U.S. patent application number 10/584291 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-29 for air-conditioning garment.
This patent application is currently assigned to Seft Development Laboratory Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hiroshi Ichigaya.
Application Number | 20070271939 10/584291 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34717661 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070271939 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ichigaya; Hiroshi |
November 29, 2007 |
Air-Conditioning Garment
Abstract
It is an object of the present invention to provide an
air-conditioning garment capable of expanding a range in which a
physiological cooler function originally included in a human body
is effectively exercised, with a small power consumption in
accordance with an individual difference or an intended use of a
wearer. This air-conditioning garment is provided with a clothing
material portion 20 which guides air along a surface of a body in a
space between itself and the body, three air circulating portions
40, 40 and 40 which take air flowing in the space between the
clothing material portion 20 and the body to the outside, two air
sending means 50 and 50 for forcibly generating a flow of air in
the space between the clothing material portion 20 and the body,
and power supplying means 61 for supplying power to the air sending
means 50 and 50. The air sending means 50 and 50 take outside air
into the clothing material portion 20, and generate air flowing
with a flow quantity of 6 liters/second. As a result, the
air-conditioning garment can rapidly vaporize sweat, and hence the
range in which the physiological cooler function originally
included in a human body is effectively exercised can be expanded,
thereby demonstrating a sufficient cooling effect.
Inventors: |
Ichigaya; Hiroshi;
(Saitama-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CROWELL & MORING LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP
P.O. BOX 14300
WASHINGTON
DC
20044-4300
US
|
Assignee: |
Seft Development Laboratory Co.,
Ltd.
19-6, Shikatebukuro 6-chome, Minami-ku
Saitama-shi
JP
336-0031
|
Family ID: |
34717661 |
Appl. No.: |
10/584291 |
Filed: |
December 25, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
December 25, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP03/16741 |
371 Date: |
April 5, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/259.3 ;
2/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/0025 20130101;
A41D 31/145 20190201 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/259.3 ;
002/069 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/00 20060101
A41D013/00; F25D 23/12 20060101 F25D023/12 |
Claims
1. An air-conditioning garment comprising: air guiding means for
covering a predetermined part of a body and guiding air along a
surface of the body or an undergarment in a space between itself
and the body or the undergarment; one or a plurality of air
circulating portions which take air flowing in the space between
the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment to the
outside or take outside air into the space between the air guiding
means and the body or the undergarment; one or a plurality of air
sending means for forcibly generating a flow of air in the space
between the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment; and
power supplying means for supplying power to the air sending means,
wherein the air sending means generates air flowing with a flow
quantity of at least 0.01 liter/second per kg of a weight of a
wearer, and the air sending means circulates air in the space
between the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment to
facilitate vaporization of sweat generated from the body and expand
a range in which a physiological cooler function originally
included in a human body is effectively exercised.
2. An air-conditioning garment comprising: air guiding means for
covering a predetermined part of a body and guiding air along a
surface of the body or an undergarment in a space between itself
and the body or the undergarment; one or a plurality of air
circulating portions which take air flowing in the space between
the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment to the
outside or take outside air into the space between the air guiding
means and the body or the undergarment; one or a plurality of air
sending means for forcibly generating a flow of air in the space
between the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment; and
power supplying means for supplying power to the air sending means,
wherein the air sending means circulates air in the space between
the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment to
facilitate vaporization of sweat generated from the body and expand
a range in which a physiological cooler function originally
included in a human body is effectively exercised, and the
air-conditioning garment has such an air-conditioning capability as
vaporization heat drawn from the periphery by the sweat generated
from the body is at least 340 calories/hour per kg of a weight of a
wearer when outside air has a temperature of 33.degree. and
humidity of 50%.
3. An air-conditioning garment comprising: air guiding means for
covering a predetermined part of a body and guiding air along a
surface of the body or an undergarment in a space between itself
and the body or the undergarment; one or a plurality of air
circulating portions which take air flowing in the space between
the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment to the
outside; one or a plurality of air sending means for taking outside
air into the space between the air guiding means and the body or
the undergarment and forcibly generating a flow of air in the space
between the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment; and
power supplying means for supplying power to the air sending means,
wherein the air sending means generates air flowing with a flow
quantity of at least 2 liters/second, and the air sending means
circulates air in the space between the air guiding means and the
body or the undergarment to facilitate vaporization of sweat
generated from the body and expand a range in which a physiological
cooler function originally included in a human body is effectively
exercised.
4. An air-conditioning garment comprising: air guiding means for
covering a predetermined part of a body and guiding air along a
surface of the body or an undergarment in a space between itself
and the body or the undergarment; one or a plurality of air
circulating portions which take air flowing in the space between
the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment to the
outside or take outside air into the space between the air guiding
means and the body or the undergarment; at least two air sending
means for forcibly generating a flow of air in the space between
the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment; and power
supplying means for supplying power to the air sending means,
wherein the air sending means is attached at a part close to a rib
in a lower portion of the air guiding means on a back side and
generates air flowing with a flow quantity of at least 0.01
liter/second per kg of a weight of a wearer, and the air sending
means circulates air in the space between the air guiding means and
the body or the undergarment to facilitate vaporization of sweat
generated from the body and expand a range in which a physiological
cooler function originally included in a human body is effectively
exercised.
5. An air-conditioning garment comprising: air guiding means for
covering a predetermined part of a body and guiding air along a
surface of the body or an undergarment in a space between itself
and the body or the undergarment; one or a plurality of air
circulating portions which take air flowing in the space between
the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment to the
outside; one or a plurality of air sending means for taking outside
air into the space between the air guiding means and the body or
the undergarment and forcibly generating a flow of air in the space
between the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment; and
power supplying means for supplying power to the air sending means,
wherein the air sending means is attached at a back portion of the
air guiding means and generates air flowing with a flow quantity of
at least 10 liters/second, and the air sending means circulates air
in the space between the air guiding means and the body or the
undergarment to facilitate vaporization of sweat generated from the
body and expand a range in which a physiological cooler function
originally included in a human body is effectively exercised.
6. An air-conditioning garment which is put on under an
overgarment, comprising: air guiding means for covering a
predetermined part of a body and guiding air along a surface of the
body or an undergarment in a space between itself and the body or
the undergarment; one or a plurality of air circulating portions
which take air flowing in the space between the air guiding means
and the body or the undergarment to the outside or take outside air
into the space between the air guiding means and the body or the
undergarment; one or a plurality of air sending means for forcibly
generating a flow of air in the space between the air guiding means
and the body or the undergarment; and power supplying means for
supplying power to the air sending means, wherein the air sending
means generates air flowing with a flow quantity of at least 0.01
liter/second per kg of a weight of a wearer, a maximum static
pressure of the air sending means is at least 30 pascals, and a
temperature gradient in the vicinity of the surface of the body is
increased to cool the body, sweat generated from the body is
vaporized and vaporization heat drawn from the periphery by the
sweat at the time of vaporization is utilized to cool the body when
the air sending means circulates air in the space between the air
guiding means and the body or the undergarment.
7. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein the
air guiding means has such air permeability as a ratio of a flow
quantity of air leaking from the entire air guiding means to the
outside with respect to a flow quantity of air taken into the space
between the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment is
at most 60%.
8. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein a
ratio of a surface area of a part of the body wrapped with air
generated by the air sending means with respect to a surface area
of the entire body is at least approximately 10%.
9. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein a
local spacer which locally assures a space which allows circulation
of air between the air guiding means and the body or the
undergarment is provided at a predetermined position on an inner
surface side of the air guiding means.
10. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein the
air sending means is a side stream fan which radially sends air
taken in from an axial direction of an impeller toward an outer
peripheral direction of the impeller, and attached at a
predetermined position on the inner surface side of the air guiding
means.
11. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein the
air sending means has a propeller, and direction converting means
for converting a flow direction of air in such a manner that air
taken in from the propeller along a rotation axis direction of the
propeller flows radially toward a direction substantially
orthogonal to the rotation axis direction of the propeller.
12. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein the
air sending means discharges air flowing between the air guiding
means and the body or the undergarment to the outside and generates
air flowing with a flow quantity of at most 6 liters/second, and a
planar spacer which assures a space which allows circulation of air
between the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment is
provided at a predetermined part on the inner surface of the air
guiding means.
13. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein the
air sending means is attached on the inner surface side of the air
guiding means.
14. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein the
air circulating portion is an opening portion formed at a
predetermined end portion of the air guiding means.
15. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein a
part formed out of a cloth having high air permeability in a
clothing material which covers a predetermined part of the body is
utilized as the air circulating portion.
16. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 15, wherein the
entire clothing material is manufactured by using a cloth having
high air permeability, a part on which a sheet-like member having
low air permeability is laminated from an inner side of the
clothing material in the clothing material is utilized as the air
guiding means, and a part on which no sheet-like member is
laminated in the clothing material is utilized as the air
circulating portion.
17. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein a
hole is formed at a predetermined position of the air guiding
means, and a material having excellent air permeability is attached
on the air guiding means to close the hole, thereby forming the air
circulating portion.
18. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein
there is provided opening/closing means for opening/closing a front
part of the air guiding means and preventing air from leaking to
the outside from the front part when the front part of the air
guiding means is closed.
19. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 18, wherein the
opening/closing means is a fastener or a Velcro tape.
20. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein
buttons are used as opening/closing means for opening/closing a
front part of the air guiding means, and an extending portion which
increases an area of an overlapping portion of the air guiding
means generated when the buttons are fastened is provided at an end
portion of the air guiding means on a side where the buttons are
attached.
21. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein air
leak preventing means for preventing air from leaking to the
outside from a hem portion of the air guiding means by bringing the
hem portion into close contact with the body, the undergarment or a
garment is provided at the hem portion.
22. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein the
air guiding means has such a length as a lower portion of the air
guiding means is enabled to cover buttocks and a lower abdominal
region of a wearer.
23. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, comprising
air leak preventing means having a band-like clothing material
which is stitched at a position in the vicinity of a hem portion of
the air guiding means on the inner surface side of the air guiding
means along a direction around a waist and an elastic member which
is put into an end portion of the band-like clothing material on
the body side, wherein the air leak preventing means prevents air
from leaking to the outside from the hem portion of the air guiding
means when the end portion of the band-like clothing material in
which the elastic member is put is appressed against the body, the
undergarment or a garment.
24. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein a
material which air does not substantially permeate is used as a
material of the air guiding means.
25. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein a
material containing 100% of polyester or a mixed material
containing 80% or more of polyester is used as a material of the
air guiding means.
26. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein a
material which does not absorb rain water is used as a material of
the air guiding means.
27. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein the
air guiding means is subjected to waterproof processing or
water-repellent processing.
28. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein air
agitating means for forcibly disturbing a flow of air in the space
between the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment is
provided on the inner surface of the air guiding means.
29. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein flow
path setting means for forcibly setting a path through which air
flows in the space between the air guiding means and the body or
the undergarment is provided on the inner surface of the air
guiding means.
30. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein
accommodating means for accommodating the power supplying means is
attached on the inner surface side of the air guiding means at a
position corresponding to a pocket provided on an outer surface
side of the air guiding means.
31. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein a
secondary battery is used as the power supplying means, and a solar
battery is used to charge the secondary battery.
32. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein a
fuel battery is used as the power supplying means.
33. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein a
capacitor is used as the power supplying means.
34. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein the
power supplying means is a commercial power source, DC converting
means is used to convert an alternating voltage from the commercial
power source into a direct-current voltage, and the converted
direct-current voltage is supplied to the air sending means.
35. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein the
air guiding means is formed into a shape which covers an upper body
and a head region excluding a face.
36. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein the
air guiding means is formed into a shape which covers an upper body
and a lower body.
37. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein a
spacer which assures a space which allows circulation of air
between the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment is
provided at a position corresponding to a lumbar region on the
inner surface side of the air guiding means.
38. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein a
spacer which assures a space which allows circulation of air
between the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment is
provided at a part corresponding to a back region on the inner
surface side of the air guiding means.
39. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein at
least the 10 air sending means each having a thickness of at most 6
mm are provided at predetermined positions of the air guiding
means.
40. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, comprising a
band-like member to which the air sending means and the power
supplying means are attached, wherein the air guiding means
comprises upper air guiding means for covering an upper part of an
upper body and a lower air guiding means for covering a lower part
of the upper body, a lower end of the upper air guiding means is
detachably disposed to an upper end of the band-like member, and an
upper end of the lower air guiding means is detachably disposed to
a lower end of the band-like member.
41. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein the
air sending means is detachably disposed at a predetermined
position of the air guiding means.
42. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, comprising a
band-like member to which the air sending means is attached,
wherein the band-like member is detachably disposed at a
predetermined position on the inner surface side of the air guiding
means.
43. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein the
air guiding means is configured to be divided into two parts, i.e.,
upper and lower parts, and the air sending means is attached to the
lower part of the air guiding means.
44. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, comprising a
band-like member to which the air sending means is attached,
wherein the band-like member is detachably disposed at a position
corresponding to a lumbar region on the inner surface side of the
air guiding means.
45. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, comprising
remote control transmitting means for transmitting a signal which
instructs to turn on/off the air sending means, wherein the air
sending means is provided with the power supplying means, receiving
means for receiving the signal from the remote control transmitting
means and controlling means for controlling driving of the air
sending means based on the signal received by the receiving
means.
46. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, comprising:
body temperature detecting means for detecting a body temperature
of a wearer or work volume detecting means for detecting a work
volume in accordance with movements of the wearer; calculating
means for calculating a flow quantity of air circulated in the
space between the air guiding means and the body or the
undergarment which is required for a human body to perform
appropriate heat radiation in accordance with a situation at the
time based on a detection result obtained by the body temperature
detecting means or the work volume detecting means; and drive
controlling means for determining drive conditions of the air
sending means based on the flow quantity of air calculated by the
calculating means, and controlling driving of the air sending means
in accordance with the determined drive conditions of the air
sending means.
47. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 46, wherein
DC-DC converting means capable of changing an output voltage is
provided between the power supplying means and the air sending
means, and the drive controlling means controls the DC-DC
converting means to change a quantity of power supplied to the air
sending means, thereby controlling driving of the air sending
means.
48. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, comprising:
physical condition detecting means for detecting a physical
condition of a wearer; calculating means for generating information
concerning the physical condition based on a detection result
obtained by the physical condition detecting means; and
communicating means for transmitting to external receiving means
the information concerning the physical condition transmitted from
the calculating means.
49. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, comprising:
inputting means; communicating means which is connected to the
Internet to perform communication; controlling means for
controlling the communicating means; and outputting means for
outputting information downloaded through the Internet.
50. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein one
having water-resisting properties is used as a cable which supplies
electric power from the power supplying means, and the cable is
attached on the inner surface of the air guiding means.
51. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 5, wherein the
air sending means is a side stream fan which radially sends air
taken in from an axial direction of an impeller toward an outer
peripheral direction of the impeller, a diameter of the impeller is
at least 60 mm, a flow quantity of air generated between the air
guiding means and the body or the undergarment is at least 15
liters/second, and the one air sending means is provided at a part
corresponding to a back region of the air guiding means.
52. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 51, comprising
slinging means for carrying the air sending means on a wearer's
back.
53. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein,
when outside air has a temperature of 33.degree. C. and humidity of
50% and a flow quantity of air generated in the space between the
air guiding means and the body or the undergarment is at least 5
liters/second, a ratio of an air-conditioning capability with
respect to a power consumption of the air sending means is at least
50-fold.
54. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein,
assuming that a flow quantity of air generated in the space between
the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment is L
liters/second, means having such air sending pressure
characteristics as a maximum static pressure falls within a range
of 5L.sup.1/2 pascals to 50L.sup.1/2 pascals is used as the air
sending means.
55. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein,
assuming that a flow quantity of air generated in the space between
the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment is L
liters/second, a total cross-sectional area of the air circulating
portions falls within a range of 5L.sup.1/2 cm.sup.2 to 20L.sup.1/2
cm.sup.2.
56. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein a
ratio of a total effective cross-sectional area of the air
circulating portions with respect to a total effective
cross-sectional area of the air sending means is at least
0.7-fold.
57. The air-conditioning garment according to claim 3, wherein,
when a pressure difference between a pressure in the air guiding
means and an external pressure is 10 pascals, a flow quantity of
air leaking per cm.sup.2 of the air guiding means in one second is
at most 5 cc.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an air-conditioning garment
used as an auxiliary device which effectively exercises a body
cooling function using vaporization heat of sweat that humans
originally have.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In a heated term like summer, means for keeping out the heat
which is currently most extensively used is an air conditioner.
This directly cools air in a room, and hence it is very effective
in keeping out the heat.
[0003] However, the air conditioner is an expensive apparatus, and
its penetration rate for households has been increased, but it is
yet to be set in each room in a family unit. Further, since the air
conditioner consumes a large quantity of electric power, spread of
the air conditioner increases a power consumption in the whole
society. Furthermore, under existing circumstances where a fossil
fuel accounts for a large percentage of electric power generation,
spread of the air conditioner leads to an ironic effect of global
warming. Moreover, since the air conditioner cools air itself in a
room, there can be considered a problem that excessive cooling
ruins health.
[0004] In order to solve the above-described problems, the present
inventor has originated a cooling garment which consumes a small
quantity of power even in a heated term and with which a user can
comfortably spend such a season (PCT/JP01/01360). This cooling
garment includes a circulation path through which air is circulated
between the garment and an undergarment or a body, and air sending
means integrally provided with the garment. In this cooling
garment, outside air is taken into the circulation path to be
circulated by the air sending means, whereby a body is cooled based
on a temperature difference between a body temperature and a
temperature of the outside air. A wearer can keep out the heat by
just wearing this cooling garment. Therefore, if this cooling
garment is widely spread, the air conditioner is almost no longer
necessary, thereby greatly contributing to global environment
protection.
[0005] Meanwhile, in general, a cooling effect obtained by wearing
a cooling garment differs depending on an individual difference or
an intended use of a wearer. For example, when a heavy person wears
a cooling garment, the sufficient cooling effect may not be
obtained unless a large flow quantity of air is caused to flow
through a circulation path as compared with a case where a person
having a small weight wears the cooling garment. Further, when a
wearer is involved in a heavy duty, the sufficient cooling effect
cannot be obtained unless a large flow quantity of air is caused to
flow through the circulation path as compared with a case where
he/she is involved in a light duty. In a conventional cooling
garment, this point is not taken into consideration, and air is
just caused to flow between the garment and an undergarment or a
body. Furthermore, the conventional cooling garment does not
include a concept that a later-described physiological cooler using
sweat as a coolant is exploited. As will be described later, air
having a fixed flow quantity or above which is determined based on
conditions such as an ambient temperature, contents of a work
performed by a wearer, a weight of the wearer and others must be
circulated in order to exploit the physiological cooler. In the
conventional cooling garment on the premise of circulating just a
small amount of air without considering these conditions, the
intended sufficient cooling effect cannot be obtained.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In view of the above-described problems, it is an object of
the present invention to provide an air-conditioning garment
capable of expanding a range in which a physiological cooler
function originally included in a human body is effectively
exercised, with a small power consumption in accordance with an
individual difference or an intended use of a wearer.
[0007] In order to achieve this object, according to the present
invention defined in claim 1, there is provided an air-conditioning
garment comprising: air guiding means for covering a predetermined
part of a body and guiding air along a surface of the body or an
undergarment in a space between itself and the body or the
undergarment; one or a plurality of air circulating portions which
take air flowing in the space between the air guiding means and the
body or the undergarment to the outside or take outside air into
the space between the air guiding means and the body or the
undergarment; one or a plurality of air sending means for forcibly
generating a flow of air in the space between the air guiding means
and the body or the undergarment; and power supplying means for
supplying power to the air sending means, wherein the air sending
means generates air flowing with a flow quantity of at least 0.01
liter/second per kg of a weight of a wearer, and the air sending
means circulates air in the space between the air guiding means and
the body or the undergarment to facilitate vaporization of sweat
generated from the body and expand a range in which a physiological
cooler function originally included in a human body is effectively
exercised.
[0008] The air-conditioning garment according to the present
invention defined in claim 1 uses, as the air sending means, one
which can generate air flowing with a flow quantity of at least
0.01 liter/second per kg of a weight of a wearer. Therefore, since
this air-conditioning garment can rapidly vaporize sweat generated
from the body, the range in which the physiological cooler function
originally included in a human body is effectively exercised can be
expanded, thereby demonstrating the sufficient cooling effect.
[0009] In order to achieve the above-described object, according to
the present invention defined in claim 2, there is provided an
air-conditioning garment comprising: air guiding means for covering
a predetermined part of a body and guiding air along a surface of
the body or an undergarment in a space between itself and the body
or the undergarment; one or a plurality of air circulating portions
which take air flowing in the space between the air guiding means
and the body or the undergarment to the outside or take outside air
into the space between the air guiding means and the body or the
undergarment; one or a plurality of air sending means for forcibly
generating a flow of air in the space between the air guiding means
and the body or the undergarment; and power supplying means for
supplying power to the air sending means, wherein the air sending
means circulates air in the space between the air guiding means and
the body or the undergarment to facilitate vaporization of sweat
generated from the body and expand a range in which a physiological
cooler function originally included in a human body is effectively
exercised, and the air-conditioning garment has such an
air-conditioning capability as vaporization heat drawn from the
periphery by the sweat generated from the body is at least 340
calories/hour per kg of a weight of a wearer when outside air has a
temperature of 33.degree. C. and humidity of 50%.
[0010] Here, in a case where outside air has a temperature of
33.degree. C. and humidity of 50%, when the air sending means
utilizes this outside air to generate air which flows with a flow
quantity of at least 0.01 liter/second per kg of a weight of a
wearer, vaporization heat drawn from the periphery by sweat
generated from the body is at least 340 calories/hour per kg of the
weight of the wearer. Therefore, the air-conditioning garment
according to the present invention defined in claim 2 demonstrates
the same function/effect as that of the invention defined in claim
1.
[0011] In order to achieve the above-described object, according to
the present invention defined in claim 3, there is provided an
air-conditioning garment comprising: air guiding means for covering
a predetermined part of a body and guiding air along a surface of
the body or an undergarment in a space between itself and the body
or the undergarment; one or a plurality of air circulating portions
which take air flowing in the space between the air guiding means
and the body or the undergarment to the outside; one or a plurality
of air sending means for taking outside air into the space between
the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment and forcibly
generating a flow of air in the space between the air guiding means
and the body or the undergarment; and power supplying means for
supplying power to the air sending means, wherein the air sending
means generates air flowing with a flow quantity of at least 2
liters/second, and the air sending means circulates air in the
space between the air guiding means and the body or the
undergarment to facilitate vaporization of sweat generated from the
body and expand a range in which a physiological cooler function
originally included in a human body is effectively exercised.
[0012] The air-conditioning garment according to the present
invention defined in claim 3 demonstrates the same function/effect
as that of the invention defined in claim 1. In particular, in the
air-conditioning garment according to the present invention defined
in claim 3, since the air sending means sends air with a flow
quantity of at least 2 liters/second, a pressure of this air can be
used to automatically form a space in which air flows in
substantially parallel with the surface of the body or the
undergarment between the air guiding means and the body or the
undergarment.
