Magnetic refrigeration device

Abstract

The present application provides a magnetic refrigeration device. The magnetic refrigeration device includes a magnetic field generator, a first magnetic thermal unit, a second magnetic thermal unit, and a driving mechanism. The first magnetic thermal unit includes a first magnetic thermal material, and the second magnetic thermal unit includes a second magnetic thermal material. The Curie temperature of the first magnetic thermal material is different from that of the second magnetic thermal material. The driving mechanism is configured to adjust the relative positions of the first magnetic thermal unit and the second magnetic thermal unit with respect to the magnetic field generator, so that the first magnetic thermal unit is located within the working area of the magnetic field generator and the second magnetic thermal unit is located outside the working area of the magnetic field generator, or the first magnetic thermal unit is located outside the working area of the magnetic field generator and the second magnetic thermal unit is located within the working area of the magnetic field generator. According to the magnetic refrigeration device of the present application, the switching of the magnetic thermal material can be carried out as needed, so that the magnetic thermal material connected to the system is in a better working state, ensuring the working performance of the magnetic refrigeration device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of magnetic refrigeration technology, and in particular to a magnetic refrigeration device. Background Art

[0002] A magnetic refrigeration device is a device that uses the physical properties of magnetocaloric materials to perform refrigeration. The technical basis of the device is the magnetocaloric effect of magnetocaloric materials, that is, when a changing magnetic field is applied to the magnetocaloric material, the temperature of the magnetocaloric material will increase or decrease. When the magnetic field strength increases, the magnetic entropy of the material decreases, heat is released, and the temperature increases. When the magnetic field strength decreases, the magnetic entropy of the material increases, heat is absorbed, and the temperature decreases. Therefore, a magnetic refrigeration device generally needs to have: a changing magnetic field, a magnetic regenerator (for placing magnetocaloric materials), a heat transfer fluid, a cold end heat exchanger, a hot end radiator, and supporting power components.

[0003] The adiabatic temperature change of the magnetocaloric material in the cold storage device is the largest at its Curie temperature, and the magnetocaloric effect is the strongest. When the magnetocaloric material deviates from the Curie temperature, the magnetocaloric effect decreases. When the cold storage device is filled with only one magnetocaloric material, the temperature span of the cold storage bed is small. Therefore, in order to increase the temperature span of the cold storage device, a variety of magnetocaloric materials should be filled in the cold storage device. From the hot end to the cold end of the cold storage device, the Curie temperature of the magnetocaloric material gradually decreases.

[0004] The magnetocaloric material magnetization and demagnetization areas in the cold storage are filled with magnetocaloric materials. The quality of the fluid flowing through the magnetocaloric material area in the cold storage is not the greater the better. Its quality value is related to the temperature span and operating conditions set by the magnetic refrigeration system. In addition, the pressure loss of the fluid flowing through the magnetocaloric material is large, and the piston power consumption is large. When the fluid flows through the magnetocaloric material area for a longer length, the pressure loss is greater, the piston power consumption is greater, and the energy efficiency of the fluid is lower. Therefore, when operating the magnetic refrigeration system, the appropriate magnetocaloric material quality should be determined according to the temperature span and operating conditions of the magnetic refrigeration system.

[0005] In the known technology, the magnetocaloric materials in the magnetic refrigerator are fixed after assembly, and the magnetocaloric materials cannot be adjusted according to the actual working environment temperature and target temperature of the magnetic refrigeration system. As a result, the magnetic refrigeration system uses all pre-set magnetocaloric materials for heat exchange in any working state. This will cause some magnetocaloric materials to work at a poor ambient temperature, resulting in a poor magnetocaloric effect of the system and poor overall refrigeration performance of the magnetic refrigeration system. Summary of the invention

[0006] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present application is to provide a magnetic refrigeration device that can switch magnetocaloric materials as needed, so that the magnetocaloric materials connected to the system are in a better working state, thereby ensuring the working performance of the magnetic refrigeration device.

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present application provides a magnetic refrigeration device, which includes a magnetic field generator, a first magnetic heat unit, a second magnetic heat unit, and a driving mechanism. The first magnetic heat unit includes a first magnetic heat material, and the second magnetic heat unit includes a second magnetic heat material. The Curie temperature of the first magnetic heat material is different from that of the second magnetic heat material. The driving mechanism is configured to adjust the relative positions of the first magnetic heat unit and the second magnetic heat unit with respect to the magnetic field generator, so that the first magnetic heat unit is located within the working area of the magnetic field generator and the second magnetic heat unit is located outside the working area of the magnetic field generator, or the first magnetic heat unit is located outside the working area of the magnetic field generator and the second magnetic heat unit is located within the working area of the magnetic field generator.

