Blower device and clothes mounting the same

Abstract

To provide a blower device which suppresses wasteful use of energy, and to provide clothes.SOLUTION: A control part can select and operate a first mode in which an air-blowing amount of a blower is increased / decreased in a first area (weak operation, intermediate operation, strong operation) by an operation of a first operation part, and a second mode in which an air-blowing amount of the blower is set to be an air-blowing amount (large air amount) in a second area which is a larger air-blowing amount than the first mode by the operation of a second operation part. In the case where the second mode is selected and operated by the second operation part, at the time when the second mode is selected and operated or the time right after the second mode is selected and operated, the residual amount of a battery at the time of the second mode operation start detected by a residual amount detection circuit is stored in a memory, and at the time of a blower operation by the second mode, when the residual amount of the battery at the time of the second mode operation start detected by the residual amount detection circuit has reduced by a predetermined amount from the battery residual amount at the time of the second mode operation start which is stored in the memory, the blower operation by the second mode is stopped or is shifted to the blower operation by the first mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air blower device having an air blower for blowing air into clothing, and to clothing fitted with the air blower device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, clothing equipped with a blower has been put to practical use and has been highly praised by workers, for example, when working in summer. In other words, the air outside the clothing is drawn into the clothing by a fan, and the sweat from the body or the water inside the clothing that has been intentionally supplied is evaporated by the air drawn into the clothing by the fan, and the heat of evaporation is used to lower the worker's body temperature.

[0003] Users, including workers, may desire a larger airflow rate than normal in order to feel a sudden cooling sensation. In response to user requests, a configuration has been proposed in which a large air volume operation unit is provided to increase the air volume above normal levels, and when this large air volume operation unit is operated, a sudden cooling sensation can be obtained due to the larger air volume than normal (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6763007 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-144700 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When the large air volume operation unit is operated, a larger air volume than normal can be obtained, providing a sudden cooling sensation. On the other hand, since the battery capacity is used to a large extent during this high airflow operation, its use is intended to be temporary, with high airflow operation being limited to a specified time after startup, and after this specified time has elapsed, the high airflow operation is terminated to prevent a sudden drop in battery capacity.

[0006] The problem with the conventional example is that even though the system is operating at a high air volume, there are times when the amount of air passing through the clothes does not actually increase, resulting in a waste of energy.

[0007] For example, when a user wearing clothing works in a slouched position, the back of the clothing comes into contact with or is close to the body, narrowing the air passage for the air taken in by the fan (increasing airflow resistance). In this situation, even if the fan is operated at a high air volume, the amount of air taken in and passed through the clothing and expelled outside the clothing will be small. Despite this, the blower is operating at a high airflow rate. When operating at a high airflow rate with such high airflow resistance, a larger current flows than in normal high airflow operation, causing the battery capacity to drop rapidly. In other words, operating at high airflow when the ventilation resistance is high and a large airflow cannot be obtained results in a waste of energy. Such situations occur frequently in the field, and it is extremely important to take measures to deal with them.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to suppress the waste of energy. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve this object, the air blower of the present invention comprises an air blower, a battery that supplies power to the air blower, and a control unit that controls the amount of air blown by the air blower, and the control unit is connected to at least an operation unit that sets the amount of air blown by the air blower, a remaining charge detection circuit that detects the remaining charge of the battery, and a memory that stores the remaining charge of the battery detected by the remaining charge detection circuit, and the control unit has two modes: a first mode in which the air blowing amount of the air blower is increased or decreased within a first area by operation of the operation unit, and a second mode in which the air blowing amount of the air blower is set to an air blowing amount within a second area that is greater than the air blowing amount in the first mode by operation of the operation unit. When the second mode is selected using the operation unit, the remaining battery charge at the start of the second mode operation detected by the remaining battery charge detection circuit is stored in the memory at the time the second mode is selected or immediately after the second mode is selected, and when the fan is operating in the second mode, the fan operation in the second mode is stopped or switched to the first mode when the remaining battery charge after the start of the second mode operation detected by the remaining battery charge detection circuit decreases by a predetermined amount from the remaining battery charge at the start of the second mode operation stored in the memory. The air blower of the present invention is configured such that a plurality of air volumes are set within the first area in the first mode, and the air volume within the first area is switched by the operation unit. Furthermore, the control unit in the blower device of the present invention is configured to transition from operation of the blower in the second mode to operation at the airflow volume that was set in the first area of the first mode before selecting operation of the blower in the second mode, when the remaining battery capacity detected by the remaining battery capacity detection circuit decreases by a predetermined amount from the remaining battery capacity stored in the memory during operation of the blower in the second mode. In addition, the operating unit in the blower device of the present invention is configured to have a first operating unit that sets the airflow volume of the blower in the first area in the first mode, and a second operating unit that sets the airflow volume of the blower in the second area in the second mode. Furthermore, the control unit of the present invention is configured such that when the second operating unit is operated while the blower is operating in the second mode, the control unit transitions to operation of the blower in the first mode before transitioning to operation in the second mode. In addition, the first area of the first mode of the blower device of the present invention is set to a plurality of air volumes that change with each operation of the first operating unit, and when the first operating unit is operated while the blower is operating in the second mode, the control unit is configured to transition from the air volume that was set in the operation of the blower in the first mode before transitioning to operation of the blower in the second mode to the air volume that was set in the operation of the blower in the first mode before transitioning to operation of the blower in the second mode, to the air volume that was set in the operation of the blower in the second mode before transitioning to operation of the blower in the second mode, to the air volume that was set in the operation of the blower in the first mode before transitioning to operation of the blower in the second mode. Furthermore, in the air blower of the present invention, the battery is housed in a battery case, and an operating section is provided on the surface of the battery case. Furthermore, the clothing of the present invention is equipped with the air blower of the air blowing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] As described above, the air blower of the present invention comprises a blower, a battery for supplying power to the blower, and a control unit for controlling the amount of air blown by the blower. The control unit is connected to at least an operation unit for setting the amount of air blown by the blower, a remaining charge detection circuit for detecting the remaining charge of the battery, and a memory for storing the remaining charge of the battery detected by the remaining charge detection circuit. The control unit is operable to select between a first mode in which the amount of air blown by the blower is increased or decreased within a first area by operation of the operation unit, and a second mode in which the amount of air blown by the blower is set to an amount of air blown within a second area that is greater than the amount of air blown in the first mode by operation of the operation unit. When the second mode is selected in the unit, the remaining battery level at the start of second mode operation detected by the remaining battery level detection circuit is stored in the memory at the time the second mode is selected or immediately after the second mode is selected, and when the fan is operating in the second mode, the remaining battery level after the start of second mode operation detected by the remaining battery level detection circuit decreases by a predetermined amount from the remaining battery level at the start of second mode operation stored in the memory, the fan operation in the second mode is stopped or switched to the fan operation in the first mode, thereby reducing energy waste.

