JP2000164944A - Thermoelectric conversion module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermoelectric conversion module which can easily be used, even in a narrow space and can efficiently hold difference in temperature between its high and low temperature sides. SOLUTION: A plurality of P type thermoelectric conversion elements 4, providing temperature differences between ends thereof caused by their current passage, a plurality of N type thermoelectric conversion elements 5 disposed alternately adjacent to the elements 4 to provide temperature differences between ends thereof caused by their current passage, a first group of electrodes 6 connected in series so as to put the elements 4 and 5 therebetween, and a second group of electrodes 7 consisting of plural electrical bodies provided opposed to the first electrode group 6 are provided on the upper surface of an insulating substrate 2 being flush with each other. In this case, either of the first and second electrode groups 6 and 7 may form either of a heat radiating surface and a heat absorbing surface.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermoelectric conversion module which is thin and has excellent mountability in a narrow space such as an electronic component circuit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, thermoelectric power generation, which converts waste heat into electric energy, and cooling without using chlorofluorocarbons, have been developed in view of global environmental issues and measures to dissipate heat from electronic components accompanying high-density mounting of electronic devices. A possible thermoelectric conversion technology is attracting attention,
Materials for thermoelectric conversion elements and thermoelectric conversion modules have been actively developed.

A conventional thermoelectric conversion module that converts heat into electricity or converts electricity into heat is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-294082, and FIG. .

As shown in FIG. 13, a thermoelectric conversion module 21 includes a substrate 22 made of an electrically insulating ceramic or the like, a P-type thermoelectric conversion element 25, an N-type thermoelectric conversion element 26, and a plurality of P-type thermoelectric conversion elements. Electrode group 23 and second electrode group 24 made of copper or the like for electrically connecting series-type thermoelectric conversion element 25 and N-type thermoelectric conversion element 26 in series with lead terminals 27 and 28. It is configured. Lead terminal 2
7 as a negative pole and the lead terminal 28 as a positive pole,
By passing a direct current from the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 25 to the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 26 to the thermoelectric conversion module 21,
The first electrode group 23 has an endothermic effect, and the second electrode group 2
4 has an exothermic effect. Conversely, thermoelectric conversion module 2
By providing a temperature difference between the first electrode group 23 and the second electrode group 24, electric power can be extracted from the lead terminals 27 and 28.

[0005]

However, in the conventional thermoelectric conversion module 21 having such a configuration, since a temperature difference occurs between the first electrode group 23 and the second electrode group 24, these temperature It is necessary to keep a certain distance or more between the first and second electrode groups 23 and 24. Therefore, it is difficult to reduce the thickness of the thermoelectric conversion module 21, and there is a problem that it is difficult to use the thermoelectric conversion module 21 for cooling and temperature control of electronic devices having electronic circuits mounted at high density due to space restrictions. Was.

In the conventional thermoelectric conversion module 21 shown in FIG. 13, when the first electrode group 23 is used as a heat absorbing surface, the second electrode group 24 is on the heat generating side. Therefore, in order to dissipate the heat from the second electrode group 24, it is necessary to pass through an insulating substrate, and in many cases, the heat dissipating effect is reduced due to poor thermal conductivity of those substrates. However, there is a problem that the performance of the module is reduced.

Accordingly, the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem. By forming a heat generating surface and an heat absorbing surface formed of an electrode group on the same plane, the thermoelectric conversion element can be thinned to reduce the thickness of an electronic device or the like. Cooling and temperature control can be easily performed, and the heat generated from the electrode group can be radiated directly without passing through the insulating substrate.
An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric conversion module capable of improving the heat radiation effect and improving the performance of the module.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a thermoelectric conversion module according to the present invention comprises a plurality of P-type thermoelectric conversion modules, each having a temperature difference between both ends of an element when energized, on an upper surface of an insulating substrate.
A plurality of N-type thermoelectric conversion elements, a plurality of N-type thermoelectric conversion elements which are arranged so as to be alternately adjacent to the P-type thermoelectric conversion elements, and generate a temperature difference at both ends of the element when energized, the P-type thermoelectric conversion elements and the N-type A first electrode group including a plurality of electrode bodies connected in series so as to sandwich the thermoelectric conversion element;
Of a plurality of electrode bodies provided opposite to the electrode group of
Are provided on the same plane, and the first electrode group and the second electrode group can form either a heat generating surface or a heat absorbing surface.

