JP2008198671A - Temperature adjustment device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a temperature adjustment device that can continue temperature adjustment operation, even if any disconnection occurs in a Peltier element. <P>SOLUTION: The temperature adjustment device is provided with a Peltier module group 7 that is formed by connecting three rows of a module raw 9 consisting of five series-connected Peltier elements 8 in parallel; and a DC constant-current power supply 2 that is configured so that DC current Io can be output assuming that the upper voltage limit is a predetermined maximum output voltage to the Peltier module group 7 and that can supply DC current Io at corresponding current value to the number of normal module rows 9, when an abnormality occurs in the Peltier element 8, in at least one of the three module rows 9. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a temperature adjusting device used in fields related to physics and chemistry, liquid crystals, and semiconductors, and more particularly to a temperature adjusting device configured with a plurality of Peltier elements.

  As this type of temperature control apparatus, the present applicant has proposed a Peltier module unit disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-110155. In this temperature adjusting device, a plurality of Peltier elements arranged in parallel between a pair of substrates are connected in series by electrodes formed on the opposing surfaces of the substrate, and a pair of terminals for supplying a DC voltage to each Peltier element A plurality of Peltier modules having a portion are connected in series with a wiring material composed of a core wire and an insulating coating. The temperature adjusting device includes a base and a terminal block having a plurality of connecting bodies attached to the base in a state where each end is exposed to the outside. In this case, the wiring member for connecting the Peltier modules is composed of a first wiring member connected to one of the Peltier modules and a second wiring member connected to the other Peltier module. In addition, the first wiring member and the second wiring member are connected to each end of one connection body so as to be able to be disconnected.

This temperature adjusting device operates by supplying a constant DC current from a power supply unit to a plurality of Peltier elements connected in series. On the other hand, in this temperature adjusting device, as described above, the terminal block is provided, and the Peltier modules connected in series are connected to each other via the first wiring member, the second wiring member, and the terminal block connecting body. Yes. For this reason, according to this temperature control device, when a disconnection failure occurs in at least one Peltier element in at least one of the plurality of Peltier modules, the connection between the Peltier modules is quickly and easily released. It is possible to quickly and easily identify the Peltier module in which a disconnection failure has occurred. Furthermore, the replacement work of the Peltier module in which a disconnection failure has occurred can be quickly performed. Also, if the Peltier module breaks down, after identifying the faulty Peltier module, short-circuit between the exposed ends of the terminal block to which the Peltier module was connected, using the wiring as an emergency measure. It can be resumed in a short time.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-110155 (page 3-5, FIG. 1)

  However, this conventional temperature control apparatus has the following problems to be solved. That is, in this temperature control device, when the Peltier element is disconnected by using the terminal block so that the connection between the Peltier modules can be freely released, the connection between the Peltier modules is established. Although Peltier modules are considered to be quickly and easily released so that the Peltier module in which the disconnection failure occurs can be quickly and easily identified, replaced, or subjected to first aid, the disconnection failure of the Peltier element still remains. The problem that the temperature adjustment operation stops due to the occurrence of the problem remains.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and a main object of the present invention is to provide a temperature adjusting device capable of continuing the temperature adjusting operation even when the Peltier element is disconnected.

  In order to achieve the above object, the temperature control apparatus according to claim 1 connects one or more module rows each including a plurality of Peltier elements connected in series (m is an integer of 2 or more) in parallel. A Peltier module group configured to be capable of outputting a direct current with a maximum output voltage defined in advance for the Peltier module group as an upper limit of the output voltage, and at least one of the m columns of module columns A DC constant current power supply that supplies the DC current at a current value corresponding to the number of normal module rows when an abnormality occurs in the Peltier element in one row;

  The temperature regulating device according to claim 2 is a voltage for detecting whether or not the output voltage of the DC constant current power source has reached the maximum output voltage and outputting a detection signal in the temperature regulating device according to claim 1. A detection unit that detects a current value of the DC current that is output from the DC constant current power supply and changes according to the number of columns of the normal module row, and detects the normal module row and the abnormal module row. A current detection unit that outputs a detection signal capable of specifying the number of rows of at least one of the module rows, and the at least one module based on the detection signals output from the voltage detection unit and the current detection unit A processing unit that specifies the number of columns of the column and an output unit that notifies the number of columns of the specified module column are provided.

