JP3364589B2 - Manifold, refrigerator and cooling device with built-in thermoelectric module - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a refrigerator using a thermoelectric module. The present invention also relates to a manifold incorporating a thermoelectric module suitable for a refrigerator. The present invention also relates to a cooling device using a thermoelectric module.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the ozone layer depleting action of CFCs has become a global problem, and there has been an urgent need to develop cooling devices and refrigerators that do not use CFCs. As a cooling device that does not use CFC gas, a cooling device that uses a thermoelectric module is drawing attention. Here, the thermoelectric module is what is known as a Peltier (Peltier) module, or a thermoelectric heating module, has two heat transfer surfaces, one of the heat transfer surfaces is heated by passing an electric current,
It is a member having a function of cooling the other heat transfer surface. A cooling device using a thermoelectric module is disclosed in, for example, Tokuhyo 6-6
No. 04361.

In the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-504361, a thermoelectric module is built in a manifold, and two heat medium passage cavities are formed in the manifold with the thermoelectric module sandwiched therebetween. The cavity facing the heating side heat transfer surface of the manifold is connected to a closed circuit composed of the heat exchanger and the pump, and the cavity facing the cooling side heat transfer surface is also composed of the heat exchanger and the pump. Connected to a closed circuit. In this way
A circulation circuit including a heat transfer surface on the heating side of the thermoelectric module and a circulation circuit including a cooling surface are configured, and a heat medium mainly composed of water is circulated in this circuit. Then, of the two circulation circuits, desired cooling is performed by the heat exchanger of the circuit on the cooling side.

[0004]

By the way, in the prior art, when the above-mentioned structure is applied to a refrigerator, it is necessary to wrap the manifold tightly with a heat insulating material. That is, one side of the thermoelectric module is heated and the other side is cooled, so that the manifold becomes hot on one side and cool on the other side. Therefore, when the manifold is placed in the refrigerator, the temperature inside the refrigerator rises due to the heating side surface. Further, when the manifold is arranged outside the refrigerator, the cooling side of the manifold is heated by the outside air, and the cooling efficiency is reduced. Therefore, in the prior art, it was necessary to wrap the manifold with a heat insulating material and perform heat treatment regardless of the location of the manifold.

However, when the manifold is wrapped with a heat insulating material, there is a problem that the whole body is bulky. Therefore, when the manifold is arranged in the refrigerator, there is a complaint that the storage capacity of foods and the like is reduced. Further, even when the manifold is arranged outside the refrigerator, there is a problem that the size of the entire refrigerator becomes large. Further, the work of wrapping the manifold with a heat insulating material requires a lot of work, and improvement has been desired.

In view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a measure for omitting the heat insulation treatment of the manifold, and develops a refrigerator having a large storage capacity in the refrigerator and a small overall shape. Is an issue.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is based on a case body which is mainly constituted by a wall of a heat insulating material and at least two heat transfer surfaces, through which an electric current is passed. Is a refrigerator that includes a thermoelectric module in which the heat transfer surface is heated and the other heat transfer surface is cooled, and a manifold that incorporates the thermoelectric module, and the manifold constitutes a part of the wall of the housing.

According to the structure of the present invention, the heat insulation treatment of the manifold is not always necessary. Therefore, the storage capacity of the refrigerator can be increased or the overall shape of the refrigerator can be reduced.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION That is, the invention described in claim 1 is
A housing body mainly composed of a wall of a heat insulating material, a thermoelectric module having at least two heat transfer surfaces and heating one heat transfer surface and cooling the other heat transfer surface by passing an electric current, and the thermoelectric module. A manifold including a module is provided, and the manifold has a thermoelectric module disposed in the center and is integrally coupled and assembled, and the manifold has a heat medium between at least one heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module. Forming a passage cavity, further comprising a heat exchanger separate from the manifold, a pump and an air vent tank, and forming a closed circuit including the heat medium passage cavity, the heat exchanger, a pump and an air vent tank, Further, the integrally assembled and assembled manifold is attached to a portion of the wall of the case where the heat insulating material is removed, and the manifold is attached. Rudo is Refrigerators characterized in that it constitutes a part of the wall of the refrigerator body. In the refrigerator of the present invention,
The work of attaching the manifold to the case and the maintenance work become easy. The invention according to claim 2 is the refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the manifold has a heat transfer surface side to be heated exposed outside the refrigerator and a heat transfer surface side to be cooled is inside the refrigerator. .

That is, since it is desirable that the heating side of the manifold be cooled by the atmosphere, heat insulation treatment is not required when it is placed outside the refrigerator. Further, the cooling side of the manifold does not require heat insulation treatment when the manifold is placed inside the cabinet. Therefore, in the present invention, the manifold is arranged in the wall portion of the refrigerator, the heat transfer surface side that is heated by forming a part of the wall by the manifold is exposed outside the refrigerator, and the heat transfer surface side that is cooled is placed in the refrigerator. It is a thing.

