Body heating and cooling device

Abstract

To enhance attachment / detachment properties of a body warming / cooling device.SOLUTION: A body warming / cooling device comprises a pair of first Peltier elements for cooling or heating blood flowing through respective carotid arteries of a right side neck part and a left side neck part of a user, a second Peltier element for cooling or heating a posterior neck part of the user, a tube member comprising a flow passage for sending a heat medium to the first Peltier elements and the second Peltier element, and a neck hanging member internally provided with the pair of first Peltier elements, the second Peltier element, and the tube member. The tube member is drawn from the upper side of the neck hanging member to the outside of the neck hanging member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] A known body warming / cooling device regulates a user's body temperature by using a Peltier element to cool or heat the blood flowing through the user's carotid artery. This type of body warming / cooling device includes a temperature control unit with a Peltier element, a heat exchange unit, and a pump unit that circulates water between the temperature control unit and the heat exchange unit via a tube member (Patent Documents 1 and 2). The temperature control unit includes a U-shaped plate that contacts the user's neck and extends around it, and a Peltier element that cools or heats the plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-83498 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-100489 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-described body warming / cooling device, when the temperature adjustment unit is attached to the neck, there is a risk that the tube member pulled out from the temperature adjustment unit may get caught on the collar of clothing, making it difficult to attach and detach the temperature adjustment unit.

[0005] The disclosed technology has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a body warming / cooling device that can be easily attached and detached. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the body cooling / warming device disclosed in the present application comprises a pair of first Peltier elements for cooling or heating blood flowing through the carotid arteries in the right and left cervical regions of a user, a second Peltier element for cooling or heating the back of the user's neck, a tube member having a flow path for sending a heat medium to the first and second Peltier elements, and a neck hanging member having the pair of first Peltier elements, the second Peltier element, and the tube member disposed therein, the second Peltier element being disposed in the center of the neck hanging member located on the back of the neck side, and the neck hanging member being configured as follows: A positioning portion is provided to contact the clavicle of the user, When placed around the user's neck, By being supported by the positioning part that is in contact with the clavicle, The center is located above the lower part of the user's neck in the vertical direction. It will be in the position In the central portion, the tube member passes along the outer periphery of the interior of the central portion relative to the second Peltier element when viewed from the vertical direction, and is drawn out from the back surface of the outer periphery of the central portion to the outside of the neck hanging member, and is bent downward in the vertical direction at a position above the lower end of the central portion in the vertical direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the body warming / cooling device disclosed in the present application, it is possible to improve ease of attachment and detachment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a state in which a user wears a neck strap member of a body warming / cooling device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which a user wears the neck strap member of the body warming / cooling device of the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the neck hanging member of the body warming / cooling device of the embodiment from the front side. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the neck hanging member of the body warming / cooling device of the embodiment from the rear side. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the neck strap member of the body warming / cooling device of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a rear view showing the neck strap member of the body warming / cooling device of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view showing the neck strap member of the body warming / cooling device of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a bottom view showing the neck hanging member of the body warming / cooling device of the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing the neck hanging member and the first plate in the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view for explaining the positional relationship between the right and left neck regions and the first plate when the neck strap member in the embodiment is worn by the user. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the carotid trigone in the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a flow path provided in the neck hanging member of the body warming / cooling device of the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a flow path of the neck strap member in the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining the entire body warming / cooling device of the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view for explaining an adjustment mechanism of the neck strap member in the modified example. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram for explaining a modified example of the second plate in the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the body warming / cooling device disclosed in the present application will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the body warming / cooling device disclosed in the present application is not limited to the following embodiments. [Example]

[0010] Fig. 1 is a front view showing a state in which a user wears a neck strap member of a body warming / cooling device of the embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a side view showing a state in which a user wears a neck strap member of a body warming / cooling device of the embodiment.

[0011] 1 and 2, the body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment is worn from the right neck RN and left neck LN to the posterior neck PN of a user U, thereby heating or cooling the blood flowing through each carotid artery A and the posterior neck PN of the user U. In the following, in this embodiment, a case where the body warming / cooling device 1 is used for cooling will be described, but the body warming / cooling device 1 may also be used for heating.

[0012] In this embodiment, the front of the user U is the front side of the body warming / cooling device 1 (neck hanging member 16), and the rear of the user U is the back side of the body warming / cooling device 1 (neck hanging member 16). In the drawings, the left-right direction of the user U is shown as the X direction, the front-to-back direction of the user U is shown as the Y direction, and the height direction of the user U is shown as the Z direction, for the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 worn by the user U while the user U is standing upright.