[0013] In order to achieve the above-described object, according to
the present invention defined in claim 4, there is provided an
air-conditioning garment comprising: air guiding means for covering
a predetermined part of a body and guiding air along a surface of
the body or an undergarment in a space between itself and the body
or the undergarment; one or a plurality of air circulating portions
which take air flowing in the space between the air guiding means
and the body or the undergarment to the outside or take outside air
into the space between the air guiding means and the body or the
undergarment; at least two air sending means for forcibly
generating a flow of air in the space between the air guiding means
and the body or the undergarment; and power supplying means for
supplying power to the air sending means, wherein the air sending
means is attached at a part close to a rib in a lower portion of
the air guiding means on a back side and generates air flowing with
a flow quantity of at least 0.01 liter/second per kg of a weight of
a wearer, and the air sending means circulates air in the space
between the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment to
facilitate vaporization of sweat generated from the body and expand
a range in which a physiological cooler function originally
included in a human body is effectively exercised.
[0014] The air-conditioning garment according to the present
invention defined in claim 4 demonstrates the same function/effect
as that of the invention defined in claim 1. In particular, in the
air-conditioning garment according to the present invention defined
in claim 4, since the air sending means is attached at the part
close to the rib in the lower portion of the air guiding means on
the back side, the air sending means does not become an obstacle
even if a wearer leans back in a chair, and the wearer's arm can be
prevented from coming into contact with the air sending means
during a work. Furthermore, the air sending means cannot be seen
when viewed from a front side, thereby improving the appearance of
the air-conditioning garment. Moreover, when the air circulating
portion is formed at an upper portion of the air guiding means, air
can be circulated in substantially all of the body portion covered
with the air guiding means.
[0015] In order to achieve the above-described object, according to
the present invention defined in claim 5, there is provided an
air-conditioning garment comprising: air guiding means for covering
a predetermined part of a body and guiding air along a surface of
the body or an undergarment in a space between itself and the body
or the undergarment; one or a plurality of air circulating portions
which take air flowing in the space between the air guiding means
and the body or the undergarment to the outside; one or a plurality
of air sending means for taking outside air into the space between
the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment and forcibly
generating a flow of air in the space between the air guiding means
and the body or the undergarment; and power supplying means for
supplying power to the air sending means, wherein the air sending
means is attached at a back portion of the air guiding means and
generates air flowing with a flow quantity of at least 10
liters/second, and the air sending means circulates air in the
space between the air guiding means and the body or the
undergarment to facilitate vaporization of sweat generated from the
body and expand a range in which a physiological cooler function
originally included in a human body is effectively exercised.
[0016] The air-conditioning garment according to the present
invention defined in claim 5 demonstrates the same function/effect
as that of the invention defined in claim 1. In particular, in the
air-conditioning garment according to the present invention defined
in claim 5, the air sending means is attached at the back portion
of the air guiding means, and means for generating air flowing with
a flow quantity of at least 10 liters/second is used as the air
sending means. Therefore, this air-conditioning garment is suitable
to be used as a workwear for a standing work, for example.
[0017] In order to achieve the above-described object, according to
the present invention defined in claim 6, there is provided an
air-conditioning garment which is put on under an overgarment,
comprising: air guiding means for covering a predetermined part of
a body and guiding air along a surface of the body or an
undergarment in a space between itself and the body or the
undergarment; one or a plurality of air circulating portions which
take air flowing in the space between the air guiding means and the
body or the undergarment to the outside or take outside air into
the space between the air guiding means and the body or the
undergarment; one or a plurality of air sending means for forcibly
generating a flow of air in the space between the air guiding means
and the body or the undergarment; and power supplying means for
supplying power to the air sending means, wherein the air sending
means generates air flowing with a flow quantity of at least 0.01
liter/second per kg of a weight of a wearer, a maximum static
pressure of the air sending means is at least 30 pascals, and a
temperature gradient in the vicinity of the surface of the body is
increased to cool the body, sweat generated from the body is
vaporized and vaporization heat drawn from the periphery by sweat
at the time of vaporization is utilized to cool the body when the
air sending means circulates air in the space between the air
guiding means and the body or the undergarment.
[0018] The air-conditioning garment according to the present
invention defined in claim 6 demonstrates the same function/effect
as that of the invention defined in claim 1. In particular, in the
air-conditioning garment according to the present invention defined
in claim 6, since means having such air sending pressure
characteristics as the maximum static pressure is at least 30
pascals is used as the air sending means, the air sending means can
assuredly discharge air flowing in the space between the air
guiding means and the body or the undergarment into a space between
the air guiding means and an overgarment. Therefore, this
air-conditioning garment is suitable to be used as an intermediate
garment which is put on between the overgarment and the body or the
undergarment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a human body
illustrating a principle of a physiological cooler;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a relationship between a
maximum heat radiation enabled quantity and a temperature/humidity
of outside air when a temperature of a body surface is maintained
at 33.degree. C. by vaporization heat of sweat under a situation
where air having a flow quantity of 10 liters/second is caused to
flow in the vicinity of the body surface;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a view schematically showing a distribution of a
wind speed with respect to a distance from one flat plate when air
is caused to flow between two parallel flat plates;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an air-conditioning garment
which realizes an ideal parallel-to-body airstream;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating specifications of various
kinds of air-conditioning garments;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating specifications of various
kinds of air-conditioning garments;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating specifications of various
kinds of air-conditioning garments;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating specifications of various
kinds of air-conditioning garments;
[0027] FIG. 9A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning
garment according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 9B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning
garment;
[0028] FIG. 10A is a schematic cross-sectional view of air sending
means used in the air-conditioning garment according to the first
embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a schematic plan view of an impeller
used in the air sending means;
[0029] FIG. 11A is a schematic side view of an internal fan guard
used in the air sending means, FIG. 11B is a schematic plan view of
the internal fan guard used in the air sending means, and FIG. 11C
is a schematic plan view of an external fan guard used in the air
sending means;
[0030] FIG. 12A is a view illustrating a hole portion formed in a
clothing material portion, and FIG. 12B is a view illustrating a
state where the air sending means is attached to the clothing
material portion;
[0031] FIG. 13A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning
garment according to a second embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 13B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning
garment;
[0032] FIG. 14A is a schematic plan view of an integrated belt used
in the air-conditioning garment, and FIG. 14B is a view
illustrating a state where the integrated belt is attached to a
clothing material portion;
[0033] FIG. 15A is a schematic plan view of a local spacer used in
the air-conditioning garment, FIG. 15B is a schematic side view of
the local spacer, and FIG. 15C is a view illustrating a state where
the local spacer is attached to the clothing material portion;
[0034] FIG. 16A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning
garment according to a third embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 16B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning
garment;
[0035] FIG. 17A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning
garment according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 17B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning
garment;
[0036] FIG. 18A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning
garment according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 18B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning
garment;
[0037] FIG. 19A is a schematic plan view of a part of a
pressure-proof spacer used in the air-conditioning garment, and
FIG. 19B is a schematic side view of a part of the pressure-proof
spacer;
[0038] FIG. 20A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning
garment according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 20B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment,
and FIG. 20C is a schematic front view of an undergarment which is
put on under the air-conditioning garment;
[0039] FIG. 21A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning
garment according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 21B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning
garment;
[0040] FIG. 22 is a view illustrating air sending means used in the
air-conditioning garment;
[0041] FIG. 23A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning
garment according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 23B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning
garment;
[0042] FIG. 24A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning
garment according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 24B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning
garment;
[0043] FIG. 25A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning
garment according to a 10th embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 25B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning
garment;
[0044] FIG. 26A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning
garment according to an 11th embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 26B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning
garment;
[0045] FIG. 27A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning
garment according to a 12th embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 27B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning
garment;
[0046] FIG. 28 is a view illustrating air sending means used in the
air-conditioning garment;
[0047] FIG. 29A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning
garment according to a 13th embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 29B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment,
and FIG. 29C is a view illustrating lower air leak preventing means
used in the air-conditioning garment;
[0048] FIG. 30A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning
garment according to a 14th embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 30B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning
garment;
[0049] FIG. 31 is a schematic block diagram of a circuit portion in
the air-conditioning garment;
[0050] FIG. 32A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning
garment according to a 15th embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 32B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning
garment;
[0051] FIG. 33A is a schematic front view of air sending means used
in the air-conditioning garment, and FIG. 33B is a schematic side
view of the air sending means;
[0052] FIG. 34A is a view illustrating a state where the
air-conditioning garment is put on, and FIG. 34B is a view
illustrating a state of a belt portion when the air-conditioning
garment is put on;
[0053] FIG. 35A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning
garment according to a 16th embodiment of the present invention,
and FIG. 35B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning
garment;
[0054] FIG. 36A is a schematic plan view when an air-conditioning
belt used in the air-conditioning garment is seen from a rear
surface side, and FIG. 36B is a view illustrating a state where the
air-conditioning belt is fastened;
[0055] FIG. 37 is a schematic side view of air sending means used
in the air-conditioning garment; and
[0056] FIG. 38 is a view schematically showing an air flow path
reaching an air circulating portion from air sending means through
a space between air guiding means and a body or an
undergarment.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0057] An air-conditioning garment according to the present
invention is used as an auxiliary device which effectively
exercises a cooling function of a body based on vaporization heat
of sweat that humans originally have. This point will be first
described in detail.
[0058] A human can be considered as a very inefficient working
device which takes in foods to perform a life-sustaining act or
work and generates heat in accordance with such an act. Since the
efficiency is poor, almost all calories taken in are turned to
heat. Further, in order to maintain a normal body temperature,
radiation of heat having a quantity corresponding to a quantity of
work at a given time is required. Specifically, in case of a
standard adult, a quantity of radiation of heat from a body is
approximately 100 kilocalories/hour at rest and approximately 260
kilocalories/hour during walking (a speed: 5 km/hour). Further, it
is said that a quantity of radiation of heat exceeds 1000
kilocalories/hour during a labor at the maximum level. A human is
originally provided with a function of cooling his/her body by
perspiration (which will be also referred to as a "physiological
cooler" hereinafter) as a function performing this heat radiation,
and this physiological cooler has a capability of sufficiently
radiating a quantity of heat radiation during a labor at the
maximum level. That is, a physiologically required quantity of heat
radiation is determined in accordance with a quantity of work, and
a quantity of sweat corresponding to this quantity of heat
radiation comes out from a human body. Furthermore, when sweat is
all vaporized, heat radiation optimum for a situation at a given
time of this person is carried out. Of course, a quantity of sweat
corresponding to a quantity of heat radiation is not uniquely
calculated by a brain. However, when a body temperature acutely
increases, a large quantity of sweat keeps coming out from a human
body. As a result, when a body temperature is lowered, a quantity
of sweat is reduced, and hence the body is not cooled too much.
[0059] In light of cooling a body by vaporization of sweat, the
sweat is roughly classified into effective perspiration which
contributes to cooling and ineffective perspiration which does not
contribute to cooling. The sweat can be further finely classified
into three types, i.e., rapidly effective perspiration, slowly
effective perspiration and ineffective perspiration. The rapidly
effective perspiration means sweat which is vaporized
simultaneously with generation from a body. This rapidly effective
perspiration is immediately evaporated, and hence the body is
rapidly cooled. The slowly effective perspiration means sweat which
is generated in a state of a liquid from a body. This slowly
effective perspiration is not immediately evaporated, and hence an
undergarment becomes wet with sweat. The cooling effect cannot be
immediately obtained when the body needs this effect. However, for
example, when the wind blows, sweat is belatedly vaporized, thereby
cooling the body. Further, ineffective perspiration means sweat
dripping from the body. In this case, there is no cooling function
of the body based on vaporization. When ineffective perspiration
comes out, the body is in a state that the physiological cooler
does not effectively function, and a body temperature keeps
increasing. Therefore, the body cannot maintain a fixed state.
[0060] If the physiological cooler effectively functions, a
necessary quantity of sweat corresponding to a change or the like
in a work quantity serves as rapidly effective perspiration to cool
down the body, and liquid-like sweat does not remain in an
undergarment, thereby constantly maintaining the body in a
comfortable state. However, when sweat cannot be all vaporized
under conditions such as a temperature/humidity, presence/absence
of the wind, a work quantity and others, a required quantity of
heat radiation cannot be obtained. The body keeps producing
wasteful liquid-like sweat (the ineffective perspiration) which is
not vaporized, and not only a human feels discomfort but also
he/she is physiologically damaged.
[0061] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a human body
illustrating a principle of a physiological cooler. As shown in
FIG. 1, it can be considered that a human body is provided with an
energy thermogenetic portion which generates heat in accordance
with working or the like, a sensor portion which detects a body
temperature or the like, a calculation control portion (mainly a
brain) which calculates/controls a necessary heat radiation
quantity, a water storage portion which stores water (sweat) as a
coolant, a sweat gland along which water (sweat) as a coolant is
carried to a surface of a body in response to an instruction from
the calculation control portion, and a vaporization plate (a skin)
having a large area which lightly moistens the entire body with
sweat from the sweat gland. Here, the human body has a capability
of sufficiently radiating a thermogenetic quantity during a labor
at the maximum level mentioned above as a maximum sweat supply
capability. As described above, it can be said that the human body
is provided with an ideal perfect cooling system.
[0062] Meanwhile, if sweat which has come out from the sweat gland
just covers the skin as the vaporization plate, the body cannot be
cooled. A function as the physiological cooler can be demonstrated
by vaporizing sweat. In order to vaporize sweat, later-described
air is required. Furthermore, if there is no flow of air, air on a
skin surface immediately reaches a saturated state due to
vaporization of sweat, and sweat cannot be vaporized any further.
Therefore, in order to continuously vaporize sweat, a flow of air
must be produced in the vicinity of the skin. As means for
artificially producing such a flow of air on the skin surface,
there is an electric fan. However, for example, the electric fan
cannot be used out of doors, and hence there are many problems.
[0063] On the other hand, the present inventor has studied out a
cooling garment as means for producing a flow of air in the
vicinity of a surface of a body (PCT/JP01/01360). This cooling
garment is provided with a circulation path through which air is
circulated between the garment and an undergarment or a body, and
air sending means attached to the garment. In this cooling garment,
when outside air is taken into the circulation path to be
circulated by the air sending means, the body is cooled by using a
temperature difference between a body temperature and a temperature
of outside air.
[0064] The air-conditioning garment according to the present
invention is obtained by developing this scheme. That is, in the
air-conditioning garment according to the present invention, a flow
of air is forcibly produced in a space between a clothing material
and a body by air sending means, and a humidity gradient on a
surface of a skin corresponding to the vaporization plate is
increased by circulating air along the surface of the body in a
space between the clothing material and the body. As a result,
sweat supplied in accordance with a heat radiation quantity
required by the body is all vaporized as rapidly effective
perspiration. The air-conditioning garment is an auxiliary device
which allows the physiological cooler originally included in the
human body to effectively function.
[0065] When the physiological cooler perfectly functions, there is
no argument about a fact that the physiological cooler is a perfect
and ideal cooler for a human body. A problem is how much the
auxiliary device which allows the physiological cooler to perfectly
function, i.e., the air-conditioning garment can increase
performance of the physiological cooler.
[0066] When an outside air temperature is low or a thermogenetic
quantity is small, of course, the physiological cooler does not
effectively function. Moreover, the human body is not substantially
provided with a function which is opposite to the physiological
cooler, i.e., a function which suppresses heat radiation from the
human body, and a blood flow volume of the body surface is
physiologically reduced at the utmost. Therefore, in such a case, a
person actually adjusts a garment by himself/herself to adjust
his/her body temperature. That is, a person dress in several layers
of clothing when feeling cold. On the contrary, when an outside air
temperature is high or a thermogenetic quantity is large, wearing
the air-conditioning garment and wrapping a part close to the body
surface with a sufficient flow quantity of air allows the
physiological cooler to effectively function, and optimum heat
radiation is automatically carried out even if a person does not
take off his/her garment. When an outside air temperature is low or
a thermogenetic quantity is small in this manner, any action, e.g.,
adjusting a garment or warming himself/herself must be taken. On
the contrary, when an outside air temperature is high or a
thermogenetic quantity is large, the body can be constantly
maintained in an optimum state by wearing the air-conditioning
garment.
[0067] Therefore, when a range in which the physiological cooler
effectively functions is greatly expanded by using the
air-conditioning garment according to the present invention,
various kinds of problems, e.g., all problems due to hotness, an
energy problem due to an air conditioner, an environmental problem,
a health problem such as heatstroke disorder can be solved at
once.
[0068] A description will now be given as to a relationship between
a heat radiation quantity and a temperature/humidity of outside air
when a temperature of a body surface is maintained at 33.degree. C.
by vaporization heat of sweat. FIG. 2 is a view illustrating a
relationship between a maximum heat radiation enabled quantity and
a temperature/humidity of outside air when a temperature of a body
surface is maintained at 33.degree. C. by vaporization heat of
sweat under a situation where air having a flow quantity of 10
liters/second is caused to flow in the vicinity of the body
surface. Here, in FIG. 2, a vertical axis represents humidity (%)
and a horizontal axis represents a temperature (.degree. C.).
Further, FIG. 2 shows temperature/humidity conditions when the
maximum heat radiation enabled quantity is 0 calorie/hour, 200
kilocalories/hour and 500 kilocalories/hour. As can be understood
from FIG. 2, for example, when outside air has a temperature of
35.degree. C. and humidity of 63%, sufficient supply of sweat
enables heat radiation which is 200 kilocalories/hour at the
maximum level. Of course, if a flow quantity of air is doubled, the
maximum heat radiation enabled quantity is also doubled.
[0069] The maximum heat radiation enabled quantity in FIG. 2 is a
theoretical value when air has vaporized sweat without waste. For
example, when an electric fan is used to cause air to flow to a
human body, a very small part of the wind which has blown
contributes to vaporization of sweat, and the maximum heat
radiation enabled quantity becomes very small with respect to an
air sending quantity. Additionally, when the electric fan is used,
there is also a serious problem in properties of the airstream due
to a usage pattern of the electric fan. That is, since the electric
fan is usually arranged to face a human body, the airstream
necessarily substantially vertically comes into contact with the
human body. Therefore, it is very difficult to optimize an air
sending quantity required to vaporize sweat. If the air sending
quantity is too small, sweat cannot be all vaporized. On the other
hand, if the air sending quantity is too large, sweat on the skin
with which the airstream has come into contact is completely
vaporized, but supply of sweat becomes too slow, and a temperature
of the skin surface is affected by a temperature of the airstream.
For example, when the airstream having a temperature of 40.degree.
C. is strongly brought into contact with the skin, a temperature of
the skin becomes approximately 40.degree. C., resulting in an
effect which is completely opposite to cooling. Therefore, in order
to vaporize sweat without waste, the airstream which is
substantially parallel to the body surface (which will be also
referred to as a "parallel-to-body airstream" hereinafter) must be
caused to flow in the vicinity of the body surface.
[0070] This parallel-to-body airstream will now be described. FIG.
3 is a view schematically showing a distribution of a wind speed
with respect to a distance from one flat plate when air is caused
to flow between two parallel flat plates. As shown in FIG. 3, it is
well known that the wind speed becomes zero on a plate surface.
Assuming that one plate is a vaporization plate (a skin) and the
other plate is a guide plate used to form a parallel-to-body
airstream, there is no flow of air on the skin surface and the skin
surface does not receive a pressure of the airstream as shown in
FIG. 3. Further, since the wind speed is high between the two
plates, a temperature/humidity gradient of the skin surface is
greatly increased. Therefore, when a gap between the skin surface
and the guide plate is sufficiently small with respect to a length
of an airstream path, the parallel-to-body airstream fully
contributes to vaporization of sweat.
[0071] A consideration will now be made as to a case where the
parallel-to-body airstream having a temperature of 35.degree. C.
and humidity of 30% indicated by a point A in FIG. 2 is caused to
flow to wrap a large part of the body with the parallel-to-body
airstream. Heat radiation of approximately 100 kilocalories/hour is
required when an adult having a standard physical size is at rest,
and heat radiation of approximately 260 kilocalories/hour is
required when he/she is walking at a speed of 5 km/hour. However,
it can be understood from FIG. 2 that heat radiation with the
above-described quantities can be carried out when air is caused to
flow with a flow quantity of 10 liters/second. Since vaporization
heat of water (sweat) is 580 calories/cc at an ordinary room
temperature, 100 kilocalories/hour is divided by 580 calories/cc.
As a result, it can be understood that sweat having a quantity of
172.4 cc/hour is vaporized at the time of rest. Furthermore, it can
be likewise understood that, during walking at the speed of 5
km/hour, sweat having a quantity of 448 cc/hour is vaporized. In
this manner, even though the parallel-to-body airstream having a
fixed quantity is blown, sweat having a quantity corresponding to a
necessary heat radiation quantity comes out, and the sweat is all
vaporized, thereby automatically performing optimum heat radiation.
On the contrary, sweat having a larger quantity does not come out.
That is because a body temperature is lowered when sweat having a
quantity larger than that corresponding to a necessary heat
radiation quantity is produced and vaporized, and hence such a
thing cannot occur as long as a control function mainly realized by
a brain is normally operating. Here, a remarkable point is that a
heat radiation quantity is consistently determined by a
physiological cooler control function even if air having a flow
quantity of 10 liters/second is kept flowing. Therefore, the
physiological cooler automatically controls a sweating quantity in
such a manner that a sweating quantity is reduced when a necessary
heat radiation quantity is decreased and a sweating quantity is
increased when a necessary heat radiation quantity is increased. A
flow quantity of air concerns a range in which the physiological
cooler effectively functions. For example, assuming that a
necessary heat radiation quantity is 500 kilocalories/hour, as
apparent from FIG. 2, when outside air has a temperature of
35.degree. C. and humidity of 30%, sweat having a quantity
corresponding to a heat radiation quantity cannot be all vaporized
even if the outside air is caused to flow as a parallel-to-body
airstream with a flow quantity of 10 liters/second. In such a case,
increasing the flow quantity of the parallel-to-body airstream can
suffice. The parallel-to-body airstream has an advantage in that
the airstream does not substantially vertically come into contact
with the body as different from an electric fan even if its flow
quantity is increased and a range in which the physiological cooler
can effectively function can be readily expanded.
[0072] Although the physiological cooler is ideal body heat
radiating means in all aspects, the physiological cooler does not
have sweat vaporizing means alone. The air-conditioning garment
according to the present invention compensates this missing means.
In other words, the air-conditioning garment is an auxiliary device
which has means for generating a parallel-to-body airstream and
expands a range in which the physiological cooler effectively
functions.
