Body temperature regulating clothing

Abstract

To provide body temperature regulating clothing capable of efficiently, locally cooling or warming only desired specific parts of a body.SOLUTION: A temperature regulating vest being the body temperature regulating clothing, configured to attach Peltier element units 40 each including a cooling surface for absorbing heat and a heat-generating surface for generating heat, to a fabric 11 of a vest body 10, comprises: element attaching parts 20 to which the Peltier element units 40 can be attached and which are disposed at a plurality of sites on a back fabric 11B, where a heat radiation surface being any one face of the cooling surface or the heat-generating surface of the three Peltier element units 40 is attached to specific element attaching parts selected from the plurality of sites, with the surface facing and coming into contact with a body surface of a wearer, and has a control part capable of controlling the Peltier element units 40. The control part is electrically connected to each of the Peltier element units 40 by branch lines 56A, 56B and 56C divided and extending from a main line 56 that is collected in one line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to body temperature regulating clothing, such as a jacket, vest, trousers, etc., that locally cools or warms selected specific parts of a wearer's body. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there have been many extremely hot days throughout the year that are uncomfortable for people, and on such extremely hot days, frequent hydration and moderate use of air conditioners are encouraged as measures to prevent heatstroke. However, due to reasons such as the lack of air conditioner equipment or insufficient air conditioner effectiveness, workers who work outdoors in the heat of the summer, workers who work in humid indoor environments, and people who engage in recreational activities, sports, or watching games under the blazing sun cannot cool down with air conditioners. For this reason, clothing with air conditioning functions has become popular for people who want to escape the heat, and in recent years, air-conditioned clothing equipped with an air conditioning unit using a Peltier element has also been developed. One example is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes functional clothing equipped with an air conditioning unit that takes in air from an intake port located at the wearer's waist and into a flow path, cools the air taken into the flow path using a Peltier element, and guides the cooled air to a belt-shaped exhaust port and discharges it to the center of the wearer's back or around the neck. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-70215 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the air-conditioning clothing of Patent Document 1 is configured to generate cool air by bringing the air taken in into contact with a Peltier element and exhausting the cool air from an exhaust port, so the cool air temperature-adjusted by the Peltier element is dissipated toward the wearer from an exhaust port provided around the neck. In other words, in air-conditioning clothing like that of Patent Document 1, the dissipated cool air floats around the exhaust port and cools a relatively wide area of ​​the wearer, so when it is desired to locally cool only a specific part of the body, such as the cervical vertebrae or the flanks, the air-conditioning clothing like that of Patent Document 1 cannot effectively cool only such a specific part of the body.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has as its object to provide body temperature regulating clothing that can locally and efficiently cool or warm only specific desired parts of the body. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the body temperature regulating clothing according to the present invention has the following configuration. (1) A body temperature regulating garment formed so that a Peltier element unit having a Peltier element having a cooling surface which absorbs heat and a heating surface which generates heat on the opposite side to the cooling surface can be attached to a fabric of the garment, the fabric has element attachment parts to which the Peltier element units can be attached at a plurality of locations, one or more of the Peltier element units can be attached at element attachment parts located at selective specific locations among the plurality of locations, with the heat dissipation surface, which is either the cooling surface or the heating surface, facing the surface of the body of a wearer of the body temperature regulating garment so as to be in contact with the surface of the body of the wearer of the body temperature regulating garment, and the Peltier element is electrically the control means is electrically connectable to the Peltier elements in the two or more Peltier element units by a single independent main line or by branch lines extending from a single main line; the fabric includes a front fabric which is positioned on the outermost side and a back fabric which is positioned closest to the wearer's body, and is formed in at least two overlapping layers, the element attachment portion is provided on the back fabric, and the Peltier element unit attached to the element attachment portion is covered by the front fabric. (2) In the body temperature regulating clothing described in (1), the Peltier element unit is attached by a pair of flanges consisting of a first flange and a second flange, sandwiching the element mounting portion, and the pair of flanges are formed so as to be inclined toward the side away from the opposite side of the heat dissipation surface at an inclination angle θ of 0≦θ≦30 (deg) relative to a virtual reference line along the heat dissipation surface. (3) The body temperature regulating clothing described in (2) is characterized in that the inclination angle θ is 15≦θ≦30 (deg). (4) In the body temperature regulating clothing described in any one of (1) to (3), the control means is characterized in that it can control the temperature of the heat radiated onto the heat dissipation surface as cold or hot heat in a plurality of stages. (5) In the body temperature regulating garment described in any one of (1) to (4), the control means is characterized in that it can periodically vary the temperature of heat radiated onto the heat dissipation surface for each of the two or more Peltier elements attached to the garment. (6) In the body temperature regulating clothing described in (4), the time phase for periodically varying the temperature of the heat dissipation is the same for each of the Peltier elements, and the control means changes the Peltier element that produces the heat dissipation of the set specific temperature among the two or more Peltier elements based on a regular alternation, so that, for the two or more Peltier elements as a whole, the heat dissipation of the specific temperature is released from the heat dissipation surface of each of the Peltier elements in a manner that fluctuates between each of the Peltier elements. (7) The body temperature regulating garment according to any one of (1) to (6) above, characterized in that at least the outer fabric of the fabric is formed with a mesh structure. (8) In the body temperature regulating clothing described in any one of (1) to (7), the control means is characterized in that the heat dissipation surface can be switched between the cooling surface and the heating surface by reversing the polarity of the direct current supplied to the Peltier element. (9) The body temperature regulating garment according to any one of (1) to (7), characterized in that the garment is a vest worn around the wearer's upper body. Effect of the Invention

[0008] The action and effect of the body temperature regulating clothing according to the present invention having the above-mentioned configuration will now be described.

[0009] (1) A body temperature regulating garment formed so that a Peltier element unit equipped with a Peltier element having a cooling surface that absorbs heat and a heating surface that generates heat on the opposite side to the cooling surface can be attached to the fabric of the garment, the fabric has element attachment parts to which the Peltier element units can be attached at multiple locations, and one or more Peltier element units can be attached to an element attachment part located at a selective specific location among the multiple locations, with the heat dissipation surface, which is either the cooling surface or the heating surface, facing the surface of the body of a person wearing the body temperature regulating garment so as to be in contact with the Peltier element. The garment is characterized in that it is provided with an electrically controllable control means, and when there are two or more Peltier element units, the control means is capable of electrically connecting to the Peltier elements in the two or more Peltier element units, each by an independent main wire, or by each branch wire extending from a single main wire that is divided and extends therefrom; the fabric includes a front fabric that is positioned on the outermost side, and a back fabric that is positioned closest to the wearer's body, and is formed in a manner in which at least two layers are overlapped, the element attachment portion is provided on the back fabric, and the Peltier element unit attached to the element attachment portion is covered by the front fabric.

[0010] Due to this feature, when the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element is set as a cooling surface, the body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention can efficiently cool only specific parts of the body surface desired by the wearer, such as parts that feel particularly hot or parts that are steamy in spots, by bringing the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element attached to the element attachment part into contact with the body surface of the wearer directly or indirectly through underwear, etc., by the cold heat emitted from the heat dissipation surface. On the other hand, when the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element is set as a heating surface, the body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention can efficiently warm only specific parts of the body surface desired by the wearer, such as parts that feel particularly cold or parts that need to be warmed in spots just like moxibustion, by bringing the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element attached to the element attachment part into contact with the body surface of the wearer directly or indirectly through underwear, etc., by the heat emitted from the heat dissipation surface.

