JP2006237146A - Cascade module for thermoelectric conversion - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To relieve thermal stress operating on a thermoelectric material element without reducing a heat flow passage area. <P>SOLUTION: Skeleton type modules 9x, 9y for thermoelectric conversion having different temperature aptitudes are laminated and arranged to temperature gradient in use. A set of module electrodes 4, 3 arranged opposingly each other are joined by interposing an insulating substrate 10 for junction divided to a size that is the same as that of the module electrodes 3, 4 so that a slit 11 is present in a surface in the expansion direction of the module. Even if the insulating substrate 10 for junction is thermally expanded in used, the amount of deformation is inhibited and is absorbed by the slit 11, thus reducing thermal stress operating on thermoelectric elements 1x, 2x and 1y, 2y in respective skeleton type modules 9x, 9y for thermoelectric conversion. The size of the insulating substrate 10 for junction is set to the same as that of the module electrodes 3, 4 to be joined, so that it is larger than the sectional area of the thermoelectric material elements 1x, 2x and 1y, 2y where a heat flow passes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a cascade module for thermoelectric conversion in which a plurality of thermoelectric conversion modules using thermoelectric material elements having different temperature ranges where thermoelectric performance is superior are arranged in layers according to a temperature gradient and joined to form a cascade type It is about.

  In general, thermoelectric conversion devices that perform thermoelectric power generation, thermoelectric cooling, and thermoelectric heating using the thermoelectric characteristics of thermoelectric semiconductors include a thermoelectric conversion module whose outline is shown in FIG. 6 as a basic configuration. Yes. That is, the module for thermoelectric conversion shown in FIG. 6 arranges a required number of P-type thermoelectric material elements (thermoelectric semiconductor elements) 1 and N-type thermoelectric material elements (thermoelectric semiconductor elements) 2 alternately. In order that the thermoelectric material element 1 and the N-type thermoelectric material element 2 are electrically connected in series, one end portion and the other end portion of each of the P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 are respectively connected to module electrodes (metals). Electrode) 3 and 4 are sequentially connected. In addition, insulating substrates 5 and 6 for fixing the module electrodes 3 and 4 made of ceramic such as alumina or aluminum nitride are provided outside the module electrodes 3 and 4 in consideration of heat resistance and thermal conductivity. It is. As a result, the P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 and the module electrodes 3 and 4 attached to both ends of the thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2, respectively, The material elements 1 and 2 are sandwiched between the insulating substrates 5 and 6 from the direction in which the heat flow acts or from both sides of the energization direction during thermoelectric cooling and thermoelectric heating.

  When thermoelectric power generation is performed using the thermoelectric conversion module, one insulating substrate 5 or 6 is a heat receiving side for receiving heat from a heat source, and the other insulating substrate 6 or 5 is a low heat source side such as a heat sink. Therefore, each thermoelectric material element 1 and 2 has a temperature gradient along the direction in which the heat flow acts, and each thermoelectric material element 1 is used as a heat radiating side for releasing (discharging) heat. In the insulating substrates 5 and 6 provided on both sides in the direction in which the heat flow acts as described above, a temperature difference occurs between one of them so that one is at a high temperature and the other is at a low temperature. Therefore, the insulating substrates 5 and 6 have a difference in deformation due to thermal expansion depending on the temperature difference.

  Further, when thermoelectric cooling or thermoelectric heating is performed using the thermoelectric conversion module, one end side in the energizing direction of each thermoelectric material element 1 and 2 is cooled and the other end side is heated. The thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 have temperature gradients along the energization direction. For this reason, the insulating substrate 5 or 6 provided on one end side in the energizing direction of the thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 is cooled, while the insulating substrate 6 or 5 on the other end side in the energizing direction is heated. A temperature difference is generated between the insulating substrates 5 and 6, and therefore, the insulating substrate 5 or 6 that is cooled to the low temperature side is thermally contracted, while the insulating substrate 6 or 5 that is heated to be the high temperature side is thermally expanded. Therefore, there is a difference in deformation amount between the insulating substrates 5 and 6.

  As described above, when there is a difference in deformation amount due to a temperature difference between the insulating substrates 5 and 6 of the thermoelectric conversion module during thermoelectric power generation, thermoelectric cooling, or thermoelectric heating, one end of each thermoelectric material element 1 and 2 is The surface directions of the insulating substrates 5 and 6 are fixed to the insulating substrate 5 via the module electrode 3 and the positions where the other end portions of the thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 are fixed to the insulating substrate 6 via the module electrode 4. That is, a relative shift occurs along the module spreading direction.

  By the way, in general, the deformation accompanying the temperature change of the object is governed by the product of the linear expansion coefficient of the object, the temperature and the size, so the difference in the deformation amount of the insulating substrates 5 and 6 is the difference between the insulating substrates 5 and 6. The larger the distance from the center to the outer periphery, the larger the area. Since the thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 and the module electrodes 3 and 4 are different materials, it is difficult to match the thermal expansion.

  Therefore, when thermoelectric power generation, thermoelectric cooling, or thermoelectric heating is performed in the thermoelectric conversion module, the thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 disposed on the inner peripheral side of the module are arranged on the outer peripheral portion of the module. A greater thermal stress is applied to the thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 that are provided. For this reason, the thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 located on the outer periphery of the module are affected by the applied thermal stress. There is concern about the possibility of deterioration such as cracking. Moreover, since each thermoelectric material element 1 and 2 is easy to deteriorate, it affects the lifetime of the thermoelectric conversion module.

