JPH11274576A - Thermoelectric generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dispose without causing the positional deviation when thermoelectric modules and heat exchange blocks are assembled by inserting a grid-like frame between the heat exchange blocks and housing the thermoelectric modules of a plurality of thermoelectric elements electrically connected in series in spaces of the frame. SOLUTION: The thermoelectric generator 10 is composed of a pair of heat exchange blocks 30, 30 a plurality of thermoelectric modules 20 and grid-like frame 40. The grid-like frame 40 for positioning the thermoelectric modules 20 is made of an insulative material such as ceramics and has spaces 42 into which the thermoelectric modules can be fitted with a slight allowance. The thermoelectric modules are housing in the spaces 42 of the grid-like frame 40 on the heat exchange block 30. By utilizing the grid-like frame 40, each thermoelectric module is positioned, without causing the positional deviation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a thermoelectric generator, and more particularly, to a thermoelectric generator capable of easily assembling a thermoelectric module and a heat exchange block.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, thermoelectric generators that generate electric power using thermal energy such as waste heat discharged from factories, refuse incineration plants and power plants, and geothermal heat have been developed. As shown in FIG. 6, the thermoelectric generator (10) is formed by electrodes (26) such that the p-type thermoelectric elements (22) and the n-type thermoelectric elements (24) arranged alternately are electrically connected in series. As shown in FIG. 7, the connected thermoelectric module (20) has one electrode surface on the high-temperature side,
The other electrode surface is disposed so as to face the heat exchange blocks (30) on the low temperature side. When one of the electrode surfaces of the thermoelectric module is heated by the heat exchange block and the other electrode surface is cooled, a potential difference is generated in each thermoelectric element pair by a so-called Seebeck effect, and power is generated.

In order to increase the amount of power generated by the thermoelectric generator, as shown in FIG. 7, a thermoelectric generator (10) in which a plurality of thermoelectric modules (20) are arranged between heat exchange blocks (30) (30).
There is. This thermoelectric generator is manufactured by sequentially arranging thermoelectric modules on one heat exchange block, and then placing the other heat exchange block and tightening it at a predetermined tightening pressure. In order to form a thermoelectric generator having a plurality of stages of thermoelectric modules and heat exchange blocks, the arrangement of the thermoelectric modules and the heat exchange blocks is alternately repeated and then tightened.

[0004]

In order to increase the heat exchange efficiency between the heat exchange block and the thermoelectric module, a heat conductive grease is applied to the heat exchange block or the thermoelectric module in advance. Because the thermal grease is applied, when assembling the thermoelectric generator, when the thermoelectric module is placed on the heat exchange block, or when the heat exchange block is placed on the thermoelectric module, the heat exchange block and the thermoelectric module And slippage occurs between them, making positioning difficult. In particular, in the case of a thermoelectric generator in which multiple thermoelectric modules are arranged on a heat exchange block, if the positions of the thermoelectric modules are misaligned, the thermoelectric modules may come into contact with each other or the positions of the thermoelectric modules may be biased, and tightened with uniform pressing force Cannot be performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermoelectric module and a heat exchange block which can be arranged without causing a positional displacement between the thermoelectric module and the heat exchange block, thereby facilitating assembly work. It is to provide a device.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermoelectric generator having a heat exchange block.
(30) A lattice frame (40) is interposed between the (30) and the frame (40)
Each of the space portions (42) accommodates a thermoelectric module (20) in which a plurality of thermoelectric elements (22) and (24) are electrically connected in series.

The thermoelectric generator according to claim 2 is
In the heat exchange block (30), a concave portion (32) for receiving the upper surface portion and / or the lower surface portion of the thermoelectric module (20) is formed, and the concave portion (32)
And a thermoelectric module (20).

[0008] Further, the thermoelectric generator according to the third aspect of the present invention is arranged such that the heat exchange blocks (30) and (30) face each other.
Guide pins (5
0) is provided with a positioning hole (34) for insertion, and guide pins are inserted into the positioning hole (34) to position the heat exchange blocks.

[0009]

According to the thermoelectric generator (10) of the first aspect, since the thermoelectric module (20) is positioned by the lattice frame (40), the thermoelectric module (20) is placed on the heat exchange block (30). When the thermoelectric module (20) is placed, it can be assembled without slippage and displacement. In addition, thermoelectric module (20)
When placing the other heat exchange block (30) on the
Since the thermoelectric module (20) is positioned by the lattice-shaped frame (40), it can be assembled without shifting.

[0010] In the thermoelectric generator (10) according to the second aspect, a concave portion (32) for receiving a lower surface portion and / or an upper surface portion of a flat thermoelectric module (20) is previously formed in the heat exchange block (30). Accordingly, the thermoelectric module (20) can be assembled with the heat exchange block (30) without displacing the thermoelectric module (20) only by disposing the thermoelectric module (20) in the concave portion (32).

