KR200368907Y1 - Heat-Exchanger Using The Thermoelectric Elements And Heating-Cooling Sheet Having Said Heat-Exchanger - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger using a thermoelectric element and to a cold and hot sheet having such a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger 100 includes a first thermoelectric part 132, 132 ′ and a second thermoelectric part 134, 134 ′ having any one of heat radiating or heat absorbing functions, and the first thermoelectric part 132, 132. A pair of thermoelectric elements 130 and 130 'disposed to face each other; A heat exchange passage (110) positioned between the first thermoelectric parts (132, 132 ') of the pair of thermoelectric elements (130, 130') disposed to face each other; A pair of thermally conductive blocks 150 and 150 'contacting the second thermoelectric portions 134 and 134' of the pair of thermoelectric elements 130 and 130 ', respectively; And a pair of cooling units 170 and 170 'installed in contact with a surface other than the surface of the thermal conductive blocks 150 and 150' that is in contact with the second thermoelectric portion. Accordingly, a heat exchanger using a thermoelectric element improved to have a practically applicable thermal efficiency and a cold sheet having the same may be provided.

Description

Heat-Exchanger Using The Thermoelectric Elements And Heating-Cooling Sheet Having Said Heat-Exchanger

The present invention relates to a heat exchanger using a thermoelectric element and a cold and hot seat having such a heat exchanger. The present invention relates to a heat exchanger applicable to an actual product and a cold / hot sheet using the same, by enabling temperature change and further miniaturizing the heat exchanger.

In general, a thermoelectric element is a device that generally uses the "Peltier effect". The Peltier effect refers to a phenomenon in which two types of metal ends are connected and a current is flowed therein, where one type of metal exhibits an endothermic function and the other metal exhibits a heat dissipation function depending on the current direction.

In the case of using two kinds of simple metals for cooling and heating devices, the thermal efficiency is low, but there is no efficiency, but it is a thermoelectric device that can be practically applied in the prior art. Thermoelectric elements are known. Such a semiconductor thermoelectric element has a relatively high thermal efficiency, the endotherm and the heat dissipation can be switched according to the current direction, it is possible to manufacture a heat exchanger that can control the heat absorbing and heat dissipation according to the amount of current. Accordingly, there is known an example in which a semiconductor thermoelectric element is applied to a refrigerator having a small capacity and a precise thermostat at a normal temperature vicinity.

Furthermore, as an example for applying such a thermoelectric element in real life, an example of using a thermoelectric element in a cold / heating device that enables cooling and heating as a single device, such as a vehicle seat or a cold pack, which can be cooled and heated in the past Known. For example, the patent publication of Korean Patent Application No. 1993-0027430 (Patent holder: Bong-Chul Yang) "Heating and heating device using a fluid medium in a chair seed" includes injecting a fluid medium into a chair seat and heating or endotherming the fluid medium using a thermoelectric element. Disclosed is a device capable of obtaining a heating or cooling effect on a human body sitting on a chair. Such a device has a disadvantage that it is difficult to miniaturize and move as a cooling device configured in the built-in form under the chair seat. On the other hand, the Republic of Korea Utility Model Registration Application 20-1999-0024572 (Utility Model Holder: New M Co., Ltd.) Registered Utility Model Publication of "Cold and Hot Steam Appliance Using Thermoelectric Element", can be used as a cold or hot compress by using an air-cooled thermoelectric element An apparatus is disclosed. This has the disadvantage of miniaturization, but the cooling sink portion of the thermoelectric element is not only air-cooled, but also has a disadvantage in that it is not practical because the heat loss space is large and it is difficult to use the efficiency of the thermoelectric element 100%. In addition, Korea Utility Model Registration Application 20-2002-0035750 {Utility Model Holder: Medikan Co., Ltd.} Registered Utility Model Publication of "Cold and Cold Steam Appliance Using Thermoelectric Device and Heat Exchanger" is a cold and hot cold appliance using water-cooled thermoelectric device. Is disclosed. In this example, miniaturization is impossible, and even if water cooling is used, the temperature of the heat radiating portion of the thermoelectric element cannot be lowered below the atmospheric temperature, and only the cooling capacity is increased. Therefore, there is still a problem that the thermal efficiency of the thermoelectric element is low. Furthermore, in the case of water cooling, the product size is large and the structure is complicated, and manufacturing costs are more than twice as expensive as air cooling.

