Head cooling device and head cooling method

Abstract

To provide a head cooling device capable of improving the quality of sleep, without overcooling the head of a sleeper.SOLUTION: In a head cooling device 1, which is a head cooling device for circulating liquid sent out from a device body 3 toward a pillow body 7 therefrom via a connected body 5, the device body 3 includes a temperature adjustment part 31 for adjusting a liquid temperature, a pump part 32 for sending out the liquid toward the pillow body 7, and a control part 35 for controlling the temperature adjustment part 31 and the pump part 32 so that the temperature of the pillow body is adjusted at a first target temperature of 22-24 degrees until a lapse time from cooling start arrives at a target time of 200-250 minutes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device or the like for cooling the head of a person in bed or sleeping. [Background technology]

[0002] As a cooling device for cooling the head of a person in bed or sleeping, for example, "head cooling device 1 is installed and used, for example, in a bed in a hospital, nursing home, etc. As shown in Figure 1, this head cooling device 1 comprises a head cooling pillow 2 (hereinafter referred to as "pillow 2") as a liquid holder on which the user's head rests, and a mechanical part 5 connected to pillow 2 via flexible tubes 3 and 4. Cooling liquid circulates between pillow 2 and mechanical part 5" has been disclosed (for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Paragraph 27 of JP 2013-126523 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The above devices sometimes overcool the sleeper's head. If the sleeper's head is continuously cooled, the sleeper may complain of excessive coldness. In addition, prolonged muscle tension in the neck and upper body can cause problems such as poor circulation. In other words, these factors have the potential to reduce the quality of sleep. An object of the present invention is to provide a head cooling device and a head cooling method that can improve the quality of sleep without overcooling the head of a sleeper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The head cooling device of the present invention is a head cooling device in which liquid delivered from the device main body is circulated between the device main body and a pillow body via a connecting body, and the device main body is equipped with a temperature adjustment unit that adjusts the temperature of the liquid, a pump unit that delivers the liquid toward the pillow body, and a control unit that controls the temperature adjustment unit and the pump unit so as to adjust the temperature of the pillow body to a first target temperature of 22 to 24 degrees until the elapsed time from the start of cooling reaches a target time of 200 to 250 minutes. The head cooling method of the present invention cools the head of a person in bed or sleeping by circulating liquid delivered from the device body between the device body and the pillow body via a connecting body, and adjusts the temperature of the pillow body to 22 to 24 degrees until the elapsed time from the start of cooling reaches the target time of 200 to 250 minutes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the above configuration, the quality of sleep can be improved without overcooling the sleeper's head. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic view of a head cooling device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart of a control unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating changes in body temperature (biorhythm) of a person during sleep. [Figure 4] 10 is a part of a flowchart of a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] <Summary> A head cooling device according to one embodiment includes a control unit that controls the temperature adjustment unit and pump unit to adjust the temperature of the pillow body to a first target temperature of 22 to 24 degrees Celsius until the elapsed time from the start of cooling reaches a target time of 200 to 250 minutes. Because the circulation time stops at 200 to 250 minutes, the head is not cooled for a long period of time. The temperature of the pillow body is adjusted to 22 to 24 degrees Celsius. This is based on 24 degrees Celsius, and those who prefer a cooler environment can select 22 degrees Celsius, which is close to the temperature at which they can achieve a subjective sense of sleep without affecting the quality of their sleep. In addition, the temperature of the pillow is adjusted to 22-24 degrees, shortening the sleep latency and allowing for quick, deep sleep. Also, the temperature of the pillow is adjusted to 22-24 degrees for 200-250 minutes after cooling begins, improving sleep efficiency.

[0009] In the head cooling device according to another aspect of the embodiment, the control unit adjusts the temperature of the pillow to a second target temperature higher than the first target temperature after the target time has elapsed, thereby improving the quality of sleep. In another aspect of the embodiment, the control unit controls the head cooling device so that the first target temperature is reached at the normal bedtime by accepting the normal bedtime, thereby cooling the head of the person in bed to the first target temperature when in bed.