[0011] Furthermore, even if the Peltier element unit is attached to the element attachment part (specific element attachment part) of the back fabric of the clothing fabric, the front fabric covers the Peltier element unit, so the front fabric acts as a filter for the Peltier element unit. Therefore, for example, when air-cooling a heated Peltier element, it is possible to prevent foreign matter such as dust, fine particles, yellow sand, rain, and snow, which may hinder the operation of the Peltier element unit, from entering the Peltier element unit. Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent the Peltier element unit and its Peltier element from being damaged by such foreign matter.

[0012] Therefore, the body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention has the excellent effect of being able to locally and efficiently cool or warm only a specific desired part of the body.

[0013] The body temperature regulating clothing described in (2) is characterized in that the Peltier element unit is attached by sandwiching the element mounting part between a pair of flanges consisting of a first flange and a second flange, and the pair of flanges are formed to be inclined toward the side away from the heat dissipation surface at an inclination angle θ of 0≦θ≦30 (deg) relative to a virtual reference line along the heat dissipation surface. Also, the body temperature regulating clothing described in (3) is characterized in that the inclination angle θ is 15≦θ≦30 (deg).

[0014] Due to these characteristics, when the magnitude of the inclination angle θ is set in accordance with the thickness of the Peltier element unit to be attached to the fabric (corresponding to the left-right distance in Figure 12 in the specification), the amount of protrusion of a part of the Peltier element unit opposite the heat dissipation surface from the back fabric to the front fabric can be kept small.

[0015] That is, when the Peltier element unit is formed relatively thin, for example with a thickness of a few to less than 10 mm, if the inclination angle θ is 0≦θ<15 (deg), the amount of protrusion of the Peltier element unit from the back fabric to the front fabric will be approximately 5 mm or less. If the amount of protrusion of the Peltier element unit is approximately 5 mm or less, it will be difficult to tell from the outside and will not mar the appearance of the body temperature regulating garment according to the present invention.

[0016] On the other hand, when the Peltier element unit is formed relatively thick, for example, more than 10 mm and several tens of mm thick, if the inclination angle θ is 15≦θ≦30 (deg), the amount of protrusion of the Peltier element unit can be reduced and suppressed by about several mm compared to when the inclination angle θ = 0 (deg). Therefore, even if the Peltier element unit is formed relatively thick, it can be attached to the fabric with the amount of protrusion on the side opposite to the heat dissipation surface suppressed, so that the protrusion of the Peltier element unit is difficult to distinguish from the outside and does not mar the appearance of the body temperature regulating clothing according to the present invention.

[0017] Furthermore, the body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention makes it easier to avoid contact or collision between the Peltier element unit and external obstacles via the outer clothing fabric for any reason, and also prevents the Peltier element unit from protruding and becoming a nuisance to people around the wearer of the body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention.

[0018] In the body temperature regulating clothing described in (4), the control means is characterized in that it can control the temperature of the heat radiated onto the heat radiating surface as cold or hot in a plurality of stages.

[0019] Due to this feature, when the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element is set as a cooling surface, the wearer can change and select the cooling temperature according to the part to be cooled, such as cooling the arteries on the wearer's body surface, for example, in the neck, especially near the cervical vertebrae, under the arm, etc., or cooling the abdomen, sides, and waist area of ​​a worker wearing heavy work clothes, which tend to become stuffy due to the fastening of the belt of the trousers, etc. Also, the wearer can select an appropriate cooling temperature according to the desired temperature to be cooled. Also, when the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element is set as a heating surface, the wearer can change and select the heating temperature according to the part to be heated on the wearer's body surface. Also, the wearer can select an appropriate heating temperature according to the desired temperature to be heated.

[0020] In the body temperature regulating garment described in (5), the control means is characterized in that it can periodically vary the temperature of heat radiated from the heat dissipation surface for each of two or more Peltier elements attached to the garment.

[0021] Due to this feature, the wearer is more likely to maintain the perception of being cooled or warmed while wearing the body temperature regulating garment of the present invention, compared to when the wearer is constantly receiving heat radiated from the heat dissipation surface of a single Peltier element onto the surface of their body.

[0022] In the body temperature regulating clothing described in (6), the time phase for periodically varying the temperature of heat dissipation is the same for each Peltier element, and the control means changes the Peltier element that produces heat dissipation at the set specific temperature between two or more Peltier elements based on a regular alternation, so that, for the two or more Peltier elements as a whole, heat of the specific temperature is released from the heat dissipation surface of each Peltier element in a manner that fluctuates between each Peltier element.

[0023] This feature makes it possible to reduce the consumption of power supplied from the power supply to the Peltier element, thereby making it possible to supply power from the power supply unit to the Peltier element for a longer period of time.

[0024] The body temperature regulating garment described in (7) is characterized in that at least the outer fabric of the garment is formed with a mesh structure.

[0025] This feature makes the entire body temperature regulating garment of the present invention flexible, so that even if the wearer wears the body temperature regulating garment of the present invention between, for example, work clothes or various outerwear and underwear, the influence on the wearer's movement can be suppressed. In addition, since the fabric has a mesh structure, it contributes to reducing the weight of the entire body temperature regulating garment of the present invention, and it is easy to ensure breathability between the body surface of the wearer who feels hot and the outside, especially when the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element is set as a cooling surface. Therefore, the body temperature regulating garment of the present invention can be a highly comfortable garment for the wearer.

[0026] In the body temperature regulating clothing described in (8), the control means is characterized in that it is possible to switch the heat dissipation surface between a cooling surface and a heating surface by reversing the polarity of the direct current supplied to the Peltier element.

[0027] Due to this feature, the body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention can be reversibly changed into a cooling clothing that locally cools the wearer's body surface when the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element is used as a cooling surface, and into a heating clothing that locally warms the wearer's body surface when the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element is used as a heating surface. Therefore, the body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention can be a convenient clothing for the wearer.

[0028] The body temperature regulating clothing described in (9) is characterized in that the clothing is a vest that is worn around the wearer's upper body.

