Ear cooling device

Abstract

This makes it possible to provide ear cooling devices that can provide an excellent cooling sensation. [Solution] An ear cooling device 1 for cooling the wearer's ear, comprising one or two cooling parts 10 and a support part 11 connected to the cooling parts 10, wherein the cooling parts 10 consist of tubes filled with a coolant, and the support part 11 is supported on the wearer's head and the cooling parts 10 are fixed to the ear. Preferably, the device has two cooling parts 10, with the cooling parts 10 provided at both ends of the support part 11, and preferably the cooling parts 10 and the support part 11 are integrally formed from tubes filled with a coolant. Furthermore, it is more preferable that the cooling part 10 includes an insertion part 101 for insertion into the ear canal, and / or a covering part that covers all or part of the ear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device for cooling the head.

Background Art

[0002] Under the recent situation where the intense heat in summer is extremely severe, cooling devices for cooling the neck have become widely popular. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a neck cooler capable of extending the duration of the cooling effect by the interaction of two types of phase change members. Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a neck cooling device that simplifies the structure of the neck cooling device and enables easy attachment of the neck cooling device to the neck.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the present inventors have actually noticed that cooling the ear holes feels more comfortable than cooling the neck, and also that cooling the ear holes cools the head more effectively than cooling the neck. Therefore, the present inventors improved the conventional neck cooling device, made it into a headphone type, a katchusha type, etc., so that a cold protrusion like an earphone can be inserted into the ear hole, or the ear can be covered with a cold cover, and thus conceived an ear cooling device, and finally created the present invention capable of obtaining an outstanding cooling feeling.

[0005] While it's common to see people wearing earphones or headphones in their ear canals these days, there hasn't been anything that allows you to cool your ears while walking, for example. Furthermore, I could not find any literature describing such an invention that would allow for cooling the ears.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an ear cooling device that can provide an excellent cooling sensation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides an ear cooling device for cooling the wearer's ear, comprising one or two cooling parts and a support part connected to the cooling parts, wherein the cooling parts consist of tubes filled with a coolant, and the support part is supported on the wearer's head so that the cooling parts are in contact with the ear. Furthermore, it is preferable that the ear cooling device of the present invention comprises two cooling units, with each cooling unit provided at both ends of the support unit.

[0008] Furthermore, it is preferable that the ear cooling device of the present invention has a configuration in which the cooling part and the support part are integrally formed by a tube filled with a coolant. Furthermore, it is preferable that the ear cooling device of the present invention has a cooling portion comprising an insertion portion for insertion into the ear canal and / or a covering portion that covers all or part of the ear.

[0009] Another aspect of the ear cooling device of the present invention is an ear cooling device for cooling the wearer's ear, comprising one or two cooling units and a neck cooling unit connected to the cooling units, wherein the cooling units and the neck cooling unit consist of tubes filled with a coolant, the neck cooling unit is in contact with the wearer's neck and the cooling units are in contact with the ears.

[0010] Furthermore, another embodiment of the ear cooling device of the present invention is preferably a configuration in which two cooling units are provided, with the cooling units located at both ends of the neck cooling unit. Furthermore, in another embodiment of the ear cooling device of the present invention, it is preferable that the cooling section and the neck cooling section are integrally formed by a tube filled with a coolant. Furthermore, it is also preferable that the ear cooling device of the present invention and other embodiments of the ear cooling device of the present invention be made by combining the above configurations in various ways. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ear cooling device that can provide an excellent cooling sensation. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an ear cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cooling section in an ear cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of another embodiment of the ear cooling device according to the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of how to wear an ear cooling device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The embodiments of the ear cooling device of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific details of the following embodiments.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the ear cooling device of this embodiment is an ear cooling device 1 for cooling the wearer's ear, comprising one or two cooling parts 10 and a support part 11 connected to the cooling parts 10, wherein the cooling part 10 consists of a tube (tubular container) filled with a coolant, and the support part 11 is supported on the wearer's head so that the cooling part 10 is in contact with the ear.