[0008] Preferably, the working area of the magnetic field generator is an annular area. Both the first magnetic heat unit and the second magnetic heat unit are annular structures and are arranged along the axial direction of the annular area. The first magnetic heat unit and the second magnetic heat unit can move axially with respect to the magnetic field generator along the annular area.

[0009] Preferably, the first magnetic heat unit is filled with a single magnetic heat material, and the second magnetic heat unit is filled with at least two magnetic heat materials with different Curie temperatures. The different magnetic heat materials in the second magnetic heat unit are arranged circumferentially.

[0010] Preferably, the driving mechanism includes a first bracket and an actuator. The actuator is installed on the first bracket. The first magnetic heat unit is fixedly connected to the second magnetic heat unit. The actuator is drivingly connected to the first magnetic heat unit or the actuator is drivingly connected to the second magnetic heat unit.

[0011] Preferably, the actuator includes a telescopic mechanism. The end of the telescopic mechanism is fixedly connected to the first magnetic heat unit through a connecting member; or, the actuator includes a driving screw. A nut sleeve is sleeved on the driving screw. The nut sleeve is fixedly connected to the first magnetic heat unit through a connecting member. The driving screw drives the first magnetic heat unit to move axially along the axial direction of the first magnetic heat unit through the nut sleeve.

[0012] Preferably, the first magnetic heat unit is divided into a plurality of magnetic regenerators circumferentially. Fluid interfaces are respectively arranged at both ends of each magnetic regenerator. The magnetic heat materials in each magnetic regenerator are the same.

[0013] Preferably, the number of magnetic regenerators is the same as the total number of magnetization regions and demagnetization regions of the magnetic field generator. Each magnetic regenerator corresponds to a magnetization region or a demagnetization region.

[0014] Preferably, the second magnetic heat unit is divided into a plurality of magnetic regenerators circumferentially. Fluid interfaces are respectively arranged at both ends of each magnetic regenerator. The Curie temperatures of the magnetic heat materials in the magnetic regenerators located in the magnetization region at the same time are different; and / or the Curie temperatures of the magnetic heat materials in the magnetic regenerators located in the demagnetization region at the same time are different.

[0015] Preferably, the second magnetocaloric unit is circumferentially divided into a plurality of magnetic regenerators. Fluid interfaces are respectively arranged at both ends of each magnetic regenerator. The structures of all the magnetic regenerators are the same. At least two kinds of magnetocaloric materials with different Curie temperatures are sequentially arranged along the circumferential direction within a single magnetic regenerator.

[0016] Preferably, the Curie temperatures of at least two kinds of magnetocaloric materials with different Curie temperatures increase along the circumference of the second magnetocaloric unit, or the Curie temperatures of at least two kinds of magnetocaloric materials with different Curie temperatures decrease along the circumference of the second magnetocaloric unit.

[0017] Preferably, the magnetic regenerator is fan-shaped. Liquid distribution cavities are respectively arranged at both ends of the magnetic regenerator along the circumferential direction. The fluid interfaces are communicated with the liquid distribution cavities. The magnetocaloric material is filled between the liquid distribution cavities at both circumferential ends of the magnetic regenerator.

[0018] Preferably, a filter screen plate is arranged between the liquid distribution cavity and the magnetocaloric material.

[0019] Preferably, the first magnetocaloric unit and the second magnetocaloric unit are separated by a partition.

[0020] Preferably, the morphologies of the magnetocaloric materials filled in the first magnetocaloric unit and the second magnetocaloric unit are different.

[0021] Preferably, the magnetocaloric material filled in the first magnetocaloric unit is granular, and the magnetocaloric material filled in the second magnetocaloric unit is plate-shaped.

[0022] Preferably, the magnetic field generator includes a stator assembly and a rotor assembly. The rotor assembly can rotate relative to the first magnetocaloric unit and the second magnetocaloric unit. The rotor assembly rotates relative to the stator assembly to generate a changing magnetic field.

[0023] Preferably, the driving mechanism is installed on the stator assembly. A second bracket is also installed on the stator assembly. A rotation driver is arranged on the second bracket. The rotation driver is drivingly connected to the rotor assembly and drives the rotor assembly to rotate relative to the first magnetocaloric unit and the second magnetocaloric unit.

[0024] Preferably, the magnetic field generator is an electromagnet magnetic field generator. The electromagnet magnetic field generator generates a changing magnetic field by changing the current.

