JP7464257B2 - Head Cooling Device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a cooling device that cools the head of a person in bed or sleeping.

One example of a head cooling device is one that includes a head cooling pillow 2 on which the user's head rests, and a mechanical part 5 that is connected to the pillow 2 via flexible tubes 3 and 4, with cooling liquid circulating between the pillow 2 and the mechanical part 5 (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-126523 A

In the above device, a positive displacement pump such as a diaphragm pump is used as a pump for circulating the liquid. In this case, if the flow of water inside the pillow 2 or the tubes 3 and 4 is obstructed for some reason, the internal pressure of the pillow 2 or the tubes 3 and 4 may become excessive and may burst.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a head cooling device capable of preventing bursting of the pillow or tube.

The head cooling device according to the present invention is a head cooling device in which liquid pumped from a pump section of the device body is circulated between the device body and a pillow body via a connector, and the pump section is equipped with a non-positive displacement pump.

With the above configuration, if the flow of water through the pillow or tube is obstructed, the pump will run idle, preventing the pillow or tube from bursting.

1 is a perspective view of a head cooling device according to a first embodiment. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional perspective views of the device main body, in which FIG. 3A is a view seen from above the front side, and FIG. 3B is a view seen from above the rear side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device body in an exploded state, seen from above on the front side. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the disassembled device body as viewed from below and rear. 4A is a perspective view of the temperature adjustment unit as viewed from above on the rear side thereof, and FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the temperature adjustment unit as viewed from above on the front side thereof. 11 is a perspective view of the temperature adjusting unit in a disassembled state, seen from above on the rear side. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the temperature adjustment unit in a disassembled state, as viewed from above the front side. FIG. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a partition plate with a portion cut away, in which FIG. 1A is a view seen from below the rear side, and FIG. FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view illustrating the attachment of a pump unit, and FIG. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the device main body. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing the rear plate and the circuit section in an exploded state, in which FIG. 5A is a diagram seen from the front upper right, and FIG. 5B is a diagram seen from the front upper left. 1A and 1B are perspective views of a connection unit, and FIG. 1C is a diagram illustrating an attached state of the connection unit. 5A and 5B are diagrams illustrating the air flow inside the housing, where (a) is a right cross-sectional view and (b) is a plan cross-sectional view. 1A is a plan view of the pillow body, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a plan view of a pillow body according to a second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a connection flow path.

＜Overview＞
In one embodiment of the head cooling device, the pump section of the device main body circulates liquid between the device main body and a pillow body via a connecting member, and the pump section is equipped with a non-positive displacement pump.
In the head cooling device according to another aspect of the embodiment, the device body has a flow passage on the suction port side of the pump, and an area connected to the suction port is located higher than the suction port, thereby preventing water pressure from acting on the pump and causing malfunction due to air entrapment.
In the head cooling device according to another aspect of the embodiment, the device body supports the pump via a mounting fixture made of an elastic member, thereby absorbing vibrations of the pump.
In the head cooling device according to another aspect of the embodiment, the device body includes a temperature adjustment unit that adjusts the temperature of the liquid, the temperature adjustment unit includes a flow path unit that includes a temperature adjustment flow path through which the liquid flows, and a cooling unit that cools the liquid flowing through the temperature adjustment flow path, and a temperature sensor for temperature adjustment is provided on a metal plate facing the temperature adjustment flow path, thereby making it possible to measure the temperature of the liquid with high accuracy.

In the head cooling device according to another aspect of the embodiment, the pillow body has an inlet through which the liquid flows into the pillow body and an outlet through which the liquid flows out to the outside, and has a plurality of flow paths through which the liquid flows from the inlet to the outlet. This ensures the flow of the liquid even if one of the flow paths is blocked.
In the head cooling device according to another embodiment, the plurality of flow paths include a main flow path having the longest flow path length, and one or more sub-flow paths each formed by connecting an upstream flow path of the main flow path and a downstream flow path of the main flow path by one or more connecting flow paths, thereby forming a plurality of flow paths within the pillow body.
In the head cooling device according to another aspect of the embodiment, there are two or more connecting passages, and the flow path cross-sectional area of the downstream connecting passage is larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of the upstream connecting passage, thereby making it possible to increase the water pressure on the inlet side.

First Embodiment
1, the head cooling device X includes a device main body 1, a connector 6, and a pillow body 7. The head cooling device X circulates liquid, the temperature of which has been adjusted in the device main body 1, between the device main body 1 and the pillow body 7 via the connector 6 to cool the head of a person in bed or sleeping.
Each part of the head cooling device X will be described below.

2. Overall Apparatus Body (1) As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the apparatus body 1 includes a temperature adjustment unit 10, a pump unit 20, an operation display unit 30, and a circuit unit 40 housed within a housing 50.
Here, the state in which the device main body 1 is viewed from the front side with the operation display unit 30 located at the front side is taken as the front view. In the device main body 1 of this embodiment, the liquid returned from the pillow body 7 is sent back to the pillow body 7 via the temperature adjustment unit 10 and the pump unit 20.
Each part will be explained below.

(2) Temperature Adjustment Unit The temperature adjustment unit 10 adjusts the liquid sent out from the pump unit 20 and/or the liquid received by the pump unit 20 to a constant temperature or a temperature within a constant range. The temperature adjustment unit 10 cools the liquid sent out from the device main body 1 because the liquid is warmed by the head of a person in bed or sleeping in the pillow body 7. For example, a Peltier element is used for cooling, and the liquid is cooled by applying a voltage.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the temperature adjustment unit 10 at least includes a passage unit 100 having a passage therein for liquid, and a cooling unit 110 for cooling the liquid in the passage unit 100.
In this embodiment, in addition to the flow passage unit 100 and the cooling unit 110, for example, a heat dissipation unit 120 that dissipates heat from the cooling unit 110, a support plate 130 that supports the cooling unit 110, and a blower unit 140 that blows air inside the housing 50 to the outside are provided. The temperature adjustment unit 10 is fixed to the housing 50 via a partition plate 150.
The partition plate 150 can also be called an adjustment unit fixing tool since it fixes the temperature adjustment unit 10 to the housing 50. Also, the partition plate 150 reinforces the lower side of the housing 50, so it can also be called a frame of the device main body 1.
The temperature adjustment unit 10 here includes a temperature sensor 160 for the flow passage unit, a temperature sensor 163 for the heat dissipation unit, and a temperature and humidity sensor 166 for measuring the temperature and humidity in the room in which it is used.

(2-1) Flow Path Unit The flow path unit 100 is plate-shaped, and one of its main surfaces is in contact with the cooling unit 110. As shown in Fig. 6, the flow path unit 100 has a unit body 101 having a flow path groove 101a, a cover plate 103 that closes the groove 101a of the unit body 101, and a sealant 105 disposed between the unit body 101 and the cover plate 103. The groove 101a, whose recessed portion 101c is closed by the cover plate 103, constitutes a flow path for adjusting temperature.
The flow passage unit 100 is provided so that its main surfaces extend in the up, down, left and right directions.

(2-1-1) Unit body The unit body 101 has a plate-shaped portion 101b having a square, rectangular or similar shape, a recessed portion 101c formed on one main surface of the plate-shaped portion 101b, and two communication passages 101d, 101e that communicate with the recessed portion 101c from one side surface of the plate-shaped portion 101b. The communication passages 101d, 101e are provided spaced apart from each other above and below.

As shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 6, the recessed portion 101c has a rectangular, square or similar shape, and has a rib 101f for forming one groove 101a that connects from the top to the bottom. In other words, both ends of the groove 101a are connected to the communication paths 101d and 101e. This makes it easy to form the groove 101a.
The groove 101a here extends in a so-called zigzag shape, extending horizontally and then turning back. This allows a long groove 101a to be provided in the recess 101c, making it possible to reduce the size and improve cooling efficiency. Both ends of the groove 101a are on the same horizontal side (the side where the communication passage is located). This allows the left-right dimension of the unit body 101 to be reduced.

The upper communication passage 101d is a communication passage that flows into the recessed portion 101c, and the lower communication passage 101e is a communication passage that flows out from the recessed portion 101c. The upper communication passage 101d is connected to the connection unit 57 (see FIG. 1) of the device main body 1 via a tube (not shown), and the lower communication passage 101e is connected to the pump portion 20 (see FIG. 3 or FIG. 4) via a tube (not shown). The communication passages 101d and 101e protrude horizontally from the plate-shaped portion 101b. This makes it easy to connect to the tubes.

