JP2007149841A - Thermal power generating system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermal power generating system capable of properly holding a thermal generator between a heating part and a cooling part. <P>SOLUTION: An exhaust thermal generating system 10 comprises a plurality of thermal power generation modules 16 that generate an electromotive force by temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side, a high temperature side heat exchanger 12 contacting the high temperature sides of the plurality of thermal power generation modules 16, a low temperature side heat exchanger 14 so contacting the low temperature sides of the plurality of thermal power generation modules 16 as to sandwich the thermal power generation module 16 with the high temperature side heat exchanger 12, a disc spring 45 that applies a load for holding the plurality of thermal power generation modules 16 by sandwiching them between the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 and the low temperature side heat exchanger 14, and a load adjusting mechanism 50 capable of independently adjusting a holding load by the disc spring 45 for each of the plurality of thermal power generation modules 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermoelectric generator that generates power using heat of a high-temperature fluid such as exhaust of an automobile engine.

Some vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with a thermoelectric generator that generates electric power using exhaust heat of an engine (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this technique, a thermoelectric generator is configured by sandwiching a plurality of thermoelectric generators arranged above and below an exhaust pipe (cylindrical body) between a high temperature side member and a low temperature side member. The thermoelectric generator is fixed to the high-temperature side member and the low-temperature side member by a method such as low-temperature soldering, brazing, or bonding, and unitized. In this state, the high-temperature side member is bolted to the exhaust pipe.
JP 2002-325470 A

  However, in the conventional technology as described above, since the three members (parts to be joined) of the thermoelectric generator, the high temperature side member, and the low temperature side member are fixed by a joining material such as a brazing material, the deterioration of the joining material There is a concern that the bonding between the parts to be joined is weakened due to deformation of the joined parts.

  In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain a thermoelectric generator that can appropriately hold a thermoelectric generator between a heating unit and a cooling unit.

  In order to achieve the above object, a thermoelectric generator according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of thermoelectric generators that generate electromotive force due to a temperature difference between a high temperature side and a low temperature side, and a high temperature of the plurality of thermoelectric generators. A heating unit that is in contact with the heating unit, a cooling unit that is in contact with the low temperature side of the thermoelectric generator so as to sandwich the thermoelectric generator between the heating unit, and the heating unit and the cooling unit Holding load applying means for applying a load for sandwiching and holding the load, and load adjusting means capable of independently adjusting the holding load by the holding load applying means for each of the plurality of thermoelectric generators, I have.

  In the thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, the thermoelectric generator is generated (maintained) when the high temperature side (heat absorption side) is heated by the heating unit and the low temperature side (heat dissipation side) is cooled by the cooling unit. An electromotive force is generated by the temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side. In this thermoelectric generator, the state where the thermoelectric generator is sandwiched and held between the heating part and the cooling part is maintained by the load from the holding load applying means.

  Here, since the present thermoelectric generator includes load adjusting means that can independently adjust the holding load by the holding load applying means for each thermoelectric generator, the contact surface pressure with respect to the heating unit and the cooling unit of each thermoelectric generator. (Load) can be adjusted individually. For this reason, for example, even when the cooling units corresponding to the plurality of thermoelectric generators are not uniformly deformed, the contact pressure can be adjusted to an appropriate value according to the deformation state of each cooling unit.

  Thus, in the thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, the thermoelectric generator can be appropriately held between the heating unit and the cooling unit.

  The thermoelectric generator according to a second aspect of the present invention is the thermoelectric generator according to the first aspect, wherein the holding load applying means includes an elastic body disposed in a compressed state between a base portion and the cooling portion. The load adjusting means is a movable load receiving portion provided in the base portion or the cooling portion and capable of adjusting the compression amount of the elastic body.

  In the thermoelectric generator according to claim 2, a holding load based on the restoring force of the elastic body of the compression-like body is input to the cooling unit, and this load is supported by the heating unit via the thermoelectric generator. For this reason, it is suppressed that a base receives the thermal influence of a heating part and deform | transforms. Since the amount of compression of the elastic body (distance in the elastic body compression direction between the base portion and the cooling portion) is adjusted (changed or maintained) by the displacement of the movable load receiving portion, the structure is simple and the reliability is high.

  A thermoelectric generator according to a third aspect of the present invention is the thermoelectric generator according to the first or second aspect, wherein the cooling unit transmits the load of the holding load applying means to the thermoelectric generator. The portions are arranged corresponding to the central portion and the peripheral portion of the thermoelectric generator.

  In the thermoelectric generator of claim 3, the load input from the holding load applying means to the cooling unit is transmitted to the heating unit via the thermoelectric generator and is supported by the heating unit. Since the cooling unit is provided with a plurality of load transmission portions corresponding to the central portion and the peripheral portion of the thermoelectric generator, the plurality of load transmission portions apply a substantially uniform load to each portion of the thermoelectric generator to thereby generate the heat. The power generator can be held between the heating unit and the cooling unit.

  The thermoelectric generator according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the thermoelectric generator according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the cooling unit applies the load of the holding load applying means to the thermoelectric generator. A plurality of load transmission parts for transmitting, and a load equalizing means for accelerating the uniformization of the load transmitted from the plurality of load transmission parts to the thermoelectric generator.

  In the thermoelectric generator according to claim 4, the load input from the holding load applying means to the cooling unit is transmitted to the heating unit via the thermoelectric generator and is supported by the heating unit. Since the load equalization means is provided, the load transmitted by the plurality of load transmission units to the thermoelectric generator is equalized, and a substantially uniform load is applied to each part of the thermoelectric generator so that the thermoelectric generator is heated and cooled. Can be held between.

