JP3047782U - Portable exercise intensity alarm - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] A portable exercise intensity alarm is designed to be inexpensive, compact and lightweight, to be able to accurately measure exercise intensity, and to set its own appropriate exercise limit intensity accurately to achieve exercise intensity. When it reaches, it is possible to inform. SOLUTION: A respiratory sensor 2 and a respiratory rate per unit time are measured based on an output from the sensor 2, a predetermined respiratory rate can be inputted as a set value, and the inputted set value is stored. An alarm that compares the stored set value with the measured respiratory rate measured per unit time, and notifies the user when the measured respiratory rate reaches the set value or exceeds the set value. And a main body 4. The respiratory sensor 2 detects respiration based on the temperature of expiration and inhalation in the nasal cavity, and detects a sandwiching body 6 that sandwiches the nasal septum and the temperature of expiration and inspiration provided in the sandwiching body 6. The temperature sensor 8 can be used.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

[0001]

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

 The present invention is used when performing an exercise such as walking or jogging, and the exercise intensity is, for example, an appropriate exercise limit intensity referred to as an anaerobic threshold (anaerobic metabolic threshold) (hereinafter referred to as an appropriate exercise limit intensity). Exercise limit intensity means this anaerobic work threshold), and it relates to a portable exercise intensity indicator capable of notifying that the exercise limit has been reached.

[0002]

[Prior art]

 In recent years, the number of people practicing walking and jogging or using sports clubs and fitness clubs to maintain and improve their health has increased. However, when exercising, each individual has an appropriate exercise limit intensity called the so-called anaerobic threshold, and exercise exceeds the appropriate exercise limit intensity, that is, exercise exceeding the appropriate exercise limit. Exercising at a higher intensity does not only help maintain or improve health, but may also have a counterproductive effect. In fact, there are many cases where exercise exceeds the appropriate exercise limit.

[0003] Therefore, recently, a pulse rate during exercise is measured, exercise intensity is obtained through the pulse rate, and an alarm is issued when the exercise intensity (pulse rate) set in advance is reached. Various exercise intensity alarms have been proposed.

[0004]

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

 However, the conventional alarm which measures the pulse rate and obtains the exercise intensity via the pulse rate has the following problems.

One of the problems is that it is difficult to accurately detect a pulse rate. That is, it is necessary to use a lightweight, small, and inexpensive pulse rate measuring device as a portable exercise intensity indicator.Therefore, in the conventional type, a light and small pulse sensor that normally detects a pulse rate by contacting a sensor with a fingertip is required. It is common to use simple measuring instruments.However, such small and light measuring instruments have limited measurement accuracy, and it is difficult to improve measurement accuracy due to cost limitations. there were. In the case of such a type in which a sensor is brought into contact with a fingertip for measurement, aside from measurement in a stationary state, the sensor is displaced due to vibration in a motion state, and a measurement error occurs. It has been difficult to make accurate measurements.

[0006] Further, the pulse rate during exercise does not always correspond exactly to the exercise intensity, and a phenomenon called so-called pulse rate jump occurs, and it is not always possible to accurately know the exercise intensity from the pulse rate.

[0007] Furthermore, as the exercise intensity is gradually increased, the pulse rate increases. However, no noticeable phenomenon appears in the change in the pulse rate when the above-mentioned appropriate exercise limit intensity is reached. It is not easy for a person to know his / her proper exercise limit only from a change in the pulse rate.Therefore, it is necessary to find the pulse rate corresponding to the appropriate exercise limit by himself and input the value as a set value for generating an alarm. There was also a problem that it was difficult to notify that the exercise intensity reached the appropriate exercise limit intensity as a result.

[0008] In view of the above circumstances, the object of the present invention is to be able to accurately measure exercise intensity by being small, lightweight and inexpensive. An object of the present invention is to provide a portable exercise intensity alarm which can be easily informed.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

 In order to achieve the above object, the portable exercise intensity alarm according to the present invention includes a respiration sensor that detects respiration, a respiration rate measurement unit that measures a respiration rate per unit time based on an output from the respiration sensor, A set value input section capable of inputting a predetermined respiratory rate as a set value, stores the set value input from the set value input section, and stores the stored set value and the unit time measured by the respiratory rate measuring section. A comparing unit for comparing the measured respiratory rate with the measured respiratory rate per unit; and a notifying unit for receiving the result of the comparison by the comparing unit and notifying when the measured respiratory rate reaches the set value or exceeds the set value. And a portable alarm device body having the following.

