HEAT TRANSFER DEVICE

BACKGROUND ART

Techniques using, for heat transfer, a solid material that exhibits the thermoelastic effect have been known.

For example, according to Patent Literature 1, a regenerator of a cooling system includes a plurality of solid refrigerant materials capable of exhibiting the thermoelastic effect. The cooling system includes a heat sink, a space to be refrigerated, and a regenerator. The solid refrigerant material is made of, for example, a shape-memory alloy and is shaped in the form of, for example, a wire.

According to Patent Literature 2, a lot of thermally straining materials is used in each cooling/heating section of a cooling/heating module configured to cool and heat air. The thermally straining material is made of, for example, a shape-memory alloy. The thermally straining material is formed in the shape of a wire extending vertically.

Patent Literature 3 describes a heat pump in which a shape-memory alloy is used. A belt is formed of the shape-memory alloy.

CITATION LIST
Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: JP 2012-220184 A

Patent Literature 2: JP 2014-098552 A

Patent Literature 3: JP S57-192761 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem

In the techniques described in Patent Literatures 1 to 3, heat transfer by thermal conduction is not expected to be performed by varying a contact area between a member including a solid material that exhibits the thermoelastic effect and a heat transfer element.

Therefore, the present disclosure provides a new heat transfer device for performing heat transfer by thermal conduction by varying a contact area between a member including a solid material that exhibits the thermoelastic effect and a heat transfer element.

Solution to Problem

The present disclosure provides a heat transfer device including:

a first member including a first solid material that exhibits a thermoelastic effect;

a first heat transfer element having a first contact area that varies and that is a contact area between the first heat transfer element and the first member; and

a second heat transfer element having a second contact area that varies and that is a contact area between the second heat transfer element and the first member, wherein

the first contact area is greater when magnitude of a first external force applied to the first member is smaller than a first threshold being a threshold of an endothermic reaction and an exothermic reaction associated with the thermoelastic effect of the first solid material than when the magnitude of the first external force is equal to or greater than the first threshold, and

the second contact area is smaller when the magnitude of the first external force is smaller than the first threshold than when the magnitude of the first external force is equal to or greater than the first threshold.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

Using the heat transfer device of the present disclosure, heat transfer by thermal conduction can be performed by varying the contact area between the member including the solid material that exhibits the thermoelastic effect and each of the heat transfer elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a heat transfer device of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the heat transfer device along a plane II shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first member of the heat transfer device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of the heat transfer device of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the heat transfer device shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another example of the heat transfer device of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the heat transfer device shown in FIG. 6 along a plane VII.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing yet another example of the heat transfer device of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the heat transfer device along a plane IX shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is another cross-sectional ie of the heat transfer device along the plane IX shown in FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(Findings on which the Present Disclosure is Based)

It is conceivable that a heat transfer device is configured to mediate heat transport from a particular heat transfer element to another heat transfer element not by using, for example, fluorocarbon and hydrofluorocarbon but by using a solid material that exhibits the thermoelastic effect. Such a heat transfer device is advantageous in terms of prevention of destruction of the ozone layer and prevention of global warming. For example, heat of transition is generated by adding an external force to the solid material that exhibits the thermoelastic effect and causing a phase transition. The value of the heat transfer device can be enhanced by making a good use, in the heat transfer device, of such absorption and release of heat associated with the thermoelastic effect. Moreover, properties of the heat transfer device is easily enhanced by bringing the solid material that exhibits the thermoelastic effect and a plurality of heat transfer elements into contact with each other to cause heat transfer by thermal conduction.

The present inventors conducted intensive studies on a new heat transfer device from such perspectives. Consequently, the present inventors have newly found that a contact area between a solid material that exhibits the thermoelastic effect and each of a plurality of heat transfer elements can be adjusted to be a desired condition by making use of deformation of the solid material resulting from adjustment of an external force for causing the solid material to absorb and release heat. On the basis of this new finding, the present inventors have devised a heat transfer device of the present disclosure.

(Summary of One Aspect According to the Present Disclosure)

A heat transfer device of the present disclosure according to a first aspect includes:

a first member including a first solid material that exhibits a thermoelastic effect;

a first heat transfer element having a first contact area that varies and that is a contact area between the first heat transfer element and the first member; and

a second heat transfer element having a second contact area that vanes and that is a contact area between the second heat transfer element and the first member, wherein

According to the first aspect, the contact area between the first heat transfer element and the first member is greater when the magnitude of the first external force is smaller than the first threshold than when the magnitude of the first external force is equal to or greater than the first threshold. Therefore, heat easily transfers between the first heat transfer element and the first member by thermal conduction when the magnitude of the first external force is smaller than the first threshold. On the other hand, the contact area between the second heat transfer element and the first member is greater when the magnitude of the first external force is equal to or greater than the first threshold than when the magnitude of the first external force is smaller than the first threshold.

