KR20230147301A - A portable cooling and heating cabinet - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hybrid type mobile cooling and heating cabinet based on a cold chain. By adopting a hybrid type that combines a refrigerant method and a thermoelectric element method in one case, maximum cooling and heating efficiency is achieved through minimum energy consumption. There is a purpose. For this purpose, the present invention includes a case provided with a storage compartment; a thermoelectric element disposed on one side of the case and performing heat absorption and heat generation according to the direction of the current; a first heat sink disposed at one end of the thermoelectric element and exchanging heat through the heat absorption or heat generation of the thermoelectric element; a second heat sink disposed at the other end of the thermoelectric element and performing heat exchange through the heating or endothermic action of the thermoelectric element; A first pipe is configured such that one end is formed on one side of the first heat sink and the other end passes through the storage compartment of the case, so that the refrigerant contained in the first pipe flows into the storage compartment by the endothermic or exothermic action of the first heat sink. A first line that induces refrigeration or heating; And the second heat sink is connected in a closed circuit with a first pipe configured on one side of the first heat sink, so that the refrigerant contained in the second pipe is transferred to the first pipe through heat exchange by the exothermic or endothermic action of the second heat sink. It is characterized in that it includes a second line that induces power-free natural circulation by the refrigerant temperature difference.

Description

Hybrid type portable cooling and heating cabinet based on cold chain {A portable cooling and heating cabinet}

The present invention relates to a hybrid type mobile cooling and heating cabinet based on a cold chain. More specifically, by adopting a hybrid type that combines a refrigerant method and a thermoelectric element method in one case, maximum cooling and heating efficiency is achieved through minimum energy consumption. This is about a cold chain-based hybrid portable cold and hot storage cabinet that allows you to obtain.

Generally, a refrigerator is equipped with a storage compartment consisting of a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment, and the storage compartment is equipped with several layers of refrigerator shelves spaced apart from each other at the top and bottom. Meanwhile, in the refrigerator, the refrigerant compressed by the compressor passes through the refrigerant pipe and releases heat from the storage compartment to the outside of the refrigerator. The freezer compartment is maintained at a temperature of approximately -10℃ to keep the stored items frozen, and the refrigerator compartment is for refrigerating the stored items. For storage, it is maintained at a video temperature close to 0℃.

However, refrigerators are usually cooled by a cooling system due to the difficulty in manufacturing the refrigerator as well as the manufacturing cost. The refrigerant pipe installed in the freezer generates cold air, and the cold air generated at this time is delivered to the refrigerator compartment by a blowing fan installed between the freezer and the refrigerator compartment. As a result, the refrigerator room was maintained at an appropriate low temperature.

Meanwhile, as outdoor activities such as travel, leisure, and sports activities have recently increased, there is a demand for refrigerators that can store frozen or stored food or beverages during outdoor activities. However, since refrigerators are equipped with cooling devices to cool the storage compartment, they are difficult to carry due to the weight of the cooling devices.

In addition, in order for the refrigerator to be used outdoors, an additional power supply device such as a storage battery or generator to drive the refrigerator's cooling device must be provided, making it difficult to use the refrigerator outdoors. Accordingly, ice boxes, which are not equipped with a cooling device but are convenient to carry and can keep stored items in a cooled state for approximately 4 to 8 hours, are widely used outdoors.

However, ice boxes have limitations in their use outdoors over time, and have the disadvantage of not being able to perform their function properly in a short period of time, especially in the middle of summer.

As shown in FIG. 1A in the cooling cycle of a conventional portable refrigerator, the compressor 12 compresses the gaseous refrigerant stored in the storage 10, and the high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas passes through the condenser 14. As the liquefied refrigerant passes through the expansion valve 16, its pressure rapidly decreases and its boiling point decreases.

The liquid refrigerant whose boiling point has been lowered is passed through the evaporation line 18 to vaporize the refrigerant. As the liquid changes to gas, a large amount of heat is lost through evaporation, so this evaporation portion is placed around the storage reservoir 10. Thus, the storage 10 can be cooled and maintained as a low-temperature space.

However, the inner case 10a made of synthetic resin surrounding the storage 10, including the evaporation line 18, not only has low heat conduction, but also the evaporation line 18, which is arranged in a zigzag pattern, causes a temperature difference between the contacting part and the non-contacting part. There is a problem in that more electrical energy is required to maintain the temperature in the storage 10 up to the set temperature.

