JP2004020102A - Temperature regulator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suck an air with less resistance even if a temperature regulator is disposed in a relatively broad space but narrow in interval in the temperature regulator using a Peltier element. <P>SOLUTION: This temperature regulator is provided with first and second heat exchanging bodies 21 and 22 in parts in a heat absorbing side and a heat radiating side of the Peltier element 20 and first and second fans 18 and 23 driven to rotate around a rotating shaft core P1, which orthogonally crosses with the Peltier element, in opposite sides of the peltier element 20 in the first and the second heat exchanging bodies 21 and 22. This regulator is so constituted that the air is sucked from the outer circumferential parts of the first and the second heat exchanging bodies 21 and 22 by the rotation of the first and the second fans 18 and 23, passes through the first and the second heat exchanging bodies 21 and 22 to heat-exchanges therein, and is exhausted from the first and the second fans 18 and 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a structure of a temperature control device that discharges cold air or hot air using a Peltier device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a temperature control device using a Peltier element, a first heat exchanger is provided on one side of the Peltier element on the heat absorption side or the heat radiation side, and a second heat exchanger is provided on the other part of the Peltier element on the heat release side or heat absorption side. Some include a heat exchanger and a fan for the first and second heat exchangers. As a result, air flows into the first heat exchanger, passes through the first heat exchanger, undergoes heat exchange, and is discharged as cold air (or hot air). After passing through the exchanger, heat is exchanged and discharged as warm air (or cold air).
[0003]
Since the Peltier device as described above is relatively thin, the temperature control device can be made small. As a result, a temperature controller using a Peltier element may be provided, for example, on a vehicle seat, and a comfortable sitting comfort can be obtained by supplying cool air (or warm air) from the temperature controller to the surface of the seat. .
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the case where the temperature control device is provided in a seat back portion, for example, as described in the related art, a back surface of a pad member constituting the seat back portion and a back panel or a cover disposed on the back surface side of the pad member. In between, a temperature control device will be arranged.
[0005]
Since the space between the pad member and the back panel or the cover as described above is a relatively large space but a narrow space, a temperature control device is arranged between the pad member and the back panel or the cover. In this case, it is important whether or not the temperature control device can inhale air with low resistance in terms of sufficiently exhibiting the performance of the temperature control device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a temperature control device using a Peltier element so that even if the temperature control device is arranged in a relatively large space but at a small space, air can be sucked in with low resistance. The purpose is to improve the performance of the temperature control device.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[I]
According to the feature of the first aspect, the first heat exchanger is provided on one part on the heat absorption side or the heat dissipation side of the Peltier element, and the second heat exchanger is provided on the other part on the heat dissipation side or the heat absorption side of the Peltier element. A first fan that is rotatably driven around a rotation axis orthogonal to the Peltier element in a portion of the first heat exchanger opposite to the Peltier element, and a Peltier element in the second heat exchanger. On the opposite side, a temperature control device is provided with a second fan that is rotationally driven around a rotation axis orthogonal to the Peltier element.
Therefore, by the rotation of the first fan, air is sucked in from the outer peripheral portion of the first heat exchanger, passes through the first heat exchanger, exchanges heat, and is exhausted through the first fan. Due to the rotation of the second fan, air is sucked in from the outer peripheral portion of the second heat exchanger, passes through the second heat exchanger, undergoes heat exchange, and is discharged through the second fan.
[0007]
Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in the temperature control device, the first and second fans, the Peltier element, and the first and second heat exchangers are arranged along the direction of the rotation axis of the first and second fans. And a state in which the first and second fans, the Peltier element, and the first and second heat exchangers are extended in the radial direction from the rotation axes of the first and second fans. It becomes. In other words, the first and second fans are relatively small (thin) in the direction of the rotation axis and relatively large from the rotation axes of the first and second fans in the radial direction. The outer peripheral portions of the first and second heat exchangers face radially from the rotation axis of the two fans.
[0008]
[II]
In the state described in the above item [I], according to the feature of claim 1, when the temperature control device is arranged in a space that is relatively large but has a small space, the outer peripheral portions of the first and second heat exchangers are not arranged. If the temperature control device is set so as to face the direction in which the space spreads, the air is sucked from the outer peripheral portions of the first and second heat exchangers with low resistance.