The above-mentioned respiratory sensor detects respiration based on the temperature of expiration and inhalation in the nasal cavity, and detects a sandwiching body for sandwiching the nasal septum and the temperature of expiration and inspiration provided in the sandwiching body. A device provided with a temperature sensor for detection can be used.

As the above-mentioned holding body, a bending portion, and a pair of holding portions which extend from both ends of the bending portion, face each other, are close to each other to hold the nasal septum, and are separated from each other at their distal ends to insert the nasal septum, And a member formed entirely of an elastic material and holding the nasal septum between the pair of holding portions by elasticity.

A plastic can be used as the elastic material, and a thermistor can be used as the temperature sensor.

Further, the respiratory rate measuring unit obtains a time per one breath based on a temperature change outputted from the respiratory sensor, and measures a respiratory rate per unit time from the time per one breath. Can be used.

The specific mode of “notifying when the measured respiratory rate reaches or exceeds the set value” is that the unit breaths per unit time as in the embodiment described below. When the respiratory rate is measured continuously, it is not limited to the one that notifies the user immediately when the measured respiratory rate reaches or exceeds the set value even once, for example, when the measured respiratory rate is multiple. When the set value reaches or exceeds the set value consecutively, various modes can be adopted, such as determining that the measured respiratory rate has reached or exceeded the set value for the first time and notifying the user that the measured respiratory rate has reached or exceeded the set value.

[0015]

[Effect of the invention]

 As described above, the portable exercise intensity alarm according to the present invention includes the respiration sensor for detecting respiration, and measures the respiration rate per unit time, for example, per minute based on the output from the respiration sensor. When the measured respiratory rate reaches or exceeds a preset value stored in advance, the fact is notified. That is, the portable exercise intensity alarm according to the present invention measures the exercise intensity through the respiration rate.

The respiratory rate is easily obtained by detecting a temperature change in the nasal cavity, for example, because a temperature change in the nasal cavity, that is, a temperature of expiration (body temperature) passing through the nasal cavity and a temperature of inhaled air (outside air temperature) are different. be able to. Also, in this case, since the temperature sensor only needs to be located in the nasal cavity as a measuring device, it can be made extremely small, lightweight, and inexpensive, and can easily and accurately measure the unit time from the temperature change. The respiratory rate per hit can be measured.

In addition, since the measurement only needs to detect the temperature in the nasal cavity, even if the temperature sensor vibrates in the nasal cavity, there is no significant effect on the measurement accuracy. Therefore, accurate measurement can be performed even during exercise. be able to.

In addition, the respiratory rate has a very high correlation with the appropriate exercise limit intensity referred to as the above-described anaerobic threshold, and a phenomenon such as a pulse rate does not occur during exercise. By obtaining the exercise intensity based on the number, it is possible to accurately know that the exercise intensity has reached the appropriate exercise limit intensity.

Further, even if the exercise intensity is increased, the respiratory rate does not increase very much at first, but increases rapidly when the exercise intensity reaches the appropriate exercise limit intensity. That is, when the respiratory rate reaches the appropriate exercise limit intensity, a clear change occurs. Therefore, even by ordinary people, by measuring the respiratory rate while gradually increasing the exercise intensity, it is easy to know that the exercise intensity at the time when the respiratory rate suddenly increases is the appropriate exercise limit intensity for oneself. As a result, by inputting the respiratory rate corresponding to the appropriate exercise limit intensity obtained in this way as a set value, it is easy to confirm that the own exercise intensity reached the appropriate exercise limit intensity during exercise. It can be notified.

It has been found that the relationship between respiratory rate and exercise intensity is as follows in exercise physiology. That is, generally, when the exercise intensity is gradually increased, for example, in the case of jogging, when the running speed is gradually increased, the amount of oxygen required by the body increases almost linearly. In this case, the amount of air taken in by breathing (ventilation in the lungs) increases, but in regions where the speed is slow, the increase in lung ventilation is covered by an increase in the amount of breathing per stroke. The respiratory rate itself does not increase very much, and when it rises to a certain speed, the respiratory volume per stroke reaches the maximum and cannot be increased any more, and thereafter, increasing the respiratory rate increases the pulmonary ventilation. Will be served.