[0029] Due to this feature, when the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element is used as the cooling surface in the body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention, even if the wearer's physique differs from person to person, the cold heat of the heat dissipation surface (cooling surface) of the Peltier element attached to the selected element attachment part can locally and effectively cool the neck, cervical vertebrae, and arteries under the armpits, which feel hot. Also, for example, some workers who work outdoors in a heat wave or in a humid indoor environment, or workers who work in a hot environment wearing heavy work clothes, feel hot around the abdomen, sides, and waist, which tend to get steamy around the belt of their trousers, and want to cool these sides in a spot. The body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention can effectively cool the abdomen, sides, and waist of the wearer for such people as well, by the heat dissipation surface (cooling surface) of the Peltier element attached to the selected element attachment part. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a front view of the outer surface of a temperature regulating vest according to the first and second embodiments, as viewed from the front side. [Diagram 2] 2 is a rear view of the outer surface of the temperature regulating vest shown in FIG. 1, as seen from the rear. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the inner surface of a temperature regulating vest according to the first and second embodiments, as viewed from the front side. [Figure 4] 4 is a rear view of the inner surface of the temperature regulating vest shown in FIG. 3, as viewed from the rear. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram, partly in cross section, showing a state in which a Peltier element unit is attached to a vest body in a temperature regulating vest according to the first and second embodiments. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a Peltier element unit attached to a temperature regulating vest according to the first and second embodiments, viewed from the air inlet side. [Figure 7] 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the Peltier element unit shown in FIG. 6 from the heat dissipation surface side. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an operation unit provided in the temperature regulating vest according to the first and second embodiments. [Figure 9]4 is a timing chart illustrating, as a first case, temperature control of each of three Peltier element units in the temperature regulating vest according to the first and second embodiments. [Figure 10] Similar to FIG. 9, this is a timing chart illustrating the temperature control of each of the three Peltier element units as a second case. [Figure 11] This is an exploded oblique view showing how a Peltier element unit is attached to the element mounting portion (specific element mounting portion) of the vest body in a temperature regulating vest of embodiment 2, and is a diagram of Example 1 in which the relative inclination angle of both the inner flange and the outer flange with respect to a virtual reference line along the heat dissipation surface is set to 0°. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram, partially in cross section, showing a Peltier element unit attached to a specific element attachment portion (element attachment portion) of a vest body in a temperature regulating vest according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 12, showing Example 2 in which the inner flange and the outer flange are both inclined at an angle of 20° relative to a virtual reference line along the heat dissipation surface. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 12, showing Example 3 in which the relative inclination angle with respect to a virtual reference line along the heat dissipation surface is 15° for the inner flange and 20° for the outer flange. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] Hereinafter, the body temperature regulating clothing according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings in the first and second embodiments. The body temperature regulating clothing according to the present invention is formed so that a Peltier element having a cooling surface that absorbs heat and a heating surface that generates heat on the opposite side of the cooling surface can be attached to the fabric of clothing worn on the body, such as a jacket, vest, or trousers, and is worn when the wearer wishes to locally cool or warm a specific part of the body selected by the wearer. Hereinafter, the body temperature regulating clothing according to the present invention will be described with reference to the case where the clothing is a vest worn on the wearer's upper body in this embodiment.

[0032] (Embodiment 1) Fig. 1 is a front view of the outer surface of a temperature regulating vest according to embodiments 1 and 2 as seen from the front face side, and Fig. 2 shows a back view as seen from that front face side. Fig. 3 is a front view of the inner surface of a temperature regulating vest according to embodiments 1 and 2 as seen from the front face side, and Fig. 4 shows a back view as seen from that front face side. The body temperature regulating garment according to the present invention is referred to as a temperature regulating vest 1 in embodiment 1, and as a temperature regulating vest 101 in embodiment 2 described below.

[0033] As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the temperature regulating vest 1 (body temperature regulating clothing) comprises a vest body 10 (clothing, vest), a Peltier element unit 40, an operation unit 50 (control means), a power supply unit 54, etc. In this embodiment, as an example, there are three Peltier element units 40. Note that the number of Peltier element units 40 attached to the vest body 10 may be four or more, or may be one, and is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications are possible.

[0034] <About the Top 10 Body Types> First, the vest body 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the vest body 10 is formed in the form of a vest with a front body 12 and a back body 13 divided into left and right halves and connected at the shoulders 14. In the vest body 10, the fabric 11 is formed in a state in which the front fabric 11A (fabric) and the back fabric 11B (fabric) are overlapped in a substantially layered manner. Both the front fabric 11A and the back fabric 11B are made of a mesh structure made of synthetic resin fibers such as nylon, polyester, etc., which have excellent heat resistance, strength resistance, and transpiration properties. The edge 33 forming the outline of the vest body 10 is formed by overlapping the edge of the front fabric 11A and the edge of the back fabric 11B, and fixing them by piping.

[0035] In addition, element mounting parts 20 to which Peltier element units 40 can be attached are arranged at multiple locations on the back fabric 11B of the fabric 11, and in this embodiment, 22 locations in total are provided, including five locations on one side of the front body 12, ten locations on both the left and right sides, and twelve locations on the back body 13. In the front body 12, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the element mounting parts 20 are arranged in a substantially straight line from the shoulders 14 downward toward the abdomen 15 on both the left and right sides. In the back body 13, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the element mounting parts 20 are arranged in four locations on the lower cervical vertebrae 16, and eight locations on the central back 17 and waist 18.

[0036] The element mounting portion 20 has an opening 21 formed in the back fabric 11B and an outer peripheral edge portion 22 around this opening 21, and the outer peripheral edge portion 22 is formed from a material (e.g., leather, rubber, resin, etc.) with higher rigidity than the back fabric 11B, which has a mesh structure with a certain degree of flexibility.

[0037] 1 and 3, the vest body 10 has two pairs of belts (belts 34A, 34B) extending from the left front body 12 and the right front body 12, and the two pairs of belts 34A, 34B are connected to each other via a movable can 35 so that the length can be adjusted. This allows the pair of belts (belts 34A, 34B) to be connected detachably to the left front body 12 and the right front body 12. The abdominal area 15 of the front body 12 and the waist area 18 of the back body 13 are connected to each other by a length-adjustable belt 37.

[0038] 1 to 4, the vest body 10 is provided on its outer surface with a first opening / closing section 31 that can be opened and closed by a fastener near the chest area of ​​the front body 12 on both the left and right sides, and a second opening / closing section 32 that can be opened and closed by a fastener in the center of the back of the back body 13. Both the first opening / closing section 31 and the second opening / closing section 32 are provided to insert and remove the Peltier element unit 40, wiring 55 connected to this Peltier element unit 40, the operation unit 50, and the power supply unit 54 housed in a pocket arranged at a predetermined position into and from the internal space formed between the front fabric 11A and the back fabric 11B.

[0039] Additionally, the vest body 10 has wiring openings 19 provided in multiple locations, such as the abdominal region 15 of the front body 12, the waist region 18 of the back body 13, and the shoulder regions 14. The wiring openings 19 are portions of both the front body 12 and the back body 13 where the edges of the front fabric 11A and the back fabric 11B are partially opened without being bonded together so that wiring 55 can be inserted between the edges of the front fabric 11A and the back fabric 11B that are overlapped by piping. As a result, even when one end of the wiring 55 on the power supply unit 54 side is housed in the internal space between the front fabric 11A and the back fabric 11B in the front body 12, it can be exposed to the outside through one of the wiring openings 19, and the other end on the Peltier element unit 40 side can be housed in the internal space between the front fabric 11A and the back fabric 11B in the back body 13 through the other wiring opening 19, and can be connected to the Peltier element unit 40.

[0040] <About the Peltier element unit 40> Next, the Peltier element unit 40 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram, partially in cross section, showing a state in which the Peltier element unit is attached to the vest body of the temperature regulating vest according to the first and second embodiments. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the Peltier element unit attached to the temperature regulating vest according to the first and second embodiments from the air inlet side, and Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the Peltier element unit shown in Fig. 6 from the heat dissipation surface side.

[0041] As shown in Figs. 5 to 7, the Peltier element unit 40 has a Peltier element built in a cover member. The Peltier element is a type of plate-shaped semiconductor thermoelectric element. When a direct current is supplied to the Peltier element, one surface of the flat plate portion of the Peltier element absorbs heat to, for example, about 10°C and becomes an absorbing state (cooling surface) due to the Peltier effect, while the other surface on the opposite side simultaneously generates heat to, for example, about 30°C and becomes a heating state (heating surface). The Peltier element unit 40 has a heat dissipation surface 41 which is one surface, an intake portion 42 which draws in air toward the Peltier element, an inner flange 43 formed on the cover member, a protrusion 44 which forms the intake portion 42, and a fastener 45 which forms an outer flange 46.