[0025] The magnetic refrigeration device provided by the present application includes a magnetic field generator, a first magnetic thermal unit, a second magnetic thermal unit, and a driving mechanism. The first magnetic thermal unit includes a first magnetic thermal material, and the second magnetic thermal unit includes a second magnetic thermal material. The Curie temperature of the first magnetic thermal material is different from that of the second magnetic thermal material. The driving mechanism is configured to adjust the relative positions of the first magnetic thermal unit and the second magnetic thermal unit with respect to the magnetic field generator, so that the first magnetic thermal unit is located within the working area of the magnetic field generator and the second magnetic thermal unit is located outside the working area of the magnetic field generator, or the first magnetic thermal unit is located outside the working area of the magnetic field generator and the second magnetic thermal unit is located within the working area of the magnetic field generator. This magnetic refrigeration device can adjust the working positions of the first magnetic thermal unit and the second magnetic thermal unit according to the working conditions, causing the magnetic thermal material located within the working area of the magnetic field generator to change. By switching the magnetic thermal material located within the working area of the magnetic field generator, the magnetic thermal material located within the working area of the magnetic field generator is different under different working conditions, so that the magnetic thermal material in the working state can be in the best working state, ensuring the working performance of the magnetic refrigeration device. Description of the Drawings

[0026] Figure 1 Stereoscopic structure diagram of the magnetic refrigeration device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 2 Exploded structure diagram of the magnetic refrigeration device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 3 Cross-sectional structure diagram of the magnetic refrigeration device according to an embodiment of the present application at the position where the magnetic field generator cooperates with the magnetic thermal unit;

[0029] Figure 4 Cross-sectional structure diagram of the magnetic refrigeration device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 5 Exploded structure diagram of the magnetic regenerator of the magnetic refrigeration device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 6 Partial cross-sectional view of the second magnetic thermal unit of the magnetic refrigeration device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] The reference numerals are shown as:

[0033] 1. Magnetic field generator; 2. First magnetic thermal unit; 3. Second magnetic thermal unit; 4. First bracket; 5. Actuator; 6. Driving screw; 7. Nut sleeve; 8. Connecting piece; 9. Magnetic regenerator; 10. Fluid interface; 11. Liquid distribution chamber; 12. Filter screen plate; 13. Magnetic thermal material; 14. Stator assembly; 15. Rotor assembly; 16. Second bracket; 17. Rotating driver; 18. Partition board. Detailed implementation mode

[0034] Refer to in combination Figures 1 to 6 As shown, according to an embodiment of the present application, the magnetic refrigeration device includes a magnetic field generator 1, a first magnetic thermal unit 2, a second magnetic thermal unit 3 and a driving mechanism. The first magnetic thermal unit 2 includes a first magnetic thermal material, and the second magnetic thermal unit 3 includes a second magnetic thermal material. The Curie temperature of the first magnetic thermal material is different from the Curie temperature of the second magnetic thermal material. The driving mechanism is configured to adjust the relative positions of the first magnetic thermal unit 2 and the second magnetic thermal unit 3 with respect to the magnetic field generator 1, so that the first magnetic thermal unit 2 is located within the working area of the magnetic field generator 1, and the second magnetic thermal unit 3 is located outside the working area of the magnetic field generator 1, or the first magnetic thermal unit 2 is located outside the working area of the magnetic field generator 1, and the second magnetic thermal unit 3 is located within the working area of the magnetic field generator 1.

[0035] The magnetic refrigeration device can adjust the working positions of the first magnetic thermal unit 2 and the second magnetic thermal unit 3 according to the working conditions, so that the magnetic thermal material 13 located within the working area of the magnetic field generator 1 changes. By switching the magnetic thermal material 13 located within the working area of the magnetic field generator 1, the magnetic thermal material 13 located within the working area of the magnetic field generator 1 is different under different working conditions, so that the Curie temperature of the magnetic thermal material 13 located within the working area can match the ambient temperature under the working conditions, and the magnetic thermal material 13 in the working state can be in the best working state, which can ensure the working performance of the magnetic refrigeration device.

[0036] In one embodiment, the working area of the magnetic field generator 1 is an annular area. Both the first magnetic thermal unit 2 and the second magnetic thermal unit 3 are annular structures and are arranged along the axial direction of the annular area. The first magnetic thermal unit 2 and the second magnetic thermal unit 3 can move relative to the magnetic field generator 1 along the axial direction of the annular area. The working area of the magnetic field generator 1 is set as an annular area, so that the magnetization or demagnetization operation of the first magnetic thermal unit 2 or the second magnetic thermal unit 3 can be realized by controlling the magnetic field area in the circumferential direction. At the same time, since the working area is an annular area, when switching the positions of the first magnetic thermal unit 2 and the second magnetic thermal unit 3, only by moving the first magnetic thermal unit 2 and the second magnetic thermal unit 3 relative to the magnetic field generator 1 along the axial direction by a distance equal to the thickness of one magnetic thermal unit, the position switching of the first magnetic thermal unit 2 and the second magnetic thermal unit 3 can be completed, so that the cylindrical magnetic refrigeration device can have a smaller axial size and the operation is more simple and convenient.

