air conditioning unit

Abstract

To provide an air conditioning system that can be miniaturized and improve energy consumption efficiency. [Solution] The elastic heat-absorbing and heat-generating section has a heat-absorbing and heat-generating material that absorbs or generates heat by undergoing a phase change in response to the application and release of stress. The heat-conducting section that conducts heat from the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section has an extension that extends from a housing section that houses the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section and the heat-conducting section. The extension that extends from the housing section is arranged in the medium flow path through which the medium to be heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger flows, and performs heat exchange with the medium. The medium flow path comprises a cold air flow path through which the medium is cooled by the heat-absorbing device absorbing heat, and a hot air flow path through which the medium is heated by the heat-generating device. The air conditioning device further includes a drive mechanism that alternately moves the extension between the cold air flow path and the hot air flow path. When the reaction rate of the heat-absorbing and heat-generating material during heat generation is slower than the reaction rate during heat absorption, the extension is kept in the hot air flow path for a longer time, and when it is slower, it is kept in the cold air flow path for a longer time.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioner.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, heat exchange devices that heat or cool a target (space or object) by transferring heat have been widely used. For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses an adsorption heat pump (desiccant air conditioner) that uses a high heat source that vaporizes water as a medium, a low heat source that condenses the vaporized water, and a desiccant (drying material) that collects water. In such an adsorption heat pump, generally, porous bodies such as silica gel and zeolite are adopted as the adsorbent used for the desiccant.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In a conventional adsorption heat pump (desiccant air conditioner), the movement speed of refrigerant molecules, which are the medium in the porous body, is low. Therefore, when the refrigerant molecules evaporate (i.e., absorb heat), the evaporation speed of the refrigerant molecules is low, and it is difficult to obtain a sufficient amount of heat absorption per unit time. In order to promote the evaporation of the refrigerant molecules, a method of raising the temperature of the porous body can be considered, but this method requires a heater for heat input, leading to an increase in the size of the device. In addition, energy is required to operate the heater, resulting in a decrease in energy consumption efficiency.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an air conditioner that can be miniaturized and can improve energy consumption efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the inventors of the present invention conducted diligent research and developed an air conditioning system that directly utilizes the latent heat generated by the desorption or adsorption of a medium as cooling or heating by applying and releasing a heat-absorbing and heat-generating material that can be mechanically deformed to desorb and adsorb a medium by applying and releasing stress to the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section of a heat exchanger. In the process, they discovered that the reaction rates of heat absorption and heat generation by heat-absorbing and heat-generating materials are generally different, and thus completed the present invention.

[0007] In other words, one embodiment of the present invention relates to an air conditioning system comprising a heat exchanger, a medium flow path through which a medium to be heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger flows, and a flow mechanism for causing the medium to flow within the medium flow path. Here, the heat exchanger comprises an elastic heat-absorbing and heat-generating section, a heat-conducting section that directly or indirectly contacts the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section to conduct heat from the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section, a housing section that houses the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section and the heat-conducting section, and a press mechanism that performs the operation of applying stress to the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section housed in the housing section and releasing the stress. Furthermore, the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section has a heat-absorbing and heat-generating material that absorbs or generates heat by undergoing a phase change in conjunction with the application and release of the stress, the heat-conducting section has an extension extending from the housing section, the extension is arranged in the medium flow path and the extension performs heat exchange with the medium, and the medium flow path comprises a cold air flow path through which the medium is cooled by heat absorption by the heat exchanger and a hot air flow path through which the medium is heated by heat generation by the heat exchanger. Furthermore, the air conditioning system further includes a drive mechanism that drives the heat exchanger to move the extension between the cold air passage and the hot air passage, characterized in that the extension stays in the hot air passage for a longer time when the reaction rate of the heat-absorbing material during heat generation is slower than the reaction rate during heat absorption, and stays in the cold air passage for a longer time when the reaction rate of the heat-absorbing material during heat absorption is slower than the reaction rate during heat generation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, an air conditioning system is provided that can be miniaturized and has improved energy consumption efficiency. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an air conditioning system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a three-dimensional example of the configuration of a heat exchange unit and an air duct that constitute an air conditioning system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a three-dimensional example of the configuration of the unit body of the heat exchange unit that constitutes the air conditioning system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a belt conveyor mechanism as an example of a drive mechanism. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a graph showing the results of measuring the temperature change of the fins over time as an indicator of the reaction rate during (a) heat absorption and (b) heat generation of the GMS, by clamping a heat exchange unit with a press mechanism using GMS as an absorbent and heat-absorbing material and installing fins as extensions. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a ropeway mechanism as an example of a drive mechanism. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a rotation mechanism as an example of a drive mechanism. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an air conditioning system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an air conditioning system according to the third embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of the present invention described above will be explained below with reference to the drawings, but the technical scope of the present invention should be determined based on the claims and is not limited to the following forms. Note that the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from the actual ratios.