[0013] (Configuration of body heating and cooling device) Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment from the front side. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment from the back side.

[0014] The body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment comprises a pair of first plates 11 arranged to contact the carotid arteries A of the right neck RN and left neck LN of the user U, a pair of first Peltier elements 13 that cool or heat each of the pair of first plates 11, a second plate 12 arranged to contact the posterior neck PN of the user U, and a second Peltier element 14 that cools or heats the second plate 12.

[0015] The body warming / cooling device 1 also includes a neck strap 16 having a pair of a first plate 11 and a second plate 12, as well as a pair of a first Peltier element 13 and a second Peltier element 14. The body warming / cooling device 1 further includes a heat exchanger 17, a power supply 18, and an operating unit 19, as other components described below.

[0016] Fig. 5 is a front view showing the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment. Fig. 6 is a rear view showing the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment. Fig. 7 is a side view showing the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment. Fig. 8 is a bottom view showing the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment.

[0017] The pair of first and second plates 11, 12 are made of a metal material such as aluminum. As shown in Figures 3, 4, 6 and 8, the first plate 11 is provided on the inside of each of the two end portions extending toward the front side of the neck hanging member 16. As shown in Figures 3, 5, 7 and 8, the second plate 12 is provided on the inside of a curved central portion 29 on the back side of the neck hanging member 16.

[0018] 3, the pair of first Peltier elements 13 are provided in contact with the pair of first plates 11 and are arranged inside both end portions (front end portions 28 of upper portion 16A described below) of the neck hanging member 16. The second Peltier element 14 is provided in contact with the second plate 12 and is arranged inside a central portion 29 that is continuous with both end portions of the neck hanging member 16. The first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are thermally connected to the first Peltier element 13 or the second Peltier element 14.

[0019] In this way, the pair of first plate 11 and second plate 12 are arranged in three locations on the neck strap member 16, thereby allowing for concentrated cooling of three locations: the right neck RN and left neck LN, where the user U can effectively feel a cool sensation by cooling the blood flowing through the carotid artery A, and the posterior neck PN, where the user U is likely to feel a cool sensation.

[0020] Therefore, according to the body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment, for example, a U-shaped plate that extends continuously from the right neck region RN to the posterior neck region PN to the left neck region LN can be used, which reduces the heat transfer area compared to a structure that cools the entire periphery of the neck N (hereinafter, the right neck region RN, left neck region LN, and posterior neck region PN are collectively referred to as the neck N), thereby efficiently cooling the neck N of the user U. As a result, the power consumption of the body warming / cooling device 1 is reduced. When powered by a battery, the continuous use time can be extended. In addition, by distributing the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 to three locations on the neck hanging member 16, the restriction of movement of the neck N and the feeling of pressure on the user U, which are the case with the above-mentioned U-shaped plate, are reduced, thereby providing the user U with a sense of openness, increasing the degree of freedom of movement of the neck N, and providing a comfortable fit.

[0021] Because the blood flow rate in the posterior cervical region PN is smaller than that in the carotid artery A, the amount of heat absorbed by the second Peltier element 14 is smaller than that absorbed by the first Peltier element 13. Therefore, a Peltier element smaller than the first Peltier element 13 is used for the second Peltier element 14. This makes the effect of cooling the posterior cervical region PN by the second Peltier element 14 smaller than the effect of cooling the blood flowing in the carotid artery A by the first Peltier element 13. This prevents the temperature of the second Peltier element 14 that cools the posterior cervical region PN from dropping too low, thereby increasing the comfort of the user U.

[0022] (Shape of the first plate) FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing the neck hanging member 16 and the first plate 11 in the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the pair of first plates 11 has a contact region 21 that contacts the carotid artery A, and the contact region 21 has opposing upper and lower edges 21a and 21b, and opposing front and rear edges 21c and 21d. The width W1 between the upper and lower edges 21a and 21b increases from the rear edge 21d toward the front edge 21c. The width W1 refers to the width in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which an upper step 16A (described later) of the neck hanging member 16 extends. In other words, the upper edge 21a slopes upward toward the front of the neck hanging member 16, and the lower edge 21b slopes downward toward the front of the neck hanging member 16, with the width W1 on the front edge 21c side being greater than the width W1 on the rear edge 21d side.

[0023] Furthermore, the contact areas 21 of the pair of first plates 11 are inclined such that the upper side of the front side 21c is positioned closer to the front of the user U than the lower side of the front side 21c, and the rear side 21d is inclined such that the upper side of the rear side 21d is positioned closer to the front of the user U than the lower side of the rear side 21d. In other words, the front side 21c is formed to have an upward slope toward the tip sides of both end portions (front end portions 28 of the upper step portion 16A described below) of the neck hanging member 16. Note that the upper side 21a and lower side 21b, front side 21c and rear side 21d of the contact areas 21 in this embodiment are the sides along the outer periphery of the contact areas 21, and include the curved portions of this outer periphery.

