JP2019138613A - Magnetic heat pump device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a magnetic heat pump device capable of improving cycle efficiency.SOLUTION: A device includes a magneto-caloric element 12, a container 21, a magnetic field modulation device, and a heat transport device. In the container 21, a working chamber 11 is formed where the magneto-caloric element 12 is arranged. The heat transport device allows a heat transport medium which heat-exchanges with the magneto-caloric element 12 to reciprocate so as to generate a high temperature end and a low temperature end in the magneto-caloric element 12, in a medium flow passage 120 formed in the working chamber 11. Then, so as to approximate the element heat capacity of the magneto-caloric element 12 and the medium heat capacity of the heat transport medium filling the medium flow passage 120, the capacity of the magneto-caloric element 12 arranged in the working chamber 11 is set.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The technology disclosed herein relates to a magnetocaloric effect type heat pump apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a magnetic heat pump device that uses the magnetocaloric effect of a magnetocaloric element is known. Such an apparatus includes a magnetocaloric element, a container, a magnetic field modulation device, and a heat transport device. A magnetocaloric element is disposed in the working chamber formed by the container. The magnetic field modulation device modulates an external magnetic field applied to the magnetocaloric element. The heat transport device reciprocates a heat transport medium that exchanges heat with the magnetocaloric element in the work chamber in synchronization with the modulation of the external magnetic field so as to generate a high temperature end and a low temperature end in the work chamber. 2. Description of the Related Art As a magnetocaloric element disposed in a work chamber, an element formed by filling a work chamber with many spherical magnetocaloric particles is known. Such an apparatus is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 below.

JP-T-2006-530479

  However, the above prior art apparatus has a disadvantage that the efficiency of the magnetothermal cycle is relatively low and it is difficult to obtain high efficiency. The present inventor has intensively studied and found that even if the heat or cold generated by the magnetocaloric element is large, it is difficult to be transmitted to the heat transport medium, and the amount of heat remaining in the magnetocaloric element is the cause of the problem. As a result, it has been found that the efficiency of the magnetothermal cycle can be improved by making the amount of magnetocaloric effect material in the working chamber an appropriate amount rather than simply increasing the amount.

  The technology disclosed herein has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to provide a magnetic heat pump device capable of improving cycle efficiency.

In order to achieve the above object, in the disclosed magnetic heat pump device,
Magnetocaloric elements (12, 212, 312) that generate heat and endotherm due to the strength of the external magnetic field;
A container (21) in which a working chamber (11) in which a magnetocaloric element is disposed;
A magnetic field modulation device (13) for modulating an external magnetic field applied to the magnetocaloric element;
In a medium flow path (120) formed inside the working chamber, a heat transport device (14) that reciprocates a heat transport medium that exchanges heat with the magnetocaloric element so as to generate a high temperature end and a low temperature end in the magnetocaloric element. ) And
Based on the ratio between the element heat capacity of the magnetocaloric element and the medium heat capacity of the heat transport medium that fills the medium flow path, the volume of the magnetocaloric element disposed in the work chamber is set.

  According to this, based on the heat exchange characteristics between the magnetocaloric element and the heat transport medium determined according to the ratio between the element heat capacity of the magnetocaloric element and the medium heat capacity of the heat transport medium, the magnetocaloric element disposed in the work chamber It is possible to set the volume appropriately. Therefore, by reliably performing heat exchange between the magnetocaloric element and the heat transport medium, the heat and cold generated by the magnetocaloric element can be satisfactorily transmitted to the heat transport medium. In this way, cycle efficiency can be improved.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the parenthesis described in a claim and this clause shows the correspondence with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later as one aspect, Comprising: The range of an indication technique is limited It is not a thing.

It is a block diagram of the thermal equipment concerning a 1st embodiment. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the container containing the magnetocaloric element of 1st Embodiment. It is a one part perspective view of the magnetocaloric element of a 1st embodiment. It is a graph which shows the heat exchange characteristic of a magnetocaloric element and a heat transport medium. It is a figure explaining the calorie | heat amount change of the magnetocaloric element of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining the calorie | heat amount change of the magnetocaloric element of a comparative example. It is a figure which shows an example of the magnetocaloric element of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows another example of the magnetocaloric element of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the magnetocaloric element of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the magnetocaloric element of 3rd Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a plurality of modes for carrying out the disclosed technology will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, parts corresponding to the matters described in the preceding embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. In the case where only a part of the configuration is described in each embodiment, the other parts of the configuration are the same as those described previously. In addition to the combination of parts specifically described in each embodiment, the embodiments may be partially combined as long as the combination is not particularly troublesome.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment to which the disclosed technology is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a vehicle air conditioner 1 to which the disclosed technology is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle air conditioner 1 includes a magnetocaloric effect type heat pump device 10. The magnetocaloric effect type heat pump apparatus 10 is also referred to as an MHP (Magneto-caloric effect Heat Pump) apparatus 10. The MHP device 10 is also called a magnetic heat pump device 10. The MHP device 10 provides a thermomagnetic cycle device.

  In this specification, the term heat pump device is used in a broad sense. That is, the term “heat pump device” includes both a device that uses the cold energy obtained by the heat pump device and a device that uses the heat energy obtained by the heat pump device. An apparatus using cold heat may be referred to as a refrigeration cycle apparatus. Therefore, in this specification, the term heat pump apparatus is used as a concept including a refrigeration cycle apparatus.

  The MHP device 10 includes a magnetocaloric element 12. The magnetocaloric element 12 is made of a magnetic working material having a magnetocaloric effect and is also referred to as an MCE (Magneto-Caloric Effect) element 12. Hereinafter, the magnetocaloric element 12 may be referred to as an MCE element 12 or a magnetic working material 12.

  The MHP apparatus 10 includes a container 21 in which a work chamber 11 is formed. The container 21 is disposed in the housing 20 and defines at least one working chamber 11. In the present embodiment, the cylindrical container 21 defines a plurality of work chambers 11 arranged at equal intervals. In this example, one container 21 defines six work chambers 11, and the MCE elements 12 are filled in each of the six work chambers 11. The container 21 may be called an element bed or a material bed. The container 21 is made of, for example, a resin that is a nonmagnetic material.

  The MCE element 12 generates heat and absorbs heat due to the strength of the external magnetic field. The MCE element 12 generates heat when an external magnetic field is applied, and absorbs heat when the external magnetic field is removed. When the electron spin is aligned in the magnetic field direction by applying an external magnetic field, the MCE element 12 decreases in magnetic entropy and increases its temperature by releasing heat. In addition, when the electron spin becomes messy due to the removal of the external magnetic field, the MCE element 12 increases in magnetic entropy and decreases in temperature by absorbing heat. The MCE element 12 is made of a magnetic material that exhibits a high magnetocaloric effect in a normal temperature range. For example, a gadolinium-based material or a lanthanum-iron-silicon compound can be used. Also, a mixture of manganese, iron, phosphorus and germanium can be used.

