JP2000154948A - Cooler - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce dissipation power of a cooler to lengthen a driving time by a storage battery and to allow a long time operation even when a power is interrupted by providing a ventilating mechanism having an exhaust flap openably and closably constituted at its exhaust port and a suction flap openably and closably constituted at its suction port. SOLUTION: An exhaust port 15a formed at a central plate 2 for guiding out the air in a control board 13 into the atmosphere through a cooling side air passage 4 and an exhaust flap 15b openable and closable at the port 15a are provided as a ventilating mechanism in a cooling case 3. A suction port 16a formed at the plate 2 to introduce the atmosphere into a machine 13 to be cooled through the passage 4 and a suction flap 16b openable and closable at the port 16a are provided. Thus, in the case of a ventilating operation, since a thermionic element 9 is not energized and a heat radiating side blower 7 is not operated as well, a power consumption amount can be suppressed as compared with a cooling operation. Accordingly, when the power is interrupted, a driving time by a storage battery can be lengthened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cooling device for cooling a cooling target device driven by a storage battery at least at the time of a power failure, and more particularly to an improvement in operation control.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of cooling device, there is one described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-94323. This cooling device includes a cooling-side air passage and a heat-radiation-side air passage that are separated from each other in a cooling case, and both air passages are arranged so as to sandwich a thermoelectric element such as a Peltier element. A cooling heat sink in contact with the cooling surface of the thermoelectric element and a cooling blower for blowing air to the cooling heat sink are arranged in the cooling side air passage, and a heat radiation heat sink in contact with the heat radiation surface of the thermoelectric element and a heat radiation heat sink in the heat radiation side air passage. And a radiator blower for blowing air to the radiator.

[0003] This cooling device is provided in a control panel of various machines driven by a storage battery, and uses the storage battery as a drive source. The cooling-side air passage is configured to communicate with the internal space of the control panel, and the heat-radiating-side air passage is configured to open to the outside air. In this configuration, when the thermoelectric elements are energized and each blower is started, the low-temperature air generated by the cooling heat sink is sent to the internal space of the control panel to cool the inside of the control panel, and the high-temperature air passing through the heat sink is controlled. It will be released outside the board.

Further, the above publication discloses a method for reducing the power consumption of a cooling device and extending the life of a storage battery, for example, when the temperature of an upper space, which is a high temperature portion in a control panel, is 40 ° C.
In the following cases, the operation of the cooling device is stopped, and
It is disclosed that when the temperature is higher than 0 ° C. and equal to or lower than 45 ° C., only the cooling blower is operated, and when the temperature exceeds 45 ° C., the entire cooling device is operated.

[0005]

However, when the temperature is 4
Even if only the cooling blower is started after the temperature exceeds 0 ° C, only the air in the control panel circulates. Therefore, the temperature immediately reaches 45 ° C, and it is necessary to operate the entire cooling device. Occurs. Thus, at a certain temperature (45 ° in this case)
Until C), the method of circulating the air in the machine to be cooled
The temperature rise can be suppressed only for a short time, and as a result,
There is a disadvantage that the driving time by the storage battery cannot be sufficiently long. Therefore, for example, when the storage battery is used as a power source at the time of a power failure, the operation time at the time of the power failure cannot be made sufficiently long.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the power consumption of a cooling device, extend the driving time of a storage battery, and enable long-time operation even during a power failure. It is to be.

[0007]

The present invention focuses on the fact that the temperature of the outside air is usually lower than that of the internal space of the machine to be cooled such as a control panel, and the internal space has a certain temperature. Until the ventilating operation is performed, the temperature rise can be suppressed for a long time without performing the cooling operation.

More specifically, a first solution taken by the present invention is a cooling target machine driven by a storage battery at least at the time of a power failure.
In the cooling case (3) attached to (13), the machine to be cooled (13)
It is assumed that a cooling device is provided with a cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) for cooling the internal space of the device. The storage battery constitutes at least a power supply of the cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) at the time of a power failure, and an exhaust port (15a) for leading air in the cooling target machine (13) to the outside air, and an exhaust port. An exhaust flap (15b) configured to open and close the port (15a), an intake port (16a) for introducing outside air into the machine to be cooled (13), and an intake configured to open and close the intake port (16a) Ventilation mechanism including flaps (16b) (6, 15a, 15b, 16
a, 16b, 18).

[0009] The second solution taken by the present invention is:
In the first solution, the ventilation mechanism (6, 15a, 15b, 16
a, 16b, 18) are provided with ventilation blowers (6, 18) for leading the air in the machine to be cooled (13) into the outside air via the exhaust port (15a).

[0010] A third solution taken by the present invention is:
In the second solution, the cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) includes a cooling blower (6), and the cooling blower (6) also functions as a ventilation blower.

