JP2020167800A - Thermoelectric conversion device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a thermoelectric conversion device for preventing water from entering between a thermoelectric conversion module and a heat source.SOLUTION: A thermoelectric conversion device 100 includes a flexible thermoelectric conversion module 10, a flexible waterproof sheet 20 that is thermally connected to one surface of the thermoelectric conversion module 10, and a plurality of heat radiation fins 30 having a drainage structure extending in a direction away from the waterproof sheet 20. The water that has reached an outer peripheral surface of the waterproof sheet 20 moves on the outer peripheral surface of the waterproof sheet 20 along an axial direction. When it reaches an end of a slit 31, or an end of the heat radiation fin 30 on the side opposite to the slit 31 in the axial direction, it flows downward from the slit 31 or the other end.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5B

Description

The present invention relates to a thermoelectric conversion device that generates electricity by heat.

A thermoelectric conversion element using the Seebeck effect in which an electromotive force is generated when two different types of metals or semiconductors are joined and a temperature difference is applied to both ends is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a thermoelectric power generation system that recovers energy by generating power using waste heat using such a thermoelectric conversion element.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-179076

Patent Document 1 discloses a thermoelectric conversion module in which minute bulk thermoelectric element chips are mounted at high density on mounting lands on a resin thin film substrate, and the substrate is bent little by little between the mounting lands to provide flexibility. There is. The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is useful when the thermoelectric conversion module is brought into close contact with a heat source such as a curved pipe.

By the way, the heat source to which the thermoelectric conversion module is attached is not always installed indoors, but may be installed outdoors. When the thermoelectric conversion module is attached to a heat source installed outdoors, the thermoelectric conversion module is exposed to water such as rainwater. If water enters between the thermoelectric conversion module and the heat source, the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion module may deteriorate, or the thermoelectric conversion element and the heat source may deteriorate. Therefore, improvement is required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric conversion device in which water is prevented from entering between a thermoelectric conversion module and a heat source.

The thermoelectric conversion device according to the present invention is thermally connected to a flexible thermoelectric conversion module and one surface of the thermoelectric conversion module, and extends toward the flexible waterproof sheet and the direction away from the waterproof sheet. It is provided with a plurality of fins having a drainage structure.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent water from entering between the thermoelectric conversion module and the heat source.

The figure which illustrated the thermoelectric conversion apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. Schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of a thermoelectric conversion module that can be easily curved Schematic cross-sectional view of a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the heat exhaust pipe with the thermoelectric converter attached to the heat exhaust pipe. Schematic diagram showing a side view of a thermoelectric conversion device attached to a part of a heat exhaust pipe extending in a straight line. The figure which shows typically the flow of the water which falls on the thermoelectric conversion apparatus which does not provide a slit. A diagram schematically showing the flow of water falling on the thermoelectric conversion device when a slit is provided. The figure which illustrated the hole as the drainage structure of this invention The figure which illustrated the hole as the drainage structure of this invention The figure which illustrated the vertical hole and the horizontal hole as the drainage structure of this invention. The figure which illustrated the groove as the drainage structure of this invention The figure which showed an example of the water stop member

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

<Thermoelectric converter 100>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the thermoelectric conversion device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the thermoelectric conversion device 100 includes a thermoelectric conversion module 10, a waterproof sheet 20, and heat radiation fins 30. The thermoelectric conversion module 10 and the waterproof sheet 20 are flexible and are curved along the outer peripheral surface of, for example, a cylindrical pipe, and are attached to the heat exhaust pipe 200. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a state in which the thermoelectric conversion device 100 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the heat exhaust pipe 200 having a cylindrical shape is shown. The exhaust heat pipe 200 is connected to, for example, a device used in a factory, a plant, or the like, and is a pipe through which a fluid having a temperature higher than that of the outside air flows.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the flexible thermoelectric conversion module 10. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the thermoelectric conversion module 10 includes a first flexible substrate 11, a second flexible substrate 12, and a thermoelectric conversion element 13.

The thermoelectric conversion element 13 is bonded to the mounting lands 15 of the first flexible substrate 11 and the second flexible substrate 12 arranged so as to sandwich the thermoelectric conversion element 13 with the conductive paste 16. The mounting land 15 is provided on the first flexible substrate 11 and the second flexible substrate 12 in a state of being covered with the solder resist 17. A first heat conductive sheet 18 is provided on the outside of the first flexible substrate 11, and a second heat conductive sheet 19 is provided on the outside of the second flexible substrate 12.

A plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 13 are mounted at a predetermined distance. In the first flexible substrate 11, a slit S is formed between two thermoelectric elements adjacent to each other. On the other hand, no slit is formed in the second flexible substrate 12. With this slit S, the thermoelectric conversion module 10 can be easily curved with the first flexible substrate 11 side as the outside.

FIG. 3 is a schematic showing a part of a cross section in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction (hereinafter, simply referred to as the axial direction) of the heat exhaust pipe 200 in a state where the thermoelectric conversion module 10 is attached to the heat exhaust pipe 200. It is a figure. One surface (high temperature side) of the thermoelectric conversion module 10, that is, the surface on the second heat conductive sheet 19 side is connected to the heat exhaust pipe 200 which is a heat source. Therefore, the material of the second heat conductive sheet 19 is preferably a material that can withstand the high temperature of the heat exhaust pipe 200 and has high heat conductivity. Further, a second heat conductive sheet 19 having a predetermined cushioning property may be used depending on the outer surface roughness of the heat exhaust pipe 200.

On the other hand, the other surface (low temperature side) of the thermoelectric conversion module 10, that is, the surface on the first heat conductive sheet 18 side is in close contact with the inner surface of the waterproof sheet 20. The waterproof sheet 20 is made of a material that is highly elastic and does not allow water to pass through (waterproof). The waterproof sheet 20 can be easily curved like the thermoelectric conversion module 10. The waterproof sheet 20 is made of a material having high thermal conductivity.

A heat radiating fin 30 is provided on the outer surface of the waterproof sheet 20 (the surface opposite to the thermoelectric conversion module 10). The heat radiating fin 30 is a plate-shaped member provided so as to extend from the outer surface of the waterproof sheet 20 in a direction away from the thermoelectric conversion module 10. The heat radiating fins 30 are thermally connected to the low temperature side of the thermoelectric conversion module 10 via the waterproof sheet 20 and serve to dissipate heat from the low temperature side of the thermoelectric conversion module 10.

The plurality of heat radiation fins 30 are provided at predetermined intervals along the outer surface of the waterproof sheet 20. The material of the heat radiating fin 30 is not particularly limited in the present invention, but it is desirable that the heat radiating fin 30 is made of a material having high thermal conductivity.

In such a configuration, when the thermoelectric conversion module 10 is fixed along the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical heat exhaust pipe 200, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a plurality of heat radiation fins 30 are attached to the heat exhaust pipe 200. It is arranged along the circumferential direction.

When a high-temperature fluid flows inside the heat exhaust pipe 200 while the thermoelectric conversion module 10 is fixed to the heat exhaust pipe 200, the heat exhaust pipe 200 serves as a heat source and the second heat conductive sheet 19 of the thermoelectric conversion module 10 The side becomes hot. On the other hand, since the heat radiating fins 30 connected to the waterproof sheet 20 dissipate heat on the first heat conductive sheet 18 side, the temperature is lower than that on the second heat conductive sheet 19 side. As a result, a temperature difference is generated between the first heat conductive sheet 18 side and the second heat conductive sheet 19 side, and this temperature difference causes an electromotive force in the thermoelectric conversion element 13. The electric power generated by the thermoelectric conversion module 10 is used, for example, as a power source for a sensor that detects the temperature, operating state, etc. of the exhaust heat pipe 200 and the devices arranged around it.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a side view of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 attached to a part of the heat exhaust pipe 200 extending linearly. In FIG. 4, a part of the thermoelectric conversion module 10 hidden in the heat radiation fin 30 and the waterproof sheet 20 and the waterproof sheet 20 hidden in the heat radiation fin 30 is shown by a dotted line. The vertical direction in the following description corresponds to the vertical direction seen from the heat exhaust pipe 200, that is, the vertical direction in FIG. Further, the arrow S1 shown in FIG. 4 is an arrow related to FIG. 9 described later.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the plurality of heat radiation fins 30 have slits 31. As shown in FIG. 4, the slit 31 is a gap formed between two heat radiation fins 30 (first heat radiation fin 30A and second heat radiation fin 30B) arranged in the axial direction. The drainage structure of the present invention is configured by a group of slits 31 formed between a plurality of first heat radiation fins 30A and a plurality of second heat radiation fins 30B. The plurality of first heat radiation fins 30A are an example of the first fin group of the present invention, and the plurality of second heat radiation fins 30B are an example of the second fin group of the present invention. The slit 31 group is an example of the drainage channel of the present invention.

