Cooling device and cooling system

Abstract

The objective is to provide a cool air generating device and a cooling device that can easily generate cool air while suppressing the rise in humidity. [Solution] The air cooler 100 comprises an airflow generating unit 2 (blower fan 21), a vaporization unit 3 (vaporization filter 31), and a dehumidification unit 4. The airflow generating unit 2 generates an airflow A1. The vaporization unit 3 is located downstream of the airflow A1 from the airflow generating unit 2 and cools the passing airflow A1 by vaporization cooling. The dehumidification unit 4 is located downstream of the airflow A1 from the vaporization unit 3 and reduces the humidity of the passing airflow A1 by condensation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cold air generating device and a cooling device.

Background Art

[0002] As a related art, a cold air fan system using a vaporization filter is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this cold air fan system, the outdoor humidity acquired by a humidity sensor is compared with a set humidity. When the outdoor humidity is high, the water supply to the vaporization filter is stopped, the evaporation from the vaporization filter is stopped, and the increase in humidity is suppressed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the cold air fan system (cold air generating device) shown in the above related art, it is difficult to generate cold air while the water supply to the vaporization filter is stopped in order to suppress the increase in humidity. That is, in this cold air fan system, there is a problem that it is difficult to generate cold air while suppressing the increase in humidity.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a cold air generating device and a cooling device that can easily generate cold air while suppressing the increase in humidity.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A cold air generating device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an airflow generating unit, an evaporation unit, and a dehumidification unit. The airflow generating unit generates an airflow. The evaporation unit is located downstream of the airflow from the airflow generating unit and cools the passing airflow by evaporative cooling. The dehumidification unit is located downstream of the airflow from the evaporation unit and reduces the humidity of the passing airflow by condensation.

[0007] A cooling device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a cooling section and a housing section. The cooling section constitutes the peripheral wall of a path through which an airflow passes and cools the airflow. The housing section is capable of housing a cooling material. The cooling section is thermally bonded to the cooling material when the cooling material is housed in the housing section. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a cold air generating device and a cooling device that can easily generate cold air while suppressing the rise in humidity. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a cold air generating device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view of the cold air generating device according to the embodiment, as seen from the front. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of the cold air generating device according to the embodiment, viewed from the side. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cold air generating device according to the embodiment, viewed from the front. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cold air generating device according to the embodiment, viewed from the side. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram of a comparative example of a cold air generator. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of a cold air generating device according to a first modified embodiment, viewed from the front. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a cold air generating device according to a second modified embodiment, viewed from the front. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] (Embodiment) The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. The following embodiments are examples that embody this disclosure and are not intended to limit the technical scope of this disclosure.

[0011] Furthermore, in the cross-sectional views among the attached drawings, hatching of fracture surfaces has been omitted in principle.

[0012] [1] Configuration of the cold air generator First, the overall configuration of the cold air generator 100 according to this embodiment will be explained using Figures 1 to 5.

[0013] In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the vertical direction when the air cooler 100 is in a usable state is defined as the up-down direction D1. Furthermore, the left-right direction D2 is defined based on the direction when the air cooler 100 is viewed from the front, and the front-back direction D3 is defined with the front side of the air cooler 100 being the front and the rear side being the rear. However, these directional definitions are not intended to limit the direction of use (direction during use) of the air cooler 100.

[0014] The air cooler 100 is a device that generates cooled air and blows it out to the outside. In this embodiment, the air cooler 100 is used when placed on an installation surface, such as the top surface of a desk or the floor surface of a living room in a house. The air cooler 100 is self-supporting on the installation surface when it is placed there. In other words, the air cooler 100 according to this embodiment is a self-supporting and portable device, and the user can freely carry the air cooler 100 and install it at any position on the installation surface. Although not shown in the figures, the bottom surface of the air cooler 100 may be provided with a plurality of casters that allow the air cooler 100 to move on the installation surface.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the cold air generating device 100 includes a housing 1, an air flow generating unit 2, a vaporizing unit 3, a dehumidifying unit 4, a storage unit 5, a water storage tank 6, and a heat transfer member 7. In FIG. 2, a part of the housing 1 is not shown so that the air flow generating unit 2 and the vaporizing unit 3 inside the housing 1 can be visually recognized.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the housing 1 is formed, for example, in a cubic shape or a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and houses the air flow generating unit 2, the vaporizing unit 3, the water storage tank 6, and the heat transfer member 7 inside. Note that the shape of the housing 1 is not particularly limited, and it may be a three-dimensional shape other than a cubic shape and a rectangular parallelepiped shape. On the front wall 10 of the housing 1, a rectangular air outlet 10a in a plan view for blowing out the air flow A1 generated by the air flow generating unit 2 to the outside is provided. Also, on the rear wall of the housing 1, a rectangular air intake (not shown) in a plan view for introducing outside air from the outside into the inside of the housing 1 is provided.

