Air-conditioning panel

Abstract

Provided is an air-conditioning panel capable of more appropriately performing an operation.　This air-conditioning panel (1-3) is formed in a panel shape to obtain an air conditioning effect and comprises: an evaporator (10) that has a liquid refrigerant storage part (11) and evaporates a refrigerant by heat from one surface side; a condenser (20) that introduces a steam refrigerant from the evaporator (10) and condenses and liquefies the same by heat dissipation to the other surface side; a refrigerant flow path (30) which connects the evaporator (10) and the condenser (20) and through which the refrigerant flows; and a temperature-sensitive valve (40) capable of switching between an open state in which circulation of the refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path (30) is permitted and a closed state in which circulation of the refrigerant is prohibited on the basis of the ambient temperature. The temperature-sensitive valve (40) is provided at a position inside the condenser (20) or at a position closer to the condenser (20) than to the evaporator (10), and switches between the open state and the closed state.

Description

Air conditioning panel

[0001] The present disclosure relates to air conditioning panels.

[0002] Conventionally, an air conditioning panel has been proposed that includes two plates, a refrigerant, and a slope, and performs air conditioning by allowing heat to flow from one plate to the other (see Patent Document 1). In this air conditioning panel, the two plates form a space between them, and the refrigerant is sealed between the two plates. The slope forms a refrigerant reservoir on one of the two plates, and the refrigerant in the reservoir evaporates due to heat from one plate. The evaporated refrigerant reaches the other plate and condenses there. The condensed refrigerant returns to the reservoir by gravity. This slope serves as a refrigerant circulation structure.

[0003] With this structure, in an environment where the refrigerant evaporates due to heat from one plate, the one plate is cooled by absorbing the heat of evaporation. Meanwhile, when the evaporated refrigerant reaches the other plate, it cools and condenses into liquid, and the heat of condensation is lost from the other plate. As a result, heat from one plate flows through to the other plate. This allows one plate to face the indoor side in summer, for example, making the room more comfortable. Furthermore, the condensed and liquefied refrigerant returns to the reservoir under its own weight, allowing for continuous heat transfer without the need for electrical energy.

[0004] However, in such structures, the heat transfer direction is from one plate side to the other. Therefore, if a structure is installed in a direction that allows indoor heat to pass through to the outside in the summer, heat from air conditioners and the like will escape to the outside in the winter unless the structure itself is turned over. Therefore, if the structure cannot be turned over, a structure that can be put into an inoperative state so that indoor heat does not escape to the outside in the winter is desired.

[0005] Therefore, the present inventors have proposed an air conditioning panel equipped with a temperature-sensitive valve that opens the refrigerant flow path when the temperature on the evaporator side (one of the plate sides where liquid refrigerant is stored) is above a predetermined temperature and closes the refrigerant flow path when the evaporator side temperature is below a specific temperature (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In this air conditioning panel, when the room temperature is high, such as in summer, the temperature-sensitive valve opens to allow indoor heat to flow to the outside. On the other hand, in winter, unless the room temperature is above the predetermined temperature, the temperature-sensitive valve closes to prohibit refrigerant circulation and prevent indoor heat from escaping to the outside.

[0006] JP 2019-112886 A JP 2019-218768 A

[0007] In Patent Document 2, the air conditioning panel is used for cooling, but when the air conditioning panel is used for heating, the evaporator is located on the outdoor side and the condenser is located on the indoor side. When the outdoor air temperature (the temperature on the evaporator side) is above a predetermined temperature, the temperature-sensitive valve opens and takes heat into the room.

[0008] However, this type of heating use also results in heat being taken into the room in the summer. Therefore, one approach is to assume that heating is needed indoors if the outdoor temperature is sufficiently cold, and allow heating operation. However, when air conditioning panels are used for heating in the winter, for example, the exterior surface is treated to have a high solar radiation absorption rate (e.g., solar radiation absorption rate of 80% or more) and a low emissivity rate (e.g., emissivity of 20% or less) for efficiency reasons. As a result, during the daytime in winter, the exterior surface temperature becomes sufficiently higher than the ambient temperature due to the treatment, making it impossible to determine whether the outdoor temperature is sufficiently cold. As a result, heating operation is not performed, making it difficult to perform heating operation based on the evaporator side temperature.

[0009] The following problems also arise in cooling operation. First, heat enters the room from outside the building when the exterior surface temperature is higher than the interior surface temperature, and therefore, when the exterior surface temperature is high, the interior surface temperature is rising. When the exterior surface temperature is high and it is predicted that the interior temperature will rise above the comfort range, it is desirable to dissipate heat in advance to the lower limit of the comfort temperature range, for example, about 20°C. Conversely, when the exterior temperature is low, the interior temperature is likely to tend to drop, and it is desirable not to dissipate heat even if it is at the upper limit of the comfort temperature range. Considering this, it may not be appropriate to perform or prohibit cooling operation based on the indoor temperature on the evaporator side.

