This project aims to develop a semiconductor refrigeration refrigerator that uses semiconductor materials and electronic technology to achieve refrigeration.

• Principle

The core of semiconductor refrigeration refrigerators is the Peltier effect in semiconductor materials. The Peltier effect is a thermoelectric effect that utilizes the characteristic of semiconductor materials absorbing or releasing heat when current passes through to achieve refrigeration. This effect depends on the contact between two different types of conductive semiconductor materials, usually N-type and P-type semiconductors.

Portability is one of the important features of this project. Compared with traditional compression refrigerators, semiconductor refrigerators are lighter, smaller, and easier to carry. Due to the principle of semiconductor chips, these refrigerators do not require complex mechanical components such as compressors and condensers, making them lighter and more durable.

More suitable for personal outdoor camping, student dormitories, street vendors and other scenarios.

The energy efficiency of semiconductor refrigeration refrigerators is highly dependent on ambient temperature. In high-temperature environments, semiconductor refrigeration technology may not perform as well as traditional refrigerators because it requires more electricity to maintain low temperatures. This may become a challenge in certain climate conditions.

Follow the MIT open source license

Project related features

Core function: Up to 60W cooling, the cooling effect can reach 15-25 degrees Celsius lower than the ambient temperature.

Interactive function: 1) Realize heating and cooling switching

2) Achieve constant temperature control

Additional features: Communication function is under development...

Project schedule

2023.10.14

The first version of the control board based on the TPS40057 voltage stabilization scheme has been completed and electrical property verification has begun.

The program begins to plan the framework.

After verification, it was confirmed that heat dissipation needs to be strengthened to ensure cooling efficiency.

2023.11.2

(1) Optimized hardware, based on the domestic voltage regulator chip XL4019 to optimize the large current voltage regulator circuit, the chip has a simpler peripheral circuit design, lower cost and other characteristics.

(2) Preliminary completion of the software

Prepare to design the product shell, assemble the product for testing.

2023.11.11

(1) The product shell design is completed, and there is no upper or lower shell for the time being. The divided shell will be uploaded later

(2) hardware function verification is successful, start to build the engineering machine.

(3) The software progress is nearly 20%, and it is ready to debug and test after the hardware is completed.

2024.6.28

Test prototype setup completed.

2024.7.10

Finished prototype construction and operation completed, some details need to be optimized.

2024.7.12

Upload the complete program.

Design principles

The core component is a semiconductor refrigeration chip, which transfers heat from the cold end to the hot end by applying voltage to both ends to generate the Seebeck effect, thereby achieving the refrigeration effect.

Software instructions

Implement thread parallel tasks using RTT operating system, detailed tutorial will be updated later.

The program has been uploaded!

Physical display

1. High current design needs to consider current linewidth, current circuit, and whether to isolate the power supply.
2. Semiconductor heat dissipation should be sufficient, otherwise it will affect the cooling efficiency.

The official version of PCR01 is in production

(1) Optimize the appearance

(2) Can be directly inserted into 220V or 12V typec, both can be used

(3) Better interaction interface

PCR01_V2 officially launched.

The PCB1 in the file is version 1.0, with fundamental issues. There are still some issues with PCB2 waiting for optimization. A notification will be sent after it is fixed. Please do not rush to install the board.