DE102019105807A1 - Textile with thermocouple - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a flat textile (12) which lies over a surface of a body (24), a thermocouple (10) for cooling and / or heating being provided in the textile (12). The invention also relates to a thermocouple (10) for a flat textile which lies over a surface of a body for cooling and / or heating. In addition, a method for cooling and / or warming a surface of a body (24) is described, a flat textile (12) with a thermocouple (10) being placed over the surface of the body (24). The invention further comprises an arrangement containing a flat textile (12) which lies over a surface of a body (24), a thermocouple (10) being provided in the textile (12) for cooling and / or heating.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a flat textile which lies over a surface of a body, a thermocouple being provided in the textile for cooling and / or heating. The invention further relates to a thermocouple and a method for a flat textile which lies over a surface of a body for cooling and / or heating. Furthermore, the invention relates to an arrangement containing a flat textile which lies over a surface of a body, a thermocouple being provided in the textile for cooling and / or heating.

description

The human body begins to warm up during sport or physical work. As a result of the warming, sweat glands in the skin produce sweat, which cools the body through evaporation. The more the body exerts itself, the more sweat is generated in order to obtain more evaporative cooling. This protects the human body from overheating. This allows the body to be kept at a relatively constant temperature. When wearing clothes, especially those with only low breathability, cooling evaporation can only take place poorly or not at all. The heat and sweat build up on the skin or in clothing. Not only is the wearing comfort of the clothing impaired, but health can also be damaged in extreme situations because evaporation no longer takes place and there is therefore a risk of hyperthermia.

State of the art

For example, liquid-based cooling circuits are known for cooling. Here, cooled liquid flows past the skin through tubes or channels. The heat that is given off by the body during exertion is transported away with the fluid. This cooling mechanism reduces the body's perspiration. A disadvantage of liquid cooling, however, is the susceptibility to leakage. In addition, complex pump mechanisms must be available to move the liquid through the hoses or channels.

There are also known cooling systems with air for clothing in which air is drawn past the skin in order to cool it. The humidity that arises on the skin when the sweat evaporates is transported away through channels or the like. These cooling systems are very complex and expensive. Clothing made from phase change material cools without any additional technical equipment, but cannot be regulated and does not wick away sweat.

The JP2000234201 describes a wearable accessory that provides coolness and warmth. This accessory is worn directly on the body and includes an electrothermal cooling element with a cooling surface and a heat release surface on the main body. The cooling surface lies against the body. The side of the heat release surface, however, is directed outwards. The electrothermal cooling element is removably attached with a holding part. A heat transfer element is connected to the electrothermal cooling element in such a way that heat is transferred through it.

From the EP173 70 52 a heat adjusting device for warming is known. The thermal adjuster includes a thermally conductive substrate and a plurality of thermoelectric chips. The thermally conductive substrate serves as a support surface. Each of the thermoelectric chips has a first surface and a second surface, the second surfaces of the thermoelectric chips being attached to the carrier surface of the thermally conductive substrate. They are electrically connected to one another so that energy can be supplied to the thermoelectric chips. As a result, a temperature change is generated on the second surfaces of the thermoelectric chips, which is conducted to the thermally conductive substrate. Such a heat adjuster can be mounted in clothing. When the temperature of the thermoelectric chips is increased and the heat is conducted to the thermally conductive substrate, the garments can generate heat, for example to keep a body warm.

The known thermocouples in textiles have the disadvantage that they do not transport sweat away. They do cool, but the unpleasant sweat remains on the skin.

Disclosure of the invention

The object of the invention is therefore to create a device and a method to cool or warm a body on the one hand and liquid, such as e.g. Sweat, directed through the textile.

According to the invention, the object is achieved in that in a flat textile of the type mentioned, the thermocouple is actively designed as a heat pump with two thermal layers with a temperature difference for generating convection currents for liquids. Furthermore, the problem on which the invention is based is solved by a thermocouple for a flat textile of the type mentioned above Thermocouple has a heat pump with two thermal layers with a temperature difference for generating convection currents for liquids. The object is also achieved by a method of the type mentioned at the outset, in which liquid is transported by convection currents.

