JP2023109121A - Load measurement device, load measurement device attachment method and load instruction device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a load measurement device which hardly obstructs natural walking.SOLUTION: A load measurement device 1 comprises: a load sensor part 2 which is attached to the inner sole of footwear 4 as an insole to sense a load in the time of walking; and an electric circuit part 3 which is attached to a foot insertion opening outer part 4c of the footwear 4, and has an electric circuit part body 31 that applies the voltage to the load sensor part 2, processes a signal corresponding to the load sensed by the load sensor part and wirelessly transmits the signal. The electric circuit part 3 includes an outer slender part that is fixed to the electric circuit part body 31 and is slender, an inner slender part that is slender and has the bent and recessed inner side surface and a coupling part for coupling the outer and inner slender parts. The load measurement device includes two mounting fixtures 32 which sandwich the foot insertion opening outer part 4c between the outer slender part and the inner slender part with the elastic force of the coupling part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a load measuring device for measuring a load during walking and a method of mounting the load measuring device, and also to a load indicating device for instructing how to apply a load during walking.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a load measuring device in which a load sensor section for sensing a load during walking is provided in the insole of footwear for testing the motor function of the lower extremities. Such a load measuring device is provided with an electric circuit section that applies a voltage for sensing to the load sensor section and processes and wirelessly transmits a signal corresponding to the load sensed by the load sensor section. There is. Signals from the electrical circuitry allow the load to be displayed and analyzed at a convenient location away from the footwear.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a plurality of variable capacitance pressure sensors corresponding to a load sensor section and an optical signal transmitter corresponding to an electric circuit section. An electric signal corresponding to each load sensed by the type pressure sensor is converted into an optical signal and transmitted. For example, a person's ankle is worn.

In addition, Patent Document 2 discloses a load sensor section and an electric circuit section. The electric circuit section applies an AC voltage for sensing to the load sensor section and processes a signal corresponding to the load sensed by the load sensor section. and can be transmitted wirelessly, and is arranged, for example, under the load sensor section. Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a plurality of load sensor portions corresponding to a load sensor portion and a circuit board and battery portion corresponding to an electric circuit portion. It controls a portion of the sensor and is, for example, arranged in parallel with a plurality of load sensor portions.

JP-A-02-55045 International publication WO2016/158425 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-16122

By the way, in order to measure the load during walking, it is preferable to use footwear that the person is accustomed to wearing. For that purpose, the load sensor section can be attached to the insole of existing footwear as an insole. is preferred. However, even if the load sensor part can be used as an insole, the circuit board and the battery part of the electric circuit part using wireless tend to be large, and the electric circuit part is attached to the ankle as described in Cited Document 1. Wearing it, arranging it under it as described in Cited Document 2, or arranging it parallel to it as described in Cited Document 3 tends to interfere with natural walking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a load measuring device and a method of attaching the load measuring device that are less likely to interfere with natural walking. To provide a load indicating device which hardly interferes with natural walking by using

In order to achieve the above object, the load measuring device according to claim 1 comprises a load sensor unit that is mounted as an insole on the inner sole of footwear and detects the load during walking, and a load sensor unit that is mounted on the outer side of the shoe opening of the footwear. an electric circuit unit having an electric circuit unit main body that applies a voltage to the load sensor unit and processes and wirelessly transmits a signal corresponding to the load sensed by the load sensor unit, the electric circuit unit comprising: It has an elongated outer elongated portion fixed to the main body, an elongated inner elongated portion with a curved inner surface and a concave portion, and a connecting portion connecting them, and the elastic force of the connecting portion causes the outer portion of the opening to move to the outer elongated portion. and two fittings to be sandwiched by the inner elongated portion.

The load measuring device according to claim 2 is the load measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a load indicating section having a vibrating member that vibrates at least the outer side of the foot, and the electric circuit section of the electric circuit section. The main body controls the vibrating member in response to signals received wirelessly.

