JPH02109557A - Thermoelectric treatment device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To thinly miniaturize a treatment device body and to obtain a satisfactory cooling effect by cooling with water by forming a cooling room for each cooling case to cover each thermoelectric element, connecting a shunt device to divergently supply coolant to the cooling room of each cooling case, and arranging the shunt device between the cooling cases of a flexible substrate. CONSTITUTION:For a treatment device main body 3, in the internal part of the body 3 corresponding to the lower surface of each cooling case 20, plural respective heat radiating plates 20b... are erected in parallel under a separated state at prescribed state at prescribed equal intervals. Respective thermomodules 21... are fitted in the side of the lower surface of respective cooling cases 20..., and the lower surfaces of these respective thermomodules 21... are stuck and fixed into an exposed state to the side of the bottom surface of a flexible rubber substrate 17. To the upper center part of the flexible rubber substrate 17, a single shunt device 23, what is called a water divider, for divergently supplying coolant C such as water to be supplied from a cooling system 22 to respective cooling rooms 20c... in the respective cooling cases 20 and convergently collecting the coolant C from the respective cooling rooms 20c... is stuck and fixed. When cooling treatment is executed, the coolant C cooled to a prescribed temperature is supplied to the shunt device 23 of the treatment device main body 3, divergently supplied to the respective cooling cases 20..., and rapidly made to cool the respective heated thermomodules 21....

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (a) Field of the Invention This invention uses a thermoelectric element that is controlled at high and low temperatures by the Bertier effect to remove excess fat from scraps, elbows, knees, calves, and other local areas. The present invention relates to a thermoelectric therapy device used for various cold and hot treatments such as slimming beauty treatment, alleviation of bruises, sprains, lower back pain, neuralgia, muscle pain, and activation of internal organ functions.

(B) Conventional technology Conventionally, thermoelectric therapy devices used to remove excess fat from the abdomen, thighs, etc. have been made by installing a large number of thermoelectric elements in a row on a flexible substrate, which are controlled at high and low temperatures by the Bertier effect. There is a thermoelectric treatment machine in which the outer surfaces of a large number of thermoelectric elements are covered and protected with a soft jacket.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, since the thermoelectric treatment device described above is mainly worn on the user's abdomen or thigh, it is relatively long, and the thermoelectric element inside the treatment device is cooled. As a means of achieving this, an air passage is formed between the thermoelectric element and the soft outer skin, and an air cooling device such as a blower is built into the treatment device, so the treatment device itself becomes thick and bulky, making it difficult to handle. It is difficult to attach the device along joints such as the knees and knees, and other localized areas, making it unsuitable for localized treatment.

In addition, in order to efficiently air-cool the heated thermoelectric element,
Although an intake hole is opened on one side of the air passage and an exhaust hole is opened on the other side, ventilation is improved by forced ventilation.
If one or both of the air intake and exhaust holes are blocked by the user's clothes, etc., the air blowing to the air intake and exhaust holes will be obstructed, and the good air blowing effect will be hindered, such as reducing the amount of air blown to the air duct.
There was a problem in that the cooling efficiency of the thermoelectric element deteriorated.

The purpose of this invention is to be able to fit well and be attached to local areas such as shoulders, knees, and elbows, and to be able to be used for cold and hot treatment of those areas, and to make the main body of the treatment device thinner and smaller. In addition to reducing costs,
An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric treatment device that can obtain a good cooling effect by water cooling.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems The thermoelectric treatment device of the present invention has one thermoelectric element attached to each of at least both ends of a flexible substrate constituting the main body of the treatment device with the outer surface exposed. A cooling chamber is formed in each cooling case that covers each thermoelectric element, and a flow divider is connected to supply cooling liquid in a divided manner to the cooling chamber of each cooling case, and the flow divider is connected between the cooling cases of the flexible substrate. This is the configuration arranged in.

1 E) Function According to the present invention, the main body of the thermoelectric treatment device is curved so as to fit well into the debris, knees, elbows, etc., and each thermoelectric element is attached to a flexible substrate. By switching the application of DC power to each thermoelectric element between positive and negative with a cloth such as underwear interposed between the body and the private part, each thermoelectric element is heated and cooled by the Peltier effect, and this repeated cooling and heating action causes By stimulating the local area and promoting blood circulation and sweating, it removes excess fat, relieves pain, and activates internal functions.

