U.S. patent application number 13/357811 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-02 for air-conditioning core.
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 | 20120192573 13/357811 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45557911 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120192573 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AKIYAMA; Hirokuni ; et
al. |
August 2, 2012 |
AIR-CONDITIONING CORE
Abstract
The air-conditioning core includes a plurality of first Peltier
devices, a plurality of first fins and a tube. Each of the first
Peltier devices has a first surface and a second surface. The first
fins are located on the first surfaces of the first Peltier
devices. The tube is located adjacent to the second surfaces of the
first Peltier devices. The tube has a main portion extending around
the second surfaces of the first Peltier devices and also around
the first fins for holding the first Peltier devices, an inlet
portion connected to the main portion for allowing heat exchange
medium of liquid to flow into the main portion, and an outlet
portion connected to the main portion for allowing the heat
exchange medium of liquid to flow out of the main portion. The
outlet portion is located adjacent to the inlet portion.
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
Aichi-ken
JP
|
Family ID: |
45557911 |
Appl. No.: |
13/357811 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/3.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 21/04 20130101;
F25B 2321/0252 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/3.2 |
International
Class: |
F25B 21/02 20060101
F25B021/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 31, 2011 |
JP |
2011-018877 |
Claims
1. An air-conditioning core comprising: a plurality of first
Peltier devices each having a first surface and a second surface; a
plurality of first fins located on the first surfaces of the first
Peltier devices; a tube located adjacent to the second surfaces of
the first Peltier devices, the tube having a main portion extending
around the second surfaces of the first Peltier devices and also
around the first fins for holding the first Peltier devices, an
inlet portion connected to the main portion for allowing heat
exchange medium of liquid to flow into the main portion, and an
outlet portion connected to the main portion for allowing the heat
exchange medium of liquid to flow out of the main portion, wherein
the outlet portion is located adjacent to the inlet portion.
2. The air-conditioning core according to claim 1, wherein the
inlet portion and the outlet portion are fixed to each other.
3. The air-conditioning core according to claim 1, wherein a
plurality of sub-assemblies has the first Peltier devices and the
first fins, and is combined together in the main portion.
4. The air-conditioning core according to claim 3, wherein each of
the first fins has a plurality of radiator plates, wherein a pair
of the sub-assemblies is opposed and combined together with the
radiator plates of the first fin of one of the sub-assemblies
located between the radiator plates of the first fin of the other
of the sub-assemblies.
5. The air-conditioning core according to claim 1, wherein an
insulation member is disposed so as to cover the main portion.
6. The air-conditioning core according to claim 1, further
comprising a plurality of second Peltier devices provided on an
outer side of the main portion and a plurality of second fins
provided on an outer side of the second Peltier devices.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an air-conditioning core,
or an air-conditioning heat exchanger which can be used as a cooler
core or heater core.
[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
10-339516 discloses a cooler core which includes a plurality of
Peltier devices each having a first surface that serves as a heat
absorbing surface and a second surface that serves as a heat
radiating surface, a fin located adjacent to the first surfaces of
the Peltier devices and in contact with the atmosphere, and a
plurality of tubes. The Peltier devices are arranged so that the
first surfaces face inward of the cooler core and the second
surfaces face outward of the cooler core. A plurality of radiators
is provided on the outer side of the Peltier devices, or at
positions adjacent to the second surfaces of the Peltier
devices.
[0003] Each tube has a liquid passage through which cooling water
that serves as heat exchange medium flows. The tubes are connected
to the radiators and any two of the tubes communicate with each
other through each radiator thereby to form two passages. The
opposite ends of each passage are connected to an inlet portion and
outlet portion via which the two passages communicate with each
other.
[0004] When the above-described cooler core is used for an air
conditioner, the heat of the air in contact with the fin is
absorbed by the Peltier devices and hence the air is cooled. In
this case, the absorbed heat of the air is transferred to the
cooling water and hence the cooling water is heated. In the cooler
core, the cooled air is supplied into and cools a room.
