Cool air fan using thermoelectric element with high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a cool air fan using a thermoelectric element with a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure, which electronically cools internal air by means of heat absorption or heat generation while improving the flow contact structure with air in cooling and heat dissipation zones so as to output cool air with very high efficiency, the cool air fan comprising: a cool air fan body forming an internal space divided left and right into a heat dissipation zone and a cooling zone, and having a heat dissipation-driving fan and a cooling-driving fan installed in the heat dissipation zone and the cooling zone, respectively; a thermoelectric element installed at the boundary between the cooling zone and the heat dissipation zone within the cool air fan body, and having a cooling surface that absorbs heat and a heat-generating surface that generates heat by means of the supplied electric current; a heat dissipation module installed and positioned within the heat dissipation zone of the cool air fan body to correspond to the heat dissipation driving fan, and configured to dissipate heat by being adhered, for insulation, to the heat-generating surface of the thermoelectric element; and a cooling module installed and positioned within the cooling zone of the cool air fan body to correspond to the cooling-driving fan, and configured to dissipate cool air by being adhered, for insulation, to the cooling surface of the thermoelectric element.

Description

Cooling fan using a thermoelectric element with a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling fan using a thermoelectric element with a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure, and more specifically, to a cooling fan using a thermoelectric element with a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure capable of electronically cooling internal air using heat absorption or heat generation while improving the flow contact structure with the air for each cooling or heat dissipation area to very efficiently output cold air.

[0002] Generally, in hot weather such as summer, people create a cool indoor environment to cool down by using fans or air conditioners that can generate cool air. However, since air conditioners consume more power than fans, are not portable, and require the installation of an outdoor unit, households that use air conditioners also use household and portable fans.

[0003] However, in the case of electric fans, the principle is to generate wind by creating a pressure difference through the fan. While users can feel cool by lowering their body heat through this wind, there is a limit to the coolness because the wind itself does not contain cold air. In particular, being exposed to hot wind in hot weather is not a very refreshing experience.

[0004] Accordingly, fans capable of generating cooler air using refrigerants such as water or ice are being developed and released; however, since these refrigerant-equipped fans require the supply of water or ice after a certain period of time, they cause inconvenience to the user.

[0005] Meanwhile, with the development of Peltier elements, which generate cold and warm air through the Peltier effect, research on cooling or heating fans using Peltier elements, also known as thermoelectric elements, is actively underway. The Peltier effect refers to the phenomenon where, when an electric current is passed through an element made of two metals with different properties (P-type semiconductor and N-type semiconductor), heat is generated on one side and lost on the other at the junction of the two metals, resulting in simultaneous cooling and heating.

[0006] As prior art disclosed in relation to a cooling fan using a thermoelectric element as described above, Registered Patent Publication No. 2156987 (September 10, 2020) discloses a portable cooling fan capable of increasing energy efficiency and providing coolness and comfort to a user for a long time, comprising: a thermoelectric element module in which a heat-absorbing surface is formed on one side and a heat-generating surface is formed on the other side based on electronic cooling; a thermoelectric element housing portion that accommodates the thermoelectric element module inside; a first fan that blows cold air generated by the heat absorption of the heat absorption surface; a blower head formed with a blower opening for discharging the blown cold air; and a cold air transfer portion that connects the thermoelectric element housing portion and the blower head and performs heat exchange for the transfer of cold air or the generation of cold air from the heat absorption surface to the blower head, wherein the cooling fan is configured to include a heat absorption heat sink attached to the heat absorption surface and a heat generation heat sink attached to the heat-generating surface.

[0007] In addition, Registered Patent Publication No. 2206583 (January 18, 2021) describes a blower fan that rotates by a motor to generate wind; A refrigerant-free air cooler is known to be provided, comprising: a cooling module provided in front of the blower fan and cooling the wind to provide cold air to the outside; wherein the cooling module comprises a thermoelectric element, one side of which absorbs heat to form a low-temperature portion and the other side of which generates heat to form a high-temperature portion by means of a power source; a low-temperature heat transfer plate, which is formed in the shape of a plate and is provided in a direction intersecting the rotational axis direction of the blower fan, and one side of the thermoelectric element is connected to the rear side to receive cold air; and a water block provided to cover the other side of the thermoelectric element and through which cooling water flows, wherein the wind from the blower fan is cooled as it passes through the low-temperature heat transfer plate while the heat of the high-temperature portion is not released to the outside by the water block, and the low-temperature heat transfer plate is formed in a fan shape and a plurality of them are provided radially along the same axis to form a circle when viewed from the front, and the plurality of low-temperature heat transfer plates are provided such that they do not overlap each other or their edges appear to overlap when viewed from the front, and are provided such that they are spaced apart from each other along the axial direction when viewed from the side, thereby increasing the indoor cooling effect. there is.

