KR102561266B1 - Convection type cooling module dockable in cold chain insulated box - Google Patents

Abstract

The convection type cooling module of the present invention includes a housing, a Peltier element installed inside the housing to generate cold air, and a convection generator protruding from the front surface of the housing to discharge cold air into the inside of the cold box, which can be assembled or separated from the cold box. It is characterized by including.
As the cooling module is configured to be detachable from the cold box, it can be applied to a plug-and-play cold chain using various logistics boxes and various transportation means.

Description

Convection type cooling module that can be docked in a cold chain insulated box {CONVECTION TYPE COOLING MODULE DOCKABLE IN COLD CHAIN INSULATED BOX}

The present invention relates to a convection-type cooling module, and more particularly, to a convection-type cooling module dockable to a cold chain cold box, capable of cooling the inside of a cold chain cold box and adjusting the temperature through a convection method without a refrigerant or an ice pack.

Ice packs such as ice and dry ice used in known ice boxes have a limited cooling duration, and thus, in order to greatly increase the duration, there is a problem in that ice or ice packs must be continuously replenished. In addition, when an ice pack is simply put in an ice box, it is practically impossible to adjust the optimal temperature conditions for each product.

In order to increase the refrigeration efficiency and control the temperature in the box, a package delivery method using a special container and a refrigerant has been proposed, but the conventional method using such a special container and a refrigerant has become a problem in terms of cost and environment.

In addition, a technique of applying a secondary battery, a battery, and a Peltier element to an ice box has been proposed to increase the duration without the continuous supply of ice or ice packs.

The Peltier element is an element using the Peltier phenomenon in which one side becomes hot and the other side becomes cold. It can be used in the form of conduction or radiation depending on the heat dissipation method, and the radiation form is used for cooling. A representative example of an ice box to which such a Peltier element is applied is disclosed in the following patent documents (hereinafter referred to as 'prior art'), and its schematic configuration will be described below with reference to FIG. 8 .

As shown in FIG. 8 , the icebox according to the prior art is composed of a Peltier element 1, a solar panel 2, a solar cell module controller 3, an operation switch 4, and a battery 5. The Peltier element 1 is attached to one side of the ice box body and operates by power supplied from the battery 5 under the control of the solar cell module controller 3 to maintain the inside of the ice box body in a refrigerated state.

However, since the Peltier element (1), the solar panel (2), the solar cell module controller (3), the operation switch (4), and the battery (5), which are components for maintaining the ice box of the prior art at a low temperature, are all built into the ice box itself, logistics costs are increased, and it is difficult to maintain a uniform cold state in the box, and furthermore, there is a problem in that the low temperature maintenance function is lost when any one of the components is defective.

In the cold chain, which is a system that maintains freshness and quality by maintaining the temperature at a low temperature in the process of harvesting fresh foods such as agricultural products from the production area and then storing and transporting them to the final consumption place, it was difficult to apply the prior art ice box that lost such durability and reliability.

Moreover, since the prior art cools the inside of the ice box only by direct cooling of the Peltier element, it is difficult to maintain the entire inside of the ice box at a uniform low temperature. That is, a temperature deviation occurs inside the icebox.

Publication No. 10-2013-0095590 (published on August 28, 2013)

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to circulate cold air into the cold box through convection and discharge internal heat to the outside of the cold box to uniformly and accurately cool the inside of the cold box. It is to provide a convection type cooling module that can be cooled.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a convection type cooling module that is configured to be assembled and separated from the cold box so that the cooling module can be easily replaced even when a defect occurs, thereby preventing the loss of the low temperature maintenance function of the cold box.

The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

According to an embodiment of the present invention to solve these problems, the housing; a Peltier element installed inside the housing to generate cold air; and a convection generating unit that can be assembled or separated from the cold box and protrudes from the housing to discharge cold air into the cold box.

It is characterized in that the convection generating unit is formed with an inlet through which the inside of the cold box flows into the Peltier element, and an outlet through which cold air cooled by the Peltier element is discharged.

The convection generator is provided with a cooling sink that is in thermal contact with the first surface of the Peltier element, and the cooling sink includes two or more longitudinal cooling fins repeatedly arranged to be spaced apart in the horizontal direction, thereby forming a flow path between the inlet and the discharge port between the cooling fins.

The convection generating unit may include at least one of a suction fan for sucking the inside of the cold box into the convection generating unit and a discharge fan for discharging cold air cooled inside the convection generating unit into the cold box.

At least one of the rotational axis of the suction fan and the rotational axis of the discharge fan may be coaxial with each of the cooling fins and the direction in which the flow path extends.

The suction fan is disposed at the lower end of the cooling sink, and the discharge fan is disposed at the upper end of the cooling sink.