In general, when referring to the efficiency of thermoelectric elements, the Q (max) factor- T (an allowable temperature at which the thermoelectric element can exert efficiency) refers to a temperature difference between the heat dissipating portion and the heat absorbing portion of the thermoelectric element. In the above prior art, most of the Q (max) factor Focus on T only. However, simply lowering the temperature difference between the heat dissipating portion and the heat absorbing portion does not improve the efficiency of heat exchange.

In addition, even when the maximum Q (max) in theory, the efficiency according to the actual endotherm and the temperature difference of the heat radiating portion is about 40 ~ 50 ℃. For example, even when the temperature of the heat radiating portion is 70 ° C. and the temperature of the heat absorbing portion is around 0 ° C., the actual temperature applied to the fluid medium is only 30 to 20 ° C.

Therefore, there is a technical demand for a heat exchanger structure using a new thermoelectric element that enables efficient heat exchange, which can be applied in a practical manner, in consideration of such thermal efficiency characteristics of the thermoelectric element.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat exchanger structure using a new thermoelectric element which solves the problems of the heat exchanger using the conventional thermoelectric element described above and adds other advantages.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a heat exchanger using a new thermoelectric element of a structure that achieves miniaturization of a heat exchange system to be portable or mobile.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a heat exchanger using a new thermoelectric element having a structure that improves heat exchange efficiency by minimizing thermal interference between a heat absorber and a heat dissipation unit and a cooling unit of a thermoelectric element. .

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cold seat having a heat exchanger having improved thermal efficiency according to the present invention.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a heat exchanger structure using a thermoelectric element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a heat exchanger structure using a thermoelectric element according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a heat exchanger structure using a thermoelectric element according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing the structure of a cold sheet having the heat exchanger according to another embodiment of the present invention.

<Brief description of the main parts of the drawing>

1 sheet 2 heat transfer medium passage

3: heat transfer medium pump 4, 100, 200, 300: heat exchanger

10: cold sheet 110, 110 ', 210, 210': heat exchange passage

112, 112 ', 212, 212': heat transfer medium inlet

114, 114 ', 214, 214': heat transfer medium outlet

216: heat exchange passage bulkhead 130, 130 ': thermoelectric element

132, 132 ': first thermoelectric part 134, 134': second thermoelectric part

150, 150 ', 350, 350': thermally conductive blocks 352, 352 ': thermoelectric contacts

353, 354 ': first protrusion 354, 354': second protrusion

170, 170 ': cooling part 172, 172': frame

174, 174 ': cooling fins 176, 176': fin support

178, 178 ': Cooling fan 190: Tightening bolt

The above object is achieved by a heat exchanger using a thermoelectric element provided according to the present invention and a cold temperature sheet having the same. According to an aspect of the present invention, a heat exchanger using a thermoelectric element is provided. The heat exchanger includes: a pair of thermoelectric elements having a first thermoelectric part and a second thermoelectric part having any of heat dissipation or heat absorbing functions, and wherein the first thermoelectric parts are disposed to face each other; A heat exchange passage located between the first thermoelectric parts of the pair of thermoelectric elements facing each other; A pair of thermally conductive blocks each in contact with a second thermoelectric portion of the pair of thermoelectric elements; The thermal conductive block may include a pair of cooling units installed in contact with a surface other than the surface in contact with the second thermoelectric portion. Accordingly, a heat exchanger structure using a thermoelectric device having greatly improved cooling efficiency may be provided.

Here, the surface in contact with the second thermoelectric portion of the thermally conductive block is preferably larger than the area of the second thermoelectric portion. In addition, the pair of thermally conductive blocks are preferably connected to each other spacingly at the edge portion thereof. Furthermore, it is preferable that the edge portion of the heat conductive block protrudes from the edge of the thermoelectric element and the heat transfer passage, and the heat insulating material is filled in the space defined by the edge portion of the protruding heat conductive block.

The heat transfer passage may include at least one heat transfer inlet and at least one heat transfer outlet, and may include a passage through which at least one heat transfer medium may flow.

