KR102331549B1 - Glove for assisting finger movement - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a glove for assisting finger movement, comprising: a back support part for supporting the back of the user's hand in a direction from the back of the hand to the palm of the hand; a finger support part connected to the back support part of the hand and in contact with the upper surface of the user's finger; and a glove part surrounding the back support part of the hand and the finger support part and exposing at least a part of the user's palm, wherein the strength of at least a part of the finger support part is lower than the strength of the back support part of the hand.

Description

Gloves for assisting finger movement {GLOVE FOR ASSISTING FINGER MOVEMENT}

The present invention relates to a glove for assisting finger movement, and to a glove for assisting finger movement for assisting users with abnormal finger movement.

Stroke, Parkinson's disease, Lou Gehrig's, spinal nerve damage, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, etc. paralyze the patient's hand, restricting various movements necessary for daily life. The diseases listed above may be accompanied by symptoms such as hand paralysis or shriveled fingers, depending on the condition. If the paralysis of the hand and the shriveling of the fingers are continuously left unattended, the muscles or joints gradually harden and feel pain when moving, and even if the nerves are restored, it may interfere with normal activities.

In addition, the elderly or rehabilitation patients with weak muscle strength have difficulty in joint movement compared to healthy people, and it is practically difficult to rehabilitate or exercise through general exercise equipment. Therefore, in order for patients with abnormal finger movements to move their fingers like normal people or to perform rehabilitation exercises, a device for assisting patients with their finger movements is required.

Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1640157, 2016.07.11. Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1914136, 2018.10.26 Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1941523, 2019.01.17

An object of the present invention is to provide a glove for assisting finger movement capable of assisting finger movement.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is a finger that can increase the rehabilitation treatment effect by enabling an effective finger rehabilitation exercise by elastic force when a user who needs finger rehabilitation exercise performs repetitive rehabilitation exercise of squeezing or stretching a finger It is to provide movement aid gloves.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

An object of the present invention is to support the back of the hand for supporting the back of the user's hand in the palm direction from the back of the hand; a finger support part connected to the back support part of the hand and in contact with the upper surface of the user's finger; and a glove part surrounding the back support part and the finger support part and exposing at least a part of the user's palm, wherein the strength of at least a part of the finger support part is lower than the strength of the back support part of the hand. can be achieved by

An object of the present invention is a palm support for supporting the palm of the user in the direction from the palm to the back of the hand; a finger support part connected to the palm support part and in contact with a lower surface of the user's finger; and a glove part surrounding the palm support part and the finger support part and exposing at least a part of the back of the user's hand, wherein the strength of at least a part of the finger support part is lower than the strength of the palm support part. can be achieved by

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a glove for assisting finger movement capable of assisting the finger movement of users whose finger movement is not normal.

According to the present invention, when a user in need of a finger rehabilitation exercise performs a repetitive rehabilitation exercise of squeezing or straightening a finger, an effective finger rehabilitation exercise can be performed by elastic force, thereby enhancing the rehabilitation treatment effect. Gloves may be provided.

1a is a perspective view from the back of the hand to the palm direction of the glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention;
1b is a perspective view from the palm direction to the back of the hand direction of the glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention;
1c is an exploded perspective view of a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2a is a perspective view from the back of the hand to the palm direction when the user wears a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2b is a perspective view from the palm of the hand to the back of the hand when the user wears the glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2c is a perspective view exemplarily showing when a user moves a finger while wearing a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3a is a perspective view of a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3b is an exploded perspective view of a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4a is a photograph schematically showing the outer skin and inner skin of the glove part of the glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4b is a photograph schematically showing that the hand support is inserted into the inner skin of the glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 5a is a photograph showing before a user wears a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention;
5b and 5c are photos showing that a user wears a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 6a is a perspective view showing when a user wears a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention;
6B is a perspective view exemplarily showing when a user moves a finger while wearing a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention;
7 is a block diagram of a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only these embodiments allow the disclosure of the present invention to be complete, and those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully understand the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing the embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. As used herein, the singular also includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise in the phrase. As used herein, “comprises” and/or “comprising” does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other components in addition to the stated components. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout, and "and/or" includes each and every combination of one or more of the recited elements. Although "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various elements, these elements are not limited by these terms, of course. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. Accordingly, it goes without saying that the first component mentioned below may be the second component within the spirit of the present invention.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein will have the meaning commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in a commonly used dictionary are not to be interpreted ideally or excessively unless specifically defined explicitly.

