JP6365173B2 - Magnetic heat pump device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a magnetic heat pump device using the magnetocaloric effect of a magnetic working substance.

  As a prior art, for example, there is a magnetic heat pump device disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. In this device, the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working material is changed by rotating and moving the magnetic circuit part having the magnet along the outer surface of the container with respect to the container filled with the magnetic working material in the working chamber. doing.

JP2013-253725A

  However, the above-described conventional magnetic heat pump device has a problem that if the heat transfer heat quantity between the container and the magnetic circuit unit is large, the efficiency is reduced due to heat loss.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic heat pump device capable of reducing heat loss by suppressing heat transfer between a container and a magnetic circuit unit. .

In order to achieve the above object, one of the disclosed techniques includes:
A container (7) in which a working chamber (11) in which a magnetic working substance (12) having a magnetocaloric effect is arranged and a heat medium flows is formed;
A relative moving body (14A, 14B) having a magnetic circuit section (15) for allowing the magnetic flux generated by the magnets (33 to 36) to pass therethrough and movable relative to the container;
Magnetic field changing means (14) for changing the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working substance by relatively moving the container and the relative moving body;
A fluid interposed between the container and the relative movement member, Bei give a, a fluid discharge means (93) for discharging from between the container and the relative movement thereof,
The fluid discharge means is
Provided to mechanically connect to the moving structure of the container and relative moving body;
Along with the relative movement between the container and the relative moving body by the magnetic field changing means, the driving force is obtained from the moving structure and the fluid is discharged between the container and the relative moving body. It is said.

  According to this, the fluid can be discharged by the fluid discharging means from between the container and the relative moving body having the magnetic circuit portion. Therefore, the fluid intervening between the container and the relative moving body can be reduced, and heat transfer between the container and the relative moving body via the fluid can be suppressed. In this way, heat loss can be reduced.

  In addition, the code | symbol in the parenthesis attached | subjected to each said means is an example which shows a corresponding relationship with the specific means as described in embodiment mentioned later.

It is a block diagram of the thermal equipment concerning a 1st embodiment to which the present invention is applied. It is a perspective view of the magnetic heat pump apparatus of a 1st embodiment. It is a left view of 1st Embodiment. It is a right view of 1st Embodiment. It is the VV sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 3 of 1st Embodiment. It is VI-VI sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 5 of 1st Embodiment. It is the VII-VII sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 5 of 1st Embodiment. It is the VIII-VIII sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 5 of 1st Embodiment. It is the IX-IX sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 5 of 1st Embodiment. It is XX sectional drawing of FIG. 5 of 1st Embodiment. It is the XI-XI sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 5 of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of an example of the rotor which is a container of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the other example of the rotor which is a container of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of a part of magnetic heat pump apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of a part of magnetic heat pump apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of a part of magnetic heat pump apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of a part of magnetic heat pump apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of a part of magnetic heat pump apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of a part of magnetic heat pump apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the magnetic heat pump apparatus of other embodiment. It is a top view of the rotor of other embodiments. It is XXII-XXII sectional view taken on the line of FIG. 20 of other embodiment.

  A plurality of modes for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, parts corresponding to the matters described in the preceding embodiment may be denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description may be omitted. In the case where only a part of the configuration is described in each embodiment, the other parts of the configuration are the same as those described previously. In addition to the combination of parts specifically described in each embodiment, the embodiments may be partially combined as long as the combination is not particularly troublesome.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a vehicle air conditioner 1 according to a first embodiment for carrying out the invention. The vehicle air conditioner 1 includes a magnetocaloric effect type heat pump device 2. The magnetocaloric effect heat pump device 2 is also called an MHP (Magneto-caloric effect Heat Pump) device 2. The MHP apparatus 2 provides a thermomagnetic cycle apparatus that is a magnetic heat pump apparatus.

  In this specification, the term heat pump device is used in a broad sense. That is, the term “heat pump device” includes both a device that uses the cold heat obtained by the heat pump device and a device that uses the heat obtained by the heat pump device. An apparatus using cold heat may be referred to as a refrigeration cycle apparatus. Therefore, in this specification, the term heat pump apparatus is used as a concept including a refrigeration cycle apparatus.

  The vehicle air conditioner 1 includes a heat exchanger 3 provided on the high temperature side of the MHP device 2. The heat exchanger 3 provides heat exchange between the high temperature of the MHP device 2 and a medium such as air. The heat exchanger 3 is mainly used for heat dissipation. In the illustrated example, the heat exchanger 3 provides heat exchange between the heat transport medium of the MHP device 2 and air. The heat exchanger 3 is one of high temperature system devices in the vehicle air conditioner 1. The heat exchanger 3 is installed, for example, in the interior of the vehicle and warms the air by exchanging heat with air for air conditioning. The heat transport medium corresponds to the heat medium in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the heat transport medium may be simply referred to as a heat medium.

  The vehicle air conditioner 1 includes a heat exchanger 4 provided on the low temperature side of the MHP device 2. The heat exchanger 4 provides heat exchange between the cold end of the MHP device 2 and a medium such as air. The heat exchanger 4 is mainly used for heat absorption. In the illustrated example, the heat exchanger 4 provides heat exchange between the heat transport medium of the MHP device 2 and the heat source medium. The heat exchanger 4 is one of low-temperature system devices in the vehicle air conditioner 1. The heat exchanger 4 is installed outside the vehicle, for example, and exchanges heat with the outside air.

  The MHP device 2 has a rotating shaft 2 a for driving the MHP device 2. The rotating shaft 2a is operatively connected to the power source 5. Therefore, the MHP device 2 is rotationally driven by the power source 5. The power source 5 provides rotational power to the MHP device 2. The power source 5 is the only power source of the MHP device 2. The power source 5 is provided by a rotating device such as an electric motor or an internal combustion engine. An example of a power source is an electric motor driven by a battery mounted on a vehicle.

  The MHP device 2 includes a housing 6. The housing 6 supports the rotating shaft 2a in a rotatable manner. The MHP device 2 includes a rotor 7. The rotor 7 is rotatably supported in the housing 6. The rotor 7 rotates by receiving a rotational force directly or indirectly from the rotation shaft 2a. The rotor 7 is a rotating body that is rotated by the power source 5. The rotor 7 is a cylindrical member.

  The rotor 7 forms a working chamber 11 through which the heat transport medium can flow. The rotor 7 corresponds to the container in this embodiment. One working chamber 11 extends along the axial direction of the rotor 7. One working chamber 11 is open on both end faces in the axial direction of the rotor 7. The rotor 7 can include a plurality of work chambers 11. The plurality of work chambers 11 are arranged along the rotation direction of the rotor 7. Hereinafter, the rotor may be referred to as a container or an element bed.

  The rotor 7 includes a magnetocaloric element 12. The magnetocaloric element 12 is also called an MCE (Magneto-Caloric Effect) element 12. The magnetocaloric element 12 corresponds to the magnetic working substance in the present embodiment. The MHP device 2 uses the magnetocaloric effect of the MCE element 12. The MHP device 2 generates a low temperature end and a high temperature end at both ends of the work chamber 11 by the MCE element 12. The MCE element 12 is provided between the low temperature end and the high temperature end. In the illustrated example, the right side in the figure is the low temperature end, and the left end in the figure is the high temperature end.

  The MCE element 12 is disposed in the work chamber 11 so as to exchange heat with the heat transport medium. The MCE element 12 is fixed and held on the rotor 7. The MCE element 12 is arranged along the flow direction of the heat transport medium. The MCE element 12 is elongated along the axial direction of the rotor 7. The rotor 7 can include a plurality of MCE elements 12. The plurality of MCE elements 12 are arranged away from each other along the rotation direction of the rotor 7.

  The MCE element 12 generates heat and absorbs heat in response to changes in the strength of the external magnetic field. The MCE element 12 generates heat when an external magnetic field is applied, and absorbs heat when the external magnetic field is removed. When the electron spin is aligned in the magnetic field direction by applying an external magnetic field, the MCE element 12 decreases in magnetic entropy and increases its temperature by releasing heat. In addition, when the electron spin becomes messy due to the removal of the external magnetic field, the MCE element 12 increases in magnetic entropy and decreases in temperature by absorbing heat. The MCE element 12 is made of a magnetic material that exhibits a high magnetocaloric effect in a normal temperature range. For example, a gadolinium-based material or a lanthanum-iron-silicon compound can be used. Also, a mixture of manganese, iron, phosphorus and germanium can be used. As the MCE element 12, an element that absorbs heat by applying an external magnetic field and generates heat by removing the external magnetic field may be used.

  The MHP device 2 includes a stator 8 that is disposed to face the rotor 7. The stator 8 is provided by a part of the housing 6. The stator 8 is disposed on the radially inner side and / or radially outer side of the rotor 7 and has a portion facing the rotor 7 with respect to the radial direction. These regions facing each other in the radial direction are used for providing a magnetic field modulation device. The stator 8 is disposed at one axial end and / or the other axial end of the rotor 7 and has a portion facing the rotor 7 in the axial direction. These axially opposed portions are used to provide a heat transport device, specifically, a flow path switching mechanism.

  The MHP device 2 includes a magnetic field modulation device 14 and a heat transport device 16 for causing the MCE element 12 to function as an element of an AMR (Active Magnetic Refrigeration) cycle. The magnetic field modulation device 14 is provided by the rotor 7 and the stator 8. The magnetic field modulation device 14 periodically increases or decreases the magnetic field by the relative rotational movement of the rotor 7 with respect to the stator 8. The magnetic field modulator 14 is driven by the rotational power given to the rotary shaft 2a. The heat transport device 16 includes a pump 17 and a flow path switching mechanism 18. The flow path switching mechanism 18 is provided by the rotor 7 and the stator 8. The flow path switching mechanism 18 functions by the relative rotational movement of the rotor 7 with respect to the stator 8. The flow path switching mechanism 18 switches the flow direction of the heat transport medium with respect to the work chamber 11 and the MCE element 12 by switching the connection state of the work chamber 11 to the heat transport medium flow path.

  The magnetic field modulator 14 applies an external magnetic field to the MCE element 12 and increases or decreases the strength of the external magnetic field. The magnetic field modulator 14 periodically switches between an excitation state in which the MCE element 12 is placed in a strong magnetic field and a demagnetization state in which the MCE element 12 is placed in a weak magnetic field or a zero magnetic field. The magnetic field modulator 14 modulates the external magnetic field so as to periodically repeat the excitation period in which the MCE element 12 is placed in a strong external magnetic field and the demagnetization period in which the MCE element 12 is placed in an external magnetic field weaker than the excitation period. To do. The magnetic field modulation device 14 repeats application and removal of the magnetic field to the MCE element 12 in synchronization with a reciprocating flow of a heat transport medium described later. The magnetic field modulation device 14 includes a magnetic source 13 for generating an external magnetic field, for example, a permanent magnet or an electromagnet.

  Specifically, the magnetic field modulation device 14 positions one work chamber 11 and the MCE element 12 alternately at the first position and the second position. The magnetic field modulator 14 positions the MCE element 12 at the first position in a strong magnetic field. The magnetic field modulator 14 positions the MCE element 12 at the second position in a weak magnetic field or a zero magnetic field.

