KR20110112926A - Cooling and heating box for a vehicle using thermoelectric element module and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cold refrigerator for a vehicle using a thermoelectric module and a method of controlling the same, and more particularly, the polarity of the power supplied to the thermoelectric module after delaying a switching operation during a change in the cold / cold mode of the cold / cold cabinet for a predetermined time. The present invention relates to a cold storage device for a vehicle using a thermoelectric module capable of increasing the service life and securing durability by eliminating the thermal shock caused by the rapid temperature change at both ends of the thermoelectric element by controlling the switching and supplying the same.
Accordingly, the present invention is installed in the vehicle interior and in a cold storage for a vehicle using the thermoelectric module 140, is installed on one side of the cold and warm storage 100, and also the N-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141a and P-type semiconductor thermoelectric element (141b) are alternately arranged and electrically connected, the thermoelectric module 140 for supplying heat in the cold and warm storage 100 according to the polarity of the supplied power to perform the warming mode or to absorb the heat to perform the refrigeration mode (140) And, when switching between the cold mode and the warm mode of the cold compartment 100, after the delaying the switching operation for a predetermined time to switch the polarity of the power supplied to the thermoelectric element module 140 to supply Characterized in that consisting of a control unit 150 for controlling.

Description

Cooling and heating box for a vehicle using thermoelectric element module and its control method}

The present invention relates to a cold refrigerator for a vehicle using a thermoelectric module and a method of controlling the same, and more particularly, the polarity of the power supplied to the thermoelectric module after delaying a switching operation during a change in the cold / cold mode of the cold / cold cabinet for a predetermined time. The present invention relates to a cold storage device for a vehicle using a thermoelectric module capable of increasing the service life and securing durability by eliminating the thermal shock caused by the rapid temperature change at both ends of the thermoelectric element by controlling the switching and supplying the same.

Recently produced vehicles are equipped with cold and cold storage to store a simple drink can or a small amount of food, which is mainly shown in the glove box (G) located in front of the passenger seat, or in the center of all seats It is installed in the interior space of the console box (C) located or the armrest (A) located in the center of the rear seat, and is installed in the interior space of the armrest disclosed in the Patent Application Publication No. 2007-69058 Explain based on cold and hot.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the invention disclosed in the document. The cold / cold storage 1 includes a storage compartment 10 having one side open, a cover 20 for opening and closing an opening of the storage compartment 10, and the storage compartment 10. A thermoelectric element module 40 installed at a lower portion of the lower portion, a duct 30 installed in communication with the thermoelectric element module 40 at a lower side of the storage compartment 10, and a duct 30 installed in the duct 30. It consists of a fan 35 to intake air to exchange heat with one side of the thermoelectric module 40.

When the user wants to switch the mode to the refrigerating mode or the warm mode, the cold and cold refrigerator (1) of the structure as described above was being supplied to the cold and cold refrigerator (1) when the user presses the control button (or mode switching button) The polarity of the power source is reversed, whereby the function of the thermoelectric module 40, which absorbs heat on one side and heat radiation on the other side (or vice versa), is switched immediately.

However, when the polarity of the power supplied to the thermoelectric module 40 is suddenly reversed when switching between the refrigerating mode and the warming mode by the above operation, as shown in FIG. 3, the both ends of the thermoelectric module 40 are remarkable. Substantial thermal shock is applied to the thermoelectric module 40 due to the temperature difference. As the thermal shock is repeated, the thermoelectric element, which is a key component of the cold / cold storage unit 1, is destroyed, thereby shortening the lifespan and reducing durability. There was a problem.

An object of the present invention for solving the above-described problems is to control the switching of the polarity of the power supplied to the thermoelectric element module after a predetermined time delay of the switching operation during the switching of the cold / cold mode of the cold / cold cabinet, the both ends of the thermoelectric element The present invention provides a cold storage device for a vehicle using a thermoelectric module capable of increasing the service life and securing durability by solving thermal shock caused by rapid temperature change.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cold storage device for a vehicle using a thermoelectric module installed inside a vehicle, the N-type semiconductor thermoelectric element and the P-type semiconductor thermoelectric element being alternately installed on one side of the cold / cold storage. Arranged and electrically connected, the thermoelectric module for supplying heat in the cold compartment according to the polarity of the supplied power to perform a warm mode or to absorb the heat to perform the cold mode, between the cold mode and the warm mode of the cold compartment In the switching, the switching operation is delayed for a predetermined time, characterized in that the control unit for controlling the cold and cold to switch the polarity of the power supplied to the thermoelectric element module.

