Cooling device

Abstract

While suppressing the increase in the size of the device, it is possible to maintain the cooling sensation even after long-term use. To provide a cooling device. 【Solution means】The cooling device 1 includes a housing part 5 to be worn on a person's neck, a cooling plate 41R provided on the housing part 5 and contacting the neck in a state where the housing part 5 is worn on the person's neck, a Peltier element provided in contact with the cooling plate 41R to cool the cooling plate 41R, and an operation part 60 where an operation for operating the Peltier element is performed. Inside the operation part 60, a circuit board 70 equipped with a control IC that performs control to change the power supplied to the Peltier element at predetermined intervals is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device worn on a person's neck.

Background Art

[0002] As a cooling device worn on a person's neck, a device using a Peltier element has been devised (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Such a cooling device includes, for example, a housing portion worn on a person's neck, cooling members provided on the left and right of the housing portion, and Peltier elements provided in junction with the cooling members. And, in a state where the housing portion is worn on a person's neck, the left and right cooling members come into contact with the left and right of the neck to cool the neck.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, when the neck is cooled at a certain low temperature by the cooling device, the skin sensation of the portion in contact with the cooling member on the person's neck gets used to the low temperature, so it has been difficult to sustain the cold feeling against the cooling member.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a cooling device that can sustain the cold feeling even when used for a long time while suppressing an increase in the size of the device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve such an object, the cooling device according to the present invention includes a housing portion to be worn around a person's neck, a cooling member (e.g., the left and right cooling plates 41L and 41R in the embodiment) provided on the housing portion and contacting the neck in a state where the housing portion is worn around the person's neck, a Peltier element (e.g., the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R in the embodiment) provided in contact with the cooling member to cool the cooling member, and an operation portion where an operation for operating the Peltier element is performed. A controller (e.g., the control IC 71 in the embodiment) for performing control to change the power supplied to the Peltier element at predetermined time intervals is provided inside the operation portion.

[0007] In the above-described cooling device, the controller can perform either a first control (e.g., comfort mode control in the embodiment) for changing the power supplied to the Peltier element at predetermined time intervals or a second control (e.g., high mode control and low mode control in the embodiment) for keeping the power supplied to the Peltier element constant. The operation portion preferably has an operation switch (e.g., the push button switch 62 in the embodiment) for selecting either the first control or the second control. In this case, it is preferable that the operation portion is provided with a first light-emitting portion (e.g., the comfort mode light-emitting portion 68 in the embodiment) that emits light when the first control is performed and a second light-emitting portion (e.g., the high mode light-emitting portion 66 and the low mode light-emitting portion 67 in the embodiment) that emits light when the second control is performed. Incidentally, the above-mentioned "comfort mode" may be referred to as a "fluctuation mode", and the above-mentioned "comfort mode control" may be referred to as a "fluctuation mode control".

[0008] In the above-described cooling device, a heat sink (for example, the left and right heat sinks 46L and 46R in the embodiment) provided by being joined to a portion of the Peltier element opposite to the portion joined to the cooling member, and a blower (for example, the left and right blower fans 47L and 47R in the embodiment) that is attached to the housing portion so as to face the heat sink and blows air toward the heat sink are preferably provided.

[0009] In the above-described cooling device, the housing portion includes a rear housing portion that is located behind the neck when the housing portion is worn on a person's neck, a left housing portion that is connected to the left end portion of the rear housing portion and is located to the left of the neck when the housing portion is worn on a person's neck, and a right housing portion that is connected to the right end portion of the rear housing portion and is located to the right of the neck when the housing portion is worn on a person's neck. The cooling member is provided on each of the left housing portion and the right housing portion, contacts the left and right sides of the neck when the housing portion is worn on a person's neck, the left housing portion is connected to the left end portion of the rear housing portion so as to be swingably displaceable in the left-right direction, and a left biasing member that applies a biasing force for swinging the left housing portion to the right with respect to the left housing portion is provided at a connecting portion between the left housing portion and the left end portion of the rear housing portion. The right housing portion is connected to the right end portion of the rear housing portion so as to be swingably displaceable in the left-right direction, and a right biasing member that applies a biasing force for swinging the right housing portion to the left with respect to the right housing portion is preferably provided at a connecting portion between the right housing portion and the right end portion of the rear housing portion.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, a controller for performing control to change the power supplied to the Peltier element at predetermined time intervals is provided inside an operation unit where an operation for operating the Peltier element is performed. Thereby, before the skin sensation of the portion in contact with the cooling member on a person's neck gets accustomed to a certain low temperature, the temperature of the cooling member cooled by the Peltier element can be changed. Therefore, by providing the controller inside the operation unit, it is possible to suppress the enlargement of the device and to maintain the cooling sensation even when the cooling device is used for a long time.

