Wellabr Cooling Light-Emitting Device

Abstract

The present invention provides a wearable cooling light-emitting device that can mitigate the reduction in cooling efficiency and expand the usability of cooling bands. [Solution] The present invention relates to a wearable cooling and light-emitting device, comprising: a base formed to surround the wearer's body; a cooling unit incorporating a PCM; a coupling unit formed to connect the cooling unit to the base; an insulating unit disposed on at least one of the base and the coupling unit and formed to reduce heat transferred to the cooling unit from the opposite direction of the body; and a light-emitting unit disposed on the insulating unit and formed to emit light.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wearable cooling light-emitting device.

Background Art

[0002] Recently, due to factors such as global warming, a hot and humid climate has continued. In particular, abnormal temperature phenomena such as record-breaking heatwaves and tropical nights have occurred continuously during summer.

[0003] Such a high-temperature environment raises the body temperature of people performing external activities, causing diseases such as heatstroke, and in severe cases, may lead to death.

[0004] When performing indoor activities in a high-temperature environment, the temperature can be adjusted through a cooling device such as an air conditioner. However, there is a problem that the use of the cooling device is limited during external activities.

[0005] To solve such problems, a cooling band in which PCM (Phase Change Materials) is applied as a refrigerant has been actively popularized and used.

[0006] The cooling band has the advantage of being portable regardless of time and place by using the phase change of PCM to cool the body of the user wearing it, and is loved by people engaged in outdoor activities.

[0007] However, in the case of conventional cooling bands, there is a problem that not only does the PCM come into contact with the body and undergo a phase change, but it also undergoes a phase change rapidly due to external hot air transmitted from the outside, resulting in a decrease in cooling efficiency.

[0008] In addition, in the case of currently popular cooling bands, there is also a problem that they simply provide only a cooling function and do not provide any additional functions, and thus have limitations in functionality.

[0009] Therefore, a plan to resolve these problems is required. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] The object of the present invention is to provide a wearable cooling light-emitting device that can mitigate the reduction in the cooling efficiency of the PCM due to heat generated in the external environment and expand the usability of the cooling band. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] A wearable cooling light-emitting device according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objective may include: a base formed to surround the wearer's body; a cooling unit incorporating a PCM; a coupling unit formed to couple the cooling unit to the base; an insulating unit disposed on at least one of the base and the coupling unit and formed to reduce heat transmitted to the cooling unit from the opposite direction of the body; and a light-emitting unit disposed on the insulating unit and formed to emit light.

[0012] Here, the base comprises a circular body having an opening, and the body can be elastically deformed in both directions of the opening.

[0013] Here, the coupling unit, together with the cooling unit, forms a housing space having an inlet, and the base can be inserted into the housing space through the inlet.

[0014] Here, the thermal insulation unit includes a coating layer applied to the bonding unit, and the coating layer may include a coating liquid and an air shell.

[0015] Here, the air shell may include an outer skin and air filled inside the outer skin.

[0016] Here, the air shell may have a weight ratio of 10% to 25% of the total weight of the coating layer.

[0017] Here, the light-emitting unit may include an electroluminescent element (EL) coupled on the heat-insulating unit; a power supply control unit formed to supply power to the electroluminescent element and control the light-emitting pattern; and a power supply fixing unit formed to fix the power supply control unit on the light-emitting unit.

[0018] Here, the power supply fixing portion may include a fixing bag that is coupled to the heat insulation unit and is formed to house and fix the power supply fixing portion inside through an open side.

[0019] Here, the base may include a plurality of regions; and a hinge connecting a pair of adjacent regions.

[0020] Here, the coupling unit may further include a clamp fixing portion that protrudes along the base toward the wearer's body and is formed to secure the cooling unit.

[0021] Here, the base may be formed by a snap band.

[0022] Here, the base may include a first wearable portion; a second wearable portion; and a connecting portion that slidably connects the first and second wearable portions to each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to one embodiment of the Wellable Cooling Light-Emitting Device of the present invention having the configuration described above, the transfer of heat from the outside via the heat-insulating unit to the PCM is minimized, and the cooling efficiency can be further improved.

[0024] In addition, in another aspect of the wearable cooling and light-emitting device, by attaching the light-emitting unit and being able to perform light-emitting control, additional utilization functions such as a notification means, advertisement, and support for a nighttime wearer can be further added.