[0017] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, a part of the upper wall 11 of the housing 1, more specifically, a portion in front of the center in the front-rear direction D3 of the upper wall 11 is a removable lid 12. In a state where the lid 12 is removed from the housing 1, the storage unit 5 is exposed to the outside. Therefore, for example, the user can perform an operation of replacing the cold insulation material 51 (described later) stored in the storage unit 5 (see FIG. 5) by removing the lid 12 from the housing 1.

[0018] The air flow generating unit 2 generates an air flow A1. In the present embodiment, the air flow generating unit 2 includes a blower fan 21. As shown in FIG. 5, the blower fan 21 is arranged at the rear end inside the housing 1 such that the suction port at the rear end of the blower fan 21 faces the air intake provided on the rear surface of the housing 1. Then, the blower fan 21 sucks outside air from the suction port at the rear end through the air intake provided on the rear surface of the housing 1 and blows out the sucked outside air from the air outlet at the front end, thereby generating an air flow A1 forward.

[0019] The blower fan 21 may be driven by receiving power from a commercial power supply via, for example, a power outlet, or may be driven by receiving power from a battery (not shown) built into the housing 1. Further, the blower fan 21 may be able to adjust the air volume in response to an input from a user received, for example, at an operation unit (not shown) provided on the housing 1 or at a remote controller capable of wireless communication with the cold air generation device 100.

[0020] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a duct 22 that forms a path through which the air current A1 passes is arranged on the downstream side (i.e., the front side) of the air current A1 with respect to the blower fan 21. The rear end portion of the duct 22 is connected to the air outlet of the blower fan 21, and the front end portion of the duct 22 is in contact with the vaporization filter 31. Thereby, the air current A1 from the blower fan 21 is efficiently guided to the vaporization filter 31 via the duct 22.

[0021] The vaporization unit 3 is located on the downstream side (i.e., the front side) of the air current A1 with respect to the air current generation unit 2 and cools the passing air current A1 by vaporization cooling. In the present embodiment, the vaporization unit 3 is constituted by a vaporization filter 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the vaporization filter 31 has a length in the vertical direction D1, and the lower end portion in the vertical direction D1 is immersed in the water stored in the water storage tank 6. Further, the upper end portion of the vaporization filter 31 in the vertical direction D1 is in contact with the front end portion of the duct 22 and is arranged so that the air current A1 blown out from the air current generation unit 2 (here, the blower fan 21) passes through the duct 22.

[0022] Therefore, the vaporization filter 31 maintains a state of containing water as a whole by the water stored in the water storage tank 6 infiltrating through its lower end portion. When the air current A1 generated by the blower fan 21 passes through the upper end portion of the vaporization filter 31, the water contained in the vaporization filter 31 evaporates by taking the heat of vaporization from the surrounding substances. As a result, the temperature of the surrounding air decreases, and the temperature of the air current A1 decreases. That is, the air current A1 is cooled by vaporization cooling.

[0023] The dehumidifying unit 4 is located downstream (i.e., forward) of the airflow A1 than the vaporization unit 3, and reduces the humidity (relative humidity) of the airflow A1 passing through it by condensation. In other words, the dehumidifying unit 4 cools the airflow A1 as it passes through from the vaporization unit 3, reducing the amount of saturated water vapor, and removes the water contained in the airflow A1 by condensation, thereby reducing the humidity of the airflow A1 (in other words, the amount of water in the airflow A1).

