Mobile device comprising air conditioning device

Abstract

A moving device includes: a moving portion; a cabin housing disposed on the moving portion and defining a first space and a second space; the air conditioning device is arranged in the second space of the cabin shell and is configured to cool or heat the first space of the cabin shell, and the air conditioning device comprises a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile device including an air conditioning device, and more particularly to a mobile device including an air conditioning device in which a modular air conditioning device is installed. Background Art

[0002] Mobile devices (e.g., mobile robots) can be used for unmanned autonomous delivery and can deliver a variety of loads. For example, fresh food or refrigerated food can be delivered by a mobile device.

[0003] In some cases, when fresh food or refrigerated food is transported by a mobile device, a method of providing an insulating material in a loading box and packaging a cooling pack such as an ice pack in the loading box is used to prevent damage or deterioration of the loaded items. However, in this method, when the external temperature is high, it is difficult to keep the internal temperature of the loading box at a low temperature, so the temperature inside the loading box increases during transportation, which will cause concerns that the loaded items may deteriorate.

[0004] In some cases, a method of applying a thermal management system such as a thermoelectric element within a carrying case is used. Since the thermoelectric element has very low energy efficiency and consumes a large amount of power, the consumption of the battery installed on the mobile device increases and the travel distance of the mobile device is shortened. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention intends to provide a mobile device including an air conditioning device capable of preventing fresh food or refrigerated food transported by the mobile device from being damaged or deteriorated.

[0006] A mobile device may include: a mobile part; a cabin shell installed on the mobile part and forming a first space and a second space; and an air-conditioning device installed in the second space and configured to cool or heat the first space, wherein a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator are modularized in the air-conditioning device.

[0007] The cabin housing may include: an outer shell; and an inner shell disposed inside the outer shell and partitioning an inner space of the outer shell into a first space and a second space.

[0008] The mobile device may further include a loading door provided on the housing and configured to selectively open and close the first space.

[0009] The air conditioning device may further include a base plate on which the compressor, the condenser, the expansion valve, and the evaporator are modularized.

[0010] The condenser and the evaporator may be arranged side by side adjacent to each other on a base plate.

[0011] The moving device may further include: a condenser fan disposed on the condenser; and an evaporator fan disposed on the evaporator, wherein the condenser fan and the evaporator fan are disposed on opposite sides of the inner case.

[0012] The compressor may be disposed on an opposite side of the condenser fan and the evaporator fan with respect to the inner case.

[0013] The moving device may further include a condenser duct detachably provided on the condenser fan and communicating with an outlet formed in the housing.

[0014] The moving device may further include an evaporator duct detachably provided on the evaporator fan and communicating with the first space.

[0015] The moving device may further include a heater core disposed in the first space, disposed on the evaporator exposed to the first space, or disposed in the evaporator duct.

[0016] The moving device may further include a ventilation door disposed in the evaporator duct, wherein the ventilation door is opened in conjunction with the loading door.

[0017] The evaporator fan can operate when the vent door is open.

[0018] The air conditioning device may include: a first refrigerant pipeline, a compressor is arranged on the first refrigerant pipeline; a second refrigerant pipeline, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator are arranged on the second refrigerant pipeline; and a four-way valve installed at a position where the first refrigerant pipeline and the second refrigerant pipeline intersect, wherein, according to the operation of the four-way valve, the condenser can be configured to selectively operate as an evaporator, and the evaporator can be configured to selectively operate as a condenser.

[0019] The expansion device is a two-way expansion valve.

[0020] In some embodiments of the mobile device, a modular air conditioning unit is installed in the mobile device so that items transported by the mobile device can be maintained at a suitable temperature. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of a mobile device including a refrigeration module.

[0022] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of a cabin casing.

[0023] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of a cabin casing and an air conditioning device.

[0024] Figure 4 and Figure 5is a perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of a cabin housing with a loading door removed.

[0025] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of a housing.

[0026] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of an inner case.

[0027] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of an air conditioning device.

[0028] Fig. 9 is a plan view showing an exemplary configuration of an air conditioning device.

[0029] Fig.10 is a rear view showing an exemplary configuration of the air conditioning device.

[0030] Fig.11 is a cooling circuit diagram showing an exemplary configuration of an air conditioning device.

