Heating and cooling equipment

Abstract

To provide a cooling and heating device with an easily operable controller. [Solution] The air conditioning device has a cooling and heating unit 10 that heats or cools an object, a connector unit 20 that connects a power cable 40 to supply electricity to the cooling and heating unit 10, and a holding unit 30 that holds a controller 41 provided on the power cable 40. By holding the controller 41 with the holding unit 30, the controller 41 is positioned close to the user's hands, making it easy to operate the controller 41.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heating and cooling device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, air conditioners with heating and cooling functions (including heating or cooling only functions) have been known. The wearable electric blanket of Patent Document 1 discloses that in an electric blanket incorporating a heater circuit electrically connected to an exposed connector, the electric blanket is formed into a front body part and a back body part, and sleeves and a collar part are sewn to the front body part and the back body part, so that the blanket can be worn as loungewear. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3161894 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The wearable electric blanket in Patent Document 1 had the problem that it was difficult to operate the controller that connects to the connector and controls such as "on" and "off" because it was not possible to hold the controller. The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to make it possible to easily operate a controller. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention is characterized by having a heating and cooling unit that heats or cools an object, a connector unit that connects a power cable to supply electricity to the heating and cooling unit, and a holding unit that holds a controller attached to the power cable. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the present invention, the controller in the heating and cooling device can be easily operated. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of an electric blanket and a controller according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of a holding portion. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the holding part when holding the controller. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the appearance of the electric blanket of the first embodiment when worn. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of a second embodiment and a third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of a fourth embodiment and a fifth embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of use of the second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of use of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of use of the fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, a heating and cooling system including a heating and cooling device and a power cable according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the heating and cooling device may be a device having only a heating function for heating an object, or may be a device having only a cooling function for cooling an object. <First embodiment> The cooling and heating device of this embodiment is a wearable electric blanket 1. The electric blanket 1 of this embodiment heats (warms) a human being as a target.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an example of the configuration of a cooling and heating system. The cooling and heating system includes a wearable electric blanket 1 and a power cable 40. For ease of explanation, in Fig. 1, up, down, right and left are conveniently indicated by arrows.

[0010] The electric blanket 1 has a sheet portion 10, a connector portion 20, and a holding portion 30. The planar portion 10 has a function of heating an object, and corresponds to an example of a cooling and heating portion. The planar portion 10 has a generally flat, substantially rectangular shape. Specifically, the planar portion 10 is longer in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction, and is formed to a size that can cover the body of the object. The planar portion 10 of this embodiment is composed of at least two planar members 11 and a heater wire 13 arranged between the two planar members 11. In the following description, the side of planar member 11 seen in plan view in FIG. 1 is referred to as the front side, and the side seen in bottom view is referred to as the back side.

[0011] The planar member 11 is made of a material that feels soft when it comes into contact with an object, and may be made of polyester, for example. The two planar members 11 are joined together by sewing the front and back surfaces together with the border cloth portion 12 with the outer periphery covered from the outside by the border cloth portion 12, so that they do not come apart. The heater wire 13 is wired in a meandering manner in the planar direction across the entire surface of the planar portion 10 between the two planar members 11, or in a spiral shape. The specifications (heat generation amount, size, etc.) of the heater wire 13 can be appropriately selected depending on the object to be heated, the environment in which it is expected to be used, the purpose of the product, etc. When cooling an object, a Peltier element or a blower fan may be used instead of the heater wire 13, or a Peltier element or a blower fan may be arranged together with the heater wire 13.

[0012] A power cable 40 is connected to the connector portion 20. The connector portion 20 is disposed at an end portion of the sheet portion 10. Specifically, the connector portion 20 is disposed on the right side of the rectangle of the sheet portion 10, in a position close to the bottom end. When a power supply portion 43 (described later) of the power cable 40 is connected to the connector portion 20, power is supplied to the heater wire 13 via the power cable 40, and the heater wire 13 generates heat. When the heater wire 13 generates heat, the entire sheet portion 10 rises in temperature, and the target object, a human being, can be warmed.

