JPH0642852A - Thermoelectric type cold storage/warm storage combination device utilizing thermoelectric semiconductor element - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To enable a refrigerating/heating dual-purpose device to be operated by an external power source or a built-in battery by employing a coercive circulation system for transferring heat inside a storage compartment to improve its performance. CONSTITUTION: When a direct current flows through thermoelectric modules 22, an endothermic reaction takes place at the upper stages of the thermoelectric modules 22 that contact heat-conductive blocks 21, and the absorbed heat is transferred to radiators 23 and discharged outside through vents 26. After a storage compartment 16 is cooled to a storing temperature, this system operates such that heat coming from outside through a heat-insulating layer 15 balances that absorbed by the thermoelectric modules 22. When the direction of the direct current is reversed by way of a refrigerating/heating switch, an exothermic reaction takes place at the upper stages of the thermoelectric modules 22 that contact radiator fins 19 and the radiated heat is reversely transferred by way of the same route to raise the temperature of the storage compartment 16. In this way, this device can be used not only for an external power source such as an automobile battery or a power source for domestic use, but also for a built-in battery.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement in the structure and operation system of a thermoelectric refrigerating / refrigerating apparatus which can be used for keeping cold or warming of stored goods by utilizing the Peltier effect of thermoelectric semiconductor elements, and more particularly to The present invention relates to a kind of solid-state circuit type electronic cooling / heating apparatus that cools or heats the inside of a storage chamber to maintain a desired temperature when a direct current is applied to a thermoelectric module including a plurality of thermoelectric elements.

As described above, the cooling and heating system is based on the action of absorbing and releasing the energy of electrons, and unlike the existing gas compression type cooling system, the refrigerant gas, the compressor, the gas pipes, etc. are not necessary, so that the structure is It is simple, small, lightweight and has the advantage that it can be heated and cooled in one device.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as such a thermoelectric cooling device, US Pat. Nos. 4,143,711 (1979) and 4,35 have been used.
0,016 (1982) and 4,407,133 (19
83) etc., several patents have been proposed for the storage or transportation of drugs or foods.

However, in these inventions, the heat exchange system or the structure of the heat exchange section is not suitable, and there is a problem in terms of cooling efficiency for practical use. Further, in these inventions, a built-in battery or an external DC power source is adopted as a power source to be used. In the former case, battery replacement or recharging is performed when the apparatus is stopped, and in the latter case, an external power source is used. There is a drawback in that the apparatus stops during the separation of the above, and the temperature of the storage chamber changes rapidly due to the inflow or release of heat through the heat exchange section.

[0005]

The present inventors have improved the structure of the heat exchanging portion in order to supplement such drawbacks, and the power source to be used is a built-in battery and an external power source for household use, outdoor use, and automobile use. Refrigerator / heater device that can be used as a refrigerator or a refrigerator for business use, etc. was renewed and a patent application (Korean patent application number:
No. 12101 in 1991). No. 12101 above
In the patent application, the inner wall of the storage chamber is lined with a heat conductive thin metal plate to serve as a heat absorbing plate (heat radiating plate in the case of heating).

In this case, since heat transfer in the storage chamber depends on natural convection, the heat transfer resistance is large, so that the heat exchange rate is slow and the efficiency of the apparatus is lowered.

[0007]

Recently, the present inventors have adopted a heat transfer system by forced convection as an improvement of the already filed No. 12101 patent, and compared with the conventional invention by improving the structure of the radiator. We confirmed the remarkable improvement in performance.

The combined thermoelectric refrigerating / heating apparatus of the present invention comprises:
Main body composed of a storage chamber 16 defined by the inner wall body 14, an internal air circulation chamber 28 and a heat dissipation chamber 29, a heat insulating layer 15 for keeping the temperature of the storage chamber 16 and an outer wall body 13 surrounding the heat insulating layer 15. 1 and a heat insulating lid 2 for opening and closing the storage chamber
And at least one thermoelectric module 22 for endothermic cooling and radiative heating of the storage chamber 16, and the internal air for exhaust heat by the internal air circulation of the storage chamber 16 and the external air circulation of the radiation chamber 29. Blower blades 20 and 25 respectively arranged in the circulation chamber 28 and the heat radiation chamber 29 are fixed to the same shaft,
The fan motor 24 installed in the heat radiation chamber 29 and the heat absorbing fins 19 / for heat transfer between the internal air circulation chamber 28 and the heat radiation chamber 29 for heat exchange between the inside and the outside of the storage chamber 16. Heat conduction block 21 / Thermoelectric module 22 /
Heat exchangers 19 to 23 which are closely attached in order of the radiator 23,
A temperature control circuit for preventing the thermoelectric module 22 from overheating and controlling the temperature of the storage chamber 16, a power switch 8, and a refrigerator / cooler.
It is composed of an operation panel including a heating switch 9 and an operation lamp 7, and a built-in battery 40 for operating the apparatus when the external power supply is cut off.

