Temperature-regulating clothes

Abstract

The present invention provides temperature-regulating clothing that allows for easy attachment of a Peltier element unit to the garment itself. [Solution] The temperature-regulating garment 1 has a placement plate 70 and a reinforcing plate 80 attached to the garment body 10. The placement plate 70 and the reinforcing plate 80 are provided with mounting openings 73 and 83 into which a Peltier element unit 30A is inserted. The Peltier element unit 30A has a locking portion 36 that elastically deforms during the insertion process into the mounting openings 73 and 83, and a contact projection 37 that abuts against the periphery of the mounting openings 73 and 83 when the locking portion 36 has passed through the mounting openings 73 and 83. The Peltier element unit 30A is attached to the garment body 10 by clamping the periphery of the mounting openings 73 and 83 of the placement plate 70 and the reinforcing plate 80 with the locking portion 36 and the contact projection 37.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to temperature - regulating clothing.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, temperature - regulating clothing for workers to wear in a high - temperature outdoor environment such as under the scorching sun to cool the body and regulate body temperature is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a temperature - regulating clothing including a Peltier - element unit provided with a Peltier element and a metal plate joined to one surface of the Peltier element, and a metal heat - exchange plate having a larger area than the metal plate and disposed on the inner - surface side of the clothing in a state of being joined to the metal plate.

Prior - art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] According to the temperature - regulating clothing disclosed in Patent Document 1, by using a Peltier element, the inside of the clothing can be cooled or heated, and the body can be efficiently air - conditioned (or heated).

[0005] However, in such temperature - regulating clothing, since the metal plate and the heat - exchange plate located on the inner - surface side of the clothing are fixed via screws, tools such as a driver are required, and the tools such as a driver must be operated, making the attachment of the Peltier - element unit troublesome.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a temperature - regulating clothing that can easily attach a Peltier - element unit to a clothing body.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a temperature-regulating garment comprising a garment body and a Peltier element unit detachably attached to the garment body, wherein a mounting plate is attached to the garment body, the mounting plate is provided with a mounting opening into which the Peltier element unit is inserted, the Peltier element unit has a locking portion that elastically deforms during the insertion process into the mounting opening to allow insertion into the mounting opening and elastically returns to its original position after insertion is complete, and a contact projection that abuts against the periphery of the mounting opening at the insertion completion position of the locking portion, and the Peltier element unit is attached to the garment body by clamping the periphery of the mounting opening of the mounting plate with the locking portion and the contact projection. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In this invention, when the Peltier element unit is inserted into the mounting opening of the mounting plate on the garment body side, the Peltier element unit is attached to the garment body by clamping the periphery of the mounting opening with the locking portion and contact projection of the Peltier element unit. Therefore, the Peltier element unit can be attached with a simple installation operation of simply inserting it into the mounting opening of the mounting plate on the garment body side. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] The drawings illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention, including not only essential components of the invention but also optional and preferred embodiments. [Figure 1] This is a front view showing the temperature-regulating garment in use, illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows a first embodiment of the present invention, a rear view of the temperature-regulating garment in use. [Figure 3] This figure shows a first embodiment of the present invention, with a portion of the back panel cut out to show the mounting state of the Peltier element unit as viewed from the rear. [Figure 4] This figure shows a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the arrangement of the Peltier element unit in a rear view. [Figure 5] This figure shows the arrangement of the Peltier element unit in a front view, illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows a first embodiment of the present invention, illustrating how a Peltier element unit is attached to the garment body. [Figure 7] The first embodiment of the present invention is shown, where (a) is a cross-sectional view of the arrangement of the Peltier element unit, and (b) is an enlarged view of part VII(b) of (a). [Figure 8] This figure shows a second embodiment of the present invention, illustrating how a Peltier element unit is attached to the garment body. [Figure 9] This figure shows a second embodiment of the present invention, a cross-sectional view of the main part of the arrangement of the Peltier element unit (corresponding to Figure 7(b)). [Figure 10] This figure shows a third embodiment of the present invention, illustrating how a Peltier element unit is attached to the garment body. [Figure 11] This figure shows a third embodiment of the present invention, a cross-sectional view of the main part of the arrangement of the Peltier element unit (corresponding to Figure 7(b)). [Figure 12] This shows a fourth embodiment, a side view of a Peltier element unit with an attachment fixed to it. [Figure 13] This shows a fourth embodiment, a perspective view of the attachment. [Figure 14] This shows a fourth embodiment, a perspective view of the attachment. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment, in which the Peltier element unit is attached to the garment body. [Figure 16] This figure shows a fourth embodiment, with the Peltier element unit attached, as viewed from the outside of the garment. [Figure 17] This is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth embodiment with a Peltier element unit attached. [Figure 18] This is a perspective view showing a fifth embodiment, illustrating the procedure for fixing the Peltier element unit to the attachment. [Figure 19]It is a cross-sectional view showing the fifth embodiment and the state in which the Peltier element unit is attached to the clothing body using an attachment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Referring to the attached drawings, the details of the temperature-adjusting clothing 1 according to the present invention will be described as follows. Further, the following embodiments include not only the essential requirements that the present invention cannot lack, but also the requirements that can be selectively adopted and the requirements that can be appropriately combined.