Therefore, heat easily transfers between the second heat transfer element and the first member by thermal conduction when the magnitude of the first external force is equal to or greater than the first threshold. As described above, according to the first aspect, heat transfer by thermal conduction can be performed by varying the contact area between the solid material that exhibits the thermoelastic effect and each of the plurality of heat transfer elements, and the solid material that exhibits the thermoelastic effect can mediate heat transport between the first heat transfer element and the second heat transfer element. Additionally, the first external force can cause the first solid material to exhibit the thermoelastic effect, which makes it possible to use, in the heat transfer device, absorption and release of heat associated with the thermoelastic effect of the first solid material.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, for example, in the heat transfer device according to the first aspect, the first contact area may be greater than the second contact area when the magnitude of the first external force is smaller than the first threshold, and the first contact area may be equal to or smaller than the second contact area when the magnitude of the first external force is equal to or greater than the first threshold. According to the second aspect, heat transfer by thermal conduction is likely to be enhanced between the first heat transfer element and the first member when the magnitude of the first external force is smaller than the first threshold. Additionally, heat transfer by thermal conduction is likely to be enhanced between the second heat transfer element and the first member when the magnitude of the first external force is equal to or greater than the first threshold.

In a third aspect of the present disclosure, for example, in the heat transfer device according to the first aspect or the second aspect, the first solid material may be in a first phase when the magnitude of the first external force is smaller than the first threshold, and the first solid material may be in a second phase different from the first phase when the magnitude of the first external force is equal to or greater than the first threshold.

According to the third aspect, a phase transition of the first solid material is induced by varying the magnitude of the first external force with respect to the first threshold, and thus the thermoelastic effect can be exhibited.

According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, for example, in the heat transfer device according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect, the first member may have a first inner perimeter and a first outer perimeter, one of the first heat transfer element and the second heat transfer element may be disposed to face the first inner perimeter, and the other heat transfer element may be disposed to face the first outer perimeter. According to the fourth aspect, the first contact area and the second contact area can be adjusted by adjusting the first external force such that the first inner perimeter or the first outer perimeter of the first member is closer to the first heat transfer element or the second heat transfer element.

According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, for example, in the heat transfer device according to the fourth aspect, the first member may be a first coil spring. According to the fifth aspect, the first contact area and the second contact area can be adjusted by adjusting the first external force around an axis of the first coil spring.

According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, for example, in the heat transfer device according to the fifth aspect, a cross-section perpendicular to an axis of a linear element forming the first coil spring may include a pair of parallel line segments defining the first inner perimeter and the first outer perimeter. According to the sixth aspect, the first contact area and the second contact area are easily increased.

In a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, for example, the heat transfer device according to any one of the first aspect to the sixth aspect may further include a first drive mechanism that cyclically increases and decreases the first external force. According to the seventh aspect, the first external force can be cyclically increased and decreased by the first drive mechanism.

In an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, for example, the heat transfer device according to any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect may further include:

a second member including a second solid material that exhibits a thermoelastic effect; and

a third heat transfer element having a third contact area that varies and that is a contact area between the third heat transfer element and the second member, wherein

a fourth contact area that is a contact area between the second member and the second heat transfer element varies by a variation in magnitude of a second external force applied to the second member,

the third contact area is smaller when magnitude of the second external force is smaller than a second threshold being a threshold of an endothermic reaction and an exothermic reaction associated with the thermoelastic effect of the second solid material than when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold, and

the fourth contact area is greater when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold than when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

According to the eighth aspect, the contact area between the third heat transfer element and the second member is greater when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold than when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold. Therefore, heat easily transfers between the third heat transfer element and the second member by thermal conduction when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. On the other hand, the contact area between the second heat transfer element and the second member is greater when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold than when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. Therefore, heat easily transfers between the second heat transfer element and the second member by thermal conduction when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold. As described above, according to the eighth aspect, the plurality of members including the solid materials that exhibit the thermoelastic effect and the three or more heat transfer elements are connected in series, and temperature differences between the plurality of heat transfer elements are easily increased.

In a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, for example, in the heat transfer device according to the eighth aspect, the third contact area may be equal to or smaller than the fourth contact area when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold, and the third contact area may be greater than the fourth contact area when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. According to the ninth aspect, heat transfer by thermal conduction is likely to be enhanced between the second heat transfer element and the second member when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold. Additionally, heat transfer by thermal conduction is likely to be enhanced between the third heat transfer element and the second member when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

In a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, for example, the heat transfer device according to any one of the first aspect to the seventh aspect may further include:

a second member including a second solid material that exhibits a thermoelastic effect; and

a third heat transfer element having a third contact area that varies and that is a contact area between the third heat transfer element and the second member, wherein a fourth contact area being a contact area between the second member and the second heat transfer element varies by a variation in magnitude of a second external force applied to the second member,

the third contact area is greater when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than a second threshold being a threshold of an endothermic reaction and an exothermic reaction associated with the thermoelastic effect of the second solid material than when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold, and

the fourth contact area is smaller when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold than when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

