JP7810429B2 - Cooling and warming device and method for controlling the cooling and warming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cooler/warmer used when transporting containers containing samples such as semen collected by patients during infertility treatment, and a method for controlling the cooler/warmer.

In infertility treatment, semen and other samples collected by infertility treatment patients at home must be sealed in a container and transported from home to a destination (e.g., a clinic). During this process, the characteristics of the collected material may change during transport in low temperatures in winter or high temperatures in summer. For example, if the collected material is semen, the motility and viability of sperm may decrease. Therefore, to prevent the characteristics of the collected material from changing in low temperatures, methods such as covering the container with insulating material such as cloth, or using a vacuum insulated container for beverages may be used.

Patent Document 1 also discloses a semen transport container that houses a semen collection container in a storage space of an insulated container, and prevents a decrease in sperm motility in low-temperature environments by activating an electric heater placed in the storage space when the temperature inside the storage space falls below a predetermined temperature.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-70511

However, while the transport container disclosed in Patent Document 1 can prevent changes in the characteristics of the collected material in low-temperature environments, it cannot prevent changes in the characteristics of the collected material in high-temperature environments. Furthermore, while Patent Document 1 also prevents changes in the characteristics of the collected material in high-temperature environments by providing a cooling device separate from the electric heater, this increases the size of the device. In particular, the addition of a mechanism such as a fan for ventilation significantly increases the size of the device.

The present invention was made in light of these circumstances, and aims to provide a cooler/warmer and a control method for the cooler/warmer that can prevent changes in the characteristics of collected materials in both low-temperature and high-temperature environments while achieving compactness.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following means.
A cooler/warmer according to one aspect of the present invention is a cooler/warmer that adjusts a container containing a harvested sample to a predetermined temperature, and includes: a main body that accommodates the container; and a lid that is detachably attached to the main body and seals the storage space of the main body in which the container is stored. The main body includes a first cylindrical portion made of metal and formed in a cylindrical shape extending along an axis and having a first bottom; a second cylindrical portion made of metal and formed in a cylindrical shape extending along the axis and having a second bottom; a Peltier element having a first heat transfer surface arranged to be able to conduct heat with the first bottom and a second heat transfer surface arranged to be able to conduct heat with the second bottom; and a control unit that controls the power applied to the Peltier element so that the temperature of the storage space becomes the predetermined temperature. The first cylindrical portion is arranged exposed to the storage space, and the second cylindrical portion is arranged outside the first cylindrical portion with respect to the axis and exposed to the external space.

In one aspect of the insulated/warmed container of the present invention, a container containing a harvested material is placed in the storage space of the main body, and the lid is attached to the main body, sealing the container in the storage space. The main body comprises a first metallic cylindrical portion and a second metallic cylindrical portion. The first heat transfer surface of the Peltier element is arranged to be thermally conductive with the first cylindrical portion, and the second heat transfer surface of the Peltier element is arranged to be thermally conductive with the second cylindrical portion. The control unit controls the power applied to the Peltier element so that the temperature of the storage space reaches a predetermined temperature. When heating the storage space, the control unit sets the first heat transfer surface as a heat dissipation surface and the second heat transfer surface as a heat absorption surface. When cooling the storage space, the control unit sets the first heat transfer surface as a heat absorption surface and the second heat transfer surface as a heat dissipation surface.

In addition, in a cooler/warmer according to one aspect of the present invention, the first cylindrical portion is exposed to the storage space. Therefore, when the first heat transfer surface serves as a heat dissipation surface, the storage space is heated by the first heat transfer surface via the first cylindrical portion, and when the first heat transfer surface serves as a heat absorption surface, the storage space is cooled by the first heat transfer surface via the first cylindrical portion. In addition, in a cooler/warmer according to one aspect of the present invention, the second cylindrical portion is exposed to the external space outside the first cylindrical portion with respect to the axis. Therefore, when the second heat transfer surface serves as a heat absorption surface, the external air in the external space is cooled by the second heat transfer surface via the second cylindrical portion, and when the second heat transfer surface serves as a heat dissipation surface, the external air in the external space is heated by the second heat transfer surface via the second cylindrical portion. Therefore, changes in the properties of the collected material can be prevented in both low-temperature and high-temperature environments.

Furthermore, with a cooler/warmer according to one aspect of the present invention, heat exchange occurs between the first heat transfer surface of the Peltier element and the storage space via a first metallic cylindrical portion, and heat exchange occurs between the second heat transfer surface of the Peltier element and the outside air via a second metallic cylindrical portion. Because heat exchange occurs without using a ventilation mechanism such as a fan, the cooler/warmer can be made more compact.

In one aspect of the present invention, the lid of the cooler/warmer container has a cylindrical side portion extending along the axis, and an upper surface portion connected to the upper end of the side portion and positioned above the container, and the upper surface portion may be configured to have a protrusion formed on it that protrudes toward the storage space at a central position through which the axis passes.

With this type of cooler/warmer container, a protrusion is formed on the top surface of the lid. When attaching the lid to the main body, the protrusion comes into contact with the top end of the container, fixing the container's position along the axis in the storage space. Furthermore, because the protrusion only contacts the top end of the container, rotation of the container relative to the main body is suppressed when attaching the lid to the main body while rotating it around its axis. Therefore, compared to when no protrusion is provided, movement of the container in the storage space and the resulting damage to the collected material can be more appropriately prevented.

In one aspect of the insulated/warming container of the present invention, the main body may have a fastening portion disposed above the internal space formed between the first and second cylindrical portions and having a male thread formed thereon that rotates circumferentially around the axis, and the inner circumferential surface of the side surface of the lid may have a female thread formed thereon that rotates circumferentially and engages with the male thread.

With this type of cooler/warmer container, the lid can be attached to the main body by engaging the female threads formed on the inner surface of the side of the lid with the male threads formed on the fastening portion of the main body. The protrusions formed on the top surface of the lid then press the upper ends of the containers with an appropriate load, fixing their axial positions in the storage space. Furthermore, by adjusting the engagement length between the male and female threads, the axial positions of the containers in the storage space can be reliably fixed, regardless of which of multiple types of containers of different heights are stored in the storage space of the main body.