In the invention improved from the above-mentioned invention, the manifold has a built-in thermoelectric module to form a heat medium passage cavity between the manifold and at least one heat transfer surface, and the heat medium can enter and leave the manifold. The opening is provided in such a manner that the opening is opened in a direction intersecting with the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module on the same plane, and the heat medium pipe is intersected with the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module on the same plane. 3. It is connected to
It is the refrigerator described in

The refrigerator of the present invention is provided with an opening through which the heat medium can enter and leave, and the opening is opened in a direction intersecting with the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module. The heat medium pipe is connected to the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module in a direction intersecting with the same plane. Therefore, the piping of the thermoelectric module rarely interferes with the heat insulating material or the like of the housing, and it is not necessary to remove the heat insulating material largely.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, which is a further improvement of the above-mentioned invention, the thermoelectric module is arranged such that the heat transfer surface is positioned in the vertical direction, and the manifold is a heating side heat transfer surface and a cooling surface of the thermoelectric module. A heat medium passage cavity is formed between both side heat transfer surfaces, and openings are provided at the top and bottom of each cavity to allow the heat medium to flow in and out, and the heat medium is introduced from the lower opening of each cavity. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the refrigerator is discharged from the upper opening.

In the refrigerator of the present invention, since the heat medium is introduced from the lower opening of each cavity and discharged from the upper opening, air bubbles are less likely to accumulate inside. Therefore, heat exchange is smoothly performed.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, which is a further improvement of the above-mentioned invention, the opening is opened obliquely with respect to the heat transfer surface, and the refrigerator according to the third or fourth aspect. Is.

In the refrigerator of the present invention, since the opening is opened obliquely with respect to the heat transfer surface, the dimension of the manifold in the thickness direction of the wall is reduced and the heat medium pipe is bent in parallel with the wall. The space for it is small and the wall can be thin. Therefore, the storage capacity of the refrigerator increases,
Alternatively, the entire shape of the refrigerator can be reduced.

Further, the invention according to claim 6 is the refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the manifold is provided with a mounting flange for mounting on the housing.

The invention described in claim 7 which is a further improvement of the above invention, is characterized in that the mounting flange is provided inside the manifold so that the manifold can be mounted from the inside of the refrigerator. The refrigerator according to claim 6.

In the refrigerator of the present invention, the work of attaching the manifold to the cabinet and the maintenance work are easy, and the sealing property (airtightness) between the inside and the outside of the refrigerator is improved.

The invention according to claim 8 which is a further improvement of the above invention is the refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the manifold contains a plurality of thermoelectric modules.

In the refrigerator of the present invention, since the manifold contains a plurality of thermoelectric modules, the entire manifold is less bulky than one manifold containing one thermoelectric module. Therefore, the storage capacity of the refrigerator can be increased or the overall shape of the refrigerator can be reduced.

The invention according to claim 9 which is a further improvement of the above invention is the refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the manifold contains two thermoelectric modules.

In the refrigerator of the present invention, since the manifold has two thermoelectric modules built therein, it is easy to compact the heat medium piping.

The invention of a manifold incorporating a thermoelectric module for achieving the same object has at least two heat transfer surfaces, and one of the heat transfer surfaces is heated by applying an electric current to the other heat transfer surface. A thermoelectric module that is cooled,
The thermoelectric module is built in, and a manifold that forms a heat medium passage cavity with at least one heat transfer surface is provided, and the manifold is provided with an opening through which a heat medium can enter and exit. The part is open in a direction intersecting with the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module with respect to the same plane.

In the manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module of the present invention, since the opening through which the heat medium can enter and exit is opened in the direction intersecting with the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module, the heat medium pipe is connected to the heat transfer surface. Can be connected in the direction intersecting with.

The invention further improved on the above-mentioned invention is a manifold incorporating a thermoelectric module, characterized in that the opening is opened in a direction substantially perpendicular to the heat transfer surface.

In the manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module of the present invention, the heat medium pipes can be connected in the direction orthogonal to the heat transfer surface.

The invention further improving the above-mentioned invention is a manifold incorporating a thermoelectric module, characterized in that the opening is opened obliquely to the heat transfer surface.

In the manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module of the present invention, the opening is opened obliquely with respect to the heat transfer surface. Therefore, for example, when the manifold is attached to a refrigerator wall or a room wall, the thickness direction of the wall is small. The dimensions of the manifold are small and compact.

The invention according to claim 10 is a thermoelectric module having at least two heat transfer surfaces, wherein one heat transfer surface is heated and the other heat transfer surface is cooled by passing an electric current, and the thermoelectric module. There is a manifold that contains a module and forms a heat medium passage cavity between it and at least one heat transfer surface, the manifold contains a plurality of the thermoelectric modules, and the manifold has two rows of flow passages formed therein. , The two rows of flow paths are connected by a wall, and a heat medium passage cavity is formed between the wall and the thermoelectric module. The two rows of flow paths are connected over the entire area, and one of the flow paths is further connected. Is interrupted at the middle part, the other flow path communicates with the cavity, the heat medium enters the flow path in the manifold, flows in parallel through the heat medium passage cavity, and is connected to the previous flow path over the entire area. Flow into the channel The heat medium flows through the continuous flow path to reach the adjacent cavity, flows in parallel through the heat medium passage cavity, and flows into the flow path connected to the flow path over the entire area. It is a built-in manifold.

