JP4788225B2 - Thermoelectric conversion device and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermoelectric conversion device that can absorb heat and dissipate heat by passing a direct current through a series circuit composed of an N-type thermoelectric element and a P-type thermoelectric element, and a method of manufacturing the same, and in particular, a second holding The present invention relates to an arrangement of heat exchange elements held on a plate.

Conventionally, as this type of thermoelectric conversion device, for example, as in Patent Document 1, a plurality of thermoelectric elements are arranged in a planar shape, and one side electrode element is provided on one side of each thermoelectric element, while the other side is provided with the other side. Side electrode elements are provided. And the thermoelectric conversion apparatus which has formed the heat exchange element in at least one of the one side electrode element and the other side electrode element is known.
JP 2003-124531 A

  However, in the apparatus as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a plurality of heat exchange elements corresponding to the one side electrode element and the other side electrode element are provided, and adjacent heat exchange elements are electrically insulated from each other. That is, since the heat exchange element is a plurality of extremely small parts, there is a problem that productivity in production is lowered due to a large number of man-hours for forming and assembling the heat exchange element.

  Therefore, the inventors have formed a plurality of heat exchange elements at the same time, and cut the continuous portions to reduce the number of steps for forming and assembling the plurality of heat exchange elements, and mutually adjacent adjacent heat exchange elements. Has been filed for a patent (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-347101).

  Specifically, a plurality of heat exchange elements are successively formed in a corrugated form in the order of the heat exchange part, the electrode part, the heat exchange part, and the continuous part, and each electrode part is held by the second holding plate. In this state, the continuous portion on the other end side facing the electrode portion is cut, and the cut end portion is fixed to a fixing plate to electrically insulate adjacent heat exchange elements from each other.

  However, according to the subsequent studies by the inventors, in the cutting process of cutting the continuous part, when the cutting process of individually cutting each continuous part is performed, the number of cutting steps is large due to the plurality of continuous parts. I found out that

  Moreover, among the heat exchange elements arranged on either the heat absorption side or the heat radiation side, the heat exchange elements arranged at the upstream end and the downstream end in the flow direction of the heat exchange medium are the upstream end and the downstream end thereof. Since the shape is different from that of the heat exchange element arranged between the two, it has been found that when the continuous portions are cut according to the mutual shapes, the other continuous portions are hindered.

  For example, when continuous portions of heat exchange elements having the same shape arranged between the upstream end and the downstream end are cut together in a straight line, the continuous portions of heat exchange elements arranged at the upstream end and the downstream end It was found that sometimes it was difficult to cut because of the trouble.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric conversion device that is easy to manufacture, and a thermoelectric conversion device that can reduce the number of man-hours for assembling heat exchange elements and the device. It is to provide a manufacturing method.

In order to achieve the above object, the technical means according to claims 1 to 9 are employed.
That is, in the first aspect of the invention, a plurality of pairs of thermoelectric elements (12, 13) in which a P-type thermoelectric element (12) and an N-type thermoelectric element (13) are connected in series are arranged along the energization path. A thermoelectric element assembly (10),
A heat exchange element group (251, 252) having a plurality of heat exchange elements (25) disposed on one surface of the thermoelectric element assembly (10) and correspondingly provided between the pair of thermoelectric elements (12, 13). )
Each of the plurality of heat exchange elements (25) extends in the height direction from the electrode part (25a) joined to the pair of thermoelectric elements (12, 13) so as to be capable of transferring heat, A heat exchange part (25b) for exchanging heat with the exchange medium,
A plurality of first heat exchange elements (cut edges (251h1, 251h2) formed by bending when cutting a continuous plate at the front end of the heat exchange section (25b) are arranged in rows with gaps therebetween. 251),
At the tip of the heat exchanging part (25b), a portion where the cut edges (252h1, 252h2) formed by bending when cutting the continuous plate material are respectively provided with a gap and the height of the heat exchanging part (25b) A plurality of second heat exchange elements (which are arranged lower than the plurality of first heat exchange elements (251) in the vertical direction and are alternately arranged with portions provided to be connected to the other heat exchange units (25b)) 252), and
The cutting lines (25g1, 25g2, 25g3, 25g4) connecting the gaps of the cutting edges (251h1, 251h2) of the plurality of first heat exchange elements (251) are arranged in parallel to each other, and the cutting lines (25g1, 25g2, 25g3, 25g4) are arranged so that the gaps between the cutting edges (252h1, 252h2) of the second heat exchange element (252) are located .

According to this invention, since it arrange | positions along the electricity supply path | route connected in series, the 1st heat exchange element (251) and the 2nd heat exchange element (252) which have a different shape are the 2nd heat exchange element ( 252) is provided by providing a portion disposed in the height direction lower than the plurality of first heat exchange elements (251) .

In addition, the cutting process of the first heat exchange element (251) and the second heat exchange element (252) can be performed simultaneously along the cutting lines (25g1, 25g2, 25g3, 25g4). Thereby, an improved manufacturing process can be employed, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
Further, according to the present invention, the cutting edges (251h1, 251h2, 252h1, 252h2) can be positioned at a predetermined height by the heat exchange part (25b) of the heat exchange element (25).

  In the invention according to claim 2, the energization path is formed in a meandering manner by having a plurality of parallel portions extending in parallel and a plurality of turn portions located at both ends of the parallel portions and alternately connecting them. The first heat exchange elements (251) are arranged in a row orthogonal to the plurality of parallel portions, and the second heat exchange elements (252) are arranged along the arrangement direction of the plurality of turn portions. It is characterized by being arranged in a row. According to the present invention, a meandering energization path is provided by a simple manufacturing process.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that a V-shaped cut portion (25i) is formed at the front edge or the rear edge of the cutting edge (251h1, 251h2, 252h1, 252h2).

