CN117168013A - Magnetic refrigerating device for household refrigerating appliance and household refrigerating appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

An embodiment of the present invention provides a magnetic refrigeration apparatus for a household refrigeration appliance, including: an inner magnetic assembly and an outer magnetic assembly configured to generate magnetized and demagnetized regions alternately arranged in a circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis, the outer magnetic assembly being disposed radially outward of the inner magnetic assembly relative to the longitudinal axis; a magnetic working medium bed located between the outer magnetic assembly and the inner magnetic assembly in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis and arranged to be movable about the longitudinal axis in relation to the magnetization and demagnetization areas; and at least one bearing disposed between at least one of the inner and outer magnet assemblies and the magnetic working fluid bed to enable rotation of the magnetic working fluid bed relative to the at least one of the inner and outer magnet assemblies, the bearing being centrally positioned relative to the magnetic working fluid bed in the direction of the longitudinal axis. A corresponding domestic refrigeration appliance is also provided. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the magnetic refrigeration device may be compact and easy to assemble.

Description

Magnetic refrigerating device for household refrigerating appliance and household refrigerating appliance

Technical Field

The invention relates to the field of household appliances, in particular to a magnetic refrigeration device for a household refrigeration appliance and the household refrigeration appliance.

Background

Nowadays, with the improvement of living standard of people, the refrigerating appliance has been put into thousands of households, such as refrigerators, sideboards, etc. The main current refrigeration mode is mechanical vapor compression cycle refrigeration. The refrigeration technology has high energy consumption, the adopted refrigerant can destroy the ozone environment above the atmosphere, the existing alternative working medium has large greenhouse effect index and explosion performance, the refrigeration efficiency is low, and the utilization of energy sources and the living environment of human beings are seriously influenced.

In recent years, magnetic refrigeration technology has been attracting attention because of its advantages such as high theoretical efficiency, no pollution, no noise, safety, reliability, etc. The magnetic refrigeration technology does not require the use of a refrigerant that causes destruction of the ozone layer of the atmosphere and contributes to global warming, but rather realizes refrigeration based on the magnetocaloric effect of a magnetic working substance, i.e., a magnetic working substance that increases in temperature when magnetized and decreases in temperature when demagnetized.

In the existing magnetic refrigerating device, the rotary magnetic refrigerating device has the advantages of compact structure, high operating frequency and good refrigerating effect. The rotary magnetic refrigeration device enables the magnetic working medium to bear a changed magnetic field through relative rotation between the magnetic field and the magnetic working medium bed, so that the magnetic working medium periodically generates magnetocaloric reaction. During the operation of the magnetic refrigeration device, the magnetic working medium bed is easy to collide with the magnetic field component for generating the magnetic field due to the influence of the magnetic field. In addition, magnetic refrigeration devices often include a relatively large number of components that require relative movement. This makes magnetic refrigeration device structure complicated, and is bulky, and the equipment degree of difficulty is big.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved magnetic refrigeration device for a domestic refrigeration appliance and a corresponding domestic refrigeration appliance, overcoming at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention provides a magnetic refrigeration device for a domestic refrigeration appliance, wherein the magnetic refrigeration device comprises: an inner magnetic assembly and an outer magnetic assembly configured to produce magnetized and demagnetized regions alternately arranged in a circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis, wherein the outer magnetic assembly is disposed radially outward of the inner magnetic assembly relative to the longitudinal axis; a magnetic working medium bed located between the outer magnetic assembly and the inner magnetic assembly in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis and arranged to be movable about the longitudinal axis in relation to the magnetization and demagnetization areas; and at least one bearing disposed between at least one of the inner and outer magnet assemblies and the magnetic working fluid bed to enable rotation of the magnetic working fluid bed relative to the at least one of the inner and outer magnet assemblies, wherein the bearing is centrally positioned relative to the magnetic working fluid bed in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