In FIG. 4, consider a case where water falls on the thermoelectric conversion device 100 from above. The water that has fallen on the thermoelectric conversion device 100 first comes into contact with the heat radiation fins 30. Among the heat radiating fins 30, in the heat radiating fins 30 provided upward from the waterproof sheet 20, water travels through the heat radiating fins 30 and reaches the outer peripheral surface of the waterproof sheet 20.

As described above, since the waterproof sheet 20 is made of a material that does not allow water to pass through, water that has reached the outer peripheral surface of the waterproof sheet 20 cannot penetrate into the inside of the waterproof sheet 20 and is in the axial direction (in FIG. 4). It moves on the outer peripheral surface of the waterproof sheet 20 along (corresponding to the left-right direction). The water moving along the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the waterproof sheet 20 reaches the end portion (hereinafter, referred to as the other end portion) on the side opposite to the slit 31 in the axial direction of the slit 31 or the heat radiation fin 30. Then, it flows downward from the slit 31 or the other end. Among the heat radiation fins 30, in the heat radiation fins 30 provided downward from the waterproof sheet 20, water flows down as it is along the heat radiation fins 30.

In this way, a part of the water that has fallen on the thermoelectric conversion device 100 flows downward from the slit 31 as the drainage structure. As a result, the amount of water applied to both ends 20E of the waterproof sheet 20 is smaller than that in the case where the slit 31 is not provided.

5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining the effect of the slit 31 as a drainage structure. FIG. 5A is a diagram schematically showing the flow of water falling on the thermoelectric conversion device 100A not provided with the slit. In FIG. 5A, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are illustrated using the same reference numerals. On the other hand, FIG. 5B is a diagram schematically showing the flow of water falling on the thermoelectric conversion device 100 provided with the slit 31. 5A and 5B are schematic views showing a state in which the thermoelectric conversion device 100 is viewed from the side, and two of the plurality of heat radiation fins 30 are provided so as to extend in the vertical direction from the waterproof sheet 20. Only the tarpaulin of is shown. Also, in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the arrows illustrate the flow of water.

In the example shown in FIG. 5A, since the heat radiation fins 30 of the thermoelectric conversion device 100A are not provided with slits, all the water that has fallen on the thermoelectric conversion device 100A is discharged from both ends 30E of the heat dissipation fins 30. In such a case, a relatively large amount of water is discharged from both ends 30E of the heat radiation fin 30 in the axial direction. Therefore, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 5A, a part of the water is discharged from both ends of the waterproof sheet 20 in the axial direction. It may hang on 20E.

The waterproof sheet 20 is made of a material that does not allow water to pass through, but the water applied to both ends 20E of the waterproof sheet 20 may enter a minute gap between the waterproof sheet 20 and the heat exhaust pipe 200. The water that has entered the minute gap between the waterproof sheet 20 and the heat exhaust pipe 200 can reach the vicinity of the central portion of the waterproof sheet 20 in the axial direction due to the capillary phenomenon. As described above, since the thermoelectric conversion module 10 is arranged between the waterproof sheet 20 and the exhaust heat pipe 200, when water enters between the thermoelectric conversion module 10 and the exhaust heat pipe 200, the thermoelectric conversion module The power generation efficiency of 10 may be lowered or a failure may occur.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the thermoelectric conversion device 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, a part of the water that has fallen on the thermoelectric conversion device 100A flows down from the slit 31. As a result, the amount of water discharged from the other end 30E in the axial direction of the two heat radiation fins 30 provided in the same plane is smaller than that in the case where the slit 31 is not provided (see FIG. 5A). Become. Therefore, the amount of water applied to both ends 20E of the waterproof sheet 20 is relatively small, and the situation where water enters the minute gap between the waterproof sheet 20 and the heat exhaust pipe 200 is prevented. As a result, it is possible to prevent a decrease in power generation efficiency or failure of the thermoelectric conversion module 10 due to the ingress of water.

