JPH11150308A - Thermoelectric element manufactured by injection molding metal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermoelectric element which is suitable for mass production and can be manufactured at a low cost, by injection-molding a metal by using a two-color injection molder. SOLUTION: A thermoelectric element is obtained by integrally molding two or more P- and N-layer pieces in series or parallel by two-color molding. For example, 10 P- and N-layer bodies are connected in series in a U-shape. In the thermoelectric element shown in the figure, a reference numeral 1 is the P-layer made of iron, silicon, chromium, etc., and a reference numeral 2 is the N-layer made of iron, silicon, cobalt, etc. The P-layer and the N-layer are joined to each other at the center of the U-shape by two-color molding. In the thermoelectric element, a heat source is formed at a point A in the U shape and points B are formed on both sides of the point A. A heating section has the boundary between the P- and the N-layers on both sides and a non- heating section also has the boundary between the P- and the N-layers. Thus the P- and the N-layers and heating and non-heating sections are alternately bundled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermoelectric element manufactured by using a two-color molding method used for tail lamps of automobiles, and more particularly to a thermoelectric element that generates heat using waste heat. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional thermoelectric element is generally formed by a powder press sintering method. In this method, a powder is put into a mold, pressure is applied thereto, and thereafter, the powder is solidified by baking.

When power is generated by a thermoelectric element using waste heat, a power generation element such as a U-shaped element is disposed at a place where heat is generated, and power is generated using a large number of thermoelectric elements.
When it is necessary to electrically connect one thermoelectric element to the other thermoelectric element, connect the electric wires or other conductors and use the P layer of one thermoelectric element and the N layer of the other thermoelectric element. To generate electricity.

As described above, in the conventional thermoelectric element, several steps are required at the time of molding, it takes time, and it is difficult to form a complicated shape due to the method of powder press sintering. In addition, when it is necessary to connect a thermoelectric element from one thermoelectric element to the other in the case of a U-shape or the like, it is necessary to connect one thermoelectric element to the N layer by connecting an electric wire from the P layer to the N layer. Therefore, it takes time and trouble to arrange the thermoelectric elements, which is not preferable.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric element which solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, is suitable for mass production, and can reduce the cost.

[0006]

The means of the present invention are as follows.

In a thermoelectric element obtained by subjecting a metal constituting the P layer and a metal constituting the N layer to metal injection molding, the P layer and the N layer are subjected to two-color molding, and are formed in series or parallel in a U-shape or the like. More than one piece must be molded together.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a view of a thermoelectric element viewed from the head of a U-shape, in which ten thermoelectric elements are connected in series in a U-shape. Reference numeral 1 denotes a P layer made of iron, silicon, chromium, or the like. Reference numeral 2 denotes an N layer, which is made of iron, silicon, cobalt, or the like.
In the middle of the U-shape, it is divided into left and right and molded in two colors.

In the thermoelectric element, the U-shaped point A is used as a heat source, and the point B is located at a position where the U-shaped heat source is located. At this time, the heating part
The non-heated portion also has a boundary between the P layer and the N layer. In this way, the P layer and the N layer, the heating section and the non-heating section are alternately bundled.

FIG. 2 is a view of the thermoelectric element viewed from the side of the U-shape, and has the same name as FIG. FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the thermoelectric element.

[0011]

As described above, according to the present invention, since the thermoelectric element is manufactured by metal injection molding, mass production can be performed in a short time, and cost can be reduced. In addition, since they are formed by a mold, they can be made uniformly, and when they are connected in series in large quantities to increase the voltage, the arrangement is easy. Further, by connecting a number of U-shaped members in parallel, it is not necessary to connect one thermoelectric element to the other thermoelectric element with an electric wire or the like as in the related art, and the arrangement is easy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a thermoelectric element viewed from a U-shaped head.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the thermoelectric element viewed from the side of a U-shape.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a thermoelectric element.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 P layer 2 N layer

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A thermoelectric element obtained by subjecting a metal constituting a P layer and a metal constituting an N layer to metal injection molding, wherein the P layer and the N layer are formed in two colors and connected in series or in parallel in a U-shape or the like. A thermoelectric element, wherein two or more pieces are integrally formed.