The cooler/warmer container according to one aspect of the present invention may be configured to include a heat insulating material disposed in an internal space formed between the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion.
With this configuration of the insulated heat storage container, the insulating material appropriately prevents direct heat exchange between the first and second cylindrical portions, thereby increasing the efficiency of heat exchange between the storage space and the outside air in the external space using the Peltier element.

A cooler/warmer according to one aspect of the present invention may include a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the storage space, and the control unit may be configured to control the power applied to the Peltier element so that the change in temperature detected by the temperature detection unit per unit time is within a predetermined threshold value.

With this type of cooler/warmer, the change in temperature detected by the temperature detection unit per unit time is kept within a predetermined threshold, preventing the temperature change per unit time of the collected material stored in the container from exceeding the threshold and resulting in a significant change in the characteristics of the collected material.

In one aspect of the insulated/warming container of the present invention, the control unit may be configured to be disposed below the second bottom portion without contacting the first cylindrical portion or the second cylindrical portion.

In this configuration of refrigerator/warmer, the control unit that applies power to the Peltier element generates heat during operation, but is positioned below the second bottom without contacting the first or second cylindrical portion. This reduces the impact of heat generated by the control unit during operation compared to when the control unit is in contact with either the first or second cylindrical portion, or when the control unit is positioned in the internal space formed between the first and second cylindrical portions. This increases the efficiency of heat exchange between the Peltier element's storage space and the outside air in the external space.

In one aspect of the present invention, the insulated/warming appliance may include an interface that detachably connects the control unit to an external device, and the control unit may be configured to apply power received from the external device via the interface to the Peltier element.

With this type of cooler/warmer, connecting an external device to the interface allows power to be supplied from the external device to the control unit via the interface. This means that the cooler/warmer can be made smaller without requiring a power source, while still being able to easily supply power from an external device to achieve its cooling/warming function.

One aspect of the present invention provides a method for controlling a cooler/warmer that adjusts a container containing a harvested material to a predetermined temperature. The cooler/warmer includes a main body that houses the container and a lid that is detachably attached to the main body and seals the storage space of the main body in which the container is stored. The main body includes a first cylindrical metal portion that is tubular and extends along an axis and has a first bottom, a second cylindrical metal portion that is tubular and extends along the axis and has a second bottom, and a Peltier element having a first heat transfer surface that is thermally conductive with the first bottom and a second heat transfer surface that is thermally conductive with the second bottom, the first cylindrical portion being exposed to the storage space, and the second cylindrical portion being exposed to the external space outside the first cylindrical portion with respect to the axis. The method includes a control step of controlling power applied to the Peltier element so that the temperature of the storage space becomes the predetermined temperature.

In one aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling a cooler/warmer includes placing a container containing a harvested material in the storage space of the main body and attaching a lid to the main body, thereby sealing the container in the storage space. The main body includes a first metallic cylindrical portion and a second metallic cylindrical portion. The first heat transfer surface of the Peltier element is disposed to be thermally conductive with the first cylindrical portion, and the second heat transfer surface of the Peltier element is disposed to be thermally conductive with the second cylindrical portion. The control process controls the power applied to the Peltier element so that the temperature of the storage space reaches a predetermined temperature. When heating the storage space, the control process sets the first heat transfer surface as a heat dissipation surface and the second heat transfer surface as a heat absorption surface. When cooling the storage space, the control process sets the first heat transfer surface as a heat absorption surface and the second heat transfer surface as a heat dissipation surface.

Furthermore, according to a method for controlling a cooler/warmer according to one aspect of the present invention, the first cylindrical portion is positioned so as to be exposed to the storage space. Therefore, when the first heat transfer surface serves as a heat dissipation surface, the storage space is heated by the first heat transfer surface via the first cylindrical portion, and when the first heat transfer surface serves as a heat absorption surface, the storage space is cooled by the first heat transfer surface via the first cylindrical portion. Furthermore, according to a method for controlling a cooler/warmer according to one aspect of the present invention, the second cylindrical portion is positioned outside the first cylindrical portion with respect to the axis so as to form part of the outer peripheral surface of the cooler/warmer. Therefore, when the second heat transfer surface serves as a heat absorption surface, the outside air in the external space is cooled by the second heat transfer surface via the second cylindrical portion, and when the second heat transfer surface serves as a heat dissipation surface, the outside air in the external space is heated by the second heat transfer surface via the second cylindrical portion. Therefore, changes in the properties of the collected material can be prevented in both low-temperature and high-temperature environments.

Furthermore, according to a control method for a cooler/warmer according to one aspect of the present invention, heat is exchanged between the first heat transfer surface of the Peltier element and the storage space via a first metallic cylindrical portion, and between the second heat transfer surface of the Peltier element and the outside air in the external space via a second metallic cylindrical portion. Because heat exchange is performed without using a ventilation mechanism such as a fan, the cooler/warmer can be made more compact.

The present invention provides a cooler/warmer and a control method for the cooler/warmer that can prevent changes in the characteristics of collected materials in both low-temperature and high-temperature environments while achieving compactness.

1 is a front view showing a cooler/warmer container according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the insulated/warming container shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line AA. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the cooler/warmer shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the main body shown in FIG. 3 . 1 is a perspective view showing a cooler/warmer container according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the refrigerator/warmer. 1 is a flowchart showing a method for transporting a container using a cooler/warmer according to one embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing a control method for the insulated cooler/warmer according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a graph showing an example of a temperature detected by a temperature sensor of an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the ambient temperature of the external space and the temperature of the storage space of a cooler/warmer container according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a graph showing the change in temperature of the storage space when the ambient temperature of the insulated/warming container of one embodiment of the present invention is set to 0° C. 10 is a graph showing the change in temperature of the storage space when the ambient temperature of the insulated/warming container of one embodiment of the present invention is 39° C.

The following describes a cooler/warmer 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the cooler/warmer 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cooler/warmer 100 shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line A-A. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the cooler/warmer 100 shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the main body 10 shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cooler/warmer 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

The cooler/warmer 100 of this embodiment is a device that adjusts the temperature of a container 220 containing a collected material 210, such as semen, to a predetermined target temperature. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the cooler/warmer 100 includes a main body 10 that houses the container 220, and a lid 20 that is detachably attached to the main body 10 and seals the storage space S1 of the main body 10 in which the container 220 is stored.