[0024] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the dehumidifying unit 4 has a cooling unit 40 that forms the peripheral wall 400 of the path through which the airflow A1 passes and cools the airflow A1. The cooling unit 40 is configured such that its temperature is lower than the temperature of the airflow A1 from the vaporization unit 3 in order to cool the airflow A1. In this embodiment, the cooling space Sp1 inside the housing 1, which is in front of the vaporization filter 31 and behind the outlet 10a, is the path through which the airflow A1 passes. The upper wall 401 and lower wall 402 surrounding the cooling space Sp1 constitute the peripheral wall 400. This has the advantage that the humidity of the airflow A1 can be easily reduced by cooling the airflow A1 from the vaporization unit 3 and causing condensation.

[0025] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the heat sink 41 placed in the cooling space Sp1 also constitutes part of the peripheral wall 400. The heat sink 41 is made of a metal such as aluminum and is formed of a material that has thermal conductivity. The heat sink 41 also has a flat base portion 411 and a plurality of flat fins 412 that protrude from the base portion 411 toward the cooling space Sp1 along the thickness direction of the base portion 411.

[0026] Specifically, the heat sink 41 located on the left side of the cooling space Sp1 has a base portion 411 that penetrates the left wall 403 of the peripheral wall 400 in the thickness direction (left-right direction D2), and a plurality of fins 412 that protrude to the right. The heat sink 41 located on the right side of the cooling space Sp1 has a base portion 411 that penetrates the right wall 404 of the peripheral wall 400 in the thickness direction (left-right direction D2), and a plurality of fins 412 that protrude to the left.

[0027] Thus, the cooling section 40 includes a plurality of thermally conductive fins 412. Each of the plurality of fins 412 is a plate material with gaps between them in the thickness direction (vertical direction D1). This makes it easier to transfer cold air from outside the cooling section 40, such as the cooling material 51 described later, through the fins 412 to the path through which the airflow A1 passes. This has the advantage of making it easier to cool the airflow A1 more efficiently compared to the case without fins 412.

[0028] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, each fin 412 is arranged such that the length of its main surface (front or rear surface) is aligned with the front-rear direction D3. In other words, each fin 412 is arranged such that the length of its main surface is aligned with the direction through which the airflow A1 passes, and the airflow A1 passes between adjacent fins 412. As a result, the main surface of each fin 412 does not face the airflow A1, so it does not obstruct the airflow A1 passing through the cooling section 40, and the airflow A1 is easily and efficiently guided to the outlet 10a.

[0029] The housing section 5 is configured to accommodate the cooling material 51. In this embodiment, the cold air generator 100 has two housing sections 5. As shown in Figure 4, one of the two housing sections 5 is formed by the space between the left wall 13 of the housing 1 and the cooling space Sp1 inside the housing 1. The other housing section 5 is formed by the space between the right wall 14 of the housing 1 and the cooling space Sp1 inside the housing 1.

[0030] The cooling pack 51 is constructed by housing a chemical agent (a so-called cooling agent) containing, for example, water and a resin with high water absorption properties such as sodium polyacrylate, in a rectangular parallelepiped case. The cooling pack 51 is used in a pre-frozen state to generate cold air for cooling the cooling unit 40. If the cooling pack 51 becomes unable to cool the cooling unit 40 due to warming up during use, it can be reused by freezing it again.

[0031] The cooling unit 40 is then thermally bonded to the cooling material 51 while the cooling material 51 is housed in the housing unit 5. In this embodiment, the cooling material 51 housed in the housing unit 5 is thermally bonded to the cooling unit 40 by contacting the base portion 411 of the heat sink 41 of the cooling unit 40 via a heat transfer member 7, which will be described later. This has the advantage that the cold air emitted from the cooling material 51 housed in the housing unit 5 is more easily transferred to the cooling unit 40 (here, the heat sink 41), making it easier to cool the airflow A1 passing through the cooling unit 40.

[0032] The heat transfer member 7 is a thermally conductive member that is placed between the cooling material 51 and the cooling section 40 and is in contact with both the cooling material 51 and the cooling section 40. The heat transfer member 7 is a member that increases the contact area with both the cooling material 51 and the cooling section 40 (in other words, it increases the contact area). In this embodiment, the heat transfer member 7 is a sheet-like member made of a thermally conductive material such as a silicone sheet.

