U.S. patent application number 13/976543 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-14 for magnetic refrigeration system and vehicle air conditioning device.
This patent application is currently assigned to DENSO CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Tsuyoshi Morimoto, Katzutoshi Nishizawa, Naoki Watanabe, Shinichi Yatsuzuka. Invention is credited to Tsuyoshi Morimoto, Katzutoshi Nishizawa, Naoki Watanabe, Shinichi Yatsuzuka.
Application Number | 20130298571 13/976543 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46580592 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130298571 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morimoto; Tsuyoshi ; et
al. |
November 14, 2013 |
MAGNETIC REFRIGERATION SYSTEM AND VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING
DEVICE
Abstract
A magnetic refrigeration system constructed in such a way that a
refrigerant transfer part transfers refrigerant from a first
refrigerant discharge part of one refrigerant port to a first
refrigerant circulation circuit after a magnetic field is applied
to a magnetic working material by a magnetic field applying and
removing part and that the refrigerant transfer part transfers
refrigerant from a second refrigerant discharge part of other
refrigerant port to a second refrigerant circulation circuit after
the magnetic field is removed from the magnetic working material by
the magnetic field applying and removing part.
Inventors: |
Morimoto; Tsuyoshi;
(Obu-city, JP) ; Watanabe; Naoki; (Kariya-city,
JP) ; Yatsuzuka; Shinichi; (Nagoya-city, JP) ;
Nishizawa; Katzutoshi; (Toyoake-city, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Morimoto; Tsuyoshi
Watanabe; Naoki
Yatsuzuka; Shinichi
Nishizawa; Katzutoshi |
Obu-city
Kariya-city
Nagoya-city
Toyoake-city |
|
JP
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
DENSO CORPORATION
Kariya-city, Aichi-pref.
JP
|
Family ID: |
46580592 |
Appl. No.: |
13/976543 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
January 24, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2012/000412 |
371 Date: |
June 27, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/3.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02B 30/66 20130101;
B60H 1/00885 20130101; F25B 21/00 20130101; Y02B 30/00 20130101;
B60H 1/00864 20130101; F25B 2321/002 20130101; B60H 1/32 20130101;
F25B 2321/0022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/3.1 |
International
Class: |
F25B 21/00 20060101
F25B021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 27, 2011 |
JP |
2011-014914 |
May 17, 2011 |
JP |
2011-110206 |
Dec 21, 2011 |
JP |
2011-281288 |
Claims
1. A magnetic refrigeration system comprising: a cylindrical
container having a plurality of working chambers formed therein
radially in a circumferential direction, the plurality of working
chambers having a magnetic working material having a magnetocaloric
effect arranged therein and having refrigerant flowing
therethrough, the cylindrical container having one and other
refrigerant ports respectively on end faces in a longitudinal
direction; a magnetic field applying and removing part which
repeats applying and removing a magnetic field to and from the
magnetic working material; a first refrigerant circulation circuit
constructed in such a way that the refrigerant flowing out of a
first refrigerant discharge part of the one refrigerant port flows
through a first heat exchanger and returns to a first refrigerant
suction part of the one refrigerant port; a second refrigerant
circulation circuit constructed in such a way that the refrigerant
flowing out of a second refrigerant discharge part of the other
refrigerant port flows through a second heat exchanger and returns
to a second refrigerant suction part of the other refrigerant port;
and a refrigerant transfer part which transfers the refrigerant
between the one refrigerant port and the other refrigerant port,
wherein the refrigerant transfer part is constructed in such a way
as to transfer the refrigerant from the other refrigerant port to
the one refrigerant port after the magnetic field is applied to the
magnetic working material by the magnetic field applying and
removing part to thereby make the refrigerant flow out of the first
refrigerant discharge part of the one refrigerant port to the first
refrigerant circulation circuit, and in such a way as to transfer
the refrigerant from the one refrigerant port to the other
refrigerant port after the magnetic field is removed from the
magnetic working material by the magnetic field applying and
removing part to thereby make the refrigerant flow out of the
second refrigerant discharge part of the other refrigerant port to
the second refrigerant circulation circuit, and a volume of a space
constructing each of the first refrigerant suction part, the first
refrigerant discharge part, the second refrigerant suction part and
the second refrigerant discharge part is smaller than a volume of
the refrigerant discharged at one time in the refrigerant transfer
part.
2. A magnetic refrigeration system comprising: a cylindrical
container having a plurality of working chambers formed therein
radially in a circumferential direction, the plurality of working
chambers having a magnetic working material having a magnetocaloric
effect arranged therein and having refrigerant flowing
therethrough, the cylindrical container having one and other
refrigerant ports respectively on end faces in a longitudinal
direction; a magnetic field applying and removing part which
repeats applying and removing a magnetic field to and from the
magnetic working material; a first refrigerant circulation circuit
constructed in such a way that the refrigerant flowing out of a
first refrigerant discharge part of the one refrigerant port flows
through a first heat exchanger and returns to a first refrigerant
suction part of the one refrigerant port; a second refrigerant
circulation circuit constructed in such a way that the refrigerant
flowing out of a second refrigerant discharge part of the other
refrigerant port flows through a second heat exchanger and returns
to a second refrigerant suction part of the other refrigerant port;
and a refrigerant transfer part which transfers the refrigerant
between the one refrigerant port and the other refrigerant port,
wherein after the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic working
material by the magnetic field applying and removing part, the
refrigerant transfer part transfers the refrigerant from the other
refrigerant port to the one refrigerant port, and after the
magnetic field is removed from the magnetic working material by the
magnetic field applying and removing part, the refrigerant transfer
part transfers the refrigerant from the one refrigerant port to the
other refrigerant port.
3. The magnetic refrigeration system according to claim 2, further
comprising: a suction valve provided to each of the first
refrigerant suction part and the second refrigerant suction part
and opened when the refrigerant is sucked into the working
chambers, and a discharge valve provided to each of the first
refrigerant discharge part and the second refrigerant discharge
part and opened when the refrigerant is discharged from the working
chambers.
4. The magnetic refrigeration system according to claim 3, wherein
the discharge valve is arranged at a position nearer to the working
chambers than the suction valve is in the longitudinal direction of
the container.
5. The magnetic refrigeration system according to claim 3, wherein
of the suction valve and the discharge valve, at least the suction
valve is constructed of a rotary valve having a valve plate and a
rotary disk, the valve plate being arranged adjacently to the
working chambers and having a communication hole communicating with
interior of the working chambers, the rotary disk rotating in a
circumferential direction of the container to thereby open or close
the communication hole.
6. The magnetic refrigeration system according to claim 5, wherein
the rotary valve is constructed in such a way that the rotary disk
rotates by power for driving the magnetic field applying and
removing part.
7. The magnetic refrigeration system according to claim 1, further
comprising: a first backward flow preventing part provided to each
of the first refrigerant suction part and the first refrigerant
discharge part of the one refrigerant port so as to allow the
refrigerant to flow in one direction in order of the first
refrigerant discharge part, a refrigerant flow-in port of the first
heat exchanger, a refrigerant flow-out port of the first heat
exchanger, and the first refrigerant suction part; and a second
backward flow preventing part provided to each of the second
refrigerant suction part and the second refrigerant discharge part
of the other refrigerant port so as to allow the refrigerant to
flow in one direction in order of the second refrigerant discharge
part, a refrigerant flow-in port of the second heat exchanger, a
refrigerant flow-out port of the second heat exchanger, and the
second refrigerant suction part.
8. The magnetic refrigeration system according to claim 7, wherein
at least one of the first backward flow preventing part and the
second backward flow preventing part is constructed of a fluid
diode in which resistance is smaller in a forward direction of a
flow of the refrigerant than in a backward direction of the flow of
the refrigerant.
9. The magnetic refrigeration system according to claim 2, wherein
each of the first refrigerant suction part and the second
refrigerant suction part is one of a plurality of refrigerant
suction parts disposed in correspondence to the plurality of
working chambers, each of the first refrigerant discharge part and
the second refrigerant discharge part is one of a plurality of
refrigerant discharge parts disposed in correspondence to the
plurality of working chambers, the plurality of refrigerant suction
parts are positioned on a same circumference when viewed from the
longitudinal direction of the container, and the plurality of
refrigerant discharge parts are positioned on a same circumference
when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the container.
10. The magnetic refrigeration system according to claim 2, wherein
the magnetic field applying and removing part is constructed of a
magnetic field generating part, a rotary shaft which rotatably
supports the magnetic field generating part and a drive part which
drives the rotary shaft, and the magnetic field generating part is
disposed in such a way as to periodically come near to the magnetic
working material according to rotation of the rotary shaft.
11. The magnetic refrigeration system according to claim 10,
further comprising: a power transmission mechanism which transmits
power by the drive part to the refrigerant transfer part, wherein
the refrigerant transfer part reciprocally transfers the
refrigerant between the one refrigerant port and the other
refrigerant port by the power transmitted via the power
transmission mechanism.
12. The magnetic refrigeration system according to claim 2, wherein
the refrigerant transfer part is constructed of a multi-cylinder
type piston pump having a plurality of cylinders and a plurality of
pistons so as to correspond to the plurality of working
chambers.
13. A vehicle air conditioning device to which the magnetic
refrigeration system according to claim 2 is applied, the vehicle
air conditioning device comprising: a case constructing an air flow
passage for blown air to be blown into a passenger compartment,
wherein the first heat exchanger is arranged in the case to
construct a heating heat exchanger that heats the blown air, and
wherein the second heat exchanger is arranged in the case to
construct a cooling heat exchanger that cools the blown air.
14. The vehicle air conditioning device according to claim 13,
wherein the first heat exchanger is arranged downstream of the
second heat exchanger in a flow of the blown air in the case.
15. The vehicle air conditioning device according to claim 13
further comprising: a temperature adjusting part which adjusts a
volume of the blown air flowing into the first heat exchanger to
thereby adjust a temperature of air blown off into the passenger
compartment.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present disclosure is based on Japanese Patent
Application No. 2011-14914 filed on Jan. 27, 2011, Japanese Patent
Application No. 2011-110206 filed on May 17, 2011, and Japanese
Patent Application No. 2011-281288 filed on Dec. 22, 2011, and the
contents of those are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a magnetic refrigeration
system and a vehicle air conditioning device to which the magnetic
refrigeration system is applied.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] There is proposed a magnetic refrigeration system utilizing
a phenomenon (magnetocaloric effect) such that when a magnetic
field is applied to a magnetic working material such as a magnetic
material, the magnetic working material generates heat and such
that when the magnetic field is removed from the magnetic working
material, the magnetic working material is decreased in temperature
(see, for example, patent document 1).
[0004] The magnetic refrigeration system of this patent document 1
is constructed of: a magnetic working material mounted in a
railroad vehicle; a strong magnetic field generating device for
applying a magnetic field to the magnetic working material; a first
heat exchange flow passage through which a heating medium for
transferring the heat (hot heat) of the magnetic working material
flows, the heat (hot heat) being increased when the magnetic field
applied to the magnetic working material by the strong magnetic
field generating device is increased; a second heat exchange flow
passage through which the heating medium for transferring the heat
(cold heat) of the magnetic working material flows, the heat (cold
heat) being decreased when the magnetic field applied to the
magnetic material by the strong magnetic field generating device is
decreased; and pumps and heat exchangers arranged in the respective
heat exchange flow passages.
[0005] When the magnetic field applied by the strong magnetic field
generating device is increased, the pump disposed in the first heat
exchange flow passage is activated to make the heating medium whose
temperature is increased by the hot heat of the magnetic working
material exchange heat with air outside a passenger compartment by
the heat exchanger. On the other hand, when the magnetic field
applied by the strong magnetic field generating device is
decreased, the pump disposed in the second heat exchange flow
passage is activated to make the heating medium whose temperature
is decreased by the cold heat of the magnetic working material
exchange heat with air inside the passenger compartment by the heat
exchanger.
[0006] By the way, in the magnetic refrigeration system of the
patent document 1, the strong magnetic field generating device is
constructed of a superconducting coil or the like so as to increase
a temperature change in the magnetic working material and the
application of the magnetic refrigeration system is limited to
special uses. Hence, it is difficult to apply the magnetic
refrigeration system to a general-purpose product such as a vehicle
air conditioning device.
[0007] As a means for solving an issue like this has been known an
AMR (Active Magnetic Refrigerator) type magnetic refrigeration
system in which: after a magnetic field applied to a magnetic
working material is increased, refrigerant (magnetic heat
transporting medium) is transferred to one end (high temperature
end) in the magnetic working material; and after the magnetic field
applied to the magnetic working material is decreased, the
refrigerant is transferred to the other end (low temperature end)
in the magnetic working material, whereby the cold heat and the hot
heat generated by the magnetocaloric effect are stored in the
magnetic working material itself.
[0008] The AMR type magnetic refrigeration system generally has a
container filled with a magnetic working material and having a
refrigerant flow passage through which a refrigerant flows and
reciprocally transfers the refrigerant between one end and the
other end of the container according to applying and removing a
magnetic field to and from the magnetic working material.
[0009] The following four processes are repeated: (i) applying the
magnetic field to the magnetic working material; (ii) transporting
hot heat generated in the magnetic working material to the one end
(high temperature end) of the container by the refrigerant; (iii)
removing the magnetic field from the magnetic working material; and
(iv) transporting cold heat generated in the magnetic working
material to the other end (low temperature end) of the container by
the refrigerant.
[0010] In this way, a temperature gradient is produced in the
magnetic working material in the container and hence a large
temperature difference is produced between a high temperature end
and a low temperature end in the container.
[0011] Here, it may be thought that the AMR type magnetic
refrigeration system is applicable to the magnetic refrigeration
system of the patent document 1. However, in this case, there is
presented an issue that the COP (Coefficient Of Performance) of
refrigeration of the magnetic refrigeration system is reduced.
Here, the COP expresses a cooling or heating capacity per 1 kW of
power consumption.
[0012] This is because a refrigerant flowing through a refrigerant
flow passage is made to exchange heat with a heating medium flowing
through a heat exchange flow passage, around a magnetic working
material, in the case where the AMR type magnetic refrigeration
system is applied to the magnetic refrigeration system of the
patent document 1. Hence the heat of the magnetic working material
is transmitted indirectly to the heating medium flowing through the
heat exchange flow passage. At this time, a heat exchange loss is
increased between the magnetic working material and the heating
medium.
PRIOR ART DOCUMENT
Patent Document
[0013] Patent document 1: JP-A-2006-56274
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a magnetic
refrigeration system and a vehicle air conditioning device to which
the magnetic refrigeration system is applied.
[0015] A magnetic refrigeration system according to one example of
the present disclosure is provided with: a cylindrical container
having a plurality of working chambers formed therein radially in a
circumferential direction, the plurality of working chambers having
a magnetic working material having a magnetocaloric effect arranged
therein and having refrigerant flowing therethrough; a magnetic
field applying and removing part which repeats applying and
removing a magnetic field to and from the magnetic working
material; a first refrigerant circulation circuit constructed in
such a way that the refrigerant flowing out of a refrigerant
discharge part of one refrigerant port flows through a first heat
exchanger and returns to a refrigerant suction part of the one
refrigerant port, of the one and other refrigerant ports
respectively disposed on end faces of the container in a
longitudinal direction; a second refrigerant circulation circuit
constructed in such a way that the refrigerant flowing out of a
refrigerant discharge part of the other refrigerant port flows
through a second heat exchanger and returns to a refrigerant
suction part of the other refrigerant port, of the one and the
other refrigerant ports; and a refrigerant transfer part which
transfers the refrigerant between the one refrigerant port and the
other refrigerant port, wherein after the magnetic field is applied
to the magnetic working material by the magnetic field applying and
removing part, the refrigerant transfer part transfers the
refrigerant from the other refrigerant port to the one refrigerant
port, and wherein after the magnetic field is removed from the
magnetic working material by the magnetic field applying and
removing part, the refrigerant transfer part transfers the
refrigerant from the one refrigerant port to the other refrigerant
port.