In the slits 31 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5B, the axial lengths of the two heat radiation fins 30 (first heat radiation fins 30A and second heat radiation fins 30B) provided in the same plane are substantially the same. Although formed, the invention is not limited to this. The two heat radiation fins 30 provided in the same plane may be formed so as to have different axial lengths. In other words, the slit 31 does not have to be provided near the central portion of the axial length of the two heat radiation fins 30 provided in the same plane, and is located at a position deviated to any one in the axial direction. It may be provided.

Further, in FIGS. 4 and 5B, an example is shown in which two heat radiation fins 30 are provided in the same plane and only one slit 31 is configured, but more heat radiation fins 30 are provided in the same plane. It may be arranged and a plurality of slits may be configured. The width of the gap between the two heat radiation fins 30 in the same plane, in other words, the width of the slit 31 may be an appropriate width. The width of the slit 31 does not have to be uniform. For example, the width of the slit 31 may become wider as it approaches the waterproof sheet 20. Further, although the slit 31 is linear in FIGS. 4 and 5B and is provided substantially perpendicular to the waterproof sheet 20, the slit 31 may be curved and / or provided diagonally to the waterproof sheet 20. Good.

Further, FIG. 4 shows an example in which the first heat radiation fin 30A and the second heat radiation fin 30B are arranged in the same plane parallel to the axial direction, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the first heat radiation fin is not limited to this. The 30A and the second heat radiation fin 30B do not have to be arranged on the same plane parallel to the axial direction.

<Other specific examples of drainage structure>
As described above, the slit 31 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5B is an example of the drainage structure of the present invention. Hereinafter, other examples of the drainage structure of the present invention will be specifically described.

(Hole 32)
6A and 6B are diagrams illustrating the hole 32 and the hole 32B as the drainage structure of the present invention. 6A and 6B show the thermoelectric conversion device 100 and the heat exhaust pipe 200 as viewed from the side, as in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in the vertical direction from the waterproof sheet 20 among the plurality of heat radiation fins 30. Only two heat dissipation fins provided so as to extend towards are shown.

FIG. 6A shows an example in which a circular hole 32A is provided on the entire surface of the heat radiation fin 30. When the heat radiation fin 30 is provided with the hole 32A in this way, the water that has fallen from above the thermoelectric conversion device 100 passes through the hole 32A of the heat radiation fin 30 located on the upper side and flows down further downward. become. With such a hole 32A, the amount of water discharged from both end portions 30E in the axial direction of the heat radiation fin 30 is smaller than that in the case where the hole 32A is not provided, similarly to the slit 31 described above. Therefore, the situation where water enters the minute gap between the waterproof sheet 20 and the exhaust heat pipe 200 is prevented, and the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion module 10 is prevented from being lowered or malfunctioning due to the infiltration of water. Further, the cooling efficiency of the heat radiation fins 30 is improved by the water flowing through the outer surface of the heat radiation fins 30.

On the other hand, FIG. 6B shows an example in which a rectangular hole 32B along the axial direction is provided at a portion of the heat radiation fin 30 close to the waterproof sheet 20, in other words, at the base of the heat radiation fin 30. There is. According to such a hole 32B, the water that has flowed through the heat radiation fins 30 to the vicinity of the connection portion between the heat radiation fins 30 and the waterproof sheet 20 does not move along the axial direction but flows downward as it is. .. With such a hole 32B, the amount of water discharged from both ends 30E in the axial direction of the heat radiation fin 30 is smaller than that in the case where the hole 32B is not provided, as in the other examples described above. Therefore, the situation where water enters the minute gap between the waterproof sheet 20 and the exhaust heat pipe 200 is prevented, and the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion module 10 is prevented from being lowered or malfunctioning due to the infiltration of water. Further, the cooling efficiency of the heat radiation fins 30 is improved by the water flowing through the outer surface of the heat radiation fins 30.

FIG. 6A shows an example in which six holes 32A are provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The number of holes may be an appropriate number. Further, in FIG. 6A, the shape of the hole 32A is a circular shape, but a hole having another shape such as an ellipse, a triangle, a quadrangle, or an amorphous shape may be used. The position of the hole in the heat radiation fin is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 6A, and may be an appropriate position.