In addition, in a control method of a cold storage device for a vehicle installed in a vehicle and using a thermoelectric module, the user presses a control button of the cold storage cabinet, the first step of controlling the cold and cold cabinet, and the control signal input through the first step A second step of determining whether a cold / cold mode switching signal is detected, and a third step of delaying the switching operation for a predetermined time if the cold / cold mode switching signal is determined as a result of the determination of the second step, and the switching operation through the third step. After a predetermined time delay, characterized in that it comprises a fourth step of supplying by switching the polarity of the power supplied to the thermoelectric module.

The present invention is controlled by switching the polarity of the power supplied to the thermoelectric element module after a predetermined time delay in switching the cold / cold mode of the cold / cold cabinet, thereby eliminating thermal shock due to the rapid temperature change across the thermoelectric element. This increases and durability can also be secured.

1 is a schematic view showing a case in which a cold and hot refrigerator is installed inside a typical vehicle;
2 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional cold and cold vehicle,
3 is a graph showing the temperature difference between both ends of the thermoelectric element module according to the switching between the refrigeration mode and the warm mode of the conventional vehicle cold compartment,
4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cold and cold vehicle for vehicles using a thermoelectric module according to the present invention;
5 is a configuration of the main part showing a cold and cold refrigerator for a vehicle using a thermoelectric module according to the present invention,
6 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a cold / hot refrigerator for a vehicle using a thermoelectric module according to the present invention;
7 is a graph showing the temperature difference across the thermoelectric module when the power is cut off during a predetermined time delay in the switching operation between the cold storage mode and the warm mode in a vehicle cold and cold storage according to the present invention;
8 is a graph showing the temperature difference across the thermoelectric element module when the duty ratio is gradually changed while the switching operation between the refrigerating mode and the warming mode is delayed for a predetermined time in the vehicle cold refrigerator according to the present invention.

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

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cold and cold vehicle for the vehicle using the thermoelectric module according to the present invention, Figure 5 is a configuration of the main part showing a cold and cold vehicle for the vehicle using the thermoelectric module according to the present invention, Figure 6 is a thermoelectric according to the present invention 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control method of a cold storage device for a vehicle using an element module, and FIG. 7 illustrates both ends of a thermoelectric module when the power is cut off while delaying a switching operation between a refrigeration mode and a warm mode in a cold storage vehicle according to the present invention. 8 is a graph showing a temperature difference between and FIG. 8 is a graph showing a temperature difference across the thermoelectric module when the duty ratio is gradually changed while the switching operation between the refrigerating mode and the warming mode is delayed for a predetermined time in a vehicle cold refrigerator according to the present invention. to be.

As shown, the cold and cold vehicle 100 using the thermoelectric module according to the present invention, the storage compartment 110 for storing a small amount of food, the cover 120 for opening and closing the storage compartment 110, and The thermoelectric module 140 is installed under the storage compartment 110 and supplies heat to the storage compartment 110 to perform a warm mode or absorbs heat to perform a refrigeration mode, and is installed at a lower side of the storage compartment 110. And a fan duct 130 communicating with the thermoelectric module 140, and installed in the duct 130 and suctioning air into the duct 130 to exchange heat with one side of the thermoelectric module 140. ), And a control unit 150 for controlling the cold and warm storage 100.

The storage compartment 110 is usually installed in an internal space such as a glove box G located in front of the passenger seat, a console box C located in the center of the front seat, or an armrest A located in the center of the back seat. Since the heat insulating material is filled in the outside of the storage compartment 110, the temperature inside the storage compartment 110 is minimized by the surrounding heat.

The cover 120 is installed to be opened and closed at an upper portion of the storage compartment 110 so that food and the like stored in the storage compartment 110 can be easily withdrawn.

In the thermoelectric module 140, the N-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141a and the P-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141b are alternately arranged as shown in FIG. 5, and the semiconductor thermoelectric elements 141a and 141b are electrically connected to each other. The upper and lower electrode connection plates 142a and 142b are connected to the semiconductor thermoelectric elements 141a and 141b on the upper and lower surfaces of the semiconductor thermoelectric elements 141a and 141b. The semiconductor thermoelectric elements 141a and 141b are alternately attached by soldering so as to be connected to each other.

