Magnetic refrigeration apparatus, magnetic working substance bed and assembly method thereof, and household refrigeration appliance

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a magnetic working substance bed of a magnetic refrigeration device, wherein the magnetic working substance bed is formed with a plurality of passages for accommodating magnetic working substance through in a longitudinal direction, wherein each passage comprises a first passage section and a second passage section, the magnetic working substance bed comprising: a first longitudinal section in which the plurality of first passage sections are formed; and a second longitudinal section in which the plurality of second passage sections are formed, wherein the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section are configured to be connectable to each other such that the first passage sections and the second passage sections are in communication, respectively. Furthermore, the present application also provides a corresponding magnetic refrigeration device, an assembly method of a magnetic refrigeration device, and a household refrigeration appliance. According to certain embodiments of the present application, the magnetic working substance can be more easily filled uniformly and sufficiently within the passages.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of magnetic refrigeration and the field of household appliances, in particular to a magnetic working substance bed of a magnetic refrigeration device, a magnetic refrigeration device, an assembly method of a magnetic refrigeration device, and a household refrigeration appliance. BACKGROUND

[0002] Nowadays, with the improvement of people's living standards, refrigeration appliances have entered thousands of households, such as refrigerators, wine cabinets, etc. The current mainstream refrigeration method is mechanical vapor compression cycle refrigeration. This refrigeration technology not only has high energy consumption, but also uses refrigerants that can destroy the ozone environment in the upper atmosphere. The current alternative working substance has a high greenhouse effect index and flammability, which not only has low refrigeration efficiency, but also seriously affects the utilization of energy and the living environment of human beings.

[0003] In recent years, magnetic refrigeration technology has attracted much attention due to its high theoretical efficiency, no pollution, no noise, safety and reliability. Magnetic refrigeration technology does not require the use of refrigerants that can destroy the ozone layer and exacerbate global warming, but is based on the magnetic heat effect of magnetic working substance to achieve refrigeration, i.e. the temperature of the magnetic working substance increases when it is magnetized and decreases when it is demagnetized.

[0004] In a magnetic refrigeration device, a magnetic working substance bed for accommodating magnetic working substance is a core component. The magnetic working substance is magnetized and demagnetized in the magnetic working substance bed and exchanges heat with the heat exchange fluid. Therefore, the structure of the magnetic working substance bed is related to the refrigeration efficiency of the magnetic refrigeration device. The existing magnetic working substance bed often has problems such as complex structure, high manufacturing and assembly difficulty, and / or low refrigeration efficiency. SUMMARY

[0005] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide an improved magnetic working substance bed of a magnetic refrigeration device to overcome at least one of the above-mentioned deficiencies of the prior art. In particular, the magnetic working substance bed facilitates more uniform and sufficient filling of the magnetic working substance in the magnetic working substance bed, and can make the filling operation of the magnetic working substance easier.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present application, the embodiments of the present application provide a magnetic working substance bed of a magnetic refrigeration device, wherein the magnetic working substance bed is formed with a plurality of channels for accommodating magnetic working substance through in a longitudinal direction, wherein each channel comprises a first channel section and a second channel section, the magnetic working substance bed comprises: a first longitudinal section in which the plurality of first channel sections are formed; and a second longitudinal section in which the plurality of second channel sections are formed, wherein the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section are configured to be connectable to each other so that the first channel sections and the second channel sections are respectively in communication.

[0007] Therefore, in the process of filling the magnetic working substance into the magnetic working substance bed, the magnetic working substance can be filled into the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section respectively, and then the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section are connected to each other. The complete channel has an elongated internal space. If the magnetic working substance is filled into the channel from one end or both ends of the complete channel, it is possible that part of the space in the channel is not filled or a very laborious operation is required to ensure that the channel is fully filled. The segmented magnetic working substance bed design according to the present application can facilitate more uniform and sufficient filling of the magnetic working substance in the plurality of channels, thereby avoiding waste of space in the channel and improving refrigeration efficiency. In addition, the filling operation of the magnetic working substance can be made easier.

[0008] According to an optional embodiment of the present application, the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section are connected to each other in a manner of being inserted along the longitudinal direction. This enables the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section to be connected to each other by a simple operation, thereby simplifying the assembly process.

[0009] According to an optional embodiment of the present application, the first longitudinal section has a first alignment structure, the second longitudinal section has a second alignment structure, and the first alignment structure and the second alignment structure match each other so that the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section can only be connected to each other in a specific relative position, wherein in the specific relative position, the plurality of first channel sections and the plurality of second channel sections are in one-to-one alignment. In this way, it can be facilitated to ensure that the first channel sections and the second channel sections are in one-to-one alignment during the assembly process.

[0010] According to an optional embodiment of the present application, the first alignment structure comprises a groove extending along the longitudinal direction, and the second alignment structure comprises an insertion portion for extending into the groove. In this way, the alignment can be achieved by a simple structure which is easy for an operator to observe.

[0011] According to an optional embodiment of the present application, the first longitudinal section is formed in a cylindrical shape around the longitudinal direction, and the plurality of first channel sections are uniformly distributed in a circumferential direction; and / or the second longitudinal section is formed in a cylindrical shape around the longitudinal direction, and the plurality of second channel sections are uniformly distributed in a circumferential direction. This configuration enables the first longitudinal section and / or the second longitudinal section to achieve high structural stability with a small volume, and facilitates the formation of a channel with a large volume. In addition, this configuration is particularly suitable for a rotary magnetic refrigeration device. Here, the "circumferential direction" refers to a direction around the longitudinal direction.