  According to the present invention, the cutting edge (251h1, 251h2, 252h1, 252h2) is provided with the notched portion (25i) turned up at the front edge or the rear edge or both of them, so that the cutting apparatus can be guided in the cutting process. Thus, the reliability of the cutting process and the quality of the cut marks are improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermoelectric conversion device in which a plurality of heat exchange elements (25) are arranged on one surface of a thermoelectric element assembly (10) formed by arranging a plurality of pairs of thermoelectric elements (12, 13). In the manufacturing method,
A first plate member (251) having a plurality of cut portions (25c) positioned at a predetermined height is formed by bending the continuous plate material, and a plurality of components positioned at a predetermined height by bending the continuous plate material. A plate member processing step of forming a second plate member (252) having a cut portion (25c) and a plurality of non-cut portions (25e) located at a lower height than the cut portion (25c);
The first plate member (251) and the second plate member (252) are arranged in a plurality of rows so that the cutting part (25c) is positioned on the plurality of cutting lines (25g1, 25g2, 25g3, 25g4) set in parallel. An arranging step to arrange;
The cutting part (25c) between the first plate member (251) and the second plate member (252) can be cut, and the non-cutting part (25e) of the second plate member (252) is cut to a height that does not cut. And a cutting step of moving the cutting device along the cutting line (25g1, 25g2, 25g3, 25g4) by positioning the device.

  According to this invention, since it arrange | positions along an electricity supply path | route, the 1st heat exchange element (2511, 2512) and the 2nd heat exchange element (2521, 2522) which have a different shape are the 2nd heat exchange element ( 2521, 2522) is provided by providing an uncut portion (25e).

  In addition, the cutting process of the first heat exchange element (2511, 2512) and the second heat exchange element (2521, 2522) is simultaneously performed in the cutting process performed simultaneously along the cutting line (25g1, 25g2, 25g3, 25g4). It can be carried out.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the arranging step, the first plate member (251) and the second plate member (252) are joined to one surface of the thermoelectric element assembly (10). According to this invention, a cutting | disconnection part (25c) can be continuously cut | disconnected after a joining process. Furthermore, since it can join in the state of a 1st board member (251) and a 2nd board member (252) in the joining process before cut | disconnecting, productivity can be improved.

The invention described in claim 6 is characterized by having a forming step of forming a gap between the cutting edges (251h1, 251h2, 252h1, 252h2) after the cutting step. According to the present invention, since the gap is formed by separating the cutting edges (251h1, 251h2, 252h1, 252h2) after the cutting step, it is possible to easily obtain electrical insulation between the heat exchange elements (25). it can.

In the invention according to claim 7 , in the arranging step, the plurality of first plate members (251) are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows orthogonal to the cutting lines (25g1, 25g2), and the cutting lines (25g1, 25g2). ) Is positioned at one end (25g2) of one of the plurality of second plate members (252), and the uncut portion (25e) of one of the second plate members (252), and one of the cutting lines (25g1, 25g2) (25g2) The other end (252) has a cutting part (25g1, 25g2) positioned at the other end of the second plate member (252).

  According to this invention, the effect of the improved manufacturing method can be enjoyed even in the configuration in which the heat exchange element groups are arranged in a meandering manner.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in the plate member processing step, a V-shaped cut portion (25i) is formed at the front edge or the rear edge of the cut portion (25c). According to the present invention, by forming the V-shaped cut portion (25i), the cutting device can be guided in the cutting process, and the cutting portion can be cut into a stable shape.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the plate member processing step, the electrode part (25a) joined to the pair of thermoelectric elements (12, 13) so as to be capable of transferring heat, and both sides of the electrode part (25a) are positioned. The heat exchange part (25b) for extending in the height direction and exchanging heat with the heat exchange medium is formed corresponding to each of the heat exchange elements (25), and the adjacent heat exchange part (25b) A cutting part (25c) is formed at the tip.

  According to this invention, the cutting edges (251h1, 251h2, 252h1, 252h2) can be positioned at a predetermined height by the heat exchange part (25b) of the heat exchange element (25).

  In addition, the code | symbol in the bracket | parenthesis of each said means shows a corresponding relationship with the specific means of embodiment mentioned later.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, the thermoelectric conversion apparatus in 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated based on FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing an arrangement of heat exchange members 25 arranged on the heat absorption side, and FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing an arrangement of heat exchange members 25 arranged on the heat dissipation side. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the thermoelectric converter.

  4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD shown in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the shapes of the first and second plate members 251 and 252. FIG. 8A is a plan view showing the arrangement of the first and second plate members 251 and 252, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the thermoelectric conversion device of this embodiment includes a thermoelectric element substrate 10 that is a thermoelectric element assembly in which a plurality of P-type and N-type thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 are arranged, and a pair of thermoelectric elements. A heat absorption and heat radiation board 20 and a pair of case members 28, each of which is a heat exchange element assembly in which a plurality of heat exchange elements 25, which are heat exchange elements coupled to each of the heat exchange elements 12 and 13, are arranged. is doing.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the thermoelectric element substrate 10 that is a thermoelectric element assembly includes a first holding plate 11 that is a holding plate for the thermoelectric elements 12 and 13, and thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 that are made of P-type and N-type. , And the electrode member 16 which is an electrode element.

  Specifically, a pair of P-type thermoelectric elements 12 and N-type thermoelectric elements 13 are attached to a first holding plate 11 made of a flat insulating material (for example, glass epoxy, PPS resin, LCP resin, or PET resin). A plurality of thermoelectric element groups alternately arranged in a substantially grid pattern are arranged in a row, and electrode members 16 are joined to both end faces of a pair of adjacent thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 so as to be integrated.

  The P-type thermoelectric element 12 is composed of a P-type semiconductor made of a Bi—Te-based compound, and the N-type thermoelectric element 12 is a minimal component composed of an N-type semiconductor made of a Bi—Te-based compound. The P-type thermoelectric element 12 and the N-type thermoelectric element 13 are formed so that the upper end surface and the lower end surface protrude beyond the first holding plate 11.

