JPH0866378A - Pulse sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To improve pulse detecting accuracy by preventing the occurrence of a hindrance to a blood flow in an earlobe section at a position for arranging a luminous element and a light receiving element, regardless of a structure allowing firm fixture to an earlobe. CONSTITUTION: A clamping member 3 for holding an earlobe, and arrangement sections 1 and 2 for a luminous element and a light receiving element to measure a blood flow across an earlobe, are arranged at different positions, and the arrangement sections 1 and 2 of the elements are kept in contact with the earlobe under relatively weak pressure. According to this construction, a blood flowing across an earlobe section can be prevented from stopping, or a drop in the volume thereof can be prevented at the sections 1 and 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical pulse sensor installed in exercise equipment such as a bicycle ergometer,
Specifically, it relates to a technique for mounting a pulse sensor on a human earlobe.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A bicycle ergometer has a handle 20, a saddle 21, and a pedal 22, as shown in FIG.
A load mechanism section 23 for applying a predetermined load to the pedal 22 and a controller 24 are connected to the controller 24. A pulse sensor A for measuring the pulse of the exerciser is connected to the controller 24, and the load of the exercise according to the pulse rate. Is used to estimate the maximum oxygen uptake from the measured pulse rate and calorie consumption, but the pulse sensor A used here is easy to wear and stabilizes the head during exercise. In many cases, it is worn on the earlobe of the user due to the nature (see, for example, Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-107504).

As a pulse sensor A of this type, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a light emitting element arranging portion 1 and a light receiving element arranging portion 2 are provided in respective areas of opposing sandwiching portions 3. The base end side of the sandwiching portion 3 is rotatably connected by a rotating shaft 5, and a tightening spring 4 for urging the rotating portion 5 to close the sandwiching portion 3 is attached to operate the opening / closing operation portion 8. It is known that the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged on both sides of the earlobe by spring pressure. In the figure, 6 is a power cord and 7 is a bush.

The pinch-type pulse sensor A captures a change in blood flow flowing through the earlobe in response to a heartbeat of a user as an optical transmitted light amount or a reflected light amount and converts the electric signal into an electric signal. Is used to calculate the pulse rate. In other words, the amount of transmitted infrared light emitted from the light emitting element changes according to the amount of blood flow in the earlobe, and the amount of transmitted light is converted into a wavy electric signal by measuring and amplifying the amount of transmitted light. The number is measured as the number of waves within a fixed time, and when the pulse rate is calculated by the Mylok computer, the wavy signal is often digitized by a comparator or the like.

[0005]

By the way, when the pulse sensor A is attached to the earlobe portion of the head where the body movement is small when the exercise is performed by using the exercise equipment such as the bicycle ergometer, it is attached to other body parts. Although the movement accompanying the exercise is relatively smaller than that of the above, on the other hand, since the earlobe is a very soft tissue, the pulse sensor A easily swings, and there is a drawback that the pulse rate cannot be measured accurately. Therefore, it is effective to firmly fix the pulse sensor A to the earlobe of the user as one means for reducing the swing. However, in the conventional sandwich type pulse sensor A, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are used. Since the earlobe is sandwiched between the positions 1 and 2 of the element, blood flow is stopped or the blood flow becomes small at the earlobe to be measured. As a result, the change in light quantity becomes small and pulse measurement is performed. There is a drawback that the accuracy becomes poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object thereof is to have a structure that can be firmly fixed to the earlobe, but at the position where the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged, Another object of the present invention is to provide a pulse sensor capable of preventing the blood flow from being hindered and improving the pulse detection accuracy.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a pulse sensor which is mounted on the earlobe 9 of a user and measures the pulse rate of the earlobe 9 by using transmitted light or reflected light. The earlobe holding portion 20 for holding the earlobe 9 and the light emitting element and light receiving element disposing portions 1 and 2 for measuring the blood flow in the earlobe 9 are provided, and the earlobe holding portion 20 and the light emitting element and the light receiving element are provided. The arrangement is characterized in that the arrangement portions 1 and 2 are arranged at different positions.