[0033] In this embodiment, the heat transfer member 7 is positioned between the cooling material 51 housed in the housing 5 and the base portion 411 of the heat sink 41, such that one side of the cooling member 7 contacts one side of the cooling material 51 housed in the housing 5, and the other side contacts the base portion 411 of the heat sink 41. Specifically, the left heat transfer member 7 has its left side in contact with the right side of the left cooling material 51, and its right side in contact with the base portion 411 of the left heat sink 41. The left heat transfer member 7 also functions as the left wall surrounding the cooling space Sp1 and constitutes part of the peripheral wall 400. The right heat transfer member 7 has its right side in contact with the left side of the right cooling material 51, and its left side in contact with the base portion 411 of the right heat sink 41. The right heat transfer member 7 also functions as the right wall surrounding the cooling space Sp1 and constitutes part of the peripheral wall 400. As a result, the cold air emitted from the cooling material 51 is transmitted to the cooling unit 40 (in this case, the heat sink 41) via the heat transfer member 7, which has the advantage of making it easier to efficiently cool the airflow A1 compared to the case without the heat transfer member 7.

[0034] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the housing 5 contains not only the cooling material 51 but also a plurality of rectangular parallelepiped-shaped insulating materials 52. Each insulating material 52 is arranged to cover the surface of the cooling material 51 other than the surface that comes into contact with the heat transfer member 7. Specifically, the left housing 5 contains three insulating materials 52 that cover the left, top, and bottom surfaces of the cooling material 51, respectively. The right housing 5 also contains three insulating materials 52 that cover the right, top, and bottom surfaces of the cooling material 51, respectively. This makes it difficult for the cold air emitted from the cooling material 51 to be transmitted to places other than the heat transfer member 7, thus making it easier for the cold air emitted from the cooling material 51 to be transmitted to the cooling unit 40 via the heat transfer member 7.

[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the thermal insulation material 52 is arranged in contact with the surface of the upper wall 401 of the peripheral wall 400 that is opposite to the cooling space Sp1 (i.e., the upper surface). Specifically, in the space above the upper wall 401 of the peripheral wall 400, one thermal insulation material 52 is arranged that is in contact with the upper surface of the upper wall 401, and two thermal insulation materials 52 are arranged that are in contact with the upper surface of the said thermal insulation material 52. In addition, the thermal insulation material 52 is arranged in contact with the surface of the lower wall 402 of the peripheral wall 400 that is opposite to the cooling space Sp1 (i.e., the lower surface). As a result, the cold air transmitted to the cooling section 40 is less likely to escape to the outside of the cooling space Sp1, making it easier to maintain the cooling section 40 at a low temperature.

[0036] The water storage tank 6 is located inside the housing 1 in a space below the cooling space Sp1, and is a rectangular parallelepiped container with an open top. The water storage tank 6 stores water to be used to soak the vaporization filter 31. In this embodiment, although not shown, the water storage tank 6 can be removed from the housing 1 by removing a lid provided on a part of the housing 1. Therefore, for example, a user can remove the water storage tank 6 from the housing 1 and then fill the water storage tank 6 with water.

[0037] [2] Advantages The advantages of the cold air generator 100 according to this embodiment will be explained below, along with a comparison to the comparative example cold air generator 200. The comparative example cold air generator 200, as shown in Figure 6, comprises a housing 201, a blower fan 202, a vaporization filter 203, a water storage tank 204, and a cooling material 205.

[0038] The blower fan 202 draws in outside air from an intake port (not shown) located on the rear of the housing 201, thereby generating an airflow A2 forward.

[0039] The vaporization filter 203 has a length in the vertical direction D1, and one end in the vertical direction D1 is submerged in the water stored in the water storage tank 6. Therefore, as the airflow A2 generated by the blower fan 202 passes through the vaporization filter 203, the airflow A2 is cooled by vaporization cooling.

[0040] The water storage tank 204 is a container with an open top, located inside the housing 201 below the blower fan 202, and stores water to be used to soak the vaporization filter 203.

[0041] The cooling pack 205 is constructed by housing a cooling agent in a rectangular parallelepiped case, and is used in a pre-frozen state to generate cold air for cooling the water stored in the water storage tank 204. In other words, in the comparative example's cold air generator 200, unlike the cold air generator 100 according to this embodiment, the cooling pack 205 is housed in the water storage tank 204.