[0016] Accordingly, after the magnetic field is applied to the
magnetic working material, the refrigerant is transferred from the
other refrigerant port to the one refrigerant port in the working
chambers, whereby the refrigerant near the one refrigerant port,
whose temperature is increased by hot heat of the magnetic working
material generated by applying the magnetic field to the magnetic
working material, can be made to flow into the first heat exchanger
via the first refrigerant circulation circuit.
[0017] Further, after the magnetic field is removed from the
magnetic working material, the refrigerant is transferred from the
one refrigerant port to the other refrigerant port in the working
chambers, whereby the refrigerant near the other refrigerant port,
whose temperature is decreased by cold heat of the magnetic working
material generated by removing the magnetic field from the magnetic
working material, can be made to flow into the second heat
exchanger via the second refrigerant circulation circuit.
[0018] In this way, the refrigerant whose temperature is increased
by the hot heat generated in the magnetic working material can be
made to flow directly into the first heat exchanger and the
refrigerant whose temperature is decreased by the cold heat
generated in the magnetic working material can be made to flow
directly into the second heat exchanger. Hence, a heat exchange
loss can be reduced when the hot heat and the cold heat generated
in the magnetic working material are transported, and hence the COP
of the magnetic refrigeration system can be improved.
[0019] In this regard, when the refrigerant is transferred from the
other refrigerant port to the one refrigerant port in the working
chambers, it follows that the refrigerant flowing through the
second heat exchanger flows into the working chambers via the other
refrigerant port from the second refrigerant circulation circuit.
Further, when the refrigerant is transferred from the one
refrigerant port to the other refrigerant port in the working
chambers, it follows that the refrigerant flowing through the first
heat exchanger flows into the working chambers via the one
refrigerant port from the first refrigerant circulation
circuit.
[0020] In particular, by making the volume of a space constructing
each of the refrigerant suction part and the refrigerant discharge
part smaller than the volume of the refrigerant discharged at one
time in the refrigerant transfer part, it is possible to prevent
the refrigerant, whose temperature is increased by the hot heat
generated in the magnetic working material, and the refrigerant,
whose temperature is decreased by the cold heat generated in the
magnetic working material, from remaining in the container. In
other words, it is possible to efficiently discharge the
refrigerant, whose temperature is increased by the hot heat
generated in the magnetic working material, and the refrigerant,
whose temperature is decreased by the cold heat generated in the
magnetic working material, to the outside.
[0021] Further, the refrigerant suction part is provided with a
suction valve opened when the refrigerant is sucked into the
working chambers, and the refrigerant discharge part is provided
with a discharge valve opened when the refrigerant is discharged
from the working chambers.
[0022] According to this, after the magnetic field is applied to
the magnetic working material, the refrigerant near the one
refrigerant port, whose temperature is increased by the hot heat
generated in the magnetic working material by applying the magnetic
field, can be made to surely flow into the first heat exchanger via
the first refrigerant circulation circuit and the refrigerant
flowing out of the second heat exchanger can be sucked into the
working chambers from the other refrigerant port.
[0023] Further, after the magnetic field is removed from the
magnetic working material, the refrigerant near the other
refrigerant port, whose temperature is decreased by the cold heat
generated in the magnetic working material by removing the magnetic
field, can be made to surely flow into the second heat exchanger
via the second refrigerant circulation circuit and the refrigerant
flowing out of the first heat exchanger can be sucked into the
working chambers from the one refrigerant port.
[0024] Still further, the discharge valve is arranged at a position
nearer to the working chambers than the suction valve is in the
longitudinal direction of the container.
[0025] In this way, when the discharge valve is arranged in the
vicinity of the working chambers, it is possible to prevent an
unnecessary heat exchange between the refrigerant remaining around
the suction valve and the refrigerant discharged from the working
chambers via the discharge valve. This can reduce a heat exchange
loss when the hot heat and the cold heat generated in the magnetic
working material are transported, and hence can improve the COP of
the magnetic refrigeration system.
[0026] Still further, of the suction valve and the discharge valve,
at least the suction valve is constructed of a rotary valve having
a valve plate and a rotary disk, the valve plate being arranged
adjacently to the working chambers and having a communication hole
communicating with an interior of the working chambers, the rotary
disk rotating in a circumferential direction of the container to
thereby open or close the communication hole.
[0027] According to this, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant
from remaining around the suction valve and to prevent an
unnecessary heat exchange between the refrigerant remaining around
the suction valve and the refrigerant discharged from the working
chambers via the discharge valve. This can reduce a heat exchange
loss when the hot heat and the cold heat generated in the magnetic
working material are transported, and hence can improve the COP of
the magnetic refrigeration system.
[0028] Still further, when the rotary valve is constructed in such
a way that the rotary disk rotates by the use of power for driving
the magnetic field applying and removing part, the magnetic
refrigeration system can be realized by a simple construction.
[0029] Still further, each of the refrigerant suction part and the
refrigerant discharge part in the one refrigerant port is provided
with a first backward flow preventing part for allowing the
refrigerant to flow in one direction in order of the refrigerant
discharge part, a refrigerant flow-in port in the first heat
exchanger, a refrigerant flow-out port in the first heat exchanger,
and the refrigerant suction part, and each of the refrigerant
suction part and the refrigerant discharge part in the other
refrigerant port is provided with a second backward flow preventing
part for allowing the refrigerant to flow in one direction in order
of the refrigerant discharge part, a refrigerant flow-in port in
the second heat exchanger, a refrigerant flow-out port in the
second heat exchanger, and the refrigerant suction part.
[0030] This can also make the refrigerant near the one refrigerant
port, whose temperature is increased by the hot heat generated in
the magnetic working material by applying the magnetic field after
the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic working material,
surely flows into the first heat exchanger via the first
refrigerant circulation circuit and can suck the refrigerant
flowing out of the second heat exchanger into the working chambers
from the other refrigerant port.
[0031] Further, this can make the refrigerant near the other
refrigerant port, whose temperature is decreased by the cold heat
generated in the magnetic working material by removing the magnetic
field after the magnetic field is removed from the magnetic working
material, surely flows into the second heat exchanger via the
second refrigerant circulation circuit and can suck the refrigerant
flowing out of the first heat exchanger into the working chambers
from the one refrigerant port.
[0032] Still further, when at least one of the first backward flow
preventing part and the second backward flow preventing part is
constructed of a fluid diode in which resistance is smaller in a
forward direction of a flow of the refrigerant than in a backward
direction of the flow of the refrigerant, the magnetic
refrigeration system can be realized by a simple construction.
[0033] Still further, when the refrigerant suction part and the
refrigerant discharge part are disposed plurally in correspondence
to the plurality of working chambers, it is preferable that the
refrigerant suction parts are disposed in such a way as to be
positioned on a same circumference when viewed from the
longitudinal direction of the container and that the refrigerant
discharge parts are disposed in such a way as to be positioned on a
same circumference when viewed from the longitudinal direction of
the container.
[0034] Specifically, the magnetic field applying and removing part
is constructed of a magnetic field generating part, a rotary shaft
for rotatably supporting the magnetic field generating part, and a
drive part for driving the rotary shaft, and the magnetic field
generating part is disposed in such a way as to periodically come
near to the magnetic working material according to the rotation of
the rotary shaft. This makes it possible to periodically repeat
applying and removing the magnetic field to and from the magnetic
working material by the magnetic field applying and removing
part.
[0035] Still further, the magnetic refrigeration system is provided
with a power transmission mechanism for transmitting power by the
drive part to the refrigerant transfer part. The refrigerant
transfer part reciprocally transfers the refrigerant between the
one refrigerant port and the other refrigerant port by the power
transmitted via the power transmission mechanism.
[0036] In this way, when the magnetic refrigeration system employs
a construction in which the refrigerant transfer part is driven by
the power of the drive part of the magnetic field applying and
removing part, the drive source can be common between the
refrigerant transfer part and the magnetic field applying and
removing part. Hence, the magnetic refrigeration system can be
realized by a simple construction. Moreover, power consumption in
the magnetic refrigeration system can be restricted from
increasing, and hence can further improve the COP of the magnetic
refrigeration system.
[0037] Still further, it is preferable that the refrigerant
transfer part is constructed of a multi-cylinder type piston pump
having a plurality of cylinders and a plurality of pistons,
corresponding to the plurality of working chambers.
[0038] Still further, when a vehicle air conditioning device to
which the magnetic refrigeration system described above is applied
includes a case constructing an air flow passage for blown air to
be blown into a passenger compartment. A heating heat exchanger for
heating the blow air to be blown into the passenger compartment is
constructed by the first heat exchanger, and a cooling heat
exchanger for cooling the blow air to be blown into the passenger
compartment is constructed by the second heat exchanger. Thus, the
vehicle air conditioning device can cool and heat the interior of
the passenger compartment.
[0039] Specifically, when the first heat exchanger is arranged
downstream of the second heat exchanger in a flow of the blown air
in the case, the first heat exchanger can heat the blown air, which
is cooled and dehumidified by the second heat exchanger, thereby
dehumidify the blown air at the time of heating the interior of the
passenger compartment.
[0040] Still further, the vehicle air conditioning device may
include a temperature adjusting part for adjusting a volume of the
blown air flowing into the first heat exchanger to thereby adjust a
temperature of air blown off into the passenger compartment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] The above-mentioned object and other objects, features, and
advantages of the present disclosure will be made clear by the
following detailed descriptions with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0042] FIG. 1 is a general construction diagram illustrating a
vehicle air conditioning device according to a first
embodiment.
[0043] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view illustrating a magnetic
refrigerator according to the first embodiment.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a section view taken along a line A-A in FIG.
2.
[0045] FIG. 4 is an explanatory view illustrating an operating
principle of the magnetic refrigerator according to the first
embodiment.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a general construction diagram illustrating a
refrigerant circuit at the time of a cooling mode of the vehicle
air conditioning device according to the first embodiment.
[0047] FIG. 6 is a general construction diagram illustrating the
refrigerant circuit at the time of a heating mode of the vehicle
air conditioning device according to the first embodiment.
[0048] FIG. 7 is a general construction diagram illustrating the
refrigerant circuit at the time of a dehumidifying mode of the
vehicle air conditioning device according to the first
embodiment.
[0049] FIG. 8 is a general construction diagram illustrating a
vehicle air conditioning device according to a second
embodiment.
[0050] FIG. 9 is a general construction diagram illustrating a
vehicle air conditioning device according to a third
embodiment.
[0051] FIG. 10 is a general construction diagram illustrating a
vehicle air conditioning device according to a fourth
embodiment.
[0052] FIG. 11 is a general construction diagram illustrating a
vehicle air conditioning device according to a fifth
embodiment.
[0053] FIG. 12 is an enlarged view illustrating a magnetic
refrigerator according to the fifth embodiment.
[0054] FIG. 13 is a general construction diagram illustrating a
vehicle air conditioning device according to a sixth
embodiment.
[0055] FIG. 14 is a general construction diagram illustrating a
vehicle air conditioning device according to a seventh
embodiment.
[0056] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view illustrating a main portion of a
magnetic refrigerator according to an eighth embodiment.
[0057] FIG. 16 is an enlarged view illustrating a magnetic
refrigerator according to a ninth embodiment.
[0058] FIG. 17 is a section view taken along a line B-B in FIG.
16.
[0059] FIG. 18 is a section view taken along a line C-C in FIG.
16.
[0060] FIG. 19 is an enlarged view illustrating a magnetic
refrigerator according to a tenth embodiment.
[0061] FIG. 20 is a section view taken along a line D-D in FIG.
19.
[0062] FIG. 21 is a section view taken along a line E-E in FIG.
19.
[0063] FIG. 22 is a schematic section view illustrating a nozzle
type fluid diode according to an 11th embodiment.
[0064] FIG. 23 is an explanatory view illustrating a vortex type
fluid diode according to the 11th embodiment.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0065] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described on the basis of the drawings. In the respective
embodiments to be described below, parts identical or equivalent to
each other are denoted by the same reference symbols in the
drawings.
First Embodiment
[0066] A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described on the basis of FIG. 1 to FIG. 7. FIG. 1 is a general
construction diagram of a vehicle air conditioning device 1 of the
present embodiment. In the present embodiment, a magnetic
refrigeration system 2 of the present disclosure is applied to the
vehicle air conditioning device 1 for air-conditioning an interior
of a passenger compartment of an automobile.
[0067] The vehicle air conditioning device 1 of the present
embodiment is an air conditioning device mounted in the automobile
acquiring a drive force for driving from an internal combustion
engine (engine).
[0068] The vehicle air conditioning device 1, as shown in FIG. 1,
is provided with the magnetic refrigeration system 2 arranged in an
engine compartment, an indoor air conditioning unit 10 arranged in
the passenger compartment, and an air conditioning control device
100.
[0069] The magnetic refrigeration system 2 of the present
embodiment is constructed in such a way as to be capable of
switching a refrigerant circuit of a cooling mode for cooling the
interior of the passenger compartment, a heating mode for heating
the interior of the passenger compartment, and a dehumidifying mode
for humidifying the interior of the passenger compartment at the
heating time. Hence, the vehicle air conditioning device 1 can
cool, heat, and dehumidify the interior of the passenger
compartment.
[0070] Specifically, the magnetic refrigeration system 2 of the
present embodiment employs an AMR (Active Magnetic Refrigeration)
system of storing cold heat and hot heat generated by a
magnetocaloric effect in a magnetic working material 30 itself. The
magnetic refrigeration system 2 of the present embodiment is
constructed of a magnetic refrigerator 3 for generating the cold
heat and the hot heat by the magnetocaloric effect, a high
temperature side refrigerant circuit (first refrigerant circulation
circuit) 4 for circulating refrigerant whose temperature is
increased by the hot heat generated by the magnetic refrigerator 3
in a heating heat exchanger (first heat exchanger) 13, a low
temperature side refrigerant circuit (second refrigerant
circulation circuit) 5 for circulating the refrigerant whose
temperature is decreased by the cold heat generated by the magnetic
refrigerator 3 in a cooling heat exchanger (second heat exchanger)
12, and the like.
[0071] The magnetic refrigerator 3 is constructed of: a heat
exchange container 31 having working chambers 311 formed therein,
the working chamber 311 receiving the magnetic working material 30
having the magnetocaloric effect and having refrigerant (for
example, water or antifreeze solution) of a heat transporting
medium flowing therethrough; a magnetic field applying and removing
device 32 for applying and removing a magnetic field to and from
the magnetic working material 30; a refrigerant pump 34 for
transferring the refrigerant in the heat exchange container 31; an
electric motor 35 corresponding to a drive source of the magnetic
refrigerator 3; and the like.
[0072] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the magnetic refrigerator 3,
and FIG. 3 is a section view taken on a line A-A in FIG. 2. For the
sake of convenience of description, in FIG. 2, a section in an
axial direction of the magnetic refrigerator 3 is shown.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 2, the heat exchange container 31 of the
present embodiment is divided into a high temperature side
container 31a for generating the hot heat by the magnetocaloric
effect and a low temperature side container 31b for generating the
cold heat by the magnetocaloric effect. The high temperature side
container 31a and the low temperature side container 31b are
arranged side by side in a coaxial direction with the refrigerant
pump 34 interposed between them.
[0074] Each of the high temperature side container 31a and the low
temperature side container 31b is constructed of a cylindrical
container. Each of the containers 31a, 31b has the working chambers
311 formed therein, the working chamber 311 receiving the magnetic
working material 30 in a wall portion constructing an outer shape
and having the refrigerant flowing therethrough. Here, as shown in
FIG. 3, each of the containers 31a, 31b has a plurality of working
chambers 311 formed therein radially in a circumferential
direction.