[0011] (First Embodiment) In FIGS. 1 to 7, the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The vertical direction of the temperature-adjusting clothing 1 is Y, the horizontal direction is X, and the longitudinal center line that bisects the dimension in the horizontal direction X is referred to as P. The temperature-adjusting clothing 1 cools the wearer's body in this embodiment, and includes a clothing body 10 and a Peltier element unit 30 provided on the clothing body 10.

[0012] The clothing body has a so-called jacket-shaped outer shape that is symmetric with respect to the longitudinal center line P, and has a front body 11, a back body 12, a collar cutout 13, and sleeve cutouts 14. The front body 11 is composed of a left front body and a right front body. The left and right front bodies are detachably connected to each other via a buckle 15 in a front placket that extends in the vertical direction Y along the longitudinal center line P.

[0013] The clothing body 10 is formed of a mesh-like body fabric 20 having air permeability. The body fabric is formed by laminating a net-like inner sheet made of stretchable fibers located on the inner surface side and an outer sheet having a plurality of openings.

[0014] On the outer surface side of the front body 11, a pocket 21 formed by sewing a fabric is provided. The pocket 21 can store a mobile battery 22 for driving the Peltier element unit 30. A wiring cord 23 for electrically connecting to each Peltier element unit 30 extends from the mobile battery 22.

[0015] A switch 24 is located in the middle of the wiring cord 23. The switch 24 allows the temperature to be switched in three stages: LOW, MID, and HIGH. By changing the magnitude of the current flowing through the Peltier element unit 30 in these three stages, the temperature of the Peltier element can be changed. In addition, each Peltier element unit 30 may be equipped with a switch to turn it on, and the temperature can also be switched individually.

[0016] In this embodiment, three Peltier element units 30 are installed. The three Peltier element units 30 consist of a Peltier element unit 30A located on the longitudinal center line P of the back panel 12, and a pair of Peltier element units 30B and 30C located on the lower sides of the back panel 12, respectively. Since the Peltier element units 30A to 30C and their mounting configurations are similar, only the mounting structure of Peltier element unit 30A and the structure of Peltier element unit 30A will be described to avoid redundant explanations.

[0017] First, the mounting structure of the Peltier element unit 30A will be explained. An arrangement plate 70 is attached to the inner surface of the main fabric 20 of the back body 12 by sewing. The arrangement plate 70 is preferably made of a soft or hard plastic material, natural rubber, synthetic rubber, urethane, or other soft material. The arrangement plate 70 has a pentagonal fixed edge portion 71, and only the pentagonal fixed edge portion 71 is sewn to the main fabric 20 by a sewing line 74. The remaining portion is formed as a flap portion 72 that is not sewn to the main fabric 20.

[0018] The flap portion 72 has a first flap portion 72a located between the sewing line 74 and the mounting opening 73 and extending circumferentially around the mounting opening 73, and a second flap portion 72b located between the arc-shaped outer edge of the placement plate 70 and the mounting opening 73, and comprising the region between the two ends 74a and 74b of the sewing line 74. The gap space formed by this second flap portion 72b allows the Peltier element unit 30A to be inserted and withdrawn between the main fabric 20 and the placement plate 70 (see Figure 6).

[0019] A mounting opening 73 is provided in the center of the flap portion 72. The mounting opening 73 is formed to be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the main case 31 of the Peltier element unit 30A, as described below. This mounting opening 73 is for inserting the main case 31 of the Peltier element unit 30A.

[0020] The main fabric 20 has an opening 25 formed in the same position and of approximately the same size as the mounting opening 73 of the placement plate 70. This opening 25 is to expose the main case 31 of the Peltier element unit 30A that is attached to the garment body 10.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2 and 6, the back panel 12 is provided with a back cover 40 that covers the main fabric 20 of the garment body 10. Preferably, the back cover 40 is made of a mesh-like, breathable fabric, similar to the main fabric 20, and the peripheral edge of the back cover 40 is sewn to the main fabric 20.

[0022] A fastener 26 extending in the vertical direction Y is provided in the center of the horizontal direction X of the back cover 40, and the back cover 40 can be opened and closed by opening and closing the fastener 26. Although not shown in the figures, an opening may be provided in the part of the back cover 40 facing the Peltier element unit 30A attached to the garment body 10 so as to expose the exhaust port 35 of the Peltier element unit 30A.

[0023] As shown in Figure 6, the Peltier element unit 30A comprises a cylindrical main case 31, a disc-shaped first plate 32 positioned on one open end face of the main case 31, and a substantially disc-shaped second plate 33 positioned on the other open end face of the main case 31, which are assembled together. Numerous intake holes 34 are formed on the side circumferential surface of the main case 31. Numerous exhaust holes 35 are formed radially on the second plate 33.

