JP2007303460A - Latent heat accumulator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a latent heat accumulator improving certainty of heat accumulating/discharge operation of latent heat. <P>SOLUTION: This latent heat accumulator 120 has a latent heat accumulating material vessel 130 and a core generator 140. The core generator 140 is stored in the latent heat accumulating material vessel 130 being a sealed vessel. The core generator 140 has a coil 141, a first casing 142, a second casing 143 and a trigger member 145. The second casing 143 is movably constituted while being guided by the first casing 142 in response to the existence of current-carrying of the coil 141. The first casing 142 and the second casing 143 approach by the current-carrying of the coil 141. At this time, the latent heat is discharged from a latent heat accumulating material LM of a supercooled state stored in the latent heat accumulating material vessel 130, when the trigger member 145 being a plate spring sandwiched between the first casing 142 and the second casing 143 is pressed and elastically deformed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a latent heat storage device configured to releasably hold latent heat.

  2. Description of the Related Art A latent heat storage device having a configuration using a latent heat storage and release action by a so-called latent heat storage material is known. The latent heat storage material is a substance that can retain the latent heat in a supercooled state and can release the latent heat by releasing the supercooled state by some external stimulus.

As the latent heat storage material, for example, sodium acetate trihydrate (CH ₃ COONa · 3H ₂ O) is known. Even if sodium acetate trihydrate is heated to a temperature higher than the melting point (58 ° C.) and melted to become a liquid phase and then cooled to a temperature considerably lower than the melting point (for example, about −10 ° C.), The latent heat can be stored by becoming a gel without transferring. If any electrical or mechanical stimulus is given to the supercooled gelled sodium acetate trihydrate, the supercooled state is released. That is, a phase transition from the gel phase to the solid phase occurs, and latent heat is released.

  This type of latent heat storage device is configured to release the supercooled state by applying electrical or mechanical stimulation to the latent heat storage material in the supercooled state. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-182393 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-105219 (Patent Document 2) disclose an example of a prior art of this type of latent heat storage device. The former gives an electrical impact to the latent heat storage material, and the latter gives a mechanical impact to the latent heat storage material.

  In a device (rapid warm-up device for an internal combustion engine) described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-182393 (Patent Document 1), a heat storage material storage chamber in which the latent heat storage material is stored is formed in a cylinder block of the engine. ing. The heat storage material accommodation chamber is provided so as to surround the cylinder. Further, a pair of electrodes connected to a predetermined power source are arranged so as to be exposed in the latent heat storage material.

  In such a configuration, a predetermined voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes during cold start. Thereby, an electrical impact is given to the latent heat storage material in the supercooled state. By this electrical shock, the supercooled state in the latent heat storage material is released, and the stored latent heat is released. On the other hand, after the warm-up is completed, the latent heat storage material is melted by heat transfer from the cylinder block. Thereby, the latent heat is stored in the latent heat storage material.

  A device (thermal energy storage and transmission device) described in JP-A-63-105219 (Patent Document 2) is interposed in a cooling water passage of an engine, and includes a heating container, a heat insulating container, an active material, The communication part and the on-off valve are provided.

  The heating container contains the sodium acetate-based latent heat storage material as described above. The heat insulating container is provided adjacent to the heating container. The heat insulating container contains an active material. The active material is configured to be capable of causing the latent heat storage material to undergo a phase transition from a supercooled gel phase to a solid phase by contacting the latent heat storage material. Specifically, this active material is composed of a crystal (solid) of the latent heat storage material.

  The communication part is formed so that the heating container and the heat insulating container can communicate with each other. The on-off valve is disposed in the communication part. This on-off valve is fixed to the tip of a rod that is actuated by an actuator. The rod is provided so as to penetrate the heat insulating container.

  The operation according to this configuration is as follows. At the time of engine start, the actuator operates the rod so that the on-off valve causes the communication portion to communicate. Thereby, the gel-like latent heat storage material in a supercooled state in the heating container is solidified by contacting with the active body. Due to the phase transition of the latent heat storage material from the gel phase to the solid phase, the latent heat is released from the latent heat storage material. The cooling water is heated by the released latent heat. That is, warm-up is promoted.

On the other hand, after the warm-up is completed, the latent heat storage material is heated to a temperature higher than the melting point by the cooling water. Then, the latent heat storage material undergoes a phase transition from the solid phase to the liquid phase. Thereafter, the communication portion is closed by the on-off valve. Thereby, the latent heat is stored in the latent heat storage material after the engine is stopped.
JP 11-182393 A JP-A-63-105219

  However, the above-described conventional latent heat storage device has various problems.

  In an apparatus configuration using electrical stimulation as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-182393 (Patent Document 1), in order to improve the certainty of releasing the supercooled state in the latent heat storage material. In addition, silver or a silver alloy is used as at least an anode (more preferably an anode and a cathode) of the electrodes. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the latent heat storage device increases.

  Even if this silver anode is used, the reliability of the release of the supercooled state of the latent heat storage material is poor. That is, when a voltage is applied, the surface of the silver anode is covered with silver oxide by an electrochemical reaction in the silver anode. When the silver anode is thus covered with silver oxide, it becomes difficult to release the supercooled state by the silver anode thereafter.

  On the other hand, in an apparatus configuration using mechanical stimulation as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-105219 (Patent Document 2), the above-described overcooling state cancellation principle itself is caused. It can be said that the reliability of the operation is higher than that of the device configuration using electrical stimulation in that the problems over time are suppressed.

