EP1259768A1

EP1259768A1 - Compact temperature-control system

Info

Publication number: EP1259768A1
Application number: EP01915197A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefan Glasa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-02-08
Filing date: 2001-02-06
Publication date: 2002-11-27
Also published as: AU2001254385A1; WO2001059372A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a temperature control system that consists of at least two parts, a first part (1) that thermoelectrically generates heat/cold and a second part (2) that transports the heat or cold. The inventive device is further characterized in that at least one of the two parts (1, 2) is provided with means (13, 14) for holding together the two parts.

Description

Compact air conditioning unit

The invention relates to a compact air conditioner.

Small air conditioning units are known, which are designed according to various air conditioning techniques according to the prior art. With these systems, predominantly smaller rooms such as cool boxes in the leisure area or transport containers for climate-sensitive goods such as food are appropriately air-conditioned.

Applications are known in which air conditioning is required in a closed film or textile-like container. These can be, for example, gas-tight protective suits or protective rooms which are surrounded by gas-tight film for medical applications, such as incubators for infants, etc. In these known systems, openings in the surrounding protective cover are always necessary, since the climatic energy is transported through hose-like lines.

BESTATIGUNGSKOPIE Depending on the air conditioning system, air or liquid is pumped through these hose-like lines for energy transfer. In many such applications, these air conditioning systems are limited in use, in particular by the necessary hose lines, and must always be modified according to the type of construction or the protective cover.

The object of the invention is to provide a compact air conditioner that transports climate energy in a closed film-like shelter without the need for structural changes to the shelter. It is also intended to be used as a normal, but two-part air conditioning unit without any modification of the air conditioning unit, regardless of the type of coolant used.

This object is achieved according to the invention in an air conditioner of the type mentioned in that the air conditioner consists of two parts, one depending on the application by thermoelectrics heat or cold generating part and depending on the application heat or cold transporting part, which with magnetic force be combined into an aggregate.

The advantages of the invention are, in particular, that the geometrical arrangement of the two parts, depending on the application, enables the exchange of heat or cold by foil-like fabric or textiles. The inventive solution is explained using exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 1-7.

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal section through the air conditioner, which consists of two main parts, a climate-generating part 1 and a heat exchanger 2. In the following, the main parts are referred to as part 1 and part 2. The climate-generating part 1 is designed according to the known state of the art with thermoelectrics. It consists of two thermocouples 3 and 4, the metal heat conductors 5 and 6, an insulating layer 7, fans 8 and an electrical power source in the form of rechargeable battery cells 9, and the housing 1 0 with the openings 1 1 and 12. The mode of operation of such climate-generating systems is known and need not be explained in more detail. A new feature is the integration of magnets 1 3 in the heat-conducting surface 5 and as a metal plate 1 4 in part 2. Part 2 is designed as a heat exchanger.

3 shows the structure. It is a metal body, the outer main surfaces 1 5 (see FIG. 1) form-fittingly correspond to the outer surface 1 6 of part 1 (see FIG. 1). With two fans 1 7, 1 8, which are supplied with an integrated power source 1 9, air is guided 20 through the labyrinthine interior, which has web-like shapes. For example, a cushion-like part 24 (see FIG. 6) can be joined to the inputs and outputs 21 and 22, which is connected to supply and discharge hoses 26 (see FIG. 6), through which the air acts as a coolant in a closed circuit to be led.

During commissioning, part 1 and part 2 are held together by the action of magnets 1 3 and 14 - these are preferably permanent magnets - and can be seen as a whole. The holding force of the magnets 1 3, 1 4 is designed so that parts 1 and 2 can be separated by hand. The heat or cooling capacity can be passed unhindered from part 1 to part 2, since the material of the contact surfaces consists of good heat-conducting metal. If there is a film 23 or textile fabric that is not too thick between part 1 and part 2, the magnets 1 3, 14 continue to act as a connection between parts 1 and 2, depending on the field strength. Heat or cold can also be exchanged.

