Spot cooler

Abstract

Easy installation, instant cooling, and low operating costs. [Solution] The system consists of a cooling unit 2, a blower unit 3, and a heat dissipation ventilation unit 4. The cooling unit is located inside a case with an open air intake and consists of a cooling body 21 made of a Peltier element having a heat absorption surface 21a and a heat dissipation surface 21b, and a number of layered heat sinks 22 connected to the cooling body, which cool and dehumidify the air taken in for cooling from the air intake. The blower unit consists of a duct 31 connected to the cooling unit that sends out the cool air produced in the cooling unit, and a blower fan 32 provided at the inlet of the duct. The heat dissipation ventilation unit is located inside the case and consists of a heat pipe 41 that draws up the heat transferred from the heat absorption surface to the heat dissipation surface of the cooling body, a number of layered plate-like heat dissipation fins 42 connected to the heat pipe, and a ventilation fan 45, which is attached to the ventilation hole 5. The air is cooled by heat exchange with the heat sinks cooled by the Peltier effect of the cooling unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a spot cooler that is installed in a facility such as a toilet, which is a narrow space and tends to be hotter than a living room.

Background Art

[0002] Even in a building equipped with air conditioning in the living room, if, for example, the toilet is not equipped with air conditioning, it may interfere with the use of the toilet in summer or the like.

[0003] In such a case, conventionally, there is no choice but to install a general air conditioning equipment existing in the facility, for example, in the toilet. Since the air conditioning equipment is large, it further narrows the narrow space, and there is also a problem that the equipment and construction costs become high.

[0004] Furthermore, since the toilet is not a living room, the operation time is relatively short, and it is not suitable for the operation of existing general air conditioning equipment.

[0005] On the other hand, it is actually difficult to install equipment that can immediately cool the necessary location during use due to cost and the size of the equipment.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In view of the above background, the present invention aims to provide a spot cooler that can be easily installed by using an existing ventilation opening, can immediately cool only the necessary location, has a ventilation function, and has an operation cost as small as possible.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] To solve the above problems, the spot cooler according to the present invention is a spot cooler that cools locally and comprises a cooling unit, a blower unit, and a heat dissipation ventilation unit. The cooling unit comprises a cooling body made of a Peltier element having a heat absorption surface and a heat dissipation surface, which is provided in a case with an open air intake, and a number of layered heat sinks connected to the cooling unit, which cools and dehumidifies the air for cooling taken in from the air intake. The blower unit comprises a duct connected to the cooling unit that sends out the cool air produced in the cooling unit, and a blower fan provided at the inlet of the duct. The heat dissipation ventilation unit is provided in a case with another open air intake and comprises a heat pipe that draws up the heat transferred from the heat absorption surface to the heat dissipation surface of the cooling unit, a number of layered plate-like bodies connected to the heat pipe, heat dissipation fins, and a ventilation fan, which is attached to a ventilation opening. Furthermore, the spot cooler according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the spot cooler according to claim 1, a flow straightening plate is provided at the outlet of the duct. Furthermore, the spot cooler according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the spot cooler according to claim 1 or claim 2, the heat sink is provided on the heat absorption side of the cooling body and the heat pipe is provided on the heat dissipation side of the cooling body. Furthermore, the spot cooler according to claim 4 is characterized in that the duct is bendable, as described in claim 1. Furthermore, the spot cooler according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the spot cooler according to claim 1, another blower fan is provided at the outlet of the duct. Furthermore, the spot cooler according to claim 6 is characterized in that, in the spot cooler according to claim 1, the duct is formed in a tapered shape, with the outlet being narrower than the inlet. Furthermore, the spot cooler according to claim 7 is characterized in that, in the spot cooler according to claim 1, the area near the outlet of the blower fan in the blower section is formed in a louver shape. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The spot cooler according to the present invention is easy to use because it can be installed by inserting the exhaust port of the spot cooler into the ventilation hole after removing the existing ventilation fan, and then plugging it into the socket.

[0010] The intake air is cooled by heat exchange through a heat sink cooled by the Peltier effect of the cooling unit. The resulting cool air is about 10°C cooler than the intake air, and the airflow from the blower further enhances the perceived temperature, making it feel even cooler. Therefore, even if the ambient temperature in the installation room is as high as 30°C, the cool air, now around 20°C, is blown onto the face or other areas where cool air is desired, instantly relieving discomfort caused by the heat.