[0024] A Peltier element (not shown), a fan (not shown), and the like are housed in the internal space surrounded by the main case 31, the first plate 32, and the second plate 33. The Peltier element (not shown) has a heat-absorbing surface (not shown) that is cooled by the passage of electricity and a heat-dissipating surface (not shown) that generates heat by the passage of electricity. The cold from the heat-absorbing surface of the Peltier element is transferred to the first plate 32. The outer surface of the first plate 32 is configured as the heat-absorbing surface of the Peltier element unit 30A.

[0025] A fan (not shown) draws outside air into the Peltier element unit 30A through the intake port 34, and the drawn-in outside air cools the heat sink (not shown). The warm air generated by cooling the heat sink (not shown) is released to the outside of the Peltier element unit 30A through the exhaust port 35.

[0026] In this first embodiment, the temperature-controlled garment 1 is a cooling vest intended to lower the wearer's body temperature. Therefore, the outer surface of the first plate 32, which is the heat-absorbing surface of the Peltier element unit 30A, is positioned on the inner surface facing the wearer's skin, while the side of the second plate 33 facing the exhaust hole 35 is positioned on the outer surface that does not face the wearer's skin.

[0027] The side circumferential surface of the main case 31 is provided with locking portions 36 and contact protrusions 37. The locking portions 36 are provided at two locations on the main case 31, 180 degrees opposite each other. Each locking portion 36 is provided on an elastic arm portion 31a (shown in Figure 7(b)) formed in the main case 31 by a slit. Each locking portion 36 is provided so as to be elastically deformable inward toward the side circumferential surface by the bending deformation of the elastic arm portion 31a, as shown by the direction of the arrow f in Figure 7(b). Each locking portion 36 has a right-angled triangular shape consisting of an inclined surface that protrudes outward and a vertical surface at the rear end of the inclined surface.

[0028] Each contact projection 37 is provided on the side surface of the main case 31 and consists of a first projection 37a positioned opposite the locking portion 36 and a second projection 37b positioned at a shifted position relative to the locking portion 36. The first projection 37a is positioned at a distance from the locking portion 36 equal to the thickness of both the mounting plate 70 and the reinforcing plate 80. The first projection 37a has a right-angled triangular shape inverse to the locking portion 36. The upper surface of the second projection 37b is positioned at the same height as the upper surface of the first projection 37a. Multiple second projections 37b are intermittently arranged at intervals on the side surface of the main case 31. Each second projection 37b has a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape.

[0029] Next, the disc-shaped reinforcing plate 80 used for mounting the Peltier element unit 30A will be described. As shown in Figure 6, the reinforcing plate 80 is a disc-shaped component having a mounting opening 83 with the same dimensions as the placement plate 70 at its center, and is made of a material that is more rigid than the placement plate 70. In this embodiment, the reinforcing plate 80 is not attached to the main fabric 20 of the garment body 10 by sewing or the like, unlike the placement plate 70. In other words, the reinforcing plate 80 is a component that can be separated from the garment body 10.

[0030] In this embodiment, the mounting plate 41 is composed of a placement plate 70 and a reinforcing plate 80. The combined thickness of the placement plate 70 and the reinforcing plate 80, that is, the thickness of the mounting plate 41, is set to a dimension that allows it to be positioned without any gap between the locking portion 36 and the first projection 37a. Furthermore, the mounting opening 73 of the placement plate 70 and the mounting opening 83 of the reinforcing plate 80 constitute the mounting opening 42 of the mounting plate 41.

[0031] Next, the installation procedure for the Peltier element unit 30A will be described. The reinforcing plate 80 is placed on top of the placement plate 70 before inserting the Peltier element unit 30A into the mounting opening 73 of the placement plate 70.

[0032] As shown in Figure 6, first, the Peltier element unit 30A is inserted between the main body fabric 20 and the placement plate 70 using the second flap portion 72b of the placement plate 70. The second plate 33 side of the inserted Peltier element unit 30A is then inserted into the mounting opening 42 of the mounting plate 41 (more specifically, the mounting openings 73 and 83 of the placement plate 70 and the reinforcing plate 80).

[0033] During this insertion process, the locking portion 36 of the Peltier element unit 30A interferes with the edge of the mounting opening 42 of the mounting plate 41 (specifically, the mounting opening 73 of the placement plate 70). However, if inserted further beyond this interference point, the locking portion 36 elastically deforms inward (in the direction of the arrow f in Figure 7(b)), allowing insertion into the mounting opening 42 (specifically, the mounting openings 73, 83). When the locking portion 36 is inserted to the position where it exits the mounting opening 42 (specifically, the mounting openings 73, 83), the locking portion 36 displaces to its original position due to elastic return deformation, and the first projection 37a and the second projection 37b abut against the periphery of the mounting opening 42 of the mounting plate 41 (specifically, the mounting opening 73 of the placement plate 70).