[0008] However, all of the aforementioned conventional technologies had a problem in that the structure of the multiple cooling fins and heat dissipation fins installed for the purpose of cooling and heat dissipation from the thermoelectric element was simply extended in a straight line, resulting in reduced efficiency of contact with air and consequently a decrease in cooling and heat dissipation performance.

[0009] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems by providing a cooling fan using a thermoelectric element with a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure, which separates the cooling side and heat dissipation side regions based on the thermoelectric element internally and configures the airflow path by the cooling fins and heat dissipation fins in a curved zigzag shape, thereby increasing the contact efficiency with air for cooling and heat dissipation while simultaneously maximizing cooling and heat dissipation performance.

[0010] The air cooler using a thermoelectric element with a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure proposed by the present invention comprises: an air cooler main body having an internal space having a heat dissipation area and a cooling area divided into left and right sides, and configured to have a heat dissipation driving fan and a cooling driving fan installed in the heat dissipation area and the cooling area, respectively; a thermoelectric element installed at the boundary between the cooling area and the heat dissipation area within the air cooler main body, having a heating surface that generates heat by supplying current and a cooling surface that absorbs heat; a heat dissipation module installed within the heat dissipation area of ​​the air cooler main body, positioned to correspond to the heat dissipation driving fan, and configured to dissipate heat by insulatingly bonding to the heating surface of the thermoelectric element; and a cooling module installed within the cooling area of ​​the air cooler main body, positioned to correspond to the cooling driving fan, and configured to dissipate cold air by insulatingly bonding to the cooling surface of the thermoelectric element.

[0011] The above heat dissipation module comprises a heat dissipation housing having one side facing the heat-generating surface of the thermoelectric element and one side corresponding to the heat dissipation driving fan open to form an air flow path for heat dissipation, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins arranged at intervals within the heat dissipation housing and contacting each other to transfer heat to the air.

[0012] The above heat dissipation fin is formed with a longitudinally convex and concave sawtooth cross-sectional shape such that the air flow path for heat dissipation within the heat dissipation housing is curved in a zigzag pattern.

[0013] The above cooling module comprises a cooling housing having one side facing the cooling surface of the thermoelectric element and one side corresponding to the cooling drive fan open to form an air flow path for cooling, and a plurality of cooling fins arranged at intervals within the cooling housing and contacting the air to transfer cooling and heating.

[0014] The above cooling fin is formed with a longitudinally convex and concave sawtooth cross-sectional shape such that the air flow path for cooling within the cooling housing is curved in a zigzag pattern.

[0015] According to the air cooler using a thermoelectric element with a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure according to the present invention, heat dissipation and cooling are performed while separating the heat dissipation module and the cooling module based on the thermoelectric element inside, thereby maintaining the functionality of the product continuously while extending its lifespan and achieving the effect of improving the cooling performance of the product through excellent cooling and heat dissipation efficiency in each area.

[0016] In addition, the air cooler using the thermoelectric element with a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure according to the present invention configures the air flow path in each area to be curved in a zigzag pattern by means of heat dissipation fins and cooling fins, thereby maximizing air contact efficiency and having the effect of further improving the cooling and heat dissipation performance of the product.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment according to the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the assembled state of a heat dissipation module, a cooling module, and a thermoelectric element in an embodiment according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a plan cross-sectional view and an enlarged view showing a heat dissipation module in an embodiment according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a plan cross-sectional view and an enlarged view showing a cooling module in an embodiment according to the present invention.

[0022] The present invention features a cooling fan utilizing a thermoelectric element with a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure, comprising: a cooling fan body having an internal space formed with a heat dissipation area and a cooling area divided into left and right sides, and configured to install a heat dissipation driving fan and a cooling driving fan in the heat dissipation area and the cooling area, respectively; a thermoelectric element installed at the boundary between the cooling area and the heat dissipation area within the cooling fan body, having a heating surface that generates heat by supplying current and a cooling surface that absorbs heat; a heat dissipation module installed within the heat dissipation area of ​​the cooling fan body, positioned to correspond to the heat dissipation driving fan, and configured to dissipate heat by insulatingly bonding to the heating surface of the thermoelectric element; and a cooling module installed within the cooling area of ​​the cooling fan body, positioned to correspond to the cooling driving fan, and configured to dissipate cold air by insulatingly bonding to the cooling surface of the thermoelectric element.

[0023] Next, a preferred embodiment of a cooling fan using a thermoelectric element with a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0024] First, an embodiment of a cooling fan using a thermoelectric element with a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure according to the present invention is formed by including a cooling fan body (10), a thermoelectric element (20), a heat dissipation module (30), and a cooling module (40), as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the above-mentioned air cooler body (10) is formed in a box shape that has an internal space formed so that the overall components of the present invention (thermoelectric element (20), heat dissipation module (30), cooling module (40), etc.) can be mounted inside.

