JP2508933Y2 - Chiller using the Peltier effect - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid cooler for cooling a drink liquid such as water or juice, and more particularly to a liquid cooler using a Peltier element for transferring heat by passing an electric current. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a Peltier element exhibiting the Peltier effect, improvement has been made considerably in recent years, and an element exhibiting the Peltier effect very efficiently has been commercially available. Some of such Peltier devices cool or heat the room temperature by ± 30 ° C. or more, and there is an increasing demand for specific use of such Peltier devices.

On the other hand, there are some drink liquids, such as juice and drinking water, which need to be actively cooled to improve their taste and the like. Taking tap water as an example of this beverage liquid, if one tries to improve its taste,
The temperature needs to be lower than room temperature. Further, cooling the beverage liquid in a compact form is very advantageous in improving various chillers.

As a general means for cooling various things, there have been many proposals using a refrigerant such as so-called CFC. In these conventional methods,
At present, the use of CFCs, which have an adverse effect on the environment, is being prohibited, and even if other refrigerants are used, the structure for them will become extremely complicated and compact products cannot be made. There is a problem. Further, for example, in the conventional example of cooling drinking water, in order to be able to cope with a large amount of consumption at one time, the cooled water is temporarily stored in a large tank and this is necessary. It is generally made to supply according to it. However, with such a method, if the cooling water becomes warm, water that is not needed for the time being will have to be cooled again, and considerable energy consumption such as electric power was performed. is there.

From the above, it is naturally conceivable that various beverage liquids are cooled by using the Peltier device described above. However, as mentioned above,
Some measures must be taken in order to effectively use an efficient Peltier element and make full use of its heat exchange rate. In particular, while using this type of Peltier element, temporarily storing cooled liquid such as water in a large tank means that water that has warmed up in the tank must always be cooled. Therefore, even if the Peltier device uses electric power, it is nothing but a waste of electric power energy. More importantly, the function of the Peltier element is to cool or heat the room temperature by ± 30 ° C or more, as described above, so if it is applied to drinking water, for example, it will be overcooled. It may freeze in the device. If this happens, the flow of the beverage liquid in the device will stop, and the cooler will not operate as it is, and the Peltier element cannot be effectively used.

Therefore, the inventor of the present invention has conducted various studies on how to effectively use the Peltier element to efficiently perform heat exchange, and as a result, completed the present invention. I did.

[0007]

The present invention has been made based on the above-mentioned background, and the problem to be solved is the effective utilization of the Peltier device. The object of the present invention is to cool the beverage liquid with an extremely simple structure, and to perform the cooling reliably while reducing the energy loss very much. It is to provide a liquid cooler capable of preventing freezing at the time and always ensuring the flow.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above problems, the means adopted by the present invention will be described with reference to the reference numerals used in the embodiments. "The heat is transferred by passing an electric current. The plate-shaped Peltier element 10, the fin member 11 integrated in a state in which it is in close contact with one surface thereof, the cool storage member 13 arranged on the other side of the Peltier element 10, and the Peltier element 10 of the cool storage member 13 are A liquid cooler 100 having a liquid passage 30 arranged on the opposite side and through which a beverage liquid flows.
In this case, the antifreeze liquid 21 is enclosed between the liquid passage 30 and the cold storage member 13, and the antifreeze liquid 21 is self-contained in the antifreeze liquid 21.
Heat exchanger 20 with a partition plate 22 that promotes natural convection
Is placed in the chiller 100 ".

[0009]

The operation of the liquid cooler 100 configured as described above will be described below. The liquid cooler 100 is incorporated in the case body 40 to form a water cooling device 200 as shown in FIG. 1, for example. However, this chilled water device 200
In the first embodiment, the drink liquid such as water or juice stored in the water storage tank 44 is pumped by the pump 45.
It is forcibly sent to and discharged from the water discharge port 43 exposed to the outside of the case body 40. Of course, a fixed amount of drinking liquid such as tap water is always supplied into the water storage tank 44, and necessary power is supplied to the Peltier element 10, the fan 42, the pump 45, and the like.