In particular, in small refrigerators such as portable refrigerators, there is a problem in which the temperature difference between the contact portion and the non-contact portion of the evaporation line 18 appears clearly.

Looking at another example of a refrigerator, a refrigerator using a thermoelectric element includes a thermoelectric element 2 installed in the main body 1, and one side of the thermoelectric element 2 in the refrigerating compartment inside the main body 1, as shown in FIG. 1b. It consists of a first cooler (3) coupled to the main body (1) and a second cooler (4) coupled to the other side of the thermoelectric element (2) from the outside of the main body (1), and the first and second coolers (3) (4) Fans 3a and 4a are configured inside each.

Accordingly, when power is applied to the thermoelectric element 2, the first cooler 3 absorbs the surrounding heat by the cold heat generated from one side of the thermoelectric element 2 to refrigerate the refrigerating compartment, and the thermoelectric element ( The heat generated on the other side of 2) is dissipated through the second cooler (4). At this time, the fan (3a) built into the first cooler (3) increases the heat absorption efficiency inside the refrigerator compartment, and the fan (4a) built into the second cooler (4) increases the heat dissipation efficiency outside the refrigerator main body (1). increases.

As above, the conventional portable refrigerator consists of a refrigerant method using a cooling pipe and a thermoelectric element method using a Peltier element. The refrigerant method has the advantage of high cooling efficiency due to the cooling pipe, but requires a lot of energy to operate the cooling cycle. On the other hand, the thermoelectric element method has the advantage of using less energy compared to the refrigerant method, but has the problem that the cooling effect is low only in the area where the Peltier element is located, resulting in low cooling efficiency.

Republic of Korea Patent No. 10-1753539 (announced on July 5, 2017) Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2021-126314 (published on October 20, 2021)

Proposed to solve the above problems, the purpose of the present invention is to obtain maximum cooling and heating efficiency through minimum energy consumption by adopting a hybrid type that combines the refrigerant method and the thermoelectric element method in one case. The goal is to provide a hybrid type portable cold and hot storage unit based on a cold chain.

The present invention for achieving the above object is a cold and hot storage cabinet configured to selectively cool or heat products stored in the storage room by refrigerating or heating the storage room, comprising: a case provided with a storage compartment; a thermoelectric element disposed on one side of the case and performing heat absorption and heat generation according to the direction of the current; a first heat sink disposed at one end of the thermoelectric element and exchanging heat through the heat absorption or heat generation of the thermoelectric element; a second heat sink disposed at the other end of the thermoelectric element and performing heat exchange through the heating or endothermic action of the thermoelectric element; A first pipe is configured such that one end is formed on one side of the first heat sink and the other end passes through the storage compartment of the case, so that the refrigerant contained in the first pipe flows into the storage compartment by the endothermic or exothermic action of the first heat sink. A first line that induces refrigeration or heating; And the second heat sink is connected in a closed circuit with a first pipe configured on one side of the first heat sink, so that the refrigerant contained in the second pipe is transferred to the first pipe through heat exchange by the exothermic or endothermic action of the second heat sink. It is characterized in that it includes a second line that induces power-free natural circulation by the refrigerant temperature difference.

In the present invention, at one end of the first heat sink, when the storage room is refrigerated or heated through the first pipe of the first line, a blowing force causes forced convection in the storage room to induce refrigeration or heating to work uniformly. It is preferable to include a blowing fan.

In the present invention, on either side of the first line or the second line, a check valve is provided to guide the refrigerant to flow in only one direction and to support the refrigerant to flow smoothly in a natural circulation manner. desirable.

In the present invention, the refrigerant contained in the first and second pipes is preferably water.

In the present invention, the hot and cold storage cabinet is preferably applied to any one of portable, leisure, or delivery carriers.

According to the present invention, by adopting a hybrid type that combines the refrigerant method and the thermoelectric element method in one case, there is an effect of achieving maximum cooling and heating efficiency through minimum energy consumption.