[0011] In the above cooling device, it is preferable that the operation unit has an operation switch for performing an operation to select either a first control for changing the power supplied to the Peltier element every predetermined time or a second control for making the power supplied to the Peltier element constant. By enabling selection of different control methods for the power supplied to the Peltier element, it becomes possible to adjust the cooling sensation on the cooling member according to the user's preference. In this case, it is preferable that the operation unit is provided with a first light-emitting unit that emits light when the first control is performed and a second light-emitting unit that emits light when the second control is performed. Thereby, it is possible to easily know which of the first control and the second control is being performed.

[0012] The above cooling device preferably includes a heat sink provided in contact with the Peltier element and a blower that blows air toward the heat sink. Thereby, with a simple configuration, the cooling effect of the cooling member by the Peltier element can be enhanced.

[0013] In the above cooling device, a left biasing member that applies a biasing force for swinging and displacing rightward with respect to the left housing portion is provided at the connecting portion between the left housing portion and the left end portion of the rear housing portion, and a right biasing member that applies a biasing force for swinging and displacing leftward with respect to the right housing portion is provided at the connecting portion between the right housing portion and the right end portion of the rear housing portion. Thereby, in a state where the housing portion is worn on a person's neck, it is possible to prevent the cooling member that has come into contact with the left and right sides of the neck from separating from the neck.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As an embodiment to which the present invention is applied, a cooling device 1 also called a neck cooler used by being worn on a person's neck will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. For the sake of convenience of explanation, the directions of the arrows added to FIG. 1 are defined as front - rear, left - right, and up - down, and the following explanation will be made. As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling device 1 includes a housing portion 5, a power cable 50 connected to the rear side of the housing portion 5, and an operation portion 60 provided in an intermediate portion of the power cable 50.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the housing part 5 is composed of a rear housing part 10, a left housing part 30L connected to the left end of the rear housing part 10, and a right housing part 30R connected to the right end of the rear housing part 10, and is adapted to be worn on a person's neck NK. Note that since there are individual differences in the size, shape, etc. of a person's neck NK, it is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 in a simplified manner by a two-dot chain line. The rear housing part 10 is located behind the neck NK in a state where the housing part 5 is worn on the neck NK of a person. The left housing part 30L is located to the left of the neck NK in a state where the housing part 5 is worn on the neck NK of a person. The right housing part 30R is located to the right of the neck NK in a state where the housing part 5 is worn on the neck NK of a person.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rear housing part 10 is composed of a base member 11, a left arm member 21L, and a right arm member 21R. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the base member 11 is formed in an arc shape that extends in the left-right direction and is curved so that the central side is recessed rearward. The left arm member 21L is nested and combined on the left side of the base member 11, and the right arm member 21R is nested and combined on the right side of the base member 11. By relatively moving the left arm member 21L and the right arm member 21R with respect to the base member 11, the rear housing part 10 can be expanded and contracted along an arc extending in the left-right direction. As shown in FIG. 1, a cable housing part 12 for housing one end of the power cable 50 is formed at the lower center of the base member 11. One end of the power cable 50 housed in the cable housing part 12 is electrically connected to a relay substrate 16 (see FIG. 10) attached inside the cable housing part 12.