Spatially relative terms "below", "beneath", "lower", "above", "upper", etc. It can be used to easily describe the correlation between a component and other components. A spatially relative term should be understood as a term that includes different directions of components during use or operation in addition to the directions shown in the drawings. For example, when a component shown in the drawing is turned over, a component described as “beneath” or “beneath” of another component may be placed “above” of the other component. can Accordingly, the exemplary term “below” may include both directions below and above. Components may also be oriented in other orientations, and thus spatially relative terms may be interpreted according to orientation.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1A is a perspective view from the back of the hand direction to the palm direction of the glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. A perspective view, Figure 1c is an exploded perspective view of a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1A to 1C , the glove 10 for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a hand support part 100 and a glove part 200 .

The hand support unit 100 supports the user's hand in a palm direction from the back of the hand. The hand support part 100 includes the back support part 110a of the hand and the finger support parts 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 . The hand support 100 may be made of, for example, metal. The back of the hand support 110a and the finger support portions 121, 122, 123, 124, and 125 are integrated.

At least a portion of the hand support 100 may be bent. This will be described in more detail later.

The back of the hand support 110a supports the back of the user's hand. The back of the hand support 110a supports, for example, the back of the user's hand in a palm direction from the back of the user's hand. The back of the hand support 110a is in contact with the back of the user's hand. The back support portion 110a of the hand does not come into contact with the user's palm.

The back support part 110a of the hand may be made of metal. The back of the hand support 110a may be made of, for example, iron.

The finger support parts 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 support the user's finger. The finger support parts 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 support the finger, for example, from the back surface of the user's finger to the bottom surface of the finger. The finger support portions 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 are in contact with the back surface of the user's finger. The finger support parts 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 do not come into contact with the bottom surface of the user's finger.

The finger support parts 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 may be made of metal. The finger support parts 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 may be made of, for example, iron.

The finger supports 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 may be deformable by the user's finger. As used herein, “deformation” may include “bend”. In the present invention, "bend" means to be flexible, warped, or bent under an external force without loss of properties. In the present invention, "bent" is a concept distinct from "shape deformation", and means that it can be returned to the state before receiving an external force even if it is flexible, bent, or bent by an external force or the like.

The finger support portions 121, 122, 123, 124, and 125 include the thumb support portion 121, the index finger support portion 122, the middle finger support portion 123, the ring finger support portion 124, and the little finger support portion 125. include

As mentioned above, at least a portion of the hand support 100 may be bent. For example, as shown in FIG. 1C , the boundary between the back support part 110a of the hand and the index finger support part 122 may be curved. For example, as shown in FIG. 1C , the boundary between the back support part 110a of the hand and the middle finger support part 123 may be curved. For example, as shown in FIG. 1C , the boundary between the back support part 110a and the ring finger support part 124 may be curved. For example, as shown in FIG. 1C , the boundary between the back of the hand support 110a and the little finger support 125 may be curved. However, the boundary between the back of the hand support 110a and the thumb support 121 may not be bent. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and according to the state of the user's finger, at least one of the back support part 110a, the index finger support part 122, the middle finger support part 123, the ring finger support part 124, and the little finger support part 125 according to the user's finger condition. A boundary may be unbent.

The strength of the thumb support 121 , the strength of the index finger support 122 , the strength of the middle finger support 123 , the strength of the finger supports 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , and the strength of the little finger support 125 . at least one of the intensities of

The strength of the thumb support 121 is higher than at least one of the strength of the index finger support 122 , the strength of the middle finger support 123 , the strength of the ring finger support 124 , and the strength of the little finger support 125 . can The strength of the thumb support part 121 may be the same as that of the back support part 110a of the hand, for example. The strength of the index finger support portion 122 , the strength of the middle finger support portion 123 , the strength of the ring finger support portion 124 , and the strength of the little finger support portion 125 may be equal to each other, for example.

The thumb support 121 may not be bent by the user's thumb force. The elasticity of the thumb support 121 may be lower than the elasticity of the index finger support 122, the elasticity of the middle finger support 123, the elasticity of the ring finger support 124, and the elasticity of the little finger support 125, respectively. .

