Abstract:
An air conditioner of an electric vehicle includes a blower. A Peltier unit is connected to the blower unit to receive air blown therefrom, and includes Peltier devices mounted on opposite side sections. One surface of each Peltier device is oriented inward and the other surface of each Peltier device is oriented outward in order to eject cooled or heated air to respective regions. A partition is mounted between the opposite side sections of the Peltier unit to divide a space inside the Peltier unit into first and second spaces, the Peltier device mounted on one side section is contained in the first space, and the Peltier device mounted on the other side section is contained in the second space. A guide case contains the Peltier unit therein and introduces outside air. Heat exchange occurs when the air sequentially passes through the first and second spaces of the Peltier unit.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application Number 10-2010-0107810 filed on Nov. 1, 2010, the entire contents of which application is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an air conditioner of an electric vehicle, and more particularly, to an air conditioner of an electric vehicle in which a Peltier unit having a Peltier device is provided and an air guide passage is improved in order to increase the efficiency of cooling and heating. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    In general, an air conditioner, also known as a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, is installed in a vehicle in order to provide a pleasant environment to a driver and passengers by performing a variety of air-conditioning functions, such as ventilation, cooling, and heating, in a cabin in response to an operation by a driver. Such an HVAC system can be operated by the driver or the passenger using controls provided to the lower right of a steering wheel. The HVAC system can also be operated by adjusting a ventilation passage or running an air conditioner compressor by operating an automatic temperature control unit. 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a status view schematically showing an air conditioner for a vehicle of the related art. In the air conditioner for a vehicle of the related art shown in the figure, the ventilation passage of air that passes through an air conditioner evaporator is described as follows. An air inlet door  100  determines whether inside air or outside air is the source of air to be blown. A blower  101  is configured to forcibly blow the air into a cabin of the vehicle through the air inlet door  100 . The air conditioner evaporator  106  is provided such that the air that is introduced from the blower  101  passes through it. An air mix door  103  is configured such that it regulates the amount of the air that is blown toward a heater core  102 . Air ducts  104  and air vents  105  are configured to supply the air that has passed through the air conditioner evaporator  106  and the heater core  102  to individual regions of the vehicle. 
         [0007]    Describing in greater detail the flow of the air that is supplied into the cabin of the vehicle through the ventilation passage as above, the blower  101  takes in the air from the source of air, which is selected by the air inlet door  100 , and forcibly blows the air, so that the blown air is cooled while passing through the evaporator  106  of the air conditioner before being introduced into the cabin of the vehicle. 
         [0008]    After having passed through the evaporator  106  of the air conditioner, the air is introduced into the cabin of the vehicle through the air ducts  104  and the air vents  105 , after selectively having passed through the heater core  102  depending on the state of the air mix door  103 . The air that has passed through the heater core  102  and the air that has not passed through the heater core  102  are mixed in a mix zone  107  so that the mixed air is converted to a predetermined temperature. Afterwards, the resultant air is introduced into the cabin of the vehicle through the air ducts  104  and the air vents  105 . 
         [0009]    Therefore, when the amount of air that passes through the heater core  102  increases, the temperature of the air supplied into the cabin of the vehicle rises correspondingly. As described above, the air mix door  103  substantially serves to control the temperature of the air that is introduced into the cabin of the vehicle. 
         [0010]    Of course, it is possible to supply air having a predetermined temperature into the cabin of the vehicle or regulate the supply of the air by controlling the degree to which the air vents are opened/closed and the degree to which the air conditioner compressor is operated while regulating the basic passageways of the air. The air vents  105  are generally configured to blow the air in three directions, that is, toward the feet, the chest, and the head of the driver or the passenger. 
         [0011]    The air conditioner for a vehicle of the related art, which is configured to control the temperature of the cabin of the vehicle, actuates a cooler or a heater to cool or heat the cabin of the vehicle when controls provided on a portion of a dashboard that is to the lower right of a steering wheel, are operated. 
         [0012]    In such a combined air conditioner for a vehicle, engine coolant of the heater for a vehicle is heated, and the air taken in by the blower  101  obtains heat necessary for heating while passing through the heater core  102 , which is provided in a coolant circulation path. 
         [0013]    However, in the case in which the air conditioner of a vehicle of the related art is intended to be applied to an electric vehicle, which does not need engine coolant, it is difficult to perform heating with the existing HVAC structure. There are also problems in that it is difficult to install the heater core  102  and in that the ability to miniaturize the system is limited since the evaporator and the heater core are provided internally. 
