U.S. patent application number 13/294253 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-17 for air-conditioning heat exchanger and air conditioner having the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI. Invention is credited to Hirokuni AKIYAMA, Takahisa BAN, Hirohisa KATO, Naoto MORISAKU, Masakazu MURASE, Naoya YOKOMACHI.
Application Number | 20120117983 13/294253 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44925424 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120117983 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AKIYAMA; Hirokuni ; et
al. |
May 17, 2012 |
AIR-CONDITIONING HEAT EXCHANGER AND AIR CONDITIONER HAVING THE
SAME
Abstract
The air-conditioning heat exchanger includes a plurality of
Peltier devices, a plurality of first heat transfer members, a
plurality of second heat transfer members, an air-conditioning
passage and a heat exchange medium passage. The air-conditioning
passage has therein the Peltier devices and the first heat transfer
members. The air-conditioning passage allows air to be
air-conditioned to flow therethrough. The air-conditioning passage
has a plurality of divided passages at least at positions that are
downstream of upstream ends of the first heat transfer members with
respect to an air flowing direction in which the air flows through
the air-conditioning passage. The Peltier device in each divided
passage is controlled separately from the Peltier device in other
divided passage. The heat exchange medium passage has therein the
second heat transfer members and allows fluid to flow through the
heat exchange medium passage.
Inventors: |
AKIYAMA; Hirokuni;
(Aichi-ken, JP) ; KATO; Hirohisa; (Aichi-ken,
JP) ; MORISAKU; Naoto; (Aichi-ken, JP) ;
YOKOMACHI; Naoya; (Aichi-ken, JP) ; MURASE;
Masakazu; (Aichi-ken, JP) ; BAN; Takahisa;
(Aichi-ken, JP) |
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA
JIDOSHOKKI
Kariya-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
44925424 |
Appl. No.: |
13/294253 |
Filed: |
November 11, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/3.4 ;
62/3.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 5/0042 20130101;
F24F 3/0527 20130101; B60H 1/00478 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/3.4 ;
62/3.2 |
International
Class: |
F25B 21/02 20060101
F25B021/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 12, 2010 |
JP |
2010-253926 |
Mar 22, 2011 |
JP |
2011-062977 |
Claims
1. An air-conditioning heat exchanger comprising: a plurality of
Peltier devices each having a first surface and a second surface
one of which serves as a heat absorbing surface and the other of
which serves as a heat radiating surface; a plurality of first heat
transfer members thermally connected to the first surfaces of the
Peltier devices, respectively; a plurality of second heat transfer
members thermally connected to the second surfaces of the Peltier
devices, respectively; an air-conditioning passage having therein
the Peltier devices and the first heat transfer members, the
air-conditioning passage allowing air to be air-conditioned to flow
therethrough, wherein the air-conditioning passage has a plurality
of divided passages at least at positions that are downstream of
upstream ends of the first heat transfer members with respect to an
air flowing direction in which the air flows through the
air-conditioning passage, wherein the Peltier device in each
divided passage is controlled separately from the Peltier device in
other divided passage; and a heat exchange medium passage having
therein the second heat transfer members and allowing fluid to flow
through the heat exchange medium passage.
2. The air-conditioning heat exchanger according to claim 1,
wherein each divided passage has therein a first Peltier device and
a second Peltier device that is located downstream of the first
Peltier device with respect to the air flowing direction, wherein
the first Peltier device and the second Peltier device are
controlled so as to differ in directions of electric currents
supplied to the first and second Peltier devices.
3. The air-conditioning heat exchanger according to claim 1,
wherein the divided passages are provided by a heating passage and
a dehumidification passage, wherein the Peltier device in the
heating passage and the Peltier device in the dehumidification
passage are controlled so as to differ in directions of electric
currents supplied to the Peltier devices.
4. The air-conditioning heat exchanger according to claim 3,
wherein the Peltier device in the heating passage is located
upstream of the Peltier device in the dehumidification passage with
respect to a fluid flowing direction in which the fluid flows
through the heat exchange medium passage.
5. The air-conditioning heat exchanger according to claim 3,
wherein the Peltier device in the heating passage is located
downstream of the Peltier device in the dehumidification passage
with respect to a fluid flowing direction in which the fluid flows
through the heat exchange medium passage.
6. An air conditioner comprising: an air-conditioning heat
exchanger comprising: a plurality of Peltier devices each having a
first surface and a second surface one of which serves as a heat
absorbing surface and the other of which serves as a heat radiating
surface; a plurality of first heat transfer members thermally
connected to the first surfaces of the Peltier devices,
respectively; a plurality of second heat transfer members thermally
connected to the second surfaces of the Peltier devices,
respectively; an air-conditioning passage having therein the
Peltier devices and the first heat transfer members, the
air-conditioning passage allowing air to be air-conditioned to flow
therethrough, wherein the air-conditioning passage has a heating
passage and a dehumidification passage at least at positions that
are downstream of upstream ends of the first heat transfer members
with respect to an air flowing direction in which the air flows
through the air-conditioning passage, wherein the Peltier device in
the heating passage is controlled separately from the Peltier
device in the dehumidification passage, wherein the Peltier device
in the heating passage and the Peltier device in the
dehumidification passage are controlled so as to differ in
directions of electric currents supplied to the Peltier devices;
and a heat exchange medium passage having therein the second heat
transfer members and allowing fluid to flow through the heat
exchange medium passage, and a duct having therein the
air-conditioning heat exchanger, the duct comprising: a heating
guide passage for guiding the air heated by the first heat transfer
member in the heating passage toward a heating outlet; and a
dehumidification guide passage for guiding the air cooled by the
first heat transfer member in the dehumidification passage toward a
dehumidification outlet.