Here, the earlobe holding portion 20 is composed of opposing sandwiching members 3, and the sandwiching surface of the sandwiching members 3 is substantially flush with the surfaces of the light emitting element and light receiving element disposing portions 1 and 2. There is a sandwiching member 3 that is opposed to the earlobe 9 when mounted on the earlobe 9.
It is preferable that the distance G between the sandwiching surfaces is held smaller than the distance G ₁ between the light emitting element and the light receiving element disposing portions 1 and 2.

The earlobe holding portion 20 is composed of opposing sandwiching members 3, and at least one of the opposing sandwiching members 3 projects in a convex shape with respect to the surfaces of the light emitting element and light receiving element disposing portions 1 and 2. Is preferred. The earlobe holding portion 20 is composed of the sandwiching members 3 facing each other, the base ends of the sandwiching members 3 facing each other are rotatably connected, and at least one of the sandwiching surfaces of the sandwiching members 3 is sandwiched. It is preferable that the tip end side of the attaching member 3 is substantially on the same plane as the surfaces of the light emitting element and the light receiving element disposing portions 1 and 2, and is projected in a slope shape toward the base end side of the attaching member 3.

The earlobe holding portion 20 is composed of opposed sandwiching members 3, the base ends of the opposing sandwiching members 3 are rotatably connected, and the sandwiching surfaces of the distal ends of both sandwiching members 3 are joined together. Three
When at least one of a is attached to the earlobe, the earlobe 9
The sandwiching member 3 is tilted so as to be substantially parallel to the surface with respect to the sandwiching surface 3b on the proximal end side, and the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged on the substantially same plane as the inclined sandwiching surface 3a. 2 is preferably provided.

Further, it is preferable that at least one of the disposing portions 1 and 2 of the light emitting element and the light receiving element facing each other is swingable and displaceable in a direction N approaching and separating from the surface of the earlobe 9.

[0012]

According to the present invention, the earlobe holding portion 20 is provided by disposing the light emitting element and light receiving element arrangement portions 1 and 2 for measuring the blood flow in the earlobe 9 and the earlobe holding portion 20 at different positions. Even when the holding power of the earlobe is increased due to, it becomes possible to bring the light emitting element and the light receiving element disposing portions 1 and 2 provided at positions different from the earlobe holding portion 20 into contact with the earlobe 9 with relatively weak pressure. It is possible to prevent the blood flow in the earlobe portion 9a to be measured from being obstructed and improve the pulse rate detection accuracy.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pulse sensor A of the present embodiment is provided with a light emitting element arranging portion 1 and a light receiving element arranging portion 2 on the tip side, and the earlobe holding portion 20 on the rotating shaft 5 side.
The opposing sandwiching members 3 constituting the above are provided, and each sandwiching member 3 is projected in a convex shape with respect to the surfaces of the arrangement portions 1 and 2 of the light emitting element and the light receiving element. The clamping member 3 is clamped by the tightening spring 4 mounted on the rotating shaft 5 in a direction in which the clamping members 3 approach each other. Other configurations are the same as the conventional ones, and corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

The height h of the sandwiching member 3 is, for example, 1.5 mm or less, preferably 1.0 mm or less.
In this embodiment, it is set to 0.5 mm. Further, the width a of the main body portion 3'of the pulse sensor A is, for example, 16.5 mm,
The vertical width b is, for example, 37.0 mm, the total thickness c of the pulse sensor A is, for example, 18.0 mm, the facing distance d between the light emitting element and light receiving element arrangement portions 1 and 2 is, for example, 4.5 mm, and the rotation axis of the pulse sensor A is The length e from 5 to the tip is, for example, 25.0
mm is preferred.