The following description will be mainly based on the enlarged view of FIG.
The unit body 101 has a seal groove 101g surrounding the recessed portion 101c of the plate-like portion 101b. An annular seal material (packing) 105 is disposed in the seal groove 101g.
The unit body 101 has a screw hole 101h near the outside of the seal groove 101g for a screw 109 for connecting to the cover plate 103. This can improve the sealing performance.
The unit body 101 has a protrusion 101j or a recess for positioning the cover plate 103 on the plate-shaped portion 101b.
As shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 7, the unit body 101 has a reinforcing rib portion 101k and a boss portion 101m on the other main surface of the plate-like portion 101b (the main surface on the side where the recessed portion 101c is not present). As shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 6, the unit body 101 has a boss portion 101n on one main surface of the plate-like portion 101b.

(2-1-2) Cover Plate The cover plate 103 is made of a metal plate, for example an aluminum plate. This can improve cooling efficiency. It has a shape corresponding to or similar to the plate-like portion 101b of the unit body 101. The cover plate 103 has a covering area 103a in the center that covers the recessed portion 101c of the unit body 101. The cover plate 103 is connected to the unit body 101 by inserting a screw 109 through the through hole 103b of the cover plate 103 and screwing it into the screw hole 101h of the plate-like portion 101b.

The cover plate 103 has through holes 103c and 103d which fit onto the boss portion 101n of the unit body 101 and the positioning protrusion portion 101j.
7, a flow path unit temperature sensor 160 is attached to the surface of the cover plate 103 facing the unit body 101. The temperature sensor 160 measures the temperature of the cover plate 103 which comes into contact with the liquid moving inside the flow path unit 100. This temperature is correlated with the liquid moving inside the flow path unit 100 and is obtained in advance by testing or the like. Based on the detection result of this temperature sensor 160, the control unit 41 adjusts the applied power of the cooling unit 110.

(2-2) Cooling Unit The cooling unit will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.
The cooling unit 110 utilizes a rectangular Peltier element, and is provided so that the heat absorbing surface 110a is in close contact with the cover plate 103 of the flow path unit 100, and the heat generating surface 110b is in close contact with the heat dissipation unit 120. This can improve the cooling efficiency and heat dissipation efficiency. The cooling unit 110 is provided in correspondence with the position of the recessed portion 101c in the flow path unit 100. This can improve the cooling efficiency.

(2-3) Heat Dissipation Unit This will be explained mainly with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.
The heat dissipation unit 120 has a base plate 121 having a shape of the flow passage unit 100 or a shape close to that, and a plurality of fins 123 provided on the base plate 121. The base plate 121 has screw holes 121a for screws 129 that connect the flow passage unit 100 and the heat dissipation unit 120. The plurality of fins 123 are plate-shaped, extend in the horizontal direction, and are provided at intervals in the vertical direction.
7, a heat dissipation unit temperature sensor 163 is attached to the surface of the base plate 121 facing the flow path unit 100. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 163 is too high, the control unit 41 reduces the applied power to the cooling unit 110 or stops the supply.

(2-4) Support Plate The following description will be given mainly with reference to FIGS.
The support plate 130 has a plate-like portion 131 having a shape corresponding to or similar to the shape of the flow path unit 100, a frame portion 132 provided on the peripheral edge of the surface of the plate-like portion 131 facing the flow path unit 100, and an opening portion 133 formed in the plate-like portion 131 for accommodating the cooling unit 110. The support plate 130 here is made of a resin material.
Both main surfaces of the plate-like portion 131 are flat. This improves adhesion between the cover plate 103 of the flow passage unit 100 and the cooling unit 110, and between the plate-like portion 131 and the base plate 121 of the heat dissipation unit 120. The plate-like portion 131 has a through hole 131a for the boss portion 101n of the flow passage unit 100 and a notch 131b for the temperature sensor 163.

5B, the frame portion 132 fits onto the outer side of the cover plate 103 of the flow path unit 100. This positions the support plate 130 relative to the flow path unit 100. The frame portion 132 fits into a step portion 101r of the unit body 101 of the flow path unit 100. This positions the support plate 130 relative to the flow path unit 100.
The opening 133 has a body accommodating region 133a that accommodates the body of the cooling unit 110, and two wire accommodating regions 133b that accommodate the lead wires 110c, 110d of the cooling unit 110. The thickness of the plate-like portion 131 corresponds to the thickness of the cooling unit 110.

(2-5) Blower Unit This will be explained mainly with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
The blower unit 140 uses, for example, a fan motor having blades and a drive motor integrated together.

(2-6) Partition Plate The partition plate 150 supports the cooling section 180, which is an integrated combination of the flow passage unit 100, the cooling unit 110, the heat dissipation unit 120, and the support plate 130, and is fixed to the housing 50.
The partition plate 150 is made of a resin material.
The following description will be mainly made with reference to FIG.
The partition plate 150 has a box-shaped portion 151 whose cross section corresponds to that of the flow passage unit 100. The box-shaped portion 151 has a bottom wall 152 and a peripheral wall 153.

The bottom wall 152 is flat and has the same or similar shape as the unit body 101. A pump rear support part 152a that supports the pump section 20 is provided on the front surface of the bottom wall 152. The pump rear support part 152a is provided on the lower side of the bottom wall 152. As shown in Fig. 9(a) , the pump rear support part 152a has a fitting groove 152b that fits with a flange part 203b of a rubber bushing 203 of the pump section 20. The upper and lower walls 152c that form the fitting groove 152b correspond to the cylindrical accommodation part 203a of the rubber bushing 203 and are semicircular when viewed from above.
7, the bottom wall 152 has a plurality of through holes 152d for screws 189 for attaching the cooling unit 180. The screws 189 are inserted through the through holes 152d of the bottom wall 152 and screwed into screw holes 101p (see enlarged view) of a boss portion 101m at a corner of the flow path unit 100.

8, the peripheral wall 153 extends horizontally or vertically from the four sides of the bottom wall 152, and has a step 153a extending outward in the up-down or left-right direction along the way. The peripheral wall 153 has an inner wall portion 153b closer to the bottom wall 152 than the step 153a, and an outer wall portion 153c closer to the opening than the step 153a. A cutout portion 153e for the temperature sensor 160 is provided in the portion located on the left side of the peripheral wall 153.
5B, the step 153a abuts against the front surface of the frame portion 132 of the support plate 130. The inner wall portion 153b abuts against or is close to the side surface of the unit body 101 of the passage unit 100, and the outer wall portion 153c abuts against or is close to the support plate 130. This allows the cooling portion 180 to be firmly positioned and supported.
As shown in FIG. 7, the partition plate 150 has an opening 153 d for the communication passages 101 d and 101 e of the passage unit 100 , which extends across the peripheral wall 153 and the bottom wall 152 .

The partition plate 150 has a flange wall that protrudes radially outward from the step 153a of the peripheral wall 153. The flange wall has an upper wall portion 155 provided on the upper wall portion of the peripheral wall 153, a lower wall portion 156 provided on the lower wall portion of the peripheral wall 153, a right wall portion 157 provided on the right wall portion of the peripheral wall 153, and a left wall portion 158 provided on the left wall portion of the peripheral wall 153.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the upper wall portion 155 extends rearward directly from an outer wall portion 153c located on the upper side of the peripheral wall 153.
As shown in Fig. 8(a), the lower wall portion 156 extends downward from a portion where there is a step 153a located on the lower side of the peripheral wall 153, and then extends rearward. As shown in Fig. 8(b), the lower wall portion 156 has a plurality of rib portions 156a spaced apart in the left-right direction and connected to the outer wall portion 153c located on the lower side of the peripheral wall 153. This reinforces the lower wall portion 156 and the outer wall portion 153c.

8B, the right wall portion 157 extends rightward from a portion where the step 153a is located on the right side of the peripheral wall 153, and then extends rearward while widening to the right. The left wall portion 158, like the right wall portion 157, extends leftward from a portion where the step 153a is located on the left side of the peripheral wall 153, and then extends rearward while widening to the left.
7, the right wall portion 157 and the left wall portion 158 have through holes 157a, 158a for screws that fix the partition plate 150 to the housing 50, and through holes 157b, 158b through which a boss portion 517a of a front joining portion 517 for joining the front plate 51 and the rear plate 52 that constitute the housing 50 is inserted. Note that the through holes 157a, 158a are provided in a portion extending in the left-right direction, and the through holes 157b, 158b are provided in a portion extending while inclining rearward.