[0042] In the comparative example's cold air generator 200, the airflow A2 generated by the blower fan 202 is cooled by the vaporization filter 203 through evaporative cooling, and the cooled airflow A2 is blown out to the outside from an outlet (not shown). Furthermore, in the comparative example's cold air generator 200, the water stored in the water storage tank 204 is cooled by the cooling material 205, thereby lowering the temperature of the water that permeates the vaporization filter 203 and improving the cooling effect of the airflow A2.

[0043] As described above, in the comparative example's cold air generator 200, the water in the water storage tank 204 that permeates the vaporization filter 203 is cooled by the cooling material 205. However, in the comparative example's cold air generator 200, the cooling effect of airflow A2 is almost entirely due to the generation of heat of vaporization, and the temperature of the water in the water storage tank 204 has almost no effect on the cooling effect of airflow A2. Therefore, in the comparative example's cold air generator 200, the cooling material 205 contributes almost nothing to the cooling effect of airflow A2, and there is a problem that it is difficult to sufficiently cool airflow A2. Furthermore, in the comparative example's cold air generator 200, since the airflow A2 cooled by vaporization cooling is blown out to the outside as is, there is a problem that it is not possible to suppress the increase in humidity of airflow A2 caused by water vapor generated when heat of vaporization is generated.

[0044] In contrast, in the cold air generator 100 according to this embodiment, the airflow A1 cooled by evaporative cooling in the vaporization section 3 is dehumidified by condensation in the dehumidification section 4, which is located downstream of the airflow A1 from the vaporization section 3. As a result, in the cold air generator 100 according to this embodiment, the humidity of the airflow A1, which has increased due to evaporative cooling in the vaporization section 3, can be reduced by condensation in the dehumidification section 4. Therefore, the cold air generator 100 according to this embodiment has the advantage of easily generating cold air while suppressing the rise in humidity.

[0045] Furthermore, in the cold air generator 100 according to this embodiment, the dehumidifying unit 4 has a cooling unit 40 that cools the airflow A1 in order to facilitate condensation in the dehumidifying unit 4. Therefore, the cold air generator 100 according to this embodiment has the advantage that it not only suppresses the rise in humidity of the airflow A1, but can also cool the airflow A1 even further compared to the case in which only the vaporization filter 31 is used.

[0046] Furthermore, in the cold air generator 100 according to this embodiment, the cold air emitted from the cooling material 51 housed in the housing 5 is used to cool the airflow A1 in the cooling unit 40. For this reason, the cold air generator 100 according to this embodiment has the advantage that it does not require the preparation of a cooling device equipped with an electrical system, and only the cooling material 51 that is frozen in advance needs to be prepared, making it easy to realize the cooling unit 40 with a simple configuration.

[0047] (modified version) The following lists some modifications of the embodiment. The modifications described below can be combined and applied as appropriate.

[0048] <First variation> The first modified cold air generator 100A differs from the cold air generator 100 according to the embodiment in that, as shown in Figure 7, each fin 412 of each heat sink 41 is inclined downward from the base to the tip. In other words, each of the multiple fins 412 is inclined downward from the first end attached to the peripheral wall 400 to the second end opposite to the side attached to the peripheral wall 401, when viewed from the direction of airflow A1 (front-to-back direction D3).

[0049] Specifically, on the left heatsink 41, each fin 412 slopes downward from the left end (first end) to the right end (second end). Similarly, on the right heatsink 41, each fin slopes downward from the right end (first end) to the left end (second end). This makes it easier for water generated by condensation to run down each fin 412 and fall to the bottom of the housing 1, thus reducing the amount of water droplets that remain on each fin 412. Therefore, compared to a case where each fin 412 is not sloped, this design has the advantage of being more effective in suppressing humidity increases.

