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WO2015013714A1 - Dispositif personnel de régulation de climatisation à air pulsé - Google Patents

Dispositif personnel de régulation de climatisation à air pulsé Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2015013714A1
WO2015013714A1 PCT/US2014/048464 US2014048464W WO2015013714A1 WO 2015013714 A1 WO2015013714 A1 WO 2015013714A1 US 2014048464 W US2014048464 W US 2014048464W WO 2015013714 A1 WO2015013714 A1 WO 2015013714A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fabric
tubing
panel
air
temperature
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2014/048464
Other languages
English (en)
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Comfy Personal Climate Control Inc
Original Assignee
Comfy Personal Climate Control Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Comfy Personal Climate Control Inc filed Critical Comfy Personal Climate Control Inc
Publication of WO2015013714A1 publication Critical patent/WO2015013714A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
    • A41D13/002—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with controlled internal environment
    • A41D13/0025—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches with controlled internal environment by means of forced air circulation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25B—REFRIGERATION MACHINES, PLANTS OR SYSTEMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
    • F25B21/00—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects
    • F25B21/02—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect
    • F25B21/04—Machines, plants or systems, using electric or magnetic effects using Peltier effect; using Nernst-Ettinghausen effect reversible

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to personal comfort devices, and more particularly to a fabric panel such as a blanket or clothing having a forced air climate control system.
  • Normal human body temperature also known as normothermia or euthermia, depends upon the place in the body at which the measurement is made, the time of day and level of activity of the person. Under perfect conditions, this is typically 37.0 °C (98.6 °F). Variations in body temperature are part of the circadian rhythm. In healthy adults, body temperature fluctuates about 0.5 °C (0.9 °F) throughout the day, with lower temperatures in the morning and higher temperatures in the late afternoon and evening, as the body's needs and activities change. The time of day and other circumstances also affect the body's temperature. The core body temperature of an individual tends to have the lowest value in the second half of the sleep cycle; the lowest point, called the nadir, is one of the primary markers for circadian rhythms.
  • the body temperature also changes when a person is hungry or sleepy. In addition to varying throughout the day, normal body temperature may also differ as much as 0.5 °C (0.9 °F) from one day to the next, so that the highest or lowest temperatures on one day will not always exactly match the highest or lowest temperatures on the next day.
  • body temperature and thus personal comfort is sensitive to many hormones, causing women to have a temperature rhythm that varies with the menstrual cycle, called a circamensal rhythm.
  • Hormonal contraceptives both suppress the circamensal rhythm and raise the typical body temperature by about 0.6 °C (1.1 °F). Hormones also affect women past menopause who suffer from hot and cold flashes.
  • Air conditioning and heating systems have failed to address the needs of one or a few persons in a crowd as the temperature cannot be readily changed to comfort the few without affecting the others.
  • Electric blankets are cumbersome and fail to provide cooling as well as heating. While cooling blankets absorb heat for dissipation to the surrounding air, they fail to provide heat.
  • a personal climate control system for an individual that can be in the form of clothing, or fabric panel substrate blanket.
  • the personal climate control system should also provide both heat and cooling through the clothing or blanket in the form of forced air.
  • the climate-controlled air should be returned to the temperature control device for maintenance of the temperature, and the temperature should be controllable by the user for personalization.
  • a personal climate control system must satisfy in order to achieve acceptance by the end user.
  • the personal climate control system must be easily and quickly assembled using minimal hardware and requiring a minimal number of tools. Further, the system should not require excessive strength to assemble or include heavy component parts. Moreover, the personal climate control system must assemble together in such a way so as not to detract from the aesthetic appearance of the climate control system.
  • the present invention provides a personal climate control system that overcomes the disadvantages of prior art pertaining to heating and cooling systems.
  • the personal climate control system of the present invention not only provides for relative ease in assembly and use, it also permits heating and cooling in the same device.
  • the present invention also provides a personal climate control system that utilizes a pettier heating and cooling device, thereby eliminating the need for separate systems for the generation of cooling and heating.
  • the present invention involves a personal climate control system for heating and cooling the body of a user, and the method for providing personal comfort in the form of body heating or cooling to a user of the device.
  • the personal climate control system includes a heat exchanger assembly and a fabric panel that may be in the form of a robe assembly coupled together with a tubing assembly, the heat exchanger assembly being positionable within the length of the tubing assembly to the robe assembly.
  • the interior of the robe assembly includes a tortuous path of internal tubing having a pair of inlets for connection to the heat exchanger assembly or a bifurcated hose assembly, whereby conditioned air is forced under pressure to an article of clothing worn by the user.
  • the article of clothing is provided in the form of a robe assembly being wearable by the user in a typical fashion.
