JPH05264151A - Refrigerator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the cooling efficiency of a refrigerator using an electronic cooling element. CONSTITUTION:A radiation fin is held through the force of a spring 43 with a gap (d) between the heat generating part of an electronic cooling element 23 and the radiation fin. During cooling operation, the radiation fin 26 is adhered to the heat generating part of the electronic cooling element 23 by means of an electromagnet 41 against the energizing force of the spring 43 to remove heat. Meanwhile, when no cooling operation is performed, the radiation fin 26 is separated away from the electronic cooling element 23 through the force of the spring 43 and inflow of heat from the outside is blocked.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable refrigerator used for outdoor leisure and the like, and more particularly to improving the efficiency of a refrigerator using an electronic cooling element.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as shown in the principle diagram of FIG. 3, when a direct current I is supplied to an electronic cooling element PL formed by joining both ends of dissimilar metals X and Y, heat is absorbed at the joining portion A. It is known that a reaction and an exothermic reaction occur at the junction B. At this time, if the direction of the current I is reversed, heat generation and endothermic reaction are reversed. Further, the magnitude of this amount of heat can be easily changed depending on the value of the current I supplied.

By using this principle, a compressor required when a refrigeration cycle is used can be dispensed with, and a refrigerator that is small in size, lightweight and free from noise and vibration can be realized. Therefore, it is commercially available for portable use.

[0004]

However, in general, when a metal is energized, Joule heat is generated, so that the conventional cooling device described above has a problem that a sufficient cooling capacity cannot be obtained.

On the other hand, a refrigerator based on the refrigeration cycle principle has a sufficient cooling capacity because it uses a compressor, but the weight of the main body is large and it is not suitable for portable applications. In addition, there is noise and vibration, and since refrigerants such as CFCs are used, adverse effects on the environment must be taken into consideration.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator using an electronic cooling element and having improved cooling performance.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises an electronic cooling element which is formed by joining dissimilar metals and produces a heat generating part and a heat absorbing part when an electric current is supplied. In a refrigerator, a heat dissipating member that is disposed so as to face the heat generating unit and is movable between a position in contact with the heat generating unit and a position separated from the heat generating unit, and the heat dissipating member while current is supplied to the electronic cooling element. And a position switching means for switching to the position side in contact with the heat generating part.

[0008]

According to the present invention, when the electric current is supplied, the inside of the refrigerator is cooled by the heat absorbing portion of the electronic cooling element, and the heat radiating member is thermally coupled to the heat generating portion of the electronic cooling element during this period. And
When the current supply to the electronic cooling element is stopped, the heat dissipation member is separated from the electronic cooling element. When the heat dissipating members are separated from each other, external heat is not transferred to the inside of the refrigerator via the heat dissipating members.

[0009]

FIG. 2 is a view showing the appearance of a refrigerator according to the present invention, (a) is an overall perspective view, and (b) is a view showing a display panel. The body case 1 and the lid 2 can be easily opened and closed by a lock 3. Further, a handle 4 is provided on the lid 2 so as to be convenient to carry. A display panel 5 for operating the refrigerator, a ventilation port 6 through which air circulates from the outside, and a panel plate 9 having ventilation ports 7 above and below the ventilation panel 6 are provided in an appropriate place on one side surface of the main body case 1.

The display panel 5 has refrigeration (G) and hot storage (R).
11, an operation switch 12 for switching between refrigerating, warming, and stopping operations, a capacity changing switch 13 for changing the cooling capacity, a power mode switch 14 for switching between AC and DC power modes, and a power cord 8a for AC. Or DC power cord 8b
And the like, which is provided with a socket 15 for connecting the power cord 8 and the like.

The refrigerator may be driven by a storage battery. In this case, when the power cord 8a or 8b is connected, the storage battery may be charged together with the power supply to the refrigerator. .

1A and 1B are views showing the structure of a refrigerator according to the present invention. FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of the refrigerator, and FIG. 1B is a side sectional view of the refrigerator.

The storage case 21 is for storing an object to be cooled, and is made of a material having a good thermal conductivity, for example, aluminum. The recess 29 is for mounting a member for cooling, and is provided at an appropriate position on one side surface of the main body case 1. A heat insulating material 10 such as urethane foam is filled between the storage case 21 and the main body case 1 except for the recess 29.

