JP2000106981A - Cooling and warming mat - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a human body from being too much cooled by instantaneously heightening the temp. of a mat in a cooling and warming mat to be used for sleep. SOLUTION: The cooling/warming mat is provided with a mat temp. heightening means for instantaneously changing-over a side into the one for heightening the temp. of a flow mat 1 with heat generated by the heat discharge surface 4 of an element panel 2 as a heat source when the element panel 2 cools circulation water by a heat absorptive surface 3. Thus, the human body is prevented from being too much cooled by heightening temp. when the flow mat 1 is cooled much.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a cooling / heating mat used during sleep.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a cooling / heating mat of this kind is disclosed in
The one described in 187349 was common. As shown in FIG. 9, this device has a water-permeable mat 30 having a water-permeable passage in a flexible bag-like container, an element panel 31 which exerts a Peltier effect when energized, and one surface of the element panel 31. A cooling / heating water panel 32 provided with a water passage, and a cooling / heating water circulating means 33 for circulating cooling / heating water between the water flowing mat 30 and the cooling / heating water panel 32. The power supply unit 34 has a function of alternately switching the energizing direction.

[0003] Here, the Peltier effect is a phenomenon in which a direct current flows through two different conductors or semiconductors joined to each other to release heat generated when one of the joined portions becomes high temperature (heating action). This is well known as a phenomenon in which the other becomes low in temperature and absorbs heat (cooling action) from the outside. The direction in which the DC current flows, that is, the operation of simply switching the polarity of the DC current, is used to perform these operations. Warming,
Both effects of cooling can be obtained by arbitrarily selecting.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional cooling / heating mat, even if the direction of electric current is switched to increase the temperature of the mat, the heat absorption surface of the element panel, which has been maintained at a low temperature, is considerably heated until the heat absorbing surface of the element panel is heated. It takes time. When the temperature of the mat is low, even if the set temperature is changed, it takes time until the temperature of the mat rises, and the human body is cooled too much and the physical condition is impaired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cooling / heating mat which immediately raises the temperature of the mat when the mat is too cold, thereby preventing the human body from being too cold. Is what you do.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an element panel having a Peltier effect by energization, and a water passage provided with a circulating water cooled by the element panel through a pump device. In the water mat, there is provided a structure having a mat temperature increasing means for instantly switching the temperature of the water-passing mat to a rising side by using heat generated on a heat radiating surface of the element panel as a heat source when the element panel cools circulating water on a heat absorbing surface. It is what it was.

According to the above means, when the element panel cools the circulating water on the heat absorbing surface, the heat generated simultaneously on the heat radiating surface of the element panel is used as a heat source. The temperature of the mat can be switched to the rising side to prevent the human body from getting too cold.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A cooling / heating mat according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises an element panel exhibiting a Peltier effect when energized, and a water-permeable mat provided with a water passage through which circulating water cooled by the element panel passes. A pump device for circulating the water in the water passage, and immediately raising the temperature of the water flow mat using heat generated on the heat radiating surface of the element panel as a heat source when cooling the circulating water on the heat absorbing surface of the element panel. It has a mat temperature increasing means for switching to the side to be made.

Since the heat generated by the heat generated simultaneously on the heat radiating surface of the element panel when the element panel cools the circulating water on the heat absorbing surface is used as a heat source, the temperature of the mat is immediately increased by the heat when the mat is too cold. It can be raised to prevent the human body from getting too cold.

[0010] The cooling / heating mat according to claim 2 of the present invention comprises:
The mat temperature raising means includes a hot water circulation path that branches from a cold water circulation path that circulates the heat absorbing surface of the element panel and the water flow mat through an on-off valve and communicates with a heat radiation surface of the element panel. , The temperature of the mat is quickly raised.

If the switching valve is switched to the hot water circulation path side, the circulating water passes only through the heat radiation surface without passing through the heat absorption surface of the element panel, so that the temperature of the circulation water can be raised more quickly.

[0012] The cooling / heating mat according to claim 3 of the present invention comprises:
The mat temperature increasing means includes a heat radiating surface of the element panel, a hot water circulating path through which hot water circulates through the water mat, and a water circulating path through which water cooled by the heat absorbing surface of the element panel circulates in parallel with the hot water circulating path. The temperature of the mat is adjusted by driving a pump device in each circulation path and circulating hot or cold water in the circulation paths.