[0042] The heat dissipation surface 41 is exposed to the outside, and in the Peltier element unit 40, the heat dissipation surface 41 and the air intake section 42 are arranged on opposite sides to each other. The fastener 45 is formed so as to be freely fastened to or released from the protrusion 44. In the temperature regulating vest 1, as shown in Figs. 1 to 5, the three Peltier element units 40 (first Peltier element unit 40A, second Peltier element unit, third Peltier element unit 40C) are attached to specific element mounting sections 20X (element mounting sections at specific locations) selected by the wearer HM of the temperature regulating vest 1 himself / herself from a total of 22 element mounting sections 20 on the vest body 10.

[0043] Specifically, when the Peltier element unit 40 is attached to the element attachment part 20, as shown in Fig. 5, the heat dissipation surface 41 (cooling surface 41A or heating surface 41B) is placed in contact with the body surface BS of the wearer HM of the temperature control vest 1, and is in contact with the body surface BS of the wearer HM directly or indirectly via underwear or the like, and the protrusion 44 is inserted into the opening 21 of the element attachment part 20 from the outside of the back fabric 11B, and the inner flange 43 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral edge 22 on the outer periphery of the opening 21. Next, the fastener 45 is inserted into the internal space between the front fabric 11A and the back fabric 11B, and the outer peripheral edge 22 is sandwiched between the inner flange 43 of the protrusion 44 and the outer flange 46 of the fastener 45, and the protrusion 44 and the fastener 45 that have entered this internal space are fastened. Thus, the Peltier element unit 40 is attached in a fixed state to the element mounting portion 20 .

[0044] In the Peltier element unit 40, the Peltier element is electrically connected to a power supply unit 54 via the operation unit 50 by a wiring 55 as shown in Figs. 1 to 4. The power supply unit 54 is a storage battery such as a primary battery or a secondary battery that supplies power to the Peltier element of the Peltier element unit 40. The power supply unit 54 and the wiring 55 are freely detachable by connection via a connector such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection. The power of the power supply unit 54 is supplied to the control unit 51 through the wiring 55.

[0045] In the temperature control vest 1, when three Peltier element units 40 are attached as in this embodiment, the wiring 55 is in the form of three branch lines 56A, 56B, 56C extending from a main line 56 gathered into a single strip and splitting at a branch section 57. In other words, the number of branch lines 56A, 56B, 56C, etc. matches the number of Peltier element units 40. The main line 56 of the wiring 55 is connected to a power supply section 54. As an example, branch wire 56A is connected to the first Peltier element unit 40A, branch wire 56B is connected to Peltier element unit 40B, and branch wire 56C is connected to the third Peltier element unit 40C, but as long as there is a one-to-one connection relationship between branch wires 56A, 56B, and 56C and the three Peltier element units 40 (first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, and 40C), they may be connected arbitrarily, at the discretion of the wearer HM, particularly by simplifying the wiring path.

[0046] Fig. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an operation unit provided in the temperature regulating vest according to embodiments 1 and 2. As shown in Fig. 8, the operation unit 50 has a control unit 51, an operation unit 52, a display unit 53, etc. In the operation unit 50, the operation unit 52 and the display unit 53 are electrically connected to the control unit 51.

[0047] The operation section 52 is configured in such a manner that, by lightly pressing a push-down section on the upper surface of the operation unit 50 with a finger based on a predetermined operation mode, it is possible to perform an operation for switching on / off the power supply to the Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, 40C and an operation for controlling the temperature of heat dissipation on each heat dissipation surface 41 with the control section 51. The display section 53 is a display section on the upper surface of the operation unit 50, and is configured in such a manner that it can selectively emit light from a plurality of colors.

[0048] In addition, in the operation unit 50, when the control unit 51 has the control to reverse the direction of the direct current supplied from the power supply unit 54 to the Peltier element, the operation unit 52 switches the polarity of the current passing through the Peltier element for the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, 40C by lightly pressing a push-down portion on the top surface of the operation unit 50 with a finger based on a predetermined operation mode different from the operation of switching the current on / off.

[0049] In the Peltier element unit 40, when the direction of the supplied direct current is reversed in the Peltier element, the function of one side and the function of the other side are mutually inverted. Therefore, when the control unit 51 is configured to be able to reverse the polarity of the current supplied to the Peltier element, the heat dissipation surface 41 can be selectively changed by the control unit 51 between the cooling surface 41A cooled by heat absorption and the heating surface 41B heated by heat generation, and the cooling surface 41A and the heating surface 41B are mutually interchangeable in the heat dissipation surface 41. Note that when the control unit 51 does not have a function of switching the direction of the current to the Peltier element, the heat dissipation surface 41 is either the cooling surface 41A or the heating surface 41B.

[0050] Furthermore, the control unit 51 can control the temperature of the heat radiated from the heat radiating surface 41 as cold or hot heat in a plurality of stages, and can periodically vary the temperature of heat radiated for each Peltier element of the three Peltier element units 40 attached to the vest body 10. Specifically, the control unit 51 controls the heat absorption of the first to third Peltier elements by, for example, current control when electricity is applied to the first to third Peltier elements, voltage control applied to the first to third Peltier elements, duty control, etc., to adjust and vary the temperature of heat radiated from the heat radiating surface 41.

[0051] FIG. 9 is a timing chart illustrating the temperature control of each of the three Peltier element units in the temperature control vest according to the first and second embodiments as a first case, and FIG. 10 shows a timing chart illustrating the second case.

[0052] Specifically, in the case of the temperature regulating vest 1 of embodiment 1, as illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the time phase tx (for example, at most several tens of seconds or several minutes) for periodically varying the heat dissipation temperature for three Peltier element units 40 (first Peltier element unit 40A, second Peltier element unit 40B, third Peltier element unit 40C) is the same for each of the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, 40C.

[0053] In the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, and 40C, the specific temperature T of the heat dissipation exhibited on the heat dissipation surface 41 can be controlled in three stages in this embodiment, namely, a high temperature state, a medium temperature state, and a low temperature state. The high temperature state is a 100% state in which the Peltier element can dissipate heat by full output, and the heat dissipation from the heat dissipation surface 41 has the highest temperature among the three stages. The low temperature state is a 50% state in which the Peltier element can dissipate heat with, for example, about half the output compared to the high temperature state, and the heat dissipation from the heat dissipation surface 41 has the lowest temperature among the three stages. The medium temperature state is between the high temperature state and the low temperature state in the Peltier element, and is, for example, a state in which about 70 to 90% of the output that can be dissipated, and the heat dissipation from the heat dissipation surface 41 has an intermediate temperature among the three stages. The temperature control of the heat dissipation in the first to third Peltier elements is not limited to three stages, and can be variously changed.

[0054] The control unit 51 changes the first to third Peltier elements that generate heat radiation at the set specific temperature T among these first to third Peltier elements based on alternation with regularity. As a result, in the first to third Peltier elements as a whole, heat radiation at the specific temperature T is released from the heat radiation surface of one non-overlapping Peltier element among the first to third Peltier elements in a manner that fluctuates among the first to third Peltier elements.

