JP2017212382A - Temperature adjustment device and steering wheel with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a temperature adjustment device with excellent general purpose.SOLUTION: A temperature adjustment device comprises a thermoelectric conversion module and a heat transfer member. The thermoelectric conversion module includes: first and second substrates which are opposite each other; and a plurality of thermoelectric elements arranged between the first and second substrates. The heat transfer member is formed by a flexible member structured by a metal wire, is arranged on at least one external surface of the first and second substrates, and is extended to an outer side from the external surface. In the temperature adjustment device, since a heat generated by the thermoelectric conversion module is distributed by the heat transfer member up to a region of the side outer than the thermoelectric conversion module, a temperature in a wider region can be adjusted. In the temperature adjustment device, since the heat transfer member has flexibility, the heat transfer member can be arranged along a curved surface. In this construction, the heat transfer member is structured by using the metal wire, and the flexible heat transfer member can be easily realized.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a temperature adjusting device and a steering wheel using a thermoelectric conversion module.

  The steering wheel of an automobile may become excessively hot or excessively cold depending on the climate. For example, if a car is parked under hot weather, the steering wheel may become so hot that the driver cannot hold it. Also, if the car is parked outdoors below freezing, the steering wheel can get cold enough to make the driver hold it.

  In contrast, Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose techniques for adjusting the temperature of a steering wheel using a thermoelectric conversion module (Peltier module). In these techniques, a thermoelectric conversion module is embedded inside the cover material of the steering wheel. A heat transfer plate for diffusing heat generated by the thermoelectric conversion module in the radial direction of the steering wheel is provided between the thermoelectric conversion module and the cover material.

JP 2006-176037 A JP 2008-080837 A JP 2008-120353 A

  The shape of the outer surface of the steering wheel varies depending on the outer diameter and thickness of the steering wheel. For this reason, in order to utilize the technique which concerns on the said literature, it is necessary to prepare the heat-transfer board according to the shape of the outer surface of each steering wheel. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the steering wheel is greatly increased, and thus a temperature adjusting device that can be commonly used for steering wheels having various outer shapes is required.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a temperature adjusting device having excellent versatility and a steering wheel including the same.

In order to achieve the above object, a temperature adjusting device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a thermoelectric conversion module and a heat transfer member.
The thermoelectric conversion module includes first and second substrates facing each other, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements arranged between the first and second substrates.
The heat transfer member is a flexible member made of a metal wire, and is disposed on at least one outer surface of the first and second substrates, and extends outward from the outer surface.

  In this temperature adjusting device, the heat generated by the thermoelectric conversion module is diffused to the region outside the thermoelectric conversion module by the heat transfer member, so that temperature adjustment in a wider region can be performed. In this temperature adjustment device, since the heat transfer member has flexibility, it is possible to arrange the heat transfer member along a curved surface. Moreover, in this structure, a flexible heat-transfer member is easily realizable by comprising a heat-transfer member using a metal wire.

The heat transfer member may be configured by arranging the metal wires extending in the first direction in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and may extend from the outer surface in the first direction.
In this temperature adjusting device, the heat generated by the thermoelectric conversion module is selectively diffused in the first direction by the heat transfer member. In this temperature adjustment device, for example, by arranging the longitudinal direction of the metal wire in the circumferential direction of the steering wheel, it is possible to perform temperature adjustment in a wider region in the circumferential direction of the steering wheel.

The heat transfer member may be configured by braiding the metal wire.
The heat transfer member may include a cushion material covered with the metal wire.
In this configuration, a flexible heat transfer member can be easily realized by a configuration in which a metal wire is knitted. Furthermore, since the heat transfer member can be elastically deformed in the thickness direction by providing a cushion material on the heat transfer member, the heat transfer member can be easily adhered to various surfaces.

