JP2008035632A - Power generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a power generating device that makes it possible to enhance power generation efficiency and make a core compact. <P>SOLUTION: The power generating device is installed in an exhaust system path. It is so constructed that an exhaust gas passage 5 is disposed on one side of a thermoelectric conversion unit 6, and a cooling medium passage 7 is disposed on the other side. The power generating device is provided with the core 4 formed by laminating the exhaust gas passages 5 and the cooling medium passages 7 as common members of adjoining thermoelectric conversion units 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power generator.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a technology of a power generator that is installed in an exhaust system path and has an exhaust gas passage portion disposed on one side of a thermoelectric conversion portion and a cooling flow medium passage portion disposed on the other side has been publicly known (Patent Document). 1).
JP-A-10-191669

  However, in the conventional invention, the exhaust gas passage portion, the thermoelectric conversion portion, and the cooling flow medium passage portion are unitized and connected individually, which increases the number of parts and the number of assembling steps, thereby increasing the cost. In addition, when these layers are stacked, the exhaust gas passage portions (fins) are adjacent to each other, and the number of thermoelectric conversion portions that can be installed per unit area of the core portion is reduced, resulting in poor power generation efficiency.

  Furthermore, since the adjacent exhaust gas passage portions (fins) cannot be joined together by brazing, a predetermined clearance is required between them, leading to an increase in the size of the core portion.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a power generation device capable of achieving improvement in power generation efficiency and downsizing of the core portion.

  In the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention, in the power generator installed in the exhaust system path, the exhaust gas passage part is disposed on one side of the thermoelectric conversion part, and the cooling flow medium passage part is disposed on the other side. It has a core part formed by laminating the exhaust gas passage part and the cooling flow medium passage part as a common member of adjacent thermoelectric conversion parts.

  In the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention, the power generation is arranged in the exhaust system path, the exhaust gas passage part is arranged on one side of the thermoelectric conversion part, and the cooling flow medium passage part is arranged on the other side. Since the apparatus includes a core portion formed by laminating the exhaust gas passage portion and the cooling flow medium passage portion as a common member between adjacent thermoelectric conversion portions, it is possible to improve power generation efficiency and make the core portion compact.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Example 1 will be described below.
In the first embodiment, the case where the exhaust system path in which the power generation apparatus is installed is applied to the exhaust system path of the EGR device will be described.
1 is an overall perspective view showing a power generator according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a plan view thereof, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a core portion taken along line S3-S3 in FIG. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view (only a part) of the core portion, and FIG. 5 is an exploded view (a) and an assembled view (b) of the case of the first embodiment.

  6 is a perspective view of the thermoelectric element portion of the first embodiment, FIG. 7 is an exploded view (a) and an assembled view (b) of the cooling medium passage portion, and FIG. 8 is an EGR in which the power generator of the first embodiment is installed. It is a figure explaining the exhaust system path | route of an apparatus.

First, the overall configuration will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the power generation apparatus 1 using the exhaust gas of the first embodiment, a connection pipe 2 having a flange portion 2a for connecting to a connection pipe 26g described later, and a connection pipe 26f described later. A connecting pipe 3 having a flange part 3a for connection and a core part 4 connected in an inclined state between the connecting pipes 2 and 3 are provided.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the core portion 4 is configured by stacking an exhaust gas passage portion 5, a thermoelectric conversion portion 6, and a cooling flow medium passage portion 7.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the exhaust gas passage portion 5 includes corrugated fins 5a, and a pair of louvers 5b are provided between the corrugated top portion and the trough portion. In addition, about the formation position, formation number, shape, etc. of the louver 5b, it can set suitably.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the thermoelectric conversion unit 6 includes a case 9 formed in a cylindrical shape by overlapping a pair of upper and lower divided members 9 a and 9 b opened laterally at both left and right ends, respectively. It is comprised by the thermoelectric element part 10 accommodated in.
In addition, circular openings 9c that open in the vertical direction are formed at both ends of each of the divided members 9a and 9b, and thereby through holes 9d that open in the vertical direction are provided at both ends of the case 9. ing.
Note that the case 9 does not have to be divided by the dividing members 9a and 9b, and a single aluminum plate may be formed in a cylindrical shape.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the thermoelectric element unit 10 generates power using the Seebeck action by increasing the temperature of one of the upper and lower surfaces and decreasing the temperature of the other side, and includes a plurality of thermoelectric elements 10 a. Are connected in a substantially U-shaped band shape by the base 10b, and connection terminal portions 10c are provided at both ends thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the cooling flow medium passage portion 7 is formed by superposing a pair of upper and lower divided members 7a and 7b in the middle of each other, and the left and right end portions of each divided member 7a and 7b. Are respectively provided with annular projections 7c formed so as to protrude in the vertical direction by burring.