The invention is based on the principle that the temperature difference between the two thermal layers creates a heat pump. This allows liquids to be actively transported through the textile by convection. For example, liquid from a sweaty body can be led to the outside by convection. The cooler layer of the thermocouple should lie over the skin and the warmer layer should face outwards. Liquid, e.g. Sweat, is brought into the area of the cooler layer. By means of convection currents, the liquid in the textile flows specifically to the warmer layer of the thermocouple. The liquid can evaporate on the warmer layer.

An advantageous embodiment of the flat textile according to the invention is that the thermocouple is designed as a Peltier element. A textile in which the thermocouple is designed as a Peltier element can be implemented relatively easily. The Peltier element requires a suitable voltage source to generate a cold and a warm layer. Accumulators, batteries, solar modules or combinations thereof are suitable as a voltage source. The Peltier element is an electrothermal transducer based on the Peltier effect. As soon as current flows through the Peltier element, a temperature difference is generated. Peltier elements are often used for cooling. By reversing the direction of the current, the Peltier elements can also be used for heating if necessary. At least one such Peltier element is incorporated into the flat textile so that one side faces the surface of the body. Depending on the direction of the current, the surface can now be heated or cooled with the Peltier element. The Peltier element acts as a heat pump. Liquids in the textile flow from the colder layer to the warmer layer through convection currents. In the case of cooling, the liquids evaporate on the warmer layer and also generate evaporative cooling.

A further advantageous embodiment of the flat textile according to the invention consists in that the temperature difference between the thermal layers is designed to be controllable with a control mechanism. This measure is used to ensure that the temperature difference between the two layers can be adjusted. The control mechanism is usually designed to be processor-controlled. This means that control processes can be carried out quickly and easily. For example, the control mechanism can be used to set the temperature of the colder layer to which the warmer layer has a temperature difference to be set accordingly. Of course, this process can also be done the other way around. This allows the temperature and the temperature difference to be set individually.

In such a flat textile according to the invention, the regulating mechanism preferably contains a temperature and / or a moisture sensor. Changes in the temperature or the temperature difference and / or the humidity are detected by the sensors. The sensors signal these changes to the control mechanism. This allows the control mechanism to be automated, for example. A set temperature or temperature difference can always be tracked with the thermocouple when the temperature sensor detects a changing temperature. A changing humidity can also lead to a change in the microclimate in the area of the textile. By adjusting the temperature or the temperature difference of the thermocouple, an adapted humidity can be obtained here.

The textile often consists of a larger area. This area cannot easily be covered with a single thermocouple or Peltier element. In a preferred embodiment of the flat textile according to the invention, a composite system of at least two thermocouples is therefore provided, which are connected to one another via heat-conducting webs. This allows larger areas to be covered with thermocouples for the thermal effects mentioned above.

It is important in the present invention that the liquid is transported from the colder layer to the warmer layer. The liquid should not be transported through channels, tubes or the like. This would mean considerable manufacturing expense and would also be prone to leakage. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the flat textile according to the invention is therefore that the thermocouple is surrounded by material which promotes convection of liquid through the capillary effect. Depending on the use and requirement, this material can be separate, for example, a separate fabric or textile, or it can be formed by the flat textile itself.

Another advantageous aspect of the flat textile according to the invention is that the thermocouple is designed as a flexible film. This measure allows a user to use the textile in a variety of ways. Especially with textile garments, such as safety or Sportswear, a thermocouple designed as a flexible film can be used well. Because these garments are themselves very flexible to ensure freedom of movement. In this case, many small thermocouples would have to be attached to a larger area in order to maintain the flexibility of the garment. This can advantageously be circumvented in that the thermocouple itself is designed as a flexible film.

Another advantageous aspect of the textile according to the invention arises when the thermocouple has a heat-conducting extension surface on at least one of the thermal layers to enlarge the thermal active surface. This measure enables the effective area of the thermocouple to be enlarged many times over without much effort. This also increases the flow path of the liquid. The liquid thus has a longer contact time with the ambient air, for example, which particularly favors the evaporation of the liquid, such as sweat, and the capillary effect. The expansion area can also be designed, for example, as a heat-conducting film that extends over a larger area of the textile.