[0010] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to provide an air conditioning panel that can be operated more appropriately.

[0011] The air-conditioning panel according to the present disclosure is a panel-shaped air-conditioning panel that provides air conditioning. The panel includes an evaporator having a liquid refrigerant reservoir that evaporates the refrigerant using heat from one side; a condenser that receives the vapor refrigerant from the evaporator and condenses it into a liquid by radiating heat to the other side; a refrigerant flow path that connects the evaporator and the condenser and allows the refrigerant to flow; and a temperature-sensitive valve that can be switched between an open state that allows the refrigerant to flow through the refrigerant flow path and a closed state that prohibits the refrigerant to flow based on the ambient temperature. The temperature-sensitive valve is located within the condenser or closer to the condenser than the evaporator and switches between the open state and the closed state. The refrigerant flow path may be any flow path that allows the refrigerant to flow, such as a vapor refrigerant flow path, a liquid refrigerant flow path, or both. The flow path for both may be a single shared flow path or separate, unshared flow paths.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an air conditioning panel that can operate more appropriately.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioning panel according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the refrigerant flow path shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a structural diagram showing details of the refrigerant flow path shown in FIG. 2, where (a) is a perspective view showing one surface of a plate member shown in FIG. 2, and (b) is a structural diagram showing a portion of (a). FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the other surface of the plate member shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a modified example of the vicinity of the refrigerant flow path. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioning panel according to a second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing details of a temperature-sensitive valve according to the second embodiment, where (a) is an enlarged view of the refrigerant flow path and (b) is a front view of a temperature magnet. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an air conditioning panel according to a third embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a horizontal cross section of an air conditioning panel according to the third embodiment, taken along the line IX-IX of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a modified example of the temperature-sensitive valve and check valve in the refrigerant flow path according to the first embodiment.

[0014] The present disclosure will be described below in accordance with preferred embodiments. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown below and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, in the embodiments shown below, some configurations are omitted from illustration and description, but it goes without saying that publicly known or well-known technologies are applied as appropriate to the details of the omitted technologies within the scope of the content described below.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an air conditioning panel according to a first embodiment. Note that some components are not shown in FIG. 1. The air conditioning panel 1 shown in FIG. 1 is formed in a panel (plate) shape and provides an air conditioning effect, and in particular functions to provide a heating effect in a room. Note that while FIG. 1 shows an example in which the air conditioning panel 1 is used on a vertical surface, it may also be used on an inclined or horizontal surface if possible.

[0016] The air conditioning panel 1 according to the example shown in FIG. 1 is configured to include an evaporator 10, a condenser 20, and a refrigerant flow path 30.

[0017] The evaporator 10 is provided on one side (outside the room) of the air-conditioning panel 1 and evaporates the refrigerant using heat from the one side. The evaporator 10 includes a liquid refrigerant storage section 11 and a wick layer 12. The storage section 11 is a section capable of storing the liquid refrigerant and is located below the evaporator 10. The wick layer 12 absorbs and retains the liquid refrigerant stored in the storage section 11 using capillary action. The wick layer 12 is provided on one side of the evaporator 10 so that it can easily receive heat from the one side of the air-conditioning panel 1. The wick layer 12 absorbs and retains the liquid refrigerant, allowing the evaporator 10 to efficiently evaporate the refrigerant using heat from the one side. Furthermore, the exterior surface of the air-conditioning panel 1 is preferably treated to increase solar absorptance (e.g., 80% or more) and decrease emissivity (e.g., 20% or less). This allows for more efficient evaporation of the refrigerant.

[0018] The condenser 20 introduces the vapor refrigerant from the evaporator 10 and condenses and liquefies it by dissipating heat to the other side (indoor side) of the air conditioning panel 1. The liquid refrigerant obtained by condensation falls downward within the condenser 20.

[0019] The refrigerant flow path 30 connects the evaporator 10 and the condenser 20. The refrigerant flow path 30 connects the lower portions of the evaporator 10 and the condenser 20. For example, the refrigerant flow path 30 is provided so that the lower end position in the height direction coincides with the upper end position of the storage portion 11 of the evaporator 10 and the lower end position of the condenser 20.

[0020] The refrigerant flow path 30 allows the refrigerant to circulate between the evaporator 10 and the condenser 20. That is, the refrigerant flow path 30 guides the vapor refrigerant from the evaporator 10 to the condenser 20. The refrigerant flow path 30 also returns the liquid refrigerant that has condensed and liquefied in the condenser 20 and dropped downward to the evaporator 10. In particular, the refrigerant flow path 30 according to this embodiment allows both the vapor refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant to circulate, and therefore functions as a single path for circulating the refrigerant.

