U.S. patent application number 13/405569 was filed with the patent office on 2012-09-06 for vehicle air conditioner.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI. Invention is credited to Takahisa BAN, Masakazu MURASE, Naoya YOKOMACHI.
Application Number | 20120222429 13/405569 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45811312 |
Filed Date | 2012-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120222429 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BAN; Takahisa ; et
al. |
September 6, 2012 |
VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONER
Abstract
A vehicle air conditioner for a passenger compartment includes a
power source, a radiator provided outside the passenger
compartment, a heat medium passage through which heat medium is
circulated between the power source and the radiator, a first
peltier module having a first peltier device and a first heat
exchanger, and a second peltier module having a second peltier
device and a second heat exchanger. The first and second peltier
devices each has a first surface and a second surface, one of the
first surface and the second surface serves to release heat, the
other of the first surface and the second surface serves to absorb
heat. The first heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the first
surface. The second heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the
first surface. The heat medium passage is thermally coupled to the
second surfaces of the first and second peltier devices.
Inventors: |
BAN; Takahisa; (Aichi-ken,
JP) ; MURASE; Masakazu; (Aichi-ken, JP) ;
YOKOMACHI; Naoya; (Aichi-ken, JP) |
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA
JIDOSHOKKI
Aichi-ken
JP
|
Family ID: |
45811312 |
Appl. No.: |
13/405569 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/3.61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60H 1/00478
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/3.61 |
International
Class: |
F25B 21/02 20060101
F25B021/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 2, 2011 |
JP |
2011-045200 |
Claims
1. A vehicle air conditioner for a passenger compartment of a
vehicle, comprising: a power source for driving the vehicle; a
radiator provided outside the passenger compartment; a heat medium
passage through which heat medium is circulated between the power
source and the radiator; a first pettier module having a first
pettier device and a first heat exchanger, the first pettier device
having a first surface and a second surface, one of the first
surface and the second surface serving to release heat, the other
of the first surface and the second surface serving to absorb heat,
the first heat exchanger being thermally coupled to the first
surface; and a second pettier module having a second pettier device
and a second heat exchanger, the second pettier device having a
first surface and a second surface, one of the first surface and
the second surface serving to release heat, the other of the first
surface and the second surface serving to absorb heat, the second
heat exchanger being thermally coupled to the first surface,
wherein the heat medium passage is thermally coupled to the second
surface of the first pettier device and the second surface of the
second pettier device.
2. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 1, wherein the
first surface of the first pettier device serves to release heat
and the second surface of the first pettier device serves to absorb
heat so that the first pettier module provides heating of the
passenger compartment, and the first surface of the second pettier
device serves to absorb heat and the second surface of the second
pettier device serves to release heat so that the second pettier
module provides cooling of the passenger compartment.
3. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the
second pettier module is provided downstream of the first pettier
module as seen in heat medium flowing direction in the heat medium
passage.
4. The vehicle air conditioner according to claim 2, wherein the
first peltier module and the second peltier module are provided in
a duct communicating with the passenger compartment, the duct being
provided with a selector that allows selective supply of outdoor
air or indoor air to the passenger compartment.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle air
conditioner.
[0002] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
10-35268 discloses a vehicle air conditioner including a waste heat
collector, a radiator, a peltier module, and a heat medium passage
through which water as a heat medium is circulated.
[0003] The waste heat collector functions to collect waste heat
from a vehicle power source such as an electric motor. The peltier
module has a peltier device with a first and a second surface one
of which serves as heat releasing surface and the other of which
serves as heat absorbing surface, a first heat exchanger thermally
coupled to the first surface of the peltier device, and a second
heat exchanger thermally coupled to the second surface of the
peltier device. The heat medium passage connects the waste heat
collector, the radiator, and the second heat exchanger of the
peltier module.
[0004] In the air conditioner, air conditioning of vehicle
passenger compartment is done by switching the heat releasing and
absorbing surfaces of the peltier device and also changing the
water flow path in the heat medium passage.
[0005] Specifically, when heating the passenger compartment, the
peltier device is operated so that the first surface serves as the
heat releasing surface and the second surface serves as the heat
absorbing surface. The waste heat collector is connected to the
second heat exchanger, while the second heat exchanger and the
waste heat collector are disconnected from the radiator. Water
flowing in the heat medium passage is heated by the heat in the
waste heat collector. Heat of the water is absorbed through the
second heat exchanger in the second surface of the peltier device.