5A, the partition plate 150 has a mounting portion 159 for mounting the temperature and humidity sensor 166. The mounting portion 159 is provided on the left wall portion 158 in this embodiment. This allows the space between the cooling portion 180 and the housing 50 to be used effectively. Furthermore, the temperature and humidity sensor 166 can be mounted without the need to take the trouble of providing a member for mounting the temperature and humidity sensor 166.
The temperature and humidity sensor 166 is located in the intake port 522a on the left rear side 522 of the rear panel 52 of the housing 50, at an opening located below the partition plate 47 and approximately in the center in the vertical direction. This makes it possible to measure the temperature and humidity of the air taken in from the entire intake port 522a.

The mounting portion 159 has a positioning portion that abuts against a side surface of a board 167 on which the temperature and humidity sensor 166 is mounted to position the same, and a fixing portion that fixes the board 167 in place.
As shown in Fig. 8, the positioning portion is composed of protruding portions 159a and 159b that protrude rearward from the left wall portion 158. Protruding portion 159a abuts against the upper side of the base plate 167 and is provided by utilizing a plate-shaped upper rib 159c. Protruding portion 159b abuts against the lower side of the base plate 167 and is provided by utilizing a plate-shaped lower rib 159d and a boss 159e. The lower rib 159d and the boss 159e are partially integrated.
The partition plate 150 has a through hole 158 d and a notch 158 e in the left wall portion 158 for the wiring of the temperature sensor 160 and the wiring of the temperature and humidity sensor 166 .

(3) Pump Section As shown in Fig. 9, the pump section 20 includes at least a pump 201 that circulates a liquid. The pump 201 here is a non-positive displacement pump. More specifically, it is a magnet pump, and in Fig. 9, it is shown integrated with a motor.
By using a non-positive displacement pump for the pump section 20, even if the liquid circulation flow path is blocked for some reason, the pump 201 will run idly and the liquid will not be able to circulate, and it is possible to prevent damage to the tubes 61, 63, etc. due to an overload of the pump. Furthermore, the use of a non-positive displacement pump can increase durability and enable long-term use.

The pump unit 20 has a mounting fixture for mounting the pump 201 to the device. The mounting fixture is made of an elastic material such as rubber or foam material. The mounting fixture utilizes, for example, a rubber bushing 203. This absorbs vibrations of the pump 201 during operation. This reduces noise generated by the vibrations of the pump 201, preventing it from disturbing the sleep of a person who is asleep.
The rubber bushing 203 has a housing portion 203a that houses the motor side of the pump 201, and a flange portion 203b that protrudes radially from the open end of the housing portion 203a. The flange portion 203b has a rectangular outer circumferential shape when viewed from above, and fits into the fitting groove 152b of the pump rear support portion 152a of the partition plate 150 of the temperature adjustment unit 10, and is supported from the front side by the pump front support portion 515 of the front plate 51 of the housing 50 shown in FIG.

(4) Operation Display Unit This will be explained mainly with reference to Figs.
The operation display unit 30 includes a plurality of operation units 31 for the user to operate the device, and a plurality of display units 33 for showing the operating status of the device and the user's operation contents, which are mounted on an operation board 35. The operation display unit 30 is attached by screwing a screw 39 passing through a through hole of the operation board 35 into a screw hole provided in a boss portion 540c of the top plate 54 of the housing 50.

The multiple operation units 31 include a mode selection unit for selecting an operating mode of the device, a temperature selection unit for selecting the temperature of the pillow body 7 when manual operation is selected, a time input unit for inputting the operating time when manual operation is selected, a start unit for starting operation, and a stop unit for stopping operation.
There are two operation modes: automatic operation and manual operation, in which the user sets the operation mode. There are three temperature selections: "high", "medium" and "low". Operation time can be input in 30-minute increments within a specified time. The time input unit can be used by pressing the "+" and "-" buttons.

The multiple display units 33 include a sensor display unit that displays the detection results of the temperature and humidity sensor 166, a mode display unit that displays the selection result of automatic operation or manual operation mode, a time display unit that displays the input result of the operation time, and a temperature display unit that shows the input result of the cooling temperature.
The sensor display unit displays the indoor temperature and humidity conditions as a "temperature and humidity navigator" in three stages: "Caution", "Slight Caution" and "Appropriate". The mode display unit indicates automatic or manual operation. The time display unit displays in 30-minute increments, for example, "5.5h". In addition, when operation starts, the time display unit displays the elapsed time or remaining time. The temperature display unit displays in three stages: "Strong", "Medium" and "Weak".

A cover sheet 545 on which operation and display contents are printed is attached to the area of the top plate 54 of the housing 50 corresponding to the operation display unit 30. The top plate 54 is configured so that the portion corresponding to the operation unit 31 is elastically deformable, and has a through hole or the like in the portion corresponding to the display unit 33.

(5) Circuit Section This will be explained mainly with reference to FIGS.
The circuit section 40 includes a control unit 41 (see FIG. 10) that controls the temperature adjustment section 10 and the pump section 20 according to the operation contents of the user and controls the temperature adjustment section 10 etc. based on the detection results of the temperature sensor 160 etc., and a power supply unit etc. for driving the control unit 41, the cooling unit 110, the pump section 20 etc. Note that the control unit 41 and the power supply unit are configured by mounting them on a circuit board 46 in which a plurality of electronic components 45 are circuit-configured, as shown in FIG. 3.
The circuit board 46 is mounted on a partition plate 47 , and the partition plate 47 is attached to a housing 50 .

(5-1) Control Unit This will be explained with reference to FIG.
The control unit 41 includes a CPU 411 , a memory 413 , a timer 415 , etc., and controls the entire apparatus main body 1 based on computer programs and various setting data stored in the memory 413 .
When the start unit is operated, the control unit 41 controls the temperature adjustment section 10 (cooling unit 110) using the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 160, and controls the temperature adjustment section 10 and the pump section 20 using the time measured by the timer 415. Specifically, when the start unit is operated, the control unit 41 executes a computer program corresponding to the operated operation mode.
The memory 413 is composed of a RAM, a ROM, or a flash memory for use by the CPU 411 .

When the detection result of the temperature sensor 163 attached to the heat dissipation unit 120 is outside the threshold value for the detection result of the temperature sensor 160 attached to the flow path unit 100 (cover plate 103), the control unit 41 performs control such as reducing the power applied to the cooling unit 110 or increasing the driving power of the blower unit 140.
The control unit 41 displays the sensor display unit of the operation display section 30 based on the detection result of the temperature and humidity sensor 166. This allows the user to change the cooling temperature and operation mode according to the indoor temperature and humidity conditions before or during operation.

The control unit 41 changes the temperature setting of the "temperature and humidity navigation" based on the result of the temperature and humidity sensor 166. In other words, the control unit 41 changes the setting of the cooling temperature of the liquid based on the detection result of the temperature and humidity sensor 166. In other words, the temperature settings of the cooling temperature "strong", "medium" and "weak" are changed according to the "caution", "slight caution" and "appropriate" indicated by the temperature and humidity navigation. For example, when the temperature and humidity in the room are appropriate (the temperature and humidity navigation displays "appropriate"), the temperature of "strong" is set to 21°C, the temperature of "medium" is set to 23°C and the temperature of "weak" is set to 25°C, and when the temperature and humidity in the room are high (the temperature and humidity navigation displays "caution"), the temperature of "strong" is set to 18°C, the temperature of "medium" is set to 20°C and the temperature of "weak" is set to 22°C. This allows the strength of the cooling temperature to be automatically adjusted according to the temperature and humidity conditions in the room. At this time, since it is performed based on the detection result of the temperature and humidity sensor 166, the temperature setting is based on an objective judgment. In addition, the temperature and humidity sensor 166 is installed upstream (on the intake side) of the heat dissipation unit 120, so it is less susceptible to the effects of heat exhausted from the heat dissipation unit 120.

(5-2) Power Supply Unit The power supply unit generates drive power from a commercial power source received via the outlet 48 for driving the control unit 41, the pump section 20, the cooling unit 110, the sensors 160, 163, 166, and the like.

