Heat pump unit

Abstract

To provide a heat pump unit capable of preventing deterioration of magnetocaloric properties when a magnetocaloric material is installed in a heat pipe, efficiently transporting a larger amount of heat, and increasing a temperature difference between a heat transport source and a heat transport destination.SOLUTION: The heat pump unit 1 includes at least the first heat pipe 2 and the second heat pipe 3, and the first heat pipe 2 and the second heat pipe 3 have the thermal connecting portion 6 in which the condenser part 23 of the first heat pipe 2 and the evaporation part 31 of the second heat pipe 3 are thermally connected to each other in a state where the condenser part 23 and the evaporation part 31 overlap each other substantially in parallel. A magnetic field applying means 8 is arranged on the outer surface side of the thermal connection part 6 to apply a magnetic field to the magnetocaloric material layer 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat pump unit, and more particularly to a heat pump unit using the magnetocaloric effect. [Background technology]

[0002] Heat pump devices are used to control the temperature of indoor spaces and equipment. Specific heat pump devices commonly used include compression types that use a refrigerant and electronic types that utilize the Peltier effect.

[0003] However, compression-type heat pump devices require a compressor, making it difficult to miniaturize the device, and they also pose problems from the perspective of the global environment, as they use fluorocarbon-based substances with high global warming potential as refrigerants.

[0004] Furthermore, electronic heat pump devices have problems in that they have low energy efficiency and it is difficult to increase their output.

[0005] To solve these problems, a heat pump device using a magnetocaloric effect material (magnetocaloric material) has been proposed. The magnetocaloric material used in this heat pump device has the property of generating heat when a magnetic field is applied and absorbing heat when the magnetic field is removed.

[0006] A proposed configuration for a heat pump device using a magnetocaloric material involves flowing a primary refrigerant back and forth so that it exchanges heat by coming into contact with the magnetocaloric material, and turning on and off a magnetic field applied to the magnetocaloric material in time with the back and forth flow of the primary refrigerant, thereby extracting cold heat from one end and hot heat from the other end via the primary refrigerant, and then exchanging heat between the primary refrigerant and another refrigerant, thereby utilizing hot and cold heat.

[0007] However, this method requires the use of multiple pumps to circulate refrigerant through multiple systems, which makes the heat pump device configuration complex and requires power consumption to operate the pumps.

[0008] Therefore, as a means to solve these problems, Patent Document 1 proposes a technique of incorporating a magnetocaloric material into a heat pipe. The air conditioner in Patent Document 1 includes a thermosiphon, which is a heat pipe containing a working medium, and an electrocaloric effect material or magnetocaloric material disposed inside the heat pipe and subjected to the action of electricity or a magnetic field. The air conditioner is configured to transport heat from a first heat transfer zone between the electrocaloric effect material or magnetocaloric material and the working medium to a second heat transfer zone of the working medium. This configuration is said to provide an air conditioner that can contribute to both heating and cooling the area around the air conditioner with improved efficiency. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2017-520745 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, since magnetocaloric materials are a type of magnetic material, they are difficult to incorporate into heat pipes, and there is a concern that the magnetocaloric properties of the magnetocaloric materials may be reduced when they are heated for sintering into heat pipes.

[0011] In this regard, since a heat pipe is characterized by transporting a large amount of heat with a small cross-sectional area, it is desirable for the volume of the heat pipe to be small, and in that case, the amount of magnetocaloric material that can be placed in the internal space that seals the working fluid is limited. Therefore, the air conditioning device of Patent Document 1 has room for improvement in terms of enabling the transport of a larger amount of heat.

[0012] In addition, in order to increase the temperature difference between the source (heat transport source) and destination (heat transport destination) when transporting heat, a configuration has been proposed in which multiple heat pipes are divided into multiple stages and connected in series.However, simply connecting multiple heat pipes in series has the problem that the contact area between the connected heat pipes is small, which increases the thermal resistance at the connection point and reduces the heat transport efficiency.

[0013] The present invention aims to provide a heat pump unit that is less likely to experience a decrease in magnetocaloric properties when magnetocaloric material is installed in a heat pipe, is capable of efficiently transporting larger amounts of heat, and is capable of increasing the temperature difference between the heat source and the heat destination. [Means for solving the problem]