1 is a portable refrigerator showing an example of a conventional device,
1a is a refrigerant type, and 1b is a thermoelectric element type.
Figure 2 is a schematic bottom perspective view of a hybrid type portable cold and hot cabinet according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a hybrid type mobile cold and hot cabinet according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a hybrid type mobile cold and hot cabinet according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a hybrid type mobile cold and hot cabinet according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

The cold chain-based hybrid portable cooling and heating cabinet of the present invention adopts a hybrid type that combines the refrigerant method and the thermoelectric element method in one case, thereby achieving maximum cooling and heating efficiency through minimal energy consumption. In addition, the thermoelectric element method allows for multi-purpose use, allowing you to choose between cooling or heating in one case.

<First embodiment>

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the cold chain-based hybrid type mobile cold and hot storage cabinet of the first embodiment includes a case 100, a thermoelectric element 200, a first heat sink 300, and a second heat sink. It includes a sink 400, a first line 500, and a second line 600.

Case 100 refers to the shell that constitutes the refrigerator.

Additionally, the case 100 includes a storage compartment 110.

That is, the case 100 consists of an insulating material on the outer periphery of the storage compartment 110, a lid that opens and closes one end of the storage compartment 110, a conversion switch to change refrigeration or heating by user's operation, and a temperature It consists of various switches such as a setting switch to set the device, a power switch to select whether to use it, a control panel with a display, and a connection socket to connect the power.

In addition, the case 100 is configured as a portable type that can be carried by the user depending on the purpose of use. For example, it can be used as a console that can be mounted on a car and used by receiving power from a battery installed in the car, for leisure purposes that can be detached from a car and used outdoors, or on a two-wheeled vehicle that provides delivery services. Possibly for delivery carriers, etc. Of course, it is not limited to this, and the case 100 can also be used as a fixed type that can be mounted on a truck and applied to a refrigerated truck used for delivery.

The thermoelectric element 200 uses heat absorption or heat generation by the Peltier effect. One side absorbs heat (refrigeration) and the other side generates heat (heating) depending on the direction of the current. When the direction of the current is changed, the storage room (110) can be refrigerated or heated. In addition, the thermoelectric element 200 is a thermistor, which is a device that uses temperature changes in electrical resistance, a device that uses the Seebeck effect, which is a phenomenon in which electromotive force is generated by a temperature difference, and the Peltier effect, which is a phenomenon in which heat is absorbed or generated by current. It is classified into Peltier elements using , and the thermoelectric element 200 here is preferably a Peltier element.

The first heat sink 300 is configured at one end of the thermoelectric element 200 and performs a heat exchange function so that the thermoelectric element 200 can quickly absorb heat (cooling) or generate heat (heating).

The first heat sink 300 is configured to allow the piping of the first line 500 to pass through one side, and as the first line 500 absorbs or heats heat, the first line 500 creates heat in the storage room ( 110) performs a heat exchange function with the first line 300 so that it can be refrigerated or heated.

In addition, the first heat sink 300 is configured on one side of the storage compartment 110, and as the heat absorption or heat generation effect generated by the thermoelectric element 200 affects the storage compartment 110, the first line 500 ) and ancillary functions of refrigerating or heating the interior of the storage compartment 110, thereby improving cooling and heating efficiency.

The first heat sink 300 is configured in a fin type. Of course, it is not limited to this, and the first heat sink 300 can quickly transfer the heat absorption or heat generated by the thermoelectric element 200 to the first line 500 to refrigerate or heat the storage compartment 110. Any structure or shape that allows it can be adopted. For example, the first heat sink 300 is a coil type or a type that combines fins and coils.

The second heat sink 400 is configured at the other end of the thermoelectric element 200 and performs a heat exchange function so that the thermoelectric element 200 can quickly absorb heat (cooling) or generate heat (heating).

The second heat sink 400 is configured to allow the piping of the second line 600 to pass on one side, and generates or absorbs heat from the second line 600 to perform a power-free circulation action with the first line 500. Make it possible.

In addition, the second heat sink 400 protects the thermoelectric element 200 by allowing heat generation or endothermic action generated in the thermoelectric element 200 to be performed quickly.

That is, the conventional thermoelectric element uses only one of heat absorption or heat generation, and the other is discarded as waste heat, but at one end of the thermoelectric element 200 of the present invention, it is discarded through the second heat sink 400. By using waste heat, the first and second lines 500 and 600 can be circulated without power, thereby achieving the secondary effect of energy saving and further carbon neutrality.