The heat thus absorbed is radiated from the first heat exchanger
into the surrounding air. Then the heated air is supplied to the
passenger compartment, so that heating of the passenger compartment
is accomplished.
[0006] When cooling the passenger compartment, the peltier device
is operated so that the first surface serves as the heat absorbing
surface and the second surface serves as the heat releasing
surface. The radiator is connected to the second heat exchanger,
while the second heat exchanger and the radiator are disconnected
from the waste heat collector. Heat is absorbed through the first
heat exchanger in the first surface of the peltier device and the
air around the first exchanger is cooled. The cooled air is
supplied to the passenger compartment, so that cooling of the
passenger compartment is accomplished. The water in the heat medium
passage is heated by the second heat exchanger to which heat is
released from the peltier device, and then cooled in the radiator
by heat exchange with the air outside the passenger
compartment.
[0007] Another known air conditioner is disclosed in Japanese
Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-195287. The air
conditioner includes a radiator, a first peltier module, a second
peltier module, and a heat medium passage through which water is
circulated. The heat medium passages connects the radiator, the
first peltier module and the second peltier module.
[0008] When heating the passenger compartment by the air
conditioner, the first peltier module is operated so as to absorb
heat from the water flowing in the heat medium passage and also
release heat to the surrounding air. The heated air is supplied to
the passenger compartment, so that heating of the passenger
compartment is accomplished.
[0009] When cooling, the second peltier module and the radiator are
operated so that the second peltier module releases heat to the
water flowing in the heat medium passage and also absorbs heat from
the surrounding air. The cooled air is supplied to the passenger
compartment, so that cooling of the passenger compartment is
accomplished.
[0010] When dehumidifying, the first and second peltier modules and
the radiator are operated. Air is cooled and dehumidified by the
second peltier module, and then the cooled air is heated by the
first peltier module. The air at appropriately adjusted temperature
is supplied to the passenger compartment, so that dehumidifying of
the passenger compartment is accomplished.
[0011] The air conditioner disclosed in the publication No.
10-35268 is complex in structure and large in size, which is
disadvantageous in the installation in a vehicle. In addition,
since the air cooled by the peltier module cannot be re-heated, the
dehumidification causes a decrease in the efficiency of heating the
compartment.
[0012] In the air conditioner disclosed in the publication No.
2010-195287, on the other hand, although the dehumidification does
not necessarily cause a decrease in the efficiency of cooling the
compartment, the air conditioner requires an additional radiator
for releasing heat from a vehicle power source. The provision of
plural radiators results in an increased size of the air
conditioner, which prevents easy installation of the air
conditioner in a vehicle.
[0013] The present invention is directed to providing a vehicle air
conditioner that allows efficient air conditioning of a passenger
compartment and easy installation in a vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
vehicle air conditioner for a passenger compartment of a vehicle
includes a power source for driving the vehicle, a radiator
provided outside the passenger compartment, a heat medium passage
through which heat medium is circulated between the power source
and the radiator, a first peltier module having a first peltier
device and a first heat exchanger, and a second peltier module
having a second peltier device and a second heat exchanger. The
first peltier device has a first surface and a second surface, one
of the first surface and the second surface serves to release heat,
the other of the first surface and the second surface serves to
absorb heat. The first heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the
first surface. The second peltier device has a first surface and a
second surface, one of the first surface and the second surface
serves to release heat, the other of the first surface and the
second surface serves to absorb heat. The second heat exchanger is
thermally coupled to the first surface. The heat medium passage is
thermally coupled to the second surface of the first peltier device
and the second surface of the second peltier device.
[0015] 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
[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle air conditioner
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the air
conditioner of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a schematic view explaining the operation of the
air conditioner of FIG. 1 when heating a vehicle passenger
compartment; and
[0019] FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3, but explaining the operation of
the air conditioner when dehumidifying the passenger compartment by
re-heating the cooled air.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The following will describe the embodiment of the vehicle
air conditioner according to the present invention with reference
to the accompanying drawings. The air conditioner of the embodiment
is intended for use in a vehicle for providing heating, cooling and
dehumidifying of a passenger compartment of the vehicle.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, the air conditioner includes an engine
3, a radiator 5, tubes 7, 9, a first peltier module 11, and a
second peltier module 13. The first and second peltier modules 11,
13 are provided in a duct 15 that is in communication with the
passenger compartment.
[0022] The engine 3 is the power source for driving the vehicle.
