Body warming / cooling device

Abstract

To make it possible for a user to continuously acquire feeling of being cooled.SOLUTION: In a body warming / cooling device 1, a second temperature sensor 202 detects a neck temperature NT2 that is a temperature of a second plate 12, and a control part 101 stops energization to a second Peltier element 14 when the neck temperature NT2 reaches a target temperature TT or lower by cooling of the second plate 12 by starting energization to the second Peltier element 14, and starts energization to the second Peltier element 14 when the neck temperature NT2 reaches an upper limit temperature UT that is higher than the target temperature TT by stopping the energization to the second Peltier element 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a body heating and cooling device. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a body warming / cooling device that uses a Peltier element to cool or heat the body of a user, thereby giving the user a feeling of coolness or warmth. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-154181 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2013-248293 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] If the user's body is continuously cooled at a constant temperature, the user's senses will become accustomed to the device and the user will not feel the cold as easily, which will make the device less comfortable to wear. It is generally said that if a constant temperature continues for more than about three seconds, the user's senses will become accustomed to the device.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure proposes a technology that allows the user to continuously experience a cool sensation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The body warming / cooling device of the present disclosure includes a plate provided to contact the neck of a user, a Peltier element for cooling the plate, a temperature sensor, and a control unit. The temperature sensor detects a neck temperature, which is the temperature of the plate. The control unit starts energizing the Peltier element to cool the plate and stops energizing the Peltier element when the neck temperature reaches a target temperature or lower. The control unit also starts energizing the Peltier element when the neck temperature reaches an upper limit temperature higher than the target temperature by stopping energizing the Peltier element. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the disclosed technology, by using a target temperature and an upper limit temperature higher than the target temperature, a constant temperature difference is ensured between when power supply starts and when power supply stops, allowing the user to experience a continuous feeling of coolness, thereby improving the wearing comfort of the body warming / cooling device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which a user wears a neck-hanging member of a body warming / cooling device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which a user wears the neck hanging member of the body warming / cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the neck hanging member of the body warming / cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the front side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the neck hanging member of the body warming / cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure, viewed from the rear side. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the neck hanging member of the body warming / cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a rear view showing the neck hanging member of the body warming / cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view showing the neck hanging member of the body warming / cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing the neck hanging member of the body warming / cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing the neck hanging member and the first plate in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view for explaining the positional relationship between the right and left neck parts and the first plate when the neck hanging member in the first embodiment of the present disclosure is worn by a user. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the carotid triangle in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a flow path of the neck-hanging member of the body warming / cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a flow path of the neck hanging member in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining the entire body warming / cooling device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a body warming / cooling device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the body warming / cooling device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the body warming / cooling device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0010] [Example 1] <Attaching the body heating / cooling device> Fig. 1 is a front view showing a state where a user wears a neck-hanging member of a body warming / cooling device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is a side view showing a state where a user wears a neck-hanging member of a body warming / cooling device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] 1 and 2, the body warming / cooling device 1 is worn from the right neck RN and left neck LN to the back neck PN of a user U, thereby heating or cooling the blood flowing through each carotid artery A of the user U and the back neck PN. In the following, as an example, a case where cooling is performed using the body warming / cooling device 1 will be described.

[0012] In the following, the front of the user U is the front side of the body warming / cooling device 1 (neck hanging member 16), and the rear of the user U is the back side of the body warming / cooling device 1 (neck hanging member 16). In the drawings, the left-right direction of the user U is shown as the X direction, the front-rear direction of the user U is shown as the Y direction, and the height direction of the user U is shown as the Z direction for the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 worn by the user U in an upright position.

[0013] <Body heating / cooling device configuration> Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment 1 of the present disclosure from the front side. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment 1 of the present disclosure from the back side.

[0014] The body warming / cooling device 1 has a pair of first plates 11A, 11B provided so as to contact the respective carotid arteries A of the right neck RN and the left neck LN of the user U, a pair of first Peltier elements 13A, 13B for cooling the pair of first plates 11A, 11B, a second plate 12 provided so as to contact the posterior neck PN of the user U, and a second Peltier element 14 for cooling the second plate 12. Hereinafter, the pair of first plates 11A, 11B may be collectively referred to as the "first plate 11," and the pair of first Peltier elements 13A, 13B may be collectively referred to as the "first Peltier element 13."

[0015] The body warming / cooling device 1 also has a neck hanging member 16 provided with a first plate 11 and a second plate 12, as well as a first Peltier element 13 and a second Peltier element 14. The body warming / cooling device 1 also has a heat exchanger 17, a power supply 18, and a controller 100, which will be described later.

[0016] Fig. 5 is a front view showing the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a rear view showing the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 7 is a side view showing the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 8 is a bottom view showing the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] The first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are formed of a metal material such as aluminum. As shown in Figures 3, 4, 6 and 8, the first plate 11 is provided on the inside of each of both ends extending toward the front side of the neck hanging member 16. As shown in Figures 3, 5, 7 and 8, the second plate 12 is provided on the inside of a curved central portion 29 on the back side of the neck hanging member 16.