  However, in such an apparatus configuration, in order to give a mechanical impact to the latent heat storage material, there is a member that operates through a container that stores the latent heat storage material. There was a problem of sealing performance such as mixing of impurities and leakage of the latent heat storage material at a location where this member penetrates the container.

  Specifically, in the configuration described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-105219 (Patent Document 2), the latent heat storage material may leak out at a location where the rod penetrates the heat insulating container. obtain. In particular, when this device is disposed in the cooling water passage of the engine, the cooling water can enter the heat insulating container and the heating container from the cooling water passage. In this case, impurities are mixed into the latent heat storage material. Due to the mixing of the impurities, the latent heat storage / release action of the latent heat storage material may be hindered.

  Further, in the configuration described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-105219 (Patent Document 2), before the cold start, the communication part is not sufficiently blocked by the on-off valve, so that the activator is mistaken. May come into contact with the latent heat storage material. In this case, the supercooled state in the latent heat storage material is inadvertently canceled before cold start. As a result, before the cold start, the latent heat storage material is in a state where the latent heat is not retained. Therefore, even if the on-off valve is operated during a subsequent cold start, the engine start cannot be accelerated thermally.

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention

  An object of the present invention is to provide the latent heat storage device with improved reliability of the latent heat storage / release operation.

  (1) The latent heat storage device of the present invention is configured to hold the latent heat in a releasable manner. This latent heat storage device includes a latent heat storage material, a latent heat storage material container, and a supercooling release unit.

  The latent heat storage material can hold the latent heat in a supercooled state, and can release the latent heat when the supercooled state is released. The latent heat storage material container is a sealed container, and a latent heat storage material storage chamber which is a space in which the latent heat storage material can be stored in a liquid-tight manner is formed inside. That is, the latent heat storage material is liquid-tightly stored in the latent heat storage material storage chamber of the latent heat storage material container. The said supercooling cancellation | release part is arrange | positioned in the said latent heat storage material container, and is comprised so that the said supercooling state of the said latent heat storage material can be cancelled | released.

  The supercooling release unit includes a coil, a first casing, a second casing, a guide unit, and a trigger member.

  The first casing is made of a magnetic material, and includes a core part and a coil support part. The core portion is formed to protrude so as to be inserted through the center of the coil. The said coil support part is a recessed part formed in the circumference | surroundings of the said core part, Comprising: It is comprised so that the said coil can be supported.

  The second casing is a flat plate member made of a magnetic material. The second casing is disposed so as to face the coil and the core part with a gap communicating with the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber.

  The guide portion is configured to guide relative movement between the first casing and the second casing between the separated state and the proximity state. Here, the separated state is a state where the coil is not energized and the gap is maximized. The proximity state is a state in which the gap is minimized by energizing the coil and generating a magnetic attractive force between the first casing and the second casing.

  The trigger member is disposed in the gap. The trigger member is configured to be able to release the supercooled state in the latent heat storage material by being pressed between the first casing and the second casing in the proximity state.

  That is, the feature of the present invention is that the supercooling release portion includes the coil, the first casing, the second casing, the guide portion, and the trigger member, and the latent heat storage material. It exists in the container. The operation of the latent heat storage device of the present invention having such a configuration is as follows.

  When the coil is not energized, the first casing and the second casing are in the separated state. That is, the gap is the maximum.

  When the coil is energized, a magnetic flux is generated that penetrates the core of the first casing. Thereby, a magnetic attractive force is generated between the first casing and the second casing. Then, the first casing and the second casing are relatively moved so as to be close to each other, and the gap is narrowed. In the proximity state, the gap is minimized. In this case, the trigger member disposed in the gap is pressed between the second casing.

  Thus, when the trigger member is pressed, the supercooled state of the latent heat storage material in the gap and in the vicinity of the trigger member is released. The influence of the release of the supercooled state of the latent heat storage material at a specific portion in the gap is exerted on the latent heat storage material in the entire gap and in the entire latent heat storage material accommodation chamber communicated with the gap. As a result, the supercooled state of the latent heat storage material in the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber is released, and the stored latent heat is released.

  In this configuration, the supercooling release unit is disposed in the latent heat storage material container that is a sealed container. That is, there is no member that moves while penetrating the latent heat storage material container during the release operation of the supercooled state. Therefore, according to such a configuration, leakage of the latent heat storage material from the latent heat storage material container and entry of impurities into the latent heat storage material container during the release operation of the supercooled state can be suppressed. .

  Moreover, according to this structure, the said trigger member and said 1st casing and said 2nd casing for pressing the said trigger member are comprised as one unit. Therefore, the positioning of the first casing, the second casing, and the trigger member can be reliably performed with a simple device configuration. Therefore, the trigger member can be pressed by energizing the coil, and the operation of releasing the supercooling state in the latent heat storage material by the pressing can be performed more reliably.

  Furthermore, according to this configuration, the trigger member can be pressed with a smaller magnetic force by making the gap in the separated state as small as possible. Thus, the coil can be easily reduced in size and power consumption.

  Thus, according to the present invention, the reliability of the latent heat storage / release operation can be further improved using a simpler device configuration.

  (2) The second casing may be formed with a communication hole that allows the gap and the latent heat storage material storage chamber to communicate with each other.