Each of the divided members 7a and 7b is formed with a dimple portion 7d formed to protrude inward by embossing, and provided inside the divided members 7a and 7b in the cooling flow medium passage 7e. Yes.
Note that the number, position, shape, etc. of the dimple portions 7d can be set as appropriate. Further, an inner fin may be provided in the cooling flow medium passage 7e.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the core portion 4 is configured such that the exhaust gas passage portion 5 is disposed on one side of each thermoelectric conversion portion 6 and the cooling flow medium passage portion 7 is disposed on the other side. The gas passage portion 5 and the cooling flow medium passage portion 7 are laminated as a common member necessary for obtaining the above-described Seebeck action of the adjacent thermoelectric conversion portions 6.

  In addition, at both left and right end portions of the core portion 4, the cylindrical collar member 11 passes through the through hole 9d of the case 9 so that the annular projections 7c of the adjacent cooling flow medium passage portion 7 are in communication with each other. As a result, a pair of communication passages R1 and R2 communicating with the cooling flow medium passage 7e of each cooling flow medium passage portion 7 is formed.

  Further, one side of the case 9 of each thermoelectric element portion 6 and 7 is brought into contact with the top and valley of the corresponding exhaust gas passage portion 5 (fin 5a), while the other side is respectively corresponding to the cooling flow medium passage. It is in contact with the part 7.

  Further, an exhaust gas passage portion 5 (fin 5a) is disposed at the outermost end of the core portion 4, and the top portion of each exhaust gas passage portion 5 (fin 5a) is formed by plate-like stiffening members 12,13. At the same time, the left and right ends of both stiffening members 12 and 13 are connected and reinforced by blocking members 14 and 15.

  In addition, a substantially cylindrical input / output port P1 communicating with the communication path R1 through the collar member 11a is inserted into and fixed to the circular opening 12a provided on one side of the stiffening member 12. In a circular opening 13a provided on the other side of the stiffening member 13, a substantially cylindrical input / output port P2 communicating with the communication path R2 through the collar member 11b is inserted and fixed.

  Further, both end portions of each case 9 are arranged in a state of penetrating through holes 14a, 15a of corresponding blocking members 14, 15, respectively, and connection terminal portions 10c of thermoelectric element portions 10 accommodated in the respective cases 9 are provided. Is electrically connected to the connecting connector portion 16 mounted on the closing member 14 by fixing means (not shown).

  Accordingly, the core portion 4 is integrally laminated with the exhaust gas passage portion 5 disposed on one side of all the thermoelectric conversion portions 6 and the cooling flow medium passage portion 7 adjacent to the other side. Become.

  In addition, as for the core part 4 of the present Example 1, all the structural members except the thermoelectric element part 10 and the connection connector 16 of the thermoelectric conversion part 6 are made of aluminum, and at least one side of the joint parts of the respective structural members A clad layer (brazing sheet) made of brazing material is provided.

  In addition, about the structure of the detailed site | part of each structural member of the core part 4 mentioned above, it can set suitably, For example, the collar member 11 may be abbreviate | omitted and the adjacent annular projection parts 7c may be fitted.

Next, the operation will be described.
When manufacturing the power generation device 1 configured as described above, first, the respective constituent members of the core portion 4 excluding the thermoelectric element portion 10 and the connection connector 16 of the thermoelectric conversion portion 6 are temporarily assembled into a heating furnace (not shown). After carrying, it forms integrally by heat-processing.