[0034] As a result, the locking portion 36 and the contact protrusions 37 (specifically, the first protrusion 37a and the second protrusion 37b) clamp the periphery of the mounting opening 42 of the mounting plate 41 (specifically, the mounting openings 73 and 83 of the placement plate 70 and the reinforcing plate 80). This completes the installation of the Peltier element unit 30A. The first plate 32 side of the Peltier element unit 30A is exposed to the outside through the opening 25 of the main fabric 20 (see Figures 7(a) and (b)).

[0035] To remove the Peltier element unit 30A from the garment body 10, the two locking parts 36 of the Peltier element unit 30A are forcibly elastically deformed inward to release the locking, and then the Peltier element unit 30A is pulled out through the mounting openings 73 and 83 of both the mounting plate 70 and the reinforcing plate 80. In other words, the Peltier element unit 30A is detachably attached to the garment body 10.

[0036] Next, the operation of the temperature-controlled garment 1 will be explained. When the temperature-controlled garment 1 is worn, the garment body 10 covers the wearer's upper body (see Figures 1 and 2). When the Peltier element unit 30A is energized, the bottom side of the main case 31 is cooled, and this cold heat cools the wearer's skin.

[0037] Meanwhile, the heat from the heat-dissipating surface of the Peltier element (not shown) is exhausted through an exhaust vent 35 located on the opposite side from the wearer's skin. The warm air exhausted from the exhaust vent 35 passes through the mesh space of the back cover 40 and is discharged to the outside of the garment body 10.

[0038] As described above, in the first embodiment, the temperature-regulating garment 1 has a mounting plate 41 (specifically, a placement plate 70 and a reinforcing plate 80) attached to the garment body 10, and the mounting plate 41 is provided with a mounting opening 42 into which the Peltier element units 30A to 30C are inserted. The Peltier element units 30A to 30C have a locking portion 36 that elastically deforms during the insertion process into the mounting opening 42 to allow insertion into the mounting opening 42, and elastically returns to its original position after the insertion is completed and exits the mounting opening 42, and a contact projection 37 that abuts against the periphery of the mounting opening 42 after the insertion is completed and exits the mounting opening 42. The Peltier element units 30A to 30C are attached to the garment body 10 by clamping the periphery of the mounting opening 42 of the mounting plate 41 with the locking portion 36 and the contact projection 37.

[0039] Therefore, the Peltier element units 30A to 30C can be installed with a simple installation operation (one-step operation) by simply inserting them into the mounting opening 42 of the mounting plate 41 on the garment body 10.

[0040] In other words, if the garment body 10 does not have the Peltier element units 30A-30C attached, and it becomes necessary to cool the wearer's body, the Peltier element units 30A-30C can be attached to the garment body 10 with a simple attachment process. Furthermore, if it is necessary to remove the Peltier element units 30A-30C from the garment body 10 (for example, when cooling is not needed, for cleaning, or for maintenance of the Peltier element units 30A-30C), they can be removed with a simple attachment process, making them very convenient to use.

[0041] The mounting plate 41 consists of a placement plate 70 attached to the main fabric 20 forming the garment body 10, and a reinforcing plate 80 placed on top of the placement plate 70. Therefore, by using a material with higher rigidity for the reinforcing plate 80 than the placement plate 70, the mounting plate 41 can be firmly held between the locking portion 36 and the contact protrusion 37 of the Peltier element units 30A to 30C, and the Peltier element units 30A to 30C can be securely and firmly attached to the garment body 10.

[0042] In this first embodiment, the reinforcing plate 80 is a component that can be separated from the garment body 10. Therefore, Peltier element units 30A to 30C, which have different dimensions between the locking portion 36 and the contact protrusion portion 37, can be accommodated by using reinforcing plates 80 of different thicknesses.

[0043] The first embodiment has the following effects in addition to those described above. As shown in Figure 4, the lateral dimension L1 of the second flap portion 72b is set to be slightly larger than the diameter of the Peltier element units 30A to 30C. This allows the stitching line 74 to function as a guide when inserting the Peltier element unit 30A.

[0044] Furthermore, because the second flap portion 72b has an arc shape rather than a rectangular shape, even if the placement plate 70 is made of a relatively rigid plastic material, it will not scratch the outer surface of the unit body when it slides against the Peltier element units 30A to 30C.

[0045] Because the outer edge of the part where the fixed edge portion 71 is located on the placement plate 70 is roughly pentagonal in shape, even when an external force (impact) that attempts to separate the placement plate 70 from the main fabric 20 is applied to the placement plate 70, the force is distributed in multiple directions, and it can be said that the placement plate 70 has superior impact absorption capabilities compared to the case where the fixed edge portion 71 has an arc shape.

[0046] The width dimension W2 of the first flap portion 72a, that is, the distance from the opening edge of the mounting opening 73 to the inner edge of the stitching line 74, is 5.0 to 7.0 times the width dimension W1 of the fixed edge portion 71, that is, the distance from the outer edge of the placement plate 70 to the inner edge of the stitching line 74.