[0018] 3, the first Peltier element 13 is provided in contact with the first plate 11, and is disposed inside both ends (front ends 28 of the upper section 16A described below) of the neck hanging member 16. The second Peltier element 14 is provided in contact with the second plate 12, and is disposed inside a central section 29 that is continuous with both ends of the neck hanging member 16. The first plate 11 is thermally connected to the first Peltier element 13, and the second plate 12 is thermally connected to the second Peltier element 14.

[0019] In this way, each of the pair of first plates 11A, 11B and second plate 12, which are arranged in three locations on the neck-hanging member 16, cools the blood flowing through the carotid artery A, thereby enabling concentrated cooling to be performed on three locations: the right neck region RN and the left neck region LN, where the user U can effectively feel a cool sensation, and the back neck region PN, where the user U is likely to feel a cool sensation.

[0020] Therefore, the body warming / cooling device 1 can efficiently cool the neck N of the user U, since the area of ​​heat transfer can be made smaller than that of a structure in which the neck N including the right neck RN, the left neck LN, and the back neck PN is cooled using a U-shaped plate that is continuous from the right neck RN to the back neck PN to the left neck LN. As a result, the power consumption of the body warming / cooling device 1 is reduced, and the continuous use time can be extended when driven by a battery. In addition, the first plates 11A, 11B and the second plate 12 are each distributed to three places on the neck hanging member 16, so that the movement of the neck N is not restricted and the feeling of pressure on the user U is reduced, as in the case of the above-mentioned U-shaped plate, and therefore the user U feels a sense of openness and the freedom of movement of the neck N is increased, and a comfortable fit can be obtained.

[0021] Since the posterior cervical region PN does not have a large blood vessel such as the carotid artery A and has a small blood flow rate, the amount of heat absorbed by the second Peltier element 14 is smaller than the amount of heat absorbed by the first Peltier element 13. Therefore, a Peltier element smaller than the first Peltier element 13 is used for the second Peltier element 14. As a result, the effect of cooling the posterior cervical region PN by the second Peltier element 14 is smaller than the effect of cooling the carotid artery A by the first Peltier element 13. Therefore, excessive cooling of the posterior cervical region PN is avoided, and the comfort of the user U is enhanced.

[0022] <First plate shape> FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing the neck hanging member 16 and the first plate 11 in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 9, the first plate 11 has a contact area 21 that contacts the carotid artery A, and the contact area 21 has an upper side 21a and a lower side 21b that face each other, and a front side 21c and a rear side 21d that face each other. The upper side 21a is disposed on the side of an upper edge 28a described later, and the lower side 21b is disposed on the side of a lower edge 28b described later. The front side 21c is disposed on the side of a front edge 28c described later. The width W1 between the upper side 21a and the lower side 21b expands from the rear side 21d side toward the front side 21c side. The width W1 refers to the width in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which an upper step portion 16A described later of the neck hanging member 16 extends. In other words, the upper side 21a slopes upward toward the front of the neck hanging member 16, the lower side 21b slopes downward toward the front of the neck hanging member 16, and the width W1 of the front side 21c side is greater than the width W1 of the rear side 21d side.

[0023] In the contact area 21 of the first plate 11, the front edge 21c is inclined so that the upper side of the front edge 21c is located closer to the front of the user U than the lower side of the front edge 21c, and the rear edge 21d is inclined so that the upper side of the rear edge 21d is located closer to the front of the user U than the lower side of the rear edge 21d. In other words, the front edge 21c is formed to have an upward gradient toward the tip side of both ends (front ends 28 of the upper stage portion 16A described later) of the neck hanging member 16. The upper edge 21a, lower edge 21b, front edge 21c, and rear edge 21d of the contact area 21 are each edges along the outer periphery of the contact area 21 and form the curved portion of this outer periphery.

[0024] In this manner, by forming the area of ​​the contact region 21 of the first plate 11 so that it increases toward the front side of the user U, the contact region 21 is extended to face the carotid triangle T (Figure 10) described below in which the carotid artery A of the user U is located, and the size that the contact region 21 occupies with respect to the carotid triangle T can be appropriately ensured.

[0025] In addition, the contact area 21 of the first plate 11 is formed in a curved shape that rises toward the carotid artery A. For example, the center of the contact area 21 bulges toward the carotid artery A from the upper side 21a, the lower side 21b, the front side 21c, and the rear side 21d. This allows the contact area 21 to appropriately contact the carotid artery A regardless of the variation in size of the neck N of the user U, and ensures a stable contact state between the first plate 11 and the carotid artery A. The curved contact area 21 may be formed as a spherical surface or may be formed as a combination of multiple gently curved surfaces.

[0026] 5 and 6, the second plate 12 has an elliptical contact area 22, and is disposed so as to contact both sides of the spine (not shown) of the posterior cervical region PN of the user U. The contact area 22 is formed so that the center in the vertical direction, which is the Z direction, bulges out toward the posterior cervical region PN, and the center in the vertical direction contacts along the periphery of the posterior cervical region PN.

[0027] <Shape of neck strap> As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 has a U-shaped upper stage 16A and a U-shaped lower stage 16B disposed below the upper stage 16A. As shown in Figures 3, 5 and 8, the upper stage 16A has the first plates 11A and 11B provided at both ends, and the second plate 12 provided at the center continuous with both ends. As shown in Figures 3, 4 and 7, the neck hanging member 16 has one end of the upper stage 16A in the direction in which the upper stage 16A extends and one end of the lower stage 16B in the direction in which the lower stage 16B extends connected to each other, and the other end of the upper stage 16A and the other end of the lower stage 16B connected to each other.