[0009]
In this case, as described in the above item [I], in the temperature control device according to the first aspect, the first and second fans are relatively small (thin) in the direction of the rotation axis of the first and second fans. And the outer circumferences of the first and second heat exchangers are oriented radially from the rotation axes of the first and second fans. Setting the temperature control device such that the outer peripheral portions of the first and second heat exchangers are oriented in the direction in which the space spreads (the rotation axes of the first and second fans in the direction in which the space is narrow in the space). Setting the temperature control device to a position where the core is oriented) can be performed relatively easily.
[0010]
[III]
When the Peltier element and the first and second heat exchangers are disposed, the rectangular Peltier element, the first and second heat exchangers in plan view are disposed on the lower side of the propeller-shaped fan, and the air is propeller-shaped. It is conceivable that the fan is configured to flow linearly through the first and second heat exchangers. In this configuration, since the width of the air flow is not so large, the size of the first and second heat exchangers is also limited.
[0011]
On the other hand, according to the feature of the first aspect, as described in the above [I], the first and second fans, the Peltier element, the first and the second, in the radial direction from the rotation axes of the first and the second fans. The second heat exchanger is in a state of being extended, and the outer peripheral portions of the first and second heat exchangers are directed radially from the rotation axes of the first and second fans. Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which air is sucked from substantially all around the outer peripheral portion of the first and second heat exchangers, and the first and second heat exchangers are formed. It is possible to configure the heat exchanger to be relatively large, to supply air to the relatively large first and second heat exchangers, and to increase the heat exchange capacity in the temperature control device. Become.
[0012]
According to the feature of claim 1, the air heat exchanged by the first heat exchanger and the air heat exchanged by the second heat exchanger are separately discharged through the first and second fans. After passing through the first and second heat exchangers, the air heat exchanged by the first heat exchanger and the air exchanged by the second heat exchanger are discharged from each other while being separated from each other. Thus, according to the features of claim 1, after passing through the first and second heat exchangers, between the air heat exchanged by the first heat exchanger and the air exchanged by the second heat exchanger. There is no such thing that heat transfer occurs and the performance of the temperature control device deteriorates.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows a seat (a driver's seat and a passenger seat) of a passenger car. The seat includes a seat 1, a backrest 2, and a headrest 3. The seat 1 is configured by covering a surface of a pad member such as urethane foam with a skin made of air-permeable cloth (or made of vinyl leather or leather having many small holes).
[0014]
Next, the backrest 2 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the upper frame 4 in a gate shape in a front view, a vertical frame 5 connected to the right and left of the upper frame 4, a horizontal frame connected across the right and left vertical frames 5. Frames 6, 7; a cylindrical support portion 8 for mounting the headrest 3 connected to the upper frame 4; a spring 9, which is laid across the right and left vertical frames 5 and repeatedly bent in an S-shape; A frame body is constituted by the receiving portion 10 and the like for receiving the waist of the seated occupant connected to the lower horizontal frame 7.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 4, slits are partially formed in the right and left vertical frames 5, and the slitted portions are bent inward. As a result, hook-shaped mounting portions 5a are formed on the right and left vertical frames 5, openings 5b are formed at the positions of the mounting portions 5a in the right and left vertical frames 5, and the springs 9 are mounted on the mounting portions 5a. Installed.
[0016]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, a pad member 11 made of urethane foam or the like is attached to a frame body, and is made of air-permeable cloth (or vinyl leather or leather having many small holes). A skin 12 covers the surface of the pad member 11. A cover 13 made of air-permeable cloth (or made of vinyl leather or leather provided with a large number of small holes) is connected to the skin 12, and the back surface of the pad member 11 is spaced a predetermined distance from the back surface of the pad member 11. Cover 13 is arranged so as to cover.