  The group of MCE elements 12 has a plurality of portions arranged along the longitudinal direction of the MCE elements 12, that is, the flow direction of the primary medium. The plurality of portions are a plurality of element blocks to be described later. The materials constituting each of the plurality of portions have different Curie temperatures. The plurality of portions exhibit a high magnetocaloric effect (ΔS (J / kgK)) in different temperature zones. The portion close to the high temperature end has a material composition that exhibits a high magnetocaloric effect in the vicinity of the temperature appearing at the high temperature end in the steady operation state. The portion close to the intermediate temperature portion has a material composition that exhibits a high magnetocaloric effect in the vicinity of the temperature appearing in the intermediate temperature portion in the steady operation state. The portion close to the low temperature end has a material composition that exhibits a high magnetocaloric effect in the vicinity of the temperature appearing at the low temperature end in the steady operation state.

  A temperature zone in which each portion of the MCE element 12 exhibits a high magnetocaloric effect is called a high efficiency temperature zone. The upper limit temperature and the lower limit temperature of the high efficiency temperature zone depend on the material composition of the MCE element 12 and the like. The plurality of portions are arranged in series so that a high efficiency temperature zone is arranged between the high temperature end and the low temperature end. In other words, the high-efficiency temperature zone of the plurality of portions shows a distribution that gradually decreases from the high temperature end between the high temperature end and the low temperature end. The distribution of the high efficiency temperature zone substantially corresponds to the temperature distribution between the high temperature end and the low temperature end in the steady state.

  In this embodiment, a plurality of portions share the steady temperature difference created between the high temperature end and the low temperature end in the steady operation. Thereby, high efficiency is obtained in each part. In other words, the MCE element 12 is adjusted such that each element block exhibits a magnetocaloric effect exceeding a predetermined threshold when a steady temperature difference is obtained. The plurality of element blocks are arranged in a so-called cascade in the work chamber 11.

  The MHP device 10 uses the magnetocaloric effect of the MCE element 12. The MHP device 10 includes a magnetic field modulation device 13 and a heat transport device 14 for causing the MCE element 12 to function as an AMR (Active Magnetic Refrigeration) cycle.

  The magnetic field modulator 13 applies an external magnetic field to the MCE element 12 and increases or decreases the strength of the external magnetic field. The magnetic field modulator 13 periodically switches between an excitation state in which the MCE element 12 is placed in a strong magnetic field and a demagnetization state in which the MCE element 12 is placed in a weak magnetic field or a zero magnetic field. The magnetic field modulation device 13 modulates the external magnetic field so as to periodically repeat an excitation period in which the MCE element 12 is placed in a strong external magnetic field and a demagnetization period in which the MCE element 12 is placed in an external magnetic field weaker than the excitation period. To do. The magnetic field modulation device 13 includes a magnetic force source for generating an external magnetic field, such as a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. In this example, the magnetic source is a permanent magnet.

  The heat transport device 14 includes a fluid device for flowing a heat transport medium for transporting heat that the MCE element 12 radiates or absorbs heat. The heat transport device 14 is a device that flows along the MCE element 12 a heat transport medium that exchanges heat with the MCE element 12. The heat transport device 14 flows the heat transport medium so as to generate a high temperature end and a low temperature end in the MCE element 12. The heat transport device 14 generates reciprocating flows FM and FN of the heat transport medium in synchronization with the change of the external magnetic field by the magnetic field modulation device 13. Hereinafter, the flow FM from one end to the other end of the MCE element 12 may be referred to as forward flow, and the flow FN from the other end to one end may be referred to as return flow. In this example, the forward flow FM is a heat transport medium flow from the high temperature end 11E1 toward the low temperature end 11E2. The return flow FN is a heat transport medium flow from the low temperature end 11E2 toward the high temperature end 11E1. Hereinafter, the high temperature end 11E1 may be referred to as an end 11E1. Further, the low temperature end 11E2 may be referred to as an end portion 11E2.

  In this embodiment, the heat transport medium that exchanges heat with the MCE element 12 is called a primary medium. The primary medium can be provided by a fluid such as antifreeze, water, oil. The heat transport medium is preferably water or an aqueous solution in which an antifreeze component such as ethylene glycol is dissolved. The heat transport device 14 reciprocally moves the heat transport medium in synchronization with the increase / decrease of the magnetic field by the magnetic field modulation device 13. The heat transport device 14 may include a pump for flowing a heat transport medium. The heat transport device 14 includes pumps 62 and 72 for flowing the primary medium. The heat transport device 14 includes a suction valve 111 and a discharge valve 112 provided at both ends of each work chamber 11. The pumps 62 and 72 cooperate with the suction valve 111 and the discharge valve 112 to supply a reciprocating flow of the primary medium with respect to one MCE element 12 filled in each of the work chambers 11. One MCE element 12 is provided by combining a plurality of element blocks.

  The MHP device 10 includes a motor 15 as a power source. The motor 15 is a power source of the magnetic field modulator 13. The motor 15 is a power source of the heat transport device 14. The motor 15 provided as a power source of the MHP device 10 is driven by, for example, an in-vehicle battery. The motor 15 rotates the rotor core 31 that provides the magnetic field modulation device 13. As a result, the motor 15 and the magnetic field modulation device 13 cause periodic alternating switching between a state in which an external magnetic field is applied to the MCE element 12 and a state in which the external magnetic field is removed from the MCE element 12. The motor 15 drives the pumps 62 and 72 of the heat transport device 14. As a result, the motor 15 and the pumps 62 and 72 cause the reciprocating flow of the primary medium in one MCE element 12. The MHP device 10 includes a speed change mechanism 18 on the output shaft of the motor 15 so as to synchronize the increase / decrease of the magnetic field by the magnetic field modulation device 13 and the reciprocating movement of the heat transport medium by the heat transport device 14.

  The pumps 62 and 72 generate the reciprocating flows FM and FN of the primary medium for causing the MCE element 12 to function as an AMR cycle in the working chamber 11. The pumps 62 and 72 are positive displacement pumps, for example. The pumps 62 and 72 are, for example, piston pumps. The pumps 62 and 72 are, for example, multi-cylinder radial piston pumps. One cylinder of the pump 62 and one cylinder of the pump 72 are associated with one MCE element 12. The two cylinders associated with one MCE element 12 operate synchronously. The functions of the pumps 62 and 72, the suction valve 111, and the discharge valve 112 provide the reciprocating flows FM and FN of the primary medium that flow along the longitudinal direction of one MCE element 12. In this embodiment, the MHP device 10 includes a plurality of MCE elements 12 that are thermally connected in parallel. The MHP device 10 of this example includes six MCE elements 12 that are thermally connected in parallel. The pumps 62 and 72 are 6 cylinders.

  The housing 20 is a cylindrical outer casing having a cylindrical portion and an end plate portion. The housing 20 rotatably supports the rotating shaft 22 on its central axis. The rotating shaft 22 is connected to the output shaft of the motor 15. The housing 20 accommodates the magnetic field modulation device 13 around the rotation shaft 22. As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetic field modulation device 13 includes a rotor core 31, a yoke portion 32, a bearing 33, and magnets 34 and 35.

  The rotor core 31 is fixed to the rotating shaft 22. The rotor core 31 provides an inner yoke for the magnetic field modulation device 13. The rotor core 31 is configured to form a range in which the magnetic flux can easily pass along the circumferential direction and a range in which the magnetic flux cannot easily pass. The rotor core 31 is composed of a pair of members whose sections are fan-shaped, for example. A magnet 34 is fixed to the rotor core 31. The magnet 34 has a partially cylindrical shape and has a fan-shaped cross section. The magnet 34 is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the rotor core 31.