Since the manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module of the present invention incorporates a plurality of thermoelectric modules, the manifold as a whole is less bulky than one manifold incorporating one thermoelectric module.

The invention according to claim 11 is at least
It has two heat transfer surfaces and one of them is
Module that heats one side and cools the other heat transfer surface
And a manifold containing the thermoelectric module
The manifold has a thermoelectric module in the center.
It is one that is integrally combined and assembled, and
In addition, the manifold has a mounting flange.
In addition, the present invention is a manifold having a built-in thermoelectric module, which further comprises two built-in thermoelectric modules.

In the manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module of the present invention, the work of attaching the manifold to the wall of the refrigerator or the wall of the room and the maintenance work become easy. Further, the manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module of the present invention incorporates two thermoelectric modules, so that the heat medium pipes can be easily compacted.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the manifold is provided with an opening through which the heat medium can enter and exit, and the opening intersects with a heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module in the same plane. A manifold having the thermoelectric module according to claim 10 or 11 , which is open to the inside.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the opening is opened in a direction substantially perpendicular to the heat transfer surface.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the invention, there is provided a manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module according to the twelfth aspect, wherein the opening is opened obliquely with respect to the heat transfer surface.

Claim 1 for achieving the same object
In the invention described in 5, a thermoelectric module having at least two heat transfer surfaces and heating one heat transfer surface and cooling the other heat transfer surface by passing an electric current; any of claims 10 to 14 having separate each two or more openings to allow heat medium out from the heat medium passing through the cavity to form a heat medium passage cavity between the heat transfer surface both of the side and the cooling side And the heat medium pipe for circulating the heat medium in the heat medium passage cavity, the thermoelectric module is arranged such that the heat transfer surface is positioned in the vertical direction, and the openings of the manifold are positioned above and below. The heat transfer medium is introduced through the lower opening of each cavity and discharged through the upper opening of the cavity.

In the cooling device of the present invention, the heat medium is introduced from the lower opening of each cavity and discharged from the upper opening, so that bubbles are less likely to accumulate inside. Therefore, heat exchange is smoothly performed and cooling efficiency is high.

Further, an invention which is a further improvement of the above invention is a cooling device in which the manifold is provided with a mounting flange.

The cooling device of the present invention facilitates the work of attaching the manifold to the wall of the refrigerator or the wall of the room and the maintenance work.

Further, an invention which is a further improvement of the invention described above is a cooling device characterized in that the manifold has a plurality of thermoelectric modules built therein.

In the cooling device of the present invention, since the manifold contains a plurality of thermoelectric modules, the manifold is less bulky than one manifold containing one thermoelectric module. Therefore, the cooling device can be downsized.

Further, an invention obtained by further improving the above-mentioned invention is a cooling device characterized in that the manifold has two thermoelectric modules built therein.

In the cooling device of the present invention, the manifold incorporates two thermoelectric modules, so that the heat medium pipes can be easily compacted.

[0045]

EXAMPLES Examples of the present invention will be further described below. (Example 1) FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a manifold incorporating a thermoelectric module according to an example of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module of the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the liquid-sealed portion of the manifold. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a sealant injection hole portion of a manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module of FIG. Figure 5
It is a piping system diagram which shows the usage example of the manifold of a present Example. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the manifold mounting portion of FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of the heat medium in the manifold.

In FIGS. 1 to 5, reference numeral 1 denotes a manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module of this embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the manifold 1 includes heat medium passage cavities 53 and 54 between the two heat transfer surfaces of the thermoelectric module 5, respectively.
Which forms the heat medium between the cooling side manifold 2 which forms the heat medium passage cavity 53 between the cooling side heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module 5 and the heating side heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module 5. It consists of the heating side manifold 3 forming a passage cavity 54. Further, the manifold 1 has a structure in which two thermoelectric modules 5 are built in, and the inside is largely divided into two chambers. Two turbulators 4 and two ring-shaped seal members 8 are built in each room. A heat insulating material 10 is interposed between the cooling side manifold 2 and the heating side manifold 3.

The shape and structure of each member will be described below in order.
The cooling-side manifold 2 has a plate-like appearance, and the plate-shaped body 11 has protrusions 13, 14 and protrusions 15 provided in two rows in parallel on the surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the protrusions 13 and 14 on the right side of the drawing are interrupted at the central portion. Further, tubular openings 20 and 21 project in the vertical direction with respect to the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module 5 on the ridges 13 and 14 on the discontinuous side. A flange portion 26 is provided at a portion outside the flow paths 23, 24, 25. The flange portion 26 is provided with five through holes 27 for screw insertion.