[0013] On the other hand, the power cable 40 includes a controller 41 , a connector side cable 42 , a power supply unit 43 , an attachment plug side cable 44 , an attachment plug 45 , and a controller connection unit 46 . The controller 41 has a switch 47 that can be operated by the user to turn the power on and off and to select the set temperature of the planar portion 10, such as "strong," "medium," or "weak" (see also FIG. 3 described later). With the power supply unit 43 connected to the connector unit 20, the controller 41 alternately switches between energizing and deenergizing the heater wire 13, thereby controlling the temperature of the planar portion 10 to the set temperature. The connector side cable 42 is a cable that connects the controller 41 and the power supply unit 43. The power supply unit 43 is mechanically and electrically connected to the connector unit 20 by being fitted into the connector unit 20 by the user. The attachment plug side cable 44 is a cable that connects the controller 41 and the attachment plug 45. The attachment plug 45 is supplied with power by being inserted into an outlet by the user. The controller connection unit 46 is a portion that connects the connector side cable 42 and the attachment plug side cable 44 together to the controller 41.

[0014] Furthermore, a total of 14 buttons are provided on the surface of the planar portion 10: three buttons 200 at the upper right end, three buttons 201 at the upper left end, buttons 202, 204, 206, and 208 in order from the top at the right end, and buttons 203, 205, 207, and 209 in order from the top at the left end. As an example, snap buttons are used as the buttons 200 to 209.

[0015] Button 200 and button 201 attached to the upper end of the surface of planar portion 10 each have a locking portion or a locked portion. All of the buttons in button 200 are of the same type (locking portion or locked portion), and all of the buttons in button 201 are of the same type (locking portion or locked portion), but buttons 200 and 201 are of different types (locking portion or locked portion). For example, if all three buttons 200 are locking portions, all three buttons 201 are locked portions.

[0016] Four buttons are attached to each of the right and left ends of the surface of the planar portion 10, and like buttons 200 and 201, each has an engaging portion or an engaged portion. When one of the first right button 202 and the second right button 204 is an engaging portion, the other becomes an engaged portion. Similarly, at the left end, when one of the first left button 203 and the second left button 205 is an engaging portion, the other becomes an engaged portion. For example, when the first right button 202 is an engaged portion, the second right button 204 is an engaging portion, and when the first left button 203 is an engaged portion, the second left button 205 is an engaging portion.

[0017] The third right button 206 and the fourth right button 208 are of the same type (locking portion or locked portion), and the third left button 207 and the fourth left button 209 are of the same type (locking portion or locked portion). However, the third right button 206 and the fourth right button 208 are of different types (locking portion or locked portion) from the third left button 207 and the fourth left button 209. For example, if the third right button 206 and the fourth right button 208 are locking portions, the third left button 207 and the fourth left button 209 are locked portions.

[0018] Only button 200 has an engaging portion or an engaged portion on the front side, while buttons 201 to 209 are on the back side. That is, buttons 201 to 209 are attached so that the engaging portion or the engaged portion is visible when viewed from the bottom. Note that, in this embodiment, buttons 200 to 209 are taken as an example of snap buttons, but they may be hook-and-loop fasteners or a combination of buttons and button holes, and can be appropriately changed as long as they can be locked.

[0019] Also, a pocket 300 is provided at the lower left part of the back surface of the planar part 10. The pocket 300 has its left and right sides and lower side sewn to the planar member 11, and its upper side is open. The pocket 300 serves as a storage part where the user can store small items when wearing the electric blanket 1.

[0020] In the electric blanket 1 configured as described above, in order to make it easier for the user using the electric blanket 1 to operate the controller 41, it has a holding part 30 for holding the controller 41 provided on the power cable 40. The holding part 30 is at the end of the planar part 10 and is arranged within the reach of the hand when the user of the electric blanket 1 wears it. Specifically, the holding part 30 is on the right side of the rectangle of the planar part 10 and is arranged at a position below the middle in the vertical direction. Also, the holding part 30 is located above the connector part 20. That is, the connector part 20 and the holding part 30 are arranged on the same side of the planar part 10.

[0021] Here, as shown in FIG. 1, when the length from the holding part 30 to the connector part 20 is L1 and the length from the power supply part 43 to the controller connection part 46, that is, the length of the connector-side cable 42 is L2, there is a relationship of L1 < L2. In this way, by making the length from the holding part 30 to the connector part 20 shorter than the length of the connector-side cable 42, the holding part 30 can hold the controller 41 while the power supply part 43 of the power cable 40 is connected to the connector part 20.

