JPH0517044B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a cold/hot storage for a vehicle that uses a thermoelectric element to obtain at least one of refrigeration and heating functions.

[Prior Art] In Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 184872/1987, a thermoelectric element is used as a cooling source for a vehicle refrigerator, and
It has been proposed to improve the cooling capacity inside the refrigerator by cooling the heat radiation side of the thermoelectric element with cold air from a vehicle air conditioner or air inside the vehicle.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, immediately after the vehicle air conditioner starts cooling operation, the temperature of the air blown to the heat dissipation side of the thermoelectric element is high, so the cooling capacity of the thermoelectric element inside the refrigerator becomes small, causing the problem that the interior of the refrigerator cannot be cooled sufficiently. Ta.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned points, it is an object of the present invention to improve the cold and hot storage capacity of a vehicle air conditioner immediately after the start-up of a vehicle air conditioner in a vehicle cold and hot storage using a thermoelectric element.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides: (a) a case having a heat-insulating structure and having a cover that can be opened and closed; (b) an air inlet and an air outlet formed in the case; (c) (d) an inlet duct connected to the air inlet and introducing at least one of cold air and hot air from a vehicle air conditioner; (d) an inlet duct connected in parallel with the air inlet to the inlet duct; a bypass duct; (e) a thermoelectric element provided in the case; (f) a heat transfer block provided on one end surface of the thermoelectric element and configured to cool or heat the inside of the case; ) a heat transfer block provided on the other end surface of the thermoelectric element and configured to be able to exchange heat with the air in the bypass duct; (h) air flow in the air inlet, the air outlet, and the bypass duct; A technical means is adopted to provide a damper to control the damper.

[Effect]

According to the above technical means, at the start of refrigeration or heating operation, the damper opens the air inlet and air outlet of the case to circulate cold or hot air from the vehicle air conditioner into the case. Therefore, the inside of the case (inside the refrigerator) can be sufficiently cooled and heated by both the circulation of cold and hot air and the cooling/heating action by the thermoelectric element. After the inside of the case has been cooled or heated to a certain temperature, the damper is switched to close the air inlet and air outlet of the case, thereby stopping the circulation of cold and hot air into the case, and also stopping the circulation of cold and hot air into the case. Air is circulated to the bypass duct side, and heat is exchanged with the heat transfer block on the other end of the thermoelectric element. As a result, during refrigeration, the inside of the case can be cooled by the thermoelectric element to a temperature much lower than the cold air from the air conditioner. Additionally, when the product is being stored, the inside of the case can be heated to a higher temperature than the warm air from the air conditioner.

〔Example〕

The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

Figure 3 shows a vehicle cold storage 1 and a vehicle air conditioner 1.
1, the cold/hot storage 1 is fixed to the floor surface of the vehicle body by a bracket (not shown) in front of a center console 41 having a transmission lever 40.

The vehicle air conditioner 11 is installed near the bottom of a vehicle instrument panel (not shown), and in this example has a configuration of a known air mix system, in which air from inside or outside the vehicle introduced by a blower 12 is used for cooling. After being cooled by the cooler (evaporator of the refrigeration cycle) 13, the air at a desired air volume ratio is reheated by the air mix damper 14 by the heating heat exchanger 15, and mixed with the cold air passing through the bypass path 15a downstream thereof. After adjusting the blowout temperature, it is configured to flow out from the upper air outlet 16 for cooling ventilation, the defroster air outlet 17, and the foot air outlet 18 for heating. In addition, in FIG. 3, 19 is a vehicle side dash panel that partitions the engine room 20 side and the vehicle interior 21 side. The heating heat exchanger 15 uses vehicle engine cooling water (hot water) as a heat source.

On the other hand, the cold/hot storage 1 has an inlet side duct 9a connected to a cold air inflow duct 22 and a hot air inflow duct 23, and an outlet side duct 9b connected to the suction side of the blower 12 of the air conditioner 11. There is. More specifically, the cold air inflow duct 22 has one end 22a that opens immediately downstream of the cooling cooler 13.
and the other end connected to the T-shaped connecting part 24, and is adapted to guide the cold air that has passed through the cooling cooler 13 to the connecting part 24. Hot air inflow duct 2
3 has one end 23 a that opens immediately downstream of the heating heat exchanger 15 and the other end that is connected to the T-shaped connection part 24 , and the hot air that has passed through the heating heat exchanger 15 is transferred to the connection part 24 . It is designed to lead to. As shown in FIG. 4, an L-shaped damper 25 is disposed in the T-shaped connecting portion 24, and blows hot air to the inlet side duct 9a that connects the T-shaped connecting portion 24 and the inside of the cold/hot storage 1. It is designed to switch between three modes: cold air and no air blowing.

