JP7637434B2 - Body temperature regulation clothing - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to body temperature regulating clothing, such as a jacket, vest, or trousers, that locally cools or warms selected specific parts of the wearer's body.

In recent years, there have been many extremely hot days throughout the year that are uncomfortable for people, and on such extremely hot days, frequent hydration and moderate use of air conditioners are encouraged as measures to prevent heatstroke. However, due to reasons such as the lack of air conditioner equipment or insufficient air conditioner effectiveness, workers who work outdoors in the heat of the day, workers who work in humid indoor environments, and people who engage in recreational activities, sports, or watching events under the blazing sun cannot cool down with air conditioners. For this reason, clothing with air conditioning functions has become popular for people seeking to escape the heat, and in recent years, air-conditioned clothing equipped with air conditioning units that use Peltier elements has also been developed. Examples are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

Patent Document 1 describes functional clothing with an air conditioning unit that takes in air from an intake port located at the wearer's waist into a flow path, cools the air taken into the flow path with a Peltier element, and guides the cooled air to a belt-shaped exhaust port and discharges it to the center of the wearer's back or around the neck.

JP 2019-70215 A

However, the air-conditioned clothing of Patent Document 1 is configured to generate cool air by bringing the air taken in into contact with a Peltier element and dissipating the cool air from an exhaust port, so the cool air that has been temperature-adjusted by the Peltier element is dissipated toward the wearer from an exhaust port located around the neck. In other words, with air-conditioned clothing like that of Patent Document 1, the dissipated cool air floats around the exhaust port and cools a relatively wide area of the wearer, so when it is desired to locally cool only a specific part of the body, such as the cervical vertebrae or the flanks, air-conditioned clothing like that of Patent Document 1 cannot effectively cool only such a specific part of the body.

The present invention was made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide body temperature regulating clothing that can efficiently cool or warm only a specific part of the body as desired.

In order to achieve the above object, the body temperature regulating clothing according to the present invention has the following configuration.
(1) A body temperature regulating garment formed so that a Peltier element having a cooling surface which absorbs heat and a heating surface which generates heat on the opposite side to the cooling surface can be attached to the fabric of the garment, the fabric having element attachment sections to which the Peltier elements can be attached at multiple locations, one or more of the Peltier elements can be attached at the element attachment section located at a selective specific location among the multiple locations, with the heat dissipation surface, which is either the cooling surface or the heating surface, facing the surface of the body of a person wearing the body temperature regulating garment and capable of being in contact with the surface, the garment further comprising a control means capable of electrically controlling the Peltier element, and when there are two or more Peltier elements, the control means can be electrically connected to the two or more Peltier elements by a single independent main wire or by each branch wire extending from a main wire that is divided into two or more main wires.
(2) In the body temperature regulating clothing described in (1), the control means is characterized in that it can control the temperature of the heat radiated onto the heat radiating surface as cold or hot heat in a plurality of stages.
(3) In the body temperature regulating garment described in (2), the control means is characterized in that it can periodically vary the temperature of heat radiated from the heat dissipation surface for each of the two or more Peltier elements attached to the garment.
(4) In the body temperature regulating clothing described in (3), the time phase for periodically varying the temperature of the heat dissipation is the same for each of the Peltier elements, and the control means changes the Peltier element that generates the heat dissipation at the set specific temperature among the two or more Peltier elements based on a regular alternation, so that the heat dissipation at the specific temperature is released from the heat dissipation surface of each of the two or more Peltier elements in a manner that fluctuates between each of the Peltier elements as a whole.
(5) The body temperature regulating garment according to any one of (1) to (4), characterized in that the fabric is formed in a mesh structure.
(6) In the body temperature regulating clothing described in any one of (1) to (5), the control means is characterized in that the heat dissipation surface can be switched between the cooling surface and the heating surface by reversing the polarity of the direct current supplied to the Peltier element.
(7) The body temperature regulating garment according to any one of (1) to (6), characterized in that the garment is a vest that is worn around the wearer's upper body.

The following describes the action and effect of the body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention having the above configuration.

(1) A body temperature regulating garment formed so that a Peltier element having a cooling surface that absorbs heat and a heating surface that generates heat on the opposite side of the cooling surface can be attached to the fabric of the garment, the fabric has element attachment parts to which the Peltier elements can be attached arranged in multiple locations, one or more Peltier elements can be attached in a state in which the heat dissipating surface, which is either the cooling surface or the heating surface, faces the surface of the wearer's body of the body temperature regulating garment and can be in contact with it, the garment is provided with a control means capable of electrically controlling the Peltier elements, and when there are two or more Peltier elements, the control means can be electrically connected to the two or more Peltier elements by a single independent main wire, or by each branch wire extending from a main wire that is divided into two or more main wires.

Due to this feature, when the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element is set as a cooling surface, the body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention can efficiently cool only specific parts of the body surface desired by the wearer, such as parts that feel particularly hot or parts that are steamy in spots, by bringing the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element attached to the element attachment part into contact with the body surface of the wearer directly or indirectly through underwear, etc., by the cold heat emitted from this heat dissipation surface. On the other hand, when the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element is set as a heating surface, the body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention can efficiently warm only specific parts of the body surface desired by the wearer, such as parts that feel particularly cold or parts that need to be warmed in spots, just like moxibustion, by bringing the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element attached to the element attachment part into contact with the body surface of the wearer directly or indirectly through underwear, etc., by the heat emitted from this heat dissipation surface.