[0011] This unit operates only as a ventilation unit when not cooling, and as both a cooling unit and a ventilation unit when blowing cold air, resulting in low operating costs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a partially abbreviated front view of a spot cooler according to the present invention. [Figure 2] (A) is a left side view of Figure 1, and (B) is a top view of (A). [Figure 3] (A) is a front view of the cooling unit in Figure 1, (B) is a right side view of (A), and (C) is a bottom view of (A). [Figure 4] (A) is a front view of the Peltier element in Figure 1, (B) is a right side view of (A), and (C) is a bottom view of (B). [Figure 5] (A) is a front view of the main part of the heat dissipation ventilation section in Figure 1, and (B) is a left side view of (A). [Figure 6] (A) is a front view with the existing ventilation fan removed, and (B) is a right side view of (A). [Figure 7] (A) is a front view showing the existing ventilation fan installed on the wall, and (B) is a right side view of (A). [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0013] Next, the spot cooler according to the present invention will be described in more detail based on the drawings illustrating the embodiments. For convenience, parts that perform the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals and their descriptions are omitted.

[0014] The spot cooler 1 according to the present invention consists of a cooling unit 2, an air blowing unit 3, and a heat dissipation ventilation unit 4. The cooling unit 2 consists of a cooling body 21 made of a Peltier element and a heat sink 22 made of numerous thin aluminum plates arranged in layers. The reason for using numerous thin aluminum plates for the heat sink 22 is that the material and processing costs of aluminum plates are relatively inexpensive, and their thermal conductivity is relatively high. By arranging these aluminum plates in layers, the surface area is increased and the heat exchange efficiency is increased. The cooling body 21 is installed in a case 20 with air intakes 20a, 20b, and 20c. The cooling body 21 is made of N-type semiconductors and P-type semiconductors appropriately arranged so that the lower surface is a low-temperature heat-absorbing surface 21a and the upper surface is a high-temperature heat-dissipating surface 21b, and the heat sink 22 is cooled by the Peltier effect. 21c and 21d are lead wires of the cooling body 21. The heat sink 22 is connected to the heat-absorbing surface 21a side (bottom side in the illustrated embodiment) of the cooling body 21, and cools the air a1 as it passes through the air intakes 20a, 20b, and 20c for the cooling air.

[0015] The air blower unit 3 is connected below the cooling unit 2 and consists of a duct 31 that blows out the cold air produced by the cooling unit 2, and a blower fan 32 provided at the inlet 31a of the duct 31. The duct 31 is formed in a bellows shape and is bendable. The outlet 31b is formed in a tapered shape and is narrower than the inlet 31a. 33 are eight rectifier plates provided at the outlet 31b of the duct 31 and are installed at equal intervals.

[0016] The heat dissipation and ventilation unit 4 consists of a heat pipe 41 that sucks up the heat generated by the cooling unit 2, a heat dissipation fin 42 composed of a large number of plate-like bodies provided in a layered manner and communicating with the heat pipe 41, and a ventilation fan 45. The heat dissipation and ventilation unit 4 and the cooling main body 21 are partitioned in the case 20 by a partition wall (not shown in the figure) with only the part of the cooling main body 21 being open. The case 20 has its front and the opposite rear surfaces open, a suction port 43 for the air a2 for heat dissipation and ventilation is formed on the front surface, and an exhaust port 44 for the air a2 to be heat-dissipated and ventilated and discharged as exhaust b is formed on the rear surface. The exhaust port 44 is removed from the existing ventilation device on the wall 7 of the toilet and inserted into the exposed ventilation hole 5 for installation. 6 is the ventilation fan of the existing ventilation device.

[0017] Here, let's look at the materials and sizes of each part. The case 20 is made of phenolic resin and has a size of 215 mm × 175 mm. The Peltier element constituting the cooling main body 21 is 40 mm square with a thickness of 3.5 mm, of which the thickness of the heat absorption surface 21a is 0.8 mm and the thickness of the heat dissipation surface 21b is 0.8 mm. The heat sink 22 consists of 24 thin aluminum plates of 32 mm × 120 mm. The duct 31 is made of aluminum and its outer periphery is covered with a heat insulating material 34. The inner diameter of the inlet 31a of the duct 31 is 70 mm and the inner diameter of the outlet 31b is 50 mm.

[0018] Next, the installation and operating principle of the spot cooler according to the present invention are as follows. First, for installation, remove the existing ventilation fan, attach the exhaust port 44 of the heat dissipation and ventilation unit 4 to the exposed ventilation hole 5, and then connect a plug (not shown in the figure) to the socket to complete the installation.

[0019] When current flows through the Peltier element 21 of the cooling unit 2, due to the Peltier effect, the upper surface 21b of the cooling main body 21 generates heat and becomes high temperature, while the lower surface 21a absorbs heat and becomes low temperature.

[0020] The air a1 flowing in from the air intakes 20a, 20b, and 20c is sent into the duct 31 by the blower fan 32. As this incoming air a1 passes through the heat sink 22, the heat sink 22 is cooled by the Peltier effect, and because the heat sink 22 is made of layered aluminum plates, heat exchange occurs, lowering the temperature and dehumidifying the air.

