JPH11135847A - Thermoionic module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve thermoionic efficiency, when the heat generated in thermoionic elements 21 and 22 is discharged to a heat exchange member 42 or the heat generated at the side of the heat exchange member is received with the thermoionic element. SOLUTION: A p-type thermoionic element 21 wherein a p-type thermoionic material 16 is connected between a pair of oppositely faced electrode plates 18 and 18, and an n-type thermoionic element 22 wherein an n-type thermoionic material 17 is connected between a pair of oppositely faced electrode plates, are arranged in a grid shape in a base body 11 as a flat-shape made of an electrically insulating material. The neighboring electrode parts are connected so that the thermoionic elements form the electrical series as a whole. In this thermoionic module, the thickness of the base body is formed smaller than the thickness of the thermoionic element.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermoelectric module.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A thermoelectric module is formed by joining a p-type thermoelectric element and an n-type thermoelectric element via an electrode plate so as to be electrically connected in series. When a current flows between the junctions, heat is absorbed or heat is generated depending on the direction of the current. The former property is called the Seebeck effect, and has been developed for thermoelectric power generation, such as power generation by waste heat from refuse incinerators,
The latter property is called a Peltier effect, and is widely used for thermoelectric cooling such as cooling of a thermostat or an electronic device in a semiconductor manufacturing process.

As shown in FIG. 9, a p-type thermoelectric material is provided between a pair of opposed electrode plates (18, 18) as shown in FIG.
An n-type thermoelectric material (17) is joined between a p-type thermoelectric element (21) to which (16) is joined and a pair of opposing electrode plates (18) (18).
And a thermoelectric element (22) are arranged in a grid through a partition (13) in a flat substrate (11) formed of an electrically insulating material, and are p-type and n-type. Adjacent electrode plates (18) (1) such that the thermoelectric elements (21) (22) are electrically in series as a whole.
8) Some of them are alternately brazed with solder (25) or the like.

[0004]

As shown in FIG. 10, this thermoelectric module is used to absorb or radiate heat by interposing an electric insulating layer (36) such as an alumina plate having a thickness of about 0.1 mm. It is used in close contact with the heat exchange member (42). However, the entire surface of the base (11) is
When the heat generated by the thermoelectric elements (21) and (22) is radiated to the heat exchange member (42) or the heat exchange member (42)
When the heat generated on the side is received by the thermoelectric element, the heat is also circulated in the region of the base (11), resulting in a decrease in thermoelectric efficiency. In particular, the outer edge portion (12) is widened to increase the strength of the thermoelectric module.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a p-type thermoelectric element in which a p-type thermoelectric material is joined between a pair of opposing electrode plates, and an n-type thermoelectric element between a pair of opposing electrode plates.
The n-type thermoelectric element to which the type thermoelectric material is bonded is arranged in a grid in a flat substrate made of an electrically insulating material so that the thermoelectric elements are electrically in series as a whole. The present invention relates to a thermoelectric module in which adjacent electrode plates are connected to each other, wherein the thickness of the base is formed smaller than the thickness of the thermoelectric element.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a p-type thermoelectric element in which a p-type thermoelectric material is joined between a pair of opposed electrode plates, and an n-type thermoelectric material in which an n-type thermoelectric material is joined between a pair of opposed electrode plates. The thermoelectric elements are arranged in a grid in a flat substrate made of an electrically insulating material, and the adjacent electrode plates are connected so that the thermoelectric elements as a whole are electrically in series. Related to a thermoelectric module
It is characterized in that the thickness of the outer edge of the base having a relatively large area is formed smaller than the thickness of the thermoelectric element.

[0007] The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that a mounting hole for mounting a fastening member to a heat exchange member for absorbing or releasing heat is formed in an outer edge portion of the base.

