Hand cooling tool and use method thereof

Abstract

To provide a hand cooling tool suitable for a palm cooling method of heat illness and a use method thereof.SOLUTION: A metallic hand cooling tool having a circular column shape or a cylindrical shape is made of metal having a coefficient of thermal conductivity k at atmospheric temperature of 15 W / (m k) or more and has calorific capacity C at atmospheric temperature of 70 J / K or more. Preferably, a diameter is in a range of 25 to 35 mm and an axis length is in a range of 60 to 100 mm. A use method of the hand cooling tool is to make an average temperature of the hand cooling tool 10 to 20°C by exposing the tool to cool air in a temperature range of 10 to 15°C or a temperature atmosphere of 10°C or less for a predetermined time or more. In consideration of a size and a body weight of a user, a size and a material of the hand cooling tool is selected preferably.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technique for cooling the human body, and in particular to a tool for cooling the palms of people who work outdoors or in high-temperature places (palm cooling method) to prevent heatstroke, and a method for using the tool. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been concern about the effects of global warming, and a sharp increase in the number of heatstroke patients in the summer. The same is true in workplaces with high temperatures. Heatstroke is a symptom of high temperature disorders in the human body caused by a decrease in the body's ability to regulate its temperature due to an imbalance of water and salt in the body caused by heat. The human body has the ability to maintain a constant body temperature. When a person's body temperature rises due to the heat outside, the autonomic nervous system works to make the person sweat and lower their body temperature. However, when a person is in a very hot environment or in a hot environment for a long time, the function of the autonomic nervous system decreases, making it difficult to sweat, and heat can accumulate in the body. If this situation continues, it can cause various symptoms such as heatstroke.

[0003] Traditionally, when dealing with heat stroke or when someone has heat stroke, the body temperature is lowered by cooling the armpits, neck, and groin. These areas are known to be effective at lowering body temperature because they have large blood vessels nearby. A simpler cooling method than these is the palm cooling method.

[0004] There are blood vessels called "AVAs" that connect the arteries and veins in the extremities of the body like a bypass. AVAs are also called "arteriovenous anastomoses" and are widely distributed in the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and cheeks, which are hairless. AVAs are normally closed, but they are known to open as body temperature rises and release heat to lower body temperature. Palm cooling effectively cools the AVAs to lower the temperature of the blood, which then circulates throughout the body, lowering the core body temperature. It is said that the ideal cooling temperature is between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius for a few minutes. Too much cooling causes blood vessels to constrict and blood circulation to stop, which is counterproductive because the blood is not cooled.

[0005] Various techniques have been proposed for cooling the palms of the hands by gripping them. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a gripping stick using a cooling agent. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-49227 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, the above-mentioned conventional cooling devices using ice packs have the following problems. (1) Some instant cooling ice packs cannot be reused. (2) It takes time to refrozen when reused. (3) It cannot be reused without a freezer or other equipment. (4) The cooling temperature is too low, so it hurts to hold and you can't hold it for long. (5) If the cooling temperature is too low, blood vessels constrict, preventing the body from cooling down. (6) It does not have a high thermal conductivity, so it cannot remove heat efficiently. In particular, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has the problems of items 2, 3, 4 and 6 above.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has an object to provide a hand cooling device suitable for cooling the palms of heat stroke patients and a method for using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The inventors conducted extensive research to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, and came to the following conclusion. Resin materials have a low thermal conductivity, and in order to achieve the desired cooling effect, they need to be cooled to low temperatures such as below zero. In addition, once the temperature rises, it takes time to cool them down to the appropriate temperature. On the other hand, they found that by using metal with high thermal conductivity, having an easy-to-grip shape, and a certain heat capacity, it can be used as a tool suitable for preventing heatstroke.

[0010] The hand cooler of the present invention, which advantageously solves the above problems, is a cylindrical or cylindrical metal hand cooler characterized in that it is made of a metal having a thermal conductivity k of 15 W / (m K) or more at room temperature, and has a heat capacity C of 70 J / K or more at room temperature.

[0011] The hand cooling device according to the present invention is (a) the diameter is in the range of 25 to 35 mm and the shaft length is in the range of 60 to 100 mm; (b) the surface of the metal has been subjected to an anti-rust treatment; This would be a more preferable solution.

[0012] The method of using a hand cooler of the present invention, which advantageously solves the above problem, is a method of using the hand cooler, characterized in that the average temperature of the hand cooler is set to the range of 10 to 20°C by exposing it to cold air in the temperature range of 10 to 15°C or to an atmosphere with a temperature of 10°C or below for a specified period of time or more.

