JP2017174900A - Thermoelectric conversion unit and thermoelectric conversion module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermoelectric conversion unit which aims for heat absorption with excellent thermal energy efficiency even in the downstream, while using exhaust gas flow, and improves power generation as a whole.SOLUTION: A thermoelectric conversion unit has multiple thermoelectric conversion modules including multiple juxtaposed thermoelectric conversion elements, a first electrode bonded to one end of the thermoelectric conversion elements, and electrically interconnecting one ends of adjoining thermoelectric conversion elements, a second electrode bonded to the other end of the thermoelectric conversion elements, and electrically interconnecting the other ends of the adjoining thermoelectric conversion elements, and a heat absorbing portion provided on the surface of the second electrode opposite to the surface bonded to the thermoelectric conversion elements. The multiple thermoelectric conversion modules are juxtaposed along the passage of heat, and disposed in zigzag.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermoelectric conversion unit including a thermoelectric conversion element that performs thermoelectric conversion by the Seebeck effect, and a heat collection structure in a thermoelectric conversion module.

  A thermoelectric conversion module is a module comprised of a thermoelectric conversion element capable of converting thermal energy into electrical energy by the Seebeck effect. By using such energy conversion properties, waste heat exhausted from industrial and consumer processes and mobile objects can be converted into effective power, so the thermoelectric conversion is an energy-saving technology that takes environmental issues into consideration. A module and a thermoelectric conversion element constituting the module are attracting attention.

  Such a thermoelectric conversion module is generally configured by joining a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements (p-type semiconductor and n-type semiconductor) with electrodes. Such a thermoelectric conversion module is disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. In addition, such a thermoelectric module is disposed downstream of a high-temperature heat source such as an engine in order to generate electric power using waste heat of exhaust gas in an industrial device including an automobile and other engines. The use of such a thermoelectric conversion module and a thermoelectric conversion device using the thermoelectric conversion module are disclosed in Patent Document 2, for example.

JP2013-115359A JP 2007-221895 A

  However, since the exhaust gas from the engine runs downstream (that is, on the exhaust side), the amount of heat becomes insufficient as the temperature decreases, and therefore, a thermoelectric conversion module having only a general structure in which a p-type semiconductor and an n-type semiconductor are joined by electrodes. Then, there was a problem that sufficient power generation could not be performed. Further, when a plurality of thermoelectric conversion modules are arranged along the exhaust gas flow path, the thermoelectric conversion module located on the downstream side becomes a thermoelectric conversion module located on the downstream side due to the presence of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the upstream side. There is a case where the flow of exhaust gas directed is blocked, and the thermoelectric conversion module located on the downstream side cannot sufficiently generate power.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the object of the present invention is to absorb heat with excellent thermal energy efficiency even in the downstream while utilizing the flow of exhaust gas, and to reduce the overall power generation amount. The object is to provide a thermoelectric conversion unit and a thermoelectric module that can be improved.

In order to achieve the above-described object, the thermoelectric conversion unit of the present invention includes a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements arranged in parallel,
A first electrode that is joined to one end of the thermoelectric conversion element and electrically connects one end of the adjacent thermoelectric conversion element, and the other end of the adjacent thermoelectric conversion element that is joined to the other end of the thermoelectric conversion element A plurality of thermoelectric conversion modules comprising: a second electrode that electrically connects each other; and a heat absorption part provided on a surface opposite to the surface of the second electrode joined to the thermoelectric conversion element. The plurality of thermoelectric conversion modules are arranged side by side along a heat flow path, and the heat absorbing portions are arranged in a staggered manner.

  In the thermoelectric conversion unit described above, the surface area of the heat absorption part of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the downstream side of the heat flow path is that of the heat absorption part of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the upstream side of the heat flow path. It may be larger than the surface area. Thereby, in the thermoelectric conversion module located in the downstream, heat absorption can be achieved with more excellent thermal energy efficiency, and the power generation amount as a whole thermoelectric conversion unit can be improved.

