Cooling and heating mat

Abstract

To provide a cooling / heating mat which enables continuous temperature adjustment for cooling / heating, has a small number of parts, and is easy to manage hygiene and to lay in areas where people or pet animals sit or lie down, such as strollers, pet carts, and indoor floors. [Solution] The device is equipped with a Peltier unit 3 having a Peltier element and a current control means 5 for adjusting the amount of direct current supplied from a power source 4 to the Peltier element, and a plate-shaped mat member 2 that can be arranged with the heat transfer surface of the Peltier element exposed flush on its surface.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling / heating mat that can be laid in areas where people or pets sit or lie down for the purpose of adjusting the temperature for cooling or heating. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, as summer temperatures rise year by year due to global warming and abnormal weather, various products have been developed and used to protect infants, small children, and pets, who have a low tolerance for heat, by laying them in areas where they sit or lie down.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a heat-insulating / cool-insulating mat that is placed on an infant seat such as a stroller or child seat to keep warm or cool areas of the body that come into contact with the mat, and that is made by connecting a seat cover and a backrest cover, each of which has a removable flexible heat storage medium, via a belt or hook-and-loop fastener so that the mat can be attached, detached, and adjusted for distance and closeness.

[0004] In addition, Patent Document 2 states that the possible water content per unit volume is 0.05 cc / cm 3 ~0.5cc / cm 3 The cooling plate for pets is disclosed as being composed of a heat-conducting plate made of unglazed tiles that forms a cooling surface on which a pet can lie down, and a number of unevenness-adjusting materials that are provided on the bottom surface of the heat-conducting plate and come into contact with the installation surface, and which utilizes the heat of vaporization of water to lower the temperature. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Utility model registration No. 3108314 [Patent Document 2] Utility model registration No. 3115188 [Patent Document 3] JP 2015-060846 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the mat disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires a lot of maintenance because the flexible heat storage medium, such as ice packs, has a limited duration of effect, and cooling (or heating) is limited to the area where the heat storage medium is attached, so it is localized. In addition, the pet cooling plate disclosed in Patent Document 2 requires measures to prevent mold and other growths because the heat conductive plate is always wet, and it is expected that maintenance from a hygienic standpoint will be a lot of work. Furthermore, neither the mat disclosed in Patent Document 1 nor the pet cooling plate disclosed in Patent Document 2 allows the cooling or heating temperature to be freely set.

[0007] In this regard, the cooling unit of Patent Document 3 comprises a heat transfer plate, an expanded graphite foil occupying most of the area of ​​the heat transfer plate, a plate-shaped Peltier element, a cooler device, and a heat conductive member that transfers heat from the Peltier element to the cooler device. Although uniform cooling is possible, the overall unit is large and not easily applicable to baby strollers, pet carts, pet carrier bags, etc.

[0008] In addition, in terms of regulating the temperature of the living environment for infants, young children, and pets, it is necessary not only to protect them from the heat, but also to take measures to prevent them from getting cold.

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a cooling / heating mat that allows for sustained temperature adjustment for cooling or heating, and is easy to maintain hygienic conditions and to lay on baby strollers, pet carts, indoor floors, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the cooling / heating mat of the present application is a cooling / heating mat that is laid in an area where a person or a pet animal sits or lies down, and is characterized by comprising a Peltier unit having a Peltier element and a current control means for adjusting the amount of direct current supplied from a power source to the Peltier element, and a plate-shaped mat member that can be arranged with the heat transfer surface of the Peltier element exposed and flush on its surface.

[0011] The cooling / heating mat thus constructed can control the temperature by adjusting the amount of DC current supplied from the power source with the current control means to cool or warm the heat transfer surface of the Peltier element exposed on the surface of the mat member. Therefore, by sitting or lying on the cooling / heating mat and touching the Peltier element, the body of a person or a pet can be cooled or warmed to a desired temperature.

[0012] The power supply control means is capable of switching the direction of flow of the direct current supplied from the power source.

[0013] A cooling / heating mat configured in this manner can be used by switching between absorbing and dissipating heat on the heat transfer surface of the Peltier element exposed on the surface of the mat member, by simply operating a current control means, without having to physically switch the connection of the positive and negative poles of the DC current to the Peltier element.

[0014] The present invention is characterized in that it includes a heat-conducting member that is laid on the front surface side of the mat member and is cooled or heated by the Peltier element.