[0037] In one embodiment, the first magnetocaloric unit 2 is filled with a single magnetocaloric material 13, and the second magnetocaloric unit 3 is filled with at least two magnetocaloric materials 13 having different Curie temperatures. The different magnetocaloric materials 13 in the second magnetocaloric unit 3 are arranged circumferentially. In this embodiment, the different magnetocaloric materials 13 in the second magnetocaloric unit 3 are arranged circumferentially, so that the second magnetocaloric unit 3 can make full use of the advantage of the larger space in the circumferential direction according to the structural feature that the working area of the magnetic field generator 1 is an annular area, realize the setting of magnetocaloric materials with multiple Curie temperatures, increase the temperature span of the magnetic refrigeration device, and at the same time enable the magnetic refrigeration device to have a smaller axial dimension, reduce the magnet consumption of the magnetic refrigeration device, and lower the cost of the magnetic refrigeration device.

[0038] The driving mechanism includes a first bracket 4 and an actuator 5. The actuator 5 is installed on the first bracket 4. The first magnetocaloric unit 2 is fixedly connected to the second magnetocaloric unit 3. The actuator 5 is drivingly connected to the first magnetocaloric unit 2, or the actuator 5 is drivingly connected to the second magnetocaloric unit 3. For the structure in which the first magnetocaloric unit 2 and the second magnetocaloric unit 3 are separately arranged, a separate actuator 5 needs to be configured for different magnetocaloric units, so as to realize the independent control of each magnetocaloric unit. For the structure in which the first magnetocaloric unit 2 and the second magnetocaloric unit 3 are fixedly connected, only one actuator 5 is needed to simultaneously realize the position adjustment of the first magnetocaloric unit 2 and the second magnetocaloric unit 3, and realize the switching of the magnetocaloric material 13 located in the working area of the magnetic field generator 1. The actuator 5 is a rotary actuator, such as a motor.

[0039] In one embodiment, the actuator 5 includes a telescopic mechanism. The end of the telescopic mechanism is fixedly connected to the first magnetocaloric unit 2 through a connecting member 8. In this embodiment, the actuator 5 is a linear actuator, which can drive the first magnetocaloric unit 2 and the second magnetocaloric unit 3 to perform linear motion by using its own linear motion in the axial direction, and then realize the position switching of the first magnetocaloric unit 2 and the second magnetocaloric unit 3. The telescopic mechanism can adopt an electric push rod, a telescopic cylinder or a linear motor, etc.

[0040] In one embodiment, the actuator 5 includes a driving screw 6. A nut sleeve 7 is sleeved on the driving screw 6. The nut sleeve 7 is fixedly connected to the first magnetocaloric unit 2 through a connecting member 8. The driving screw 6 drives the first magnetocaloric unit 2 to move along the axial direction of the first magnetocaloric unit 2 through the nut sleeve 7. In this embodiment, the first magnetocaloric unit 2 does not rotate relative to the actuator 5. Therefore, when the actuator 5 works, the driving screw 6 can be rotated, and the nut sleeve 7 is fixedly connected to the first magnetocaloric unit 2 and also does not rotate relative to the actuator 5. Therefore, the rotation of the driving screw 6 can be converted into the linear motion of the nut sleeve 7, and then the first magnetocaloric unit 2 and the second magnetocaloric unit 3 are driven by the nut sleeve 7 to move along the axial direction, realizing the position adjustment of the first magnetocaloric unit 2 and the second magnetocaloric unit 3.

[0041] The first magnetocaloric unit 2 is circumferentially divided into a plurality of magnetic regenerators 9. Fluid interfaces 10 are respectively arranged at both ends of each magnetic regenerator 9, and the magnetocaloric materials 13 in each magnetic regenerator 9 are the same. After the fluid enters the magnetic regenerator 9 through the fluid interface 10, it flows circumferentially in the magnetic regenerator 9. Compared with the solution in the known technology where magnetocaloric materials with multiple Curie temperatures can only be arranged along the axial direction when arranging magnetocaloric materials, the axial dimension is smaller, and the amount of magnets used for cooperating with the magnetocaloric materials is also smaller. The plurality of magnetic regenerators 9 form an independent fluid flow structure. When connecting the magnetic regenerators 9 to the fluid pipeline, all the magnetic regenerators 9 that are simultaneously located in the magnetization region can be connected in parallel and then connected in series with the fluid pipeline, so as to shorten the flow path of the fluid in the first magnetocaloric unit 2, reduce the fluid flow resistance in the magnetic refrigeration device, improve the fluid flow efficiency in the magnetic refrigeration device, and improve the working performance of the magnetic refrigeration device.

