JP4395733B2 - Thermoelectric conversion element module manufacturing method and electrode structure used in thermoelectric conversion element module manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a skeleton type thermoelectric conversion element module used in a cooling device, a heating device, a power generation device, or the like.

  Conventionally, as a skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion element module, a plurality of p-type and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements are alternately arranged, and both upper and lower sides thereof are sandwiched between a plurality of first electrodes and second electrodes. The upper surfaces of the matching thermoelectric conversion elements are bonded to the same first electrode, and the lower surface of one of the thermoelectric conversion elements and the lower surface of the adjacent thermoelectric conversion element are bonded to the same second electrode, and p-type and There is known a structure in which n-type thermoelectric conversion elements are alternately electrically connected in series via first and second electrodes.

  Also known is a structure in which either the first electrode or the second electrode is bonded to an insulating substrate or the like.

As a manufacturing method of this skeleton type thermoelectric conversion element module, if the electrodes are joined to the thermoelectric conversion elements one by one, the manufacturing efficiency is lowered. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of electrodes 12 are arranged in a predetermined arrangement. The adjacent electrodes 11 are connected to each other by the joint portion 13, and the integrated electrode 11 and the thermoelectric conversion element are joined, and then the joint portion 13 is cut. Thus, a method of bringing each electrode 12 into an independent state has been performed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-8-64875

  However, in the integrated electrode 11, since the adjacent electrodes 12 are connected to each other by the joint portion 13, in order to cut the joint portion 13, for example, it is necessary to irradiate laser light vertically and horizontally several times, The cutting process becomes complicated.

  Further, since the joint portion 13 is located between the electrodes 12, it is difficult to cut the joint portion 13 by an inexpensive construction method, and the joint portion 13 is cut by a high cost construction method such as cutting using a laser beam.

In view of such circumstances, the present invention can handle a plurality of electrodes as a single body, and can provide a method for manufacturing a thermoelectric conversion element module and a thermoelectric conversion element module that can easily and inexpensively make each electrode independent . It aims at providing the electrode structure used for a manufacturing method .

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the first means of the present invention, a plurality of p-type and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements are alternately electrically connected in series via a plurality of first electrodes and second electrodes. In the manufacturing method of the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion element module, the lead frame is positioned outside the first electrodes arranged in a predetermined arrangement, and the lead frame and each first electrode are integrated with one joint portion. A step of molding the first electrode structure that is connected to each other, and joining one surface of the thermoelectric conversion element to a position corresponding to each first electrode of the first electrode structure, and then cutting the joint portion Separating the first electrode and the lead frame, and joining the other surface of the thermoelectric conversion element to the second electrode.

  In the method of manufacturing the thermoelectric conversion element module according to the first means of the present invention, the step of joining the other surface of the thermoelectric conversion element to the second electrode includes the outside of the second electrode arranged in a predetermined arrangement. A step of forming a second electrode structure in which the lead frame is positioned and the lead frame and each second electrode are integrally connected by one joint, and the other surface of the thermoelectric conversion element is Joining the position corresponding to each 2nd electrode of a 2nd electrode structure, and cut | disconnecting a joint part after that, and separating each 2nd electrode and a lead frame is included.

  Furthermore, in the manufacturing method of the thermoelectric conversion element module according to the first means of the present invention, the step of forming the electrode structure includes a plurality of one-module electrodes arranged in a predetermined arrangement. In this process, a lead frame is positioned outside the electrode for each module, and an electrode structure is formed by integrally connecting the lead frame and each electrode through one joint.

