WO2023133243A2

WO2023133243A2 - Peltier effect driven air cooler

Info

Publication number: WO2023133243A2
Application number: PCT/US2023/010277
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ross Exley; Matthew Romano; Scott Barlettano
Original assignee: Ontel Products Corporation
Priority date: 2022-01-07
Filing date: 2023-01-06
Publication date: 2023-07-13
Also published as: WO2023133243A3

Abstract

According to these and other aspects of the disclosure, an air cooling device is provided. The air cooling device includes a housing that defines a compartment. A Peltier module at least partially divides the compartment into a first chamber and a second chamber. The Peltier module has a cooled surface located in the first chamber and a heated surface located in the second chamber. The housing defines a first opening fluidly connected to the first chamber. A first fan is located in first chamber and is configured to emit air from the first chamber that has been cooled by the cooled surface of the Peltier module through the first opening.

Description

PELTIER EFFECT DRIVEN AIR COOLER

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This PCT International Patent Application claims the benefit and priority to US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/297,458, filed January 07, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to an air cooler. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an air cooler that uses a Peltier module to cool air that is directed at a user to provide a cooling effect.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Various types of personal air coolers are known in the art for providing cool air to users. Examples include fans, evaporative coolers and refrigeration cycle based air conditioners. While such air coolers serve their intended purposes, they individually have certain downfalls - for example fans do not include a cooling element for actively reducing a temperature of air, and refrigeration cycle based air conditioners are bulky, intricate in design and expensive. Accordingly, there remains a need for improvements to conventional personal air coolers.

SUMMARY

[0004] This section provides a general summary of the present disclosure and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features, aspects, and objectives.

[0005] According to an aspect of the disclosure, an air cooler is provided that is inexpensive to produce.

[0006] According to another aspect of the disclosure, an air cooler is provided that is light weight and simple in design. [0007] According to another aspect of the disclosure, an air cooler is provided that quickly reduces a temperature of air that is provided to a user.

[0008] According to another aspect of the disclosure, an air cooler is provided that provides an easily customizable cooling effect to the user.

[0009] According to another aspect of the disclosure, an air cooler is provided that is energy efficient.

[0010] According to these and other aspects of the disclosure, an air cooling device is provided. The air cooling device includes a housing that defines a compartment. A Peltier module at least partially divides the compartment into a first chamber and a second chamber. The Peltier module has a cooled surface located in the first chamber and a heated surface located in the second chamber. The housing defines a first opening that is fluidly connected to the first chamber. A first fan is located in the first chamber and is configured to emit air from the first chamber that has been cooled by the cooled surface of the Peltier module through the first opening.

[0011] The Peltier module provides a simple, compact, inexpensive and energy efficient cooling device that quickly reduces a temperature of air in the compartment that is emitted to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The disclosure is best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to-scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features are arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.

[0013] FIG. 1 discloses a perspective, front view of a first example embodiment of an air cooler; [0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective, rear view of the first example embodiment of an air cooler;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a magnified view of FIG. 1, illustrating an arrangement of a light emitter;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional, schematic view of an air cooler constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the air cooler;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a second example embodiment of the air cooler;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a third example embodiment of the air cooler;

[0019] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional, schematic view of an air cooler made in accordance with the third embodiment of the air cooler;

[0020] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional, schematic view of an air cooler made in accordance with the first embodiment of the air cooler, and further including an example water circulation line for cooling water in a water tank;

[0021] FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of an example of a first water tank positioned against a cool surface of a Peltier module, and a supplemental water tank positioned against a hot surface of the Peltier module; and

[0022] FIG. 10 is an example arrangement of a Peltier module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure in its application or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers are used in the description and drawings to identify similar elements.