Test series have shown that foils 23 of approximately 1 mm in thickness with or without fabric inserts only cause a heat exchange loss of approximately 5% in the entire system, depending on the thermocouples used. In experiments with cooling requirements of body regions of the wearers of protective suits 25, such as ABC suits, the indirect cooling effect worked very well (FIGS. 4 and 5, which shows the section A of FIG. 4). As described above, no openings for hose lines etc. need to be made in these protective suits 25, so that this new climate system can be used in a variety of ways.

7 shows a motor vehicle seat 26 with the cooling cushion 24 and the parts 1 and 2 held together by the magnets 1 3 and 1 4 as a recognizable unit assembly.

In a further embodiment of the air conditioning device according to the invention - for which protection is also claimed independently - this is integrated into a vest-shaped garment. The air conditioner according to the invention cools subzones of the human body that are exposed to excessive heat if necessary.

This application is aimed at professional groups with appropriate protective suits that are sometimes exposed to extreme heat. These include Soldiers with so-called combat suits, which are gas-tight, etc. Although most of these protective suits partially offer protection against external heat, there is a lot of heat build-up inside, which has negative effects on well-being or leads to impairment of the project to which the Protective suit is intended. In the case of full-body protective suits for soldiers, the internal overheating is very high, since for camouflage reasons no outer reflective surface of the suit against radiant heating is possible. In the so-called chemical-biological warfare suits of the soldiers, the problem of internal overheating described above has arisen as a very great disability.

Systems are known which are designed like underwear with integrated cooling. The function of such systems is based on cooling technology according to the prior art, in such a way that thin cooling hoses are incorporated into the tissue through which the cooling liquid is pumped. The necessary cooling energy comes from a portable cooling unit, which is constructed like a mini fridge with all types of cooling technology, from the absorber principle to dry ice. Power. There are also systems in development that are supposed to work with the so-called principle of zeolite technology. With this process, railways and aviation, for example, cool their food. The connection between the vest and the cooling unit consists of hose lines that are routed through the protective suit. The hose lines are provided with separable hose couplings that are guided through an opening with a protective suit. These breakthroughs must be gas-tight. It is all very complex. The material of these protective suits is very thin for weight reasons. This makes complex reinforcement inserts necessary in such systems. It can be seen that these systems are expensive to manufacture, far too bulky in weight and are not optimal when used for a combat suit as described above.

The advantages of this embodiment of the invention are that a light vest for cooling the body has been created - called the vest below - which is very cheap to manufacture, has very little weight and causes minimal disability when worn and can be used with any type of protective suit can without having to set up the protective suit as described above. Only special parts of the body are cooled, primarily in the upper rear neck area and in the front in the chest area. This is sufficient from medical knowledge. The duration of the cooling will also preferably be limited to approximately two hours. This is completely sufficient for an area of application such as fire deployment or for combat use by soldiers in practice. The temperature difference to be achieved from normal body temperature should preferably not exceed approx. 8-1 2 ° C.

The embodiment is described with reference to the drawing.

Fig. 8 shows the overall structure of a vest 1 01 with a connected air conditioner or cooling unit 1 07. The vest 1 01 is pulled over the head when put on through the neck hole 1 02 and tied to the body (not shown) by a strap 1 05. The vest 1 01 can be worn directly on the skin or preferably over a thin undershirt. The actual cooling zones 1 03a can be seen in the chest area 1 03 and in the neck area 1 04. The cooling zones 1 03a consist of cooling tracks 106 in which the coolant is located. The cooling track 106 is designed as a closed circuit which is passed through the cooling unit 1 07 via a line 108 emerging from the actual vest 1 01. Both coolant or, because of the low temperature difference; normal air can also be used.

The actual cooling unit 1 07 consists (as in the embodiments according to FIGS. 1-7) of two main parts. In both parts there are integrated permanent magnets, the magnetic force of which - supported by a geometrically interlocking shape - is normally firmly connected to the connecting surfaces. These permanent magnets are known to have high holding forces, so that a very firm connection between the two parts is created, with which the unit can be regarded as almost in one piece. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 1 3, vest 1 01 and unit 1 07 form an interconnected unit.