[0005] In the meantime, there are needs for downsizing the cooler
core and improving the durability of the cooler core. In the case
of vehicles, the space for mounting the cooler core is strictly
limited. In addition, it is significant to deal with vibration of
the moving vehicles. For successful application of the cooler core
to a vehicle air conditioner, therefore, it is important for the
cooler core to meet the above-described needs.
[0006] In the cooler core of the cited reference wherein the tubes
are connected to the radiators provided on the outer side of the
Peltier devices, the arrangement of the tubes in the cooler core is
complicated. In addition, such cooler core has unnecessary space
formed inevitably between the radiators and the tubes, or between
the outer side of the Peltier devices and the tubes, thus making it
difficult to downsize the cooler core.
[0007] In the cooler core of the cited reference wherein the tubes
are simply connected to the radiators, the Peltier devices may not
be firmly fixed by the tubes. Such cooler core has low rigidity
that causes serious concern about the durability.
[0008] The present invention is directed to an air-conditioning
core which is downsized and has high durability.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the
air-conditioning core includes a plurality of first Peltier
devices, a plurality of first fins and a tube. Each of the first
Peltier devices has a first surface and a second surface. The first
fins are located on the first surfaces of the first Peltier
devices. The tube is located adjacent to the second surfaces of the
first Peltier devices. The tube has a main portion extending around
the second surfaces of the first Peltier devices and also around
the first fins for holding the first Peltier devices, an inlet
portion connected to the main portion for allowing heat exchange
medium of liquid to flow into the main portion, and an outlet
portion connected to the main portion for allowing the heat
exchange medium of liquid to flow out of the main portion. The
outlet portion is located adjacent to the inlet portion.
[0010] 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
[0011] 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:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a vehicle air conditioner
according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross sectional view
showing a part II of an air-conditioning core of the vehicle air
conditioner of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view showing fin-type radiator
sub-assemblies of the air-conditioning core of the vehicle air
conditioner of FIG. 1 before being combined; and
[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a vehicle air conditioner
according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The following will describe the vehicle air conditioners
according to the embodiments of the present invention with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown the vehicle air
conditioner of the first embodiment that is mounted on a vehicle
for air conditioning the cabin of the vehicle or vehicle interior.
The vehicle air conditioner will be hereinafter referred to as "air
conditioner". The air conditioner includes an air-conditioning core
100, a radiator 3 and a controller 5. The controller 5 is connected
to a battery 5A that serves as a power source.
[0018] The air-conditioning core 100 has a tube 7, Peltier devices
9A-9H, internal fins 11A, 11B and external fins 13A, 13B. The tube
7 allows cooling water that serves as the heat exchange medium of
the present invention to flow therethrough in a single direction as
indicated by dashed arrows. More specifically, the tube 7 has a
rectangular main portion 70A extending around the internal fins
11A, 11B and the Peltier devices 9A-9D are disposed and held
between the internal fins 11A, 11B and the main portion 70A. The
Peltier devices 9E-9H are located and held between the main portion
70A of the tube 7 and the external fins 13A, 13B. The Peltier
devices 9A-9D serve as the first Peltier devices of the present
invention and the internal fins 11A, 11B serve as the first fins of
the present invention. The Peltier devices 9E-9H serve as the
second Peltier devices of the present invention and the external
fins 13A, 13B serve as the second fins of the present invention.
Each of the Peltier devices 9A-9H has a first surface 90A and a
second surface 90B. Referring to FIG. 2 showing a part of the
air-conditioning core 100, the Peltier devices 9B and 9F have on
the second surfaces 90B thereof first and second heat-exchanging
fins 15, respectively. Although not shown in the drawings, the same
is true of the other Peltier devices 9A, 9C-9E and 9G-9H. Each of
the Peltier devices 9A-9H is configured so that when the first
surface 90A serves as the heat absorbing surface, the second
surface 90B serves as the heat radiating surface and when the first
surface 90A serves as the heat radiating surface, the second
surface 90B serves as the heat absorbing surface.
