U.S. patent application number 13/302440 was filed with the patent office on 2012-05-24 for air conditioner.
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 | 20120125013 13/302440 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45217257 |
Filed Date | 2012-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120125013 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AKIYAMA; Hirokuni ; et
al. |
May 24, 2012 |
AIR CONDITIONER
Abstract
The air conditioner includes an air-conditioning core, a first
air-conditioning passage, a liquid passage and a second
air-conditioning passage. The core includes a Peltier device having
first and second surfaces, a first surface-side passage and a
second surface-side passage. The second surface-side passage has a
first passage and a second passage that transfer heat therebetween.
The first air-conditioning passage is connected to the first
surface-side passage for allowing first air-conditioning air in the
first air-conditioning passage to flow through the first
surface-side passage. The liquid passage is connected to the first
passage for allowing liquid that serves as a heat transfer medium
to flow through the first passage. The second air-conditioning
passage is connected to the second passage for allowing second
air-conditioning air in the second air-conditioning passage to flow
through the second passage. The first air-conditioning air and the
second air-conditioning air are usable for air conditioning a
room.
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: |
45217257 |
Appl. No.: |
13/302440 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/3.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 21/02 20130101;
B60H 1/00478 20130101; F24F 5/0042 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/3.2 |
International
Class: |
F25B 21/02 20060101
F25B021/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 24, 2010 |
JP |
2010-260849 |
Claims
1. An air conditioner comprising: an air-conditioning core
comprising: a Peltier device 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 first
surface-side passage located adjacent to the first surface of the
Peltier device; and a second surface-side passage located adjacent
to the second surface of the Peltier device, the second
surface-side passage having a first passage and a second passage
that transfer heat therebetween; a first air-conditioning passage
connected to the first surface-side passage for allowing first
air-conditioning air in the first air-conditioning passage to flow
through the first surface-side passage, wherein the first
air-conditioning air is usable for air conditioning a room; a
liquid passage connected to the first passage for allowing liquid
that serves as a heat transfer medium to flow through the first
passage; and a second air-conditioning passage connected to the
second passage for allowing second air-conditioning air in the
second air-conditioning passage to flow through the second passage,
wherein the second air-conditioning air is usable for air
conditioning the room.
2. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first
passage is opened to the atmosphere via a relief valve.
3. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the second
passage has a valve that is operable to open and close the second
passage.
4. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the Peltier
device, the first passage and the second passage are disposed in
such superposed relation that the first passage is superposed on
the second surface of the Peltier device and the second passage is
superposed on the first passage.
5. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein one of the
first passage and the second passage has a right-side passage and a
left-side passage and the other of the first passage and the second
passage is held between the right-side passage and the left-side
passage.
6. The air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the first
surface-side passage has therein a first air-conditioning fin, the
first passage has therein a heat source-side fin, and the second
passage has therein a second air-conditioning fin.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner.
[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-200877
discloses an air conditioner having an air-conditioning core. The
air-conditioning core includes a Peltier device having a first
surface that serves as a heat absorbing surface and a second
surface that serves as a heat radiating surface, a first
surface-side passage located adjacent to the first surface of the
Peltier device and a second surface-side passage located adjacent
to the second surface of the Peltier device. A first
air-conditioning passage is connected to the first surface-side
passage and allows first air-conditioning air used for air
conditioning a room to flow therethrough via a first fan. A second
air-conditioning passage is connected to the second surface-side
passage and allows second air-conditioning air used for air
conditioning the room to flow therethrough via a second fan. The
air conditioner has therein a valve that makes or shuts off the
fluid communication between the first air-conditioning passage and
the second air-conditioning passage.
[0003] In the air-conditioning core of the above-described air
conditioner, the Peltier device absorbs heat from the first
air-conditioning air in the first surface-side passage and radiates
heat to the second air-conditioning air in the second surface-side
passage, so that the first air-conditioning air is cooled and the
second air-conditioning air is heated. Thus, the air conditioner
allows the first air-conditioning air to cool the room and also
allows the second air-conditioning air to heat the room.
[0004] When the valve is opened to make the communication between
the first air-conditioning passage and the second air-conditioning
passage, the cooled and dehumidified first air-conditioning air is
reheated or conditioned by the second air-conditioning air. Thus,
the above-described air conditioner functions to dehumidify the air
in the room while controlling the temperature of the air in the
room.
[0005] In the above-described air conditioner, the medium from and
to which heat is absorbed and radiated by the Peltier device,
respectively, or the medium via which heat transfer is performed by
the Peltier device, is restricted to air. The Peltier device using
air as the medium can transfer only a small amount of heat. Thus,
it is hard to cool the first air-conditioning air efficiently and
to heat the second air-conditioning air efficiently. Therefore,
there is fear that the room may not be cooled or heated
sufficiently. There is also fear that the air in the room may not
be dehumidified sufficiently for the same reason.
