JP2006005154A - Thermoelectric conversion module - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermoelectric conversion module that can be easily assembled and is low in cost. <P>SOLUTION: P- and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b) are respectively inserted into the corresponding element engaging holes 3 of an insulating substrate 30 and they are engaged with them, and a flexible insulating substrate 7 wherein a plurality of electrodes 2 are arranged at any interval with each other on its surface is respectively provided one end side (upper side) and the other end side (lower side) in the penetration direction to the element engaging hole 3 of the thermoelectric conversion element 5. The electrode 2 is formed flexibly deformable together with the flexible insulting substrate 7, and the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 5a and the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 5b are electrically connected with each other through the electrode 2, thereby forming the circuit of the thermoelectric conversion element. The respective electrodes 2 are flexibly deformed together with the flexible insulating substrate 7 to the side of the thermoelectric conversion element 5, so that they are press-fitted to the ends of the corresponding thermoelectric conversion elements 5 by contact pressure. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention includes, for example, optical communication parts, physics and chemistry equipment, portable coolers, thermoelectric conversion modules that are used for process temperature management in semiconductor processes and the like, and thermoelectric modules that generate electricity using the Seebeck effect. It concerns the conversion module.

  Thermoelectric conversion modules such as Peltier modules are used in various fields such as the optical communication field, and various configurations of thermoelectric conversion modules have been proposed. FIG. 7 shows an example of the structure of a typical thermoelectric conversion module. This thermoelectric conversion module is a Peltier module, and includes an insulating substrate (insulating support plate) 30 having a plurality of element fitting holes 3. A thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) is formed through the element fitting hole 3 (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  The Peltier module thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) is generally known as a Peltier element, and is formed of a P-type (p-type) thermoelectric conversion element 5a formed of a P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor. N-type (n-type) thermoelectric conversion element 5b. The P-type and N-type thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b) are made of a semiconductor single crystal such as bismuth tellurium having a length of about 0.5 to 3.0 mm, for example.

  The insulating substrate 30 is made of, for example, an electrically insulating plate having a thickness of about 0.2 to 1.0 mm, for example, a glass epoxy plate, and the thermoelectric conversion element 5 is formed on the upper and lower sides of the insulating substrate 30. The P-type thermoelectric conversion element 5a and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5b are respectively inserted into the corresponding element fitting holes 3 so that (5a, 5b) protrudes, for example, by about 0.1 to 1.6 mm. They are fixed and alternately arranged.

  Electrodes 2 are respectively provided at one end side (upper side here) and the other end side (lower side here) of the P-type and N-type thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b) in the penetrating direction to the element fitting hole 3. Is arranged. All of these electrodes 2 are joined to the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b) by soldering, and the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b) are electrically connected via the corresponding electrodes 2 by this joining. A circuit (PN element pair) of the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b) is formed in series. In FIG. 7, solder is not shown. Moreover, the circuit of the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) is connected to a power supply circuit etc. via the lead terminal and lead wire which are not illustrated.

  When a current flows through the circuit of the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b), a current flows through the electrode 2 to the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 5a and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5b, and the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a , 5b) and a cooling / heating effect at the junction (interface) between the electrode 2 and the electrode 2. That is, a so-called Peltier effect is generated in which one end portion of the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) is heated while the other end portion is cooled depending on the direction of the current flowing through the junction.

  When one end, for example, the upper end of the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) is caused to generate heat by this Peltier effect, this heat is transmitted to the member provided on the upper side of the Peltier module, and this member is heated. Is called. On the contrary, when the upper end portion of the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) is cooled by the Peltier effect, the member provided on the upper side of the Peltier module is cooled (heat absorption).

