WO2023080671A1

WO2023080671A1 - Heating mat

Info

Publication number: WO2023080671A1
Application number: PCT/KR2022/017120
Authority: WO
Inventors: 문준기
Original assignee: 주식회사 엠아이디자인
Priority date: 2021-11-03
Filing date: 2022-11-03
Publication date: 2023-05-11
Also published as: KR20230064578A

Abstract

Disclosed is a heating mat. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a heating mat comprising: a mat configured so as to contact at least a portion of the body of a user; a heat source that generates heat; and a heat transfer unit that transfers, to the mat, the heat generated from the heat source, wherein the mat is divided into a plurality of regions to be separately heated.

Description

heating mat

The present disclosure relates to heating mats.

The content described in this section simply provides background information for the present disclosure and does not constitute prior art.

Heating mats are used for various purposes, such as for heating or medical purposes. Heating mats may be classified into electric mats, warm air mats, or hot water mats according to the principle of generating and transferring heat.

The electric mat generates heat as current flows in an electric circuit having a resistance disposed on the mat, and transfers the generated heat to a user to perform a heating function. The warm air mat can perform a heating function by using a method in which warm air moves through conduits disposed inside the mat. The hot water mat performs a heating function by moving hot water heated by a heater through a conduit inside the mat.

Conventional heating mats cannot be heated only in specific areas (e.g., shoulders, waist, feet, etc.) There is an inconvenience that heat must be transferred.

In addition, even if separate heating is possible, it is difficult to uniformly heat each of a plurality of regions.

A heating mat according to an embodiment may perform separate heating according to a user's needs by using a mat including a plurality of regions.

A heating mat according to an embodiment may uniformly heat each of a plurality of regions of the mat by using a reservoir including a heat transfer unit including a plurality of loops and a plurality of housings.

The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a mat configured to contact at least a portion of a user's body; a heat source that generates heat; and a heat transfer unit for transferring heat generated from the heat source to the mat, wherein the mat is divided into a plurality of regions and is capable of separate heating.

According to one embodiment, the heating mat has an effect of enabling separate heating according to a user's needs by using a mat including a plurality of areas.

According to one embodiment, the heating mat has an effect capable of uniformly heating each of a plurality of regions of the mat by using a reservoir including a heat transfer unit including a plurality of loops and a plurality of housings.

1 is a block configuration diagram of a heating mat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

2 is a view showing the structure of a heating mat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

3 is a diagram showing the structure of a reservoir according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

4 is a diagram for explaining the structure of a heat transfer unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

5 is a diagram illustrating an interface according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail using exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components have the same numerals as much as possible, even if they are displayed on different drawings. In addition, in describing the present disclosure, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description will be omitted.

In describing the components of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, order, or order of the corresponding component is not limited by the term.

When an element is described as being 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' to another element, the element may be directly connected or connected to the other element, but there may be another element between the elements. It should be understood that may be 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected'.

Throughout the specification, when a part 'includes' or 'includes' a certain component, it means that it may further include other components without excluding other components unless otherwise stated. .

In the specification, '... Terms such as 'unit' and 'module' refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and may be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

Unless stated to the contrary, descriptions of one embodiment are applicable to other embodiments as well.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is intended to describe exemplary embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only embodiments in which the invention may be practiced.

Regarding the relative position of each component in the description of the present invention, when heat is transferred to the front and rear, a portion disposed at a relatively far distance from the heat source is referred to as the rear. However, this does not only mean directly successively anterior and posterior, but also includes relatively further, if spaced, positions.

In addition, in the description of the heating mat according to the present disclosure, for convenience of description, it will be assumed that the heating mat is mainly a hot water mat, but the heating mat is not necessarily limited to the hot water mat, and the heating mat may be an electric mat or a hot water mat. make it clear that there may be

1 and 2, the heating mat 100 according to the present disclosure includes a mat 110, a heat transfer unit 120, a heat source 130, a sensing unit 140, an interface 150, and a control unit 160. and valve 270.

The mat 110 may include a plurality of areas. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the mat 110 has a first area 211, a second area 212, a third area 213, a fourth area 214, and a fifth area 215. ) and a sixth region 216.

The heat transfer unit 120 may include a heat supply line 221 and a heat recovery line 222 .

