JP2010112606A - Magnetic temperature regulator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a magnetic temperature regulator, which is reduced in size without providing a magnetic shield while improving heat exchange efficiency. <P>SOLUTION: A control circuit controls a rotator 6 by drive-controlling a motor to thereby repeat regulation control to dispose a block 15 in a gap 13 and to dispose an auxiliary magnetic body 16 in the gap 13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic temperature control device that performs heat exchange using a magnetocaloric effect.

  There is provided a technique for performing heat exchange using this type of magnetocaloric effect (see, for example, Patent Document 1). According to the technical idea of Patent Document 1, by applying a magnetic field (magnetic field) to or removing a magnetic field from a magnetic working substance, the magnetic entropy is greatly changed to produce a magnetocaloric effect, and heat is generated by a heat exchanger. Shows the technology to replace.

According to the technical idea described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of magnetic working substances are divided into a plurality of groups and arranged along a temperature adjusting medium pipe, and a magnetic shielding body including a magnetic shielding portion and a magnetic passage portion However, the time when the magnetic working material changes from the state in which the magnetic working material is applied to the state in which the application of the magnetic field is blocked depends on the magnetic working material disposed on the temperature adjustment medium supply device side of each group. It is comprised so that it may delay sequentially in the direction of the magnetic working substance arrange | positioned at the adjustment body side. This is because the cogging torque generated when the magnetic shield is rotated when the magnetic working substance is discontinuously present can be reduced.
JP 2006-308197 A

  However, the structure of Patent Document 1 is inferior to COP (Coefficient Of Performance). Moreover, if the technical idea described in Patent Document 1 is applied, a magnetic shield, piping for each grouped magnetic refrigerating material, and the like are required, and the apparatus becomes large.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic temperature control device that can improve COP and can be miniaturized without providing a magnetic shield.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field through a gap and a magnetic working material having a magnetocaloric effect that changes in temperature due to a change in the applied magnetic field are filled and the medium is passed through the magnetic working material. A first state in which the magnetic field generating means applies a magnetic field to the magnetic working material by adjusting and controlling the magnetic working material to be disposed in the gap, and a magnetic working material. Control means for repeatedly controlling to a second state in which a magnetic field applied to the magnetic working material is reduced by the magnetic field generating means by adjusting and controlling so that a magnetically permeable substance other than that is disposed in the gap. It is characterized by that.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, COP can be improved.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, the size can be reduced without providing a magnetic shield.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a magnetic refrigeration apparatus will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows a front view of the internal structure of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, a magnetic refrigeration apparatus A includes a control circuit 1 as a control means, a motor 3 as a rotation drive unit mounted in a cylindrical housing 2, and a rotation shaft (rotation shaft) 4. And a heat exchanger 5, a rotator 6, and a bearing 7.

  The motor 3 is constituted by, for example, a stepping motor with a gear head, and is configured to be capable of rotation control based on a control signal from the control circuit 1. In addition, you may be comprised with the permanent magnet type motor. A rotation shaft 4 is inserted through the center of the motor 3 and is configured to be rotatable in the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft 4 (around the Y axis).

  A bearing 7 is fixed to the housing 2, and the rotating shaft 4 is supported by the bearing 7. The motor 3 is connected to the rotator 6 via the rotation shaft 4, and the rotator 6 is rotatable in the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft 4. The rotor 6 is configured by connecting an inner yoke 8, an inner magnet 9, an outer yoke 10, and an outer magnet 11 to each other by a housing 12.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the structure of the rotor and the surrounding arrangement structure along the X direction. FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing a specific structure of the motor, the rotor and its periphery, and their arrangement positional relationship when the inside of the housing 2 shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from below.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the inner yoke 8 of the rotor 6 is configured to be connected to the rotating shaft 4. As shown in FIG. 2, the inner yoke 8 and the inner magnet 9 are connected by disposing the inner yoke 8 on the center side of the rotation shaft 4 and the inner magnet 9 on the outer side thereof. An even number (four) is formed so as to project radially from the center around the rotation shaft 4. The plurality of inner magnets 9 are configured to be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval in the circumferential direction around the rotation shaft 4. In addition, the number of the inner magnets 9 should just be an even number, and is not restricted to four.

  In addition, the outer magnet 11 and the outer yoke 10 are respectively configured to be spaced outward in the projecting direction of the inner magnets 9. The plurality of outer magnets 11 and the outer yoke 10 are connected by disposing the outer magnet 11 on the center side of the rotating shaft 4 and the outer yoke 10 on the outer side thereof, and in the axial center direction of the rotating shaft 4. It is comprised so that it may project toward. The outer yoke 10 is configured by connecting a plurality of outer magnets 11 to each other along the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 4.