[0042] The number of magnetic regenerators 9 is the same as the total number of magnetization regions and demagnetization regions of the magnetic field generator 1, and each magnetic regenerator 9 corresponds to one magnetization region or one demagnetization region. Specifically, if the magnetic field generator 1 has a total of two magnetization regions and two demagnetization regions, and the two magnetization regions and the two demagnetization regions are arranged alternately, then the number of magnetic regenerators 9 should be four, where two magnetic regenerators 9 correspond to the magnetization region simultaneously, and the other two magnetic regenerators 9 correspond to the demagnetization region simultaneously. Of course, the correspondence between the magnetic regenerator 9 and the magnetization region or the demagnetization region is not fixed, but changes periodically according to the working state of the magnetic refrigeration device, so that half of the magnetic regenerators 9 in the device are in the magnetization state and half are in the demagnetization state. The magnetocaloric materials in each magnetic regenerator 9 in this embodiment are all single magnetocaloric materials, that is, all are the first magnetocaloric materials.

[0043] The magnetic regenerators 9 in the magnetization state are connected in parallel, and the magnetic regenerators 9 in the demagnetization state are connected in parallel; then, a heat exchange fluid is driven by a fluid pump to bring the heat in the magnetic regenerators 9 in the magnetization state to the hot end heat exchanger and bring the cold in the magnetic regenerators 9 in the demagnetization state to the cold end heat exchanger. First, the magnetic regenerators 9 in the same state (spaced magnetic regenerators 9) are connected in parallel, and then they are connected in series with the cold end heat exchanger and the hot end heat exchanger to form a circulating heat exchange flow path.

[0044] In one embodiment, the second magnetocaloric unit 3 is circumferentially divided into a plurality of magnetic regenerators 9. Fluid interfaces 10 are respectively arranged at both ends of each magnetic regenerator 9, and the Curie temperatures of the magnetocaloric materials 13 in the magnetic regenerators 9 located in the magnetization region simultaneously are different; and / or the Curie temperatures of the magnetocaloric materials 13 in the magnetic regenerators 9 located in the demagnetization region simultaneously are different. Among the magnetocaloric materials included in the second magnetocaloric unit 3, the second magnetocaloric material is one of them.

[0045] In this embodiment, the magnetocaloric material in a single magnetic regenerator 9 is a single magnetocaloric material, and the magnetocaloric materials in different magnetic regenerators 9 located in the demagnetization region are different, so that the scheme that the second magnetocaloric unit 3 includes at least two magnetocaloric materials with different Curie temperatures along the circumferential direction can also be realized.

[0046] In one embodiment, the second magnetocaloric unit 3 is divided into a plurality of magnetic regenerators 9 along the circumferential direction. Fluid interfaces 10 are respectively arranged at both ends of each magnetic regenerator 9. The structures of the magnetic regenerators 9 are the same, and at least two magnetocaloric materials 13 with different Curie temperatures are sequentially arranged along the circumferential direction in a single magnetic regenerator 9.

[0047] The Curie temperatures of at least two magnetocaloric materials 13 increase along the circumferential direction of the second magnetocaloric unit 3, or the Curie temperatures of at least two magnetocaloric materials 13 decrease along the circumferential direction of the second magnetocaloric unit 3. In this embodiment, the structures of the magnetic regenerators 9 are the same. The magnetocaloric material filled in a single magnetic regenerator 9 is at least two kinds, and the Curie temperatures of different magnetocaloric materials are different.

[0048] For each of the above magnetic regenerators 9, the fluid interfaces 10 extend along the axial direction, and the flow direction of the heat exchange fluid in the magnetic regenerator 9 is along the circumferential direction of the magnetic regenerator 9.

[0049] The magnetic regenerator 9 is fan-shaped. Liquid distribution chambers 11 are respectively arranged at both ends of the magnetic regenerator 9 along the circumferential direction. The fluid interfaces 10 are communicated with the liquid distribution chambers 11, and the magnetocaloric material 13 is filled between the liquid distribution chambers 11 at both circumferential ends of the magnetic regenerator 9.