[0013] In addition, a more preferable solution for using the hand cooling device according to the present invention is to select the dimensions and materials of the hand cooling device taking into consideration the dimensions and weight of the user's hands. Effect of the Invention

[0014] According to the hand cooling device and the method of using it of the present invention, a metal with high thermal conductivity is prepared with a predetermined heat capacity, and by cooling it to a predetermined temperature and holding it in the palm of the hand, the effect of efficiently lowering body temperature can be obtained. By cooling it with a predetermined amount of cold air, it can be easily made into a cooling device and can be easily regenerated. If it is prepared in a shape that is easy to hold and selected taking into consideration the size of the palm of the user and the weight of the user, it can be handled more efficiently. The use of the hand cooling device of the present invention contributes to measures against heat stroke, and is therefore industrially useful. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of a hand cooling device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 5 is a graph showing the relationship between appropriate dimensions of the hand cooling device according to the embodiment and age, in which (a) shows the relationship between appropriate diameter and age, and (b) shows the relationship between shaft length and age. [Diagram 3] 11 is a graph showing temperature transitions when the hand cooling device according to the embodiment is held in the palm of the hand. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are merely illustrative of tools and methods for embodying the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and are not intended to limit the configuration to the following. In other words, the technical idea of ​​the present invention can be modified in various ways within the technical scope described in the claims.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view showing the configuration of a hand cooling device according to one embodiment of the present invention. An example of dimensions is also shown in FIG. 1 in mm. The hand cooling device 1 according to this embodiment is made of a columnar or cylindrical metal. It has a predetermined diameter 2 and axial length 3. It is preferable that the boundaries between the upper and lower disk surfaces and the outer circumferential surface are chamfered 5. This improves safety in handling. It is also preferable that there is a drilled hole 4 on the top. It is easy to carry or hang it by passing a string through it. The surface of the columnar or cylindrical metal may be smooth or may have an uneven surface.

[0018] The hand cooling device according to this embodiment is made of a metal having a thermal conductivity k of 15 W / (m·K) or more at room temperature, and must have a heat capacity C of 70 J / K or more at room temperature.

[0019] The hand cooling device according to the present embodiment has sufficient thermal conductivity, so that it can be held in the palm of the hand and efficiently remove heat (Problem 6), and therefore does not need to be cooled excessively. In addition, the hand cooling device according to the present embodiment has sufficient thermal capacity, so that by cooling it to about 10°C, it can be held in the palm of the hand and the time to keep it in the range of 10 to 20°C can be appropriately maintained. Therefore, when holding it, it can be held for a long time without feeling pain (Problem 4). In addition, it contributes appropriately to reducing body temperature without causing vasoconstriction (Problem 5). Furthermore, the hand cooling device after use, once warmed up, has sufficient thermal conductivity, so that it can be easily cooled to about 10°C by exposing it to cold air, etc., and can be restored to a hand cooling device for preventing heatstroke (Problems 1 to 3).

[0020] Examples of metals used in the hand cooler according to this embodiment include the following. The thermal conductivity k shown below is at room temperature. The thermal conductivity k of iron is 80 W / (m·K). The thermal conductivity k of SS400 is 52 W / (m·K). The thermal conductivity k of SUS304 is 16 W / (m·K). The thermal conductivity k of copper is 398 W / (m·K). The thermal conductivity k of brass is 106 W / (m·K). The thermal conductivity k of aluminum is 236 W / (m·K). On the other hand, the thermal conductivity k of general resin is 0.13 to 0.44 W / (m·K). Therefore, the thermal conductivity k of the metal used in the hand cooler is 15 W / (m·K) or more. Although there is no particular upper limit, in order to make the thermal conductivity k exceed 400 W / (m·K), it is necessary to use expensive silver, which is not practical. Therefore, it is preferable to use a metal with a thermal conductivity k of 400 W / (m K) or less, and more preferably a metal with a thermal conductivity k in the range of 50 to 250 W / (m K). In particular, it is preferable to use iron or steel.

[0021] As described above, when used to prevent heat stroke, the hand cooling device of this embodiment needs to be held in the palm of the hand and kept at a temperature in the range of 10 to 20°C for a certain period of time. Therefore, the hand cooling device of this embodiment has a heat capacity C of 70 J / K or more. On the other hand, although there is no particular upper limit for the heat capacity C, increasing the heat capacity C increases the bulk and mass, which may make it difficult to handle. Therefore, it is preferable to set the upper limit for the heat capacity C to about 500 J / K. It is more preferable that the heat capacity C is in the range of 100 to 400 J / K.