The convection generator may include a venturi structure positioned between the cooling sink and the discharge port.

An exhaust port for discharging heat of the Peltier element to a rear surface opposite to the front surface of the housing, an exhaust fan for pressurizing heat of the Peltier element toward the exhaust port, and a heat dissipation heat sink disposed between the exhaust fan and the Peltier element. Characterized in that it is further provided.

In some embodiments, the convection type cooling module may include a first convection guide unit for guiding air inflow into the inlet; and a second convection guide for guiding air discharge from the outlet.

According to the convection type cooling module according to some embodiments of the present invention, the cooling module is configured to be detachable from the cold box, so that it can be applied to a plug-and-play cold chain using various logistics boxes and various transportation means.

In addition, even when a defect occurs in any one of the cooling module or the cold box, it can be easily replaced, preventing the cold box from losing its low-temperature maintenance function even in an emergency. Furthermore, cooling efficiency can be further maximized by convectively circulating cold air inside the cold box, and accordingly, a cold chain system with improved durability and reliability can be provided.

1 is a perspective view showing a convection type cooling module according to some embodiments of the present invention.
2 is a cross-sectional side view of a convection type cooling module according to some embodiments of the present invention.
3 is a cross-sectional side view illustrating air flow of a convection type cooling module according to some embodiments of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a front view showing the flow of air in the convection type cooling module according to some embodiments of the present invention.
5 is an exemplary diagram illustrating air flow in a cold box according to some embodiments of the present invention.
6 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a cooling module according to some embodiments of the present invention is disassembled from a cold box.
7 is a perspective view illustrating an ice box according to the prior art.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Advantages and features of the present invention, and methods of achieving them, will become clear with reference to the detailed description of the following embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be implemented in various different forms, and only the present embodiments are provided to complete the disclosure of the present invention and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention to which the present invention belongs, and the present invention is only defined by the scope of the claims. Like reference numbers designate like elements throughout the specification.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in this specification may be used in a meaning commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. In addition, terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not interpreted ideally or excessively unless explicitly specifically defined.

Also, in this specification, the singular form may also include the plural form unless otherwise specified in the phrase. As used herein, “comprises” and/or “comprising” does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations, and/or elements in which a stated component, step, operation, and/or element is present.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a perspective view showing a convection type cooling module according to some embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the convection type cooling module according to some embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing air flow of the convection type cooling module according to some embodiments of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a front view showing air flow of the convection type cooling module according to some embodiments of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustratively showing a state in which a cooling module according to some embodiments of the present invention is disassembled from a cold box.

1 to 6, a cooling module (A) for a cold box according to the present invention may include a housing 100 having an internal mounting space and forming an outer shape, a Peltier element 200 installed inside the housing 100 to generate cold air, and a convection generating unit 300 protruding from the housing 100 so as to be detachably docked with the cold box (B) and to form convection inside the cold box (B).

A battery 110 for supplying power to the Peltier element 200 may be provided in the housing 100 . The battery 110 may be a secondary battery such as lithium ion capable of charging and discharging. Meanwhile, when the cooling module A is driven by a separate external power source, a power supply plug (not shown) may be provided in the housing 100, and in this case, the battery 110 may be omitted.

In addition, the housing 100 may include a controller 120 for controlling operations of the Peltier element 200 , the cooling fan 330 , and the exhaust fan 140 . The control unit 120 may precisely control the internal temperature of the cold box B by controlling the Peltier element 200 and a cooling fan to be described later, and the internal temperature adjustment may be performed based on a control signal received from the outside by having a wired/wireless communication module (not shown). In addition, the control unit 120 may additionally include an abnormality detection unit that determines whether the cooling module (A) has a malfunction, and/or an alarm unit that generates an alarm when the cooling module (A) operates abnormally.

The Peltier element 200 is an element in which, when two types of conductors are coupled and current flows, one contact point heats up and the temperature rises, and the other contact point absorbs heat and the temperature decreases. In this specification, the case has been described based on the case in which the first surface of the Peltier element 200 toward the inside of the cold box B operates as a low-temperature part to cool the inside of the cold box B, but when the need to heat the inside of the cold box B occurs, the first surface of the Peltier element 200 toward the inside of the cold box B may operate as a high-temperature part. action can be performed. Hereinafter, for clarification of description, a case in which the first surface of the Peltier element 200 operates as a low temperature part will be described.

The convection generator 300 may have a protruding shape to be detachable from the opening of the cold box (B). The convection generator 300 may be integrally formed with the housing 100 by injection molding, or may be assembled to the housing 100 as a separate part from the housing 100 .

