JPH10234690A - Body fat meter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve usability without lowering measurement accuracy. SOLUTION: This body fat meter is provided with an impedance measurement part 2 for measuring living body part impedance, an input part 3 for inputting required individual physique data, an arithmetic part for calculating a body fat rate or the like from the measured impedance value and the inputted individual physique data, etc., and a display part 4 for displaying the inputted individual data and the calculated body fat rate. In this case, an electrode surface 2a for taking out biological information as electric signals is turned to an inclined state to a horizontal surface at the time of measurement. The body fat rate or the like is easily measured just by mounting the wrist of the user on the electrode surface 2a and an electrode 5a is easily tightly adhered to the wrist by the inclination of the electrode surface 2a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a body fat meter, and more particularly, to a body fat meter for measuring, for example, a body fat amount or a body fat percentage in a living body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various methods such as an underwater body weight method, a caliper method, and a heavy water dilution method have been adopted as means for determining a body fat percentage. Among them, the impedance method of measuring the impedance value of a living body by passing a minute current through the living body and calculating the body fat percentage from the value is often adopted. This impedance method enables simple measurement, and various devices are provided from business use to home use. As an example, one that measures with the wrist is commercially available. There are two types: a type in which a conductive paste is applied to the clip-shaped electrode, and a type in which the conductive paste is applied to the wrist with a conductive gel. It has the function of reducing the effect as an error.

[0003]

However, in a conventional type in which a conductive paste is applied to a clip-like electrode or in a type in which a conductive gel is applied to a wrist, a gel or paste is applied each time the electrode is used. An operation of applying or sticking to the electrode is required, and the usability is very poor for the user.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above conventional example, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a body fat meter capable of improving usability without deteriorating measurement accuracy.

[0005]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an impedance measuring unit 2 for measuring the impedance of a living body, and an input unit 3 for inputting required personal physique data. And a display unit 4 for displaying the input personal data and the calculated body fat percentage based on the input impedance data and the input personal physique data and the like. It is characterized in that the electrode surface 2a to be taken out is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane at the time of measurement. With this configuration, the body fat percentage and the like can be obtained simply by putting the wrist 9 of the user on the electrode surface 2a. Can be easily measured, and it is not necessary to use a gel or a paste for wrist measurement as in the related art, which is very easy for a user to use. Also, since the electrode surface 2a is inclined at the time of measurement, the electrode 5a
Can be easily brought into close contact with the wrist 9, and wrist measurement can be performed easily and accurately without using gel or paste.

Here, it is preferable that the electrode surface 2a can be returned to a state in which it is not inclined. In this case, the whole body fat scale A can be made compact and the storage space can be small when stored. It is preferable that the upper surface of the entire device including the electrode surface 2a can be freely changed between an inclined state and a non-inclined state. In this case, the upper surface of the entire device including the electrode surface 2a is fixed in an inclined state at the time of measurement. Thus, the user can apply the wrist 9 to the electrode surface 2a with the elbow extended, and the storage space can be reduced by returning the upper surface of the entire device including the electrode surface 2a to the non-inclined state during storage. .

Preferably, only the electrode section 5 including the electrode surface 2a can be returned to a state in which the electrode section 5 does not tilt. In this case, the user extends the elbow by tilting the electrode section 5 including the electrode surface 2a during measurement. The wrist 9 can be brought into contact with the electrode 5a in this state, and the electrode part 5 can be returned to a state where it is not tilted at the time of storage so that it can be compact. It is preferable to be able to change freely between a state where only the electrode portion 5 including the electrode surface 2a is tilted and a state where the electrode portion 5 is not tilted. In this case, the tilt angle θ of the electrode surface 2a is adjusted according to the angle of the hand applied by the user during measurement. Can be changed, and users of various physiques can bring the wrist 9 into close contact with the electrode 5a with the elbow extended.

It is preferable that the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface is variable at the time of measurement. In this case, the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface including the electrode surface 2a is changed in accordance with the angle of the hand applied to the user at the time of measurement. The wrist 9 can be brought into close contact with the electrode 5a in a state where the user of various physiques extends his elbow. It is preferable that the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface is variable about an end of the inclined surface as an axis. In this case, it is possible for a user of various physiques to bring the wrist 9 into close contact with the electrode 5a with the elbow extended. In addition, by varying the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface, the individual difference in the force with which the electrode 5a presses the wrist 9 is small and stable, and the bioimpedance can be measured accurately.

It is preferable that the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface is variable with the center of the inclined surface as an axis. In this case, a user of various physiques attaches the wrist 9 to the electrode 5 with the elbow extended.
a, and the axis of the inclined surface is located in the center of the electrode portion 5, so that almost all of the weight of the user's arm is applied to the entire electrode 5a, and the bioimpedance is measured accurately and accurately. Can be performed.