The relative rotation of the magnetic working medium bed relative to the inner magnetic assembly and/or the outer magnetic assembly can enable the magnetic working medium in the magnetic working medium bed to alternately pass through the magnetization area and the demagnetization area, so that the magnetic working medium is magnetized and demagnetized periodically. Through the at least one bearing, the magnetic working medium bed can stably rotate relative to the inner magnetic assembly and/or the outer magnetic assembly, so that the magnetic working medium bed is prevented from colliding with the inner magnetic assembly and/or the outer magnetic assembly. The at least one bearing is centrally located to make the magnetic refrigeration device compact for ease of assembly. In particular, the at least one bearing is not arranged at both ends of the magnetic medium bed, so that further components, such as fluid lines or flow control valves or the like, which guide the heat exchange fluid flowing through the magnetic medium bed, can be provided here.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the bearing comprises a first bearing arranged between the inner magnet assembly and the magnetic working medium bed, wherein the first bearing is limited in the direction of the longitudinal axis only by the inner magnet assembly. Thereby, the structure and the assembling process of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus can be simplified.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the inner magnet assembly comprises a first inner magnet and a second inner magnet separate from the first inner magnet, the first bearing being sandwiched between the first inner magnet and the second inner magnet in the direction of the longitudinal axis. The first inner magnet and/or the second inner magnet are in particular formed as a cylinder around the longitudinal axis. This enables the inner magnetic assembly and the first bearing to be assembled together in a simple and easy manner. The inner magnet assembly can be arranged as close as possible to the magnet bed. This is favorable to make full use of magnetization space, improves magnetic refrigeration efficiency.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the bearing comprises a second bearing arranged between the outer magnet assembly and the magnetic working medium bed, wherein the second bearing is limited in the direction of the longitudinal axis only by the outer magnet assembly. Thereby, the structure and the assembling process of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus can be simplified.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the outer magnet assembly comprises a first outer magnet and a second outer magnet separate from the first outer magnet, the first outer magnet and the second outer magnet being arranged at a distance in the circumferential direction. Such an outer magnet assembly facilitates cooperation with an inner magnet assembly to form magnetized and demagnetized regions alternately arranged in the circumferential direction, and facilitates assembly.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the first outer magnet and/or the second outer magnet is formed with a sector-ring cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and/or the first and/or the second outer magnet is provided with an arc groove for accommodating the second bearing, wherein the arc groove is centrally located in the respective first and/or second outer magnet in the direction of the longitudinal axis; and/or the first outer magnet and the second outer magnet are centrally symmetric about the longitudinal axis. The external magnetic component has simple structure, is convenient to assemble and can form a symmetrical magnetic field.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the magnetic refrigeration apparatus further comprises a first magnetic return yoke and a second magnetic return yoke formed of soft iron material surrounding the first outer magnet and the second outer magnet, respectively, radially outside. The first outer magnet and/or the second outer magnet is/are respectively limited by the first magnetic circuit yoke and/or the second magnetic circuit yoke in the circumferential direction. The first magnetic return yoke is provided with a first receiving slot for receiving the first outer magnet, which is configured such that the first outer magnet is movable along the longitudinal axis within the first receiving slot. The second magnetic return yoke is provided with a second receiving slot for receiving the second outer magnet, which is configured such that the second outer magnet is movable along the longitudinal axis within the second receiving slot. The first magnetic loop yoke and the second magnetic loop yoke can provide good magnetic field shielding effect for the demagnetizing region so as to reduce the influence of the magnetic field on the demagnetizing region. The first magnetic return yoke and the second magnetic return yoke can also support and limit the outer magnetic assembly.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the magnetic medium bed is configured to comprise a cylindrical bed body surrounding a longitudinal axis, said bed body being formed with a plurality of bed channels extending therethrough in a longitudinal direction for receiving the magnetic medium, wherein the magnetic medium in the bed channels is capable of exchanging heat with a heat exchange fluid flowing through the bed channels. This makes the magnetic working medium bed simple in construction and easy to manufacture, and can make full use of the magnetizing space.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the bed body comprises a first longitudinal section and a second longitudinal section separate from the first longitudinal section, the first and second longitudinal sections being aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis and being connected to each other. Therefore, the magnetic working medium can be more uniformly and fully distributed in the bed channel, and the filling operation of the magnetic working medium is easier. In addition, the sectional type magnetic working medium bed enables the installation of the magnetic working medium bed to be more flexible. In particular, at least one of the bearings is opposite to a portion of the first longitudinal section and a portion of the second longitudinal section in the radial direction. This makes the structure of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus more stable.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the magnetic working medium bed further comprises a first connection flange protruding radially outwards at a longitudinal end of the first longitudinal section remote from the second longitudinal section and/or a second connection flange protruding radially outwards at a longitudinal end of the second longitudinal section remote from the first longitudinal section. The use of the first connection flange and/or the second connection flange facilitates a stable and reliable connection of the magnetic working medium bed to other components of the magnetic refrigeration device, such as fluid lines or flow direction control valves, etc. The outwardly protruding connecting flange is particularly advantageous in that it cooperates with the segmented magnetic medium bed to facilitate assembly of the magnetic refrigeration device.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the magnetic refrigeration device further comprises a rotating shaft for driving the magnetic working substance bed to rotate about the longitudinal axis, said rotating shaft passing through the magnetic working substance bed along the longitudinal axis radially inside the inner magnetic assembly. This makes the structure of the magnetic refrigeration device more stable and compact.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the magnetic refrigeration apparatus further comprises a bushing disposed between the spindle and the inner magnetic assembly. The bushing can provide protection for the inner magnet assembly. The bushing may be rotatably arranged with respect to the rotational shaft. When the rotating shaft rotates, the bushing cannot rotate together with the rotating shaft. Furthermore, the inner magnetic assembly does not rotate along with the rotating shaft. Thus, the bushing provides a separation of movement between the spindle and the inner magnet assembly and can provide support for the inner magnet assembly. The bushing may be formed of a soft iron material. This facilitates the formation of the desired magnetic field distribution. The bushing includes a cylindrical bushing body and a bushing boss protruding radially outward from the bushing body, the bushing boss supporting the first bearing radially inward of the first bearing. Support for the first bearing may be provided by the bushing boss. In addition, the lining boss can also limit the inner magnetic assembly.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the inner magnetic assembly and/or the outer magnetic assembly are formed by permanent magnets. This is advantageous in simplifying the structure of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the magnetic refrigeration device comprises two valve assemblies adapted to direct a heat exchange fluid into and out of the magnetic working medium bed, which are attached to both ends of the magnetic working medium bed, respectively, in the direction of the longitudinal axis. Preferably, each valve assembly comprises: a movable valve provided with a plurality of movable valve passages for heat exchange fluid, the movable valve being fixedly attached to a longitudinal end of the magnetic working fluid bed by a movable valve flange at an outer periphery thereof, the magnetic working fluid bed being fixed to a rotary shaft for driving the magnetic working fluid bed to rotate by the movable valve; and a static valve which is connected to one side of the movable valve, which is far away from the magnetic working medium bed, in a relatively rotatable manner, and is provided with a first static valve channel, a second static valve channel, a first opening and a second opening, wherein the first static valve channel is arranged to be capable of being communicated to a bed channel positioned in the magnetization region and to be communicated to the first opening through the movable valve channel, and the second static valve channel is arranged to be capable of being communicated to a bed channel positioned in the demagnetization region and to be communicated to the second opening through the movable valve channel. Through the valve assembly, heat exchange fluid can be guided to flow into or out of the bed channels of the magnetic working medium bed, which are positioned in the magnetization region, through the first opening, the first static valve channel and the dynamic valve channel, and the heat exchange fluid is heated; while the heat exchange fluid is directed out of or into the bed channels of the magnetic media bed located in the demagnetization zone via the dynamic valve channel, the second static valve channel, the second opening, where the heat exchange fluid is cooled.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention provides a domestic refrigeration appliance, wherein the domestic refrigeration appliance comprises a magnetic refrigeration device according to the present invention.