For example, the thumb support part 121 has no elasticity, and each of the index finger support part 122, the middle finger support part 123, the ring finger support part 124, and the little finger support part 125 may have elasticity. have.

The index finger support portion 122 has elasticity, so that it can be bent by the user's index finger force. However, the index finger support 122 does not undergo shape deformation due to the user's index finger force. In the present invention, "shape deformation" means that the deformation is made by an external force or the like and cannot return to the state before receiving the external force. The middle finger support part 123 has elasticity and can be bent by the user's middle finger force. However, the middle finger support part 123 does not undergo shape deformation due to the user's middle finger force. The ring finger support part 124 has elasticity, so that it can be bent by the user's ring finger force. However, the ring finger support portion 124 does not undergo shape deformation due to the user's ring finger force. The little finger support part 125 has elasticity and can be bent by the user's little finger force. However, the little finger support part 125 does not undergo shape deformation due to the user's little finger force.

The glove part 200 surrounds the back support part 110a of the hand and the finger support parts 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 . The glove part 200 includes a palm exposed part 210a exposing at least a part of the user's palm. The glove 10 for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the glove portion 200 including the palm exposed portion 210a, so that a user whose finger movement is not natural can use the glove 10 for assisting finger movement. ) can be easily worn. In addition, the glove 10 for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the glove part 200 including the palm exposed part 210a, so that the touch of the object can be felt with the palm part.

Figure 2a is a perspective view from the back of the hand to the palm direction when a user wears a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2b is a user wearing a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention 2C is a perspective view exemplarily showing when a user moves a finger while wearing a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1A to 1C and 2A to 2C , the user may put a hand into the glove part 200 of the glove 10 for assisting finger movement and wear the glove 10 for assisting finger movement. The hand support unit 100 may support the user's hand by contacting the back of the user's hand and the back surface of the finger. The user's palm may be exposed to the outside of the glove unit 200 .

As shown in FIG. 2C , the user may use the glove 10 for assisting finger movement, and may perform a rehabilitation exercise in which the user grabs or grabs an actual object. At this time, the thumb support 121 and the index finger support 122 (which may include the middle finger support 123, the ring finger support 124, and the little finger support part 125) when viewed from the side, It can be shaped like a "C". Rehabilitation exercise of grabbing or grabbing an actual object can be easily performed only when it is formed in a C-shape. To this end, the elasticity of the thumb support 121 may be lower than that of the index finger support 122 . That is, the thumb support 121 may not be bent even when the user applies force to the thumb, and the index finger support 122 may be bent by the user applying force to the index finger. In addition, each of the middle finger support part 123 , the ring finger support part 124 , and the little finger support part 125 may be bent by a user applying a force to each of the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger.

3A and 3B show a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3A is a perspective view of a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3b is an exploded perspective view of a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3A and 3B , the glove 10 for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a hand support part 100 and a glove part 200 .

The hand support unit 100 supports the user's hand in a direction from the palm to the back of the hand. The hand support 100 includes a palm support 110 and finger supports 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 . The hand support 100 may be made of, for example, metal. The palm support 110 and the finger supports 121, 122, 123, 124, and 125 are integral.

At least a portion of the hand support 100 may be bent. This will be described in more detail later.

The palm support unit 110 supports the user's palm. The palm support unit 110 supports, for example, the palm of the user's palm in the direction of the back of the hand. The palm support 110 is in contact with the user's palm. The palm support 110 does not come into contact with the back of the user's hand.

The palm support 110 may be made of metal. The palm support 110 may be made of, for example, iron.

The finger support parts 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 support the user's finger. The finger support parts 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 support the finger, for example, from the bottom surface of the user's finger to the back surface of the finger. The finger support parts 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 are in contact with the bottom surface of the user's finger. The finger supports 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 do not come into contact with the back surface of the user's finger.

The finger support parts 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 may be made of metal. The finger support parts 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 may be made of, for example, iron.

The finger supports 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 may be deformable by the user's finger.

