Cooling structures used in clothing, etc.

Abstract

A cooling structure is incorporated into clothing that has a water inlet to allow water to be injected and cooled by evaporative cooling. In order to maximize the evaporative cooling effect in the structure of clothing that cools the human body, an electric blower and a Peltier element are also equipped to obtain a cooling structure for use in clothing. [Solution] The present invention is a cooling structure for use in clothing, which is configured to further enhance the evaporative cooling effect by incorporating a cooling structure 2, which is a surface water-absorbing material 12 wrapped in a breathable waterproof fabric and provided with a water inlet 11, into clothing 1. The cooling effect is enhanced by ensuring uniform, planar penetration into the absorbent material 12 and securing airflow paths, with the water inlet also serving as an exhaust port. Furthermore, the airflow is forcibly increased by the electric blower 4, and the absorbed moisture is cooled by the Peltier element 60, further improving the evaporative cooling effect. Water can be injected from both the inside and outside, and the structure prevents leakage from the opposite side during injection, making it easy to check the penetration of water into the cooling structure 2 before wearing and to add water during wear.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to cooling structures for use in clothing such as shirts, vests, stoles, mantles, underwear, work jackets, etc. worn on the upper body of a person, covering the shoulders to the back, and also to air-conditioned vests, air-conditioned clothing, etc. with an electric fan attached around the waist. In order to cool the periphery of the upper body trunk, cooling means based on the vaporization heat action of water are attached to such clothing, and ventilation paths for promoting the vaporization heat cooling effect are ensured, and means for further promoting the vaporization heat action by forced ventilation with an electric fan, etc. are provided. In addition, moisture for maintaining the vaporization heat cooling is cooled by a Peltier element, etc., and further, the present invention relates to a cooling structure used for clothing with an additional cooling effect.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a structure in which a water-absorbing sheet is provided to cover the back part of a shirt or vest worn on a person's torso in a planar manner. It is configured to absorb moisture such as the sweat of a person or water immersed from the outside, and cool the person's back in a planar manner by the vaporization heat thereof. In this case, in order to sufficiently retain moisture in the water-retaining sheet, a container for storing water such as a washbasin or a plastic container is required. After immersing it in the water for about one minute, leaving it standing, absorbing the moisture, and then gently wringing it to remove excess moisture, it needs to be attached to the shirt or vest and worn as an upper garment. Considering the scenes where this is used, such as in civil engineering, construction sites, agricultural work in fields, and driving operations in vehicles during transportation business under the scorching sun, it is extremely inconvenient to carry the container for storing water and the water to be put in it. In addition, a method of dripping water from above onto the planar cooling structure part described above is conceivable, but the water splashes around, which is unpleasant. Moreover, it is obvious that if this is done indoors at a residential construction site or inside a vehicle during driving in transportation business, the water will splash and may interfere with the business.

[0003] ​Prior art document 1 describes a cooling structure in which a water-retaining sheet is detachably installed on the inside of the back of a work jacket or vest, and an electric blower is attached to the bottom of the garment to blow air between the back surface of the person and the water-retaining sheet to promote evaporation of the water-retaining sheet and retain sweat from the body, or the water-retaining sheet can be removed and immersed in water in a washbasin or the like to replenish the moisture in the water-retaining sheet, and then reattached to the garment, and the cooling structure is described by the evaporative cooling effect of the retained moisture. However, sufficient evaporative cooling cannot be obtained by relying solely on water retention from sweat from the human body. Furthermore, even when attempting to obtain sufficient water retention by soaking the water-retaining sheet in water, a basin or similar container filled with water is required. Additionally, there is the inconvenience of squeezing out excess water from the wet water-retaining sheet, which can spill water around, and the hassle of disposing of the excess water after use.

