JP2002143110A - Chest unit for detecting and transmitting heartbeat signal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a chest unit 1 the battery and the circuit capsule of which can be replaced while keeping sufficient waterproof property, with respect to the unit 1 which is mounted to a human chest and detects and transmits a heartbeat signal. SOLUTION: A chest unit holder 10 is formed integrally with flexible electrodes 11 and 12 for detecting heartbeat signals and is provided with a hollow part having an opening into which the circuit capsule 18 incorporating the battery is to be fitted closely. The opening is formed on the side, which is not in contact with the human chest, of the holder 10. When the capsule 18 is fitted into the hollow part, terminals 21 and 22 provided at the capsule 18 and the electrodes 11 and 12 of the unit 1 are conducted to detect and transmit the heartbeat signals. After the transmitted heartbeat signals are received by a wrist unit 50, a heartbeat rate is displayed from the heartbeat signals.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heart rate monitor for detecting a heart rate signal at the chest of a human body and displaying the heart rate, and more particularly to a heart rate monitor mounted on the chest of the human body and having a function of wirelessly transmitting the detected heart rate signal. Heartbeat signal detection and transmission chest unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A heartbeat signal detection and transmission chest unit which is attached to the chest of a human body and detects a heartbeat signal is constantly exposed to moisture such as sweat in measuring a heartbeat signal. If this moisture enters the electronic circuit part, the circuit will malfunction,
Parts of the electronic circuit must be sufficiently waterproof. For example, US Pat. No. 5,491,474 describes a technique in which an electronic circuit including a battery is placed in a hermetically sealed capsule and integrally molded with a band attached to the chest of a human body together with electrodes and the like.

[0003] However, the integral molding of these parts into a belt is not only costly with current technology, but also
It is not possible to replace not only the capsule but also the battery when some parts fail or the battery is exhausted. In these cases, the entire heart rate detection and transmission unit must be discarded, resulting in high running costs and disposal that is difficult to process. It creates things.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a sufficient water resistance of an electronic circuit and a sufficient interchangeability of a circuit capsule and a battery incorporating the electronic circuit. Provided is a heartbeat signal detection and transmission chest unit that is waterproof and has a replaceable circuit capsule and battery.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a heart rate signal detecting and transmitting chest unit which is mounted on a chest of a human body and detects and transmits a heart rate signal. The detection / transmission chest unit has a heartbeat signal detection / transmission chest unit holder, a circuit capsule fitted into the heartbeat signal detection / transmission chest unit holder, and an electrode for detecting a heartbeat signal of a human body and inputting the signal to the circuit capsule, The heartbeat signal detection and transmission chest unit holder is integrally formed with the flexible electrode for detecting the heartbeat signal, and the circuit capsule containing the electronic circuit and battery for transmitting the heartbeat signal is in close contact therewith. A hollow portion having an opening to be fitted is provided, and the opening is formed in the chest of the human body in the heartbeat signal detection transmission chest unit holder. An opening on the side that does not touch, and the circuit capsule is fitted into the hollow portion, so that a terminal provided on the circuit capsule and an electrode of the heartbeat signal detection transmission chest unit holder are electrically connected. This is the transmission chest unit.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a battery replacement cover provided on the circuit capsule is located at a position distant from the opened portion provided on the heartbeat signal detection and transmission chest unit holder. The heartbeat signal detection and transmission chest unit according to claim 1.