[0011] 《First Embodiment》 Figure 1 shows an air conditioning system 200A according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the air conditioning system 200A comprises a plurality of heat exchange units 100 (an example of the "heat exchange device" of the present invention), a cold air generating unit 201, and a hot air generating unit 202. The cold air generating unit 201 has a cold air passage 1501 in which cold air is generated when air 152 (an example of the "medium" of the present invention) is cooled by the heat exchange unit 100 absorbing heat, a blower 1511 (an example of the "flow mechanism" of the present invention) connected to an inlet P11 for introducing air 152 into the cold air passage 1501, and an exhaust device 1531 (an example of the "flow mechanism" of the present invention) connected to an outlet P21 for releasing the cooled air 152 from the cold air passage 1501. The hot air generating unit 202 includes a hot air passage 1502 in which hot air is generated when the heat exchange unit 100 generates heat and warms the air 152; a blower 1512 (an example of the "flow mechanism" of the present invention) connected to an inlet P12 for introducing air 152 into the hot air passage 1502; and an exhaust device 1532 (an example of the "flow mechanism" of the present invention) connected to an outlet P22 for releasing the warmed air 152 from the hot air passage 1502. The ends of the semicircularly arranged cold air passage 1501 and the ends of the semicircularly arranged hot air passage 1502 are connected to each other, forming an annular (circular in this embodiment) air guide passage 150. The right side of the circle shown in Figure 1 is the cold air passage 1501, and the left side of the circle is the hot air passage 1502.

[0012] The air passage 150 of the air conditioning unit 200A according to this embodiment (an example of the "media flow path" of the present invention) consists of a cold air flow path 1501 and a hot air flow path 1502. The blower 151 of the air conditioning unit 200A consists of a blower 1511 for the cold air generating unit 201 and a blower 1512 for the hot air generating unit 202. The exhaust system 153 of the air conditioning unit 200A consists of an exhaust system 1531 for the cold air generating unit 201 and an exhaust system 1532 for the hot air generating unit 202.

[0013] In the air conditioner 200A according to the present embodiment, three inlets P11 of the cold air flow path 1501 and three inlets P12 of the warm air flow path are provided so as to be selectable by opening and closing. Three outlets P21 of the cold air flow path 1501 and three outlets P22 of the warm air flow path 1502 are also provided so as to be selectable by opening and closing. The lengths of the cold air flow path 1501 and the warm air flow path 1502 are respectively defined by the selection of each inlet and each outlet.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the heat exchange unit 100 and the air duct 150 constituting the air conditioner 200A according to the first embodiment three-dimensionally. As shown in FIG. 2, the air conditioner 200A includes a heat exchange unit 100 and an air duct 150 through which air 152 flows. The air duct 150 may be referred to as a duct. The heat exchange unit 100 includes a unit main body 1 and a pressing mechanism 3 that sandwiches the unit main body 1 from both sides in the thickness direction (for example, the Z-axis direction).

[0015] The pressing mechanism 3 sandwiches and fixes one or more unit main bodies 1 between a first sandwiching body 31 and a second sandwiching body 32. For example, while maintaining the state in which the plurality of unit main bodies 1 are fixed, the pressing mechanism 3 applies stress to the heat absorption and heat dissipation portions 11 (for example, see FIG. 2) of the plurality of unit main bodies 1 or releases the applied stress by moving the shaft portion 33 in the axial direction. Thereby, in each of the plurality of unit main bodies 1, heat exchange is performed between the extending portion 122 and a substance (for example, air) existing outside the accommodating portion 13.

[0016] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the unit main body 1 of the heat exchange unit 100 constituting the air conditioner 200A according to the first embodiment three-dimensionally. As shown in FIG. 3, the unit main body 1 has a heat absorption and heat dissipation portion 11 having elasticity, a heat conduction portion 12 that directly or indirectly contacts the heat absorption and heat dissipation portion 11 and conducts the heat of the heat absorption and heat dissipation portion 11, and an accommodating portion 13 that accommodates the heat absorption and heat dissipation portion 11 and the heat conduction portion 12. Note that "elasticity" means a property in which, even when stress is applied from the outside and it contracts, when the stress is released, it reversibly greatly deform and substantially returns to the original shape.

[0017] The unit main body 1 may have a plurality of heat conduction parts 12, and it is preferable to have a plurality. In the present embodiment, the plurality of heat conduction parts 12 sandwich the heat absorption and heat generation part 11 from both sides in the thickness direction (for example, the Z-axis direction). Two heat conduction parts 12 sandwich one heat absorption and heat generation part 11 from both sides in the Z-axis direction. For example, all the heat conduction parts 12 shown in FIG. 2 may be arranged in one accommodating part 13 to constitute one unit main body 1. The heat conduction part 12 has an extending part 122 extending from the accommodating part 13. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the extending part 122 is, for example, plate-shaped.

[0018] In addition, the heat absorption and heat generation part 11 includes a heat absorption and heat generation material that absorbs heat with contraction and generates heat with expansion, or a heat absorption and heat generation material that generates heat with contraction and absorbs heat with expansion. Hereinafter, the case where the heat absorption and heat generation part 11 includes a heat absorption and heat generation material that absorbs heat with contraction and generates heat with expansion will be described. In this case, as the heat absorption and heat generation material, a combination of an elastic nanoporous body and a fluid refrigerant that is detachably adsorbed on the pore walls of the nanoporous body is exemplified.

[0019] "Nanoporous" means having a plurality of nanopores. Nanopores preferably have a diameter of 0.5 to 100 nm, more preferably a diameter of 0.7 to 50 nm, and even more preferably a micropore or mesopore with a diameter of 0.7 to 6 nm. In the IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry), pores with a diameter of 2 nm or less are defined as micropores, pores with a diameter of 2 to 50 nm are defined as mesopores, and pores with a diameter of 50 nm or more are defined as macropores.

[0020] Examples of the nanoporous body include graphene mesosponge (GMS) or zeolite template carbon (ZTC). Both GMS and ZTC are composed of a single-layer graphene skeleton and have the porous and elastic properties necessary for the desorption and adsorption of the fluid refrigerant.