[0019] Referring back to FIG. 1, each of the Peltier devices 9A-9D
is located adjacent to the main portion 70A of the tube 7 so that
the first surface 90A faces inward and the second surface 90B faces
outward of the internal fins 11A, 11B, respectively. More
specifically, the second surfaces 90B of the Peltier devices 9A and
9B are located adjacent to a straight tube section 27 of the main
portion 70A which will be described later and the second surfaces
90B of the Peltier devices 9C and 9D are located adjacent to a
straight tube section 29 of the main portion 70A which will be also
described later.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 3 showing the fin-type radiator
sub-assemblies, the internal fin 11A is located on the first
surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9A, 9B and the internal fin 11
B is located on the first surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9C,
9D. The internal fin 11A has a plurality of first radiator plates
110A. The internal fin 11B has a plurality of first radiator plates
110B. The internal fins 11A and 11B have known temperature sensors
17A and 17B, respectively. The temperature sensors 17A and 17B are
electrically connected to the battery 5A shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, each of the first radiator plates 110A
and 110B has on one surface thereof a corrugated second radiator
plate 111. The internal fin 11A is formed so that any two adjacent
first radiator plates 110A have a space therebetween that is large
enough to receive one of the first radiator plates 110B. Similarly,
the internal fin 11B is formed so that any two adjacent first
radiator plates 110B have a space therebetween that is large enough
to receive one of the first radiator plates 110A.
[0022] Referring back to FIG. 2, each of the first and second
heat-exchanging fins 15 has a plurality of radiator plates. The
first heat-exchanging fin 15 is arranged extending in perpendicular
relation to the first radiator plates 110A and 110B of the internal
fins 11A and 11B. That is, the first heat-exchanging fin 15 is
arranged extending along the flow direction of cooling water in the
tube section 27 of the main portion 70A that is indicated by the
solid arrow of FIG. 2. Each of the first and second heat-exchanging
fins 15 may have a plurality of corrugated radiator plates such as
those similar to the corrugated second radiator plates 111.
[0023] The Peltier devices 9A, 9B, the internal fin 11A and the
heat-exchanging fins 15 cooperate to form one 19 of the fin-type
radiator sub-assemblies of the air-conditioning core 100, as shown
in FIG. 3. Similarly, the Peltier devices 9C, 9D, the internal fin
11B and the heat-exchanging fins 15 cooperate to form the other 21
of the fin-type radiator sub-assemblies, as shown in FIG. 3 (the
heat-exchanging fins 15 being not shown in FIG. 3). The fin-type
radiator sub-assemblies 19 and 21 are combined together by moving
the sub-assemblies 19 and 21 relatively in the arrow directions of
FIG. 3 into the assembled form, as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in
FIG. 1, an air-conditioning fan 100A is located adjacent to the
combined sub-assemblies 19 and 21 and electrically connected to the
battery 5A.
[0024] On the other hand, each of the Peltier devices 9E-9H is
located adjacent to the main portion 70A of the tube 7 so that the
first surface 90A faces outward and the second surface 90B faces
inward of the internal fins 11A, 11B, respectively. More
specifically, the Peltier devices 9E and 9A are located across the
tube section 27 of the main portion 70A and the Peltier devices 9F
and 9B are also located across the tube section 27. Similarly, the
Peltier devices 9G and 9C are located across the tube section 29 of
the main portion 70A and the Peltier devices 9H and 9D are also
located across the tube section 29.
[0025] The external fin 13A is provided on the first surfaces 90A
of the Peltier devices 9E, 9F and the external fin 13B is provided
on the first surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9G, 9H. The
external fin 13A has a plurality of first radiator plates 130A. The
external fin 13B has a plurality of first radiator plates 130B. The
second heat-exchanging fin 15 is arranged extending in
perpendicular relation to the first radiator plates 130A and 1308
of the external fins 13A and 13B. That is, the second
heat-exchanging fin 15 is arranged extending along the flow
direction of cooling water in the tube section 27 of the main
portion 70A that is indicated by the solid arrow of FIG. 2. Each of
the first radiator plates 130A and 130B has on the opposite
surfaces thereof the corrugated second radiator plates 111.
Air-conditioning fans 100B and 100C are located adjacent to the
external fins 13A and 13B, respectively. The external fins 13A and
13B may have the temperature sensors 17A and 17B, respectively.