[0014] In order to achieve the above object, the gist of the present invention is as follows. (1) A heat pump unit including a container having an internal space in which a working fluid is sealed, an evaporator that evaporates the liquid-phase working fluid to change its phase to a gas-phase working fluid, a condenser that is disposed at a position separated from the evaporator and condenses the gas-phase working fluid to change its phase to a liquid-phase working fluid, and a heat pipe structure that is composed of at least two heat pipes, a first heat pipe and a second heat pipe, each having an intermediate portion located between the evaporator and the condenser, wherein the heat pipe structure is such that the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe both have their condenser portions located above the evaporator. a heat pump unit having a thermal connection part configured to be located at a position on the outer surface of the heat pipe structure, where the condenser part of the first heat pipe and the evaporator part of the second heat pipe are thermally connected to each other in a state where they are overlapped and approximately parallel to each other, and a magnetocaloric material layer containing a magnetocaloric material is formed so as to be thermally connected to an inner surface of at least one of the condenser part of the first heat pipe and the evaporator part of the second heat pipe, which constitute the thermal connection part; and the heat pump unit further comprises magnetic field application means arranged on the outer surface side of the thermal connection part of the heat pipe structure, for applying a magnetic field to the magnetocaloric material layer. (2) The heat pump unit according to (1) above, wherein the magnetocaloric material layer is a mixed layer of the magnetocaloric material and a low-melting-point metal material or a resin material. (3) The heat pump unit according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the magnetocaloric material has a porous structure. (4) A heat pump unit as described in (3) above, wherein the magnetocaloric material is made of a plurality of powder particles, and the porous structure is formed by bonding the plurality of powder particles constituting the magnetocaloric material to each other via the low-melting point metal material. (5) A heat pump unit as described in (3) above, wherein the magnetocaloric material is made of a plurality of powder particles, and the porous structure is formed by bonding the plurality of powder particles constituting the magnetocaloric material to each other via the resin material. (6) A heat pump unit described in any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein the heat pipe structure has, at the thermal connection portion, a continuous space in which the magnetocaloric material layer is not present inside the heat pipe in which the magnetocaloric material layer is formed, existing along the extension direction of the heat pipe. (7) A heat pump unit described in any one of (1) to (6) above, wherein the heat pipe structure is formed so that the magnetocaloric material layer is thermally connected to the inner surfaces of both the condensation section of the first heat pipe and the evaporation section of the second heat pipe, which constitute the thermal connection section. (8) A heat pump unit described in any one of (1) to (7) above, wherein the heat pipe structure is arranged so that the extension direction of the pipe portion from the evaporator section to the intermediate section constituting the first heat pipe and the extension direction of the pipe portion from the intermediate section to the condenser section constituting the second heat pipe both point upward. (9) A heat pump unit described in any one of (1) to (8) above, wherein the heat pipe structure is arranged so that the extension direction of the condensation section of the first heat pipe and the extension direction of the evaporation section of the second heat pipe, which constitute the thermal connection section, are both approximately horizontal. (10) A heat pump unit described in any one of (1) to (9) above, wherein the heat pipe structure uses a single heat pipe member and has a structure in which the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe separated by the partition plate are integrally formed by providing a partition plate at a position corresponding to the thermal connection portion. (11) A heat pump unit described in any one of (1) to (10) above, wherein the heat pipe structure is composed of three heat pipes: the first heat pipe, the second heat pipe, and the third heat pipe; and the second heat pipe and the third heat pipe have a multi-stage structure in which the condensation section of the second heat pipe and the evaporation section of the third heat pipe are thermally connected by a thermal connection section, and the condensation section of each of the second heat pipe and the third heat pipe is positioned above the evaporation section. (12) A heat pump unit described in any one of (1) to (11) above, wherein the heat pipe structure is composed of three heat pipes: the first heat pipe, the second heat pipe, and the fourth heat pipe; and the fourth heat pipe and the first heat pipe have a multi-stage structure in which the condensation section of the fourth heat pipe and the evaporation section of the first heat pipe are thermally connected by a thermal connection section, and the condensation section of each of the fourth heat pipe and the first heat pipe is positioned above the evaporation section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a heat pump unit that is less likely to experience a decrease in magnetocaloric properties when magnetocaloric materials are installed in a heat pipe, is capable of efficiently transporting larger amounts of heat, and is capable of increasing the temperature difference between the heat source and the heat destination. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the internal structure of a heat pump unit according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the magnetocaloric material arranged in the heat pump unit of the first embodiment and the condenser part of the first heat pipe and the evaporator part of the second heat pipe, which constitute the thermal connection part. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view showing the internal structure of the heat pump unit of the second embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view showing the internal structure of the heat pump unit of the third embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view showing the internal structure of the heat pump unit of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the heat pump unit of the fourth embodiment taken along line II in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view showing the internal structure of the heat pump unit of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view showing the internal structure of the heat pump unit of the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[0018] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a front perspective view showing the internal structure of a heat pump unit of a first embodiment. In Fig. 1, the working fluid sealed inside the heat pipe is not shown. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the magnetocaloric material arranged in the heat pump unit of the first embodiment and the condenser section of the first heat pipe and the evaporator section of the second heat pipe, which constitute the thermal connection section.

[0019] (heat pipe structure) The heat pump unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a heat pipe structure 10 that is composed of at least two heat pipes: a first heat pipe 2 and a second heat pipe 3.

[0020] The first heat pipe 2 constituting the heat pipe structure 10 includes a container 20, which is a tubular container having an internal space S1 in which a working fluid is sealed, and the second heat pipe 3 includes a container 30, which is a tubular container having an internal space S2 in which a working fluid is sealed.

[0021] Here, the extension shape of the containers 20, 30 may be, but is not limited to, a linear shape as shown in FIG. 1 or a shape having curved portions. The outer contour shape of the containers 20, 30 when cut in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the containers 20, 30 may be, but is not limited to, a substantially circular shape, a flat shape, a polygonal shape such as a square, or the like. The wall thickness of the containers 20, 30 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 0.05 to 1 mm. The outer diameter of the containers 20, 30 is not particularly limited, but is preferably in the range of 5 to 20 mm when the containers 20, 30 have a substantially circular outer contour shape.

[0022] The material of the containers 20, 30 is not particularly limited. In particular, when an aqueous liquid is used as the working fluid, it is preferable to use a metal material for each of them from the viewpoint of improving wettability with the working fluid. In particular, copper, copper alloys, etc. can be used for the containers 20, 30 in terms of excellent thermal conductivity. Furthermore, aluminum, aluminum alloys, etc. can be used for the containers 20, 30 in terms of lightweight. Furthermore, stainless steel, etc. can be used for the containers 20, 30 in terms of high strength. Furthermore, depending on the usage situation, tin, tin alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, nickel, nickel alloys, etc. can also be used for the containers 20, 30.

[0023] The first heat pipe 2 and the second heat pipe 3 constituting the heat pipe structure 10 are each provided with a container 20, 30 having an internal space S1, S2 in which a working fluid is sealed, and each of the containers has an evaporator 21, 31 that evaporates the liquid-phase working fluid to change it into a gas-phase working fluid, a condenser 23, 33 that is disposed at a position spaced apart from the evaporator 21, 31 and condenses the gas-phase working fluid to change it into a liquid-phase working fluid, and an intermediate portion 22, 32 that is located between the evaporator 21, 31 and the condenser 23, 33. The containers 20, 30 shown in Fig. 1 each have the evaporator 21, 31 at one end and the condenser 23, 33 at the other end, both of which are configured as sealed tubes.

[0024] 1, the evaporators 21 and 31 of the first heat pipe 2 and the second heat pipe 3 are formed at one end of the containers 20 and 30, respectively, and have the function of receiving (absorbing) heat from a thermally connected heat transport source (not shown). Specifically, the evaporators 21 and 31 absorb the heat received from the heat transport source as latent heat of evaporation by evaporating the working fluid in a liquid phase and changing the phase from liquid to gas. Here, when absorbing the heat received from the heat transport source, the heat may be absorbed from the heat transport source by heat exchange means such as fins 24 attached to the evaporator 21.