[0028] As shown in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, the lower portion 16B is formed in a rod shape that is thinner than the upper portion 16A, and is curved to fit along the base of the user U's neck N, i.e., the neck.

[0029] As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 7, the upper stage 16A and the lower stage 16B are arranged with a gap 25 in the vertical direction, which is the Z direction of the neck hanging member 16. The gap 25 is formed continuously from the right neck region RN and the left neck region LN to the back neck region PN. In other words, by dividing the neck hanging member 16 into the upper stage 16A and the lower stage 16B, it is possible to ensure a gap 25 between the upper stage 16A and the lower stage 16B. This reduces the restraint of the neck region N by the neck hanging member 16, thereby reducing the feeling of pressure from the neck hanging member 16 and increasing the degree of freedom of movement of the neck N, resulting in a comfortable fit.

[0030] In addition, in the neck hanging member 16, the vertical gap 25A in the right neck RN and left neck LN of the user U is larger than the vertical gap 25B in the rear neck PN. The rear side of the lower stage 16B that contacts the rear neck PN is curved upward toward the rear side of the upper stage 16A, thereby reducing the vertical gap 25B in the rear neck PN. In this way, the vertical gap 25A in the right neck RN and left neck LN is ensured to be large, thereby reducing the feeling of pressure on the right neck RN and left neck LN by the neck hanging member 16. This increases the feeling of openness of the neck N when the neck hanging member 16 is worn, and provides a comfortable fit.

[0031] 8, on the XY plane (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "horizontal plane"), the lower stage 16B is disposed outside the upper stage 16A with respect to the neck N of the user U, and the outer periphery of the upper stage 16A and the inner periphery of the lower stage 16B are disposed so as to overlap, so that the entire neck hanging member 16 is formed into a U-shape. Therefore, the upper stage 16A is disposed closer to the neck N of the user U than the position of the lower stage 16B.

[0032] The neck hanging member 16 is formed of a resin material such as polypropylene (PP) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The lower stage 16B is formed in a rod shape from polypropylene (PP), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or the like, which are examples of elastic materials. The lower stage 16B elastically deforms relative to the upper stage 16A, that is, the lower stage 16B flexes flexibly, so that the lower stage 16B and the upper stage 16A are connected to be relatively movable. Therefore, the upper stage 16A can flexibly move so as to follow the movement of the neck N of the user U. In other words, the lower stage 16B is formed so as to elastically deform relative to the upper stage 16A in response to the movement of the shoulders, etc., of the user U. In addition, as described above, the gaps 25A and 25B are secured between the upper stage 16A and the lower stage 16B, so that the degree of freedom of movement of the upper stage 16A and the lower stage 16B following the movement of the neck N of the user U is increased, and a comfortable fit is obtained.

[0033] Therefore, when the user U's neck N is pressed against the upper section 16A due to movement of the neck N, shoulders, etc., the upper section 16A moves smoothly toward the lower section 16B, thereby preventing the upper section 16A from compressing the user U's neck N.

[0034] <Positioning section> 1, 2, 7 and 9, the neck hanging member 16 has positioning parts 27 that are placed on the body of the user U so as to position the neck hanging member 16 at a position where the first plate 11 contacts each of the carotid arteries A of the right cervical part RN and the left cervical part LN. The positioning parts 27 are formed by a curved part on the front side of the lower stage part 16B of the neck hanging member 16, and a pair of positioning parts 27 are integrally formed with the lower stage part 16B.

[0035] As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 9, each positioning portion 27 is formed at a position in contact with the clavicle B of the user U. The clavicle is an example of a part of the body on which the positioning portion 27 is placed. By attaching the neck hanging member 16 so that each positioning portion 27 of the lower portion 16B of the neck hanging member 16 is placed on the clavicle B, the first plate 11 provided on the upper portion 16A is easily positioned in the up-down and left-right directions of the neck N of the user U. Furthermore, by the positioning portion 27 positioning the first plate 11 based on the clavicle B, the first plate 11 can be easily positioned and the stability of the positioned state of the first plate 11 can be improved.

[0036] Furthermore, since the lower stage 16B having the positioning portion 27 is formed of an elastic material as described above, even if the clavicle B or shoulders move while the neck hanging member 16 is attached, the lower stage 16B flexes to suppress fluctuations in the position of the first plate 11, thereby enhancing the stability of the state in which the first plate 11 is positioned by the positioning portion 27. Therefore, the area of ​​contact between the first plate 11 and the right cervical region RN or the left cervical region LN can be maintained, and the carotid artery A can be efficiently cooled.

[0037] <Shape of the front end of the neck strap> As shown in FIG. 9, in a pair of front ends 28, which are both ends of the upper stage 16A of the neck hanging member 16, a width W2 between an upper edge 28a and a lower edge 28b of the front end 28 widens toward the front of the user U. The width W2 refers to the width in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the upper stage 16A of the neck hanging member 16 extends. The upper edge 28a of the front end 28 is formed to have a downward gradient toward the front of the user U. Similar to the upper edge 28a, the lower edge 28b of the front end 28 is formed to have a downward gradient toward the front of the user U. As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 7, and FIG. 9, in the front end 28, the lower edge 28b and the upper edge 28a of the upper stage 16A are formed so that the height in the up-down direction, which is the Z direction, is lower on the front side than on the rear side.