The insides of the ridges 13, 14, 15 are cavities, and the cavities allow the circular flow passages 23, 24 and 2 in two rows to be formed.
5 is formed. The flow paths corresponding to the ridges 13 and 14 are interrupted at the intermediate portion. And the flow paths 23, 24
Respectively communicate with the tubular openings 20 and 21 and open to the outside. The tubular openings 20 and 21 are provided to allow the heat medium to flow in and out of the heat medium passage cavity, and are opened in a direction substantially perpendicular to the heat transfer surface. Ridge 1
The flow path 25 corresponding to 5 is continuous in the longitudinal direction, and both end portions are closed.

A wall portion 28 is provided between the flow path 23 and the flow path 25.
Are connected by. The flow path 24 and the flow path 25 are connected by a wall portion 30. Walls 28, 30
Forms a heat medium passage cavity between the thermoelectric module 5 and the thermoelectric module 5, and is at a position deeper than the flange portion 26. That is, in this embodiment, two heat medium passage cavities are formed by the wall portion 28 and the wall portion 30 in order to house the two thermoelectric modules 5. Further, the two cavities communicate with each other through a continuous flow path 25.

A semi-groove shape 33 is formed outside the portion corresponding to the cavity of the cooling side manifold 2. The half-groove shape 33 surrounds the cavity portion in a square shape. In addition, a small groove 34 into which the ring-shaped seal member 8 is inserted is annularly provided in the opening of the half groove shape 33.

The heating-side manifold 3 has a structure substantially similar to that of the cooling-side manifold 2 described above, and has an outer shape having two ridges, and has two rows of flow passages 35 and 3 inside.
6 and 37 are formed. The flow paths 35 and 36 are interrupted at an intermediate portion, and the flow path 37 communicates with the longitudinal direction.
In the flow paths 35 and 36 on the discontinuous side, tubular openings 42 and 45 project in the direction perpendicular to the heat transfer surface of the plate-shaped body 38, respectively. The openings 42 and 45 are also provided to allow the heat medium to flow in and out of the heat medium passage cavity, and are opened in a direction substantially perpendicular to the heat transfer surface.
The continuous ridges and the discontinuous ridges of the heating-side manifold 3 are diagonally positioned with respect to the cooling-side manifold 2 when combined with the cooling-side manifold 2.

A wall portion 40 is provided between the flow path 35 and the flow path 37.
The flow path 36 and the flow path 37 are connected by a wall portion 41. The walls 40 and 41 form a heat medium passage cavity with the thermoelectric module 5, and are located at a position deeper than the flange. The two cavities communicate with each other through the flow path 37. A half-groove shape 43 is formed outside a portion corresponding to one cavity of the heating side manifold 3, that is, outside a square portion covered by the flow paths 35 and 37 and the wall portion 40 in FIG. Similarly, a half-groove shape 44 is formed outside the portion corresponding to the other cavity of the heating side manifold 3, that is, outside the square portion covered with the flow paths 36 and 37 and the wall portion 41 of FIG. Each half groove shape 43,
44 surrounds the cavity portion in a square shape. A small groove 48 into which the ring-shaped seal member 8 is inserted is annularly provided at the opening of each of the half groove shapes 43 and 44.

Further, in the heating side manifold 3, the sealing agent injection hole portions 46, 4 communicating the half groove shapes 43, 44 with the outside.
7 is provided. The outer sides of the sealing agent injection holes 46 and 47 are tubular and project. The sealing agent injection hole portions 46 and 47 are provided at four places at the corners outside the half groove shapes 43 and 44. Sealing agent injection holes 46, 47
Has an angle of about 45 ° with respect to the half groove shapes 43 and 44 as shown in FIG.

Further, the heating side manifold 3 is provided with four holes for drawing out lead wires, and four pipe portions 50 for protecting the terminals of the lead wires are projected to the outside.

The cooling side manifold 2 and the heating side manifold 3 are molded by a known method such as injection molding of a thermoplastic resin, but both the cooling side manifold 2 and the heating side manifold 3 are made of transparent or translucent resin. Recommended to use.

The turbulator 4 is plate-shaped, and has two legs 52 for positioning on one surface (the upper part of the drawing). On the other surface of the turbulator 4 (the lower part of the drawing), a large number of walls that form flow paths are provided. The walls are continuously provided from one end to the other end of the turbulator 4, and the walls are parallel to each other and are equally spaced. The walls form parallel groove-shaped channels.

The turbulator 4 is molded by a known method such as injection molding of a thermoplastic resin, and the molding method is not specified, but in the present embodiment, the turbulator 4 is also the cooling side manifold 2 and the heating side manifold 3. It is transparent or translucent as well.

The thermoelectric module 5 uses a known Peltier device, and is provided with a P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor side by side. The thermoelectric module 5 has a plate-like outer shape, and both surfaces thereof function as heat transfer surfaces.