[0050] Furthermore, the first modified cold air generator 100A differs from the embodiment in that, as shown in Figure 7, it has a rectangular water passage hole 402a that penetrates in the thickness direction in the lower wall 402 of the peripheral wall 400. Below the water passage hole 402a, a water storage tank 6 with an open top surface is positioned. As a result, water falling from each fin 412 is guided to the water storage tank 6 through the water passage hole 402a. The water guided to the water storage tank 6 can then be used again to soak the vaporization filter 31 of the vaporization unit 3. In other words, the second modified cold air generator 100A is equipped with a recovery unit 8 (in this case, a water storage tank 6) that recovers water generated by condensation in the dehumidification unit 4 and returns the recovered water to the vaporization unit 3. Therefore, since the water consumed in the vaporization unit 3 can be reused, there is an advantage in that the frequency of the user having to remove the water storage tank 6 from the housing 1 to refill the water can be reduced.

[0051] Furthermore, in the first modified cold air generator 100A, as described above, each fin 412 is inclined downward from the base to the tip. Therefore, water generated by condensation can easily flow down each fin 412 and through the water passage holes 402a to the recovery unit 8 (in this case, the water storage tank 6), which has the advantage of making it easier to recover the water generated by condensation in the recovery unit 8.

[0052] <Second variation> The second modified cold air generator 100B differs from the first modified cold air generator 100A in that it has only one heat sink 41, as shown in Figure 8. Furthermore, the second modified cold air generator 100B differs from the first modified cold air generator 100A in that each of the multiple fins 412 protrudes downward from the upper surface (upper wall 401) of the peripheral wall 400.

[0053] Specifically, the heat sink 41 is positioned above the cooling space Sp1, with its base portion 411 positioned on the upper wall 401 of the peripheral wall 400. The heat sink 41 has a plurality of fins 412 that protrude downward. As a result, similar to the first modification, water generated by condensation is more likely to flow down each fin 412 and fall to the bottom of the housing 1, so that water droplets are less likely to remain on each fin 412. Therefore, compared to the case where each fin 412 is not inclined, there is an advantage in that the effect of suppressing the rise in humidity is more easily enhanced. Also, similar to the first modification, water generated by condensation is more likely to flow down each fin 412 and fall through the water passage holes 402a to the recovery section 8 (in this case, the water storage tank 6), so there is an advantage in that the water generated by condensation is easier to recover.

[0054] <Other variations> In the above embodiment, the cold air generator 100 does not have a water passage hole 402a in the lower wall 402 of the peripheral wall 400, but is not limited to this. For example, the cold air generator 100 may have a water passage hole 402a. In this case, as with the first and second modified examples, water generated by condensation flows down each fin 412 and falls into the water storage tank 6 through the water passage hole 402a, so that the water generated by condensation can be recovered and the recovered water can be returned to the vaporization unit 3. In other words, in this case, the water storage tank 6 functions as a recovery unit 8, as with the first and second modified examples.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the cold air generator 100 may further include an elastic member biased to push the cooling material 51 toward the heat transfer member 7. In this case, the elastic member presses the cooling material 51 against the heat transfer member 7, which improves the degree of contact between the cooling material 51 and the heat transfer member 7, and has the advantage that the cold air emitted from the cooling material 51 is more easily transmitted to the cooling section 40 via the heat transfer member 7.

[0056] In the above embodiment, a heat transfer member 7 is placed between the cooling material 51 and the cooling unit 40 (here, the heat sink 41), but this is not the only option. For example, the base portion 411 of the heat sink 41 may be insert-molded into the case of the cooling material 51. In this case, there is the advantage that the cold air emitted by the cooling material 51 can be efficiently transferred to the heat sink 41 without the need for a heat transfer member 7.

[0057] In the above embodiment, the cooling section 40 and the housing section 5 of the cold air generator 100 may be implemented as a cooling device 300 (see Figure 5). That is, the cooling device 300 comprises a cooling section 40 and a housing section 5. The cooling section 40 constitutes the peripheral wall 400 of the path through which the airflow A1 passes. The housing section 5 is capable of housing the cooling material 51. The cooling section 40 is thermally coupled to the cooling material 51 when the cooling material 51 is housed in the housing section 5.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the cold air generator 100 includes a housing 1, an airflow generating unit 2, a vaporization unit 3, a dehumidifying unit 4, a housing unit 5, and a heat transfer member 7, but is not limited to this. For example, the cold air generator 100 may not include at least one of the housing unit 5 and the heat transfer member 7.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the air cooler 100 is a self-standing and portable evaporative cooler, but it is not limited to this. For example, the air cooler 100 can be any device capable of generating cooled air and blowing it out to the outside, and may be a device other than an evaporative cooler.

