Body warmer

Abstract

To provide a body warmer capable of fitting an electric heater to a part having a complicated curved state in a wearer.SOLUTION: A body heating tool comprising: a main body that is detachably attached to a heating site of a wearer; an electrothermal heater that is incorporated in the main body and heats the heating site; and a framework that curves the main body along the heating site.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a body warming device that locally warms the body of a wearer. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 (JP 2006-207099 A) discloses cold weather clothing that protects the wearer from the cold and other external elements. This cold weather clothing has a local heater made of a semiconductor heat generating element located at a predetermined location on the clothing body, and this local heater is connected to a power source when in use. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-207099 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, for example, the area around the neck has a large curvature, and the curve along the cervical vertebrae is complex, so if a local heater is applied around the neck, the heater will not fit well to the neck, resulting in reduced thermal efficiency. This also applies to other areas such as the lower back.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a body warming device that allows an electric heater to fit into a body part having a complex curve. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides: A main body that is detachably attached to the wearer's heated area; an electric heater built into the main body for heating the heating area; a framework that curves the main body along the heated area; The present invention provides a body warming device characterized by comprising:

[0007] The body warming device of the present invention preferably further comprises a belt-shaped holding part for detachably holding the main body on the heating area.

[0008] In the body warming device of the present invention, it is preferable that the framework is an elastic member that curves along the warming area.

[0009] In the body warming device of the present invention, it is preferable that the electric heater includes a power cable that snakes through the area corresponding to the heating part within the main body.

[0010] In the body warming device of the present invention, it is preferable that the heating area is a region extending from the back of the head to the back of the neck, and that the elastic member is curved in a substantially S-shape.

[0011] Furthermore, the body warming device of the present invention preferably comprises a thermally conductive sheet placed on the electric heater. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, the electric heater is positioned along the heated area by the elastic member, so that the heated area can be heated efficiently. For example, even if the heated area extends from the back of the head to the back of the neck and has a complex uneven shape, the elastic member allows the heat transfer heater to get close enough to the heated area to heat it effectively. This is expected to promote relaxation of sympathetic nervous tension and relieve insomnia, headaches, stiff shoulders, internal organ disorders, and eye strain. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a body warming device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are an external view and an internal view of a body warming device 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an electric heater 4. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a framework 5. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the body heating device 1 is worn by a wearer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Representative embodiments of the body warming device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these drawings. The drawings are intended to conceptually explain the present invention, and therefore, for ease of understanding, dimensions, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified as necessary.

[0015] The body heating device 1 is detachably attached to the body of the wearer U and locally heats the wearer U. In this embodiment, the body heating device 1 is described as a neck warmer that warms at least the back of the neck of the wearer U, or the area from the back of the head to the back of the neck (see FIG. 5), but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0016] For example, as shown in Fig. 1, the body warming device 1 includes a main body 2, an electric heater 4, and a framework 5. Each of the components will be described in detail below.

[0017] The main body 2 is a fabric body that is detachably attached to the body (for example, the neck area) of the wearer U. The main body 2 is generally rectangular, but may be other shapes such as a generally polygonal or generally circular shape. The main body 2 only needs to have an area large enough to cover the area of ​​the wearer U where the body warming device 1 is worn (for example, the area from the back of the head to the back of the neck). The dimensions of the main body 2 may be, for example, about 12 to 18 cm in width and 12 to 18 cm in height.

[0018] The main body 2 may include an inner cloth 21, an outer cloth 22, and a battery storage section 23. The inner cloth 21 is a fabric that faces the wearing part of the wearer U. From the viewpoint of a pleasant feel against the skin, the inner cloth 21 may be made of, for example, a raised knitted cotton fabric. The outer cloth 22 is a fabric that covers the outer surface of the inner cloth 21 (the surface opposite to the surface facing the wearing part), and may be made of, for example, polyester cloth. The battery storage section 23 is a part that holds the portable power source B, and may be provided, for example, on the outer surface side of the outer cloth 22. Since the portable power source B is inserted and removed from the battery storage section 23, it is preferable that the battery storage section 23 has a certain degree of stretchability, and may be made of, for example, wetsuit fabric.