  The thermoelectric generator according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the thermoelectric generator according to the fourth aspect, wherein the load equalizing means is provided in each of the plurality of load transmitting portions, and the load from the holding load applying means is used. It includes a crushing portion that plastically deforms and forms a load transmission path for transmitting the load of the holding load applying means from the cooling portion to the thermoelectric generator.

  6. The thermoelectric generator according to claim 5, wherein when the cooling unit receives the holding load of the holding load applying unit, the load equalizing unit plastically deforms and the thermoelectric generator from the load input unit from the holding load applying unit in the cooling unit. A load transmission path to the contact portion is formed. Thereby, for example, dimensional errors of a plurality of load transmission parts are absorbed by plastic deformation that does not generate a reaction force after deformation of the load equalizing means, and the transmission load by each load transmission part (each load transmission path) is made uniform. Can do.

  The thermoelectric generator according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the thermoelectric generator according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, wherein the cooling unit is configured to heat the refrigerant and the thermoelectric generator passing through the interior. The thermoelectric generator is cooled by replacement, and the plurality of load transmission portions include heat radiation fins for releasing heat transmitted from the contact portion with the thermoelectric generator to the refrigerant.

  In the thermoelectric generator according to claim 6, the heat of the thermoelectric generator is released to the refrigerant directly from the contact portion of the thermoelectric generator with the thermoelectric generator in the cooling unit or via the radiation fin. The low temperature side is cooled. Since at least a part of the radiating fin functions as a load transmission part in the cooling part, the load is increased without increasing the number of parts and without sacrificing the refrigerant flow path, and the holding load is dispersed to generate thermoelectric power. The load transmitted to each part of the body can be made uniform.

  The thermoelectric generator according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the thermoelectric generator according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the heating section is formed by a heat medium passing through the interior and the thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator is heated by heat exchange, and the inner surface of the contact portion with the thermoelectric generator among a plurality of load support portions for supporting the load from the holding load applying means is The contact portion is formed in a spherical shape so as to be thinnest at the center of the thermoelectric generator.

  In the thermoelectric generator according to claim 7, the heating unit supports the load input via the cooling unit and the thermoelectric generator at the load support unit, and the heat of the heat medium passing through the interior of the thermoelectric generator. Transmit to the high temperature side and absorb (heat). The inner surface (heat medium side) opposite to the thermoelectric generator side in the contact portion of the heating portion with the thermoelectric generator is formed in a spherical shape (spherical concave shape) with a thin central portion of the thermoelectric generator in the contact portion. Therefore, the rigidity of the heating part can be improved without increasing the thickness of the contact part as a whole.

  As described above, the thermoelectric generator according to the present invention has an excellent effect that the thermoelectric generator can be appropriately held between the heating unit and the cooling unit.

  An exhaust thermoelectric generator 10 that is a thermoelectric generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. In the following description, for the sake of convenience, the side indicated by arrow U is the upper side, the direction indicated by arrow W is the width direction, and the side indicated by arrow F is the upstream side in the exhaust gas flow direction.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic overall configuration of the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10 in a side view, and FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line 1-1 of FIG. 4 is a side sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a plan sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10 includes a high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 as a heating unit and a low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 as a cooling unit. A plurality of thermoelectric generator modules 16 are sandwiched. Each thermoelectric generation module 16 is formed in a rectangular shape in plan view that is flattened in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 is formed in a flat rectangular shape whose vertical height is smaller than the width, and a plurality of high temperature side heat exchangers 12 are provided between the upper surface 12A and the upper low temperature side heat exchanger 14. The thermoelectric generation modules 16 are sandwiched and held, and the same number of thermoelectric generation modules 16 are sandwiched and held between the lower surface 12B and the lower low-temperature side heat exchanger 14. In this embodiment, the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10 holds four thermoelectric generator modules 16 in the exhaust gas flow direction and two in the width direction on one side of the high temperature side heat exchanger 12. A total of 16 thermoelectric generator modules 16 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 has a structure in which heat collecting fins 20 are disposed in a high temperature side heat exchanger case 18 formed in a flat rectangular shape. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the high temperature side heat exchanger case 18 has an upstream end 18A connected to a downstream end of a catalytic converter 22 for purifying exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine of an automobile via a connection duct 22A. The downstream end 18B is connected to the upstream end of the exhaust pipe connecting portion 24 via a connection duct 24A.

  At the upstream end of the catalytic converter 22, a flange 22 </ b> B connected to an unillustrated exhaust manifold assembly or an exhaust pipe is provided. At the downstream end of the exhaust pipe connecting portion 24, a muffler (not shown) or a flange 24B connected to the exhaust pipe is provided. As a result, the high temperature side heat exchanger case 18 allows the exhaust gas introduced from the internal combustion engine through the catalytic converter 22 to pass through and is discharged to the muffler or the like via the exhaust pipe connecting portion 24. Yes.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the heat collecting fin 20 is a so-called corrugated fin in which fin portions 20B located on both sides of the folded portion 20A folded at the upper end and the lower end are arranged at predetermined intervals and formed in a substantially staggered pattern. ing. The heat collection fins 20 are configured to effectively recover the heat of the exhaust gas. In this embodiment, the heat collection fins 20 are divided in the exhaust gas flow direction corresponding to the number (four) of the thermoelectric generator modules 16 in series in the flow direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the end in the width direction of each heat collection fin 20 is held at a predetermined position in the exhaust gas flow direction by positioning claws 25 provided in the high temperature side heat exchanger case 18.

