JP2020074388A - Thermoelectric converter - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a thermoelectric converter having an operation surface that can be smoothly fitted along installation surfaces in various shapes.SOLUTION: A thermoelectric converter 100 comprises: a deformable first board 10: a deformable second board 50:a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 20 arranged between the first board 10 and the second board 50; and electrodes, arranged on the first board 10 and the second board 50, to which solder bonding of the thermoelectric conversion elements 20 is performed to electrically connect the thermoelectric conversion elements. The plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 20 are arranged in a plurality of rows between the first board 10 and the second board 50. The electrodes include bridge electrodes 12, 13 across a first row and a second row adjacent to the first row. The bridge electrodes includes notch parts arranged so as to separate thermoelectric conversion elements 20 on both rows and notch parts arranged so as not to separate thermoelectric conversion elements 20 on both rows on a partition line partitioning both rows.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermoelectric converter that converts heat into electric power or converts electric power into heat.

  Conventionally, thermoelectric converters have been used to cool or heat objects. Further, in recent years, a thermoelectric converter has been used to convert exhaust heat generated in a factory or the like into electric power. This type of thermoelectric converter can be configured by combining a large number of p-type thermoelectric conversion elements and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements that utilize thermoelectric effects such as the Seebeck effect, Peltier effect, or Thomson effect.

  The following Patent Document 1 describes a thermoelectric converter in which a large number of P-type thermoelectric elements and N-type thermoelectric elements are arranged between two substrates. In this configuration, the P-type thermoelectric element and the N-type thermoelectric element are electrically connected by the electrode group installed on each substrate. A total of four thermoelectric conversion elements, two P-type thermoelectric conversion elements and two N-type thermoelectric conversion elements, are arranged on the electrodes in the portion that bridges the connection from a predetermined row to an adjacent row. The other electrodes in each row are configured to connect one P-type thermoelectric conversion element and one N-type thermoelectric conversion element in series.

JP 2002-111080 A

  The installation surface on which the thermoelectric converter is installed is not necessarily a flat surface, and may have various shapes such as a curved surface. Therefore, it is preferable that the thermoelectric converter can be deformed so as to follow the shape of the installation surface. However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1 described above, the electrodes are arranged along each column, and the electrodes are arranged so as to straddle the columns also in the portion that bridges the connection from the predetermined column to the adjacent column. Therefore, the structure is such that the substrate does not easily deform in any direction. For this reason, if the installation surface is other than a flat surface, it is difficult to align the working surface of the thermoelectric converter with the installation surface, which results in a decrease in thermoelectric conversion efficiency.

  In view of such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric converter capable of smoothly aligning a working surface with an installation surface having various shapes.

  A thermoelectric converter according to a main aspect of the present invention includes a deformable first substrate, a deformable second substrate, and a plurality of arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. A thermoelectric conversion element and an electrode group that electrically connects the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements by soldering the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements, respectively. The plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate so as to be arranged in a plurality of rows. The bridge electrode extending between the first row and the adjacent second row in the electrode group has the first row on the dividing line that divides the first row and the second row. A notch portion arranged so as to separate the thermoelectric conversion element in the second row from the thermoelectric conversion element in the second row, the thermoelectric conversion element in the first row and the thermoelectric conversion element in the second row. A second notch portion arranged so as not to separate the conversion elements.

  According to the thermoelectric converter of this aspect, both the first substrate and the second substrate are deformable. Moreover, since the bridge electrode has two notches, the bridge electrode has a structure that is easily bent. Therefore, at the position of the gap between the adjacent rows, the thermoelectric converter can be easily bent around the gap as an axis. Therefore, the working surface of the thermoelectric converter can easily be along the installation surface.

  As described above, according to the thermoelectric converter of this aspect, the working surface of the thermoelectric converter can be easily aligned with the installation surface of various shapes.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermoelectric converter capable of smoothly aligning the working surface with the installation surfaces of various shapes.