[0055] In the first case illustrated in Fig. 9, the specific temperature T of heat dissipation presented on the heat dissipation surface 41 of each of the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, 40C is in a low temperature state. In the second case illustrated in Fig. 10, the specific temperature T of heat dissipation presented on the heat dissipation surface 41 is in a low temperature state only for the first Peltier element of the first Peltier element unit 40A, but is in a medium temperature state for each of the second and third Peltier elements of the second and third Peltier element units 40B, 40C.

[0056] In this way, the time phase tx for periodically varying the heat dissipation temperature for the three Peltier element units 40 is the same for the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, and 40C. However, the specific temperature T for heat dissipation may be the same for the first to third Peltier elements as illustrated in Fig. 9, or may be changed between the first to third Peltier elements as illustrated in Fig. 10. Note that the time phase tx for periodically varying the heat dissipation temperature for the three Peltier element units 40 may be changed with differences between the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, and 40C.

[0057] Next, the position of the Peltier element unit 40 attached to the element mounting portion 20 will be briefly described by taking the case where the body surface BS of the wearer HM is cooled by the temperature regulation vest 1 with the heat dissipation surface 41 as the cooling surface 41A as shown in Fig. 5. In the temperature regulation vest 1, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4, a plurality of element mounting portions 20 are arranged over the entire vest body 10, and one or more Peltier element units 40 can be attached to a specific element mounting portion 20X selected by the wearer HM from among all these element mounting portions 20.

[0058] By the way, the human body exposed to a hot environment is at risk of heat stroke and has a great adverse effect on the autonomic nervous system. Therefore, as a preventative measure, it is necessary to first cool the blood in the arteries flowing to the brain, and to promote sweating and maintain normal thermoregulation. In order to effectively cool the blood flowing to the brain, it is said that it is good to cool the arteries in the nape of the neck, especially near the cervical vertebrae and under the arms. In the case of the nape of the neck and near the cervical vertebrae, the carotid arteries are located near the hairline at the back of the neck, and especially on the left and right sides of the throat. When the parts that touch the arteries are cooled with cold air, etc., and the blood is cooled, the cooled blood circulates throughout the body. This is because it is possible to lower the body temperature.

[0059] The armpit is exactly where the thermometer is placed, and is where the arteries are located. The arteries under the armpits run toward the arms, and when the blood in the arteries under the armpits or in the soft part near the inside of the upper arm is cooled, the cooled blood circulates throughout the body. This helps to lower body temperature. Moreover, by cooling the armpits, the heat of vaporization from sweat under the armpits lowers the surface temperature of the skin, providing a feeling of coolness.

[0060] Based on such medical knowledge, the temperature regulating vest 1 is capable of locally cooling the arteries in the neck, cervical vertebrae, and underarms with the heat dissipation surface 41 (cooling surface 41A) of the Peltier element unit 40 attached to the selected specific element mounting portion 20X, even if the wearer HM has a different physique from person to person.

[0061] Furthermore, many workers who work in hot environments wearing heavy work clothes, such as workers working outdoors in scorching heat or workers working indoors in muggy environments, feel hot around the waist, sides, and abdomen, which tend to get steamy around the waistband of their trousers, and would like to cool these areas in a spot-like manner. Even in such cases, the temperature regulating vest 1 can effectively cool the abdomen, sides, and abdomen of the wearer HM using the heat dissipation surface 41 (cooling surface 41A) of the Peltier element unit 40 attached to the selected specific element mounting portion 20X.

[0062] (Embodiment 2) Next, a temperature regulating vest according to embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 14. The temperature regulating vest according to embodiment 2 differs from the temperature regulating vest 1 according to embodiment 1 in that the Peltier element unit is attached to the fabric 11 of the vest body 10 in a manner that makes it difficult to see from the outside, and in the shape of the flange that sandwiches the element mounting portion 20 (specific element mounting portion 20X) of the vest body 10, but other parts are the same as the temperature regulating vest 1 according to embodiment 1. Therefore, in embodiment 2, the parts that are different from embodiment 1 will be mainly described, and the description of the parts that are common to embodiment 1 will be simplified or omitted by using the same reference numerals.

[0063] Figure 11 is an exploded oblique view showing how a Peltier element unit is attached to the element mounting portion (specific element mounting portion) of the vest body in a temperature regulating vest of embodiment 2, and is a diagram of Example 1 in which the relative inclination angle of both the inner flange and the outer flange with respect to a virtual reference line along the heat dissipation surface is set to 0°.

[0064] 11, similarly to the Peltier element unit 40, the Peltier element unit 140 includes a Peltier element 140X together with a fan 148 built into a cover member of a main body 147. In the Peltier element unit 140, when a direct current is supplied to the Peltier element 140X, one surface of the flat plate portion of the Peltier element 140X absorbs heat to, for example, about 10° C. and becomes an absorbing heat state (cooling surface) due to the Peltier effect, and at the same time, the other surface on the opposite side generates heat to, for example, about 30° C. and becomes a heating state (heating surface). The Peltier element unit 140 has a heat dissipation surface 41 which is one side thereof, an intake section 42 which draws in air to air-cool the heated Peltier element 140X, a fan 148 which blows the air introduced by the intake section 42 towards the Peltier element 140X, an inner flange 143 formed on the cover member of the main body section 147, a protrusion 44 which forms the intake section 42, and a fastener 145 which forms an outer flange 146.

[0065] In the temperature regulation vest 101 according to the second embodiment, the fabric 11 includes a front fabric 11A arranged on the outermost side and a back fabric 11B arranged closest to the wearer's body, and is formed in a two-layered configuration, similar to the temperature regulation vest 1 according to the first embodiment. Also, the back fabric 11B of the fabric 11 has element mounting parts 20 at a total of 22 locations, similar to the first embodiment. The Peltier element unit 140 is attached to a specific element mounting part 20X selected from the total of 22 element mounting parts 20, but in any element mounting part 20, the Peltier element unit 140 attached to the element mounting part 20 (specific element mounting part 20X) is covered by the front fabric 11A of the fabric 11.

[0066] A more detailed description will be given. The fabric 11 is formed by pairing a front fabric 11A and a back fabric 11B. The back fabric 11B is made of synthetic resin fibers, such as nylon or polyester, that are excellent in heat resistance, strength resistance, and transpiration properties, or cloth, and the material of the back fabric 11B is not particularly limited and can be changed as appropriate. In the case of the second embodiment, the back fabric 11B is made of a mesh structure.

[0067] The front fabric 11A is made of synthetic resin fibers, such as nylon or polyester, that have excellent heat resistance, strength resistance, and transpiration properties, or cloth. The front fabric 11A is formed in a mesh structure that is thinner than the back fabric 11B, for example, by 1 / 4 to 3 / 4 of the thickness of the back fabric 11B. Note that the front fabric 11A only needs to be thinner than the back fabric 11B, and the thickness ratio between the front fabric 11A and the back fabric 11B is not limited to the ratio shown in the example.

[0068] 11, in the temperature regulating vest 101, the front fabric 11A of the fabric 11 covers the Peltier element unit 140 attached to the element mounting portion 20 (specific element mounting portion 20X) of the front fabric 11A of the fabric 11. As a result, the front fabric 11A is thinner than the back fabric 11B and has a relatively fine mesh structure, for example, with several to several hundred meshes per inch, so that the temperature regulating vest 101 makes the Peltier element unit 140 difficult to see from the outside.