  And in this embodiment, as FIG. 6 shows, the high temperature side heat exchanger case 18 which comprises the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 is from the width direction both ends of the rectangular top plate 26A corresponding to the planar view shape. The upper half 26 in which the side walls 26B are suspended and the lower half 28 in which the side walls 28B are erected from both ends in the width direction of the bottom plate 28A formed in a rectangular shape corresponding to the top plate 26A, respectively. It is configured by abutting and joining end portions in the vertical direction of 28B.

  Spherical recesses 30 are formed on the inner surfaces of the contact portions (eight locations each) with the thermoelectric generator modules 16 in the top plate 26A and the bottom plate 28A. That is, the thickness of the top plate 26A and the bottom plate 28A is changed from the peripheral part to the center part of each thermoelectric module 16, and the thickness corresponding to the center part of the thermoelectric module 16 is the smallest. Has been. The spherical concave portion 30 disperses the vertical load acting on the outer surface side of the top plate 26A and the bottom plate 28A in the spherical direction (converts the acting direction), thereby improving the bending rigidity of the top plate 26A and the bottom plate 28A with respect to the vertical load. The configuration is improved.

  Further, in the high temperature side heat exchanger case 18, the center portion in the width direction of the top plate 26 </ b> A (the portion between the spherical recesses 30 adjacent in the width direction) and the center portion in the width direction (the spherical surface adjacent in the width direction) of the bottom plate 28 </ b> A. Compression reinforcement walls 32 positioned between the concave portions 30) and the exhaust gas flow direction. The compression reinforcing wall 32 supports a vertical compressive load acting on the high temperature side heat exchanger case 18. The compression reinforcing wall 32 is provided continuously or intermittently along the flow direction of the exhaust gas.

  The heat collection fins 20 are joined to the top plate 26A or the bottom plate 28A to which the folded portions 20A correspond by, for example, brazing. In order to avoid the compression reinforcing wall 32, the heat collecting fins 20 are divided into, for example, two in the width direction, or the compression reinforcing wall 32 is integrated at the center in the width direction. In FIG. 1, the illustration of the compression reinforcing wall 32 is omitted. In this embodiment, the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 through which high-temperature exhaust gas circulates has a high-temperature side heat exchanger case 18 (upper half 26, lower half 28), heat collecting fins 20, and compression reinforcing walls 32, for example, stainless steel. It is made of a metal material with good heat resistance (creep resistance) such as steel.

  Each of the plurality of thermoelectric generation modules 16 is configured by modularizing a large number of thermoelectric generation elements (not shown), and is formed in a flat rectangular shape as described above. Each thermoelectric module 16 generates an electromotive force due to a temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side. Therefore, each thermoelectric generation module 16 has the high temperature side surface 16A in contact with the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 (the top plate 26A or the bottom plate 28A) and the low temperature side surface 16B in contact with the low temperature side heat exchanger 14. .

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 is formed in a rectangular shape having a length and width substantially equal to the high temperature side heat exchanger case 18 in a plan view and flattened in the vertical direction. Is formed. Hereinafter, when the upper and lower low-temperature side heat exchangers 14 are described separately, the low-temperature side heat exchangers that hold the eight thermoelectric generator modules 16 sandwiched between the upper surface 12A of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 are described. 14A, and what holds and holds the eight thermoelectric generation modules 16 between the lower surface 12B of the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 is referred to as a low temperature side heat exchanger 14B.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 has a low temperature side heat exchange in which a peripheral wall 34B is erected from the peripheral edge of a rectangular top plate 34A corresponding to the shape in plan view and opened to the thermoelectric generator module 16 side. The engine case 34 and a lid plate 36 formed in a rectangular shape corresponding to the top plate 34A are provided, and the open end of the low-temperature side heat exchanger case 34 is closed by the lid plate 36, thereby cooling the engine as a refrigerant. A cooling water flow path 38 through which water flows is formed.

  Further, in this embodiment, from the central part in the width direction of the top plate 34A, the free end is abutted against the cover plate 36, and the cooling water flow path 38 is divided into two cooling water flow paths 38A and 38B that are arranged in parallel in the width direction. A partition wall 34C is provided upright. A waterproof packing 40 is interposed as a seal member between the peripheral wall 34B, the partition wall 34C, and the lid plate 36 to prevent leakage of engine cooling water.

  In this low temperature side heat exchanger 14, the low temperature side heat exchanger case 34 and the cover plate 36 are not joined, and the thermoelectric generation module 16 is sandwiched between the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 and the high temperature side heat exchanger 12. The low-temperature side heat exchanger case 34 and the lid plate 36 sandwiching the waterproof packing 40 maintain a state in which the cooling water flow path 38 is formed by a holding load described later for holding. Although not shown, the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 has a cooling water introduction part for introducing engine cooling water into the cooling water passages 38A and 38B, and an exhaust for discharging engine cooling water from the cooling water passages 38A and 38B. A cooling water discharge part is provided.

  Further, from the cover plate 36, a plurality of radiating fins 42 formed in a plate shape along the vertical direction and the cooling water flow direction (exhaust gas flow direction), respectively, are erected at regular intervals. In the closed state of the low temperature side heat exchanger case 34 by the cover plate 36, it is located in the cooling water flow paths 38A and 38B.