[0017]
As a result, the back surface of the pad member 11 and the cover 13 form a relatively wide space (see FIG. 2) but a narrow space (see FIG. 4). In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the right and left lower portions 11c of the pad member 11 are opened because the recliner portion of the seat needs to be disposed (the recliner portion of the seat and the right and left vertical frames 5). , The horizontal frame 7 is present), air is sucked into the space between the back surface of the pad member 11 and the cover 13 through the right and left lower portions 11c of the pad member 11, and the air is The air is sucked into the space between the back surface of the pad member 11 and the cover 13 through the gaps between the parts.
[0018]
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, a Y-shaped groove-shaped air passage 11a is provided on the surface of the pad member 11, and the air passage 11a is covered with a skin 12, and a lower portion of the air passage 11a is provided. An air passage 11b is provided to extend between the air passage and the back surface of the pad member 11. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, a unit-shaped temperature control device 14 is provided, and the temperature control device 14 is attached to the spring 9, and the temperature control device 14 is disposed between the back surface of the pad member 11 and the cover 13. Are located. The first exhaust port 15b of the temperature control device 14 is inserted into the ventilation path 11b, and the temperature control device 14 (first case 15) is in contact with the back surface of the pad member 11 and the spring 9, and A second exhaust port 16b extends rearward from the cover 13.
[0019]
With the above structure, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, air in the space between the back surface of the pad member 11 and the cover 13 is moved from the outer peripheral portions of the first and second heat exchangers 21 and 22 to the temperature control device 14. The cold air (or warm air) that has been sucked into the air and that has been heat-exchanged in the temperature control device 14 is discharged from the first exhaust port 15b, supplied from the air blowing path 11b to the air blowing path 11a, passes through the skin 12, and forms a sheet. It flows to the seated crew. The exhaust air (hot air or cold air) that has undergone heat exchange in the temperature control device 14 flows rearward from the second exhaust port 16b.
[0020]
Next, the temperature control device 14 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a motor 17 is fixed to the center of a first case 15 made of a synthetic resin having a hollow ring shape, and the motor 17 enters a circular first intake port 15 a of the first case 15. In. A disk member 18a is mounted on a drive shaft 17a of the motor 17, and a large number of fins 18b are provided on the disk member 18a to form a first turbo fan 18. The motor 17 rotates the rotating shaft core P1 (Peltier element described later). The first turbo fan 18 is driven to rotate around (perpendicular to 20).
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a thin plate-like ring-shaped base member 21a made of metal (for example, aluminum alloy) and a large number of pins 21b made of metal (for example, aluminum alloy) are provided. The heat exchanger 21 is configured. The pin 21 b of the first heat exchanger 21 is fixed to the first case 15, and the first heat exchanger 21 is arranged so as to surround the motor 17. In the first heat exchanger 21, the pins 21b are arranged in a row at a predetermined interval (in the radial direction of the rotation axis P1), and the rows of the pins 21b are arranged at a predetermined interval (in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis P1). ) Is arranged radially with respect to the rotation axis P1.
[0022]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a thin flat ring-shaped heat insulator 19 is fixed to the base member 21 a of the first heat exchanger 21, and a thin flat ring-shaped Peltier element 20 is formed of a heat insulator. Inside 19, it is fixed to the base member 21a of the first heat exchanger 21. A ring-shaped heat insulating material 19 having a thin flat plate shape is fixed to the base member 21 a of the first heat exchanger 21 inside the Peltier element 20, and a drive shaft 17 a of the motor 17 penetrates the heat insulating material 19.
[0023]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a base member 22 a made of a metal (for example, an aluminum alloy) having a thin flat ring shape is fixed to the heat insulating material 19 and the Peltier element 20, and the base member 22 a is made of a metal (for example, A plurality of fins 22b of aluminum alloy or the like are provided to form the second heat exchanger 22. The drive shaft 17a of the motor 17 passes through the second heat exchanger 22. In the second heat exchanger 22, the pins 22b are arranged in a line at a predetermined interval (in the radial direction of the rotation axis P1), and the rows of the pins 22b are arranged at a predetermined interval (in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis P1). ) Is arranged radially with respect to the rotation axis P1.