[0012] According to an optional embodiment of the present application, the first longitudinal section comprises a first inner cylinder wall, a first outer cylinder wall surrounding the first inner cylinder wall, and a plurality of first partition walls extending from the first inner cylinder wall to the first outer cylinder wall, wherein the first partition walls divide the space between the first inner cylinder wall and the first outer cylinder wall into the plurality of first channel segments; and / or the second longitudinal section comprises a second inner cylinder wall, a second outer cylinder wall surrounding the second inner cylinder wall, and a plurality of second partition walls extending from the second inner cylinder wall to the second outer cylinder wall, wherein the second partition walls divide the space between the second inner cylinder wall and the second outer cylinder wall into the plurality of second channel segments. This further facilitates achieving higher structural stability with smaller volume for the first longitudinal section and / or the second longitudinal section, and facilitates forming channels with larger volume. In this way, the filling amount of magnetic working substance can be increased, the magnetic field space can be fully utilized, and the refrigeration efficiency can be improved.

[0013] In particular, even if the first outer cylinder wall, the first outer cylinder wall, the first partition wall, the second outer cylinder wall, the second outer cylinder wall, and the second partition wall have a relatively thin wall thickness, the above structure can still enable the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section to have stable and reliable structure and relatively high strength. With the guarantee of the overall mechanical properties of the magnetic working substance bed, such thin-wall design can reduce the heat loss between the magnetic working substance bed and the magnetic working substance and between the magnetic working substance and the heat exchange fluid, and increase the filling amount of the magnetic working substance. In this way, the refrigeration efficiency can be improved.

[0014] According to an optional embodiment of the present application, the first inner cylinder wall and the first outer cylinder wall are configured to be insertable between the second inner cylinder wall and the second outer cylinder wall at the first longitudinal end of the first longitudinal section. Such an insertion manner can be achieved by a simple structure, and helps to prevent leakage of the heat exchange fluid from the connection between the first channel segments and the second channel segments.

[0015] According to an optional embodiment of the application, the outer surface of the first outer cylinder wall has a first step extending in the circumferential direction, the outer surface of the first outer cylinder wall having a smaller outer diameter on the side of the first step closer to the first longitudinal end than on the side further away from the first longitudinal end. The inner surface of the first inner cylinder wall has a second step extending in the circumferential direction, the inner surface of the first inner cylinder wall having a larger inner diameter on the side of the second step closer to the first longitudinal end than on the side further away from the first longitudinal end. In the state in which the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section are connected to each other, the end face of the second outer cylinder wall rests against the first step, and the end face of the second inner cylinder wall rests against the second step. The relative positioning of the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section in the longitudinal direction can be limited by the first step or the second step. In particular, by means of the first step and the second step, the assembled magnetic working material bed can be provided with a uniform outer diameter and a uniform inner diameter at the connection of the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section to each other. This is particularly advantageous in the case where further components of the magnetic refrigeration device, such as magnetic field assemblies or bearings, are to be arranged inside and / or outside the magnetic working material bed. For example, a bearing can be arranged on the outside at the connection of the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section and supported on both the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section.

[0016] According to an optional embodiment of the application, the first step is non-rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the first longitudinal section, and the end face of the second outer cylinder wall resting against the first step has a contour matching the first step; and / or the second step is non-rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the first longitudinal section, and the end face of the second inner cylinder wall resting against the second step has a contour matching the first step. By matching the shape of the end face of the second outer cylinder wall resting against the first step, the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section can be intuitively and easily aligned in a specific relative position, and the first channel section and the second channel section can be accurately connected to each other.

[0017] According to an optional embodiment of the application, at least one of the plurality of channels has a rib protruding from the channel wall enclosing the channel to the interior space of the channel and extending along the extension direction of the channel. In this way, the strength of the magnetic working material bed can be increased. This is advantageous for further reducing the wall thickness of the first outer cylinder wall, the first outer cylinder wall, the first partition wall, the second outer cylinder wall, the second outer cylinder wall, the second partition wall.

[0018] According to an optional embodiment of the application, the longitudinal lengths of the first channel section and the second channel section are equal or differ by 10% or less. This is advantageous for uniformly filling the magnetic working material.

[0019] According to an optional embodiment of the present application, one end portion of the first channel section has a reduced cross-sectional area compared to the rest of the first channel section; and / or one end portion of the second channel section has a reduced cross-sectional area compared to the rest of the second channel section. This is for example advantageous for mounting a filter or a seal or the like at the end portion. After the magnetic working substance bed is assembled, the narrowed end portion of the first channel section and the narrowed end portion of the second channel section can constitute the two ends of the complete channel. During the filling step of the magnetic working substance, the magnetic working substance can be filled from the respective other end of the first channel section and the second channel section inwards. Thereby, the adverse effect of the narrowed end portion on the filling of the magnetic working substance can be reduced.

[0020] According to an optional embodiment of the present application, the first longitudinal section has a first connection flange at one longitudinal end thereof, the first connection flange protruding outwardly with respect to the first outer cylinder wall; and / or the second longitudinal section has a second connection flange at one longitudinal end thereof, the second connection flange protruding outwardly with respect to the second outer cylinder wall. The first connection flange and / or the second connection flange are advantageous for connecting the magnetic working substance bed to other components of the magnetic refrigeration device, such as fluid conduits or flow control valves or the like. Generally, such outwardly protruding connection flanges are disadvantageous for the assembly of the magnetic refrigeration device, in particular in case the outer side of the magnetic working substance bed needs to be sheathed with further components, such as bearings. However, in the present application, by providing the magnetic working substance bed with separate first and second longitudinal sections, the assembly of the magnetic refrigeration device can be facilitated. For example, a bearing can be sheathed on the first longitudinal section through one end thereof which is not provided with the first connection flange, and then the first longitudinal section can be connected with the second longitudinal section.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the present application, embodiments of the present application provide a magnetic refrigeration device, wherein the magnetic refrigeration device comprises at least a magnetic working substance bed according to the present application, wherein the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section are connected to each other such that the first channel section is in communication with the second channel section, respectively.