         [0014]    The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for the enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art that would already be known to a person skilled in the art. 
         [0015]    The information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0016]    Various aspects of the present invention provide an air conditioner of an electric vehicle, which can be applied to an electric vehicle and can be miniaturized. 
         [0017]    Also provided is an air conditioner of an electric vehicle, which uses a Peltier unit without restricting the refrigerant to Freon gas, the use of which is regulated, and which has a light and simple structure. 
         [0018]    Also provided is an air conditioner of an electric vehicle, which has a structure that enables double heat exchange inside the Peltier unit, thereby improving the efficiency of cooling and heating. 
         [0019]    In an aspect of the present invention, the air conditioner of an electric vehicle includes a blower, which contains a blower therein in order to forcibly blow intake air. A Peltier unit is connected to the blower unit to receive air that is blown from the blower unit, and includes Peltier devices mounted on opposite side sections in the outer circumference thereof, with one surface of each of the Peltier devices being oriented inward and the other surface of each of the Peltier devices being oriented outward, in order to eject air that is cooled or heated to respective regions of the vehicle. A partition is mounted between the opposite side sections of the Peltier unit to divide a space inside the Peltier unit into first and second spaces, the Peltier device mounted on one side section being contained in the first space, and the Peltier device mounted on the other side section being contained in the second space. A guide case contains the Peltier unit therein and introduces outside air in order to dissipate heat to the outside, the heat being generated from the other surface of each of the Peltier devices. Heat exchange occurs when the air that is blown from the blower unit sequentially passes through the first and second spaces of the Peltier unit. 
         [0020]    In various aspects of the present invention, the Peltier unit may include an upper section defining an inlet for allowing the blower unit to communicate with the first space and an entrance communicating with the second space. The entrance communicates with an air vent, which guides air that has passed through heat exchange to respective regions of the vehicle. The Peltier unit may also include the opposite side sections of four side sections, which adjoin the upper section, the Peltier devices being mounted on the opposite side sections. 
         [0021]    In other aspects of the invention, the Peltier unit may include heat exchanger fins mounted on one surface of each of the Peltier devices such that heat transfer is enabled, and heat dissipation fins mounted on the other surface of each of the Peltier devices such that heat transfer is enabled. 
         [0022]    In other aspects of the invention, the air vent may include a first air vent guiding the cooled or heat air to be ejected toward a windshield of the vehicle, and a second air vent guiding the cooled or heat air to be ejected toward a chest of a driver or a passenger. 
         [0023]    In various aspects of the invention, the Peltier unit may further include a lower section opposite the upper section. The lower section communicates with a third air vent, which guides the cooled or heated air toward feet of the driver or the passenger. 
         [0024]    Other aspects of the invention, a first damper is provided in the entrance of the first air vent, a second damper is provided in the entrance of the second air vent, and a third damper is provided in the entrance of the third air vent. 
         [0025]    In various aspects of the invention, the partition may include a partition damper mounted on one end thereof, which faces the upper section, the partition damper selectively allowing the first space and the second space to communicate with each other, and a communication port formed on the other end thereof, the communication port allowing the first space and the second space to communicate with each other. 
         [0026]    In various aspects of the invention, the guide case may have an exhaust inlet passage. One end of the exhaust inlet passage contains therein an exhaust blower in order to take in air from an outside, and the other end of the exhaust inlet passage is connected to one of opposite side sections on which the Peltier devices are not mounted. The guide case may have an exhaust outlet passage. One end of the exhaust outlet passage is connected to the other side section opposite one side section to which the exhaust inlet passage is connected in order to exhaust air that has passed through heat exchange to the outside. 
         [0027]    In another aspect of the invention, the exhaust blower may be located in an engine room side with respect to a dash panel, which separates a cabin of the vehicle from the engine from. 
         [0028]    In various aspects of the invention, the blower may be located in an engine room side with respect to a dash panel, which separates a cabin of the vehicle from the engine from. 
         [0029]    According to various aspects of the present invention, the air conditioner of an electric vehicle can selectively perform cooling and heating of the electric vehicle using the Peltier unit having the Peltier devices. In addition, double heat exchange can be realized by the improvement of the passage through which air flows, thereby increasing the efficiency of cooling and heating. 
         [0030]    Furthermore, the air conditioner of an electric vehicle does not require a refrigerant system, such as the HVAC system, which is mounted on a vehicle having an internal combustion engine of the related art, and is provided with the Peltier unit, which can be reduced in size. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the weight and the manufacturing cost of the air conditioner. 