Claim 3 is a load measuring device mounting method for mounting the load measuring device according to claim 1 or 2 on the footwear. When closed, the left and right sides overlap and can be fastened by fastening members. After the foot is put on, the left and right sides of the front side of the shoe opening are overlapped and closed and fastened by the fastening member, and before the foot is put on or after fastening by the fastening member, the electric circuit section is It is attached to the outer side of the shoe opening.

The load indicating device according to claim 4 includes a load indicating portion having a vibrating member that vibrates at least the outer side of the foot, and a portion attached to the outer side of the opening of the footwear that vibrates the vibrating member in response to a signal received wirelessly. an electrical circuit portion having an electrical circuit portion body for controlling, the electrical circuit portion comprising an elongated outer elongated portion fixed to the electrical circuit portion body; an elongated inner elongated portion having an inner surface curved and recessed; and two fittings for sandwiching the outer part of the opening between the outer elongated part and the inner elongated part by the elastic force of the joint.

According to the load measuring device, the load measuring device mounting method, and the load indicating device of the present invention, it is possible to make it difficult to interfere with natural walking.

1 is a schematic plan view showing the appearance of an example of footwear to which a load measuring device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached; FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the example of the load sensor part of the load measuring device same as the above from the bottom face side. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a sheet-like upper covering as an example of the load sensor section of the load measuring device as viewed from the bottom side; Fig. 3B is a perspective view of a configuration in which a plurality of sheet-like upper hard bodies are provided on the sheet-like upper covering shown in Fig. 3A as an example of the load sensor portion of the load measuring device, as viewed from the bottom side. FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a configuration in which a plurality of load sensors are provided in the example of the load sensor section of the load measuring device shown in FIG. 3B, viewed from the bottom side. Fig. 3B is a perspective view of the example of the load sensor portion of the load measuring device shown in Fig. 3C, as viewed from the bottom side, in which a plurality of sheet-shaped lower hard bodies are provided. FIG. 3A is a bottom view and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA, showing an example of the load sensor portion of the load measuring device; FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a load sensor of the load sensor section of the load measuring device; It is a circuit diagram of the example of a load measuring device same as the above. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an appearance of an example of a load display device used together with the load measuring device; Fig. 2 shows an example of a fixture for an electric circuit section of the same load measuring device, in which (a) is a plan view, (b) is a left side view, (c) is a front view, and (d) is a right side view. is. Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the appearance of an example of footwear before the load measuring device is attached; Fig. 10 is a right side view showing an example of an attachment (with a load indicator) of the electric circuit section of the load measuring device;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below. A load measuring device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a load sensor section 2 and an electric circuit section 3, as shown in FIG. The load sensor unit 2 and the electric circuit unit 3 are normally provided on both of the footwear 4, but may be provided on only one of them. FIG. 1 shows one for the left foot.

The load sensor unit 2 is attached to the midsole 4a (see FIG. 9) of the footwear 4 as an insole. The load sensor unit 2 senses the load during walking. The front side portion 4b of the opening of the footwear 4 can be opened to the left and right so that the load sensor portion 2 can be easily attached and the footwear 4 can be easily put on. Those that can be clipped by 4ba (see Figure 9) are preferred.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3A to 3D, and 4, the load sensor unit 2 includes a sheet-like upper covering 21, a plurality of (five in the drawings) sheet-like upper hard bodies 22, and a plurality of ( 5 in the drawing), a plurality of (five in the drawing) sheet-like lower hard bodies 24, and a sheet-like lower covering 25.

The sheet-like upper cover 21 has a planar shape corresponding to the inner sole 4a of the footwear 4, as shown in FIG. 3A. That is, the larger the insole 4a of the footwear 4 to which the load measuring device 1 is attached, the larger it is, and the smaller it is, the smaller it is. The sheet-like upper cover 21 can be made of insulating silicone rubber or the like so as to provide a buffer when a load is applied from above the load measuring device 1 .

