KR20110003031A - Air conditioner for a vehicle and controlling method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An air conditioner for a vehicle and a control method thereof are provided to reduce noise by cooling the inside a vehicle without using a compressor and to efficiently use an inner space of the vehicle. CONSTITUTION: An air conditioner for a vehicle comprises a Positive Temperature Coefficient heater(20), a chamber(30), thermoelectric elements(40), and a damper(50). The PTC heater is accepted in a case(10). The chamber is connected to the case. The thermoelectric elements have heat radiating surfaces(42) and heat absorbing surfaces(44). The damper is installed in a part where the chamber and the case are connected and controls the direction of air flowing into the thermoelectric elements.

Description

Air conditioner for automobile and its control method {Air conditioner for a vehicle and controlling method using the same}

The present invention relates to an automotive air conditioner and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to an automotive air conditioner using a PTC heater and a thermoelectric element and a control method thereof.

In general, a vehicle air conditioning system is installed to cool / heat the vehicle or purify the air inside the vehicle, and to maintain proper humidity to keep the cabin comfortable, and to allow the driver's watch to be blurred or frosted. It is a device that prevents jams and allows safe driving.

A general air conditioning system for a vehicle includes an air duct for guiding the flow of air, a blowing fan rotatably installed in the air duct, and a rear side of the blowing fan, and the air compressed from the blowing fan using vaporization heat of a refrigerant. An evaporator for cooling, a heater core installed at the rear of the evaporator, and using a coolant heated by heat dissipation of the engine to heat the air cooled in the evaporator, and rotatably installed between the heater core and the evaporator to cool the air. It comprises a heater core damper for blocking between the heater core and the evaporator.

Here, the inlet portion of the air duct is connected to the outside air guide pipe for guiding the outside air, and the bet guide pipe for guiding the circulating air in the cabin, the air duct and the outside air guide pipe or bet to the inlet portion of the air duct An internal / external air damper is installed to selectively communicate with the guide tube, and the internal / external air damper is connected to the internal / external air switching motor and the rotating shaft and driven by the internal / external air switching motor.

In addition, a vehicle air conditioning system has a compressor installed on the engine side to circulate and use the refrigerant vaporized in the evaporator to compress the vaporized refrigerant to a high temperature, high pressure by using the power of the engine, the rod to cool the cooling water engine A condenser is installed before the condenser to condense the refrigerant of high temperature and high pressure by using cold outside air, and an expansion valve is installed between the condenser and the evaporator to lower the pressure of the condensed refrigerant and send it to the evaporator.

The air conditioning system for a vehicle according to the prior art mainly has a cooling oriented function, and requires many parts such as having to provide a compressor and an evaporator for cooling. In addition, noise may be generated when driving a compressor, etc., and it is difficult to install the vehicle due to a large volume.

The present invention is to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a vehicle air conditioner and control method that can provide heating and cooling in the vehicle interior while the vehicle is stopped, that is, the main engine is not driven. .

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a PitiC heater accommodated in the case forming the appearance; A chamber in communication with the case; A thermoelectric element accommodated in the chamber and provided with a heat generating surface for dissipating heat and an endothermic surface for absorbing heat; And a damper installed at a portion in which the chamber and the case communicate with each other, and controlling a direction of air flowing into the thermoelectric element after passing through the PTC heater.

The chamber may be provided with a first passage, which is an air passage passing through the heat generating surface, and a second passage, which is an air passage passing through the heat absorbing surface.

In particular, the damper may adjust the direction of the air so that air passing through the PTC heater enters the first passage or simultaneously flows into the first passage and the second passage.

Furthermore, the damper may include a shaft disposed adjacent to the thermoelectric element and a plate rotatable about the shaft.

In this case, a first communication port communicating with the first passage and a second communication port communicating with the second passage may be formed in the chamber.

Of course, it may further include a battery that is accommodated in the case, stores the electricity generated by the fan and the generator for generating an air flow, and supplies the electricity stored in the PTC heater and the thermoelectric element.

In particular, the heat generating surface and the heat absorbing surface may be formed of a plurality of fins (fin). In addition, the thermoelectric element may be configured of a plurality or a plurality of rows.