  According to this configuration, the influence of the release of the supercooled state of the latent heat storage material in the gap is quickly exerted on the latent heat storage material in the entire latent heat storage material accommodation chamber through the communication hole. Thereby, cancellation | release of the said supercooled state and discharge | release of the said latent heat can be performed more rapidly.

  (3) The trigger member may be composed of a plate spring-like member. That is, the trigger member is configured to be able to release the supercooled state in the latent heat storage material by being elastically deformed by being pressed between the first casing and the second casing in the proximity state. It may be.

  According to such a configuration, the transition from the proximity state to the separation state when the energization to the coil is interrupted can be performed more reliably and smoothly using the elastic force of the trigger member. Therefore, the certainty of the release operation of the supercooled state can be further improved.

  (4) The guide portion may include a flange portion, a cylindrical portion, and a stopper portion. Here, the said flange part is integrally formed so that it may extend outside from one edge part of said 1st casing and said 2nd casing. The cylindrical portion is integrally formed so as to surround the flange portion from the other end portion different from the one of the first casing and the second casing. The stopper portion is integrally formed so as to extend inward from the end portion of the cylindrical portion. The stopper portion is configured to prevent the second casing from being detached from the first casing by contacting the flange portion in the separated state.

  And the said guide part can guide the relative movement of the said 1st casing and the said 2nd casing between the said separation state and the said proximity state, making the said flange part and the said cylindrical part contact. It is configured as follows.

  According to this configuration, a substantially closed magnetic circuit can be formed so as to connect the contact portion between the flange portion, the stopper portion, and the cylindrical portion, the core portion, and the second casing. Thereby, leakage magnetic flux is reduced and the trigger member can be pressed with a smaller magnetic force. Thus, the coil can be easily reduced in size and power consumption.

  (5) When the latent heat storage material container is an engine cylinder block, the cylinder block is provided with an attachment hole, which is a through hole for attaching the supercooling release portion. In this case, the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber is formed of a space (such as a water jacket) provided inside the cylinder block.

  The attachment hole is formed to communicate the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber with the outside of the cylinder block. Then, the supercooling release portion is attached to the cylinder block by liquid-tightly attaching the first casing to the attachment hole so that the trigger member is disposed in the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber. ing.

  In this configuration, the supercooling release unit can be attached to and detached from the cylinder block from the outside of the cylinder block. Accordingly, maintenance work such as replacement of the trigger member can be easily performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (embodiments that the applicant considers best at the time of filing of the present application) will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Schematic configuration of engine>
FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a cross section perpendicular to the cylinder arrangement direction for explaining the internal configuration of a multi-cylinder engine 100 to which a latent heat storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. The engine 100 includes an engine block 110. The engine block 110 is a member that constitutes the main body of the engine 100.

  The engine block 110 includes a cylinder head 111. A cylinder head water jacket 111 a is formed in the cylinder head 111. This cylinder head water jacket 111 a is a flow path of the coolant C for cooling the engine 100.

  The cylinder head water jacket 111a is formed in the vicinity of the intake port 111b which is a passage of the fuel mixture before combustion. The cylinder head water jacket 111a is also formed at a position near the exhaust port 111c, which is a passage for discharging the gas after combustion. Further, the cylinder head water jacket 111a is also formed at a position between an intake valve 111d arranged to open and close the intake port 111b and an exhaust valve 111e arranged to open and close the exhaust port 111c.

  The engine block 110 includes a cylinder block 112. The cylinder block 112 is formed with a block bore 112a which is a cylindrical through hole along the height direction (vertical direction in the drawing) of the engine 100. A thin cylindrical cylinder liner 112b is inserted into the block bore 112a. A cylinder 112c is formed by a space inside the cylinder liner 112b. A piston 112d is accommodated in the cylinder 112c so as to be capable of reciprocating along the height direction of the engine 100.

  A cylinder block water jacket 112 e that is a flow path for the coolant C is formed on the upper portion of the cylinder block 112. The cylinder block water jacket 112e is formed so as to surround the upper part of the cylinder 112c and the upper part of the cylinder liner 112b.

  The cylinder head 111 and the cylinder block 112 are joined via a gasket 113. The gasket 113 is provided with a through hole 113a through which the coolant C can pass. The through hole 113a is formed so that the coolant C can be exchanged between the cylinder block water jacket 112e and the cylinder head water jacket 111a.

<Configuration of latent heat storage device>
A latent heat storage device 120 is accommodated in the cylinder block water jacket 112e. The latent heat storage device 120 includes a latent heat storage material container 130 and a nucleation device 140.

<< Latent heat storage material container >>
The latent heat storage material container 130 is configured as a sealed container including a latent heat storage material accommodation chamber 130a, which is a space in which the latent heat storage material LM can be stored in a liquid-tight manner. The latent heat storage material container 130 is accommodated in the cylinder block water jacket 112e so that a gap through which the coolant C can pass is formed between the latent heat storage material container 130 and the inner wall surface of the cylinder block water jacket 112e.

  The latent heat storage material LM can retain latent heat in a supercooled state where the gel phase is maintained at a temperature lower than the melting point, and the latent heat is released by phase transition to a solid phase after the supercooled state is released. It is a substance that can release That is, the latent heat storage material LM is heated to a temperature exceeding the melting point, becomes a liquid phase, and then cools to a temperature equal to or lower than the melting point without causing a phase change in the solid phase while maintaining the latent heat. It is a substance having the characteristic of maintaining the state of (i.e., supercoolability). The latent heat storage material LM is a substance that can release the latent heat when the supercooled state is released by an external stimulus in a state lower than the melting point.