The finger support portions 121, 122, 123, 124, and 125 include the thumb support portion 121, the index finger support portion 122, the middle finger support portion 123, the ring finger support portion 124, and the little finger support portion 125. include

As mentioned above, at least a portion of the hand support 100 may be bent. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B , the boundary between the palm support 110 and the index finger support 122 may be curved. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B , the boundary between the palm support 110 and the middle finger support 123 may be curved. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B , the boundary between the palm support 110 and the ring finger support 124 may be curved. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B , the boundary between the palm support 110 and the little finger support 125 may be curved. However, the boundary between the palm support 110 and the thumb support 121 may not be bent. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and at least one of the palm support 110 , the index finger support 122 , the middle finger support part 123 , the ring finger support part 124 , and the little finger support part 125 according to the user's finger state. A boundary may be unbent.

The strength of the thumb support 121 , the strength of the index finger support 122 , the strength of the middle finger support 123 , the strength of the finger supports 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , 125 , and the strength of the little finger support 125 . at least one of the intensities of

The strength of the thumb support 121 is higher than at least one of the strength of the index finger support 122 , the strength of the middle finger support 123 , the strength of the ring finger support 124 , and the strength of the little finger support 125 . can The strength of the thumb support 121 may be the same as that of the palm support 110 , for example. The strength of the index finger support portion 122 , the strength of the middle finger support portion 123 , the strength of the ring finger support portion 124 , and the strength of the little finger support portion 125 may be equal to each other, for example.

The thumb support 121 may not be bent by the user's thumb force. The elasticity of the thumb support 121 may be lower than the elasticity of the index finger support 122, the elasticity of the middle finger support 123, the elasticity of the ring finger support 124, and the elasticity of the little finger support 125, respectively. .

For example, the thumb support part 121 has no elasticity, and each of the index finger support part 122, the middle finger support part 123, the ring finger support part 124, and the little finger support part 125 may have elasticity. have.

The index finger support 122 has elasticity, so that it can be bent by the user's index finger force. However, the index finger support 122 does not undergo shape deformation due to the force of the user's index finger. In the present invention, "shape deformation" means that the deformation is made by an external force or the like and cannot return to the state before receiving the external force. The middle finger support part 123 has elasticity and can be bent by the user's middle finger force. However, the middle finger support part 123 does not undergo shape deformation due to the user's middle finger force. The ring finger support part 124 has elasticity, so that it can be bent by the user's ring finger force. However, the ring finger support portion 124 does not undergo shape deformation due to the force of the user's ring finger. The little finger support part 125 has elasticity and can be bent by the user's little finger force. However, the little finger support part 125 does not undergo shape deformation due to the user's little finger force.

The glove part 200 surrounds the palm support part 110 and the finger support parts 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 . The glove part 200 includes an exposing part 210 on the back of the hand that exposes at least a part of the back of the user's hand. The glove 10 for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the glove unit 200 including the exposed part 210 on the back of the hand, so that a user whose finger movement is not natural can use the glove 10 for assisting finger movement. ) can be easily worn.

4A is a photograph schematically showing the outer skin and inner skin of the glove part of the glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4b is a photograph schematically showing that the hand support is inserted into the inner skin of the glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A and 4B , the armor part 200 includes an outer skin 220 and an inner skin 230 .

The outer skin 220 surrounds at least a portion of the inner skin 230 . The outer skin 220 may be detachably coupled to the inner skin 230 .

The outer skin 220 surrounds at least a portion of the back of the user's hand. The outer skin 220 is provided with an exposed part 210 on the back of the hand.

The outer skin 220 may include a Velcro 221 for easy wearing by the user. Accordingly, the outer skin 220 may be fixed according to the size of the user's hand.

The inner skin 230 surrounds the hand support 100 . The inner skin 230 surrounds the palm support 110 and the finger supports 121 , 122 , 123 , 124 , and 125 . In FIG. 4B , the hand support 100 is inserted into the inner skin 230 as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the hand support 100 may be integrated with the inner skin 230 .

The user may replace the inner skin 230 according to his/her preference or the condition of his/her hand.

A cushion 231 may be provided on the inner skin 230 . The cushion 231 may facilitate bending of the user's finger while preventing the user's hand from lifting by making the inner skin 230 and the user's palm come into close contact when the user bends the user's finger. In FIG. 4A , the cushion 231 is illustrated as being disposed on the inside of the inner skin 230 , but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the cushion 231 may be disposed on the outside of the inner skin 230 .

5A is a photograph showing before a user wears a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5B and 5C are photographs illustrating that a user wears a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, and 5A to 5C , the user puts the palm in contact with the inner skin 230 and exposes the back of the hand to the exposed part 210 on the back of the hand of the outer skin 220 . , a glove 10 for assisting finger movement may be worn.