  According to a second means of the present invention, there is provided a skeleton type thermoelectric conversion element module in which a plurality of p-type and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements are alternately electrically connected in series via a plurality of first electrodes and second electrodes. In the manufacturing method, a first electrode configuration in which a lead frame is positioned outside a first electrode arranged in a predetermined arrangement, and the lead frame and each first electrode are integrally connected by one joint portion. Forming the body, attaching the first electrode structure to the adhesive sheet, cutting the joint portion of the first electrode structure, and connecting the first electrodes with the adhesive sheet; Bonding the one surface of the thermoelectric conversion element to a position corresponding to each first electrode of the first electrode structure, bonding the other surface of the thermoelectric conversion element to the second electrode, Separate from each electrode and separate each first electrode And a step of the state.

  In the method of manufacturing the thermoelectric conversion element module according to the second means of the present invention, the step of joining the other surface of the thermoelectric conversion element to the second electrode includes the outside of the second electrode arranged in a predetermined arrangement. Forming a second electrode structure in which the lead frame is positioned, and the lead frame and each of the second electrodes are integrally connected by one joint, and the second electrode structure is formed as an adhesive sheet. A step of attaching the second electrode structure to the state in which each second electrode is connected by an adhesive sheet, and the other surface of the thermoelectric conversion element is attached to each of the second electrode structures. And a step of bonding the adhesive sheet to a position corresponding to the second electrode, and further separating the adhesive sheet from the second electrode to make each second electrode an independent state.

  Furthermore, in the method for manufacturing a thermoelectric conversion element module according to the second means of the present invention, the step of forming the electrode structure includes a plurality of one-module electrodes arranged in a predetermined arrangement. In this process, a lead frame is positioned outside the electrode for each module, and an electrode structure is formed by integrally connecting the lead frame and each electrode through one joint.

According to a third means of the present invention, there is provided a skeleton type thermoelectric conversion element module in which a plurality of p-type and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements are alternately electrically connected in series via a plurality of first electrodes and second electrodes . In the first electrode structure used in the manufacturing method, a lead frame is positioned outside the first electrodes arranged in a predetermined arrangement, and the lead frame and each first electrode are integrally formed by one joint portion. A connected first electrode structure is provided, one surface of the thermoelectric conversion element is joined to a position corresponding to each first electrode of the first electrode structure, and then the joint portion is cut. .

In the first electrode structure used in the method for manufacturing a thermoelectric conversion element module according to the third means of the present invention, a lead frame is positioned outside the second electrodes arranged in a predetermined arrangement. A second electrode structure is provided in which the frame and each second electrode are integrally connected by one joint portion, and the other of the thermoelectric conversion elements is provided at a position corresponding to each second electrode of the second electrode structure. These surfaces are joined, and then the joint is cut.

Furthermore, in the 1st electrode structure or 2nd electrode structure used for the manufacturing method of the thermoelectric conversion element module which concerns on the 3rd means of this invention, the electrode for the said electrode structure is a predetermined arrangement | sequence. A plurality of the arranged elements are arranged, a lead frame is positioned outside the electrode for each module, and the lead frame and each electrode are integrally connected by one joint portion. .

  According to the method of manufacturing a thermoelectric conversion element module having such a configuration, the lead frame is positioned outside the first electrodes arranged in a predetermined arrangement, and the lead frame and each first electrode are connected to one joint portion. Since the first electrode structure integrally connected in the molding process is processed, a plurality of first electrodes can be handled as a single body, and a simple cutting operation of cutting the joint portion in the direction along the lead frame. Each first electrode can be in an independent state. Moreover, since the joint part is located between each 1st electrode and the lead frame provided in the outer side of the 1st electrode arranged in the predetermined arrangement, this joint part is used using a general cutting machine. Can be cut. Therefore, each 1st electrode can be made into an independent state easily and cheaply.

And according to the 1st electrode structural body used for the manufacturing method of the thermoelectric conversion element module of the above-mentioned structure, since the said 1st electrode structural body was provided, a joint part is easy to cut | disconnect by the subsequent process as mentioned above. In addition, since the interval between the first electrodes is maintained by the lead frame and the joint part, the rigidity of the thermoelectric conversion element module is increased, and damage during transportation can be suppressed.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a skeleton-type thermoelectric conversion element module 1A includes a plurality of p-type and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n and a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n that are arranged above and below. The first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 are provided.