The body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention therefore has the excellent effect of being able to locally and efficiently cool or warm only the specific parts of the body that are desired.

The body temperature regulating clothing described in (2) is characterized in that the control means can control the temperature of the heat radiated from the heat radiating surface as cold or hot heat in multiple stages.

With this feature, when the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element is set as a cooling surface, the wearer can change and select the temperature to be cooled depending on the part of the wearer's body surface to be cooled, such as cooling arteries in the neck, particularly near the cervical vertebrae, under the arm, etc., or cooling the abdomen, sides, and lower back of a worker wearing heavy work clothes, which tend to become stuffy due to fastening of the trouser belt, etc. Also, the wearer can select an appropriate cooling temperature depending on the desired temperature to be cooled. Also, when the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element is set as a heating surface, the wearer can change and select the temperature to be heated depending on the part of the wearer's body surface to be heated. Also, the wearer can select an appropriate heating temperature depending on the desired temperature to be heated.

The body temperature regulating garment described in (3) is characterized in that the control means can periodically vary the temperature of heat radiated from the heat radiating surface for each of two or more Peltier elements attached to the garment.

This feature makes it easier for the wearer to maintain the perception of being cooled or warmed while wearing the body temperature regulating garment of the present invention, compared to when the wearer's body surface is constantly receiving heat radiated from the heat dissipation surface of a single Peltier element.

In the body temperature regulating clothing described in (4), the time phase for periodically varying the temperature of heat dissipation is the same for each Peltier element, and the control means changes the Peltier element that produces heat dissipation at the set specific temperature between two or more Peltier elements based on a regular alternation, so that heat of the specific temperature is released from the heat dissipation surface of each Peltier element in a manner that fluctuates between each Peltier element for the two or more Peltier elements as a whole.

This feature reduces the consumption of power supplied from the power supply to the Peltier element, allowing the power supply to be supplied to the Peltier element for a longer period of time.

The body temperature regulating clothing described in (5) is characterized in that the fabric is formed with a mesh structure.

This feature makes the entire body temperature regulating garment of the present invention flexible, so that even if the wearer wears the body temperature regulating garment of the present invention between, for example, work clothes or various outerwear and underwear, the effect on the wearer's movement can be suppressed. In addition, because the fabric has a mesh structure, it contributes to reducing the weight of the entire body temperature regulating garment of the present invention, and it is easier to ensure breathability between the body surface of the wearer who feels hot and the outside, especially when the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element is set as a cooling surface. Therefore, the body temperature regulating garment of the present invention can be a highly comfortable garment for the wearer.

The body temperature regulating clothing described in (6) is characterized in that the control means can switch the heat dissipation surface between a cooling surface and a heating surface by reversing the polarity of the direct current supplied to the Peltier element.

Due to this feature, the body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention can be reversibly changed and used as cooling clothing that locally cools the wearer's body surface when the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element is used as a cooling surface, and as heating clothing that locally warms the wearer's body surface when the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element is used as a heating surface. Therefore, the body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention can be a convenient garment for the wearer.

The body temperature regulating clothing described in (7) is characterized in that the clothing is a vest that is worn around the wearer's upper body.

Due to this feature, when the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element is used as the cooling surface in the body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention, even if the wearer's physique differs from person to person, the cold heat of the heat dissipation surface (cooling surface) of the Peltier element attached to the selected element attachment part can locally and effectively cool the neck, cervical vertebrae, and arteries under the armpits, which feel hot. In addition, for example, workers who work outdoors in extreme heat, workers who work in humid indoor environments, and workers who work in hot environments wearing heavy work clothes, feel hot around the abdomen, sides, and waist, which tend to become stuffy around the belt of their trousers, and some people feel that they want to cool these sides and other areas in a spot manner. The body temperature regulating clothing of the present invention can effectively cool the abdomen, sides, and waist of the wearer for such people as well, using the heat dissipation surface (cooling surface) of the Peltier element attached to the selected element attachment part.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the outer surface of a temperature regulating vest according to an embodiment, as viewed from the front side. 2 is a rear view of the outer surface of the temperature regulating vest shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the rear. FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the inner surface of the temperature regulating vest according to the embodiment, as viewed from the front face side. 4 is a rear view of the inner surface of the temperature regulating vest shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the rear. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram, partially in cross section, showing a state in which a Peltier element unit is attached to a vest body in a temperature regulating vest according to an embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a Peltier element unit attached to a temperature regulating vest according to an embodiment, viewed from the air intake port side. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the Peltier element unit shown in FIG. 6 from the heat dissipation surface side. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an operation unit provided in the temperature regulating vest according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating, as a first case, temperature control of each of three Peltier element units in a temperature regulating vest according to an embodiment. Like FIG. 9, this is a timing chart illustrating the temperature control of each of the three Peltier element units as a second case.

The following is a detailed explanation of an embodiment of the body temperature regulating clothing according to the present invention, with reference to the drawings. The body temperature regulating clothing according to the present invention is formed so that a Peltier element having a cooling surface that absorbs heat and a heating surface that generates heat on the opposite side of the cooling surface can be attached to the fabric of clothing worn on the body, such as a jacket, vest, or trousers, and is worn when the wearer wishes to locally cool or warm a specific part of the body selected by the wearer. The following is an explanation of the body temperature regulating clothing according to the present invention, taking the case where the clothing is a vest worn on the wearer's upper body in this embodiment.