In an advantageous embodiment of the thermocouple according to the invention for a flat textile, the thermocouple is designed as a Peltier element. A Peltier element is a commercially available and relatively inexpensive component, so that a thermocouple for a textile can be implemented relatively easily as a result. As explained above, the Peltier element has a warm and a cold layer as soon as a current flows through the Peltier element. The required electrical voltage source for the Peltier element is initially arbitrary. However, accumulators or batteries have proven particularly suitable. The design of a Peltier element can be made relatively flat up to a flexible film, so that it can be worked particularly well into a textile.

The thermocouple according to the invention preferably has a regulating mechanism for regulating the temperature difference between the thermal layers of the thermocouple. In the case of a Peltier element, the regulating mechanism controls the flow of current, which regulates the temperature difference between the two layers of the thermocouple.

An advantageous embodiment of the thermocouple according to the invention consists in that a heat-conducting extension surface is provided on at least one of the thermal layers to enlarge the thermal effective surface. The expansion area on at least one of the layers of the thermocouple increases the effective range of the thermocouple. In this way, the flow path for the liquid in particular can be enlarged so that it has a longer contact time with the ambient air, which particularly promotes evaporation of the liquid, such as sweat. The expansion area can also be designed, for example, as a heat-conducting film that extends over a larger area of the textile.

Further refinements and advantages emerge from the subject matter of the subclaims and the drawings with the associated descriptions. Exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not intended to be restricted solely to these exemplary embodiments listed. They only serve to explain the invention in more detail. Rather, the present invention is intended to relate to all subjects which a person skilled in the art would now and in the future use as obvious to implement the invention.

Figure list

• 1 shows a functional diagram of the invention with a thermocouple in a schematic principle sketch.
• 2 shows in a schematic outline sketch a controllable Peltier element for a textile according to the invention.
• 3 shows as an application example a kidney belt with a thermocouple as a heat pump.
• 4th shows as an application example a kidney belt with a thermocouple as a heat pump with a convection-favored textile.
• 5 shows as an application example a kidney belt with several thermocouples as a heat pump, which are connected to one another via heat-conducting webs.
• 6th shows as an application example a thermocouple as a heat pump in the neck area.
• 7th shows as an application example a bracelet with a thermocouple as a heat pump.
• 8th shows as an application example a headband with thermocouples as a heat pump.

Preferred embodiment

In 1 is a functional diagram of the invention with a thermocouple in a schematic principle sketch 10 shown. With 12 will be here denotes a flat textile according to the invention. The textile 12 contains the thermocouple 10 . The thermocouple 10 is as a Peltier element 14th designed, which is an active heat pump 16 forms. The Peltier element 14th is made of a convection textile 18th surrounded, which favors convection of liquid through the capillary effect. The entire textile 12 even as a convection textile 18th be formed or only the area that the thermocouple 10 surrounds.

The Peltier element 14th is a commercially available semiconductor component that works according to the Peltier effect. There are two layers 20th , 22nd with different doping on top of each other. Appropriate application of a voltage results in the Peltier element 14th a temperature difference between the two layers 20th , 22nd . This is the first layer 20th warm and the second layer 22nd cold. The temperatures of the two layers can be determined by reversing the polarity of the voltage 20th , 22nd of the Peltier element 14th To deceive. In the present exemplary embodiment, the voltage is applied to the Peltier element in this way 14th laid out that second layer 22nd is cooler than the first layer 20th . The second layer 22nd lies on a body that heats up and sweats fluids 24 on. This can be a human body, for example. Around the effective area of the Peltier element 14th to enlarge is at the layer 22nd a thermally conductive extension surface 25th intended. The expansion area 25th is formed in the present embodiment as a metal foil, which with the layer 22nd of the Peltier element 14th is in direct contact. Through the expansion area 25th the thermally effective area can be expanded many times over

The resulting liquid - sweat, indicated by an arrow 26th , is caused by convection currents from the lower and colder second layer 22nd towards the warmer first layer 20th transported. Arrows 27 indicate the direction of flow of the liquid. The convection is caused by the capillary effects of the convection textile 18th supported. On the warmer first layer 20th the liquid eventually evaporates.