[0004] Prior art document 2 describes a garment made of a three-dimensional mesh structure that comes into direct contact with the skin or through underwear, etc., and arranges multiple liquid supply tubes for water or the like in this three-dimensional mesh structure. Water is diffused around the supply tubes of the three-dimensional mesh structure by capillary action, thereby obtaining the effect of evaporative cooling. It also describes a cooling garment and a cooling garment system using this garment, which is equipped with an electric fan or the like at the bottom of the garment made of the three-dimensional mesh structure to provide forced airflow from the outside and enhance the effect of evaporative cooling. However, in this system, when moisture is diffused into the surrounding area by capillary action from a liquid supply tube, the moisture leaks onto the person's skin before it can evaporate, resulting in an unavoidable sticky and uncomfortable feeling on the back. Furthermore, since multiple liquid supply pipes are formed in a planar shape on the back of the garment, multiple water inlets are required when water is injected from the outside, resulting in a complex structure that could not be offered at an affordable price. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3213394 Gazette [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 7718695 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] The present invention provides a cooling structure that allows for the cooling of a person's upper body by pouring water from a container such as a 500ml PET bottle or cold water into the cooling structure of the present invention, without directly splashing water onto these surface surfaces or keeping a water-retaining container on hand to completely immerse them in water. This is done anytime, anywhere, and aims to provide an inexpensive cooling structure that further enhances this evaporative cooling effect. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention provides a cooling structure in which a surface-shaped water-absorbing material, incorporated into the aforementioned clothing, is wrapped in a so-called breathable waterproof fabric that allows air to pass through but not water, and a water inlet is provided in the fabric to supply moisture. The invention provides a method for injecting water to obtain a cooling effect through evaporative cooling, uniform penetration of water, securing an air passage between the outer surface of the garment and the fabric to enhance the evaporative cooling effect, and a structure in which the water inlet also serves as an exhaust port for the air passage. Furthermore, in order to further enhance the evaporative cooling effect of the cooling structure, an electric blower is attached to the lower part of the garment, and a means is provided to forcibly increase the amount of airflow to the air passage by driving it with a battery.