In the thermoelectric generator (10) according to the third aspect, the guide pins (50) are inserted into the positioning holes (34) of the opposed heat exchange blocks (30), (30), so that the heat exchange blocks are connected to each other. Can be assembled without causing displacement.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 In this embodiment, the positioning of a thermoelectric module (20) is performed by a lattice frame (40). Thermoelectric generator (10)
As shown in FIG. 1, a pair of heat exchange blocks (30) (3)
0), a plurality of thermoelectric modules (20) and a lattice frame (40).

The heat exchange block (30) is made of a material having excellent heat conductivity (eg, copper, silver, aluminum, brass, etc.) and is formed in a flat plate shape. The heat exchange block
If necessary, a flow path through which the heating medium or the cooling medium flows may be formed therein to increase the efficiency of heat exchange with the thermoelectric module.

As shown in FIG. 6, the thermoelectric module (20) has a plurality of p-type thermoelectric elements (22) and n-type thermoelectric elements (24) arranged alternately and electrically connected in series by electrodes (26). It is composed. The number of thermoelectric elements used in the thermoelectric module (20) is determined according to the required performance. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the thermoelectric module is formed in a size that allows six thermoelectric modules to be arranged on the heat exchange block.

The grid-shaped frame (40) for positioning the thermoelectric module (20) is made of an insulating material such as a ceramic material, and has a space (42) into which the thermoelectric module (20) can be fitted with a little extra margin. Have been established. It is desirable that the lattice frame (40) be manufactured so that the height is lower than that of the thermoelectric module (20) (see FIG. 2). If the grid-like frame is formed at the same height as the thermoelectric module or higher than the thermoelectric module, the thermoelectric module and the grid-like frame (40) are placed between the heat exchange blocks (30) and (30). This is because the contact pressure between the heat transfer block and the heat exchange block decreases, and the heat transfer efficiency decreases. Also, a step can be used as a space for taking out the lead wire (60) from the thermoelectric module (30).

A thermoelectric generator is manufactured using the heat exchange block, the thermoelectric module and the lattice frame. First,
A lattice frame (40) is arranged on one heat exchange block (30). In addition, when using the thermoelectric module of the form in which the electrodes are exposed, the above-described copper as a heat exchange block,
When silver, aluminum, brass, or the like is used, since these materials are conductive, it is necessary to provide electrical insulation between the heat exchange block and the thermoelectric module. In such a case, an insulating plate made of an electrically insulating material such as alumina may be arranged on the surface of the heat exchange block. Also,
When it is necessary to increase the heat transfer efficiency between the thermoelectric module and the heat exchange block, these surfaces may be coated with heat conductive grease.

The thermoelectric module (20) is accommodated in each space (42) of the lattice frame (40) arranged on the heat exchange block (30). By utilizing the lattice frame (40), each thermoelectric module (20) is positioned without causing a displacement. The thermoelectric modules (20) are electrically connected to each other after being housed in the space (42). For example, wire the terminals that are the electrical ends of each thermoelectric module in order (lead wire (60))
, All the thermoelectric modules can be electrically connected in series, and the terminals at the base and end of the series connection are output terminals. The connection between the thermoelectric modules may be performed before the thermoelectric modules are accommodated in the space.

Next, the other heat exchange block (30) is placed on the thermoelectric module (20) and tightened at a predetermined tightening pressure, whereby the thermoelectric generator (10) is manufactured.
Also at this time, an insulating plate and a heat conductive grease can be interposed as necessary.

By repeating the above operation, it is possible to produce a thermoelectric generator in which a plurality of thermoelectric modules and heat exchange blocks are alternately stacked on the heat exchange block.

According to the thermoelectric generator of the first embodiment, the thermoelectric module (20) is provided by interposing the grid-shaped frame (40).
Since the positioning of the thermoelectric module can be easily performed, no misalignment of the thermoelectric module occurs when the thermoelectric module (20) and the heat exchange block (30) are assembled. As shown in FIG. 2, when the height of the lattice frame (40) is lower than that of the thermoelectric module (20), the pair of heat exchange blocks (30) (3)
When the thermoelectric module is clamped in (0), the grid-shaped frame (40) does not hinder the tightening, and the contact pressure between the heat exchange block (30) and the thermoelectric module (20) does not decrease. Does not lead to a decline. In addition, when a material having low heat conductivity such as a heat-resistant resin material is used for the lattice-shaped frame (40), there is an advantage that heat can be prevented from being transmitted between the heat-exchange blocks arranged opposite to each other.

The lattice frame may be removed after the heat exchange module is accommodated and before the heat exchange block is mounted.

Embodiment 2 In this embodiment, a concave portion (32) for receiving a thermoelectric module (20) is formed on the surface of a heat exchange block (30). The description of the same parts as in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

As shown in FIG. 3, a concave portion (32) for positioning the thermoelectric module (20) is formed on the surface of the heat exchange block (30). The length, width, and depth of the concave portion (32) is formed to a size that can receive the upper surface portion and / or the lower surface portion, so that the position of the thermoelectric module (20) does not shift,
The depth is preferably about 2 mm. Preferably, the concave portion is formed on both heat exchange blocks facing the thermoelectric module, but may be formed only on at least the heat exchange block facing the lower surface of the thermoelectric module.

