JP2002058694A - Cooling/warming device for living body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cooling/warming device which can control the temperature of a heat medium at a required temperature, supply the heat to a mounted unit, and can be used for a long time. SOLUTION: This cooling/warming device for living body comprising a cooling/warming unit 1 to cool or warm a fluid as a heat medium with an electronic cooling/warming element and a fitting unit 2 fit on a living body. The fitting unit 2 is constituted by placing a tube 22 to be a fluid passage on the inside face of an exterior sheet 20. The (cooled/warmed) fluid from the cooling/warming unit 1 is supplied to the tube.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a living body cooling / heating apparatus for cooling or heating a living body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Ice water can be passed through a flow path provided in a jacket to reduce body temperature during work under high heat, and an icing device can cool an affected part by flowing ice water. Has existed conventionally.

[0003]

However, since this type of conventional type is cooled using ice water, there is a problem in that the cooling time is limited and that the temperature is cooled to an appropriate temperature.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to reduce the temperature of a heat medium to a required temperature in a short time and to send the heat medium to a dressing unit, and also to prolong the time. An object of the present invention is to provide a cooling / heating device for a living body that can be used.

[0005]

A living body cooling / heating device according to the present invention comprises a cooling / heating unit for cooling or heating a fluid as a heat medium by an electronic cooling / heating element, and a wearing device attached to a living body. The wearing unit is characterized in that a tube serving as a liquid flow path is disposed on the inner surface side of the exterior sheet, and the fluid from the cooling / heating unit is supplied to the tube.

[0006] Fluid cooled (or heated) by an electronic cooling element is sent to a tube of a mounting unit.

[0007] The exterior sheet of the wearing unit is preferably made of a non-permeable material or a low-permeability material, and further, the tube is preferably exposed on the inner surface side of the exterior sheet.

[0008] Further, it is preferable that the cooling or heating part of the fluid in the cooling / heating unit and the tube of the mounting unit are connected by a circulation path.

Preferably, the cooling / heating device includes a reservoir tank for replenishing fluid.

[0010] Further, the cooling / heating unit includes a thermo module mainly composed of an electronic cooling / heating element, a first heat transfer material provided between the pair of thermo modules having a flow path for fluid, and a thermoelectric module of each thermo module. The second, each arranged on the outer surface
Heat transfer material, a holding frame for holding and fixing between the two second heat transfer materials, and further disposed between the holding frames to surround the thermo module and the first heat transfer material, and to hold the holding frame and the second transfer material. It is preferable that a heat exchange device comprising a heat material and a partition wall forming an enclosed space for filling an inert gas is provided for cooling and heating the fluid.

[0011] The living body cooling / heating apparatus according to the present invention comprises a unit for supplying a fluid as a heat medium and a wearing unit attached to the living body, wherein the wearing unit is a non-permeable material or a low-permeable material. A tube serving as a liquid flow path is formed on the inner surface side of an exterior sheet made of a material, and is characterized in that fluid from the unit is supplied to the tube in the mounting unit.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on an example of an embodiment. A living body cooling / heating apparatus according to the present invention includes a cooling / heating unit 1 using an electronic cooling / heating element,
The cooling / heating unit 1 is provided with a mounting unit 2 to which a heating medium (refrigerant) is supplied. The heating medium circulates between the cooling / heating unit 1 and the mounting unit 2.

FIGS. 2 to 4 show an example of the cooling / heating unit 1, in which a heat exchange device 3, a reservoir tank 11, a pump 12, and a power supply unit 13 are mounted on a gantry 10.
The heat medium (usually water) stored in the reservoir tank 11 is cooled by the heat exchange device 3 and sent out from the water supply port 15 to the dressing unit 2 side by the pump 12, and the heat medium returned from the dressing unit 2 is supplied to the water inlet 16. From the reservoir tank 11. In the figure, 14 is a pressure gauge, 18 is a power cord, and 19 is a drain valve. The reservoir tank 11 is installed in consideration of air bleeding or heat medium leakage in a tube 22 of the dressing unit 2 described below.
It is not always necessary when the heating medium is filled in 2.