[0024] In this way, the area of ​​the contact region 21 of the first plate 11 is formed so that it increases toward the front side of the user U, so that it extends to face the carotid triangle T (Figure 10) described below, where the carotid artery A of the user U is located, and the size that the contact region 21 occupies with respect to the carotid triangle T can be appropriately ensured.

[0025] Furthermore, the contact regions 21 of the pair of first plates 11 are formed in a curved shape that rises toward the carotid artery A. For example, the center of the contact region 21 bulges out toward the carotid artery A from the upper side 21a and the lower side 21b, the front side 21c, and the rear side 21d. This allows the contact region 21 to come into proper contact with the carotid artery A regardless of variations in the size of the neck N of the user U, ensuring stable contact between the first plate 11 and the carotid artery A. The curved contact region 21 may be formed as a spherical surface or as a combination of multiple gently curved surfaces.

[0026] 5 and 6, the second plate 12 has an elliptical contact area 22, and is arranged so as to contact both sides of the spine (not shown) of the posterior cervical PN of the user U. The center of the contact area 22 in the vertical direction, which is the Z direction, bulges out toward the posterior cervical PN, and the center in the vertical direction is formed so as to contact along the periphery of the posterior cervical PN.

[0027] (Shape of neck strap) 2, 3, and 4, the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 has a U-shaped upper section 16A and a U-shaped lower section 16B located below the upper section 16A. As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 8, a pair of first plates 11 are provided at both ends of the upper section 16A, and a second plate 12 is provided in the center continuous with both ends. As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7, the neck hanging member 16 is configured such that one end of the upper section 16A in the direction in which the upper section 16A extends is connected to one end of the lower section 16B in the direction in which the lower section 16B extends, and the other end of the upper section 16A is connected to the other end of the lower section 16B.

[0028] As shown in Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7, the lower section 16B is formed in a rod shape that is thinner than the upper section 16A, and is curved to fit along the base of the user U's neck N, i.e., the neck.

[0029] 2 and 7, the upper and lower sections 16A and 16B are arranged with a gap 25 in the up-down direction, which is the Z direction of the neck hanging member 16. The gap 25 is formed continuously from the right neck region RN and left neck region LN to the posterior neck region PN. In other words, by dividing the neck hanging member 16 into the upper and lower sections 16A and 16B, it is possible to ensure the gap 25 between the upper and lower sections 16A and 16B, and the restraint of the neck region N by the neck hanging member 16 is reduced. This reduces the feeling of pressure from the neck hanging member 16 and increases the freedom of movement of the neck region N, resulting in a comfortable fit.

[0030] Furthermore, in the neckband 16, the vertical gap 25A at the right neck RN and left neck LN of the user U is larger than the vertical gap 25B at the posterior neck PN. The rear side of the lower section 16B that contacts the posterior neck PN is curved upward, toward the rear side of the upper section 16A, thereby reducing the vertical gap 25B at the posterior neck PN. By ensuring a large vertical gap 25A at the right neck RN and left neck LN in this way, the feeling of pressure on the right neck RN and left neck LN by the neckband 16 is reduced, the feeling of openness at the neck N when the neckband 16 is worn is enhanced, and a comfortable fit is achieved.

[0031] 8, on the XY plane (hereinafter referred to as the horizontal plane), the lower section 16B is disposed outside the upper section 16A with respect to the neck N of the user U, and the outer periphery of the upper section 16A and the inner periphery of the lower section 16B are disposed so as to overlap, so that the entire neck hanging member 16 is formed in a U-shape. Therefore, the upper section 16A is disposed closer to the neck N of the user U than the position of the lower section 16B.

[0032] The neck strap member 16 is formed of a resin material such as polypropylene (PP) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The lower section 16B is formed in a rod shape using an elastic material such as polypropylene (PP) or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The lower section 16B elastically deforms relative to the upper section 16A, i.e., flexes flexibly, thereby connecting the lower section 16B and the upper section 16A so that the lower section 16B and the upper section 16A are relatively movable. Therefore, the upper section 16A can flexibly move to follow the movement of the neck N of the user U. In other words, the lower section 16B is formed to elastically deform relative to the upper section 16A in response to the movement of the shoulders of the user U. In addition, as described above, the gap 25 (25A, 25B) is provided between the upper section 16A and the lower section 16B, thereby increasing the degree of freedom of movement of the upper section 16A and the lower section 16B to follow the movement of the neck N of the user U, resulting in a comfortable fit.