Since the heat radiation surface of the element panel is already high when the heat absorbing surface of the element panel is cooled, when the pump device is driven, the circulating water in the hot water circuit is immediately heated and The temperature of the hot water circulation path portion of the mat immediately rises, so that the user can feel the temperature rise of the water-passing mat more quickly, and can immediately eliminate the discomfort of being too cold.

The cooling / heating mat according to claim 4 of the present invention is
Timer means are provided to increase the temperature of the mat after a certain period of time.

When used at bedtime, it is possible to prevent falling asleep after falling asleep by the timer means.

[0016] The cooling mat according to claim 5 of the present invention comprises:
A sleep detection means for detecting that the sleeping person has fallen asleep is provided,
When the falling asleep detection unit detects falling asleep, the temperature of the mat is raised.

Since the temperature of the water-permeable mat is raised in accordance with the sleeping time of the sleeping person, it is possible to more reliably prevent the person from falling asleep after falling asleep.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a cooling / heating mat according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes a water-permeable mat provided with a water passage, 2 denotes an element panel which exerts a Peltier effect when energized, 3 denotes a heat-absorbing surface of the element panel, and 4 denotes a heat-radiating surface of the element panel. . Reference numeral 5 denotes a cold water circulation passage for circulating cold water between the element panel 2 and the water passage of the water passage mat 1, and a part thereof is brought into close contact with the heat absorbing surface 3 of the element panel 2 via a material having good heat conductivity such as aluminum. It is arranged. Reference numeral 6 denotes a pump device for circulating cold water in the cold water circulation path 5, and 7
Is a water supply tank for supplying water circulating in the cold water circulation path 5. Reference numeral 8 denotes a power supply unit for supplying electric power to the element panel 2 and the pump device 6. The power supply unit 8 circulates by adjusting the amount of electric power supplied to the element panel 2 by a signal from a thermistor 9 which is a water temperature detecting means provided in the water supply tank 7. It has a function to keep the temperature of cold water constant. The on-off valve 11 and the hot water circulation path 10 which passes through the heat-dissipating surface 4 of the element panel 2 to the water supply tank 7 via the on-off valve 11 constitute a mat temperature increasing means of the present invention.

Next, the operation and operation will be described. Heat absorption surface 3 of element panel 2 by power supply from power supply unit 8
The temperature of the water-cooling mat 1 is cooled by circulating the cooling water in the cold-water circulation passage 5 in the cooling water-circulating mat 1 by the pump device 6. The power supply unit 8 adjusts the amount of electric power supplied to the element panel 2 by a signal from the thermistor 9 to maintain the surface temperature of the water flow mat 1 at a certain set temperature. When the temperature of the water flow mat 1 feels cold, the on-off valve 11 is opened, the circulating water is passed through the hot water circulation path 10 and heated on the heat radiating surface 4 of the element panel 2, and the temperature of the water flow mat 1 is quickly raised. be able to.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a cooling / heating mat according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

The difference from the first embodiment is that the mat temperature increasing means is constituted by a switching valve 12 and a hot water circulation path 13 communicating from the switching valve 12 to the cold water circulation path 5. The components having the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment have the same structure, and the description will be omitted.

Next, the operation and operation will be described. Heat absorption surface 3 of element panel 2 by power supply from power supply unit 8
The temperature of the water-cooling mat 1 is cooled by circulating the cooling water in the cold-water circulation passage 5 in the cooling water-circulating mat 1 by the pump device 6. The power supply unit 8 adjusts the amount of electric power supplied to the element panel 2 by a signal from the thermistor 9 to maintain the surface temperature of the water flow mat 1 at a certain set temperature. When the temperature of the water passage mat 1 is felt to be cold, the switching valve 12 is opened, the circulating water is passed through the hot water circulation passage 13 and heated on the heat radiation surface 4 of the element panel 2, and the temperature of the water passage mat 1 is quickly raised. be able to.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a cooling / heating mat according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

The difference from the first embodiment is that the hot water circulation path 5 constituting the mat temperature raising means is arranged so that hot water circulates between the heat radiating surface 4 of the element panel 2 and the water flow mat 1. A hot water pump device 15 for circulating hot water and a hot water tank 16 for supplying water in the hot water circulation path 14 are provided exclusively.

