JP2018050650A - Connection component for wearable apparatus and wearable apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection component for a wearable device which reduces a burden such as a feeling of pressure and pain physically given to a body. A connector for a wearable device includes a housing provided with a living body facing surface made of a flexible material, and a connector whose terminals are exposed in a direction other than the living body facing surface. In this configuration, since the living body facing surface that comes into direct or indirect contact with the living body such as the human body is flexible, a connection component for a wearable device that physically reduces the burden of pressure and pain on the living body is provided. be able to. [Selection diagram] Fig. 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a wearable device connection part and a wearable device.

  An apparatus for measuring biological information using a wearable sensor worn by a human body has been developed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a plurality of sensors that are distributed in an inner shirt, a wiring that is disposed in the inner shirt and transmits a sensor signal, and a biological signal processing circuit that processes a biological signal received through the wiring. A technique of a biological information collecting apparatus having the above is disclosed.

  When using a technique such as Patent Document 1, it is desirable that sensors, wiring, and the like do not give the wearer a sense of incongruity. As a technology that makes this possible, fabrics that have both high conductivity and flexibility have been developed (for example, Non-Patent Document 1). By using such a fabric, it is possible to reduce the uncomfortable feeling that the sensor or electrode has on the body. In addition, a clothes-type device that connects and fixes a communication electronic device to a piece of clothing made using such a cloth with a snap button has been developed (for example, Non-Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-070917

Toray Industries, Inc. website “hitoe (registered trademark)-Hito-TORAY”, [searched September 9, 2016], Internet <URL: http://www.hitoe-toray.com/> Goldwin website “C3fit IN-pulse special site”, [searched on September 9, 2016], Internet <URL: http://www.goldwin.co.jp/c3fit/inpulse/>

  However, in the method of connecting a communication electronic device to a supple sensor or wear with a snap button, the communication electronic device is hard, so that there is a problem that a sense of incongruity to the body remains during measurement. Further, when the number of sensing targets is increased, for example, by acquiring myoelectricity of the whole body, the number of snap buttons is increased and the device becomes large, so that the uncomfortable feeling is further increased.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wearable device connection part that reduces the burden of pressure, pain, and the like physically applied to the body.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the wearable device connection component includes a housing having a living body facing surface made of a flexible material, and a connector in which a terminal is exposed in a direction other than the living body facing surface.

  An effect of the present invention is that it is possible to provide a connection part for a wearable device that reduces the burden of pressure, pain, and the like physically applied to the body.

It is a side view which shows 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows the comparative example using a general technique. It is sectional drawing which shows the connection method of a general technique. It is sectional drawing which shows the utilization scene of a general technique. It is a side view which shows one specific example of 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows another specific example of 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows another specific example of 3rd Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows 4th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows 5th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows 6th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the specific example of 6th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows 7th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of 7th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows another modification of 7th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the preferred embodiments described below are technically preferable for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the invention is not limited to the following. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the same component of each drawing, and description may be abbreviate | omitted.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a side view showing a wearable device connection part 1 according to the first embodiment. The wearable device connecting component 1 includes a housing 10 having a living body facing surface 10a made of a flexible material, and a connector 20 in which a terminal 21 is exposed in a direction other than the living body facing surface 10a.

  The housing 10 can accommodate the electronic device 30, for example. For example, the electronic device 30 processes a signal received via the connector 20 or transmits the signal to the outside. For example, the electronic component 32 can be mounted on the substrate 31 and electrically connected to the terminal 21 of the connector 20 via the connection member 33.

  The connector 20 can be connected to the mating connector 40. The mating connector 40 includes, for example, a mating terminal 41 that is connected to the terminal 21 of the connector 20 and a mating external terminal 42 that is an electrical contact point between the mating terminal 41 and an external electronic device. .

  According to the present embodiment described above, since the living body facing surface that directly or indirectly contacts a living body such as a human body is flexible, the wearable device that reduces a burden such as a feeling of pressure or pain physically applied to the living body. Connection parts can be provided.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a wearable device 50 which is an example of an application of the wearable device connection part 1. The wearable device 50 includes a wear 51, a wearable device connection part 1, and a mating connector 40.

  The wear 51 has, for example, a torso that houses the body and has an opening through which the head passes and a sleeve that passes through the upper limb so that it can be worn on the upper body. A plurality of sensor cables 52 for obtaining biological information are installed on the wear 51 by bonding or stitching. The sensor cable 52 is connected to the counterpart connector 40, and the counterpart connector 40 is connected to the wearable device connection component 1. Thus, the sensor cable 52 is electrically connected to an electronic device (not shown) housed in the wearable device connection part 1.

