KR20180101110A - Belt for sensing muscle contraction and relaxation - Google Patents

Abstract

A belt of the present invention includes a buckle sensing contraction and relaxation of muscle at a part of wearing a belt and a band surrounding the part of wearing the belt. The buckle outputs a warning signal when the part of wearing the belt is loosened to an extent equal to or more than the reference. The band is built in the buckle. The length of the belt is adjusted to cover the part of wearing the belt.

Description

BELT FOR SENSING MUSCLE CONTRACTION AND RELAXATION [0002]

The present invention relates to a belt for sensing muscle contraction and relaxation.

A variety of smart devices are available now. Most of these smart devices can communicate with each other or detect the change of surrounding environment with sensors and implement various functions and are utilized in various aspects. Recently, life logging has become an issue, and it is mainly applied to smart clocks. These devices measure biometric data and location information such as heart rate, blood sugar, electrocardiogram, oxygen saturation, and momentum of the user and manage them by linking with smartphone.

Those who sit long in the office or work for long periods of time are hard to maintain a correct posture. Failure to maintain a correct posture can result in a variety of illnesses, such as a back disk, back pain, and postural distortion. In addition, abdominal obesity due to lack of exercise and changes in eating habits can also cause health problems. To maintain proper posture and to prevent and reduce abdominal obesity, sustained tension in the abdominal core muscles should be maintained. However, in order to strengthen the muscles of the abdominal core, a conscious contraction effort is needed. So it is difficult to keep the abdominal core muscles in tension for a long time in everyday life because they are not usually used well. Thus, smart devices that monitor abdominal core muscles instead are needed.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a belt that monitors the contraction state of the abdominal muscles to sense the contraction and relaxation of muscles.

The belt according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a buckle for sensing the relaxation and contraction of the wear part and a band for wrapping the wear part, wherein the buckle outputs a warning signal when the wear part is loosened over the reference, And the length is adjusted so as to cover the wear part.

In some embodiments, the band increases in length from one end of the buckle to wrap around the wear site.

In some embodiments, the belt further includes a hook connected to the other end of the buckle and a hook connected to one end of the band, wherein the hook is connected to the hook so that the band surrounds the wear part.

In some embodiments, the buckle includes a sensing portion for sensing contraction or relaxation of the wear site.

In some embodiments, the sensing unit outputs a warning signal when the length of the band is increased beyond the reference length due to the relaxation of the wearing area.

In some embodiments, the sensing portion outputs a warning signal when the magnitude of the pressure applied to the buckle by the relaxation of the wearing portion increases beyond the reference value.

In some embodiments, a nonslip pad is attached to the side of the buckle that contacts the wear area.

In some embodiments, the band is comprised of a flexible material that is in close contact with the wear site.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the belt monitors the contraction state of the abdominal muscle and sends warning information to the wearable device or smartphone if the abdominal muscle relaxes beyond the allowable range. Thus, the belt provides a service to help the user maintain a right posture and a service to prevent and reduce abdominal obesity.

1 shows a belt according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing a sensing device included in the buckle portion of FIG.
FIG. 3 shows a belt according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows the belts with relaxation of the abdominal muscles.
Figure 5 shows the communication of belts and other electronic devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
6 shows a method of utilizing a belt according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 and 8 are views showing a belt according to another embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a view illustrating an example of wearing a belt according to another embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The advantages and features of the present invention, and how to accomplish them, will become apparent by reference to the embodiments described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. Is provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of illustrating embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. In the present specification, the singular form includes plural forms unless otherwise specified in the specification. As used herein, the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" refer to the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations, and / .

In addition, the embodiments described herein will be described with reference to cross-sectional views and / or plan views, which are ideal illustrations of the present invention. In the drawings, the thicknesses of the films and regions are exaggerated for an effective description of the technical content. Thus, the shape of the illustrations may be modified by manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the specific forms shown, but also include changes in the shapes that are generated according to the manufacturing process. For example, the etched area shown at right angles may be rounded or may have a shape with a certain curvature. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures have schematic attributes, and the shapes of the regions illustrated in the figures are intended to illustrate specific types of regions of the elements and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

1 shows a belt according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the belt 100 includes a buckle 110 and a band 120. The belt 100 is provided in a form that can be worn on the user's waist so that the abdominal muscle of the wearer can be accurately measured and the user's body information can be efficiently collected.