  The magnetic field modulator 14 positions the MCE element 12 in the first position so that the MCE element 12 is positioned in a strong magnetic field when the heat transport medium flows along the MCE element 12 in the first direction. The first direction is a direction from the low temperature end toward the high temperature end. The magnetic field modulator 14 is configured such that when one end of the work chamber 11 communicates with the suction port of the pump 17 and the other end of the work chamber 11 communicates with the discharge port of the pump 17, the MCE element 12 in the work chamber 11 The MCE element 12 is positioned at the first position so as to be placed in a strong magnetic field.

  The magnetic field modulator 14 is configured so that the MCE element 12 is positioned in the weak magnetic field or the zero magnetic field when the heat transport medium flows along the MCE element 12 in the second direction opposite to the first direction. Position 12 in the second position. The second direction is a direction from the high temperature end toward the low temperature end. The magnetic field modulator 14 is configured so that the MCE element 12 is in a weak magnetic field or a zero magnetic field when one end of the working chamber 11 communicates with the discharge port of the pump 17 and the other end of the working chamber 11 communicates with the suction port of the pump 17. Position the MCE element 12 in the second position.

  The heat transport device 16 includes a heat transport medium for transporting heat that the MCE element 12 radiates or absorbs heat, and a fluid device for flowing the heat transport medium. The heat transport device 16 is a device that flows a heat transport medium that exchanges heat with the MCE element 12 along the MCE element 12. The heat transport device 16 reciprocates the heat transport medium along the MCE element 12. The heat transport device 16 is heat medium moving means for reciprocating the heat transport medium so as to flow along the MCE element 12. The heat transport device 16 generates a reciprocating flow of the heat transport medium in synchronization with a change in the external magnetic field by the magnetic field modulation device 14. The heat transport device 16 switches the flow direction of the heat transport medium in synchronization with the increase or decrease of the magnetic field by the magnetic field modulation device 14.

  The heat transport medium that exchanges heat with the MCE element 12 is called a primary medium. The primary medium can be provided by a fluid such as antifreeze, water, oil. The heat transport device 16 includes a pump 17 for flowing a heat transport medium. The pump 17 is a one-way pump that causes a heat transport medium to flow in one direction. The pump 17 has a suction port for sucking in the heat transport medium and a discharge port for discharging the heat transport medium. The pump 17 is arranged on the annular flow path of the heat transport medium. The pump 17 creates a unidirectional flow of the heat transport medium in the annular flow path. The pump 17 is driven by the rotating shaft 2a. The pump 17 is a positive displacement pump driven by the rotating shaft 2a.

  The heat transport device 16 includes a flow path switching mechanism 18. The flow path switching mechanism 18 switches the flow path of the heat transport medium with respect to the work chamber 11 so as to reverse the flow direction of the heat transport medium with respect to one work chamber 11 and one MCE element 12. In other words, the flow path switching mechanism 18 reverses the arrangement of the working chamber 11 in the unidirectional flow of the heat transport medium generated by the unidirectional pump 17 with respect to the flow direction. The flow path switching mechanism 18 positions one work chamber 11 alternately on the forward path and the return path in the annular flow path including the pump 17. The flow path switching mechanism 18 switches the connection relationship between one work chamber 11 and one MCE element 12 and the annular flow path including the pump 17 to at least two states. The first state is a state where one end of the working chamber 11 communicates with the suction port of the pump 17 and the other end of the working chamber 11 communicates with the discharge port of the pump 17. The second state is a state where one end of the work chamber 11 communicates with the discharge port of the pump 17 and the other end of the work chamber 11 communicates with the suction port of the pump 17.

  Specifically, the flow path switching mechanism 18 positions one work chamber 11 and the MCE element 12 alternately at the first position and the second position. The flow path switching mechanism 18 communicates the working chamber 11 containing the MCE element 12 with the flow path so that the heat transport medium flows in the first direction along the MCE element 12 at the first position. The flow path switching mechanism 18 flows through the working chamber 11 that houses the MCE element 12 so that the heat transport medium flows in the second direction opposite to the first direction along the MCE element 12 in the second position. Communicate with. The flow path switching mechanism 18 switches the connection state between the flow path of the heat transport medium including the pump 17 and the MCE element 12, that is, the working chamber 11 so that the heat transport medium flows reciprocally to the MCE element 12. .

  The flow path switching mechanism 18 has a work chamber 11 that houses the MCE element 12 so that when one MCE element 12 is in the first position, the heat transport medium flows in the first direction along the MCE element 12. And the flow path are connected. When one MCE element 12 is in the first position, the flow path switching mechanism 18 communicates one end of the working chamber 11 that accommodates the MCE element 12 and the suction port of the pump 17, and the other end of the pump 17. It communicates with the discharge port.

  The flow path switching mechanism 18 is configured so that when one MCE element 12 is in the second position, the MCE element 12 flows along the MCE element 12 in the second direction opposite to the first direction. 12 is connected to the flow path. When one MCE element 12 is in the second position, the flow path switching mechanism 18 communicates one end of the working chamber 11 that accommodates the MCE element 12 with the discharge port of the pump 17, and the other end of the pump 17. Communicate with the inlet.

  The MHP device 2 has a high temperature side inlet 16 a that receives a heat transport medium from the heat exchanger 3. The high temperature side inlet 16 a can communicate with the suction port of the pump 17. The MHP device 2 has a high temperature side outlet 16 b that supplies a heat transport medium toward the heat exchanger 3. The high temperature side outlet 16b can communicate with one end of the work chamber 11 in the first position. The MHP device 2 has a low temperature side inlet 16 c that receives a heat transport medium from the heat exchanger 4. The low temperature side inlet 16c can communicate with the other end of the work chamber 11 in the first position. The MHP device 2 has a low temperature side outlet 16 d that supplies a heat transport medium toward the heat exchanger 4. The low temperature side outlet 16d can communicate with the other end of the work chamber 11 in the second position. One end of the working chamber 11 in the second position can communicate with the discharge port of the pump 17.

  The rotor 7 is also called an element bed for holding the MCE element 12. In this embodiment, the element bed which forms the working chamber 11 which accommodates the MCE element 12 is operatively connected to the rotating shaft 2a. The element bed including the MCE element 12 related to both the flow path switching mechanism 18 and the magnetic field modulator 14 is moved by the rotating shaft 2a. Therefore, efficient driving is possible.

  The pump 17, the flow path switching mechanism 18, and the magnetic field modulation device 14 are accommodated in a common housing 6. According to this configuration, the pump 17 can be installed in the vicinity of the flow path switching mechanism 18. For this reason, the pump 17 and the flow path switching mechanism 18 are connected without requiring a long pipe. As a result, even if there is a branch in the flow path including the pump 17, the difference in the flow of the heat transport medium can be suppressed. In this configuration, the flow path in the housing 6 can be used without using a pipe such as a hose. Therefore, the difference in the flow of the heat transport medium due to the piping is suppressed between the branched flow paths.

  The vehicle air conditioner 1 is mounted on a vehicle and adjusts the temperature of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The two heat exchangers 3 and 4 provide a part of the vehicle air conditioner 1. The heat exchanger 3 is a high temperature side heat exchanger 3 that has a higher temperature than the heat exchanger 4. The heat exchanger 4 is a low temperature side heat exchanger 4 that is cooler than the heat exchanger 3. The vehicle air conditioner 1 includes air system equipment such as an air conditioning duct and a blower for using the high temperature side heat exchanger 3 and / or the low temperature side heat exchanger 4 for indoor air conditioning.

  The vehicle air conditioner 1 is used as a cooling device or a heating device. The vehicle air conditioner 1 can include a cooler that cools air supplied to the room and a heater that heats the air cooled by the cooler. The MHP device 2 is used as a cold source or a hot source in the vehicle air conditioner 1. That is, the high temperature side heat exchanger 3 can be used as the heater. The low temperature side heat exchanger 4 can be used as the cooler.

  When the MHP device 2 is used as a warm heat supply source, the air that has passed through the high temperature side heat exchanger 3 is supplied into the vehicle interior and is used for heating. At this time, the air that has passed through the low temperature side heat exchanger 4 is discharged outside the vehicle. The heat exchanger 3 is also called an indoor heat exchanger. The heat exchanger 4 is also called an outdoor heat exchanger.

  When the MHP device 2 is used as a cold supply source, the air that has passed through the low-temperature side heat exchanger 4 is supplied to the interior of the vehicle and is used for cooling. At this time, the air that has passed through the high temperature side heat exchanger 3 is discharged outside the vehicle. The heat exchanger 4 is also called an indoor heat exchanger. The heat exchanger 3 is also called an outdoor heat exchanger.

  The MHP device 2 may be used as a dehumidifying device. In this case, the air that has passed through the low temperature side heat exchanger 4 then passes through the high temperature side heat exchanger 3 and is supplied indoors. The MHP device 2 is used as a heat supply source both in winter and in summer.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the MHP device 2. The left side of the MHP device 2 in the figure is called the front side, and the right side in the figure is called the rear side. The MHP device 2 has a cylindrical outer shape. The case 21 that provides the housing 6 has a cylindrical body 22. A pump body 23, a pump cover 24, and a front end cover 25 are provided at the front end of the body portion 22. These members 23, 24 and 25 provide the front end of the case 21. A rear body 26 and a rear end cover 27 are provided at the rear end of the body 22. These members 26 and 27 provide the rear end of the case 21. On the front side of the MHP device 2, the rotating shaft 2a is exposed. An electric motor as a power source 5 is connected to the rotating shaft 2a.

  FIG. 3 is a left side view of the MHP device 2. The rotating shaft 2 a is exposed at the center of the front end cover 25. FIG. 4 is a right side view of the MHP device 2. A low temperature side inlet 16 c is opened at the center of the rear end cover 27.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the MHP device 2. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line VV in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the MHP device 2. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. The rotor 7 is disposed inside the trunk portion 22 in the radial direction. The rotor 7 is a cylindrical member. The rotor 7 is rotatably supported in the case 21. A stator 8 is disposed inside the rotor 7 in the radial direction. The stator 8 is fixed in the case 21. The stator 8 is disposed between the pump body 23 and the rear body 26 and is fixed to them.

  The rotor 7 has a plurality of work chambers 11 in its cylindrical wall. The rotor 7 has four working chambers 11. All the working chambers 11 are open on both end faces in the axial direction of the rotor 7. The work chamber 11 is provided by a passage that is open at both ends.

  The rotor 7 is a cylindrical member that partitions and forms a working chamber 11 that opens at both ends between the inner and outer double cylinders. The rotor 7 forms a working chamber 11 that houses the MCE element 12, and is moved by the rotation shaft 2a to move the MCE element 12 to the first position and the second position.

  An MCE element 12 is accommodated and fixed in the work chamber 11. A plurality of MCE elements 12 are arranged in one work chamber 11. One MCE element 12 extends between one end and the other end of the working chamber 11. One MCE element 12 has a plurality of element pieces. The plurality of element pieces are arranged along the axial direction of the rotor 7, that is, the flow direction of the heat transport medium in the work chamber 11. Each of the plurality of element pieces has a different high-efficiency temperature zone that exhibits a high magnetocaloric effect. The high-efficiency temperature zone can be adjusted by the material of the element piece. The MHP device 2 generates a temperature distribution between the low temperature end and the high temperature end. The material of one of the plurality of element pieces is selected so as to exhibit a high magnetocaloric effect in the temperature range assumed at the position where the element piece is disposed. This configuration makes it possible to obtain a high magnetocaloric effect between the low temperature end and the high temperature end.