[0026] The tube 7 has an inlet portion 23 communicating with the
main portion 70A and an outlet portion 25 located adjacent to the
inlet portion 23 and also communicating with the main portion 70A,
as well as the main portion 70A.
[0027] The main portion 70A has straight tube sections 28, 30, as
well as the tube sections 27, 29, each having a passage through
which cooling water is allowed to flow. The tube section 27 is
horizontally located with one end thereof connected to the inlet
portion 23 and the other end connected to one end of the tube
section 28 that extends perpendicularly to the tube section 27. The
other end of the tube section 28 is connected to one end of the
tube section 29 that extends parallel to the tube section 27. The
other end of the tube section 29 is connected to one end of the
tube section 30 that extends parallel to the tube section 28. The
other end of the tube section 30 is connected to the outlet portion
25. The inlet portion 23 and the outlet portion 25 are fixed to
each other by a connecting ring 31. Referring back to FIG. 2, the
tube section 27 has on the opposite surfaces thereof insertion
holes 27A through which the heat-exchanging fins 15 are inserted
into the tube section 27, respectively. Similarly, the tube section
29 has on the opposite surfaces thereof insertion holes through
which the heat-exchanging fins 15 are inserted into the tube
section 29, respectively. Thus, the rectangular main portion 70A of
the tube 7 surrounds and holds the combined sub-assemblies 19 and
21.
[0028] Referring back to FIG. 1, the radiator 3 has an outlet 3A
and an inlet 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.
[0029] The outlet 3A of the radiator 3 and the inlet portion 23 of
the tube 7 are interconnected by a tube 33. The inlet 3B of the
radiator 3 and the outlet portion 25 of the tube 7 are
interconnected by a tube 35. A motor-driven pump P1 is connected in
the tube 33 and electrically connected to the battery 5A. The
motor-driven pump P1 may be connected in the tube 35 instead of the
tube 33.
[0030] The controller 5 is operable to control the operation of the
motor-driven pump P1 connected to the controller 5 via the battery
5A, as well as to appropriately change the magnitude and direction
of the electric current to be supplied to the Peltier devices 9A-9H
based on the signals sent from the temperature sensors 17A and 17B.
The battery 5A serves as the power source that supplies power to
the Peltier devices 9A-9H. 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.
[0031] In the above-described air-conditioning core 100 of the air
conditioner, the main portion 70A of the tube 7 is located on the
outer side of the Peltier devices 9A-9D, or at such a position that
the main portion 70A faces the second surfaces 90B of the Peltier
devices 9A-9D. The main portion 70A holds the Peltier devices 9A-9D
or the combined sub-assemblies 19 and 21 from outside. In the
air-conditioning core 100 wherein the combined sub-assemblies 19
and 21 are located inside and surrounded by the main portion 70A,
mounting the tube 7 to the combined sub-assemblies 19, 21 is simple
and unnecessary space between the outer side of the combined
sub-assemblies 19, 21 and the tube 7 is hardly created.
[0032] In the air-conditioning core 100 wherein the combined
sub-assemblies 19 and 21 are surrounded by the main portion 70A,
the combined sub-assemblies 19 and 21 are firmly fixed inside the
main portion 70A. Thus, the rigidity of the air-conditioning core
100 is increased.
[0033] In the heating and cooling operations of the air conditioner
having the air-conditioning core 100, the controller 5 keeps the
motor-driven pump P1 and the radiating fan 3C running. Thus,
cooling water circulates through the air-conditioning core 100 and
the radiator 3 in the direction of arrow of FIG. 1. Therefore, the
cooling water flows through the inlet portion 23, the tube sections
27-30 and the outlet portion 25 of the tube 7 in this order in a
single direction as indicated by the dashed arrows of FIG. 1. The
controller 5 causes the air-conditioning fans 100A-100C to run
thereby to supply air to the air-conditioning core 100.