  Therefore, as one of the techniques for reducing the thermal stress acting on each of the thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 at the time of thermoelectric power generation, thermoelectric cooling, or thermoelectric heating as described above, as shown in FIG. Thus, the structure in which the insulating substrates 5 and 6 outside the module electrodes 3 and 4 in the same configuration as shown in FIG. 6 are omitted, that is, the P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 arranged in series are arranged in series. So that the module electrodes 3 and 4 for sequentially connecting the one end and the other end of the thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 are exposed to the outside so as to be electrically connected to each other. Modules have been conventionally proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). With such a configuration, the thermoelectric conversion module having the skeleton structure described above has a temperature difference between the insulating substrates 5 and 6 in the thermoelectric conversion module configured as shown in FIG. 6 during thermoelectric power generation or thermoelectric cooling and thermoelectric heating. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that the thermal stress acting on the thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 due to the difference in deformation amount acts on the thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2. . Further, since the skeleton structure has no insulating substrate outside the module electrodes 3 and 4, in the thermoelectric conversion module as shown in FIG. 6, the heat generated by the heat flow passing through the insulating substrates 5 and 6 is generated. Since it is possible to eliminate the decrease in the amount of passage and the contact thermal resistance generated at the joint between each module electrode 3, 4 and each insulating substrate 5, 6, more efficient heat exchange can be performed. ing. In addition, the code | symbol 7 in FIG. 7 shows the resin board which fixes the center part of each thermoelectric material element 1 and 2 in order to hold | maintain the shape of the module for thermoelectric conversion.

  By the way, as described above, when thermoelectric power generation, thermoelectric cooling, and thermoelectric heating are performed using the thermoelectric conversion module, a heat flow acts on the P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2. Although a temperature gradient is formed along the direction or the energization direction, the thermoelectric performance of each of the thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 has a temperature sensitive characteristic. That is, even if the composition of the thermoelectric material constituting each of the P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 is set so that good thermoelectric performance can be exhibited in a certain temperature range, the temperature range is not exceeded. Under temperature conditions, a thermoelectric material having a different composition may obtain superior thermoelectric performance. For example, in general, a thermoelectric material element having a well-known bismuth (Bi) / tellurium (Te) material composition has a relatively good thermoelectric performance if the upper limit is in the temperature range of about 250 to 300 ° C. As shown, under higher temperature conditions such as 300 ° C. or higher, it is better to use an element made of a thermoelectric material having a different composition such as lead tellurium, silicon / germanium, cobalt / antimony, or silicide. In some cases, better thermoelectric performance can be obtained.

  Therefore, for example, when thermoelectric power generation is performed using a wide temperature range obtained by a heat source of 500 to 600 ° C. or higher, or when a temperature range to be cooled or heated when performing thermoelectric cooling or thermoelectric heating is wide. As a module for thermoelectric conversion for use in, the temperature gradient region desired to be formed in the entire module is divided into a plurality of temperature regions from a low temperature region to a high temperature region, and for each divided temperature region, A thermoelectric conversion module using P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements having a material composition capable of obtaining good thermoelectric performance in each temperature range is formed, and different temperatures from the low temperature range to the high temperature range are formed. By stacking thermoelectric conversion modules, each of which has excellent thermoelectric performance in each region, in accordance with the desired temperature gradient over the entire module, Cascade thermoelectric conversion module in which to be able to increase the efficiency of conversion (hereinafter, referred to as a thermoelectric conversion cascade module) have been proposed.

  FIG. 8 shows a thermoelectric conversion cascade module for the purpose of thermoelectric cooling based on the Peltier effect as an example of the above-described cascade module for thermoelectric conversion. As shown in FIG. Each of the thermoelectric material elements 1, 2, module electrodes 3, 4 that sequentially connect the one end portions and the other end portions so that these thermoelectric material elements 1, 2 are connected in series, As P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 in a thermoelectric conversion module composed of insulating substrates 5 and 6 fixed on the outside, P-type and N-type thermoelectric material compositions that provide good thermoelectric performance on the high temperature side, respectively. Thermoelectric conversion module (thermoelectric conversion element) 8a using the thermoelectric material elements (thermoelectric elements) 1a and 2a of the same type, similarly, good thermoelectric performance can be obtained on the low temperature side respectively. Type and N-type thermoelectric material elements (thermoelectric elements) 1b and 2b are used to form a thermoelectric conversion module (thermoelectric conversion element) 8b, and the temperature range where this excellent thermoelectric performance is obtained is different, that is, the high temperature range As shown in FIG. 8, two thermoelectric conversion modules 8a and 8b each having temperature suitability on the side and the low-temperature region side are stacked one above the other, and the insulating substrate 5 at the upper end of the lower thermoelectric conversion module 8a The opposite surfaces of the insulating substrate 6 at the lower end of the upper thermoelectric conversion module 8b are joined together with a solder material, a brazing material, an adhesive material, or the like. Thereby, according to the said cascade module for thermoelectric conversion, from the component (not shown) used as the thermal load attached to the upper side of the insulating substrate 5 on the upper surface side of the upper thermoelectric conversion module 8b having temperature suitability on the low temperature side. The generated heat is absorbed by the thermoelectric conversion module 8b having temperature suitability on the low temperature side, and further from the heat and low temperature side thermoelectric conversion module 8b by the thermoelectric conversion module 8a having temperature suitability on the high temperature side. The generated heat is absorbed and discharged from the insulating substrate 6 at the lower end of the thermoelectric conversion module 8a (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  In addition, P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements arranged alternately, module electrodes for conducting these P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements in series, and an insulating substrate provided outside each module electrode ( In a one-stage thermoelectric conversion module having a structure including an alumina ceramic substrate, a temperature difference occurs between the insulating substrates provided on one end side and the other end side of each thermoelectric material element. As a technique for preventing thermal stress from acting on each thermoelectric material element even if a difference in deformation due to thermal expansion occurs in each insulating substrate, the inner surfaces of two opposing insulating substrates are respectively Between each of the provided module electrodes, the P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements are arranged so that both end portions of the thermoelectric material elements are slidably in contact with the module electrodes. Material elements and modules The structure where the electrode so as to sandwich at the insulating substrate has been proposed (e.g., see Patent Document 3).

