Patent Publication Number: US-2021177354-A1

Title: Wearable physiological signal detecting device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 108145968, filed on Dec. 16, 2019. The entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The disclosure relates to a wearable physiological signal detecting device, and in particular, to a wearable physiological signal detecting device which is convenient for a user to put on and take off. 
     Description of Related Art 
     Nowadays, with the advancement of science and technology, people often work and live at a fast pace, and as a result, health management is becoming increasingly important. People often use wearable physiological signal detecting devices to help manage their health. It is important to allow users to use the wearable physiological signal detecting devices conveniently and quickly. Therefore, how to improve the convenience of use of a wearable physiological signal detecting device is an issue to be addressed in this field. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention provides a wearable physiological signal detecting device which addresses the issue of inconvenience of use of the wearable physiological signal detecting device in the conventional art. 
     A wearable physiological signal detecting device of the invention includes a device main body and a telescopic structure. The device main body has a strap. The strap surrounds and forms a wearable space. The telescopic structure is disposed in the strap and has a plurality of first surfaces and a plurality of second surfaces. Each of the first surfaces faces the corresponding second surface. Each of the first surfaces and the corresponding second surface are adapted to continuously move close and contact each other to assume a first state. The strap is adapted to be forced so that each of the first surfaces and the corresponding second surface move away from each other and have an angle to assume a second state. A size of the wearable space when each of the first surfaces and the corresponding second surface assume the second state is greater than a size of the wearable space when each of the first surfaces and the corresponding second surface assume the first state. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the telescopic structure includes a fixing member, a plurality of telescopic members, and a plurality of recovery members. The fixing member is disposed in the strap. The plurality of telescopic members are sequentially arranged and fixed to the fixing member. Each of the first surfaces is provided on one of two adjacent telescopic members, and each of the second surfaces is provided on the other one of the two adjacent telescopic members. The plurality of recovery members are respectively connected between two adjacent telescopic members and continuously provide elasticity so that each of the first surfaces and the corresponding second surface which are adjacent to each other assume the first state. A part of each of the recovery members is located between one of two adjacent telescopic members and the fixing member, and another part of each of the recovery members is located between the other one of the two adjacent telescopic members and the fixing member. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, each of the recovery members respectively includes a first fixing end and a second fixing end opposite to each other. The telescopic structure further includes a plurality of first fixing parts and a plurality of second fixing parts. The plurality of first fixing parts are respectively disposed on one of two adjacent telescopic members. Each of the first fixing ends is connected to the corresponding first fixing part and is located between the one of the two adjacent telescopic members and the fixing member. The plurality of second fixing parts are respectively disposed on the other one of the two adjacent telescopic members. Each of the second fixing ends is connected to the corresponding second fixing part and is located between the other one of the two adjacent telescopic members and the fixing member. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the recovery member is a spring pin. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the spring pin has an opening, and an angle of the opening is 120 degrees. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the wearable physiological signal detecting device further includes a limiting structure. The limiting structure is disposed on the telescopic structure and is configured to limit a maximum value of the angle when each of the first surfaces and the corresponding second surface assume the second state. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the telescopic structure includes a plurality of sequentially arranged telescopic members. Each of the first surfaces is provided on one of two adjacent telescopic members, and each of the second surfaces is provided on the other one of the two adjacent telescopic members. The limiting structure includes a plurality of groove blocks, a plurality of sliding blocks, a plurality of limiting columns, and a plurality of limiting grooves. The plurality of groove blocks are respectively disposed on each of the telescopic members. The plurality of sliding blocks are respectively disposed on one of two adjacent telescopic members. The plurality of limiting columns are respectively disposed to the corresponding sliding block. The plurality of limiting grooves are respectively provided in the groove block located on the other one of the two adjacent telescopic members. Each of the limiting columns is movably disposed in the corresponding limiting groove to limit the maximum value of the angle when each of the first surfaces and the corresponding second surface assume the second state. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, each of the limiting grooves is arc-shaped and defines a virtual center of circle. The virtual center of circle is located on an outer surface of the strap. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the angle is greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 25 degrees. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, an end of the strap is not in contact with the device main body and is at a gap from the device main body. A size of the gap when each of the first surfaces and the corresponding second surface assume the second state is greater than a size of the gap when each of the first surfaces and the corresponding second surface assume the first state. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the device main body has a plurality of flexible bending parts. The flexible bending parts are respectively disposed on the strap, are partially located in the wearable space, and respectively shield the first surface and the corresponding second surface which are adjacent to each other. A volume of each of the flexible bending parts located in the wearable space when each of the first surfaces and the corresponding second surface assume the first state is greater than a volume of each of the flexible bending parts located in the wearable space when each of the first surfaces and the corresponding second surface assume the second state. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the device main body includes an outer frame and the strap connected to the outer frame. The wearable physiological signal detecting device further includes an electronic module and a sensing module. The strap is connected to the outer frame. The electronic module is connected to the outer frame and has a first sensor. The sensing module is connected to the outer frame and the electronic module and has a pair of second sensors and a hole. The hole communicates with the wearable space. The first sensor passes through the hole, and the first sensor and the pair of second sensors are partially located in the wearable space. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, a surface of the first sensor located in the wearable space and surfaces of the pair of second sensors located in the wearable space are flush with each other. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic module is fixed to the outer frame. The sensing module is fixed to the outer frame and the electronic module. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic module is fixed to the outer frame. 