A steering wheel according to another aspect of the present invention includes an annular cored bar, a cover material that covers the cored bar, and a temperature adjustment device that is disposed between the cored bar and the cover material.
The temperature adjusting device includes a thermoelectric conversion module and a heat transfer member.
The thermoelectric conversion module is arranged between a first substrate connected to the core metal, a second substrate disposed between the first substrate and the cover material, and the first and second substrates. A plurality of thermoelectric elements.
The heat transfer member is a flexible member made of a metal wire, and is disposed between the second substrate and the cover material, and extends from the second substrate along the circumferential direction of the cored bar. To do.

  Since the heat transfer member having this configuration has flexibility, the heat transfer member can be arranged along the inner surface of the cover member regardless of the shape of the outer surface of the steering wheel. Therefore, the temperature adjusting device having such a heat transfer member can be commonly used for steering wheels having various outer surface shapes. For this reason, the temperature adjustment of the steering wheel can be realized at low cost by using this temperature adjustment device.

  A temperature adjusting device with excellent versatility and a steering wheel including the same can be provided.

1 is a perspective view of a temperature adjustment device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is sectional drawing in alignment with the AA 'line of FIG. 1 of the said temperature control apparatus. It is sectional drawing along the BB 'line of FIG. 1 of the said temperature control apparatus. It is a top view of the steering wheel which incorporates the said temperature control apparatus. FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view showing, in an enlarged manner, a region surrounded by a dashed line in FIG. 4 of the steering wheel. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC ′ of FIG. 5 of the steering wheel. FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view further enlarging a region surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5 of the steering wheel. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing the modification of the above-mentioned steering wheel. It is a fragmentary sectional view showing the modification of the above-mentioned steering wheel. It is a perspective view of the temperature control apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing along the DD 'line of FIG. 10 of the said temperature control apparatus. It is sectional drawing along the EE 'line of FIG. 10 of the said temperature control apparatus. It is the photograph which image | photographed an example of the heat-transfer member of the said temperature control apparatus. It is the photograph which image | photographed the modification of the heat-transfer member of the said temperature control apparatus. It is a fragmentary sectional view which shows the modification of the said temperature control apparatus.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the drawing, an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis that are orthogonal to each other are shown as appropriate. The X axis, Y axis, and Z axis are common in all drawings.

<First Embodiment>
[Temperature adjusting device 10]
1-3 is a figure which shows typically the temperature control apparatus 10 which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the temperature adjustment device 10. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the temperature adjusting device 10 taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the temperature adjusting device 10 taken along the line BB ′ of FIG. The temperature adjusting device 10 includes a thermoelectric conversion module 20 on the upper side in the Z-axis direction and a heat transfer member 30 on the lower side in the Z-axis direction.

  The thermoelectric conversion module 20 includes a first substrate 21, a second substrate 22, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements 23. The substrates 21 and 22 face each other in the Z-axis direction, the first substrate 21 is disposed on the upper side in the Z-axis direction, and the second substrate 22 is disposed on the lower side in the Z-axis direction. The plurality of thermoelectric elements 23 are arranged at substantially equal intervals along the X-axis and Y-axis directions between the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 22.

  Each of the substrates 21 and 22 is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape extending in parallel to the XY plane. On the lower surface of the first substrate 21 in the Z-axis direction, electrodes arranged in a predetermined pattern are provided. Electrodes arranged in a predetermined pattern are also provided on the upper surface of the second substrate 22 in the Z-axis direction. As the substrates 21 and 22, a known ceramic substrate, a resin substrate, or the like can be used. For example, an aluminum nitride substrate can be used.

  The plurality of thermoelectric elements 23 includes a plurality of pairs of P-type thermoelectric elements and N-type thermoelectric elements, and is sandwiched between the electrodes provided on the first substrate 21 and the electrodes provided on the second substrate 22 in the Z-axis direction. Yes. Each thermoelectric element 23 is made of a thermoelectric material. As the thermoelectric material for forming each thermoelectric element 23, for example, a bismuth-tellurium-based thermoelectric material that can obtain high thermoelectric properties near room temperature can be used.