The present invention includes a storage step in which the electricity generated by the generator is stored in the battery; And an operation step of selectively supplying electricity to the thermoelectric element or the PTC heater in the battery. In the operation step, when it is determined that the cooling mode cools the vehicle interior, the battery blocks the supply of electricity to the PTC heater. And supplying electricity to a thermoelectric element and heating the vehicle interior, the battery supplies electricity to the PTC heater and cuts off the electricity supply to the thermoelectric element. Provide control method.

In particular, in the operation step, if it is determined that the cooling mode, the air flowing into the chamber after passing through the PTC heater is distributed to the heat absorbing surface and the heat generating surface of the thermoelectric element is transferred to the chamber, if it is determined that the heating mode It is preferable that air is only transferred to the heat absorbing surface of the thermoelectric element.

Of course, in the operation step it is possible to supply electricity to the fan accommodated in the case from the battery.

According to the present invention, since it is not necessary to include a compressor for compressing a refrigerant to cool the inside of the vehicle, noise can be reduced and the space inside the vehicle can be efficiently used.

According to the present invention, after charging the battery with electricity generated while driving the vehicle, the interior of the vehicle can be cooled and heated using the electricity stored in the battery, thereby improving energy efficiency.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, preferred embodiments of the present invention that can specifically realize the above object will be described.

1 is a schematic plan view illustrating the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of FIG. 1. A description with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 is as follows.

The air conditioner for automobiles according to the present invention includes a case 10 forming an exterior and a chamber 30 mounted to communicate with the case.

One surface of the case 10 and the chamber 30 are in contact with each other so that the air generated in the case 10 may be transferred into the chamber 30 and finally delivered to the interior of the vehicle.

The case 10 includes a PTC heater 20 capable of generating heat, including a PTC element, and a fan 14 capable of introducing air from the outside of the case 10 into the case 10. Include. In this case, since the fan 14 may perform a function of sucking air, various types of fans may be applied.

The PTC heater 20 generates heat by using a PTC element, and the PTC element is also called a positive thermistor. In other words, the PTC element is a heating element that can be replaced with a nichrome wire or the like. If the current flows for a very short time, the electrical resistance increases, so that the current does not flow.

The chamber 30 houses a thermoelectric module (TEM) 40. In addition, a damper 50 is installed at a portion where the chamber 30 and the case 10 communicate with each other.

The thermoelectric element 40 includes a heat generating surface 42 for emitting heat and a heat absorbing surface 44 for absorbing heat. Meanwhile, the thermoelectric element 40 may include a Peltier element.

The thermoelectric element 40 has a thermoelectric element composed of a semiconductor in which N-type impurity ions are mixed or a semiconductor in which P-type impurity ions are mixed, and an electrode made of a copper plate is disposed on the upper and lower sides of the thermoelectric element, respectively. It may be bonded and formed by attaching a ceramic substrate to surround the electrode.

In the thermoelectric element 40, when an electric current is applied to the junction, electrons in the N-type semiconductor move holes from the upper electrode to the lower electrode in the P-type semiconductor, and thus take the heat of the upper part and emit it to the lower part. The Peltier effect occurs where the top is cooled and the bottom is heated. In other words, the Peltier effect is one of the electric phenomena, and when a current flows through a connection between two different metals, heat generation or absorption occurs at the connection point.

Therefore, when a current is applied to the thermoelectric element 40, one side of the thermoelectric element 40 forms a heat absorbing surface 44 having a low temperature, and the other side forms a heat generating surface 42 having a high temperature.

It is preferable that a plurality of heat dissipation fins 45 are formed on each of the heat generating surface 42 and the heat absorbing surface 44. In particular, the heat dissipating surface 42 is provided with the heat dissipating surface side heat dissipation fins 48, and the heat dissipating surface 44 is provided with the heat dissipating surface side heat dissipation fins 46. The heat dissipation fin 45 is to improve the heat exchange efficiency of the thermoelectric element 40 by the air through the heat generating surface 42 and the heat absorbing surface 44. In addition, the heat radiating fins 45 preferably surround the entire outer surface of the heat generating surface 42 and the heat absorbing surface 44.