     The sensing module is detachably disposed on the outer frame and the electronic module. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the electronic module is detachably disposed on the outer frame. The sensing module is detachably disposed on the outer frame and the electronic module. 
     Based on the above, the wearable physiological signal detecting device of the invention is convenient for a user to put on or take off. 
     To make the aforementioned more comprehensible, several embodiments accompanied with drawings are described in detail as follows. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view showing a wearable physiological signal detecting device according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view showing a first surface and a second surface of a telescopic structure of the wearable physiological signal detecting device of  FIG. 1  in a second state. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the wearable physiological signal detecting device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the wearable physiological signal detecting device of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic exploded view showing part of internal components of the wearable physiological signal detecting device of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view showing part of internal components of the wearable physiological signal detecting device of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic perspective view showing a limiting structure of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic exploded view showing part of components of the wearable physiological signal detecting device of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the wearable physiological signal detecting device of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view showing a wearable physiological signal detecting device according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  is a schematic perspective view showing a first surface and a second surface of a telescopic structure of the wearable physiological signal detecting device of  FIG. 1  in a second state. For clear illustration and description, part of the internal structure is shown in broken lines in  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 3  is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the wearable physiological signal detecting device of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the wearable physiological signal detecting device of  FIG. 2 . For clear illustration and description, part of the structure shielded behind is shown in broken lines in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , and only part of the components is shown in the cross-sectional views in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  to avoid interference with comprehension due to excessive cross-sectional lines. Referring to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 4 , a wearable physiological signal detecting device  100  of the present embodiment includes a device main body  110  and a telescopic structure  120 . The device main body  110  has a strap  111 . The strap  111  surrounds and forms a wearable space S. The wearable space S allows a user to pass his hand through to put on the device. A telescopic structure  120  is disposed inside the strap  111 . The telescopic structure  120  has a plurality of first surfaces  121  and a plurality of second surfaces  122 . Each first surface  121  faces a corresponding second surface  122 . Each first surface  121  and the corresponding second surface  122  can continuously move close and contact each other to assume a first state as shown in  FIG. 3 . When the user applies a force to the strap  111 , the strap  111  can be forced so that each first surface  121  and the corresponding second surface  122  move away from each other and have an angle  0  to assume a second state as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     In other words, the telescopic structure  120  is a multi-segment angle-variable structure formed of the plurality of first surfaces  121  and second surfaces  122 . The state in which each first surface  121  and the corresponding second surface  122  of the telescopic structure  120  contact each other as shown in  FIG. 3  is defined as the first state. The state in which each first surface  121  and the corresponding second surface  122  of the telescopic structure  120  are separated from each other to have an angle θ as shown in  FIG. 4  is defined as the second state. In the first state shown in  FIG. 3 , the wearable space S surrounded by the strap  111  is smaller. In the second state shown in  FIG. 4 , the wearable space S surrounded by the strap  111  is larger. In other words, the size of the wearable space S in the second state is greater than the size of the wearable space S in the first state. Accordingly, the wearable physiological signal detecting device  100  of the invention is convenient for the user to put on or take off. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic exploded view showing part of internal components of the wearable physiological signal detecting device of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view showing part of internal components of the wearable physiological signal detecting device of  FIG. 2 . For clear illustration and description, part of the structure shielded behind is shown in broken lines in  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 5 , specifically, the telescopic structure  120  includes a fixing member  123 , a plurality of telescopic members  124  (labeled in  FIG. 2 ), a plurality of recovery members (for example, but not limited to, a recovery member  125 ), a plurality of first fixing parts (for example, but not limited to, a first fixing part  126 A), and a plurality of second fixing parts (for example, but not limited to, a second fixing part  126 B). The fixing member  123  is disposed in the strap  111 . The telescopic members are sequentially arranged and fixed to the fixing member  123 . The fixing member  123  is, but is not limited to, a metal sheet and may be used to keep the appearance smooth. 