The heat exchange device 3 in the cooling / heating unit 1 cools (or heats) the heat medium by the above-described electronic cooling / heating element, and FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 show the internal structure thereof. 30 in the figure is an electronic cooling / heating element (Peltier element)
And a heat transfer material 31 having a plurality of flow paths 32 interposed between the pair of thermo modules 30. A heat transfer material 33 is in contact with each other surface of the thermomodule 30 through a silicon compound or the like, with one surface being in contact with the heat transfer material 31 through a silicon compound or the like. Heat transfer material 31, 33
Is formed of a good heat conductor, for example, aluminum.

The thermo module 30 includes the heat transfer material 3.
A plurality of flow paths 32 are arranged in the direction of one flow path 32, and headers 35 for integrating the plurality of flow paths 32 or connecting them in series are arranged at both ends of the heat transfer material 31. The flow path configuration inside the header 35 depends on the purpose of the fluid flowing through the flow path 32 and the thermo module 30.
Therefore, the header 35 is designed to be compatible with exchange.

The heat transfer members 33 individually arranged on the outer surface side of each thermo module 30 are provided with a flange 34 on the outer peripheral surface, and a pair of heat transfer members 33, 33 and both heat transfer members 33, 33 are provided.
A pair of thermo modules 30 and 30 disposed therebetween and a heat transfer material 31 disposed between the thermo modules 30 and 30
Are heat transfer members 33, 33 at the flange 34.
It is fixed by a pair of holding frames 5, 5 holding the space therebetween. That is, the holding frames 5 connected to each other by the connecting tool 4
5, the heat transfer materials 33, 33 and the thermo module 30,
30 and the heat transfer material 31 are clamped and fixed.

Further, an elastic material 55 also serving as a rubber sealing material is interposed between the holding frame 5 and the flange 34, so that the contact pressure between the heat transfer material 33 and the thermomodule 30 and the contact between the thermomodule 30 and the thermomodule 30 are increased. The contact pressure with the heat transfer member 31 is ensured by the reaction force of the compressed elastic member 55, that is, the tightening pressure by the connecting member 4 is not directly applied. Is set so that a gap is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the rectangular frame-shaped holding frame 5 and the outer periphery of the heat transfer material 33 surrounding the holding frame 5 in the direction orthogonal to the above-described tightening direction. The heat transfer material 33 can be moved with respect to the holding frame 5 so that the thermo-module 30 is hardly damaged by heat.

A heat insulating material 56 for preventing a heat bridge caused by radiation between the heat transfer materials 31 and 33 is provided at a portion where the heat transfer material 31 and the heat transfer material 33 are directly opposed on the outer peripheral side of the thermo module 30. The inner surface of the connection frame 58 disposed between the pair of upper and lower holding frames 5, 5 and the heat transfer material 31.
A heat insulating material 57 is also disposed between the outer peripheral side surface of the connecting frame 58 and the connecting frame 58.
A heat bridge is prevented between the heat transfer members 31 and 33 through the holding frame 5.

A partition 7 located outside the connecting frame 58 is provided between the pair of upper and lower holding frames 5 and 5. This partition 7 is provided so as to surround the entire circumference of the heat transfer material 31.
A seal member is provided at a contact portion with the holding frame 5. Due to the presence of the partition wall 7, the heat transfer members 33, 33 and the holding frames 5, 5
The space enclosed by the partition 7 and the partition 7 is referred to as a closed space 8, and by filling the closed space 8 with an inert gas, a problem of moisture resistance due to dew condensation or moisture in the air generated on the cooling side of the thermomodule 30. Has been eliminated. 6, reference numerals 61 and 62 denote connecting frames 58 and heat insulating materials 57 for passing lead wires connecting the thermomodule 30 and the terminals.
In FIG. 7, reference numeral 29 in FIG. 7 denotes a connection port which also serves as a thermometer mounting port for connecting the header 35 and the external flow path.