The latent heat storage material LM used in the present embodiment is a substance having a melting point lower than the temperature of the coolant C after warming up (for example, about 82 ° C.). Specifically, the latent heat storage material LM in the present embodiment is composed of sodium acetate trihydrate (CH ₃ COONa · 3H ₂ O) having a melting point of 58 ° C. The latent heat storage material LM is configured such that the supercooled state can be maintained even when cooled to about −10 ° C.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the latent heat storage device 120 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 2, the latent heat storage material container 130 is formed of a thin plate of SUS304 that is a non-magnetic material. The latent heat storage material container 130 includes an outer side plate 131, an inner side plate 132, a horizontal plate 133, and a conductive wire seal portion 134.

  The outer side plate 131 and the inner side plate 132 are formed in a shape in which a plurality of cylinders are arranged in a row so as to overlap each other and smoothly joined together. A horizontal plate 133 is integrally connected to the upper and lower ends of the outer side plate 131 and the inner side plate 132. The space surrounded by the outer side plate 131, the inner side plate 132, and the pair of horizontal plates 133 forms the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber 130a.

  At least one nucleation device 140 is accommodated in the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber 130a. A conductor seal portion 134 is provided at a location where the conductor SL connecting the nucleation device 140 and an engine control computer (not shown) passes through the outer side plate 131. The conducting wire seal portion 134 is configured to be able to seal the portion in a liquid-tight manner.

<< nucleation device >>
Referring again to FIG. 1, the nucleation device 140 as the supercooling release unit is disposed in the latent heat storage material container 130. That is, the nucleation device 140 is accommodated in the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber 130a. The nucleation device 140 is configured as follows so that the supercooled state in the latent heat storage material LM can be released.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the nucleation device 140 shown in FIG. Here, FIG. 3A is a side sectional view of the nucleation device 140. Referring to FIG. 3A, a coil 141 is accommodated inside the nucleation device 140. The coil 141 is fixed to the first casing 142.

  The first casing 142 is a substantially flat member, and includes a core part 142a, a coil support part 142b, and a flange part 142c. The first casing 142 is integrally formed of SUS304 that is a magnetic material.

  The core part 142 a is formed so as to protrude through the center of the coil 141. That is, the core part 142 a is a member that constitutes the iron core of the coil 141. Around the core portion 142a, a coil support portion 142b, which is a recess capable of accommodating the coil 141, is formed. The coil 141 is supported by the first casing 142 by accommodating the coil 141 in the coil support portion 142b.

  A flange portion 142c is provided outside the coil support portion 142b. That is, the flange portion 142c is formed so as to protrude outward at the upper end portion and the end edge portion of the first casing 142 in the drawing. The outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 142c and the outer peripheral surface of the first casing 142 below the flange portion 142c in the drawing are formed as the outer surface of a straight tube without a taper.

  The second casing 143 is arranged so as to face the core 142a and the coil support 142b in the first casing 142. The 2nd casing 143 is a substantially flat member integrally formed by SUS304 which is a magnetic body. The second casing 143 is formed as follows so as to cover the core portion 142a, the coil support portion 142b, and the flange portion 142c in the first casing 142.

  The coil facing part 143a is a flat plate member constituting a main part of the second casing 143, and is disposed so as to face the core part 142a and the coil support part 142b in the first casing 142. A plurality of communication holes 143a1 as through holes are formed in the coil facing portion 143a.

<<< Guide part for relative movement of first casing and second casing >>>
A cylindrical portion 143b is integrally formed at the end edge of the coil facing portion 143a. The cylindrical portion 143b is formed so as to protrude downward from the end of the coil facing portion 143a so as to surround the flange portion 142c of the first casing 142.

  The inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 143b is formed so as to move relative to the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 142c along the axial direction (vertical direction in the drawing). That is, the inner periphery of the cylindrical part 143b and the outer periphery of the flange part 142c are formed so as to be slidable with each other with a predetermined fitting dimension.

  The upper end portion in the figure on the inner periphery of the cylindrical portion 143b is formed in a tapered shape so that the rising position in the drawing of the flange portion 142c in the first casing 142 can be regulated. That is, the taper lower end portion 143b1 is in contact with the upper end portion of the flange portion 142c in the drawing so that the positional relationship between the first casing 142 and the second casing 143 in the closest state (proximity state) can be defined. In addition, a cylindrical portion 143b in the second casing 143 and a flange portion 142c in the first casing 142 are configured.

  A stopper portion 143c is integrally formed so as to extend inward from the lower end portion of the cylindrical portion 143b in the drawing. The stopper portion 143c is configured such that the first casing 142 is detached from the second casing 143 by contacting the flange portion 142c in a state where the first casing 142 and the second casing 143 are most separated (separated state). It is configured so that it can be deterred.

  That is, the flange portion 142c in the first casing 142 and the cylindrical portion 143b and the stopper portion 143c in the second casing 143 are in contact with each other and are in the first casing 142 between the separated state and the proximity state. And the second casing 143 are configured to guide relative movement.

  Here, the separated state is a state in which the coil 141 is not energized and the gap 144 formed between the first casing 142 and the second casing 143 is maximized. The proximity state is a state in which the gap 144 is minimized by energizing the coil 141 and generating a magnetic attractive force between the first casing 142 and the second casing 143.

