JPH10192259A - Balance measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable to know what part of a foot is loaded, by placing a load detecting part under a pressure sensor sheet capable of measuring load individually by small sections divided into a constant size. SOLUTION: A number of pressure sensors are placed at constant intervals in divided small sections, and pressure sensor sheets with sufficient area to lay a hoot on are placed at intervals for each single foot 6L, 6R. Load detecting part 7L, 7R are placed under pressure sensor sheets 6L, 6R, a control part 3 controls pressure sensor sheets 6L, 6R and load detecting parts 7L, 7R, and detected signals are processed by a data processing part 4 and is outputted to a data outputting part 5 as images or numerics. To detect the interval of feet, a distance measuring part 8 is placed to measure a distance between pressure sensor sheets, and a memory 9 is added to the data processing part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device for measuring a load distribution on both feet for examining abnormalities in the form of the body of a subject and a health condition, in particular, a balance state when standing on both feet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is known that the loads applied to the right and left feet differ due to the inclination of the head, the difference in height between the right and left shoulders, and the twisting or bending of the spine. It is also said that the temporal fluctuation of the position of the center of gravity when standing with both feet is closely related to the diagnosis of the health condition.

[0003] Thus, by measuring the load applied to the right and left feet and the temporal variation of the position of the center of gravity, it is possible to know abnormalities in the form of the body and the health condition.

As a device for measuring the load applied to the right and left feet and the temporal variation of the position of the center of gravity, a balance measuring device shown in FIG. 15 is described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-505810.

In this conventional measuring device, a tread plate (1) is provided for each foot, and a load detector (for converting the applied load into a voltage value) for measuring the load applied to each foot and the temporal variation of the position of the center of gravity. 2) are arranged at three or more places with a space below the treadle, control of each load detecting unit, a control unit (3) for converting a voltage value obtained from the load detecting unit into a digital value, and a control unit for obtaining a digital value. The data output unit (5) calculates the position of the center of gravity from the data obtained and displays the position of the center of gravity and the load applied to each foot on the data output unit (5) in real time.

Thus, the load applied to each foot, the position of the center of gravity of each foot, and the position of the center of gravity of the whole are measured in real time.

[0007]

In the conventional balance measuring device, the number of load detecting sections is so small that it is impossible to determine which part of the foot is overloaded. For this reason, the position of the center of gravity when the load is uniformly applied to the sole of the foot and when 50% of the load is applied to the toe and 50% of the load to the heel have the same result.

The load applied to each foot is measured by the load detector. Since the total load applied to each foot is the weight of the subject, the accuracy of each load detector must be within several percent. For this reason, a high-precision one must be used for the load detecting section, which is costly.

In order to calculate the position of the center of gravity, it is necessary to measure the ratio of the load applied to the front, rear, left and right with respect to the posture. At least three expensive load detectors must be used for each foot, so that the cost of the apparatus is further increased. turn into.

The conventional balance measuring apparatus does not include a storage device for storing data such as the measured load distribution on the soles of the feet and the loads on the right and left feet, so that it is not possible to grasp how much the symptoms have been improved by the treatment. And, of course, comparison with past measurement data cannot be performed.

[0011] Further, when measuring the load distribution and the shape of the sole of the foot when standing up, which have a significant relationship with the health condition and the athletic ability, the posture at the time of standing and the interval between the feet are measured. It makes a big difference in the measurement results. The conventional balance measurement device has no means for detecting the posture when standing with both feet or the interval between the feet, and there is no means for instructing the subject on the correct standing posture. The placement position is different, and the measurement accuracy is significantly reduced.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention uses a pressure sensor sheet 6 which is divided into small sections of a fixed size and which can independently measure a load for each section, and under which a load detection sheet is provided. A control unit 3 for individually controlling the pressure sensor sheet and the load detection unit; and a data processing unit 6 for processing the detected signal and outputting it to the data output unit 5 as an image or a numerical value. It consisted of:

With this configuration, the pressure sensor sheet of the present invention can detect the load for each small section, the distribution of the load applied to the sole of the foot, the shape and size of the foot, the degree of formation of the arch, the position of the center of gravity of each foot, and the like. Can be measured in detail. Also,
Since the shape of the foot is known, it is possible to confirm whether the user is standing in an unstable posture during measurement or is not at an inappropriate position for the measurement, thereby enabling more accurate measurement.

