JPH04126963A - Air conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform an independent control over air temperature at a plurality of air blowing ports by a method some fins of one of first and second thermo- electrical convertion devices are disposed within first and third air passages, the other fins are disposed in the second air passage in such a way as they are thermally insulated from each other and their heat transfer can be attained. CONSTITUTION:A first thermoelectrical conversion device 13 is made such that P-type thermoelectrical elements 151 and 152 and N-type thermoelectrical elements 161 and 162 are piled up. A second thermoelectrical convertion device 14 is made such that N-type thermoelectrical elements 171 and 172 and P-type thermoelectrical elements 181 and 182 are piled up through electrode plates. The device 13 has fins 191 and 192 within an air passage 111, and further has fins 201 and 202 in an air passage 112. The device 14 has fins 211 and 212 in an air passage 113 and further has fins 221 and 222 in an air passage 121. The fins 201 and 202 in the air passage 112 and the fins 221 and 222 are connected through insulation layers 231 and 232. As a positive voltage is applied to the device 13, air in the air passage 111 is cooled by the fins 191 and 192. As a positive voltage is applied to the device 14, air in the air passage 113 is heated by fins 211 and 212.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an air conditioner using a thermoelectric conversion unit that is capable of setting a plurality of air outlets and is effective for use in, for example, a vehicle.

[Prior Art] For example, in an air conditioner used in a vehicle such as a passenger car, a plurality of air outlets are provided in the vehicle interior in order to provide comfort to the occupants in the vehicle interior. It is required to control the temperature of the air blown from each air outlet to give a difference in the air temperature of each outlet, and it is required to be able to independently control the temperature of each outlet.

2. Description of the Related Art It is known to construct an air conditioner for a vehicle using a thermoelectric element, as shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-266015.

A thermoelectric conversion unit configured using thermoelectric elements is N
N-type thermoelectric elements made of type semiconductors and P-type thermoelectric elements made of P-type semiconductors are arranged alternately, and these N-type and P-type thermoelectric elements are connected in series by electrode plates. Heat absorption occurs at the junction where current flows from the N-type thermoelectric element to the P-type thermoelectric element, and exothermic action occurs at the junction where current flows from the P-type thermoelectric element to the N-type thermoelectric element. Therefore, by providing heat-absorbing fins in thermally conductive contact with the electrode portion where this heat-absorbing action is performed, and providing heat-radiating fins in thermally conductive contact with the electrode portion where the heat-generating action is performed, the thermoelectric conversion unit is configured.

By forming air flow passages corresponding to the heat absorption fins and the heat radiation fins of such a thermoelectric conversion unit, respectively, a cooling air flow and a heating air flow can be generated. However, even if you try to use such a thermoelectric conversion unit as is in an air conditioner, it is possible to control it so that cooling air and heating air are released from two air outlets, respectively. It is not possible to independently control the temperature of air blown from each port, and the function of the vehicle air conditioner cannot be fully demonstrated.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] This invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is possible to independently control the air temperature of at least two air outlets, and is particularly suitable for passenger cars etc. The present invention aims to provide an air conditioner using a thermoelectric conversion unit that is effective when installed in a vehicle.

[Means for Solving the Problem] The air conditioner according to the present invention has an N type and a P type, respectively.
The first and second thermoelectric conversion units are configured by alternately stacking thermoelectric conversion elements of the same type with electrode plates interposed therebetween, and from each of the electrode plates of the first and second thermoelectric conversion units. , forming heat absorbing or heat dissipating fins that alternately extend in opposite directions. Then, the first to third air passages are partitioned in parallel by the first and second thermoelectric conversion units in the duct through which air flows, and one of the first and second thermoelectric conversion units is connected to each other. Fins are set in the first and third air passages, and in the second air passage, the other fins of the first and second thermoelectric conversion units are insulated from each other and capable of conducting heat. so that it is set in

[Function] In the air conditioner configured in this way, the first to third air passages formed in the duct are each connected to independent air outlets, and each of these air outlets is It is possible to switch independently. Further, direct current sources whose polarity can be switched are connected to the first and second thermoelectric conversion units, and each is independently controlled. Therefore, for example, the fins of the first thermoelectric conversion unit set in the first air passage of the duct are set to perform a heat absorption action, and the fins of the second thermoelectric conversion unit set in the third air passage are set to absorb heat. When the polarity and value of the voltage applied to the first and second thermoelectric conversion units are set so that the fins perform a heat dissipation function, the output air from the first and third air passages is used for cooling and heating, respectively. The difference between the cooling temperature and the heating temperature can be set appropriately large. In this case, if one of the first or second thermal lightning conversion unit is turned off,
It becomes possible to set a small difference between the cooling temperature and the heating temperature. In other words, by controlling the polarity of the voltage applied to the first and second thermoelectric conversion units, it becomes possible to independently control the temperature of the air blown out from a plurality of air outlet ports. When applied to a conditioning system, the controllability of vehicle interior temperature is said to be good.