(5-3) Partition Plate Description will be mainly given with reference to FIG.
As described above, the partition plate 47 has a function of mounting the circuit board 46 on which the control unit 41 and the electronic components 45 for the power supply unit are mounted, and a function of attaching the circuit board 46 to the housing 50 .
The partition plate 47 has a function of dividing (separating) the inside of the housing 50 into a circuit system housing section that houses the operation display section 30 and the circuit section 40, and a drive system housing section that houses the temperature adjustment section 10 and the pump. This makes it possible to suppress heat transfer from the drive system housing section to the circuit system housing section.

The partition plate 47 has a flat plate portion 470 that is perpendicular to the vertical direction of the housing 50. The flat plate portion 470 is shaped to block the inside of the housing 50 except for a part when viewed from above. The part here includes the part where the connection unit 57 is located. More specifically, it is the right side part. In other words, the outer peripheral edge of the partition plate 47 is shaped to abut or be close to the inner peripheral surface of the housing 50 except for the right rear part when the inside of the housing 50 is viewed from above. This makes it possible to reinforce the peripheral wall that constitutes the housing 50. In addition, since the partition plate 47 is close to the inner peripheral surface of the housing 50, the flow of air from the drive system housing section to the circuit system housing section is regulated, and heat transfer from the drive system housing section can be suppressed.

The flat plate portion 470 has a board mounting area 470a on the upper surface on the rear side, on which the circuit board 46 is mounted. The flat plate portion 470 is attached to the housing 50 in a state in which it abuts against the outer wall portion 153c and the upper wall portion 155 located on the upper side of the peripheral wall 153 of the partition plate 150 (see FIG. 13A). This allows the flat plate portion 470 to be supported by the partition plate 150, and the thickness can be reduced. Note that since the upper wall portion 155 and the like of the partition plate 150 are also close to or abut against the upper surface of the flow path unit 100, the reinforcing effect of the partition plate 47 is large.
The flat plate portion 470 has, in the board mounting area 470a, rib portions 470b for supporting the circuit board 46 with a gap therebetween in the vertical direction, boss portions 470c having screw holes for fixing the circuit board 46 with screws 49, and rib portions 470d that protrude around the circuit board 46 and position the circuit board 46. A rib portion 470e for supporting and positioning the circuit board 46 is also provided.
The flat plate portion 470 has one or more exhaust ports 470f in a substrate mounting area 470a located above the blower unit 140, for discharging air from within the circuit system accommodating portion to the blower unit 140. The exhaust ports 470f here extend in the front-rear direction, and a plurality of them are provided at intervals in the left-right direction.

The partition plate 47 has a right standing plate portion 471 at the right end in the left-right direction of the flat plate portion 470. The right standing plate portion 471 is provided from the middle part in the front-rear direction to the front part of the flat plate portion 470. The partition plate 47 has an upper flat plate portion 472 that extends from the upper end of the right standing plate portion 471 to the right side in the left-right direction. The right end of the upper flat plate portion 472 abuts or is close to the inner surface on the right side of the housing 50. This allows the right side portion of the housing 50 to be reinforced. The front end of the upper flat plate portion 472 abuts or is close to the inner surface on the front side of the housing 50. This allows the front portion of the housing 50 to be reinforced.

The partition plate 47 has a left standing plate portion 473 at the left end of the flat plate portion 470. The left standing plate portion 473 is provided from the middle portion in the front-rear direction of the flat plate portion 470 to the middle portion of the front part. The left standing plate portion 473 is provided on the left side of the housing 50, along the inner surface of the middle portion in the front-rear direction. This reinforces the left middle portion of the housing 50.
The partition plate 47 has a neutral plate portion 474 in a portion of the flat plate portion 470 that is forward of the substrate mounting area 470a (a portion located forward of the center in the front-to-rear direction). The neutral plate portion 474 connects the right and left standing plate portions 471 and 473. This allows the flat plate portion 470, the right and left standing plate portions 471 and 473 to be reinforced.
The partition plate 47 has a front upright plate portion 475 at the front end of the flat plate portion 470. The front upright plate portion 475 connects the right upright plate portion 471 and the left upright plate portion 473. This makes it possible to reinforce the flat plate portion 470, the right upright plate portion 471, and the left upright plate portion 473. The front upright plate portion 475 abuts against or is close to the inner surface on the front side of the housing 50. This makes it possible to reinforce the front portion of the housing 50.

(6) Housing The housing 50, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, is composed of a front panel 51, a rear panel 52, and a top panel 54. The housing 50 is box-shaped, as shown in Figure 2. The front panel 51 houses the front portion of the temperature adjustment unit 10, the rear panel 52 houses the rear portion of the temperature adjustment unit 10, and the operation display unit 30 and the circuit unit 40 are housed above the front panel 51 and the rear panel 52.
As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 50 includes a connection unit 57 on the top plate 54, which is connected to the connector 6.

(6-1) Front Panel As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the front panel 51 has a front portion 510 corresponding to the entire area of the front surface of the housing 50, a right front portion 511 corresponding to the front area of the right surface of the housing 50, a left front portion 512 corresponding to the front area of the left surface of the housing 50, and a bottom front portion 513 corresponding to the front area of the bottom surface of the housing 50.
The front panel 51 does not have any through holes for ventilation between the inside and outside of the housing 50. This makes it difficult for sounds caused by the driving noise and vibrations of the pump 210 of the pump section 20 during operation to leak to the outside, improving quietness.

2B, the front plate 51 has a pump front support part 515 that supports the front part of the pump section 20. The pump front support part 515 is provided on the lower side of the front surface part 510. The pump front support part 515 abuts against the flange part 203b of the rubber bushing 203 of the pump section 20 from the front side. As a result, the flange part 203b of the pump section 20 is pressed toward the rear side inside the fitting groove 152b of the pump rear support part 152a.
The front panel 51 has an upper joint 516 with the top panel 54. As shown in Fig. 4, the upper joint 516 is provided at the upper end of the front surface 510 and in the center in the left-right direction. The upper joint 516 has a fitting groove that is open at the top, and a lower flange 541 extending downward of the top panel 54 fits into the fitting groove.

The front plate 51 has a front joint 517 for joining with the rear plate 52. The front joint 517 has a boss portion 517a in which a screw hole 517b for joining with the rear plate 52 by a screw 59 (see FIG. 3) is formed. The boss portions 517a are provided at four locations on the top, bottom, left and right of the front plate 51, and are provided from the front surface 510 along the right surface front portion 511, the left surface front portion 512 or the bottom surface front portion 513. The two boss portions 517a on the lower side pass through the through holes 157b, 158b of the partition plate 150 of the temperature adjustment unit 10. From this point of view, the two lower boss portions 517a constitute a support portion that supports the temperature adjustment unit 10.

(6-2) Rear Panel As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rear panel 52 has a rear portion 520 corresponding to the entire area of the rear surface of the housing 50, a right rear portion 521 corresponding to the rear area of the right surface of the housing 50, a left rear portion 522 corresponding to the rear area of the left surface of the housing 50, and a bottom rear portion 523 corresponding to the rear area of the bottom surface of the housing 50.
The rear part 520 has an intake port 520a in the upper part above the partition plate 47 and an exhaust port 520b in the lower part. The right rear part 521 and the left rear part 522 have intake ports 521a and 522a. The horizontal lattice part 520c constituting the intake port 520a of the rear part 520 is concealed. This can prevent dust, water, and other moisture from entering through the intake port 520a. The concealed part is a structure in which the horizontal lattice parts 520c are installed so as to overlap each other when the intake port 520a is viewed from the rear (the direction from which the intake air flows), so that the inside of the housing cannot be seen through. The positional relationship between the intake ports 520a, 521a, 522a, the exhaust port 520b, and the blower unit 140 will be described later.
As shown in FIG. 3, a filter 58 is provided below the partition plate 47 in the air intakes 521a and 522a.

As shown in FIG. 11, the rear plate 52 has a storage space 524 that stores the lower side of the connection unit 57. The storage space 524 is formed in a portion that is not blocked by the partition plate 47 when the inside of the housing 50 is viewed from above. The rear plate 52 has a horizontal plate portion 524a and a standing plate portion 524b for forming the storage space 524. The horizontal plate portion 524a extends so as to straddle the right-side rear portion 521 and the right side portion of the rear portion 520. The standing plate portion 524b stands upright from the left end of the horizontal plate portion 524a. The storage space 524 is composed of the horizontal plate portion 524a, the standing plate portion 524b, the right-side rear portion 521, and the right side portion of the rear portion 520. As a result, the connection unit 57 and the circuit portion 40 side (circuit system storage portion) are partitioned by the standing plate portion 524b, and liquid can be prevented from leaking to the circuit portion 40 side.