Drawings

The principles, features and advantages of the present invention may be better understood by describing the present invention in more detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings include:

fig. 1 schematically illustrates a household refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus shown in FIG. 2 along section A-A;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus shown in FIG. 2, taken along section B-B;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the outer and inner magnet assemblies of FIG. 2 along section B-B; and

fig. 6 schematically illustrates a magnetic working fluid bed of a magnetic refrigeration apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

List of reference numerals

1. Magnetic refrigerating device

10. Inner magnetic assembly

11. First inner magnet

12. Second inner magnet

20. External magnetic assembly

21. First external magnet

22. Second external magnet

23. Circular arc groove

30. Magnetic working medium bed

31. Bed main body

310. Bed channel

311. A first longitudinal section

312. A second longitudinal section

33. First connection flange

34. Second connecting flange

40. Bearing

41. First bearing

42. Second bearing

51. First magnetic circuit yoke

510. First accommodating groove

52. Second magnetic circuit yoke

520. Second accommodating groove

60. Rotating shaft

70. Bushing

71. Bushing body

72. Bushing boss

80. Valve assembly

81. Dynamic valve

810. Valve passage

811. First valve-moving channel

812. Second valve-moving channel

813. Movable valve flange

82. Static valve

821. First static valve passage

822. Second static valve passage

823. A first opening

824. A second opening

2. Heat exchange fluid

3. Cold end heat exchanger

4. Hot end heat exchanger

5. Pump with a pump body

6. Shell body

L longitudinal axis

Detailed Description

In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and advantageous technical effects to be solved by the present invention more apparent, the present invention will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and a plurality of exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Firstly, in order to facilitate understanding, the description of the background art is returned, and the magnetic refrigeration device in the prior art has the problems of easy collision between the magnetic working medium bed and the magnetic field assembly, complex structure, large volume, large assembly difficulty and the like.

In view of at least one of the above technical problems, or other possible technical problems, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a magnetic refrigeration apparatus for a household refrigeration appliance, wherein the magnetic refrigeration apparatus includes: an inner magnetic assembly and an outer magnetic assembly configured to produce magnetized and demagnetized regions alternately arranged in a circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis, wherein the outer magnetic assembly is disposed radially outward of the inner magnetic assembly relative to the longitudinal axis; a magnetic working medium bed located between the outer magnetic assembly and the inner magnetic assembly in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis and arranged to be movable about the longitudinal axis in relation to the magnetization and demagnetization areas; and at least one bearing disposed between at least one of the inner and outer magnet assemblies and the magnetic working fluid bed to enable rotation of the magnetic working fluid bed relative to the at least one of the inner and outer magnet assemblies, wherein the bearing is centrally positioned relative to the magnetic working fluid bed in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

For a better understanding of the present invention, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Before beginning the detailed description, it should be pointed out that directional terms used in the description refer to the state of normal use of a household refrigeration appliance for ease of description and are not to be understood as absolute definitions of the corresponding features.

Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a household refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The domestic refrigeration appliance is here configured as a refrigerator, comprising a magnetic refrigeration device 1 and a heat exchange fluid 2 flowing through the magnetic refrigeration device 1. The magnetic refrigeration device 1 is arranged to be able to heat and cool a heat exchange fluid 2 using the magnetocaloric effect. The magnetocaloric effect refers to the phenomenon that when an external magnetic field changes, the magnetic moment of a magnetic material (namely, a magnetic working medium) changes in order, so that the magnetic working medium absorbs and releases heat. The magnetic working medium is a material with a magnetocaloric effect, including but not limited to a metal type room temperature magnetocaloric effect material (such as gadolinium metal, gadolinium dysprosium alloy, manganese arsenic alloy, nickel manganese gallium alloy and the like), a ceramic type room temperature magnetocaloric effect material (such as lanthanum calcium manganese oxide material with a perovskite structure and the like), or a combination thereof. The magnetic working medium can comprise a composite room temperature magnetocaloric effect material with high thermal conductivity, namely a material obtained by compositing the high thermal conductivity material with the room temperature magnetocaloric effect material. The magnetic refrigeration device 1 can utilize the heat exchange fluid 2 to exchange heat with the magnetic working medium in the magnetic refrigeration device 1, so that the heat exchange fluid 2 is cooled and heated. The heat exchange fluid 2 may be, for example, water. The heat exchange fluid 2 may also be other fluids with good heat conducting properties, such as alcohol, glycol, glycerol, solutions incorporating microscale graphite powder, or mixtures thereof. Fig. 1 exemplarily shows that the refrigerator has a single compartment, which may be a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment. In further embodiments, the domestic refrigeration appliance may also be configured with a plurality of compartments, for example as a combined refrigerator-freezer. In addition, the present invention can be applied to other household refrigeration appliances other than a refrigerator, such as a wine cabinet, an air conditioner, and the like, as required.