  The thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n have thermoelectric characteristics (obtain Peltier effect and Bezek effect), and are made of, for example, an alloy of Bi—Te—Sb—Se. The p-type and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n are alternately arranged in a row, and both upper and lower surfaces are joined in series to the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3, respectively.

The first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 are made of a material having high thermal conductivity such as copper, have a length straddling the adjacent thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n, and are formed in a strip shape with a thickness of about 100 μm. Has been. Moreover, the 1st electrode 2 and the 2nd electrode 3 are arranged so that the adjacent thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n may be straddled alternately.

  Then, the upper surfaces of the adjacent thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n are bonded to the same first electrode 2 via the bonding material 4, and the lower surface of one of the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p (or 5n) and the adjacent thermoelectric conversion. The lower surface of the element 5n (or 5p) is bonded to the same second electrode 3 via the bonding material 4, and the p-type and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n connect the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 to each other. Are alternately electrically connected in series.

  The bonding material 4 is solder, a conductive adhesive, or the like. However, when solder is used as the bonding material 4, a plating process such as applying Ni plating to the upper and lower surfaces bonded to the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 of the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 p and 5 n and further applying Au plating. It is preferable to apply.

  In the thermoelectric conversion element module 1A configured as described above, the n-type thermoelectric conversion element 5n is connected to the first electrode 2 between the one located at the left end portion and the right end portion of the second electrode 3, for example. When a voltage is applied so that a current flows through the p-type thermoelectric conversion element 5p, an endothermic effect is generated on the upper surfaces of the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n, and a heat dissipation effect is generated on the lower surface. At this time, when the coolant is placed on the first electrode 2, the heat of the coolant is absorbed by the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 p and 5 n through the first electrode 2 and is radiated downward through the second electrode 3. Therefore, the cooling object can be cooled.

  If the direction in which the current flows is reversed, the action of cooling and heat dissipation is reversed upside down.

  Next, a method for manufacturing the thermoelectric conversion element module 1A will be described.

  In the first step, as shown in FIG. 2A, the second electrodes 3 arranged in a line in the longitudinal direction, and a linear lead frame 31 extending in the longitudinal direction outside the second electrode 3 in the width direction. The lead frame 31 and each second electrode 3 are integrally connected by one joint portion 32, and the second electrode structure 3A is molded.

  The second electrode structure 3A can be easily formed by, for example, pressing a copper plate having a thickness of about 100 μm. Further, it is preferable to form a positioning hole in the lead frame 31.

  The shape of the lead frame 31 may be linear as described above, or may be a frame shape (see FIG. 8) surrounding the second electrodes 3 arranged in the above arrangement from the outside.

  In the joint portion 32, for example, in order to facilitate cutting in a subsequent process, a cutting portion (a peripheral portion of the cutting surface 33 shown in FIG. 4B) that is cut to make each second electrode 3 separate and independent, for example, It is preferable to apply a process such as making a notch or reducing the thickness by etching. Moreover, it is preferable that this cutting part is located on the outer periphery of the second electrode 3.

  The lead frame 31 and the joint portion 32 are configured with a width having a certain degree of rigidity so that the second electrode 3 can be maintained at a predetermined position even if shaking or the like occurs when the second electrode structure 3A is handled. It is preferable.

  In the second step, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), the bonding material 4 made of solder is applied to the portion where the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p, 5n of the second electrode 3 of the second electrode structure 3A are bonded, As shown in FIG.2 (c), the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n are piled up on it.

  In this step, if the bonding material 4 is applied using the positioning holes formed in the lead frame 31, the position of the bonding material 4 becomes accurate.

Incidentally, without applying a bonding material 4 to the second electrode 3, the lower surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 5p, 5 n may be applied to the bonding material 4.

