Heating Medium Temperature Control Device Having Dehumidification Function

The present disclosure relates to a heating medium temperature control device using a thermoelectric element to control the temperature and circulation of a heating medium. In particular, a heating medium temperature control device is detachably connected to a temperature regulating apparatus that is a temperature control target and controls the temperature of a circulating heating medium to control the state of the temperature regulating apparatus in response to desired conditions of a user.

In general, a hot water mat includes a mat with a flow pipe for hot water to flow, a boiler for producing hot water, and a circulation line connecting the boiler and the mat and provides heating by circulating heated water. However, the hot water mat provides only hot water, and thus it has the problem of being difficult to use in hot summer seasons other than winter or when the user wants cold air.

To solve such a problem, a cold and hot water temperature control device that selectively supplies hot water and cold water to a mat to provide a cooling function as well as a heating function is disclosed. As disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2401138, a thermoelectric element having a heating surface and a heat absorbing surface is used in a cold and hot water temperature control device to selectively supply cold water and hot water.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a heating medium temperature control device having a dehumidification function to control the humidity of the environment around the device.

Further, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a heating medium temperature control device capable of preventing overheating of a heating medium during operation in a dehumidification mode.

The technical objects to be achieved by the present disclosure are not limited to the technical objects mentioned above, and other technical objects that are not mentioned will be clear to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of the disclosure below.

The present disclosure provides a heating medium temperature control device having a dehumidification function, which is connected to a temperature regulating apparatus provided with a tube and controls a temperature of the heating medium circulating through the tube. The heating medium temperature control device having a dehumidification function may include a main tank, a heat exchange part, a switching part, and a heating medium circulation part. The main tank may accommodate the circulating heating medium. The heat exchange part may include a thermoelectric element and a heating medium block disposed on one side of the thermoelectric element and provided with a flow path through which the heating medium returned from the temperature regulating apparatus is transferred to the main tank. The switching part may include a bypass inlet supplied with the heating medium from the main tank, a first bypass outlet and a second bypass outlet selectively opened and closed to discharge the heating medium. The heating medium circulation part may include an inflow line connecting the temperature regulating apparatus and the heating medium block, a discharge line connecting the first bypass outlet and the temperature regulating apparatus, and a bypass line connecting the second bypass outlet and the heating medium block.

The heating medium temperature control device having a dehumidification function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a controller configured to selectively control the thermoelectric element and the switching part in response to a cooling mode, a heating mode, and a dehumidification mode. The controller may control the switching part to open the second bypass outlet in the dehumidification mode.

The heating medium temperature control device having a dehumidification function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a temperature sensor configured to sense a temperature of the thermoelectric element or the temperature of the heating medium accommodated in at least one of the main tank and the heating medium block. The controller may control the switching part such that an open state of the second bypass outlet is maintained when a temperature value sensed through the temperature sensor is less than a preset temperature value and the first bypass outlet is open when the temperature value is equal to or greater than the preset temperature value in the dehumidification mode.

The heating medium temperature control device having a dehumidification function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an auxiliary tank for receiving condensed water generated in the dehumidification mode, an auxiliary line connecting the auxiliary tank and the main tank, an auxiliary pump for supplying the condensed water from the auxiliary tank to the main tank through the auxiliary line, and a water level sensor configured to sense a water level of the auxiliary tank. The controller may determine whether to operate the auxiliary pump based on water level information from the water level sensor.

The heating medium temperature control device having a dehumidification function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include an auxiliary heat dissipation part including an auxiliary thermoelectric element, and an auxiliary heating medium block disposed on one side of the auxiliary thermoelectric element. The auxiliary heating medium block may include a flow path for the heating medium, the flow path having an auxiliary block inlet and an auxiliary block outlet formed at one end and the other end thereof. The bypass line may include a first bypass line connecting the second bypass outlet and the auxiliary block inlet, and a second bypass line connecting the auxiliary block outlet and the heating medium block.

The one side of the auxiliary thermoelectric element may be fixed and operated as a cooling surface for performing a cooling action.

