KR20000073798A - Portable cooling and warming apparatus using a thermoelement - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A refrigerating and heating apparatus is provided to maximize refrigerating and heating efficiency of foods and other items and to conveniently install an apparatus in various places as well as in a vehicle. CONSTITUTION: For using a refrigerating and heating apparatus(100) as a refrigerator, a cap(108) of the apparatus is opened to put a PET(polyethylene terephthalate) bottle(112) into the space(S) of a cooling pipe(120) and a switch(110) is pressed down to select a refrigeration mode. The refrigeration mode is started with lighting-on of a first blue lamp. With the starting of the refrigeration mode, a current of a proper direction is fed to a therms-element(150). The therms-element absorbs heat in its upper portion by the Peltier effect while heat is emitted in its lower portion. By the heat absorption, the heat of a cooling panel is absorbed via a spacer block(124). Thereby, the cooling panel is cooled.

Description

Portable cooling and warming apparatus using a thermoelement

The present invention relates to a cold storage device for a vehicle that can be transported, and more particularly, by using the endothermic action and exothermic action by the Peltier effect of the thermoelectric element and applying the vacuum insulation effect, to the storage goods such as beverages as well as various foods It is possible to maximize the efficiency of cold and cold storage, and relates to a mobile cold storage device that can be easily installed and used in various places as well as inside the vehicle.

There is a growing interest in improving the quality of life as the industry develops and as a result, life is enriched. In line with this trend, most modern people frequently use cars to find amusement parks such as rivers and seas in order to enjoy their leisure time.

However, as the number of vehicles has recently increased, both highways and national roads have experienced severe congestion only during the holiday season, and accordingly, the time spent in the vehicle is lengthening. In order to quench the thirst and hunger during long trips by car, most vehicle users carry foods using various types of ice boxes and thermos. Many cold and warm devices are being developed.

Conventional cold air conditioners for the vehicle are mostly adopted by the configuration and operation principle of the existing refrigerator and the warmer as it is mounted only inside the vehicle by reducing the size only. For example, most of the devices are configured to introduce a cold or hot air coming from the cold and hot air blower into the cold and hot device by utilizing the air conditioner or heater function inside the vehicle. By the way, these vehicle cold and warm devices are complicated in construction, a lot of installation space and expensive manufacturing costs. In addition, the cooling and heating efficiency of the vehicle itself is lowered, and there is a drawback of being restricted in use seasonally due to the configuration limitations.

Republic of Korea Patent No. 164175 discloses a cold storage device for automobiles using a thermoelectric element. The cold storage device for cars is installed in the rear of the rear of the car, install an air circulation duct and a blowout pipe for utilizing the air introduced into the car, and install a blower fan and a heat sink inside the heat sink, A thermoelectric element and an insulated reservoir were installed, and a circulation fan and an evaporator were installed around the reservoir.

However, in the cold storage device for automobiles configured as described above, the aluminum block and the heat dissipation plate bonded to the storage container are fastened by iron screws, so that heat loss may occur because the heat of the aluminum block is discharged through the screws. In addition, the overall configuration is complicated, the production cost and installation space is a lot, the installation is provided in a built-in manner at the time of production of the vehicle bears an economic burden to the consumer, and its use is basically limited to the vehicle.

Therefore, there is a need for the development of a new cold and cold device that is excellent in the effect of cold and cold, can be easily installed and used inside a vehicle, and can also be carried as a lodging place such as an inn or a condo.

The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems as described above, the object of the present invention is to use the endothermic and exothermic action by the Peltier effect of the thermoelectric element and apply the vacuum insulation effect and transport of a single unit By configuring the shape, it is possible to maximize the cooling and cooling efficiency for the storage items such as beverages and various foods, and to provide a cold and cold storage device that can be easily installed and used in various places as well as inside the vehicle.

1a is an external perspective view of a mobile cold storage device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 1b is a bottom view of the mobile cold storage device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,

2 is a cross-sectional view of a mobile cold storage device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

3A is an external perspective view of the cooling tube and the cooling plate of the cold / cold device shown in FIG. 2 in an inverted state;

3b is an external perspective view showing a heat sink of the mobile cold storage device shown in FIG. 2, and

4 is a view showing a coupling state of the cooling plate and the heat sink of the mobile cold storage device.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of drawing>