However, the pulse sensor A is used by being mounted so as to sandwich the earlobe 9 of the user, as in the conventional case. At this time, since the light emitting element and light receiving element arrangement portions 1 and 2 for measuring the blood flow in the earlobe 9 are provided at positions different from the convex sandwiching member 3, as shown in FIG. The earlobe 9 is not pinched with a large force at the positions of the light receiving element disposing portions 1 and 2, and even if the tightening pressure of the tightening spring 4 is increased, the light emitting element and light receiving element disposing parts 1 and 2 are disposed.
Comes into contact with the earlobe 9 with a relatively weak pressure, and it is possible to prevent the blood flow in the earlobe portion 9a to be measured from being stopped or the blood flow volume from being reduced. As a result, there is an advantage that the pulse sensor A can be firmly fixed to the earlobe 9 but the blood flow in the earlobe portion 9a to be measured is not hindered and the pulse rate detection accuracy can be improved.

In this embodiment, both of the sandwiching members 3 facing each other are projected in a convex shape, but the invention is not limited to this, and only one sandwiching member 3 is projected in a convex shape. You may allow it. Further, although the light emitting element arrangement portion 1 and the light receiving element arrangement portion 2 are arranged opposite to each other, the light emitting element arrangement portion 1 and the light receiving element arrangement portion 2 are arranged in parallel and the pulse rate is measured by reflected light. You may do it.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the pulse sensor A ₁
The light emitting element and light receiving element disposition portions 1 and 2 are provided on the rotating shaft 5 side, the convex clamping member 3 is provided at the tip end side, and each clamping member 3 is disposed at the light emitting element and light receiving element disposition portion 1. 2 is projected in a convex shape with respect to each surface. The other structure is similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. The height of the sandwiching member 3 is, for example, 1.5 mm or less, preferably 1.0 mm or less, but in this embodiment, it is set to 0.5 mm. With this configuration, the convex clamping member 3 comes to be located on the tip side of the pulse sensor A ₂ apart from the light emitting element and light receiving element disposing portions 1 and ₂ , and the clamping force to the earlobe is reduced. The pulse sensor A ₁ can be more reliably fixed by increasing it, and even if the tightening pressure by the tightening spring 4 is increased, the arrangement portions 1 and 2 of the light emitting element and the light receiving element can contact the earlobe with relatively weak pressure. The pulse rate detection accuracy can be improved without impeding the blood flow in the earlobe portion 9a to be measured. Incidentally, also in this embodiment, only one of the sandwiching members 3 may be projected in a convex shape,
Alternatively, the light emitting element arrangement portion 1 and the light receiving element arrangement portion 2 may be arranged in parallel and the pulse rate may be measured by reflected light.

FIG. 4 shows still another embodiment, in which the sandwiching surfaces of both sandwiching members 3 of the pulse sensor A ₂ are arranged on the tip side of each sandwiching member 3, where the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged. It is formed on substantially the same plane as the surface of No. 2 and is made to project in a slope shape toward the rotary shaft 5 side of the sandwiching member 3. The other structure is similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. The maximum protrusion width h of the sandwiching member 3 is, for example, 2.0 mm or less, preferably 1.0
Although it is preferable that the thickness is less than or equal to mm, it is set to 0.5 mm in this embodiment. With such a configuration, the sloped protruding sandwiching member 3 is located on the rotation shaft 5 side away from the light emitting element and light receiving element disposing portions 1 and 2, so that the earlobe can be securely and softly formed. It can be pinched by touch, and even if the tightening pressure by the tightening spring 4 is increased, the placement parts 1 and 2 of the light emitting element and the light receiving element are brought into contact with the earlobe with relatively weak pressure, thereby improving the pulse rate detection accuracy. It can be done. Also in this embodiment, only one of the sandwiching members 3 may be projected in a slope shape, and the light emitting element arrangement portion 1 and the light receiving element arrangement portion 2 may be arranged in parallel. The pulse rate may be measured by reflected light.