For a further description, the two main parts, part 1 01 a and part 102 a, are shown separately in FIGS. 9, 1 2 and 1 4 for better understanding. The perspective sketch of Fig. 9 shows the outer structure of the main parts. Part 1 01 a is firmly connected to the cooling circuit of the vest 1 01 by means of a short mouthpiece 1 04 (FIG. 9) in which the feed line 1 and return line 1 07 are located. Part 1 01 a is formed to part 1 02a in the form of a calotte. On the outside you can see three permanent magnets 107a on the contact surface. The side view Fig. 1 0 shows a permanent magnet pair 1 07, 1 08, which holds parts 1 01 a and 1 02a together by the magnetic force. A desired separation of the two parts is carried out by an integrated screw mechanism 1 09 (FIG. 10, FIG. 9) with which the permanent magnets 107, 108 of part 102 a are withdrawn somewhat into the housing. This reduces the holding force of the two permanent magnets 1 07a, 108 to one another and both parts 1 01 a, 102a can be released from one another with slight manual force. Fig. 1 4 shows a main section through the separate housing parts 1 01, 1 02. The cooling energy is generated in part 1 02a. In this embodiment, a thermoelectric principle is used. This principle is also known as the Peltier technique. This technique creates coolness and warmth at the same time. The thermocouple 1 1 0 lies with the cryogenic side on the concave outer surface. The heat generated on the opposite side of the thermocouple 1 1 0 is dissipated to the outside by a fan 1 1 2 through the openings 1 1 6, 1 1 7. The electrical energy is preferably provided by rechargeable batteries 1 1 4. A simple on and off switch 1 1 5 controls the cooling system.

In part 1 01 a there is a circulating pump 1 1 1, which conducts the cooling medium of the vest through the inlet 1 06 and return line 1 07 through the chamber 1 05. The inner wall of the calotte 1 08c is comb-shaped. These combs 1 08c protrude into chamber 1 05. The material of the comb-shaped wall consists of aluminum and is therefore very good heat conductor. If parts 101 a and 1 02a lie close together, as described above, a cold exchange takes place between part 1 01 a and part 1 02a according to the principle of a heat exchanger.

The use of a cooling vest of the type described here is of great advantage for gas-tight protective suits, since the suit does not have to be provided with special openings for hoses etc.

Fig. 1 1 shows the simple sketch of a suit 1 01 b with the vest 1 02b worn on the inside and the cooling surfaces 1 03b and part 1 01 a of the air conditioner separated from part 1 02a. From the outside, part 1 02a is simply pressed against part 1 01 a. The film-like material 1 08b of the protective suit 1 01 b is therefore between the two parts 1 01 a and 1 02a (Fig. 1 2). The material 1 08b such protective suits 1 01 b is relatively thin, so that the permanent magnets are not significantly reduced in their holding force. The dome-shaped design of the contact surfaces of part 1 01 a and 1 02a result in a good spatial orientation of the two parts to one another. When the cooling unit is in operation, the te material 1 08b of protective suit 1 01 b the energy transfer from part 1 02a to part 1 01 a something. Experiments have shown that this only occurs in terms of performance at the beginning of the duration of the cooling project and is compensated for by the available power at the temperature differences to be achieved (8 - 1 2 ° C).

In a further embodiment of the invention - ... - the air conditioner interacts with a converter worn within a piece of clothing. If necessary, the air conditioner climates sections of the human body that are exposed to excessive heat or cold in protective suits.

The application is particularly aimed at soldiers in so-called combat suits who wear gas-tight or very diffusion-resistant protective clothing. Although most of these protective suits partially protect against external heat, there is a lot of heat build-up inside the suit, which has a negative impact on well-being and ultimately leads to impairments of the project. In the case of protective suits for soldiers in particular, the internal overheating is very high, since for camouflage reasons no outer reflective surface of the suit against radiant heating is possible. In so-called military chemical-biological warfare suits (chemical-biological combat suits), the problem of internal overheating described above has arisen as a very great disability.