Although not shown in the drawing, the engine 3 has a water jacket
where engine coolant flows for cooling the engine 3. The engine 3
has an Inlet 3A and an outlet 3B through which engine coolant flows
into and out of the water jacket. The engine 3 may be replaced by
an electric motor or a driver circuit such as power control unit
(PCU). Alternatively, the engine 3 combined with such electric
motor or PCU may be used as the power source.
[0023] The radiator 5 is a device where engine coolant flows and is
cooled by heat exchange with the surrounding air. The radiator 5
has an Inlet 5A and an outlet 5B through which engine coolant flows
into and out of the radiator 5. An electrically operated fan 5C is
provided adjacent to the radiator 5 and electrically connected to a
controller (not shown). Engine coolant corresponds to the heat
medium of the present invention.
[0024] The engine 3 and the radiator 5 are connected by the tubes
7, 9. Specifically, the tube 7 connects between the outlet 3B of
the engine 3 and the inlet 5A of the radiator 5, and the tube 9
connects between the outlet 5B of the radiator 5 and the inlet 3A
of the engine 3. Engine coolant is circulated between the engine 3
and the radiator 5A through the tubes 7, 9. An electrically
operated pump P1 is provided in the tube 7 and electrically
connected to the aforementioned controller. The pump P1 may be
provided in the tube 9. The tubes 7, 9 correspond to the heat
medium passage of the present invention.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, the first peltier module 11 has a first
peltier device 17 and a first fin 19. The first peltier device 17
has a first insulated substrate 21, a second insulated substrate
23, and plural thermoelectric transducers 25 held between the first
and second insulated substrates 21, 23. In the first peltier device
17, the first insulated substrate 21 forms a first surface 17A from
which heat is released, and the second insulated substrate 23 forms
a second surface 17B in which heat is absorbed. The first peltier
device 17 is electrically connected to the controller. The first
peltier device 17 is fixed at the first surface 17A to the first
fin 19 in a thermally coupled manner, and disposed in contact at
the second surface 17B with the tube 9 so that the first peltier
module 11 is thermally coupled to the tube 9.
[0026] The first fin 19 is formed by a plurality of heat radiation
plates extending along the direction of air flow in the duct 15 so
as to provide a large surface area exposed to the air,
specifically, to the outdoor air and the indoor air flowing through
the duct 15, while lowering the air flow resistance. In the duct
15, heat exchange occurs between the heat radiation plates of the
first fin 19 and outdoor or indoor air. The first fin 19 is
provided, for example, by a corrugated fin.
[0027] The second peltier module 13 has a second peltier device 27
and a second fin 29. As with the first peltier device 17, the
second peltier device 27 has a first insulated substrate 21, a
second insulated substrate 23, and plural thermoelectric
transducers 25 held between the first and second insulated
substrates 21, 23. In the second peltier device 27, the first
insulated substrate 21 forms a first surface 27A in which heat is
absorbed, and the second insulated substrate 23 forms a second
surface 27B from which heat is released. The second peltier device
27 is electrically connected to the controller. The second pettier
device 27 is fixed at the first surface 27A to the second fin 29 in
a thermally coupled manner, and disposed in contact at the second
surface 27B with the tube 9 so that the second peltier module 13 is
thermally coupled to the tube 9.
[0028] The second fin 29 has a structure similar to that of the
first fin 19 and also may be provided by a corrugated fin. The
first and second fins 19, 29 correspond to the first and second
heat exchangers, respectively, of the present invention.
[0029] The duct 15 has a cylindrical main portion 31 and two
cylindrical branch portions 33, 35 branched from the main portion
31 at the upstream end thereof as seen in the air flow direction in
the duct 15. The end of the branch portion 33 remote from the
branch forms an indoor air inlet 33A that is opened to the
passenger compartment of the vehicle, and the end of the branch
portion 35 remote from the branch forms an outdoor air inlet 35A
that is opened to the outdoor air outside the vehicle. An
electrically operated flapper 37 is provided in the part of the
duct 15 where the branch portions 33, 35 are joined. The main
portion 31 is provided therein with an electrically operated fan
31A and in communication at the downstream side thereof with the
passenger compartment. The fan 31A and the flapper 37 are
electrically connected to the controller. The flapper 37, which
corresponds to the selector of the present invention, may be
replaced by any suitable valves that are operable to open and close
the respective indoor and outdoor air inlets 33A, 35A with respect
to the main portion 31 of the duct 15.
[0030] The first and second peltier modules 11, 13 are provided in
the main portion 31 of the duct 15 in a manner that the first and
second peltier modules 11, 13 are thermally coupled to the tube 9.