Then, when the respiratory volume per one stroke becomes the maximum and the respiratory rate starts to increase, the respiratory rate that has not increased so far rapidly increases with a certain width. After a significant increase, the lactate in the blood starts to increase thereafter. In other words, the point at which the respiratory rate sharply increases is the starting point of lactic acid increase, and is the so-called anoxic work threshold. In general, when the exercise intensity is lower than the anaerobic threshold, fat in the body is mainly burned, and when the exercise intensity is higher than that, carbohydrates in the body are burned.

However, in general, exercise for the purpose of burning body fat or maintaining / promoting health is preferably performed at or below this anaerobic work threshold. Exercise at the limit intensity is not only useful for burning fat inside the body or maintaining or improving health, but also has an adverse effect in some cases.

[0023]

Embodiment

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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the portable exercise intensity alarm according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the portable exercise intensity alarm according to the present embodiment includes a respiratory sensor 2 and an alarm main body 4.

The respiration sensor 2 is used by being worn on the nose, and detects respiration based on the temperature of expiration and inspiration passing through the nasal cavity. The respiratory sensor 2 includes a holding body 6 for holding the nasal septum, a temperature sensor 8 provided on the holding body 6 for detecting the temperature of expiration and inhalation, and inputs a measurement result by the temperature sensor 8 to the annunciator main body 4. Cable 10 and a plug 12 for connection.

The holding body 6 includes a curved portion 6a and a pair of holding portions extending from both ends of the curved portion 6a and opposed to each other so as to sandwich the nasal septum and to be separated to insert the nasal septum. 6b and a grip 6c for attaching and detaching the holding body 6 to and from the nose. The entire body is integrally formed of an elastic material, and the nose septum is held by the pair of holding parts 6b by elasticity. Have been. Various materials can be used as the elastic material and the temperature sensor 8. In the present embodiment, a plastic is used as the elastic material and a thermistor is used as the temperature sensor 8.

The respiratory sensor 2 is attached to the nose 16 by clamping the septum 14 with the sandwiching body 6 as shown in FIG. Used. When the respiratory sensor 2 is mounted on the nose 16, the holding body 6 is held in the direction of arrow A from below the nose while holding the holding portion 6c of the holding body, and the space between the pair of holding portions 6c is slightly pushed with the tip of the septum of the nose. The nasal septum 14 may be inserted between them, and the nasal septum 14 may be held by the holding portion 6c by the elasticity of the holding body 6 from both sides. Then, the holding body 6 may be pulled in the direction opposite to the arrow A.

In the respiratory sensor 6, the temperature sensor connection side end 10 a of the cable 10 passes through the inside of the curved portion 6 a of the holding body from the hole 6 d formed in the curved portion 6 a to the curved portion 6 a. And is fixedly held at the position by a holding portion 6e provided on the inner surface of the curved portion 6a inside the curved portion 6a, so that, for example, the cable 10 is pulled from the plug 12 side. The force is not applied to the connection between the cable 10 and the temperature sensor 8.

The annunciator main body 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the annunciator main body 4 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, as shown in FIG. A respiratory rate measuring unit 20 to be measured, a set value input unit 22 capable of inputting a predetermined respiratory rate as a set value, and a set value input from the set value input unit 22 are stored, and the stored set value and A comparing unit 24 for comparing the measured respiratory rate measured per unit time measured by the respiratory rate measuring unit 20; and receiving the result of comparison by the comparing unit 24, when the measured respiratory rate reaches the set value or the set value. A respiratory rate display area 28a for displaying the respiratory rate per unit time measured by the respiratory rate measuring section 20 and an input by the set value input section 22. Displays the set value Display section 28 having a set value display area 28b, an on / off button 30 for turning on and off the power of the alarm main body 4, and a plug insertion hole 32 for inserting the insertion plug 12 of the respiration sensor. ing.

The respiratory rate measuring unit 20 will be described later. The set value input section 22 has an up button 22a and a down button 22b, as shown in FIG. 1, and inputs a set value using these buttons. The number in the set value display area 28b increases by one each time the up button 22a is pressed, and decreases by one each time the down button 22b is pressed once, and the number displayed in the set value display area 28b becomes the set value. The data is stored in the comparison unit 24. In other words, the notification unit 26 can notify the user of the present exercise intensity alarm when the measured respiratory rate reaches the above set value or exceeds the set value. In this embodiment, a sound is emitted to notify the user, but the specific method of the notification is not limited to the sound, and various methods such as vibrating the main body of the alarm or illuminating the display unit are employed. be able to.