[0011] That is, in the present invention, when the second mode is selected by operating the operating unit, the remaining battery level at the start of second mode operation detected by the remaining battery level detection circuit is stored in the memory at the time when the second mode is selected or immediately after the second mode is selected, and when the blower is operating in the second mode, when the remaining battery level after the start of second mode operation detected by the remaining battery level detection circuit decreases by a predetermined amount from the remaining battery level at the start of second mode operation stored in the memory, the blower operation in the second mode is stopped or switched to the blower operation in the first mode.Therefore, when the user wants to operate at a high air volume, the user can easily operate at a high air volume using the operating unit. In addition, if the user is in a position that makes it difficult for air to be drawn into the clothing, such as during actual work, the system will detect a low battery level and either stop high-volume operation or switch to operation in the first mode, thereby reducing energy waste. Furthermore, at this time, the air volume is changed from the high air volume operation, so the user can be informed that the high air volume operation has been stopped due to a decrease in battery capacity, and the user's dissatisfaction can be alleviated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a blower device according to an embodiment of the present invention and clothing to which the device is attached; [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a main part of a blower according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3] 1 is a control block diagram of a blower according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is an operational flowchart of a blower according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is an operational flowchart of a blower according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is an operational flowchart of a blower according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the blower device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the blower device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the blower device according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a control block diagram of a blower according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is an operational flowchart of a blower according to another embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 12] 10 is an operational flowchart of a blower according to another embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of a blower device according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14]FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the operation of a blower device according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] (Embodiment 1) In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a garment, and in this embodiment, two circular openings (not shown) are provided below a back body 2 of the garment 1, and a blower 3 is attached to each opening. The blower 3 is equipped with a conventionally known fan and motor, and is powered by a battery (4 in Figure 3). It supplies air from outside the garment 1 into the garment 1, evaporating the sweat of the user wearing the garment 1 or water intentionally placed inside the garment 1 with the air flow, and the resulting heat of vaporization lowers the user's body temperature. The air that has cooled the body temperature is then expelled from the clothing 1 through the neck, armpits, etc.

[0014] The battery 4 is housed in a battery case 5 shown in Figures 1 and 2, and a DC terminal 7 is provided at the top of this battery case 5, into which a plug 6 for connecting the blower 3 and the battery 4 can be detachably inserted. Also, on the front side of the battery case 5, there are arranged a display unit 8 that shows the operation setting status, a first operation unit 9 that switches the operation status of the blower 3 between weak operation, medium operation, strong operation, and power supply mode to a USB device, a second operation unit 10 that switches the operation status of the blower 3 to high airflow operation that is stronger than the strong operation, a third operation unit 11 that switches to operation of an external device such as a smartphone with a single operation, and a display unit 12 that lights up when external operation is set. Of these, the display unit 8 that shows the operation setting status, the third operation unit 11 that switches to external device operation such as a smartphone with a single operation, and the display unit 12 that lights up when external operation is set are conventionally known, so in this embodiment, we will explain in detail the first operation unit 9 that switches the operation status of the blower 3 to weak operation, medium operation, strong operation, or power supply mode to a USB device, and the second operation unit 10 that operates at a high air volume that is stronger than the strong operation.

