JP4277325B2 - Heat converter - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a heat conversion apparatus that uses a P-type and N-type thermoelectric element pair and performs cooling or heating using the Peltier effect.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, it has a thermoelectric element pair in which one surface is a heating surface and the other surface is a cooling surface, and includes a first heat exchanger that contacts the heating surface and a second heat exchanger that contacts the cooling surface. It is known that a thermoelectric element pair is sandwiched between two heat exchangers and is tightened using screws. For example, such a device is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 55-126177. .
[0003]
In general, thermoelectric elements (P-type and N-type Peltier elements) used in heat conversion devices are made of bismuth tellurium, but this material is extremely weak against external force. For this reason, when the heat exchanger is brought into contact with the thermoelectric element pair, moderately adjust the contact force so that an excessive external force is not applied to the thermoelectric element pair even after assembly to the heat exchanger. Countermeasures are needed.
[0004]
Since the heat conversion device shown in the above-mentioned publication merely fastens the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger with screws, when a load is applied to the heat exchanger, the screws are connected to the first heat exchanger. It cannot suppress that a 2nd heat exchanger adjoins relatively. That is, since the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are not supported in the direction in which the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger are opposed to each other, almost all of the load acting on the heat exchanger is not provided. The load acts on the thermoelectric element pair via the heat exchanger and may break.
[0005]
In order to solve such problems, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-321348 discloses a first case body having a first heat exchanger that contacts the heating surface of the thermoelectric element pair and a second surface that contacts the cooling surface. A second case body having a heat exchanger is disclosed, in which the first case body and the second case body are fixed and fixed so as not to move in the vertical direction, and measures against external force are taken.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the latter publication, an O-ring and a screw are used as a method for airtightly fastening the first heat converter and the first case body. In this case, the O-ring and the screw are required. Come. Further, the first heat converter requires an O-ring, some screw hole machining, and a screw tightening process, which increases costs.
[0007]
Therefore, the present invention has a technical problem of providing a structure in which a thermoelectric element pair is not damaged even when an external force is applied without increasing the cost.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above technical problem, a first case body provided for a first heat exchanger having a thermoelectric element pair in which one surface is a heating surface and the other surface is a cooling surface, and is in contact with the heating surface; And a second case body provided for the second heat exchanger in contact with the cooling surface, wherein the first heat exchanger and the first case are provided in a heat conversion apparatus in which both case bodies are fixed by a fixing means. The body is supported by a support portion , the second heat converter is attached to the object to be cooled and is surrounded by a heat insulating material, and a protective member is disposed between the first case body and the heat insulating material. Thus, the space formed by the second heat converter and the heat insulating material is blocked from outside air .
[0009]
With the above configuration, the second heat converter is attached to an object to be cooled and is surrounded by a heat insulating material, and a protective member is disposed between the first case body and the heat insulating material. If the space formed by the second heat converter and the heat insulating material is a space blocked from outside air, condensation on the cooling surface of the second heat converter is prevented.
[0013]
In this case, if a sponge is used as the protective member , moisture can be prevented from entering the cooling surface of the second heat converter with an inexpensive material.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a heat conversion apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This heat conversion device 1 includes a thermoelectric element pair 4 composed of a P-type thermoelectric element 2 and an N-type thermoelectric element 3, first and second heat exchangers 5 and 6 composed of a heat conducting member, and a first heat exchanger 5 A first case body 7 provided for the second heat exchanger 6 and a second case body 8 provided for the second heat exchanger 6 are provided.
[0016]
The P-type thermoelectric element 2 and the N-type thermoelectric element 3 are alternately arranged in the horizontal direction shown in FIG. 1, respectively, and one surface of the P-type thermoelectric element 2 (upper surface shown in FIG. 1) and the N-type facing the same direction. One surface of the thermoelectric element 3 (the upper surface shown in FIG. 1) is electrically connected to the first electrode plate 10 made of a copper plate and having a nickel plating on the surface. Similarly, the other surface (the lower surface shown in FIG. 1) of the P-type thermoelectric element 2 facing the same direction and the other surface of the N-type thermoelectric element 3 (the lower surface shown in FIG. 1) are made of a copper plate, and the surface is plated with nickel. The P-type thermoelectric element 2 and the N-type thermoelectric element 3 are sequentially connected in series in a π-type.