The first line 500 is configured to circulate through the storage compartment 110 from one side of the first heat sink 300, and refrigerates or heats the storage compartment 110 through heat absorption or heat generated by the thermoelectric element 200. Let’s do it.

In addition, the first pipe 510 is configured to allow refrigerant to flow inside the first line 500. The first pipe 510 is made of copper, aluminum, or stainless steel, etc., which have excellent heat exchange efficiency.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the first pipe 510 is configured to surround the outer periphery of the storage compartment 110 after passing through the first heat sink 300, thereby providing protection against the storage compartment 110. Ensure that refrigeration or heating occurs quickly. Of course, it is not limited to this, and the structure or shape of the first pipe 510 may be changed so that the storage room 110 can be quickly refrigerated or heated depending on the structure or shape of the storage room 110.

The second line 600 is configured to enter from the second heat sink 400 to one side of the first heat sink 300, so that hot or cold refrigerant flows into the first heat sink through heat exchange with the second heat sink 400. Due to the temperature difference with the first line 500 provided in (300), the refrigerant is circulated without power in a natural circulation method.

In addition, the second line 600 has a second pipe 510 configured to allow refrigerant to flow inside. The second pipe 610 is made of copper, aluminum, or stainless steel with excellent heat exchange efficiency.

In this case, the first and second pipes 510 and 610 formed in the first and second lines 500 and 600 are configured as a closed circuit and support the flow of refrigerant provided inside. Additionally, in order to improve refrigerant efficiency, a heterogeneous piping structure may be adopted in which the first pipe 510 is made of stainless steel and the second pipe 610 is made of copper.

Meanwhile, it is desirable to use environmentally friendly 'water' as the refrigerant contained within the first and second pipes 510 and 610 of the first and second lines 500 and 600. Of course, the refrigerant is not limited to this, and any refrigerant can be used as long as it improves cooling and heating efficiency and is environmentally friendly.

Looking at the operating status of the cold chain-based hybrid cold and hot cabinet configured as above, the operation status is as follows.

First, looking at the case of refrigeration, the direction of current provided to the thermoelectric element 200 is called 'forward direction', and the power supplied to the control panel (not shown) configured on one side of the case 100 is turned on.

Accordingly, heat absorption occurs on one side of the thermoelectric element 200, that is, the part where the storage compartment 110 of the case 100 is located (hereinafter collectively referred to as the 'front'), and on the contrary, the other part of the thermoelectric element 200 ( The heating action is performed at the rear (hereinafter collectively referred to as the 'rear').

Subsequently, heat absorption is performed through heat exchange with the thermoelectric element 200 in the first heat sink 300 formed in front of the thermoelectric element 200, so that the first line 500 passing through the first heat sink 300 The refrigerant contained within the first pipe 510 is cooled.

On the contrary, heat generation is performed through heat exchange with the thermoelectric element 200 in the second heat sink 400 formed at the rear of the thermoelectric element 200, so that the second line 600 passing through the second heat sink 400 ) The refrigerant contained within the first pipe 610 is heated.

Accordingly, refrigerants of different temperatures are formed inside the first and second pipes 510 and 610 constituting the closed circuit, and accordingly, the hot water in the second pipe 610 pushes the cold water in the first pipe 510. Natural circulation is achieved through this method.

In addition, cold water flows along the first pipe 510 configured to pass through the storage compartment 110, thereby cooling the storage compartment 110, thereby refrigerating the inside of the storage compartment 110.

In the case of heating, reverse current is provided to the thermoelectric element 200 by switching the conversion switch configured on the control panel, and accordingly, heat is generated at the front of the thermoelectric element 200 and heat is absorbed at the rear, so that the thermoelectric element ( Hot water flows into the first pipe 510 of the first line 500 due to the heat generating action of the first heat sink 300 configured in front of 200, and conversely, due to the heat absorbing action of the second heat sink 400. Due to the temperature difference caused by the flow of cold water in the second pipe 610 of the second line 600, the hot water in the first pipe 510 passes through the storage room 110 in a natural circulation manner, thereby It is heated.

As above, by configuring the refrigerant method and the thermoelectric element method in a hybrid type in the case 100, the first line 500 passes through the storage compartment 110, which is an advantage of the refrigerant method, thereby improving refrigeration or heating efficiency. , Forms a cold chain that saves energy consumption, which is an advantage of the thermoelectric element method.

