JPH09321349A - Thermoelectric converter - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermoelectric converter whose thermoelectric converter element does not break and has high reliability. SOLUTION: A thermoelectric converter device 2 is provided with a heat exchanger board 20, which is provided by forming an electrode on the rear side of a plane joined to an endothermal object A, a heat converter board 21, which is provided by forming an electrode on the rear side of a plane joined to a heating object B and a plurality of thermoelectric converter elements sandwiched between the electrodes. The junction part between the thermoelectric converter element and the electrodes is provided as a slidable contact structure. The thermoelectric converter element has a columnar shape, and parallel flat planes for sandwiching the cylindrical plane of the columnar heat converter element are provided for both electrodes.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermoelectric conversion device having a large temperature difference between a heat absorbing object and a heating object.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor are joined with each other through a prohibition to form a PN element pair, and one end portion generates heat and the other end portion depending on the direction of a current flowing through this joint portion. The thermoelectric conversion element utilizing the Peltier effect for cooling is expected to be widely used for various devices because of its small size and simple structure.

A thermoelectric conversion device 1 in which a large number of such thermoelectric conversion elements are assembled as a thermomodule is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
A heat exchange substrate 10 formed by forming an electrode, and a heat exchange substrate 11 formed by forming an electrode 11a on the back surface of the bonding surface to be heated.
A plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 12 are sandwiched and joined between the electrodes 10a and 11a.

As the heat exchange substrates 10 and 11, for example,
An insulating substrate having good thermal conductivity such as an alumina ceramic substrate is used. The electrodes 10a and 11a are copper plates or the like that are patterned on the opposite surfaces of the respective heat exchange substrates. The thermoelectric conversion elements 12, ... Are sandwiched and joined, and the thermoelectric conversion elements 12 ,. Connecting. The thermoelectric conversion element 12 is sandwiched and joined between the opposing electrodes 10a and 11a, and fixed by a conductive adhesive (not shown) such as solder.

By the way, in order to increase the heat exchange efficiency,
The heat exchange substrate needs to be made of an insulating material having good thermal conductivity. Further, in order to prevent deterioration of the thermoelectric conversion element due to thermal strain, it is necessary to configure the heat exchange substrate with one having a small coefficient of thermal expansion. However, conventionally, an alumina ceramics substrate has been used as a heat exchange substrate material. Alumina ceramics substrate has a linear expansion coefficient of 7 × 10 ^-6
It is as large as / ° C. Then, a copper electrode having a linear expansion coefficient of 16.5 × 10 ⁻⁶ / ° C is formed on the alumina ceramic substrate.

Therefore, the alumina ceramics substrate on the high temperature side expands considerably, and the alumina ceramics substrate on the low temperature side contracts considerably. Therefore, in the thermoelectric conversion element near the peripheral edge of the alumina ceramic substrate, a large stress is applied between the thermoelectric conversion element and the electrode, and the thermoelectric conversion element is damaged. Therefore, in order to relieve the stress, a method of adopting a divided structure of the alumina ceramic substrate or a skeleton structure composed of only electrodes without using the alumina ceramic substrate is adopted.
The structure becomes complicated.

[0007]