[0021] Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the refrigerant flow path 30 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the air conditioning panel 1 (see Fig. 1) includes a plate member P and a temperature-sensitive valve 40 in the refrigerant flow path 30.

[0022] 3A and 3B are diagrams showing details of the inside of the refrigerant flow path 30 shown in Fig. 2, with Fig. 3A being a perspective view showing one side of the plate member P shown in Fig. 2, and Fig. 3B being a diagram showing a partial configuration of Fig. 3A. First, the plate member P is provided so as to block the refrigerant flow path 30 as shown in Fig. 2, and is formed with a through hole TH as shown in Fig. 3A. The temperature-sensitive valve 40 includes a temperature magnet 41 and an operating plate 42.

[0023] The temperature magnet 41 is supported by a plate material (not shown) or the like and is located near one side of the plate member P. As shown in FIG. 3B , the temperature magnet 41 includes a permanent magnet 41a and a temperature-sensitive ferrite 41b. The temperature-sensitive ferrite 41b becomes non-magnetic above its Curie temperature (a predetermined temperature) and magnetic below the Curie temperature. The temperature-sensitive ferrite 41b is provided at both ends of the permanent magnet 41a. The temperature-sensitive ferrite 41b protrudes toward the plate member P more than the permanent magnet 41a. Therefore, when the ambient temperature falls below the predetermined temperature, the temperature-sensitive ferrite 41b becomes magnetic and exerts a magnetic force on the plate member P through the temperature-sensitive ferrite 41b (see the dashed arrow). On the other hand, when the ambient temperature rises above the predetermined temperature, the temperature-sensitive ferrite 41b becomes non-magnetic. This prevents the magnetic force from acting through the temperature-sensitive ferrite 41b. Therefore, the magnetic force of the temperature magnet 41 acts only on the vicinity of the temperature magnet 41, and does not act on the plate member P side (see the solid arrow).

[0024] The operation plate 42 is a magnetic plate having an upper end 42a integrally connected to the plate member P. In the base state, the lower end 42b of the operation plate 42 contacts the plate member P, blocking the through-hole TH. When the ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature and the temperature magnet 41 exerts a magnetic force on the plate member P, the operation plate 42 rotates around the upper end 42a due to the magnetic force from the temperature magnet 41, and the lower end 42b moves away from the plate member P. This opens the through-hole TH. When the ambient temperature is above a predetermined temperature and the temperature magnet 41 does not exert a magnetic force on the plate member P, the operation plate 42 is in the base state, and the lower end 42b contacts the plate member P, blocking the through-hole TH.

[0025] Therefore, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 is switched between an open state in which the through-hole TH is opened (allowing refrigerant to circulate in the refrigerant flow path 30) and a closed state in which the through-hole TH is closed (prohibiting refrigerant circulation) based on the ambient temperature. Note that the operating plate 42 of the temperature-sensitive valve 40 is configured to rotate around the upper end portion 42a, but the direction of rotation is not particularly important.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 2, the air conditioning panel 1 is provided with a check valve 50 in the refrigerant flow path 30. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the other surface of the plate member P shown in Fig. 2. The check valve 50 prevents backflow of the vapor refrigerant and includes an operating plate 51.

[0027] The operating plate 51 is a plate material having a lower end 51a integrally connected to the plate member P. In the basic state, the operating plate 51 has an upper end 51b in contact with the plate member P, blocking the through-hole TH. The operating plate 51 is made of, for example, a non-magnetic plate material so as not to be affected when the temperature magnet 41 exerts its magnetic force.

[0028] When the pressure on the evaporator 10 side is higher than the pressure on the condenser 20 side by a predetermined pressure (any pressure greater than 0), the operating plate 51 operates such that the upper end 51b separates from the plate member P due to the pressure difference. As a result, the through-hole TH is opened. On the other hand, when the pressure on the evaporator 10 side is not higher than the pressure on the condenser 20 side by a predetermined pressure or more, the operating plate 51 is in the basic state, and the upper end 51b comes into contact with the plate member P and closes the through-hole TH.

[0029] The operating plate 51 of the check valve 50 is configured to rotate around the lower end 51a, but the direction of rotation is not particularly important. The operating plate 42 of the temperature-sensitive valve 40 and the operating plate 51 of the check valve 50 have their rotation centers on opposite sides of the through-hole TH, but this is not limited to being on opposite sides. The predetermined pressure may be any pressure greater than zero.

