JP2014105987A - Generating set for refrigerator-freezer and refrigerating/freezing vehicle having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a generating set for a refrigerator-freezer which performs power generation by utilizing a phenomenon that an external wall of a refrigerating/freezing container is raised in temperature by being warmed by solar heat, and obtains power which is necessary for the operation of a cooling device for cooling the inside of the refrigerator-freezer of the refrigerating/freezing container, and can reduce a fuel consumption amount related to the operation, and a refrigerating/freezing vehicle.SOLUTION: The generating set for the refrigerator-freezer is composed of: a heat power generation module using a thermoelectric transducer which is arranged in a space between the refrigerator-freezer for accommodating and storing frozen goods or refrigerated goods and an external box covering the refrigerator-freezer; a chargeable/dischargeable battery which charges power generated by the heat power generation module; and a control part for managing a power receiving/feeding operation with respect to at least the heat power generation module, a battery capacity and a battery temperature of the chargeable/dischargeable battery, and an inside temperature of the refrigerator-freezer.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power generation system mounted on a refrigerator-freezer vehicle, which converts the heat of the outer wall of the refrigerator-freezer container of the refrigerator-freezer vehicle into electric energy and uses it as cooling power for a refrigerator-freezer in the refrigerator-freezer container. The present invention relates to a power generator for a refrigerator compartment.

In recent years, environmentally friendly vehicles such as HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), EV (Electric Vehicle), and PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) have been invented and put into practical use as CO ₂ reduction and environmental energy countermeasures in the automobile industry. .

This trend also extends to the truck industry, and HEV eco-trucks have been put into practical use, and eco-refrigerated refrigeration vehicles equipped with refrigerator-freezers have been commercialized.
In this refrigerator-freezer vehicle, a refrigerator-freezer equipped with a refrigerator that drives a compressor compressor with an engine is mounted on the carrier, but a secondary battery is installed as a power source for refrigerator-freezer for the purpose of energy saving. There is a frozen and refrigerated vehicle, and a frozen and refrigerated vehicle that is used as a power source for freezing and refrigeration by converting wind power into generated energy.

JP 2001-324253 A JP 2008-267371 A

  In a refrigerated vehicle, power is generated by utilizing the phenomenon that the container outer wall of the refrigerated container is heated by solar heat, and the power required to operate the cooling device for cooling the inside of the refrigerated refrigerator of the refrigerated container is provided. Thus, the object is to reduce the amount of fuel consumed for operation.

The present inventor has intensively studied to solve such a problem. By laying a thermoelectric generator equipped with a thermoelectric generator module using a thermoelectric conversion element in a refrigeration container of a refrigeration vehicle, the refrigeration is refrigerated. As a result of finding that it is possible to keep the inside of the refrigerator-freezer of the container cool, the present invention has been achieved, and it can be expected to reduce the amount of fuel consumed and the amount of CO ₂ gas contained in the exhaust gas. is there.

  That is, a first invention of the present invention is a thermoelectric generator module using a thermoelectric conversion element arranged in a space between a refrigerator-freezer for storing and storing a frozen product or a refrigerated product and an external housing covering the refrigerator-freezer. And a chargeable / dischargeable battery for charging the electric power generated by the thermoelectric generation module, and at least receiving power to the thermoelectric generation module, managing the battery capacity and battery temperature in the chargeable / dischargeable battery, and the temperature inside the refrigerator / freezer It is a power generator for a freezer / refrigeration room comprising a control unit.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the thermoelectric generation module disposed in the space portion according to the first aspect, an external casing heated by solar heat is used as a heat source, and one of the pair of insulating materials provided in the thermoelectric generation module is used. This is a power generator for a refrigerating and refrigerating room, which is in close contact with the inner surface of the housing wall of the external housing, and the other side of the insulating material is in close contact with the outer surface of the storage wall of the refrigerator-freezer through a heat insulating material.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the thermoelectric generator module disposed in the space portion according to the first aspect of the present invention, one of the insulating materials forming a pair provided in the thermoelectric generator module has an external housing heated by solar heat as a heat source. In close contact with the inner wall surface of the external housing, the other side of the insulating material is in close contact with the outer surface of the refrigerator refrigerator wall through a heat pump, and a heat insulating material is installed in the space where the heat pump is not installed. This is a power generator for a refrigerator compartment.