[0010] It is preferable that the inclination angle θ of the inclined surface be automatically variable according to the angle of the user's hand. In this case, when the user places the wrist 9 on the electrode surface 2a during measurement, The angle of the electrode surface 2a can be changed until it is parallel to the wrist 9, and it is possible to cope with users of various sizes. It is preferable that the inclination angle θ of the electrode 5a is variable at the time of measurement. In this case, when the upper surface of the electrode 5a is pressed by the wrist 9, the electrode 5a is pushed inside by its weight. Is somewhat free, and it is possible to cope with various ways of applying the wrist 9.

It is preferable to provide a projection 21 around the electrode 5a for limiting the posture of the user at the time of measurement. In this case, at the time of measurement, the projection 21 allows the user to extend his elbow, for example. By being restricted to the posture in which the wrist 9 is brought into close contact with the electrode 5a, it becomes easy to bring the wrist 9 into close contact with the electrode 5a. It is preferable that the protrusion 21 be movable. In this case, when the wrist 9 is put on the protrusion 21, the protrusion 21 is recessed downward, so that the wrist 9 having various thicknesses can be accommodated. .

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. The body fat meter A includes impedance measuring units 2 and 2 for measuring a biological partial impedance, an input unit 3 for inputting required personal physique data, and a storage unit for storing personal data input in the past (FIG. (Not shown), a calculating unit (not shown) for calculating a body fat percentage and the like from the measured impedance value and the input personal physique data, and the input personal data and the calculated body fat percentage are displayed. A main body is constituted by the display unit 4. In the present embodiment, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the device main body 1 and the impedance measuring units 2 and 2 are provided integrally, and the input unit 3 and the display unit 4 are provided on the panel surface 1a of the device main body 1, A pair of electrodes 5a for extracting biological information as electric signals is provided on the electrode surface 2a of the impedance measuring unit 2. The pair of electrodes 5a are arranged along the direction in which the lower arm 8 of the user is extended. The number of the electrodes 5a is one.
The number may be three or more. Although the impedance measuring units 2 and 2 are provided integrally with the device main unit 1, they may be formed separately. In this case, the impedance measuring units 2 and 2 can be used separately from the device main unit 1. Becomes

Here, the panel surface 1a and the electrode surface 2a
Are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane. The inclination direction substantially matches the inclination direction of the wrist 9 when the user's elbow is extended. The left and right impedance measuring units 2 and 2 are arranged at a distance substantially equal to the shoulder width of the user, so that the user can easily attach the wrist 9 to the electrode 5a with the elbow extended. It is.

Thus, as shown in FIG. 2, when a user sits on a chair 10 and performs measurement with a body fat meter A installed on a desk 11, the user prepares for weight, height,
Personal data such as age and gender are input from the input unit 3.
This data content is displayed on the display unit 4 as needed. This personal data is stored in the storage unit as needed. When the measurement button is pressed after the preparation for measurement is completed, a standby mode is set.
In this state, when the user places the wrist 9 on the electrode surface 2a of the impedance measuring unit 2, the measurement starts after a certain time. At this time, since the electrode surface 2a of the impedance measuring unit 2 is not horizontal but inclined, the user can put the wrist 9 on the electrode 5a with the elbow extended. At this time, since the panel surface 1a of the apparatus main body 1 is also inclined, the operation at the time of data input by the input unit 3 becomes easy, and the measurement operation can be performed in a comfortable posture. Although the wrist 9 is applied to the electrode surface 2a, it goes without saying that the measurement may be performed with the lower arm 8 applied.

Thereafter, when the measurement is completed, the body fat percentage, the body fat mass, the body mass index, and the like of the user are calculated from the measured impedance value and the input or called personal data by the calculation unit, and the display unit 4 Is displayed with. At this time,
The body fat percentage, body fat mass, and body mass index measured in the past are called up together with personal data as necessary, and displayed on the display unit 4.

As described above, the body fat percentage and the like can be easily measured just by putting the wrist 9 on the electrode surface 2a of the impedance measuring section 2, so that it is not necessary to use a gel or a paste for wrist measurement as in the prior art. It is very easy for the user to use. Moreover, since the electrode surface 2a of the impedance measuring section 2 is not horizontal but inclined, the electrode 5a can be easily brought into close contact with the wrist 9, and wrist measurement can be performed easily and accurately without using gel or paste. As a result, without reducing measurement accuracy,
Usability can be improved.