  The stator 8 provides an inner yoke 31 for the magnetic field modulation device 14. The body portion 22 provides an outer yoke 32. Permanent magnets 33 and 35 that are first magnets as the magnetic source 13 are arranged on the inner side in the radial direction of the body portion 22. Outside the stator 8 in the radial direction, permanent magnets 34 and 36 as second magnets as the magnetic source 13 are arranged. The permanent magnet 33 and the permanent magnet 34 are arranged on the inner side and the outer side in the radial direction, thereby supplying a strong magnetic field to the MCE element 12 positioned therebetween. The permanent magnet 35 and the permanent magnet 36 are arranged on the inner side and the outer side in the radial direction to supply a strong magnetic field to the MCE element 12 positioned therebetween. As the permanent magnets 33, 34, 35, and 36, a rare earth magnet such as a ferrite magnet or a neodymium magnet can be used.

  A pump 17 is disposed between the pump body 23 and the pump cover 24. This pump 17 is a gear pump. The pump 17 is also a part of the heat transport device 16. The rotating shaft 2 a is operatively connected to the pump 17. The rotary shaft 2a and the pump 17 are directly connected by a key.

  A transmission mechanism 9 is disposed between the rotary shaft 2a and the rotor 7. The transmission mechanism 9 is provided by a planetary gear mechanism. The speed change mechanism 9 is disposed between the pump body 23 and the stator 8. The pump body 23 is provided with a high temperature side inlet 16a and a high temperature side outlet 16b. The speed change mechanism 9 adjusts the rotation speed transmitted from the rotary shaft 2a so that the rotation speed of the pump 17 is higher than the rotation speed of the flow path switching mechanism 18 and the magnetic field modulation device 14. According to this configuration, the rotational speed of the pump 17 is higher than the rotational speeds of the flow path switching mechanism 18 and the magnetic field modulation device 14. Thereby, the high rotation type pump 17 can be utilized. When the pump 17 rotates at a high rotational speed, the flow rate of the pump 17 can be increased and / or the small pump 17 can be used.

  A movable seal mechanism is provided between the rotor 7 and the rear body 26 for appropriately maintaining a gap formed between the rotor 7 and the case 21. This movable sealing mechanism can also be called a sealing mechanism that suppresses leakage of the heat transport medium at both ends of the rotor 7. The movable seal mechanism appropriately adjusts a trade-off between suppression of friction at both ends of the rotor 7 and suppression of leakage of the heat transport medium. The movable seal mechanism is also an urging mechanism that presses the rotor 7 in one direction along the axial direction. The movable seal mechanism is also a part of the flow path switching mechanism 18.

  The movable seal mechanism has a piston 41 disposed so as to face the end surface on the other end side of the rotor 7. The piston 41 has an annular shape corresponding to the rotor 7. The piston 41 is supported by the rear body 26 so as to be movable along the axial direction. The piston 41 is supported by the rear body 26 so as not to rotate around the rotation shaft 2a. The piston 41 is accommodated in an annular groove 26 a provided in the rear body 26. The piston 41 is supported so as to protrude in the axial direction from the rear body 26 toward the rotor 7. A plurality of seal members 42 are provided between the piston 41 and the rear body 26. Therefore, a back pressure chamber for generating an urging force that presses the piston 41 toward the rotor 7 is defined between the piston 41 and the rear body 26.

  The piston 41 has four communication chambers 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, 41 d that open on the surface facing the rotor 7. The four communication chambers 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d are partitioned from each other in the circumferential direction. The four communication chambers 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d communicate with the work chamber 11 that faces them. An opening defined by the communication chambers 41 a, 41 b, 41 c, and 41 d on one end surface of the piston 41 provides the flow path switching mechanism 18.

  The communication chambers 41 a and 41 b are provided corresponding to the first position in the MHP device 2. The communication chambers 41a and 41b communicate with the low temperature side inlet 16c via communication openings 41e and 41f opened on the top surface of the piston 41 and a passage 26b formed between the rear body 26 and the rear end cover 27. doing. Therefore, the communication chambers 41a and 41b supply the heat transport medium introduced from the low temperature side inlet 16c to the work chamber 11 at the first position.

  The communication chambers 41 c and 41 d are provided corresponding to the second position in the MHP device 2. The communication chambers 41 c and 41 d communicate with the low temperature side outlet 16 d via communication openings 41 g and 41 h opened on the side surface of the piston 41 and a passage formed between the piston 41 and the rear body 26. . An annular groove 41 k is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the piston 41. The annular passage formed by the groove 41k communicates the two communication chambers 41c and 41d to collect the heat transport medium and guide it to the low temperature side outlet 16d. Therefore, the communication chambers 41c and 41d receive the heat transport medium from the work chamber 11 in the second position and supply it to the low temperature side outlet 16d.

  A space is formed in the case 21. In this configuration, the heat transport medium is placed in the space in the case 21 through the gap between the one end surface of the rotor 7 and the pump body 23, the gap between the other end surface of the rotor 7 and the piston 41, and other gaps. Leaks out. In this embodiment, the space in the case 21 communicates with the suction side of the pump 17. Therefore, the leaked heat transport medium is collected by the pump 17. At the same time, since the space in the case 21 is maintained at a low pressure, the piston 41 is pressed toward the rotor 7 by the pressure difference of the heat transport medium. Thereby, the clearance gap between the one end surface of the rotor 7 and the pump body 23 and the clearance gap between the other end surface of the rotor 7 and the piston 41 are maintained at a desirable small clearance. As a result, suppression of friction at both ends of the rotor 7 and suppression of leakage of the heat transport medium are achieved.

  In the configuration illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pressure on the discharge port side of the pump 17 acts between the piston 41 and the rear body 26. In particular, the pressure of the heat transport medium introduced from the low temperature side inlet 16c acts on the end face that propels the piston 41 toward the rotor 7 along the axial direction. The pressure of the heat transport medium acts on the end surface of the piston 41 over the entire circumference. As a result, the piston 41 is pushed toward the rotor 7 by the pressure difference of the heat transport medium. Thereby, the rotor 7 and the piston 41 are pressed against each other with an appropriate force. Further, the rotor 7 and the pump body 23 are pressed against each other with an appropriate force. Thereby, leakage of the heat transport medium at both ends of the rotor 7 is suppressed while suppressing an excessive increase in friction at both ends of the rotor 7.

  FIG. 7 shows a cross section of the pump cover 24. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a cross section of the pump body 23. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. Pump body 23 and pump cover 24 provide a housing for the gear pump. In this embodiment, the pump 17 is provided by a trochoid gear pump. In the drawing, only one MCE element 12 among the plurality of MCE elements 12 is representatively shown.

  The pump cover 24 is formed with a communication groove 24a that communicates with the high temperature side inlet 16a. The communication groove 24a communicates the high temperature side inlet 16a and the suction port 51 of the gear pump. The suction port 51 is formed so as to penetrate the pump cover 24 in the axial direction. The suction port 51 is also a suction port of the pump 17. In the pump cover 24, communication passages 24b and 24c formed corresponding to the first position are formed. The communication passages 24b and 24c are formed through the pump cover 24 in the axial direction. Further, the pump cover 24 is formed with communication grooves 24d and 24e that communicate the communication passages 24b and 24c with the high temperature side outlet 16b. The communication grooves 24 a, 24 d, 24 e and the communication passages 24 b, 24 c formed in the pump cover 24 are covered with a front end cover 25.

  The pump body 23 has four communication chambers 23 a, 23 b, 23 c, and 23 d that open on the surface facing the rotor 7. The four communication chambers 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d are partitioned from each other in the circumferential direction. The four communication chambers 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d communicate with the work chamber 11 that faces them. An opening defined by the communication chambers 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d on the other end surface of the pump body 23 provides the flow path switching mechanism 18. The communication chambers 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d are arranged along the circumferential direction. The circumferential length of each of the communication chambers 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d defines a period during which the heat transport medium flows through the work chamber passing therethrough. As illustrated, each of the four communication chambers 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d extends over an equal angular range.

  The four communication chambers 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d are opposed to the four communication chambers 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d in the axial direction. The open ranges of the four communication chambers 23a, 23b, 23c, and 23d are the same as the open ranges of the four communication chambers 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d, respectively. A flow path switching mechanism 18 is provided by these communication chambers 23a-23d, 41a-41d.

  The communication chambers 23 a and 23 b are provided corresponding to the first position in the MHP device 2. The communication chambers 23 a and 23 b communicate with communication passages 24 b and 24 c formed in the pump cover 24. Therefore, these communication chambers 23a and 23b communicate with the high temperature side outlet 16b. Therefore, the communication chambers 23a and 23b receive the heat transport medium from the work chamber 11 in the first position and supply it to the high temperature side outlet 16b. The piston 41 and the pump body 23 that provide the communication chambers 23a-23d and 41a-41d provide a distribution member that distributes the heat transport medium.

  The communication chamber 23a and the communication chamber 23b are formed symmetrically. Furthermore, the communication passage 24b and the communication passage 24c are formed symmetrically. Therefore, the passage from the communication chamber 23a to the high temperature side outlet 16b and the passage from the communication chamber 23b to the high temperature side outlet 16b are formed symmetrically with respect to the flow of the heat transport medium. As a result, the difference in the flow of the heat transport medium in the two work chambers 11 defined by the communication chambers 23a and 23b is suppressed. Since the MHP device 2 has the single high temperature side outlet 16b, the influence of the flow path of the high temperature system on the flow of the heat transport medium in the work chamber 11 in the MHP device 2 is suppressed.

  The communication chambers 23 c and 23 d are provided corresponding to the second position in the MHP device 2. The communication chambers 23 c and 23 d communicate with the discharge port 52 of the pump 17 via communication grooves 23 e and 23 f formed in the pump body 23. The heat transport medium is discharged from the pump 17 to the discharge port 52. Further, the heat transport medium branches from the discharge port 52 toward the two communication grooves 23e and 23f, and is supplied to the communication chambers 23c and 23d. Therefore, the communication chambers 23c and 23d supply the heat transport medium discharged from the pump 17 to the work chamber 11 at the second position. The communication chambers 23 c and 23 d provide a gallery for storing a high-pressure heat transport medium discharged from the pump 17.

  The communication chamber 23c and the communication chamber 23d are formed symmetrically. Furthermore, the communication groove 23e and the communication groove 23f are formed symmetrically. Therefore, the passage from the discharge port 52 to the communication chamber 23c and the passage from the discharge port 52 to the communication chamber 23d are symmetric with respect to the flow of the heat transport medium. As a result, the difference in the flow of the heat transport medium in the two work chambers 11 defined by the communication chambers 23c and 23d is suppressed. Since the MHP device 2 has the single high temperature side inlet 16a, the influence of the flow path of the high temperature system on the flow of the heat transport medium in the work chamber 11 in the MHP device 2 is suppressed.

  An outer rotor 53 and an inner rotor 54 are disposed in the pump body 23. The outer rotor 53 is arranged so as to be slightly eccentric with respect to the rotation center of the rotary shaft 2a. As a result, a plurality of volume chambers 55 are formed between the outer rotor 53 and the inner rotor 54. The outer rotor 53 and the inner rotor 54 are rotated clockwise by the rotating shaft 2a. As a result, the pump 17 sucks the heat transport medium from the suction port 51 and discharges the heat transport medium from the discharge port 52.