  A fourth invention of the present invention is a refrigerator-freezer for storing and storing a frozen product or a refrigerated product, an external housing that covers the refrigerator-freezer, and a thermoelectric conversion element disposed in a space between the external housing and the refrigerator-freezer. A refrigerating and refrigerating room comprising a thermoelectric power generation module comprising: a heat-insulating material filled in a space in a region excluding the thermoelectric power generation module disposed in the space; a cooling device for cooling the inside of the refrigerator-freezer; and a cooling device. A power supply unit having a chargeable / dischargeable battery for charging the electric power generated by the discharge and the thermoelectric generation module for operation, and a control unit for managing the state of the cooling device, the power supply unit, and the thermoelectric generation module This is a refrigerated container with a power generator.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerator-freezer for storing and storing a frozen product or a refrigerated product, an external housing for covering the refrigerator-freezer, and a thermoelectric conversion element disposed in a space between the external housing and the refrigerator-freezer. A thermoelectric generator module, a heat pump installed between the thermoelectric generator module and the refrigerated freezer, and a heat insulating material filled in a space portion of the area excluding the thermoelectric generator module and the heat pump arranged in the space portion. A refrigerating and refrigerating chamber, a cooling device that cools the inside of the refrigerator-freezer, a power supply unit that includes a discharge for operating the cooling device and a chargeable / dischargeable battery for charging the power generated by the thermoelectric generator module, Furthermore, it is a refrigerated container with a power generator, further comprising a controller that manages the state of the cooling device, the power source, and the thermoelectric generator module.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerated vehicle including a refrigerated container, wherein the refrigerated container is the refrigerated container with a power generator according to the fourth or fifth aspect. It is a refrigerated vehicle.

  A seventh aspect of the present invention is a control method for a power generator for a freezer / refrigeration room having a thermoelectric generator module using a thermoelectric conversion element in a refrigerator-freezer vehicle having a refrigerator-freezer container with a power generator, and comprising a refrigerator with a power generator When the cooling device provided in the refrigerated container is in operation, the power required for the operation of the cooling device is first supplied from the power supply of the power generator for the freezer compartment, and when the engine of the refrigerated vehicle is stopped, When the power required for the operation of the cooling device is supplied from the power supply unit of the refrigerator compartment power generator and the engine of the refrigerated vehicle is in operation, the difference between the set temperature in the refrigerator / freezer and the temperature in the refrigerator / freezer is large. Sometimes, the electric power obtained from the engine operation and the electric power obtained from the power generator for the freezer compartment are used together, and when the difference between the set temperature in the freezer and the temperature in the freezer is small, A method of controlling a refrigerated compartment for power generation apparatus characterized by the use of power obtained from the chamber for power generation apparatus.

As described above, according to the refrigerated container of the refrigerated vehicle of the present invention, solar power is used to generate power using a thermoelectric generator module, which is stored in a battery and used as power for driving the cooling device, Freezing and refrigeration can be performed, and an energy saving effect by reducing fuel consumption and CO ₂ reduction in exhaust gas can be achieved, and a remarkable industrial effect can be achieved.