Further, since only one load detecting section is used for each foot, the cost can be reduced.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram shown in FIG.

A large number of pressure sensors divided into small sections are arranged at regular intervals, and a pressure sensor sheet 6 having an area sufficient for placing one foot is arranged at intervals for each of the feet 6L and 6R. . Under each pressure sensor sheet 6L, 6R, a load detection unit 7L, 7R is disposed, respectively. These pressure sensor sheets 6L, 6R and the load detection unit 7 are respectively provided.
L and 7R are controlled by the control unit 3, and the detected signals are processed by the data processing unit 4 and output to the data output unit 5 as images and numerical values.

It is natural to stand with the feet open so that the distance between the outer points of the feet is equal to the waist width. Therefore, the interval at which the feet are placed changes depending on the physique of the subject,
A mechanism is provided for adjusting the distance between the pressure sensor sheets or the interval between the pressure sensor sheet for the left foot and the load detection unit and the pressure sensor sheet for the right foot and the load detection unit.

Further, in the present invention, the distance measuring unit 8 for measuring the distance between the pressure sensor sheets is configured to detect the distance between the feet.

With this gap adjusting mechanism, the pressure sensor sheets 6L and 6R can be reduced in area so that the left and right feet can be put thereon, so that the area of the pressure sensor sheets can be reduced. By reducing the area, the number of measurement data for displaying the pressure distribution is reduced, and therefore, the processing speed can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the storage
Is added to the data processing unit 4, the load data for each foot output from the data processing unit and the load distribution data for the soles of the right and left feet are stored at regular time intervals, and the center of gravity position calculated by the data processing unit is stored. And weight data obtained from the total of the loads on each foot, and it is possible to store dates and personal data such as names, dates of birth, and body type data.

This makes it possible to compare the past measurement result with the present measurement result and to reproduce the display image previously displayed on the data output unit 5.

Further, since the data output from the data processing section 4 is stored at regular time intervals, by changing this time, the reproduction speed of the displayed image can be adjusted, and how the center of gravity position fluctuates. The change in the load distribution can be easily confirmed.

Further, in the present invention, in addition to the data output unit 5, the data processing unit 4 gives instructions to the subject for measurement postures such as the posture, the interval between opening the feet, the direction of the feet, and the displacement between the front and back. A display screen 10 is provided for notifying the load distribution and footprint during measurement, the load applied to each foot, the position of the center of gravity, and the like.

Further, according to the present invention, the load distribution and the shape of the sole of the foot are displayed in real time on the display screen, so that the subject can adjust the position of the foot while looking at this screen, and can easily position the foot. Can be decided.

The display screen shows a speech synthesizer or a CD-R.
Smooth measurement is possible by providing equipment that can play back audio such as OM, audio tape, video, etc., and controlling these devices by the control unit so that instructions during measurement can be given by voice. Becomes

Further, the person to be measured can use the display screen 10
Depending on the height of the person to be measured, the user may look up at the gaze screen with the neck up or look down at the gaze screen. When the angle of the neck changes, the load distribution and the load data for each foot are affected, and accurate measurement cannot be performed. Therefore, a drive circuit 11 for adjusting the height of the display screen according to the height of the subject is provided.

