JPH032264Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed explanation of the invention] (a) Industrial application field This invention uses a thermoelectric element that is controlled at high and low temperatures by the Peltier effect, and is used for slimming and beauty treatment, removing bruises, sprains, and muscle mass, for example. The present invention relates to a thermoelectric treatment device used to treat fatigue and other conditions.

(b) Prior Art Conventionally, as the above-mentioned thermoelectric treatment device, for example,
There are therapeutic devices having structures as described in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 57-22907, Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 55-173315, and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-45688.

That is, heat transfer plates such as iron plates are placed on both the upper and lower surfaces of a thermomodule as a thermoelectric element, and the upper and lower heat transfer plates are fixed with bolts or adhesive with the thermomodule sandwiched in the middle like a sandwich arch. This is a thermoelectric treatment device with a structure in which one heat exchanger plate is exposed to the outside and the other heat exchanger plate is equipped with heat dissipation fins.

The above-mentioned thermoelectric treatment device heats and cools by reversing the positive and negative DC power applied to the thermomodule by applying the Peltier effect. For example, one heat exchanger plate exposed to the outside is applied to the user's abdomen. Although it has the advantage of stimulating the abdomen through repeated heating and cooling, and promotes blood circulation and sweating, it can eliminate abdominal fat, but on the other hand, it has the following structural problems.

In other words, since the thermomodule is sandwiched between heat transfer plates in a sandwich-like structure, the number of parts is large and the structure is complicated. Since the thermomodule structure is used, there is a problem in that the thermoelectric treatment effect can only be obtained on one local area of the user, and at the same time, the thermoelectric treatment effect cannot be obtained over a wide range.

To solve this problem, it is better to use multiple thermomodules as described above, but in this case, heat will accumulate inside the cover during repeated heating and cooling.
A structure that does not use a cover has the disadvantage of inhibiting a good thermoelectric treatment effect (Utility Model No. 55-173315
(shown in Figure 3 of the publication), the therapeutic effect was significantly reduced due to thermal interference, and there was a risk that the human body or clothing would be damaged by the heat exchange fins.

(c) Purpose of the invention This invention not only simplifies the overall structure of the treatment device by directly bonding the fins to the thermoelectric element, but also provides thermoelectric treatment effects over a wide range of areas at the same time on the user's affected areas. To provide a thermoelectric treatment device capable of obtaining a good thermoelectric treatment effect without causing heat buildup or thermal interference even during repeated cooling and heating operations.

(d) Structure of the device In this device, a thermoelectric element whose high and low temperatures are controlled by the Peltier effect is adhesively fixed to the inner surface of a heat transfer plate, and a plurality of fins for heat dissipation are attached to the side of the thermoelectric element opposite to the heat transfer plate. are directly adhesively fixed to form a single thermoelectric unit, and a plurality of the thermoelectric units are arranged in a row so that the outer surface of the heat exchanger plate is exposed to a strip-shaped flexible substrate, and A flexible outer cover is provided that integrally covers the thermoelectric unit on the flexible substrate on the side opposite to the heat transfer plate, and forced air blowing means is provided in a row between the flexible substrate and the flexible outer cover. , the thermoelectric treatment device is characterized in that vent holes are formed at both ends of the flexible jacket in the longitudinal direction, respectively, so as to face the row portions.

(e) Effects of the invention According to this invention, the heat exchanger plate and the thermoelectric element are fixed with adhesive, and multiple fins for heat dissipation are directly attached and adhesively attached to the thermoelectric element. A pair of heat exchanger plates is no longer required, and the number of parts can be significantly reduced and the structure can be simplified.

Furthermore, since the thermoelectric units described above are arranged in a row on the band-shaped flexible substrate, the flexible substrate can be placed along the abdomen, etc., and therefore,
It has the effect of simultaneously obtaining a wide range of thermoelectric treatment effects on the user's affected areas.

Moreover, even during the repeated heating and cooling control of the thermoelectric element described above, the air blown from the vent by the forced air means described above reliably prevents heat from accumulating inside the flexible jacket and causing thermal interference. Since this can be prevented, there is an effect that the thermoelectric treatment effect can be greatly improved.

In addition, since the above-mentioned ventilation holes are formed at both longitudinal ends of the flexible jacket, even if clothes are worn over the flexible jacket when using the thermoelectric treatment device,
This clothing does not obstruct ventilation.

(F) Embodiment of the invention An embodiment of the invention will be described below in detail based on the drawings.

The drawing shows a thermoelectric treatment device, and in FIG. 1, this thermoelectric treatment device includes a control unit 1 and a thermoelectric section 2, and a housing 3 of the control unit 1 includes a temperature adjustment knob 4 and a cooling switch. 5, a heating switch 6, an automatic cold/hot switching switch 7, and a connector 9 for a connection cord 8.