A plurality of sheet-shaped upper hard bodies 22 are provided below the sheet-shaped upper covering body 21, as shown in FIG. 3B. A plurality of sheet-like upper hard bodies 22 are usually adhered to the sheet-like upper cover 21 . The sheet-like upper rigid body 22 is rigid so as not to bend when a bending force is applied to the load measuring device 1, and for example acrylic resin can be used. Here, the bending force is generated by the bending motion of the footwear 4 or the like.

A plurality of sheet-like upper hard bodies 22 are adjacent to each other with a narrow gap (for example, 1 mm to 5 mm). The plurality of sheet-like upper hard bodies 22 are generally arranged such that the outermost periphery of the assembly is slightly inside the outer periphery of the sheet-like upper covering body 21 . The plurality of sheet-like upper hard bodies 22 can be provided, for example, two at the toe position, two at the center position including the arch of the foot, and one at the heel position (see FIG. 3B, etc.). ). The plurality of sheet-like upper hard bodies 22 are formed by cutting a flat plate such as acrylic resin along a curve along the outermost periphery of the aggregate of the plurality of sheet-like upper hard bodies 22, It can be manufactured by cutting and removing the narrow gaps between the bodies 22 in a straight line.

Each of the plurality of load sensors 23 is provided under each of the plurality of sheet-like upper hard bodies 22, as shown in FIG. 3C. The plurality of load sensors 23 are normally adhered to the plurality of sheet-shaped upper rigid bodies 22 respectively. The load sensor 23 has a planar shape smaller than the corresponding sheet-like upper rigid body 22 .

Various load sensors can be applied to the load sensor 23. For example, as shown in FIG. One sheet-like conductive elastic body 233, a second sheet-like conductive elastic body 234, and a third sheet-like conductive elastic body 235 can be used as electrodes. The first sheet-like elastic body 231 changes its thickness when it receives a load. be able to. The second sheet-like elastic body 232 has a negligibly small change in thickness with respect to load, and can be made of the same material as the first sheet-like elastic body 231 and flat, for example.

The first sheet-like elastic body 231 is sandwiched between the first sheet-like conductive elastic body 233 and the second sheet-like conductive elastic body 234 to form the first capacitors (Ca ₁ , Cb _{1 )} . , Cc ₁ , Cd ₁ or Ce ₁ ) are formed, and between the second sheet-like conductive elastic body 234 and the third sheet-like conductive elastic body 235, the second sheet-like elastic body 232 are sandwiched to form a second capacitor (Ca ₂ , Cb ₂ , Cc ₂ , Cd ₂ or Ce ₂ ) (see FIG. 6). The first capacitors Ca ₁ , Cb ₁ , Cc ₁ , Cd ₁ , and Ce ₁ and the second capacitors Ca ₂ , Cb ₂ , Cc ₂ , Cd ₂ , and Ce ₂ are plural numbers (five in the figure). ) corresponding to each of the load sensors 23 .

A plurality of sheet-like lower rigid bodies 24 are provided below the plurality of load sensors 23, as shown in FIG. 3D. The plurality of sheet-like lower rigid bodies 24 are normally adhered to the plurality of load sensors 23 respectively. The sheet-shaped lower rigid body 24 is rigid so as not to bend when a bending force is applied to the load measuring device 1, and for example acrylic resin can be used.

The sheet-shaped lower rigid body 24 has a planar shape smaller than the corresponding sheet-shaped upper rigid body 22 . Also, the sheet-like lower rigid body 24 is generally approximately equal in size to the corresponding load sensor 23 or slightly larger.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet-like lower covering 25 is provided below the plurality of sheet-like lower hard bodies 24 shown in FIG. 3D. The sheet-like lower covering 25 is usually adhered to a plurality of sheet-like lower hard bodies 24 . The sheet-like lower covering 25 has substantially the same planar shape as the sheet-like upper covering 21 . The sheet-shaped lower cover 25 can be made of insulating silicone rubber or the like so as to provide a buffer when force is applied from below the load measuring device 1 .