The temperature difference between the first layer 20th and the second layer 22nd can be varied by changing the voltage applied. With a control mechanism 28 is applied voltage and thus the temperature difference between the two layers 20th , 22nd of the thermocouple 10 set. By a temperature sensor 30th becomes the temperature in the textile 12 or on the thermocouple 10 detected. A humidity sensor 32 also determines the degree of moisture that is created by the evaporating liquid. The temperature sensor 30th and the humidity sensor 32 signal the control mechanism 28 the values determined in each case. This allows the control mechanism 28 the thermocouple 10 Adjust accordingly via the voltage so that a fixed value for temperature and humidity is maintained.

The 2 shows the thermocouple in a schematic diagram 10 , which is from the convection textile 18th is surrounded in order to favor the convection of liquid through the capillary effect. The electronic thermocouple 10 is also in the present embodiment from the Peltier element 14th educated. But also other thermocouples are used as heat pumps 16 , for example based on compressed and expanding gas, quite conceivable. As in the present case, it is important that the liquid flows through convection currents in the convection textile 18th targeted from the colder second shift 22nd towards the warmer first layer 20th of the thermocouple 10 flows. On the warmer layer 20th the liquid can eventually evaporate.

A voltage source 34 supplies an electrical circuit 36 with the required electrical energy. The circuit 36 contains in particular the Peltier element 14th , the temperature sensor 30th , the humidity sensor 32 (please refer 1 ) and the control mechanism 28 . The control mechanism 28 can be easily implemented using microelectronics and processor control, for example. On the Peltier element 14th are connections 37 intended for the power supply. The Peltier element receives this 14th the electrical energy required for operation from the voltage source 34 .

3 show an embodiment in which the textile 12 with the thermocouple 10 as a kidney belt 38 is provided. As far as this 3 corresponds to the previous figures, the same reference numerals are used. The thermocouple 10 is also here from the Peltier element 14th educated. The Peltier element 14th is via the power supply 34 supplied with electrical energy. By means of the control mechanism 28 , which in the circuit 36 is integrated, the temperature difference between the two layers 20th , 22nd regulated. So the temperature difference between the layers 20th , 22nd keep constant. The temperature sensor 30th and the humidity sensor 32 are located at suitable points in the area of the thermocouple to record the temperature and humidity level 10 the kidney belt 38 .

The 4th corresponds to the embodiment of 3 . The same reference symbols are therefore used for corresponding components. Unlike in 3 however, is the flat textile 12 with a thermally conductive coating 40 intended. This increases the effectiveness of the Peltier element 14th on a larger area of the kidney belt 38 extended. Preferably the textile is 12 with the coating 40 Semi-permeable designed so that moisture is always transported to the outside by the convection currents. However, this moisture does not get back to the body due to the semi-permeability 24 . The Peltier element 14th is very thin as a largely flexible film 42 provided, which makes it easier to wear the kidney belt 38 can achieve. Here too, as in the embodiments of FIG 2 and 3 the circuit 36 with the voltage source 34 , the control mechanism 28 , the temperature sensor 30th and the humidity sensor 32 intended.

The embodiment of 5 shows the kidney belt again 38 according to the 3 and 4th . To the extent that the figures correspond again, the same reference symbols are used again here. As with the embodiments of 2 to 4th instructs the circuit 36 next to the voltage source 34 , the temperature sensor 30th , the humidity sensor 32 and the control mechanism 28 on. Instead of the thermally conductive coating 40 such as in 3 is shown, there are multiple thermocouples in this embodiment 10 used as a composite system for the extensive expansion of the thermal effect. These thermocouples 10 are in the kidney belt 38 provided and by thermally conductive webs 44 connected with each other. Of course, electrical conductors can also be used between the thermocouples 10 be provided for exchanging electrical energy.

6th shows a sweater as an example of application of the invention 46 than the flat textile 12 for cooling and / or warming. The thermocouple 10 serves in the neck area 48 of a human body 50 as a heat pump 16 . The use and functionality of the thermocouple 10 are analogous to the kidney belt 38 The electrical voltage for the Peltier element 14th trained thermocouple 10 is from a voltage source 34 retrievable. Both the voltage source 34 as well as the control mechanism 28 are on a belt 52 attached. As a voltage source 34 become portable batteries in this application example 54 used. These are particularly suitable because they can be used multiple times. They can easily be charged in a conventional external charger. But also solar cells, for example on the textile surface 56 , are quite suitable for charging accumulators. Batteries can also be charged inductively, if necessary, so that they do not have to be removed from their holder. The type of voltage source 34 is therefore basically arbitrary. This means that only simple batteries can be used if necessary.