[0038] At the front end 28 of the neck hanging member 16, the front edge 28c is inclined so that the upper edge 28a side is located closer to the front of the user U than the lower edge 28b side of the front edge 28c of the front end 28. Note that, as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 8, the pair of front ends 28 are curved so that the tips in the direction in which the upper step portion 16A extends approach each other. Therefore, in other words, the inclined shape of the front edge 28c described above is inclined so that the upper edge 28a side of the front edge 28c of the front end 28 is located closer to the tip side in the direction in which the upper step portion 16A extends than the lower edge 28b side.

[0039] By forming the area of ​​the front end 28 larger than the area of ​​the rear side of the upper stage portion 16A in this way, the first plate 11 can be arranged to face the carotid triangle T (FIG. 10) described below where the carotid artery A of the user U is located, and the size of the first plate 11 can be appropriately secured with respect to the carotid triangle T. This makes it possible to enlarge the size of the contact area 21 of the first plate 11 arranged at the front end 28, and the size of the contact area 21 of the first plate 11 with respect to the carotid triangle T can be appropriately secured. By appropriately securing the size of the contact area 21 of the first plate 11, the size of the first plate 11 does not need to be larger than necessary, and therefore the power consumption of the first Peltier element 13 can be reduced. In addition, by forming the front end 28 in the above-mentioned shape, a space is secured around the throat of the front neck AN (FIG. 2) of the user U, so that the feeling of pressure on the user U is reduced, and the feeling of openness of the neck N when the neck hanging member 16 is worn is enhanced, resulting in a comfortable wearing feeling.

[0040] <Positional relationship between the first plate and the neck> FIG. 10 is a side view for explaining the positional relationship between the right neck RN and the left neck LN and the first plate 11 when the user U wears the neck hanging member 16 in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 10, the area of ​​the carotid triangle T is indicated by diagonal lines. As shown in FIG. 10, the first plate 11 is disposed at the front end 28 of the upper stage 16A so as to contact the area of ​​each carotid triangle T of the user U when the user U wears the neck hanging member 16. That is, the first plate 11 is disposed based on the position of the carotid triangle T, and the area where the contact area 21 of the first plate 11 overlaps with the area of ​​the carotid triangle T is appropriately secured. This allows the contact area 21 of the first plate 11 to easily and smoothly come into contact with the carotid artery A located in the carotid triangle T, and the blood flowing through the carotid artery A can be appropriately cooled.

[0041] <Carotid triangle> Fig. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the carotid triangle in the first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 11, the carotid triangle T is a region in which the carotid artery A is located, and includes a right carotid triangle located in the right cervical region RN and a left carotid triangle located in the left cervical region LN. In detail, the carotid triangle T refers to a triangular region surrounded by an anterior edge T1 where the thyroid region 101, the larynx 102, the subhyoid region 103, and the hyoid region 104 are located, an upper edge T2 where the submandibular triangle 105 is located, and a posterior edge T3 where the sternocleidomastoid muscle region 106 is located.

[0042] The shape of the front end 28 of the neck hanging member 16 and the shape of the contact area 21 of the first plate 11 are set to correspond to the carotid triangle T, so that the first plate 11 can cool the blood flowing through the carotid artery A. The contact area 21 of the first plate 11 is formed so that its size around the neck N is larger than the average size of the carotid triangle T, and the contact area 21 is set so as to be in appropriate contact with the carotid triangle T regardless of the variation in size of the neck N of the user U.

[0043] <Flow path of neck strap> Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing flow paths of the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 of the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing flow paths of the neck hanging member 16 in the first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] 12, the neck hanging member 16 has a tube member 31 that forms a flow path 32 that sends cooling water as a heat medium to the first Peltier element 13 and the second Peltier element 14. The tube member 31 is provided inside the upper stage portion 16A and the lower stage portion 16B of the neck hanging member 16, and is arranged along the direction in which each of the upper stage portion 16A and the lower stage portion 16B extends. Note that the heat medium is not limited to cooling water, and other temperature regulating liquids such as cooling oil may be used as the heat medium.

[0045] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the flow path 32 of the tube member 31 includes a first flow path 32A extending from the second Peltier element 14 to one of the first Peltier elements 13A, a second flow path 32B extending from one of the first Peltier elements 13A to the other first Peltier element 13B, and a third flow path 32C extending from the other first Peltier element 13B to the second Peltier element 14.

[0046] Inside the neck hanging member 16, cooling water supplied from the outside to the rear side of the neck hanging member 16 flows through the first flow path 32A, the second flow path 32B, and the third flow path 32C in this order, and is sent from the rear side of the neck hanging member 16 to the outside. As shown in Fig. 13, the flow path 32 is routed so that the cooling water is supplied to the first Peltier element 13 and the second Peltier element 14. The supplied cooling water is thermally connected to the first Peltier element 13 and the second Peltier element 14, and heat exchange occurs between the cooling water and each of the first Peltier element 13 and the second Peltier element 14.