The lower surface of the horizontal plate portion 524a and the lower surface of the flat plate portion 470 of the partition plate 47 are substantially flush with each other. Therefore, even if liquid leaks from the connection unit 57 in the accommodation space 524, the liquid can be prevented from flowing from the horizontal plate portion 524a into the circuit system accommodation portion. The horizontal plate portion 524a is provided such that its front end portion overlaps with the rear end portion of the upper wall portion 155 of the partition plate 150. This can improve the sealing performance between the horizontal plate portion 524a and the partition plate 150.
The tube connecting the connection unit 57 to the temperature adjustment section 10 or the pump section passes through the storage space between the right upright plate section 471 of the partition plate 47, the upper flat plate section 472, and the housing 50 (front plate 51).

As shown in Fig. 11, the rear plate 52 has a partition plate support portion 525 that supports the partition plate 47. The partition plate support portion 525 supports the peripheral portion on the rear side of the flat plate portion 470 of the partition plate 47. The rear side is located rearward of the rear ends of the right standing plate portion 471 and the left standing plate portion 473. The partition plate support portion 525 is provided on the rear surface portion 520, the left rear side portion 522, and the inner surface of the standing plate portion 524b. The partition plate support portion 525 has fitting grooves 525a that fit with the rear end of the flat plate portion of the partition plate 47 and the left and right ends of the flat plate portion 470 at the rear side. The fitting grooves 525a are formed in the horizontal direction.
The rear plate 52 has a plurality of rib portions 525c formed on a horizontal plate portion (a frame fitting portion 526a of a blower unit support portion 526 described later) below the fitting groove 525a and having upper surfaces inclined upward toward the rear. This allows the flat plate portion 470 to be guided into the fitting groove 525a.
In addition, with the flat plate portion 470 supported by the partition plate support portion 525 (engaged in the engagement groove 525a), the partition plate 47 is fixed to the rear plate 52 by inserting the screw 59 connecting the front plate 51 and the rear plate 52 through the through hole 473b in the protruding portion 473a of the left upright plate portion 473 of the partition plate 47.

The rear panel 52 has a blower unit support part 526 that supports the blower unit 140. The blower unit support part 526 has a frame fitting part 526a that fits into the frame 141 of the blower unit 140 shown in FIG. 6, and a boss part 526c that has a screw hole 526b for a screw that passes through the through hole 141a of the frame 141.

The rear plate 52 has a filter support part 527 that supports the filter 58. The filter support part 527 has a lower support part 527a that supports the filter 58 from below, and left and right support parts 527b that support the rear end part of the filter 58 from the inside in the left-right direction. The lower support part 527a is provided on the lower side of the right rear part 521 and the left rear part 522. One or more left and right support parts 527b are provided at intervals in the vertical direction on the rear side of the right rear part 521 and the left rear part 522.

The rear plate 52 has a positioning portion 528 that positions the temperature adjustment unit 10 together with the front plate 51. The left and right ends and the lower end of the partition plate 150 of the temperature adjustment unit 10 are supported from the front and rear directions by the front plate 51 and the rear plate 52. More specifically, a groove is formed at the butted portion of the front plate 51 and the rear plate 52, and the left and right ends and the lower end of the partition plate 150 are fitted into the groove. The groove is composed of a step at the opening side end of the rear plate 52 and an end face on the opening side with the front plate 51. The step of the rear plate 52 abuts against the partition plate 150 in the fitted state from the rear side, so it also functions as the positioning portion 528. The positioning portion 528 is provided in a portion lower than the partition plate 47.

The rear plate 52 has a fixing portion 530 that fixes the temperature adjustment unit 10. Fixation is performed with a screw 188 (see FIG. 3), and the fixing portion 530 is configured with a screw hole 530b provided in the boss portion 530a. The screw 188 is inserted through the through holes 157a, 158a (see FIG. 7) of the partition plate 150 and screwed into the screw hole 530b of the fixing portion 530.

The rear plate 52 has a rear coupling portion 532 that couples to the front plate 51. Fixation is performed with a screw 59 (see FIG. 3), and the rear coupling portion 532 is configured with a through hole 532b provided in a boss portion 532a. The screw 59 is inserted through the through hole 532b of the rear coupling portion 532 and screwed into the screw hole 517b of the front coupling portion 517 of the front plate 51.
The rear plate 52 has a position restricting portion that restricts the position of the temperature adjusting unit 10 from the rear side. The position restricting portion is formed by the end faces of the two boss portions 532a on the lower side of the rear joint portion 532. In other words, with the left and right ends and the lower end of the partition plate 150 abutting against the step as described above, the end faces of the boss portions 532a abut against the end faces of the boss portions 157f, 158f of the partition plate 150 of the temperature adjusting unit 10 from the rear side.

The rear plate 52 has a connection unit holding portion 534 that holds a connector 571 of the connection unit 57. The connection unit holding portion 534 is configured with fitting grooves 534a, 534b that support, from both the left and right sides, a connector base 571a (see FIG. 12) of the connection unit 57 that is inserted from the front side. The fitting grooves 534a, 534b extend in the front-rear direction. The fitting groove 534a is provided in the standing plate portion 524b, and the fitting groove 534b is provided in the boss portion 532a.
As shown in Fig. 4, the rear plate 52 has a protrusion 535 that protrudes rearward from the rear surface portion 520 and extends in the left-right direction. A plurality of protrusions 535 (two in this example) are provided at intervals vertically. The upper protrusion 535 is provided between the intake port 520a and the exhaust port 520b. The lower protrusion 535 is provided below the exhaust port 520b. This makes it possible to prevent the intake port 520a and the exhaust port 520b from being blocked, for example, even if the device main body 1 is brought close to a wall of a room, etc.

3 and 4, the top plate 54 has an outer plate-like portion 540, a lower flange portion 541 that protrudes downward from the inside of the periphery of the outer plate-like portion 540, and mounting portions 542 for mounting the top plate 54 to the front plate 51 and the rear plate 52. A connection unit 57 is mounted on the top plate 54, and the operation board 35 of the operation display unit 30 is also mounted on the top plate 54.

The outer plate-like portion 540 has an operation display unit mounting area 540a for mounting the operation display unit 30, and a connection unit mounting area 540b for mounting the connection unit 57.
The operation display unit mounting area 540a is provided on the front side. The outer plate-shaped part 540 has a boss part 540c on the back side of the operation display unit mounting area 540a for mounting the operation board 35 at a distance from the outer plate-shaped part 540. The operation board 35 is mounted to the top plate 54 by inserting the screw 39 through the through hole of the operation board 35 and screwing it into the screw hole of the boss part 540c while the operation board 35 abuts against the boss part 540c from below.
The connection unit mounting area 540b is configured by a notch, and as shown in FIG. 12C, a base portion 570 of the connection unit 57 is detachably mounted in the notch (540b). This allows the connection unit 57 to be replaced even if it is damaged. The base portion 570 has the same shape as the peripheral portion of the connection unit mounting area 540b on the top plate 54. This improves the design of the entire device.
The outer plate-like portion 540 has an extension portion 540e that extends downward from the back surface in a plate-like shape. The extension portion 540e is formed so as to surround the connection unit mounting area 540b. This allows the connection unit 57 and the operation and display portion 30 to be separated, and prevents liquid from leaking to the operation and display portion 30 side.
The peripheral edge of the outer plate-like portion 540 curves downward, and the curved tip abuts against the upper end surface of the front plate 51 and the upper end surface of the rear plate 52. This can improve the design of the entire device.

The lower flange 541 abuts against the inner surface of the upper end of the front plate 51 and the inner surface of the upper end of the rear plate 52. As a result, the top plate 54 fits into the upper end of the cylindrical portion formed by the joined front plate 51 and rear plate 52, and the top plate 54 is positioned in the horizontal direction.
The mounting portion 542 is provided on the periphery of the outer plate-like portion 540. An engagement structure is utilized for mounting, and the mounting portion 542 is composed of an engaging protruding portion 542a that engages with the engaging recessed portions 519a, 529a of the front plate 51 and the rear plate 52, and an engaging recessed portion 542b that engages with the engaging protruding portions 519b, 529b of the front plate 51 and the rear plate 52.