[0047] If the width dimensions W1 and W2 have such a correlation, the first flap portion 72a is relatively wide, so even if the dimensions of the Peltier element units 30A to 30C are formed to be relatively large, the Peltier element units 30A to 30C can clamp the first flap portion 72a and achieve stable mounting.

[0048] Furthermore, the width dimension W3 of the second flap portion 72b, that is, the distance from the opening edge of the mounting opening 73 to the arc-shaped outer edge, is 1.2 to 1.5 times the width dimension W2 of the first flap portion 72a. In this way, because the second flap portion 72b is formed to be relatively wide, even if a part of the second flap portion 72b peels off during use, the risk of the wiring cords 23 (see Figure 5) leading out from the Peltier element units 30A to 30C being exposed to the outside and damaged can be minimized.

[0049] As shown in Figure 3, the second flap portion 72b of the Peltier element unit 30A located on the longitudinal centerline P of the multiple Peltier element units 30A attached to the garment body 10 faces downward, while the second flap portions 72b of the pair of Peltier element units 30B and 30C located on the lower sides of the garment body 10 face diagonally upward. In other words, the second flap portions 72b of the Peltier element units 30B and 30C are positioned to face each other in the vertical direction Y, relative to the second flap portion 72b of the Peltier element unit 30A.

[0050] In this way, the positioning of the second flap portion 72b of each Peltier element unit 30A to 30C allows the Peltier element units 30A to 30C extending from the wiring cord 23 to be quickly inserted into the gap between the placement plate 70 and the main fabric 20 without the wiring cord 23 becoming entangled, compared to when they are randomly oriented in completely different directions, making it easier to attach and detach them.

[0051] (Second Embodiment) The temperature-regulating garment 1 of the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. The only difference is the following configuration: In other words, the reinforcing plate 80 of the first embodiment was not attached to the main fabric 20 of the garment body 10 by sewing or the like, unlike the placement plate 70, and was a component that could be separated from the garment body 10.

[0052] In contrast, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the reinforcing plate 80 of the second embodiment is attached to the placement plate 70 by sewing along the sewing line 84, with the positions of the mounting openings 73 and 83 aligned and overlapping the upper surface of the placement plate 70. In other words, the reinforcing plate 80 is attached to the main fabric 20 of the garment body 10 via the placement plate 70 and is an inseparable component of the garment body 10. The sewing line 84 is provided around the entire circumference of the reinforcing plate 80.

[0053] Other components are the same as in the first embodiment, so their explanation will be omitted to avoid redundant explanation. Also, in Figures 8 and 9, components identical to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment for clarity.

[0054] In this second embodiment, for the same reasons as in the first embodiment, the Peltier element unit 30A can be installed by simply inserting it into the mounting opening 42 of the mounting plate 41 on the garment body 10 side (specifically, the mounting openings 73, 83 of the placement plate 70 and the reinforcing plate 80).

[0055] In this second embodiment, the reinforcing plate 80 is attached to the garment body 10 via the placement plate 70 and is an inseparable component. Therefore, the insertion of the Peltier element unit 30A does not require the reinforcing plate 80 to be placed on top of the placement plate 70, making the installation process even simpler than in the first embodiment.

[0056] (Third embodiment) The temperature-regulating garment of the third embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. The only difference is the following configuration: The contact projection 37 of the Peltier element unit 30A of the first embodiment is composed of a first projection 37a and a second projection 37b. In addition, multiple second projections 37a of the contact projection 37 are intermittently arranged at intervals on the side surface of the main case 31.

[0057] In contrast, the third embodiment does not have the first projection 37a, as shown in Figures 10 and 11. Furthermore, the second projection 37b is continuously provided over almost the entire side surface of the Peltier element unit 30A, except for the position where the locking portion 36 is provided.

[0058] Other components are the same as in the first embodiment, so their explanation will be omitted to avoid redundant explanation. Also, in Figure 10, components identical to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment for clarity.

[0059] In this third embodiment, the Peltier element unit 30A is attached by clamping the periphery of the mounting opening 42 of the mounting plate 41 (more specifically, the mounting openings 73 and 83 of the placement plate 70 and the reinforcing plate 80) with the locking portion 36 and the second projection 37b. Therefore, in this third embodiment as well, for substantially the same reasons as in the first embodiment, the Peltier element unit 30A can be attached by simply inserting it into the mounting opening 42 of the mounting plate 41 on the garment body 10 side.

[0060] In this third embodiment, the contact projection 37 is composed only of the second projection 37b, but the contact projection 37 may also be composed only of the first projection. However, as in the first and second embodiments, composing the contact projection 37 with both the first projection 37a and the second projection 37b allows the Peltier element unit 30A to be firmly attached to the garment body 10.

[0061] (Variations of the first to third embodiments) In the first to third embodiments, the mounting plate 41 was composed of an arrangement plate 70 and a reinforcing plate 80. However, if the thickness of the arrangement plate 70 can be set to the same thickness as the clamping dimension between the locking portion 36 and the contact projection 37, the mounting plate 41 may be composed of only the arrangement plate 70. Furthermore, the mounting plate 41 may be composed of three or more plates.