The height of the gaze screen 10 is automatically measured at the time of measurement by measuring the height of the subject's eyes in advance using a measure or the like and inputting the value to the data processing unit 4. By moving to the eye level of the subject and instructing the subject to gaze at the gaze screen 10, the subject can be placed in a natural standing posture.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the outline 21 of the foot is displayed on the data output unit 5 and / or the gaze screen 10 in real time based on the detection signal of the pressure sensor sheet 6, and the outer point alignment displayed on the same screen is performed. Mark 20,
Positioning is performed using the inside line 22, the heel positioning mark 23, and the like so that the foot can be positioned at a correct position.

Instead of the contour of the foot, a grayscale image of the load distribution, an image in which the load distribution is colored, an image in which the load distribution is binarized, or the like may be used as shown in FIG.

If the distance between the feet, the angle at which the feet are opened, or the position before and after the feet changes each time the measurement is performed, the load distribution and the load data for each foot are affected, and accurate measurement cannot be performed. By displaying the alignment mark and the outline of the sole of the subject's foot, the foot can be placed at an accurate position, and accurate measurement can be performed.

The configuration in which the display screen 10 and the drive circuit 11 are provided can provide the same effect when used by attaching to a conventional measuring device shown in FIG.

In this way, in addition to measuring the load and the center of gravity of each foot, the distribution of the load applied to the sole of the foot, the shape and size of the foot, and the degree of formation of the arch can be measured. It is possible to measure the mutual relationship such as the load distribution. Since the standing posture and the position of the foot at the time of measurement can be accurately indicated on the display screen, more accurate measurement can be performed.

[0033]

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a balance measuring apparatus according to the present invention.

The load distribution on the sole of the foot, the shape of the sole of the foot, and the foot pressure device 50 for measuring the load applied to each foot, the personal computer 60 for processing signals detected by the foot pressure device, and the personal computer A display 70 for displaying data as images, characters, and graphics; a printer 71 for printing and passing the measurement results to the subject;
Display screen device 8 that informs the load applied to each foot and the position of the center of gravity
0.

The foot pressure device 50 has a sufficient area for placing one foot, and a pressure sensor sheet 6 whose surface is composed of a large number of pressure sensors is arranged for each of the right and left feet. Below, a load detection unit 7 using a load cell for measuring a load applied to each foot is arranged. A spring, pressure-sensitive rubber, or the like may be used as the load detection unit.

A distance measuring section 8 for measuring the distance between the pressure sensor sheets, a pressure sensor sheet 6 and a load detecting section 7
The control unit 3 for controlling the distance measuring unit is housed in the outer case 51.

As shown in FIG. 6, the pressure sensor sheet 6 has a number of thousands of pressure sensors arranged at regular intervals, and can independently detect the load applied to each pressure sensor. Examples of the pressure sensor include a sensor using pressure-sensitive ink or pressure-sensitive rubber, a load cell, a semiconductor pressure sensor, and a capacitance pressure sensor.

In order to accurately measure the shape of the foot and the load applied to the sole of the foot, the intervals at which the pressure sensors are arranged should be 1 mm to 10 mm.
mm is good. On the upper surface of the pressure sensor sheet 6, a frame 51 is provided.
a is drawn, and if a foot is put in this frame, it is considered that the foot is always put on the pressure sensor sheet. In each section of the pressure sensor sheet 6, the resistance value, the voltage value, and the current value change in proportion to the pressed pressure, and by detecting the change value, the load distribution applied to the sole of the foot is measured. In order to obtain accurate measurement results, the foot pressure device 5
Since it is necessary to set 0 horizontally, an inclination adjusting tool is attached to the foot pressure device so that adjustment can be easily performed. A horizontal sensor such as a level is used to adjust this leveling device.If this is built into the foot pressure device, a signal indicating the tilting state with respect to the horizontal plane is sent to the personal computer, and the tilting state is displayed on the display. Horizontal installation can be adjusted smoothly.