[0008] Furthermore, in order to lower the temperature of the water that has been injected and permeated into the absorbent material, a Peltier element is incorporated into the cooling structure and driven by the same battery to cool it down. In addition, a means is obtained to further enhance the evaporative cooling effect, thereby obtaining a cooling structure that can be used mainly for clothing to cool the body during work in the scorching summer sun, or during outdoor activities and sports. Furthermore, when water is poured into the cooling structure attached to the garment, if a water inlet is also provided on the inside of the garment before wearing it, the amount of water entering the cooling structure can be monitored, By observing and confirming the uniform penetration of moisture into the surface-like absorbent material, the amount of water added can be adjusted accordingly. Furthermore, if the garment is worn for a long time in direct sunlight, the moisture inside the cooling structure will It dries out, and the evaporative cooling effect decreases. Therefore, it would be convenient if, while wearing the garment, one could pour water from a plastic bottle or other source, or cold water, through a water inlet located on the upper back of the garment. The present invention provides a structure that allows water to be injected from both the inside and the outside of the cooling structure, and prevents water leakage from the opposite injection port when water is injected from one port. In busy construction sites and other workplaces, the sight of workers calling out to nearby colleagues, pointing to the external water inlet on the back of their work clothes, and asking them to add more water demonstrates mutual awareness of heatstroke prevention and aligns with recent strengthened heatstroke prevention measures in occupational safety and health standards. It also allows workers to check on each other's heat stress levels and contributes to good communication in the workplace under the scorching summer sun. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present invention of a cooling structure for use in clothing and the like is, 1. The cooling structure does not require a container to immerse the entire absorbent material in water, making it suitable for on-site work. However, by pouring a small amount of water from a plastic bottle into the water inlet, you can achieve a cooling effect through evaporative cooling. 2. The air passage provided between the outer fabric of the garment and this cooling structure enhances the evaporative cooling effect. Furthermore, the outer water injection port also serves as the exhaust port of the air duct, which can further promote the vaporization heat cooling effect. 3. The electric fan provided at the lower part of the bedding can increase the air volume of the air duct, which can further promote the vaporization heat cooling effect. 4. By connecting to the cooling structure body and driving the Peltier element, the temperature of the moisture in the water-absorbing material can be lowered, which can further promote the vaporization heat cooling effect. 5. By means of being able to inject water from both sides of the water injection port from the inside and the water injection port from the outside, the water injection volume can be visually and tactilely adjusted by injecting water from the inside. Also, by injecting water from the outside, it is possible to inject water while wearing the bedding during work, which improves work efficiency, and by this water injection interaction among workers, it helps to improve the awareness of heat stroke prevention and the on-site communication among workers, etc., having industrial and social effects.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] It is a figure showing a cross-sectional structure of the structure when the cooling structure of the present invention is used in bedding such as a vest and a person wears it. [Figure 2a] It is a figure showing a cross-sectional structure for explaining the cooling structure of the present invention in detail. [Figure 2b] It is a figure showing a structure seen from the inside for explaining the cooling structure of the present invention in detail. [Figure 2c] It is a figure showing a structure of the present invention with the water-absorbing material having a two-layer structure. [Figure 3a] It is a figure showing a structure seen from the inside when the cooling structure of the present invention is used in a vest of bedding. [Figure 3b] It is a figure showing the state of the air flow promoting vaporization heat cooling seen from the outer back when the cooling structure of the present invention is used in a vest of bedding. [Figure 4a] It is a figure showing a structure seen from the inside when the cooling structure of the present invention is incorporated into an air-conditioned clothing with an electric fan attached to the lower part of the bedding 1.​​​​​​​ [Figure 4b] FIG. is a diagram showing the state of the air flow that promotes the cooling by evaporation, as seen from the outer back when the cooling structure of the present invention is incorporated into an air-conditioned clothing. [Figure 5a] FIG. is a cross-sectional view showing the case where an electric fan is attached to the lower part of the cooling structure of the present invention and is attached to an air-conditioned clothing of a garment worn by a person. [Figure 5b] FIG. 5(a) shows a structure in which water from a container filled with water such as a plastic bottle is poured through a tube into the water injection port inside the cooling structure of the present invention. [Figure 6a] FIG. is a cross-sectional view showing a cooling structure in which one side for heat exchange of a Peltier element is connected to the outer surface of the cooling structure of the present invention to cool the injected moisture. [Figure 6b] FIG. is a diagram showing the cooling structure as seen from the outer back of FIG. 6(a). [Figure 7] FIG. is a graph showing the cooling effect when wearing a garment or the like using the cooling structure of the present invention. [Figure 8a] FIG. shows a stall type or mantle type cooling structure arranged and used on a person's back or the like as another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8b] FIG. shows the structure of the cooling structure of FIG. 8(a) as seen from the inside.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] A first preferred embodiment example of the cooling structure used in the garment or the like of the present invention will be described more specifically with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cross section of the structure when a person wears the cooling structure of the present invention using a vest or the like as a garment. Furthermore, FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) will also be added for a more detailed explanation. FIG. 2(a) is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure for explaining the cooling structure of the present invention in detail. FIG. 2(b) is a diagram showing the structure as seen from the inside for explaining the cooling structure of the present invention in detail. As shown in Figure 1, the vest or other garment 1 consists of a collar portion 1a and a torso portion 1b located around the person's neck, and a lower end portion 1c located at the waist. Figure 1 also shows a cross-section of the cooling structure 2 that constitutes the present invention, used in the back portion of the garment 1. The garment 1 has an external water inlet 11 on the upper back where water can be poured in. Furthermore, at the back, a flat water-absorbing material 12 capable of absorbing tens of times its own weight in water is connected to an outer breathable waterproof fabric 13a and an inner breathable waterproof fabric 13b, both of which are flat and allow air to pass through but not water, and are configured to wrap around and cover both sides of the material. Furthermore, a planar gap 14 is provided between the outer breathable waterproof fabric 13a and the water-absorbing material 12, allowing water poured in from the water inlet 11 to flow, and enabling the water-absorbing material 12 to retain, absorb, and store moisture.