Further, in the illustrated heat exchange device 3 of the air cooling type, a large number of rod-shaped cooling fins 38 are attached to the outer surface side of the heat transfer material 33, and the thermo module 30 is provided.
The heat generated by the thermo module 30 when cooling the heat medium passed through the flow path 32 of the heat transfer material 31 is radiated by the cooling fins 38 via the heat transfer material 33. If a cooling water passage is provided in the heat transfer member 33 or a heat radiating member attached to the outer surface of the heat transfer member 33, a water cooling type can be obtained.

Next, the wearing unit 2 will be described.
The dressing unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 is intended to be worn when working under high heat, and in the illustrated example of a trouser type, it has a hole 21 for passing the head in the center. Two tubes 22, 22 are meanderingly attached to one surface of the exterior sheet 20. One end of each of the tubes 22, 22 is combined into one and connected to the water supply port 15 of the cooling / heating unit 1. The other ends are combined into one and connected to the water inlet 16.

As shown in FIG. 5, the tube 22 is attached to the exterior sheet 20 by attaching the exterior sheet 23 to one side of the exterior sheet 20 by sewing or heat sealing. This is performed by passing the tube 22 through the slit 24 formed in the outer sheet 23 for attachment.

The wearing unit 2 covers the front part and the back part of the torso of the wearer by passing the head through the hole 21, and utilizes the planar fasteners 24 provided on both sides of the exterior sheet 20. It is worn by connecting the front and rear parts, and at this time, it is worn so that the tube 22 is on the body side.

Here, as the exterior sheet 20,
It is preferable to use a material having good heat conductivity such as polytetrafluoroethylene resin and having little air permeability, and it is also preferable that the tube 22 be made of a material having good heat conductivity. Also in the tube 22, it is preferable to use a material having a low thermal conductivity in order to suppress heat radiation for a connection portion between the cooling / heating unit 1 and the mounting unit 2; It is preferable to form the unit 22 separately from the tube 22 and connect the two with a one-touch type pipe joint. Further, as the tube 22, a tube provided with a spiral metal wire and capable of securing an internal flow path even when pressure is applied from the outside can be suitably used.

Now, the wearing unit 2 is worn, the tube 22 is connected to the cooling / heating unit 1, and the heat exchanger 3
If the heat medium is cooled and supplied to the dressing unit 2,
The wearer of the wearing unit 2 is cooled by the heat medium passing through the tube 22, and in particular, since the outer sheet 20 of the wearing unit 2 has low air permeability, the entire space surrounded by the outer sheet 20 is removed. It is cooled by the heat medium passing through the tube 22, so that the entire part covered by the exterior sheet 20 is cooled almost uniformly to the wearer, and the discomfort that only the part in contact with the tube 22 is cooled is reduced. There is no such thing as feeling. The exterior sheet 20 preferably has not only low air permeability (or non-air permeability), but also a material having heat insulating properties and a material having excellent heat reflective properties, for example, a material having an aluminum foil on the inner surface. it can.

Since the cooling / heating unit 1 cools the heat medium by the electronic cooling / heating element as described above, the heat medium cooled to a required temperature is continuously supplied to the wearing unit 2 for a long time. It is possible to keep the wearer's torso constantly cool while the wearer is working under high heat. In addition, since the heating medium is cooled by the electronic cooling element, the settable range of the temperature of the heating medium is wide,
The temperature of the heat medium can be set to a temperature according to the ambient temperature of the work, and there is no possibility that the temperature of the heat medium is too cold or the cooling capacity is insufficient.

By reversing the direction of the current flowing through the thermoelectric element of the thermo module 30, the thermo module 30 can heat the heating medium. You can also warm it.