It is said that it is natural to stand with the outside points of the feet aligned with the waist width of the person to be measured. Therefore, the interval at which the feet are placed changes depending on the body type of the subject. To address this problem, the foot pressure device 50
A mechanism for adjusting the distance S1 between the pressure sensor sheets 6 and a distance measuring unit 9 for measuring the distance are provided. The distance Sl between the pressure sensor sheets can be measured by the distance measuring unit. Further, since the pressure sensors are arranged at regular intervals in the pressure sensor sheet 6, a point Pl or P
By measuring the number of pressure sensors from r (FIG. 6) to the outside points of the left and right feet, the distances L1 and R1 from the point Pl or Pr to the outside points of the left and right feet can be obtained. As a result, the distance between the outer points of the foot is Ll + Rl + Sl
Therefore, by adjusting the position by comparing the waist width of the subject and the distance between the outer points of the feet that have been measured in advance,
You can put your feet in the right position.

Since the pressure sensor sheet 6 has thousands of sections on both feet, it is impossible to measure the loads on these sections at once. For this reason, a control unit 3 for sequentially detecting signals from each section of the pressure sensor sheet in a time sharing manner is provided. This control unit also controls the load detection unit 7 and the distance measurement unit 8 in addition to the pressure sensor sheet 6.

Each signal detected by the control unit 3 is sent to the personal computer 60 and is sequentially processed. An AD converter is provided in the personal computer, and converts the signal sent from the control unit 3 into a digital value so that the signal can be processed by the personal computer.

From the load distribution data obtained from the pressure sensor sheet 6, the position of the center of gravity of each foot or both feet is calculated by this personal computer.

The load applied to each section of the pressure sensor sheet 6 is Mi, an arbitrary point is taken as the origin, the distance from that point to each section of the pressure sensor sheet is Xi, Yi, and the distance from the origin to the center of gravity is Xg. , Yg,

[0044]

(Equation 1)

[0045]

(Equation 2) Becomes

[0046]

(Equation 3) From this, the position of the center of gravity can be calculated.

In the personal computer, the position of the center of gravity, the load distribution on the sole of the foot, and the load applied to each foot obtained from the load detector are displayed on the display 70, the printer 71, and the display screen 80 as images, characters, and graphics. I do.

The personal computer has a storage device 9
Is provided, and the load distribution data on the soles of the feet detected by the control unit and the load applied to each foot are all stored at regular time intervals for both feet. This makes it possible to refer to the past measurement data, and confirm the effect of the treatment. The time interval for storing the data is preferably within 0.1 second in consideration of the time during which the load distribution on the sole changes.
When reproducing an image from past data, the display speed can be changed by changing the time interval of the reproduction. For example, when storing data, if all data for both feet is stored every 0.1 seconds, when displaying the load distribution of the sole of the foot from this data, the load distribution of both feet is displayed every 0.05 seconds. Is displayed, it means that the image has been reproduced at twice the speed. Similarly, if you display the load distribution in one second,
This means that the image has been reproduced at one-tenth the speed. As a result, it is possible to easily confirm the change in the load distribution on the sole of the foot and how the center of gravity fluctuates.

The display screen device 80 comprises a display screen 10 and a drive circuit 11 for adjusting the height thereof. The drive circuit is controlled by a personal computer, and automatically moves the display screen to the eye level of the subject, which has been measured in advance. Image data is output from the personal computer so that different images can be displayed on the display 70 viewed by the measurer and the display screen 10 viewed by the subject.

Next, using the balance measuring apparatus having the above configuration,
The method for measuring will be described.

First, the entire balance measuring apparatus shown in FIG. 5 is installed at a measuring place. At this time, the inclination adjusting device of the foot pressure device 50 is adjusted, and the foot pressure device is installed so as to be horizontal.

When the installation is completed, the height of the subject and the waist width are measured using a measure or the like. afterwards,
It is stored as personal data in the storage device 9 of the personal computer.