[0012] 11a indicates water being poured in from the outer water inlet. As shown in Figure 1, the evaporative cooling effect of the cooling structure 2 of the present invention is due to heat exchange by the rising airflow of outside air 16 taken in from the lower end 1c of the garment in the gap between the back surface 15 of the person and the breathable waterproof fabric 13b on the inside of the cooling structure 2 of the present invention. Furthermore, the cooling structure 2 constituting the cooling structure of the present invention is attached in a planar manner to the inside of the outer fabric 21 covering the back of the garment 1 to which it is fitted, by detachable retaining devices 22 such as male and female hook-and-loop fasteners or fastening pins with a male and female structure, for example, only at its four ends. However, it should be noted here that, depending on the specifications and use of the garment, the four retainers 22 at the four ends may not be detachable, and may be fixed by sewing or adhesive. As a result, a gap 18 is provided between the outer fabric 21 and the outer moisture-permeable waterproof fabric 13a of the moisture-permeable waterproof fabric that covers and encloses the water-absorbing material 12, through which the outer ventilation 17a passes, and a portion of the rising airflow branching from the outside air 16 flows in, with a portion of it directed to the upper end of the cooling structure 2, the retainer 22 The air is configured to be exhausted by merging with the inner ventilation 17b at the rear of the collar of the garment 1 through the gap between the outer fabric 21 of the garment 1 and the outer fabric 21 of the garment 1. However, a configuration in which the upper end of the cooling structure 2 is partially connected by a horizontally elongated hook-and-loop fastener or similar auxiliary connection part 31, which is horizontal to the outer fabric, would partially block the air passage 18, but this configuration is also conceivable. When the upper end of the cooling structure 2 is connected to the outer fabric 21 over a wide area in this manner, ventilation may be restricted at the connection point. However, since the cooling effect is obtained throughout the entire air passage, there is no practical problem. As configured in this way, the cooling structure 2 constituting the present invention has 13a and 13b on both sides. This structure allows for the acquisition of evaporative cooling effects, thereby providing a groundbreaking structure that significantly enhances the cooling effect on the human body.

[0013] Next, a preferred second embodiment of the cooling structure used in clothing and the like of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As a second embodiment of the present invention, outside air 16 entering from the lower end 1c of the garment 1 is branched at the lower end of the cooling structure 2 of the present invention into an inner vent 17b that rises through the gap between the back surface 15 of the human body and the inner breathable waterproof fabric 13b, and a vent 17a that passes through the gap 18. Furthermore, at the upper end of the outer surface 13a of the breathable waterproof fabric, the inner vent 17b and the vent 17a merge and are exhausted from the collar b portion 1a. Here, a gap is provided between the outer breathable waterproof fabric 13a and the outer fabric 21 so that a portion of the ventilation passing through the gap 18 can also be exhausted from the outer water inlet 11, and the outer ventilation 17a is added to the exhaust. Due to the structure of the garment 1, this gap can be configured to have minimal air resistance to the exhaust of the ventilation. Therefore, the amount of airflow through the gap 18 can be increased compared to the first embodiment of the invention, thereby providing a structure that greatly enhances the evaporative cooling effect of the cooling structure by the outer airflow 17a, in addition to the evaporative cooling effect of the inner airflow 17b.

[0014] Here, we will provide an additional explanation of the features of the cooling structure 2 that are common to the first and second embodiments of the present invention. Figures 2(a) and 2(b) show a structure in which water 11a poured in from the outer water inlet 11 flows from top to bottom through the planar gap 14 between the outer breathable waterproof fabric 13a and the absorbent material 12, and the absorbent material is evenly permeated and retained without bias in its top, bottom, left, and right surfaces. To collect the water injecting 11a flowing in from above, which is provided at various points above and below the gap 14, and to distribute it to the left and right, water absorbent material 12 is placed in between, and the outer breathable waterproof fabric 13a and the inner breathable waterproof fabric 13b of the breathable waterproof fabric are connected at appropriate points in a linear manner by sewing or bonding, thereby providing water partitions 24a and 24b. Thus, the present invention provides a structure in which, by injecting water from one water inlet 11 of the cooling structure 2, moisture is distributed uniformly over almost the entire surface of the cooling structure located on the back of a person, and a uniform cooling effect due to evaporative cooling is obtained over the entire surface of the cooling structure 2.

