Device for cooling and / or heating a body part by resting on the skin
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- JOSELA GMBH
- Filing Date
- 2026-01-23
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-30
Smart Images
Figure EP2026051740_30072026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] 0111P0002WO Page 1 23 January 2026
[0002] Device for cooling and / or heating a part of the body by placing it on the skin
[0003] SCOPE OF APPLICATION AND STATE OF THE ART
[0004] The invention relates to a device for cooling and / or heating a part of the body by placing the device on the skin.
[0005] The devices of this type comprise a liquid reservoir with a flexible surface for contact with the skin and a plurality of individual electrically operated cooling and / or heating elements, which are attached to a counter wall opposite the surface in such a way that they can heat or cool liquid in the liquid reservoir.
[0006] These devices are intended to be placed on a section of skin to cool or warm it. For example, cooling may be used to reduce swelling.
[0007] A corresponding device is known, for example, from DE 102021122642 Al.
[0008] Heat dissipation has proven particularly problematic with devices of the type described. Since devices of this type are intended to be adaptable to the respective body part, they must allow a certain degree of mobility. However, such mobility is difficult to achieve without impeding ventilation. For example, an outer surface of the device made of a textile fabric is usually too insulating and leads to heat buildup within the device. A rigid outer shell would be preferable, as it simplifies ventilation, but such a rigid shell restricts relative mobility and was therefore not feasible in the past.
[0009] TASK AND SOLUTION
[0010] The object of the invention is to further develop a generic device for cooling and / or heating a body part in such a way that it is robust in handling and enables good heat exchange with the environment. For this purpose, a device for cooling and / or heating a body part by contact with the skin is proposed. The device, which can be designed in particular as a face mask, but can also be used for other body parts or be specifically adapted, has a liquid reservoir with a flexible contact wall for contact with the skin. The liquid reservoir, which is preferably designed as a flat liquid pouch, contains a liquid when filled, which in the simplest case can be water. This liquid is heated or cooled by the device in order to transfer the heat or cold to the skin and thus promote well-being or even healing.
[0011] The heating and / or cooling of the liquid in the liquid reservoir is achieved via a plurality of individual electrically operated cooling and / or heating elements. These are mounted on a counter wall opposite the system wall and can thus heat or cool the liquid. Preferably, the cooling and / or heating elements each comprise Peltier elements. The device preferably has between two and twelve such cooling and / or heating elements, and more preferably between three and six. Details regarding possible configurations and the mounting of the cooling and / or heating elements on the counter wall are explained below.
[0012] The device is protected externally by an outer shell made of a rigid and dimensionally stable material, in particular plastic. Various components are arranged between the outer shell and the opposing wall, including, in particular, the aforementioned cooling and / or heating elements. Control electronics for regulating the cooling and / or heating elements may also be provided here. Furthermore, a battery may be located here, although it is preferred that the device is permanently connected to an external power source, for example, via USB to a power bank or a power adapter. Preferably, with the exception of this external power source, no other external components are required for operation. Instead, all fluid-carrying parts, as well as the cooling and / or heating elements and the control electronics, are preferably integrated into the single device, making it very suitable for use as a portable device.
[0013] According to the invention, the outer shell is designed as an outer shell comprising a plurality of shell elements movable relative to one another, not unlike a scale structure. The shell elements are rigid in themselves but movable relative to each other. The deformation of the outer shell as a whole is therefore not based on elastic material deformation, but on the mobility of the shell elements relative to one another. The outer shell, composed of individual shell elements, preferably appears from the outside as a uniform and largely closed outer shell. Although smaller gaps between the shell elements are possible depending on the degree of curvature of the outer shell, it is preferably provided, at least in a state where the liquid bag is aligned flat, that at least some shell elements, and preferably all shell elements, are arranged in an overlapping or abutting configuration with adjacent shell elements.
[0014] The liquid reservoir is preferably designed as a flat liquid pouch that is flexible in shape, at least in the area of the contact surface, and can thus adapt to the surface of the skin. Preferably, the liquid pouch is bounded on both sides by plastic walls. Additional layers can be provided on both the contact wall and the opposing wall, for example, a fixed or replaceable textile covering on the contact wall or an insulating layer on the opposing wall.