[0011] A fourth solution taken by the present invention is:
In the second solution, the cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) includes a thermoelectric element (9), a cooling heat sink (10) in contact with a cooling surface (9a) of the thermoelectric element (9), and a cooling heat sink (10). ), A radiating heat sink (11) in contact with the radiating surface (9b) of the thermoelectric element (9), and a radiating fan (7) for blowing to the radiating heat sink (11). (3) Thermoelectric element
(9) A cooling side air passage (4) and a heat radiation side air passage (5) are provided which are separated from each other with the cooling air passage (4) communicating with the internal space of the machine to be cooled (13). A cooling heat sink (10) and a cooling blower (6) are arranged, and a heat dissipation heat sink (11) and a heat dissipation blower (7) are arranged in a heat dissipation side air passage (5) communicating with the outside air, and the cooling blower (6) is arranged. Are configured to also serve as ventilation blowers.

A fifth solution taken by the present invention is:
In the second solution, the ventilation mechanism (6, 15a, 15b, 16
a, 16b, 18) in the cooling case (3).

[0013] The sixth solution taken by the present invention is:
In the second solution, the ventilation mechanism (6, 15a, 15b, 16
a, 16b, 18) are provided in the machine to be cooled (13).

Further, a seventh solution taken by the present invention is:
In any one of the second to sixth solving means, a ventilation operation for starting the blower (6, 18) and opening the exhaust flap (15) and the intake flap (16);
A control means (17) for selectively selecting a cooling operation for closing the cooling mechanism (6) and operating the cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) is provided.

An eighth solution taken by the present invention is:
In the seventh solution, the control means (17) may be configured to ventilate when the outside air temperature is lower than the temperature of the internal space of the machine to be cooled (13) and the temperature of the internal space is lower than a predetermined temperature. The cooling operation is performed when the operation is performed and the temperature of the internal space of the cooling target machine (13) exceeds a predetermined temperature.

Further, a ninth solution means taken by the present invention is:
In the seventh solution, the cooling mechanism is normally driven by a main power supply during normal operation, and is configured to be driven by switching to a storage battery during a power outage. The ventilation operation can be selected, and the ventilation operation is performed by the storage battery at the time of power failure.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned eighth aspect, the cooling mechanism is normally driven by a main power supply during normal operation, and is switched to a storage battery during a power failure to be driven. The control means is configured to switch between the cooling operation and the ventilation operation by the main power supply during normal times and by the storage battery during power failure.

-Operation- In the first solution, the ventilation mechanism (6, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16
When the cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) is started with the exhaust flap (15b) and intake flap (16b) of
3) The internal space can be cooled. On the other hand, exhaust flap (15b)
With the air intake flap (16b) open,
Since the internal space of 3) communicates with the outside air, the air in the cooling target machine (13) is exhausted from the exhaust port (15a), and the outside air is cooled from the intake port (16a) to the cooling target machine (13). To be introduced into the inside, and the internal space is ventilated. Generally, the outside air is colder than the air in the space to be cooled (13),
Even if the cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) is not activated, the internal space is cooled.

Further, in the second solution, when the ventilation blower (6, 18) is started during ventilation, the cooling target machine (13)
The inside air is forcibly exhausted from the exhaust port (15a), and the same amount of outside air as the exhausted air is exhausted from the intake port (16a).
Introduced in (13). In the third solution,
By starting the cooling blower (6), forced ventilation can be performed.

In the fourth solution, the thermoelectric element
When the cooling fan (6) and the radiating fan (7) are activated by energizing (9), the cooling heat sink (1) is set in the cooling-side air passage (4).
Air passing through 0) is cooled by receiving cold heat from the cooling surface (9a) of the thermoelectric element (9). Then, the low-temperature air generated by the cooling heat sink (10) is supplied from the cooling-side air passage (4) to the internal space of the cooling target machine (13), and cools the internal space. In the air passage (5) on the heat radiation side,
The air passing through the radiating heat sink (11) is heated by receiving heat from the radiating surface (9b) of the thermoelectric element (9), and the heated air is released from the radiating air passage (5) into the outside air. You. Ventilation of the internal space of the cooling target machine (13) is performed by activating the cooling blower (6), as in the third solution.

In the fifth solution, the ventilation mechanism (6, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b, 18) provided in the cooling case (3) has an exhaust port (15a) and an intake port (16a). Ventilation is performed, and in the sixth solution, an exhaust port (15a) and an intake port (16) of a ventilation mechanism (6, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b, 18) provided in the machine to be cooled (13) are provided.
Ventilation will be provided through a).

In the above-mentioned seventh means, the ventilation operation and the cooling operation are selectively performed by the control means (17). In the ventilation operation, the blowers (6, 18) are activated and the exhaust gas is exhausted. The flap (15) and the intake flap (16) are opened, and in the cooling operation, both the flaps (15, 16) are closed and the cooling mechanisms (6, 7, 8) operate.