[0015] The first operating unit 9 and the second operating unit 10 are connected to a control unit 13 provided in the battery case 5 as shown in FIG. The control unit 13 is connected to a communication unit 14, a memory 15, a remaining capacity detection circuit 16 for the battery 4, and a charge / discharge circuit 17. In addition, an antenna 18 is connected to the communication unit 14. The battery 4 is connected to a remaining charge detection circuit 16 and a charge / discharge circuit 17 . The charge / discharge circuit 17 is connected to an input / output unit 19 representing the DC terminal 7, as well as a USB terminal 20. The USB terminal 20 is configured to be exposed when the cover 21 shown in FIG. 2 is opened.

[0016] The present embodiment is characterized by including a blower 3, a battery 4 that supplies power to the blower 3, and a control unit 13 that controls the amount of air blown by the blower 3. In addition, the control unit 13 is connected to at least a first operating unit 9 and a second operating unit 10 for setting the airflow volume of the blower 3, a remaining capacity detection circuit 16 for detecting the remaining capacity of the battery 4, and a memory 15 for storing the remaining capacity of the battery 4 detected by this remaining capacity detection circuit 16.

[0017] The control unit 13 allows the user to select between a first mode, in which the airflow rate of the blower 3 is increased or decreased within a first area (the first area is a range of airflow rates. The range of airflow rates may be, for example, an airflow rate of 40 for weak operation, an airflow rate of 55 for medium operation, an airflow rate of 65 for strong operation, etc., but is arbitrary), by operating the first operating unit 9, and a second mode, in which the airflow rate of the blower 3 is set to an airflow rate within a second area (the second area is a range of airflow rates. The range of airflow rates may be, for example, an airflow rate of 100 for high operation, etc., but is arbitrary), which is greater than the airflow rate in the first mode, by operating the second operating unit 10. When the second mode is selected using the second operating unit 10, the remaining charge of the battery 4 at the start of second mode operation, detected by the remaining charge detection circuit 16, is stored in the memory 15 at the time the second mode is selected or immediately after the second mode is selected. Furthermore, when the fan is operating in the second mode, when the remaining charge of the battery 4 after the start of the second mode operation detected by the remaining charge detection circuit 16 decreases by a predetermined amount (the predetermined amount is a percentage based on the remaining charge of the battery 4 when fully charged. The predetermined amount is, for example, 2%, but is arbitrary) from the remaining charge of the battery 4 at the start of the second mode operation stored in the memory 15, the fan is either stopped operating in the second mode or switched to operating in the first mode. The above points will now be explained in detail.

[0018] The control unit 13 shown in FIG. 3 is initially in a sleep state (S1 in FIG. 4). When the first operating unit 9 is operated in this state (Y in S2 of FIG. 4), the control unit 13 starts up (S3 of FIG. 4), and then determines whether the first operating unit 9 is being pressed and held (S4 of FIG. 4). If it is determined that the key was not pressed and held (N of S4 in FIG. 4) (S4 in FIG. 4), the control unit 13 determines that an operation error has occurred, and again transitions to the sleep state (S5 in FIG. 4). If it is determined that the button has been pressed and held (Y in S4 in FIG. 4) (S4 in FIG. 4), the control unit 13 drives the fan 3 to set the airflow volume to the first range (weak operation, for example, airflow volume 40) (S6 in FIG. 4). Subsequently, when the first operation unit 9 is operated (Y in S7 in FIG. 4), it is then determined whether the first operation unit 9 is being pressed and held down (S8 in FIG. 4). If it is determined in step S8 of FIG. 4 that the button has been pressed and held (Y in step S8 of FIG. 4), the control unit 13 stops the fan 3 and transitions to a sleep state (step S5 of FIG. 4). If the button is not pressed and held (N of S8 in FIG. 4) (S8 in FIG. 4), the control unit 13 switches the airflow rate of the blower 3 to the first area (medium operation, for example, airflow rate 55) and drives the blower 3 (S1 in FIG. 5). Subsequently, when the first operation unit 9 is operated (Y in S2 in FIG. 5), it is then determined whether the first operation unit 9 is being pressed and held down (S3 in FIG. 5). If it is determined in step S3 of FIG. 5 that the button has been pressed and held (Y in step S3 of FIG. 5), the control unit 13 stops the fan 3 and transitions to a sleep state (step S5 of FIG. 4). If the button is not pressed and held (N of S3 in FIG. 5) (S3 in FIG. 5), the control unit 13 switches the airflow rate of the blower 3 to the first area (strong operation, for example, airflow rate 65) and drives the blower 3 (S1 in FIG. 6). Subsequently, when the first operation unit 9 is operated (Y in S2 in FIG. 6), it is then determined whether the first operation unit 9 is being pressed and held down (S3 in FIG. 6). If it is determined that the button has been pressed and held (Y at S3 in FIG. 6) (S3 in FIG. 6), the control unit 13 stops the fan 3 and transitions to a sleep state (S5 in FIG. 4). If the button is not pressed and held (N at S3 in FIG. 6) (S3 in FIG. 6), the control unit 13 stops the blower 3 and switches to the USB operation mode (S4 in FIG. 6), and thereafter switches to the power supply mode for the external device connected to the USB terminal 20. Even while power is being supplied to such an external device, if the first operating unit 9 is operated (Y in S5 of FIG. 6), it is determined whether this is a long press of the first operating unit 9 or not (S6 of FIG. 6). If it is determined in step S6 of FIG. 6 that the button has been pressed and held (Y in step S6 of FIG. 6), the control unit 13 stops the fan 3 and transitions to a sleep state (step S5 of FIG. 4). If the button is not pressed and held (N in S6 in FIG. 6) (S6 in FIG. 6), the control unit 13 switches the airflow rate of the blower 3 to the first area (weak operation, for example, airflow rate 40) and drives the blower 3 (S7 in FIG. 6).

