Cooling/warming device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling/warming devices using thermoelectric elements face challenges in effectively discharging cool and warm air without mixing, requiring an efficient air flow path design to achieve proper cooling/warming effects.
Innovation Solution
A cooling/warming device design featuring a thermoelectric element with a first and second heat transmission member, a fan for air circulation, and a controller to manage the thermoelectric device and fan operations, along with a specific air flow path structure including an air blow pipe, discharge pipe, and inclined regions in the discharge pipe to separate and direct cooled and heated air effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple air flow path is used, then the device structure is simple, but cooled air and heated air mix together reducing cooling/warming effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge pipe is segmented into multiple functional regions (bent region, inclined region, discharge region) that separately guide cooled air and heated air along distinct paths. This segmentation prevents mixing of the two air streams while maintaining a relatively compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the discharge pipe are designed with different geometric characteristics (bent region for direction change, inclined region for separation, discharge region for outlet) to optimize the flow behavior of cooled and heated air locally, ensuring effective separation without complex overall structure.
2Reliability
If traditional cooling/warming devices are used, then cooling/warming function is provided, but the devices are heavy and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge pipe integrates multiple functions (air direction, air separation, air discharge) into a single component structure, eliminating the need for separate guides or channels. This merging reduces the overall device weight and size while maintaining effective cooling/warming performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge pipe serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it changes air direction, separates cooled and heated air streams, and provides discharge outlets. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing device weight and bulk.
3Reliability
If traditional cooling/warming devices are used, then cooling/warming function is provided, but the devices have large size
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined region and bent region are nested within the discharge pipe structure, with the inclined region positioned between the bent region and the discharge region. This nested arrangement allows multiple air flow manipulation functions to be compactly integrated, reducing overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge pipe utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement with bent regions changing horizontal direction and inclined regions changing vertical direction, effectively separating air streams in multiple dimensions within a compact volume, thereby reducing overall device size.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device achieves high-performance cooling/warming with low noise, light weight, and a slim design, suitable for various applications including home appliances and outdoor products by effectively separating and discharging cooled and heated air.
Implementation Method 1
elements which use the Peltier effect in which heating or heat absorption occurs due to a current
Implementation Method 2
elements which use the Seebeck effect in which an electromotive force is generated due to a difference in temperature
Implementation Method 3
a fan which is accommodated in the case and circulates air introduced into the case
Implementation Method 4
a first heat transmission member disposed at a side of the lower case, a second heat transmission member disposed at a side of the upper case
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling/warming device according to one embodiment of the present invention provides a cooling/warming device including a case including a lower case and an upper case coupled to the lower case, a fan which is accommodated in the case and circulates air introduced into the case, a thermoelectric device which is accommodated in the case, is disposed on a side surface of the fan, cools some air generated by the fan, and heats the remaining air, and a controller which is connected to the thermoelectric device and the fan and controls operation of the thermoelectric device and the fan. The thermoelectric device includes a first heat transmission member disposed at a side of the lower case, a second heat transmission member disposed at a side of the upper case, and a thermoelectric element disposed between the first heat transmission member and the second heat transmission member. The case includes an inlet through which air is introduced into the case, an air blow pipe through which air passing through the first heat transmission member flows, an air blow port from which the air flowing through the air blow pipe is discharged, a discharge pipe through which air passing through the second heat transmission member flows, and a discharge outlet from which the air flowing through the discharge pipe is discharged, and a bottom surface of the discharge pipe includes inclined regions having different heights at a predetermined point.