[0022] According to a third aspect of the present application, embodiments of the present application provide an assembly method of a magnetic refrigeration device, which can be applied to a magnetic refrigeration device according to the present application. The assembly method comprises at least the following steps: S10, providing a first longitudinal section and a second longitudinal section; and S20, connecting the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section to each other such that the first channel section is in communication with the second channel section, respectively.

[0023] According to an optional embodiment of the present application, the assembling method further comprises at least one of the following steps: filling a magnetic working substance into the first and second channel sections after step S10 and before step S20; externally sleeving a bearing on at least one of the first and second longitudinal sections after step S10 and before step S20; fixing the first and second longitudinal sections relative to each other after step S20.

[0024] According to a fourth aspect of the present application, embodiments of the present application provide a household refrigeration appliance, wherein the household refrigeration appliance comprises a magnetic refrigeration device according to the present application and a heat exchange fluid flowing through the magnetic refrigeration device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0025] The principles, features and advantages of the present application can be better understood by the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 schematically illustrates a household refrigeration appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 2 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a magnetic working substance bed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 3 schematically illustrates Figure 2 an exploded view of the magnetic working substance bed shown;

[0029] Figure 4 schematically illustrates a front view of a magnetic working substance bed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 5 schematically illustrates a side view of a magnetic working substance bed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 6 schematically illustrates a magnified view of a magnetic working substance bed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figures 7A to 7F schematically illustrates an assembling process of a magnetic refrigeration device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application; and

[0033] Figures 8 to 9 schematically illustrates a clamp for a magnetic working substance bed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

[0034] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0035] 1 refrigeration device

[0036] 10 magnetic working substance bed

[0037] 110 channel

[0038] 111 first channel section

[0039] 112 second channel section

[0040] 113 rib

[0041] 120 first longitudinal section

[0042] 121 first inner cylinder wall

[0043] 122 first outer cylinder wall

[0044] 122a first step

[0045] 123 first partition wall

[0046] 124 first connection flange

[0047] 125 first alignment structure

[0048] 125a recess

[0049] 130 second longitudinal section

[0050] 131 second inner cylinder wall

[0051] 132 second outer cylinder wall

[0052] 133 second partition wall

[0053] 134 second connection flange

[0054] 135 second alignment structure

[0055] 135a insertion portion

[0056] 20 magnetic working substance

[0057] 30 bearing

[0058] 40 magnetic field assembly

[0059] 2 heat exchange fluid

[0060] 3 cold-end heat exchanger

[0061] 4 hot-end heat exchanger

[0062] 5 pump

[0063] 6 housing

[0064] 91 bottom plate

[0065] 92 first semicircular plate

[0066] 93 second half-round plate DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] In order to make the technical problems to be solved by the present application, the technical solutions and the beneficial technical effects more clearly understood, the present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and a plurality of exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application, but not to limit the protection scope of the present application.

[0068] First, in order to facilitate understanding, back to the description in the background section, the prior art magnetic refrigeration device has the problems of complex structure, high manufacturing and assembly difficulty and / or low refrigeration efficiency.

[0069] In view of at least one of the above technical problems or other possible technical problems, one exemplary embodiment of the present application provides a magnetic working substance bed of a magnetic refrigeration device, wherein the magnetic working substance bed is formed with a plurality of passages for accommodating magnetic working substances through in a longitudinal direction, wherein each passage comprises a first passage section and a second passage section, and the magnetic working substance bed comprises: a first longitudinal section in which the plurality of first passage sections are formed; and a second longitudinal section in which the plurality of second passage sections are formed, wherein the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section are configured to be connectable to each other so that the first passage sections and the second passage sections are respectively in communication.

[0070] In order to better understand the present application, exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0071] Before starting the specific description, it needs to be pointed out that the directional terms used in the description refer to the conventional use state of the household refrigerating appliance or the magnetic refrigeration device, for the purpose of facilitating the description, and cannot be understood as the absolute limitation of the corresponding features.

[0072] Figure 1 A household refrigerating appliance according to one exemplary embodiment of the present application is schematically shown. The household refrigerating appliance is here configured as a refrigerator, comprising a magnetic refrigeration device 1 and a heat exchange fluid 2 flowing through the magnetic refrigeration device 1. The magnetic refrigeration device 1 is configured to heat and cool the heat exchange fluid 2 using the magnetocaloric effect. The magnetocaloric effect refers to the phenomenon that the ordered arrangement of magnetic moments of a magnetic material (i.e. magnetic working substance 20) changes when an external magnetic field changes, so that the magnetic working substance 20 itself absorbs or releases heat. The heat exchange fluid 2 may, for example, be water. The heat exchange fluid 2 may also be other fluids with good heat conduction performance, such as alcohol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, a solution doped with micro-scale graphite powder, or a mixture thereof. Figure 1The refrigerator is exemplarily shown to have a single compartment, which can be a refrigerating compartment or a freezing compartment. In further embodiments, the household refrigerating appliance can also be configured to have multiple compartments, for example to be configured as a combined refrigerator-freezer. In addition, the present application can also be applied to other household refrigerating appliances than a refrigerator, for example a wine cooler, an air conditioner, etc. as desired.