6A and 6B illustrate, for example, that a user moves a finger by wearing a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6A is a perspective view illustrating when a user wears a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6B is a perspective view exemplarily showing when a user moves a finger while wearing a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6A , the user may put a hand into the glove part 200 of the glove 10 for assisting finger movement to wear the glove 10 for assisting finger movement. The hand support unit 100 may support the user's hand in contact with the user's palm and the bottom of the finger. The back of the user's hand may be exposed to the outside of the glove unit 200 .

As shown in FIG. 6B , the user may use the glove 10 for assisting finger movement, and may perform a rehabilitation exercise in which the user grabs or grabs an actual object. At this time, the thumb support 121 and the index finger support 122 (which may include the middle finger support 123, the ring finger support 124, and the little finger support part 125) when viewed from the side, It can be shaped like a "C". Rehabilitation exercise of grabbing or grabbing an actual object can be easily performed only when it is formed in a C-shape. To this end, the elasticity of the thumb support 121 may be lower than that of the index finger support 122 . That is, the thumb support 121 may not be bent even when the user applies force to the thumb, and the index finger support 122 may be bent by the user applying force to the index finger. In addition, each of the middle finger support part 123 , the ring finger support part 124 , and the little finger support part 125 may be bent by a user applying a force to each of the middle finger, ring finger, and little finger.

Hereinafter, other components included in the glove 10 for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

7 is a block diagram of a glove for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1A, 3A and 7 , the glove 10 for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a sensing unit 300 , a control unit 400 , and a communication module 500 . can do. However, Figure 7 only shows some of the main components, in addition to the configuration for performing a basic function (eg, a battery for supplying power) or a configuration necessary according to the addition of various functions (eg, electromyography measurement) In case of adding a function, an EMG sensor, etc.) may be further included.

Although not shown, the sensing unit 300 , the control unit 400 , and the communication module 500 may be disposed inside the armor unit 200 , for example. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the sensing unit 300 , the control unit 400 , and the communication module 500 may be disposed, for example, on the hand support unit 100 .

The sensing unit 300 may detect various types of hand motion information of a user who wears the glove 10 for assisting finger movement. The hand motion information that can be sensed by the sensor 300 may include at least one of a finger movement, a hand posture change, and a hand position change (movement). For example, when sensing information about a user's finger movement, the sensing unit 300 may include a finger angle sensor. For example, the finger angle sensor may be installed in a portion corresponding to a position where each finger is to be inserted when the user wears the glove 10 for assisting finger movement. For example, the finger angle sensor may be installed to extend long in the longitudinal direction of the finger to the glove part 200 corresponding to the back or bottom surface of the finger. For example, the finger angle sensor may be installed for each part corresponding to each joint of the finger. The installation site and number of finger angle sensors may be variously modified according to need and design.

According to the finger angle sensor, it is possible to quantitatively check data on the degree of bending/extending of a finger according to a user's motion of bending or extending the finger.

The sensing unit 300 may further include a sensor (eg, a gyro sensor, a gravity sensor, an acceleration sensor, etc.) for detecting a change in the posture and/or a change in the position of the user's hand. The sensing unit 300 may, for example, check a change in posture, such as upside-down or rotation of the hand, and may identify a change in the position of the hand indicating a two-dimensional or three-dimensional movement trajectory by the hand.

In addition, the sensing unit 300 may, if necessary, further include a pressure sensor, a force sensor, and the like, so as to sense a force (eg, a grip force) applied when a user moves a finger.

When hand motion information is sensed by the sensing unit 300 , the control unit 400 controls the information to be transmitted to the communication terminal 600 located remotely through the communication module 500 .

The control unit 400 may transmit, for example, hand motion information sensed by the sensing unit 300 to the communication terminal 600 as it is. The control unit 400 may, for example, collect and/or process the sensing data output from each sensor into a predetermined form and then transmit it to the communication terminal 600 .

The communication module 500 transmits hand motion information received from the control unit 400 to an external device. The external device may be, for example, the communication terminal 600 . The communication module 500 may be connected to the communication terminal 600 by wire or wirelessly. The glove 10 for assisting finger movement may be communicatively connected to the communication terminal 600 disposed outside of the glove 10 for assisting finger movement by the communication module 500 . Hereinafter, a case in which the communication module 500 and the communication terminal 600 are wirelessly connected will be described as an example.