[0009] This makes it possible to make the thermoelectric conversion element thinner, thereby facilitating cooling and temperature control of electronic devices and the like, and to enhance the heat radiation effect of the heat generating surface of the thermoelectric conversion module.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention described in claim 1 of the present application is
On the upper surface of the insulating substrate, a plurality of P-type thermoelectric conversion elements that generate a temperature difference at both ends of the element when energized, and are arranged so as to be alternately adjacent to the P-type thermoelectric conversion elements, and the temperature difference is applied to both ends of the element by energization. A plurality of N-type thermoelectric conversion elements, a first electrode group including a plurality of electrode bodies connected in series so as to sandwich the P-type thermoelectric conversion element and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element, and the first electrode A second electrode group, which is provided to face the group and is composed of a plurality of electrode bodies, is provided on the same plane, and the first electrode group and the second electrode group are provided with either a heat generating surface or a heat absorbing surface. A thermoelectric conversion module characterized in that it can be formed, and has an effect that the area of an electrode group can be arbitrarily set regardless of the area of a thermoelectric conversion element.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising: a contact surface between the P-type thermoelectric conversion element, the N-type thermoelectric conversion element, and the insulating substrate of the first or second electrode group; The thermoelectric conversion module according to claim 1, wherein a relationship between the first electrode group and the second electrode group is provided between the first electrode group and the second electrode group. This has the effect of suppressing heat conduction through the electrodes and efficiently maintaining the temperature difference generated between the electrode groups.

[0012] The invention described in claim 3 of the present application is the first invention.
Either the electrode group or the second electrode group serves as a heat-generating surface, and the heat transfer amount of the surface in contact with the insulating substrate is reduced by the first electrode group or the second electrode serving as a heat-absorbing surface. 2. The thermoelectric conversion module according to claim 1, wherein the group is larger than a heat transfer amount of a surface in contact with the insulating substrate, wherein the group of the heat-generating electrodes is connected to the other group of the heat-absorbing electrodes. Heat conduction through the substrate can be suppressed, and the temperature difference generated between the electrode groups can be efficiently maintained.

[0013] The invention described in claim 4 of the present application is the first invention.
4. The thermoelectric conversion module according to claim 1, wherein a heat radiating member is provided on a surface serving as a heat generating surface of the electrode group or the second electrode group. Heat conduction from the electrode group to the other electrode group that absorbs heat can be suppressed, and the temperature difference generated between the electrode groups can be efficiently maintained.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. Will be explained.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a thermoelectric conversion module according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a thermoelectric conversion module 1 comprises:
On the upper surface of the insulating substrate 2, a plurality of P-type thermoelectric conversion elements 4 which generate a temperature difference at both ends of the element by energization, and are arranged alternately adjacent to the P-type thermoelectric conversion elements 4 and both ends of the element are energized by energization. And a plurality of N-type thermoelectric conversion elements 5 that cause a temperature difference. Then, a first electrode group 6 composed of a plurality of electrode bodies connected in series so as to sandwich the P-type thermoelectric conversion elements 4 and the N-type thermoelectric conversion elements 5 arranged alternately adjacent to each other, A second electrode group 7 comprising a plurality of electrode bodies provided opposite to one electrode group 6 is provided on the same plane. The first electrode group 6 is arranged at the outer peripheral portion, and the second electrode group 7 is provided at the center portion surrounded by the first electrode group 6. Therefore, the first electrode group 6 and the second electrode group 7 form either the heat generating surface or the heat absorbing surface depending on the direction in which the direct current flows. Reference numeral 8 denotes a terminal composed of a set of lead terminals 8a and 8b.
8b supplies DC power to the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 4 and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5. Here, when one lead terminal 8a is an anode and the other lead terminal 8b is a cathode, current flows from the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5 to the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 4. Therefore, the second electrode group 7 becomes a heat absorbing surface, and the first electrode group 6 becomes a heat generating surface.