Here, also in the cold water device 200,
Although water or juice is temporarily stored in the water storage tank 44 in order to cope with temporary large consumption, the water or the like in the water storage tank 44 is not cooled to a required temperature. In other words, the water or the like taken out from the water discharge port 43 of the cooling water device 200 is cooled in the cooling liquid device 100 each time, and the electric power therefor is used only for the discharged amount of water. That is. Therefore, the electric power consumption of the chiller 100 is extremely small, and the chilled water device 200 is economical.

As described above, the cooling water device 200 is economical because of the operation of the cooling device 100. That is, the Peltier element 10 of the liquid cooler 100
When the Peltier element 10 is energized, the heat of the heat conducting member 12 side is forcibly moved to the fin member 11 side by the Peltier effect of the Peltier element 10. At this time, although the Peltier element 10 is only in contact with a part of the heat conducting member 12, the heat conducting member 12 is formed of a good heat conductive material such as copper or brass, so that the above heat transfer does not occur. It is done efficiently. Further, since the heat storage member 13 is integrated with the regenerator 13 over the entire surface on the side opposite to the Peltier element 10, the heat from the regenerator 13 is transferred through the heat conducting member 12 to the Peltier element 12. Therefore, it is quickly moved to the fin member 11 side by 10.

Since the heat exchanger 20 containing the antifreeze liquid 21 is in contact with the cold storage member 13, the heat of the heat exchanger 20 moves to the cold storage member 13 side. In other words,
The heat exchanger 20 in contact with the cool storage member 13 and the antifreeze liquid 21 enclosed therein are cooled by the cool storage member 13, and perform a cool storage action together with the cool storage member 13 to perform rapid cooling by the Peltier element 10. So to speak, it is alleviated. Further, since the antifreeze liquid 21 is sealed in the heat exchanger 20, the antifreeze liquid 21 does not freeze in the heat exchanger 20 even if the cooling by the cold storage member 13 is rapid. The antifreeze liquid 21 is always in the heat exchanger 20 in a circulatable state. And in this heat exchanger 20, since the partition plate 22 is arrange | positioned inside, and since it has the partition plate 24 which isolate | separates the antifreeze liquid 21 and the liquid passage 30 mentioned later,
The partition plate 22 and the partition plate 24 allow the antifreeze liquid 21
The circulation passage is formed in the heat exchanger 20. As a result, the antifreeze liquid 21 in the heat exchanger 20 is cooled by the cold storage member 1
It circulates between the 3 side and the liquid passage 30 side by the action of natural convection or the like. The heat exchanger 20 for the antifreeze liquid 21
The internal circulation can be made even more effective by appropriately controlling it by the opening / closing valve 23 made of a shape memory alloy as exemplified in the embodiment, an external pump, or the like.

For the heat exchanger 20 as described above, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid passage 30 having the inlet 31 and the outlet 32 forms the partition plate 24 on the heat exchanger 20 side. Are in contact through. Drink liquid such as juice or water is supplied into the liquid passage 30 by operating the pump 45, and the supplied drink liquid is cooled on the heat exchanger 20 side. The liquid flows in the liquid passage 30 while being in contact with the partition plate 24. That is, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the beverage liquid flowing into the liquid passage 30 from the inlet 31 flows upward in the drawing while contacting the partition plate 24 exposed in the liquid passage 30, and the chilled water device 2 from the outlet 32.
It is sent to the spout 43 of 00. At this time, the heat exchanger 20 having the partition plate 24 is in contact with the cool storage member 13, and the cool storage member 13 is absorbing heat by the Peltier element 10 via the heat conducting member 12, so that heat exchange is performed. The vessel 20 has already been cooled as described above. Therefore, the beverage liquid flowing while being in contact with the partition plate 24 of the heat exchanger 20 being cooled is sent to the water discharge port 43 while being sufficiently cooled.