  In addition, as a thermoelectric material which forms each thermoelectric element 23, it can select from a well-known thermoelectric material suitably. Examples of thermoelectric materials other than bismuth / tellurium-based thermoelectric materials include half-Heusler-based thermoelectric materials, silicide-based thermoelectric materials, lead-tellurium-based thermoelectric materials, silicon-germanium-based thermoelectric materials, skutterudite-based thermoelectric materials, and tetrahedrites. System thermoelectric materials. Different types of thermoelectric materials may be used for the P-type thermoelectric element and the N-type thermoelectric element.

  The thermoelectric elements 23 are alternately arranged so that P-type thermoelectric elements and N-type thermoelectric elements are alternately arranged in both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. In addition, the P-type thermoelectric element and the N-type thermoelectric element that form a pair adjacent to each other are connected by the electrode of the first substrate 21 or the electrode of the second substrate 22. With this configuration, in the thermoelectric element 23, all P-type thermoelectric elements and N-type thermoelectric elements are alternately connected in series via the electrodes of the first substrate 21 and the electrodes of the second substrate 22.

  In addition, the thermoelectric conversion module 20 is provided with two lead wires 24 drawn from the electrodes of the second substrate 22. The lead wires 24 are respectively disposed on the electrodes of the second substrate 22 connected to the two thermoelectric elements 23 that are both ends of the series connection. With such a configuration, the thermoelectric conversion module 20 can convert a potential difference between the lead wires 24 into a temperature difference between the substrates 21 and 22.

  The thermoelectric conversion module 20 is driven in a state where the first substrate 21 is held at a substantially constant temperature using, for example, a heat sink. Thereby, in the thermoelectric conversion module 20, the temperature of the 2nd board | substrate 22 can be raised or the temperature of the 2nd board | substrate 22 can be lowered | hung. Therefore, in the thermoelectric conversion module 20, it is possible to warm or cool the object connected to the second substrate 22.

  The configuration of the thermoelectric conversion module 20 (for example, the logarithm of the thermoelectric element 23 and the size of the substrates 21 and 22) can be changed as appropriate. For example, the thermoelectric conversion module 20 may be a skeleton type in which the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 22 are divided. The thermoelectric conversion module 20 may be a multilayer type in which a plurality of layers of thermoelectric elements 23 are provided. Furthermore, the lead wire 24 may be drawn out from the electrode of the first substrate 21 instead of the electrode of the second substrate 22.

  The heat transfer member 30 is disposed on the lower surface in the Z-axis direction, which is the outer surface of the second substrate 22 of the thermoelectric conversion module 20. The heat transfer member 30 only needs to be thermally connected to the second substrate 22. For example, the heat transfer member 30 may be fixed on the second substrate 22 with an adhesive, solder, or the like. Further, the heat transfer member 30 may be connected to the second substrate 22 via a thermally conductive grease or sheet.

  The heat transfer member 30 as a whole has a strip shape having a short side in the X-axis direction and a long side in the Y-axis direction. The heat transfer member 30 is disposed over the entire width of the second substrate 22 in the X-axis direction, and extends from the second substrate 22 in the Y-axis direction. In the temperature adjustment device 10, the heat transfer member 30 diffuses the heat generated by the thermoelectric conversion module 20 from the second substrate 22 in the Y axis direction, so that the temperature adjustable region is expanded in the Y axis direction.

  The heat transfer member 30 is configured as a flexible member having flexibility in the Z-axis direction. Specifically, the heat transfer member 30 is configured by arranging a plurality of metal wires extending in the Y-axis direction in the X-axis direction. Thereby, the flexibility of the heat transfer member 30 in the Z-axis direction can be easily obtained. Further, in the heat transfer member 30, selective thermal diffusivity in the Y-axis direction is obtained by heat conduction in the Y-axis direction of each metal wire.

  Since the heat transfer member 30 has flexibility in the Z-axis direction, the heat transfer member 30 can be in close contact with various installation surfaces. For example, the heat transfer member 30 can be in close contact with not only a flat installation surface but also a curved installation surface by elastic deformation. Further, even when the installation surface is deformed by pressing or the like, the heat transfer member 30 is elastically deformed following the deformation of the installation surface, thereby maintaining close contact with the installation surface. Therefore, the temperature adjusting device 10 can adjust the temperature of various installation surfaces.