[0034] In the heating operation of the air conditioner, the
controller 5 causes electric current to flow to the Peltier devices
9A-9H in such direction that each first surface 90A of the Peltier
devices 9A-9H serves as the heat radiating surface and that each
second surface 90B serves as the heat absorbing surface. The
Peltier devices 9A-9H radiate heat to the air which passes by the
first surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9A-9H via the internal
fins 11A, 11B and the external fins 13A, 13B. Thus, the
air-conditioning core 100 heats the air. Therefore, the air
conditioner supplies the heated air into the vehicle interior via
the air-conditioning fans 100A-100C thereby to heat the vehicle
interior.
[0035] While thus radiating heat to the air, the Peltier devices
9A-9H absorb heat from the cooling water flowing in the tube
sections 27 and 29 of the main portion 70A of the tube 7. In this
case, the heat-exchanging fins 15 (FIG. 2) provided on the second
surfaces 90B of the Peltier devices 9A-9H help to absorb heat from
the cooling water efficiently. Thus, the Peltier devices 9A-9H
radiate heat from the first surfaces 90A in an efficient way.
[0036] The cooling water cooled by the heat absorption of the
Peltier devices 9A-9H is heated in the radiator 3 by heat exchange
with the air surrounding the radiator 3.
[0037] In the cooling operation of the air conditioner, on the
other hand, the controller 5 causes electric current to flow to the
Peltier devices 9A-9H in such direction that each first surface 90A
of the Peltier devices 9A-9H serves as the heat absorbing surface
and that each second surface 90B serves as the heat radiating
surface. The Peltier devices 9A-9H absorb heat from the air which
passes by the first surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9A-9H via
the internal fins 11A, 11B and the external fins 13A, 13B. Thus,
the air-conditioning core 100 cools the air. Therefore, the air
conditioner supplies the cooled air into the vehicle interior via
the air-conditioning fans 100A-100C thereby to cool the vehicle
interior.
[0038] While thus absorbing heat from the air, the Peltier devices
9A-9H radiate heat to the cooling water flowing in the tube
sections 27 and 29 of the main portion 70A of the tube 7. The
cooling water heated by the heat radiation of the Peltier devices
9A-9H is cooled in the radiator 3 by heat exchange with the air
surrounding the radiator 3.
[0039] In the heating and cooling operations of the air conditioner
having the air-conditioning core 100, the controller 5 controls the
magnitude of electric current to flow to the Peltier devices 9A-9H
based on the temperatures of air detected by the temperature
sensors 17A and 17B. Thus, the Peltier devices 9A-9H can cool or
heat the air in an efficient manner in the heating and cooling
operations of the air conditioner.
[0040] Therefore, the air-conditioning core 100 of the air
conditioner may be downsized and improves the durability, and the
air conditioner may be downsized and has improved durability,
accordingly.
[0041] In the air-conditioning core 100 wherein the inlet portion
23 and the outlet portion 25 are fixed to each other by the
connecting ring 31, the fastening force of the connecting ring 31
is transmitted to the tube sections 27-30 of the main portion 70A
evenly, so that the fastening force serves to hold the combined
sub-assemblies 19, 21 and holding force of the combined
sub-assemblies is increased. Therefore, the rigidity of the
air-conditioning core 100 is increased and the durability of the
air-conditioning core 100 is increased, accordingly.
[0042] The air-conditioning core 100 wherein the fin-type radiator
sub-assembly 19 having the Peltier devices 9A, 9B, the internal fin
11A and the heat-exchanging fins 15, and the fin-type radiator
sub-assembly 21 having the Peltier devices 9C, 9D, the internal fin
11B and the heat-exchanging fins 15 are combined together in the
main portion 70A may be easily manufactured.
[0043] In the air-conditioning core 100 wherein the sub-assemblies
19 and 21 are combined together with the first radiator plates 110B
of the internal fin 11 B of the sub-assembly 21 located between the
first radiator plates 110A of the internal fin 11A of the
sub-assembly 19, mounting the sub-assemblies 19 and 21 to the main
portion 70A may be performed easily. Thus, the manufacturing cost
of the air-conditioning core 100 is reduced.