That is, in the conventional thermoelectric conversion device, as the temperature difference between the heat exchange substrate to be joined to the heat absorbing object and the heat exchange substrate to be joined to the heating object is increased, the thermoelectric conversion is performed. There is a problem that the conversion element may be damaged or come off.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to reduce a temperature difference between a heat exchange substrate joined to an endothermic object and a heat exchange substrate joined to a heated object. An object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable thermoelectric conversion device in which the thermoelectric conversion element does not break or fall off even if it is large.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a heat exchange substrate having an electrode formed on the back surface of a surface to be joined with a heat absorbing object. A thermoelectric conversion device comprising a heat exchange substrate having an electrode formed on the back surface of the surface to be joined with the heating target, and a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements sandwiched and bonded between the electrodes, wherein the thermoelectric conversion element is It is characterized in that the joint with the electrode has a slidable contact structure.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the slidable contact structure is composed of a concave surface having the same curvature and formed on the thermoelectric conversion element and a convex surface formed on the electrode.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the slidable contact structure is composed of a convex surface formed on the thermoelectric conversion element and a concave surface formed on the electrode, which have the same curvature.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the convex surface and the concave surface are spherical surfaces, respectively.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, an insulating excessive rotation inhibiting portion is provided near the sliding portion of the thermoelectric conversion element.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a heat exchange substrate having electrodes formed on the back surface of the surface to be joined with the heat absorption target,
In a thermoelectric conversion device comprising a heat exchange substrate having electrodes formed on the back surface of a surface to be joined with a heating object, and a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements sandwiched and joined between the electrodes, the thermoelectric conversion elements are cylindrical. In addition, the both electrodes are provided with parallel flat surfaces for sandwiching the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical thermoelectric conversion element.

The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the cylindrical thermoelectric conversion element is provided with an insulating surface for interrupting a flowing current.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of a thermoelectric conversion device according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8, and a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. To do.

[First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a sectional side view showing how to use a thermoelectric converter. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a main part of the thermoelectric conversion device, and FIG. 2 (a) is a cross-sectional side view of a main part showing joining of an electrode and a thermoelectric conversion element, FIG. 2 (b).
2 is a perspective view showing the shape of the thermoelectric conversion element, and FIG. 2 (c) is a perspective view showing the shape of the electrode. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the shape of another thermoelectric conversion element.

As shown in FIG. 1, the thermoelectric conversion device 2 includes:
For example, it is disposed so as to be sandwiched between a cooling unit A corresponding to a heat absorbing target and a heat radiating unit B corresponding to a heating target.
The thermoelectric conversion device 2 transfers heat from the cooling unit A to the heat radiating unit B by being energized. Further, in order to prevent an excessive clamping force with respect to the thermoelectric conversion device 2 and to improve heat exchange efficiency, by connecting the cooling unit A and the heat radiating unit B with screws E via the spiral springs C and D, One surface of the thermoelectric conversion device 2 is always in close contact with the cooling part A with a moderate force, and the other surface of the thermoelectric conversion device 2 is always in close contact with the heat dissipation part B with a moderate force. .

The thermoelectric conversion device 2 includes a heat exchange substrate 20 that is in close contact with the cooling unit A and a heat exchange substrate 21 that is in close contact with the heat radiating unit B.
With. The heat exchange substrate 20 is provided with a plurality of copper electrodes 20a as shown in FIG. 2A on the back surface of the joint surface with the cooling unit A. In addition, the heat exchange substrate 21 has a copper electrode 21a as shown in FIG.
Is equipped with a plurality of.

The electrode 20a is a recess 20b having a substantially square shape in plan view.
Is provided. The bottom surface 20c of the recess 20b is formed into a convex cylindrical surface. The electrode 21a is a recess 21b having a substantially square shape in plan view.
Is provided. The bottom surface 21c of the recess 21b is formed into a convex cylindrical surface. The recess 20b and the recess 21b face each other. The axis of the convex cylindrical surface of the bottom surface 20c and the axis of the convex cylindrical surface of the bottom surface 21c are parallel to each other. The electrode 2
0a in the vicinity of the recess 20b and the electrode 21a in the recess 2
The shape in the vicinity of 1b is as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the thermoelectric conversion element 22 is formed in a rod shape having a substantially square cross section. The cross section of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 is made smaller than the recesses 20b and 21b of the electrodes 20a and 21a, which are substantially square in plan view, with a margin. Both end surfaces of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 are formed into concave cylindrical surfaces 22a and 22b, respectively.
The axes of 2b are parallel. In addition, the thermoelectric conversion element 22
Of the concave cylindrical surfaces 22a and 22b at both ends of the electrode 20
The curvature of the convex cylindrical surface of the bottom surface 20c of the concave portion 20b of a and the curvature of the convex cylindrical surface of the bottom surface 21c of the concave portion 21b of the electrode 21a are equal.