7. The air conditioner according to claim 6, wherein the Peltier
device in the heating passage is located upstream of the Peltier
device in the dehumidification passage with respect to a fluid
flowing direction in which the fluid flows through the heat
exchange medium passage.
8. The air conditioner according to claim 7, wherein the Peltier
device in the heating passage is located downstream of the Peltier
device in the dehumidification passage with respect to a fluid
flowing direction in which the fluid flows through the heat
exchange medium passage.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an air-conditioning heat
exchanger and an air conditioner having the air-conditioning heat
exchanger. The air-conditioning heat exchanger is used as a cooler
core or heater core for air conditioning.
[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
10-300126 discloses a conventional air-conditioning heat exchanger
which includes a dehumidification Peltier device, a heating Peltier
device, a dehumidification heat-transfer member and a heating
heat-transfer member. One surface of the dehumidification Peltier
device serves as the heat absorbing surface and the other surface
serves as the heat radiating surface. One surface of the heating
Peltier device serves as the heat radiating surface and the other
surface serves as the heat absorbing surface. The dehumidification
heat-transfer member is fixed to the one surface of the
dehumidification Peltier device and the heating heat-transfer
member is fixed to the one surface of the heating Peltier
device.
[0003] The air-conditioning heat exchanger has an air-conditioning
passage and two heat exchange members. The air-conditioning passage
has therein the dehumidification heat-transfer member and the
heating heat-transfer member and allows air to be air-conditioned
to flow through the air-conditioning passage. The first heat
exchange member is in contact with the other surface of the
dehumidification Peltier device that serves as the heat radiating
surface and draws heat from the dehumidification Peltier device.
The second heat exchange member is in contact with the other
surface of the heating Peltier device that serves as the heat
absorbing surface and provides heat to the heating Peltier
device.
[0004] The dehumidification Peltier device and the dehumidification
heat-transfer member are located upstream of the heating Peltier
device and the heating heat-transfer member with respect to the
direction in which air flows through the air-conditioning
passage.
[0005] In the air-conditioning heat exchanger wherein air to be
air-conditioned flows through the air-conditioning passage, the air
is cooled by being in contact with the dehumidification
heat-transfer member and then heated by being in contact with the
heating heat-transfer member. Thus, the air-conditioning heat
exchanger provides heating and dehumidification of the air to be
air-conditioned.
[0006] There has been a need that the air-conditioning heat
exchanger should perform heating and dehumidification more
efficiently. However, the above-described conventional
air-conditioning heat exchanger is so configured that the entire
air to be air-conditioned is cooled by being in contact with the
dehumidification heat-transfer member and then heated by being in
contact with the heating heat-transfer member. In order that the
air-conditioning heat exchanger performs heating and
dehumidification efficiently, the air-conditioning passage needs to
be lengthened so that it takes a time that is long enough for the
entire air to be cooled and heated as desired. The lengthened
air-conditioning passage increases the size of the air conditioner
having the air-conditioning heat exchanger.
[0007] The present invention is directed to an air-conditioning
heat exchanger which provides efficient heating and
dehumidification and prevents the air conditioner from growing in
size. In addition, the present invention is directed to the air
conditioner which provides heating and defogging efficiently for
its size.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention,
the air-conditioning heat exchanger includes a plurality of Peltier
devices, a plurality of first heat transfer members, a plurality of
second heat transfer members, an air-conditioning passage and a
heat exchange medium passage. Each Peltier device has a first
surface and a second surface one of which serves as a heat
absorbing surface and the other of which serves as a heat radiating
surface. The first heat transfer members are thermally connected to
the first surfaces of the Peltier devices, respectively. The second
heat transfer members are thermally connected to the second
surfaces of the Peltier devices, respectively. The air-conditioning
passage has therein the Peltier devices and the first heat transfer
members. The air-conditioning passage allows air to be
air-conditioned to flow therethrough. The air-conditioning passage
has a plurality of divided passages at least at positions that are
downstream of upstream ends of the first heat transfer members with
respect to an air flowing direction in which the air flows through
the air-conditioning passage. The Peltier device in each divided
passage is controlled separately from the Peltier device in other
divided passage. The heat exchange medium passage has therein the
second heat transfer members and allows fluid to flow through the
heat exchange medium passage.