The main body 10 has a first cylindrical portion 11, a second cylindrical portion 12, a Peltier element 13, a heat transfer member 14, a holding member 15, a heat insulating material 16, a control board (control unit) 17, an interface 17a, a temperature sensor (temperature detection unit) 17b, a fastening portion 18, and legs 19.

The first cylindrical portion 11 is a metal (e.g., aluminum alloy, copper alloy, etc.) member formed into a cylindrical shape extending along the axis X. The first cylindrical portion 11 has a side portion 11a formed into a cylindrical shape along the axis X, and a first bottom portion 11b connected to the lower end of the side portion 11a and having a circular shape in a plan view along the axis X. The first cylindrical portion 11 is a member in which the side portion 11a and the first bottom portion 11b are integrally molded from a metal material.

The second cylindrical portion 12 is a metal (e.g., aluminum alloy, copper alloy, etc.) member formed into a cylindrical shape extending along the axis X. The second cylindrical portion 12 has a side portion 12a formed into a cylindrical shape along the axis X, and a second bottom portion 12b connected to the lower end of the side portion 12a and having a circular shape in a plan view along the axis X. The second cylindrical portion 12 is a member in which the side portion 12a and the second bottom portion 12b are integrally molded from a metal material.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the outer diameter of the second cylindrical portion 12 in a direction perpendicular to the axis X is larger than the outer diameter of the first cylindrical portion 11 in a direction perpendicular to the axis X. The second cylindrical portion 12 is disposed outside the first cylindrical portion 11 with respect to the axis X. As shown in Figure 2, the first cylindrical portion 11 is disposed exposed to the storage space S1 so as to form part of the inner surface of the cooler/warmer 100. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second cylindrical portion 12 is disposed exposed to the external space S3 so as to form part of the outer surface of the cooler/warmer 100.

The Peltier element 13 is a semiconductor element that uses the Peltier effect to create a temperature difference between one surface and the other. The Peltier element 13 has a first heat transfer surface 13a that is arranged to be thermally conductive with the first bottom 11b of the first cylindrical portion 11, and a second heat transfer surface 13b that is arranged to be thermally conductive with the second bottom 12b of the second cylindrical portion 12. The Peltier element 13 is formed, for example, in a square shape when viewed in a plan view along the axis X.

The power applied to the Peltier element 13 is controlled by the control board 17. The control board 17 controls the DC current applied to the Peltier element 13, switching between a cooling state in which the first heat transfer surface 13a serves as the heat absorption surface and the second heat transfer surface 13b serves as the heat dissipation surface, and a cooling state in which the first heat transfer surface 13a serves as the heat dissipation surface and the second heat transfer surface 13b serves as the heat absorption surface.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the cooler/warmer 100 of this embodiment, the heat transfer member 14 is arranged in contact with both the first bottom 11b of the first cylindrical portion 11 and the first heat transfer surface 13a, allowing thermal conduction between the first heat transfer surface 13a and the first bottom 11b via the heat transfer member 14. Furthermore, the second bottom 12b of the second cylindrical portion 12 is arranged in direct contact with the second heat transfer surface 13b, allowing thermal conduction between the second heat transfer surface 13b and the second bottom 12b.

The first heat transfer surface 13a and the first bottom 11b may be arranged in direct contact with each other to enable thermal conduction between them. Alternatively, a heat transfer member (not shown) may be arranged in contact with both the second bottom 12b of the second cylindrical portion 12 and the second heat transfer surface 13b to enable thermal conduction between the second heat transfer surface 13b and the second bottom 12b via the heat transfer member (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 2, the first cylindrical portion 11 is positioned so that it is exposed to the storage space S1. Therefore, when the first heat transfer surface 13a of the Peltier element 13 serves as a heat dissipation surface, the storage space S1 is heated via the heat transfer member 14 and the first cylindrical portion 11. When the first heat transfer surface 13a of the Peltier element 13 serves as a heat absorption surface, the storage space S1 is cooled via the heat transfer member 14 and the first cylindrical portion 11.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second cylindrical portion 12 is positioned so as to be exposed to the external space S3. Therefore, when the first heat transfer surface 13a of the Peltier element 13 serves as a heat dissipation surface, the storage space S1 is heated via the heat transfer member 14 and the first cylindrical portion 11. When the first heat transfer surface 13a of the Peltier element 13 serves as a heat absorption surface, the storage space S1 is cooled via the heat transfer member 14 and the first cylindrical portion 11.

The heat transfer member 14 is a metal (e.g., aluminum alloy, copper alloy, etc.) member that is placed in direct contact with both the first heat transfer surface 13a and the first bottom portion 11b. The heat transfer member 14 promotes heat conduction between the first heat transfer surface 13a and the first bottom portion 11b. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer diameter D1 of the heat transfer member 14 is greater than the width W1 of the Peltier element 13.

By making the outer diameter D1 larger than the width W1, heat from the first heat transfer surface 13a of the Peltier element 13 can be transferred to the first bottom 11b over a range wider than the width W1. This reduces the temperature difference at various positions near the first bottom 11b of the storage space S1, allowing the collected material 210 stored in the container 220 to be cooled or heated evenly.

The holding member 15 is a member for holding the Peltier element 13 between the heat transfer member 14 and the second bottom 12b of the second cylindrical portion 12. The holding member 15 is arranged in contact with both the heat transfer member 14 and the second bottom 12b. To suppress heat conduction between the heat transfer member 14 and the second bottom 12b, the holding member 15 is formed, for example, from a resin material whose thermal conductivity is extremely low compared to metal materials.

The insulating material 16 is a member for suppressing heat conduction between the side surface 11a of the first cylindrical portion 11 and the side surface 12a of the second cylindrical portion 12. The insulating material 16 is filled into the internal space S2 formed between the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12 so as to be in contact with both the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12. For example, polyurethane resin is used as the insulating material 16. In this embodiment, the internal space S2 formed between the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12 is filled with the insulating material 16, but other embodiments are also possible. For example, the internal space S2 may be hermetically sealed and depressurized, allowing the internal space S2 to function as a vacuum insulation layer.