In the thermoelectric conversion module 1 of the first embodiment, the substrate 2 is made of alumina, the first electrode group 6 and the second electrode group 7 are made of a copper alloy, and the N-type thermoelectric conversion elements 5 and The P-type thermoelectric conversion element 4 is formed of a thermoelectric conversion element material containing Bi and Te as main components.

The operation of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is an operation diagram of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 are basically the same as those in FIG. 1, and the description is omitted here.

A DC power supply is connected to the lead terminals 8a and 8b, passes from one electrode of the first electrode group 6 to one of the N-type thermoelectric conversion elements 5, and passes from one electrode of the second electrode group 7 to P The current is caused to flow in one direction of the thermoelectric conversion element 4. In the thermoelectric conversion module 1 of the first embodiment, the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5 and the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 4 are electrically DC-connected, so that the P-type thermoelectric conversion A current flows from the element 4 to the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5, and the second
In the electrode group 7, a current flows from the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5 to the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 4. Therefore, the second electrode group 7 formed at the center of the thermoelectric conversion module 1
In this case, heat is absorbed by the Peltier effect, and the first electrode group 6 formed on the outer peripheral portion generates heat. Thus, heat transfer occurs between the first electrode group 6 and the second electrode group 7, so that the temperature of the second electrode group 7 decreases and the temperature of the first electrode group 6 increases. . By doing so, the second electrode group 7
Is efficiently cooled because it is directly joined to a thermoelectric conversion element group that performs an endothermic operation, and the first electrode group 6 is efficiently joined because it is directly joined to a thermoelectric conversion element group that performs an exothermic operation. Well heated. That is, heat can be efficiently transferred from the second electrode group 7 to the first electrode group 6. Therefore, if the second electrode group 7 is directly in contact with an object requiring temperature control such as cooling, for example, an electronic component, the temperature control such as cooling of the object can be performed very efficiently.

When an object requiring temperature control such as cooling has conductivity, only an extremely thin insulator needs to be interposed between the object and the second electrode group 7, and the object can be kept in the same plane. Heating and cooling can be performed by directly contacting the object.
Therefore, the temperature control of the object can be performed very efficiently as compared with the prior art in which cooling or heating is performed via an insulator having a constant thickness.

The heat absorbed by the second electrode group 7 is
The light is transmitted to the first electrode group 6 through the P-type and N-type thermoelectric conversion elements 4 and 5, and the surface of the first electrode group 6 and the substrate 2
Through the thermoelectric conversion module 1.
Therefore, the first electrode group 6 serving as the heat generating portion does not require a separate heat radiation measure such as a heat radiation plate, and can have a simple structure.

Further, the thermoelectric conversion module 1 of the present invention
Since the P-type and N-type thermoelectric conversion elements 4 and 5 and the first and second electrode groups 6 and 7 are arranged in the same plane, an object in a narrow space such as the inside of an electronic device can be efficiently processed. cooling,
The temperature can be controlled by heating.

In the first embodiment, the first electrode group 6
Inside, the current flows from the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 4 to the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5, and within the second electrode group 7, the current flows from the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5 to the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 4. However, the direction in which the current flows is not limited to this. That is, contrary to the above description, the first electrode group 6
Inside, the current flows from the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5 to the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 4, and within the second electrode group 7, the current flows from the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 4 to the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5. When a DC power supply is connected to the first electrode group 6, the first electrode group 6 formed on the outer peripheral portion serves as a cooling surface, and the second electrode group 7
Is the heating surface.

This makes it suitable for controlling the temperature of the object within a predetermined temperature range, rather than one-side operation of heating or cooling the object. You will be able to control it.

In the first embodiment, the first electrode group 6
And the second electrode group 7, the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 4, and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5 are arranged side by side in a square shape, but the arrangement of the electrode group and the thermoelectric conversion element group is fixed in a square shape. However, there is no problem if the shape is a rectangle or a circle, and the shape may be determined according to the place where the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is used.

Next, the arrangement of the first electrode group 6 and the second electrode group 7 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of the thermoelectric conversion module according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is another layout diagram of the thermoelectric conversion module according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 are basically the same as those in FIG.