  The metal wire which comprises the heat-transfer member 30 is formed with a metal with high heat conductivity. Typically, a copper wire formed of copper is used as the metal wire. However, the metal wire is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a copper alloy wire formed of a copper alloy containing copper as a main component or a silver-plated copper wire in which a silver plating is applied to the copper wire. . Moreover, the metal wire may be formed of, for example, silver, aluminum, or an alloy thereof.

  In order to improve the thermal diffusibility in the Y-axis direction of the heat transfer member 30, the diameter of the metal wire constituting the heat transfer member 30 is preferably large. On the other hand, the diameter of the metal wire constituting the heat transfer member 30 needs to be kept large enough to ensure the flexibility of the heat transfer member 30 in the Z-axis direction. From such a viewpoint, the diameter of each metal wire constituting the heat transfer member 30 is preferably 0.2 mm or more and 0.6 mm or less, and more preferably about 0.3 to 0.4 mm.

  With the configuration as described above, the heat transfer member 30 formed of a metal wire can achieve both the thermal diffusibility in the Y-axis direction and the flexibility in the Z-axis direction. If the heat transfer member 30 is configured with a metal plate instead of a metal wire, if a thick metal plate capable of ensuring thermal diffusibility in the Y-axis direction is used, sufficient flexibility in the Z-axis direction cannot be obtained. On the other hand, if a thin metal plate capable of ensuring flexibility in the Z-axis direction is used, sufficient heat diffusion in the Y-axis direction cannot be obtained.

  In the above example, the metal wire in the heat transfer member 30 forms a single layer extending along the XY plane, but the configuration of the heat transfer member 30 is not limited to this. The heat transfer member 30 only needs to be made of a metal wire extending in the Y-axis direction in order to obtain selective thermal diffusivity in the Y-axis direction and to ensure flexibility in the Z-axis direction. For example, in the heat transfer member 30, the metal wires may be stacked in the Z-axis direction.

[Steering wheel 1]
FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing the steering wheel 1 incorporating the temperature adjusting device 10 according to the present embodiment. The steering wheel 1 is formed in an annular shape and can be used for a general automobile. The steering wheel 1 includes a cover material 5 that constitutes the outer surface of the steering wheel 1. The cover material 5 is formed of a material that is comfortable to touch, such as a resin sheet, leather, artificial leather, or the like.

  The steering wheel 1 further includes a temperature variable unit 2 provided with a temperature adjusting device 10. The temperature adjustment device 10 is disposed inside the cover material 5. The temperature variable unit 2 is configured to be able to adjust the temperature of the cover material 5 by the temperature adjusting device 10. The temperature variable unit 2 is disposed at a position where the driver can easily grip in the circumferential direction of the steering wheel 1. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the temperature variable part 2 of the same structure is arrange | positioned at two places of the Y-axis direction side.

  5-7 is a figure which shows typically the internal structure of the temperature variable part 2 of the steering wheel 1. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the region surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 4 of the steering wheel 1. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the steering wheel 1 taken along the line CC ′ of FIG. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the steering wheel 1 in a further enlarged manner in a region surrounded by a two-dot chain line in FIG.

  The steering wheel 1 further includes a cored bar 3 and a heat insulating material 4. The core metal 3 is an annular metal member that forms the skeleton of the steering wheel 1. The heat insulating material 4 is a heat insulating member provided between the cored bar 3 and the cover material 5 and is typically formed of rubber or resin. In the temperature variable portion 2, the heat insulating material 4 is cut out, and the heat insulating material 4 is not disposed between the core metal 3 and the cover material 5.

  The temperature adjusting device 10 is arranged in a region where the heat insulating material 4 in the temperature variable portion 2 is cut out. As shown in FIG. 7, the first substrate 21 of the thermoelectric conversion module 20 is disposed on the cored bar 3. The first substrate 21 only needs to be thermally connected to the cored bar 3. For example, the first substrate 21 may be fixed on the cored bar 3 with an adhesive or solder. The first substrate 21 may be connected to the cored bar 3 via a thermally conductive grease or sheet.