The buckle 110 may be connected to one end of the band 120. The buckle 110 may include a sensing unit 111 for measuring the contraction and relaxation of the abdominal muscle. The sensing unit 111 senses the movement of the band 120 due to the contraction and relaxation of the abdominal muscle, and can provide motion information to the user. For example, when the sensing unit 111 is moved out of the contact portion 121 of the band 120, it may provide motion information to the user. Also, the sensing unit 111 may provide the abdominal circumference information of the user. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

The band 120 may be provided in a flexible material such that the belt 100 may be worn in the form of a circle on the user's waist. In addition, in order to sense the movement of the correct abdominal muscles, the band 120 may be provided with a material having high elasticity, stretchability, and adhesion. For example, the band 120 may be provided of a material such as rubber, urethane, polyurethane, nylon, or spandex. Therefore, when worn, the band 120 can be brought into close contact with the abdomen accurately. Depending on the nature of the material, the band 120 can also contract and relax as the abdomen of the user contracts and relaxes.

 The band 120 may include a contact portion 121 of the sensing portion 111. The contact portion 121 may be formed of a material different from that of the band 120. For example, the contact portion 121 may be a metal fiber or a magnetic fiber. The contact portion 121 is provided in a flexible material. The contact portion 121 may be located at an upper portion of the band 120. The contact portion 121 may be incorporated in the band portion.

The belt 100 can be worn directly on the skin as well as on the user's clothes. Accordingly, the belt 100 may be made of an eco-friendly material or a lightweight material.

2 is a block diagram showing a sensing unit 111 included in the buckle 110 of FIG. 2, the sensing unit 111 may include a controller 111_1, a sensor unit 111_2, a battery unit 111_3, and a wireless communication unit 111_4.

The control unit 111_1 controls the overall operation of the sensing unit 111. [ The control unit 111_1 can control the operation between the sensor unit 111_2, the battery unit 111_3, and the wireless communication unit 111_4.

For example, the sensor unit 111_2 may include a potentiometer, which is a displacement sensor that detects movement of the sensor unit 111_2 by a specific distance from one position to another position. For example, an Induction Type Proximity Sensor or a Capacitive Type Proximity Sensor for detecting the presence or absence of an object may be included. This is only an example for explaining the present invention, and the sensor unit 111_2 may include various distance detection sensors.

The sensor unit 111_2 can output the waist circumference warning signal to the control unit 111_1 if the sensor unit 111_2 is moved outside the contact unit 121. [ Further, according to the relaxation and contraction of the abdomen, the degree of movement of the abutment portion 121 from the sensor portion 111_2 can be converted into a distance and output to the control portion 111_1 with the waist circumference warning signal. Also, the sensor unit 111_2 can sense and output the average waist circumference information of the user.

The battery unit 111_3 may include a secondary battery. Also, the battery unit 111_3 may include a thermoelectric element that generates power using a temperature difference. The battery unit 111_3 can supply power to the respective components (the control unit 111_1, the sensor unit 111_2, and the wireless communication unit 111_4) under the control of the control unit 111_1.

The wireless communication unit 111_4 receives the motion information detected by the sensor unit 111_2 from the control unit 111_1. The wireless communication unit 111_4 can communicate with external electronic devices (not shown) through a communication interface (not shown). Specifically, the wireless communication unit 111_4 can transmit motion information to external electronic devices (not shown). The wireless communication unit 111_4 may be a wireless local area network (WLAN) communication (for example, RF wireless communication, IEEE 802.20), wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN) communication (e.g., IEEE 802.16, WiMAX) (e.g., IEEE 802.15, Zigbee, Bluetooth, UWB, RFID, Wireless USB, Z (WAN), etc.) -Wave, and a Body Area Network).

FIG. 3 shows a belt according to an embodiment of the present invention. 3 shows a state in which the belt 100 is worn when the abdomen of the user is in a contracted state. In order to explain the present invention, the width of the contact portion 121 is defined as an allowable range. The acceptable range is the abdominal relaxation range allowed by the belt (100). Referring to FIG. 3, since the sensing portion 111 of the buckle 11 is positioned on the contact portion 121, it is determined that the waist circumference is normal. Therefore, even if the abdominal muscles of the user are relaxed, if the sensing unit 111 is positioned on the sensing area, the waist circumference warning signal is not output. When the user's abdominal muscle is in the contracted state, the sensing unit 111 can determine the normal waist circumference and output the waist circumference information.