  In any one of the thermoelectric conversion units described above, the heat absorption part of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the upstream side of the heat flow path and the heat absorption part of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the downstream side of the heat flow path. And the inclination angle with respect to the second electrode may be different. Thereby, the heat absorption in the heat absorption part located on the downstream side is not hindered by the heat absorption part located on the upstream side, and the thermoelectric conversion module located on the downstream side also absorbs heat with better thermal energy efficiency, The power generation amount as the whole thermoelectric conversion unit can be improved.

  In any one of the thermoelectric conversion units described above, the heat absorption part may be composed of a plurality of heat absorption fins. Thereby, in each thermoelectric conversion module, heat absorption can be aimed at efficiently.

  In the thermoelectric conversion unit in which the endothermic portion described above is composed of a plurality of endothermic fins, the plurality of endothermic fins may be arranged in a staggered manner. Thereby, even in the heat sink fin located on the downstream side, it is possible to absorb heat with better thermal energy efficiency, and the power generation amount as one thermoelectric conversion module can be improved.

  In any one of the thermoelectric conversion units in which the above-described heat absorption part is configured by a plurality of heat absorption fins, the heat absorption fins of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the upstream side of the heat flow path, and the downstream of the heat flow path The inclination angle with respect to the second electrode may be different from that of the heat absorption fin of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the side. Thereby, even in the heat sink fin located on the downstream side, it is possible to absorb heat with better thermal energy efficiency, and the power generation amount as one thermoelectric conversion module can be further improved.

  In any one of the thermoelectric conversion units described above, the heat absorption part may have a height that increases from the upstream side to the downstream side of the heat flow path. Thereby, in the part located in the downstream of a heat absorption part, heat absorption can be aimed at by the more excellent thermal energy efficiency, and the electric power generation amount as one thermoelectric conversion module can be improved.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the thermoelectric conversion module of the present invention is joined to a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements arranged in parallel and one end of the thermoelectric conversion element, and electrically connects one end of the adjacent thermoelectric conversion elements. A plurality of first electrodes connected to each other, a plurality of second electrodes joined to the other end of the thermoelectric conversion element, and electrically connected to the other ends of the adjacent thermoelectric conversion elements, and the second electrode A plurality of heat absorbing fins provided on the surface opposite to the surface joined to the thermoelectric conversion element, and the heat absorbing fins are arranged in a staggered manner.

  In the thermoelectric conversion module described above, the endothermic fins located on the upstream side of the heat flow path and the endothermic fins of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the downstream side of the heat flow path correspond to the second electrode. The inclination angle may be different. Thereby, even the heat sink fin located on the downstream side can absorb heat with better thermal energy efficiency, and the power generation amount of the entire thermoelectric conversion module can be improved.

  In any one of the thermoelectric conversion modules described above, the surface area of the endothermic fin located on the downstream side of the heat flow path is greater than the surface area of the endothermic fin of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the upstream side of the heat flow path. May be larger. Thereby, even the heat sink fin located on the downstream side can absorb heat with better thermal energy efficiency, and the power generation amount of the entire thermoelectric conversion module can be improved.

  According to the thermoelectric conversion unit and the thermoelectric conversion module according to the present invention, it is possible to absorb heat with excellent thermal energy efficiency even in the downstream while using the flow of exhaust gas, and to improve the power generation amount as a whole.

It is a perspective view of the thermoelectric conversion module which concerns on an Example. It is a side view of the thermoelectric conversion module which concerns on an Example. It is a schematic top view which shows the structure of the thermoelectric conversion unit which concerns on an Example. 6 is a top view of a thermoelectric conversion module according to Modification Example 1. FIG. It is a side view of the thermoelectric conversion module which concerns on the modification 2. It is a side view of the thermoelectric conversion module which concerns on the modification 3. It is a front view of the thermoelectric conversion module which concerns on the modification 4. 10 is a top view of a thermoelectric conversion unit according to Modification Example 5. FIG. It is a front view of the thermoelectric conversion unit which concerns on the modification 5. FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a thermoelectric conversion unit and a thermoelectric conversion module according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings based on examples and modifications. In addition, this invention is not limited to the content demonstrated below, In the range which does not change the summary, it can change arbitrarily and can implement. Further, the drawings used for explaining the embodiments and the respective modifications schematically show the thermoelectric conversion unit, the thermoelectric conversion module and the components thereof according to the present invention, and are partially emphasized to deepen the understanding. Enlargement, reduction, omission, etc. are performed, and there is a case where it does not accurately represent the scale or shape of each component. Furthermore, the various numerical values used in the embodiments and the modifications are only examples, and can be variously changed as necessary.