[0017]
The first case body 7 is made of polybutylene terephthalate (PBT resin) or the like, and includes a flat plate portion 7a having an opening 7b and a frame-like protruding portion 7c protruding downward. The outer shape has a frame shape with a flange shape at the top. The first heat exchanger 5 is made of a heat radiating member (for example, aluminum), has a flange portion 5a on the outer peripheral bottom surface, and includes a number of heat radiating fins 5b. On the surface (boundary surface) 29 that supports the first heat exchanger 5 of the support portion 30 that supports the first heat exchanger 5 of the first case body 7, the first heat exchanger 5 is sealed with an adhesive 13 having a sealing property. The first case body 7 is fixed. In this case, since the first case body 7 that supports the first heat exchanger 5 is formed of resin, the first case body 7 is made of the same material as the first heat exchanger 5 so that it is cheaper and lighter. It becomes possible. Moreover, in the adhesive 13 used for the boundary surface 29 of the support part 30, one surface of the opening 7 b of the first case body 7 is hermetically bonded by using a sealing adhesive. At this time, if an adhesive based on an epoxy resin is used as the adhesive 13, the adhesive strength is stronger than that of the silicon adhesive, and the adhesive 13 can be bonded by an inexpensive method while maintaining the sealing property.
[0018]
On the other hand, the second case body 8 has a frame shape having a flange portion 8a below, and the second heat exchanger 6 has a flat plate portion 6a on the lower side and a convex portion 6b on the center portion. The second case body 8 is provided in the second heat exchanger 6 so as to surround the convex portion 6b of the second heat exchanger 6 within the frame, and the upper surface of the flat plate portion 6a of the second heat exchanger 6 and the second It is installed so that the flange portion 8a of the case body 8 abuts in the vertical direction, and the space formed by the outer periphery of the convex portion 6b and the inner surface of the second case body 8 is made of an epoxy resin adhesive. It becomes a filling part to be filled.
[0019]
The thermoelectric element pair 4 is fixed to the upper surface of the convex portion 6b on the lower surface shown in FIG. 1 via a film-like insulating material having good thermal conductivity. In this case, the thermoelectric element pair 4 and the second heat exchanger 6 may be assembled by using an adhesive for the insulating material itself.
[0020]
In order to supply power to the heat conversion element 4, lead wires 15 and 16 and internal lead wires 19 and 20 are provided for the electrode plates 38 and 39, and the lead wire 15 is positioned at 17 of the electrode plate 38. In addition, the lead wire 16 is soldered together at the position 18 of the electrode plate 39 and is electrically fixed to the electrode plates 38 and 39. Electric power is supplied from the electrode plates 38 and 39 to the second electrode plate 11 via internal lead wires 19 and 20, respectively. In this case, the electrode plates 38, 39 are formed by insert molding so that the electrode plates 38, 39 protrude from the side surface portion of the second case body 8, and power is supplied from an external power source through the lead wires 15, 16.
[0021]
The first heat exchanger 5 fixed to the first case body 7 with the adhesive 13 is brought into contact with the upper surface of the thermoelectric element pair 4 via an insulating material and thermally conductive grease, and the projecting shape of the first case body 7. The tip end portion of the portion 7c is placed in the opened frame of the second case body 8, and the second electrode plate 11 is assembled to the second heat exchanger 6 in a state where the second electrode plate 11 is in contact with the convex portion 6b.
[0022]
Based on this state, the filling portion is filled with the epoxy resin adhesive 23. In this case, the second case body 8 and the second heat exchanger 6 are bonded and fixed by the adhesive 23, and the first case body 7 and the second case body 8 are bonded and fixed by the adhesive 23. 23 hardens in the filling portion.
[0023]
By doing so, the first heat exchanger 5 and the first case body 7 are hermetically coupled by the adhesive 13, and the second heat exchanger 6 and the second case body 8 are hermetically sealed by the adhesive 23. Combined. At the same time, a part of the lead wires 19 and 20 is kept airtight by the adhesive 23, and the inside of the case 9 is sealed.
[0024]
In the assembly of the heat conversion device 1, the first heat exchanger 5 and the second heat exchanger 6 are brought into contact with the thermoelectric element pair 4, so that the first case body 7 including the first heat exchanger 5 and the second heat Since the second case body 8 provided with the exchanger 6 is fixed and cured by the adhesive 23, even if an excessive load acts between the two, the adhesive 23 suppresses the thermoelectric element pair 4. An excessive load due to assembly will not be applied.