  The effects and significance of the present invention will be more apparent from the description of the embodiments below. However, the embodiment described below is merely an example for embodying the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to what is described in the following embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a thermoelectric converter before mounting the second substrate according to the embodiment. FIG. 2A is a plan view showing the configuration of the electrode group arranged on the first substrate side of the thermoelectric converter according to the embodiment. FIG. 2B is a plan view showing the configuration of the electrode group arranged on the second substrate side of the thermoelectric converter according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing the configuration of the electrode group arranged on the first substrate side of the thermoelectric converter according to the embodiment. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a state in which a thermoelectric conversion element is installed in the electrode group on the first substrate side of the thermoelectric converter according to the embodiment. FIG.4 (b) is a figure which shows arrangement | positioning of the thermoelectric conversion element with respect to the electrode group by the side of the 2nd board | substrate of the thermoelectric converter which concerns on embodiment. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing a connected state of the thermoelectric conversion element according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the thermoelectric converter in a state where the second substrate according to the embodiment is mounted. FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams schematically showing a state before the thermoelectric converter according to the embodiment is installed on the installation surface of the object and a state after the installation. FIG. 8: is a perspective view which shows the structure of the thermoelectric converter before mounting the 2nd board | substrate which concerns on the example of a change.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For the sake of convenience, the X, Y, and Z axes that are orthogonal to each other are added to each drawing. The Z-axis direction is the height direction of the thermoelectric converter 100, and the Z-axis positive direction is the upward direction.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the thermoelectric converter 100 before mounting the second substrate.

  The thermoelectric converter 100 includes a first substrate 10, a thermoelectric conversion element 20, and a support 30.

  The first substrate 10 has a square shape with rounded corners in a plan view. The first substrate 10 is made of a material that has excellent heat conduction characteristics and is deformable. For example, the first substrate 10 may be made of a material having excellent heat conduction characteristics and flexibility. A thin copper plate may be used as the first substrate 10. In addition, the first substrate 10 may be formed of aluminum, silicon resin, epoxy resin, or the like.

  An electrode group including an electrode 11 and bridge electrodes 12 and 13 is provided on the upper surface (the surface on the Z axis positive side) of the first substrate 10. Further, the first patterns 14 to 17 and the second patterns 18 and 19 are provided on the edge of the upper surface of the first substrate 10. The electrode 11 and the bridge electrodes 12 and 13, and the first patterns 14 to 17 and the second patterns 18 and 19 are formed of copper, aluminum or the like. When the first substrate 10 is made of a conductive material, it is provided between the first substrate 10 and the electrodes 11, the bridging electrodes 12, 13, the first patterns 14 to 17 and the second patterns 18, 19. An insulating layer is provided.

  The lower surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 20 is joined to the upper surfaces of the electrode 11 and the bridge electrodes 12 and 13 by soldering. The lower surface of the support 30 is joined to the upper surfaces of the second patterns 18 and 19 with solder. Further, the lead wires 41 and 42 are connected to the second patterns 18 and 19 by soldering. Neither the thermoelectric conversion element 20 nor the support 30 is installed in the first patterns 14 to 17.

  FIG. 2A is a plan view showing the configuration of the electrode group and the like arranged on the first substrate 10 side.

  The electrodes 11 are arranged so as to be arranged along a plurality of columns L1 extending in the Y-axis direction. The bridge electrodes 12 and 13 are arranged at the Y-axis negative side end and the Y-axis positive side end so as to straddle the two rows L1. The bridge electrode 12 includes two regions 121 and 122 and a region 123 that connects these regions 121 and 122. Further, the bridge electrode 12 has notches 124 and 125 that are recessed inside the bridge electrode 12 in parallel with the Y-axis direction. The cutouts 124 and 125 are formed so as to be recessed along the division line on the division line that divides the adjacent rows L1. Similarly, the bridge electrode 13 also has regions 131, 132, 133 and notches 134, 135.