[0015] In the ear cooler of the present embodiment, it is preferable to provide two cooling parts 10, and it is preferable to provide them at both ends of the support part 11 respectively. Note that the ear cooler of the present embodiment is not limited to the one having two cooling parts 10, and it is also preferable to provide only one at one end of the support part 11 so that, for example, an earphone or the like can be worn on the other ear.

[0016] As the coolant filled in the cooling part 10, it is preferable to use a PCM (Phase Change Material) material or the like. The PCM material is also called an interconversion substance, a phase transition substance, a latent heat storage material, etc., and has the property of solidifying at about 28°C or lower.

[0017] Therefore, by putting the ear cooler 1 in a refrigerator for cooling, the PCM in the cooling part 10 can be solidified and cooled. When the cooling part 10 absorbs the heat of the head through the ear of the wearer of the ear cooler 1 and the PCM liquefies, by putting the ear cooler 1 in the refrigerator again for cooling, it can be repeatedly used for cooling the head.

[0018] As the tube constituting the cooling part 10, it is preferable to use one made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer) or the like. TPU is a material having both elasticity like rubber and strength like hard plastic, and can be suitably used as the material for the outer layer of the cooling part 10.

[0019] In the ear cooler of the present embodiment, the support part 11 is not particularly limited as long as it is supported by the wearer's head and enables the cooling part 10 to contact the ear. For example, the headband part of headphones or a headband shape can be preferably used. The support part 11 can be formed using, for example, plastic, metal, cloth, or leather.

[0020] Furthermore, in the ear cooling device of this embodiment, it is also preferable to integrally form the cooling part 10 and the support part 11 with a tube and fill this tube with a coolant. It is preferable to use TPU or the like as the tubes that make up the cooling section 10 and the support section 11.

[0021] With this configuration, the ear cooling device of this embodiment can not only cool the ears with the cooling unit 10, but also simultaneously cool the wearer's head with the support unit 11. Furthermore, since the cooling section 10 and the support section 11 can be integrally formed, the ear cooling device 1 can be easily manufactured.

[0022] Furthermore, in the ear cooling device of this embodiment, it is preferable that the cooling unit 10 includes an insertion unit 101 that is inserted into the ear canal. With this embodiment of the ear cooling device, the insertion part 101 can cool the ear canal, making it possible to cool the head even more through the ear canal.

[0023] In the ear cooling device of this embodiment, the insertion portion 101 can be made into various shapes, such as earphones, and is not limited to the one shown in Figure 1. It may be any other shape as long as it can be inserted into the ear canal. For example, the insertion portion 101 may have a shape that includes a constricted portion, such as the insertion portion 101a provided in the cooling portion 10a in Figure 2(A).

[0024] Furthermore, in the ear cooling device of this embodiment, it is also preferable that the cooling unit 10 includes a covering unit 102 that covers all or part of the ear. For example, the covering portion 102 may have a shape that covers the entire ear, such as the covering portion 102b provided on the cooling portion 10b in Figure 2(B).

[0025] In the ear cooling device of this embodiment, the covering portion 102 can be made into various shapes, such as the ear pads of headphones, and is not limited to the one shown in Figure 2(B). It may be any other shape as long as it can cover all or part of the ear. With this embodiment of the ear cooling device, the covering portion 102 makes it possible to cool the entire ear.

[0026] Furthermore, in the ear cooling device of this embodiment, it is also preferable that the cooling unit 10c comprises both an insertion unit 101c that is inserted into the ear canal and a covering unit 102c that covers all or part of the ear, as shown in Figure 2(C). With this embodiment of the ear cooling device, the insertion portion 101c can cool the ear canal, and at the same time, the covering portion 102c can cool the entire ear, making it possible to cool the wearer's head more effectively through the ear.