[0015] The outer shell forms the side of the device opposite the liquid reservoir and its contact surface and therefore preferably has approximately the same size. According to the invention, it is formed from the aforementioned plurality of shell elements, which are movable relative to one another. To prevent gaps of relevant size from forming between the shell elements during relative movement, an overlap is preferably provided. In particular, at least one shell element can have a tongue that engages an adjacent shell element and, when the shell elements are angled, minimizes or completely prevents the formation of gaps.
[0016] A circumferential spacer can be provided between the outer shell and the liquid reservoir. However, it is preferred if the shell elements, or at least one shell element, are directly connected to the liquid reservoir at their edges. This is preferably achieved via a seam or an adhesive bond. In particular, it can be provided that the liquid reservoir is folded over a mounting edge of the shell element in an edge region, or that a textile hem band is provided which surrounds and holds together the liquid reservoir and the shell element.
[0017] In addition to the main body of the device, comprising the outer shell and the liquid reservoir, as well as the cooling and / or heating elements and preferably also their control electronics, a fastening device is preferably provided by means of which this main body can be attached to the body. In particular, this fastening device can comprise a support strap, preferably a length-adjustable and / or elastic support strap. This can then be used to fix the device to the body, for example in the form of a headband that supports a device usable as a face mask.
[0018] As already mentioned, the shell elements are preferably made primarily of plastic and are largely rigid. The movement of the shell elements relative to each other is therefore not primarily achieved by utilizing deformation of the shell elements, but rather through the aforementioned relative movement of the whole. In particular, the shell elements can preferably be made of a thermoplastic material such as PP, PE, PC, or ABS.
[0019] The shell elements, together with the flexible fluid reservoir, allow the device to be adapted to the specific area of skin. In particular, the entire device can be bent and folded to conform to individual facial shapes or other body parts. For example, in the case of a face, the desired curvature of the device and its fluid reservoir has a radius of approximately 30 cm to 40 cm, while on an arm, a curvature with a radius of approximately 5 cm to 15 cm is ideal.
[0020] The shell elements preferably have openings, in particular slot-shaped openings, which serve to dissipate cold or heat. Preferably, all shell elements are provided with such openings.
[0021] In the simplest case, only two shell elements are provided, preferably of approximately the same size (size deviation less than 50%). Preferably, however, the outer shell has more than two shell elements that are movable relative to each other. In a simple design, the shell elements form a single-strand assembly, for example, three, four, or six shell elements arranged one behind the other in a chain-like fashion.
[0022] A preferred design, however, incorporates at least four shell elements in a 2x2 arrangement. In such an arrangement, the device offers various pivot axes along which it can fold, in particular at least two pivot axes that are substantially at right angles to each other (>70°, <110°). This enables three-dimensional deformation, allowing for particularly good adaptation to a body surface. A design with six or eight shell elements in a 3x2 or 4x2 arrangement has proven especially effective.
[0023] In principle, it is possible to create the mobility of the shell elements by connecting them to the liquid reservoir at different locations, so that they move relative to each other in accordance with the deformation of the liquid reservoir. In this case, they are only indirectly connected to each other via the liquid reservoir.
[0024] However, it is advantageous if there is a direct articulation between at least some of the shell elements. It is therefore proposed that at least two shell elements be movably connected indirectly via the fluid reservoir and additionally pivotally connected to each other directly via a joint mechanism.
[0025] It has been shown that this interplay of the dual connection of the shell elements to one another – indirectly via the fluid reservoir, and directly via a hinge mechanism – is advantageous in practice. This creates a robust construction in which tilting of the shell elements relative to each other is not a concern.
[0026] Preferably, a design is chosen in which all shell elements are movably connected indirectly via the liquid reservoir. Simultaneously, all shell elements can be directly connected to at least one adjacent shell element via a hinge connection. It is considered advantageous that at least two adjacent shell elements are movably connected only indirectly via the liquid reservoir, i.e., not in an articulated connection with an adjacent shell element. This makes it possible, in particular, to connect individual shell elements movably only indirectly via the liquid reservoir, thereby increasing their mobility. This can be particularly advantageous for individual shell elements if the device comprises at least four shell elements in a 2x2 or six or eight shell elements in a 3x2 or 4x2 arrangement.