[0069] Therefore, the temperature regulation vest 101 can be constructed in a manner that does not impair the design, particularly the appearance, due to the presence of the attached Peltier element unit 140. Moreover, since the front fabric 11A is constructed with a mesh structure, the intake air supplied to the fan 148 easily passes from the outside of the temperature regulation vest 101 to the intake section 42 of the Peltier element unit 140. In addition, since the front fabric 11A is thinner than the back fabric 11B and constructed with a mesh structure, the temperature regulation vest 101 can be made lighter.

[0070] Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a Peltier element unit attached to a specific element attachment part (element attachment part) of a vest body part of a temperature control vest according to embodiment 2, partially using a cross-sectional view. In the temperature control vest 101 according to embodiment 2, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12, the Peltier element unit 140 is attached by sandwiching the element attachment part 20 (specific element attachment part 20X) of the front fabric 11A of the fabric 11 between a pair of flanges consisting of an inner flange 143 (first flange) and an outer flange 146 (second flange). The inner flange 143 and the outer flange 146 are each formed to be inclined toward the side away from the opposite side of the heat dissipation surface 41 (the intake part 42 side) at an inclination angle θ of 0≦θ≦30 (deg) as a relative angle with respect to a virtual reference line VL along the heat dissipation surface 41 (cooling surface 41A or heating surface 41B), and more preferably, the inclination angle θ is 15≦θ≦30 (deg).

[0071] Example 1 A more detailed description will be given. As shown in Fig. 11, in the case of the temperature regulating vest 101 according to the first embodiment, the inner flange 143 and the outer flange 146 are each formed to extend in a direction along the surface direction of the heat dissipation surface 41 (a direction perpendicular to the axis AX) when the inclination angle θ = 0 (deg). The Peltier element unit 140 is attached to the vest body 10 by clamping the element mounting portion 20 (specific element mounting portion 20X) of the front fabric 11A of the fabric 11 in surface contact between the inner flange 143 and the outer flange 146 and screwing the male screw of the protrusion 44 into the female screw of the fastener 145.

[0072] Example 2 Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of part A in Fig. 12, and is a view of Example 2 in which the relative inclination angle of both the inner flange and the outer flange with respect to the virtual reference line along the heat dissipation surface is set to 20°. In the case of the temperature regulating vest 101 according to Example 2, as shown in Figs. 11, 12, and 13, the inner flange 143 is formed such that both of its surfaces (one surface 143a, the other surface 143b) are inclined toward the intake section 42 at an inclination angle θ = 20 (deg) with respect to the virtual reference line VL parallel to the heat dissipation surface 41 (cooling surface 41A or heating surface 41B).

[0073] The outer flange 146 is also formed with both sides (one side 146a, the other side 146b) inclined toward the air intake section 42 at an inclination angle θ=20 (deg) with respect to a virtual reference line VL parallel to the heat dissipation surface 41 (cooling surface 41A or heating surface 41B). As a result, when the Peltier element unit 140 is attached to the element mounting section 20 (specific element mounting section 20X) of the front fabric 11A of the fabric 11, the outer peripheral edge section 22 of the element mounting section 20 is in full surface contact with one surface 143a of the inner flange 143 and one surface 146a of the outer flange 146, respectively, and can be attached to the vest body 10 by screwing the male thread of the convex section 44 into the female thread of the fastener 145.

[0074] Example 3 Fig. 14 is an enlarged view of part A in Fig. 12, and is a view of Example 3 in which the relative inclination angle with respect to the virtual reference line along the heat dissipation surface is 15° for the inner flange and 20° for the outer flange. In the case of the temperature regulating vest 101 according to Example 3, as shown in Figs. 11, 12, and 14, the inner flange 143 is formed so that both sides (one side 143a and the other side 143b) are inclined toward the intake section 42 at an inclination angle θ = 15 (deg) with respect to the virtual reference line VL parallel to the heat dissipation surface 41 (cooling surface 41A or heating surface 41B).

[0075] The outer flange 146 is formed such that both sides (one side 146a, the other side 146b) thereof are inclined toward the intake section 42 at an inclination angle θ=20 (deg) with respect to a virtual reference line VL parallel to the heat dissipation surface 41 (cooling surface 41A or heating surface 41B). That is, the Peltier element unit 140 is in a state in which the difference in the inclination angle θ between the inner flange 143 and the outer flange 146 is 5 (deg). When the Peltier element unit 140 is attached to the element attachment section 20 (specific element attachment section 20X) of the front fabric 11A of the fabric 11, the outer peripheral edge section 22 of the element attachment section 20 is in partial surface contact with one surface 143a of the inner flange 143 and one surface 146a of the outer flange 146, respectively, and is attached to the vest body 10 by the male thread of the convex section 44 and the female thread of the fastener 145 being screwed together.

[0076] Next, the action and effect of the temperature regulating vest 1, 101 according to the first and second embodiments will be described.

[0077] The temperature regulating vest 1, 101 according to the first and second embodiments is a body temperature regulating garment formed so that Peltier elements of a Peltier element unit 40 having a cooling surface 41A which absorbs heat and a heating surface 41B which generates heat on the opposite side to the cooling surface 41A can be attached to the fabric 11 of the vest body 10, and element attachment parts 20 to which the Peltier elements of the Peltier element unit 40 can be attached are arranged at a plurality of locations (22 locations in this embodiment) on the back fabric 11B (fabric 11), and each Peltier element of two or more (three in this embodiment) Peltier element units 40 is worn in a state in which the heat dissipation surface 41, which is one of the cooling surface 41A or the heating surface 41B, is capable of contacting the body surface BS of the wearer HM at a specific element attachment part 20X located at a selective specific location among the plurality of locations. the control unit 51 is capable of electrically controlling the Peltier elements of the Peltier element unit 40, and when the Peltier element unit 40 has three Peltier elements, the control unit 51 is capable of electrically connecting to the Peltier elements of each of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, 40C by each of branch wires 56A, 56B, 56C extending from a main wire 56 formed into a single strip; the fabric 11 includes a front fabric 11A arranged on the outermost side and a back fabric 11B arranged closest to the wearer's body, and is formed in a state in which at least two layers are overlapped, the element attachment portion 20 is provided on the back fabric 11B, and the Peltier element units 40, 140 attached to the element attachment portion 20 (specific element attachment portion 20X) are covered by the front fabric 11A.

[0078] Due to this feature, when the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element is set as a cooling surface 41A, the temperature regulating vest 1 brings the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element unit 40 attached to the specific element mounting portion 20X into contact with the body surface BS of the wearer HM directly or indirectly via underwear or the like, and the cold heat emitted from this heat dissipation surface 41 can efficiently cool only specific parts of the body surface BS desired by the wearer HM, such as parts that feel particularly hot or parts that are particularly sweaty, by localizing the cooling heat. Conversely, when the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element is set as the heating surface 41B, the temperature regulating vest 1,101 brings the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element unit 40 attached to the specific element mounting portion 20X into contact with the body surface BS of the wearer HM directly or indirectly via underwear or the like, and the heat emitted from this heat dissipation surface 41 can efficiently warm only specific areas of the body surface BS desired by the wearer HM, such as areas that feel particularly cold or areas that need to be warmed in a spot-like manner like moxibustion.