<Example>
(Structure of thermoelectric conversion module)
Below, the structure of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 which concerns on a present Example is demonstrated, referring FIG.1 and FIG.2. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 according to this embodiment. Here, one direction in FIG. 1 is defined as the X direction, the direction orthogonal to the X direction is defined as the Y direction and the Z direction, and in particular, the height direction of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is defined as the Z direction.

  As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the thermoelectric conversion module 1 according to this embodiment has a rail shape. Specifically, the thermoelectric conversion module 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of first thermoelectric conversion elements 2a and second thermoelectric conversion elements 2b arranged in parallel, and the first and second thermoelectric conversion elements 2a and 2b. The first electrode 3a and the second electrode 3b provided at the end of the first electrode 3a. Moreover, the thermoelectric conversion module 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of heat absorbing fins 4a to 4d (hereinafter, without selecting any one of the heat absorbing fins) integrally provided on each surface of the second electrode 3b. In the case where the heat-absorbing fin is described as a representative, the heat-absorbing fin is also simply referred to as a heat-absorbing fin 4).

  In the present embodiment, the first thermoelectric conversion element 2a is made of an N-type semiconductor material, and the second thermoelectric conversion element 2b is made of a P-type semiconductor material. The first thermoelectric conversion elements 2a and the second thermoelectric conversion elements 2b are alternately arranged along the X direction (four in total). Further, the adjacent first thermoelectric conversion element 2a and second thermoelectric conversion element 2b are electrically connected via the first electrode 3a and the second electrode 3b. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the shape of the first thermoelectric conversion element 2a and the second thermoelectric conversion element 2b is cylindrical, for example, the diameter is about 5 mm, and the height (dimension in the Z direction) is about 10 mm. It is. In addition, the shape of the 1st thermoelectric conversion element 2a and the 2nd thermoelectric conversion element 2b is not limited to such a shape, For example, prismatic shape may be sufficient.

  The first electrode 3a and the second electrode 3b have the same shape (flat plate shape), and are formed of, for example, a copper plate. In addition, five first electrodes 3a are arranged in parallel in the X direction, and four second electrodes 3b are arranged in parallel in the X direction. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the first electrode 3 a and the second electrode 3 b are disposed so as to sandwich the first thermoelectric conversion element 2 a and the second thermoelectric conversion element 2 b in the Z direction.

  The arrangement of the first thermoelectric conversion element 2a, the second thermoelectric conversion element 2b, the first electrode 3a, and the second electrode 3b forms the rail shape of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 that extends in a straight line in the X direction. Will be. In addition, the first thermoelectric conversion element 2a and the second thermoelectric conversion element 2b are electrically connected to each other by the arrangement relationship of the first thermoelectric conversion element 2a, the second thermoelectric conversion element 2b, the first electrode 3a, and the second electrode 3b. Will be connected in series. In other words, in the present embodiment, the four first thermoelectric conversion elements 2a, the four second thermoelectric conversion elements 2b, the five first electrodes 3a, and the four first electrodes arranged in parallel in the X direction. One series circuit is formed from the two electrodes 3b. In addition, since the 1st electrode 3a located in the both ends of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 functions as an extraction electrode for external connection, it becomes possible to take out the electric power which generate | occur | produced in the thermoelectric conversion module 1 outside.