[0010] In one embodiment of the head cooling method, the temperature of the pillow body is adjusted to 22 to 24 degrees until the elapsed time from the start of cooling reaches a target time of 200 to 250 minutes. Because the circulation time stops at 200 to 250 minutes, the head is not cooled for a long period of time. Because the temperature of the pillow body is adjusted to 22 to 24 degrees, the sleep latency time is shortened and deep sleep can be achieved quickly. Furthermore, because the temperature of the pillow body is adjusted to 22 to 24 degrees until 200 to 250 minutes have elapsed from the start of cooling, sleep efficiency can be improved. In the head cooling method, after the target time has elapsed, the temperature of the pillow may be adjusted to a second target temperature higher than the first target temperature, or the pillow may be set to the first target temperature at the time of going to bed by accepting the normal time of going to bed.

[0011] First Embodiment 1.Head cooling device As shown in Fig. 1, the head cooling device 1 comprises a device main body 3, a connector 5, and a pillow body 7. The head cooling device 1 cools the head of a person in bed or sleeping by circulating a liquid whose temperature has been adjusted in the device main body 3 between the device main body 3 and the pillow body 7 via the connector 5.

[0012] (1) Device body 1, the device main body 3 includes a temperature adjustment unit 31, a pump unit 32, an operation unit 33, a display unit 34, a control unit 35, a memory unit 36, a temperature sensor 37, and a timer 38. The device main body 3 may include the temperature adjustment unit 31 and the like in one housing or in multiple housings, and may include, for example, the temperature adjustment unit 31 and the pump unit 32 as separate units.

[0013] The temperature adjustment unit 31 adjusts the temperature of the liquid delivered from the pump unit 32 and / or the liquid received by the pump unit 32 to a constant temperature or within a constant range. The liquid delivered from the device main body 3 is warmed by the head of the person in bed or sleeping in the pillow body 7, so the temperature adjustment unit 31 mainly cools the liquid. The temperature adjustment unit 31 uses, for example, a Peltier element, and cools the liquid by applying a voltage. The pump section 32 is equipped with a pump that receives the circulating liquid from the pillow body 7 side and sends the received liquid back to the pillow body 7 side, and is connected to the connecting body 5. The operation unit 33 has a power switch for turning the device on and off, a start switch for starting a mode for cooling the head of a person in bed or sleeping (this mode will be referred to as the "cooling mode" hereinafter), and a stop switch for stopping the cooling mode midway. The display unit 34 displays the time elapsed since the start of the cooling mode, the temperature of the pillow body 7 (liquid), and the like.

[0014] The control unit 35 is configured by, for example, a CPU, and controls the entire head cooling device 1 (device main body 3) based on computer programs and various setting data stored in the storage unit 36. When the start switch of the cooling mode is operated, the control unit 101 controls the temperature adjustment unit 31 using the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 37, and controls the temperature adjustment unit 31 and the pump unit 32 using the time measured by the timer 38. Specifically, when the cooling mode starts, the control unit 101 controls the temperature adjustment unit 31 and the pump unit so as to adjust and maintain the temperature of the liquid (water) flowing inside the pillow body 7 at a temperature of 22 to 24 degrees (for example, 24 degrees) for 200 to 250 minutes. The control unit 35 performs processing in response to an operation received from the operator via the operation unit 133, and displays the elapsed time in the cooling mode on the display unit 34.

[0015] The storage unit 102 is specifically composed of RAM, ROM or flash memory for the control unit 35, and stores various setting data including the computer program for the head cooling method according to this embodiment. The setting data includes the temperature of the pillow body 7 in the cooling mode, the time for the cooling mode, etc. The temperature sensor 37 detects the temperature of the pillow body 7 or a temperature corresponding to the temperature of the pillow body 7 (the temperature of the liquid or a temperature corresponding to the temperature of the liquid). The timer 38 starts measurement and outputs the elapsed time to the control unit 35 according to instructions from the control unit 35.