  A free end of each of the plurality of radiating fins 42 is in a state in which a holding load (described later) for holding the thermoelectric generator module 16 sandwiched between the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 and the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 does not act (non-holding) In the state), the height is set so that a gap C is formed between the top plate 34A and the top plate 34A as shown in FIG. 2A, which is a partially enlarged view of FIG. Thereby, the holding load by the disc spring 45 described later is configured to surely act on the waterproof packing 40 as a seal pressure.

  In the exhaust heat power generation apparatus 10, as further enlarged and shown in FIG. 2B, among the plurality of radiating fins 42, the radiating fins 42A located at the center in the width direction of the cooling water passages 38A and 38B The standing height from the lid plate 36 is higher than the heat radiation fin 42B, and the gap C1 with the top plate 34A is smaller than the gap C2 between the other heat radiation fin 42B and the rectangular top plate 34A in the above-described non-holding state. It is said that.

  The radiation fin 42A abuts on the top plate 34A when a holding load described later is applied (the gap C1 is consumed), and the holding power is transferred to the thermoelectric module through the lid plate 36 together with the peripheral wall 34B and the partition wall 34C. 16 is transmitted. Therefore, the heat radiating fins 42 </ b> A together with the peripheral wall 34 </ b> B and the partition wall 34 </ b> C of the low temperature side heat exchanger case 34 constitute a load transmission unit in the present invention. The gap C1 is set so that a required sealing pressure acts on the waterproof packing 40 from the peripheral wall 34B and the partition wall 34C in a state where the radiating fins 42A are in contact with the low temperature side heat exchanger case 34.

  The exhaust thermoelectric generator 10 includes a bracket 44 as a base, and a disc spring 45 as an elastic body that is disposed in a compressed state between the bracket 44 and the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 and constitutes a holding load applying means. I have. In the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10, the thermoelectric generator module 16 is connected between the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 and the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 by a holding load along the vertical direction based on the biasing force (restoring force) of the disc spring 45. It comes to hold.

  In the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10 in which the thermoelectric generator module 16 and the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 are arranged on both upper and lower sides of the high temperature side heat exchanger 12, the bracket 44 is not in contact with the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 as a load support portion. It is formed in an annular shape. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the bracket 44 includes a flange portion 44C in which half bodies 44A and 44B formed in a hat shape in front view are overlapped with bolts and nuts as main components. By being fixed by the fastening means 44D, the whole is formed in an annular shape as described above. The bracket 44 formed in an annular shape and not in contact with the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 is configured to be hardly affected by the heat from the high temperature side heat exchanger 12.

  The disc spring 45 is provided between the upper and lower low temperature side heat exchangers 14A and 14B and the bracket 44. In this embodiment, one disc spring 45 is provided for one thermoelectric generation module 16. It has been. Thereby, in the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10, the holding load of the disc spring 45 corresponding to each thermoelectric generation module 16 acts. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, respectively corresponding to two upper and lower thermoelectric generator modules 16 disposed along the circumferential direction of the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 (annularly on both upper and lower surfaces) ( A total of four disc springs 45 are provided, and the four disc springs 45 are supported by a common (one) bracket 44. Therefore, in this embodiment, the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10 has four brackets 44 arranged along the flow direction of the exhaust gas.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, a transmission plate 46 for load transmission (dispersion) is interposed between the disc spring 45 and the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 (top plate 34A). The transmission plate 46 is made of stainless steel and has high rigidity with respect to the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 made of aluminum alloy. A spring guide 48 surrounding the disc spring 45 is erected on the top plate 34 </ b> A of the low temperature side heat exchanger 14.

  1 and 2A, the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10 includes a load adjustment mechanism 50 that can adjust the holding load based on the compression amount of the disc spring 45, that is, the restoring force of the disc spring 45. Yes. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the load adjusting mechanism 50 is provided for each thermoelectric generation module 16 (four for each bracket 44) corresponding to the plurality of disc springs 45, that is, the thermoelectric generation modules 16. The holding load of the thermoelectric generator module 16 can be adjusted independently.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the load adjusting mechanism 50 includes a weld nut 52 fixed to a common bracket 44 and a through hole 54 of the bracket 44 that is threaded into the weld nut 52 through the bracket 44 from the outside. The main components are a load adjustment bolt (screw) 56 and a spring retainer plate 58 sandwiched between a tip 56A of the load adjustment bolt 56 penetrating the weld nut 52 and the disc spring 45.

  The load adjusting bolt 56 and the weld nut 52 constitute a feed mechanism having a self-locking function, and the spring presser plate 58 is moved in the vertical direction against the restoring force of the disc spring 45 by turning the load adjusting bolt 56. On the other hand, the load adjusting bolt 56 is not rotated by the restoring force of the disc spring 45 (the spring retainer plate 58 is driven).

  Thereby, in the load adjusting mechanism 50, when the load adjusting bolt 56 is turned, the presser plate 58 comes in contact with and separates from the top plate 34A of the low temperature side heat exchanger 14, and when the force to turn the load adjusting bolt 56 is removed, the spring presser plate 58 is removed. The position relative to the top plate 34A is maintained, and the holding load is adjusted according to the distance between the spring retainer plate 58 and the top plate 34A, that is, the amount of deformation of the disc spring 45. Further, a guide pin 58 </ b> A protrudes from the spring retainer plate 58, and the guide pin 58 </ b> A passes through a through hole 45 </ b> A provided in the axial center portion of the disc spring 45. The guide pin 58A and the guide 48 are configured to limit the compression direction along the vertical direction of the deformation direction of the disc spring 45.

