KR20160095757A - Power generator using thermoelectric effect - Google Patents

Abstract

A power generation device using a thermoelectric effect comprises: a plurality of thermoelectric module units which generate thermal electromotive force caused by temperature difference between a hot plate and a cool plate; a plurality of air-cooling heat dissipation units which are attached to the cool plates of the thermoelectric module units; a plurality of water-cooling heat dissipation units which cool the cool plates of the thermoelectric module units; and a protrusion portion which has a body attached to the hot plates of the thermoelectric module units and partially protrude from the body to approach a thermal energy source, wherein the protrusion portion includes a heating metal plate having a plurality of pores for receiving thermal energy, a voltage transformer which changes the voltage generated in the thermoelectric module units to output voltage having a set voltage level, and outputs the voltage to an output terminal, a battery charging unit which detects power consumption through the output terminal, and charges an inner battery by using the output voltage in accordance with the detection result, and the water-cooling heat dissipation unit supplies cooling water to a place adjacent to the surface of the body of the heating metal plate when the body temperature of the heating metal plate is equal to or higher than a set range.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a power generator using a thermoelectric effect,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a power generating device, and more particularly, to a power generating device capable of generating a stable output voltage using a thermoelectric effect.

The thermoelectric element directly converts thermal energy into electrical energy and electrical energy into thermal energy, which is the most suitable material to meet the demand for energy saving as a device to be used.

At present, a device for converting heat energy into electric energy is being manufactured by utilizing the thermoelectric effect of the thermoelectric element, i.e., the Seebeck effect. That is, a power generator capable of operating an electronic product or the like is manufactured using the thermal power generated due to the temperature difference between the hot plate and the cool plate of the thermoelectric element.

However, when a thermoelectric device is exposed to a high temperature for a long time, it is necessary to adjust the temperature because the device is destroyed. That is, as the temperature difference between the hot plate and the cool plate of the thermoelectric element increases, the thermoelectric device generates a thermoelectric power at a higher voltage level. However, a cooling device that restricts the temperature within a temperature range in which the thermoelectric device can withstand need.

Conventionally, a method of cooling a cool plate plate of a thermoelectric element by using any one of an air-cooling type and a water-cooling type is used.

Such a conventional cooling method is intended to increase the temperature difference between a hot plate and a cool plate, and is not a cooling method for controlling destruction of a thermoelectric element. That is, the conventional power generator is designed only for the voltage generation efficiency, and the technique for preventing the destruction of the thermoelectric element is not applied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a thermoelectric module capable of increasing the voltage generation efficiency by increasing the temperature difference between a hot plate and a cool plate, Generating device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a power generating apparatus using thermoelectric conversion, comprising: a plurality of thermoelectric module units for generating thermoelectric power due to a temperature difference between a hot plate and a cool plate; A plurality of air-cooled heat dissipating units attached to the cool plates of the plurality of thermoelectric module units; A heat dissipating unit for cooling the cool plate of the plurality of thermoelectric module parts; A heating metal plate having a body attached to the hot plate of the plurality of thermoelectric module parts and a protrusion partially protruding from the body to be close to a heat energy source, the protrusion having a plurality of pores for receiving thermal energy; A transformer for converting a voltage generated by the plurality of thermoelectric module units into an output voltage having a predetermined voltage level and outputting the output voltage to an output terminal; And a battery charging unit for sensing power consumption through the output terminal and charging the internal battery using the output voltage according to the detection result.

In addition, the water-cooled heat dissipating unit supplies cooling water to a portion adjacent to the surface of the heating metal plate body when the body temperature of the heating metal plate is in a predetermined range or more.

The cooling fan further includes a cooling fan that supplies air to the plurality of air-cooled heat dissipation units using a voltage generated by one of the plurality of thermoelectric module units.

When the plurality of air-cooling heat radiation units reach the first set temperature, the power generation device drives the water-cooled heat radiation unit. After the plurality of air-cooling heat radiation units reach the second set temperature, And drives the fan.

Further, the transforming unit senses an input voltage to be applied, and increases the rotation speed of the cooling fan when the input voltage is equal to or higher than a set voltage.

Further, the body of the heating metal plate is covered with a heat insulating material for preserving heat.