[0018] Note that a cable (not shown) connected to electrical components (such as the left Peltier element 43L and the left blower fan 47L described later) and the relay board 16 provided in the left housing portion 30L is inserted between the left side portion of the base member 11 combined in a nested manner and the inside of the left arm member 21L. Also, a cable (not shown) connected to electrical components (such as the right Peltier element 43R and the right blower fan 47R described later) and the relay board 16 provided in the right housing portion 30R is inserted between the right side portion of the base member 11 combined in a nested manner and the inside of the right arm member 21R.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a strap mounting hole portion 13 in the shape of an angular hole penetrating across the right end face and the front face of the cable housing portion 12 is formed at the right front portion of the cable housing portion 12. A string-like member (not shown) such as a strap can be inserted and attached to the strap mounting hole portion 13. An adjustment part mounting hole portion 14 is formed at the central front portion of the base member 11. A boss portion of the adjustment part 19 (see FIG. 6) is detachably fitted into the adjustment part mounting hole portion 14.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, it is possible to attach the adjustment part 19 to the central front side of the front face of the rear housing portion 10 (base member 11). The adjustment part 19 is formed in an arc shape having a smaller radius of curvature than the base member 11 and the left and right arm members 21L and 21R. By fitting a boss portion (not shown) formed at the rear portion of the adjustment part 19 into the adjustment part mounting hole portion 14 of the base member 11, the adjustment part 19 is detachably attached to the central front side of the front face of the rear housing portion 10. The distance in the front-rear direction from the central front portion of the front face of the adjustment part 19 attached to the rear housing portion 10 to the left housing portion 30L and the right housing portion 30R is smaller than the distance in the front-rear direction from the central front portion of the front face of the rear housing portion 10 (base member 11) to the left housing portion 30L and the right housing portion 30R. Therefore, in a state where the adjustment part 19 is attached to the rear housing portion 10, it becomes easier to attach the housing portion 5 (that is, the cooling device 1) to the neck of a small person such as a child.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the left arm member 21L is formed in an arc shape curved in accordance with the left side portion of the base member 11. The left arm member 21L can slide along an arc extending in the left-right direction between a left-side reduced position (see FIG. 4) overlapping the left side portion of the base member 11 and a left-side extended position (see FIG. 5) located more to the left than the left-side reduced position. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, a left arm side connecting portion 22L is formed at the left end portion of the left arm member 21L. The left arm side connecting portion 22L is hinge-connected to the left case side connecting portion 32L of the left housing portion 30L via a hinge shaft portion 23L.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the right arm member 21R is formed in an arc shape curved in accordance with the right side portion of the base member 11. Note that the right arm member 21R is formed symmetrically with the left arm member 21L with respect to the left-right direction. The right arm member 21R can slide along an arc extending in the left-right direction between a right-side reduced position (see FIG. 4) overlapping the right side portion of the base member 11 and a right-side extended position (see FIG. 5) located more to the right than the right-side reduced position. As shown in FIG. 2, a right arm side connecting portion 22R is formed at the right end portion of the right arm member 21R. The right arm side connecting portion 22R is hinge-connected to the right case side connecting portion 32R of the right housing portion 30R via a hinge shaft portion (not shown).

[0023] As shown in FIG. 5, by sliding the left arm member 21L to the left-side extended position and sliding the right arm member 21R to the right-side extended position, the rear housing portion 10 can be extended along an arc extending in the left-right direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, by sliding the left arm member 21L to the left-side reduced position and sliding the right arm member 21R to the right-side reduced position, the rear housing portion 10 can be reduced to its original size. In a state where the rear housing portion 10 is extended, the distance between the left housing portion 30L and the right housing portion 30R can be made larger than in a state where the rear housing portion 10 is reduced, so that it becomes easier to attach the housing portion 5 (that is, the cooling device 1) to the neck NK of a relatively large person.

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the left housing portion 30L is configured to have a left case member 31L. The left case member 31L is formed in a box shape with a large opening on the right side. A left case side connecting portion 32L is formed at the rear end portion of the left case member 31L. As described above, the left case side connecting portion 32L is hinge-connected to the left arm side connecting portion 22L of the rear housing portion 10 (left arm member 21L) via the hinge shaft portion 23L. Thereby, the left housing portion 30L is connected to the left end portion of the rear housing portion 10 so as to be swingably displaced in the left - right direction.

[0025] Note that the left housing portion 30L can swing and displace from a forward - facing position (refer to FIG. 4) where the tip (front end) of the left housing portion 30L faces forward (to the left) to an inward - facing position (refer to FIG. 6) where the tip of the left housing portion 30L faces right (to the left). Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the left housing portion 30L can swing and displace from the above - mentioned forward - facing position to the inward - facing position even when the rear housing portion 10 is in an extended state. As shown in FIG. 8, a left biasing member 26L is attached across the left case side connecting portion 32L of the left case member 31L in the left housing portion 30L and the left arm side connecting portion 22L of the left arm member 21L in the rear housing portion 10. The left biasing member 26L is configured using, for example, a torsion coil spring, and applies a biasing force to swing - displace the left housing portion 30L to the right. Thereby, in a state where the housing portion 5 is attached to a person's neck NK, it is possible to prevent the left cooling plate 41L that has come into contact with the left side of the neck NK from separating from the neck NK.

[0026] On the left side of the left case member 31L, a left outer ventilation port portion 33L is formed. The left outer ventilation port portion 33L is configured to have a plurality of rectangular small holes arranged in the front-rear direction. On the upper part of the left case member 31L, an upper left ventilation port portion 34L is formed. The upper left ventilation port portion 34L is configured to have a plurality of rectangular small holes arranged in the front-rear direction. On the lower part of the left case member 31L, a lower left ventilation port portion (not shown) is formed. The lower left ventilation port portion is configured to have a plurality of rectangular small holes arranged in the front-rear direction, similar to the upper left ventilation port portion 34L. On the front part of the left case member 31L, a left front ventilation port portion 36L is formed. The left front ventilation port portion 36L is configured to have a plurality of rectangular small holes arranged in the left-right direction. On the rear part of the left case member 31L, a left rear ventilation port portion 37L is formed. The left rear ventilation port portion 37L is configured to have a plurality of rectangular small holes arranged in the left-right direction.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, on the right side of the left case member 31L, a left cooling plate 41L is disposed. Also, inside the left case member 31L, a left Peltier element 43L, a left heat sink 46L, and a left blower fan 47L are disposed.