[0016] (2) Connector and pillow The connecting body 5 has a tube portion and connection portions on both ends of the tube portion. The connecting body 5 has an upstream flow path from the device main body 3 to the pillow body 7, and a downstream flow path from the pillow body 7 to the device main body 3. The upstream end of the upstream flow path and the downstream end of the downstream flow path are connected to the device main body 3, and the downstream end of the upstream flow path and the upstream end of the downstream flow path are connected to the pillow body 7. The pillow body 7 has a flow path inside, and the water supply port at the upstream end of the flow path is connected to the downstream connection part of the upper flow path of the connecting body 5, and the drain port at the downstream end of the flow path is connected to the upstream connection part of the lower flow path of the connecting body 5.

[0017] 2. Cooling mode control The control content of the control unit 35 in the cooling mode will be described with reference to FIG. When the operator operates the start switch of the operation unit 33, the control unit 35 reads out the cooling mode program from the memory unit 36 ​​and starts it, turns on the pump (S1), starts the timer 38 (S2), and applies voltage to the Peltier element (S3). As a result, circulation of liquid between the device body 3 and the pillow body 7 begins.

[0018] The control unit 35 acquires the temperature Te measured by the temperature sensor 37 (S4), and if the temperature Te is higher than the target temperature (first target temperature) Te1 ("Yes" in step S5), the control unit 35 returns to step S3 and repeats steps S3 to S5 until the temperature Te measured by the temperature sensor 37 becomes equal to or lower than the target temperature Te1. The target temperature Te1 is stored in the memory unit 36 ​​and is, for example, 24 degrees (°C). In step S5, if the temperature Te becomes equal to or lower than the target temperature Te1 ("No"), the control unit 35 stops applying voltage to the Peltier element (S6), acquires the elapsed time Ti measured by the timer 38 (S7), and if the elapsed time Ti has not reached the target time (first target time) Ti1 ("No" in step S8), returns to step S4, and if the elapsed time Ti has reached the target time Ti1 ("Yes" in step S8), turns off the pump (S9), and ends the process. The target time Ti1 is stored in the memory unit 36 ​​and is, for example, 240 minutes (4 hours).

[0019] 3. Sleep Efficiency FIG. 3 is a graph showing the depth of sleep and core body temperature over time from the onset of sleep. Note that in FIG. 3, the depth of sleep and deep body temperature are shown together for convenience, but the depth of sleep and deep body temperature (sleep rhythm) differ depending on the person, gender, age, etc., and this is an example.

[0020] (1) Depth of sleep Generally, nighttime sleep is composed of a series of repeated non-REM and REM sleep pairs, which are repeated several times from the time of falling asleep until awakening. This series of non-REM and REM sleep pairs is called a sleep cycle, and has a periodicity of 90 to 120 minutes. For about 3.5 hours after falling asleep, you will be in a deep sleep, alternating between deep non-REM sleep and REM sleep about twice (lower part of the vertical axis on the left side of the diagram), then you will enter a medium-depth non-REM sleep (middle part of the vertical axis on the left side of the diagram) or a relatively light sleep, alternating between shallow non-REM sleep and REM sleep (upper part of the vertical axis on the left side of the diagram), before waking up. This is called the sleep rhythm. For about 3.5 hours after falling asleep, the brain rests, waste products are removed, the body grows and recovers, memories are consolidated, etc. From about 3.5 hours onwards until waking up, the brain rests, memories are consolidated, and the body rests, etc., and from the time when core body temperature is at its lowest until waking up, preparations for activities after waking up are made.