     For clarity of illustration and brevity of description, the plurality of telescopic members  124  (labeled in  FIG. 2 ) will be described by referring to one of the two adjacent telescopic members as a first telescopic member  124 A (labeled in  FIG. 3  and onwards) and referring to the other one of the two adjacent telescopic members as a second telescopic member  124 B (labeled in  FIG. 3  and onwards). The first telescopic member  124 A and the second telescopic member  124 B are merely expedient names for clearly distinguishing different members and are not intended to limit the invention. In addition, one set of the first surface  121 , the second surface  122 , the first telescopic member  124 A, the second telescopic member  124 B, the recovery member  125 , the first fixing part  126 A, and the second fixing part  126 B will be described for brevity. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 6 , in the present embodiment, the first surface  121  is disposed on the first telescopic member  124 A, the second surface  122  is disposed on the second telescopic member  124 B, and the first surface  121  and the second surface  122  face each other. The recovery member  125  includes a first fixing end  125   a  and a second fixing end  125   b  opposite to each other. The first fixing part  126 A is disposed on the first telescopic member  124 A, and the second fixing part  126 B is disposed on the second telescopic member  124 B. The first fixing end  125   a  of the recovery member  125  is connected to the first fixing part  126 A, and the second fixing end  125   b  of the recovery member  125  is connected to the second fixing part  126 B. The recovery member  125  is configured to continuously provide elastic force so that the first telescopic member  124 A and the second telescopic member  124 B move close to each other, and the first surface  121  located on the first telescopic member  124 A and the second surface  122  located on the second telescopic member  124 B can contact each other to assume the first state. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 6  again, the first fixing end  125   a  of the recovery member  125  is located between the first telescopic member  124 A and the fixing member  123 , and the second fixing end  125   b  of the recovery member  125  is located between the second telescopic member  124 B and the fixing member  123 . Therefore, the fixing member  123 , the first telescopic member  124 A, and the second telescopic member  124 B can hold and fix the recovery member  125 . When the recovery member  125  is stretched and deformed, the fixing member  123  is used to prevent the recovery member  125  from popping out. In the present embodiment, the recovery member  125  is, for example, a spring pin but is not limited thereto. The spring pin has an opening  125   c,  and the angle of the opening  125   c  is, for example, 120 degrees but is not limited thereto. It is noted that the angle of the opening  125   c  of the spring pin here refers to the angle when the spring pin is not stretched. 
     Accordingly, when the user wants to put on the wearable physiological signal detecting device  100  of the present embodiment, the user may apply force to the strap  111  to deform the strap  111  and the recovery member  125  to expand the wearable space S surrounded by the strap  111 . At this time, the recovery member  125  will accumulate elastic force. Next, the user may put on the wearable physiological signal detecting device  100  of the present embodiment with the expanded wearable space S. Finally, when the user releases the strap  111 , due to the absence of the external force, the recovery member  125  will pull each first surface  121  and each second surface  122  to contact each other to assume the first state, and the wearable physiological signal detecting device  100  can be stably worn on the user&#39;s hand. Conversely, when the user wants to take off the wearable physiological signal detecting device  100  of the present embodiment, it is only necessary to apply force to the strap  111  to deform the strap  111  and the recovery member  125  to expand the wearable space S surrounded by the strap  111 , and the user can remove the wearable physiological signal detecting device  100  of the present embodiment. Therefore, the wearable physiological signal detecting device  100  of the present embodiment is convenient for the user to put on and take off. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic perspective view showing a limiting structure of  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 , and  FIG. 7 , the wearable physiological signal detecting device  100  of the present embodiment further includes a limiting structure  130 . The limiting structure  130  is disposed on the telescopic structure  120  and is configured to limit the maximum value of the angle θ when each first surface  121  and the corresponding second surface  122  assume the second state. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , in the telescopic structure  120 , a plurality of grooves  127  may be disposed on each telescopic member for placing the limiting structure  130 , and in the telescopic structure  120 , a plurality of screw holes  128  may be disposed on two sides of each telescopic member. The screw hole  128  corresponds to a penetration part  123   a  of the fixing member  123  and allows a screw (not shown) to sequentially pass through the penetration part  123   a  and the screw hole  128  to thereby fix the limiting structure  130  to the telescopic structure  120 . To clearly show the correspondence between the screw hole  128  and the penetration part  123   a,  the penetration part  123   a  is shown in broken lines in  FIG. 6 . 