The second peltier module 13 is provided downstream of the first
peltier module 11 as seen in the engine coolant flowing direction
in the tube 9. The main portion 31 of the duct 15 has holes 15A,
15B through which the tube 9 is inserted.
[0031] In the above-described vehicle air conditioner, while the
engine 3 is operating, the pump P1 and the fan 5C are operated by
the controller so that engine coolant is circulated through the
tubes 7, 9 in the direction indicated by arrows in FIG. 3. Engine
coolant heated by the waste heat of the engine 3 flows from the
outlet 3B of the engine 3, flowing through the tube 7 and then into
the inlet 5A of the radiator 5. Heat exchange occurs between the
engine coolant flowing in the radiator 5 and the air around the
radiator 5, so that the heat of the engine coolant is radiated by
the aid of the fan 5C into the air outside the passenger
compartment. The engine coolant thus cooled in the radiator 5 then
flows from the outlet 5B of the radiator 5 through the tube 9 and
into the inlet 3A of the engine 3, cooling the engine 3. While the
engine 3 is operating, the air conditioner of the present
embodiment provide heating, cooling and dehumidifying of the
passenger compartment of the vehicle as described below.
[0032] When heating the passenger compartment, the first peltier
device 17 of the first peltier module 11 is operated by the
controller. The flapper 37 and the fan 31A are also operated by the
controller so that the main portion 31 of the duct 15 is connected
to the branch portion 33 but disconnected from the branch portion
35, as shown in FIG. 3, and indoor air is introduced into the main
portion 31. In this case, the second surface 17B or heat absorbing
surface of the first peltier device 17 absorbs heat from the engine
coolant flowing in the tube 9, while the first surface 17A or heat
releasing surface of the first peltier device 17 releases heat to
the first fin 19. As a result, the first fin 19 is heated, and the
indoor air in contact with the heated first fin 19 in the main
portion 31 is heated, accordingly. The indoor air existing in the
passenger compartment has a higher temperature than the outdoor
air, and the indoor air is efficiently heated by the first fin 19.
Heated indoor air is supplied by the fan 31A through the duct 15 to
the passenger compartment. In this way, heating of the passenger
compartment is done.
[0033] The engine coolant flowing in the tube 9 and cooled by the
first peltier device 17 flows into the engine 3 through its inlet
3A to be used to cool the engine 3. In the air conditioner of the
present embodiment wherein the engine 3 is located downstream of
the first peltier module 11 as seen in the engine coolant flowing
direction in the tubes 7, 9, the engine 3 can be cooled by the
engine coolant cooled by the first peltier device 17 as well as by
the radiator 5. In other word, the engine 3 can be efficiently
cooled by utilizing the waste heat of the first peltier module 11
during the heating operation of the air conditioner.
[0034] When cooling the passenger compartment, the second peltier
device 27 of the second peltier module 13 is operated, and the
flapper 37 and the fan 31A are operated as in the case of the above
heating operation so that indoor air is introduced into the main
portion 31 of the duct 15. In this case, the second surface 27B of
the second peltier device 27 releases heat to the engine coolant
flowing in the tube 9, while the first surface 27A of the second
peltier device 27 absorbs heat from the second fin 29. As a result,
the second fin 29 is cooled, and the indoor air in contact with the
second fin 29 in the main portion 31 is cooled. The indoor air
existing in the passenger compartment has a lower temperature than
the outdoor air, and the indoor air is efficiently cooled by the
second fin 29. Cooled indoor air is supplied to the passenger
compartment, so that cooling of the passenger compartment is done.
The engine coolant flowing in the tube 9 and receiving heat from
the second peltier device 27 is used to cool the engine 3 and then
cooled by the radiator 5. That is, the waste heat of the second
peltier module 13 during the cooling operation is released along
with the waste heat of the engine 3 into the air outside the
passenger compartment.
[0035] When dehumidifying the passenger compartment, both of the
first and second peltier modules 11, 13 are operated by the
controller, as shown in FIG. 4. The flapper 37 and the fan 31A are
also operated so that the main portion 31 is connected to the
branch portion 35 but disconnected from the branch portion 33 and
the outdoor air is introduced into the main portion 31. In this
case, the outdoor air cooled by the second fin 29 and dehumidified
is in turn heated by the first fin 19 to an appropriate
temperature. The outdoor air which has a lower humidity than the
indoor air is efficiently cooled and dehumidified by the second fin
29. The outdoor air adjusted at an appropriate temperature is
supplied to the passenger compartment for dehumidifying of the
passenger compartment, as well as for appropriate air-conditioning
of the passenger compartment. The engine coolant releasing heat to
the first peltier device 17 and receiving heat from the second
peltier device 27 while flowing in the tube 9 is introduced into
the engine 3 through its inlet 3A and used to cool the engine 3.