[0015] A preferred third embodiment of the cooling structure used in clothing and the like of the present invention will be described in more detail using Figures 1, 2(a), and 2(b). The garment 1 is provided with an inner water inlet 20 at the top of the breathable waterproof fabric 13b on the back side (the side that touches the person's back) of the cooling structure 2. The water injected from the inside 20a is injected into the planar gap 14, just like the water injected from the outside 11a. A waterproof wall 23 made of a planar waterproof cloth (the material may be the breathable waterproof cloth 13a, 13b used in this invention) or a waterproof film is provided between the inside water inlet 20 and the outside water inlet 11, with a larger area than the respective outside water inlet 11 and inside water inlet 20, and extending further downward from the lower end of each water inlet in the direction of the gap 14, as shown in Figures 2(a) and (b), to form the waterproof wall 23.

[0016] By providing this waterproof wall 23, even when water is injected 20a from the inner water inlet 20, the waterproof wall 23 prevents the water from gushing out and leaking out from the outer water inlet 11, allowing water to be injected only into the planar gap 14. Similarly, even when water is injected 11a from the outside through the outer water inlet 11, the waterproof wall 23 provides a structure that prevents the water from gushing out and leaking out from the inner water inlet 20.

[0017] In this way, by providing water inlets on both the inside and outside of the garment 1 according to the present invention, before wearing the garment 1, the amount of water 20a poured from a container filled with water, such as a PET bottle, through the inner water inlet 20 can be adjusted while visually and tactilely checking how much water is entering the cooling structure 2 and how much water is penetrating the surface-shaped absorbent material 12. Furthermore, when the garment 1 is worn in direct sunlight, if the moisture absorbed by the absorbent material 12 becomes insufficiently dry and the evaporative cooling effect decreases, additional water 11a can be added through the outer water inlet 11 without having to take off the garment 1. This could be useful in raising awareness of heat countermeasures and heatstroke prevention in the workplace during the summer, especially when multiple workers are wearing the garment 1 simultaneously and working on a construction site in extreme heat or under the blazing sun, as they might pour water from plastic bottles or other sources into the water inlets 11 on the outside of each other's garments.

[0018] Next, we will provide an additional explanation of the cooling structure used in clothing, which is common to the first, second, and third embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, Figure 3(a) shows the structure as seen from the inside when the cooling structure of the present invention is used in the vest garment 1. This diagram shows the cooling structure 2 of the present invention attached to the inside of the back surface of the vest garment 1 using a retainer 22 such as a hook-and-loop fastener. An inner water inlet 20 is provided at the top of the cooling structure 2. Furthermore, Figure 3(b) shows the state of airflow that promotes evaporative cooling, as viewed from the outer back when the cooling structure of the present invention is used in the vest of garment 1. The outside air 16 taken in from the lower end of the vest garment 1 is divided into an outer vent 17a that flows through the gap 18 between the cooling structure 2 and the outer casing 21 of the vest garment 1, and an airflow 17b that flows through the gap 19 between the cooling structure 2 and the back of the person, allowing ventilation to occur on both sides of the cooling structure 2 and heat exchange for evaporative cooling. After that, the inner vent 17b is exhausted from the back of the collar 1a of the garment 1, and the outer vent 17a is exhausted from the outer water inlet 11. The airflow 17c shows how the outer vent 17a and the inner vent 17b mix and are exhausted from the cuff 30 of the vest garment 1.