  The outer projecting ends of the plurality of inner magnets 9 and the inner projecting ends of the plurality of outer magnets 11 are configured to face each other, and between the plurality of inner magnets 9 and the plurality of outer magnets 11. Are each provided with a gap 13. The opposed inner magnet 9 and outer magnet 11 are composed of permanent magnets having different polarities. The inner magnet 9 and the outer magnet 11 are each formed in a so-called arc shape with the rotation shaft 4 as the center. Note that the magnetic poles provided to the gap 13 by the inner magnets 9 and 9 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 4 are set to be different from each other, and the gap 13 is formed by the outer magnets 11 and 11 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction. The magnetic poles given to are set different from each other.

  The plurality of gaps 13 are connected by a frame (not shown), and the plurality of gaps 13 are communicated along the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 4 by a communication hole 14 provided inside the frame. In this communication hole 14, a magnetic working substance filling block 15 (hereinafter simply referred to as a block) and auxiliary magnetic bodies 16, for example, an even number of inner magnets 9 or outer magnets 11 (4 in this embodiment). One) is provided.

  In the communication hole 14, blocks 15, auxiliary magnetic bodies 16, blocks 15, auxiliary magnetic bodies 16... Are alternately arranged in this order along the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft 4. Between these blocks 15 and the auxiliary magnetic body 16, a space 14 a serving as a part of the communication hole 14 can exist, and the auxiliary magnetic body 16 communicates along a frame that extends between the gaps 13. The inside of the hole 14 is configured to be movable.

  Each of the plurality of blocks 15 is configured by blocking a magnetic working material 15a having a magnetocaloric effect with a magnetic material such as gadolinium (Gd) ferromagnet or lanthanum-iron-silicon (La-Fe-Si). Has been. The magnetic working substance 15a is composed of, for example, spherical particles and fine particles. Each of the plurality of blocks 15 is configured by filling the inside of an outer wall material 15b such as acrylic with a magnetic working material 15a. Each of the plurality of blocks 15 is provided on the housing 2 in a fixed installation form.

  The auxiliary magnetic body 16 functions as a magnetically permeable substance and a magnetic holding substance, and is preferably made of, for example, a magnetic material having the same magnetic characteristics as the magnetic working substance 15a, such as a gadolinium (Gd) ferromagnet, Alternatively, it may be made of a magnetic material such as a lanthanum-iron-silicon (La-Fe-Si) system. In the auxiliary magnetic body 16, the arc angle corresponding to the circumferential length of the rotation shaft 4 is set to the same angle as the arc angle (for example, 30 °) corresponding to the circumferential length of the gap 13. .

  Returning to FIG. 1, the heat exchanger 5 includes a block 15, a pump 17, pipes 18 and 19, a medium 20, an exhaust heat unit 21, and a cooling unit 22. The pump 17 is disposed in the housing 2, and the pump 17 is attached to the rotating shaft 4. The pump 17 may be installed outside the housing 2.

  The motor 3 is connected to the pump 17 via the rotating shaft 4 and has a function of driving the pump 17. Thereby, it can reduce in size compared with the structure which provides the drive source of the other pump 17 in the exterior of the housing 2. FIG. A pipe 18 is connected to the pump 17, and the pipe 18 is connected to an upper portion of the outer wall material 15 b of the block 15. The outer wall material 15b has a large number of through holes (not shown) at both upper and lower (Y direction) ends in FIG. 1, and the medium 17 flows into and out of the outer wall material 15b through the pipe 18 by the action of the pump 17 (inflow / Outflow) is possible. The medium 20 is made of a liquid such as water.

  A pipe 19 is connected to the lower part of the outer wall member 15b of the block 15, and the medium 20 can flow (in / out) through the pipe 19 into and out of the outer wall member 15b by the action of the pump 17. When the medium 20 such as water flows into the outer wall material 15b through the through-hole of the outer wall material 15b and the medium 20 comes into contact with the magnetic working material 15a, the medium 20 is heated or cooled depending on the state of magnetism applied to the magnetic working material 15a. To do.

  The piping 18 is connected to the exhaust heat unit 21 via a valve (not shown), and the piping 19 is connected to the cooling unit 22 via a valve (not shown). The exhaust heat section 21 and the cool heat section 22 are disposed outside the housing 2 so as to be separated from each other, and the cool heat section 22 is configured to accumulate cold heat and exhaust heat from the exhaust heat section 21.

  The heat exchanger 5 discharges the heat of the medium 20 to the exhaust heat unit 21 through the pipe 18 at the timing when the medium 20 stores the warm heat by the action of the pump 17, and passes through the pipe 19 at the timing when the medium 20 stores the cold heat. Heat can be exchanged by accumulating 20 cold heat in the cold heat unit 22.

  FIG. 4 schematically shows an example of a connection form of piping of the heat exchanger. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the pump 17 and the plurality of blocks 15 are connected in parallel by pipes 18 and 19. In addition, as shown in FIG.4 (b), you may apply to the form which connected between the pump 17 and the some block 15 in series. As shown in FIG. 4, the medium 20 can flow in the illustrated Y direction (direction orthogonal to the XZ direction).