[0050] The liquid distribution chamber 11 in this application can play the role of collecting and distributing fluid. When the liquid distribution chamber 11 is located at the inlet position of the heat exchange fluid, it mainly plays a role in distributing fluid. After the fluid enters the liquid distribution chamber 11 from the fluid interface 10, it is dispersed in the liquid distribution chamber 11 and evenly distributed into each flow channel in the magnetocaloric material, so that the heat exchange fluid can exchange heat with the magnetocaloric material evenly and fully, improving the heat exchange efficiency. After the heat exchange fluid exchanges heat with the magnetocaloric material, it will flow into the liquid distribution chamber 11 located at the outlet position of the heat exchange fluid. At this time, the liquid distribution chamber mainly plays a role in collecting fluid. After collecting the heat exchange fluid flowing into the liquid distribution chamber 11, it is concentrated and flows out from the fluid interface 10 at the outlet end.

[0051] A filter screen plate 12 is arranged between the liquid distribution chamber 11 and the magnetocaloric material 13. The filter screen plate 12 has a porous structure, which can prevent the magnetocaloric material in the accommodation cavity of the magnetic regenerator 9 from passing through, while the heat exchange fluid can pass through, thus avoiding the loss of the magnetocaloric material and not affecting the heat exchange between the heat exchange fluid and the magnetocaloric material.

[0052] The two fluid interfaces 10 at both ends of the magnetic regenerator 9 are used to connect with external fluid pipelines, playing the role of introducing or discharging fluid.

[0053] A first magnetocaloric unit 2 and a second magnetocaloric unit 3 are spaced apart by a partition 18. In this embodiment, the first magnetocaloric unit 2 is located on a first side of the partition 18, and the second magnetocaloric unit 3 is located on a second side of the partition 18. The first magnetocaloric unit 2 and the second magnetocaloric unit 3 have the same or approximate housing structures, which can be used to fill magnetocaloric materials and provide a place for heat exchange between the magnetocaloric materials and the heat exchange fluid. The function of the partition 18 is to separate the magnetocaloric materials in different magnetocaloric units so that the magnetocaloric materials in different magnetocaloric units will not mix and exchange heat with each other.

[0054] The morphologies of the magnetocaloric materials 13 filled in the first magnetocaloric unit 2 and the second magnetocaloric unit 3 are different.

[0055] In one embodiment, the magnetocaloric material 13 filled in the first magnetocaloric unit 2 is granular, and the magnetocaloric material 13 filled in the second magnetocaloric unit 3 is plate-shaped. Since magnetocaloric materials with different morphologies have different heat exchange effects and different pressure losses, the magnetic refrigeration device can select magnetocaloric materials with different morphologies to access the working flow path according to the actual working conditions to ensure that the system has better refrigeration performance.

[0056] The magnetic field generator 1 includes a stator assembly 14 and a rotor assembly 15. The rotor assembly 15 can rotate relative to the first magnetocaloric unit 2 and the second magnetocaloric unit 3. The rotor assembly 15 rotates relative to the stator assembly 14 to generate a changing magnetic field.

[0057] When the system needs to perform large-temperature-span cooling / heating, the controller can control the actuator 5 to perform a rotational motion, and then drive the first bracket 4 to perform a linear motion through a rotational motion pair, driving the second magnetocaloric unit 3 filled with magnetocaloric materials with multiple Curie temperatures into the working area formed by the stator assembly 14 and the rotor assembly 15, and performing cooling / heating through the large-temperature-span characteristics of the magnetocaloric materials with multiple Curie temperatures; similarly, when the system needs to perform large-cooling-capacity cooling, the controller can control the actuator 5 to drive the first bracket 4 to drive the magnetic regenerator 9 to move, so that the first magnetocaloric unit 2 with a single magnetocaloric material is in the magnetic field working area, and rapid cooling is performed by using the large cooling capacity of the single magnetocaloric material.

[0058] The driving mechanism is installed on the stator assembly 14. A second bracket 16 is also installed on the stator assembly 14. A rotational driver 17 is provided on the second bracket 16. The rotational driver 17 is drivingly connected to the rotor assembly 15 and drives the rotor assembly 15 to rotate relative to the first magnetocaloric unit 2 and the second magnetocaloric unit 3. The rotational driver 17 here is, for example, a motor.

[0059] In this embodiment, the stator assembly 14 is a permanent magnet stator assembly, and the rotor assembly 15 is a permanent magnet rotor assembly. The permanent magnet stator assembly and the permanent magnet rotor assembly form the magnetic field generator 1 of this magnetic refrigeration device. The annular space between the two becomes the working area of the magnetocaloric material. The permanent magnet stator assembly is relatively fixed to the first bracket 4, and the permanent magnet rotor assembly is connected to the motor. The permanent magnet rotor assembly can move relative to the first bracket 4 under the driving of the motor, and thus move relative to the magnetocaloric unit fixedly connected to the first bracket 4. By the movement of the permanent magnet rotor assembly relative to the permanent magnet stator assembly, a changing magnetic field is generated, and then the magnetocaloric material in the working area is magnetized or demagnetized, causing the magnetocaloric material to have a magnetocaloric effect to generate cold and heat. Then, the cold is transported to the cold end heat exchanger and the heat is transported to the hot end heat exchanger for heat exchange through the heat exchange fluid in the pipeline system, thereby achieving refrigeration or heating.