[0024]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the outer diameters of the first and second heat exchangers 21 and 22 are set to be the same, but the height of the second heat exchanger 21 is higher than the height H1 of the first heat exchanger 21. The height H2 of the body 22 is set to be high. The inner diameter of the first heat exchanger 21 is set to be larger than the inner diameter of the second heat exchanger 22, and the width W2 of the second heat exchanger 22 is larger than the width W1 of the first heat exchanger 21. It is set to a large one. Thereby, the ratio of the heat exchange area of the first heat exchanger 21 to the heat exchange area of the second heat exchanger 22 is set to, for example, 1: 3.
[0025]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a second case 16 made of a synthetic resin and having a hollow ring shape is fixed to the pin 22 b of the second heat exchanger 22. The drive shaft 17a of the motor 17 enters the opening 16a. The disk member 23a is attached to the drive shaft 17a of the motor 17, the disk member 23a is provided with a large number of fins 23b, and a second turbo fan 23 is configured. The motor 17 rotates the second turbo fan 23 around the rotation axis P1. The fan 23 is driven to rotate.
[0026]
In this case, as shown in FIG. 6, the first intake port 15a of the first case 15 is set to be larger than the second intake port 16a of the second case 16. Outer diameters of first and second turbo fans 18, 23, heights of fins 18b, 23b of first and second turbo fans 18, 23, number of fins 18b, 23b of first and second turbo fans 18, 23 Are set to be the same, but the inner diameter of the fins 23b of the second turbofan 23 is set to be smaller than the inner diameter of the fins 18b of the first turbofan 18, so that the width of the fins 18b of the first turbofan 18 The width of the fins 23b of the second turbo fan 23 is set to be larger than that of the second turbo fan 23.
[0027]
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first and second turbofans 18 and 23 are located at positions tangential to the rotation of the first and second turbofans 18 and 23 from portions of the outer peripheral portions of the first and second cases 15 and 16. Exhaust ports 15b and 16b are provided. The first and second exhaust ports 15b, 16b of the first and second cases 15, 16 are set in parallel to the rotation axis P1 and in opposite directions to each other, and the phases around the rotation axis P1 differ by 180 °. I have.
[0028]
As shown by arrow X1 in FIG. 5, the first and second turbo fans 18, 23 are driven to rotate clockwise in FIG. 5, and the first and second cases 15, 16 and the first and second turbo fans 18, 23 are rotated. The distance between the outer circumferences of the turbofans 18 and 23 (the distance in the radial direction of the rotation axis P1) gradually increases along the direction of the arrow X1, and the first and second exhausts of the first and second cases 15, 16 are increased. It is configured to reach the mouths 15b and 16b.
[0029]
With the above structure, it is assumed that a predetermined voltage is applied to the Peltier element 20 such that the first heat exchanger 21 is on the heat absorbing side and the second heat exchanger 22 is on the heat releasing side in the Peltier element 20. When the first and second turbo fans 18 and 23 are driven to rotate in this state, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, air is sucked in from the outer peripheral portion of the first heat exchanger 21 and the first heat exchanger It flows inside 21. The air that has flowed into the first heat exchanger 21 is cooled by heat exchange with the first heat exchanger 21, is drawn into the first case 15 from the first air inlet 15 a of the first case 15, and is cooled by the first turbo fan. 18 and is discharged from the first exhaust port 15b of the first case 15. Air is sucked in from the outer peripheral portion of the second heat exchanger 22 and flows inside the second heat exchanger 22, and the air flowing into the second heat exchanger 22 is exchanged with the second heat exchanger 22 by heat exchange. Exhaust air (warm air) is drawn into the second case 16 from the first intake port 16a of the second case 16, and is discharged from the second exhaust port 16b of the second case 16 through the second turbo fan 23. .
[0030]
Contrary to the above, when a predetermined voltage is applied to the Peltier element 20 so that the first heat exchanger 21 is on the heat dissipation side and the second heat exchanger 22 is on the heat absorption side, the temperature is increased. The wind is exhausted from the first exhaust port 15b of the first case 15, and the exhaust air (cool air) is exhausted from the second exhaust port 16b of the second case 16. If no voltage is applied to the Peltier element 20, the heat exchange function of the temperature control device 14 is stopped, and the normal-temperature air is discharged from the first exhaust port 15b of the first case 15.