In the example of FIG. 1, the first electrode group 6 has a shape surrounding the second electrode group 7. As shown in FIG. 3, however, the first electrode group 6 and the second electrode group 6 have the same shape. Group 7 is P-type and N
And a combination of a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements having the configuration shown in FIG. 3 on the same plane as shown in FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. But it doesn't matter. In this case, the heat absorption surface and the heat generation surface can be independently provided at arbitrary positions on the same plane, and it is possible to simultaneously control the temperature of a plurality of electronic components over a wide range such as an electronic circuit.

(Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 1, the groups of P-type and N-type thermoelectric conversion elements 4 and 5 are arranged in a plane on the same plane of the insulating substrate 2. When the temperature difference between the second electrode group 6 and the second electrode group 7 increases, the first electrode group 6 that is the heating surface and the second electrode group that is the cooling surface
The heat conduction occurs through the substrate 2 toward the electrode group 7, and the efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is reduced.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the substrate 2 and the first
The contact area between the second electrode group 6 and the second electrode group 7 and the group of the P-type and N-type thermoelectric conversion elements 4 and 5 is reduced so that the second electrode group 7 can be connected to the first electrode group 6. The configuration is such that the amount of heat transfer through the substrate 2 is reduced and the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is further enhanced in performance.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a thermoelectric conversion module 1 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The same constituent members as those in the example of FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted because they are basically the same in the second embodiment.

The thermoelectric conversion module 1 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and has a first electrode group 6 and a second electrode group 7 on a substrate 2 made of an insulator such as ceramics having a groove 9 formed on the surface. And a configuration in which a P-type thermoelectric conversion element 4 and an N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5 are provided. As in the first embodiment, the substrate 2 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is alumina, the first electrode group 6 and the second electrode group 7 are copper alloy, and the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 4 and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5 Used a thermoelectric conversion element material mainly containing Bi and Te.

As is apparent from FIG. 5, the contact area of the first electrode group 6, the second electrode group 7, and the thermoelectric conversion element group with the substrate 2 is reduced by the groove 9 formed in the substrate 2, As a result, the heat conduction from the second electrode group 7 to the first electrode group 6 through the substrate 2 is reduced, and the temperature difference generated between the first electrode group 6 and the second electrode group 7 is efficiently held. become able to.

Third Embodiment In the second embodiment, the groove 9 is formed on the entire surface of the substrate 2. As a result, the amount of heat conduction from the second electrode group 7 to the first electrode group 6 through the substrate 2 is reduced, and the heat transfer between the first electrode group 6 and the second electrode group 7 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is reduced. The temperature difference generated in was able to be maintained extremely efficiently. Forming the groove 9 on the entire surface of the substrate 2 is effective in consideration of mass productivity, but in the second embodiment, the first electrode group 6 whose temperature rises due to heat generation.
Since the contact area between the first electrode group 6 and the substrate 2 is reduced, the heat radiation effect from the first electrode group 6 is reduced as compared with the first embodiment.

Therefore, in the third embodiment, in order to prevent a decrease in the heat radiation effect from the first electrode group 6, one of the electrode groups becomes a heat generating surface and the heat transfer amount of the surface in contact with the surface of the substrate 2. Is configured such that the other electrode group becomes a heat absorbing surface and is larger than the heat transfer amount of the surface in contact with the substrate 2. This configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA showing another configuration example of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 according to the third embodiment. Here, components having the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 are basically the same in the present embodiment, and therefore description thereof is omitted here.

In the third embodiment, the unevenness 10 is formed on the surface where the substrate 2 is in contact with the second electrode group 7, the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 4 and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5 whose temperature is reduced by absorbing heat. By forming, the contact area between the second electrode group 7 and the substrate 2 can be reduced, and the heat transfer amount can be reduced. On the other hand, the surface of the first electrode group 6 in contact with the substrate 2 where the temperature rises due to heat generation is smoothed to increase the amount of heat conduction from the first electrode group 6 to the substrate 2. By doing so, the heat dissipation can be improved.

