Temperature-regulating clothes

Abstract

To provide a temperature controlling garment capable of adjusting the body temperature over an extended period without hindering the mobility and workability of a worker wearing the garment.SOLUTION: A temperature controlling garment 1 comprises: Peltier element units 24 and 25 which contain a Peltier element and have a cooling or heating surface; a mobile battery 23 which has the battery and the Peltier element connected by a wiring cord and supplies a current to the Peltier element through the wiring cord 20; and insertion holes 28 and 29 which are formed in a back body 3 of the garment and are used for attaching the Peltier element units 24 and 25 to the garment so that the Peltier element units are brought into close contact with the body of the wearer when the garment is worn.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to temperature-regulating clothing.

Background Art

[0002] For example, there is temperature-regulating clothing that workers working outdoors under the scorching sun or in a high-temperature environment wear to cool their bodies and regulate their body temperature.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that a detachable storage member is provided for clothing, and the body is cooled by wearing clothing in which a cold storage agent is stored in the storage member. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses clothing provided with an air intake and a fan for clothing, and the body is cooled by circulating outside air inside the clothing parallel to the body. Further, Patent Document 3 discloses that a flexible tube through which a liquid at a predetermined temperature lower or higher than the human body is circulated inside is disposed in a meandering shape as a whole on the inner surface of the clothing, and the liquid at the predetermined temperature is sent out from a cooling or heating device connected via the tube.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when cooling the body with clothing equipped with ice packs, temperature regulation is difficult, and the cooling effect of the ice packs decreases over time. Therefore, the wearer of the clothing needs to replace the ice packs each time the cooling effect decreases, making it difficult to wear the clothing continuously for long periods, and replacing the ice packs is time-consuming. Furthermore, when clothing is equipped with air intakes and fans to circulate outside air inside the clothing, sufficient body cooling cannot be obtained if the outside air is hot. In addition, because outside air is circulated inside the clothing, the clothing expands, which reduces the mobility and work efficiency of the worker wearing the clothing. Moreover, when tubes that circulate liquid at a predetermined temperature are arranged in a meandering pattern on the inside of the clothing, the structure of the clothing becomes complex. Furthermore, the weight of the tubes and liquid increases the overall weight of the clothing, and the thickness of the tubes increases the overall thickness of the clothing, which reduces the mobility and work efficiency of the worker wearing the clothing.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide temperature-regulating clothing that can regulate body temperature over a long period of time without hindering the mobility and workability of the worker wearing the clothing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The temperature-regulating garment according to the present invention comprises a Peltier element unit having a Peltier element and a surface that cools or heats when in contact with the wearer's body, a mobile battery connected to the Peltier element by a wiring cord and supplying current to the Peltier element through the wiring cord, and an insertion hole formed in the fabric of the garment for attaching the Peltier element unit so as to be in close contact with the wearer's neck, back, or armpit when worn, wherein the Peltier element unit has the surface The direction toward the wearer's body A flange that is in the opposite direction and protrudes outward from the periphery of the surface, and is detachable from the body of the Peltier element unit, and in a state facing the flange. The fabric of the garment around the insertion holeThe device comprises a ring body that clamps and secures the Peltier element unit to the fabric of the garment around the insertion hole by screwing, wherein the surface protrudes inward from the garment beyond the flange and the ring body when the Peltier element unit is secured to the fabric of the garment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, body temperature can be regulated over a long period of time without hindering the mobility and work performance of the worker wearing the clothing. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows the front side of a temperature-regulating garment according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows the reverse side of a temperature-regulating garment according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of a Peltier element unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention, a temperature-regulating garment, will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 shows the front side of the temperature-regulating garment 1, and Figure 2 shows the back side of the temperature-regulating garment 1. Looking at the paper from the top, the left side shows the front panel 2, and the right side shows the back panel 3.