[0027] In a design where the shell elements do not form a single, unidirectional string of shell elements, but rather—as in a 2x2 arrangement—a structure movable in two dimensions, it is particularly advantageous if at least one shell element is pivotably connected directly to at least two other shell elements via a hinge mechanism, the respective pivot axes being non-parallel to each other. The at least two shell elements connected in this way are thus relatively movable about different pivot axes via the hinge mechanism. A fourth shell element, which forms a 2x2 matrix with the three aforementioned shell elements, is preferably connected via the hinge mechanism to only one of the three shell elements or to none of the three shell elements.
[0028] Various designs are possible for the joint mechanism. For example, a joint component could have a sleeve structure on one shell element that is pushed onto a hinge pin of the other shell element. The sleeve structure and the hinge pin are located in the plane of the outer surface of the shell elements or are offset inwards by only a few millimeters.
[0029] However, it is advantageous if the joint between two or more shell elements is designed as a joint with an offset pivot axis, i.e., with a real and / or virtual pivot axis that is significantly offset inwards from the outer surface of the shell elements and thus towards the liquid reservoir. During pivoting of the shell elements relative to each other, the pivot axis is at least 10 mm inwards from one outer surface of the shell elements. The effect of this is that the pivot axis of the joint is shifted closer to the liquid reservoir or, ideally, almost into the plane of the liquid reservoir. This is advantageous because the liquid reservoir, possibly with fold lines, and the joint then define similar pivot axes, thus enabling particularly smooth deformation of the device for the specific application.
[0030] A particularly advantageous way to design such a joint assembly with an inwardly offset pivot axis is to provide a cam mechanism on one joint component and a cam pin on the other joint component, which projects into the cam. The cam mechanism is curved and thus defines an inwardly offset virtual pivot axis without requiring an actual axle element at this point, which would be practically impossible due to the fluid reservoir.
[0031] If the joint mechanism is designed as a 3D joint between three shell elements, it preferably has at least three joint components on the three shell elements, which together have two curved cams and two cam pins engaging in the curved cams, preferably also curved. This design with curved cam pins offers the described advantage of creating a virtual pivot axis and, at the same time, allows the cam pin to pivot in an additional pivot direction together with its shell element, while still remaining in the associated cam.
[0032] In particular, the shell elements preferably comprise at least four shell elements in a T-arrangement. This T-arrangement particularly comprises four of the six shell elements in a 2x3 arrangement. The four shell elements are movably connected to one another via a hinge mechanism. In particular, a design has proven advantageous in which two central shell elements are immediately adjacent but not directly connected to one another by hinge components. Instead, they are indirectly connected to one another, as each is movably connected directly to two outer shell elements. This design reduces the complexity of the assembly and has proven advantageous in practice.
[0033] The cooling and / or heating elements can be designed in various ways. A preferred design includes Peltier elements for generating heat and cold in the liquid. They also preferably include a fan to dissipate heat on the side facing away from the liquid reservoir.
[0034] The cooling and / or heating elements each have a contact surface for transferring heat or cold to the liquid in the liquid reservoir. Preferably, this contact surface is in direct contact with the liquid. In particular, this can be achieved by providing at least one recess in the opposing wall of the liquid reservoir, in the area of which the liquid is in direct contact with the contact surface of a cooling and / or heating element. This eliminates, at least partially, the need for heat to be dissipated or supplied through the opposing wall itself.
[0035] In the case of a Peltier element, the contact surface is preferably formed by a structure-integrated surface of the Peltier element, i.e., a surface that is directly responsible for the emission or absorption of heat and is inextricably linked to the thermoelectric modules, thus constituting a direct functional unit of the Peltier element. Further intermediate elements between this structure-integrated surface of the Peltier element and the liquid are preferably avoided.