As shown in fig. 1, the household refrigeration appliance may further include: a cold end heat exchanger 3 which is communicated to a first end of the magnetic refrigeration device 1; a hot side heat exchanger 4 connected to the second side of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1; a pump 5 for pumping the heat exchange fluid 2 such that the heat exchange fluid 2 can flow through the magnetic refrigeration device 1, the cold side heat exchanger 3 and the hot side heat exchanger 4. The household refrigeration appliance may further comprise a housing 6 defining a compartment for storing the items to be cooled. The housing 6 may be formed as an insulated box comprising, for example, insulating foam formed by a foaming process.

The heat exchange fluid 2 flowing through the magnetic refrigeration device 1 exchanges heat with the magnetic working medium in the magnetic refrigeration device 1, thereby being cooled and heated. The heat exchange fluid 2 cooled within the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 may flow out of the first end of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 and be pumped to the cold side heat exchanger 3 for cooling the compartment. The heat exchange fluid 2 then returns from the cold side heat exchanger 3 via the first end to the magnetic refrigeration unit 1 and is heated. The heat exchange fluid 2 heated in the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 may flow out of the second end of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 and be pumped to the hot end heat exchanger 4 to release heat to the external environment, for example. The heat exchange fluid 2 then returns from the hot side heat exchanger 4 via the second side to the magnetic refrigeration device 1 and is cooled again. Thus, a refrigeration cycle can be realized.

The magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 according to the present invention is described in more detail below with reference to fig. 2. Fig. 2 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 2, the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 includes: an inner magnetic assembly 10 and an outer magnetic assembly 20 arranged to produce magnetized and demagnetized regions alternately arranged in a circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis L, wherein the outer magnetic assembly 20 is disposed radially outwardly of the inner magnetic assembly 10 relative to the longitudinal axis L; a magnetic working medium bed 30 located between the outer magnet assembly 20 and the inner magnet assembly 10 in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis L and arranged movable about the longitudinal axis L in relation to the magnetization and demagnetization areas; and at least one bearing 40 arranged between at least one of the inner and outer magnet assemblies 10, 20 and the magnetic working medium bed 30 to enable stable rotation of the magnetic working medium bed 30 relative to the at least one of the inner and outer magnet assemblies 10, 20, wherein the bearing 40 is centrally positioned relative to the magnetic working medium bed 30 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L.

It can be seen that the magnetic refrigerator 1 is a rotary magnetic refrigerator. The magnetic substance bed 30 rotates relative to the inner magnetic assembly 10 and/or the outer magnetic assembly 20 such that the magnetic substance within the magnetic substance bed 30 alternately passes through the magnetization region and the demagnetization region, thereby being periodically magnetized and demagnetized. By means of the at least one bearing 40, the magnetic working substance bed 30 can be stably rotated relative to the inner magnetic assembly 10 and/or the outer magnetic assembly 20, thereby avoiding collision of the magnetic working substance bed 30 with the inner magnetic assembly 10 and/or the outer magnetic assembly 20. The at least one bearing 40 is centrally located so that the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 is compact and easy to assemble. In particular, the at least one bearing 40 is not arranged at both ends of the magnetic medium bed 40, so that further components, such as fluid lines or flow control valves or the like, which guide the heat exchange fluid flowing through the magnetic medium bed, can be provided here.

Here, the bearing 40 is "centered" with respect to the magnetic substance bed 30 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, in particular, that the bearing 40 is located substantially centrally of the magnetic substance bed 30, in particular that the bearing 40 is located substantially equidistant from both ends of the magnetic substance bed 30, as seen in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. It should be understood that deviations of less than 20%, in particular less than 10%, are permissible here. By "a bearing is disposed between the inner or outer magnet assembly and the magnetic working medium bed" is intended to mean that the bearing is disposed to support relative rotation between the inner or outer magnet assembly 10, 20 and the magnetic working medium bed 30, reducing the coefficient of friction during such relative rotation. More specifically, one of the inner and outer races of bearing 40 may be fixedly connected to either inner magnetic assembly 10 or outer magnetic assembly 20, and the respective other of the inner and outer races may be fixedly connected to magnetic media bed 30.

The inner magnet assembly 10 and/or the outer magnet assembly 20 may be formed from permanent magnets. The inner magnetic assembly 10 and the outer magnetic assembly 20 may be arranged to be capable of generating a magnetic field that is stationary in position. The region covered by the magnetic field and having a large magnetic field strength forms a magnetization region, and the magnetic working medium located in the magnetization region is magnetized and releases heat. The areas of lesser magnetic field strength or even not covered by the magnetic field (i.e. the magnetic field strength is as low as 0) form a demagnetizing zone in which the magnetic working substance will be demagnetized and absorb heat. The magnetized and demagnetized regions are alternately distributed in a circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis L.

The magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 is further described below in connection with fig. 2 to 4. Fig. 3 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 shown in fig. 2 along section A-A. Fig. 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 shown in fig. 2 along section B-B.