[0073] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the air-conditioning garment
which realizes an ideal parallel-to-body airstream. In order to
realize an ideal parallel-to-body airstream, as shown in FIG. 4, it
is good enough to cover a substantially entire body surface with a
guide sheet (air guiding means) which guides the parallel-to-body
airstream. Further, a fixed small gap is formed between the guide
sheet and the body surface, a flow of air is generated by, e.g., a
large fan disposed overhead, and a large quantity of
parallel-to-body airstream is caused to flow in a space between the
guide sheet and the body surface. However, even though such an
air-conditioning garment as shown in FIG. 4 is ideal in light of
heat radiation of a human body and vaporization of sweat, it is not
realistic when leading an actual life. Therefore, there has been
demanded the realization of a practical air-conditioning garment
which cannot exploit 100% of the physiological cooler function but
can sufficiently demonstrate performance.
[0074] Conditions required for the air-conditioning garment from a
practical standpoint are listed as follows.
1. A ratio of a surface area of a body part which can be wrapped
with a parallel-to-body airstream with respect to a surface area of
the entire body (an air-conditioning area ratio) is large (the
air-conditioning area ratio must be at least 10%).
2. The air-conditioning garment must have a shape and a weight
which do not obstruct work or the like.
3. The air-conditioning garment can send air for a long time by
using a small battery so that it can be used outside, and can
generate air having a sufficient flow quantity.
4. The air-conditioning garment must be inexpensive.
5. Electrical components can be readily attached/detached at the
time of washing.
6. Besides, safety must be of course assured, and a difference in
appearance including fashionability from regular garments must be
small, and others.
[0075] The condition 1, i.e., the air-conditioning area ratio will
now be concretely described. In order for a wearer to be able to
feel comfortable by wearing the air-conditioning garment, of
course, it is good enough to wrap a large part of a wear's body as
much as possible with a parallel-to-body airstream and facilitate
heat radiation of a human body and vaporization of sweat in the
wrapped part. In reality, there can be considered an
air-conditioning garment which wraps a body part except a face,
hands and feet with the parallel-to-body airstream. An
air-conditioning area ratio of this air-conditioning garment is
approximately 85%. On the other hand, avoiding an increase in a
body temperature at a part of the body alone can suffice in some
cases depending on intended purposes of wearing the
air-conditioning garment. Specifically, there can be considered an
air-conditioning garment which wraps an upper body and armpits
alone from which sweat is apt to come out with a parallel-to-body
airstream. An air-conditioning area ratio of this air-conditioning
garment can be calculated as follows. A surface area of an entire
body of an average adult is approximately 1.8 m.sup.2. Assuming
that a length of the upper body is 15 cm and a chest measurement is
80 cm, a surface area of the upper body is 1200 cm.sup.2. When an
area of armpits is added to this value, an entire surface area of
the upper body and the armpits is approximately 1400 cm.sup.2.
Therefore, the air-conditioning area ratio in this case is
approximately 7.8%. Considering an individual difference of, e.g.,
a body type or the like, it is desirable for the air-conditioning
area ratio of the air-conditioning garment according to the present
invention to be at least 10%.
[0076] Specifically, the air-conditioning garment according to the
present invention is provided with: air guiding means for covering
a predetermined part of a body and guiding air along a surface of
the body in a space between itself and the body; one or a plurality
of air circulating portions which take air flowing in the space
between the air guiding means and the body to the outside or take
outside air into the space between the air guiding means and the
body; one or a plurality of air sending means for forcibly
generating a flow of air in the space between the air guiding means
and the body; and power supplying means for supplying power to the
air sending means. Further, when the air sending means circulates
air in the space between the air guiding means and the body, sweat
which has come out from the body is vaporized, and vaporization
heat which is drawn from the periphery by sweat at the time of
vaporization is utilized, thereby cooling the body. Incidentally,
as the air guiding means, it is desirable to use means having such
air permeability as a ratio of a flow quantity of air leaking from
the entire air guiding means to the outside with respect to a flow
quantity of air which has been taken into the space between the air
guiding means and the body is not more than 60%.
[0077] Here, when a flow quantity of air circulated in the space
between the air guiding means and the body is small, a sufficient
cooling effect cannot be obtained. Actually, in order to obtain a
sufficient cooling effect by wearing the air-conditioning garment,
the air sending means must generate air which flows with a flow
quantity of at least 0.01 liter/second per kg of a weight of a
wearer. For example, when an adult having a weight of 60 kg wears
the air-conditioning garment, air must be caused to flow with a
flow quantity of at least 0.6 liter/second. According to an
experiment conducted by the present inventor and others, when a
flow quantity of air was set to a flow quantity smaller than the
above-described minimum flow quantity, there was a wearer who feels
discomfort in an environment where the wind blows to some extent as
compared with a case where a regular garment is put on. That is
mainly because one having poor air permeability is used as a
material of the air guiding means. On the contrary, in case of a
sultry environment where no wind blows, all people wearing the
air-conditioning garment felt comfortable by causing air to flow
with a flow quantity of 0.6 liter/second as compared with a case
where a regular garment is put on. Furthermore, when a flow
quantity of air was set to the above-described minimum flow
quantity, an effect of preventing sweat from remaining in an
undergarment for a long time was obtained. Moreover, it was
confirmed that, when a flow quantity of air is further increased,
the maximum heat radiation enabled quantity can be increased so
that a range in which the physiological cooler effectively
functions can be expanded. Incidentally, in a case where outside
air has a temperature of 33.degree. C. and humidity of 50%, when
the air sending means utilizes the outside air to generate air
which flows with a flow quantity of at least 0.01 liter/second per
kg of a weight of a wearer, vaporization heat drawn from the
periphery by sweat which has come out from the body is at least 340
calories/hour per kg of the weight of the wearer.
[0078] In the air-conditioning garment according to the present
invention, means for generating air which flows with a flow
quantity of at least 0.01 liter/second per kg of a weight of a
wearer is used as the air sending means. Therefore, when the air
sending means circulates air in the space between the air guiding
means and the body, vaporization of sweat which has come out from
the body is facilitated, thereby expanding a range in which the
physiological cooler function originally included in a human body
is effectively exercised.
[0079] Additionally, the present inventor has studied out various
kinds of air-conditioning garments having different shapes, flow
quantities of air or the like. As a result, it is possible to
realize optimum air-conditioning garments, e.g., an
air-conditioning garment emphasizing fashionability, an
air-conditioning garment for carrying out an office work without an
air conditioner, an air-conditioning garment for preventing labor
accidents due to hotness, an air-conditioning garment used to
comfortably perform outdoor works and others in accordance with
intended uses, thereby solving all problems concerning hotness.
[0080] Incidentally, it has been experimentally confirmed that an
uncomfortable feeling of a wearer cannot be greatly improved even
if the air-conditioning garment is put on when slowly effective
perspiration is involved, i.e., when a heat radiation quantity is
not sufficient for a sweating quantity. However, in a case where
the air-conditioning garment is put on, a physiological damage can
be reduced if a heat radiation quantity is sufficiently large even
though there is an uncomfortable feeling due to sweat, as compared
with a case where the air-conditioning garment is not put on.
Therefore, even if slowly effective perspiration is involved,
wearing the air-conditioning garment is beneficial.
[0081] When the air-conditioning garment according to the present
invention is used, the air-conditioning garment is usually directly
put on over a body, but the air-conditioning garment may be put on
over an undergarment. Here, the "undergarment" means clothing which
is put on under the air-conditioning garment. However, in a case
where the undergarment is put on under the air-conditioning
garment, attention must be given to a fact that a range in which
the physiological cooler effectively functions is reduced if air
permeability of the undergarment is poor, for example. Further, in
a case where the undergarment is put on under the air-conditioning
garment, the function of the air-conditioning garment is reduced
when a parallel-to-body airstream does not flow in the vicinity of
a surface of a body due to existence of the undergarment. In order
to avoid this phenomenon, it is desirable to use an undergarment
which is rather small and fits to a body. Incidentally, in the
following description, it is presupposed that an undergarment is
not put on, i.e., a parallel-to-body airstream literally flows
between the air-conditioning garment and the body when explaining a
heat radiation quantity and others.
[0082] Best modes for carrying out the present invention will now
be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0083] The present inventor has studied out 16 types of
air-conditioning garments in accordance with intended uses of a
wearer. FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are views illustrating specifications
of the 16 types of air-conditioning garments. Specifically,
contents of the 16 types of air-conditioning garments are, an
air-conditioning garment for a light duty, an air-conditioning
garment for a medium duty, an air-conditioning garment for work in
the rain, an air-conditioning garment for a line operation, an
air-conditioning garment for office use, an air-conditioning
garment for outdoor, an air-conditioning garment for deodorization,
an air-conditioning garment for children, an air-conditioning
garment for a heavy duty, a jumpsuit type air-conditioning garment,
an air-conditioning garment for an intermediate garment, an
air-conditioning garment for temperature adjustment, a T-shirt type
air-conditioning garment, a high-function type air-conditioning
garment, an improved air-conditioning garment for office use, and
an air-conditioning belt type air-conditioning garment.
[0084] Further, in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8, 19 items are listed as
specifications of the air-conditioning garments. Specifically,
there are respective items of "air-conditioning capability", "flow
quantity", "air sending mode", "spacer", "fan attachment surface",
"number of fans", "fan position", "fan type", "total effective fan
area", "fan diameter", "power supply type", "power consumption",
"air-conditioning area ratio", "sleeve", "air guiding means type",
"air circulating portion", "opening/closing means", "lower air leak
prevention", and "fan attachment/detachment mode".
[0085] In a section of "air-conditioning capability" is written an
approximate value (W) obtained by reducing a quantity of heat which
can be absorbed per hour by reference air circulated in a space
between the air guiding means and the body to a power. Here, the
"reference air" means air having a temperature of 33.degree. C. and
humidity of 50%. A section of "flow quantity" shows a flow quantity
(liter/second) of air circulated between the air guiding means and
the body by the air sending means. A section of "air sending mode"
shows a distinction of a direction in which the air sending means
sends air, i.e., one of an "intake" mode of taking outside air into
the air guiding means by the air sending means and a "discharge"
mode of discharging air in the air guiding means to the outside by
the air sending means. Furthermore, a section of "spacer" shows
whether a spacer is used between the air guiding means and the body
and a type of the spacer when the spacer is used.
[0086] A section of "fan attachment surface" shows that the air
sending means is attached on an inner surface side or an outer
surface side of the air guiding means. A section of "number of
fans" shows a quantity of air sending means attached to the
air-conditioning garment. A section of "fan position" shows an air
sending means attachment position. A section of "fan type" shows a
type of the air sending means, e.g., a side stream fan or a
propeller fan. A section of "total effective fan area" shows a
value of an area (cm.sup.2) obtained by summing up areas of opening
portions for air intake or discharge in all the air sending means.
A section of "fan diameter" shows a diameter (mm) of an impeller or
a propeller of the air sending means.
[0087] A section of "power supply type" shows a type of power
supplying means. A section of "power consumption" shows a value (W)
obtained by summing up power consumptions of all the air sending
means. A section of "air-conditioning area ratio" shows a ratio (%)
of a surface area of a body part which can be wrapped with air
generated by the air sending means with respect to a surface area
of the entire body.
[0088] A section of "sleeve" shows that the air-conditioning
garment is a short-sleeved garment, a long-sleeved garment, a
sleeveless garment or the like. A section of "air guiding means
type" shows a material of the air guiding means. A section of "air
circulating portion" shows contents of the air circulating portion.
A section of "opening/closing means" shows contents of means for
opening/closing a front side of the air-conditioning garment. A
section of "lower air leak prevention" shows contents of means for
preventing air from leaking from a lower portion of the
air-conditioning garment. Moreover, a section of "fan
attachment/detachment mode" shows contents of a mode for
attaching/detaching the air sending means with respect to the air
guiding means.
[0089] Each of the 16 types of air-conditioning garments will be
described in detail in each of the following embodiments.
FIRST EMBODIMENT
[0090] A first embodiment according to the present invention will
be first described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 9A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment
according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 9B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning
garment.
[0091] As shown in FIG. 9, an air-conditioning garment 1 according
to the first embodiment is provided with a clothing material
portion 20, opening/closing means 31, lower air leak preventing
means 32, three air circulating portions 40, 40 and 40, two air
sending means 50 and 50, power supplying means 61, a power supply
cable 62, a power supply pocket 63, a power supply switch (not
shown), and flow quantity adjusting means (not shown). This
air-conditioning garment 1 is used as the most practical garment
for a light duty. Here, a main specification of this
air-conditioning garment 1 is organized in the table of FIG. 5.
[0092] The clothing material portion 20 covers a predetermined part
of a body. In the first embodiment, this clothing material portion
20 is used to manufacture a short-sleeved garment for a light duty
which covers an upper body. Additionally, in the first embodiment,
the clothing material portion 20 also serves to guide air generated
by the air sending means 50 along a surface of a body or an
undergarment in a space between the clothing material portion 20
and the body or the undergarment. That is, the clothing material
portion 20 functions as a garment which covers the body and also as
the air guiding means.
[0093] In order to use the clothing material portion 20 as the air
guiding means, it is desirable to use, as a material of the
clothing material portion 20, one which allows a parallel-to-body
airstream to smoothly flow and can prevent air from leaking to the
outside as much as possible. One of optimum materials used for this
clothing material portion 20 is a fabric made of 100% of polyester.
Here, the polyester cloth has properties that air permeability is
very small. The polyester cloth is generally used as a windbreaker
or a winter clothing material because of its properties. Further,
the polyester cloth also has properties of a modest price, luster,
stain resistance, wrinkle resistance and others. On the other hand,
the polyester cloth is generally rarely used as a summer clothing
material because it has poor air permeability and hardly absorbs
sweat. The small air permeability is a necessary condition for the
clothing material portion 20 used in the air-conditioning garment 1
to prevent air from leaking. Furthermore, since sweat is
immediately vaporized from a skin (rapidly effective perspiration)
when the air-conditioning garment 1 is put on, a material which
absorbs sweat does not have to be necessarily used as the clothing
material portion 20. Therefore, the polyester cloth meets all
conditions required for the clothing material portion 20 for the
air-conditioning garment 1. In the first embodiment, the polyester
cloth is used as a material of the clothing material portion 20
(the air guiding means).
[0094] It is to be noted that, as a material of the clothing
material portion 20 for the air-conditioning garment 1, any
material can be used as long as air does not substantially permeate
it. For example, it is possible to use a fabric made of plastic
fiber like a nylon cloth or a high-density cloth as well as a
polyester cloth. Of course, natural fiber such as cotton or mixed
fiber of these materials can be used depending on intended
uses.
[0095] Furthermore, as a material of the clothing material portion
20, a mixed material containing 80% or more of polyester may be
used. The mixed material containing 80% or more of polyester is
used because the advantage of the above-described characteristics
of polyester cannot be taken if a percentage of polyester contained
in the material is smaller than 80%.
[0096] The opening/closing means 31 is provided in a front portion
of the clothing material portion 20. This opening/clothing means 31
functions to open/close the front portion of the air-conditioning
garment 1 when it is put on. Moreover, as the opening/closing means
31, it is necessary to use one which can prevent air from leaking
from the front portion to the outside when the front portion of the
clothing material portion 20 is closed. In the first embodiment, a
fastener is used as the opening/closing means 31. The fastener can
be readily opened/closed, and air hardly leaks from the fastener
portion to the outside when the fastener is closed.
[0097] Additionally, the lower air leak preventing means 32 is
provided at a hem portion of the clothing material portion 20. This
lower air leak preventing means 32 prevents air from leaking from
the hem portion to the outside by bringing a lower portion (the hem
portion) of the clothing material portion 20 into close contact
with the body, the undergarment or a garment. In the first
embodiment, as the lower air leak preventing means 32, an elastic
material, e.g., a rubber belt used in a winter zip-up jacket or the
like is employed. This rubber belt is stitched into the hem portion
of the clothing material portion 20. Therefore, the hem portion is
brought into close contact with a garment such as pants or the like
so that air does not leak to the outside from the hem portion. It
is to be noted that a string, a belt or the like as well as the
rubber belt can be used as the lower air leak preventing means 32.
When a string is used as the lower air leak preventing means 32,
this string is attached to the hem portion of the clothing material
portion 20 in such a manner that the string can be moved along the
hem portion. Further, when the hem portion of the clothing material
portion 20 is tightened by using this string, the hem portion is
appressed against pants or the like.
[0098] The air circulating portion 40 is utilized as an air outflow
portion from which air flowing in the space between the clothing
material portion 20 and the body or the undergarment is taken to
the outside or an air inflow portion from which outside air is
taken into the space between the clothing material portion 20 and
the body or the undergarment. Whether the air circulating portion
40 is utilized as the air outflow portion or the air inflow portion
is determined by an air sending mode of the air sending means 50.
That is, when the air sending means 50 operates to take outside air
into the clothing material portion 20, the air circulating portion
40 is utilized as the air outflow portion. On the other hand, when
the air sending means 50 operates to discharge air in the clothing
material portion 20 to the outside, the air circulating portion 40
is utilized as the air inflow portion. In the first embodiment, the
air circulating portion 40 is utilized as the air outflow
portion.
[0099] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the three air
circulating portions 40, 40 and 40 are provided to the
air-conditioning garment 1. Specifically, considering a function as
a garment, opening portions formed at predetermined end portions of
the clothing material portion 20, i.e., an opening portion at a
part around a neck and opening portions at left and right cuff
parts are the air circulating portions 40, 40 and 40. When the
air-conditioning garment 1 is put on and the fastener is closed,
except the air sending means 50 and the air circulating portions
40, 40 and 40, there is no part from which air in the clothing
material portion 20 flows to the outside. Incidentally, the opening
portion at the part around the neck and the opening portions at the
left and right cuff parts will be also referred to "upper opening
portions" hereinafter.
[0100] Hole portions 21 and 21 are formed on both left and right
sides close to ribs at a lower part of the clothing material
portion 20 on the back side (see FIG. 12A). The air sending means
50 is attached at positions of the clothing material portion 20
corresponding to the respective hole portions 21 from the inner
surface side of the clothing material portion 20. The air sending
means 50 forcibly generates a flow of air in a space between the
clothing material portion 20 and the body or the undergarment. The
two air sending means 50 and 50 rotate in a direction of taking
outside air into the clothing material portion 20. That is, as an
air sending mode of the air sending means 50 and 50, an intake mode
is adopted. When electric power is supplied to the air sending
means 50 and 50, the air sending means 50 and 50 take outside air
into the clothing material portion 20, and the intake air is
circulated as a parallel-to-body airstream in the space between the
clothing material portion 20 and the body or the undergarment due
to existence of the clothing material portion 20. Furthermore, when
the parallel-to-body airstream reaches the air circulating portions
40, 40 and 40, it is discharged to the outside.
[0101] Here, attachment positions of the air sending means 50 and
50, i.e., positions which are close to the ribs and correspond to
the lower part of the clothing material portion 20 on the back side
will be referred to as "standard positions". The standard positions
are the most preferable positions as attachment positions of the
air sending means 50 and 50. When the air sending means 50 and 50
are attached at the standard positions, the air sending means 50
and 50 do not become obstacles even if a wearer leans back in a
chair. Moreover, arms do not come into contact with the air sending
means 50 and 50 during a work. Additionally, as seen from a front
side, the air sending means 50 and 50 are hidden, and the
appearance of the air-conditioning garment 1 is excellent. Further,
since the standard positions exist in the lower part of the
clothing material portion 20, the parallel-to-body airstream can be
circulated in the substantially entire body part which is covered
with the clothing material portion 20 when the air circulating
portions 40, 40 and 40 are formed in the upper part of the clothing
material portion 20. That is, the standard position is a position
which can relatively increase a ratio of a surface area of the body
part wrapped with the parallel-to-body airstream with respect to a
surface area of the entire body (an air-conditioning area ratio).
It is to be noted that the air-conditioning area ratio is
approximately 35% in the air-conditioning garment 1 according to
the first embodiment.
[0102] The air sending means 50 will now be described. FIG. 10A is
a schematic cross-sectional view of the air sending means 50 used
in the air-conditioning garment 1 according to the first
embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a schematic plan view of an impeller
used in the air sending means 50. FIG. 11A is a schematic side view
of an internal fan guard used in the air sending means 50, FIG. 11B
is a schematic plan view of the internal fan guard used in the air
sending means 50, and FIG. 11C is a schematic plan view of an
external fan guard used in the air sending means 50. Further, FIG.
12A is a view illustrating a hole portion 21 formed in the clothing
material portion 20, and FIG. 12B is a view illustrating a state
where the air sending means 50 is attached to the clothing material
portion 20.
[0103] As shown in FIG. 10, the air sending means 50 is provided
with a motor 51, an impeller 52, an internal fan guard 53, an
external fan guard 54 and a Velcro tape 55. The internal fan guard
53 and the external fan guard 54 accommodate the motor 51 and the
impeller 52 therein. As shown in FIG. 10B, the impeller 52 has a
plurality of R-shaped blades 52a, a circular plate 52b and a motor
shaft press-fit hole 52c. The plurality of blades 52a are attached
around the circular plate 52b.
[0104] As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the internal fan guard 53 has
a circular bottom plate 53a, many fan guard poles 53b, and an
annular flange 53c. The bottom plate 53a serves as a motor fixing
plate. The fan guard poles 53b are substantially vertically
disposed on the bottom plate 53a, and attached at predetermined
intervals along a circumferential portion of the bottom plate 53a.
These fan guard poles 53b function to prevent fingers from entering
the internal fan guard 53. The flange 53c is attached at an end
portion of each fan guard pole 53b placed on the opposite side of
the bottom plate 53a. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11C, the
external fan guard 54 has a plurality of guard rings 54a having
different radii and a flange 54b which fixes the plurality of guard
rings 54a. Here, the Velcro tape 55 is attached to the outermost
annular portion of the flange 54b as shown in FIG. 10A.
[0105] In order to assemble the air sending means 50, the motor 51
is first attached at the center of the bottom plate 53a of the
internal fan guard 53. Then, the impeller 52 is accommodated in the
internal fan guard 53 in such a manner that a rotary shaft of the
motor 51 is inserted into the motor shaft press-fit hole 52c of the
impeller 52. Thereafter, the external fan guard 54 is fixed on the
internal fan guard 53, thereby bringing the air sending means 50 to
completion.
[0106] An arrow shown in FIG. 10B indicates a rotating direction of
the impeller 52. That is, the impeller 52 is a backward inclined
impeller in which the blades 52a are backwardly bent with respect
to the rotating direction. Therefore, when this impeller 52 rotates
in a direction indicated by this arrow, air can be taken in from an
axial direction of the impeller 52, and the air can be radially
sent toward an outer peripheral direction of the impeller 52. The
air sending means which radially sends the air taken in from the
axial direction of the impeller toward the outer peripheral
direction of the impeller will be also referred to as a "a side
stream fan" hereinafter.
[0107] Here, a diameter (a fan diameter) of the impeller 52 is
approximately 5 cm. Furthermore, a value of an area obtained by
summing up areas of opening portions for air intake or discharge in
the two air sending means 50 and 50 (a total effective fan area) is
approximately 30 cm.sup.2.