  The electrode member 16 is formed of a conductive metal such as a flat copper material, and includes a pair of adjacent P-type thermoelectric elements 12 and N-type thermoelectric elements 13 among the thermoelectric element groups arranged on the first holding plate 11. The electrodes are electrically connected in series.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the electrode member 16 disposed at the upper side is an electrode for allowing a current to flow from the adjacent N-type thermoelectric element 13 toward the P-type thermoelectric element 12. The arranged electrode member 16 is an electrode for causing a current to flow from the adjacent P-type thermoelectric element 12 to the N-type thermoelectric element 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the planar shape is unified with the same shape, and is formed in a rectangular shape that covers the end faces of the pair of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13. The electrode member 16 is bonded to the end faces of the thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 in advance by applying paste solder thinly and uniformly by screen printing and then soldering.

  By the way, the electrode member 16 disposed on one side (see FIG. 4) of the first holding plate 11 is disposed on the thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 adjacent to the outer end of the thermoelectric element group, and outside the thermoelectric element group. The arrangement direction is different from the arrangement in the thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 adjacent to the inside of the end.

  That is, when the thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 adjacent to the outer end of the thermoelectric element group are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the thermoelectric element group, the thermoelectric elements 12 adjacent to the inner side of the outer end of the thermoelectric element group, When it is arranged on 13, it is arranged in the direction along the thermoelectric element group.

  The thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 disposed at the left and right upper ends shown in the figure are provided with terminals 24a and 24b, respectively, and a positive side terminal of a DC power source (not shown) is connected to the terminals 24a and 24b. The negative terminal is connected to the terminal 24b.

  By arranging the electrode member 16 in this way, an energization path from the terminal 24a to the terminal 24b is formed. That is, in FIG. 4, the electrode member 16 meanders by having a plurality of parallel portions extending in parallel along the thermoelectric element group and a plurality of turn portions located at both ends of the parallel portions and alternately connecting them. In FIG. 5, the electrode member 16 is formed in a meandering manner by having a plurality of parallel portions extending in parallel along the thermoelectric element group.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the heat-absorbing and heat-dissipating substrate 20 that is a heat exchange element assembly is made of a flat insulating material (for example, glass epoxy, PPS resin, LCP resin, or PET resin). A plurality of heat exchange members 25 are integrally formed on the second holding plate 21.

  Each heat exchanging member 25 uses a thin plate material made of a conductive metal such as a copper material, and as shown in FIG. 6, the cross section is substantially U-shaped and a flat electrode portion 25 a is formed at the bottom. A louver-like heat exchanging portion 25b is formed on a plane extending outward from the electrode portion 25a.

  The heat exchanging portion 25b is a fin for exchanging heat transferred from the electrode portion 25a and air as a heat exchanging medium, and is formed integrally with the electrode portion 25a by molding such as cutting and raising. In the present embodiment, the shape of the heat exchanging portion is formed by the louver 25b. However, the shape is not limited to this, and it may be formed in a slit shape or an offset shape.

  And each heat exchange part 25b is arrange | positioned at the 2nd holding plate 21 so that the planar electrode part 25a may be in the predetermined arrangement state corresponding to the arrangement state of the electrode member 16 arrange | positioned at the thermoelectric element board | substrate 10. FIG. In addition, the heat exchange members 25 are electrically insulated from each other.

  In addition, since the electrode part 25a is formed in a shape corresponding to the electrode member 16, the outer end of the thermoelectric element group on one side (see FIG. 1) of the thermoelectric element substrate 10 among the plurality of heat exchange members 25 (see FIG. 1). 1 in the first row and the fifth row shown in FIG. 1, the case where it is placed inside the outer end of the thermoelectric element group (second row to fourth row shown in FIG. 1), and thermoelectric It is formed in a shape different from the case where it is arranged on the other side of the element substrate 10 (see FIG. 2).

  More specifically, the heat exchange member 25 disposed at the outer end (first row and fifth row shown in FIG. 1) is formed in a direction in which the longitudinal direction of the electrode portion 25a is orthogonal to the wind flow direction. The heat exchange part 25b is formed in a direction along the flow direction of the wind.

  On the other hand, the heat exchange member 25 disposed inside the outer end (second row to fourth row shown in FIG. 1) is formed such that the longitudinal direction of the electrode portion 25a is in the direction along the wind flow direction. The part 25b is formed in a direction along the flow direction of the wind.

  By the way, the several heat exchange member 25 of this embodiment connects the several heat exchange member 25 continuously via the continuous part 25c between the heat exchange parts 25b rather than forming the heat exchange member 25 with single goods. It is formed in a corrugated shape. And after assembling each electrode part 25a to the 2nd holding plate 21, joining the electrode part 25a to the electrode member 16, the continuous part 25c is cut | disconnected so that between the heat exchange members 25 may be electrically insulated. ing.

  Specifically, the first and second plate members 251 made of corrugated shapes as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B are arranged on the second holding plate 21 as temporary assembly members. ing. That is, the first plate member 251 having the shape shown in FIG. 7A is arranged on the inner side (second row to fourth row shown in FIG. 1) and the thermoelectric side of the outer end on one side (see FIG. 1) of the thermoelectric element substrate 10. The second plate member 252 having the shape shown in FIG. 7B is disposed on the other side of the element substrate 10 (see FIG. 2), and the outer end (see FIG. 1) of the thermoelectric element substrate 10 on one side (see FIG. 1). In the first column and the fifth column).

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the first plate member 251 is a corrugated structure in which a plurality of heat exchange members 25 are continuously connected in the order of a heat exchange portion 25b, an electrode portion 25a, a heat exchange portion 25b, and a continuous portion 25c. It is formed in a shape. As shown in FIG. 7B, the second plate member 252 has a plurality of heat exchange portions in the order of a heat exchange portion 25b, an electrode portion 25a, a protruding portion 25e, an electrode portion 25a, a heat exchange portion 25b, and a continuous portion 25c. The member 25 is formed in a continuous corrugated shape.