  The temperature adjustment device according to claim 3 is the temperature adjustment device according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit is configured to perform the DC constant current when the number of rows of the specified module row reaches a preset reference number. The supply of the direct current to the power supply is stopped.

  The temperature regulating device according to claim 1 is configured to be capable of outputting a direct current with a predetermined maximum output voltage as an upper limit of the output voltage, and an abnormality has occurred in the Peltier element in at least one of the module rows. Sometimes, a DC constant current power supply supplies a DC current with a current value corresponding to the number of normal module rows to a Peltier module group constituted by connecting m rows of module rows in parallel. Therefore, according to this temperature adjustment device, the DC constant is set so that the maximum output voltage is shifted to the upper limit when the abnormality occurs in the Peltier element in at least one of the m module rows. By setting the current power supply in advance, the DC constant current power supply is the number of normal module rows (module rows in which no abnormality has occurred in the Peltier device) even when an abnormality occurs in the Peltier device. Because the current value of the direct current supplied to the Peltier module group is automatically changed to the current value according to the current, the DC current of the appropriate current value can be continuously supplied to each Peltier element, resulting in temperature adjustment The temperature adjustment operation for the body can be surely continued.

  Further, in the temperature regulating device according to claim 2, when the voltage detection unit detects the output voltage of the DC constant current power source and reaches the maximum output voltage, the detection signal is output, and the current detection unit is connected to the DC constant current power source. A detection signal that can detect the number of columns of at least one of a normal module row and an abnormal module row is detected by detecting the output direct current, and the processing unit outputs a voltage detection unit and a current. Based on each detection signal output from the detection unit, the number of columns of at least one module row is specified, and the output unit notifies the number of rows of the specified module row. Therefore, according to this temperature adjustment device, it is possible to specify at least one of the number of normal module rows and the number of module rows in which an abnormality has occurred by notification from the output unit. Based on the number of module rows, it is possible to accurately determine whether or not to continue the output of the direct current to the remaining normal module rows. As a result, it is possible to operate the Peltier module group by outputting a direct current until the number of module rows in which the temperature adjustment operation can be normally performed on the temperature adjustment target object is achieved. Can be used.

  In the temperature regulating device according to claim 3, the processing unit stops the supply of the direct current to the direct current constant power source when the number of the specified module row reaches a preset reference number. Therefore, according to this temperature adjustment device, when the number of identified module rows is the number of module rows in which an abnormality has occurred, the number of rows obtained by subtracting the reference number from the total number of rows of module rows, When the number of identified module rows is the number of normal module rows, the reference number itself is set in advance as the required minimum number of module rows that can normally perform the temperature adjustment operation on the temperature adjustment object. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which the number of normal module rows becomes less than the reference number (becomes too small) and the temperature adjustment operation cannot be performed normally.

  Hereinafter, the best mode of a temperature control device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  Initially, the structure of the temperature control apparatus 1 is demonstrated with reference to drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the temperature adjustment device 1 includes a DC constant current power source 2, a voltage detection unit 3, a current detection unit 4, a processing unit 5, an output unit 6, and a Peltier module group 7. The adjustment operation can be executed.