[0025]
That is, even if the load which makes the 1st and 2nd heat exchangers 5 and 6 adjoin each other acts with respect to the 1st and 2nd case bodies 7 and 8, the 1st case body 7 and the 2nd case body 8 is fixed by the adhesive 23, the adhesive 23 can suppress the first heat exchanger 5 and the second heat exchanger 6 from being relatively close to each other.
[0026]
The heat conversion device 1 includes the protruding portion 7c that protrudes into the adhesive 23 filled in the filling portion, whereby the first case body 7 and the second case body 8 are connected to the first case body via the adhesive 23. 7 is engaged with the frame-like side portion of the second case body 8 facing the protruding portion 7c of the first and second case bodies 7, 8, and the first and second heat exchangers 5. , 6 are displaced in a direction deviating from the thermoelectric element pair 4, the first and second heat exchangers 5, 6, the first case body 7 and the second case body 8 are connected to the thermoelectric element pair 4. The relative displacement is firmly suppressed by the adhesive 23.
[0027]
Next, the operation of the heat conversion device 1 will be described. When electric power is supplied from the external power source to the thermoelectric element pair 4 via the lead wires 15 and 16 and the internal lead wires 19 and 20, the first and second electrode plates 10 are supplied to the P-type thermoelectric element 2 and the N-type thermoelectric element 3. , 11, current flows. When a current flows by energization, the upper surface (upper side shown in FIG. 1) of the thermoelectric element pair 4 becomes a heating surface and the lower surface (lower side shown in FIG. 1) of the thermoelectric element pair 4 becomes a cooling surface by the Peltier effect. That is, the heat conversion device 1 generates a heating action in the first heat exchanger 5 via the first electrode plate 10 and generates a cooling action in the second heat exchanger 6 via the second electrode plate 11. It becomes.
[0028]
As described above, in this heat exchange device 1, even if a load is applied to the first and second heat exchangers 5 and 6, the load is distributed to the thermoelectric element pair 4 and the cured adhesive 23. Therefore, the entire load does not act on the thermoelectric element pair 4 and the thermoelectric element pair 4 can be prevented from being damaged.
[0029]
Further, since the case 9 is configured so that the inner space portion in which the thermoelectric element pair 4 is disposed is sealed from the outside of the case 9 by the adhesive 23, no condensation occurs in the thermoelectric element pair 4. The thermoelectric element pair 4 is not damaged due to an electrical short circuit caused by condensation.
[0030]
Furthermore, since the adhesive 13 airtightly joins the first heat exchanger 5 and the first case body 7, no member for connecting the first heat exchanger 5 and the first case body 7 is required. In addition, since the sealing member is not necessary between the first heat exchanger 5 and the first case body 7, the number of processes is reduced compared to the conventional case, and the cost can be reduced.
[0031]
(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the heat conversion apparatus 1, and mainly the portions that are different from the first embodiment will be described. In FIG. 2, the first heat exchanger 5 has the same outer shape as that of the first embodiment, but has one screw hole 5c at the center of the lower surface.
[0032]
On the other hand, the second heat exchanger 6 also has basically the same shape as that of the first embodiment. However, a stepped insertion hole 6c (a first heat exchanger side is inserted in the center) into which a screw 24 and a washer 26 are inserted. A small-diameter hole).
[0033]
With respect to the first case body 7 and the first heat exchanger 5, a boundary surface is formed so as to close the upper surface side opening 7 b of the flat plate portion 7 a of the first case body 7 with an epoxy resin adhesive 13 having a sealing property. 29 is hermetically bonded. In the second heat exchanger 6, the second case body 8 surrounds the convex portion 6 b of the second heat exchanger 6 within the frame, and the upper surface of the flat plate portion 6 a of the second heat exchanger 6. And the flange portion 8a of the second case body 8 are in contact with each other.
[0034]
On the other hand, the thermoelectric element pair 4 is divided and provided in a state in which one set is electrically connected to each side of the screw hole 5c. In this case, a plurality of pairs of thermoelectric elements can be used. Such a thermoelectric element pair 4 is bonded and fixed via an insulating material of the convex portion 6b of the second heat exchanger 6 in which the second case body 8 is installed. With respect to the supply of power to the thermoelectric element pair 4, the same method as in the first embodiment is taken.