  In this configuration, the living body facing surface 10 a of the wearable device connection part 1 faces the body side of the wear 61. In this embodiment, since the living body facing surface 10a is flexible, when a person wears the wear 51, the wearable device connecting part 1 does not give a person a feeling of pressure or pain. In the example of FIG. 2, the number of sensor cables 52 is set to 10 and 10 contacts are connected. However, even if the number of contacts is further increased, the same effect can be obtained without any problem.

  The sensor cable 52 can be used as wiring. In this case, it is possible to detect a very small amount of current flowing through the body by installing an electrode at a desired body location, or to collect signals from various sensors in an electronic device housed in the wearable device connection part 1. Sensing can also be performed by utilizing the fact that the electrical resistance of the sensor cable 52 itself changes due to expansion and contraction and body temperature. For example, an electronic device (not shown) can process biological signals such as posture, body temperature, electrocardiogram, and myoelectricity by processing signals such as electrical resistance and current received from the sensor cable 52 with a built-in microcomputer. The acquired information is processed in the electronic device and can be stored in a built-in memory or sent to a server, a smartphone or the like by a wireless circuit. The wear 51 may be configured to store the lower body or the whole body.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the wearable device can be used without causing the user to feel pressure or pain.
<Comparative example>
As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if a configuration in which a large number of wirings are connected, a person does not feel pressure or pain. On the other hand, when a general technique is used, the number of contacts increases. There is a problem of increasing the feeling of pressure and pain felt by people. This problem will be described using a comparative example.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a wearable device 50a using a snap button 53, which is a general connection method between the sensor cable 52 and the electronic device. The number of contacts that the sensor cable 52a connects to the electronic device is 10 as in FIG. Here, the state where the electronic device is removed is shown.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection structure using the snap button 53. A spring 33a is provided on the electronic device 30a side. The spring 33a is connected to the wiring 34a and is electrically connected to the circuit of the electronic device 30a. On the side of the wear 51a, a genco 53a and a side 53b are provided so as to sandwich the wear 51a and the sensor cable 52a. When the genco 53a is fitted into the spring 33a, the sensor cable 52a and the circuit of the electronic device 30a are electrically connected.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state when the snap buttons 53 are arranged in 5 × 2 rows as shown in FIG. Five snap buttons 53_1-5 are fitted to the spring 33a of the electronic device 30a. The cross section of the body 100 is a curve, whereas the cross section of the electronic device 30a is a straight line. Therefore, in this example, the snap buttons 53_1, 4, and 5 are floating. For this reason, while the wear 51a is pulled, the load applied to the snap button 53_3 is increased. As a result, the stress that the body 100 receives is increased.

  As described above, when a general technique is used, as the number of connection points increases, a feeling of pressure, pain, discomfort, and the like are likely to occur. Also, it takes time to connect, and connection failure or disconnection is likely to occur, such as forgetting to attach or not being surely connected. On the other hand, in this embodiment, even if the number of connection points increases, no pain or uncomfortable feeling occurs. Furthermore, since each contact can be accurately connected by a connector, connection failure or mistake does not occur.

(Third embodiment)
As described in the first embodiment, in the wearable device connecting component 1, the living body facing surface 10a of the housing 10 is flexible, and the terminal 21 of the connector 20 is exposed in a direction other than the living body facing surface 10a. That's fine. For this reason, various variations of the form of the housing 10 are possible. FIG. 6 is a side view showing an example. In this example, the connector 20a having the male terminal 21a is exposed in a direction perpendicular to the living body facing surface 10a. A connector 20b having a female terminal 21b is exposed from the surface opposite to 20a.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another example. The housing 10 is divided into a body-side housing 11 and an outer housing 12 made of a flexible material, and is joined at a joint portion. An uneven portion is provided in the joint, and the body side housing 11 and the outer housing 12 are fitted, joined by adhesion or the like, and encloses the electronic device 30. The connector 20 is embedded in the opening of the outer casing 12 provided on the opposite side of the living body facing surface 10a.

  As a material for forming the housing 10, for example, various rubbers, sponges, and the like can be used. There are many types of these rubbers and sponges, and various types can be used. Examples of suitable materials include silicone rubber and polyvinyl alcohol sponge.

  In the electronic device 30, a hard substrate 31 or a battery 35 on which electronic components 32 are mounted divided by function are electrically connected by a flexible connecting member. The board 31 has functions such as a microcomputer, a memory, a wireless circuit, and an antenna.

  The electronic device 30 is not fixed to the housing 10 so as to be able to move in the space in the housing 10, but is supported by the body-side housing 11 and the outer housing 12, and the flexible column 13 provided inside each. ing. Further, a partition wall 14 is provided at a predetermined location such as between the substrate 31 and the battery 35 so that the respective components do not interfere with each other. With the above configuration, the electronic device 30 can easily follow the body line such as the human body together with the body-side housing 11, and the load is not concentrated on the local part of the body.

  FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an example in which the outer casing 12a is made of a flexible material. Other components are the same as in the example of FIG. That is, the body side casing 11a has flexibility, and the electronic device 30 can follow the deformation of the body side casing 11a. As long as the outer casing 12a can follow the deformation of the body-side casing 11a, the outer casing 12a does not necessarily have flexibility.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to configure a wearable device connection part that achieves both reduction of the burden on the user and protection of contents such as an electronic device.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which a wearable device in which a wear 51 having a sensor cable 52 and a wearable device connection part 1 are connected is attached to the body 100.

  The wear 51 holds the counterpart connector 40 connected to the sensor cable 52, and the connector 20 of the wearable device connection component 1 is connected to the counterpart connector 40. Although not shown, an electronic device that is electrically connected to the connector 20 is housed inside the housing 10 of the wearable device connection part 1. The sensor cable 52 and the mating external terminal 42 of the mating connector 40 are connected by a conductive adhesive 54.

  The wearable device connecting component 1 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the wear 51 and the body 100. The fitting of the two connectors serves to electrically and physically fix the wearable device connecting part 1 and the wear 51, but if the fixing force with the wear 51 is insufficient, a hook-and-loop fastener or the like is used as the wearable device. It may be attached to both ends of the connecting part 1 for use to assist fixing.

  As described above, the flexible living body facing surface 10a that easily follows the line of the body 100 is directed toward the body, and the connector 20 that is the source of the uncomfortable feeling is arranged outward from the body, thereby reducing the uncomfortable feeling given to the body. It becomes.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an example in which the wearable device according to the present embodiment is mounted on the body 100. As for housing | casing 10_1 of this embodiment, biological body opposing surface 10a_1 has an unevenness | corrugation. Other configurations are the same as those in the fourth embodiment.

  The living body facing surface 10a_1 having the unevenness increases air permeability and provides a sweat dissipation effect. Thereby, the uncomfortable feeling due to stuffiness can be further reduced. The unevenness of the living body facing surface 10a_1 may be provided with, for example, a polygonal or circular columnar body or a slit having a polygonal or circular cross-sectional shape.

(Sixth embodiment)
Here, a specific example of connection between the wear 51, the mating connector 40, and the connector 20 will be described. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a specific example of the vicinity of the connecting portion between the connector 20c and the mating connector 40.

  The sensor cable 52 is fixed to the wear 51 by bonding or sewing. The sensor cable 52 is connected to the counterpart external terminal 42 a by a conductive adhesive 54. The connector 20c has a spring terminal 21c, and the spring terminal 21c is electrically connected to the mating terminal 41a of the mating connector 40a. The connector 20 c is locked to the step portion of the housing 10.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of a fitting structure between the connector 20c having the spring terminal 21c and the mating connector 40a. The connector 20c has a spring terminal 21c and a claw 22c. The mating connector 40a has a mating terminal 41a and a step 43a that fits into the claw 22c. FIG. 12A shows a state where the connector 20c and the mating connector 40a are separated. FIG. 12B shows a state in which the claw 22a is pressed against the mating connector 40a and is opened as it is pressed. In FIG. 12C, the connector 20c is pushed to a certain amount, the tip of the claw 22c is fitted into the step 43a of the mating connector 40a, and the connector 20c and the mating connector 40a are electrically connected and physically fixed. It shows the state that was done.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the connector of the connecting part for wearable device and the counterpart connector can be reliably connected.

(Seventh embodiment)
In the fourth and fifth embodiments, the example of the wearable device in which the connecting part for the wearable device and the body are in direct contact with each other has been described, but the wear may be interposed therebetween.

  FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a wearable device in which the wear 51 includes a bag portion 55 that houses the wearable device connection part 1. By providing the bag portion 55, the cloth of the wear 51 can be interposed between the body 100 and the connecting part 1 for wearable equipment. By storing and fixing the wearable device connection part 1 in the bag portion 55, a feeling of close contact with the body 100 is increased, and a sense of unity with the body 100 is obtained. As a result, the uncomfortable feeling of the wearable device connecting part 1 that can be experienced can be further reduced. Further, since the cloth of the wear 51 is interposed between the wearable device connecting part 1 and the body 100, sweat is easily absorbed / dispersed, and the uncomfortable feeling caused by stuffiness can be reduced.

  14, in addition to the example of FIG. 13, the bag portion 55 has a bag port 56 through which the wearable device connecting component 1 is taken in and out. The bag mouth 56 may be opened and closed by the opening / closing part 57. The wearable device connecting component 1 can be removed via the bag mouth 56 at the time of washing or failure.

  FIG. 15 has substantially the same configuration as the example of FIG. 14, but uses a housing 10_1 in which the living body facing surface 10a_1 of the fifth embodiment has irregularities. By using the housing 10_1, air permeability is further increased, an effect of radiating sweat is obtained, and a sense of incongruity due to stuffiness can be further reduced.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a wearable device that reduces the user's uncomfortable feeling.