[0036] However, designs without the described recesses are also possible, deviating from the proposed construction. While this impairs heat transfer from the liquid to the environment via the cooling and / or heating elements, it can be acceptable for achieving a simpler seal of the liquid reservoir. It is also conceivable to use a counter wall with reduced wall thickness, at least in the area of the cooling and / or heating elements.
[0037] Preferably, the cooling and / or heating elements are each connected to the counter wall by means of a support. Such a support is a one-piece or multi-piece structure that is firmly connected to the counter wall and indirectly holds a cooling and / or heating element in position. The support can also be particularly suitable for sealing in the case of a design with a recess in the counter wall.
[0038] The carrier preferably has one or two seals. A first seal is a circumferential seal that rests against an edge region of the counter wall surrounding the recess. This seal prevents liquid from escaping between a carrier part and the counter wall. A second seal can be provided to rest against the contact surface of the cooling and / or heating element. Here, it prevents the passage of liquid. Preferably, both types of seals are provided. However, the first seal can be omitted, for example, if the carrier and the counter wall are thermally joined and thus sealed. The aforementioned seals are preferably designed as simple O-rings.
[0039] In the case of a design with a recess in the counter wall, the support preferably has two support elements located on opposite sides of the counter wall. Preferably, one of the support elements is arranged predominantly within the liquid reservoir. The support elements are connected to each other and clamp the counter wall between them. Additionally, preferably at least one mounting recess is provided in an edge region of the counter wall surrounding the recess, through which the two support elements are in contact with each other or are attached to each other. The aforementioned circumferential seals are preferably provided on the support element located within the liquid reservoir.
[0040] In addition to holding the cooling and / or heating elements in position on the opposing wall, the supports can also serve to carry the shell elements. Supports are also possible that do not themselves carry a cooling and / or heating element, but do carry a shell element. Preferably, at least one support is provided that does not itself carry a cooling and / or heating element, but defines a space for the control electronics. It is particularly advantageous if at least one shell element has at least one operating element and / or at least one display element. It is especially useful to provide these elements on the shell element that is connected to a support that defines the space for the control electronics. The display element can consist of a display, an LED, or a plurality of LEDs. The operating element preferably includes at least one on / off switch.
[0041] Preferably, at least one shell element is fixedly attached to a support or to the cooling and / or heating element connected to the counter wall by means of the support. This creates a relative fixedness between the counter wall in the area of a cooling and / or heating element and the shell element that covers the cooling and / or heating element.
[0042] The relative fixed position between the cooling and / or heating element and the shell covering it is particularly advantageous with regard to heat dissipation. This allows ventilation openings or slots to be optimally positioned relative to the cooling and / or heating element.
[0043] The connection between the shell element and the support creates a relatively rigid bond between the liquid reservoir and the shell elements in the area of its opposing wall. The liquid reservoir itself is deformable, thus acting as a kind of hinge for the shell elements. The material of the liquid reservoir and / or its geometry are selected such that it does not impede the deformation of the outer shell made possible by the hinge mechanism. The pivot axes defined by the hinge mechanism are preferably located within the liquid reservoir or in the area of its walls.
[0044] The deformability is particularly enhanced by sealing lines or fold lines, or by other connections between the mounting wall and the counter wall. Preferably, the liquid reservoir is designed as a multi-chamber bag, wherein the chambers are isolated from each other or allow liquid exchange between them. The boundaries between the chambers are preferably formed by the fold lines.
[0045] In the case of such a multi-chamber bag, it is preferred if each of the mutually movable shell elements is assigned a chamber and the respective section of the counter wall is connected to the assigned shell element by a support. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] Further advantages and aspects of the invention will become apparent from the claims and from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, which are explained below with reference to the figures.
[0047] Figs. 1 and 2 show a cooling and / or heating device according to the invention in two perspectives.
[0048] Fig. 3 shows the cooling and / or heating device in a sectional view.
[0049] Fig. 4 shows the cooling and / or heating device with the liquid reservoir hidden.
[0050] Fig. 5 shows the outer shell of the cooling and / or heating device from the inside.
[0051] Fig. 6 shows the cooling and / or heating device with the outer shell removed.