[0060] The magnetic field generator 1 is an electromagnet magnetic field generator, and the electromagnet magnetic field generator generates a changing magnetic field by changing the current. The electromagnet magnetic field generator performs magnetization or demagnetization operations by changing the current. Therefore, there is no need to set up a motor to drive the rotation of the magnet, and the structure is simpler. The electromagnet magnetic field generator mainly includes an iron core and a coil winding that cooperates with the iron core to generate a magnetic field. A plurality of coil windings are wound around the iron core and are divided into two groups. The two groups of coil windings are arranged alternately along the circumferential direction. When the current of one group of coil windings increases for magnetization, the current of the other group of coil windings decreases for demagnetization, thereby realizing the magnetization and demagnetization operations of the magnetic field.

[0061] The magnetic refrigeration device provided by this application has the following advantages compared with the existing magnetic refrigeration devices:

[0062] 1. In the existing cylindrical magnetic refrigeration device, the heat exchange fluid flows along the axial direction of the cylinder, while the magnetic refrigeration device of this application realizes the heat exchange fluid flowing along the rotation direction of the magnet through the magnetic regenerator arranged along the circumferential direction of the cylinder. This enables the magnetocaloric materials with multiple Curie temperatures in the magnetic regenerator to be arranged along the rotation direction of the magnet, thereby greatly reducing the axial dimension of the device and also reducing the usage amount of the magnet.

[0063] 2. The magnetocaloric materials in the existing cylindrical magnetic refrigeration device cannot be switched, so the environmental adaptability and regulation flexibility of its magnetocaloric materials are relatively low, and there will be relatively large adaptability problems in actual applications; while the magnetic refrigeration device provided by this application has the function of switching the magnetocaloric materials along the axial direction of the cylinder and can be switched and adjusted according to specific refrigeration requirements. Therefore, different magnetocaloric materials can be selected according to different environments, and both the environmental adaptability and regulation flexibility are greatly improved.

[0064] It is easy for those skilled in the art to understand that, on the premise of no conflict, the above-mentioned advantageous ways can be freely combined and superimposed.

[0065] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included within the protection scope of the present application. The above is only the preferred implementation manner of the present application. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art in this technical field, several improvements and variations can be made without departing from the technical principle of the present application, and these improvements and variations should also be regarded as within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A magnetic refrigeration device, characterized in that, it includes a magnetic field generator (1), a first magnetic heat unit (2), a second magnetic heat unit (3) and a driving mechanism. The first magnetic heat unit (2) includes a first magnetic heat material, and the second magnetic heat unit (3) includes a second magnetic heat material. The Curie temperature of the first magnetic heat material is different from that of the second magnetic heat material. The driving mechanism is configured to adjust the relative positions between the first magnetic heat unit (2) and the second magnetic heat unit (3) and the magnetic field generator (1) so that the first magnetic heat unit (2) is located within the working area of the magnetic field generator (1) and the second magnetic heat unit (3) is located outside the working area of the magnetic field generator (1), or the first magnetic heat unit (2) is located outside the working area of the magnetic field generator (1) and the second magnetic heat unit (3) is located within the working area of the magnetic field generator (1); the working area of the magnetic field generator (1) is an annular area, the second magnetic heat unit (3) is an annular structure, at least two magnetic heat materials (13) with different Curie temperatures are filled in the second magnetic heat unit (3), and the different magnetic heat materials (13) in the second magnetic heat unit (3) are arranged circumferentially; the second magnetic heat unit (3) is divided into a plurality of magnetic regenerators (9) along the circumferential direction, and the magnetic heat materials (13) in the magnetic regenerators (9) located in the magnetization area at the same time have different Curie temperatures; the magnetic heat materials (13) in the magnetic regenerators (9) located in the demagnetization area at the same time have different Curie temperatures; the magnetic regenerators (9) in the magnetization state are connected in parallel, and the magnetic regenerators (9) in the demagnetization state are connected in parallel.

2. The magnetic refrigeration device according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first magnetic heat unit (2) is an annular structure, the first magnetic heat unit (2) and the second magnetic heat unit (3) are arranged axially along the annular area, and the first magnetic heat unit (2) and the second magnetic heat unit (3) can move axially relative to the magnetic field generator (1) along the annular area.