[0047] 12, a first flow path 32A through which cooling water flows from the rear of the upper stage portion 16A toward one front end portion 28 of the upper stage portion 16A, and a third flow path 32C through which cooling water flows from the other front end portion 28 of the upper stage portion 16A toward the rear of the upper stage portion 16A are provided inside the upper stage portion 16A. A second flow path 32B through which cooling water flows from one end side to the other end side of the lower stage portion 16B is provided inside the lower stage portion 16B.

[0048] That is, the cooling water that has entered the flow path 32 from the rear of the upper stage portion 16A flows through the upper stage portion 16A along the first flow path 32A, flows through the lower stage portion 16B along the second flow path 32B, and flows through the upper stage portion 16A along the third flow path 32C, thereby flowing inside the neck hanging member 16 along the flow path 32 that is formed in a single stroke, and exits from the rear of the upper stage portion 16A to the outside of the neck hanging member 16. Therefore, each of the upper stage portion 16A and the lower stage portion 16B can be used as a flow path.

[0049] Therefore, the path of the cooling water flow path 32 in the neck hanging member 16 is simplified, and the neck hanging member 16 can be formed compactly, so that the neck hanging member 16 can be made small and lightweight. In addition, the first flow path 32A, the second flow path 32B, and the third flow path 32C are arranged apart from each other inside the neck hanging member 16, so that heat exchange between the respective flow paths 32A, 32B, and 32C is prevented, and the cooling capacity of the first Peltier element 13 and the second Peltier element 14 is improved. In addition, in the neck hanging member 16, the upper stage portion 16A and the lower stage portion 16B are arranged with a gap 25 therebetween, so that heat exchange between the first flow path 32A and the second flow path 32B and between the second flow path 32B and the third flow path 32C can be blocked. This further improves the cooling capacity of the first Peltier element 13 and the second Peltier element 14.

[0050] As described above, the amount of heat absorption by the second Peltier element 14 is smaller than the amount of heat absorption by the first Peltier element 13. Therefore, in the flow path 32, the cooling water first passes through the second Peltier element 14 which has a smaller amount of heat absorption, thereby preventing the temperature of the cooling water from increasing significantly, and the first Peltier element 13 can be appropriately cooled by the cooling water which has a lower temperature after passing through the second Peltier element 14.

[0051] <Tube pull-out position> As shown in Figs. 2, 4, 7 and 12, the tube member 31 is drawn out from the upper side of the central part 29 of the neck hanging member 16 at the position where the second Peltier element 14 is arranged to the outside of the neck hanging member 16. In detail, the tube member 31 is drawn out horizontally from the back of the central part 29 where the second Peltier element 14 is arranged in the upper stage part 16A of the neck hanging member 16. The central part 29 of the upper stage part 16A from which the tube member 31 is drawn out of the neck hanging member 16 is located above the rear neck part PN, and the drawing position of the tube member 32 is arranged to be higher than the collar of general clothes. In addition, by drawing out the tube member 31 horizontally from the upper stage part 16A, contact between the collar of the clothes of the user U and the tube member 31 is avoided, and the fluidity of the cooling water is prevented from being hindered.

[0052] This allows the tube member 31, which is drawn out from the rear of the neck PN of the user U, to be easily routed from above the collar of the user U's clothing to the back of the user U without getting caught on the collar. Therefore, the user U can easily wear the neck hanging member 16 while still wearing his / her clothes, improving the ease of putting on and taking off the neck hanging member 16.

[0053] 4 and 6, a cooling water inlet 33a and an outlet 33b of the flow path 32 are provided side by side on the back surface of the central portion 29 of the upper portion 16A of the neck hanging member 16. As shown in Figs. 4, 8 and 12, the tube member 31 includes an inlet side tube member 31A connected to the inlet 33a and an outlet side tube member 31B connected to the outlet 33b.

[0054] The position from which the tube member 31 is pulled out from the neck hanging member 16 is not limited to the back side of the central portion 29 in the upper stage 16A, and may be pulled out from any position in the upper stage 16A as long as it is a position that avoids contact with the collar of the clothing of the user U. The direction from which the tube member 31 is pulled out from the upper stage 16A is not limited to the horizontal direction, and may be pulled out obliquely upward from the back side of the central portion 29 in the upper stage 16A, for example. When the tube member 31 is pulled around to the back side of the user U as in this embodiment, a structure in which the tube member 31 is pulled out from the back side of the central portion 29 in the upper stage 16A as in this embodiment is preferable.

[0055] <Other configurations of the body heating / cooling device> Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining the whole body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 14, the body warming / cooling device 1 has a heat exchanger 17 connected to the neck hanging member 16 via tube members 31A and 31B, a power supply unit 18 that supplies power to the first Peltier element 13, the second Peltier element 14 and the heat exchanger 17, and a controller 100.

[0056] An example of the heat exchanger 17 is an air-cooled radiator, and the heat exchanger 17 has a pump for feeding a coolant, a blower fan for cooling the coolant, and an air inlet and an air outlet.

[0057] The power supply unit 18 is, for example, a rechargeable battery, and is connected to the heat exchange unit 17 via a power supply line 18a, and is connected to the controller 100 via a power supply line 18b.