[0033] Therefore, when the neck N of the user U is pressed against the upper section 16A due to movement of the neck N, shoulders, etc., the upper section 16A moves smoothly toward the lower section 16B, thereby preventing the neck N of the user U from being compressed by the upper section 16A.

[0034] (positioning part) 1, 2, 7 and 9, the neck strap 16 has positioning portions 27 that are placed on the body of the user U so as to position the neck strap 16 at positions where the pair of first plates 11 contact the carotid arteries A of the right neck RN and the left neck LN. The positioning portions 27 are formed by a curved portion on the front side of the lower step 16B of the neck strap 16, and the pair of positioning portions 27 are integrally formed with the lower step 16B.

[0035] 1, 2, and 9, each positioning portion 27 is formed at a position that contacts the collarbone B of the user U. Therefore, by wearing the neck strap 16 so that each positioning portion 27 of the lower portion 16B of the neck strap 16 rests on the collarbone B, each first plate 11 provided on the upper portion 16A can be easily positioned in the up-down direction of the neck N of the user U, as well as in the left-right direction of the neck N. Furthermore, by positioning each first plate 11 with the pair of positioning portions 27 based on the collarbone B, the first plates 11 can be easily positioned and the stability of the positioned state of the first plates 11 can be improved.

[0036] Furthermore, because the lower stage 16B having the positioning portion 27 is formed of an elastic material as described above, even if the collarbone B, shoulder, or the like moves while the neck strap 16 is being worn, the lower stage 16B bends, suppressing fluctuations in the position of the first plate 11, thereby enhancing the stability of the state in which the first plate 11 is positioned by the positioning portion 27. Therefore, the area of ​​contact between the first plate 11 and the right cervical region RN or the left cervical region LN can be maintained, allowing the carotid artery A to be cooled efficiently.

[0037] (Shape of the front end of the neck strap) As shown in FIG. 9, a pair of front end portions 28, which are both ends of the upper stage portion 16A of the neck hanging member 16, have a width W2 between an upper edge 28a and a lower edge 28b of the front end portions 28, which widen toward the front of the user U. The width W2 refers to the width in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the upper stage portion 16A of the neck hanging member 16 extends. The upper edge 28a of the front end portions 28 is formed to slope downward toward the front of the user U. Like the upper edge 28a, the lower edge 28b of the front end portions 28 is formed to slope downward toward the front of the user U. As shown in FIGS. 2, 7, and 9, the lower edge 28b and the upper edge 28a of the upper stage portion 16A of the front end portion 28 are formed to be wider at the front and narrower at the rear.

[0038] The front end portion 28 of the neck hanging member 16 is inclined so that the upper edge 28a side of the front end portion 28c of the front end portion 28 is located closer to the front of the user U than the lower edge 28b side of the front edge 28c of the front end portion 28. Note that, as shown in Figures 5 and 8, the pair of front end portions 28 in this embodiment are curved so that the tips of the front end portions 28 approach each other in the direction in which the upper step portions 16A extend. Therefore, in other words, the inclined shape of the front edge 28c described above is inclined so that the upper edge 28a side of the front end portion 28c of the front end portion 28 is located closer to the tip in the direction in which the upper step portions 16A extend than the lower edge 28b side of the front edge 28c of the front end portion 28.

[0039] By forming the width of the front end portion 28 in the Z direction larger than the rear side of the upper step portion 16A in this way, the first plate 11 can be disposed so as to face the carotid trigone T (FIG. 10) described below, where the carotid artery A of the user U is located, and the size of the first plate 11 can be appropriately secured relative to the carotid trigone T. This makes it possible to increase the size of the contact area 21 of the first plate 11 disposed at the front end portion 28, and appropriately secures the size of the contact area 21 of the first plate 11 that occupies the carotid trigone T. In addition, by forming the front end portion 28 in the shape described above, space is secured around the throat of the anterior neck AN (FIG. 2) of the user U, reducing a feeling of pressure on the user U and enhancing a feeling of openness in the neck N when the neck hanging member 16 is worn, resulting in a comfortable fit.

[0040] (Positional relationship between the first plate and the neck) FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating the positional relationship between the right neck RN and the left neck LN and the first plate 11 when a user U wears the neck strap 16 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 10, the area of ​​the carotid trigone T is indicated by diagonal lines. As shown in FIG. 10, when the user U wears the neck strap 16, the pair of first plates 11 are disposed at the front end 28 of the upper section 16A so as to contact the area of ​​each carotid trigone T of the user U. That is, the first plates 11 are disposed based on the position of the carotid trigone T, and the area where the contact area 21 of the first plate 11 overlaps the area of ​​the carotid trigone T is appropriately secured. This allows the contact area 21 of the first plate 11 to easily and smoothly contact the carotid artery A located in the carotid trigone T, thereby appropriately cooling the blood flowing through the carotid artery A.