The ring-shaped seal member 8 is an elastic body formed in a square ring shape (square ring shape). As the material of the ring-shaped seal member 8, it is particularly recommended to use rubber or resin. That is, it is desirable that the ring-shaped sealing member 8 be made of the same material as a normal O-ring.

The heat insulating material 10 is a sheet-like member in which the concave portions of the manifolds 2 and 3, that is, the portions corresponding to the cavities are cut out. The material of the heat insulating material 10 may be rubber, urethane resin, polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, or the like.

Next, the assembly structure of the manifold 1 will be described. Two thermoelectric modules 5 are arranged in the center of the manifold 1. The turbulators 4 are arranged on both sides of the thermoelectric module 5.
Further, outside the turbulator 4, a cooling side manifold 2 and a heating side manifold 3 are provided. The cooling-side manifold 2 and the heating-side manifold 3 sandwich the heat insulating material 10 in an intermediate portion and are integrally connected by a screw 89.

As for the positional relationship between the cooling side manifold 2 and the heating side manifold 3 and the turbulator 4, the turbulator 4 is located on the walls 28, 30, 40 and 41 of the cooling side manifold 2 and the heating side manifold 3 as shown in FIG. However, the leg portions 52 are fitted to the side surfaces of the flow paths 23, 25 and the like. The wall of the turbulator 4 extends in the direction perpendicular to the flow path.
Therefore, the channel 2 is formed by the groove-shaped channel formed by the wall.
3,25 etc. are tied all over. The wall of the turbulator 4 is in contact with the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module 5. Therefore, heat medium passage cavities 53 and 54 are formed between the surface of the turbulator 4 and the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module 5 (see FIG. 2).

In the state where the cooling side manifold 2 and the heating side manifold 3 are combined, a groove 60 is formed annularly around the cavity as shown in FIG.
Further, the sealant 65 is filled therein. Here, the sealant is, for example, a soft urethane resin-based filler, which is prepared by mixing polyisocyanate and polyol and filling the groove 60 when the polyisocyanate and the polyol have fluidity before the reaction is completed. To finish. A non-foaming sealant is recommended. Small grooves 34, 48 provided in the opening 61 of the groove 60
A ring-shaped seal member 8 is arranged in the. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the cavity 53 on the cooling side and the cavity 54 on the heating side are separated by the ring-shaped sealing member 8 and are shielded by the layer of the thick sealing agent 65. Therefore, the heat medium flowing in the heating side cavity and the heat medium flowing in the cooling side cavity are not mixed.

Next, an embodiment of the refrigerator according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The refrigerator 70 of this embodiment uses the manifold 1 described above. The piping system of the refrigerator 70 is as shown in FIG. 5, and has a heating-side piping circuit 71 and a cooling-side piping circuit 72 via the manifold 1 containing the thermoelectric module. Piping circuit 7
A heat medium mainly composed of water is circulated in the insides of 1, 72.
In order to prevent freezing, it is desirable to add an antifreeze liquid such as propylene glycol to the cooling side piping circuit 72. As antifreeze liquids, other than propylene glycol are known, but refrigerators store food, and it is recommended to use propylene glycol, which is highly safe for the human body, in case of leakage. . As the heat medium, it is desirable to use one mainly composed of water because of its large specific heat, but of course, other liquid may be used.

The heating side piping circuit 71 has an air vent tank 73, a heat exchanger 74 and a pump 75, and constitutes a closed circuit including the cavity 54 described above.

The piping circuit 72 on the cooling side also has an air vent tank 76, a heat exchanger 77, and a pump 78 as in the heating side, and constitutes a closed circuit including the cavity 53 described above. Also, the heat exchangers 74 and 77 of each circuit are
The fans 69 and 79 blow air.

Next, the actual configuration of the refrigerator of this embodiment will be described. The refrigerator 70 has a box-shaped main body 80, and a door 81 is provided on the entire surface thereof. Insulating materials 83 and 84 are arranged on the main body 80 of the refrigerator 70 and on the walls of the door 81 in the same manner as well-known ones, and a storage body 86 in a closed space is provided.
Are formed.

The above-mentioned piping of the refrigeration system is arranged at an appropriate position inside and outside the case 86, but the refrigerator 70 of this embodiment is characterized by the mounting position of the manifold 1. That is, in the refrigerator 70 of the present embodiment, the storage body 86
A part of the heat insulating material 83 on the rear side upper part is removed, and the manifold 1 is mounted at this position. Therefore, the manifold 1 constitutes a part of the wall of the housing 86, and the manifold 1
At the mounting position of, the inside and outside of the housing 86 are partitioned with the manifold 1 as a boundary. The heat transfer surface side of the manifold 1 that is heated is exposed to the outside of the housing 86, and the heat transfer surface side that is cooled is inside the housing.