[0062] Furthermore, the mounting plate 41 may consist of a reinforcing plate 80 alone. In this case, the reinforcing plate 80 must be attached via the placement plate 70, as in the second embodiment, or by sewing it directly onto the main fabric 20. When using the placement plate 70, the mounting opening 73 of the placement plate 70 must be set to a size large enough not to be pinched between the locking portion 36 and the contact projection 37.

[0063] In the first to third embodiments, the temperature-controlled garment 1 was configured to cool the wearer's skin, but by making the side of the Peltier element unit 30 facing the wearer's skin the heat-dissipating side, it can be configured to warm the wearer's skin.

[0064] In the first to third embodiments, three Peltier element units 30A to 30C are attached to the garment body 10, but there may be one, two, or four or more.

[0065] The configuration described herein, in which the placement plate 70 is pre-fixed to the garment body 10, may be adopted as at least one mounting method for the multiple Peltier element units 30A to 30C. Furthermore, the shapes and configurations of the multiple Peltier element units 30A to 30C may differ from one another.

[0066] In the first to third embodiments, the opening 25 of the main body fabric 20, the mounting opening 73 of the placement plate 70, and the mounting opening 83 of the reinforcing plate 80 are circular, but they may be various known shapes such as elliptical, triangular, square, or octagonal. Furthermore, insofar as the required technical effects of the present invention are achieved, the shape of the placement plate 70 may be various known shapes such as circular, elliptical, square, square, or octagonal overall, and its external dimensions may also be modified as appropriate.

[0067] (Fourth Embodiment) Figures 12 to 17 show a fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, unlike the first to third embodiments, an attachment 90 is fixed to the Peltier element unit 30D, and the Peltier element unit 30D is attached to the garment body 10 using this attachment 90. This will be explained below.

[0068] Since the Peltier element unit 30D has the same configuration as that of the third embodiment, its description is omitted to avoid redundant explanation. In Figures 12 to 17, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in the third embodiment for clarity.

[0069] The attachment 90 consists of a unit fixing portion 91, a clip portion 92 arranged parallel to the unit fixing portion 91 at a distance, and a connecting plate portion 93 that connects one end each of the unit fixing portion 91 and the clip portion 92. The unit fixing portion 91 is provided with a circular opening 91a. The heat dissipation side of the Peltier element unit 30D is inserted into this opening 91a from the outside (opposite side from the clip portion 92), and the flange portion 85 of the Peltier element unit 30D and the peripheral edge of the opening 91a of the unit fixing 91 are fixed by adhesive or the like.

[0070] The clip portion 92 is divided into a leaf spring portion 95 and a peripheral edge retaining portion 96 via a slit 94. The leaf spring portion 95 is supported by the peripheral edge retaining portion 96 via a stepped connecting portion 92a. The leaf spring portion 95 is located inward (towards the unit fixing portion 91) from the surface of the peripheral edge retaining portion 96 by the stepped connecting portion 92a. The tip end of the leaf spring portion 95 can be moved to an outward position from the peripheral edge retaining portion 96 by elastic bending deformation (shown by dashed lines in Figure 12). As a result, a gap d (shown in Figure 12) can be formed between the tip end of the leaf spring portion 95 and the peripheral edge retaining portion 96 when viewed from the side.

[0071] The distance between the unit fixing portion 91 and the clip portion 92 is set such that, when the Peltier element unit 30D is fixed, the exhaust vent (not shown) on the heat dissipation side of the Peltier element unit 30D is not blocked by the main fabric 20 (see Figure 17). An opening 93a is provided in the connecting plate portion 93.

[0072] Next, the procedure for attaching the attachment 90 to the Peltier element unit 30D will be described. The heat dissipation side of the Peltier element unit 30D is inserted into the opening 91a of the unit fixing portion 91 of the attachment 90 from the outside (opposite side from the clip portion 92). Then, in the same manner as in the third embodiment, the periphery of the opening 91a of the unit fixing portion 91 is clamped by the locking portion 36 and the second projection 37b, and the Peltier element unit 30D is attached. In other words, for almost the same reasons as in the first to third embodiments, the Peltier element unit 30D can be attached with a simple attachment operation of simply inserting it into the opening 91a of the unit fixing portion 91 of the attachment 90.

[0073] Next, the procedure for attaching the Peltier element unit 30D to the garment body 10 will be explained. The tip of the leaf spring portion 95 of the clip portion 92 is forcibly pressed outward to form a gap d between the tip of the leaf spring portion 95 and the peripheral retaining portion 96 (as shown by the dashed line in Figure 12). The garment body 20 is gradually inserted into the slit 94 from the edge of the garment body 10 into this gap d. Here, the inside of the garment body 20 is positioned further inside the garment body 10 than the leaf spring portion 95, and the outside of the garment body 20 is positioned further outside the garment body 10 than the peripheral retaining portion 96. The end of the inserted garment body 20 is inserted to the deepest position of the slit 94, and the pressing force on the tip of the leaf spring portion 95 is released. The leaf spring portion 95 then returns to its original position due to elastic return deformation, and the process is completed.