The present invention is not limited to the size and number of the holes 32B illustrated in FIG. 6B, and may be an appropriate size or number. Further, the hole 32B shown in FIG. 6B is a rectangular hole, but if it has a side in contact with the waterproof sheet 20, for example, a quadrilateral other than a rectangle, a polygon other than a quadrilateral, an amorphous shape, etc. It may be.

(Drainage hole 33A and waterway 33B)
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the drainage hole 33A and the water passage 33B as the drainage structure of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the heat radiation fin 30 in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. FIG. 7 shows two adjacent heat radiating fins 30 located on the right side of the heat exhaust pipe 200 when viewed from one side in the axial direction. In FIG. 7, the scale of each part is emphasized and shown, which is different from the actual scale.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the heat radiating fin 30 has a drainage hole 33A provided so as to connect the front surface and the back surface along the thickness direction, and a water passage 33B provided along the width direction. .. The heat radiation fin 30 has a portion in a plane perpendicular to the axial direction, which becomes thinner as it approaches one of the drain holes 33A provided in the central portion of the heat radiation fin 30.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, three drain holes 33A are provided in the width direction of the heat radiation fins 30, one near each end and one near the center in the width direction, for a total of three. The thickness direction of the heat radiating fin 30 is a direction perpendicular to the direction away from the waterproof sheet 20 on a plane perpendicular to the axial direction. Further, the width direction of the heat radiating fin 30 is the same direction as the direction away from the waterproof sheet 20 or the direction approaching the waterproof sheet 20 on a plane perpendicular to the axial direction.

In FIG. 7, the flow of water is indicated by a dotted arrow. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the water falling on the upper surface of the heat radiating fin 30 flows downward along the inclined upper surface of the heat radiating fin 30. Then, a part of the water enters the inside of the heat radiation fins 30 through the respective drain holes 33A. A part of the water that has entered the inside of the heat radiation fin 30 flows through the water passage 33B, and is finally discharged from one of the drain holes 33A to the lower side of the heat radiation fin 30.

According to the drainage hole 33A and the water passage 33B illustrated in FIG. 7, the water that has fallen on the heat radiation fin 30 is less likely to spread outward than the heat radiation fin 30 in the length direction of the heat radiation fin 30, as in the other examples described above. Become. The length direction of the heat radiation fin 30 is the same as the axial direction of the heat radiation fin 30. As a result, the amount of water discharged from both end portions 30E in the axial direction of the heat radiation fin 30 is smaller than that in the case where the drain hole 33A and the water passage 33B are not provided (see FIG. 5A). Therefore, it becomes difficult for water to enter the minute gap between the waterproof sheet 20 and the heat exhaust pipe 200, and it is possible to reduce a decrease in power generation efficiency and a failure of the thermoelectric conversion module 10 due to the ingress of water.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, water can pass through the inside of the heat radiation fin 30 by providing the water passage 33B. Therefore, the heat radiation fins 30 are suitably cooled by passing water through the inside of the heat radiation fins 30. As a result, the temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 can be increased, so that the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion element 13 can be improved.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, in order to allow water to efficiently enter the drain hole 33A, the thickness of the heat radiation fin 30 is reduced as it approaches one drain hole 33A provided in the central portion in the width direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the thickness may change in the length direction instead of the width direction of the heat radiation fin. Further, a shape in which the thickness becomes thinner as it approaches one drainage hole 33A provided in the central portion in both the width direction and the length direction, in other words, a mortar shape may be used. The rate of change in thickness does not have to be uniform. For example, the rate of change in thickness may be large near the end of the heat radiation fin, and may decrease as it approaches the center. The position of the drain hole 33A, which becomes thinner as it gets closer, is not limited to the vicinity of the central portion in the width direction or the length direction, and may be an appropriate position. Further, the number of drain holes 33A having a reduced thickness is not limited to one, and may be multiple. Further, the thickness of the heat radiation fins 30 may be made uniform, and even in this case, by providing the drain holes and the water passages, almost the same effect as the example shown in FIG. 7 can be obtained.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, three drain holes 33A are provided in the width direction of the heat radiation fins 30, one at each end and one near the center, for a total of three. A plurality of sets of such drain holes 33A may be provided along the length direction of the heat radiation fins 30. Further, the number of drain holes in the width direction of the heat radiation fins is not limited to three, and may be an appropriate number. Further, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the water passage 33B is provided along the width direction of the heat radiation fin 30, but may be provided, for example, along the length direction.