[0058] The controller 100 is connected to the heat exchange unit 17 via a control line 19a, and controls the flow rate of the pump of the heat exchange unit 17, the rotation speed of the blower fan, etc. The controller 100 is also connected to the first Peltier element 13 and the second Peltier element 14 via a power supply line 18c, and controls, for example, the power supplied to the first Peltier element 13 and the second Peltier element 14.

[0059] The first embodiment has been described above.

[0060] [Example 2] <Body heating / cooling device configuration> FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a body warming / cooling device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] 15, a first temperature sensor 201A is disposed between the first Peltier element 13A and the first plate 11A, a first temperature sensor 201B is disposed between the first Peltier element 13B and the first plate 11B, and a second temperature sensor 202 is disposed between the second Peltier element 14 and the second plate 12. Hereinafter, the first temperature sensors 201A and 201B may be collectively referred to as "first temperature sensor 201."

[0062] 15, the controller 100 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, an operation unit 103, and an air temperature sensor 104.

[0063] The control unit 101 is connected to the first Peltier elements 13A and 13B and the second Peltier element 14 via a power supply line 18c, and is connected to the first temperature sensors 201A and 201B and the second temperature sensor 202 via a control line 19b. The control unit 101 is also connected to the power supply unit 18 via the power supply line 18b. The power supply unit 18 supplies power to the first Peltier elements 13A and 13B and the second Peltier element 14 via the power supply line 18b, the control unit 101, and the power supply line 18c. The power supplied to the first Peltier elements 13A and 13B and the second Peltier element 14 is controlled by the control unit 101. The control unit 101 is realized as hardware, for example, by a processor. Examples of the processor include a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and an MCU (Micro Controller Unit).

[0064] The first temperature sensor 201A detects the temperature of the first Peltier element 13A. This temperature is also the temperature of the first plate 11A in contact with the first Peltier element 13A. The temperature NT1A detected by the first temperature sensor 201A (hereinafter, may be referred to as the "neck temperature NT1A") is output to the control unit 101 via the control line 19b.

[0065] The first temperature sensor 201B detects the temperature of the first Peltier element 13B. This temperature is also the temperature of the first plate 11B in contact with the first Peltier element 13B. The temperature NT1B detected by the first temperature sensor 201B (hereinafter, may be referred to as "neck temperature NT1B") is output to the control unit 101 via the control line 19b.

[0066] The second temperature sensor 202 detects the temperature of the second Peltier element 14. This temperature is also the temperature of the second plate 12 in contact with the second Peltier element 14. The temperature NT2 detected by the second temperature sensor 202 (hereinafter, may be referred to as "neck temperature NT2") is output to the control unit 101 via the control line 19b.

[0067] Hereinafter, the neck temperatures NT1A, NT1B and NT2 may be collectively referred to as "neck temperature NT."

[0068] The air temperature sensor 104 detects the air temperature OT around the controller 100 (hereinafter, may be referred to as the “outside air temperature OT”), and outputs to the control unit 101 a signal indicating the detected outside air temperature OT.

[0069] The operation unit 103 accepts an operation by the user U, and a control signal corresponding to the operation accepted by the operation unit 103 is output from the operation unit 103 to the control unit 101. By operating the operation unit 103, the user U can turn on / off the power supply of the body warming / cooling device 1, set the temperatures of the first Peltier element 13 and the second Peltier element 14, and the like.

[0070] The storage unit 102 stores, for example, a temperature set for calculating a target temperature, etc., which will be described later. The storage unit 102 is realized as hardware, for example, by a memory. Examples of the memory include a RAM (Random Access Memory) such as an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, etc.

[0071] <Handling of body heating and cooling devices> FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the body warming / cooling device according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0072] 16, in step S300, the control unit 101 acquires the outside air temperature OT [° C.] from the air temperature sensor 104.

[0073] Next, in step S305, the control unit 101 calculates a target temperature TT [°C] that is lower than the outside air temperature OT based on the outside air temperature OT and a predetermined temperature PT for making the user U feel cool. For example, the control unit 101 calculates the target temperature TT according to equation (1). For example, when the predetermined temperature PT is 7°C and the outside air temperature OT detected by the air temperature sensor 104 is 27°C, the target temperature TT is calculated to be 20°C. Target temperature TT = Outside temperature OT - Predetermined temperature PT ... (1)

[0074] Next, in step S310, the control unit 101 calculates an upper limit temperature UT [°C] that is higher than the target temperature TT based on the target temperature TT. ΔT [°C] in the formula (2) is set to any value between 3°C or more and 10°C or less, for example. ΔT is set in advance and stored in the storage unit 102. For example, when ΔT is set to 5°C and the outside air temperature OT detected by the air temperature sensor 104 is 27°C, the upper limit temperature UT is calculated to be 25°C. Upper limit temperature UT=target temperature TT+ΔT…(2)

[0075] Next, in step S315, the control unit 101 starts passing electricity to the first Peltier element 13 and the second Peltier element 14. This starts the supply of power to the first Peltier element 13 and the second Peltier element 14, the temperatures of the first Peltier element 13 and the second Peltier element 14 start to decrease, the cooling of the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 starts, and the neck temperature NT gradually decreases.