At this time, the DC power supplied to the thermoelectric module 140 is supplied through both left and right sides of the lower electrode connecting plate 142b.

In addition, metallized ceramic substrates 143a and 143b are disposed on outer surfaces of the upper electrode connecting plate 142a and the lower electrode connecting plate 142b, respectively.

As such, the N-type and P-type semiconductor thermoelectric elements 141a and 141b, upper and lower electrode connecting plates 142a and 142b, and ceramic substrates 143a and 143b are assembled together to form the thermoelectric module 140. .

When the DC power is supplied by connecting a wire to the thermoelectric module 140 having the above configuration, one side may endothermic and the other side may radiate heat depending on the polarity of the power source, which will be described below. .

First, when supplying power through the left and right sides of the lower electrode connecting plate 142b of the thermoelectric module 140, the N-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141a becomes + (plus), and the P-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141b is provided. When DC power is supplied to be minus, current flows from the N-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141a to the P-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141b, and at this time, the Peltier effect (bonding two kinds of metals). Therefore, heat generation or absorption occurs at a junction of two metals when a current flows), and an endothermic action occurs at an upper portion of the thermoelectric element module 140, and a heat radiation action occurs at a lower portion thereof.

On the contrary, when supplying power to the thermoelectric module 140, the DC power is supplied such that the P-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141b becomes + (plus) and the N-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141a becomes-(minus). In this case, a current flows from the P-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141b to the N-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141a, and a heat dissipation action occurs in the upper portion of the thermoelectric module 140 by the Peltier effect, Endothermic action occurs.

In other words, in the case of an NP type semiconductor thermoelectric element supplying DC power such that the N-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141a side is a positive pole and the P-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141b side is a negative pole, the upper portion thereof is a cold junction ( CJ (Cooling Junction), and the lower part thereof functions as a heating junction (HJ, Heating Junction), on the contrary, the P-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141b side is + pole, and the N-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141a side is-pole When the power is supplied by changing the polarity of the power supply, it becomes a PN type semiconductor thermoelectric element, and the positions and functions of the cooling junction CJ and the heat junction HJ are changed.

The thermoelectric element module 140 having the above function is installed on the bottom side of the storage compartment 110 of the cold / cold storage 100, and performs a heat absorbing action on the storage compartment 110 in the refrigerating mode according to the current flow direction. The refrigerator 110 is refrigerated (cooled), and in the warming mode, the storage compartment 110 is heated by heat dissipating to the storage compartment 110.

On the other hand, the thermoelectric module 140 has a heat absorbing (or heat dissipating) performance of the storage chamber 110 when the heat absorbing (or heat dissipating) action on the opposite side is smoothly performed on the opposite side. Since it is improved, the heat dissipation fin 145 is installed at the lower portion of the thermoelectric module 140 opposite to the storage chamber 110.

At this time, the duct 130 is in communication with the thermoelectric module 140 is installed on the lower side of the storage chamber 110 so that the heat absorbing or dissipating action through the heat radiation fin 145 of the thermoelectric module 140 is smoothly performed. The fan 135 is installed inside the duct 130.

The duct 130 is composed of the suction duct 131 connected to the indoor side and the discharge duct 132 connected to the outdoor side to communicate with the indoor side and the outdoor side of the vehicle.

Therefore, the indoor air introduced into the duct 130 during the operation of the fan 135 is discharged to the outdoor side after heat exchange with the heat radiating fin 135, through the heat radiating fin 135 of the thermoelectric module 140 Endothermic or heat dissipation is made smoothly, the endothermic or heat dissipation performance of the storage chamber 110 side of the thermoelectric module 140 is improved.

If the cold and cold refrigerator 100 having the structure as described above is suddenly changed in polarity when supplied in the refrigerating mode, that is, the polarity of the power is changed to operate in the warm mode, the front of the process As described, a thermal shock may be applied to the thermoelectric module 140.

Accordingly, in the present invention, in order to prevent a thermal shock from being applied to the thermoelectric element module 140 by suddenly switching the mode from the refrigerating mode to the warming mode or the refrigerating mode to the refrigerating mode, the refrigerating mode of the refrigerator 100 When switching between the and warm mode, a control unit 150 is provided to control the cold / hot refrigerator 100 to switch the polarity of the power supplied to the thermoelectric element module after delaying the switching operation for a predetermined time.