         [0031]    In addition, the air conditioner of an electric vehicle does not use the refrigerant, such as Freon gas, which can cause environmental problem, and thus is free from the regulations that prohibit the use of Freon gas. Therefore, the air conditioner is environmental friendly and can be used without being regulated. 
         [0032]    Moreover, it is possible to increase the outer circumferential area of the Peltier unit on which the Peltier devices are mounted, thereby increasing the heat transfer area and improving heat dissipation performance. Therefore, the air conditioner of an electric vehicle is applicable to medium size electric vehicles. 
         [0033]    The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description of the Invention, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. 
         [0034]    The methods and apparatuses of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and the following Detailed Description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  is a status view schematically showing an air conditioner for a vehicle of the related art. 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is a front cross-sectional view showing an exemplary air conditioner of an electric vehicle according to the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is a top plan view showing an exemplary air conditioner of an electric vehicle according to the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view showing an exemplary air conditioner of an electric vehicle according to the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIGS. 5 to 7  are state views showing the states in which cooled/heated air is ejected, in which  FIG. 5  is a view showing the state in which double heat exchange is enabled,  FIG. 6  is a view showing the state in which single heat exchange is enabled, and  FIG. 7  is a view showing the state in which single and double heat exchange are both enabled. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0040]    Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the present invention(s), examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention(s) will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that present description is not intended to limit the invention(s) to those exemplary embodiments. On the contrary, the invention(s) is/are intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0041]      FIG. 2  is a front cross-sectional view showing an air conditioner of an electric vehicle according to various embodiments of the invention,  FIG. 3  is a top plan view showing the air conditioner of an electric vehicle according to various embodiments of the invention, and  FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view showing the air conditioner of an electric vehicle according to various embodiments of the invention.  FIGS. 5 to 7  are state views showing the states in which cooled/heated air is ejected, in which  FIG. 5  is a view showing the state in which double heat exchange is enabled,  FIG. 6  is a view showing the state in which single heat exchange is enabled, and  FIG. 7  is a view showing the state in which single and double heat exchange are both enabled. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 7 , the air conditioner of an electric vehicle of various embodiments includes a blower unit  30 , a Peltier unit  10 , a partition  40 , and a guide case  20 . The blower unit  30  is provided therein with a blower  31  such that it can forcibly blow intake air. The Peltier unit  10  is connected to the blower unit  30  to receive part of the air that is blown from the blower  31 , and is provided with Peltier devices  11  on the outer surface thereof. The partition  40  divides the space inside the Peltier unit  10  into a first space  10   a  and a second space  10   b . The guide case  20  contains the Peltier unit  10  therein, and dissipates part of the heat of the Peltier unit  10  to the outside by introducing outside air. 
         [0043]    The blower unit  30  includes the blower  31 , which is disposed in the inner space thereof, and an air inlet door  32 , which is disposed in the upper portion thereof. The air inlet door  32  serves to determine whether inside air or outside air will be the source of air to be blown. A ventilation hole  33 , which communicates with the Peltier unit  10 , is formed in the blower unit  30 . 
         [0044]    The Peltier unit  10  is configured as a hollow cubic structure, and a plurality of Peltier devices  11  is arranged on opposite side sections of the Peltier unit  10 . Heat exchanger fins  12 , which form a tube and fin type heat dissipation plate or a fin type heat dissipation plate, are mounted on one surface of the Peltier devices  11 , which are in contact with the inside of the Peltier unit  10 , such that heat can be efficiently transferred. Heat dissipation fins  13 , which form a fin type heat dissipation plate, are mounted on the other surface of the Peltier devices  11 , which are in contact with the outside of the Peltier unit  10 , such that heat can be efficiently transferred. The other portions of the Peltier devices  11  are covered by an insulating material such that heat is not transferred, and the Peltier devices  11  are connected to a power supply. 
         [0045]    In addition, in the Peltier unit  10 , the upper section  10   c  has defined therein an inlet  15  and an entrance  17 . The inlet  15  communicates with the ventilation hole  33  of the blower unit  30 , and is in contact with the first space  10   a . The entrance  17  communicates with the second space  10   b , and serves to introduce air that has been subjected to heat exchange to respective regions of the vehicle. The Peltier devices  11  are mounted on the opposite side sections  10   d  of the four side sections, which are in contact with the upper surface  10   c . The lower section  10   e  is opposite the upper section  10   c , and communicates with a third air vent  16   c , which introduces cooled/heated air so that the air is ejected toward the feet of a driver or a passenger. 