  First patterns 14 to 17 are formed at edge portions on the Y-axis positive side and the Y-axis negative side of the upper surface of the first substrate 10 so as to extend in the X-axis direction. Further, the second patterns 18 and 19 are formed at the edge portions on the X-axis positive side and the X-axis negative side of the upper surface of the first substrate 10 so as to extend in the Y-axis direction. The second pattern 18 on the right side is integrally connected to the rightmost bridge electrode 13, and the second pattern 19 on the left side is integrally connected to the leftmost bridge electrode 13. On the upper surface of the first substrate 10, electrode groups and pattern groups are arranged symmetrically in the X-axis direction.

  FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing the configuration of the electrode group arranged near the corner of the first substrate 10.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the two regions 121 and 122 of the bridge electrode 12 have the same thickness as the electrode 11. The region 123 of the bridge electrode 12 has a smaller thickness and a larger surface area than the electrode 11. The regions 121, 122, 123 are integrally formed.

  In a plan view, the regions 121 and 122 have a square outline that is slightly larger than the thermoelectric conversion element 20. The width of the regions 121 and 122 in the X-axis direction is the same as the width of the electrode 11 in the X-axis direction. The regions 121 and 122 are arranged in the same row as the electrode 11. Further, the regions 121 and 122 are linearly arranged in the X-axis direction with a gap G1 therebetween.

  Most of the region 123 is formed so as to spread from the regions 121 and 122 to the Y axis negative side. The thickness of the region 123 is such that the cross-sectional area when the region 123 is cut along a plane parallel to the YZ plane at the position of the straight line S1 that divides the region 123 into two in the X-axis direction is the regions 121 and 122 or the electrode 11 in the XZ plane. The cross-sectional area is set to be substantially the same as that of the cross-section when cut along parallel planes. The cutouts 124 and 125 are provided at the position of the straight line S1. The shapes of the cutouts 124 and 125 in plan view are substantially semicircles.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the thickness of the first patterns 15 and 17 is slightly smaller than the thickness of the region 123. The thickness of the first pattern 16 (see FIG. 2A) is the same as the thickness of the first patterns 15 and 17. The first patterns 15 to 17 are for applying tension to the first substrate 10 when the first substrate 10 is bent in a direction parallel to the XZ plane. Accordingly, the first substrate 10 can be smoothly bent in the direction parallel to the XZ plane.

  The thickness of the first patterns 15 to 17 need not necessarily be thinner than that of the region 123, and may be any other thickness as long as the desired tension can be applied to the first substrate 10. Further, the positions where the first patterns 15 to 17 are separated from each other are not necessarily the positions shown in FIGS. 2A and 3 and may be other positions in the X-axis direction. Further, the first pattern formed on the Y-axis negative side edge of the substrate 10 does not necessarily have to be separated into three in the X-axis direction, and may be separated into other numbers, or Like the first pattern 14 formed on the edge of the first substrate 10 on the Y axis positive side, it may not be separated.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the thickness of the second pattern 19 is substantially the same as the thickness of the regions 121 and 122 and the electrode 11. The width of the second pattern 19 in the X-axis direction is substantially the same as the width of the regions 121, 122 and the electrode 11 in the X-axis direction. The second pattern 19 has a function of connecting the lead wire 42 and the thermoelectric conversion element 20 as described above, and also has a reinforcing function of making the first substrate 10 hard to bend in a direction parallel to the YZ plane.

  If the first substrate 10 is easily bent in the direction parallel to the YZ plane, the thickness of the second pattern 19 may be reduced and the width of the second pattern 19 in the X-axis direction may be increased. .. In this case, the second thickness and the X-axis are set so that the cross-sectional area when the second pattern 19 is cut on a plane parallel to the XZ plane is substantially the same as the cross-sectional area when the electrode 11 is cut on this plane. The width in the direction may be adjusted.