What is important here is that the heat exchanger 20 in which the antifreeze liquid 21 is sealed is provided between the liquid passage 30 through which the beverage liquid flows and the cold storage member 13 in which the Peltier element 10 directly absorbs heat. The heat exchanger 20 is arranged so that the cooling of the Peltier element 10 with respect to the beverage liquid is moderated. As a result, the beverage liquid flowing in the liquid passage 30 does not freeze in the liquid passage 30 even if the cooling by the Peltier element 10 is strong and rapid. Will never stop. In other words, by interposing the heat exchanger 20 in which the antifreeze liquid 21 is enclosed between the cold storage member 13 and the liquid passage 30, the cold liquid device 100 has a sufficient heat transfer function as the Peltier element 10. It is possible to adopt the cool storage member 13, the heat exchanger 2
0 and the heat capacity of the antifreeze liquid 21 enclosed therein are fully utilized to provide a very high cooling function.
Further, at this time, since the cold storage member 13, the heat exchanger 20, and the liquid passage 30 are surrounded by the heat insulating member 14, heat does not move from the outside to the liquid passage 30 and the like. .

Here, when the discharge of the cooling water or the like from the water discharge port 43 is stopped, the energization to the Peltier element 10 and the pump 45 is also stopped, but the cool storage member 13 and the heat exchanger 20.
Remains at a temperature still lower than the temperature of water or the like supplied to the liquid passage 30 from the inlet 31 by that time. Because the transfer of heat does not occur instantaneously but requires a certain period of time, so at the time when the power supply to the Peltier element 10 is stopped, the cold storage member 13, the heat exchanger 20, and This is because the antifreeze liquid 21 enclosed in this is still cooled. Therefore, the beverage liquid staying in the liquid passage 30 is cooled by the heat exchanger 20 in the cooled state at that time. Further, in the chilled water device 200 according to the present invention, the liquid passage 30 of the chiller 100 is provided.
Is formed to have a sufficient volume, so the amount required for the next drink liquid (for example, one glass)
It has become enough to cover.

Of course, the chilled water apparatus 200 may be continuously used, but in that case, since electricity is continuously applied to the Peltier element 10, cooling of each part by the Peltier element 10 is sufficiently performed. Therefore, there is no problem at all. As described above, in the cold water device 200, even if water or juice is temporarily stored in the water storage tank 44 in order to cope with temporary large-scale consumption, the water in the water storage tank 44, etc. It is very efficient because it does not need to be cooled to the required temperature. That is, the amount of water or the like taken out from the water discharge port 43 of the cooling water device 200 is cooled in the cooling liquid device 100 each time, and the electric power therefor is used only for the discharged amount of water. . Therefore, the electric power consumption of the chiller 100 is extremely small, and the chilled water device 200 is economical.

As described above, since the cold storage member 13, the heat exchanger 20, and the liquid passage 30 are entirely enclosed by the heat insulating member 14, these liquid passages 30 are included.
As a result, heat hardly moves from the part other than the Peltier device 10. In particular, this refrigerator 100
In FIG. 3, the heat conduction member 12 is interposed between the Peltier element 10 and the cold storage member 13, and the heat exchanger 20 is provided between the cold storage member 13 and the liquid passage 30. Is improved while effectively utilizing the action of the Peltier element 10 having the function described at the outset, which allows the cooling and heating of a drinking liquid such as water with the minimum required power consumption. To do well.

On the other hand, also in the fin member 11, since it is formed of a general good heat conductor and the Peltier element 10 is integrated in the state of being closely adhered to the back surface side thereof, the Peltier element 10 allows the cool member 13 side to be closed. The transferred heat is well dissipated by the fin member 11. In this embodiment, a so-called air-cooling type is used, and as shown in FIG. 2, the fan 42 is forced to send air toward the fin member 11, so that the heat is dissipated or absorbed. Can be performed well. In this case, as shown in FIG. 1, the case body 40 of the cooling water device 200 is formed with the ventilation window 41 for improving the air flow, so that the air flow by the fan 42 is performed without stagnation. It is a thing.