  • the heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of thermoelectric, e.g. peltier, devices operatively secured to an elongated heat exchanger tube.
  • a fan is positioned at the distal end of the heat exchanger tube to force air through the heat exchanger for conditioning, and into the tubing assembly for transfer to the robe assembly.
  • air may be returned through the hose assembly for reconditioning, or alternatively, apertures may be provided in the tubing assembly to allow the conditioned air to be expelled into the robe assembly for dispersal into the atmosphere. Accordingly, it is an aspect of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide a personal climate control system.
  • thermoelectric devices It is yet a further aspect of at least one embodiment of the invention to provide a heat exchanger for a personal climate control system that utilizes an elongated tubular heat exchanger having externally mounted thermoelectric devices.
  • It is another aspect of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide a fabric article for heating and cooling comprising: a first fabric panel; a second fabric panel, secured to the first panel; a length of hollow tubing passing between the first panel and the second panel, the hollow tubing defining an inlet adapted for connecting to a pressurized air supply, the tubing further comprising a plurality of openings allowing for the passage of air in a space defined between the first and the second fabric panels; wherein, when a supply of pressurized non- ambient temperature air is introduced into the tubing inlet, the pressurized air flows through the interior of the hollow tubing and passes through the plurality of openings, thereby providing a temperature adjusting airflow through the fabric article.
  • Figure 1 is a top perspective view partially in section of one embodiment of the instant invention
  • Figure 2 is a partial top perspective view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 illustrating the heat exchanger
  • Figure 3 is a front view of the heat exchanger assembly
  • Figure 4 is a left side view of the heat exchanger assembly
  • Figure 5 is a right side view of the heat exchanger assembly
  • Figure 6 is a top view of the heat exchanger assembly
  • Figure 7 is a top view of the heat exchanger assembly illustrating the temperature selector and the power control switch
  • Figure 8 is a plan view illustrating the outer surface of the robe assembly
  • Figure 9 is a side view of the robe assembly illustrated in Figure 8.
  • Figure 10 is an inside view of the robe assembly illustrated in Figure 8.
  • Figure 1 1 is an exploded perspective view of the robe assembly illustrated in
  • FIG 12 is an exploded perspective view of the heat exchanger assembly. Repeat use of reference characters in the present invention and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.
  • ranges mentioned herein include all ranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all ranges mentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentioned ranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from 110-150, 170- 90, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned herein include all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For instance, a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to 4.5.
  • the climate control system includes a heat exchanger assembly 10, a hose assembly 12 and a robe assembly 14.
  • the heat exchanger assembly includes a tubular heat exchanger member 16.
  • the heat exchanger member is preferably constructed from an aluminum extrusion to include a plurality of elongated fins 18 extending inward from a continuous outer wall 22.
  • the outer wall and fins are constructed and arranged to absorb heating or cooling from at least one, and more preferably two or more peltier heating and cooling devices 20 secured to a side surface of the outer wall thereof.
  • a heat sink member 24 is secured to an opposite side surface 26 of each peltier heating and cooling device 20. The heat sink(s) 24 dissipate heat from the peltier devices when used for cooling the tubular heat exchanger 16.
  • a cooling fan 28 is secured to the heat sink 24 for providing airflow across the heat sink for increased efficiency.
  • Heat transfer paste (not shown) or the like may be utilized between the peltier heating and cooling device as well as between the heat sink and the opposite side of the peltier heating and cooling device to increase transfer of heating or cooling therebetween.
  • An airflow fan 30 is secured to the first distal end 32 of the tubular heat exchanger 16.
  • the airflow fan 30 is constructed and arranged to provide
  • a second distal end 34 of the tubular heat exchanger 16 includes a flow baffle 36 for collecting and directing the pressurized air flow from the airflow fan 30 into an air plenum 38.
  • the air plenum routes the air to a flow divider 40, which divides the conditioned air and routes it into a bifurcated hose assembly 12.
  • the first end 42 of the bifurcated hose assembly is preferably removably connected to the flow divider 40 for maintenance and/or replacement of the hose assembly 12.
  • the hose assembly may be of any suitable length to extend to the robe assembly 14 and includes a removable connection for securement to the robe assembly.
  • a case assembly 44 is provided to enclose the components of the heat exchanger assembly 10 and provide an aesthetically appealing appearance to the finished product.
  • the case assembly preferably includes an inner case 46 constructed from a rear inner panel 48, a left inner panel 50, a right inner panel 52, a front inner panel 54 and a bottom inner panel 56.
  • the inner panels 48, 50, 52, 54 and 56 are secured together with fasteners to create a structural inner case 46 suitable for supporting the weight and dynamics of the inner components and include air apertures 58 and the like necessary for normal operation of the climate control system.
  • a power supply 60 is secured to the bottom inner panel 56 along with a plurality of feet members 62. The power supply is electrically connected to the control panel 64.
