Air conditioning clothing device

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning clothing device which prevents fire due to heat of a damaged electronic component that generates a large quantity of heat.SOLUTION: When a first semiconductor unit 7f is damaged which generates a large quantity of heat due to aging deterioration, the surface temperature of the damaged first semiconductor unit 7f increases rapidly to generate heat. The heat generated from the first semiconductor unit 7f in this way is immediately transmitted to a first blocking unit 7g through filled thermal conductive materials, a melted part of the first blocking unit 7g melts before the temperature at which the first semiconductor unit 7f generates heat reaches the temperature at which combustible materials in explosive atmosphere ignite. Then, power supply from a battery unit is cut off by the first blocking unit 7g. Since heat conduction of the heat generated from the first semiconductor unit 7f is transmitted to the first blocking unit 7g quickly and efficiently by the thermally conductive materials, the partially damaged first semiconductor unit 7f does not reach the temperature at which the combustible materials in explosive atmosphere ignite.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air-conditioning garment device that is attached to an air-conditioning garment to be worn in an explosive atmosphere. [Background technology]

[0002] As shown in Patent Document 1, air-conditioning clothing is known that is worn by workers when working in high-temperature environments and has an attached fan that draws outside air into the clothing. There is also a need for this air-conditioning clothing to be worn in explosive atmospheres such as oil refineries, petrochemical plants, and chemical synthesis plants, where vapors of flammable substances such as flammable gases and flammable dust are present in the air. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-65861 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, ordinary air-conditioned clothing such as that shown in Patent Document 1 is not explosion-proof so that it can withstand use in the above-mentioned explosive atmosphere, and does not provide any countermeasures against ignition of flammable materials in an explosive atmosphere due to cable short circuits or component failures, etc.

[0005] When the above-mentioned conventional air-conditioning garment is used in an explosive atmosphere, there is a risk that some malfunction will occur in the air-conditioning garment device, causing a spark or the like to ignite flammable materials in the explosive atmosphere.

[0006] For example, if a part of an electronic component made of a semiconductor element that controls current is damaged and generates a large amount of heat, for example, if the damage causes a state in which the resistance is high, supplying power to this electronic component from a battery may cause it to overheat abnormally. Even if such partial damage occurs in an electronic component, there is a risk of ignition of flammable materials in an explosive atmosphere, as described above.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide an air-conditioning clothing device that will not ignite due to heat generated by damaged electronic components, even if the electronic components are damaged while having a resistance value that generates a large amount of heat. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the air-conditioned clothing device of the present invention is an air-conditioned clothing device that has a battery unit and a control circuit unit including a main control unit within a main housing unit, and is connected to a fan unit via a connection cable to supply power to the fan unit, and the main control unit that controls the on / off of the fan unit is connected to one electrode of the battery unit via a first protection device, and the first protection device is characterized by comprising a first semiconductor unit that controls the battery unit, a first cut-off unit that cuts off the power supply from the battery unit when the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, and a first housing unit whose interior is filled with a thermally conductive material so as to surround the first semiconductor unit and the first cut-off unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The air-conditioning garment device of the present invention includes a protection device that includes a cutoff unit that cuts off the power supply from the battery when the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature in the case of a damaged semiconductor that generates a large amount of heat due to current from the connected battery, and a housing filled with a thermally conductive material that surrounds the semiconductor and the cutoff unit.The cutoff unit cuts off the power supply from the battery before the temperature reaches the ignition temperature of flammable materials in an explosive atmosphere.Therefore, even when used in an explosive atmosphere, a damaged semiconductor will not ignite flammable materials. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the air-conditioning garment as seen from the front. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of the air-conditioning garment device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the air-conditioning garment device. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the air-conditioning garment device. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the first protection device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a second protection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention will be described in detail based on the illustrated embodiment. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the air-conditioning garment W as seen from the back, and Fig. 2 is a block circuit diagram of the air-conditioning garment device M attached to the air-conditioning garment W. The air-conditioning garment W has the air-conditioning garment device M attached to a jacket W2 equipped with a zipper W1 for opening and closing on the front.

[0012] The air-conditioning clothing device M is composed of a plurality of fan units F, for example, two, fixed to mounting holes (not shown) on the back of the jacket W2, an air-conditioning clothing device 1 stored in an inner pocket of the jacket W2, and a plurality of connection cables C connecting each fan unit F and the air-conditioning clothing device 1.