The location of the convection generating unit 300 is not limited to the one shown, but in order to maximize the shielding performance of the cold box B by the convection generating unit 300, the convection performance inside the cold box by the convection generating unit 300, and the heat dissipation performance of the second surface (high temperature part) of the Peltier element 200 by the exhaust fan 140, the convection generating unit 300 is disposed in the central region of the housing 100 as shown it is desirable

In the convection generating unit 300, an inlet 310 for introducing the inner air (internal air) of the cold box B into the convection generating unit 300 and a discharge port 320 for discharging cold air cooled inside the convection generating unit 300 may be formed.

The inlet 310 is formed on the lower side of the convection generating unit 300, and the inlet 310 may be provided with a suction fan 330 that sucks the inside of the cold box B and pressurizes it to the cooling sink 350. The suction fan 330 may rotate in a direction of introducing air from the inside of the cold box B to the inside of the convection generator 300 .

The discharge port 320 is formed on the upper surface of the convection generating unit 300, and the discharge port 320 passes through the cooling sink 350 to the inside of the cold box B (ie, the convection generating unit 300). A discharge fan 340 for discharging to the outside may be provided. The discharge fan 340 may rotate in a direction of discharging air from the inside of the convection generating unit 300 to the outside of the convection generating unit 300 . That is, the discharge fan 340 may rotate in the direction of forming the same fluid flow as the suction fan 330 .

As described in this embodiment, it is preferable that the suction fan 330 is disposed at the bottom of the cooling sink 350 and the discharge fan 340 is disposed at the top of the cooling sink 350, but the positions of the suction fan and the discharge fan can be changed. That is, the inside of the cold box (B) may flow into the upper side of the convection generating unit 300 and be discharged to the lower side. Of course, the position change of the suction fan and the discharge fan may be implemented by changing the rotation direction of the suction fan and the discharge fan, rather than changing the physical configuration.

In addition, in order to secure sufficient convection performance, it is preferable that both the suction fan 330 and the discharge fan 340 are provided in the convection generator 300, but in some cases, either the suction fan 330 or the discharge fan 340 may be omitted.

By the operation of the suction fan 330 and/or the discharge fan 340, the inside of the cold box B flows into the convection generator 300 through the inlet 310, and then the Peltier element 200 and the cooling sink 350. The converted cold air may be discharged to the outside of the convection generator 300 through the discharge port 320. That is, the inside of the cold box (B) and the inside of the convection generator 300 cooled by the Peltier element 200 are convexed to diffuse cold air into the inside of the cold box (B).

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, the cold air inside the convection generating unit 300 is discharged to the inner upper part of the cold box B through the discharge port 320, and the discharged cold air spreads evenly to the lower part of the cold box B by convection and evenly cools the inside of the cold box B. The circulated bet is introduced into the convection generator 300 through the inlet 310 by the suction fan 330 and cooled again.

At this time, the passage from the cooling sink 350 (or from the discharge fan 340) to the discharge port 320 may be formed such that the internal cross-sectional area gradually narrows, and accordingly, the discharge speed of cold air may increase. That is, the convection generating unit 300 includes the venturi structure 325 positioned between the cooling sink 350 and the outlet 320, thereby increasing the convection efficiency inside the cold box B.

On the other hand, when looking at the convection generating unit 300 from the front as shown in FIG. 4, the cooling sink 350 has two or more iron-shaped longitudinal cooling fins 351 horizontally to form the inlet 310 and the outlet 320. A flow path 351A connecting between them can be formed. That is, the passage 351A extends in the height direction of the cooling module A.

Accordingly, heat exchange between the heat exchanger and the cold air passing through the inlet 310 passes through the flow path 351A between the cooling fins 351, and the cold air passes through the flow path 351A and is directed toward the discharge port 320.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2, the rotational axis of the suction fan 330 and/or the rotational axis of the discharge fan 340 may be substantially orthogonal to a horizontal line (C or X-axis direction) crossing the centers of the Peltier element 200 and the cooling sink 350, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the cooling module A may additionally include a first convection guide part 310G for guiding air inflow into the inlet 310 and/or air discharge from the discharge hole 320, as shown in FIG. 2 , and a second convection guide part 320G for guiding. The first convection guide part 310G and/or the second convection guide part 320G can increase the effect of reducing fluid resistance when air is sucked into the inlet 310 and discharged from the outlet 320, and accordingly, the convection performance inside the cold box B can be increased.

Specifically, the first angle 310Gd formed by the inclined surface of the first convection guide unit 310G and the horizontal line C crossing the centers of the Peltier element 200 and the cooling sink 350 and the second convection guide unit 320G. It is preferable that the second angle 320Gd formed by the inclined surface and the horizontal line C is substantially the same. More specifically, each of the first angle 310Gd and the second angle 320Gd may be approximately 5° to 85°, preferably approximately 35° to 85°, and more preferably approximately 45° to 75°, and when the first angle 310Gd and the second angle 320Gd are in the above numerical range, the convection efficiency in the cool box can be maximized.

