KR20180137273A - Cooling and heating apparatus using thermoelectric module - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a cooling and heating apparatus using a thermoelectric module, which is simply installed to be conveniently used in a place required for cooling or heating, can be more conveniently used by easily setting and controlling a temperature, and comprises: a thermoelement; a heat emitting unit installed on a rear surface of the thermoelement to emit the thermoelement; a heat transmission unit installed on a front surface of the thermoelement to transmit cooling and heating energy generated in the thermoelement to the outside; a case forming appearance with a housing formed with a heat emitting port that surrounds the heat emitting unit and enables outdoor air to be distributed at one side thereof; a circuit module provided in the housing, and controlling a current applied to the thermoelement and the heat emitting unit; and a control panel installed at an external side of the housing, and controlling the circuit module by being connected to the circuit module.

Description

[0001] COOLING AND HEATING APPARATUS USING THERMOELECTRIC MODULE [0002]

A cold / warm apparatus capable of applying cold or hot heat using a thermoelectric element is disclosed.

Generally, a thermoelectric element is a semiconductor element that is cooled on one side and heated on the other side as electric power is supplied, and can easily perform cooling, heating, and constant temperature.

Therefore, thermoelectric elements are used in various apparatuses requiring temperature control such as temperature measurement experiment equipment for various experiments and inspections, various heating apparatuses, cooling apparatuses, dehumidifiers, or refrigerators.

In order to precisely control the required temperature by using the thermoelectric element, in addition to a high-performance thermoelectric element, a heat-dissipating fan for quickly dissipating heat generated in the thermoelectric element according to a temperature condition must be provided. Further, a control device for controlling the temperature of the thermoelectric element is required. Therefore, it is very difficult and troublesome to configure the system in a place where the temperature control is required with such a configuration.

Therefore, in the conventional case, even if the temperature control is required and the thermoelectric element is desired to be used, the thermoelectric element can not be used properly because it is difficult to design and configure the system. In addition, simply installing a heat-dissipating fan or the like on a thermoelectric element has a problem that temperature setting and control are not properly performed and it is difficult to obtain a desired temperature control result.

Provided is a cold / warm apparatus using a thermoelectric element which is simply installed in a place where cooling or heating is required and can be conveniently used.

Provided is a cold / warm apparatus using a thermoelectric element which is easy to set and operate and which is easier to use.

Provided is a cold / warm apparatus using a thermoelectric element whose temperature can be easily controlled.

The cold / hot apparatus of this embodiment includes a thermoelectric element, a heat dissipation unit installed on the rear surface of the thermoelectric element to dissipate the thermoelectric element, a heat transfer unit installed on the front surface of the thermoelectric element to transfer cold energy generated from the thermoelectric element to the outside, A circuit module which is provided inside the housing and controls a current applied to the thermoelectric element and the heat radiating part, and a circuit module which is installed outside the housing and which is provided inside the housing and which has a heat dissipation part for radiating outside air, And an operation panel connected to the circuit module to control the circuit module.

The heat dissipation unit may include a heat dissipation plate having a heat dissipation fin formed in contact with the thermoelectric device and a heat dissipation fan disposed outside the heat dissipation unit and circulating the ambient air to the heat dissipation unit.

And at least one heater installed on the heat sink, wherein current is applied to the heater through the circuit module to apply heat energy to the rear surface of the thermoelectric device through the heat sink.

The case may further include an insulating plate that is connected to a side end of the housing to form a bottom surface of the case and blocks the space between the heat radiating plate and the outside air.

The heat transfer part may include a heat transfer block disposed in contact with a front surface of the thermoelectric element and exposed to the outside of the case, and a contact part for closely contacting the heat transfer block to an object.

The contact portion includes an air flow passage formed in the heat transfer block, a suction hole formed in the front surface of the heat transfer block and communicating with the air flow passage, and an air discharge port provided at a side of the heat transfer block and connected to the air flow passage can do.