  As described above, in the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10, the holding load accompanying the compression deformation of each disc spring 45 supported on the one end side by the load adjusting mechanism 50 (the spring holding plate 58, the load adjusting bolt 56, the weld nut 52). Is transmitted to the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 and the thermoelectric generator module 16 and supported by the high temperature side heat exchanger 12. In this embodiment in which the thermoelectric generator module 16 and the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 are disposed on the upper and lower surfaces of the high temperature side heat exchanger 12, the posture of the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 with respect to the bracket 44 so that the upper and lower holding loads are balanced. Is determined.

  Thus, the thermoelectric generator module 16 is sandwiched and held between the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 and the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 with a predetermined load. In this embodiment, the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10 has a uniform surface pressure in each thermoelectric generator module 16 sandwiched between the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 and the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 in the initial state (assembled state). Has been adjusted to work. This adjustment is performed, for example, by managing the amount of protrusion of the load adjusting bolt 56 relative to the bracket 44 or managing the tightening torque of the load adjusting bolt 56.

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  In the exhaust heat power generation apparatus 10 having the above-described configuration, when the internal combustion engine of the automobile is started, the exhaust gas of the engine is introduced into the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 (high temperature side heat exchanger case 18) via the catalytic converter 22. The The exhaust gas contacts the heat collecting fins 20, the top plate 26A, and the bottom plate 28A, exchanges heat with them, and gives heat to the top plate 26A and the bottom plate 28A. Thereby, the high temperature side of each thermoelectric generation module 16 is heated. The exhaust gas passing through the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 while being cooled by the heat exchange is discharged out of the apparatus through the exhaust pipe connecting portion 24.

  On the other hand, the engine coolant circulates in the order of, for example, the coolant flow paths 38A and 38B of the upper and lower low-temperature heat exchangers 14A and 14B, the internal combustion engine, and the radiator by the operation of a water pump (not shown) of the engine. The engine cooling water passing through the cooling water flow path 38 of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 contacts the heat radiating fins 42 and the lid plate 36 to exchange heat therewith, and takes heat from the lid plate 36. Thereby, the low temperature side of each thermoelectric generation module 16 is cooled.

  As described above, the high temperature side of each thermoelectric generation module 16 is heated by effectively using the heat of the exhaust gas, and the low temperature side of each thermoelectric generation module 16 is cooled by the engine cooling water. The temperature difference between the 16 high and low temperature sides is ensured, and each thermoelectric generation module 16 generates an electromotive force based on this temperature difference. That is, in the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10, each thermoelectric generator module 16 generates electric power. The generated electric power is stored in, for example, a battery that is a storage battery mounted on an automobile (charges the battery).

  By the way, in the exhaust heat power generator 10, each component undergoes a cooling cycle as it is operated and stopped (mainly, the internal combustion engine, that is, the operation and stop of the automobile). If the holding load transmission member to the thermoelectric generator module 16 such as the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 is stretched due to creep or the like during the heat cycle, the amount of compression of the disc spring 45 decreases and the thermoelectric generator module 16 The holding load may be reduced.

  Here, since the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10 has the disc spring 45 and the load adjusting mechanism 50 for each thermoelectric generation module 16, the holding load whose holding load is reduced by the above-described creep or the like is individually adjusted for each thermoelectric generation module 16. To return to the set value. The holding load can be adjusted by operating the load adjustment bolt 56 as described above, for example, during regular maintenance or when detecting a decrease in power generation capacity.

  Thereby, in the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10, the contact surface pressure between each thermoelectric module 16 and the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 and the low temperature side heat exchanger 14, that is, each thermoelectric module 16 and the high temperature side heat exchanger 12, the low temperature An appropriate surface contact state with the side heat exchanger 14 is ensured. Therefore, each thermoelectric generation module 16 has the contact heat resistance on the high temperature side and the low temperature side reduced (maintained in a low state), and the required power generation performance is maintained.

  In particular, since the load adjustment mechanism 50 constitutes a feed mechanism having a self-locking function with the load adjustment bolt 56 and the weld nut 52, the holding load can be reduced by the rotation angle of the load adjustment bolt 56 with a simple structure. Easy adjustment and high reliability of load adjustment. Thus, it has been realized that the holding load applying means is configured in a small size by using the disc spring 45 having a large load change (that is, a spring constant) with respect to the compression displacement. In addition, the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10 has a compact configuration in the vertical direction as compared with the case where another elastic body such as a compression coil spring is used.

  Here, in the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10, the radiating fin 42A located in the center in the width direction among the plurality of radiating fins 42 is configured so that the gap between the top plate 34A is smaller than the other radiating fins 42B. Therefore, the radiation fin 42 </ b> A functions as a load transmission member that contacts the top plate 34 </ b> A and transmits the holding load to the thermoelectric generator module 16 in the state of the action of the holding load by the disc spring 45.

  For this reason, in the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10, the holding load accompanying the compression deformation of each disc spring 45 is transmitted to the peripheral portion (width direction end) of the corresponding thermoelectric module 16 via the peripheral wall 34B and the partition wall 34C. At the same time, the heat is transmitted to the center portion in the width direction of the corresponding thermoelectric generation module 16 via the radiation fins 42A. As a result, each thermoelectric power generation module 16 has a uniform surface pressure acting on each part due to the holding load, and an appropriate surface contact state between the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 and the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 is ensured. The contact thermal resistance on the low temperature side is effectively reduced, and the required power generation performance is maintained.