[0009] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,
the air conditioner includes an air-conditioning heat exchanger and
a duct having therein the air-conditioning heat exchanger. The
air-conditioning heat exchanger includes a plurality of Peltier
devices, a plurality of first heat transfer members, a plurality of
second heat transfer members, an air-conditioning passage and a
heat exchange medium passage. Each Peltier device has a first
surface and a second surface one of which serves as a heat
absorbing surface and the other of which serves as a heat radiating
surface. The first heat transfer members are thermally connected to
the first surfaces of the Peltier devices, respectively. The second
heat transfer members are thermally connected to the second
surfaces of the Peltier devices, respectively. The air-conditioning
passage has therein the Peltier devices and the first heat transfer
members. The air-conditioning passage allows air to be
air-conditioned to flow therethrough. The air-conditioning passage
has a heating passage and a dehumidification passage at least at
positions that are downstream of upstream ends of the first heat
transfer members with respect to an air flowing direction in which
the air flows through the air-conditioning passage. The Peltier
device in the heating passage is controlled separately from the
Peltier device in the dehumidification passage. The Peltier device
in the heating passage and the Peltier device in the
dehumidification passage are controlled so as to differ in
directions of electric currents supplied to the Peltier device. The
heat exchange medium passage has therein the second heat transfer
members and allows fluid to flow through the heat exchange medium
passage. The duct has a heating guide passage and a
dehumidification guide passage. The heating guide passage guides
the air heated by the first heat transfer member in the heating
passage toward a heating outlet. The dehumidification guide passage
guides the air cooled by the first heat transfer member in the
dehumidification passage toward a dehumidification outlet.
[0010] It is noted that the sentence "a plurality of first heat
transfer members are thermally connected to the first surfaces of
the Peltier devices" means not only that the plurality of the first
heat transfer members are directly connected to the first surfaces
of the Peltier devices, but also that the plurality of the first
heat transfer members are connected to the first surfaces of the
Peltier devices with a metallic plate interposed between the first
heat transfer members and the first surfaces of the Peltier
devices. That is, the sentence means that a plurality of first heat
transfer members are connected to the first surfaces of the Peltier
devices while the first heat transfer members and the first
surfaces of the Peltier devices allow heat transfer therebetween.
The same is true of the sentence "a plurality of second heat
transfer members are thermally connected to the second surfaces of
the Peltier devices."
[0011] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the
principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The invention together with objects and advantages thereof,
may best be understood by reference to the following description of
the presently preferred embodiments together with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a vehicle
air conditioner having an air-conditioning heat exchanger according
to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view showing the
air-conditioning heat exchanger as taken along the line II-II of
FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view
showing the air-conditioning heat exchanger of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIGS. 4A and 4B are illustrative views showing a layout of
Peltier device of a heating passage and Peltier device of a
dehumidification passage of the air-conditioning heat exchanger of
FIG. 1 relative to a heat exchange medium passage of the
air-conditioning heat exchanger and also showing the relation
between the flow direction of cooling water and temperature change
of cooling water;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross sectional view showing a vehicle
air conditioner according to a second embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic fragmentary cross sectional view
showing the vehicle air conditioner of FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The following will describe the air-conditioning heat
exchangers and the air conditioners according to the first and
second embodiments of the present invention with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an air-conditioning heat
exchanger 100, a power source 5, a pump 4, a radiator 3, an
air-conditioning fan 7 and a drive circuit 6 cooperate to form a
vehicle air conditioner. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the
air-conditioning fan 7 is located on the near side of the
air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 as seen in FIG. 1, as will be
appreciated from FIG. 2. The air conditioner is mounted on a
vehicle for modifying the condition of the air in 1.0 the cabin of
the vehicle or vehicle interior. Description and illustration of
known structure of the vehicle air conditioner will be omitted or
simplified appropriately.
[0021] The power source 5 is provided by a battery or electric
generator which is mounted on the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 1, the
pump 4 is connected in the pipe 2B which interconnects the
air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 and the radiator 3 for causing
cooling water or the heat-exchanger fluid in the pipe 2B to
circulate. Liquid such as water or gas such as air may be used as
the fluid. A long-life coolant (LLC) should preferably be used as
the cooling water. The cooling water flowing through the radiator 3
is cooled by heat exchange with outside air blown by a radiating
fan 3A of the radiator 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the air-conditioning
fan 7 is operable to blow air to be air-conditioned toward the
air-conditioning heat exchanger 100.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the air-conditioning heat
exchanger 100 includes a first heat exchanger tube 11, a second
heat exchanger tube 12, a third heat exchanger tube 13, a first
head 15, a second head 16 and an air-conditioning passage 50.
[0023] Each of the heat exchanger tubes 11, 12 and 13 is provided
by an elongated tube extending in horizontal direction (or in
lateral direction as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2). The heat exchanger
tubes 11, 12 and 13 are spaced in vertical direction (or in
vertical direction as seen FIG. 1, or in a direction perpendicular
to the plane of FIG. 2) and located parallel to each other. The
heat exchanger tubes 11, 12 and 13 have therein heat exchange
medium passages 11A, 12A and 13A, respectively, which allow cooling
water to flow therethrough. Each of the heat exchange medium
passages 11A, 12A and 13A has opened opposite ends in the
longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger tubes 11, 12 and
13.
[0024] The first head 15 is of a substantially rectangular shape
extending in vertical direction and one end of each of the heat
exchanger tubes 11, 12 and 13 is connected to the first head 15.
The first head 15 has therein a first cooling water passage 15A
which communicates with each of the heat exchange medium passages
11A, 12A and 13A at one end thereof for allowing cooling water to
flow therethrough. The first head 15 is closed at the upper end
thereof and connected at the lower end thereof to the radiator 3
via the pipe 2A.