  The yoke portion 32 has a cylindrical shape. The yoke portion 32 is disposed along the inner peripheral surface of the housing 20. The yoke portion 32 is rotatably held on the inner peripheral surface of the housing 20 by a bearing 33 that is a holding mechanism. The bearing 33 is, for example, a ball bearing. The yoke part 32 provides an outer yoke. A magnet 35 is fixed to the yoke portion 32.

  In the magnetic field modulation device 13, the rotor core 31 and the magnet 34 are disposed on the inner peripheral side of the container 21. In the magnetic field modulation device 13, the yoke portion 32, the bearing 33, and the magnet 35 are arranged on the outer peripheral side of the container 21. The magnet 34 is a first magnet disposed on one side of the container 21. The magnet 35 is a second magnet disposed on the other side of the container 21. The magnet 34 and the magnet 35 are arranged so that different poles face each other on both the inner and outer sides of the container 21. The magnet 34 and the magnet 35 are arranged on the inner side and the outer side in the radial direction, thereby supplying a strong magnetic field to the MCE element 12 positioned between them. As the magnets 34 and 35, a rare earth magnet such as a ferrite magnet or a neodymium magnet can be used.

  When the rotating shaft 22 is rotated by the motor 15, the magnet 34 rotates and moves together with the rotor core 31 in the magnetic field modulation device 13. Further, as the magnet 34 rotates, the magnet 35 facing the magnet 34 moves following the attractive force acting between the magnets, and the yoke portion 32 rotates. Thus, the configuration including the rotor core 31, the yoke portion 32, the magnet 34, and the magnet 35 becomes the magnetic field modulation device 13 that periodically provides strong excitation and demagnetization to the MCE element 12. A configuration including the rotor core 31, the yoke portion 32, the magnet 34, and the magnet 35 is the magnetic circuit portion 13A in the present embodiment. The magnetic circuit unit 13 </ b> A is a relative moving body that moves relative to the container 21. The magnetic field modulator 13 modulates the magnetic field applied to the MCE element 12 by relatively moving the container 21 and the magnetic circuit unit 13 </ b> A in the direction along the outer surface of the container 21.

  In addition, although the yoke part 32 was hold | maintained at the internal peripheral surface of the housing 20 with the bearing 33, it is not limited to this. For example, it may be held via a lubricating oil layer or an air layer.

  The container 21 and the magnet 34 are disposed so as to be separated from each other so that even if the magnet 34 rotates together with the rotor core 31, it does not interfere with the container 21. A gap 23 is formed between the inner peripheral side surface on the inner peripheral side of the outer surface of the container 21 and the outer peripheral side surface on the outer peripheral side of the outer surface of the magnet 34. On the other hand, the container 21 and the magnet 35 are disposed so as to be separated from each other so that they do not interfere with the container 21 even if the magnet 35 and the yoke portion 32 rotate following the magnet 34. A gap 24 is formed between the outer peripheral surface on the outer peripheral side of the outer surface of the container 21 and the inner peripheral side surface on the inner peripheral side of the outer surface of the magnet 35.

  The MHP device 10 includes a high-temperature system 16 that transports the high-temperature heat obtained by the MHP device 10. The high temperature system 16 is also a thermal device that uses the heat obtained by the MHP device 10. The MHP apparatus 10 includes a low-temperature system 17 that transports low-temperature cold energy obtained by the MHP apparatus 10. The low-temperature system 17 is also a thermal device that uses the cold energy obtained by the MHP device 10.

  The high temperature system 16 includes a passage 61 through which the primary medium is circulated. The high temperature system 16 includes a heat exchanger 63 that provides heat exchange between the primary medium and the other medium. For example, the heat exchanger 63 provides heat exchange between the primary medium and air. The high temperature system 16 uses the thermal output from the high temperature end 11E1 of the MHP device 10 to radiate heat from the heat exchanger 63 and heat the external medium. The high temperature system 16 releases the heat output from the high temperature end 11E1 of the MHP device 10 to the external medium by the heat exchanger 63.

  The low temperature system 17 includes a passage 71 through which the primary medium is circulated. The low temperature system 17 includes a heat exchanger 73 that provides heat exchange between the primary medium and the other medium. For example, the heat exchanger 73 provides heat exchange between the primary medium and air. The high temperature system 16 uses the cold output from the low temperature end 11E2 of the MHP device 10 to absorb heat in the heat exchanger 63 and cool the external medium. It can be said that the low temperature system 17 discharges the cold heat output from the low temperature end 11E2 of the MHP device 10 to the external medium by the heat exchanger 73.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the work chamber 11 in the container 21 is provided with an MCE element 12 including a block group in which a plurality of element blocks are arranged. In FIG. 3, a portion of the container 21 corresponding to one work chamber 11 is illustrated. In the figure, element blocks 12A and 12B of the block group and spacers 124 are shown. The number of element blocks arranged in one work chamber 11 is not limited to two. The number of element blocks arranged in one work chamber 11 may be three or more.

  Each of the element blocks 12A and 12B is configured by stacking element plates that are element pieces. As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of element blocks are arranged in the XX direction that is the reciprocating direction of the heat transport medium. The element plates of each element block are stacked in the YY direction orthogonal to the reciprocating direction of the heat transport medium. Hereinafter, the arrangement direction of the element blocks, which is also the reciprocating direction of the heat transport medium, may be simply referred to as the XX direction. In addition, the stacking direction of the element plates may be simply referred to as the YY direction. In addition, an orthogonal direction orthogonal to both the XX direction and the YY direction may be referred to as a ZZ direction. The ZZ direction is also the direction of passage of magnetic field lines by the magnetic field modulator 13. It can be said that the ZZ direction is an application direction of an external magnetic field by the magnetic field modulation device 13. The application direction of the external magnetic field can also be the YY direction.

  Each of the element blocks 12 </ b> A and 12 </ b> B includes an element plate 121 and an end element plate 122. The element plate 121 is formed in a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape. The element plate 121 has one channel groove 121a formed in a concave shape on one wide surface. The channel groove 121a is a groove having a rectangular cross section, and extends along the XX direction. The channel groove 121a is formed so that the same cross-sectional shape is continuous in the XX direction. The channel groove 121a is open at both ends in the XX direction.

  The channel groove 121a can be formed by removing a part of a rectangular parallelepiped element plate. As the removal process, a wire cutting process, a cutting process, a grinding process, or the like can be employed. The formation of the channel groove 121a is not limited to the removal process, and may be formed in advance when the element plate is formed, for example.

  In each of the element blocks 12A and 12B, a plurality of element plates 121 are laminated, and a plate-like end element plate 122 is disposed at the upper end of the laminated structure in the drawing. The element blocks 12A and 12B partition and form a plurality of medium flow paths 120 between the stacked plates. A plurality of medium flow paths 120 provided by a plurality of flow path grooves 121a are opened at both ends in the XX direction of each element block. The plurality of medium flow paths 120 are flow paths that allow the heat transport medium to flow inside the element blocks 12A and 12B. The medium flow path 120 can be referred to as an internal flow path formed so that the heat transport medium flows inside the MCE element 12. The medium flow path 120 corresponds to the internal flow path in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the medium flow path 120 may be referred to as the internal flow path 120.

