METHOD FOR REGULATING A PELTIER ELEMENT

Abstract

The disclosure concerns a method for regulating a Peltier element. In a starting step, a starting current is applied to the Peltier element. Subsequently in a cooling step, a surface that is heat-conductively connected to the Peltier element is cooled. In the cooling step, the surface is cooled to a target temperature. After the cooling step in an adjustment step, a maintenance current is applied to the Peltier element. The maintenance current is lower than the starting current.

Claims

1. A method for regulating a Peltier element for cooling a surface, comprising: in a starting step, applying a starting current to the Peltier element; subsequently in a cooling step, cooling the surface that is heat-conductively connected to the Peltier element; wherein in the cooling step the surface is cooled to a target temperature; and after the cooling step in an adjustment step, applying a maintenance current to the Peltier element, wherein the maintenance current is lower than the starting current.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the starting step the starting current corresponding to a maximum cooling output of the Peltier element is applied.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein after the cooling step and before the adjustment step the maintenance current is determined in a maintenance step.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the maintenance current is taken over from a stored value table.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the maintenance current is calculated.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein after the adjustment step a maintenance step is carried out, and wherein in the maintenance step the target temperature of the surface is kept constant.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein in the maintenance step the maintenance current of the Peltier element is kept constant.

8. The method according to claim 6, wherein in the maintenance step a temperature differential in the Peltier element is reduced.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the maintenance step includes operating the Peltier element with a maintenance output, wherein the maintenance output is lower than a maximum cooling output of the Peltier element.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the maintenance output of the Peltier element and a dissipated loss through a heat exchange of the Peltier element with a surroundings are offset against one another.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the maintenance step includes reducing a temperature differential in the Peltier element.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the maintenance step further includes operating the Peltier element with a maintenance output that is lower than a maximum cooling output of the Peltier element.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, in a maintenance step after the cooling step and before the adjustment step, determining the maintenance current with reference to at least one of an ambient temperature, a temperature differential in the Peltier element, the target temperature, physical characteristics of the Peltier element, and operating parameters of an air conditioning system.

14. The method according to claim 2, further comprising performing a maintenance step after the adjustment step where the target temperature of the surface is kept constant.

15. The method according to claim 3, wherein in the maintenance step the maintenance current is determined with reference to an ambient temperature.

16. The method according to claim 3, wherein in the maintenance step the maintenance current is determined with reference to a temperature differential in the Peltier element.

17. The method according to claim 3, wherein in the maintenance step the maintenance current is determined with reference to the target temperature of the surface.

18. The method according to claim 3, wherein in the maintenance step the maintenance current is determined with reference to physical characteristics of the Peltier element.

19. The method according to claim 3, wherein in the maintenance step the maintenance current is determined with reference to operating parameters of an air conditioning system.

20. A method for regulating a Peltier element, comprising: applying a starting current to the Peltier element in a starting step; subsequently cooling a surface that is heat-conductively connected to the Peltier element in a cooling step, wherein the surface is cooled to a target temperature in the cooling step; applying a maintenance current to the Peltier element in an adjustment step after the cooling step, wherein the maintenance current is lower than the starting current; and wherein, in a maintenance step after the cooling step and before the adjustment step, the maintenance current is determined with reference to at least one of an ambient temperature, a temperature differential in the Peltier element, the target temperature, physical characteristics of the Peltier element, and operating parameters of an air conditioning system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] It shows, in each case schematically

[0023] FIG. 1 sequence of a method according to the invention for regulating a Peltier element;

[0024] FIG. 2 profile of a cooling output as a function of a current applied to the Peltier element in a method according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a schematic sequence of a method 1 according to the invention for regulating a Peltier element. Firstly, a starting current is applied to the Peltier element in a starting step 2 and subsequently the surface heat-conductively connected to the Peltier element cooled to a target temperature in a cooling step 3. After the cooling step 3, a maintenance current is determined in a determination step 4. There, an ambient temperature and/or a temperature differential in the Peltier element or the target temperature and/or physical characteristics of the Peltier element and/or operating parameters of an air conditioning system and/or further parameters can be taken into account. Advantageously, the maintenance current can be taken over from a stored value table or calculated. Following the determination step 4, the maintenance current is applied to the Peltier element in an adjustment step 5, wherein the maintenance current is lower than the starting current. Following this, a maintenance step 6 is carried out in which the target temperature of the surface to be cooled is kept constant.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows a profile of a cooling output P as a function of a current I applied to the Peltier element in the method 1. The parabolas that are parallel to one another reflect the profile of the cooling output P at different temperature differentials T built up in the Peltier element. Here, the temperature differentials T increase from the upper parabola to the lower parabola. In the starting step 2, the starting current I.sub.0 is applied to the Peltier element which corresponds to a maximum cooling output P.sub.0. On the Peltier element, a temperature differential from 0 to T.sub.0 is built up. As soon as the target temperature on the surface to be cooled is reached, the maintenance current I.sub.E determined in the determination step 4 is applied to the Peltier element and kept constant in the maintenance step 6. During the maintenance step 6, the temperature differential T.sub.0 decreases to a temperature differential T.sub.E. In the maintenance step 6, the cooling output P.sub.0 is minimised to a maintenance output P.sub.E since the surface to be cooled has already been cooled to the target temperature and has a low heat conductivity. Moreover, the surroundings around the surface to be cooled are reduced by the Peltier element itself and through further temperature control systems around the Peltier element. The maintenance output P.sub.E of the Peltier element and a dissipation loss through a heat exchange of the Peltier element with the surroundings are offset against one another and the target temperature of the surface to be cooled kept constant with a minimum maintenance output P.sub.E over a longer period of time.

[0027] Altogether, the Peltier element for cooling the surface can be regulated through the method 1 according to the invention, wherein the surface is quickly and efficiently cooled to the target temperature and the target temperature of the surface maintained. In this way, the maximum travelling comfort for a vehicle occupant can be achieved.