The heating medium temperature control device having a dehumidification function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a temperature sensor configured to sense the temperature of the thermoelectric element or the temperature of the heating medium accommodated in at least one of the main tank and the heating medium block. In the dehumidification mode, the controller may perform control such that the heating medium circulates in a state in which the auxiliary thermoelectric element does not operate when a temperature value sensed through the temperature sensor is less than a preset temperature value. In the dehumidification mode, the controller may perform control such that the heating medium cooled through heat exchange circulates in a state in which the auxiliary thermoelectric element operates when the temperature value is equal to or greater than the preset temperature value.

The heating medium temperature control device having a dehumidification function according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a circulation pump for inducing circulation of the heating medium.

The heating medium temperature control device according to the present disclosure has the advantage of providing a dehumidification function to control the humidity of the environment around the device. In addition, the heating medium temperature control device according to the present disclosure has the advantages of preventing deterioration in dehumidification function performance and extending the lifespan of the device by preventing overheating of the heating medium that occurs during operation in a dehumidification mode.

The effects that can be obtained from the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

In describing embodiments disclosed in the present disclosure, if a detailed description of known techniques associated with the present disclosure would unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure, detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are provided for easy understanding of embodiments of the disclosure and do not limit technical spirits of the disclosure, and the embodiments should be construed as including all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the embodiments.

While terms, such as “first”, “second”, etc., may be used to describe various components, such components must not be limited by the above terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

When an element is “coupled” or “connected” to another element, it should be understood that a third element may be present between the two elements although the element may be directly coupled or connected to the other element. When an element is “directly coupled” or “directly connected” to another element, it should be understood that no element is present between the two elements.

The singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In addition, in the specification, it will be further understood that the terms “comprise” and “include” specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations.

In describing embodiments of the present disclosure, terms meaning directions such as up and down, forward and backward, left and right are only used to present relative standards for describing embodiments of the present disclosure, are not intended to specify any direction or location on an absolute basis, and may vary relatively depending on the location of a target object, the location of an observer, a viewing direction, etc.

is a perspective view illustrating a heating medium temperature control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating the configuration and operating state of the heating medium temperature control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.is a perspective view schematically illustrating the interior of the heating medium temperature control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.is an exploded perspective view illustrating the structure of a heating medium block and a main tank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toto, a heating medium temperature control devicehaving a dehumidification function (hereinafter referred to as heating medium temperature control device) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a device that is detachably connected to a temperature regulating apparatusthat is a temperature control target and adjusts the temperature of a circulating heating medium to control the temperature and humidity of the temperature regulating apparatusand the surrounding environment in response to desired conditions of a user. The temperature regulating apparatusmay be a cold and hot water mat including a flow pipethrough which a heating medium flows, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The heating medium may preferably be water, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The heating medium temperature control deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a housingthat determines the external shape of the device. The housingmay have a hexahedral shape as shown, but is not limited thereto. The housingmay have various external shapes capable of accommodating components that will be described later. The housingmay include a first housing and a second housing that can be assembled and separated according to the user's intention to ensure convenience of assembly.

A user input partmay be formed on one surface, preferably the upper surface, of the housing. The user input partmay generate key input data input by a user to control the operation of the heating medium temperature control device. To this end, the user input partmay include at least one of a key pad, a dome switch, a touch pad, and a touch screen in which a touch pad and a display panel are combined, or a combination thereof, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. A connectorfor connecting the heating medium temperature control deviceand the temperature regulating apparatusmay be detachably coupled to one side of the housing.

The heating medium temperature control deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main tank, a heat exchange part, a heating medium circulation part, a circulation pump, and a controller. The main tank, the heat exchange part, the heating medium circulation part, the circulation pump, and the controllermay be accommodated inside the housing. The main tank, the heat exchange part, and the heating medium circulation partmay be interconnected with the flow pipe (or tube)of the temperature regulating apparatusto form a flow path for the heating medium.

The main tankmay accommodate a heating medium flowing in from the outside and a circulating heating medium. The main tankmay include an inlet that is open to the outside, and the inlet may be open and closed through at least one stopper. Preferably, the inlet may be provided to be exposed to the outside of the housing, and the stoppermay be detachably fastened to the inlet from the outside of the housing. The main tankmay include an outletprovided at the bottom.

The heat exchange partmay be a component for inducing heat exchange with the heating medium under the control of the controllerin response to user manipulation and/or preset conditions. The heat exchange partmay include a thermoelectric element, a heating medium block, and a heat dissipation part.