[0044] In the air-conditioning core 100, the main portion 70A of
the tube 7 has on the outer side thereof the Peltier devices 9E-9H
as well as on the inner side thereof the Peltier devices 9A-9D. In
addition, the arrangement of the external fin 13A on the first
surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9E, 9F and the external fin 13B
on the first surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9G, 9H makes
possible heating and cooling operations of the air conditioner not
only by the Peltier devices 9A-9D and the internal fins 11A, 11B,
but also by the Peltier devices 9E-9H and the external fins 13A,
13B. Furthermore, the cooling water in the main portion 70A of the
tube 7 is heated or cooled efficiently by the Peltier devices
9E-9H, so that the air-conditioning core 100 is operable to
air-condition the vehicle interior efficiently.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 4 showing the vehicle air conditioner of
the second embodiment, it includes an air-conditioning core 200 in
place of the air-conditioning core 100 of FIG. 1.
[0046] In the air-conditioning core 200, each of the Peltier
devices 9A-9D is located adjacent to the inner side of the main
portion 70A in such a position that the first surface 90A faces
inward and the second surface 90B faces outward. More specifically,
the second surface 90B of the Peltier device 9A is located adjacent
to a straight tube section 53 of the main portion 70A which will be
described later and the second surface 90B of the Peltier devices
9B is located adjacent to a straight tube section 54 of the main
portion 70A which will be also described later. The second surface
90B of the Peltier device 9C is located adjacent to a straight tube
section 55 of the main portion 70A which will be also described
later and the second surface 90B of the Peltier device 9D is
located adjacent to a straight tube section 56 of the main portion
70A which will be also described later.
[0047] Internal fins 41A and 41 B are disposed in contact with the
first surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9A and 9C, respectively.
Internal fins 43A and 43B are disposed in contact with the first
surfaces 90A of the Peltier devices 9B and 9D, respectively. The
internal fins 41A, 41B, 43A, 43B serve as the first fins of the
present invention.
[0048] Each of the internal fins 41A and 41B has a plurality of
radiator plates 410, respectively. Each of the internal fins 43A
and 43B has a plurality of radiator plates 430, respectively. The
radiator plates 410 of the internal fins 41A and 41B are formed so
that their lengths decrease from the middles toward the opposite
ends of the internal fins 41A and 41B, respectively. The radiator
plates 430 of the internal fins 43A and 43B are formed so that
their lengths decrease from the middles toward the opposite ends of
the internal fins 43A and 43B, respectively. The internal fins 41A,
41B, 43A, 43B have known temperature sensors 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D,
respectively.
[0049] The Peltier device 9A, the internal fin 41A and the
heat-exchanging fin 15 (refer to FIG. 2) cooperate to form a
fin-type radiator sub-assembly 45. Similarly, the Peltier device
9B, the internal fin 43A and the heat-exchanging fin 15 cooperate
to form a fin-type radiator sub-assembly 47. Similarly, the Peltier
device 9C, the internal fin 41B and the heat-exchanging fin 15
cooperate to form a fin-type radiator sub-assembly 49. Similarly,
the Peltier device 9D, the internal fin 43B and the heat-exchanging
fin 15 cooperate to form a fin-type radiator sub-assembly 51. The
sub-assemblies 45 and 49 are opposed and combined together inside
the tube 7. The sub-assemblies 47 and 51 are opposed and combined
together inside the tube 7. The air-conditioning fan 100A is
located adjacent to the sub-assemblies 45, 47, 49, 51.
[0050] As indicated earlier, the main portion 70A of the tube 7 of
the air-conditioning core 200 has four tube sections 53-56 in place
of the tube sections 27-30 of FIG. 1. Each of the tube sections
53-56 has a passage through which cooling water is allowed to flow.
The tube section 53 has on the surface thereof and at a position
adjacent to the Peltier device 9A an insertion hole (refer to the
27A of FIG. 2) through which the heat-exchanging fin 15 is inserted
into the tube section 53. Similarly, the tube section 54 has on the
surface thereof and at a position adjacent to the Peltier device 9B
an insertion hole (refer to the 27A) through which the
heat-exchanging fin 15 is inserted into the tube section 54.