[0022] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing details of the holding unit 30. Fig. 2(a-1) is a plan view of the holding unit 30 before it holds the controller 41, and Fig. 2(a-2) is a plan view of the holding unit 30 holding the controller 41. Fig. 2(b-1) is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in Fig. 2(a-1), and Fig. 2(b-2) is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Fig. 2(a-2).

[0023] The holding portion 30 has a generally band-shaped holding piece 31 , a locking portion 32 , and a locked portion 33 . The retaining piece 31 is connected to an end of the sheet-like portion 10, and is disposed in a state in which it protrudes outward (to the right) from the end of the sheet-like portion 10. Specifically, one end of the retaining piece 31 in the longitudinal direction is directly sewn to the border cloth portion 12 of the sheet-like portion 10, thereby connecting it to the end of the sheet-like portion 10. The retaining piece 31 is made of a deformable material, for example, a brushed tricot material. In this embodiment, the retaining piece 31 and the border cloth portion 12 are made of a common material in order to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0024] The locking portion 32 and the locked portion 33 are configured to be able to lock with each other. Specifically, the locking portion 32 and the locked portion 33 are fixed to the rear surface side of the holding piece 31 at positions spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the holding piece 31. Either the locking portion 32 or the locked portion 33 is formed as a convex portion, and the other is formed as a concave portion. Snap buttons are used as an example for the locking portion 32 and the locked portion 33. The snap button in this embodiment is of a type in which the locking portion 32 and the locked portion 33 are disposed on the back side of the holding piece 31 by fixing the locking portion 32 and the locked portion 33 to the front side of the holding piece 31 with the head 34, but may be of a type in which the locking portion 32 and the locked portion 33 are fixed to the holding piece 31 by sewing or the like without using the head 34.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2(a-1) and (b-1), when the holding portion 30 is not holding the controller 41, for example, the holding piece 31 is in a state of extending in the longitudinal direction. On the other hand, as shown in Figures 2(a-2) and (b-2), when the holding portion 30 holds the controller 41, the holding piece 31 is folded back halfway, and a hole 37 for holding the controller 41 is formed. In short, it is possible to transition from the state of FIGS. 2(a-2) and (b-2) in which the holes 37 are formed to the state of FIGS. 2(a-1) and (b-1) in which the holes 37 are opened.

[0026] When holding the controller 41 in the holding part 30, the user folds the holding piece 31 back at the center in the longitudinal direction and applies force to bring the locking part 32 and the locked part 33 close together while they face each other, thereby fitting the convex part and the concave part together. As the convex part and the concave part fit together, the locking part 32 and the locked part 33 are locked together as shown in Figures 2(a-2) and (b-2). As the locking part 32 and the locked part 33 are locked together, a hole 37 is formed.

[0027] Hole 37 is located outside the outer periphery (edging portion 12) of sheet portion 10. Hole 37 is large enough to allow connector side cable 42 and attachment plug side cable 44 connected to controller 41 to be inserted therethrough, but is not large enough to allow controller 41 to be inserted therethrough. In other words, the circumferential length of the inner circumference of hole 37 is smaller than the circumferential length of the outer circumference along the left-right direction of controller 41. Therefore, when controller 41 is held by holding portion 30, controller 41 will not slip through hole 37 and fall. In addition, when the user applies force to separate the engaging portion 32 from the engaged portion 33, the engagement between the convex portion and the concave portion is released, and the engaging portion 32 is detached from the engaged portion 33, and the hole 37 is opened as shown in Figures 2(a-1) and (b-1).

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2(a-1), when viewed from the front surface side of the planar portion 10, with the hole 37 open, the head 34 of the engaging portion 32 and the head 34 of the engaged portion 33 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. 2(a-2), when the hole 37 is formed, only the head 34 of the locking portion 32 is visible when viewed from the front side of the planar portion 10, and the head 34 of the locked portion 33 is not visible because it is located on the back side. Therefore, conversely, when viewed from the back side of the planar portion 10, only the head 34 of the locked portion 33 is visible, and the head 34 of the locking portion 32 is not visible. In this embodiment, the fastening portion 32 and the fastened portion 33 are snap buttons. However, they can be modified as appropriate to use hook-and-loop fasteners, hooks, or the like that can form the holes 37.