The electric circuit portion 3 is attached to the outer side portion 4c of the shoe opening 4, as shown in FIG. The electric circuit section 3 has an electric circuit section main body 31 and two attachments 32 (see FIG. 1).

The electric circuit unit main body 31 has a circuit formed therein, applies a voltage to the load sensor unit 2 (more specifically, the load sensor 23), processes a signal corresponding to the load sensed by the load sensor unit 2, and wirelessly processes the signal corresponding to the load sensed by the load sensor unit 23. Send. A wiring portion 5 composed of individual wires is provided between the electric circuit portion main body 31 and the load sensor portion 2 .

The electric circuit unit main body ₃₁ can have various circuit configurations according to the load sensor 23. For example, as shown in FIG. A first AC output circuit 311 that causes AC currents Ia ₁ , Ib ₁ , Ic ₁ , Id ₁ , and Ie ₁ to flow through the capacitors Ca ₁ to Ce ₁ of the load sensor section 2, and an AC voltage V ₂ is applied to the terminal 2q of the load sensor section 2. a second AC output circuit 312 for supplying AC currents Ia _{2 ,} Ib ₂ , Ic ₂ , Id ₂ , and Ie ₂ to a plurality of second capacitors Ca 2 to Ce ₂ ; A plurality of current measuring circuits 313a, 313b, 313c, 313d for measuring and converting the flowing alternating currents _Ia3 , _Ib3 , _Ic3 , _Id3 , _Ie3 into voltages (load measuring voltages Va, Vb, Vc, Vd, Ve) , 313e.

The terminals 2p and 2q of the load sensor section 2 are connected to the first sheet-like conductive elastic bodies 233 and the third sheet-like conductive elastic bodies 235 of all the load sensors 23. terminals 2a to 2e are connected to corresponding second sheet-like conductive elastic bodies 234, respectively. Also, the AC voltage _V1 and the AC voltage _V2 are generated by a battery and an AC voltage generator. The AC voltage V ₁ and the AC voltage V ₂ are set with the ground potential as a reference potential, and the terminals 2a to 2e are set to be held at the same potential as the ground potential.

When a load is applied to the load sensor section 2, the capacitance values of the first capacitors Ca ₁ to Ce ₁ increase according to the distribution of the load, and the AC currents Ia ₁ to Ie ₁ flowing through them increase. On the other hand, since the capacitance values of the second capacitors Ca ₂ -Ce ₂ hardly change, the AC currents Ia ₂ -Ie ₂ flowing through them hardly change. Therefore, the difference between the alternating currents Ia ₁ to Ie ₁ and the alternating currents Ia 2 _to Ie ₂ flows through the terminals 2a to 2e of the load sensor section 2 as the alternating currents Ia ₃ to Ie ₃ . Then, in the electric circuit unit main body 31, the AC currents Ia ₃ to Ie ₃ are converted into load measurement voltages Va to Ve. Therefore, the load measurement voltages Va to Ve are voltages corresponding to the load distribution (partial load).

The electric circuit unit main body 31 converts the load measurement voltages Va to Ve obtained there into load measurement values of digital data, and wirelessly sends them to the load display device 6 as shown in FIG.

In the load display device 6 , the load is displayed or analyzed at a position distant from the footwear 4 and easy to see, based on the signal from the electric circuit unit main body 31 .

Next, the two mounting tools 32 will be described. Each of the two fittings 32 has an outer elongated portion 32a, an inner elongated portion 32b and a connecting portion 32c, as shown in FIG. Outer elongated portion 32a and inner elongated portion 32b are elongate. The outer elongated portion 32a is fixed to the electric circuit portion main body 31 (specifically, its case or the like) by adhesion or the like. The inner elongated portion 32b is recessed with a curved inner surface 32ba. The connecting portion 32c connects the outer elongated portion 32a and the inner elongated portion 32b. The fitting 32 sandwiches the opening outer portion 4c between the outer elongated portion 32a and the inner elongated portion 32b by the elastic force of the connecting portion 32c. As a result, the electric circuit portion 3 is firmly attached to the outer portion 4c of the shoe opening.