[0026] The above-described air cooler body (10) has an internal space divided into left and right sections, forming a heat dissipation area (s1) and a cooling area (s2). That is, the air cooler body (10) is configured such that the heat dissipation area (s1) and the cooling area (s2) are separated and partitioned based on the installation location of the thermoelectric element (20), so that the air in the heat dissipation area (s1) and the air in the cooling area (s2) within the air cooler body (10) can be separated and sealed, allowing the heat dissipation and cooling functions of the heat dissipation module (30) and the cooling module (40) to be performed.

[0027] In the above-described air cooler body (10), a heat dissipation driving fan (11) and a cooling driving fan (13) are installed in the heat dissipation area (s1) and the cooling area (s2), respectively. That is, in the heat dissipation area (s1) of the air cooler body (10), the heat dissipation driving fan (11) is installed to be driven in correspondence with the heat dissipation module (30), and in the cooling area (s2), the cooling driving fan (13) is installed to be driven in correspondence with the cooling module (40).

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thermoelectric element (20) is formed in the shape of a thin plate and is installed at the boundary point between the heat dissipation area (s1) and the cooling area (s2) within the main body (10) of the cold air blower.

[0029] The above thermoelectric element (20) is a structure capable of generating heat and cooling by supplying current, and is made of a semiconductor structure having a structure in which two different types of metals are joined.

[0030] The thermoelectric element (20) is formed such that when current (DC current) is supplied from the outside and current flows, a heating surface (21) that generates heat on one side and a cooling surface (23) that absorbs heat on the opposite side of the heating surface (21) are formed. That is, the thermoelectric element (20) is installed in a structure such that the cooling surface (23) is positioned toward the cooling area (s2) and the heating surface (21) is positioned toward the heat dissipation area (s1).

[0031] The thermoelectric element (20) described above utilizes the Peltier effect, which is a phenomenon of the relationship between heat and electricity, and is configured to apply the phenomenon in which, when current is passed through two different metal junctions, one side generates heat and the other side absorbs heat depending on the direction of the current.

[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the heat dissipation module (30) is installed within the heat dissipation area (s1) of the cold air blower body (10) and is positioned in correspondence with the heat dissipation driving fan (11), and performs the function of dissipating heat generated from the thermoelectric element (20).

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the heat dissipation module (30) is configured to have a structure capable of dissipating heat by insulatingly bonding to the heat-generating surface (21) of the thermoelectric element (20), and is composed of a heat dissipation housing (31) and a plurality of heat dissipation fins (35).

[0034] The above heat dissipation module (30) is composed of a material having overall heat dissipation and thermal insulation functions, mainly using metal or high thermal conductivity plastic. For example, materials such as copper, aluminum, ceramic, and graphene are used.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the heat dissipation housing (31) is formed in the shape of a cuboid box and is installed with one side facing the heat-generating surface (21) of the thermoelectric element (20), and is configured so that one side corresponding to the heat dissipation driving fan (11) is open to form an air flow path for heat dissipation.

[0036] The above heat dissipation fins (35) are formed integrally within the heat dissipation housing (31) and are formed to extend in the longitudinal direction along the air flow path, and a plurality of them are arranged at intervals within the heat dissipation housing (31) to form a flow path through which air can move.

[0037] The above heat dissipation fin (35) forms a structure capable of transferring heat to the air while forming a path separated for heat dissipation in the heat dissipation area (s1) of the above-mentioned air blower body (10), that is, an air flow path corresponding to the above-mentioned heat dissipation driving fan (11).

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the heat dissipation fins (35) are configured to have a convex and concave sawtooth cross-sectional shape that is repeated in the front-rear longitudinal direction. That is, since the air flow path for heat dissipation within the heat dissipation housing (31) formed between the plurality of heat dissipation fins (35) is configured to be curved in a zigzag pattern, it is possible to further enhance the contact efficiency between the air and the heat dissipation fins (35).

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the above cooling module (40) is installed within the cooling area (s2) of the above cooling fan body (10) and is positioned corresponding to the above cooling drive fan (13), and performs the function of dissipating cold air generated from the above thermoelectric element (20).

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the above cooling module (40) is configured to have a structure capable of dissipating cold air by insulatingly bonding to the cooling surface (23) of the thermoelectric element (20), and is composed of a cooling housing (41) and a plurality of cooling fins (45).

[0041] In the above, the cooling module (40) is composed of a material having heat dissipation and thermal insulation functions, similar to the heat dissipation module (30), and is mainly made using metal or high thermal conductivity plastic. For example, materials such as copper, aluminum, ceramic, and graphene are used.