  In this case, the Peltier module group 7 includes one or a plurality of (in this example, five as an example) Peltier elements 8 connected in series, and the module row 9 configured as m columns (in this example, m = 3) It is configured to be connected in parallel to execute a temperature adjustment operation on the temperature adjustment object. Moreover, each Peltier element 8 is comprised by the Peltier element of the same characteristic by which resistance value was 2 [(ohm)] and the maximum rated current (direct current) was prescribed | regulated to 6 [A] as an example. Further, in this example, in a steady state, 4 [A] is supplied to each Peltier element 8 as an example to operate. Further, when the Peltier element 8 is deteriorated in at least one module row 9 of the three module rows 9, the current that flows through the other normal module row 9 is set to the maximum rated current (6 [A]). Considering this, it is limited to 5 [A].

  The DC constant current power source 2 is configured to receive an AC voltage or a DC voltage and to output a DC current Io (DC constant current) having a current value I1 with the maximum output voltage Vmax as the upper limit of the output voltage Vo. In this example, since the Peltier module group 7 to be supplied with current is configured as described above, the DC constant current power source 2 generates a DC current Io having a current value I1 (= 12 [A]) in a steady state. It is set to be supplied to the Peltier module group 7. Further, in this example, when the Peltier element 8 is deteriorated in at least one module row 9 among the three module rows 9 of the Peltier module group 7, the current flowing through the other normal module row 9 is described above. Thus, it is necessary to limit to 5 [A]. Therefore, in this example, based on the combined resistance value of the normal module row 9 being 10 (= 2 × 5) [Ω], the DC constant current power supply 2 has a maximum output voltage Vmax of 50 [V ] (= 5 [A] × 10 [Ω]). The DC constant current power supply 2 configured as described above outputs a DC current Io having a current value I1 (12 [A]) when the output voltage Vo is equal to or lower than the maximum output voltage Vmax (50 [V]). When the voltage Vo reaches the maximum output voltage Vmax, the normal module row has a current value (5 [A]) defined by the maximum output voltage Vmax and the combined resistance value (10 [Ω]) of the normal module row 9. A DC current Io having a current value multiplied by the number of 9 is output.

  The voltage detection unit 3 is configured by a comparator (not shown), for example, and becomes “High” level when the output voltage Vo of the DC constant current power supply 2 reaches the maximum output voltage Vmax, and the output voltage Vo is the maximum output voltage. A detection signal S1 that is at a “Low” level when it is less than Vmax is output.

  As shown in FIG. 2 as an example, the current detection unit 4 is a current detection resistor having a minute resistance value (a resistance value with which a voltage drop generated when the DC current Io flows is negligible with respect to the output voltage Vo). 4a and three current discriminating circuits 4b, 4c and 4d. In this case, each current discriminating circuit 4b, 4c, 4d includes a reference voltage generator and a comparator (both not shown), and is generated between both ends of the current detection resistor 4a due to the direct current Io. By comparing the voltage Vd with the reference voltages Vr1, Vr2, and Vr3 generated by the respective reference voltage generators, the detection signal S2 when the current value of the direct current Io is within a preset reference range, A detection signal S3 and a detection signal S4 are output.

  Specifically, the current discriminating circuit 4b compares the input voltage Vd with the reference voltage Vr1 generated by its own reference voltage generator by means of a comparator, so that the current value I1 of the direct current Io is set in advance. When it is within the range (11 [A] or less), the detection signal S2 is output. Similarly, the current discriminating circuit 4c compares the input voltage Vd with the reference voltage Vr2 generated by its own reference voltage generator by means of a comparator, so that the current value I1 of the direct current Io is set in a preset reference range. The detection signal S3 is output when the signal is within (7 [A] or less), and the current discriminating circuit 4d compares the input voltage Vd with the reference voltage Vr3 generated in its own reference voltage generator by means of a comparator. When the current value I1 of the DC current Io is within a preset reference range (2 [A] or less), the detection signal S4 is output. In this example, each current discriminating circuit 4b, 4c, 4d becomes “High” level when the current value I1 of the DC current Io is within the above-mentioned range, and the current value I1 of the DC current Io is within the above-mentioned range. The detection signals S2, S3, and S4 that are at the “Low” level when they are outside are output.

