WO2006054622A1 - Air-conditioned wear - Google Patents

Abstract

An air-conditioned wear capable of positively transmitting such information that the remaining amount of a battery is less than a specified level to a wearer with a small number of components. The air-conditioned wear comprises a fan (50) for circulating air, a power supply unit (60) for supplying power to the fan (50), a power supply switch (201) for turning on or off power supplied to the fan, a rotation control circuit unit (203) for controlling power to be supplied to the fan (50) from the power supply unit, and a voltage detection circuit unit (202) for detecting the voltage of a secondary battery in the power supply unit (60), wherein the rotation control circuit unit controls power to be supplied to the fan to stop or reversibly rotate a rotating fan for a specified time, thereby transmitting information to the wearer.

Description

 Specification

 Air-conditioning clothing

 Technical field

 [0001] The present invention relates to an air-conditioning garment that cools the body using a fan.

 Background art

 In recent years, air-conditioning clothing that cools the body has become widely known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). A powerful air-conditioning garment includes a flow path for circulating air between the clothing material and the body or underwear, and a fan attached to the clothing material. Fans are usually installed on the lower back side of clothing. When the air-conditioning garment is worn and the fan is driven, the fan creates an air flow in the space between the clothing and the body or underwear, and the air flows along the surface of the body.

 [0003] Patent Document 1: Pamphlet of International Publication No. 02Z067708

 Disclosure of the invention

 Problems to be solved by the invention

 [0004] By the way, in the air-conditioning garment, when the remaining battery level drops below a certain value, the fan cannot be rotated to blow air, so the battery needs to be replaced. However, depending on the content of the work, there are many cases where the work cannot be stopped immediately. In such a case, until the work is completed, the wearer of the air-conditioning garment must work while the fan blows off, which is extremely uncomfortable. Therefore, when the remaining battery level is low, it is desirable to notify the wearer that it is time to replace the battery.

[0005] In order to notify that the remaining battery level has dropped below a certain value, it is possible to notify using light. However, the method using light cannot be surely notified to the wearer, so it is not practical in the case of air-conditioned clothing. It is also possible to transmit using sound, such as a mobile phone. However, if the sound is used for notification, there is a problem in that it is not only annoying to others, but also requires other parts such as a speaker, which increases the weight and volume of the alarm device. Also, the method of notifying using vibration requires new parts, as in the case of using sound, and the weight and volume of the alarm device increase. There is a problem.

 [0006] The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and can reliably transmit information such as the fact that the remaining battery level is below a certain value to the wearer with a small number of parts. The purpose is to provide clothes.

 Means for solving the problem

[0007] The invention according to claim 1 for achieving the above object is characterized in that the air supply means for circulating air, the power supply means for supplying power to the blower means, and the power supply means are described above. A rotation control means for controlling the rotation of the blowing means by controlling the voltage and Z or current supplied to the blowing means, and the voltage, Z or current supplied to the blowing means is controlled by the rotation control means. Then, information is transmitted to the wearer by changing the rotation state of the blowing means.

 [0008] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the rotation control means stops the rotation of the air blowing means for a certain period of time, or the air blowing described above. The rotating state is changed by reversely rotating the means for a certain period of time.

 [0009] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the power supply means uses a battery, and the information is low in the remaining amount of the battery. It is characterized in that it includes information for notifying of success.

 In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that in the invention according to claim 3, there is provided a detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of the battery.

 [0011] The invention according to claim 5 for achieving the above object is the invention according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, further comprising time measuring means for measuring time, wherein the information includes time information. It is characterized by that.

[0012] The invention according to claim 6 for achieving the above object is the invention according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, further comprising communication means for communicating with an external device, wherein the information Includes information transmitted from the external device via the communication means. [0013] The present invention controls the rotation state of the air blowing means provided in the air-conditioning garment, for example, by stopping the rotation of the air blowing means for a certain period of time or by reversing the air blowing means for a certain time. Since information is transmitted to the wearer, information can be reliably transmitted to the wearer with a small number of parts.

 Brief Description of Drawings

 FIG. 1 (a) is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and (b) is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of a control unit 200 according to the first embodiment.

 FIG. 3 (A) is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the usage time and voltage of the secondary battery, and (B) is a schematic diagram showing the voltage supplied to the fan motor.

 FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing a modification of the control unit of the first embodiment.

 FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a voltage supplied to the fan 50 when the remaining amount switch unit 204 of the first embodiment is turned on.

 FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a control unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

 FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a control unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

 Explanation of symbols

[0015] 10 clothing parts

 20 fasteners

 50 fans

 60 Power supply

 200, 200a, 200b, 200c control unit

 201 Power switch

 202, 202a Voltage detection circuit

 203, 203a, 203b, 203c Rotation control circuit

 204 Remaining switch

 205 Timing circuit

 206 Communication circuit

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment FIG. 1 (a) is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 (b) is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is.