[0013] The disk-shaped fan unit F is positioned symmetrically with respect to the jacket W2, and the blade unit F1 is housed within the housing. Power is supplied to the motor that rotates the blade unit F1 via a connection cable C, causing the blade unit F1 to rotate at high speed, drawing outside air into the jacket W2. When the zipper W1 is closed, airflow K is generated within the jacket W2 in the direction of the arrow, and the air inside the jacket W2 is expelled to the outside through gaps around the neck and wrists.

[0014] In this way, the inside of the jacket W2 is kept cool by driving the motor of the fan section F. Note that the fan section F can be an axial fan that operates on direct current, or it can be any other suitable fan such as a centrifugal fan.

[0015] The housing of the fan unit F consists of a main body and a fixed frame, which are fixed by clamping the mounting holes in the jacket W2. In the event of a malfunction of the fan unit F, the fixed frame can be separated from the main body, making it easy to remove the fan unit F from the jacket W2.

[0016] One end of the connection cable C, which is wired independently for each fan unit F, is provided with a connection terminal C1 that connects to a terminal connector of the air-conditioned clothing device 1, which will be described later. The other end of the connection cable C is shown connected to the fan unit F, but may be detachable, just like the terminal connector and connection terminal C1.

[0017] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the air-conditioned clothing device 1, and Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view. The air-conditioned clothing device 1 has a main housing 4 made up of a box-shaped base 2 with an open top and a top cover 3 that covers and seals the base 2 from above. The main housing 4 houses a battery 5 made up of a lithium-ion battery or the like, and a control circuit 6 connected to the battery 5.

[0018] The base 2 has an inner wall portion 2a that separates the space in which the battery portion 5 is stored from the space in which the control circuit portion 6 is stored, and a groove portion 2c is provided on the upper edge of the outer peripheral wall 2b of the base 2 along the outer peripheral wall 2b.

[0019] Further, at the end of the inner wall portion 2a, a recess 2d is provided for wiring the positive and negative power lines 5a, 5b of the battery portion 5 to the control circuit portion 6 side.

[0020] A part of the outer wall 2b of the base 2 is provided with a power switch section 2e for turning on / off the power supply to the fan section F, a remaining charge display section 2f for displaying the remaining charge of the battery section 5, a terminal connection section 2g for inserting the connection terminal section C1 of the connection cable C, and a charging insertion piece 2h that can be connected via a charging cable from a commercial power source or the like for charging.

[0021] The top cover portion 3 has an inner wall portion 2a of the base portion 2 and an inner wall portion 3a whose tips meet, and the outer wall 3b of the top cover portion 3 is provided with a terminal connection portion 3c into which the connection terminal portion C1 of the connection cable C is inserted, and a charging insertion piece 3d which abuts against the charging insertion piece 2h of the base portion 2 to form a charging insertion port 4a.

[0022] In addition, a protrusion 3e that fits into the groove 2c of the base 2 is provided along the lower edge of the outer wall 3b, and by fitting the protrusion 3e into the groove 2c, the base 2 and the upper cover 3 can be sealed and fixed.

[0023] When the base 2 is fixed by the upper cover portion 3 in this manner, a rectangular hole consisting of recesses 2d and 3f is formed in the inner wall portions 2a and 3a, and a cubic sealing material 2i with high sealing properties made of silicone resin material or the like is inserted into this rectangular hole.

[0024] This sealing material 2i has a pair of through holes 2j in the center through which power lines 5a, 5b pass, and a groove 2k recessed so as to surround the periphery of this through hole 2j. When the top cover 3 is closed on the base 2 with the groove 2k of the sealing material 2i pressed into the inner walls 2a, 3a around the recesses 2d, 3f, the sealing material 2i will not come off the inner walls 2a, 3a even if an impact is applied to the main housing 4.

[0025] By fitting the seal material 2i to the inner wall portions 2a and 3a, it is possible to completely separate the space housing the battery portion 5 from the space housing the control circuit portion 6. In this way, even if electrolyte leaks from the battery portion 5 made of, for example, a lithium ion battery, the electrolyte will not seep into the control circuit portion 6.