[0052] Fig. 7 shows the outer shell of the cooling and / or heating device in disassembled form.
[0053] Figures 8 to 10 show a single cooling and / or heating element including an associated carrier in various representations.
[0054] Figures 11A and 11B show the cooling and / or heating device again from the front and from the back.
[0055] Figs. 12A and 12B as well as Figs. 13A and 13B show alternative designs of cooling and / or heating devices according to the invention.
[0056] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXECUTION EXAMPLES
[0057] Figs. 1 and 2 show a cooling and / or heating device 10 according to the invention, which is designed to heat or cool a part of the body.
[0058] Figures 1 and 2 show the device 10 and in particular its main body in two perspectives, namely in Fig. 1 the back of the main body, which points outwards when used as intended on the body, and in Fig. 2 the front of the main body with a shape-flexible contact wall 82, which is placed on the relevant area of skin, for example the face.
[0059] The aforementioned system wall 82 simultaneously forms the outer wall of a liquid reservoir 80, which is designed in the form of a flat pouch. The rear of the main body is formed by an outer shell 20, which is composed of several shell elements 22, 23, 24, 25, as will be explained below.
[0060] An elastic and / or length-adjustable retaining band 90 is provided on the outer sides of the main body, which is placed around the back of the head, for example in the case of a face mask.
[0061] Fig. 3 shows the device 10 in a sectional view. It can be seen that the liquid reservoir 80 is bounded by the aforementioned mounting wall 82 and, opposite it, by a counter wall 83. These two walls 82 and 83 are connected to each other in an edge region. A hem band 92 is provided on the outside, which surrounds and connects the outer shell and the edge region of the liquid reservoir 80.
[0062] Together, the liquid reservoir 80 with its counter wall 83 on one side and the outer shell 20 on the other define an interior space 12. Various components of the device 10 are provided in this interior space 12, which will be explained in more detail below. These include, in particular, the cooling and / or heating elements 50, which heat or cool the liquid in the liquid reservoir 80, as well as associated electrical and electronic components, especially control electronics. Furthermore, the interior space 12 contains a hinge mechanism by means of which the various shell elements of the outer shell 20 are movably guided relative to one another. In total, this embodiment provides six shell elements that are movable relative to one another.
[0063] The shell elements partly feature thin-walled tongues that extend under adjacent shell elements to prevent the formation of large gaps in the outer shell during movement.
[0064] Fig. 4 shows the device with the liquid reservoir 80 hidden. It can be seen that the six shell elements 22, 23, 24, 25 each have a support 32, 42 that connects to the liquid reservoir 80. The six supports 32, 42 are attached to the six shell elements 22, 23, 24, 25 on their side facing away from the liquid reservoir 80 in Fig. 4. Their respective front-facing sides in Fig. 4 are designed for attachment to the opposite wall of the liquid reservoir 80, which is hidden in the figure.
[0065] As can be seen, there are two fundamentally different types of supports 32, 42. The three supports 42 have a flat base surface that can be attached to the liquid reservoir 80, for example, by means of an adhesive or welding connection. The three supports 32 not only provide a connection between the counter wall 83 and the respective shell element, but also support three cooling and / or heating elements 50. Here, it is provided that the liquid reservoir, which is hidden in Fig. 4, has a recess for each of the three cooling and / or heating elements 50, and that the supports 32 are each designed in multiple parts in order to have parts arranged on both sides of the counter wall 83 in the area of this recess, which are connected to each other to create a clamping connection. This will also be explained in more detail below.
[0066] Fig. 5 shows the insulated outer shell 20 and its six shell elements 22, 23, 24, 25 in more detail. The device is essentially a mirror image. Two corresponding shell elements 24 and 25 are provided for each shell element.
[0067] As can be clearly seen, the shell elements 22, 23, 24, 25 form a 3x2 matrix. Shell element 22 has an opening 22C through which power can be supplied, in particular to control electronics (not shown in detail in the figures) via a USB-C connector. In Fig. 5, an internal wall structure is provided on shell element 22, which serves to protect these control electronics. All shell elements are equipped with ventilation slots.