Here, the flow of water in the case where the cold water of the liquid cooler 100 is produced will be described with reference to FIG. 4 as follows. First, in the chilled water device 200, tap water or the like is supplied into the water storage tank 44. At this time, the check valve 54 is closed and the pump 45 is supplied.
Is stopped and the first solenoid valve 51 is opened. Therefore, the water supplied at a predetermined pressure passes through the first electromagnetic valve 51 and the pump 45, and the filter 55 in the water storage tank 44.
The water that has been sent into the inside and has been subjected to predetermined filtration in the filter 55 is stored in the water storage tank 44 by expanding the pressing valve 56 provided at the upper end of the water storage tank 44. The above is the water amount sensor 57 arranged in the water storage tank 44.
If it is detected that the amount of water in the water storage tank 44 has become equal to or less than the set amount, the same operation is performed. Regarding the water in the water storage tank 44, the second solenoid valve 52
By closing the third solenoid valve 53, opening the check valve 54, and operating the pump 45, the filtration by the filter 55 is appropriately performed while circulating the water in the water storage tank 44.

When it is desired to obtain cold water from the water outlet 43 of the water cooling device 200, the Peltier element 1 is operated by operating a switch provided on the front side of the case body 40.
0 and the pump 45 are energized and the check valve 5
4 is opened. Then, the water in the water storage tank 44 is sent to the liquid cooler 100 side by the pump 45, and
The liquid is discharged from the water discharge port 43 while being cooled in the liquid passage 30 in the cooler 100. That is, the spout 43
Only the amount of water discharged from the cooler 100 is cooled by the cooler 100, and the water in the water storage tank 44 is not cooled or kept warm by the cooler 100 at all. . Thereby, the liquid cooler 100
Power consumption is reduced.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a chiller 100 according to the present invention and a chilled water device 200 constructed by using the same will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. A front view of a chilled water device 200 using the chilled liquid device 100 is shown, and the chilled liquid device 100 of this chilled water device 200 is a flat plate-shaped Peltier element 1 that transfers heat by passing an electric current.
0, a fin member 11 integrated in close contact with one surface thereof, a heat conductive member 12 integrated with the other surface of the Peltier element 10 and formed of a good heat conductive material, and the heat conductive member 12 A cool storage member 13 integrated on the side opposite to the Peltier element 10, a liquid passage 30 on the side opposite to the Peltier element 10 of the cool storage member 13, through which a beverage liquid flows, the liquid passage 30 and the cool storage member 13. The heat exchanger 20 is disposed between the heat exchanger 20 and the antifreeze liquid 21 is sealed, and the heat exchanger 20, the liquid passage 30, and the heat insulating member 14 for insulating the heat insulating member 14. In addition, if the heat conduction member 12 is in a state in which the Peltier element 10 can sufficiently absorb the heat from the cold storage member 13 due to another structure or the like,
It is completely unnecessary.

Although the Peltier element 10 is commercially available, the Peltier effect is achieved by moving the heat by flowing a direct current, and by changing the direction of the current flow. The direction of heat transfer to the element 10 can also be changed.
That is, by using this Peltier element 10, it is possible to selectively cool or heat a beverage liquid such as juice or water. This Peltier element 10
The fin member 11 closely attached to one surface is integrally formed of a material having good heat conductivity such as metal, and various shapes and sizes according to the amount of heat transfer are applied. It is a thing. On the other hand, the heat conducting member 12 integrated with the other surface of the Peltier element 10 is also made of a good heat conductive material,
For example, it is formed into a plate shape with copper or brass, and is used for the Peltier element 10 or the Peltier element 1
The heat is transferred from 0 quickly and with an increased area. Then, the Peltier element 1 of the heat conducting member 12
A cool storage member 13 formed of a material having a relatively large heat capacity, for example, a metal such as stainless steel or iron is integrated on the surface opposite to 0.