[0025] The second head 16 is also of a substantially rectangular
shape extending in vertical direction and connected to the other
end of each of the heat exchanger tubes 11, 12 and 13. The second
head 16 has therein a second cooling water passage 16A which
communicates with each of the heat exchange medium passages 11A,
12A and 13A at the other end thereof for allowing cooling water to
flow therethrough. The second head 16 is closed at the upper end
thereof and connected at the lower end thereof to the radiator 3
via the pipe 2B.
[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, when the pump 4 is activated in normal
direction, cooling water pumped by the pump 4 flows through the
radiator 3, the pipe 2A and the first cooling water passage 15A and
then through the heat exchange medium passages 11A, 12A and 13A
from the one end to the other end thereof. The water flowing
direction in which cooling water flows through the heat exchange
medium passages 11A, 12A and 13A is indicated by D1, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 4A. After flowing through the second cooling water
passage 16A to the pipe 2B, the cooling water is returned to the
radiator 3 by the pump 4.
[0027] It is noted that the cooling water may flow through the heat
exchange medium passages 11A, 12A and 13A from the other end toward
the one end by operating the pump 4 in its reverse direction. The
water flowing direction in which the cooling water flows through
the heat exchange medium passages 11A, 12A and 13A in such a case
is indicated by D2, as shown in FIG. 4B.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 1, an upper wall 64 is provided between the
upper ends of the first head 15 and the second head 16. The upper
wall 64 is formed by a flat plate extending in horizontal
direction. The upper wall 64 is spaced upwardly from the first heat
exchanger tube 11 in parallel relation thereto.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, partition walls 61, 62 and 63 are
provided between the first head 15 and the second head 16. Each of
the partition walls 61, 62 and 63 is formed by a flat plate
extending in vertical direction. The partition walls 61, 62 and 63
are spaced in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchanger
tubes 11, 12 and 13 in parallel relation to each other.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 1, the air-conditioning heat exchanger 100
has therein three spaces surrounded by the heat exchanger tubes 11,
12 and 13, the upper wall 64, the partition wall 61 and the first
head 15. These three spaces are located one above the other, which
will be referred to as first air-conditioning passage 51. The
air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 also has therein three spaces
surrounded by the heat exchanger tubes 11, 12 and 13, the upper
wall 64, the partition wall 61 and the partition wall 62. These
three spaces are located one above the other, which will be
referred to as second air-conditioning passage 52. The
air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 further has therein three
spaces surrounded by the heat exchanger tubes 11, 12 and 13, the
upper wall 64, the partition wall 62 and the partition wall 63.
These three spaces are located one above the other, which will be
referred to as third air-conditioning passage 53. The
air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 further has therein three
spaces surrounded by the heat exchanger tubes 11, 12 and 13, the
upper wall 64, the partition wall 63 and the second head 16. These
three spaces are located one above the other, which will be
referred to as fourth air-conditioning passage 54.
[0031] The air to be air-conditioned and blown toward the
air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 by the air-conditioning fan 7
is distributed to the four air-conditioning passages 51-54, as
shown in FIG. 2. After flowing through the four air-conditioning
passages 51-54, the air is flowed out of the four air-conditioning
passages 51-54 toward the opposite side of the air-conditioning
heat exchanger 100 from the air-conditioning fan 7. In this case,
the partition walls 61, 62 and 63 function to divide the streams of
air flowing through the four air-conditioning passages 51-54 so
that no mixing air streams occur. It is noted that the air streams
in the four air-conditioning passages 51-54 flow from the near side
to the far side of the plane of FIG. 1. The four divided passages
or air-conditioning passages 51-54 serve as the air-conditioning
passage 50 of the present invention. Of the air-conditioning
passage 50, the first and second air-conditioning passages 51 and
52 serve as the heating passage of the present invention, and the
third and fourth air-conditioning passages 53 and 54 serve as the
dehumidification passage of the present invention.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the vehicle air conditioner has a duct
200 which forms a heating guide passage 56 and a dehumidification
guide passage 57. The heating guide passage 56 and the
dehumidification guide passage 57 are disposed on the opposite side
of the air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 from the
air-conditioning fan 7.
[0033] The heating guide passage 56 guides air flowing out of the
first and second air-conditioning passages 51 and 52 toward a
heating outlet (not shown) that is opened to the vehicle interior.
The air flowing out of the heating outlet is blown toward the
passenger in the vehicle interior.
[0034] The dehumidification guide passage 57 guides air flowing out
of the third and fourth air-conditioning passages 53 and 54 toward
a dehumidification outlet (not shown) that is opened to the vehicle
interior. The air flowing out of the dehumidification outlet is
blown toward the windshield of the vehicle.
[0035] The air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 has twelve Peltier
devices 20, as shown in FIG. 1. More specifically, four Peltier
devices 20 are disposed on the top of each of the first through
third heat exchanger tubes 11, 12 and 13. That is, three Peltier
devices 20 are disposed vertically in each of the first through
fourth air-conditioning passages 51-54.