A third invention is the heartbeat signal detection and transmission chest unit according to the first or second invention, wherein three or more terminals provided on the circuit capsule are provided.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings (corresponding portions in FIGS. 1 to 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals). FIG. 1 shows a heartbeat signal detection and transmission chest unit (hereinafter, referred to as “the chest unit”).
It is described as "chest unit". 1) shows the state of wearing of a human body and the state of use. The chest unit 1 that measures the heartbeat signal and wirelessly transmits the heartbeat signal is a chest unit holder that transmits and detects the heartbeat signal (hereinafter, referred to as a “chest unit holder”).
10 and a circuit capsule 18 fitted in the chest unit holder 10 and electrodes (not shown) for detecting a heartbeat signal of the human body and inputting the signals to the circuit capsule 18. Be attached. On the other hand, a wrist unit 50, which is a receiving unit for the heartbeat signal, is mounted on a human wrist.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show the chest unit 1.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electronic circuit configuration of the wrist unit 50. FIG. 2A shows an electronic circuit configuration of the chest unit 1, and FIG. 2B shows an electronic circuit configuration of the wrist unit 50. As shown in FIG. 2A, an electrode 1 provided on the chest unit 1 and in contact with the chest skin near the heart.
The heartbeat signals detected by the amplifying and filtering devices 1 and 12 are
The heartbeat signal is selectively amplified by 3 and sent to the modulator 15. The carrier generated by the carrier transmitter 14 is modulated by the modulator 15.
Are modulated by the heartbeat signal and transmitted from the transmitting antenna 16. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2B, the transmitted heart rate signal is received by the receiving antenna 51 of the wrist unit 50, and the demodulated / amplified filter 52
After that, the number of heartbeat signals per unit time is counted by the counter 53 and displayed on the display 54. still,
As shown in FIG. 2B, the counter 53 is provided in the wrist unit 50 in this embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the counter 53 may be placed in the chest unit 1, the heartbeat signal may be counted, and then transmitted from the chest unit 1 to the wrist unit 50.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the chest unit 1. As shown in FIG. The chest unit holder 10 is formed in a belt shape using a flexible material such as rubber, urethane or soft elastomer, and has elasticity. Electrodes 11 and 1 are provided on the surface of the chest unit holder 10 that contacts the chest skin.
2 are provided. Further, a strap 17 for attaching the chest unit 1 to the chest is attached.

FIGS. 4A to 4E show the chest unit 1.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of FIG. FIG. 4A is a top view, and FIG.
4B is a side view, FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the side, FIG.
4D is a rear view, and FIG. 4E is a partially enlarged view of a cross section of a side surface. As shown in FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (b) and 4 (c), a hollow portion is provided at a substantially central portion of the belt-shaped chest unit holder 10, and a circuit capsule 18 is provided therein.
Is inlaid. The dimensions of the hollow portion are slightly smaller than the outer dimensions of the circuit capsule 18 and have a shape that substantially covers the circuit capsule 18. By adopting this configuration, when the circuit capsule 18 is fitted into the hollow portion, the circuit capsule 18 is substantially covered in close contact with the chest unit holder 10, so that entry of moisture into the circuit capsule 18 is prevented. Can come off. On the other hand, when the battery in the circuit capsule 18 is replaced or in the event of a failure, the circuit capsule 18 can be detached from the chest unit holder 10.

As shown in FIGS. 4 (c), 4 (d) and 4 (e), electrodes 11 and 12 made of a conductive flexible body are provided on the portion of the chest unit 1 which is in contact with the human chest skin. Is provided. This electrode is integrally formed with the chest unit holder 10 and the other end thereof communicates with the hollow portion, and contacts the terminals 21 and 22 of the circuit capsule 18 described later. , While intrusion of moisture such as sweat can prevent this. FIG.
As shown in (a), (c) and (d), holes 19 and 20 for connecting straps are provided at both ends of the band of the band-shaped chest unit 1.

FIGS. 5A to 5C show the circuit capsule 1.
8 is a diagram illustrating a structure of FIG. FIG. 5A is a top view, and FIG.
5B is a side view, and FIG. 5C is a rear view. FIG.
As shown in (a), (b) and (c), the electronic components 13 to 16 (not shown) constituting the circuit capsule 18 are all made of resin except for the terminals 21 and 22 and the battery. It is sealed inside, making every effort to ensure water resistance.
Further, the lid 23 of the battery box that opens and closes when the battery is replaced.
When the circuit capsule 18 is fitted into the hollow part of the chest unit holder 10, the position is away from the opening of the hollow part, for example, as shown in FIG. Is provided at substantially the center of the battery box to prevent the intrusion of moisture into the battery box, and the battery can be replaced when the battery is exhausted. If necessary, the lid 23 may be provided with a packing.