  • the control panel is positioned to be accessible on the outer portion 66 of the case assembly 44.
  • the outer portion of the case assembly 66 is preferably constructed from a polymeric material such as plastic to have an aesthetically pleasing appearance and may include amenities such as a handle 68 and hose storage reel 70 for storage of the bifurcated hose assembly 12 when not in use.
  • the control panel 64 is positioned in the top portion of the outer case 66 for easy access to the user and preferably includes a power switch 71 , a temperature selector 72 and a temperature indicator 74.
  • the power switch connects and disconnects power from the power supply 60 to temperature selector 72 and the peltier heating and cooling device (s) 20, while the temperature selector allows the user to select a desired temperature for the pressurized air to be heated or cooled to.
  • the robe assembly 14 preferably includes an inner panel 74 and an outer panel 76 enclosing a ducting network 78 of tubing.
  • the ducting may be bifurcated and preferably includes a pair of inlets 80 which correspond to the bifurcated hose assembly 12. This construction allows the conditioned air to be routed to different portions of the robe assembly and allows a portion of the conditioned air to be returned to the heat exchanger assembly 10.
  • the tubing includes perforations 82 sized to allow the pressurized air to be directed against the inner 74, outer 76 or both panels of the robe assembly 14.
  • the panels of the robe assembly may be constructed to be permeable or impermeable to the pressurized air as desired to provide comfort to the user.
  • the inner panels 74 of the robe is permeable to the pressurized air to allow the air to be expelled toward the user's skin.
  • the air inlets may be located on the lower portion of the fabric panel, particularly when in the form of a garment such as a robe.
  • the tubing 78 can be held in position between the fabric panels through any number of securing mechanisms including Velcro loops or ties, plastic anchoring clips secured to moving inner surfaces of each fabric panels, fabric or ribbon ties, and other equivalent structures that will allow for the securement and removal of the tubing 78. It is believed that a non-rigid securement of the tubing 78 within the interior space defined by the opposing facing surfaces of the fabric panels
  • the inner skin 74 is impermeable to the pressurized air while the outer panel 76 is permeable so that the robe is maintained at a desired temperature while the pressurized air is directed away from the user's skin.
  • the impermeability of layer 74 can be either an inherent property of the fabric, an impermeable coating applied to a surface of fabric 74 or provided by a separate piece of material which may be sewn or attached to the fabric surface of panel 74 to render it impermeable.
  • One or both of the fabric layers 74 and 76 can be provided by a wicking fabric layer.
  • the wicking fabric layer may be placed in contact with a user's skin or body such that the wicking fabric helps direct moisture away from the user.
  • the tubing 78 and perforations 82 defined by the tubing can be configured in several different and useful configurations.
  • the perforations 82 are substantially and uniformly spaced along the entire length and along the exterior surfaces of the tubing.
  • the perforations 82 may be positioned on only one side of the tubing such that the pressurized air is directed only against either the first fabric panel or the second fabric panel.
  • Yet another embodiment can vary the density of the openings 82 to provide a greater or lesser amount of air flow through a specific region.
  • a greater number of openings 82 can be provided to a selected region of the garment. For instance, increased airflow through the greater surface area of openings can be used to direct the pressurized air to a wearer's leg region, arm region, or back region.
  • tubing 78 may be provided by plastic tubing and discrete perforations 82
  • tubing material which is inherently permeable to the pressurized air source.
  • discrete perforations are not needed but a fabric tube having a sufficiently tight need construction can be provided that "leaks" pressurized air along the length of the fabric tubing.
  • One advantage of such a construction is that the fabric article can be more easily machine washed and dried than embodiments utilizing plastic tubing.
  • the fabric panel can have one or more temperature sensors provided which can be linked in
  • the temperature sensors provide a way of providing an upper temperature limit and a lower temperature limit for the fabric article such that upon reaching an upper or a lower temperature limit, a signal can be sent to help the peltier device to regulate the air flow rate and/or the supply temperature of the air flow.
  • Arm loops 84 are provided to allow the user to wear the robe similar to a standard bathrobe, whereby the arm loops are pulled over the user's arms and the robe is closed around the user's body.
  • a tie, belt, or fastener may be utilized for holding the robe in a closed position. It should also be noted that while the personal climate controlled system is illustrated in the form of a robe, other types of clothing, blankets and the like may be utilized in a similar fashion without departing from the scope of the invention.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un système personnel de régulation de climatisation destiné à chauffer et à refroidir le corps d'un utilisateur, et sur un procédé permettant de fournir à un utilisateur du dispositif un confort personnel par chauffage ou refroidissement du corps. Le système personnel de régulation de climatisation comprend un ensemble échangeur thermique et un ensemble robe couplés conjointement avec un ensemble tuyau. Un ensemble échangeur thermique est utilisé pour fournir de l'air conditionné sous pression à un trajet tortueux d'un tuyau interne intégré dans un vêtement porté par l'utilisateur.
PCT/US2014/048464 2013-07-26 2014-07-28 Dispositif personnel de régulation de climatisation à air pulsé Ceased WO2015013714A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201361858966P 2013-07-26 2013-07-26
US61/858,966 2013-07-26