Next, the method of use and operation of the above-mentioned exercise intensity alarm will be described.

First, the annunciator main body 4 is housed in a portable case 36 shown in FIG. 1, and is fixed to an appropriate part of the clothes worn by a belt 38 fixed to the case 36. Alternatively, a slightly longer belt 38 is used, and the belt 38 is wound around the waist and fixed. Reference numeral 40 denotes a hook-and-loop fastener provided on the belt 38. Next, the respiration sensor 2 is attached to the nose as shown in FIG. 2, the cable 10 is hung on the ear shell, and the insertion plug 12 is inserted into the plug insertion hole 32. Next, the power of the annunciator main body 4 is turned on by pressing the on / off button 30, and a desired set value is inputted by the set value input section 22.

In this case, as the set value, an appropriate value can be input according to the exercise purpose of the user. What is necessary is just to input the respiration rate per unit time corresponding to the limit intensity. If the respiratory rate corresponding to the own appropriate exercise limit intensity is known in advance, it may be used, but if it is not known, it may be measured at a specialized facility, or the appropriate exercise limit intensity is Since the intensity roughly matches the feeling that you feel that you haven't sensed, you can check the respiratory rate at that time and enter that value.

Further, as described above, expert studies have revealed that there is a clear correlation between the appropriate exercise limit intensity, which is called the so-called anaerobic threshold, and the respiratory rate. Using the correlation, the respiratory rate corresponding to the appropriate exercise limit intensity can be known. That is, FIG. 4 is a table showing changes in the respiratory rate per minute when the appropriate exercise limit intensity of a person who is a specialized facility is measured. In this measurement, the subject performs a run, gradually increases the running speed (gradually increases exercise intensity), measures various data, and determines an exercise limit intensity based on the data. The exercise limit intensity of the subject at this time was the intensity of exercise six minutes after the start of exercise. Then, when comparing the respiratory rate before the lapse of 6 minutes and the respiratory rate after the lapse of 6 minutes for the first time, the respiratory rate is about 30 or less and does not increase so much until the lapse of 6 minutes. After 6 minutes, it suddenly increased to about 32, and thereafter it is recognized that it has increased based on this about 32. That is, it is recognized that when the exercise reaches the appropriate exercise limit intensity from the beginning of the exercise, the respiratory rate sharply rises at that time. Therefore, the running is performed while recording the respiratory rate in some way, and the change in the respiratory rate is checked later, and the respiratory rate where the respiratory rate suddenly increases is the respiratory rate corresponding to the appropriate exercise limit intensity. Thus, it is relatively easy to accurately know the respiratory rate corresponding to the appropriate intensity of the appropriate exercise limit.

After inputting the set values as described above, the running is started. Then, during running, the temperature of expiration and inhalation passing through the nasal cavity from the respiration sensor 2 is measured by the temperature sensor 8, and the temperature data is input to the respiration rate measuring unit 20 of the annunciator main body. FIG. 5 shows an example of this temperature data. As shown in the figure, since the temperature of the expiration is high and the temperature of the inspiration is low, the temperature data periodically repeats the elevation, and one section P1 in which the low-temperature inspiration period and the high-temperature expiration period are combined. , P2,... Each correspond to one breathing period. Therefore, the respiratory rate measuring unit 20 measures the voltage level between the expiratory temperature and the inspiratory temperature, sets the moving average of the two values as the threshold value Th, and sets the time when the input temperature data reaches the threshold value. The time T1, T2,... Until the next time when the threshold value is reached is sequentially measured. When the time T1 of the breathing period P1 is measured, the respiration rate per minute 60 / T1 is calculated based on the time T1 and displayed on the display unit 28 during the next breathing period P2. Similarly, in the period P2, the respiration time T2 is measured, and based on the time T2, the respiration rate per minute 60 / T2 is calculated and displayed on the display unit 28 during the next respiration period P3. Repeat this.

If the temperature sensor 8 is located in the nasal cavity 15 as shown in FIG. 2, there is a slight temperature change in the nasal cavity 15 not only in case of nasal breathing but also in case of mouth breathing. By detecting this temperature change, the respiratory rate per unit time can be similarly measured.