[0074] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the main fabric 20 is sandwiched between the leaf spring portion 95 and the peripheral edge pressing portion 96, and this sandwiching attaches the main fabric 20 to the clip portion 92.

[0075] Thus, the Peltier element unit 30D can be attached by simply inserting the main fabric 20 into the slit 94 between the leaf spring portion 95 and the peripheral edge retaining portion 96 of the attachment 90 fixed to the Peltier element unit 30D.

[0076] The Peltier element unit 30D, when attached to fan-equipped clothing, provides both evaporative cooling and localized cooling. While fan-equipped clothing uses evaporative cooling from sweat, attaching the Peltier element unit 30D allows for direct cooling of areas with blood vessels, such as the neck, armpits, and back, resulting in a stronger cooling sensation. Furthermore, this effect is expected to lower body temperature.

[0077] In fan-equipped clothing, air is circulated by drawing in air from outside the garment, passing it through the inside of the garment, and exiting through the cuffs or collar. Normally, fan-equipped clothing has an air duct on the inner side of the garment body 10 so that air can exit from the collar, but the Peltier element unit 30D also acts as a spacer because it creates a gap between the skin and the garment body 10 when using the attachment 90, making it easier for air to pass through.

[0078] An opening 93a is provided in the connecting plate portion 93 of the attachment 90. Therefore, when the Peltier element unit 30D is attached to the fan-equipped garment, the airflow from the fan passes through the opening 93a (shown by the f arrow in Figure 17), promoting heat dissipation.

[0079] (Fifth embodiment) Figures 18 and 19 show a fifth embodiment. In the fifth embodiment, similar to the fourth embodiment, an attachment 90 is fixed to the Peltier element unit 30E, and the Peltier element unit 30E is attached to the garment body 10 using this attachment 90. This will be explained below.

[0080] The Peltier element unit 30E has a flange portion 85 protruding from the entire circumference of the side surface of the main case 31, and a screw portion 86 is provided on the side surface of the main case 31. The configuration of the remaining Peltier element unit 30E is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, so to avoid redundant explanation, its description is omitted. In Figures 18 to 19, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in the first embodiment for clarity.

[0081] Since the attachment 90 has the same configuration as in the fourth embodiment, its description is omitted to avoid redundant explanation. In Figures 18 to 19, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as in the fourth embodiment for clarity.

[0082] Next, the procedure for attaching the attachment 90 to the Peltier element unit 30E will be explained. As shown in Figure 18, the heat dissipation side of the Peltier element unit 30E is inserted into the opening 91a of the unit fixing portion 91 of the attachment 90 from the outside (opposite side from the clip portion 92). Next, the fastening ring 98 is inserted into the heat dissipation side of the main case 31 of the Peltier element unit 30E. The fastening ring 98 has a screw groove 98a formed on its inner circumference, and the flange portion 86 on the Peltier element unit 30E side is screwed into the screw groove 98a by rotating the fastening ring 98. Then, the peripheral edge of the opening 91a of the unit fixing portion 91 is clamped by the fastening ring 98 and the flange portion 85, and the attachment 90 is attached to the Peltier element unit 30E by this clamping force (see Figure 19).

[0083] The procedure for attaching the Peltier element unit 30E to the garment body 10 is the same as in the fourth embodiment, so the explanation will be omitted to avoid redundant explanation. In this fifth embodiment, as in the fourth embodiment, the Peltier element unit 30E can be easily attached to the main fabric 20 by the attachment 90. Furthermore, if the Peltier element unit 30E is attached to the fan-equipped clothing by attachment 90, the same effect can be obtained for the same reasons as in the fourth embodiment.

[0084] In the fourth and fifth embodiments described above, the Peltier element units 30D and 30E are mounted together by the attachment 90. However, various configurations are applicable to the mounting of the Peltier element units 30D and 30E to the attachment 90.

[0085] In the fourth and fifth embodiments described above, the configuration of the attachment 90 is the same, but various configurations of the attachment 90 are also applicable. In other words, the attachment 90 can have any configuration as long as it has a unit fixing part 91 and a clip part 92. Furthermore, the configuration of the unit fixing part 91 itself is also acceptable as long as it is capable of attaching the Peltier element unit. Moreover, the configuration of the clip part 92 itself is not limited to the illustrated form as long as it is capable of attaching the main fabric 20 with a single touch or the like.

[0086] In this specification, "clothing" refers to clothing worn by a person in a broad sense, and insofar as it regulates the wearer's temperature, it is not limited to the vest type shown in the illustration, but also includes tops (long-sleeved and short-sleeved) of various known shapes, bottoms such as trousers and skirts, and even neck coolers attached to the neck and pet clothing. Vest-type, long-sleeved, and short-sleeved tops include those with collars.