On the other hand, during cold treatment, for example, the coolant supplied from a cooling device connected to the thermoelectric treatment device is divided by a flow divider and supplied to each cooling chamber of each cooling case that covers each thermoelectric element. , each heated thermoelectric element is rapidly cooled to a predetermined temperature to perform cold treatment.

(F) Effects of the Invention According to this invention, each thermoelectric element heated to a predetermined temperature is cooled by the cooling liquid supplied to the cooling chamber of each cooling case, so that air passages, blowers, etc. There is no need to incorporate an air cooling device, and the main body of the treatment device can be made thinner and smaller.

Moreover, the flexible substrate that constitutes the above-mentioned treatment device main body has
At least one thermoelectric element, a cooling case covering the element, and a flow divider located between these cooling cases are attached to at least both ends of the thermoelectric element, resulting in a compact and easily bendable structure.
It has the effect of allowing the thermoelectric treatment device to fit well and be worn along joints such as knees, shoulders, elbows, and other localized areas, and it is possible to perform localized cold and hot treatment with the treatment device on the table. can.

Furthermore, the cooling efficiency is higher than that of conventional air-cooled systems, and even if the entire body of the treatment device is covered by the user's clothes, the same cooling effect will not be hindered, allowing each thermoelectric element to be efficiently and rapidly cooled. This shortens the time it takes to transition from a heating state to a cooling state, and the repeated action of rapid temperature changes stimulates the local area, promoting blood circulation and sweating, removing excess fat, and alleviating pain. It is possible to activate the built-in functions and to further enhance the heat absorption and heat dissipation effects of each thermoelectric element.

In addition, there is an effect that the divided flow supply and combined collection to a plurality of cooling cases can be efficiently performed by using the -1 flow divider.

(f) Examples of the invention An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below based on the drawings.

The drawing shows a thermoelectric therapy device used for localized cold and hot treatment of shoulders, knees, elbows, etc. In Fig. 1, this thermoelectric therapy device 1 is shown.
is composed of a control unit 2 and a treatment device main body 3.

On the front side of the control unit 2, there are a frequency selector 4 that selects a frequency between 60Hz and 50Hz in accordance with the power supply frequency, a dial-type timer switch 5, and a plurality of second setting switches 6, 7, and 8. , a cooling/heating automatic changeover switch 9, a multi-switch 10, a cooling switch 11, a heating switch 12, and a temperature adjustment knob 13. A power cord 15 connected to the power supply unit 14 of
Connection tube 1 for connecting to the treatment device main body 3 described later
6 is installed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the treatment device main body 3 described above has an opening at the center of each extending end portion 18 of the flexible rubber substrate 17 formed in the shape of a cross. Opening 19...
Each cooling gauge 20 made of aluminum alloy or the like is fitted onto the upper surface side, and each flange 2 formed on the side surface of each cooling gauge 20 is fitted.
0a... is adhesively fixed to the upper surface periphery of each opening 19..., and a plurality of heat dissipation plates 20b... are fixed in a predetermined manner in the interior corresponding to the lower surface of each cooling case 20. They are installed parallel to each other at intervals.

Each thermo module 21... is fitted to the lower surface side of each of the above-mentioned cooling cases 20..., and the lower surface of each thermo module 21... is exposed to the bottom surface side of the flexible rubber substrate 17. It is fixed with adhesive.

At the center of the upper surface of the visible rubber substrate 17 described above, a cooling liquid q such as water supplied from a cooling device 22 described later is distributed to each cooling chamber 20c in each cooling case 20. A single flow divider 23, a so-called water divider, for supplying, merging and recovering is adhesively fixed.

This flow divider 23 has an interior divided into upper and lower two stages, and a flow divider chamber 2
4 and a confluence chamber 25, each flexible tube 26 connected to the outlet side of the upper partial flow chamber 24 is connected to the inlet side of each cooling case 20. Coolant C supplied from each cooling gauge 20.
..., and on the other hand, each visible tube 27... connected to the inlet side of the lower confluence chamber 25 is connected to the outlet side of each cooling case 20..., and from each cooling case 20... The cooling liquid C to be recirculated is configured to be combined and collected and returned to the cooling device 22, and configured to perform branch supply and combined recovery to each of the plurality of cooling cases 20 with one flow divider 23. There is.