[0108] As the air sending means 50 which is actually used in the
first embodiment, there is employed means by which a flow quantity
of air which can be generated between the clothing material portion
20 and the body or the undergarment is 6 liters/second. Here, when
the air sending means 50 sends air having a flow quantity of 6
liters/second into the clothing material portion 20, a space in
which the parallel-to-body airstream flows can be automatically
formed between the clothing material portion 20 and the body by a
pressure of this air. In order to automatically form this space,
although depending on a type (hardness or a weight in particular)
or a shape of the clothing material portion 20, it is generally
necessary for the air sending means 50 to send air having a flow
quantity of at least 2 liters/second. Moreover, when each of the
two air sending means 50 and 50 sends air having a flow quantity of
6 liter/second, a power consumption of the two air sending means 50
and 50 is approximately 1 W.
[0109] The air sending means 50 is detachably attached to the
clothing material portion 20. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12A,
the Velcro tape 22 is attached at the circumferential part of the
hole portion 21 on the inner surface of the clothing material
portion 20. Assuming that this Velcro tape 22 is for a surface A, a
Velcro tape for a surface B is a Velcro tape 55 attached to the
flange 54b of the air sending means 50. On the inner surface side
of the clothing material portion 20, when the air sending means 50
is arranged in such a manner that the external fan guard 54 of the
air sending means 50 faces the hole portion 21 of the clothing
material portion 20 and the two Velcro tapes 22 and 55 are
attached, the air sending means 50 is attached at a position
corresponding to the hole portion 21 of the clothing material
portion 20 as shown in FIG. 12B. Since anyone can readily
attach/detach the air sending means 50 in this manner, not only the
air-conditioning garment 1 can be easily washed but also the air
sending means 50 alone can be readily replaced when the air sending
means 50 fails to operate properly.
[0110] It is to be noted that the method of attaching/detaching the
air sending means 50 to/from the clothing material portion 20 is
not restricted to the method using the Velcro tapes 22 and 55, and
any method can be used as long as it is a method which can
facilitate attachment/detachment of the air sending means 50 and
has less air leak at the attachment portion of the air sending
means 50. For example, a sheet-shaped magnet may be used to
attach/detach the air sending means 50.
[0111] As shown in FIG. 9A, the power supply pocket 63 accommodates
power supplying means 61 and is attached on the inner surface side
of the clothing material portion 20 and at a lower left part on the
front side of the clothing material portion 20. The power supplying
means 61 supplies electric power to the air sending means 50 and
50. Here, a secondary battery is used as the power supplying means
61 in the light of economical efficiency. The power supplying means
61 and the two air sending means 50 and 50 are connected with each
other through the power supply cable 62. Furthermore, a power
supply switch (not shown) is provided between the power supplying
means 61 and the two air sending means 50 and 50. This power supply
switch turns on/off electric power which is supplied to the two air
sending means 50 and 50 from the power supplying means 61.
[0112] Flow quantity adjusting means (not shown) for adjusting a
flow quantity of air generated by the air sending means 50 and 50
is provided to the air-conditioning means 1. Here, for example, a
volume is used as the flow quantity adjusting means. Since an
excessive flow quantity of air can be prevented from flowing in the
space between the clothing material portion 20 and the body by
providing the volume, the life of the power supplying means 61 can
be improved.
[0113] In the air-conditioning garment 1 according to the first
embodiment, when the power supply switch provided between the power
supplying means 61 and the air sending means 50 and 50 is turned
on, the two air sending means 50 and 50 respectively take outside
air into the clothing material portion 20. At this time, a space in
which a parallel-to-body airstream flows is automatically formed
between the clothing material portion 20 and the body or the
undergarment by a pressure of the taken air. As a result, a flow of
the parallel-to-body airstream with which the upper body is wrapped
is generated in the space between the clothing material portion 20
and the body or the undergarment. Further, when the
parallel-to-body airstream reaches the air circulating portions 40,
40 and 40, it is discharged to the outside from these portions.
Here, arrows shown in FIG. 9 indicate a direction along which air
is taken in from the outside and a direction along which air is
discharged to the outside.
[0114] Since the air-conditioning garment 1 can circulate the
parallel-to-body airstream in the space between the clothing
material portion 20 and the body or the undergarment in this
manner, a range in which the physiological cooler effectively
functions can be expanded. At this time, the maximum capability of
the physiological cooler is determined by a temperature/humidity of
outside air. For example, in an environment indicated by the point
A in FIG. 2 (a temperature of 35.degree. C. and humidity of 30%),
when a flow quantity of air is 10 liters/second, heat radiation
which is up to approximately 450 kilocalories/hour can be
performed. In the air-conditioning garment 1, since a flow quantity
of air is 6 liters/second, heat radiation which is up to 270
kilocalories/hour can be carried out. Therefore, when an adult
having a regular physical size wears the air-conditioning garment 1
according to the first embodiment in this environment, liquid type
perspiration is not involved even if a walking movement is
performed at a speed of 5 km/hour, and he/she can comfortably walk.
However, in calculation of a value of the above-described heat
radiation quantity, transmission of heat by a temperature
difference between a body temperature and a temperature of a
parallel-to-body stream, cooling by aspiration and a cooling effect
by vaporization of sweat from a skin which is not wrapped with the
parallel-to-body airstream such as feet or a head are not taken
into consideration.
[0115] A relationship between the clothing material portion 20 and
the air guiding means will now be described. In the first
embodiment, since air does not flow out from the hem portion of the
clothing material portion 20, it can be considered that the
parallel-to-body airstream rarely flows to a part lower than the
air sending means 50 in the clothing material portion 20.
Therefore, in a precise sense, it can be said that the entire
clothing material portion 20 does not function as the air guiding
means but only the part above the air sending means 60 in the
clothing material portion 20 serves as the air guiding means.
However, when the air sending means 60 is provided at a standard
position, a large part of the clothing material portion 20
functions to lead the parallel-to-body airstream, and hence it can
be considered that the entire clothing material portion 20 is the
air guiding means.
[0116] Moreover, a pressure difference between a pressure of
outside air and a pressure in the air guiding means is increased as
getting closer to the air sending means 50. Additionally, when an
air sending mode of the air sending means 50 is an air intake mode
and a flow quantity of air generated by the air sending means 50 is
large, the air guiding means in the vicinity of the air sending
means 50 is inflated by the pressure difference, and a so-called
"air reservoir" is formed in the vicinity of the air sending means
50. Meanwhile, as described above, when air leaks from the air
guiding means to the outside, the air-conditioning efficiency is
lowered, and hence a material which has less air leak is used as
the air guiding means. Practically, it is desirable for the air
guiding means to have such air permeability as a ratio of a flow
quantity of air leaking to the outside from the entire air guiding
means with respect to a flow quantity of air taken into the space
between the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment by
the air sending means 50 and 50 is 60% at the maximum.
[0117] An air-conditioning capability of the air-conditioning
garment 1 according to the first embodiment will now be described
in detail. Here, it is assumed that outside air is reference air (a
temperature of 33.degree. C. and humidity of 50%). Additionally, it
is assumed that a surface of the body has enough sweat, the
reference air is circulated as a parallel-to-body airstream between
the clothing material portion 20 and the body to vaporize sweat,
and a body temperature is cooled by vaporization heat of the sweat.
Then, air discharged from the air circulating portion 50 has a
temperature of 33.degree. C. and humidity of 100%. In such a case,
an energy balance is calculated to obtain an air-conditioning
capability as follows. It is to be noted that the temperature of
the reference air is set to 33.degree. C. because a surface
temperature of the body is approximately 33.degree. C., therefore,
an effect by dry heat can be ignored in calculation of the energy
balance.
[0118] Now, a saturated water vapor quantity of air having a
temperature of 33.degree. C. is approximately 32.5 g/m.sup.3.
Therefore, when humidity of this air is 50%, approximately 16.25
g/m.sup.3 of water is contained in this air, and this air can
afford to vaporize approximately 16.25 g/m.sup.3 of water. Since
vaporization heat of water is approximately 580 kilocalories/g, a
vaporization enabling calorie of 1 m.sup.3 of the reference air is
16.25 (g/m.sup.3).times.580 (kilocalories/g), i.e., approximately
9.43 (kilocalories/m.sup.3). In case of the air-conditioning
garment for a light duty according to the first embodiment, since a
flow quantity of the parallel-to-body airstream is approximately 6
liters/second, the volume of the parallel-to-body airstream which
circulates in one hour is 0.006 (m.sup.3/second).times.3600
(seconds)=21.6 (m.sup.3). Therefore, the vaporization enabling
calorie when the reference air is circulated as the
parallel-to-body airstream for one hour is 9.43
(kilocalories/m.sup.3).times.21.6 (m.sup.3), i.e., approximately
203.7 (kilocalories), which corresponds to approximately 236.3 W.
Here, as described above, this value is obtained without
considering an effect by dry heat. Conversely, 33.degree. which has
no temperature difference from the surface temperature of the body
is determined as a temperature of the reference air so that the
effect by dry heat becomes zero. As described above, although a
theoretical value of the air-conditioning capability of the
air-conditioning garment 1 according to the first embodiment is
236.3 W, it can be considered that the air-conditioning capability
is generally approximately 200 W when considering a vaporization
contributing ratio of air (which is a ratio of air which
contributes to vaporization of sweat with respect to circulated air
when sweat is sufficiently supplied. This is improved as a flow of
air gets closer to the body).
[0119] In the air-conditioning garment according to the first
embodiment, since a flow quantity of air generated by the air
sending means is 6 liters/second, the air-conditioning garment
according to the first embodiment is preferable for a use in a case
where a wearer performs a light duty.
[0120] Further, in the air-conditioning garment according to the
first embodiment, since a wearer can use the flow quantity
adjusting means to adjust a flow quantity of air generated by the
air sending means, noise caused due to the fan can be reduced or a
power consumption can be decreased by reducing a flow quantity of
air when an ambient temperature is not very high.
[0121] Furthermore, when small air permeability of the clothing
material portion is conversely utilized, the air-conditioning
garment according to the first embodiment can be used for
preventing outside air from entering the clothing material portion
like a windbreaker. In particular, when a temperature or a wind of
a day greatly varies, using the air-conditioning garment for such a
purpose is effective. Specifically, when an air temperature is low
and a wind is strong, the air-conditioning garment is used as a
windbreaker without sending air from the air sending means.
Thereafter, when the air temperature is increased, air is sent from
the air sending means, and the air-conditioning garment is used for
its original purpose. As a result, a wearer can keep feeling
comfortable without changing his/her garment in accordance with a
change in a temperature or the like.
SECOND EMBODIMENT
[0122] A second embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
13A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment
according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
13B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment, FIG.
14A is a schematic plan view of an integrated belt used in the
air-conditioning garment, and FIG. 14B is a view illustrating a
state where the integrated belt is attached to a clothing material
portion. Further, FIG. 15A is a schematic plan view of a local
spacer used in the air-conditioning garment, FIG. 15B is a
schematic side view of the local spacer, and FIG. 15C is a view
illustrating a state where the local spacer is attached to the
clothing material portion. It is to be noted that, in the second
embodiment, like reference numerals denote parts having the same
functions as those in the first embodiment, thereby eliminating
their detailed explanation.
[0123] As shown in FIG. 13, an air-conditioning garment 2 according
to the second embodiment is provided with a clothing material
portion 20, opening/closing means 31, lower air leak preventing
means 32, three air circulating portions 40, 40 and 40, two air
sending means 50 and 50, power supplying means 61, a power supply
cable 62, a power supply pocket 63, an integrated belt 64, a power
supply switch (not shown), and local spacers 70 and 70. This
air-conditioning garment 2 is mainly used as a workwear utilized
for medium duty (a garment for medium duty). Here, a main
specification of this air-conditioning garment 2 is organized in
the table of FIG. 5.
[0124] Main differences of the air-conditioning garment 2 according
to the second embodiment from the air-conditioning garment 1
according to the first embodiment lie in that an air-conditioning
capability is 300 W, that the air-conditioning garment 2 has long
sleeves, that the integrated belt 64 is used to attach/detach the
air sending means 50 and 50 or the like to/from the clothing
material portion 20 and that the local spacers 70 and 70 are
provided at parts corresponding to shoulders of the clothing
material portion 20. Any other points are the same as those in the
first embodiment.
[0125] Characteristic points of the air-conditioning garment 2
according to the second embodiment will now be described in
detail.
[0126] First, with an increase in air-conditioning capability of
the air-conditioning garment 2 to 300 W, means capable of causing a
parallel-to-body airstream to flow with a flow quantity of 9
liters/second is used as each of the air sending means 50 and 50.
Here, a power consumption of the two air sending means 50 and 50 is
approximately 1.5 W. Therefore, a cooling effect higher than that
of the air-conditioning garment 1 according to the first embodiment
can be obtained by wearing the air-conditioning garment 2. It is to
be noted that means having a fan diameter of 60 mm is used as each
of the air sending means 50 and 50. Furthermore, a total effective
fan area of the two air sending means 50 and 50 is 45 cm.sup.2.
[0127] Moreover, since the air-conditioning garment 2 has long
sleeves, its air-conditioning area ratio is slightly larger than
that in the first embodiment. Specifically, the air-conditioning
area ratio of the air-conditioning garment 2 is approximately 40%.
In this air-conditioning garment 2, arm parts can be also
cooled.
[0128] The integrated belt 64 is a band-like member used to attach
the two air sending means 50 and 50, the power supplying means 61,
the power supply pocket 63, the power supply switch and others, and
has a band-like base sheet 64a, two hole portions 64b and 64b
formed in the base sheet 64a and a plurality of Velcro tapes 64c as
shown in FIG. 14A. As the base sheet 64a, a vinyl sheet or the like
is used. The air sending means 50 is inserted into each hole
portion 64b to be attached. A distance between the two hole
portions 64b and 64b is the same as a distance between the two hole
portions 21 and 21 provided in the clothing material portion 20.
Further, the power supply pocket 63 is attached to the base sheet
64a. The power supplying means 61 is accommodated in this power
supply pocket 63. Furthermore, the power supplying means 61 and the
two air sending means 50 and 50 are connected with each other
through the power supply cable 62. Here, the power supply cable 62
is fixed on the base sheet 64a. The Velcro tapes 64c are attached
at, e.g., predetermined positions of peripheral end portions of the
base sheet 64a. Here, assuming that the Velcro tape 64c is for a
surface A, a Velcro tape 23 for a surface B is attached at a
predetermined position on an inner surface of the clothing material
portion 20 as shown in FIG. 14B.
[0129] The integrated belt 64 is detachably attached at a
predetermined position on the inner surface side of the clothing
material portion 20. Specifically, in case of attaching the
integrated belt 64 to the clothing material portion 20, the
integrated belt 64 is first arranged on the inner surface side of
the clothing material portion 20 in such a manner that an external
fan guard 54 of the air sending means 50 faces the hole portion 21
of the clothing material portion 20, and a Velcro tape 55 of the
air sending means 50 and a Velcro tape 22 disposed around the hole
portion 21 of the clothing material portion 20 are attached. As a
result, the two air sending means 50 and 50 are respectively
disposed at positions corresponding to the hole portions 21 and 21
of the clothing material portion 20. Then, each Velcro tape 64c of
the integrated belt 64 is attached to the Velcro tape 23 disposed
at a corresponding predetermined position of the clothing material
portion 20, thereby fixing the integrated belt 64. In case of
removing the air sending means 50 and 50, detaching the integrated
belt 64 from the clothing material portion 20 can suffice.
Therefore, when washing the air-conditioning garment 2, anyone can
easily attach/detach the integrated belt 64.
[0130] It is to be noted that, since the vinyl sheet is used as the
base sheet 64a, the base sheet 64a is hardly stained. Even if the
base sheet 64a is stained, the stain can be readily rubbed
away.
[0131] The local spacer 70 locally assures a space in which air is
circulated between the clothing material portion 20 and a body. In
the second embodiment, such local spacers 70 are provided at parts
corresponding to both shoulders of the clothing material portion 20
on the inner surface side thereof. For example, when the
air-conditioning garment 2 is heavy, a space for circulation of a
parallel-to-body airstream cannot be automatically generated at the
parts corresponding to the shoulders of the clothing material
portion 20 in some cases. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the
local spacers 70 are used to assuredly form the space for
circulation of the parallel-to-body airstream at the parts
corresponding to the shoulders of the clothing material portion
20.
[0132] As shown in FIGS. 15A and B, the local spacer 70 has a
circular member 71 and a convex portion 72 formed at a central part
of the circular member 71. As a material of this local spacer 70, a
felt is used, for example. In case of attaching the local spacer 70
to the clothing material portion 20, first, as shown in FIG. 15C,
the local spacer 70 is arranged on the inner surface side of the
clothing material portion 20 in such a manner that the circular
member 71 of the local spacer 70 faces the part corresponding to
the shoulder of the clothing material portion 20. Then, an end
portion of the circular member 71 of the local spacer 70 is sewn on
the clothing material portion 20, thereby attaching the local
spacer 70 to the clothing material portion 20.
[0133] In the air-conditioning garment according to the second
embodiment, since a flow quantity of air generated by the air
sending means is 9 liters/second, the air-conditioning garment
according to the second embodiment is preferable for a use in a
case where a wearer performs a medium duty.
[0134] It is to be noted that the local spacer is not restricted to
one having the above-described configuration, and any local spacer
may be used as long as it has a configuration which can assuredly
form a space for circulation of the parallel-to-body airstream
between the clothing material portion and the body or an
undergarment. Moreover, a position at which the local spacer is
attached is not restricted to the shoulder, and the local spacer
can be attached at an appropriate position as required.
THIRD EMBODIMENT
[0135] A third embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
16A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment
according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 16B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment.
It is to be noted that, in the third embodiment, like reference
numerals denote parts having the same functions as those in the
first and second embodiments, thereby eliminating their detailed
explanation.
[0136] As shown in FIG. 16, an air-conditioning garment 3 according
to the third embodiment is provided with a clothing material
portion 20a, opening/closing means 31, lower air leak preventing
means 32, three air circulating portions 40, 40 and 40, two air
sending means 50 and 50, power supplying means 61, a power supply
cable 62, a power supply pocket 63, a power supply switch (not
shown), and local spacers 70 and 70. Here, the clothing material
portion 20a functions as air guiding means. This air-conditioning
garment 3 is mainly used as a workwear utilized for outdoor work on
a rainy day (a workwear for rainy weather). Here, a main
specification of this air-conditioning garment 3 is organized in
the table of FIG. 5.
[0137] Main differences of the air-conditioning garment 3 according
to the third embodiment from the air-conditioning garment 1
according to the first embodiment lie in that an air-conditioning
capability is 500 W, that various countermeasure against rain are
taken and that the local spacers 70 and 70 are provided at parts
corresponding to shoulders of the clothing material portion 20a.
Any other points are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0138] Characteristic points of the air-conditioning garment 3
according to the third embodiment will now be described in
detail.
[0139] First, with an increase in air-conditioning capability of
the air-conditioning garment 3 to 500 W, means which can cause a
parallel-to-body airstream to flow with a flow quantity of 14
liters/second is used as each of the air sending means 50 and 50.
Here, a power consumption of the two air sending means 50 and 50 is
approximately 3 W. The air-conditioning capability is increased to
500 W because humidity is high on a rainy day, and quality of air
which is taken into the air-conditioning garment 3 is poor. That
is, as described above, a notational value of the air-conditioning
capability in FIG. 5 is a value at a temperature of 33.degree. C.
and humidity of 50%. Therefore, when quality of air which is taken
into the clothing material portion 20a is poor, e.g., when humidity
is extremely high, an actual air-conditioning capability is lower
than the air-conditioning capability represented in FIG. 5. Even
though the quality of air is poor, more air can be caused to flow
in a space between the clothing material portion 20a and a body by
wearing the air-conditioning garment 3, thereby obtaining a
sufficient cooling effect even on a rainy day. It is to be noted
that means having a fan diameter of 70 mm is used as each of the
air sending means 50 and 50. Further, a total effective fan area of
the two air sending means 50 and 50 is 62 cm.sup.2.
[0140] Various kinds of countermeasure against rain are taken in
the air-conditioning garment 3 according to the third embodiment.
First, the clothing material portion 20a is formed into a shape
which covers an upper body and a head region excluding a face.
Specifically, each arm part of the clothing material portion 20a is
formed into a long-sleeved shape, and a hood 25 is provided to the
clothing material portion 20a. Since the hood 25 is provided, the
head region can be prevented from getting wet with rain during
work, and a range in which the physiological cooler effectively
functions can be expanded to the head region. In this case, an
opening portion at the hood 25 part (a part around a neck) and
opening portions at left and right cuff parts become the air
circulating portions 40, 40 and 40. Moreover, since the hood 25 is
provided to the clothing material portion 20a, an air-conditioning
area ratio of the air-conditioning garment 3 is approximately 60%
which is larger than that in the first embodiment.
[0141] As a material of the clothing material portion 20a, a
material which does not absorb rain water, e.g., a plastic sheet
such as a vinyl sheet is used. Besides the plastic sheet, a rubber
sheet, a waterproof cloth or the like can be used. In this manner,
the clothing material portion 20a is hardly stained.
[0142] Additionally, the air sending means 50 and 50 are subjected
to water-resistant processing. The air sending means 50 and 50 are
fixed on the clothing material portion 20a so that the air sending
means 50 and 50 cannot be removed from the clothing material
portion 20a.
[0143] In the air-conditioning garment according to the third
embodiment, since a flow quantity of air generated by the air
sending means is 14 liters/second, the air-conditioning garment
according to the third embodiment is preferable for a use in a case
where a wearer performs outdoor work on a rainy day. Actually,
various countermeasures against rain are taken in the
air-conditioning garment according to the third embodiment.
Therefore, when this air-conditioning garment is used in the rain,
the body can be prevented from being sticky, and hence a wearer can
comfortably perform work. Further, the air-conditioning garment
itself is hardly stained, and the stain can be readily rubbed away
even if the air-conditioning garment is stained.
FOURTH EMBODIMENT
[0144] A fourth embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
17A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment
according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 17B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment.
It is to be noted that, in the fourth embodiment, like reference
numerals denote parts having the same functions as those in the
second embodiment, thereby eliminating their detailed
explanation.
[0145] As shown in FIG. 17, an air-conditioning garment 4 according
to the fourth embodiment is provided with a clothing material
portion 20, opening/closing means 31, lower air leak preventing
means 32, three air circulating portions 40, 40 and 40, two air
sending means 50 and 50, a power supply cable 62, an integrated
belt 64, a DC adapter (DC converting means) 65, a power supply
switch (not shown) and local spacers 70 and 70. This
air-conditioning garment 4 is mainly used as a workwear utilized
for a work in a manufacturing line (a garment for a line
operation). Here, in the manufacturing line, a worker performs a
manufacturing operation in a sitting posture. It is to be noted
that a main specification of this air-conditioning garment 4 is
organized in the table of FIG. 5.
[0146] A main difference of the air-conditioning garment 4
according to the fourth embodiment from the air-conditioning
garment 2 according to the second embodiment lies in that electric
power is supplied to the air sending means 50 and 50 from a
commercial power source. That is, a commercial power source is used
as the power supplying means. Therefore, the air sending means 50
and 50 alone are disposed to the integrated belt 64, and a
secondary battery is not attached. Furthermore, means which can
cause a parallel-to-body airstream to flow with a flow quantity of
9 liters/second is used as each of the air sending means 50 and 50.