  In the third step, as in the first step, as shown in FIG. 2 (d), the first electrodes 2 arranged in a line in the longitudinal direction and the first electrode 2 extending in the longitudinal direction outside the width direction. The first electrode structure 2A is formed by connecting the lead frame 21 and each first electrode 2 integrally with one joint portion 22.

  Also in the first electrode structure 2A, a hole for positioning is formed in the lead frame 21, and the cut portion (the peripheral portion of the cut surface 23 shown in FIG. 4B) is easily cut in a subsequent process. It is preferable to give.

  In the fourth step, as shown in FIG. 2 (e), the bonding material 4 made of solder is applied to the portion where the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p, 5n of the first electrode 2 of the first electrode structure 2A are bonded, As shown in FIG. 2 (f), the first electrode assembly 2 </ b> A is overlaid so that the bonding material 4 is positioned on the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 p and 5 n with the first electrode 2 facing upward.

  In the fifth step, as shown in FIG. 3, the thermoelectric conversion elements 5 p and 5 n are sandwiched between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 through the bonding material 4, and the outside is further heated by the heater 6 from above and below. The electrodes 2 and 3 are sandwiched and heated to melt the solder, and then cooled to harden the solder and join the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n to the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3.

  When performing the heating, by performing in a non-oxidizing atmosphere such as a nitrogen atmosphere, the electrodes 2 and 3 and the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n can be prevented from being oxidized, and a decrease in thermoelectric performance can be suppressed. In the skeleton type thermoelectric conversion element module 1A, there are many portions where the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 are exposed, and when the heating is performed in an oxidizing atmosphere, the surfaces of the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 are exposed. This is because the heat conduction is deteriorated and the thermoelectric performance is lowered by the oxidation.

  Further, as the bonding material 4 for bonding the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n and the electrodes 2 and 3, it is not always necessary to use solder, and a conductive adhesive or the like may be used.

  In the state up to the fifth step, as shown in FIG. 4A, each first electrode 2 and the lead frame 21 are connected via one joint portion 22, and each second electrode 3 and the lead are connected. The thermoelectric conversion element module 10 </ b> A is connected to the frame 31 through one joint portion 32.

  If it is in this state, since the space | interval between each 1st electrode 2 is maintained by the lead frame 21 and the coupling part 22, and the space | interval between each 2nd electrode 3 is maintained by the lead frame 31 and the coupling part 32, thermoelectric conversion The rigidity of the element module 10A is increased, and damage during transportation can be suppressed.

  And finally, as shown in FIG.4 (b), if the joint part 22 and the joint part 32 are cut | disconnected by each cutting part, each 1st electrode 2 and each 2nd electrode 3 will be made into an independent state, and thermoelectric conversion will be carried out. The element module 1A can be manufactured.

  Since the joint portions 22 and 32 are located between the electrodes 2 and 3 and the lead frames 21 and 31, if a cutting operation is performed in the direction along the lead frames 21 and 31, a plurality of joint portions 22 and 32 are formed at a time. 32 can be cut.

  Thus, in this manufacturing method, the lead frame 21 and each first electrode 2 are integrally processed by one joint portion 22 to form the first electrode structure 2A, and the lead frame 31 and each first electrode 2 are molded. By forming the second electrode structure 3A in which the two electrodes 3 are integrally connected to each other by one joint portion 32, the plurality of first electrodes 2 and the second electrodes 3 can be handled as a single body. In addition, each first electrode 2 and each second electrode 3 can be made independent by a simple cutting operation of cutting the joint portions 22 and 32 in the direction along the lead frames 21 and 31. The joint portion 22 is connected to each first electrode 2 and the lead frame 21 provided on the outer side in the width direction of the first electrode 2 arranged in a predetermined arrangement. Therefore, the joint portions 22 and 32 can be cut using a general cutting machine. it can. Therefore, each 1st electrode 2 and each 2nd electrode 3 can be made into an independent state easily and cheaply.