  FIG. 9 shows a cross section of the speed change mechanism 9. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. The transmission mechanism 9 is a reduction mechanism that reduces the rotation of the rotary shaft 2 a and transmits the rotation to the rotor 7. The speed change mechanism 9 enables the pump 17 to rotate at a high speed while driving the rotor 7 at a rotation speed suitable for providing the AMR cycle. This configuration contributes to obtaining the required flow rate by the pump 17. The speed change mechanism 9 includes a sun gear 61 provided on the rotary shaft 2 a, a planetary gear 62 supported between the pump body 23 and the inner yoke 31, and a ring gear 63 provided on the rotor 7.

  In the drawing, a cross section orthogonal to the axis of the rotor 7 is shown. The rotor 7 has a rotor housing 71 for forming the working chamber 11. The rotor housing 71 is a cylindrical member. The rotor housing 71 has a plurality of working chambers 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d formed in the cylindrical wall along the circumferential direction. In the illustrated example, four working chambers 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d are formed. The rotor housing 71 has two working chambers 71a and 71b corresponding to the first position and two working chambers 71c and 71d corresponding to the second position. These working chambers 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d do not need to correspond to the first position and the second position. A plurality of MCE elements 12 are arranged in these working chambers 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d. In the work chambers 71a, 71b, 71c, 71d, a plurality of MCE elements 12 are arranged in parallel in the circumferential direction so as to be separated from each other. In the figure, one MCE element 12 is representatively shown. In the figure, the communication chamber of the piston 41 and the communication openings 41e and 41f of the piston 41 on the other side of the work chambers 71a, 71b, 71c and 71d are shown.

  FIG. 10 shows a cross section of the magnetic field modulation device 14. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX in FIG. The permanent magnets 33, 34, 35, and 36 are provided in an angle range of about 90 degrees corresponding to the first position. The permanent magnets 33, 34, 35, and 36 are arranged so as to be located both inside and outside the work chambers 71a, 71b, 71c, and 71d in the radial direction. The MHP device 2 has a plurality of first positions positioned on the diameter thereof and a plurality of second positions arranged alternately with the first positions. The two first positions are located above and below in the figure, and the two second positions are located on the left and right in the figure. The inner yoke 31 and the outer yoke 32 are formed so as to supply a strong magnetic field to the first position.

  The magnetic field modulation device 14 includes a rotor 7 that is a container and relative moving bodies 14 </ b> A and 14 </ b> B that move relative to the rotor 7. The relative moving body 14 </ b> A is located radially inward of the rotor 7. The relative moving body 14 </ b> A includes an inner yoke 31, permanent magnets 34 and 36, and a plate member 37. The relative moving body 14 </ b> B is located outward in the radial direction from the rotor 7. The relative moving body 14 </ b> B includes an outer yoke 32, permanent magnets 33 and 35, and a plate member 38. The inner yoke 31, the outer yoke 32, and the permanent magnets 33, 34, 35, 36 constitute the magnetic circuit unit 15 that allows the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnets 33, 34, 35, 36 to pass therethrough.

  The inner yoke 31 is made of a magnetic material. The inner yoke 31 has a shape in which two groove-shaped concave portions 31c extending in the axial direction are formed on a cylindrical body extending in the axial direction. The two concave portions 31c are provided at positions corresponding to the two second positions. The inner yoke 31 has a shape in which a central portion 31a located between the two concave portions 31c and a pair of fan-shaped portions 31b provided on both sides of the central portion 31a have a sector shape. The two fan-shaped portions 31b are provided at positions corresponding to the two first positions. Permanent magnets 34 and 36 having a circular arc cross section are provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the pair of fan-shaped portions 31b. The permanent magnets 34 and 36 are provided at positions corresponding to the two first positions.

  The plate member 37 has a curved arc plate shape. The plate member 37 is provided between the pair of permanent magnets 34 and 36 in the circumferential direction in the figure. The plate member 37 is a nonmagnetic member made of a nonmagnetic material. The plate member 37 is made of, for example, a resin material, and is formed of a nonmagnetic material having higher heat insulation than the inner yoke 31 and the permanent magnets 34 and 36 that form a part of the magnetic circuit portion 15. The plate member 37 is connected to the relative moving body 14A by, for example, bonding, locking, screwing or the like. The plate member 37 is provided so as to fill the recess 31c. The plate member 37 has a plate thickness of about 1 to 3 mm, and is provided so as to fill a part of the recess 31c located on the radially outer side over the entire region in the axial direction. That is, a space is formed between the plate member 37 and the inner yoke 31 by the remaining portion of the recess 31c. The plate member 37 may fill the entire recess 31c. Instead of the plate member 37, the recess 31c may be embedded with a filling member that fills the entire recess 31c. The plate member 37 that fills a part of the recess 31c contributes to the weight reduction of the relative moving body 14A.

  In the pair of plate members 37, the outer surface 37 a on the outer side in the radial direction is flush with the outer surface on the outer side in the radial direction of the permanent magnets 34 and 36 in the circumferential direction. The radius of curvature of the outer surface 37a is the same as the radius of curvature of the outer surface of the permanent magnets 34, 36 on the radially outer side. The outer surface 37a forms a part of the outer surface 14A1 of the relative moving body 14A in the circumferential direction. The outer surface 14A1 has a cylindrical surface shape. The outer surface 14A1 forms a continuous surface that smoothly continues in the circumferential direction.

  The rotor 7 has a cylindrical outer surface 7a on the radially inner side. The outer surface 14A1 corresponding to the outer surface of the moving body and the outer surface 7a corresponding to the outer surface of the container are opposed to each other through the gap 81 over the entire area in the circumferential direction. The outer surface 14A1 and the outer surface 7a are both cylindrical and have the same axis. Accordingly, the gap 81 between the outer surface 14A1 and the outer surface 7a has a uniform gap across the entire circumferential direction. The gap dimension of the gap portion 81 may be substantially uniform in the circumferential direction. The gap dimension of the gap 81 is relatively small, for example, 2.0 mm or less. The gap dimension of the gap 81 is preferably, for example, 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm.

  The outer yoke 32 is made of a magnetic material. The outer yoke 32 has a cylindrical shape extending in the axial direction. Permanent magnets 33 and 35 having a circular arc cross section are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the outer yoke 32. The permanent magnets 33 and 35 are provided at positions corresponding to the two first positions.

  The plate member 38 has a curved arc plate shape. The plate member 38 is provided between the pair of permanent magnets 33 and 35 in the circumferential direction in the figure. The plate member 38 is a nonmagnetic member made of a nonmagnetic material. The plate member 38 is made of, for example, a resin material or the like, and is formed of a nonmagnetic material having higher heat insulation than the outer yoke 32 and the permanent magnets 33 and 35 that form part of the magnetic circuit portion 15. The plate member 38 is connected to the relative moving body 14B by, for example, adhesion, locking, screwing, or the like. The plate member 38 is provided so as to fill a recessed space between the permanent magnets 33 and 35 in the circumferential direction of the relative moving body 14B. The plate member 38 has a plate thickness of about 1 to 3 mm, and is provided so as to fill the entire recess space. The plate member 38 may fill part of the above-described recessed space located on the inner side. That is, a space may be formed between the plate member 38 and the outer yoke 32. The plate member 38 that fills a part of the recessed space contributes to the weight reduction of the relative moving body 14B.

  In the pair of plate members 38, the radially inner outer surface 38 a is flush with the radially outer outer surfaces of the permanent magnets 33 and 35 in the circumferential direction. The radius of curvature of the outer surface 38a is the same as the radius of curvature of the outer surface on the radially inner side of the permanent magnets 33 and 35. The outer surface 38a forms a part of the outer surface 14B1 on the inner peripheral side of the relative moving body 14B in the circumferential direction. The outer surface 14B1 has a cylindrical surface shape. The outer surface 14B1 forms a continuous surface that is smoothly continuous in the circumferential direction.

  In the rotor 7, the outer surface 7b on the outer side in the radial direction has a cylindrical surface shape. The outer surface 14B1 corresponding to the outer surface of the moving body and the outer surface 7b corresponding to the outer surface of the container are opposed to each other through the gap 82 over the entire area in the circumferential direction. Both the outer surface 14B1 and the outer surface 7b are cylindrical and have the same axis. Accordingly, the gap 82 between the outer surface 14B1 and the outer surface 7b has a uniform gap dimension over the entire area in the circumferential direction. The clearance dimension of the clearance part 82 should just be substantially uniform in the circumferential direction. The gap dimension of the gap portion 82 is relatively small, for example, 2.0 mm or less. The gap size of the gap portion 82 is preferably, for example, 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm.

  At least one of the outer surfaces 7a and 7b of the rotor 7 and the outer surfaces 14A1 and 14B1 of the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B is provided with a blade 93 as a fluid discharge means. As shown in FIG. 12, in this example, blades 93 project from outer surfaces 7 a and 7 b of the rotor 7 which is a structure that moves when the relative movement is performed. In FIG. 12, a blade 93 provided on the outer surface 7b of the rotor 7 is shown. The blade 93 is a standing wall portion that stands in the radial direction of the rotor 7 from the outer surfaces 7a and 7b. The blade 93 is a standing wall portion extending in a direction inclined from the XX direction which is also the rotation axis direction of the rotor 7.

  A plurality of blades 93 are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. In this example, four blade groups arranged in the circumferential direction which is the rotation direction are provided in the XX direction. In the two groups of blades 93 on the head side and the two groups of blades 93 on the rear side, the inclination directions of the blades 93 with respect to the XX direction are reversed. The blade 93 is connected to the rotor 7. The blade 93 is formed integrally with the rotor 7. The blade 93 is a so-called fan blade.

  When the rotor 7 shown in FIG. 12 rotates in the YY direction, which is the rotation direction, the fluid existing in the gaps 81 and 82 is discharged from the gaps 81 and 82 by the action of the blade 93. When the fluid present in the gaps 81 and 82 is mainly air, the air in the gaps 81 and 82 flows in the direction indicated by the white arrow in the figure and is discharged from the gaps 81 and 82. The blade 93 is a so-called fan blade. When the rotor 7 rotates, the rotor 7 also functions as a fan.

  The air in the gap portions 81 and 82 flows in both end directions in the XX direction, which is the reciprocating direction of the heat medium in the work chamber 11, and is discharged from the gap portions 81 and 82. The gaps 81 and 82 are restrained from inflow of a liquid such as a heat medium or a gas such as air by the action of the blade 93. Thereby, when the rotor 7 is rotating, the fluid is almost eliminated from the gaps 81 and 82, and the gaps 81 and 82 are maintained in a reduced pressure state that is close to a vacuum. As shown in FIG. 13, the inclination directions of all the blades 93 with respect to the XX direction may be the same. These blades 93 cause the air in the gaps 81 and 82 to flow in one direction in the XX direction and discharge from the gaps 81 and 82.

  FIG. 11 shows a cross section of the movable seal mechanism. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. The communication chambers 41a, 41b, 41c, 41d provided in the piston 41 extend over an angular range corresponding to the first position and the second position. In the illustrated example, the respective angular ranges of the communication chambers 41a, 41b, 41c, and 41d are smaller than the angular ranges of the permanent magnets 33, 34, 35, and 36.