[0006] The present invention which has been made in view of the
above problems is directed to an air conditioner that is capable of
providing sufficient air conditioning of a room.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the
air conditioner includes an air-conditioning core, a first
air-conditioning passage, a liquid passage and a second
air-conditioning passage. The air-conditioning core includes a
Peltier device 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 first surface-side passage
located adjacent to the first surface of the Peltier device and a
second surface-side passage located adjacent to the second surface
of the Peltier device. The second surface-side passage has a first
passage and a second passage that transfer heat therebetween. The
first air-conditioning passage is connected to the first
surface-side passage for allowing first air-conditioning air in the
first air-conditioning passage to flow through the first
surface-side passage. The first air-conditioning air is usable for
air conditioning a room. The liquid passage is connected to the
first passage for allowing liquid that serves as a heat transfer
medium to flow through the first passage. The second
air-conditioning passage is connected to the second passage for
allowing second air-conditioning air in the second air-conditioning
passage to flow through the second passage. The second
air-conditioning air is usable for air conditioning the room.
[0008] 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
[0009] 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:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an air
conditioner according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a controller of the
air conditioner of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing
the state of an air-conditioning core of the air conditioner of
FIG. 1 when the air conditioner is at a stop;
[0013] FIG. 4 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing
the state of the air-conditioning core of the air conditioner of
FIG. 1 when the air conditioner is in cooling or heating
operation;
[0014] FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view showing
the state of the air-conditioning core of the air conditioner of
FIG. 1 when the air conditioner is in dehumidification
operation;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 5, but
illustrating the convection flow of air or cooling water in a first
passage of the air-conditioning core;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an air conditioner
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the state of an
air-conditioning core of the air conditioner of FIG. 7 when the air
conditioner is at a stop;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A'
of FIG. 7, showing the air-conditioning core of the air conditioner
that is at a stop;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A'
of FIG. 7, showing the air-conditioning core of the air conditioner
that is in cooling or heating operation;
[0020] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along the line A-A'
of FIG. 7, showing the air-conditioning core of the air conditioner
that is in dehumidification operation;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 11, but
illustrating the convection flow of air or cooling water flowing in
a first passage of the air-conditioning core;
[0022] FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 9, but
showing an air-conditioning core of an air conditioner according to
a third embodiment of the present invention and illustrating the
state when the air conditioner is at a stop;
[0023] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of an air-conditioning
core of an air conditioner according to a fourth embodiment of the
present invention, showing the state when the air conditioner is at
a stop; and
[0024] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of an air-conditioning
core of an air conditioner according to a fifth embodiment of the
present invention, showing the state when the air conditioner is at
a stop.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The following will describe the air conditioners according
to the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 1 showing the air conditioner of the first
embodiment, the air conditioner is mounted on a vehicle for air
conditioning the cabin of the vehicle or vehicle interior. The air
conditioner includes an air-conditioning core 100, a radiator 3,
pipes 17, 19, 21, 25, 33, 35, 29 and 31 and a controller 5 which is
shown in FIG. 2. The pipes 17 and 19 serve as the first
air-conditioning passage of the present invention. The pipes 21,
25, 33 and 35 serve as the liquid passage of the present invention.
The pipes 29 and 31 serve as the second air-conditioning passage of
the present invention. The controller 5 is connected to a battery
5A that serves as the power source of the present invention. It is
noted that gravity G shown in FIG. 1 acts on the air-conditioning
core 100 of the first embodiment downward as seen in FIG. 1. The
same is true of the second through fifth embodiments as will be
described later.
[0027] The air-conditioning core 100 has a Peltier device 7 with a
first surface 7A and a second surface 7B, a first surface-side
passage 9 located adjacent to the first surface 7A of the Peltier
device 7 and a second surface-side passage 10 located adjacent to
the second surface 7B, as shown in FIG. 3. The first surface 7A is
the lower surface of the Peltier device 7. The Peltier device 7 has
an insulated substrate 8A forming the first surface 7A, an
insulated substrate 8B forming the second surface 7B, and a
plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 8C held between the
insulated substrates 8A and 8B. The second surface-side passage 10
includes a first passage 11 and a second passage 13 that can
transfer heat therebetween. An electrically-operated flap valve 15
is connected in the second passage 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the flap
valve 15 and the Peltier device 7 are electrically connected to the
battery 5A.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the Peltier device 7, the first passage
11 and the second passage 13 are disposed in such superposed
relation that the first passage 11 is superposed on the second
surface 7B of the Peltier device 7 and the second passage 13 is
superposed on the first passage 11. That is, the second passage 13
is located on the opposite side of the first passage 11 from the
Peltier device 7. The first surface-side passage 9 has therein a
first air-conditioning fin 9A, the first passage 11 of the second
surface-side passage 10 has therein a heat source-side fin 11A, and
the second passage 13 of the second surface-side passage 10 has
therein a second air-conditioning fin 13A. Each of the fins 9A, 11A
and 13A is formed in a wavy manner as seen in cross section so as
to extend in the direction in which the cooling water or air flows.
Each of the fins 9A, 11A and 13A is formed so as to extend through
the passages 9, 11 and 13 from the upper end to the lower end of
the respective passages. A plurality of radiator plates may be used
as each of the fins 9A, 11A and 13A.
[0029] The first surface-side passage 9 is connected at the
upstream end thereof as seen in the direction of air flowing
through the passage 9 to one end of the pipe 17. The pipe 17 is
opened at the other end thereof to the vehicle interior (not shown)
for allowing vehicle's inside air to be supplied into the air
conditioner. The air supplied into the air conditioner, which
serves as the first air-conditioning air of the present invention,
is allowed to flow through the pipe 17. The first surface-side
passage 9 is connected at the downstream end thereof to one end of
the pipe 19. The pipe 19 is opened at the other end thereof to the
vehicle interior (not shown). An air-conditioning fan 19A is
located at the other end of the pipe 19 as shown in FIG. 1, and
electrically connected to the battery 5A, as shown in FIG. 2. The
air-conditioning fan 19A may be located at the other end of the
pipe 17.