 As shown in FIG. 1, the air-conditioning garment according to the present embodiment covers a predetermined part of the body and guides air along the surface of the body or underwear, and the front of the clothing part 10. The zipper 20 for opening and closing the section, the two fans 50 and 50 for circulating air to the air circulation section that is the space between the clothing section 10 and the body or underwear, and supplying power to the fans 50 and 50 A power supply unit 60 is provided. The power supply unit 60 is stored in a pocket provided on the back surface of the clothing material unit 10, for example. In the present embodiment, a secondary battery is used as the power supply unit 60 from the viewpoint of economy. The two fans 50 and 50 rotate in a direction to take outside air into the clothing material part 10.

 FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the control unit 200 of the present embodiment. The control unit 200 according to this embodiment supplies a power to the fan 50, a power switch 201 that turns on / off the power supplied to the fan 50, a voltage detection circuit unit 202 that detects the remaining amount of the secondary battery of the power unit 60, and the fan. A rotation control circuit unit 203 for controlling the rotation of the fan by controlling the voltage or current is provided. Note that the control unit 200 of this embodiment is formed integrally with the power supply unit 60.

 FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the usage time and voltage of the secondary battery, and FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram showing the voltage supplied to the motor of the fan. As shown in Fig. 3 (A), the voltage of the secondary battery is high at the beginning of use, but when the remaining battery level is low, the voltage drops rapidly. Therefore, the remaining battery level of the secondary battery can be calculated by detecting the voltage of the secondary battery. In the present embodiment, when the remaining battery level of the secondary battery falls below a predetermined value, for example, at time T in FIG. 3 (A), the fan is driven as shown in FIG. Stop for about 2 to 10 seconds for a certain time.

[0020] Note that the rotation control circuit unit 203 calculates the remaining usable time of the secondary battery based on the voltage value of the secondary battery sent from the voltage detection circuit unit 202, and corresponds to the remaining time. Then, the drive of the fan may be stopped. For example, if the remaining usable time is 2 hours, stop for 2 seconds, if it is 3 hours, stop for 3 seconds. Thus, the wearer of the air-conditioning garment can know the remaining usable time of the secondary battery. In addition, the notification to the wearer is given by the DC motor of the fan instead of stopping the rotation of the fan. Connect the plus and minus in the opposite direction and rotate the fan in the opposite direction.

 Next, a method for using the air-conditioning garment of the present embodiment will be described. After wearing the air-conditioning clothes of this embodiment, the power switch 201 is turned on to supply power to the fan 50. When electric power is supplied to the fan 50 and driven, air (outside air) is sent into the clothing material portion 10. The air that has been sent in passes through the cloth part 10 and the body or the underwear and the air circulation part, which is the space, and is sent out from the collar and sleeves.

 [0022] When the work is performed while wearing the air-conditioning garment of the present embodiment, the voltage value of the secondary battery of the power supply unit 60 drops to a predetermined value after 7 to 8 hours have elapsed. Then, the voltage detection circuit unit 202 detects this state and sends a signal to that effect to the rotation control circuit unit 203. Upon receiving this signal, the rotation control circuit 203 stops the rotation of the fan 50 for, for example, 2 seconds, or reverses the rotation of the fan 50, thereby allowing the wearer to recharge the secondary battery. Notify that there have been fewer.

 [0023] When the voltage detection circuit unit 202 sends the voltage value of the secondary battery to the rotation control circuit unit 203, the rotation control circuit unit 203 is based on the sent voltage value of the secondary battery. Then, the usable time of the secondary battery is calculated, and the drive of the fan is controlled according to the result. For example, when the remaining usable time is 2 hours, the rotation of the fan 50 is stopped or reversed for 2 seconds. If the usable time is 3 hours, the rotation of the fan 50 is stopped or reversed for 3 seconds. Thus, according to the notification method of the present embodiment, the remaining time that can be used can be notified to the wearer by setting the stop time or the reverse rotation time according to the remaining battery level of the secondary battery.

 [0024] According to the above-described embodiment, when the remaining battery level of the secondary battery decreases to a predetermined value, the rotation of the fan is stopped for a certain period of time or reversed, so that the wearer Therefore, it is possible to alert the wearer of the air-conditioning garment without adding a special new part such as a speaker, a buzzer, or a vibration device. Further, according to this embodiment, it is possible to notify the wearer of the approximate remaining remaining time.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing a modification of the control unit of the present embodiment. This modification is provided with a remaining amount switch unit 203 for instructing notification of the remaining battery level of the secondary battery. Different from the above embodiment. Since the other points are almost the same as those shown in FIG. 2, those having the same functions as those shown in FIG. 2 in this modification are given the same or corresponding symbols. Detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a voltage supplied to the fan 50 when the remaining amount switch unit 204 of the present embodiment is turned on. In this modification, the wearer switch unit 204 is turned on when the wearer wants to know the remaining battery level of the secondary battery of the air-conditioning clothing of this embodiment. When the remaining amount switch unit 204 is turned on, the rotation control circuit unit 203a sends an instruction signal for detecting the remaining battery level of the secondary battery to the voltage detection circuit unit 202a. Upon receiving this instruction signal, the voltage detection circuit unit 202a detects the voltage of the secondary battery and sends the detected voltage value to the rotation control circuit unit 203a. The rotation control circuit unit 203a calculates the remaining battery level of the secondary battery based on the received voltage value. If the remaining usable time is 2 hours, the rotation control circuit unit 203a rotates the fan 2 as shown in FIG. Force to stop for 2 seconds or reverse. Thus, the wearer can know the remaining battery level of the secondary battery by turning on the remaining amount switch unit 204 at any time. Instead of the voltage detection circuit unit 202a, a timer is used to accumulate the total time when the power switch is turned on, and based on the accumulated time, the remaining usable time is calculated, and the result is calculated. Inform the wearer by stopping or reversing the rotation of the fan.