[0025] In addition, in yet another aspect of the wearable cooling and light-emitting device, it is configured to adjust the shape and length of the base, and the coupling efficiency with the cooling unit can be further improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026] [Figure 1] It is a conceptual diagram for explaining the utilization state of the wearable cooling and light-emitting device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view for explaining the exploded state of the wearable cooling and light-emitting device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a diagram for explaining the coupling structure of the wearable cooling and light-emitting device 1000 in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the wearable cooling and light-emitting device 1000 in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] It is a diagram for explaining the base 600 including the hinge 630 according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining the base 700 including the clamp fixing portion 710 according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining the base 800 including the connecting portion 830 according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0027] Hereinafter, the cooling and light-emitting device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification, even for different embodiments, the same or similar components are given the same or similar reference numerals, and the description thereof is replaced by the first description.

[0028] Figure 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating the application of a Wellable Cooling Light Emitting Device 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] As shown in the figure, the wearable cooling light-emitting device 1000 of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the cooling light-emitting device 1000) is worn on the body of the wearer W and can perform body cooling via a phase change material such as PCM.

[0030] For this purpose, the cooling light-emitting device 1000 basically comprises a means for attachment and a means for cooling, which can be attached to the body of the wearer W, and may further include a means for heat insulation and a means for emitting light.

[0031] The insulating means can reduce the heat transferred to the cooling means from the external space other than the body during the process in which the cooling means comes into contact with the body and performs cooling. Through this, the decrease in the efficiency of the cooling means due to heat transferred from the outside can be reduced.

[0032] Furthermore, the light-emitting means is attached to the outermost surface of the cooling light-emitting device 1000 and can emit light in a specific shape and pattern. By using the light-emitting function of such a light-emitting means, it is possible to differentiate it from conventional products that simply embody a cooling function. The light-emitting means can notify the wearer W's location at night, or create various additional effects such as advertising effects or cheering effects.

[0033] Thus, the cooling light-emitting device 1000 according to the present invention prevents the cooling means from being heated by external heat, which reduces cooling efficiency, and adds a further light-emitting function in addition to the cooling function, thereby expanding its applicability.

[0034] The above briefly describes the possible uses of the cooling light-emitting device 1000. Below, the detailed configuration and coupling structure of the cooling light-emitting device 1000 will be described in detail.

[0035] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the disassembled state of the cooling light-emitting device 1000 according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the coupling structure of the cooling light-emitting device 1000 of Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the internal structure of the cooling light-emitting device 1000 of Figure 2.

[0036] As shown in the figure, the cooling light-emitting device 1000 of the present invention may include a base 100 (an example of mounting means), a cooling unit 200 (an example of cooling means), a coupling unit 300 (may be included in the example of mounting means), a heat insulating unit 400 (an example of heat insulating means), and a light-emitting unit 500 (an example of light-emitting means).

[0037] The base 100 can be a means for surrounding the wearer's body. Such a base 100 may have a circular body 110 with an opening. The body 110 can be elastically deformed in both directions of the opening. For example, the base 100 may have a structure such as an elastic band, and when external forces are applied to both sides of the opening, it can deform from its original circular shape to a linear shape, and when the applied external force is removed, it can elastically return to a circular shape. Specifically, in the examples of Figures 2 and 3, the base 100 can be deformed into an elongated shape when an external force is applied, and when the external force is removed, the elongated base returns to a circular shape. Furthermore, it is preferable that the base 100 is formed in a circular shape that follows the body, for example, around the neck, when no external force is applied, so that the cooling light-emitting device 1000 can be attached to the wearer's body, for example, around the neck. Also, if the body portion 110, i.e., the base 100, has an opening, it is easier to attach the cooling light-emitting device 1000 to the wearer's body, for example, around the neck, through the opening.

[0038] The material of such a base 100 may be polycarbonate (PC).

[0039] Although not specifically shown in this embodiment, the base 100 may also be composed of a snap band. The snap band has a structure in which a thin, long metal bar is inserted inside a soft plastic, and the ends of the metal bar may be bent in opposite directions. Therefore, if the snap band is straight, it has a force that tries to return it to its original shape (circular), so a straight snap band can be deformed into a circular shape when an external force is applied.

[0040] The cooling unit 200 may be a means for performing a cooling effect on the wearer's body. For this purpose, the cooling unit 200, which is a cooling means, may include a cooling cell 210 and a PCM 230.