  That is, in the second plate member 252, a substantially mountain-shaped protruding portion 25e is formed at the center of the electrode portion 25a. In addition, the peak height of the protruding part 25e is formed at a position lower than the peak height position of the continuous part 25c formed in the first and second plate members 251 and 252. This is used for a base of a cutting device when cutting the continuous portion 25c of the other first plate member 251 disposed in the same straight line of the protruding portion 25e (described later).

  Accordingly, each heat exchange member 25 is included in the plurality of first and second plate members 251 and 252. Therefore, in the claims, the plurality of first plate members 251 are referred to as first heat exchange elements, The plurality of second plate members 252 are referred to as second heat exchange elements. Furthermore, the first heat exchange element and the second heat exchange element are referred to as a heat exchange element group.

  By the way, in order to form the heat exchanging member 25 having the electrode portion 25a and the heat exchanging portion 25b in a corrugated shape as described above, a plurality of heat exchanging members 25 are formed rather than the press forming which is formed as a single product. In particular, the productivity by the forming process of the heat exchanging portion 25b is extremely good when the roller processing is performed.

  Moreover, rather than manufacturing by press working with male and female molds, the roller processing, in which the material is fed by the rollers in order, the heat exchange part 25b, the electrode part 25a, the heat exchange part 25b, and the continuous part 25c, is the equipment such as the mold. The molding process can be performed at low cost.

  In addition, the plate member processing step for forming the first and second plate members 251 and 252 in a corrugated shape, the arrangement step for arranging the first and second plate members 251 and 252 on the second holding plate 21, and the continuous portion 25c are cut. A manufacturing method such as a cutting step will be described later.

  Also, in the above configuration, reference numerals 25g1, 25g2, 25g3, and 25g4 indicating the one-dot chain lines in FIGS. 1 and 6 are cutting lines for cutting the continuous portions 25c arranged in the same straight line, which will be described in detail later. It is.

  Further, reference numerals 251h1, 251h2, 252h1, and 252h2 shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7 denote cutting edges formed after cutting the continuous portion 25c along the cutting lines 25g1, 25g2, 25g3, and 25g4 described above. A predetermined gap is formed at each of the cutting edges 251h1, 251h2, 252h1, 252h2.

  In the present embodiment, the continuous portion 25c formed in the first and second plate members 251 and 252 is referred to as a cutting portion in the claims. Further, the protruding portion 25e formed on the second plate member 252 is referred to as a non-cut portion in the claims.

  Next, the DC power input from the terminal 24a flows from the electrode member 16 disposed at the upper end of the leftmost P-type thermoelectric element 12 to the P-type thermoelectric element 12, as shown in FIG. It flows in series to the right adjacent N-type thermoelectric element 13 via the lower electrode member 16, and then from this N-type thermoelectric element 13 to the right adjacent P-type thermoelectric element 12 via the upper electrode member 16. Is flowing.

  At this time, the upper electrode member 16 constituting the NP junction is in a low temperature state due to the Peltier effect, and the lower electrode member 16 constituting the PN junction is in a high temperature state. That is, the heat exchanging portion 25b disposed above forms an endothermic heat exchanging portion on the heat absorption side, heat at low temperature is transferred to contact the fluid to be cooled, and the heat exchanging portion 25b disposed below. Forms a heat-dissipating heat exchanging portion on the heat-dissipating side to transfer high-temperature heat to contact the cooling fluid.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 3, the thermoelectric element substrate 10 is used as a partition wall, the air passages are formed by the case members 28 on both sides of the thermoelectric element substrate 10, and the air is circulated through the air passages. 25b and air are heat-exchanged, the thermoelectric element substrate 10 is used as a partition wall, air can be cooled by the upper heat exchanging portion 25b, and air can be heated by the lower heat exchanging portion 25b.

  In the present embodiment, the positive terminal of the DC power source is connected to the terminal 24a side, the negative terminal is connected to the terminal 24b side, and the DC power source is input to the terminal 24a. The positive terminal may be connected to the terminal 24b side, the negative terminal may be connected to the terminal 24a side, and a DC power supply may be input to the terminal 24b. However, at this time, the upper heat exchanging portion 25b forms a heat dissipating heat exchanging portion, and the lower heat exchanging portion 25b forms an endothermic heat exchanging portion.

  Next, a method for assembling the thermoelectric conversion device having the above configuration and a method for manufacturing the heat exchange member 25 will be described. First, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 include a plurality of P-type and N-type alternately in a substantially grid pattern in a substrate hole (not shown) provided in the first holding plate 11. The first holding plates 11 are integrally formed by arranging them individually. Thus, the plurality of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 are integrally formed on the thermoelectric element substrate 10.

  4 and 5, the plurality of electrode members 16 are soldered so as to be electrically connected in series to both end faces of the pair of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 arranged adjacent to the first holding plate 11. Join by attaching. Accordingly, the plurality of electrode members 16 can be disposed at predetermined positions corresponding to the arrangement state of the pair of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the electrode member 16 disposed on the upper side forms an NP junction, and connects a pair of adjacent thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 in series and is disposed on the lower side. An electrode member 16 forms a PN junction and connects a pair of adjacent thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 in series. In addition, an energization path extending from the terminal 24a to the terminal 24b is formed by the plurality of electrode members 16.

  In other words, on one side of the thermoelectric element substrate 10 (see FIG. 4), a plurality of parallel portions in which energization paths extend in parallel and a plurality of turn portions that are positioned at both ends of the parallel portions and alternately connect them. Are formed in a meandering manner. The other side (see FIG. 5) is formed in a meandering manner by having a plurality of parallel portions extending in parallel.

  Here, the parallel part indicates the flow direction of current when the pair of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 and the electrode member 16 are arranged in parallel with the flow direction of the heat exchange medium. The current flow direction when the pair of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 and the electrode member 16 are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the flow direction of the heat exchange medium is shown, and is located at both ends of the parallel portion.

  Here, the assembly process of arranging the plurality of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 on the first holding plate 11 and disposing the electrode member 16 on each of the pair of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 is assembling the thermoelectric element of the thermoelectric element substrate 10. This is called a process.