[0075] Further, high temperature side and low temperature side
refrigerant ports 312, 313 are respectively formed in end faces of
the heat exchange container 31 (on sides opposite to the
refrigerant pump 34 in the respective containers 31a, 31b), and the
refrigerant can be sucked and discharged through the refrigerant
ports 312, 313.
[0076] Still further, end faces adjacent to the refrigerant pump 34
in the respective containers 31a, 31b have communication passages
314, 315 respectively formed therein, the communication passages
314, 315 communicating with the interior of the cylinder bore 344
of the refrigerant pump 34 which will be described later. In this
regard, the communication passages 314, 315 are formed plurally in
correspondence to the respective high temperature side ports 312
and to the respective low temperature side ports 313.
[0077] Of the refrigerant ports 312, 313, the high temperature side
ports 312 formed in the high temperature side container 31a are
formed in correspondence to the respective working chambers 311 of
the high temperature side container 31a and communicate with the
corresponding working chambers 311.
[0078] Each of the high temperature side ports 312 is constructed
of a refrigerant suction part 312a for sucking the refrigerant and
a refrigerant discharge part 312b for discharging the refrigerant.
The refrigerant suction part 312a is provided with a suction valve
312c opened at the time of sucking the refrigerant, and the
refrigerant discharge part 312b is provided with a discharge valve
312d opened at the time of discharging the refrigerant. Each of the
suction valve 312c and the discharge valve 312d of the present
embodiment is a reed valve constructed of an elastic plate member
having one end fixed.
[0079] Still further, of the refrigerant ports 312, 313, the low
temperature side ports 313 formed in the low temperature side
container 31b are formed in correspondence to the respective
working chambers 311 of the low temperature side container 31b and
communicate with the corresponding working chambers 311.
[0080] As is the case with the high temperature side ports 312,
each of the low temperature side ports 313 is constructed of a
refrigerant suction part 313a and a refrigerant discharge part
313b. The refrigerant suction part 313a is provided with a suction
valve 313c and the refrigerant discharge part 313b is provided with
a discharge valve 313d.
[0081] Still further, end faces adjacent to the refrigerant pump 34
in the respective containers 31a, 31b have communication passages
314, 315 respectively formed therein, the communication passages
314, 315 communicating with the interior of the cylinder bore 344
of the refrigerant pump 34 which will be described later. In this
regard, the communication passages 314, 315 are formed plurally in
correspondence to the respective high temperature side ports 312
and to the respective low temperature side ports 313.
[0082] In the respective containers 31a, 31b are received rotary
shafts 321a, 321b, rotors (rotors) 322a, 322b fixed respectively to
the rotary shafts 321a, 321b, and permanent magnets 323a, 323b
embedded respectively in the outer circumferential faces of the
rotors 322a, 322b, which construct parts of the magnetic field
applying and removing device 32.
[0083] Each of the rotary shafts 321a, 321b is rotatably supported
by support members 36a, 36b disposed on both end portions in a
longitudinal direction of each of the containers 31a, 31b.
[0084] The high temperature side rotary shaft 321a received in the
high temperature side container 31a has an end portion, adjacent to
the refrigerant pump 34, extended to the outside of the high
temperature side container 31a and coupled to a drive shaft 341 of
the refrigerant pump 34, which will be described later, via a speed
change mechanism 37a which will be described later.
[0085] Further, the low temperature side rotary shaft 321b received
in the low temperature side container 31b has an end portion, on
the refrigerant pump 34, extended to the outside of the low
temperature side container 31b and coupled to the drive shaft 341
of the refrigerant pump 34, which will be described later, via a
speed change mechanism 37b which will be described later. Still
further, the low temperature side rotary shaft 321b has an end
portion on the side opposite to the refrigerant pump 34 extended to
the outside of the low temperature side container 31b and coupled
to the electric motor 35 for rotating the respective rotary shafts
321a, 321b. The electric motor 35 will be described later.
[0086] The rotor 322a, 322b is fixed to the rotary shaft 321a, 321b
in such a way as to rotate with a given air gap from the inner
circumferential face of the container 31a, 31b in a state where the
rotor 322a, 322b has the permanent magnet 323a, 323b disposed on
its outer circumferential face.
[0087] Still further, as shown in FIG. 3, the permanent magnet
323a, 323b is disposed on the outer circumferential face (for
example, a range of about 1/4 of the outer circumferential faces)
in the rotor 322a, 322b in such a way as to periodically come near
to the upper working chambers 311 and the lower working chambers
311 in the container 31a, 31b according to the rotation of the
rotary shaft 321a, 321b.
[0088] In this way, according to the rotation of the rotary shaft
321a, 321b, a magnetic field generated around the permanent magnet
323a, 323b is applied to the magnetic working material 30 received
on the side near to the permanent magnet 323a, 323b in the
container 31a, 31b and is removed from the magnetic working
material 30 disposed on the side far from the permanent magnet
323a, 323b in the container 31a, 31b.
[0089] The refrigerant pump 34 constructs a refrigerant transfer
part for transferring the refrigerant between the high temperature
side ports 312 and the low temperature side ports 313 which are
formed in the heat exchanger container 31. In the present
embodiment, a piston pump of a tandem type in which two compression
mechanisms are coaxially activated by one drive shaft 341 is
employed as the refrigerant pump 34.
[0090] Specifically, the refrigerant pump 34 of the present
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, is constructed of: a housing 340;
the drive shaft 341 rotatably supported in the housing 340; a swash
plate 342 having a slant face slanted with respect to the drive
shaft 341 and rotated integrally with the drive shaft 341; a piston
343 reciprocated according to the rotation of the swash plate 342;
the cylinder bore 344 formed on both sides of the piston 343 in the
housing 340; and the like.
[0091] The drive shaft 341 is rotatably supported by support
members 340a, 340b disposed on both end portions in the
longitudinal direction of the housing 340. The drive shaft 341 has
both end portions thereof extended to the outside of the housing
340 and coupled to the high temperature side rotary shaft 321a and
the low temperature side rotary shaft 321b via the respective speed
change mechanisms 37a, 37b.
[0092] Here, the respective speed change mechanisms 37a, 37b
construct a power transmission mechanism for transmitting power
generated by the electric motor 35 to the refrigerant pump 34 via
the low temperature side rotary shaft 321b coupled to the electric
motor 35. Each of the speed change mechanisms 37a, 37b of the
present embodiment is constructed in such a way as to adjust the
ratio (speed reducing ratio) of the number of revolutions of each
of the rotary shafts 321a, 321b to the number of revolutions of the
drive shaft 341 of the refrigerant pump 34. The speed reducing
ratio is determined according to the number of poles of each of the
permanent magnets 323a, 323b fixed respectively to the rotary
shafts 321a, 321b. For example, in the case where the number of
poles of each of the permanent magnets 323a, 323b is n poles, the
speed reducing ratio can be determined to be 1/n in such a way that
when the drive shaft 341 of the refrigerant pump 34 is rotated by
n, each of the rotary shafts 321a, 321b are rotated by one.
[0093] The cylinder bore 344 is constructed of a high temperature
side bore part 344a corresponding to the respective communication
passages 314 of the high temperature side container 31a and a low
temperature side bore part 344b corresponding to the respective
communication passages 315 of the low temperature side container
31b. Here, the cylinder bore 344 is constructed in such a way that
the refrigerant in the high temperature side bore part 344a can
exchange heat with the refrigerant in the low temperature side bore
part 344b.
[0094] Here, the refrigerant pump 34 of the present embodiment is
constructed in such a way as to suck or discharge the refrigerant
from or into the respective containers 31a, 31b in synchronization
with applying and removing the magnetic field to and from the
magnetic working material 30.
[0095] For example, the refrigerant pump 34 is constructed in the
following way: when the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic
working material 30 in the respective working chambers 311 disposed
on the upper side of each of the containers 31a, 31b, the
refrigerant pump 34 discharges the refrigerant in sequence into the
respective working chambers 311 disposed on the upper side in the
high temperature side container 31a and sucks the refrigerant in
sequence from the respective working chambers 311 disposed on the
upper side in the low temperature side container 31b. At this time,
by the refrigerant pump 34, the refrigerant is sucked in sequence
from the respective working chambers 311 disposed on the lower side
in the high temperature side container 31a and is discharged in
sequence into the respective working chambers 311 disposed on the
lower side in the low temperature side container 31b.
[0096] On the other hand, the refrigerant pump 34 is constructed in
the following way: when the magnetic field is removed from the
magnetic working material 30 in the respective working chambers 311
disposed on the upper side of each of the containers 31a, 31b, the
refrigerant pump 34 sucks the refrigerant in sequence from the
respective working chambers 311 disposed on the upper side in the
high temperature side container 31a and discharges the refrigerant
in sequence into the respective working chambers 311 disposed on
the upper side in the low temperature side container 31b.
[0097] When the refrigerant is discharged into the working chambers
311 of the respective containers 31a, 31b by the refrigerant pump
34, the discharge valves 312d, 313d disposed at the refrigerant
discharge parts 312b, 313b of the respective containers 31a, 31b
are opened, whereby the refrigerant near the refrigerant discharge
parts 312b, 313b in the respective containers 31a, 31b is
discharged to the outside.
[0098] On the other hand, when the refrigerant is sucked from the
working chambers 311 of the respective containers 31a, 31b by the
refrigerant pump 34, the suction valves 312c, 313d disposed at the
refrigerant suction parts 312a, 313a of the respective containers
31a, 31b are opened, whereby the refrigerant is introduced from the
outside into portions near the refrigerant suction parts 312a, 313a
in the respective containers 31a, 31b.
[0099] In this way, in the magnetic refrigerator 3, the refrigerant
can be sucked or discharged in sequence from or into the respective
working chambers 311 in the respective containers 31a, 31b in
synchronization with applying and removing the magnetic field to
and from the magnetic working material 30, so that the refrigerant
near the refrigerant discharge parts 312b, 313b in the respective
containers 31a, 31b can be continuously discharged to the
outside.
[0100] Returning to FIG. 1, the electric motor 35 is a drive part
that is activated by electric power supplied from a battery (not
shown) mounted in the automobile and that supplies power to the
rotary shafts 321a, 321b and the drive shaft 341 to thereby drive
the magnetic refrigerator 3.
[0101] Here, in the present embodiment, the rotary shafts 321a,
321b, the rotors 322a, 322b, the permanent magnets 323a, 323b,
which are received respectively in the containers 31, 31b, and the
electric motor 35 disposed on the outside of the heat exchange
container 31 construct the magnetic field applying and removing
device 32 that is a magnetic field applying and removing part.
Further, each of the permanent magnets 323a, 323b constructs a
magnetic field generating part for generating a magnetic field.
[0102] Next, the high temperature side refrigerant circuit 4 and
the low temperature side refrigerant circuit 5 will be described.
First, describing the high temperature side refrigerant circuit 4,
the high temperature side refrigerant circuit 4 is a refrigerant
circulation circuit for introducing the refrigerant discharged from
the refrigerant discharge parts 312b of the high temperature side
ports 312 in the high temperature side container 31a into a
refrigerant flow-in port 13a of the heating heat exchanger 13 and
for returning the refrigerant flowing out of a refrigerant flow-out
port 13b of the heating heat exchanger 13 into the refrigerant
suction parts 312a of the high temperature side ports 312.
[0103] Specifically, the refrigerant discharge parts 312b of the
high temperature side ports 312 have the refrigerant flow-in port
13a of the heating heat exchanger 13 connected thereto. The heating
heat exchanger 13 is a heat exchanger (first heat exchanger) that
is arranged in a case 11 of the indoor air conditioning unit 10 to
be described later and that makes the refrigerant flowing through
the case 11 exchange heat with blown air after passing through the
cooling heat exchanger 12 to be described later to thereby heat the
blown air.
[0104] The refrigerant flow-out port 13b of the heating heat
exchanger 13 has a first electric three-way valve 41 connected
thereto. The first electric three-way valve 41 constructs a flow
passage switching part whose activation is controlled by a control
signal outputted from the air conditioning control device 100.
[0105] More specifically, the first electric three-way valve 41
switches a refrigerant circuit for connecting the refrigerant
flow-out port 13b of the heating heat exchanger 13 to the
refrigerant suction part 312a of the high temperature side
container 31a and a refrigerant flow passage for connecting the
refrigerant flow-out port 13b of the heating heat exchanger 13 to a
heat radiation side refrigerant flow-in port 61a of a heat
absorbing and radiating heat exchanger 6.
[0106] The heat absorbing and radiating heat exchanger 6 is an
outdoor heat exchanger that is arranged in the engine compartment
and that makes the refrigerant flowing through itself exchange heat
with an outside air. The heat absorbing and radiating heat
exchanger 6 of the present embodiment is constructed of two heat
exchange parts corresponding to a heat radiating part 61 through
which the refrigerant flowing out of the heating heat exchanger 13
flows and a heat absorption part 62 through which the refrigerant
discharged from the low temperature side container 31b flows.
[0107] The heat radiating part 61 of the heat absorbing and
radiating heat exchanger 6 is a heat exchange part for making the
refrigerant flowing-in (refrigerant flowing out of the heating heat
exchanger 13) through the heat radiation side refrigerant flow-in
port 61a exchange heat with the outside air. Further, the heat
absorption part 62 of the heat absorbing and radiating heat
exchanger 6 is a heat exchange part for making the refrigerant
flowing-in (refrigerant discharged from the low temperature side
container 31b) through the heat absorption side refrigerant flow-in
port 62a exchange heat with the outside air.
[0108] In this regard, the heat radiating part 61 and the heat
absorption part 62 have their refrigerant flow passages constructed
independently of each other so as to prevent the refrigerant
flowing through the heat radiating part 61 and the refrigerant
flowing in the heat absorption part 62 from being mixed with each
other in the heat absorbing and radiating heat exchanger 6.
[0109] The heat radiation side refrigerant flow-out port 61b of the
heat absorbing and radiating heat exchanger 6 has the refrigerant
suction parts 312a of the high temperature side container 31a
connected thereto, and the refrigerant having heat radiated in the
heat absorbing and radiating heat exchanger 6 is returned to the
working chambers 311 of the high temperature side container
31a.
[0110] Thus, the high temperature side refrigerant circuit 4 is
constructed of: a circulation circuit in which the refrigerant is
circulated in order of the refrigerant discharge part 312b of the
high temperature side container 31a, the heating heat exchanger 13,
the first electric three-way valve 41, and the refrigerant suction
part 312a of the high temperature side container 31a; and a
circulation circuit in which the refrigerant is circulated in order
of the refrigerant discharge part 312b of the high temperature side
container 31a, the heating heat exchanger 13, the first electric
three-way valve 41, the heat radiating part 61 of the heat
absorbing and radiating heat exchanger 6, and the refrigerant
suction part 312a of the high temperature side container 31a.
[0111] In this regard, the high temperature side refrigerant
circuit 4 has a reservoir tank 43 connected between the heating
heat exchanger 13 and the first electric three-way valve 41 via a
fixed throttle 42, the reservoir tank 43 adjusting the amount of
the refrigerant flowing through the high temperature side
refrigerant circuit 4. As the fixed throttle 42 can be employed an
orifice or a capillary tube.
[0112] Further, the low temperature side refrigerant circuit 5 is a
refrigerant circulation circuit that introduces the refrigerant
discharged from the refrigerant discharge parts 313b of the low
temperature side ports 313 in the low temperature side container
31b into the refrigerant flow-in port 12a of the cooling heat
exchanger 12 and that returns the refrigerant flowing out of the
refrigerant flow-out port 12b of the cooling heat exchanger 12 to
the refrigerant suction parts 313a of the low temperature side
ports 313.
[0113] Specifically, the refrigerant discharge parts 313b of the
low temperature side ports 313 have a second electric three-way
valve 51 connected thereto. As is the case with the first electric
three-way valve 41, the second electric three-way valve 51
constructs a flow passage switching part whose activation is
controlled by a control signal outputted from the air conditioning
control device 100.