100: cold storage device 101: container

103: heat dissipation hole 104: connector

106: intake vent 108: cap

110 switch 114 insulation

116: vacuum tube 120: cooling tube

122: cooling plate 124: spacer block

130: heat sink 140: clamping bolt

150: thermoelectric element 152a: first bimetal

152b: second bimetal 160: cooling fan

162: finger guard 164: fastening bolt

170: lower bracket S: space

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention,

A pair of handles are attached to the outer upper portion, a heat dissipation hole is formed at an outer lower portion thereof, a connector for electrical connection with an external power source is installed at an adjacent position of the heat dissipation hole, and a cylindrical container having an air intake hole at a bottom center portion thereof;

An integral inner casing and bottom plate defining an interior space within the container for containing the article to be refrigerated or warmed;

A heat dissipation plate disposed on an outer lower portion of the bottom plate and coupled to the bottom plate;

A thermoelectric element mounted on one surface of the heat sink and configured to absorb or release heat when a current is applied from the outside;

First temperature sensing means mounted on a surface of the bottom plate to sense a temperature change of the bottom plate and to regulate a flow of current applied to the thermoelectric element;

Second temperature sensing means mounted on the one surface of the heat sink, for sensing a temperature change of the heat sink and controlling a flow of current applied to the thermoelectric element;

Coupling means for coupling the bottom plate and the heat sink;

A cooling fan installed under the heat sink and forcibly dissipating heat generated from the heat sink in the cold mode; And

It is provided between the container and the inner casing provides a cold and cold storage device comprising a heat insulating means for insulating the inner casing.

One side of the upper edge of the container is equipped with a selection switch for setting the refrigerating mode and the warm mode of the cold storage device.

The heat insulating means includes a polyurethane tube and a vacuum tube installed on the outside of the heat insulating material is installed directly outside the inner casing.

When the operating mode of the cold storage device is the refrigeration mode, the thermoelectric element absorbs heat from the bottom plate through the upper surface and releases heat through the lower surface, when the operating mode of the cold storage device is the warm mode The heat releases heat through the upper surface and absorbs heat through the lower surface of the thermoelectric element.

As described above, in the cold / warm apparatus according to the present invention, by using the endothermic action and the exothermic action by the Peltier effect of the thermoelectric element installed on the heat sink, and using the heat insulation effect of the heat insulating material and the vacuum tube installed around the inner casing, It can maximize the cooling and cooling efficiency of various foods stored in the casing.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail with respect to the mobile cold storage device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

1A is an external perspective view of a mobile cold storage device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1B is a bottom view of the mobile cold storage device.

1A and 1B, the cold storage apparatus 100 according to the present invention includes a cylindrical container 101 made of stainless steel. A pair of handles 102 are attached to the outer upper portion of the container 101. The lower portion of the container 101 is formed with a heat dissipation hole 103 for dissipating heat generated in the cold / cold storage device 100 to the outside, and a connector for electrical connection with an external power source at an adjacent position of the heat dissipation hole 103. 104 is installed. Four legs 105 made of rubber are attached to the bottom periphery of the container 101, and an inlet port 106 is formed at the bottom center.

The upper portion 107 of the container 101 is made of synthetic resin having various patterns in consideration of appearance. In the center of the upper portion 107, a plastic cap 108 for opening and closing the internal space S (see FIG. 2) of the cold / cold storage device 100 is installed. One side of the edge of the upper portion 107 is equipped with an operation mode selection switch 110 that allows the user to select the refrigeration mode and the warm mode of the refrigerating device 100. A pair of display lamps 109a and 109b are attached to both sides of the switch 110 to visually distinguish between the refrigerating mode and the warming mode of the refrigerating and cooling device 100. The first display lamp 109a is colored blue to indicate the refrigerating mode of the cold storage device 100, and the second display lamp 109b is colored red to indicate the cold mode of the cold / cold storage device 100.

2 is a cross-sectional view of a mobile cold storage device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the cold / cold storage device 100 includes a cylindrical cooling tube 120 defining an inner space S of the cold / cold storage device 100. The open upper portion of the cooling tube 120 is opened and closed by a cap 108, and the lower portion of the cooling tube 120 is opened by a circular cooling plate 122 (see FIG. 3A) integrally coupled with the cooling tube 120. It is closed. The cooling tube 120 and the cooling plate 122 are made of aluminum having good thermal conductivity.

Various types of food can be stored in the internal space S of the cooling tube 120, and preferably, the PET bottle 112 is built in. The heat dissipation plate 130 made of aluminum is disposed at an outer lower portion of the cooling plate 122. The cooling plate 122 and the heat sink 130 are tightly coupled by the clamping bolt 140 made of stainless steel.

FIG. 3A is an external perspective view showing the cooling tube and the cooling plate of the mobile cold storage device shown in FIG. 2 in an inverted state, and FIG. 3B is an external perspective view of the heat sink.