Next, the connection terminal portion 10c of the corresponding thermoelectric element portion 10 is inserted from the opening at one end portion (right side in FIG. 3) of each case 9, and protrudes from the opening at the other end portion (left side in FIG. 3). After making it into the state made into the state, the connecting connector part 16 is mounted | worn and it connects with the connection terminal part 10c.
At this time, a thermoelectric element portion 10 in which only the connection terminal portion 10c is formed in advance is prepared in advance, and only the connection terminal portion 10c is inserted into the case 9, and the other end (left side in FIG. 3). After inserting the thermocouple element portion 10 at a predetermined position by pulling the connection terminal portion 10c protruding from the opening, the end of the connection terminal portion 10c is cut to a predetermined length to improve the insertability. be able to.

  Finally, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connecting pipe 2 is fixed to one side by welding outside the figure so as to surround the outer periphery in the thickness direction of the core portion 4, while the connecting pipe 3 is fixed to the other side. It is fixed by welding outside the figure.

The power generator 1 configured as described above is installed in the exhaust system path of the EGR device 20 shown in FIG.
The EGR device 20 includes an engine 21 that is a diesel engine, a turbocharger 22, an intercooler 23, a power generation device 1, a radiator 24, and a DPF device 25.

  Also, after intake air introduced from an air cleaner (not shown) is introduced into the compressor 22a of the turbocharger 22 through the intake pipe 26a and pressurized, and further introduced into the intercooler 23 through the connection pipe 26b and cooled. The engine 21 is distributed to each cylinder (not shown) of the engine 21 via the intake manifold 26c.

  Further, exhaust gas discharged from the engine 21 is introduced into the turbine 22b of the turbocharger 22 via the exhaust manifold 26d and driven, and then discharged outside the vehicle via the DPF device 25.

  The flange portion 2a of the connection pipe 2 of the power generator 1 is connected to the connection pipe 26e connected to the exhaust manifold 26d, while the flange portion 3a of the connection pipe 3 is connected to the intake manifold 26c. It is connected to the.

  On the other hand, the input / output ports P1 and P2 of the power generator 1 are connected between the engine 21 and the radiator 24 with connection pipes 26g and 26h that connect the engine 21, the radiator 24, and the power generator 1 in an annular shape.

Therefore, the core portion 4 of the power generator 1 introduces a part of the hot exhaust gas of the exhaust manifold 26d from the connection pipe 26e via the connection pipe 2 and discharges it to the connection pipe 26f via the connection pipe 3. It has become.
Further, a low-temperature cooling flow medium cooled by the radiator 6 is introduced from the connection pipe 26g via the input / output port P1, and is discharged to the connection pipe 26h via the input / output port P2.

  At this time, the exhaust gas introduced into the core portion 4 passes through each exhaust gas passage portion 5 to raise the temperature of one side of the thermoelectric element portion 10, while the cooling flow medium introduced into the core portion 4 (FIG. 3). (Indicated by a one-dot chain line arrow) flows from the input / output port P1 to the communication path R1, and then flows through the respective cooling flow medium passages 7e and flows into the input / output port P2, while the other side of the thermoelectric element section 10 is kept at a low temperature. As a result, the thermoelectric element unit 10 obtains Seebeck action to generate electric power and functions as a power generation device.

  The obtained electric power is charged in a battery (not shown) via the connector 16 or transmitted to an electronic component.

At this time, one exhaust gas passage portion 5 (cooling flow medium passage portion 7) functions as a common member necessary for the Seebeck action of the adjacent thermoelectric conversion portions 6 and is suitable.
In addition, since the core part 4 is disposed in an inclined state with respect to the flow of the exhaust gas (shown by broken arrows in FIGS. 1 and 2) flowing through the connecting pipes 2 and 3, high-speed and high-temperature exhaust gas is supplied 4 and the shape of the power generator 1 can be reduced.

  Further, the exhaust gas that passes through each exhaust gas passage portion 5 of the core portion 4 is cooled by exchanging heat with the above-described cooling flow medium, whereby the power generator 1 functions as an EGR cooler.

  Here, in the conventional invention, the exhaust gas passage portion, the thermoelectric conversion portion, and the cooling flow medium passage portion are united and individually connected, so the number of parts and assembly man-hours increase and the cost increases. In addition, when these are stacked, the exhaust gas passage portions (fins 5a) are adjacent to each other, and the number of thermoelectric conversion portions that can be installed per unit area of the core portion is reduced, resulting in poor power generation efficiency. .