When there is no need to heat the dehumidified outdoor air, no
operation of the first pettier module 11 is performed.
[0036] In the vehicle air conditioner of the present embodiment,
heating and cooling of the passenger compartment can also be
accomplished by using heated outdoor air and cooled outdoor air,
respectively, which makes it easy to keep the humidity of the
passenger compartment during the heating and cooling operation when
the outdoor air has a lower humidity than the indoor air.
Dehumidifying of the passenger compartment can also be accomplished
by using the dehumidified indoor air. In a weather condition that
the outdoor air has a higher humidity than the indoor air, the use
of such dehumidified indoor air allows efficient dehumidifying of
the passenger compartment and makes it easy to keep the humidity of
the passenger compartment by circulating the indoor air between the
main portion 31 of the duct 15 and the passenger compartment. The
flapper 37 may be positioned so that both of the branch portions
33, 35 are connected to the main portion 31 of the duct 15, which
allows air conditioning of the passenger compartment using the
outdoor air and the indoor air mixed together in a desired mixing
ratio.
[0037] As described above, according to the vehicle air conditioner
of the present embodiment, there is no need to change the flow path
of the engine coolant flowing in the tubes 7, 9 depending on the
operating modes, including heating, cooling or dehumidifying of the
passenger compartment. In the air conditioner wherein the engine 3
is connected to the tubes 7, 9 and cooled by the engine coolant
flowing in the tubes 7, 9, not only the waste heat of the first and
second peltier modules 11, 13 during the air conditioning, but also
the waste heat of the engine 3 are transferred by the engine
coolant and radiated from the radiator 5 into the air outside the
passenger compartment. Thus, the air conditioner of the embodiment
requires no additional radiator to cool the engine 3, which results
in a smaller size of the air conditioner.
[0038] Thus, the vehicle air conditioner of the present embodiment
allows efficient air conditioning of the passenger compartment and
easy installation of the air conditioner in a vehicle.
[0039] Particularly in the air conditioner of the present
embodiment wherein second peltier module 13 is provided downstream
of the first peltier module 11 as seen in the engine coolant
flowing direction in the tube 9, since the second peltier device 27
releases heat to the engine coolant that has been cooled by the
first peltier device 17 when dehumidifying the vehicle passenger
compartment, a larger amount of heat is absorbed in the heat
absorbing surface of the second peltier device 27 and hence the
second fin 29 is sufficiently cooled. The outdoor air is cooled
efficiently and dehumidified sufficiently by such cooled second fin
29, resulting in efficient dehumidification of the passenger
compartment. The cooled outdoor air can be re-heated by the first
fin 19, which does not cause a decrease in the efficiency of air
conditioning of the passenger compartment.
[0040] In the air conditioner of the present embodiment, the first
and second peltier modules 11, 13 are provided in the duct 15 that
is in communication with the passenger compartment. The duct 15 is
provided with the flapper 37 which allows selective supply of the
outdoor air or the indoor air to the passenger compartment.
Efficient air conditioning of the passenger compartment is
accomplished by heating, cooling or dehumidifying the outdoor or
the indoor air selected as required.
[0041] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the above-described embodiments, but it may be modified
in various ways without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0042] For example, the engine coolant flowing through the tubes 7,
9 may be used not only to cool the engine 3 but also to cool any
other component such as a battery provided in a vehicle and
thermally coupled to the tubes 7, 9.
[0043] The number of the first peltier modules 11 and of the second
peltier modules 13 may be two or more. The number of the first
peltier module 11 and the number of the second peltier module 13
need not necessarily be the same, but they may be different from
each other.
[0044] The first fin 19 and the second fin 29 may be replaced by a
first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, respectively,
through which water circulates. In such a case, the water flowing
in the first heat exchanger receives heat from the first peltier
device 17 and hence is heated. Outdoor air or indoor air in the
main portion 31 of the duct 15 is heated by heat exchange with such
heated water. Similarly, the water flowing in the second heat
exchanger releases heat to the second peltier device 27 and is
cooled. Outdoor air or indoor air in the main portion 31 of the
duct 15 is cooled by heat exchange with such cooled water.
[0045] The present invention is applicable to an air conditioner
for use in an engine powered vehicle, a hybrid vehicle driven by an
engine and an electric motor, and an electric vehicle driven by an
electric motor.
* * * * *