[0030] The first passage 11 of the second surface-side passage 10
is connected at the upstream end thereof as seen in the direction
of cooling water or air flowing through the passage 11 to one end
of the pipe 21, as shown in FIG. 3. The pipe 21 is connected at the
other end thereof to a relief valve 23 which will be described
later. The pipe 21 allows cooling water or air to flow
therethrough. The cooling water or air serves as the heat exchange
medium of the present invention. The first passage 11 is connected
at the downstream end thereof to one end of the pipe 25. The pipe
25 is connected at the other end thereof to a three-way valve 27,
as shown in FIG. 1. The three-way valve 27 and the relief valve 23
are electrically connected to the battery 5A, as shown in FIG.
2.
[0031] The second passage 13 is connected at the upstream end
thereof as seen in the direction of air flowing through the passage
13 to one end of the pipe 29, as shown in FIG. 3. The pipe 29 is
connected at the other end thereof to the pipe 17, as shown in FIG.
1, and allows the air supplied into the air conditioner via air
inlet to flow through the pipe 29. The air supplied into the air
conditioner via the air inlet serves as the second air-conditioning
air of the present invention. The second passage 13 of the second
surface-side passage 10 is connected at the downstream end thereof
to one end of the pipe 31, as shown in FIG. 3. The pipe 31 is
connected at the other end thereof to the pipe 19, as shown in FIG.
1.
[0032] The relief valve 23 has therein a passage 23A in which a
valve member 23B is provided. The relief valve 23 is communicable
with the atmosphere or the air via the valve member 23B.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the radiator 3 has an inlet 3A and an
outlet 3B and is configured so as to allow cooling water to flow
therethrough. The cooling water in the radiator 3 is cooled or
heated by heat exchange with the air surrounding the radiator 3. A
radiating fan 3C is located adjacent to the radiator 3 and
electrically connected to the battery 5A, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, the outlet 3B of the radiator 3 and the
relief valve 23 are interconnected by the pipe 33. The inlet 3A of
the radiator 3 and the three-way valve 27 are interconnected by the
pipe 35. These pipes 33 and 35 have cooling water flowing
therethrough. A motor-driven pump P1 is connected in the pipe 35
and electrically connected to the battery 5A, as shown in FIG. 2.
The motor-driven pump P1 may be connected in the pipe 33.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 1, a pipe 37 is connected at one end
thereof to the three-way valve 27 and opened at the other end
thereof to the vehicle exterior.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 5 is operable to control
the operation of the flap valve 15 or the relief valve 23, as well
as to appropriately change the magnitude and direction of electric
current to be supplied to the Peltier device 7. The battery 5A
serves as the power source to be supplied to the Peltier device 7.
It is noted that the structure of the controller 5 and the battery
5A is known in the art and the detailed explanation thereof will be
omitted.
[0037] The following will describe the cooling operation, the
heating operation and the dehumidification operation of the
above-described air conditioner.
[0038] In the cooling operation of the air conditioner, the
controller 5 activates the air-conditioning fan 19A and sets the
three-way valve 27 in such a position that makes the fluid
communication between the pipes 25 and 35 and shuts off the
communication between the pipes 25 and 37 and also shuts off the
communication between the pipes 35 and 37. In addition, the
controller 5 closes the flap valve 15 and sets the relief valve 23
in such a position that makes the communication between the pipes
21 and 33, as shown in FIG. 4. The controller 5 activates the
motor-driven pump P1 and the radiating fan 3C. Thus, the air
conditioner is operated so that cooling water circulates through
the air-conditioning core 100 and the radiator 3.
[0039] More specifically, the cooling water flowing out of the
radiator 3 through its outlet 3B flows through the pipes 33 and 21,
the first passage 11, the pipe 25, the three-way valve 27, the pipe
35 and the motor-driven pump P1 in this order and then flows back
into radiator 3 through its inlet 3A. In the air-conditioning core
100, therefore, the cooling water flows through the first passage
11 in the direction of solid arrow in FIG. 4. The first
air-conditioning air supplied into the first surface-side passage 9
via the pipe 17 flows in the direction of dashed arrow in FIG. 4.
In this state, the controller 5 energizes the Peltier device 7 and
controls the direction of electric current so that the first
surface 7A of the Peltier device 7 serves as the heat absorbing
surface and that the second surface 7B serves as the heat radiating
surface.
[0040] In the air conditioner, therefore, the Peltier device 7
absorbs heat from the first air-conditioning air in the first
surface-side passage 9 and radiates heat to the cooling water in
the first passage 11. Since the cooling water has a larger heat
capacity than the air, the amount of heat transferred from the
second surface 7B of the Peltier device 7 to the cooling water in
the first passage 11 is larger than the amount of heat transferred
from the second surface 7B of the Peltier device 7 to the air.
