JP2009056010A - Body composition scale - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To measure a subject's body weight, body composition and gravity balance safely and easily using only one apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A body composition scale having a body weight measurement section 5, a body composition measurement section 20 and a balancing ability measurement section 17 in one piece is provided. By using the scale, a subject's body weight, body composition and gravity balance are measured safely and easily in a short time using only one apparatus. By measuring body weight, body composition and gravity balance after an exercise, the subject can determine comprehensively whether the performed exercise is appropriate or not. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a body composition weight scale that integrally measures a subject's body weight, body composition component, and center of gravity balance.

In recent years, prevention and management of lifestyle-related diseases at home has been emphasized. Based on the bioelectrical impedance analysis (Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) method) at the same time as the body weight measurement, the body fat percentage of the measurement site, etc. Body composition scales for measuring body composition components are widely used for home use.
Japanese Patent No. 2760471 Japanese Patent No. 2710223 Japanese Patent No. 2760472

  However, while body composition scales are widely used for home use, measuring instruments for measuring the balance of the center of gravity of a subject are not widely used for home use because of problems in terms of safety and usability. Specifically, when measuring the balance of the center of gravity, the subject must take the posture of standing with one eye closed, so there is a risk of falling. Also, when measuring the center of gravity balance using a center of gravity shake meter, the subject must be held in an upright posture for 30 seconds with both hands pulled out, and the posture tends to change during the measurement. The reproducibility of measured values is poor.

  Although management of body fat and body weight by exercise is well known, little attention has been paid to the relationship between exercise and balance of the center of gravity. The stability of the balance of the center of gravity is maintained by a continuous minute movement between the body segments composed of the head, trunk, and extremities, somatosensory system such as visual system, vestibular system, sole, and muscles, A dynamic system consisting of articulation is involved. In particular, in order to maintain the balance of the center of gravity, it is said that the strength of the back and soleus muscles and the flexibility of the joints are important. From such a background, it is desired to provide a body composition weight scale that can easily and safely measure a subject's body weight, body composition component, and center of gravity balance in a short time.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily and safely measure body weight, body composition components, and center of gravity balance of a subject in a short time. To provide a total.

  The body composition weight scale according to the present invention includes a step on which a subject's foot is placed, at least three load sensors provided inside the step, a current application electrode that applies a weak current to the subject's foot, A voltage measurement electrode that detects the voltage value of the subject's foot when a current is applied to the subject's foot by the current application electrode, and a weight measurement unit that measures the weight of the subject from the load on the step detected by the load sensor And a body composition measuring unit that calculates a subject's bioelectrical impedance from the voltage detected by the voltage measuring electrode, calculates a body composition component of the subject from the calculated bioelectrical impedance, and a step detected by the load sensor. A balance ability measuring unit that measures the balance of the center of gravity of the subject from the load is provided integrally.

  According to the body composition weight scale according to the present invention, since the body weight measurement unit, the body composition measurement unit, and the balance ability measurement unit are integrated, the body weight, body composition component, and center of gravity balance of the subject can be quickly measured with one device. Therefore, the measurement can be performed easily and safely. Further, by measuring the body weight, body composition component, and center of gravity balance after exercise, the subject can comprehensively determine whether the exercise performed was appropriate.

  Hereinafter, the configuration of a body composition weight scale according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
First, with reference to FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. 6, the structure of the body composition weight scale used as the 1st Embodiment of this invention and its measurement operation | movement are demonstrated.

[Composition of body composition weight scale]
As shown in FIG. 1A, a body composition weight scale 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a step 2 on which both feet of a subject are placed and load sensors 3a, 3b, 3c built in the step 2. Current applying electrodes 4a and 4b for applying a weak current to the subject's sole, voltage measuring electrodes 5a and 5b for detecting a voltage value of the subject's sole, a display unit 6 for displaying various information, and a body A power switch 7 for switching on / off the composition weight scale 1 and an input unit 11 operated by a subject are provided as main components. As shown in FIG. 1B, the load sensors 3a, 3b, 3c are fixed to a support plate 8 placed inside the step platform 2, and when a load is applied to the step plate 2, the load passes through the upper plate 9 and the rib 10. Are transmitted to the load sensors 3a, 3b, 3c. The current application electrodes 4a and 4b and the voltage measurement electrodes 5a and 5b are arranged so as to protrude by a predetermined amount from the surface of the step 2 and also serve as marks indicating the position where the foot is placed. The voltage measuring electrodes 5a and 5b are provided with depressions 25 for fitting the heels of the feet.