  Here, reference voltages Vr1, Vr2, and Vr3 set in advance for each of the current determination circuits 4b, 4c, and 4d will be described. As described above, when all the module rows 9 in the Peltier module group 7 are normal, the current value I1 of the DC current Io output from the DC constant current power supply 2 is 12 [A]. On the other hand, as will be described later, every time the number of module rows 9 in which disconnection occurs increases to 1, 2, or 3, the current value I1 of the DC current Io output from the DC constant current power supply 2 is 10 [A ], 5 [A], almost 0 [A]. Therefore, for the current discriminating circuit 4b, as an example, it is possible to detect that the current value I1 of the DC current Io output from the DC constant current power supply 2 has decreased from 12 [A] to 10 [A]. As described above, the reference voltage Vr1 is set so that the detection signal S2 can be output when the current value I1 of the direct current Io is 11 [A] or less. Similarly, for the current discriminating circuit 4c, as described above, as an example, the direct current Io is detected so that it can be detected that the current value I1 of the direct current Io has decreased from 10 [A] to 5 [A]. The reference voltage Vr2 is set so that the detection signal S3 can be output when the current value I1 of the current is less than 7 [A], and the current value I1 of the direct current Io is almost from 5 [A] for the current determination circuit 4d. As an example, the detection signal S4 can be output when the current value I1 of the direct current Io is 2 [A] or less as described above so that the decrease to 0 [A] can be detected. Vr3 is set.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the processing unit 5 includes a logic circuit (a logic circuit including three AND elements 5 a, 5 b, and 5 c) as an example, and each detection signal S 1, S 2, S 3, Based on S4, the number of the module rows 9 in which the disconnection (abnormality) has occurred in the Peltier element 8 can be specified (in other words, the number of the normal module rows 9 in which no disconnection has occurred in the Peltier element 8 can be specified. Possible alarm signals S5, S6, S7. Specifically, the AND element 5a calculates the logical product of the detection signals S1 and S2 and outputs an alarm signal S5, and the AND element 5b calculates the logical product of the detection signals S1 and S3 and outputs the alarm signal S6. The AND element 5c calculates the logical product of the detection signals S1 and S4 and outputs an alarm signal S7. In this example, each of the AND elements 5a to 5c has a “High” level when the two input signals are both at the “High” level, and at least one of the two input signals is “ Alarm signals S5, S6, and S7 that are at the “Low” level when the “Low” level is set are output.

  As an example, as shown in FIG. 2, the output unit 6 includes three LEDs (light emitting diodes) 6a, 6b, and 6c as display devices, and drive circuits (not shown) for the LEDs 6a, 6b, and 6c. Has been. In this case, the LED 6 a is turned on by the drive circuit when the alarm signal S <b> 5 is output from the processing unit 5, and notifies that the disconnection of the Peltier element 8 has occurred in one module row 9. Similarly, the LED 6b is turned on by the drive circuit when the alarm signal S6 is output from the processing unit 5, and the LED 6c is turned on by the drive circuit when the alarm signal S7 is output from the processing unit 5, respectively. The fact that the Peltier element 8 is disconnected in the module row 9 is notified that the Peltier element 8 is broken in the three module rows 9.

  Next, the operation of the temperature adjustment device 1 will be described.

  In the temperature adjusting device 1, the DC constant current power source 2 outputs a DC current Io having a preset current value I1 (12 [A]) to the Peltier module group 7 in the operating state. The voltage detector 3 starts detection of the output voltage Vo of the DC constant current power supply 2 and the current detector 4 starts detection of the DC current Io.