  The communication chamber 41a and the communication chamber 41b are formed symmetrically. Further, the communication passage 26b is formed symmetrically with respect to the vertical direction as shown in FIG. Therefore, the passage from the low temperature side inlet 16c to the communication chamber 41a and the passage from the low temperature side inlet 16c to the communication chamber 41b are formed symmetrically with respect to the flow of the heat transport medium. As a result, the difference in the flow of the heat transport medium in the two work chambers 11 defined by the communication chambers 41a and 41b is suppressed. Since the MHP device 2 has the single low temperature side inlet 16c, the influence of the flow path of the low temperature system on the flow of the heat transport medium in the work chamber 11 in the MHP device 2 is suppressed.

  The communication chamber 41c and the communication chamber 41d are formed symmetrically. Further, the communication chamber 41c and the communication chamber 41d communicate with each other at a symmetrical position with an annular passage surrounding the piston 41 via communication openings 41g and 41h provided at the symmetrical positions. The low temperature side outlet 16d is positioned between the two communication openings 41g and 41h. Therefore, the passage from the communication chamber 41c to the low temperature side outlet 16d and the passage from the communication chamber 41d to the low temperature side outlet 16d are formed substantially symmetrically with respect to the flow of the heat transport medium. As a result, the difference in the flow of the heat transport medium in the two work chambers 11 defined by the communication chambers 41c and 41d is suppressed. Since the MHP device 2 has the single low temperature side outlet 16d, the influence of the flow path of the low temperature system on the flow of the heat transport medium in the work chamber 11 in the MHP device 2 is suppressed.

  In this configuration, the flow path switching mechanism 18 connects the flow path and the work chamber 11 so that the heat transport medium flows in the first direction to the work chamber 11 at the first position. The flow path switching mechanism 18 connects the flow path and the work chamber 11 so that the heat transport medium flows in the second direction opposite to the first direction to the work chamber 11 at the second position. The flow path switching mechanism 18 includes a pump body 23 and a piston 41 as distribution members. The distribution member is disposed to face both ends of the rotor 7. The distribution member has a first group of communication chambers 23a, 23b, 41a, 41b arranged to communicate with the work chamber 11 at the first position. The distribution member includes a second group of communication chambers 23c, 23d, 41c, and 41d that are arranged to communicate with the work chamber 11 at the second position.

  The magnetic field modulation device 14 applies magnetic fields having different strengths to the MCE element 12 at the first position and the second position. The magnetic field modulation device 14 includes a magnetic force source 13 made of a permanent magnet arranged corresponding to the first position. The magnetic field modulation device 14 relatively moves the rotor 7 and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B in the direction along the outer surfaces 7a and 7b of the rotor 7 to change the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the MCE element 12. Magnetic field changing means.

  According to this configuration, the rotor 7 that forms the working chamber 11 that houses the MCE element 12 is rotated by the rotary shaft 2a. Thereby, the MCE element 12 is moved to the first position and the second position. In other words, the rotor 7 is an element bed that accommodates the MCE element 12. In this configuration, the flow direction of the heat transport medium in the working chamber 11 is switched between the first direction and the second direction by rotating the element bed. The flow direction in the working chamber 11 is switched by the distribution member having the communication chamber. By rotating the element bed, the strength of the magnetic field applied to the MCE element 12 is changed.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the operation of the MHP device 2 will be described. In order to operate the MHP device 2, the rotating shaft 2 a is rotated by the power source 5. The rotating shaft 2a operates the pump 17. At the same time, the rotating shaft 2 a rotates the rotor 7 via the speed change mechanism 9. A magnetic field modulation device 14 including a magnetic force source 13 made of a permanent magnet applies a strong magnetic field to the MCE element 12 at the first position. The magnetic field modulation device 14 applies a weak magnetic field or a zero magnetic field to the MCE element 12 in the second position.

  The pump 17 sucks and discharges the heat transport medium. At this time, the pump 17 is directly connected to the rotating shaft 2a and is rotated at the same rotational speed as the rotating shaft 2a. The pump 17 is rotated at a higher rotational speed than the rotor 7. This enables efficient operation of the pump 17. A heat transport medium is circulated through the flow path including the pump 17. The heat transport medium returns from the pump 17 to the pump 17 through the one work chamber 11 at the second position, the heat exchanger 4, the one work chamber 11 at the first position, and the heat exchanger 3 in order.

  The rotor 7 carries the MCE elements 12 accommodated in the work chamber 11 alternately between the first position and the second position and positions them. The rotational speed of the rotor 7 is lower than the rotational speed of the pump 17. The rotational speed of the rotor 7 is set to a rotational speed for causing the MCE element 12 to function as an AMR cycle. That is, the rotational speed of the rotor 7 is set so that a large temperature difference is obtained by the change of the magnetic field and the heat transport by the heat transport medium. For example, the rotational speed of the rotor 7 is set in consideration of the characteristics of the MCE element 12, the strength of the magnetic field, and the heat transport performance by the heat transport medium.

  The rotor 7 provides a magnetic field modulation device 14 in one aspect. The rotor 7 changes the strength of the magnetic field applied to the MCE element 12 by alternately carrying the MCE element 12 to the first position and the second position. The rotor 7 provides the flow path switching mechanism 18 from another viewpoint. The rotor 7 switches the flow direction of the heat transport medium flowing along the MCE element 12 between the first direction and the second direction by alternately carrying the MCE element 12 to the first position and the second position.

  When one MCE element 12 is carried to the first position, the magnetic field applied to the MCE element 12 becomes strong and the MCE element 12 generates heat. At this time, the heat transport medium flows in the first direction along the MCE element 12. The first direction is a direction from the low temperature end to the high temperature end. For this reason, the temperature of the high temperature end rises.

  When one MCE element 12 is carried to the second position, the magnetic field applied to the MCE element 12 becomes weak and the MCE element 12 absorbs heat. At this time, the heat transport medium flows in the second direction along the MCE element 12. The second direction is a direction from the high temperature end to the low temperature end. For this reason, the temperature at the low temperature end decreases.

  According to the MHP device 2 of the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  The MHP apparatus 2 is configured so that the rotor 7 in which the working chamber 11 is formed and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B having the magnetic circuit portion 15 are relatively moved in the direction along the outer surfaces 7a and 7b of the rotor 7. The magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the MCE element 12 in the work chamber 11 is changed by moving. The container outer surfaces 7a and 7b of the rotor 7 and the moving body outer surfaces 14A1 and 14B1 of the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B are opposed to each other through gaps 81 and 82. Then, fluid that exists in the gaps 81 and 82, that is, fluid that is interposed between the rotor 7 and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B is discharged from between the rotor 7 and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B. A blade 93 is provided as discharging means.

  According to this, the fluid can be discharged from the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B having the rotor 7 and the magnetic circuit portion 15 by the blade 93 which is a fluid discharging means. Therefore, the fluid interposed between the rotor 7 and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B can be reduced, and heat transfer between the rotor 7 and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B via the fluid can be suppressed. . In this way, heat loss can be reduced.

  Further, the blade 93 that is a fluid discharge means is provided so as to be mechanically connected to the rotor 7 that is the moving structure of the rotor 7 that is a container and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B. The fluid discharging means is driven by the rotor 7 in accordance with the relative movement between the rotor 7 and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B by the magnetic field modulation device 14 which is a magnetic field changing means, and the rotor 7 and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B. Drain the fluid from between.

  According to this, when the rotor 7 and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B move relative to each other, the fluid discharging means is operated to discharge the fluid from between the rotor 7 and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B. Can do. Therefore, when a thermal gradient is generated in the working chamber 11, heat transfer between the rotor 7 and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B via the fluid can be efficiently suppressed.

  The fluid discharge means is a blade 93 protruding from outer surfaces 7a and 7b of the rotor 7 which is a moving structure. According to this, the fluid discharge means can be easily configured by a relatively simple configuration of the blade 93 provided on the moving structure.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the MHP device 2 includes a partition member 94 that is provided in the work chamber 11 and partitions the heat medium in the XX direction in which the heat medium reciprocates between both ends of the work chamber 11. It can be. FIG. 14 is a circumferential cross-sectional view of a portion constituting one working chamber 11 of the rotor 7. The partition member 94 moves following the reciprocating heat medium. The partition member 94 is formed of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the heat medium. The partition member 94 can be formed of, for example, resin or airgel. The partition member 94 is in sliding contact with the inner peripheral wall surface facing the work chamber 11 of the MCE element 12 and the rotor 7 to partition the heat medium in the work chamber 11 into a plurality of parts. The partition member 94 partitions the plurality of heat medium blocks in the work chamber 11 so as to be isolated from each other in the XX direction.

  According to this, the heat medium can be partitioned by the partition member 94 having a thermal conductivity smaller than that of the heat medium in the temperature gradient direction in the working chamber 11. Therefore, heat transfer from the high temperature side to the low temperature side in the work chamber 11 can be suppressed, and heat loss can be reduced. Further, the partition member 94 moves following the reciprocating heat medium. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the reciprocation of the heat medium in the working chamber 11 from being hindered.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the MCE element 12 can include a heat insulating layer 12 a that is a heat insulating layer in the working substance. The heat insulating layer 12a is formed of, for example, a resin, airgel, or the like having a lower thermal conductivity than the element. The heat insulating layer 12 a suppresses heat transfer in the heat medium reciprocating direction in the MCE element 12. The heat insulating layer 12 a can suppress heat transfer in the temperature gradient direction in the MCE element 12. The partition member described above is also effective when applied to an MHP device other than the MHP device including the blade 93 that is a fluid discharge unit. Further, the above-described heat insulating layer in the working substance is effective even when applied to an MHP device other than the MHP device including the blade 93 as a fluid discharge means.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the MHP device 2 includes a heat transfer suppression layer member 95 and a radiation suppression layer member 96 provided on at least one of the container outer surfaces 7a and 7b and the moving body outer surfaces 14A1 and 14B1. It can be. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a portion where the outer surface 7b of the rotor 7 which is a part of the apparatus and the outer surface 14B1 of the relative moving body 14B face each other.

  The heat transfer suppression layer member 95 is made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the member constituting the rotor 7 or the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B, which is a structure provided on the outer surface of the member. The heat transfer suppression layer member 95 is formed by coating a resin material or the like. The heat transfer suppression layer member 95 may be a resin molded product, a vacuum heat insulating material in which a vacuum space is formed, or the like.

  Further, the radiation suppression layer member 96 is made of a material having a lower thermal emissivity than the members constituting the rotor 7 or the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B which are structures provided on the outer surface of the radiation suppressing layer member 96. The radiation suppressing layer member 96 is formed by, for example, coating or foil sticking of aluminum. The radiation suppression layer member 96 may be a relatively thin layer having a thickness of 1.0 mm or less, for example.

  According to this, heat conduction between the rotor 7 and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B is suppressed by the heat transfer suppressing layer member 95 made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the rotor 7 or the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B. Is done. Therefore, heat transfer between the rotor 7 and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B can be suppressed, and heat loss can be reduced.

  Moreover, according to this, the radiation suppression layer member 96 made of a material having a lower thermal emissivity than the rotor 7 or the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B causes heat radiation between the rotor 7 and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B. It is suppressed. A material with a low emissivity also has a low absorption rate, so that absorption of radiant heat is also suppressed. Therefore, heat transfer due to radiation between the rotor 7 and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B can be suppressed, and heat loss can be reduced.