[0029] FIG. 3(a) is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the holding unit 30 in a state where only the controller 41 is held. When only the controller 41 is held by the holding part 30, the holding piece 31 is folded back so as to wrap the controller connection part 46 (or the connector side cable 42 and the plug side cable 44) of the power cable 40 from the outside with the hole 37 of the holding part 30 open, and the locking part 32 and the locked part 33 are locked. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the controller 41 is held by the holding part 30 in a state where the controller connection part 46 is inserted through the hole 37 formed in the holding part 30 and the controller 41 is positioned above the holding part 30. The controller 41 is held so as to be approximately parallel to the border cloth part 12 of the planar part 10. Here, the circumferential length of the inner circumference of the hole 37 formed in the holding part 30 is smaller than the circumferential length of the outer circumference along the left-right direction of the controller 41, so that the controller 41 is held by the holding part 30 without slipping through the hole 37 and falling. Furthermore, when the controller 41 is held by the holding portion 30 , a portion of the controller connection portion 46 is exposed from the lower side of the holding portion 30 .

[0030] FIG. 3(b) is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the holding portion 30 in a state where the controller 41 and the attachment plug side cable 44 are held together. When the controller 41 and the plug-side cable 44 are held by the holding section 30, the holding piece 31 is folded back so as to wrap the plug-side cable 44, which has been folded over several times, and the connector-side cable 42 from the outside, with the hole 37 of the holding section 30 open, and the locking section 32 and the locked section 33 are locked. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the folded plug-side cable 44 and the connector-side cable 42 are inserted through the hole 37 formed in the holding section 30, and the controller 41 is held by the holding section 30 in a state where it is positioned above the holding section 30. Here, similar to the case where only the controller 41 is held by the holding section 30, the controller 41 is held by the holding section 30 without slipping through the hole 37 and falling. Note that, when the controller 41 is held by the holding section 30, the controller connection section 46 may be positioned above the holding section 30, or may be positioned so that a part of it is exposed below the holding section 30.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of electric blanket 1 when worn. The electric blanket 1 can be worn like a robe. The electric blanket 1 is wrapped around the body with the back surface in contact with the back, and the electric blanket 1 can be fixed around the neck by engaging the buttons 200 and 201 shown in FIG. 1. At this time, it is preferable to engage the buttons that are symmetrically positioned with each other, but it is also possible to engage the buttons that are not symmetrically positioned with each other. Then, the first button 202 on the right end and the second button 204 on the right end are engaged, and the first button 203 on the left end and the second button 205 on the left end are engaged, thereby creating sleeves through which the arms can be passed. By creating sleeves through which the arms can be passed in this way, the arms can be moved freely while wearing the electric blanket 1, so that the user can easily do housework, read a book, or carry things while wearing the electric blanket 1.

[0032] If one wishes to fit electric blanket 1 even closer to the body or wish to reduce contact with the outside air, one can fasten third right-hand button 206 and third left-hand button 207, and fourth right-hand button 208 and fourth left-hand button 209. By doing so, electric blanket 1 will cover the upper and lower halves of the body, providing a tight fit that makes it easier to heat (warm) the body. It is not necessary that the buttons are locked together when they are symmetrically positioned, and the buttons to be locked may be changed depending on the purpose of use.

[0033] The user puts on the electric blanket 1 by engaging the buttons of the electric blanket 1 as described above. Furthermore, the power supply unit 43 of the power cable 40 is connected to the connector unit 20 of the electric blanket 1, and the plug 45 at the end of the power cable 40 is inserted into an outlet, so that the electric blanket is ready for power supply. The user slides the switch 47 of the controller 41 to supply power to the heater wire 13, and the planar portion 10 can be heated (warmed). Conventionally, after the controller is operated, the controller is placed on the floor, not in a position close to the user. The electric blanket 1 of this embodiment has a holding unit 30 for holding the controller 41, so that the controller 41 can be held by the holding unit 30 after the controller 41 is operated.

[0034] The method of holding the controller 41 is to position the controller 41 above the holding portion 30, and then fold the holding piece 31 back so as to wrap around the controller connection portion 46 of the power cable 40 from the outside, and engage the engaging portion 32 and the engaged portion 33. At this time, the plug side cable 44, which has been folded over multiple times, may be held together. When the user wishes to change the set temperature or turn off the power, the controller 41 held by the holding portion 30 is located close to the user, and therefore the user can easily operate the controller 41. In addition, when operating the controller 41, the user is not limited to directly operating the controller 41, but may operate the controller 41 by pulling it up while it is held in the holding portion 30, or may open the hole 37 in the holding portion 30 and lift up the controller 41 to operate it.

