소형 정수기 냉수통의 전자냉각을 위한 열전소자 유닛화 설계

Compressor-refrigerant systems are typically used in water purifiers. However, there is a growing interest in using electric cooling techniques with thermoelectric elements. Although thermoelectric elements have a lower cooling efficiency than compressors, they have several advantages, such as compactness, ecofriendliness, and semi-permanent usability. To meet miniaturization and slim design requirements, home water purifier development has shifted toward incorporating thermoelectric elements for the direct cooling of cold- water tanks. Unlike the conventional method of integrating thermoelectric elements into a cooling block, this new method aims to improve product aesthetics and functionality. However, the durability of thermoelectric elements poses a challenge, resulting in frequent defects while in operation. Therefore, this study focuses on unitizing thermoelectric elements to improve product durability. Unitization enables applications in confined spaces without altering the current product configuration, improving thermoelectric element durability and showcasing superior cooling performance (effectively maintaining the desired temperature of 10℃). KCI Citation Count: 0