  The central seven bridge electrodes 13 shown in FIG. 2A also have the same structure as the bridge electrode 12 shown in FIG. These seven bridge electrodes 13 have a structure in which the bridge electrode 12 shown in FIG. 3 is inverted in the Y-axis direction. The contours and thicknesses of the regions 131, 132 and the region 133 of these seven bridging electrodes 13 are the same as those of the bridging electrode 12. The leftmost bridge electrode 13 in FIG. 2A has a configuration in which the region 131 of the other bridge electrode 13 is replaced with the second pattern 19. Further, the bridge electrode 13 at the right end has a configuration in which the region 132 of the other bridge electrode 13 is replaced with the second pattern 18.

  The thickness and width of the Y-axis positive side first pattern 14 shown in FIG. 2A are the same as those of the Y-axis negative side first patterns 15 and 17 shown in FIG. The first pattern 14 on the Y-axis positive side is similar to the first patterns 15 and 17 on the Y-axis negative side when the first substrate 10 is bent in a direction parallel to the XZ plane. It is for giving tension to. The first pattern 14 on the Y axis positive side may be composed of a plurality of portions separated in the X axis direction. The thickness and width of the X-axis positive side second pattern 18 are the same as those of the X-axis negative side second pattern 19 shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a state in which the thermoelectric conversion element 20 is installed on the electrode group on the first substrate 10 side.

  Two P-type and N-type thermoelectric conversion elements 20 are installed on the electrode 11 so as to be aligned in the Y-axis direction. In the regions 131 and 132 of the bridge electrode 13, two P-type and N-type thermoelectric conversion elements 20 are installed so as to be aligned in the X-axis direction. Four supports 30 are provided on each of the second patterns 18 and 19.

  The thermoelectric conversion element 20 has a substantially cubic shape. The thermoelectric conversion element 20 is made of, for example, a semiconductor that converts heat into electric power. The thermoelectric conversion element 20 is made of a material having a large figure of merit Z (= α2 / ρK) represented by the Seebeck coefficient α, the specific resistance ρ, and the thermal conductivity K (Bi2Te3 based material, lead / tellurium based material, silicon / germanium based material). Etc.) with a dopant added. Two types of p-type and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements 20 are formed by the added dopant. As a dopant for forming the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 20, for example, Sb is added. Moreover, for example, Se is added as a dopant for forming the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 20. Electrode portions joined to the electrode group are formed on the upper surface and the lower surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 20. The thermoelectric conversion element 20 may be composed of an element such as a Peltier element that controls heat with electric power.

  The support 30 has the same shape as the thermoelectric conversion element 20. The height of the support 30 is the same as the height of the thermoelectric conversion element 20. The support 30 is made of a material having high rigidity. The support 30 may be the p-type or n-type thermoelectric conversion element 20. In this case, even if the material rigidity of the p-type or n-type thermoelectric conversion element 20 is low, it is sufficient if the rigidity can be secured as a structure. The support 30 is made of a material that allows the patterns of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 50 to be soldered on the upper and lower surfaces. For example, the support 30 can be composed of a zinc alloy. Alternatively, the support 30 may be formed by plating the surface of a structure such as a metal or a resin material. The support 30 is preferably made of a material or composition having high wettability with respect to solder.

  The support 30 may be made of glass or resin. In this case, the upper surface and the lower surface of the support body 30 are bonded to the corresponding patterns of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 50, respectively, with an adhesive instead of solder. The adhesive fixing is performed using, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin or a thermosetting resin.

  The second substrate 50 is overlaid on the structure shown in FIG. 1 from the Z axis positive side. An electrode group that is joined to the upper surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 20 by soldering is formed on the lower surface (the surface on the Z axis negative side) of the second substrate 50.

  FIG. 2B is a plan view showing the configuration of the electrode group arranged on the second substrate 50 side.

  The second substrate 50 has the same contour as the first substrate 10 in a plan view. The second substrate 50 is made of a material that is deformable and stretchable in a direction parallel to the XY plane. For example, the second substrate 50 is made of a flexible and stretchable resin material.