As described above, the structure of the heat exchanger device according to the present invention, as described in detail below, the endothermic (or heat dissipating) portion of the thermoelectric element to the left and right of the heat exchange passage, which is a water jacket through which the flowable heat transfer medium passes Arranged to face each other, the heat exchange space can be secured according to the capacity of the fluid medium to be cooled (or exothermic) by adjusting the size of the space and the space between the thermoelectric elements. Furthermore, in the heat dissipation (or heat absorbing) part of the thermoelectric element, the heat dissipation part of the heat dissipation part and the heat dissipation part of the thermoelectric element are efficiently separated to minimize mutual interference. That is, the thermal interference between the heat absorbing portion and the heat dissipating portion of the thermoelectric element may be minimized by filling the insulating material in the space therebetween by protruding the upper, lower, left, and right edge portions of the thermal conductive block having a width corresponding to the size of the thermoelectric element. In addition, in the integration of the left and right heat conductive block and the cooling unit, it is possible to achieve the desired fastening strength and minimization of thermal interference at the same time by fastening the heat conductive block to be adjustable.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is further provided a cold sheet comprising a heat exchanger according to the present invention, comprising a heat transfer medium passage through the heat exchanger and a sheet in which the heat transfer medium passage is embedded.

In the case of the cold and hot sheet according to the present invention, by embedding a heat transfer medium passage made of a urethane hose or the like to circulate the fluid medium in the sheet, to secure a space for the fluid medium to move with respect to the pressure applied to the sheet and At the same time, it has the feature of having the flexibility of the sheet. Due to this cold sheet structure, for example, the heat insulating medium passage is insulated by the sheet, when the temperature difference between the heat transfer medium and the ambient reaches the dew point during cooling, dew formation may be suppressed and moisture on the surface of the sheet may be prevented. The advantage is that it does not occur.

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

1 to 3 are shown as a schematic cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger structure according to various embodiments of the present invention, Figure 4 is a schematic conceptual illustration of a cold and hot sheet structure having such a heat exchanger.

As shown in FIG. 1, a heat exchanger 100 using a thermoelectric device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a pair of thermoelectric elements 130 and 130 ′, a heat exchange passage 110, and a pair of heat conductive blocks. 150, 150 ′, a pair of cooling units 170, 170 ′, and optionally, a fastening bolt 190 that is a gap adjusting means. In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the heat exchanger 100 senses a wire and temperature for connecting power to the thermoelectric elements 130 and 130 'and a cooling fan of a cooling unit, and adjusts the temperature of the power supply automatically. And a switching device may be further included. Such electric circuit parts are well known in the art.

The pair of thermoelectric elements 130 and 130 ′ includes a first thermoelectric part 132 and 132 ′ and a second thermoelectric part 134 and 134 ′ having either heat dissipation or heat absorption. Here, the thermoelectric device is a device using the above-mentioned 'Peltier effect', and preferably may be a thermoelectric device using a semiconductor. The first thermoelectric part and the second thermoelectric part may have, for example, a rectangular shape having substantially the same area. In particular, the first thermoelectric parts 132 and 132 ′ are disposed to face each other. As a result, the second thermoelectric parts 134 and 134 'have a shape in which the second thermoelectric parts 134 and 134' are disposed to face each other with the first thermoelectric part interposed therebetween.

The heat exchange passage 110 is a place where heat exchange is performed to receive heat from the thermoelectric element (when heating) or to lose heat (when cooling) while a fluid medium that is a heat transfer medium passes. The passage 110 is located between the first thermoelectric parts 132 and 132 'disposed to face each other of the pair of thermoelectric elements 130 and 130'. Here, the fluid medium may be water or water mixed with salt or alcohol, but other fluids, such as, for example, vehicle antifreeze, which may be used for heat exchange, may also be used.

Here, the heat transfer passage 110 has at least one heat transfer inlet 112 and at least one heat transfer outlet 114, and has a passage through which at least one heat transfer medium can flow. The heat transfer passage 110 is preferably made of a metal having excellent thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or copper. In the example shown, although it is a simple straight passage, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the present invention is not limited to this straight passage, but may be in any passage form through which fluid can pass. For example, the heat exchange passage may be provided with a plurality of passages, for example, capillary tubes having several inlets and outlets. Furthermore, the heat exchange passage may be in the form of a plurality of passage portions in which one passage bends in parallel, or in another way, may be in the form of a mesh.

According to the present invention, for example, a pair of thermally conductive blocks 150 and 150 'made of aluminum are disposed in contact with the second thermally conductive portions 134 and 134' of the pair of thermoelectric elements 130 and 130 ', respectively. In the thermally conductive blocks 150 and 150 ', a pair of cooling parts 170 and 170' are respectively installed in contact with the second thermoelectric part so as to be capable of thermally conducting. The cooling units 170 and 170 'respectively support the frames 172 and 172' for fixing the cooling units to the thermal conductive blocks 150 and 150 ', a plurality of cooling fins 174 and 174' for heat dissipation, and cooling fins. It may have an air-cooled structure having a fin support (176, 176 '), and a cooling fan (178, 178') for forcibly circulating air to the cooling fins. However, the present invention is not limited to such an air-cooled structure. Although not shown, a person skilled in the art will understand that modifications to a water-cooled structure of, for example, a structure in which a cooling fluid or the like is brought into contact with the thermally conductive blocks 150 and 150 'may also be possible.