The end portion 22a of such a thermoelectric conversion element 22
Is inserted into the recess 20b of the electrode 20a, the end 22b is inserted into the recess 21b of the electrode 21a, and the thermoelectric conversion element 22 is applied to the electrodes 20a and 21a by the biasing forces of the spiral springs C and D.
It is sandwiched between and. In addition, each cylindrical surface is smoothly finished.

Therefore, when the heat exchange substrate 20 thermally contracts and the heat exchange substrate 21 thermally expands, for example, when stress is applied in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG.
The end surface 22a forming the concave cylindrical surface of No. 2 can slide and rotate on the convex cylindrical surface of the bottom surface 20c of the concave portion 20b of the electrode 20a, and the end surface 22b forming the concave cylindrical surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 is
The convex cylindrical surface of the bottom surface 21c of the concave portion 21b of 1a can be slid and rotated.

When stress is applied in the direction orthogonal to the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2A (axial direction of the cylindrical surface), the end surface 22a forming the concave cylindrical surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 has the electrode 20a. The convex cylindrical surface of the bottom surface 20c of the concave portion 20b can be slid and moved in parallel, and the end surface 22b forming the concave cylindrical surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 slides on the convex cylindrical surface of the bottom surface 21c of the concave portion 21b of the electrode 21a. Can be moved in parallel.

That is, in the thermoelectric conversion device 2 as described above, the heat exchange substrates 20 and 21 are alumina ceramics substrates having a large linear expansion coefficient, and the heat exchange substrate 20 is used as a method. , 21, the thermoelectric conversion element 22 will not be damaged or fall off, and can be made highly reliable.

Both end faces 22a, 22 of the thermoelectric conversion element
b is a concave spherical surface as shown in FIG.
Bottom surface 20c of the concave portion 20b of 0a and the concave portion 21 of the electrode 21a
The bottom surface 21c of b can be a convex spherical surface having the same curvature. In this case, even if each heat exchange substrate undergoes thermal contraction or thermal expansion in any direction of each plane, one end surface of the concave spherical surface of the thermoelectric conversion element has the convex surface of the bottom surface of the concave portion of one electrode. The spherical surface can be slidably rotated, and the end surface of the other concave spherical surface of the thermoelectric conversion element can be slidably rotated on the convex spherical surface of the bottom surface of the concave portion of the other electrode. That is, the thermoelectric conversion device can be made highly reliable without damaging or dropping the thermoelectric conversion element.

[Second Embodiment] FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a main part of a thermoelectric conversion device, and FIG. 4 (a) is a cross-sectional side view of a main part showing joining of an electrode and a thermoelectric conversion element. FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing the shape of the thermoelectric conversion element, and FIG. 4C is a perspective view showing the shape of the electrode. FIG. 5 is a main part perspective view showing the shape of another thermoelectric conversion element. Since the same parts as those of the thermoelectric conversion device according to the first embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, detailed description of the parts designated by the same reference numerals is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, this thermoelectric conversion device is different from the thermoelectric conversion device of the first embodiment in that it has the following features. That is, the first
In the thermoelectric conversion device according to the embodiment, the electrode 20a
Bottom surface 20c of the recess 20b and recess 21 of the electrode 21a
The bottom surface 21c of b is formed into a convex cylindrical surface or a spherical surface, and both end surfaces 22a and 22b of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 are formed into a concave cylindrical surface or a spherical surface. In the converter, the bottom surface 20d of the recess 20b of the electrode 20a and the recess 21b of the electrode 21a are included.
Bottom surface 21d of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 is formed into a concave cylindrical surface, both end surfaces 22c and 22d of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 are formed into convex cylindrical surfaces, and the axes of the convex cylindrical surfaces of both end surfaces 22c and 22d are parallel. It is a composition. The recess 20 of the electrode 20a
The shape of the vicinity of b and the vicinity of the concave portion 21b of the electrode 21a are as shown in FIG. 4 (c).