  In this state, when no disconnection of the Peltier element 8 occurs in any of the module rows 9 in the Peltier module group 7 (when all the Peltier elements 8 are normal), the DC constant current power supply 2 outputs the signal. Direct current Io (current value I1 = 12 [A]) is divided equally (4 [A]) and flows to the three module rows 9. In this case, the output voltage Vo of the DC constant current power supply 2 is 40 [V] (= 4 [A] × 10 [Ω]), and does not reach the maximum output voltage Vmax (50 [V]). For this reason, the voltage detection unit 3 outputs a detection signal S1 of “Low” level. In addition, detection signals S2, S3, and S4 of “Low” level are also output from the current determination circuits 4b, 4c, and 4d of the current detection unit 4, respectively. As a result, in the processing unit 5, the AND elements 5a, 5b, and 5c output alarm signals S5, S6, and S7 of “low” level based on the detection signals S1 to S4. Therefore, in the output unit 6, none of the LEDs 6a, 6b, and 6c is switched to the lighting state and is maintained in the unlit state. This means that no disconnection has occurred in the Peltier element 8 in any module row 9 in the temperature adjusting device 1, that is, that the number of rows in the module row 9 in which an abnormality has occurred is zero. It is informed that the module row 9 is normal.

  Further, when a disconnection of the Peltier element 8 occurs in one of the module rows 9 in the Peltier module group 7, the combined resistance value of the module row 9 is extremely higher than 10 [Ω] at normal time. It becomes a large value, so that almost no current flows. For this reason, the DC current Io output from the DC constant current power source 2 flows evenly divided into two normal module rows 9. In this state, when the direct current Io having the current value I1 (12 [A]) just before the occurrence of the disconnection is divided into two and flows into the two module rows 9, the voltage drop in each module row 9 is 60 [V] (= 6 [A] × 10 [Ω]), which exceeds the maximum output voltage Vmax of the DC constant current power supply 2. For this reason, the DC constant current power supply 2 shifts to a state where the output voltage Vo is limited to 50 [V], and outputs the DC current Io to the Peltier module group 7. In this case, a current of 5 [A] (= 50 [V] ÷ 10 [Ω]) flows through each module row 9, and therefore, the DC current Io output from the DC constant current power supply 2 to the Peltier module group 7. The value is 10 [A].

  Thereby, the voltage detection unit 3 detects that the output voltage Vo has reached the maximum output voltage Vmax, and outputs a detection signal S1 of “High” level. On the other hand, in the current detection unit 4, the current value I1 of the DC current Io from the DC constant current power supply 2 to the Peltier module group 7 is 10 [A] and becomes 11 [A] or less. The level of the detection signal S2 being output is shifted from the “Low” level to the “High” level (output of the detection signal S2 at the “High” level is started). The other current determination circuits 4c and 4d maintain the detection signals S3 and S4 at the “Low” level. As a result, in the processing unit 5, the AND element 5a shifts the level of the output alarm signal S5 from the “Low” level to the “High” level (starts output of the “High” level alarm signal S5). . The other AND elements 5b and 5c maintain the alarm signals S6 and S7 at the “Low” level. Therefore, in the output unit 6, only the LED 6a shifts from the unlit state to the lit state. As a result, the temperature adjustment device 1 reports that the disconnection of the Peltier element 8 has occurred in one module row 9 (that one module row 9 in which an abnormality has occurred is one (one row)). This notification is also a notification that there are two (two columns) normal module rows 9.

  Next, when the disconnection of the Peltier element 8 occurs in one of the two normal module rows 9, the combined resistance value of the module row 9 also becomes a very large value, and the current hardly flows. For this reason, the direct current Io output from the direct current constant current power source 2 flows into one remaining normal module row 9. In this state, when the DC current Io having the current value I1 (10 [A]) immediately before the occurrence of disconnection flows into one normal module row 9, the voltage drop in the module row 9 is 100 [V] ( = 10 [A] × 10 [Ω]), which exceeds the maximum output voltage Vmax of the DC constant current power supply 2. Therefore, the DC constant current power supply 2 outputs the DC current Io to the Peltier module group 7 while maintaining the state where the output voltage Vo is limited to 50 [V]. In this case, since a current of 5 [A] (= 50 [V] ÷ 10 [Ω]) flows through one normal module row 9, the DC current output from the DC constant current power supply 2 to the Peltier module group 7. The current value of Io is 5 [A].