[0068] In Fig. 5, shell element 23 is connected below shell element 22. Shell elements 24 are provided on the outside of shell element 23. Shell elements 22, 23, and 24 are movably connected to each other via a hinge mechanism 26 and form a T-shaped structure. Shell elements 25 are not part of this T-shaped structure because, unlike shell elements 22, 23, and 24, they are not directly connected to adjacent shell elements.
[0069] In the case of the T-shaped structure made of the shell elements 22, 23, 24, the aforementioned joint device 26 is intended to create a direct connection between the shell elements, while preserving the mobility of the shell elements relative to each other.
[0070] This is explained in more detail with reference to Fig. 7. The joint assembly 26 essentially comprises the following components: On the shell elements 22 and 23, wings with curved cam tracks 28 are provided. Correspondingly, on the shell elements 24, two cam pins 27 are provided, which are at right angles to each other. The cam pins themselves are also curved.
[0071] A comparison of Figures 7 and 5 shows the interaction: The two curved cam pins 27 of each of the two shell elements 25 are inserted into the cam tracks 28 of the shell elements 22 and 23. They thereby indirectly connect the shell elements 22 and 23 and directly establish relative mobility between the shell elements 25 on the one hand and the shell elements 22, 23 on the other.
[0072] The use of curved cam tracks 28 and curved cam pins guided therein results in the shell elements 22, 23, 24 arranged in the aforementioned T-shape being pivotable three-dimensionally relative to each other. This achieves the three-dimensional adaptability of the device 10. Referring to Fig. 7, the shell elements 22, 23 can be pivoted relative to each other about axis 4, while the shell elements 24 can be pivoted relative to the shell element 23 about axis 2.
[0073] Although the pivoting movement takes place directly about the aforementioned axes 2 and 4, which are defined by the cam pins 27, the curved cam track defines a deviating virtual pivot axis. This is clearly visible in Fig. 7: The curvature of the cam tracks 28 is chosen such that a center point defining the path is located approximately in the area of the liquid reservoir 80. This position of the virtual pivot axis is advantageous because the pivoting movement is guided, as it were, in two ways: firstly by the joint mechanism 26 and its virtual pivot axis, and secondly by the liquid reservoir 80, which acts like a film hinge.
[0074] Figures 8 to 11 illustrate the structure of the cooling and / or heating elements 50 and the associated supports 32. Referring first to Figures 9 and 10, it can be seen that the support 32 is composed of several support elements 34, 36, 38. Support element 34, as shown in the exploded view of Figure 10, is the lowest support element. It is located predominantly in the liquid reservoir 80 and has alignment and / or coupling structures 34B that interact with a second support element 36 on the opposite side of the counter wall 83 and the structures 36B located there.
[0075] The two support elements 34, 36 also have screw holes 34C, 36C aligned with each other, by means of which the two support elements 34, 36 are coupled to each other so that they clamp the opposing wall 83 between them. An additional support element 38 is also provided.
[0076] As can be seen in Figures 8 and 9, the support carries a cooling and / or heating element 50, which in turn comprises a Peltier element 52, a finned cooler 54, and a fan 56. Two seals 86 and 88 are provided on the support element 34. In the assembled state, seal 86 rests against the inside of the counter wall 83 and seals it. Liquid cannot thus escape between the counter wall and the support 32. The second seal 88 rests against the structurally integrated contact surface 52A of the cooling element 50 and prevents liquid from escaping at the edge of the contact surface 52A.
[0077] The contact surface 52A of the Peltier element 52 is completely sealed by this design, preventing liquid from escaping from the liquid reservoir 80. Simultaneously, due to the recesses 83A in the counter wall 83, the contact surface 52A is in direct contact with the liquid, resulting in very efficient and rapid heating and / or cooling of the liquid in the liquid reservoir 80.
[0078] As can be seen from Figs. 8 and 10, the fan has mounting holes 56A at four corners. Fig. 8 shows that two of these mounting holes 56A are used to snap into place with mounting pins 36D of the support element 36.