  Here, the 1st electrode 3a and the 2nd electrode 3b may be formed with other electroconductive materials (for example, metal materials, such as aluminum), without being limited to a copper plate. Further, the quantity and shape of the first electrode 3a and the second electrode 3b are not limited to the above-described contents, but according to the first thermoelectric conversion element 2a and the second thermoelectric conversion element 2b (that is, the magnitude of the electromotive force). Can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, you may arrange | position the 1st electrode 3a and the 2nd electrode 3b so that the 1st thermoelectric conversion element 2a and the 2nd thermoelectric conversion element 2b may be connected in parallel.

  The heat absorption fin 4 is integrally joined on the surface opposite to the surface joined to the thermoelectric conversion element of the second electrode 3b. In the present embodiment, the endothermic fin 4 is a metal plate made of SUS430 having a relatively high thermal conductivity. When the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is installed on the exhaust gas (heat) flow path, the endothermic fins 4 come into direct contact with the exhaust gas, and the temperature of the second electrode 3b can be further increased. . Thereby, the temperature difference of the 1st electrode 3a and the 2nd electrode 3b can be produced more, heat absorption can be aimed at by the outstanding thermal energy efficiency, and the electric power generation amount of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 can be improved. Here, each of the four endothermic fins 4 provided in the thermoelectric conversion module 1 contributes to an increase in the temperature of the joined second electrode 3b, but the entire thermoelectric conversion module 1 has four endothermic fins. The temperature increase on the high temperature side of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is brought about by one heat absorption part 5 made of 4. That is, in the thermoelectric conversion module 1, one heat absorbing portion 5 extending in the X direction is configured by four heat absorbing fins 4.

  If the dimensions of the endothermic fins 4 (X direction), thickness (Y direction), and height (Z direction) can be changed to increase the surface area of the endothermic fins 4, the temperature of the second electrode 3b can be increased. Although it can raise more efficiently, the dimension of the heat sink fin 4 will be set according to the electric power generation amount requested | required of the thermoelectric conversion module 1. FIG.

(Method for manufacturing thermoelectric conversion module)
As a manufacturing method of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 which concerns on a present Example, between the two punches which function as an electricity pressurization member which comprises a manufacturing apparatus, the prepared 1st thermoelectric conversion element 2a, 2nd thermoelectric conversion element 2b, The 1st electrode 3a, the 2nd electrode 3b, and the heat sink fin 4 are arrange | positioned. Thereafter, a current is supplied while pressing the two punches toward the first thermoelectric conversion element 2 a, the second thermoelectric conversion element 2 b, the first electrode 3 a, the second electrode 3 b, and the heat absorption fin 4. Thereby, the 1st thermoelectric conversion element 2a and the 2nd thermoelectric conversion element 2b, the 1st electrode 3a, the 2nd electrode 3b, and the heat sink fin 4 are diffusion-bonded (plasma bonding), and a plurality of 1st thermoelectric conversion elements 2a And the 2nd thermoelectric conversion element 2b is connected in series, and the one rail-shaped thermoelectric conversion module 1 is formed. Such energization and pressurization is performed in a vacuum, nitrogen gas, or inert gas atmosphere chamber.

(Structure of thermoelectric conversion unit)
Next, the thermoelectric conversion unit 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 3 is a schematic top view showing the configuration of the thermoelectric conversion unit 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the thermoelectric conversion unit 10 is installed downstream of the engine unit 20 in the exhaust direction. That is, the thermoelectric conversion unit 10 generates power using the heat of the exhaust gas exhausted from the engine unit 20.

  The thermoelectric conversion unit 10 is composed of five thermoelectric conversion modules 1. More specifically, the five thermoelectric conversion modules 1 are juxtaposed along the exhaust gas (heat) flow path (indicated by an arrow in FIG. 3) so that the extending direction thereof is parallel to the flow path. Has been. That is, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 are common. Further, the five thermoelectric conversion modules 1 are arranged in a staggered manner. And in the thermoelectric conversion unit 10, you may perform the wiring which can take out electric power separately from the five thermoelectric conversion modules 1, or connect the five thermoelectric conversion modules 1 in series electrically, and one big You may make it possible to take out electric power. Here, the five thermoelectric conversion modules 1 are provided, for example, in a connecting pipe (not shown) provided between the engine unit 20 and an exhaust unit (not shown) for discharging exhaust gas to the outside. It will be.