As the wearing unit 2, a unit capable of cooling (heating) the body of the worker as described above has been described. In addition to cooling the body, it can also be used when it is necessary to lower the body temperature for emergency or surgery.

Further, it can be used for icing after sports or bruising. FIG. 8 et seq. Shows a dressing unit 2 which can be suitably used for such a purpose.
8 shows the face, FIG. 9 shows the shoulder and elbow, FIG. 10 shows the knee, FIG. 11 shows the ankle and upper part, and FIG. 12 shows the whole body. In any case, since the tube 22 may be arranged on the sheet 20 having a shape capable of covering the portion to be cooled (heated), the wearing unit 2 according to the shape and the use of the body to be cooled can be easily created. In particular, if the draped sheet 20 is used, a seat that can be comfortably worn can be obtained, and a head and the like can be created.

The heating unit (coolant) of a required temperature can be supplied by simply connecting any type of wearing unit 2 to the cooling / heating unit 1 for cooling (heating) by the electronic cooling / heating element. In response to this, the temperature of the mounting portion of the mounting unit 2 can be maintained at the desired temperature.

Although the description has been made on the assumption of a human body, it goes without saying that the cooling / heating symmetry may be an organism other than the human body. In addition, the description has been given of the case where the cooling medium is supplied from the cooling / heating unit 1 for performing cooling or heating of the fluid as the heating medium by the electronic cooling / heating element to the mounting unit 2, but the heating medium having a desired temperature is supplied to the mounting unit. Any unit that can be used can be used in place of the cooling / heating unit 1.

[0032]

As described above, the present invention comprises a cooling / heating unit for cooling or heating a fluid as a heat medium by an electronic cooling / heating element, and a wearing unit to be attached to a living body. Since a tube serving as a liquid flow path is provided on the inner surface side of the sheet, and the fluid is supplied from the cooling / heating unit to the tube, the living body can be continuously cooled or heated for a long time. Since the cooling temperature or the heating temperature can be easily adjusted by controlling the current flowing through the electronic cooling / heating element, the living body can be maintained at a desired temperature.

At this time, if a non-permeable material or a low-permeability material is used as the exterior sheet in the wearing unit, the temperature of the portion covered by the exterior sheet can be kept substantially uniform. Since the temperature difference between the portion where the tube is in contact and the portion where the tube is not in contact is almost eliminated, not only does not cause discomfort, but also the arrangement density of the tubes in the wearing unit can be reduced, The wearing unit and the production are easy.

The thermal efficiency can be improved by disposing the tube on the inner surface side of the exterior sheet.

Also, by connecting the cooling or heating section of the fluid in the cooling / heating unit and the tube of the mounting unit by a circulation path, the fluid as a heat medium can be circulated and used. In addition to eliminating wasteful use of the medium, the heat medium once cooled or heated by the cooling / heating unit is cooled or warmed from the beginning even when it returns from the wearing unit, improving heat efficiency. be able to.

When a fluid as a heat medium is circulated and used, a cooling / heating device is provided with a reservoir tank for replenishing the fluid, so that it is possible to cope with leakage of the fluid and to remove air from the tube. The flight is also better.

Further, the cooling / heating unit includes a thermo module mainly composed of an electronic cooling / heating element, a first heat transfer material provided between the pair of thermo modules having a flow path for fluid, and a thermo module of each thermo module. The second, each arranged on the outer surface
Heat transfer material, a holding frame for holding and fixing between the two second heat transfer materials, and further disposed between the holding frames to surround the thermo module and the first heat transfer material, and to hold the holding frame and the second transfer material. If a heat exchange device consisting of a heat material and a partition wall forming an enclosed space for filling an inert gas is provided for cooling and heating the fluid, problems due to moisture generated by condensation and the like can be eliminated. In addition to eliminating the problem of the moisture resistance of the thermo module, the closed space is formed between the holding frame, the partition wall surrounding the thermo module, the second heat transfer material, and the holding frame. Therefore, the outer surface of the second heat transfer material
A heat-dissipating block can be arranged regardless of the air-cooling type.
A high-performance cooling / heating unit can be obtained because the degree of freedom of configuration can be increased and the volume of the enclosed space can be reduced, so that the required amount of inert gas is also small. Can be.