  In comparison with the comparative example shown in FIG. 10A, this comparative example prevents each radiating fin 42 from coming into contact with the top plate 34A in a holding load acting state in order to ensure the sealing pressure of the waterproof packing 40. The gap C is set. In this configuration, even if the top plate 34A is bent by the holding load from the disc spring 45, the central portion in the width direction of the top plate 34A is not supported, so the holding load is transmitted to the thermoelectric generator module 16 only from the peripheral walls 34B and 34C. . For this reason, if the rigidity of the cover plate 36 is low, the cover plate 36 bends (see the imaginary line in FIG. 10A), and the contact surface pressure with the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 at the center of the thermoelectric generator module 16 decreases. The contact thermal resistance will increase. If the rigidity of the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14 (the cover plate 36) is increased as a countermeasure, that is, if the thickness of the cover plate 36 is increased, the entire apparatus becomes heavy. In addition, the heat capacity of the cover plate 36 is increased and the heat radiation area is also increased, so that the heat transfer performance, that is, the power generation performance between the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 and the thermoelectric generation module 16 is lowered.

  On the other hand, in the exhaust heat power generator 10 according to the present embodiment, as described above, a part (one in this embodiment) of the plurality of radiating fins 42 is used as the load transmission unit. Uniform holding surface pressure acting on the thermoelectric generator module 16 while reducing the thickness of the cover plate 36 without relying on the high rigidity of the cover plate 36), that is, without reducing the weight of the device and the heat transfer performance. Can be achieved. Moreover, since the clearance C1 between the radiation fins 42A and the top plate 34A is set so as to ensure the sealing pressure of the waterproof packing 40, the waterproof performance of the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 does not deteriorate.

  Further, in the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10, spherical surfaces are respectively formed on the inner surfaces of the contact portions of the top plate 26 </ b> A and the bottom plate 28 </ b> A of the high temperature side heat exchanger case 18 constituting the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 with the thermoelectric generator modules 16. Since the concave portions 30 are formed, the surface rigidity of the contact portions of the top plate 26A and the bottom plate 28A with the thermoelectric generator modules 16 is high. For this reason, in the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 having the highest temperature among the components of the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10, the thermoelectric generator module 16 is sandwiched between the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 and the low temperature side heat exchanger 14. A holding load for holding can be supported.

  In comparison with the comparative example shown in FIG. 10B, in this comparative example, the top plate 26 </ b> A and the bottom plate 28 </ b> A of the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 are formed in a simple flat plate shape without the spherical recess 30. . In this configuration, when the rigidity of the top plate 26A and the bottom plate 28A is insufficient, the top plate 26A and the bottom plate 28A to which the holding load is transmitted from the thermoelectric generator module 16 is bent (see an imaginary line in FIG. 10B). The contact surface pressure with the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 in the center portion of the thermoelectric generator module 16 decreases, and the contact thermal resistance increases. As a countermeasure, if the thickness of the top plate 26A and the bottom plate 28A is increased and the rigidity is secured, the entire apparatus becomes heavy. In addition, the heat capacity of the top plate 26A and the bottom plate 28A is increased and the heat radiation area is also increased, so that the heat transfer performance, that is, the power generation performance between the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 and the thermoelectric generation module 16 is lowered.

  On the other hand, in the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10 according to the present embodiment, the spherical recess 30 is recessed (thinned) as described above to improve the rigidity of the top plate 26A and the bottom plate 28A. The top plate 26A and the bottom plate 28A are both thinned and secured with rigidity by an appropriate distribution of thickness, so that heat is not generated in the high-temperature side heat exchanger 12 without increasing the weight of the device and lowering the heat transfer performance. The holding load of the power generation module 16 can be properly supported. Thereby, the contact thermal resistance between the thermoelectric generator module 16 and the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 is effectively reduced, and the required power generation performance is maintained.

  As described above, in the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10 according to the first embodiment, the thermoelectric generator module 16 can be properly held between the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 and the low temperature side heat exchanger 14.

  Further, in the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10, since the rigidity of the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 is ensured as described above, the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 is configured in a rectangular shape, and the fin efficiency is substantially reduced in each part in the width direction. It was realized to be constant. In addition, in this embodiment, the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 is configured in a flat rectangular shape, thereby efficiently arranging the plurality of thermoelectric generator modules 16. Further, the arrangement of the thermoelectric generator modules 16 makes it possible to efficiently lay connections (wiring) between the thermoelectric generator modules 16 (not shown).

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The parts and portions that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment or the previous configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment or the previous configuration, and the description thereof is omitted. May be omitted.

(Second Embodiment)
FIG. 7 (A) shows a partially enlarged front sectional view of an exhaust heat power generator 60 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 includes heat collecting fins 62 in which a large number of plate-like fins 62A are arranged in parallel in the width direction instead of the heat collecting fins 20 that are corrugated fins. Yes. The heat collection fins 62 are configured as fin modules in which a separator (not shown) is sandwiched between the upper and lower ends of many plate-like fins 62A and integrated.