[0041] (carotid triangle) 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the carotid triangle in an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11, the carotid triangle T is the region where the carotid artery A is located, and includes the right carotid triangle located in the right cervical region RN and the left carotid triangle located in the left cervical region LN. In detail, the carotid triangle T refers to a triangular region surrounded by an anterior edge T1 where the thyroid region 101, larynx 102, subhyoid region 103, and hyoid region 104 are located, an upper edge T2 where the submandibular triangle 105 is located, and a posterior edge T3 where the sternocleidomastoid muscle region 106 is located.

[0042] The shape of the front end 28 of the neck strap 16 and the shape of the contact area 21 of the first plate 11 are set to correspond to the carotid trigone T, so that the first plate 11 can cool the blood flowing through the carotid artery A. The size of the contact area 21 of the first plate 11 around the neck N is larger than the size of the average carotid trigone T, and is set so as to properly contact the carotid trigone T regardless of variations in the size of the neck N of the user U.

[0043] (Flow path of neck strap) Fig. 12 is a perspective view showing the flow paths of the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment. Fig. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the flow paths of the neck hanging member 16 of the embodiment.

[0044] 12, the neck strap member 16 has a tube member 31 that forms a flow path 32 for sending cooling water as a heat transfer medium to the first Peltier element 13 and the second Peltier element 14. The tube member 31 is provided inside the upper and lower sections 16A and 16B of the neck strap member 16, and is arranged along the direction in which the upper and lower sections 16A and 16B extend. The heat transfer medium is not limited to cooling water, and other temperature control liquids such as cooling oil may also be used.

[0045] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the flow path 32 of the tube member 31 includes a first flow path 32A extending from the second Peltier element 14 to one of the pair of first Peltier elements 13, a second flow path 32B extending from one of the first Peltier elements 13 to the other first Peltier element 13, and a third flow path 32C extending from the other first Peltier element 13 to the second Peltier element 14.

[0046] Inside the neck hanging member 16, cooling water supplied from the outside to the rear side of the neck hanging member 16 flows through the first flow path 32A, the second flow path 32B, and the third flow path 32C in this order, and is sent from the rear side of the neck hanging member 16 to the outside. As shown in Fig. 13, the flow path 32 is routed so as to supply cooling water to the pair of first Peltier element 13 and second Peltier element 14, and heat exchange occurs between the cooling water and each of the first Peltier element 13 and second Peltier element 14.

[0047] 12, a first flow path 32A through which cooling water flows from the rear of the upper stage portion 16A toward one front end portion 28 of the upper stage portion 16A, and a third flow path 32C through which cooling water flows from the other front end portion 28 of the upper stage portion 16A toward the rear of the upper stage portion 16A are provided inside the upper stage portion 16A. A second flow path 32B through which cooling water flows from one end side to the other end side of the lower stage portion 16B is provided inside the lower stage portion 16B.

[0048] That is, the cooling water that enters the flow path 32 from behind the upper stage portion 16A flows through the upper stage portion 16A along the first flow path 32A, flows through the lower stage portion 16B along the second flow path 32B, and flows through the upper stage portion 16A along the third flow path 32C, flowing inside the neck hanging member 16 along the flow path 32 that is formed like a single stroke, and exits from behind the upper stage portion 16A to the outside of the neck hanging member 16. Therefore, both the upper stage portion 16A and the lower stage portion 16B can be used as flow paths.

[0049] This simplifies the path of the cooling water flow path 32 in the neck strap 16, allowing the neck strap 16 to be compact, resulting in a smaller and lighter neck strap 16. Furthermore, by arranging the first flow path 32A, the second flow path 32B, and the third flow path 32C separately from each other inside the neck strap 16, heat exchange between the flow paths 32A, 32B, and 32C is prevented, thereby improving the cooling capacity of the first Peltier element 13 and the second Peltier element 14. Furthermore, by arranging the upper and lower stages 16A and 16B of the neck strap 16 with a gap 25 between them, heat exchange between the first flow path 32A and the second flow path 32B and between the second flow path 32B and the third flow path 32C is prevented. This further improves the cooling capacity of the first Peltier element 13 and the second Peltier element 14.