  Thereby, the voltage detection unit 3 continues to output the detection signal S1 of “High” level. On the other hand, in the current detection unit 4, since the current value I1 of the direct current Io from the direct current constant current power source 2 to the Peltier module group 7 is 5 [A] and becomes 7 [A] or less, the current detection unit 4b The current discriminating circuit 4c shifts the level of the output detection signal S3 from the “Low” level to the “High” level (the output of the “High” level detection signal S3 is started). The other current determination circuit 4d maintains the detection signal S4 at the “Low” level. Accordingly, in the processing unit 5, the AND element 5b together with the AND element 5a shifts the level of the alarm signal S6 being output from the “Low” level to the “High” level (the alarm signal S6 of the “High” level). Start output). The other AND elements 5c maintain the alarm signal S7 at the “Low” level. Accordingly, in the output unit 6, the two LEDs 6a and 6b are turned on when the LED 6b shifts from the unlit state to the lit state. When the LED 6b is turned on, the temperature adjusting device 1 notifies that the disconnection of the Peltier element 8 has occurred in the two module rows 9 (that there are two (two rows) of module rows 9 in which an abnormality has occurred). Is done. This notification is also a notification that there is one normal module row 9 (one row).

  Subsequently, when the disconnection of the Peltier element 8 occurs in one normal module row 9, the combined resistance value becomes an extremely large value in all the module rows 9. Even if the current value I1 of the DC current Io output to 7 is small, the voltage drop in each module row 9 exceeds the maximum output voltage Vmax of the DC constant current power supply 2. Therefore, the DC constant current power source 2 continues to output the DC current Io to the Peltier module group 7 with the output voltage Vo limited to 50 [V], and the combined resistance value and the maximum output voltage of the module row 9 A very small DC current Io defined by Vmax is output to the Peltier module group 7.

  Thereby, the voltage detection unit 3 continues to output the detection signal S1 of “High” level. On the other hand, in the current detection unit 4, the current value I1 of the DC current Io from the DC constant current power source 2 to the Peltier module group 7 becomes an extremely small value (that is, 2 [A] or less). Along with 4c, the current determination circuit 4d shifts the level of the detection signal S4 being output from the “Low” level to the “High” level (output of the detection signal S4 at the “High” level is started). As a result, in the processing unit 5, the AND element 5c shifts the level of the alarm signal S7 being output from the “Low” level to the “High” level (starts the output of the alarm signal S7 at the “High” level). As a result, all the AND elements 5a to 5c are in a state of outputting alarm signals S5, S6, S7 of “High” level. Accordingly, in the output unit 6, all the LEDs 6 a to 6 c are turned on when one LED 6 c that has been turned off shifts to a lighting state. When the LED 6c is turned on, the temperature adjusting device 1 notifies that all Peltier elements 8 are disconnected in all the module rows 9 (that there are three (three rows) of module rows 9 in which an abnormality has occurred). Is done. This notification is also a notification that the normal module row 9 is zero (zero row).

  In the module row 9 where the disconnection of the Peltier element 8 occurs, even if a disconnection occurs in another Peltier element 8, the combined resistance value of this module row 9 is the same as when the disconnection of the Peltier element 8 occurs first. Does not change. For this reason, the lighting / extinguishing state of each LED 6a, 6b, 6c in the output unit 6 does not change, and the temperature adjusting device 1 continues to indicate that the disconnection of the Peltier elements 8 has occurred in the same number of module rows 9. Is notified.