[0019] In this embodiment, when water is poured into the cooling structure 2, its weight increases, which may cause the connection point with the outer garment fabric 21 to sag. To prevent this, the upper end of the cooling structure 2 is connected to the outer garment fabric using a horizontally elongated hook-and-loop fastener or similar auxiliary connection part 31, which partially blocks the air passage 18, but provides a partial connection. This improves the appearance and ensures stability when worn. The above configuration prevents deformation of the outer fabric 21 due to the weight of the cooling structure 2, thereby improving the appearance and wearability of the product. Furthermore, when the upper end of the cooling structure 2 is connected to the outer fabric 21 over a wide area, ventilation may be restricted at the connection point. However, since the cooling effect is obtained throughout the entire air passage, this does not pose a practical problem. This configuration is also included within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0020] Next, we will describe an example in which the cooling structure of the present invention is similarly incorporated into an air-conditioned garment, such as a work jacket or vest, with an electric fan attached to the lower part of the garment (around the waist) for forced ventilation, thereby further enhancing the evaporative cooling effect. Figure 4(a) shows the structure as seen from the inside when the cooling structure of the present invention is incorporated into an air-conditioned garment with an electric fan attached to the lower part of the garment 1. Electric fans 4 are attached to two locations on the left and right sides of the lower part of the vest garment 1. Figure 4(b) shows the structure as viewed from the back when the cooling structure of the present invention is similarly incorporated into an air-conditioned garment. Figure 5(a) shows a cross-section of a garment with the cooling structure of the present invention attached to an air-conditioned garment with an electric fan at the bottom, when worn by a person. Electric fans 4 are positioned at two locations on the left and right sides of the lower part of the vest garment 1, so as to be able to forcibly draw a large amount of outside air 16 into the garment 1. The large amount of outside air 16 drawn in by the electric fan is as described in Figure 3(b) above. The present invention provides a cooling structure that allows for a dramatic increase in the evaporative cooling effect on both the outer and inner surfaces of the cooling structure, proportional to the airflow of the electric fan. This is achieved by dividing the airflow into two: outer ventilation 17a, which passes through the gap 18 between the cooling structure 2 and the outer surface 21 of the garment 1 and is exhausted from the outer water inlet 11; and inner ventilation 17b, which similarly passes through the gap between the cooling structure 2 and the person's back and is exhausted from the collar of the garment. At this time, the amount of vaporization of the water-absorbing material 12 increases due to the increased ventilation 17a and 17b by the electric fan, and its drying speed increases. Therefore, Figure 2(c) shows an improved example in which the water-absorbing material is configured in two layers and a central water channel 14a is formed to increase the amount of water injected, corresponding to the drying speed when forced ventilation is performed by an electric blower. The outer water-absorbing material (12a) is surrounded by an outer breathable waterproof fabric 13a and an inner breathable waterproof fabric 13b, similar to the water-absorbing material (12), and the structure allows water to be injected into both layers, which has the effect of extending the cooling duration.

[0021] Figure 5(b) shows a structure in which water from a container filled with water, such as a plastic bottle, is injected into the inner water inlet of the cooling structure of the present invention through a tube. A water-carrying tube 50 is connected to the cooling structure 2 so that water can be poured into the water inlet 20 on the inside. For example, the tube 50 is routed over a person's shoulder towards the front, and a PET bottle container 51 filled with water is connected to one end of the tube. When the evaporative cooling effect of the cooling structure 2 decreases, if the container is lifted above the person's shoulder, water from the PET bottle container 51 will naturally fall out of the water inlet 20 on the inside and replenish the cooling structure 2. Furthermore, a small battery-powered electric pump 52 is provided between the PET bottle container 51 and the tube 50, and a semiconductor sensor 53 capable of detecting moisture content is provided inside the cooling structure 2, for example, at the lower end, and is wired to a moisture detection device 54 attached to the electric pump 52. There, when a certain amount of moisture is no longer detected, the electric pump 52 is activated, and a means is provided to automatically replenish moisture to the cooling structure 2. In Figure 5(b), 55 is a large chest pocket used to store a PET bottle container 51 and an electric pump 52 during work.