The air flow passage includes a plurality of first flow passages arranged at an interval from one side of the heat transfer block and extending straight inwardly from the other side of the heat transmission block, A connector for connecting with a vacuum pressure hose or a cap for closing an inlet is provided at an inlet of the first flow path or a second flow path, and the suction hole is provided in the first flow path or the second flow path, Can be spaced apart.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it can be easily installed in a place where temperature control is required and can be easily used.

It is possible to perform heating or cooling at a desired temperature with only a simple temperature setting.

One set device configuration can be installed in various places and can be used easily.

By increasing the adhesion of the heat transfer surface, the heat transfer can be performed more effectively, and the heat efficiency can be further increased.

1 is a perspective view showing the outline of a cold / warm apparatus using a thermoelectric device according to the present embodiment.
2 is a perspective view showing a lower portion of the cold / warm apparatus using the thermoelectric device according to the present embodiment.
3 is an exploded perspective view of the cold / warm apparatus using the thermoelectric device according to the present embodiment.
4 is a cross-sectional view of the cold / warm apparatus using the thermoelectric device according to the present embodiment.
5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a heat transfer block of a cold / warm apparatus using a thermoelectric device according to the present embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same or similar parts are denoted using the same reference numerals in the drawings.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. The singular forms as used herein include plural forms as long as the phrases do not expressly express the opposite meaning thereto. Means that a particular feature, region, integer, step, operation, element and / or component is specified, and that other specific features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / And the like.

All terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Predefined terms are further interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the relevant technical literature and the present disclosure, and are not to be construed as ideal or very formal meanings unless defined otherwise.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the external appearance of the cold / warm apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIGS. 3 to 4 illustrate the internal structure of the cold / hot apparatus according to the present embodiment in an exploded manner.

As shown in the figure, the cold / hot apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is installed at a necessary place, and has a structure of applying cold or heat of a desired temperature to a target object.

The cold / hot apparatus 10 includes a thermoelectric transducer 12, a heat dissipating unit 30 installed on the rear surface of the thermoelectric transducer 12 to dissipate heat of the thermoelectric transducer 12, A heat transfer part 40 for transferring cold energy generated from the element 12 to the outside and a housing 22 surrounding the heat dissipation part 30 and having a heat dissipation port through which the outside air flows, A circuit module 50 provided inside the housing 22 and controlling a current applied to the thermoelectric transducer 12 and the heat dissipating unit 30 and a circuit module 50 provided outside the housing 22, And an operation panel 52 connected to the circuit module 50 and controlling the circuit module 50.

Therefore, the present apparatus can apply heat energy generated from the front surface of the thermoelectric element 12 to a desired place through the heat transfer part 40. Hereinafter, heat energy may mean cold or hot. The front surface of the thermoelectric element 12 refers to the surface on which the heat transfer portion 40 is provided and the rear surface refers to the surface on which the heat dissipation portion 30 is provided on the opposite surface.

The thermoelectric element 12 is an element using a cooling effect generated when a bipolar semiconductor is combined, and it absorbs heat energy or releases heat energy only by supplying a DC power source. Thus, the thermoelectric element 12 cools or heats the front surface by switching the direction of the current. Since the thermoelectric element 12 has been disclosed in many techniques, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

At least one of the thermoelectric elements 12 may be arranged in a plane. On the front surface of the thermoelectric element 12, a heat transfer part 40 is disposed in contact with the heat transfer part 40, and a heat dissipation part 30 is disposed in contact with the rear surface of the opposite side. Accordingly, the thermoelectric element 12 applies heat energy to the heat transfer part 40, and if necessary, the heat generated from the rear surface is quickly dissipated through the heat dissipation part 30.

The heat dissipating unit 30 is installed inside the housing 22 to dissipate the heat of the thermoelectric elements 12. The heat dissipating unit 30 includes a heat dissipating plate 32 having a heat dissipating fin 34 formed outside the thermoelectric element 12 and a heat dissipating fan 36 disposed outside the heat dissipating plate 32 for circulating outside air to the heat dissipating plate 32 ).