The control board 17 is a device that controls the power applied to the Peltier element 13 so that the temperature of the storage space S1 that stores the container 220 reaches a predetermined target temperature Ttar. Here, the predetermined temperature is, for example, a preset target temperature. If the collected material 210 sealed in the container 220 is semen, it is preferable to set the temperature to, for example, 25°C. The target temperature Ttar may be set to a temperature other than 25°C, taking into account the characteristics of the collected material 210 and the characteristics of the cooler/warmer 100, etc.

By switching the polarity of the voltage applied to the Peltier element 13, the control board 17 switches between a cooling state in which the first heat transfer surface 13a acts as a heat absorption surface and the second heat transfer surface 13b acts as a heat dissipation surface, and a cooling state in which the first heat transfer surface 13a acts as a heat dissipation surface and the second heat transfer surface 13b acts as a heat absorption surface. Furthermore, by adjusting the magnitude of the voltage applied to the Peltier element 13, the control board 17 controls the amount of heat transfer (amount of heat generated or amount of heat absorbed) by the first heat transfer surface 13a and the second heat transfer surface 13b.

Interface 17a is a device that detachably connects control board 17 to a portable, rechargeable battery (external device) 300. As shown in FIG. 1, interface 17a has a cable 17a1 that connects to control board 17 and a connection terminal 17a2 that connects cable 17a1 to battery 300. Interface 17a is, for example, an interface that complies with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard.

The control board 17 receives power stored in the battery 300 via the interface 17a. The control board 17 applies the power received from the battery 300 via the interface 17a to the Peltier element 13.

The temperature sensor 17b is a device that detects the temperature of the storage space S1 via the heat transfer member 14 and the second cylindrical portion 12. The temperature sensor 17b is attached to the heat transfer member 14 and detects the temperature of the heat transfer member 14. The heat transfer member 14 is arranged in contact with the second bottom portion 12b of the second cylindrical portion 12. The second cylindrical portion 12 is also arranged exposed to the storage space S1. Because the heat transfer member 14 is capable of thermal conduction with the storage space S1 via the second cylindrical portion 12, the temperature sensor 17b indirectly detects the temperature of the storage space S1 via the heat transfer member 14 and the second cylindrical portion 12.

The fastening portion 18 is a member disposed above the internal space S2 formed between the first tubular portion 11 and the second tubular portion 12. The fastening portion 18 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape centered on the axis X. As shown in FIG. 4, the fastening portion 18 is a member formed with a male thread 18a that rotates circumferentially around the axis X. The fastening portion 18 is attached between the upper ends of the first tubular portion 11 and the second tubular portion 12 so as to seal the upper portion of the internal space S2. In order to suppress heat conduction between the first tubular portion 11 and the second tubular portion 12, the fastening portion 18 is formed, for example, from a resin material whose thermal conductivity is extremely low compared to metal materials.

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the fastening portion 18 has an annular flat portion 18b that is disposed on a horizontal plane perpendicular to the axis X. When the lid portion 20 is fastened to the fastening portion 18, the flat portion 18b comes into contact with a flat portion 21c formed on the lower end of the lid portion 20. The flat portion 21c is an annular surface that is disposed on a horizontal plane perpendicular to the axis X.

As shown in FIG. 5, the flat portion 18b is provided with a lamp 18c that lights up when power is supplied from the battery 300 to the control board 17 and goes out when power is not supplied from the battery 300 to the control board 17. The lamp 18c is embedded in the flat portion 18b so as not to protrude above the flat portion 18b.

When the lid portion 20 is fastened to the fastening portion 18, the flat surface 21c of the lid portion 20 comes into contact with the flat surface 18b of the fastening portion 18. The lamp 18c is covered by the flat surface 21c. Because the lid portion 20 is made of a translucent resin material, when the lamp 18c is lit, the patient can see the light emitted from the lamp 18c through the lid portion 20.

The container 220 housed in the refrigerator/warmer 100 shown in Figure 2 has a height H1 at which the protruding portion 22a of the lid portion 20 contacts the upper end of the container 220 when the lid portion 20 is fastened to the fastening portion 18 until the flat portion 21c of the lid portion 20 comes into contact with the flat portion 18b of the fastening portion 18. In other words, when the flat portion 21c of the lid portion 20 comes into contact with the flat portion 18b of the fastening portion 18, the height H1 of the container 220 is the same as the length from the position X1 of the first bottom portion 11b to the position X2 of the protruding portion 22a on the axis X, but other configurations are also possible.

For example, as shown in the vertical cross-sectional view of Figure 6, the container 220 may have a height H2 at which the protruding portion 22a of the lid portion 20 contacts the upper end of the container 220 without the flat portion 21c of the lid portion 20 contacting the flat portion 18b of the fastening portion 18. As shown in Figure 6, the cooler/warmer 100 of this embodiment can appropriately accommodate multiple types of containers 220 of different heights in a fixed state within the storage space S1 by adjusting the engagement length between the male thread 18a of the fastening portion 18 and the female thread 21b of the lid portion 20. Therefore, even if the heights of the containers 220 transported by the cooler/warmer 100 vary depending on the clinic to which they are transported, the containers 220 can be reliably fixed so that they do not move within the cooler/warmer 100.

The legs 19 are members that support the weight of each part of the cooler/warmer appliance 100 excluding the legs 19. As shown in FIG. 4, the legs 19 have a pair of insertion holes 19a into which tapping screws 400 (see FIGS. 2 and 3) are inserted. As shown in FIG. 4, the holding member 15 is formed with a pair of fastening holes 15a into which the tips of the tapping screws 400 are fastened. The pair of fastening holes 15a are inserted into a pair of through holes 12c formed in the second bottom portion 12b of the second tubular portion 12 and a pair of notches 17c formed in the control board 17.

As shown in FIG. 2, the holding member 15 and second tubular portion 12 are fixed to the leg portion 19 by fastening a pair of tapping screws 400 into a pair of fastening holes 15a. The control board 17 is also fixed by being sandwiched between the holding member 15 and the leg portion 19. The control board 17 is positioned below the second bottom portion 12b of the second tubular portion 12 without contacting either the first tubular portion 11 or the second tubular portion 12.