(Groove 34)
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the groove 34 as the drainage structure of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows a view of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 and the heat exhaust pipe 200 from the side, as in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B, and among the plurality of heat radiation fins 30, the waterproof sheet 20 Only two heat dissipation fins provided so as to extend in the vertical direction from the above are shown.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the groove 34 is provided on the outer surface of the heat radiation fin 30. As a result, the water poured from above the thermoelectric conversion device 100 flows along the outer surface of the heat radiation fin 30 along the groove 34. At this time, since the groove 34 is provided, the moving distance of the water can be lengthened as compared with the case where the water flows straight downward along the outer surface of the heat radiation fin 30. Therefore, the heat dissipation efficiency of the heat dissipation fins 30 can be improved, and the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 can be improved.

The end of the groove 34 is connected to a hole 32C provided near the root of the heat radiation fin 30. The hole 32C is an example of a through hole of the present invention. The water that has flowed through the outer surface of the heat radiation fin 30 along the groove 34 passes through the hole 32C and flows down further downward. Therefore, the groove 34 and the hole 32C make it difficult for the water that has fallen on the heat radiation fins 30 to spread outward from the heat radiation fins 30 in the length direction of the heat radiation fins 30, as in the other examples described above. As a result, the amount of water discharged from both end portions 30E in the axial direction of the heat radiation fin 30 is smaller than that in the case where the holes 32C are not provided. Therefore, it becomes difficult for water to enter the minute gap between the waterproof sheet 20 and the heat exhaust pipe 200, and it is possible to reduce a decrease in power generation efficiency and a failure of the thermoelectric conversion module 10 due to the ingress of water.

In the example shown in FIG. 8, the groove 34 is merely exemplified as a grid-like groove, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the groove is not a uniform grid as in the case of Amidakuji, but a parallel vertical groove. It may be a groove in which a lateral groove is randomly provided between the two. Further, the grooves do not have to intersect with each other, and may be a single road and a groove formed so that water can be routed over a long distance. A plurality of such single-way grooves may be provided.

The drainage structure provided in the heat radiation fin 30 of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 of the present invention has been described above with specific examples. The above-mentioned specific examples of the drainage structure may be used in combination with each other. For example, by forming, for example, a spiral groove on the outer surface of the heat radiation fin having the cross-sectional shape illustrated in FIG. 7, the cooling effect due to the flow of water can be further enhanced, and the heat is emitted from both ends 30E of the heat radiation fin 30. The amount of water produced can be reduced.

The drainage structure of the present invention is not limited to the specific examples described above. The drainage structure of the present invention can be any structure as long as the water that has fallen on the heat radiation fins 30 does not spread outward from the heat radiation fins 30 in the length direction of the heat radiation fins 30. Good.

<Water stop member>
Next, the water stop member 35 provided between the adjacent heat radiation fins 30 will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the water blocking member 35. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the heat radiating fins 30 provided on the upper side of the heat exhaust pipe 200 are viewed from the direction of the arrow S1 shown in FIG. 4 among the plurality of heat radiating fins 30. In other words, FIG. 9 shows a state in which one end of the heat radiation fin 30 in the length direction is viewed from the outside of the heat radiation fin 30 in the axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 9, a water blocking member 35 is provided so that a gap is not formed between the ends of the two heat radiating fins 30 adjacent to each other and the waterproof sheet 20. The water blocking member 35 is made of a water-impermeable material. As a result, it is possible to completely prevent the water that has fallen on the thermoelectric conversion device 100 from being discharged from both ends 30E of the heat radiation fins 30 in the axial direction (see FIG. 5A).

If only such a water blocking member 35 is provided, water will only accumulate between the heat radiating fins 30, and if the amount of accumulated water increases, the water will overflow beyond the upper end portion of the water blocking member 35. In order to prevent this, it is necessary to provide various drainage structures as described above together with the water blocking member 35. Of the above-mentioned specific examples of the drainage structure, any of them may be combined with the water blocking member 35, or may be combined with a drainage structure other than the specific examples.