[0041] The cooling cell 210 may be formed in a cube shape with an internal space. Such a cooling cell 210 may be formed in a state where it is divided into multiple units. When formed in this state, each cooling cell 210 can be connected to one another so as to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. However, the cooling cell 210 may also be formed as a single, elongated unit.

[0042] Each surface forming the cooling cell 210 and the parts connecting them can all be made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) sheets.

[0043] The coupling unit 300 can be a means for coupling the cooling unit 200 to the base 100. While various coupling methods can be applied, in this embodiment, the coupling unit 300 can form a housing space 310 with an inlet 330 together with the cooling unit 200. In other words, the coupling unit 300 can be formed integrally with the cooling unit 200 and have a tubular shape with an inlet 330 on one side. In this case, the coupling unit 300 can be formed from the same TPU sheet as the cooling cell 210. Although not limited to this, in the examples of Figures 2 and 3, the coupling unit 200 is formed in an elongated shape similar to the base 100 and is deformable along with the deformation of the base 100.

[0044] Therefore, the base 100 can be inserted into the housing space 310 through the inlet 330 of the coupling unit 300. The base 100 is circular but elastic, and the coupling unit 300 is also made of TPU material, so when the base 100 is inserted through the inlet 330, the shape of the coupling unit 300 may correspond to the circular shape of the inserted base 100, and the cooling cells 210 can be coupled facing the first direction A, which is the direction toward the wearer's body. In the example of Figures 2 and 3, multiple cooling cells 210 are arranged adjacent to each other along the longitudinal direction of the inner circumferential surface of the coupling unit 300.

[0045] Since the end of the coupling unit 300 opposite the inlet 330 is in a closed state, the base 100 inserted into the housing space 310 can be secured by the closing structure of the coupling unit 300 and its own elasticity. Although not shown in this embodiment, the open inlet 330 of the coupling unit 300 may be provided with a cover that can be selectively closed. The cover can open or close the inlet 330 by means of, for example, a zipper, Velcro®, or buttons.

[0046] The heat insulation unit 400 may be a means for reducing heat transferred to the cooling unit 200 from external sources other than the wearer's body. For this purpose, the heat insulation unit 400 may be placed on at least one of the base 100 and the coupling unit 300. For example, the heat insulation unit 400 may be placed on at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the base 100. Alternatively, for example, the heat insulation unit 400 may be placed on at least one of the inner and outer surfaces of the coupling unit 300. Although not limited thereto, this embodiment illustrates the case in which the heat insulation unit 400 is placed on the coupling unit 300. In the example shown in Figures 2 and 3, the heat insulation unit 400 is placed along the longitudinal direction of the outer surface of the coupling unit 300.

[0047] The heat insulation unit 400 is not limited as long as it can reduce the heat transferred from the outside to the cooling unit 200, but for example it may consist of a coating layer 400 applied on the coupling unit 300. In this case, the application position of the heat insulation unit 400 on the coupling unit 300 may be on one surface of the coupling unit 300 located in the second direction B, which is the opposite direction from the body, i.e., the opposite direction from the cooling cell 210.

[0048] The coating layer 400 may include a coating liquid 410 and an air shell 430.

[0049] The coating liquid 410 may contain an insulating liquid and an adhesive liquid. The insulating liquid may contain at least one of the following: polystyrene, polyurethane foam, aluminum silicate, ceramic, microsphere, or resin.

[0050] The adhesive may contain at least one of the following: epoxy, cyanoacrylate, methacrylic oligomer (monomer), polymer, styrene-butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, silicone rubber, chloroprene rubber, or vinyl acetate (PVAc).

[0051] In addition, the coating layer 400 may further contain a curing agent, filler, diluent, and other additives.

[0052] The air shell 430 may be a capsule having air 433 inside, which is placed between the insulating liquids, as shown in Figure 4. For this purpose, the air shell 430 may consist of an outer shell 431 and air 433 filled inside the outer shell 431.

[0053] The coating layer 400, equipped with an air shell 430, reduces thermal conductivity and achieves even higher thermal insulation efficiency.

[0054] Such an air shell 430 can be configured to have a weight ratio of 10% to 25% of the total weight of the coating layer 400. If the air shell 430 has a weight ratio of less than 10%, the heat insulation effect may be reduced, and if it exceeds 25%, there may be problems with reduced adhesion. Therefore, the weight ratio of the air shell 430 as described above provides an optimal component ratio that minimizes these problems.