Systems are known which, like undergarments, are provided with integrated cooling. The function of such systems is based on cooling technology according to the prior art in such a way that thin cooling hoses are incorporated into the fabric of a special undergarment through which coolant is pumped. The necessary cooling energy comes from a portable cooling unit, which is constructed like a mini fridge with all types of cooling technology, from the absorber principle to dry ice feeding. There are also systems in the Development that works with the so-called principle of zeolite technology. With this process, railways and aviation, for example, cool their food. The connection between the inner cooling clothing and the cooling unit consists of hose lines that are routed through the protective suit. The hose lines are provided with separable hose couplings. The breakthroughs must be gas-tight, which is very expensive to construct. Since the material of protective suits of all kinds is very thin for reasons of weight, complex reinforcement inserts are also required in such systems. It can be seen that these systems are expensive to manufacture and too bulky in weight, and are not optimal for applications in connection with combat suits as described above.

There are systems in development that exchange all of the indoor air. This also entails cumbersome supply hoses and, in addition to the actual air-conditioning unit, heavy filter units, which decontaminate the contaminated outside air at great expense. The mobility of users is severely hampered when using these systems. Soldiers in particular must be extremely mobile regardless of the combat mission and should not be equipped with heavy air conditioning units and filter systems in addition to their operational equipment such as weapons, ammunition, etc.

Advantages of this embodiment of the invention is the provision of a compact, very light air-conditioning system which has none of the disadvantages described above and at the same time can be used universally regardless of the type of protective suit used.

Several exemplary embodiments are explained below with reference to the drawing. Fig. 1 5-1 7 shows schematically a soldier who is shown with a so-called NBC protective suit currently used. These suits are divided into upper body and leg clothing. The dashed line shows the user 202d, the suit 201d, which is tied with a belt 203d, on which the actual air conditioner 204d is attached outside.

The function of the climate system is shown in Fig. 1 8. The air conditioning system consists of two main parts, the part 201 e which generates heat or cold as required and the converter as part 202e. In the following, the parts are referred to as part 201e and part 202e. Both parts 201 e, 202e are shown in a longitudinal section. One recognizes the trough-shaped configuration 21 2d of part 201 e and the convex surface 21 3d of part 202e which is shaped congruently to part 201 e. Part 201 e and part 202e can be held together by at least one displaceable permanent magnet 209d and at least one metal plate made of steel 21 8d, so that the two parts 201 e, 202e can be regarded as one piece. Part 201 e is located outside the suit and part 202e inside, the actual suit material 203e being clamped between parts 201 e and 202e depending on the application as a heat or cold bridge. Even if a not excessively thick textile material 203e is placed between the parts 201e and 202e, the magnetic forces are sufficient to connect the two parts to one another. Thermocouple technology has been used in this embodiment as a heat or cold generator. 1 8 shows the thermocouples 204e, the metal bodies 205d, 206d, which conduct heat or cold, depending on the application, the fans 207d, the electrical power supply 10d in the form of high-performance batteries, the function controller 11d and the ventilation slots 208d, 209d.

The heating or cooling capacity goes from part 201 e to part 201 e if both parts 201 e, 202e are connected and is only marginally reduced if the textile material 203e of the protective suit is clamped between parts 201 e and 202e. A fan 21 6d with a power supply 21 7d enables air to be passed through the web-like shape 21 4d through openings 21 5d. The mutually facing surfaces of part 202 (1 3d) and part 201 e (5d) consist of a good heat-conducting metal. It can be seen that part 202e as a so-called heat exchanger is to be understood. With reference to Fig. 1 9, which will be explained in more detail below, the function can be derived well.

In view of what has been described so far, the advantageousness of this embodiment can be clearly seen if the configuration in FIGS. 1 5-1 7 is now described. There is an enclosed air layer 205d between the suit 201d and the user 202d, the volume of which corresponds to the tight fit of the suit 201d. As described, heat or cold can get through the suit fabric with marginal loss if it comes between part 201e and part 202e. Part 201e can thus be worn flexibly at different locations outside the suit and part 202e can be fastened accordingly in protective suit 201d opposite part 201. The air volume is guided through the part 202 by means of the fans and appropriately tempered, as a result of which the indoor air is conditioned without breakthroughs in the suit 201 d. This means that even suits of different designs can be used without having to be laboriously modified.