[0019] In this way, by operating the first operating unit 9, the airflow volume of the blower 3 can be switched in the following order: first area (weak operation, e.g., airflow volume 40), (medium operation, e.g., airflow volume 55), (strong operation, e.g., airflow volume 65), and power supply mode to external devices.

[0020] Next, a description will be given of the case where the second operating unit 10 is operated (N in S7 in FIG. 4) (Y in S9 in FIG. 4) in FIG. 4 (S7 in FIG. 4). In other words, in this embodiment, by operating the second operating unit 10, it is possible to select between the first mode and the second mode in which the airflow volume of the blower 3 is set to a larger airflow volume in the second area (large airflow volume, for example, airflow volume 100) than in the first mode. When the second mode is selected using the second operating unit 10, the remaining charge of the battery 4 at the start of second mode operation, detected by the remaining charge detection circuit 16, is stored in the memory 15 at the time the second mode is selected or immediately after the second mode is selected (S10 in Figure 4). Thereafter, a high air volume operation is started in which the air volume of the fan 3 is set to a second area (high air volume, for example, air volume 100) that is larger than that in the first mode (S11 in FIG. 4). Next, it is determined whether the first operating unit 9 has been operated (S12 in FIG. 4), and if the first operating unit 9 has not been operated (N in S12 in FIG. 4), it is then determined whether the second operating unit 10 has been operated (S13 in FIG. 4), and if the second operating unit 10 has not been operated (N in S13 in FIG. 4), the blower 3 continues to operate at high air volume. Furthermore, when the fan is operating in the second mode, the fan is configured to transition from operation in the second mode to operation in the first mode when the remaining battery charge detected by the remaining battery charge detection circuit 16 after the start of operation in the second mode decreases by a predetermined amount (for example, 2%) from the remaining battery charge at the start of operation in the second mode stored in the memory 15 (Y in S14 of Figure 4). In this embodiment, since the first area (weak operation, for example, air volume 40) is switched to the second mode high air volume operation, the operation is switched back to the first area (weak operation, for example, air volume 40) (S15 in FIG. 4). In this embodiment, even if the second operating unit 10 is operated (Y in S13 of FIG. 4) in (S13 of FIG. 4), the operation mode is switched back to the original first area (weak operation, for example, air volume 40) (S15 of FIG. 4).

[0021] In this embodiment, when the remaining battery charge of the battery 4 detected by the remaining charge detection circuit 16 during operation of the fan in the second mode decreases by a predetermined amount from the remaining battery charge stored in the memory 15, the control unit 13 is configured to transition from operation of the fan in the second mode to operation of the fan 3 at the airflow rate that was set in the first area of the first mode before selecting operation of the fan in the second mode (see Figure 7). This is a useful operation when you feel that the high air volume operation is sufficient and you want to switch back to operation in the original first area. Furthermore, when the first operating unit 9 is operated (S12 in FIG. 4) (Y in S12 in FIG. 4), it is determined (S16 in FIG. 4) whether or not a long press has been made, and if it is determined that a long press has been made (Y in S16 in FIG. 4), the control unit 13 stops the blower 3 and transitions to a sleep state (S5 in FIG. 4). On the other hand, when the first operating unit 9 is operated (Y in S12 in FIG. 4) and it is determined that a long press has not been made (N in S16 in FIG. 4), the airflow volume set in the operation of the blower 3 in the first mode before transition to the blower operation in the second mode (low operation, for example, airflow volume 40) is transitioned to a higher airflow volume (medium operation, for example, airflow volume 55) as the next blower operation resulting from the operation of the first operating unit 9 (S1 in FIG. 5).

