clothing

Abstract

To provide clothing that improves the operability of electrical devices attached to the clothing. [Solution] The garment 100 comprises a garment body 101, an electrical device attached to the garment body 101, an embroidered section 4 provided on the garment body 101 and formed with conductive embroidery thread, and a control unit that controls the electrical device 1 in response to a contact operation on the embroidered section 4. By controlling the electrical device in response to a contact operation on the embroidered section 4 provided on the garment body 101, the limitations of touch and vision are reduced compared to operating buttons or switches as physical devices, thus avoiding poor operability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to clothing on which electrical equipment is mounted.

Background Art

[0002] As clothing on which electrical equipment is mounted, for example, clothing called EF (Electric Fan) wear, on which an electric fan is mounted to achieve cooling by wind and a decrease in body temperature by heat of vaporization, has been put into practical use (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In clothing on which electrical equipment such as an electric fan is mounted, an operation unit for turning on, off, etc. of the electrical equipment is provided. Generally, buttons or switches as physical devices are used as the operation unit. However, in a situation where PPE (personal protective equipment) is worn at a work site or the like, in addition to work clothes, protective gloves, harnesses, helmets, face shields, protective glasses, etc. may be worn, and touch and vision are restricted, making it difficult to operate buttons and switches. Further, when buttons or switches are arranged inside or outside pockets of the clothing, it becomes even more difficult to operate.

[0005] This invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to improve the operability of electrical equipment mounted on clothing.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The garment of the present invention is characterized by comprising a garment body, an electrical device attached to the garment body, an embroidered portion provided on the garment body and formed with conductive embroidery thread, and a control unit that controls the electrical device in response to a contact operation with respect to the embroidered portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this invention, it becomes possible to improve the operability of electrical devices attached to clothing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a front view showing a garment according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating elements provided in clothing according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing examples of embroidery shapes. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the three-dimensional shape of the embroidered part. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a contact operation on the embroidered area. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. Figure 1 is a front view showing garment 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating elements provided in garment 100 according to the embodiment. Garment 100 is an upper garment and comprises a long-sleeved, jumper-type garment body 101. Garment body 101 comprises a torso 102 with a front and back panel, left and right long sleeves 103, and a stand-up collar 104. The torso 102 has a front opening structure with a slide zipper or buttons, and the slide zipper or buttons are hidden by a placket 105.

[0010] As shown in Figure 2, the garment 100 includes an electric fan 1, which is an electrical device attached to the garment body 101; a power switching circuit 2 for the electric fan 1; a mobile battery 3, which is the power source for the electric fan 1; an embroidered section 4, which is provided on the garment body 101 and is formed by including conductive embroidery thread; and a controller unit 5 that controls the electric fan 1 via the power switching circuit 2 in response to a contact operation on the embroidered section 4.

[0011] Although not shown in the illustration, electric fans 1 (FAN1 and FAN2 in Figure 2) are detachably attached to the back of the torso 102 of the garment body 101, around the waist area. Note that the electrical equipment attached to the garment body 101 is not limited to electric fans 1; for example, it could be a cooling device using a Peltier element, a water-cooled refrigerant device, a heating device using a heater, etc. Furthermore, the garment body 101 is not limited to having only one type of electrical equipment attached; multiple types of electrical equipment may be attached. Note that the term "electrical equipment" in this application may also refer to electronic equipment.

[0012] The power switching circuit 2 controls the on / off and output adjustment of the electric fan 1 under the control of the controller unit 5. The power switching circuit 2 is connected to the controller unit 5 via four conductors 6a to 6d (for power, ground, FAN1, and FAN2). The power switching circuit 2 is installed in an appropriate location on the garment body 101.

[0013] The mobile battery 3 is connected to the controller unit 5 via cable 7, and supplies power to the electric fan 1 via the controller unit 5 and power switching circuit 2. The mobile battery 3 is stored in a suitable place in the garment body 101.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the embroidery section 4 is located on the front surface of the torso 102 of the garment body 101, around the chest area. The embroidery section 4 constitutes the operating section of the electric fan 1 and is connected to the controller unit 5 via a conductor 8. Contact operations with the embroidery section 4 include contact with a human body (the wearer's fingers) or contact with the fingertips of gloves equipped with conductive material at the fingertips. The embroidery section 4 emits a signal when an electrical change (capacitance change) occurs due to contact with the wearer's fingers or the fingertips of gloves (hereinafter referred to as "fingers, etc."). Furthermore, the amount of electrical change in the embroidery section 4 changes depending on how the fingers, etc. are made contact, and a corresponding signal is emitted. Although only one conductor 8 is shown here, the number can be changed as appropriate. For example, signals may be emitted from different conductors 8 depending on the contact position of the embroidery section 4.