[0028] The left cooling plate 41L is formed in a plate shape that matches the opening shape of the right side of the left case member 31L using a metal material with high thermal conductivity such as aluminum. The left cooling plate 41L is attached to the right side of the left case member 31L so as to close the opening portion on the right side of the left case member 31L. The right side surface of the left cooling plate 41L facing the outside of the left case member 31L contacts the left side of the neck (specifically, the skin near the thick blood vessel on the left side of the neck) when the housing portion 5 is worn on a person's neck NK. The left side surface of the left cooling plate 41L facing the inside of the left case member 31L is joined to the cooling side surface of the left Peltier element 43L.

[0029] The left Peltier element 43L is provided by being joined to the left side surface of the left cooling plate 41L, that is, the surface on the side opposite to the side that contacts the human neck NK. The left Peltier element 43L is electrically connected to the power cable 50 via the aforementioned relay substrate 16 (see FIG. 10). As described above, the cooling-side surface of the left Peltier element 43L is joined to the left side surface of the left cooling plate 41L. Thereby, the left Peltier element 43L receives power supply via the power cable 50 and the relay substrate 16, and cools the left cooling plate 41L. The heat-radiating side surface of the left Peltier element 43L is adapted to be joined to the bottom surface of the left heat sink 46L.

[0030] The left heat sink 46L is provided by being joined to the heat-radiating side surface (left side surface) of the left Peltier element 43L. The left heat sink 46L is formed in a plate shape having a plurality of heat-radiating fins (not shown) using a metal material with high thermal conductivity such as aluminum. A left blowing fan 47L is disposed to the left of the left heat sink 46L inside the left case member 31L.

[0031] The left blowing fan 47L is attached to the inner surface side of the left side portion of the left case member 31L facing the left heat sink 46L. The left blowing fan 47L is electrically connected to the power cable 50 via the aforementioned relay substrate 16 (see FIG. 10). The left blowing fan 47L takes in air from the outside of the left case member 31L through the left outer vent portion 33L and blows the air rightward toward the left heat sink 46L. The air sent from the left blowing fan 47L hits the left heat sink 46L and changes its direction, and is discharged to the outside of the left case member 31L through any one of the upper left vent portion 34L, the lower left vent portion (not shown), the front left vent portion 36L, and the rear left vent portion 37L. Thereby, the heat radiated from the heat-radiating side surface of the left Peltier element 43L can be released to the outside of the left housing portion 30L (left case member 31L).

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the right housing part 30R is configured to have a right case member 31R. Note that the right housing part 30R is configured symmetrically with the left housing part 30L in the left - right direction. The right case member 31R is formed in a box shape with a large opening on the left side. A right - case - side connecting part 32R is formed at the rear end part of the right case member 31R. As described above, the right - case - side connecting part 32R is hinge - connected to the right - arm - side connecting part 22R of the rear housing part 10 (right arm member 21R) via a hinge shaft part (not shown). Thereby, the right housing part 30R is connected to the right end part of the rear housing part 10 so as to be swing - displaceable in the left - right direction.

[0033] Similar to the left housing part 30L, the right housing part 30R can swing - displace from a forward - facing position (refer to FIG. 4) where the tip (front end) of the right housing part 30R faces forward (on the right side) to an inward - facing position where the tip of the right housing part 30R faces left (on the right side). Also, the right housing part 30R can swing - displace from the above - mentioned forward - facing position to the inward - facing position even when the rear housing part 10 is in an extended state. A right - side biasing member (not shown) is attached across the right - case - side connecting part 32R of the right case member 31R in the right housing part 30R and the right - arm - side connecting part 22R of the right arm member 21R in the rear housing part 10. The right - side biasing member is configured in the same way as the left - side biasing member 26L and applies a biasing force to swing - displace the right housing part 30R to the left. Thereby, in a state where the housing part 5 is worn on a person's neck NK, it is possible to prevent the right - side cooling plate 41R that has come into contact with the right side of the neck NK from separating from the neck NK.

[0034] On the right side of the right case member 31R, a right outer vent portion 33R is formed. The right outer vent portion 33R is configured to have a plurality of rectangular small holes arranged in the front-rear direction. On the upper part of the right case member 31R, an upper right vent portion 34R is formed. The upper right vent portion 34R is configured to have a plurality of rectangular small holes arranged in the front-rear direction. On the lower part of the right case member 31R, a lower right vent portion (not shown) is formed. The lower right vent portion is configured to have a plurality of rectangular small holes arranged in the front-rear direction, similar to the upper right vent portion 34R. On the front part of the right case member 31R, a right front vent portion 36R is formed. The right front vent portion 36R is configured to have a plurality of rectangular small holes arranged in the left-right direction. On the rear part of the right case member 31R, a right rear vent portion 37R is formed. The right rear vent portion 37R is configured to have a plurality of rectangular small holes arranged in the left-right direction.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, on the left side of the right case member 31R, a right cooling plate 41R is disposed. Also, inside the right case member 31R, a right Peltier element 43R, a right heat sink 46R, and a right blower fan 47R are disposed.