  On the other hand, as a skeleton type thermoelectric conversion element module, there is a module in which either the first electrode 2 or the second electrode 3 is bonded to an insulating substrate or the like. In the present embodiment, FIG. 5A shows a thermoelectric conversion element module 1 </ b> B in which the first electrode 2 is bonded to the insulating substrate 8.

  In order to manufacture this thermoelectric conversion element module 1B, the following process may be adopted instead of the third process.

  In the alternative third step, as shown in FIG. 5B, the first electrode 2 is bonded to an insulating substrate 8 such as an alumina substrate or a resin substrate. The bonding of the first electrode 2 to the insulating substrate 8 can be performed by printing a conductor or bonding a copper plate. In addition, after adhesion | attachment of a copper plate, you may make it perform an etching process and may adjust the size of a copper plate.

  In this way, when the thermoelectric conversion element module 1B in which the first electrode 2 is bonded to the insulating substrate 8 is manufactured by using the second electrode structure 3A when the first electrode 2 is bonded to the insulating substrate 8, each second electrode 3 can be easily and inexpensively manufactured. Can be independent.

  Moreover, thermoelectric conversion element module 1A can also be manufactured with the following manufacturing methods using the said 1st electrode structure 2A and 2nd electrode structure 3A.

  First, similarly to the first step, the second electrode structure 3A is molded.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6A, the second electrode assembly 3 </ b> A is attached to the adhesive sheet 7. The pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 7 does not need to be larger than the second electrode structure 3A, and may have a size that allows at least the second electrodes 3 to be attached.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 6B, the joint portion 32 is cut along the cut surface 33 so that each second electrode 3 is connected by the adhesive sheet 7. In this cutting, up to the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 7 may be cut, or only the joint portion 32 may be cut so as not to cut the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 7.

  And as shown in FIG.6 (c), the joining material 4 which consists of solder is apply | coated to the part to which the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n of each 2nd electrode 3 are joined, and the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n are applied on it. Overlapping.

  Similarly, the first electrode assembly 2 </ b> A is molded and attached to the adhesive sheet 7, and the joint portion 22 is cut.

  Next, a bonding material 4 made of solder is applied to the portion of each first electrode 2 where the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p, 5n are bonded, and the first electrode assembly 2A is formed as shown in FIG. The bonding material 4 is overlaid so that the one electrode 2 faces upward and the bonding material 4 is positioned on the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p, 5n.

  Then, as in the fifth step, as shown in FIG. 7A, in a state where the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n are sandwiched between the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 via the bonding material 4, The outside is sandwiched by the heater 6 from above and below, the electrodes 2 and 3 are heated to melt the solder, and then cooled to solidify the solder, and the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n, the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 are connected. Join.

  Further, as the bonding material 4 for bonding the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n and the electrodes 2 and 3, it is not always necessary to use solder, and a conductive adhesive or the like may be used.

  Finally, as shown in FIG. 7 (b), if the adhesive sheet 7 is peeled off from the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 to make the first electrode 2 and the second electrode 3 independent, thermoelectric conversion The element module 1A can be manufactured.

  In this manufacturing method, if a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 7 having a heat-peeling property that disappears when heated to a certain temperature is used, the pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 7 is bonded when the electrodes 2 and 3 are heated by the heater 6. Therefore, the subsequent pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet 7 can be easily peeled off.

  If heat-resistant, for example, DuPont Kapton (registered trademark) is used as the adhesive sheet 7, high melting point solder can be used as the bonding material 4, and rigid aluminum tape or the like is used. This makes it easier to handle the electrodes 2 and 3 attached to the aluminum tape.

  Thus, since the 1st electrode structure 2A and the 2nd electrode structure 3A were shape-processed and this 1st electrode structure 2A and the 2nd electrode structure 3A were affixed on the adhesive sheet 7, each to the adhesive sheet 7 When the electrodes 2 and 3 are attached one by one, it is necessary to align the electrodes one by one, but in the present manufacturing method, the attaching operation can be performed without such an operation.