[0022] Next, a case where the second operating unit 10 is operated (N in S2 in FIG. 5) (Y in S4 in FIG. 5) in (S2 in FIG. 5) will be described. In other words, in this embodiment, by operating the second operating unit 10, it is possible to select between the first mode and the second mode in which the airflow volume of the blower 3 is set to a larger airflow volume in the second area (large airflow volume, for example, airflow volume 100) than in the first mode. When the second mode is selected using the second operating unit 10, the remaining charge of the battery 4 at the start of second mode operation, detected by the remaining charge detection circuit 16, is stored in the memory 15 at the time the second mode is selected or immediately after the second mode is selected (S5 in Figure 5). Thereafter, a high air volume operation is started in which the air volume of the fan 3 is set to a second area (high air volume, for example, 100) that is larger than that in the first mode (S6 in FIG. 5). Next, it is determined whether the first operating unit 9 has been operated (S7 in FIG. 5), and if the first operating unit 9 has not been operated (N in S7 in FIG. 5), it is then determined whether the second operating unit 10 has been operated (S8 in FIG. 5), and if the second operating unit 10 has not been operated (N in S8 in FIG. 5), the blower 3 continues to operate at high air volume. Furthermore, when the fan is operating in the second mode, the remaining battery charge of the battery 4 after the start of the second mode operation, as detected by the remaining battery charge detection circuit 16, decreases by a predetermined amount (for example, 2%) from the remaining battery charge of the battery 4 at the start of the second mode operation stored in the memory 15 (Y at S9 in Figure 5), and the fan is configured to switch from operating in the second mode to operating in the first mode. In this embodiment, since the operation is switched from the first area (medium operation, for example, air volume 55) to the second mode high air volume operation, the operation is switched back to the first area (medium operation, for example, air volume 55) (S10 in FIG. 5). In this embodiment, even if the second operating unit 10 is operated (Y in S8 of FIG. 5) in (S8 of FIG. 5), the operation mode is switched back to the original first area (medium operation, for example, air volume 55) (S10 of FIG. 5).

[0023] In this embodiment, when the remaining battery charge of the battery 4 detected by the remaining charge detection circuit 16 during operation of the fan in the second mode decreases by a predetermined amount from the remaining battery charge stored in the memory 15, the control unit 13 is configured to transition from operation of the fan in the second mode to operation of the fan 3 at the airflow rate that was set in the first area of the first mode before selecting operation of the fan in the second mode (see Figure 8). This is a useful operation when you feel that the high air volume operation is sufficient and you want to switch back to operation in the original first area. Furthermore, when the first operating unit 9 is operated (S7 in FIG. 5) (Y in S7 in FIG. 5), it is determined (S11 in FIG. 5) whether or not a long press has occurred, and if it is determined that a long press has occurred (Y in S11 in FIG. 5), the control unit 13 stops the fan 3 and transitions to a sleep state (S5 in FIG. 4). On the other hand, when the first operating unit 9 is operated (Y in S7 in FIG. 5) and it is determined that a long press has not occurred (N in S11 in FIG. 5), the fan operation mode is changed from the air volume (medium operation, for example, air volume 55) set in the operation of the fan 3 in the first mode before transitioning to the fan operation in the second mode to a higher air volume (strong operation, for example, air volume 65) as the next fan operation due to the operation of the first operating unit 9 (S1 in FIG. 6).

[0024] Next, a case where the second operating unit 10 is operated (N in S2 in FIG. 6) (Y in S8 in FIG. 6) in (S2 in FIG. 6) will be described. In other words, in this embodiment, by operating the second operating unit 10, it is possible to select between the first mode and the second mode in which the airflow volume of the blower 3 is set to a larger airflow volume in the second area (large airflow volume, for example, airflow volume 100) than in the first mode. When the second mode is selected using the second operating unit 10, the remaining charge of the battery 4 at the start of second mode operation, detected by the remaining charge detection circuit 16, is stored in the memory 15 at the time the second mode is selected or immediately after the second mode is selected (S9 in Figure 6). Thereafter, a high air volume operation is started in which the air volume of the fan 3 is set to a second area (high air volume, for example, air volume 100) that is larger than that in the first mode (S10 in FIG. 6). Next, it is determined whether the first operating unit 9 has been operated (S11 in FIG. 6), and if the first operating unit 9 has not been operated (N in S11 in FIG. 6), it is then determined whether the second operating unit 10 has been operated (S12 in FIG. 6), and if the second operating unit 10 has not been operated (N in S12 in FIG. 6), the blower 3 continues to operate at high air volume. Furthermore, when the fan is operating in the second mode, the remaining battery charge of the battery 4 after the start of the second mode operation, as detected by the remaining battery charge detection circuit 16, decreases by a predetermined amount (for example, 2%) from the remaining battery charge of the battery 4 at the start of the second mode operation stored in the memory 15 (Y at S13 in Figure 6), and the fan is configured to switch from operating in the second mode to operating in the first mode. In this embodiment, since the operation has been switched from the first area (strong operation, for example, air volume 65) to the second mode high air volume operation, the operation is switched back to the first area (strong operation, for example, air volume 65) (S14 in FIG. 6). In this embodiment, even if the second operating unit 10 is operated (Y in S12 of FIG. 6) in (S12 of FIG. 6), the operation mode is switched back to the original first area (high operation, for example, air volume 65) (S14 of FIG. 6).