  As described above, the temperature adjusting device 1 is configured to be capable of outputting the direct current Io with the maximum output voltage Vmax defined in advance as the upper limit of the output voltage Vo, and in at least one of the module rows 9, the Peltier element 8 The Peltier module group in which the DC constant current power source 2 is configured by connecting the three rows of modules 9 in parallel is shifted to a state of operating with the maximum output voltage Vmax as the upper limit of the output voltage Vo when an abnormality occurs in 7, a direct current Io is supplied at a current value I 1 corresponding to the number of normal module rows 9. Therefore, according to this temperature control device 1, the DC constant current power source 2 is connected to the Peltier module group 7 even when an abnormality occurs in the Peltier element 8 in at least one of the three module rows 9. In order to automatically change the current value I1 of the DC current Io to be supplied to a current value corresponding to the number of normal module rows 9, the DC current having an appropriate current value is continuously supplied to each Peltier element 8. As a result, the temperature adjustment operation for the temperature adjustment object can be reliably continued.

  Further, in this temperature adjusting device 1, when the voltage detection unit 3 detects the output voltage Vo of the DC constant current power source 2 and reaches the maximum output voltage Vmax, the detection signal S1 is output, and the current detection unit 4 outputs the DC constant current. The DC current Io output from the current power source 2 is detected and the detection signals S2 to S4 are output, and the processing unit 5 is based on the detection signals S1 to S4 and the module row 9 in which the Peltier element 8 is disconnected. The number of columns is specified and each of the alarm signals S5 to S7 is output (the number of columns of the disconnected module row 9 is notified). Therefore, according to the temperature adjusting device 1, based on the output state of each of the alarm signals S5 to S7, in how many module rows 9 the disconnection of the Peltier element 8 has occurred (that is, the number of failed module rows 9). Can be specified, and it is possible to accurately determine whether or not to continue the output of the direct current Io to the remaining normal module row 9. Thus, for example, two normal module rows 9 are obtained until the number of the module rows 9 can be normally adjusted to the temperature adjustment operation target object (temperature adjustment subject) by the Peltier module group 7. As a result, it is possible to operate the Peltier module group 7 by outputting the direct current Io to the Peltier module group 7.

  The present invention is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, in the above-described embodiment, as an example, the Peltier elements 8 having the same characteristics are configured for all the module rows 9, but Peltier elements having different characteristics (resistance values and maximum rated currents) are mixed. One module row 9 may be configured. Further, all the module rows 9 are configured using the same number of Peltier elements (for example, five), but at least one module row 9 is configured using a different number of Peltier elements from the other module rows 9. You can also In each of these configurations, the type and number of Peltier elements 8 are defined so that the current flowing in any module row 9 is equal to or less than the maximum rated current for the Peltier elements 8. In the above embodiment, the current detector 4 is provided with the three current discriminating circuits 4b, 4c, and 4d corresponding to the number (three) of the module rows 9 constituting the Peltier module group 7. Although the number of current discriminating circuits arranged in the current detector 4 is the same as the number of module rows 9 in the Peltier module group 7, the number of rows in the module row 9 can be arbitrarily set to 2 rows, 4 rows, etc. It is also possible to configure the module row 9 with the number of rows. Similarly, the processing unit 5 is constituted by three AND elements 5a to 5c, and the output unit 6 is constituted by three LEDs 6a to 6c. However, each number may be arranged equal to the number of current discriminating circuits. it can. Further, one module row 9 is configured by five Peltier elements 8 connected in series, but may be configured by connecting two or more arbitrary numbers of Peltier elements 8 in series, A single Peltier element 8 may be used.

  Further, as an example, an example using the DC constant current power source 2 having the above-described specifications has been described. However, when the number of columns in the module row 9 is large, the DC constant current power source 2 having a large output current Io is used. The DC constant current power supply 2 having a different specification of the output current Io according to the number of columns of the module array 9 can be used, such as using the DC constant current power supply 2 having a small output current Io when the number of columns is small. When the number of Peltier elements 8 included in one module row 9 is large, the DC constant current power source 2 having a large maximum output voltage Vmax is used, and when the number is small, the DC constant current power source 2 having a small maximum output voltage Vmax is used. For example, the DC constant current power supply 2 having different specifications of the maximum output voltage Vmax can be used according to the number of Peltier elements 8 included in the module row 9.