The end portion 22c of such a thermoelectric conversion element 22
Is inserted into the recess 20b of the electrode 20a, the end 22d is inserted into the recess 21b of the electrode 21a, and the thermoelectric conversion element 22 is applied to the electrode 20 with the biasing force of the spiral springs C and D (shown in FIG. 1).
It is sandwiched between a and the electrode 21a. In addition, each cylindrical surface is smoothly finished.

Therefore, the heat exchange substrate on the cooling unit side contracts thermally, and the heat exchange substrate on the heat radiating unit side thermally expands.
When stress is applied in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 4A, the end surface 22c forming the convex cylindrical surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 can slide and rotate on the concave cylindrical surface of the bottom surface 20d of the concave portion 20b of the electrode 20a. , End surface 22 forming a convex cylindrical surface of thermoelectric conversion element 22
d can slide and rotate on the concave cylindrical surface of the bottom surface 21d of the concave portion 21b of the electrode 21a.

That is, in the thermoelectric conversion device as described above, the heat exchange substrate is an alumina ceramics substrate or the like having a large linear expansion coefficient, and moreover, it is used as a heat exchange substrate on the cooling section side. Even if there is a large difference in temperature between the heat exchange substrate and the heat exchange substrate on the heat radiating portion side, the thermoelectric conversion element 22 can be made highly reliable without being damaged or dropped.
Moreover, in this case, the side surface and the bottom surface 2 of the recess 20b of the electrode 20a are different from those of the thermoelectric conversion device according to the first embodiment.
The angle formed by 0d and the edge of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 are obtuse angles, and there is an advantage that the thermoelectric conversion element 22 can be prevented from being chipped even by shock such as vibration.

Both end faces 22c of the thermoelectric conversion element 22,
22d can be a convex spherical surface as shown in FIG. 5, and the bottom surface 20d of the concave portion 20b of the electrode 20a and the bottom surface 21d of the concave portion 21b of the electrode 21a can be a concave spherical surface.
Of course, each spherical surface has the same curvature. In this case, even if each heat exchange substrate undergoes thermal contraction or thermal expansion in any direction of each plane, one end surface of the convex spherical surface of the thermoelectric conversion element has a bottom surface of the concave portion of one electrode. The concave spherical surface can slide and rotate, and the end surface of the other convex spherical surface of the thermoelectric conversion element can slide and rotate on the concave spherical surface of the bottom surface of the concave portion of the other electrode. That is, the thermoelectric conversion device can be made highly reliable without damaging or dropping the thermoelectric conversion element.

[Third Embodiment] FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a main part of a thermoelectric conversion device, and FIG. 6 (a) is a cross-sectional side view of a main part showing joining of an electrode and a thermoelectric conversion element. FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing the shape of the thermoelectric conversion element, and FIG. 6C is a perspective view showing the shape of the electrode. 7 is a sectional side view showing the operation of the thermoelectric conversion element, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the shape of another thermoelectric conversion element. Since the same parts as those of the thermoelectric conversion device of the second embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals,
Detailed description of the parts denoted by the same reference numerals is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, this thermoelectric conversion device is different from the thermoelectric conversion device of the second embodiment in that it has the following features. That is, the above-mentioned second
In the thermoelectric conversion device according to the embodiment, the electrode 20a
Bottom surface 20d of the concave portion 20b and concave portion 21 of the electrode 21a
While the bottom surface 21d of b is formed into a concave cylindrical surface or a spherical surface, and both end surfaces 22c and 22d of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 are formed into a convex cylindrical surface or spherical surface, the thermoelectric conversion of the third embodiment is performed. In the conversion device, the concave cylindrical surface portion 20e is directly formed on the flat surface portion of the electrode 20a, and the concave cylindrical surface portion 21e is directly formed on the flat surface portion of the electrode 21a, and the concave cylindrical surface portion 21e is formed on the central portion of both end surfaces of the thermoelectric conversion element 22. The conductive sliding portions 22e and 22f forming a cylindrical surface, and the axes of the convex cylindrical surfaces of the conductive sliding portions 22e and 22f are made parallel to each other, and further, the entire peripheral surface of the conductive sliding portions 22e and 22f. In this structure, a hard insulating layer 22g is formed.