[0036] The right cooling plate 41R is formed in a plate shape that matches the opening shape on the left side of the right case member 31R using a metal material with high thermal conductivity such as aluminum. The right cooling plate 41R is attached to the left side of the right case member 31R so as to close the opening portion on the left side of the right case member 31R. The left side surface of the right cooling plate 41R facing the outside of the right case member 31R contacts the right side of the neck (specifically, the skin near the thick blood vessel on the right side of the neck) when the housing portion 5 is worn on a person's neck NK. The right side surface of the right cooling plate 41R facing the inside of the right case member 31R is joined to the cooling side surface of the right Peltier element 43R.

[0037] The right Peltier element 43R is provided by being joined to the right side surface of the right cooling plate 41R, that is, the surface on the side opposite to the side that contacts the human neck NK. The right Peltier element 43R is electrically connected to the power cable 50 via the aforementioned relay substrate 16 (see FIG. 10). As described above, the cooling side surface of the right Peltier element 43R is joined to the right side surface of the right cooling plate 41R. Thereby, the right Peltier element 43R receives power supply via the power cable 50 and the relay substrate 16, and cools the right cooling plate 41R. The heat dissipation side surface of the right Peltier element 43R is adapted to be joined to the bottom surface of the right heat sink 46R.

[0038] The right heat sink 46R is provided by being joined to the heat dissipation side surface (right side surface) of the right Peltier element 43R. The right heat sink 46R is formed in a plate shape having a plurality of heat dissipation fins (not shown) using a metal material with high thermal conductivity such as aluminum. A right blowing fan 47R is disposed to the right of the right heat sink 46R inside the right case member 31R.

[0039] The right blowing fan 47R is attached to the inner surface side of the right side portion of the right case member 31R facing the right heat sink 46R. The right blowing fan 47R is electrically connected to the power cable 50 via the aforementioned relay substrate 16 (see FIG. 10). The right blowing fan 47R takes in air from the outside of the right case member 31R through the right outer vent portion 33R and blows the air leftward toward the right heat sink 46R. The air sent from the right blowing fan 47R hits the right heat sink 46R and changes its direction, and is discharged to the outside of the right case member 31R through any one of the upper right vent portion 34R, the lower right vent portion (not shown), the right front vent portion 36R, and the right rear vent portion 37R. Thereby, the heat dissipated from the heat dissipation side surface of the right Peltier element 43R can be released to the outside of the right housing portion 30R (right case member 31R).

[0040] As described above, one end of the power cable 50 is housed in the cable housing portion 12 of the rear housing portion 10 (base member 11) and is electrically connected to the relay substrate 16 (see FIG. 10) attached inside the cable housing portion 12. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the power line 51 of the power cable 50 is electrically connected to the power supply side relay terminal 17 provided on the relay substrate 16, and the ground line 52 of the power cable 50 is electrically connected to the ground side relay terminal 18 provided on the relay substrate 16.

[0041] A USB connector 55 (USB: Universal Serial Bus) is provided at the other end of the power cable 50. The USB connector 55 is fitted and connected to a USB port (not shown) provided on an external power source, such as a USB port of a mobile battery or a USB port of a personal computer. An operation unit 60 for performing an operation to operate the cooling device 1 is provided in the middle of the power cable 50.

[0042] Note that the power supply side relay terminal 17 of the relay substrate 16 is electrically connected to a power supply side connection cable 48L extending from the power supply side terminal of the left side blower fan 47L, a power supply side connection cable 48R extending from the power supply side terminal of the right side blower fan 47R, and a power supply side connection cable 44R extending from the power supply side terminal of the right side Peltier element 43R. The ground side relay terminal 18 of the relay substrate 16 is electrically connected to a ground side connection cable 49L extending from the ground side terminal of the left side blower fan 47L, a ground side connection cable 49R extending from the ground side terminal of the right side blower fan 47R, and a ground side connection cable 44L extending from the ground side terminal of the left side Peltier element 43L. Also, the power supply side terminal of the left side Peltier element 43L and the ground side terminal of the right side Peltier element 43R are electrically connected via an element connection cable 45.