[0025] The condenser sections 23, 33 of the first heat pipe 2 and the second heat pipe 3 are disposed at positions spaced apart from the evaporators 21, 31, respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the condenser sections 23, 33 may be disposed at the other end of the containers 20, 30, while the evaporators 21, 31 are disposed at one end of the containers. The condenser sections 23, 33 have the function of condensing the gas-phase working fluid to change it into a liquid-phase working fluid. Here, the condenser sections 23, 33 condense the gas-phase working fluid that has been phase-changed in the evaporators 21, 31 and transported, thereby changing the phase from gas to liquid, and are configured to radiate the heat of the working fluid transported from the evaporators 21, 31 as latent heat of condensation to the heat transport destination side, using heat exchange means such as fins 34 as necessary.

[0026] The first heat pipe 2 and the second heat pipe 3 of the heat pipe structure 10 are both arranged so that the condenser sections 23, 33 are located above the evaporator sections 21, 31. Here, the heat pipe structure 10 is preferably arranged so that the pipe section of the first heat pipe 2 extending from the evaporator section 21 to the intermediate section 22 and the pipe section of the second heat pipe 3 extending from the intermediate section 32 to the condenser section 33 both extend upward. By arranging the first heat pipe 2 and the second heat pipe 3 in this manner, the working fluid that has changed from a liquid phase to a gas phase in the evaporator sections 21, 31 can be efficiently flowed to the condenser sections 23, 33 through the vertically arranged intermediate sections 22, 23. At the same time, the working fluid that has changed from a gas phase to a liquid phase in the condenser sections 23, 33 can be efficiently returned to the evaporator sections 21, 31 through the vertically arranged intermediate sections 22, 32. The intermediate portions 22 and 23 may be disposed so as to be inclined in the vertical direction, or may be disposed along the vertical direction.

[0027] The heat pipe structure 10 has a thermal connection portion 6 configured to thermally connect the condenser portion 23 of the first heat pipe 2 and the evaporator portion 31 of the second heat pipe 3 in a state where they overlap and are approximately parallel to each other. As a result, heat generated when the working fluid changes phase from gas to liquid in the condenser portion 23 of the first heat pipe 2 is absorbed by the evaporator portion 31 of the second heat pipe 3, allowing for efficient heat transfer from the first heat pipe 2 to the second heat pipe 3. Here, the extension direction of the condenser portion 23 of the first heat pipe 2 and the extension direction of the evaporator portion 31 of the second heat pipe 3 preferably intersect at a small angle, and more preferably be parallel to each other, in order to increase the overlapping range of the condenser portion 23 of the first heat pipe 2 and the evaporator portion 31 of the second heat pipe 3 and further increase the efficiency of heat transfer at the thermal connection portion 6.

[0028] In this specification, "thermally connected" includes not only direct contact of one of multiple components (e.g., the condensation section 23 of the first heat pipe 2) with another (e.g., the evaporation section 31 of the second heat pipe 3), but also indirect contact via other thermally conductive components or materials.

[0029] The heat pipe structure 10 may be provided with fins 24, 34 as a heat exchange mechanism on one or both of the evaporator section 21 of the first heat pipe 2 and the condenser section 33 of the second heat pipe 3. By providing the fins 24 on the evaporator section 21 of the first heat pipe 2, heat exchange between the atmosphere or refrigerant adjacent to the outside of the first heat pipe 2 and the working fluid of the first heat pipe 2 can be promoted. Furthermore, by providing the fins 34 on the condenser section 33 of the second heat pipe 3, heat exchange between the working fluid of the second heat pipe 3 and the atmosphere or refrigerant adjacent to the outside of the second heat pipe 3 can be promoted. Therefore, by providing one or both of the fins 24, 34, heat absorption from the atmosphere or refrigerant on the side of the first heat pipe 2 can be promoted, and heat release to the atmosphere or refrigerant on the side of the second heat pipe 3 can be promoted.

[0030] A magnetocaloric material layer 7 containing a magnetocaloric material 71 is formed thermally connected to the inner surface of at least one of the condenser section 23 of the first heat pipe 2 and the evaporator section 31 of the second heat pipe 3, which constitute the thermal connection section 6. In the heat pump unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 , the magnetocaloric material layer 7 is formed thermally connected to the inner surface 31a of the evaporator section 31 of the second heat pipe 3. This magnetocaloric material layer 7 has the property of absorbing heat when the magnetic field is removed and generating heat when a magnetic field is applied. Therefore, in the heat pump unit 1 shown in FIG. 1 , when the magnetic field is removed, the magnetocaloric material layer 7 absorbs heat, the temperature of the condenser section 23 of the first heat pipe 2, which is thermally connected via the thermal connection section 6, drops, and the working fluid changes from a gas phase to a liquid phase due to condensation, so that the first heat pipe 2 operates and transports heat from the evaporator section 21 to the condenser section 23. Furthermore, when the magnetic field is applied, heat is released from the magnetocaloric material layer 7 to the working fluid of the second heat pipe 3, causing the evaporation section 31 to become hot. This causes the working fluid of the second heat pipe 3 to change phase from liquid to gas due to evaporation, activating the second heat pipe 3 and transporting heat from the evaporation section 31 to the condensation section 33. At this time, the first heat pipe 2 and the second heat pipe 3 constituting the heat pump unit 1 have a so-called thermal diode property, which means that they do not transport heat from the top to the bottom of FIG. 1. Therefore, in both the first heat pipe 2 and the second heat pipe 3, heat is transported only in one direction, from the bottom to the top of FIG. 1. Therefore, by repeatedly removing and applying the magnetic field from outside the magnetocaloric material layer 7, heat can be pumped from the evaporation section 21 of the first heat pipe 2, which is in a lower temperature state, to the condensation section 33 of the second heat pipe 3, which is in a higher temperature state.