  In the case where one of the five thermoelectric conversion modules 1 constituting the thermoelectric conversion unit 10 is selected and described, the description will be given as one of the thermoelectric conversion modules 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, and 1e. Similarly, when any one of the heat absorption parts 5 provided in each thermoelectric conversion module is selected and described, it will be described as any one of the heat absorption parts 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, and 5e.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the thermoelectric conversion unit 10, since the thermoelectric conversion modules 1 are provided in a staggered manner along the exhaust gas flow path, they are arranged in parallel in the X direction in the same manner as the thermoelectric conversion module 1. The heat absorption parts 5 constituted by the heat absorption fins 4a to 4d are also arranged in a staggered manner. By arranging the heat absorbing portions 5 in such a staggered manner, each of the heat absorbing portions 5 can make good contact with the exhaust gas discharged from the engine unit 20. That is, each of the endothermic portions 5 is not hindered from contact with the exhaust gas due to the presence of the other endothermic portions 5, and can sufficiently absorb heat. For example, as can be seen from the flow path of the exhaust gas indicated by the arrows in FIG. 3, the flow rate of the exhaust gas on the downstream side of the endothermic portions 5a, 5b, and 5c decreases due to the presence of the endothermic portions 5a, 5b, and 5c. Since the exhaust gas reaches the heat absorbing portions 5d and 5e through the gaps between the heat absorbing portions 5a, 5b and 5c, the heat absorbing portions 5d and 5e located on the downstream side also absorb heat with excellent thermal energy efficiency. Can be planned. Since the thermoelectric conversion unit 10 can obtain a sufficient amount of power generation on the downstream side, the power generation amount as a whole is improved.

  In the present embodiment, the heat absorption parts 5a to 5c of the thermoelectric conversion modules 1a to 1c located on the upstream side and the heat absorption parts 5d to 5e of the thermoelectric conversion modules 1d to 1e located on the downstream side have the same shape. Although having the same surface area, the surface area of the endothermic parts 5d to 5e on the downstream side may be larger than the surface area of the endothermic parts 5a to 5c on the upstream side in consideration of the temperature decrease of the exhaust gas on the downstream side. . That is, according to the temperature distribution in the connection pipe mentioned above, you may set suitably the dimension and surface area of the heat absorption part 5 and the heat absorption fin 4 for every thermoelectric conversion module 1. FIG. Thereby, the electric power generation amount of the thermoelectric conversion unit 10 can be improved more so that sufficient electric power generation can be realized even downstream of the exhaust gas path.

  Moreover, the shape of the thermoelectric conversion module 1 is not limited to a rail shape, and may be another shape having a spread in the XY direction. Even in such a case, in the thermoelectric conversion unit 10, for example, the heat absorption parts 5 are staggered so that the heat absorption parts 5 of the thermoelectric conversion modules 1 do not inhibit the heat absorption of the heat absorption parts 5 of the other thermoelectric conversion modules 1. It is important to place them in

<Modification>
(Structure of other thermoelectric conversion modules)
Next, each modification of the thermoelectric conversion module will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 7. 4 is a top view of the thermoelectric conversion module 101 according to the first modification, FIG. 5 is a side view of the thermoelectric conversion module 201 according to the second modification, and FIG. 6 is a thermoelectric conversion module according to the third modification. FIG. 7 is a front view of the thermoelectric conversion module 401 according to the fourth modification. In each modification, the same reference numerals are given to the same structures and members as those in the above-described embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the thermoelectric conversion module 101 according to the modified example 1 is different from the thermoelectric conversion module 1 in that the heat absorption fins 4 a to 4 d are arranged in a staggered manner. That is, in the thermoelectric conversion module 101, the heat absorption fins 4 are arranged so as not to disturb the heat absorption of the other heat absorption fins 4. With the arrangement of the heat absorbing fins 4 as described above, the heat absorbing fins 4c and 4d located on the downstream side (+ X side) can also absorb heat with excellent thermal energy efficiency, and also between the electrodes located on the downstream side. The temperature difference can be further increased. Thereby, the electric power generation amount of the thermoelectric conversion module 101 itself can also be improved.