According to the tenth aspect, the contact area between the third heat transfer element and the second member is greater when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold than when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. Therefore, heat easily transfers between the third heat transfer element and the second member by thermal conduction when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold. On the other hand, the contact area between the second heat transfer element and the second member is greater when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold than when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold. Therefore, heat easily transfers between the second heat transfer element and the second member by thermal conduction when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. As described above, according to the tenth aspect, the plurality of members including the solid materials that exhibit the thermoelastic effect and the three or more heat transfer elements can be connected in series, and temperature differences between the plurality of heat transfer elements are easily increased.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, for example, in the heat transfer device according to the tenth aspect, the third contact area may be greater than the fourth contact area when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold, and the third contact area may be equal to or smaller than the fourth contact area when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. According to the eleventh aspect, heat transfer by thermal conduction is likely to be enhanced between the third heat transfer element and the second member when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold. Additionally, heat transfer by thermal conduction is likely to be enhanced between the second heat transfer element and the second member when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

In a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, for example, in the heat transfer device according to any one of the eighth aspect to the eleventh aspect, the second solid material may be in a third phase when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold, and the second solid material may be in a fourth phase different from the third phase when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. According to the twelfth aspect, a phase transition of the second solid material is induced by varying the magnitude of the second external force with respect to the second threshold, and thus the thermoelastic effect can be exhibited.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, for example, in the heat transfer device according to any one of the eighth aspect to the twelfth aspect, the second member may have a second inner perimeter and a second outer perimeter, one of the second heat transfer element and the third heat transfer element may be disposed to face the second inner perimeter, and the other heat transfer element may be disposed to face the second outer perimeter. According to the thirteenth aspect, the third contact area and the fourth contact area can be adjusted by adjusting the second external force such that the second inner perimeter or the second outer perimeter of the second member is closer to the second heat transfer element or the third heat transfer element.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the heat transfer device according to any one of the eighth aspect to the thirteenth aspect, the second member may be a second coil spring. According to the fourteenth aspect, the third contact area and the fourth contact area can be adjusted by adjusting the second external force around an axis of the second coil spring.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, for example, in the heat transfer device according to any one of the eighth aspect to the fourteenth aspect, a cross-section perpendicular to an axis of a linear element forming the second coil spring may include a pair of parallel line segments defining the second inner perimeter and the second outer perimeter. According to the fifteenth aspect, the third contact area and the fourth contact area are easily increased.

In a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, for example, the heat transfer device according to any one of the eighth aspect to the fifteenth aspect may further include a second drive mechanism that cyclically increases and decreases the second external force. According to the sixteenth aspect, the second external force can be cyclically increased and decreased by the second drive mechanism.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments show examples, and the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of the heat transfer device of the present disclosure. The heat transfer device includes, for example, a main body 10a. The main body 10a includes a first member 11, a first heat transfer element 21, and a second heat transfer element 22. The first member 11 includes a first solid material that exhibits the thermoelastic effect. In the first heat transfer element 21, a first contact area that is a contact area between the first heat transfer element 21 and the first member 11 varies. In the second heat transfer element 22, a second contact area that is a contact area between the second heat transfer element 22 and the first member 11 varies. In the main body 10a, the first contact area is greater when the magnitude of the first external force applied to the first member 11 is smaller than a first threshold than when the magnitude of the first external force is equal to or greater than the first threshold, Therefore, heat easily transfers between the first heat transfer element 21 and the first member 11 by thermal conduction when the magnitude of the first external force is smaller than the first threshold. On the other hand, in the main body 10a, the second contact area is smaller when the magnitude of the first external force is smaller than the first threshold than when the magnitude of the first external force is equal to or greater than the first threshold. The first threshold is a threshold of an endothermic reaction and an exothermic reaction associated with the thermoelastic effect of the first solid material. Heat easily transfers between the second heat transfer element 22 and the first member 11 by thermal conduction when the magnitude of the first external force is equal to or greater than the first threshold. As described above, in the heat transfer device including the main body 10a, the first contact area and the second contact area can be varied by adjusting the first external force, and the first member 11 can mediate heat transport between the first heat transfer element 21 and the second heat transfer element 22. Additionally, the adjustment of the first external force can cause the first solid material to exhibit the thermoelastic effect, which makes it possible to use, in the heat transfer device, heat of transition associated with the thermoelastic effect.

In the main body 10a, for example, the first contact area is greater than the second contact area when the magnitude of the first external force is smaller than the first threshold. Because of this, heat transfer by thermal conduction is likely to be enhanced between the first heat transfer element 21 and the first member 11 when the magnitude of the first external force is smaller than the first threshold. Additionally, in the main body 10a, for example, the first contact area is equal to or smaller than the second contact area when the magnitude of the first external force is equal to or greater than the first threshold. Because of this, heat transfer by thermal conduction is likely to be enhanced between the second heat transfer element 22 and the first member 11 when the magnitude of the first external force is equal to or greater than the first threshold. It should be noted that the first contact area does not need to be greater than the second contact area in an entire period when the magnitude of the first external force is smaller than the first threshold. For example, the first contact area is greater than the second contact area when the magnitude of the first external force is the smallest. The first contact area does not need to be equal to or smaller than the second contact area in an entire period when the magnitude of the first external force is equal to or greater than the first threshold. For example, the first contact area is greater than the second contact area when the magnitude of the first external force is the greatest.