5 and 6 show still another embodiment,
The convex sandwiching member 3 is provided so as to project from the tip end side of the pulse sensor A ₃ to the rotary shaft 5 side, and the pulse sensor A 3
_The light emitting element and the light receiving element disposing portions 1 and 2 are provided on the tip end of 3 on substantially the same plane as the sandwiching surface of the sandwiching member 3, and sandwiching of the sandwiching member 3 facing each other when mounted on the earlobe 9 Gap between faces
Is held so as to be smaller than the gap G ₁ between the light emitting element and light receiving element disposition portions 1 and 2. The other structure is similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. The gap G between the sandwiching surfaces of the sandwiching member 3 is, for example, 4.0 mm or less, preferably 3.5 mm.
The following is good, but in this embodiment, it is set to 3.0 mm. With this structure, the gap G between the sandwiching surfaces of the sandwiching member 3 is kept smaller than the gap G ₁ between the light emitting element and the light receiving element disposing portions 1 and 2 in the state of being mounted on the earlobe 9. Since it can be firmly fixed to the earlobe, the arrangement parts 1 and 2 of the light emitting element and the light receiving element come into contact with the earlobe with relatively weak pressure, and even if the tightening pressure by the tightening spring 4 is increased, the earlobe part to be measured It does not interfere with the blood flow of 9a. Incidentally, also in this embodiment, only one of the sandwiching members 3 may be projected in a convex shape,
Alternatively, the light emitting element arrangement portion 1 and the light receiving element arrangement portion 2 may be arranged in parallel and the pulse rate may be measured by reflected light.

7 and 8 show still another embodiment,
Clamping surface 3a on the tip side of both clamping members 3 of the pulse sensor A ₄
Is tilted with respect to the holding surface 3b of the holding member 3 on the rotating shaft 5 side so as to be substantially parallel to the surface of the earlobe 9 when mounted on the earlobe, and is substantially flush with the tilted holding surface 3a. 2 is provided with arrangement portions 1 and 2 for the light emitting element and the light receiving element. The other structure is similar to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. The inclination angle θ of the sandwiching surface 3a is preferably 10 ° or less, for example, but is set to 5 ° in this embodiment. Further, the holding surface 3b of the holding member 3
The interval L is, for example, 4.0 mm or less, preferably 3.5.
mm or less and 1.0 mm or more are preferable, but in this embodiment, 2.
It is set to 5 mm. With this structure, the main sandwiching member 3 is located on the rotation shaft 5 side away from the light emitting element and the light receiving element disposing portions 1 and 2, and the light emitting element is attached to the earlobe 9 at the same time. Since the light receiving element placement portions 1 and 2 are substantially parallel to the surface of the earlobe 9, the deviation of the optical axes of the light emitting element and the light receiving element can be reduced and the blood flow in the earlobe portion to be measured is prevented from being damaged. It can be prevented.
Also in this embodiment, only one of the sandwiching members 3 may be made to project in a convex shape, and the light emitting element arrangement portion 1 and the light receiving element arrangement portion 2 may be arranged in parallel. The pulse rate may be measured by reflected light.