  In addition, by arranging the heat absorption fins 4 in a zigzag pattern in one thermoelectric conversion module 101, the thermoelectric conversion unit 10 can generate power without arranging the thermoelectric conversion modules 101 in a zigzag pattern as in the above-described embodiment. The amount may be improved sufficiently. This is because the heat absorption fins 4 are arranged in a staggered manner as the thermoelectric conversion unit 10 as a whole, and the thermoelectric conversion module 101 arranged on the upstream side (−X side) is located on the downstream side. This is because the possibility of hindering the heat absorption of 101 is reduced.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 5, the thermoelectric conversion module 201 according to the modified example 2 is different from the thermoelectric conversion module 1 in that a heat absorbing portion 205 is configured from a common heat absorbing fin. The shape of the endothermic fin is a trapezoid in the XZ plane, and the surface area of the portion located on the downstream side (+ X side) is larger than the surface area of the portion located on the upstream side (−X side). . In other words, in the thermoelectric conversion module 201, the heat absorption part 205 is increased in height toward the downstream side of the exhaust gas flow path. As a result, heat absorption can be achieved with excellent thermal energy efficiency on the downstream side, and the temperature difference can be further increased between the electrodes located on the downstream side. And with the structure of such a heat absorption part 205, the electric power generation amount of the thermoelectric conversion module 201 itself improves.

  Here, since the thermoelectric conversion module 201 has a structure in which the first thermoelectric conversion element 2a and the second thermoelectric conversion element 2b are connected in series, the heat absorption part 205 needs to be formed of an electrical insulator. Become. For example, the heat absorbing portion 205 can be made of aluminum nitride or aluminum oxide.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the thermoelectric conversion module 301 according to the modified example 3 is different from the thermoelectric conversion module 1 in that one endothermic portion 305 is composed of four endothermic fins 304 a, 304 b, 304 c, and 304 d having different surface areas. Is formed. More specifically, each endothermic fin 304 is inclined at the end opposite to the end joined to the second electrode 3b, and the height (Z direction) is advanced toward the downstream side (+ X side). ) Is gradually increasing. In addition, the size of the four heat absorbing fins 304 located on the downstream side is larger and the surface area is larger. That is, in the thermoelectric conversion module 301, the heat absorption part 305 is increased in height toward the downstream side of the exhaust gas flow path.

  With such a structure of the heat absorbing portion 305, heat absorption can be achieved with excellent thermal energy efficiency even on the downstream side, and the temperature difference can be further increased between the electrodes positioned on the downstream side. And with such a structure of the heat absorption part 305, the electric power generation amount can be improved also in the thermoelectric conversion module 301 itself.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the thermoelectric conversion module 401 according to the modification 4 is different from the thermoelectric conversion module 1 in that the inclination angles of the heat absorbing fins 403 with respect to the second electrode 3 b are different from each other. More specifically, the four endothermic fins 403a to 403d are arranged side by side along the exhaust gas flow path, but are most downstream (+ X side) from the endothermic fin 403a located on the most upstream side (−X side). The inclination of the endothermic fin 403 is set so that the inclination angle of the endothermic fin 403 with respect to the second electrode 3b increases toward the endothermic fin 403d located at (3). For example, the inclination angle θ1 of the endothermic fin 403a with respect to the second electrode 3b is about 30 °, the inclination angle θ2 of the endothermic fin 403b with respect to the second electrode 3b is about 70 °, and the inclination of the endothermic fin 403c with respect to the second electrode 3b. The angle θ3 may be about 110 °, and the inclination angle θ4 of the heat absorbing fin 403d with respect to the second electrode 3b may be about 150 °.