[0043] As a result, the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R and the blower fans 47L and 47R are electrically connected to the power cable 50 via the relay board 16, and power is supplied to the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R and the blower fans 47L and 47R from an external power source (not shown) via the power cable 50 (and the relay board 16). Note that by connecting the left Peltier element 43L and the right Peltier element 43R in series, the power consumption of the left Peltier element 43L and the right Peltier element 43R is suppressed.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 9, the operation unit 60 includes a switch body 61, a push button switch 62, a high mode light emitting unit 66, a low mode light emitting unit 67, a comfort mode light emitting unit 68, and a circuit board 70. The switch body 61 is formed in a thin box shape capable of accommodating the circuit board 70 therein. The circuit board 70 is attached inside the switch body 61.

[0045] One part of the power cable 50 and the other part of the power cable 50 are electrically connected to the circuit board 70. A control IC 71 (IC: Integrated Circuit), a high mode LED 76 (LED: Light Emitting Diode), a low mode LED 77, and a comfort mode LED 78 are mounted on the mounting surface of the circuit board 70. The control IC 71 controls the power supplied to the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R and the blower fans 47L and 47R via the power cable 50 by PWM control (PWM: Pulse Width Modulation). The control IC 71 can select and perform any one of high mode control, low mode control, and comfort mode control (fluctuation mode control) as the power control.

[0046] Here, high mode control is a control that makes the power supplied to the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R and the blower fans 47L and 47R constant at the maximum (100%) power. Low mode control is a control that makes the power supplied to the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R and the blower fans 47L and 47R constant at 60% of the maximum power. Comfort mode control is a control that repeatedly changes the power supplied to the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R and the blower fans 47L and 47R in the order of maximum (100%) power, 80% of the maximum power, 60% of the maximum power, maximum (100%) power... at predetermined time intervals. Note that this predetermined time is set to, for example, 30 seconds as the time until the skin sensation of the parts of the left and right cooling plates 41L and 41R that come into contact with a person's neck gets used to a certain low temperature.

[0047] The high mode LED 76 is disposed at a portion of the circuit board 70 facing the high mode light emitting portion 66. The low mode LED 77 is disposed at a portion of the circuit board 70 facing the low mode light emitting portion 67. The comfort mode LED 78 is disposed at a portion of the circuit board 70 facing the comfort mode light emitting portion 68.

[0048] The push button switch 62 is disposed on the ceiling portion of the switch body 61, and an operation for selecting any one of high mode control, low mode control, and comfort mode control is performed. Specifically, by performing a push operation on the push button switch 62, the power control by the control IC 71 can be repeatedly and selectively switched in the order of high mode control, low mode control, comfort mode control, high mode control... Also, by performing a long push operation on the push button switch 62 for a longer time than normal, the power supply to the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R and the blower fans 47L and 47R can be cut off.

[0049] The high mode light emitting part 66, the low mode light emitting part 67, and the comfort mode light emitting part 68 are arranged linearly side by side on the ceiling part of the switch body 61. The high mode light emitting part 66, the low mode light emitting part 67, and the comfort mode light emitting part 68 are formed in a disk shape using a resin material or the like having translucency. When high mode control is performed by the control IC 71, the high mode light emitting part 66 is illuminated by the high mode LED 76 on the circuit board 70 and emits light. When low mode control is performed by the control IC 71, the low mode light emitting part 67 is illuminated by the low mode LED 77 on the circuit board 70 and emits light. When comfort mode control is performed by the control IC 71, the comfort mode light emitting part 68 is illuminated by the comfort mode LED 78 on the circuit board 70 and emits light. Thereby, it is possible to easily know which control of high mode control, low mode control, and comfort mode control is being performed.

[0050] When using the cooling device 1 configured as described above, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the housing part 5 of the cooling device 1 is attached to a person's neck NK. With the housing part 5 attached to the person's neck NK, the left cooling plate 41L provided on the left housing part 30L is brought into contact with the left side of the neck NK, and the right cooling plate 41R provided on the right housing part 30R is brought into contact with the right side of the neck NK. Then, by performing a pressing operation on the push button switch 62, any one of high mode control, low mode control, and comfort mode control is selected. Then, power is supplied from an external power source (not shown) to the left and right Peltier elements 43L, 43R and the blower fans 47L, 47R via the power cable 50 (and the relay board 16). The left and right Peltier elements 43L, 43R cool the left and right cooling plates 41L, 41R, and the left and right blower fans 47L, 47R send air toward the left and right heat sinks 46L, 46R. At this time, since the left and right cooling plates 41L, 41R are in contact with the left and right sides of the person's neck NK, the operation of the left and right Peltier elements 43L, 43R cools the neck NK via the left and right cooling plates 41L, 41R.

[0051] When high mode control is selected by operating the push button switch 62, the power supplied to the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R and the left and right blower fans 47L and 47R becomes constant at the maximum (100%) power. Therefore, the temperatures of the left and right cooling plates 41L and 41R cooled by the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R become almost constant temperatures. When low mode control is selected by operating the push button switch 62, the power supplied to the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R and the left and right blower fans 47L and 47R becomes constant at 60% of the maximum power. Therefore, the temperatures of the left and right cooling plates 41L and 41R cooled by the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R become almost constant temperatures that are higher than those in the high mode control case.