[0055] The light-emitting unit 500 is positioned on the heat-insulating unit 400 and is capable of emitting light. For this purpose, the light-emitting unit 500 may include an electroluminescent element 510, a power supply control unit 530, and a power supply fixing unit 550. Preferably, the light-emitting unit 500 is positioned on the outer surface of the cooling light-emitting device 1000 so that its light emission is visible. However, the light-emitting unit 500 may be positioned inside the cooling light-emitting device 1000 as long as the light emission from the light-emitting unit 500 is visible.

[0056] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, when the heat insulating unit 400 is arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the coupling unit 300, the electroluminescent element 510 (EL) can be coupled onto the heat insulating unit 400 and emit light. Alternatively, if, for example, the heat insulating unit 400 is located on the base 100 which is in the housing space 310, and the heat insulating unit 400 is not arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the coupling unit 300, the electroluminescent element 510 can be coupled onto the coupling unit 300. For example, the electroluminescent element 510 can be configured as a sheet having a specific shape. Therefore, this sheet can be processed to generate a desired light-emitting shape image.

[0057] The power control unit 530 can supply power to the electroluminescent element 510 and control its light emission pattern. Such a power control unit 530 may include a battery and a PCB board, or it may charge an external power supply and supply that power to the electroluminescent element 510 to enable light emission. The PCB board can control the light emission patterns to be different for each input of a light emission button (not shown). The power control unit 530 and the electroluminescent element 510 can be connected to each other by a power cable.

[0058] The power supply fixing section 550 may be a means for fixing the power supply control unit 530 onto the light-emitting unit 500. The power supply fixing section 550 may be composed of a TPU sheet extending from the coupling unit 300, coupled onto the heat insulation unit 400, and configured as a fixing bag that houses and fixes the power supply fixing section 550 through an open side. In other words, the power supply fixing section 550 may be formed in the form of a bag (pocket) with one side open and placed on the heat insulation unit 400.

[0059] The coupling structure of such a cooling light-emitting device 1000 is as shown in Figures 3 and 4. When these are coupled together, the cooling cell 210 is positioned in the first direction A facing the wearer's body, and the base 100 is inserted into the housing space 310 of the coupling unit 300, which is coupled with the cooling cell 210 and forms a housing space 310, so that the entire shape of the device can be realized in a circular shape. Such a circular shape can be a shape that is easily worn on the neck, arms, or legs of the wearer's body.

[0060] An insulating unit 400 can be applied as a coating layer 400 to the coupling unit 300 facing the second direction B, which is the opposite direction to the body. Therefore, external heat moving from the second direction B towards the cooling cell 210 can be reduced by the insulating unit 400, thereby improving cooling efficiency.

[0061] A light-emitting unit 500 is attached to the heat-insulating unit 400, and by emitting light in a specific shape or pattern, it can be used in various ways, such as notifying the wearer's location at night, publicizing specific advertisements, or providing cheering lights.

[0062] The basic configuration and coupling relationships of the cooling light-emitting device 1000 of the present invention have been described above. Below, embodiments with modified base 100 structures will be further described.

[0063] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a base 600 with a hinge 630 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] As shown in the figure, the base 600 in this embodiment has multiple regions and is equipped with a hinge 630 that connects an adjacent pair of these regions, which is one of the differences between it and the base described above (Figure 2, 100).

[0065] The base 600 may be formed to be divided into multiple regions, such as a first region 610 and a second region 620. In this case, hinges 630 are placed between each region, allowing them to be connected to one another. In other words, the base 600 is constructed by connecting multiple members via hinges 630.

[0066] In such cases, the multiple regions are configured to be rotatable by the hinge 630, so that the shape of the base 600 can initially be changed from a circular shape as shown in Figure 6(a) to a linear shape as shown in Figure 6(b) via the rotation of the hinge 630 in each region.

[0067] If the base 600 is changed to a linear shape, the base 600 can be easily accommodated in the aforementioned coupling unit (Figure 3, 300).

[0068] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a base 700 equipped with a clamp fixing portion 710 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] The base 700 of this embodiment may be formed together with a coupling unit (300 in Figure 3) formed by a clamp fixing portion 710.

[0070] The clamp fixing portion 710 can project in a clamp-like manner from the inner surface of the base 700 toward the body. The clamp fixing portion 710 may be composed of multiple portions and formed to project from different positions on the inner surface of the base 700 in different regions. For example, the clamp fixing portions 710 may be formed to correspond to fixing the upper and lower surfaces of the cooling cell (Figure 3, 210), respectively.