The lid portion 20 has a side portion 21 formed in a cylindrical shape extending along the axis X, and an upper surface portion 22 connected to the upper end of the side portion 21 and positioned above the container 220. The lid portion 20 is formed, for example, from a resin material with extremely low thermal conductivity compared to metal materials in order to suppress heat conduction between the storage space S1 and the external space S3. The lid portion 20 is formed from a translucent resin material so that the container 220 placed in the storage space S1 can be seen from the external space S3. The lid portion 20 may also be formed from a non-translucent resin material.

As shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface 22 of the lid 20 is formed with a protrusion 22a that protrudes toward the storage space S1 at the center position where the axis X passes. According to the cooler/warmer 100 of this embodiment, the protrusion 22a is formed on the upper surface 22 of the lid 20. Therefore, when attaching the lid 20 to the main body 10, the protrusion 22a is brought into contact with the upper end of the container 220, thereby fixing the position of the container 220 along the axis X in the storage space S1. Therefore, movement of the container 220 in the storage space S1 and resulting damage to the collected material can be appropriately prevented compared to when the protrusion 22a is not provided.

As shown in Figure 3, the inner peripheral surface 21a of the side surface 21 of the lid portion 20 is formed with a female thread 21b that rotates circumferentially around the axis X and engages with the male thread 18a of the fastening portion 18 of the main body portion 10. The patient attaches the lid portion 20 to the main body portion 10 by bringing the lid portion 20 into contact with the fastening portion 18 of the main body portion 10 that houses the container 220, and rotating the lid portion 20 around the axis X to engage the female thread 21b of the lid portion 20 with the male thread 18a of the main body portion 10.

Next, we will explain a method for transporting containers using a cooler/warmer according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing a method for transporting containers using a cooler/warmer according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In step S101, the patient collects his or her own sample 210 (e.g., semen) and seals the collected sample 210 in a container 220.
In step S102, the patient places the container 220 in the storage space S1 of the main body 10 of the cooler/warmer 100 and attaches the lid 20 to the main body 10. The storage space S1 of the main body 10 to which the lid 20 is attached is sealed.

In step S103, the patient connects the battery 300 to the interface 17a, causing power to be supplied from the battery 300 to the control board 17. Upon receiving power from the battery 300, the control board 17 begins controlling the Peltier element 13 to bring the storage space S1 to the predetermined target temperature Ttar.

In step S104, the carrier (e.g., a patient) transports the cooler/warmer 100 from their home to the clinic. While transporting the cooler/warmer 100, the patient periodically checks whether the lamp 18c is illuminated. If the lamp 18c is off, the patient determines that the battery 300 is not sufficiently charged and replaces it with another charged battery 300.

In step S105, the transporter hands the cooler/warmer 100 to a nurse or other professional at the clinic. The nurse or other professional removes the lid 20 of the cooler/warmer 100 received from the transporter from the main body 10 and collects the container 220. The nurse or other professional determines from the personal identification information written on the container whether the container 220 contains the patient's collected material 210 (e.g., semen). If the nurse or other professional confirms that the container 220 belongs to the patient, they store the container 220 in a storage device (not shown) capable of maintaining a predetermined temperature.

The personal identification information is, for example, text information such as the patient's name written on a sticker affixed to the container 220. The personal identification information may also be a sticker printed with a QR code (registered trademark), which encodes information for identifying the patient. When a QR code (registered trademark) is used as the personal identification information, a nurse or other professional at the clinic reads the QR code (registered trademark) using a camera installed on a smartphone. The smartphone then transmits the read QR code (registered trademark) to an external device via an installed authentication application, and receives the authentication result of the QR code (registered trademark) from the external device. If the authentication result received by the smartphone is correct, the nurse or other professional at the clinic can determine that the container 220 belongs to the patient.

After collecting the collected material 210 and sealing it in the container 220, the patient preferably affixes a tamper-proof seal to the container 220, which makes it possible to recognize that the sealed state of the collected material 210 in the container 220 has been released. If the tamper-proof seal indicates that the sealed state of the collected material 210 in the container 220 has been released, a nurse or other staff member at the clinic can recognize that a different collected material 210 than the one collected by the patient may have been sealed in the container 220. This prevents the patient's collected material 210 from being replaced with a different collected material.

Next, a control method for the cooler/warmer 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a control method for the cooler/warmer according to one embodiment of the present invention. The processes shown in Figure 8 are executed by a program operated by a calculation unit (not shown) included in the control board 17. The processes shown in Figure 8 are executed in response to the start of power supply from the battery 300 to the control board 17.

In step S201, the control board 17 detects the temperature of the accommodation space S1 by reading the temperature transmitted from the temperature sensor 17b.
In step S202, the control board 17 determines whether the temperature detected in step S201 is less than the target temperature Ttar (e.g., less than 25°C), and if YES, proceeds to step S203, and if NO, proceeds to step S204.

In step S203, the control board 17 controls the voltage applied to the Peltier element 13 so that the first heat transfer surface 13a serves as a heat dissipation surface and the storage space S1 is heated. The control board 17 controls the voltage applied to the Peltier element 13 so that the absolute value of the temperature change per unit time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value Tth, so that the temperature of the collected material 210 does not change abruptly.

For example, the control board 17 continuously stores the temperature detected in step S201 and the time when the temperature was detected in step S201 in a memory unit (not shown), and calculates Tv, which is the absolute value of the temperature change value per unit time shown in the following equation (1).
Tv=|(T2-T1)/(t2-t1)| (1)

In equation (1), t1 and t2 are the times when the temperature sensor 17b detects the temperature. T1 is the temperature detected at time t1. T2 is the temperature detected at time t2. The control board 17 controls the amount of change in the voltage value in step S203, which is executed after the temperature is detected at time t2, so that Tv is within a predetermined threshold value Tth. The predetermined threshold value Tth is set in advance in the control board 17 according to the characteristics of the collected material 210.

In step S204, the control board 17 determines whether the temperature detected in step S201 exceeds the target temperature Ttar (e.g., exceeds 25°C), and if the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S205; if the answer is NO, the process proceeds to step S206.

In step S205, the control board 17 controls the voltage applied to the Peltier element 13 so that the first heat transfer surface 13a serves as a heat absorption surface and the storage space S1 is cooled. The control board 17 controls the voltage applied to the Peltier element 13 so that the absolute value of the temperature change per unit time is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value Tth, so that the temperature of the collected material does not change abruptly.