     Specifically, the limiting structure  130  includes a plurality of groove blocks  131  (for example, but not limited to, groove blocks  131 ), a plurality of sliding blocks  132  (for example, but not limited to, sliding blocks  132 ), a plurality of limiting columns  133  (for example, but not limited to, limiting columns  133 ), and a plurality of limiting grooves  134  (for example, but not limited to, limiting grooves  134 ). Each sliding block  132  may be locked to the corresponding groove block  131  by screws (not shown). Except for the uppermost first groove block  131  in  FIG. 7 , each groove block  131  is provided with the limiting grooves  134  on the left and right sides. Except for the lowermost last groove block  131  in  FIG. 7 , each groove block  131  is provided with one sliding block  132 . For the sake of brevity, only one set of the groove block  131 , the sliding block  132 , the limiting columns  133 , and the limiting grooves  134  will be described below. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 6 , and  FIG. 7 , in the present embodiment, the first telescopic member  124 A and the second telescopic member  124 B are both provided with the groove block  131 , and the limiting grooves  134  are further disposed in the groove block  131  located on the second telescopic member  124 B. The sliding block  132  is disposed on the first telescopic member  124 A, and the limiting columns  133  are further disposed on the sliding block  132 . Each limiting groove  134  is substantially arc-shaped and has a virtual center C of circle. As shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the virtual center C is located on an outer surface  111   b  of the strap  111 , and the limiting column  133  is movably disposed in the limiting groove  134 . The first telescopic member  124 A and the second telescopic member  124 B can move with respect to each other with the virtual center C as the center. Because the limiting column  133  can only move reciprocatingly between the two ends of the limiting groove  134 , a maximum angle MAXθ of the reciprocating movement is the maximum value of the angle θ when the first surface  121  and the second surface  122  assume the second state. In other words, the coordination of the limiting column  133  and the limiting groove  134  can limit the maximum value of the angle θ of the telescopic structure  120  when the first surface  121  and the second surface  122  of each segment of the angle-variable structure assume the second state, so as to protect the recovery member  125  from permanent deformation and damage resulting from excessive stretching. 
     In the present embodiment, the maximum angle MAXθ and the angle θ are, for example but not limited to, greater than 0 degrees and less than or equal to 25 degrees. The maximum angle MAXθ and the angle θ may be 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, etc. The maximum angle MAXθ and the angle θ may specifically be 15 degrees. 
     In the present embodiment, an end  111   a  of the strap  111  is, for example, not in contact with the device main body  110  and is at a gap T from the device main body  110 , but the invention is not limited thereto. When the first surface  121  and the second surface  122  assume the first state as shown in  FIG. 3 , the gap T is smaller. When the first surface  121  and the second surface  122  assume the second state as shown in  FIG. 4 , the gap T is larger. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 4 , the wearable physiological signal detecting device  100  of the present embodiment further includes a plurality of flexible bending parts  112  disposed on the strap  111 . Each flexible bending part  112  respectively shields the corresponding first surface  121  and second surface  122 , is bent in a predetermined direction D opposite to the first surface  121  and the second surface  122 , and is partially located in the wearable space S. When the first surface  121  and the second surface  122  assume the first state as shown in  FIG. 3 , the volume of the flexible bending part  112  located in the wearable space S is greater. When the first surface  121  and the second surface  122  assume the second state as shown in  FIG. 4 , the volume of the flexible bending part  112  located in the wearable space S is smaller. 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic exploded view showing part of components of the wearable physiological signal detecting device of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 9  is a schematic partial cross-sectional view showing the wearable physiological signal detecting device of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , the device main body  110  of the present embodiment includes an outer frame  113 , the strap  111 , and a transparent upper cover  114 . The wearable physiological signal detecting device  100  further includes an electronic module  140  and a sensing module  150 . For the sake of brevity, the electronic module  140  is schematically shown in a simple geometric form in  FIG. 9 , but the electronic module  140  is actually not limited to the content shown in the figure. 