Further, the cold and hot air flowing out from the inside of the cold storage 1 passes through the outlet side duct 9b and is guided to the suction port of the blower 12 from the open end 26 thereof.

T-shaped connection part 2 incorporating the damper 25 described above
4 is located below the vehicle instrument panel, so an operating section 27 (shown in FIG. 5) for manually operating the damper 25 is installed at an appropriate position near the vehicle instrument panel. In the operating section 27 shown in FIG. 5, a lever 28 is used to rotate the damper 25 via a wire cable 29, and in conjunction with the operation of the lever 28, the switch 35 is turned to the refrigeration (Cool) position. Contact points 35a and 3
5c is connected, and contact 3 is in the hot position.
5a and 35b are connected. The lever 28 is rotated about the fulcrum 28a.

1 and 2 show the external appearance and cross-sectional structure of the cold/hot storage 1. The cold/hot storage 1 includes a resin case 1a and a hinge part 1 on the case 1a.
A resin lid body 1c is openably and closably connected via b.
The case 1a and the lid 1c are made of resin into which a heat insulating material such as hard urethane foam is injected. A heat transfer plate 2 made of a metal with excellent thermal conductivity, such as aluminum, is disposed in close contact with the inner wall surface of the case 1a.

On the back side of the case 1a and the heat exchanger plate 2, a damper 6 is provided for the inlet duct 9a.
An air inlet 1d that can communicate with the above-mentioned outlet duct 9b via the damper 7 and an air outlet 1e that can communicate with the outlet duct 9b via the damper 7 are provided.

On the other hand, a thermoelectric element 3 is arranged in an opening 1f made in the back of the case 1a of the cold/hot storage 1, and one end surface of the thermoelectric element 3 is connected to a heat transfer block made of a metal with excellent thermal conductivity such as aluminum. 4a to ensure thermal contact with the heat transfer plate 2, and the other end surface is thermally connected to the fins 5 made of a metal with excellent thermal conductivity such as aluminum via a similar heat transfer block 4b. It is designed to ensure contact. This heat dissipation fin 5 is connected to both the ducts 9
It is arranged in a bypass duct 9c that directly communicates between a and 9b. Thermoelectric element 3, heat transfer block 4
a, 4b, the fins 5, and the heat exchanger plate 2 are integrally assembled in a press-contact state with each other by tightening means such as screws.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the dampers 6 and 7 are moved to positions a and b via links 32 by an actuator (in this example, a negative pressure diaphragm) 31, and are moved inside the cold storage 1. Controls the inflow and cutoff of air flow. The ducts 9a, 9
b and 9c are made of resin and are fixed to the case 1a of the cold/hot storage 1 with screws or the like. Further, a temperature sensor (a thermistor in this example) 8 is attached to the air outlet 1e of the cold storage 1 to measure the air temperature.

FIG. 7 shows the electric circuit of the present invention, in which 36 is a battery mounted on the vehicle, 34 is a switch for the vehicle air conditioning blower 12, and 35 is a switch for the cold storage 1, as shown in FIG. It is operated by a lever 28. Reference numeral 37 denotes a cold storage control circuit, which controls energization of the thermoelectric element 3 and the electromagnetic valve 33 based on signals from the switch 35 and the temperature sensor 8. The solenoid valve 33 switches the negative pressure circuit to the actuator 31. That is, when used as a refrigerator, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 is higher than a certain set temperature (for example, 10° C.), negative pressure is introduced to the actuator 31 and the dampers 6 and 7 are operated to the position b, Conversely, when the temperature is below the set temperature, the actuator 31 is opened to the atmosphere and the dampers 6 and 7 are moved to the position a. When used as a hot storage, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 is below a certain set temperature (for example 40°C), the dampers 6 and 7 are operated to position b, and vice versa. In this case, the dampers 6 and 7 are moved to the position a.