[0114] The second electric three-way valve 51 switches a
refrigerant circuit for connecting the refrigerant discharge parts
313b of the low temperature side ports 313 to the heat absorption
side refrigerant flow-in port 62a of the heat absorbing and
radiating heat exchanger 6 and a refrigerant circuit for connecting
the refrigerant discharge parts 313b of the low temperature side
ports 313 to a third electric three-way valve 52 in accordance with
a control signal outputted from the air conditioning control device
100. The heat absorption side refrigerant flow-out port 62b of the
heat absorbing and radiating heat exchanger 6 has the third
electric three-way valve 52 connected thereto.
[0115] As are the cases with the first and the second electric
three-way valves 41, 51, the third electric three-way valve 52
constructs a flow passage switching part whose activation is
controlled by a control signal outputted from the air conditioning
control device 100.
[0116] Specifically, the third electric three-way valve 52 is
constructed in such a way as to be activated in conjunction with
the second electric three-way valve 51. That is, when the
refrigerant circuit is switched by the second electric three-way
valve 51 to a refrigerant circuit for connecting the refrigerant
discharge parts 313b of the low temperature side ports 313 to the
third electric three-way valve 52, the third electric three-way
valve 52 switches the refrigerant circuit to a refrigerant circuit
for connecting the second electric three-way valve 51 to the
refrigerant flow-in port 12a of the cooling heat exchanger 12.
Further, when the refrigerant circuit is switched by the second
electric three-way valve 51 to a refrigerant circuit for connecting
the refrigerant discharge parts 313b of the low temperature side
ports 313 to the heat absorption side refrigerant flow-in port 62a
of the heat absorbing and radiating heat exchanger 6, the third
electric three-way valve 52 switches the refrigerant circuit to a
refrigerant circuit for connecting the second electric three-way
valve 51 to the refrigerant suction parts 313a of the low
temperature side ports 313.
[0117] The cooling heat exchanger 12 connected to the third
electric three-way valve 52 is a heat exchanger that is arranged on
the upstream of the heating heat exchanger 13 in the flow of the
blown air in the case 11 of the indoor air conditioning unit 10 and
that makes the refrigerant flowing through itself exchange heat
with the blown air to thereby cool the blown air. The refrigerant
suction parts 313a of the low temperature side ports 313 are
connected to the refrigerant flow-out port 12b of the cooling heat
exchanger 12.
[0118] In this way, the low temperature side refrigerant circuit 5
is constructed of: a circulation circuit in which the refrigerant
is circulated in order of the refrigerant discharge parts 313b of
the low temperature side container 31b, the second electric
three-way valve 51, the third electric three-way valve 52, the
cooling heat exchanger 12, and the refrigerant suction parts 313a
of the low temperature side container 31b; and a circulation
circuit in which the refrigerant is circulated in order of the
refrigerant discharge parts 313b of the low temperature side
container 31b, the heat absorption part 62 of the heat absorbing
and radiating heat exchanger 6, the second electric three-way valve
51, the third electric three-way valve 52, and the refrigerant
suction parts 313a of the low temperature side container 31b.
[0119] In this regard, the low temperature side refrigerant circuit
5 has a reservoir tank 54 connected between the second electric
three-way valve 51 and the heat absorbing and radiating heat
exchanger 6, and the third electric three-way valve 52 via a fixed
throttle 53, the reservoir tank 54 adjusting the amount of the
refrigerant flowing through the low temperature side refrigerant
circuit 5. As the fixed throttle 53 can be employed an orifice or a
capillary tube.
[0120] Next, the indoor air conditioning unit 10 will be described.
The indoor air conditioning unit 10 is a unit that is arranged
inside a meter board (instrument panel) at a forefront portion in
the passenger compartment and that receives a blower (not shown),
the cooling heat exchanger 12, the heating heat exchanger 13, and a
heater core 14 in the case 11 of forming the outer shape
thereof.
[0121] The case 11 forms an air flow passage for the blown air to
be blown into the passenger compartment and is formed of resin
having a certain degree of elasticity and excellent in strength
(for example, polypropylene). An inside and outside air switching
box (not shown) for switching and introducing an inside air (air
inside the passenger compartment) and an outside air (air outside
the passenger compartment) is arranged on the most upstream side of
the flow of the blown air in the case 11.
[0122] More specifically, in the inside and outside air switching
box are formed an inside air introduction port through which the
inside air is introduced into the case 11 and an outside air
introduction port through which the outside air is introduced into
the case 11. Further, in the inside and outside air switching box
is arranged an inside and outside air switching door for
continuously adjusting an opening area of the inside air
introduction port and an opening area of the outside air
introduction port to thereby change a ratio of the volume of the
inside air and the volume of the outside air. The inside and
outside air switching door constructs an air volume ratio changing
part for switching a suction port mode of changing the ratio of the
volume of the inside air and the volume of the outside air which
are introduced into the case 11.
[0123] On the downstream side of the inside and outside air
switching box in the air flow is arranged a blower for blowing the
air sucked through the inside and outside air switching box into
the passenger compartment. The blower is an electric blower for
driving a centrifugal multi-blade fan (sirocco fan) by an electric
motor and has the number of revolutions (the volume of blown air)
controlled by a control voltage outputted from the air conditioning
control device 100.
[0124] The cooling heat exchanger 12 is arranged on the downstream
side of the blower in the air flow. On the downstream side of the
cooling heat exchanger 12 in the air flow are formed air passages
such as a heating cold air passage 15 and a cold air bypass passage
16 through which the air after passing through the cooling heat
exchanger 12 flows, and an air mixing space 17 in which the air
flowing out of the heating cold air passage 15 is mixed with the
air flowing out of the cold air bypass passage 16.
[0125] In the heating cold air passage 15, the heating heat
exchanger 13 and a heater core 14 are arranged in this order in a
direction in which the blown air flows as a heating part for
heating the air after passing through the cooling heat exchanger
12. The heater core 14 is a heat exchanger for making cooling water
of an engine (not shown) which outputs a drive force for running
the automobile exchange heat with the air after passing through the
cooling heat exchanger 12 to thereby heat the air after passing
through the cooling heat exchanger 12.
[0126] On the other hand, the cold air bypass passage 16 is an air
passage for introducing the air after passing through the cooling
heat exchanger 12 into the air mixing space 17 without passing
through the heating heat exchanger 13 and the heater core 14.
Hence, the temperature of the blown air mixed in the air mixing
space 17 is changed according to the ratio of the volume of the air
passing through the heating heat exchanger 15 and the volume of the
air passing through the cold air bypass passage 16.
[0127] Thus, in the present embodiment, an air mixing door 18 for
continuously changing the ratio of the volume of the air flowing
into the heating cold air passage 15 and the volume of the air
flowing into the cold air bypass passage 16 is disposed on the
downstream side of the cooling heat exchanger 12 in the air flow
and on the entry side of the heating cold air passage 15 and the
cold air bypass passage 16. In other words, the air mixing door 18
constructs a temperature adjusting part for adjusting the volume of
the blown air flowing into the heating heat exchanger 13 to thereby
adjust an air temperature in the air mixing space 17 (temperature
of the air blown off into the passenger compartment).
[0128] Further, on the most downstream side in the flow of the
blown air in the case 11 are arranged blowoff ports (not shown, for
example, face blowoff port, foot blowoff port, and defroster
blowoff port) for blowing off the blown air having temperature
adjusted into the passenger compartment, which is a space to be
cooled, from the air mixing space 17. In this regard, on the
upstream side of each of the blowoff ports in the air flow is
arranged a door for adjusting an opening area of the blowoff port,
and the blowoff ports for blowing off the conditioned air into the
passenger compartment can be switched by opening or closing the
respective doors.
[0129] Next, an electric control part of the present embodiment
will be described. The air conditioning control device 100 is
constructed of a well known microcomputer, which includes a CPU, a
ROM, and a RAM, and a peripheral circuit thereof. The air
conditioning control device 100 performs various operations and
processings on the basis of control programs stored in the ROM to
thereby control the activations of the electric motor 35, the
respective electric three-way valves 41, 51, 52 for constructing
flow passage switching parts, the blower, and the drive part of the
air mixing door 18 connected to the output side.
[0130] An operation signal is inputted to the input side of the air
conditioning control device 100 from various air conditioning
operation switches disposed in an operation panel (not shown)
arranged near the instrument panel in the front portion of the
passenger compartment. Specifically, the various air conditioning
operation switches disposed in the operation panel include an
activating switch, an automatic switch, and a selector switch of an
operation mode (cooling mode, heating mode, dehumidifying mode) of
the vehicle air conditioning device 1.
[0131] In this regard, the air conditioning control device 100 has
an electric motor control part controlling the electric motor 35
corresponding to the drive part of the magnetic refrigerator 3 and
a flow passage switching control part controlling the respective
electric three-way valves 41, 51, 52.
[0132] Next, the operation of the vehicle air conditioning device 1
including the magnetic refrigeration system 2 of the present
embodiment in the construction described above will be described.
First, an operation principle of the magnetic refrigerator 3 in the
magnetic refrigeration system 2 will be generally described on the
basis of FIG. 4.
[0133] FIG. 4 illustrates enlarged views of a portion B shown in
FIG. 1. Here, (a) of FIG. 4 shows a magnetic field applying process
of applying a magnetic field to the magnetic working material 30,
(b) of FIG. 4 shows a refrigerant discharging process of
discharging the refrigerant from the working chamber 311, (c) of
FIG. 4 shows a magnetic field removing process of removing the
magnetic field from the magnetic working material 30, and (d) of
FIG. 4 shows a refrigerant sucking process of sucking the
refrigerant into the working chamber 311.
[0134] As shown in (a) of FIG. 4, when the piston 343 in the high
temperature side bore part 344a in the refrigerant pump 34 is
positioned near a bottom dead center and the permanent magnet 323a
comes near to the upper working chambers 311 of the high
temperature side container 31a, a magnetic field is applied to the
magnetic working material 30 received in the upper working chambers
311 (that is, the magnetic working material 30 is magnetized, the
magnetic field applying process). At this time, the magnetic
working material 30 generates heat by the magnetocaloric effect,
whereby the refrigerant in the upper working chambers 311 is
increased in temperature.
[0135] Then, as shown in (b) of FIG. 4, the piston 343 in the high
temperature side bore part 344a is moved from the bottom dead
center to a top dead center and the refrigerant in the upper
working chambers 311 is transferred from the refrigerant pump 34 to
the high temperature side ports 312. At this time, the discharge
valves 312d disposed at the refrigerant discharge parts 312b of the
high temperature side ports 312 are opened and hence the high
temperature refrigerant near the refrigerant discharge parts 312b
is discharged to the heating heat exchanger 13 (refrigerant
discharging process).
[0136] Then, as shown in (c) of FIG. 4, when the piston 343 in the
high temperature side bore part 344a is positioned near the top
dead center and the permanent magnet 323a is moved away from the
upper working chambers 311 of the high temperature side container
31a, the magnetic field is removed from the magnetic working
material 30 received in the upper working chambers 311 (that is,
the magnetic working material 30 is demagnetized, magnetic field
removing process).
[0137] Then, as shown in (d) of FIG. 4, the piston 343 in the high
temperature side bore part 344a is moved from the top dead center
to the bottom dead center and the refrigerant in the upper working
chambers 311 is transferred from the high temperature side ports
312 to the refrigerant pump 34. At this time, the suction valves
312c disposed at the refrigerant suction parts 312a of the high
temperature side ports 312 are opened and the refrigerant flowing
out of the heating heat exchanger 13 is sucked into portions near
the refrigerant suction parts 312a (refrigerant sucking process).
Then, when the piston 343 of the refrigerant pump 34 is returned
near the bottom dead center, there is brought about the magnetic
field applying process shown in (a) of FIG. 4.
[0138] In this way, the hot heat generated by the magnetocaloric
effect of the magnetic working material 30 received in the upper
working chambers 311 of the high temperature side container 31a can
be transported to the heating heat exchanger 13 by these four
processes of the magnetic field applying process, the refrigerant
discharging process, the magnetic field removing process, and the
refrigerant sucking process.
[0139] Here, on the lower working chambers 311 of the high
temperature side container 31a, as is the case with the upper
working chambers 311, the four processes of the magnetic field
applying process, the refrigerant discharging process, the magnetic
field removing process, and the refrigerant sucking process are
performed, which is different only in timing from the processes
performed on the upper working chambers 311.
[0140] Here, although not shown, on the upper working chambers 311
of the low temperature side container 31b, at the time of the
magnetic field applying process on the upper working chambers 311
of the high temperature side container 31a, the magnetic field is
applied to the magnetic working material 30 in a state where the
piston 343 in the low temperature side bore part 344b is positioned
near the top dead center.
[0141] Then, the piston 343 in the low temperature side bore part
344b is moved from the top dead center to the bottom dead center
and the refrigerant in the upper working chambers 311 is
transferred from the low temperature side ports 313 to the
refrigerant pump 34. At this time, the suction valves 313c disposed
at the refrigerant suction parts 313a of the low temperature side
ports 313 are opened and the refrigerant flowing out of the cooling
heat exchanger 12 is sucked into portions near the refrigerant
suction parts 313a (refrigerant sucking process).
[0142] Then, on the upper working chambers 311 of the low
temperature side container 31b, at the time of the magnetic field
removing process on the upper working chambers 311 of the high
temperature side container 31a, the magnetic field is removed from
the magnetic working material 30 received in the upper working
chambers 311 in a state where the piston 343 in the low temperature
side bore part 344b is positioned near the bottom dead center.
[0143] Then, the piston 343 in the low temperature side bore part
344b is moved from the bottom dead center to the top dead center
and the refrigerant in the upper working chambers 311 is
transferred from the refrigerant pump 34 to the low temperature
side ports 313. At this time, the discharge valves 313d disposed at
the refrigerant discharge parts 313b of the low temperature side
ports 313 are opened and the refrigerant near the refrigerant
discharge parts 312b is discharged to the cooling heat exchanger 12
side (refrigerant discharging process).
[0144] In this way, the cold heat generated by the magnetocaloric
effect of the magnetic working material 30 received in the upper
working chambers 311 of the low temperature side container 31b can
be transported to the cooling heat exchanger 12 by these four
processes of the magnetic field applying process, the refrigerant
discharging process, the magnetic field removing process, and the
refrigerant sucking process.
[0145] In this regard, on the lower working chambers 311 of the low
temperature side container 31b, as is the case with the upper
working chambers 311, the four processes of the magnetic field
applying process, the refrigerant discharging process, the magnetic
field removing process, and the refrigerant sucking process are
performed, which is different only in timing from the processes
performed on the upper working chambers 311.
[0146] Here, when the heat exchange container 31 is viewed on the
whole, after the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic working
material 30, the refrigerant is transferred from the low
temperature side ports 313 to the high temperature side ports 312,
whereas after the magnetic field is removed from the magnetic
working material 30, the refrigerant is transferred from the high
temperature side ports 312 to the low temperature side ports
313.
[0147] Then, the magnetic field applying process, the refrigerant
discharging process, the magnetic field removing process, and the
refrigerant sucking process are repeated on the high temperature
side container 31a in the heat exchange container 31, and the
magnetic field applying process, the refrigerant discharging
process, the magnetic field removing process, and the refrigerant
sucking process are repeated on the low temperature side container
31b, whereby a large temperature gradient can be generated between
the magnetic working material 30 received in the upper working
chambers 311 of the high temperature side container 31a and the
magnetic working material 30 received in the upper working chambers
311 of the low temperature side container 31b.
[0148] Next, an action at the time of each operation mode of the
vehicle air conditioning device 1 will be described on the basis of
FIG. 5 to FIG. 7. Each operation mode is set as appropriate by a
selector switch of the operation mode disposed in the operation
panel or by a control processing of the air conditioning control
device 100. Here, FIG. 5 shows the refrigerant circuit at the time
of the cooling mode, FIG. 6 shows the refrigerant circuit at the
time of the heating mode, and FIG. 7 shows the refrigerant circuit
at the time of the dehumidifying mode.