     Specifically, the strap  111  is connected to the outer frame  113 . The electronic module  140  has a first sensor  141 , two accommodating spaces  142 , and a display screen  143 . The electronic module  140  provides, for example, a computing function, a display function, or an operation function, and may specifically include components such as a circuit board, a processor, a display panel with or without a touch function, a switch, etc. The sensing module  150  has a pair of second sensors  151 , a hole  152 , and a contact surface  153 . The second sensors  151  may be accommodated in the two accommodating spaces  142 . The hole  152  and the wearable space S communicate with each other. The first sensor  141  may pass through the hole  152 , so that the first sensor  141  and the pair of second sensors  151  can be partially located in the wearable space S to contact the user&#39;s skin, so as to obtain physiological signals of the user such as, but not limited to, the blood pressure, the pulse, the blood flow rate, etc. and then convert them into physiological signal information of the user such as, but not limited to, the heartbeat, the blood flow rate, the blood pressure, the blood vessel wall thickness, the blood concentration, etc. 
     In the present embodiment, the surface of the first sensor  141  located in the wearable space S and the surfaces of the pair of second sensors  151  located in the wearable space S are flush with each other so as to evenly contact the user&#39;s skin. The contact surface  153  between the sensing module  150  and the user may be provided with an airtight member made of materials such as a soft gel, a hydrogel, etc. to enhance the airtightness between the sensing module  150  and the user&#39;s skin, which thereby improves the detection accuracy of the first sensor  141  and the second sensors  151  and at the same time provides the waterproof performance of the sensing module  150 . 
     In the present embodiment, the first sensor  141  is, for example, a sensor sensing the heartbeat, the blood flow rate, the blood pressure, the blood vessel wall thickness, and/or the blood concentration, but the invention is not limited thereto. The second sensor  151  is, for example, a sensor sensing the heartbeat, the blood flow rate, the blood pressure, the blood vessel wall thickness, and/or the blood concentration, but the invention is not limited thereto. The types, quantities, and configuration methods of the first sensor  141  and the second sensor  151  are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the invention. In addition, the physiological signals of the user that may be detected by the first sensor  141  and the second sensor  151 , and the physiological signal information of the user that may be converted and obtained may be appropriately adjusted according to the requirements and are not specifically limited herein. 
     In the present embodiment, the sensing module  150  and the electronic module  140  are fixed to each other and electrically connected to each other, and the sensing module  150  and the electronic module  140  are further fixed to the outer frame  113  of the device main body  110 . In other words, the sensing module  150 , the electronic module  140 , and the device main body  110  of the present embodiment may be fixed as a single component, which is suitable for use in daily life, sports, and other occasions by general users. 
     In other embodiments, the electronic module may be fixed to the outer frame to be integrated, and the sensing module may be detachably fixed by means of snap-fits, through holes, etc. and electrically connected. Since the sensing module needs to be in constant contact with the user&#39;s skin, by designing the sensing module as a disposable component, medical and hygienic safety can be improved. In addition, the first sensor on the electronic module may also be reused through disinfection and other methods, which can also improve medical and hygienic safety. 
     In other embodiments, the sensing module may be detachably fixed by means of snap-fits, through holes, etc. and electrically connected to the electronic module. Similarly, both the sensing module and the electronic module may be further detachably fixed to the outer frame of the device main body by means of snap-fits, through holes, etc. Since the sensing module needs to be in constant contact with the user&#39;s skin, by designing the sensing module as a disposable component, medical and hygienic safety can be improved. In addition, the first sensor on the electronic module may be reused through disinfection and other methods, or the electronic module may also be used as a disposable component, which can also improve medical and hygienic safety. 
     In summary of the above, in the wearable physiological signal detecting device of the invention, the strap surrounds and forms a wearable space. The wearable space allows the user to pass his hand through to put on the device. The telescopic structure is disposed inside the trap. The telescopic structure has a plurality of first surfaces and a plurality of second surfaces. Each first surface faces the corresponding second surface. Each first surface and the corresponding second surface can continuously move close and contact each other to assume a first state. When the user applies force to the strap, the strap can be forced so that each first surface and the corresponding second surface move away from each other and have an angle to assume a second state. The size of the wearable space in the second state is greater than the size of the wearable space in the first state. Thereby, the wearable physiological signal detecting device of the invention is convenient for the user to put on or take off. 
     In addition, the electronic module and the sensing module of the invention contribute to improving medical and hygienic safety. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the disclosure covers modifications and variations provided that they fall within the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.