The interior of the chamber 30 is provided with a first passage 32 which is an air passage passing through the heat generating surface 42 and a second passage 36 which is an air passage passing through the heat absorbing surface 44. That is, inside the chamber 30, the first passage 32 in which the heat generating surface 42 is positioned and the second passage 36 in which the heat absorbing surface 44 are positioned based on the thermoelectric element 40 are provided. To be separated.

The damper 50 adjusts the direction of air flowing into the thermoelectric element 40 after passing through the PTC heater 20. That is, the damper 50 may be configured such that air passing through the PTC heater 20 is introduced into the first passage 32 or simultaneously into the first passage 32 and the second passage 36. You can adjust the direction.

The damper 50 includes a shaft 52 provided adjacent to the thermoelectric element 40 and a plate 54 rotatable about the shaft. The plate 54 may be rotated to change the direction of air flow in the communication hole where the case 10 and the chamber 30 contact each other.

On the other hand, the chamber 30 is formed with a first communication port 34 in communication with the first passage (32). Air passing through the heat generating surface 42 and the heat generating surface side heat sink fin 48 may be discharged through the first communication port 34.

Referring to FIG. 2, a second communication port 38 communicating with the second passage 36 is formed in the chamber 30. The air passing through the heat absorbing surface 44 may be discharged into the vehicle through the second communication port 38.

In particular, the thermoelectric element 40 may be installed in such a manner that two or more are arranged to overlap each other as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, it is preferable that the first passage 32 and the second passage 36 not be in communication with each other, and are isolated.

Furthermore, the thermoelectric element 40 may be provided in plural as shown, and may have a two-layer structure. In other words, when viewed from the first passage 32, the heat generating surfaces 42 of the thermoelectric elements may be arranged in two rows. That is, in addition to increasing the length in order to increase the overall area of the heat generating surface 42 of the thermoelectric element, it is possible to improve the space efficiency by increasing the height.

Meanwhile, the vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention further includes a battery 60 for storing electricity generated by the generator 70 and supplying electricity stored in the PTC heater 20 and the thermoelectric element 40. It is possible. The battery 60 may store electricity generated while driving in the generator 70, in particular, an alternator used in an automobile.

3 is a block diagram of the present invention. A description with reference to FIG. 3 is as follows.

In the present invention, the control unit 100 is the battery 60, the fan 14, the thermoelectric element 40 and the PTC heater according to the cooling mode to cool the inside of the vehicle, the heating mode to heat the inside of the vehicle Optionally supply electricity to (20).

For example, in the cooling mode, the fan 14 and the thermoelectric element 40 are supplied with electricity to be driven. In the heating mode, the fan 14 and the PTC heater 20 are supplied with electricity. To drive.

In addition, the controller 100 rotates the plate 54 of the damper 50 according to the cooling mode or the heating mode to adjust the direction of the air passing through the PTC heater 20.

4 is a flowchart of the present invention. A description with reference to FIG. 4 is as follows.

First, when the vehicle is in operation, the electricity generated by the generator 70 is stored in the battery 60 (S10).

It is determined whether the user selects the cooling mode or the heating mode (S20). Of course, the cooling mode and the heating mode can be selected by the preset value set inside the vehicle.

When it is determined that the cooling mode is selected, electricity is supplied to and driven by the thermoelectric element 40 and the fan 14 (S22). And the air passing through the PTC heater 20 is distributed to the heat absorbing surface 44 and the heat generating surface 42 is transferred (S24). This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

When it is determined that the heating mode is selected, electricity is supplied to and driven by the PTC heater 20 and the fan 14 (S32). The air passing through the PTC heater 20 is transferred only to the heat absorbing surface 44 (S34). This will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

5 and 6 are views showing a state of operating in the cooling mode. A description with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 is as follows.

The air introduced through the fan 14 passes through the PTC heater 20. Since the PTC heater 20 is not supplied with electricity, the air passes through the PTC heater 20 without being heated.

The damper 50 is set in the same direction in which the plurality of thermoelectric elements 40 are arranged so that both the first passage 32 and the second passage 36 are opened. Then, air passing through the PTC heater 20 flows into the first passage 32 and the second passage 36.