[0073] As shown in Figure 1 The household refrigerating appliance can further comprise a cold end heat exchanger 3 communicating to the first end of the magnetic refrigeration device 1, a hot end heat exchanger 4 communicating to the second end of the magnetic refrigeration device 1, a pump 5 for pumping the heat exchange fluid 2 so that the heat exchange fluid 2 can flow through the magnetic refrigeration device 1, the cold end heat exchanger 3 and the hot end heat exchanger 4, and a housing 6 delimiting a compartment for storing items to be cooled. The housing 6 can be formed as a thermally insulated cabinet, for example comprising a thermally insulating foam formed by a foaming process.

[0074] The heat exchange fluid 2 flowing through the magnetic refrigeration device 1 exchanges heat with the magnetic working substance 20 within the magnetic refrigeration device 1, thereby being cooled and heated. The heat exchange fluid 2 being cooled within the magnetic refrigeration device 1 can flow out of the first end of the magnetic refrigeration device 1 and be pumped to the cold end heat exchanger 3 for cooling the compartment. Then, the heat exchange fluid 2 returns from the cold end heat exchanger 3 to the magnetic refrigeration device 1 via the first end and is heated. The heat exchange fluid 2 being heated within the magnetic refrigeration device 1 can flow out of the second end of the magnetic refrigeration device 1 and be pumped to the hot end heat exchanger 4 for releasing heat to, for example, the ambient environment. Then, the heat exchange fluid 2 returns from the hot end heat exchanger 4 to the magnetic refrigeration device 1 via the second end and is cooled again.

[0075] The magnetic refrigeration device 1 can for example comprise a magnetic working substance bed 10 having a plurality of channels 110, magnetic working substances 20 filled in the plurality of channels 110, a magnetic field assembly 40 rotatably arranged relative to the magnetic working substance bed 10 for generating a magnetic field on only a partial segment in a circumferential direction so that the magnetic working substances 20 within a part of the circumferential segment of the magnetic working substance bed 10 are magnetized while the magnetic working substances 20 within another part of the circumferential segment of the magnetic working substance bed 10 are demagnetized. The magnetic working substance bed 10 can be made of a material having good thermal insulation performance, for example stainless steel or plastic having good thermal insulation performance, etc. The magnetic working substance bed 10 can also be manufactured by nesting a plastic layer in a stainless steel material. The magnetic working substances 20 are materials having a magnetocaloric effect, including but not limited to metallic room-temperature magnetocaloric effect materials (for example gadolinium metal, gadolinium dysprosium alloy, manganese arsenic alloy, nickel manganese gallium alloy, etc.), ceramic room-temperature magnetocaloric effect materials (for example lanthanum calcium manganese oxygen material of perovskite structure, etc.), or combinations thereof. The magnetic working substances 20 can comprise a composite room-temperature magnetocaloric effect material having high thermal conductivity, i.e. a material obtained by compounding a high thermal conductivity material with a room-temperature magnetocaloric effect material.

[0076] The following will be described in conjunction with Figure 2 and Figure 3A magnetic working substance bed 10 according to the present application will be described in more detail.

[0077] Figure 2 A perspective view of a magnetic working substance bed 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is schematically shown. Figure 3 A perspective view of a magnetic working substance bed 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application is schematically shown. Figure 2 An exploded view of the magnetic working substance bed 10 is shown.

[0078] As shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 The magnetic working substance bed 10 is formed with a plurality of passages 110 for accommodating the magnetic working substance 20 therethrough in a longitudinal direction (schematically shown by a dotted line). The heat exchange fluid 2, for example, can flow through the plurality of passages 110 and exchange heat with the magnetic working substance bed 10 in the passages 110. Each passage 110 includes a first passage section 111 and a second passage section 112. The magnetic working substance bed 10 includes a first longitudinal section 120 in which the plurality of first passage sections 111 are formed, and a second longitudinal section 130 in which the plurality of second passage sections 112 are formed. The first longitudinal section 120 and the second longitudinal section 130 are configured to be connectable to each other so that the first passage sections 111 and the second passage sections 112 are respectively in communication with each other.

[0079] Accordingly, the magnetic working substance 20 can be filled in the first longitudinal section 120 and the second longitudinal section 130, respectively, and then the first longitudinal section 120 and the second longitudinal section 130 can be connected to each other. Thereby, the magnetic working substance 20 can be more uniformly and sufficiently distributed in the plurality of passages 110. In addition, the filling operation of the magnetic working substance 20 can be made easier.

[0080] Alternatively, the longitudinal lengths of the first passage sections 111 and the second passage sections 112 are substantially equal, or differ by 10% or less, particularly 5% or less.

[0081] The first longitudinal section 120 can be formed in a cylindrical shape around the longitudinal direction, and the plurality of first passage sections 111 can be uniformly distributed in a circumferential direction. This structure is particularly suitable for a rotary magnetic refrigeration device 1, and enables the magnetic working substance 20 to be uniformly heated and cooled. The first longitudinal section 120 can particularly include a first inner cylinder wall 121, a first outer cylinder wall 122 surrounding the first inner cylinder wall 121, and a plurality of first partition walls 123 extending from the first inner cylinder wall 121 to the first outer cylinder wall 122, wherein the first passage sections 111 are partitioned in a space between the first inner cylinder wall 121 and the first outer cylinder wall 122 by the first partition walls 123. This structure enables the first longitudinal section 120 to have a stable and reliable structure and a relatively high strength, even if the first outer cylinder wall 122, the first inner cylinder wall 121, and the first partition walls 123 have a relatively thin wall thickness.