[0022] Next, we will describe the cooling structure of the present invention, which further increases the evaporative cooling effect by lowering the temperature of the water poured into the cooling structure 2 using a Peltier element. Figure 6(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a cooling structure in which one heat-exchanging side of a Peltier element is in close contact with the outer surface 13a of the cooling structure 2 of the present invention, and water is injected into it to cool it. Figure 6(b) shows the structure of Figure 6(a) as viewed from the outside of the human body, specifically from the back. Power is supplied from the battery 61 to the Peltier element 60, which performs heat exchange on both sides. For example, one of the cold heat exchange surfaces is in close contact with the moisture-permeable waterproof fabric 13a on the outside of the cooling structure 2, while the other heat exchange surface penetrates the outer fabric 21 covering the back of the garment 1 and extends to the outside. As a result, when the Peltier element 60 is driven, hot air 63 is generated on the heat exchange surface, but the moisture inside the cooling structure 2 on the opposite side, the cold heat exchange surface, and the water absorbent material 12 are cooled, further cooling the cooling structure 2. For example, the evaporative cooling sensation 62 on a person's back is greatly increased, making it possible to work comfortably in the scorching sun or in extremely hot outdoor conditions.

[0023] Figure 7 is a temperature graph showing the cooling effect when wearing clothing using the cooling structure of the present invention. This data was obtained at a construction site during the hot summer months when multiple people simultaneously wore several work garments with different evaporative cooling effects using the cooling structure of the present invention, while performing nearly identical tasks. This graph shows the evaporative cooling effect measured when temperature sensors were attached to the surface of the breathable waterproof fabric 13b on the human body side of the cooling structure 2, the top of the worker's helmet, and the shoulder surface of clothing exposed to sunlight, while work was performed from 13:00 after lunch until after 16:00. Temperature graph 71 shows the temperature at the top of the helmet of one of the workers. The highest temperature exceeds 55°C near 3 PM, and similarly, the shoulder surface temperature 72 of the same worker exceeds 45°C.

[0024] In contrast, temperature graph 73 is a temperature graph of the surface of the breathable waterproof fabric 13b on the human body side when a vest or other garment, in the state shown in Figure 3(a) of the embodiment of the present invention, is worn after a sufficient amount of water has been poured into the cooling structure 2 attached to the vest, and the garment is worn. According to this temperature graph 73, the temperature remained below approximately 30-35°C from 13:00 to 16:00 during working hours. Furthermore, the temperature graph 74 is a temperature graph of the surface of the breathable waterproof fabric 13b at the same time in the state shown in Figure 4(a), with the electric fan 4 installed and a person wearing the garment. This graph shows the evaporative cooling effect when the electric fan 4 was activated at 2 PM and forced ventilation was started. It can be seen that when the electric fan 4 is installed and activated to provide forced ventilation, the evaporative cooling effect increases by approximately -3°C. Furthermore, the temperature graph 75 shows that, in the case of a person wearing clothing with the cooling structure of the present invention, which incorporates a Peltier element 60 in addition to the electric fan 4, after starting to supply power to the Peltier element 60 from 14:00, the evaporative cooling effect increases by an additional -2°C or so, reaching around 27°C. This indicates that even in the scorching summer sun, the torso of the human body can be sufficiently cooled, maintaining comfort.

[0025] Furthermore, as another embodiment of the present invention, a stall-type or mantle-type cooling structure 8 can be configured for use on the back, as shown in Figure 8(a). In this embodiment as well, the basic structure of the cooling structure 2, which includes the water-absorbing material, breathable waterproof fabric, water partition member, and water inlet, is the same as in the above-described embodiment. By forming the cooling structure 2 in a planar shape and placing it along the back, an evaporative cooling effect can be obtained over a wide area. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 8(b), the water inlet 11 of the cooling structure may be provided on the front side, and an inner water inlet 20 can be added as needed. Furthermore, in the figure, 81 and 82 are, for example, male 81 and female 82 hook-and-loop fasteners for securing the stole-type or cape-type cooling structure 8 to the back, allowing the ends of the cooling structure 8 to be separated and detached at the chest. These can also be substituted with strings attached to both ends. This makes it possible to apply the cooling structure of the present invention to both a simple configuration in which water is injected only from the outside, and a configuration in which water can be injected from both the outside and the inside. This invention provides a way for mothers and others watching and cheering at sports events such as youth baseball games in the scorching summer sun to avoid heat stress from direct sunlight on their backs through evaporative cooling, allowing them to cheer comfortably. [Industrial applicability]