[0030] In the air conditioning panel 1 according to the first embodiment, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 (particularly the temperature magnet 41) is located closer to the condenser 20 than the evaporator 10. In other words, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 is located closer to the condenser 20 than the center line C, which is the midpoint between the evaporator 10 and the condenser 20 shown in Fig. 2. This is because the temperature-sensitive valve 40 operates according to the temperature on the condenser 20 side.

[0031] Fig. 5 is an enlarged view showing a modified example near the refrigerant flow path 30. As shown in Fig. 5, the air conditioning panel 1 (see Fig. 1) may have an extension flow path 60 that is continuous with the refrigerant flow path 30 and extends into the condenser 20. The plate member P, the temperature-sensitive valve 40, and the check valve 50 may be provided in the extension flow path 60. In this case, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 (particularly the temperature magnet 41) is provided in the condenser 20. This makes it easier for the temperature-sensitive valve 40 to be controlled by the temperature on the condenser 20 side.

[0032] Next, the operation of the air conditioning panel 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. First, in the summer, the outdoor temperature rises, and the indoor temperature also rises. Therefore, the ambient temperature of the temperature-sensitive valve 40 does not fall below a predetermined temperature, and the temperature-sensitive valve 40 is closed. This prevents heat from passing from the outdoors into the indoors during the summer.

[0033] Furthermore, even if the room temperature drops to a certain extent in the summer due to an air conditioner or the like, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 can be maintained in a closed state by optimizing the Curie temperature of the temperature magnet 41. This makes it possible to prevent heat from passing from the outside into the room when the air conditioner or the like is in use in the summer.

[0034] On the other hand, in winter, the indoor temperature is low. As a result, the ambient temperature of the temperature-sensitive valve 40 falls below a predetermined temperature, and the temperature-sensitive valve 40 is opened by the magnetic force of the temperature magnet 41. Also, in winter, depending on the installation position of the air conditioning panel 1, the outdoor surface may be exposed to sunlight. In such cases, the temperature of the evaporator 10 rises and the pressure inside the evaporator 10 increases. As a result, the pressure on the evaporator 10 side becomes higher than the pressure on the condenser 20 side by a predetermined pressure or more, and the check valve 50 also opens.

[0035] Therefore, heat can be taken into the room in winter when the temperature inside the room is below a predetermined temperature. In particular, since the exterior surface of the air conditioning panel 1 is surface-treated, even if the exterior surface is sufficiently hot in both summer and winter, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 can be operated only in winter based on the temperature on the condenser 20 side, allowing for appropriate heating operation.

[0036] In this way, the air conditioning panel 1 according to the first embodiment operates at the temperature of the condenser 20 side rather than the evaporator 10 side, and can determine that it is winter when it is cold indoors and take in heat from outside, or determine that it is summer when it is hot outdoors and expel heat from inside the room, allowing for more appropriate operation.

[0037] Furthermore, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 opens when the ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature. Therefore, when one side of the temperature-sensitive valve 40, which is the evaporator 10 side, faces the outdoor side and the other side, which is the condenser side, faces the indoor side, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 opens when the indoor temperature is below a predetermined temperature. This allows heating operation to be performed in winter or other seasons when the indoor temperature is below the predetermined temperature, and allows heating operation to be performed appropriately in winter or other seasons.

[0038] Next, an air conditioning panel according to a second embodiment will be described. The air conditioning panel according to the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, but has a partially different configuration. The differences from the first embodiment will be described below.

[0039] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an air conditioning panel according to the second embodiment. The air conditioning panel 2 shown in Fig. 6 is arranged upside down compared to the air conditioning panel 1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the evaporator 10 is arranged on the indoor side and the condenser 20 is arranged on the outdoor side. Furthermore, due to the arrangement of the evaporator 10 and the condenser 20, the air conditioning panel 2 according to the second embodiment provides a cooling effect to the indoor space. Note that, like the first embodiment, the air conditioning panel 2 according to the second embodiment may also be used on an inclined or horizontal surface if possible.

[0040] 7A and 7B are diagrams showing details of the temperature-sensitive valve 40 according to the second embodiment, in which (a) is an enlarged view of the refrigerant flow path 30 and (b) is a front view of the temperature magnet 41. As shown in FIG. 7A, in the second embodiment, the refrigerant flow path 30 is provided with a plate member P, the temperature-sensitive valve 40, and a check valve 50. As in the first embodiment, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 (particularly the temperature magnet 41) is provided in a position closer to the condenser 20 than the evaporator 10. Alternatively, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 may be provided inside the condenser 20.

[0041] The temperature-sensitive bulb 40 according to the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, but differs from that of the first embodiment in the structure of the temperature magnet 41. As shown in Fig. 7(b), the temperature magnet 41 has a temperature-sensitive ferrite 41b arranged next to the permanent magnet 41a on the plate member P side, and soft iron yokes 41c are provided on both ends of the permanent magnet 41a and the temperature-sensitive ferrite 41b so as to sandwich both of them.