The heat source 130 may include a reservoir 231 , a heater 232 and a power unit 233 .

The sensing unit 140 may include one or more sensors 241 .

The mat 110 is configured to be in contact with the user's body. The mat 110 may receive heat generated from the heat source 130 through the heat transfer unit 120 . The heating mat 100 according to the present disclosure may be configured to enable separate heating as the mat 110 is divided into a plurality of areas. As shown in FIG. 2 , the mat 110 may be divided into a plurality of areas along the user's elongation direction (the length direction of the mat 110). In addition, the mat 110 may be divided into a plurality of areas along a direction perpendicular to the user's stretching direction (the width direction of the mat 110). For example, the mat 110 may include first to sixth areas 211 to 216 .

Since the mat 110 is divided into a plurality of areas along the user's elongation direction and a direction perpendicular thereto, the user's convenience can be improved by heating only a desired area or adjusting the temperature according to the user's need. For example, when the user wants to warm only the shoulder or neck, the heat can be transferred only to the first region 211 and the second region 212, and when the user needs a back massage, Heat may be transferred only to the third region 213 and the fourth region 214 . In addition, when the user wants to warm only the feet for a good night's sleep, heat can be transferred only to the fifth region 215 and the sixth region 216 .

The heat transfer unit 120 may transfer heat generated from the heat source 130 to the mat 110 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the heat transfer unit 120 may include a plurality of loops corresponding to each of a plurality of areas of the mat 110 . Accordingly, each of the plurality of regions of the mat 110 may be separately heated. When the heating mat 100 according to the present disclosure is an electric mat, the heat transfer unit 120 may be composed of an electric circuit, and when the heating mat 100 is a warm air mat or a hot water mat, the heat transfer unit 120 moves the fluid. It can be composed of possible conduits.

The heat transfer unit 120 may include a heat supply line 221 and a heat recovery line 222 . When the heating mat 100 according to the present disclosure is a hot water mat, heated hot water may move to the mat 110 through the heat supply line 221, and the heat source 130 from the mat 110 through the heat recovery line 222. ), hot water can be recovered.

One or more sensors 241 (eg, a temperature sensor, a flow sensor) may be disposed in at least one of the heat supply line 221 and the heat recovery line 222, and based on information obtained by the sensor 241, the mat ( 110) may adjust the temperature of each of the plurality of regions. One or more valves 270 (eg, check valves, etc.) may be disposed in at least one of the heat supply line 221 and the heat recovery line 222 . When the heating mat 100 is composed of a hot water mat, the temperature of each of a plurality of regions of the mat 110 may be adjusted by adjusting whether or not hot water flows in and/or the amount of hot water flowing in and out through the valve 270. . That is, the control precision and user convenience of the heating mat 100 can be improved by disposing the sensor 241 and/or the valve 270 in the heat supply line 221 and/or the heat recovery line 222 as needed. In addition, the sensor 241 and/or the valve 270 may be disposed in each of a plurality of loops to individually control the temperature of a plurality of regions of the mat 110 .

However, the position where the sensor 241 and the valve 270 are disposed is not necessarily limited to the heat supply line 221 or the heat recovery line 222, and if necessary, the inside of the heat source 130 and/or the mat 110 It can also be placed on the back. For example, when the sensor 241 is disposed inside the heat source 130, regardless of whether the user covers a blanket or the temperature of the mat 110, which may vary depending on various variables such as the user's body temperature, By controlling the heating mat 100 based only on the temperature by the heat generated from the heat source 130, it is possible to perform uniform improvement control without being affected by various variables. Conversely, when the sensor 241 is disposed on the mat 110, the heating mat 100 is controlled based on the temperature experienced by the user, thereby providing a more accurate sensed temperature to the user. As such, the heating mat 100 according to the present disclosure may improve user convenience by arranging the sensor 241 and/or the valve 270 in various positions according to the user's needs.

One or more chambers (not shown) may be disposed in the heat transfer unit 120 . For example, one valve 270 is disposed on the heat transfer unit 120, a chamber capable of storing hot water, etc. is disposed behind the valve 270, and another valve 270 is disposed behind the chamber. When arranged, hot water heated by the heat source 130 is stored in the chamber via the valve 270, and when it is detected that the pressure inside the chamber is higher than a certain pressure, the valve 270 at the rear of the chamber is opened so that the hot water flows out. By being configured, hot water can be delivered to the mat 110 by natural convection without a power unit 233 such as a separate pump. At this time, the reverse flow of hot water can be prevented by the valves 270 disposed in the front and rear of the chamber.

