JP4961618B2 - Earplug type personal heat stroke alarm device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a heatstroke alarm device that warns a user of the risk of developing heatstroke by monitoring at least changes in body temperature, and more specifically, an earplug part and an ear inserted into the ear canal. The present invention relates to an earplug-type personal heat stroke alarm device that is integrated with a body case that faces the body and has an external shape that can be held by the user's external auditory canal and auricle.

  There were 18 deaths from heat stroke in the worksite in 2007, 10 of which occurred at the construction site. Construction sites often work in direct sunlight, and symptoms worsen rapidly. In the worst case, the risk of death is very high. The Japan Meteorological Agency has released a heat stroke risk index to raise awareness of heat stroke prevention in summer, but the heat stroke risk index varies greatly depending on the work environment. Therefore, the fundamental prevention of heat stroke is to accurately grasp the health status of the person and to take appropriate measures while the symptoms are mild.

  As a measure to prevent heat stroke and excessive fatigue during work in harsh heat environments, there is a method to determine the time to reach the work limit (work limit time) in advance and perform actual work management based on it. is there. The work limit time is set in advance based on the time change of the heart rate and body temperature at the time of performing a constant intensity work (such as stepping up and down) that simulates the actual work in an artificial climate room, for example. This is the time set by actually measuring or predicting the time to reach the heart rate and body temperature. However, the work limit time is an average time obtained by experiments or the like, and varies depending on the work load, environment, and individual physical characteristics. For this reason, in actual work, work management was performed by checking the subjective symptoms such as fatigue status using a transceiver etc. at the appropriate time. However, it was difficult to accurately grasp the fatigue situation only with subjective information based on the self-report.

  By the way, it has been confirmed by actual examples (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH in the United States)) that the prevention of the onset of heat stroke can be managed by monitoring changes in the deep body temperature and heart rate of workers. ing. As a management index in work in a hot environment, for example, there is a physical factor TLVs (Threshold Limit Values) in the work environment of the above-mentioned ACGIH. According to it, “Deep body temperature is 38.0 ° C. In the case of exceeding 38.5 ° C), “when the heart rate exceeds [180-age] for several minutes continuously”, “the heart rate after 1 minute after the work intensity reaches the peak is 110 or less It is said that it can be judged that the thermal strain has exceeded the allowable limit based on signs such as “If it does not return to“. “Heat strain” refers to heat stress (heat produced by the body and the environment outside the body, ie, temperature, relative humidity, radiant heat, airflow, and the combined effects of clothing, etc.) It is a general term for physiological responses caused by the net heat load that is generated.

  Using this, the site manager who is managing the work monitors the deep body temperature and heart rate of each worker by some method, and when the predetermined alarm value is exceeded based on such information, It is possible to construct a heatstroke prevention system that instructs each worker to suspend (rest) work by using a transceiver or the like. However, such intensive management increases the burden on the site manager.

  On the other hand, as a conventional technique, a “user support device” that supports a person who is going to take some action or a person who is taking some action (referred to as “user”) has been proposed (see Patent Document 1). ). This device acquires user external information that is perceived by the user, user internal information that is the user's own information, and environmental information around the user, and based on these information, the position, posture, and physical state of the user , And user states including mental states are determined, and user actions, records, and thoughts are supported. Specifically, for example, the user's own sweat amount and facial expression, the temperature around the user, components in the air, and the like are acquired using a sensor or camera, and the acquired information is sent to a computer via communication means, and predetermined processing is performed. It is configured to assist the user by notifying the user of necessary information obtained by performing the above. Such user-supported technology may be applicable to health management such as heat stroke prevention.