[0008]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, since the entire or outer edge of the base is formed thinner than the thickness of the thermoelectric element, the base and the heat for absorbing or releasing heat are formed. The area in direct contact with the replacement member is reduced. Therefore, the flow of heat in the substrate irrelevant to power generation is reduced, and effective heat transfer can be performed only in the thermoelectric element portion, so that the thermoelectric efficiency can be improved. In addition, at least about 0.5 mm between the base and the heat exchange member.
If the above gaps or spaces are formed, direct contact between the base and the heat exchange member can be avoided, so that a desired heat flow blocking action can be exhibited. Also, in order to increase the mechanical strength of the thermoelectric module as a whole, even if a structure is adopted in which the thin outer edge is greatly extended outward,
There is an advantage that a decrease in thermoelectric efficiency can be minimized.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the thermoelectric module is screwed to the heat exchange member by using a threaded member such as a bolt by forming a screw hole in the heat exchange member. Can be. Thereby, the mounting workability to the heat exchange equipment can be improved.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. 1 and 2 are examples of a thermoelectric module in which the entire thickness of a base (11) is formed thinner than a thermoelectric element. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the thermoelectric module, FIG. 2 (a) is a plan view, and FIG. FIG. 2B is a sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG.
3 and 4 are examples of a thermoelectric module in which the thickness of the outer edge (12) of the base (11) is formed thinner than the thermoelectric element. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the thermoelectric module, and FIG. Is a plan view, FIG.
(b) is a sectional view taken along line BB 'of (a). Referring to these figures, two types of thermoelectric elements, a p-type thermoelectric element (21) and an n-type thermoelectric element (22), are interposed in a rectangular flat base (11) through a partition (13). Are arranged alternately in a grid-like arrangement. P-type thermoelectric element (21) and n-type thermoelectric element (22)
The upper electrode plates and the lower electrode plates adjacent to each other are connected alternately up and down via a brazing material such as solder (25) so as to be electrically in series as a whole. This connection state
It will be easily understood with reference to FIGS. 2 (b) and 4 (b). It should be understood that the number of thermoelectric elements should be appropriately selected according to the desired power generation capacity, and is not limited to the number of the illustrated embodiment. The base (11) is made of an electrically insulating material such as ceramics or cement.
For example, cordierite (2MgO.2Al ₂ O ₃ .5Si)
O ₂ ).

In the embodiment shown, p at the position indicated by the reference
The thermoelectric element (21) is the base end of the electrical series, is connected in a zigzag manner so as to be electrically in series, and the n-type thermoelectric element (22) at the position indicated by the symbol is the terminal of the electrical series. ing. Device connection lead wires (32) and (32) are connected to the respective electrode plates of the thermoelectric element serving as the base end and the end of the electrical series.

The p-type thermoelectric element (21) has a p-type thermoelectric material (16) previously bonded between a pair of opposing electrode plates (18) (18), and the n-type thermoelectric element (22) has A pair of opposing electrode plates (18) (1
An n-type thermoelectric material (17) is previously bonded between 8). These thermoelectric elements are manufactured by placing an electrode plate in a mold, filling a thermoelectric material powder thereon, placing the electrode plate, and hot pressing. As an example of a p-type thermoelectric material, (Bi ₂ Te ₃ ) _{1 -x} (Sb ₂ Te ₃ ) _x where x is 0.7
(Bi ₂₎
Te ₃ ) _1-x (Bi ₂ Se ₃ ) _x where x is 0.05 to 0.15
However, the present invention is not limited to these. The composition ratio is a ratio of the number of atoms. Electrode plate (18)
Although a Cu plate is used, in order to improve the bondability with the thermoelectric material, a surface that is in contact with the thermoelectric material may be plated with Ni or vapor-deposited with Mo or Ti. More desirable.

As described above, the base (11) is provided with the partition (13).
Or the thickness of only the outer edge portion (12) is formed to be smaller than the thicknesses of the thermoelectric elements (21) and (22). As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, when attached to a heat exchange member (42) for absorbing or dissipating heat via an electrical insulating layer (36), the heat exchange with the substrate (11) is achieved. Parts (4
2) is to avoid direct contact with the electric insulating layer (36) therebetween. For example, if the base (11) is formed on one side so that there is at least a step of at least about 0.5 mm between the base and the thermoelectric element, direct contact with the heat exchange member (42) can be avoided, Heat flow between the substrate and the heat exchange member can be reduced. .