By inputting the number or name of the subject, the personal data of the subject is read from the storage device. The display screen automatically moves to the eye level based on the data up to the eye level stored here. The subject is instructed to stand at a predetermined position on the foot pressure device, and is instructed to adjust the eye height to the eye height adjustment mark 26 on the display screen. Figure 7 shows the display screen at this time.
FIG. 7A shows the display of the display screen in FIG. By aligning the line of sight of the subject with the eye height adjustment mark on the display screen, the standing posture of the subject can be made natural. The measurement data 25 shown in FIG.
It is the load applied to each foot and the total, but the load ratio and the difference of each foot, the distribution of the load applied to the sole of the foot can be displayed with a change in color, grayscale display or black and white display, foot The display of the outline of the shape or the like may be performed simultaneously.

When the eye height is almost the same as the eye height adjustment mark on the display screen, the width of the foot is adjusted. FIG. 8A shows the screen of the display at this time, and FIG. 8B shows the display of the display screen.

An outer point alignment mark 20 is displayed on the display and the display screen based on the waist width data described in the personal data. At the same time, the outline 21 of the foot is displayed in real time. The subject is instructed to move his / her foot and align the outside point of his / her foot with the outside point alignment mark. The display screen device 80 is provided with a voice synthesizing device, a device such as a CD-ROM, a voice tape, a video, etc. that can reproduce voice, and the device is controlled by a personal computer to give an instruction during measurement by voice. This makes it possible to perform the measurement more smoothly.

The measurer confirms the outline of the feet of the subject and the outside point alignment mark displayed on the display,
We can give instructions properly.

After the adjustment of the width of the foot is completed, the opening angle of the foot is adjusted. The display screen at this time is shown in FIG.
FIG. 9B shows the display on the display screen. The subject is instructed to move his / her foot and align the inside of his / her foot with the inside line 22.

After the adjustment of the opening angle of the foot is completed, the displacement of the front and rear of the foot is adjusted. FIG. 10A shows the screen of the display at this time, and FIG. 10B shows the display of the display screen.
The subject is instructed to move his / her foot and adjust the heel position to the heel alignment mark 23.

In the display of the adjustment of the width, the angle, and the deviation of the foot, the adjustment is performed by displaying the outline of the foot. In addition, the load distribution applied to the sole of the foot is displayed by changing the color. Any display may be used as long as the shape of the foot can be recognized, such as light and shade display or black and white display.

When the adjustment of the foot position is completed, the actual measurement is performed. The display screen at this time is shown in FIG.
FIG. 11B shows the display on the display screen. During the measurement, the subject is instructed to watch the display mark 28 on the display screen gently. In addition, the contour of the foot and the locus of the center of gravity of each foot or the locus of the center of gravity obtained from both feet are displayed on the display for the measurer. At this time, instead of displaying the outline of the foot, a load distribution display in which the load distribution is represented by a grayscale image as shown in FIG. 12, a load distribution display in which a change in load is represented by a color,
Any of black and white image display and the like may be used.

The position of the center of gravity is considered to be approximately at the center of both feet. As shown in FIG. 13, the ideal center line 29 of the position of the center of gravity is displayed at the midpoint between the outside of the foot and the midpoint between the toe and the heel simultaneously with the locus of the center of gravity. The distance lL from this center line 29 to the outside point of the left foot and the distance l from the outside point of the right foot
R and the distance hH from the toe to the center line are equal to the center line hL from the heel.

The display of the position of the center of gravity may not be a trajectory line, but may be a position display 27 for the current position of the center of gravity and several data before it, or a cross bar display instead of a point for the position of the center of gravity (FIG. 14). . The center of gravity 31 of both feet, the center of gravity of the left foot is indicated by 31L, and the center of gravity of the right foot is indicated by 31R.

In this measurement, the load distribution on both feet obtained from the pressure sensor sheet and the data on the load applied to each foot obtained from the load detector are measured at regular time intervals. It is sufficient that the time interval is within 0.1 second. The measured data is stored in the storage device and simultaneously displayed on the display as a display image.

Thus, the measurement is completed. The measurement results are printed using a printer, and the measurement results are shown to the subject. Since all the measured data is stored in the storage device, it is classified by gender, age, etc., and data collection such as the average of the difference in load applied to each foot and the magnitude of fluctuation of the center of gravity is easily performed. be able to.