  Also, the configuration for detecting the number of module rows 9 in which disconnection has occurred is described above. For example, in the case of a Peltier module group 7 configured by connecting eight rows of module rows 9 in parallel, the current The number of the current discriminating circuits of the detection unit 4 is half (four) of the eight rows, and each current discriminating circuit outputs a “High” level detection signal each time the two module rows 9 are disconnected. For example, the number of module rows 9 in which disconnection has occurred can be detected in an arbitrary number unit. The processing unit 5 is composed of AND elements 5a to 5c. However, the processing unit 5 may be composed of a logic circuit using other logic elements (logic gates), or may be composed of a CPU and a memory. The generation of S5 to S7 can also be performed by software.

  Further, the processing unit 5 is configured to execute control on the DC constant current power supply 2 until a predetermined number (reference number) of the module rows 9 is disconnected (or a normal module row 9). DC current Io is output from the DC constant current power source 2 to the Peltier module group 7 until a preset number (reference number) is reached, and when the reference number of module rows 9 is disconnected (or normal) It is also possible to stop the output of the DC current Io from the DC constant current power source 2 to the Peltier module group 7 at the time when the module row 9 reaches the reference number. By configuring in this way, when the number of columns of the specified module row 9 is the number of rows of the module row 9 in which an abnormality has occurred, the number of rows obtained by subtracting the reference number from the total number of rows of the module row 9 is When the number of identified module rows 9 is the number of normal module rows 9, the reference number itself is set in advance as the minimum number of required rows of module rows 9 that can normally perform the temperature adjustment operation on the temperature adjustment object. By setting, the number of normal module rows 9 becomes less than the reference number (too few), and the situation in which the temperature adjustment operation for the temperature adjustment object cannot be normally performed is surely prevented. be able to.

  Further, although an example in which an LED is used as the output unit 6 has been described above, another display device such as a lamp may be used, and a notification device such as a buzzer or a speaker may be used or used together. Further, when the processing unit 5 is configured by a CPU or the like, it is possible to use a display device as the output unit 6 so that the disconnection state of the module row 9 can be displayed on the screen.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a temperature adjustment device 1. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing configurations of a current detection unit 4, a processing unit 5, and an output unit 6. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Temperature control apparatus 2 DC constant current power supply 3 Voltage detection part 4 Current detection part 5 Processing part 6 Output part 7 Peltier module group 8 Peltier element 9 Module row Io DC current S1, S2, S3, S4 Detection signal

Claims (3)

A group of Peltier modules configured by connecting m columns (m is an integer of 2 or more) in parallel with one or a plurality of Peltier elements connected in series;
The Peltier module group is configured to be capable of outputting a direct current with a maximum output voltage defined in advance as an upper limit of the output voltage, and the Peltier element has an abnormality in at least one of the m columns of modules. A temperature control apparatus comprising: a DC constant current power source that supplies the DC current at a current value corresponding to the number of normal module rows when generated. A voltage detector that detects whether the output voltage of the DC constant current power supply has reached the maximum output voltage and outputs a detection signal;
At least one of the normal module row and the abnormal module row is detected by detecting a current value of the direct current that is output from the DC constant current power supply and changes according to the number of rows of the normal module row. A current detection unit that outputs a detection signal capable of specifying the number of module rows of
Based on the detection signals output from the voltage detection unit and the current detection unit, a processing unit for specifying the number of rows of the at least one module row,
The temperature adjustment device according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit that notifies the number of rows of the identified module rows.   The temperature adjustment device according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit stops the supply of the direct current to the direct current constant power source when the number of the specified module rows reaches a preset reference number. .

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