When the respiratory rate per unit time is measured as described above, the measured respiratory rate is input to the comparing unit 24, and the set value stored in the comparing unit 24 and the input measured respiratory rate are When the measured respiratory rate reaches the set number or exceeds the set number, it outputs a signal to that effect to the notifying unit 26, and upon receiving the signal, the notifying unit 26 issues an alarm buzzer and the exercise intensity is set in advance. Notify the user that the set intensity has been reached.

In the above embodiment, the respiration rate per unit time is referred to as the respiration rate per unit time in the respiration period P2 based on the respiration time T1 in the respiration period P2 in the respiration period P1. As described above, the calculation is based on only the respiration time in the previous one respiration period, but is calculated based on the respiration time in the previous multiple respiration periods, that is, based on the so-called moving average value. You can also. For example, in the respiratory period P4, the average value of the respiratory times T1, T2, and T3 in a plurality of earlier respiratory periods, for example, three respiratory periods P1, P2, and P3 is obtained, and 60 × 3 / ( T1 + T2 + T3) calculates and displays the respiratory rate per minute, and in the respiratory period P5, calculates the average of the respiratory times T2, T3, and T4 in the three previous respiratory periods P2, P3, and P4. Based on the average value, the respiratory rate per minute is calculated and displayed at 60 × 3 / (T2 + T3 + T4), and the same calculation and display can be performed thereafter. In FIG. 5, the vertical axis indicates the level of the temperature, and the horizontal axis indicates the passage of time.

In the portable exercise intensity alarm according to the above embodiment, the respiratory sensor is constructed by incorporating a thermistor into the elastic (flexible) plastic molded holding body as described above. It can be constructed simply, lightly, and small and inexpensively. In addition, this respiratory sensor is attached to the nose with the nasal septum sandwiched from both sides, so it fits snugly into the nasal cavity and is securely attached, so you can continue exercising comfortably without wobbling during exercise .

Further, since the respiration is detected by the temperature change, the respiration rate at that time can always be accurately detected even during the exercise without being affected by the vibration accompanying the exercise. In addition, since the respiratory rate for notification can be set arbitrarily, for example, according to the physical condition or the purpose of exercise, and if the appropriate exercise limit intensity increases as a result of exercise, it will be adjusted accordingly. Thus, the set value can be changed appropriately.

The portable exercise intensity alarm according to the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and can take various modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a portable exercise intensity alarm according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which a respiratory sensor is attached to a nose.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main body of the alarm.

FIG. 4 is a table showing an example of a change in respiratory rate;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a measuring method by a respiratory rate measuring unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Respiratory sensor 4 Main body of alarm 6 Holder 6a Curved portion 6b Holder 14 Septal nose 15 Nasal cavity 16 Nose 20 Respiratory rate measurement unit 22 Set value input unit 24 Comparison unit 26 Notification unit

Claims (5)

[Utility model registration claims] 1. A respiratory sensor for detecting respiration, a respiratory rate measuring unit for measuring a respiratory rate per unit time based on an output from the respiratory sensor, and a set value input capable of inputting a predetermined respiratory rate as a set value A comparing unit that stores the set value input from the set value input unit, compares the stored set value with the measured respiratory rate measured per unit time measured by the respiratory rate measuring unit, and the comparing unit When the measured respiratory rate reaches the set value or exceeds the set value in response to the comparison result, the notifying unit notifies the fact that the measured respiratory rate has reached the set value. Portable exercise intensity alarm. 2. The respiratory sensor detects respiration based on the temperature of expiration and inspiration in a nasal cavity, and detects a clamping body for clamping a nasal septum and the temperature of expiration and inspiration provided in the clamping body. The portable exercise intensity alarm according to claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor that performs the operation. 3. The holding body includes a bending portion, and a pair of holding portions extending from both ends of the bending portion, opposing each other, approaching to sandwich the nasal septum, and having mutually separated tips to insert the nasal septum. 3. The portable exercise intensity indicator according to claim 2, wherein the portable exercise intensity indicator has a septum between the pair of holding portions by elasticity. 4. The portable exercise intensity alarm according to claim 3, wherein the elastic material is plastic, and the temperature sensor is a thermistor. 5. The respiratory rate measuring unit obtains a time per breath based on a temperature change output from the respiratory sensor, and measures a respiratory rate per unit time from the time per breath. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein
A portable exercise intensity alarm as described.