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2015013714A1 true WO2015013714A1 (fr) 2015-01-29

Family

ID=52389297

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2014/048464 Ceased WO2015013714A1 (fr) 2013-07-26 2014-07-28 Dispositif personnel de régulation de climatisation à air pulsé

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20150027134A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2015013714A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105192936A (zh) * 2015-10-19 2015-12-30 国家电网公司 一种简易的带电作业工作服降温装置

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20150033437A1 (en) * 2013-08-02 2015-02-05 Douglas D. Hampton Temperature Adjustable Air-Cooled Undergarment
US12181192B2 (en) 2022-09-16 2024-12-31 Black & Decker, Inc. Methods and devices for controlling the temperature of a surface

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5970519A (en) * 1998-02-20 1999-10-26 Weber; Stanley Air cooling garment for medical personnel
US6260201B1 (en) * 2000-08-18 2001-07-17 Mark J. Rankin Portable cooling device
US6263530B1 (en) * 1996-09-24 2001-07-24 Steve Feher Selectively cooled or heated cushion and apparatus therefor
US20060137358A1 (en) * 2004-12-28 2006-06-29 Steve Feher Variable temperature cushion and heat pump

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4777802A (en) * 1987-04-23 1988-10-18 Steve Feher Blanket assembly and selectively adjustable apparatus for providing heated or cooled air thereto
US6942015B1 (en) * 2000-10-05 2005-09-13 Jenkins Comfort Systems, Llc Body heating/cooling apparatus
US6493889B2 (en) * 2001-01-29 2002-12-17 Project Cool Air, Inc. Cooling cover apparatus

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6263530B1 (en) * 1996-09-24 2001-07-24 Steve Feher Selectively cooled or heated cushion and apparatus therefor
US5970519A (en) * 1998-02-20 1999-10-26 Weber; Stanley Air cooling garment for medical personnel
US6260201B1 (en) * 2000-08-18 2001-07-17 Mark J. Rankin Portable cooling device
US20060137358A1 (en) * 2004-12-28 2006-06-29 Steve Feher Variable temperature cushion and heat pump

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105192936A (zh) * 2015-10-19 2015-12-30 国家电网公司 一种简易的带电作业工作服降温装置

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