In the above-mentioned eighth solution means, the control means
According to (17), the ventilation operation is performed until the temperature of the internal space of the cooling target machine (13) reaches the predetermined temperature, and the operation is automatically switched so that the cooling operation is performed when the temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature.

In the ninth solution means, the control means
According to (17), the cooling operation or the ventilation operation is normally performed by the main power supply, and the ventilation operation is performed by the storage battery at the time of a power failure. In the tenth solution means, the cooling operation and the ventilation operation are switched by the control means (17) by using the main power supply during normal times and using the storage battery during power outages.

[0025]

According to the first means, for example, when the inside of the machine to be cooled (13) becomes higher than a predetermined temperature, the ventilation mechanism (6, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b, 18 ) Both flaps (15
By activating the cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) with the b (16, 16b) closed, the inside of the cooling target machine (13) can be cooled. Conversely, when the inside of the cooling target machine (13) is not higher than the predetermined temperature, by opening both flaps (15b, 16b) with the cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) stopped, the cooling target machine ( By exchanging the air inside 13) with the outside air having a lower temperature, the inside of the machine to be cooled (13) can be cooled. During the ventilation operation, the cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) is not operated, so that the power consumption can be suppressed as compared with the cooling operation. Therefore, the use time of the storage battery can be extended.

Further, according to the second solution, the air inside the cooling target machine (13) can be forcibly ventilated, so that the cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) can be cooled without activating the cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8). Overheating of the target machine (13) can be prevented for a longer time, and the use time of the storage battery can be further extended. Further, according to the third and fourth solutions, a dedicated ventilation blower is not required, and the configuration can be prevented from becoming complicated.

According to the fifth solution, the cooling target machine (13) does not need to be provided with the ventilation mechanism (6, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b, 18). ) Does not complicate the configuration of itself. Further, according to the sixth solution, the ventilation of the cooling target machine (13) can be performed more efficiently without passing through the cooling case (3).

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it is possible to control to perform the ventilation operation when the ventilation operation is enough to cool the machine to be cooled (13) and to perform the cooling operation only when necessary. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the cooling operation that consumes a large amount of power, thereby reducing the power consumption as a whole.

In particular, according to the eighth solution, the ventilation operation and the cooling operation are automatically switched according to the temperature in the cooling target machine (13). The operation can be efficiently performed with low power consumption while suppressing the rise.

According to the ninth solution, the cooling operation or the ventilation operation is normally performed by the main power supply, so that the temperature rise of the cooling target machine (13) can be surely suppressed. On the other hand, at the time of power failure, ventilation operation with low power consumption is performed by the storage battery, so that the operation time by the storage battery can be extended. Further, according to the tenth solution means, the cooling operation and the ventilation operation are switched by the control means (17) in both the normal state and the power outage state. The power consumption can be suppressed while reliably preventing the inside from becoming high temperature. Furthermore, the ninth
And the tenth solution means, even when a power failure occurs,
Since the inside of (13) is ventilated or cooled, the temperature rise can be suppressed with low power consumption, so that the cooling target machine (13) can be substantially continuously operated at the time of power failure.

[0031]

Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams showing the arrangement of the devices, and only the schematic structure is shown by simplifying the shape of each device. In this cooling device (1), each device is arranged in a thin rectangular parallelepiped cooling case (3) whose inside is separated into two parts by a center plate (2), and one side of the center plate (2) is cooled. Side air passage
(4), and the opposite side is configured as a radiation side air passage (5) separated from the cooling side air passage (4).

At the center of the cooling case (3), a cooling blower (6) is disposed in a cooling-side air passage (4), and a cooling-side air passage is provided.
A heat radiation blower (7) is arranged in (5). Both blowers (6,
Each of 7) is constituted by a centrifugal fan, and a cold heat source module (8) is arranged outside the discharge section.

As shown in FIG. 3, the cold heat source module (8) includes a thermoelectric element (9) such as a Peltier element and a cooling element (9) arranged in contact with the cooling surface (9a) of the thermoelectric element (9). It is composed of a heat sink (10) and a heat radiating heat sink (11) arranged so as to be in contact with the heat radiating surface (9b) of the thermoelectric element (9). The thermoelectric element (9) has a rectangular plate shape, and when energized, one surface (9a) (upper surface in FIG. 3) becomes low temperature and the other surface (9b)
(The lower surface in FIG. 3) becomes hot. In other words, one of the cooling surfaces (9
a), and the other becomes the heat dissipation surface (9b). In addition, each of these aspects
(9a, 9b) is formed with a smooth flat surface.

The heat sinks (10, 11) have the same configuration. First, the cooling heat sink (10) located on the upper side of FIG. 3 will be described. This cooling heatsink (1
Reference numeral 0) is made of aluminum, in which a flat heat receiving portion (10a) and a plurality of pin-shaped fins (10b) are integrally formed. The heat receiving portion (10a) has a back surface (10c) (lower surface) in contact with the cooling surface (9a) of the thermoelectric element (9). The heat receiving portion (10a) is a rectangular flat plate slightly larger than the thermoelectric element (9), and has a back surface.
(10c) is formed with a smooth flat surface. Each fin (10
b) is pin-shaped and arranged vertically and horizontally.