The wireless communication method may be, for example, a Bluetooth communication method. In this case, the communication terminal 600 may include the Bluetooth communication module 500 , and may directly receive hand motion information by being connected peer-to-peer with the glove 10 for assisting finger movement. As the wireless communication method, in addition to the Bluetooth communication method, various short-range wireless communication methods such as WiFi Direct technology may be used. In addition, the communication terminal 600 may receive the user's hand motion information transmitted from the glove 10 for assisting finger movement through a wireless relay device such as an access point (AP).

The communication module 500 transmits the user's various hand motion information (eg, finger movement, hand posture change, hand position change, hand movement) to an external communication terminal 600 through a wired or wireless communication method. It plays the role of transmitting.

The communication terminal 600 receives hand motion information transmitted from the glove 10 for assisting finger motion. For example, the communication terminal 600 receives hand motion information from the communication module 500 . The communication terminal 600 generates a virtual hand-shaped object (hereinafter referred to as a 'user's hand-shaped object') corresponding to the received user's hand motion information, and displays it through the display screen. can Accordingly, the user who wears the glove 10 for assisting finger movement can visually immediately check his/her hand motion through the screen, and thus may be motivated for the rehabilitation exercise.

Hereinafter, an example when the glove 10 for assisting finger movement according to an embodiment of the present invention is used for finger rehabilitation exercise will be described. The user may visually recognize the virtual rehabilitation tool object through the rehabilitation exercise program. E.g,

For example, the virtual rehabilitation tool object may have an orange shape. The user may actually move a finger through the glove 10 for assisting finger movement, and thus may take an action of holding an orange with a finger on the screen.

As another example, the virtual rehabilitation tool object may have a cylindrical shape. The user may move a real finger through the glove 10 for assisting finger movement, and accordingly, the virtual cylinder may be moved to a specific position on the screen.

At this time, when hand motion information is transmitted from the communication module 500 to the communication terminal 600 , the communication terminal 600 determines a predetermined ratio between the area where the user's hand object is displayed and the area where the rehabilitation tool object is displayed on the screen. It can be determined whether there is more than one overlap. Also, when it is determined that the user's finger is bent by a predetermined angle or more based on the received user's hand motion information, it may be determined that the user has taken a virtual motion of gripping the virtual rehabilitation tool object.

When it is determined that a change has occurred in the position of the user's hand according to the received user's hand motion information, the communication terminal 600 moves the rehabilitation tool object in response to the change in the position of the hand-shaped object and displays it on the screen. have.

Rehabilitation exercises performed through the rehabilitation exercise auxiliary screen may be configured as a type of game progress. For example, the rehabilitation exercise may be implemented in the form of a game, such as stacking blocks or blowing air into a balloon, depending on the implementation of a rehabilitation exercise program. For example, when the rehabilitation exercise is performed in the form of a block stacking game, the user moves a finger through the glove 10 for assisting finger movement and performs a virtual action such as stacking a block, which is a virtual rehabilitation tool, at a specific location. By doing so, you can get a virtual experience like moving a real block.

In addition, assuming that the balloon inflating game is conducted in the form of a game, the user repeats the action of holding and opening his/her hand through the glove 10 for assisting finger movement, thereby performing a virtual action such as repeatedly pressing the actual air injector. Through this, you can have a virtual experience like blowing air into a balloon.

When the rehabilitation program is configured in the form of a game, it is possible to reduce the boredom of the rehabilitation exercise that the user can feel, and to motivate and interest the rehabilitation exercise.

As mentioned above, although embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains can realize that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without changing its technical spirit or essential features. you will be able to understand Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

10: Gloves for assisting finger movement
100: hand support
110a: back of the hand support
110: palm support
121: thumb support
122: index finger support
123: middle finger support
124: ring finger support part
125: little finger support part
200: armor part
210a: palm exposed part
210: exposed part of the back of the hand
220: outer skin
230: inner skin
300: sensing unit
400: control unit
500: communication module
600: communication terminal