Similarly, the tube section 55 has on the surface thereof and at a
position adjacent to the Peltier device 9C an insertion hole (refer
to the 27A) through which the heat-exchanging fin 15 is inserted
into the tube section 55. Similarly, the tube section 56 has on the
surface thereof and at a position adjacent to the Peltier device 9D
an insertion hole (refer to the 27A) through which the
heat-exchanging fin 15 is inserted into the tube section 56. The
tube section 53 is connected at one end thereof to the inlet
portion 23 and the tube section 56 is connected at the other end
thereof to the outlet portion 25. The connection between the tube
sections 53-56 is made as in the case of the connection between the
tube sections 27-30 in the first embodiment. The main portion 70A
having the four tube sections 53-56 surrounds and holds the
sub-assemblies 45, 47, 49, 51 in such arrangement that the
sub-assembly 45 is opposite to the sub-assembly 49 and the
sub-assembly 47 is opposite to the sub-assembly 51.
[0051] A vacuum insulation member 57 is disposed so as to cover the
main portion 70A, the inlet portion 23 and the outlet portion 25 of
the tube 7. The vacuum insulation member 57 may be replaced by an
insulation member made of any suitable foamed resin. In the second
embodiment, like reference numerals indicate like parts and
elements used in the description of the first embodiment and the
detailed description of such parts and elements will be
omitted.
[0052] In the heating and cooling operations of the air conditioner
having the air-conditioning core 200, heat radiation or heat
absorption of each first surface 90A of the Peltier devices 9A-9D
causes the air surrounding the internal fins 41A, 41B, 43A, 43B to
be heated or cooled, respectively. The air-conditioning fan 100A
supplies the heated or cooled air into the vehicle interior thereby
to heat or cool the vehicle interior.
[0053] In the air-conditioning core 200, the vacuum insulation
member 57 is provided around and close to the outer sides of the
main portion 70A, the inlet portion 23 and the outlet portion 25 so
as to insulate the outer sides of the main portion 70A, the inlet
portion 23 and the outlet portion 25. The heat of the cooling water
in the tube 7 is hardly radiated from the tube 7 and the cooling
water is hardly heated by the surrounding air. Thus, heat radiation
and heat absorption of the Peltier devices 9A-9D to and from the
cooling water via the internal fins 41A, 41B, 43A, 43B are
performed further effectively. In addition, heat radiation and heat
absorption of the Peltier devices 9A-9D to and from the air via the
internal fins 41A, 41B, 43A, 43B are performed further effectively.
Thus, heating or cooling of air is performed in an efficient
manner. Therefore, the performance of the air conditioner having
the air-conditioning core 200 is enhanced.
[0054] In the air conditioner having the air-conditioning core 200
wherein the engine is warmed by the heated cooling water and cooled
by the cooled cooling water, utilization of heat energy and cold
energy of the cooling water can be accomplished with ease. The rest
of the effects of the second embodiment are substantially the same
as those of the first embodiment.
[0055] 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.
[0056] In the air-conditioning core 100, Peltier devices and
external fins may be provided also on the outer sides of the tube
sections 28 and 30. In such an arrangement, further efficient
heating and cooling of the air is accomplished, thereby enhancing
the air-conditioning of the vehicle interior.
[0057] In the air-conditioning core 200, the four sides of the four
straight tube sections 53-56 of the main portion 70A of the tube 7
may be made with substantially the same length so that the main
portion 70A forms a square shape. In this case, the internal fins
41A, 41B, 43A, 43B are all made in the same shape and the
sub-assemblies 45, 47, 49, 51 are all made in the same shape,
accordingly, which helps to reduce the manufacturing cost of the
air-conditioning core 200.
[0058] The radiator 3 may also serve to cool the drive unit such as
engine or motor. The battery 5A may also serve as the power source
of the motor.
[0059] The air-conditioning core of the present invention is
applicable not only to the vehicle air conditioner but also to a
stationary air-conditioner for home or office use.
[0060] In one aspect of the air-conditioning core 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
prepared and used specifically for heat absorption or heat
radiation of the Peltier device. When the air-conditioning core is
used for a vehicle air conditioner, cooling water for engine may be
used as the heat exchange medium.
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