[0024] Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, embodiments of air coolers 100, 200, 300 are provided. The air coolers 100, 200, 300 are generally configured to draw in ambient air, cool the ambient air with a Peltier module 140-640, and blow out the cooled ambient air to provide a cooling effect. Although the present disclosure describes the subject air cooler 100, 200, 300 as being used to a provide a cooling effect, it should be appreciated that the Peltier effect discussed herein could be reversed to provide a heating effect to a user, and thus it is within the scope of the present disclosure to establish all of the components discussed herein as cooling components as heating components and vice versa. [0025] More particularly, FIGS. 1-3 disclose a first example embodiment of an air cooler 100. The air cooler 100 includes a housing 102 that is comprised of a top wall 104, a bottom wall 106 opposite the top wall 104, a front wall 108, a rear wall 110 opposite the front wall 108, and a pair of side walls 112. The housing 102 defines a compartment 114 between the walls. The housing 102 (of this embodiment and the subsequently described embodiments) may have various shapes and sizes. For example, the housing may be arranged as a small, mountable unit or as a tall tower. [0026] With reference to FIG. 4, a first divider 116 is located inside the compartment 114 adjacent to the top wall 104 and extends between the front and rear walls 108, 110. Likewise, a second divider 118 is located inside the compartment 114 beneath the first divider 116 and extends between the front and rear walls 108, 110. An upper chamber 120 is defined between the first divider 116 and the top wall 104, a central chamber 122 is located between the first divider 116 and the second divider 118, and a lower chamber 124 is defined between the second divider 118 and the bottom wall 106. It should be appreciated that the first and second dividers 116, 118 could be part of a sub-housing that is inserted into the compartment 114 of the housing 102. It should also be appreciated that all of the dividers discussed herein may be comprised of an insulated material in order to thermally insulate the discussed chambers / compartments relative to one another.

[0027] The rear wall 110 defines at least one opening 126 configured to function as an air inlet

126 at the central chamber 122 for receiving air into the central chamber 122, and the front wall 108 defines at least one opening 128 configured to function as an air outlet 128 at the central chamber 122 for emitting air out of the central chamber 122. It should be appreciated that all of the openings discussed herein may be arranged in various arrangements and may have various sizes, for example they may be arranged as single openings or as an array of smaller openings. Furthermore, all of the openings may include components for directing a flow of through the openings in desired directions. A drum fan 130 is located in the central chamber 122 for drawing air into the air inlet 126 and for propelling air the through the air outlet 128 along a flow path 132. The drum fan 130 may have various sizes, shapes and powers. Other types of fans may alternatively be employed. It should be appreciated that all fans discussed herein have motors for powering the same, as is known in the art.

[0028] A misting mechanism 133 is configured to emit a mist into the flow path 132 in order to emit the mist out of the air outlet 128. The misting mechanism 133 includes a water tank 134 located in the lower chamber 124 adjacent to the bottom wall 106 and the front wall 108. It should be appreciated that while the example discusses the use of water to create the mist, other liquids could be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The misting mechanism 133 also includes a hose 136 that extends between the water tank 134 and the central chamber 122 and is configured to draw water from the water tank 134 and emit the water as a mist into the flow path 132 in order to emit the mist out of the air outlet 128. The misting mechanism may also include a pump (schematically shown) 137 for pumping water through the hose 136. The misting mechanism 133 may also include an atomizer 139 for atomizing liquid from the hose 136 into a mist. All misting mechanisms 133 discussed herein could alternatively emit mist into other locations of the chamber such that it does not directly enter the flow path 132 (e.g., before or after air passes the cooled surface). Furthermore, various types of misting mechanisms may be used including, but not limited to, piezoelectric misting devices. The water tank 134 (of this embodiment and subsequently described embodiments) may have various shapes and sizes. It will be appreciated that a variety of other suitable mechanisms for dispersing water from the water tank 134 into the flow path 132 may be employed.

[0029] The first divider 116 defines a slot 138 that receives a Peltier module 140. The Peltier module presents a hot surface 142 in the upper chamber 120 and a cooled surface 144 in the central chamber 122. As is known in the art, the Peltier module 140 uses the “Peltier effect” to create a heat flux at a junction of two materials in order to transfer heat from one side (in this case the cooled surface 144) to another side (in this case the hot surface 142) with consumption of electrical current. Accordingly, the upper chamber 120 serves as a hot exhaust chamber from which heated exhaust is emitted away from the user, and the central chamber 122 serves as a cool chamber from which cool air is directed to the user. It should be appreciated that the current could be reversed to render the cooled surface the hot surface and vice versa.