[0071] In such a case, the cooling light-emitting device 1000 can fix the cooling unit (Figure 3, 200) to the inner surface of the base 700 via the clamp fixing part 710 without a separate coupling unit. In addition, an insulating unit (Figure 3, 400) may be applied to the outer surface of the base 700.

[0072] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating a base 800 equipped with a connecting portion 830 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] The base 800 of this embodiment can be adjusted in length.

[0074] For this purpose, the base 800 may include a first wear portion 810 and a second wear portion 820, which are symmetrical regions, and a connecting portion 830 that slidably connects them to one another.

[0075] The connecting portion 830 can be connected to the first wearable portion 810 and the second wearable portion 820 while accommodating them respectively.

[0076] The first wearable portion 810 and the second wearable portion 820 are formed to slide within the connecting portion 830, and the base 800, which initially has a circular shape as shown in Figure 7(a), can adjust the lengths of the first and second wearable portions 810 and 820 as shown in Figure 7(b) by the sliding motion of the connecting portion 830.

[0077] Through this length adjustment, insertion into the coupling unit (Figure 3, 300) can be facilitated, improving portability.

[0078] The cooling light-emitting device described above is not limited to the configuration and operating method of the embodiment described above. The embodiment can be configured so that various modifications can be made by selectively combining all or part of each embodiment. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0079] 1000 Wellable Cooling Light-Emitting Device 500 light-emitting units 100, 600, 700, 800 base 510 Field-emitting element 110 Torso 530 Power supply control unit 200 Cooling Units 550 Power supply fixing part 210 cooling cells W wearer 230 PCM A 1st direction 300 coupling units B Second direction 310 Containment space 330 Entrance 400 insulation units, coating layer 410 Coating liquid 430 Airshell 431 Hull 433 Air

Claims

1. A base that is formed to surround the wearer's body; Cooling unit with built-in PCM; A coupling unit formed to connect the cooling unit to the base; An insulating unit disposed on at least one of the base and the coupling unit, and formed to reduce heat transferred to the cooling unit from the opposite direction of the body; and A wellable cooling light-emitting device, comprising: a light-emitting unit disposed on the aforementioned heat-insulating unit and formed to emit light;

2. The aforementioned base is It has a circular body with an opening, The aforementioned fuselage is The wearable cooling light-emitting device according to claim 1, which is elastically deformable in both directions of the opening.

3. The aforementioned coupling unit is Together with the aforementioned cooling unit, it forms a housing space having an entrance, The aforementioned base is The Wellable Cooling Light-Emitting Device According to Claim 2, which is inserted into the housing space via the aforementioned entrance.

4. The aforementioned insulation unit is The coating layer is applied to the aforementioned coupling unit, The aforementioned coating layer is Coating liquid; and A wellable cooling light-emitting device according to claim 1, comprising an air shell.

5. The aforementioned air shell is Outer layer; and The wellable cooling light-emitting device according to claim 4, comprising: air filled inside the outer shell;

6. The aforementioned air shell is The wearable cooling light-emitting device according to claim 4, wherein the weight ratio of the coating layer is 10% to 25% of the total weight.

7. The aforementioned light-emitting unit is An electroluminescent element (EL) coupled onto the aforementioned heat insulating unit; A power control unit formed to supply power to the electroluminescent element and control the light emission pattern; and The wearable cooling light-emitting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a power supply fixing part formed to fix the power supply control unit on the light-emitting unit;

8. The aforementioned power supply fixing part is The wearable cooling light-emitting device according to claim 7, comprising a fixing bag formed to be coupled onto the heat insulating unit and to house and fix the power supply fixing part inside through an open side.

9. The aforementioned base is Multiple regions; and The wearable cooling light-emitting device according to claim 1, further comprising a hinge connecting a pair of adjacent regions among the plurality of regions.

10. The aforementioned coupling unit is The wearable cooling light-emitting device according to claim 1, further comprising a clamp fixing portion that protrudes along the base toward the wearer's body and is formed to secure the cooling unit.

11. The wearable cooling light-emitting device according to claim 1, wherein the base is formed by a snap band.

12. The aforementioned base is First part to be worn; Second wearing section; and A wearable cooling light-emitting device according to claim 1, comprising a connecting portion that slidably connects the first and second wearable portions to each other.

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