[0082] The second longitudinal segment 130 may have a similar structure to the first longitudinal segment 120 and be formed as a cylinder around the longitudinal direction, wherein the plurality of second channel segments 112 are evenly distributed in the circumferential direction. The second longitudinal segment 130 includes a second inner cylinder wall 131, a second outer cylinder wall 132 surrounding the second inner cylinder wall 131, and a plurality of second partition walls 133 extending from the second inner cylinder wall 131 to the second outer cylinder wall 132, wherein the second partition walls 133 divide the plurality of second channel segments 112 in the space between the second inner cylinder wall 131 and the second outer cylinder wall 132.

[0083] Through the aforementioned structure of the first longitudinal section 120 and / or the second longitudinal section 130, the magnetic working fluid bed 10 can have a smaller overall volume while forming a channel 110 with a larger volume. This increases the filling amount of the magnetic working fluid 20, which is beneficial for fully utilizing the magnetic field space and improving cooling efficiency.

[0084] The first inner cylinder wall 121, the first outer cylinder wall 122, the first partition wall 123, the second inner cylinder wall 131, the second outer cylinder wall 132, and the second partition wall 133 can all be constructed with the thinnest possible wall thickness. While ensuring the overall mechanical properties of the magnetic working fluid bed 10, this thinner wall thickness design can reduce heat loss between the magnetic working fluid bed 10 and the magnetic working fluid 20, as well as between the magnetic working fluid bed 10 and the heat exchange fluid 2, and increase the filling amount of the magnetic working fluid 20. This improves refrigeration efficiency.

[0085] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the first longitudinal segment 120 and the second longitudinal segment 130 are connected to each other by an insertion method along the longitudinal direction. This simplifies the structure of the first longitudinal segment 120 and the second longitudinal segment 130 and facilitates their connection. Alternatively or additionally, the first longitudinal segment 120 and the second longitudinal segment 130 may also be connected to each other in other ways, such as by threaded connection, adhesive connection, or welding connection.

[0086] For example, the first inner cylinder wall 121 and the first outer cylinder wall 122 are configured at the first longitudinal end of the first longitudinal section 120 to be inserted between the second inner cylinder wall 131 and the second outer cylinder wall 132. This insertion method has the advantage of structural simplicity and helps prevent the heat exchange fluid 2 from leaking from the connection between the first channel section 111 and the second channel section 112. Here, for example, the first partition wall 123 can extend over the entire longitudinal length of the first longitudinal section 120, while the second partition wall 133 extends only over a portion of the longitudinal length of the second longitudinal section 130 to avoid the first longitudinal end of the first longitudinal section 120 that is inserted into the second longitudinal section 130.

[0087] The outer surface of the first outer cylinder wall 122 may have a first step 122a extending in the circumferential direction, and the outer surface of the first outer cylinder wall 122 has a smaller outer diameter on the side of the first step 122a near the first longitudinal end compared with the side away from the first longitudinal end. The inner surface of the first inner cylinder wall 121 may have a second step extending in the circumferential direction. Figure 3 (Not visible in the image), the inner surface of the first inner cylinder wall 121 has a larger inner diameter on the side of the second step closer to the first longitudinal end compared to the side farther from the first longitudinal end. With the first longitudinal section 120 and the second longitudinal section 130 connected to each other, the end face of the second outer cylinder wall 132 abuts against the first step 122a (as shown in the image). Figure 2 As shown, the end face of the second inner cylinder wall 131 abuts against the second step. The relative positioning of the first longitudinal section 120 and the second longitudinal section 130 in the longitudinal direction can be restricted by the first step 122a or the second step.

[0088] To ensure accurate connection between the first channel segment 111 and the second channel segment 112, the first longitudinal segment 120 may have a first alignment structure 125, and the second longitudinal segment 130 may have a second alignment structure 135. The first alignment structure 125 and the second alignment structure 135 are matched such that the first longitudinal segment 120 and the second longitudinal segment 130 can only be connected to each other in a specific relative position, wherein, in said specific relative position, the plurality of first channel segments 111 and the plurality of second channel segments 112 are aligned one-to-one. Figure 3 As shown, the first alignment structure 125 may include a groove 125a extending in the longitudinal direction, and the second alignment structure 135 includes an insertion portion 135a for extending into the groove 125a. In particular, the insertion portion 135a may be part of a second partition wall 133. For example, at least two adjacent second partition walls 133 may extend along the entire longitudinal length of the second longitudinal segment 130 to partially overlap with the first longitudinal segment 120 in the longitudinal axial direction. The groove 125a may be formed as a notch at the first longitudinal end of the first inner cylinder wall 121 and the first outer cylinder wall 122, the notch being recessed inward in the longitudinal direction from the end faces of the first inner cylinder wall 121 and the first outer cylinder wall 122. The circumferential width and circumferential position of the notch may be configured such that when the first longitudinal segment 120 and the second longitudinal segment 130 are connected to each other in a specific relative position, the at least two second partition walls 133 can precisely extend into the notch.

[0089] Alternatively or additionally, the first passage segment 111 and the second passage segment 112 can be accurately connected to each other by means of a first step 122a or a second step. For example... Figure 4As shown, the first step 122a can be configured to be non-rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the first longitudinal section 120, and the end face of the second outer cylinder wall 132 abutting on the first step 122a has a matching profile with the first step 122a. In this way, by matching the shape of the end face of the second outer cylinder wall 132 to abut on the first step 122a, the first longitudinal section 120 and the second longitudinal section 130 can be intuitively and easily aligned in a specific relative position, and thus the first channel section 111 and the second channel section 112 are accurately connected to each other. In this case, the first step 122a can serve as the first alignment structure 125, and the end face of the second outer cylinder wall 132 serves as the second alignment structure 135.

