture improvement support apparatus will be described.

A user who is walking usually has heels (pressure sensors 54 _L , 54 _R ) → base of the fifth heel (pressure sensors 53 _L , 53 _R ) → thumb ball (pressure sensors 52 _L , 52 _R ) → finger (pressure) The sensors 51 _L and 51 _R ) are grounded in this order. Then, the gait analyzing unit 802 of the controller 80 obtains the load center applied to the sole from each waveform of the detection data of the pressure sensors 51 _{L to} 54 _L and the pressure sensors 51 _{R to} 54 _R (the length of the user's foot). Normalized from the above, the trajectories Z _L and Z _R of the load centers of the left and right soles shown in FIG. 7 are derived (note that Z _L and Z _R are trajectories of the ideal load centers during walking. ). Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the improvement information generation unit 803 divides the sole into the heel region K1, the intermediate region K2, the intermediate region K3, and the toe region K4 in advance from the heel to the toe direction. Decide which transducer to drive according to the area where the load center of the sole that moves with the passage of time from touching down to kicking out with the toe, and depending on the content of the decision Generate a control signal. The generated control signal is transmitted from the control information transmitting unit 804.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, in the free leg K0 when the sole is not grounded, the vibrators 61, 62, 63 are driven, the sole is grounded, and the load center is in the heel region K1. In the case, the vibrator 64 is driven. Next, when the load center of the sole moves to the intermediate region K2 to K3, the vibrator 64 is driven, and when the ideal load center is outside the sole, the inner vibrator 62 is also driven simultaneously. When the ideal load center is inside the sole, the outer vibrator 63 is also driven simultaneously. Next, when the load center of the sole moves to the toe region K4, the vibrators 62, 63 and 64 are driven. Thereafter, after kicking off the toe, the operation returns to the above-described operation at the time of the free leg K0. The vibrators 61, 62, 63, and 64 represent left and right vibrators 61 _L , 61 _R , 62 _L , 62 _R , 63 _L , 63 _R , 64 _L , and 64 _R , respectively.

The vibrators 61 _L to 64 _L and the vibrators 61 _R to 64 _R are driven by control signals received by the wireless communication units 20 _L and 20 _R , respectively, and give vibration stimulation to the user's sole. And since the user feels a sense of touching the ground pressure on the soles due to walking motion at the site of the sole that has been subjected to vibration stimulation, the user must balance at the site of the sole that has not been subjected to vibration stimulation. Weight shift occurs in an attempt to feel ground pressure. Utilizing this, the gait can be easily improved by giving a vibration stimulus that causes weight shift in the direction of improving the gait to a portion other than the part where the sole is desired to be grounded. Moreover, since the human reaction to the vibration stimulus is fast, the effect of improving the gait is high. Furthermore, since the contact pressure with the vibrator increases at the sole portion where the ground pressure is applied, vibration stimulation can be transmitted more effectively. For example, when the user is given vibration stimulation to the heel, the user comes to walk with the ground pressure on the heel reduced, and the posture during walking can be prevented from tilting backward too much.

  Here, in this embodiment, the amplitude of the vibration stimulus is set within a range of 5 μm to 1000 μm, and the frequency of the vibration stimulus is set within a range of 30 Hz to 400 Hz. ) Can be easily detected, and the posture improvement effect of the posture improvement support device of this embodiment is also improved. In other words, the gait can be easily improved by giving a vibration stimulus having an amplitude and frequency that can be easily detected by the user.

  Furthermore, the amplitude and the frequency range in which humans are most sensitive to vibrational stimulation are in the range of the minimum amplitude of 100 μm to the maximum amplitude of 1000 μm (100 μm or more and 1000 μm or less), and the frequency is the lowest frequency 100 Hz to the highest frequency 280 Hz. Therefore, by setting the amplitude and frequency range of the vibration stimulus within the range, humans can most easily detect the vibration stimulus given to the sole of the foot, The posture improvement effect by the posture improvement support device of this embodiment is further improved.

  The amplitude and frequency of the vibration stimulus may be either set in advance to a constant value within the above range, or may be adjusted within the above range by an operation unit (not shown).

  Contrary to the above, there is also a method of improving the gait by giving a vibration stimulus to the part of the sole that is to be grounded.

  Further, the inner sole S1 provided with the pressure detection unit 50, the vibration unit 60, and the wireless communication unit 70 is mounted on the shoe S, and the apparatus can be configured for a plurality of shoes and a plurality of users. As a general purpose, it becomes more versatile.

  Note that “walking” in the present embodiment includes running such as jogging and running in addition to walking and walking.

  In the present invention, the frequency of the vibration stimulus is set within the range of the minimum frequency 30 Hz to the maximum frequency 400 Hz, and the amplitude of the vibration stimulus is set within the range of the minimum amplitude 5 μm to the maximum amplitude 1000 μm. Is set within the range of the minimum frequency 1 Hz to the maximum frequency 30 Hz, and the amplitude of the vibration stimulus is set within the range of the minimum amplitude 100 μm to the maximum amplitude 3 mm, the frequency of the vibration stimulus is outside the human audible band. The vibration stimulus given to the sole can be sensed without hearing the vibration sound.

It is a figure which shows the block configuration of the attitude | position improvement assistance apparatus of Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows an external appearance structure same as the above. It is a figure which shows the drive setting of a vibrator | oscillator same as the above. It is a figure which shows the structure of the pressure detection part of the attitude | position improvement assistance apparatus of Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the block structure of the attitude | position improvement assistance apparatus of Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a figure which shows the mounting state to the user same as the above. It is a figure which shows a user's sole same as the above. It is a figure which shows the drive setting of a vibrator | oscillator same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

A stimulation output device 10 _L , 10 _R pressure detection unit 20 _L , 20 _R vibration unit 21 _L -24 _L , 21 _R -24 _R transducer 30 control unit 31 centroid derivation unit 32 vibration setting unit 100 plastic plate

Claims (5)

A stimulus output device used in a posture improvement support device that gives a vibration stimulus to a user that changes in a direction in which the posture of the user is improved,
A stimulus output device comprising stimulus output means for giving a user a vibration stimulus having an amplitude of 5 μm or more and 1000 μm or less and a frequency of 30 Hz or more and 400 Hz or less.   The stimulus output device according to claim 1, wherein the stimulus output means gives a vibration stimulus having an amplitude of 100 µm to 1000 µm and a frequency of 100 Hz to 280 Hz to the user. A stimulus output means for giving the user a vibration stimulus that changes in a direction that improves the posture of the user;
Pressure detecting means for detecting the ground pressure on the sole of the user;
Centroid derivation means for deriving the centroid position of the user based on the detected ground pressure;
The amplitude of the vibration stimulus output from the stimulus output means is set from the range of 5 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, and the frequency of the vibration stimulus is set from the range of 30 Hz or more and 400 Hz or less, and at least one of the amplitude and frequency of the vibration stimulus is set A posture improvement support apparatus comprising: a vibration setting unit configured to set one side based on a difference between the derived center of gravity position and a center of gravity position corresponding to a predetermined posture of the user.   The vibration setting means sets the amplitude of the vibration stimulus output from the stimulus output means from a range of 100 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, and sets the frequency of the vibration stimulus from a range of 100 Hz or more and 280 Hz or less. The posture improvement support apparatus according to claim 3.   The posture improvement support apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the stimulus output means applies vibration stimulus to a user's sole.

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