  FIG. 5 schematically shows a specific example of the magnetic field application timing and heat transport timing to the block (magnetic working substance) during heat exchange. When a magnetic field is applied to the magnetic working material 15a in the block 15 with a strong magnetic flux density (for example, 1.2 T), the magnetic working material 15a generates heat ((1) in FIG. 5). The control circuit 1 drives and controls the motor 3 in this state, thereby driving the pump 17 to pass the medium 20 through the outer wall material 15b of the block 15 and transporting the heat to the exhaust heat unit 21 ((2 in FIG. 5). )).

  Further, when the magnetic flux density applied to the magnetic working material 15a in the block 15 is reduced, the magnetic working material 15a absorbs heat ((3) in FIG. 5). The control circuit 1 drives and controls the motor 3 in this state, thereby driving the pump 17 to pass the medium 20 through the outer wall material 15b of the block 15 and transporting the cold heat to the cold heat section 22 ((4) in FIG. 5). ). By repeating such a heat transport cycle and a heat exchange cycle, cold heat can be accumulated in the cold heat unit 22 and the magnetic refrigeration apparatus A can be configured.

  In order to efficiently obtain the amount of heat generated by the magnetic working material 15a, the maximum magnetic flux density and the minimum magnetic flux density when the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic working material 15a and when the magnetic field is reduced from the magnetic working material 15a. It is desirable to obtain a large difference in magnetic flux density between the two. In this embodiment, it is comprised so that a magnetic flux density difference can be enlarged as much as possible by employ | adopting the structure shown in FIGS.

6 to 9 schematically show the arrangement positional relationship among the block, the auxiliary magnetic body, and the rotating body according to the angle.
The gap 13 is provided so that a space between the opposed inner magnet 9 and outer magnet 11 (hereinafter abbreviated as inner and outer magnets 9, 11) is a constant distance in the communication hole 14. A static magnetic field is generated at 13.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, the main path B1 of the closed magnetic circuit (magnetic circuit: see magnetic field lines shown) is a first inner side facing a predetermined first outer magnet 11 → first gap 13 → first outer magnet 11. Magnet 9 → Inner yoke 8 → Second inner magnet 9 adjacent to the circumferential direction of the first inner magnet 9 → Second gap 13 → Second outer magnet 11 facing the second inner magnet 9 → Outer yoke 10 → First outer magnet 11 are formed in the order. A constant strong magnetic field (for example, 1.2 T) is applied to the first gap 13 and the second gap 13 from the rotation axis 4 along the radial direction.

  Accordingly, the control circuit 1 controls the rotation of the rotator 6 relative to the block 15 and the auxiliary magnetic body 16 in the circumferential direction of the rotation shaft 4 (a direction perpendicular to the magnetic field generation direction with respect to the gap 13). Thus, the arrangement positional relationship among the block 15, the auxiliary magnetic body 16, and the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11 can be adjusted and controlled, and the magnetic field applied to each of the magnetic elements 15 (15a) and 16 can be adjusted and controlled.

  Specifically, in this embodiment, the arrangement positional relationship is controlled as follows. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the arrangement positional relationship among the block 15, the auxiliary magnetic body 16, and the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11 is between the plurality of inner and outer magnets 9 and 11 (that is, between the gaps 13) and its periphery. They are synchronized, and even if the rotor 6 rotates, the same arrangement positional relationship is provided between the gaps 13 and the periphery thereof. Therefore, in the following description, the description will be given focusing on the magnetic field in and around one gap 13.

  The state shown in FIG. 6A is defined as an angle of 0 °. In this state, only one block 15 is disposed in one gap 13 between the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11, and a strong magnetic field (for example, 1.2 T) is applied to the block 15. .

  Next, the control circuit 1 controls the rotation of the rotor 6, and adjusts and controls the arrangement positional relationship in a state of an angle of 15 ° shown in FIG. In this case, a part of the first block 15 (up to the vicinity of the center on one end side) moves relative to the gap 13, and the auxiliary magnetic body 16 enters the gap 13 instead. Since the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is attracted to the center in the circumferential direction of the gap 13 by the magnetic force of the inner and outer magnets 9, 11, the gap 13 maintains the adjacent contact state between the first block 15 and the auxiliary magnetic body 16 and rotates the rotating shaft 4. Move in the circumferential direction.

  Next, the control circuit 1 controls the rotation of the rotator 6, and adjusts and controls the arrangement positional relationship in a state of an angle of 30 ° as shown in FIG. In this case, the entire first block 15 moves relative to the gap 13, and instead, the auxiliary magnetic body 16 embeds the entire arc direction (circumferential direction) of the gap 13. Then, the magnetic fields generated by the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11 are substantially applied to the auxiliary magnetic body 16, and the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working substance 15a of the first block 15 is reduced as will be described later.