As a result of a variation in the magnitude of the first external force, the first contact area may become zero, and the second contact area may become zero. In other words, depending on the magnitude of the first external force, the first member 11 and the first heat transfer element 21 may be completely out of contact, and the first member 11 and the second heat transfer element 22 may be completely out of contact.

In the main body 10a, for example, the first solid material is in a first phase when the magnitude of the first external force is smaller than the first threshold, and the first solid material is in a second phase different from the first phase when the magnitude of the first external force is equal to or greater than the first threshold. A phase transition of the first solid material is induced by varying the magnitude of the first external force with respect to the first threshold, and thus the thermoelastic effect can be exhibited. The second phase is, for example, a phase having standard enthalpy of formation different from standard enthalpy of formation of the first phase.

The first solid material is not limited to a particular material as long as the first solid material exhibits the thermoelastic effect. The first solid material may be, for example, a shape-memory alloy, a thermoelastic polymer, or a plastic crystal. Examples of the shape-memory alloy include a nickel-titanium alloy, a copper-aluminum-nickel alloy, and a copper-zinc-aluminum alloy. The thennoelastic polymer may be, for example, a block copolymer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene oxide (PEO). The thermoelastic polymer may be, for example, a block copolymer including polystyrene and poly(1,4-butadiene). The thermoelastic polymer may be, for example, an ABA triblock copolymer of poly(2-methyl-2-oxazoline) and polytetrahydrofuran. The thermoelastic polymer may be, for example, nylon or a natural rubber. Examples of the plastic crystal include neopentyl glycol (NPG), pentaglycerin (PG), pentaerythritol (PE), 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMP), tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (TRIS), 2-methyl-2-nitro-1-propanol (MNP), and 2-nitro-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (NMP).

For example, in the case where the first solid material is a nickel-titanium alloy, either the first phase or the second phase is the austenite phase and the other phase is the martensite phase. In this case, the first threshold is, for example, about 140 MPa. The first threshold may be defined as a particular value, or may be defined as a set of values between a lower limit and an upper limit greater than the lower limit.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the first member 11. The first member 11 has, for example, a first inner perimeter 11u and a first outer perimeter 11s. As shown in FIG. 2, in the main body 10a, for example, the second heat transfer element 22 is disposed to face the first inner perimeter 11u, and the first heat transfer element 21 is disposed to face the first outer perimeter 11s. The main body 10a may be modified such that the first heat transfer element 21 is disposed to face the first inner perimeter 11u and the second heat transfer element 22 is disposed to face the first outer perimeter 11s, With such a structural feature, the first contact area and the second contact area can be adjusted by adjusting the first external force such that the first inner perimeter 11u or the first outer perimeter 11s is closer to the first heat transfer element 21 or the second heat transfer element 22.

In the main body 10a, the first heat transfer element 21 is, for example, a ring-shaped component disposed around the first member 11. The first heat transfer element 21 is, for example, formed of a metal material such as a metal or an alloy. The first heat transfer element 21 may be a hollow component or a non-hollow component. When the first heat transfer element 21 is a hollow component, a liquid or powdery substance may be charged in the first heat transfer element 21 or a fluid may flow in the first heat transfer element 21.

In the main body 10a, the second heat transfer element 22 is, for example, a cylindrical or tubular component, and the first member 11 is disposed around the second heat transfer element 22. The second heat transfer element 22 is, for example, formed of a metal material such as a metal or an alloy. The second heat transfer element 22 may be a hollow component or a non-hollow component. When the second heat transfer element 22 is a hollow component, a liquid or powdery substance may be charged in the second heat transfer element 22 or a fluid may flow in the second heat transfer element 22.