[0042] In this temperature magnet 41, when the ambient temperature is below the Curie temperature (predetermined temperature), the temperature-sensitive ferrite 41b becomes magnetic. This allows magnetic flux to pass through the temperature-sensitive ferrite 41b, preventing it from exerting a magnetic force on the surroundings (see the solid arrow). On the other hand, when the ambient temperature exceeds the Curie temperature (predetermined temperature), the temperature-sensitive ferrite 41b becomes non-magnetic, allowing it to exert a magnetic force on the surroundings (see the dashed arrow). As described above, in the temperature-sensitive valve 40 according to the second embodiment, when the ambient temperature exceeds the predetermined temperature, the magnetic force from the temperature magnet 41 operates the operating plate 42 to open the through-hole TH, and when the ambient temperature falls below the predetermined temperature, the magnetic force from the temperature magnet 41 does not act on the operating plate 42, blocking the through-hole TH.

[0043] Next, the operation of the air conditioning panel 2 according to the second embodiment will be described. First, in winter, the outdoor temperature is low. Therefore, the ambient temperature of the temperature-sensitive valve 40 does not exceed a predetermined temperature, and the temperature-sensitive valve 40 is closed. This prevents heat from passing from the indoors to the outdoors in winter.

[0044] Furthermore, even if the room temperature rises to a certain extent in winter due to an air conditioner or the like, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 can be maintained in a closed state by optimizing the Curie temperature of the temperature magnet 41. This makes it possible to prevent heat from passing from the room to the outside even when the air conditioner or the like is in use in winter.

[0045] In order to prevent the temperature of the outdoor surface (the temperature on the condenser 20 side) from becoming high due to solar radiation in winter, appropriate measures may be taken, such as installing the air conditioning panel 2 in a location that is not exposed to solar radiation, or treating the outdoor surface of the air conditioning panel 2 to reduce solar radiation absorptance (for example, solar radiation absorptance of 20% or less) and increase emissivity (for example, emissivity of 80% or more).

[0046] On the other hand, in the summer, the outdoor temperature becomes high. As a result, the ambient temperature of the temperature-sensitive valve 40 exceeds a predetermined temperature, and the temperature-sensitive valve 40 opens due to the magnetic force of the temperature magnet 41. Also, in the summer, when heat builds up indoors, the temperature of the evaporator 10 rises and the pressure inside the evaporator 10 increases. As a result, the pressure on the evaporator 10 side becomes higher than the pressure on the condenser 20 side by a predetermined pressure or more, and the check valve 50 also opens.

[0047] Therefore, heat can be released outdoors in the summer when the outdoor temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. In particular, since the indoor temperature also rises in the summer when the outdoor temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, it is desirable to operate the air conditioning panel 2 to release heat to near the lower limit of the comfortable temperature range, for example, around 20°C. Here, if the temperature-sensitive valve 40 were controlled based on the temperature on the evaporator 10 side, the outdoor conditions would be unknown, making it unclear whether it is summer or winter, and heat could be released to the lower limit of the comfortable temperature range in winter. However, because the air conditioning panel 2 controls the temperature-sensitive valve 40 based on the temperature on the condenser 20 side, such problems do not arise and appropriate cooling operation can be performed.

[0048] In this way, the air conditioning panel 2 according to the second embodiment can perform more appropriate operation, similar to the first embodiment.

[0049] Furthermore, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 opens when the ambient temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. Therefore, when one side of the temperature-sensitive valve 40, which faces the evaporator 10, is the indoor side and the other side, which faces the condenser 20, is the outdoor side, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 opens when the outdoor temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. Therefore, cooling operation can be performed in the summer or other seasons when the outdoor temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, and cooling operation can be performed appropriately in the summer or other seasons.

[0050] Next, an air conditioning panel according to a third embodiment will be described. The air conditioning panel according to the third embodiment is similar to those of the first and second embodiments, but has a partial configuration different from those of the first and second embodiments. Differences from the first and second embodiments will be described below.

[0051] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an air conditioning panel according to a third embodiment. The air conditioning panel 3 shown in Fig. 8 is configured by combining the air conditioning panel 1 according to the first embodiment and the air conditioning panel 2 according to the second embodiment. Therefore, the air conditioning panel 3 provides a cooling effect to the room in the summer and a heating effect to the room in the winter. Note that, like the first and second embodiments, the air conditioning panel 3 according to the third embodiment may also be used on an inclined or horizontal surface if possible.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 8, the air conditioning panel 3 according to the third embodiment includes a first evaporative condenser 70 and a second evaporative condenser 80 .