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The contents and technical features of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view of a combined refrigerating / heating apparatus of the present invention. The external structure is the main body 1 of the storage room, the lid 2, the fixed latch 4 for opening and closing the lid, the double-sided lifting metal fitting 3, the connector wire receiving room 5, the battery housing room 6, the operation lamp 7, the cold storage / heat storage (COOL / HEAT). Changeover switch 9,
It comprises a power (ON / OFF) switch 8, an air inlet 10, an air outlet 11, and a power socket 12. The appearance of the device of the present invention is not necessarily limited to that shown in FIG. 1, and the configuration and position of each part can be changed according to practical applications.

FIG. 2 is an internal structural view of the storage chamber and the heat exchange section. The storage chamber 16, the internal air circulation chamber 28, and the heat absorbing fins 1 are shown.
9-heat conduction block 21-heat transfer module 22-radiation fins 23 and a heat exchange section and a heat radiation chamber 29.

The outer wall body 13 and the inner wall body 14 of the storage chamber are materials having mechanical strength and internal impact resistance, and a material such as heat-insulating ABS plastic is preferable. The heat insulating layer 15 is formed in the gap between the outer wall body 13 and the inner wall body 14 by packing a filler having excellent heat insulating properties in order to prevent heat from entering and exiting from the outside.

If polyurethane foam is used as such a heat insulating filler, good effects can be obtained. Internal air circulation chamber 2
8 is separated from the storage chamber by a lattice plate having an internal air suction port 18 and an exhaust port 17, and a heat absorbing fin 19 and an internal air circulation fan 20 are installed in the internal air circulation chamber. The air circulation fan 20 for the internal air circulation is operated by the fan motor 24 installed in the heat dissipation chamber 29 in order to prevent an increase in the cooling load due to the heat generated by the electric motor.
A metal material heat conduction block 21 having a good heat conductivity such as aluminum is closely attached to the lower portion of the heat absorption fin, and the thermoelectric module 22 is tightly attached between the heat conduction block 21 and the heat radiation fin 23. The heat dissipation chamber 29 is installed outside the internal air circulation chamber 28 with the heat insulating layer as a boundary, and has an air discharge port 26, an air suction port 27, and an external air circulation fan 25.
It is composed of a fan motor 24 and a radiation fin 23.

The type of thermoelectric module used in the present invention,
The dimensions, specifications of the heat absorbing fins or the heat radiating fins, etc. should be appropriately set according to the design conditions such as the internal volume of the storage chamber, the heat insulating state, the heat capacity of the storage, the desired temperature, etc. Therefore, FIG.
The number of the thermoelectric module, the heat absorbing fins, or the heat radiating fins is not limited to two and is merely an example for the structure of the present invention. However, when two thermoelectric modules are used, the heat exchanging parts including the heat absorbing fins and the heat conducting block heat radiating fins are separately arranged as shown in FIG. It is also one of the technical features of the present invention that the heat absorbing effect and the heat radiating effect are increased by installing the air conditioner between them and dispersing the sucked air into both.

