Temperature adjustment apparatus and method of controlling peltier element

{
  "publication_number": "US2015007583A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Temperature adjustment apparatus and method of controlling peltier element",
  "abstract": "A temperature adjustment apparatus has a Peltier element supplied with electric power to allow heat exchange between an electronic device mounted on a vehicle and a heat exchange portion of the vehicle, and a Peltier element control section that controls electric power supplied to the Peltier element. When the temperature difference between a first surface of the Peltier element serving as an exothermic surface and a second surface of the Peltier element serving as an endothermic surface becomes larger than a first predetermined value as a result of supply of electric power to the Peltier element, the Peltier element control section stops supply of electric power to the Peltier element.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A temperature adjustment apparatus comprising: a Peltier element supplied with electric power to allow heat exchange between an electronic device mounted on a vehicle and a heat exchange portion of the vehicle; a Peltier element control section that controls electric power supplied to the Peltier element; an acquisition section that obtains information on a temperature of air outside the electronic device; a storage section that stores drive condition information in which the temperature of air outside the electronic device, a value of electric power supplied to the Peltier element and a supply time period during which electric power is supplied are associated with each other; and a condition determination section that, based on an acquisition result from the acquisition section and the drive condition information stored in the storage section, determines the value of electric power supplied to the Peltier element and the supply time period during which the electric power is supplied, wherein the Peltier element control section executes, according to a determination made by the condition determination section, temperature maintenance control including a deenergizing state in which no electric power is supplied to the Peltier element when the temperature difference between a first surface of the Peltier element serving as an exothermic surface and a second surface of the Peltier element serving as an endothermic surface becomes larger than a first predetermined value as a result of supply of electric power to the Peltier element, and an energizing state in which supply of electric power to the Peltier element is restarted when the temperature difference between the first and second surfaces is reduced to a second predetermined value smaller than the first predetermined value after supply of electric power to the Peltier element is stopped, the deenergizing state and the energizing state recurring alternately. 2.- 4. (canceled) 5. The temperature adjustment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the electronic device is repeatedly increased and reduced between a target temperature and a lower limit temperature lower than the target temperature in the temperature maintenance control, and wherein a COP (coefficient of performance) of the Peltier element during the temperature maintenance control is higher than a COP (coefficient of performance) of the Peltier element when the temperature of the electronic device is maintained at a fixed temperature corresponding to an intermediate temperature between the target temperature and the lower limit temperature by continuously supplying constant electric power to the Peltier element. 6. The temperature adjustment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a case in which the electronic device is housed, wherein the acquisition section is provided on an external surface of the case; the heat exchange portion includes part of the case and extends to a position inside a duct provided on the vehicle, air being passed through the duct; and the Peltier element is in contact with the electronic device and with the heat exchange portion. 7.- 9. (canceled) 10. The temperature adjustment apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a case in which the electronic device is housed, wherein the acquisition section is provided on an external surface of the case; the heat exchange portion includes part of the case and extends to a position inside a duct provided on the vehicle, air being passed through the duct; and the Peltier element is in contact with the electronic device and with the heat exchange portion."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "B60L 58/18",
    "B60L 1/06",
    "B60L 2210/10",
    "B60L 2210/40",
    "B60L 2240/36",
    "B60L 2240/545",
    "B60L 2240/662",
    "B60L 3/003",
    "B60L 3/0046",
    "B60L 50/16",
    "B60L 50/64",
    "B60L 58/20",
    "B60L 58/26",
    "B60L 58/27",
    "F25B 21/02",
    "F25B 2321/02",
    "H01M 10/63",
    "H01M 10/6572",
    "H01M 10/66",
    "H01M 2220/20",
    "Y02E 60/10",
    "Y02T 10/70",
    "Y02T 10/7072",
    "Y02T 10/72",
    "Y02T 90/16"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "MURATA TAKASHI",
    "KUWAHARA KUNIAKI",
    "TOYOTA MOTOR CO LTD"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2012-08-10",
  "publication_date": "2015-01-08",
  "priority_date": "2012-01-13",
  "application_number": "US-201214371783-A",
  "family_id": "48781131",
  "citations": [
    "US2005039465A1",
    "US2008098750A1",
    "US5867990A",
    "WO2011062551A1"
  ]
}