  As shown in FIG. 15, when the heat transfer suppression layer member 95 and the radiation suppression layer member 96 are used in combination, the radiation suppression layer member 96 is disposed outward from the heat transfer suppression layer member 95. The radiation suppression layer member 96 is disposed on the outermost side. When the heat transfer suppressing layer member 95 is used, the arrangement can be omitted on the outer surfaces 37a and 38a of the plate members 38 and 39. Only one of the heat transfer suppression layer member 95 and the radiation suppression layer member 96 can be employed.

  When at least one of the heat transfer suppression layer member 95 and the radiation suppression layer member 96 is employed, the heat transfer suppression layer member 95 and the radiation suppression layer member 96 can be disposed on at least one of the container outer surfaces 7a and 7b and the movable body outer surfaces 14A1 and 14B1. At least one of the heat transfer suppression layer member 95 and the radiation suppression layer member 96 is preferably provided in the entire region of the container outer surfaces 7a and 7b and the moving body outer surfaces 14A1 and 14B1. The heat transfer suppression layer member 95 and the radiation suppression layer member 96 can be applied to an apparatus in which the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B do not include the plate members 37 and 38. In this case, it is preferable to provide the heat transfer suppression layer member 95 and / or the radiation suppression layer member 96 also on the inner surface of the recess between the permanent magnets in the circumferential direction.

  Note that the above-described heat transfer suppression layer member and / or radiation suppression layer member is also effective when applied to an MHP device other than an MHP device including a blade 93 that is a fluid discharge means.

  Further, the MHP device 2 includes a head member in which a heat medium passage communicating with the work chamber 11 is formed. The heat medium passage is formed inside the inner peripheral surface of the head member. And the head inner peripheral heat insulation layer member 97a which is provided in the inner peripheral surface of a head member and consists of a material whose heat conductivity is smaller than a head member can be provided. A configuration including the pump body 23, the pump cover 24, and the front end cover 25 is a front side head member. Further, the configuration including the rear body 26 and the rear end cover 27 is a head member on the rear side. A heat medium passage such as a communication chamber or a communication groove formed inside these head members is a heat medium passage communicating with the work chamber 11.

  FIG. 16 shows a sectional view of a part of the apparatus. In the portion shown in FIG. 16, the pump body 23 corresponds to a head member, and the communication chamber 23a corresponds to a heat medium passage. A head inner peripheral heat insulating layer member 97a is disposed on the inner peripheral surface 23a1 of the pump body 23, the inside of which is the communication chamber 23a. The head inner peripheral heat insulating layer member 97a is formed of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the head member such as resin or airgel. The head inner peripheral heat insulating layer member 97a is disposed so as to cover the entire area of the inner peripheral surface 23a1. The head inner peripheral heat insulating layer member 97a covers at least a part of the inner peripheral surface 23a1. The head inner peripheral heat insulating layer member 97a is not limited to the illustrated portion, and can be provided on any inner peripheral surface facing the heat medium passage of the head member.

  According to this, heat transfer between the heat medium and the head member is suppressed by the head inner heat insulating layer member 97a made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the head member. Accordingly, heat transfer between the heat medium and the head member can be suppressed, and heat loss can be reduced.

  Moreover, in the MHP apparatus 2, the working chamber 11 is formed inside the inner peripheral wall surface of the rotor 7 which is a container. The MHP device 2 can include a container inner peripheral heat insulating layer member 97 b that is provided on the inner peripheral wall surface 7 c of the rotor 7 and made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the rotor 7. As shown in FIG. 16, the container inner peripheral heat insulating layer member 97b is disposed so as to cover the entire inner peripheral wall surface 7c facing the working chamber 11 of the rotor 7 serving as a container. The container inner peripheral heat insulating layer member 97b is formed of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the rotor 7 such as resin or airgel. The container inner peripheral heat insulating layer member 97b covers at least a part of the inner peripheral wall surface 7c.

  According to this, heat transfer between the heat medium and the rotor 7 is suppressed by the container inner peripheral heat insulating layer member 97 b made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the rotor 7. Therefore, heat transfer between the heat medium and the rotor 7 as a container can be suppressed, and heat loss of the apparatus can be reduced. In the case where the container does not rotate, the head inner peripheral heat insulating layer member 97a and the container inner peripheral heat insulating layer member 97b can be formed as a continuous layer.

  Note that the above-described head inner peripheral heat insulating layer member and / or container inner peripheral heat insulating layer member are also effective when applied to an MHP device other than the MHP device including the blade 93 serving as a fluid discharge means.

  Further, the MHP device 2 can include an internal heat insulating layer 98 provided in at least a part of a portion surrounding the heat medium passage in the inside of the head member. FIG. 17 shows a sectional view of a part of the apparatus. In the portion shown in FIG. 17, the pump body 23 corresponds to a head member, and the communication chamber 23a corresponds to a heat medium passage. An internal heat insulating layer 98 is formed inside the pump body 23 in the vicinity of the inner peripheral surface 23a1 of the pump body 23, the inside of which is the communication chamber 23a. The internal heat insulating layer 98 is made of a resin, an airgel, an air layer, and the like, and has a lower thermal conductivity than the head member. The internal heat insulating layer 98 is disposed over the entire region surrounding the heat medium passage. The internal heat insulating layer 98 is disposed on at least a part of a portion surrounding the heat medium passage. The internal heat insulating layer 98 can be provided not only in the illustrated part but also in the vicinity of the heat medium passage in the head member.

  According to this, due to the internal heat insulating layer 98, between the portion located on the heat medium passage side with respect to the internal heat insulating layer 98 of the head member and the portion located on the side opposite to the heat medium passage with respect to the internal heat insulating layer 98 of the head member. Heat transfer is suppressed. Therefore, the heat transfer between both parts can be suppressed and heat loss can be reduced. The internal heat insulating layer 98 is configured to transfer heat through the head member between the heat medium flowing through the heat medium passage and the magnetic circuit unit, and heat through the head member between the heat medium flowing through the heat medium passage and air outside the apparatus. Movement and the like can be suppressed.

  Note that the above-described internal heat insulating layer is also effective when applied to an MHP device other than the MHP device including the blade 93 serving as a fluid discharge unit.

  In addition, the MHP device 2 includes a heat transfer suppression layer member 99 that is provided between the head member and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B and suppresses heat transfer between the head member and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B. Can be provided. FIG. 18 shows a sectional view of a part of the apparatus. In the part shown in FIG. 18, the pump body 23 corresponds to a head member, and the communication chamber 23a corresponds to a heat medium passage. A heat transfer suppressing layer member 99 is disposed between the pump body 23 and the relative moving bodies 14A and 14B. The heat transfer suppression layer member 99 is made of resin, airgel, or the like, and has a lower thermal conductivity than the head member and the relative moving body. The heat transfer suppressing layer member 99 is provided over the entire end surface of the relative moving body on the head member side, and is sandwiched between the head member and the relative moving body. The heat transfer suppressing layer member 99 can be provided at least at a part between the head member and the relative moving body. The heat transfer suppressing layer member 99 is not limited to the illustrated portion, and can be provided between the head member and the relative moving body. When the head member and the relative moving body are separated from each other, the heat transfer suppressing layer member 99 has an end surface on the head member side of the relative moving body, an end surface on the relative moving body side of the head member, and a relative movement. It can be provided in at least one of the spaces between the body and the head member.

  According to this, the heat transfer suppression layer member 99 can suppress heat transfer between the head member and the relative moving body and reduce heat loss. Note that the above-described heat transfer suppression layer member is also effective when applied to an MHP device other than the MHP device including the blade 93 serving as a fluid discharge unit.

  Further, the MHP device 2 can be provided with the thermal resistance increasing layer 100 that increases the thermal resistance in the XX direction in which the heat medium reciprocates between the both ends of the work chamber 11 in the permanent magnets 33 to 36. FIG. 19 shows a sectional view of a part of the apparatus. FIG. 19 shows a portion where the rotor 7, which is a container, is disposed between the permanent magnet 35 and the permanent magnet 36. A thermal resistance increasing layer 100 is provided in the permanent magnets 35 and 36. The thermal resistance increasing layer 100 is a layer that extends in a direction orthogonal to the XX direction. The thermal resistance increasing layer 100 is formed of a resin, airgel, air layer or the like having a lower thermal conductivity than the permanent magnets 35 and 36. A plurality of thermal resistance increasing layers 100 are provided, and the plurality of thermal resistance increasing layers 100 are arranged at equal intervals in the XX direction. The thermal resistance increasing layer 100 can be provided not only in the illustrated part but also in the permanent magnets 33 and 34.

  According to this, in the magnet which is disposed in the vicinity of the rotor 7 which is a container and easily generates a temperature gradient, the heat transfer in the temperature gradient direction in the magnet can be suppressed by the thermal resistance increasing layer 100. Therefore, the heat loss chamber of the apparatus can be reduced. Note that the above-described thermal resistance increasing layer is also effective when applied to an MHP device other than the MHP device including the blade 93 serving as a fluid discharge means.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the pump 17 for flowing the heat transport medium in one direction and the rotor 7 are rotated by the common rotating shaft 2a. As a result, both the magnetic field modulation device 14 and the heat transport device 16 can be driven by the common power source 5. The MHP device 2 includes a speed change mechanism 9 that makes the rotational speed of the pump 17 higher than the rotational speed of the rotor 7. As a result, the required flow rate can be obtained by the small pump 17 that can be integrated with the MHP device 2 while providing the time necessary for heat exchange between the MCE element 12 and the heat transport medium on the rotor 7. .

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the change of the magnetic field applied to the MCE element 12 is mechanically given by the rotation of the rotor 7. At the same time, switching of the flow direction of the heat transport medium is provided by a flow path switching mechanism 18 that functions by the rotation of the rotor 7. Moreover, the switching of the flow direction is performed by a mechanical distribution mechanism provided by communication chambers 23a-23d and 41a-41d formed in the pump body 23 and the piston 41. For this reason, switching of the flow direction synchronized with the change of the magnetic field is realized with a simple configuration.

(Other embodiments)
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The structure of the said embodiment is an illustration to the last, Comprising: The scope of the present invention is not limited to the range of these description. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the description of the scope of claims, and further includes meanings equivalent to the description of the scope of claims and all modifications within the scope.

  In the said embodiment, the structure which the container which is an element bed which has the working chamber 11 and the MCE element 12 rotates was employ | adopted. Instead, various configurations for providing relative rotation between the element bed and the magnetic field modulation device 14 and relative rotation between the element bed and the flow path switching mechanism 18 are adopted. be able to. For example, the container that is the element bed may be kept stationary, and the magnetic field modulation device including the permanent magnet may be rotated and moved relative to the container. Thereby, the magnetic field given to one MCE element 12 can be changed. In other words, the magnetic field changing means may move the relative moving body with respect to the container in a direction along the outer surface of the container. That is, it is only necessary to change the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working substance by relatively moving the container and the relative moving body in the direction along the outer surface of the container. Of the relatively moving container and the relatively moving body, the moving structure can be provided with a blade 93 as a fluid discharge means.

  For example, the magnetic field changing means of the magnetic heat pump device includes a first magnet and a yoke arranged on one side of the container, and a first pole arranged so that a different pole faces the first magnet on the other side of the container. Two magnets and a yoke. And it may be provided with the drive means connected with the 1st magnet and the yoke, and the holding mechanism which holds the 2nd magnet and the yoke so that it may rotate following the 1st magnet and the yoke. .

  Here, the holding mechanism may be, for example, a bearing, a lubricating oil, or an air layer, and the second magnet and the yoke may be rotated following the first magnet and the yoke by the magnetic attractive force between the magnets. .