[0027] As shown in Figure 3(A), another embodiment of the ear cooling device of this embodiment is an ear cooling device 1'a for cooling the wearer's ear, comprising one or two cooling sections 10'a and a neck cooling section 12'a connected to the cooling section 10'a, wherein the cooling section 10'a and the neck cooling section 12'a consist of tubes filled with a coolant, the neck cooling section 12'a is in contact with the wearer's neck and the cooling section 10'a is in contact with the ear.

[0028] In another embodiment of the ear cooling device of this embodiment, it is preferable that there are two cooling sections 10'a, and that they are provided at both ends of the neck cooling section 12'a. Of course, other embodiments of the ear cooling device of this embodiment are not limited to those equipped with two cooling units 10'a, similar to the ear cooling device of this embodiment described above. It is also preferable to have only one cooling unit at one end of the neck cooling unit 12'a, allowing, for example, an earphone or the like to be attached to the other ear.

[0029] In other embodiments of the ear cooling device of this embodiment, it is preferable to use PCM, TPU, or the like as the coolant filled in the cooling section 10'a and the tube constituting the cooling section 10'a, respectively, as in the ear cooling device of this embodiment described above.

[0030] Furthermore, in other embodiments of the ear cooling device of this embodiment, the neck cooling portion 12'a is not particularly limited as long as it contacts the wearer's neck and the cooling portion 10'a can contact the ear, but for example, a neck cooler shape that can be worn around the neck can be suitably used. It is preferable to use PCM, TPU, or the like for the coolant filled in the neck cooling section 12'a and for the tubes constituting the neck cooling section 12'a, similar to the cooling section 10'a.

[0031] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the ear cooling device of this embodiment, it is also preferable that the cooling section 10'a and the neck cooling section 12'a are integrally formed by a tube, and that this tube is filled with a coolant. It is preferable to use TPU or the like as the tubes that make up the cooling section 10'a and neck cooling section 12'a.

[0032] If another embodiment of the ear cooling device of this embodiment is configured in this way, not only can the ear be cooled by the cooling unit 10'a, but the neck of the wearer can also be cooled simultaneously by the neck cooling unit 12'a. Furthermore, since the cooling section 10'a and the neck cooling section 12'a can be formed integrally, the ear cooling device 1'a can be easily manufactured.

[0033] Furthermore, in another embodiment of the ear cooling device of this embodiment, it is preferable that the cooling portion 10'a includes an insertion portion 101'a that is inserted into the ear canal. The insertion portion 101'a can be in various shapes, such as an earphone, and is not limited to the one shown in Figure 3(A), but may be in any shape as long as it can be inserted into the ear canal. In another embodiment of this ear cooling device, the insertion portion 101'a can cool the ear canal, allowing for further cooling of the head through the ear canal, and also enabling cooling of the neck.

[0034] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(B), in another embodiment of the ear cooling device of this embodiment, the ear cooling device 1'b may include a cooling section 10'b and a neck cooling section 12'b, and the cooling section 10'b may include a covering section 102'b that covers all or part of the ear. In other embodiments of the ear cooling device of this embodiment, the covering portion 102'b can be in various shapes, such as the ear pads of headphones, and is not limited to those shown in Figure 3(B). It may be in any other shape as long as it can cover all or part of the ear. In another embodiment of this ear cooling device, the covering portion 102'b can cool the entire ear and also cool the neck.

[0035] Furthermore, in other embodiments of the ear cooling device of this embodiment, although not shown, it is also preferable that the cooling portion comprises both an insertion portion for insertion into the ear canal and a covering portion that covers all or part of the ear. In another embodiment of this ear cooling device, the insertion portion can cool the ear canal, the covering portion can cool the entire ear, and the neck can also be cooled, thus making it possible to cool the wearer's head more effectively through the ears and neck.

[0036] Furthermore, it is possible to combine the ear cooling device of this embodiment described above with other embodiments of the ear cooling device of this embodiment to create an ear cooling device that has the support part, neck cooling part, and cooling part all in one. Specifically, it is also preferable to integrally form the support part, neck cooling part, and cooling part of the ear cooling device with a tube so that two cooling parts are connected in a three-pronged manner to both ends of the support part and both ends of the neck cooling part, and to fill this tube with a coolant.