[0053] The first evaporative condenser 70 is provided on the indoor side of the air conditioning panel 3 and is based on the condenser 20 according to the first embodiment, with the addition of the functions of the evaporator 10 according to the second embodiment. That is, the first evaporative condenser 70 has a reservoir 71 and a wick layer 72, and evaporates the refrigerant drawn up from the reservoir 71 by the wick layer 72 using heat from the other side. Furthermore, the first evaporative condenser 70 introduces the vapor refrigerant from the second evaporative condenser 80 and condenses and liquefies it by heat dissipation to the other side of the air conditioning panel 3.

[0054] The second evaporative condenser 80 is provided on the outdoor side of the air conditioning panel 3 and is based on the evaporator 10 according to the first embodiment, with the addition of the functions of the condenser 20 according to the second embodiment. That is, the second evaporative condenser 80 has a reservoir 81 and a wick layer 82, and evaporates the refrigerant sucked up and held by the wick layer 82 using heat from one side. Furthermore, the second evaporative condenser 80 introduces the vapor refrigerant from the first evaporative condenser 70 and condenses and liquefies it by heat dissipation to one side of the air conditioning panel 3.

[0055] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a horizontal cross section of the air conditioning panel 3 according to the third embodiment, showing the cross section taken along line IX-IX in Fig. 8. As shown in Fig. 9, in the third embodiment, the refrigerant flow path 30 includes a first refrigerant flow path 30a and a second refrigerant flow path 30b.

[0056] The first refrigerant flow path 30a is similar to the refrigerant flow path 30 shown in the first embodiment. That is, the first refrigerant flow path 30a guides the vapor refrigerant evaporated in the second evaporative condenser 80 to the first evaporative condenser 70. The first refrigerant flow path 30a also returns the liquid refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the first evaporative condenser 70 to the second evaporative condenser 80. The first refrigerant flow path 30a is provided with a first plate member Pa, a first temperature-sensitive valve 40a, and a first check valve 50a. These are the same as the plate member P, the temperature-sensitive valve 40, and the check valve 50 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 9, these components are located closer to the first evaporative condenser 70 than the second evaporative condenser 80. Alternatively, these components may be provided within the first evaporative condenser 70. In addition, the first temperature-sensitive valve 40a provided in the first refrigerant flow path 30a opens to allow refrigerant circulation when the ambient temperature is below a first predetermined temperature, and closes to prohibit refrigerant circulation when the ambient temperature is above the first predetermined temperature.

[0057] The second refrigerant flow path 30b is similar to the refrigerant flow path 30 shown in the second embodiment. That is, the second refrigerant flow path 30b guides the vapor refrigerant evaporated in the first evaporative condenser 70 to the second evaporative condenser 80. The second refrigerant flow path 30b also returns the liquid refrigerant condensed and liquefied in the second evaporative condenser 80 to the first evaporative condenser 70. The second refrigerant flow path 30b is provided with a second plate member Pb, a second temperature-sensitive valve 40b, and a second check valve 50b. These are the same as the plate member P, the temperature-sensitive valve 40, and the check valve 50 shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 9, these components are located closer to the second evaporative condenser 80 than to the first evaporative condenser 70. Alternatively, these components may be provided within the second evaporative condenser 80. The second temperature-sensitive valve 40b provided in the second refrigerant flow path 30b opens to allow refrigerant circulation when the ambient temperature is equal to or higher than a second predetermined temperature, and closes to prohibit refrigerant circulation when the ambient temperature is lower than the second predetermined temperature. Here, the second predetermined temperature may be the same as or different from the first predetermined temperature of the first temperature-sensitive valve 40a provided in the first refrigerant flow path 30a.

[0058] Next, the operation of the air conditioning panel 3 according to the third embodiment will be described. First, in winter, the indoor temperature is low. Therefore, the first temperature-sensitive valve 40a of the first refrigerant flow path 30a opens when the ambient temperature falls below a first predetermined temperature. Furthermore, in winter, depending on the installation location of the air conditioning panel 3, sunlight may strike the outdoor surface of the panel. In such cases, the temperature of the second evaporative condenser 80 increases, and the pressure inside the second evaporative condenser 80 increases. As a result, the pressure on the second evaporative condenser 80 side becomes higher than the pressure on the first evaporative condenser 70 side by a predetermined pressure or more, and the first check valve 50a provided in the first refrigerant flow path 30a also opens. To prevent the second temperature-sensitive valve 40b of the second refrigerant flow path 30b from opening in this case, the outdoor surface of the panel 3 may be subjected to a surface treatment, such as a solar absorptance of 20% or less and an emissivity of 80% or more, to minimize the influence of sunlight on the portion of the panel 30a near the second refrigerant flow path 30b. Furthermore, even without such surface treatment, the second refrigerant flow path 30b is provided with a second check valve 50b, so even if the second temperature-sensitive valve 40b is in an open state, the second refrigerant flow path 30b will be blocked by the second check valve 50b.