[0090] Similarly, the second step can be configured to be non-rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the first longitudinal section 120, and the end face of the second inner cylinder wall 131 abutting on the second step has a matching profile with the first step 122a.

[0091] Figure 5 A side view of a magnetic working medium bed 10 according to an example embodiment of the present application is schematically shown. In this example embodiment, at least one of the plurality of channels 110 has a rib 113 protruding from the channel wall enclosing the channel 110 to the interior space of the channel 110 and extending along the extension direction of the channel 110. Thus, the rib 113 can protrude from at least one of the following: the first outer cylinder wall 122, the first inner cylinder wall 121, the second outer cylinder wall 132, the second inner cylinder wall 131, the first partition wall 123, the second partition wall 133. The rib 113 can strengthen the strength of the magnetic working medium bed 10. The rib 113 extending along the extension direction of the channel 110 does not block the filling of the magnetic working medium 20 or the flow of the heat exchange fluid 2. As shown, Figure 5 As shown, the rib 113 can be formed on both sides of the first partition wall 123 and protrude to the interior space of the channel 110.

[0092] Figure 6 An enlarged view of a magnetic working medium bed 10 according to an example embodiment of the present application is schematically shown. As shown, Figure 6 As shown, the rib 113 can also be formed on the first inner cylinder wall 121, the first outer cylinder wall 122 and the first partition wall 123 and protrude to the interior space of the channel 110.

[0093] Figures 2 to 6The first longitudinal section 120 is shown to have a first connecting flange 124 at one longitudinal end thereof, which protrudes outwardly with respect to the first outer cylinder wall 122. Similarly, the second longitudinal section 130 can have a second connecting flange 134 at one longitudinal end thereof, which protrudes outwardly with respect to the second outer cylinder wall 132. The first connecting flange 124 and / or the second connecting flange 134 can be provided with connecting holes, for example, through which bolts can pass. In particular, a plurality of connecting holes can be evenly distributed around the longitudinal direction, so that the magnetic working substance bed 10 is more evenly stressed. The first connecting flange 124 and / or the second connecting flange 134 facilitate the connection of the magnetic working substance bed 10 to other components of the magnetic refrigeration device 1, for example, fluid conduits or flow control valves, etc. Generally, such outwardly protruding connecting flanges are disadvantageous for the assembly of the magnetic refrigeration device 1, in particular, in case additional components, for example, bearings 30, are to be arranged on the outside of the magnetic working substance bed 10. However, in the present application, by providing the magnetic working substance bed 10 with separate first and second longitudinal sections 120, 130, the assembly of the magnetic refrigeration device 1 can be facilitated. For example, a bearing 30 can be arranged on the first longitudinal section 120 via one end thereof, which is not provided with the first connecting flange 124, and then the first longitudinal section 120 can be connected with the second longitudinal section 130.

[0094] In one exemplary embodiment, one end portion of the first channel section 111, in particular, at the longitudinal end with the first connecting flange 124, has a reduced cross-sectional area compared to the rest of the first channel section 111. This, for example, facilitates the mounting of a filter or a seal, etc. at this end portion. During the filling step of the magnetic working substance 20, the magnetic working substance 20 can be filled in from the other end of the first channel section 111. Similarly, one end portion of the second channel section 112, in particular, at the longitudinal end with the second connecting flange 134, has a reduced cross-sectional area compared to the rest of the second channel section 112.

[0095] Although only an exemplary magnetic working substance bed 10 comprising first and second longitudinal sections 120, 130 is described herein, it should be understood that the magnetic working substance bed 10 can also comprise further longitudinal sections. For example, the magnetic working substance bed 10 can comprise a third longitudinal section, which is connected, for example, between the first and second longitudinal sections 120, 130, or the first, second and third longitudinal sections 120, 130 are connected in series in the longitudinal direction to form the magnetic working substance bed 10. Obviously, the longitudinal sections located at the two ends of the magnetic working substance bed 10 can be provided with connecting flanges accordingly.

[0096] Further, an exemplary embodiment of the present application provides an assembly method of a magnetic refrigeration device 1. The assembly method is described in detail below with reference to Figures 7A to 7F , the magnetic refrigeration device 1.

[0097] The assembly method comprises at least a step S10 and a step S20. In step S10, a first longitudinal section 120 and a second longitudinal section 130 are provided, as shown in Figure 7A In step S20, the first longitudinal section 120 and the second longitudinal section 130 are connected to each other such that the first channel sections 111 are in communication with the second channel sections 112, respectively.

[0098] As shown in Figure 7B The assembly method can further comprise, after step S10 and before step S20, filling the magnetic working substance 20 into the first channel sections 111 and the second channel sections 112. Thereby, the magnetic working substance 20 can be conveniently filled into the channels 110, and the magnetic working substance 20 can be more uniformly and sufficiently filled in the plurality of channels 110.

[0099] As shown in Figure 7C The assembly method can further comprise, after step S10 and before step S20, externally sleeving the bearing 30 on at least one of the first longitudinal section 120 and the second longitudinal section 130. Even if the magnetic working substance bed 10 has a portion protruding outward, for example, a connecting flange, the bearing 30 can still be conveniently installed. Here, the bearing 30 can still slide along the first longitudinal section 120 or the second longitudinal section 130.