The power generation device using the thermoelectric conversion according to the embodiment of the present invention can increase the voltage generation efficiency by increasing the temperature difference between the hot plate and the cool plate of the thermoelectric module.

Also, since the power generator operates by mixing the water cooling type and the air cooling type cooling method, the temperature difference between the hot plate and the cool plate can be largely maintained.

In addition, since the thermoelectric module is controlled using a water-cooled system so as not to reach a high temperature at which the thermoelectric module is destroyed, the power generation apparatus can stably generate a voltage.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a power generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
2 is a plan view of the power generation device of Fig.
3 is a front view of the power generating device of Fig. 1;
4 is a detailed configuration diagram of the thermoelectric module portion;
Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the thermo-electric power generated when cooling by air cooling. Fig.
6 is a diagram showing the thermo-electric power generated when cooling is performed simultaneously with the air cooling type and the water cooling type.
7 is a graph showing the difference in the thermoelectric power generated according to the cooling method.
FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the power generation device of FIG. 1 is disposed in a heat energy source; FIG.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in order to facilitate a person skilled in the art to easily carry out the technical idea of the present invention.

Seebeck, Germany, found a unique phenomenon in which the direction of high magnetic contact was changed in the middle of the circuit by connecting Cu and Bi or both ends of Bi and Sb and heating one side of the junction. Based on the results of Oersted and Biot and Savart, Seebeck interprets this result as a result of magnetically polarizing the conductor by the temperature difference. This phenomenon occurs because the voltage is generated by the temperature difference and the current flows in the closed circuit It is the principle of thermoelectric generation and is called 'Seebeck effect'.

When a temperature difference (ΔT = T1 - T2) occurs between both ends of a metal rod, electrons at a high temperature end have higher kinetic energy than electrons at a low temperature end in the case of an n type semiconductor. Since the electrons at the high temperature end become higher energy states on average, the electrons at the high temperature end diffuse to the low temperature end in order to lower the energy. As the electrons move to the low temperature end, the low temperature end is charged to "-" and the high temperature part is charged to "+", causing a potential difference between both ends of the metal rod, which is called Seebeck voltage.

The Seebeck voltage acts to direct the electrons back to the hot end of the rod and becomes equilibrium when the Seebeck potential exactly balances the thermal driving force that causes the electron movement to the cold end. Thus, the Seebeck voltage generated by the temperature difference between the two ends of the material is referred to as the " hot power ", and the magnitude of the thermal power is generally proportional to the temperature difference DELTA T between the two ends.

The power generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention generates thermoelectric power using the thermoelectric module and increases the voltage generation efficiency by increasing the temperature difference between the hot plate and the cool plate. Since the temperature of the hot plate is 160 degrees Celsius and the temperature of the cool plate is not higher than 50 degrees Celsius, the power generating device can protect the thermoelectric module part while increasing the temperature difference between the two plates.

1 is a conceptual diagram of a power generation device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The power generation device 1 according to the present embodiment includes only a simple configuration for clearly explaining the technical idea to be proposed.

1, the power generating device 1 includes a heating metal plate 10, a plurality of thermoelectric module portions 21, 22, 23, and 24, a plurality of air-cooled heat dissipating portions 31, 32, 33, A water-cooled heat dissipating unit 40, a transforming unit 50, a battery charging unit 60, and a USB terminal 70.

The detailed configuration and main operation of the power generator 1 configured as described above will be described below.

The plurality of thermoelectric module parts (21, 22, 23, 24) generate thermoelectric power due to the temperature difference between the hot plate and the cool plate. In this embodiment, the first to fourth thermoelectric module portions 21, 22, 23 and 24 are provided, and the thermoelectric power generated in the first thermoelectric module portion 21 is used to drive the cooling fan 30 . The thermoelectric power generated by the second to fourth thermoelectric module units 22 to 24 is output to the USB terminal 70 via the transformer 50 or used to charge the internal battery of the battery charger 60 . The output terminals of the second to fourth thermoelectric module portions 22 to 24 are electrically connected in series so that the output voltage by the thermoelectric power is increased. The detailed configuration of the thermoelectric module portion will be described later.