  Therefore, the present inventors have previously developed a heat stroke alarm device that warns of the risk of heat stroke by monitoring changes in deep body temperature and heart rate (Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-283522). The heat stroke warning device transmits an external circuit to an integrated circuit including a memory, a microprocessor, and a radio module for signal transmission / reception with the outside, and transmits information provided from the microprocessor to the worker. Means, a sensor for measuring the deep body temperature of the worker, a sensor for measuring the heart rate, and an external computer placed outside the danger zone, and the deep body temperature and heart rate of the worker measured by the measurement sensor Is transmitted to the external computer via the antenna, and compared with the threshold values (heat stroke warning values) relating to the deep body temperature and heart rate set in advance in the external computer. When the risk of heat stroke is high, the external computer A warning or warning is displayed on the screen, and a warning is issued to the worker through the person in charge of the site who monitors it. It has been made.

  However, this heat stroke alarm device is premised on wearing protective clothing. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent workers from heat stroke and to manage their health at worksites that need to wear protective clothing during work, such as handling of nuclear fuel materials, handling of harmful substances such as asbestos and dioxin, and fire fighting activities. Although useful, it is not possible to deal with cases that do not require wearing protective clothing, such as in general construction sites. In other words, the versatility is poor. In addition, since the main body function units (units such as the data logger unit and the power supply unit) worn on the chest or back are separated from the measurement sensors, the signal lines must be routed and connected to each other. As a result, the equipment becomes larger and not only slightly painful during installation, but depending on the work contents, the routed signal line may interfere with the work, or an unexpected pulling force may be applied by hooking the signal line during the work. As a result, the sensor attached to the body might fall off.

  In this case as well, the on-site responsibility is to manage work by performing intensive health management (heat stroke management) with an external computer based on objective information obtained from sensors worn by each worker. There is no change in the point that the operator gives instructions to each worker, and it is inevitable that the system becomes a large-scale system.

JP 2005-315802 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to make the heat stroke alarm device usable by anyone regardless of the wearing of protective clothing and regardless of the working environment (ie, to be versatile). It is. Another problem to be solved by the present invention is to reduce the size and weight of the apparatus and eliminate or minimize the signal line routing so as not to interfere with various operations. It is. Still another problem to be solved by the present invention is to issue an alarm directly to an individual user so that the apparatus can be used alone without forming a large-scale system.

The present invention is a heat stroke alarm device that warns a user of the risk of developing heat stroke by monitoring changes in the body temperature and heart rate of the user, and an earplug portion that is inserted into the ear canal And the body case that faces the pinna are integrated to form an external shape that can be held by the user's external auditory canal and pinna, and the earplug part incorporates an eardrum temperature sensor for measuring deep body temperature In addition to the eardrum temperature sensor, a heart rate sensor for heart rate measurement is provided, and the body case evaluates thermal strain based on the deep body temperature information from the eardrum temperature sensor and the heart rate information from the heart rate sensor, It is an earplug type personal heat stroke alarm device that has a built-in device that issues a heat stroke alarm according to the evaluation. Here , the eardrum temperature sensor is a thermopile (thermoelectric cone) that detects infrared radiation temperature, and is provided at the tip of the earplug so as to face the ear canal.

The heart rate sensor has a structure in which an infrared light source and an infrared photosensor are juxtaposed on the side wall of the earplug portion so as to face the surface of the ear canal, and the reflected infrared light on the surface of the ear canal is captured .

  In addition, a configuration in which an acceleration sensor is incorporated in the main body case and information including the worker's walking amount / work amount can be acquired can be added.

  A memory card insertion slot is provided in the main body case, and a memory card on which measurement data can be recorded and individual user information (such as age / heat environment acclimatization information) can be mounted. It is preferable to provide a switch function in which the apparatus power is turned on by inserting the card and the apparatus power is cut off by removing the memory card, and the power switch is not provided outside the main body case.

  The earplug-type personal heat stroke alarm device of the present invention integrates an earplug part and a main body case to form an external shape that can be held by the user's external auditory canal and pinna, and the earplug part has a deep body temperature measurement. The body case is equipped with a built-in device that evaluates thermal strain based on information from the eardrum temperature sensor and issues an alarm according to the evaluation. In addition, it can directly alert the user to the risk of developing heat stroke. Since this device is basically used alone, it does not require a wireless communication function, can be manufactured at low cost, can be immediately handled at any work site, has high operational reliability, and is maintained and managed. Is also easy.