<<<< Trigger member >>>>
The above-described gap 144 is formed so as to communicate with the space outside the nucleation device 140 (latent heat storage material storage chamber 130a in FIG. 1) through the communication hole 143a1. A trigger member 145 is disposed in the gap 144.

  The trigger member 145 is a leaf spring-like member, and is configured by a thin plate of SUS304 that is a non-magnetic material. That is, the trigger member 145 is configured to be able to urge the first casing 142 and the second casing 143 toward the separated state. The trigger member 145 is pressed between the first casing 142 and the second casing 143 in the proximity state and is elastically deformed to release the supercooled state in the latent heat storage material LM (see FIG. 1). In order to obtain, it is comprised as follows.

  FIG. 3B is a side sectional view of the trigger member 145 shown in FIG. FIG. 3C is a plan view of the trigger member 145 shown in FIG. 3B (a plan view when the trigger member 145 is mounted in a horizontal plane). Referring to FIGS. 3A to 3C, the trigger member 145 includes a dish-like portion 145a and a leg portion 145b.

  The dish-like portion 145 a is formed in a curved state so as to protrude toward the first casing 142. The leg portion 145b is provided so as to extend outward from the end edge of the dish-like portion 145a.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of leg portions 145b are formed in a narrow tongue shape projecting outward. And the latent heat storage material channel | path 145c which is a channel | path through which the latent heat storage material LM (refer FIG. 1) can pass is formed of the space between adjacent leg parts 145b. The dish-shaped portion 145a has a large number of notches 145d. The notch 145d is configured such that the supercooled state in the latent heat storage material LM (see FIG. 1) in the vicinity thereof can be released by elastically deforming the dish-like portion 145a.

<Operation of Engine of Embodiment>
Hereinafter, the operation of the engine 100 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. Here, FIG. 4 is an enlarged side cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along a cross section perpendicular to the cylinder arrangement direction) of the nucleation device 140 shown in FIG. FIG. 4A shows the separated state. FIG. 4B shows the proximity state.

  First, referring to FIG. 1, after the warm-up, when the temperature of the coolant C is higher than a predetermined warm-up end temperature (for example, about 82 ° C.), it is accommodated in the latent heat storage material container 130. The entire amount of the latent heat storage material LM (sodium acetate trihydrate: melting point 58 ° C.) is heated to a temperature exceeding the melting point by the coolant C in the cylinder block water jacket 112e to become a liquid phase.

  Thereafter, the engine 100 is stopped, and the coolant C in the cylinder block 112 and the cylinder block water jacket 112e is reduced to about the outside air temperature. In this case, the latent heat storage material LM does not change to a solid phase but is in a gel phase state. That is, the latent heat storage material LM stores the latent heat by being in the supercooled state.

  While engine 100 is stopped, nucleation device 140 (coil 141 in FIG. 3A) is not energized. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 4A, the nucleation device 140 has the gap 144 between the first casing 142 and the second casing 143 maximized by the elastic force of the trigger member 145. Is held in the separated state.

  Here, when the engine 100 is restarted and the warm-up operation is performed, the nucleation device 140 (coil 141) is energized. Then, a closed magnetic circuit MC is formed as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Due to the formation of the magnetic circuit MC, a strong magnetic force is generated between the core portion 142a and the coil facing portion 143a. Due to this magnetic force, the first casing 142 and the second casing 143 are relatively moved against each other against the elastic force of the trigger member 145. And the nucleation apparatus 140 is set to the said proximity | contact state because the flange part 142c contact | abuts with the taper lower end part 143b1.

  In the proximity state, the trigger member 145 is elastically deformed by being pressed between the first casing 142 and the second casing 143. Due to the elastic deformation of the trigger member 145 (the dish-like portion 145a in FIG. 3B), the supercooled state in the latent heat storage material LM in the vicinity of the notch 145d (see FIG. 3C) is released, and a minute solid state is released. Phase nuclei are formed. When the nucleus comes into contact with the surrounding latent heat storage material LM in the supercooled state, the supercooled state of the latent heat storage material LM around the nucleus is released one after another. In this way, the supercooled state in the latent heat storage material LM in the gap 144 is released.

  And the influence of cancellation | release of the said supercooled state in the latent heat storage material LM in the gap 144 is exerted on the whole latent heat storage material LM in the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber 130a through the communication hole 143a1. Thus, the latent heat stored in the latent heat storage material LM is released by releasing the supercooled state of the latent heat storage material LM in a chain reaction.

  Referring to FIG. 1 again, the latent heat radiated from the latent heat storage material LM is transmitted to the upper part of the cylinder block 112 via the coolant C in the cylinder block water jacket 112e around the latent heat storage material container 130. Thereby, warm-up at the time of cold start is accelerated | stimulated.

  Further, the coolant C warmed by the latent heat released as described above flows into the cylinder head water jacket 111a of the cylinder head 111, so that the positions near the intake port 111b and the intake valve 111d of the cylinder head 111 are warmed. It is done. As a result, it is possible to suppress the vaporized fuel from condensing and adhering to the inner wall of the intake port 111b and the surface of the intake valve 111d as much as possible at the time of cold start. Can be suppressed.

<Effects of Configuration of Embodiment>
Hereinafter, effects of the configuration of the present embodiment as described above will be described.