  An electrode 51, first patterns 52 to 55, and second patterns 56 and 57 are formed on the Z-axis negative side of the second substrate 50. The contours and thicknesses of the electrode 51, the first patterns 52 to 55, and the second patterns 56 and 57 are the same as those of the electrode 11, the first patterns 14 to 17, and the second patterns 18 and 19 on the first substrate 10 side. Same as contour and thickness.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, seven columns of electrodes 11 arranged in the X-axis direction are arranged on the first substrate 10 in the Y-axis direction, but as shown in FIG. On the second substrate 50, eight rows of electrodes 51 arranged in the X-axis direction are arranged in the Y-axis direction. Each row of the electrodes 51 arranged in the X-axis direction is equal to each row of the electrodes 11 arranged in the X-axis direction arranged on the first substrate 10 by a half of the width of the electrodes 51 in the Y-axis direction. Misaligned. An electrode corresponding to the bridge electrode 12 of the first substrate 10 is not formed on the second substrate 50. On the lower surface of the second substrate 50, an electrode group and a pattern group are arranged symmetrically in the X-axis direction.

  FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the arrangement of the thermoelectric conversion elements 20 with respect to the electrode group on the second substrate 50 side when the second substrate 50 is stacked on the structure shown in FIG. 1.

  Two P-type and N-type thermoelectric conversion elements 20 are positioned on the electrode 51 so as to be aligned in the Y-axis direction. Four supports 30 are positioned in each of the second patterns 56, 57. In a state where the second substrate 50 is stacked on the structure shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 20 is soldered to the corresponding electrode 51, and the upper surface of the support 30 is the second pattern 56, Soldered to either one of 57.

  In this way, when the second substrate 50 is attached to the structure of FIG. 1, the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 20 and the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 20 installed on the first substrate 10 are attached to the first substrate 10. The electrode group and the electrode group of the second substrate 50 are connected in series.

  FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged view showing a connection state of the thermoelectric conversion element 20 by the electrode group. In FIG. 5, the letter P is attached to the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 20, and the letter N is attached to the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 20. In addition, a dashed arrow indicates an electrical connection route. For convenience, the support 30 and the second substrate 50 are not shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 20 and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 20 lined up in the Y-axis direction are connected in series by the electrode 11 and the electrode 51. Further, the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 20 and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 20 arranged in the X-axis direction on the most negative side of the Y-axis are connected in series by the bridge electrode 12. Similarly, the P-type thermoelectric conversion element 20 and the N-type thermoelectric conversion element 20 lined up in the X-axis direction on the most positive side of the Y-axis are connected in series by the bridge electrode 13 (see FIG. 4A) of the first substrate 10. It is connected to the.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the thermoelectric converter 100 in a state where the second substrate 50 is attached to the structure shown in FIG.

  In a plan view, the thermoelectric converter 100 has a square shape with rounded corners. The thermoelectric conversion element 20 is sandwiched between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 50. The distance between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 50 is determined by the heights of the thermoelectric conversion element 20 and the support 30 sandwiched between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 50. The support 30 is for increasing the strength of the thermoelectric converter 100 in the Z-axis direction. Lead wires 41 and 42 are drawn out from between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 50.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams schematically showing a state before the thermoelectric converter 100 is installed on the installation surface 201 of the object 200 and a state after the installation.

  In the present embodiment, the lower surface of the first substrate 10 is the working surface 101. Therefore, the thermoelectric converter 100 is installed on the installation surface 201 of the object 200 so that the lower surface of the first substrate 10 contacts the installation surface 201. Here, it is assumed that the shape of the object 200 is a columnar shape whose center axis is an axis parallel to the Y axis. Therefore, the installation surface 201 has a roundness only in the direction parallel to the XZ plane.

  When the working surface 101 of the thermoelectric converter 100 is pressed against the installation surface 201 of the target object 200 from the state shown in FIG. 7A, the thermoelectric converter 100 bends in the in-plane direction of the XZ plane at the position P1. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7B, the working surface 101 of the thermoelectric converter 100 comes to follow the installation surface 201 of the object 200.