That is, when switching between the refrigerating mode and the warming mode of the cold storage 100, by delaying the switching operation through the control unit 150 for a predetermined time, the temperature difference across the thermoelectric element module 140 is allowed to be used (stable use) Temperature difference range) is reduced, and since the polarity of the power supplied to the thermoelectric module 140 is switched to be supplied to switch between the refrigerating mode and the warming mode, the thermal shock caused by the rapid temperature change at both ends of the thermoelectric module 140. Eliminates to increase lifespan and ensure durability.

At this time, the control unit 150 cuts off the power supplied to the thermoelectric module 140 while the switching operation is delayed for a predetermined time, and when the power is cut off, the control unit 150 at the ambient temperature of the thermoelectric module 140. As a result, the temperature difference across the thermoelectric module 140 is reduced.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the temperature difference across the thermoelectric module when the power is cut off while the switching operation between the refrigerating and heating modes of the refrigerator 100 is delayed for a predetermined time. When switching, the switching operation is delayed for a predetermined time, and as the power is cut off during the delay, it can be seen that the temperature difference across the thermoelectric module 140 is reduced.

In addition, as shown in the graph of Figure 7, it can be seen that the temperature difference across the thermoelectric element module 140 gradually decreases as the switching operation delay time increases, but the temperature difference hardly occurs after the delay time passes.

Therefore, the control unit 150 is to switch the polarity of the power supplied to the thermoelectric module 140 after delaying the switching operation for 1 to 15 minutes when switching between the cold mode and the warm mode of the cold and cold refrigerator 100, It is preferable to supply.

If the switching operation delay time is less than 1 minute, the temperature difference across the thermoelectric element module 140 hardly decreases within the allowable range, and there is a fear that thermal shock occurs during polarity switching. If the delay time is greater than 15 minutes, the thermoelectric Although the temperature difference between the both ends of the device module 140 is sufficiently reduced to within the allowable range, the delay time is long, so that the user feels a lot of inconvenience in using the cold / cold storage 100.

On the other hand, the allowable range of the temperature difference between the both ends of the thermoelectric element module 140, because the difference occurs according to the size of the thermoelectric element is set in advance the allowable range according to the size of the thermoelectric element through the experiment to input to the controller 150 It is preferable.

In the above description, a case in which the power supplied to the thermoelectric module 140 is cut off while the switching operation between the refrigerating mode and the warming mode is delayed for a predetermined time is described. As another embodiment, the thermoelectric module 140 is supplied to the thermoelectric module 140. The duty ratio of the power supply may be gradually changed.

8 is a graph showing the temperature difference across the thermoelectric module when the duty ratio is gradually changed while the switching operation between the refrigerating mode and the refrigerating mode of the refrigerator 100 is delayed for a predetermined time. When switching between the warm mode, the switching operation is delayed for a predetermined time, and as the duty ratio is gradually changed during the delay, it can be seen that the temperature difference across the thermoelectric module 140 is reduced.

In other words, when the power is applied to the duty ratio control method, the duty ratio is gradually changed while the switching operation between the refrigeration mode and the warm mode is delayed for a predetermined time, thereby gradually reducing the supply voltage. The temperature difference is reduced, which leads to a smaller thermal shock.

Hereinafter, a control method of a vehicle cold / hot refrigerator 100 using the thermoelectric module according to the present invention will be described.

In general, the cold and cold refrigerator 100 using the thermoelectric module 140 is mainly used in the refrigeration mode in the summer season and used in the cold mode in winter, when using the cold and cold refrigerator 100 in the refrigeration mode in general storage room 110 The temperature of is -10 ~ -4 ℃, the temperature of the storage chamber 110 in the case of using in the warm mode is 50 ~ 60 ℃.

Under such conditions, for example, when the user uses the refrigerator mode and presses a control button (not shown) of the cold / hot refrigerator 100 to proceed with the first step S1 of controlling the cold / hot refrigerator 100,

The control signal through the first step (S1) is input to the controller 150, and then the controller 150 determines whether the input control signal is a cold / cold mode switching signal or an OFF signal. Step S2 is performed.