[0015] The controller unit 5 controls the electric fan 1 via the power switching circuit 2 in response to signals sent from the embroidery unit 4. The controller unit 5 has predetermined control patterns for the electric fan 1 according to the contact operation pattern (how fingers, etc., are made to contact) with the embroidery unit 4, that is, according to the signals sent from the embroidery unit 4. For example, when a finger, etc., is made to contact the embroidery unit 4 and then quickly released, the controller unit 5 switches the electric fan 1 on or off. Also, when the electric fan 1 is on, if a finger, etc., is made to contact the embroidery unit 4 and then quickly released multiple times without a break, or if the contact state is maintained for a certain period of time or longer, the controller unit 5 adjusts the output of the electric fan 1 (adjusts the airflow strength). The controller unit 5 is composed of a computer unit equipped with, for example, a CPU, RAM, ROM, input ports, output ports, etc., and is installed in an appropriate place on the garment body 101.

[0016] In addition to the elements shown in FIG. 2, for example, a temperature sensor or the like may be connected to the controller unit 5. The temperature sensor is provided at an appropriate position on the clothing body 101. The controller unit 5 drives the electric fan 1 when the inside of the clothing 100 becomes hot based on the detection result of the temperature sensor. Even when the electric fan 1 is automatically driven in this way, if the wearer does not need the driving of the electric fan 1, the wearer can turn off the electric fan 1 by a contact operation on the embroidery part 4.

[0017] The configurations shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are merely examples and are not limited thereto. The position and number of the embroidery parts 4 are not limited, and a plurality of embroidery parts 4 may be provided. In the controller unit 5, a control pattern of the electric fan 1 is predetermined according to which embroidery part 4 the signal is from. For example, the embroidery part 4 for turning on and off the electric fan 1 and the embroidery part 4 for adjusting the output of the electric fan 1 may be provided separately. Also, when a plurality of types of electric devices are mounted on the clothing body 101, corresponding embroidery parts 4 may be provided for each of them.

[0018] Also, the embroidery part 4 may be configured to be distinguishable by touch. For example, by changing the size and shape of the embroidery part 4, the wearer can identify the embroidery part 4 by touch. Examples of the shape of the embroidery part 4 include a round shape (dot shape) as shown in FIG. 3(a), a bar shape (long and narrow rectangular shape, linear shape) as shown in FIG. 3(b), etc. Also, the embroidery part 4 may be made into a three-dimensional shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, there is a configuration example in which an elastic member 9 such as urethane foam is interposed between the embroidery part 4 and the clothing body 101. In addition to this, it may be wavy or uneven.

[0019] Also, the embroidery part 4 may be configured to be distinguishable by vision. For example, by including colored threads in the embroidery part 4 and color-coding a plurality of embroidery parts 4, the wearer can identify the embroidery part 4 by vision. Also, the embroidery part 4 may be made into a shape such as characters, numbers, marks, etc. according to the control pattern of the electric fan 1.

[0020] In addition, the contact operation on the embroidery part 4 is not limited to contacting the embroidery part 4 with a finger or the like. For example, the embroidery part 4 may be contacted with a conductive member provided on the clothing body 101. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of the contact operation on the embroidery part 4. As shown in FIG. 5(a), on the back surface of the sleeve part 103, the embroidery part 4 and another embroidery part 10 as a conductive member are arranged at an appropriate distance. The embroidery part 10, like the embroidery part 4, is an embroidery part formed by including conductive embroidery thread. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the wearer pinches the other sleeve part 103 from the front side with either the left or right hand, and brings the embroidery part 4 and the embroidery part 10 into contact. Thereby, an electrical change occurs in the embroidery part 4, and the embroidery part 4 sends out a signal. Even when it is difficult to perform fine movements with the fingertips, such as when wearing thick protective gloves, the contact operation can be performed by a large movement of pinching by grasping the sleeve part 103 from the front side. If the sizes of the embroidery part 4 and the embroidery part 10 are made larger, the contact operation becomes easier even when wearing thick protective gloves.