Any other points are the same as those in the second
embodiment.
[0147] Characteristic points of the air-conditioning garment 4
according to the fourth embodiment will now be described in
detail.
[0148] In the fourth embodiment, electric power is supplied to the
two air sending means 50 and 50 from the commercial power source.
Therefore, an alternating voltage from the commercial power source
is converted into a direct-current voltage by using the DC adapter
65, and the converted direct-current voltage is supplied to the two
air sending means 50 and 50 through the power supply cable 62. As a
result, even if time for a labor with use of the air-conditioning
garment 4 is prolonged, it is not necessary to be very sensitive
about a power consumption as different from a case where a battery
is used as the power source like the second embodiment, and hence a
wearer can concentrate on the labor.
[0149] Moreover, in the fourth embodiment, since it is not
necessary to be very sensitive about a power consumption of the air
sending means 50, means having a small fan diameter is used as each
air sending means 50, and each air sending means 50 is rotated at a
high speed. The air sending means 50 having a small fan diameter is
used in order to prevent the air sending means 50 from coming into
contact with a body even if a wearer leans back in a chair.
Actually, in the fourth embodiment, means having a fan diameter of
40 mm is used as each of the air sending means 50 and 50.
Additionally, a total effective fan area of the two air sending
means 50 and 50 is 20 cm.sup.2. Further, a power consumption of the
two air sending means 50 and 50 is approximately 20 W.
[0150] It is to be noted that, when a wearer moves away from a
chair, he/she must disconnect the power supply cable 62 which
connects the DC adapter 65 and the air sending means 50 and 50.
Therefore, there is a problem that a cooling effect by the
air-conditioning garment 4 cannot be obtained when he/she is away
from the chair. In order to solve this problem, it is good enough
to dispose, e.g., a secondary battery having a small capacity to
the integrated belt 64. When the power supply cable 62 which
connects the DC adapter 65 and the air sending means 50 and 50 is
disconnected, electric power is supplied to the air sending means
50 and 50 from the secondary battery, whereby the air sending means
50 and 50 can be driven in a short time without supply of power
from a commercial power source.
[0151] In the air-conditioning garment according to the fourth
embodiment, since a flow quantity of air generated by the air
sending means is 9 liters/second and electric power is supplied to
the air sending means from the commercial power source by using the
DC adapter, the air-conditioning garment according to the fourth
embodiment is preferable for a use in a case where a wearer
performs medium duty in a sitting posture.
FIFTH EMBODIMENT
[0152] A fifth embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
18A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment
according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 18B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment.
It is to be noted that, in the fifth embodiment, like reference
numerals denote parts having the same functions as those in the
first embodiment, thereby eliminating their detailed
explanation.
[0153] As shown in FIG. 18, an air-conditioning garment 5 according
to the fifth embodiment is provided with a clothing material
portion 200, opening/closing means 31a, four air circulating
portions 40, 40, 40 and 40a, two air sending means 50 and 50, power
supplying means 61, a power supply cable 62, a power supply pocket
63, a power supply switch (not shown), and a pressure-proof spacer
80. This air-conditioning garment 5 is mainly use as a uniform for
office work (a garment for office use). Here, a main specification
of this air-conditioning garment 5 is organized in the table of
FIG. 6.
[0154] Main differences of the air-conditioning garment 5 according
to the fifth embodiment from the air-conditioning garment 1
according to the first embodiment lie in that a cloth having high
air permeability is used for an upper portion of the clothing
material portion 200, that a lower portion of the clothing material
portion 200 is formed rather long so that buttocks and the lower
abdominal region of a wearer can be covered, that a button is used
as the opening/closing means 31a and that the pressure-proof spacer
80 is provided in the clothing material portion 200. Further, as
each of the air sending means 50 and 50, means which can cause a
parallel-to-body airstream to flow with a flow quantity of 6
liters/second is used. Furthermore, the air-conditioning area ratio
of this air-conditioning garment 5 is approximately 40%. Any other
points are the same as those in the first embodiment.
[0155] Characteristic points of the air-conditioning garment
according to the fifth embodiment will now be described in
detail.
[0156] In the fifth embodiment, the clothing material portion 200
is divided into an upper portion excluding arm portions and a
portion other than the upper portion (arm portions and a lower
portion), and different material are used for these respective
portions. That is, a cloth having high air permeability is used for
the upper portion of the clothing material portion 200, and a cloth
having low air permeability such as a polyester cloth is used for
the arm portions and the lower portion of the clothing material
portion 200. In the fifth embodiment, only the portion (the arm
portions and the lower portion) formed out of the cloth having low
air permeability in the clothing material portion 200 serves as air
guiding means. Moreover, like the first embodiment, upper opening
portions function as the air circulating portions 40, 40 and 40,
and the portion (the upper portion) formed out of the cloth having
high air permeability in the clothing material portion 200 also
serves as an air circulating portion 40a. This air circulating
portion 40a functions to assist circulation of air by the upper
opening portions. For example, when a necktie or the like is put
on, air cannot be circulated from the opening portion at a part
around the neck in the upper opening portions. In such a case, the
air circulating portion 40a substitutes for the opening portion at
a part around the neck.
[0157] In case of manufacturing such a clothing material portion
200, it is good enough to perform sewing using different materials
for the upper portion and for the arm portions and the lower
portion, or, to manufacture the entire clothing material portion
200 by using a cloth having high air permeability and then stitch a
cloth having low air permeability on the arm portions and the lower
portion of the clothing material portion 200. However, the clothing
material portion becomes seamy if these methods are adopted,
whereby an appearance of the air-conditioning garment 5 may be
deteriorated in some cases. As a method which solves this problem,
there can be considered a method of first manufacturing the entire
clothing material portion 200 by using a cloth having high air
permeability and then laminating a sheet having low air
permeability on the arm portions and the lower portion of the
clothing material portion 200 from the inner side thereof. In this
case, a part on which the sheet-shaped member having low air
permeability is laminated from the inner side in the clothing
material portion 200 serves as the air guiding means, and a part on
which this sheet-shaped member is not laminated in the clothing
material portion 200 functions as the air circulating portion
40a.
[0158] Moreover, the lower portion of the clothing material portion
200 is formed rather long so that buttocks and the lower abdominal
region of a wearer can be covered like a general dress shirt. In
this example, a hem portion of the clothing material portion 200 is
not subjected to any processing, e.g., providing a rubber belt or
the like. In the fifth embodiment, in case of putting on the
air-conditioning garment 5, when a portion lower than a part
indicated by X in FIG. 18 in the clothing material portion 200 is
tucked into pants or the like, air can be prevented from leaking to
the outside from the hem portion of the clothing material portion
200.
[0159] In the fifth embodiment, buttons used for a dress shirt or
the like are adopted as opening/closing means 31a. Meanwhile, when
the buttons are fastened, an end portion of the clothing material
portion 200 on a side where the buttons are attached is positioned
on the inner side, and an end portion of the clothing material
portion 200 on a side where button holes are formed is positioned
on the outer side, whereby an overlapping portion of the clothing
material portion 200 is formed. At this time, if a width of the
overlapping portion is substantially the same as a width of an
overlapping portion in a general dress shirt, a large part of a
parallel-to-body airstream sent from the air sending means 50 leaks
from the overlapping portion to the outside, thereby considerably
reducing an air-conditioning capability of the air-conditioning
garment for office use. In order to improve this problem, there can
be considered a method of increasing the number of buttons and
narrowing distances between the buttons to decrease a gap generated
in the overlapping portion. In this method, however, since the
number of buttons is increased, an uncomfortable feeling about an
appearance is produced when the air-conditioning garment 5 is put
on. Furthermore, there occurs another problem that a large time is
required to fasten or unfasten the buttons. Therefore, it cannot be
said this is a very practical method. Thus, in the fifth
embodiment, an extending portion 201 is provided at the end portion
of the clothing material portion 200 on the side where the buttons
are attached. That is, extending the end portion of the clothing
material portion 200 on the side where the buttons are attached
increases an area of the overlapping portion of the clothing
material portion 200 which is produced when the buttons are
fastened. As a result, the problem of leak of air to the outside
from the overlapping portion can be sufficiently improved without
deteriorating the appearance or the like of the air-conditioning
garment 5. It is to be noted that air leaks from the overlapping
portion in a measure even in this case, but the air-conditioning
garment 5 has the practically sufficient air-conditioning
capability when the air-conditioning garment 5 is used as a garment
for office use.
[0160] Incidentally, of course, the extending portion 201 does not
have to be necessarily provided at the end portion of the clothing
material portion 200 on the side where the buttons are attached
depending on an intended purpose of the air-conditioning garment 5.
For example, the overlapping portion of the clothing material
portion 200 which is produced when the buttons are fastened can be
utilized as one of the air circulating portions.
[0161] In the fifth embodiment, a pressure-proof spacer 80 is
attached at a part corresponding to the back region on the inner
surface side of the clothing material portion 200. The
pressure-proof spacer 80 assures a space in which air is circulated
between the clothing material portion 200 and a body or an
undergarment, and has strength which can resist a large pressure.
In particular, in the fifth embodiment, the pressure-proof spacer
80 is used to prevent a parallel-to-body airstream from not flowing
in the vicinity of the back region when a wearer leans back in a
chair and the clothing material portion 200 and the body or the
undergarment thereby become appressed against each other. The
requirements for the pressure-proof spacer 80 are that it can
resist a large pressure, and that a resistance which air receives
from it is low and air can readily circulate.
[0162] A configuration of the pressure-proof spacer 80 will now be
described. FIG. 19A is a schematic plan view of a part of the
pressure-proof spacer 80, and FIG. 19B is a schematic side view of
a part of the pressure-proof spacer 80. The pressure-proof spacer
80 is a so-called mesh spacer, and has a net-like sheet (a net-like
member) 81 and a plurality of convex portions 82 as shown in FIG.
19. In this example, each convex portion 82 is formed into a
substantially semispherical shape. In order to manufacture this
pressure-proof spacer 80, the net-like sheet formed of soft plastic
is put between a convex metal mold and a concave metal mold and
subjected to thermoforming. As a result, the plurality of convex
portions 82 protruding in a thickness direction of the net-like
sheet are formed on the net-like sheet. In this manner, the
pressure-proof spacer 80 can be readily formed.
[0163] Additionally, it is desirable for the pressure-proof spacer
80 to have a thickness (a height of the convex portion 82) W which
is not smaller than 2 mm and not larger than 30 mm. When the
thickness W of the pressure-proof spacer 80 is smaller than 2 mm, a
pressure of air must be largely increased in order to circulate air
having a fixed flow quantity, which is not practical. In
particular, since a flow of air is large around the air sending
means 50 and 50, it is desirable for the pressure-proof spacer 80
provided around the air sending means 50 and 50 to have the
thickness W which is not smaller than 5 mm. On the other hand, when
the thickness W of the pressure-proof spacer 80 is larger than 30
mm, the appearance or comfortableness is deteriorated. In reality,
the most preferable range for the thickness W of the pressure-proof
spacer 80 is not smaller than 3 mm and not larger than 10 mm.
[0164] The pressure-proof spacer 80 is stitched on a part of the
clothing material portion 200 corresponding to the back region.
Specifically, the pressure-proof spacer 80 is arranged on the part
of the clothing material portion 200 corresponding to the back
region in such a manner that the net-like sheet 81 of the
pressure-proof spacer 80 faces the clothing material portion 200
from the inner surface side of the clothing material portion 200.
Further, the pressure-proof spacer 80 is, for example, sewed on the
clothing material portion 200 by using a sewing machine or the
like.
[0165] In the air-conditioning garment according to the fifth
embodiment, since a flow quantity of air generated by the air
sending means is 6 liters/second, the air-conditioning garment
according to the fifth embodiment is preferable for a use in a case
where a wearer performs work in an office.
SIXTH EMBODIMENT
[0166] A sixth embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
20A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment
according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
20B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment, and
FIG. 20C is a schematic front view of an undergarment which is put
on under the air-conditioning garment. It is to be noted that, in
the sixth embodiment, like reference numerals denote parts having
the same functions as those in the fifth embodiment, thereby
eliminating their detailed explanation.
[0167] As shown in FIG. 20, an air-conditioning garment 6 according
to the sixth embodiment is provided with a clothing material
portion 200, opening/closing means 31a, four air circulating
portions 40, 40, 40 and 40a, two air sending means 50 and 50, power
supplying means 61, a power supply cable 62, a power supply pocket
63, a solar battery 66, a power supply switch (not shown), and a
pressure-proof spacer 80. This air-conditioning garment 6 is mainly
used as a garment which is put on at the time of an outdoor
activity for a long time (a garment for outdoor). Furthermore, the
air-conditioning garment 6 is put on over a predetermined
undergarment shown in FIG. 20C. Here, a main specification of this
air-conditioning garment 6 is organized in the table of FIG. 6.
[0168] Main differences of the air-conditioning garment 6 according
to the sixth embodiment from the air-conditioning garment 5
according to the fifth embodiment lie in that an air-conditioning
capability is 400 W, that the clothing material portion 200 is
subjected to waterproof processing or water-repellent processing,
and that a secondary battery as the power supplying means 61 is
charged by using the solar battery 66. Any other points are the
same as those in the fifth embodiment.
[0169] Characteristic points of the air-conditioning garment 6
according to the sixth embodiment will now be described in
detail.
[0170] Since the air-conditioning garment 6 is used for an outdoor
activity, its air-conditioning capability is improved to 400 W.
With this improvement, as each of the air sending means 50 and 50,
means which can cause a parallel-to-body airstream to flow with a
flow quantity of 12 liters/second is used. Here, a power
consumption of the two air sending means 50 and 50 is approximately
2.5 W. Furthermore, a fan diameter of each air sending means 50 is
55 mm, and a total effective fan area of the two air sending means
50 and 50 is 38 cm.sup.2. Moreover, the clothing material portion
200 is subjected to waterproof processing or water-repellent
processing as a countermeasure against rain.
[0171] Additionally, the air-conditioning garment 6 is provided
with the solar battery 66 which charges the secondary battery as
the power supplying means 61. This solar battery 66 is disposed at
a position on an outer surface side of the clothing material
portion 200 corresponding to an upper back region. The solar
battery 66 is connected with the secondary battery through the
power supply cable 62. As a result, the solar battery 66 charges
the secondary battery, and electric power is supplied to the air
sending means 50 and 50 from this secondary battery. It is to be
noted that the solar battery 66 may be used as the power supplying
means so that electric power from the solar battery 66 can be
directly supplied to the air sending means 50 and 50.
[0172] The air-conditioning garment 6 according to the sixth
embodiment is put on over an undergarment. As shown in FIG. 20C,
the local spacers 70 and 70 are attached at parts on an outer
surface side of the undergarment corresponding to both shoulders.
Here, a configuration of the local spacer 70 is the same as that
described in the second embodiment. Since the local spacers 70 and
70 are provided to the undergarment, a space in which air is
circulated is assuredly formed between the clothing material
portion 200 and the undergarment when the air-conditioning garment
6 is put on over the undergarment.
[0173] In the air-conditioning garment according to the sixth
embodiment, a flow quantity of air generated by the air sending
means is 12 liters/second, and the clothing material portion is
subjected to waterproof processing or water-repellent processing.
Therefore, the air-conditioning garment according to the sixth
embodiment is preferable for a use in a case where a wearer
performs an outdoor activity for a long time.
SEVENTH EMBODIMENT
[0174] A seventh embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
21A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment
according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, FIG.
21B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment, and
FIG. 22 is a view illustrating air sending means used in the
air-conditioning garment. It is to be noted that, in the seventh
embodiment, like reference numerals denote parts having the same
functions as those in the fifth embodiment, thereby eliminating
their detailed explanation.
[0175] As shown in FIG. 21, an air-conditioning garment 7 according
to the seventh embodiment is provided with a clothing material
portion 200, opening/closing means 31a, four air circulating
portions 40, 40, 40 and 40a, two air sending means 500 and 500,
power supplying means 61, a power supply cable 62, a power supply
pocket 63, a power supply switch (not shown), and a planar spacer
90. This air-conditioning garment 7 is mainly used as a garment
which prevents an undergarment from smelling of sweat (a garment
for deodorization). Therefore, this air-conditioning garment 7 is
put on over the undergarment. Here, a main specification of the
air-conditioning garment 7 is organized in the table of FIG. 6.
[0176] Main differences of the air-conditioning garment 7 according
to the seventh embodiment from the air-conditioning garment 5
according to the fifth embodiment lie in that an air-conditioning
capability is 20 W, that a discharge mode is adopted as an air
sending mode of the air sending means 500, and that the planar
spacer 90 is provided on the clothing material portion 200. And the
air-conditioning area ratio is approximately 35% in the
air-conditioning garment 7. Any other points are the same as those
in the fifth embodiment.
[0177] Characteristic points of the air-conditioning garment 7
according to the seventh embodiment will now be described in
detail.
[0178] A main object of the air-conditioning garment 7 according to
the seventh embodiment is to rapidly vaporize sweat and prevent the
undergarment from smelling of sweat, and it is not necessarily to
cool a body. Therefore, the air-conditioning capability of the
air-conditioning garment 7 is greatly reduced to 20 W. With this
reduction, as each of the air sending means 500 and 500, means
which can cause a parallel-to-body airstream to flow with a flow
quantity of 0.6 liter/second is used. Here, a power consumption of
the two air sending means 500 and 500 is approximately 0.15 W.
Since a flow quantity of air generated by the air sending means 500
and 500 is small as described above, noise caused by the air
sending means 500 and 500 is very small. It is to be noted that
means having a fan diameter of 20 mm is used as each of the air
sending means 500 and 500. And a total effective fan area of the
two air sending means 500 and 500 is 4 cm.sup.2.
[0179] Actually, even if a person who is sensitive to heat or a
person who has temporarily performed a heavy duty (e.g., going up
and down stairs) stays in a room such as an office where an air
conditioner is effectively working to some extent, sweat remains in
an undergarment, and the undergarment smells of sweat. In such a
case, when the air-conditioning garment 7 is put on over the
undergarment, a parallel-to-body airstream can be caused to flow
between the clothing material portion 200 and the undergarment.
Therefore, sweat which has remained in the undergarment can be
rapidly vaporized. Accordingly, it is possibly to prevent sweat
from remaining in the undergarment for a long time and the
undergarment from smelling of sweat.
[0180] In the seventh embodiment, the discharge mode is adopted as
an air sending mode of the air sending means 500. In this discharge
mode, the air sending means 500 discharges air in the clothing
material portion 200 to the outside, whereby a parallel-to-body
airstream flows in a space between the clothing material portion
200 and a body (or the undergarment). Therefore, in the seventh
embodiment, such a propeller fan as shown in FIG. 22 is used as the
air sending means 500.
[0181] As shown in FIG. 22, the air sending means 500 has a
propeller 501, a motor (not shown), a casing 502, an external fan
guard (not shown), and gap holding means (not shown). The propeller
501 is coupled with a rotary shaft of the motor. Further, the
propeller 501 and the motor are accommodated in the casing 502. The
external fan guard is attached to this casing 502. The external fan
guard prevents fingers from entering the casing 502. The air
sending means 500 is attached to the clothing material portion 200
from its inner surface side in such a manner that a rotation axis
of the propeller 501 becomes substantially vertical to a surface of
the clothing material portion 200. As a method of attaching the air
sending means 500 to the clothing material portion 200, it is
possible to use the method utilizing a Velcro tape described in the
first embodiment. Furthermore, gap holding means is provided on a
side of the air sending means 500 facing the body. This gap holding
means maintains a gap between the propeller 501 and the body at a
fixed value H.
[0182] When electric power is supplied from the power supplying
means 61 to the air sending means 500 and 500, the propeller 501
rotates in a direction along which air in the clothing material
portion 200 is discharged to the outside. Here, in FIG. 22, arrows
indicate a flow of air.
[0183] It is to be noted that a flow quantity of air generated by
the air sending means 500 is small in the seventh embodiment, and
hence small means can be used as the air sending means 500.
Therefore, even if the air-conditioning garment 7 is put on, there
is almost no uncomfortable feeling about the appearance. Moreover,
when an air discharge opening of the air sending means 500 is
covered with a cloth having good air permeability, the air sending
means 500 can be hidden from the outside.
[0184] Meanwhile, since the discharge mode is adopted as the air
sending mode of the air sending means 500, when the air sending
means 500 and 500 are driven, a pressure in a space between the
clothing material portion 200 and the body (the undergarment)
becomes a negative pressure with respect to an outside air
pressure. Therefore, when the discharge mode is adopted as the air
sending mode, a method of utilizing a pressure of air generated by
the air sending means like the first embodiment cannot be adopted
as a method of forming a space in which a parallel-to-body
airstream is circulated. In general, in a case where the discharge
mode is adopted as the air sending means, if a flow quantity of air
generated by the air sending means is larger than 6 liters/second,
a difference between an outside air pressure and a pressure in the
clothing material portion becomes large although it depends on
characteristics (e.g., hardness or a weight) or a shape of the air
guiding means. Therefore, it is very difficult to assure a space in
which the parallel-to-body airstream is circulated.
[0185] In the seventh embodiment, in order to assure the space in
which the parallel-to-body airstream is circulated, the planar
spacer 90 is attached to the clothing material portion 200.
Specifically, the planar spacer 90 is attached at a part on an
inner surface side of the clothing material portion 200
corresponding to the air sending means 500 and 500 and an upper
part than that part. This planar spacer 90 assures a space in which
air is circulated between the clothing material portion 200 and the
body (the undergarment). The requirement for the planar spacer 90
is that a resistance which air receives from the planar spacer 90
is low. It is to be noted that the planar spacer 90 also functions
as a pressure-proof spacer. Therefore, as the planar spacer 90, it
is possible to use one having the same configuration as that of the
pressure-proof spacer 80. In particular, it is desirable to use a
light and flexible spacer as the planar spacer 90 attached on the
clothing material portion 200 corresponding to an abdominal region
or a chest region requiring no resistance to pressure.
[0186] The planar spacer 90 is sewed on the part on the inner
surface side of the clothing material portion 200 corresponding to
the air sending means 500 and 500 and the upper part than that
part. Specifically, the planar spacer 90 is first arranged at a
predetermined position of the clothing material portion 200 in such
a manner that a net-like sheet of the planar spacer 90 faces the
inner surface of the clothing material portion 200. Additionally, a
sewing machine or the like is used to sew the planar spacer 90 on
the inner surface of the clothing material portion 200. At this
time, it is desirable to sew an end portion alone of the planar
spacer 90 on the clothing material portion 200. That is because, a
sewing operation of the planar spacer 90 can be facilitated and a
seam can be made less noticeable in the appearance of the
air-conditioning garment 7.
[0187] It is to be noted that the planar spacer 90 does not have to
be one continuous spacer, and it may be divided into several parts
for facilitation of sewing or the like. Further, it is not required
to necessarily attach the planar spacer 90 to the part of the
clothing material portion 200 corresponding to the air sending
means 500 and 500 and the upper part than that part, and it may be
disposed at each necessary position.