[0060] [Notes on the invention] The following is an overview of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiments. Note that each configuration and processing function described below can be selected and combined as desired.

[0061] <Note 1> An airflow generating unit that generates airflow, A vaporization unit located downstream of the airflow generation unit, which cools the passing airflow by vaporization cooling, The system includes a dehumidifying unit located downstream of the airflow from the vaporization unit, which reduces the humidity of the airflow passing through it by condensation. Cooling device.

[0062] <Note 2> The dehumidifying section has a cooling section that forms the peripheral wall of the path through which the airflow passes and cools the airflow. The air cooler described in Appendix 1.

[0063] <Note 3> It also has a compartment that can accommodate a cooling pack, The cooling unit is thermally bonded to the cooling material when the cooling material is housed in the housing unit. The air cooler described in Appendix 2.

[0064] <Note 4> The cooling section is made of plate material with gaps between them in the thickness direction, and includes a plurality of fins that have thermal conductivity. A cold air generating device as described in Appendix 2 or 3.

[0065] <Note 5> Each of the plurality of fins is inclined downward from the first end attached to the peripheral wall to the second end opposite to the side attached to the peripheral wall, as viewed from the direction of the airflow. The air cooler described in Appendix 4.

[0066] <Note 6> Each of the plurality of fins protrudes downward from the upper surface of the peripheral wall. The air cooler described in Appendix 4.

[0067] <Note 7> The system further comprises a heat transfer member having thermal conductivity, which is disposed between the cooling material and the cooling section and is in contact with both the cooling material and the cooling section. A cold air generating device as described in any one of the appendices 3 to 6.

[0068] <Note 8> The system further includes a recovery unit that collects water generated by condensation in the dehumidification unit and returns the collected water to the vaporization unit. A cold air generating device as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 7.

[0069] <Note 9> A cooling section that forms the peripheral wall of the path through which the airflow passes and cools the airflow, It is equipped with a compartment capable of accommodating a cooling pack, The cooling unit is thermally bonded to the cooling material while the cooling material is housed in the housing unit. Cooling device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 100, 100A, 100B Cooling Air Generator 300 Cooling device 2. Airflow generating section 3. Vaporization section 4 Dehumidification section 40 Cooling section 400 Peripheral wall 412 Fins 5. Storage Area 51 Cooling pack 7 Heat transfer components A1 Airflow

Claims

1. An airflow generating unit that generates airflow, A vaporization unit located downstream of the airflow generation unit, which cools the passing airflow by vaporization cooling, The system includes a dehumidifying unit located downstream of the airflow from the vaporization unit, which reduces the humidity of the airflow passing through it by condensation. Cooling device.

2. The dehumidifying section has a cooling section that forms the peripheral wall of the path through which the airflow passes and cools the airflow. The cold air generating device according to claim 1.

3. It also has a compartment that can accommodate a cooling pack, The cooling unit is thermally bonded to the cooling material when the cooling material is housed in the housing unit. The cold air generating device according to claim 2.

4. The cooling section is made of plate material with gaps between them in the thickness direction, and includes a plurality of fins that have thermal conductivity. The cold air generating device according to claim 2.

5. Each of the plurality of fins is inclined downward from the first end attached to the peripheral wall to the second end opposite to the side attached to the peripheral wall, as viewed from the direction of the airflow. The cold air generating device according to claim 4.

6. Each of the plurality of fins protrudes downward from the upper surface of the peripheral wall. The cold air generating device according to claim 4.

7. The system further comprises a heat transfer member having thermal conductivity, which is disposed between the cooling material and the cooling section and is in contact with both the cooling material and the cooling section. The cold air generating device according to claim 3.

8. The system further includes a recovery unit that collects water generated by condensation in the dehumidification unit and returns the collected water to the vaporization unit. A cold air generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A cooling section that forms the peripheral wall of the path through which the airflow passes and cools the airflow, It is equipped with a compartment capable of accommodating a cooling pack, The cooling unit is thermally bonded to the cooling material while the cooling material is housed in the housing unit. Cooling device.

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