FIG. 9 shows still another embodiment, in which the light emitting element and light receiving element arrangement portions 1 and 2 of the pulse sensor A ₅ can be swung in the direction indicated by the arrow M and are close to the surface of the earlobe. A spring 11 is provided which is displaceable in each of the separating directions N. Other configurations are similar to those of the embodiment shown in FIG. In this way, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged in the portions 1, 2.
By connecting the spring 11 so that it can be swung freely and displaceably with respect to the surface of the earlobe, the portions 1 and 2 of the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element can be fixed to the surface of the earlobe with desired pressure, and the surface of the earlobe can be followed. Can have Moreover, when the sandwiching member 3 is sandwiched in the earlobe, the light receiving element and the arrangement portions 1 and 2 of the light receiving element can be swung in the direction of the arrow M, so that light emission that occurs when the earlobe is attached to the earlobe The deviation of the optical axes of the light receiving element and the light receiving element can be made small, and the light receiving element and the light receiving element disposing portions 1 and 2 can be displaced in the direction N approaching and separating from the earlobe surface, whereby the light emitting element The light receiving element disposition parts 1 and 2 can contact the earlobe with a relatively weak pressure, and the pulse detection accuracy can be improved. In this embodiment, the spring 11 may be attached to only one of the disposing portions 1 and 2 of the light emitting element and the light receiving element which face each other. Further, the invention is not limited to the spring 11, and as long as it can support the light emitting element arrangement portion 1 and the light receiving element arrangement portion 2 so as to be swingable and displaceable with respect to the earlobe surface, for example, a sponge or the like can be used. Flexible material or pneumatic,
It is also possible to use a leaf spring or the like. Also in this embodiment, only one of the sandwiching members 3 may be projected in a convex shape, and the light emitting element arrangement portion 1 and the light receiving element arrangement portion 2 may be arranged in parallel. The pulse rate may be measured by reflected light.

[0022]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the pulse sensor is attached to the earlobe of the user and measures the pulse rate of the earlobe by using transmitted light or reflected light. An earlobe holding portion for holding the earlobe, a light emitting element and a light receiving element arrangement portion for measuring blood flow in the earlobe, and the earlobe holding portion and the light emitting element and light receiving element arrangement portion are arranged at different positions. Therefore, the earlobe is not pinched with a large force at the position where the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged.Therefore, even if the pinch force of the earlobe holding portion is increased, the earlobe is provided at a position different from the earlobe holding portion. The light emitting element and the light receiving element can be brought into contact with the earlobe with comparatively weak pressure, and as a result, the pulse sensor can be firmly fixed to the earlobe, but the blood flow in the earlobe to be measured is obstructed. Pulse rate detection without An effect that it is possible to improve the degree.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the earlobe holding portion according to the first aspect is composed of opposing sandwiching members, and the sandwiching surface of the sandwiching members is the surface of the portion where the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged. And the holding surfaces are substantially flush with each other, and are held so that the distance between the holding surfaces of the holding members facing each other when mounted on the earlobe is smaller than the distance between the light emitting element and the light receiving element arrangement portion. In addition to the effect of claim 1, even when the opposing light-emitting element and light-receiving element arrangement portion and the opposing sandwiching member are substantially on the same plane, the main sandwiching member is mounted on the earlobe. Since the space between the sandwiching surfaces of is kept smaller than the space between the parts where the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged, the sandwiching pressure of the earlobe can be further increased, while the part where the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged is The earlobe can be contacted with relatively weak pressure, and the pulse rate can be detected. Degree can be further improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the earlobe holding portion according to the first or second aspect is composed of opposing sandwiching members, and at least one of the opposing sandwiching members is a light emitting element and a light receiving element. Since it projects in a convex shape with respect to the surface of the portion where the element is arranged, in addition to the effect of claim 1 or claim 2,
The convex clamping member can increase the clamping force on the earlobe, and the pulse sensor can be more reliably fixed.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, the earlobe holding portion of claim 1 or 2 is composed of opposing sandwiching members, and the base ends of the opposing sandwiching members are rotatably connected. In addition, at least one of the sandwiching surfaces of both sandwiching members is substantially flush with the surface of the arrangement portion of the light emitting element and the light receiving element on the tip end side of the sandwiching member, and the proximal end side of the sandwiching member. In addition to the effect of claim 1 or claim 2, the earlobe is securely and softly sandwiched by the portion projecting in the slope shape on the proximal end side of the sandwiching member. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent the blood flow in the earlobe portion to be measured from being obstructed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the earlobe holding portion according to the first or second aspect is composed of opposing sandwiching members, and the base ends of the opposing sandwiching members are rotatably connected. At the same time, at least one of the clamping surfaces on the tip side of both clamping members is inclined with respect to the clamping surface on the proximal end side of the clamping members so as to be substantially parallel to the surface of the earlobe when mounted on the earlobe. Since the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged on substantially the same plane as the inclined sandwiching surface, in addition to the effect of claim 1 or 2, the tip end side of the opposing sandwiching member is provided. Since the sandwiching surface is almost parallel to the earlobe surface when attached to the earlobe,
It is possible to reduce the deviation of the optical axis of the light emitting element and the light receiving element that occurs when the earlobe is attached, and it is possible to sandwich the placement portion of the light emitting element and the light receiving element on the surface of the earlobe with a soft feeling, and to measure the earlobe part. It is possible to more effectively prevent obstruction of blood flow.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, at least one of the disposing portions of the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element facing each other according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is swingable and is on the surface of the earlobe. In addition to the effect of any one of claims 1 to 5, since the light receiving element and the arrangement portion of the light receiving element can be swung freely, the light receiving element and the light receiving element can be swung freely. It is possible to reduce the deviation of the optical axes of the light emitting element and the light receiving element that occur, and to displace the light receiving element and the light receiving element disposition portion in the direction of approaching and separating from the earlobe surface, thereby making the light emitting element It is possible to contact the earlobe with a comparatively weak pressure at the portion where the light receiving element is arranged, and the pulse detection accuracy can be further improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1A is a front view of a pulse sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 1B and 1C are a side view and a front view illustrating the dimensions of each part of the pulse sensor.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a usage state of the above.