JP 2002-353525 A JP 2004-281451 A JP-A-9-321349

  However, in the conventional thermoelectric conversion cascade module shown in FIG. 8, the thermoelectric conversion modules (thermoelectric conversion elements) 8a and 8b of each layer arranged in a stacked manner have P-type and N-type thermoelectrics as described above. A configuration in which both ends of the material elements (thermoelectric elements) 1a and 2a or 1b and 2b are fixed to the insulating substrates 5 and 6 via the module electrodes 3 and 4, that is, the same configuration as the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG. Therefore, a temperature gradient is generated in the entire module during thermoelectric power generation, thermoelectric cooling, or thermoelectric heating, and the insulation substrate 5 on the low temperature side and the insulation on the high temperature side in each thermoelectric conversion module 8a and 8b. When a temperature difference is generated in each of the substrates 6, thereby causing a difference in the deformation amount when the respective insulating substrates 5 and 6 are thermally expanded, each of the thermoelectric material elements 1 a and 2 a or 1 b and Thermal stress is to act against b.

  In particular, since the thermoelectric conversion cascade module is adapted to be applied when the temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side is large, the temperature of the insulating substrates 5 and 6 disposed on the high temperature side and the low temperature side is determined. The difference is likely to increase, and for this reason, it is assumed that the difference in deformation amount between the insulating substrates 5 and 6 increases. However, there is no suggestion of relaxing the thermal stress acting on each thermoelectric material element 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b in each thermoelectric conversion module 8a and 8b.

  Therefore, the conventional thermoelectric conversion cascade module avoids an increase in the difference in deformation amount during thermal expansion between the insulating substrates 5 and 6 as the size of the insulating substrates 5 and 6 for bonding increases. Therefore, the area of the entire module in the spreading direction needs to be suppressed to a level of several centimeters, and it is difficult to increase the size.

  Note that the thermoelectric conversion module having a skeleton structure as shown in FIG. 7 can reduce the thermal stress acting on each thermoelectric material element and reduce the contact thermal resistance even when a temperature gradient occurs in the entire module. In that respect, the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG. 6 can be made more advantageous. However, stacking the skeleton-structured thermoelectric conversion modules into a cascade type has been conventionally performed. Not done.

  That is, when the skeleton-structured thermoelectric conversion modules as shown in FIG. 7 are stacked to form a cascade type, the skeleton-structured thermoelectric conversion modules are stacked and arranged, and each of the stacked thermoelectric conversion modules is stacked. However, in this case, the thermoelectric conversion module having the skeleton structure has a structure in which the module electrodes 3 and 4 are exposed on both surfaces, so that the skeleton structure is stacked. It is necessary to provide insulation to the joint portion when joining the module electrodes 3 and 4 that are arranged to face each other between the thermoelectric conversion modules. As described above, as a technique for obtaining insulation between the module electrodes 3 and 4, the thermoelectric conversion modules 8a and 8b in each layer of the thermoelectric conversion cascade module shown in FIG. Laminating an insulating substrate with good thermal conductivity made of ceramic such as alumina or aluminum nitride similar to the insulating substrates 5 and 6 that bear insulation between the module electrodes 3 and 4 that are arranged opposite to each other. Module electrodes 3 and 4 facing each other between the thermoelectric conversion modules of each skeleton structure to be laminated on both sides of the insulating substrate, being interposed between the two skeleton structure thermoelectric conversion modules to be disposed. It is conceivable to fix these by soldering or the like.

  However, in this case, since the joint portion between each of the module electrodes 3 and 4 of the thermoelectric conversion module having each skeleton structure and the insulating substrate has a rigid structure, the thermal stress cannot be released at this joint portion. For this reason, there is a problem that the advantage that the thermal stress of the thermoelectric conversion module having a skeleton structure as the one-stage module can be reduced cannot be effectively utilized.

  In general, it is effective to reduce the area of the joint for stress relaxation. However, when a plurality of thermoelectric conversion modules are stacked to form a cascade type, heat flow is reduced as the area of the joint decreases. When the passage area is reduced, there is a problem that the thermoelectric performance is lowered.

  What is described in Patent Document 3 above is a configuration in which module electrodes are provided inside two alumina ceramic substrates, which are insulating substrates, and P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements are slidably disposed therebetween. The present invention relates to a one-stage thermoelectric conversion module, not a skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module, and further relates to a cascade-type thermoelectric conversion module in which a plurality of thermoelectric conversion modules are stacked. No idea is shown. In Patent Document 3, when the high temperature side alumina ceramic substrate in the one-stage thermoelectric conversion module expands and the low temperature side alumina ceramic substrate contracts, a large stress is applied to the thermoelectric material element in the vicinity of the module periphery. In order to alleviate the addition, the idea that the alumina ceramic substrate is divided is shown, but there is no specific description about the divided structure of the substrate.

  Therefore, the present invention can reduce the thermal stress acting on each thermoelectric material element even when the skeleton-structured thermoelectric conversion modules are stacked to form a cascade type, and can suppress the reduction of the heat flow passage area. It intends to provide a cascade module for conversion.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion having a structure in which one end portions and other end portions of alternately arranged P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements are sequentially connected by module electrodes. A plurality of modules are formed using thermoelectric material elements each having a different temperature range where thermoelectric performance is superior, and a plurality of skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules having different temperature ranges where each thermoelectric performance is superior are formed in a temperature gradient. The module electrodes facing each other between the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules are divided into small areas so that the required slits exist in the plane of the module spreading direction. A cascade module for thermoelectric conversion having a configuration in which bonding is performed with an insulating substrate for bonding interposed. Further, the bonding insulating substrate has the same size as the module electrodes facing each other between the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules, and is the same as the larger module electrode among the facing module electrodes. It shall have the size of.