[0076] Hereinafter, the processing of steps S320 to S350 is performed individually for each of the first Peltier elements 13A, 13B and the second Peltier element 14. Below, the processing for the second Peltier element 14 will be described as an example, and a description of the processing for the first Peltier elements 13A, 13B will be omitted, but the same processing as the processing for the second Peltier element 14 is also performed for the first Peltier elements 13A, 13B.

[0077] In step S320, the control unit 101 acquires the neck temperature NT2 from the second temperature sensor 202.

[0078] Next, in step S325, the control unit 101 determines whether the neck temperature NT2 has reached or is below the target temperature TT. If the neck temperature NT2 has reached or is below the target temperature TT (step S325: Yes), the process proceeds to step S330, and if the neck temperature NT2 has not reached the target temperature TT (step S325: No), the process returns to step S320.

[0079] When the neck temperature NT2 reaches or exceeds the target temperature TT, in step S330, the control unit 101 maintains the supply of electricity to the second Peltier element 14 for the power supply maintenance time MT1.

[0080] Next, in step S335, the control unit 101 stops the power supply to the second Peltier element 14 after the power supply maintenance time MT1 has elapsed since the neck temperature NT2 reached the target temperature TT or lower. This stops the supply of power to the second Peltier element 14, stops the temperature drop of the second Peltier element 14, and the neck temperature NT2 gradually rises. The power supply maintenance time MT1 is set by the control unit 101 based on the outside air temperature OT. For example, when the outside air temperature OT is less than 30°C, the power supply maintenance time MT1 is set to 2 seconds, and when the outside air temperature OT is 30°C or higher, the power supply maintenance time MT1 is set to 1 second. While a longer cooling time is better for making the user U feel a cool sensation, when the outside air temperature OT is as high as 30°C or higher, the power supply maintenance time MT1 is set to be short in consideration of the Peltier element overheating.

[0081] Next, in step S340, the control unit 101 acquires the neck temperature NT2 from the second temperature sensor 202.

[0082] Next, in step S345, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the neck temperature NT2 has reached the upper limit temperature UT. If the neck temperature NT2 has reached the upper limit temperature UT (step S345: Yes), the process proceeds to step S350, and if the neck temperature NT2 has not reached the upper limit temperature UT (step S345: No), the process returns to step S340.

[0083] When the neck temperature NT2 reaches the upper limit temperature UT, in step S350, the control unit 101 maintains the stop of the power supply to the second Peltier element 14 for the stop maintenance time MT2. The control unit 101 sets the stop maintenance time MT2 based on the elapsed time ET from the time when the power supply to the second Peltier element 14 is stopped (i.e., the time when the process of step S335 is performed) to the time when the neck temperature NT2 reaches the upper limit temperature UT. For example, when the elapsed time ET is less than 3 seconds, the stop maintenance time MT2 is set to 0 seconds, when the elapsed time ET is 3 seconds or more and less than 4 seconds, the stop maintenance time MT2 is set to 1 second, when the elapsed time ET is 4 seconds or more and less than 5 seconds, the stop maintenance time MT2 is set to 2 seconds, and when the elapsed time ET is 5 seconds or more, the stop maintenance time MT2 is set to 3 seconds. By setting the stop maintenance time MT2 in this manner, when the neck temperature NT2 rises quickly, the power supply start time can be accelerated to give the user U a cooling sensation sooner. The elapsed time ET, the energization maintenance time MT1, and the stop maintenance time MT2 are measured by a timer (not shown) in the control unit 101.

[0084] After the process of step S350, the process returns to step S300. Therefore, in step S315, the supply of current to the second Peltier element 14 is resumed.

[0085] <Body heating / cooling device operation> Fig. 17 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the body warming / cooling device of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 17 explains an example in which the target temperature TT is calculated to be 20°C and the upper limit temperature UT is calculated to be 25°C. Note that Fig. 17 explains an example of the operation of the second Peltier element 14, and omits an explanation of the operations of the first Peltier elements 13A and 13B, but the same operation as the operation of the second Peltier element 14 is also performed for the first Peltier elements 13A and 13B.

[0086] 17, at time t1, the control unit 101 starts passing electricity to the second Peltier element 14. This starts the supply of power to the second Peltier element 14, the temperature of the second Peltier element 14 starts to decrease, cooling of the second plate 12 starts, and the neck temperature NT2 gradually decreases.

[0087] As a result of the gradual decrease in the neck temperature NT2 from time t1, the neck temperature NT2 reaches the target temperature TT at time t2. Then, the power supply maintenance time MT1 is measured from time t2. Therefore, the neck temperature NT2 further decreases between time t2 and time t3.

[0088] Then, at time t3 when the power supply maintenance time MT1 has elapsed from time t2, the control unit 101 stops the power supply to the second Peltier element 14. This stops the supply of power to the second Peltier element 14, stops the decrease in temperature of the second Peltier element 14, stops the cooling of the second plate 12, and causes the neck temperature NT2 to gradually rise.

[0089] In this manner, the second Peltier element 14 is energized for the time Ton from time t1 to time t3.

[0090] The neck temperature NT2 gradually rises from time t3, and as a result, the neck temperature NT2 reaches the upper limit temperature UT at time t4. Then, the stop maintenance time MT2 is measured from time t4. Therefore, the neck temperature NT2 further rises between time t4 and time t5.