[0021] GMS is a sponge-like mesoporous material with tiny pores of about 6 nm, where the majority of the pore walls are composed of single-layer graphene, and it has an extremely high BET specific surface area (approximately 2000 m²) comparable to activated carbon. 2 It possesses ( / g). On the other hand, unlike activated carbon and carbon black, it contains almost no graphene edges that cause corrosion, and therefore also has excellent corrosion resistance (oxidation resistance). Furthermore, due to the properties of graphene, which is both flexible and tough, GMS has excellent flexibility and elasticity, and can be reversibly elastically deformed from a pore diameter of approximately 5.8 nm to approximately 0.7 nm. The manufacturing method of GMS is described in Nishihara, H. et al., Advanced Functional Materials, Vol. 26, 2016, 6418-6427.

[0022] ZTC is composed of a single layer of graphene sheet. Furthermore, uniform pores (approximately 1.2 nm in diameter) are arranged regularly in three dimensions and interconnected, resulting in an extremely high BET specific surface area and pore volume (maximum BET specific surface area of ​​4100 m²). 2 It is known that ZTC has a pore volume of 1.8 cc / g. Methods for producing ZTC are described in Nishihara, H. et al., Chemistry-European Journal 15, 5355 (2009), etc.

[0023] In this embodiment, the nanoporous material is not limited to GMS or ZTC. Other materials may be used as the nanoporous material, as long as they are elastic, can contract to desorb the fluid refrigerant, and can expand to adsorb the fluid refrigerant. An example of such a material is a carbon mesosponge (CMS) having spherical mesopores.

[0024] Examples of fluid refrigerants include water or alcohol. Examples of alcohols include methanol or ethanol. In this specification, “fluid” means a liquid, a gas, or a mixture of a liquid and a gas.

[0025] In the air conditioning system 200A according to the first embodiment, a plurality of heat exchange units 100 are arranged at equal intervals from each other along an annular air passage 150, and move clockwise or counterclockwise with at least an extension portion 122 (see, for example, Figures 2 and 3) positioned within the air passage 150. As a result, the extension portion 122 moves alternately within the cold air passage 1501 and the hot air passage 1502.

[0026] If the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section 11 of the heat exchange unit 100 (see, for example, Figures 2 and 3) contains a nanoporous material such as GMS, the press mechanism 3 of the heat exchange unit 100 (see, for example, Figure 2) starts pressing immediately after the extension section 122 enters the cold air passage 1501 and continues to gradually apply stress to the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section 11 until just before it exits the cold air passage 1501. As a result, the extension section 122 exchanges heat with the air 152 in the cold air passage 1501 (the extension section 122 absorbs heat), cooling the air 152. As a result, cold air is generated. The cold air generated in the cold air passage 1501 is exhausted from the exhaust device 1531 via the outlet P21 of the cold air passage 1501. The press mechanism 3 also releases the stress immediately after the extension section 122 enters the hot air passage 1502. As a result, the extension 122 exchanges heat with the air 152 in the hot air passage 1502 (the extension 122 generates heat), warming the air 152. This generates hot air. The hot air generated in the hot air passage 1502 is exhausted from the exhaust device 1532 via the outlet P22 of the hot air passage 1502.

[0027] The air conditioning unit 200A is equipped with a heat exchange unit 100, which allows for miniaturization and improved energy efficiency (COP). Furthermore, since the air inlet and outlet for the air 152 can be separated between the cold air generating unit 201 and the hot air generating unit 202, there is a high degree of flexibility in layout.

[0028] In this embodiment, the movement of the heat exchange unit 100 is carried out by a belt conveyor mechanism (an example of the "drive mechanism" of the present invention) that moves the heat exchange unit 100 counterclockwise. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a belt conveyor mechanism as an example of a drive mechanism. As shown in Figure 4, the belt conveyor mechanism 300 consists of a cold air passage belt conveyor 310 that moves the heat exchange unit 100 in the cold air passage 1501 and a hot air passage belt conveyor 320 that moves the heat exchange unit 100 in the hot air passage 1502, which are arranged separately. These operate in coordination, and the heat exchange unit 100 (extension portion 122) is moved alternately between the upper surface of the cold air passage belt conveyor 310 and the upper surface of the hot air passage belt conveyor 320, thereby moving the heat exchange unit 100 counterclockwise. In this embodiment, each belt conveyor has an arc shape (for example, a semicircular or crescent shape) in plan view, and when the mechanism is operated with the heat exchange unit 100 positioned on the upper surface of each belt conveyor, the heat exchange unit 100 (and thus the extension 122) moves counterclockwise within the air passage 150. As a result, the extension 122 moves alternately within the cold air passage 1501 and the hot air passage 1502. Note that the belt conveyors for the cold air passage and the belt conveyors for the hot air passage may each be further divided into multiple belt conveyors. Note that in Figure 4, only a portion of the belt conveyors 310 for the cold air passage and 320 for the hot air passage are shown.

[0029] As mentioned above, our inventors' research has shown that the reaction rates of heat absorption and heat generation in heat-absorbing and heat-generating materials are generally different. This will be explained below using the case where the heat-absorbing and heat-generating material is GMS as an example.

[0030] Figure 5 is a graph showing the results of measuring the temperature change of the fins over time as an indicator of the reaction rate during (a) heat absorption and (b) heat generation of the GMS, by clamping a heat exchange unit with a press mechanism using GMS as an absorbent and heat-absorbing material and installing fins as extensions.