  1 and 4, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the latent heat storage material container in which the nucleation device 140 configured to release the supercooled state of the latent heat storage material LM is a sealed container. 130. That is, in such a configuration, there is no member that moves while penetrating the latent heat storage material container 130 during the operation of releasing the supercooled state of the latent heat storage material LM.

  Therefore, according to such a configuration, leakage of the latent heat storage material LM from the latent heat storage material container 130 and mixing of the latent heat storage material LM into the cylinder block water jacket 112e due to the leakage can be effectively suppressed. Moreover, the mixing of foreign matter into the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber 130a, in particular, the mixing of the coolant C in the cylinder head water jacket 111a can be effectively suppressed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the latent heat storage device 120 with improved reliability of the latent heat storage and release operation and the engine 100 with further improved warm-up performance at start-up are provided with a simple device configuration. It can be provided at low cost.

  3 and 4, in the nucleation device 140 of the present embodiment, the trigger member 145 and the first casing 142 and the second casing 143 for pressing the trigger member 145 are one unit. It is configured as.

  Therefore, the positioning of the first casing 142 and the second casing 143 and the trigger member 145 can be reliably performed with a simple device configuration. Therefore, the trigger member 145 is pressed by energization of the coil 141, and the release operation of the supercooled state in the latent heat storage material LM by the pressing can be performed more reliably.

  Further, the gap 144 in the separated state may be configured to be as small as possible. Therefore, the coil 141 can be easily reduced in size and power, that is, the nucleation device 140 can be reduced in size and power.

  3 and 4, in the nucleation device 140 of the present embodiment, the first casing 142 and the second casing 143 come into contact with each other via the flange portion 142c, the cylindrical portion 143b, and the stopper portion 143c. However, the first casing 142 and the second casing 143 move relatively between the separated state and the proximity state.

  According to the configuration of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the contact portion between the flange portion 142c, the stopper portion 143c and the tubular portion 143b, the core portion 142a, and the coil facing portion 143a , A substantially closed magnetic circuit MC can be formed. Thereby, leakage magnetic flux is reduced and the trigger member 145 can be pressed with a smaller magnetic force. Therefore, size reduction and power saving of the nucleation device 140 can be easily performed.

  Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the trigger member 145 in the present embodiment is configured from a plate spring-like member. That is, the trigger member 145 is pressed between the first casing 142 and the second casing 143 in the proximity state and elastically deformed so that the supercooled state in the latent heat storage material LM can be released. It is configured.

  According to such a configuration, the transition from the proximity state to the separation state when the power supply to the coil 141 is interrupted can be performed more reliably and smoothly using the elastic force of the trigger member 145. Therefore, the certainty of the release operation of the supercooled state can be further improved.

  3C and FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the supercooled state in the latent heat storage material LM is obtained by elastically deforming the trigger member 145 made of a thin plate of SUS304 in which a large number of notches 145d are formed. Is configured to be released. That is, the nucleation device 140 according to the present embodiment provides the latent heat storage material LM with a mechanical stimulus by mechanical action of pressing the trigger member 145 and elastic deformation of the trigger member 145 based on the pressing. The heat storage material LM is configured to be able to release the supercooled state.

  According to such a configuration, the supercooled state in the latent heat storage material LM can be reliably released without using an expensive material such as silver.

  Referring to FIG. 3C, in the configuration of the present embodiment, a latent heat storage material passage 145c that is a passage through which the latent heat storage material LM can pass is formed between the adjacent leg portions 145b.

  According to such a configuration, when the trigger member 145 (dish-like portion 145a) is pressed by the relative movement between the first casing 142 and the second casing 143, the latent heat storage material LM around the trigger member 145 becomes the latent heat storage. It passes freely through the material passage 145c. Thereby, the resistance by the latent heat storage material LM when the trigger member 145 is elastically deformed becomes relatively small. That is, the trigger member 145 is more reliably pressed with a smaller force.

  Thereby, the cancellation | release operation | movement of the said supercooled state can be performed more smoothly. Therefore, the coil 141 with smaller output and power consumption can be employed. Therefore, the device configuration can be further simplified.

  1 and 4, in the configuration of the present embodiment, the latent heat storage material container 130 is accommodated in the cylinder block water jacket 112e.

  According to this configuration, when the engine 100 is started, the latent heat storage material LM is released from the supercooled state and the latent heat is released in the cylinder block water jacket 112e. Therefore, the heat generated by releasing the supercooled state is efficiently transmitted to the coolant C in the cylinder block water jacket 112e and the cylinder block 112 itself without being released to the outside air.

  1 and 4, in the configuration of the present embodiment, between the inner wall surface of the cylinder block water jacket 112e and the outer wall surface of the latent heat storage material container 130 (outer side plate 131 and inner side plate 132), A gap through which C can pass is formed.

  According to such a configuration, when the latent heat is released from the latent heat storage material LM at the time of cold start, the released heat is filled in the gap between the latent heat storage material container 130 and the cylinder block water jacket 112e. It is transmitted to the coolant C. The cylinder block 112 is heated by the heat transferred to the cooling water as evenly as possible in the height direction of the cylinder 112c. Therefore, the friction loss in the cylinder block 112 in warm air can be effectively suppressed. Further, after the warm-up, the coolant C passes through the gap between the inner wall surface of the cylinder block water jacket 112e and the outer wall surface of the latent heat storage material container 130, so that the latent heat storage material LM in the latent heat storage material container 130 is overheated. Can be prevented.