  The low temperature side heat exchanger 14 constituting the exhaust heat power generator 60 includes a low temperature side heat exchanger case 64 and two cover bodies 66 instead of the low temperature side heat exchanger case 34 and the cover plate 36. . The low temperature side heat exchanger case 64 has a rectangular top plate 64A corresponding to the high temperature side heat exchanger case 18 in plan view, and a peripheral wall 64B erected from the periphery of the top plate 64A. It opens to the module 16 side. Each cover body 66 includes a lid plate 66A formed in a rectangular shape such that the top plate 64A is divided at the center in the width direction, and a peripheral wall 66B erected from the periphery of the lid plate 66A. Open on the opposite side. In the low temperature side heat exchanger case 64, a partition wall member 68 that divides the space in the low temperature side heat exchanger case 64 into two in the width direction over the entire length is disposed.

  In the low temperature side heat exchanger 14, the opening end of the peripheral wall 64B of the low temperature side heat exchanger case 64 and the partition wall member 68 whose one end is abutted against the top plate 64A are abutted against the opening end of the peripheral wall 66B of each cover body 66. As a result, the cooling water flow paths 38A and 38B are formed. The waterproof packing 40 is disposed between the peripheral wall 64B, the partition wall member 68, and the peripheral wall 66B.

  A plurality of radiating fins 42 are erected from the cover plate 66A of each cover body 66, and the plurality of radiating fins 42 are configured by radiating fins 42A and other radiating fins 42B, as in the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10. Has been. As shown in FIG. 7B, in the state where the holding load from the disc spring 45 does not act, the gap C1 between the radiating fin 42A and the top plate 64A is larger than the gap C2 between the other radiating fin 42B and the top plate 64A. Is also considered small.

  Other configurations of the exhaust heat power generation device 60 are the same as the corresponding configurations of the exhaust heat power generation device 10.

  Therefore, also with the exhaust heat power generator 60 according to the second embodiment, the same effect can be obtained by the same operation as in the first embodiment.

(Third embodiment)
FIG. 8 shows a partially enlarged front sectional view of an exhaust heat power generator 70 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, in the exhaust thermoelectric generator 70, a plurality of radiating fins 72 are erected from the cover plate 66A of the cover body 66 constituting the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 instead of the plurality of radiating fins 42. Yes. A free end of each heat dissipating fin 72 is a crushing portion 72A that is changed (sharpened) so that the width (cross-sectional area) decreases toward the top plate 64A. The collapsed portion 72A may be in any shape as long as it has a shape that easily undergoes plastic deformation under compression. Moreover, you may provide the crushing part 72A only in the range corresponding to the deformation | transformation promotion plate 74 mentioned later.

  In the exhaust thermoelectric generator 70, the deformation promotion plate 74 is disposed between a part (plurality) of the crushing portions 72A and the top plate 64A located in a predetermined range in the central portion in the width direction of each of the cooling water flow paths 38A and 38B. ing. The deformation promoting plate 74 is made of a material having a high hardness with respect to the cover body 66 (radiating fins 72) made of aluminum alloy, for example, stainless steel.

  In the exhaust thermoelectric generator 70, as shown in FIG. 9A, the gap between the crushed portion 72A of each radiating fin 72 and the top plate 64A is C2 in a state where the holding load from the disc spring 45 does not act. The thickness t of the deformation promoting plate 74 is equal to or greater than the difference between the gap C2 and the gap C1.

  Therefore, when the holding load of the disc spring 45 is applied to the 14 constituting the exhaust thermoelectric generator 70, the difference between the gap C2 and the thickness t of the deformation promoting plate 74 is as shown in FIG. 9B. Crushed portions 72A of some of the radiating fins 72 located in the center portion in the width direction are brought into contact with the deformation promoting plate 74, and the crushed portions 72A are plastically deformed from the top plate 64A to the thermoelectric generator module 16. A load transmission path via a plurality of (partial) heat dissipating fins 72 is configured.

  The load transmission path formed by plastic deformation of the crushed portion 72A of the radiating fin 72 is configured such that a uniform load can be transmitted to each part because the reaction force (restoring force) after the plastic deformation does not act. Yes. Therefore, in this embodiment, the crushed portion 72A and the deformation promoting plate 74 correspond to the load equalizing means in the present invention.

  Other configurations of the exhaust thermoelectric generator 70 are the same as the corresponding configurations of the exhaust thermoelectric generator 10 or the exhaust thermoelectric generator 60.

  Therefore, also with the exhaust heat power generator 70 according to the third embodiment, the same effect can be obtained by the same operation as in the first embodiment. In addition, when supplementing about the load transmission to the thermoelectric generator module 16 by the low temperature side heat exchanger 14, in the exhaust thermoelectric generator 70, since the crushing part 72A is plastically deformed by the holding load from the disc spring 45, the plastic deformation Thus, it is possible to absorb the dimensional error of the radiating fins 72 constituting the load transmission path without generating a reaction force (restoring force after deformation).

  Thereby, in addition to the load transmission path to the periphery of the thermoelectric generation module 16 via the peripheral walls 64B and 66B and the partition wall member 68, a load transmission path to the center portion of the thermoelectric generation module 16 using the plurality of heat radiation fins 72 is secured. In addition, by comparing one radiating fin 42 </ b> A with a load transmission path for the center portion of the thermoelectric generator module 16, the holding load can be more uniformly transmitted to the thermoelectric generator module 16. Further, after plastic deformation of the collapsed portion 72A, a sufficient sealing load acts on the waterproof packing 40 from the peripheral wall 64B and the partition wall member 68, and the sealing performance of the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 is ensured. Furthermore, the dimensional management of the large number of heat radiation fins 72 is facilitated.