It is a back perspective view of a refrigerator-freezer vehicle provided with a refrigerator-freezer container. It is a figure which shows the structure of the electric power generating apparatus for freezer compartments in this invention. In cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the structure of the container wall of refrigerated containers of the present invention, (a) is in the space between the outer housing C ₁ and the freezing refrigerator C _2, thermoelectric module 1 is arranged The other end side is in contact with the outer wall surface of the warehouse wall 4 of the refrigerator refrigerator C ₂ through the heat insulating material 3, and (b) has a heat transfer body such as a heat pipe in close contact with the other end side. is a cross-sectional view of an example of a portion was brought into close contact with the Kurakabe outer surface of Kurakabe 4 refrigerator C ₂ structure of the heat transfer member. It is a fragmentary sectional view of the container wall of the state mounted in the freezer / refrigeration container of the thermoelectric generation module. It is a figure of the example of a wiring system using a thermoelectric generation module.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but examples of the present invention are not limited thereto.
FIG. 1 is an external rear perspective view of a refrigerated vehicle provided with a refrigerated container having a power generation device of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, 10 is a refrigerated vehicle, and C is a refrigerated container.
This refrigerated container C includes a container housing, a cooling device that keeps the refrigerator refrigerator stored in or mounted in the container housing, a power generator for the freezer compartment, and a power source that supplies power to these devices. It consists of parts.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing an arrangement of a refrigerated compartment for power generation apparatus 12 of the present invention, the thermal power generation module 1, which is disposed inside the outer housing C ₁ of refrigerated containers C, which is generated by thermal power generation module 1 A chargeable / dischargeable battery (secondary battery 21) serving as a power source for storing electric power and operating the cooling device 23, an onboard generator 22 and a vehicle engine 11 serving as a power source for operating the cooling device 23, and a cooling device for cooling the refrigerator-freezer 23, charging of the power generating operation and the secondary battery 21 of the thermoelectric module 1, to control the temperature controlled compartment power generator 12 such as a cold control of the power supply and refrigerator C ₂ to the cooling device 23 from the power supply unit The control unit 20 is configured.
Note that the power supply unit may be configured not to include the on-board generator 22 or the vehicle engine 11.
In FIG. 2, a solid line whose direction is indicated by a white arrow indicates a power supply line to the apparatus, and a broken line whose direction is indicated by a black arrow indicates a power receiving line from the thermoelectric generator module. Reference numeral 3 denotes a heat insulating material filled in the space between the external casing C ₁ and the refrigerator / freezer C _2, and an alternate long and short dash line connecting the control unit 20 and the cooling device 23 is a signal line for transmitting a command to the cooling device 23. It is.

  The control unit 20 is usually called a microcomputer, and is used as a main component electronic component such as a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a booster circuit, an overvoltage prevention function, a temperature setting function, and a secondary battery power control. It becomes the composition to do.

Usually, the electric power (electric energy) generated by the thermoelectric generator module 1 is charged to the secondary battery 21 with a DC voltage (black arrow) through the control unit 20.
When the charging capacity of the secondary battery 21 becomes fully charged, an electronic circuit for stopping the charging of the secondary battery 21 in the control unit 20 is assembled. Conversely, when the charge capacity of the secondary battery 21 is monitored and the charge capacity decreases, charging of the secondary battery 21 from the control unit 20 side is started.
Power stored in the rechargeable battery 21 drives the electric motor for the compressor drive the cooling device 23, the inside of refrigerator C ₂ cooled and cold.

The operation method of the power generator for a freezer compartment according to the present invention is controlled so that it is consumed from the side of the power generator for the refrigerator compartment, that is, the secondary battery 21 during cooling.
Therefore, when the vehicle engine is stopped due to a driver's break or the like in long-distance transportation, the refrigerator / freezer compartment power generator according to the present invention is used and the vehicle engine is moving. When the difference between the set temperature in the refrigerator and the temperature in the refrigerator / freezer (measured value) is large, the power supply from the onboard engine or vehicle engine and the power supply from the power generator for the refrigerator compartment of the present invention are used together. When the temperature difference between the set temperature in the refrigerator / freezer and the temperature (measured value) in the refrigerator / freezer is small, CO ₂ reduction and energy saving can be realized by using the power generator for a refrigerator compartment of the present invention.