Figure 1 is a front view of the outer surface of a temperature regulating vest according to an embodiment, as seen from the front face side, and Figure 2 shows a rear view of the inner surface of the temperature regulating vest according to an embodiment, as seen from the front face side. Figure 3 is a front view of the inner surface of the temperature regulating vest according to an embodiment, as seen from the front face side, and Figure 4 shows a rear view of the inner surface of the temperature regulating vest according to an embodiment, as seen from the front face side. In this embodiment, the body temperature regulating garment according to the present invention is referred to as a temperature regulating vest 1.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the temperature regulating vest 1 (body temperature regulating clothing) comprises a vest body 10 (clothing, vest), a Peltier element unit 40, an operation unit 50 (control means), a power supply unit 54, etc. In this embodiment, as an example, there are three Peltier element units 40. Note that the number of Peltier element units 40 attached to the vest body 10 may be four or more, or may be one, and is not limited to the embodiment, and can be modified in various ways.

<About the Top 10 Best Units>
First, the vest body 10 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the vest body 10 is formed in the form of a vest with a front body 12 and a back body 13 divided into left and right halves and connected at the shoulders 14. In the vest body 10, the fabric 11 is formed in a substantially layered form of a front fabric 11A (fabric) and a back fabric 11B (fabric). Both the front fabric 11A and the back fabric 11B are made of a mesh structure made of synthetic resin fibers, such as nylon and polyester, that have excellent heat resistance, strength resistance, and transpiration properties. The edge 33 that defines the outline of the vest body 10 is formed by overlapping the edge of the front fabric 11A and the edge of the back fabric 11B, and fixing them by piping.

The back fabric 11B of the fabric 11 has element attachment parts 20 to which Peltier element units 40 can be attached, which are arranged in multiple locations. In this embodiment, the element attachment parts 20 are provided in 22 locations in total, including 5 locations on one side of the front body 12, 10 locations on both the left and right sides, and 12 locations on the back body 13. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, on the front body 12, the element attachment parts 20 are arranged in a substantially straight line from the shoulders 14 downward toward the abdomen 15 on both the left and right sides. As shown in Figures 2 and 4, on the back body 13, the element attachment parts 20 are arranged in four locations on the lower cervical vertebrae 16, and eight locations on the central back 17 and waist 18.

The element attachment portion 20 has an opening 21 formed in the back fabric 11B and an outer peripheral edge portion 22 around the opening 21, and the outer peripheral edge portion 22 is made of a material (e.g., leather, rubber, resin, etc.) that is more rigid than the back fabric 11B, which has a mesh structure with a certain degree of flexibility.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the vest body 10 has two pairs of belts (belts 34A, 34B) extending from the left and right front bodies 12, and both pairs of belts 34A and 34B are connected to each other via movable cans 35 so that their lengths can be adjusted. This allows the pair of belts (belts 34A and 34B) between the left and right front bodies 12 to be detachably connected. The abdomen 15 of the front body 12 and the waist 18 of the back body 13 are connected by a length-adjustable belt 37.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the vest body 10 has a first opening/closing section 31 that can be opened and closed with a fastener on the outer side near the chest area of the front body 12 on both the left and right sides, and a second opening/closing section 32 that can be opened and closed with a fastener in the center of the back of the back body 13. Both the first opening/closing section 31 and the second opening/closing section 32 are provided to insert and remove the Peltier element unit 40, wiring 55 connected to this Peltier element unit 40, the operation unit 50, and the power supply unit 54 housed in a pocket arranged at a predetermined position into and from the internal space formed between the front fabric 11A and the back fabric 11B.

In addition, the vest body 10 has wiring openings 19 in multiple locations, such as the abdomen 15 of the front body 12, the waist 18 of the back body 13, and the shoulders 14. The wiring openings 19 are openings in both the front body 12 and the back body 13 where the edges of the front fabric 11A and the back fabric 11B are partially not bonded together so that wiring 55 can be inserted between the edges of the front fabric 11A and the back fabric 11B that are overlapped by piping. As a result, even if one end of the wiring 55 on the power supply unit 54 side is stored in the internal space between the front fabric 11A and the back fabric 11B in the front body 12, it can be exposed to the outside through one wiring opening 19, and the other end on the Peltier element unit 40 side can be stored in the internal space between the front fabric 11A and the back fabric 11B in the back body 13 through the other wiring opening 19, and can be connected to the Peltier element unit 40.

<Regarding the Peltier element unit 40>
Next, the Peltier element unit 40 will be described with reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing, with a partial cross-section, a state in which the Peltier element unit is attached to a vest body part of a temperature regulating vest according to an embodiment. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the Peltier element unit attached to the temperature regulating vest according to an embodiment from the air intake side, and Fig. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the Peltier element unit shown in Fig. 6 from the heat dissipation surface side.

As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the Peltier element unit 40 has a Peltier element built into the cover member. The Peltier element is a type of plate-shaped semiconductor thermoelectric element. When a direct current is supplied to the Peltier element, one side of the flat part of the Peltier element absorbs heat to, for example, about 10°C and becomes an absorbing state (cooling surface) due to the Peltier effect, while the other side generates heat to, for example, about 30°C and becomes a heating state (heating surface). The Peltier element unit 40 has a heat dissipation surface 41, which is one side, an intake section 42 that draws in air toward the Peltier element, an inner flange 43 formed on the cover member, a protrusion 44 that forms the intake section 42, and a fastener 45 that forms an outer flange 46.