[0025] In this embodiment, when the remaining battery charge of the battery 4 detected by the remaining battery charge detection circuit 16 during operation of the fan in the second mode decreases by a predetermined amount from the remaining battery charge stored in the memory 15, the control unit 13 is configured to transition from operation of the fan in the second mode to operation of the fan 3 at the airflow rate that was set in the first area of the first mode before selecting operation of the fan in the second mode. This is a useful operation when you feel that the high air volume operation is sufficient and you want to switch back to operation in the original first area (see FIG. 9). Furthermore, when the first operating unit 9 is operated (Y in S11 of FIG. 6) (S15 of FIG. 6), it is determined whether or not it is a long press, and if it is determined to be a long press (Y in S15 of FIG. 6), the control unit 13 stops the blower 3 and transitions to a sleep state (S5 of FIG. 4).

[0026] (Embodiment 2) 10 to 14 show other embodiments. In this embodiment, the same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. 1 and 2 have the same configuration, and therefore will be utilized in this embodiment as well.

[0027] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a garment, and in this embodiment, two circular openings (not shown) are provided below a back body 2 of the garment 1, and a blower 3 is attached to each opening. The blower 3 is equipped with a conventionally known fan and motor, and is powered by a battery (4 in Figure 10). It supplies air from outside the garment 1 into the garment 1, evaporating the sweat of the user wearing the garment 1 or water intentionally placed inside the garment 1 with the air flow, and the resulting heat of vaporization lowers the user's body temperature. The air that has cooled the body temperature is then expelled from the clothing 1 through the neck, armpits, etc.

[0028] The battery 4 is housed in a battery case 5 shown in Figures 1 and 2, and a DC terminal 7 is provided at the top of this battery case 5, into which a plug 6 for connecting the blower 3 and the battery 4 can be detachably inserted. Also, on the front side of the battery case 5, there are arranged a display unit 8 that shows the operation setting status, a first operation unit 9 that switches the operation status of the blower 3 between weak operation, medium operation, strong operation, and power supply mode to a USB device, a second operation unit 10 that switches the operation status of the blower 3 to high airflow operation that is stronger than the strong operation, a third operation unit 11 that switches to operation of an external device such as a smartphone with a single operation, and a display unit 12 that lights up when external operation is set. Of these, the display unit 8 that shows the operation setting status, the third operation unit 11 that switches to external device operation such as a smartphone with a single operation, and the display unit 12 that lights up when external operation is set are conventionally known, so in this embodiment, we will explain in detail the first operation unit 9 that switches the operation status of the blower 3 to weak operation, medium operation, strong operation, or power supply mode to a USB device, and the second operation unit 10 that operates at a high air volume that is stronger than the strong operation.

[0029] The first operating unit 9 and the second operating unit 10 are connected to a control unit 13a provided in the battery case 5 as shown in FIG. A communication unit 14, a memory 15a for storing programs, a timer 16a, and a charge / discharge circuit 17 are connected to the control unit 13a. In addition, an antenna 18 is connected to the communication unit 14. The battery 4 is connected to a charge / discharge circuit 17 . The charge / discharge circuit 17 is connected to an input / output unit 19 representing the DC terminal 7, as well as a USB terminal 20. The USB terminal 20 is configured to be exposed when the cover 21 shown in FIG. 2 is opened.

[0030] The present embodiment is characterized by including a blower 3, a battery 4 that supplies power to the blower 3, and a control unit 13a that controls the amount of air blown by the blower 3. Furthermore, at least a first operating unit 9 and a second operating unit 10 for setting the amount of air blown by the blower 3, and a timer 16a are connected to the control unit 13a. The control unit 13a can select between a first mode in which the airflow rate of the blower 3 is increased or decreased within a first area (weak operation, e.g., airflow rate 40), (medium operation, e.g., airflow rate 55), or (strong operation, e.g., airflow rate 65) by operating the first operating unit 9, and a second mode in which the airflow rate of the blower 3 is set to a second area (high airflow rate, e.g., airflow rate 100) that is a larger airflow rate than the first mode by operating the second operating unit 10. The operation will be explained.