Next, the control circuit 1 controls the rotation of the rotor 6, and adjusts and controls the arrangement positional relationship in a state of an angle of 45 ° shown in FIG. In this case, since the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is attracted by the magnetic force of the inner and outer magnets 9, 11, the circumferential direction passes through the communication holes 14 inside the frame (not shown) across the gap 13 in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 4. Move (slid). In this case, if the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is processed into a massive molded state, for example, it is affected by friction between the auxiliary magnetic body 16 and the frame, and thus, for example, a molded state having a low friction coefficient compared to the massive molded state (for example, It is good to form in the cross-sectional circular shape and magnetic fluid) with respect to the circumferential direction (moving direction) of the rotating shaft 4. In addition, for example, the auxiliary magnetic body 16 may be formed of a plurality of objects (a plurality of cylindrical objects).
Then, the friction generated in the direction opposite to the moving direction of the auxiliary magnetic body 16 can be reduced as much as possible, the torque required for the motor 3 to rotate the rotor 6 can be suppressed as much as possible, and the power consumption can be reduced. It becomes like this.

  Next, the control circuit 1 controls the rotation of the rotator 6 and adjusts and controls the arrangement positional relationship in a state of an angle of 60 ° shown in FIG. In this case, the auxiliary magnetic body 16 comes into contact with the end of another second block 15 adjacent to the first block 15.

  Next, the control circuit 1 controls the rotation of the rotator 6 and adjusts and controls the arrangement positional relationship in a state of an angle of 75 ° shown in FIG. In this case, a part of the auxiliary magnetic body 16 moves relatively outside the gap 13, and instead, the block 15 enters the gap 13. Similarly to the above, the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is attracted to the center in the circumferential direction of the gap 13 by the magnetic force of the inner and outer magnets 9, 11, so that the adjacent contact state between the second block 15 and the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is maintained. Moves in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 4.

  Next, the control circuit 1 controls the rotation of the rotator 6 and adjusts and controls the arrangement positional relationship in a state of an angle of 90 ° as shown in FIG. In this case, the entire auxiliary magnetic body 16 moves relative to the gap 13, and instead, the second block 15 enters the gap 13. The auxiliary magnetic body 16 is maintained in the adjacent contact state with the second block 15 according to the magnetic force of the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11 and the minute friction with the frame.

  Next, the control circuit 1 controls the rotation of the rotator 6 with the direction of rotation reversed, and adjusts and controls the positional relationship between the first and second blocks 15, the auxiliary magnetic body 16, and the gap 13. The subsequent position adjustment control is 90 ° (FIG. 9 (g)) → 75 ° (FIG. 8 (f)) → 60 ° (FIG. 8 (e)) → 45 ° (FIG. 7 (d)) → 30 °. (FIG. 7 (c)) → 15 ° (FIG. 6 (b)) → 0 ° (FIG. 6 (a)), and thereafter repeated in the order of 0 ° → 90 ° → 0 °. Control. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control circuit 1 controls the swing of the rotor 6.

  FIG. 10 shows the arrangement positional relationship according to the angle and the analysis result of the magnetic flux density. In FIG. 10, the position indicated as “0 °” in FIGS. 6 to 9 is defined as “0 °” on the horizontal axis, and the rotational position of the clockwise rotation (forward direction) illustrated from this position is defined as the horizontal axis. The figure which made the vertical axis | shaft the magnetic flux density in the position is shown. In FIG. 10, the position of the gap 13 is a region where the horizontal axis is 0 ° to 15 ° and 75 ° to 90 °, and a region where the communication hole 14 is provided between 15 ° and 75 °. ing.

  When the angle is 0 °, as shown in FIG. 10A, the block 15 is positioned in the gap 13 (horizontal axis 0 ° to 15 °, 75 ° to 90 °) between the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11, It can be seen that a uniform maximum magnetic flux density B2 (approximately 1.2 T) is applied to the gap 13 in the circumferential direction. This is because the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11 are composed of permanent magnets having different polarities, and the blocks 15 are arranged in all the circumferential directions in the gap 13, so that a uniform magnetic field is applied to the magnetic working material 15a. Can be applied.

  At an angle of 0 °, as shown in FIG. 10A, the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is adjacent to the first block 15, and a leakage magnetic flux is generated in the auxiliary magnetic body 16. The magnetic flux density of the leakage magnetic flux is generated about 0.6 T, which is about half of the maximum magnetic flux density applied to the magnetic working material 15a.

  Due to this leakage magnetic flux, the closed magnetic path is different from the above-mentioned main path B1 (for example, a path formed through the second block 15 located on the right side from the auxiliary magnetic body 16 in FIG. 10A). However, since the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is spaced a considerable distance from the second block 15 via the space 14a, the space between the auxiliary magnetic body 16 and the second block 15 is between the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11. Only weak magnetic coupling occurs as compared with strong magnetic coupling, and the leakage flux is guided to the main path B1 through the magnetic path of the outer magnet 11 → the auxiliary magnetic body 16 → the inner magnet 9. Therefore, a strong magnetic field is independently applied to the plurality of blocks 15.

  At an angle of 15 °, as shown in FIG. 10B, the first block 15 and the auxiliary magnetic body 16 are in contact with each other, and the boundary position thereof is near the center of the gap 13 in the circumferential direction (FIG. 10B). Of 0 ° or 90 °). In this case, the magnetic flux density changes almost continuously in the arrangement direction of the block 15 and the auxiliary magnetic body 16.