[0036] Since the Peltier device 20 per se is known in the art, only
the simplified description of the Peltier device 20 will be
provided below. As shown in FIG. 3, each Peltier device 20 has a
first insulated substrate 21 formed by a flat plate, a second
insulated substrate 22 formed by a flat plate, a plurality of
thermoelectric conversion chips 25 and a wiring pattern 26. The
second insulated substrate 22 is downwardly spaced from the first
insulated substrate 21 in parallel relation thereto. The
thermoelectric conversion chips 25 are held between the first
insulated substrate 21 and the second insulated substrate 22. The
wiring pattern 26 is formed on the opposing surfaces of the first
insulated substrate 21 and the second insulated substrate 22 so as
to electrically connect the thermoelectric conversion chips 25 to
the first insulated substrate 21 and the second insulated substrate
22.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the aforementioned drive circuit 6 has
four pairs of electric supply lines 6A and 6B through which power
supplied from the power source 5 is distributed to the respective
Peltier devices 20. As shown in FIG. 3, the wiring pattern 26 has
one end 26A and the other end 26B that are electrically connected
to their corresponding electric supply lines 6A and 6B.
[0038] In the first embodiment, the Peltier devices 20 are divided
into two groups that are controlled separately from one group to
the other. One group of the Peltier devices 20 is disposed in the
heating passage and the other is disposed in the dehumidification
passage. That is, when the drive circuit 6 applies electric current
I1 to the wiring pattern 26 in such a way that the current I1 flows
from the one end 26A to the other end 26B of the wiring pattern 26
via the electric supply lines 6A and 6B, the top surface 21A of the
first insulated substrate 21 serves as the heat radiating surface
and the bottom surface 22A of the second insulated substrate 22
serves as the heat absorbing surface. When the drive circuit 6
applies electric current I2 to the wiring pattern 26 in such a way
that the current I2 flows from the other end 26B to the one end 26A
via the electric supply lines 6A and 6B, the top surface 21A of the
first insulated substrate 21 serves as the heat absorbing surface
and the bottom surface 22A of the second insulated substrate 22
serves as the heat radiating surface. The top surface 21A of the
first insulated substrate 21 serves as the first surface of the
Peltier device of the present invention and the bottom surface 22A
of the second insulated substrate 22 serves as the second surface
of the Peltier device of the present invention.
[0039] is The air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 further has a
plurality of first heat transfer members 31 that are fixed on the
top surfaces 21A of the respective first insulated substrates 21 of
the Peltier devices 20 and a plurality of second heat transfer
members 32 that are fixed on the bottom surfaces 22A of the
respective second insulated substrates 22 of the Peltier devices
20. The air-conditioning passage 50 has the four divided passages
or four air-conditioning passages 51-54 at positions that are
downstream of the upstream ends of the first heat transfer members
31 with respect to an air flowing direction in which air flows
through the air-conditioning passages 51-54.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 1, three first heat transfer members 31 are
disposed in each of the first through fourth air-conditioning
passages 51-54. Four second heat transfer members 32 are mounted to
each of the first through third heat exchanger tubes 11-13 and
located in their corresponding heat exchange medium passages
11A-13A. More specifically, each of the first through third heat
exchanger tubes 11-13 has radially therethrough four openings 14 in
which the Peltier devices 20 are mounted, as shown in FIG. 3. The
second insulated substrate 22 of each Peltier device 20 is fixed at
the bottom surface 22A thereof to its corresponding heat exchanger
tubes 11-13 via an O ring 14A in close contact with the periphery
of the opening 14, so that the opening 14 is sealed and the second
heat transfer member 32 fixed to the bottom surface 22A is disposed
projecting into its corresponding heat exchange medium passages
11A-13A via the opening 14.
[0041] The first heat transfer member 31 is provided by a known
heat exchanger member formed by cutting an aluminum extrusion with
a comb-teeth shape in cross section and has a plurality of radiator
plates. Each radiator plate of the first heat transfer member 31
extends along the flow direction of air blown by the
air-conditioning fan 7 as shown in FIG. 2 for a distance that is
long enough for the air to be in contact with the radiator plate
for a long period of time with reduced resistance against the air
flow.
[0042] The second heat transfer member 32 is provided by a known
heat exchanger member as in the case of the first heat transfer
member 31. The second heat transfer member 32 also has a plurality
of radiator plates. Although not shown in the drawings, each
radiator plate of the second heat transfer member 32 extends along
the longitudinal direction of the first through third heat
exchanger tubes 11-13 for a distance that is long enough for the
cooling water flowing through the heat exchange medium passages
11A-13A to be in contact with the radiator plate for a long period
of time with reduced resistance against the flow of the cooling
water.
[0043] The first and second heat transfer members 31 and 32 are not
limited to the above structure, but may be provided by a corrugated
heat transfer member formed by bending thin plates in a wavy
manner. The first and second heat transfer members 31 and 32 may be
formed of fins or a heat exchange passage through which fluid
flows.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the first pair of electric supply lines
6A and 6B extending from the drive circuit 6 is electrically
connected to the wiring pattern 26 of each Peltier device 20 in the
first air-conditioning passage 51. The second pair of electric
supply lines 6A and 6B extending from the drive circuit 6 is
electrically connected to the wiring pattern 26 of each Peltier
device 20 in the second air-conditioning passage 52. The third pair
of electric supply lines 6A and 6B extending from the drive circuit
6 is electrically connected to the wiring pattern 26 of each
Peltier device 20 in the third air-conditioning passage 53. The
fourth pair of electric supply lines 6A and 6B extending from the
drive circuit 6 is electrically connected to the wiring pattern 26
of each Peltier device 20 in the fourth air-conditioning passage
54.