[0035] In addition to the above-mentioned examples of use, the electric blanket 1 may also be used by placing it on one's lap. For example, when sitting on a sofa or a chair and placing the electric blanket 1 on one's lap, the controller 41 can be held in the holding part 30 to prevent the controller 41 from falling off the sofa or chair. Preventing the controller 41 from falling off can avoid the risk of the controller 41 being dropped and damaged. In this case, it is not limited to holding only the controller 41, and the connector side cable 42 or the attachment plug side cable 44 folded multiple times may also be held together. Electric blanket 1 may also be used by placing it under the body when the user lies down, by draping it over the body, or by placing it on a seat.

[0036] <Second embodiment> The air conditioner of this embodiment is a blanket. The blanket 2 of this embodiment heats (warms) a human being as an object. 5(a) is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the blanket 2. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0037] The blanket 2 is used by placing it under the body when the user lies down, or by covering the body. The blanket 2 has a sheet portion 10, a connector portion 20, and a holding portion 30. The sheet portion 10 has a function of heating an object, and corresponds to an example of a cooling and heating portion. The sheet portion 10 is generally flat and has a substantially rectangular shape. Specifically, the sheet portion 10 is longer in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction. The connector portion 20 is disposed at an end of the sheet portion 10. Specifically, the connector portion 20 is disposed on the left side of the rectangle of the sheet portion 10, and is disposed at a position above the middle. The holding portion 30 is disposed at an end of the sheet portion 10. Specifically, the holding portion 30 is disposed on the left side of the rectangle of the sheet portion 10, and is disposed at a position above the middle in the vertical direction. In addition, the holding portion 30 is disposed above the connector portion 20. That is, the connector portion 20 and the holding portion 30 are disposed on the same side of the sheet portion 10. When the user uses the blanket 2 by lying down and placing it under the body or by covering the body, the holding part 30 is disposed within reach of the user.

[0038] 1, the electric blanket 2 also has a built-in heater wire 13, and when the power supply unit 43 of the power cable 40 is connected to the connector unit 20, power is supplied to the heater wire 13 via the power cable 40, causing the heater wire 13 to generate heat. When using the electric blanket 2, the power supply unit 43 of the power cable 40 is connected to the connector unit 20, and the plug 45 of the power cable 40 is inserted into an outlet. This enables electricity to flow, so the controller 41 provided on the power cable 40 is turned on and the controller 41 is held by the holding unit 30.

[0039] An example of the case where the blanket 2 is used to cover the body will be described with reference to FIG. When the user lies down and drapes the sleeping blanket 2 over the user's body, the holding part 30 is located at the upper left of the surface of the sleeping blanket 2. By having the holding part 30 at the upper left of the surface of the sleeping blanket 2, the controller 41 can be held within easy reach of the user. In other words, when the user wants to operate the controller 41, the user does not need to take the trouble of sitting up, and can operate it by stretching out his / her hand while lying down. In addition, since the controller 41 is held by the holding part 30, there is no need to worry about the controller 41 dropping off the bed 400 or moving away from the user when going to sleep. By preventing the controller 41 from dropping, the risk of the controller 41 being damaged by dropping it can also be avoided. The blanket 2 may also be used by the user by laying it on the seat or draping it over his / her lap.

[0040] <Third embodiment> The cooling and heating device of this embodiment is a blanket. The blanket 3 of this embodiment heats (warms) a human being as an object. 5(b) is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the sleeping blanket 3. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0041] The bed blanket 3 is used by placing it under the body when the user lies down. The bed blanket 3 has a sheet portion 10, a connector portion 20, and a holding portion 30. The sheet portion 10 has a function of heating an object and corresponds to an example of a heating and cooling portion. The sheet portion 10 is generally flat and has a substantially rectangular shape. Specifically, the sheet portion 10 is longer in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction. The connector portion 20 is disposed at an end of the sheet portion 10. Specifically, the connector portion 20 is disposed on the right side of the rectangle of the sheet portion 10, and is disposed at a position above the middle. The holding portion 30 is disposed at an end of the sheet portion 10. Specifically, the holding portion 30 is disposed on the right side of the rectangle of the sheet portion 10, and is disposed at a position above the middle in the vertical direction. In addition, the holding portion 30 is located above the connector portion 20. That is, the connector portion 20 and the holding portion 30 are disposed on the same side of the sheet portion 10. When the user lies down and places the blanket 3 under his / her body, the holding portion 30 is positioned within reach of the user.