  Thus, since the 1st board | substrate 21 of the thermoelectric conversion module 20 is connected to the metal core 3 with large heat capacity, it is hold | maintained at substantially constant temperature. That is, the cored bar 3 functions as a heat sink. Therefore, in the temperature adjustment device 10, the temperature of the heat transfer member 30 connected to the second substrate 22 is generated by driving the thermoelectric conversion module 20 and creating a temperature difference between the first substrate 21 and the second substrate 22. Can be changed.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the heat transfer member 30 is arranged in a curved state along the inner surface of the cover member 5. Thereby, the heat transfer member 30 is in close contact with the inner surface of the cover material 5. Further, even if the temperature variable portion 2 of the steering wheel 1 is gripped by the driver and the cover material 5 is pressed, the heat transfer member 30 elastically deforms following the deformation of the cover material 5, so the heat transfer member 30 and the cover Adhesion with the material 5 is maintained.

  Therefore, in the temperature variable part 2, the temperature of the cover material 5 which a driver directly touches can be changed by changing the temperature of the heat transfer member 30 of the temperature adjusting device 10. That is, in the steering wheel 1, the outer surface of the temperature variable unit 2 is cooled by lowering the temperature of the heat transfer member 30, or the outer surface of the temperature variable unit 2 is heated by increasing the temperature of the heat transfer member 30. Can do.

  Note that the configuration of the steering wheel 1 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the shape of the steering wheel 1 is not circular as shown in FIG. Further, the cross-sectional shape of the cored bar 3 is not D-shaped as shown in FIG. 6 but may be rectangular, L-shaped, half-moon shaped, or the like. Furthermore, the heat insulating material 4 may be disposed between the cored bar 3 and the heat transfer member 30 of the temperature adjusting device 10.

  In addition to the above, various configurations can be added to the steering wheel 1. For example, the steering wheel 1 may include a temperature sensor that can detect the temperature of the outer surface of the temperature variable unit 2. In this case, the steering wheel 1 can control the direction and magnitude of the voltage for driving the thermoelectric conversion module 20 according to the temperature of the outer surface of the temperature variable unit 2 detected by the temperature sensor.

[Modification of Steering Wheel 1]
8 and 9 are views showing modified examples 1 to 3 of the steering wheel 1 according to the embodiment. The steering wheel 1 which concerns on the modifications 1-3 is comprised similarly to the said embodiment except the structure shown below. Among the configurations of the steering wheel 1 according to the first to third modifications, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

(Modifications 1 and 2)
FIG. 8A is a partial cross-sectional view showing a first modification of the steering wheel 1. FIG. 8B is a partial cross-sectional view showing a second modification of the steering wheel 1. In the steering wheel 1 according to the first and second modifications, the interval between the core metal 3 and the cover material 5 is larger than the thickness of the temperature adjusting device 10 in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, the temperature adjusting device 10 cannot directly contact both the core metal 3 and the cover material 5.

  In the steering wheel 1 according to Modification 1 shown in FIG. 8A, the block 40 is disposed between the thermoelectric conversion module 20 and the cored bar 3. The block 40 is made of a metal having high thermal conductivity, and is made of, for example, aluminum or copper. Therefore, the thermoelectric conversion module 20 is thermally connected to the cored bar 3 via the block 40. Even with such a configuration, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

  In the steering wheel 1 according to the modified example 2 shown in FIG. 8B, a resin portion 50 made of a heat conductive resin is disposed between the thermoelectric conversion module 20 and the cover material 5. The heat transfer member 30 is bent so as to cover the resin portion 50 from the thermoelectric conversion module 20 side. Therefore, the heat transfer member 30 is thermally connected to the cover material 5 via the resin portion 50. Even with such a configuration, the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

(Modification 3)
FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a third modification of the steering wheel 1. In the steering wheel 1 according to Modification 3, the temperature adjustment device 10 includes a plurality of thermoelectric conversion modules 20. The plurality of thermoelectric conversion modules 20 are arranged at equal intervals along the circumferential direction of the cored bar 3, and all are connected to a single heat transfer member 30. In this configuration, the cooling capacity and the heating capacity of the temperature adjusting device 10 are improved by the plurality of thermoelectric conversion modules 20.