FIG. 4 shows a coolant circulation system diagram of the cooling device 22, in which the visible tube 28 connected to the outlet side of the merging chamber 25 in the flow divider 23 is connected to the inlet side of the liquid storage tank 29, and the visible tube 28 is connected to the inlet side of the liquid storage tank 29. A circulation pump 31 is interposed between the outlet side of the cooling coil 30 and the inlet side of the cooling coil 30 to connect them to each other, and a fan 32 for cooling the coil is disposed near the cooling coil 30. The flexible tube 33 connected to the outlet side of the flow dividing chamber 2
It is connected to the inlet side of 4.

The circulation pump 31 and fan 32 are connected to a power supply unit 14 which will be described later.
By driving the circulation pump 31 and the fan 32 during cold and hot treatment, the coolant C collected in the liquid storage tank 29 is sucked by the liquid feeding action of the circulation pump 31. The liquid is sent to the cooling coil 30, and by the blowing action of the fan 32, the cooling liquid C passing through the cooling coil 30 is air-cooled to about 10° C. and then supplied to the treatment device main body 3.

The above-mentioned visible tubes 28, 33 and the connection cord 35 connected to the control section 34 inside the unit are assembled, inserted into the connection tube 16 connected to the back of the control unit 2, and the end of this connection tube 16 is inserted. Connector 3 attached to the
6 into a socket 37 fixed to the side surface of the flow divider 23, the flow divider chamber 24 of the flow divider 23 and the cooling coil 30 are connected with the flexible tube 28, and the merging chamber 25 and the liquid storage tank 29 are connected.
are connected by a flexible tube 33, and the control unit 34 and each thermo module 21... are connected by a connection cord 35.

On the upper surface of the visible rubber substrate 17, each of the above-mentioned elements 20
．． 23, 26, and 27, and is made of soft vinyl chloride or the like and formed into a bellows shape. It is fixed with adhesive.

Further, each of the extending end portions 18 extending in all directions of the visible rubber substrate 17 described above is provided with metal locking fittings 39 on, for example, three sides of each of the extending end portions 18 . . . , and are removably engaged with hooks 41 and 41 attached to both ends of a mounting belt 40 whose length is adjustable.

Note that the above-mentioned mounting belt 40 may be a stretchable rubber belt, a cloth belt with Velcro attached,
Others can be used.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the thermoelectric treatment device 1, in which a commercial alternating current (ACl)
A full-wave rectifier type rectifier circuit 43 including, for example, a diode bridge and a smoothing capacitor is connected through a power supply circuit 42 of 0.0V), and the rectifier circuit 43 is configured to convert commercial AC power into DC.

Further, a voltage control circuit 44 including the temperature adjustment knob 13 described above that constitutes the control section 34 is connected to the next stage of the rectifier circuit 43 described above, and this voltage control circuit 44 controls a DC power supply of rated 7V, 2A. In addition, the output voltage and output current of the voltage control circuit 44 are configured to be variably controlled by a volume or the like as a variable voltage means linked to the temperature adjustment knob 13 described above.

Furthermore, a switching circuit 45 including the switches 9, 10, 11, and 12 described above is connected to the output stage of the voltage control circuit 44, and each thermostat is connected to the switching circuit 45 via the connection cord 35 described above. Module 21... is connected.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned switching circuit 45 is connected to a timer circuit 46 including the above-mentioned timer switch 5 and a plurality of second setting switches 6.7°8.

When the above-mentioned cooling switch 11 is turned on, the thermo module 21 absorbs heat due to the Bertier effect, and when the above-mentioned heating switch 12 is turned on, the thermo module 21 generates heat, and the above-mentioned automatic changeover switch 9 is activated. The above-mentioned switching circuit 45 is configured so that when the thermo module 21 is turned ON, the thermo module 21 alternately generates and absorbs heat at intervals of, for example, one minute, set by the timer circuit 46.

The solid line example shown in the figure is configured as described above, and the operation will be explained below.

As shown in FIG. 6, for example, when performing local cold treatment on the user's knee, each of the extending ends 18 and 18 of the treatment device main body 3
.. by curving each thermo module 21 .
The mounting position is fixed by the tightening force of each mounting belt 40 .

Next, after rotating the temperature adjustment knob 13 of the control unit 2 to set an appropriate treatment temperature, each main part is automatically energized by rotating the timer switch 5 to set the treatment time. After that, when the automatic changeover switch 9 is turned on, the changeover circuit 45 switches each thermo module 21...
The applied current is automatically switched, and each thermo module 21 alternately repeats a heating state (heat generation) and a cooling state (heat absorption) at predetermined time intervals, for example, one minute intervals. I will do it.