Another embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
It is shown in FIG. In each of the following embodiments, the basic structure of the body fat scale A is the same as that of the above embodiment, and the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The display unit 4
And the impedance measuring unit 2 are provided integrally, but may be configured separately, as in the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a case where the panel surface 1a of the apparatus main body 1 is not inclined, and only the electrode surface 2a of the impedance measuring section 2 is inclined. In this case, the user can apply the wrist 9 to the inclined electrode surface 2a in a state where the elbow is extended, and perform the measurement, so that the usability is improved without lowering the measurement accuracy as in the above-described embodiment. be able to. On the other hand, since the panel surface 1a of the apparatus main body 1 is horizontal, the operation at the time of data input is easy, and the display unit 4 is easy to see when confirming the display contents, so that usability is improved.

FIG. 4 shows a case where the entire panel surface 1a and electrode surface 2a can be freely changed between an inclined state and a non-inclined state. For example, a shaft 62 of a rotatable panel portion 60 including the panel surface 1a and the electrode surface 2a is provided at the tip of the base portion 61 so that the panel portion 60 can be fixed in both a tilted state and a non-tilted state. is there. Therefore, when the user places his or her hand on the electrode surface 2a, which is an inclined surface having a predetermined angle θ at the time of measurement, with the elbow extended, the electrode 5a
The wrist can be brought into close contact with the panel surface 1a and the electrode surface 2a by folding the electrode portion 5 during storage.
Has the advantage that it can be returned to a state where it does not incline, becomes compact, and requires a small storage space.

FIG. 5 shows a case where only the electrode section 5 including the electrode surface 2a can be freely changed between a tilted state and a non-tilted state. For example, the axis 7 of the electrode unit 5 including the electrode surface 2a
0 is provided at the tip of the base 7 so that the electrode portion 5 can be fixed in both a tilted state and a non-tilted state. Therefore, the wrist can be brought into close contact with the electrode 5a by placing a hand on the electrode surface 2a which has been inclined during measurement, and the panel can be folded by folding the electrode portion 5 as shown in FIG. The entire surface 1a and the electrode surface 2a can be returned to a state in which they do not incline, so that the surface 1a and the electrode surface 2a are compact, and the storage space is small. On the other hand, since the panel surface 1a of the apparatus main body 1 is not inclined and is horizontal, there is an advantage that the display unit 4 is always easy to see and the displayed contents can be easily checked.

FIG. 6 shows a case where the inclination angle θ of the electrode section 5 including the electrode surface 2a is made variable. For example, the shaft 70 of the electrode section 5 is provided at the tip of the base 7 ', and the electrode section 5 can be freely changed at an arbitrary inclination angle θ. Therefore, the inclination angle θ of the electrode surface 2a, which has become the inclined surface, can be changed in accordance with the angle of the hand to be applied by the user at the time of measurement, and the user with various physiques can extend the wrist with the elbow extended to the electrode 5a. It can be brought into close contact and can be stored compactly when stored.

FIG. 7 shows a case where the inclination angle of the electrode surface 2a is variable during measurement. For example, electrode surface 2
A shaft 70 is provided at the distal end of a, and the base end side of the electrode surface 2a is supported from below by a coil spring 72, whereby the inclination angle of the electrode surface 2a is rotatable about the shaft 70 at the end side. It has become. Therefore, since the inclination angle of the electrode surface 2a can be changed according to the angle of the hand applied by the user at the time of measurement, users of various sizes can make their wrists adhere to the electrode 5a with their elbows extended. . Moreover,
Since the inclination angle of the electrode surface 2a can be changed by the coil spring 72, the individual difference in the force with which the electrode 5a presses the wrist is small and stable, and the bioimpedance can be measured accurately.

FIG. 8 shows a structure in which a shaft 70 is provided at the center of the electrode surface 2a, and the end of the electrode surface 2a is supported by a coil spring 72 from below. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. Thereby, the inclination angle of the electrode surface 2a can be changed around the central axis 70, and the inclination angle of the electrode surface 2a can be changed in accordance with the angle of the hand applied to the user during measurement. A user of various physiques can make the wrist adhere to the electrode 5a with the elbow extended. In addition, since the shaft 70 of the electrode surface 2a is located at the center, almost the entire weight of the user's arm is applied to the entire electrode 5a, and the bioimpedance can be measured accurately and accurately.