[0015] The cooling / heating mat thus constructed cools or warms the heat conductive member with the heat of the Peltier element, and when a person sits or lies on the cooling / heating mat, the heat of the Peltier element via the heat conductive member can cool or warm the human body or the body of a pet to a desired temperature. For example, if the pet is a small animal such as a rabbit or a mouse, direct cooling or heating is possible with the heat of the Peltier element as described above, but if the purpose of use is to adjust the temperature of the living environment of a pet such as an infant or a medium-sized or large dog, it is preferable that the area to be heated or cooled is a wide area rather than a local area, and in such a case, a cooling / heating mat of this construction is effective.

[0016] The present invention is further characterized in that it comprises a thick plate-like ventilation member disposed on the back side of the mat member and forming a ventilation space for the Peltier element.

[0017] The cooling / heating mat thus constructed forms a ventilation space for the Peltier element, thereby enabling the Peltier element to absorb and dissipate heat efficiently and reliably. Effect of the Invention

[0018] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cooling and heating mat that reduces the number of parts, enables temperature adjustment for cooling and heating, and is easy to maintain hygiene and to lay on strollers, pet carts, indoor floors, etc. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] An explanatory diagram of the configuration and usage example of one embodiment of the cooling and heating mat of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The cooling / heating mat 1 of this embodiment shown in Fig. 1 is laid out to protect a pet dog from heat and cold, and includes a rectangular, plate-shaped mat member 2 large enough for a dog to lie down on. In this embodiment, the mat member 2 is made of a porous material (including mesh) that has elasticity and restorability, such as foamed rubber.

[0021] A plurality of Peltier units 3 are arranged on the mat member 2. In this embodiment, the Peltier unit 3 includes a Peltier element (not shown) and a current control means 5 that adjusts the amount of direct current supplied from a power source 4 to the Peltier element.

[0022] Here, the Peltier element is composed of multiple pairs of p-type and n-type thermoelectric elements that are electrically connected in series and sandwiched between two metal or ceramic plates. By passing a direct current through the Peltier element, heat can be absorbed (cooled) on one side and waste heat (heated) from the other side. It is a thermoelectric conversion element that can reverse the heat absorption and waste heat sides by reversing the + and - poles of the DC power source 4.

[0023] The Peltier unit 3 of the cooling / heating mat 1 of this embodiment is built in a cylindrical case 6 with intake and exhaust holes (not shown) so that one of the heat transfer surfaces (cooling / heating part) of the Peltier element is exposed to the outside. Also built in the case 6 are a heat exchanger that takes in heat from a surface (waste heat part) of the Peltier element that faces the heat transfer surface and dissipates it into the air to perform heat exchange, and a blower that discharges the heat-exchanged air to the outside of the case 6. The heat exchanger can be, for example, a plurality of waste heat fins made of a metal with excellent thermal conductivity such as aluminum or copper. Note that the configurations of the Peltier element and the Peltier unit are publicly known, so detailed illustrations and explanations are omitted.

[0024] Each Peltier unit 3 is fitted into a fitting hole formed in the mat member 2 so that the heat transfer surface of each Peltier element is exposed flush with the upper surface of the mat member 2. In this embodiment, each Peltier element of the Peltier unit 3 is electrically connected to a portable battery (not shown) serving as a power source 4 by electrical wiring 7 via a current control means 5.

[0025] The current control means 5 in this embodiment adjusts the amount of DC current supplied from the power source 4, and further switches the flow direction of the DC current supplied from the power source 4. Adjusting the amount of DC current flow makes it possible to turn the Peltier element ON / OFF and control the temperature by cooling or heating the heat transfer surface of the Peltier element exposed on the surface of the mat member 2. Also, switching the flow direction of the DC current switches between heat absorption and waste heat on the heat transfer surface of the Peltier element exposed on the surface of the mat member 2, and switches between use of the cooling / heating mat 1 for cooling and use for heating.

[0026] In the cooling / heating mat 1 of this embodiment, the mat member 2 is covered with a cover 8 made of a thin cloth material to prevent adhesion of dirt such as dust and moisture to the mat member 2 and to suppress failure of the Peltier unit 3. In addition, by washing or replacing the cover 8, it is possible to maintain a good condition from a hygienic standpoint.