[0026] For example, a plurality of connected lithium-ion batteries with a nominal voltage of 3.7 V and a rated capacity of 1.88 Ah are used as the battery unit 5. Also, disposable dry batteries can be used as the battery unit 5 instead of rechargeable batteries that can be charged via the charging insertion port 4a. Note that if dry batteries are used, there is no need to provide the charging insertion port 4a.

[0027] The control circuit unit 6 is disposed on the main board 6a and comprises a main control unit 6b including a microcomputer or the like, a switch terminal 6c that is directly connected to the main control unit 6b and that comes into contact with the power switch unit 2e to turn it on and off, output terminals 6d and 6e that communicate with the terminal connectors 2g and 3c of the main housing 4, a charging terminal 6f that communicates with the charging insertion port 4a, a connection hole 6g that connects the terminal of an LED element (not shown) disposed on the back surface of the remaining charge indicator 2f of the base 2, first and second protectors 7 and 8, and a current limiting unit 9 that is disposed in parallel between the terminal connectors 2g and 3c to which the connection terminal C1 is connected and the second protector, and that is connected to the main control unit 6b via the second protector 8. The remaining charge indicator 2f is configured so that multiple LED elements light up according to the remaining charge of the battery unit 5.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the main control unit 6b is connected to the power line 5b on the negative side, which is one of the electrodes of the battery unit 5, via a first protection device 7, and is connected to the power line 5a on the positive side, which is the other of the electrodes of the battery unit 5, via a second protection device 8.

[0029] The first protection device 7 is composed of a first housing part 7a in the shape of a rectangular box with one side open, and a storage part 7c that is inserted into and stored in a slide part 7b provided within the first housing part 7a.

[0030] The first housing 7a is made of a heat-resistant resin, such as polycarbonate. The first housing 7a may be made of a metal such as aluminum, which has high heat dissipation efficiency, other than a heat-resistant resin.

[0031] In addition, the slide portion 7b, which is provided opposite the inner wall of the first housing portion 7a, has a groove shape consisting of a pair of parallel protrusions, allowing the first substrate portion 7d of the storage portion 7c, which is a plate-shaped body, to slide between these protrusions.

[0032] The storage section 7c is composed of a first substrate section 7d and a first terminal section 7e that is wired and connected to the main control section 6b and the battery section 5, and the first substrate section 7d has a first semiconductor section 7f that controls the battery section 5 against overvoltage, overdischarge, and overcurrent, and a pair of first cut-off sections 7g that cut off the power supply from the battery section 5 connected to the first terminal section 7e when the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.

[0033] The first semiconductor section 7f is composed of an IC chip section 7h that monitors overvoltage, overdischarge, and overcurrent of the battery section 5, and first and second FET sections 7i and 7j that are FET elements (field effect transistors) that control the current of the battery section 5 between the source and drain by the gate voltage applied to the gate section from this IC chip section 7h.

[0034] One of the first FET sections 7i is a charge protection FET element that protects the battery section 5 from excessive charging from an external power source connected via the charging insertion port 4a, and the other FET section 7j is a discharge protection FET element that protects the battery section 5 from discharging to the charging insertion port 4a.

[0035] The space between the first substrate 7d housed in the first housing 7a and the first housing 7a is filled with a thermally conductive material that is an insulator, such as a silicon material. This silicon material (not shown) is disposed so as to surround the first semiconductor portion 7f and the pair of first blocking portions 7g.

[0036] The second protection device 8 is composed of a second housing part 8a in the shape of a rectangular box with one side open, similar to the first protection device 7, and a housing part 8c that is inserted into a slide part 8b provided in the second housing part 8a and housed therein. Like the first housing part 7a, the second housing part 8a is made of a heat-resistant resin, such as polycarbonate.

[0037] The storage section 8c is composed of a second substrate section 8d, and a second terminal section 8e that is wired and connected to the main control section 6b, the current limiting section 9, and the battery section 5. The second substrate section 8d has a second semiconductor section 8f and a second cutoff section 8g that cuts off the power supply from the battery section 5 that is connected to the second terminal section 8e when the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.

[0038] The pair of first and second circuit breakers 7g, 8g are both connected in series to the power line from the battery unit 5, and use a radial or axial type thermal fuse having a fusing part (not shown) inside. The number of first and second circuit breakers 7g, 8g may be one, or three or more.