  Since the device of the present invention does not presuppose wearing protective clothing, not only the health management of workers at the site where protective clothing must be worn for work, but also work indoors and outdoors (such as construction sites) especially under hot weather. It can be used for health management of employees or children who exercise outdoors, and is extremely versatile. When wearing this device, the earplug part is inserted into the ear canal and the device is simply held by the ear canal and pinna, so anyone can use it easily, and it will be a hindrance when performing various tasks or exercising. There is no fear of coming.

  The device of the present invention basically warns the individual of the risk of heat stroke to the individual user, so there is no need for a safety manager to centrally manage and monitor the measured data. Can be reduced, and the system can be remarkably simplified. In addition, if it is configured to display the presence or absence of an alarm with an LED or the like provided on the outside of the main body case, even if the worker wearing the device intentionally ignores the alarm, the surrounding collaborators grasp the situation. Because it is possible to do so, it is possible to give attention and guidance by a third party. As a result, appropriate measures can be taken promptly, and further improvement in safety can be expected.

  Even when a heart rate sensor for heart rate measurement is provided in addition to the eardrum temperature sensor for deep body temperature measurement, if the heart rate sensor is incorporated in the earplug part, the signal line can be completely removed, The complete structure can be achieved. Note that even when the measurement is performed with the heart rate sensor sandwiched between the earlobe, the signal line is minimally routed around the ear and hardly interferes with work or exercise.

  Furthermore, if an acceleration sensor is built in the apparatus, it is possible to acquire information useful for work management including the walking amount and work amount of the worker. As a result, workability and productivity management at the individual level at the work site can be appropriately performed.

  The external appearance of the earplug type personal heat stroke alarm device according to the present invention is shown in FIG. This device has a structure in which a cylindrical earplug portion 10 inserted into the external auditory canal and a bulging main body case 12 positioned facing the auricle are continuously integrated. The earplug part 10 incorporates a tympanic temperature sensor for deep body temperature measurement and a heart rate sensor for heart rate measurement, and the body case 12 processes information from the tympanic temperature sensor and the heart rate sensor to generate heat strain in a high temperature environment. A device that evaluates and issues an alarm according to the evaluation is built-in. This device monitors changes in deep body temperature and heart rate, and issues a warning to individual users when the risk of developing heat stroke is recognized. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 14 denotes a memory card insertion slot, reference numeral 16 denotes an alarm LED, and reference numeral 18 denotes a battery replacement slot.

  FIG. 2 shows how the apparatus is installed. This device is used in such a state that the earplug portion 10 is inserted into the ear canal and the main body case 12 is brought into contact with the auricle, and is held by the worker's ear canal and auricle. In addition, the structure which uses auxiliary | assistant installation tools like an ear hook type | mold is also possible.

  The eardrum temperature sensor is a thermopile (thermoelectric cone) that detects infrared radiation temperature, and is provided at the tip of the earplug so as to face the ear canal. As for the deep body temperature, the rectal temperature is generally measured. However, when measuring the rectal temperature, it is necessary to insert a sensor from the anus into the rectum, and the mental and physical burden on the worker is extremely large. In this device, by reducing the mental and physical burden on the worker as much as possible, an agreement (consent) for the worker to wear the device is obtained, and the eardrum is a method that can rationally measure the deep body temperature. We are going to measure temperature. The eardrum temperature is said to most closely reflect the blood flow temperature perfusing the hypothalamus of the brain, which is the body temperature regulation center, and can be measured with a thermopile directed into the ear canal.