[Embodiments of the invention] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional structure of a heat exchange part of an air conditioner for a vehicle, for example, and is equipped with a duct 11 for circulating air to be heat exchanged. , air outside the vehicle interior or inside the vehicle interior is blown and distributed as appropriate.

The duct 11 is divided into three by first and second partition walls 121 and 122, and has first to third air passages 1
11 to 113 are formed. In this partition wall portion, there are installed a first thermoelectric conversion unit and a second thermoelectric conversion unit, respectively.
3 and 14 are set. The thermoelectric conversion unit 13 is
P-type thermoelectric element 151.1 composed of P-type semiconductor
52,... and N composed of N-type semiconductors
The second thermoelectric conversion unit 14 is constructed by laminating N-type thermoelectric elements 161, 162, . It is constructed by alternately stacking elements 18151g2, . . . with electrode plates interposed therebetween.

In the first thermoelectric conversion unit 13, fins 191, 19 are alternately set to extend into the first air passage 111, corresponding to each electrode plate set between the thermal lightning elements.
2, . . . and fins 201, 202, . . . extending into the second air passage 112 are set.

Further, in the second thermoelectric conversion unit 14, fins 211 are alternately extended into the third air passage 118 corresponding to each electrode plate set between the thermoelectric elements.
．． 212, . . . and fins 221, 222, . . . extending into the second air passage 112 are set.

Fins 201 and 202 formed on the first thermoelectric conversion unit 13 extending into the second air passage 112
, . . . and the fins 221, 222, . It is joined.

The first and second thermoelectric conversion units 13 and 14 configured in this way are provided with DC power sources lol and 1, respectively.
02 is connected and set, and when a positive voltage is applied to the first thermoelectric conversion unit 13 as shown in the figure, air flows into the first air passage ill by the fins 191, 192, . When the fins 211 are cooled and a positive voltage is applied to the second thermoelectric conversion unit 14, the fins 211
, 212, . . . heats the air flowing into the third air passage 113.

As shown in FIG. 2, the duct 11 in which the first and second thermoelectric conversion units 13 and 14 are built-in has air passages connected to the first to third air passages 111 to 113, respectively. First to third outlet ducts 24 to 2B are formed. In this case, the second outlet duct 25 located at the center is formed so that its minus side (lower side) is twice as large. The third outlet duct 26 is provided with a damper 28 that selectively opens and closes the duct 26, and the second outlet duct 25 is provided with a damper 29 that closes one of the twice-expanded outlets. And this exit duct 24~
A blowout guide mechanism 30 is set opposite to 26.

This blowout guide mechanism 30 includes, as shown in FIG.
First chamber 3011 communicating with first outlet duct 24 and upper half of second outlet duct 25 and third outlet duct 2
A second chamber 302 with which the lower half of the second outlet duct 25 communicates, and a third chamber 303 with which the lower half of the second outlet duct 25 communicates are formed separately. Air outlets 31 to 33 are formed.

Figure 4 shows the 11th section of the duct taken out, (A)
The figure is a view seen from the direction of the outlet ducts 24 to 2G. As shown in FIG.
is set, and the outlet is selectively opened and closed in the open position a or the closed position. Further, the second outlet duct 25 communicating with the second air passage 112 is formed to expand downward as shown in FIG.
By setting the positions indicated by and b, respectively,
The outlet opening above it, i.e. the blowout guide mechanism 30
The part that communicates with the second room 302, and the third room below.
The portion communicating with the room 303 can be selectively closed.

Here, the first air outlet 31 set in the air outlet guide mechanism 30 is communicated with, for example, an air outlet on the right seat side of the automobile, and the second air outlet 32 is configured to communicate with the air outlet on the left seat side. The third air outlet 33 is appropriately opened to the outside of the vehicle.

FIG. 5 explains the control system, which includes a control circuit 41 configured by a microcomputer, for example, and a DC power supply 43 connected to a thermoelectric conversion unit 42 (one representative is shown in this figure). A switch 44 that changes the polarity (positive voltage or reverse voltage) of the voltage applied from
The voltage value generated by the DC power supply 43 and the polarity of the switch 44 are switched and controlled by the control circuit 41.