  The spacer 124 is disposed between two element blocks 12A and 12B adjacent in the XX direction. The spacer 124 is a frame-like body in this example, and has a large through hole including a plurality of openings opened at the ends of the element blocks 12A and 12B. The through holes allow communication between the plurality of medium flow paths 120 provided in the element block 12A and the plurality of medium flow paths 120 provided in the element block 12B. The spacer 124 can be formed of, for example, a rubber material, a resin material, or a metal material having a relatively low hardness. The spacer 124 is an elastic member made of an elastic material. The spacer 124 also functions as a buffer member between the element blocks 12A and 12B. The spacer 124 preferably has a heat insulating property.

  FIG. 4 shows a single element plate 121. As described above, the element plate 121 formed in a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape has the channel groove 121a having a rectangular cross section for providing the internal channel 120. The element plate 121 has a flat plate portion 1211 that extends in the XX direction and the ZZ direction at a portion on the bottom side of the flow channel 121a. The plate thickness T12 of the flat plate portion 1211 is set to be 0.45 times to 1.55 times the groove depth D12 of the flow channel groove 121a.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in each of the element blocks 12 </ b> A and 12 </ b> B, the plurality of element plates 121 and one end element plate 122 correspond to a plate-shaped partition wall portion 12 </ b> W that partitions the plurality of internal flow paths 120. . The partition wall portion 12W includes a plurality of flat plate portions 1211 extending in the XX direction which is the reciprocating direction of the heat transport medium and arranged in parallel to each other. An internal flow path 120 is formed between the flat plate portions 1211 adjacent to each other. The height dimension of the internal channel 120 in the direction in which the flat plate portions 1211 are arranged corresponds to the groove depth D12 of the channel groove 121a. Hereinafter, the height dimension of the internal flow path 120 may be referred to as a height dimension D12.

  In the present embodiment, the equivalent radius of the cross section of the internal flow path 120 is set based on the heat penetration distance d from the element made of the magnetic working material to the heat transport medium.

  The heat penetration distance d is obtained by the following equation (1).

d = (α / (π · f)) ^1/2 (1)
Here, α is the heat penetration coefficient of the heat transport medium, and f is the magnetic field modulation frequency of the magnetic field modulation device 13. It can be said that f is the heat transport medium reciprocating frequency by the heat transport device 14.

  Moreover, the thermal osmosis coefficient (alpha) used by Formula (1) is calculated | required by following formula (2).

α = λ / (ρ · Cp) (2)
Here, λ is the thermal conductivity of the heat transport medium, ρ is the density of the heat transport medium, and Cp is the specific heat of the heat transport medium.

  In addition, the equivalent radius said here may be called an equivalent hydraulic radius, a hydraulic equivalent radius, or just a hydraulic radius. In addition, the equivalent radius is sometimes called an equivalent radius. Thus, the equivalent diameter can be referred to as the equivalent hydraulic diameter, the hydraulic equivalent diameter, or simply the hydraulic diameter. In addition, the equivalent diameter may be referred to as an equivalent diameter.

  In the present embodiment, the internal channel 120 is set so that the equivalent radius of the channel cross section is equal to or less than the heat penetration distance d from the magnetocaloric element to the heat transport medium. Thereby, during the cycle operation, the cold and warm heat generated by the MCE element 12 can be reliably transmitted to the heat transport medium flowing through the central portion of the internal flow path 120. That is, heat exchange can be performed throughout the internal flow path 120.

  In addition, the plate thickness T12 of the flat plate portion 1211 is set to 0.45 to 1.55 times the height dimension D12 of the internal channel 120 in the YY direction, which is the parallel arrangement direction of the flat plate portions 1211. The plate thickness T12 is preferably set to 0.45 to 1.55 times the height dimension D12, and more preferably 0.5 to 1.25 times the height dimension D12. Furthermore, the plate thickness T12 is more preferably set to 0.65 times to 1 time the height dimension D12.

  FIG. 5 is a graph showing the heat exchange characteristics between the magnetocaloric element and the heat transport medium. The horizontal axis represents the volume ratio, that is, the ratio of the magnetic working material volume constituting each element block to the heat transport medium volume in the internal flow path 120 of each element block. The vertical axis indicates the heat exchange characteristics, that is, the amount of heat or heat that the heat transport medium can acquire and use from the magnetocaloric element. FIG. 5 shows characteristics when a lanthanum-iron-silicon compound is employed as the MCE element constituent material and a 50% aqueous solution of ethylene glycol is employed as the heat transport medium.

  As is clear from FIG. 5, when the volume ratio is 0.45 to 1.55, relatively high heat exchange characteristics can be obtained. Moreover, when the volume ratio is 0.5 to 1.25, high heat exchange characteristics can be obtained with certainty. Furthermore, when the volume ratio is 0.65 to 1, high heat exchange characteristics can be obtained more reliably. Therefore, the plate thickness T12 of the flat plate portion 1211 is preferably set to 0.45 times to 1.55 times the height dimension D12 of the internal flow path 120, and is set to 0.5 times to 1.25 times. Is more preferable, and it is even more preferable to set it to 0.65 times to 1 time.

  In this way, by setting the correspondence relationship between the plate thickness T12 of the flat plate portion 1211 and the height dimension D12 of the internal flow path 120 within a predetermined range, the element heat capacity that is the heat capacity of the MCE element 12 and the medium flow path 120 are satisfied. The ratio with the heat capacity of the medium that is the heat capacity of the heat transport medium can be approximated. In other words, the element heat capacity and the medium heat capacity can be substantially matched. Therefore, the volume of the MCE element 12 arranged in the working chamber 11 is suitably set, and the heat exchange characteristics between the MCE element and the heat transport medium determined according to the ratio of the element heat capacity and the medium heat capacity are made good. Can do.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the vehicle air conditioner 1 is mounted on a vehicle and adjusts the temperature of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The two heat exchangers 63 and 73 provide a part of the vehicle air conditioner 1. The heat exchanger 63 is a high temperature side heat exchanger that has a higher temperature than the heat exchanger 73. The heat exchanger 73 is a low-temperature side heat exchanger that has a lower temperature than the heat exchanger 63. The vehicle air conditioner 1 includes air-system equipment such as an air-conditioning duct and a blower for using the high-temperature side heat exchanger 63 and / or the low-temperature side heat exchanger 73 for indoor air conditioning.

  The vehicle air conditioner 1 is used as a cooling device or a heating device. The vehicle air conditioner 1 can include a cooler that cools the air supplied to the room and a heater that reheats the air cooled by the cooler. The MHP device 10 is used as a cold supply source or a hot supply source in the vehicle air conditioner 1. That is, the heat exchanger 63 can be used as the heater. The heat exchanger 73 can be used as the cooler.

  When the MHP device 10 is used as a warm heat supply source, the air that has passed through the heat exchanger 63 is supplied to the vehicle interior and used for heating. The air that has passed through the heat exchanger 73 is discharged outside the vehicle. At this time, the heat exchanger 63 is also called an indoor heat exchanger. The heat exchanger 73 is also called an outdoor heat exchanger.