As in the first embodiment, the substrate 2 is made of alumina, the first electrode group 6 and the second electrode group 7 are made of a copper alloy,
The thermoelectric conversion element 4 and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5 are thermoelectric conversion element materials mainly containing Bi and Te.

In this way, it is possible to prevent heat from the first electrode group 6, which generates heat and rise in temperature, from entering the second electrode group 7 through the substrate 2, and at the same time, to reduce the temperature of the first electrode group 7.
Since the heat dissipation from the electrode group 6 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 through the substrate 2 is enhanced, the temperature difference generated between the first electrode group 6 and the second electrode group 7 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 can be held extremely efficiently.

Here, in order to change the thermal contact between each electrode group and the substrate 2, the surface property of contact with the substrate 2 is changed as in the third embodiment, and the contact between the substrate 2 and each electrode group is changed. It can also be realized by changing the area. In addition, by changing the material of the substrate 2, the form of heat transfer can be changed.

For example, as shown in FIG.
The electrode group 7, the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 4, the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5, and the substrate 2 in the region where the substrate 2 comes into contact are formed of a low thermal conductive material 16 such as zirconia to generate heat.
The material of the substrate 2 in a region where the electrode group 6 and the substrate 2 are in contact with each other may be formed of a composite material such as a material formed of a high thermal conductive material 17 such as aluminum nitride. With this configuration, the second
The transfer of heat from the electrode group 7 to the first electrode group 6 through the substrate 2 is reduced, and the heat dissipation from the first electrode group 6 through the substrate 2 is increased. The temperature difference generated between the electrode group 6 and the second electrode group 7 can be held extremely efficiently.

(Embodiment 4) Here, in each of the above embodiments, the amount of heat absorbed from the temperature control object in contact with the second electrode group 7 and transmitted to the first electrode group 6 is reduced. When the heat dissipation from the first electrode group 6 reaches a limit further, the return of heat from the first electrode group 6 to the second electrode group 7 becomes so large that it cannot be ignored.

Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, even when the amount of heat from the object to be temperature-controlled increases, the first electrode group 6
In order to enhance the heat radiation effect, a heat radiation member for dissipating heat is provided on the surface of the first electrode group 6 that generates heat.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a thermoelectric conversion module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a sectional view of a thermoelectric conversion module according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention, and FIG. 12 is another view of the thermoelectric conversion module according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. It is a mounting view of a heat radiation member. Here, the same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 9, as in the first embodiment, the first electrode group 6, the second electrode group 7, the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 4,
On the back surface of the substrate 2 provided with the N-type thermoelectric conversion elements 5, a heat radiating member 13 made of a metal having high thermal conductivity is provided so as to penetrate the substrate 2. The first electrode group 6 of the heat radiation member 13
The heat dissipating member 13 is attached to the concave portion provided in the first electrode group 6 by caulking. Accordingly, the heat dissipating member 13 is fixed in close contact with the first electrode group 6 by this caulking.

As in the first embodiment, the substrate 2 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is made of alumina, the first electrode group 6 and the second electrode group 7 are made of copper alloy, and the P-type thermoelectric conversion module is used. For the element 4 and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5, a thermoelectric conversion element material mainly containing Bi and Te was used, and for the heat radiation member 13, a copper alloy was used.

In the structure of the fourth embodiment, the heat of the first electrode group 6 is transmitted through the heat radiating member 13 in addition to the surface of the first electrode group 6 and the substrate 2 in contact with the first electrode group 6. Heat is dissipated. Therefore, the heat dissipation is further improved, and the second electrode group 7
Even if the amount of heat from the object of temperature control that contacts the first electrode group 6 does not reach the limit, the second electrode group to be cooled from the first electrode group 6 does not reach the limit. The return of heat to 7 can be extremely small. As a result, the transfer of heat from the first electrode group 6 to the second electrode group 7 through the substrate 2 is reduced, the cooling efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is further improved, and the use of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is further expanded. Will be done.

In the fourth embodiment, the heat dissipating member 13 penetrating the substrate 2 is made of a copper alloy material. However, the heat dissipating member 13 penetrating the substrate 2 is not limited to a copper alloy, but may be an Al alloy or a Mg alloy. Alternatively, any material having a high heat conductivity and good heat dissipation, such as a heat pipe, may be used. The heat radiating member 13 penetrating through the substrate 2 is not limited to a rod, but may be a plate or any other material that emits heat to the outside.