[0042] 1, the blanket 3 also has a built-in heater wire 13, and when the power supply unit 43 of the power cable 40 is connected to the connector unit 20, power is supplied to the heater wire 13 via the power cable 40, and the heater wire 13 generates heat. When the blanket 3 is to be used, the power supply unit 43 of the power cable 40 is connected to the connector unit 20, and the plug 45 of the power cable 40 is inserted into an outlet. This enables electricity to flow, so the controller 41 provided on the power cable 40 is turned on and the controller 41 is held by the holding unit 30.

[0043] When the user lies down and places the bed blanket 3 under the user's body, the holding part 30 is located at the upper right part of the surface of the bed blanket 3. By attaching the holding part 30 to the upper right part of the surface of the bed blanket 3, the controller 41 can be held within the range that the user can easily reach. In other words, when the user wants to operate the controller 41, the user does not need to take the trouble of sitting up, and can operate it by stretching out his / her hand while lying down. In addition, since the controller 41 is held by the holding part 30, there is no need to worry about the controller 41 dropping off the bed 400 or moving away from the user when going to sleep. By preventing the controller 41 from dropping, the risk of the controller 41 being damaged by dropping it can also be avoided. The sleeping blanket 3 may also be used by covering the body when the user lies down, by placing it on the lap, or by placing it on the seat.

[0044] <Fourth embodiment> The cooling and heating device of this embodiment is a bed pad. The bed pad 4 of this embodiment heats (warms) a human being as an object. 6(a) is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the bed pad 4. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0045] The bed pad 4 is used by placing it under the body when the user lies down. The bed pad 4 has a planar portion 10, a connector portion 20, and a holding portion 30. The planar portion 10 has a function of heating an object, and corresponds to an example of a cooling and heating portion. The planar portion 10 is generally flat and has a substantially rectangular shape. Specifically, the planar portion 10 is longer in the vertical direction than in the horizontal direction. The connector portion 20 is disposed at the end of the planar portion 10. Specifically, the connector portion 20 is disposed on the right side of the rectangle of the planar portion 10, and is disposed at a position above the middle. The holding portion 30 is disposed at the end of the planar portion 10. Specifically, the holding portion 30 is disposed on the right side of the rectangle of the planar portion 10, and is disposed at a position above the middle in the vertical direction. In addition, the holding portion 30 is located above the connector portion 20. That is, the connector portion 20 and the holding portion 30 are disposed on the same side of the planar portion 10. When the user lies down and places the mattress pad 4 under his / her body, the holding portion 30 is positioned within reach of the user.

[0046] 1, the bed pad 4 also has a built-in heater wire 13, and when the power supply unit 43 of the power cable 40 is connected to the connector unit 20, power is supplied to the heater wire 13 via the power cable 40, causing the heater wire 13 to generate heat. When using the bed pad 4, the power supply unit 43 of the power cable 40 is connected to the connector unit 20, and the plug 45 of the power cable 40 is inserted into an outlet. This enables electricity to flow, so the controller 41 provided on the power cable 40 is turned on and the controller 41 is held by the holding unit 30.

[0047] An example of the case where the bed pad 4 is placed under the body will be described with reference to FIG. When the user lies down and uses the bed pad 4 under his / her body, the holding part 30 is located at the upper right part of the surface of the bed pad 4. By attaching the holding part 30 to the upper right part of the surface of the bed pad 4, the controller 41 can be held within the range that the user can easily reach. In other words, when the user wants to operate the controller 41, the user does not have to take the trouble of sitting up, and can operate it by stretching out his / her hand while lying down. In addition, since the controller 41 is held by the holding part 30, there is no need to worry about the controller 41 dropping off the bed 400 or moving away from the user when going to sleep. By preventing the controller 41 from dropping, the risk of the controller 41 being damaged by dropping it can also be avoided.