[Control system configuration]
As shown in FIG. 2, the body composition weight scale 1 includes a load detector 12 that detects a load value applied to the load sensor 3 (3a, 3b, 3c) as a voltage signal, and an analog electrical signal as shown in FIG. A / D converter 13 for converting the digital signal into an electrical signal, a control unit 14 for controlling the overall operation of the body composition weight scale 1, a storage unit 16 for storing various information, and the current application electrode 4 (4a, 4b) includes a current supply unit 18 for applying a current and a voltage detection unit 19 for detecting a voltage value measured by the voltage measurement electrodes 5 (5a, 5b). Moreover, the control part 14 is comprised with the microcomputer, and functions as the body weight measurement part 15, the balance ability measurement part 17, and the body composition measurement part 20 when internal CPU runs a computer program.

[Measurement operation]
Next, the measurement operation of the body composition weight scale 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The flowchart shown in FIG. 3 is a timing when the subject switches the power switch 7 from the off state to the on state and operates the input unit 11 to input his / her basic body information such as age, sex, height, and foot length. The measurement operation starts at step S1.

  In the process of step S1, the subject rides on the depression 25 of the voltage measuring electrodes 5a, 5b so as to fit the sole of the foot, and maintains a constant posture for a predetermined time with the power of both hands removed as shown in FIG. . The load detection unit 12 detects analog voltage values of the load sensors 3a, 3b, and 3c.

  The A / D conversion unit 13 digitally converts the analog voltage value at a predetermined sampling frequency, and stores the digital voltage value in the storage unit 16. The body weight measurement unit 15 calculates the body weight of the subject based on the digital voltage value stored in the storage unit 16 and displays the calculated body weight on the display unit 6. Thereby, the process of step S1 is completed and the measurement operation proceeds to the process of step S2.

  In the process of step S2, the balance capacity measurement unit 17 reads the voltage value stored in the storage unit 16, and uses the read voltage value and the distance between the load sensors 3a, 3b, and 3c that are known in advance. Then, the center-of-gravity position coordinates of the subject are calculated, and the center-of-gravity position coordinates for a few seconds are extracted when the movement amount of the center-of-gravity position coordinates, for example, the movement distance falls within a predetermined range, that is, immediately after the center-of-gravity fluctuation is stabilized. By extracting a few seconds immediately after stabilization, the burden on the subject is reduced and the reproducibility of the sway of the center of gravity is improved. According to such processing, data of the locus 70 of the center of gravity position coordinates as shown in FIG. 5 is obtained. Thereby, the process of step S2 is completed and the measurement operation proceeds to the process of step S3.

  In the process of step S3, the balance capacity measuring unit 17 uses the data of the locus 70 of the center of gravity position coordinates calculated by the process of step S2, and determines the maximum movement range of the center of gravity position within a predetermined time as shown in FIG. The rectangular area 71 and the average barycentric position 72 to be expressed are calculated as the barycentric shaking parameters, and the balance ability level of the subject is determined based on the calculated barycentric shaking parameters and displayed on the display unit 6.

  In the present embodiment, the rectangular area 71 and the average barycentric position 72 are divided into three stages as shown in the table of FIG. 6 based on a database prepared in advance for each age, sex, height, and weight. Nine levels of balance ability are set according to the combination. The balance ability measuring unit 17 refers to the table of FIG. 6 to determine the balance ability level of the subject. For example, when the rectangular area 71 is small and the deviation of the average barycentric position 72 is large, the balance ability level is determined to be “7”. Thereby, the process of step S3 is completed and the measurement operation proceeds to the process of step S4.

  In step S4, the current supply unit 18 supplies an alternating current having a predetermined frequency to the current application electrodes 4a and 4b, and applies a weak current to the soles of the feet via the current application electrodes 4a and 4b. The voltage detector 19 detects the voltage between the voltage measuring electrodes 5a and 5b. The body composition measurement unit 20 calculates the bioelectrical impedance of the subject from the voltage detected by the voltage detection unit 19. Thereby, the process of step S4 is completed and the measurement operation proceeds to the process of step S5.