[0050] Furthermore, in the embodiment, as described above, the heat absorption amount of the second Peltier element 14 is smaller than the heat absorption amount of the first Peltier element 13. Therefore, in the flow path 32, the cooling water first passes through the second Peltier element 14, which has a smaller heat absorption amount, thereby preventing the temperature of the cooling water from rising significantly, and the first Peltier element 13 can be properly cooled by the cooling water, which has a lower temperature after passing through the second Peltier element 14.

[0051] (Tube pull-out position) As shown in Figures 2, 4, 7, and 12, the tube member 31 is pulled out from above the central portion 29 of the neck hanging member 16 at the position where the second Peltier element 14 is disposed, to the outside of the neck hanging member 16. Specifically, the tube member 31 is pulled out horizontally from the back of the central portion 29, where the second Peltier element 14 is disposed, in the upper stage 16A of the neck hanging member 16. The central portion 29 of the upper stage 16A from which the tube member 31 is pulled out of the neck hanging member 16 is located above the posterior neck area PN, and the tube member 32 is arranged so that its pull-out position is higher than the collar of typical clothing. Furthermore, by pulling the tube member 31 out horizontally from the upper stage 16A, contact between the tube member 31 and the collar of the clothing of the user U is avoided, and interference with the flow of the cooling water is suppressed.

[0052] This makes it possible to easily pull the tube member 31, which is drawn out from the back of the user U's neck PN, from above the collar of the user U's clothes to the back side of the user U without getting caught on the collar. Therefore, the user U can easily wear the neck hanging member 16 while still wearing his / her clothes, improving the ease of putting on and taking off the neck hanging member 16.

[0053] 4 and 6, a cooling water inlet 33a and an outlet 33b for the flow path 32 are provided side by side on the back surface of the central portion 29 of the upper portion 16A of the neck strap member 16. As shown in FIGS. 4, 8 and 12, the tube member 31 includes an inlet-side tube member 31A connected to the inlet 33a and an outlet-side tube member 31B connected to the outlet 33b.

[0054] The position from which the tube member 31 is pulled out from the neck hanging member 16 is not limited to the back side of the central portion 29 of the upper stage 16A, and may be pulled out from any position on the upper stage 16A as long as it is a position that avoids contact with the collar of the clothing of the user U. Furthermore, the direction from which the tube member 31 is pulled out from the upper stage 16A is not limited to the horizontal direction, and may be pulled out obliquely upward from the back side of the central portion 29 of the upper stage 16A, for example. When the tube member 31 is pulled around toward the back of the user U as in this embodiment, a structure in which the tube member 31 is pulled out from the back side of the central portion 29 of the upper stage 16A as in this embodiment is preferable.

[0055] (Other configurations of the body heating / cooling device) Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the entire body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment. As shown in Fig. 14, the body warming / cooling device 1 includes a heat exchanger 17 connected to the neck strap 16 via tube members 31 (31A, 31B), a power supply 18 that supplies power to the first Peltier element 13, the second Peltier element 14, the heat exchanger 17, etc., and an operation unit 19 for operating the heat exchanger 17.

[0056] The heat exchanger 17 uses a so-called air-cooled radiator and includes a pump for supplying coolant, a blower fan for cooling the coolant, and air inlets and outlets (not shown). The power supply 18 is, for example, a rechargeable battery, and is connected to the heat exchanger 17 and the operation unit 19 via a connection cord 18a. The power supply 18 is also electrically connected to the pair of first and second Peltier elements 13 and 14 via wiring (not shown). The operation unit 19 is a controller for adjusting the temperatures of the first and second Peltier elements 13 and 14, and includes a plurality of operation means (not shown) including a dial knob. By operating the operation unit 19, for example, the flow rate of the pump of the heat exchanger 17, the rotation speed of the blower fan, and the voltage supplied to the first and second Peltier elements 13 and 14 can be adjusted.

[0057] (Effects of the Example) As described above, the body cooling / warming device 1 of the embodiment includes a pair of first Peltier elements 13 that cool or heat blood flowing through the carotid arteries A in the right neck RN and left neck LN of the user U, a second Peltier element 14 that cools or heats the back of the neck PN of the user U, a tube member 31 having a flow path that sends a heat medium to the first Peltier element 13 and the second Peltier element 14, and a neck hanging member 16 in which the pair of first Peltier element 13, second Peltier element 14, and tube member 31 are provided. The tube member 31 is drawn out from the upper side of the neck hanging member 16 to the outside of the neck hanging member 16. This makes it possible, when wearing the neck hanging member 16 around the neck N, to easily draw the tube member 31 from above the collar of the user U's clothing toward the back of the user U without getting caught on the collar. Therefore, the tube member 31 pulled out from the neck hanging member 16 is prevented from getting caught on the collar of the clothes, and the user U can easily wear the neck hanging member 16 while wearing the clothes, so that the neck hanging member 16 can be easily put on and taken off and a comfortable feeling of wearing can be obtained.