[0031] Here, the magnetocaloric material layer 7 is preferably a mixed layer of the magnetocaloric material 71 and a low-melting-point metal material or a resin material 72. This allows the magnetocaloric material 71 to be thermally connected to the heat pipe (the second heat pipe 3 in FIG. 1 ) via the low-melting-point metal material or the resin material 72 without sintering the magnetocaloric material 71, thereby making it difficult for the magnetocaloric material 71 to deteriorate in its magnetocaloric properties when heated at high temperatures. At the same time, when the magnetocaloric material 71 absorbs or generates heat depending on whether or not a magnetic field is applied from outside the magnetocaloric material layer 7, heat can be exchanged between the magnetocaloric material 71 and the thermal connection part 6 of the heat pipe structure 10 outside the magnetocaloric material layer 7 or the working fluid of the second heat pipe 3 via the low-melting-point metal material or the resin material 72, thereby enabling efficient heat exchange from the first heat pipe 2 to the working fluid of the second heat pipe 3.

[0032] Furthermore, it is preferable that the magnetocaloric material 71 has a porous structure. This increases the contact area between the magnetocaloric material layer 7 and the working fluid of the second heat pipe 3, thereby enabling more efficient heat dissipation to the working fluid of the second heat pipe 3. Here, the porous structure of the magnetocaloric material layer 7 has a specific surface area of ​​1 m 2 / kg or more 1000m 2 It is preferable that the range is 1 / kg or less.

[0033] 2, the magnetocaloric material 71 is preferably made of a plurality of powder particles, and the porous structure is formed by bonding the plurality of powder particles constituting the magnetocaloric material 71 together via a low-melting-point metal material or a resin material 72. This allows the powder particles of the magnetocaloric material 71 to be mixed with the low-melting-point metal material or the resin material 72 to form a paste, which can be applied to the inner surface 31a of the evaporation section 31 of the second heat pipe 3, making it possible to easily form a magnetocaloric material layer 7 containing a large amount of the magnetocaloric material 71 so as to bond to the inner surface 31a of the evaporation section 31 of the second heat pipe 3. As a result, more heat can be pumped into the second heat pipe 3.

[0034] The multiple powder particles that make up the magnetocaloric material 71 are preferably bonded to each other so as to form voids rather than being densely packed, which allows the magnetocaloric material layer 7 to have a porous structure.

[0035] The powder or granules constituting the magnetocaloric material 71 are composed of powder or granules, and the particle size can be, for example, in the range of 0.5 μm to 500 μm. Specific examples of the magnetocaloric material 71 include, but are not limited to, compounds of gadolinium, manganese, and arsenic, compounds of lanthanum, iron, and silicon, and compounds of gadolinium, germanium, and arsenic. Since the magnetocaloric effect of the magnetocaloric material 71 appears in different temperature ranges depending on the type and composition, it is preferable to select and use a magnetocaloric effect material appropriate for the temperature range in which it is used.

[0036] Here, the plurality of powder particles constituting the magnetocaloric material 71 can be bonded to each other via a low-melting-point metal material. The low-melting-point metal material can be made of a metal or alloy with a melting point lower than that of the magnetocaloric material 71. Specific examples of low-melting-point metal materials include indium, indium alloys, tin, and tin alloys. In addition, the melting point of the low-melting-point metal is preferably 200°C or lower in order to prevent deterioration of the magnetocaloric material 71 due to high temperatures.

[0037] The magnetocaloric material 71 can also be formed by bonding the powder particles together via a resin material, such as polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, polystyrene resin, phenol resin, melamine resin, silicone resin, and ABS resin.

[0038] 1, in the heat pipe structure 10, it is preferable that a continuous space 73 where no magnetocaloric material layer 7 is present along the extending direction X of the heat pipe inside the heat pipe (second heat pipe 3 in FIG. 1) on which the magnetocaloric material layer 7 is formed at the thermal connection part 6. This forms a flow path inside the continuous space 73 through which the gas-phase working fluid of the heat pipe flows, thereby reducing the thermal resistance of the heat pipe on which the magnetocaloric material layer 7 is formed and further improving the heat transport properties of the heat pipe.

[0039] (Magnetic field application means) The heat pump unit 1 further includes magnetic field application means 8, which is disposed on the outer surface 6b of the thermal connection portion 6 of the heat pipe structure 10 and applies a magnetic field to the magnetocaloric material layer 7. This makes it possible to control the heat generation and absorption of the magnetocaloric material layer 7 depending on whether or not a magnetic field is applied from the magnetic field application means 8, thereby enabling the absorption of heat from the first heat pipe 2 and the release of heat to the heat transport destination from the second heat pipe 3 to be performed at appropriate timing. As a result, a large amount of heat can be efficiently transported from the first heat pipe 2 via the second heat pipe 3 to the heat transport destination.

[0040] There are no particular limitations on the magnetic field application means 8, as long as it can apply a magnetic field to the magnetocaloric material layer 7. For example, a permanent magnet may be used as the magnetic field application means 8, and it may be arranged so as to be movable relative to the heat pipe structure 10, including the position where it can apply a magnetic field to the magnetocaloric material layer 7. Alternatively, an electromagnet may be used as the magnetic field application means 8, and it may be provided at a position where it can apply a magnetic field to the magnetocaloric material layer 7 so that the power supply to the electromagnet can be turned on and off.

[0041] <Second embodiment> Fig. 3 is a front perspective view showing the internal structure of the heat pump unit of the second embodiment. Note that the components shown in Fig. 3 are the same as those in the heat pipe unit shown in Fig. 1 and are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0042] In the heat pump unit 1A of this embodiment, a magnetocaloric material layer 7A is formed so as to be thermally connected to the inner surface 23a of the condenser section 23 of the first heat pipe 2A, which constitutes the thermal connection section 6 of the heat pipe structure 10A. The magnetocaloric material layer 7A can have the same configuration as the magnetocaloric material layer 7 described above except for its position, and has the property of absorbing heat when the magnetic field is removed and generating heat when the magnetic field is applied. Therefore, in the heat pump unit 1A shown in FIG. 3, when the magnetic field is removed, the magnetocaloric material layer 7A absorbs heat, the temperature of the condenser section 23 of the first heat pipe 2A drops, and the working fluid changes from a gas phase to a liquid phase due to condensation, so that the first heat pipe 2A operates and transports heat from the evaporator section 21 to the condenser section 23. Furthermore, when the magnetic field is applied, heat is released from the magnetocaloric material layer 7A to the working fluid of the second heat pipe 3A, which is thermally connected via the thermal connection part 6, causing the evaporation part 31 to become hot. As a result, the working fluid of the second heat pipe 3A changes phase from liquid to gas due to evaporation, causing the second heat pipe 3A to operate and transport heat from the evaporation part 31 to the condensation part 33.