  Further, to correspond to the invention according to claim 4, a skeleton-type thermoelectric device having a structure in which one end portions and the other end portions of the alternately arranged P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements are sequentially connected by module electrodes. A plurality of conversion modules are formed using thermoelectric material elements each having a different temperature range where thermoelectric performance is superior, and a plurality of skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules having different temperature ranges where each thermoelectric performance is superior are Laminated and arranged in accordance with the gradient, the module electrodes facing each other between the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules are bonded to both surfaces of the bonding insulating substrate with an elastic adhesive having high thermal conductivity. The configuration.

According to the cascade module for thermoelectric conversion of the present invention, the following excellent effects are exhibited.
(1) A skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module having a structure in which P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements are sequentially connected in series by module electrodes, and thermoelectric material elements having different temperature ranges where thermoelectric performance is superior are used. A plurality of skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules that are formed in a plurality of layers and have different temperature ranges in which the thermoelectric performance is superior are stacked in accordance with the temperature gradient, and the modules face each other between the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules. Since the electrodes are joined to each other by interposing a bonding insulating substrate divided into small areas so that the required slits exist in the plane of the module spreading direction, When thermal expansion occurs in the bonding insulating substrate due to the temperature environment, each of the areas divided into small areas expands thermally. It is possible to suppress the amount small. In addition, since slits are arranged between the small area regions, the thermal expansion of the individual small area regions can be absorbed by the slits, and the possibility of affecting adjacent regions can be reduced. Therefore, since the stress due to thermal expansion in the module can be generated only in the module thickness direction, the thermal stress acting on the thermoelectric material element of each skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module can be reduced.
(2) Furthermore, by making the insulating substrate for bonding have the same size as the module electrodes facing each other between the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules, the cross-sectional area of each module electrode Since the area of the bonding insulating substrate can be set large, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the main heat flow passage area, and thus it is possible to suppress the possibility that the thermoelectric performance is deteriorated.
(3) By the above, it is possible to reduce the stress of the entire module where the thermal stress is concentrated, and it is possible to prevent the module from being damaged. For this reason, the area of the entire module in the spreading direction is increased. Can be achieved.
(4) Furthermore, since there are no components that are continuous in the module spreading direction between the stacked skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules, the dimensional accuracy can be somewhat reduced, which is advantageous in terms of cost. It becomes possible to be.
(5) A skeleton type is obtained by configuring the bonding insulating substrate to have the same size as the larger one of the module electrodes facing each other between the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules. Even when the module electrodes of the thermoelectric conversion modules are different in size, the size of the bonding substrate can be set small without reducing the heat flow passage area, and the deformation due to thermal expansion of the bonding substrate can be kept small. It becomes possible.
(6) A skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module having a structure in which P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements are sequentially connected in series with module electrodes, and thermoelectric material elements having different temperature ranges where thermoelectric performance is superior are used. A plurality of skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules having different temperature ranges in which each thermoelectric performance is superior are stacked in accordance with a temperature gradient, and the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules are opposed to each other. The module electrode is configured to be bonded to both surfaces of the bonding insulating substrate with an elastic adhesive having high thermal conductivity, so that the bonding insulating substrate is not deformed by thermal expansion depending on the temperature environment during use. Even if it occurs, the deformation is absorbed by the deformation of the elastic adhesive and transmitted to the module electrode of each skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module in a state where the amount of displacement is relaxed. Door can be. For this reason, the thermal stress which acts also in each thermoelectric material element which exists in a module outer peripheral part can be reduced. Moreover, since the bonding insulating substrate is provided over the entire surface in the module spreading direction, the heat flow passage area of the entire module is not reduced. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the stress of the portion where the thermal stress of the entire module is concentrated, and to prevent the module from being destroyed. For this reason, it is possible to increase the area of the entire module in the spreading direction. It becomes possible.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b) show an embodiment of a cascade module for thermoelectric conversion according to the present invention. Like the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG. The one end and the other end of each of the P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements are sequentially connected so that the element 1 and the N-type thermoelectric material element 2 and the thermoelectric material elements 1 and 2 are electrically connected in series. The temperature gradient region desired to be formed in the entire module as the P-type thermoelectric material element 1 and the N-type thermoelectric material element 2 in the same configuration as the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module including the module electrodes 3 and 4 P-type thermoelectric as a thermoelectric material composition in which good thermoelectric performance can be obtained in a plurality of temperature ranges from a low temperature range to a high temperature range, for example, a high temperature range when the temperature is divided into two temperature ranges Forming a skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x for high-temperature range with a charge device 1x and N-type thermoelectric material elements 2x. Similarly, using the P-type thermoelectric material element 1y and the N-type thermoelectric material element 2y, which are thermoelectric material compositions each capable of obtaining good thermoelectric performance in the low temperature range of the above two temperature ranges, the temperature is low. A skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9y for the region is formed. Further, two skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y capable of exhibiting excellent thermoelectric performance in the high temperature range and the low temperature range are laminated as shown in FIG. 1 (a), and the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules are arranged. Module electrodes that are arranged opposite to each other between the modules 9x and 9y, that is, each module electrode 4 located at the lower end of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x on the upper side in the figure, and the lower skeleton type thermoelectrics Between the module electrodes 3 positioned at the upper end of the conversion module 9y and for joining that is divided into regions of a required small area so that the slits 11 are present at required locations within the plane of the module spreading direction. The insulating substrate 10 is disposed so as to be interposed, and the upper skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x is disposed on the upper surface of the bonding insulating substrate 10. The lower surface of the Joule electrode 4 and the lower surface of the bonding insulating substrate 10 are bonded to the upper surface of the module electrode 3 of the lower skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y, respectively. The thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y are integrated to form a cascade structure.