[0031] First, the control unit 13a shown in FIG. 10 is initially in a sleep state (S1 in FIG. 11). When the first operating unit 9 is operated in this state (Y in S2 of FIG. 11), the control unit 13a starts up (S3 of FIG. 11), and then determines whether the first operating unit 9 is pressed and held (S4 of FIG. 11). If it is determined in step S4 of FIG. 11 that the key was not pressed for a long time (step N of step S4 of FIG. 11), the control unit 13a determines that the key was pressed incorrectly and goes into the sleep state again (step S5 of FIG. 11). If it is determined that the button has been pressed and held (Y in S4 in FIG. 11) (S4 in FIG. 11), the control unit 13a drives the fan 3 to set the airflow volume to the first range (weak operation, for example, airflow volume 40) (S6 in FIG. 11). Subsequently, when the first operation unit 9 is operated (Y in S7 in FIG. 11), it is then determined whether the first operation unit 9 is being pressed and held down (S8 in FIG. 11). If it is determined in (S8 in FIG. 11) that the button has been pressed and held (Y in S8 in FIG. 11), the control unit 13a stops the fan 3 and transitions to a sleep state (S5 in FIG. 11). If the button is not pressed and held (N of S8 in FIG. 11) (S8 in FIG. 11), the control unit 13a switches the airflow rate of the blower 3 to the first area (medium operation, for example, airflow rate 55) and drives the blower 3 (S9 in FIG. 11). Subsequently, when the first operation unit 9 is operated (Y in S10 of FIG. 11), it is then determined whether the first operation unit 9 is being pressed and held (S11 of FIG. 11). If it is determined in step S11 of FIG. 11 that the button has been pressed and held (Y in step S11 of FIG. 11), the control unit 13a stops the fan 3 and transitions to a sleep state (step S5 of FIG. 11). If the button is not pressed and held (N of S11 in FIG. 11) (S11 in FIG. 11), the control unit 13a switches the airflow rate of the blower 3 to the first area (strong operation, for example, airflow rate 65) and drives the blower 3 (S1 in FIG. 12). Subsequently, when the first operation unit 9 is operated (Y in S2 of FIG. 12), it is then determined whether the first operation unit 9 is being pressed and held (S3 of FIG. 12). If it is determined that the button has been pressed and held (Y at S3 in FIG. 12) (S3 in FIG. 12), the control unit 13a stops the fan 3 and transitions to a sleep state (S5 in FIG. 11). If the button is not pressed and held (N at S3 in FIG. 12) (S3 in FIG. 12), the control unit 13a stops the blower 3 and switches to the USB operation mode (S4 in FIG. 12), and thereafter switches to the power supply mode for the external device connected to the USB terminal 20. Even while power is being supplied to such an external device, if the first operating unit 9 is operated (Y in S5 of FIG. 12), it is determined whether this is a long press of the first operating unit 9 or not (S6 of FIG. 12). If it is determined in (S6 in FIG. 12) that the button has been pressed and held (Y in S6 in FIG. 12), the control unit 13a stops the fan 3 and transitions to a sleep state (S5 in FIG. 11). If the button is not pressed and held (N of S6 in FIG. 12) (S6 in FIG. 12), the control unit 13a switches the airflow rate of the blower 3 to the first area (weak operation, for example, airflow rate 40) and drives the blower 3 (S7 in FIG. 12).

[0032] In this way, by operating the first operating unit 9, the airflow volume of the blower 3 can be switched in the following order: first area (weak operation, e.g., airflow volume 40), (medium operation, e.g., airflow volume 55), (strong operation, e.g., airflow volume 65), and power supply mode to external devices.

[0033] If the first operating unit 9 is not operated (S10 in FIG. 11) and the second operating unit 10 is operated (Y in S12 in FIG. 11), the timer 16a is started (S13 in FIG. 11), and the control unit 13a operates the blower 3 at an air volume (large air volume, for example, air volume 100) within the second area (S14 in FIG. 11). Next, it is determined whether the first operating unit 9 has been operated, and if the first operating unit 9 has not been operated (N in S15 of FIG. 11), it is again confirmed whether the second operating unit 10 has been operated (N in S16 of FIG. 11), and high airflow operation continues. During this high air volume operation, when the timer period set by timer 16a has elapsed (Y in S17 of FIG. 11), control unit 13a switches fan 3 to the first area (low operation, for example, air volume 40) and drives it (S18 in FIG. 11). That is, in this embodiment, before the high air volume operation by the second operating unit 10, the operation was as shown in FIG. 13 (medium operation, for example, air volume 55), so after the timer period during high air volume operation, the operation is switched to the first area (weak operation, for example, air volume 40) with a smaller air volume. This is effective in reducing the amount of battery 4 used by reducing the airflow, since the large airflow provides sufficient cooling.