The heat exchange block (30) is placed so that the recess (32) faces upward, and the thermoelectric module (20) is arranged in each recess (32). In order to achieve electrical insulation between the thermoelectric module and the heat exchange block, an insulating plate may be provided, or an insulating layer may be formed by spraying a ceramic material such as alumina on the surface of the heat exchange block in advance. Good. Further, in order to enhance the heat transfer efficiency, a heat conductive grease may be applied to the heat exchange block in advance.

After the thermoelectric module (20) is placed in the concave portion (32) of the heat exchange block (30), the other heat exchange block (30) is placed on the thermoelectric module (20). When the concave portion (32) is formed in the heat exchange block (30) to be mounted, each concave portion (3
Position the heat exchange block so that 2) fits into the thermoelectric module (20). After placing the heat exchange block (30),
The thermoelectric generator (10) is manufactured by tightening at a predetermined tightening pressure. Note that a thermoelectric generator in which a plurality of thermoelectric modules and heat exchange blocks are alternately stacked on the heat exchange block can also be manufactured.

According to the thermoelectric generator of the second embodiment, the positioning of the thermoelectric module (20) can be easily performed by the concave portion (32) formed in the heat exchange block (30). When assembling, the position of the thermoelectric module does not shift. Thermoelectric module (20)
If the concave portions (32) are formed in the two heat exchange blocks (30) facing each other, the upper heat exchange block does not shift.

Embodiment 3 In this embodiment, opposed heat exchange blocks (30) and (30) are positioned. As shown in FIG. 4, the heat exchange block (30) is provided with positioning holes (34) at positions where the heat exchange blocks face each other. In the illustrated heat exchange block (30), the positioning holes (34) each have a bottomed hole at the periphery of the heat exchange block.

Guide pins (50) are inserted into the positioning holes (34) as shown in FIG. The guide pin (50) has its lower end inserted into the positioning hole (34) of the lower heat exchange block (30),
After disposing the thermoelectric module (20), the upper end is inserted into the positioning hole (34) of the upper heat exchange block (30). guide pin
By (50), the positions of the upper and lower heat exchange blocks are aligned, and the heat exchange blocks are positioned. By repeating this operation, a thermoelectric generator in which a plurality of thermoelectric modules and heat exchange blocks are alternately stacked can be manufactured.

The guide pins (50) are desirably made of a material having low thermal conductivity in order to prevent heat from being transmitted between the heat exchange blocks via the guide pins.

The positioning hole (34) may be a through hole as shown in FIG. 5. In this case, the guide pin (50) has a length corresponding to the height of the thermoelectric generator (10) to be manufactured. May be used.

According to the thermoelectric generator of the third embodiment, the positioning of the heat exchange blocks (30) and (30) can be easily performed, and the displacement of the heat exchange blocks (30) and (30) can be improved. There is no wake up.

When the positioning of the thermoelectric module shown in the first or second embodiment and the positioning of the heat exchange block of the third embodiment are performed in combination, the positioning of the thermoelectric module and the heat exchange block is more easily and reliably performed. Can be performed.

The description of the above embodiments is for the purpose of illustrating the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the appended claims or reducing the scope thereof. Further, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a thermoelectric generator of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the thermoelectric generator of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a thermoelectric generator showing a different embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a thermoelectric generator showing a different embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a thermoelectric generator showing a different embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a thermoelectric module.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional thermoelectric generator.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (10) Thermoelectric generator (20) Thermoelectric module (30) Heat exchange block (40) Grid frame (42) Space

Claims (3)

[Claims] A flat thermoelectric module (20) in which a p-type thermoelectric element (22) and an n-type thermoelectric element (24) are electrically connected in series by an electrode (26) comprises a pair of heat exchange blocks (30). In the thermoelectric generator sandwiched between (30), a lattice frame (40) is interposed between the heat exchange blocks (30) and (30), and each space portion (42) of the frame (40) is interposed. ), Multiple thermoelectric elements (22)
A thermoelectric generator, wherein (24) contains a thermoelectric module (20) electrically connected in series. 2. A flat thermoelectric module (20) in which a p-type thermoelectric element (22) and an n-type thermoelectric element (24) are electrically connected in series by an electrode (26), comprising a pair of heat exchange blocks (30). In the thermoelectric generator sandwiched between (30), the heat exchange block (30) is formed with a concave portion (32) for receiving the upper surface portion and / or the lower surface portion of the thermoelectric module (20), and the concave portion (32) is formed. Three
A thermoelectric generator, wherein a thermoelectric module (20) is arranged in 2). 3. A flat thermoelectric module (20) in which a p-type thermoelectric element (22) and an n-type thermoelectric element (24) are electrically connected in series by an electrode (26), comprising a pair of heat exchange blocks (30). In the thermoelectric generator sandwiched between (30), the heat exchange blocks (30), (30) are located at positions facing each other, and guide pins (50) for positioning the heat exchange blocks.
A thermoelectric generator, wherein a positioning hole (34) for inserting a hole is opened.