Next, the operation of this embodiment in the above configuration will be explained. First, when using it as a refrigerator, turn on the switch 34 of the blower 12 of the vehicle air conditioner 11, and also turn on the compressor operation switch (not shown) of the refrigeration cycle to flow the refrigerant to the cooling cooler 13. Furthermore, by moving the lever 28 to the Cool position, the L-shaped damper 25 is moved to the position shown in FIG. Heat transfer block 4a inside the refrigerator
Current is passed in the direction where is the cooling side (endothermic side).

At the beginning of the refrigeration operation, the temperature inside the refrigerator is high and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 is higher than the set temperature (for example, 10°C), so the dampers 6 and 7 are operated to the position b and the air is The inlet 1d and the air outlet 1e are opened. Therefore, in the air conditioner 11, the air introduced by the blower 12 is cooled by the cooling cooler 13 and becomes cold air, and a part of this cold air flows into the cold air inlet duct 22 and the T-shaped connection part 2.
4. It is guided to the cold storage 1 by the duct 9a. Most of the cold air flows into the refrigerator through the inlet 1d, cools the interior of the refrigerator, flows out through the outlet 1e, and is returned to the suction port of the blower 12 through the duct 9b. In addition, the remaining part of the cold air cools the heat radiation fins 5 through the bypass duct 9c, thereby improving the cooling performance of the inside of the refrigerator via the heat transfer plate 2 by the thermoelectric element 3. That is, since the inside of the refrigerator is cooled by both the circulation of cold air from the air conditioner 11 and the action of the thermoelectric element 3, it can be sufficiently cooled even immediately after the start of refrigeration operation.

Thereafter, when the temperature inside the refrigerator gradually decreases and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 becomes below the set temperature, the actuator 31 moves the dampers 6 and 7 to the position a, closing the air inlet 1d and the air inlet 1e. . Therefore, the cold air does not flow into the interior of the cold/hot storage 1, but only cools the heat radiation fins 5 through the bypass duct 9c. Therefore, the inside of the refrigerator can be cooled to a low temperature below the temperature of the cold air by the thermoelectric element 3.

Next, we will explain how to use it as a hot storage in the winter. In the air conditioner 11, the air mix damper 14 is operated to the position where the passage on the side of the heating heat exchanger 15 is opened (the position on the B side in FIG. 3). Also, by moving the lever 28 to the Hot position, the L
While moving the shape damper 25 to the position shown in FIG. 4b, the contacts 35a and 35b of the switch 35 are connected, and a current is applied to the thermoelectric element 3 so that the inside heat transfer block 4a is on the heating side (heat radiation side). flow.

At the beginning of the heating operation, the temperature inside the refrigerator is low, so the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 is set to the set temperature (for example,
40° C.) or lower, dampers 6 and 7 are at position b, opening air inlet 1d and air outlet 1e. Therefore, a portion of the warm air heated by the heating heat exchanger 15 flows into the hot air inflow duct 23,
The cold and hot storage 1 is connected to the T-shaped connecting part 24 and the duct 9a.
guided by. Most of the warm air flows into the refrigerator from the inlet 1d, heats the interior of the refrigerator, and then flows out from the outlet 1e and passes through the blower 1 through the duct 9b.
It is returned to the inlet of No.2. Further, the remaining part of the warm air passes through the bypass duct 9c and heats the heat radiation fins 5, and improves the internal heating performance through the heat transfer plate 2 formed by the thermoelectric element 3. That is, the inside of the refrigerator is heated by both the circulation of hot air from the air conditioner 11 and the action of the thermoelectric element 3, and can be sufficiently heated even immediately after the start of the heating operation.

Thereafter, when the internal temperature gradually rises and the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 exceeds the set temperature, the actuator 31 moves the dampers 6 and 7 to position a, closing the air inlet 1d and air outlet 1e. . Therefore, the hot air does not flow into the interior of the cold/hot storage 1, but only heats the heat radiation fins 5 through the bypass duct 9c. Therefore, the inside of the refrigerator can be heated to a high temperature higher than the temperature of the hot air by the thermoelectric element 3.

In this case, the closer the air mix damper 14 is to the position B shown in FIG. 1, the higher the warming effect can be obtained. Furthermore, a higher warming effect can be obtained when no refrigerant is flowing through the cooling cooler 13.