JP-A-9-181362 Japanese Patent Application No. 8-354136

  However, in the thermoelectric conversion module of the type in which the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b) are fixed to the insulating substrate 30 as described above, one end side of each thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) and the other The operation of arranging a plurality of electrodes 2 corresponding to the end sides and joining them to the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b) by soldering is difficult. For this reason, it takes time to manufacture the thermoelectric conversion module, and soldering may not be performed accurately, leading to a decrease in manufacturing yield and an increase in cost, and the soldering portion is connected to the electrode 2 and thermoelectric conversion. There is a problem that cracks due to thermal fatigue may occur between the elements 5.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive thermoelectric conversion module that is easy to assemble.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration as means for solving the problems. That is, the first invention has an insulating substrate in which a plurality of element fitting holes are formed, and P-type and N-type thermoelectric conversion elements are respectively fitted through the corresponding element fitting holes of the insulating substrate. A flexible insulating substrate in which a plurality of electrodes are arranged on the surface of each of the one end side and the other end side in the penetration direction of the thermoelectric conversion element into the element fitting hole is formed on the surface. The surface side is arranged toward the thermoelectric conversion element side, the electrode is configured to be flexibly deformable together with the flexible insulating substrate, and is arranged on one end side in the penetration direction of the thermoelectric conversion element. The electrode of the insulating substrate and the electrode of the flexible insulating substrate disposed on the other end side are shifted from each other, and the P-type thermoelectric conversion element and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element Is electrically connected The circuit of the thermoelectric conversion element is formed, and each of the electrodes is flexibly deformed to the thermoelectric conversion element side together with the flexible insulating substrate, thereby corresponding to the thermoelectric conversion element by the contact pressure to the thermoelectric conversion element side. Each of the end portions is pressed against each other as means for solving the problem.

  In addition to the configuration of the first invention, the second invention is such that one flexible insulating substrate in which a plurality of electrodes are arranged on the surface with a space therebetween is such that the electrode forming surface side is on the inside. The thermoelectric conversion element is formed by being bent and sandwiched from one end side and the other end side by the electrode forming surface of the flexible insulating substrate.

  Furthermore, in a third aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect of the invention, an elastic sheet formed of a heat conductive elastic member is provided on the surface of the flexible insulating substrate opposite to the electrode forming surface. It is a means to solve the problem with the structure.

  Furthermore, in the fourth invention, in addition to the configuration of the first, second, or third invention, at least one of the flexible insulating substrates respectively disposed on both ends of the thermoelectric conversion element is electrically connected to the thermoelectric conversion element. A plurality of electrode formation regions connected to each other, and an electric circuit formation region connected to a connection circuit between the electrodes and the thermoelectric conversion element, the plurality of electrode formation regions being arranged on the thermoelectric conversion element. It is a means for solving the problems with a configuration that is arranged in the installation region and is in conductive contact with the end of the thermoelectric conversion element.

  According to the present invention, on one end side and the other end side of the thermoelectric conversion element into the element fitting hole, a flexible insulating substrate in which a plurality of electrodes are arranged on the surface with an interval is formed on the surface. Since the surface side is arranged toward the thermoelectric conversion element side, and the electrodes can be deformed flexibly together with the flexible insulating substrate, the electrodes are individually provided in such a manner that the corresponding thermoelectric conversion elements are connected to each other. Unlike the case, by arranging the flexible insulating substrate, the electrodes can be collectively disposed opposite to the end portions of the corresponding thermoelectric conversion elements.

  Further, in the present invention, each electrode is pressed against the corresponding end portion of the thermoelectric conversion element by the contact pressure to the thermoelectric conversion element side by being deformed flexibly to the thermoelectric conversion element side together with the flexible insulating substrate. Therefore, even if the electrode part is not fixed by soldering or the like, conduction between the thermoelectric conversion element and the electrode part can be performed satisfactorily and can be assembled very easily, so that the manufacturing yield can be improved, Cost can be reduced.