  In contrast, in the first embodiment, as described above, the exhaust gas passage portion 5 is disposed on one side of all the thermoelectric conversion portions 6, while the cooling flow medium passage portion 7 is adjacent to the other side. Since they are laminated integrally, the number of thermoelectric conversion parts 6 that can be arranged per unit area of the core part 4 can be increased.

Therefore, it is possible to exhibit the same power generation performance with a small core size compared to the conventional invention, and the core portion 4 can be made compact. Alternatively, the power generation performance can be improved with a core size equivalent to that of the conventional invention.
Furthermore, the number of parts and assembly man-hours can be reduced to reduce costs.

Next, the effect will be described.
As described above, in the power generation apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the exhaust gas passage unit 5 is disposed in one side of the thermoelectric conversion unit 6 while being cooled in the other side. In the power generation device in which the circulation medium passage portion 7 is disposed, the exhaust gas passage portion 5 and the cooling circulation medium passage portion 7 are provided with the core portion 4 that is laminated as a common member of the adjacent thermoelectric conversion portions 6. Improvement and downsizing of the core part 4 can be achieved.

  In addition, since the core part 4 is disposed in a state inclined with respect to the flow of exhaust gas in the exhaust system path, high-speed and high-temperature exhaust gas can be sufficiently applied to the core part 4 and power generation performance can be improved. The shape of the power generator 1 can be reduced.

  Further, since the exhaust gas passage portion 5 is disposed at the outermost end of the core portion 4, the area of the core portion 4 that the exhaust gas hits can be increased, and the power generation performance can be improved.

  Further, since the exhaust system path is the exhaust system path of the EGR device 20, the power generation device 1 can also be used as an EGR cooler.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and design changes and the like within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are included in the present invention.
For example, the number of stages in which the exhaust gas passage portion 5, the thermoelectric conversion portion 6, and the cooling flow medium passage portion 7 are stacked can be appropriately set.

  Moreover, the exhaust system path | route in which the electric power generating apparatus 1 is provided is not restricted to the exhaust system path | route of an EGR apparatus.

It is a whole perspective view which shows the electric power generating apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is a top view which shows the electric power generating apparatus of Example 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the core part in the S3-S3 line | wire of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view (only a part) of the core part of the present Example 1. FIG. It is the exploded view (a) and assembly | attachment figure (b) of the case of the present Example 1. FIG. It is a perspective view of the thermoelectric element part of the present Example 1. FIG. It is the exploded view (a) and assembly | attachment figure (b) of a cooling-medium channel | path part. It is a figure explaining the exhaust system path | route of the EGR apparatus in which the electric power generating apparatus of the present Example 1 was installed.

Explanation of symbols

R1, R2 Communication path P1, P2 Input / output port 1 Power generation device 2a, 3a Flange part 2, 3 Connection pipe 4 Core part 5 Exhaust gas passage part 5a Fin 5b Louver 6 Thermoelectric conversion part 7 Cooling flow medium passage part 7a, 7b Division Member 7c Tubular projection 7d Dimple 7e Cooling flow medium passage 9 Case 9a, 9b Dividing member 9c Opening 9d Through hole 10 Thermoelectric element 10a Thermoelectric element 10b Base 10c Connection terminal parts 11, 11a, 11b Collar members 12, 13 Rigid members 12a, 13a Openings 14, 15 Closure members 14a, 15a Through hole 16 Connector 20 EGR device 21 Engine 22 Turbocharger 22a Compressor 22b Turbine 23 Intercooler 24 Radiator 25 DPF device 26a Intake pipes 26b, 26e, 26f, 26g 26h Connecting pipe 26c Manifold 26d exhaust manifold

Claims (4)

In the power generator installed in the exhaust system path, the exhaust gas passage part is arranged on one side of the thermoelectric conversion part, and the cooling flow medium passage part is arranged on the other side,
A power generator comprising: a core portion formed by laminating the exhaust gas passage portion and the cooling flow medium passage portion as a shared member of adjacent thermoelectric conversion portions. The power generator according to claim 1, wherein
The power generator according to claim 1, wherein the core portion is disposed in a state of being inclined with respect to a flow of exhaust gas in an exhaust system path. The power generator according to claim 1 or 2,
An electric power generation apparatus characterized in that an exhaust gas passage portion is disposed at an outermost end of the core portion. In the electric power generating apparatus in any one of Claims 1-3,
The power generation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exhaust system path is an exhaust system path of an EGR device.