  Moreover, since it once affixed to the adhesive sheet 7, even if it cut | disconnects the joint parts 22 and 32, while being able to maintain the state in which each electrode 2 and 3 was aligned, each electrode 2 and 3 was put together, and the thermoelectric conversion element 5p, 5n can be bonded, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

  On the other hand, this manufacturing method can also be applied when manufacturing the thermoelectric conversion element module 1 </ b> B in which the first electrode 2 is bonded to the insulating substrate 8.

  In each manufacturing method mentioned above, it can also be performed as follows.

  In place of the first electrode assembly 2A, as shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of modules in which the first electrodes 2 for one module are arranged in a predetermined arrangement are arranged, and the first electrodes 2 for each one module are arranged. The lead frame 21 surrounds the outside, and the lead frame 21 and each first electrode 2 are integrally connected by one joint portion 22 to be molded.

  Further, in place of the second electrode structure 3A, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of one-module second electrodes 3 arranged in a predetermined arrangement are arranged, and the second one-module second. A lead frame 31 surrounds the outside of the electrode 3, and a first electrode structure 3 </ b> B in which the lead frame 31 and each first electrode 3 are integrally connected by one joint portion 32 is molded.

  In these electrode structures 2B and 3B, the lead frames 21 and 31 do not necessarily have to surround the outside of the electrodes 2 and 3 for one module from the periphery, and may be surrounded so that one side is open.

  Further, the electrodes 2 and 3 of these electrode structures 2B and 3B are positioned so as to constitute a plurality of thermoelectric conversion element modules 1A when the first electrode structure 2B and the second electrode structure 3B are overlapped. Is arranged.

  Specifically, the reference point (for example, the center point) of the first electrode 2 for one module arranged in a predetermined arrangement and the reference point of the second electrode 3 for one module arranged in a predetermined arrangement (For example, the center point) coincides at all reference points when the first electrode structure 2B and the second electrode structure 3B are overlapped.

  By using these electrode structures 2B and 3B to manufacture the thermoelectric conversion element module 1A in the same manner as the first to fifth steps described above, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion element modules 1A as shown in FIG. Can be manufactured by connecting the lead frames 21 and 31 through the joint portions 22 and 32 and integrating them.

  By using such electrode structures 2B and 3B, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion element modules 1A can be manufactured together, and manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

  Moreover, since the plurality of thermoelectric conversion element modules 1A can be handled at a time by handling the thermoelectric conversion element module 10B in which the plurality of modules are integrated, work such as transportation can be efficiently performed.

  This effect is not necessarily required to use both the first electrode structure 2B and the second electrode structure 3B, and can be obtained by using either one. For example, when the thermoelectric conversion element module 1B in which the first electrode 2 is bonded to the insulating substrate 8 is manufactured, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion element modules 1B can be manufactured collectively even if the second electrode assembly 3B is used. it can.

  In the said embodiment, although the manufacturing method of thermoelectric conversion element module 1A, 1B in which the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n were arranged in 1 row was demonstrated, each manufacturing method mentioned above has thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n in 2 rows. The present invention can be applied to an array, and further can be applied to an array arranged in three or more rows.

  In order to manufacture a thermoelectric conversion element module in which the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n are arranged in two rows, as shown in FIG. 11A, the first electrodes 2 are also arranged in two rows and around the outer periphery thereof. The frame-shaped lead frame 21 is positioned, and the first electrode structure 2 </ b> C formed by integrally connecting the first electrodes 2 and the lead frame 21 with one joint portion 22 may be formed.

  In this case, the two lead frames 21 may be positioned outside the first electrode 2 so as to sandwich the arranged first electrodes 2 without forming the lead frame 21 into a frame shape.

  The second electrode structure is molded in the same manner.