  When the MHP device 10 is used as a cold heat supply source, the air that has passed through the heat exchanger 73 is supplied to the interior of the vehicle and is used for cooling. The air that has passed through the heat exchanger 63 is discharged to the outside of the vehicle. At this time, the heat exchanger 63 is also called an outdoor heat exchanger. The heat exchanger 73 is also called an indoor heat exchanger.

  In addition, the MHP device 10 may be used as a dehumidifying device. In this case, the air that has passed through the heat exchanger 73 then passes through the heat exchanger 63 and is supplied indoors. The MHP device 10 is used as a heat supply source both in winter and in summer.

  According to the MHP device 10 configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.

  The MHP device 10 includes a magnetocaloric element 12, a container 21, a magnetic field modulation device 13, and a heat transport device 14. The magnetocaloric element 12 generates heat and absorbs heat due to the strength of the external magnetic field. A working chamber 11 in which the magnetocaloric element 12 is disposed is formed in the container 21. The magnetic field modulation device 13 modulates an external magnetic field applied to the magnetocaloric element 12. The heat transport device 14 reciprocates a heat transport medium that exchanges heat with the magnetocaloric element 12 so as to generate a high temperature end and a low temperature end in the magnetocaloric element 12 in the medium flow path 120 formed in the work chamber 11. Let The volume of the magnetocaloric element 12 arranged in the work chamber 11 is set based on the ratio between the element heat capacity of the magnetocaloric element 12 and the medium heat capacity of the heat transport medium that fills the medium flow path 120.

  According to this, it arrange | positions in the working chamber 11 based on the heat exchange characteristic of the magnetocaloric element 12 and heat transport medium determined according to the ratio of the element heat capacity of the magnetocaloric element 12 and the medium heat capacity of the heat transport medium. The volume of the magnetocaloric element 12 can be set appropriately. Therefore, by reliably performing heat exchange between the magnetocaloric element 12 and the heat transport medium, the heat and cold generated by the magnetocaloric element 12 can be satisfactorily transmitted to the heat transport medium. In this way, cycle efficiency can be improved.

  The medium flow path 120 has an internal flow path formed so that the heat transport medium flows inside the magnetocaloric element 12. The magnetocaloric element 12 includes a plate-shaped partition wall portion 12 </ b> W that partitions the internal flow path 120. The partition wall portion 12W includes a plurality of flat plate portions 1211 that extend in the reciprocating direction of the heat transport medium and are arranged in parallel to each other, and an internal flow path 120 is formed between the adjacent flat plate portions 1211. Yes.

  The equivalent radius of the internal flow path 120 is set to be equal to or less than the heat penetration distance d from the magnetocaloric element 12 to the heat transport medium, and the plate thickness T12 of the flat plate portion 1211 is the internal flow in the parallel arrangement direction of the flat plate portions 1211. It is set to 0.45 times to 1.55 times the height dimension D12 of the path 120.

  According to this, the heat from the magnetocaloric element 12 can be reliably transmitted to the heat transport medium of the internal flow path 120, and an increase in the plate thickness T12 of the flat plate portion 1211 can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the magnetocaloric element 12 from becoming unnecessarily large.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a change in the amount of heat during one cycle operation of the heat pump cycle of the MCE element 12 of this example. In the excitation process in which the MCE element 12 is excited, the element is heated by the magnetocaloric effect. In the next heat exchange step, part of the heat generated as the temperature rises moves to the heat transport medium by heat exchange. The amount of heat transfer at this time is determined by the ratio between the element heat capacity and the medium heat capacity. In this example, since the element heat capacity and the medium heat capacity are approximated, about half of the heat is moved to the heat transport medium, and the amount of unused heat remaining in the element can be suppressed.

  In the next degaussing step of demagnetizing the MCE element 12, the element is cooled by the magnetocaloric effect. In the next heat exchange step, a part of the cold generated as the temperature falls moves to the heat transport medium by heat exchange. The amount of heat transfer at this time is determined by the ratio between the element heat capacity and the medium heat capacity, as in the previous heat exchange step. In this example, since the element heat capacity and the medium heat capacity are approximated, about half of the cold heat can be moved to the heat transport medium, and the amount of unused heat remaining in the element can be suppressed.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a change in the amount of heat during one cycle operation of the heat pump cycle of the MCE element of the comparative example. The comparative example is an example in which the arrangement density of the MCE elements is improved as compared with this example by giving priority to the heat generation amount in the excitation process and the demagnetization process.

  In the comparative example, the temperature of the element rises due to the magnetocaloric effect in the excitation process in which the MCE element is excited. The amount of heat generated at this time is larger than that in this example illustrated in FIG. In the next heat exchange step, part of the heat generated as the temperature rises moves to the heat transport medium by heat exchange. The amount of heat transfer at this time is determined by the ratio between the element heat capacity and the medium heat capacity. In the comparative example, since the element heat capacity is much larger than the medium heat capacity, some of the heat can be transferred to the heat transport medium, but the amount of unused heat remaining in the element becomes extremely large.

  In the next degaussing step of demagnetizing the MCE element 12, the element is cooled by the magnetocaloric effect. In this demagnetization process, although a relatively large amount of cold heat is generated, the remaining heat is also large, so that the temperature lowering effect tends to be small. In the next heat exchange step, a part of the cold generated as the temperature falls moves to the heat transport medium by heat exchange. The amount of heat transfer at this time is determined by the ratio between the element heat capacity and the medium heat capacity, as in the previous heat exchange step. In the comparative example, since the element heat capacity is much larger than the medium heat capacity, a part of the cold heat can be transferred to the heat transport medium, but the amount of unused heat remaining in the element becomes extremely large.

  As described above, when the element volume in the working chamber is increased in consideration of only the generated heat amount, it is difficult to effectively use the generated heat amount, and the cycle efficiency is deteriorated. On the other hand, cycle efficiency can be improved by appropriately setting the element arrangement volume in the working chamber as in this example.

In the present embodiment, the element volume disposed in the work chamber is set by paying attention to the heat exchange characteristics determined according to the ratio between the element heat capacity and the medium heat capacity. The heat capacity is the product of volume specific heat and volume. For example, the volume specific heat of a lanthanum-iron-silicon compound is 3650 KJ / (m ³ · K), and the volume specific heat of an ethylene glycol 50% aqueous solution is 3520 KJ / (m ³ · K). The element arrangement volume in the working chamber is appropriately set so that the element heat capacity and the medium heat capacity are approximated from these volume specific heats.

  In the MHP device 10 of the present embodiment, the heat transport medium is water or an aqueous solution in which antifreeze components are dissolved. If the heat transport medium is an aqueous solution in which water or an antifreeze component is dissolved, the heat transport medium can be easily obtained, and the heat capacity of the magnetocaloric element and the heat transport can be obtained by using a heat transport medium having a relatively large volumetric specific heat. It is easy to approximate the medium heat capacity of the medium.

  In the above description, the equivalent radius of the internal channel 120 is set to be equal to or less than the heat penetration distance d from the magnetocaloric element 12 to the heat transport medium. In addition, by setting the plate thickness T12 of the flat plate portion 1211 to a predetermined magnification of the height dimension D12 of the internal flow path 120 in the parallel arrangement direction of the flat plate portion 1211, the heat capacity ratio is suitably adjusted, and the cycle efficiency Had improved.