  More specifically, each of the thermoelectric material elements 1x and 2x of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x for the high temperature region and the thermoelectric material elements 1y and 2y of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y for the low temperature region both have a heat flow. The cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the acting direction or the energizing direction is made to be substantially the same rectangular shape, and thereby, the thermoelectric material elements 1x and the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y The module electrodes 3 and 4 for connecting 2x and 1y and 2y in series respectively have a rectangular shape of the same size. The module electrode 4 at the lower end of the upper skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9x and the module electrode 3 at the upper end of the lower skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9y are arranged vertically in the module spreading direction (FIG. 1 (b)). The left and right directions are similar. Thus, when the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y are stacked, the module electrode 4 of the upper skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x and the module electrode 3 of the lower skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y are arranged. Can be arranged in a one-to-one relationship in the vertical direction.

  The bonding insulating substrate 10 is made of ceramic such as alumina or aluminum nitride having insulation and heat resistance, and at least the module electrode of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x to be bonded through the bonding insulating substrate 10 4 or the module electrode 3 of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y has the same size as the larger one. In the present embodiment, as described above, the module electrode 4 of the upper skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x and the module electrode 3 of the lower skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y have the same shape, and Since the arrangement is one-to-one corresponding to the direction, the bonding insulating substrate 10 is arranged so as to be opposed to each other, for example, by the upper and lower skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y. A rectangular area with a small area, which is substantially the same as the pair of module electrodes 4 and 3, is formed. That is, the bonding insulating substrate 10 includes slits 11 having a width dimension corresponding to the arrangement interval of the module electrodes 3 and 4 in the plane of the module spreading direction (vertical and horizontal directions in FIG. 1B). As shown in FIG. 1 (b), a rectangular shape with a small area is obtained by being arranged so as to be arranged in a grid pattern in two orthogonal directions at required intervals. Accordingly, each of the bonding insulating substrates 10 is in a state of being surrounded on four sides by the slits 11 arranged in the lattice shape.

  The bonding insulating substrate 10 is bonded to the module electrode 4 of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x and the module electrode 3 of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y by soldering, brazing, or any other bonding method. A method may be adopted.

  With the above-described configuration, the area of each of the bonding insulating substrates 10 is set on each module electrode 4 of the high-temperature skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x bonded to the upper surface of each of the bonding insulating substrates 10. The sum of the cross-sectional areas of the attached thermoelectric material elements 1x and 2x and the module electrodes 3 of the low-temperature skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y bonded to the lower surface of the bonding insulating substrate 10 are respectively attached. The sum of the cross-sectional areas of the thermoelectric material elements 1y and 2y, ie, the heat flow passage areas of the respective P-type and N-type thermoelectric material element pairs in each of the thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y, It is possible to suppress a decrease in the main heat flow passage area of each of the upper and lower skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y at the joined portion through the joining insulating substrate 10. It is to.

  Note that the vertical positions of the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y in FIG. 1 (a) are arrangements for convenience in order to illustrate a state in which both are stacked, and the manufacture of the thermoelectric conversion cascade module of the present invention is performed. It does not prescribe the arrangement of the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y on the high temperature side and the low temperature side at the time or in use. Therefore, as the posture when using the thermoelectric conversion cascade module of the present invention, the orientations of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y on the high temperature region side and the low temperature region side may be freely set. The same applies to each embodiment described later.

  When the thermoelectric conversion cascade module of the present invention is used for thermoelectric power generation, for example, the module electrode 3 exposed to the outside in the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x for high temperature region is directly or directly connected to the module electrode 3 The module electrode 4 exposed to the outside by the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9y for the low temperature region is used as a heat receiving surface from a high-temperature heat source through a heat receiving plate (not shown) attached to 3 or the like. When brought into contact with a low heat source (not shown), the thermoelectric material elements 1x and 2x are sequentially connected in series by the heat received by the module electrode 3 of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x for the high temperature region. Since one of the module electrodes 3 and 4 is heated, the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module is used. Thermoelectric power generation is performed at 9x.

  When a part of the thermal energy is consumed by the thermoelectric power generation in the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9x for the high-temperature region, the heat flow is changed with each thermoelectric material element 1x of the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9x for the high-temperature region. After passing through 2x, the temperature is lowered, so that the thermoelectric performance is obtained at the low temperature skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y, and then the thermoelectric material elements 1x and 2x are obtained. From the module electrode 4 that connects the lower end surfaces of each other, the module electrode 3 of the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9y for the low temperature region passes through the insulating substrate 10 for bonding. Thereby, in the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y for the low temperature region, one of the module electrodes 3 and 4 that sequentially connects the thermoelectric material elements 1y and 2y in series is heated. Therefore, thermoelectric power generation is performed in the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y.

  Therefore, thermoelectric power generation is performed under such temperature conditions that good thermoelectric performance can be obtained by the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x for the high temperature region and the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y for the low temperature region. Therefore, thermoelectric power generation can be performed with high efficiency.

  At the time of thermoelectric power generation as described above, a temperature gradient is generated in the direction in which the heat flow acts on each of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y, but the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x for the high temperature region and The bonding insulating substrate 10 interposed between the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9y for the low temperature region is substantially the same as the module electrodes 3 and 4 to be bonded to the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y. Since it is a thing of a small area, the deformation amount of the module expansion direction by the thermal expansion of each insulating substrate 10 for joining can be restrained small. Moreover, since each of the bonding insulating substrates 10 is surrounded by the slits 11, deformation due to thermal expansion of each bonding insulating substrate 10 is absorbed by the surrounding slits 11, and the module spreading direction There is no possibility of affecting other bonding insulating substrates 10 adjacent in the plane. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the possibility that a large thermal stress acts on all the thermoelectric material elements 1x, 1y, 2x, 2y existing from the inner peripheral portion of the module to the outer peripheral portion.