The heat dissipation surface 41 is exposed to the outside, and in the Peltier element unit 40, the heat dissipation surface 41 and the air intake section 42 are arranged on opposite sides of each other. The fastener 45 is formed so that it can be freely fastened to or released from the protrusion 44. In the temperature regulating vest 1, as shown in Figures 1 to 5, the three Peltier element units 40 (first Peltier element unit 40A, second Peltier element unit, third Peltier element unit 40C) are attached to specific element mounting sections 20X (element mounting sections at specific locations) selected by the wearer HM of the temperature regulating vest 1 himself/herself from a total of 22 element mounting sections 20 on the vest body 10.

Specifically, when the Peltier element unit 40 is attached to the element attachment part 20, as shown in Fig. 5, the heat dissipation surface 41 (cooling surface 41A or heating surface 41B) is placed in contact with the body surface BS of the wearer HM of the temperature control vest 1, and is in contact with the body surface BS of the wearer HM directly or indirectly via underwear, etc., and the protrusion 44 is inserted from the outside of the back fabric 11B into the opening 21 of the element attachment part 20, and the inner flange 43 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral edge 22 on the outer periphery of the opening 21. Next, the fastener 45 is inserted into the internal space between the front fabric 11A and the back fabric 11B, and the outer peripheral edge 22 is sandwiched between the inner flange 43 of the protrusion 44 and the outer flange 46 of the fastener 45, and the protrusion 44 and the fastener 45 that have entered this internal space are fastened. Thus, the Peltier element unit 40 is attached in a fixed state to the element mounting portion 20.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, in the Peltier element unit 40, the Peltier element is electrically connected to the power supply unit 54 via the operation unit 50 by wiring 55. The power supply unit 54 is a storage battery such as a primary battery or a secondary battery that supplies power to the Peltier element of the Peltier element unit 40. The power supply unit 54 and the wiring 55 are freely detachable by connection via a connector such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection. Power from the power supply unit 54 is supplied to the control unit 51 via the wiring 55.

In the temperature regulating vest 1, when three Peltier element units 40 are attached as in this embodiment, the wiring 55 is in the form of three branch lines 56A, 56B, 56C extending from a main line 56 that is bundled into a single line and split at a branch section 57. In other words, the number of branch lines 56A, 56B, 56C, etc. matches the number of Peltier element units 40. The main line 56 of the wiring 55 is connected to a power supply section 54. As an example, branch line 56A is connected to the first Peltier element unit 40A, branch line 56B is connected to Peltier element unit 40B, and branch line 56C is connected to Peltier element unit 40C. However, as long as there is a one-to-one connection relationship between branch lines 56A, 56B, and 56C and the three Peltier element units 40 (first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, and 40C), they may be connected arbitrarily, at the discretion of the wearer HM, with particular simplification of the wiring path.

Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an operation unit provided in a temperature control vest according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the operation unit 50 has a control unit 51, an operation unit 52, a display unit 53, and the like. In the operation unit 50, the operation unit 52 and the display unit 53 are electrically connected to the control unit 51.

The operation section 52 is configured to enable switching on/off of the power supply to the Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, 40C and controlling the temperature of heat dissipation on each heat dissipation surface 41 with the control section 51 by lightly pressing a push-down section on the top surface of the operation unit 50 with a finger based on a predetermined operation mode. The display section 53 is a display section on the top surface of the operation unit 50, and is configured to be able to selectively emit light from a number of different colors.

In the case where the control unit 51 of the operation unit 50 has the control to reverse the direction of the direct current supplied from the power supply unit 54 to the Peltier element, the operation unit 52 switches the polarity of the current passing through the Peltier element for the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, 40C by lightly pressing the push-down portion on the top surface of the operation unit 50 with a finger based on a predetermined operation mode different from the operation of switching the current on/off.

In the Peltier element unit 40, when the direction of the direct current supplied to the Peltier element is reversed, the functions of one side and the other side are reversed. Therefore, if the control unit 51 is configured to be able to reverse the polarity of the current supplied to the Peltier element, the heat dissipation surface 41 can be selectively changed by the control unit 51 between the cooling surface 41A cooled by heat absorption and the heating surface 41B heated by heat generation, and the cooling surface 41A and the heating surface 41B are interchangeable on the heat dissipation surface 41. Note that if the control unit 51 does not have the function of switching the direction of the current to the Peltier element, the heat dissipation surface 41 is either the cooling surface 41A or the heating surface 41B.

The control unit 51 can also control the temperature of the heat dissipated on the heat dissipation surface 41 as cold or hot heat in multiple stages, and can periodically vary the heat dissipation temperature for each Peltier element of the three Peltier element units 40 attached to the vest body 10. Specifically, the control unit 51 controls the heat absorption of the first to third Peltier elements by, for example, controlling the current when electricity is passed through the first to third Peltier elements, controlling the voltage applied to the first to third Peltier elements, and controlling the duty cycle, thereby adjusting and varying the temperature of the heat dissipated on the heat dissipation surface 41.

Figure 9 is a timing chart illustrating the temperature control of each of the three Peltier element units in a temperature control vest according to an embodiment as a first case, and Figure 10 shows a timing chart illustrating the second case.

Specifically, in the case of the temperature regulating vest 1 according to this embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 9 and 10, the time phase tx (for example, at most several tens of seconds or several minutes) for periodically varying the heat dissipation temperature for the three Peltier element units 40 (first Peltier element unit 40A, second Peltier element unit 40B, third Peltier element unit 40C) is the same for each of the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, 40C.