[0043] Here, in the heat pump unit 1A, it is preferable that a continuous space 73A where no magnetocaloric material layer 7A is present exists along the extension direction X of the heat pipe inside the heat pipe (first heat pipe 2 in Figure 3) in which the magnetocaloric material layer 7A is formed at the thermal connection part 6 of the heat pipe structure 10A.

[0044] Furthermore, in the heat pump unit 1A, the position at which the magnetic field application means 8A is placed is preferably, as shown in Figure 3, on the outer surface 6b of the thermal connection part 6, at a position facing the heat pipe (first heat pipe 2A in Figure 3) on which the magnetocaloric material layer 7A is formed, but it may also be placed at a position facing the second heat pipe 3A, as in the heat pump unit 1 described above.

[0045] <Third embodiment> Fig. 4 is a front perspective view showing the internal structure of the heat pump unit of the third embodiment. Note that the components shown in Fig. 4 are the same as those in the heat pipe unit shown in Fig. 1 or 2 and are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0046] In the heat pump unit 1B of this embodiment, the heat pipe structure 10B is formed so that the magnetocaloric material layers 7B, 7B' are thermally connected to both the inner surface 23a of the condenser section 23 of the first heat pipe 2B and the inner surface 31a of the evaporator section 31 of the second heat pipe 3B, which constitute the thermal connection part 6. This allows heat to be absorbed and released by both the magnetocaloric material layer 7B on the first heat pipe 2B side and the magnetocaloric material layer 7B' on the second heat pipe 3B side, thereby increasing the amounts of heat absorbed and generated by the magnetocaloric material layers 7B, 7B' and enabling more heat to be pumped up to the second heat pipe 3B efficiently.

[0047] Here, the magnetocaloric material layers 7B, 7B' can have the same configuration as the above-mentioned magnetocaloric material layers 7, 7A, respectively. Furthermore, in the heat pump unit 1B, the magnetic field application means 8B, 8B' are preferably arranged on the outer surface 6b of the thermal connection part 6 at positions facing the heat pipes on which the magnetocaloric material layers 7B, 7B' are formed (both the first heat pipe 2B and the second heat pipe 3B in FIG. 4), as shown in FIG. 4, but may also be arranged at positions facing only one of the first heat pipe 2B and the second heat pipe 3B, as in the above-mentioned heat pump units 1, 1A.

[0048] Here, in the heat pump unit 1B, it is preferable that at the thermal connection part 6 of the heat pipe structure 10B, continuous spaces 73B, 73B' in which the magnetocaloric material layers 7B, 7B' are not present exist along the extension direction X of the heat pipe inside both heat pipes in which the magnetocaloric material layers 7B, 7B' are formed.

[0049] <Fourth embodiment> Fig. 5 is a front perspective view showing the internal structure of a heat pump unit of a fourth embodiment. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the heat pump unit of the fourth embodiment taken along line II in Fig. 5. Note that the components shown in Figs. 5 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals when they are the same as the components of the heat pipe unit shown in any of Figs. 1 to 4.

[0050] As shown in Fig. 5, in the heat pump unit 1C of this embodiment, the heat pipe structure 10C is arranged so that the extension direction of the condenser section 23 of the first heat pipe 2C and the extension direction of the evaporator section 31 of the second heat pipe 3C, which constitute the thermal connection section 6C, are both approximately horizontal. As a result, as shown in Fig. 6, the areas of the magnetocaloric material layers 7C, 7C' expand in the horizontal direction, and the contact area between the magnetocaloric material layer 7C on the first heat pipe 2C side and the working fluid of the second heat pipe 3C, and the contact area between the magnetocaloric material layer 7C' on the second heat pipe 3C side and the working fluid of the second heat pipe 3C, both expand in the horizontal direction. This increases the amounts of heat absorption and heat generation by the magnetocaloric material layers 7C, 7C' and enables efficient heat absorption and heat generation in the magnetocaloric material layers 7C, 7C', so that more heat can be efficiently pumped to the second heat pipe 3C.

[0051] The first heat pipe 2C can be configured the same as the first heat pipe 2 described above, except that the condenser section 23 is arranged so that it extends in a substantially horizontal direction, and the pipe section from the evaporator section 21 to the intermediate section 22 that constitutes the first heat pipe 2C preferably extends upward. The second heat pipe 3C can be configured the same as the second heat pipe 3 described above, except that the evaporator section 31 is arranged so that it extends in a substantially horizontal direction, and the pipe section from the intermediate section 32 to the condenser section 33 that constitutes the second heat pipe 3C preferably also extends upward.

[0052] In addition, the thermal connection part 6C can be configured in the same way as the thermal connection part 6 described above, except that it is approximately perpendicular to the extension direction of the pipe part from the evaporator part 21 to the intermediate part 22 that constitutes the first heat pipe 2C, and to the extension direction of the pipe part from the intermediate part 32 to the condenser part 33 that constitutes the second heat pipe 3C.

[0053] The condenser section 23 of the first heat pipe 2C and the evaporator section 31 of the second heat pipe 3C can each be configured as a flat plate, e.g., 150 mm in length and width and 8 mm in thickness. By arranging these in a vertical line, a thermal connection section 6C measuring 150 mm in length and width can be formed. The length of the pipe section from the evaporator section 21 to the intermediate section 22 of the first heat pipe 2C, and the length of the pipe section from the intermediate section 32 to the condenser section 33 of the second heat pipe 3C, can each be, e.g., 250 mm. The diameter of the pipe section from the evaporator section 21 to the intermediate section 22 of the first heat pipe 2C and the diameter of the pipe section from the intermediate section 32 to the condenser section 33 of the second heat pipe 3C can each be, e.g., 15 mm.

[0054] In the heat pump unit 1C, the magnetic field application means 8C, 8C' are preferably arranged at positions on the outer surface 6b of the thermal connection portion 6C facing the heat pipes on which the magnetocaloric material layers 7C, 7C' are formed, as shown in Figure 5, but as with the above-mentioned heat pump units 1, 1A, they may be arranged at positions facing only one of the first heat pipe 2C and the second heat pipe 3C.