[0031] Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B is a perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of an air conditioning device.

[0032] Fig.13A and Fig. 13B is a cooling circuit diagram showing an exemplary configuration of an air conditioning device.

[0033] Fig.14 is a view showing an exemplary configuration of an air conditioning device.

[0034] Fig.15 is a graph showing an exemplary operation of the air conditioning device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Hereinafter, a mobile device including an air conditioning device will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of a mobile device including a refrigeration module. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of a cabin casing. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of a cabin casing and an air conditioning device. Figure 4 and Figure 5 is a perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of a cabin housing with a loading door removed.

[0037] In some embodiments, Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the mobile device may include: a mobile part 10 , a cabin housing 20 mounted to the mobile part 10 , and an air conditioning device 60 disposed inside the cabin housing 20 .

[0038] For example, the moving part 10 may include a mobile robot, and the mobile robot may be a wheeled mobile robot, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the mobile robot may be a leg-driven robot.

[0039] The cabin casing 20 is installed at an upper portion of the moving part 10, and the air conditioning device 60 is provided inside the cabin casing 20. The installation space formed inside the cabin casing 20 may be cooled or heated by the air conditioning device 60.

[0040] The cabin housing 20 may include an outer shell 30 and an inner shell 40 disposed inside the outer shell 30. In some examples, the cabin housing 20 may further include an upper shell 50 disposed on the top of the outer shell 30.

[0041] Reference Figure 6 The outer shell 30 forms the appearance of the cabin housing 20, and forms an internal space therein. The internal space of the outer shell 30 is divided into a loading space and an installation space by the inner shell 40. This will be described later.

[0042] The housing 30 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The upper portion of the housing 30 may be open. In some examples, the housing 30 may be provided with a loading door 31 that selectively opens and closes the internal space. When the loading door 31 is opened or closed, the loading space inside the housing 30 may be opened or closed from the outside. An inlet 32 ​​that is selectively opened by the loading door 31 and an outlet 33 that discharges air heated by the condenser 63 of the air conditioning device 60 may be formed on the housing 30. In some examples, at least one through hole 34 that discharges air of the installation space heated by the operation of the air conditioning device 60 to the outside may be formed. Here, the outlet 33 may be formed on a first side of the housing 30, and the through hole 34 may be formed on a second side of the housing 30.

[0043] Reference Figure 7 As described above, the inner shell 40 is disposed in the inner space of the outer shell 30 and divides the inner space of the outer shell 30 into the first space 21 and the second space 22. To this end, the inner shell 40 may include an inner body 41 and an upper body 43 disposed on the top of the inner body 41.

[0044] The inner body 41 is formed in a substantially plate shape and is vertically installed inside the outer shell 30 to divide the inner space of the outer shell 30 into a first space 21 and a second space 22. The first space 21 is a loading space for loading articles, and the second space 22 is an installation space for installing the air conditioning device 60. An evaporator installation hole 42 is formed in the inner body 41 so that the evaporator 65 is exposed in the first space 21. The evaporator installation hole 42 is formed in a shape corresponding to the evaporator 65.

[0045] The upper body 43 may be disposed at the top of the inner body 41 perpendicularly to the inner body 41. The upper body 43 blocks the open top of the housing 30. An evaporator duct hole 44 communicating with an evaporator duct 65-2 described later is formed in the upper body 43.

[0046] A display device such as a light emitting diode (LED) may be provided on the upper case 50 , and an operation state of the mobile device including the air conditioning device 60 may be displayed through the display device.

[0047] In some embodiments, reference Figures 8 to 11 , the air conditioning device 60 may include: a base plate 61, a compressor 62 disposed on the base plate 61, a condenser 63 disposed on the base plate 61, an expansion device 64 disposed on the base plate 61, and an evaporator 65 disposed on the base plate 61. In the present invention, the air conditioning device 60 is configured such that the compressor 62, the condenser 63, the expansion device 64, and the evaporator 65 are modularized on the upper portion of the base plate 61. To this end, the condenser 63 and the evaporator 65 are disposed side by side adjacent to each other on the base plate 61.