  It can be said that the configuration for improving the cycle efficiency described above is such that the thickness of the partition wall portion 12W that partitions the internal flow path is equal to or less than the equivalent diameter of the internal flow path. That is, the medium flow path has an internal flow path 120 formed so that the heat transport medium flows inside the magnetocaloric element 12. The magnetocaloric element 12 includes a plate-shaped partition wall portion 12 </ b> W that partitions the internal flow path 120. The equivalent radius of the internal flow path 120 is set to be equal to or less than the heat penetration distance d from the magnetocaloric element 12 to the heat transport medium. Furthermore, the plate thickness of the partition wall 12W is set to be equal to or less than the equivalent diameter of the internal flow path 120.

  According to this, the heat from the magnetocaloric element 12 can be reliably transmitted to the heat transport medium of the internal flow path 120, and an increase in the plate thickness of the partition wall portion 12W can be suppressed. It is possible to improve the cycle efficiency by suppressing the plate thickness of the partition wall 12W to approximate the element heat capacity and the medium heat capacity.

  Such a characteristic configuration includes, for example, an MCE element having a lattice-shaped partition wall portion 12W that partitions the internal flow path 120 as shown in FIG. 8, and an internal flow path 120 as shown in FIG. The present invention is also applicable to an MCE element having a partition wall portion 12W having a honeycomb shape for partitioning. Also by these, it is possible to obtain the same effect as the MCE element having the plate laminated structure described above.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described based on FIG.

  The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the configuration of the MCE element and the internal flow path. In addition, about the part similar to 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted. Components having the same reference numerals as those in the drawings according to the first embodiment and other configurations not described in the second embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment and have the same effects.

  FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing one element block 212A in the element block group constituting the MCE element 212 of the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the same configuration as that of the element block 212A is adopted for the other element blocks.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the element block 212 </ b> A is configured by stacking element plates that are element pieces. The element block 212 </ b> A includes an element plate 2121 and an end element plate 2122. The element plate 2121 is formed in a thin rectangular parallelepiped shape. In order to provide the medium flow path 120, the element plate 2121 has one flow path groove 121a formed in a concave shape on one wide surface.

  In the element block 212A, a plurality of element plates 2121 are stacked, and a plate-shaped end element plate 2122 is disposed at the upper end of the stacked structure in the drawing. The element block 212A defines a plurality of medium flow paths 120 between the stacked plates. A plurality of medium flow paths 120 provided by a plurality of flow path grooves 121a are opened at both ends in the XX direction of each element block. The plurality of medium flow paths 120 are flow paths that allow the heat transport medium to flow inside the element block 212A. The medium flow path 120 can be referred to as an internal flow path formed so that the heat transport medium flows inside the MCE element 212. The medium flow path 120 corresponds to the internal flow path in the present embodiment. Also in this embodiment, the medium flow path 120 may be referred to as the internal flow path 120.

  In this embodiment, the equivalent radius of the cross section of the internal flow path 120 is set based on the heat penetration distance d from the element including the magnetic working material to the heat transport medium. The internal flow path 120 is set so that the equivalent radius of the flow path cross section is not more than the heat penetration distance d from the magnetocaloric element to the heat transport medium. Thereby, during the cycle operation, the cold and warm heat generated by the MCE element 212 can be reliably transmitted to the heat transport medium flowing through the central portion of the internal flow path 120. That is, heat exchange can be performed throughout the internal flow path 120.

  Each of the element plate 2121 and the end element plate 2122 is formed of a molding material in which a magnetocaloric effect material and a resin material having a volume specific heat smaller than that of the magnetocaloric effect material are mixed. As the magnetocaloric effect material, a gadolinium-based material or a lanthanum-iron-silicon compound can be used. Also, a mixture of manganese, iron, phosphorus and germanium can be used. As the resin material, one or more of epoxy resin, melamine resin, phenol resin, fluororesin, polyethylene resin, and polypropylene resin can be used.

By configuring the MCE element with a molding material that is a mixture of a magnetocaloric effect material and a resin material having a volume specific heat smaller than that of the magnetocaloric effect material, the volume specific heat of the MCE element is made smaller than the volume specific heat of the heat transport medium. Yes. An example in which a lanthanum-iron-silicon compound is employed as the magnetocaloric effect material and an epoxy resin is employed as the resin material will be described. The volume specific heat of the magnetothermal effect material is 3650 KJ / (m ³ · K), and the volume specific heat of the resin material is 1440 KJ / (m ³ · K), for example. According to this, when the molding material constituting the MCE element 212 is a mixed material of 40 volume% of magnetocaloric effect material and 60 volume% of resin material, the volume specific heat of the mixed molding material is 2324 KJ / (m ^3. K).

The heat transport medium is, for example, a 50% aqueous solution of ethylene glycol having a volume specific heat of 3520 KJ / (m ³ · K). By using a molding material in which a resin material having a relatively small volume specific heat is mixed, the volume specific heat of the MCE element can be easily made smaller than the volume specific heat of the heat transport medium.

  When the volume occupied by the MCE element 212 in the working chamber 11 is 60% by volume and the volume occupied by the medium flow path 120, that is, the volume occupied by the heat transport medium filling the medium flow path 120 is 40% by volume, the MCE The heat volume ratio of the element / heat transport medium is about 0.99. That is, it is possible to approximate the element heat capacity and the medium heat capacity to substantially coincide with each other.

  According to the MHP apparatus of the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the MHP device is arranged in the work chamber based on the ratio between the element heat capacity of the magnetocaloric element 212 and the medium heat capacity of the heat transport medium that fills the medium flow path. The volume of the magnetocaloric element is set.

  According to this, based on the heat exchange characteristics between the magnetocaloric element and the heat transport medium determined according to the ratio between the element heat capacity of the magnetocaloric element and the medium heat capacity of the heat transport medium, the magnetocaloric element disposed in the work chamber It is possible to set the volume appropriately. Therefore, by reliably performing heat exchange between the magnetocaloric element and the heat transport medium, the heat and cold generated by the magnetocaloric element can be satisfactorily transmitted to the heat transport medium. In this way, cycle efficiency can be improved.

  The medium flow path 120 has an internal flow path formed so that the heat transport medium flows inside the magnetocaloric element 212. The equivalent radius of the internal flow path is set to be equal to or less than the heat penetration distance d from the magnetocaloric element 212 to the heat transport medium. Further, the volume specific heat of the magnetocaloric element 212 is set smaller than the volume specific heat of the heat transport medium.

  According to this, the heat from the magnetocaloric element 212 can be reliably transmitted to the heat transport medium of the internal flow path 120, and the element heat capacity of the magnetocaloric element 212 and the medium heat capacity of the heat transport medium can be easily approximated. Therefore, heat exchange between the heat and cold between the magnetocaloric element 212 and the heat transport medium can be reliably performed, and the heat and cold generated by the magnetocaloric element 212 can be transmitted to the heat transport medium satisfactorily. .

  The magnetocaloric element 212 is made of a molding material in which a magnetocaloric effect material and a resin material having a volume specific heat smaller than that of the magnetocaloric effect material are mixed. According to this, it is easy to set the volume specific heat of the magnetocaloric element 212 smaller than the volume specific heat of the heat transport medium by using a molding material in which a resin material is mixed with the magnetocaloric effect material.