[0052] Figure 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the power and the elapsed time in the comfort mode (fluctuation mode). Here, the vertical axis of Figure 11 is the power (%), and the horizontal axis is the elapsed time (seconds). Note that the power on the vertical axis is the power supplied to the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R and the left and right blower fans 47L and 47R, and is simply referred to as power. Also, the power is represented as a percentage of the maximum power (the power in the high mode control case). As shown in Figure 11, when comfort mode control is selected by operating the push button switch 62, the maximum (100%) power elapses for T1 hours, then 80% of the maximum power elapses for T2 hours, and finally 60% of the maximum power elapses for T3 hours. The elapsed time from elapsed time T1 to elapsed time T3 is defined as one cycle. This one cycle is repeated. In Figure 11, elapsed time T1 = elapsed time T2 = elapsed time T3, and elapsed time T1 to elapsed time T3 can be set to any time (for example, from 1 second to several tens of seconds, or in minutes).

[0053] In the above aspect, the temperatures of the left and right cooling plates 41L and 41R cooled by the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R change at predetermined intervals between the temperature in the high mode control and the temperature in the low mode control. In the comfort mode control, before the skin sensation of the portions of the left and right cooling plates 41L and 41R that contact the human neck NK becomes accustomed to a certain low temperature, the temperatures of the left and right cooling plates 41L and 41R change. Therefore, even when the cooling device 1 is used for a long time, the cold feeling with respect to the left and right cooling plates 41L and 41R is sustained. Also, the above aspect can suppress the increase in size of the device.

[0054] Note that the power ratios of 80% and 60% described above are not limited thereto, and any value can be set. Also, the change in power in one cycle in FIG. 11 has three steps, but it may have two steps, four steps, or any number of steps.

[0055] As described above, according to the present embodiment, inside the operation unit 60 where an operation for operating the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R is performed, a circuit board 70 is provided with a control IC 71 that performs comfort mode control for changing the power supplied to the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R at predetermined intervals. Thereby, before the skin sensation of the portions of the left and right cooling plates 41L and 41R that contact the human neck NK becomes accustomed to a certain low temperature, the temperatures of the left and right cooling plates 41L and 41R cooled by the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R can be changed. Therefore, by providing the circuit board 70 with the control IC 71 inside the operation unit 60, it is possible to suppress the increase in size of the device and sustain the cold feeling even when the cooling device 1 is used for a long time.

[0056] In the above-described cooling device 1, it is preferable that the operation unit 60 has a push button switch 62 for performing an operation to select any one of high mode control for making the power supplied to the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R constant, low mode control for making the power supplied to the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R constant, and comfort mode control for changing the power supplied to the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R every predetermined time. By enabling selection of different control methods for the power supplied to the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R, it becomes possible to adjust the cooling sensation for the left and right cooling plates 41L and 41R according to the user's preference. In this case, it is preferable that the operation unit 60 is provided with a high mode light emitting unit 66 that emits light when high mode control is performed, a low mode light emitting unit 67 that emits light when low mode control is performed, and a comfort mode light emitting unit 68 that emits light when comfort mode control is performed. Thereby, it is possible to easily know which control of high mode control, low mode control, and comfort mode control is being performed.

[0057] Further, it is preferable that the cooling device 1 includes left and right heat sinks 46L and 46R provided in contact with the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R, and left and right blower fans 47L and 47R that blow air toward the left and right heat sinks 46L and 46R. Thereby, with a simple configuration, it is possible to enhance the cooling effect of the left and right cooling plates 41L and 41R by the left and right Peltier elements 43L and 43R.

[0058] In the above-described cooling device 1, a left biasing member 26L that applies a biasing force for swinging and displacing the left housing portion 30L to the right with respect to the left housing portion 30L is provided at the connecting portion between the left housing portion 30L and the left end portion of the rear housing portion 10, and a right biasing member (not shown) that applies a biasing force for swinging and displacing the right housing portion 30R to the left with respect to the right housing portion 30R is provided at the connecting portion between the right housing portion 30R and the right end portion of the rear housing portion 10. Thereby, in a state where the housing portion 5 is attached to the human neck NK, it is possible to prevent the cooling plates 41L and 41R that are in contact with the left and right of the neck NK from separating from the neck NK.