As shown in fig. 2, the bearing 40 may include a first bearing 41 disposed between the inner magnet assembly 10 and the magnetic working fluid bed 30. By means of the first bearing 41, the magnetic working medium bed 30 is rotatably mounted with respect to the inner magnetic assembly 10. The first bearing 41 is limited only by the inner magnet assembly 10 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. Thus, no additional components are required to achieve axial positioning of first bearing 41, nor is there any structure provided on magnetic media bed 30 for axial positioning of first bearing 41. Thereby, the structure and the assembling process of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 can be simplified.

The inner magnet assembly 10 may include a first inner magnet 11 and a second inner magnet 12 that is separate from the first inner magnet 11. The first bearing 41 is sandwiched between the first inner magnet 11 and the second inner magnet 12 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. This enables the inner magnetic assembly 10 and the first bearing 41 to be assembled together in a simple and easy manner. Also, the inner magnet assembly 10 can be disposed as close as possible to the magnet bed 30. This is favorable to make full use of magnetization space, improves magnetic refrigeration efficiency. As shown in fig. 2, the outer peripheral surfaces of the first and second inner magnets 11 and 12 are close to the inner peripheral surface of the magnetic working substance bed, and the gap therebetween is very small. The first inner magnet 11 and/or the second inner magnet 12 are in particular formed in a cylindrical shape around the longitudinal axis L. The first inner magnet 11 and/or the second inner magnet 12 may be composed of a plurality of magnets, respectively. Alternatively, the first and second inner magnets 11 and 12 may be formed as a single magnet, respectively.

The magnetic substance bed 30 may be configured to include a cylindrical bed body 31 surrounding a longitudinal axis L, the bed body 31 being formed with a plurality of bed channels 310 therethrough in a longitudinal direction for containing a magnetic substance, wherein the magnetic substance within the bed channels 310 is capable of heat exchanging with the heat exchange fluid 2 flowing through the bed channels 310.

Optionally, the bearing 40 includes a second bearing 42 disposed between the outer magnet assembly 20 and the magnet bed 30. By means of the second bearing 42, the magnetic working medium bed 30 is rotatably mounted with respect to the outer magnetic assembly 20. The second bearing 42 is limited only by the outer magnet assembly 20 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. Thus, no additional components are required to effect axial positioning of the second bearing 42, nor is there a need to provide structure on the magnetic working fluid bed 30 for axial positioning of the second bearing 42. Thereby, the structure and the assembling process of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 can be simplified.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the outer magnet assembly 20 may include a first outer magnet 21 and a second outer magnet 22 that is separate from the first outer magnet 21. The first and second external magnets 21 and 22 are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The first and second outer magnets 21, 22, respectively, may be mounted in position relative to the magnetic working substance bed 30 in a generally radially inward direction. Such an outer magnet assembly 20 facilitates cooperation with the inner magnet assembly 10 to form magnetized and demagnetized regions alternately arranged in the circumferential direction, and facilitates assembly. In particular, the first and second outer magnets 21 and 22 arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction may be mated with the first and second inner magnets 11 and 12 of cylindrical shape, so that magnetized and demagnetized regions alternately arranged in the circumferential direction are formed in a simple structure, wherein the magnitudes of the magnetic field strengths of the magnetized and demagnetized regions have a significant difference. In this structure, the cylindrical first inner magnet 11 and the second inner magnet 12 do not need to be positioned at a specific angle in the circumferential direction at the time of installation.

The first outer magnet 21 and/or the second outer magnet 22 may be formed to have a sector-annular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. The first outer magnet 21 and/or the second outer magnet 22 may be provided with a circular arc groove 23 for accommodating the second bearing 42, wherein said circular arc groove 23 is centrally located in the respective first outer magnet 21 and/or second outer magnet 22 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. Fig. 5 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the outer magnet assembly 20 and the inner magnet assembly 10 of fig. 2 along section B-B. The circular arc groove 23 is clearly seen in fig. 5.

The first outer magnet 21 and the second outer magnet 22 are centrally symmetric about the longitudinal axis L. This advantageously allows the strength of the magnetic field formed by the outer magnet assembly 20 and the inner magnet assembly 10 to be centered about the longitudinal axis L.

In an exemplary embodiment, the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 further includes a first magnetic return yoke 51 and a second magnetic return yoke 52 formed of a soft iron material surrounding the first outer magnet 21 and the second outer magnet 22, respectively, on the radially outer side, see fig. 3 and 4. The first and second magnetic return yokes 51 and 52 may be formed of a soft iron material having high magnetic permeability, which is arranged to provide a good magnetic field shielding effect for the demagnetizing region to reduce the influence of the magnetic field on the demagnetizing region.

The first outer magnet 21 may be restrained by the first magnet return yoke 51 in the circumferential direction. Alternatively or additionally, the second outer magnet 22 is restrained by the second magnetic return yoke 52 in the circumferential direction. The first and second magnetic return yokes 52 are capable of supporting the first and second outer magnets 21 and 22.

The first magnetic return yoke 51 may be provided with a first receiving groove 510 for receiving the first external magnet 21, which is configured such that the first external magnet 21 can move along the longitudinal axis L within the first receiving groove 510. Similarly, the second magnetic return yoke 52 may be provided with a second receiving slot 520 for receiving the second external magnet 22, which is configured such that the second external magnet 22 is movable along the longitudinal axis L within the second receiving slot 520.