[0035]
The first case body 7 including the first heat exchanger 5 is in contact with the upper surface of the thermoelectric element pair 4 via the insulating material and the heat conductive grease, and the tip of the projecting portion 7c. After the second case body 8 is arranged and the thermoelectric element pair 4 is fixed to the second heat exchanger 6 so that the side portion is accommodated in the filling portion within the frame of the second case body 8. The washer 26 and the screw 24 are inserted into the insertion hole 6c in the insertion hole 6c of the second heat exchanger 6. In this case, the screw portion of the screw 24 passes through the washer 26 and the small diameter portion of the insertion hole 6c, passes through the space in which the thermoelectric element pair 4 is disposed, and reaches the screw hole 5c of the first heat converter 5. I am doing so. The screw head comes into contact with the step portion of the insertion hole 6c through the washer 26, and the screw 24 is screwed into the screw hole 5c.
[0036]
The filling portion is filled with an epoxy resin adhesive 23, the second case body 8 and the second heat exchanger 6 are fixed by the adhesive 23, and the first case body 7 and the second case body 8 are bonded. It is fixed by the agent 23. In this case, the adhesive 23 is cured in the filling portion 14. Silicon rubber, an NBR rubber stopper, or the like is hermetically press-fitted into the insertion hole 6c as the sealing material 25 so that airtightness can be maintained.
[0037]
In the second embodiment, the washer 26 causes the first heat exchanger 5 and the second heat exchanger 6 to exchange heat with the thermoelectric element pair 4 without damaging the thermoelectric element pair 4 with respect to the thermoelectric element pair 4. Appropriate pressure contact force is applied so as to ensure contact with the containers 5 and 6. In this case, when the adhesive 23 is filled and cured, the adhesive fixing of the first case body 7 and the second case body 8 by the adhesive 23 is a connection that maintains this appropriate pressure contact force.
[0038]
Moreover, the airtightness in the case 9 is maintained by filling the silicon rubber 25. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment.
[0039]
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment. In this embodiment, an anchor groove 27 and a notch-shaped groove 28 for obtaining an anchor effect are formed on the boundary surface 29 between the first heat converter 5 and the first case body 7. It is characterized by. Since the adhesive 13 generally includes air bubbles (air), a notch-shaped groove 28 is provided to discharge the air bubbles contained in the adhesive 13 to the outside when the adhesive is cured. The groove 28 is formed in the boundary surface 29 of the first case body 7, and about three notch-shaped grooves 28 having an annular shape along the opening shape of the first case body 7 are formed here. . The number of grooves 28 is not limited to this. In addition, each groove 28 has four radiation grooves (not shown) communicating with the outer periphery of the first case body 7 so as to communicate with each other, and bubbles existing inside the adhesive are transferred from the notch-shaped grooves 28 to the radiation grooves. It can be released into the atmosphere.
[0040]
Further, an anchor groove 27 is formed on the boundary surface 29 of the first heat exchanger 5 with the first case body 7, and the anchor groove 27 prevents peeling in the vertical and horizontal directions, so that the first heat exchanger 5 and the first case body 7 are improved in adhesive strength.
[0041]
(Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 4 shows the fourth embodiment, and is a diagram in which a surface (flat plate portion 6 a) that performs heat absorption of the heat conversion device 1 shown in the first embodiment is attached to the object to be cooled 33. The heat conversion device 1 that constitutes the configuration of the first embodiment is disposed between the heat insulating material 31 disposed around the object to be cooled 33. In this case, the flat plate-like part 6a of the second heat converter 6 is fixed in contact with the object to be cooled 33, and when the thermoelectric element pair 4 is energized, it absorbs heat and cools the object to be cooled 33.
[0042]
Generally, when attaching to the cooled object 33 covered with the heat insulating material 31, in order to prevent condensation on the cooling surface of the second heat exchanger 6 (the surface of the second heat converter 6), the cooling surface And a structure that shuts off the outside air.
[0043]
If the outside air touches the surface of the second heat converter 6 without blocking the outside air, dew condensation occurs on the surface due to the endothermic action of the second heat converter 6. When condensation occurs in this way, moisture accumulates in the cooling space 40 surrounded by the heat insulating material 31, and the cooling effect is reduced by the moisture accumulated in the cooling space 40.