The heat sink (11) has the same configuration as the cooling heat sink (10). In other words, the flat heat receiving section (1
1a) and a plurality of pin-shaped fins (10b) are integrally formed. In the heat sink (11), the back surface (11c) (upper surface) of the heat receiving portion (11a) is formed of a smooth flat surface,
This back surface (11c) is in contact with the heat radiation surface (9b) of the thermoelectric element (9).

With the thermoelectric elements (9) thus sandwiched by the heat sinks (10, 11), they are integrally fastened by bolts (not shown). As a result, the cooling surface (9a) of the thermoelectric element (9) and the cooling heat sink
(10) between the back surface (10c) and the heat dissipation surface (9b) of the thermoelectric element (9)
Adhesion between the heat sink (11) and the back surface (11c) of the heat sink (11) is ensured. That is, the heat transfer between the thermoelectric element (9) and each of the heat sinks (10, 11) is favorably performed.

The cold heat source module configured as described above
(8) is arranged so that the thermoelectric element (9) is located on substantially the same plane as the center plate (2) of the cooling case (3), and the cooling-side air passage (4)
And the heat radiation side air passage (5) are separated from each other with the thermoelectric element (9) interposed therebetween. In addition, cold heat source module (8)
The two sides of the cooling case (3) are positioned so that the cooling heat sink (10) is located in the cooling-side air passage (4) and the heat-radiating heat sink (11) is located in the heat-radiating air passage (5). Are located in

Each of the blowers (6, 7) is arranged at the center of the cooling case (3) in each of the passages (4, 5). And the blower
Air is blown to each heat sink (10, 11) arranged outside (6, 7). The two blowers (6, 7) are arranged on the same center of rotation, are connected to one fan motor (12), which is a double-axis motor, and start the fan motor (12). For example, both blowers (6, 7) can be operated simultaneously. In this case, since the rotation direction of the motor (12) is opposite on the cooling side and the heat radiation side when viewed from the shaft end, the blades of the blowers (6, 7) have a symmetrical shape with each other.

The cooling device (1) is, for example, incorporated in a control panel (13) of various machines driven by a main power supply in a normal state and driven by a storage battery in a power failure (cooling target machine). 13) Can be used to cool electronic components inside. Then, the thermoelectric element (9), the cooling blower (6), and the radiator blower (7) constituting the cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) of the cooling device (1) are also driven by the main power supply at normal times, and at the time of power failure, It is configured to be driven by a storage battery. As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling device (1)
Is installed such that the center plate (2) is located on substantially the same plane as the outer wall of the housing (14) of the control panel (13).

The cooling-side air passage (4) has a suction port (4a) to the cooling blower (6) and a cooling heat sink from the cooling blower (6).
An outlet (4b) for the discharge air passing through (10) is provided, and the cooling-side air passage (4) communicates with an internal space of the control panel (13), which is a space to be cooled. In the radiating side air passage (5), a suction port (5a) to the radiating blower (7) and an outlet (5b) of discharge air from the radiating blower (7) through the radiating heat sink (11) are provided. Provided, the heat radiation side air passage (5)
However, it is designed to communicate with the outside air. In the figure,
For convenience, the suction port (4a, 5a) and the air outlet (4b, 5b) are
Although it is shown as projecting from (3), in practice, it may be formed as a simple opening in the cooling case (3).

In the cooling case (3), a ventilation mechanism is formed in the central plate (2) so as to lead the air in the control panel (13) to the outside air through the cooling side air passage (4). Exhaust port (15a)
And an exhaust flap (15b) configured to open and close the exhaust port (15a), and a central plate (2) so as to introduce outside air into the cooling target machine (13) through the cooling-side air passage (4). ), And an intake flap (16) configured to open and close the intake port (16a). Also, the first embodiment
In the above, the cooling blower (6) is also used as a ventilation blower that is operated at the time of ventilation.

Each of the flaps (15b, 16b) is disposed outside the cold-heat source module (8). In the closed position indicated by the phantom line, the flaps (15b, 16b) Passage (4)
To the outside air. Also, exhaust flap (15b)
In the open position shown by the solid line, it is inclined with respect to the center plate (2), and the air in the control panel (13) is vented during ventilation.
It is configured to guide to (15a). Intake flap
In the open position, (16b) is substantially perpendicular to the center plate (2) and extends along the outer surface of the cooling heat sink (11).

Each of the flaps (15b, 16b) is configured to open and close with respect to the center plate (2) with one end as a fulcrum. Each flap (15b, 16b) is connected to the control panel (1
When the inside of 3) reaches a predetermined temperature, each flap (15b, 16
b) is connected with a drive mechanism (not shown) for automatically opening the b).