  The heart rate sensor has a structure in which an infrared light source and an infrared photosensor are juxtaposed on the side wall of the ear plug so as to face the surface of the ear canal, and the reflected infrared light on the surface of the ear canal is captured. Blood does not pass light having a wavelength of about 900 nm. Blood flows around the body due to the heartbeat, and when irradiated with infrared rays, the intensity of infrared rays reflected from the surface of the skin or transmitted through the skin is proportional to the heartbeat. Therefore, here, the heart rate is measured by detecting the reflected infrared rays.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of the earplug type personal heat stroke alarm device according to the present invention, wherein (a) to (c) show the internal structure of the device, as viewed from arrows A to C in (d). It is an external view. In this device, a cylindrical earplug portion 10 inserted into the ear canal and a split case main body case 12 positioned facing the auricle are continuously integrated so that the external ear canal and auricle can be held by the operator. It has a shape. It is functionally complete in this state, and can be used without having to route signal lines or the like by simply inserting the device into the ear.

  The earplug 10 includes a tympanic temperature sensor 20 for measuring a deep body temperature and a heart rate sensor 22 for measuring a heart rate. Here, the eardrum temperature sensor 20 is a thermopile (thermoelectric cone) that detects infrared radiation temperature, and is incorporated at the distal end of the earplug portion 10 so as to face the ear canal. The heart rate sensor 22 is composed of a combination of an infrared LED 22a and an infrared photosensor 22b, and is incorporated in the side wall of the earplug portion so as to face the ear canal surface 24 and tilt slightly inward from each other, and reflected on the ear canal surface. The configuration captures infrared rays. In the present embodiment, an infrared ray is irradiated from the infrared LED 22a toward the ear canal surface 24 as indicated by an arrow, and a reflected infrared method is used in which the reflected infrared ray from the ear canal surface 24 is detected by the infrared photosensor 22b. Thus, the heart rate sensor 22 can be incorporated into the ear plug 10. Further, an A / D converter 26 for the eardrum temperature sensor and an A / D converter 28 for the heart rate sensor are also incorporated in the earplug unit 10.

  The main body case 12 includes a device that processes information from the eardrum temperature sensor and the heart rate sensor, evaluates thermal strain in a high temperature environment, and issues an alarm according to the evaluation. The devices are mounted on the substrate 30. Details of the substrate are shown in FIG. The devices mounted on the board include an IC component such as a CPU and an RTC, a button battery 32 as a power source, a removable memory card 34 that records individual information of the worker, an alarm LED 16, and an alarm LED. A sound generator (speaker or buzzer) 36 or the like. The button-type battery 32 can be removed and replaced by opening and closing the battery exchange port 18 on the outer surface of the main body case 12. The alarm LED 16 is also located on the outer surface of the main body case 12 so as to protrude slightly. The memory card 34 can be inserted / removed from the memory card insertion slot 14 opened in the side surface of the main body case 12. Here, the acceleration sensor 38 is also incorporated in the substrate 30.

  FIG. 5 shows a simplified circuit block. The detection output from the eardrum temperature sensor 20 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 26 and sent to the information processing unit 40 including the CPU. The detection output from the heart rate sensor 22 is also converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 28 and sent to the information processing unit 40. Further, the detection output from the acceleration sensor 38 is also converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 42 and sent to the information processing unit 40. The information processing unit 40 calculates the deep body temperature based on the information from the eardrum temperature sensor 20, and calculates the heart rate based on the information obtained from the heart rate sensor 22. Changes in these deep body temperature and heart rate are constantly monitored, and information from each sensor is processed to evaluate thermal strain in a high temperature environment. Note that, when evaluating thermal strain, individual information (such as age and habituation information) recorded on the memory card 34 is also referred to. These devices are driven by electric power supplied from the button type battery 32.

  As a result of the evaluation, if the deep body temperature / heart rate exceeds a preset threshold value, an alarm sound or announcement (for example, “The body temperature is rising. ”Or“ There is a danger of heat stroke. Please stop the work immediately. ”), And the warning LED 16 blinks to advise the person and the surrounding collaborators. . Note that the threshold value may be appropriately determined based on the management index in the work in the hot environment such as ACGIH described above. Of course, it may be modified and changed as necessary with reference to the actual use environment.