[0055] As shown in Figure 5, the magnetic field application means 8C, 8C' may be covered with a shielding member 81 made of iron, stainless steel, or the like, except for the side facing the thermal connection part 6C, in order to prevent the leakage of the magnetic field from affecting external magnetocaloric materials, etc.

[0056] <Fifth embodiment> Fig. 7 is a front perspective view showing the internal structure of the heat pump unit of the fifth embodiment. Note that the components shown in Fig. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the heat pipe unit shown in any of Figs. 1 to 6.

[0057] In the heat pump unit 1D of this embodiment, a heat pipe structure 10D is composed of three heat pipes: a first heat pipe 2D, a second heat pipe 3D, and a third heat pipe 4. The third heat pipe 4 can have the same configuration as at least one of the first heat pipe 2 and the second heat pipe 3 described above. Therefore, the third heat pipe 4 can be configured as a container 40 having an internal space S3 in which a working fluid is sealed, the container 40 including an evaporator 41 that evaporates the liquid-phase working fluid to change its phase to a gas-phase working fluid, a condenser 43 disposed at a position separated from the evaporator 41 and condenses the gas-phase working fluid to change its phase to a liquid-phase working fluid, and an intermediate section 42 located between the evaporator 41 and the condenser 43. The specific configuration of the container 40 may be the same as that of the containers 20 and 30.

[0058] Like the first heat pipe 2D and the second heat pipe 3D, the third heat pipe 4 is arranged so that the condenser section 43 is located above the evaporator section 41. Here, the heat pipe structure 10D is preferably arranged so that the extension direction of the pipe section from the evaporator section 21 to the intermediate section 22 constituting the first heat pipe 2D, the extension direction of the pipe section of the intermediate section 32 constituting the second heat pipe 3D, and the extension direction of the pipe section from the intermediate section 42 to the condenser section 43 constituting the third heat pipe 4 are all directed upward. By arranging the first heat pipe 2D, the second heat pipe 3D, and the third heat pipe 4 in this manner, the working fluid that has changed phase from a liquid phase to a gas phase in the evaporators 21, 31, 41 can be efficiently flowed to the condensers 23, 33, 43 through the intermediate sections 22, 32, 42 arranged in the vertical direction. At the same time, the working fluid that has changed phase from gas phase to liquid phase in the condensation sections 23, 33, 43 can be efficiently returned to the evaporation sections 21, 31, 41 through the intermediate sections 22, 32, 42 arranged in the vertical direction.

[0059] The heat pipe structure 10D has a multi-stage structure in which the condenser section 33 of the second heat pipe 3D and the evaporator section 31 of the third heat pipe 4 are thermally connected at the thermal connection section 6D', and the second heat pipe 3D and the third heat pipe 4 are arranged so that the condenser sections 33, 43 are located above the evaporators 31, 41, respectively. This separates the heat exchange by the heat pipes into three or more stages, further increasing the temperature difference between the heat transport source and the heat transport destination.

[0060] In this heat pump unit 1D, magnetocaloric material layers 7D1 and 7D1' containing a magnetocaloric material 71 are formed so as to be thermally connected to the inner surface of at least one of the condenser section 23 of the first heat pipe 2D and the evaporator section 31 of the second heat pipe 3, which constitute the thermal connection section 6D. Also, in this heat pump unit 1D, magnetocaloric material layers 7D2 and 7D2' containing a magnetocaloric material 71 are formed so as to be thermally connected to the inner surface of at least one of the condenser section 33 of the second heat pipe 3D and the evaporator section 41 of the third heat pipe 4, which constitute the thermal connection section 6D'. Here, the magnetocaloric material layers 7D1, 7D1', 7D2, and 7D2' can all have the same configuration as the magnetocaloric material layer 7 described above. In this case, different types of magnetocaloric effect materials may be used for the magnetocaloric material layers 7D1, 7D1' and 7D2 and 7D2' depending on the operating temperature range, etc.

[0061] In addition, in this heat pump unit 1D, as shown in FIG. 7, it is preferable that magnetic field application means 8D1 and 8D1' are respectively arranged on the outer surface of the thermal connection portion 6D at positions facing the heat pipes (both the first heat pipe 2D and the second heat pipe 3D in FIG. 7) on which the magnetocaloric material layers 7D1 and 7D1' are formed. In this heat pump unit 1D, it is preferable that magnetic field application means 8D2 and 8D2' are respectively arranged on the outer surface of the thermal connection portion 6D' at positions facing the heat pipes (both the second heat pipe 3D and the third heat pipe 4 in FIG. 7) on which the magnetocaloric material layers 7D2 and 7D2' are formed. In this case, only one of the magnetic field application means 8D1 and 8D1' may be arranged, or only one of the magnetic field application means 8D2 and 8D2' may be arranged. Here, the magnetic field application means 8D1, 8D1', 8D2 and 8D2' may have the same configuration as the magnetic field application means 8 and 8' described above.

[0062] In the heat pipe structure 10D, the pipe portion from the evaporator section 21 to the intermediate section 22 of the first heat pipe 2D, the pipe portion of the intermediate section 32 of the second heat pipe 3D, and the pipe portion from the intermediate section 42 to the condenser section 43 of the third heat pipe 4 may be arranged vertically to form a single pipe. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of promoting the vertical flow of the liquid-phase working fluid, the pipe portion from the evaporator section 21 to the intermediate section 22 of the first heat pipe 2D, the pipe portion of the intermediate section 32 of the second heat pipe 3D, and the pipe portion from the intermediate section 42 to the condenser section 43 of the third heat pipe 4 may be arranged substantially parallel to form multiple pipes, as shown in Fig. 7 .

[0063] The heat pipe structure 10D may be configured using a single heat pipe member and by providing a partition plate 9 at a position corresponding to the thermal connection portion 6D, such that the first heat pipe 2D and the second heat pipe 3D are integrally formed and separated by the partition plate 9. Alternatively, the heat pipe structure 10D may be configured using a partition plate 9' at a position corresponding to the thermal connection portion 6D', such that the second heat pipe 3D and the third heat pipe 4 are integrally formed and separated by the partition plate 9'. By providing such partition plates 9, 9', the thermal connection portions 6D, 6D' are each formed by a single partition plate 9, 9', which allows for smoother heat transport from the first heat pipe 2D to the second heat pipe 3D and from the second heat pipe 3D to the third heat pipe 4. Furthermore, since the first heat pipe 2D and the second heat pipe 3D can be integrally formed, and the second heat pipe 3D and the third heat pipe 4 can also be integrally formed, the heat pipe structure 10D can be more easily formed.