The controller (17) provided as a control means is configured such that the outside air temperature is lower than the temperature inside the control panel (13) and the temperature inside the control panel (13) is lower than a predetermined temperature. While the cooling fan (6) is activated and the ventilation operation for opening the exhaust flap (15b) and the intake flap (16b) is performed, while the temperature inside the control panel (13) exceeds a predetermined temperature, both flaps ( 15b, 16b) and thermoelectric element (9)
The cooling operation is performed by operating the blowers (6, 7). In addition, the controller (17) is configured to perform the switching operation by the main power supply at normal times, and to perform the switching operation by the storage battery at the time of power failure.

In the illustrated example, the controller (17)
Is provided on the front surface of the cooling case (3), but this position is merely an example, and may be changed as appropriate according to the device configuration.

-Operation- Next, the cooling operation by the cooling device (1) will be described.

First, when the temperature inside the control panel (13) exceeds a predetermined temperature, the controller (17) energizes the thermoelectric element (9), starts the fan motor (12) and activates the cooling blower (6). The cooling operation is performed by rotating the heat radiation blower (7). The flow of air during the cooling operation is indicated by a broken arrow. On the cooling side, the air in the control panel (13) is supplied to the cooling heat sink (10) through the cooling side air passage (4). Since cold heat is generated on the cooling surface (9a) of the thermoelectric element (9),
The air receives cold heat from the cooling surface (9a) via the fins (10b) to become low in temperature, and is blown outward from around the cooling heat sink (10). Then, the low-temperature air is supplied to the inside of the control panel (13) to cool electronic components and the like in the control panel (13). Since such a flow of air is continuous and low-temperature air circulates in the control panel (13), overheating of the electronic components is avoided.

On the heat radiating side, outside air is supplied to the heat radiating heat sink (11) through the heat radiating side air passage (5). Thermoelectric element
Since heat is generated on the heat radiating surface (9b) of (9), the air becomes high temperature by receiving exhaust heat from the heat radiating surface (9b) via the fins (11b), and the heat of the heat radiating heat sink (11) is generated. It is blown out from the surroundings to the outside. Since the air continuously flows on the heat radiating side in this way, heat is efficiently radiated from the thermoelectric element (9) into the outside air.

On the other hand, when the outside air temperature is lower than the temperature inside the control panel (13) and the temperature inside the control panel (13) is lower than a predetermined temperature, the thermoelectric element (9) is energized. And start only the cooling fan (6) without exhaust flap (15b)
Then, the ventilation operation is performed by opening the intake flap (16b). The air flow during the ventilation operation is indicated by a solid arrow in FIG. The air in the control panel (13) is drawn into the surroundings after being sucked into the cooling blower (6), which is also a ventilation blower, and is discharged into the outside air through the cooling heat sink (10) and the exhaust port (15a). . At this time, the same amount of outside air as the discharged air is sucked into the inside of the control panel (13) from the intake port (16a). In this case, since the outside air is generally lower in temperature than the air in the internal space of the control panel (13), the inside of the control panel (13) is cooled without energizing the thermoelectric element (9).

-Effects of Embodiment 1- According to Embodiment 1, when the inside of the control panel (13) becomes higher than a predetermined temperature in both a normal state and a power outage, both flaps are used. Thermoelectric element (9) with (15b, 16b) closed
By energizing and starting both blowers (6, 7),
The inside of the control panel (13) can be cooled using the cold heat of the thermoelectric element (9). If the inside of the control panel (13) is not higher than the predetermined temperature, the air inside the control panel (13) is opened by opening both flaps (15b, 16b) and starting only the cooling blower (6). The inside of the control panel (13) can be cooled by exchanging with outside air having a lower temperature.

In the ventilation operation, the thermoelectric element (9) is not energized, and the radiation side fan (7) is not operated.
Power consumption can be suppressed as compared with the cooling operation.
Therefore, at the time of a power failure, the driving time of the storage battery can be lengthened.

The cooling flap (15b) is attached to the cooling case (3).
And the intake flap (16b) is provided, so the control panel (1
3) does not require a ventilation mechanism and does not complicate the configuration of the control panel (13) itself.

Further, since the ventilation operation and the cooling operation are automatically switched by the controller (17), the control panel (1)
The operation can be performed efficiently with low power consumption while suppressing the temperature rise of 3). Also, even during a power failure, the operation of the control panel (13) can be continued while switching between the cooling operation and the ventilation operation with the storage battery without stopping the operation, and power is not consumed more than necessary. Become.

-Modification of First Embodiment- FIG. 4 shows a modification of the first embodiment. In this example, the exhaust flap (15b) is
This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it is provided between (8) and the blowers (6, 7). In this configuration, the cooling operation can be performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment with both flaps (15b, 16b) closed. In the case of ventilation operation, control panel (13)
Is discharged to the outside air without passing through the cooling heat sink (10). In the example of FIG. 1, the air is a cooling heat sink
Although the passage resistance occurs when passing through (10), in the example of FIG. 4, since the air does not pass through the cooling heat sink (10), the ventilation can be performed more smoothly and the fan power can be reduced. is there.