The control circuit 41 controls the first and second air outlets 28 and 29 based on signals from various sensors such as a solar radiation sensor, an outside temperature sensor, an inside temperature sensor, and a temperature setting switch.
The voltage of the DC power supply 43, the polarity of the switch 44, etc. are controlled depending on the control state.
Controls the drive circuit 45 of the damper 28,29.

] By independently controlling the first and second thermoelectric conversion units 13 and 14, the air temperatures in the first and third air passages 111 and 113 are independently controlled,
Output air from these passages is supplied to the first and second outlets 31 and 32 in accordance with the control of the dampers 28 and 29. Here, the air blown from the first and second air outlets 31 and 32 is both set to cooling or heating, and the temperature of the air blown from the first and second air outlets 3I and 32 is set to cooling or heating. , or vice versa. If the temperature difference T of the air blown from the first and second outlets 31 and 32 is smaller than the specified temperature difference ΔTc, the thermoelectric conversion unit is changed to 1 as shown by characteristic A in FIG. The coefficient of performance COP is better if only columns are used. Then, the outlet temperature difference is Δ
When Tc is greater than Tc, using both the first and second thermoelectric conversion units 13,14 improves the coefficient of performance COP.

Table 1 shows the control mode.

]2 (A) to (F) in Figure 7 show the air flow conditions corresponding to cases A to F in Table 1 above, respectively, at t = 1. In case of A, damper 2
8 is opened, and the damper 29 is in the state a. A positive voltage is applied to the first thermoelectric conversion unit 13, a reverse voltage is applied to the second thermoelectric conversion unit 14, and the first and third air passages 1.1.
Cooled air is output from I and 113, and cooling air is blown from the first and second outlets 31 and 32, respectively.

Then, heated air is output from the second air passage 112, and this heated heating air is exhausted to the outside air from the third air outlet 33.

In case B, a positive voltage is applied only to the first thermoelectric conversion unit 13, and no voltage is applied to the second thermoelectric conversion unit 14. In this state, the first air passage is cooled,
The second air passage 1.12 is in a heated state, and when the damper 28 is closed and the damper 29 is set at position b, cooling air is supplied from the first air outlet 31 to the second air passage 1.12. Heating air comes to be blown out from the air passage 32. In this case, since only one of the thermal lightning conversion units 13 is operated, the temperature difference ΔT between the first and second outlets is smaller than the reference temperature difference ΔTc (ΔT × ΔTc). . In addition, as in case C, a positive voltage is applied to the first thermoelectric conversion unit 13 as well as the second thermoelectric conversion unit 14, and the dampers 28 and 2
9 is in the state a, cooling air is output from the first air passage lit, heated heating air is output from the third air passage 118, and the second air passage 11
Air at an intermediate temperature is taken out from 2. therefore,
Cooled air is blown out from the first outlet 31 and cooled air is blown out from the second outlet 32, and the temperature difference ΔT becomes (ΔT>ΔTc) and becomes large.

In case D, a reverse voltage is applied to the first thermoelectric conversion unit 13, and the dampers 28 and 29 are set to state b. In this state, heating air is output from the first air passage 111, and the Cooled air is taken out from the second air passage 112. Then, heating air is blown out from the first outlet 31 and cooling air is blown out from the second outlet 32.
The temperature difference ΔT of the air blown from the air is set to be small (ΔT<ΔTc). Similar to this case D, even if heating air is blown out from the first air outlet 31 and cooling air is blown out from the second air outlet 32, as in case E, the first and second If a reverse voltage is applied to both the thermoelectric conversion units 13 and 14 and the dampers 28 and 29 are in the state a, the difference ΔT in temperature of the air blown from the first and second outlets 31 and 32 is expressed as (ΔT>ΔTc
) can be set as large.

Then, as in case F, the first thermoelectric conversion unit 13
While applying a reverse voltage to the second thermoelectric conversion unit 1
4 and set the dampers 28 and 29 to state b, the first and second air outlets 31 and 3
From 2 onwards, heating air will be blown out.

FIG. 8 shows the flow of control in the control circuit 41 that performs such outlet temperature control. First, in step 401, the first and second The required blowout temperature required at the blowout ports 31 and 32 is calculated.

Then, in step 402, it is determined whether or not the first outlet 31 is for cooling, and the process proceeds to step 403 or 404 depending on the determination result, and it is determined whether or not the second outlet 32 is for cooling, respectively. Determine.

When it is determined that both the first and second outlets 31 and 32 are used for cooling, the process proceeds to step 405 where a positive voltage is applied to the first thermoelectric conversion unit 13, and further step 4
Proceeding to 0B, a reverse voltage is applied to the second thermoelectric conversion unit 14. Then, in step 407, the dampers 28 and 29 are controlled to state a.