  At an angle of 30 °, as shown in FIG. 10C, the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is arranged over the entire circumferential direction of the gap 13, and the block 15 moves out of the gap 13. Although the auxiliary magnetic body 16 receives a magnetic field from the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11, the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working material 15 a in the block 15 is reduced.

  At angles of 35 ° and 40 °, the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is disposed over the entire circumferential direction of the gap 13 as shown in FIGS. It can be seen that the magnetic field applied to the block 15 is gradually reduced.

  At an angle of 45 °, as shown in FIG. 10 (f), the block 15 is positioned at the center between the adjacent auxiliary magnetic bodies 16, 16. The block 15 is applied with a minimum magnetic flux density B3 (magnetic flux density of 0.2 to 0.4 T) in which the applied magnetic field is reduced.

  If the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is fully filled in the communication holes 14 on both sides in the circumferential direction of the block 15, as shown schematically by the dotted line in FIG. 10 (f), the minimum magnetic flux density B4. Is obtained at about 0.6T. Even in this case, the difference between the maximum magnetic flux density (1.2T) and the minimum magnetic flux density (0.6T) is about 0.6T, and a sufficient magnetic flux density difference for obtaining the magnetocaloric effect can be secured.

  However, when the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is filled in the communication holes 14 on both sides in the circumferential direction of the block 15, a path different from the main path B <b> 1 is provided between the block 15 and the plurality of auxiliary magnetic bodies 16. Since a magnetic path is formed, from the viewpoint of ensuring a large difference between the maximum magnetic flux density and the minimum magnetic flux density, the arrangement position relationship between the block 15 and the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is obtained when obtaining the minimum magnetic flux density. It is desirable to provide a space 14a (air) between them.

  In particular, it is desirable that the central portion of the block 15 be positioned at the midpoint between the adjacent auxiliary magnetic bodies 16. Then, the minimum magnetic flux density can be reduced as much as possible, the heat absorption efficiency of the magnetic working material 15a can be maximized, and thereby the heat exchange efficiency can be increased. Note that in the case of an angle exceeding 45 °, the change is almost the same as the change in magnetic flux density in the case of 0 ° to 45 °.

  As described above, the control circuit 1 drives and controls the motor 3 to gradually change the angle of the rotator 6 from 0 ° to 90 ° in the normal rotation direction, thereby rotating the rotator 6 and the magnetic working material 15a. Then, the arrangement positional relationship of the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is adjusted and controlled, and then gradually changed in the reverse direction from 90 ° to 0 ° to arrange the positional relationship of the rotor 6, the magnetic working material 15a, and the auxiliary magnetic body 16. The reciprocating oscillation is controlled by adjusting the control. During movement control by the control circuit 1, since either the block 15 (magnetic working material 15a) or the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is positioned in the gap 13, the change in magnetic energy can be kept small and cogging can be performed. Torque can be reduced.

  At this time, the medium 20 is passed through the block 15 by the pump 17 in a state where the magnetic working material 15a generates heat, and the heat is transported to the hot section 21, and the pump 17 in the state where the magnetic working material 15a generates cold. By passing the medium 20 through the block 15, the cold heat is transported to the cold heat unit 22 and repeatedly accumulated. Thereby, the heat exchanger 5 can exchange heat efficiently.

  In addition, after rotating 90 degrees, only the auxiliary magnetic body 16 may continue to rotate 30 degrees in the normal rotation direction. Then, after the rotation of 30 °, the arrangement relationship is the same as in the state of the angle 0 ° in the drawing, and the forward rotation operation may be continued.

  According to the present embodiment, the control circuit 1 controls the drive of the motor 3 to adjust and control the block 15 to be disposed in the gap 13, so that the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11 change the magnetic field in the block 15. The state of applying to the working material 15a and the state of adjusting the auxiliary magnetic body 16 to be disposed in the gap 13 and reducing the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working material 15a by the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11 are repeatedly controlled. is doing.

  For this reason, for example, it is not necessary to provide a magnetic shield between the magnetic working substance and the magnetism generating means as in the technical idea shown in Patent Document 1, and the size can be reduced. Further, a sufficient magnetic flux density difference between the maximum magnetic flux density and the minimum magnetic flux density applied to the magnetic working material 15a can be ensured, and heat exchange is performed while improving COP (Coefficient Of Performance). The vessel 5 can exchange heat.

  The control circuit 1 includes a block 15 and an auxiliary magnetic body along a direction (in the present embodiment, the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 4) that intersects perpendicularly with the direction of generation of the magnetic field generated by the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11 in the gap 13, for example. Since the arrangement positional relationship is adjusted and controlled by controlling the movement of the gap 13 relative to 16, the same effects as described above can be obtained while utilizing the structure of the rotor 6.

  Since the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is formed of a magnetic body, the auxiliary magnetic body 16 can be disposed in the gap 13 instead of the block 15, and is applied to the block 15 by passing a magnetic field through the auxiliary magnetic body 16. Magnetic field can be reduced. Therefore, the minimum magnetic flux density applied to the magnetic working material 15a can be reduced, and COP can be improved.