The posture of the manifold 1 is such that the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module 5 is vertical as shown in FIG. Further, the manifold 1 is mounted so that the two thermoelectric modules 5 are located in the vertical direction. In manifold 1,
As described above, since the openings 20, 21 and the openings 42, 45 project in the direction perpendicular to the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module 5, the tubular openings 20, 21 and the openings 42, 45 are formed.
Project in the thickness direction of the heat insulating material 83. Therefore, the heating medium pipe on the heating side can be extended in the thickness direction of the heat insulating material 83 and does not interfere with the heat insulating material 83. Therefore, in this embodiment,
The removed portion of the heat insulating material can be minimized and the heat retaining function in the refrigerator is not impaired. Also, as mentioned above, the manifold 1
Then, since the two thermoelectric modules 5 are attached so as to be positioned in the vertical direction, the openings 20 and 21 are arranged in a vertical positional relationship. The same applies to the openings 42 and 45, and they are arranged in a vertical positional relationship.

In the other piping members, the heating-side piping member is arranged outside the housing 86, and the cooling-side piping member is housed in the housing 86.
It is located inside. Specific mounting positions of the other piping members are arbitrary and are determined in consideration of the overall arrangement balance. FIG. 6 shows the heating side air vent tank 73, the cooling side air vent tank 76, and the cooling side heat exchanger 77. As shown, the air vent tank 73 on the heating side is outside the housing 86 of the refrigerator 70 and is located below the rear surface of the refrigerator 70. The cooling-side air vent tank 76 is the housing 86 of the refrigerator 70, and is provided in a position near the fan 79 in the cold air flow path partitioned by the partition wall 90 on the back side of the housing 86. . The cooling side heat exchanger 77 is also provided in the cold air flow path partitioned by the partition wall 90.

In the present embodiment, the heat medium pipes connected to the manifold 1 are connected so that the heat medium is introduced from the opening located at the lower side and the heat medium comes out from the opening located at the upper side. . More specifically, in the cooling side piping circuit, the heat medium enters the right side flow passage 23 in the manifold 1 from the opening 20 on the lower side of the cooling side manifold 2, and the surface of the turbulator 4 serving as a heat medium passage cavity and the thermoelectric field. It flows between the heat transfer surfaces of the module 5 and flows into the flow path 25 on the left side. The heat medium that has flowed from the turbulator 4 to the left flow passage 25 flows through the continuous flow passage 25 to reach the adjacent cavity, and passes between the surface of the turbulator 4 and the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module 5 to the left flow passage. Pour into 24.

Then, the flow path 2 on the left side from the turbulator 4
The heat medium flowing to No. 4 flows to the outside of the manifold 1 from the upper opening 21.

The same applies to the heating side piping circuit, in which the heat medium enters the right side passage 35 in the manifold 1 from the lower opening 42 of the heating side manifold 3, and the turbulator 4 serving as a heat medium passage cavity is provided. It flows between the surface and the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module 5 and flows into the flow path 37 on the left side. The heat medium flowing from the turbulator 4 to the left flow passage 37 flows through the continuous flow passage 37 to reach the adjacent cavity, and passes between the surface of the turbulator 4 and the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module 5 to the left flow passage. Flows into 36.

The flow path 3 on the left side from the turbulator 4
The heat medium flowing in 6 flows from the upper opening 42 to the outside of the manifold 1. This flow is illustrated by the arrows in FIG.
Is the street. In the refrigerator according to the present embodiment, the heat medium always flows from the lower side to the upper side in this way, so that the bubbles rise upward along the flow and are discharged from the manifold 1.
Then, the bubbles are collected in the heating side air vent tank 73 and the cooling side air vent tank 76. Note that the air vent tank 7
The functions of 3 and 76 have the functions of recovering the bubbles in the piping circuit, absorbing the volume change due to the temperature change of the heat medium, and compensating for the decrease of the heat medium during long-term use.

Further, since the two thermoelectric modules 5 are provided, the opening 20 of the cooling side manifold 2,
21 is on the right side in FIG. 8, and the openings 42 and 45 of the heating side manifold 3 are both on the left side in FIG. When the openings are on the same side in this way, it is easy to compact the heat medium pipes.

In the embodiment described above, the tubular opening 2
Although 0, 21, 42, and 45 have been described as being configured to open in the vertical direction with respect to the heat insulating surface of the thermoelectric module 5, the angles of the tubular openings 20, 21, 42, and 45 are strictly vertical. It is not necessary and may have a certain degree of inclination. That is, if the openings 20, 21, 42, 45 are opened in a direction intersecting the same plane as the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module 5, it is considered that interference with the heat insulating material is small when the heat medium pipe is connected. Become.

(Second Embodiment) FIGS. 9 and 10 show exploded perspective views of a manifold incorporating a thermoelectric module according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the tube portion 50 has a rectangular tube shape. The openings 42 and 45 are opened obliquely with respect to the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module 5. As a result, the dimension of the manifold in the thickness direction of the wall becomes small, and the space for bending the heat medium pipe in parallel with the wall is small, and the wall can be made thin. Therefore, the storage capacity of the refrigerator can be increased or the overall shape of the refrigerator can be reduced. The openings 20 and 21 on the inside of the refrigerator may also be inclined with respect to the heat transfer surface.