In the fourth embodiment, the heat radiating member 13 is configured to penetrate the substrate 2. However, the configuration may be such that the heat radiating member 13 does not penetrate the substrate 2 and extends along the plane of the substrate 2. Further, in the fourth embodiment, cooling by natural heat radiation is premised. However, as shown in FIG.
A cooling fan 18 may be provided on the back surface of the thermoelectric conversion module 1. When the cooling fan 18 is provided in this manner, the substrate 2
The heat radiation from the heat dissipating member 13 penetrating through the first electrode group 6 is significantly larger than that due to natural convection, the transfer of heat from the first electrode group 6 to the second electrode group 7 is further reduced, and the cooling efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is further improved. Will be improved. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, a similar effect can be obtained by providing, for example, a radiation fin 19 in contact with the first electrode group 6.

[0050]

The thermoelectric conversion module of the present invention can be thinned to facilitate cooling and temperature control of electronic components in a narrow space such as electronic equipment, and heat generated from the electrode group is also transmitted through the insulating substrate. Since the heat can be dissipated directly without the heat, the heat dissipating effect can be improved and the performance of the thermoelectric conversion module can be enhanced.

Further, it is possible to suppress the transfer of heat through the substrate from the electrode group that generates heat to the other electrode group that absorbs heat, and the heat of the electrode group that generates heat removes the heat from the substrate. Since heat can be dissipated through the first electrode group, the temperature difference between the first electrode group and the second electrode group can be efficiently maintained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a thermoelectric conversion module according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation diagram of the thermoelectric conversion module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of a thermoelectric conversion module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is another layout diagram of the thermoelectric conversion module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a thermoelectric conversion module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a thermoelectric conversion module according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line AA of the thermoelectric conversion module according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is another AA sectional view of the thermoelectric conversion module according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a thermoelectric conversion module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a BB cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric conversion module according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a mounting diagram of a heat radiation member of the thermoelectric conversion module according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view showing an attachment of another heat radiation member of the thermoelectric conversion module according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a conventional thermoelectric conversion module.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermoelectric conversion module 2 Substrate 4 P-type thermoelectric conversion element 5 N-type thermoelectric conversion element 6 1st electrode group 7 2nd electrode group 8 Terminal 8a, 8b Lead terminal 9 Groove 10 Unevenness 13 Heat dissipation member 16 Low heat conductive material 17 High thermal conductive material 18 Cooling fan 19 Radiation fin 21 Thermoelectric conversion module 22 Substrate 23 First electrode group 24 Second electrode group 25 P-type thermoelectric conversion element 26 N-type thermoelectric conversion element 27, 28 Lead terminal

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of P-type thermoelectric conversion elements which generate a temperature difference at both ends of the element by energization on an upper surface of an insulating substrate; A plurality of N-type thermoelectric conversion elements having a temperature difference at both ends, a first electrode group including a plurality of electrode bodies connected in series so as to sandwich the P-type thermoelectric conversion element and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element, A second electrode group provided with a plurality of electrode bodies and opposed to the first electrode group is provided on the same plane, and the first electrode group and the second electrode group are formed on a heat generating surface or a heat absorbing surface; A thermoelectric conversion module characterized in that one of the surfaces can be formed. 2. Heat transfer between the P-type thermoelectric conversion element, the N-type thermoelectric conversion element, and contact surfaces between the first or second electrode group and the insulating substrate. The thermoelectric conversion module according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric conversion module has a relationship of suppressing the amount. 3. The first electrode, wherein one of the first electrode group and the second electrode group serves as a heat-generating surface and the amount of heat transferred from the surface in contact with the insulating substrate serves as a heat-absorbing surface. 2. The thermoelectric conversion module according to claim 1, wherein the group or the second electrode group has a heat transfer amount larger than a heat transfer amount on a surface in contact with the insulating substrate. 3. 4. The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 1, wherein a heat radiating member is provided on a surface of the first electrode group or the second electrode group which is a heat generating surface. module.