Since a larger amount of heat is radiated from the second surface
7B of the Peltier device 7, a larger amount of heat is absorbed by
the first surface 7A of the Peltier device 7. Thus, the air
conditioner allows the first air-conditioning air to be cooled
efficiently. Therefore, the air conditioner supplies the cooled
first air-conditioning air in the pipe 19 into the vehicle interior
via the air-conditioning fan 19A thereby to cool the vehicle
interior.
[0041] Although the second air-conditioning air is heated by the
cooling water in the first passage 11, the second air-conditioning
air is not supplied into the vehicle interior because the flap
valve 15 is then closed. The cooling water heated by the heat
radiation of the Peltier device 7 is cooled in the radiator 3 by
heat exchange with the air surrounding the radiator 3.
[0042] In the heating operation of the air conditioner, the first
air-conditioning air is allowed to flow through the first
surface-side passage 9 and the cooling water is allowed to flow
through the first passage 11 as in the case of the above-described
cooling operation. In this state, the controller 5 causes electric
current to be supplied to the Peltier device 7 and controls the
flowing direction of the electric current so that the first surface
7A of the Peltier device 7 serves as the heat radiating surface and
that the second surface 7B serves as the heat absorbing
surface.
[0043] As compared to the case where only air is present adjacent
to the second surface 7B, a larger amount of heat is absorbed by
the second air-conditioning air in the second passage 13. Since a
larger amount of heat is absorbed by the second surface 7B of the
Peltier device 7, a larger amount of heat is radiated from the
first surface 7A of the Peltier device 7. Thus, the air conditioner
allows the first air-conditioning air to be heated efficiently.
Therefore, the air conditioner supplies the heated first
air-conditioning air in the pipe 19 into the vehicle interior via
the air-conditioning fan 19A thereby to heat the vehicle
interior.
[0044] The second air-conditioning air which is cooled by the
cooling water in the first passage 11 is not supplied into the
vehicle interior because the flap valve 15 is then closed. The
cooling water cooled by the heat absorption of the Peltier device 7
is heated in the radiator 3 by heat exchange with the air
surrounding the radiator 3.
[0045] In the dehumidification operation of the air conditioner,
the controller 5 activates the air-conditioning fan 19A and sets
the three-way valve 27 in such a position that makes the fluid
communication between the pipes 25 and 37 and shuts off the
communication between the pipes 25 and 35 and also shuts off the
communication between the pipes 37 and 35. In addition, the
controller 5 opens the flap valve 15 and sets the relief valve 23
in such a position that shuts off the communication between the
pipes 21 and 33, as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the valve member 23B is
sunk into the passage 23A, as shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, the
passage 23A is opened to the atmosphere and the pipe 21 is filled
with air as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 5.
[0046] In the air-conditioning core 100, therefore, the first
air-conditioning air is supplied into the first surface-side
passage 9 via the pipe 17 and air is supplied into the first
passage 11 via the pipe 21. In addition, the second
air-conditioning air is supplied into the second passage 13 via the
pipe 29 and then flows through the second passage 13 in the
direction of dashed arrow in FIG. 5. In this state, the controller
5 causes electric current to be supplied to the Peltier device 7
and controls the direction of the electric current so that the
first surface 7A of the Peltier device 7 serves as the heat
absorbing surface and that the second surface 7B serves as the heat
radiating surface.
[0047] In the air-conditioning core 100, therefore, the Peltier
device 7 absorbs heat from the first air-conditioning air in the
first surface-side passage 9 and radiates heat to the air in the
first passage 11. In addition, the heated air in the first passage
11 is radiated to the second air-conditioning air in the second
passage 13. Since the air in the first passage 11 has a smaller
heat capacity than the above-described cooling water, the second
air-conditioning air is not heated very much.
[0048] In the air conditioner, therefore, the cooled first
air-conditioning air and the efficiently heated second
air-conditioning air are blown into the vehicle interior via the
pipe 19 and the air-conditioning fan 19A. In this case, the first
air-conditioning air and the second air-conditioning air are mixed
together in the pipe 19. Therefore, the air conditioned to a
desired temperature and dried dehumidifies the air in the vehicle
interior efficiently. It is noted that the air in the first passage
11 is released from the vehicle interior via the pipe 37.
[0049] In the dehumidification operation of the air conditioner,
the Peltier device 7 may radiate heat to the cooling water in the
first passage 11. In this case, the controller 5 makes the
communication between the pipes 33 and 21 and also the
communication between the pipes 25 and 35 as in the case of the
above-described cooling operation. In addition, the controller 5
opens the flap valve 15 and activates the air-conditioning fan 19A,
the motor-driven pump P1 and the radiating fan 3C. In this state,
the controller 5 causes electric current to be supplied to the
Peltier device 7 and controls the direction of the electric current
so that the first surface 7A of the Peltier device 7 serves as the
heat absorbing surface and that the second surface 7B serves as the
heat radiating surface.
[0050] After the first passage 11 is filled with the cooling water,
the controller 5 stops the operation of the motor-driven pump P1.
In the air conditioner, therefore, no cooling water flows through
the air-conditioning core 100 and the radiator 3, so that no
cooling water flows through the first passage 11. In this state,
the Peltier device 7 absorbs heat from the first air-conditioning
air in the first surface-side passage 9 and radiates heat to the
cooling water in the first passage 11. Thus, the first
air-conditioning air is cooled and the cooling water is heated.