  In the present invention, one flexible insulating substrate having a plurality of electrodes arranged on the surface with a space between each other is bent so that the electrode forming surface side is inward, and the thermoelectric power is formed by the electrode forming surface of the flexible insulating substrate. According to the structure formed by sandwiching the conversion element from the one end side and the other end side, the number of parts of the thermoelectric conversion module can be reduced, and a thermoelectric conversion module that is easier to manufacture can be realized.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, according to the configuration in which the elastic sheet formed of the heat conductive elastic member is provided on the surface side opposite to the electrode forming surface of the flexible insulating substrate, These electrodes can be more accurately pressed against the end portions of the corresponding thermoelectric conversion elements, so that a thermoelectric conversion module with higher manufacturing yield and ease of use can be realized.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, at least one of the flexible insulating substrates respectively disposed on both ends of the thermoelectric conversion element is an electric circuit connected to a formation circuit of a plurality of electrodes and a connection circuit between the electrode and the thermoelectric conversion element. And forming the plurality of electrodes in conductive contact with the end portion of the thermoelectric conversion element, the electric circuit connected to the connection circuit between the electrode and the thermoelectric conversion element is connected to the thermoelectric conversion element. A thermoelectric conversion module that can be integrated without being provided separately from the conversion module and can easily connect the connection circuit and the electric circuit can be realized.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the present embodiment, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same names as those in the conventional example, and the duplicate description is omitted or simplified.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing an embodiment of a thermoelectric conversion module according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, the thermoelectric conversion module 1 of the present embodiment also has an insulating substrate 30 as in the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of element fitting holes 3 are formed in the insulating substrate 30 with a space therebetween, and these element fitting holes 3 are formed as shown in FIG. The corresponding thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b) are fitted and fixed. The insulating substrate 30 is formed of, for example, a glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin plate, and the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) is fixed to the element fitting hole 3 using, for example, an adhesive. An appropriate method is used.

  Further, the present embodiment example has a characteristic configuration different from that of the conventional example as described below. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, one end side (upper side here) and the other end side (lower side here) of the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) in the penetrating direction to the element fitting hole 3 are respectively A flexible insulating substrate 7 made of polyimide in which a plurality of electrodes 2 are arranged on the surface with a space between each other is disposed. The flexible insulating substrate 7 is formed in a sheet shape.

  In this embodiment, the flexible insulating substrate 7 is a single flexible insulating substrate in which a plurality of electrodes 2 are arranged on the surface at intervals, as shown in FIG. 2, and the electrode 2a is a lead terminal and a lead. An electrode to which a line is connected. The electrode 2 is formed in a film shape and can be flexibly deformed together with the flexible insulating substrate 7.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the flexible insulating substrate 7 is bent so that the surface on which the electrode 2 is formed is inward. And the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) is pinched | interposed from the one end side and the other end side by the electrode formation surface of the flexible insulating substrate 7, and the formation surface side of the electrode 2 of the flexible insulating substrate 7 is the said thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a). , 5b) side.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the electrode 2 and the other end side (here lower side) of the flexible insulating substrate 7 arrange | positioned at the one end side (here upper side) of the penetration direction of the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b). The electrode 2 of the flexible insulating substrate 7 arranged in the position is shifted from each other, and the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 5a and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 5b are electrically connected via the corresponding electrode 2. Thus, a circuit of the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b) is formed. The circuit of the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) is connected to an appropriate electric circuit such as a power supply circuit via lead terminals and lead wires (not shown).

  In this embodiment, each electrode 2 together with the flexible insulating substrate 7 is flexibly deformed to the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) side, so that the contact pressure to the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) side is obtained. Are respectively pressed to the end portions of the corresponding thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b) (here, fixed by pressing).

  In particular, in the present embodiment, an elastic sheet 8 formed of a heat conductive elastic member is provided on the surface of the flexible insulating substrate 7 opposite to the electrode forming surface, and the elastic sheet 8 is elastically deformed. The contact pressure of the electrode 2 on the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) side is increased.

  The present embodiment is configured as described above. When the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is manufactured, each thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) is formed. In addition, surface treatments, such as a plating process, are given to the both ends (contact part with the electrode part 9) of the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b). This surface treatment is performed for facilitating electrical connection with the electrode portion 9, and an appropriate treatment such as laminating a gold plating layer or a solder plating layer on a nickel plating base material is performed.

  And as shown to Fig.4 (a), the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) corresponding to each in the element fitting hole 3 of the insulating board | substrate 30 is penetration-fitted and fixed. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 4B, the flexible insulating substrate 7 is bent, and both the upper and lower sides of the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) (one end side and the other end side in the penetration direction to the element fitting hole 3). ) To sandwich the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) by the flexible insulating substrate 7.