Claims (20)

a back support part for supporting the back of the user's hand in a palm direction from the back of the hand;
a finger support part connected to the back support part of the hand and in contact with the upper surface of the user's finger; and
and a glove part surrounding the back support part of the hand and the finger support part and exposing at least a part of the user's palm;
The strength of at least a portion of the finger support portion is lower than the strength of the back support portion of the hand. According to claim 1,
the finger support
thumb support;
index finger support;
middle finger support;
ring finger support; and
Including; little finger support;
A glove for assisting finger movement, wherein at least one of the strength of the thumb support part, the intensity of the index finger support part, the strength of the middle finger support part, the strength of the ring finger support part, and the strength of the little finger support part is different. 3. The method of claim 2,
The strength of the thumb support is
A glove for assisting finger movement that is higher than at least one of the strength of the index finger support portion, the strength of the middle finger support portion, the strength of the ring finger support portion, and the strength of the little finger support portion. 3. The method of claim 2,
Each of the index finger support part, the middle finger support part, the ring finger support part, and the little finger support part is the user's index finger force, the user's middle finger force, the user's ring finger force, and the user's little finger force, respectively. bent into
The thumb support part is a glove for assisting finger movement that is not bent by the user's thumb force. 5. The method of claim 4,
Each of the index finger support part, the middle finger support part, the ring finger support part, and the little finger support part is the user's index finger force, the user's middle finger force, the user's ring finger force, and the user's little finger force, respectively. Gloves for assisting finger movement that do not cause shape deformation. According to claim 1,
The back support part does not come into contact with the palm,
The finger support part is a glove for assisting finger movement that does not come into contact with the bottom surface of the finger. According to claim 1,
a sensing unit detecting the user's hand motion information;
a control unit for transmitting the hand motion information; and
Gloves for assisting finger movement further comprising; a communication terminal that receives the transmitted hand motion information and transmits it to an external device. According to claim 1,
Gloves for assisting finger movement in which the back support part and the finger support part are integral. According to claim 1,
The glove for assisting finger movement is made of metal for the back support part and the finger support part. According to claim 1,
The glove part
an inner skin surrounding the back support part of the hand and the finger support part; and
Surrounding at least a portion of the inner skin, a glove for assisting finger movement comprising an outer skin exposing at least a portion of the user's palm. a palm support for supporting the palm of the user in a direction from the palm to the back of the hand;
a finger support part connected to the palm support part and in contact with a lower surface of the user's finger; and
and a glove part surrounding the palm support part and the finger support part and exposing at least a part of the back of the user's hand;
The strength of at least a portion of the finger support portion is lower than the strength of the palm support portion. 12. The method of claim 11,
the finger support
thumb support;
index finger support;
middle finger support;
ring finger support; and
Including; little finger support;
A glove for assisting finger movement, wherein at least one of the strength of the thumb support part, the intensity of the index finger support part, the strength of the middle finger support part, the strength of the ring finger support part, and the strength of the little finger support part is different. 13. The method of claim 12,
The strength of the thumb support is
A glove for assisting finger movement that is higher than at least one of the strength of the index finger support portion, the strength of the middle finger support portion, the strength of the ring finger support portion, and the strength of the little finger support portion. 13. The method of claim 12,
Each of the index finger support part, the middle finger support part, the ring finger support part, and the little finger support part is the user's index finger force, the user's middle finger force, the user's ring finger force, and the user's little finger force, respectively. bent into
The thumb support part is a glove for assisting finger movement that is not bent by the user's thumb force. 15. The method of claim 14,
Each of the index finger support part, the middle finger support part, the ring finger support part, and the little finger support part is the user's index finger force, the user's middle finger force, the user's ring finger force, and the user's little finger force, respectively. Gloves for assisting finger movement that do not cause shape deformation. 12. The method of claim 11,
The palm support part does not contact the back of the hand,
The finger support part is a glove for assisting finger movement that does not come into contact with the back surface of the finger. 12. The method of claim 11,
a sensing unit detecting the user's hand motion information;
a control unit for transmitting the hand motion information; and
Gloves for assisting finger movement further comprising; a communication terminal that receives the transmitted hand motion information and transmits it to an external device. 12. The method of claim 11,
The palm support part and the finger support part are integrally formed in a glove for assisting finger movement. 12. The method of claim 11,
The palm support part and the finger support part are made of metal for assisting finger movement. 12. The method of claim 11,
The glove part
an inner skin surrounding the palm support and the finger support; and
A glove for assisting finger movement comprising an outer skin surrounding at least a portion of the inner skin and exposing at least a portion of the back of the user's hand.

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