When it is determined in step 403 that cooling is not required for the second outlet 32, the process proceeds to step 408 and the required outlet temperature difference ΔT is set ΔTc.
Determine whether the value is greater than or not. And the required temperature difference ΔT
If it is determined that is large, the process advances to step 409,
A positive voltage is applied to the first thermoelectric conversion unit 13, and further, in step 410, a positive voltage is applied to the second thermoelectric conversion unit 14.

Then, the process proceeds to step 407, where the dampers 2B and 29
Let be state a.

When it is determined in step 408 that the temperature difference ΔT is small, the process proceeds to step 411 and the first thermoelectric conversion unit 1
3, and in step 412, the voltage applied to the second thermoelectric conversion unit 14 is set to OFF. Then, in step 413, the dampers 28 and 29 are set to state b.

When it is determined in step 402 that the first outlet 31 is not required for cooling, and furthermore, in step 404 that the second outlet 32 is determined to be used for cooling, the process proceeds to step 414 to determine the required outlet temperature difference. Compare ΔT and the set temperature difference ΔTc. When it is determined that ΔT is large, the process proceeds to step 415, where a reverse voltage is applied to the first thermoelectric conversion unit 13, and further, a reverse voltage is set to be applied to the second thermoelectric conversion unit 14 at step 41G. Then, the process proceeds to step 413, where the dampers 28 and 29 are set in the state b.

When it is determined in step 414 that ΔT is small,
The process proceeds to step 417, where a reverse voltage is applied to the first thermoelectric conversion unit 13, and the process proceeds to step 412, where the second thermoelectric conversion unit 14 is set to OFF. And step 4
Proceed to step 13.

When it is determined in step 404 that the second air outlet 32 is not used for cooling, the process proceeds to step 417 to supply a reverse voltage to the first thermoelectric conversion unit 13, and in step 418, the second thermoelectric conversion unit 14 Set to apply positive voltage to. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 413, where the dampers 28 and 29 are set to state b.

Once the states of the dampers 28 and 29 are set in steps 407 and 413, the outlet air temperature of each outlet 31 and 32 is measured in step 419,
By correcting the voltage values applied to the first and second thermoelectric conversion units 13 and 14 in accordance with the measured values, the temperature of the air blown out from each outlet 3 and 32 is adjusted to the set temperature state. I'm trying to make it happen.

In other words, by executing such flow control in the control circuit 41, air conditioning control is performed in the manner shown in Table 1, and the temperature inside the vehicle is adjusted to correspond to the temperature distribution state within the vehicle. control.

In automatic air conditioners installed in automobiles, the temperature of the air blown out from each outlet is determined based on detection signals from various sensors such as a solar radiation sensor, an outside temperature sensor, an inside temperature sensor, and a temperature setting switch. That's what I do. Table 1 shows the relationship between the air temperatures at the first and second air outlets 31 and 32, and is divided into cases A to F as shown in FIG.

The first and second air outlets 31 and 32 are appropriately arranged in the vehicle interior.
As shown in the figure, a case where the first air outlet 31 is set on the front right seat side of the single room and the second air outlet 32 is similarly set on the left seat side will be explained as follows.

Generally, when the outside temperature is high, air conditioning is required for both the left and right seats (Case A). In this case, as described above, a positive voltage is applied to the first thermoelectric conversion unit I3 as shown in step 405, and a reverse voltage is applied to the second thermoelectric conversion unit 14 as shown in step 406. The air is applied so that cold air is blown out from the air outlets 31 and 32 corresponding to the left and right seats, respectively. In this case clause 2
The warm air generated in the air passage 12 is guided by a damper 29 to a third outlet 33 and discharged outside the vehicle.

Case F is the complete opposite case, and step 41
7, applying a reverse voltage to the first thermoelectric conversion unit 13,
In step 418, a positive voltage is applied to the second thermoelectric conversion unit 14, and hot air is blown out from the first and second air outlets 31 and 32 to the left and right seat portions, respectively.