The thermoelectric elementuses the Peltier effect, and is an element that creates a temperature difference through a potential difference by using the effect that occurs when bipolar semiconductors (for example, N-type semiconductors and P-type semiconductors) are combined. When a voltage is applied to the thermoelectric element, a temperature difference occurs on both sides of the element, and one of the one side and the other side can perform a heating action through heat generation, and the other can perform a cooling action through heat absorption. The heating surface and the cooling surface of the thermoelectric elementchange depending on the direction of current, and the amount of heat generation and heat absorption can be adjusted depending on the amount of current.

The heating medium blockmay be located on one side of the thermoelectric element. Preferably, one side of the heating medium blockmay be positioned to contact the one side of the thermoelectric element. The heating medium blockmay be located between the thermoelectric elementand the main tank. Preferably, the other side of the heating medium blockmay be positioned to contact the main tank.

The heating medium blockmay accommodate a circulating heating medium therein. That is, the heating medium blockmay include a flow path that can induce heat exchange by the thermoelectric elementin the process in which the circulating heating medium flows in from the temperature regulating apparatusand then is discharged to the main tank. To this end, the heating medium blockmay include a block inlet, a plurality of partition walls, and a block outlet. The block inletmay be a portion through which the heating medium returned from the temperature regulating apparatusflows into the heating medium block. The plurality of partition wallsmay form a flow path of the heating medium introduced through the block inlet. The block outletmay be a portion that communicates with the main tanksuch that the heating medium flowing through the flow path formed by the partition wallsis discharged to the main tank.

One end of the flow path provided by the partition wallsmay communicate with the block inlet, and the other end may communicate with the block outlet. The block inletmay be open toward the lower part of the housingin the downward direction, and the block outletmay be open toward the inside of the main tank. Accordingly, the flow path of the heating medium within the heating medium blockmay be formed by the block inlet, partition walls, and block outlet.

The partition wallsmay guide the flow of the heating medium. The plurality of partition wallsextend in the left and right directions (or lateral direction or horizontal direction) within the heating medium blockand may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the up and down directions (or vertical direction). The plurality of partition wallsmay be disposed in a zigzag shape to induce the heating medium to flow in a zigzag shape. This may mean ensuring that the flow path of the heating medium is sufficiently long in a limited space. While the heating medium flows along the flow path inside the heating medium block, sufficient heat exchange can occur between the heating medium and the thermoelectric element, so the heat exchange efficiency can be significantly improved.

The heating medium blockmay include a first bodyand a second bodythat can be assembled. The external shape of the heating medium blockmay be determined by the combination of the first bodyand the second body. One side of the first bodymay be positioned to contact the thermoelectric element. The partition wallsmay be formed on the other side of the first body. The first bodyand the partition wallsmay be made of the same material and may be made of a material with high thermal conductivity, such as a metal material. Accordingly, since the first bodyand the partition walls, which have relatively high thermal conductivity, are in direct contact with the thermoelectric element, the efficiency of heat exchange with the heating medium flowing along the flow path provided by the partition wallscan be significantly improved.

The second bodymay be fixed to the first bodywhile covering the partition walls. By combining the first bodyand the second body, the flow path formed by the partition wallsmay be determined in one direction set in advance. One side of the second bodymay be in contact with the main tank. One surface of the main tankmay be fixed to the one side of the second bodyin an open state. The second bodymay be formed of the same material as the first body. Alternatively, the second bodymay be made of the same material as the main tank, for example, plastic. In this case, the second bodyand the main tankmay be formed integrally.

The heat dissipation partmay include a heat sinkand a heat dissipation fanthat perform a heat dissipation function. The heat sinkmay be located on the other side of the thermoelectric element. The heat sinkmay include heat dissipation fins formed on the other side thereof opposite one side adjacent to the thermoelectric element. The heat dissipation fanmay be located on the other side of the heat sinkand operate to discharge heat-exchanged air to the outside. The heat dissipation fanmay be fixed to the other side of the heat sink. If necessary, the heat dissipation fanmay operate to allow outside air to flow thereinto. If necessary, a plurality of heat sinksand heat dissipation fansmay be provided.

The heating medium circulation partmay include flow pipes through which the heating medium flows. The heating medium circulation partmay connect some components within the heating medium temperature control device, and may connect some components within the heating medium temperature control deviceand the temperature regulating apparatus. The heating medium circulation partmay include at least a discharge lineand an inflow line.