[0044]
Here, as shown in FIG. 4, sponges 34 and 35 are used as protective members for the purpose of blocking the outside air and preventing the adhesive 13 from peeling off. The sponge is disposed between the heat insulating material 31 and the first case body 7, and the surface of the second heat converter 6 formed by the outside air and the heat insulating material 31 using the repulsive force of the sponges 34 and 35 is formed. The exposed space (cooling space) 40 is blocked.
[0045]
The positions where the sponges 34 and 35 are disposed may be disposed at a position where the surface of the second heat exchanger 6 does not directly touch the outside air, and the first case body 7 and the first heat converter 5 are bonded. It is possible to arrange at a position where the surface does not peel off.
[0046]
As an application example, when the above-described heat conversion device 1 is applied to this storage room container, that is, a leisure cooler box that cools the storage room and built-in objects by the cooling action of the heat conversion device 1, The container is formed of aluminum or the like as a heat conduction member, and the lower surface in FIG. 2 of the second heat exchanger 6 of the heat conversion device 1 is brought into contact with the container for the storage chamber, so that the container for the storage chamber and the heat conversion device 1 are It is configured to be disposed in the main body case of the cooler box.
[0047]
When the heat conversion device 1 is used in a leisure cooler box having such a configuration, vibration or the like is applied to the cooler box when a vehicle loaded with the cooler box travels on a rough road, or in the worst case the cooler box. If the load is applied to the heat exchangers 5 and 6 and thus the case bodies 7 and 8 through the main body case, the thermoelectric element pair 4 can be prevented from being damaged for the above reasons.
[0048]
【The invention's effect】
A thermoelectric element pair having one surface as a heating surface and the other surface as a cooling surface has a first case body provided for a first heat exchanger in contact with the heating surface and second heat in contact with the cooling surface. In a heat conversion device comprising a second case body provided for the exchanger, wherein both case bodies are fixed by a fixing means, the first heat exchanger and the first case body are supported by a support portion, Since the boundary surface between the 1 heat converter and the first case body is joined with an adhesive having a sealing property, a conventional sealing member and screw are not necessary. Therefore, processing and assembling steps are reduced as compared with the prior art, and it can be fixed in a state where the sealing property is maintained by an inexpensive method called an adhesive, and the cost is low.
[0049]
In this case, if the boundary surface is shaped to obtain the anchor effect, the adhesive strength is improved.
[0050]
In addition, if an adhesive based on an epoxy resin is used, the adhesive strength can be improved, and adhesion with good sealing performance can be performed at low cost.
[0051]
When attaching the second heat converter to the object to be cooled, the heat exchange device is disposed between the heat insulating material disposed around the object to be cooled, and the cooling is performed between the first case body and the heat insulating material. If a protective member for preventing moisture from entering the surface is provided, the protective member prevents moisture from entering the cooling surface without causing the adhesive surface to peel off.
[0052]
In this case, if a sponge is used as the protective member, peeling of the adhesive surface is prevented by an inexpensive material, and moisture can be prevented from entering.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a heat conversion device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a heat conversion device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a heat conversion device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a heat conversion device in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Heat conversion apparatus 4 Thermoelectric element pair 5 1st heat exchanger 5b Radiation fin 6 2nd heat exchanger 7 1st case body 8 2nd case body 13 Adhesive 23 Adhesive (fixing means)
24 Screw (fixing member)
29 Interface 30 Supporting part 31 Heat insulating material 33 Cooled objects 34, 35 Sponge (protective member)
40 Cooling space

Claims (2)

A thermoelectric element pair having one surface as a heating surface and the other surface as a cooling surface, and a first case body provided for the first heat converter in contact with the heating surface, and a first case in contact with the cooling surface A heat conversion device comprising a second case body provided for two heat converters, wherein both case bodies are fixed by a fixing means;
Wherein the first heat exchanger and the first case member is supported by the support portion, the second heat converter disposed surrounded by a heat insulating material with is attached to the object to be cooled, said first case body A heat conversion device characterized in that a space formed by the second heat converter and the heat insulating material is blocked from outside air by disposing a protective member between the heat insulating material and the heat insulating material .   The heat conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the protection member is a sponge.

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