[0079] In addition, even if the Peltier element units 40, 140 are attached to the element attachment portion 20 (specific element attachment portion 20X) of the back fabric 11B of the fabric 11, the front fabric 11A covers the Peltier element units 40, 140, so that the front fabric 11A functions as a filter for the intake air introduced into the intake portion 42 of the Peltier element units 40, 140. Therefore, when cooling the heated Peltier element 140X and the like (including the Peltier element of the Peltier element unit 40), foreign matter such as dust, fine particles, yellow sand, rain, and snow that may be a hindrance to the operation of the Peltier element units 40, 140 can be prevented from entering the Peltier element units 40, 140 from the intake portion 42. Therefore, the Peltier element of the Peltier element unit 40 and the Peltier element 140X of the Peltier element unit 140 can be effectively prevented from being damaged due to such foreign matter.

[0080] Furthermore, the front fabric 11A of the fabric 11 covers the Peltier element units 40, 140 attached to the element attachment parts 20 (specific element attachment parts 20X) of the back fabric 11B of the fabric 11 in a manner that makes them difficult to see from the outside. Therefore, the temperature regulating vest 1,101 has a form that does not impair the appearance from a design perspective due to the presence of the attached Peltier element units 40, 140.

[0081] Therefore, the temperature regulating vest 1, 101 according to the first and second embodiments has the excellent effect of being able to locally and efficiently cool or warm only a desired specific part of the body.

[0082] Furthermore, in the temperature regulating vest 1, 101 of the present embodiments 1 and 2, the control unit 51 is characterized in that it can control the temperature of the heat radiated to the heat dissipation surface 41 as cold or hot heat in multiple stages (three stages in the present embodiments 1 and 2).

[0083] Due to this feature, when the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element is set as the cooling surface 41A, the wearer HM can change and select the cooling temperature according to the part to be cooled, such as cooling the arteries of the neck, especially near the cervical vertebrae, under the arm, etc., of the body surface BS of the wearer HM, or cooling the abdomen, sides, and waist of a worker wearing heavy work clothes that are likely to become stuffy due to fastening of the belt of the trousers, etc. Also, the wearer HM can select an appropriate cooling temperature according to the desired temperature to be cooled. Also, when the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element is set as the heating surface 41B, the wearer HM can change and select the heating temperature according to the part to be heated of the body surface BS of the wearer HM. Also, the wearer HM can select an appropriate heating temperature according to the desired temperature to be heated.

[0084] Furthermore, in the temperature regulating vest 1, 101 according to the first and second embodiments, the control unit 51 is characterized in that it can periodically vary the temperature of the heat radiated on the heat radiating surface 41 for each of the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, 40C for each Peltier element of the three Peltier element units 40 attached to the vest body 10.

[0085] Due to this feature, the wearer HM is more likely to maintain the perception of being cooled or heated while wearing the temperature regulating vest 1, 101, compared to a case in which the body surface BS continues to receive heat radiation from the heat radiation surface 41 of one Peltier element unit 40. In other words, if heat radiation continues to propagate to the body surface BS in a constant manner, a person's sensory sensitivity to the effect of heat radiation on the body surface BS tends to gradually decrease.

[0086] However, in the temperature regulating vest 1, 101 according to the first and second embodiments, as shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, all three Peltier element units 40 are intermittently turned off, so that heat radiation (cold heat or hot heat) is intermittently provided to the body surface BS from the heat radiation surface 41 of each Peltier element unit 40. This makes it difficult for the wearer HM to experience chronic sensations due to the influence of heat radiation on the part of the body surface BS facing the heat radiation surface 41, and allows the wearer HM to continue to have the sensation that the temperature is being continuously regulated by heat radiation on the part facing the heat radiation surface 41 of the worn Peltier element unit 40.

[0087] Furthermore, in the temperature regulating vest 1, 101 according to the first and second embodiments, the time phase tx for periodically varying the heat dissipation temperature is the same for each of the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, 40C, and the control unit 51 changes the first to third Peltier elements of each of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, 40C which generate heat dissipation at the set specific temperature T among these first to third Peltier elements based on a regular alternation, so that for the entire first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, 40C, heat dissipation at the specific temperature T is released from the heat dissipation surfaces 41 of each of the first to third Peltier elements in a manner that fluctuates between the first to third Peltier elements.

[0088] Due to this feature, the three Peltier element units 40 are connected in parallel to one power supply section 54 by the wiring 55, so that the power ON state of the Peltier elements is alternated one by one among the three Peltier element units 40, thereby reducing the consumption of power supplied from the power supply section 54 to the Peltier elements of the Peltier element units 40. This makes it possible to supply power from the power supply section 54 to the Peltier element units 40 for a longer period of time.

[0089] Further, the temperature regulating vest 1, 101 according to the first and second embodiments is characterized in that the fabric 11 (front fabric 11A, back fabric 11B) are both formed with a mesh structure.

[0090] This feature makes the temperature control vest 1 flexible as a whole, so that even if the wearer HM wears the temperature control vest 1 between, for example, work clothes or various outerwear and underwear, it is possible to suppress the influence on the movement of the wearer HM. In addition, since the fabric 11 has a mesh structure, it contributes to reducing the weight of the temperature control vest 1 as a whole, and it is easy to ensure ventilation between the body surface BS of the wearer HM who feels hot and the outside, especially when the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element is set as the cooling surface 41A. Therefore, the temperature control vest 1 can be a highly comfortable garment for the wearer HM.

[0091] Furthermore, in the temperature regulating vest 1, 101 of the present embodiments 1 and 2, the control unit 51 is characterized in that it is possible to switch the heat dissipation surface 41 between a cooling surface 41A and a heating surface 41B by reversing the polarity of the direct current supplied to the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, and 40C.

[0092] Due to this feature, the temperature regulating vest 1,101 can be used by being reversibly changed into a cooling vest that locally cools the body surface BS of the wearer HM when the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element is configured as a cooling surface 41A, and into a heating vest that locally warms the body surface BS of the wearer HM when the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element is configured as a heating surface 41B. Therefore, the temperature regulating vest 1,101 can be a convenient garment for the wearer HM.

[0093] Further, the temperature regulating vest 1, 101 according to the first and second embodiments is characterized in that the vest body 10 is a vest that is worn on the upper body of the wearer HM.

[0094] Due to this feature, in the temperature regulating vest 1,101 in which the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element is the cooling surface 41A, even if the physique of the wearer HM varies from person to person, the cold heat of the heat dissipation surface 41 (cooling surface 41A) of the Peltier element unit 40 attached to the selected specific element mounting part 20X can locally and effectively cool the neck, cervical vertebrae, and arteries under the armpits, which feel hot. Also, for example, some workers who work outdoors in a heatwave or in a muggy indoor environment, or workers who work in a hot environment wearing heavy work clothes, feel hot around the abdomen, sides, and waist, which tend to get steamy around the belt of their trousers, and would like to cool these sides and other areas in a spot manner. Even for such a person, the temperature regulating vest 1,101 is able to effectively cool the abdomen, sides, and waist area of ​​the wearer HM by the heat dissipation surface 41 (cooling surface 41A) of the Peltier element unit 40 attached to the selected specific element mounting portion 20X.