The discharge linemay connect the main tankand the temperature regulating apparatus. The discharge linemay refer to a flow pipe through which the heating medium discharged from the outletof the main tankflows to the temperature regulating apparatus. The inflow linemay connect the heating medium blockand the temperature regulating apparatus. The inflow linemay refer to a flow pipe through which the heating medium returned from the temperature regulating apparatusflows to the block inletof the heating medium block. A flow path of the heating medium circulating the heating medium temperature control deviceand the temperature regulating apparatusmay be formed by the inflow lineand the discharge line. The flow path may be formed as follows, and the heating medium may circulate along the flow path corresponding to user settings and/or predetermined conditions.

<Flow path of circulating heating medium> heating medium blockof heat exchange part→main tank→discharge line→temperature regulating apparatus→inflow line→heating medium blockof heat exchange part

The circulation pumpmay induce circulation of the heating medium in the flow path. The circulation pumpmay be located below the main tankand may be connected to the discharge line, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The controllermay perform one or more instructions. The controllermay control the heating medium temperature control deviceaccording to preset conditions including a cooling mode and a heating mode. The preset conditions may include information on device operation by a user, information related to information on surrounding environment information, etc. The preset conditions may be input through the user input part. Alternatively, the heating medium temperature control devicemay further include a communication unit capable of communicating with a user terminal, and the preset conditions may be input through the user terminal. The preset conditions can be stored in advance in a memory.

For example, the controllermay apply power to the thermoelectric elementand drive the circulation pumpin response to a power ON signal. The controllermay control the thermoelectric elementin response to a cooling mode signal (or temperature setting corresponding to cooling mode). That is, the controllermay control the current direction of the thermoelectric elementto a preset direction such that one side of the thermoelectric elementfacing the heating medium blockperforms a cooling function. The controllermay control the thermoelectric elementin response to a heating mode signal (or temperature setting corresponding to heating mode). That is, the controllermay control the current direction of the thermoelectric elementto a preset reverse direction such that the one side of the thermoelectric elementfacing the heating medium blockperforms a heating function. The controllermay obtain sensing information from a temperature sensor that senses the temperature of the heat medium discharged toward the temperature regulating apparatusand control the amount of current of the thermoelectric element such that the heating medium at a temperature set by the user can be discharged.

The controllermay be implemented as a non-volatile computer-readable medium including executable program instructions. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, a ROM, a RAM, a compact disc (CD)-ROMs, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, a flash drive, a smart card, and am optical data storage device.

The controllermay be implemented using at least one of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a digital signal processing device (DSPD), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a processor, a microprocessor, and an electrical unit for performing other functions.

The heating medium temperature control devicemay further include a power supply for supplying power to at least some components of the device. The power supply may receive power from an external source or may include an energy storage device such as a battery.

is a diagram for describing the shape of the partition walls according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.andare diagrams comparing fluid temperature distributions and fluid trajectory distributions when protrusions are formed on the partition walls and when protrusions are not formed thereon.

Referring to, the heating medium blockmay include the partition walls. As described above, the partition wallsare arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction and may be arranged in a zigzag shape to form one flow path. For example, as illustrated, one of adjacent partition wallsmay be shifted to the left to form a right holethat is open on the right side, and the other may be shifted to the right to form a left holethat is open on the left side. According to such arrangement of the partition walls, the heating medium blockmay have a structure in which right holesand left holesare formed sequentially alternately from bottom to top in at least some areas.

In this structure, at least one of the partition wallsmay further include a protrusionprotruding downward (or in a direction opposite the direction in which the heating medium flows). The partition wallsmay include a plurality of protrusions, and the plurality of protrusionsmay be arranged at predetermined intervals. The numbers and spacings of the protrusionsformed on each of the partition wallsmay be the same, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Referring toand, in a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the surface area of the heat conductor in contact with the circulating heating medium can be increased by providing the protrusions. Accordingly, heat conductivity from the thermoelectric elementto the heating medium can be improved, and temperature uniformity depending on the location of the heating medium can be significantly improved. Additionally, by including a resistance structure such as the protrusions, the vortex phenomenon of the flowing heating medium can be reduced.