  When the control circuit 1 controls the movement of the block 15 from the gap 13 to the outside of the gap 13, the position of the gap 13 can be adjusted and controlled so that the auxiliary magnetic body 16 enters the gap 13 adjacent to the block 15. Torque associated with the adjustment can be reduced, power consumption can be reduced, and COP can be improved.

  When the control circuit 1 controls the movement of the block 15 outside the gap 13 to reduce the internal magnetic flux density, the arrangement position of the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is set so that a space 14a is provided between the control magnetic circuit 16 and the auxiliary magnetic body 16. Since adjustment control is performed, the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working material 15a through the auxiliary magnetic body 16 can be reduced, and the width between the maximum magnetic flux density and the minimum magnetic flux density can be widened. Thereby, COP can be improved.

The auxiliary magnetic body 16 is preferably made of the same material as that of the magnetic working substance 15a.
Since the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is movably supported between the plurality of gaps 13, the magnetic field generated in the gap 13 by the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11 can be stably maintained.
When the auxiliary magnetic body 16 has a circular cross section along the movable direction, friction can be reduced and torque can be reduced. Thereby, power consumption can be reduced and COP can be improved.

  Since the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11 constitute a gap 13 by arranging two different-polarity permanent magnets to face each other, a uniform magnetic flux density can be formed in the gap 13. The control circuit 1 adjusts and controls the arrangement positional relationship so that the block 15 and the auxiliary magnetic body 16 swing in the gap 13. Further, the control circuit 1 adjusts and controls the arrangement positional relationship by rotating the gap 13 in the circumferential direction around the rotation shaft 4. For this reason, position control becomes easy.

  Since the positional relationship between the block 15 (magnetic working material 15a) and the auxiliary magnetic body 16 in the gap 13 is synchronized between the plurality of gaps 13, the cooling / heating heat generated in the magnetic working material 15a is transmitted through the medium 20. Heat exchange can be performed at the same time, and the heat exchange timing can be synchronized. Thereby, the mechanism of the heat exchanger 5 can be simplified.

Since the rotator 6 is configured in a radial type, it can be operated continuously.
In this embodiment, the arc angle of the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11 is 30 °, and the arc angle of the area where the block 15 (magnetic working material 15a) and the auxiliary magnetic body 16 are arranged is also set to 30 °. ing.

  Generally, torque acts on the auxiliary magnetic body 16 toward a stable position where the magnetic energy is minimized, and the torque acts so that the arc center of the auxiliary magnetic body 16 matches the arc center of the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11. . For example, when the arc angle of the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is smaller than the arc angle of the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11, the torque acts greatly. Therefore, when the arc angle of the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is set to an angle exceeding the arc angle of the inner and outer magnets 8 and 11, the auxiliary magnetic body 16 with respect to the portion that protrudes beyond the arc angle of the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11 There is almost no torque action. Therefore, in order to minimize the torque, it is more desirable to configure the arc angle of the auxiliary magnetic body 16 to be greater than the arc angle of the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11.

  In summary, the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is preferably formed to be equal to or longer than the length of the gap 13 in the direction along the moving direction. In this embodiment, the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is the circumferential length of the rotating shaft 4. The arc angle corresponding to the height is preferably set to be equal to or greater than the arc angle (for example, 30 °) corresponding to the circumferential length of the gap 13. In particular, when the arc angle is set to exceed 30 °, the torque accompanying the circumferential movement can be reduced, and the COP can be improved by reducing the power consumption.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the previous embodiment is that it is an axial type. The same parts as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted, and parts having the same function but different forms are denoted by the same reference numerals and different descriptions are added and described.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of arrangement in an axial type. FIG. 11 shows a rotator 23 instead of the rotator 6. The rotor 23 has inner and outer magnets 9 and 11 arranged in a region spaced apart from the center of the rotating shaft 4 in the radial direction by a predetermined distance, and the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11 extend in the extending direction of the rotating shaft 4. The magnetic field is generated in the gap 13 along the extending direction of the rotating shaft 4.

  In addition, a communication hole 14 is provided along the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 4, and the block 15, the auxiliary magnetic body 16, the block 15. Has been. The block 15 is fixedly disposed so as to be inoperable in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 4, and the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is movable in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 4 in the communication hole 14 between the adjacent blocks 15 and 15. It is configured. In FIG. 11, the magnetic elements 9, 11, 14 to 16 are illustrated as being spaced apart from the rotating shaft 4 in the radial direction by a predetermined distance. 11 and 14 to 16 may be arranged such that they extend radially from the center of the rotation shaft 4.