The 7th and 8th show two further application examples of the invention. In the application example of 7th is the invention as a bracelet 58 with a thermocouple 10 as a heat pump 16 designed. The bracelet 58 is located in the area of the wrist for cooling or warming 60 . In the application example of 8th is the invention as a headband 62 with multiple thermocouples 10 as a heat pump 16 designed. The headband 62 is about a head to be cooled or warmed 64 drawn. The use and functioning of the thermocouples 10 these two uses are equivalent to the kidney belt 38 according to the 3 to 5 and to the thermocouple 10 in the neck area according to 6th to see.

List of reference symbols

10

Thermocouple

12

flat textile

14th

Peltier element

16

Heat pump

18th

Convection textile

20th

First layer (warm)

22nd

Second shift (cold)

24

body

25th

Expansion area

26th

arrow

27

Arrows

28

Control mechanism

30th

Temperature sensor

32

Humidity sensor

34

Voltage source

36

Circuit

37

connections

38

Kidney belt

40

Thermally conductive coating

42

Flexible film

44

heat-conducting webs

46

pullover

48

Neck area

50

Human body

52

belt

54

Accumulators

56

Textile surface

58

bracelet

60

wrist

62

Headband

64

head

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• JP 2000234201 [0005]
• EP 1737052 [0006]

Claims (14)

A flat textile (12) which lies over a surface of a body (24), a thermocouple (10) for cooling and / or heating being provided in the textile (12), characterized in that the thermocouple (10) is active as a Heat pump (16) is designed with two thermal layers (20, 22) with a temperature difference for generating convection currents for liquids. A flat textile (12) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the thermocouple (10) is designed as a Peltier element (14). A flat textile (12) according to one of the Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that the temperature difference between the thermal layers (20, 22) is designed to be controllable with a control mechanism (28). A flat textile (12) according to one of the Claims 1 to 3 , characterized in that the control mechanism (28) contains a temperature (30) and / or a humidity sensor (32). A flat textile (12) according to one of the Claims 1 to 4th , characterized by a composite system of at least two thermocouples (10) which are connected to one another via heat-conducting webs (44). A flat textile (12) according to one of the Claims 1 to 5 , characterized in that the thermocouple (10) is surrounded by material which promotes convection of liquid through the capillary effect. A flat textile (12) according to one of the Claims 1 to 6th , characterized in that the thermocouple (10) is designed as a flexible film (42). A flat textile (12) according to one of the Claims 1 to 7th , characterized in that the thermocouple (10) has a thermally conductive extension surface (25) on at least one of the thermal layers (20, 22) to enlarge the thermal effective surface. Thermocouple (10) for a flat textile which lies over a surface of a body for cooling and / or heating, characterized in that the thermocouple (10) is a heat pump (16) with two thermal layers (20, 22) with a temperature difference for Has generation of convection currents for liquids. Thermocouple (10) for a flat textile according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the thermocouple (10) is designed as a Peltier element (14). Thermocouple (10) for a flat textile according to one of the Claims 9 or 10 , characterized in that the temperature difference between the thermal layers (20, 22) of the thermocouple (10) is designed to be controllable with a control mechanism (28). Thermocouple (10) for a flat textile according to one of the Claims 9 to 11 , characterized in that a thermally conductive extension surface (25) is provided on at least one of the thermal layers (20, 22) to enlarge the thermal effective surface. A method for cooling and / or heating a surface of a body (24), wherein a flat textile (12) with a thermocouple (10) according to one of the preceding claims is placed over the surface of the body (24), characterized in that liquid passes through Convection currents is transported. Arrangement containing a flat textile (12) which lies over a surface of a body (24), a thermocouple (10) for cooling and / or heating being provided in the textile (12), characterized in that the thermocouple (10) is actively designed as a heat pump (16) with two thermal layers (20, 22) with a temperature difference for generating convection currents for liquids.

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