[0030] With reference to FIG. 10, an example Peltier module 640 that may be used with any of the air cooler embodiments described herein consists of an array of “P-type“ semiconductor elements 602 and “N-type” semiconductor elements 604 (FIG. 10 shows one of each) arranged in tandem with one another and sandwiched between one or more first metal substrates 606 which define the hot surface 642, and a second metal substrate 608 which defines the cooled surface 644. As is known, in an N-type semiconductor 604, a majority of charge carriers are free electrons whereas holes are the minority. In contrast, in a P-type semiconductor 606, a majority of charge carriers are holes whereas free electrons are the minority. During operation, a current from a power source 146 is passed through the Peltier module 640, which causes electrons to move in one of the semiconductor elements 602, 604, and positive holes to move in the other of the semiconductor elements 602, 604. This causes the first metal substrate 606 to radiate heat to provide a heating effect, and the second metal substrate 608 to absorb heat to provide a cooling effect. It should be appreciated that a direction of the current could be reversed to provide an opposite heating / cooling effect on the first and second metal substrates 606, 608 in order to reverse the cooling effect provided to the user into a heating effect, (e.g., the central chamber 122 could become a hot chamber and the upper chamber 120 could become a cool chamber.)

[0031] Various types of power sources 146 may be used to power the Peltier module 140 and other electronic components discussed herein, including but not limited to a mains electricity source or a battery located in the housing 102. Additionally, the Peltier module 140 (of this embodiment and subsequently described embodiments) may have various sizes and outputs.

[0032] With reference back to FIG. 4, a first heat sink 148 is located in the upper chamber 120 and is connected to the hot surface 142 of the Peltier module 140 for radiating heat into the upper chamber 120. The top wall 103 of the housing 102 defines one or more openings 150, configured in this case as ventilation holes 150 for passing heated air out of the upper chamber 120. An exhaust fan 152 is located in the upper chamber 120 of the housing 102 and configured to blow the heated air from the upper chamber 120 out of the ventilation holes 150. The upper divider 116 (and other dividers described herein) may be made of an insulating material for insulating the upper chamber 120 from the central chamber 122.

[0033] A second heat sink 154 (schematically shown) is located in the central chamber 122 and is connected to the cool surface 144 of the Peltier module 140 for absorbing heat from the central chamber 122 and passing it to the upper chamber 120 through the first heat sink 148 in order to cool air in the central chamber 122. Accordingly, the drum fan 130 is configured to emit cold air out of the air outlet 128. The heat sinks 148, 154 (of this embodiment and subsequently described embodiments) may have various sizes and configurations.

[0034] With reference to FIG. 1, a controller 156 (schematically shown) is provided for adjusting various aspects of the air cooler 100, including, but not limited to, speeds of the drum and exhaust fans 130, 152, a temperature setting of the Peltier module 140, and a mist setting of the misting mechanism 136 (e.g., on, off or a mist volume). A plurality of buttons 158 are positioned on the housing 102 for allowing a user to select various settings including, but not limited to, an on /off setting, speeds of the various fans, a temperature setting of the Peltier module 140, and a mist setting of the misting mechanism 136. The controller 156 is electrically connected to the power source 146 for powering the controller 156. It should be appreciated that all capabilities of the controllers discussed herein may be applied to all discussed embodiments.

[0035] One or more vents 160 are pivotally connected to the housing 102 in the air outlet 128 for controlling a direction of airflow out of the air outlet 128.

[0036] One or more light emitters 162 are secured to the housing 102 and electrically connected to the controller 156 and power source 146 for indicating various statuses of the air cooler 100, including, but not limited to an on / off setting, speeds of the drum fan 130 and exhaust fans 152, a temperature setting of the Peltier module 140, and a mist setting of the misting mechanism 136. For example, the light emitter 162 may be configured to display different colors or flash at specific frequencies to indicate different statuses. According to the example embodiment, the light emitter 162 includes an LED strip, but my include various other types of light emitters.

[0037] A second example embodiment of an air cooler 200 is shown in FIG. 5. According to this embodiment, the air cooler 200 includes a housing 202 that has a top wall 204, a bottom wall 206 opposite the top wall 204, a front wall 208, a rear wall 210 opposite the front wall 208, and a pair of side walls (not shown). The housing 202 defines a compartment 214 between the walls. [0038] The top wall 204 defines one or more openings 226, in this case configured as air inlets 226 for receiving air into the compartment 214. The front wall 208 defines an opening 228 configured as a first / cooled air outlet 228 for emitting air out of the compartment 214, and the rear wall 210 defines an opening 250 configured as a second / heated air outlet 250 for emitting air out of the compartment 214.

[0039] A sealed and insulated box 264 is located in the compartment 214 and defines a cooling chamber 266. The box 264 has a forward surface 268, a rear surface 270 opposite the forward surface 268, a top surface 272 and a bottom surface 274.