The first magnetic return yoke 51 and the second magnetic return yoke 52 may be located directly on the base for arranging the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1. The magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 may further comprise two magnetic circuit yoke brackets fixed to the base, which are connected to the first magnetic circuit yoke 51 and/or the second magnetic circuit yoke 52 from both ends in the direction of the longitudinal axis L to define the position of the first magnetic circuit yoke 51 and/or the second magnetic circuit yoke 52. At the same time, the magnet return yoke bracket also limits the position of the outer magnet assembly 20 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L, because the end faces of the first outer magnet 21 and the second outer magnet 22 abut against the magnet return yoke bracket.

The magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 may further include a spindle 60 for driving the magnetic working substance bed 30 to rotate about the longitudinal axis L. The spindle 60 passes through the magnetic working medium bed 30 along the longitudinal axis L radially inward of the inner magnetic assembly 10. The rotation shaft 60 is driven by a motor, for example. The rotational movement of the magnetic substance bed 30 causes the magnetic substance therein to alternately pass through the magnetized and demagnetized regions. The rotation shaft 60 passing through the magnetic working substance bed 30 and the inner magnetic assembly 10 makes the structure of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 more stable and compact.

Optionally, a bushing 70 is disposed between the spindle 60 and the inner magnet assembly 10. The bushing 70 may be formed of a soft iron material. As shown in fig. 2, the bushing 70 may include a cylindrical bushing body 71 and a bushing boss 72 protruding radially outward from the bushing body 71. The bush boss 72 supports the first bearing 41 radially inward of the first bearing 41. The first and second inner magnets 11, 12 are sleeved on the bushing 70 on both sides of the bushing boss 72 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L.

The bushing 70 is rotatably disposed with respect to the shaft 60. The bushing 70 does not rotate with the rotating shaft 60 when the rotating shaft 60 rotates. Further, the inner magnet assembly 10 does not rotate with the shaft 60. Thus, the bushing 70 provides a separation of movement between the shaft 60 and the inner magnet assembly 10 and can provide support for the inner magnet assembly 10.

For this purpose, a third bearing may be provided between the bushing 70 and the rotation shaft 60. Between the bushing 70 and the spindle 60, for example, there are at least two third bearings, which are arranged at both ends of the bushing 70 in the direction of the longitudinal axis L.

Fig. 6 schematically shows a magnetic working substance bed 30 of a magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 6, the magnetic working fluid bed 30 is configured to include a cylindrical bed body 31 surrounding a longitudinal axis L. The bed main body 31 is formed with a plurality of bed passages 310 penetrating in the longitudinal direction for accommodating a magnetic working substance. The magnetic substance in the bed channels 310 is capable of exchanging heat with the heat exchange fluid 2 flowing through the bed channels 310. The bed body 31 may include a first longitudinal section 311 and a second longitudinal section 312 that is separate from the first longitudinal section 311. The first longitudinal section 311 and the second longitudinal section 312 are aligned in the direction of the longitudinal axis L and are connected to each other. Accordingly, the first and second longitudinal sections 311 and 312 may be filled with the magnetic working substance, respectively, and then the first and second longitudinal sections 311 and 312 may be connected to each other. Thus, the magnetic working substance can be more uniformly and sufficiently distributed in the bed channels 310, and the filling operation of the magnetic working substance can be easier. In addition, such a segmented magnetic fluid bed 30 allows for more flexibility in the installation of the magnetic fluid bed 30. For example, after the second bearing 42 is sleeved over the first longitudinal section 311, the first longitudinal section 311 is connected to the second longitudinal section 312, and then the second bearing 42 is moved in the direction of the longitudinal axis L to the final installation position. At least one of the bearings 40 is opposite to a portion of the first longitudinal section 311 and a portion of the second longitudinal section 312 in the radial direction. Referring to fig. 2, the first bearing 41 and the second bearing 42 are both opposite to a portion of the first longitudinal section 311 and a portion of the second longitudinal section 312 in the radial direction. This makes the structure of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 more stable.

The magnetic working fluid bed 30 further comprises a first connection flange 33 protruding radially outwards at a longitudinal end of the first longitudinal section 311 remote from the second longitudinal section 312 and/or a second connection flange 34 protruding radially outwards at a longitudinal end of the second longitudinal section 312 remote from the first longitudinal section 311. The use of the first connection flange 33 and/or the second connection flange 34 facilitates a stable and reliable connection of the magnetic working medium bed 30 to other components of the magnetic refrigeration device 1, such as fluid lines or flow direction control valves, etc. Such an outwardly projecting connecting flange is generally disadvantageous for the assembly of the magnetic refrigeration device 1, in particular in the case of an outer side of the magnetic fluid bed 30, in which additional components, for example the second bearing 42, are required. However, in the present invention, by having the magnetic working substance bed 30 include separate first and second longitudinal sections 311, 312, assembly of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 may be facilitated. For example, the second bearing 42 may be slipped over the first longitudinal section 311 through an end not provided with the first connecting flange 33, and then the first longitudinal section 311 is connected to the second longitudinal section 312.

In one exemplary embodiment, the first connection flange 33 and/or the second connection flange 34 are formed as separate components with respect to the bed body 31. Such a magnetic working substance bed 30 is easy to assemble.

The magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 may comprise two valve assemblies 80 adapted to direct the flow of heat exchange fluid 2 into and out of the magnetic working medium bed 30, which are attached to both ends of the magnetic working medium bed 30, respectively, in the direction of the longitudinal axis L (see fig. 2). The centrally arranged bearing 40 allows the magnetic refrigerator 1 sufficient space for arranging the valve assembly 80 without interference between the bearing 40 and the valve assembly 80 and without increasing the volume of the magnetic refrigerator 1.

Each valve assembly 80 includes a movable valve 81 and a stationary valve 82. The movable valve 81 is provided with a plurality of movable valve passages 810 for the heat exchange fluid 2. The movable valve 81 is fixedly attached to the longitudinal end of the magnetic working fluid bed 30 by a movable valve flange 813 at the outer periphery thereof. The magnetic substance bed 30 is fixed to the rotating shaft 60 for driving the magnetic substance bed 30 to rotate through the movable valve 81. For this purpose, on the one hand, the movable valve 81 is fixed to the rotating shaft 60 so as to be rotatable together with the rotating shaft 60. On the other hand, the movable valve flange 813 is fixed to the first connection flange 33 of the magnetic substance bed 30 by a connection member such as a bolt, for example, so that the movable valve 81 is stably connected to the magnetic substance bed 30.

Static valve 82 is connected to the side of movable valve 81 facing away from magnetic fluid bed 30 in a relatively rotatable manner and is provided with a first static valve passage 821, a second static valve passage 822, a first opening 823 and a second opening 824. The first static valve passage 821 is provided so as to be capable of communicating to the bed passage 310 located in the magnetization region and to the first opening 823 via the dynamic valve passage 810. A second static valve passage 822 is provided to be capable of communicating via the dynamic valve passage 810 to the bed passage 310 in the demagnetization zone and to the second opening 824. As shown in fig. 6, the stationary valve 82 and the movable valve 81 may be formed in a substantially disc shape and provided with a center hole allowing the rotation shaft 60 to pass therethrough.

In one exemplary embodiment, the valve-moving channel 810 includes a first valve-moving channel 811 and a second valve-moving channel 812. On the inside of the valve 81 facing the magnetic medium bed 30, a first valve-moving channel 811 and a second valve-moving channel 812 open into the bed channel 310. On the outside of the movable valve 81 facing away from the magnetic medium bed 30, the first movable valve passage 811 and the second movable valve passage 812 are open at a first radial position and a second radial position, respectively, which do not overlap each other with respect to the longitudinal axis L. The first static valve passage 821 opens into and communicates with a first dynamic valve passage 811 in the magnetized region at a first radial position to a first opening 823, and the second static valve passage 822 opens into and communicates with a second dynamic valve passage 812 in the demagnetized region at a second radial position to a second opening 824. Thereby, the heat exchange fluid 2 is prevented from being mixed at the junction of the magnetization region and the demagnetization region. Thereby, the refrigerating efficiency can be improved.

It should be appreciated that the expressions "first", "second", etc. are used herein for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defining "a first" or "a second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In this context, the meaning of "plurality" is at least two, e.g., two, three, etc., unless explicitly defined otherwise.

Although specific embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, even where only a single embodiment is described with respect to a particular feature. The characteristic examples provided in the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative, not limiting, unless stated differently. In a specific implementation, the features may be combined with one another where technically feasible according to the actual requirements. In particular, features from different embodiments may also be combined with one another. Various substitutions, alterations, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (15)

1. A magnetic refrigeration device (1) for a household refrigeration appliance, wherein the magnetic refrigeration device (1) comprises:

an inner magnetic assembly (10) and an outer magnetic assembly (20) arranged to be able to produce magnetized and demagnetized regions alternately arranged in a circumferential direction about a longitudinal axis, wherein the outer magnetic assembly (20) is arranged radially outside the inner magnetic assembly (10) with respect to the longitudinal axis;

a magnetic working medium bed (30) located between the outer magnet assembly (20) and the inner magnet assembly (10) in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis and arranged to be movable about the longitudinal axis in relation to the magnetization and demagnetization areas; and

at least one bearing (40) arranged between at least one of the inner and outer magnet assemblies (10, 20) and the magnetic working medium bed (30) to enable rotation of the magnetic working medium bed (30) relative to the at least one of the inner and outer magnet assemblies (10, 20), wherein the bearing (40) is centrally positioned relative to the magnetic working medium bed (30) in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

2. Magnetic refrigeration device (1) according to claim 1, wherein,

the bearing (40) comprises a first bearing (41) which is arranged between the inner magnet assembly (10) and the magnetic medium bed (30), wherein the first bearing (41) is limited only by the inner magnet assembly (10) in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

3. Magnetic refrigeration device (1) according to claim 2, wherein,

the inner magnet assembly (10) comprises a first inner magnet (11) and a second inner magnet (12) which is separate from the first inner magnet (11), the first bearing (41) being sandwiched between the first inner magnet (11) and the second inner magnet (12) in the direction of the longitudinal axis, wherein the first inner magnet (11) and/or the second inner magnet (12) is in particular formed as a cylinder around the longitudinal axis.

4. A magnetic refrigeration device (1) according to any of claims 1-3, wherein,

the bearing (40) comprises a second bearing (42) which is arranged between the outer magnet assembly (20) and the magnet bed (30), wherein the second bearing (42) is limited only by the outer magnet assembly (20) in the direction of the longitudinal axis.

5. Magnetic refrigeration device (1) according to claim 4, wherein,

the outer magnet assembly (20) comprises a first outer magnet (21) and a second outer magnet (22) separate from the first outer magnet (21), the first outer magnet (21) and the second outer magnet (22) being arranged at a distance in the circumferential direction.