Figure 4 shows the belts with relaxation of the abdominal muscles. FIG. 4 shows the belt 100 worn when the abdomen of the user is in a relaxed state. When the abdomen of the user of the belt 100 is relaxed beyond the allowable range, the band 12 is also relaxed together, so that the contact portion 121 is out of the sensing portion 111. [ When the contact portion 121 is out of the sensing portion 111, the sensing portion 111 can output a waist circumference warning signal. The sensing unit 111 may detect a difference in material between the contact unit 121 and the band 120 and output a waist circumference warning signal. Without being limited to this, the waist circumference warning signal can be outputted when the contact portion 121 moves from the sensing portion 111 by an allowable distance or more.

The sensing unit 111 stops outputting the waist circumference warning signal when the abdomen of the user is contracted and the contact unit 121 returns to the sensing unit 111. [

The user can periodically monitor the movement of the abdominal muscles by wearing the belt 100. [ Thus, the belt 100 can produce effects such as reduction in waist circumference of the user, prevention of dieting, back pain, strengthening of abdominal and waist strength, or posture correction.

Figure 5 shows the communication of belts and other electronic devices in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the belt 100 may communicate with a smart phone 1000 and wearable devices 2000, 3000. The wearable devices 2000 and 3000 may be a smart watch or a wearable ring. The wearable device may include any device that can be worn on the body, such as smart glasses, smart shoes, clothes, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 3, the belt 100 may communicate with the smartphone 1000 or the wearable devices 2000 and 3000 through the wireless communication unit 111_4 of the sensing unit 111. FIG. Communication can be performed through various communication methods described with reference to FIG.

The belt 100 can transmit a waist circumference warning signal to the smartphone 1000 when the abdominal muscle is relaxed beyond the allowable range. The belt 100 may transmit the average waist circumference information to the smartphone 1000.

The belt 100 may transmit the waist circumference warning signal or the average waist circumference information directly to the wearable devices 2000 and 3000 of the user. The user may receive waist circumference warning signals or average waist circumference information in the form of at least one of vibrations, alarms, and characters from the wearable devices 2000, 3000.

Finally, the belt 100 may communicate with the wearable devices 2000, 3000 via the smartphone 1000. Specifically, the smartphone 1000 may manage the waist circumference warning signal or the average waist circumference information received via the belt 100, and may selectively provide necessary information to the wearable devices 2000 and 3000.

By receiving the waist circumference warning signal and the average waist circumference information through the smart phone 1000 or the wearable devices 2000 and 3000, the user can conveniently manage the waist circumference and posture in daily life, and prevent abdominal obesity .

6 shows a method of utilizing a belt according to an embodiment of the present invention. The belt 100 can be worn on various body parts as well as on the user ' s waist. For example, the belt 100 may be worn on an arm, a leg, or the like. During muscular exercise, the user can monitor the contraction and relaxation of the muscles in real time by wearing the belt (100) on the arm or leg. Accordingly, the user can more easily manage the muscles through the belt 100. [

7 and 8 are views showing a belt according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the belt 200 may include a buckle 210, a catch 220, and a collar 230. The belt 200 may be worn on the body part of the user. By way of example, it is assumed that the belt 200 is worn on the abdomen of the user. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the belt 200 may be worn on the user's arm or leg. The belt 200 is provided in a form that can be worn on the waist of the user so that the movement of the user's abdominal muscle can be accurately measured and the user's body information can be efficiently collected.

The buckle 210 may be worn to be located in the abdomen of the user. For example, a nonslip pad may be attached to a surface of the buckle 210 that contacts the abdomen. By way of example, the non-slip pad may be provided of a material such as rubber or silicone. As a result, the buckle 210 can be stably fixed to the user's abdomen without movement.