In the main body 10a, for example, the temperature of the first heat transfer element 21 is kept higher than the temperature of the second heat transfer element 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first member 11 is, for example, a first coil spring, With such a structural feature, the first contact area and the second contact area can be adjusted by adjusting the first external force such that the first coil spring 11 is twisted or untwisted. In other words, the first contact area and the second contact area can be adjusted by adjusting the first external force around an axis of the first coil spring. The first member 11 may be a tubular component having a slit extending in an axis direction of the first member 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the main body 10a, a cross-section perpendicular to an axis of a linear element forming the first coil spring 11 includes, for example, a pair of parallel line segments defining the first inner perimeter 11u and the first outer perimeter 11s, With such a structural feature, the first contact area and the second contact area are easily increased. The cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the linear element forming the first coil spring 11 may be rectangular. For example, a space is arranged between a face of the second heat transfer element 22 facing the first inner perimeter 11u and a face of the first heat transfer element 21 facing the first outer perimeter 11s, A dimension of this space in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the first coil spring 11 is greater than the distance between the pair of parallel line segments defining the first inner perimeter 11u and the first outer perimeter 11s. The first coil spring 11 is disposed in this space.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 10a further includes, for example, a pin 35a, a rotating member 36, and a holding member 40a. The rotating member 36 is, for example, a ring-shaped member. The rotating member 36 is disposed to be adjacent to the first heat transfer element 21 in the axis direction of the first member 11, and is disposed so as to be rotatable about the axis of the first member 11. The pin 35a is attached to the rotating member 36, and a portion of the pin 35a projects outside in the axis direction of the first member 11. One end of the first member 11 is fixed to the rotating member 36. The holding member 40a is, for example, a ring-shaped member. The holding member 40a is disposed, for example, to be adjacent to the first heat transfer element 21 in the axis direction of the first member 11. For example, the first heat transfer element 21 is disposed between the rotating member 36 and the holding member 40a in the axis direction of the first member 11. An end portion of the first coil spring 11 is placed inside the holding member 40a, and is fixed to the holding member 40a.

As shown in FIG. 1, for example, when the pin 35a is at an initial position, a large portion of the outer perimeter 11s of the first member 11 is in contact with the first heat transfer element 21. Therefore, the temperature of the first member 11 rises by thermal conduction between the first member 11 and the first heat transfer element 21. At this point, the first solid material included in the first member 11 is in the first phase. On the other hand, a large portion of the inner perimeter 11u of the first member 11 is apart from the second heat transfer element 22. The rotating member 36 can be rotated by moving the pin 35a around the axis of the first member 11. The magnitude of the first external force applied to the first member 11 can thereby be varied. For example, the rotating member 36 is rotated in a direction of an arrow A in FIG. 1. Consequently, the first member 11 deforms to wrap itself around the second heat transfer element 22. Moreover, the first external force increases as the rotating member 36 rotates in the direction of the arrow A. When the first external force becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold by the rotation of the rotating member 36, transition of the first solid material from the first phase to the second phase occurs. When the first external force reaches the maximum, a large portion of the inner perimeter 11u of the first member 11 is in contact with the second heat transfer element 22, and a large portion of the outer perimeter 11s of the first member 11 is apart from the first heat transfer element 21. Thereafter, the temperature of the first member 11 decreases by thermal conduction between the first member 11 and the second heat transfer element 22. Next, the rotating member 36 is rotated in a direction of an arrow B in FIG. 1 toward the initial position of the pin 35a. The first external force becomes smaller than the first threshold by the rotation, and transition of the first solid material from the second phase to the first phase occurs. Heat of transition resulting from the phase transition from the second phase to the first phase further decreases the temperature of the first member 11. When the pin 35a is brought back to the initial position, a large portion of the outer perimeter 11s of the first member 11 comes in contact with the first heat transfer element 21. At this point, the temperature of the first member 11 starts to rise by thermal conduction between the first member 11 and the first heat transfer element 21.

As shown in FIG. 4, a heat transfer device 50 further includes a first drive mechanism 30 in addition to the main body 10a. The first drive mechanism 30 is a mechanism that cyclically increases and decreases the first external force. The first contact area and the second contact area can be varied cyclically by the first drive mechanism 30.

The first drive mechanism 30 includes, for example, a motor 31, a rod 32, and a cam 33. As shown in FIG. 4, the rod 32 is coupled to the motor 31, and the cam 33 is fixed to an end of the rod 32. The cam 33, for example, an elliptic cylindrical component and is in contact with, for example, a side of the pin 35a. The rod 32 and the cam 33 rotate about an axis of the rod 32 by power generated by the motor 31. During the rotation, the pin 35a slides on a side of the cam 33. Thus, rotational movement of the rotating member 36 in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 1 and rotational movement of the rotating member 36 in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 1 cyclically repeat.

The heat transfer device 50 can be modified in various respects. For example, the heat transfer device 50 may be modified to include a main body 10b shown in FIG. 6 instead of the main body 10a. The main body 10b is configured in the same manner as the main body 10a, unless otherwise described. The components of the main body 10b that are the same as or correspond to those of the main body 10a are denoted by the same reference characters, and detailed descriptions of such components are omitted. The description given for the main body 10a can apply to the main body 10b, unless there is technical inconsistency.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the main body 10b along a plane VII shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the main body 10b further includes a second member 12 and a third heat transfer element 23 in addition to the first member 11, the first heat transfer element 21, and the second heat transfer element 22. The second member 12 includes a second solid material that exhibits the thermoelastic effect. In the main body 10b, a third contact area that is a contact area between the third heat transfer element 23 and the second member 12 varies. Additionally, a fourth contact area that is a contact area between the second member 12 and the second heat transfer element 22 varies by a variation in magnitude of a second external force applied to the second member 12. The third contact area is smaller when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than a second threshold than when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. Therefore, heat easily transfers between the third heat transfer element 23 and the second member 12 by thermal conduction when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. On the other hand, the fourth contact area is greater when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold than when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. The second threshold is a threshold of an endothermic reaction and an exothermic reaction associated with the thermoelastic effect of the second solid material. Therefore, heat easily transfers between the second heat transfer element 22 and the second member 12 by thermal conduction when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold. In the main body 10b, the first member 11, the second member 12, the first heat transfer element 21, the second heat transfer element 22, and the third heat transfer element 23 are connected in series. For example, temperature differences between the first heat transfer element 21, the second heat transfer element 22, and the third heat transfer element 23 are easily increased.