[0026] Due to recent global climate change, the period of extremely hot weather, including days with temperatures as high as summer and days with extreme heat, is rapidly increasing, and the summer season is becoming longer. There is a strong need both domestically and internationally to address and take measures against heatstroke and other health problems caused by heat stress during outdoor activities such as sports, outdoor activities, events, construction and civil engineering work, and agricultural and forestry work, all under harsh, scorching sun. Clothing such as shirts, vests, work jackets, air-conditioned clothing, shoulders, cloaks, and underwear, which have the cooling structure of the present invention, provide a long-lasting cooling effect and comfort when worn by utilizing evaporative cooling around the back of the torso and enhancing that evaporative cooling effect through forced ventilation. Moreover, as clothing equipped with high-performance cooling functions, it can be constructed relatively lightly and inexpensively. The widespread adoption of this invention is expected to alleviate people's anxieties about the heat, heat stress, and heatstroke associated with outdoor activities and work in the height of summer, reduce physical strain, contribute to maintaining people's health, and improve the efficiency of social activities during the summer months. This is expected to have significant social and industrial benefits both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, this cooling structure can be easily attached not only to work vests but also to the back of traditional white clothing (kandura / thob) commonly worn in the Arab region, contributing to the reduction of heat load for a wide range of people working in harsh, hot conditions, and is highly regarded internationally. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0027] 1 clothing 11. Outer water inlet 11a Water injection from the outside 12 Water absorbing material 12a Outer absorbent material 13a Outer breathable waterproof fabric 13b Inner breathable waterproof fabric 14 Planar gaps 14a Central waterway 17a Outer ventilation 17b Internal ventilation 2 Cooling structure 20. Inner water inlet 20a Water injection from the inside 23 Waterproof wall 30 cuffs 31 Auxiliary connection part 4 Electric fan 52 Electric pump 60 Peltier elements 8. Stall-type or mantle-type cooling structures

Claims

1. A cooling structure is provided on the back of the garment, comprising a separate, surface-shaped absorbent material surrounded by a breathable waterproof fabric that allows air to pass through but not water, and having a water inlet at the top for supplying water to the absorbent material. Between the water-absorbing material and the breathable waterproof fabric, there is a planar void that allows the injected water to flow from top to bottom and penetrate in a planar manner. The cooling structure is connected to the outer fabric of the garment on the inside by an auxiliary connecting part, and in the area other than the connecting part, ventilation passages are formed on either the outside and inside or both of the cooling structure. A cooling structure for clothing, characterized in that it obtains a cooling effect from the heat of vaporization of moisture held in the water-absorbing material by ventilation through the aforementioned ventilation channel.

2. The cooling structure is provided with a water inlet that allows water to be poured in from both the inside and outside of the garment, The cooling structure according to claim 1, characterized in that a waterproof wall is provided within the planar gap to prevent water leakage from the other water inlet when water is poured in from one water inlet.

3. The cooling structure according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: a moisture sensor for detecting the amount of moisture held in the cooling structure; an electric pump for automatically supplying water to the absorbent material based on the detection result of the moisture sensor; and a water supply container connected to the electric pump, wherein the electric pump operates in response to the detection by the moisture sensor and automatically replenishes moisture to the absorbent material.

4. The cooling structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an electric blower is provided at the lower part of the garment, and the evaporative cooling effect is enhanced by providing forced ventilation to the ventilation passage.

5. The cooling structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, in order to cool the moisture held in the water-absorbing material, the cold heat exchange surface of the Peltier element is in close contact with the cooling structure, and the opposing heat exchange surface is in contact with the outside air on the outside of the garment.

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