[0051] In this case, the heated cooling water in the first passage
11 is raised against the gravity G, thereby causing convection flow
of the cooling water in the first passage 11, as indicated by
dashed arrow in FIG. 6. In the air-conditioning core 100 wherein
the second passage 13 is located above the first passage 11, the
convection flow of the cooling water in the first passage 11 may be
used advantageously in that the heat transfer from the cooling
water in the first passage 11 to the second air-conditioning air in
the second passage 13 is promoted. Thus, the second
air-conditioning air in the second passage 13 is heated to a higher
temperature. Therefore, the dehumidification operation wherein the
cooling water in the first passage 11 is used allows the air in the
vehicle interior to be dehumidified under a higher temperature, as
compared to the dehumidification operation where the air in the
first passage 11 is used. Since the first air-conditioning air in
the first surface-side passage 9 radiates heat to the cooling water
having a larger heat capacity than the air, the dehumidification
may be accomplished with a higher performance.
[0052] As described above, in the air-conditioning core 100 of the
air conditioner, the first surface-side passage 9 is located
adjacent to the first surface 7A of the Peltier device 7 and the
first and second passages 11 and 13 are located adjacent to the
second surface 7B of the Peltier device 7. The cooling water having
a larger heat capacity than the air is allowed to flow through the
first passage 11, serving as a heat exchange medium. Therefore, the
air conditioner allows the efficiently cooled first
air-conditioning air to cool the vehicle interior sufficiently and
also allows the efficiently heated first air-conditioning air to
heat the vehicle interior sufficiently.
[0053] In the air conditioner thus having the first passage 11 and
also the second passage 13 both located adjacent to the second
surface 7B of the Peltier device 7, the temperature of the vehicle
interior is controlled by the first air-conditioning air and the
second air-conditioning air and the air in the vehicle interior is
dehumidified sufficiently.
[0054] In the air conditioner, the relief valve 23 operated by the
controller 5 changes the first passage 11 between the state where
the passage 11 is filled with cooling water and the state where the
passage 11 is filled with air. In the dehumidification operation,
the air conditioner can increase the heat transfer of the Peltier
device 7 by using the cooling water in the first passage 11 and
also decreases the heat transfer of the Peltier device 7 by using
the air in the first passage 11. Thus, the air conditioner allows
the range of temperature control to be expanded.
[0055] Therefore, the air conditioner can offer sufficient air
conditioning of the vehicle interior.
[0056] In the air conditioner, the first air-conditioning fin 9A is
located in the first surface-side passage 9, the heat source-side
fin 11A is located in the first passage 11, and the second
air-conditioning fin 13A is located in the second passage 13. The
provision of the fins 9A and 13A helps to cool or heat the first
air-conditioning air in the first surface-side passage 9 and the
second air-conditioning air in the second passage 13 efficiently.
The fin 11A contributes to efficient cooling or heating of the
cooling water or air in the first passage 11.
[0057] The air conditioner of the second embodiment has an
air-conditioning core 200, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In the
air-conditioning core 200, the second surface-side passage 10
includes a first passage 39, a right-side second passage 41 and a
left-side second passage 43. The first passage 39 is held between
the right-side second passage 41 and the left-side second passage
43. The right-side second passage 41 is connected at the upstream
end thereof as seen in the direction of second air-conditioning air
flowing in the passage 41 to one end of the pipe 29 and at the
downstream end thereof to one end of the pipe 31. The left-side
second passage 43 is connected at the upstream end thereof as seen
in the direction of second air-conditioning air flowing through the
passage 43 to the one end of the pipe 29 and at the downstream end
thereof to the one end of the pipe 31. The first passage 39 is
connected at the upstream end thereof as seen in the direction of
cooling water or air flowing through the passage 39 to one end of
the pipe 21 and at the downstream end thereof to one end of the
pipe 25.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 8, the first surface-side passage 9 is
located adjacent to the first surface 7A of the Peltier device 7,
and the first passage 39, the right-side second passage 41 and the
left-side second passage 43 of the second surface-side passage 10
are located adjacent to the second surface 7B of the Peltier device
7. As shown in FIG. 7, the right-side second passage 41 and the
left-side second passage 43 have therein at positions adjacent to
the upstream ends thereof electrically-operated flap valves 15,
respectively.
[0059] As shown in FIG. 9, the first surface-side passage 9 has
therein a first air-conditioning fin 9A and the first passage 39
has therein a heat source-side fin 39A. The right-side second
passage 41 has therein a second air-conditioning fin 41A and the
left-side second passage 43 has therein a second air-conditioning
fin 43A. Each of the fins 9A, 39A, 41A and 43A is formed in a wavy
manner as seen in cross section. A plurality of radiator plates may
be used as each of the fins 9A, 39A, 41A and 43A as in the case of
the air-conditioning core 100 of the first embodiment. The rest of
the structure of the air-conditioning core 200 is substantially the
same as that of the air-conditioning core 100 of the first
embodiment. The rest of the structure of the air conditioner of the
second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the air
conditioner of the first embodiment. Like reference numerals used
in FIGS. 7 through 12 designate like parts or elements of the first
embodiment and the detailed description of such parts will be
omitted.