[0040] The rear surface 270 of the box 264 defines a slot 238 that receives a Peltier module 240. Like the first embodiment, the Peltier module 240 has a heated surface 242 that is located in the compartment 214 outside of the box 264, and a cooled surface 244 that is located inside the cooling chamber 266 of the box 264.

[0041] A first heat sink 248 is connected to the cool surface 244 of the Peltier module 240 in the cooling chamber 266 of the box 264 for absorbing heat from the cooling chamber 266 for lowering a temperature of air in the cooling chamber 266. The forward surface 268 of the box 264 defines at least one cold air outlet 278 for emitting air out of the cooling chamber 266. The top surface 272 (or another of the surfaces) defines one or more box openings 280 for receiving air into the cooling chamber 266 of the box 264.

[0042] A first exhaust fan 230 overlies the cold air outlet 278 of the forward surface of the box 264 for expelling cooled air from the box 264 toward the first air outlet 228 along a flow path 232. [0043] A second heat sink 254 is connected to the hot surface 242 of the Peltier module 240 for radiating heat from the Peltier module 240 into the compartment 214 (outside of the cooling chamber 266 of the box 264). A second exhaust fan 252 is located adjacent to the second heat sink 254 for expelling hot air out of the second air outlet 250.

[0044] A misting mechanism 233 is configured to project a mist in the flow path 232 between the first exhaust fan 230 and the cooled air outlet 228. The misting mechanism 233 includes a water tank 234 for holding water or other suitable liquids located adjacent to the bottom wall 206 beneath the box 264. The misting mechanism also includes a hose 236 that extends between the water tank 234 and a location in the flow path 232. The misting mechanism 236 may also include a pump 237 that is configured to draw water from the water tank 234. The misting mechanism 233 may also include an atomizer 239 for atomizing liquid from the hose 236 into the mist.

[0045] A plurality of vents 260 are pivotally connected to the housing 202 at the air outlet 228 for controlling a direction of airflow out of the air outlet 228. The vents 260 could alternatively be fixed in place.

[0046] It should be appreciated that the second embodiment (and subsequently discussed embodiments) may include a similar controller, buttons, power supply and light emitter components as the first embodiment. The controller may be located at various locations inside or outside of the compartment. 214.

[0047] FIGS. 6 and 7 disclose a third embodiment of an air cooler 300. The third embodiment includes a housing 302 that extends about an axis A and generally has a ring shape. The housing 302 has an outside wall 378 that extends annularly about the axis and defines a compartment 314. An inside wall 380 that has a tube shape extends annularly about the axis A at a location that is radially inward of the outside wall 378. The inside wall 380 defines a channel 382, which constitutes part of the compartment 314. The housing 302 also has a front wall 308 and a rear wall 310 opposite the front wall 308 in the axial direction. Cooled and heated air outlets 328, 350 are defined by the front and rear walls 308, 310 of the housing 302 on opposing sides of the channel 382.

[0048] A Peltier module 340 is located in the channel 382 along the axis A and separates the channel 382 into a first, cooled chamber 322 on the side of the cooled air outlet 328 and a second, heated chamber 320 on the side of the heated air outlet 350. A first fan 330 is located in the first chamber 322 along the axis A for emitting air that has been cooled by the cooled surface 344 of the Peltier module 340 out of the cooled air outlet 328, and a second fan 352 is located in the second chamber 320 along the axis A for emitting air that has been heated by the heated side 310 of the Peltier module 340 out of the heated air outlet 350.

[0049] A first vertical divider 384 and a second vertical divider 386 each extend about the axis A and extend radially between the outside wall 378 and the inside wall 380 in parallel relationship with one another in the axial direction. An intake chamber 388 of the compartment 314 is defined between the first and second vertical dividers 384, 386 and between the outside and inside walls 378, 380. The outside wall 378 defines a plurality of intake holes 326 that extend into the intake chamber 388. Any number of intake holes 326 could be used. The inside wall 380 defines at least one inside intake opening 390 that extends into the first and second chambers 322, 320 for providing ambient air to the first and second chambers 322, 320.

[0050] A rear chamber 392 is located between the rear wall 310 and the first vertical divider 384 and between the outside and inside walls 378, 380. A front chamber 394 is located between the front wall 308 and the second vertical divider 386 and between the outside and inside walls 378, 380.