[0021] Experiments show that, even after accounting for transmission losses, the cool air generated by heat exchange through the heat sink 22 of the cooling unit 2 is cooled by about 10°C compared to the intake air a1, and furthermore, the airflow action of the blower unit 3 improves the perceived temperature, resulting in an even greater feeling of coolness. Therefore, even if the ambient temperature of the toilet where it is installed is as high as 30°C, the cool air, now around 20°C, is blown in as a breeze.

[0022] The cool air c flowing out from the duct 31 can be directed to the user's desired area, such as their face, by the duct 31, which is flexible and can be bent freely. Therefore, by directing the outlet 31b of the duct 31 towards the area where the cool air c is desired, such as the face, discomfort caused by the heat is immediately relieved.

[0023] Since the duct 31 has a rectifier plate 33 installed inside at its outlet 31b, the cold air c is not diffused and is directional.

[0024] Therefore, even if the incoming air a1 is at a high temperature, it is cooled down by the Peltier effect and heat exchange, and the resulting cool air flows out of the duct 31 as cool air c, so the user's perceived temperature is significantly reduced compared to the incoming air a1.

[0025] Heat from the heat dissipation surface 21b on the top of the cooling unit 21 is transferred to the heat dissipation fins 42 by the heat pipe 41. Air a2 flowing in from the air intake 43 for heat dissipation ventilation undergoes heat exchange as it passes through the heat dissipation fins 42, and the resulting hot exhaust air b is sent to the exhaust port 44 by the ventilation fan 45 and discharged to the outside through the ventilation hole 5.

[0026] Thus, according to this embodiment, there is ease of installation, immediate cooling to the necessary areas, no construction work required, and the ability to select between ventilation only and a state that combines both ventilation and cooling functions, resulting in excellent economic efficiency in terms of operating costs, etc.

[0027] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the blower fan attached to the duct 31 can be provided not only on the inlet side 31a but also on the outlet side 31b to increase the airflow velocity.

[0028] While it is desirable for the outlet 31b of the duct 31 to be tapered, as this increases airflow velocity and thus enhances the cooling sensation, it is not necessarily required.

[0029] Furthermore, instead of using a flexible duct, the duct inlet can be formed as a louver (not shown) to deliver cool air to the desired location.

[0030] Furthermore, the case 20 can be made of a suitable material such as ABS resin.

[0031] In addition to being attached to toilets, the present invention can also be applied to localized cooling in confined spaces such as dog kennels and tents. [Industrial applicability]

[0032] The spot cooler according to the present invention can be used, for example, to locally cool a small space such as a toilet to a comfortable perceived temperature. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 1 Spot Cooler 2 Cooling section 20 cases 20a Air intake 20b Air intake 20c air intake 21 Cooling Unit 21a Endothermic surface 21b Heat dissipation surface 21c lead wire 21d lead wire 22 Heatsinks 3. Air blower 31 Duct 31a Entrance 31b Exit 32 Blower fan 33 Rectifier plate 34 Section material 4. Heat dissipation ventilation section 41 Heat Pipe 42 heat dissipation fins 43. Air intake for heat dissipation and ventilation. 44 Exhaust vents 45 Ventilation fan 5 Ventilation holes 6. Ventilation fan 7 Walls a1 Air a2 air b. Exhaust c Cold air

Claims

1. A spot cooler that provides localized cooling, It consists of a cooling section, a blower section, and a heat dissipation ventilation section. The cooling unit consists of a cooling body made of a Peltier element having a heat-absorbing surface and a heat-dissipating surface, which is housed in a case with an open air intake, and a number of layered heat sinks connected to the cooling body, which cool and dehumidify the air taken in for cooling from the air intake. The air blowing unit consists of a duct connected to the cooling unit and which blows out the cold air produced by the cooling unit, and a blower fan installed at the inlet of the duct. The heat dissipation and ventilation section is provided inside a case with other air intake openings, and consists of a heat pipe that draws up heat transferred from the heat absorption surface to the heat dissipation surface of the cooling body, a heat dissipation fin arranged in layers of numerous plate-like bodies connected to the heat pipe, and a ventilation fan, and is characterized by being attached to a ventilation opening.

2. A spot cooler according to claim 1, characterized in that a rectifier plate is provided at the outlet of the duct.

3. A spot cooler according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the heat sink is provided on the heat absorption side of the cooling body and the heat pipe is provided on the heat dissipation side of the cooling body.

4. A spot cooler according to claim 1, characterized in that the duct is bendable.

5. A spot cooler according to claim 1, characterized in that another blower fan is provided at the outlet of the duct.

6. A spot cooler according to claim 1, characterized in that the duct is formed in a tapered shape, narrowing from the inlet to the outlet.

7. A spot cooler according to claim 1, characterized in that the area near the outlet of the fan in the air blowing section is formed in a louver shape.

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