The heat exchanger 20 arranged on the side opposite to the Peltier element 10 of the cold storage member 13 has an antifreeze liquid 2 at the approximate center thereof.
1 is formed of a synthetic resin having a storage space for storing the cold storage member 1. The cool storage member 13 is arranged on the surface of the Peltier device 10 side, and the cool storage member 13 is made of, for example, stainless steel. The partition plate 24 is arranged. Of course, packing 25 is arranged between the heat exchanger 20 and the cool storage member 13 and the partition plate 24 in order to make the inside of the heat exchanger 20 liquid-tight. And the antifreeze liquid 21 is enclosed in the storage space formed in this heat exchanger 20. Since the antifreezing liquid 21 is isolated from the liquid passage 30 side by the partition plate 24, it is natural that it does not mix with the beverage liquid in the liquid passage 30, and the partition plate 24 has excellent durability. Since it is made of stainless steel, it does not enter and mix with the beverage liquid in the liquid passage 30. A partition plate 22 made of the same material as the heat exchanger 20 is integrally formed in the heat exchanger 20. As shown in FIG. An opening is formed to allow circulation of the antifreeze liquid 21. As a result, the antifreeze liquid 21 enclosed in the storage space of the heat exchanger 20 can freely convect as the cooling from the cool storage member 13 is performed.

In the heat exchanger 20 according to this embodiment,
As shown in FIG. 3, an opening / closing valve 23 made of a shape memory alloy is arranged in a storage space in which the antifreezing liquid 21 is sealed. The convection phenomenon is controlled. When the temperature inside the heat exchanger 20 is lower than 0 to 5 ° C., the on-off valve 23 closes so as to prevent circulation and convection of the antifreeze liquid 21 inside the heat exchanger 20, and the heat exchange. When the temperature in the vessel 20 is higher than 0 to 5 ° C, it is opened and the heat exchanger 2
It serves to allow circulation and convection of the antifreeze liquid 21 within zero. Of course, in implementing the present invention, the on-off valve 23 does not necessarily have to be adopted, and if the anti-freeze liquid 21 is sufficiently convected by the nature of the anti-freeze liquid 21 and the total heat capacity, the on-off valve 2
3 is unnecessary.

On the opposite side of the Peltier element 10 of the heat exchanger 20 as described above, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a liquid passage 30 for supplying the beverage liquid is arranged in contact with each other. . That is, although one side of the liquid passage 30 is open, the opened portion is the partition plate 24 on the heat exchanger 20 side.
Is integrated with the heat exchanger 20 in a state of being covered with. Of course, the beverage liquid to be cooled is supplied into the liquid passage 30, and therefore, the liquid passage 3 is provided.
At 0, an inlet 31 and an outlet 32 are integrally formed.
The inlet 31 and the outlet 32 are connected to a water storage tank 44 and a pump 45, which will be described later, by pipes (not shown). In the present embodiment, the heat insulating member 14 formed of a material having excellent heat insulating properties such as Styrofoam covers the entire heat conducting member 12, the cold storage member 13, the heat exchanger 20, and the liquid passage 30 described above. ing. As a result, heat exchange and the like between the heat exchanger 20 and the liquid passage 30 are performed without being affected by the outside air temperature.

The chilled water device 200 accommodates and arranges the chiller 100 in the case body 40, and the fan 42 provided in a portion of the case body 40 facing the fin member 11 and the fan 42. Case body 4 in the vicinity
Vent window 41 formed in 0, water storage tank 44 for storing a certain amount of water, and water discharge port 4 exposed to the outside of case body 40
3 and a pump 45 connected between the cold liquid container 100 and the water storage tank 44 in order to positively discharge cold water or hot water from the water discharge port 43. Case body 40
The above-described chiller 100 is accommodated in the inside thereof as shown in FIG. 2, and the fan 4 is provided around it.
2 and the water storage tank 44 are arranged. Further, this chilled water device 200 is provided with various switches for discharging cooling water and the like by pressing a switch button, and as shown in FIG. 1, a spout 43 for discharging cooling water and the like. Is provided on the upper front portion of the case body 40 so as to be exposed to the outside of the case body 40. A mounting portion such as a cup is formed immediately below the water discharge port 43, and a discharging port for discharging spilled water is formed in the mounting portion.