Next, the operation and operation will be described. Heat absorption surface 3 of element panel 2 by power supply from power supply unit 8
The temperature of the water-cooling mat 1 is cooled by circulating the cooling water in the cold-water circulation passage 5 in the cooling water-circulating mat 1 by the pump device 6. The power supply unit 8 adjusts the amount of electric power supplied to the element panel 2 by a signal from the thermistor 9 to maintain the surface temperature of the water flow mat 1 at a certain set temperature. When the temperature of the water flow mat 1 is felt to be cold, the hot water pump device 15 is driven, the circulating water from the hot water tank 16 is heated on the heat radiation surface 4 of the element panel 2, and is passed through the hot water circulation path 14 to the water flow mat 1. Hot water circulates by circulating hot water 1
The temperature is quickly raised.

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a cooling / heating mat according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 17 denotes timer means for opening the on-off valve 11 after a predetermined time.
The temperature of the water flow mat 1 can be increased by opening the water flow mat 1. When the cooling mat is used at bedtime, the temperature of the water-permeable mat 1 can be raised after falling asleep by the timer means 17 to prevent the cooling mat.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a cooling / heating mat according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 18 denotes sleep detection means for detecting that a sleeping person falls asleep. When the sleep detection means 18 detects a fall asleep, the on / off valve 11 is opened to increase the temperature of the water flow mat 1.

Next, the sleep detection means 18 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 20 denotes a body movement detecting means using a piezoelectric element, which is formed into a thin film of a polymer piezoelectric material such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and is formed into a tape by attaching a flexible electrode film to both surfaces. And is provided on the water flow mat 1. Reference numeral 21 denotes an in-bed determination unit, which includes a low-pass filter 22, an amplifier 23, a rectifier 24, an integrator 25, and a first comparator 26. Reference numeral 27 denotes a sleep onset determination unit which is connected to the on-bed determination unit 21 and includes a timer 28 and a second comparator 29.

In the above configuration, when a human body is present on the water flow mat 1, the body motion detection means 21 is deformed by the body motion of the human body on the water flow mat 1 such as heartbeat, breathing and turning over, and A voltage is generated due to the effect. Then, only a predetermined frequency component of the generated voltage output passes through the low-pass filter 22 and is amplified and rectified.
Is integrated by

FIG. 7 shows an output signal of the integrator 25 in an actual situation. As shown in the figure, there is a large output when rough body movements such as entering the bed, leaving the bed, turning over, etc. A low output is obtained, and the output becomes zero when the user is out of bed. That is, as long as the human body is present on the water-permeable mat 1 at bedtime, at least the human heartbeat as described above,
A low level output can be obtained by minute body movements associated with breathing. Utilizing this, the first comparator 26 determines that the vehicle is in the occupied state if the output signal of the integrator 25 is within the range of Va and Vb shown in FIG. Although there are individual differences in the minute body movements associated with the heartbeat and breathing of the human body as described above, Va and Vb can be obtained by subject experiments or the like.

Next, the inventor examined the relationship between the above-mentioned rough movement and the sleep state. That is, based on the knowledge that the body motion disappears when falling asleep, the duration of the state in which the body motion does not occur by the sleep experiment (hereinafter referred to as the body motion stationary state) and the probability that the sleeper is in the sleep state in that state Sought a relationship. FIG. 8 shows the result. The horizontal axis in FIG. 7 indicates the duration of the rough movement stationary state, and the left vertical axis indicates the probability of the subject falling asleep when the coarse movement stationary state continues for T hours. As is clear from FIG. 8, for example, if the gross motion quiescent state lasts for 15 minutes, the slumber is in a sleep state with a probability of about 85%. Judgment became possible.
That is, in the sleep onset judging means 21, when there is an output from the first comparator 26, the timer 28 performs the time counting operation, and when there is no output, the time counting operation by the timer 28 is stopped and reset. Then, in the second comparator 29, the timer 28
If the time measured in is longer than a predetermined time, it is determined that the user is asleep. Here, as the predetermined time value, about 15 minutes is appropriate from the above experimental results.