Further, it is desirable that the water blocking member 35 has elasticity. This is to prevent the water blocking member 35 from hindering the attachment of the thermoelectric conversion device 100 to the heat exhaust pipe 200 having various thicknesses or shapes. As a method of giving the water stop member 35 elasticity, for example, a method of forming the water stop member 35 using a material such as elastic rubber, a method of forming the water stop member 35 in a bellows shape, and the like are used. It can be adopted as appropriate.

With such a water blocking member 35 and the drainage structure described above, the amount of water discharged from both end portions 30E (see FIG. 5A) of the heat radiation fin 30 can be made substantially zero. Therefore, the amount of water that enters the minute gap between the waterproof sheet 20 and the heat exhaust pipe 200 can be further reduced. As a result, it is possible to further reduce the decrease in power generation efficiency and failure of the thermoelectric conversion module 10 due to the ingress of water.

<Action / effect>
As described above, the thermoelectric conversion device 100 according to the present invention is thermally connected to one surface of the flexible thermoelectric conversion module 10 and the thermoelectric conversion module 10, and the flexible waterproof sheet 20 and the waterproof sheet. It has a plurality of radiating fins 30, which extend away from 20 and have a drainage structure.

With such a configuration, the water that has fallen on the heat radiation fins 30 is less likely to spread outward from the heat radiation fins 30 in the length direction of the heat radiation fins 30. As a result, the amount of water discharged from both ends 30E of the heat radiating fin 30 is relatively small, and it becomes difficult for water to enter the minute gap between the waterproof sheet 20 and the heat exhaust pipe 200. Therefore, it is possible to reduce a decrease in power generation efficiency and a failure of the thermoelectric conversion module 10 due to the ingress of water.

<Modification example>
The thermoelectric conversion device 100 according to the above-described embodiment is an example of the thermoelectric conversion device of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. The heat source to which the thermoelectric conversion device 100 is attached may be, for example, a furnace, a chimney, a tank, or the like, in addition to the piping such as the exhaust heat pipe 200. Further, in the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that a fluid having a temperature higher than that of the outside air flows through the exhaust heat pipe 200 as a heat source, but for example, the heat source may be a cold heat source having a temperature lower than that of the outside air.

The present invention is suitable as a thermoelectric conversion device 100 that generates electricity by utilizing exhaust heat.

100, 100A Thermoelectric conversion device 10 Thermoelectric conversion module 11 1st flexible board 12 2nd flexible board 13 Thermoelectric conversion element 15 Mounting land 16 Conductive paste 17 Solder resist 18 1st heat conductive sheet 19 2nd heat conductive sheet 20 Waterproof sheet 30 Heat dissipation Fin 30A 1st heat dissipation fin 30B 2nd heat dissipation fin 31 Slit 32, 32A, 32B, 32C Hole 33A Drain hole 33B Water passage 34 Groove 35 Water stop member 200 Heat exhaust pipe

Claims (9)

Flexible thermoelectric conversion module and
A flexible tarpaulin that is thermally connected to one side of the thermoelectric conversion module,
A plurality of fins extending away from the tarpaulin and having a drainage structure,
A thermoelectric converter equipped with. A part of the plurality of fins constitutes a first fin group.
The other part of the plurality of fins constitutes a second fin group.
The drainage structure is a drainage channel composed of the first fin group, the second fin group, and a space provided between the first fin group and the second fin group.
The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 1. The drainage structure is a hole provided in each of the plurality of fins.
The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 1. The drainage structure is a groove provided on the outer surface of each of the plurality of fins.
The thermoelectric conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The drainage structure is composed of a groove provided on the outer surface of each of the plurality of fins and a through hole provided in each of the plurality of fins and to which the groove is connected.
The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 1. The drainage structure includes a water passage provided inside each of the plurality of fins, a drain hole connecting the front surface and the back surface of each of the plurality of fins, and a drain hole connected to the water passage.
The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 1. Each of the plurality of fins has a portion that becomes thinner as it approaches the drainage hole.
The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 6. A water blocking member provided so as not to have a gap between each of the ends of two fins adjacent to each other among the plurality of fins and the waterproof sheet is further provided.
The thermoelectric conversion device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The water blocking member has elasticity.
The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 8.

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