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the inside of the apparatus, in which an air circulation chamber including a heat exchange section is installed on the lower side wall of the apparatus in order to increase the effective internal volume of the storage chamber. Since the space 32 above the heat dissipation chamber 29 is a spare space, it can be utilized as a storage chamber for the connector wires or batteries required for the operation of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the heat exchange section, showing the structure and mounting method of each section. The heat absorbing fins 19 and the heat conducting block 21 are connected by heat absorbing fin fixing bolts 33, and the heat radiating fins 23 are connected by the heat radiating fin fixing bolts 34 to the main body of the apparatus. For this reason, the heat conduction block and the bolt hole base 35 are formed with female screw holes for bolt fastening. The thermoelectric module 22 is inserted between the heat conduction block 21 and the radiation fin 23 with good adhesion. The thickness L of the heat conduction block 21 and the thermoelectric module 22 is the thickness L'of the heat insulating layer.
The heat-dissipating fin fixing bolts 34 are tightened by sandwiching a heat-insulating gasket 31 having elasticity between the heat-dissipating fins and the outer wall body to make the heat-dissipating block 21, the thermoelectric module 22 and the heat-dissipating fins 23 adherent. To do. The space 36 between the heat conduction block 21 and the outer wall body 13 may be filled with a heat insulating material, but since the heat conduction of air is sufficiently small, a small space may be left as it is.

In the case of filling with a heat insulating material, it is also preferable to install a pre-heat exchange part as shown in FIG. 5 and then fill the space of the heat insulating layer by foaming polyurethane. The operation principle of the present invention will be described. For example, in the case of cooling, if a direct current is passed through the thermoelectric module 22, heat is absorbed and cooled in the upper stage of the thermoelectric module 22 that is in contact with the heat conduction block 21, and the absorbed heat is passed through the thermoelectric module 22 to the radiator 2
3 is discharged to the outside through the discharge port 26.
Therefore, the heat inside the storage chamber 16 is continuously removed by tracing the path of the heat absorbing fins 19 → the heat conduction block 21 → the thermoelectric module 22 → the radiator 23, and after cooling to the storage temperature of the storage chamber, it penetrates the heat insulating layer 15. Then, the amount of heat entering from the outside and the amount of heat absorbed by the thermoelectric module are balanced. At the same time as the energization, the fan motor 24 operates to recirculate the air inside and outside the storage chamber in the direction of → in Fig. 2, so that the heat absorption effect is increased inside the storage chamber 16 and the exhaust heat effect is increased inside the heat dissipation chamber 29. Cooling efficiency is increased. If the direction of the direct current is made to be opposite to the case of cooling by the refrigerating / heating switching switch 9, heat is dissipated in the upper stage of the thermoelectric module 22 which is in contact with the heat absorbing fins 19, and the dissipated heat is opposite to the case of cooling. The temperature of the storage chamber rises as it travels along the path.

In this way, the selection of refrigeration / heating in the storage room is performed by selecting the polarity of direct current electricity (COOL / HEA).
T) The changeover switch 9 can be used. 6 shows an operation panel for operating the apparatus, and FIG. 7 shows an example of an operation circuit. The operation panel 37 is provided with a power switch 8, a refrigerating / heating switching switch 9, an operation lamp 7, and the like.

An external power source such as an automobile battery or a household power source can be used for the operation of the refrigerating / heating apparatus of the present invention, and the built-in battery 40 is also designed to be used. When the external power supply is used, if the power switch 8 is turned on with the connector wire 38 connected to the plug 39 of the device and the external power supply, the built-in battery 40 is charged at the same time as the device operates, and the external power supply is cut off during operation. Then, the operation of the apparatus is continued by the built-in battery 40. When turned off, the operation of the device is stopped, but the built-in battery 40 continues to be charged.
O of the power switch 88 when it is separated from the external power supply
The operation is continued by the built-in battery only by N operations. Also, the storage chamber is heated when the refrigerating / heating switching switch 9 is set to the HEAT position, and is cooled when it is set to the COOL position.

The external power source and the built-in battery are selected according to the specifications of the thermoelectric module used. That is, when the device of the present invention is manufactured to use a 12-volt automobile power source, the built-in battery and the AC / DC converter are also for DC 12-volt.

On the other hand, the refrigerating / heating storage switch is set to HE.
When it is used at the AT position, heat is generated in the upper stage of the thermoelectric module 22 which is in contact with the heat absorbing fin 19, so that a temperature control circuit for preventing overheating is required. For this purpose, a thermistor (not shown) is attached to the heat conduction block 21 or the heat absorbing fins 19, and the temperature is controlled so as not to rise above the upper limit of the operating temperature to prevent overheating of the thermoelectric module itself. The internal temperature of the storage chamber is controlled by mounting a separate thermistor at an appropriate position inside the storage chamber.

