Cooling device for headrests

Abstract

To provide a headrest cooling device which can inhibit discharge of warm air.SOLUTION: One embodiment of the disclosure includes: a ventilation passage provided in a headrest; a fan which is disposed in the ventilation passage and enables discharge operation and suction operation; a temperature sensor disposed at the downstream side of the fan performing the discharge operation in the ventilation passage; and a control unit configured to perform cooling processing in which the fan is operated to perform the suction operation for a predetermined cooling time and then perform operation processing to cause the fan to perform the discharge operation. The control unit sets the cooling time based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cooling device for a headrest.

Background Art

[0002] A cooling device that blows air from inside the headrest toward the seated person is known (see Patent Document 1). This cooling device sucks air from outside the headrest by a fan disposed inside the headrest and performs air blowing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described cooling device for a headrest, when heat is trapped inside the headrest, warm air is discharged from the headrest at the start of air blowing. Therefore, there is a risk that the seated person may feel discomfort.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a cooling device for a headrest that can suppress the discharge of warm air.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is a cooling device (1) for a headrest, comprising: a ventilation passage (2) provided inside a headrest (100); a fan (3) positioned in the ventilation passage (2) and capable of both discharge and suction operations; a temperature sensor (4) positioned downstream of the fan (3) during discharge operation in the ventilation passage (2); and a control unit (9) configured to perform a cooling process that causes the fan (3) to perform suction operation for a predetermined cooling time, and then to perform an operation process that causes the fan (3) to perform discharge operation. The control unit (9) sets the cooling time based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor (4).

[0007] With this configuration, the inside of the headrest (100) can be cooled by the suction operation of the fan (3) until the air passage (2) reaches a certain temperature or below. Therefore, a single temperature sensor (4) can suppress the discharge of hot air when the headrest cooling device (1) is started up.

[0008] In one aspect of this disclosure, the control unit (9) may perform a detection process after the cooling process and before the operation process, causing the fan (3) to alternately perform suction and discharge operations so that the discharge operation time is shorter than the time of the preceding suction operation. With such a configuration, the time until the operation process in which cool air is supplied can be shortened while lowering the temperature inside the headrest (100) to the target temperature.

[0009] In one aspect of this disclosure, the control unit (9) may set the air velocity of the discharge operation in the detection process to be lower than the air velocity of the operation process. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the supply of insufficiently cooled air to the seated person.

[0010] In one aspect of this disclosure, the control unit (9) may shorten the suction operation time in the detection process based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor (4) during the discharge operation in the detection process. With such a configuration, the time until the operation process in which cold air is supplied can be shortened in accordance with the decrease in the internal temperature of the headrest (100).

[0011] In one aspect of this disclosure, the control unit (9) may set the cooling time based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor (4) or the time elapsed since the most recent operation. With such a configuration, the time until the operation in which cool air is supplied can be shortened when the temperature of the headrest (100) has dropped.

[0012] The symbols in the parentheses above are merely examples indicating the correspondence with the specific configurations described in the embodiments described later, and this disclosure is not limited to the specific configurations indicated by the symbols in the parentheses above. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1A is a schematic perspective view of the headrest in the embodiment, and Figure 1B is a schematic perspective view of the headrest in Figure 1A. [Figure 2] Figure 2A is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line IIA-IIA in Figure 1B, and Figure 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view along the line IIB-IIB in Figure 1B. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a correspondence table between temperature from a temperature sensor and cooling time. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the time change in temperature of a temperature sensor controlled by the control unit. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Embodiments to which this disclosure applies will be described below with reference to the drawings. [1. First Embodiment] [1-1. Structure] The headrest cooling device 1 shown in Figures 1A and 1B (hereinafter also simply referred to as "cooling device 1") is attached to the headrest 100 of a vehicle seat.

[0015] The headrest cooling device 1 is configured to supply cool air to the neck of the seated person. The headrest cooling device 1 comprises an air passage 2, a fan 3, a temperature sensor 4, a cooling mechanism 5, and a control unit 9.

[0016] <Ventilation passage> The ventilation passage 2 is provided inside the headrest 100. The ventilation passage 2 has an exhaust port 21, a first air supply port 22, and a second air supply port 23.

[0017] The exhaust port 21 is provided in front of and below the headrest 100. The first air supply port 22 is provided on the left side surface of the headrest 100. The second air supply port 23 is provided on the right side surface of the headrest 100.

[0018] <Fan> The fan 3 is arranged in the ventilation passage 2 and can perform an exhaust operation and a suction operation. The fan 3 rotates, for example, by a motor.