  In the process of step S5, the body composition measurement unit 20 converts the bioelectrical impedance calculated by the process of step S4 using the basic body information into body composition components such as a body fat percentage, a lean mass, and a muscle mass by the BIA method. The value of the body composition component is displayed on the display unit 6 after conversion. Thereby, the process of step S5 is completed and a series of measurement operation | movement is complete | finished.

  As is apparent from the above description, according to the body composition weight scale 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the body weight measurement unit 5, the body composition measurement unit 20, and the balance ability measurement unit 17 are integrally provided. The body weight, body composition component, and center of gravity balance of a subject can be measured easily and safely in a short time with a single device. Further, by measuring the body weight, body composition component, and center of gravity balance after exercise, the subject can comprehensively determine whether the exercise performed was appropriate.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIG. 7 thru | or FIG. 10, the structure of the body composition weight scale used as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  In the body composition weight scale 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, in the configuration of the body composition weight scale according to the first embodiment, an operation comprising the display unit 6 and the input unit 11 is performed. The part 22 is configured to be detachable from the step platform 2. The operation unit 22 is electrically connected to the step 2 by a connection cable 23, and the connection cable 23 is wound around the inside of the step 2 by a reel. In this body composition weight scale 1, when holding a fixed posture in the measurement operation, the subject 60 holds the operation unit 22 in front of the body with both arms extended as shown in FIG. During the measurement operation, a message such as “Do not move during balance measurement” is displayed on the operation unit 22 as shown in FIG. 9, and after the measurement operation is completed, the balance ability level is displayed as shown in FIG. The In this way, when both arms are extended and the operation unit 22 is gripped in front of the body, the body is slightly tilted forward, but the muscles of the lower limbs for holding the posture by gripping an appropriate heavy object in front In particular, it is possible to perform balance ability evaluation with good reproducibility, in which the soleus muscle works, the center-of-gravity sway is stabilized more quickly than in the case of standing upright without holding anything.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, the configuration of a body composition weight scale according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the body composition scale according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11, in the configuration of the body composition scale according to the first embodiment, the load sensors 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d are feet. Are arranged outside the marks (current application electrodes 4a and 4b and voltage measurement electrodes 5a and 5b) representing the position where the signal is placed. In order to correctly measure the position of the center of gravity of the subject, the center of gravity must be located in the region 26 connecting the centers of the load sensors 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, and the posture of the subject is significantly inclined as shown in FIG. If the center of gravity position 73 is not in the region 26, the center of gravity position cannot be measured correctly. Therefore, by arranging the load sensors 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d outside the mark indicating the position where the foot is placed as in this embodiment, the center of gravity position can be correctly measured even when the center of gravity is biased. .

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, the configuration of a body composition weight scale according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  In the body composition scale according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 13, in the configuration of the body composition scale according to the third embodiment, the current application electrodes 4a and 4b and the voltage measurement electrode 5a are provided. , 5b spread from the heel side toward the toe side at a predetermined angle θ. In general, it is said that the legs spread outward by about 30 degrees while standing naturally. Therefore, by arranging the current application electrodes 4a and 4b and the voltage measurement electrodes 5a and 5b in such a manner, the posture of the subject can be stabilized and measurement can be performed with good reproducibility. Further, in this case, as shown in FIG. 14, a protrusion 27 may be provided at the center portion of the tread plate so that the foot has a predetermined angle from the heel side toward the toe side.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIG. 15, the structure of the body composition weight scale used as the 5th Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  In the body composition weight scale according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 15, in the configuration of the body composition weight scale according to the second embodiment, the platform 2 is divided into left and right, and the left platform Load sensors 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d and load sensors 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d are incorporated in the 2a and right step 2b, respectively. According to such a configuration, the effects of physical function and exercise can be understood in detail by combining the left and right differences in the body composition and the balance of the center of gravity of the body. As an application example, as shown in FIG. 16, the operation unit 22 may be provided with current application electrodes 40a and 40b and voltage measurement electrodes 50a and 50b. According to such a configuration, during the measurement operation, an alternating current is applied to the subject at a predetermined frequency from the current supply unit 18 through the current application electrodes 4a and 40a, and voltage detection is performed through the voltage measurement electrodes 5a and 50a. By detecting the voltage using the unit 19, the body fat percentage, lean mass and muscle mass of the left half of the body can be measured from the impedance between the left hand and the left foot. Similarly, during the measurement operation, an AC current is applied to the subject at a predetermined frequency from the current supply unit 18 through the current application electrodes 4b and 40b, and the voltage is detected by the voltage detection unit 19 through the voltage measurement electrodes 5b and 50b. By detecting this, the body fat percentage, lean mass, and muscle mass of the right half of the body can be measured from the impedance between the right hand and the right foot. As a result, the body fat percentage on the left and right sides of the body, lean mass, muscle mass, and left and right balance ability can be understood. The effect of will be understood in more detail.