  That is, as described with reference to FIG. 3, the bridge electrodes 12 and 13 have the region 123 having a smaller thickness and a larger surface area than the other electrodes 11. Therefore, in this region 123, the bridge electrodes 12 and 13 have a structure that is easily bent. Therefore, at the position of the gap G1 between the adjacent rows L1, the thermoelectric converter 100 can be easily bent in the in-plane direction of the XZ plane with the gap G1 as the axis. Therefore, the working surface 101 of the thermoelectric converter 100 can easily be along the installation surface 201.

<Effects of the embodiment>
According to this embodiment, the following effects are achieved.

  Since the bridge electrodes 12 and 13 have regions 123 and 133 that are thinner and have a larger surface area than the electrode 11, the bridge electrodes 12 and 13 have a structure in which these regions 123 and 133 are easily bent. .. Therefore, at the position P1 of the gap G1 between the adjacent rows L1, the thermoelectric converter 100 can be easily bent around the gap G1 as an axis. Therefore, the working surface 101 of the thermoelectric converter 100 can easily be along the installation surface 201. In addition, since the surface areas of the thin regions 123 and 133 of the bridge electrodes 12 and 13 are large, the same current density as that of the other electrodes can be maintained. Therefore, the function as an electrode can be secured similarly to the other electrodes 11, and the characteristics of the thermoelectric converter 100 are not impaired. As described above, according to the thermoelectric converter 100 according to the present embodiment, the working surface 101 of the thermoelectric converter 100 can easily be along the cylindrical installation surface 201 without impairing the characteristics of the thermoelectric converter 100. be able to.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the thickness of the regions 121, 122, 131, 132 of the bridge electrodes 12, 13 in which the thermoelectric conversion element 20 is installed is the same as the thickness of the electrode 11. Therefore, the thermoelectric conversion element 20 having the same height as the thermoelectric conversion element 20 installed on the electrode 11 can be installed also on the bridge electrodes 12 and 13, and can be installed between the bridge electrodes 12 and 13 and the electrode 11. It is not necessary to distinguish the thermoelectric conversion elements 20 to be used. Therefore, the thermoelectric conversion element 20 can be installed with good workability.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, the bridge electrodes 12 and 13 are provided with notches 124, 125, and 134 that are recessed inside the bridge electrodes 12 and 13 along the partition line on the partition line that partitions the adjacent row L1. , 135, and these notches 124, 125, 134, 135 make the regions 123, 133 more flexible. Therefore, the thermoelectric converter 100 can be bent more easily, and the working surface 101 of the thermoelectric converter 100 can be more easily aligned with the installation surface 201.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first patterns 14 to 17 that are not bonded to the thermoelectric conversion elements 20 are provided on the edge portion of the first substrate 10 in the Y-axis direction so as to extend perpendicularly to the column L1, and the second pattern. Similar first patterns 52 to 55 are provided also on the edge portion of the substrate 50 in the Y-axis direction. With this, when the thermoelectric converter 100 is bent, a desired tension can be applied, and the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 50 can be smoothly bent in a direction parallel to the XZ plane. Therefore, the working surface 101 of the thermoelectric converter 100 can be made to follow the installation surface 201 more smoothly.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the second patterns 18 and 19 that are not bonded to the thermoelectric conversion elements 20 are provided at the edge portion of the first substrate 10 in the X-axis direction so as to extend in parallel to the row L1, and the second patterns are provided. Similar second patterns 56 to 57 are also provided on the edge portion of the substrate 50 in the X-axis direction. This makes it difficult for the thermoelectric converter 100 to bend in a direction parallel to the YZ plane, so that the working surface 101 can be made to follow the cylindrical installation surface 201 with a smoother work.

  Further, the lead wires 41 and 42 are connected to the second patterns 18 and 19, and the lead wires 41 and 42 are connected to the thermoelectric conversion element 20 via the second patterns 18 and 19. In this way, by sharing the second patterns 18 and 19 as the introduction patterns of the lead wires 41 and 42, the thermoelectric converter 100 can be compactly housed.