The heat sink 32 is a plate-like structure, and the thermoelectric elements 12 are closely attached to the central portion. The size of the heat sink 32 or the shape and size of the heat sink fin 34 can be variously modified. The heat dissipating fan 36 may be disposed above the heat dissipating fin 34 of the heat dissipating plate 32. The heat radiating fan 36 is rotationally driven in accordance with the application of a current to circulate the outside air through the radiating fins 34.

The heat dissipating unit 30 is installed in a case 20 forming an outer shape. The case 20 may include a housing 22 covering the heat dissipating unit 30 and a heat insulating plate 23 forming the bottom surface of the housing 22. The housing 22 and the heat insulating plate 23 enclose the heat dissipating unit 30 to form the external shape of the present cold / hot apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, a heat transfer part 40 provided in contact with the thermoelectric element 12 is exposed to the outside of the case 20.

The cooling / heating apparatus of the present embodiment may further include at least one heater 38 installed on the heat sink 32. The heater 38 converts electric energy into heat energy, and for example, an electrothermal coil or a surface heating element can be used. Accordingly, current can be applied to the heater 38 through the circuit module 50 to apply heat energy to the rear surface of the thermoelectric element 12 through the heat sink 32. [ Therefore, if necessary, the heater 38 can be driven to heat the rear surface of the thermoelectric element 12, so that the thermoelectric element 12 can more effectively generate thermal energy at a high temperature.

The housing 22 is formed in a rectangular shape, but is not particularly limited in its shape. The housing 22 has a structure in which a lower end thereof is opened and has a container shape having an inner space and covers the heat-radiating portion 30. A heat dissipating unit 30 is disposed inside the front surface of the housing 22 and a circular front heat dissipating unit 24 is formed on the upper surface of the upper end of the housing 22 to communicate with the heat dissipating fan 36. The front heat sink 24 may further include a protection net 25 for protecting the heat radiation fan 36 therein. At one side of the side surface of the housing 22, a side heat dissipation port 25 is formed at a position corresponding to the radiating fin 34 to circulate the outside air to the inside and the outside of the housing 22. The outside air is continuously circulated into the housing 22 through the front heat dissipation holes 24 and the side heat dissipation holes 26 as the heat dissipation fan 36 is driven. Heat generated at the rear surface of the thermoelectric element 12 is conducted to the heat sink 32 and heat-exchanged with the outside air through the heat radiating fin 34 to be heat-treated.

The heat insulating plate 23 is formed to have a size enough to cover the heat sink 32. The heat insulating plate 23 is connected to the lower end of the opened housing 22 to form the bottom surface of the case 20 and blocks the heat radiating plate 32 and the outside air. A heat sink (32) is placed on the heat insulating plate (23). The heat insulating plate 23 may be formed with a hole 27 at a position corresponding to the thermoelectric element 12 such that the front surface of the thermoelectric element 12 provided on the heat sink 32 is exposed. Even if the heat radiating plate 32 is covered with the heat insulating plate 23, the thermoelectric transducer 12 is exposed to the outside through the hole 27 formed in the heat insulating plate 23 and the heat transferring part 40 is brought into contact with the thermoelectric transducer 12 Can be installed.

The heat insulating plate 23 covers the heat radiating plate 32 and insulates the space between the outside and the heat radiating plate 32 and between the heat transferring part 40 and the heat radiating plate 32. Thus, heat is prevented from being conducted between the outside air and the heat sink 32, and the heat of the heat transfer part 40 is prevented from being directly transmitted to the housing 22 or the heat sink 32. Accordingly, the heat energy generated from the thermoelectric element 12 can be effectively transmitted to the object only through the heat transfer part 40, so that the heat transfer efficiency can be increased, and the heat radiation effect through the heat radiation part 30 can also be enhanced. The heat insulating plate 23 is applicable as long as it can block heat conduction. In this embodiment, a rubber foaming agent or the like may be used for the heat insulating plate 23.