[0188] When the air-conditioning garment 7 having the planar spacer
90 sewed thereon as described above is put on, a convex portion of
the planar spacer 90 comes into contact with a surface of the body
(the undergarment), and a space in which air is circulated is
assured between the clothing material portion 200 and the body (the
undergarment). Therefore, when the air sending means 500 and 500
are driven, outside air enters the space between the clothing
material portion 200 and the body (the undergarment) from the air
circulating portions 40, 40, 40 and 40a, flows to wrap the upper
body as a parallel-to-body airstream, and is discharged to the
outside from the air sending means 500 and 500.
[0189] As described above, in the air-conditioning garment
according to the seventh embodiment, vaporization of slowly
effective perspiration is facilitated, and the undergarment can be
prevented from smelling of sweat.
EIGHTH EMBODIMENT
[0190] An eighth embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
23A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment
according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, and
FIG. 23B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment.
It is to be noted that, in the eighth embodiment, like reference
numerals denote parts having the same functions as those in the
seventh embodiment, thereby eliminating their detailed
explanation.
[0191] As shown in FIG. 23, an air-conditioning garment 8 according
to the eighth embodiment is provided with a clothing material
portion 210, opening/closing means 31a, attaching/detaching means
33, four air circulating portions 40, 40, 40 and 40a, two air
sending means 500 and 500, power supplying means 61, a power supply
cable 62, a power supply pocket 63, a power supply switch (not
shown), and planar spacers 90 and 90. This air-conditioning garment
8 is mainly used as a garment which is put on by a young child
having a weight of approximately 10 to 15 kg (a garment for
children). Here, a main specification of this air-conditioning
garment 8 is organized in the table of FIG. 6.
[0192] Main differences of the air-conditioning garment 8 according
to the eighth embodiment from the air-conditioning garment 7
according to the seventh embodiment lie in that an air-conditioning
capability is 50 W and that the clothing material portion 210 can
be divided into upper and low parts. Any other points are the same
as those in the seventh embodiment.
[0193] Characteristic points of the air-conditioning garment 8
according to the eighth embodiment will now be described in
detail.
[0194] In the eighth embodiment, a wearer is a young child, his/her
weight is light, and his/her thermogenetic quantity is small.
Therefore, the air-conditioning capability of the air-conditioning
garment 8 is set to 50 W. In addition to this, means which can
cause a parallel-to-body airstream to flow with a flow quantity of
1.4 liters/second is used as each of the air sending means 500 and
500. Here, a power consumption of the two air sending means 500 and
500 is approximately 0.3 W. It is to be noted that means having a
fan diameter of 25 mm is used as each of the air sending means 500
and 500. And a total effective fan area of the two air sending
means 500 and 500 is 7 cm.sup.2.
[0195] Further, children are apt to stain their garments, the
clothing material portion 210 is configured to be divided into two
parts, i.e., upper and lower parts for facilitating washing. Here,
an upper part of the clothing material portion 210 is referred to
as an upper clothing material portion 210a and a lower part of the
same is referred to as a lower clothing material portion 210b.
[0196] The upper clothing material portion 210a is configured like
the clothing material portion in the seventh embodiment. That is,
in the upper clothing material portion 210a, a part formed by using
a cloth having low air permeability (arm portions and a lower
portion) serves as air guiding means, and a part formed by using a
cloth having high air permeability (an upper portion) functions as
the air circulating portion 40a. On the other hand, the lower
clothing material portion 210b serves as air guiding means. In
particular, as a material of the lower clothing material portion
210b, a vinyl sheet or the like is used. As a result, when the
lower clothing material portion 210b is stained, the stain can be
readily removed by wiping off this stain.
[0197] Furthermore, to the lower clothing material portion 210b are
attached the two air sending means 500 and 500, the power supplying
means 61, the power supply cable 62, the power supply pocket 63,
the power supply switch (not shown) and the planar spacers 90.
[0198] The upper clothing material portion 210a and the lower
clothing material portion 210b are attached to each other by the
attaching/detaching means 33. As this attaching/detaching means 33,
it is possible to use, e.g., a fastener or a Velcro tape. In this
manner, the upper clothing material portion 210a and the lower
material clothing portion 210b can be readily attached/detached. In
case of washing the air-conditioning garment 8, it is good enough
to remove the upper clothing material portion 210a and the lower
clothing material portion 210b, wash the upper clothing material
portion 210a in a regular manner and wipe off stains from the lower
clothing material portion 210b. Incidentally, it can be considered
that the lower clothing material portion 210b also serves as the
integrated belt described in the second embodiment.
NINTH EMBODIMENT
[0199] A ninth embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to accompanying drawings. FIG. 24A
is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment according
to the ninth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 24B is a
schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment. It is to be
noted that, in the ninth embodiment, like reference numerals denote
parts having the same functions as those in the first and second
embodiments, thereby eliminating their detailed description.
[0200] As shown in FIG. 24, an air-conditioning garment 9 according
to the ninth embodiment is provided with a clothing material
portion 20, opening/closing means 31, lower air leak preventing
means 32, six air circulating portions 40, 40, 40, 40b, 40b and
40b, one air sending means 50, power supplying means 61a, a power
supply cable 62, a power supply pocket 63, a power supply switch
(not shown) and local spacers 70 and 70. This air-conditioning
garment 9 is mainly used as a workwear utilized for a heavy
physical labor (a garment for a heavy duty). Here, a main
specification of this air-conditioning garment 9 is organized in
the table of FIG. 7.
[0201] Main differences of the air-conditioning garment 9 according
to the ninth embodiment from the air-conditioning garment 1
according to the first embodiment lie in that an air-conditioning
capability is 2000 W, that one air sending means 50 alone is
provided, that as well as upper opening portions 40, 40 and 40,
three auxiliary opening portions 40b, 40b and 40b are provided as
the air circulating portions, and that a fuel battery is used as
the power supplying means 61a. Moreover, in the ninth embodiment,
the local spacers 70 and 70 are provided at parts on an inner
surface side of the clothing material portion 20 corresponding to
both shoulders like the second embodiment. Any other points are the
same as those in the first embodiment.
[0202] Characteristic points of the air-conditioning garment 9
according to the ninth embodiment will now be described in
detail.
[0203] Since the air-conditioning garment 9 according to the ninth
embodiment is used when performing a heavy duty, the
air-conditioning capability is increased to 2000 W. In addition to
this, means which can cause a parallel-to-body airstream to flow
with a flow quantity of 60 liters/second is used as the air sending
means 50. Here, a power consumption of the air sending means 50 is
approximately 20 W.
[0204] Since an air sending capability required for the air sending
means 50 is very high, the air sending means 50 which is actually
used has a large fan diameter and heavy weight. For example, a fan
diameter of the air sending means 50 is at least 100 mm. Actually,
in the ninth embodiment, means having a fan diameter of 150 mm and
a total effective fan area of 150 cm.sup.2 is used as the air
sending means 50. Therefore, when the air sending means 50 is
attached on the clothing material portion 20 so that a weight of
the air sending means 50 is received by the clothing material
portion 20 alone, there are various problems. For example, the air
sending means 50 readily comes off the clothing material portion
20. Thus, in the ninth embodiment, an ingenuity is exercised with
respect to an attachment method of the air sending means 50.
[0205] Specifically, one large hole portion is provided at a
central part of a back region of the clothing material portion 20,
and the air sending means 50 is disposed to this hole portion.
Here, a structure and an attachment/detachment method of the air
sending means 50 are basically the same as those described in the
first embodiment. Further, in the ninth embodiment, a sling
(slinging means) 56 for carrying the air sending means 50 on a
wearer's back is provided at the air sending means 50. The wearer
puts the sling 56 on his/her shoulders to carry the air sending
means 50 on his/her back. As a result, a weight of the air sending
means 50 can be received by not only the clothing material portion
20 but also the shoulders of the wearer. Therefore, the air sending
means 50 can be prevented from readily coming off the clothing
material portion 20. It is to be noted that one which supports the
weight of the air sending means 50 from the outside of the clothing
material portion 20 does not have to be necessarily used as the
slinging means, and the slinging means may be attached inside of
the clothing material portion 20 or stitched on an inner surface of
the clothing material portion 20.
[0206] Furthermore, when the air sending means 50 is disposed at
the back part of the clothing material portion 20 and means which
can generate air which flows with a flow quantity of at least 10
liters/second is used as the air sending means 50, the
air-conditioning garment 9 which is very rational to be used as a
workwear for a work in a standing position can be obtained. In
particular, when one air sending means 50 alone is provided at a
part corresponding to the back region of the clothing material
portion 20 and means which can generate air which flows with a flow
quantity of at least 15 liters/second between the clothing material
portion 20 and a body or an undergarment is used as the air sending
means 50, a utility workwear for a work in a standing position can
be manufactured at the lowest cost. It is to be noted that a fan
diameter of the air sending means 50 must be at least 60 mm in
order to cause air to flow with a flow quantity of 15 liters/second
between the clothing material portion 20 and the body or the
undergarment.
[0207] Moreover, in order to cause a large quantity of a
parallel-to-body airstream to flow in a space between the clothing
material portion 20 and the body or the undergarment, a
corresponding quantity of air must be able to flow to the outside.
Therefore, in the ninth embodiment, three auxiliary opening
portions 40b, 40b and 40b as well as the upper opening portions 40,
40 and 40 are provided as the air circulating portions. The three
auxiliary opening portions 40b, 40b and 40b are respectively
provided at a front left part, a front right part and an upper part
of the back in the clothing material portion 20. The auxiliary
opening portion 40b is formed by, e.g., boring a hole at a
predetermined position of the clothing material portion 20 and
stitching a material having good air permeability on the clothing
material portion 20 to close this hole. Here, as a cloth having
high air permeability, a mesh-like sheet or the like is used.
[0208] Additionally, in the ninth embodiment, a fuel battery is
used as the power supplying means 61a. That is because the air
sending means 50 sends a large amount of air and has a large power
consumption, and hence using a general battery is not practical.
Since a current which can be caused to instantaneously flow by the
fuel battery is small as compared with a capacity thereof, a
capacitor or the like having a large capacity must be also used
when a large current must be caused to instantaneously flow.
However, a large current does not have to be caused to
instantaneously flow in the air-conditioning garment 9, and hence
the fuel battery is very suitable as a power source of the
air-conditioning garment 9.
[0209] In the air-conditioning garment according to the ninth
embodiment, since a flow quantity of air generated by the air
sending means is 60 liters/second, the air-conditioning garment
according to the ninth embodiment is preferable for a use in a case
where a wearer performs a heavy duty.
10TH EMBODIMENT
[0210] A 10th embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
25A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment
according to the 10th embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
25B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment. It is
to be noted that, in the 10th embodiment, like reference numerals
denote parts having the same functions as those in the second
embodiment, thereby eliminating their detailed explanation.
[0211] As shown in FIG. 25, an air-conditioning garment 10
according to the 10th embodiment is provided with a clothing
material portion 220, opening/closing means 31, five air
circulating portions 40, 40, 40, 40c and 40c, two air sending means
50 and 50, power supplying means 61, a power supply cable 62, a
power supply pocket (accommodating means) 63, an integrated belt
640, a power supply switch (not shown), and local spacers 70 and
70. This air-conditioning garment 10 is applied to a workwear in
which a jacket and pants are connected as one (a jumpsuit type
garment). Here, a main specification of this air-conditioning
garment 10 is organized in the table of FIG. 7.
[0212] Main differences of the air-conditioning garment 10
according to the 10th embodiment from the air-conditioning garment
2 according to the second embodiment lie in that the clothing
material portion 220 covers not only an upper body but also a lower
body, that an air-conditioning capability is 500 W, that the power
supplying means 61 is attached on a rear side of a breast pocket,
and that the integrated belt 640 which is used to attach the air
sending means 50 and 50 is detachably disposed at a position
corresponding to a lumbar region on an inner surface side of the
clothing material portion 220. Any other points are the same as
those in the second embodiment.
[0213] Characteristic points of the air-conditioning garment 10
according to the 10th embodiment will now be described in
detail.
[0214] In the 10th embodiment, since the air-conditioning garment
10 is applied to a so-called jumpsuit type garment, the clothing
material portion 220 covers not only the upper body but also the
lower body. Therefore, a parallel-to-body airstream also flows to
the lower body, and a nearly all part of a body surface excluding a
part above a neck can be wrapped with the parallel-to-body
airstream. In this case, as well as the upper opening portions 40,
40 and 40, the opening portions 40c and 40c in hems of leg parts
serve as the air circulating portions. Further, an air-conditioning
area ratio of this air-conditioning garment 10 is approximately
80%. It is to be noted that, in FIG. 25, each arrow indicates an
outflow direction of air.
[0215] Furthermore, in order to circulate the parallel-to-body
airstream to the lower body, the air-conditioning capability of the
air-conditioning garment 10 is increased to 500 W. In addition to
this, means which can cause the parallel-to-body airstream to flow
with a flow quantity of 14 liters/second is used as each of the air
sending means 50 and 50. Here, a power consumption of the two air
sending means 50 and 50 is approximately 3 W. It is to be noted
that means having a fan diameter of 70 mm is used as each of the
air sending means 50 and 50. Furthermore, a total effective fan
area of the two air sending means 50 and 50 is 62 cm.sup.2.
[0216] The breast pocket is provided at an upper left part on outer
surface side of the clothing material portion 220. In the 10th
embodiment, the power supply pocket 63 is attached on an inner
surface side of the clothing material portion 220 at a position
corresponding to the breast pocket. Moreover, a secondary battery
as the power supplying means 61 is accommodated in the power supply
pocket 63. At this time, a size of the power supply pocket 63 is
set to be equal to or smaller than a size of the breast pocket, and
the power supply pocket 63 is stitched on the clothing material
portion 220. Therefore, since a seam of the power supply pocket 63
can be covered with and hidden by the breast pocket, there is an
advantage that this seam cannot be seen from the outside.
Additionally, the breast pocket usually accommodates a thing
therein. Therefore, even if the power supplying means 61 is
accommodated in the power supply pocket 63 provided on a rear side
of the breast pocket, a wearer does not feel so uncomfortable.
Further, in case of replacing the power supplying means 61, the
power supplying means 61 can be readily replaced by slightly
opening a fastener as the opening/closing means 31. It is to be
noted that the fastener must be opened to a lower position at the
time of replacement of the power supplying means 61 as an
attachment position of the power supply pocket is lowered. This
also applies to not only the case using the fastener but also a
case using buttons or any other opening/closing means.
[0217] The integrated belt 640 will now be described. The
integrated belt 640 is a band-like member which is used to attach
the two air sending means 50 and 50 and the power supply cable 62.
An object of this integrated belt 640 is substantially the same as
that of the integrated belt used in the second embodiment. However,
in the 10th embodiment, since the power supplying means 61 is
accommodated in the power supply pocket 63 provided at a breast
part of the closing material portion 220, it is not attached to the
integrated belt 640. Furthermore, a material having low air
permeability is used as a base sheet of the integrated belt, and
hence a large structural difference from the integrated belt used
in the second embodiment lies in that this base sheet also
functions as air guiding means. Incidentally, in case of washing
the air-conditioning garment 10 according to the 10th embodiment,
it is good enough to remove the integrated belt 640 and the power
supplying means 61 accommodated in the power supply pocket 63 from
the clothing material portion 220 and then wash the
air-conditioning garment 10.
11TH EMBODIMENT
[0218] An 11th embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
26A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment
according to the 11th embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
26B is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment. It is
to be noted that, in the 11th embodiment, like reference numerals
denote parts having the same functions as those in the second
embodiment, thereby eliminating their detailed explanation.
[0219] As shown in FIG. 26, an air-conditioning garment 11
according to the 11th embodiment is provided with a clothing
material portion 230, opening/closing means 31b, lower air leak
preventing means 32, three air circulating portions 40, 40 and 40,
20 air sending means 50, power supplying means 61a, a power supply
cable 62, an integrated belt 64, a power supply switch (not shown),
and local spacers 70 and 70. This air-conditioning garment 11 is
mainly applied to an intermediate wear which is put on under a
fashionable wear having good air permeability by women (an
intermediate garment). Here, a main specification of this
air-conditioning garment 11 is organized in the table of FIG.
7.
[0220] Main differences of the air-conditioning garment 11
according to the 11th embodiment from the air-conditioning garment
2 according to the second embodiment lie in that the
air-conditioning garment 11 is of a sleeveless type having no
sleeve portions, that a Velcro tape is used as the opening/closing
means 31b, that the 20 air sending means 50 are attached on the
integrated belt 64, and that a fuel battery is used as the power
supplying means 61a. Any other points are the same as those in the
second embodiment.
[0221] Since a garment having good air permeability is put on over
the air-conditioning garment 11 according to the 11th embodiment,
disfigurement of the appearance of this garment must be prevented
from being caused. Therefore, thin and small means is used as each
air sending means 50. Specifically, it is desirable to use means
having a thickness of at most 6 mm as the air sending means 50.
Moreover, since an air sending quantity of the single small air
sending means 50 is small, a total of 20 air sending means 50 are
dispersed and attached on the integrated belt 64. Generally, it is
desirable to provide at least 10 air sending means 50.
Additionally, since efficiency of a motor of the small air sending
means 50 is very poor, a large power is required to obtain a
desired flow quantity of a parallel-to-body airstream. The fuel
battery is used as the power supplying means 61a taking this point
into consideration.
[0222] Actually, in the 11th embodiment, means which can cause a
parallel-to-body airstream to flow with a flow quantity of 6
liters/second is used as each of the 20 air sending means 50. A fan
diameter of each air sending means 50 is 20 mm, and a total
effective fan area of the 20 air sending means 50 is 45 cm.sup.2.
Here, a power consumption of the 20 air sending means 50 is
approximately 8 W. Further, an air-conditioning capability of the
air-conditioning garment 11 is approximately 200 W. It is to be
noted that an air-conditioning area ratio of this air-conditioning
garment 11 is approximately 30%.
12TH EMBODIMENT
[0223] A 12th embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
27A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment
according to the 12th embodiment, FIG. 27B is a schematic rear view
of the air-conditioning garment, and FIG. 28 is a view illustrating
air sending means used in the air-conditioning garment. It is to be
noted that, in the 12th embodiment, like reference numerals denote
parts having the same functions as those in the seventh embodiment,
thereby eliminating their detailed explanation.
[0224] As shown in FIG. 27, an air-conditioning garment 12
according to the 12th embodiment is provided with a clothing
material portion 200, opening/closing means 31a, four air
circulating portions 40, 40, 40 and 40a, two air sending means 50
and 50, power supplying means 61b, a power supply cable 62, a power
supply pocket 63, a power supply switch (not shown) and a planar
spacer 90. This air-conditioning garment 12 is applied to an
intermediate wear which is put on between an overgarment and a body
or an undergarment in a season requiring an overgarment and is
intended to adjust a body temperature (a garment for temperature
adjustment). Here, a main specification of this air-conditioning
garment 12 is organized in the table of FIG. 7.
[0225] Main differences of the air-conditioning garment 12
according to the 12th embodiment from the air-conditioning garment
7 according to the seventh embodiment lie in that the
air-conditioning garment 12 is put on under an overgarment, that a
side stream fan is used as each of the air sending means 50 and 50,
and the air sending means 50 and 50 are attached on an outer
surface side of the clothing material portion 200, and that a
primary battery is used as the power supplying means 61b.
Furthermore, means which can cause a parallel-to-body airstream to
flow with a flow quantity of 1.4 liters/second is used as each of
the air sending means 50 and 50. A fan diameter of each air sending
means 50 is 35 mm, and a total effective fan area of the two air
sending means 50 and 50 is 15 cm.sup.2. Moreover, a power
consumption of the two air sending means 50 and 50 is approximately
2 W. Moreover, an air-conditioning capability of the
air-conditioning garment 12 is approximately 50 W, and an
air-conditioning area ratio of the same is approximately 30%. Any
other points are the same as those in the seventh embodiment.
[0226] Characteristic points of the air-conditioning garment 12
according to the 12th embodiment will now be described in
detail.
[0227] In a cold season, a lot of clothes must be put on for the
sake of warmness. In case of getting on a vehicle at a run so as
not to miss, e.g., a train or a bus when an overgarment is put on,
high thermogenesis is temporarily involved to increase a body
temperature, and liquid-like type sweat is exuded in some
instances. In case of getting on a fully packed vehicle in such a
state, a passenger may feel stifling and want to take off the
overgarment, but he/she cannot take off his/her overgarment because
of a fully loaded state, and hence he/she must bear with stifling
air in some cases. The air-conditioning garment 12 according to the
12th embodiment is used in such a situation. That is, only when a
wearer feels stifling, a parallel-to-body airstream is temporarily
circulated between the air-conditioning garment 12 and a body or an
undergarment to increase a temperature gradient in the vicinity of
a surface of the body, thereby cooling the body. Further, sweat
from the body is brought into contact with the parallel-to-body
airstream to vaporize sweat from the body, and an effect of drawing
vaporization heat from the periphery at the time of vaporization is
utilized to cool the body. It is to be noted that, in this
air-conditioning garment 12 for temperature adjustment again, the
air sending means 50 and 50 must generate a parallel-to-body
airstream which flows with a flow quantity of at least 0.01
liter/second per kg of a weight of a wearer in order to obtain a
sufficient cooling effect. Actually, it is desirable to use means
which can cause the parallel-to-body airstream to flow with a flow
quantity of at least 0.5 liter/second as each of the air sending
means 50 and 50.
[0228] Furthermore, in the 12th embodiment, such a side stream fan
as shown in FIG. 10 is used as each of the air sending means 50 and
50. Moreover, the air sending means 50 and 50 are attached on an
outer side of the clothing material portion 200 as shown in FIG.
28. Therefore, a space having a gap h corresponding to a thickness
of the air sending means 50 is generated between an overgarment and
the clothing material portion 200. When electric power is supplied
to the air sending means 50 and 50, the air sending means 50 and 50
suck air flowing in the space between the clothing material portion
200 and the body or the undergarment and discharge air in a
direction substantially parallel with a surface of the clothing
material portion 200 in the space between the clothing material
portion 200 and the overgarment. As a result, air which exists
between the clothing material portion 200 and the body or the
undergarment and has been warmed by a body temperature can be
replaced with outside air. Here, in the air-conditioning garment 12
for temperature adjustment, since air flowing in the space between
the clothing material portion 200 and the body or the undergarment
must be discharged into the space between the clothing material
portion 200 and the overgarment, a high air sending capability is
required as a capability of the air sending means 50. Specifically,
it is desirable to use, as the air sending means 50, means which
has air sending pressure characteristics that a maximum static
pressure, i.e., a pressure at a position where a flow quantity
becomes zero falls within a range of 30 Pa to 300 Pa.
[0229] In the air-conditioning garment according to the 12th
embodiment, a wearer can turn on the power supply switch only when
he/she feels stifling, thereby cooling his/her body
temperature.
13TH EMBODIMENT
[0230] A 13th embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
29A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment
according to the 13th embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 29B
is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment, and FIG.