<Example of change>
In the above-described embodiment, the electrode 51 is formed on the second substrate 50, and when the second substrate 50 is placed on the upper surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 20, the electrode 51 is joined to the upper surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 20 by soldering. The electrode 51 may not be arranged on the second substrate 50 side, but may be soldered to the upper surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 20 in advance.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example in this case. As shown in FIG. 8, in this configuration example, before the second substrate 50 is overlaid on the first substrate 10, the electrode 51 is bonded to the upper surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 20 by soldering in advance. In the configuration example of FIG. 8, the second patterns 56 and 57 are also joined to the upper surface of the support 30 by soldering in advance. Note that, for convenience, in FIG. 8, the portions of the second patterns 56 and 57 indicated by broken lines are omitted.

  In this case, the electrodes 51 and the second patterns 56 and 57 are omitted from the second substrate 50. Furthermore, the first patterns 52 to 54 may be omitted from the second substrate 50.

  The second substrate 50 is fixed to the upper surface of the second pattern 57 on the X-axis positive side with an adhesive when being stacked on the upper surface of the structure of FIG. That is, in the assembled state of the thermoelectric converter 100 as shown in FIG. 6, the second substrate 50 is in a state where only the edge portion on the X-axis positive side is fixed to the upper surface of the second pattern 56, and The portion is free from the upper surface of the electrode 51 and the upper surface of the second pattern 56 on the X-axis negative side.

  According to this modified example, as described above, the portion other than the one edge portion of the second substrate 50 is in a free state with respect to the upper surface of the electrode 51 and the upper surface of the second pattern 56 on the X-axis negative side. Therefore, the thermoelectric converter 100 can be bent more easily in the in-plane direction of the XZ plane of FIG. 6 as compared with the above embodiment. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the working surface 101 is pressed against the installation surface 201, the thermoelectric converter 100 can be bent more easily, and the operation surface 101 can be more easily attached to the installation surface 201. It becomes easy to follow along smoothly.

  In this modification, the second substrate 50 can be separated from the upper surface of the electrode 51 in the state shown in FIG. Therefore, in this modified example, when the thermoelectric converter 100 is attached to the target object 200, the fixture for attaching the thermoelectric converter 100 to the target object 200 is used so that the second substrate 50 does not separate from the upper surface of the electrode 51. The upper surface of the second substrate 50 may be pressed down.

  Further, in this modified example, the second substrate 50 is bonded to the upper surface of the second pattern 57 with an adhesive, but instead of this, the second substrate 50 is not bonded to the upper surface of the electrode 51 and the upper surfaces of the second patterns 56 and 57. A conductive grease may be applied and the second substrate 50 may be temporarily fixed to the upper surfaces of the electrodes 51 and the second patterns 56 and 57 by the adhesive force of the grease.

  In this case as well, the second substrate 50 is in a state of being displaceable in the direction parallel to the XY plane with respect to the upper surface of the electrode 51 and the upper surfaces of the second patterns 56 and 57, and therefore, compared with the above-described embodiment. It becomes easier to bend the thermoelectric converter 100 in the in-plane direction of the XZ plane of FIG. Therefore, when the working surface 101 is pressed against the installation surface 201 as shown in FIG. 7B, the thermoelectric converter 100 can be bent more easily, and the operation surface 101 can be smoothly moved with respect to the installation surface 201. It becomes easy to follow

  Although the second patterns 56 and 57 are disposed on the upper surface of the support 30 in the configuration example of FIG. 8, the second patterns 56 and 57 may be omitted. Further, in consideration of the frictional force between the electrode 51 and the second substrate 50, temporary fixing may not be performed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the support body 30 is disposed between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 50 in addition to the thermoelectric conversion element 20, but the support body 30 is not always necessary, and Z The support 30 may be omitted if the strength in the axial direction can be maintained.