In order to reduce the contact area with the heat exchanging member (42), as shown in FIGS.
It is most desirable to make the whole of 1) thinner than the thickness of the thermoelectric element. However, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 to 8, the outer edge portion having a relatively large area in the base body 11 is also preferable. If only (12) is thinned, the thermoelectric efficiency can be improved as compared with the conventional thermoelectric module. When the thickness of the outer edge portion (12) of the base (11) is formed smaller than the thickness of the thermoelectric element, it is most preferable to make both surfaces of the outer edge portion (12) thinner as shown in FIGS. Is the outer edge (1) as shown in FIG.
Only one side of 2) may be thinned, or at least one side of one side may be thinned. In either case, improvement in thermoelectric efficiency can be expected,
This is because there is only a difference in the degree of the effect of improving the thermoelectric efficiency.

When only one side of the outer edge is thinned, as shown in FIG. 7, the outer edge (12) has a mounting hole for mounting a fastening member (44) to the heat exchange member (42). (14),
Can be opened as needed. Thereby, the mounting workability to the heat exchange equipment can be improved. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting holes (14) are provided at two locations on each side of the outer edge (12), for a total of eight locations, but the number may be appropriately selected depending on the size of the thermoelectric module and the like. It should be understood.

As shown in FIG. 8, if a shallow concave portion having a size in which the base (11) of the thermoelectric module is fitted is previously formed on the surface of the heat exchange member (42), It is possible to simultaneously improve the installation workability of the equipment and the thermoelectric efficiency.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and that various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thermoelectric module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 (a) is a plan view of the thermoelectric module shown in FIG. 1,
(b) is a sectional view taken along line AA 'of (a).

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a thermoelectric module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

4 (a) is a plan view of the thermoelectric module shown in FIG. 3,
(b) is a sectional view taken along line BB 'of (a).

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state of close contact between a thermoelectric module and a heat exchange member according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a state of close contact between a thermoelectric module and a heat exchange member according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state of close contact between a thermoelectric module and a heat exchange member according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state of close contact between the thermoelectric module of the present invention and a heat exchange member having a recess.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a conventional thermoelectric module.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state of close contact between a conventional thermoelectric module and a heat exchange member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (11) Base (12) Outer edge (14) Mounting hole (21) P-type thermoelectric element (22) N-type thermoelectric element (42) Heat exchange member (44) Fastening member

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A p-electrode between a pair of opposed electrode plates (18) (18).
P-type thermoelectric element (21) to which the type-type thermoelectric material (16) is joined, and an n-type thermoelectric element (to which an n-type thermoelectric material (17) is joined between a pair of opposed electrode plates (18) and (18)) 22) are arranged in a grid in a flat substrate (11) made of an electrically insulating material so that the thermoelectric elements (21) and (22) are electrically in series as a whole. A thermoelectric module in which electrode plates (18) and (18) adjacent to each other are connected to each other, wherein the thickness of the base (11) is
(21) A thermoelectric module formed to be thinner than the thickness of (22). 2. A voltage p between a pair of opposed electrode plates (18) (18).
P-type thermoelectric element (21) to which the type-type thermoelectric material (16) is joined, and an n-type thermoelectric element (to which an n-type thermoelectric material (17) is joined between a pair of opposed electrode plates (18) and (18)) 22) are arranged in a grid in a flat substrate (11) made of an electrically insulating material so that the thermoelectric elements (21) and (22) are electrically in series as a whole. A thermoelectric module in which electrode plates (18) and (18) adjacent to each other are connected to each other, wherein the thickness of the outer edge (12) of the base (11) is larger than the thickness of the thermoelectric elements (21) and (22). A thermoelectric module characterized by being formed thinly. 3. A fastening member (4) is attached to an outer edge (12) of the base (11) with respect to a heat exchange member (42) for absorbing or releasing heat.
The thermoelectric module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a mounting hole (14) for mounting (4) is provided.