[0031]
[First Embodiment of the Invention]
In the above [Embodiment of the invention], the first and second turbofans 18 and 23 are used. However, instead of the first and second turbofans 18 and 23, the first and second sirocco fans ( (Not shown) may be used.
[0032]
[Second Alternative Embodiment of the Invention]
In the above [Embodiment of the invention] and [First embodiment of the invention], the following [1] to [3] may be adopted.
[0033]
[1] With the outer diameter (or inner diameter) of the first and second heat exchangers 21 and 22 and the heights H1 and H2 of the first and second heat exchangers 21 and 22 set to be the same, the first heat The width W2 of the second heat exchanger 22 is set to be larger than the width W1 of the exchanger 21 (the ratio of the width W1 of the first heat exchanger 21 to the width W2 of the second heat exchanger 22 is, for example, 1: 3).
[0034]
[2] With the inner and outer diameters of the first and second heat exchangers 21 and 22 and the heights H1 and H2 of the first and second heat exchangers 21 and 22 set to be the same, the first heat exchanger The number of pins 22b of the second heat exchanger 22 is set to be larger than the number of pins 21b of the second heat exchanger 21 (the number of pins 21b of the first heat exchanger 21 and the number of pins 22b of the second heat exchanger 22). Is, for example, 1: 3).
[0035]
[3] As described in [1], the ratio of the width W1 of the first heat exchanger 21 to the width W2 of the second heat exchanger 22 is set to 1: 2 without setting the ratio to, for example, 1: 3. When set, as described in [2] above, the ratio between the number of pins 21b of the first heat exchanger 21 and the number of pins 22b of the second heat exchanger 22 is not set to, for example, 1: 3. When the ratio is set to 1: 2, the materials of the first and second heat exchangers 21 and 22 are changed so that the heat conductivity of the second heat exchanger 22 is higher than the heat conductivity of the first heat exchanger 21. Set the rate higher.
[0036]
As described in the above-mentioned [Embodiment of the Invention], [First Embodiment of the Invention], and [Second Embodiment of the Invention], the temperature control device 14 of the present invention includes a seat backrest portion. It can be used not only for the seat 2 but also for the seat 1 of the seat.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, in the temperature control device using the Peltier element, the air is sucked from the outer peripheral portions of the first and second heat exchangers, so that the space is relatively large, but the space is large. When the temperature control device is arranged in a narrow space, it is possible to easily perform a configuration in which the air is sucked with low resistance, and the performance of the temperature control device can be sufficiently exhibited.
[0038]
According to the features of the first aspect, the first and second heat exchangers can be configured to be relatively large, and the heat exchange capacity in the temperature control device can be increased. After passing through the first and second heat exchangers, the temperature control device is characterized in that heat does not easily transfer between the air heat exchanged by the first heat exchanger and the air exchanged by the second heat exchanger. Was able to increase the performance.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is an overall perspective view of a seat; FIG. 2 is a rear view of a seat back portion; FIG. 3 is a longitudinal side view of a seat back portion; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view of a seat back portion; FIG. Longitudinal rear view of device [Figure 6] Cross-sectional plan view of temperature control device [Explanation of reference numerals]
18 First fan 20 Peltier element 21 First heat exchanger 22 Second heat exchanger 23 Second fan P1 Rotation axis

Claims (1)

A first heat exchanger is provided on one part of the Peltier element on the heat absorption side or the heat dissipation side, and a second heat exchanger is provided on the other part of the Peltier element on the heat dissipation side or the heat absorption side,
A first fan that is rotationally driven around a rotation axis orthogonal to the Peltier element, at a portion of the first heat exchanger opposite to the Peltier element;
A portion of the second heat exchanger opposite to the Peltier element is provided with a second fan that is driven to rotate around a rotation axis orthogonal to the Peltier element,
Due to the rotation of the first fan, air is sucked in from the outer periphery of the first heat exchanger, passes through the first heat exchanger, exchanges heat, and is exhausted through the first fan. Configured to
By the rotation of the second fan, air is sucked in from the outer peripheral portion of the second heat exchanger, passes through the second heat exchanger, exchanges heat, and is exhausted through the second fan. Temperature control device configured in.

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