 [Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of a control unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a timing circuit unit 205 is provided instead of the voltage detection circuit unit 202 of the first embodiment. The other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore, in FIG. 6, those having the same functions as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, since the clothing part of the air-conditioning garment of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, its detailed description is omitted.

[0028] The time measuring circuit unit 205 of the present embodiment measures time. For example, every time 1 hour elapses, the time measuring circuit unit 205 sends a signal notifying that 1 hour has elapsed to the rotation control circuit unit 203b. When the rotation control circuit unit 203b receives the signal from the timing circuit unit 205, the rotation control circuit unit 203b notifies the wearer that one hour has elapsed by stopping or reversing the rotation of the fan 50. Also, The timing circuit unit 205 sends a signal at the end of work, for example, at 5 o'clock in the evening, and when the rotation control circuit unit 203b receives this signal, the rotation of the fan 50 is stopped for a certain time or reversed, Inform the wearer that it was 5:00 in the evening.

[0029] According to the present embodiment described above, by providing the timing circuit unit 205, it is possible to notify the wearer of the air-conditioning garment of time information. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

 [Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of a control unit according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a communication circuit unit 206 is provided instead of the voltage detection circuit unit 202 of the first embodiment. Since the others are the same as those in the first embodiment, in FIG. 7, those having the same functions as those in the first embodiment shown in FIG. Detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, since the clothing part of the air-conditioning garment of this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, its detailed description is omitted.

 [0031] The communication circuit unit 206 of the present embodiment communicates with an external device such as a telephone or a computer. When the communication circuit unit 206 receives a predetermined signal from an external device, the communication circuit unit 206 sends a signal to that effect to the rotation control circuit unit 203c. When the rotation control circuit unit 203c receives this signal, the rotation control circuit unit 203c stops the rotation of the fan for a predetermined time or reverses the rotation. This makes it possible to call a wearer of air-conditioning clothing in the same way as a commercially available pager.

 [0032] According to the present embodiment described above, by providing the communication circuit unit 206, a wearer of the air-conditioning garment can be called. Other functions and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.

 [0033] In the above-described embodiment, the case where information is transmitted by stopping or reversing the fan's DC motor has been described. However, the voltage or current supplied to the DC motor is lowered to rotate the motor. Information may be transmitted by dropping the number.

[0034] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the detection unit detects the voltage of the secondary battery has been described. However, the detection unit may detect a current flowing through the secondary battery. . In this case, when the current flowing through the secondary battery becomes a certain value or less, the detection means In addition, a signal is sent to the rotation control circuit unit. Upon receipt of this signal, the rotation control circuit section informs the wearer that the remaining battery level is low due to the stop or reverse rotation of the fan.

 [0035] In the above embodiment, the case where one type of information is transmitted to the wearer has been described. However, the present invention combines two or more of the above embodiments to provide two types of information. The above information may be transmitted. In this case, depending on each information, for example, the remaining battery level, time, and call, the fan is stopped, reversed, or the rotation speed is reduced to voltage multiple information to the wearer. be able to.

 [0036] Further, the power source means may be a secondary battery or a solar battery! /, Or may be a capacitor or the like that is a large-capacity power storage device.

 Industrial applicability

[0037] As described above, the air-conditioning garment according to the present invention controls the rotation state of the air blowing means, for example, stops rotation of the air blowing means for a certain period of time, or reverses the air blowing means for a certain period of time. Thus, information can be transmitted to the wearer. Therefore, the air-conditioning clothes of the present invention can be applied to clothes such as work clothes, office clothes, and raincoats.

Claims

The scope of the claims  [1] air blowing means for circulating air;  Power supply means for supplying power to the blowing means;  A rotation control means for controlling the rotation of the blower means by controlling the voltage and Z or current supplied from the power supply means to the blower means;  Comprising  An air-conditioning garment characterized by transmitting information to the wearer by controlling the voltage and Z or current supplied to the blowing means by the rotation control means to change the rotation state of the blowing means.  [2] The rotation control means changes the rotation state by stopping the rotation of the air blowing means for a certain period of time or by rotating the air blowing means reversely for a certain period of time. The air-conditioning garment described. [3] The air-conditioning garment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the power supply means uses a battery, and the information includes information for notifying that the remaining amount of the battery is low. .  4. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, further comprising detection means for detecting a remaining amount of the battery.  [5] The air-conditioning garment according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, further comprising a time measuring means for measuring time, wherein the information includes time information. [6] A communication means for communicating with an external device is provided, and the information includes information transmitted from the external device via the communication means. Or the air-conditioning garment described in 5.