  Although the first patterns 52 to 55 are provided on the second substrate 50 side in the above-described embodiment, the first patterns 52 to 55 may be provided as long as the thermoelectric converter 100 can be flexed smoothly. May be omitted. Alternatively, the first patterns 14 to 17 on the first substrate 10 side may be omitted while leaving the first patterns 52 to 55 on the second substrate 50 side. It should be noted that the first patterns 14 to 17 and the first patterns 52 to 55 are not always necessary, and the first patterns 14 to 17 and the first patterns 14 to 17 and Both of the first patterns 52 to 55 may be omitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, the second patterns 56 and 57 are also provided on the second substrate 50 side, but the second pattern 56 and 57 may be provided as long as it is possible to suppress the bending of the thermoelectric converter 100 in the direction parallel to the YZ plane. The patterns 56 and 57 may be omitted. In order to make the thermoelectric converter 100 easily bendable (easily deformable) even in the direction parallel to the YZ plane, the thickness of the second patterns 18 and 19 on the first substrate 10 side is reduced as described above. Also, the thickness of the second patterns 56 and 57 on the second substrate 50 side may be reduced. Alternatively, in order to make the thermoelectric converter 100 easily bendable (easy to be deformed) even in the direction parallel to the YZ plane, the second patterns 18 and 19 on the first substrate 10 side and the second patterns on the second substrate 50 side are formed. Both of the two patterns 56 and 57 may be omitted. In this case, the lead wires 41 and 42 may be connected to, for example, the rightmost and leftmost bridge electrodes 13 shown in FIG. In this case, the rightmost and leftmost bridge electrodes 13 may have the same thickness and area as the electrode 11.

  In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the regions 121 and 122 have the same thickness as the electrode 11, but the regions 121 and 122 may have the same thickness as the region 123. However, in this case, since the thickness of the regions 121 and 122 is smaller than the thickness of the electrode 11, the height of the thermoelectric conversion element 20 installed in the regions 121 and 122 is set to the height of the thermoelectric conversion element 20 installed in the electrode 11. It is necessary to make it higher than the height by the difference in thickness. Therefore, it is necessary to make the thermoelectric conversion element 20 installed on the electrode 11 different from the thermoelectric conversion element 20 installed on the bridge electrode 12, and the workability is reduced. Therefore, in order to install the thermoelectric conversion element 20 with good workability, it is preferable to set the thickness of the regions 121 and 122 to be the same as the thickness of the electrode 11.

  In the above-described embodiment, the electrode group is laid out such that both the bridge electrodes 12 and 13 are arranged on the first substrate 10 side. However, either or both of the bridge electrodes 12 and 13 are arranged on the second substrate. The electrode group may be laid out so as to be arranged on the side of 50. The contours of the electrode 11 and the bridge electrodes 12, 13 in plan view, and the widths and contours of the regions 123, 133 can also be changed as appropriate.

  In addition to the above, the embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately modified in various ways within the scope of the technical idea shown in the claims.

10 ... 1st board 11 ... Electrodes 12, 13 ... Bridge electrodes 14-17 ... 1st pattern 18, 19 ... 2nd pattern 20 ... Thermoelectric conversion element 41, 42 ... Lead wire 50 ... 2nd board 51 ... Electrodes 52-55 ... 1st pattern 57, 58 ... 2nd pattern 121-123 ... Area 124, 125 ... Notch part 131-133 ... Area 134, 135 ... Notch part

Claims (3)

A deformable first substrate,
A deformable second substrate,
A plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate,
An electrode group for electrically connecting the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements by soldering the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements, respectively,
The plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate so as to be arranged in a plurality of rows,
The bridge electrode extending between the first row and the adjacent second row in the electrode group has the first row on the dividing line that divides the first row and the second row. A notch portion arranged so as to separate the thermoelectric conversion element in the second row from the thermoelectric conversion element in the second row, the thermoelectric conversion element in the first row and the thermoelectric conversion element in the second row. A second notch arranged so as not to separate the conversion element,
A thermoelectric converter characterized in that. The cutout area of the first cutout portion is larger than the cutout area of the second cutout portion in plan view,
The thermoelectric converter according to claim 1, wherein: The first cutout portion and the second cutout portion each have a substantially semicircular shape in a plan view.
The thermoelectric converter according to claim 2, wherein.

Images