When there is an abnormality in the body of the subject and treatment is to be performed based on the measurement data, the position of the center of gravity is displayed not only on the display for the subject but also on the display screen. This allows the subject to check how the position of his or her center of gravity has changed, thereby increasing the effect of the treatment.

[0066]

By using the pressure sensor sheet and the load detecting section, the load applied to each foot can be measured, and at the same time, the shape of the foot and the pressure distribution of each portion applied to the sole of the foot can be measured. For this reason, it is possible to confirm whether or not the user stands in an unstable manner at the time of measurement, and it is possible to perform more accurate measurement.

Further, since the diagnosis can be made in association with the position of the center of gravity and the load applied to the sole of the foot or the shape of the sole of the foot, more accurate diagnosis can be made.

By storing these data in the storage device, it is possible to confirm a time-series change of the subject.

By using the display screen, the person to be measured can stand in a correct posture by himself, so that the measurement can be performed smoothly. At the same time, instructions for adjusting the width and angle of the foot are displayed on the display screen, thereby improving measurement accuracy.

The above excellent effects are very useful in detecting abnormalities in the body of the subject, examining the health condition, and performing treatment.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a foot alignment image display.

FIG. 4 is a gray scale image display diagram of a load distribution of a foot.

FIG. 5 is an overall configuration diagram of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the foot pressure device.

FIG. 7A is a display screen for adjusting the eye height and FIG. 7B is a display screen for adjusting the eye height.

FIG. 8 is a display screen for adjusting the width of the foot (a) and a display screen for adjusting the width of the foot (b).

FIG. 9 is a display screen for adjusting the opening angle of the foot (a).
Screen for adjusting the opening angle of the foot and the leg (b)

10A and 10B are display screens for adjusting the displacement of the front and rear of the foot, and FIGS.

FIG. 11 shows a display screen during measurement (a) and a display screen during measurement (b).

FIG. 12: Gray scale screen during measurement

FIG. 13 is a display screen of the position of the center of gravity.

FIG. 14 is a crossbar display screen of the position of the center of gravity.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a conventional balance measuring device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 tread plate 2 load detection unit 3 control unit 4 data processing unit 5 data output unit 6 pressure sensor sheet 7 load detection unit 8 distance measurement unit 9 storage device 10 display screen 11 drive circuit 20 outside point alignment mark 21 foot contour line 22 foot Inside line 23 Heel alignment mark 24 Shade image 25 Measurement data 26 Eye height adjustment mark 28 Display mark 29 Ideal center line 50 Foot pressure device 51 Exterior 60 Personal computer 70 Display 71 Printer 80 Display screen device S1 Distance between pressure sensor sheets

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. At least one pressure sensor sheet in which a number of pressure sensors are arranged at regular intervals, and two load detection units for measuring loads applied to left and right feet arranged under the pressure sensor sheet. And a data processor for processing signals from the individual pressure sensors and the load detector and displaying the results on a data output unit. 2. A pressure sensor sheet is divided into two for the right and left feet, and a distance measuring unit for detecting a distance between the two pressure sensor sheets is provided. The balance measuring device according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanism capable of adjusting an interval between the pressure sensor sheet for the left foot and its load detecting unit and the pressure sensor sheet for the right foot and its load detecting unit. 3. The personal data such as the subject's name, age, eye height and waist width, and the load data for each of the right and left feet output from the data processing unit and the load distribution on the soles of the right and left feet. A data storage device that stores data in chronological order, and based on the time-series data stored in the storage device, the load distribution on the soles, or the center of gravity of each foot, and the locus of the center of gravity of the entire foot and the center of gravity, or The balance according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a reproduction display unit capable of adjusting a reproduction speed of the reproduction display by changing a time interval between the reproduction display of the foot contact surface shape and the time series data. measuring device.