Next, the thermoelectric generator module will be described with reference to FIG.
Container housing, the outer housing C ₁ constituting the outer wall of the container, accommodating the article in the form covered in its outer housing C _1, is composed of refrigerator C ₂ to save, and its outer housing C ₁ In the space between the refrigerator-freezer C ₂ , the thermoelectric generator module 1 has one end in close contact with the inner wall surface of the external housing C ₁ and the other end in close contact with the outer wall surface of the refrigerator-freezer C _2. The space portion excluding the region occupied by the thermoelectric generator module 1 is filled with the heat insulating material 3.

Figure 3 is a partial sectional view showing the structure of the container wall of refrigerated containers C of the present invention, (a) is a space between the outer housing C ₁ and refrigerator C ₂ (external casing C ₁ to refer to the space) between the casing wall 2 and Kurakabe 4 of refrigerator C _2, the thermoelectric module 1 as one end is brought into close contact with the casing wall outer surface of the housing wall 2 of the outer housing C ₁ The other end side has a structure in contact with the outer wall surface of the warehouse wall 4 of the refrigerator refrigerator C ₂ through the heat insulating material 3.
(B) is a heat transfer material such as a heat pump on the other end side contact, if necessary fixed, a part of the heat transfer body structure with close contact with the Kurakabe outer surface of Kurakabe 4 refrigerator C ₂ is there. 6 is a heat pump, here, is composed of a heat dissipation plate 6 _B and the heat pipe 6 _A.
Incidentally, the adhesion of the casing wall inner surface and the thermal power generation module of the external casing C ₁ is coated with a thermal grease or a high temperature adhesive on the contact surface, the adhesion is secured.

By adopting such a structure, the external casing C ₁ is heated by solar heat, the temperature of the casing wall 2 is increased. A housing wall 2 of the order outer housing C _1, frozen, in causing a temperature difference between the Kurakabe 4 of refrigerator C ₂ to-compartment temperature to keep the refrigeration is turned several ℃ below Become. The temperature difference is converted into electricity by the action of the thermoelectric conversion element constituting the thermoelectric generator module 1 (Seebeck effect) to generate electricity. The generated electricity is stored in a chargeable / dischargeable battery, a so-called secondary battery, and is discharged as necessary.

The other end of the thermoelectric module 1 (freezer side), in close contact with the heat transfer body such as a heat pump 6, if necessary fixed, some compartment of Kurakabe 4 refrigerator C ₂ of the heat transfer member It is good also as a structure closely_contact | adhered to a wall outer surface, or close-contacting fixation (refer FIG.3 (b)).
In this case, when the thermoelectric generator module 1 is energized, the Peltier effect appears, the other end side of the thermoelectric generator module 1 becomes cold, and the refrigerator wall 4 is cooled through the heat transfer body to cool the internal temperature. And can be maintained.

In the present invention, the space of the container walls, such as side plates, end plate ceiling, floor of refrigerated container shown in FIG. 3, sandwiching the heat-insulating material, the housing of the external casing C ₁ of space to keep the interior temperature maintained The thermoelectric generator module 1 using a thermoelectric generator is closely attached and fixed to the inner wall of the casing 2 of the wall 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the container wall in a state where it is mounted on the refrigerated refrigerated container C of the thermoelectric generator module 1, and the outer surface of the refrigerated refrigerated container C is heated by solar heat, thereby the housing wall inner surface of the C ₁ casing wall 2, also will be heated electrode 1B _H side of the thermoelectric module 1 using a thermoelectric conversion element 1C disposed in close contact with the electrodes 1B _H, the thermoelectric conversion The Seebeck effect is expressed by the difference between the temperature (high temperature part) on the electrode 1B _H side of the element 1C and the temperature on the other end side, the temperature (low temperature part) on the electrode 1B _L side, and the thermal energy from solar heat is converted into electric energy, that is, It generates electricity.
In addition, the thermoelectric conversion element can supply electric energy, that is, energize to develop the Peltier effect and transfer heat energy (heat absorption), cool the storage wall 4 of the freezer refrigerator C ₂ , Can be kept in a cold state.