The chilled water apparatus 200 is also provided with a pipeline and an electric circuit for drinking liquid such as water to be used.
These are related as shown in FIG.
That is, the water tank or the like is connected to the water supply or the like via the first electromagnetic valve 51 and the pump 45, and the water or the like in the water storage tank 44 is sent to the pump 45 via the check valve 54. It is like this. Water storage tank 44
When water is supplied to the inside or when circulating in the water storage tank 44, it is performed through the filter 55, and the filtered water or the like is pressed on the upper end of the filter 55. The water is discharged from the valve 56 into the water storage tank 44. Further, the pump 45 is provided with a chiller 1 via a second electromagnetic valve 52.
00 is connected, and a third solenoid valve 53 is provided in the pipe connected in parallel with the liquid cooler 100. The third electromagnetic valve 53 is opened when it is desired to use mere tap water instead of cold water or warm water by the liquid cooler 100. By opening the third electromagnetic valve 53, the water storage tank 44 The filtered water inside is discharged from the water outlet 43. When the pump 45 is operated to send water or the like, the check valve 5
4 is opened, and the amount of water in the water storage tank 44 is always detected by the water amount sensor 57. As a result, water or the like is automatically supplied from the tap water into the water storage tank 44.

[0028]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, in the present invention,
As illustrated in the above-described embodiment, “a flat plate-shaped Peltier element 10 that transfers heat by passing an electric current, a fin member 11 that is integrated in close contact with one surface thereof, and the other of the Peltier element 10 The cool storage member 13 arranged on the side of
A liquid cooler 1 provided with a liquid passage 30 arranged on the side opposite to the Peltier element 10 of the cold storage member 13 and through which a beverage liquid flows.
At 00, the antifreeze liquid 21 is filled between the liquid passage 30 and the cold storage member 13, and the antifreeze liquid 21 is filled in the antifreeze liquid 21.
The heat exchanger 20 having the partition plate 22 that promotes the natural convection of "is arranged."
Cooling of the beverage liquid can be performed by an extremely simple structure, and the cooling can be performed reliably while the energy loss is extremely small, and further, the freezing of the beverage liquid inside is prevented and its flow is always maintained. It is possible to provide the chiller 100 that can be secured.

That is, according to the liquid cooler 100 of the present invention, it is possible to prevent the beverage liquid in the liquid passage 30 from freezing even if the cooling by the Peltier element 10 is rapid. Therefore, it is possible to constantly supply cold water or beverage liquid such as juice in a stable state. Further, according to the chiller 100 according to the present invention, the so-called preliminary cooling of the beverage liquid which will be used next is performed in the regenerator 13 or the heat exchanger 20, and the preliminary cooling is performed. so to speak cooling reserve capacity of the Peltier element 10 cooling is not performed by supplying actively power to the Peltier element 10, Ru Nodea which can be utilized positively by the structure of the cooling liquid 100 itself. Furthermore, this cold liquid
In the container 100, between the liquid passage 30 and the cool storage member 13
The antifreeze liquid 21 is enclosed in the
Is the heat exchanger 20 with the partition plate 22 interposed therein?
The antifreeze liquid 21 during operation of the refrigerator 100.
However, convection can be actively generated and heat exchange is delayed.
Can be done without. By this, it is possible to very good cooling liquid 100 in energy efficiency.

[Brief description of drawings]

1 is a perspective view of a chilled water device configured using a chiller according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the same.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a cold liquid cooler.

FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing a piping state in the chilled water device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 100 Cooling Liquid Device 10 Peltier Element 11 Fin Member 12 Heat Conducting Member 13 Cooling Member 14 Heat Insulating Member 20 Cooling and Water Heater 21 Antifreeze Liquid 22 Partition Plate 23 Opening Valve 24 Partition Wall 30 Liquid Passage 31 Inlet 32 Outlet 40 Case Body 41 Venting Window 42 Fan 43 Discharge port 44 Water storage tank 45 Pump

Claims (1)

(57) [Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A flat plate-shaped Peltier element for moving heat by passing an electric current, a fin member integrated in a state of being in close contact with one surface thereof, and a cool storage member arranged on the other side of the Peltier element. When, in the cold liquid equipped with a liquid passage through which is disposed on the opposite side of beverage liquid from the Peltier element of the cold accumulating member, between said liquid passage and the regenerative bed, antifreeze liquid is sealed When
Together, a partition plate that promotes its natural convection in this antifreeze.
A cold liquid cooler characterized by arranging a heat exchanger with an intervening heat exchanger.