  The thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 and the electrode member 16 may be assembled using a mounter device which is a manufacturing apparatus for assembling semiconductors, electronic components, and the like to the control board. According to this, since the thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 and the electrode member 16 can be easily picked even if they are extremely small parts, the assembly can be performed without lowering the productivity.

  Next, the manufacturing method of the several heat exchange member 25 is manufactured by roll processing. That is, the belt-shaped conductive material is fed into a pair of male and female rollers, and a plurality of heat exchanging members 25 that are successively corrugated in the order of the heat exchanging portion 25b, the electrode portion 25a, the heat exchanging portion 25b, and the continuous portion 25c are provided. The first and second plate members 251 and 252 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) are formed.

  At this time, the continuous portions 25c formed on the first and second plate members 251 and 252 are formed to have the same peak height. One of the second plate members 252 has a substantially mountain-shaped protruding portion 25e (from the height of the continuous portion 25c formed on the first and second plate members 251 and 252) at the center of the electrode portion 25a. Is formed at a lower position).

  Further, a substantially V-shaped cut portion 25i is simultaneously formed at the front edge and the rear edge of the continuous portion 25c (described later). This is referred to as a plate member processing step for forming the temporary assembly members 251 and 252.

  Then, the first and second plate members 251 and 252 formed in a corrugated shape are picked, and the fitting holes (not shown) provided in the second holding plate 21 as shown in FIG. The electrode portions 25 a are inserted for each row, and a plurality of first and second plate members 251 and 252 are arranged on the second holding plate 21.

  At this time, the second plate member 252 is temporarily disposed at the outer end of either the heat absorption side or the heat dissipation side of the thermoelectric element group, and the first plate member 251 is disposed inside the outer end of the thermoelectric element group. And temporarily arranged in all rows on either the heat absorption side or the heat dissipation side.

  More specifically, the continuous portions 25c formed in the first and second plate members 251 and 252 are arranged so as to be aligned on the same cutting line 25g1, 25g2, 25g3, and 25g4. I have to.

  In other words, the continuous portion 25c of the first plate member 251 is disposed with the respective cutting lines 25g1, 25g2, 25g3, and 25g4 being positioned, and one of the protruding portions 25e of the second plate member 252 is provided with the cutting lines 25g1 and 25g2. Of these, one of the continuous portions 25c of the second plate member 252 is disposed with the other one 25g2 of the cutting lines 25g1 and 25g2 positioned.

  Thereby, the continuous part 25c of the 1st, 2nd board members 251 and 252 can be arranged on the same straight line. Further, the protruding portion 25e of the second plate member 251 can be arranged on the same straight line as one of the continuous portions 25c of the first plate member 251.

  Accordingly, the plurality of first and second plate members 251 and 252 are configured integrally with the heat absorption and heat dissipation substrate 20. This is referred to as a heat exchange element assembly arrangement process in which the temporary assembly members 251 and 252 are arranged in a plurality of rows.

  And in the state which laminated | stacked the thermoelectric element board | substrate 10 between a pair of heat absorption and the thermal radiation board | substrate 20, each electrode member 16 and each electrode part 25a are joined together by soldering. This is called a joining process. In this bonding step, the heat absorption on one side of the thermoelectric element substrate 10, the heat dissipation substrate 20 and the heat absorption on the other side, and the heat dissipation substrate 20 may be bonded to each other by inverting the thermoelectric element substrate 10. .

  And among the heat exchange members 25 joined in the joining process, as shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, continuous parts arranged on the same straight line formed between adjacent heat exchange parts 25b. 25c is continuously cut by a cutting device along cutting lines 25g1, 25g2, 25g3, and 25g4.

  Here, in order to cut the continuous part 25c aligned on the same straight line, for example, the continuous part 25c is moved by moving a cutting device having a cutting edge at the tip along the cutting lines 25g1, 25g2, 25g3, and 25g4. While being continuously cut, the cut end is spread by a cutting bending jig (not shown) so as to form a gap having a predetermined space between the cutting edges 251h1, 251h2, 251h2, and 252h2. I am doing so.

  At this time, cutting can be easily performed by applying a cutting edge of a cutting and bending jig (not shown) to the notches 25i formed at the front edge and the rear edge of the continuous portion 25c. Further, when cutting the continuous portion 25c aligned with the protruding portion 25e, the cutting device can be supported by the protruding portion 25e.

  Incidentally, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the respective continuous portions 25c are separated, and adjacent heat exchange members 25 are formed by forming predetermined gaps between the edges 251h1, 251h2, 251h2, and 252h2. They are electrically isolated from each other.

  According to the above cutting process, the second plate member 252 and the first plate member 251 have different overall shapes, but at least the continuous portions 25c are arranged on the same straight line because they are formed at the same peak height. The continuous portion 25c can be cut continuously and easily.

  In addition, the protruding portion 25e formed on the second plate member 252 is formed at a position lower than the peak height position of the continuous portion 25c formed on the first plate member 251, so that the first plate member 251 side The continuous portion 25c can be easily cut, and the cutting device can be supported by the protruding portion 25e, so that the cut portion does not become uneven. Rather, the cut portion can be cut into a stable shape.

  In the present embodiment, the continuous portion 25c is cut using a cutting and bending jig that forms a predetermined space between the cutting edges 251h1, 251h2, 251h2, and 252h2 at the same time as the cutting. The end portion cut by another jig may be pushed and bent so that the continuous portion 25c is cut by sliding in the direction of the arrow using a laser processing or a cutter.

  Then, by assembling the upper side and the lower side of the second holding plate 21 so as to form an air path by the case member 28, an endothermic heat exchange part is formed on the upper side, and a radiant heat exchange part is formed on the lower side. Thus, it is possible to obtain cold air and hot air by circulating air therethrough. In addition, as this kind of thermoelectric conversion apparatus, it is used for cooling of heating parts, such as a semiconductor and an electrical component, and heating, such as a heating apparatus.