A part or all of the above embodiments can be described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited thereto.
(Appendix 1)
A housing made of a flexible material facing the living body and facing the living body;
A connector for a wearable device, comprising: a connector held by the housing and having a terminal exposed in a direction other than the living body facing surface.
(Appendix 2)
The connecting part for wearable device according to appendix 1, wherein the living body facing surface has irregularities.
(Appendix 3)
The wearable device connection part according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic device held in the housing and electrically connected to the connector.
(Appendix 4)
The connection part for wearable device according to attachment 3, wherein the electronic device has a wireless communication function.
(Appendix 5)
The connecting part for wearable device according to appendix 3 or appendix 4, wherein the housing includes a flexible outer housing that is disposed in a direction other than the living body facing surface and protects the electronic device.
(Appendix 6)
The connecting part for wearable device according to appendix 5, wherein the outer casing is made of a flexible material.
(Appendix 7)
The connection part for wearable device according to appendix 5 or appendix 6, wherein there is a space between the electronic device and the housing.
(Appendix 8)
Item 8. The wearable device connection part according to appendix 7, wherein the housing includes a flexible column that supports the electronic device.
(Appendix 9)
The connection part for wearable device according to appendix 7 or appendix 8, wherein the casing includes a partition wall that separates predetermined electronic components held by the electronic device.
(Appendix 10)
The connecting part for wearable device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 9,
A mating connector to which the connector is connected;
A wearable device comprising: a wear for holding the mating connector and worn on a living body.
(Appendix 11)
The wearable device according to claim 8, further comprising a biological measurement sensor that is held by the wear and is electrically connected to the counterpart connector.
(Appendix 12)
The wearable device according to claim 11, further comprising a flexible sensor cable that is held by the wear and electrically connects the biological measurement sensor and the mating connector.
(Appendix 13)
The wearable device according to appendix 11 or appendix 12, wherein the wearable device connecting component includes a signal processing circuit that processes a signal received from the biological measurement sensor.
(Appendix 14)
14. The wearable device according to appendix 13, wherein the wearable device connection component includes a wireless circuit that transmits and receives signals between the signal processing circuit and the outside.
(Appendix 15)
The wearable device according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the wear includes a bag portion that holds the wearable device connection part.
(Appendix 16)
The wearable device according to appendix 15, wherein the bag portion has an opening through which the connecting part for the wearable device is taken in and out.
(Appendix 17)
The wearable device according to appendix 16, wherein the bag portion includes an opening / closing portion that opens and closes the opening.
(Appendix 18)
Create a housing made of a flexible material on the surface facing the living body,
A connector is held in the casing so that a terminal is exposed in a direction other than the living body facing surface. A method for manufacturing a wearable device connection part, comprising:

  The present invention has been described above using the above-described embodiment as an exemplary example. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. That is, the present invention can apply various modes that can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connection part for wearable apparatus 10 Housing | casing 10a Living body opposing surface 11 Body side housing | casing 12 Outer housing | casing 13 Support | pillar 14 Bulkhead 20 Connector 21 Terminal 30 Electronic device 31 Board | substrate 32 Electronic component 33 Connection member 40 Counterpart connector 41 Counterpart terminal 42 Counterpart Side external terminal 50 Wearable device 51 Wear 52 Sensor cable 53 Snap button 54 Conductive adhesive 55 Bag part 56 Bag opening 57 Opening / closing part 100 Body

Claims (10)

A housing made of a flexible material facing the living body and facing the living body;
A connector for a wearable device, comprising: a connector held by the housing and having a terminal exposed in a direction other than the living body facing surface.   The wearable device connection part according to claim 1, wherein the living body facing surface has irregularities.   The wearable device connection part according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic device held in the housing and electrically connected to the connector.   The wearable device connection part according to claim 3, wherein the housing includes a flexible outer housing that is disposed in a direction other than the living body facing surface and protects the electronic device.   The wearable device connection part according to claim 4, wherein there is a space between the electronic device and the housing.   The wearable device connection component according to claim 5, wherein the housing includes a flexible column that supports the electronic device.   The wearable device connection component according to claim 5, wherein the housing includes a partition wall that separates predetermined electronic components held by the electronic device. The wearable device connection part according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
A mating connector to which the connector is connected;
A wearable device comprising: a wear for holding the mating connector and worn on a living body. The wearable device according to claim 8, further comprising a biological measurement sensor that is held by the wear and connected to the mating connector. Create a housing made of a flexible material on the surface facing the living body,
A connector is held in the casing so that a terminal is exposed in a direction other than the living body facing surface. A method for manufacturing a wearable device connection part, comprising:

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