  In order to manufacture a thermoelectric conversion element module in which the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n are arranged in three or more rows, as shown in FIG. 11 (b), a first arrangement corresponding to the arrangement of the thermoelectric conversion elements 5p and 5n is performed. The outside of one electrode 2 is surrounded by a lead frame 21, and the first electrode 2 and the lead frame 21 arranged on the outer periphery are connected by one joint portion 22, and the first electrode 2 and the lead frame 21 arranged in the center are connected. What is necessary is just to shape | mold the 1st electrode structure 2D which extended the joint part 22a for connecting to between the 1st electrodes 2 arranged in the outer periphery.

  In this case, the cut portion 23a of the joint portion 22a is collinear with the cut portion of the joint portion 22 that connects the first electrode 2 and the lead frame 21 arranged on the outer periphery, leaving most of the joint portion 21a. There is no problem in doing so.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 12, it is also possible to mold the first electrode structure 2E in which a plurality of the first electrodes 2 for one module arranged in two rows or three or more rows as described above are arranged. It is.

  In the above embodiment, the upper electrode is the first electrode 2 and the lower electrode is the second electrode 3, but the upper electrode is the second electrode 3, and the lower electrode is the first electrode. One electrode 2 may be used.

It is a front view of a skeleton type thermoelectric conversion element module. (A)-(f) is a figure which shows the state in each process in the manufacturing method of a thermoelectric conversion element module. It is a figure which shows the state in the next process of the said process. (A) is a perspective view of the thermoelectric conversion element module after performing to the 5th process in the said manufacturing method, (b) is a perspective view which shows the state after cut | disconnecting a coupling part. (A) is a front view of the thermoelectric conversion element module with which the 1st electrode was joined to the insulated substrate, (b) is a perspective view which shows the state by which the 1st electrode was joined to the insulated substrate. (A)-(d) is a figure which shows the state in each process in another manufacturing method of a thermoelectric conversion element module. (A) (b) is a figure which shows the state in the process after the said process. It is a top view of the 1st electrode structure in which the thing in which the 1st electrode for 1 module was arranged in the predetermined arrangement | sequence was arranged in multiple numbers. It is a top view of the 2nd electrode structure with which what arranged the 2nd electrode for 1 module in the predetermined arrangement | sequence was arranged in multiple numbers. (A) is a top view of a thermoelectric conversion element module in which a plurality of thermoelectric conversion element modules are connected by a lead frame via a joint portion, and (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in (a). . (A) is a plan view of the first electrode structure when the thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged in two rows, and (b) is a plan view of the first electrode structure when the thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged in three or more rows. It is. It is a top view of the 1st electrode structure when a plurality of the elements in which thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged in two rows are arranged. It is a top view of the integrated electrode which concerns on the conventional manufacturing method.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B Thermoelectric conversion element module 2 1st electrode 21, 31 Lead frame 22, 32 Joint part 23, 33 Cut surface 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E 1st electrode structure 3 2nd electrode 3A, 3B 2nd electrode Component 4 Bonding material 5p, 5n Thermoelectric conversion element 6 Heater 7 Adhesive sheet 8 Insulating substrate 10A, 10B Thermoelectric conversion element module (with lead frame)

Claims (9)