  Also in the MHP apparatus of this embodiment, the heat transport medium is an aqueous solution in which water or an antifreeze component is dissolved. If the heat transport medium is an aqueous solution in which water or an antifreeze component is dissolved, the heat transport medium can be easily obtained, and the heat capacity of the magnetocaloric element and the heat transport can be obtained by using a heat transport medium having a relatively large volumetric specific heat. It is easy to approximate the medium heat capacity of the medium.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described based on FIG.

  The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment described above in the configuration of the MCE element and the internal flow path. In addition, about the part similar to 1st, 2nd embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted. The components denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the drawings according to the first and second embodiments, and other configurations not described in the third embodiment are the same as those in the first and second embodiments, and have the same effects. Is.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the container 21 in which the MCE element 312 of the present embodiment is accommodated in the work chamber 11. As shown in FIG. 11, the working chamber 11 of the container 21 is filled with an MCE element 312 made of a particle group. A medium flow path 120 is formed between the particle groups constituting the MCE element 312. The medium flow path 120 of the present embodiment provides an internal flow path that circulates a heat transport medium between a plurality of particles, and the heat transport medium repeats diversion and merging. The medium flow path 120 can be referred to as an internal flow path formed so that the heat transport medium flows inside the MCE element 312. The medium flow path 120 corresponds to the internal flow path in the present embodiment. Also in this embodiment, the medium flow path 120 may be referred to as the internal flow path 120.

  In the present embodiment, the internal flow path 120 has an equivalent radius of the cross section of the flow path at each mesh portion based on the heat penetration distance d from the element containing the magnetic working material to the heat transport medium. The internal flow path 120 is set so that the equivalent radius of the flow path cross section is not more than the heat penetration distance d from the magnetocaloric element to the heat transport medium. Thereby, during the cycle operation, the cold and warm heat generated by the MCE element 312 can be reliably transmitted to the heat transport medium flowing through the central portion of the internal flow path 120. That is, heat exchange can be performed throughout the internal flow path 120.

  The MCE element 312 is configured by mixing particles 3121 made of a magnetocaloric effect material and particles 3122 made of a resin material having a volume specific heat smaller than that of the magnetocaloric effect material. As the particles 3121, particles of a gadolinium-based material and particles of a lanthanum-iron-silicon compound can be used. Alternatively, particles of a mixture of manganese, iron, phosphorus, and germanium can be used. As the particles 3122, particles of an epoxy resin can be used. The particle size of the particles 3121 and the particle size of the particles 3122 can be substantially the same.

By mixing the particles 3121 made of the magnetocaloric effect material and the particles 3122 made of the resin material having a smaller volume specific heat than the magnetocaloric effect material, the volume specific heat of the MCE element 312 is made smaller than the volume specific heat of the heat transport medium. ing. An example in which lanthanum-iron-silicon compound particles are used as the particles 3121 and epoxy resin particles are used as the particles 3122 will be described. When the particles 3121 are mixed at 40 volume% and the particles 3122 are mixed at 60 volume%, the average volume specific heat of the MCE element 312 composed of the mixed particle group is 2324 KJ / ( m ³ · K) to become.

The heat transport medium is, for example, a 50% aqueous solution of ethylene glycol having a volume specific heat of 3520 KJ / (m ³ · K). By using a particle group in which particles 3122 of resin material having a relatively small volume specific heat are mixed in particles 3121 almost uniformly, the volume specific heat of the MCE element 312 can be easily made smaller than the volume specific heat of the heat transport medium.

  When the volume occupied by the MCE element 312 in the working chamber 11 is 60% by volume and the volume occupied by the medium flow path 120, that is, the volume occupied by the heat transport medium satisfying the medium flow path 120 is 40% by volume, the MCE. The heat volume ratio of the element / heat transport medium is about 0.99. That is, the element heat capacity and the medium heat capacity can be approximated to approximately the same degree.

  According to the MHP apparatus of this embodiment, in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments, based on the ratio between the element heat capacity of the magnetocaloric element 312 and the medium heat capacity of the heat transport medium that fills the medium flow path, The volume of the magnetocaloric element to be arranged is set.

  According to this, based on the heat exchange characteristics between the magnetocaloric element and the heat transport medium determined according to the ratio between the element heat capacity of the magnetocaloric element and the medium heat capacity of the heat transport medium, the magnetocaloric element disposed in the work chamber It is possible to set the volume appropriately. Therefore, by reliably performing heat exchange between the magnetocaloric element and the heat transport medium, the heat and cold generated by the magnetocaloric element can be satisfactorily transmitted to the heat transport medium. In this way, cycle efficiency can be improved.

  The medium flow path 120 has an internal flow path formed so that the heat transport medium flows inside the magnetocaloric element 312. The equivalent radius of the internal flow path is set to be equal to or less than the heat penetration distance d from the magnetocaloric element 312 to the heat transport medium. Furthermore, the volume specific heat of the magnetocaloric element 312 is set smaller than the volume specific heat of the heat transport medium.

  According to this, heat from the magnetocaloric element 312 can be reliably transmitted to the heat transport medium of the internal flow path 120, and the element heat capacity of the magnetocaloric element 312 and the medium heat capacity of the heat transport medium can be easily approximated. Therefore, heat exchange between the heat and cold between the magnetocaloric element 312 and the heat transport medium can be performed reliably, and the heat and cold generated by the magnetocaloric element 312 can be transmitted to the heat transport medium satisfactorily. .

  The magnetocaloric element 312 is formed by filling the work chamber 11 with a mixture of particles 3121 made of a magnetocaloric effect material and particles 3122 made of a resin material having a volume specific heat smaller than that of the magnetocaloric effect material. According to this, it is easy to set the volume specific heat of the magnetocaloric element 312 smaller than the volume specific heat of the heat transport medium by mixing the magnetocaloric effect material particles and the resin particles.

  Further, the particle size of the particle 3121 and the particle size of the particle 3122 are substantially the same. According to this, mixing of the particles 3121 and the particles 3122 is easy, and uneven distribution of the particles is easily suppressed. Note that the particle diameter of the particle 3121 may be different from the particle diameter of the particle 3122. According to this, it is easy to adjust the equivalent radius of the internal flow path 120.

  Also in the MHP apparatus of this embodiment, the heat transport medium is an aqueous solution in which water or an antifreeze component is dissolved. If the heat transport medium is an aqueous solution in which water or an antifreeze component is dissolved, the heat transport medium can be easily obtained, and the heat capacity of the magnetocaloric element and the heat transport can be obtained by using a heat transport medium having a relatively large volumetric specific heat. It is easy to approximate the medium heat capacity of the medium.

(Other embodiments)
The technology disclosed in this specification is not limited to the embodiment for carrying out the disclosed technology, and can be implemented with various modifications. The disclosed technology is not limited to the combinations shown in the embodiments, and can be implemented in various combinations. Embodiments can have additional parts. The portion of the embodiment may be omitted. The parts of the embodiments can be replaced or combined with the parts of the other embodiments. The structure, operation, and effect of the embodiment are merely examples. The technical scope of the disclosed technology is not limited to the description of the embodiments. Some technical scope of the disclosed technology is indicated by the description of the claims, and should be understood to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the description of the claims. .