[0031] In Figure 2, when the press mechanism 3 applies stress to the heat-absorbing and heating section 11 (including GMS as the heat-absorbing and heating material) via the housing section 13, the pores of the GMS constituting the heat-absorbing and heating section 11 contract, and the fluid refrigerant (such as water or methanol) adsorbed on the pore walls of the GMS detaches from the pore walls. The fluid refrigerant vaporizes (i.e., evaporates) as it detaches from the pore walls, becoming refrigerant vapor. The fluid refrigerant absorbs heat by undergoing a phase change from liquid to gas within the housing section 13, lowering the temperature of the GMS. Since the GMS is in contact with the heat conduction section 12, the temperature of the heat conduction section 12 also decreases. As a result, the extension portion 122 of the heat conduction section 12 can exchange heat with the air outside the housing section 13 through convection or radiation, thereby cooling the air. As shown in Figure 5(a), since the fluid refrigerant detaches from the pore walls of the GMS all at once when stress is applied, the reaction rate of heat absorption by the GMS is relatively fast, and the temperature of the fins corresponding to the extension portion 122 drops rapidly.

[0032] On the other hand, when the press mechanism 3 releases the stress applied to the heat absorption and heating section 11, the pores of the GMS constituting the heat absorption and heating section 11 expand from a contracted state. The medium vapor present in the containment section 13 is adsorbed onto the pore walls of the GMS and liquefies. The medium vapor generates heat as it undergoes a phase change from gas to liquid within the containment section 13, raising the temperature of the GMS. Since the GMS is in contact with the heat conduction section 12, the temperature of the heat conduction section 12 also rises. As a result, the extension portion 122 of the heat conduction section 12 can exchange heat with the air outside the containment section 13 through convection or radiation, thereby warming the air. As shown in Figure 5(b), the medium vapor is adsorbed onto the pore walls of the GMS upon stress release. In this case, the medium vapor needs to diffuse through the inside of the pore walls to be adsorbed onto the pore walls of the GMS, but since this diffusion rate is relatively slow, the adsorption of the medium vapor onto the pore walls of the GMS is also relatively slow, and the temperature of the fins corresponding to the extension portion 122 rises slowly.

[0033] As described above, the reaction rate of GMS (which absorbs heat when it contracts and generates heat when it expands), the heat-absorbing and heat-generating material used in this embodiment, is slower when it generates heat than when it absorbs heat. Therefore, the air conditioning device 200A according to this embodiment is configured such that the extension portion 122 stays in the warm air passage 1502 for a longer time than it stays in the cold air passage 1501. In this embodiment, the movement speed of the extension portion 122 is the same in the cold air passage 1501 and the warm air passage 1502. Therefore, in this embodiment, the above control is achieved by configuring the warm air passage 1502, which is the passage in which the extension portion 122 stays for a longer time, to be longer than the length of the cold air passage 1501.

[0034] More specifically, in the air conditioning system 200A of this embodiment, three inlets P11 and three outlets P21 are provided for the cold air passage 1501, each selectable. These inlets P11 and outlets P21 are selected to be open or closed in such a way that the length of the cold air passage 1501 is minimized. Similarly, three inlets P12 and three outlets P22 are provided for the hot air passage 1502, each selectable, and these inlets P12 and outlets P22 are selected to be open or closed in such a way that the length of the hot air passage 1502 is maximized. As a result, the length of each passage is defined such that the length of the hot air passage 1502 is longer than the length of the cold air passage 1501. Consequently, of the two passages, the hot air passage 1502, which is the passage where the extension portion 122 stays for a longer time, is longer than the length of the cold air passage 1501.

[0035] As described above, the air conditioning system 200A according to the first embodiment of the present invention comprises a heat exchange unit 100, an air passage 150 through which air 152, which is heat-exchanged by the heat exchange unit 100, flows, and a blower 151 and an exhaust device 153 that cause the air 152 to flow within the air passage 150. The heat exchange unit 100 comprises an elastic heat-absorbing and heat-generating section 11, a heat-conducting section 12 that directly or indirectly contacts the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section 11 and conducts heat from the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section, a housing section 13 that houses the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section 11 and the heat-conducting section 12, and a press mechanism 3 that performs the operation of applying stress to the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section 11 housed in the housing section 13 and the operation of releasing stress. The heat-absorbing and heat-generating section 11 has a heat-absorbing and heat-generating material that absorbs or generates heat by undergoing a phase change in conjunction with the application and release of stress. The heat conduction section 12 has an extension section 122 extending from the housing section 13, and the extension section 122 is positioned within the air passage 150, where the extension section 122 exchanges heat with the air 152. The air passage 150 includes a cold air passage 1501 through which the air 152 is cooled by the heat absorption of the heat exchange unit 100, and a hot air passage 1502 through which the air 152 is heated by the heat generation of the heat exchange unit 100. The air conditioning unit 200A further includes a drive mechanism that drives the heat exchange unit 100 to move the extension section 122 alternately between the cold air passage 1501 and the hot air passage 1502. In this case, the extension portion 122 stays in the hot air channel 1502 for a longer time if the reaction rate of the heat-absorbing material during exothermic phase is slower than the reaction rate during exothermic phase, and stays in the cold air channel 1501 for a longer time if the reaction rate of the heat-absorbing material during exothermic phase is slower than the reaction rate during exothermic phase.