[0045] The drive circuit 6 is configured to apply the
aforementioned electric current I1 to the three Peltier devices 20
in the first air-conditioning passage 51 and the three Peltier
devices 20 in the second air-conditioning passage 52. In each
Peltier device 20 in the first and second air-conditioning passages
51 and 52, therefore, the top surface 21A of the first insulated
substrate 21 serves as the heat radiating surface and the bottom
surface 22A of the second insulated substrate 22 serves as the heat
absorbing surface. Thus, the first heat transfer member 31 fixed to
the top surface 21A allows the air flowing through the first and
second air-conditioning passages 51 and 52 to be heated.
[0046] The drive circuit 6 is configured also to apply the
aforementioned electric current I2 to the three Peltier devices 20
in the third air-conditioning passage 53 and the three Peltier
devices 20 in the fourth air-conditioning passage 54. In each
Peltier device 20 in the third and fourth air-conditioning passages
53 and 54, therefore, the top surface 21A of the first insulated
substrate 21 serves as the heat absorbing surface and the bottom
surface 22A of the second insulated substrate 22 serves as the heat
radiating surface. Thus, the first heat transfer member 31 fixed to
the top surface 21A allows the air flowing through the third and
fourth air-conditioning passages 53 and 54 to be cooled. In this
case, dehumidification is accomplished by cooling the air to
dew-point temperature.
[0047] Thus, the Peltier devices 20 in the first and second
air-conditioning passages 51 and 52 serve to heat the vehicle
interior and the Peltier devices 20 in the third and fourth
air-conditioning passages 53 and 54 serve to dehumidify the vehicle
interior. That is, the Peltier devices 20 are divided into two
groups, one belonging to the first and second air-conditioning
passages 51 and 52 (the heating passage) and the other of which
belongs to the third and fourth air-conditioning passages 53 and 54
(the dehumidification passage).
[0048] When air is blown toward the air-conditioning heat exchanger
100 by the air-conditioning fan 7, the blown air is distributed to
the four air-conditioning passages 51-54. The air flowing through
the four air-conditioning passages 51-54 is heated or cooled by
being in contact with the first heat transfer members 31 in the
four air-conditioning passages 51-54.
[0049] More specifically, the air flowing through the first and
second air-conditioning passages 51 and 52 is heated by the first
heat transfer members 31 of the Peltier devices 20 in the first and
second air-conditioning passages 51 and 52. The air heated in the
first and second air-conditioning passages 51 and 52 and guided to
the heating outlet (not shown) by the heating guide passage 56
causes the vehicle interior to be heated efficiently without being
mixed with the cooled air.
[0050] On the other hand, the air flowing through the third and
fourth air-conditioning passages 53 and 54 is cooled by the first
heat transfer members 31 of the Peltier devices 20 in the third and
fourth air-conditioning passages 53 and 54. The air cooled in the
third and fourth air-conditioning passages 53 and 54 and guided to
the dehumidification outlet (not shown) by the dehumidification
guide passage 57 causes the windshield of the vehicle to be
defogged efficiently without being mixed with the heated air. Thus,
the air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 provides heating and
dehumidification efficiently.
[0051] In this case, the provision of the partition walls 61-63
prevents the air heated in the first and second air-conditioning
passages 51 and 52 and the air cooled in the third and fourth
air-conditioning passages 53 and 54 from being mixed with each
other. Therefore, the air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 can
shorten the air-conditioning passage such as 50 as compared to the
conventional air-conditioning heat exchanger where the entire air
to be air-conditioned is cooled and then heated. Consequently, the
air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 prevents the vehicle air
conditioner from growing in size.
[0052] Therefore, the air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 prevents
the vehicle air conditioner from growing in size while providing
heating and dehumidification efficiently. In addition, the vehicle
air conditioner provides heating and defogging efficiently for its
size.
[0053] In the air-conditioning heat exchanger 100, when the first
heat transfer members 31 of the Peltier devices 20 in the first and
second air-conditioning passages 51 and 52 are heated, for example,
to 50 degrees Celsius for heating, the paired second heat transfer
members 32 need to absorb heat from the cooling water in accordance
with the heating of the first heat transfer members 31. When the
first heat transfer members 31 of the Peltier devices 20 in the
third and fourth air-conditioning passages 53 and 54 are cooled,
for example, to 5 degrees Celsius for dehumidification, the paired
second heat transfer members 32 need to provide heat to the cooling
water in accordance with the cooling of the first heat transfer
members 31.
[0054] When the pump 4 is operating in normal direction so that the
cooling water flowing through the heat exchange medium passages
11A-13A flows in the direction D1 shown in FIG. 4A, the Peltier
devices 20 in the first and second air-conditioning passages 51 and
52 are located upstream of the Peltier devices 20 in the third and
fourth air-conditioning passages 53 and 54 with respect to the
water flowing direction D1. When the cooling water in the first
cooling water passage 15A with a temperature of, for example, 10
degrees Celsius flows through the heat exchange medium passages
11A-13A, the second heat transfer members 32 of the Peltier devices
20 in the first and second air-conditioning passages 51 and 52
draws heat from the cooling water and the temperature of the
cooling water drops, for example, to 5 degrees Celsius. This
cooling water draws heat positively from the second heat transfer
members 32 of the Peltier devices 20 in the third and fourth
air-conditioning passages 53 and 54. Thus, the temperature of the
cooling water rises, for example, to 10 degrees Celsius again.