[0037] With this type of ear cooling device, the ears can be cooled by the cooling section, the head can be cooled by the support section, and the area around the neck can be cooled by the neck cooling section, making it possible to cool the head even more effectively.

[0038] Figure 4 shows an example of how the ear cooling device of this embodiment is worn. In Figure 4(A), the wearer 2 is wearing an ear cooling device 1 equipped with a cooling section 10 having an insertion section 101. The cooling section 10 and the support section 11 are integrally formed by a tube. The support portion 11 of the ear cooling device 1 is supported on the wearer's head 2, the cooling portion 10 is in contact with the ear 20, and the insertion portion 101 is inserted into the ear canal 20. As a result, the wearer 2 can cool the ear canal 20 with the insertion part 101, and through the ear canal 20, can obtain a superior cooling sensation in the head.

[0039] Furthermore, in Figure 4(B), the wearer 2' is wearing an ear cooling device 1b equipped with a cooling section 10b having a covering section 102b. The cooling section 10b and the support section 11b are integrally formed by a tube. The support portion 11b of the ear cooling device 1b is supported on the wearer's head 2', the cooling portion 10b is in contact with the ear 20', and the covering portion 102b covers the ear 20'. As a result, the wearer 2' can cool their entire ear 20' with the covering portion 102b, thereby providing a superior cooling sensation to their head.

[0040] Furthermore, although not shown in the illustrations, if the wearer wears other forms of the ear cooling device of this embodiment, the neck cooling portion can be worn around the neck like a neck cooler, and the insertion portion of the cooling portion can be inserted into the ear canal, or the ear canal can be covered with the covering portion of the cooling portion, thereby cooling the ears and neck simultaneously, and the wearer can obtain an even better cooling sensation for the head.

[0041] As described above, the ear cooling device of this embodiment can be easily attached to the head like headphones or a headband, allowing the ear canal or the entire ear to be cooled. For example, it can be used to cool the head through the ears while walking, making it a novel head cooling device unlike anything seen before. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the ear cooling device of this embodiment, by wearing it around the neck like a neck cooler, the ears and neck can be cooled simultaneously, making it possible to obtain an even better cooling sensation for the head.

[0042] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, the shapes of the insertion part, covering part, and support part of the cooling part of the ear cooling device can be changed to other shapes as appropriate. [Industrial applicability]

[0043] The present invention can be suitably used to provide a cooling device that can provide an exceptional cooling sensation to the head. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 1,1b,1'a,1'b ear cooler 10,10a,10b,10c,10'a,10'b Cooling section 101, 101a, 101c, 101'a Insertion section 102, 102b, 102c, 102'b Covering 11,11b Support part 12'a,12'b Neck cooling section 2,2' Wearer 20,20' ear

Claims

1. An ear cooling device that cools the wearer's ears, It comprises one or two cooling units and a support unit connected to the cooling units, The aforementioned cooling unit consists of a tube filled with a coolant, The support portion is supported on the wearer's head and the cooling portion is in contact with the ear. An ear cooling device characterized by the following features.

2. The cooling unit comprises two such units, with each cooling unit located at both ends of the support unit. The ear cooling device according to claim 1, characterized by its features.

3. The cooling section and the support section are integrally formed by a tube filled with a coolant. The ear cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the features described herein.

4. The cooling unit comprises an insertion portion for insertion into the ear canal, and / or a covering portion that covers all or part of the ear. The ear cooling device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the features described herein.

5. An ear cooling device that cools the wearer's ears, It comprises one or two cooling units and a neck cooling unit connected to the cooling units, The aforementioned cooling unit and the aforementioned neck cooling unit consist of tubes filled with a coolant. The neck cooling portion is in contact with the wearer's neck and the cooling portion is in contact with the ear. An ear cooling device characterized by the following features.

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