Here, the refrigeration temperature is 0℃ to 10℃ and the heating temperature is 20℃ to 30℃, so that cold stored food can be provided in summer and warm stored food can be provided in winter.

<Second Embodiment>

The same reference numerals are used for the same components as those in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cold chain-based hybrid cold/heating cabinet of the second embodiment configures a blowing fan 700 at one end of the first heat sink 300, and the blowing force of the blowing fan 700 As the interior of the storage compartment 110 is forced to convect, the entire storage compartment 110 is refrigerated or heated uniformly and uniformly by the cold or hot water from the first line 500 and is maintained.

In some cases, a blowing fan 700 may be provided at one end of the second heat sink 400 to quickly dissipate heat to the thermoelectric element 200. This can be installed considering the purpose of use of the cold chain-based hybrid refrigerator and the performance status of the thermoelectric element, etc., or it can be installed on the second heat sink 400 according to the control signal from the control panel. It can also be configured to control whether the blowing fan 700 operates.

<Third embodiment>

The same reference numerals are used for the same components as those in the first and second embodiments, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the cold chain-based hybrid cold and hot cabinet of the third embodiment is installed on one side of the first pipe 510 of the first line 500 or the second pipe 610 of the second line 600. A check valve 800 is provided to support the forced circulation of the refrigerant in one direction.

The check valve 800 is configured on one side of the first and second pipes 510 and 610 forming a closed circuit, and can maintain the flow of the refrigerant in one direction in a natural circulation method due to the temperature difference of the refrigerant. By doing so, the power-free circulation method can operate smoothly.

In this case, the check valve 800 is connected to one side of the second line 600 formed between the second heat sink 400 and the first heat sink 300, for example, the second pipe of the second line 600 ( It is formed in a portion where 610) and the first pipe 510 of the first line 500 are formed.

What has been described above is only one example for implementing a cold chain-based hybrid type portable hot and cold storage, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described example. Those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

100: case 110: storage room
200: thermoelectric element 300: first heat sink
400: 2nd heat sink 500: 1st line
510: 1st pipe 600: 2nd line
610: Second pipe 700: Blowing fan
800: check valve

Claims (5)

In a portable cold/heating closet configured to selectively cool or heat products stored in the storage room by refrigerating or heating the storage room,
A case provided with a storage room;
a thermoelectric element disposed on one side of the case and performing heat absorption and heat generation according to the direction of the current;
a first heat sink disposed at one end of the thermoelectric element and exchanging heat through the heat absorption or heat generation of the thermoelectric element;
a second heat sink disposed at the other end of the thermoelectric element and performing heat exchange through the heating or endothermic action of the thermoelectric element;
A first pipe is configured such that one end is formed on one side of the first heat sink and the other end passes through the storage compartment of the case, so that the refrigerant contained in the first pipe flows into the storage compartment by the endothermic or exothermic action of the first heat sink. A first line that induces refrigeration or heating; and
The second heat sink is connected in a closed circuit with a first pipe formed on one side of the first heat sink, so that the refrigerant contained in the second pipe is transferred to the first pipe through heat exchange by the exothermic or endothermic action of the second heat sink. A second line that induces natural circulation without power due to the difference in refrigerant temperature;
A cold chain-based hybrid portable cold and hot cabinet comprising a.
The method of claim 1, wherein at one end of the first heat sink,
A blowing fan that forces convection in the storage room by blowing force when the storage room is refrigerated or heated through the first pipe of the first line to induce uniform refrigeration or heating;
A cold chain-based hybrid portable cold and hot cabinet comprising a.
The method of claim 1, wherein on either side of the first line or the second line,
A check valve that guides the refrigerant to flow in only one direction and supports the refrigerant to flow smoothly in a natural circulation manner;
A cold chain-based hybrid portable cold and hot cabinet comprising a.
The method of claim 1, wherein the refrigerant contained in the first and second pipes is:
water;
A hybrid type portable cold and hot cabinet based on a cold chain, characterized in that.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hot and cold cabinet,
A cold chain-based hybrid portable cold and hot cabinet characterized by being applied to any one of portable, leisure, and delivery carriers.