[0058] Furthermore, the body warming / cooling device 1 has a pair of first and second plates 11 and 12 distributed across three locations on the neck hanging member 16, allowing for concentrated cooling of three locations: the right neck region RN and the left neck region LN, where the user U can effectively feel cool, and the back neck region PN, where the user U is likely to feel cool. Therefore, according to the embodiment, the neck region N can be cooled more efficiently than in a structure using a U-shaped plate that cools the neck region N all around. As a result, the power consumption of the body warming / cooling device 1 is reduced, and the continuous operating time can be extended. In addition, the first plate 11 and the second plate 12 are distributed across three locations on the neck hanging member 16, reducing the feeling of pressure on the user U, thereby increasing the sense of openness and freedom of movement of the neck region N, and providing a comfortable fit.

[0059] The neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment has a U-shaped upper stage portion 16A in which the pair of first plates 11 are provided at the front end portions 28, which are both ends, and the second plate 12 is provided at a central portion 29 that is continuous with the front end portions 28, and a U-shaped lower stage portion 16B that is located below the upper stage portion 16A, and the tube member 31 is drawn out from the upper stage portion 16A to the outside of the neck hanging member 16. By drawing out the tube member 31 from the upper stage portion 16A that is located above the neck N in this way, the tube member 31 can be easily drawn out from above the collar of the user U's clothing, thereby improving the ease of putting on and taking off the neck hanging member 16.

[0060] Furthermore, by dividing the neck hanging member 16 into an upper section 16A and a lower section 16B, it is possible to ensure a gap 25 between the upper section 16A and the lower section 16B. Furthermore, when a second Peltier element 14 that is smaller than the first Peltier element 13 is used, it is possible to ensure a larger gap 25. As a result, the feeling of pressure from the neck hanging member 16 is reduced and the freedom of movement of the neck N is increased, resulting in a comfortable fit.

[0061] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the tube member 31 is pulled out horizontally from the upper stage portion 16A, which prevents the tube member 31 from coming into contact with the collar of the clothes of the user U and also prevents the fluidity of the cooling water from being hindered.

[0062] Furthermore, in the body warming / cooling device 1 of the embodiment, the amount of heat absorbed by the second Peltier element 14 is smaller than the amount of heat absorbed by the first Peltier element 13. This makes the effect of cooling the posterior neck region PN by the second Peltier element 14 smaller than the effect of cooling the blood flowing through the carotid artery A by the first Peltier element 13, thereby preventing the posterior neck region PN from being cooled too much, thereby increasing the comfort of the user U. Furthermore, by reducing the amount of heat absorbed by the second Peltier element 14, an element smaller than the first Peltier element 13 can be used, making it easier to ensure space for arranging the inlet 33a and outlet 33b to which the tube member 31 is connected.

[0063] (Variation) The modified examples will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the modified examples, the same components and structural parts as those in the embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] (adjustment mechanism) Fig. 15 is a perspective view illustrating the adjustment mechanism of the neck hanging member 16 in the modified example. As shown in Fig. 15, the neck hanging member 16 of the body warming / cooling device in the modified example includes an adjustment mechanism 37 that adjusts the position of each of the pair of first plates 11 relative to each carotid artery A of the user U.

[0065] The adjustment mechanisms 37 are provided near the respective front end portions 28 of the upper stage portion 16A, and support the distal ends of the front end portions 28 in the direction in which the front end portions 28 extend, rotatably in the direction in which the front end portions 28 advance and retreat relative to the carotid trigone T. The adjustment mechanisms 37 have pivot shafts 37a, 37b that support the front end portions 28, and a so-called click hinge is used. The front end portions 28 are separated from the upper stage portion 16A, and the pivot shaft 37a that pivotally supports the front end portions 28 is provided on the upper stage portion 16A. Furthermore, at the connection portion between the upper stage portion 16A and the lower stage portion 16B, the front end portions 28 are separated from the lower stage portion 16B, and the pivot shaft 37b that pivotally supports the front end portions 28 is provided below the front end portions. Note that, instead of using the pivot shafts 37b, the adjustment mechanisms 37 may be configured so that the front end portions 28 are pivoted by elastic deformation of the lower stage portion 16B.

[0066] The adjustment mechanism 37 rotates the front end portion 28 about the rotation axes 37a and 37b to temporarily fix the first plate 11 in a predetermined position. This allows the adjustment mechanism 37 to appropriately adjust the contact state between the first plate 11 and the carotid trigone T in accordance with variations in the size of the neck N of the user U, making it easy to obtain an appropriate contact state.