In the main body 10b, for example, the third contact area is equal to or smaller than the fourth contact area when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold. Because of this, heat transfer by thermal conduction is likely to be enhanced between the second heat transfer element 22 and the second member 12 when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold. Additionally, the third contact area is greater than the fourth contact area when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. Because of this, heat transfer by thermal conduction is likely to be enhanced between the third heat transfer element 23 and the second member 12 when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. It should be noted that the third contact area does not need to be equal to or smaller than the fourth contact area in an entire period when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold. For example, the third contact area is equal to or smaller than the fourth contact area when the magnitude of the second external force is the smallest. The third contact area does not need to be greater than the fourth contact area in an entire period when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. For example, the third contact area is greater than the fourth contact area when the magnitude of the second external force is the greatest.

As a result of a variation in the magnitude of the second external force, the third contact area may become zero, and the fourth contact area may become zero. In other words, depending on the magnitude of the second external force, the second member 12 and the second heat transfer element 22 may be completely out of contact, and the second member 12 and the third heat transfer element 23 may be completely out of contact.

In the main body 10b, the second solid material 12 may be in a third phase when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold, and the second solid material 12 may be in a fourth phase different from the third phase when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. With such a structural feature, a phase transition of the second solid material is induced by varying the magnitude of the second external force with respect to the second threshold, and thus the thermoelastic effect can be exhibited. The fourth phase is, for example, a phase having standard enthalpy of formation different from standard enthalpy of formation of the third phase.

The second solid material is not limited to a particular material as long as the second solid material exhibits the thermoelastic effect. Examples of the second solid material can be the materials described as examples of the first solid material. The second solid material may be the same material as the first solid material or a material different from the first solid material.

For example, in the case where the second solid material is a nickel-titanium ahoy, either the third phase or the fourth phase is the austenite phase and the other phase is the martensite phase. In this case, the second threshold is, for example, about 140 MPa. The second threshold may be defined as a particular value, or may be defined as a set of values between a lower limit and an upper limit greater than the lower limit.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the main body 10b, the second member 12 has a second Inner perimeter 12u and a second outer perimeter 12s. The second heat transfer element 22 may be disposed to face the second inner perimeter 12u, and the third heat transfer element 23 may be disposed to face the second outer perimeter 12s. The main body 10b may be modified such that the third heat transfer element 23 is disposed to face the second inner perimeter 12u and the second heat transfer element 22 is disposed to face the second outer perimeter 11s, With such a structural feature, the third contact area and the fourth contact area can be adjusted by adjusting the second external force such that the second inner perimeter 12u or the second outer perimeter 12s is closer to the second heat transfer element 22 or the third heat transfer element 23. The second member 12 may be a tubular component having a slit extending in an axis direction of the second member 12.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second member 12 is a second coil spring. With such a structural feature, the third contact area and the fourth contact area can be adjusted by adjusting the second external force such that the second coil spring 12 is twisted or untwisted. In other words, the third contact area and the fourth contact area can be adjusted by applying the second external force around an axis of the second coil spring.

In the main body 10b, a cross-section perpendicular to an axis of a linear element forming the second coil spring 12 includes, for example, a pair of parallel line segments defining the second inner perimeter 12u and the second outer perimeter 12s. With such a structural feature, the third contact area and the fourth contact area are easily increased. The cross-section perpendicular to the axis of the linear element forming the second coil spring 12 may be rectangular. For example, a space is arranged between a face of the second heat transfer element 22 facing the second inner perimeter 12u and a face of the third heat transfer element 23 facing the second outer perimeter 12s. A dimension of this space in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the second coil spring 12 is greater than the distance between the pair of parallel line segments defining the second inner perimeter 12u and the second outer perimeter 12s. The second coil spring 12 is disposed in this space.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the main body 10b further includes, for example, a pin 35b, the rotating member 36, a first holding member 40b, and a second holding member 40c. The pin 35b is attached to the rotating member 36, and a portion of the pin 35b projects outside in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the first member 11. One end of the first member 11 and one end of the second member 12 are fixed to the rotating member 36. Each of the first holding member 40b and the second holding member 40c is, for example, a ring-shaped member. The first holding member 40b is disposed, for example, to be adjacent to the first heat transfer element 21 in the axis direction of the first member 11. The second holding member 40c is disposed, for example, to be adjacent to the third heat transfer element 23 in the axis direction of the second member 12. For example, the first heat transfer element 21 is disposed between the rotating member 36 and the first holding member 40b in the axis direction of the first member 11, and the first heat transfer element 21 is disposed between the rotating member 36 and the second holding member 40c in the axis direction of the second member 12. An end portion of the first coil spring 11 is placed inside the first holding member 40b, and is fixed to the first holding member 40b. An end portion of the second coil spring 12 is placed inside the second holding member 40c, and is fixed to the second holding member 40c.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the main body 10b, the second heat transfer element 22 is, for example, a cylindrical or tubular component, and the first member 11, the second member 12, and the rotating member 36 are disposed around the second heat transfer element 22. The second heat transfer element 22 is, for example, formed of a metal material such as a metal or an alloy. The second heat transfer element 22 may be a hollow component or a non-hollow component. When the second heat transfer element 22 is a hollow component, a liquid or powdery substance may be charged in the second heat transfer element 22 or a fluid may flow in the second heat transfer element 22.