<List of examples of modification>
Note that, as described above, the above-described embodiments are merely examples of typical embodiments of the present invention that the applicant has considered to be the best at the time of filing of the present application. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Therefore, it goes without saying that various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment within the scope not changing the essential part of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, some typical modifications will be exemplified. In the following description of modifications, members having the same configuration and function as those described in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the above-described embodiment. And about description of this member, the description in the above-mentioned embodiment shall be used in the range which is not technically consistent.

  However, it goes without saying that the modifications are not limited to those listed below. In addition, a plurality of modified examples can be applied in a composite manner as appropriate within a technically consistent range.

  The present invention (especially those expressed functionally and functionally in the constituent elements constituting the means for solving the problems of the present invention) is based on the above-described embodiment and the description of the following modifications. (A limited interpretation like this would unfairly harm the interests of an applicant who rushes an application under the principle of prior application, while improperly imitating immigrants, Contrary to the purpose of patent law for use, it is not allowed).

  (1) The present invention is not limited to engine applications and automobile applications as in the above-described embodiment. Further, when the present invention is applied to an engine, the object of application is not only an in-line type engine such as the in-line 3 cylinder or in-line 4 cylinder as in the above-described embodiment, but also a single-cylinder engine, The present invention can also be applied to a V-type engine and a horizontally opposed engine that are more than 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees.

  When the present invention is applied to a multi-cylinder engine, the latent heat storage device 120 may be independently provided separately for each cylinder. Alternatively, the latent heat storage device 120 may be provided only in a specific cylinder.

(2) As the material of the latent heat storage material LM, various materials can be employed in addition to the sodium acetate trihydrate (CH ₃ COONa · 3H ₂ O) used in the above-described embodiment. For example, oxalic acid, magnesium acetate, manganese acetate, nickel sulfate, magnesium sulfate, copper sulfate, zinc sulfate, sodium thiosulfate, sodium sulfite, and hydrates thereof can be used. Furthermore, naphthalene, palmitic acid, benzoic acid, high-purity paraffin, etc., and mixtures thereof can be used.

  (3) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it is preferable that a plurality of nucleation devices 140 are provided. As a result, the latent heat can be released more reliably.

  (4) Referring to FIG. 3, the cylindrical portion 143 b and the stopper portion 143 c may be formed in the first casing 142, and the flange portion 142 c may be formed in the second casing 143. That is, the nucleation device 140 is configured so that the second casing 143 including only the flat coil-facing portion 143a is reciprocally accommodated inside the container-shaped first casing 142 that opens upward. It may be.

  (5) Referring to FIG. 4, mold release treatment may be performed on the inner surfaces of the outer side plate 131 and the inner side plate 132 facing the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber 130 a. Specifically, for example, the inner surface may be coated with a fluorine-based synthetic resin. Alternatively, the latent heat storage material container 130 itself may be made of a fluorine-based synthetic resin.

  According to such a configuration, inadvertent nucleation occurs on the inner surface in a cryogenic environment when the engine is stopped, so that the latent heat is erroneously released before starting as much as possible. Can be suppressed.

  (6) Referring to FIG. 4, the first casing 142 may be fixed to the outer side plate 131.

  (7) FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a modified example of engine 100 shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIG. 5, in this modification, the nucleation device 140 is detachably attached to the cylinder block 112 from the outside.

  Specifically, in this modification, the cylinder block 112 as the latent heat storage material container of the present invention is provided with an attachment hole 112f. The attachment hole 112f is formed as a through hole that allows the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber 130a to communicate with the outside of the cylinder block 112. The nucleation device 140 is liquid-tightly attached to the attachment hole 112f.

  Moreover, in this modification, the seal member 114 is arrange | positioned in the middle part of the cylinder block water jacket 112e. That is, the cylinder block water jacket 112e is vertically divided into two by the seal member 114. And the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber 130a of this modification is formed of the cylinder block water jacket 112e below the seal member 114. The coolant C is supplied to the cylinder block water jacket 112e above the seal member 114.

  FIG. 6 is an enlarged side sectional view showing the vicinity of the nucleation device 140 shown in FIG.

  Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the nucleation device 140 of this modification, the first casing 142 is formed slightly longer than the attachment hole 112f. That is, the 1st casing 142 is extended along the axial direction rather than the case of the above-mentioned embodiment (refer FIG. 3 (A)). Moreover, in this modification, the coil 141 is also extended in the axial direction corresponding to the extension along the axial direction of the first casing 142 as described above. Other than that, the nucleation apparatus 140 of this modification is provided with the same structure as the above-mentioned embodiment.

  The attachment hole 112f is formed with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outermost diameter of the nucleation device 140 (the larger one of the outer diameter of the first casing 142 and the outer diameter of the second casing 143). That is, the trigger member 145 is arranged in the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber 130a by inserting the second casing 143, which is the tip portion of the nucleation device 140, into the mounting hole 112f from the outside of the cylinder block 112. ing.

  Specifically, in the present modification, the outer diameter of the first casing 142 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the second casing 143. The inner diameter of the mounting hole 112f is an outer diameter of the first casing 142 and a predetermined fitting intersection (for example, about h7) such that the latent heat storage material LM in the latent heat storage material storage chamber 130a cannot easily leak. It is set to be.