[0067] Although not shown, an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the attitude of second plate 12 may be provided behind upper portion 16A. In this case, the adjustment mechanism for second plate 12 may be provided so as to rotate second plate 12 around a horizontal axis, for example.

[0068] (contact area of ​​second plate) 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a modified second plate in the modified example. As shown in FIG. 16, the second plate 38 in the modified example has a contact area 39 divided into two, with a pair of contact areas 39 positioned on either side of the vertebrae S of the posterior cervical region PN. By positioning each contact area 39 of the second plate 38 so as to avoid the position of the vertebrae S, it is possible to avoid contact between the second plate 38 and the protruding portion of the nape corresponding to the vertebrae S. This softens the sensation felt by the second plate 38 on the posterior cervical region PN, further enhancing the comfort of the user U.

[0069] In the modified example, the contact area 39 of the second plate 38 is divided into two, but this is not limited to the contact area of ​​the second plate 38, and at least one of the contact areas of the pair of first plates and the second plate may be divided into multiple areas. For example, the contact area of ​​the first plate may be divided into multiple areas in the direction in which the upper step portion 16A extends, depending on the curved shape around the neck N, thereby increasing the stability of the contact state with the carotid trigone T.

[0070] (Effects of Modification) As described above, the modified example has an adjustment mechanism 37 that adjusts the position of the first plate 11 relative to the carotid artery A, making it easy to obtain an appropriate contact state between the first plate 11 and the carotid artery A regardless of the size of the user U's neck N.

[0071] In addition, the second plate 38 in the modified example has contact areas 39 divided into two on either side of the position of the spine S, thereby softening the feeling of contact with the posterior cervical region PN where the second plate 38 comes into contact, further enhancing the comfort of the user U. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 1. Body heating and cooling device 11 Plate 1 12 Second Plate 13 First Peltier element 14 Second Peltier element 16 Neck strap 16A Upper section 16B Lower part 21, 22 contact area 21a Top 21b bottom edge 21c front side 21d rear side 25(25A, 25B) void 27 Positioning part 28 Front end 28a Upper edge 28b lower edge 28c leading edge 29 Central part 31 Tube member 32 Flow path 32A First flow path 32B Second flow path 32C Third flow path 37 Adjustment mechanism 38 Second Plate 39 Contact area U User N Neck RN Right side neck LN left side neck AN anterior neck PN Posterior cervical region A. Carotid artery B Clavicle T carotid triangle W1, W2 width

Claims

1. a pair of first Peltier elements for cooling or heating blood flowing through the carotid arteries in the right and left necks of the user; a second Peltier element for cooling or heating the back of the user's neck; a tube member having a flow path for supplying a heat medium to the first Peltier element and the second Peltier element; a neck strap member having the pair of first Peltier elements, the second Peltier element, and the tube member provided therein, the second Peltier element is provided in a central portion of the neck strap member located on the rear neck side, the neck strap member has a positioning portion that contacts the collarbone of the user, and is formed so that when the neck strap member is hung around the neck of the user, the central portion is supported by the positioning portion that contacts the collarbone, and is positioned above a lower portion of the neck of the user in the vertical direction; a body heating / cooling device in which, in the central portion, the tube member passes along the outer periphery of the interior of the central portion relative to the second Peltier element when viewed from the vertical direction, and is pulled out from the back surface of the outer periphery of the central portion to the outside of the neck hanging member, and the tube member is bent downward in the vertical direction at a position above the lower end of the central portion in the vertical direction.

2. the neck strap member has a U-shaped upper stage portion having the pair of first Peltier elements provided at both end portions and the second Peltier element provided at the center portion continuous with the both end portions, and a U-shaped lower stage portion disposed below the upper stage portion in the up-down direction with a gap therebetween, one end of the upper stage portion and one end of the lower stage portion being connected, and the other end of the upper stage portion and the other end of the lower stage portion being connected, The tube member is drawn out from the back surface of the central portion of the upper stage portion to the outside of the neck hanging member. The body warming / cooling device according to claim 1 .

3. The tube member is drawn out horizontally from the rear surface. The body warming / cooling device according to claim 2 .

4. the amount of heat absorbed by the second Peltier element is smaller than the amount of heat absorbed by the first Peltier element; 4. The body warming / cooling device according to claim 1.

5. a pair of plates on which the pair of first Peltier elements are respectively provided; The neck hanging member has an adjustment mechanism that adjusts the orientation of the pair of plates with respect to each of the carotid arteries. The body warming / cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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