[0100] Then, as shown in Figure 7D The step S20 can be performed, in which the first longitudinal section 120 and the second longitudinal section 130 are connected to each other such that the first channel sections 111 are in communication with the second channel sections 112, respectively. As described above, the first longitudinal section 120 and the second longitudinal section 130 can be connected to each other in a way of being spliced along the longitudinal direction. Of course, the first longitudinal section 120 and the second longitudinal section 130 can also be connected to each other in other ways, for example, by a threaded connection, a snap connection or an adhesive connection, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the first longitudinal section 120 and the second longitudinal section 130 can be fixed together by a welding process. In addition, a reinforcing material such as a fiberglass cloth can be wrapped at the position where the first longitudinal section 120 and the second longitudinal section 130 are connected to each other.

[0101] After the first longitudinal section 120 and the second longitudinal section 130 are connected to each other, the bearing 30 can be moved to a desired final installation position, for example, to the position where the first longitudinal section 120 and the second longitudinal section 130 are connected to each other, so that the bearing 30 is wrapped around the outside of both the first longitudinal section 120 and the second longitudinal section 130, as shown in Figure 7E .

[0102] As shown in Figure 7F The assembly method can further comprise rotatably mounting the magnetic field assembly 40 relative to the magnetic working substance bed 10. At least a portion of the magnetic field assembly 40 can be rotatably arranged relative to the magnetic working substance bed 10 by means of the bearing 30.

[0103] In addition, one exemplary embodiment of the present application also provides a clamp for the magnetic working bed 10. The clamp can be used to disassemble the magnetic working bed 10.

[0104] The clamp will be described in detail below. Figures 8 to 9 The clamp includes a base plate 91, a first semicircular plate 92, and a second semicircular plate 93. The base plate 91 can be rested on the first connecting flange 124 of the magnetic working bed 10 from the outside. The first semicircular plate 92 and the second semicircular plate 93 are rested on the first connecting flange 124 of the magnetic working bed 10 from the inside and sandwich the first connecting flange 124 together with the base plate 91. The base plate 91, the first semicircular plate 92, and the second semicircular plate 93 can be provided with through holes corresponding to the connecting holes of the first connecting flange 124, so that connecting members such as bolts can pass through the base plate 91, the first connecting flange 124, and the first semicircular plate 92 or the second semicircular plate 93 to connect them together. During disassembly, the operator can apply force to the base plate 91, the first semicircular plate 92, or the second semicircular plate 93 to separate the first longitudinal section from the second longitudinal section 130. In this way, the force applied to the magnetic working bed 10 can be avoided, which can cause the magnetic working bed 10 to deform.

[0105] The base plate 91, the first semicircular plate 92, and the second semicircular plate 93 can form a surface contact with the first connecting flange 124, so that the force applied to the magnetic working bed 10 is more uniform during disassembly.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 1, Figure 9 The base plate 91 can have a square outer contour. Of course, the outer contour of the base plate 91 can also be formed in other shapes, such as a circular shape. The center of the base plate 91 can be provided with a hollow hole. The shape and size of the hollow hole are designed so that the first connecting flange 124 can be completely attached to the base plate 91 without being opposite to the hollow hole. The first semicircular plate 92 and the second semicircular plate 93 can be formed as plates with concave arc-shaped contours, in particular semicircular contours, and the radius of the arc-shaped contour can be greater than the outer diameter of the first outer cylinder wall 122, so that the first semicircular plate 92 and the second semicircular plate 93 can together surround the first outer cylinder wall 122.

[0107] The clamp can also include a resilient pad, such as a silicone pad, which can be arranged between the first connecting flange 124 and at least one of the base plate 91, the first semicircular plate 92, and the second semicircular plate 93, so as to protect the magnetic working bed 10 during use of the clamp.

[0108] Although the clamp is described herein with the first connecting flange 124 of the first longitudinal section 120 as an example, it should be understood that the above-described clamp can also be similarly applied to the second connecting flange 134 of the second longitudinal section 130.

[0109] It is to be understood that the terms "first", "second", and the like, used in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the descriptive terms "first", "second", etc. are to be interpreted, by those skilled in the art, as a specific dressing group, unless otherwise specifically noted. By way of illustration, a first element described below could be termed a second element without departing from the scope of the present application.

[0110] Although specific embodiments have been described above, these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, even if only a single embodiment is described with respect to a particular feature. The examples of features provided in the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive, unless otherwise specified. In practice, the various features can be combined with each other in a manner that is technically feasible, depending on the actual requirements. In particular, features from different embodiments can also be combined with each other. Various substitutions, modifications and changes can be made to the features provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A magnetic working substance bed (10) of a magnetic refrigeration apparatus (1), wherein, The magnetic working medium bed (10) is formed with a plurality of passages (110) for accommodating the magnetic working medium (20) through in the longitudinal direction, wherein each passage (110) comprises a first passage section (111) and a second passage section (112), the magnetic working medium bed (10) comprises: a first longitudinal section (120), a plurality of the first passage sections (111) are formed in the first longitudinal section (120); and a second longitudinal section (130), a plurality of the second passage sections (112) are formed in the second longitudinal section (130), wherein the first longitudinal section (120) and the second longitudinal section (130) are configured to be connectable to each other such that the first passage sections (111) are respectively in communication with the second passage sections (112), the first longitudinal section (120) and the second longitudinal section (130) are connected to each other in a plug-in manner along the longitudinal direction.

2. The magnetic working substance bed (10) according to claim 1, wherein, The first longitudinal section (120) has a first alignment structure (125), the second longitudinal section (130) has a second alignment structure (135), the first alignment structure (125) and the second alignment structure (135) match each other such that the first longitudinal section (120) and the second longitudinal section (130) can only be connected to each other in a specific relative position, wherein in the specific relative position, the plurality of first passage sections (111) and the plurality of second passage sections (112) are in one-to-one alignment.