Further, the present invention comprises a unit for supplying a fluid as a heat medium and a wearing unit to be attached to a living body. The wearing unit is provided on the inner surface side of an exterior sheet made of a non-permeable material or a low-permeable material. A tube serving as a liquid flow path is formed as disposed, and the fluid from the unit is supplied to the tube in the wearing unit, so that the living body can be cooled or heated by a heat medium, Moreover, since the exterior sheet in the wearing unit here is made of a non-permeable material or a low-permeability material, it is covered with the exterior sheet when the heat medium flows in the tube arranged on the inner surface side of the exterior sheet. The temperature of the part is kept almost uniform, and there is almost no difference in temperature between the part where the tube contacts and the part where the tube does not contact, so it is uncomfortable On eliminated may like exert, in order to be able to lower the placement density of the tube in the wearing unit, the wearing unit is also manufactured also facilitated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a development view of a wearing unit according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cut-away side view of the cooling / heating unit.

FIG. 3 is a cutaway plan view of the cooling / heating unit according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cutaway front view of the cooling / heating unit.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show a tube mounting structure of the above-described wearing unit, wherein FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of one example, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view of another example.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger in the cooling / heating unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of a heat exchanger in the cooling / heating unit according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a front view showing another example of the above-mentioned wearing unit.

FIG. 9 shows still another example of the wearing unit according to the embodiment.
(a) is a front view, (b) is a development view.

10A and 10B show still another example of the above-described wearing unit, wherein FIG. 10A is a front view and FIG. 10B is a developed view.

11A and 11B show still another example of the above-mentioned wearing unit, wherein FIG. 11A is a front view and FIG. 11B is a developed view.

FIG. 12 is a development view showing still another example of the wearing unit according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cooling / heating unit 2 Wearing unit 20 Exterior sheet 22 Tube

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) A41D 31/02 A41D 31/02 J A61F 7/00 310 A61F 7/00 310J 310F

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A cooling / heating unit for cooling or heating a fluid as a heat medium by an electronic cooling / heating element, and a wearing unit attached to a living body, wherein the wearing unit has a liquid flow path on the inner surface side of an exterior sheet. A cooling and heating device for a living body, wherein a tube from the cooling and heating unit is supplied to the tube. 2. The cooling / heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exterior sheet is made of a non-permeable material or a low-permeable material. 3. The living body cooling / heating device according to claim 1, wherein the tube is exposed on the inner surface side of the exterior sheet. 4. The living body cooling system according to claim 1, wherein a cooling or heating unit for cooling the fluid in the cooling / heating unit and a tube of the mounting unit are connected by a circulation path.・ Heating device. 5. The cooling / heating device for a living body according to claim 4, wherein the cooling / heating device includes a reservoir tank for replenishing fluid. 6. A cooling / heating unit comprising: a thermo module mainly composed of an electronic cooling / heating element; a first heat transfer member provided between a pair of thermo modules having a flow path for flowing a fluid; A second heat transfer material disposed on the outer surface of the first heat transfer material, a holding frame for holding and fixing the second heat transfer material,
Further, the heat generated by the partition wall disposed between the holding frames and surrounding the thermo module and the first heat transfer material and forming a closed space for filling the inert gas with the holding frame and the second heat transfer material. The living body cooling / heating device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an exchange device for cooling / heating the fluid. 7. A unit for supplying a fluid as a heat medium, and a wearing unit to be attached to a living body, wherein the wearing unit is provided with a liquid flow path on an inner surface side of an exterior sheet made of a non-permeable material or a low-permeable material. A cooling / heating apparatus for a living body, characterized in that a tube is disposed and a fluid from the unit is supplied to the tube in the wearing unit.