[0021] In addition, when the embroidery part 4 is provided on the surface of the clothing body 101, it may have a structure in which the embroidery part 4 is covered with a cloth part. For example, the flap of the pocket provided on the clothing body 101, the outer cloth part in the flash specification (a specification in which a part of the inner cloth part is covered with the outer cloth part and the lower end is left free without being joined), the front piece 105, etc. may be used as the cloth part. By covering the embroidery part 4 with a cloth part, the embroidery part 4 is protected and it becomes difficult for an accidental operation (an unintended contact operation) to occur.

[0022] In addition, the embroidery part 4 may not be directly provided on the fabric on the surface or back of the clothing body 101, but may be provided on a cloth part provided on the clothing body 101. The back surface of the flap of the pocket provided on the clothing body 101, the outer cloth part in the flash specification, the front piece 105, etc. may be used as the cloth part.

[0023] In addition, the contact operation pattern on the embroidery part 4 is not limited to the one described above. For example, there may be a pattern of simultaneous two-point contact, a pattern of sliding a finger or the like, etc.

[0024] Furthermore, the conductive embroidery thread included in the embroidery section 4 may be a resistive conductive thread, and may have a structure that suppresses sudden current concentration. Furthermore, the embroidery section 4 may be connected to a power supply or electrical equipment via a current limiting element, and the structure may be such that the current during contact formation is limited. Furthermore, the embroidered portion 4 may be electrically connected to a grounding portion provided on the garment body 101, and may be provided with a path for dissipating static electricity accumulated in the garment body 101 to the outside. Furthermore, the device may be configured to send a signal to an external electrical device in response to a contact operation on the embroidery unit 4. The external electrical device may include a wireless communication device, a transceiver, a location information transmitter, an alarm transmitter, or an emergency notification device.

[0025] As described above, by controlling electrical equipment such as the electric fan 1 in response to a contact operation on the embroidered portion 4 provided on the garment body 101, it is possible to avoid poor operability by reducing tactile and visual limitations compared to operating physical devices such as buttons and switches, for example, when wearing PPE at a work site. In this way, it becomes possible to improve the operability of electrical equipment attached to clothing.

[0026] Furthermore, work clothes worn in explosion-proof areas require a structure that suppresses electrostatic discharge and spark generation, and physical devices such as buttons and switches may be undesirable. A configuration that controls electrical equipment such as an electric fan 1 in response to a contact operation on the embroidered portion 4 provided on the garment body 101 is a structure that suppresses electrostatic discharge and spark generation compared to physical devices such as buttons and switches, and is suitable for work clothes worn in explosion-proof areas.

[0027] Although the present invention has been described above along with its embodiments, these embodiments are merely examples of how the present invention can be implemented, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited by them. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical concept or its main features. In this embodiment, the power switching circuit 2 and the controller unit 5 function as the control unit of the present invention, but the invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, a single device may function as the control unit of the present invention. Furthermore, although a long-sleeved jacket was described in this embodiment, the garment to which this invention can be applied is not limited, and other tops or bottoms may also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1: Electric fan, 2: Power switching circuit, 3: Mobile battery, 4: Embroidery unit, 5: Controller unit, 100: Garment, 101: Garment body

Claims

1. The garment itself, Electrical equipment attached to the garment body, The garment body is provided with an embroidered portion formed with conductive embroidery thread, A garment characterized by comprising a control unit that controls the electrical equipment in response to a contact operation on the embroidered portion.

2. The garment according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned contact operation is an operation that brings the human body into contact with the garment.

3. The garment according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned contact operation is an operation of bringing the fingertips of a glove equipped with a conductive member at the fingertips into contact with the garment.

4. The garment according to claim 1, characterized in that the contact operation is an operation to bring a conductive member provided on the garment body into contact with the garment.

5. The garment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the embroidered portion is provided on the surface of the garment body.

6. The garment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the embroidered portion is provided on a fabric part provided on the garment body.

7. The garment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the embroidered portion is provided on the back surface of the garment body.

8. The garment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control unit has a predetermined control pattern for the electrical equipment according to the contact operation pattern for the embroidery portion.

9. The garment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the electrical equipment is at least one of an electric fan, a cooling device, and a heating device.

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