If the OFF signal in the second step (S2) to maintain the power standby state to cut off the power supplied to the cold and warm storage 100, the third step (S3) for delaying the switching operation for a predetermined time if the cold and cold mode switching signal ).

Here, in the third step S3, the switching operation is delayed for 1 to 15 minutes, and the power supplied to the thermoelectric module 140 is turned off while the switching operation is delayed.

As such, when the power supplied to the thermoelectric module 140 is cut off, the temperature difference between both ends of the thermoelectric module 140 is reduced by the ambient temperature of the thermoelectric module 140.

Meanwhile, in the third step S3, in addition to shutting off the power supplied to the thermoelectric module 140 while delaying the switching operation, as described above, the duty ratio of the power supplied to the thermoelectric module 140 is determined. It can also change gradually.

Thereafter, after delaying the switching operation through the third step S3 for a predetermined time, the fourth step S4 of changing the polarity of the power supplied to the thermoelectric device module 140 is performed to perform the cold operation. Django 100 is switched from the cold mode to the warm mode or from the cold mode to the refrigeration mode.

On the other hand, the control method described above is performed in the same order each time the user presses the control button.

100: cold storage 110: storage room
120: cover 130: duct
131: suction duct 132: discharge duct
135: fan
140: thermoelectric module 141a: N-type semiconductor thermoelectric element
141b: P-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 142a: upper electrode connecting plate
142b: lower electrode connecting plate 143a: upper ceramic substrate
143b: lower ceramic substrate 145: heat dissipation fin
150: control unit

Claims (8)

In the cold room for the vehicle installed in the vehicle interior using the thermoelectric module 140,
In addition to being installed on one side of the cold and warm storage 100, the N-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141a and the P-type semiconductor thermoelectric element 141b are alternately arranged and electrically connected to each other, and according to the polarity of the supplied power supply, the cold / cold storage 100 A thermoelectric module 140 for supplying heat to perform a warming mode or absorbing heat to perform a refrigeration mode;
When switching between the cold mode and the warm mode of the cold compartment 100, the switching operation is delayed for a predetermined time to control the cold compartment 100 to switch and supply the polarity of the power supplied to the thermoelectric module 140. Cold and cold storage for vehicles using a thermoelectric module, characterized in that consisting of a controller 150. The method of claim 1,
The control unit 150 switches the polarity of the power supplied to the thermoelectric module 140 after delaying the switching operation for 1 to 15 minutes at the time of switching between the cold mode and the warm mode of the cold / cold container 100. Cold and cold vehicle for vehicles using a thermoelectric module, characterized in that made to. The method of claim 1,
The control unit 150, the vehicle cold and hot storage using a thermoelectric module, characterized in that the power supply to the thermoelectric module 140 (OFF) during the delay of the switching operation for a predetermined time (OFF). The method of claim 1,
The control unit 150, the vehicle cold and cold refrigerator using a thermoelectric module, characterized in that to gradually change the duty ratio of the power supplied to the thermoelectric module 140 during the delay of the switching operation. In the control method of the cold and cold vehicle for the vehicle is installed in the vehicle interior using the thermoelectric module,
The first step (S1) for the user to control the cold and hot 100 by pressing the control button of the cold and hot 100,
A second step (S2) of determining whether a cold / hot mode switch signal is input when the control signal is input through the first step (S1);
A third step (S3) of delaying the switching operation for a predetermined time in response to the determination result of the second step (S2);
And a fourth step S4 of delaying the switching operation through the third step S3 for a predetermined time and then switching and supplying the polarity of the power supplied to the thermoelectric module 140. Control method of cold and cold vehicle for vehicle using thermoelectric module. The method of claim 5, wherein
The third step (S3), the control method of the cold compartment for a vehicle using a thermoelectric module, characterized in that for delaying the switching operation 1 to 15 minutes. The method of claim 5, wherein
The third step (S3), the control method of the cold or cold vehicle for a vehicle using a thermoelectric module, characterized in that the power supply to the thermoelectric module (140) is OFF (off) during a predetermined time delay of the switching operation. The method of claim 5, wherein
The third step (S3), the control of the cold refrigerator for a vehicle using a thermoelectric module, characterized in that gradually changing the duty ratio of the power supplied to the thermoelectric module 140 while the switching operation is delayed for a predetermined time. Way.

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