[0012] In this embodiment, the temperature-regulating garment 1 is a cooling vest equipped with four air-cooled Peltier element units located on the wearer's back. The temperature-regulating garment 1 has a neckline 4 at the top where the wearer's neck is positioned when worn. The garment also has armholes 5 and 6 on the left and right sides, through which the wearer's arms pass. An armhole band 7 is provided at the lower end of armhole 5 to close the armhole. The armhole band 7 is made of an elastic band and a buckle, allowing for adjustment of the tightness of the armhole at the lower end of armhole 5. Similarly, a band (not shown) with the same structure as the armhole band 7 is provided at the lower end of armhole 6 to close the armhole 6, allowing for adjustment of the tightness of the armhole at the lower end of armhole 6.

[0013] The front panel 2 of the temperature-regulating garment 1 is open at the front and can be closed by front panel opening and closing bands 8 and 9. The front panel opening and closing bands 8 and 9 are formed by an elastic band and a buckle, respectively, and allow for opening and closing of the front panel 2, as well as adjustment of the tightness when the front panel 2 is closed.

[0014] Furthermore, front body tightening bands 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 are provided on the front body 2 between the front body opening / closing band 8 and the neckline 4. The front body tightening bands 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 are made of elastic bands and are sewn or glued to the front body 2, tightening the temperature-regulating garment 1 so that it fits snugly against the wearer's body when the front body 2 is closed.

[0015] The temperature-regulating garment 1 is made of a breathable mesh fabric. Below the front body 2, below the front body tightening bands 12, 15, pocket sections 16, 17 are provided, formed by sewing fabric to the pockets. Zippers 18, 19 are provided in the pocket sections 16, 17, allowing them to be opened and closed.

[0016] The pocket sections 16 and 17 can house a battery for powering the Peltier element unit. The pocket sections 16 and 17 are also provided with through-holes 21 and 22 through which a wiring cord 20 for supplying power from the battery to the Peltier element unit is inserted from the pocket sections 16 and 17 toward the Peltier element unit. In Figure 1, as an example, a mobile battery 23 is housed in pocket section 17. However, the design is not limited to this; the mobile battery 23 may also be housed in pocket section 16.

[0017] Peltier element units 24, 25, 26, and 27 are provided on the back panel 3 of the temperature-regulating garment 1. Specifically, Peltier element units 24 and 25 are positioned to contact both sides of the wearer's neck, and Peltier element units 26 and 27 are positioned to contact the underside of both armpits. In Figure 2, insertion holes 28, 29, 30, and 31 are provided in the fabric of the back panel 3 into which the Peltier element units 24, 25, 26, and 27 are inserted, and the Peltier element units 24, 25, 26, and 27 are attached to the back panel 3 of the temperature-regulating garment 1 via the insertion holes 28, 29, 30, and 31.

[0018] In FIG. 1, a back body cover member 32 is provided on the fabric of the back body 3 so as to cover the fabric of the back body 3 in a bag shape. The back body cover member 32 is composed of a mesh-like fabric identical to the fabric of the back body 3 and a breathable fabric with finer pores than the fabric, and the outer edge portion of the back body cover member 32 is sewn to the fabric of the back body 3. However, through holes 33 and 34 leading to the inside of the back body cover member 32 are provided in the outer edge portion of the back body cover member 32 facing the through holes 21 and 22 provided in the pocket portions 16 and 17 of the front body 2. Further, a fastener 35 is provided in the vertical direction on the back body cover member 32 at the back portion of the wearer, and the back body cover member 32 can be opened and closed by opening and closing the fastener 35. Openings 36, 37, 38, and 39 are provided in the fine breathable fabric portion of the back body cover member 32 facing the insertion holes 28, 29, 30, and 31 of the back body 3 so that the exhaust fan portions of the Peltier element units 24, 25, 26, and 27 are exposed.