3A and 3B, a space block 124 made of aluminum protrudes from a surface of the cooling plate 122 coupled with the heat sink 130. The upper surface 125 of the space block 124 has a flat shape for contact with the thermoelectric element 150 to be described below. The first bimetal 152a is mounted on the surface of the cooling plate 122 where the space block 124 is not formed. The first bimetal 152a senses a change in temperature of the cooling plate 122 and interrupts the flow of current delivered to the thermoelectric element 150 according to the detected measurement value.

The heat sink 130 has a rectangular shape. The thermoelectric element 150 is mounted on one surface of the heat sink 130 to be coupled to the cooling plate 122. The thermoelectric element 150 has a quadrangular shape, and has a flat top surface suitable for contact with the top surface 125 of the spacer block 124. As is known in the art, the thermoelectric element 150 generates heat or absorbs heat when the current flows through the junctions of two metals when two different N, P-type semiconductor elements are connected in series. It is a device using Peltier's effect. Therefore, when the thermoelectric element 150 emits heat by flowing a current in one direction, the thermoelectric element 150 absorbs heat when the direction of the current is reversed.

The second bimetal 152b is also attached to the surface of the heat sink 130 to which the thermoelectric element 150 is attached. The second bimetal 152b senses a change in temperature of the heat sink 130 and intercepts the flow of current delivered to the thermoelectric element 150 according to the measured measurement value. A plurality of vertical heat sinks 132 are formed on the lower surface of the heat sink 130 opposite to the coupling surface with the cooling plate 122 to increase the contact surface with the air. The vertical heat sink 132 is formed integrally with the heat sink 130 and extends downward by a predetermined length.

4 is a view showing a coupling state of the cooling plate and the heat sink of the mobile cold storage device.

Referring to FIG. 4, the cooling plate 122 and the heat sink 130 configured as described above may include the first fastening hole 126 formed in the outer circumferential portion of the spacer block 124 and the outer both sides of the thermoelectric element 150. It is coupled to each other by the clamping bolt 140 passing through the second fastening hole 134 formed through the heat sink 130. In this case, the clamping bolt 140 blocks heat exchange between the cooling plate 122 and the heat sink 130 according to the coupling of the cooling plate 122 and the heat sink 130, and condensation may occur on the outside of the cooling plate 122. Made from stainless steel, to prevent water corrosion.

Referring back to FIG. 2, a polyurethane insulating material 114 is installed just outside the cooling tube 120 in which the PET bottle 112 is embedded. The heat insulating material 114 surrounds the cooling tube 120 to increase the heat insulating effect of the cooling tube 120. In addition, a vacuum tube 116 is disposed outside the heat insulating material 114. The vacuum tube 116 is made by vacuuming the inside of the stainless steel tube, maximizing the thermal insulation effect of the cooling tube 120.

The cooling fan 160 is installed directly under the heat sink 130 in the cold / cold storage device 100. The cooling fan 160 is fixedly disposed in the lower bracket 170, and the lower bracket 170 is coupled to the fixing frame 172, one end of which is fixed to the inside of the container 101 and the other end of which extends radially inward by a predetermined length. It is fixed. That is, the upper end of the lower bracket 170 is fastened in the middle of the fixing frame 172, and the lower end of the lower bracket 170 is fastened vertically extending between the fixing frame 170 and the bottom of the cold / cold device 100. It is fixed by the bolt 164.

The cooling fan 160 operates when the cold / cold storage device 100 is in the refrigerating mode to perform the function of cooling the heat sink 130. A finger guard 162 is installed between the cooling fan 160 and the inner lower end of the lower bracket 170 to prevent the user's access.

Referring to the principle of operation of the cold and cold device 100 according to the present invention configured as described above are as follows.

In order to use the cold / cold storage device 100 according to the present invention, the cold / cold storage device 100 is first connected to a power source through the connector 104. In this state, in order to use the refrigerator device 100 as a refrigerator, the cap 108 of the refrigerator device 100 is opened and a PET bottle 112 containing cold water is put into the space S of the cooling pipe 120. In order to store the refrigerator, press the switch 110 to select the refrigeration mode. Then, the first lamp 109a, which is a blue light, is turned on to start the refrigeration mode.

When the refrigeration mode is started, a current in a proper direction according to the refrigeration mode is applied to the thermoelectric element 150. At this time, the thermoelectric element 150 has an endothermic effect on the upper portion of the thermoelectric element 150 by the Peltier effect as described above, and exothermic action on the lower portion of the thermoelectric element 150. As a result, due to the endothermic action generated on the upper surface of the thermoelectric element 150, the heat of the cooling plate 122 is absorbed through the spacer block 124, thereby cooling the cooling plate 122.