[0019] The main body 2 may be provided with a holding part 3 that detachably holds the main body 2 at an attachment site (see FIGS. 1 and 5). In the illustrated example, the holding parts 3 are a pair of bands that extend in substantially opposite directions from the main body 2 and can engage with each other at their tips, but are not limited to this. A hook-and-loop fastener is preferably used as the means for engaging the holding parts 3, but other fastening means such as buttons or buckles may also be used.

[0020] An electric heater 4 is built into the main body 2 (see FIG. 2(B)). The electric heater 4 may be sandwiched between the inner cloth 21 and the outer cloth 22, for example. The electric heater 4 is an electric heating module that heats the area where it is worn. The electric heater 4 may be disposed in the main body 2 at a position facing the area where it is worn.

[0021] The electric heater 4 includes a serpentine-shaped power cable 41 (heating wire) (see FIG. 3). When a current flows through the power cable 41, the power cable 41 generates heat, thereby increasing the surrounding temperature. The size of the electric heater 4 is not important as long as it can be built into the main body 2, but from the viewpoint of ensuring a sufficient heating area, it is preferable that it covers an area of, for example, about 10 cm in width and 12 cm in height.

[0022] A temperature sensor 42 may be provided to measure the temperature of the electric heater 4 in order to control the temperature of the electric heater 4. The temperature sensor 42 is disposed, for example, between the meandering power cables 41. As the temperature sensor 42, any known sensor may be used as appropriate, such as a resistance thermometer, a thermocouple, a bimetal thermometer, or a thermistor thermometer. Furthermore, since the power cable (heating wire) 41 is serpentine-shaped, there is a risk of temperature unevenness occurring on the surface of the electric heater 4. To more reliably prevent this, a thermally conductive sheet may be laminated and placed on the electric heater 4. Examples of such sheets include thermally conductive sheets formed from a silicone resin base to which various auxiliary materials such as thermally conductive powder and flame retardants are added.

[0023] A framework 5 is incorporated into the main body 2. The framework 5 is a structure for holding the main body 2 in a curved state along the attachment area, and can also be called a bone. For example, the framework 5 forms an arch on the main body 2 that matches the curved shape from the back of the head to the back of the neck, or can be called roughly S-shaped.

[0024] The framework 5 has elasticity that allows it to deform when subjected to an external force, and has the ability to restore its shape when the external force is removed. However, if a load greater than the elastic limit is applied, it will not completely restore its shape and distortion will remain (plasticity). By utilizing this property, the framework 5 is pressed from the main body 2 toward the wearer U when the main body 2 is worn, and can deform, for example, along the curve of the cervical vertebrae. However, it is possible that the curve of the framework 5 does not match the curve of the cervical vertebrae, for example. In that case, the framework 5 can be plastically deformed to match the curve of the cervical vertebrae, for example. In this embodiment, the framework 5 is made of metal, but it may be made of other materials such as resin as long as it has the above properties.

[0025] The framework 5 is disposed at approximately the center in the width direction of the main body 2 so as to be positioned along the wearer's cervical vertebrae, for example, and extends in the vertical direction (see FIG. 2(A)). In other words, the framework 5 is disposed so as to run vertically through approximately the center in the width direction of the electric heater 4. The framework 5 may also be disposed on the outside of the main body 2 .

[0026] As shown in Fig. 4, the framework 5 in this embodiment is made of a curved spring. The illustrated framework 5 has a structure in which, for example, a coil spring S is flattened and cap-shaped covers are attached to both ends, and can be produced by molding it into the required shape using a simple mold. After molding, a shape-memory material with elasticity is obtained.