[0059] Therefore, heat can be taken into the room in winter when the temperature on the indoor side is below the first predetermined temperature. In particular, even if the outdoor surface of the air conditioning panel 3 is surface-treated and the outdoor surface is sufficiently high in both summer and winter, the first temperature-sensitive valve 40a can be operated only in winter based on the temperature on the first evaporative condenser 70 side, allowing for appropriate heating operation.

[0060] Furthermore, in summer, the outdoor temperature becomes high. Therefore, the second temperature-sensitive valve 40b of the second refrigerant flow path 30b opens when the ambient temperature exceeds a second predetermined temperature. Furthermore, when heat builds up indoors in summer, the temperature of the first evaporative condenser 70 rises, increasing the pressure inside the first evaporative condenser 70. As a result, the pressure on the first evaporative condenser 70 side becomes higher than the pressure on the second evaporative condenser 80 side by a predetermined pressure or more, and the second check valve 50b of the second refrigerant flow path 30b also opens. Furthermore, due to this temperature relationship, the first temperature-sensitive valve 40a of the first refrigerant flow path 30a does not open and remains closed.

[0061] Therefore, heat can be released outdoors in the summer when the outdoor temperature is equal to or higher than the second predetermined temperature. In particular, since the indoor temperature also rises in the summer when the outdoor temperature is equal to or higher than the second predetermined temperature, it is desirable to operate the air conditioning panel 3 to release heat to near the lower limit of the comfortable temperature range, for example, around 20°C. Here, if the second temperature-sensitive valve 40b were controlled based on the temperature on the first evaporative condenser 70 side, the outdoor conditions would be unknown, making it impossible to determine whether it is summer or winter, and heat could be released to the lower limit of the comfortable temperature range in winter. However, because the air conditioning panel 3 controls the second temperature-sensitive valve 40b based on the temperature on the second evaporative condenser 80 side, such problems do not arise and appropriate cooling operation can be performed.

[0062] In this way, the air conditioning panel 3 according to the third embodiment can operate more appropriately, similar to the first embodiment.

[0063] Furthermore, according to the third embodiment, the heating system includes a first evaporative condenser 70, a second evaporative condenser 80, a first refrigerant flow path 30a, a second refrigerant flow path 30b, and a first temperature-sensitive valve 40a and a second temperature-sensitive valve 40b. The first temperature-sensitive valve 40a is open when the ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature and is provided inside or adjacent to the first evaporative condenser 70, and is switchable between an open state and a closed state. The second temperature-sensitive valve 40b is open when the ambient temperature is above a predetermined temperature and is provided inside or adjacent to the second evaporative condenser 80, and is switchable between an open state and a closed state. Therefore, when the first evaporative condenser 70 side is the indoor side and the second evaporative condenser 80 side is the outdoor side, the first temperature-sensitive valve 40a is open when the indoor temperature is below the predetermined temperature. This allows for appropriate heating operation, especially in winter. Furthermore, when the outdoor temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the second temperature sensing valve 40b is opened, thereby enabling appropriate cooling operation in the summer, etc. Therefore, appropriate heating and cooling operation can be performed in both summer and winter, etc.

[0064] The present disclosure has been described above based on the embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and modifications may be made within the scope of the spirit of the present disclosure, and publicly known or well-known technologies may be combined to the extent possible.

[0065] For example, in the above embodiment, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 switches between an open state and a closed state using the temperature magnet 41, but this is not particularly limited. For example, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 may be of another type, such as one that is opened or closed by a control unit in response to a temperature detected by a temperature sensor. Furthermore, if possible, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 may be formed of another structure, such as a bimetal.

[0066] Furthermore, in the air conditioning panels 1 to 3 according to this embodiment, the refrigerant flow path 30 is a common flow path for vapor refrigerant and liquid refrigerant, but it is not limited to a common flow path, and may be separate flow paths for vapor refrigerant and liquid refrigerant. In this case, the refrigerant flow path 30 may be formed by both a flow path for vapor refrigerant provided in the gas phase and a flow path for liquid refrigerant provided so that part of the flow path is gas phase and part is liquid phase. In this case, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 and the check valve 50 are provided in the flow path for vapor refrigerant and the flow path for liquid refrigerant, respectively. Furthermore, when the refrigerant flow path 30 is formed by both a flow path for vapor refrigerant provided in the gas phase and a flow path for liquid refrigerant provided in the liquid phase, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 is provided in at least the flow path for vapor refrigerant, and the check valve 50 is provided in the flow path for liquid refrigerant as well as the flow path for vapor refrigerant, or a sufficient liquid level must be ensured as described in paragraphs 0038 and 0040 of JP 2021-28555 A. Furthermore, in particular, in the air conditioning panels 1 and 2 in which the heat transfer direction is only one-way, as in the first and second embodiments, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 and the check valve 50 may be provided only in the flow path for the vapor refrigerant, and the flow path for the liquid refrigerant may be configured with a float valve, for example, as shown in Figure 7 of JP 2021-28555 A.