[0036] According to this, the heat exchange unit 100 can exchange heat with a substance (e.g., air) outside the containment unit 13, using the heat-absorbing / heat-generating section 11, which absorbs or generates heat due to a phase change of the heat-absorbing / heat-generating material, as a heat source. In the heat exchange unit 100, the input energy is the press load from the press mechanism 3, rather than heat input from a heater. Therefore, the air conditioning unit 200A can improve its energy efficiency (COP: Coefficiency of Performance). In addition, the residence time in the cold air passage 1501 and the residence time in the hot air passage 1502 of the extension section 122 are controlled according to the reaction rate of the heat-absorbing / heat-generating material during heat absorption and heat generation. Therefore, it is possible to control the amount of heat exchange per unit time between the cold air generating section 201 and the hot air generating section 202 to be approximately equal. As a result, the heat exchange efficiency can be further improved. Furthermore, since the air conditioning unit 200A does not require a heater for heat input, it can be miniaturized.

[0037] <Variation 1 of the First Embodiment> In the air conditioning system 200A according to the first embodiment described above, three inlets P11 and outlets P21 were provided for the cold air passage 1501, and three inlets P12 and outlets P22 for the hot air passage 1502, respectively, so that they could be selected. As a modification 1 of the first embodiment, at least one of these inlets P11, P12 and outlets P21, P22 does not need to be provided in multiples. In either configuration, as long as the inlets P11, P12 and outlets P21, P22 are arranged such that the length of the passage on which the extension portion 122 stays for a longer time is longer than the length of the other passage, the same effects as described above can be achieved. However, it is preferable to provide multiple inlets and outlets so that they can be selected, as in the first embodiment, because it allows for more precise temperature control according to the temperature of the air 152 flowing in from the blower 151.

[0038] <Modification 2 of the First Embodiment> In the air conditioning system 200A according to the first embodiment described above, the direction in which the air 152, which is the heat exchange medium, flows through the cold air passage 1501 and the direction in which the air 152 flows through the warm air passage 1502 were the same. As a second modification of the first embodiment, the direction in which the air 152 flows through the cold air passage 1501 and the direction in which the air 152 flows through the warm air passage 1502 may be opposite. One such configuration is one in which the direction in which the air 152 flows through the cold air passage 1501 and the warm air passage 1502 is the same as the direction in which the extension portion 122 moves through the cold air passage 1501 and the warm air passage 1502. This configuration corresponds to a configuration in Figure 1 where the direction in which the air 152 moves through the warm air passage 1502 is reversed (the direction from top to bottom in Figure 1). This configuration has the advantage that heat can be transferred (exchanged) over a long period of time when the temperature difference between the heat exchange unit 100 and the air 152 is small. Another configuration involves a design in which the direction in which the air 152 flows through the cold air channel 1501 and the warm air channel 1502 is opposite to the direction in which the extension 122 moves through the cold air channel 1501 and the warm air channel 1502. This configuration corresponds to the design in Figure 1 in which the direction in which the air 152 moves through the cold air channel 1501 is reversed (towards the bottom in Figure 1). This configuration has the advantage of further improving the efficiency of heat exchange.

[0039] <Modification 3 of the First Embodiment> In the air conditioning system 200A according to the first embodiment described above, the drive mechanism for moving the heat exchange unit 100 was a belt conveyor mechanism (Figure 4) that moved the heat exchange unit 100 when it was operated with the heat exchange unit 100 positioned on its upper surface. However, the drive mechanism is not limited to a belt conveyor mechanism, and various conventionally known drive mechanisms can be used as is or modified as appropriate. Regardless of which drive mechanism described herein is used, the heat exchange unit 100 (extension portion 122) can be moved (while changing the speed as necessary) with a simple configuration.

[0040] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a ropeway mechanism as an example of a drive mechanism. In this modified example, the ropeway mechanism 400 operates with the heat exchange unit 100 suspended by passing the ropeway rope through a hook 110 provided on the heat exchange unit 100. This causes the ropeway mechanism 400 to move the extension portion 122 of the heat exchange unit 100. As shown in Figure 6, the ropeway mechanism 400 has a cold air passage ropeway 410 that moves the heat exchange unit 100 in the cold air passage 1501 and a hot air passage ropeway 420 that moves the heat exchange unit 100 in the hot air passage 1502, which are arranged separately. These operate in coordination, and the heat exchange unit 100 (extension portion 122) is moved alternately by the lower part of the cold air passage ropeway 410 and the lower part of the hot air passage ropeway 420, thereby moving the heat exchange unit 100 counterclockwise. In this modified example, each ropeway has an arc shape (for example, a semicircular or crescent shape) in plan view, and the mechanism operates with a heat exchange unit 100 suspended from the bottom of each ropeway, causing the heat exchange unit 100 (and thus the extension 122) to move counterclockwise within the air passage 150. As a result, the extension 122 moves alternately within the cold air passage 1501 and the warm air passage 1502. Note that the ropeways for the cold air passage and the ropeways for the warm air passage may each be further divided into multiple ropeways. Note that in Figure 6, only a portion of the ropeways 410 for the cold air passage and 420 for the warm air passage are shown.