[0027] The body warming device 1 may have a controller or switch 6 for controlling the electric heater 4. The switch 6 is built into the main body 2 and is partially exposed on the outer surface of the body warming device 1 (see, for example, FIG. 1).

[0028] For example, by pressing and holding the switch 6, the electric heater 4 can be started or stopped. After the electric heater 4 is started, the switch 6 can switch the heating mode of the electric heater 4 each time it is pressed. Specifically, each time the switch 6 is pressed, the electric heater 4 can be switched between a high temperature mode (e.g., 55°C), a medium temperature mode (e.g., 50°C), and a low temperature mode (e.g., 40°C). The switch 6 can also blink or light up a built-in LED in red in high temperature mode, blue in medium temperature mode, and green in low temperature mode. The switch 6 may also automatically turn off the electric heater 4 after it has been running for a predetermined period of time (for example, 15 minutes continuously). Furthermore, the switch 6 may sound a built-in buzzer when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 42 exceeds an upper limit (for example, 60° C.). The switch 6 may change the sound pattern depending on the content of the warning. The electric heater 4, the switch 6 and the portable power source B are connected to one another by electric wires (not shown).

[0029] The body warming device 1 may have a portable power source B that supplies power to the electric heater 4 and the switch 6. A secondary battery, such as a lithium ion battery, can be suitably used as the portable power source B. The portable power source B is charged by receiving power from a commercial power source or a charger (not shown) connected to a USB port.

[0030] Next, we will explain the operation of the body warming device 1. Here, it is assumed that the body warming device 1 is worn on the wearer U from the back of the head to the back of the neck.

[0031] The engagement of the holding part 3 is released. In addition, the charged portable power source B is connected to the electric heater 4 and the switch 6 and an electric wire (for example, a USB terminal), and is stored in the holding part 3. Place the main body 2 against the slightly recessed area from the back of the head to the back of the neck (the area called the "basin recess"). In this state, wrap the holding part 3 around the front of the neck and cross the tips to lock them in place. At this time, the frame 5 is curved to fit the shape of this area, so the main body 2 is held in place in a snug fit (see Figure 5).

[0032] The wearer U presses down the switch 6 to activate the electric heater 4 and heat the desired area. By pressing down the switch 6 again, the temperature of the electric heater 4 can be adjusted, so that the wearer U can maintain the desired temperature in the desired area.

[0033] It is known that many nerves are concentrated in the slightly recessed area from the back of the head to the back of the neck. By locally warming this area and improving blood flow, it is possible to promote relaxation of sympathetic nervous tension. This is expected to reduce sympathetic nervous tension and relieve insomnia, headaches, stiff shoulders, internal organ problems, and eye strain.

[0034] The main body 2 (electric heater 4) according to this embodiment has a built-in framework 5, which allows it to fit the complex shape of the tray cavity. Therefore, the main body 2 can be placed in close contact with the tray cavity and can be heated efficiently.

[0035] The above describes specific aspects of the body warming device according to a representative embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various design modifications are possible, and these design modifications are also included within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1. Body heating equipment 2 Main unit 3 Holding part 4 Electric heater 5. Framework 6 Switch

Claims

1. A main body that is detachably attached to the wearer's heated area; an electric heater built into the main body for heating the heating area; a framework that curves the main body along the heated area; A body warming device characterized by comprising:

2. Further comprising a belt-shaped holding part that detachably holds the main body on the heated area; 2. The body warming device according to claim 1, characterized in that:

3. The framework is an elastic member curved along the heated area; 2. The body warming device according to claim 1, characterized in that:

4. the electric heater includes a power cable that snakes through a region in the main body corresponding to the heated area; 2. The body warming device according to claim 1, characterized in that:

5. The heated area is a region extending from the back of the head to the back of the neck, The elastic member is curved in a substantially S-shape.

5. The body warming device according to claim 4, characterized in that:

6. a thermally conductive sheet disposed on the electric heater; 2. The body warming device according to claim 1, characterized in that:

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