  By the way, in the present embodiment, a plurality of pairs of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 in which a plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements 12 and a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements 13 are connected in series are arranged along the energization path to form a thermoelectric element substrate 10. Is configured. Further, heat exchange element groups 251 and 252 having a plurality of heat exchange elements 25 provided correspondingly between the pair of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 are arranged on both surfaces of the thermoelectric element substrate 10.

  The heat exchange element groups 251 and 252 are not limited to this, and may be disposed only on one surface of the thermoelectric element substrate 10. Furthermore, the heat exchange element groups 251 and 252 of the present embodiment include first and second heat exchange element groups 251 and 252.

  In the heat exchange element groups 251 and 252, a plurality of continuous plate members 251 are separated and a gap is provided between adjacent cutting edges 251 h 1 and 251 h 2, and the gaps between the cutting edges 251 h 1 and 251 h 2 are arranged in rows. The first heat exchange element group 251 including a plurality of heat exchange elements 251 disposed in the.

  In the first heat exchange element group 251, a plurality of rows of first heat exchange elements 251 are arranged between a plurality of cutting lines 25 g 1, 25 g 2, 25 g 3 parallel to each other between adjacent cutting edges 251 h 1, 251 h 2, Each of 25g4 is positioned and arranged.

  One second heat exchange element group 252 is formed by separating continuous plate members 252 and includes a plurality of second heat exchange elements 252 arranged in a row with a gap between the respective cutting edges 252h1 and 252h2. Including.

  The second heat exchange element 252 is disposed lower than the cutting edges 251h1 and 251h2 of the first heat exchange element 251, and extends below the cutting line without being cut at one of the cutting lines 25g1 and 25g2. It has the protrusion part 25e which is a cutting | disconnection site | part.

  Thereby, the 1st heat exchange element 251 and the 2nd heat exchange element 252 are given a different shape. The second heat exchange element group 252 is arranged with the other one 25g2 of the cutting lines 25g1 and 25g2 positioned between the cutting edges 252h1 and 252h2. As a result, the separation of the second heat exchange element 252 can also be performed on the cutting lines 25g1 and 25g2 that separate the first heat exchange element 251.

  The energization path set in the thermoelectric conversion device is formed in a meandering manner by having a plurality of parallel portions extending in parallel and a plurality of turn portions located at both ends of the parallel portions and alternately connecting them. Can be done.

  When the thermoelectric element substrate 20 is configured as described above, the first heat exchange elements 251 are arranged in rows orthogonal to the plurality of parallel portions and are provided corresponding to the parallel portions. The second heat exchange elements 252 are arranged in a row along the direction in which the plurality of turn portions are arranged, and are provided corresponding to the plurality of turn portions.

  Further, a cut-out portion 25i that is turned up is formed on the front edge or the rear edge of each of the cutting edges 251h1, 251h2, 252h1, 252h2, and 25h5, or both edges. This cutting part 25i guides a cutting tool as a cutting device in the cutting process, and can perform reliable cutting and provide a cutting trace that is smooth and less deformed.

  Further, each of the heat exchange elements 25 includes an electrode part 25a joined to the pair of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 so as to be capable of transferring heat, and heat extending from the electrode part 25a in the height direction to exchange heat with the heat exchange medium. And an exchange unit 25b. And the cutting edge 251h1, 251h2, 252h1, 252h2 is formed in the front-end | tip of the heat exchange part 25b.

  The electrode part 25a can take the structure directly joined to the thermoelectric elements 12 and 13, or the structure connected to the electrode member 16 which electrically connects between the thermoelectric elements 12 and 13. FIG. The electrode portion 25a is required to be thermally conductive and does not necessarily have conductivity, but can have conductivity.

  And the thermoelectric conversion apparatus by the above structure provides the manufacturing method of the thermoelectric conversion apparatus which arrange | positions the several heat exchange element 25 on both surfaces of the thermoelectric element board | substrate 10 formed by arranging a plurality of pairs of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13. .

  In the manufacturing method of this embodiment, the heat exchange element groups 251 and 252 are manufactured after the assembly of the thermoelectric element substrate 10 or separately from the assembly. Part of the manufacturing process of the heat exchange element groups 251 and 252 can be performed on the thermoelectric element substrate 10, or on the heat absorption and heat dissipation board 20 away from the thermoelectric element substrate 10 such as the second holding plate 21. Can also be implemented.

  The first and second heat exchange elements 251 and 252 are manufactured by bending a plate material into a predetermined shape and arranging them, and then cutting them. In the plate member processing step, the first plate member 251 as the first heat exchange element 251 can be processed and the second plate member 252 as the second heat exchange element 252 can be processed.

  Moreover, the 1st board member 251 which has the continuous part 25c which is the some cutting part located in predetermined | prescribed height by bending the continuous board | plate material is formed. A second plate member having a plurality of continuous portions 25c located at a predetermined height by bending a continuous plate material and a plurality of uncut portions 25e which are located at a height lower than the continuous portion 25c. 252 is formed.

  Then, the first plate member 251 and the second plate member 252 are arranged in a plurality of rows so that the continuous portion 25c is positioned on the plurality of cutting lines 25g1 and 25g2 set in parallel. In this arrangement step, a plurality of rows of continuous portions 25c are arranged on one cutting line 25g1, 25g2. Thereafter, a cutting process is performed.

  In the cutting step, the continuous portion 25c of the first plate member 251 and the second plate member 252 can be cut, but the cutting device is positioned at a height that does not cut the protruding portion 25e of the second plate member 252, The cutting device is moved along the cutting lines 25g1 and 25g2. As a result, the continuous portion 25c can be cut continuously, and the protruding portion 25e can be left without being cut.

  Further, in the arranging step, the first plate member 251 and the second plate member 252 may be bonded to only one surface of the thermoelectric element substrate 10. Moreover, since cutting can be performed after joining and the joining process can be performed in the state of the 1st board member 251 and the 2nd board member 252, productivity improves. Furthermore, after this cutting process, you may provide the clearance gap formation process which forms a clearance gap between the adjacent cutting edges 251h1, 251h2, 252h1, 252h2.