(A) Cooling Mode (see FIG. 5)
[0149] In the cooling mode, the high temperature side refrigerant
circuit 4 is switched to the refrigerant circuit for connecting the
refrigerant flow-out port 13b of the heating heat exchanger 13 to
the heat radiation side refrigerant flow-in port 61a of the heat
absorbing and radiating heat exchanger 6 by the first electric
three-way valve 41 according to a control signal from the air
conditioning control device 100. Further, the low temperature side
refrigerant circuit 5 is switched by the second electric three-way
valve 51 to the refrigerant circuit for connecting the refrigerant
discharge parts 313b of the low temperature side ports 313 to the
third electric three-way valve 52 and is switched by the third
electric three-way valve 52 to the refrigerant circuit for
connecting the second electric three-way valve 51 to the
refrigerant flow-in port 12a of the cooling heat exchanger 12.
[0150] In this way, as shown by arrows in FIG. 5, in the high
temperature side refrigerant circuit 4 is constructed a circulation
circuit in which the refrigerant is circulated in order of the
magnetic refrigerator 3, the heating heat exchanger 13, the first
electric three-way valve 41, the heat radiating part 61 of the heat
absorbing and radiating heat exchanger 6, and the magnetic
refrigerator 3. Further, in the low temperature side refrigerant
circuit 5 is constructed a circulation circuit in which the
refrigerant is circulated in order of the magnetic refrigerator 3,
the second electric three-way valve 51, the third electric
three-way valve 52, the cooling heat exchanger 12, and the magnetic
refrigerator 3.
[0151] Thus, the refrigerant having temperature increased by the
magnetic refrigerator 3 is discharged from the refrigerant
discharge parts 312b of the high temperature side container 31a of
the magnetic refrigerator 3 to the heating heat exchanger 13 and
exchanges heat with the blown air (cold air) after passing through
the cooling heat exchanger 12 in the heating heat exchanger 13,
thereby being cooled. The refrigerant flowing out of the heating
heat exchanger 13 exchanges heat with the outside air in the heat
radiating part 61 of the heat absorbing and radiating heat
exchanger 6, thereby being cooled. Then, the refrigerant is sucked
into the high temperature side container 31a via the refrigerant
suction parts 312a of the magnetic refrigerator 3, thereby being
again increased in temperature.
[0152] On the other hand, the refrigerant having temperature
decreased by the magnetic refrigerator 3 is discharged from the low
temperature side ports 313 of the low temperature side container
31b of the magnetic refrigerator 3 to the cooling heat exchanger 12
and absorbs heat from the blown air in the cooling heat exchanger
12. In this way, the blown air passing through the cooling heat
exchanger 12 is cooled.
[0153] At this time, the opening of the air mixing door 18 in the
case 11 is adjusted, whereby a portion (or all) of the blown air
cooled by the cooling heat exchanger 12 flows into the cold air
bypass passage 16 and then flows into the air mixing space 17,
whereas a portion (or all) of the blown air cooled by the cooling
heat exchanger 12 flows into the heating cold air passage 15 and is
again heated at the time of passing through the heating heat
exchanger 13 and the heater core 14 and then flows into the air
mixing space 17.
[0154] In this way, both portions of the blown air are mixed in the
air mixing space 17 and hence the temperature of the blown air to
be blown off into the passenger compartment is adjusted to a
desired temperature, whereby the interior of the passenger
compartment can be cooled. In the cooling mode, the blown air has
also a high dehumidifying capacity but hardly exerts a heating
capacity.
[0155] Here, the refrigerant flowing out of the cooling heat
exchanger 12 is sucked into the low temperature side container 31b
via the refrigerant suction parts 313a of the magnetic refrigerator
3, thereby being again decreased in temperature.
(B) Heating Mode (see FIG. 6)
[0156] In the heating mode, the high temperature side refrigerant
circuit 4 is switched to the refrigerant circuit for connecting the
refrigerant flow-out port 13b of the heating heat exchanger 13 to
the refrigerant suction parts 312a of the high temperature side
container 31a by the first electric three-way valve 41 according to
a control signal from the air conditioning control device 100.
Further, the low temperature side refrigerant circuit 5 is switched
to the refrigerant circuit for connecting the refrigerant discharge
parts 313b of the low temperature side ports 313 to the heat
absorption side refrigerant flow-in port 62a of the heat absorbing
and radiating heat exchanger 6 by the second electric three-way
valve 51 and is switched to the refrigerant circuit for connecting
the second electric three-way valve 51 to the refrigerant suction
parts 313a of the low temperature side ports 313 by the third
electric three-way valve 52.
[0157] In this way, as shown by arrows in FIG. 6, in the high
temperature side refrigerant circuit 4 is constructed a circulation
circuit in which the refrigerant is circulated in order of the
magnetic refrigerator 3, the heating heat exchanger 13, the first
electric three-way valve 41, and the magnetic refrigerator 3.
Further, in the low temperature side refrigerant circuit 5 is
constructed a circulation circuit in which the refrigerant is
circulated in order of the magnetic refrigerator 3, the heat
absorption part 62 of the heat absorbing and radiating heat
exchanger 6, the second electric three-way valve 51, the third
electric three-way valve 52, and the magnetic refrigerator 3.
[0158] Thus, the refrigerant having temperature increased by the
magnetic refrigerator 3 is discharged from the refrigerant
discharge parts 312b of the high temperature side container 31a of
the magnetic refrigerator 3 to the heating heat exchanger 13 and
exchanges heat with the blown air blown from the blower in the
heating heat exchanger 13, thereby being cooled. In this way, the
blown air passing through the heating heat exchanger 13 is
heated.
[0159] At this time, since the opening of the air mixing door 18 is
adjusted, as is the case with the cooling mode, both portions of
the blown air are mixed in the air mixing space 17 and the
temperature of the blown air blown off into the passenger
compartment can be adjusted to a desired temperature and the
interior of the passenger compartment can be heated. Here, in the
heating mode, the dehumidifying capacity of the blown air is not
exerted.
[0160] The refrigerant flowing out of the heating heat exchanger 13
is sucked into the high temperature side container 31a via the
refrigerant suction parts 312a of the magnetic refrigerator 3,
thereby being again increased in temperature.
[0161] On the other hand, the refrigerant having temperature
decreased by the magnetic refrigerator 3 is discharged from the low
temperature side ports 313 of the low temperature side container
31b of the magnetic refrigerator 3 to the heat absorbing and
radiating heat exchanger 6 and exchanges heat with the outside air
in the heat absorption part 62 of the heat absorbing and radiating
heat exchanger 6, thereby being increased in temperature. The
refrigerant flowing out of the heat absorption part 62 of the heat
absorbing and radiating heat exchanger 6 is sucked into the low
temperature side container 31b via the refrigerant suction parts
313a of the magnetic refrigerator 3, thereby being again decreased
in temperature.
(C) Dehumidifying Mode (see FIG. 7)
[0162] In the dehumidifying mode, the high temperature side
refrigerant circuit 4 is switched to the refrigerant circuit for
connecting the refrigerant flow-out port 13b of the heating heat
exchanger 13 to the refrigerant suction parts 312a of the high
temperature side container 31a by the first electric three-way
valve 41 according to a control signal from the air conditioning
control device 100. Further, the low temperature side refrigerant
circuit 5 is switched to the refrigerant circuit for connecting the
refrigerant discharge parts 313b of the low temperature side ports
313 to the third electric three-way valve 52 by the second electric
three-way valve 51 and is switched to the refrigerant circuit for
connecting the second electric three-way valve 51 to the
refrigerant flow-in port 12a of the cooling heat exchanger 12 by
the third electric three-way valve 52.
[0163] In this way, as shown by arrows in FIG. 7, in the high
temperature side refrigerant circuit 4 is constructed a circulation
circuit in which the refrigerant is circulated in order of the
magnetic refrigerator 3, the heating heat exchanger 13, the first
electric three-way valve 41, and the magnetic refrigerator 3.
Further, in the low temperature side refrigerant circuit 5 is
constructed a circulation circuit in which the refrigerant is
circulated in order of the magnetic refrigerator 3, the second
electric three-way valve 51, the third electric three-way valve 52,
the cooling heat exchanger 12, and the magnetic refrigerator 3.
[0164] Thus, the refrigerant having temperature increased by the
magnetic refrigerator 3 is discharged from the refrigerant
discharge parts 312b of the high temperature side container 31a of
the magnetic refrigerator 3 to the heating heat exchanger 13 and
exchanges heat with the blown air (cold air) after passing through
the cooling heat exchanger 12 in the heating heat exchanger 13,
thereby being cooled. In this way, the blown air passing through
the heating heat exchanger 13 is heated.
[0165] On the other hand, the refrigerant having temperature
decreased by the magnetic refrigerator 3 is discharged from the low
temperature side ports 313 of the low temperature side container
31b of the magnetic refrigerator 3 to the cooling heat exchanger 12
and absorbs heat from the blown air in the cooling heat exchanger
12. In this way, the blown air passing through the cooling heat
exchanger 12 is cooled and dehumidified.
[0166] In this way, the blown air cooled and dehumidified by the
cooling heat exchanger 12 is again heated at the time of passing
through the heating heat exchanger 13 and the heater core 14 and is
blown off into the passenger compartment from the air mixing space
17. In other words, the interior of the passenger compartment can
be dehumidified. Here, in the dehumidifying mode, the humidifying
capacity of the blown air can be exerted but the heating capacity
is reduced as compared with the heating mode.
[0167] The refrigerant flowing out of the heating heat exchanger 13
is sucked into the high temperature side container 31a via the
refrigerant suction parts 312a of the magnetic refrigerator 3,
thereby being again increased in temperature.
[0168] The vehicle air conditioning device 1 including the magnetic
refrigeration system 2 of the present embodiment is activated in
the manner described above and hence can produce the following
excellent advantages.
[0169] As described above, in the working chambers 311 of the heat
exchange container 31 in the magnetic refrigerator 3, the magnetic
field is applied to the magnetic working material 30 and then the
refrigerant is transferred from the low temperature side ports 313
to the high temperature side ports 312, whereby the refrigerant
near the high temperature side ports 312, whose temperature is
increased by the hot heat of the magnetic working material 30
caused by applying the magnetic field, can be made to flow into the
heating heat exchanger 13 via the high temperature side refrigerant
circuit 4.
[0170] Further, in the working chambers 311 of the heat exchange
container 31 in the magnetic refrigerator 3, the magnetic field is
removed from the magnetic working material 30 and then the
refrigerant is transferred from the high temperature side ports 312
to the low temperature side ports 313, whereby the refrigerant near
the low temperature side ports 313, whose temperature is decreased
by the cold heat of the magnetic working material 30 caused by
removing the magnetic field, can be made to flow into the cooling
heat exchanger 12 via the low temperature side refrigerant circuit
5.
[0171] In this way, the refrigerant having temperature increased by
the hot heat generated in the magnetic working material 30 can be
made to directly flow into the heating heat exchanger 13 and the
refrigerant having temperature decreased by the cold heat generated
in the magnetic working material 30 can be made to directly flow
into the cooling heat exchanger 12. As a result, a heat exchange
loss can be reduced when the hot heat and the cold heat generated
in the magnetic working material 30 are transported to the
respective heat exchangers 12, 13.
[0172] For example, a temperature of refrigerant at the high
temperature side ports 312 of the heat exchange container 31 in the
magnetic refrigerator 3 is defined as Th, and a temperature of
refrigerant at the low temperature side ports 313 is defined as Tl
(<Th). Further, a cycle efficiency .eta. of the magnetic
refrigeration system 2 is defined as 80% of a cycle efficiency
.eta.th of an ideal Carnot cycle. At this time, in a construction
in which the hot heat and the cold heat of the refrigerant in the
heat exchange container 31 are transported directly to the heating
heat exchanger 13 and the cooling heat exchanger 12, as in the
present embodiment, COP can be expressed by the following
mathematical formula F1.
COP={Th/(Th-Tl)}.times.80/100 (F1)
[0173] On the other hand, in a construction in which the hot heat
and the cold heat of the refrigerant in the heat exchange container
31 are transported indirectly to the heating heat exchanger 13 and
the cooling heat exchanger 12, as in the prior art, temperatures on
the heating heat exchanger 13 and the cooling heat exchanger 12
become temperatures (Th-.DELTA.T, Tl-.DELTA.T) acquired by
subtracting a heat exchange loss .DELTA.T from Th, Tl, then COP can
be expressed by the following mathematical formula F2.
COP={(Th-.DELTA.T)/(Th-Tl)}.times.80/100 (F2)
[0174] In this way, in the magnetic refrigeration system 2 of the
present embodiment, the heat exchange loss .DELTA.T can be reduced
when the hot heat and the cold heat generated in the magnetic
working material 30 are transported to the respective heat
exchangers 12, 13. Hence, as compared with the magnetic
refrigeration system of the prior art, the COP of the magnetic
refrigeration system 2 can be improved.
[0175] The magnetic refrigerator 3 employing the AMR system has a
construction in which the refrigerant in the working chambers 311
of the heat exchange container 31 is transferred between the high
temperature side ports 312 and the low temperature side ports 313.
For this reason, if it is employed a construction in which the
ports 312, 313 of the heat exchange container 31 are connected to
the corresponding heat exchanger 12, 13 simply by the use of piping
or the like, the refrigerant discharged from the respective ports
312, 313 toward the heat exchanger 12, 13 is likely to be sucked
into the working chambers 311 of the heat exchange container 31
before the refrigerant flows into the heat exchanger 12, 13.
[0176] In this case, the heat of the refrigerant discharged from
each of the ports 312, 313 toward each of the heat exchangers 12,
13 is only transmitted to the refrigerant in each of the heat
exchangers 12, 13 via the refrigerant in the piping and a long time
is required to make the temperature of the refrigerant in each of
the heat exchangers 12, 13 to have a desired temperature.
[0177] In contrast to this, in the present embodiment, the high
temperature side ports 312 of the heat exchange container 31 is
connected to the heating heat exchanger 13 by the high temperature
side refrigerant circuit 4 constructed in such a way that the
refrigerant discharged from the high temperature side ports 312
passes through the heating heat exchanger 13 and again returns to
the high temperature side ports 312, so that the refrigerant
discharged from the high temperature side ports 312 of the heat
exchange container 31 can be made to flow into the heating heat
exchanger 13.
[0178] Similarly, the low temperature side ports 313 of the heat
exchange container 31 is connected to the cooling heat exchanger 12
by the low temperature side refrigerant circuit 5 constructed in
such a way that the refrigerant discharged from the low temperature
side ports 313 passes through the cooling heat exchanger 12 and
again returns to the low temperature side ports 313, so that the
refrigerant discharged from the low temperature side ports 313 of
the heat exchange container 31 can be made to flow into the cooling
heat exchanger 12.
[0179] Further, the present embodiment employs a construction in
which each of the ports 312, 313 of the heat exchange container 31
is provided with the suction valve opened when the refrigerant is
sucked into the working chambers 311 of the heat exchange container
31 and the discharge valve opened when the refrigerant is
discharged from the working chambers 311 of the heat exchange
container 31.
[0180] For this reason, after the magnetic field is applied to the
magnetic working material 30, the refrigerant near the high
temperature side ports 312, whose temperature is increased by the
hot heat generated in the magnetic working material 30 by applying
the magnetic field, can be made to surely flow into the heating
heat exchanger 13 and the refrigerant flowing out of the heating
heat exchanger 13 can be sucked into the working chambers 311 of
the heat exchange container 31.
[0181] Similarly, after the magnetic field is removed from the
magnetic working material 30, the refrigerant near the low
temperature side ports 313, whose temperature is decreased by the
cold heat generated in the magnetic working material 30 by removing
the magnetic field can be made to surely flow into the cooling heat
exchanger 12 and the refrigerant flowing out of the cooling heat
exchanger 12 can be sucked into the working chambers 311 of the
heat exchange container 31.