Since electricity is supplied to the thermoelectric element 40, air passing through the heat generating surface 42 and the heat generating surface side heat sink fins 48 is heated, and the heat absorbing surface 44 and the heat absorbing surface side heat sink fins 46 are heated. Passing air is cooled. Therefore, the air passing through the first passage 32 has a high temperature, but is discharged to another place than the inside of the vehicle through the first communication port 34. On the other hand, the air passing through the second passage 36 has a low temperature and is discharged into the vehicle through the second communication port 38.

Cooling may be performed by cooling the inside of the vehicle by the cool air discharged through the second communication port 38.

7 and 8 are views showing a state of operation in the heating mode. A description with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8 is as follows.

The air introduced through the fan 14 passes through the PTC heater 20. At this time, since the electricity is supplied to the PTC heater 20, the air is heated through the PTC heater 20.

The damper 50 closes the inlet of the first passage 32 so that air passing through the PTC heater 20 does not flow into the first passage 32. That is, the direction of the plate 54 is rotated so that all of the air flows into the second passage 36.

Since no electricity is supplied to the thermoelectric element 40, the air is not changed in temperature by the heat absorbing surface 44 and the heat absorbing surface side heat dissipation fin 46 of the thermoelectric element 40. The second communication port 38 is discharged. At this time, since the air is heated by the PTC heater 20, the inside of the vehicle may be heated.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and as can be seen in the appended claims, modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention.

1 is a schematic plan view of the present invention.

2 is a front view of FIG. 1;

3 is a block diagram of the present invention.

4 is a flow chart of the present invention.

5 and 6 are views showing a state of operation in the cooling mode.

7 and 8 are views showing a state in which the operation in the heating mode.

<Description of Signs for Main Parts of Drawings>

10: Case 20: PTC heater

30: chamber 32: first passage

34: first communication passage 36: second passage

38: second communication port 40: thermoelectric element

42: heat generating surface 44: endothermic surface

46: heat dissipation fin on the heat absorbing side 48: heat dissipation fin on the heat absorbing side

50: damper 60: battery

70: generator

Claims (10)

PitiC heater accommodated in the case forming the appearance; A chamber in communication with the case; A thermoelectric element accommodated in the chamber and provided with a heat generating surface for dissipating heat and an endothermic surface for absorbing heat; And And a damper installed at a portion in which the chamber and the case communicate with each other, and controlling a direction of air flowing into the thermoelectric element after passing through the PTC heater. The method of claim 1, The air conditioner for automobiles, characterized in that the chamber is provided with a first passage which is an air passage passing through the heat generating surface and a second passage which is an air passage passing through the heat absorbing surface. The method of claim 2, The damper is a vehicle air conditioner, characterized in that for adjusting the direction of the air so that the air passing through the PTC heater enters into the first passage or simultaneously into the first passage and the second passage. The method of claim 3, The damper is an automotive air conditioner including a shaft disposed adjacent to the thermoelectric element and a plate rotatable about the shaft. The method of claim 2, The chamber And a first communication port communicating with the first passage and a second communication port communicating with the second passage. The method of claim 1, A fan housed in the case to generate air flow; And a battery for storing electricity generated by a generator and supplying electricity stored in the PTC heater and the thermoelectric element. The method of claim 1, Automotive air conditioner, characterized in that formed on the heating surface and the heat absorbing surface a plurality of fins (fin). The method of claim 1, The thermoelectric device is an automotive air conditioner, characterized in that composed of a plurality or a plurality of rows. A storage step in which electricity generated by the generator is stored in the battery; And And selectively supplying electricity from the battery to a thermoelectric element or a PTC heater. In the operation step, the battery is supplied with electricity to the fan accommodated in the case, If it is determined that the cooling mode for cooling the interior of the car, the battery cuts off the electricity supply to the PTC heater, and supplies electricity to the thermoelectric element, If it is determined that the heating mode for heating the interior of the car, the battery supplies electricity to the PTC heater, and cut off the electricity supply to the thermoelectric element, the vehicle air conditioner control method. The method of claim 10, In the operation step, If it is determined that the cooling mode is passed through the PTC heater, the air flowing into the chamber is distributed to the heat absorbing surface and the heat generating surface of the thermoelectric element is transferred, If it is determined that the heating mode is the air flowing into the chamber is the air conditioner control method for the vehicle, characterized in that only to the heat absorbing surface of the thermoelectric element.

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