[0034] In (S15 in FIG. 11), when the first operating unit 9 is operated during the high air volume operation (Y in S15 in FIG. 11), it is determined whether or not it is a long press (S19 in FIG. 11). At this time, if the button is pressed and held, the control unit 13a stops the fan 3 and transitions to a sleep state (S5 in FIG. 11). At this time, if the button is not pressed for a long time, the control unit 13a switches the fan 3 to (high operation, for example, air volume 65) (S1 in FIG. 12). Furthermore, if the first operating unit 9 is not operated (N in S2 of FIG. 12) during high operation (for example, air volume 65) and the second operating unit 10 is operated (Y in S8 of FIG. 12), the timer 16a is started (S9 of FIG. 12), and the control unit 13a operates the blower 3 at an air volume within the second area (large air volume, for example, air volume 100) (S10 of FIG. 12). Next, it is determined whether the first operating unit 9 has been operated, and if the first operating unit 9 has not been operated (N in S11 of FIG. 12), it is again confirmed whether the second operating unit 10 has been operated (N in S12 of FIG. 12), and high airflow operation continues. During this high air volume operation, when the timer period set by timer 16a has elapsed (Y in S13 in FIG. 12), control unit 13a switches fan 3 to the first area (medium operation, for example, air volume 55) and drives it (S14 in FIG. 12). In other words, in this embodiment, before the high air volume operation by the second operating unit 10, the operation was as shown in Figure 14 (strong operation, for example, air volume 65), so after the timer period for high air volume operation, the operation is switched to the first area (medium operation, for example, air volume 55) with a smaller air volume. This is effective in reducing the amount of battery 4 used by reducing the airflow, since the large airflow provides sufficient cooling.

[0035] In (S11 in FIG. 12), when the first operating unit 9 is operated during the high air volume operation (Y in S11 in FIG. 12), it is determined whether or not it is a long press (S15 in FIG. 12). At this time, if the button is pressed and held, the control unit 13a stops the fan 3 and transitions to a sleep state (S5 in FIG. 11). At this time, if the button is not pressed and held, the control unit 13a stops the operation of the fan 3 and switches to the USB operation mode (S4 in FIG. 12), and thereafter switches to a power supply mode for the external device connected to the USB terminal 20. As described above, in this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, once the timer period for high air volume operation has elapsed, the air volume is reduced to a level lower than that before the high air volume operation.

[0036] The present invention also includes an embodiment having a single operating unit (only the first operating unit or the second operating unit), in which case the air volume is set using the single operating unit.

[0037] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various design modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 clothing 2 Back 3. Blower 4 batteries 5 Battery case 6 plugs 7 DC terminal 8 Display 9 First operation section 10 Second operation unit 11 Third operation unit 12 Display section 13 Control Unit 14 Communications Department 15 memory 15a Memory 16 Remaining amount detection circuit 16a Timer 17 Charge / discharge circuit 18 Antenna 19 Input / output section 20 USB port 21 Lid

Claims

1. The device includes a blower, a battery that supplies power to the blower, and a control unit that controls the amount of air blown by the blower, The control unit is connected to at least an operation unit for setting the airflow rate of the blower, a remaining battery charge detection circuit for detecting the remaining battery charge, and a memory for storing the remaining battery charge detected by the remaining battery charge detection circuit; the control unit is operable to select, by operation of the operation unit, between a first mode in which the airflow rate of the blower is increased or decreased within a first area, and a second mode in which, by operation of the operation unit, the airflow rate of the blower is set to an airflow rate within a second area that is greater than the airflow rate in the first mode; When the second mode is selected by the operation unit, the remaining battery amount at the start of the second mode operation detected by the remaining battery amount detection circuit is stored in the memory at the time when the second mode is selected or immediately after the second mode is selected; When the fan is operating in the second mode, the fan is stopped from operating in the second mode or switched to operating in the first mode when the remaining battery charge detected by the remaining battery charge detection circuit after the start of the second mode operation decreases by a predetermined amount from the remaining battery charge stored in the memory at the start of the second mode operation.

2. The air blower according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of air volume levels are set in the first area in the first mode, and the air volume level in the first area is switched by the operation unit.

3. The blower device of claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to transition from operation of the blower in the second mode to operation at the airflow rate that was set in the first area of the first mode before the second mode was selected when the remaining battery level detected by the remaining battery level detection circuit decreases by a predetermined amount from the remaining battery level stored in the memory during operation of the blower in the second mode.

4. The blower device according to claim 3, wherein the operating unit includes a first operating unit for setting the airflow rate of the blower within the first area in the first mode, and a second operating unit for setting the airflow rate of the blower within the second area in the second mode.

5. The blower device of claim 4, wherein when the second operating unit is operated while the blower is operating in the second mode, the control unit transitions the operation of the blower to the first mode before transitioning to the second mode.

6. a plurality of airflow volumes are set in the first area in the first mode, the airflow volumes being switched by each operation of the first operating unit; The blower device of claim 5, wherein when the first operating unit is operated while the blower is operating in the second mode, the control unit transitions from the air volume set in the operation of the blower in the first mode before the transition to the second mode to the next blower operation due to the operation of the first operating unit.

7. 7. The air blower according to claim 1, wherein the battery is housed in a battery case, and the operation unit is provided on a surface of the battery case.

8. 7. Clothing equipped with the air blower according to claim 1.

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