  By blinking the alarm LED, it is possible to inform the third party other than the person (administrator and surrounding collaborators) of the risk of developing heat stroke of the worker wearing the device. Information such as deep body temperature, heart rate, and acceleration is recorded in the memory card 34 over time. After the work is completed, the work environment can be improved (comparative evaluation before and after work improvement) based on the information recorded in the memory card 34. Also, even if the person suffers from heat stroke, Information such as heart rate and heart rate can be provided to medical institutions, and can be used for appropriate first aid measures.

  In this embodiment, no special power switch is provided in the main body case. The power supply is automatically turned on when the memory card 34 is inserted, and the power supply is cut off when the memory card 34 is removed, so that the insertion / extraction of the memory card 34 fulfills the switch function of the apparatus. is doing. In this way, malfunction of the switch can be prevented, reliability is improved, and it contributes to miniaturization.

  An example of the processing flow by this apparatus is shown in FIG. (A) is a start procedure, (b) is a deep body temperature check procedure, (c) is a heart rate check procedure, and (d) is an end procedure. In this processing flow, the deep body temperature and the heart rate are checked in parallel.

(A) Starting procedure Input of user information to the memory card: For each worker, worker information (such as age / heat environment acclimatization information) is input to the memory card in advance.
Memory card insertion (power-on): The power is turned on by inserting the memory card into the card insertion slot of the apparatus.
Device initialization / self-diagnosis: The user information of the memory card is read, the device is initialized based on the information, and conditions are set for each worker. In addition, self-diagnosis such as power check is performed. When the power supply voltage is lower than the specified value, the LED is blinked to prompt battery replacement.
Device mounting: The device's ear plug is inserted into the worker's ear canal and the device is held by the ear canal and pinna.
Monitoring start (work start): Deep body temperature and heart rate monitoring starts. You may start work in this state.

(B) Deep body temperature check procedure Start of work:
Tympanic temperature> Continuity at first threshold? The first threshold value of the eardrum temperature is set to 37.5 ° C. (38.0 ° C. for an operator accustomed to a hot environment), and the duration is set to 3 minutes. Check if the eardrum temperature exceeds the first threshold and it continues for 3 minutes. The work is continued while the first standard is not reached. When the first standard is reached, an advisory is given.
Caution recommendation: As a warning recommendation for the worker himself, for example, a voice instruction such as “Body temperature is rising. Rest in the shade or replenish water.” Or a buzzer sound. Further, as a warning recommendation for surrounding workers, an alarm LED blinks slowly. Based on this caution recommendation, the work is interrupted or the work is continued by self-judgment.
Continue work: Continue working.
Tympanic temperature> second threshold, is there continuity? The second threshold value of the eardrum temperature is set to 38.0 ° C. (38.5 ° C. for an operator accustomed to a hot environment), and the duration is set to 3 minutes. Check if the eardrum temperature exceeds the second threshold and it continues for 3 minutes. If the second standard is not reached, the operation is continued. When the second standard is reached, an alarm is issued.
Alarm: As an alarm for the worker himself, for example, a voice instruction such as “The body temperature has risen remarkably. As an alarm for surrounding workers, the alarm LED blinks violently. Based on this warning, work is immediately suspended.
When the work is interrupted in the above steps, the work is finished as it is or a rest is entered. After taking a sufficient rest, the process returns to the work start step.

(C) Heart rate check procedure Start of work:
Is heart rate> 1st threshold and continuity? : The first threshold of the heart rate is set to (180−age) × 0.9, and the duration is set to 3 minutes. Check if the heart rate exceeds the first threshold and it continues for 3 minutes. If the first standard is not reached, the operation is continued. When the first standard is reached, an advisory is given.
Caution recommendation: As a warning recommendation for the worker himself, for example, a voice instruction such as "Heart rate is rising. Rest in the shade or replenish water." The warning LED flashes slowly as a precautionary advice for surrounding workers. Based on this caution recommendation, the work is interrupted or the work is continued by self-judgment.
Continue work: Continue working.
Is heart rate> second threshold and continuity? : The second threshold of the heart rate is set to (180-age), and the duration is set to 3 minutes. Check if the heart rate exceeds the second threshold and it continues for 3 minutes. If the second standard is not reached, the operation is continued. When the second standard is reached, an alarm is issued.
Alarm: As an alarm for the worker himself, for example, a voice instruction such as “Heart rate has increased significantly. As an alarm for surrounding workers, the alarm LED blinks violently. Based on this warning, work is immediately suspended.
When the work is interrupted in the above steps, the work is finished as it is or a rest is entered. After taking a sufficient rest, the process returns to the work start step.