As shown in FIG. 5C,
The terminals 21 and 22 may be configured by three or more terminals. (FIG. 5 (c) illustrates the case of four.) By adopting this configuration, the following advantages can be obtained. That is, the chest unit 1 according to the present invention turns on the electronic circuit by utilizing the fact that the electrodes 11 and 12 are electrically connected to each other by the electrical impedance of the human chest when the chest unit 1 is attached to the chest. Then, by measuring the frequency of ON / OFF occurrence, it is possible to monitor and detect poor contact between the electrodes 11, 12 and the terminals 21, 22, but if the terminals 21, 22 are composed of three or more terminals, In addition, it is easy to measure the impedance between the terminals independently of the heartbeat signal detection, and it is possible to easily and reliably detect a contact failure.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show different embodiments of the chest unit 1 according to the present invention. In FIG. 6, the opening in the hollow portion of the chest unit holder 30 opens in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the band and parallel to the chest surface.
By adopting this configuration, most of the circuit capsule is covered with the chest unit holder 30, and the mechanical strength is increased, and at the same time, a design that makes the circuit capsule inconspicuous is possible.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show an embodiment emphasizing the detachability of the chest unit holder 40 and the circuit capsule 45. FIG. 7A is a top view, and FIG. 7B is a side sectional view. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the chest unit holder 40 has a ring-shaped opening at the center of the band. In the chest unit holder 40, electrodes 41 and 42 that come into contact with the chest skin are provided and integrally formed. Conductors are connected from the electrodes 41 and 42 to the loop portion, respectively.
Contact terminals 43 and 44 respectively. On the other hand, FIG.
As shown in FIG.
Is constricted in a thread-wound shape, and the constricted portion fits into the loop of the chest unit holder 40 and is fixed. According to this configuration, the chest unit holder 40
Although the waterproofness cannot be expected by the combination with the above, the circuit capsule 45 is easily detachable, so that this is an example suitable for an application in which moisture is frequently wiped. However, in this case, it is preferable that the battery cover provided on the circuit capsule 45 be provided on a surface which does not come into contact with the skin of the human chest, so as to have a structure having an enhanced waterproof effect such as packing.

[0017]

As described above in detail, the present invention relates to a chest unit which is mounted on the chest of a human body and detects and transmits a heartbeat signal, wherein the chest unit is fitted into the chest unit holder and the chest unit holder. It has a circuit capsule and an electrode for detecting a heartbeat signal of a human body and inputting the signal to the circuit capsule, and the chest unit holder is integrally formed with the flexible electrode for detecting the heartbeat signal. And a hollow portion having an opening into which the electronic circuit for transmitting the heartbeat signal and the battery capsule containing the battery are fitted tightly, and the opening does not contact the chest of the human body in the chest unit holder. Side, and the terminal provided in the circuit capsule and the chest unit holder are inserted by fitting the circuit capsule into the hollow portion. The electrodes of the capsule and the battery have sufficient waterproofness to simultaneously satisfy the two issues of sufficient waterproofness of the electronic circuit and ensuring the interchangeability of the capsule and the battery by conducting the electrodes. It has become possible to provide a replaceable chest unit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a use state of a chest unit and a wrist unit in the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic circuit incorporated in a chest unit and a wrist unit according to the present invention. (A) is an electronic circuit configuration of the chest unit.
(B) is an electronic circuit configuration of the wrist unit.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a chest unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged view of a top view, a side view, a side sectional view, a rear view, and a side sectional view of the chest unit according to the present invention. (A) is a top view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a side sectional view, (d) is a rear view, and (e) is a partially enlarged view of a side section.

FIG. 5 is a top view, a side view, and a back view of a circuit capsule according to the present invention. (A) is a top view, (b) is a side view, and (c) is a back view.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a chest unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view and a side sectional view of a chest unit according to different embodiments of the present invention. (A) is a top view and (b) is a side sectional view.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Chest unit 10 Chest unit holder 11, 12 Electrode 18 Circuit capsule 17 Strap 21, 22 Terminal 50 Wrist unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A heartbeat signal detection / transmission chest unit which is mounted on a chest of a human body and detects and transmits a heartbeat signal, wherein the heartbeat signal detection / transmission chest unit includes a heartbeat signal detection / transmission chest unit holder and the heartbeat signal detection / transmission. A circuit capsule fitted in the chest unit holder and an electrode for detecting a heartbeat signal of a human body and inputting the same to the circuit capsule; the heartbeat signal detection transmission chest unit holder has a flexibility for detecting the heartbeat signal; And a hollow portion having an opening in which the electronic circuit for transmitting the heartbeat signal and the circuit capsule containing the battery are tightly fitted. The opening is provided with the heartbeat signal. The detection transmitting chest unit holder is opened on the side not in contact with the chest of the human body, and the circuit capsule is located in the hollow part. Heartbeat signal detected transmission chest units and terminals provided on the circuit capsule by being written and the electrode of the heartbeat signal detecting transmission chest unit holder, characterized in that the conducting. 2. The battery replacement cover provided on the circuit capsule is located at a position distant from the opened portion provided on the heartbeat signal detection and transmission chest unit holder. A heartbeat signal detection and transmission chest unit according to claim 1. 3. The heartbeat signal detection and transmission chest unit according to claim 1, wherein three or more terminals provided on the circuit capsule are provided.