  Therefore, in the steering wheel 1 according to the modified example 3, the temperature of the outer surface of the temperature variable unit 2 can be changed more greatly, and the temperature of the outer surface of the temperature variable unit 2 can be changed more rapidly. Become. In the example shown in FIG. 9, five thermoelectric conversion modules 20 are provided in the temperature adjustment device 10, but the number of thermoelectric conversion modules 20 in the temperature adjustment device 10 can be arbitrarily changed.

<Second Embodiment>
[Temperature adjusting device 110]
FIGS. 10-12 is a figure which shows typically the temperature control apparatus 110 which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the temperature adjustment device 110. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD ′ of FIG. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the temperature adjustment device 110 taken along line EE ′ of FIG. The temperature adjustment device 110 includes a thermoelectric conversion module 20 on the upper side in the Z-axis direction and a heat transfer member 130 on the lower side in the Z-axis direction.

  In the temperature adjustment device 110 according to the present embodiment, the configuration of the thermoelectric conversion module 20 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the configuration of the heat transfer member 130 is different from that of the first embodiment. For this reason, below, the heat transfer member 130 is mainly demonstrated and description of the thermoelectric conversion module 20 shall be abbreviate | omitted suitably. Also, the temperature adjustment device 110 according to the present embodiment can obtain the same effects as the temperature adjustment device 10 according to the first embodiment.

  The heat transfer member 130 is configured as a flexible member having flexibility in the Z-axis direction. The heat transfer member 130 is configured by braiding metal wires. In order to make the heat transfer member 130 flexible, the heat transfer member 130 is made of a relatively thin metal wire. In the heat transfer member 130, a large cross-sectional area is obtained in the direction along the XZ plane by weaving and integrating such metal wires. Therefore, in the heat transfer member 130, good thermal diffusibility in the Y-axis direction can be obtained.

  As the heat transfer member 130, for example, a woven copper wire widely used as a conducting wire for large current use can be used. Since the knitted copper wire has both flexibility and heat diffusibility, it is suitable as the heat transfer member 130. Furthermore, knitted copper wire is widely distributed in the market and is available at low cost. For this reason, the manufacturing cost of the temperature control apparatus 110 can be reduced by utilizing a knitted copper wire as the heat transfer member 130.

  FIG. 13 is a photograph of a knitted copper wire that can be used for the heat transfer member 130. The knitted copper wire shown in FIG. 13 is a cylindrical flat knitted copper wire. With this knitted copper wire, particularly good thermal diffusivity is obtained in the longitudinal direction. For this reason, the heat transfer member 130 composed of this knitted copper wire is disposed on the second substrate 22 of the thermoelectric conversion module 20 with its longitudinal direction facing the Y-axis direction. Thereby, in the heat-transfer member 30, the outstanding thermal diffusivity to the Y-axis direction is obtained.

  As the heat transfer member 130, for example, a knitted copper wire having a metal wire diameter of about 0.1 to 0.3 mm can be used. Further, the knitted copper wire used as the heat transfer member 130 may be subjected to processing such as cutting or may be folded as necessary. Furthermore, the heat transfer member 130 may be configured by combining a plurality of knitted copper wires. In addition, a stranded copper wire or the like may be used as the heat transfer member 130 instead of the knitted copper wire.

[Modification of Heat Transfer Member 130]
FIG. 14 is a photograph of a heat transfer member 130 according to a modification. The heat transfer member 130 according to the modification includes a cushion material 131 having cushioning properties. More specifically, the heat transfer member 130 according to the modification shown in FIG. 14 has a configuration in which a cushion material 131 is filled in a tubular knitted copper wire shown in FIG. The heat transfer member 130 according to the modification can be elastically deformed in the thickness direction by the action of the cushion material 131.

  FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing the temperature variable portion 2a of the steering wheel 1a incorporating the temperature adjusting device 110 using the heat transfer member 130 according to the modification. The steering wheel 1 a is configured in the same manner as the steering wheel 1 according to the first embodiment except for the configuration of the temperature adjustment device 110. In FIG. 15, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure similar to the steering wheel 1 which concerns on 1st Embodiment in the steering wheel 1a.

  In the steering wheel 1a, the heat transfer member 130 is sandwiched between the thermoelectric conversion module 20 and the cover member 5 in a state where the heat transfer member 130 is slightly compressed and deformed in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, since the heat transfer member 130 is pressed against the inner surface of the cover material 5 by the elastic force of the cushion material 131, the heat transfer member 130 and the cover material 5 are more closely adhered to each other. Further, since the knitted copper wire is continuous around the cushion material 131, the heat transfer performance of the heat transfer member 130 is not impaired.

  Further, in the heat transfer member 130, the thickness in the Z-axis direction can be increased by the amount filled with the cushion material 131. Therefore, even when the gap between the cored bar 3 and the cover material 5 is large, the thermoelectric conversion module 20 and the cover material 5 can be satisfactorily connected by the heat transfer member 130. Moreover, the thickness of the heat transfer member 130 in the Z-axis direction can be changed by adjusting the amount of the cushion material 131 filled in the knitted copper wire.

  The cushion material 131 can be formed of, for example, foam rubber or polyurethane foam. In addition, it is calculated | required that the heat-transfer member 130 can change temperature rapidly following the temperature change of the 2nd board | substrate 22 of the thermoelectric conversion module 20. FIG. From such a viewpoint, it is preferable that the material and the amount of the cushion material 131 of the heat transfer member 130 are configured so that the overall heat capacity does not become too large.

<Other embodiments>
The embodiment of the present invention has been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  For example, in the temperature adjusting device according to the present invention, the direction of the heat transfer member relative to the thermoelectric conversion module in the direction along the XY plane can be arbitrarily changed. Further, the heat transfer member may extend not only in the Y-axis direction but also in the X-axis direction with respect to the thermoelectric conversion module. Furthermore, the heat transfer member may be disposed not only on the outer surface of the second substrate of the thermoelectric conversion module but also on the outer surface of the first substrate, as necessary.

  Moreover, the temperature adjusting device according to the present invention can be widely used for applications other than the steering wheel, and is particularly useful in applications that require temperature adjustment of a curved surface or a surface on which deformation occurs. Furthermore, the temperature adjustment device according to the present invention is not limited to temperature adjustment near room temperature, but can be used for temperature adjustment at higher or lower temperatures. In this case, the temperature adjusting device is preferably configured using a thermoelectric material that provides high thermoelectric characteristics in the operating temperature range.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steering wheel 2 ... Temperature variable part 3 ... Core metal 4 ... Heat insulating material 5 ... Cover material 10 ... Temperature adjusting device 20 ... Thermoelectric conversion module 21,22 ... Substrate 23 ... Thermoelectric element 24 ... Lead wire 30 ... Heat transfer member

Claims (5)

A thermoelectric conversion module having first and second substrates facing each other, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements arranged between the first and second substrates;
A heat transfer member made of a metal wire, disposed on at least one outer surface of the first and second substrates, and extending outward from the outer surface;
A temperature control device comprising: The temperature control device according to claim 1,
The heat transfer member is configured by arranging the metal wires extending in a first direction in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and extending from the outer surface in the first direction. The temperature control device according to claim 1,
The heat transfer member is configured by braiding the metal wire. The temperature adjusting device according to claim 3,
The heat transfer member includes a cushion material covered with the woven metal wire. An annular cored bar, a cover material covering the cored bar, and a temperature adjusting device disposed between the cored bar and the cover material,
The temperature adjusting device is:
A first substrate connected to the metal core, a second substrate disposed between the first substrate and the cover member, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements arranged between the first and second substrates; A thermoelectric conversion module having
It is a flexible member made of a metal wire, and is disposed between the second substrate and the cover material, and has a heat transfer member that extends from the second substrate in the circumferential direction of the cored bar. Steering wheel.