Thermoelectric module 1 to be used, as seen in FIG. 4, the surface side to be heated by solar heat (high temperature portion) the electrode 1B _H is provided via an insulator 1A _H, cooling face side (low temperature portion) of the ceramic It is a plate (insulator 1A _L ).
The electrode 1B _H (excludes the insulator 1A _H may be removed if not necessary) to a high heat source, and the ceramic plate on the cooling surface side and the heat sink (not shown, in close contact with the refrigerator wall) At this time, thermal grease or high-temperature adhesive is applied to the joint surface, and the air is removed by rubbing it several times, so that the electrode 1B occurs when the heat sink capacity is small or when the contact surface contains air. A temperature difference between the _H side and the electrode 1B _L side is reduced, and a phenomenon that the amount of power generation is reduced can be prevented.
Furthermore, the maximum use temperature of the thermoelectric generator module is preferably 350 ° C. for short-time use and about 250 ° C. for continuous use, and is used so as not to exceed these temperatures.

Table 1 shows the specifications of a typical thermoelectric generator module used in the present invention.
As the size of the thermoelectric module increases, the current and voltage also increase.

Next, an example of the wiring system of the thermoelectric generator module 1 is shown in FIG.
Since the thermoelectric generation module 1 has a low voltage for generating electricity per unit, in order to connect to a normal load, a plurality of thermoelectric generation modules 1 connected in series is used as one system, and this is used for the performance of a refrigerated container. Accordingly, a plurality of systems are connected to the control unit 20 and used. 5 is a lead wire.

As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of thermoelectric generator modules 1 are arranged, and the required electromotive force is obtained by connecting the thermoelectric generator modules in series.
In normal times, the generated electromotive force (electric energy) is charged to the secondary battery 21 with a DC voltage through the control unit 20.
The control unit 20 monitors the battery capacity of the secondary battery, and when the battery capacity of the storage battery is fully received, an electronic circuit that stops charging the secondary battery 21 in the control unit 20 is incorporated. . The battery capacity of the secondary battery 21 is monitored, and when the battery capacity decreases, a signal to start charging the secondary battery 21 is output from the control unit 20 side, and a monitoring circuit for charging is provided.

Control unit 20, the temperature change in the inside temperature and the secondary battery 21 of the refrigerator C ₂ performs also the temperature monitored by the temperature sensor, if the battery temperature to exceed a predetermined temperature, and stops the charging operation Electronic circuitry is also incorporated. In addition, the environmental temperature, that is, the air temperature is also measured at the same time.
The electric power stored in the secondary battery 21 operates the electric motor for driving the cooling device, thereby driving the compressor of the cooling device and cooling the inside of the refrigerator-freezer.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermoelectric generation module 2 Case wall of external housing C ₁ Heat insulation material 4 Refrigerating refrigerator C ₂ warehouse wall 5 Lead wire 6 Heat pump 6 _A Heat pipe 6 _B Heat sink 10 Refrigeration vehicle 11 Refrigeration vehicle engine 12 Refrigeration vehicle Power generator 20 for room 20 Control unit 21 Secondary battery 22 On-board generator (mounted on refrigerated container or refrigerated vehicle)
23 Cooling device C Refrigerated container C ₁ External casing C ₂ Refrigerator 1A _H High temperature side insulator (thermoelectric module)
1A _L low temperature side insulator (thermoelectric power module)
1B _H high temperature side electrode (thermoelectric module)
1B _L low temperature side electrode (thermoelectric module)
1C Thermoelectric conversion element

Claims (7)