The above-mentioned thermoelectric section 2 is constructed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

That is, two sets of a pair of opposing grooves 11, 11 for embedding a heat exchanger plate are formed along the longitudinal direction at the bottom of the band-shaped flexible rubber substrate 10, and a curved groove is formed between the pair of grooves 11, 11. Two sets of heat exchanger plates 12, 12 made of iron plates with a predetermined thickness that can be deformed are buried, and the lower surfaces of each of these heat exchanger plates 12, 12 are exposed to the outside.

Further, a total of 12 openings 13, which are formed in two rows at approximately equal intervals along the longitudinal direction of the flexible rubber substrate 10, are provided with thermomodules 14, respectively. The lower surface of the module 14 is adhesively fixed to the inner surface of the heat exchanger plate 12 using an instant adhesive.

Further, each of the bent portions of the L-shaped fins 15 for heat dissipation is directly adhesively fixed to the upper surface of each thermomodule 14 with an instant adhesive, so that each thermomodule 14 is fixed to the upper surface of the thermomodule 14.
A plurality of fins 15, for example seven each, are erected on the top in parallel with an air blowing path 23, which will be described later.

In other words, each of the above elements 11, 12, 14,
15 constitutes a single thermoelectric unit 40, a plurality of thermoelectric units 40 having the same configuration are provided, and each of these thermoelectric units 40 is connected to a band-shaped flexible rubber substrate 1.
The openings 13 are arranged in parallel with the openings 13, which are formed in a row.

Furthermore, a thick iron protection plate 18 is formed by integrally connecting two gate-shaped parts 16, 16 that cover the above-mentioned rows of fins 15 in a spaced manner with a cross-shaped connecting part 17.
are provided, and each of these protection plates 18 is adhesively fixed to the upper surface of the flexible rubber substrate 10 described above.

Forced air blowers 19, 19 located between the thermomodules 14, 14 in each row are attached to the longitudinal center of the upper surface of the flexible rubber substrate 10, and these two blowers 19, 19 are A gate-shaped metal protector 20 is provided to integrally cover the
Lower end bent portions 20a, 20a of this protector 20
, the mounting seats 21 and 2 provided on the flexible rubber substrate 10
1 is fixed with screws.

Further, a bellows-shaped belt-shaped jacket 22 made of soft vinyl chloride that integrally covers each element 15 to 21 on the flexible rubber substrate 10 is provided, and this belt-shaped jacket 22 is attached to the above-mentioned flexible rubber substrate 10. By doing so, the air passages 23, 2 corresponding to the thermomodule rows as shown in FIG.
3 is formed.

The above-mentioned belt-shaped outer cover 22 has a lower edge 2 of the skirt.
2a is inserted into the groove 24 on the upper surface of the flexible rubber substrate 10.

Ventilation holes 25 are formed at both ends of each of the air passages 23, 23 in the belt-shaped jacket 22 described above.

These vent holes 25 are automatically opened by the flexible pieces 26 formed integrally with the band-shaped jacket 22 when the blowers 19, 19 are driven.

By the way, the above-mentioned thermomodule (also referred to as thermoelement) 14 is a thermoelectric element constructed by interposing a large number of metal pieces or intermetallic compound pieces in a series connection structure between upper and lower ceramic flat plates, and is a thermoelectric element that is constructed by interposing a number of metal pieces or intermetallic compound pieces in a series connection structure. Heat is generated and absorbed based on the Peltier effect by the application of ).

Also, the Peltier coefficient β mentioned above is the Seebeck coefficient α
and the absolute temperature T, that is, β=αT.
Furthermore, if the direction of the applied current is reversed, heat generation changes to absorption, and absorption changes to generation.

The above-mentioned thermomodule 14 is normally heated to room temperature plus 0 to 25 degrees Celsius, maximum 100 degrees Celsius, and cooled to room temperature minus 15 degrees Celsius, maximum -20 degrees Celsius.
Returned to °C.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a thermoelectric treatment device, in which a full-wave rectifier circuit 28 using, for example, a diode bridge and a smoothing capacitor is connected to the next stage of a commercial alternating current (AC 100V) power supply circuit 27.
This rectifier circuit 28 is configured to smooth the commercial AC power supply to DC.

Further, a voltage control circuit 29 including the temperature adjustment knob 4 described above is connected to the next stage of the rectifier circuit 28 described above, and this control circuit 29 obtains a DC power with a rating of about 7V and 2A, and also The output voltage and output current of the circuit 29 are configured to be variably controlled by a volume or the like as variable voltage means linked to the knob 4.

Further, a switching circuit 30 including the aforementioned switches 5, 6, and 7 is connected to the output stage of the voltage control circuit 9, and a forced air blowing means is connected to the switching circuit 30 via the aforementioned connecting cord 8. A blower 19 and a thermo module 14 are connected.