[0060] In the cooling operation and heating operation of the air
conditioner, the controller 5 controls the operation of the Peltier
device 7 and the relief valve 23 as in the case of the cooling
operation and heating operation of the first embodiment (refer to
FIG. 4). In the air-conditioning core 200, the first
air-conditioning air flows through the first surface-side passage 9
and the cooling water flows through the first passage 39 as shown
in FIG. 10. In the cooling operation of the air conditioner, the
Peltier device 7 absorbs heat from the first air-conditioning air
and radiates heat to the cooling water. In the heating operation of
the air conditioner, on the other hand, the Peltier device 7
radiates heat to the first air-conditioning air and absorbs heat
from the cooling water.
[0061] In the air-conditioning core 200 wherein the first passage
39, the right-side second passage 41 and the left-side second
passage 43 are all located adjacent to the second surface 7B of the
Peltier device 7, the area of the surface of the first passage 39
that is adjacent to the second surface 7B of the Peltier device 7,
or the area of the heat-transfer surface of the first passage 39 is
small. Since the heat transferred to the cooling water is larger
than the heat transferred to the air, however, absorption of heat
from or radiation of heat to the cooling water via the heat
source-side fin 39A is performed efficiently. In the cooling
operation and heating operation of the air conditioner, the Peltier
device 7 can cool or heat the first air-conditioning air
efficiently despite the reduced area of the heat-transfer surface
of the first passage 39.
[0062] In the dehumidification operation of the air conditioner,
the controller 5 controls the operation of the Peltier device 7 and
the relief valve 23 as in the case of the dehumidification
operation of the air conditioner of the first embodiment (refer to
FIG. 5). In the air-conditioning core 200, the first
air-conditioning air flows through the first surface-side passage 9
and air flows through the first passage 39 as shown in FIG. 11. The
second air-conditioning air flows through the right-side second
passage 41 and the left-side second passage 43. The Peltier device
7 absorbs heat from the first air-conditioning air and radiates
heat to the air in the first passage 39. The Peltier device 7 also
radiates heat to the second air-conditioning air flowing through
the right-side second passage 41 and the left-side second passage
43. Thus, the second air-conditioning air is heated. The second
air-conditioning air is also heated by the heated air in the first
passage 39. In the air-conditioning core 200, therefore, the second
air-conditioning air is heated efficiently.
[0063] In the dehumidification operation of the air conditioner,
the Peltier device 7 may radiate heat to the cooling water in the
first passage 39, as shown in FIG. 12. The controller 5 controls
the operation of the Peltier device 7 and the relief valve 23 as in
the case of the dehumidification operation of the first embodiment
(refer to FIG. 6). In this case, the Peltier device 7 radiates heat
thereby to heat the second air-conditioning air flowing through the
right-side second passage 41 and the left-side second passage 43.
In addition, the second air-conditioning air is heated by the
heated cooling water in the first passage 39. Therefore, as
compared to the case where the air in the first passage 39 is used,
the second air-conditioning air is heated to a higher temperature.
The other effects of the second embodiment are substantially the
same as those of the first embodiment.
[0064] The air conditioner of the third embodiment has an
air-conditioning core 300, as shown in FIG. 13. In the
air-conditioning core 300, the second surface-side passage 10 has a
right-side second passage 41 and a left-side second passage 43, a
middle second passage 45, a right-side first passage 47 and a
left-side first passage 49. The right-side first passage 47 is held
between the right-side second passage 41 and the middle second
passage 45. The left-side first passage 49 is held between the
left-side second passage 43 and the middle second passage 45. The
middle second passage 45 is held between the right-side first
passage 47 and the left-side first passage 49.
[0065] The right-side second passage 41 is connected at the
upstream end thereof as seen in the direction of second
air-conditioning air flowing through the passage 41 to one end of
the pipe 29 and at the downstream end thereof to one end of the
pipe 31. The left-side second passage 43 is connected at the
upstream end thereof as seen in the direction of second
air-conditioning air flowing through the passage 43 to the one end
of the pipe 29 and at the downstream end thereof to the one end of
the pipe 31. The middle second passage 45 is connected at the
upstream end thereof as seen in the direction of second
air-conditioning air flowing through the passage 45 to the one end
of the pipe 29 and at the downstream end thereof to the one end of
the pipe 31. The right-side first passage 47 is connected at the
upstream end thereof as seen in the direction of air or cooling
water flowing through the passage 47 to one end of the pipe 21 and
at the downstream end thereof to one end of the pipe 25. The
left-side first passage 49 is connected at the upstream end thereof
as seen in the direction of air or cooling water flowing through
the passage 49 to the one end of the pipe 21 and at the downstream
end thereof to the one end of the pipe 25.
[0066] The middle second passage 45 has therein a second
air-conditioning fin 45A. The right-side first passage 47 and the
left-side first passage 49 have therein a heat source-side fin 47A
and a heat source-side fin 49A, respectively. The rest of the
structure of the air-conditioning core 300 is substantially the
same as that of the air-conditioning core 200 of the second
embodiment.
[0067] In the dehumidification operation of the air conditioner,
the second air-conditioning air flowing through the right-side
second passage 41, the left-side second passage 43 and the middle
second passage 45 is heated by heat radiation of the Peltier device
7. The second air-conditioning air flowing through the right-side
second passage 41, the left-side second passage 43 and the middle
second passage 45 is also heated by the air or cooling water that
flows through the right-side first passage 47 and the left-side
first passage 49 and is heated by the heat radiation of the Peltier
device 7.