[0021] (2) Core body temperature Skin temperature (body surface temperature) begins to rise about one hour before the usual bedtime, and as the skin temperature rises, the core body temperature drops. Core temperature decreases from the onset of sleep until about 5.5 hours later, then increases toward the habitual wake-up time. In humans, the lowest temperature is usually between 4 and 5 a.m., although there are differences between gender and age. Core body temperature is effectively reduced by cooling the brain, i.e., the head. (3) Depth of sleep and core body temperature As shown in Figure 3, when you fall asleep, your core body temperature drops and your sleep becomes deeper. In other words, by quickly lowering your core body temperature after falling asleep, you can achieve deep, deep sleep. After falling asleep, your core body temperature drops until it finally shifts to light sleep (about 4.5 hours after falling asleep), and you wake up after your core body temperature rises. In other words, by not preventing the core body temperature from rising, you can wake up comfortably.

[0022] (4) Head cooling device The head cooling device 1 according to the present invention is a device that cools the head so that optimal sleep can be obtained based on the relationship between the depth of sleep and core body temperature. The head cooling device 1 circulates liquid so that the temperature of the pillow body 7 is between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius. This allows the person in bed to fall asleep with a comfortable feeling without feeling that the pillow body 7 is too cold. Furthermore, according to the inventors' investigations, it has been found that when the temperature of the pillow body 7 is between 22 and 24 degrees, the depth of sleep of the sleeper becomes deeper than when the pillow body is cooled in other temperature ranges.

[0023] Since the head cooling device cannot control the time the sleeper goes to bed or the time from going to bed to falling asleep, it takes about 30 minutes to cool down to the target temperature Te1. However, from the perspective of inducing sleep, it is preferable that the pillow body 7 is cooled when the sleeper goes to bed.

[0024] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, in the control content of the cooling mode, when the elapsed time Ti from the operation of the start switch reaches the first target time Ti1, the circulation of the liquid is stopped. However, after the first target time Ti1 has elapsed, the liquid may be circulated after being adjusted to a second target temperature Te2 that is higher than the first target temperature Te1 to which the liquid was cooled during the first target time Ti1, or the liquid may be circulated with the application of voltage stopped. The second target temperature Te2 is set to a temperature lower than the temperature of the pillow body that rises when the cooling and circulation of the liquid is stopped after the first target time Ti1 has elapsed, thereby preventing the temperature of the pillow body from rising too much. Hereinafter, the control unit that controls the temperature of the pillow 7 to be the second target temperature Te2 until the cooling mode ends (the elapsed time until the end is defined as the second target time Ti2) will be described with reference to FIG. A control unit 135 according to the second embodiment (not shown, but referred to as "135" to distinguish it from the control unit 35 according to the first embodiment) performs the processes of steps S1 to S8 (see FIG. 2) described in the first embodiment, and then performs the processes according to the second embodiment. For this reason, FIG. 4 shows steps S8 and thereafter, and the processes of step S8 and thereafter will be described here.

[0025] If the elapsed time Ti has reached the first target time Ti1 ("Yes" in step 8), the control unit 135 acquires the temperature Te measured by the temperature sensor 37 (S11), and if the temperature Te is higher than the second target temperature Te2 ("Yes" in step S12), it applies a voltage to the Peltier element and sets ON a flag indicating whether or not a voltage is being applied (S13), and returns to step S11. The second target temperature Te2 is stored in the memory unit 36 ​​and is, for example, 28 degrees.

[0026] If the temperature Te is equal to or lower than the second target temperature Te2 ("No") in step S12, and the flag is ON ("Yes" in S14), that is, if a voltage is being applied, the control unit 135 stops the application and sets the flag to OFF (no application state) (S15), and proceeds to step S16. If the flag is OFF ("No" in step S14), the control unit proceeds to step S16.

[0027] In step S16, the control unit 135 acquires the elapsed time Ti measured by the timer 38, and if the elapsed time Ti has not reached the second target time Ti2 ("No" in step S17), the control unit 135 returns to step S11, and if the elapsed time Ti has reached the second target time Ti2 ("Yes" in step S17), the control unit 135 turns off the pump (S18) and ends the process. The second target time Ti2 is stored in the memory unit 36 ​​and is, for example, 480 minutes (8 hours). By controlling as described above, it is possible to prevent the core temperature from rising too much before waking up, improving the quality of sleep and allowing you to wake up feeling refreshed. Furthermore, the pillow body 7 is cooled for 240 minutes from the start of cooling, and then cooled to 28 degrees. This prevents the sleeper from feeling hot and waking up, improving the quality of sleep and allowing the sleeper to wake up feeling refreshed. It has been reported that if the head is kept cool until morning (all day and night), it can impair the feeling of having had a good night's sleep when you wake up.