  Even if such an axial type configuration is applied, the same effect as in the above-described embodiment is achieved. When applied to the rotary type shown in the first and second embodiments, since the yokes 8 and 10 continuously form a magnetic circuit, the magnetic flux distribution can be periodically formed. In comparison, the yokes 8 and 10 can be thinned as a whole.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the previous embodiment is that it is applied to a linear type. The same parts as those in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted, and parts having the same function but different forms are denoted by the same reference numerals and different descriptions are added.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of a linear arrangement. FIG. 12 shows a mover 24 in place of the rotor 6. In FIG. 12, linear yokes 8 and 10 are applied. A linear type motor (not shown) is provided in place of the motor 3 and the rotation shaft 4 of the above-described embodiment, and the control circuit 1 adjusts the movement of the yokes 8 and 10 and the magnets 9 and 11 in the horizontal direction shown in the drawing. It is provided to be controllable. Therefore, a plurality of gaps 13 are provided on a straight line in the horizontal direction in the figure. The block 15 is fixedly disposed so as to be inoperable in the horizontal direction in the figure, and the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is configured to be movable in the horizontal direction in the figure in the communication hole 14 between the adjacent blocks 15 and 15.

  Even if such a linear configuration is applied, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained. In addition, the linear type casing can be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped, and the dead space when the product is assembled can be reduced, the product volume can be increased, and the entire product can be downsized.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and for example, the following modifications or expansions are possible.
Although an embodiment in which the rotor 6 and the pump 17 are connected by the rotating shaft 4 is shown, if the magnetic field application / removal timing and the heat transport timing can be appropriately controlled, the drive control and rotation of the pump 17 The drive control of the child 6 may be performed synchronously or independently. In this case, appropriate heat transport timing can be achieved by using various valves (such as a rotary valve).

  In the embodiment described above, adjustment control may not be performed so that either the block 15 or the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is always disposed in the gap 13. That is, the space 14 a of the communication hole 14 is filled with air, for example, but may be applied to a configuration in which the air as a magnetically permeable substance is disposed and controlled in the gap 13.

  Although the embodiment of the magnetic refrigeration apparatus 1 has been shown, it may be applied to a magnetic heating apparatus, a magnetic refrigeration apparatus, or the like, or may be applied to a configuration having these functions. That is, it can be applied to a magnetic temperature control device.

  As the material of the auxiliary magnetic body 16, another ferromagnetic body (for example, iron) or a paramagnetic body may be applied. The auxiliary magnetic body 16 may be configured in a magnetic fluid, bulk, or granular form. In addition, it is desirable that the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is made of a magnetic body that can be held by an external magnetic force because the auxiliary magnetic body 16 can be easily adjacent to the block 15.

  The direction in which the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is freely movable is not limited to the orthogonal direction as long as it intersects the direction of the magnetic field generated by the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11. The cross section of the auxiliary magnetic body 16 along the movable direction is not limited to a circle. The auxiliary magnetic body 16 may be made of a material different from the magnetic working material 15a. The auxiliary magnetic body 16 may be filled in all of the plurality of blocks 15. Instead of the auxiliary magnetic body 16, only air may be applied as the magnetically permeable material.

As the inner and outer magnets 9 and 11, permanent magnets having opposite polarities are applied, but one may be a permanent magnet and the other may be a ferromagnetic material such as iron.
In the above-described embodiment, an embodiment in which the positional relationship between the auxiliary magnetic body 16 and the block 15 is adjusted by swing control of the gap 13 is shown. But it ’s okay.

  In the embodiment, the control circuit 1 moves and controls the gap 13 with the arrangement of the block 15 fixed, but at least one of the block 15 (magnetic working material 15a) and the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is fixed with the gap 13 fixed. You may apply to the form which controls movement. The auxiliary magnetic body 16 may be fixedly installed on the housing 2 or the like, and the control circuit 1 may be applied to a form in which the block 15 is moved and controlled. That is, any form may be applied as long as movement control of any of the gap 13, the block 15 (magnetic working material 15a), and the auxiliary magnetic body 16 is possible.

1 is a schematic front view of a magnetic cooling device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Cross-sectional view schematically showing the rotor and its surrounding structure The perspective view which shows roughly about a rotor and its periphery structure Schematic diagram of piping connection Timing chart showing timing of change of magnetic field and transport of hot / cold heat Explanation of the operation of the rotor and its surrounding structure (Part 1) Operation explanatory diagram of the rotor and its surrounding structure (2) Explanation of the operation of the rotor and its surrounding structure (Part 3) Explanation of the operation of the rotor and its surrounding structure (Part 4) Characteristic diagram showing the magnetic flux density analysis results of the rotor and its surrounding structure according to the angle FIG. 3 equivalent view showing the second embodiment of the present invention FIG. 3 equivalent view showing the third embodiment of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, A is a magnetic refrigeration apparatus (magnetic temperature control apparatus), 1 is a control circuit (control means), 2 is a housing, 3 is a motor, 4 is a rotating shaft, 5 is a heat exchanger, and 6 is a rotor. , 7 is a bearing, 8 is an inner yoke, 9 is an inner magnet (magnetic field generating means), 10 is an outer yoke, 11 is an outer magnet (magnetic field generating means), 12 is a housing, 13 is a gap, 14 is a communication hole, 14a is Space (magnetically permeable material), 15 is a magnetic working material filling block, 15a is a magnetic working material, 15b is an outer wall material, 16 is an auxiliary magnetic material (magnetically permeable material), 17 is a pump, 18 and 19 are piping, and 20 is a medium. , 21 is an exhaust heat section, and 22 is a cold heat section.