[0022] Figure 2 shows a graph showing the relationship between the appropriate dimensions of hand cooling devices and age. In Figure 2(a), the diameter of a cylinder that can be gripped without any looseness was calculated from the length of the middle finger, and 3 mm was added to the calculated value to obtain the appropriate diameter. The calculated values ​​were plotted for each age and sex, and connected by a line. It can be seen that the appropriate diameter of hand cooling devices is in the range of 25 to 35 mm. In Figure 2(b), the shaft length was calculated from the width of the hand, and 5 mm was added to the calculated value to obtain the appropriate shaft length. The calculated values ​​were plotted for each age and sex, and connected by a line. It can be seen that the appropriate shaft length of hand cooling devices is in the range of 60 to 100 mm. If the diameter or shaft length is excessively large, the area that does not come into contact with the palm will increase, which is inefficient and may become bulky and difficult to grip. On the other hand, if the diameter or shaft length is excessively small, the heat capacity may be insufficient.

[0023] Since the dimensions of hands vary depending on age, sex, or individual differences, it is preferable to select a suitable size, ease of grip, and ease of handling. Depending on the purpose of cooling, the device may be a solid cylinder, or may be cylindrical and filled with a lightweight, high-heat-capacity material.

[0024] If the metal used is susceptible to corrosion, such as iron or steel, it is preferable to apply an anti-rust treatment to the metal surface. The anti-rust treatment should be of a thickness that does not affect heat transfer. Corrosion-resistant plating and anti-rust paint treatments can be applied.

[0025] A method of using the hand cooling device according to another embodiment of the present invention is a method of using the hand cooling device by exposing the hand cooling device to cold air in the temperature range of 10 to 15° C. for a predetermined period of time or more, thereby making the average temperature of the hand cooling device in the range of 10 to 20° C. Alternatively, the hand cooling device may be exposed to an atmosphere with a temperature of 10° C. or lower for a predetermined period of time or more, instead of cold air.

[0026] For example, the hand cooler is cooled to about 10°C by exposing it to cold air from a room cooler at a temperature of 10 to 11°C for 5 minutes. In this way, it becomes possible to easily regenerate it after use as a hand cooler to prevent heat stroke. It may also be kept in a constant temperature cabinet at a temperature of 10°C or less. EXAMPLES

[0027] A hand cooler with the dimensions shown in Figure 1 was made of steel (SS400). Its heat capacity was approximately 400 J / K. It was cooled to about 11°C, and an adult male with a body temperature of 36.2°C grasped the hand cooler. Figure 3 shows the change in surface temperature of the hand cooler. The solid line shows the results of the first use, and the dotted line shows the results of the second use after the hand cooler was cooled for 5 minutes with cold air at 10.5°C after the first use. The results in Figure 3 show that the hand cooler was effective in maintaining a temperature range of 10 to 20°C, considered suitable for preventing heat stroke, for more than 4 minutes. It also shows that it can be easily regenerated. [Industrial Applicability]

[0028] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The hand cooling device and method of using the same according to the present invention can contribute to heat stroke prevention by holding the hand cooling device in the palm of the hand, and can be easily regenerated, making it industrially useful. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1 Cooling device for hands 2 diameter 3 axis length 4 holes 5 Chamfering

Claims

1. A cylindrical or cylindrical metal hand cooling device, Made of a metal with a thermal conductivity k of 15 W / (m K) or more at room temperature, The heat capacity C at room temperature is 70 J / K or more. Cooling device for hands.

2. 2. The hand cooling device according to claim 1, having a diameter in the range of 25 to 35 mm and an axial length in the range of 60 to 100 mm.

3. 2. The hand cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the metal surface is subjected to an anti-rust treatment.

4. A method for using the hand cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising: A method for using a hand cooler, comprising exposing the hand cooler to cold air having a temperature range of 10 to 15°C or to an atmosphere having a temperature of 10°C or lower for a predetermined period of time or more, so that the average temperature of the hand cooler is set to the range of 10 to 20°C.

5. 5. The method for using the hand cooling device according to claim 4, wherein the dimensions and materials of the hand cooling device are selected taking into consideration the dimensions and weight of the user's hands.

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