[0042] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the heat dissipation housing (31) is formed in the shape of a cuboid box and is installed with one side facing the cooling surface (23) of the thermoelectric element (20), and is configured so that one side corresponding to the cooling drive fan (13) is open to form an air flow path for cooling.

[0043] The above cooling fins (45) are formed integrally within the cooling housing (41) and are extended in the longitudinal direction along the air flow path, and a plurality of them are arranged at intervals within the cooling housing (41) to form a flow path through which air can move.

[0044] The above cooling fin (45) is configured to have a structure capable of transferring cold and hot air to the air while forming a separated path for generating cold air in the cooling area (s2) of the above cooling fan body (10), that is, an air flow path corresponding to the above cooling drive fan (13).

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5, the cooling fins (45) are configured to have a convex and concave sawtooth cross-sectional shape that is repeated in the front-rear longitudinal direction. That is, since the air flow path for cooling within the cooling housing (41) formed between the plurality of cooling fins (45) is configured to be curved in a zigzag pattern, it is possible to further enhance the contact efficiency between the air and the cooling fins (45).

[0046] In other words, according to the air cooler utilizing a thermoelectric element with a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure configured as described above, heat dissipation and cooling are performed while separating the heat dissipation module and the cooling module based on the thermoelectric element inside. This configuration allows for extending the product's lifespan while continuously maintaining the product's functionality, and enables the improvement of the product's cooling performance through excellent cooling and heat dissipation efficiency in each area.

[0047] Furthermore, since the present invention configures the airflow paths in each region to be curved in a zigzag pattern by means of heat dissipation fins and cooling fins, it is possible to maximize air contact efficiency and further improve the cooling and heat dissipation performance of the product.

[0048] Although a preferred embodiment of a cooling fan using a thermoelectric element with a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure according to the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the claims, the specification of the invention, and the attached drawings, and such modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0049] The air cooler utilizing a thermoelectric element with a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure according to the present invention is designed to achieve excellent cooling and heat dissipation performance while increasing air contact efficiency for heat dissipation and cooling by manufacturing the air flow paths for each area by the heat dissipation module and the cooling module in a curved zigzag shape while distinguishing the heat dissipation area and the cooling area within the air cooler body. As such, it has industrial applicability in the field of developing low-power, low-noise, and energy-efficient air coolers, such as in manufacturing facilities or sales outlets that produce small and portable air coolers.

Claims

1. A cooling fan body having an internal space having a heat dissipation area and a cooling area divided into left and right sides, and configured to have a heat dissipation driving fan and a cooling driving fan installed in the heat dissipation area and the cooling area, respectively; A thermoelectric element installed at the boundary between the cooling area and the heat dissipation area within the above-mentioned air cooler body, wherein a heating surface that generates heat by supplying current and a cooling surface that absorbs heat are formed; A heat dissipation module installed within the heat dissipation area of ​​the above-mentioned cold air blower body, positioned corresponding to the above-mentioned heat dissipation driving fan, and configured to dissipate heat by insulating and bonding to the heat-generating surface of the above-mentioned thermoelectric element; A cooling fan using a thermoelectric element with a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure, comprising: a cooling module installed within the cooling area of ​​the above-mentioned cooling fan body, positioned in correspondence with the above-mentioned cooling drive fan, and configured to dissipate cold air by insulating and bonding to the cooling surface of the above-mentioned thermoelectric element.

2. In Claim 1, The above-described heat dissipation module comprises a heat dissipation housing that has one side facing the heat-generating surface of the thermoelectric element and one side corresponding to the heat dissipation driving fan open to form an air flow path for heat dissipation, and a plurality of heat dissipation fins arranged at intervals within the heat dissipation housing and contacting the air to transfer heat, thereby forming a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure for a cooling fan.

3. In Claim 2, The above-described heat dissipation fin is a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure thermoelectric element having a convex and concave sawtooth cross-sectional shape in the longitudinal direction, such that the air flow path for heat dissipation within the heat dissipation housing is curved in a zigzag pattern.

4. In Claim 1, The above cooling module is a cooling fan using a thermoelectric element with a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure, comprising: a cooling housing that has one side facing the cooling surface of the thermoelectric element and one side corresponding to the cooling drive fan open to form an air flow path for cooling; and a plurality of cooling fins arranged at intervals within the cooling housing and contacting each other to transfer cooling and heating to the air.

5. In Claim 4, The above cooling fin is a high-efficiency cooling and heat dissipation contact structure thermoelectric element that has a serrated cross-sectional shape with convex and concave longitudinally, forming an air flow path for cooling within the cooling housing.

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