The electronic cooling element 23 is formed by joining dissimilar metals, and generates a heat generating portion and a heat absorbing portion at each joint when electric current is supplied. The spacer base 22 is for mounting the electronic cooling element 23 in close contact with the heat absorbing portion of the electronic cooling element 23 with heat transfer grease, and is formed of a material having a good thermal conductivity, for example, aluminum, and is provided in the recess 29. The storage case 21 is fitted to the fitting portion.
It is closely attached so that it can be thermally coupled to.

The radiating fins 26 efficiently dissipate the heat and Joule heat generated in the heat generating portion, are made of a material having a good thermal conductivity, and have a spring 43 attached to the main body case 1. Due to the force, it is held with a required gap d between it and the electronic cooling element 23.

The electromagnet 41 has a toroidal shape, is arranged around the electronic cooling element 23, and operates during energization of the electronic cooling element 23. On the other hand, an iron piece 42 is embedded at a position facing the electromagnet 41 on the back surface of the heat radiation fin 26, and when the electromagnet 41 is energized, the iron piece 42 is attracted against the biasing force of the spring 43, and the heat radiation fin 26 is removed. The electronic cooling element 23 is closely attached. Fan 27
Is for blowing air to the radiating fins 26 to cool it, and is arranged face-to-face inside the vent holes 6, and the air blown to the radiating fins 26 is discharged from the vent holes 7.

Next, the operation will be described. The amount of heat absorbed by the heat absorbing portion of the electronic cooling element 23 is proportional to the supplied current.
However, since the Joule heat due to the internal resistance of the element is proportional to the square of the current, there is a maximum current value at which the maximum amount of heat absorption is obtained when a constant current is supplied. Therefore, cooling is performed by cooling the radiating fins 26 that are in close contact with the heat generating portion of the electronic cooling element 23 by blowing air from the fan 27 and dissipating the Joule heat to lower the temperature of the heat generating portion. Becomes

At this time, the electromagnet 41 is energized,
The heat radiation fins 26 are in close contact with the electronic cooling element 23 against the biasing force of the springs 43, and the heat of the heat generating portion is efficiently dissipated through the heat radiation fins 26.

When cooled to a predetermined temperature or lower,
Due to the operation of a thermostat mechanism (not shown), the power supply to the electronic cooling element 23 is stopped and the cooling operation is stopped. At this time, the energization of the electromagnet 41 is also stopped at the same time.

As described above, when the energization of the electronic cooling element 23 is stopped, the energization of the electromagnet 41 is also stopped and a gap is provided between the heat radiation fin 26 and the electronic cooling element 23. It is possible to prevent external heat from flowing in through 26 and the internal temperature of the refrigerator from rising. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the operation rate and suppress the power consumption by improving the cold insulation effect. Further, when the storage battery is used as the power source of the refrigerator, the consumption of the storage battery can be reduced.

[0021]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, according to the present invention, a refrigerator provided with an electronic cooling element for forming a heat generating portion and a heat absorbing portion, which is formed by joining dissimilar metals, is disposed so as to face the heat generating portion, While the current is supplied to the heat dissipating member and the electronic cooling element, which are movable between the position in contact with the part and the position separated from each other,
Since the heat radiating member is provided with a position switching means for switching to a position in contact with the heat generating portion, the heat generated in the electronic cooling element can be efficiently generated by bringing the heat radiating member into close contact with the heat generating portion of the electronic cooling element during the cooling operation. In addition, the cooling effect can be improved by separating the heat dissipating member from the electronic cooling element when the cooling operation is not performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a structure of a refrigerator according to the present invention, (a)
Is an exploded perspective view of the refrigerator, and (b) is a side sectional view of the refrigerator.

FIG. 2 is a view showing the appearance of a refrigerator according to the present invention, (a)
FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view, and FIG. 3B is a view showing a display panel.

FIG. 3 is a principle diagram showing a configuration of an electronic cooling element.

[Explanation of symbols]

 5 Display panel 6, 7 Vent 8, 8a, 8b Power cord 21 Storage case 22 Spacer stand 23 Thermoelectric cooling element 26 Radiating fin 27 Fan 29 Recess 41 Electromagnet 42 Iron piece 43 Spring

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a refrigerator provided with an electronic cooling element, which is formed by joining dissimilar metals and produces a heat generating part and a heat absorbing part when an electric current is supplied, the refrigerator is arranged so as to oppose the heat generating part. A heat dissipating member that is movable between a position in contact with the portion and a position apart from the heat dissipating member, and a position switching unit that switches the heat dissipating member to a position in contact with the heat generating portion while current is supplied to the electronic cooling element. A refrigerator characterized by that.