In the first embodiment, the ventilation operation and the cooling operation are switched between the normal operation and the power failure, but the cooling operation and the ventilation operation are selectively performed by the main power supply during the normal operation. In the event of a power outage, only ventilation operation may be performed using the storage battery. By doing so, the temperature in the control panel (13) tends to rise slightly during a power outage compared to the first embodiment, but it is possible to operate for a longer time.

[0057]

Embodiment 2 Embodiment 2 of the present invention is an example in which a propeller fan is used instead of a centrifugal fan as the cooling blower (6) and the heat radiation blower (7). In FIG. 5, a cold heat source module (8) includes a thermoelectric element (9) such as a Peltier element and a cooling heat sink disposed so as to be in contact with the cooling surface (9a) of the thermoelectric element (9), as in the first embodiment. (10) and a heat radiating heat sink (10) arranged in contact with the heat radiating surface (9b) of the thermoelectric element (9).
At the same location as in the first embodiment.

The two blowers (6, 7) are arranged at an interval substantially the same as the thickness of the cold heat source module (8) so as to face each other with the central plate (2) interposed therebetween. The center plate (2) has a central portion sandwiched between the two blowers (6, 7) and is opened as an exhaust port (15a), and is provided so that an exhaust flap (15b) can open and close the exhaust port (15a). Have been. Further, the intake port (16a) and the intake flap (16b) are arranged at the same position as in the first embodiment.

-Operation- The control method is the same as that of the first embodiment.
The thermoelectric element (9) is energized while both flaps (15b, 16b) are closed as shown by phantom lines, and both blowers (6, 7) are started. The flow of air during the cooling operation is indicated by a dashed arrow.
At this time, on the cooling side, the air in the control panel (13) is guided into the cooling case (3) through the cooling blower (6), and the air spreads to the surroundings in the cooling case (3) and is cooled. After passing through (10), it becomes low-temperature air and returns to the inside of the control panel (13). On the heat radiation side, when the outside air passes through the heat radiation heat sink (11), the temperature becomes high due to the exhaust heat of the thermoelectric element (9), and is then released into the outside air.

It is to be noted that the cooling operation can be performed even when the flow of air on one or both of the cooling side and the heat radiation side is in a direction opposite to the direction indicated by the broken line arrow. In that case, one or both of the illustrated suction ports (4a) and (5a) serve as air outlets,
One or both of the illustrated outlets (4b) and (5b) serve as suction ports.

When the temperature in the control panel (13) is lower than the predetermined temperature, each of the flaps (15b, 16b) is opened while the power supply to the thermoelectric element (9) is stopped, and the cooling fan (6) is opened. Radiation blower (7)
Activate one of the two, as indicated by the solid arrow,
The air in the control panel (13) is discharged from the exhaust port (15a) into the outside air. At this time, the same amount of outside air as the released air is
(16a) is introduced into the cooling case (3). Outside air is a control panel
Since the temperature is lower than the air in (13), the inside of the control panel (13) is cooled.

The cooling operation and the ventilation operation may be performed while switching between normal operation and power outage.
At the time of power failure, only ventilation operation may be performed.

-Effects of the Second Embodiment- In the second embodiment, too, the air is not simply circulated in the control panel (13) until the temperature in the control panel (13) reaches a predetermined temperature. Because ventilation is performed between the outside air that is colder than the air inside the panel (13), the inside of the control panel (13) can be kept at a low temperature for a relatively long time without energizing the thermoelectric element (9). Can be kept. Therefore, since the low-temperature state can be maintained for a long time while the power consumption is reduced, it is possible to extend the operation time of the storage battery particularly at the time of power failure.

Modification of Second Embodiment FIG. 6 shows a modification of the second embodiment. In this example, a cold heat source module (8) is arranged at the center of the cooling case (3). And in the figure, the cold heat source module (8)
Exhaust flap (15b) and intake flap provided on both upper and lower sides of
When (16b) is closed as shown by the phantom line, the cooling case
A cooling-side air passage (4) and a heat-dissipation-side air passage (5) are defined in (3). Further, the cooling blower (6) and the heat radiating blower (7) are arranged on both sides of the cooling case (3) so as to sandwich the cold heat source module (8).

Even in such a configuration, during the cooling operation in which the flow of air is indicated by the dashed arrows, the thermoelectric element (9) is energized with the flaps (15b, 15b) closed, (6,7)
When starting, the air in the control panel (13) cools the heat sink
By circulating while passing through (10) at a low temperature, the heat of the heat radiation surface (9b) can be released into the outside air. Also, in the ventilation operation in which the flow of air is indicated by a solid line arrow, when both the flaps (15b, 16b) are open, and only the cooling blower (6) is started without energizing the thermoelectric element (9). Air in the control panel (13)
From (6), it is discharged into the outside air through the cooling heat sink (10) and the exhaust port (15a), and at the same time, from the intake port (16a) to the control panel.
(13) Since the outside air is sucked into the inside, the same effect as in the above-described example can be obtained.