[0182] Further, the present embodiment employs the construction in
which the rotary shafts 321a, 321b of the magnetic field applying
and removing device 32 are coupled to the drive shaft 341 of the
refrigerant pump 34 and in which the refrigerant pump 34 is driven
by the electric motor 35 which is the drive part of the magnetic
field applying and removing device 32.
[0183] According to this construction, the drive source of the
magnetic field applying and removing device 32 can be made common
to the drive source of the refrigerant pump 34, so that the
magnetic refrigeration system 2 can be realized by a simple
construction. Accordingly, the power consumption in the magnetic
refrigeration system 2 can be restricted from increasing, and the
COP of the magnetic refrigeration system 2 can be further
improved.
Second Embodiment
[0184] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described on the basis of FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a general construction
diagram of a vehicle air conditioning device 1 of the present
embodiment. In the present embodiment, the descriptions of parts
identical or equivalent to the parts in the first embodiment will
be omitted or simplified.
[0185] The first embodiment described above employs the following
construction: that is, the refrigerant suction part 312a, 313a of
the container 31a, 31b is provided with the suction valve 312c,
313c; and the refrigerant discharge part 312b, 313b of the
container 31a, 31b is provided with the discharge valve 312d, 313d,
whereby in each of the refrigerant circuits 4, 5, the refrigerant
flows in one direction in order of the refrigerant ports 312, 313
of the container 31a, 31b, the refrigerant flow-in port 12a, 13a of
the heat exchanger 12, 13, the refrigerant flow-out port 12b, 13b
of the heat exchanger 12, 13, and the refrigerant ports 312, 313 of
the container 31a, 31b.
[0186] In contrast to this, the present embodiment employs a
construction in which the suction valve 312c, 313c and the
discharge valve 312d, 313d are eliminated, instead, the high
temperature side refrigerant circuit 4 is provided with check
valves 44, 45 and the low temperature side refrigerant circuit 5 is
provided with check valves 56, 57.
[0187] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, in the high temperature
side refrigerant circuit 4, a first check valve 44 for allowing the
refrigerant to flow from the refrigerant ports 312 of the high
temperature side container 31a to the refrigerant flow-in port 13a
of the heating heat exchanger 13 is interposed between the
refrigerant ports 312 of the high temperature side container 31a
and the refrigerant flow-in port 13a of the heating heat exchanger
13. Further, in the high temperature side refrigerant circuit 4, a
second check valve 45 for allowing the refrigerant to flow from the
refrigerant flow-out port 13b of the heating heat exchanger 13 to
the refrigerant ports 312 of the high temperature side container
31a is interposed between the refrigerant flow-out port 13b of the
heating heat exchanger 13 and the refrigerant ports 312 of the high
temperature side container 31a.
[0188] On the other side, in the low temperature side refrigerant
circuit 5, a third check valve 56 for allowing the refrigerant to
flow from the refrigerant ports 313 of the low temperature side
container 31b to the refrigerant flow-in port 13a of the cooling
heat exchanger 12 is interposed between the refrigerant ports 313
of the low temperature side container 31b and the refrigerant
flow-in port 13a of the cooling heat exchanger 12. Further, in the
low temperature side refrigerant circuit 5, a fourth check valve 57
for allowing the refrigerant to flow from the refrigerant flow-out
port 13b of the cooling heat exchanger 12 to the refrigerant ports
313 of the low temperature side container 31b is interposed between
the refrigerant flow-out port 13b of the cooling heat exchanger 12
and the refrigerant ports 313 of the low temperature side container
31b.
[0189] According to this construction, after the magnetic field is
applied to the magnetic working material 30, the refrigerant near
the high temperature side ports 312, whose temperature is increased
by the hot heat generated in the magnetic working material 30 by
applying the magnetic field, can be made to surely flow into the
heating heat exchanger 13 and the refrigerant flowing out of the
heating heat exchanger 13 can be sucked into the working chambers
311 of the heat exchanger container 31.
[0190] Similarly, after the magnetic field is removed from the
magnetic working material 30, the refrigerant near the low
temperature side ports 313, whose temperature is decreased by the
cold heat generated in the magnetic working material 30 by removing
the magnetic field, can be made to surely flow into the cooling
heat exchanger 12 and the refrigerant flowing out of the cooling
heat exchanger 12 can be sucked into the working chambers 311 of
the heat exchanger container 31.
[0191] In this regard, in the present embodiment, the first and the
second check valves 44, 45 disposed in the high temperature side
refrigerant circuit 4 may correspond to a first backward flow
preventing part of the present disclosure, and the third and the
fourth check valves 56, 57 disposed in the low temperature side
refrigerant circuit 5 may correspond to a second backward flow
preventing part of the present disclosure.
Third Embodiment
[0192] Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described on the basis of FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a general construction
diagram of a vehicle air conditioning device 1 of the present
embodiment. In the present embodiment, the descriptions of parts
identical or equivalent to the parts in the first and the second
embodiments will be omitted or simplified.
[0193] The second embodiment described above employs a construction
in which the high temperature side refrigerant circuit 4 is
provided with the first and the second check valves 44, 45 and in
which the low temperature side refrigerant circuit 5 is provided
with the third and the fourth check valves 56, 57. In contrast to
this, the present embodiment employs a construction in which the
refrigerant circuit 4 is provided with opening and closing valves
46, 47 and the refrigerant circuit 5 is provided with opening and
closing valves 58, 59, the opening and closing valves being opened
or closed according to a control signal from the air conditioning
control device 100, in place of the respective check valves 44, 45
and 56, 57.
[0194] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, in the high temperature
side refrigerant circuit 4, a first opening and closing valve 46 is
interposed between the refrigerant ports 312 of the high
temperature side container 31a and the refrigerant flow-in port 13a
of the heating heat exchanger 13, and a second opening and closing
valve 47 is interposed between the refrigerant flow-out port 13b of
the heating heat exchanger 13 and the refrigerant ports 312 of the
high temperature side container 31a.
[0195] In this regard, the first opening and closing valve 46 is
controlled by the air conditioning control device 100 in such a way
as to allow the refrigerant to flow only from the refrigerant ports
312 of the high temperature side container 31a to the refrigerant
flow-in port 13a of the heating heat exchanger 13. Further, the
second opening and closing valve 47 is controlled by the air
conditioning control device 100 in such a way as to allow the
refrigerant to flow only from the refrigerant flow-out port 13b of
the heating heat exchanger 13 to the refrigerant ports 312 of the
high temperature side container 31a.
[0196] On the other hand, in the low temperature side refrigerant
circuit 5, a third opening and closing valve 58 is interposed
between the refrigerant ports 313 of the low temperature side
container 31b and the refrigerant flow-in port 13a of the cooling
heat exchanger 12, and a fourth opening and closing valve 59 is
interposed between the refrigerant flow-out port 13b of the cooling
heat exchanger 12 and the refrigerant ports 313 of the low
temperature side container 31b.
[0197] In this regard, the third opening and closing valve 58 is
controlled by the air conditioning control device 100 in such a way
as to allow the refrigerant to flow only from the refrigerant ports
313 of the low temperature side container 31b to the refrigerant
flow-in port 13a of the cooling heat exchanger 12. Further, the
fourth opening and closing valve 59 is controlled by the air
conditioning control device 100 in such a way as to allow the
refrigerant to flow only from the refrigerant flow-out port 13b of
the cooling heat exchanger 12 to the refrigerant ports 313 of the
low temperature side container 31b.
[0198] Also according to this construction, the same advantages as
the second embodiment can be produced. In this regard, the first
and the second opening and closing valves 46, 47 disposed in the
high temperature side refrigerant circuit 4 in the present
embodiment may correspond to the first backward flow preventing
part of the present disclosure, and the third and the fourth
opening and closing valves 58, 59 disposed in the low temperature
side refrigerant circuit 5 in the present embodiment may correspond
to the second backward flow preventing part of the present
disclosure.
Fourth Embodiment
[0199] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described on the basis of FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a general
construction diagram of a vehicle air conditioning device 1 of the
present embodiment.
[0200] In the present embodiment, the magnetic refrigeration system
2 having a refrigerant circuit of only the cooling mode for cooling
the interior of passenger compartment will be described. In this
regard, in the present embodiment, the descriptions of parts
identical or equivalent to the parts in the first to the third
embodiments will be omitted or simplified.
[0201] The magnetic refrigeration system 2 of the present
embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, is constructed of: the magnetic
refrigerator 3; a heat radiation side refrigerant circuit (first
refrigerant circulation circuit) 8 for circulating the refrigerant
having temperature increased by the hot heat generated by the
magnetic refrigerator 3 to a heat radiator (first heat exchanger)
7; and a low temperature side refrigerant circuit (second
refrigerant circulation circuit) 5 for circulating the refrigerant
having temperature decreased by the clod heat generated by the
magnetic refrigerator 3 to the cooling heat exchanger (second heat
exchanger) 12.
[0202] The heat exchange container 31 of the magnetic refrigerator
3 of the present embodiment is constructed of a hollow cylindrical
container having working chambers 311 formed therein, the working
chamber 311 having the magnetic working material 30 received
therein and having the refrigerant flowing therethrough. The heat
exchange container 31 has the refrigerant pump 34 coaxially
arranged on one end side thereof.
[0203] The heat exchange container 31 has the refrigerant ports 312
formed in its end face opposite to the refrigerant pump 34, and has
communication passages 314 formed in its end face adjacent to the
refrigerant pump 34, the communication passage 314 communicating
with the cylinder bore 344 of the refrigerant pump 34.
[0204] The refrigerant pump 34 of the present embodiment is
constructed of a first bore part 344a corresponding to the
communication passages 314 of the heat exchange container 31, and a
second bore part 344b communicating with the low temperature side
refrigerant circuit 5 which will be described later. In this
regard, the cylinder bore 344 is constructed in such a way that the
refrigerant in the first bore part 344a and the refrigerant in the
second bore part 344b can flow, whereby the heat of the first bore
part 344a is directly transported to the second bore part 344b.
[0205] In this regard, each communication passage 345 for making
the second bore part 344b to communicate with the low temperature
side refrigerant circuit 5 is constructed of a refrigerant suction
part 345a for sucking the refrigerant from the low temperature side
refrigerant circuit 5 and a refrigerant discharge part 345b for
discharging the refrigerant to the low temperature side refrigerant
circuit 5. The refrigerant suction part 345a of the communication
passage 345 is provided with a suction valve 345c opened when the
refrigerant is sucked, and the refrigerant discharge part 345b of
the communication passage 345 is provided with a discharge valve
345d opened when the refrigerant is discharged. Here, in the
present embodiment, the communication passages 345 communicating
with the low temperature side refrigerant circuit 5 in the
refrigerant pump 34 construct refrigerant ports corresponding to
the refrigerant ports 312 in the heat exchange container 31.
[0206] The heat radiation side refrigerant circuit 8 is a
refrigerant circulation circuit for introducing the refrigerant
discharged from the refrigerant discharge parts 312b of the
refrigerant ports 312 in the heat exchange container 31 into a
refrigerant flow-in port 7a of the heat radiator 7 and for
returning the refrigerant flowing out of a refrigerant flow-out
port 13b of the heat radiator 7 to the refrigerant suction parts
312a of the refrigerant ports 312 in the heat exchange container
31.
[0207] Thus, in the heat radiation side refrigerant circuit 8, the
refrigerant is circulated in order of the refrigerant discharge
parts 312b of the heat exchange container 31, the heat radiator 7,
and the refrigerant suction parts 312a of the heat exchange
container 31. In this regard, the heat radiator 7 is a heat
exchanger that is arranged in the engine compartment and that makes
the refrigerant flowing therein through the refrigerant flow-in
port 7a exchange heat with the outside air.
[0208] Further, the low temperature side refrigerant circuit 5 of
the present embodiment is a refrigerant circulation circuit for
introducing the refrigerant discharged from the refrigerant
discharge parts 345b of the communication passages 345 in the
refrigerant pump 34 into the refrigerant flow-in port 12a of the
cooling heat exchanger 12 and for returning the refrigerant flowing
out of the refrigerant flow-out port 12b of the cooling heat
exchanger 12 to the refrigerant suction parts 345a of the
communication passages 345 in the refrigerant pump 34.
[0209] Thus, in the low temperature side refrigerant circuit 5, the
refrigerant is circulated in order of the refrigerant discharge
parts 345b of the communication passages 345 in the refrigerant
pump 34, the cooling heat exchanger 12, and the refrigerant suction
parts 345a of the communication passages 345 in the refrigerant
pump 34.
[0210] Next, the operation of the magnetic refrigerator 3 in the
refrigeration system 2 of the present embodiment will be generally
described.
[0211] When the piston 343 in the first bore part 344a in the
refrigerant pump 34 is positioned near the bottom dead center and
the permanent magnet 323a comes near to the upper working chambers
311 of the heat exchange container 31, the magnetic field is
applied to the magnetic working material 30 received in the upper
working chambers 311 and the refrigerant in the upper working
chambers 311 is increased in temperature (the magnetic field
applying process). At this time, the piston 343 in the second bore
part 344b is positioned near the top dead center.
[0212] Then, when the piston 343 in the first bore part 344a is
moved from the bottom dead center to the top dead center, the
refrigerant in the upper working chambers 311 is transferred from
the refrigerant pump 34 to the refrigerant ports 312 and the high
temperature refrigerant near the refrigerant discharge parts 312b
is discharged to the heat radiator 7 (refrigerant discharging
process). At this time, the piston 343 in the second bore part 344b
is moved from the top dead center to the bottom dead center and the
refrigerant flowing out of the cooling heat exchanger 12 is sucked
into the second bore part 344b via the refrigerant suction parts
345a of the communication passages 345.
[0213] Then, when the piston 343 in the first bore part 344a is
positioned near the top dead center and the permanent magnet 323a
is moved away from the upper working chambers 311 in the heat
exchange container 31, the magnetic field is removed from the
magnetic working material 30 received in the upper working chambers
311, whereby the refrigerant in the upper working chambers 311 is
decreased in temperature (magnetic field removing process). At this
time, the piston 343 in the second bore part 344b is positioned
near the bottom dead center. In this regard, the refrigerant in the
first bore part 344a whose temperature is decreased by removing the
magnetic field from the magnetic working material 30 flows into the
second bore part 344b, whereby the refrigerant in the second bore
344b is decreased in temperature.
[0214] Then, the piston 343 in the first bore part 344a is moved
from the top dead center to the bottom dead center and the
refrigerant flowing out of the heating heat exchanger 13 is sucked
into portions near the refrigerant suction parts 312a. At this
time, the piston 343 in the second bore part 344b is moved from the
bottom dead center to the top dead center and the refrigerant in
the second bore part 344b is discharged to the cooling heat
exchanger 12 via the refrigerant discharge parts 345b of the
communication passages 345.
[0215] In this way, by these four processes of the magnetic field
applying process, the refrigerant discharging process, the magnetic
field removing process, and the refrigerant sucking process, the
cold heat generated by the magnetocaloric effect of the magnetic
working material 30 received in the upper working chambers 311 of
the heat exchange container 31 is transported to the cooling heat
exchanger 12. In this way, the blown air to be blown into the
passenger compartment can be cooled in the cooling heat exchanger
12. In this regard, the hot heat generated by the magnetocaloric
effect of the magnetic working material 30 received in the upper
working chambers 311 of the heat exchange container 31 is
transported to the heat radiator 7 and is radiated to the outside
air.
[0216] According to the present embodiment described above, the
refrigerant having temperature decreased by the cold heat generated
in the magnetic working material 30 can be made to directly flow
into the cooling heat exchanger 12, so that a heat exchanger loss
caused when the cold heat generated in the magnetic working
material 30 is transported can be reduced and hence the COP of the
magnetic refrigeration system can be improved.