[0048] The compressor 62, the condenser 63, the expansion device 64, and the evaporator 65 are sequentially arranged along a refrigerant line 70 through which a heat exchange medium (eg, refrigerant) flows (see FIG. Fig.11 ), and the heat exchange medium (e.g., refrigerant) discharged by the operation of the compressor 62 circulates through the condenser 63, the expansion device 64 (e.g., an expansion valve), and the evaporator 65, and then returns to the compressor 62. In this process, heat exchange is performed between the refrigerant and the internal air in the first space 21 through the evaporator 65, and thus, the air conditioning device 60 can cool the first space 21 (or the load space). That is, in the air conditioning device 60, the high-temperature and high-pressure gaseous refrigerant compressed by the compressor 62 is condensed by the condenser 63, passes through the expansion device 64, and evaporates in the evaporator 65 to reduce the temperature and humidity of the first space 21 (or the load space).

[0049] The evaporator 65 is provided with an evaporator fan 65-1, and the condenser 63 is provided with a condenser fan 63-1. The evaporator fan 65-1 and the condenser fan 63-1 are operated by control signals from the controller 90. The controller 90 may be implemented by one or more processors operating according to a predetermined program, and program instructions programmed to be executed by one or more processors for controlling various steps of the mobile device according to the present invention are stored in the memory of the controller 90.

[0050] The evaporator fan 65-1 and the condenser fan 63-1 are arranged on the opposite side of the inner body 41 of the inner shell 40. The compressor 62 is arranged on the opposite side of the condenser fan 63-1 and the evaporator fan 65-1 relative to the inner shell 40. In other words, the evaporator 65 and the condenser 63 are arranged to face the inner body 41 of the inner shell 40, the evaporator 65 and the evaporator duct 65-2 are arranged to face each other, and the condenser 63 and the condenser duct 63-2 are arranged to face each other. Therefore, in the second space 22, the inner body 41 of the inner shell 40, the evaporator 65 and the condenser 63, the evaporator fan 65-1 and the condenser fan 63-1, and the compressor 62 are arranged in sequence so that the compressor 62 is located at the farthest position from the first space 21. Since the compressor 62 is located at the farthest position from the first space 21, the transmission of vibration and noise generated from the compressor 62 to the first space 21 can be minimized.

[0051] The evaporator duct 65-2 is detachably provided in the evaporator fan 65-1. A first side of the evaporator duct 65-2 is connected to the evaporator fan 65-1, and a second side is communicated with the evaporator duct hole 44 formed in the upper body 43 of the inner shell 40. Therefore, the air cooled by heat exchange with the refrigerant in the evaporator 65 circulates into the first space 21 through the evaporator duct 65-2 by the operation of the evaporator fan 65-1.

[0052] The condenser duct 63-2 is detachably provided in the condenser fan 63-1. A first side of the condenser duct 63-2 is connected to the condenser fan 63-1, and a second side is communicated with the outlet 33 formed in the housing 30. Therefore, the air heated by the condenser 63 is discharged to the outside of the cabin housing 20 through the condenser duct 63-2 by the operation of the condenser fan 63-1. In addition, the outside air flows into the installation space of the cabin housing 20 through the through hole formed in the housing 30, and is discharged to the outlet 33 through the condenser duct 63-2, so that the air flow for cooling the condenser 63 of the air conditioning device 60 can be smooth.

[0053] At this time, the outlet 33 is formed on a first side of the housing 30 adjacent to the condenser 63, and the through hole 34 is formed on a second side of the housing 30 adjacent to the cooler 63. The condenser duct 63-2 connects the condenser fan 63-1 and the outlet 33. The evaporator duct 65-2 connects the evaporator fan 65-1 arranged adjacent to the condenser 63 and the evaporator duct hole 44 formed in the upper body 43 of the inner shell 40. Therefore, the condenser duct 63-2 and the evaporator duct 65-2 are arranged so as not to interfere with each other in the second space 22. Therefore, the air flow moving along the through hole 34, the second space 22, the condenser fan 63-1, the condenser duct 63-2 and the outlet 33 is minimized from mixing with the air flow moving along the second space 22, the evaporator fan 65-1, the evaporator duct 65-2 and the first space 21.