[0095] Moreover, in the temperature regulating vest 101 according to the second embodiment, the Peltier element unit 140 is attached by sandwiching the element mounting portion 20 (specific element mounting portion 20X) between a pair of flanges consisting of an inner flange 143 and an outer flange 146, and the inner flange 143 and the outer flange 146 are each formed to be inclined toward the side away from the opposite side of the heat dissipation surface 41 (the intake section 42 side) at an inclination angle θ of 0≦θ≦30 (deg) as a relative angle with respect to a virtual reference line VL along the heat dissipation surface 41 (cooling surface 41A or heating surface 41B). Moreover, the temperature regulating vest 101 according to the second embodiment is characterized in that the inclination angle θ is 15≦θ≦30 (deg).

[0096] Due to these characteristics, when the magnitude of the inclination angle θ is set according to the thickness (the distance in the left-right direction in FIG. 12) of the Peltier element unit 140 attached to the vest body 10, it is possible to further reduce the amount of protrusion of a part of the Peltier element unit 140 on the intake section 42 side from the back fabric 11B to the front fabric 11A of the fabric 11. That is, when the Peltier element unit 140 is formed relatively thin, for example, with a thickness of several to less than 10 mm, if the inclination angle θ is 0≦θ<15 (deg), the amount of protrusion of the part on the intake section 42 side from the back fabric 11B of the fabric 11 to the front fabric 11A will be approximately 5 mm or less. Furthermore, since the Peltier element unit 140 is covered with the flexible outer fabric 11A, if the protrusion of the Peltier element unit 140 is within approximately 5 mm, it will be difficult to notice from the outside and will not mar the appearance of the temperature regulating vest 101.

[0097] On the other hand, when the Peltier element unit 140 is formed relatively thick, for example, more than 10 mm and several tens of mm thick, if the inclination angle θ is 15≦θ≦30 (deg), the amount of protrusion of the part on the intake section 42 side can be reduced and suppressed by several to tens of mm, and in some cases by about 20 mm, compared to when the inclination angle θ=0 (deg). Therefore, even if the Peltier element unit 140 is formed relatively thick, the amount of protrusion of the part on the intake section 42 side can be suppressed and attached to the vest body 10, so that together with the covering by the flexible outer fabric 11A, it becomes difficult to distinguish from the outside, and the appearance of the temperature regulating vest 101 is not marred.

[0098] Furthermore, if the inclination angle θ exceeds 30 degrees, the outer peripheral edge portion 22 of the element mounting portion 20 will bend excessively near the ends located radially outward of the inner flange 143 and the outer flange 146, resulting in stress concentration, which will reduce the durability in terms of mechanical strength and may cause damage to the outer peripheral edge portion 22 or tears in the back fabric 11B, which is not preferable.

[0099] Furthermore, the temperature regulating vest 101 makes it easier to avoid contact or collision between the Peltier element unit 140 and external obstacles via the outer fabric 11A for some reason, and also prevents the Peltier element unit 140 from protruding and getting in the way of people around the wearer of the temperature regulating vest 101.

[0100] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the first and second embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0101] For example, in the first and second embodiments, a vest body 10 is described in which element attachment portions 20 are provided at a total of 22 locations on the back fabric 11B of the fabric 11, but the number, placement positions and arrangement of the element attachment portions provided on the fabric are not limited to the embodiments and can be changed as appropriate depending on the use of the body temperature regulating garment (product) of the present invention, the physique of the wearer, and other product specifications.

[0102] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, a temperature regulating vest 1 is described in which three Peltier element units 40 are attached to the vest body 10, however, the number of Peltier elements attached is not limited to the embodiments and can be changed as appropriate depending on the application of the body temperature regulating clothing (product) of the present invention, the physique of the wearer, and other product specifications.

[0103] In the first and second embodiments, the temperature of the cooling surface under heat absorption in the Peltier element is set to about 10° C. as an example, but is not limited to such a temperature and may be, for example, a temperature range higher than 0° C. and up to about 10° C., and the heat absorption characteristics of the Peltier element can be changed as appropriate. Similarly, the temperature of the heating surface under heat generation is set to about 30° C. as an example, but is not limited to such a temperature and may be, for example, a temperature of about 40° C. that is slightly higher than body temperature and does not cause burns, and the heat generation characteristics of the Peltier element can be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1,101 Temperature control vest (body temperature control clothing) 10 Vest body (clothing, vest) 11 Clothes 11A Outer fabric 11B Back fabric 20 Element mounting part 20X Specific element mounting part (element mounting part in specific area) 40,140 Peltier element unit 41 Heat radiation surface 41A Cooling surface 41B Heating surface 50 Operation unit (control means) 51 Control Means 55 Wiring 56 Main Line 56A,56B,56C branch line 140X Peltier element 143 Inner flange (first flange) 146 Outer flange (second flange) tx time phase T specific temperature θ Tilt angle HM wearer BS body surface VL Virtual reference line

Claims

1. A body temperature regulating garment formed so that a Peltier element unit can be attached to the fabric of the garment, the Peltier element unit having a cooling surface that absorbs heat and a heating surface that generates heat on the opposite side of the cooling surface, the fabric has element attachment parts to which the Peltier element units can be attached at a plurality of locations, and one or more of the Peltier element units can be attached at the element attachment parts located at selective specific locations among the plurality of locations, with a heat dissipation surface, which is either the cooling surface or the heating surface, facing the surface of the body of a wearer of the body temperature regulating garment and capable of being in contact with the surface of the body of the wearer; A control means capable of electrically controlling the Peltier element is provided, When the Peltier element unit is two or more, the control means is capable of electrically connecting to the Peltier elements in the two or more Peltier element units by an independent main line or by branch lines extending from a single main line; the fabric includes an outer fabric arranged on the outermost side and an inner fabric arranged closest to the wearer's body, and is formed in at least two layers overlapped with each other, the element attachment portion is provided on the inner fabric, and the Peltier element unit attached to the element attachment portion is covered by the outer fabric; Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by:

2. The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 1, the Peltier element unit is mounted by sandwiching the element mounting portion between a pair of flanges consisting of a first flange and a second flange, the pair of flanges are formed so as to be inclined toward the opposite side of the heat dissipation surface at an inclination angle θ of 0≦θ≦30 (deg) relative to a virtual reference line along the heat dissipation surface; Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by:

3. The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 2, The inclination angle θ is 15≦θ≦30 (deg). Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by:

4. The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 1 or 2, The control means can control the temperature of the heat radiated from the heat radiating surface as cold or hot heat in a plurality of stages; Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by:

5. The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 1 or 2, the control means is capable of periodically varying the temperature of heat radiated from the heat radiating surface of each of the two or more Peltier elements attached to the clothing; Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by:

6. The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 4, The time phase for periodically varying the temperature of the heat dissipation is the same for each of the Peltier elements, and the control means changes the Peltier element that generates the heat dissipation at the set specific temperature among the two or more Peltier elements based on regular alternation, thereby In the two or more Peltier elements as a whole, the heat radiation at the specific temperature is released from the heat radiation surface of each of the Peltier elements in a manner that fluctuates between the Peltier elements; Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by:

7. The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 1 or 2, At least the outer fabric of the fabric has a mesh structure; Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by:

8. The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 1 or 2, the control means is capable of switching the heat dissipation surface between the cooling surface and the heating surface by reversing the polarity of the direct current supplied to the Peltier element; Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by:

9. The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 1 or 2, The garment is a vest that is worn on the wearer's upper body; Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by:

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