Further, in this embodiment, the cooling side manifold 2 is provided with a flange portion 26 'which is larger in size than the flange portion 26 in the above-mentioned embodiment, and a portion of the wall of the storage body from which the heat insulating material is removed. The manifold is fixed to the wall of the case by attaching the manifold from the inside of the case and fixing the flange portion 26 'to the wall of the case. At this time, by providing a seal member between the wall of the container and the flange portion 26 ', the sealing property (airtightness) between the inside and the outside of the container is improved.

In the first and second embodiments, the manifold 1 is composed of the cooling side manifold 2 and the heating side manifold 3, but depending on the purpose of use,
A manifold including only one of the cooling side manifold and the heating side manifold may be used.

[0080]

According to the constitution of the present invention described in claim 1,
And the insulation of the manifold is not always necessary.
It Therefore, the storage capacity of the refrigerator increases, or the refrigerator
The overall shape of can be reduced.

In the refrigerator according to the second aspect , the heat insulation treatment of the manifold is not required. Therefore, the manifold is not bulky, and there is an effect that a large storage volume for food and the like can be obtained. Further, in the refrigerator of the present invention, since the manifold is not bulky, there is an effect that it can contribute to miniaturization of the refrigerator. Further, the refrigerator of the present invention does not require heat insulation treatment of the manifold, and thus is easy to manufacture.

In the refrigerator according to the third aspect, since the heat medium pipe is connected in a direction intersecting with the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module in the same plane, the pipe of the thermoelectric module interferes with the heat insulating material of the storage case or the like. The heat insulating material does not need to be largely removed. Therefore, the refrigerator of the present invention has an effect that the heat retaining power of the container is excellent.

In the refrigerator according to the fourth aspect, since the heat medium is introduced from the lower opening of each cavity and discharged from the upper opening, air bubbles are less likely to accumulate inside. Therefore, heat exchange is smoothly performed. Therefore, the refrigerator of the present invention has high cooling efficiency.

In the refrigerator according to the fifth aspect, the opening is
Since it is opened in an oblique direction with respect to the heat transfer surface, the wall can be thinned, the storage capacity of the refrigerator can be increased, or the overall shape of the refrigerator can be reduced.

In the refrigerator according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the manifold has the mounting flange for mounting it on the housing, the work for mounting the manifold on the housing and the maintenance work are facilitated.

In the refrigerator according to the seventh aspect, the mounting flange is provided on the inside of the manifold so that the manifold can be mounted from the inside of the refrigerator. It is easy, and the sealing property (airtightness) between the inside and the outside of the refrigerator is improved.

In the refrigerator according to the eighth aspect, since the manifold contains a plurality of thermoelectric modules, the entire manifold is less bulky than one manifold containing one thermoelectric module. Therefore, the storage capacity of the refrigerator can be increased or the overall shape of the refrigerator can be reduced.

In the refrigerator according to the ninth aspect, since the manifold has two thermoelectric modules built therein, it is easy to compact the heat medium pipes.

In the manifold containing the thermoelectric module according to the tenth aspect , since the manifold contains a plurality of thermoelectric modules, one manifold is less bulky than one manifold containing one thermoelectric module.

Built-in thermoelectric module according to claim 11
The manifold to be installed has a mounting flange.
Installed in the refrigerator cabinet or the wall of the room.
Installation work and maintenance work become easy. in addition
In the manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module according to the eleventh aspect , since the manifold incorporates two thermoelectric modules, it is easy to compact the heat medium pipes.
Further, in the manifold including the thermoelectric module according to the twelfth and thirteenth aspects, the heat medium pipes can be connected in a direction intersecting the heat transfer surface or in a direction orthogonal to the heat transfer surface, and the pipes hardly interfere with other members.

In the manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module according to the fourteenth aspect, since the opening is opened obliquely with respect to the heat transfer surface, the wall of the refrigerator or the room can be thinned. When used in a refrigerator,
The storage capacity of the refrigerator can be increased, or the overall shape of the refrigerator can be reduced.

Furthermore, in the cooling device according to the fifteenth aspect , since the heat medium is introduced from the lower opening of each cavity and discharged from the upper opening, air bubbles are less likely to accumulate inside. Therefore, heat exchange is smoothly performed, and there is an excellent effect of high cooling efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a manifold incorporating a thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a manifold incorporating a thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a liquid-sealed portion of a manifold.