The sleep detection means 18 detects the sleep of the sleeping person, opens the on-off valve 11 and raises the temperature of the mat, and raises the temperature of the water-permeable mat in accordance with the sleeping time of the sleeping person, and falls asleep. Later cooling can be more reliably prevented.

[0036]

According to the cooling / heating mat of the first aspect, when the element panel cools the circulating water on the heat absorbing surface, the heat generated on the heat radiating surface of the element panel is used as a heat source to instantly raise the temperature of the mat. Since the cooling mat has a means for raising the temperature of the cooling mat, the temperature can be raised immediately when the cooling mat is felt cold, so that the cooling of the human body can be prevented and a comfortable cooling and heating mat can be obtained.

In the cooling / heating mat according to the second aspect of the present invention, a hot water circulation path is provided which branches from the cold water circulation path via the switching valve and passes through the heat radiating surface of the element panel to the cold water circulation path. In this case, the circulating water passes only through the heat radiating surface without passing through the heat absorbing surface of the element panel, so that the temperature of the circulating water can be raised more quickly.

In the cooling / heating mat according to the third aspect of the present invention, a hot water circulating path for circulating hot or cold water through the water-passing mat is provided on the heat radiating surface and the heat absorbing surface of the element panel. The circulating water is immediately heated or cooled, and the temperature of the water circulating passage portion of the water-passing mat immediately rises or falls, so that the temperature change of the water-passing mat can be felt quickly and discomfort can be eliminated immediately.

The cooling / heating mat according to claim 4 of the present invention comprises:
A timer means is provided to increase the temperature of the mat after a certain period of time. Therefore, when used at bedtime, the timer means can prevent the person from falling asleep after falling asleep.

In the cooling / heating mat according to the fifth aspect, the sleeping mat is provided with means for detecting that the sleeping person has fallen asleep, and the temperature of the water-passing mat is raised in accordance with the sleeping time of the sleeping person. It can be reliably prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a cooling / heating mat according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a cooling / heating mat according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a cooling / heating mat according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a cooling / heating mat according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a cooling / heating mat according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a control block diagram of a body motion detection unit and a sleep onset determination unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an output waveform diagram from the integrator of the occupancy determination unit according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a duration of a rough motion stationary state and a probability of falling asleep state according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a conventional cooling / heating mat.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water-flow mat 2 Element panel 3 Heat-absorbing surface 4 Heat-dissipating surface 5 Cold-water circulation path 6 Pump device 7 Water supply tank 8 Power supply unit 9 Thermistor 10 Hot-water circulation path 11 On-off valve 12 Switching valve 13, 14 Hot-water circulation path 15 Hot-water pump apparatus 16 Hot water Tank 17 Timer means 18 Sleep detection means

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An element panel exhibiting a Peltier effect when energized, a water flow mat provided with a water passage through which circulating water passes, a pump device for circulating water in the water passage, and a heat absorbing surface of the element panel. A cooling / heating mat comprising a mat temperature increasing means for immediately switching a temperature of the water-passing mat to a rising side by using heat generated on a heat radiation surface of the element panel as a heat source when cooling water. 2. The mat temperature increasing means includes a hot water circulation path branched from a cold water circulation path for circulating the heat absorbing surface of the element panel and the water flow mat through an on-off valve and communicating with a heat radiation surface of the element panel. The heating / cooling mat according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the water-passing mat is raised by switching a valve to the hot water circulation path side. 3. The mat temperature increasing means includes a heat radiating surface of the element panel, a hot water circulation path through which hot water circulates through the water flow mat, and a water circulation path through which water cooled by the heat absorbing surface of the element panel circulates. The cooling / heating mat according to claim 1, wherein the mat is provided in parallel with the hot water circulation path, and the temperature of the mat is adjusted by driving a pump device in each circulation path to circulate hot water or cold water in the circulation path. 4. The cooling / heating mat according to claim 1, further comprising timer means for increasing the temperature of the water-permeable mat after a lapse of a predetermined time. 5. A sleep detecting means for detecting that a sleeping person has fallen asleep, and the temperature of the mat is raised when the sleeping detecting means detects a sleep of the sleeping person.
The heating and cooling mat described in.