FIG. 9 shows a case where the inclination angle of the electrode surface 2a is made variable according to the angle of the user's hand.
A shaft 70 is provided at one end of the electrode surface 2a, and the other end is supported from below by a control rod 81 which can move forward and backward via a pressure sensor 80. When the user places his or her wrist on the electrode surface 2a during measurement, the pressure sensor 80 senses and the control rod 81 moves in a protruding direction, and accordingly, the angle of the electrode surface 2a increases, and the arm of the user increases. When the electrode and the electrode surface 2a become parallel to each other, the load applied to the control rod 81 becomes the largest, and is maintained at this position until the measurement is completed. After the measurement is completed, when the user releases his / her hand, the control rod 81 retreats and the electrode surface 2a is automatically stored. Therefore, the inclination angle of the electrode surface 2a can be automatically adjusted to the angle of the user's hand, and the user of various sizes can easily bring the wrist into close contact with the electrode 5a with the elbow extended. become able to.

FIG. 10 shows a case where the inclination angle of the electrode 5a is made variable during measurement. The pair of electrodes 5a are individually attached to two concave portions 85 provided on the base 7 of the impedance measuring section. In each concave portion 85, a spring 86 for supporting the electrode 5a from below is provided. Each electrode 5a is connected to an electrode contact 88 attached to the bottom of the recess 85 via a lead wire 87, and further connected to the impedance measuring section 2. Therefore, when the electrode 5a is pressed by the wrist from the upper surface by supporting the electrode 5a with the spring 86, the electrode 5a is pushed inside by its weight. At this time, the pushing amount and the pushing angle are free to some extent, so that it is possible to cope with various ways of applying the wrist, and a laterally protruding brim portion 89 is formed below the electrode 5a. While the angle of the electrode 5a is variable, it is possible to reliably prevent the electrode 5a from coming off the electrode surface 2a.

FIG. 11 shows a case where a projection 21 for limiting the user's posture during measurement is provided around the electrode 5a. The protrusions 21 are provided, for example, on both left and right sides of the electrode 5a and serve to guide the wrist. The upper surfaces of the protrusions 21 are formed in a substantially circular arc surface that is inclined downward as approaching the electrode 5a. This helps the user to put the wrist 9 on the electrode 5a during measurement. Therefore, the user can easily attach the wrist 9 to the electrode 5 with the elbow extended.
a, and the projection 21 restricts the user's posture, so that measurement can be performed easily.

FIG. 12 shows a case where the protrusion 21 for restricting the posture at the time of measurement shown in FIG. 11 is movable vertically. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG. The vertically movable projection 21 is supported from below by, for example, a coil spring, and assists the user to put the wrist 9 at the time of measurement, and when the wrist 9 is put on the projection 21, the projection 21 itself is accordingly attached. The wrist 9 is recessed downward, so that it is possible to cope with wrists and arms of various thicknesses, and even people of different physiques can easily bring the wrist 9 into close contact with the electrode 5a.