[0019] The fan 3 is arranged at the confluence of the part of the ventilation passage 2 communicating with the first air supply port 22 and the part communicating with the second air supply port 23. In the present embodiment, the fan 3 has two propellers.

[0020] In the exhaust operation, the fan 3 rotates in a direction of sucking air from the first air supply port 22 and the second air supply port 23 and discharging it from the exhaust port 21. Also, in the suction operation, the fan 3 rotates in a direction of sucking air from the exhaust port 21 and discharging it from the first air supply port 22 and the second air supply port 23 (that is, the direction opposite to the exhaust operation).

[0021] <Temperature sensor> As shown in FIG. 2A, the temperature sensor 4 is arranged downstream of the fan 3 and the cooling mechanism 5 in the ventilation passage 2 during the exhaust operation.

[0022] Specifically, the temperature sensor 4 is arranged between the cooling mechanism 5 and the exhaust port 21 in the ventilation passage 2. The temperature sensor 4 detects the temperature of the air inside the ventilation passage 2 and outputs it to the control unit 9.

[0023] <Cooling mechanism> The cooling mechanism 5 cools the air in the ventilation passage 2. The cooling mechanism 5 is located downstream of the fan 3 during exhaust operation in the ventilation passage 2. For example, a Peltier element can be used as the cooling mechanism 5. The operation and stopping of the cooling mechanism 5 are controlled by the control unit 9.

[0024] <Department Head> The control unit 9 shown in Figure 1B is a device that controls the fan 3 and the cooling mechanism 5. The control unit 9 is composed of, for example, a computer that includes a processor, a storage medium such as RAM or ROM, and an input / output unit. The control unit 9 may be built into the vehicle seat or incorporated into an electronic control unit (ECU) mounted on the vehicle.

[0025] The control unit 9 is configured to perform cooling, detection, and operation processes. Upon receiving an input to start supplying cold air, the control unit 9 first starts the cooling process. In addition, the control unit 9 activates the cooling mechanism 5 in conjunction with the start of the cooling process.

[0026] During the cooling process, the control unit 9 causes the fan 3 to perform a suction operation for a predetermined cooling time if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 4 is above a predetermined threshold. Specifically, the control unit 9 sets the cooling time based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 4 or the elapsed time since the most recent operation.

[0027] Figure 3 is an example of a correspondence table between thresholds A, B, C, D and cooling times α, β, Γ, Σ. The control unit 9 sets a longer cooling time as the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 4 increases. In other words, in Figure 3, A>B>C>D and α>β>Γ>Σ.

[0028] Furthermore, if the elapsed time since the most recent operation (i.e., supply of cold air) is below a predetermined threshold (for example, 10 minutes), the control unit 9 sets a shorter cooling time. For example, even if the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 4 is within the range of C in Figure 3, if the elapsed time since the most recent operation is 10 minutes or less, the control unit 9 sets the cooling time to Σ, which is shorter than Γ.

[0029] As shown in Figure 4, the cooling process X reduces the output temperature of the temperature sensor 4 (vertical axis in Figure 4). The solid line in Figure 4 shows an example of temperature change when the room temperature where the vehicle seat is placed is high, and the dashed line shows an example of temperature change when the room temperature is low. Based on the correspondence table between detected temperature and cooling time described above, the time of cooling process X1 under the dashed line conditions is shorter than the time of cooling process X under the solid line conditions.

[0030] As shown in Figure 4, the detection process Y is performed immediately after the cooling process X. In other words, the detection process Y is performed after the cooling process X is executed and before the operation process Z is executed. In the detection process Y, the control unit 9 causes the fan 3 to alternately perform suction operation Y1 and discharge operation Y2. Note that the timing of the detection process Y shown in Figure 4 corresponds to the temperature change indicated by the solid line, and the timing of the detection process corresponding to the temperature change indicated by the dashed line is not shown.

[0031] The control unit 9 sets the time of the discharge operation Y2 in the detection process Y to be shorter than the time of the preceding suction operation Y1. In addition, the control unit 9 shortens the suction operation time in the detection process Y based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 4 during the discharge operation in the detection process Y.

[0032] Specifically, in the detection process Y, the control unit 9 determines whether the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 4 during the discharge operation Y2 is below the switching temperature S. If it is below the switching temperature S, the time for the next suction operation Y1 and discharge operation Y2 are shortened, respectively.