[0064] The shape of the partition plates 9, 9' is not particularly limited, but is preferably flat from the viewpoint of facilitating the formation and installation of the partition plates 9, 9'. The material of the partition plates 9, 9' is also not particularly limited, but is preferably the same material as that of at least one of the containers 20D, 30D, 40 from the viewpoint of more efficient heat transport via the partition plates 9, 9'.

[0065] The heat pipe structure 10D may be provided with fins 24, 44 as a heat exchange mechanism on one or both of the evaporator section 21 of the first heat pipe 2D and the condenser section 43 of the third heat pipe 4. By providing one or both of the fins 24, 44, it is possible to promote absorption of heat from the atmosphere or refrigerant on the side of the first heat pipe 2D and promote release of heat to the atmosphere or refrigerant on the side of the third heat pipe 4.

[0066] Sixth Embodiment Fig. 8 is a front perspective view showing the internal structure of the heat pump unit of the sixth embodiment. Note that the components shown in Fig. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the heat pipe unit shown in any of Figs. 1 to 7.

[0067] In the heat pump unit 1E of this embodiment, the heat pipe structure 10E is composed of three heat pipes: a first heat pipe 2E, a second heat pipe 3E, and a fourth heat pipe 5. The fourth heat pipe 5 can have the same configuration as at least one of the first heat pipe 2E and the second heat pipe 3E. Therefore, the fourth heat pipe 5 can be configured as a container 50 having an internal space S4 in which a working fluid is sealed, the fourth heat pipe 5 having an evaporator 51 that evaporates the liquid-phase working fluid to change its phase to a gas-phase working fluid, a condenser 53 disposed at a position separated from the evaporator 51 and condenses the gas-phase working fluid to change its phase to a liquid-phase working fluid, and an intermediate section 52 located between the evaporator 51 and the condenser 53. The specific configuration of the container 50 may be the same as that of the containers 20 and 30.

[0068] Like the first heat pipe 2E and the second heat pipe 3E, the fourth heat pipe 5 is arranged so that the condenser section 53 is located above the evaporator section 51. Here, the heat pipe structure 10E is preferably arranged so that the extension direction of the pipe portion from the evaporator section 51 to the intermediate section 52 constituting the fourth heat pipe 5, the extension direction of the pipe portion of the intermediate section 22 constituting the first heat pipe 2E, and the extension direction of the pipe portion from the intermediate section 32 to the condenser section 33 constituting the second heat pipe 3E are all directed upward. By arranging the first heat pipe 2E, the second heat pipe 3E, and the fourth heat pipe 5 in this manner, the working fluid that has changed phase from a liquid phase to a gas phase in the evaporators 21, 31, and 51 can be efficiently flowed to the condensers 23, 33, and 53 through the intermediate sections 22, 32, and 52 arranged in the vertical direction. At the same time, the working fluid that has changed phase from gas phase to liquid phase in the condensation sections 23, 33, 53 can be efficiently returned to the evaporation sections 21, 31, 51 through the intermediate sections 22, 32, 52 arranged in the vertical direction.

[0069] The heat pipe structure 10E has a multi-stage structure in which the condenser section 53 of the fourth heat pipe 5 and the evaporator section 21 of the first heat pipe 2E are thermally connected at the thermal connection section 6E', and the fourth heat pipe 5 and the first heat pipe 2E are arranged so that the condenser sections 53, 23 are located above the evaporators 51, 21, respectively. This separates the heat exchange by the heat pipes into three or more stages, further increasing the temperature difference between the heat transport source and the heat transport destination.

[0070] In this heat pump unit 1E, magnetocaloric material layers 7E1 and 7E1' containing a magnetocaloric material 71 are formed so as to be thermally connected to the inner surface of at least one of the condenser section 23 of the first heat pipe 2D and the evaporator section 31 of the second heat pipe 3, which constitute the thermal connection section 6E. Also, in this heat pump unit 1E, magnetocaloric material layers 7E2 and 7E2' containing a magnetocaloric material 71 are formed so as to be thermally connected to the inner surface of at least one of the condenser section 53 of the fourth heat pipe 5 and the evaporator section 21 of the first heat pipe 2E, which constitute the thermal connection section 6E'. Here, the magnetocaloric material layers 7E1, 7E1', 7E2, and 7E2' can all have the same configuration as the magnetocaloric material layer 7 described above. In this case, different types of magnetocaloric effect materials may be used for the magnetocaloric material layers 7E1, 7E1' and 7E2, 7E2' depending on the operating temperature range, etc.

[0071] In addition, in this heat pump unit 1E, as shown in FIG. 8, it is preferable that magnetic field application means 8E1 and 8E1' are respectively arranged on the outer surface of the thermal connection portion 6E at positions facing the heat pipes (both the first heat pipe 2E and the second heat pipe 3E in FIG. 8) on which the magnetocaloric material layers 7E1 and 7E1' are formed. In this heat pump unit 1E, as shown in FIG. 8, it is preferable that magnetic field application means 8E2 and 8E2' are respectively arranged on the outer surface of the thermal connection portion 6E' at positions facing the heat pipes (both the fourth heat pipe 5 and the first heat pipe 2E in FIG. 8) on which the magnetocaloric material layers 7E2 and 7E2' are formed. In this case, it is possible to arrange only one of the magnetic field application means 8E1 and 8E1', or only one of the magnetic field application means 8E2 and 8E2'. Here, the magnetic field application means 8E1, 8E1', 8E2 and 8E2' can have the same configuration as the magnetic field application means 8 and 8' described above.