Note that, in the example of FIG.
Cooling heat source module (8) and cooling fan (6)
Although arranged between (7), for example, a plurality of cold heat source modules (8) whose vertical dimension is smaller than that shown in the figure
May be arranged vertically above and below the two blowers (6, 7). In this case, the cooling / heating source modules (8) may be arranged with a narrow interval or may be arranged with an interval. In the case of disposing at intervals, an exhaust flap (15b) and an intake flap (16b) can be disposed between the respective cold heat source modules (8).

[0067]

Third Embodiment As shown in FIG. 7, the third embodiment of the present invention comprises an exhaust port (15a), an intake port (16a), and an exhaust flap.
(15b) and the intake flap (16b) are provided not in the cooling case (3) but in the housing (14) of the control panel (13), and a dedicated ventilation blower (18) is provided on the housing (14) side. It is a thing.

A cross flow fan is used for the ventilation blower (18). In the housing (14) of the control panel (13),
An intake port (16a) and an intake flap (16b) are provided on the cooling device (1) side of the ventilation blower (18), and the exhaust port (1) is provided on the anti-cooling device (1) side.
5a) and an exhaust flap (16b) are provided. The intake flap (16b) is configured to be able to open from the closed state to the inside of the control panel (13) by approximately 90 °, and the exhaust flap (15b) is inclined when opened, and Board (1
3) It is configured to serve as a guide for discharging the air inside.

The housing (14) of the control panel (13) includes:
In the figure, near the lower side of the ventilation fan (18) (the ventilation fan)
(18a) near the cooling device (1) side) (14a)
Is provided. The partition plate (14a) does not necessarily need to be provided, and the exhaust flap (16b) when opened is provided.
Can be substituted.

Even with such a configuration, the cooling operation can be performed in the same manner as in the above embodiments. In addition, the ventilation operation can be performed by opening both flaps (15b, 16b) and activating the ventilation blower (18), thereby flowing air as indicated by solid arrows. Thus both flaps
If (15b, 16b) and ventilation blower (18) are provided on the control panel (13) side, air in the control panel (13) can be ventilated more efficiently without passing through the cooling case (3) be able to.

[0071]

Other Embodiments of the Invention The present invention may be configured as follows with respect to the above embodiment. For example, in each of the above embodiments, a cooling device using a thermoelectric element has been described, but the present invention is applicable to cooling devices of other types.

In each of the above embodiments, except for the example shown in FIG. 6, the cooling heat source module is provided on two sides of the rectangular cooling case (3).
Although (8) has been described as being arranged opposite,
The cooling and heat source module (8) may be arranged on one side, three sides, or four sides of the rectangular cooling case (3). Furthermore, the cold heat source module (8) can be arranged in the cooling case (3) so as to be polygonal or annular.

In the above embodiment, the heat sink (1
0, 11) has a configuration in which a number of pin-shaped fins (10b, 11b) are integrally provided on a flat heat-receiving portion (10a, 11a).
(10b, 11b) may be plate-shaped instead of pin-shaped.

Further, the exhaust flap (15b) and the intake flap (16b) may be opened and closed by using a drive means such as a motor, but each flap (15b, 16b) is formed of a shape memory alloy, The inside of the cooling target machine such as the control panel (13) may be automatically opened and closed when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature.
Further, the opening / closing angle and other details of each flap (15b, 16b) are not limited to the illustrated example, and may be appropriately determined according to the device configuration.

In each of the above embodiments, the cooling fan (6)
In this example, both the centrifugal fan and the propeller fan are used as the centrifugal fan or the propeller fan, but it is also possible to use one as the centrifugal fan and the other as the propeller fan, and further, such as a cross flow fan or a sirocco fan. Other types of blowers may be used.

Further, in the first embodiment, the two blowers
Although (6, 7) is described as being driven by one fan motor (12), both blowers (6, 7) may be individually driven by two motors. When one fan motor (12) is used, the blade shape of each blower (6, 7) is symmetric as described above,
When two fan motors (12) are used, the blade shape can be the same.

When two motors are used, each motor is arranged on the suction side of each of the blowers (6, 7), away from the suction ports (4a, 5a), and each motor and the blowers (6, 7) Can be configured to be connected by a shaft and driven, or one can be arranged on the blow-out side as shown in FIG. 1 and the like, and the other can be arranged on the suction side. is there. If both motors are arranged on the suction side, the size of the cooling case (3) can be reduced.If one motor is arranged on the suction side and the other motor is arranged on the air outlet side, the design must be The degree of freedom can be increased.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the device driven by the storage battery only at the time of power failure (cooling target machine) has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to a device driven by the storage battery at both the normal time and the power failure. Applicable.