[0019] As described above, the wiring cord 20 for providing power from the mobile battery 23 housed in the pocket portion 17 to the Peltier element unit extends from the through hole 22 and extends inside the back body cover member 32 between the fabric of the back body 3 and the back body cover member 32 through the through hole 33. When the mobile battery 23 is housed in the pocket portion 16, the wiring cord 20 extends from the through hole 21 and extends inside the back body cover member 32 between the fabric of the back body 3 and the back body cover member 32 through the through hole 34. The cord extending inside the back body cover member 32 branches and is connected to each of the Peltier element units 24, 25, 26, 27. Note that the mobile battery 23 may be connected to each of the Peltier element units 24, 25, 26, 27 by separate wiring cords, or the mobile battery 23 may be connected in series between the Peltier element units 24, 25, 26, 27. In any case of connection, the cord exists inside the back body cover member 32 between the fabric of the back body 3 except for the short distance between the through hole 22 and the through hole 33 and is not exposed outside the temperature-adjustable garment 1. Therefore, when wearing the temperature-adjustable garment 1 and when taking off the temperature-adjustable garment 1, the wiring cord 20 does not get in the way, and the wiring cord 20 is not caught and does not come off or break, which is safe.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the Peltier element unit 24 in a state where the Peltier element unit 24 is attached to the fabric of the back body 3 of the temperature-adjustable garment 1. Note that since the other Peltier element units 25, 26, 27 have the same structure, the description thereof is omitted.

[0021] The Peltier element unit 24 is attached to an insertion hole 28 provided in the back body 3. The insertion hole 28 has a folded-back portion in which the fabric of the back body 3 is folded back along its inner peripheral edge with a certain width and sewn. Note that the folded-back portion may be separate from the fabric of the back body 3, may be folded back along the inner peripheral edge of the insertion hole 28, and may be sewn while holding an annular reinforcing plate with holes on the inside.

[0022] The heat dissipation fan cover portion 41 and the Peltier element mounting portion 42 that constitute the Peltier element unit 24 are fixed to each other by means of a locking mechanism, such as a combination of recesses and claws, or by adhesive, with the Peltier element mounting portion 42 inserted inside the heat dissipation fan cover portion 41.

[0023] The Peltier element mounting section 42 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and a flange 43 is provided that protrudes radially in an annular plate shape from the outer peripheral end. A Peltier element 44, a heat transfer plate 45, and a heat sink plate 46 are attached to the Peltier element mounting section 42. Electrodes are provided on the Peltier element 44, and a wiring cord 20 leading to the mobile battery 23 is connected to the electrodes.

[0024] The Peltier element 44 is a semiconductor element exhibiting the Peltier effect, formed by joining an N-type semiconductor and a P-type semiconductor. By passing a direct current through the Peltier element 44, a temperature difference is generated between its two sides, with one side becoming cold and the other hot. By changing the direction of the current flowing through the Peltier element 44, the heat-absorbing and heat-generating sides are reversed, resulting in one side becoming hot and the other cold. Furthermore, the amount of heat absorbed and generated can be changed by adjusting the magnitude of the current flowing through it, thereby controlling the temperature.

[0025] A heat transfer plate 45, which is in contact with one side of the Peltier element 44, is cooled by the Peltier element 44. The heat transfer plate 45 is positioned so that the side opposite to the side in contact with the Peltier element 44 is in contact with the wearer's body. The heat transfer plate 45, cooled by the Peltier element 44, cools the wearer's body through the cooling surface in contact with it. On the other hand, a heat sink plate 46, which is in contact with the other side of the Peltier element 44, receives heat generated on the other side of the Peltier element 44 and dissipates heat from the side facing the heat dissipation fan. The heat transfer plate 45 and the heat sink plate 46 are made of a metal plate such as aluminum.

[0026] The heat dissipation fan cover section 41 is cylindrical in shape, and an exhaust hole 49 for heat dissipation is provided between the disc-shaped top portion 47 located at the top of the cylinder and the side portion that connects to the ring body 48. Inside the top portion 47, a cylindrical storage chamber 50 is integrally formed, and a motor M is housed in the storage chamber 50. The tip of the rotating shaft of the motor M protrudes toward the heat sink 46 attached to the Peltier element mounting section 42, and the tip of a cylindrical spinner 51 is fixed to the rotating shaft. Multiple blades 52 are radially projected from the outer surface of the spinner 51, forming a heat dissipation fan 53. The heat dissipation fan 53 exhausts the heat released from the heat sink 46 to the outside through the exhaust hole 49. In addition, screw grooves 54 are formed on the outer surface of the heat dissipation fan cover section 41.