Furthermore, even though the outside temperature requires heating, for example, there is strong solar radiation from the right side of the vehicle body, and this polarized solar radiation may create a condition where right seat cooling is required. Even under such conditions, the temperature increase due to solar radiation is relatively small, and 2] If the required temperature difference ΔT between the left and right seats is small (ΔT
), it is better to use only one of the two rows of thermoelectric conversion units, so the COP is better, so a positive voltage is applied to the first thermoelectric conversion unit 13 as shown in step 411, and a positive voltage is applied as shown in step 412. Then, no voltage is applied to the second thermoelectric conversion unit 14 and the second thermoelectric conversion unit 14 is turned off. Then, as shown in case B, cooling air is blown out from the first outlet 31 side, and heating air is blown out from the second outlet 32. If the solar radiation is strong and larger than the required temperature difference ΔT or ΔTc, as in steps 409 and 410, the first and second thermoelectric conversion units 13 and 14
A positive voltage is applied to both of them, cooling air from the first air passage itt is outputted from the first air outlet 31, and heating air from the third air passage 113 is blown out from the second air outlet 32. so that

Cases D and E are applied when the polarized solar radiation on the vehicle body is reversed.
Then, the processing in steps 417 and 412 or the processing in steps 415 and 416 is executed.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the fins 201, 202 of the first and second thermoelectric conversion units 13 and 14 extend into the second air passage 112, respectively.
・and 221 , 222 , . . . are this passage 11
The structure was such that heat could be exchanged within the insulator layers 231, 232, . . . . However, as shown in FIG. 10, the fins 201, 202, ... and 221,
222, ... are set at intervals within the second air passage 112, and are in a non-contact state with each other.
01.202, ... and fins 221 and 22, respectively
2, . . . may exchange heat with each other via air between them.

Furthermore, in Fig. 9, the first and second air outlets 31 and 32 are set corresponding to the left and right seats, respectively, but as shown in Fig. 11, the first air outlet 31 is set corresponding to the front seat. Alternatively, the second air outlet 32 may be opened corresponding to the rear seat.

In such a case, the temperature of the air blown from each outlet 31 and 32 is determined by horizontally comparing whether the solar radiation is hitting the front seats or the rear seats using a solar radiation sensor.

The required temperature of each outlet is determined from the solar radiation sensor in this way, but this is because each outlet 31
The temperature may be determined by a signal from an operating device that can indicate the passenger's preference using a temperature setting switch or the like provided corresponding to each of the air conditioners and 32. Furthermore, the air outlets may be set separately for the upper and lower parts of the vehicle compartment, and a temperature difference may be set between the upper and lower parts, such as when the head is cold and the feet are warm.

The example explained above is for air conditioning the air introduced from outside the vehicle, but air that has been previously conditioned by a refrigeration cycle or hot water heater is introduced, and the temperature of each outlet is adjusted. It can also be used for the purpose of correcting.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the air conditioner according to the present invention, for example, when a plurality of air outlets are set in the cabin of an automobile, the temperature of the air blown from each outlet can be adjusted independently. This allows the vehicle interior temperature to be controlled in a way that provides the most comfort for the occupants.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram illustrating a heat exchange portion of an air conditioner according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of this air conditioner, and FIG. ■-
■A cross-sectional view corresponding to the line, Figure 4 is a diagram explaining the state of the first to third air passages, Figure 5 is a diagram explaining the control system of the air conditioner, and Figure 6 is a diagram explaining the required temperature difference and A diagram explaining the relationship between the coefficient of performance and the number of rows of thermoelectric conversion units, (A) to (F) in Figure 7 are diagrams each explaining the control mode of this air conditioner for each case, and Figure 8 is a diagram explaining the control system of the control system. A flowchart showing the process flow, FIG. 9 is a diagram explaining the state of the air outlet in the vehicle interior, FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram to explain another embodiment of the heat exchanger, and FIG. 11 is a diagram explaining the state of the air outlet in the vehicle interior. It is a figure explaining other examples of arrangement of an air outlet. II...Duct, II+-113...1st to 3rd
air passage, 13.14...first and second thermoelectric conversion units, 151,...171...P-type thermoelectric element, 161,...181...N-type thermoelectric element, 191 ~
221.222,...fin, 231.232,...
...Insulator layer, 31-33...1st to 3rd outlet.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] First and second thermoelectric conversion units each configured by alternately stacking a plurality of N-type and P-type thermoelectric elements via electrode plates; Heat absorbing or heat dissipating fins formed by extending alternately in opposite directions from the electrode plate of each conversion unit in accordance with the arrangement order of the thermoelectric elements;
and a duct partitioned so that air passages are formed side by side, and the fins extending to each one of the first and second thermoelectric conversion units are connected to the first and third air passages of the duct. The other fin of each of the first and second thermoelectric conversion units is set in a second duct that is set in the air passage of the air passage and between the first and third air passages, first and second air passages set within the second air passage;
An air conditioner characterized in that the fins of the thermoelectric conversion units are electrically insulated from each other and configured to allow heat transfer.