  As described above, the endothermic fins 405 are configured by the endothermic fins 404a to 404d having different inclination angles with respect to the second electrode 3b. Therefore, the heat absorption is not disturbed. With the arrangement of the endothermic fins 404, the endothermic fins 404 located on the downstream side (+ X side) can absorb heat with excellent thermal energy efficiency, and the temperature difference between the electrodes located on the downstream side is also possible. Can be made larger. Thereby, the electric power generation amount of the thermoelectric conversion module 401 itself can also be improved.

  In addition, by making the inclination angles of the heat absorption fins 404 different from each other in one thermoelectric conversion module 401, the power generation of the thermoelectric conversion unit 10 can be performed without arranging the thermoelectric conversion modules 401 in a staggered manner as in the above-described embodiment. The amount may be improved sufficiently. This is because the heat absorption fins 404 of the thermoelectric conversion module 401 arranged on the upstream side (−X side) of the thermoelectric conversion unit 10 as a whole are in contact with the heat absorption fins 404 of the thermoelectric conversion module 401 located on the downstream side. This is because the possibility of inhibiting (that is, the endothermic heat absorption fin 404) is reduced.

(Structure of other thermoelectric conversion unit)
Next, a modification of the thermoelectric conversion unit will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Here, FIG. 8 is a top view of the thermoelectric conversion unit 510 according to the fifth modification, and FIG. 9 is a front view of the thermoelectric conversion unit 501 according to the fifth modification. In addition, in the modified example 5, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the structure and member same as the Example mentioned above, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the thermoelectric conversion unit 501 according to the modified example 5, the four thermoelectric conversion modules 501a to 501d are arranged in parallel along the exhaust gas flow path and are arranged in a matrix. . On the other hand, as can be seen from FIGS. 8 and 9, thermoelectric conversion modules 501a and 501b disposed on the upstream side (−X side), and thermoelectric conversion modules 501c and 501d disposed on the downstream side (+ X side), Are different in inclination angle with respect to the second electrode 3b of the endothermic fins included in each. Specifically, in the thermoelectric conversion module 501a, the inclination angle θ5 of the heat absorption fins 504a ₁ , 504b ₁ , 504c ₁ , and 504d ₁ with respect to the second electrode 3b is about 45 °. Similarly, in the thermoelectric conversion module 501b, the inclination angle θ5 of the heat absorption fins 504a ₂ , 504b ₂ , 504c ₂ , and 504d ₂ with respect to the second electrode 3b is also about 45 °. On the other hand, in the thermoelectric conversion module 501c, the inclination angle θ5 of the heat absorption fins 504a ₃ , 504b ₃ , 504c ₃ , and 504d ₃ with respect to the second electrode 3b is about 135 °, and the heat absorption with respect to the second electrode 3b is also performed in the thermoelectric conversion module 501d. The inclination angle θ5 of the fins 504a ₄ , 504b ₄ , 504c ₄ , and 504d ₄ is about 135 °. In the following, when each heat sink fin is selected and not described, it is also simply referred to as a heat sink fin 504.

In the modified example 5, since the inclination angles of the upstream and downstream endothermic fins (that is, the endothermic part) are different, each endothermic fin 504 of the thermoelectric conversion modules 501a to 501d is discharged from the engine unit 20. Good contact with the exhaust gas is possible. That is, the heat absorption parts of the thermoelectric conversion modules 501a to 501d can perform sufficient heat absorption because the presence of the heat absorption parts of the other thermoelectric conversion modules is not hindered from contact with the exhaust gas. For example, as can be seen from the exhaust gas flow path indicated by the arrow in FIG. 8, the flow rate of the exhaust gas on the downstream side of the thermoelectric conversion module 501a decreases due to the presence of the heat absorption fins 504a _{1 to} 504d ₁ of the thermoelectric conversion module 501a. However, since the exhaust gas reaches the heat absorption fins 504a _{3 to} 504d _{3 of the} thermoelectric conversion module 501c via the space between the thermoelectric conversion module 501a and the thermoelectric conversion module 501b, the heat absorption fins 504a ₃ located on the downstream side. Also at ˜504d ₃ , heat absorption can be achieved with excellent thermal energy efficiency. And as thermoelectric conversion unit 510, since sufficient electric power generation amount can be obtained also in the downstream, the electric power generation amount improves as a whole.