[0091] Then, at time t5 when the stop maintenance time MT2 has elapsed from time t4, the control unit 101 resumes the supply of electricity to the second Peltier element 14. This resumes the supply of power to the second Peltier element 14, and the cooling of the second plate 12 by the second Peltier element 14 is resumed, so that the neck temperature NT2 gradually decreases again.

[0092] In this way, the supply of current to the second Peltier element 14 is stopped for the time Toff from time t3 to time t5.

[0093] In the above description, the target temperature TT is automatically set in accordance with the outside air temperature OT. However, the target temperature TT may be set by the user U operating the operation unit 103.

[0094] In the above description, the same processing and operation are performed for the first Peltier elements 13A, 13B and the second Peltier element 14. However, for example, the target temperature TT for the neck temperatures NT1A, NT1B and the target temperature TT for the neck temperature NT2 may be set to different temperatures.

[0095] Furthermore, instead of using a plurality of temperature sensors, the first Peltier elements 13A and 13B and the second Peltier element 14 may be controlled using a single temperature sensor.

[0096] The second embodiment has been described above.

[0097] As described above, the body warming / cooling device of the present disclosure (body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment) includes plates (first plates 11A, 11B, second plate 12 of the embodiment), Peltier elements (first Peltier elements 13A, 13B, second Peltier element 14 of the embodiment), temperature sensors (first temperature sensors 201A, 201B, second temperature sensor 202 of the embodiment), and a control unit (control unit 101 of the embodiment). The plates are provided so as to contact the neck of a user. The Peltier elements cool the plates. The temperature sensors detect neck temperatures (neck temperatures NT1A, NT1B, NT2 of the embodiment), which are the temperatures of the plates. The control unit stops the supply of electricity to the Peltier elements when the plates are cooled by starting the supply of electricity to the Peltier elements and the neck temperature reaches a target temperature (target temperature TT of the embodiment) or lower. Furthermore, the control unit stops the supply of electricity to the Peltier element, and starts the supply of electricity to the Peltier element when the neck temperature reaches an upper limit temperature (upper limit temperature UT in the embodiment) higher than the target temperature.

[0098] In this way, by using the target temperature and the upper limit temperature higher than the target temperature to ensure a temperature difference between when the current starts and when the current stops, it is possible to prevent the user from becoming accustomed to the temperature. Therefore, the user can feel a continuous cool sensation when using the body warming / cooling device, improving the comfort of wearing the body warming / cooling device.

[0099] Furthermore, the control unit stops the supply of current to the Peltier element after the current supply maintenance time (current supply maintenance time MT1 in the embodiment) has elapsed from the time when the neck temperature reaches or exceeds the target temperature.

[0100] This makes it possible to extend the cooling time and improve the cooling sensation felt by the user.

[0101] For example, the control unit sets a shorter power supply maintenance time as the outside air temperature (outside air temperature OT in the embodiment) increases.

[0102] As the outside temperature increases, the heat dissipation efficiency in the heat exchange section decreases, resulting in a relative decrease in the cooling capacity of the Peltier element. By doing this, it is possible to suppress unnecessary current flow when the outside temperature is high.

[0103] Furthermore, the control unit starts supplying current to the Peltier element after the current supply stop maintenance time (stop maintenance time MT2 in the embodiment) has elapsed from the time when the neck temperature reaches the upper limit temperature.

[0104] This makes it possible to provide a period during which the body warming / cooling device is not energized, thereby enabling power saving.

[0105] For example, the control unit sets the power-off maintenance time based on the elapsed time from when the power supply to the Peltier element is stopped to when the neck temperature reaches the upper limit temperature (elapsed time ET in the embodiment). Also, for example, the control unit sets a shorter power-off maintenance time as the elapsed time becomes shorter.

[0106] In this way, the time for which power supply is stopped can be adjusted according to the time for which cooling of the user's neck is stopped, and if the temperature of the user's neck rises quickly, i.e., if the user begins to feel hot quickly, cooling of the neck can be resumed quickly.

[0107] For example, the temperature difference between the target temperature and the upper limit temperature is 3°C or more and 10°C or less.

[0108] This prevents the user from becoming uncomfortable due to an increase in neck temperature caused by the cessation of cooling of the neck. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 1. Body heating and cooling device 11A, 11B First plate 12 Second Plate 13A, 13B First Peltier element 14 Second Peltier element 16 Neck hanging member 18 Power supply section 100 Controller 101 Control section 102 Storage section 103 Operation section 104 Air Temperature Sensor 201A, 201B First temperature sensor 202 Second temperature sensor

Claims

[Claim 1] a plate provided to contact the neck of a user; a Peltier element for cooling the plate; a temperature sensor for detecting a neck temperature, which is the temperature of the plate or the Peltier element; a control unit that starts energizing the Peltier element, thereby stopping energization of the Peltier element when the plate is cooled and the neck temperature reaches a target temperature, and that resumes energization of the Peltier element when a predetermined time has elapsed after energization of the Peltier element has been stopped; Equipped with The relationship between the target temperature and the predetermined time is set to correspond to a temperature difference of 3°C to 10°C in order to provide a continuous cooling sensation. Body heating and cooling device.

Images