[0217] In this regard, although the magnetic refrigeration system 2
having the refrigerant circuit of only the cooling mode for cooling
the interior of the passenger compartment has been described in the
present embodiment, the magnetic refrigeration system 2 may have a
construction having a refrigerant circuit of only the heating mode
for heating the interior of the passenger compartment. In this
case, the following construction is recommended: for example, the
heat radiator 7 of the present embodiment is arranged in the case
11 of the indoor air conditioning unit 10 and is functioned as a
heating heat exchanger for heating the blown air to be blown into
the passenger compartment, and the cooling heat exchanger 12 is
arranged in the engine compartment and is functioned as a heat
absorber for exchanging heat with the outside air.
Fifth Embodiment
[0218] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described on the basis of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. FIG. 11 is a general
construction diagram of a vehicle air conditioning device 1 of the
present embodiment, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of a magnetic
refrigerator of the present embodiment.
[0219] The present embodiment is different from the first to the
fourth embodiments in the specific construction of the one and the
other refrigerant ports 312, 313 in the magnetic refrigerator 3 and
in the specific construction of the refrigerant pump 34. In this
regard, in the present embodiment, the descriptions of parts
identical or equivalent to the parts in the first to the fourth
embodiments will be omitted or simplified.
[0220] As shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, in each of the refrigerant
ports 312, 313 of the present embodiment, the respective
refrigerant suction parts 312a, 313a are disposed on the same
circumference when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the
heat exchange container 31. Further, the respective refrigerant
discharge parts 312b, 313b are disposed on the same circumference
when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange
container 31. In the present embodiment, the refrigerant discharge
parts 312b, 313b are arranged in such a way as to be positioned on
the outer side in the radial direction of the heat exchange
container 31 as compared with the refrigerant suction parts 312a,
313a. Here, the refrigerant suction parts 312a, 313a may be
arranged in such a way as to be positioned on the outer side in the
radial direction of the heat exchange container 31 as compared with
the refrigerant discharge parts 312b, 313b.
[0221] Each of the refrigerant suction parts 312a, 313a is provided
with the suction valve 313c and each of the refrigerant discharge
parts 312b, 313b is provided with the discharge valve 313d. Here,
the respective suction valves 313c are disposed in such a way as to
be positioned on the same circumference when viewed from the
longitudinal direction of the heat exchange container 31 in
correspondence to the refrigerant suction parts 312a, 313a.
Similarly, the respective discharge valves 313d are disposed in
such a way as to be positioned on the same circumference when
viewed from the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange
container 31 in correspondence to the refrigerant discharge parts
312b, 313b.
[0222] The respective refrigerant suction parts 312a in the high
temperature side ports 312 communicate with each other via a
suction side manifold 312e, whereas the respective discharge parts
312b in the high temperature side ports 312 communicate with each
other via a discharge side manifold 312f. Similarly, the respective
refrigerant suction parts 313a in the low temperature side ports
313 communicate with each other via a suction side manifold 313e,
whereas the respective discharge parts 313b in the low temperature
side ports 313 communicate with each other via a discharge side
manifold 313f. In this regard, a heat insulating material (not
shown) is arranged between the suction side manifold 312e and the
discharge side manifold 312f in the high temperature side ports
312, which hence inhibits heat transfer between the both manifolds
312e and 312f. Similarly, a heat insulating material (not shown) is
arranged between the suction side manifold 313e and the discharge
side manifold 313f in the low temperature side ports 313, which
hence inhibits heat transfer between the both manifolds 313e and
313f.
[0223] Here, the volume of a space constructing each of the
refrigerant suction parts 312a, 313a and the refrigerant discharge
parts 312b, 313b in the heat exchange container 31 is made smaller
than the volume of the refrigerant discharged at one time (that is,
cylinder volume) in the refrigerant pump 34, which will be
described later. Here, the volume of the space constructing each of
the refrigerant suction parts 312a, 313a and the refrigerant
discharge parts 312b, 313b in the heat exchange container 31
corresponds to the total volume of the volume (dead volume) of a
space in which each of the valves 312c, 313c, 312d, 313d is
arranged (including the movable range of each valve).
[0224] Further, the permanent magnets 323a, 323b constructing a
portion of the magnetic field applying and removing device 32 are
disposed at positions shifted by 180.degree. from each other in the
outer circumferences of the rotors 322a, 322b, respectively. For
example, as shown in FIG. 12, in the case where one permanent
magnet 323a is positioned on the upper side, the other permanent
magnet 323b is positioned on the lower side.
[0225] Next, describing the refrigerant pump 34 of the present
embodiment, the present embodiment employs a radial piston pump of
a multi-cylinder type in which the pistons 346 are slid in the
radial direction with respect to the axial direction of the rotary
shaft 321a, 321b.
[0226] Specifically, the refrigerant pump 34 of the present
embodiment is constructed of a cylindrical housing 340, a drive
shaft rotatably supported in the housing 340 and having an
eccentric cam 348 integrally formed, a plurality of cylinder bores
347 formed radially in the housing 340, and the pistons 346
reciprocated in the respective cylinder bores 347 according to the
rotation of the eccentric cam 348. Here, in the present embodiment,
the heat exchange container 31 is integrated with the housing 340
of the refrigerant pump 34.
[0227] As are the cases with the refrigerant pump described in the
above-mentioned embodiments, the refrigerant pump 34 of the present
embodiment is constructed in such a way as to suck or discharge the
refrigerant from or into the respective containers 31a, 31b in
synchronization with applying and removing the magnetic field to
and from the magnetic working material 30.
[0228] For example, when the magnetic field is applied to the
magnetic working material 30 in the working chambers 311 positioned
on the upper side in the high temperature side container 31a and
the magnetic field is removed from the magnetic working material 30
in the working chambers 311 positioned on the upper side in the low
temperature side container 31b, the refrigerant pump 34 discharges
the refrigerant in sequence into the respective working chambers
311 positioned on the upper side in the respective containers 31a,
31b and sucks the refrigerant in sequence from the respective
working chambers 311 positioned on the lower side in the respective
containers 31a, 31b.
[0229] On the other hand, when the magnetic field is removed from
the magnetic working material 30 in the working chambers 311
positioned on the upper side in the high temperature side container
31a and the magnetic field is applied to the magnetic working
material 30 in the working chambers 311 positioned on the upper
side in the low temperature side container 31b, the refrigerant
pump 34 sucks the refrigerant in sequence from the respective
working chambers 311 positioned on the upper side in the respective
containers 31a, 31b and discharges the refrigerant in sequence into
the respective working chambers 311 positioned on the lower side in
the respective containers 31a, 31b.
[0230] In this way, in the magnetic refrigerator 3, the refrigerant
can be sucked or discharged in sequence from or into the respective
working chambers 311 in the respective containers 31a, 31b in
synchronization with applying and removing the magnetic field to
and from the magnetic working material 30, so that the refrigerant
near the refrigerant discharge parts 312b, 313b in the respective
containers 31a, 31b can be continuously discharged to the
outside.
[0231] Next, the operation of the magnetic refrigerator 3 according
to the present embodiment will be generally described. When the
piston 346 in the cylinder bore 347 positioned on the upper side in
the refrigerant pump 34 is positioned near the bottom dead center
and the permanent magnet 323a comes near to the upper working
chambers 311 positioned on the upper side of the high temperature
side container 31a, the magnetic field is applied in sequence to
the magnetic working material 30 received in the upper working
chambers 311 positioned on the upper side (that is, the magnetic
working material 30 is magnetized, the magnetic field applying
process). At this time, the magnetic working material 30 generates
heat by the magnetocaloric effect, whereby the refrigerant in the
respective working chambers 311 positioned on the upper side is
sequentially increased in temperature.
[0232] Then, the piston 346 in the cylinder bore 347 positioned on
the upper side in the refrigerant pump 34 is moved from the bottom
dead center to the top dead center and the refrigerant in the
respective working chambers 311 positioned on the upper side is
transferred from the refrigerant pump 34 to the high temperature
side ports 312. At this time, the discharge valves 312d disposed at
the refrigerant discharge parts 312b of the high temperature side
ports 312 are opened and hence the high temperature refrigerant
near the refrigerant discharge parts 312b is discharged to the
heating heat exchanger 13 via the discharge side manifolds 312f
(refrigerant discharging process).
[0233] Then, when the piston 346 in the cylinder bore 347
positioned on the upper side in the refrigerant pump 34 is
positioned near the top dead center and the permanent magnet 323a
is moved away from the respective working chambers 311 positioned
on the upper side of the high temperature side container 31a, the
magnetic field is removed from the magnetic working material 30
received in the respective working chambers 311 positioned on the
upper side (that is, the magnetic working material 30 is
demagnetized, magnetic field removing process).
[0234] Then, the piston 346 in the cylinder bore 347 positioned on
the upper side in the refrigerant pump 34 is moved from the top
dead center to the bottom dead center and the refrigerant in the
respective working chambers 311 positioned on the upper side is
transferred from the high temperature side ports 312 to the
refrigerant pump 34. At this time, the suction valves 312c disposed
at the refrigerant suction parts 312a of the high temperature side
ports 312 are opened and the refrigerant flowing out of the heating
heat exchanger 13 is sucked into portions near the refrigerant
suction parts 312a via the suction side manifolds 312e (refrigerant
sucking process). Then, when the piston 346 of the refrigerant pump
34 is returned to a position near the bottom dead center, there is
again brought about the magnetic field applying process.
[0235] In this way, when these four processes of the magnetic field
applying process, the refrigerant discharging process, the magnetic
field removing process, and the refrigerant sucking process are
repeated in sequence in the respective working chambers 311 of the
high temperature side container 31a, the hot heat generated by the
magnetocaloric effect of the magnetic working material 30 received
in the respective working chambers 311 of the high temperature side
container 31a can be transported to the heating heat exchanger
13.
[0236] On the other hand, when the magnetic field is applied to the
magnetic working material 30 in the respective working chambers 311
positioned on the upper side of the high temperature side container
31a, in the respective working chambers 311 positioned on the upper
side of the low temperature side container 31b, the permanent
magnet 323b gets far away from the working chambers 311 and hence
the magnetic field is removed in sequence from the magnetic working
material 30 received in the respective working chambers 311
positioned on the upper side (magnetic field removing process).
[0237] Then, the piston 346 in the cylinder bore 347 positioned on
the upper side in the refrigerant pump 34 is moved from the bottom
dead center to the top dead center and the refrigerant in the
respective working chambers 311 positioned on the upper side is
transferred from the refrigerant pump 34 to the low temperature
side ports 313. At this time, the discharge valves 313d disposed at
the refrigerant discharge parts 313b of the low temperature side
ports 313 are opened and the low temperature refrigerant near the
refrigerant discharge parts 313b is discharged to the cooling heat
exchanger 12 via the discharge side manifolds 313f (refrigerant
discharging process).
[0238] Further, when the piston 346 in the cylinder bore 347
positioned on the upper side in the refrigerant pump 34 is moved
near the top dead center and the permanent magnet 323b comes near
the respective working chambers 311 positioned on the upper side of
the low temperature side container 31b, the magnetic field is
applied to the magnetic working material 30 received in the
respective working chambers 311 positioned on the upper side
(magnetic field applying process).
[0239] Then, the piston 346 in the cylinder bore 347 positioned on
the upper side in the refrigerant pump 34 is moved from the top
dead center to the bottom dead center and the refrigerant in the
respective working chambers 311 positioned on the upper side is
transferred from the low temperature side ports 313 to the
refrigerant pump 34. At this time, the suction valves 313c disposed
at the refrigerant suction parts 313a of the low temperature side
ports 313 are opened and the refrigerant flowing out of the cooling
heat exchanger 12 is sucked into portions near the refrigerant
suction parts 313a via the suction side manifolds 313e (refrigerant
sucking process). Then, when the piston 346 of the refrigerant pump
34 is returned near the bottom dead center, there is again brought
about the magnetic field removing process.
[0240] In this way, when these four processes of the magnetic field
removing process, the refrigerant discharging process, the magnetic
field applying process, and the refrigerant sucking process are
repeated in sequence in the respective working chambers 311 of the
low temperature side container 31b, the cold heat generated by the
magnetocaloric effect of the magnetic working material 30 received
in the respective working chambers 311 of the low temperature side
container 31b can be transported to the cooling heat exchanger
12.
[0241] In the magnetic refrigeration system of the present
embodiment described above, the refrigerant having temperature
increased by the hot heat generated in the magnetic working
material 30 can be made to directly flow into the heating heat
exchanger 13, and the refrigerant having temperature decreased by
the cold heat generated in the magnetic working material 30 can be
made to directly flow into the cooling heat exchanger 12, so that
the same advantages as the first embodiment described above can be
produced.
[0242] In addition to this, in the present embodiment, the volume
of a space constructing each of the refrigerant suction parts 312a,
313a and the refrigerant discharge parts 312b, 313b in the heat
exchange container 31 is made smaller than the volume of the
refrigerant discharged at one time (that is, cylinder volume) in
the refrigerant pump 34. For this reason, it is possible to prevent
the refrigerant, whose temperature is increased by the hot heat
generated in the magnetic working material 30, and the refrigerant,
whose temperature is decreased by the cold heat generated in the
magnetic working material 30, from remaining in the heat exchange
container 31 and hence to efficiently transport the hot heat and
the cold heat generated in the magnetic working material 30 to the
outside of the heat exchange container 31.
Sixth Embodiment
[0243] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described on the basis of FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a general
construction diagram of a vehicle air conditioning device 1 of the
present embodiment. Here, in the present embodiment, the
descriptions of parts identical or equivalent to the parts in the
first to the fifth embodiments will be omitted or simplified.
[0244] The present embodiment employs a construction in which the
suction valves 312c, 313c, which are disposed respectively in the
refrigerant suction parts 312a, 313a, and the discharge valves
312d, 313d, which are disposed respectively in the refrigerant
discharge parts 312b, 313b, in the fifth embodiment are eliminated
and in which check valves 44, 45 and 56, 57 are provided in place
of those valves.
[0245] Specifically, each of the refrigerant suction parts 312a of
the high temperature side container 31a is provided with a first
check valve 44 for allowing the refrigerant to flow from the
refrigerant flow-out port 13b of the heating heat exchanger 13 to
each of the refrigerant suction parts 312a of the high temperature
side container 31a, whereas each of the refrigerant discharge parts
312b of the high temperature side container 31a is provided with a
second check valve 45 for allowing the refrigerant to flow from
each of the refrigerant discharge parts 312b of the high
temperature side container 31a to the refrigerant flow-in port 13a
of the heating heat exchanger 13.
[0246] Similarly, each of the refrigerant suction parts 313a of the
low temperature side container 31b is provided with a third check
valve 56 for allowing the refrigerant to flow from the refrigerant
flow-out port 12b of the cooling heat exchanger 12 to each of the
refrigerant suction parts 313a of the low temperature side
container 31b, whereas each of the refrigerant discharge parts 313b
of the low temperature side container 31b is provided with a fourth
check valve 57 for allowing the refrigerant to flow from each of
the refrigerant discharge parts 313b of the low temperature side
container 31b to the refrigerant flow-in port 12a of the cooling
heat exchanger 12.
[0247] Here, the respective first and third check valves 44, 56
disposed at the respective refrigerant suction parts 312a, 313a are
arranged in such a way as to be positioned on the same
circumference when the heat exchange container 31 is viewed from
the longitudinal direction in correspondence to the refrigerant
suction parts 312a, 313a. Further, the respective second and fourth
check valves 45, 57 disposed at the respective refrigerant
discharge parts 312b, 313b are arranged in such a way as to be
positioned on the same circumference when the heat exchange
container 31 is viewed from the longitudinal direction in
correspondence to the refrigerant discharge parts 312b, 313b.