In step S206, the control board 17 determines whether the temperature detected in step S201 is below the lower limit temperature Tmin (for example, below 20°C), and if YES, proceeds to step S207, and if NO, proceeds to step S208.
In step S207, the control board 17 notifies the carrier that the temperature detected in step S201 is below the lower limit temperature Tmin and is therefore in the abnormal temperature range. The control board 17, for example, lights up the lamp 18c in red to indicate an abnormality.

In step S208, the control board 17 determines whether the temperature detected in step S201 exceeds the upper limit temperature Tmax (for example, exceeds 30°C), and if the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S209, and if the answer is NO, the process proceeds to step S210.
In step S209, the control board 17 notifies the carrier that the temperature detected in step S201 has exceeded the upper limit temperature Tmax and is therefore in an abnormal temperature range. The control board 17, for example, lights up the lamp 18c in red to indicate an abnormality.

In step S210, the control board 17 determines whether the temperature detected in step S201 is equal to or higher than the lower limit temperature Tmin and equal to or lower than the upper limit temperature Tmax. If the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S211; if the answer is NO, the process proceeds to step S212.
In step S211, the control board 17 notifies the carrier that the temperature detected in step S201 is within the normal temperature range because it is equal to or greater than the minimum temperature Tmin and equal to or less than the maximum temperature Tmax. For example, the control board 17 turns on the lamp 18c in green to indicate normal operation.

In step S212, the control board 17 determines whether the power supplied from the battery 300 is below a predetermined value. If the answer is YES, the process proceeds to step S213; if the answer is NO, the process re-executes step S201.

In step S213, the control board 17 stops applying voltage to the Peltier element 13 because the power supplied from the battery 300 is below a predetermined value and temperature control of the storage space S1 using the Peltier element 13 cannot continue, and the processing of this flowchart ends.

Here, an example of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 17b of the cooler/warmer 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 9 is a graph showing an example of the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 17b of the cooler/warmer 100 of one embodiment of the present invention. The elapsed time in Figure 9 indicates the time elapsed since the supply of power from the battery 300 to the control board 17 began. The temperature change indicated by the solid line in Figure 9 shows an example of controlling the temperature of the storage space S1 by the control board 17 of the cooler/warmer 100 of this embodiment.

On the other hand, the temperature change indicated by the dotted line in Figure 9 shows an example of controlling the temperature of the storage space S1 using the control board 17 of the comparative example cooler/warmer 100. The comparative example is an example in which the voltage applied to the Peltier element 13 is not controlled so that the temperature change value per unit time is below a predetermined threshold. In the comparative example, the temperature change value per unit time is not taken into consideration, so the temperature change value per unit time is greater than the temperature change in the storage space S1 of this embodiment and exceeds the predetermined threshold.

In this embodiment, the voltage applied to the Peltier element 13 is controlled so that the temperature change per unit time is below a predetermined threshold, so the temperature change per unit time of the collected material 210 contained in the container 220 is below the predetermined threshold. This makes it possible to appropriately prevent changes in the characteristics of the collected material 210.

On the other hand, in the comparative example, the voltage applied to the Peltier element 13 is not controlled so that the temperature change per unit time is below a predetermined threshold, so there is a possibility that the temperature change per unit time of the collected material 210 contained in the container 220 may exceed the predetermined threshold. Therefore, if the temperature change per unit time exceeds the predetermined threshold, it is not possible to prevent changes in the characteristics of the collected material 210.

Next, the relationship between the ambient temperature and the temperature of the storage space S1 of the cooler/warmer 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 10 is a graph showing an example of the relationship between the ambient temperature of the external space S3 of the cooler/warmer of one embodiment of the present invention and the temperature of the storage space S1. The values shown by the solid line in Figure 10 represent the average temperature values obtained by measuring the temperature inside the storage space S1 over a certain period of time at each ambient temperature while switching the ambient temperature of the external space S3 between -5°C and over 40°C.

As shown in FIG. 10, with the insulated/warming device 100 of this embodiment, when the target temperature Ttar is set to 25°C, the temperature of the storage space S1 (the temperature of the harvested material 210 sealed in the container 220) can be maintained in the range of 20°C or higher and 30°C or lower (25°C ± 5°C) when the environmental temperature of the external space S3 is in the range of -5°C or higher and 39°C or lower.

Figure 11 is a graph showing the change in temperature in the storage space S1 when the ambient temperature of the cooler/warmer 100 of one embodiment of the present invention is 0°C. Figure 12 is a graph showing the change in temperature in the storage space S1 when the ambient temperature of the cooler/warmer 100 of one embodiment of the present invention is 39°C.

In Figures 11 and 12, the values shown by the solid line indicate the temperature change when using the cooler/warmer 100 of this embodiment. In Figures 11 and 12, the values for Comparative Example 1 shown by the dotted line indicate the temperature change when the container 220 is placed in the external space S3 without being housed in the cooler/warmer 100. In Figures 11 and 12, the values for Comparative Example 2 shown by the dashed dotted line indicate the temperature change when the container 220 is housed in a vacuum insulated container (not shown) that does not have the cooling/warming function using the Peltier element 13.

As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the cooler/warmer 100 of this embodiment can maintain the temperature of the storage space S1 (the temperature of the harvested material 210 sealed in the container 220) within a range of 20°C or higher and 30°C or lower (25°C ± 5°C) for more than six hours (360 minutes) in both a low-temperature environment of 0°C and a high-temperature environment of 39°C. On the other hand, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, in Comparative Examples 1 and 2, in both a low-temperature environment of 0°C and a high-temperature environment of 39°C, the temperature of the storage space S1 gradually approaches the environmental temperature as time passes, and it is not possible to maintain the temperature within a range of 20°C or higher and 30°C or lower (25°C ± 5°C).