In the method of manufacturing a skeleton type thermoelectric conversion element module in which a plurality of p-type and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements are alternately electrically connected in series via a plurality of first electrodes and second electrodes.
A lead frame is positioned outside the first electrodes arranged in a predetermined arrangement, and a first electrode structure is formed by integrally connecting the lead frame and each first electrode with one joint portion. And a process of
Joining one surface of the thermoelectric conversion element to a position corresponding to each first electrode of the first electrode assembly, and then cutting the joint portion to separate each first electrode and the lead frame;
And a step of joining the other surface of the thermoelectric conversion element to the second electrode. In the step of joining the other surface of the thermoelectric conversion element to the second electrode,
Forming a second electrode structure in which a lead frame is positioned outside the second electrodes arranged in a predetermined arrangement, and the lead frame and each second electrode are integrally connected by one joint portion. And a process of
Joining the other surface of the thermoelectric conversion element to a position corresponding to each second electrode of the second electrode structure, and then cutting the joint portion to separate each second electrode from the lead frame. The manufacturing method of the thermoelectric conversion element module of Claim 1 characterized by these.   In the process of forming the electrode structure, a plurality of one-module electrodes arranged in a predetermined arrangement are arranged, and a lead frame is positioned outside each one-module electrode. The method of manufacturing a thermoelectric conversion element module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the process is a step of forming an electrode structure in which the frame and each electrode are integrally connected by one joint portion. In the method of manufacturing a skeleton type thermoelectric conversion element module in which a plurality of p-type and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements are alternately electrically connected in series via a plurality of first electrodes and second electrodes.
A lead frame is positioned outside the first electrodes arranged in a predetermined arrangement, and a first electrode structure is formed by integrally connecting the lead frame and each first electrode with one joint portion. And a process of
Attaching the first electrode structure to the adhesive sheet;
Cutting the joint portion of the first electrode structure and connecting each first electrode with an adhesive sheet; and
Bonding one surface of the thermoelectric conversion element to a position corresponding to each first electrode of the first electrode structure;
Bonding the other surface of the thermoelectric conversion element to the second electrode;
A method for producing a thermoelectric conversion element module, comprising: peeling the adhesive sheet from the first electrode to make each first electrode an independent state. In the step of joining the other surface of the thermoelectric conversion element to the second electrode,
Forming a second electrode structure in which a lead frame is positioned outside the second electrodes arranged in a predetermined arrangement, and the lead frame and each second electrode are integrally connected by one joint portion. And a process of
Attaching the second electrode structure to the adhesive sheet;
Cutting the joint portion of the second electrode structure and connecting each second electrode with an adhesive sheet; and
Bonding the other surface of the thermoelectric conversion element to a position corresponding to each second electrode of the second electrode structure,
Furthermore, the manufacturing method of the thermoelectric conversion element module of Claim 4 provided with the process of peeling an adhesive sheet from a 2nd electrode and making each 2nd electrode an independent state.   In the process of forming the electrode structure, a plurality of one-module electrodes arranged in a predetermined arrangement are arranged, and a lead frame is positioned outside each one-module electrode. 6. The method of manufacturing a thermoelectric conversion element module according to claim 4, wherein the process is a step of forming an electrode structure in which the frame and each electrode are integrally connected by one joint portion. First electrode configuration used in a method for manufacturing a skeleton type thermoelectric conversion element module in which a plurality of p-type and n-type thermoelectric conversion elements are alternately and electrically connected in series via a plurality of first electrodes and second electrodes In the body ,
Provided is a first electrode structure in which a lead frame is positioned outside the first electrodes arranged in a predetermined arrangement, and the lead frame and each first electrode are integrally connected by one joint portion;
A method of manufacturing a thermoelectric conversion element module , comprising joining one surface of a thermoelectric conversion element to a position corresponding to each first electrode of the first electrode structure and then cutting a joint portion. The 1st electrode structure used for this . Provided is a second electrode structure in which a lead frame is positioned outside the second electrodes arranged in a predetermined arrangement, and the lead frame and each second electrode are integrally connected by one joint portion;
The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 7, wherein the other surface of the thermoelectric conversion element is joined to a position corresponding to each second electrode of the second electrode constituting body, and then the joint portion is cut. The 2nd electrode structure used for the manufacturing method of a conversion element module. In the electrode structure, a plurality of one-module electrodes arranged in a predetermined arrangement are arranged, and a lead frame is positioned outside each one-module electrode. The electrode structure used for the manufacturing method of the thermoelectric conversion element module of Claim 7 or 8 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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