The shape of the electrode 20a in the vicinity of the concave cylindrical surface portion 20e and the shape of the electrode 21a in the vicinity of the concave cylindrical surface portion 21e are as shown in FIG. 6 (c). Also, the concave cylindrical surface portions 20e and 21e and the conductive sliding portions 22e and 22f have the same cylindrical surface curvature.

The conductive sliding portion 22e at one end of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 is inserted into the concave cylindrical surface portion 20e of the electrode 20a, and the conductive sliding portion 22 at the other end of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 is inserted.
f is inserted into the concave cylindrical surface portion 21e of the electrode 21a, and the thermoelectric conversion element 22 is sandwiched between the electrode 20a and the electrode 21a by the biasing force of the spiral springs C and D (shown in FIG. 1). Also,
Each cylindrical surface is smoothly finished.

Therefore, the heat exchange substrate on the cooling unit side thermally contracts, and the heat exchange substrate on the heat radiating unit side thermally expands.
When stress is applied in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 6 (a), the conductive sliding portion 22 of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 is provided while the displacement is small.
e is slidably rotatable on the concave cylindrical surface portion 20e of the electrode 20a, and the conductive sliding portion 22f of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 is connected to the electrode 21a.
The concave cylindrical surface portion 21e of a can be slid and rotated. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the displacement becomes large and the electrode 20a is on the right, the electrode 21a is on the left, and the displacement exceeds the sliding range of the conductive sliding portions 22e, 22f of the thermoelectric conversion element 22, the thermoelectric conversion is performed. The conversion element 22 is a diagonal corner portion 2 corresponding to an excessive rotation inhibiting portion.
2P and 22P rotate about the fulcrum, the conductive sliding portion 22e separates from the electrode 20a, and the conductive sliding portion 22f separates from the electrode 21a.
Is cut off and the thermoelectric conversion element 22 stops its heat transfer function to prevent the effects of thermal contraction and thermal expansion beyond the present.

That is, in the thermoelectric conversion device as described above, the heat exchange substrate is an alumina ceramics substrate or the like having a large linear expansion coefficient, and moreover, it is used as a heat exchange substrate on the cooling section side. Even if there is a large difference in temperature between the heat exchange substrate and the heat exchange substrate on the heat radiating portion side, the thermoelectric conversion element 22 can be made highly reliable without being damaged or dropped.
Further, when the displacement due to thermal contraction and thermal expansion exceeds a predetermined value, the heat transfer function of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 can be stopped, and the temperature difference between the heat exchange substrate on the cooling unit side and the heat exchange substrate on the heat radiating unit side becomes a predetermined value. The thermoelectric conversion device can prevent expansion beyond the temperature difference.

The thermoelectric conversion element 22 has a columnar shape, both end surfaces 22e and 22f of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 are convex spherical surfaces as shown in FIG. 8, and the concave cylindrical surface portion 20e of the electrode 20a and the electrode 21a are formed. The concave cylindrical surface portion 21e can be a concave spherical surface. Of course, each spherical surface has the same curvature. In this case, even if each heat exchange substrate undergoes thermal contraction or thermal expansion in any direction of each plane, one end surface of the convex spherical surface of the thermoelectric conversion element has a bottom surface of the concave portion of one electrode. The concave spherical surface can slide and rotate, and the end surface of the other convex spherical surface of the thermoelectric conversion element can slide and rotate on the concave spherical surface of the bottom surface of the concave portion of the other electrode. Furthermore, when the displacement due to thermal contraction and thermal expansion exceeds a predetermined value, the heat transfer function of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 can be stopped. That is, the thermoelectric conversion device can be made highly reliable without damaging or dropping the thermoelectric conversion element.

[Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a main part of a thermoelectric conversion device, and FIG. 9 (a) is a cross-sectional side view of a main part showing joining of an electrode and a thermoelectric conversion element. FIG. 9B is a perspective view showing the shape of the thermoelectric conversion element. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an essential part showing the shape of another thermoelectric conversion element. Since the same parts as those of the thermoelectric conversion device according to the third embodiment described above are designated by the same reference numerals, detailed description of the parts designated by the same reference numerals is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 9, this thermoelectric conversion device is different from the thermoelectric conversion device of the third embodiment in that it has the following features. That is, the third
In the thermoelectric conversion device according to the embodiment, the electrode 20a
The concave cylindrical surface portion 20e is directly formed on the flat surface portion of the electrode 21a, and the concave cylindrical surface portion 21e is formed on the flat surface portion of the electrode 21a. The moving parts 22e and 22f are respectively molded, and further, the hard insulating layer 22g is formed on the entire peripheral surface of the conductive sliding parts 22e and 22f.
In the thermoelectric conversion device according to the embodiment, the electrode 20a
The stepped flat portion 20f, the electrode 21a the stepped flat portion 21f, and the thermoelectric conversion element 22 in a cylindrical shape.
The stepped plane portion 20f and the stepped plane portion 21f sandwich the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical thermoelectric conversion element 22. The columnar thermoelectric conversion element 22 is sandwiched between the electrodes 20a and 21a by the biasing forces of the coil springs C and D (shown in FIG. 1).

Therefore, the heat exchange substrate on the cooling unit side contracts heat, and the heat exchange substrate on the heat radiating unit side thermally expands.
When stress is applied in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 9A, the cylindrical thermoelectric conversion element 22 can roll, and the application of shear stress can be eliminated. That is, in the thermoelectric conversion device as described above, the heat exchange substrate is an alumina ceramics substrate or the like having a large linear expansion coefficient, and moreover, it is used as a cooling unit side heat exchange substrate and a heat radiation unit. Even if there is a large temperature difference with the heat exchange substrate on the side, the thermoelectric conversion element 22 is not damaged or fallen off, and can be made highly reliable.

As shown in FIG. 10, the thermoelectric conversion element 22 is formed into a columnar shape, and the thermoelectric conversion element 22 formed into the columnar shape has a strip-shaped surface parallel to the axis of the cylindrical surface. The insulating portion 22h can be formed. In this case, the cylindrical thermoelectric conversion element 22 rolls and the insulating portion 22
When h comes into contact with the electrode 20a or the electrode 21a, energization of the thermoelectric conversion element 22 is cut off, and the thermoelectric conversion element 2
A thermoelectric conversion device capable of stopping the heat transfer function of No. 2 and preventing the temperature difference between the heat exchange substrate on the cooling unit side and the heat exchange substrate on the heat radiating unit side from expanding beyond a predetermined level. it can.

[0044]

According to the invention of claim 1, since the joint portion between the thermoelectric conversion element and the electrode has a slidable contact structure,
Even if there is a large temperature difference between the heat exchange substrate that is joined to the heat absorbing object and the heat exchange substrate that is joined to the heating object, the thermoelectric conversion element and the electrode slide, and no large stress is applied to the thermoelectric conversion element. It is possible to provide a highly reliable thermoelectric conversion device that is not damaged or dropped.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, since the thermoelectric conversion element and the electrode are in contact with each other on the surface of the same curvature, the contact area can be increased, It is possible to provide a thermoelectric conversion device with less contact resistance loss.

According to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention, the edge portion of the thermoelectric conversion element can be made an obtuse angle, the damage from the edge portion is small, and the reliability is high. The effect that a high thermoelectric conversion device can be provided is exhibited.