6. Magnetic refrigeration device (1) according to claim 5, wherein,

the first outer magnet (21) and/or the second outer magnet (22) are formed to have a sector-annular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; and/or

The first outer magnet (21) and/or the second outer magnet (22) are provided with a circular arc groove (23) for accommodating the second bearing (42), wherein the circular arc groove (23) is centrally located in the respective first outer magnet (21) and/or second outer magnet (22) in the direction of the longitudinal axis; and/or

The first outer magnet (21) and the second outer magnet (22) are centrally symmetric about the longitudinal axis.

7. Magnetic refrigeration device (1) according to claim 5, wherein,

the magnetic refrigeration apparatus (1) further comprises a first magnetic return yoke (51) and a second magnetic return yoke (52) formed of soft iron material surrounding the first outer magnet (21) and the second outer magnet (22), respectively, on the radially outer side,

the first outer magnet (21) and/or the second outer magnet (22) are/is limited by the first magnetic circuit yoke (51) and/or the second magnetic circuit yoke (52) in the circumferential direction, respectively; and/or

The first magnetic return yoke (51) is provided with a first accommodation groove (510) for accommodating the first external magnet (21), which is configured such that the first external magnet (21) can move along the longitudinal axis within the first accommodation groove (510); and/or

The second magnetic return yoke (52) is provided with a second receiving groove (520) for receiving the second external magnet (22), which is configured such that the second external magnet (22) can move along the longitudinal axis within the second receiving groove (520).

8. Magnetic refrigeration device (1) according to any of claims 1-7, wherein,

the magnetic medium bed (30) is configured to comprise a cylindrical bed body (31) surrounding a longitudinal axis, the bed body (31) being formed with a plurality of bed channels (310) therethrough in a longitudinal direction for containing a magnetic medium, wherein the magnetic medium within the bed channels (310) is capable of heat exchanging with a heat exchange fluid (2) flowing through the bed channels (310).

9. Magnetic refrigeration device (1) according to claim 8, wherein,

the bed body (31) comprises a first longitudinal section (311) and a second longitudinal section (312) separate from the first longitudinal section (311), the first longitudinal section (311) and the second longitudinal section (312) being arranged in the direction of the longitudinal axis and being connected to each other, wherein in particular at least one of the bearings (40) is opposite to a part of the first longitudinal section (311) and a part of the second longitudinal section (312) in the radial direction.

10. Magnetic refrigeration device (1) according to claim 9, wherein,

the magnetic fluid bed (30) further comprises a first connection flange (33) protruding radially outwards at a longitudinal end of the first longitudinal section (311) remote from the second longitudinal section (312) and/or a second connection flange (34) protruding radially outwards at a longitudinal end of the second longitudinal section (312) remote from the first longitudinal section (311).

11. Magnetic refrigeration device (1) according to any of claims 1-10, wherein,

the magnetic refrigeration device (1) further comprises a rotating shaft (60) for driving the magnetic working medium bed (30) to rotate around the longitudinal axis, and the rotating shaft (60) penetrates through the magnetic working medium bed (30) along the longitudinal axis on the radial inner side of the inner magnetic assembly (10).

12. Magnetic refrigeration device (1) according to claim 11, wherein,

the magnetic refrigeration device (1) further comprises a bushing (70) arranged between the rotating shaft (60) and the inner magnetic assembly (10), wherein,

the bushing (70) is rotatably arranged relative to the rotating shaft (60); and/or

The bushing (70) is formed of a soft iron material; and/or

The bushing (70) includes a cylindrical bushing body (71) and a bushing boss (72) protruding radially outward from the bushing body (71), the bushing boss (72) supporting the first bearing (41) radially inward of the first bearing (41).

13. Magnetic refrigeration device (1) according to any of claims 1-12, wherein,

the inner magnetic assembly (10) and/or the outer magnetic assembly (20) are formed by permanent magnets.

14. Magnetic refrigeration device (1) according to any of claims 1-13, wherein,

the magnetic refrigeration device (1) comprises two valve assemblies (80) adapted to direct a heat exchange fluid into and out of the magnetic working medium bed (30), which are attached to both ends of the magnetic working medium bed (30) in the direction of the longitudinal axis, respectively, wherein preferably each valve assembly (80) comprises:

a movable valve (81) provided with a plurality of movable valve passages (810) for heat exchange fluid, the movable valve (81) being fixedly attached to a longitudinal end portion of the magnetic working medium bed (30) by a movable valve flange (813) at an outer periphery thereof, the magnetic working medium bed (30) being fixed to a rotating shaft (60) for driving the magnetic working medium bed (30) to rotate by the movable valve (81); and

a static valve (82) which is connected to the side of the dynamic valve (81) facing away from the magnetic medium bed (30) in a relatively rotatable manner and is provided with a first static valve channel (821), a second static valve channel (822), a first opening (823) and a second opening (824), wherein the first static valve channel (821) is arranged to be able to communicate via the dynamic valve channel (810) to the bed channel (310) located in the magnetization region and to the first opening (823), and the second static valve channel (822) is arranged to be able to communicate via the dynamic valve channel (810) to the bed channel (310) located in the demagnetization region and to the second opening (824).

15. Household refrigeration appliance, wherein the household refrigeration appliance comprises the magnetic refrigeration device (1) according to any of claims 1-14.