(7) Connection Unit As shown in (a) and (b) of FIG. 12, the connection unit 57 is mounted in the connection unit mounting area 540b of the top plate 54 and includes a base portion 570 supporting the two tubes 61, 63 that constitute the connecting body 6, and a connector 571 that connects to the two tubes 61, 63.
The two tubes 61 and 63 are supported by the base portion 570 via a cap 573 while being fixed with tape 572 .
The base portion 570 is made of a plate member having the same shape as the connection unit mounting area 540b on the top plate 54. The base portion 570 has a mounting portion 570a to be mounted on the rear plate 52. An engagement structure is used for mounting, and the base portion 570 is made of an engagement recess portion that engages with an engagement protrusion portion 521c (see FIG. 11(b)) of the rear plate 52.
The connector 571 has connection parts 571b, 571c that protrude upward and downward from the connector base 571a in a cylindrical shape. The tubes 61, 63 are connected to the connection part 571b that protrudes upward, and the tubes (not shown) that connect to the temperature adjustment unit 10 and the pump unit 20 are connected to the connection part 571c that protrudes downward. The connector 571 is attached to the rear plate 52 by being inserted from the front side into the fitting groove 534a of the standing plate part 524b of the rear plate 52 and the fitting groove 534b provided in the boss part 532a of the right surface rear side part 521.
The connector 571 is attached to the housing space 524 located above the partition plate 47 inside the housing 50. Therefore, the connector 571 is located above the pump unit 20, and water pressure acts on the pump 201, so that the so-called "priming effect" prevents air from entering and prevents malfunction.

(8) Assembly The cooling section 180 is an integrated assembly of the flow passage unit 100, the cooling unit 110, the heat dissipation unit 120, and the support plate 130. An example of assembly of the cooling section 180 will be described below.
The cooling unit 110 is disposed in a main body accommodating area 133 a of the opening 133 of the support plate 130 , and the lead wires 110 c and 110 d of the cooling unit 110 are disposed in a wire accommodating area 133 b of the opening 133 .
In this state, the base plate 121 of the heat dissipation unit 120 is abutted against the rear surface of the support plate 130, and the cover plate 103 of the flow path unit 100 is abutted against the front surface of the support plate 130. At this time, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 6, the boss portion 101n of the flow path unit 100 is fitted into the through hole 131a of the support plate 130.
Then, the screw 129 is inserted from the front side through the through hole 101q of the boss portions 101m and 101n of the flow path unit 100 and the through hole 131a of the support plate 130, and screwed into the screw hole 121a of the base plate 121 of the heat dissipation unit 120. The head of the screw 129 abuts against the bottom portion of the boss portion 101n of the flow path unit 100, as shown in the enlarged view of part B in FIG.

By assembling the cooling section 180 having the above-mentioned configuration in this manner, it is possible to prevent the cooling unit 110 from being damaged during assembly.
That is, the resin unit body 101 of the flow passage unit 100 is fixed to the base plate 121 of the heat dissipation unit 120 by the screw 129. As a result, the cooling unit 110 is supported by the support plate 130 in a state where it is sandwiched between the flow passage unit 100 and the heat dissipation unit 120. The compressive load acting on the cooling unit 110 is caused by the screw 129 being screwed into the base plate 121, and is transmitted from the boss portion 101n in which the screw 129 is housed to the plate-like portion 101b and the cover plate 103. Therefore, the compressive force acting on the cooling unit 110 can be made smaller than when the cover plate 103 is directly fixed to the base plate 121 by the screw. In other words, the clamping force between the cover plate 103 and the base plate 121 caused by the fastening of the screw 129 is reduced by the elastic deformation between the boss portion 101n and the plate-like portion 101b due to the cooling unit 110 being interposed. In particular, since the boss portion 101n has a certain height, the amount of elastic deformation is large, and damage to the cooling unit 110 can be prevented.

By assembling the cooling section 180 having the above-mentioned configuration in this manner, the heat transfer in the cooling unit 110 can be made efficient.
That is, the heat absorbing surface of the cooling unit 110 is designed to abut against the metallic cover plate 103 of the flow passage unit 100, and the heat generating surface of the cooling unit 110 is designed to abut against the metallic base plate 121 of the heat dissipation unit 120. At this time, since the resin unit body 101 that fixes the cover plate 103 is fixed to the base plate 121 of the heat dissipation unit 120 with screws 129, there is no direct contact between the cover plate 103 and the base plate 121, and heat transfer between them can be restricted.

(9) Air Flow This will be explained with reference to FIG.
When the operation of the apparatus main body 1 starts, a voltage is applied to the cooling unit 110 and the fan of the air blowing unit 140 starts rotating.
By the rotation of the fan, the air in the drive system space present below the partition plate 47 in the housing 50 is exhausted to the outside from the exhaust port 520b as indicated by the arrow A. In addition, by driving the blower unit 140, heat from the heat dissipation unit 120 is released to the outside together with the air.
When the blower unit 140 is operated, negative pressure is created inside the housing 50, and air is drawn into the housing 50 through air intake 520a on the rear portion 520 as shown by arrow B in (a) of the same figure, air intake 521a on the right-side rear portion 521 as shown by arrow C in (b) of the same figure, and air intake 522a on the left-side rear portion 522 as shown by arrow D in (b) of the same figure.
In this case, as shown in (b) of the same figure, the blower unit 140 is arranged in the center in the left-right direction within the housing 50 (in other words, the distance between the right-side rear portion 521 and the blower unit 140 and the distance between the left-side rear portion 522 and the blower unit 140 are approximately equal), so that air is evenly drawn into the drive system space from the left and right air intakes 521a, 522a, thereby reducing the wind noise of the fan of the blower unit 140.

By driving the blower unit 140, air is drawn into the circuit system space in the housing 50 from the intake port 520a in the rear surface portion 520 and the intake port 522a located above the partition plate 47 in the left rear side portion 522, as shown by the arrow B in Fig. 2A. The drawn-in air moves from the exhaust port 47f of the partition plate 47 to the drive system space, as shown by the arrow E in Fig. 2A. In this way, air from outside the housing 50 reliably passes through the circuit system space, and the electronic components 45 of the circuit section 40 can be cooled.
The circuit system space is located upstream of the drive system space in terms of the air flow, so that the air that has exchanged heat with the heat dissipation unit 120 in the drive system space does not flow back into the circuit system space.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the temperature and humidity sensor 166 is provided on or near the path where air is drawn into the housing 50 from the air intake port 522a on the left rear side 522, so that the temperature and humidity of the air in the room can be accurately detected.

3. Pillow Body As a pillow body, Patent Document 1 describes a liquid retainer comprising "a bag body formed in a bag shape having water impermeability and flexibility, and a three-dimensional knitted fabric having a plurality of mesh-like knitted fabrics arranged approximately parallel to one another and a plurality of connecting threads connecting the plurality of knitted fabrics, the connecting threads being formed from an elastic chemical fiber, the three-dimensional knitted fabric being formed in an approximately flat plate shape and being arranged inside the bag body, and a liquid being retained in the three-dimensional knitted fabric inside the bag body."
This liquid retainer has a single connection region connecting the inlet region and the outlet region, and therefore requires that three-dimensional knitting be provided over the entire inlet region and outlet region to prevent the connection region from being blocked by the user's head, which poses the problem of being difficult to manufacture.
The pillow body 7 according to the embodiment has an inlet 77 through which liquid flows into the inside and an outlet 78 through which the inflowing liquid flows out to the outside, and has a plurality of flow paths 73, 74, 75 inside through which the liquid flows from the inlet 77 to the outlet 78. This ensures the flow of the liquid even if one of the flow paths is blocked.
In the invention focusing on the flow paths 73, 74, and 75 inside the pillow body 7, the configuration of the device main body 1 side that circulates the liquid is not particularly limited. Conversely, in the invention focusing on the configuration of the device main body 1, the configuration of the pillow body 7 is not particularly limited.

(1) Overall Description will be given with reference to FIG.
The pillow body 7 includes a pillow body 70 having a flow path therein, and an inlet 77 and an outlet 78 provided in the pillow body 70 and connected to the end of the connector 6, and liquid flowing in from the inlet 77 passes through the flow path in the pillow body 70 and flows out from the outlet 78 to the connector 6 side. The pillow body 7 includes a three-dimensional structure 72 therein for improving the fluidity of the liquid. The inlet 77 and the outlet 78 are provided in the pillow body 70 using a connector 79.