[0041] Figure 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a rotating mechanism as an example of a drive mechanism. The rotating mechanism 500 according to this modified example includes a plurality of rotating bodies that rotate in accordance with the flow path through which the heat exchange unit 100 (extension portion 122) moves. Specifically, the rotating mechanism 500 consists of a rotating body 511 for the cold air flow path that rotates in accordance with the cold air flow path 1501, and a rotating body 512 for the hot air flow path that rotates in accordance with the hot air flow path 1502. A gripping portion 520 is provided at the end of the heat exchange unit 100 having the extension portion 122 via an arm 530 (an example of a "connecting portion" in the present invention). When a gripping portion 520 grips, for example, the rotating body 511 for the cold air flow path, and the rotating body 511 for the cold air flow path rotates counterclockwise, the heat exchange unit 100 (extension portion 122) connected to the gripping portion 520 also rotates counterclockwise within the cold air flow path 1501 in accordance with the rotation of the rotating body 511 for the cold air flow path. Then, when the gripping portion 520 reaches the connecting portion 513 between the cold air passage rotating body 511 and the hot air passage rotating body 512, it opens, releasing its grip on the cold air passage rotating body 511. After that, the gripping portion 520 moves toward the hot air passage rotating body 512 and closes, gripping the hot air passage rotating body 512. Subsequently, as the hot air passage rotating body 512 rotates counterclockwise while the gripping portion 520 is gripping it, the heat exchange unit 100 (extension portion 122) connected to the gripping portion 520 also rotates counterclockwise within the hot air passage 1502 in accordance with the rotation of the hot air passage rotating body 512. Here, a guide bar 540 is provided near the connecting portion 513 to prevent the gripping portion 520 from detaching and falling as it moves between the rotating bodies 511 and 512. The guide bar 540 is provided above and below the gripping portion 520 in the vertical direction (foreground and background in Figure 7), and has the function of holding the gripping portion 520 from the time it reaches the connecting portion 513 until it moves between the rotating bodies 511 and 512 and grips the rotating body after it has moved. The arm 530 may be omitted, and the gripping portion 520 may be directly provided on the heat exchange unit 100.Furthermore, the drive mechanism may include a gear mechanism that includes a large gear fixed to the cold air passage and the hot air passage, and a small gear rotatably provided at the end of an arm connected to each of the heat exchange units 100 or each of the heat exchange units 100 (extension 122). In such a drive mechanism, the small gear meshes with the large gear and rotates, causing the heat exchange unit 100 (extension 122) connected to the small gear to move alternately through the cold air passage 1501 and the hot air passage 1502.

[0042] 《Second Embodiment》 Next, with reference to Figure 8, the configuration of the air conditioning system 200B according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the air conditioning system according to the second embodiment. Parts common to the first embodiment will not be described, and parts that are unique to the second embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals will be used for the same components as in the first embodiment described above, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0043] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has only one inlet P11 and one outlet P21 for the cold air passage 1501, and only one inlet P12 and one outlet P22 for the hot air passage 1502. The air conditioning system 200B of the second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that the length of the cold air passage 1501 and the length of the hot air passage 1502 are the same. The second embodiment also differs from the first embodiment in that, instead of making the lengths of the cold air passage 1501 and the hot air passage 1502 different, the speed at which the extension portion 122 moves through the cold air passage 1501 and the speed at which the extension portion 122 moves through the hot air passage 1502 are made different, thereby making the time that the extension portion 122 stays in the hot air passage 1502 different from the time that the extension portion 122 stays in the cold air passage 1501.

[0044] More specifically, in the second embodiment as well, GMS (which absorbs heat as it contracts and generates heat as it expands) is used as the heat-absorbing material, and its reaction rate during heat generation is slower than its reaction rate during heat absorption. In this embodiment, the length of the cold air passage 1501 and the length of the hot air passage 1502 are the same. Therefore, in this embodiment, the belt conveyor mechanism, which is the drive mechanism, achieves the above control by adjusting the operating speed of the belt conveyor for the cold air passage 310 and the belt conveyor for the hot air passage 320 so that the speed at which the extension portion 122 moves within the hot air passage 1502 is slower than the speed at which the extension portion 122 moves within the cold air passage 1501.

[0045] With this embodiment as well, by using the configuration described above, it becomes possible to control the amount of heat exchanged per unit time between the cold air generating unit 201 and the hot air generating unit 202 to be approximately equal. As a result, the effect of further improving the heat exchange efficiency can be obtained. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the dwell time in each flow path can be controlled simply by changing the movement speed of the heat exchange unit 100 (extension 122) by the drive mechanism, there is also the advantage that the dwell time in each flow path can be precisely controlled without changing any configuration other than the drive mechanism. It should be noted that the configuration according to the second embodiment (the drive mechanism adjusts the operating speed of the belt conveyor for the cold air flow path 310 and the belt conveyor for the hot air flow path 320 so that the speed at which the extension 122 moves in the hot air flow path 1502 is slower than the speed at which the extension 122 moves in the cold air flow path 1501) may of course be implemented in combination with the configuration of the first embodiment described above or the third embodiment described later (where the length of the cold air flow path 1501 and the length of the hot air flow path 1502 are different).

[0046] 《Third Embodiment》 Next, with reference to Figure 9, the configuration of the air conditioning system 200C according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the air conditioning system according to the third embodiment. Parts common to the first embodiment will not be described, and parts that are unique to the third embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals will be used for the same components as in the first embodiment described above, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0047] The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it has only one inlet P11 and one outlet P21 for the cold air passage 1501, and only one inlet P12 and one outlet P22 for the hot air passage 1502. On the other hand, the air conditioning system 200C of the third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment in that the lengths of the cold air passage 1501 and the hot air passage 1502 are different, but the means for achieving this are different. Specifically, the third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the length of the cold air passage 1501 itself and the length of the hot air passage 1502 itself are physically different, thereby differentiating the time that the extension portion 122 stays in the hot air passage 1502 and the time that the extension portion 122 stays in the cold air passage 1501.