Consequently, the air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 enhances the
capacity of dehumidification of the Peltier devices 20 in the third
and fourth air-conditioning passages 53 and 54.
[0055] More specifically, the bottom surface 22A of each Peltier
device 20 in the third and fourth air-conditioning passages 53 and
54 radiates the heat to which power supplied from the drive circuit
6 to the Peltier device 20 is converted and the heat which is used
for cooling the air at the top surface 21A. Thus, while the bottom
surface 22A is liable to transfer a large amount of heat, the top
surface 21A transfers a small amount of heat. Therefore, cooling
the cooling water by contact with the second heat transfer members
32 of the Peltier device 20 in the first and second
air-conditioning passages 51 and 52 and then allowing the water to
be in contact with the second heat transfer members 32 of the
Peltier devices 20 in the third and fourth air-conditioning
passages 53 and 54, the amount of heat transferred from the top
surface 21A is increased.
[0056] When the pump 4 is operating in reverse direction so that
the cooling water flowing through the heat exchange medium passages
11A-13A flows in the direction D2 shown in FIG. 4B, the Peltier
devices 20 in the first and second air-conditioning passages 51 and
52 are located downstream of the Peltier devices 20 in the third
and fourth air-conditioning passages 53 and 54 with respect to the
water flowing direction D2. When the cooling water in the second
cooling water passage 16A with a temperature of, for example, 10
degrees Celsius flows through the heat exchange medium passages
11A-13A, the cooling water draws heat from the second heat transfer
members 32 of the Peltier devices 20 in the third and fourth
air-conditioning passages 53 and 54, thereby raising the water
temperature, for example, to 15 degrees Celsius. This cooling water
provides heat positively to the second heat transfer members 32 of
the Peltier devices 20 in the first and second air-conditioning
passages 51 and 52, thereby lowering the water temperature, for
example, to 10 degrees Celsius again. Consequently, the
air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 raises the temperature range of
the cooling water to such a range as between 10 and 15.degree. C.,
so that the air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 enhances the
operating temperature of the Peltier devices 20. Since the Peltier
device 20 is efficient when operating at an averagely high
operating temperature, the efficiency of the air conditioning of
the air-conditioning heat exchanger 100 of the above-described
embodiment is improved.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 showing the vehicle air
conditioner of the second embodiment, the air conditioner has a
duct 201, first and second air-conditioning heat exchangers 101 and
102 in the duct 201.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 5, the duct 201 has therein an
air-conditioning passage 70. The duct 201 has at the upstream end
thereof an opening 201A and an opening 201B as viewed in the air
flowing direction. The opening 201A is used for allowing the inside
air into the air-conditioning passage 70. The opening 201B is used
for allowing the outside air into the air-conditioning passage 70.
The openings 201A and 201B are opened and closed selectively by a
flapper 203. A sirocco fan 8 is located in the air-conditioning
passage 70 at a position between the openings 201A, 201B and the
air-conditioning heat exchangers 101, 102. The sirocco fan 8 is
driven to rotate by a motor 8A.
[0059] A partition wall 202 is provided in the duct 201 and extends
in an air flowing direction in which air flows through the duct
201. The partition wall 202 divides the air-conditioning passage 70
into two divided passages having a heating passage 70A and a
dehumidification passage 70B. The partition wall 202 extends
through the sirocco fan 8 so that part of the sirocco fan 8 is
located in the heating passage 70A while the remaining part is
located in the dehumidification passage 70B for supplying inside
air or outside air to the heating passage 70A and the
dehumidification passage 70B. As shown in FIG. 6, the duct 201 has
therein the heating guide passage 56 and the dehumidification guide
passage 57 at positions that are downstream of the first and second
air-conditioning heat exchangers 101, 102 as in the case of the
first embodiment. The heating guide passage 56 guides air to the
heating outlet in the vehicle interior and the dehumidification
guide passage 57 guides air to the dehumidification outlet.
[0060] The first and second air-conditioning heat exchangers 101,
102 are substantially the same as the counterparts of the first
embodiment. The partition wall 202 extends through the first and
second air-conditioning heat exchangers 101, 102 so that part of
the first and second air-conditioning heat exchangers 101, 102 is
located in the heating passage 70A while the remaining part is
located in the dehumidification passage 70B. Thus, as shown in FIG.
6, the heating passage 70A has therein a first heating Peltier
device 20A and a second heating Peltier device 20B that is located
downstream of the first heating Peltier device 20A with respect to
the air flowing direction. The dehumidification passage 70B has
therein a first dehumidification Peltier device 20C and a second
dehumidification Peltier device 20D that is located downstream of
the first dehumidification Peltier device 20C with respect to the
air flowing direction.