29C is a view illustrating lower air leak preventing means used in
the air-conditioning garment. It is to be noted that, in the 13th
embodiment, like reference numerals denote parts having the same
functions as those in the first and second embodiments, thereby
eliminating their detailed explanation.
[0231] As shown in FIG. 29, an air-conditioning garment 13
according to the 13th embodiment is provided with a clothing
material portion 20, lower air leak preventing means 32a, three air
circulating portions 40, 40 and 40, two air sending means 50 and
50, power supplying means 61, a power supply cable 62, a power
supply pocket 63, a power supply switch (not shown), and local
spacers 70 and 70. This air-conditioning garment 13 is applied to a
daily garment having no opening/closing means on a front part like
a T-shirt. Such a garment will be also referred to as a "T-shirt
type garment" hereinafter. A main specification of this
air-conditioning garment 13 is organized in the table of FIG.
8.
[0232] Main differences of the air-conditioning garment 13
according to the 13th embodiment from the air-conditioning garment
1 according to the first embodiment lie in that opening/closing
means is not provided, that a band-like clothing material is used
as the lower air leak preventing means 32a, and that the local
spacers 70 and 70 are provided at parts corresponding to both
shoulders of the clothing material portion 20. Further, means which
can cause a parallel-to-body airstream to flow with a flow quantity
of 12 liters/second is used as each of the air sending means 50 and
50. A fan diameter of each air sending means 50 is 60 mm, and a
total effective fan area of the two air sending means 50 and 50 is
45 cm.sup.2. Furthermore, a power consumption of the two air
sending means 50 and 50 is approximately 2.5 W. Moreover, an
air-conditioning capability of the air-conditioning garment 12 is
approximately 400 W, and an air-conditioning area ratio of the same
is approximately 35%. Any other points are the same as those in the
first embodiment.
[0233] Since the opening/closing means is not provided in the
air-conditioning garment 13, a wearer pulls over the
air-conditioning garment 13. A T-shirt or the like which is pulled
over in this manner is usually put on in a state where its hem
portion is hung to the outside without being tucked into pants.
Considering a wear style of such a T-shirt type garment, in the
13th embodiment, means for providing an elastic member, e.g.,
rubber into a band-like clothing material rather than means for
providing rubber into a hem portion of the clothing material
portion 20 is used as the lower air leak preventing means 32a.
Specifically, the lower air leak preventing means 32a is
constituted of the band-like clothing material and an elastic
member. Further, as shown in FIG. 29C, the band-like clothing
material is stitched on the inner surface side of the clothing
material portion 20 at a position in the vicinity of the hem
portion of the clothing material portion 20 along a direction
around a waist. Furthermore, the elastic member is put into an end
portion of the band-like clothing material on the body side,
thereby making gathering. As a result, when the air-conditioning
garment 13 is put on, the end portion of the band-like clothing
material in which the elastic member is provided is appressed
against the body, the undergarment or a garment. Therefore, even
when this air-conditioning garment 13 is put on in a state where
the hem portion hangs down limply, the lower air leak preventing
means 32a can prevent air from leaking from the hem portion to the
outside.
14TH EMBODIMENT
[0234] A 14th embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
30A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment
according to the 14th embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 30B
is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment, and FIG.
31 is a schematic block diagram of a circuit portion in this
air-conditioning garment. It is to be noted that, in the 14th
embodiment, like reference numerals denote parts having the same
functions as those in the fifth embodiment, thereby eliminating
their detailed explanation.
[0235] As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, an air-conditioning garment 14
according to the 14th embodiment is provided with a clothing
material portion 200, opening/closing means 31a, four air
circulating portions 40, 40, 40 and 40a, two air sending means 50
and 50, power supplying means 61a, power supply cables 62, a power
supply pocket 63, a power supply switch (not shown), a
pressure-proof spacer 80, two power supply connectors 111 and 112,
five sensors 121, 122, 123, 124 and 125, and a circuit portion 130.
Here, a fan diameter of each air sending means 50 is 60 mm, and a
total effective fan area of the two air sending means 50 and 50 is
45 cm.sup.2. Moreover, an air-conditioning area ratio of this
air-conditioning garment 14 is approximately 40%. Various functions
utilizing information processing, a communication technology and
others are added to this air-conditioning garment 14. Such a
garment having various functions added thereto will be also
referred to as a "high-function type garment" hereinafter. A main
specification of this air-conditioning garment 14 is organized in
the table of FIG. 8.
[0236] Main differences of the air-conditioning garment 14
according to the 14th embodiment from the air-conditioning garment
5 according to the fifth embodiment lie in that a fuel battery is
used as the power supplying means 61a and that various functions
such as a function of supplying electric power to other devices, a
function of automatically adjusting a flow quantity of a
parallel-to-body airstream, a function as a health management
garment, an Internet communicating function and others are
provided. Any other points are the same as those in the fifth
embodiment.
[0237] Each of the above-mentioned functions provided in the
air-conditioning garment 14 according to the 14th embodiment will
now be described in detail.
[0238] First, the function of supplying electric power to other
devices will be described. In the 14th embodiment, a fuel battery
is used as the power supplying means 61a. The plurality of power
supply cables 62 which supply electric power from the power
supplying means 61a to each portion are arranged on an inner
surface side of the clothing material portion 200. Here, a cable
having water-resisting properties is used as the power supply cable
62 to endure washing. Specifically, each power supply cable 62
connects the power supplying means 61a and respective power supply
connectors 111 and 112, connects the power supplying means 61a and
the circuit portion 130, and connects the circuit portion 130 and
the respective air sending means 50 and 50. Electric power from the
power supplying means 61a is supplied to the respective air sending
means 50 and 50 through the circuit portion 130.
[0239] The power supply connector 111 is a connector used to supply
electric power to a mobile phone or the like, and is attached in a
breast pocket. For example, when a mobile phone is put in the
breast pocket and a battery charging connector of the mobile phone
is brought into contact with the power supply connector 111, a
battery of the mobile phone can be charged. Additionally, the power
supply connector 112 is a connector used to supply electric power
to a air-conditioning hat or an air-conditioning helmet to which
the same principle as the air-conditioning garment according to the
present invention is applied. When a predetermined connector
provided to the air-conditioning hat or the air-conditioning helmet
is connected to the power supply connector 112, electric power from
the power supplying means 61a can be supplied to the air sending
means provided to the air-conditioning hat or the air-conditioning
helmet. Therefore, in this case, power supplying means does not
have to be provided in the air-conditioning hat or the
air-conditioning helmet.
[0240] The function of automatically adjusting a flow quantity of a
parallel-to-body airstream which is provided in the
air-conditioning garment 14 will now be described. As shown in FIG.
31, five sensors 121 to 125 are attached to the air-conditioning
garment 14. That is, they are a body temperature sensor (body
temperature detecting means) 121, a pulse sensor (pulse detecting
means) 122, a temperature sensor 123, a humidity sensor 124, and a
GPS sensor 125. The body temperature sensor 121 detects a body
temperature of a wearer, and the pulse sensor 122 detects a
wearer's pulse. The body temperature sensor 121 and the pulse
sensor 122 are attached at predetermined positions which are in
contact with a body. The temperature sensor 123 detects a
temperature of outside air, and the humidity sensor 124 detects
humidity of outside air. The temperature sensor 123 and the
humidity sensor 124 are attached on an outer side of the clothing
material portion 200. Further, the GPS sensor 125 detects position
information. Detection results obtained by these respective sensors
121 to 125 are transmitted to calculating means in the circuit
portion 130. It is to be noted that the body temperature sensor 121
and the pulse sensor 122 will be generically referred to as a
"physical condition sensor (physical condition detecting means)",
and the temperature sensor 123 and the humidity sensor 124 will be
generically referred to as an "environment sensor" hereinafter.
[0241] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 31, the circuit portion 130 is
provided with an input interface 131, storing means 132,
calculating means 133, fan controlling means (drive controlling
means) 134, communicating means 135 and an output interface
136.
[0242] As the input interface 131, there is, e.g., an input
terminal for a keyboard. As a result, for example, a wearer can
connect a keyboard to the input terminal and use this keyboard to
input various kinds of information before putting on the
air-conditioning garment 14. Personal information of a wearer is
stored in the storing means 132. As the personal information, there
are, e.g., a height, a weight, a body temperature/pulse when
well-conditioned, a blood group, a physical condition of the day
and others. A wearer can input such information by using the
keyboard. It is to be noted that various kinds of information such
as a wearer's address, a phone number and others as well as the
above-described information can be stored in the storing means
132.
[0243] The communicating means 135 transmits/receives data
concerning a physical condition or the like detected by the various
sensors 121 to 125 to/from external receiving means. Furthermore,
as the output interface 136, there is, e.g., an audio output
terminal for a speaker. As a result, a wearer can hear sounds or
the like from a speaker.
[0244] The calculating means 133 estimates a sweating quantity
required for a human body to perform appropriate heat radiation in
accordance with the situation at the time based on detection
results obtained by the physical condition sensor and the
environment sensor, and calculates a flow quantity of a
parallel-to-body airstream required to vaporize all of the sweating
quantity. A calculation result obtained by the calculating means
133 is transmitted to the fan controlling means 134. Moreover, the
calculating means 133 also functions as controlling means for
controlling respective portions.
[0245] The fan controlling means 134 determines drive conditions of
the air sending means 50 and 50 based on the flow quantity of the
parallel-to-body airstream calculated by the calculating means 133,
and controls driving of the air sending means 50 and 50 in
accordance with the determined drive conditions. Here, as the drive
conditions of the air sending means 50 and 50, e.g., the number of
revolutions of a motor is used. That is because, when the number of
revolutions of the motor is determined, a flow quantity of the
parallel-to-body airstream is also determined. Specifically, the
fan controlling means 134 controls the number of revolutions of the
air sending means 50 by changing a voltage which is supplied to the
air sending means 50. In this case, it is desirable to provide a
DC-DC converter (DC-DC converting means) capable of changing an
output voltage between the power supplying means 61a and the air
sending means 50 and 50. And, the fan controlling means 134
controls the DC-DC converter to change a quantity of power supplied
to the air sending means 50 and 50, thereby controlling a flow
quantity of air generated from the air sending means 50 and 50.
There is an advantage that the number of revolutions of the air
sending means 50 can be controlled by using the DC-DC converter
without involving a loss of power very much. As described above, in
the air-conditioning garment 14 according to the 14th embodiment,
an appropriate quantity of air can be automatically allowed to flow
into the clothing material portion 200 in accordance with a
physical condition of a wearer or a temperature/humidity of outside
air. It is to be noted that, e.g., one which subjects an output
voltage to PWM modulation and then rectifies the PWM-modulated
voltage by using a capacitor may be utilized as the DC-DC
converter.
[0246] It is to be noted that, in the 14th embodiment, means which
can cause a parallel-to-body airstream to flow with a flow quantity
of up to 47 liters/second is used as each of the air sending means
50 and 50. When the parallel-to-body airstream is caused to flow
with this maximum flow quantity, a power consumption of the two air
sending means 50 and 50 is 40 W. Additionally, an air-conditioning
capability of the air-conditioning garment 14 is 1500 W at the
maximum level.
[0247] According to characteristics of the parallel-to-body
airstream, even if the parallel-to-body airstream is caused to flow
with a flow quantity larger than a flow quantity required for
vaporizing sweat, the physiological cooler is not affected.
However, when a flow quantity of the parallel-to-body airstream is
always fixed, the air-conditioning capability is fixedly
determined. Therefore, even if a quantity of heat radiation which
is physiologically required by a body is small, a power consumption
of the air sending means 50 and 50 is fixed. As a result, a time in
which the air sending means 50 and 50 can be driven with one
refueling operation to the power supplying means 61a is reduced.
This point is the same in a case where a secondary battery is used
as the power supplying means. In the air-conditioning garment 14
according to the 14th embodiment, a flow quantity of a
parallel-to-body airstream can be automatically controlled in
accordance with a quantity of heat radiation which is
physiologically required by the body at the time. Therefore, not
only wasteful use of a fuel (or a battery) can be suppressed, but
also a lifetime of the air sending means 50 and 50 can be
prolonged.
[0248] Further, in general, ambient noise is small in an
environment where a light duty such as an office work is performed,
but ambient noise is large in an environment where a heavy labor is
carried out. In the air-conditioning garment 14 according to the
14th embodiment, since a flow quantity of the parallel-to-body
airstream is automatically controlled in accordance with a quantity
of heat radiation which is physiologically required by the body,
the number of revolutions of the air sending means 50 and 50 is
reduced and noise generated from the air sending means 50 and 50 is
decreased in case of putting on the air-conditioning garment 14 in
a quiet environment such as an office. Therefore, a wearer
himself/herself and people around him/her do not feel that noise of
the air-conditioning garment 14 is disturbing. On the other hand,
in case of putting on the air-conditioning garment 14 in an
environment where a heavy labor is performed, the number of
revolutions of the air sending means 50 and 50 is increased, and
the noise generated from the air sending means 50 and 50 also
becomes large. However, the ambient noise is also large, and hence
the noise of the air-conditioning garment 14 does not become a
serious problem.
[0249] It is to be noted that a sweating quantity required for the
body to perform appropriate heat radiation in accordance with a
situation at the time cannot be accurately estimated by just using
detection results from the physical condition sensor and the
environment sensor in some cases. That is because there is an
individual difference in a quantity of heat radiation
physiologically required by the body in accordance with a situation
of work. In such a case, it is desirable for the calculating means
133 to estimate a sweating quantity by using personal information
of a wearer such as a weight, a physical condition of the day and
others stored in the storing means 132 in addition to detection
results from the physical condition sensor and the environment
sensor. As a result, the calculating means 133 can accurately and
meticulously determine a sweating quantity required for the body to
perform appropriate heat radiation in accordance with a situation
at the time.
[0250] A description will now be given as to a function as a health
management garment provided in the air-conditioning garment 14. In
order to realize this function, the calculating means 133 further
performs the following processing. That is, the calculating means
133 judges whether a body temperature or a pulse falls within a
predetermined reference range based on the body temperature/pulse
detected by the physical condition sensor. When it is determined
that the body temperature or the pulse is out of the reference
range, a predetermined warning is generated from a speaker
connected to the output interface 136. As a result, a wearer can
immediately know that a problem has occurred in his/her body
temperature or pulse. Here, information about the reference range
of the body temperature and the pulse is stored in the storing
means 132 in advance.
[0251] Furthermore, when the calculating means 133 judges whether
each of a body temperature and a pulse falls within a predetermined
reference range based on the body temperature/pulse detected by the
physical condition sensor and determines that, e.g., the pulse
exceeds a predetermined abnormal value, the calculating means 133
generates information concerning a physical condition based on
detection results obtained by the physical condition sensor and
transmits the information concerning the physical condition to the
communicating means 135. This abnormal value is stored in the
storing means 132 in advance. Further, the communicating means 135
transmits the information concerning the physical condition to
external receiving means. Here, the receiving means is installed
in, e.g., a wearer's family hospital. Furthermore, the "information
concerning the physical condition" includes not only the body
temperature/pulse (the physical condition) detected by the physical
sensor but also position information detected by the GPS sensor 125
and personal information of a wearer stored in the storing means
132. In particular, since the position information detected by the
GPS sensor 125 is included in the "predetermined information", a
person responsible in a hospital where the receiving means is
installed can specify a place where a wearer is based on this
position information. Therefore, when a wearer is involved in a
physical emergency situation, an ambulance or the like can be
rapidly informed of a place of the wearer (a patient).
[0252] It is to be noted that various sensors such as a sensor
which checks a state of a heart can be used besides the body
temperature sensor 121, the pulse sensor 122 as the physical
condition sensor. When various physical condition sensors are added
to the air-conditioning garment 14, the function as the health
management garment provided in the air-conditioning garment 14 can
be further improved.
[0253] The Internet communicating function provided in the
air-conditioning garment 14 will now be described. A function of
connecting to the Internet to perform communication is added to the
communicating means 135. Furthermore, when a wearer utilizes the
Internet communicating function, inputting means such as a keyboard
is connected to the input interface 131, and outputting means for
outputting information downloaded through the Internet is connected
to the output interface 136. For example, desired music can be
downloaded through the Internet by operating the keyboard, and this
music can be output from the speaker. Here, in place of attaching
the speaker to the air-conditioning garment 14, a headphone may be
connected to a headphone audio output terminal of the output
interface 136 so that a wearer can listen to the music from the
headphone. Moreover, when a video output terminal is provided to
the output interface 136 and a spectacles type visual display
device is connected to this video output terminal, a wearer can put
on this spectacles type visual display device to view a downloaded
picture. Incidentally, it is desirable to provide a terminal for a
voice input device to the input interface 131 and perform voice
input through the voice input device in place of the keyboard. As a
result, a wearer can readily perform an input operation, and hence
the Internet communicating function of the air-conditioning garment
14 can be further exploited.
[0254] In the air-conditioning garment according to the 14th
embodiment, the calculating means calculates a quantity of heat
radiation which is physiologically required by a human body at the
time based on a physical condition of a wearer and a
temperature/humidity of outside air, and a flow quantity of a
parallel-to-body airstream can be automatically controlled in
accordance with the quantity of heat radiation. Therefore, when
this air-conditioning garment is put on, a wearer can obtain a
cooling effect appropriate for himself/herself irrespective of a
body type of the wearer or contents of work.
[0255] It is to be noted that the description has been given as to
the case where the body temperature sensor and the pulse sensor are
used as the physical condition sensor in the 14th embodiment, but
the body temperature sensor alone may be used as the physical
condition sensor.
[0256] Additionally, the description has been given as to the case
where a sweating quantity is estimated based on detection results
obtained by the physical condition sensor and the environment
sensor to determine a flow quantity of a parallel-to-body airstream
in the 14th embodiment. However, when the physical condition sensor
is used, the physical condition sensor must be attached at a
position which is in contact with a body, and this attachment is
slightly troublesome. Therefore, a work volume sensor (work volume
detecting means) such as an acceleration sensor which detects an
approximate value of a work volume in accordance with movements of
a body may be used in place of the physical condition sensor. This
work volume sensor does not have to be necessarily attached at a
position which is in contact with the body, and it may be attached
at any position of the air-conditioning garment. In this case, the
calculating means estimates a sweating quantity required for a
human body to perform appropriate heat radiation in accordance with
a situation at the time based on detection results obtained by the
work volume sensor and the environment sensor.
[0257] Further, the air-conditioning garment according to the 14th
embodiment has a sufficient utility value when it is provided with
the function as the health management garment or the Internet
communicating function even if the function of cooling down a body
is not provided.
15TH EMBODIMENT
[0258] A 15th embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
32A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment
according to the 15th embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 32B
is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment, FIG. 33A
is a schematic front view of air sending means used in the
air-conditioning garment, and FIG. 33B is a schematic side view of
the air sending means. Furthermore, FIG. 34A is a view illustrating
a state where the air-conditioning garment is put on, and FIG. 34B
is a view illustrating a state of a belt portion when the
air-conditioning garment is put on. It is to be noted that, in the
15th embodiment, like reference numerals denote parts having the
same functions as those in the fifth embodiment, thereby
eliminating their detailed explanation.
[0259] As shown in FIG. 32, an air-conditioning garment 15
according to the 15th embodiment is provided with a clothing
material portion 200, opening/closing means 31a, four air
circulating portions 40, 40, 40 and 40a, two air sending means 550
and 550, a pressure-proof spacers 80 and 800 and a remote control
transmitter (remote control transmitting means) 140. This
air-conditioning garment 15 is obtained by improving the
air-conditioning garment 5 for office use according to the fifth
embodiment. This air-conditioning garment 15 will be also referred
to as an "improved air-conditioning garment for office use"
hereinafter. A main specification of this air-conditioning garment
15 is organized in the table of FIG. 8.
[0260] Main differences of the air-conditioning garment 15
according to the 15th embodiment from the air-conditioning garment
5 according to the fifth embodiment lie in that revolution control
of the respective air sending means 550 and 550 is performed by the
remote control transmitter 140 and that the pressure-proof spacer
800 is provided at a position on an inner surface side of the
clothing material portion 200 corresponding to a lumbar region. Any
other points are the same as those in the fifth embodiment.
[0261] Characteristic points of the air-conditioning garment 15
according to the 15th embodiment will now be described in
detail.
[0262] In the 15th embodiment, a so-called hybrid fan is used as
the air sending means 550. A basic structure of this air sending
means 550 is substantially the same as that of the air sending
means 50 shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, but the air sending means 550 is
different from the air sending means 50 in that it is provided with
power supplying means 551, a receiving circuit (receiving means)
552 and a control circuit (controlling means) 553 as shown in FIG.
33 in addition to respective constituent elements of the air
sending means 50. Here, a tabular mounting portion 555 is provided
to an internal fan guard of the air sending means 550, and the
power supplying means 551, the receiving circuit 552 and the
control circuit 553 are disposed on the mounting portion 555.
[0263] The power supplying means 551 supplies electric power to the
air sending means 550. Here, a capacitor is used as the power
supplying means 551. The capacitor is very suitable to be used as a
power source for the air-conditioning garment because its duration
of life is very long, it can be charged in a short time and safety
is high, for example. The receiving circuit 552 receives a signal
from the remote control transmitter 140. The control circuit 553
controls driving of the air sending means 550 based on a signal
received by the receiving circuit 552. Furthermore, the remote
control transmitter 140 functions as flow quantity adjusting means
for adjusting a flow quantity of air generated by the air sending
means 550 and 550. Specifically, the remote control transmitter 140
transmits a signal which instructs to turn on/off the air sending
means 550 and 550 and a signal which instructs to adjust an air
sending quantity to a predetermined quantity.
[0264] Since the power supplying means 551 is disposed to the air
sending means 550 itself in this manner, the power supplying means
551 does not have to be connected to the air sending means 550
through a power supply cable, and there is also an advantage that
removing the air sending means 550 and 550 can suffice when washing
the air-conditioning garment 15. Moreover, a wearer can operate the
remote control transmitter 140 to readily adjust a flow quantity of
air generated by the air sending means 550 and 550.
[0265] In the air-conditioning garment 15 according to the 15th
embodiment, the pressure-proof spacer 800 is attached at a position
corresponding to a lumbar region on the inner surface side of the
clothing material portion 200. Specifically, the pressure-proof
spacer 800 is attached at a position of the clothing material
portion 200 corresponding to at least a belt portion of pants when
a hem portion of the clothing material portion 200 is tucked into
the pants. A configuration of this pressure-proof spacer 800 is
substantially the same as that of the pressure-proof spacer 80
attached at a back part of the clothing material portion 200.
[0266] When this pressure-proof spacer 800 is provided, as shown in
FIG. 34, even if the hem portion of the clothing material portion
200 is tucked into the pants and the belt of the pants is fastened,
the hem portion of the clothing material portion 200 is not
appressed against a body or an undergarment. Therefore, a part of a
parallel-to-body airstream generated by the air sending means 550
and 550 is also sent to a lower body through the pressure-proof
spacer 800. Therefore, when a material from which air rarely leaks
is used as a clothing material of the pants, the pants can function
as air guiding means, and an opening portion at each hem portion of
the pants can serve as an air circulating portion. In this case, a
parallel-to-body airstream can be caused to flow in not only the
air-conditioning garment 15 but also the pants. Therefore, an
air-conditioning area ratio can be greatly improved. For example,
when a wearer puts on the pants as the air guiding means together
with the air-conditioning garment 15, the air-conditioning area
ratio is improved to approximately 80%.