  According to this, the cutting edges 251h1, 251h2, 252h1, 252h2 can be reliably separated, and electrical insulation can be obtained.

  Further, in the arranging step, the plurality of second plate members 252 and the cutting lines 25g1 and 25g2 are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows orthogonal to each other, and one of the second plate members 252 is arranged at one end thereof at the cutting line 25g1, Arranged perpendicularly to 25g2 and one end 251 of the second plate member 252 is arranged perpendicularly to the cutting lines 25g1 and 25g2 at the other end thereof, and the second plate member is disposed at one end of one of the cutting lines 25g1 and 25g2 25g2. The protruding portion 25e of one of the 252 is positioned.

  Then, the continuous portion 25c of the other one 252 of the second plate member 252 can be positioned at the other end of one of the cutting lines 25g1 and 25g2. In the plate member processing step, a V-shaped cut portion 25i for guiding a cutting tool of the cutting device or the like may be formed at the front edge or the rear edge of the continuous portion 25c.

  Further, in the plate member processing step, the electrode portion 25a joined to the pair of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 so as to be capable of transferring heat, and located on both sides of the electrode portion 25a and extending in the height direction, the heat exchange medium and the heat The heat exchange parts 25b for exchange can be formed corresponding to the respective heat exchange elements 25, and the continuous part 25c can be formed at the tip of the adjacent heat exchange part 25b.

  According to the thermoelectric conversion device according to the first embodiment described above, a plurality of heat exchange members 25 are continuously formed in a corrugated shape in the order of the heat exchange part 25b, the electrode part 25a, the heat exchange part 25b, and the continuous part 25c. By providing the first and second plate members 251 and 252, the number of forming steps can be reduced as compared with a conventional manufacturing method in which a single product is manufactured by pressing.

  In addition, since the first and second plate members 251 and 252 can be formed by roll forming, the man-hours for forming the heat exchange member 25 and the man-hours for assembling can be greatly reduced. As a result, the number of manufacturing steps can be reduced.

  In the pair of heat-absorbing and heat-dissipating substrates 20, the first and second plate members 251 and 252 are arranged on the second holding plate 21 so that the continuous portions 25c are aligned on the same straight line, and the respective electrode members 16 and After the electrode portions 25a are joined, the continuous portions 25c arranged on the same straight line are continuously cut so that the adjacent heat exchange members 25 are electrically insulated from each other.

  According to this, since there are many continuous portions 25c, the number of cutting steps can be significantly reduced by continuously cutting the continuous portions 25c on the same straight line. Moreover, since the cut location can be cut with a uniform and stable shape, the cut location does not become irregular, and an appropriate gap for electrical insulation can be formed.

  The first and second plate members 251 and 252 each have a substantially U-shaped cross section in the heat exchanging member 25, and a flat electrode portion 25 a is formed at the bottom of the heat exchange member 25. A heat exchanging portion 25b is formed on a plane extending in the direction, and adjacent heat exchanging portions 25b are connected via a continuous portion 25c, and the continuous portions 25c are formed at the same peak height. Yes.

  According to this, since continuous part 25c is formed in the position of the same peak height, when cutting, it can cut easily. In addition, the second plate member 252 and the first plate member 251 have different overall shapes, but if at least the continuous portion 25c is formed at the same peak height, the continuous portion 25c aligned on the same straight line, And can be easily cut.

  The second plate member 252 disposed at the upstream end and the downstream end in the air flow direction is formed with a substantially mountain-shaped protruding portion 25e at the central portion of the electrode portion 25a, and this protruding portion 25e is defined as the first protruding portion 25e. It is formed at a position lower than the peak height position of the continuous portion 25c on the plate member 251 side.

  According to this, the continuous portion 25c arranged on the same straight line on the first plate member 251 side can be easily cut, and the cutting portion can be held by the protruding portion 25e, so that the cutting portion becomes uneven. There is no. Rather, the cut portion can be cut into a stable shape.

  Moreover, since the protrusion part 25e is formed in the center part of the electrode part 25a, since the heat exchange area of the heat exchange part 25b is small in the 2nd board member 252 compared with the 1st board member 251, more heat exchanges An area can be secured.

  Further, a plate-like electrode member 16 is disposed between the pair of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 and the electrode portion 25 a, so that the thermoelectric element substrate 10 is laminated between the pair of heat absorption and heat dissipation substrates 20. Since the pair of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 can be joined in series by the electrode member 16 in the previous step, electrical inspection such as poor conduction between the thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 and the electrode member 16 can be performed only by the thermoelectric element substrate 10. It can be done easily. Thereby, it is possible to extract defective products at an earlier stage and improve the assemblability than the inspection after the joining step in which the thermoelectric element substrate 10 is laminated between the pair of heat absorption and heat dissipation substrates 20.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, the second plate member 252 is formed with a substantially mountain-shaped protruding portion 25e at the center portion of the electrode portion 25a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and specifically, as shown in FIG. The electrode part 25a may be formed widely without forming the protruding part 25e.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to the thermoelectric conversion device in which the electrode portion 25a of the heat exchange member 25 is joined to the pair of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 via the separate electrode member 16. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, a thermoelectric conversion device of a type in which the electrode portion 25 a of the heat exchange member 25 is directly joined to the pair of thermoelectric elements 12 and 13 without providing the electrode member 16. It may be applied.