[Sixth Embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18, the structure of a body composition weight scale according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the body composition weight scale according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention is connected to the platform 2a, 2b in addition to the configuration of the body composition weight scale according to the fifth embodiment. 28 and a handle portion 29 attached to the side surfaces of the footrests 2a and 2b. Moreover, the connection part 28 is comprised by the hinge, and the step 2a and the step 2b are comprised so that it can rotate centering | focusing on the connection part 28. As shown in FIG. In this body composition weight scale, the subject can fold the step 2a, 2b around the connecting portion 28 as shown in FIGS. 18 (a), 18 (b) after the measurement operation is finished, so that the storage property is good. Since the handle portion 29 is provided, it is easy to carry. As an application example, as shown in FIG. 19, a protruding portion 32 made of an elastic body such as rubber may be provided at a symmetrical position when viewed from the connecting portion 28 of the step platform 2a, 2b. According to such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 20, when the step 2a, 2b is folded, the impact due to the contact between the steps 2a, 2b is reduced, and the main body can be prevented from being damaged.

[Seventh Embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22, the configuration of a body composition weight scale according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the body composition weight scale according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention has a stretchability for connecting the platform 2a, 2b in addition to the configuration of the body composition weight scale according to the fifth embodiment. Provided with an elastic body 33 and a handle portion 29 attached to the side surfaces of the footrests 2a and 2b. In this body composition weight scale, since the step bases 2a and 2b are connected by an elastic body 33 having elasticity, the distance between the step bases 2a and 2b is variable within a predetermined range as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 23, since the distance between both feet is different between the child 60a and the adult 60b, according to such a configuration, when the child 60a performs a measurement operation, the distance between the step platforms 2a and 2b is shortened. When the adult 60b performs the measurement operation, the weight, the balance of the center of gravity, and the body composition can be appropriately measured by increasing the distance between the steps 2a and 2b. After the measurement is completed, the step 2a, 2b can be folded around the elastic body 33 as shown in FIG. 24, so that the stowage is good and the handle portion 29 is provided so that it can be easily carried.

  As mentioned above, although the embodiment to which the invention made by the present inventor is applied has been described, the present invention is not limited by the description and the drawings that form part of the disclosure of the present invention according to this embodiment. For example, in this embodiment, the depression 25 is provided in the buttocks to align the subject's feet, but the depression 25 may be provided on the toe side. The electrode may be a model of a foot. In this embodiment, the movement distance of the gravity center position coordinates is used as an index for stabilizing the gravity center fluctuation. However, the movement distance of the gravity center position coordinates only in the X direction or only in the Y direction, or the area of the moved range may be used. . Alternatively, the center-of-gravity fluctuation is not stable, for example, the center-of-gravity position coordinates for a few seconds immediately after putting a foot on may be used for determining the balance ability level. In this embodiment, the balance ability level is determined by combining the rectangular area and the average gravity center position as the center-of-gravity fluctuation parameters. However, the locus length, locus length / rectangular area, center-of-gravity moving speed, maximum lateral displacement, longitudinal direction, The balance ability level may be determined by combining the maximum displacement, the frequency component, or the like alone. Further, the measurement operation may not be performed in the order of the body weight, the body composition, and the center of gravity balance, and may be performed simultaneously. In this embodiment, the connection cable 23 is provided between the operation unit 22 and the main body. However, communication means are provided on the operation unit 22 side and the main body, respectively, so that signals can be transmitted and received wirelessly using radio waves, light, and the like. May be. Although body fat, lean mass, and muscle mass were calculated from bioelectrical impedance, subcutaneous fat mass, visceral fat mass, water content, bone mass, and basal metabolic rate may be estimated. As described above, it is a matter of course that all other embodiments, examples, operation techniques, and the like made by those skilled in the art based on this embodiment are included in the scope of the present invention.