[0068] Since the second air-conditioning air flowing through the
middle second passage 45 is heated by the Peltier device 7, air or
cooling water flowing through the right-side first passage 47 and
air or cooling water flowing through the left-side first passage
49, it reaches a higher temperature as compared to the second
air-conditioning air flowing through the right-side second passage
41 and the left-side second passage 43. The other effects of the
third embodiment are substantially the same as those of the second
embodiment.
[0069] The air conditioner of the fourth embodiment has an
air-conditioning core 400, as shown in FIG. 14. In the
air-conditioning core 400, two Peltier devices 7 are located one
above the other so that their second surfaces 7B face each other,
and the second surface-side passage 10 is located between the two
Peltier devices 7, or adjacent to the second surfaces 7B of the two
Peltier devices 7. The second surface-side passage 10 includes a
first passage 39, a right-side second passage 41 and a left-side
second passage 43. The first surface-side passages 9 are located
adjacent to the first surfaces 7A of the Peltier devices 7,
respectively.
[0070] Each first surface-side passage 9 has therein a first
air-conditioning fin 9A and the first passage 39 has therein two
heat source-side fins 39A located one above the other. The
right-side second passage 41 has therein two second
air-conditioning fins 41A located one above the other and the
left-side second passage 43 has therein two second air-conditioning
fins 43A located one above the other.
[0071] Each first surface-side passage 9 is connected at the
upstream end thereof as seen in the direction of first
air-conditioning air flowing through the passage 9 to one end of
the pipe 17 and at the downstream end thereof to one end of the
pipe 19. The right-side second passage 41 is connected at the
upstream end thereof as seen in the direction of second
air-conditioning air flowing through the passage 41 to one end of
the pipe 29 (not shown in FIG. 14, but shown in FIG. 7) and at the
downstream end thereof to one end of the pipe 31 (not shown in FIG.
14, but shown in FIG. 7). The left-side second passage 43 is
connected at the upstream end thereof as seen in the direction of
second air-conditioning air flowing through the passage 43 to the
one end of the pipe 29 (not shown in FIG. 14, but shown in FIG. 7)
and at the downstream end thereof to the one end of the pipe 31
(not shown in FIG. 14, but shown in FIG. 7). The first passage 39
is connected at the upstream end thereof as seen in the direction
of air or cooling water flowing through the passage 39 to one end
of the pipe 21 and at the downstream end thereof to one end of the
pipe 25 (not shown in FIG. 14, but shown in FIG. 7). The rest of
the structure of the air-conditioning core 400 is substantially the
same as that of the air-conditioning core 200 of the second
embodiment.
[0072] In the cooling operation and heating operation of the air
conditioner with the air-conditioning core 400 having therein a
plurality of first surface-side passages 9, the vehicle interior
can be cooled or heated efficiently by the first air-conditioning
air flowing through each first surface-side passage 9.
[0073] In the dehumidification operation of the air conditioner,
the second air-conditioning air flowing through the right-side
second passage 41 and the left-side second passage 43, as well as
the air or cooling water flowing through the first passage 39 is
heated by the heat radiation of the Peltier devices 7. In addition,
the second air-conditioning air flowing through the right-side
second passage 41 and the left-side second passage 43 is further
heated by the heated air or heated cooling water flowing through
the first passage 39. In the dehumidification operation of the air
conditioner, therefore, the air conditioner allows the second
air-conditioning air to be heated to a higher temperature and also
allows the air in the vehicle interior to be dehumidified under
such higher temperature. The other effects of the fourth embodiment
are substantially the same as those of the second embodiment.
[0074] The air conditioner of the fifth embodiment has an
air-conditioning core 500, as shown in FIG. 15. In the
air-conditioning core 500, the air-conditioning core 400 (refer to
FIG. 14) of the air conditioner of the fourth embodiment is
modified. As shown in FIG. 15, each first surface-side passage 9 of
the air-conditioning core 500 has a right-side first surface-side
passage 51 and a left-side first surface-side passage 53 that are
located adjacent to the first surface 7A of the corresponding
Peltier device 7. A first surface-side first passage 55 is located
adjacent to the first surface 7A of each Peltier device 7 and held
between the right-side first surface-side passage 51 and the
left-side first surface-side passage 53.
[0075] Each right-side first surface-side passage 51 has therein an
air-conditioning fin 51A and each left-side first surface-side
passage 53 has therein an air-conditioning fin 53A. Each first
surface-side first passage 55 has therein a heat source-side fin
55A. Each right-side first surface-side passage 51 is connected at
the upstream end thereof as seen in the direction of first
air-conditioning air flowing through the passage 51 to one end of
the corresponding pipe 17 and at the downstream end thereof to one
end of the corresponding pipe 19. Each left-side first surface-side
passage 53 is connected at the upstream end thereof as seen in the
direction of first air-conditioning air flowing through the passage
53 to the one end of the corresponding pipe 17 and at the
downstream end thereof to the one end of the corresponding pipe 19.
Each first surface-side first passage 55 is connected at the
upstream end thereof as seen in the direction of air or cooling
water flowing through the first surface-side first passage 55 to
one end of the corresponding pipe 21 and at the downstream end
thereof to the one end of the corresponding pipe 25. The rest of
the structure of the air conditioner of the fifth embodiment is
substantially the same as those of the air conditioners of the
second and fourth embodiments.