[0079] The other two mounting holes 56A are used to attach the shell elements 23 and 25. As can be seen in Fig. 7, these shell elements each have locking pins 23A and 25A, which can be inserted into the mounting holes 56A and locked in place. This ensures that the supports 32, and with them the cooling and / or heating elements 50, are locked securely to the shell elements 23 and 25.
[0080] In the case of the other shell elements 22, 24, no cooling and / or heating elements 50 are directly assigned. These shell elements 22, 24 therefore have somewhat different coupling structures, which are intended to be locked to the supports 42.
[0081] The embodiment described so far features shell elements in a 3x2 matrix. Figures 11A and 11B illustrate this further. Figure 11A shows the configuration of the shell elements of the outer shell 20. Figure 11B shows how, correspondingly, the liquid reservoir 80 is subdivided into six parts, which, connected by the supports 32 and 42, remain essentially stationary relative to the shell elements.
[0082] Figures 12A and 12B show an alternative design with only four shell elements that together form the outer shell. Accordingly, the liquid reservoir in Figure 12B is also subdivided into four parts, each of which remains essentially stationary as a shell element and can be brought into a bent configuration together with the shell elements. Figures 13A and 13B show a special design, as an Ix4 matrix is shown here, i.e., a design in which the liquid reservoir according to Figure 13B and the outer shell according to Figure 13A are formed from chain-like connected segments of the liquid reservoir and shell elements.
Claims
Patent claims 1. Device (10) for cooling and / or heating a part of the body by placing it on the skin, having the following features: a. the device (10) has a liquid reservoir (80) with a shape-flexible contact wall (82) for placement on the skin, and b. the device (10) has a plurality of individual electrically operated cooling and / or heating elements (50) which are attached to a counter wall (83) opposite the system wall (82) in such a way that they can heat or cool liquid in the liquid reservoir (80), and c. The device (10) has an outer shell (20) opposite the liquid reservoir (80), which comprises a plurality of shell elements (22, 23, 24, 25) that are movable relative to each other.
2. Device according to claim 1 with the following further feature: a. the outer shell (20) has at least four shell elements (22, 23, 24, 25) arranged in a 2x2 configuration, preferably with the following additional feature: b. the outer shell (20) has at least six shell elements (22, 23, 24, 25) arranged in a 3x2 configuration.
3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2 with the following further feature: a. at least two shell elements (22, 23, 24) are movably connected to each other indirectly via the liquid reservoir and additionally pivotably connected to each other directly via a joint device (26), preferably with at least one of the following additional features: b. all shell elements (22, 23, 24) are movably connected to each other indirectly via the liquid reservoir, and / or c. at least two adjacent shell elements (22, 24; 25) are movably connected to each other only indirectly via the liquid reservoir (80).
4. Device (10) according to claim 3 with the following further feature: a. at least one shell element (24) is pivotably connected to at least two other shell elements (22, 23) directly via a joint device (26), wherein the respective pivot axes (2, 4) are non-parallel to each other.
5. Device (10) according to one of claims 3 or 4 with the following further feature: a. The joint device (26) between two or more shell elements (22, 23, 24) is designed as a joint device with an offset pivot axis (2, 4), wherein the pivot axis (2, 4) is spaced at least phasewise from an outside of the shell elements (22, 23, 24) by at least 10 mm during a pivoting of the shell elements (22, 23, 24) relative to each other.
6. Device (10) according to one of claims 2 to 5 with the following further features: a. The joint device (26) between two shell elements is designed as a cam joint device and has at least two joint component devices on the two shell elements (22, 23, 24), and b. a first joint component assembly has a cam track (28), preferably a curved cam track (28), and c. A second joint assembly has a cam pin (27) which is movably guided in the cam track (28) of the first joint assembly, wherein the cam pin (27) is preferably designed as a curved cam pin (27).
8. Device (10) according to one of claims 4 to 7 with the further additional feature: a. The joint device (26) between three shell elements (22, 23, 24) is designed as a 3D cam-type joint device and has at least three joint component devices on the three shell elements (22, 23, 24), which together have two curved cam tracks (28) and two curved cam pins (27) engaging in the curved cam tracks (28), preferably with the following additional feature: b. the shell elements comprise at least four shell elements (22, 23, 24) in a T-arrangement, wherein two central shell elements (22, 23) are movably connected to each other via two outer shell elements (24).