In some embodiments, a thermal pad 360 may be inserted or thermal grease may be applied between the Peltier element 200 and the cooling sink 350, and such a thermal pad and thermal grease are materials having high thermal conductivity. Since it is a known configuration for achieving high heat transfer rate by bringing the heat transfer medium into close contact, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

An outlet 130 for discharging heat of the Peltier element 200 may be formed in the housing 100, and an exhaust fan 140 for discharging heat of the Peltier element may be provided in the outlet 130. Furthermore, a heat dissipation heat sink 150 may be provided between the exhaust fan 140 and the Peltier element 200. Here, the rotational axis of the exhaust fan 140 may be substantially orthogonal to the rotational axis of the suction fan 330 and/or the rotational axis of the discharge fan 340 as shown. Accordingly, the high temperature part (second surface) of the Paltier element 200 is radiated by the exhaust fan 140 and the radiating heat sink 150, so that the cooling efficiency of the low temperature part (first surface) of the Paltier element 200 can be further improved. This is because when the high-temperature part of the Paltier element 200 is forcibly cooled, the cooling efficiency of the low-temperature part, in which heat from the low-temperature part is transferred to the high-temperature side, increases.

Meanwhile, in FIG. 1 , the outlet 130 is illustrated as being formed only in an area where the exhaust fan 140 is located, but the outlet 130 may be widely located on the rear surface of the housing 100 (that is, on the opposite side of the front surface where the convection generating unit 300 is located), and furthermore, on the upper and lower surfaces of the housing 100. In this case, the heat dissipation effect of the high temperature part of the Paltier element 200 by the exhaust fan 140 can be increased.

Similar to the thermal pad 360 of the low temperature part, a thermal pad 160 may be inserted or thermal grease may be applied between the Peltier element 200 and the heat dissipation heat sink 150, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In some embodiments, a rubber packing (not shown) is additionally provided at the boundary between the convection generating unit 300 and the housing 100 to strengthen the shielding power of the cold box (B) by the cooling module (A) of the present invention. Cooling performance can also be increased.

In addition, a heat sink 370 may be additionally provided on the front side of the convection generating unit to increase heat conduction between the convection generating unit and the cold box. Alternatively, since the front portion of the convection generating unit itself is formed of a material having high thermal conductivity, the front portion of the convection generating unit itself may serve as a heat sink.

Those skilled in the art related to the present embodiment will be able to understand that it may be implemented in a modified form within a range that does not deviate from the essential characteristics of the above description. Therefore, the disclosed methods are to be considered in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is shown in the claims rather than the foregoing description, and all differences within the equivalent scope will be construed as being included in the present invention.

Claims (9)

housing;
a Peltier element installed inside the housing to generate cold air;
It can be assembled or separated from the cold box, protrudes from the housing to discharge cold air into the cold box, and has an inlet through which the inside of the cold box flows into the Peltier element and a discharge hole through which the cold air cooled by the Peltier element is discharged. A convection generator formed;
a first convection guide unit for guiding air inflow into the inlet; and
Convection-type cooling module, characterized in that it comprises a second convection guide for guiding air discharge from the discharge port.
delete According to claim 1,
The convection generating unit is provided with a cooling sink that is in thermal contact with the first surface of the Peltier element,
The convection type cooling module, characterized in that the cooling sink includes two or more longitudinal cooling fins repeatedly arranged spaced apart in the horizontal direction to form a flow path between the inlet and the outlet between the cooling fins.
According to claim 3,
The convection generating unit is provided with at least one of a suction fan for sucking the inside of the cold box into the convection generating unit and a discharge fan for discharging cold air cooled inside the convection generating unit into the cold box. Cooling module.
According to claim 4,
At least one of the rotational axis of the suction fan and the rotational axis of the discharge fan is coaxial with each of the cooling fins and the direction in which the flow path extends.
According to claim 5,
The convection type cooling module, characterized in that the suction fan is disposed at the lower end of the cooling sink, and the discharge fan is disposed at the upper end of the cooling sink.
According to claim 3,
The convection type cooling module, characterized in that the convection generating unit is provided with a venturi structure located between the cooling sink and the discharge port.
According to claim 1,
An exhaust port for discharging heat of the Peltier element to a rear surface opposite to the front surface of the housing, an exhaust fan for pressurizing heat of the Peltier element toward the exhaust port, and a heat dissipation heat sink disposed between the exhaust fan and the Peltier element. Characterized in that, the convection type cooling module is further provided.
delete