At least one side of the housing 22 is provided with an input terminal 28 for supplying external power. The input terminal 28 is connected to the heat-dissipating fan 36 or the thermoelectric element 12 through the circuit module 50 to supply necessary power.

A circuit module 50 may be installed inside the upper end of the housing 22 and an operation panel 52 connected to the circuit module 50 may be installed on the upper surface of the housing 22 to control the circuit module 50. For example, the operation panel 52 may be provided with a plurality of switches 54 for operating the circuit module 50. Also, the circuit module may be provided with a display 56 for displaying a control state such as a temperature value to the outside. Accordingly, the user can easily set a desired temperature or the like through the switch of the operation panel 52 and the display 56 of the circuit module provided in the apparatus.

Further, the cold / hot apparatus may further include a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the cool air or the heat applied to the heat transfer portion 40 through the front surface of the thermoelectric element 12. [ The temperature sensor is connected to the circuit module 50. The circuit module 50 can control a current value applied to the thermoelectric element 12 or the heat radiating part 30 according to the actual temperature value detected by the temperature sensor.

In this embodiment, the circuit module 50 controls the front surface temperature of the thermoelectric element 12 by driving the thermoelectric element 12, the heat radiator 30 or the heater according to the set temperature value. Thermal energy of a predetermined temperature is applied through the heat transfer part 40 provided on the front surface of the thermoelectric element 12, so that the object can be cooled or heated to a desired temperature.

Thus, the present cold / hot apparatus can vary the temperature of the front surface of the thermoelectric element 12 to a wide range through the optimized configuration, and can realize the thermal energy from -20 ° C to 150 ° C through the heat transfer part 40.

The heat transfer part 40 may include a heat transfer block 42 disposed in contact with the front surface of the thermoelectric element 12 and exposed to the outside of the case 20 and a contact part for closely contacting the heat transfer block 42 with an object. have.

The heat transfer block 42 may be formed as a planar plate structure having a predetermined thickness. The size of the heat transfer block 42 can be varied. The heat energy generated at the front surface of the thermoelectric element 12 is conducted to the heat transfer block 42 and is applied to the external object through the heat transfer block 42. The heat transfer block 42 may be made of copper or an aluminum material having a high thermal conductivity.

The cold / hot apparatus constitutes one integrated unit, and is used by closely contacting the heat transfer block 42 with a target object. In the present embodiment, the adhering portion may be a structure for bringing the heat conductive block 42 into close contact with the object by using the suction force of the fluid.

The contact portion includes an air flow passage 44 formed in the heat transfer block 42, a suction hole 46 formed in the front surface of the heat transfer block 42 and communicating with the air flow passage, And an air discharge plug 48 installed on the side surface of the air discharge passage 42 and connected to the air flow passage 44.

5, the air circulation passage 42 includes a plurality of first flow passages 45 spaced from one side of the heat transmission block 42 and extending straight inwardly, And at least one second flow passage (47) extending straight from the other side of the first flow passage (45) toward the inside thereof and communicating with the first flow passages (45). A plug 48 connected to the vacuum pressure hose or a plug 49 for closing the inlet is installed at the inlet of the first flow path 45 or the second flow path 47. The suction holes 46 may be formed at intervals along the first flow passage 45 or the second flow passage 47.

By forming the groove inward through the side surface of the heat transfer block 42 as described above, it is possible to more easily form the complicated air flow passage 44 communicating with the suction hole 46 in the heat transfer block 42 do.

Hereinafter, the operation of the power generating apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

The cold / hot apparatus 10 of the present embodiment includes a circuit module 50 therein to form an integrated unit structure. It is possible to cool or heat the object to a desired temperature by applying heat energy to the object by attaching the cold / hot device to a target object requiring cooling or heating and operating the switch 54 provided outside the housing 22 to set the temperature.