FIG. 3 is a front view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is an explanatory view of the above usage state.

FIG. 7 is a front view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is an explanatory view of a state of use in the above.

FIG. 9 is a front view of still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing an example of a bicycle ergometer equipped with a pulse sensor.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a conventional pulse sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Arrangement part of light emitting element 2 Arrangement part of light receiving element 3 Clamping member 9 Earlobe 20 Earlobe holding part G Gap between clamping surfaces G ₁ Gap between placement parts

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A pulse sensor that is attached to a user's earlobe and measures the pulse rate of the earlobe by using transmitted light or reflected light, and measures the earlobe holding portion that holds the earlobe and the blood flow of the earlobe. A pulse sensor, comprising: a light emitting element and a light receiving element arrangement portion, and the earlobe holding portion and the light emitting element and light receiving element arrangement portion are arranged at different positions. 2. The earlobe holding portion is composed of opposing sandwiching members, the sandwiching surface of the sandwiching member is substantially flush with the surface of the portion where the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged, and when mounted on the earlobe. 2. The pulse sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sandwiching members are held so that the spacing between the sandwiching surfaces of the sandwiching members facing each other is smaller than the spacing between the arrangement portions of the light emitting element and the light receiving element. 3. The earlobe holding portion is composed of opposing sandwiching members, and at least one of the opposing sandwiching members is projected in a convex shape with respect to the surface of the arrangement portion of the light emitting element and the light receiving element. The pulse sensor according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The earlobe holding part is composed of opposing sandwiching members, the base ends of the opposing sandwiching members are rotatably connected, and at least one of the sandwiching surfaces of both sandwiching members is sandwiched. The front end side of the member is substantially on the same plane as the surface of the arrangement portion of the light emitting element and the light receiving element, and is projected in a slope shape toward the base end side of the sandwiching member. The pulse sensor according to Item 2. 5. The earlobe holding portion is composed of opposing sandwiching members, the base ends of the opposing sandwiching members are rotatably connected, and at least one of the sandwiching surfaces on the tip ends of both sandwiching members is provided. , The light emitting element and the light receiving element are tilted with respect to the clamping surface on the proximal end side of the clamping member so as to be substantially parallel to the surface of the earlobe when mounted on the earlobe, and substantially flush with the inclined clamping surface. The pulse sensor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pulse sensor is provided. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the opposing light emitting element and light receiving element arrangement portions is swingable and displaceable in a direction of approaching and separating from the earlobe surface. The pulse sensor according to any one of Items 5.