[0267] It is to be noted that the pressure-proof spacer 800 does
not have to be necessarily attached at the hem portion of the
clothing material portion 200. As described above, the
pressure-proof spacer 800 functions to prevent the hem portion of
the clothing material portion 200 from being appressed against the
body or the undergarment when a belt or the like of the pants is
fastened on the body, and to assure an air circulating space to the
lower body. Therefore, as an attachment method of the
pressure-proof spacer 800, any method can be used as long as it is
a method by which the pressure-proof spacer 800 can exist between
the clothing material portion 200 and the body or the undergarment.
That is, it is good enough for the pressure-proof spacer 800 to be
provided at a position corresponding to at least the belt portion
of the pants when the hem portion of the clothing material portion
200 is tucked in the pants (a garment for a lower body). For
example, the pressure-proof spacer 800 may be attached on an outer
surface of a stomach band. In this case, a wearer puts on the
air-conditioning garment 15 after wearing the stomach band. As a
result, an air circulating space can be assured between the
clothing material portion 200 and the stomach band.
[0268] In the air-conditioning garment according to the 15th
embodiment, since a wearer can use the remote control transmitter
to adjust a flow quantity of a parallel-to-body airstream, the
wearer can obtain a cooling effect suitable for himself/herself
irrespective of a body type of the wearer or contents of work.
16TH EMBODIMENT
[0269] A 16th embodiment according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG.
35A is a schematic front view of an air-conditioning garment
according to the 16th embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 35B
is a schematic rear view of the air-conditioning garment, FIG. 36A
is a schematic plan view when an air-conditioning belt used in the
air-conditioning garment is seen from a rear surface side, FIG. 36B
is a view illustrating a state where the air-conditioning belt is
fastened, and FIG. 37 is a schematic side view of air sending means
used in the air-conditioning garment. It is to be noted that, in
the 16th embodiment, like reference numerals denote parts having
the same functions as those in the first embodiment, thereby
eliminating their detailed explanation.
[0270] As shown in FIG. 35, an air-conditioning garment 16
according to the 16th embodiment is provided with an upper clothing
material portion 260 which covers an upper part of an upper body, a
lower clothing material portion 270 which covers a lower part of
the upper body, two opening/closing means 31 and 31, two
attaching/detaching means 34 and 34, three air circulating portions
40, 40 and 40, and an air-conditioning belt 150. Although the
air-conditioning garment is produced while exploiting a general
clothing conformation in the first to 15th embodiments, the
clothing material portion is divided into upper and lower portions
by using the air-conditioning belt 150 in the 16th embodiment. The
air-conditioning garment 16 according to the 16th embodiment will
be also referred to as an "air-conditioning belt type garment"
hereinafter. A main specification of this air-conditioning garment
16 is organized in the table of FIG. 8.
[0271] The upper clothing material portion 260 covers the body
above an umbilical region, and the lower clothing material portion
270 covers a lumbar region. The upper clothing material portion 260
and the lower clothing material portion 270 function as air guiding
means. Therefore, a material from which air rarely leaks is used as
a material of the upper clothing material portion 260 and the lower
clothing material portion 270. Furthermore, fasteners as the
opening/closing means 31 and 31 are respectively provided at a
front part of the upper clothing material portion 260 and a front
part of the lower clothing material portion 270.
[0272] A lower end of the upper clothing material portion 260 is
detachably disposed to an upper end of the air-conditioning belt
150 by the attaching/detaching means 34, and an upper end of the
lower clothing material portion 270 is detachably disposed to a
lower end of the air-conditioning belt 150 by the
attaching/detaching means 34. Here, fasteners are used as the
attaching/detaching means 34 and 34. Therefore, when the upper
clothing material portion 260 and the lower clothing material
portion 270 are attached to the air-conditioning belt 150, the
air-conditioning garment 16 is brought to completion.
[0273] As shown in FIG. 36, the air-conditioning belt 150 is
provided with a belt-like base member (a band-like member) 151, two
air sending means 560 and 560, fan controlling means 152, power
supplying means 61, a power supply switch (not shown), flow
quantity adjusting means (not shown), a plurality of pressure-proof
spacers 153, and Velcro tapes 154a and 154b. Electrical components
such as air sending means 560 and 560, fan controlling means 152,
power supplying means 61 and others are attached on a rear surface
of the base member 151.
[0274] The two air sending means 560 and 560 are attached at
predetermined positions on the base member 151. The air sending
means 560 is a so-called propeller fan, and has a motor (not
shown), a propeller 561, direction converting means 562 and a fan
guard 563 as shown in FIG. 37. The fan guard 563 accommodates the
motor, the propeller 561 and the direction converting means 562.
The propeller 561 takes in outside air from a rotation axis
direction of the propeller 561, and supplies air in substantially
parallel with the rotation axis direction on an opposite side of
the intake side. The direction converting means 562 converts a flow
direction of air in such a manner that air taken in along the
rotation axis direction from the propeller 561 flows radially
toward a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation axis
direction. For example, a member having a substantially conical
shape can be used as the direction converting means 562. Therefore,
the air sending means 560 and 560 can take in outside air, and
allow the taken air to flow in a direction substantially parallel
with a surface of a body. It is to be noted that using gap holding
means for providing a gap between a lower end of the propeller 561
and the body or an undergarment directly brings air taken in from
the propeller 561 into contact with the body or the undergarment.
As a result, a flow direction of air can be converted. However,
this gap holding means can be regarded as one of direction
converting means. Moreover, as a method of attaching the air
sending means 560 to the air-conditioning belt 150, the same method
as that described in the first embodiment can be used.
[0275] Additionally, as each of the air sending means 560 and 560,
means which can cause a parallel-to-body airstream to flow with a
flow quantity of 12 liters/second is used. A fan diameter of each
air sending means 560 is 60 mm, and a total effective fan area of
the two air sending means 560 and 560 is 45 cm.sup.2. Here, a power
consumption of the two air sending means 560 and 560 is
approximately 2.5 W.
[0276] The power supplying means 61 supplies electric power to the
fan controlling means 152 and the air sending means 560 and 560.
The fan controlling means 152 controls a flow quantity of air
generated by the air sending means 560 and 560. Additionally, the
non-illustrated flow quantity adjusting means adjusts a flow
quantity of air generated by the air sending means 560 and 560. As
the flow quantity adjusting means, a volume is used, for
example.
[0277] Each pressure-proof spacer 153 is disposed between
respective electrical components such as air sending means 560 and
560, fan controlling means 152, power supplying means 61 and
others. The pressure-proof spacer 153 assures a space which allows
circulation of air between the air-conditioning belt 150 and the
body, and its structure is the same as that of the pressure-proof
spacer 80 shown in FIG. 19.
[0278] The Velcro tape 154a is attached at one end portion of the
base member 151 on its rear surface in a longitudinal direction
thereof, and the Velcro tape 154b is attached at the other end
portion of base member 151 on its front surface in the longitudinal
direction. Here, assuming that the Velcro tape 154a is for a
surface A, the Velcro tape for a surface B which is attached on the
former tape is the Velcro tape 154b. Therefore, when the
air-conditioning belt 150 is put around a waist, attaching the
Velcro tape 154a and the Velcro tape 154b on each other can prevent
the air-conditioning belt 150 from falling from the waist. That is,
the Velcro tapes 154a and 154b are belt holding means for adjusting
a length of the air-conditioning belt 150 and attaching the
air-conditioning belt 150 around the waist. It is to be noted that
the plurality of pressure-proof spacers 153 are attached on the
base member 151, and hence a space can be assured between the
air-conditioning belt 150 and the body even if the air-conditioning
belt 150 is fastened tightly.
[0279] In case of putting on the air-conditioning garment 16
according to the 16th embodiment, the upper clothing material
portion 260 and the lower clothing material portion 270 are first
attached to the air-conditioning belt 150. Then, a wearer puts arms
through sleeve parts of the upper clothing material portion 260.
Additionally, the front part of the upper clothing material portion
260 is closed by doing up the fastener of the upper clothing
material portion 260, and the front part of the lower clothing
material portion 270 is closed by doing up the fastener of the
lower clothing material portion 270. At last, both ends of the
air-conditioning belt 150 are attached by using the Velcro tapes
154a and 154b. In this manner, the air-conditioning garment 16 is
put on. It is to be noted that a hem portion of the lower clothing
material portion 270 is tucked in pants or the like in order to
prevent air from leaking to the outside from the hem portion of the
lower clothing material portion 270 in this example.
[0280] When a wearer presses the power supply switch (not shown)
provided to the air-conditioning belt 150, the fan controlling
means 152 supplies electric power to the air sending means 560 and
560, and the air sending means 560 and 560 are driven. As a result,
a parallel-to-body airstream is generated from the air-conditioning
belt 150, and the generated parallel-to-body airstream flows
through a space between the upper and lower clothing material
portions 260 and 270 and the body and is discharged to the outside
from the air circulating portions 40, 40 and 40. It is to be noted
that an air-conditioning capability of the air-conditioning garment
16 is approximately 400 W.
[0281] It is to be noted that, as the upper clothing material
portion and the lower clothing material portion, one having any
shape can be used as long as it has a shape which can cause the
parallel-to-body airstream to flow between the upper and lower
clothing material portions and the body or the undergarment.
Further, a method of holding the air-conditioning belt is not
restricted to the Velcro tapes, and various methods such as a
regular belt buckle can be used. Furthermore, opening/closing means
for opening/closing the front part of each of the upper clothing
material portion and the lower clothing material portion is not
restricted to the fastener, and any method can be used as long as
it is a method which can assuredly perform coupling with less air
leak.
[0282] It is to be noted that the present invention is not
restricted to the foregoing embodiments, and various modifications
can be carried out within the scope of the invention.
[0283] The description has been given as to the air-conditioning
garments for various intended purposes in each of the first to 16th
embodiments. Of course, the air-conditioning garment according to
the present invention is not restricted to these air-conditioning
garments, and it may be obtained by rationally combining the
specifications of the foregoing embodiments.
[0284] Moreover, in each of the foregoing embodiments, flow path
setting means for forcibly setting a path through which air flows
in a space between air guiding means and a body or an undergarment
may be provided on an inner surface of the air guiding means. For
example, a member having a light weight such as a sponge can be
used as the flow path setting means. When this flow path setting
means is provided, performance of the air-conditioning garment can
be further improved.
[0285] Additionally, in each of the above-described embodiments,
air agitating means for forcibly disturbing a flow of air in the
space between the air guiding means and the body or the
undergarment may be provided at some positions on an inner surface
of the air guiding means. For example, a member having a light
weight such as a sponge can be used as the air agitating means.
When this air agitating means is provided, a parallel-to-body
airstream can be prevented from becoming a laminar air flow. When
the parallel-to-body airstream becomes a laminar air flow, air in
the parallel-to-body airstream which is apart from the body, i.e.,
which flows on the air guiding means side does not contribute to
vaporization of sweat very much.
[0286] Further, when the intake mode is adopted as an air sending
mode of the air sending means and a parallel-to-body airstream has
a large flow quantity and a high wind pressure, it is undesirable
to use means having a shape which causes it to be greatly distanced
from the body as the air guiding means. When the air guiding means
having such a shape is used, since air flows as a laminar air flow
in the vicinity of the air guiding means in a space between the air
guiding means and the body or the undergarment, wasteful air which
does not contribute to vaporization of sweat much is increased.
However, even if the air guiding means is greatly distanced from
the body or the undergarment in the vicinity of the air sending
means originally having a large air sending quantity, this
distanced part functions as one type of an air reservoir, and an
air resistance when taking air into the air-conditioning garment
from the outside is reduced. Therefore, in such a case, when the
air guiding means is greatly distanced from the body or the
undergarment, a air sending quantity is increased, thereby
improving the air-conditioning efficiency as the entire
air-conditioning garment.
[0287] Furthermore, as described above, the air-conditioning
capability of the air-conditioning garment depends on a
vaporization contributing ratio of air. Moreover, the vaporization
contributing ratio of air varies depending on a shape of the
clothing material portion, presence/absence of the air agitating
means and others. Considering this point, in order to actually
realize the air-conditioning capability shown in each of
corresponding FIGS. 5 to 8 in the air-conditioning garment
according to each of the foregoing embodiments, air having a flow
quantity which falls within a range which is approximately 80% to
approximately 150% of a flow quantity of air shown in these
drawings must be allowed to flow in the space between the clothing
material portion and the body or the undergarment.
[0288] A description will now be given as to a relationship between
a flow quantity of air generated in a space between the clothing
material portion and the body or the undergarment and a total
effective cross-sectional area of the air circulating portions, and
a relationship between a total effective cross-sectional area (a
total effective fan area) of the air sending means and a total
effective cross-sectional area of the air circulating portions.
[0289] FIG. 38 is a view schematically showing an air flow path
reaching the air circulating portions from the air sending means
through the space between the air guiding means and the body or the
undergarment (an air circulating space). Here, a consideration will
be given as to a case where outside air flows into the air
circulating space from the air sending means and flows to the
outside from air outflow portions. Additionally, the path shown in
FIG. 38 represents a path through which air actually flows when a
wearer turns on a switch of the air sending means. In FIG. 38,
reference character S1 denotes a total effective fan area,
reference character S2 denotes a total effective cross-sectional
area of the air circulating space at a given position in the air
circulating space, and reference character S3 denotes a total
effective cross-sectional area of the air circulating portions.
When, e.g., a propeller fan is used as the air sending means, the
total effective fan area S1 is obtained by summing up areas of
propeller portions of the respective air sending means, and an area
of a central part of the air sending means where no propeller is
constituted is not included in the total effective fan area S1.
Further, the total effective cross-sectional area S3 of the air
circulating portions is an area obtained by projecting an area of
each air circulating portion on a flat surface vertical to a flow
direction of air transmitted through the air circulating portion.
Here, the air circulating portion which is formed by using such a
cloth having high air permeability as described in the fifth
embodiment is also added to calculation of the total effective
cross-sectional area S3 of the air circulating portions.
[0290] In general, as shown in FIG. 38, the total effective
cross-sectional area S2 of the air circulating space is increased
as distanced from the air sending means, and it is reduced as
getting closer to the air circulating portion. Furthermore, the
total effective cross-sectional area S3 of the air circulating
portions is usually larger than the total effective fan area S1.
That is, there is a relationship of S1<S3<S2 between the
three total effective cross-sectional areas S1, S2 and S3 except a
region close to the air sending means and the air circulating
portion.
[0291] Since the total effective fan area S1 is substantially equal
to an area of the air sending means which is seemingly exposed, it
is not preferable to greatly increase the total effective fan area
S1 in order to reduce an uncomfortable feeling about the appearance
of the air-conditioning garment. Moreover, if the total effective
cross-sectional area S3 of the air circulating portions is
increased, many air circulating portions must be provided to the
air guiding means. However, when this configuration is adopted, an
average distance by which a parallel-to-body airstream flows in the
air circulating space is reduced, thereby lowering a vaporization
contributing ratio of air. Based on a result of confirmation by the
present inventor through an experiment, when the air circulating
portions are provided to the air guiding means, in order to prevent
the vaporization contributing ratio of air from greatly lowering,
assuming that a flow quantity of air generated in the space between
the air guiding means and the body or the undergarment is L
liters/second, it is good enough to set the total effective
cross-sectional area of the air circulating portions to 20L.sup.1/2
cm.sup.2 or below. Here, a constant "20" is a quantity having a
dimension, and a product of this constant and L.sup.1/2 has a
dimension of an area.
[0292] When a flow quantity of air is small, e.g., when it is 6
liters/second or below, the total effective fan area S1 is small as
shown in a section of the total effective fan area in each of FIGS.
5 to 8. Actually, the relationship of S1<S3<S2 is achieved
except a region close to the air sending means and the air
circulating portion. Therefore, in this case, the uncomfortable
feeling about the appearance of the air-conditioning garment is
small, and the total effective cross-sectional area S3 of the air
circulating portions does not have to be increased. Thus, the
vaporization contributing ratio of air is not lowered.
[0293] On the other hand, if a flow quantity of air is tried to be
increased, the total effective fan area S1 must be increased. In
this case, the relationship between the three total effective
cross-sectional areas S1, S2 and S3 is not achieved in some cases
unless the total effective cross-sectional area S3 of the air
circulating portions is increased. If the total effective
cross-sectional area S3 of the air circulating portions is
considerably smaller than the total effective fan area S1, an air
sending pressure must be greatly increased, which results in an
inconvenience, e.g., a significant increase in power consumption.
Considering this point, even if the total effective cross-sectional
area S3 of the air circulating portions is smaller than the total
effective fan area S1, the total effective cross-sectional area S3
of the air circulating portions must be at least 0.7-fold of the
total effective fan area S1. Furthermore, according to a
confirmation by the present inventor based on an experiment, it is
good enough to set the total effective cross-sectional area S3 of
the air circulating portions to 5L.sup.1/2 cm.sup.2 or above in
order to avoid such an inconvenience. Here, a constant "5" is a
quantity having a dimension, and a product of this constant and
L.sup.1/2 has a dimension of an area.
[0294] Therefore, in the air-conditioning garment, assuming that a
flow quantity of air generated in the space between the air guiding
means and the body or the undergarment is L liters/second, it is
desirable that the total effective cross-sectional area of the air
circulating portions falls within a range of 5L.sup.1/2 cm.sup.2 to
20L.sup.1/2 cm.sup.2. Moreover, it is desirable that a ratio of the
total effective cross-sectional area of the air circulating
portions with respect to the fan total effective area (the total
effective cross-sectional area of the air sending means) is at
least 0.7-fold.
[0295] In the air-conditioning garment according to the present
invention, considering energy saving, continuous service hours of a
battery (an available time provided by single charging in case of a
secondary battery) and a cost or a weight of a battery, a larger
ratio of the air-conditioning capability of the air-conditioning
garment with respect to a power consumption of the air sending
means is good. In particular, when outside air has a temperature of
33.degree. C. and humidity of 50% and a flow quantity of air
generated in the space between the air guiding means and the body
or the undergarment is at least 5 liters/second, it is desirable
for a ratio of the air-conditioning capability of the
air-conditioning garment with respect to a power consumption of the
air sending means to be at least 50-fold. It is to be noted that
this ratio is dependent on efficiency of the motor of the air
sending means, a vaporization contributing ratio of air and
others.
[0296] Further, in the air-conditioning garment according to the
present invention, assuming that a flow quantity of air generated
in the space between the air guiding means and the body or the
undergarment is L liters/second, it is practical to use, as the air
sending means, means which having such air sending pressure
characteristics as a maximum static pressure, i.e., a pressure at a
position where a flow quantity becomes zero falls within a range of
5L.sup.1/2 pascals to 50L.sup.1/2 pascals. Here, constants "5" and
"50" are quantities each having a dimension, and a product of each
of these constants and L.sup.1/2 has a dimension of a pressure. In
order to realize this, when a flow quantity of air flowing through
the space between the air guiding means and the body or the
undergarment is not greater than 10 liters/second, it is desirable
to use a propeller fan as the air sending means. When a flow
quantity of air is greater than 10 liters/second, it is desirable
to use a turbo fan as the air sending means.
[0297] Air permeability of the air guiding means will now be
described. As explained in the first embodiment, when an air
sending mode of the air sending means is an intake mode and a flow
quantity of air generated by the air sending means is large, the
air guiding means in the vicinity of the air sending means expands
due to a pressure difference between an external pressure and a
pressure in the air guiding means, and a so-called "air reservoir"
is formed in the vicinity of the air guiding means. Moreover, a
flow quantity of air leaking from the air guiding means becomes
largest at a part where this "air reservoir" is formed (an air
reservoir portion). Here, the pressure difference at this air
reservoir portion can be reduced in accordance with a design of the
air-conditioning garment, e.g., increasing a total effective
cross-sectional area of the air circulating portions. Additionally,
in order to reduce a power consumption and noise of the air sending
means to decrease a burden on the air sending means, the pressure
difference at this air reservoir portion must be reduced. As a
result of an experiment conducted by the present inventor, assuming
that a flow quantity of air flowing through the space between the
air guiding means and the body or the undergarment is L
liters/second, it was confirmed that the burden imposed on the air
sending means can be reduced if the pressure difference at the air
reservoir portion is approximately 0.5L pascals. Here, a constant
"0.5" is a quantity having a dimension, and a product of this
constant and L has a dimension of a pressure. Considering both this
value and an area of the air guiding means forming the air
reservoir portion, when a pressure is applied to the air guiding
means and the pressure difference at this air reservoir portion is
10 pascals, a problem of air leak can be avoided if a flow quantity
of air leaking per cm.sup.2 in one second is not greater than 5 cc.
Incidentally, it can be considered that the pressure difference is
substantially proportional to a flow quantity of leak air in this
pressure region. When a flow quantity of air caused to flow in the
air-conditioning garment is 10 liters/second which is a typical
value and an area of the air guiding means forming the air
reservoir portion is 300 cm.sup.2, a pressure difference at the air
reservoir portion is 5 pascals, and hence a flow quantity of air
leaking in the air reservoir portion is 5(5/10)300=750 cc/s. That
is, air of 750 cc leaks from the air reservoir portion in one
second. At this time, a ratio of a flow quantity of air leaking in
the air reservoir portion with respect to a flow quantity of air
which is 10 liters/second is 7.5%. It is to be noted that the same
concept applies to the case where the air sending mode of the air
sending means is a discharge mode.
[0298] Additionally, in the second, eight and 11th embodiments, the
description has been given as to the case where the integrated belt
mode is adopted as an attachment/detachment mode of the air sending
means and the power supplying means is arranged on the integrated
belt. However, the power supplying means does not have to be
necessarily arranged on the integrated belt depending on an
intended use of the air-conditioning garment, and the power
supplying means may be attached to, e.g., a belt of pants. It is to
be noted that this point can be likewise applied to other
air-conditioning garments as well as the air-conditioning garment
adopting the integrated belt mode, and the power supplying means
may be attached at any position.
[0299] Further, in case of using the air-conditioning garment
according to the present invention, it is desirable to prepare many
clothing material portions excluding electrical components and
prepare only one set of the electrical component. When this
electrical component is attached to the clothing material portion
which is actually put on, it is possible to enjoy air-conditioning
garments having different colors, patterns, shapes and others
everyday.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0300] As described above, in the air-conditioning garment
according to the present invention, means which can generate air
flowing with a flow quantity of at least 0.01 liter/second per kg
of a weight of a wearer is used as the air sending means.
Therefore, the air-conditioning garment according to the present
invention can rapidly vaporize sweat generated from a body, and
expand a range in which a physiological cooler function originally
included in a human body is effectively exercised. Therefore, it
can be applied to, e.g., a garment for a light duty, a garment for
a medium duty, a garment for work in the rain, a garment for a line
operation, a garment for office use, a garment for outdoor, a
garment for deodorization, a garment for children, a garment for a
heavy duty and others.
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