[0054] As described above, the modular air conditioning device 60 is installed in the second space 22 (or installation space) of the cabin shell 20. The modularization of the air conditioning device 60 enables the modular air conditioning device 60 to be installed on various types of mobile devices. That is, since the air conditioning device 60 of the same specification can be installed on various types (or specifications) of mobile devices, the air conditioning device 60 can have versatility. In addition, since the evaporator duct 65-2 is detachably arranged in the evaporator fan 65-1, and the condenser duct 63-2 is detachably arranged in the condenser fan 63-1, the modularization of the air conditioning device 60 can be simple and efficient.

[0055] Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B is a perspective view showing an exemplary configuration of the air conditioning device 60 .

[0056] Reference Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B The air conditioning device 60 may further include a heater core 66 installed adjacent to the evaporator 65 .

[0057] The installation position of the heater core 66 may be located on the surface of the evaporator 65 facing the first space 21, or in the evaporator duct 65-2. Alternatively, the heater core 66 may be installed inside the first space 21. A part or all of the air passing through the evaporator 65 may be discharged to the first space 21 after passing through the heater core 66, so the internal temperature of the first space 21 may be adjusted to a predetermined temperature. The heater core 66 may use electricity as an energy source.

[0058] Fig.13A and Fig. 13B is a cooling circuit diagram showing an exemplary configuration of the air conditioning device 60 .

[0059] Reference Fig.13A and Fig. 13B, the condenser 63 of the air conditioning device 60 can be selectively operated as an evaporator, and the evaporator 65 can be selectively operated as a condenser.

[0060] To this end, the air conditioning device 60 may include: a first refrigerant line 71 through which the refrigerant flows and in which the compressor 62 is arranged, a second refrigerant line 72 through which the refrigerant flows and in which the condenser 63 selectively operated as an evaporator, an expansion device 64, an evaporator 65 selectively operated as a condenser is arranged, and a four-way valve 67 installed at a position where the first refrigerant line 71 and the second refrigerant line 72 intersect. Here, the expansion device 64 may be, for example, a two-way expansion valve that expands the refrigerant in two directions.

[0061] According to the operation of the four-way valve 67, the air conditioning device 60 can be used in a cooling mode for cooling the first space 21 (see Fig.13A ) and a heating mode for heating the first space 21 (refer to Fig. 13B The four-way valve 67 can be operated by a control signal from the controller 90.

[0062] In cooling mode (see Fig.13A ), through the operation of the four-way valve 67, the refrigerant compressed at the compressor 62 flows along the four-way valve 67, the condenser 63, the expansion device 64, the evaporator 65 and the four-way valve 67, and then returns to the compressor 62.

[0063] In heating mode (see Fig. 13B ), through the operation of the four-way valve 67, the refrigerant compressed at the compressor 62 flows along the evaporator 65 operating as a condenser, the expansion device 64, the condenser 63 operating as an evaporator and the four-way valve 67, and then returns to the compressor 62.

[0064] In this way, by using the four-way valve 67, the heating mode can be achieved using the components that achieve the existing cooling mode.

[0065] Fig.14 is a view showing an exemplary configuration of an air conditioning device.

[0066] Reference Fig.14 , a vent door 65-3 is provided in the evaporator duct 65-2 of the air conditioning device 60. The vent door 65-3 can be opened or closed by a control signal from a controller.

[0067] The vent door 65-3 may operate in conjunction with the loading door 31. For example, the vent door 65-3 may be opened when the loading door 31 is opened, and may be closed when the loading door 31 is closed.

[0068] When the loading door 31 is opened, the ventilation door 65-3 is also opened, and the evaporator fan 65-1 is also operated. Therefore, when the loading door 31 is opened, the outside air introduced through the loading door 31 is discharged to the outside through the opened ventilation door 65-3 provided in the evaporator duct 65-2 by the operation of the evaporator fan 65-1 according to the control signal of the controller 90. Thus, the inside of the loading space can be ventilated.

[0069] Meanwhile, in the air conditioning device 60, when the temperature of the first space 21 reaches the target temperature, the speeds of the compressor 62, the evaporator fan 65-1, and the condenser fan 63-1 may be variably adjusted. The operation of the compressor 62, the evaporator fan 65-1, and the condenser fan 63-1 may be controlled by a control signal of the controller.