3. The magnetic refrigeration device according to claim 2, characterized in that, a single magnetic heat material (13) is filled in the first magnetic heat unit (2).

4. The magnetic refrigeration device according to claim 3, characterized in that, the driving mechanism includes a first bracket (4) and an actuator (5). The actuator (5) is installed on the first bracket (4). The first magnetic heat unit (2) is fixedly connected to the second magnetic heat unit (3), and the actuator (5) is drivingly connected to the first magnetic heat unit (2), or the actuator (5) is drivingly connected to the second magnetic heat unit (3).

5. The magnetic refrigeration device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The actuator (5) includes a telescopic mechanism, and the end of the telescopic mechanism is fixedly connected to the first magnetocaloric unit (2) through a connecting member (8); alternatively, the actuator (5) includes a driving screw (6), a nut sleeve (7) is sleeved on the driving screw (6), the nut sleeve (7) is fixedly connected to the first magnetocaloric unit (2) through a connecting member (8), and the driving screw (6) drives the first magnetocaloric unit (2) to move along the axial direction of the first magnetocaloric unit (2) through the nut sleeve (7).

6. The magnetic refrigeration device according to claim 3, wherein, the first magnetocaloric unit (2) is divided into a plurality of magnetic regenerators (9) along the circumferential direction, fluid interfaces (10) are respectively arranged at both ends of each magnetic regenerator (9), and the magnetocaloric materials (13) in each magnetic regenerator (9) are the same.

7. The magnetic refrigeration device according to claim 6, wherein, the number of the magnetic regenerators (9) is the same as the total number of the magnetization regions and demagnetization regions of the magnetic field generator (1), and each magnetic regenerator (9) corresponds to a magnetization region or a demagnetization region.

8. The magnetic refrigeration device according to claim 3, wherein, fluid interfaces (10) are respectively arranged at both ends of each magnetic regenerator (9).

9. The magnetic refrigeration device according to claim 3, wherein, fluid interfaces (10) are respectively arranged at both ends of each magnetic regenerator (9), the structures of each magnetic regenerator (9) are the same, and at least two kinds of magnetocaloric materials (13) with different Curie temperatures are sequentially arranged along the circumferential direction in a single magnetic regenerator (9).

10. The magnetic refrigeration device according to claim 9, wherein, the Curie temperatures of at least two kinds of magnetocaloric materials (13) with different Curie temperatures increase along the circumferential direction of the second magnetocaloric unit (3), or the Curie temperatures of at least two kinds of magnetocaloric materials (13) with different Curie temperatures decrease along the circumferential direction of the second magnetocaloric unit (3).

11. The magnetic refrigeration device according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein, the magnetic regenerator (9) is fan-shaped, liquid distribution cavities (11) are respectively arranged at both ends of the magnetic regenerator (9) along the circumferential direction, the fluid interface (10) is communicated with the liquid distribution cavity (11), and the magnetocaloric material (13) is filled between the liquid distribution cavities (11) at both circumferential ends of the magnetic regenerator (9).

12. The magnetic refrigeration device according to claim 11, wherein, a filter screen plate (12) is arranged between the liquid distribution cavity (11) and the magnetocaloric material (13).

13. The magnetic refrigeration device according to claim 1, wherein, the first magnetocaloric unit (2) and the second magnetocaloric unit (3) are separated by a partition plate (18).

14. The magnetic refrigeration device according to claim 1, wherein, the morphologies of the magnetocaloric materials (13) filled in the first magnetocaloric unit (2) and the second magnetocaloric unit (3) are different.

15. The magnetic refrigeration device according to claim 14, wherein, The magnetocaloric material (13) filled in the first magnetocaloric unit (2) is granular, and the magnetocaloric material (13) filled in the second magnetocaloric unit (3) is plate-shaped.

16. The magnetic refrigeration device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the magnetic field generator (1) includes a stator assembly (14) and a rotor assembly (15), the rotor assembly (15) is capable of rotating relative to the first magnetocaloric unit (2) and the second magnetocaloric unit (3), and the rotor assembly (15) rotates relative to the stator assembly (14) to generate a changing magnetic field.

17. The magnetic refrigeration device according to claim 16, characterized in that the driving mechanism is installed on the stator assembly (14), a second bracket (16) is further installed on the stator assembly (14), a rotation driver (17) is arranged on the second bracket (16), the rotation driver (17) is drivingly connected to the rotor assembly (15) and drives the rotor assembly (15) to rotate relative to the first magnetocaloric unit (2) and the second magnetocaloric unit (3).

18. The magnetic refrigeration device according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the magnetic field generator (1) is an electromagnet magnetic field generator, and the electromagnet magnetic field generator generates a changing magnetic field by changing the current.

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