In the main body 10b, the third heat transfer element 23 is, for example, a ring-shaped component disposed around the second member 12. The third heat transfer element 23 is, for example, formed of a metal material such as a metal or an alloy. The third heat transfer element 23 may be a hollow component or a non-hollow component. When the third heat transfer element 23 is a hollow component, a liquid or powdery substance may be charged in the third heat transfer element 23 or a fluid may flow in the third heat transfer element 23.

In the main body 10b, for example, the temperature of the first heat transfer element 21 is kept higher than the temperature of the second heat transfer element 22, and the temperature of the second heat transfer element 22 is kept higher than the temperature of the third heat transfer element 23.

As shown in FIG. 7, for example, when the pin 35b is at an initial position, a large portion of the outer perimeter 11s of the first member 11 is in contact with the first heat transfer element 21, Therefore, the temperature of the first member 11 rises by thermal conduction between the first member 11 and the first heat transfer element 21. On the other hand, a large portion of the inner perimeter 12u of the second member 12 is in contact with the second heat transfer element 22. Therefore, the temperature of the second member 12 rises by thermal conduction between the second member 12 and the second heat transfer element 22. At this point, the second solid material included in the second member 12 is in the third phase. On the other hand, a large portion of the outer perimeter 12s of the second member 12 is apart from the third heat transfer element 23. The rotating member 36 can be rotated by moving the pin 35b around the axis of the first member 11. The magnitude of the first external force applied to the first member 11 and the magnitude of the second external force applied to the second member 12 can thereby be varied. When the second external force becomes equal to or greater than the second threshold, transition of the second solid material from the third phase to the fourth phase occurs, and heat of transition resulting from the phase transition from the third phase to the fourth phase further increases the temperature of the second member 12.

Additionally, the second member 12 deforms such that the second member 12 is pressed against the third heat transfer element 23, a large portion of the outer perimeter 12s of the second member 12 is in contact with the third heat transfer element 23, and a large portion of the inner perimeter 12s of the second member 12 is apart from the second heat transfer element 22. Thereafter, the temperature of the second member 12 decreases by thermal conduction between the second member 12 and the third heat transfer element 23. Next, the rotating member 36 is rotated in the reverse direction so as to bring the pin 35b to the initial position. By the rotation, the second external force becomes smaller than the second threshold, and transition of the second solid material from the fourth phase to the third phase occurs. Heat of transition resulting from the phase transition from the fourth phase to the third phase further decreases the temperature of the second member 12. When the pin 35b is brought back to the initial position, a large portion of the inner perimeter 12u of the second member 12 comes in contact with the second heat transfer element 22 and the temperature of the second member 12 starts to rise by thermal conduction between the second member 12 and the second heat transfer element 22.

The main body 10b may further include, for example, a second drive mechanism in addition to the first drive mechanism 30. The second drive mechanism is a mechanism that cyclically increases and decreases the second external force. The first drive mechanism 30 may double as the second drive mechanism. For example, the cam 33 of the first drive mechanism 30 is brought into contact with a side of the pin 35b. The rod 32 and the cam 33 rotate about the axis of the rod 32 by power generated by the motor 31, During the rotation, the pin 35b slides on a side of the cam 33. The second external force can thereby be cyclically increased and decreased. The second drive mechanism may be a mechanism independent of the first drive mechanism 30.

The main body 10b may be modified into a main body 10c shown in FIGS. 8 to 10. The main body 10c is configured in the same manner as the main body 10b, unless otherwise described. The components of the main body 10c that are the same as or correspond to those of the main body 10b are denoted by the same reference characters, and detailed descriptions of such components are omitted. The descriptions given for the main bodies 10a and 10b can apply to the main body 10c, unless there is technical inconsistency.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the main body 10c includes the second member 12 and the third heat transfer element 23 in addition to the first member 11, the first heat transfer element 21, and the second heat transfer element 22 as the main body 10b does. FIGS. 9 and 10 are cross-sectional views of the main body 10c along a plane IX shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 shows a state of the main body 10c observed when the magnitude of the first external force is smaller than the first threshold and the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold. On the other hand, FIG. 10 shows a state of the main body 10c observed when the magnitude of the first external force is equal to or greater than the first threshold and the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. The main body 10c is configured so that the third contact area will be greater when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold than when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. In this case, the main body 10c is configured so that the fourth contact area will be smaller when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold than when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

With such a structural feature, heat easily transfers between the third heat transfer element 23 and the second member 12 by thermal conduction when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold. Additionally, heat easily transfers between the second heat transfer element 22 and the second member 12 by thermal conduction when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold.