[0059] (Modification example) The modification example (Fig. 12) is a modification of the comfort mode (vibration mode) in Fig. 11, where the elapsed times T4, T5, and T6 are not at regular intervals but at different intervals, and the power is 0% at the elapsed time T7. Fig. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the power and the elapsed time in the comfort mode (vibration mode) of the modification example.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 12, when the comfort mode control is selected by operating the push button switch 62, the maximum (100%) power is maintained for the elapsed time T4, then the power of 80% (relative to the maximum power) is maintained for the elapsed time T5, then the power of 60% (relative to the maximum power) is maintained for the elapsed time T6, and finally the power of 0% (relative to the maximum power) is maintained for the elapsed time T7. The elapsed times from T1 to T7 are defined as one cycle. This one cycle is repeated. In Fig. 12, the elapsed time T4 > the elapsed time T5 > the elapsed time T6, and the elapsed time T5 > the elapsed time T7 > the elapsed time T6. These elapsed times from T4 to T7 can be set to any time (for example, from 1 second to several tens of seconds, or in minutes). In addition, in Fig. 12, the elapsed times from T4 to T6 gradually decrease, but they may not gradually decrease. In addition, the power ratios are not limited to 80% and 60% as described above, and any value can be set. Also, the change in power in one cycle in Fig. 12 has four steps, but it may have multiple steps.

[0061] According to the above aspect, before the skin sensation of the parts in contact with the left and right cooling plates 41L and 41R on the human neck NK gets used to a certain low temperature, the temperatures of the left and right cooling plates 41L and 41R change. Therefore, even if the cooling device 1 is used for a long time, the cold feeling for the left and right cooling plates 41L and 41R is maintained. Also, the enlargement of the device can be suppressed.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the control IC 71 is configured to select and perform any one of high mode control, low mode control, and comfort mode control, but is not limited thereto. For example, the control IC 71 may be configured to select and perform any one of high mode control and comfort mode control, or may be configured to select and perform any one of low mode control and comfort mode control. Further, for example, the control IC 71 may be configured to perform only comfort mode control.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the operation unit 60 is provided in the middle of the power cable 50, but is not limited thereto. For example, it may be integrally provided on the rear surface side of the central portion of the base member 11 in the rear housing portion 10.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, the operation unit 60 is configured to include a push button switch 62 as an operation switch, but is not limited thereto. For example, it may be configured to include a selector switch.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0065] 1 Cooling device 5 Housing portion 10 Rear housing portion 22L Left arm side connecting portion 22R Right arm side connecting portion 26L Left biasing member 30L Left housing portion 30R Right housing portion 32L Left case side connecting portion 32R Right case side connecting portion 41L Left cooling plate 41R Right cooling plate 43L Left Peltier element 43R Right Peltier element 46L Left heat sink 46R Right heat sink 47L Left blower fan 47R Right blower fan 60 Operation unit 62 Push button switch 66 High mode light emitting portion 67 Low mode light emitting portion 68 Comfort mode light-emitting part 70 Circuit board 71 Control IC NK Header

Claims

1. A housing part to be worn around a person's neck; a cooling member provided in the housing and in contact with a person's neck when the housing is worn around the neck; a Peltier element joined to the cooling member to cool the cooling member; an operation unit for operating the Peltier element; A cooling device comprising: a controller provided within the operation unit for controlling the change of power supplied to the Peltier element at predetermined time intervals.

2. the controller is capable of performing either a first control for changing the power supplied to the Peltier element at predetermined time intervals or a second control for keeping the power supplied to the Peltier element constant; 2. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit has an operation switch operated to select either the first control or the second control.

3. The cooling device according to claim 2, characterized in that the operation unit is provided with a first light-emitting unit that emits light when the first control is performed, and a second light-emitting unit that emits light when the second control is performed.

4. a heat sink provided by being joined to a portion of the Peltier element opposite to a portion joined to the cooling member; The cooling device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a fan attached to the housing portion opposite the heat sink, the fan blowing air toward the heat sink.

5. The housing part is a rear housing portion located behind the neck when the housing portion is worn around the neck of a person; a left side housing part connected to a left end part of the rear housing part and located to the left of the neck part when the housing part is worn around a person's neck; a right side housing part connected to a right end part of the rear housing part and located to the right of the neck part when the housing part is worn around the neck of a person, the cooling members are provided in the left side housing portion and the right side housing portion, and are in contact with the left and right sides of a person's neck when the housing portions are worn around the neck; the left side housing portion is connected to a left end portion of the rear housing portion so as to be pivotally displaceable in the left-right direction, and a left side biasing member is provided at a connecting portion between the left side housing portion and the left end portion of the rear housing portion, the left side biasing member applying a biasing force for causing the left side housing portion to pivotally displace in the right direction, The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the right side housing part is connected to a right end of the rear housing part so as to be able to swing and displace in the left-right direction, and a right side biasing member is provided at the connecting portion between the right side housing part and the right end of the rear housing part, which applies a biasing force to the right side housing part to swing and displace it to the left.

Images