[0021]

As described above, the apparatus of the present invention adopts the forced circulation method as the heat transfer method in the storage chamber to improve the heat absorption and heat dissipation structure, thereby improving its performance compared with the conventional invention. In addition, it can be operated with a built-in battery as well as an external power source such as household power source, DC power source, etc., so it can be used for household, automobile, medical, laboratory, outdoor refrigerator or warm storage. Since it can be used as, it is a practically improved product.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a combined refrigerating / heating apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an internal structure diagram viewed from the (1-1) direction in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an internal structure diagram viewed from the direction (2-2) in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a heat exchange unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the heat exchange section.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation panel.

FIG. 7 is a power supply operation circuit diagram.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body 2 ... Thermal insulation lid 7 ... Operation lamp 8 ... Power switch 9 ... Refrigerating / heating storage switch 13 ... Outer wall body 14 ... Inner wall body 15 ... Heat insulation layer 16 ... Storage room 19 ... Endothermic fins 20, 25 ... Blower vanes 21 ... Heat conduction block 22 ... Thermoelectric module 23 ... Radiator 24 ... Fan motor 28 ...・ Internal air circulation chamber 29 ・ ・ ・ Radiation chamber 40 ・ ・ ・ Battery

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A storage chamber (16) defined by an inner wall body (14), an internal air circulation chamber (28) and a heat dissipation chamber (29), and an insulating layer for keeping the storage chamber (16) warm ( 15), a main body (1) comprising an outer wall body (13) surrounding the heat insulation layer (15), a heat insulating lid (2) for opening and closing the storage chamber, and endothermic cooling of the storage chamber (16). At least one thermoelectric module (22) for radiative heating, and the internal air circulation chamber (28) for exhaust heat due to internal air circulation of the storage chamber (16) and external air circulation of the radiation chamber (29). ) And the fan blades (20, 25) respectively arranged in the heat dissipation chamber (29) are fixed to the same shaft, and the heat dissipation chamber (29)
For transferring heat between the fan motor (24) installed inside and the inside air circulation chamber (28) and the heat dissipation chamber (29) for heat exchange between the inside and outside of the storage chamber (16). A heat exchange section (19 to 23) formed by closely adhering the heat absorbing fins (19) / the heat conduction block (21) / the thermoelectric module (22) / the radiator (23) in this order, and preventing the thermoelectric module (22) from overheating. And storage room (1
6) a temperature control circuit for temperature control, an operation panel including a power switch (8), a refrigerating / heating switching switch (9) and an operation lamp (7) and the operation of the device when the external power source is cut off. Built-in battery for (4
0) and a combined thermoelectric refrigeration / hot storage device. 2. The internal air circulation chamber (28) is separated from the storage chamber (16) by a lattice plate having an internal air intake port (18) and an exhaust port (17), and the heat absorbing fins (19) are provided inside thereof. ) And an internal air circulation fan (20) are provided, and the endothermic effect is increased by the air circulation inside the storage chamber (16), thereby increasing the thermoelectric refrigeration / heat storage. apparatus. 3. The radiator (23) and the air suction port (2)
7. The thermoelectric refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: 7), an air outlet (26), and an external air circulation fan (25), which increases the exhaust heat effect by the external air circulation. / Heat storage device. 4. The heat exchanging part (19-23), when using two thermoelectric modules (22), separates these thermoelectric modules (22), and separates them between the internal air circulating fan blades (20) and 2. The refrigerating machine according to claim 1, wherein the intake blades (25) for external air circulation are arranged so as to disperse the respective sucked air into both of them to increase the heat absorbing effect and the heat discharging effect. Combined storage device. 5. The temperature control circuit comprises a temperature sensing thermistor for preventing overheating of the thermoelectric module (22) and for controlling an internal temperature of the storage chamber (16) as the heat conducting block or the heat absorbing fin (19). , Above storage room (16)
The thermoelectric refrigerating / heating apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric refrigerating / heating apparatus is provided inside. 6. The internal battery (40) is charged regardless of the ON / OFF position of the power switch (8) when the device is energized from an external power source through the connector (38), and the external power source is turned on during operation of the device. The thermoelectric refrigerating / heating combination device according to claim 1, wherein the built-in battery (40) itself serves as a power source to continue the operation of the device when the power is cut off. 7. The thermoelectric refrigeration / cooling system according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel includes a refrigeration / hot storage changeover switch (9), and the storage compartment is cooled at the COOL position and heated at the HEAT position. Combined storage device.