In the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, and 40C, the specific temperature T of the heat dissipation exhibited on the heat dissipation surface 41 can be controlled in three stages in this embodiment: a high temperature state, a medium temperature state, and a low temperature state. The high temperature state is a 100% state in which the Peltier element can dissipate heat by full output, and the heat dissipation from the heat dissipation surface 41 is the highest temperature of the three stages. The low temperature state is a 50% state in which the Peltier element can dissipate heat with, for example, about half the output compared to the high temperature state, and the heat dissipation from the heat dissipation surface 41 is the lowest temperature of the three stages. The medium temperature state is between the high temperature state and the low temperature state in the Peltier element, and is, for example, a state in which about 70 to 90% of the output that can be dissipated, and the heat dissipation from the heat dissipation surface 41 is the intermediate temperature of the three stages. Note that the temperature control of the heat dissipation in the first to third Peltier elements is not limited to three stages and can be changed in various ways.

The control unit 51 changes the first to third Peltier elements that generate heat radiation at the set specific temperature T between these first to third Peltier elements based on a regular alternation. As a result, for the first to third Peltier elements as a whole, heat radiation at the specific temperature T is released from the heat dissipation surface of one non-overlapping Peltier element among the first to third Peltier elements in a manner that fluctuates between the first to third Peltier elements.

In the first case illustrated in FIG. 9, the specific temperature T of the heat dissipation presented on the heat dissipation surface 41 of each of the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, and 40C is in a low temperature state. In the second case illustrated in FIG. 10, the specific temperature T of the heat dissipation presented on the heat dissipation surface 41 is in a low temperature state only for the first Peltier element of the first Peltier element unit 40A, but is in a medium temperature state for the second and third Peltier elements of the second and third Peltier element units 40B and 40C.

In this way, the time phase tx for periodically varying the heat dissipation temperature for the three Peltier element units 40 is the same for the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, and 40C. However, the specific temperature T for heat dissipation may be the same for the first to third Peltier elements as illustrated in FIG. 9, or may be varied between the first to third Peltier elements as illustrated in FIG. 10. Note that the time phase tx for periodically varying the heat dissipation temperature for the three Peltier element units 40 may of course be varied with differences between the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, and 40C.

Next, the positioning of the Peltier element units 40 attached to the element mounting parts 20 will be briefly explained using the example of a temperature regulating vest 1 with its heat dissipation surface 41 as the cooling surface 41A, cooling the body surface BS of the wearer HM as shown in FIG. 5. In the temperature regulating vest 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, multiple element mounting parts 20 are arranged throughout the vest body 10, and one or more Peltier element units 40 can be attached to a specific element mounting part 20X selected by the wearer HM from among all of these element mounting parts 20.

By the way, when the human body is exposed to a hot environment, it is at risk of developing heatstroke and it also has a significant negative effect on the autonomic nervous system. Therefore, in order to prevent this, it is essential to first cool the blood in the arteries that flow to the brain, and it is necessary to promote sweating and maintain normal thermoregulation. In order to effectively cool the blood flowing to the brain, it is said that it is good to cool the arteries in the nape of the neck, especially near the cervical vertebrae and under the arms. In the case of the nape of the neck and near the cervical vertebrae, the carotid arteries are located near the hairline at the back of the neck, and especially on the left and right sides of the throat. When the parts that touch the arteries are cooled with cold air, etc., and the blood is cooled, the cooled blood circulates throughout the body. This is because it makes it possible to lower body temperature.

The armpit is exactly where the thermometer is placed, and is where the arteries are located. The arteries under the armpits run toward the arms, and when the blood in the arteries under the armpits or in the soft part near the inside of the upper arm is cooled, the cooled blood circulates throughout the body. This helps to lower body temperature. Furthermore, by cooling the armpits, the heat of vaporization from sweat under the armpits lowers the surface temperature of the skin, providing a feeling of coolness.

Based on this medical knowledge, the temperature regulating vest 1 can locally cool the arteries in the neck, cervical vertebrae, and armpits with the heat dissipation surface 41 (cooling surface 41A) of the Peltier element unit 40 attached to the selected specific element mounting portion 20X, even if the wearer HM has a different physique from person to person.

In addition, many workers who work in hot environments wearing heavy work clothes, such as workers working outdoors in scorching heat or workers working indoors in muggy environments, feel hot around the waist, sides, and abdomen, which tend to become stuffy around the waistband of their trousers, and would like to cool these areas in a spot-like manner. Even in such cases, the temperature regulating vest 1 can effectively cool the abdomen, sides, and abdomen of the wearer HM by using the heat dissipation surface 41 (cooling surface 41A) of the Peltier element unit 40 attached to the selected specific element mounting portion 20X.

Next, we will explain the function and effect of the temperature regulating vest 1 according to this embodiment.

The temperature regulating vest 1 according to this embodiment is a body temperature regulating garment formed so that the Peltier elements of the Peltier element unit 40, which has a cooling surface 41A that absorbs heat and a heating surface 41B that generates heat on the opposite side of the cooling surface 41A, can be attached to the fabric 11 of the vest body 10. The back fabric 11B (fabric 11) has element attachment parts 20 to which the Peltier elements of the Peltier element unit 40 can be attached, which are arranged at multiple locations (22 locations in this embodiment), and each Peltier element of two or more (three in this embodiment) Peltier element units 40 is selectively positioned at a specific location among the multiple locations. It is characterized in that it can be worn in a state where the heat dissipation surface 41, which is either the cooling surface 41A or the heating surface 41B, is opposed to and in contact with the body surface BS of the wearer HM by the specific element attachment portion 20X that is placed on the wearer HM, and that it is provided with a control unit 51 that can electrically control the Peltier elements of the Peltier element unit 40, and when the Peltier element unit 40 has three Peltier elements, the control unit 51 can be electrically connected to the Peltier elements of each of the Peltier element units 40A, 40B, and 40C by each of the branch lines 56A, 56B, and 56C that extend from the main line 56 that is bundled together in a single line.