 The buckle 210 may include a sensing unit 211 for measuring the contraction and relaxation of the abdominal muscle. The sensing unit 211 senses the contraction and relaxation of the abdominal muscle and can generate a warning signal when the abdomen is relaxed above a predetermined reference level. A method of sensing the movement of the sensing unit 211 due to the relaxation of the muscles will be described in detail with reference to FIG. And, the latch 220 may be connected to the ring 230 when the user wears the belt 200 on the abdomen. The latch portion 230 may be connected to one end of the buckle 210. The hook 230 may be connected to the other end opposite to the one end of the buckle 210. The latch portion 220 and the loop portion 230 may be provided of a material such as plastic or metal.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary view illustrating how the band 240 is provided in the buckle 210. FIG. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, one end of the band 240 may be connected to the latch 220. The band 240 may be embedded in the buckle 210. The user can pull the latch 220 in the first direction D1 to wear the belt 200. [ The band 240 embedded in the buckle 210 may be exposed to the outside of the buckle 210 when the latch 220 is pulled in the first direction D1. Thus, the length at which the band 240 is exposed can be adjusted as desired by the user. For example, if the force to pull the latch 220 in the first direction D1 disappears, the band 240 may be automatically wound into the buckle 210. Or when a force is applied to the latch 220 in a direction opposite to the first direction D1, the band 240 may be wound into the buckle.

The band 240 may be provided in a material such as rubber, urethane fiber, polyurethane fiber, nylon fiber, or spandex. Therefore, when worn, the band 240 can be brought into close contact with the abdomen accurately. Depending on the nature of the material, the band 240 may also contract and relax as the abdominal muscle of the user contracts and relaxes.

9 is a view illustrating an example of wearing a belt according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 9, the user can pull the band 240 by a desired length from the buckle 210 and wear it on the abdomen. When the band 240 is wound around the waist, the belt 200 can be fixed to the abdomen by connecting the hook 220 and the hook 230. [

When the belt 200 is worn on the abdomen of the user, the sensing portion 211 can sense the contraction and relaxation of the abdominal muscle of the user. For example, the sensing unit 211 can generate a waist circumference warning signal when the abdominal muscle relaxes beyond the reference. If the length of the band 240 is increased beyond the reference length due to the relaxation of the abdominal muscle of the user, the sensing unit 211 can output the waist circumference warning signal. Or when the magnitude of the pressure applied to the sensing unit 211 increases according to the relaxation of the abdominal muscle of the user, the sensing unit 211 may output a waist circumference warning signal. As an example, the sensing unit 211 may include a configuration similar or identical to that shown in Fig.

The user can periodically monitor the movement of the abdominal muscles by wearing the belt 200. Thus, the belt 200 can produce effects such as reduction in waist circumference of the user, prevention of dieting, back pain, strengthening of abdominal and waist strength, or posture correction. Also, before the belt 200 is worn, the band 240 is built in the buckle 210, so that the belt 200 can be easily carried.

The configurations shown in the respective conceptual diagrams should be understood from a conceptual viewpoint only. In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, the shape, structure, size, etc. of each of the components shown in the conceptual diagram have been exaggerated or reduced. The configuration actually implemented may have a physical shape different from that shown in the respective conceptual diagrams. Each conceptual diagram is not intended to limit the physical form of the component.

The device configurations shown in the respective block diagrams are intended to facilitate understanding of the invention. Each block may be formed of blocks of smaller units depending on the function. Alternatively, the plurality of blocks may form a block of a larger unit depending on the function. That is, the technical idea of the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in the block diagram.

The present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments of the present invention. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. Accordingly, the above embodiments should be understood in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. That is, the technical idea that can achieve the same object as the present invention, including the gist of the present invention, should be interpreted as being included in the technical idea of the present invention.

Therefore, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

Claims (8)

A buckle for sensing relaxation and contraction of the wear area; And
And a band for wrapping said wear part,
The buckle outputs a warning signal when the wearing part is relaxed more than the reference,
Wherein the band is embedded in the buckle and the length is adjusted to wrap the wear part. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein said band increases in length from one end of said buckle to wrap said wear part. 3. The method of claim 2,
An annular portion connected to the other end of the buckle; And
And a clasp coupled to one end of the band,
Wherein said hook is connected to said latch so that said band surrounds said wear part. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein said buckle includes a sensing portion for sensing shrinkage or relaxation of said wear area. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the sensing unit outputs the warning signal when the length of the band is increased beyond the reference length due to the relaxation of the wearing part. 5. The method of claim 4,
Wherein the sensing part outputs the warning signal when the magnitude of the pressure applied to the buckle by the relaxation of the wearing part increases to be equal to or greater than a reference value. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein a nonslip pad is attached to a surface of the buckle that contacts the wearer. The method according to claim 1,
And the band is made of a flexible material which is in close contact with the wearer's body.

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