  Further, an external drive mechanism that drives the yoke to which the second magnet is attached from the outside may be provided, and the second magnet and the yoke may be rotated following the first magnet and the yoke. The drive source of the external drive mechanism may be a drive unit that rotates the yoke to which the first magnet is attached, or a drive unit that is different from the drive unit that rotates the yoke to which the first magnet is attached. It may be.

  Further, a container having a high temperature end and a container having a low temperature end may be respectively disposed on both sides of a pump that is a heat medium moving means. Moreover, the pump which is a heat medium moving means may be provided in the high temperature end side and low temperature end side of the container, respectively.

  Further, as described in the above embodiment, the container is disposed in the annular region so that the flow direction of the heat medium in the working chamber is parallel to the rotation axis. Is not to be done. For example, as shown in FIGS. 20 to 22, the container may be arranged in an annular region so that the direction in which the heat medium flows is perpendicular to the rotation axis.

  FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a magnetic heat pump device. 21 is a plan view of the rotor shown in FIG. 20, and FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXII-XXII in FIG. In this example, the two reciprocating pumps 17 </ b> A and 17 </ b> B that operate on the rotating shaft 202 a driven by the power source 5 are provided independently on both sides of the MHP device 202. In the MHP device 202 of this example, a disk-like rotor 252 attached to the rotating shaft 202a is provided on the side close to the power source 5 inside the housing 206. Then, as shown in FIG. 21, a fan-shaped permanent magnet 253 is attached to one surface of the rotor 252 in point symmetry with respect to the rotating shaft 202a. One permanent magnet 253 has an N pole on the rotor 252 side, and the other permanent magnet 253 has an S pole on the rotor 252 side, and the rotor 252 is a yoke portion.

  On the side farther from the power source 5 inside the housing 206, there is an annular yoke portion 254 that is rotatably attached to the inner peripheral surface of the housing 206 via a ball bearing 241. The yoke portion 254 is not coupled to the rotation shaft 202a, and the rotation shaft 202a passes through a hole provided in the central portion. A permanent magnet 255 having the same size as the permanent magnet 253 attached to the rotor 252 is attached to the surface of the yoke portion 254 on the rotor 252 side. One permanent magnet 255 has an N pole on the rotor 252 side, and the other permanent magnet 255 has an S pole on the rotor 252 side. Therefore, an attractive force acts between the permanent magnet 255 and the permanent magnet 253, and the permanent magnet 255 and the permanent magnet 253 are in positions facing each other. Since the yoke portion 254 to which the permanent magnet 255 is attached is rotatably held in the housing 206 by the ball bearing 241, when the rotary shaft 202 a rotates and the permanent magnet 253 rotates, the permanent magnet 255 Rotate to follow.

  In a space between the permanent magnet 253 and the permanent magnet 255 in the housing 206, there is a container mounting portion 257 that is not coupled to the rotating shaft 202a. As shown in FIG. 22, a plurality of material container bodies 225 in which the work chamber 11 is filled with the MCE element 12 are radially attached to the container attaching portion 257. The cross-sectional shape of the material container 225 in the direction perpendicular to the flow of the heat transport medium is a rectangle or a circle. The container mounting portion 257 may be formed integrally with the housing 206, or a separate container mounting portion 257 may be mounted inside the housing 206. Discharge suction valve mechanisms 256 containing a discharge valve 227 and a suction valve 228 are provided at the outer and inner ends of the material container body 225, respectively. In this example, each of the discharge suction valve mechanisms 256 on the outer side is connected to a medium passage provided with the heat exchanger 4, and each of the discharge suction valve mechanisms 256 on the inner side is connected to a medium passage provided with the heat exchanger 3. Has been.

  Also in this example, when the permanent magnet 253 attached to one surface of the rotor 252 is rotated by the power source 5, the permanent magnet 255 opposite to the permanent magnet 253 is rotated following the attraction force as the permanent magnet 253 rotates. Then, the yoke portion 254 rotates.

  In this example, the configuration including the material container body 225 and the container mounting portion 257 is a container 207 in which the work chamber 11 is formed. A magnetic field modulation device 214 that is a magnetic field changing unit of this example includes a container 207 and relative moving bodies 214A and 214B that move relative to the container 207. The relative moving body 214 </ b> A is located closer to the power source 5 than the container 207. The relative moving body 214 </ b> A includes a rotor 252, a permanent magnet 253, and a plate member 237. The relative moving body 214B is located on the reaction power source side with respect to the container 207. The relative moving body 214B includes a yoke portion 254, a permanent magnet 255, and a plate member 237. The rotor 252, the yoke portion 254, and the permanent magnets 253 and 255 constitute a magnetic circuit portion 215 that allows the magnetic flux generated by the permanent magnets 253 and 255 to pass therethrough.

  The rotor 252 is made of a magnetic material. The rotor 252 has a disk shape extending in a direction orthogonal to the axis. As shown in FIG. 21, a fan-shaped permanent magnet 253 is provided on the surface of the rotor 252 on the container 207 side. The plate member 237 has a fan-shaped plate shape. The plate member 237 is provided between the pair of permanent magnets 253 in the circumferential direction in the figure. It is a nonmagnetic member made of a nonmagnetic material. The plate member 237 is made of, for example, a resin material or the like, and is formed of a nonmagnetic material having higher heat insulation than the rotor 252 and the permanent magnet 253 that form part of the magnetic circuit portion 215. The plate member 237 is connected to the relative moving body 214A by, for example, bonding, locking, screwing or the like. The plate member 237 is provided so as to fill a recessed space between the permanent magnets 253 in the circumferential direction of the relative moving body 214A. The plate member 237 has a plate thickness of about 1 to 3 mm and is provided so as to fill the entire recess space. The plate member 237 may fill a part of the above-described recessed space located on the container side. That is, a space may be formed between the plate member 237 and the rotor 252. The plate member 237 that fills a part of the recessed space contributes to the weight reduction of the relative moving body 214A.

  In the pair of plate members 237, the outer surface 237 a on the container side is flush with the outer surface on the container side of the permanent magnet 253 in the circumferential direction. The outer surface 237a forms a part in the circumferential direction of the outer surface 214A1 on the container side of the relative moving body 214A. The outer surface 214A1 has an annular planar shape. The outer surface 214A1 forms a continuous surface that smoothly continues in the circumferential direction.

  The container 207 has an annular plate shape. The outer surface 207a on the relative moving body 214A side of the container 207 has an annular plane shape. The outer surface 214A1 corresponding to the outer surface of the moving body and the outer surface 207a corresponding to the outer surface of the container are opposed to each other through the gap 281 over the entire circumferential direction. Both the outer surface 214A1 and the outer surface 207a are planar. Therefore, the gap 281 between the outer surface 214A1 and the outer surface 207a has a uniform gap dimension over the entire circumferential direction. The clearance dimension of the clearance part 281 should just be substantially uniform in the circumferential direction. The gap dimension of the gap portion 281 is relatively small, for example, 2.0 mm or less. The gap dimension of the gap portion 281 is preferably, for example, 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm.

  The yoke part 254 is made of a magnetic material. The yoke portion 254 has an annular plate shape that extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis and extends around the axis. A fan-shaped permanent magnet 255 is provided on the surface of the yoke portion 254 on the container 207 side. In the circumferential direction, a plate member 237 is provided between the pair of permanent magnets 255 as in the rotor side. The plate member 237 is formed of a nonmagnetic material having higher heat insulation than the yoke portion 254 and the permanent magnet 255 that form part of the magnetic circuit portion 215. The plate member 237 is connected to the relative moving body 214B by, for example, bonding, locking, screwing or the like. The plate member 237 is provided so as to fill a recessed space between the permanent magnets 255 in the circumferential direction of the relative moving body 214B. The plate member 237 has a plate thickness of about 1 to 3 mm and is provided so as to fill the entire recess space. The plate member 237 may fill a part of the above-described recessed space located on the container side. That is, a space may be formed between the plate member 237 and the yoke portion 254. The plate member 237 filling a part of the recessed space contributes to the weight reduction of the relative moving body 214B.

  In the pair of plate members 237, the outer surface 237 a on the container side is flush with the outer surface on the container side of the permanent magnet 255 in the circumferential direction. The outer surface 237a forms a part in the circumferential direction of the outer surface 214B1 of the relative moving body 214B. The outer surface 214B1 has an annular planar shape. The outer surface 214B1 forms a continuous surface that smoothly continues in the circumferential direction.

  The outer surface 207b of the container 207 on the relative moving body 214B side has an annular plane shape. The outer surface 214B1 corresponding to the outer surface of the moving body and the outer surface 207b corresponding to the outer surface of the container are opposed to each other through the gap 282 over the entire area in the circumferential direction. Both outer surface 214B1 and outer surface 207b are planar. Accordingly, the gap portion 282 between the outer surface 214B1 and the outer surface 207b has a uniform gap size over the entire circumferential direction. The clearance dimension of the clearance part 282 should just be substantially uniform in the circumferential direction. The gap dimension of the gap portion 281 is relatively small, for example, 2.0 mm or less. The gap dimension of the gap portion 281 is preferably, for example, 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm.

  In the MHP device 202, a blade 293 as a fluid discharge means is provided on at least one of the outer surfaces 214A1 and 214B1 of the relative moving bodies 214A and 214B on the container 207 side. The blade 293 protrudes from the outer surfaces 214A1 and 214B1 of the relative moving bodies 214A and 214B, which are the structures that move when the blade moves relatively. The blade 293 is a standing wall portion erected from the outer surfaces 214A1 and 214B1 in the direction of the rotation axis of the relative moving bodies 214A and 214B. As shown in FIG. 21 as an example, the blade 293 is a standing wall portion extending in a direction slightly inclined from the radial direction of the relative moving bodies 214A and 214B. The blade 293 is connected to the relative moving bodies 214A and 214B. The blade 293 is formed integrally with the relative moving bodies 214A and 214B. The blade 293 is a so-called fan blade. The blade 293 is a fluid discharge unit that discharges fluid such as air from the gaps 281 and 282.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, the magnetic circuit part 15 has the permanent magnets 34 and 36 which are the 1st magnets which mutually oppose on both sides of the container, and the permanent magnets 33 and 35 which are the 2nd magnets. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be a magnetic circuit unit including only one of a first magnet and a second magnet.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the clearance gap size of the clearance gap parts 81 and 82 was uniform in the circumferential direction, it is not limited to this. The gap dimension of the gap portions 81 and 82 may be substantially uniform in the circumferential direction. In addition, if both outer surfaces that form the gap portion are in a planar shape that smoothly continues in the relative movement direction and the heat transfer heat amount between the container and the relative movement body is small enough to allow, the gap portion The gap size need not be uniform. Further, for example, a relative moving body having an uneven outer surface may be used without the plate members 37 and 38 made of a non-magnetic material.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although each outer surface which faces the clearance gap parts 81 and 82 of the rotor 7 and relative moving body 14A, 14B was a part of outer surface of a nonmagnetic member, it is limited to this. is not. For example, the entire outer surface may be the outer surface of the nonmagnetic member.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the container in which the working chamber was formed, and the relative moving body which has a magnetic circuit part were rotated relatively, it is not limited to this. For example, the container and the relative moving body may be relatively linearly moved. The relative movement between the container and the relative moving body is not limited to the movement in the direction along the outer surface of the container, and the relative movement between the container and the relative moving body in the direction intersecting the outer surface of the container. You may do.