Due to this feature, when the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element is set as the cooling surface 41A, the temperature regulating vest 1 brings the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element unit 40 attached to the specific element mounting portion 20X into contact with the body surface BS of the wearer HM directly or indirectly via underwear or the like, and the cold heat emitted from this heat dissipation surface 41 can efficiently cool only specific parts of the body surface BS desired by the wearer HM, such as areas that feel particularly hot or areas that are particularly sweaty, by localizing the cooling heat. Conversely, when the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element is set as the heating surface 41B, the temperature regulating vest 1 brings the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element unit 40 attached to the specific element attachment portion 20X into contact with the body surface BS of the wearer HM, either directly or indirectly via underwear, etc., and the heat emitted from this heat dissipation surface 41 can efficiently heat only specific parts of the body surface BS desired by the wearer HM, such as areas that feel particularly cold or areas that need to be warmed in a spot-like manner, like moxibustion.

The temperature regulating vest 1 according to this embodiment therefore has the excellent effect of being able to locally and efficiently cool or warm only the specific body part as desired.

The temperature control vest 1 according to this embodiment is also characterized in that the control unit 51 can control the temperature of the heat radiated from the heat radiating surface 41 as cold or hot heat in multiple stages (three stages in this embodiment).

With this feature, when the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element is set as the cooling surface 41A, the wearer HM can change and select the cooling temperature depending on the part of the body surface BS of the wearer HM to be cooled, such as cooling the arteries in the neck, especially near the cervical vertebrae, under the arm, etc., or cooling the abdomen, sides, and waist area of a worker wearing heavy work clothes that tend to become stuffy due to fastening of the trouser belt, etc. Also, the wearer HM can select an appropriate cooling temperature depending on the desired temperature to be cooled. Also, when the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element is set as the heating surface 41B, the wearer HM can change and select the heating temperature depending on the part of the body surface BS of the wearer HM to be heated. Also, the wearer HM can select an appropriate heating temperature depending on the desired temperature to be heated.

The temperature regulating vest 1 according to this embodiment is also characterized in that the control unit 51 can periodically vary the temperature of the heat radiated from the heat radiating surface 41 for each of the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, and 40C for each Peltier element of the three Peltier element units 40 attached to the vest body 10.

This feature makes it easier for the wearer HM to maintain the perception of being cooled or warmed while wearing the temperature regulating vest 1, compared to a case in which the body surface BS continues to receive heat radiation from the heat radiation surface 41 of one Peltier element unit 40. In other words, if heat radiation continues to propagate to the body surface BS in a constant manner, people tend to gradually become less sensitive to the effect of heat radiation on the body surface BS.

However, in the temperature regulating vest 1 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, all three Peltier element units 40 are intermittently turned off, and therefore heat (cold or hot) is intermittently applied to the body surface BS from the heat dissipation surface 41 of each Peltier element unit 40. This makes it difficult for the wearer HM to experience chronic sensations due to the effects of heat dissipation on the parts of the body surface BS facing the heat dissipation surface 41, and allows the wearer HM to continue to have the sensation that the temperature is being continuously regulated by heat dissipation on the parts of the body surface BS facing the heat dissipation surface 41 of the worn Peltier element unit 40.

In addition, in the temperature regulating vest 1 according to this embodiment, the time phase tx for periodically varying the heat dissipation temperature is the same for each of the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, 40C, and the control unit 51 changes the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, 40C that generate heat dissipation at the set specific temperature T between these first to third Peltier elements based on a regular alternation, so that heat dissipation at the specific temperature T is released from the heat dissipation surface 41 of each of the first to third Peltier elements in a manner that fluctuates between each of the first to third Peltier elements in the entire first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, 40C.

Because of this feature, the three Peltier element units 40 are connected in parallel to one power supply unit 54 by wiring 55, and by alternating the power-on state of the Peltier elements among the three Peltier element units 40 one by one, it is possible to reduce the consumption of power supplied from the power supply unit 54 to the Peltier elements of the Peltier element units 40. This makes it possible to supply power from the power supply unit 54 to the Peltier element units 40 for a longer period of time.

The temperature regulating vest 1 according to this embodiment is also characterized in that the fabrics 11 (front fabric 11A and back fabric 11B) are both formed with a mesh structure.

This feature gives the temperature regulating vest 1 flexibility as a whole, so that even when the wearer HM is wearing the temperature regulating vest 1 between, for example, work clothes or various outerwear and underwear, it is possible to suppress the impact on the wearer HM's movements. In addition, because the fabric 11 has a mesh structure, it contributes to reducing the weight of the temperature regulating vest 1 as a whole, and it also makes it easier to ensure breathability between the body surface BS of the wearer HM who feels hot and the outside, especially when the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element is set as the cooling surface 41A. Therefore, the temperature regulating vest 1 can be a highly comfortable garment for the wearer HM.

The temperature regulating vest 1 according to this embodiment is also characterized in that the control unit 51 can switch the heat dissipation surface 41 between the cooling surface 41A and the heating surface 41B by reversing the polarity of the direct current supplied to the first to third Peltier elements of the first to third Peltier element units 40A, 40B, and 40C.