[0027] The ring body 48 includes a screw groove 55 formed on its inner surface, an annular piece 56 that protrudes radially in an annular plate shape from its outer end, and a plurality of grooves 57 formed on the annular surface of the annular piece 56 that faces the flange 43 of the Peltier element mounting portion 42.

[0028] Next, the procedure for attaching the Peltier element unit 24 to the temperature-controlled garment 1 will be described. First, open the zipper 35 provided on the back body cover member 32 that covers the fabric of the back body 3 of the temperature-controlled garment 1.

[0029] The Peltier element unit 24 is inserted from the inside of the temperature-controlled garment 1 into an insertion hole 28 provided in the back panel 3, and the flange 43 of the Peltier element mounting part 42 is brought into close contact with the outer periphery of the insertion hole 28. Next, the ring body 48 is brought from the opening of the zipper 35 to the outside of the fabric of the back panel 3 of the temperature-controlled garment 1, and from the inside of the back panel cover member 32, approaching the heat dissipation fan cover part 41, and the screw groove 55 formed on the inner surface of the ring body 48 and the screw groove 54 formed on the outer surface of the heat dissipation fan cover part 41 are screwed together. As a result, the inner periphery of the insertion hole 28 is tightly sandwiched from both the inside and outside by the flange 43 and the annular piece 56. Moreover, as this screwing operation is performed, the multiple grooves 57 formed on the annular piece 56 of the ring body 48 rotate and bite into the fabric located outside the insertion hole 28, so that the Peltier element unit 24 can be easily and tightly attached to the temperature-controlled garment 1. Once the Peltier element unit 24 is attached to the temperature-controlled garment 1 and the wiring is complete, the back body cover member 32 is closed by closing the zipper 35. By providing the zipper 35 in this way, the installation of the Peltier element unit 24 is made easier by opening the zipper 35, and the wiring cord 20 does not protrude from the temperature-controlled garment 1 when the zipper 35 is closed. Conversely, when removing the Peltier element unit 24 from the temperature-controlled garment 1, the ring body 48 can be removed by rotating it in the opposite direction to the screw-in operation, and then it can be easily removed by pulling it out through the insertion hole 28. In this way, the Peltier element unit 24 can be easily attached and detached, so the number of Peltier element units 24 to be attached can be adjusted according to the temperature environment. The zipper 35 is provided on the back, but it may also be provided in a position along the armholes 5, 6.

[0030] Next, we will explain how to actually use temperature-regulating clothing 1. A wiring cord 20 extending from a mobile battery 23 stored in the pocket 17 of the temperature-controlled garment 1 is connected to Peltier element units 24, 25, 26, and 27. The switch (not shown) located either on the mobile battery 23 side or in the middle of the wiring cord 20 is turned on. The switch allows switching between three temperature settings: LOW, MID, and HIGH. By changing the magnitude of the current flowing through the Peltier element units 24, 25, 26, and 27 in these three settings, the temperature of the Peltier element 44 can be changed. When the switch is turned on, the heat dissipation fans 53 provided on the Peltier element units 24, 25, 26, and 27 rotate, promoting heat dissipation from the heat sink 46. The rotation speed of the heat dissipation fans 53 may be changed according to the three temperature settings, or they may rotate at a constant speed regardless of the temperature setting. In addition, each Peltier element unit 24, 25, 26, and 27 may have its own switch, and the temperature settings may be switched individually for each unit.

[0031] When the temperature-regulating garment 1 is worn, the heat transfer plates 45 of the Peltier element units 24 and 25 are in close contact with both sides of the wearer's neck, and the heat transfer plates 45 of the Peltier element units 26 and 27 are in close contact with the wearer's underarms, thereby cooling those areas. These areas are where large arteries pass near the surface of the body, and cooling these areas is effective in regulating body temperature. Therefore, in addition to the above areas, the Peltier element units may also be arranged so that the heat transfer plates 45 are in close contact with, for example, the central part of the back where the aorta passes.

[0032] Furthermore, when wearing temperature-regulating clothing 1, combining it with air-conditioned clothing that circulates outside air inside the garment increases the heat dissipation effect of the Peltier element itself, allowing for more effective body cooling.