[0051] A misting mechanism 333 is located in the front chamber 394 and is configured to emit a mist between the first fan 330 and the cooled air outlet 238. Like the previously described misting mechanisms 333, the misting mechanism 333 may include a water tank 334 in the front chamber 394, a hose 336 that extends from the water tank 394 to a location between the first fan 330 and the cooled air outlet 328, a pump mechanism 337 for pumping water out of the water tank 334 and an atomizer 339 at an end of the hose 336.

[0052] Acontroller 356 is located in the front chamber 394 above the misting mechanism 333. A divider may be located in the front chamber 394 for sealingly separating the misting mechanism 333 from the controller 356.

[0053] A power source 346 such as a battery is located in the rear chamber 392. Again, an alternative power source such as mains electricity could also be employed. The power source 346 is electrically connected to the first and second fans 330, 352 and associated motors, the Peltier module 340, the misting mechanism 333, the controller 356 and any other electronic components of the air cooler 300 for powering the same. Other accessories could be held in the front and rear chambers 394, 392 as needed.

[0054] A first heat sink 348 is connected to the hot surface 342 in the heated chamber 320 of the channel 382 for radiating heat from the Peltier module 340. A second heat sink 354 is connected to the cooled surface 344 of the Peltier module 340 in the cooled chamber 322 of the channel 382 for absorbing heat from the channel 382 adjacent to the second heat sink 354 to transmit the heat to the heated surface 342 and to cool air in the cooled chamber 322.

[0055] Again, it should be appreciated that the third embodiment may include a similar controller, buttons, power supply and light emitter components as the first and second embodiments.

[0056] FIG. 8 discloses an arrangement of a water circulation line 409 (dashed line) that may be incorporated into any of the aforementioned embodiments that is configured to cool water that is pulled by the misting mechanism 433. More particularly, as shown, the water circulation line 409 extends out of the water tank 434, passes across the cooled surface 444 of the Peltier module 440 and reenters the water tank 434. A secondary pump 411 (schematically shown) is provided for pumping the water through the water circulation line 409. As the water passes the cooled surface 444 of the Peltier module 440, it is cooled prior to re-entering the water tank 434, thereby cooling the water in the water tank 434 and providing a cool mist via the misting mechanism 433.

[0057] FIG. 9 discloses a schematically shown arrangement which may be incorporated into any of the aforementioned embodiments in which the water tank 534 is positioned against the cool surface 544 of the Peltier module 540 in order to provide a similar cooling effect as discussed with regard to FIG. 8.

[0058] FIG. 9 further discloses a schematically shown arrangement which may be incorporated into any of the aforementioned embodiments in which a supplemental water tank 513 is positioned against the hot surface 542 of the Peltier module 540 in order to diffuse heat into water in the supplemental water tank 513 as a conduit. In other words, the supplemental water tank 513 functions as a radiator for absorbing heat from the hot surface 542.

[0059] It should be appreciated that any combination of the arrangements of FIGS. 8-10 may be used in conjunction with one another or separately from one another and any of the previously described embodiments.

[0060] It should be appreciated that the use of a Peltier module as the cooling device as discussed herein provides allows the air cooler to be configured in a simple, compact, lightweight and inexpensive manner. Due to the Peltier module’s small and simple configuration, it can be positioned in the housing in a manner such that it takes up minimal space while still providing an effective cooling effect in a targeted region of the housing. Furthermore, the Peltier module is able to quickly provide its cooling effect while not drawing a significant amount of power. Additionally, a size of the Peltier module may be varied to suit specific applications.

[0061] No part of the description in this application should be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential element that must be included in the claim scope. The scope of patented subject matter is defined only by the claims. Moreover, none of the claims is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless the exact words “means for” are followed by a participle.

[0062] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, use specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

[0063] While the disclosure has been described in connection with certain embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law. It is anticipated that the features of the various embodiments are combinable with one another even if not expressly stated.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. An air cooling device, comprising: a housing defining a compartment; a Peltier module at least partially dividing the compartment into a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the Peltier module has a cooled surface located in the first chamber and a heated surface located in the second chamber; the housing defining a first opening fluidly connected to the first chamber; and a first fan located in first chamber and configured to emit air from the first chamber that has been cooled by the cooled surface of the Peltier module through the first opening.

2. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing defines a second opening into the second chamber, and wherein a second fan is located in the second chamber and is configured to emit air from the second chamber that has been heated by the heated surface of the Peltier module through the second opening.

3. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 2, wherein the housing defines a third opening into the first chamber and configured to draw ambient air into the first chamber in response to movement of the first fan.

4. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a misting mechanism is configured to emit a mist between the first fan and the first opening such that mist is expelled with the cooled air from the first chamber through the first opening.

5. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 4, wherein the misting mechanism includes a water tank located in the compartment, a hose extending between the water tank and a location between the first fan and the first opening, and a pumping mechanism for pumping water from the water tank and through the hose to the location between the first fan and the first opening.

6. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 5 further including a water circulation line extending from the water tank, to a location adj acent to the cooled surface of the Peltier module and back to the water tank for cooling the water of the water tank.

7. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a first heat sink is located in the first chamber and connected to the cooled surface of the Peltier module for providing an expanded surface area for heat to transfer from air in the first compartment to the first heat sink, and wherein a second heat sink is located in the second chamber for providing an expanded surface area for heat from the heated surface of the Peltier module to transfer to air in the second chamber.

8. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 1, further including a control system configured to adjust a temperature setting of the Peltier module and configured to adjust a speed of the first fan.

9. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 8, wherein at least one button is located on the housing for permitting a user to adjust the temperature setting of the Peltier module and adjust the speed of the first fan.

10. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a divider extends across the compartment in a horizontal direction such that the first chamber is located beneath the divider and the second chamber is located above the divider and above the first chamber, wherein the divider defines a slot, and wherein the Peltier module is located in the slot of the divider.

11. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 10, wherein the housing has a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall, a pair of side walls extending between the front and rear walls, a top wall, and a bottom wall opposite the top wall, and wherein the first opening is defined by the front wall, and the second opening is defined by the top wall into the second chamber, and wherein a second fan is located in the second chamber for emitting air in the second chamber that has been heated by the heated side of the Peltier module out of the second chamber.

12. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 1, wherein a box is located in the compartment and defines the first chamber, and wherein the second chamber is located outside of the box in the compartment.

13. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 12, wherein the box has a forward surface and a rear surface opposite the forward surface, and wherein the Peltier module is located along the rear surface of the box with the cooled surface of the Peltier module located inside the first chamber of the box and the heated surface of the Peltier module located in the second chamber outside of the box, and wherein the forward surface of the box defines a box opening in alignment with the first opening of the housing such that cooled air from inside the box can be emitted through the box opening and first opening of the housing.

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14. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 13, wherein a misting mechanism includes a water tank located in the second chamber beneath the box, a hose extending between the water tank and a location between the first fan and the first opening, and a pumping mechanism for pumping water from the water tank and through the hose to the location between the first fan and the first opening such that mist is emitted through the first opening with the cooled air from the first chamber.

15. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 13, wherein the first fan is located in the box opening and is configured to emit cooled air from inside the box out of the first opening of the housing.

16. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the housing has an outside wall extending annularly about an axis and defining the compartment, an inside wall having a tube shape and extending annularly about the axis at a location that is radially inward of the outside wall and defining a channel of the compartment along the axis, wherein the Peltier module is located in the channel along the axis and separates the channel into the first chamber and the second chamber, and wherein the housing defines the first opening along the axis.

17. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 16, wherein the first fan is located in the first channel along the axis and is configured to emit air that has been cooled by the cooled surface of the Peltier module out of the channel.

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18. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 17, wherein a second fan is located in the second channel along the axis and is configured to emit air that has been heated by the cooled surface of the Peltier module out of the channel.

19. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 16, wherein a first vertical divider and a second vertical divider each extend about the axis and extend radially between the outside wall and the inside wall in parallel relationship with one another in the axial direction, wherein an intake chamber of the compartment is defined between the first and second vertical dividers and between the outside wall and the inside wall, and wherein the outside wall defines at least one intake hole extending into the intake chamber, and wherein the inside wall defines at least one inside hole extending into the first and second chambers for providing ambient air to the first and second chambers.

20. The air cooling device as set forth in claim 19, wherein the housing has a front wall and a rear wall opposite the front wall in the axial direction, wherein a rear chamber is located between the rear wall and the first vertical wall and between the outside wall and the inside wall, wherein a front chamber is located between the front wall and the second vertical wall and between the outside wall and the inside wall, and wherein a misting mechanism extends from the front chamber into first chamber between the first fan and the first opening for emitting a mist between the first fan and the first opening such that mist is emitted through the first opening with the cooled air from the first chamber.

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