[0033] For example, as shown in Figure 4, if the temperature falls below the switching temperature S during the first discharge operation Y2, the control unit 9 shortens the duration of the second suction operation Y1 and discharge operation Y2 compared to the duration of the first suction operation Y1 and discharge operation Y2. For example, the duration of the first suction operation Y1 is 30 seconds, and the duration of the discharge operation Y2 is 10 seconds.

[0034] In detection process Y, the air velocity (i.e., airflow rate) of the discharge operation Y2 is set to be lower than the air velocity of operation process Z. Detection process Y is completed when the suction operation Y1 and the discharge operation Y2 are repeated a certain number of times.

[0035] Operation process Z is performed immediately after detection process Y. In other words, operation process Z is performed after the cooling process X and detection process Y have been executed. In operation process Z, the control unit 9 causes the fan 3 to perform discharge operation. As a result, the air cooled by the cooling mechanism 5 is continuously discharged from the outlet 21. Operation process Z continues until the control unit 9 receives an input to stop the supply of cold air.

[0036] [1-2. Effects] According to the embodiments described in detail above, the following effects can be obtained. (1a) The inside of the headrest 100 can be cooled by the suction operation of the fan 3 until the air passage 2 is below a certain temperature. Therefore, one temperature sensor 4 can suppress the discharge of hot air when the headrest cooling device 1 is started up.

[0037] (1b) By performing the detection process after the cooling process, the time until the operation process in which cool air is supplied can be shortened while lowering the temperature inside the headrest 100 to the target temperature.

[0038] (1c) By making the air velocity of the discharge operation in the detection process lower than the air velocity of the operation process, it is possible to suppress the supply of insufficiently cooled air to the seated person.

[0039] (1d) During the discharge operation in the detection process, the suction operation time in the detection process is shortened based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 4, thereby shortening the time until the operation process in which cold air is supplied in accordance with the decrease in the internal temperature of the headrest 100.

[0040] (1e) The cooling time is set based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 4 or the time elapsed since the most recent operation, thereby shortening the time until an operation is performed to supply cool air when the temperature of the headrest 100 has dropped.

[0041] [2. Other Embodiments] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it goes without saying that this disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can take various forms.

[0042] (2a) In the cooling device for the headrest of the above embodiment, the control unit does not necessarily have to perform detection processing. (2b) The cooling device for the headrest in the above embodiment does not necessarily have to include a cooling mechanism.

[0043] (2c) The headrest cooling device of the above embodiment can also be applied to seats used in automobiles other than passenger cars, and seats used in vehicles other than automobiles, such as railway cars, ships, and aircraft. Furthermore, the headrest cooling device of the above embodiment can also be used in seats installed in facilities other than vehicles (for example, movie theaters, theaters, etc.).

[0044] (2d) The functions of one component in the above embodiment may be distributed among multiple components, or the functions of multiple components may be integrated into one component. Also, some parts of the configuration of the above embodiment may be omitted. Also, at least some parts of the configuration of the above embodiment may be added to, substituted for, or otherwise used in the configuration of other above embodiments. Any aspect of the technical concept specified by the wording of the claims is an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0045] 1...Cooling device for headrest, 2...Ventilation channel, 3...Fan, 4...Temperature sensor, 5...Cooling mechanism, 9...Control unit, 21...Discharge port, 22...First air supply port, 23...Second air supply port, 100... Headrest.

Claims

1. A ventilation channel located inside the headrest, A fan is provided in the aforementioned ventilation passage and is capable of both discharge and suction operation. A temperature sensor is located downstream of the fan during the discharge operation in the aforementioned ventilation passage, A control unit is configured to perform a cooling process that causes the fan to perform the suction operation for a predetermined cooling time, and then to perform an operation process that causes the fan to perform the discharge operation. Equipped with, The control unit sets the cooling time based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor, and is a cooling device for a headrest.

2. A cooling device for a headrest according to claim 1, A cooling device for a headrest, wherein the control unit performs a detection process after the cooling process and before the operation process, causing the fan to alternately perform the suction operation and the discharge operation so that the time of the discharge operation is shorter than the time of the preceding suction operation.

3. A cooling device for a headrest according to claim 2, The control unit reduces the air velocity of the discharge operation in the detection process to less than the air velocity of the operation process, and is used as a cooling device for a headrest.

4. A cooling device for a headrest according to claim 2, The control unit shortens the suction operation time in the detection process based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor during the discharge operation in the detection process, and is a cooling device for a headrest.

5. A cooling device for a headrest according to any one of claims 1 to 4, The control unit sets the cooling time based on the elapsed time since the operation process that was executed immediately before, for a headrest cooling device.

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