Accordingly, as shown in the drawing, the heat exchange passage 110 is in heat transferable contact with the first thermoelectric element 132 with respect to the first thermoelectric element 130, while the first thermal conductive block 150 is connected to the second thermoelectric element. 134 is in a heat transferable manner, and in turn, the first cooling unit 170 is in heat transferable contact. On the other hand, with respect to the second thermoelectric element 130 ', the heat exchange passage 110 is in heat transferable contact with the first thermoelectric portion 132', while the second thermal conductive block 150 'is provided with the second thermoelectric portion 134'. ) Is in a heat transferable manner, and in turn, the second cooling unit 170 ′ is in heat transferable contact.

As a result, when the thermoelectric element is operated, for example, for cooling, when the first thermoelectric parts 132 and 132 'of the thermoelectric element have a heat absorption function and the second thermoelectric parts 134 and 134' have a heat radiation function, The heat exchange passage 110 is capable of thermally contacting the first thermoelectric parts 132 and 132 'which are in charge of the heat absorbing function, and the second thermoelectric parts 134 and 134' which are in charge of the heat dissipation function of the heat conduction blocks 150 and 150 '. Contact with heat transfer). Accordingly, the heat exchange medium, for example, water flowing through the heat exchange passage 110 may be cooled by depriving heat of the heat absorbing portion of the thermoelectric element, and the heat conduction blocks 150 and 150 ′ receive heat from the heat radiating portion of the thermoelectric element. Release through 170, 170 ′. As such, according to the present invention, thermal interference between the heat absorbing portion and the heat radiating portion of the thermoelectric element may be minimized. In addition, according to the present invention, since the cooling parts of the thermoelectric elements cover each other's heat exchange passages as much as possible, rapid heat exchange is provided. Accordingly, the thermal efficiency of the thermoelectric elements can be maximized, thereby providing a practical cold temperature device.

According to the present invention, the surface of the thermally conductive blocks 150 and 150 'contacting the second thermoelectric parts 134 and 134' is larger than the area of the second thermoelectric parts 134 and 134 ', that is, the area of the thermoelectric element. Bigger Accordingly, the upper, lower, left, and right edge portions of the thermal conductive blocks 150 and 150 'protrude outward from the edge portion of the thermoelectric element. Accordingly, a space defined by the protruding edges of the first thermally conductive block 150 and the second thermally conductive block 150 'is formed around the thermoelectric elements 130 and 130' and the heat exchange passage 110. This space is preferably filled with a heat insulating material which may be made of a material such as polyurethane, polystyrene, glass fiber or the like which is well known in the art. Accordingly, in the heat exchanger during the cooling operation, the heat radiated through the heat conduction blocks 150 and 150 'may be further prevented from being transferred to the heat absorbing portions 132 and 134 of the thermoelectric elements 130 and 130'. This can be provided.

Meanwhile, the pair of thermally conductive blocks 150 and 150 'may be connected to, for example, a plurality of fastening bolts 190 so as to be spaced apart from each other at their edge portions. Accordingly, the thermoelectric element and the heat exchange passage may be assembled in different sizes according to the desired cooling or heating capacity.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 except that the heat exchange passage 210 has a plurality of passages with a separating partition 216 in the middle. In this example, as shown, the inlet 212 and the outlet 214 is installed in the same direction, the heat transfer medium entered through the inlet 212 may be discharged to the outlet 214 by turning the upper and lower passages.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 except that the shape of the thermally conductive block 350 is different. In this example, as shown, the space by the edge portions of the heat conduction blocks 350 and 350 'formed along the edges of the thermoelectric elements 130 and 130' and the heat exchange passage 110 is wider, so that the thermal insulation effect is increased. Show the maximized form. That is, in the structure of the thermally conductive blocks 350 and 350 ', the protruding edge portions 353, 353'; 354 and 354 'are different from the portions 352 and 352' in contact with the thermal elements 130 and 130 '. And protrude in a state away from the thermoelectric elements 130 and 130 ', as a result, the space formed by the protruding edge portions 353 and 353'; 354 and 354 'can be widened. Accordingly, when the heat insulating material is filled in this space, a stronger heat insulating effect can be achieved, and as a result, a heat exchanger with improved thermal efficiency can be provided.