  In each of the above embodiments, the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 is illustrated as being common to the plurality of thermoelectric modules 16 disposed on one side of the high temperature side heat exchanger 12, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, heat is generated between the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 independent of each thermoelectric module 16 (for example, connected to each other by a flexible tube) and the high temperature side heat exchanger 12 common to each thermoelectric module 16. The power generation module 16 may be sandwiched.

  Moreover, in each said embodiment, although the example whose high temperature side heat exchanger 12 was flat rectangular shape was shown, this invention is not limited to this, For example, regular polygon shape (in high temperature side heat exchanger 12 planar view ( A thermoelectric generator module 16 and a low temperature side heat exchanger 14 are arranged on the outer surface side of each side (surface extending in the exhaust gas flow direction) of the high temperature side heat exchanger 12. Also good.

  Furthermore, in each said embodiment, although the disk spring 45 as a holding load provision means was shown for every thermoelectric generation module 16, the example of this invention box was not limited, For example, between flange part 44C of the bracket 44 A disc spring 45 may be disposed (between the half bodies 44 </ b> A and 44 </ b> B) so that the spring pressing plate 58 is brought into contact with the low-temperature side heat exchanger 14.

1 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to an exhaust gas flow direction of an exhaust thermoelectric generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. (A) is sectional drawing which expands and shows a part of FIG. 1, (B) is sectional drawing which expands and shows a part of FIG. 2 (A) further. 1 is a side view showing an external appearance of an exhaust heat power generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. It is sectional drawing at right angles to the exhaust gas flow direction of the high temperature side heat exchanger case which comprises the exhaust heat power generator which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the exhaust heat power generator which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, (B) is sectional drawing which expands and shows a part of FIG. 8 (A). It is sectional drawing which shows the principal part of the exhaust heat power generator which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the load transmission structure of the low temperature side heat exchanger 14 which comprises the exhaust heat power generator which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is sectional drawing which shows the state before holding | maintenance load provision, B) is a sectional view showing a state after the holding load is applied. It is a figure which shows a comparative example with embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is sectional drawing which shows a deformation | transformation of a low temperature side heat exchanger, (B) is sectional drawing which mainly shows a deformation | transformation of a high temperature side heat exchanger. is there.

Explanation of symbols

10 Exhaust thermoelectric generator 12 High temperature side heat exchanger (heating unit)
14 Low temperature side heat exchanger (cooling section)
16 Thermoelectric module (thermoelectric generator)
26A Top plate (contact part with thermoelectric generator)
28A Bottom plate (contact part with thermoelectric generator)
30 Spherical concave part 34C Bulkhead (load transmission part)
34B Perimeter wall (load transmission part)
42A Heat radiation fin (load transmission part)
44 Bracket (holding load applying means, base)
45 Belleville spring (holding load applying means, elastic body)
50 Load adjustment mechanism (load adjustment means)
56 Load adjustment bolt (movable load receiving part)
58 Spring retainer plate (movable load receiver)
60/70 Exhaust heat power generator 64B / 66B Perimeter wall (load transmission part)
68 Bulkhead member (load transmission part)
72 Radiation fin (load transmission part)
72A Crushing part (load equalization means)
74 Deformation promotion plate (means for load equalization)

Claims (7)

A plurality of thermoelectric generators each generating an electromotive force due to a temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side;
A heating unit that contacts the high temperature side of the plurality of thermoelectric generators;
A cooling unit that contacts the low temperature side of the thermoelectric generator so as to sandwich the thermoelectric generator between the heating unit,
Holding load applying means for applying a load for holding and holding the plurality of thermoelectric generators between the heating unit and the cooling unit;
A load adjusting means capable of independently adjusting a holding load by the holding load applying means for each of the plurality of thermoelectric generators;
Thermoelectric generator with The holding load applying means includes an elastic body disposed in a compressed state between a base portion and the cooling portion,
The thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, wherein the load adjusting means is a movable load receiving portion that is provided in the base portion or the cooling portion and is capable of adjusting a compression amount of the elastic body.   The said cooling part, The load transmission part for transmitting the load of the said holding load provision means to the said thermoelectric generator is arrange | positioned corresponding to the center part and peripheral part of this thermoelectric generator. 2. The thermoelectric generator according to 2.   The cooling unit includes a plurality of load transmitting units for transmitting the load of the holding load applying unit to the thermoelectric generator, and a uniform load that promotes uniformization of the load transmitted by the plurality of load transmitting units to the thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the thermoelectric generator is configured to include a generating unit.   The load equalizing means is provided in each of the plurality of load transmitting portions, and plastically deforms by a load from the holding load applying means, and transmits the load of the holding load applying means from the cooling portion to the thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator of Claim 4 comprised including the crushing part which forms the load transmission path | route for this. The cooling unit is configured to cool the thermoelectric generator by heat exchange between the refrigerant passing through the thermoelectric generator and the thermoelectric generator,
The thermoelectric generator according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the plurality of load transmission units include heat radiating fins for releasing heat transmitted from a contact portion with the thermoelectric generator to the refrigerant. . The heating unit is
The thermoelectric generator is heated by heat exchange between the heat medium passing through the thermoelectric generator and the thermoelectric generator,
And the inner surface of the contact portion with the thermoelectric generator between the plurality of load support portions for supporting the load from the holding load applying means is the thinnest at the central portion of the thermoelectric generator. The thermoelectric generator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the thermoelectric generator is formed in a spherical shape.

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