At this time, the first bimetal 152a mounted on the cooling plate 122 measures the temperature change of the cooling plate 122, and when the measured temperature value reaches a predetermined value, shuts off the supply of current to the thermoelectric element 150 so as to be appropriate. Allow for a level of cooling. If a predetermined time passes and the temperature of the PET bottle 112 rises and the temperature of the cooling plate 122 continues to increase, the first bimetal 152a detects this and applies a current to the thermoelectric element 150 again. The PET bottle 112 is cooled.

On the other hand, the lower surface of the thermoelectric element 150 is a heat generating action corresponding to the endothermic action of the thermoelectric element 150 as described above is made. That is, the lower surface of the thermoelectric element 150 generates a large amount of heat corresponding to the heat absorbed from the cooling tube 120 and the cooling plate 122. Heat generated at this time is effectively generated through the heat sink 130 and the vertical heat sink 132, the heat generated in this way is discharged to the outside of the cold and warm device 100 through the heat dissipation hole (103).

In the refrigerating mode of the cold storage device 100, the cooling fan 160 disposed below the heat sink 130 operates to help the heat generated from the heat sink 130 to be discharged to the outside. That is, since quickly discharging the heat generated by the exothermic action of the lower surface of the thermoelectric element 150 to the outside of the cold-heating device 100 will affect the performance of the entire cold-cooling device 100, the cooling fan 160 ) To force the heat of the heat sink 130 to the outside.

Next, in order to use the cold storage device 100 as a warmer, open the cap 108 of the cold storage device 100 and put the PET bottle 112 containing hot water into the space (S) of the cooling pipe 120, and then , Press the switch 110 for the warm storage to select the warm mode. Then, the warm lamp mode is started while the second lamp 109b which is a red light is turned on.

When the warm mode is started, a current in an appropriate direction according to the warm mode is applied to the thermoelectric element 150. At this time, the thermoelectric element 150 is exothermic in the upper portion of the thermoelectric element 150 by the Peltier effect and the endothermic action in the lower portion of the thermoelectric element 150. As a result, heat generated by the exothermic action on the upper surface of the thermoelectric element 150 is transferred to the cooling plate 122 and the cooling tube 120 through the spacer block 124, so that the PET bottle 112 in the cooling tube 120 ) Will heat up.

At this time, the first bimetal 152a mounted on the cooling plate 122 measures the temperature change of the cooling plate 122, and when the measured temperature value reaches a predetermined value, shuts off the supply of current to the thermoelectric element 150 so as to be appropriate. Allow the level to be warmed. If a predetermined time passes and the temperature of the PET bottle 112 falls and the temperature of the cooling plate 122 continues to decrease, the first bimetal 152a detects this and applies a current to the thermoelectric element 150 again. The PET bottle 112 is heated.

On the other hand, the bottom end of the thermoelectric element 150 is an endothermic action corresponding to the heat generation action of the thermoelectric element 150 as described above is made. At this time, the cooling fan 160 disposed under the heat sink 130 does not operate in the warm mode of the cold / warm device 100.

During the cold and cold mode as described above, the heat insulating material 114 and the vacuum tube 116 is installed around the cooling tube 120 to maintain the refrigerating effect of the cooling tube 120 is cooled in accordance with the refrigeration mode. In addition, it effectively prevents the heat transfer from the outside toward the cooling tube (120). Similarly, the heat insulating material 114 and the vacuum tube 116 not only maintain the warming effect of the cooling tube 120 that is heated according to the warming mode, but also effectively prevent the heat of the cooling tube 120 from escaping to the outside.

Table 1 shows a comparison result of the cooling effect according to the insulation.

Unit (℃)

Minute system 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 60 70 80 90 100 120 140 150 Non-insulation W 20 18 16 14 13 12 12 11 11 11 10 9 8 6 5 4 4 4 4 T 18 15 12 8 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 vacuum W 20 19 18 16 15 14 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 5 3 2 2 2 T 18 15 9 5 3 3 3 2 2 One 0 0 -One -One -One -One -2 -2 -2 Styrofoam W 20 17 14 12 10 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 One One T 18 16 13 9 7 5 4 4 3 -3 -3 -3 -3 -4 -4 -4 -5 -7 -8 Urethane Foam W 20 18 15 10 7 6 5 3 3 2 One 0 -One -One -One -2 -2 -2 -2 T 18 14 11 8 3 0 -2 -3 -4 -5 -5 6 -6 -6 -7 -7 -8 -9 -10