[0028]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an impedance measuring unit for measuring the impedance of a living body, and an input unit for inputting required personal physique data. A computing unit that calculates the body fat percentage and the like from the input impedance value and the input personal physique data, etc., and a display unit that displays the input personal data and the calculated body fat percentage, and the biological information as an electric signal. Since the electrode surface for taking out is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane at the time of measurement, the body fat percentage etc. can be easily measured just by putting the wrist on the electrode, so gels and pastes for wrist measurement like conventional Is no longer necessary, and the user becomes very easy to use. In addition, since the electrode surface of the impedance measuring unit is not horizontal but inclined, it is easy to bring the electrode into close contact with the wrist, and wrist measurement can be performed easily and accurately without using gel or paste. As a result, usability can be improved without lowering measurement accuracy.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, since the electrode surface can be returned to a state where it is not inclined, the whole body fat scale can be made compact when stored, and the storage space can be reduced. , Which makes it even easier to use. According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, since the upper surface of the entire device including the electrode surface can be freely changed between the inclined state and the non-inclined state, the device including the electrode surface at the time of measurement is provided. By fixing the entire upper surface in an inclined state, the user can apply the wrist to the electrode surface with the elbow extended, and when stored, the upper surface of the entire device including the electrode surface is returned to the non-inclined state. As a result, the entire apparatus becomes compact and the storage space is small.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, since only the electrode portion including the electrode surface can be changed between the inclined state and the non-inclined state, the electrode surface can be changed during measurement. By tilting the electrode section including, the user can hit the wrist to the electrode with the elbow extended, and when storing it, the electrode section is returned to the non-tilted state to be compact, so that the storage space is small. I'm done.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of any one of the second to fourth aspects, the inclination angle of the inclined surface including the electrode surface is variable, so that the user can perform measurement at the time of measurement. By changing the angle of inclination of the electrode surface 2a in accordance with the angle of the hand to be hit, a user of various physiques can make the wrist adhere to the electrode with the elbow extended. The invention according to claim 6 provides, in addition to the effect according to claim 5,
Since the inclination angle of the inclined surface is variable at the time of measurement, the inclination angle of the inclined surface including the electrode surface can be changed according to the angle of the hand applied by the user at the time of measurement, and the user of various physiques can hold the elbow. The wrist can be brought into close contact with the electrode in a stretched state.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the fifth aspect, the angle of inclination of the inclined surface is variable about the end of the inclined surface as an axis. Since the inclination angle of the electrode surface can be changed according to the angle, users of various physiques can keep the wrist in close contact with the electrode with the elbow extended, and the inclination angle of the inclined surface can be changed In addition, individual differences in the force with which the electrode presses the wrist are small and stable, and the bioimpedance can be accurately measured.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the fifth aspect, the angle of inclination of the inclined surface is variable about the center of the inclined surface as an axis. The center of the body can be changed freely as an axis, and the inclination angle of the electrode surface can be changed according to the angle of the hand that the user touches during measurement, so that users of various physiques can use the wrist with the elbow extended Can be adhered to. Moreover,
Since the axis of the inclined surface is located at the center of the electrode portion, almost all of the weight of the user's arm is applied to the entire electrode, and the bioimpedance can be measured accurately and accurately.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the fifth aspect, the inclination angle of the inclined surface can be automatically changed in accordance with the angle of the user's hand. When the user places the wrist on the electrode surface, it is possible to change the angle of the electrode surface until it is parallel to the wrist, so that the inclination angle of the inclined surface can be automatically adjusted to the angle that the user's wrist touches. The user can easily attach the wrist to the electrode while the elbow is extended, with the user having various sizes.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the fifth aspect, since the inclination angle of the electrode can be changed at the time of measurement, even if the upper surface of the electrode is pressed by the wrist, the electrode is weighted by the weight. Is pushed inside. Therefore, the pushing angle of the electrode is free to some extent, and it is possible to cope with various wrist contact methods. According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, a projection for restricting the posture of the user at the time of measurement is provided around the electrode. Is restricted to the posture in which the wrist is in close contact with the electrode with the elbow extended, so that the wrist can be easily in close contact with the electrode.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention,
In addition to the effects described, since the protrusion is movable, for example, by placing the wrist on the protrusion, so that it is recessed downward, it becomes possible to respond to wrists of various thicknesses, The user can easily bring the wrist into close contact with the electrode with the elbow extended.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a side view.

2 (a) and 2 (b) are explanatory diagrams of a measurement operation, and FIG. 2 (c) is an enlarged view of a portion (a) of FIG.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of still another embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a side view.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of still another embodiment, and FIG. 4B is a side view.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of still another embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a side view.

FIG. 6 is a side view of still another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of still another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of still another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a side view of still another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of still another embodiment.

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of still another embodiment, and FIG.
Is a side view.

FIG. 12 is a front view of still another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A Body fat meter 2 Impedance measurement unit 2a Electrode surface 3 Input unit 4 Display unit 5 Electrode unit 5a Electrode 21 Projection θ Tilt angle

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Maki Hirakawa 1048 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd. In company

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. An impedance measuring unit for measuring a biological partial impedance, an input unit for inputting required personal physique data, and calculating a body fat percentage and the like from a measured impedance value, input personal physique data and the like. And a display unit for displaying the input personal data and the calculated body fat percentage, wherein an electrode surface for extracting biological information as an electric signal is in a state inclined with respect to a horizontal plane at the time of measurement. A body fat scale characterized by the following. 2. The body fat meter according to claim 1, wherein the electrode surface can return to a state where the electrode surface does not tilt. 3. The body fat meter according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the entire device including the electrode surface is freely variable between a tilted state and a non-tilted state. 4. The body fat meter according to claim 1, wherein only the electrode portion including the electrode surface is variable between an inclined state and a non-inclined state. 5. The body fat meter according to claim 2, wherein the inclination angle of the inclined surface including the electrode surface is variable. 6. The body fat meter according to claim 5, wherein the inclination angle of the inclined surface is variable during measurement. 7. The body fat meter according to claim 5, wherein the inclination angle of the inclined surface is variable about an end of the inclined surface as an axis. 8. The body fat meter according to claim 5, wherein the angle of inclination of the inclined surface is variable about the central portion of the inclined surface as an axis. 9. The body fat meter according to claim 5, wherein the inclination angle of the inclined surface can be automatically changed according to the angle of the user's hand. 10. The body fat meter according to claim 5, wherein the inclination angle of the electrode is variable during measurement. 11. The body fat meter according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion is provided around the electrode to limit a posture of the user at the time of measurement. 12. The body fat meter according to claim 11, wherein the protrusion is movable.