  Then, the electrode forming surface (electrode 2 forming surface) side of the flexible insulating substrate 7 is directed to the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) side, and pressure is directed from the opposite side to the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) side. In addition, the electrode 2 is deformed together with the flexible insulating substrate 7 and is brought into pressure contact with the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b). Further, an elastic sheet 8 is provided on the surface of the flexible insulating substrate 7 opposite to the electrode forming surface, as shown in FIG.

  The elastic sheet 8 is provided before the electrode 2 is pressed against the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) side. When the elastic sheet 8 is elastically deformed together with the flexible insulating substrate 7 and the electrode 2 is pressed, the thermoelectric of the electrode 2 is obtained. The pressure contact fixing to the conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) can be performed more reliably.

  Further, as necessary, for example, as shown by a broken line in FIG. 1, a metal plate 11 is provided on the upper side of the thermoelectric conversion module 1, and a heat sink 12 is provided on the lower side of the thermoelectric conversion module 1. Is fixed with a screw member 13 for use. Instead of the heat sink 12, a metal plate can also be provided on the lower side of the thermoelectric conversion module 1.

  When the metal plate 11 and the heat sink 12 are provided in the arrangement as in this example, when a member to be cooled (not shown) is mounted on the metal plate 11 and the member to be cooled is cooled by the thermoelectric conversion module 1, the thermoelectric conversion module is obtained. Since the lower side of 1 (the lower end side of the thermoelectric conversion element 5) serves as a heating surface, if the heat sink 12 cools the member to be cooled by the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is more efficiently cooled.

  According to the present embodiment example, as described above, a plurality of electrodes 2 are arranged on the surface of the flexible insulating substrate 7, and the electrode forming surface side is arranged facing the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) side. Appropriate pressure is applied to the flexible insulating substrate 7 so that the electrode 2 is flexibly deformed together with the flexible insulating substrate 7 and is press-fixed to the corresponding thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) by the contact pressure. Therefore, unlike the case where the electrodes 2 are individually provided, the electrodes 2 can be collectively disposed by disposing the flexible insulating substrate 7, and the electrode 2 and the thermoelectric conversion element 5 can be disposed without fixing by soldering or the like. (5a, 5b) can be conducted well and can be assembled very easily.

  Therefore, the present embodiment can realize a thermoelectric conversion module that can reliably improve the manufacturing yield and reduce the cost.

  Further, according to the present embodiment example, the elastic sheet 8 formed of the heat conductive elastic member is provided on the surface of the flexible insulating substrate 7 opposite to the electrode forming surface. Due to the deformation, each electrode 2 can be more accurately pressed against the end of the corresponding thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b), and an easy-to-use thermoelectric conversion module can be realized.

  Further, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 1, when the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is sandwiched between the metal plate 11 and the heat sink 12, the electrode portion 9 of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 and the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b) are connected. The pressure contact fixing can be performed more reliably, and the arrangement of the member to be cooled mounted on the metal plate 11 can be made more stable.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment example, Various aspects can be taken. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a single flexible insulating substrate 7 in which a plurality of electrodes 2 are arranged on the surface with a space between each other is bent and provided on both upper and lower sides of the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b). The flexible insulating substrate 7 disposed on the upper side and the flexible insulating substrate 7 disposed on the lower side may be separate flexible insulating substrates 7.

  In addition, the material and thickness of the flexible insulating substrate 7 and the material and thickness of the electrode 2 are not particularly limited, and are appropriately set.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the elastic sheet 8 is provided on the surface of the flexible insulating substrate 7 opposite to the electrode forming surface, but the elastic sheet 8 may be omitted as shown in FIG.

  Furthermore, at least one of the flexible insulating substrates 7 disposed on both ends of the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b) is formed with a plurality of electrodes 2 that are electrically connected to the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b). It is good also as what has an area | region and the formation area of the electric circuit connected to the connection circuit of this electrode 2 and the said thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b).