[0039] When the temperature around the fusing part becomes too high and exceeds a predetermined temperature, for example, 150°C, the internal fusing part melts, physically disconnecting the power line. The predetermined temperature at which the fusing part melts is set to be lower than the ignition temperature of flammable materials in an explosive atmosphere.

[0040] Furthermore, by connecting the pair of first and second circuit breakers 7g and 8g in series to form a dual system, even if there is a malfunction in the fusing section of one of the circuit breakers 7g and 8g and the power supply cannot be cut off, the power supply can be cut off by the other circuit breaker 7g and 8g which is operating normally.

[0041] The second semiconductor section 8f is composed of third and fourth FET sections 8h and 8i that control the current flowing from the battery section 5 between the source and drain to the terminal connection sections 2g and 3c by the gate voltage applied to the gate section from the main control section 6b.

[0042] One of the third FET sections 8h is an FET element for controlling the ON / OFF of the fan section F using the switch terminal 6c, and the other, the fourth FET section 8i, is an FET element for blocking reverse charging, in which current flows backward from the terminal connection sections 2g and 3c, which should be the discharge ports, to the current limiting section 9 side.

[0043] As shown in Figure 2, the current limiting units 9, which are arranged in parallel to correspond to each fan unit F, each have four current limiting elements 9a arranged in series to control the output current so that overcurrent does not occur.

[0044] These current limiting elements 9a are made of resistive elements such as ceramic resistors, and the resistance of these resistive elements limits the output current so that it does not exceed the limit current value.

[0045] Each current limiting element 9a is a resistive element with a resistance value of, for example, about 2 Ω, and by arranging multiple current limiting elements 9a with small resistance values, the heat generated by the current limiting elements 9a is dispersed. Therefore, the number of current limiting elements 9a to be arranged is set appropriately depending on the output of the fan unit F, etc.

[0046] Note that a FET element can be used for the current limiting element 9a instead of a resistor element. In such a case, it is preferable to use a dual system in which two FET current limiting elements 9a are connected in series. By using a dual system, even if one current limiting element 9a fails and is no longer able to limit the output current, the other unfailed current limiting element 9a can maintain the current so that it does not exceed the limit value.

[0047] The limiting current value of the current limiting element 9a is set to be equal to or slightly higher than the rated current value Ia when the blade portion F1 is stably rotating.

[0048] In this embodiment, two current limiting elements 9a are arranged, but the current limiting unit 9 may be configured with three or more current limiting elements 9a arranged in series, and the number of elements can be determined appropriately as long as the output current can be limited so as not to exceed the limit current value.

[0049] If either the first or second semiconductor part 7f, 8f of the first or second protection device 7, 8, which performs various controls, is damaged while having a resistance value that generates a large amount of heat as described above due to aging or other reasons, the surface temperature of the damaged first or second semiconductor part 7f, 8f will suddenly increase.

[0050] In this way, the heat generated from the first and second semiconductor parts 7f, 8f is immediately transferred to the first and second interrupting parts 7g, 8g via the filled thermally conductive material, so that the fusing parts of the first and second interrupting parts 7g, 8g melt before the temperature rise caused by the heat generated by the first and second semiconductor parts 7f, 8f reaches the temperature at which flammable materials in the explosive atmosphere ignite.

[0051] Then, the first and second cutoff units 7g and 8g cut off the power supply from the battery unit 5, so that the temperatures of the first and second semiconductor units 7f and 8f gradually decrease.

[0052] In this way, the heat generated by the first and second semiconductor parts 7f, 8f is quickly and efficiently transferred to the first and second interrupting parts 7g, 8g by the filled thermally conductive material, so that the first and second semiconductor parts 7f, 8f, even if partially damaged, will not reach a temperature that would ignite flammable materials in an explosive atmosphere.

[0053] In particular, because heat is transferred quickly and efficiently, the first and second cutoff units 7g and 8g can immediately cut off the power supply after the first and second semiconductor units 7f and 8f generate heat, thereby suppressing an increase in the surface temperature of the first and second protection devices 7 and 8. Therefore, even if the first and second protection devices 7 and 8 are made smaller, there is an advantage in that the surface temperature will not reach a temperature at which flammable materials will ignite.