It is a top view which shows the arrangement | sequence form of the heat exchange member 25 arrange | positioned at the heat absorption side in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a bottom view which shows the arrangement | sequence form of the heat exchange member 25 arrange | positioned at the thermal radiation side in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of the thermoelectric conversion apparatus in 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is CC sectional drawing shown in FIG. It is DD sectional drawing shown in FIG. It is BB sectional drawing shown in FIG. (A) And (b) is sectional drawing which shows the shape of the 1st, 2nd board member 251 and 252 in 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a top view which shows the arrangement | sequence form of the 1st, 2nd board member 251,252 in 1st Embodiment of this invention, (b) is BB sectional drawing shown to (a). It is sectional drawing which shows the shape of the 2nd board member 252 in 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of the thermoelectric conversion apparatus in other embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

10 ... Thermoelectric element substrate (thermoelectric element assembly)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... P-type thermoelectric element, thermoelectric element 13 ... N-type thermoelectric element, thermoelectric element 16 ... Electrode member (electrode element)
20 ... heat absorption, heat dissipation board (heat exchange element assembly)
25 ... Heat exchange member (heat exchange element)
25a ... Electrode part 25b ... Heat exchange part 25c ... Continuous part, cutting part 25e ... Protruding part, non-cutting part 25g1, 25g2, 25g3, 25g4 ... Cutting line 25i ... Cut part 251 ... First plate member, first heat exchange element (Temporary assembly member, heat exchange element group)
251h1, 251h2, 252h1, 252h2 ... cutting edge 252 ... second plate member, first heat exchange element (temporary assembly member, heat exchange element group)

Claims (9)

A thermoelectric element assembly (10) formed by arranging a plurality of pairs of thermoelectric elements (12, 13) in which a P-type thermoelectric element (12) and an N-type thermoelectric element (13) are connected in series along an energization path; ,
A heat exchange element group (251) having a plurality of heat exchange elements (25) disposed on one surface of the thermoelectric element assembly (10) and provided correspondingly between the pair of thermoelectric elements (12, 13). 252), and
Each of the plurality of heat exchange elements (25) extends in the height direction from the electrode part (25a) joined to the pair of thermoelectric elements (12, 13) so that heat can be transferred. And a heat exchange part (25b) for exchanging heat with the heat exchange medium,
A plurality of first heat exchange elements in which cutting edges (251h1, 251h2) formed by bending when cutting a continuous plate material are arranged in a row at the front end of the heat exchange part (25b) with a gap between them. (251),
A portion where cutting edges (252h1, 252h2) formed by bending when cutting a continuous plate at the tip of the heat exchanging portion (25b) are provided with gaps, and the heat exchanging portion (25b) A plurality of second heats that are arranged in the height direction lower than the plurality of first heat exchange elements (251) and alternately arranged with portions provided to be connected to the other heat exchange units (25b). An exchange element (252),
Cutting lines (25g1, 25g2, 25g3, 25g4) connecting gaps of the cutting edges (251h1, 251h2) of the plurality of first heat exchange elements (251) are arranged in parallel to each other, and the cutting lines (25g1) 25g2, 25g3, 25g4), the thermoelectric conversion device is arranged such that a gap between the cutting edges (252h1, 252h2) of the second heat exchange element (252> is located . The energization path is formed in a meandering shape by having a plurality of parallel portions extending in parallel and a plurality of turn portions that are located at both ends of the parallel portions and alternately connect them,
The first heat exchange elements (251) are arranged in a row orthogonal to the plurality of parallel portions,
The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the second heat exchange elements (252) are arranged in a row along an arrangement direction of the plurality of turn portions. The V-shaped notch (25i) is formed in the front edge or the rear edge of the said cutting edge (251h1, 251h2, 252h1, 252h2), The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. Thermoelectric converter. In the method of manufacturing a thermoelectric conversion device in which a plurality of heat exchange elements (25) are arranged on one surface of a thermoelectric element assembly (10) formed by arranging a plurality of pairs of thermoelectric elements (12, 13),
The first plate member (251) having a plurality of cut portions (25c) positioned at a predetermined height is formed by bending the continuous plate material, and the first plate member (251) is positioned at a predetermined height by bending the continuous plate material. A plate member processing step for forming a second plate member (252) having a plurality of cut portions (25c) and a plurality of non-cut portions (25e) located at a lower height than the cut portions (25c);
The first plate member (251) and the second plate member (252) are arranged so that the cutting part (25c) is positioned on a plurality of cutting lines (25g1, 25g2, 25g3, 25g4) set in parallel. An arrangement step of arranging in a plurality of rows;
The cutting part (25c) between the first plate member (251) and the second plate member (252) can be cut, and the non-cutting part (25e) of the second plate member (252) is not cut. And a cutting step of moving the cutting device along the cutting line (25g1, 25g2, 25g3, 25g4) by positioning the cutting device at a height. Wherein in the aligning step, according to claim 4, wherein the first and the plate member (251) and said second plate member (252) is bonded to one surface of the thermoelectric element assembly (10) A method for manufacturing a thermoelectric converter. After the cutting step, the manufacturing method of the thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 4 or claim 5, further comprising a step of forming a gap between said cutting edge (251h1,251h2,252h1,252h2) . In the arranging step, the plurality of first plate members (251) are arranged so as to form a plurality of rows orthogonal to the cutting lines (25g1, 25g2),
Wherein one end of one of the cutting lines (25G1,25g2) (25G2), the positions the uncut portion (25e) of said plurality of second plate members (252) of one (252)
The other end of one of the cutting lines (25g1,25g2) (25g2), that is positioned the cutting portion (25G1,25g2) said plurality of second plate members (252) of the other one (252) The manufacturing method of the thermoelectric conversion apparatus as described in any one of Claims 4 thru | or 6 characterized by the above-mentioned. In the plate member processing step, the leading or trailing edge of the cutting portion (25c), any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that V-shaped cut portion (25i) is formed The manufacturing method of the thermoelectric conversion apparatus as described in a term. In the plate member processing step, an electrode part (25a) joined to the pair of thermoelectric elements (12, 13) so as to be capable of transferring heat, and positioned on both sides of the electrode part (25a) and extending in the height direction. A heat exchange part (25b) for exchanging heat with the heat exchange medium corresponding to each of the heat exchange elements (25), and the cutting part at the tip of the adjacent heat exchange part (25b) (25c) is formed, The manufacturing method of the thermoelectric conversion apparatus as described in any one of Claim 4 thru | or 8 characterized by the above-mentioned.

Images