         [0046]    In the air vent  16 , a first air vent  16   a  serves to guide the cooled or heated air such that the air can be ejected toward the windshield of the vehicle, and a second air vent  16   b  serves to guide the cooled or heated air such that the air can be ejected toward the chest of the driver or passenger. A first damper  18   a  is mounted on the entrance of the first air vent  16   a , a second damper  18   b  is mounted on the entrance of the second air vent  16   b , and third dampers  18   c  are mounted on the entrance of the third air vent  16   c.    
         [0047]    A partition damper  41  is mounted on one end of the partition  40 , which faces the upper section. The partition damper  41  selectively allows the first space  10   a  and the second space  10   b  to communicate with each other. A communication port  42  is provided on the other end of the partition  40 , such that the first space  10   a  and the second space  10   b  communicate with each other. 
         [0048]    The guide case  20  is provided in the form of a box that contains the Peltier unit  10  therein, and has defined an exhaust inlet passage  22  and an exhaust outlet passage  23 . One end of the exhaust inlet passage  22  contains therein an exhaust blower  21 , which takes in air from the outside, and the other end of the exhaust inlet passage  22  is connected to one of the opposite side sections on which the Peltier devices  11  are not mounted. One end of the exhaust outlet passage  23  is connected to the other side section opposite one side section to which the exhaust inlet passage  22  is connected, such that the exhaust outlet passage  23  exhausts the air that has passed through heat exchange to the outside. That is, the air taken in through the exhaust inlet passage  22  is subjected to heat exchange while traveling straight and is then directly discharged to the exhaust outlet passage  23  in the linear direction. In various embodiments, the exhaust blower  21  may be positioned adjacent to an engine room with respect to a dash panel  24 , which divides the vehicle into the cabin and the engine room. The engine room of the vehicle refers to a space in which a motor or a battery, which actuates the vehicle, is disposed. 
         [0049]    In various embodiments, the blower  31  may also be positioned adjacent to the engine room with respect to the dash panel  24 . 
         [0050]    Below, a detailed description will be given of a process in which the air conditioner of an electric vehicle of various embodiments operates. 
         [0051]    In the case of intending to cool the cabin of the vehicle, the direction in which current flows through the Peltier devices  11  is controlled so that the inner surface of the Peltier devices  11  are converted into a low-temperature state and the outer surface of the Peltier devices  11  are converted into a high-temperature state. The inner surface in the low-temperature state absorbs heat from the heat exchanger fins  12 , thereby converting the inner space of the Peltier unit  10  into a low-temperature state. High-temperature heat generated from the outer surface is transferred to the heat dissipation fins  13 . The heat transferred to the heat dissipation fins  13  is forcibly blown by the exhaust blower  21 , is subjected to heat exchange with air introduced through the exhaust inlet passage  22 , and is then discharged to the outside through the exhaust outlet passage  23 . In various embodiments, the heat exchanger fins  12  and the heat dissipation fins  13  may be arranged such that they intersect each other. That is, the heat exchanger fins  12  are arranged, preferably, in the vertical direction in order to facilitate the flow of air introduced in the vertical direction, and the heat dissipation fins  13  are arranged, preferably, in the horizontal direction in order to facilitate the flow of air introduced in the horizontal direction. 
         [0052]    At the same time, as the blower  31  is operated, air that is forcibly blown is taken into the Peltier unit  10  through the inlet  15 . The intake air is cooled through heat exchange while passing between the heat exchanger fins  12 . The cooled air is then ejected to respective regions of the cabin of the vehicle through the air vent  16 . Specifically, the cooled air is ejected toward the windshield, the chest of the driver or passenger, and the feet of the driver or the passenger in response to the operation of the first to third dampers  18   a ,  18   b , and  18   c , which are provided in respective entrances of the first to third air vents  16   a ,  16 , and  16   c . Thus, the cabin of the vehicle is cooled by ejecting the cooled air. 
         [0053]    In the case of intending to heat the cabin of the vehicle, the direction in which current flows through the Peltier devices  11  is controlled to be opposite to the direction of current in the cooling, so that the inner surface of the Peltier devices  11  are converted into a high-temperature state and the outer surface of the Peltier devices  11  are converted into a low-temperature state. High-temperature heat in the inner surface is transferred to the heat exchanger fins  12 , thereby converting the inside of the Peltier unit  10  into a high-temperature state. In addition, the low-temperature state of the outer surface absorbs heat from the heat dissipation fins  13 , thereby creating cold air. The cold air created by the heat dissipation fins  13  is forcibly blown by the exhaust blower  21 , is subjected to heat exchange with the air that is introduced through the exhaust inlet passage  22 , and is then discharged to the outside through the exhaust outlet passage  23 . 