(1-1) Pillow Body The pillow body 70 here has a rectangular sheet shape and has an inlet 77 and an outlet 78 at one end in the longitudinal direction. The inlet 77 and the outlet 78 are provided at an interval in the lateral direction of the pillow body 70.
The pillow body 70 is composed of a film 71 having sealing properties. Here, two rectangular films 71 are overlapped and their peripheral portions 71a are heat-sealed. The inlet 77 and the outlet 78 are attached to one of the films 71 in a sealed state.
The film 71 has gas barrier properties. In this case, a polyethylene (PE) film with a gas barrier coating on the surface can be used. This can suppress the evaporation of the liquid inside and prevent air from entering and water from becoming dirty. Therefore, there is no need to refill or replace the liquid, and it can be used for a long period of time.
Furthermore, by using polyethylene as the film 71, heat fusion can be easily performed, and the pillow body 70 can be manufactured at low cost.

The two rectangular films 71 have a main heat-sealed portion 71b that is heat-sealed along the longitudinal direction between an inlet 77 and an outlet 78 that are spaced apart in the short side direction. As a result, a "U"-shaped main flow path 73 (indicated by an arrow in the figure) is formed inside the pillow body 70. The pillow body 70 accommodates a three-dimensional structure 72 in the main flow path 73.
The main flow path 73 has an inlet 77 and an outlet 78 at both ends, and has a turn-back portion 73a on the way from the inlet 77 to the outlet 78. For the sake of convenience, the terms "main" and "secondary" are used to distinguish the main flow path 73 and main heat-sealing portion 71b from sub-flow paths 74, 75 and sub-heat-sealing portions 71c, 71d, which will be described later.
In the main flow path 73, the upstream side of the turn-back portion 73a is a main upstream flow path 73b, and the downstream side of the turn-back portion 73a is a main downstream flow path 73c.
The cross-sectional area of the main upstream flow path 73b through which the liquid flows (hereinafter also referred to as the "flow path cross-sectional area") is the same as the flow path cross-sectional area of the main downstream flow path 73c. That is, in FIG. 14B, the lengths in the short direction of the main upstream flow path 73b and the main downstream flow path 73c are L2=L3.

The two films 71 have auxiliary heat-sealed portions 71c, 71d that are heat-sealed at intervals on the extension of the main heat-sealed portion 71b that extends in the longitudinal direction. Between the main heat-sealed portion 71b and the auxiliary heat-sealed portion 71c, and between the auxiliary heat-sealed portion 71c and the auxiliary heat-sealed portion 71d, connection flow paths 74a, 75a that connect the main upstream flow path 73b and the main downstream flow path 73c are formed. As a result, auxiliary flow paths 74, 75 (indicated by arrows in the figure) that are different from the main flow path 73 are formed.
In this way, the pillow body 70 has three internal flow paths, the main flow path 73 and the sub-flow paths 74 and 75, due to the main heat-sealed portion 71b and the sub-heat-sealed portions 71c and 71d. This ensures water flow even if one of the flow paths is blocked. In addition, since water flow can be ensured without providing the three-dimensional structure 72 in the connecting flow paths 74a and 75a, the pillow body 7 can be easily manufactured.
The connecting flow passage 74a close to the inlet 77 and the outlet 78 is located closer to the inlet 77 and the outlet 78 than the center in the longitudinal direction of the pillow body 70. This makes it possible to prevent the flow passage 74 from being blocked, for example, even when the pillow body 70 is folded in half in the longitudinal direction for use.
In addition, the connecting flow passage 74a close to the inlet 77 and the outlet 78 is preferably located between L1/2 and L1 from the end of the pillow body 70 on the side where the inlet 77 and the outlet 78 are present in the longitudinal direction. This prevents the inflowing liquid from immediately heading toward the outlet 78, and allows the liquid to spread throughout the entire pillow body 70.

(1-2) Connector The connector 79 has a base portion 791 fixed to the film 71 in a hermetically sealed manner, and a connecting portion 793 extending cylindrically from the base portion 791, and the connecting portion 793 communicates with the back side of the base portion 791. The base portion 791 is, for example, fused to one of the films 71. The inlet 77 and the outlet 78 are formed by openings at the extending tips of the connecting portion 793.
The connection parts 793 for the inlet 77 and the outlet 78 are provided on the end side in the longitudinal direction. This allows easy connection of the tubes 61, 63. In addition, since the connection parts 793 extend outward in the longitudinal direction, the overlap between the pillow body 70 and the tubes 61, 63 can be reduced, improving usability.

Second Embodiment
In the pillow body 7 of the first embodiment, the flow path cross-sectional area is constant in the main upstream flow path 73b and the main downstream flow path 73c of the main flow path 73 even when moving in the flow direction, and the flow path cross-sectional areas of the multiple connecting flow paths 74a, 75a are constant.
In the second embodiment, a pillow body 7A in which the flow path cross-sectional area of the main flow path gradually increases toward the downstream side and the flow path cross-sectional areas of a plurality of connecting flow paths are different will be described with reference to FIG.
In addition, the same reference numerals are used for components having the same configuration as the pillow body 7 of the first embodiment, and the description thereof may be omitted.
15, the pillow body 7A has a rectangular shape, and has a main heat-sealed portion 71Ab fused to extend in the longitudinal direction between an inlet 77 and an outlet 78, and sub-heat-sealed portions 71Ac, 71Ad, and 71Ae fused to the main heat-sealed portion 71Ab at intervals in the longitudinal direction. Connection flow paths 74Aa, 75Aa, and 76Aa are formed between the main heat-sealed portion 71Ab and the sub-heat-sealed portion 71Ac and between the sub-heat-sealed portions 71Ac, 71Ad, and 71Ae, and sub-flow paths 74A, 75A, and 76A (indicated by arrows in the figure) are formed.

The cross-sectional area of the connecting flow passages 74Aa, 75Aa, and 76Aa increases as the distance from the inlet 77 and the outlet 78 increases. In the figure, the width (lengthwise dimension) of the connecting flow passage 74Aa is "L4", the width of the connecting flow passage 75Aa is "L5", and the width of the connecting flow passage 76Aa is "L6", with L6>L5>L4. This allows the liquid to flow throughout the entire pillow body 70A. In addition, by adjusting the widths of the multiple connecting flow passages 74Aa, 75Aa, and 76Aa, the liquid can be made to flow uniformly throughout the entire pillow body 70A, and the temperature unevenness of the pillow body 7A can be reduced.
In this embodiment, the width of the auxiliary heat-sealed portions 71Ac, 71Ad, and 71Ae is constant at "L7", but it does not have to be constant. For example, the width of the auxiliary heat-sealed portions may increase or decrease with increasing distance from the inlet 77 or the outlet 78.
The cross-sectional area of the main flow passage 73A gradually increases toward the downstream side (excluding the turning back portion 73Aa). That is, the cross-sectional area of the main upstream flow passage 73Ab at the upstream end is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the main downstream flow passage 73Ac at the downstream end. In other words, in FIG. 15, the lengths L8 and L9 of the main upstream flow passage 73Ab and the main downstream flow passage 73Ac in the short-side direction are smaller than each other.
In addition, the cross-sectional area of the flow path may be increased toward the downstream side, including the folded portion 73Aa. This increases the water pressure on the upstream side of the main flow path 73A, and the liquid spreads throughout the entire pillow body 70.

Although the first and second embodiments (hereinafter, simply referred to as "embodiments, etc.") have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and may be modified as follows, for example. Also, each embodiment may be combined with a modified example, or each modified example may be combined with another modified example.
Furthermore, the present invention also includes examples that are not described in the embodiments and modified examples, and design changes that do not deviate from the gist of the invention.

<Modification>
(1) The device main body 1 includes each unit in one housing 50, but for example, the temperature adjustment unit 10 and the pump unit 20 may be included in separate housings. In addition, the liquid returned from the pillow body 7 may be sent to the pillow body 7 via the pump unit and the temperature adjustment unit 10.
(2) In the embodiment and the like, the pump 210 (including the motor) is attached to the partition plate 150 via the rubber bush 203, but it may be attached to the front plate via a rubber bush. Also, it may be attached without a rubber bush. The rubber bush has a bottomed cylindrical shape, but it may have, for example, a shape having a cylindrical portion and a flange portion, or another shape.