It is the top view and sectional drawing which show the structure of the body composition weight scale used as the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the body composition weight scale shown in FIG. It is a flowchart figure which shows the flow of the measurement operation | movement used as embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the test subject's attitude | position in the case of the measurement operation | movement using the body composition weight scale shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the locus | trajectory of a test subject's gravity center position in the predetermined time, the rectangular area showing the maximum movement range of a gravity center position, and an average gravity center position. It is a figure which shows the correspondence of a rectangular area, an average gravity center position, and a balance capability level. It is a top view which shows the structure of the body composition weight scale used as the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows a test subject's attitude | position in the case of the measurement operation | movement using the body composition weight scale shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of the operation part during measurement operation | movement. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a display of the operation part after measurement operation completion. It is a top view which shows the structure of the body composition weight scale used as the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the state to which a test subject's attitude | position is remarkably inclined and a gravity center position is not in a predetermined area | region. It is a top view which shows the structure of the body composition weight scale used as the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the structure of the application example of the body composition weight scale shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the structure of the body composition weight scale used as the 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the structure of the application example of the body composition weight scale shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the structure of the body composition weight scale used as the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the folding operation | movement of the step stool after the measurement operation completion in the body composition weight scale shown in FIG. It is a top view which shows the structure of the application example of the body composition weight scale used as the 6th Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram for explaining the folding operation of the step after completion of the measurement operation in the body composition weight scale shown in FIG. 19. It is a top view which shows the structure of the body composition weight scale used as the 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the body composition weight scale for demonstrating a mode that the elastic body shown in FIG. 21 expands and contracts. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the distance between steps when a child and an adult perform measurement operation. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the folding operation | movement of the step stool after completion of the measurement operation | movement in the body composition weight scale shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

1: Body composition weight scale 2: Steps 3a, 3b, 3c: Load sensors 4a, 4b: Current application electrodes 5a, 5b: Voltage measurement electrodes 6: Display unit 7: Power switch 8: Support plate 9: Upper plate 10: Rib 11: input unit 12: load detection unit 13: A / D conversion unit 14: control unit 15: weight measurement unit 16: storage unit 17: balance ability measurement unit 18: current supply unit 19: voltage detection unit 20: body composition measurement Part 21: Display part 25: Dimple

Claims (8)

A step on which the subject's feet can be placed;
At least three load sensors provided inside the step,
A current application electrode for applying a weak current to the sole of the subject;
A voltage measuring electrode for detecting a voltage value of the subject's sole when applying a current to the subject's sole by the current application electrode; and
A weight measuring unit for measuring the weight of the subject from the load applied to the step detected by the load sensor;
A body composition measuring unit that calculates a bioelectrical impedance of the subject from the voltage detected by the voltage measuring electrode, and calculates a body composition component of the subject from the calculated bioelectrical impedance;
A body composition weight scale comprising a balance ability measuring unit that measures a balance of the center of gravity of a subject from a load applied to a step detected by the load sensor.   The body composition weight scale according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit detachably attached to the stepping platform, wherein the subject measures weight, bioelectrical impedance, and center of gravity balance in a posture in which the operation unit is held forward with both hands. A body composition weighing scale.   The body composition weight scale according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a mark indicating a position on which the subject places his / her foot is on the surface of the step, and the load sensor is disposed inside the step outside the mark. Body composition weight scale characterized.   The body composition weight scale according to claim 3, wherein the mark has a spread at a predetermined angle from the heel toward the toes.   The body composition weight scale according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the step is divided into right and left, and at least three or more load sensors are provided inside each step. Body composition weight scale.   6. The body composition weight scale according to claim 5, wherein the platform divided into right and left is connected by a connecting portion that rotatably supports the platform.   6. The body composition weight scale according to claim 5, wherein the platform divided into right and left is connected by an elastic body having elasticity that supports the platform so as to be rotatable.   The body composition weight scale according to claim 6 or 7, wherein protrusions made of an elastic body are provided at symmetrical positions when viewed from the dividing line of the left and right step stool. .

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