Specifically, the connecting portion 32c is provided in the vicinity of the upper end portions of the outer elongated portion 32a and the inner elongated portion 32b. is opened, inserted into the outer opening portion 4c, and the upper end portion is released, so that the electric circuit portion 3 can be attached to the outer opening portion 4c.

Here, the inner side surface 32ba of the inner elongated portion 32b is curved and recessed, so that the movement of the lateral portion of the foot in the footwear 4 during walking is not easily hindered. In addition, the two fittings 32 can be worn without significantly hindering the deformation of the opening outer side portion 4c due to the bending of the bottom portion of the footwear 4 during walking. Therefore, the load measuring device 1 can be made less likely to interfere with natural walking.

Specifically, the connecting portion 32c has an axial portion 32ca and a spring portion 32cb. It can be helically wound around the core portion 32ca with one end in contact with the vicinity of the upper end of the outer elongated portion 32a and the other end in contact with the vicinity of the upper end of the inner elongated portion 32b.

In such a load measuring device 1, a load sensor portion 2 for sensing a load during walking is attached as an insole to an insole 4a of footwear 4, and a voltage is applied to the load sensor portion 2 to correspond to the load sensed by the load sensor portion. Since the electric circuit part 3 for processing signals and transmitting them wirelessly is attached to the outer side part 4c of the shoe opening 4 by the two fittings 32, it is difficult to interfere with natural walking and can be easily attached to the existing footwear 4. - 特許庁can be properly installed in the

In addition, if the front side portion 4b of the opening of the footwear 4 can be opened to the left and right, and when closed, the left and right sides overlap and can be fastened by fastening members 4ba such as hook-and-loop fasteners, etc., so that it is easier and more appropriate. can be attached to the In this case, when the load measuring device 1 is worn, the front side portion 4b of the shoe opening 4 is opened to the left and right as shown in FIG. , and the left and right sides of the front side portion 4b of the opening are overlapped and closed and fastened by the fastening member 4ba. Then, before the foot is put on or after it is fastened by the fastening member 4ba, the electric circuit part 3 is attached to the outer side part 4c of the shoe opening.

Next, the load measuring device 1 further including a load indicating section 7 in addition to the load sensor section 2 and the electric circuit section 3 will be described. The load instruction unit 7 has a vibrating member 71 (for example, a small vibrating motor, etc.) that vibrates at least the outside of a person's foot. The load indicating portion 7 is normally provided on both sides of the footwear 4, but may be provided on only one side.

The place where the vibrating member 71 is attached is not particularly limited. For example, as shown in FIG. can be attached to Between the vibrating member 71 and the electric circuit unit main body 31 of the electric circuit unit 3, a wiring unit 8 composed of individual wirings is provided.

The electric circuit unit main body 31 of the electric circuit unit 3 controls the vibrating member 71 according to the signal received by radio from the load display device 6 or the like. For example, when the load indicator 7 is provided on both of the footwear 4, if the measured load displayed on the load display device 6 is biased toward the left leg, the trainee or the like gives vibration to the outside of the left leg, , the load instruction unit 7 can be controlled so as to apply vibration to the outside of the right foot. Conversely, if the measured load is biased toward the left foot, it is possible to apply vibration to the outside of the right foot, and if it is biased to the right foot, it is possible to apply vibration to the outside of the left foot.

It is also possible to have two or more vibrating members 71 so as to vibrate the inside of a person's foot in addition to the outside thereof. In that case, the vibrating member 71 other than the outer side of the person's foot may be further provided with a shape similar to that of the wearing device 32 and attached thereto. Moreover, the load instructing portion 7 can be provided with a member other than the vibrating member 71 . For example, it is possible to provide a light-emitting element that indicates that the vibrating member 71 is vibrating.