4 conceptually shows one embodiment of a cold sheet 10 according to the present invention. The cold sheet 10 is described in detail above and is provided with any one of the heat exchangers (100, 200, 300) according to the present invention shown in Figs. The cold seat 10 further includes a heat transfer medium passage 2 passing through the heat exchanger 100 and a sheet 1 in which the heat transfer medium passage is embedded. In addition, although not shown in the figure, a sensor for automatically adjusting the power supply by sensing the wiring and temperature for connecting the power to the thermoelectric elements (130, 130 ') and the cooling fans (178, 178') of the heat exchanger, Temperature control and switching device may be further included. Such electric circuit parts are well known in the art. A heat transfer medium such as, for example, water can be forcedly circulated in the passage of the heat transfer medium 2 using the pump 3.

In the cold sheet 10, the heat transfer medium passage 2 is preferably made of a plastic hose such as urethane or a metal such as copper to have a necessary strength. The heat transfer medium passage 2 is embedded in the sheet 1. As a result, it is possible to secure the space in which the flowable medium can move with respect to the pressure applied to the sheet, and to have the flexibility of the sheet.

Due to this cold sheet structure, for example, the heat insulating medium passage is insulated by the sheet, when the temperature difference between the heat transfer medium and the ambient reaches the dew point during cooling, dew formation may be suppressed and moisture on the surface of the sheet may be prevented. The advantage is that it does not occur.

The cold seat 10 according to the present invention, for example, can be applied to fields such as a vehicle seat or bed, and cold pack pack.

In the above, the present invention has been described through the specific embodiments shown, but those skilled in the art can easily think of a number of different structures modified and modified described. For example, the heat exchange passage of the heat exchanger may have two or more instead of one inlet and outlet, and may even be configured in the form of a capillary tube having many inlets and outlets. In addition, the structure in which the two cooling units of the heat exchanger are fastened with a plurality of fastening bolts has been described, but the two cooling units may have a single frame. Therefore, it is pointed out that the scope of the present invention should not be interpreted by the described embodiments but rather by the description of the appended claims.

According to the heat exchanger structure using the thermoelectric device according to the present invention as described above, the heat exchange efficiency is improved by minimizing the thermal interference of the heat absorbing / radiating portion and the cooling portion of the thermoelectric element. In addition, miniaturization of the heat exchange system can be achieved so as to be portable or mobile, and a cold or hot sheet having a heat exchanger having improved thermal efficiency can be provided.

Claims (6)

As a heat exchanger 100 using a thermoelectric element, The first thermoelectric part 132, 132 'and the second thermoelectric part 134, 134' having any of heat dissipation or heat absorption functions are provided, and the first thermoelectric parts 132, 132 'are disposed to face each other. A pair of thermoelectric elements 130 and 130 '; A heat exchange passage (110) positioned between the first thermoelectric parts (132, 132 ') of the pair of thermoelectric elements (130, 130') disposed to face each other; A pair of thermally conductive blocks 150 and 150 'contacting the second thermoelectric portions 134 and 134' of the pair of thermoelectric elements 130 and 130 ', respectively; The pair of cooling units 170 and 170 'installed in contact with a surface other than the surface in contact with the second thermoelectric part of the thermal conductive blocks 150 and 150' is disposed. Heat exchanger using a thermoelectric element, characterized in that it comprises. The surface of the thermally conductive blocks 150 and 150 'contacting the second thermoelectric parts 134 and 134' is larger than the area of the second thermoelectric parts 134 and 134 '. A heat exchanger using a thermoelectric element. 2. The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the pair of thermally conductive blocks (150, 150 ') are spacedly connected to one another at their edge portions. The edge portion of the heat conduction block (150, 150 ') is projected from the edge of the thermoelectric element (130, 130') and the heat transfer passage 110, by the edge portion of the protruding heat conduction block Heat exchanger using a thermoelectric element, characterized in that the insulating space is filled in the limited space. The method of claim 1, wherein the heat transfer path 110 has at least one heat transfer inlet 112 and at least one heat transfer outlet 114, the passage through which at least one heat transfer medium can flow. A heat exchanger using a thermoelectric element, characterized in that it is provided. A sheet having a heat exchanger (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and having a heat transfer medium passage (2) passing through the heat exchanger (100), and a sheet embedded with the heat transfer medium passage ( 1) Cold sheet, characterized in that consisting of.