According to the invention of claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 2 or 3, thermoelectric conversion is performed under substantially equal conditions with respect to displacements in all directions within the plane of the heat exchange substrate. It is possible to provide a thermoelectric conversion device capable of slidingly rotating the element.

According to the invention of claim 5, in addition to the effects of the inventions of claims 2 to 4, heat is turned off by shutting off energization with respect to a predetermined displacement or more between the heat exchange substrates due to thermal contraction and thermal expansion. It is possible to provide a thermoelectric conversion device that can stop the transfer function and prevent a temperature difference between the heat exchange substrates that is equal to or more than a predetermined value.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the rolling of the thermoelectric conversion element can relieve the stress due to the mutual displacement of the heat exchange substrates due to the thermal contraction and the thermal expansion, and the thermoelectric conversion element can be damaged or fall off. There is an effect that it is possible to provide a highly reliable thermoelectric conversion device.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the sixth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the thermal contraction and thermal expansion, the heat transfer function is cut off when the heat exchange substrates are displaced by a predetermined amount or more. There is an effect that it is possible to provide a thermoelectric conversion device in which the temperature difference between the heat exchanging substrates can be prevented by stopping the heat exchange substrate above a predetermined level.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional side view showing how to use a thermoelectric conversion device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of the thermoelectric conversion device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the shape of another thermoelectric conversion element of the thermoelectric conversion device.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of a thermoelectric conversion device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the shape of another thermoelectric conversion element of the thermoelectric conversion device.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of a thermoelectric conversion device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional side view showing the operation of the thermoelectric conversion element of the thermoelectric conversion device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the shape of another thermoelectric conversion element of the thermoelectric conversion device.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of a thermoelectric conversion device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a shape of another thermoelectric conversion element of the thermoelectric conversion device.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a conventional thermoelectric conversion device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 thermoelectric conversion device 20 heat exchange substrate 20a electrode 20c convex surface formed on electrode 20d concave surface formed on electrode 21 heat exchange substrate 21a electrode 21c convex surface formed on electrode 21d concave surface formed on electrode 22 thermoelectric conversion element 22a for thermoelectric conversion element Formed concave surface 22b Concave surface formed on thermoelectric conversion element 22c Convex surface formed on thermoelectric conversion element 22d Convex surface formed on thermoelectric conversion element 22h Insulation surface for cutting off flowing current 22p Excessive rotation suppression part A Heat absorption target B Heating target

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A heat exchange substrate having an electrode formed on the back surface of a surface to be joined with a heat absorbing object, a heat exchange substrate having an electrode formed on the back surface of a surface to be joined with a heating object, and between the electrodes. A thermoelectric conversion device comprising a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements to be sandwiched and joined, wherein a joint between the thermoelectric conversion element and the electrode has a slidable contact structure. 2. The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the slidable contact structure is composed of a concave surface having the same curvature and formed on the thermoelectric conversion element and a convex surface formed on the electrode. 3. The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 1, wherein the slidable contact structure comprises a convex surface formed on the thermoelectric conversion element and a concave surface formed on the electrode, which have the same curvature. 4. The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 2, wherein each of the convex surface and the concave surface is a spherical surface. 5. The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 2, further comprising an insulative excessive rotation suppressing portion provided near the sliding portion of the thermoelectric conversion element. 6. A heat exchange substrate having an electrode formed on the back surface of the surface to be joined with the heat absorption target, a heat exchange substrate having an electrode formed on the back surface of the surface to be joined with the heating object, and between the electrodes. In a thermoelectric conversion device comprising a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements to be sandwiched and joined, while making the thermoelectric conversion element into a columnar shape,
A thermoelectric conversion device, wherein parallel flat surfaces for sandwiching a cylindrical surface of the cylindrical thermoelectric conversion element are provided on the both electrodes. 7. The thermoelectric conversion device according to claim 6, wherein the cylindrical thermoelectric conversion element is provided with an insulating surface for cutting off a flowing current.