Claims (22)

Magnetic field generating means for generating a magnetic field through the gap;
A heat exchanger that is filled with a magnetic working material having a magnetocaloric effect that changes in temperature due to a change in the applied magnetic field and that exchanges heat by passing the medium through the magnetic working material;
A first state in which the magnetic field generating means applies a magnetic field to the magnetic working material by adjusting and controlling the magnetic working material to be disposed in the gap, and a magnetically permeable material other than the magnetic working material in the gap. Magnetic temperature characterized by comprising: control means for repeatedly controlling to a second state in which the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working substance by the magnetic field generating means is reduced by adjusting and arranging the magnetic working material. Adjustment device.   The control means controls to move one or two of the magnetically permeable material, the magnetic working material, and the gap relative to each other in a direction intersecting the magnetic field generation direction of the magnetic field generation means. The magnetic temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein the control is repeatedly performed in the first state and the second state.   3. The magnetic temperature control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic field generating means forms the gap by arranging two different-polarity permanent magnets to face each other.   4. The magnetic temperature control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the magnetically permeable substance includes an auxiliary magnetic body made of a magnetic body.   The control means controls the movement of the magnetic working material from inside the gap to the outside of the gap, so that the auxiliary magnetic body enters the gap adjacent to the magnetic working material, the magnetic working material, and the magnetic material. 5. The magnetic temperature adjusting device according to claim 4, wherein the arrangement positional relationship of the passing substance is adjusted and controlled.   5. The control unit according to claim 4, wherein the control unit adjusts and controls the arrangement position of the auxiliary magnetic body so that a space is provided between the auxiliary magnetic body to which a magnetic field is applied in the second state. 5. The magnetic temperature control device according to 5.   The magnetic temperature control device according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary magnetic body includes the same material as the constituent material of the magnetic working substance.   The magnetic temperature control device according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the auxiliary magnetic body is supported so as to be movable between the plurality of gaps.   The auxiliary magnetic body is configured to be movable in a direction intersecting a direction of a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating means, and a cross section along the movable direction is formed in a circular shape. The magnetic temperature control apparatus according to any one of 4 to 8.   10. The magnetic temperature control device according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary magnetic body is formed to be equal to or longer than a length of the gap in a direction along the moving direction. The magnetic field generating means is constituted by a permanent magnet provided in a circular arc shape,
5. The arc angle of the auxiliary magnetic body is formed to be equal to or greater than an arc angle of a permanent magnet constituting the magnetic field generating means in a circumferential direction that is a moving direction of the auxiliary magnetic body. Thru | or 10 the magnetic-type temperature control apparatus in any one.   The magnetic temperature control device according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary magnetic body is made of a magnetic body that can be held by an external magnetic force.   The magnetic temperature control device according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary magnetic body is made of a ferromagnetic body.   The magnetic temperature control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary magnetic body is made of a magnetic fluid.   15. The magnetic temperature control apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary magnetic body is formed in a granular shape. The magnetic working material is provided in a plurality of blocks,
16. The magnetic temperature control device according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary magnetic body is filled in all of the plurality of blocks filled with the magnetic working substance.   The magnetic temperature control device according to claim 1, wherein the magnetically permeable substance includes air.   The control means adjusts and controls an arrangement positional relationship of the gap, the magnetic working material, and the magnetic passage material so that the magnetic working material and the magnetic passage material swing in the gap. Item 18. A magnetic temperature control device according to any one of Items 1 to 17.   The control means adjusts and controls an arrangement positional relationship of the gap, the magnetic working material, and the magnetic passing material so that the magnetic working material and the magnetic passing material pass through the gap in a predetermined direction. The magnetic temperature control apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 18. A plurality of gaps of the magnetic field generating means are provided at a predetermined distance from the central axis around the axis,
The control means rotates at least one of the plurality of gaps, the magnetic working material, and the magnetically permeable material in the circumferential direction of the shaft around an axis, thereby allowing the plurality of gaps, the magnetic working material, and the magnetic material to rotate. 20. The magnetic temperature adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the positional relationship of the passing substance is adjusted and controlled. A plurality of gaps of the magnetic field generating means are provided in a straight line,
The control means moves at least one of the plurality of gaps, the magnetic working material, and the magnetically permeable material in a straight line, thereby arranging the plurality of gaps, the magnetic working material, and the magnetically permeable material. 21. The magnetic temperature adjusting device according to claim 1, wherein the relationship is adjusted and controlled. A plurality of gaps of the magnetic field generating means are provided,
The magnetic temperature according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein a relationship between positions of the magnetic working substance and the magnetically permeable substance in the gap is synchronized between the plurality of gaps. Adjustment device.

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