  In such a configuration, the nucleation device 140 can be attached to and detached from the cylinder block 112 from the outside of the cylinder block 112. Thereby, maintenance work of the nucleation device 140 such as replacement of the trigger member 145 can be easily performed.

  Further, the injection of the latent heat storage material LM into the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber 130a can be easily performed through the attachment hole 112f. In this case, by attaching the nucleation device 140 to the attachment hole 112f, the leakage of the latent heat storage material LM from the latent heat storage material storage chamber 130a can be easily suppressed during the injection operation of the latent heat storage material LM.

  Needless to say, the modified example can be further modified as appropriate.

  For example, various configurations can be adopted as the configuration that securely seals the gap between the two while easily attaching and detaching the nucleation device 140 to the attachment hole 112f.

  Further, the seal member 114 can be omitted. That is, for example, the cylinder block water jacket 112e and the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber 130a can be formed so as to be separated via the wall material of the cylinder block 112.

  (8) In addition, in the elements constituting the means for solving the problems of the present invention, the elements expressed functionally and functionally are the specific structures disclosed in the above-described embodiments and modifications. In addition, any structure capable of realizing the operation / function is included.

It is a sectional side view by a section perpendicular to a cylinder arrangement direction for explaining an internal configuration of an engine of multiple cylinders to which a latent heat storage device concerning one embodiment of the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the latent heat storage apparatus of this embodiment shown by FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the nucleation apparatus shown by FIG. FIG. 3A is a side sectional view of the nucleation apparatus. FIG. 3B is a side sectional view of the trigger member shown in FIG. FIG. 3C is a plan view of the trigger member shown in FIG. It is the sectional side view to which the periphery of the nucleation apparatus shown by FIG. 1 was expanded. It is a sectional side view which shows the structure of the modification of the engine shown by FIG. It is a sectional side view which expands and shows the vicinity part of the nucleation apparatus shown by FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Engine 110 ... Engine block 112 ... Cylinder block 112e ... Cylinder block water jacket 112f ... Mounting hole 120 ... Latent heat thermal storage device 130 ... Latent heat thermal storage material container 130a ... Latent heat thermal storage material accommodation chamber 134 ... Lead wire seal part 140 ... Nucleation device 141 ... Coil 142 ... First casing 142a ... Core part 142b ... Coil support part 142c ... Flange part 143 ... Second casing 143a ... Coil facing part 143a1 ... Communication hole 143b ... Cylindrical part 143b1 ... Taper lower end part 143c ... Stopper part 144 ... Gap 145 ... Trigger member 145a ... Dish-like portion 145b ... Leg portion 145c ... Latent heat storage material passage 145d ... Notch LM ... Latent heat storage material MC ... Magnetic circuit

Claims (5)

In a latent heat storage device configured to releasably hold latent heat,
A latent heat storage material configured to retain the latent heat in a supercooled state and to release the latent heat by releasing the supercooled state;
A latent heat storage material container configured as a sealed container in which a latent heat storage material storage chamber that is a space in which the latent heat storage material can be stored in a liquid-tight manner is formed;
A supercooling release unit that is arranged in the latent heat storage material container and configured to release the supercooling state of the latent heat storage material;
With
The supercooling release unit is
Coils,
A core portion that protrudes so as to be inserted into the center of the coil; and a coil support portion that is a recess formed around the core portion and is configured to support the coil. A first casing made of a magnetic material;
A flat plate-like second casing that is arranged to face the coil and the core portion with a gap communicating with the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber, and is made of a magnetic material;
The gap is minimized by energizing the coil and generating a magnetic attractive force between the first casing and the second casing when the coil is energized and the gap is maximized. A guide portion configured to guide relative movement between the first casing and the second casing between adjacent states;
It is arranged in the gap and is configured to be able to release the supercooled state in the latent heat storage material by being pressed between the first casing and the second casing in the proximity state. A trigger member;
A latent heat storage device comprising: The latent heat storage device according to claim 1,
The latent heat storage device, wherein the second casing is formed with a communication hole for communicating the gap with the latent heat storage material storage chamber. The latent heat storage device according to claim 1 or 2,
The trigger member is composed of a plate spring-like member, and is pressed between the first casing and the second casing in the proximity state to be elastically deformed, whereby the supercooling in the latent heat storage material. A latent heat storage device configured to release a state. The latent heat storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The guide portion is
A flange portion integrally formed to extend outward from one end portion of the first casing and the second casing;
A cylindrical portion integrally formed so as to surround the flange portion from the other end portion different from the one of the first casing and the second casing;
It is integrally formed so as to extend inward from the end portion of the cylindrical portion, and it can be prevented that the second casing is detached from the first casing by contacting the flange portion in the separated state. A stopper portion configured as follows;
With
It is configured to be able to guide relative movement between the first casing and the second casing between the separated state and the proximity state while bringing the flange portion and the cylindrical portion into contact with each other. A latent heat storage device. The latent heat storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The engine cylinder block as the latent heat storage material container is provided with an attachment hole which is a through hole for attaching the supercooling release portion,
The attachment hole is formed so as to communicate the latent heat storage material storage chamber, which is a space provided inside the cylinder block, and the outside of the cylinder block.
The first casing is liquid-tightly attached to the attachment hole so that the trigger member is disposed in the latent heat storage material accommodation chamber, so that the supercooling release portion is attached to the cylinder block. A latent heat storage device characterized by that.

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