  Therefore, the stress due to the thermal expansion in the module can be generated only in the module thickness direction, and the thermal stress spreads along the surface direction of the bonding insulating substrate 10 at the portion of the bonding insulating substrate 10. Therefore, the thermal stress acting on the thermoelectric material elements 1x, 2x and 1y, 2y in the stacked skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y can be alleviated.

  Further, during the thermoelectric power generation, the heat flow that has passed through the high-temperature region skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x has an area that exceeds the heat flow passage area in the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x. Since it can be received by the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y for the low temperature region through the insulating substrate 10, the possibility that the thermoelectric performance is lowered can be suppressed.

  As described above, in the thermoelectric conversion cascade module of the present invention, the joint area can be reduced without reducing the main heat flow passage area, so that the stress of the part where the thermal stress of the entire module is concentrated can be reduced. It is possible to prevent the module from being broken (increase in resistance), and for this reason, it is possible to increase the area of the entire module in the spreading direction.

  In addition, since there are no components such as an insulating substrate continuous in the module spreading direction between the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9x for the high temperature region and the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9y for the low temperature region to be stacked, The accuracy can be somewhat reduced, which can be advantageous in terms of cost.

  By the way, the deformation accompanying the temperature change of the object is governed by the product of the linear expansion coefficient and the temperature and the size. Therefore, if the size of the object is somewhat small, the deformation amount due to the thermal expansion is suppressed to be relatively small. Is possible.

  In view of this, the size (size) of the bonding insulating substrate 10 interposed between the opposing module electrodes 4 and 3 of the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y in the thermoelectric conversion cascade module of the present invention is determined. Instead of having a small area corresponding to each of the module electrodes 3 and 4 of each of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y as shown in FIGS. You may enlarge a little. That is, the size of the bonding insulating substrate 10 correlates with the amount of deformation accompanying the thermal expansion of the bonding insulating substrate 10, which is a required temperature when the thermoelectric conversion cascade module of the present invention is used. Further, the deformation amount accompanying the thermal expansion of the bonding insulating substrate 10 and the high temperature skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x bonded to the bonding insulating substrate 10 due to the deformation of the bonding insulating substrate 10. Of thermal stress that acts on the thermoelectric material elements 1x, 2x and 1y, 2y respectively attached to the module electrode 4 and the module electrode 3 of the low-temperature skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y Is correlated. For this reason, the size of the bonding insulating substrate 10 is the same as that of the thermoelectric material elements 1x, 2x and 1y, 2y of the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y when the thermoelectric conversion cascade module of the present invention is used. It will affect the magnitude of the thermal stress that will act on it. Therefore, when the thermoelectric conversion cascade module of the present invention is used, the thermal stress acting on each thermoelectric material element 1x, 2x, 1y, 2y of each skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x, 9y is affected by each thermoelectric material element. The size of the bonding insulating substrate 10 may be slightly increased as long as it is within a range that can be suppressed to such an extent that damage to 1x, 2x, 1y, and 2y is not caused.

  2A and 2B, the size of the bonding insulating substrate 10 is larger than the size corresponding to each of the module electrodes 3 and 4 of each of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y. FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the present invention in the case of enlargement. That is, in the same configuration as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the module electrode 4 of the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9x for the high-temperature region and the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9y for the low-temperature region, which are stacked. A plurality of module electrodes 3, 4, for example, four module electrodes 3, 4 close to each other in the vertical and horizontal directions in FIG. An insulating substrate 10a for bonding is disposed in close proximity to the module electrodes 3 and 4 which are arranged so as to face each other between the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y for the high temperature region and the low temperature region, which are stacked. Each set is disposed so as to be interposed, and the above-mentioned four sets of module electrodes 3 and 4 facing each other are bonded together to one bonding insulating substrate 10a. Than it is. 2A and 2B, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  By adopting such a configuration, the same effects as those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B can be obtained.

  FIG. 3 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In the same configuration as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the bonding insulating substrate is connected to the module electrodes 3 and 4 to be bonded. Instead of the rectangular bonding insulating substrate 10 having a substantially similar size, a narrow area having a width dimension substantially the same as that of the module electrodes 3 and 4 to be bonded is a skeleton type thermoelectric conversion for a high temperature range. Series connection circuit of thermoelectric material elements 1x and 2x via module electrodes 3 and 4 of module 9x for operation, and thermoelectric material elements via module electrodes 3 and 4 of skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y for low temperature region The bonding insulating substrate 10b has a shape extending so as to meander along the arrangement of 1y and 2y series connection circuits.

  In the bonding insulating substrate 10b, for example, a plurality of parallel slits 11 in the horizontal direction in the vertical direction are formed on a flat plate-like insulating substrate extending over the entire module spreading direction (up, down, left and right in FIG. 3). In addition, by providing the slits 11 arranged in the vertical direction in the figure so as to alternately reach the left and right sides, a narrow area (small size) divided in the vertical direction in the figure by the slits 11 is provided. The area of the area) is formed in a continuous shape while alternately meandering to the left and right. Further, module electrodes 4 and 3 are arranged on both surfaces of the bonding insulating substrate 10b so as to face each other between the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y for the high temperature region and the low temperature region arranged in a stacked manner. Are joined to each other. In FIG. 3, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  Also in this embodiment, the same effects as those shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B can be obtained.

  Next, FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the thermoelectric material elements 1x, 2x and 1y, 2y in the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y for the high temperature region and the low temperature region to be stacked are arranged. An application example when the areas are different is shown.