Although the load measuring device and the method of mounting the load measuring device according to the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to those described in the embodiments, and is within the scope of the matters described in the claims. Various design changes are possible. For example, depending on the case, it is possible to omit the load sensor section 2 and configure the load indicating device with the electric circuit section 3 and the load indicating section 7 . In this case, the trainee or the like can control the load instructing section 7 by visually observing the state of walking.

1 load measuring device 2 load sensor section 2p, 2q, 2a to 2e terminal of load sensor section 21 sheet-like upper cover 22 sheet-like upper hard body 23 load sensor 231 first sheet-like elastic body 232 second sheet-like elastic Body 233 First sheet-like conductive elastic body 234 Second sheet-like conductive elastic body 235 Third sheet-like conductive elastic body 24 Sheet-like lower hard body 25 Sheet-like lower cover 3 Electric circuit part 31 Electric circuit Part main body 311 First AC output circuit 312 Second AC output circuit 313a to 313e Current measurement circuit 32 Mounting tool 32a Outer elongated part 32b Inner elongated part 32ba Inner surface of inner elongated part 32c Coupling part 32ca Coupling part axial center part 32cb Spring portion of connecting portion 4 Footwear 4a Inner sole 4b Front side portion of shoe opening 4ba Fastening member 4c Outside portion of shoe opening 5 Wiring portion between load sensor portion and electric circuit portion 6 Load display device 7 Load indicating portion 71 Vibrating member 8 Load Wiring portion between indicator and electric circuit portion Ca ₁ to Ce ₁ First capacitor Ca ₂ to Ce ₂ Second capacitor Ia ₁ to Ie 1 Alternating current flowing through _first capacitor Ia ₂ to Ie ₂ Second capacitor AC current flowing through the capacitor Ia ₃ ~ Ie ₃ AC current flowing through the terminals of the load sensor V ₁ AC voltage output by the first AC output circuit V ₂ AC voltage output by the second AC output circuit Va ~ Ve Load measurement Voltage

Claims (4)

A load sensor unit that is attached to the insole of footwear as an insole and detects the load during walking,
an electric circuit unit that is mounted on the outer side of the opening of the footwear and that has an electric circuit unit main body that applies a voltage to the load sensor unit and processes and wirelessly transmits a signal corresponding to the load sensed by the load sensor unit;
with
The electric circuit portion has an elongated outer elongated portion fixed to the electric circuit portion main body, an elongated inner elongated portion having a curved inner surface and a recessed portion, and a connecting portion connecting them. A load measuring device having two fittings for sandwiching the outer portion of the opening between the outer elongated portion and the inner elongated portion. In the load measuring device according to claim 1,
further comprising a load indicator having a vibrating member that vibrates at least the outside of the foot;
The electric circuit unit main body of the electric circuit unit controls the vibration member according to a signal received wirelessly. A load measuring device mounting method for mounting the load measuring device according to claim 1 or 2 on the footwear, comprising:
The footwear can be opened to the left and right at the front side of the opening, and when closed, the left and right overlap and can be fastened by fastening members,
The front side of the opening is opened to the left and right, the load sensor is attached, and a foot is placed on it, and then the left and right of the front side of the opening are overlapped and closed and fastened by the fastening member,
A method of mounting a load measuring device, wherein the electric circuit section is mounted on the outer side of the shoe opening before the foot is put on or after it is fastened by the fastening member. a load indicator having a vibrating member that vibrates at least the outside of the foot;
an electric circuit unit having an electric circuit unit main body that is attached to the outer side of the shoe opening of the footwear and controls the vibration member according to a signal received wirelessly,
The electric circuit portion has an elongated outer elongated portion fixed to the electric circuit portion main body, an elongated inner elongated portion having a curved inner surface and a recessed portion, and a connecting portion connecting them. A load indicating device having two fittings for sandwiching the outer part of the opening between the outer elongated part and the inner elongated part.

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