The actions and effects of the above-described cooler/warmer insulator 100 of the present embodiment will now be described.
According to the cooler/warmer 100 of this embodiment, the container 220 containing the collected material 210 is accommodated in the accommodation space S1 of the main body 10, and the lid 20 is attached to the main body 10, thereby sealing the container 220 in the accommodation space S1. The main body 10 includes a first cylindrical portion 11 made of metal and a second cylindrical portion 12 made of metal. The first heat transfer surface 13a of the Peltier element 13 is arranged to be thermally conductive with the first cylindrical portion 11, and the second heat transfer surface 13b of the Peltier element 13 is arranged to be thermally conductive with the second cylindrical portion 12.

The control board 17 controls the power applied to the Peltier element 13 so that the temperature of the storage space S1 becomes a predetermined temperature. When heating the storage space S1, the control board 17 uses the first heat transfer surface 13a as a heat dissipation surface and the second heat transfer surface 13b as a heat absorption surface. When cooling the storage space S1, the control board 17 uses the first heat transfer surface 13a as a heat absorption surface and the second heat transfer surface 13b as a heat dissipation surface.

Furthermore, according to the cooler/warmer 100 of this embodiment, the first cylindrical portion 11 is arranged so as to be exposed to the storage space S1. Therefore, when the first heat transfer surface 13a serves as a heat dissipation surface, the storage space S1 is heated by the first heat transfer surface 13a via the first cylindrical portion 11, and when the first heat transfer surface 13a serves as a heat absorption surface, the storage space S1 is cooled by the first heat transfer surface 13a via the first cylindrical portion 11. Furthermore, according to the cooler/warmer 100 of this embodiment, the second cylindrical portion 12 is arranged so as to be exposed to the external space S3 outside the first cylindrical portion 11 with respect to the axis X.

As a result, when the second heat transfer surface 13b acts as a heat absorption surface, the outside air in the external space S3 is cooled by the second heat transfer surface 13b via the second cylindrical portion 12, and when the second heat transfer surface 13b acts as a heat dissipation surface, the outside air in the external space S3 is heated by the second heat transfer surface 13b via the second cylindrical portion 12. This prevents changes in the characteristics of the collected material in both low-temperature and high-temperature environments.

Furthermore, with the cooler/warmer appliance 100 of this embodiment, heat exchange occurs between the first heat transfer surface 13a of the Peltier element 13 and the storage space S1 via the metal first cylindrical portion 11, and heat exchange occurs between the second heat transfer surface 13b of the Peltier element 13 and the outside air via the metal second cylindrical portion 12. Because heat exchange occurs without using a ventilation mechanism such as a fan, the cooler/warmer appliance 100 can be made more compact.

In the cooler/warmer 100 of this embodiment, a protrusion 22a is formed on the upper surface 22 of the lid 20. When attaching the lid 20 to the main body 10, the protrusion 22a is brought into contact with the upper end of the container 220, thereby fixing the position of the container 220 along the axis X in the storage space S1. Furthermore, because the protrusion 22a only contacts the upper end of the container 220, rotation of the container 220 relative to the main body 10 is suppressed when attaching the lid 20 to the main body 10 while rotating it around the axis X. Therefore, movement of the container 220 in the storage space S1 and resulting damage to the collected material 210 can be appropriately prevented compared to when the protrusion 22a is not provided.

In the cooler/warmer container 100 of this embodiment, the lid 20 can be attached to the main body 10 by engaging the female threads 21b formed on the inner surface 21a of the side surface 21 of the lid 20 with the male threads 18a formed on the fastening portion 18 of the main body 10. By adjusting the engagement length between the male threads 18a and the female threads 21b, the protrusions 22a formed on the upper surface 22 of the lid 20 press the upper end of the container 220 with an appropriate load, thereby fixing the position of the container 220 along the axis X in the storage space S1.

In the refrigerator/warmer 100 of this embodiment, the insulating material 16 appropriately prevents direct heat exchange between the first cylindrical portion 11 and the second cylindrical portion 12, thereby increasing the efficiency of heat exchange between the storage space S1 and the outside air in the external space S3 via the Peltier element 13.

In the cooler/warmer 100 of this embodiment, by keeping the change in temperature per unit time detected by the temperature sensor 17b within a predetermined threshold, it is possible to prevent the change in temperature per unit time of the collected material 210 contained in the container 220 from exceeding the predetermined threshold, thereby preventing a problem in which the characteristics of the collected material 210 change significantly.

In the refrigerator/warmer 100 of this embodiment, the control board 17 that applies power to the Peltier element 13 generates heat during operation, but is positioned below the second bottom 12b without contacting the first tubular portion 11 or the second tubular portion 12. This reduces the impact of heat generated by the control board 17 during operation compared to when the control board 17 is in contact with either the first tubular portion 11 or the second tubular portion 12, or when the control board 17 is positioned in the internal space S2 formed between the first tubular portion 11 and the second tubular portion 12. This increases the efficiency of heat exchange between the storage space S1 and the outside air in the external space S3 via the Peltier element 13.

In the cooler/warmer appliance 100 of this embodiment, by connecting the battery 300 to the interface 17a, power can be supplied from the battery 300 to the control board 17 via the interface 17a. This means that the cooler/warmer appliance 100 can be made smaller without requiring a power source, while still being able to easily supply power from the battery 300 to achieve its cooling and warming functions.

Other Embodiments
In the above description, the control board 17 controls the power supplied to the Peltier element 13 so that the temperature of the storage space S1 detected by the temperature sensor 17b is a predetermined temperature equal to or higher than the lower limit temperature Tmin and equal to or lower than the upper limit temperature Tmax, but other configurations are also possible. For example, the control board 17 may set a target temperature and control the power supplied to the Peltier element 13 so that the temperature of the storage space S1 is reduced when the target temperature is exceeded and the temperature of the storage space S1 is increased when the target temperature is exceeded.

In another embodiment, the control board 17 may have a memory unit (not shown) that continuously stores the temperature of the storage space S1 detected by the temperature sensor 17b, and a transmission unit (not shown) that transmits the temperature stored in the memory unit to an external reading device. For example, the temperature stored in the memory unit of the refrigerator/warmer 100 is transmitted to a receiving device at the clinic using the transmission unit. The transmission unit can use communication means conforming to various wireless communication standards, such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

This allows the clinic to analyze the temperature changes of the collected material 210 from the time the cooler/warmer 100 is transported from the patient's home to the clinic. This analysis makes it possible to appropriately evaluate damage to the collected material 210 from low-temperature and high-temperature environments during transport, the effectiveness of temperature control of the collected material 210 by the control board 17, and other factors.