[0048] More specifically, in the third embodiment as well, GMS (which absorbs heat as it contracts and generates heat as it expands), whose reaction rate during heat generation is slower than that during heat absorption, is used as the heat-absorbing material. In this embodiment, the length of the hot air channel 1502 itself is configured to be longer than the length of the cold air channel 1501 itself. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the speed at which the belt conveyor mechanism, which is the drive mechanism, moves the extension 122 in the hot air channel 1502 is the same as the speed at which it moves in the cold air channel 1501. As a result, the time that the extension 122 stays in the hot air channel 1502 is longer than the time that it stays in the cold air channel 1501.

[0049] With this embodiment, by using the configuration described above, it becomes possible to control the amount of heat exchanged per unit time between the cold air generating unit 201 and the hot air generating unit 202 to be approximately equal. As a result, the effect of further improving the heat exchange efficiency can be obtained. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the movement speed of the heat exchange unit 100 (extension portion 122) by the drive mechanism can be kept the same between each flow path, the dwell time in each flow path can be controlled, which has the advantage of simplifying the configuration of the air conditioning system when it is not necessary to change the dwell time in each flow path over time.

[0050] Although embodiments of the air conditioning system according to the present invention have been described in detail above, the embodiments described with reference to the drawings are merely examples, and the present invention may be implemented by making appropriate modifications within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the invention described in the claims.

[0051] For example, in the embodiment described above, the case in which the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section 11 includes GMS, which is a heat-absorbing and heat-generating material that absorbs heat with contraction and releases heat with expansion, was explained as an example. However, the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section 11 may also be in a form that includes a heat-absorbing and heat-generating material that releases heat with contraction and absorbs heat with expansion. Examples of heat-absorbing and heat-generating materials that can be used in such a form include solid refrigerants (e.g., elastic calorems or pressure calorems). Examples of elastic calorems include alloys containing Ti (for example, TiNi, BaTiO3, PbZr 0.95 Ti 0.05 Examples include O3). Examples of pressure calorems include organic resins containing hydrogen bonds (for example, neopentyl glycol (NPG), pentaerythritol (PE), and pentagricerin (PE)). Solid refrigerants may also be materials other than those listed above. For example, as elastic calorems, Gd5Si2Ge2 and La(Fe,Co,Si) are examples. 13 MnCoGeB 0.02 PVDF-TrFE, Cu2ZnAl, and FeRh may be used, and (NH4)SO4, AgI, rubber, AMP, TRIS, MNP, and NMP may be used as pressure calorems.

[0052] <Examples of application> The above-mentioned air conditioning units 200A, 200B, and 200C are applicable to air conditioning units installed in vehicles, for example.

[0053] Furthermore, the following items are also included within the scope of the present invention: Item 1: Heat exchanger and, A medium channel through which the medium to be heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger flows, A flow mechanism for causing the aforementioned medium to flow within the aforementioned medium flow path, An air conditioning system equipped with, The heat exchanger described above is An elastic heat-absorbing and heat-generating part, A heat conduction portion that directly or indirectly contacts the heat-absorbing and heat-generating portion and conducts heat from the heat-absorbing and heat-generating portion, A housing that houses the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section and the heat-conducting section, The system includes a press mechanism that performs the operation of applying stress to the heat-absorbing and heat-generating portion housed in the aforementioned housing, and the operation of releasing the stress, The heat-absorbing and heat-generating section has a heat-absorbing and heat-generating material that absorbs or generates heat by undergoing a phase change in conjunction with the application and release of the stress. The heat conduction portion has an extension portion that extends from the housing portion, The extension is positioned within the medium flow path, and the extension exchanges heat with the medium. The aforementioned medium flow path is The heat exchanger cools the medium by absorbing heat, and The heat exchanger comprises a hot air passage through which the medium is heated by the heat generated by the heat exchanger, The heat exchanger is further provided with a drive mechanism that drives the heat exchanger to move the extension portion alternately within the cold air passage and the hot air passage, and in this case the extension portion is If the reaction rate of the heat-absorbing material is slower when it is generating heat than when it is absorbing heat, it will remain in the hot air passage for a longer time. An air conditioning system that, if the reaction rate of the heat-absorbing and heat-generating material during heat absorption is slower than the reaction rate during heat generation, stays in the cold air flow path for a longer period of time. Item 2: The air conditioning device according to Item 1, wherein the length of the flow path on which the extended portion resides for a longer period of time is longer than the length of the other flow path; Item 3: The air conditioning system according to Item 2, wherein a plurality of inlets for introducing the medium into the cold air passage and / or the hot air passage, and / or outlets for discharging the medium from the cold air passage and / or the hot air passage, are provided so as to be selectable by opening and closing, and the length of the cold air passage and / or the hot air passage is determined by the selection of the inlets and / or the outlets; Item 4: An air conditioning system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the speed at which the extension moves through the flow path on which the extension stays for a longer period of time is slower than the speed at which the extension moves through the other flow path; Item 5: An air conditioning system according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the amount of heat exchange of the extension in the cold air passage is approximately equal to the amount of heat exchange of the extension in the hot air passage; Item 6: The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a belt conveyor mechanism that operates with the heat exchanger positioned on its upper surface to move the extension; Item 7: The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a ropeway mechanism that operates with the heat exchanger suspended to move the extension; Item 8: The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a rotation mechanism including a plurality of rotating bodies that rotate in accordance with the flow path through which the extension moves, and the heat exchanger moves by gripping portions provided at the end of each of the heat exchangers or at the end of a connecting portion connected to each of the heat exchangers gripping one of the plurality of rotating bodies; Item 9: The air conditioning apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 8, comprising a gear mechanism including a large gear fixed to the cold air passage and the hot air passage, and a small gear rotatably provided at the end of each of the heat exchangers or a connection to each of the heat exchangers, wherein the heat exchangers move as the small gears mesh with the large gear and rotate; Item 10: An air conditioning device according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the direction in which the medium flows through the cold air passage and the hot air passage is the same as the direction in which the extension moves through the cold air passage and the hot air passage; Item 11: An air conditioning device according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the direction in which the medium flows through the cold air channel and the hot air channel is opposite to the direction in which the extension moves through the cold air channel and the hot air channel; Item 12; an air conditioning system according to any one of items 1 to 9, wherein the direction in which the medium flows through the cold air passage is the same as the direction in which the medium flows through the hot air passage; Item 13: An air conditioning device according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section includes a heat-absorbing and heat-generating material that absorbs heat as it contracts and generates heat as it expands; Item 14: The air conditioning system according to item 13, wherein the heat-absorbing material includes graphene mesosponge (GMS). [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 1...Unit body, 3...Pressing mechanism, 11...Heat absorption and heating section, 12...Heat conduction section, 13...Housing section, 31...First clamping body, 32...Second clamping body, 33...Shaft section, 100...Heat exchange unit, 110...Hook, 122...Extension section, 150...Air guide passage, 151...Blower, 152...Air, 153...Exhaust device, 200A, 200B, 200C...Air conditioning equipment, 201...Cold air generation section, 202...Hot air generation section, 300...Belt conveyor mechanism, 310...Belt conveyor for cold air flow path, 320 ...belt conveyor for hot air passage, 400...ropeway mechanism, 410...ropeway for cold air passage, 420...ropeway for hot air passage, 500...rotating mechanism, 511...rotating body for cold air passage, 512...rotating body for hot air passage, 513...connecting part, 520...gripping part, 530...arm, 540...guide bar, 1501...cold air passage, 1502...hot air passage, 1511,1512...blower, 1531,1532...exhaust device, P11,P12...inlet, P21,P22...outlet.