  That is, when the composition of the thermoelectric material element changes, the physical property value such as electric resistance may change. For this reason, in the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y for the high temperature region and the low temperature region, which are laminated to constitute the same thermoelectric conversion cascade module as shown in FIGS. Differences in physical property values such as electrical resistance may occur between the thermoelectric material elements 1x and 2x for high temperature region and the thermoelectric material elements 1y and 2y for low temperature region that are used. Thus, in each of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y for the high temperature region and low temperature region using the thermoelectric material elements 1x, 2x and 1y, 2y having different physical properties, desired thermoelectric performance can be obtained. In order to do so, the cross-sectional areas of the thermoelectric material elements 1x, 2x and 1y, 2y used may be different. For example, in FIG. 4, the individual thermoelectric material elements 1 y and 2 y of the low-temperature region skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9 y disposed on the lower side are the high-temperature region skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules 9 x disposed on the upper side. The size is almost the same as that of the module electrode 4 at the lower end.

  Thus, when the cross-sectional areas of the thermoelectric material elements 1x, 2x, 1y, and 2y are different between the stacked skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y, the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y The bonding insulating substrate 10c having an area corresponding to the module electrode 3 connecting at least the thermoelectric material elements 1y and 2y having a larger cross-sectional area is used as the bonding insulating substrate to be interposed therebetween. Thus, the size of the bonding insulating substrate 10c is set to be slightly larger than the main heat flow passage area in the thermoelectric material elements 1y and 2y having the larger cross-sectional area.

  Therefore, the thermoelectric conversion cascade module according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, has the same configuration as that shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, and the thermoelectric material of the low-temperature skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y. As described above, the elements 1y and 2y have a larger cross-sectional area than the thermoelectric material elements 1x and 2x of the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9x for the high temperature region, and each of the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x. Between the module electrode 4 of the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9x and the module electrode 3 of the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9y disposed opposite to each other between the thermoelectric material elements 1y and 2y. The slits 11 exist at intervals of almost the same size as the module electrode 3 of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y used. The bonding insulating substrate 10c divided so as to be arranged is disposed, and two module electrodes 4 of the upper skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x are bonded to the upper surface of the bonding insulating substrate 10c. The module electrodes 3 of the lower skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y are bonded to the lower surface of the insulating substrate 10c one by one.

  In addition, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  Also according to the present embodiment, the bonding area via the bonding insulating substrate 10c of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y in the module spreading direction is reduced for each bonding without reducing the main heat flow passage area of the entire module. Since each insulating substrate 10c can be reduced by being divided into small areas within the plane in the module spreading direction, the same effect as shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and (B) can be obtained.

  Next, FIG. 5 shows still another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y for the high temperature region and the low temperature region to be laminated are combined. A bonding insulating substrate 10 divided into a small area so that the slits 11 exist in the plane in the module spreading direction is interposed between the upper and lower surfaces of the bonding insulating substrate 10. The skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9x has a module electrode 4 at the lower end and a module electrode 3 at the upper end of the lower skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module 9y. Between the thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y, the bonding insulating substrate 12 is disposed over the entire surface in the module spreading direction, and the bonding insulating base The upper skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x lower end module electrode 4 and the lower skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y upper end module electrode 3 are elastically bonded to the upper and lower surfaces of 12, respectively, with high thermal conductivity. It is configured to be joined by the agent 13.

  The elastic adhesive 13 has heat resistance against temperature conditions and high thermal conductivity that will act on the insulating insulating substrate 12 portion when the cascade module for thermoelectric conversion of the present invention is used, and further, the insulating insulating substrate for bonding. 12. The interface contacting the lower surface of the module electrode 4 of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x and the upper surface of the module electrode 3 of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y adheres firmly, but the material itself is flexible even after curing ( A resin-based adhesive having elasticity) is used.

  In addition, the same components as those shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  When the thermoelectric conversion cascade module according to the present embodiment is used and a required temperature condition is applied, if the deformation due to thermal expansion occurs in the bonding insulating substrate 12, the deformation is caused by the bonding insulating substrate 12 and the skeleton. Elastic bonding between the module electrode 4 of the type thermoelectric conversion module 9x and between the insulating substrate 12 for bonding and the module electrode 3 of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y with flexibility. After the adhesive 13 itself is deformed, the amount of displacement is reduced, and then transmitted to the module electrodes 4 and 3 of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y, respectively.

  Therefore, each thermoelectric material element 1x, 2x attached to the module electrode 4 of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x existing in the outer periphery of the module, and the thermoelectric attached to the module electrode 3 of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y. Also in the material elements 1y and 2y, it is possible to reduce the thermal stress generated in the thermoelectric material elements 1x, 2x, 1y and 2y due to the deformation due to the thermal expansion of the bonding insulating substrate 12. Since the bonding insulating substrate 12 is provided over the entire surface in the module spreading direction, the heat flow passage area of the entire module is not reduced.

  From the above, this embodiment can also reduce the stress at the portion where the thermal stress is concentrated in the entire module and prevent the module from being broken (increase in resistance). It is possible to increase the area in the spreading direction.

  In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, It is good also as a structure as shown below. That is, the thermoelectric material elements 1x, 2x, 1y, and 2y of the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module to be laminated are bismuth-tellurium-based, lead-tellurium-based, silicon-germanium-based, cobalt-antimony according to the desired temperature range at the time of use. As a system, a silicide system, etc., by changing the basic element of the material, the temperature range where good thermoelectric performance can be obtained may be different, or without changing the basic element of the material of each of the above systems, Thermoelectric material elements 1x, 2x, 1y, and 2y are used in which the temperature range in which good thermoelectric performance is obtained is changed by changing the ratio of each element, other additive elements, manufacturing method (manufacturing conditions), and the like. You may do it.