For example, a process for cooling a subject by applying cool air will be described as follows.

The heat transfer block 42 of the present apparatus is closely attached to the surface of the object. When the suction hose is connected to the plug 48 provided on the heat transfer block 42 to apply the suction pressure, the heat transfer block 42 is closely adhered to the object. In this manner, a desired temperature is set by operating the switch of the operation panel 52 in a state in which the heat transfer block 42 is in close contact with the object.

The circuit module 50 in the housing 22 controls the current according to the set temperature to drive the thermoelectric element 12 and the heat dissipating unit 30. [ As the thermoelectric element 12 is driven, the front surface of the thermoelectric element 12 is cooled and the rear surface is heated. The heat dissipating fan 36 of the heat dissipating unit 30 is driven to circulate the outside air to the heat dissipating fins 34. The heat of the rear surface of the thermoelectric element 12 is transmitted to the heat sink 32 of the heat dissipating unit 30 and is heat-exchanged with the heat radiating fins 34 passing therethrough. The heat is quickly radiated to the rear surface of the thermoelectric element 12, so that the temperature of the entire surface of the thermoelement 12 can be maintained at a desired low level.

Thus, the cool air generated from the front surface of the thermoelectric element 12 is transferred to the object through the heat transfer block 42, and the object is cooled to the set temperature. In this way, by attaching a compact and integrated device to a desired place, thermal energy can be easily applied to the object.

While the illustrative embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, various modifications and alternative embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art. Such variations and other embodiments will be considered and included in the appended claims, all without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.

10: cold / hot device 12: thermoelectric device
20: Case 22: Housing
23: heat insulating plate 30:
32: heat sink 34:
36: heat radiating fan 38: heater
40: heat transfer part 42: heat transfer block
44: air flow passage 45: first flow passage
46: suction hole 47: second flow passage
48: plug 49: plug
50: circuit module 52: operation panel

Claims (7)

A thermoelectric element disposed on a rear surface of the thermoelectric element and radiating heat to the thermoelectric element, a heat transfer part provided on the front surface of the thermoelectric element to transfer cold energy generated from the thermoelectric element to the outside, A circuit module disposed inside the housing and controlling a current applied to the thermoelectric module and the heat dissipation unit, and a circuit module provided outside the housing, connected to the circuit module, A cold / hot apparatus using a thermoelectric element including an operation panel for controlling a circuit module. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the heat dissipation unit includes a heat dissipation plate having a heat dissipation fin formed on an outer side thereof and a heat dissipation fan disposed outside the heat dissipation plate to circulate the ambient air to the heat dissipation plate. 3. The method of claim 2,
And a thermoelectric element for applying a current to the heater through the circuit module to apply heat energy to the rear surface of the thermoelectric element through the heat sink, further comprising at least one heater installed on the heat sink. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the case further comprises a heat insulating plate connected to a side end of the housing to form a bottom surface of the case, the heat insulating plate interposed between the heat radiating plate and the outside air. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the heat transfer part includes a heat transfer block disposed in contact with a front surface of the thermoelectric element and exposed to the outside of the case, and a contact part for closely contacting the heat transfer block to an object. 6. The method of claim 5,
Wherein the contact portion includes an air flow passage formed in the heat transfer block, a suction hole formed in the front surface of the heat transfer block and communicating with the air flow passage, and an air discharge hole provided at a side of the heat transfer block and connected to the air flow passage Temperature device using a thermoelectric element. The method according to claim 6,
The air flow passage includes a plurality of first flow passages arranged at an interval from one side of the heat transfer block and extending straight inwardly from the other side of the heat transmission block, A connector for connecting with a vacuum pressure hose or a cap for closing an inlet is provided at an inlet of the first flow path or a second flow path, and the suction hole is provided in the first flow path or the second flow path, Temperature device using a thermoelectric element arranged at an interval.

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