When the above-mentioned cooling switch 5 is turned on, the thermo module 14 absorbs heat, and when the above-mentioned heating switch 6 is turned on, the thermo module 14 generates heat, and the above-mentioned cold/hot automatic changeover switch 7 is turned on. The above-mentioned switching circuit 30 is configured so that, when turned on, the thermomodule 14 alternately generates and absorbs heat at intervals of, for example, one minute.

The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above,
The action will be explained below.

Now, for example, in order to remove fat from the user's abdomen, the heat transfer plates 12, 12 of the flexible rubber substrate 10 in the thermoelectric section 2 described above are placed along the abdomen over the underwear.
After turning on the power switch (not shown), if you turn the temperature adjustment knob 4 appropriately and then turn on the cold/hot automatic changeover switch 7, the thermo module 14 will heat and cool at approximately 1-minute intervals. Repeat.

Therefore, it is possible to stimulate the user's abdomen by repeatedly changing the temperature between cold and warm over a wide range at the same time, and to promote blood circulation and sweating, thereby reducing abdominal fat.

Furthermore, unlike conventional moxibustion devices that only perform heating, the thermomodule 14 can easily be brought into a heated state (heat It is possible to switch from a cooling state (generation of heat) to a cooling state (absorption of heat), which is extremely effective for a wide range of specific treatments, such as subcutaneous fat removal, for example.

Furthermore, since the blowers 19, 19 serving as air blowing means are used to forcefully blow air into the air passage 23 formed between the flexible rubber substrate 10 and the belt-shaped outer sheath 22, heat buildup in the air passage 23 is prevented. In addition, it has the effect of increasing the heat absorption and heat dissipation effects of the thermomodule 14, and especially when automatically switching between cold and hot, the above-mentioned air blower can prevent thermal interference between high and low temperatures. , it is possible to significantly improve the thermoelectric treatment effect.

Furthermore, since both the flexible rubber substrate 10 and the bellows-like belt-shaped outer cover 22 have a structure that is easy to bend, they can be used to treat a wide range of affected areas such as bruises, sprains, and muscle fatigue, such as hands and feet other than the abdomen. The thermoelectric part 2 can be placed along the thermoelectric part 2 well, and multifunctional treatment can be performed with one treatment device.

In addition, the above-mentioned vent hole 25 is formed at the longitudinal end of the thermoelectric section 2, that is, at the end other than the front and back surfaces, and the blower 19 is disposed in the air passage 23 within this vent hole 25. Even if you wear clothes over the belt-like jacket 22 when using the treatment device,
This clothing has the advantage that airflow is not obstructed.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned protection plate 18 and protector 20 protect the heat dissipation fins 15 and the blower 19 from loads such as a user putting his/her weight on the contents of the thermoelectric unit 2, and the above-mentioned protection plate 18 and There is an effect that the air passage 23 can be reliably secured by both the protector 20 and the protector 20.

In addition, since the heat transfer plate 12 and the thermo module 14 are adhesively fixed together, and the plurality of heat dissipating fins 15 are directly adhesively fixed to the thermomodule 14, the upper and lower parts required for the conventional sandwich sandwich structure are Needless to say, a pair of heat exchanger plates is not required, and the number of parts can be significantly reduced, and the structure can be simplified.

In terms of the correspondence between the configuration of this invention and the above embodiment, the thermoelectric element of this invention corresponds to the thermomodule 15 of the embodiment, and similarly, the flexible substrate corresponds to the flexible rubber substrate 10. However, although the flexible jacket corresponds to the belt-shaped jacket 22 and the forced air blowing means corresponds to the blower 19, the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

In addition to the above-mentioned purposes, it can of course be used in place of a water pillow for cooling the head and other purposes.

Further, in the above embodiment, a total of 12 thermomodules 14 are arranged in two rows, but it goes without saying that this may be one row or three or more rows.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show one embodiment of this invention, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a thermoelectric treatment device, Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line - - in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the thermoelectric treatment device. It is a diagram. 10... Flexible rubber substrate, 12... Heat exchanger plate, 14
...Thermo module, 15... Finn, 19...
...Blower, 22...Band-like jacket, 25...Vent hole,
40...Thermoelectric unit.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] A thermoelectric element 14 that is controlled at high and low temperatures by the Peltier effect is adhesively fixed to the inner surface of the heat exchanger plate 12, and
A plurality of heat dissipating fins 15 are directly adhesively fixed to the side opposite to the heat transfer plate of the thermoelectric element 14 to form a single thermoelectric unit 40, and the thermoelectric unit 40 is connected to a band-shaped flexible substrate 10.
A plurality of units are arranged in a row so that the outer surface of the heat exchanger plate 12 is exposed, and a flexible outer cover integrally covers the thermoelectric unit 40 on the flexible substrate 10 on the side opposite to the heat exchanger plate. 22, and a forced air blowing means 19 is provided in the row portion between the flexible substrate 10 and the flexible jacket 22, and the rows are provided at both ends of the flexible jacket 22 in the longitudinal direction. A thermoelectric treatment device in which vent holes 25 are formed to face each of the shaped parts.