  In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), four module electrodes 3 and 4 adjacent to each other in the vertical and horizontal directions in FIG. 2 (b) in the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y of each layer. However, the number of module electrodes 3 and 4 to be joined by one joining insulating substrate 10a depends on the size of the joining insulating substrate 10a. Two, three, or five or more module electrodes 3 and 4 are joined together according to the shape and the size and arrangement interval of the module electrodes 3 and 4 in each of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y. It may be bonded to the insulating substrate 10a for use.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the number of module electrodes 4 of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9 x bonded to one bonding insulating substrate 10 c and the number of module electrodes 3 of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9 y are determined according to each module. Depending on the size of the electrodes 4 and 3, the magnitude relationship between them, the arrangement interval of the module electrodes 3 and 4, the size of the bonding insulating substrate 10c, etc., the number may be appropriately increased or decreased. Further, a larger number of module electrodes 3 of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y for the low temperature region are attached to one bonding insulating substrate 10c than the module electrode 4 of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9x for the high temperature region. It may be.

  The insulating substrates 10a, 10b, and 10c for bonding in the embodiment of FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the embodiment of FIG. 3 and the embodiment of FIG. 4 are bonded when the thermoelectric conversion cascade module of the present invention is used. Of the thermal stress that acts on the thermoelectric material elements 1x, 2x and 1y, 2y of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9x and 9y due to deformation due to thermal expansion of the insulating substrates 10a, 10b, and 10c. The size and shape may be freely set as long as the size is within a range in which the thermoelectric material elements 1x, 2x, 1y, and 2y can be suppressed to such a degree that damage is not caused.

  The bonding insulating substrates 10, 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, and 12 have heat resistance that can correspond to the use environment of the thermoelectric conversion cascade module of the present invention, and are skeleton type thermoelectric conversion modules 9 x arranged on both upper and lower sides. As long as the module electrode 4 can be insulated from the module electrode 3 of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 9y, an insulating film is formed on a substrate made of a required non-insulating material, other than ceramics such as alumina or aluminum nitride May be used. Furthermore, in the embodiment of FIG. 5, if the elastic adhesive 13 has an insulating property, it is possible to eliminate the need for the substrate to be made of an insulating material.

  The number of skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules to be stacked is shown as two layers for the high temperature region and the low temperature region in each of the above embodiments. However, three temperature gradients are applied from the high temperature side to the low temperature side. As described above, skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules formed using thermoelectric material elements that can obtain good thermoelectric performance in each temperature range are laminated in three or more layers according to the temperature gradient. Also good. In this case, the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules in the layers adjacent to each other are connected to each other in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and (b), the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and (b), and the embodiment shown in FIG. As in the embodiment of FIG. 4 or FIG. 4, the bonding is performed by interposing the insulating insulating substrates 10, 10 a, 10 b, and 10 c divided into regions having a small area within the plane in the module spreading direction, or the implementation of FIG. As in the embodiment, any method of joining via the insulating insulating substrate 12 and the elastic adhesive 13 over the entire surface in the module spreading direction may be adopted, and the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion of the adjacent layer Of the joining methods shown in the above embodiments, a different joining method may be employed for each joining portion between the modules for use.

  The thermoelectric conversion cascade module of the present invention can be applied to thermoelectric conversion modules for performing thermoelectric cooling and thermoelectric heating other than thermoelectric power generation, and other various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Of course.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One Embodiment of the cascade module for thermoelectric conversion of this invention is shown, (A) is a schematic side view, (B) is an AA direction arrow directional view of (A). The other form of implementation of this invention is shown, (A) is a schematic side view, (B) is a BB direction arrow directional view of (A). It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 1 (b) which shows other form of implementation of this invention. It is a schematic side view which shows another form of implementation of this invention. It is a schematic side view which shows another form of implementation of this invention. It is a side view which shows the outline of an example of the module for thermoelectric conversion generally used. It is a schematic side view which shows the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module proposed conventionally. It is a schematic side view which shows the cascade module for thermoelectric conversion conventionally proposed.

Explanation of symbols

1x, 1y P-type thermoelectric material element 2x, 2y N-type thermoelectric material element 3 Module electrode 4 Module electrode 9x, 9y Skeleton type thermoelectric conversion module 10, 10a, 10b, 10c Bonding insulating substrate 11 Slit 12 Bonding insulating substrate 13 Elastic adhesive

Claims (4)

  A skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module having a structure in which one end portions and other end portions of interleaved P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements are sequentially connected by module electrodes has a temperature range in which thermoelectric performance is superior. A plurality of skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules are formed by using different thermoelectric material elements, and a plurality of skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules each having a different temperature range where each thermoelectric performance is superior are arranged in accordance with a temperature gradient. The module electrodes facing each other between the modules are bonded together with a bonding insulating substrate divided into small areas so that the required slit exists in the plane of the module spreading direction. The cascade module for thermoelectric conversion characterized by having the structure which consists of.   The cascade module for thermoelectric conversion according to claim 1, wherein the insulating substrate for bonding has the same size as a module electrode facing each other between the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules.   The thermoelectric conversion cascade according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the bonding insulating substrate has the same size as the larger module electrode among the module electrodes facing each other between the skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules. module.   A skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion module having a structure in which one end portions and other end portions of interleaved P-type and N-type thermoelectric material elements are sequentially connected by module electrodes has a temperature range in which thermoelectric performance is superior. A plurality of skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules are formed by using different thermoelectric material elements, and a plurality of skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion modules each having a different temperature range where each thermoelectric performance is superior are arranged in accordance with a temperature gradient. 1. A thermoelectric conversion cascade module comprising a structure in which module electrodes facing each other are bonded to both surfaces of a bonding insulating substrate by an elastic adhesive having high thermal conductivity.

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