In each of the above embodiments, the cooling operation and the ventilation operation are switched between the normal operation (when driven by the main power supply) and the power failure (when the storage battery is driven), or the cooling operation and the ventilation operation are performed during the normal operation. The ventilation operation is performed selectively in the event of a power outage, but the cooling operation and ventilation operation are also performed in the control panel of a device that does not have a power supply (storage battery) for power outage (type that operates only during normal times). Is switched, it is possible to reduce power consumption.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side device arrangement diagram of a cooling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front-side device layout of the cooling device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a cold heat source module used in the cooling device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an equipment layout diagram showing a modification of the cooling device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a device arrangement of a cooling device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an equipment layout diagram showing a modification of the cooling device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side device arrangement diagram of a cooling device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Cooling device (2) Center plate (3) Cooling case (4) Cooling air passage (5) Radiating air passage (6) Cooling blower (cooling mechanism) (ventilation mechanism) (7) Radiation blower (cooling mechanism) (8) Cold heat source module (cooling mechanism) (9) Thermoelectric element (10) Cooling heat sink (11) Heat sink (12) Fan motor (13) Control panel (cooling target machine) (14) Housing (15a) Exhaust port (Ventilation mechanism) (15b) Exhaust flap (ventilation mechanism) (16a) Inlet (ventilation mechanism) (16b) Intake flap (ventilation mechanism) (17) Controller (control means) (18) Ventilation blower (ventilation mechanism)

Claims (10)

[Claims] At least at the time of a power failure, a cooling mechanism (6, 7) for cooling an internal space of the cooling target machine (13) is provided in a cooling case (3) mounted on the cooling target machine (13) driven by a storage battery. , 8)
A power supply for the cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) at least at the time of a power failure by the storage battery, and exhaust air for drawing air in the cooling target machine (13) to the outside air. mouth
(15a), an exhaust flap (15b) configured to open and close the exhaust port (15a), an intake port (16a) for introducing outside air into the cooling target machine (13), and the intake port (16a ) That can be opened and closed and an intake flap (16b) and a ventilation mechanism (6, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16
b, 18). 2. A ventilation fan (6, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b, 18) that ventilates air in the machine to be cooled (13) into the outside air through an exhaust port (15a). The cooling device according to claim 1, further comprising (18). 3. The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein the cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) includes a cooling blower (6), and the cooling blower (6) is configured to also serve as a ventilation blower. 4. A cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) comprising: a thermoelectric element (9); and a cooling heat sink (10) in contact with a cooling surface (9a) of the thermoelectric element (9).
And a cooling blower (6) that blows to the cooling heat sink (10)
, A radiating heat sink (11) in contact with the radiating surface (9b) of the thermoelectric element (9), and a radiating blower for blowing the radiating heat sink (11)
The cooling case (3) includes a cooling-side air passage (4) and a radiation-side air passage (5) separated from each other with the thermoelectric element (9) interposed therebetween, and a cooling target machine (13). Cooling side air passage communicating with the internal space of
A cooling heat sink (10) and a cooling blower (6) are arranged in (4), and a radiating heat sink (11) and a radiating blower (7) are arranged in a radiating air passage (5) communicating with the outside air, The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein the cooling blower (6) is configured to also serve as a ventilation blower. 5. The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein the ventilation mechanism (6, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b, 18) is provided in the cooling case (3). 6. The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein the ventilation mechanism (6, 15a, 15b, 16a, 16b, 18) is provided in the cooling target machine (13). 7. A ventilation operation for activating a blower (6, 18) and opening an exhaust flap (15) and an intake flap (16); closing both flaps (15, 16) and a cooling mechanism (6, 7,
Control means (1) to select the cooling operation that activates (8)
The cooling device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, further comprising (7). 8. The control means (17) comprising:
(13) performing a ventilation operation when the temperature of the internal space is lower than the temperature of the internal space and the temperature of the internal space is lower than a predetermined temperature,
The cooling device according to claim 7, wherein the cooling device is configured to perform a cooling operation when a temperature of an internal space of the cooling target machine (13) exceeds a predetermined temperature. 9. The cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) is configured to be driven by a main power supply during normal times, and to be driven by switching to a storage battery during a power outage. 8. The cooling device according to claim 7, wherein a cooling operation and a ventilation operation can be selectively performed by a main power supply at a time, and a ventilation operation is performed by a storage battery at a power failure. 10. The cooling mechanism (6, 7, 8) is configured to be driven by a main power supply during normal operation, and to be driven by switching to a storage battery during a power failure. 9. The cooling device according to claim 8, wherein the cooling device is configured to switch between a cooling operation and a ventilation operation by a main power supply at the time and by a storage battery at the time of a power failure.