  In each of the above embodiments, the medium flow path 120 of the heat transport medium flowing in the work chamber 11 is an internal flow path inside the MCE element, but is not limited to this. The medium flow path may be a medium flow path that circulates the heat transport medium along the outer surface of the MCE element, for example. For example, in addition to the internal flow path, a medium flow path that circulates the heat transport medium along the outer surface of the MCE element may be provided.

  In the first and second embodiments, the plurality of medium flow paths extending in the XX direction are formed in each element block. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The number of medium flow paths is not limited to that exemplified in the above embodiment. The number of medium flow paths may be smaller than the number illustrated in the figure. Further, a larger number of medium flow paths than the number illustrated in the figure may be provided. Further, the medium flow path is not limited to one that linearly extends in the XX direction as in the above embodiments. For example, the medium flow path may be slightly bent as long as a reciprocating flow of the heat transport medium can be formed in the XX direction in the working chamber.

  In each of the above embodiments, the magnetic field modulation device of the magnetic heat pump device is configured such that the first magnet and the yoke disposed on one side of the container and the different poles face the first magnet on the other side of the container. And a second magnet and a yoke arranged. The driving device is connected to the first magnet and the yoke, and the holding mechanism is configured to hold the second magnet and the yoke so as to rotate following the first magnet and the yoke. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  For example, an external drive mechanism that drives the yoke to which the second magnet is attached from the outside may be provided, and the second magnet and the yoke may be rotated following the first magnet and the yoke. The drive source of the external drive mechanism may be a drive device that rotates the yoke to which the first magnet is attached, or a drive device that is different from the drive device that rotates the yoke to which the first magnet is attached. May be.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the magnetic circuit part had the magnet 34 which is a 1st magnet and the magnet 35 which were the 2nd magnet which mutually oppose with the container in between, it is limited to this. It is not a thing. For example, the magnetic circuit unit may include only one of the first magnet and the second magnet.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, the container 21 which is an element bed was made stationary, and the structure which rotates the magnets 34 and 35 side was employ | adopted. Instead, various configurations for providing relative rotation between the container 21 as the element bed and the magnetic field modulation device 13 can be employed. For example, a container which is an element bed having the working chamber 11 and the MCE element 12 may be rotated and moved relative to a magnetic field modulation device including a permanent magnet. Thereby, the magnetic field given to one MCE element 12 can be changed. In other words, the magnetic field modulation device may move the container in a direction along the outer surface of the container with respect to the relative moving body having the magnet. That is, it is only necessary to change the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working substance by relatively moving the container and the relative moving body in the direction along the outer surface of the container.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the pump as a moving apparatus of a heat transport medium was provided in the both sides of the container which has a high temperature end and a low temperature end, it is not limited to this. For example, a container having a high temperature end and a container having a low temperature end may be disposed on both sides of the pump. Further, the form of the pump is not limited to the type described above.

  In each of the above embodiments, the magnetic field modulation device includes a magnetic circuit unit having a permanent magnet as a magnetic force source, and modulates an external magnetic field applied to the magnetic work substance by relatively moving the magnetic circuit unit and the container. It was. Then, it has been explained that the magnetic source is not limited to a permanent magnet but may be an electromagnet. When an electromagnet is employed as the magnetic force source, the magnetic field modulator does not have to perform relative movement between the magnetic circuit unit and the container. When an electromagnet is employed, magnetic field modulation is possible without relative movement between the magnetic circuit unit and the container.

  In each of the above embodiments, the heat transport medium is supplied to the heat exchangers 63 and 73 outside the MHP device. Alternatively, a heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the heat transport medium that is the primary medium and the secondary medium may be provided in the MHP device, and the secondary medium may be supplied to the low-temperature system and the high-temperature system.

  In the above embodiments, the disclosed technology is applied to the vehicle air conditioner. Instead, the disclosed technology may be applied to an air conditioner for a moving body such as a ship or an aircraft other than the vehicle. Further, the disclosed technology may be applied to a stationary air conditioner for home use or the like. Moreover, you may utilize as a hot-water supply apparatus which heats water, and a cold water machine which cools water. In the above-described embodiment, the MHP apparatus using outdoor air as a main heat source has been described. Instead, other heat sources such as water and soil may be used as the main heat source.

10 Magneto-caloric effect type heat pump device (MHP device, magnetic heat pump device)
11 Working room 12, 212, 312 Magneto-caloric element (MCE element, magnetic working substance)
13 Magnetic Field Modulator 14 Heat Transport Device 21 Container

Claims (7)

Magnetocaloric elements (12, 212, 312) that generate heat and endotherm due to the strength of the external magnetic field;
A container (21) in which a working chamber (11) in which the magnetocaloric element is disposed is formed;
A magnetic field modulation device (13) for modulating the external magnetic field applied to the magnetocaloric element;
Heat transport that reciprocates a heat transport medium that exchanges heat with the magnetocaloric element so as to generate a high temperature end and a low temperature end in the magnetocaloric element in a medium flow path (120) formed inside the working chamber. An apparatus (14),
A magnetic heat pump device in which a volume of the magnetocaloric element disposed in the working chamber is set based on a ratio between an element heat capacity of the magnetocaloric element and a medium heat capacity of the heat transport medium filling the medium flow path. The medium flow path has an internal flow path formed so that the heat transport medium flows inside the magnetocaloric element,
The magnetocaloric element (12) includes a plate-shaped partition wall (12W) that partitions the internal flow path,
The equivalent radius of the internal flow path is set to be equal to or less than the heat penetration distance from the magnetocaloric element to the heat transport medium,
The magnetic heat pump device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the partition wall is set to be equal to or less than an equivalent diameter of the internal flow path. The medium flow path has an internal flow path formed so that the heat transport medium flows inside the magnetocaloric element,
The magnetocaloric element (12) includes a plate-shaped partition wall (12W) that partitions the internal flow path,
The partition wall portion has a plurality of flat plate portions (1211) extending in the reciprocating direction of the heat transport medium and arranged in parallel to each other, and the internal flow path is formed between the adjacent flat plate portions. Has been
The equivalent radius of the internal flow path is set to be equal to or less than the heat penetration distance from the magnetocaloric element to the heat transport medium,
2. The magnetic heat pump device according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the flat plate portion is set to be 0.45 to 1.55 times the height dimension of the internal flow path in the parallel arrangement direction of the flat plate portions. The medium flow path has an internal flow path formed so that the heat transport medium flows inside the magnetocaloric element,
The equivalent radius of the internal flow path is set to be equal to or less than the heat penetration distance from the magnetocaloric element to the heat transport medium,
The magnetic heat pump device according to claim 1, wherein a volume specific heat of the magnetocaloric element (212, 312) is set smaller than a volume specific heat of the heat transport medium.   The magnetic heat pump device according to claim 4, wherein the magnetocaloric element (212) is made of a molding material in which a magnetocaloric effect material and a resin material having a volume specific heat smaller than that of the magnetocaloric effect material are mixed.   In the magnetocaloric element (312), particles (3121) made of a magnetocaloric effect material and particles (3122) made of a resin material having a volume specific heat smaller than that of the magnetocaloric effect material are mixed to fill the working chamber. The magnetic heat pump device according to claim 4.   The magnetic heat pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the heat transport medium is an aqueous solution in which water or an antifreeze component is dissolved.

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