[0061] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the second head 16 of the first
air-conditioning heat exchanger 101 is connected to a first
radiator 301 by a pipe 2C in which a first pump 401 is mounted. The
first radiator 301 is connected to the first head 15 of the first
air-conditioning heat exchanger 101 by a pipe 2D. The second head
16 of the second air-conditioning heat exchanger 102 is connected
by a pipe 2E to an engine 500, which is in turn connected to a
second radiator 302 by a pipe 2F in which a second pump 402 is
mounted. The second radiator 302 is connected to the first head 15
of the second air-conditioning heat exchanger 102 by a pipe 2G.
[0062] The first heating Peltier device 20A, the second heating
Peltier device 20B, the first dehumidification Peltier device 20C
and the second dehumidification Peltier device 20D are controlled
separately by the drive circuit 6 as in the case of the first
embodiment.
[0063] The operation of the first heating Peltier device 20A is
controlled so that the first heat transfer member 31 absorbs heat.
Thus, the first heating Peltier device 20A is operable to
dehumidify the air flowing through the heating passage 70A. The
operation of the second heating Peltier device 20B is controlled so
that the first heat transfer member 31 radiates heat. Thus, the
second heating Peltier device 20B is operable to heat the air
flowing through the heating passage 70A. The air flowing through
the heating passage 70A and blown toward the passenger in the
vehicle interior heats the vehicle interior while preventing the
windshield of the vehicle from being fogged.
[0064] Application of electric current to the first
dehumidification Peltier device 20C is stopped for saving power.
The operation of the second dehumidification Peltier device 20D is
controlled so that the first heat transfer member 31 absorbs heat.
Thus, the second dehumidification Peltier device 20D is operable to
dehumidify the air flowing through the dehumidification passage
70B. The air flowing through the dehumidification passage 70B is
blown against the windshield of the vehicle. When the windshield
tends to be fogged easily, the operation of the first
dehumidification Peltier device 20C is also controlled so that the
first heat transfer member 31 absorbs heat. Thus, the windshield of
the vehicle is prevented positively from being fogged.
[0065] The vehicle air conditioner of the second embodiment offers
substantially the same effects as that of the first embodiment. In
particular, the vehicle air conditioner of the second embodiment is
operable to heat the vehicle interior efficiently in view of the
fog of the windshield.
[0066] The present invention has been described in the context of
the first and second embodiments, but it is not limited to the
embodiments. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the
invention may be practiced in various manners as exemplified
below.
[0067] In the first embodiment, by changing the water flowing
direction from D2 to D1, the Peltier devices 20 in the first and
second air-conditioning passages (heating passages) 51 and 52 are
located upstream of the Peltier devices 20 in the third and fourth
air-conditioning passages (dehumidification passages) 53 and 54
with respect to the water flowing direction D1. By changing the
water flowing direction from D1 to D2, the Peltier devices 20 in
the first and second air-conditioning passages (heating passages)
51 and 52 are located downstream of the Peltier devices 20 in the
third and fourth air-conditioning passages (dehumidification
passages) 53 and 54 with respect to the water flowing direction D2.
However, the present invention is not limited to such structure of
the first embodiment.
[0068] Switching the directions of electric current to be applied
by the drive circuit 6 to the four pairs of electric supply lines
6A and 6B, the function of the Peltier devices 20 in the first and
second air-conditioning passages (heating passages) 51 and 52 and
of the Peltier devices 20 in the third and fourth air-conditioning
passages (dehumidification passages) 53 and 54 may be changed. In
this case, the same effects of the first embodiment are achieved
without changing the water flowing direction.
[0069] The timing at which the water flowing direction is switched
between D1 and D2 may be determined in such a way that when
dehumidification load is high, the water flowing direction D2 is
switched to D1 for increasing the dehumidification capacity of the
Peltier devices 20 in the third and fourth air-conditioning
passages 53 and 54 and when dehumidification load is low, the water
flowing direction D1 is switched to D2 for increasing the operating
efficiency of the Peltier devices 20.
[0070] Although the water flowing direction is switchable between
D1 and D2, the water flowing direction may be fixed to either one
of D1 and D2. In this case, the direction D1 is advantageous over
D2 in that the dehumidification capacity of the Peltier devices 20
in the third and fourth air-conditioning passages (dehumidification
passages) 53 and 54 is enhanced and, therefore, any humidity change
in the vehicle interior can be met positively and rapidly.
[0071] Although in the first and second embodiments the number of
Peltier devices 20 of the first and second air-conditioning
passages (heating passages) 51 and 52 is six and the number of
Peltier devices 20 of the third and fourth air-conditioning
passages (dehumidification passages) 53 and 54 is six, the first
and second embodiments may be modified by changing the number of
the Peltier devices 20. When the dehumidification load is high, it
may be so arranged that the number of Peltier devices 20 of the
first and second air-conditioning passages (heating passages) 51
and 52 is reduced to, for example, three and the number of Peltier
devices 20 of the third and fourth air-conditioning passages
(dehumidification passages) 53 and 54 is increased to nine. In this
case, however, the heating guide passage 56 and the
dehumidification guide passage 57 need to be modified, accordingly,
so that no mixing air to be cooled and air to be heated occurs.
[0072] In the above embodiments, the first heat transfer member and
the second heat transfer member are provided for each Peltier
device. According to the present invention, however, the first heat
transfer member and the second heat transfer member may be provided
so as to cover a plurality of Peltier devices.
[0073] The present invention is usable not only for the vehicle air
conditioner but also for an air conditioner of a building.
* * * * *