[0087] The present invention described above may include at least the following embodiments. These embodiments may be adopted separately or in combination with each other. (1) The mounting plate has a placement plate attached to the main fabric forming the garment body and a reinforcing plate placed on top of the placement plate, and the Peltier element unit is attached to the garment body by the locking portion and the contact projection of the Peltier element unit sandwiching the periphery of the respective mounting openings of the placement plate and the reinforcing plate. (2) The reinforcing plate is a component that can be separated from the garment body. (3) The reinforcing plate is an inseparable component attached to the garment body. (4) The contact projection is provided on the side surface of the Peltier element unit and has a first projection positioned opposite the locking portion and a second projection positioned at a position shifted from the position opposite the first projection. (5) The contact projection is composed of either the first projection or the second projection. (6) The mounting plate has the mounting opening, a fixed edge portion fixed to the main fabric via a sewing line, and a flap portion not fixed to the main fabric, and in the mounted state of the Peltier element unit, the flap portion of the mounting plate is sandwiched between the contact protrusion of the Peltier element unit and the reinforcing plate. (7) The flap portion has a first flap portion located between the sewing line and the mounting opening and extending in the circumferential direction of the mounting opening, and a second flap portion located between the outside of the sewing line and the mounting opening and extending in the circumferential direction of the mounting opening. (8) The width dimension of the first flap portion, which is the distance from the opening edge of the mounting opening to the inner circumferential surface of the sewing line, is 5.0 to 7.0 times the width dimension of the fixed edge portion, which is the distance from the outer edge of the placement plate to the inner edge of the sewing line. (9) The width dimension of the second flap portion, which is the distance from the opening edge of the mounting opening to the arc-shaped outer edge, is 1.2 to 1.5 times the width dimension of the first flap. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0088] 1 Temperature regulating clothing 10 Clothes body 11 Front 12 Back 20 body fabric 25 Aperture 30, 30A~30E Peltier element unit 36 Locking part 37 Contact protrusion 37a 1st protrusion 37b 2nd protrusion 41 Mounting plate 42. Opening for mounting 70 Placement plate (mounting plate) 71 Fixed edge 72 Flap section 72a First flap section 72b Second flap section 73. Opening for mounting 74 Sewing lines 74a, 74b End of the sewing line 80 Reinforcement plate (mounting plate) 83. Opening for mounting 84 Sewing lines W1 Width dimension of the fixed edge W2 Width dimension of the first flap section W3 Width dimension of the second flap section X horizontal direction

Claims

1. A temperature-regulating garment comprising a garment body and a Peltier element unit detachably attached to the garment body, A mounting plate is attached to the garment body, and the mounting plate is provided with a mounting opening into which the Peltier element unit is inserted. The Peltier element unit has a locking portion that elastically deforms during the insertion process into the mounting opening to allow insertion into the mounting opening, and elastically returns to its original position after the insertion is complete and exits the mounting opening, and a contact projection that abuts against the periphery of the mounting opening at the insertion completion position of the locking portion, and the Peltier element unit is attached to the garment body by clamping the periphery of the mounting opening of the mounting plate with the locking portion and the contact projection.

2. The mounting plate comprises a placement plate attached to the main fabric forming the garment body, and a reinforcing plate placed on top of the placement plate. The temperature-regulating garment according to claim 1, wherein the Peltier element unit is attached to the garment body by the locking portion and the contact projection of the Peltier element unit clamping the periphery of the mounting openings of the placement plate and the reinforcing plate.

3. The temperature-regulating garment according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing plate is a component that can be separated from the garment body.

4. The temperature-regulating garment according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing plate is an inseparable component attached to the garment body.

5. The temperature-regulating garment according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact projection is provided on the side surface of the Peltier element unit and has a first projection positioned opposite the locking portion and a second projection positioned at a position shifted from the opposite position of the first projection.

6. The temperature-regulating garment according to claim 5, characterized in that the contact projection is composed of either the first projection or the second projection.

7. The mounting plate has the mounting opening, a fixed edge portion fixed to the main fabric via a sewing line, and a flap portion not fixed to the main fabric. The temperature-regulating garment according to claim 2, wherein, in the mounted state of the Peltier element unit, the flap portion of the arrangement plate is sandwiched between the contact protrusion of the Peltier element unit and the reinforcing plate.

8. The temperature-regulating garment according to claim 2, wherein the flap portion comprises a first flap portion located between the sewing line and the attachment opening and extending in the circumferential direction of the attachment opening, and a second flap portion located between the outside of the sewing line and the attachment opening and extending in the circumferential direction of the attachment opening.

9. The temperature-regulating garment according to claim 7, wherein the width dimension of the first flap portion, which is the distance from the opening edge of the mounting opening to the inner circumferential surface of the sewing line, is 5.0 to 7.0 times the width dimension of the fixed edge portion, which is the distance from the outer edge of the placement plate to the inner edge of the sewing line.

10. The temperature-regulating garment according to claim 8, wherein the width dimension of the second flap portion, which is the distance from the opening edge to the outer edge of the mounting opening, is 1.2 to 1.5 times the width dimension of the first flap.

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