[0067] Furthermore, the refrigerant flow path 30 may be configured as follows. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view showing a modified example of the temperature-sensitive valve 40 and the check valve 50 in the refrigerant flow path 30 according to the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the temperature-sensitive valve 40 and the check valve 50 are provided on either side of the plate member P. However, this is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 10 , the refrigerant flow path 30 may include two plate members P, each of which is provided with a temperature-sensitive valve 40 and a check valve 50. In the example shown in FIG. 10 , the temperature-sensitive valve 40 is provided on the plate member P that is adjacent to the evaporator 10, and the check valve 50 is provided on the plate member P that is adjacent to the condenser 20. However, this positional relationship may be reversed. Furthermore, instead of two plate members P, a reduced diameter tube having a diameter equivalent to the through hole TH (see FIG. 3 , etc.) may be provided between the two plate members P. This also applies to the second and third embodiments.

[0068] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, it has been described that the first temperature-sensitive valve 40a is provided within the first evaporative condenser 70 or at a position closer to the first evaporative condenser 70 than the second evaporative condenser 80. Similarly, it has been described that the second temperature-sensitive valve 40b is provided within the second evaporative condenser 80 or at a position closer to the second evaporative condenser 80 than the first evaporative condenser 70. However, this is not limiting, and the second temperature-sensitive valve 40b may be provided within the first evaporative condenser 70 or at a position closer to the first evaporative condenser 70 than the second evaporative condenser 80. In this case, both the first temperature-sensitive valve 40a and the second temperature-sensitive valve 40b are opened or closed depending on the indoor temperature, so that heating operation is performed when the indoor temperature is cold and cooling operation is performed when the indoor temperature is hot, thereby enabling operation according to the indoor environment.

[0069] In addition, as shown in the above embodiment, it is preferable that the air conditioning panels 1 to 3 are provided with a check valve 50, but this is not essential and they do not necessarily have to be provided.

[0070] 1 to 3: Air conditioning panel 10: Evaporator 11: Storage section 20: Condenser 30: Refrigerant flow path 30a: First refrigerant flow path 30b: Second refrigerant flow path 40: Temperature-sensing valve 40a: First temperature-sensing valve 40b: Second temperature-sensing valve 70: First evaporative condenser 71: Storage section 80: Second evaporative condenser 81: Storage section

Claims

1. An air conditioning panel formed in the shape of a panel to provide an air conditioning effect, comprising: an evaporator having a storage section for liquid refrigerant and evaporating the refrigerant using heat from one side; a condenser into which vapor refrigerant from the evaporator is introduced and condensed and liquefied by heat released to the other side; a refrigerant flow path connecting the evaporator and the condenser and through which the refrigerant flows; and a temperature-sensitive valve that can be switched between an open state that allows the flow of refrigerant in the refrigerant flow path and a closed state that prohibits the flow of refrigerant based on the ambient temperature, wherein the temperature-sensitive valve is located within the condenser or at a position closer to the condenser than the evaporator and switches between the open state and the closed state.

2. The air conditioning panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature-sensitive valve is in the open state when the ambient temperature is below a predetermined temperature, and in the closed state when the ambient temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature.

3. The air conditioning panel according to claim 1, characterized in that the temperature-sensitive valve is in the open state when the ambient temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, and in the closed state when the ambient temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature.

4. The air conditioning panel described in claim 1, wherein the condenser is a first evaporative condenser having a storage section for liquid refrigerant and evaporating the refrigerant also by heat from the other side, and the evaporator is a second evaporative condenser that introduces vapor refrigerant evaporated by heat from the other side and condenses and liquefies the vapor refrigerant by heat dissipation to the one side, and the refrigerant flow path comprises a first refrigerant flow path and a second refrigerant flow path, and the temperature-sensitive valve comprises a first temperature-sensitive valve and a second temperature-sensitive valve, and the first temperature-sensitive valve is in the open state when the ambient temperature is below a first predetermined temperature and in the closed state when the ambient temperature is equal to or higher than the first predetermined temperature, and is located within the first evaporative condenser or at a position closer to the first evaporative condenser than the second evaporative condenser to switch between the open state and the closed state.

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