* Power: 12V, 5A, W: Water temperature, T: Cooling tube temperature

According to Table 1, in the case of vacuum insulation, initially did not show the thermal insulation effect, but after 90 minutes showed a better thermal insulation effect than the non-thermal insulation. In the case of styrofoam, a cold water temperature of 7 to 4 degrees, which is a proper temperature of cold water, was reached in 30 to 45 minutes. In the case of urethane foam, the cooling effect was also higher due to the more effective insulation effect than styrofoam. In conclusion, in the present invention, it can be seen that the heat insulating effect and the cooling effect are more excellent because the polyurethane insulation is used together.

As mentioned above, in the cold / cold storage device 100 according to the present invention, the endothermic action and the exothermic action by the Peltier effect of the thermoelectric element 150 installed on the heat sink 130 are used and the cooling tube 120 is around. By using the insulation effect of the polyurethane insulation 114 and the vacuum tube 116 installed, it is possible to maximize the cooling and cooling efficiency of the various foods stored in the cooling tube (120). In addition, by combining the cooling plate 122 and the heat sink 130 using a clamping bolt 140 of stainless material, to block the heat exchange between the cooling plate 122 and the heat sink 130 and from the outside of the cooling plate 122 Essentially prevents corrosion due to condensation water that may be generated. In addition, the cold and cold apparatus 100 according to the present invention is easy to carry and can be easily installed and used in various lodging places such as a condo or an inn, as well as inside a vehicle.

While the above has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art will be able to variously modify and change the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. It will be appreciated.

Claims (6)

A pair of handles are attached to the outer upper portion, a heat dissipation hole is formed at an outer lower portion thereof, a connector for electrical connection with an external power source is installed at an adjacent position of the heat dissipation hole, and a cylindrical container having an air intake hole at a bottom center portion thereof; An integral inner casing and bottom plate defining an interior space within the container for containing the article to be refrigerated or warmed; A heat dissipation plate disposed on an outer lower portion of the bottom plate and coupled to the bottom plate; A thermoelectric element mounted on one surface of the heat sink and configured to absorb or release heat when a current is applied from the outside; First temperature sensing means mounted on a surface of the bottom plate to sense a temperature change of the bottom plate and to regulate a flow of current applied to the thermoelectric element; Second temperature sensing means mounted on the one surface of the heat sink, for sensing a temperature change of the heat sink and controlling a flow of current applied to the thermoelectric element; Coupling means for coupling the bottom plate and the heat sink; A cooling fan installed under the heat sink and forcibly dissipating heat generated from the heat sink in the cold mode; And And a heat insulating means disposed between the container and the inner casing to insulate the inner casing. The method of claim 1, wherein a cap for opening and closing an open upper portion of the inner casing is installed at an upper center of the container, and one side of the upper edge of the container is configured to set a refrigerating mode and a warming mode of the cold storage device. A selection switch is mounted, and both sides of the switch are provided with a pair of display lamps for visually distinguishing the refrigeration mode from the warm mode. The method of claim 1, wherein the inner casing and the bottom plate is made of aluminum, the lower portion of the inner casing is closed by the bottom plate, a space block protrudes on the surface of the bottom plate coupled with the heat sink And the upper surface of the space block has a flat shape for contact with the thermoelectric element, and the first temperature sensing means is mounted at a position where the space block is not formed on the surface of the bottom plate. Cooling and cooling device made with. The method of claim 3, wherein the coupling means is made of stainless steel, the first fastening hole is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the spacer block, the second fastening hole corresponding to the first fastening hole in the heat sink in the both sides of the thermoelectric element The ball is formed through the cold plate, characterized in that the bottom plate and the heat sink is coupled to each other by the coupling means passing through the first fastening hole and the second fastening hole. The thermoelectric device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of vertical heat sinks are formed by extending a predetermined length downward in order to increase a contact surface with air on a lower surface of the heat sink that faces the mating surface with the bottom plate. And absorbing heat from the bottom plate through the upper surface of the thermoelectric element and dissipating heat through the lower surface of the thermoelectric element when the operation mode of the cold storage device is the refrigerating mode. In the case of the warm mode, the heat dissipation device through the upper surface of the thermoelectric element and absorbs heat through the lower surface of the thermoelectric element. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat insulating means includes a polyurethane heat insulating material installed directly outside the inner casing and a vacuum tube installed outside the heat insulating material, the vacuum tube is made by vacuuming the inside of the stainless tube Characterized by Cold storage device.