(3) The connector 6 (the tubes 61 , 63 ) is introduced from the top plate 54 of the housing 50 and connected to the internal connection unit 57 , but may be introduced from the front plate 51 or the rear plate 52 , for example.
Also, although the connector 571 of the connection unit 57 is provided above the pump section 20, the connector may be located lower than the pump as long as it can apply water pressure to the pump 200 (obtain a priming effect). In other words, in the suction-side flow path of the pump, it is sufficient that the area connected to the suction port is located higher than the suction port, and for example, the flow path may be such that, with the suction port as the reference, it rises upward from the suction port and then falls to a position lower than the pump. In this case, the connector can be provided at a lower position than the pump.

(4) Although the temperature sensor 160 for adjusting the temperature of the liquid is provided on the cover plate 103 to indirectly measure the temperature of the liquid, the temperature of the liquid may be directly measured by inserting a thermocouple or the like into the flow passage in the flow passage unit 100. Note that, when considering measures against water leakage, indirect measurement can simplify the structure.
In the invention focusing on the configuration of providing the temperature sensor 160 in the flow path unit 100, the temperature sensor 160 is provided on the cover plate 103 that closes the recessed portion 101c for forming the flow path of the flow path unit 100, but the member facing the flow path also includes the unit body, and the unit body may be made of metal and the temperature sensor may be provided thereon. Note that the temperature sensor 160 may be provided on a metal plate facing the flow path, and may be provided, for example, on the surface (rear surface) of the metal plate (cover plate) facing the flow path on the opposite side to the flow path.

(5) Temperature Sensor The temperature sensor 163 for the heat dissipation unit 120 is provided on the base plate 121 of the heat dissipation unit 120, but may be provided at other locations such as the frame 141 of the air blower unit 140, the periphery of the air blower unit 140 on the rear plate 52, etc.
(6) Temperature and Humidity Sensor The temperature and humidity sensor 166 is provided on the rear surface of the partition plate 150, but it may be provided in other locations. Examples of other locations include the housing 55 and the circuit section 40. The detection section may also be provided so as to be exposed to the outside of the device body. Considering the risk of damage to the detection section, it is preferable to provide the temperature sensor inside the housing 50. Examples of other locations include the frame 141 of the blower unit 140, the periphery of the blower unit 140 on the rear plate 52, etc.

(7) In the embodiments, the temperature adjustment unit 10 is fixed to the rear plate 52. However, for example, the temperature adjustment unit 10 may be fixed to a partition plate 150 that divides the drive system space of the housing 50 into front and rear spaces, or the temperature adjustment unit 10 may be fixed to a partition plate 47 that divides the inside of the housing 50 into a drive system space and a circuit system space. Alternatively, the housing may be constructed with right and left plates instead of front and rear plates, and the temperature adjustment unit may be fixed to the right or left plate.
(8) In the embodiments, the circuit section 40 (circuit board 46) was attached to the upper surface of the partition plate 47. However, it may be attached to, for example, the left upright plate portion 473 and/or the right upright plate portion 471 of the partition plate 47.

(9) In the above-mentioned embodiment, the partition plate 150 and the unit body 101 of the passage unit 100 are separate bodies. However, the partition plate 150 and the unit body 101 may be formed as an integrated part by molding the same from a resin material.
(10) In the embodiments, the flow path unit 100 is placed vertically so that it is parallel to the left and right and up and down. However, it may be placed vertically so that it is parallel to the front, back, up and down, or it may be placed horizontally so that it is parallel to the front, back, left and right (horizontal), or it may be tilted.

(11) The main flow passage 73, 73A of the pillow body 7, 7A in the embodiment and the like is U-shaped. However, it may have three or more folded portions, for example, N-shaped or M-shaped.
Further, although the pillow bodies 7, 7A are rectangular in shape, they may be square, circular, elliptical, or oval, or may be polygonal, such as triangular.
The inlet 77 and outlet 78 of the pillow body 7, 7A are provided at the longitudinal end, but they may be provided at the lateral end, or in the case of a square or rectangular shape, they may be provided at the corners.
In the embodiment, the inlet 77 and the outlet 78 are adjacent to each other, but they may be provided spaced apart in a desired direction, for example, on both sides in the longitudinal direction.

(12) The pillow body 70, 70A in the embodiments and the like is formed by stacking two films 71 and fusion-bonding the four peripheral sides thereof. However, for example, a single film may be folded back and fusion-bonded at three sides thereof.
In the pillow body 70, 70A, the space through which liquid flows is the one between the pair of films 71, but the pillow body 70, 70A may have multiple spaces through which liquid flows in the thickness direction by using multiple sets of films, each set consisting of a pair of films.

(13) In the pillow body 7, 7A of the embodiment, etc., connecting flow paths 74a, 74Aa, 75a, 75Aa, 76Aa are provided between the main heat-sealed portion 71b, 71Ab and the sub-heat-sealed portion 71c, 71Ac, and between the sub-heat-sealed portions 71c, 71Ac, 71d, 71Ad, 71Ae, but the fluidity in the connecting flow paths may be increased.
The connecting flow path with enhanced fluidity will be described below with reference to FIG.
The connection flow path 74Ba is formed by, for example, heat-sealing both sides of at least one of the films 71B (the upper film) in a state in which a surplus portion corresponding to the connection flow path 74Ba is left as shown in (a) of the same figure. The surplus portion (surplus portion) is "71Bf" in the figure, and the heat-sealed portions on both sides are the main heat-sealed portion 71Bb and the sub-heat-sealed portion 71Bc.
The connection flow passage 74Ca is formed, for example, as shown in FIG. 1B, by disposing a flexible pipe 80 at the position where the connection flow passage 74Ca is to be formed and heat-sealing both sides of the flexible pipe 80. As shown in FIG.

(14) In the pillow body 7 of the first embodiment, the flow path cross-sectional area of the main upstream flow path 73b is the same as that of the main downstream flow path 73c (L2=L3 in FIG. 14(b)), and in the pillow body 7A of the second embodiment, the flow path cross-sectional area of the main flow path 73 gradually decreases from the upstream end to the downstream end (L8<L9 in FIG. 15). However, the flow path cross-sectional area of the main upstream flow path and the flow path cross-sectional area of the main downstream flow path may be constant along the flow path, and the flow path cross-sectional area of the main upstream flow path may be smaller than the flow path cross-sectional area of the main downstream flow path (L2<L3 in FIG. 14(b)).

X Head cooling device 1 Device body 6 Connecting body 7 Pillow body 10 Temperature adjustment section 20 Pump section 30 Operation display section 40 Circuit section 50 Housing

Claims (6)

In a head cooling device, the liquid pumped from the pump unit of the device body is circulated between the pillow body and the device body via a connector.
The pump unit includes a non-positive displacement pump,
The pillow body has a rectangular sheet shape, and has an inlet through which the liquid flows into the pillow body and an outlet through which the liquid flows out to the outside at one end in the longitudinal direction, and has a plurality of flow paths inside the pillow body that flow from the inlet to the outlet.
The plurality of flow paths include a main flow path having the longest flow path length, and one or more sub-flow paths each formed by connecting an upstream flow path of the main flow path and a downstream flow path of the main flow path via one or more connecting flow paths,
The connecting flow passage closest to the inlet and the outlet is located closer to the inlet and the outlet than the center of the pillow in the longitudinal direction,
When the pillow body is folded in half at the center in the longitudinal direction, even if the main flow path is blocked, circulation through the inlet and the connecting flow path closest to the outlet is ensured. If the length from the longitudinal end to the center of the pillow body is L1,
The connecting flow passage closest to the inlet and the outlet is located between L1/2 and L1 from the end of the pillow body on the side where the inlet and the outlet are located in the longitudinal direction.
The head cooling device according to claim 1 . 3. The head cooling device according to claim 1, wherein a region of the device body connected to the suction port of the pump in a flow passage on the suction port side is located higher than the suction port. 4. The head cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the device body supports the pump via a mounting fixture made of an elastic member. the device body includes a temperature adjusting unit for adjusting a temperature of the liquid,
the temperature adjustment unit includes a flow path unit having a temperature adjustment flow path through which the liquid flows, and a cooling unit that cools the liquid flowing through the temperature adjustment flow path,
5. The head cooling device according to claim 1, wherein a temperature sensor for temperature adjustment is provided on a metal plate facing the temperature adjustment flow path. There are two or more connecting flow paths,
6. The head cooling device according to claim 1, wherein a flow passage cross-sectional area of the downstream connecting flow passage is larger than a flow passage cross-sectional area of the upstream connecting flow passage.

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