3. The magnetic working substance bed (10) according to claim 2, wherein, The first alignment structure (125) comprises a groove (125a) extending along the longitudinal direction, and the second alignment structure (135) comprises an insertion portion (135a) for extending into the groove (125a).

4. The magnetic working substance bed (10) according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The first longitudinal section (120) is formed in a cylindrical shape around the longitudinal direction, and the plurality of first passage sections (111) are uniformly distributed in a circumferential direction; and / or the second longitudinal section (130) is formed in a cylindrical shape around the longitudinal direction, and the plurality of second passage sections (112) are uniformly distributed in a circumferential direction.

5. The magnetic working substance bed (10) according to claim 4, wherein, The first longitudinal section (120) comprises a first inner cylinder wall (121), a first outer cylinder wall (122) surrounding the first inner cylinder wall (121), and a plurality of first partition walls (123) extending from the first inner cylinder wall (121) to the first outer cylinder wall (122), wherein the first partition walls (123) divide the plurality of first passage sections (111) in a space between the first inner cylinder wall (121) and the first outer cylinder wall (122); and / or the second longitudinal section (130) comprises a second inner cylinder wall (131), a second outer cylinder wall (132) surrounding the second inner cylinder wall (131), and a plurality of second partition walls (133) extending from the second inner cylinder wall (131) to the second outer cylinder wall (132), wherein the second partition walls (133) divide the plurality of second passage sections (112) in a space between the second inner cylinder wall (131) and the second outer cylinder wall (132).

6. The magnetic working substance bed (10) of claim 5, wherein, The first inner cylinder wall (121) and the first outer cylinder wall (122) are configured to be inserted between the second inner cylinder wall (131) and the second outer cylinder wall (132) at a first longitudinal end of the first longitudinal section (120).

7. The magnetic working substance bed (10) according to claim 6, wherein, An outer surface of the first outer cylinder wall (122) has a first step (122a) extending in the circumferential direction, the outer surface of the first outer cylinder wall (122) having a smaller outer diameter on a side closer to the first longitudinal end than on a side farther from the first longitudinal end; an inner surface of the first inner cylinder wall (121) has a second step extending in the circumferential direction, the inner surface of the first inner cylinder wall (121) having a larger inner diameter on a side closer to the first longitudinal end than on a side farther from the first longitudinal end; in a state in which the first longitudinal section (120) and the second longitudinal section (130) are connected to each other, an end surface of the second outer cylinder wall (132) abuts against the first step (122a), and an end surface of the second inner cylinder wall (131) abuts against the second step.

8. The magnetic working substance bed (10) according to claim 7, wherein, The first step (122a) is non-rotationally symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal center axis of the first longitudinal section (120), and the end surface of the second outer cylinder wall (132) abutting against the first step (122a) has a contour matching the first step (122a); and / or the second step is non-rotationally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the first longitudinal section (120), and the end surface of the second inner cylinder wall (131) abutting against the second step has a contour matching the first step (122a).

9. The magnetic working substance bed (10) according to any one of claims 1-3, 5-8, wherein, At least one of the plurality of channels (110) has a rib (113) protruding from a channel wall enclosing the channel (110) toward an interior space of the channel (110) and extending along an extension direction of the channel (110); and / or the longitudinal length of the first channel section (111) and the second channel section (112) is equal or differs by 10% or less; and / or one end portion of the first channel section (111) has a reduced cross-sectional area compared to other portions of the first channel section (111); and / or one end portion of the second channel section (112) has a reduced cross-sectional area compared to other portions of the second channel section (112).

10. The magnetic working substance bed (10) according to any one of claims 1-3, 5-8, wherein, The first longitudinal section (120) has a first connection flange (124) protruding outward with respect to the first outer cylinder wall (122) at one longitudinal end thereof; and / or the second longitudinal section (130) has a second connection flange (134) protruding outward with respect to the second outer cylinder wall (132) at one longitudinal end thereof.

11. A magnetic refrigeration device (1), wherein The magnetic working substance bed (10) according to any one of claims 1-10, wherein the first longitudinal section (120) and the second longitudinal section (130) are connected to each other such that the first channel section (111) respectively communicates with the second channel section (112).

12. A method of assembling a magnetic refrigeration device (1) according to claim 11, wherein, The assembly method at least comprises the following steps: S10: providing the first longitudinal section (120) and the second longitudinal section (130); and S20: connecting the first longitudinal section (120) and the second longitudinal section (130) to each other such that the first channel section (111) respectively communicates with the second channel section (112). The assembly method at least comprises the following steps: S10: providing the first longitudinal section (120) and the second longitudinal section (130); and S20: connecting the first longitudinal section (120) and the second longitudinal section (130) to each other such that the first channel section (111) respectively communicates with the second channel section (112).

13. The method of assembling according to claim 12, wherein, The assembly method further comprises at least one of the following steps: filling a magnetic working substance (20) into the first channel section (111) and the second channel section (112) after step S10 and before step S20; externally sleeving a bearing (30) on at least one of the first longitudinal section (120) and the second longitudinal section (130) after step S10 and before step S20; fixing the first longitudinal section (120) and the second longitudinal section (130) relative to each other after step S20.

14. A domestic refrigeration appliance comprising, The household refrigeration appliance comprises a magnetic refrigeration device (1) according to claim 11 and a heat exchange fluid (2) flowing through the magnetic refrigeration device (1).

Images