[0033] In the above embodiment, a temperature-regulating garment that cools the body by the heat-absorbing effect of a Peltier element has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As mentioned above, a Peltier element is made by joining an N-type semiconductor and a P-type semiconductor, and when a direct current is passed through it, one side absorbs heat and the opposite side generates heat, and by changing the direction of the current, the heat-absorbing side and the heat-generating side are reversed. Therefore, in the above embodiment, by changing the direction of the current applied to the Peltier element, the surface of the heat transfer plate 45 of the Peltier element unit 24 that comes into contact with the body changes from a cooling surface to a heating surface, and it can be used as a heated garment that warms the body. Furthermore, by providing a switching means such as a changeover switch that changes the direction of the current applied to the Peltier element, it is possible to make a heated garment that can cool and heat the body as needed. Furthermore, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the garment may be provided, and the temperature inside the garment may be adjusted by changing the direction of the current according to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the screw groove 55 formed on the inner surface of the ring body 48 and the screw groove 54 formed on the outer surface of the heat dissipation fan cover portion 41 are screw-connected to each other, so that the inner periphery of the insertion hole 28 is sandwiched from both the inside and outside by the flange 43 of the Peltier element mounting portion 42 located on the inside of the fabric of the back body 3 of the temperature-controlled garment 1 and the annular piece 56 of the ring body 48 located on the outside of the fabric of the back body 3. Alternatively, a flange may be formed on the heat dissipation fan cover portion 41, a screw groove may be formed on the Peltier element mounting portion 42, and the ring body 48 may be screw-connected to the Peltier element mounting portion 42, so that the inner periphery of the insertion hole 28 is sandwiched from both the inside and outside by the annular piece 56 of the ring body 48 located on the inside of the fabric of the back body 3 and the flange located on the outside of the fabric of the back body 3.

[0035] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes the scope of the invention as described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 1…Temperature-regulating garment, 2…Front body, 3…Back body, 4…Neckline, 5,6…Armholes, 7…Armhole band, 8,9…Front body opening / closing band, 10,11,12,13,14,15…Front body tightening band, 16,17…Pocket area, 18,19,35…Zipper, 20…Wiring cord, 21,22,33,34…Pass-through hole, 23…Mobile battery, 24,25,26,27…Peltier element unit, 28 29, 30, 31... Insertion holes, 32... Back body cover member, 36, 37, 38, 39... Openings, 41... Heat exhaust fan cover part, 42... Peltier element mounting part, 43... Flange, 44... Peltier element, 45... Heat transfer plate, 46... Heat dissipation plate, 47... Top part, 48... Ring body, 49... Exhaust hole, 50... Storage chamber, 51... Spinner, 52... Blades, 53... Heat exhaust fan, 54, 55... Screw grooves, 56... Ring piece, 57... Recessed strips,

Claims

1. A Peltier element unit having a Peltier element and a surface that comes into contact with the wearer's body to cool or heat, A mobile battery is connected to the Peltier element by a wiring cord, and supplies current to the Peltier element through the wiring cord. An insertion hole is formed in the fabric of the garment for attaching the Peltier element unit so that it is in close contact with the wearer's neck, back, or armpit when the garment is worn. Equipped with, The Peltier element unit is A flange that protrudes outward from the periphery of the surface at a position opposite to the direction toward the wearer's body with respect to the surface, The Peltier element unit comprises a ring body that is detachable from the main body of the Peltier element unit and, when facing the flange, clamps the fabric of the garment around the insertion hole, thereby fixing the Peltier element unit to the fabric of the garment around the insertion hole by screwing it in, The aforementioned surface protrudes inward from the flange and the ring body of the garment when the Peltier element unit is fixed to the fabric of the garment. Temperature regulating clothing.

2. The aforementioned insertion holes are formed in multiple locations, The Peltier element unit is detachably attached to the insertion hole, The temperature-regulating garment according to claim 1.

3. A cover member that covers the portion of the garment fabric including the area where the insertion hole is formed, A fastener for opening and closing the cover member is provided, The wiring cord is housed inside the cover member. The temperature-regulating garment according to claim 1 or 2.

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