4 is a cross-sectional view of a sealant injection hole portion of a manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a piping system diagram showing a usage example of the manifold of the present embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the manifold mounting portion of FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the flow of the heat medium in the manifold.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a manifold incorporating a thermoelectric module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a manifold mounting portion of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Manifold with built-in thermoelectric module 5 thermoelectric module 20,21 opening 42,45 opening 53, 54 Heat medium passage cavity 70 refrigerator 80 Main body 83,84 insulation 86 storage

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F25D 11/00 101

Claims (15)

(57) [Claims] 1. A thermoelectric device having at least two heat transfer surfaces and a heat transfer member having at least two heat transfer surfaces, wherein one heat transfer surface is heated and the other heat transfer surface is cooled. A module and a manifold containing the thermoelectric module, wherein the manifold is a thermoelectric module arranged in the center and integrally assembled, and the manifold includes at least one heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module. A heat medium passage cavity is formed between the heat exchanger and the manifold, and a heat exchanger separate from the manifold, a pump and an air vent tank are provided, and the heat medium passage cavity, the heat exchanger, a pump and an air vent tank are closed. The manifold, which constitutes a circuit and is assembled and assembled integrally, is attached to a portion of the wall of the housing where the heat insulating material is removed. The refrigerator is characterized in that the manifold constitutes a part of a wall of the refrigerator. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the manifold has a heat transfer surface side to be heated exposed to the outside of the refrigerator and a heat transfer surface side to be cooled is inside the refrigerator. 3. The manifold contains a thermoelectric module to form a heat medium passage cavity with at least one heat transfer surface, and the manifold is provided with an opening through which the heat medium can enter and exit. The opening is opened in a direction intersecting the same plane as the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module, and the heat medium pipe is connected in a direction intersecting the same plane as the heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module. The refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The thermoelectric module is arranged such that the heat transfer surface is located in a vertical direction, and the manifold has a heat medium passage cavity between the heating side heat transfer surface and the cooling side heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module. An opening is provided at the upper and lower positions of each cavity to allow the heat medium to flow in and out, and the heat medium is introduced from the lower opening of each cavity and discharged from the upper opening. Item 4. The refrigerator according to any one of Items 1 to 3. 5. The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the opening is opened in an oblique direction with respect to the heat transfer surface. 6. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the manifold is provided with a mounting flange for mounting on the cabinet. 7. The refrigerator according to claim 6, wherein the mounting flange is provided inside the manifold so that the manifold can be mounted from the inside of the refrigerator. 8. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the manifold contains a plurality of thermoelectric modules. 9. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the manifold incorporates two thermoelectric modules. 10. A thermoelectric module having at least two heat transfer surfaces, wherein one heat transfer surface is heated and the other heat transfer surface is cooled by passing an electric current; and at least one thermoelectric module incorporating said thermoelectric module. There is a manifold that forms a heat medium passage cavity between the heat transfer surface and the heat transfer surface. The manifold contains a plurality of thermoelectric modules, and the manifold has two rows of flow passages. Are connected by a wall portion, form a heat medium passage cavity between the wall portion and the thermoelectric module, the two rows of flow passages are connected over the entire area, and one flow passage is interrupted in the middle portion, and the other flow passage is disconnected. The flow passage communicates with the cavity, the heat medium enters the flow passage in the manifold, flows in parallel through the heat medium passage cavity, and flows into the other flow passage connected to the previous flow passage over the entire area. Is a continuous flow path A manifold having a built-in thermoelectric module, which flows into an adjacent cavity, flows in parallel through the heat medium passage cavity, and flows into a flow path connected to the flow path over the entire area. 11. An electric current having at least two heat transfer surfaces.
By flowing, one heat transfer surface is heated and the other heat transfer surface
The thermoelectric module to be cooled and the thermoelectric module
Has a manifold to store, and the manifold is in the center
Thermoelectric modules are arranged and assembled together and assembled
Installed on the manifold.
A manifold with a built-in thermoelectric module, which is provided with a rake flange and further contains two thermoelectric modules. 12. The manifold is provided with an opening through which a heat medium can enter and exit, and the opening is opened in a direction intersecting with a heat transfer surface of the thermoelectric module. manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module according to claim 10 or 11. 13. The manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module according to claim 12 , wherein the opening is opened in a direction substantially perpendicular to the heat transfer surface. 14. The manifold incorporating the thermoelectric module according to claim 12 , wherein the opening is opened in an oblique direction with respect to the heat transfer surface. 15. A thermoelectric module having at least two heat transfer surfaces, wherein one heat transfer surface is heated and the other heat transfer surface is cooled by passing an electric current; and a thermoelectric module incorporating the thermoelectric module and a heating side. to any one of claims 10 to 14 having separate each two or more openings to allow heat medium out from the heat medium passing through the cavity to form a heat medium passage cavity between the heat transfer surfaces both of the cooling side It has a manifold described above and heat medium piping for circulating the heat medium in the heat medium passage cavity, the thermoelectric module is arranged so that the heat transfer surface is positioned in the vertical direction, and the openings of the manifold are positioned above and below, The cooling device is characterized in that the medium is introduced through the lower opening of each cavity and discharged through the upper opening.