[0072] In the heat pipe structure 10E, the pipe portion from the evaporator section 51 to the intermediate section 52 constituting the fourth heat pipe 5, the pipe portion of the intermediate section 22 constituting the first heat pipe 2E, and the pipe portion from the intermediate section 32 to the condenser section 33 constituting the second heat pipe 3E may be arranged vertically to form a single pipe. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 8, the pipe portion from the evaporator section 51 to the intermediate section 52 constituting the fourth heat pipe 5, the pipe portion of the intermediate section 22 constituting the first heat pipe 2E, and the pipe portion from the intermediate section 32 to the condenser section 33 constituting the second heat pipe 3E may be arranged substantially in parallel to form multiple pipes.

[0073] The heat pipe structure 10E may be provided with fins 54, 34 as a heat exchange mechanism on one or both of the evaporator section 51 of the fourth heat pipe 5 and the condenser section 33 of the second heat pipe 3E. By providing one or both of the fins 54, 34, it is possible to promote absorption of heat from the atmosphere or refrigerant on the side of the fourth heat pipe 5 and promote release of heat to the atmosphere or refrigerant on the side of the second heat pipe 3E.

[0074] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but includes all aspects encompassed by the concept of the present invention and the scope of the claims, and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E Heat pump unit 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E Heat pipe structure 2, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E 1st heat pipe 3, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E Second heat pipe 4. 3rd heat pipe 5 4th heat pipe 20, 30, 40, 50 containers 21, 31, 41, 51 Evaporation section 31a Inner surface of the evaporation section of the second heat pipe 22, 32, 42, 52 Middle section 23, 33, 43, 53 Condenser section 23a Inner surface of the condenser part of the first heat pipe 24, 34 Fins 6, 6C, 6D, 6D', 6E, 6E' Thermal Connections 6b Outer side of thermal connection 7, 7A, 7B, 7B', 7C, 7C', 7D1, 7D1', 7D2, 7D2', 7E1, 7E1', 7E2, 7E2' Magnetocaloric material layer 71 Magnetocaloric Materials 72 Low melting point metal material or resin material 73, 73A, 73B, 73B' continuous space where no magnetocaloric material layer exists 8, 8A, 8B, 8B', 8C, 8C', 8D1, 8D1', 8D2, 8D2', 8E1, 8E1', 8E2, 8E2' magnetic field application means 81 Shielding member 9 Partition S1, S2, S3, S4 interior space X Heat pipe extension direction

Claims

1. A container having an internal space in which a working fluid is sealed, an evaporation section that evaporates the liquid-phase working fluid to change it into a gas-phase working fluid; a condensation section disposed at a position separated from the evaporation section and condensing the gas phase working fluid to change the phase of the working fluid into a liquid phase working fluid; and an intermediate section located between the evaporation section and the condensation section; A heat pump unit including a heat pipe structure including at least two heat pipes, a first heat pipe and a second heat pipe, each having: The heat pipe structure includes: the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe are both arranged such that a condenser portion is located above an evaporator portion; a thermal connection portion configured to thermally connect a condensation portion of the first heat pipe and an evaporation portion of the second heat pipe in a state where the condensation portion and the evaporation portion are overlapped and substantially parallel to each other; a magnetocaloric material layer containing a magnetocaloric material is formed on an inner surface of at least one of a condensation section of the first heat pipe and an evaporation section of the second heat pipe, which constitute the thermal connection section, so as to be thermally connected thereto; The heat pump unit comprises: The heat pump unit further comprises a magnetic field applying means arranged on an outer surface side of the thermal connection portion of the heat pipe structure, for applying a magnetic field to the magnetocaloric material layer.

2. The heat pump unit according to claim 1 , wherein the magnetocaloric material layer is a mixed layer of the magnetocaloric material and a low-melting-point metal material or a resin material.

3. The heat pump unit according to claim 2 , wherein the magnetocaloric material has a porous structure.

4. the magnetocaloric material is made of a plurality of powder particles, The heat pump unit according to claim 3 , wherein the porous structure is formed by bonding the plurality of powder particles constituting the magnetocaloric material to each other via the low-melting-point metal material.

5. the magnetocaloric material is made of a plurality of powder particles, The heat pump unit according to claim 3 , wherein the porous structure is formed by bonding the plurality of powder particles constituting the magnetocaloric material to each other via the resin material.

6. 2. The heat pump unit according to claim 1, wherein the heat pipe structure has, at the thermal connection portion, a continuous space in which the magnetocaloric material layer is not present inside the heat pipe in which the magnetocaloric material layer is formed, along the extension direction of the heat pipe.

7. 2. The heat pump unit of claim 1, wherein the heat pipe structure is formed so that the magnetocaloric material layer is thermally connected to the inner surfaces of both the condensation section of the first heat pipe and the evaporation section of the second heat pipe, which constitute the thermal connection section.

8. 2. The heat pump unit of claim 1, wherein the heat pipe structure is arranged so that the extension direction of the pipe portion from the evaporator section to the intermediate section constituting the first heat pipe and the extension direction of the pipe portion from the intermediate section to the condenser section constituting the second heat pipe both point upward.

9. The heat pump unit according to claim 1, wherein the heat pipe structure is arranged so that the extension direction of the condensation portion of the first heat pipe and the extension direction of the evaporation portion of the second heat pipe, which constitute the thermal connection portion, are both approximately horizontal.

10. 2. The heat pump unit of claim 1, wherein the heat pipe structure uses a single heat pipe member and has a structure in which the first heat pipe and the second heat pipe separated by the partition plate are integrally formed by providing a partition plate at a position corresponding to the thermal connection portion.

11. the heat pipe structure is composed of three heat pipes, namely, the first heat pipe, the second heat pipe, and the third heat pipe; 11. The heat pump unit according to claim 1, wherein the condenser portion of the second heat pipe and the evaporator portion of the third heat pipe are thermally connected by a thermal connection portion, and the second heat pipe and the third heat pipe have a multi-stage structure in which the condenser portion is positioned above the evaporator portion.

12. the heat pipe structure is composed of three heat pipes, namely, the first heat pipe, the second heat pipe, and a fourth heat pipe; 11. The heat pump unit according to claim 1, wherein the condenser portion of the fourth heat pipe and the evaporator portion of the first heat pipe are thermally connected by a thermal connection portion, and the fourth heat pipe and the first heat pipe have a multi-stage structure in which the condenser portion is positioned above the evaporator portion.

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