  In Modification 5, the shape, size, and surface area of the heat absorption fins 504 provided in each of the thermoelectric conversion modules 501a to 501d are the same, but the surface area increases toward the downstream as in Modification 3. Alternatively, it may be configured as one endothermic fin as in the second modification. Further, the thermoelectric conversion modules 501a to 501d may be configured by combining the staggered arrangement of the first modification with the fifth modification. As a matter of course, the thermoelectric conversion modules 501a to 501d according to the fifth modification may be arranged in a staggered manner as in the above-described embodiment. In any case, the configurations can be appropriately changed and combined depending on the shape of the exhaust gas exhaust path and the temperature distribution.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Thermoelectric conversion module 2a 1st thermoelectric conversion element 2b 2nd thermoelectric conversion element 3a 1st electrode 3b 2nd electrode 4 Endothermic fin 5 Endothermic part 10 Thermoelectric conversion unit 20 Engine unit

Claims (10)

A plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements arranged in parallel;
A first electrode joined to one end of the thermoelectric conversion element and electrically connecting one end of the adjacent thermoelectric conversion elements;
A second electrode joined to the other end of the thermoelectric conversion element and electrically connecting the other ends of the adjacent thermoelectric conversion elements;
A plurality of thermoelectric conversion modules comprising: a heat absorbing portion provided on a surface opposite to the surface joined to the thermoelectric conversion element of the second electrode;
The thermoelectric conversion units in which the plurality of thermoelectric conversion modules are arranged side by side along a heat flow path, and the heat absorbing portions are arranged in a staggered manner.   The surface area of the heat absorption part of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the downstream side of the heat flow channel is larger than the surface area of the heat absorption part of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the upstream side of the heat flow channel. The thermoelectric conversion unit described in 1.   The heat absorption part of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the upstream side of the heat flow channel and the heat absorption part of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the downstream side of the heat flow channel are inclined with respect to the second electrode The thermoelectric conversion unit of Claim 1 or 2 from which different.   The thermoelectric conversion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the endothermic part is composed of a plurality of endothermic fins.   The thermoelectric conversion unit according to claim 4, wherein in each of the thermoelectric conversion modules, the plurality of heat absorption fins are arranged in a staggered manner.   In each of the thermoelectric conversion modules, the heat absorption fins of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the upstream side of the heat flow channel and the heat absorption fins of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the downstream side of the heat flow channel. The thermoelectric conversion unit according to claim 4 or 5, wherein an inclination angle with respect to the second electrode is different.   The thermoelectric conversion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a height of the heat absorption part increases from an upstream side to a downstream side of the heat flow path. A plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements arranged in parallel;
A plurality of first electrodes bonded to one end of the thermoelectric conversion element and electrically connecting one end of the adjacent thermoelectric conversion elements;
A plurality of second electrodes joined to the other ends of the thermoelectric conversion elements and electrically connecting the other ends of the adjacent thermoelectric conversion elements;
A plurality of heat sink fins provided on a surface opposite to the surface joined to the thermoelectric conversion element of the second electrode,
The heat absorption fins are thermoelectric conversion modules arranged in a staggered pattern.   The inclination angle with respect to the second electrode is different between the endothermic fin located on the upstream side of the heat flow path and the endothermic fin of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the downstream side of the heat flow path. The thermoelectric conversion module described in 1.   10. The surface area of the endothermic fin located on the downstream side of the heat flow path is greater than the surface area of the endothermic fin of the thermoelectric conversion module located on the upstream side of the heat flow path. Thermoelectric conversion module.

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