The main body 10c may also be configured as follows. For example, in the main body 10c, the third contact area is greater than the fourth contact area when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold. Because of this, heat transfer by thermal conduction is likely to be enhanced between the third heat transfer element 23 and the second member 12 when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold. Additionally; the third contact area is equal to or smaller than the fourth contact area when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. Heat transfer by thermal conduction is likely to be enhanced between the second heat transfer element 22 and the second member 12 when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. It should be noted that the third contact area does not need to be greater than the fourth contact area in an entire period when the magnitude of the second external force is smaller than the second threshold. For example, the third contact area is greater than the fourth contact area when the magnitude of the second external force is the smallest. The third contact area does not need to be equal to or smaller than the fourth contact area in an entire period when the magnitude of the second external force is equal to or greater than the second threshold. For example the third contact area is equal to or smaller than the fourth contact area when the magnitude of the second external force is the greatest.

As shown in FIG. 9, the main body 10c includes a first the rotating member 36a and a second rotating member 36b. The first the rotating member 36a is fixed to the first heat transfer element 21, and the second rotating member 36b is fixed to the third heat transfer element 23. The first heat transfer element 21 is formed, for example, into a rotating body including a base and a projecting portion projecting from the base. The second heat transfer element 22 is formed, for example, into a rotating body including: a tubular portion having a bottom; and a projecting portion projecting from the bottom of the tubular portion. The third heat transfer element 23 is formed into a rotating body including a tubular portion having a bottom. The axis of the first heat transfer element 21, the axis of the second heat transfer element 22, and the axis of the third heat transfer element 23 extend, for example, in alignment with each other. One end of the first member 11 is fixed to the base of the first heat transfer element 21. The other end of the first member 11 is fixed to an inner face of the bottom of the tubular portion of the second heat transfer element 22. The one end of the second member 12 is fixed to an inner face of the bottom of the third heat transfer element 23. The other end of the second member 12 is fixed to an outer face of the bottom of the tubular portion of the second heat transfer element 22. The first member 11 is disposed around the projecting portion of the first heat transfer element 21 and is placed inside the tubular portion of the first heat transfer element 21. The second member 12 is disposed around the projecting portion of the second heat transfer element 21 and is placed inside the tubular portion of the third heat transfer element 23.

As shown in FIG. 9, the main body 10c further includes a heat insulator 21d, a heat insulator 22d, a heat insulator 22k, and a heat insulator 23k. These heat insulators have, for example, heat conductivities lower than those of the first member 11 and the second member 12. The heat insulator 21d has a ring shape and covers the base of the first heat transfer element 21 at a boundary between the base and the projecting portion. The heat insulator 22d has a ring shape and covers the outer face of the bottom of the tubular portion of the second heat transfer element 22 at a boundary between the bottom of the tubular portion and the projecting portion. The heat insulator 22k covers the inner face of the bottom of the tubular portion of the second heat transfer element 22. The heat insulator 23k covers the inner face of the bottom of the tubular portion of the third heat transfer element 23.

As shown in FIG. 8, the main body 10c further includes, for example, a tube 15. The first member 11, the second member 12, the first heat transfer element 21, the second heat transfer element 22, and the third heat transfer element 23 are placed inside the tube 15. An inner face of the tube 15 is formed of a thermal insulation material. The thermal insulation material has, for example, a lower heat conductivity than those of the first member 11 and the second member 12. An axis of the tube 15 extends, for example, in alignment with the axis of the first heat transfer element 21, the axis of the second heat transfer element 22, and the axis of the third heat transfer element 23.

For example, the first rotating member 36a is rotated by a given drive mechanism (not shown) in a direction of an arrow A1 shown in FIG. 8 to make the first external force greater, and the first external force becomes equal to or greater than the first threshold. After that, the first rotating member 36a is rotated by the drive mechanism in a direction of an arrow B1 shown in FIG. 8 to make the first external force smaller, and the first external force becomes smaller than the first threshold. On the other hand, the second rotating member 36b is rotated by a given drive mechanism (not shown) in a direction of an arrow A2 to make the second external force greater. After that, the second rotating member 36b is rotated by the drive mechanism in a direction of an arrow B2 to make the second external force smaller.

In the main body 10c, for example, the temperature of the second heat transfer element 22 is kept higher than the temperature of the first heat transfer element 21, and the temperature of the third heat transfer element 23 is kept higher than the temperature of the second heat transfer element 22.

HEAT TRANSFER DEVICE

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CPC

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