[0027] In this embodiment, a heat-conducting member 9 that covers the Peltier element and is cooled or heated by the Peltier element is placed above the mat member 2 via the cover 8. As the heat-conducting member 9, a sheet pack containing a cooling gel or a plate or sheet made of aluminum or the like with good thermal conductivity can be used as shown in Fig. 1, and the size of the heat-conducting member 9 is set to an appropriate size according to the body size of the baby or pet that will use the cooling / heating mat 1.

[0028] Furthermore, a ventilation member 10 is laid on the back side of the mat member 2 to form a ventilation space for the Peltier element built into the Peltier unit 3. For this ventilation member 10, it is desirable to use a thick plate-like member made of a porous material such as foamed rubber in order to form a ventilation path for waste heat when the cooling / heating mat 1 is used for cooling.

[0029] When this cooling / heating mat 1 is used to protect a pet dog from the heat, the current control means 5 is turned on for cooling, and the level of the DC current supply is adjusted so that the heat conductive member 9, which is cooled from the heat transfer surface of the Peltier element through the cover 8, reaches a desired temperature. Conversely, when the mat is used to protect a pet dog from the cold, the current control means 5 is turned on for heating, and the level of the current supply is adjusted so that the heat conductive member 9, which is heated from the heat transfer surface of the Peltier element through the cover 8, reaches a desired temperature.

[0030] In this case, the cooling / heating mat 1 of this embodiment can cool or warm the body of a pet such as an infant or a medium- or large-sized dog over a wide area rather than locally, by using the heat conductive member 9. The Peltier element operates for a long time as long as the supply of direct current from the power source 4 is not interrupted, and even if the supply of direct current is stopped, if the heat conductive member 9 is a gel material having a function of keeping things cool or warm, the function of the cooling / heating mat 1 can be maintained for a certain period of time.

[0031] Furthermore, by forming a ventilation space for the Peltier element with the ventilation member 10, it becomes possible to absorb and waste heat efficiently and reliably by the Peltier element. For example, when the mat member 2 is placed on the floor via the ventilation member 10 indoors and the cooling / heating mat 1 is used for cooling, the waste heat of the Peltier element flows through the ventilation member 10 into a space separated from the Peltier element, so that the Peltier element can be driven efficiently to perform the desired cooling.

[0032] For example, when the cooling / heating mat 1 of this embodiment is used inside a stroller or pet cart and its placement surface is made of a net material, the Peltier unit 3 is breathable through the net material, so the ventilation member 10 for securing a ventilation space can be omitted.

[0033] In this way, the cooling and heating mat 1 of this invention is composed of a small number of parts, can be switched between cooling and heating and can adjust the temperature using a power source 4 such as a mobile battery, can provide a long-lasting cooling and heating effect, is easily installed on strollers, pet carts, indoor floors, etc., does not use the latent heat of evaporation of water for cooling, and has a replaceable washable cover, making it an excellent product that also takes hygiene into consideration.

[0034] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1. Cooling and heating mat 2 Mat material 3 Peltier unit 4 Power supply 5. Power supply control section 6 Cases 7 Electrical wiring 8 Cover 9. Thermal Conductive Materials 10 Ventilation material

Claims

1. This is a heating and cooling mat that is laid in an area where a person or a pet animal sits or lies down, and is characterized by comprising a Peltier unit having a Peltier element and a current control means for adjusting the amount of direct current supplied from a power source to the Peltier element, and a plate-shaped mat member that can be arranged with the heat transfer surface of the Peltier element exposed and flush on its surface.

2. 2. The cooling / heating mat according to claim 1, wherein the current control means is capable of switching the flow direction of the direct current supplied from the power source.

3. 3. The cooling / heating mat according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a heat-conducting member laid on the surface side of the mat member and cooled or heated by the Peltier element.

4. 3. The cooling / heating mat according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a thick plate-like ventilation member disposed on the back side of the mat member and forming a ventilation space for the Peltier element.

5. A heating and cooling mat that is laid in an area where people or pet animals sit or lie down, a Peltier unit having a Peltier element and a current control means for adjusting the amount of direct current supplied from a power source to the Peltier element; a plate-shaped mat member on whose surface the heat transfer surface of the Peltier element can be exposed and flush; a heat conductive member that is laid on the front surface side of the mat member and is cooled or heated by the Peltier element; a thick plate-like ventilation member disposed on the back surface side of the mat member and forming a ventilation space for the Peltier element; A heating and cooling mat comprising:

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