9. Device according to one of the preceding claims with the following further features: a. The cooling and / or heating elements (50) each have a contact surface (52A) for transferring heat or cold to the liquid in the liquid reservoir (80), and b. in the counter wall (83) of the liquid reservoir (80) at least one recess (83A) is provided for each cooling and / or heating element, in the area of which the liquid is directly adjacent to the contact surface (52A), preferably with the following additional feature: c. the cooling and / or heating elements (50) have Peltier elements (52) and the contact surface (52A) is formed by a structure-integrated surface of the respective Peltier element (52).
10. Device according to one of the preceding claims with the following further feature: a. the cooling and / or heating elements (50) are each connected to the counter wall (83) by means of a support (32), preferably with the following additional feature: b. the support (32) has at least one circumferential seal (86) which rests against an edge region of the counter wall (83) surrounding the recess (83A).
11. Device according to claim 10 with the following further feature: a. the carrier (32) has at least one circumferential seal (88) which rests against the contact surface (52A) of the associated cooling and / or heating element (50).
12. Device according to claim 10 with the following further feature: a. The support (32) has two support elements (34, 36) which are provided on opposite sides of the counter wall (83) and are directly connected to each other, one of the support elements (34) being arranged predominantly in the liquid reservoir (80), preferably with at least one of the following additional features: b. in an edge area of the counter wall (83) surrounding the recess (83A) at least one mounting recess is provided through which the two support elements (34, 36) are in contact with each other or are attached to each other, and / or c. at least one of the circumferential seals (86, 88) is provided on the support element (34) arranged in the liquid reservoir (80).
13. Device according to claim 10 or 11 with the following further feature: a. at least one shell element (22, 23, 24, 25) is fixedly attached to a support (32) or to the cooling and / or heating element (50) connected to the counter wall (83) by means of the support (32).
14. Device according to one of claims 10 to 12 with the following further feature: a. At least one support (42) is attached to the counter wall (83), which does not serve to attach a cooling and / or heating element (50) and by means of which at least one shell element (25) is connected to the liquid reservoir (80).
15. Device according to one of the preceding claims with at least one of the following further features: a. Some of the shell elements (22, 23, 24, 25), preferably all shell elements, are provided with ventilation recesses (21), and / or b. at least one shell element (22, 24) has a thin-walled tongue (22B, 24B) that engages an adjacent shell element (25) and, when the shell elements (22, 24; 25) are angled, reduces or prevents an open gap between the shell elements (22, 24; 25), and / or c. the shell elements (22, 23, 24, 25) are made of plastic, in particular of a thermoplastic material, and / or d. the device (10) has control electronics, wherein the control electronics are preferably arranged in a fixed position relative to a shell element (22) to which no cooling and / or heating element (50) is assigned, and / or e. the device (10) has a connection socket for coupling a power supply cable, wherein the connection socket is preferably provided in a fixed position relative to a shell element (25) and is in particular preferably arranged behind an opening (22C) in this shell element, and / or f the liquid reservoir (80) is designed as a multi-chamber bag, wherein the chambers are isolated from each other or allow liquid exchange and wherein each of the mutually movable shell elements (22, 23, 24, 25) is assigned a chamber, wherein the chambers are preferably formed by sealing lines in the area where the contact wall and the counter wall are in contact with each other and represent the bending lines during deformation of the liquid reservoir (80), and / or g. at least one shell element (22, 23, 24, 25) is connected to the liquid reservoir (80) at its edge, preferably by means of a seam or an adhesive bond, and wherein, in particular, the liquid reservoir is folded over in an edge region around a mounting edge of the shell element (22, 23, 24, 25) or a textile hem band is provided which encompasses the liquid reservoir (80) and the shell element (22, 23, 24, 25), and / or h. at least one operating element and / or at least one display element is provided on at least one shell element (22), and / or i. the device (10) has a support belt, preferably a length-variable support belt.