[0076] In the cooling operation or heating operation of the air
conditioner, the first air-conditioning air flowing through each
right-side first surface-side passage 51 and each left-side first
surface-side passage 53 is cooled or heated by the heat absorption
or heat radiation of the corresponding Peltier device 7. The first
air-conditioning air flowing through each right-side first
surface-side passage 51 and each left-side first surface-side
passage 53 is cooled or heated also by the air or cooling water
flowing through the first surface-side first passage 55 held
between the right-side first surface-side passage 51 and the
left-side first surface-side passage 53. In the cooling operation
or heating operation of the air conditioner, therefore, the vehicle
interior is cooled or heated further efficiently. The other effects
of the air conditioner of the fifth embodiment are substantially
the same as those of the air conditioners of the second and fourth
embodiments.
[0077] The present invention has been described in the context of
the first through fifth 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.
[0078] The external air may be used as the first air-conditioning
air and the second air-conditioning air. Alternatively, the
internal air and the external air may be used as the first
air-conditioning air and the second air-conditioning air,
respectively. Thus, internal air and external air may be used
selectively for the first air-conditioning air and the second
air-conditioning air.
[0079] The air conditioner according to the present invention may
dispense with the relief valve 23 so that no air flows through the
first passages 11, 39, the right-side first passage 47, the
left-side first passage 49 and the first surface-side first passage
55. In this case, it is preferable to connect each of the first
passages 11, 39, the right-side first passage 47, the left-side
first passage 49 and the first surface-side first passage 55 to the
pipe 33 without providing the pipe 21, and also to connect each of
the right-side first passage 47, the left-side first passage 49 and
the first surface-side first passage 55 to the pipe 35 without
providing the pipes 25, 37 and the three-way valve 27. Thus, the
structure of the air conditioner may be simplified.
[0080] The air-conditioning cores 200 and 300 of the second and
third embodiments may be modified so that the first surface 7A of
the Peltier device 7 is located below the second surface 7B of the
Peltier device 7.
[0081] The Peltier device 7 of the air-conditioning cores 200-500
may dispense with the thermoelectric conversion element 8C at a
position that is adjacent to the right-side second passage 41 and
the left-side second passage 43. The same is true of the
thermoelectric conversion element 8C adjacent to the middle second
passage 45 of the air-conditioning core 300. In such a case, in the
air-conditioning cores 200, 400 and 500, the second
air-conditioning air flowing through the right-side second passage
41 and the left-side second passage 43 is heated by air or cooling
water flowing through the first passage 39. In the air-conditioning
core 300, the second air-conditioning air flowing through the
right-side second passage 41 and the left-side second passage 43 is
heated by air or cooling water flowing through the right-side first
passage 47 and the left-side first passage 49. In the
air-conditioning core 300, the second air-conditioning air flowing
through the middle second passage 45 is also heated by air or
cooling water flowing through the right-side first passage 47 and
the left-side first passage 49.
[0082] The radiator 3 may also serve to cool the drive unit such as
engine or motor. In this case, exhaust heat of the engine or motor
may be used to heat the cooling water. The battery 5A may also
serve as the power source of the motor.
[0083] The present invention is applicable not only to the vehicle
air-conditioner but also to a stationary air-conditioner for home
or office use.
[0084] In one aspect of the present invention, a heat transfer
member may be interposed between the first surface-side passage and
the first surface of the Peltier device. A heat transfer member may
be interposed between the second surface-side passage and the
second surface of the Peltier device.
[0085] In another aspect of the present invention, the first
surface-side passage and the second passage may be opened
separately at the downstream ends thereof to the room.
Alternatively, the first surface-side passage and the second
passage may be merged together within the air conditioner and
opened through a single outlet to the room. In the latter case, the
second air-conditioning air reheats the cooled first
air-conditioning air, thereby dehumidifying the air in the
room.
[0086] In yet another aspect of the present invention, water,
antifreeze fluid or the like may be used as the liquid that serves
as the heat exchange medium. Such fluid may be used specifically
for heat absorption or heat radiation of the Peltier device. When
the air conditioner is used for a vehicle, cooling water for engine
may be used.
[0087] In yet another aspect of the present invention, it is
preferred that the first passage should be opened to the atmosphere
via a relief valve. In this case, the first passage may be filled
with liquid and additionally air may be present above the liquid in
the first passage. Alternatively, the first passage may be filled
with air.
[0088] In yet another aspect of the present invention, it is
preferred that the second passage should have a valve that is
operable to open and close the second passage. The use of any valve
whose opening is adjustable makes it possible to adjust the flow
rate of the second air-conditioning air flowing through the second
passage.
[0089] In yet another aspect of the present invention, it is
preferred that the first passage and the second passage should be
disposed one above the other so that the second passage is located
on the opposite side of the first passage from the second surface
of the Peltier device. In this case, a heat transfer member may be
interposed between the second surface-side passage and the first
passage and/or between the first passage and the second
passage.
[0090] In yet another aspect of the present invention, it is
preferred that one of the first passage and the second passage
should have a right-side passage and a left-side passage and the
other of the first passage and the second passage should be held
between the right-side passage and the left-side passage. In this
case, a heat transfer member may be interposed between the
passages.
* * * * *