Due to this feature, the temperature regulating vest 1 can be reversibly changed into a cooling vest that locally cools the body surface BS of the wearer HM when the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element is configured as the cooling surface 41A, and into a heating vest that locally warms the body surface BS of the wearer HM when the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element is configured as the heating surface 41B. Therefore, the temperature regulating vest 1 can be a convenient garment for the wearer HM.

The temperature regulating vest 1 according to this embodiment is also characterized in that the vest body 10 is a vest that is worn around the upper body of the wearer HM.

Due to this feature, in the temperature regulating vest 1 in which the heat dissipation surface 41 of the Peltier element is the cooling surface 41A, even if the physique of the wearer HM varies from person to person, the cold heat of the heat dissipation surface 41 (cooling surface 41A) of the Peltier element unit 40 attached to the selected specific element attachment part 20X can locally and effectively cool the neck, cervical vertebrae, and arteries under the armpits, which feel hot. Also, for example, there are workers who work outdoors in a heatwave, workers who work indoors in a muggy environment, and workers who work in a hot environment wearing heavy work clothes, who feel hot around the abdomen, sides, and waist, which tend to get stuffy around the belt of their trousers, and who want to cool these sides and other areas in a spot manner. Even for such a person, the temperature regulating vest 1 can effectively cool the abdomen, sides, and waist area of the wearer HM by using the heat dissipation surface 41 (cooling surface 41A) of the Peltier element unit 40 attached to the selected specific element attachment portion 20X.

Although the present invention has been described above with reference to an embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in the embodiment, a vest body 10 is described in which element attachment parts 20 are provided at a total of 22 locations on the back fabric 11B of the fabric 11, but the number, placement positions, and arrangement of element attachment parts provided on the fabric are not limited to the embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the application of the body temperature regulating garment (product) of the present invention, the physique of the wearer, and other product specifications.

In addition, in the embodiment, a temperature regulating vest 1 is described in which three Peltier element units 40 are attached to the vest body 10, but the number of Peltier elements attached is not limited to the embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the application of the body temperature regulating garment (product) according to the present invention, the physique of the wearer, and other product specifications.

In the embodiment, the temperature of the cooling surface under heat absorption in the Peltier element is set to about 10°C as an example, but is not limited to such a temperature and may be, for example, a temperature range higher than zero°C and close to 10°C, and the heat absorption characteristics of the Peltier element can be changed as appropriate. Similarly, the temperature of the heating surface under heat generation is set to about 30°C as an example, but is not limited to such a temperature and may be, for example, a temperature of about 40°C, which is slightly higher than body temperature and does not cause burns, and the heat generation characteristics of the Peltier element can be changed as appropriate.

1 Temperature control vest (body temperature control clothing)
10 Vest body (clothing, vest)
11 Clothing fabric 11A Front side fabric (clothing fabric)
11B Back fabric (fabric)
20 Element mounting portion 20X Specific element mounting portion (element mounting portion at a specific location)
40 Peltier element unit (Peltier element)
41 Heat dissipation surface 41A Cooling surface 41B Heating surface 50 Operation unit (control means)
51 Control means 55 Wiring 56 Main lines 56A, 56B, 56C Branch lines tx Time phase T Specific temperature HM Wearer BS Body surface

Claims (16)