In another embodiment, the cooler/warmer 100 may be provided with a weight sensor that detects the weight of the harvested material 210 contained in the container 220, and the threshold value Tth to be compared with the temperature change value Tv per unit time shown in equation (1) may be changed depending on the weight of the harvested material 210 detected by the weight sensor. Specifically, the smaller the weight of the harvested material 210, the smaller the threshold value Tth may be set to reduce the temperature change per unit time of the harvested material 210. Since the smaller the weight of the harvested material 210, the more likely temperature changes are to occur, it is possible to appropriately prevent changes in the characteristics of the harvested material 210 due to sudden changes.

In another embodiment, the refrigerator/warmer 100 may be provided with a gyro sensor (not shown) capable of recognizing the position of the container 220, and when the change in position detected by the gyro sensor exceeds a predetermined amount, the lamp 18c may be illuminated in a warning color (for example, changing from the green color used during normal operation to red) or may flash the warning color. The change in position detected by the gyro sensor may also be stored in a memory unit (not shown) and transmitted to a receiving device at the clinic so that the change in position of the container 220 can be analyzed at the clinic.

Note that while an example in which a gyro sensor detects changes in the posture of the container 220 has been described here, other examples are also possible. For example, an ultraviolet sensor may detect changes in the ultraviolet light irradiating the container 220, a light intensity sensor may detect changes in the amount of sunlight irradiating the container 220, or a humidity sensor may detect changes in the humidity of the space in which the container 220 is placed. Information detected by these sensors may be transmitted to a receiving device in the clinic by a transmitting unit included in the control board 17 described above.

10 Main body 11 First cylindrical portion 11a Side portion 11b First bottom portion 12 Second cylindrical portion 12a Side portion 12b Second bottom portion 12c Through hole 13 Peltier element 13a First heat transfer surface 13b Second heat transfer surface 14 Heat transfer member 15 Holding member 15a Fastening hole 16 Heat insulating material 17 Control board 17a Interface 17a1 Cable 17a2 Connection terminal 17b Temperature sensor 17c Notch portion 18 Fastening portion 18a Male screw 18b Flat portion 18c Lamp 19 Leg portion 19a Insertion hole 20 Lid portion 21 Side portion 21a Inner surface 21b Female screw 21c Flat portion 22 Upper surface 22a Protrusion 100 Cooling and warming device 210 Collection 220 Container 300 Battery 400 Tapping screw S1 Storage space S2 Internal space S3 External space X Axis

Claims (8)

A cooler/warmer that adjusts the temperature of a container containing a collection to a predetermined temperature,
a main body that houses the container;
a lid portion that is detachably attached to the main body portion and seals an accommodation space of the main body portion in which the container is accommodated,
The main body portion is
a first cylindrical portion made of metal and formed in a cylindrical shape extending along an axis and having a first bottom portion;
a second cylindrical portion made of metal and formed in a cylindrical shape extending along the axis and having a second bottom;
a Peltier element having a first heat transfer surface disposed to be capable of thermal conduction with the first bottom and a second heat transfer surface disposed to be capable of thermal conduction with the second bottom;
a control unit that controls the power applied to the Peltier element so that the temperature of the accommodation space becomes the predetermined temperature;
a temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the accommodation space ,
the first cylindrical portion is disposed so as to be exposed to the accommodation space,
the second cylindrical portion is disposed outside the first cylindrical portion with respect to the axis and exposed to an external space ,
The control unit controls the power applied to the Peltier element so that when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit is below a target temperature, the first heat transfer surface is used as a heat dissipation surface to heat the storage space, and when the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit exceeds the target temperature, the first heat transfer surface is used as a heat absorption surface to cool the storage space . The lid portion is
a cylindrical side surface portion extending along the axis;
an upper surface portion connected to an upper end of the side surface portion and disposed above the container;

The cooler/warmer container according to claim 1, wherein the top surface portion is formed with a protruding portion that protrudes toward the storage space at a central position through which the axis passes.
the main body portion has a fastening portion that is disposed above an internal space formed between the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion and that has a male thread formed thereon that turns in a circumferential direction around the axis,
an internal thread that turns along the circumferential direction and engages with the external thread is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the side surface of the lid;
3. The refrigerator/warmer according to claim 2, wherein the position of the container along the axis in the storage space is fixed by bringing the protrusion into contact with the upper end of the container when the female thread is engaged with the male thread to attach the lid to the main body . The cooler/warmer container according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a heat insulating material disposed in the internal space formed between the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion. The cooler/warmer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit controls the power applied to the Peltier element so that the change in temperature detected by the temperature detection unit per unit time is within a predetermined threshold value. The cooler/warmer container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit is disposed below the second bottom portion without contacting the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion. an interface for detachably connecting the control unit to an external device;
The cooler/warmer apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit applies power received from the external device via the interface to the Peltier element.
A method for controlling a cooler/warmer that adjusts a container containing a collected sample to a predetermined temperature,
The cooling and warming device is
a main body that houses the container;
a lid portion that is detachably attached to the main body portion and seals an accommodation space of the main body portion in which the container is accommodated,
The main body portion is
a first cylindrical portion made of metal and formed in a cylindrical shape extending along an axis and having a first bottom portion;

a second cylindrical portion made of metal and formed in a cylindrical shape extending along the axis and having a second bottom;
a Peltier element having a first heat transfer surface arranged to be capable of thermal conduction with the first bottom and a second heat transfer surface arranged to be capable of thermal conduction with the second bottom,

the first cylindrical portion is disposed so as to be exposed to the accommodation space,

the second cylindrical portion is disposed outside the first cylindrical portion with respect to the axis and exposed to an external space,
a temperature detection step of detecting a temperature of the accommodation space;
A control method for a cooler/warmer, comprising a control step of controlling the power applied to the Peltier element so that, when the temperature detected in the temperature detection step is lower than a target temperature, the first heat transfer surface is used as a heat dissipation surface to heat the storage space, and, when the temperature detected in the temperature detection step exceeds the target temperature, the first heat transfer surface is used as a heat absorption surface to cool the storage space .