[0048] <Fifth embodiment> The air conditioner of this embodiment is a hot seat. The hot seat 5 of this embodiment heats (warms) a human being as an object. 6(b) is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the hot seat 5. Note that the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0049] The hot sheet 5 is used by being laid on the seat surface on which the user sits. The hot sheet 5 has a planar portion 10, a connector portion 20, and a holding portion 30. The planar portion 10 has a function of heating an object, and corresponds to an example of a cooling and heating portion. The planar portion 10 is generally flat and has a substantially rectangular shape. Specifically, the planar portion 10 is longer in the left-right direction than in the up-down direction. The connector portion 20 is disposed at an end of the planar portion 10. Specifically, the connector portion 20 is disposed on the right side of the rectangle of the planar portion 10, and is disposed below the middle. The holding portion 30 is disposed at an end of the planar portion 10. Specifically, the holding portion 30 is disposed on the right side of the rectangle of the planar portion 10, and is disposed approximately in the middle in the up-down direction. In addition, the holding portion 30 is located above the connector portion 20. That is, the connector portion 20 and the holding portion 30 are disposed on the same side of the planar portion 10. When a user uses the hot sheet 5 by placing it on the seat surface, the holding portion 30 is disposed within reach of the user.

[0050] 1, the hot sheet 5 also has a built-in heater wire 13, and when the power supply unit 43 of the power cable 40 is connected to the connector unit 20, power is supplied to the heater wire 13 via the power cable 40, causing the heater wire 13 to generate heat. When the hot sheet 5 is to be used, the power supply unit 43 of the power cable 40 is connected to the connector unit 20, and the plug 45 of the power cable 40 is inserted into an outlet. This enables electricity to flow, so the controller 41 provided on the power cable 40 is turned on and the controller 41 is held by the holding unit 30.

[0051] An example of the case where the hot sheet 5 is used by placing it on the seat of a sofa, a chair, or the like will be described with reference to FIG. Since the holding part 30 is attached to the approximate center of the right side of the hot seat 5, the controller 41 can be held on a sofa or chair, and the user can operate the controller 41 while sitting on the sofa or chair. Holding the controller 41 in the holding part 30 can prevent the controller 41 from falling off the sofa or chair. Preventing the controller 41 from falling can avoid the risk of the controller 41 being dropped and damaged. The hot sheet 5 may also be used by placing it under the body when the user lies down, by draping it over the body, or by placing it on the lap.

[0052] The present invention has been described above using the above-mentioned embodiments and examples. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and examples, and modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. Part of the configuration of each embodiment may be appropriately combined with other embodiments.

[0053] In the above-mentioned embodiment, the air conditioner is an electric blanket, a throw blanket, a mattress pad, or a hot sheet, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the air conditioner may be a lap blanket, a carpet, a sheet to be placed under a carpet, a cushion, a foot warmer, a cushion, a muffler, boots, slippers, a handlebar cover, or a heating belt.

[0054] The materials, arrangements, and quantities described in the above-mentioned embodiments are merely examples and can be changed as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1: electric blanket 2: blanket for laying 3: blanket for laying 4: bed pad 5: hot sheet 10: sheet portion 11: sheet member 12: border cloth portion 13: heater wire 20: connector portion 30: holding portion 31: holding piece 32: engaging portion 33: engaged portion 34: head 37: hole 40: power cable 41: controller 42: connector side cable 43: power supply portion 44: plug side cable 45: plug 46: controller connection portion 47: switch 200-209: button 300: pocket

Claims

1. A heating and cooling unit that heats or cools an object; a connector portion for connecting a power cable for supplying electricity to the cooling and heating portion; a holding portion that holds a controller provided on the power cable.

2. The air conditioning device according to claim 1 , wherein the holding portion is formed with a hole for holding the controller.

3. 3. The air conditioning device according to claim 2, wherein the hole is sized so that a cable connected to the controller can be inserted therethrough but the controller cannot be inserted therethrough.

4. The air-conditioning and heating device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the holding unit is capable of transitioning between a first state in which the hole is formed and a second state in which the hole is open and the controller cannot be held.

5. 3. The air-conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the holding portion is disposed at an end portion of the air-conditioning portion.

6. The cooling and heating unit has a flat, substantially rectangular shape, The air-conditioning device according to claim 5 , wherein the connector portion and the holding portion are disposed on the same side of the rectangle.

7. The air conditioner according to claim 1 , wherein the air conditioner is a blanket that can be worn by the object.

8. 2. The air-conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the air-conditioning unit is a blanket, a mattress pad or a hot sheet.

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