  The present invention is effective when applied to the various magnetic heat pump devices described above. In various magnetic heat pump devices in which a container in which a working chamber is formed and a relative moving body having a magnetic circuit portion move relatively, a blade as a fluid discharge means may be provided on the outer surface of the moving structure. it can.

  Further, the fluid discharging means is not limited to the blade provided on the outer surface of the moving structure. As the fluid discharging means mechanically connected to the moving structure, for example, fan blades may be provided on the end face in the axial direction of the rotating rotor. Further, it is also possible to employ a pump means or the like that is mechanically connected to the moving structure and is driven by obtaining a driving force from the moving structure as the structure moves. Further, the blade as the fluid discharge means can be provided on the stationary side that does not move between the container and the relative moving body.

  Further, as the fluid discharge means, for example, a pump means or the like separate from both the container and the relative moving body can be adopted. According to such a fluid discharge means, before moving the container and the relative moving body relative to each other, the fluid such as air is discharged from between the container and the relative moving body, Can be in a reduced pressure state.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the heat transport medium is supplied to the heat exchangers 3 and 4 outside the MHP device 2. Instead of this, a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the heat transport medium, which is a primary medium, and the secondary medium may be provided in the MHP apparatus 2, and the secondary medium may be supplied to the low temperature system and the high temperature system.

  In the above embodiment, one MHP device 2 is provided with two first positions and two second positions. Instead of this, one first position and one second position may be provided. Three or more first positions and second positions may be provided.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, this invention was applied to the vehicle air conditioner. Instead of this, the present invention may be applied to a residential air conditioner. Moreover, you may utilize as a hot-water supply apparatus which heats water. In the above-described embodiment, the MHP device 2 using outdoor air as a main heat source has been described. Instead, other heat sources such as water and soil may be used as the main heat source.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Vehicle air conditioner 2 Magneto-caloric effect type heat pump (MHP) apparatus (magnetic heat pump apparatus)
7 Rotor (container)
11 Working room 12 Magneto-caloric (MCE) element (magnetic working substance)
14 Magnetic field modulation device (magnetic field changing means)
14A, 14B Relative moving body 15 Magnetic circuit part 33, 34, 35, 36 Permanent magnet (magnet)
93 Blade (fluid discharge means)

Claims (18)

A container (7) in which a working chamber (11) in which a magnetic working substance (12) having a magnetocaloric effect is arranged and a heat medium flows is formed;
A relative moving body (14A, 14B) having a magnetic circuit section (15) for allowing magnetic flux generated by the magnets (33-36) to pass therethrough and being movable relative to the container;
Magnetic field changing means (14) for changing the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working substance by relatively moving the container and the relative moving body;
A fluid interposed between the relative moving body and the container, Bei give a, a fluid discharge means (93) for discharging from between the relative moving body and the container,
The fluid discharge means includes
Provided to mechanically connect to the moving structure of the container and the relative moving body,
Along with the relative movement of the container and the relative moving body by the magnetic field changing means, the driving force is obtained from the moving structure, and the driving is performed between the container and the relative moving body. A magnetic heat pump device for discharging a fluid . 2. The magnetic heat pump device according to claim 1 , wherein the fluid discharging means is a blade protruding from an outer surface of the moving structure. A heat medium moving means (16) for reciprocating the heat medium so as to flow along the magnetic working material between both ends of the working chamber;
A partition member (94) provided in the working chamber and partitioning in the reciprocating direction of the heat medium and moving following the reciprocating heat medium;
The magnetic heat pump device according to claim 1 , wherein the partition member has a thermal conductivity smaller than that of the heat medium. A container (7) in which a working chamber (11) in which a magnetic working substance (12) having a magnetocaloric effect is arranged and a heat medium flows is formed;
A relative moving body (14A, 14B) having a magnetic circuit section (15) for allowing magnetic flux generated by the magnets (33-36) to pass therethrough and being movable relative to the container;
Magnetic field changing means (14) for changing the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working substance by relatively moving the container and the relative moving body;
Fluid interposed between the relative moving body and the container, Bei give a, a fluid discharge means (93) for discharging from between the relative moving body and the container,
A heat medium moving means (16) for reciprocating the heat medium so as to flow along the magnetic working material between both ends of the working chamber;
A partition member (94) provided in the working chamber and partitioning in the reciprocating direction of the heat medium and moving following the reciprocating heat medium;
The magnetic heat pump device , wherein the partition member has a thermal conductivity smaller than that of the heat medium . A heating medium moving means (16) for reciprocating the heating medium so as to flow along the magnetic working material between both ends of the working chamber;
Said magnetic working material, the magnetic heat pump according to claims 1, wherein the providing the heat transfer suppressing working medium in the heat insulating layer in the direction of reciprocation (12a) to any one of claims 4 apparatus. A container (7) in which a working chamber (11) in which a magnetic working substance (12) having a magnetocaloric effect is arranged and a heat medium flows is formed;
A relative moving body (14A, 14B) having a magnetic circuit section (15) for allowing magnetic flux generated by the magnets (33-36) to pass therethrough and being movable relative to the container;
Magnetic field changing means (14) for changing the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working substance by relatively moving the container and the relative moving body;
A fluid interposed between the relative moving body and the container, Bei give a, a fluid discharge means (93) for discharging from between the relative moving body and the container,
A heating medium moving means (16) for reciprocating the heating medium so as to flow along the magnetic working material between both ends of the working chamber;
A magnetic heat pump device , wherein the magnetic working material is provided with a heat insulating layer (12a) in the working material that suppresses heat transfer in the reciprocating direction . A member provided on at least one of the outer surface of the container and the outer surface of the relative moving body, wherein the member has a thermal emissivity higher than that of the container or the relative moving body provided on the outer surface. the magnetic heat pump apparatus according to any one of claims 6, further comprising a radiation suppressing layer member made of a material having low (96) from claim 1, wherein the. A container (7) in which a working chamber (11) in which a magnetic working substance (12) having a magnetocaloric effect is arranged and a heat medium flows is formed;
A relative moving body (14A, 14B) having a magnetic circuit section (15) for allowing magnetic flux generated by the magnets (33-36) to pass therethrough and being movable relative to the container;
Magnetic field changing means (14) for changing the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working substance by relatively moving the container and the relative moving body;
A fluid interposed between the relative moving body and the container, Bei give a, a fluid discharge means (93) for discharging from between the relative moving body and the container,
A member provided on at least one of the outer surface of the container and the outer surface of the relative moving body, wherein the member has a thermal emissivity higher than that of the container or the relative moving body provided on the outer surface. A magnetic heat pump device comprising a radiation suppressing layer member (96) made of a small material . A head member (23) having a heat medium passage (23a) communicating with the working chamber formed inward of the inner peripheral surface (23a1);
Provided on the inner peripheral surface, any one of claims 1 to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a head inner circumferential heat insulating layer member (97a) thermal conductivity made of less material than the head member 1 The magnetic heat pump device described in 1. A container (7) in which a working chamber (11) in which a magnetic working substance (12) having a magnetocaloric effect is arranged and a heat medium flows is formed;
A relative moving body (14A, 14B) having a magnetic circuit section (15) for allowing magnetic flux generated by the magnets (33-36) to pass therethrough and being movable relative to the container;
Magnetic field changing means (14) for changing the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working substance by relatively moving the container and the relative moving body;
A fluid interposed between the relative moving body and the container, Bei give a, a fluid discharge means (93) for discharging from between the relative moving body and the container,
A head member (23) having a heat medium passage (23a) communicating with the working chamber formed inward of the inner peripheral surface (23a1);
A magnetic heat pump device comprising: a head inner peripheral heat insulating layer member (97a) provided on the inner peripheral surface and made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the head member . A head member (23) having a heat medium passage (23a) communicating with the working chamber;
The internal heat insulating layer (98) provided in at least one part of the site | part surrounding the said heat-medium channel | path among the insides of the said head member, The any one of Claims 1-10 characterized by the above-mentioned. The magnetic heat pump device according to 1. A container (7) in which a working chamber (11) in which a magnetic working substance (12) having a magnetocaloric effect is arranged and a heat medium flows is formed;
A relative moving body (14A, 14B) having a magnetic circuit section (15) for allowing magnetic flux generated by the magnets (33-36) to pass therethrough and being movable relative to the container;
Magnetic field changing means (14) for changing the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working substance by relatively moving the container and the relative moving body;
A fluid interposed between the relative moving body and the container, Bei give a, a fluid discharge means (93) for discharging from between the relative moving body and the container,
A head member (23) having a heat medium passage (23a) communicating with the working chamber;
A magnetic heat pump device comprising: an internal heat insulating layer (98) provided in at least a part of a portion surrounding the heat medium passage in the inside of the head member . A head member (23) having a heat medium passage (23a) communicating with the working chamber;
A heat transfer suppression layer member (99) provided between the head member and the relative moving body and suppressing heat transfer between the head member and the relative moving body. The magnetic heat pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 . A container (7) in which a working chamber (11) in which a magnetic working substance (12) having a magnetocaloric effect is arranged and a heat medium flows is formed;
A relative moving body (14A, 14B) having a magnetic circuit section (15) for allowing magnetic flux generated by the magnets (33-36) to pass therethrough and being movable relative to the container;
Magnetic field changing means (14) for changing the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working substance by relatively moving the container and the relative moving body;
A fluid interposed between the relative moving body and the container, Bei give a, a fluid discharge means (93) for discharging from between the relative moving body and the container,
A head member (23) having a heat medium passage (23a) communicating with the working chamber;
A heat transfer suppression layer member (99) provided between the head member and the relative moving body and suppressing heat transfer between the head member and the relative moving body. Magnetic heat pump device. A heating medium moving means (16) for reciprocating the heating medium so as to flow along the magnetic working material between both ends of the working chamber;
The magnetic heat pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 , wherein the magnet is provided with a thermal resistance increasing layer (100) for increasing a thermal resistance in the reciprocating direction. A container (7) in which a working chamber (11) in which a magnetic working substance (12) having a magnetocaloric effect is arranged and a heat medium flows is formed;
A relative moving body (14A, 14B) having a magnetic circuit section (15) for allowing magnetic flux generated by the magnets (33-36) to pass therethrough and being movable relative to the container;
Magnetic field changing means (14) for changing the magnitude of the magnetic field applied to the magnetic working substance by relatively moving the container and the relative moving body;
Fluid discharging means (93) for discharging the fluid interposed between the container and the relative moving body from between the container and the relative moving body,
A heating medium moving means (16) for reciprocating the heating medium so as to flow along the magnetic working material between both ends of the working chamber;
A magnetic heat pump device , wherein the magnet is provided with a thermal resistance increasing layer (100) for increasing the thermal resistance in the reciprocating direction . A member provided on at least one of the outer surface of the container and the outer surface of the relative moving body, wherein the member has a thermal conductivity higher than that of the container or the relative moving body provided on the outer surface. The magnetic heat pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 16 , further comprising a heat transfer suppressing layer member (95) made of a small material. The working chamber is formed inside the inner peripheral wall surface (7c) of the container,
18. The container inner peripheral heat insulating layer member (97 b) provided on the inner peripheral wall surface and made of a material having a lower thermal conductivity than the container is provided with any one of claims 1 to 17. Magnetic heat pump device.

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