A temperature of the inner air volume of approx. 25 ° is sufficient for a feeling of well-being. In addition, the temperature-controlled air can be led past a so-called combined ad and absorber material, hereinafter referred to as AA, which additionally reduces its moisture content for temperature control. This is shown in FIGS. 1 9 and 20. A receptacle 208f, into which a magazine-like AA is inserted, is preferably provided at the outputs or inputs of the converter. The AA binds the air humidity and can also store several times its own volume of condensed perspiration water. 20 shows in longitudinal section the magazine-like AA part 21 of before it is used. It is preferably located in an airtight box, the closure lid 21 3f of which is removed before use, so that the air can flow past the AA. Since the AA is very hygroscopic, the moisture is bound in the AA. If larger amounts of liquid moisture accumulate due to the cooling effect, this is also bound in the AA. It can Increase volume 21 1 f. Due to the multi-part nature of the AA housing 21 2f, the housing can expand telescopically and bind larger amounts of liquid. In order to ensure that the inside air of the suit also circulates in the area of tight-fitting clothing parts, primarily under belt systems worn outside, the user can also wear thin spacer fabric in the form of a vest with a neck hole 202 as shown in FIG. The vest can preferably be provided with AA material, which can absorb and absorb the perspiration moisture directly in the vicinity of the body. In this case, the AA vest would have the same function as the AA box shown in FIG. 20. Both described AA systems are inexpensive and should be understood as so-called one-way systems.

In order to enable a spatially favorable air circulation within the entire interior, an air distribution belt 203g, which is connected to the part 202g, can be used, for example, as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22. As described, part 201e and part 202e can also be used as an almost one-piece air conditioning unit and e.g. in the case of clothing that is not absolutely gas-tight, can be worn on the outside (FIGS. 1-3) and the inner air volume of the protective suit can be tempered with a hose-like feed 208d.

Claims

Expectations

1 . Air conditioning unit, which consists of at least two parts, a first part (1) which generates heat or cold by thermoelectrics and a second part (2) which transports heat or cold, characterized in that at least one of the two parts (1, 2) comprises means ( 1 3, 14) for holding the two parts (1, 2) together.

2. Air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the means comprise magnets (1 3, 1 4).

3. Air conditioner according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mutually opposite outer surfaces (1 5, 1 6) of the two parts (1, 2) are congruent to each other.

4. Air conditioner according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the congruent surfaces (1 5, 1 6) lie in concave-convex geometry to each other.

5. Air conditioner according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in the centers of the surfaces (1 5, 1 6) each have a magnet (1 3, 1 4) is arranged.

6. Air conditioner according to one of the preceding claims, with a vest for cooling body zones, mainly in the neck and chest area, which is worn under protective suits, in which the wearer is temporarily exposed to high levels of heat and experiences a disability due to sweating, which the use of the actual protective suit is severely impaired, one part being firmly connected to the vest and through which the coolant of the vest is guided by a pump and the other part being the cold-producing energy part, and both parts on the opposite surfaces are congruently concave and convex and at least one permanent magnet is integrated outside one of these surfaces.

7. Air conditioner according to one of the preceding claims, for diffusion-inhibited protective suits with an external air conditioner and an internal converter, for air conditioning of parts of the human body of people who are exposed to excessive heat or cold in protective suits, the heat or cold-emitting surface of the actual air conditioner bears directly on the outside of the assigned protective suit and that a surface of the converter that absorbs heat or cold bears directly on the inner surface of the assigned protective suit.

8. Air conditioner according to one of the preceding claims, wherein lines (203a) for passing the circulating air in the converter to a moisture and / or adsorber system.

9. Air conditioner according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an externally carried air-conditioning part is provided, which works on the physical principle of Peltier technology, in particular generates heat or cold.