[0248] Also according to this construction, the refrigerant having
temperature increased by the hot heat generated in the magnetic
working material 30 can be made to directly flow into the heating
heat exchanger 13, and the refrigerant having temperature decreased
by the cold heat generated in the magnetic working material 30 can
be made to directly flow into the cooling heat exchanger 12, so
that the same advantages as the fifth embodiment described above
can be produced.
Seventh Embodiment
[0249] Next, a seventh embodiment of the present disclosure will be
described on the basis of FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a general
construction diagram of a vehicle air conditioning device 1 of the
present embodiment. Here, in the present embodiment, the
descriptions of parts identical or equivalent to the parts in the
first to the sixth embodiments will be omitted or simplified.
[0250] The present embodiment employs a construction in which the
check valves 44, 45, which are disposed in the respective
refrigerant suction parts 312a, 313a and the check valves 56, 57,
which are disposed in the respective refrigerant discharge parts
312b, 313b, in the sixth embodiment are eliminated and in which
opening and closing valves 46, 47 and 58, 59, which are opened or
closed according to a control signal from the air conditioning
control device 110, are provided in place of those check valves 44,
45 and 56, 57.
[0251] Specifically, each of the refrigerant suction parts 312a of
the high temperature side container 31a is provided with a first
opening and closing valve 46 controlled in such a way as to allow
the refrigerant to flow only from the refrigerant flow-out port 13b
of the heating heat exchanger 13 to each of the refrigerant suction
parts 312a of the high temperature side container 31a, whereas each
of the refrigerant discharge parts 312b of the high temperature
side container 31a is provided with a second opening and closing
valve 47 controlled in such a way as to allow the refrigerant to
flow only from the refrigerant discharge part 312b of the high
temperature side container 31a to the refrigerant flow-in port 13a
of the heating heat exchanger 13.
[0252] Similarly, each of the refrigerant suction parts 313a of the
low temperature side container 31b is provided with a third opening
and closing valve 58 controlled in such a way as to allow the
refrigerant to flow only from the refrigerant flow-out port 12b of
the cooling heat exchanger 12 to each of the refrigerant suction
parts 313a of the low temperature side container 31b, whereas each
of the refrigerant discharge parts 313b of the low temperature side
container 31b is provided with a fourth opening and closing valve
59 controlled in such a way as to allow the refrigerant to flow
only from each of the refrigerant discharge parts 313b of the low
temperature side container 31b to the refrigerant flow-in port 12a
of the cooling heat exchanger 12.
[0253] In this regard, the respective first and third opening and
closing valves 46, 58 disposed at the respective refrigerant
suction parts 312a, 313a are arranged in such a way as to be
positioned on the same circumference when the heat exchange
container 31 is viewed from the longitudinal direction in
correspondence to the refrigerant suction parts 312a, 313a.
Further, the respective second and fourth opening and closing
valves 47, 59 disposed at the respective refrigerant discharge
parts 312b, 313b are arranged in such a way as to be positioned on
the same circumference when the heat exchange container 31 is
viewed from the longitudinal direction in correspondence to the
refrigerant discharge parts 312b, 313b.
[0254] Also according to this construction, the refrigerant having
temperature increased by the hot heat generated in the magnetic
working material 30 can be made to directly flow into the heating
heat exchanger 13, and the refrigerant having temperature decreased
by the cold heat generated in the magnetic working material 30 can
be made to directly flow into the cooling heat exchanger 12, so
that the same advantages as the fifth and sixth embodiments
described above can be produced.
Eighth Embodiment
[0255] In the fifth embodiment described above, as shown in FIG.
12, the suction valves 312c, 313c are arranged nearer to the
working chambers 311 than the discharge valves 312d, 313d are. For
this reason, when the refrigerant is discharged from each of the
discharge valves 312d, 313d, the refrigerant remaining in a dead
space around each of the suction valves 312c, 313c and the
refrigerant discharged from each of the discharge valves 312c, 313c
are likely to be mixed with each other and to unnecessarily
exchange heat between them.
[0256] Hence, an eighth embodiment employs a construction in which
the discharge valves 312d, 313d are arranged nearer to the working
chambers 311 in the longitudinal direction of the heat exchange
container 31 than the suction valves 312c, 313c are. In other
words, the discharge valves 312d, 313d are arranged in the vicinity
of the working chambers 311.
[0257] As shown by a partial enlarged section view in FIG. 15, in
the present embodiment, the refrigerant suction parts 312a, 313a
are arranged on the outer side in the radial direction of the heat
exchange container 31 as compared with the refrigerant discharge
parts 312b, 313b.
[0258] A plate-shaped valve plate 316 having a suction hole 316a
and a discharge hole 316b formed therein is arranged at a position
adjacent to the working chambers 311. Here, the suction hole 316a
formed in the valve pate 316 constructs a communication hole for
sucking the refrigerant into the working chamber 311 and the
discharge hole 316b constructs a communication hole for discharging
the refrigerant from the working chamber 311.
[0259] The discharge valves 312d, 313d are arranged at positions
adjacent to the valve plate 316 and the suction valves 312c, 313c
are arranged at positions away from the valve plate 316 by a
distance more than a movable range of the valve. In other words,
the discharge valve 312d, 313d is constructed in such a way as to
directly open or close the discharge hole 316b of the valve plate
316 and the suction valve 312c, 313c is constructed in such a way
as to indirectly open or close the suction hole 316a of the valve
plate 316.
[0260] In this way, when the discharge valve 312d, 313d is arranged
close to the working chamber 311, it is possible to prevent an
unnecessary heat exchange between the refrigerant remaining around
the suction valve 312c, 313c and the refrigerant discharged from
the working chamber 311 via the discharge valve 312d, 313d. This
can reduce a heat exchange loss at the time of transporting the hot
heat and the cold heat generated in the magnetic working material
30 and hence can improve the COP of the magnetic refrigeration
system.
Ninth Embodiment
[0261] In the present embodiment will be described an example in
which the respective valves 312c, 312d are constructed of a rotary
valve and in which the respective valves 313c, 313d are constructed
of a rotary valve.
[0262] As shown by an enlarged view of a magnetic refrigerator 3 in
FIG. 16, one rotary valve constructs the valves 312c, 312d and the
other rotary valve constructs the valves 313c, 313d. Each of the
rotary valves is constructed of a valve plate 317 and a rotary disk
318. The valve plate 317 is arranged adjacently to the working
chambers 311, and has suction holes 317a and discharge holes 317b
formed therein. Each of the suction holes 317a and discharge holes
317b communicates with each of the working chambers 311. The rotary
disk 318 rotates in a circumferential direction of the heat
exchange container 31 and opens or closes the suction holes 317a
and the discharge holes 317b of the valve plate 317.
[0263] Each of the suction holes 317a formed in the valve plate 317
constructs a communication hole for sucking the refrigerant into
each of the working chambers 311, and each of the discharge holes
317b constructs a communication hole for discharging the
refrigerant from each of the working chambers 311.
[0264] As shown in FIG. 17 by a section view taken on a line B-B in
FIG. 16 and shown in FIG. 18 by a section view taken on a line C-C
in FIG. 16, the rotary disk 318 is coupled to the rotary shaft
321a, 321b in such a way as to be rotated by power supplied from
the electric motor 35 which is a drive part and is constructed in
such a way as to open or close the suction holes 317a and the
discharge holes 317b of the valve plate 317 at timings shifted from
each other in synchronization with the rotation of the rotary shaft
321a, 321b.
[0265] Specifically, the rotary disk 318 has suction side through
holes 318a passed through from an obverse to a reverse at
positions, which are opposite to the suction holes 317a of the
valve plate 317 in the axial direction when the refrigerant is
sucked into the working chambers 311. Similarly, the rotary disk
318 has discharge side through holes 318b passed through from an
obverse to a reverse at positions, which are opposite to the
discharge holes 317b of the valve plate 317 in the axial direction
when the refrigerant is discharged from the working chambers
311.
[0266] As is the case with the present embodiment, in the case
where the respective valves 312c, 312d are constructed of the
rotary valve and where the respective valves 313c, 313d are
constructed of the rotary valve, it is possible to prevent the
refrigerant from remaining around the respective suction valves
312c, 313c. Hence, it is possible to prevent an unnecessary heat
exchange between the refrigerant remaining around the suction valve
312c, 313c and the refrigerant discharged from the working chamber
311 via the discharge valve 312d, 313d. In this way, it is possible
to reduce a heat exchange loss at the time of transporting the hot
heat and the cold heat generated in the magnetic working material
30 and hence to improve the COP of the magnetic refrigeration
system.
[0267] Further, the present embodiment employs a construction in
which the rotary disk 318 of the rotary valve is rotated by the
power for driving the magnetic field applying and removing device
32, that is, the power of the electric motor 35, the magnetic
refrigeration system can be realized by a simple construction.
Still further, the suction valves 312c and the discharge valves
312d can be integrally constructed and the suction valves 313c and
the discharge valves 313d can be integrally constructed. Hence, the
magnetic refrigeration system can be realized by a further simpler
construction.
Tenth Embodiment
[0268] In the present embodiment will be described an example in
which each of the suction valves 312c, 313c is constructed of a
rotary valve and in which each of the discharge valves 312d, 313d
is constructed of a reed valve.
[0269] As shown by an enlarged view of a magnetic refrigerator in
FIG. 19, the rotary valve constructing the respective suction valve
312c, 313c is constructed of a valve plate 317 and a rotary disk
318. The valve plate 317 is arranged adjacently to the working
chambers 311 and has suction holes 317a each of which communicates
with each of the working chambers 311. The rotary disk 318 rotates
in a circumferential direction of the heat exchange container 31
and opens or closes the suction holes 317a of the valve plate
317.
[0270] As shown in FIG. 20 by a section view taken on a line D-D in
FIG. 19 and in FIG. 21 by a section view taken on a line E-E in
FIG. 19, the rotary disk 318 is coupled to the rotary shaft 321a,
321b in such a way as to be rotated by power supplied from the
electric motor 35 corresponding to the drive part and is
constructed in such a way as to open or close the suction holes
317a of the valve plate 317 in synchronization with the rotation of
the rotary shaft 321a, 321b. In this regard, in the rotary disk 318
are formed suction side through holes 318a each of which is passed
through from an obverse to a reverse at a position opposite to the
suction hole 317a of the valve plate 317 in the axial direction
when the refrigerant is sucked into each of the working chambers
311.
[0271] Here, the reed valve constructing the discharge valve 312d,
313d is constructed in such a way as to open or close each of
discharge holes 317b formed in the valve plate 317 by an elastic
plate member.
[0272] As is the case with the present embodiment, even in the case
where only the suction valve 312c, 313c is constructed of the
rotary valve, it is possible to prevent the refrigerant from
remaining around the suction valve 312c, 313c and hence to prevent
an unnecessary heat exchange between the refrigerant remaining
around the suction valve 312c, 313c and the refrigerant discharged
from the working chamber 311 via the discharge valve 312d, 313d. In
this way, it is possible to reduce a heat exchange loss at the time
of transporting the hot heat and the cold heat generated in the
magnetic working material 30 and hence to improve the COP of the
magnetic refrigeration system.
11th Embodiment
[0273] The first and the second backward flow preventing parts are
respectively constructed of the check valves 44, 45 and 56, 57 in
the second and the sixth embodiments. Alternatively, each of the
first and the second backward flow preventing parts may be
constructed of a fluid diode in which resistance is smaller in a
forward direction of a refrigerant flow than in a backward
direction of the refrigerant flow. According to this construction,
the magnetic refrigeration system can be realized by a simple
construction. Here, one of the first and the second backward flow
preventing parts may be constructed of a fluid diode 71, 72.
[0274] Here, as the fluid diode can be employed a nozzle type fluid
diode 71 or a vortex type fluid diode 72.
[0275] FIG. 22 is a schematic section view of the nozzle type fluid
diode 71. The nozzle type fluid diode 71 is constructed of a
cylindrical member and, as shown in FIG. 22, is constructed of a
tapered part 71a whose size is decreased in a conical shape from an
upstream side of a refrigerant flow to a downstream side of the
refrigerant flow in a refrigerant flow passage.
[0276] In this nozzle type fluid diode 71, resistance at the
tapered part 71a becomes larger in the case where the refrigerant
flows in the backward direction (see a black arrow in the drawing)
than in the case where the refrigerant flows in the forward
direction (see a white arrow in the drawing).
[0277] FIG. 23 is an explanatory view illustrating the vortex type
fluid diode 72, in which (a) of FIG. 23 is the schematic
perspective view, (b) of FIG. 23 is a top view of (a) illustrating
a flow of the refrigerant in the forward direction, and (c) of FIG.
23 is a top view of (b) illustrating a flow of the refrigerant in
the backward direction.
[0278] The vortex type fluid diode 72, as shown in (a) of FIG. 23,
is constructed of a vortex case 721 having a cylindrical vortex
chamber formed therein, an axial nozzle 722 extended in a central
axis direction of the vortex chamber in the vortex case 721, and a
tangent nozzle 723 extended in a tangential direction of an outer
circumference of the vortex chamber.
[0279] In this vortex type fluid diode 72, in the case where the
refrigerant flows from the upstream side to the downstream side of
the refrigerant flow, as shown by white arrows in (b) of FIG. 23,
the refrigerant from the axial nozzle 722 flows to the tangential
nozzle 723 without developing a vortex in the vortex chamber in the
vortex case 721.
[0280] In contrast to this, in the case where the refrigerant flows
from the downstream side to the upstream side of the refrigerant
flow, as shown by the black arrows in (c) of FIG. 23, the
refrigerant from the tangential nozzle 723 flows vortically in the
vortex chamber in the vortex case 721 and then flows into the axial
nozzle 722. In this way, in the vortex type fluid diode 72,
resistance becomes larger in the case where the refrigerant flows
from the downstream side to the upstream side of the refrigerant
flow, that is, in the backward direction than in the case where the
refrigerant flows from the upstream side to the downstream side of
the refrigerant flow, that is, in the forward direction.
Other Embodiments
[0281] While the embodiments of the present disclosure have been
described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these
embodiments. The present disclosure is not limited by the wording
as claimed in the respective claims but includes a scope replaced
easily from the claims by persons skilled in the art as far as the
scope does not depart from the scope as claimed in the claims and
can have modifications added thereto as appropriate, the
modifications being made on the basis of knowledge acquired by the
persons skilled in the art. For example, the present disclosure can
be modified variously in the following manner.
[0282] (A) In the respective embodiments described above, the
magnetic field generating part of the magnetic field applying and
removing device 32 is constructed of the permanent magnets 323a,
323b. However, the magnetic field generating part is not limited to
this but may be constructed of an electric magnet for generating a
magnetic field when current is applied thereto.
[0283] (B) Like the respective embodiments described above, it is
desirable that the drive sources of the refrigerant pump 34 and the
magnetic field applying and removing device 32 are constructed of
one electric motor 35. However, the drive sources of the
refrigerant pump 34 and the magnetic field applying and removing
device 32 may be constructed of separate drive sources.
[0284] Further, like the ninth and the tenth embodiments, it is
desirable that the drive sources of the respective valves 312c,
313c, 312d, 313d and the magnetic field applying and removing
device 32 are constructed of one electric motor 35. However, the
respective drive sources may be constructed of separate drive
sources.
[0285] (C) In the respective embodiments, the magnetic
refrigeration system 2 is applied to the vehicle air conditioning
device 1. However, the magnetic refrigeration system 2 is not
limited to this but may be applied to the other device.
[0286] (D) The respective embodiments described above can be
combined with each other within a possible scope.
[0287] While the present disclosure has been described with
reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood
that the disclosure is not limited to the preferred embodiments and
constructions. The present disclosure is intended to cover various
modification and equivalent arrangements. In addition, while the
various combinations and configurations, which are preferred, other
combinations and configurations, including more, less or only a
single element, are also within the spirit and scope of the present
disclosure.
* * * * *