         [0054]    At the same time, as the blower  31  is operated, air that is forcibly blown passes through the ventilation hole  33  and is introduced into the Peltier unit  10  through the inlet. The intake air is converted into a high-temperature state through heat exchange while passing between the heat exchanger fins  12 . The heated air is then ejected to respective regions of the cabin of the vehicle through the air vent  16 . Specifically, the heated air is ejected toward the windshield, the chest of the driver or passenger, and the feet of the driver or the passenger in response to the operation of the first to third dampers  18   a ,  18   b , and  18   c , which are provided in respective entrances of the first to third air vents  16   a ,  16 , and  16   c . Thus, the cabin of the vehicle is heated by ejecting the heated air. 
         [0055]    In the case in which the air conditioner of an electric vehicle, which performs cooling and heating as described above, is intended to perform double heat exchange, as shown in  FIG. 5 , when the blower  31  is operated in the state in which the partition damper  41  and the third dampers  18   c  are closed, intake air is subjected to first heat exchange with a group of the heat exchanger fins  12  while passing through the first space  10   a . The air that has passed through the first heat exchange enters the second space  10   b  through the communication port  42 , and is then subjected to second heat exchange with another group of the heat exchanger fins  12  while passing through the second space  10   b . In response to the operation of the first and second dampers  18   a  and  18   b , air that is completely cooled or heated is selectively ejected to the first air vent  16   a  and the second air vent  16   b . Since double heat exchange as above is possible, the efficiency of cooling and heating is increased. 
         [0056]    In the case in which the air conditioner of an electric vehicle is intended to perform single heat exchange, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the partition damper  41  is rotated to close the entrance  17  of the air vent  16 , and the blower  31  is operated in this state, so that part of intake air is introduced into the first space  10   a  and the remaining part of the intake air is introduced into the second space  10   b  through a space, which is opened by the rotation of the partition damper  41 . The air introduced into the first space  10   a  and the second space  10   b  is subjected to heat exchange while passing through respective groups of the heat exchanger fins  12 . After the completion of heat exchange, the air is ejected to the third air vent  16   c  through the third dampers  18   c  that are opened. 
         [0057]    In addition, in the case in which the air conditioner of an electric vehicle is intended to perform both single heat exchange and double heat exchange at the same time, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the partition damper  41  is located in the middle between the position in which single heat exchange is performed and the position in which double heat exchange is performed, only one of the two third dampers  18   c , which is closer to the second space  10   b , is operated to open. When the blower  31  is operated in this state, part of air that is introduced through the inlet  15  is introduced into the first space  10   a , and the remaining part of the air is introduced into the second space  10   b  through a space, which is opened by the rotation of the partition damper  41 . The air that is introduced in the first space  10   a  is subjected to heat exchange with the heat dissipation fins  12 , which are disposed inside the first space  10   a , and passes through the communication port  42 . Part of the air, which has passed through the communication port  42  and has been subjected to heat exchange, and the air, which is introduced into the second space  10   b  and has been subjected to heat exchange with the heat exchanger fins  12  inside the second space  10   b , passes through the opened third damper  18   c  and is ejected to the third air vent  16   c , and the remaining part of the air is ejected to the air vent  16  through the opened entrance  17 . In response to the operation of the first and second dampers  18   a  and  18   b , the air that is completely cooled or heated is selectively ejected to the first air vent  16   a  and the second air vent  16   b.    
         [0058]    As described above, the air conditioner of an electric vehicle of various embodiments is mounted in the position of the HVAC system of the related art, and is configured such that the two rows of the Peltier devices  11  are arranged and the partition  40  is disposed inside the Peltier unit  10 . Due to this configuration, double heat exchange can be realized. Therefore, since double heat transfer can be realized by the two rows of the Peltier devices  11  that oppose each other, the efficiency of cooling and heating is increased due to an increase in the area of heat transfer and the improved air flow. 
         [0059]    The blower  31  and the exhaust blower  21  are provided inside the engine room, thereby reducing noise and vibration, which occur during the blowing of air, from being transferred to the driver and the passengers inside the vehicle. 
         [0060]    For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms upper or lower, front or rear, inside or outside, and etc. are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions of such features as displayed in the figures. 
         [0061]    The foregoing descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and their practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as well as various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.