  In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, a flexible insulating substrate 7 is formed, and a formation region 15 of a plurality of electrodes 2 electrically connected to the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b), the electrodes 2 and the An electric circuit formation region 16 connected to a connection circuit with the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) is formed. Then, the flexible insulating substrate 7 is bent along the broken line A in the figure, and the formation region 15 of the plurality of electrodes 2 is arranged in the region where the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b) are arranged, and the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 (5a, 5b) are arranged. The thermoelectric conversion module 1 can be formed in conductive contact with the end.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion module 1 has the planar shape of the insulating substrate 30 formed in a substantially square shape. However, the thermoelectric conversion module 1 to which the insulating substrate 30 having a substantially circular planar shape is applied may be used. In addition, the shape, thickness, material, and the like of the insulating substrate 30 are not particularly limited, and are appropriately set.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) is an element having a rectangular cross-sectional shape, but the shape of the thermoelectric conversion element 5 (5a, 5b) is not particularly limited, and may be appropriately selected. For example, an element having a circular cross-sectional shape or an element having another shape may be used.

  Furthermore, although the above description has been given by taking an example of the structure of the Peltier module as the thermoelectric conversion module, the structure of the thermoelectric conversion module of the present invention is also applicable to the structure of a thermoelectric conversion module that generates power using the Seebeck effect. it can.

It is explanatory drawing which shows typically one embodiment of the structure of the thermoelectric conversion module which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing shown by the top view which looked at the flexible insulated substrate applied to the thermoelectric conversion module of the said embodiment example from the electrode formation surface side. It is a plane explanatory view of the insulating substrate applied to the thermoelectric conversion module of the above-mentioned embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a manufacturing process of the thermoelectric conversion module of the said embodiment example. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the other embodiment example of the thermoelectric conversion module which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the flexible insulated substrate applied to the other embodiment example of the thermoelectric conversion module which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the conventional thermoelectric conversion module.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermoelectric conversion module 2 Electrode 3 Element fitting hole 5, 5a, 5b Thermoelectric conversion element 7 Flexible insulating board 8 Elastic sheet 15 Formation area of multiple electrodes 16 Formation area of electric circuit 30 Insulating board

Claims (4)

  The thermoelectric conversion element includes an insulating substrate having a plurality of element fitting holes, and P-type and N-type thermoelectric conversion elements are respectively fitted through the corresponding element fitting holes of the insulating substrate. A flexible insulating substrate in which a plurality of electrodes are arranged on the surface of each of the one end side and the other end side in the penetrating direction to the element fitting hole is arranged on the thermoelectric conversion element side. The electrode is arranged to be flexibly deformable together with the flexible insulating substrate, and the electrode and the other end side of the flexible insulating substrate arranged on one end side in the penetration direction of the thermoelectric conversion element The electrodes of the flexible insulating substrate arranged in the position are shifted from each other, and the P-type thermoelectric conversion element and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element are electrically connected via the electrodes to Circuit of conversion element Each of the electrodes is pressed into contact with the end of the corresponding thermoelectric conversion element by contact pressure to the thermoelectric conversion element side by flexibly deforming to the thermoelectric conversion element side together with the flexible insulating substrate. A thermoelectric conversion module characterized by comprising:   One flexible insulating substrate having a plurality of electrodes arranged on the surface with a space between each other is bent so that the electrode forming surface side is inward, and the thermoelectric conversion element is connected to one end side by the electrode forming surface of the flexible insulating substrate. The thermoelectric conversion module according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric conversion module is formed so as to be sandwiched from the other end side.   The thermoelectric conversion module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an elastic sheet formed of a heat conductive elastic member is provided on a surface of the flexible insulating substrate opposite to the electrode forming surface.   At least one of the flexible insulating substrates respectively disposed on both ends of the thermoelectric conversion element is connected to a formation region of a plurality of electrodes electrically connected to the thermoelectric conversion element and a connection circuit between the electrode and the thermoelectric conversion element And a plurality of electrode formation regions arranged in the thermoelectric conversion element arrangement region and in electrical contact with the end portions of the thermoelectric conversion elements. The thermoelectric conversion module according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3.

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