Claims

1. Heat exchanger, A medium channel through which the medium to be heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger flows, A flow mechanism for causing the aforementioned medium to flow within the aforementioned medium flow path, An air conditioning system equipped with, The heat exchanger described above is An elastic heat-absorbing and heat-generating part, A heat conduction portion that directly or indirectly contacts the heat-absorbing and heat-generating portion and conducts heat from the heat-absorbing and heat-generating portion, A housing that houses the heat-absorbing and heat-generating section and the heat-conducting section, The system includes a press mechanism that performs the operation of applying stress to the heat-absorbing and heat-generating portion housed in the aforementioned housing, and the operation of releasing the stress, The heat-absorbing and heat-generating section has a heat-absorbing and heat-generating material that absorbs or generates heat by undergoing a phase change in conjunction with the application and release of the stress. The heat conduction portion has an extension portion that extends from the housing portion, The extension is positioned within the medium flow path, and the extension exchanges heat with the medium. The aforementioned medium flow path is The heat exchanger cools the medium by absorbing heat, and The heat exchanger comprises a hot air passage through which the medium is heated by the heat generated by the heat exchanger, The heat exchanger is further provided with a drive mechanism that drives the heat exchanger to move the extension portion alternately within the cold air passage and the hot air passage, and in this case the extension portion is If the reaction rate of the heat-absorbing material is slower when it is generating heat than when it is absorbing heat, it will remain in the hot air passage for a longer time. An air conditioning system in which, if the reaction rate of the heat-absorbing and heat-generating material during heat absorption is slower than the reaction rate during heat generation, the material stays in the cold air flow path for a longer period of time.

2. The air conditioning device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the flow path on which the extended portion resides for a longer period of time is longer than the length of the other flow path.

3. The air conditioning device according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of inlets for introducing the medium into the cold air passage and / or the hot air passage, and / or outlets for discharging the medium from the cold air passage and / or the hot air passage are provided so as to be selectable by opening and closing, and the length of the cold air passage and / or the hot air passage is determined by the selection of the inlets and / or the outlets.

4. The air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, of the cold air passage and the hot air passage, the speed at which the extension moves in the passage on which the extension stays for a longer time is slower than the speed at which the extension moves in the other passage.

5. The air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the amount of heat exchange of the extension in the cold air channel is substantially equal to the amount of heat exchange of the extension in the hot air channel.

6. The air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive mechanism includes a belt conveyor mechanism that operates with the heat exchanger positioned on its upper surface to move the extension.

7. The air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive mechanism includes a ropeway mechanism that operates with the heat exchanger suspended to move the extension.

8. The air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive mechanism comprises a rotation mechanism including a plurality of rotating bodies that rotate in accordance with the flow path through which the extension moves, and the heat exchanger moves by gripping portions provided at the end of each of the heat exchangers or at the end of the connecting portion connected to each of the heat exchangers gripping any of the plurality of rotating bodies.

9. The air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the drive mechanism includes a gear mechanism comprising a large gear fixed to the cold air passage and the hot air passage, and a small gear rotatably provided at the end of each of the heat exchangers or a connection part connected to each of the heat exchangers, and the heat exchangers move as the small gears mesh with the large gear and rotate.

10. The air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the direction in which the medium flows through the cold air passage and the hot air passage is the same as the direction in which the extension moves through the cold air passage and the hot air passage.

11. The air conditioning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the direction in which the medium flows through the cold air passage and the hot air passage is opposite to the direction in which the extension moves through the cold air passage and the hot air passage.

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