During cold and hot treatment, the circulation pump 31 constituting the cooling device 22 is driven to circulate the coolant C such as water, and the coolant C collected from the treatment device main body 3 into the liquid storage tank 29 is sent to the cooling coil 30. The cooling liquid C flowing through the cooling coil 30 is cooled by the blowing action of the fan 32, and the cooling liquid C cooled to a predetermined temperature is again supplied to the flow divider 23 of the treatment device main body 3 to cool each cooling case 20. . . and rapidly cools each heated thermo module 21 .

As a result, temperature changes between cold and warm are repeatedly applied to the user's knee area, promoting blood circulation and sweating, which can alleviate pain and muscle fatigue in the knee area, and can be used for specific treatments such as subcutaneous fat removal. It is also extremely effective against.

Each thermo module 2 heated to a predetermined temperature in this way
1... is cooled by the cooling liquid C supplied to each cooling case 20..., so there is no need to build in an air cooling device such as an air passage or a blower like in conventional treatment devices, and the treatment device main body 3 can be formed thin, and the treatment device main body 3 can be significantly downsized.

Moreover, the arrangement structure of the flexible rubber substrate 17, each cooling case 20 attached to the substrate 17, and the flow divider 23 allows the treatment device main body 3 to be made small and easy to bend, so that it can be easily bent around the knees and shoulders. Treatment device main body 3 along joints such as elbows
This has the effect that the thermoelectric treatment device 1 can be worn with a good fit, and localized cold and hot treatment can be performed using the thermoelectric treatment device 1.

Furthermore, when cooling each of the above-mentioned thermo modules 21..., each cooling chamber 20c... of each cooling case 20... that covers each thermo module 21... is heated to a predetermined temperature by the cooling device 22. Since the cooling liquid C cooled to (for example, about 10 degrees Celsius) is continuously circulated and supplied, the cooling efficiency is higher than that of conventional air-cooling systems, and the entire treatment device body 3 is not covered by the user's clothes, etc. Even in such cases, the equivalent cooling effect is not inhibited, and each thermo module 21... can be efficiently and rapidly cooled, and the time required to shift from the heating state to the cooling state is short. The repeated rapid temperature changes provide local stimulation to the shoulders, knees, etc., promoting blood circulation and sweating, removing excess fat, alleviating pain, and activating internal functions. , the heat absorption and heat dissipation effects of each thermo module 21 . . . can be further enhanced.

In the correspondence between the structure of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the thermoelectric element of the present invention has the thermomodule 21 of the embodiment.
Similarly, the flexible substrate corresponds to the flexible rubber substrate 17, and both ends of the flexible substrate correspond to the extending ends 18. It is not limited to only the configuration.

For example, the thermoelectric treatment device 1 of the present invention can also be used for cold/thermal treatment of thighs, abdomen, etc. other than the above-mentioned shoulders, knees, and elbows.

Further, in the above embodiment, the locking metal fittings 39 were provided on each of the three sides of the extending end portion 18, but the locking metal fittings 39 or the locking means may be provided only at necessary locations.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned mounting belt 40 may be of a detachable structure, or may be of a structure integrated with the treatment device main body 3.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an example of a glaze according to the present invention. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the entire thermoelectric treatment device, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the treatment device main body with the cover removed, and Fig. 3 is the same as shown in Fig. 1. 4 is a fluid circulation system diagram of the thermoelectric treatment device, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the thermoelectric treatment device, and 6
The figure is a perspective view showing an example of a state in which the thermoelectric treatment device is used. 1... Thermoelectric treatment device 2... Control unit 3.
...Treatment device body 17...Flexible rubber substrate 18.
・Extending end 20... Cooling case 20c...
・Cooling chamber 21... Thermo module 23... Flow divider C... Coolant Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Attach one thermoelectric element to at least both ends of the flexible substrate constituting the treatment device body with the outer surface exposed, and form a cooling chamber in each cooling case that covers each of the thermoelectric elements, A thermoelectric treatment device, wherein a flow divider is connected to supply a cooling liquid in a divided manner to the cooling chambers of each of the cooling cases, and the flow divider is arranged between the cooling cases of a flexible substrate.