(D) End procedure End of work:
Device removal: Remove the device from the operator's ear. Deep body temperature and heart rate monitoring ends.
Remove memory card (power shutdown): Remove the memory card from the device. This shuts off the power supply.
Work evaluation: After completion of work, information such as the body's deep body temperature and heart rate recorded on the memory card is taken up, and the changes over time are observed by a computer to evaluate problems such as work contents, work method and work environment. It becomes possible. Furthermore, it is possible to quantitatively evaluate the effects before and after the improvement of the work content, work method, work environment, and the like. In addition, when an acceleration sensor is built in, it is possible to simultaneously evaluate the work content, work intensity, etc. from the acceleration data.

  As mentioned above, although the preferable Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited only to this structure. When an acceleration sensor is incorporated as in the above embodiment, information obtained by the acceleration sensor can be used mainly for work management. Furthermore, if a wireless unit or GPS is further incorporated in the device, it can be configured to notify the central control system from the device when the operation has failed due to heat stroke or other diseases and cannot be detected for a certain period of time. Can be applied so that a third party can detect an abnormality of the worker at an early stage (a third party can quickly detect who is unable to move where).

  The setting of the judgment criteria (threshold and duration) of the eardrum temperature in the deep body temperature check procedure and the setting of the judgment criteria (threshold and duration) of the heart rate in the heart rate check procedure are not limited to the above values. You may set suitably based on the management parameter | index calculated | required experimentally or empirically, or based on an actual working environment. In addition, although the warning recommendation and the warning are in two stages, only one warning may be provided.

The external view of the earplug type personal heat stroke alarm device which concerns on this invention. Explanatory drawing which shows the wearing condition. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Explanatory drawing which shows one Example of the earplug type personal heat stroke warning device which concerns on this invention. Explanatory drawing of the board | substrate used for it. The simplified circuit block diagram of the apparatus. The figure which shows the processing flow of the apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

10 Earplug part 12 Body case 14 Memory card insertion slot 16 Alarm LED
18 Battery Replacement Port 20 Tympanic Temperature Sensor 22 Heart Rate Sensor 30 Substrate 32 Button Type Battery 34 Memory Card 36 Alarm Sound Generator

Claims (3)

A heat stroke warning device to alert the risk of heat stroke onset toward the individual user by monitoring the core body temperature and changes in heart rate used for persons,
The earplug part inserted into the ear canal and the main body case located facing the auricle are integrated to form an external shape that can be held by the user's ear canal and auricle, and the earplug part has a deep body temperature. heartbeat sensor tympanic temperature sensor and a heart rate measurement for measurement is incorporated, the eardrum temperature sensor is a thermopile for detecting the infrared radiation temperature, provided at the tip of the earplug portion so as to reach the ear canal The heart rate sensor has a structure in which an infrared light source and an infrared photosensor are juxtaposed on the side wall of the earplug part so as to face the surface of the ear canal, and the reflected infrared light on the surface of the ear canal is captured. An earplug type that has a built-in device that evaluates heat strain based on the deep body temperature information from the eardrum temperature sensor and the heart rate information from the heart rate sensor and issues a heat stroke alarm according to the evaluation Personal heat stroke alarm device. Said body in a case, further incorporate acceleration sensor, the operator walking volume and workload can acquire information, including the claims 1 Symbol placement earplugs type personal heatstroke alarm device. The main body case is provided with a memory card insertion slot, can be mounted with a memory card that can record measurement data and individual information of a user, and the apparatus power is turned on by inserting the memory card, the memory card earplug type personal heatstroke warning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a switch function device power is turned off by the extraction of.

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