[0028] Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the following modifications may be made, for example. Furthermore, the embodiment and the modifications may be combined, or the modifications may be combined with each other. Furthermore, examples not described in the embodiments and modifications, and design changes within the scope of the present invention are also included in the present invention.

[0029] (1) In the first and second embodiments, in the control content of the cooling mode, cooling is stopped when the elapsed time Ti from the operation of the start switch is 240 minutes. In other words, the starting point of the elapsed time Ti is the time when the start switch is operated, and includes the cooling time (for example, 20 to 40 minutes) until the temperature of the pillow body 7 is cooled to 22 to 24 degrees. However, the measurement of the elapsed time Ti may be started when the temperature of the pillow body 7 reaches 22 to 24 degrees, in which case the elapsed time Ti will be 200 to 220 minutes (for example, 210 minutes). In other words, the control unit controls the temperature adjustment unit and the pump unit so that the pillow body is maintained at a temperature of 22 to 24 degrees for 200 to 220 minutes.

[0030] (2) The temperature sensor 37 measures the temperature of the components that make up the liquid flow path, and determines in advance the temperature of the components when the temperature of the pillow body reaches 22 to 24 degrees, and the control unit uses this temperature for control. However, a temperature sensor that can directly measure the temperature of the liquid may also be used. In this case, it is still necessary to correlate the surface temperature of the pillow body with the temperature of the liquid. The temperature sensor may also be provided on the pillow body, and the measurement results may be transmitted to the control unit wirelessly, for example.

[0031] (3) In the first and second embodiments, the cooling mode is started when the operator operates the start switch of the operation unit 33. However, for example, by receiving the sleeper's usual bedtime, cooling of the liquid may be started so that the first target temperature is reached at the usual bedtime, that is, before the sleeper goes to bed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1 Head cooling device 3. Device body 5 Connector 7 Pillow body 31 Temperature adjustment section 33 Pump section 35 Control Unit

Claims

1. A head cooling device that cools the head of a person in bed or sleeping by circulating liquid discharged from the device body between the device body and a pillow body via a connecting body, The device body includes: a temperature adjusting unit that adjusts the temperature of the liquid; A pump unit that sends the liquid toward the pillow body; a cooling start switch for starting the cooling mode; When the cooling start switch is operated, the cooling mode is started, and the temperature of the pillow body is adjusted to a first target temperature of 22 to 24 degrees until the elapsed time from the start of cooling reaches a target time of 200 to 250 minutes, and a control unit controls the temperature adjustment unit and the pump unit so that the temperature of the pillow body is adjusted to a second target temperature higher than the first target temperature after the target time has elapsed, or the temperature adjustment is stopped after the target time has elapsed. Equipped with Head cooling device.

2. A head cooling method for cooling the head of a person in bed or asleep by using a head cooling device comprising a device body, a connector, and a pillow body, and circulating a liquid delivered from the device body between the device body and the pillow body via the connector, The device body includes a temperature adjusting unit that adjusts the temperature of the liquid, a pump unit that sends the liquid toward the pillow body, a cooling start switch that starts a cooling mode, and a control unit that controls the temperature adjusting unit and the pump unit, When the cooling start switch is operated, the control unit starts the cooling mode, adjusts the temperature of the pillow body to a first target temperature of 22 to 24 degrees until the elapsed time from the start of cooling reaches a target time of 200 to 250 minutes, and adjusts the temperature of the pillow body to a second target temperature higher than the first target temperature after the target time has elapsed, or stops temperature adjustment after the target time has elapsed. Head cooling method.

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