A body temperature regulating garment comprising a Peltier element having a cooling surface which absorbs heat and a heating surface which generates heat on the opposite side of the cooling surface, and a garment, the Peltier element being formed so as to be attachable to the fabric of the garment,
The fabric has element attachment parts to which the Peltier elements can be attached, which are disposed in a plurality of locations, and one or more of the Peltier elements can be attached to the element attachment parts located at selective specific locations among the plurality of locations, with a heat dissipation surface, which is either the cooling surface or the heating surface, facing the surface of the body of a wearer of the body temperature regulating garment and capable of being in contact with the surface of the body of the wearer of the body temperature regulating garment;
A control means capable of electrically controlling the Peltier element is provided,
When the number of the Peltier elements is two or more, the control means is electrically connected to the two or more Peltier elements by an independent main line or by branch lines extending from a single main line;
The body temperature regulator constituted by the Peltier element is attached to the element attachment portion fixedly disposed at a predetermined position in the clothing fabric, one for each part, in such a manner that the heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element can come into contact with the surface of the wearer's body, and the body temperature regulator includes only one Peltier element;
the control means can periodically vary the temperature of the radiated heat presented on the heat dissipation surface for each of the two or more Peltier elements attached to the garment, so that the wearer can easily maintain the sensation of being cooled or warmed, compared to a case in which the wearer's body surface continues to receive heat dissipation from the heat dissipation surface of one of the Peltier elements in a constant manner while the wearer is wearing the body temperature regulating garment, and the wearer's body surface gradually becomes sensory dull due to the influence of the heat dissipation;
The time phase for periodically varying the temperature of the heat dissipation is the same for each of the Peltier elements, and the control means changes the Peltier element that generates the heat dissipation at the set specific temperature among the two or more Peltier elements based on regular alternation, thereby
In the two or more Peltier elements as a whole, the heat radiation at the specific temperature is released from the heat radiation surface of each of the Peltier elements in a manner that fluctuates between the Peltier elements;
Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by: The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 1 ,
The entire heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element of the body temperature regulator attached to the element attachment portion is exposed on the inner surface side of the clothing fabric;
Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by: A body temperature regulating garment comprising a Peltier element having a cooling surface which absorbs heat and a heating surface which generates heat on the opposite side of the cooling surface, and a garment, the Peltier element being formed so as to be attachable to the fabric of the garment,
The clothing fabric has element attachment parts to which the Peltier elements can be attached, which are disposed in a plurality of locations, and one or more of the Peltier elements can be attached to the element attachment parts located at selective specific locations among the plurality of locations, with a heat dissipation surface, which is either the cooling surface or the heating surface, facing the surface of the body of a wearer of the body temperature regulating garment and capable of being in contact with the surface of the body of the wearer of the body temperature regulating garment;
A control means capable of electrically controlling the Peltier element is provided,
When the number of the Peltier elements is two or more, the control means is electrically connected to the two or more Peltier elements by an independent main line or by branch lines extending from a single main line;
The element attachment portion is provided in a plurality of portions at a lower waist portion of the back body of the clothing fabric, at a position along at least the spine of the wearer;
the control means can periodically vary the temperature of the radiated heat presented on the heat dissipation surface for each of the two or more Peltier elements attached to the garment, so that the wearer can easily maintain the sensation of being cooled or warmed, compared to a case in which the wearer's body surface continues to receive heat dissipation from the heat dissipation surface of one of the Peltier elements in a constant manner while the wearer is wearing the body temperature regulating garment, and the wearer's body surface gradually becomes sensory dull due to the influence of the heat dissipation;
The time phase for periodically varying the temperature of the heat dissipation is the same for each of the Peltier elements, and the control means changes the Peltier element that generates the heat dissipation at the set specific temperature among the two or more Peltier elements based on regular alternation, thereby
In the two or more Peltier elements as a whole, the heat radiation at the specific temperature is released from the heat radiation surface of each of the Peltier elements in a manner that fluctuates between the Peltier elements;
Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by: The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 3 ,
In the back body of the fabric, the element attachment parts are arranged in three pairs on the upper side, i.e., six in total, with the back center part being the boundary in the vertical direction, and the element attachment parts are arranged in two pairs on the lower side, i.e., including a position along the spine of the wearer, with the element attachment parts being arranged in two pairs on the lower side, i.e., six in total, with the back center part being the boundary in the vertical direction.
Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by: The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 3 ,
The entire heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element attached to the element mounting portion is exposed on the inner surface side of the fabric;
Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by: A body temperature regulating garment comprising a Peltier element having a cooling surface which absorbs heat and a heating surface which generates heat on the opposite side of the cooling surface, and a garment, the Peltier element being formed so as to be attachable to the fabric of the garment,
The clothing fabric has element attachment parts to which the Peltier elements can be attached, which are disposed in a plurality of locations, and one or more of the Peltier elements can be attached to the element attachment parts located at selective specific locations among the plurality of locations, with a heat dissipation surface, which is either the cooling surface or the heating surface, facing the surface of the body of a wearer of the body temperature regulating garment and capable of being in contact with the surface of the body of the wearer of the body temperature regulating garment;
A control means capable of electrically controlling the Peltier element is provided,
When the number of the Peltier elements is two or more, the control means is electrically connected to the two or more Peltier elements by an independent main line or by branch lines extending from a single main line;
the element attachment parts are arranged in a row on each of the two shoulder sides of the front body of the fabric from the shoulders to the abdomen, with five element attachment parts on each shoulder side;
the control means can periodically vary the temperature of the radiated heat presented on the heat dissipation surface for each of the two or more Peltier elements attached to the garment, so that the wearer can easily maintain the sensation of being cooled or warmed, compared to a case in which the wearer's body surface continues to receive heat dissipation from the heat dissipation surface of one of the Peltier elements in a constant manner while the wearer is wearing the body temperature regulating garment, and the wearer's body surface gradually becomes sensory dull due to the influence of the heat dissipation;
The time phase for periodically varying the temperature of the heat dissipation is the same for each of the Peltier elements, and the control means changes the Peltier element that generates the heat dissipation at the set specific temperature among the two or more Peltier elements based on regular alternation, thereby
In the two or more Peltier elements as a whole, the heat radiation at the specific temperature is released from the heat radiation surface of each of the Peltier elements in a manner that fluctuates between the Peltier elements;
Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by: The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 6 ,
the element attachment portion is provided on one shoulder side, with two above the armpit of the clothing fabric and three below;
Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by: The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 6 ,
The entire heat dissipation surface of the Peltier element attached to the element mounting portion is exposed on the inner surface side of the fabric;
Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by: The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 1 or 3 ,
The control means can control the temperature of the heat radiation presented to the heat radiation surface as cold or hot heat in a plurality of stages;
Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by: The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 6 ,
The control means can control the temperature of the heat radiation presented to the heat radiation surface as cold or hot heat in a plurality of stages;
Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by: The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 1 or 3 ,
The fabric is formed in a mesh structure;
Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by: The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 6 ,
The fabric is formed in a mesh structure;
Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by: The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 1 or 3 ,
the control means is capable of switching the heat dissipation surface between the cooling surface and the heating surface by reversing the polarity of the direct current supplied to the Peltier element;
Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by: The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 6 ,
the control means is capable of switching the heat dissipation surface between the cooling surface and the heating surface by reversing the polarity of the direct current supplied to the Peltier element;
Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by: The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 1 or 3 ,
The garment is a vest that is worn on the wearer's upper body;
Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by: The body temperature regulating garment according to claim 6 ,
The garment is a vest that is worn on the wearer's upper body;
Body temperature regulating clothing characterized by:

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