When the heat transfer unit 120 is configured as a conduit, the heat transfer unit 120 may have a shape in which a cross-sectional area gradually decreases along a direction from the front to the rear. When hot water is transferred from the heat source 130 to the mat 110, energy loss occurs due to friction between the heat transfer unit 120 and the hot water. Accordingly, the kinetic energy of the hot water may be reduced and the speed may be reduced. At this time, when the cross-sectional area of the heat transfer unit 120 gradually decreases, the speed increases according to the continuity equation, so even if energy loss occurs, the hot water can move smoothly even from the rear of the mat 110.

The heat source 130 generates heat and transfers the generated heat to the mat 110 using the heat transfer unit 120 . When the heating mat 100 is composed of a hot water mat, the heat source 130 may transfer heat to the mat 110 using a medium such as water. The heat source 130 may include a reservoir 231 , a heater 232 and a power unit 233 . A medium (eg, water) for transferring heat may be stored in the reservoir 231 . The heater 232 (eg, PTC heater) is configured to heat a medium such as water. The power unit 233 (eg, a pump) generates and supplies power so that heated water and the like can be delivered to the mat 110 . The reservoir 231, the heater 232, and the power unit 233 may be plural as needed. That is, a plurality of reservoirs 231, heaters 232, and power units 233 are configured to correspond to a plurality of areas of the mat 110, so that a plurality of areas of the mat 110 can be individually controlled. A structure in which the reservoir 231 stores a medium such as water corresponding to each of a plurality of regions of the mat 110 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , a reservoir 231 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of housings 331 configured to store a medium such as water, and a cover configured to cover an open portion of the housing 331. 332 and a plurality of housings 331 may include an insulation part 333 disposed between each of them.

The heating mat 100 according to the present disclosure includes a mat 110 composed of a plurality of areas, and through this, separate heating is possible as one of the technical features. In order to more precisely and easily adjust the temperature of each of the plurality of regions of the mat 110, a plurality of housings 331 may be configured to store water, which is a medium for transferring heat to each of the plurality of regions. Accordingly, it is possible to precisely control the temperature of each of the plurality of regions.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the cover 332 may be configured as one to cover the entire open portion of the plurality of housings 331 . However, the structure of the cover 332 is not limited thereto, and may be composed of a plurality of covers 332 to cover each of the plurality of housings 331 , of course.

An insulator 333 may be disposed between each of the plurality of housings 331 . The insulator 333 may be made of an insulator such as styrofoam, iso pink, or E board. Since the heat insulating part 333 is disposed between each of the plurality of housings 331, heat exchange between the plurality of housings 331 is blocked, and the temperature of each of the plurality of areas of the mat 110 can be more precisely controlled.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the heat transfer unit 120 according to the present disclosure may include a hose unit 421 and a fusion unit 422 .

One side of the hose unit 421 is connected to the heat source 130 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 ), and hot water heated by the heat source 130 is transferred to the hose unit 421 . The hose unit 421 may be formed in a hollow circular cylinder shape to withstand a relatively high pressure and smoothly deliver heated hot water or the like, and may be made of a soft material such as rubber. However, the shape and material of the hose part 421 is not limited thereto, and it should be noted that other shapes and materials may be used according to purposes and uses.

The other side of the hose part 421 may be connected to the fusion part 422 . The fused portion 422 may be formed inside the mat 110 . Hot water heated by the heat source 130 is transferred to the fusion part 422 through the hose part 421 and transfers the heat to the user contacting the mat 110 . The fused portion 422 is formed in a flat shape, so that the user does not feel uncomfortable due to folding when the mat 110 and the user's body come into contact.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when two sheets of mats 110 are mutually bonded to form one mat 110, the portion corresponding to the fused portion 422 of the two sheets of mats 110 ( The mat 110 on which the flat fused portion 422 is formed can be manufactured by mutually bonding (fusion) the remaining parts except for the path through which hot water is transmitted). In this case, the two mats 110 may be bonded using an ultrasonic (high frequency) welding method or the like. In addition, it goes without saying that the hose portion 421 made of a flexible material may be manufactured in such a way that it extends to the inside of the mat 110 to form the fused portion 422 . As such, since the heat transfer unit 120 has a structure including the flat fused portion 422, user inconvenience can be prevented, and storage and the like are easy (folded and stored).