In addition, it goes without saying that the larger the air volume of the blower 12 is, the higher the refrigeration and heating effects can be obtained in both cases of refrigeration and heating.

If you do not use cold storage 1, press lever 28.
By operating it to the OFF position, the L-shaped damper 25 is moved to the position shown in FIG. It also cuts off the power supply.

In addition, in the above-mentioned example, the cold storage which has two functions of refrigeration and heating was explained.
The present invention can be similarly applied to a device having only one of the above-mentioned functions.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the cold/hot storage 1 is arranged in front of the center console 41, but it goes without saying that the cold/hot storage 1 may be arranged in other places such as the instrument panel.

Further, in the above embodiment, the heat transfer block 4b and the fins 5, and the heat transfer block 4a and the heat transfer plate 2 are formed separately, but it goes without saying that they may be formed integrally.

Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the air inside the refrigerator and the air from the bypass duct 9c are returned to the suction side of the blower 12 through the outlet duct 9b. The air may be discharged directly into the vehicle interior from the air inlet port 9e, and the air in the bypass duct 9c may be discharged directly into the vehicle interior after passing through the fins 5.

Further, in the above-mentioned embodiment, two dampers 6 and 7 are used.
are configured to open and close the air ports 1d and 1e on the case 1a side and the flow path of the bypass duct 9c, but for example, one of the dampers 6 and 7, the damper 7, only opens and closes the air outlet 1e, It may be configured so that it does not participate in opening and closing of the flow path of the bypass duct 9c.

Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the switching of the dampers 6 and 7 is automatically controlled based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8, but the dampers 6 and 7 are switched at a certain time after the start of operation based on the output of the timer circuit. You can do it like this. Further, the dampers 6 and 7 may be switched by a manual operation mechanism.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, at the start of operation of cold and hot storage, cold air or warm air from the vehicle air conditioner 11 is circulated in the case 1a, and cooling and heating effects by the thermoelectric element 3 are used. Therefore, the inside of the case 1a (inside the refrigerator) can be sufficiently cooled and heated. On the other hand, after the inside of the case 1a is cooled or heated to a certain temperature, the dampers 6 and 7 are switched to circulate the cold and hot air to the bypass duct 9c side, and exchange heat with the heat transfer block 4b on the other end surface of the thermoelectric element 3. By doing so, during refrigeration, the thermoelectric element 3 can cool the inside of the case 1a to a lower temperature than the cold air from the air conditioner. In addition, during warm storage, the inside of the case 1a can be heated to a higher temperature than the warm air from the air conditioner.

Therefore, according to the present invention, there is a great effect that the cold and hot storage capacity can be improved both at the start of operation and during steady operation.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

All drawings show one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cold/hot storage, FIG. 2 is a side view of the cold/hot storage, FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram showing the connection relationship between the vehicle air conditioner 11 and the cold/hot storage 1, and FIG. 4 a,
b and c are cross-sectional views of the T-shaped connecting portion 24 shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the damper 25 shown in FIGS. 4 a, b, and c.
6 is a perspective view showing the operating mechanism of the dampers 6 and 7 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is an electric circuit diagram. 1... Cold storage, 1a... Case, 1c... Lid, 1
d... Air inlet, 1e... Air outlet, 3... Thermoelectric element, 4a, 4b... Heat transfer block, 6, 7... Damper, 9c... Inlet side duct, 9b... Outlet side duct,
9c...Bypass duct, 11...Vehicle air conditioner.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. (a) A case having a heat-insulating structure and having a lid that can be opened and closed; (b) An air inlet and an air outlet formed in the case; (c) The air flow. (d) an inlet duct connected to the inlet and introducing at least one of cold air and hot air from a vehicle air conditioner; (d) a bypass duct connected in parallel with the air inlet to the inlet duct; (e) a thermoelectric element provided in the case; (f) a heat transfer block provided on one end surface of the thermoelectric element and configured to cool or heat the inside of the case; (g) a thermoelectric element provided in the case; a heat transfer block provided on the other end surface of the element and configured to be able to exchange heat with the air in the bypass duct; (h) controlling air flow in the air inlet, air outlet, and the bypass duct; A cold/hot storage for vehicles equipped with a damper.