A refrigerator-freezer for storing and storing frozen or refrigerated products;
A thermoelectric generation module using a thermoelectric conversion element disposed in a space between the external casing that covers the refrigerator-freezer,
A chargeable / dischargeable battery for charging the power generated by the thermoelectric generation module;
At least power reception and power supply operation for the thermoelectric generation module;
Battery capacity and battery temperature in the chargeable / dischargeable battery;
A control unit for managing the temperature in the refrigerator-freezer,
A power generator for a freezer / refrigerator room.   The thermoelectric generation module disposed in the space portion has an external casing heated by solar heat as a heat source, and one of a pair of insulating materials provided in the thermoelectric generation module is in close contact with the inner wall of the casing of the external casing The power generator for a freezer / refrigeration room according to claim 1, wherein the other insulating material is in close contact with the outer surface of the refrigerator wall and the heat insulating material.   The thermoelectric generation module disposed in the space portion has an external casing heated by solar heat as a heat source, and one of a pair of insulating materials provided in the thermoelectric generation module is in close contact with the inner wall of the casing of the external casing 2. The refrigerator / freezer according to claim 1, wherein the other side of the insulating material is in close contact with the outer wall of the refrigerator refrigerator through a heat pump, and a heat insulating material is installed in the space where the heat pump is not installed. Room power generator. A refrigerator-freezer for storing and storing frozen or refrigerated products;
An outer casing covering the refrigerated freezer;
A thermoelectric generation module comprising a thermoelectric conversion element disposed in a space between the external housing and the refrigerator-freezer;
A refrigerating and refrigerating room comprising a heat insulating material filled in a space part of a region excluding the thermoelectric generator module disposed in the space part;
A cooling device for cooling the inside of the refrigerator-freezer,
A power supply unit having a dischargeable battery for operating the cooling device and a chargeable / dischargeable battery for charging the electric power generated by the thermoelectric generator module;
A control unit for managing states of the cooling device, the power supply unit, and the thermoelectric generation module;
A refrigerated container with a power generator, comprising: A refrigerator-freezer for storing and storing frozen or refrigerated products;
An outer casing covering the refrigerated freezer;
A thermoelectric generation module comprising a thermoelectric conversion element disposed in a space between the external housing and the refrigerator-freezer;
A heat pump installed between the thermoelectric generator module and a refrigerated freezer;
A refrigerating and refrigerating chamber composed of a heat insulating material filled in a space portion of a region excluding a thermoelectric generator module and a heat pump disposed in the space portion;
A cooling device for cooling the inside of the refrigerator-freezer,
A power supply unit having a dischargeable battery for operating the cooling device and a chargeable / dischargeable battery for charging the electric power generated by the thermoelectric generator module;
A control unit for managing states of the cooling device, the power supply unit, and the thermoelectric generation module;
A refrigerated container with a power generator, comprising: A refrigerated vehicle having a refrigerated container,
A refrigerated vehicle, wherein the refrigerated container is a refrigerated container with a power generator according to claim 4 or 5. A control method of a power generator for a freezer / refrigeration room provided with a thermoelectric generator module using the thermoelectric conversion element in a refrigerator / freezer vehicle including the refrigerator / refrigerator container with the power generator,
During operation of the cooling device provided in the refrigerated container with a power generator,
From the power supply unit of the power generator for the refrigerator compartment, firstly supply the power necessary for the operation of the cooling device,
When the engine of the refrigeration vehicle is stopped, supply power necessary for the operation of the cooling device from the power source of the power generator for the refrigeration chamber,
When the engine of the refrigerated vehicle is in operation,
When the difference between the set temperature in the freezer and the temperature in the freezer is large, the electric power obtained from the operation of the engine and the electric power obtained from the power generator for the freezer compartment are used together.
When the difference between the set temperature in the refrigerator / freezer and the temperature in the refrigerator / freezer is small, electric power obtained from the generator in the refrigerator / freezer is used.

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