At a portion where the hose part 421 formed in a circular cylinder shape and the like and the flat fused part 422 are connected, the hose part 421 made of a soft material may have a shape in which the cross-sectional area gradually decreases or is distorted. Accordingly, the hose part 421 and the fusion part 422 can be smoothly connected. In addition, in order to prevent the portion where the hose part 421 and the fusion part 422 are connected from being damaged by hot water moving therein or from being separated from the hose part 421 and the fusion part 422, A structure made of a heat-resistant material (e.g. aluminum) can be firmly connected.

Referring to FIG. 5 , the interface 150 according to the present disclosure is configured so that the user of the heating mat 100 can adjust the temperature of a plurality of areas of the mat 110 by manipulating the display 551 and the manipulation A button 552 may be included. As shown in FIG. 5, the display 551 of the interface 150 is divided into a plurality of regions (divided structure) to correspond to the plurality of regions of the mat 110, and the user can intuitively view each region. It may be configured to enable temperature control and the like.

The operation button 552 may be operated in a capacitive or pressure-sensitive manner. Information input by the user through the interface 150 (eg, region selection, temperature rise, etc.) is transmitted to the controller 160, and the controller 160 controls the heat source 130 and the valve 270 based on the transmitted information. It is possible to provide the temperature desired by the user by controlling the lamp.

The above description is merely an example of the technical idea of the present embodiment, and various modifications and variations can be made to those skilled in the art without departing from the essential characteristics of the present embodiment. Therefore, the present embodiments are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present embodiment, but to explain, and the scope of the technical idea of the present embodiment is not limited by these embodiments. The scope of protection of this embodiment should be construed according to the claims below, and all technical ideas within the scope equivalent thereto should be construed as being included in the scope of rights of this embodiment.

[부호의 설명][Description of code]

100: heating mat

110: mat

120: heat transfer unit

130: heat source

[CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIOIN][CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIOIN]

This patent application claims priority to Patent Application No. 10-2021-0149365 filed in Korea on November 03, 2021, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Claims

a mat configured to contact at least a portion of a user's body;

a heat source that generates heat; and

Including a heat transfer unit for transferring heat generated from the heat source to the mat,

The heating mat is divided into a plurality of areas and is capable of separate heating.
According to claim 1,

The heating mat is characterized in that the mat is divided into a plurality of areas along the elongation direction of the user.
According to claim 2,

The heating mat, characterized in that divided into a plurality of regions along the direction perpendicular to the stretching direction.
According to claim 1,

The heat source is

Reservoir for storing water;

a heater for heating the water; and

Power unit that supplies power

A heating mat comprising a.
According to claim 4,

The heating mat, characterized in that the reservoir, the heater and the power unit in plurality.
According to claim 5,

Heating mat, characterized in that the insulation between each of the plurality of reservoirs.
According to claim 4,

The reservoir,

a plurality of housings;

a cover configured to cover the plurality of housings; and

Insulation part disposed between each of the plurality of housings

A heating mat comprising a.
According to claim 1,

The heating mat, characterized in that the heat transfer unit comprises a plurality of loops to correspond to the plurality of regions.
According to claim 1,

The heating mat, characterized in that the heat transfer unit comprises a heat supply line and a heat recovery line.
According to claim 1,

The heating mat, characterized in that the heat transfer portion comprises a hose portion and a fusion portion.
According to claim 1,

Heating mat, characterized in that it further comprises a sensing unit comprising one or more sensors.
According to claim 11,

The heating mat, characterized in that the one or more sensors are disposed on at least one of the inside of the heat source, the heat transfer part and the mat.
According to claim 1,

The heating mat, characterized in that it further comprises one or more valves disposed in the heat transfer unit.
According to claim 1,

The heating mat, characterized in that it further comprises one or more chambers disposed in the heat transfer unit.
According to claim 1,

The heating mat further comprises an interface configured to allow the user to manipulate the temperature of each of the plurality of regions.
According to claim 1,

The heating mat, characterized in that the heat transfer part is a conduit or an electric circuit.