[0070] For example, refer to Fig.15 , when the target temperature of the first space 21 is 18°C, when the temperature of the first space 21 exceeds 18°C, the compressor 62 is operated at a high speed, and the evaporator fan 65-1 and the condenser fan 63-1 are also operated. When the temperature of the first space 21 is between 18°C ​​and 16°C, the speed of the compressor 62 is variably controlled, and the evaporator fan 65-1 and the condenser fan 63-1 are also operated. When the temperature of the first space 21 is below 16°C, the compressor 62, the evaporator fan 65-1, and the condenser fan 63-1 are all turned off. When the temperature of the first space 21 reaches 20°C, the compressor 62 is restarted, and the evaporator fan 65-1 and the condenser fan 63-1 are also operated.

[0071] As such, by variably controlling the speed of the compressor 62 after the temperature of the first space 21 reaches the target temperature, the power consumption of the air conditioning device 60 may be minimized.

[0072] According to the mobile device as described above, when fresh food or refrigerated food is transported by the mobile device, the freshness of the loaded items can be maintained, and an appropriate temperature for transporting the loaded items can be maintained.

[0073] In addition, after the transport of the load is completed, the odor of the load remaining in the first space 21 can be removed by the ventilation function. In this way, it is possible to prevent the odor of the previously transported load from mixing with the currently transported load.

[0074] Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, the detailed description of the present invention, and the drawings, and such modifications naturally belong to the protective scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A mobile device, comprising: A mobile part implemented as a mobile robot; a cabin housing, disposed on the moving portion and defining a first space and a second space; as well as an air conditioning device disposed in the second space of the cabin shell and configured to cool or heat the first space of the cabin shell, Wherein, the air conditioning device includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator.

2. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein: The cabin housing comprises: Housing; and The inner shell is disposed inside the outer shell and divides the inner space of the outer shell into the first space and the second space. 3 . The mobile device according to claim 2 , further comprising a loading door provided on the housing and configured to open and close the first space of the cabin case.

4. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein: The air conditioning device further includes a base plate that supports the compressor, the condenser, the expansion device, and the evaporator.

5. The mobile device according to claim 4, wherein: The condenser and the evaporator are arranged side by side adjacent to each other on the base plate.

6. The mobile device according to claim 5, further comprising: A condenser fan, disposed on the condenser; as well as an evaporator fan, arranged on the evaporator, Wherein, the cabin shell includes an inner shell arranged inside the cabin shell, and Wherein, the condenser fan and the evaporator fan are arranged on opposite sides of the inner shell.

7. The mobile device according to claim 6, wherein: The compressor is disposed at one side of the condenser fan and the evaporator fan and is spaced apart from the inner case.

8. The mobile device according to claim 6, in, The compartment housing includes an outer shell defining an outlet in fluid communication with the condenser, and The moving device further comprises a condenser duct which is detachably arranged on the condenser fan and is in fluid communication with an outlet defined on the housing. 9 . The mobile device according to claim 6 , further comprising an evaporator duct detachably provided on the evaporator fan and in fluid communication with the first space of the cabin case. 10 . The mobile device according to claim 9 , further comprising a heater core disposed in the first space of the cabin case, the heater core being disposed on a portion of the evaporator exposed to the first space or in the evaporator duct.

11. The mobile device according to claim 9, further comprising: a loading door configured to open and close the first space of the cabin housing; as well as A vent door is disposed in the evaporator duct and is configured to open based on the operation of the loading door.

12. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein: The ventilation door is constructed as follows: opens based on the loading door opening; and Closed upon closing of the loading door.

13. The mobile device according to claim 11, wherein: The evaporator fan is configured to operate based on the opening of the vent door.

14. The mobile device according to claim 4, wherein: The air conditioning device comprises: a first refrigerant line, wherein the compressor is arranged on the first refrigerant line; a second refrigerant line, wherein the condenser, the expansion device, and the evaporator are arranged on the second refrigerant line; and a four-way valve disposed at a position connected to the first refrigerant pipeline and the second refrigerant pipeline, and Wherein, the four-way valve is configured to operate the condenser to perform an evaporator function, and to operate the evaporator to perform a condenser function.

15. The mobile device according to claim 14, wherein: The expansion device includes a two-way expansion valve.

16. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein: The moving portion includes at least one of wheels and legs.

17. The mobile device according to claim 1, wherein: The cabin casing is disposed above the moving part and covers an upper portion of the moving part.

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