[0054] In addition, the thermally conductive material filled in the first and second protection devices 7 and 8 and the first and second housing parts 7a and 8a have a heat dissipation effect against heat generated by the first and second semiconductor parts 7f and 8f, and when the first and second semiconductor parts 7f and 8f generate heat under normal conditions, the heat is dissipated outside the first and second protection devices 7 and 8, thereby preventing thermal runaway and thermal degradation of the first and second semiconductor parts 7f and 8f.

[0055] In addition, all of the electronic components within the main housing 4 that have resistance values ​​that would cause a large amount of heat to be generated and be damaged when current is generated from the connected battery 5 are located within the first and second protection devices 7 and 8.

[0056] Similarly, even if a FET element is used as the current limiting element 9a, there is a possibility that part of it may be damaged if it has a resistance value that generates a large amount of heat, so as with the first and second protection devices 7 and 8, it is necessary to provide a box-shaped housing portion, a thermally conductive material to fill the housing portion, and a pair of cut-off portions to cut off the power supply from the battery portion 5.

[0057] Furthermore, when a ceramic resistor is used as the current limiting element 9a as shown in the figure, damage that would cause a high resistance value like that which occurs in FET elements does not occur, so there is no need to place a cutoff section or a housing section filled with a thermally conductive material.

[0058] Thus, the air-conditioned garment device 1 of the present invention includes first and second circuit breakers 7g, 8g that cut off the power supply from the battery unit 5 when the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature in the first and second semiconductor units 7f, 8f that have been damaged by current from the connected battery unit 5, causing them to generate a large amount of heat, for example, by high resistance. The first and second housing units 7a, 8a are filled with a thermally conductive material to surround the first and second semiconductor units 7f, 8f and the first and second circuit breakers 7g, 8g. By arranging the first and second protection devices 7, 8, the first and second circuit breakers 7g, 8g cut off the power supply from the battery unit 5 before the temperature reaches a temperature that would ignite flammable materials in an explosive atmosphere. Therefore, even when used in an explosive atmosphere, partially damaged first and second semiconductor units 7f, 8f will not ignite flammable materials. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1 Air-conditioned clothing equipment 2g, 3c terminal connection 4 Main housing 5 Battery section 5a, 5b power line 6 Control circuit section 6b Main control unit 7. First Protective Device 7a First housing part 7f First semiconductor section 7g First interrupter 7h IC chip section 7i First FET section 7j Second FET section 8 Secondary protection device 8a Second housing part 8f Second semiconductor section 8g Second interrupter 8h Third FET section 8i 4th FET section 9 Current limiting section C Connection cable F Fan Club

Claims

1. An air-conditioning garment device comprising: a main housing, a battery, and a control circuit including a main control unit; and a fan connected to the main housing via a connection cable to supply power to the fan; the main control unit, which controls the on / off of the fan unit, is connected to one electrode of the battery unit via a first protection device; The first protection device is characterized in that it comprises a first semiconductor unit that controls the battery unit, a first cut-off unit that cuts off the power supply from the battery unit when the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, and a first housing unit whose inside is filled with a thermally conductive material so as to surround the first semiconductor unit and the first cut-off unit.

2. 2. The air-conditioning garment device according to claim 1, wherein the first semiconductor section controls the battery section against overvoltage, overdischarge, and overcurrent.

3. The air-conditioning clothing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the first semiconductor section comprises an IC chip section for monitoring overvoltage, overdischarge, and overcurrent, an FET section for charge protection, and an FET section for discharge protection.

4. 2. The air-conditioning garment device according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the first circuit breakers are connected in series to the power line of the battery unit.

5. the control circuit unit further includes a second protection device and current limiting units, the number of which is equal to the number of the fan units, which are arranged in parallel between the terminal connection unit to which the connection cable is connected and the second protection device, the main control unit is connected to the other electrode of the battery unit via a second protection device; An air-conditioned clothing device as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second protection device comprises a second semiconductor unit connected to the main control unit, a second cut-off unit that cuts off the power supply from the battery unit when the ambient temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, and a second housing unit the inside of which is filled with a thermally conductive material to surround the second semiconductor unit and the second cut-off unit.

6. The air-conditioning clothing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the second semiconductor unit comprises an FET unit for controlling the on / off of the fan unit by the main control unit, and an FET unit for blocking reverse charging of the battery unit.

7. 6. The air-conditioning garment device according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of the second cutoff units are connected in series to the power line of the battery unit.

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