The plurality of air cooling type heat dissipation units 31, 32, 33, and 34 are attached to the cool plates of the plurality of thermoelectric module units 21, 22, 23, and 24, respectively. In this embodiment, the first air cooling type heat radiating part 31 is attached to the cool plate of the first thermoelectric module part 21 to cool the cool plate. Further, the second air-cooled heat dissipating unit 32 is attached to the cool plate of the second thermoelectric module unit 22 to cool the cool plate. The third air cooling type heat radiating portion 33 is attached to the cool plate of the third thermoelectric module portion 23 to cool the cool plate. The fourth air cooling type heat radiating portion 34 is attached to the cool plate of the fourth thermoelectric module portion 24 to cool the cool plate. That is, as the temperature difference between the hot plate and the cool plate of the thermoelectric module increases, the magnitude of the generated thermoelectric power increases, so that the plurality of air-cooled heat sinks 31, 32, 33 and 34 are formed of a metal material having high thermal conductivity .

The water-cooled heat dissipating unit (40) cools the cool plates of the plurality of thermoelectric module parts (21, 22, 23, 24). That is, the water-cooled heat dissipating unit 40 is disposed to cool the cool plates of the first to fourth thermoelectric module portions 21, 22, 23, and 24. At this time, the water-cooled heat dissipation unit 40 is driven after the plurality of air-cooling heat dissipation units 31, 32, 33, 34 reaches the first set temperature to cool the cool plate. It is preferable that the first set temperature is set within a limit temperature range in which the plurality of air-cooled heat dissipation units (31, 32, 33, 34) can cool the cool plate.

The heating metal plate 10 is formed of a body 11 and a protrusion 12 protruding from the body 11. The body 11 is attached to a hot plate of a plurality of thermoelectric module portions 21, 22, 23, and 24, and the protrusion 12 is partially protruded from the body 11 to be close to a heat energy source. In particular, the protrusions 12 are configured to form a plurality of pores for receiving thermal energy. That is, if a plurality of pores are formed in the protruding portion 12, the contact area increases and heat energy can be accepted more. The perforations may be formed in the shape of a circle, an ellipse, a square, or the like.

The body 11 of the heating metal plate 10 is preferably covered with a heat insulating material for preserving heat. That is, in order to maintain the temperature of the hot plate of the thermoelectric module part at a high level, the temperature of the heating metal plate 10 must be maintained at a high level, so that the thermal energy leakage is reduced by using the heat insulating material. For reference, the heating metal plate 10 is preferably formed of a metal material having a high thermal conductivity, and in this embodiment, it is made of a copper plate.

The water-cooled heat dissipating unit 40 may be configured to supply cooling water to the surface adjacent to the surface of the body 11 of the heating metal plate 10 when the temperature of the body 11 of the heating metal plate 10 is in a predetermined range or more. In other words, if the temperature of the body 11 of the heating metal plate 10 is too high, the thermoelectric module portion may be damaged due to the hot plate of the thermoelectric module portion exceeding the limit temperature, Thereby preventing the temperature of the body 11 of the main body 11 from rising excessively.

The transformer 50 converts the voltage generated by the plurality of thermoelectric module units 21, 22, 23, and 24 to an output voltage having a predetermined voltage level and outputs the output voltage to an output terminal. Since the voltage output to the output terminal of the transformer 50 is transmitted to the USB terminal 70, the user can use the digital device by using the power of the USB terminal 70.

The transformer 50 senses an applied input voltage, that is, a voltage generated in the plurality of thermoelectric module units 21, 22, 23, and 24. The transforming unit 50 may be configured to increase the rotational speed of the cooling fan 30 when the input voltage is equal to or higher than the set voltage. That is, the fact that the input voltage is high means that the cooling action of the plurality of air-cooling heat-dissipating units 31, 32, 33, 34 must be further promoted, 34 to increase the cooling effect of the cool plate.

The cooling fan 30 is connected to the plurality of air-cooled heat dissipation units 31, 32, 33, and 34 by using voltages generated in any one of the plurality of thermoelectric module units 21, 22, In this embodiment, the first thermoelectric module unit 21 is configured to operate using the voltage generated by the first thermoelectric module unit 21. [

The power generation apparatus 1 drives the water-cooled heat dissipation unit 40 when a plurality of air-cooling heat dissipation units 31, 32, 33, and 34 reach the first set temperature, drives a water-cooled heat dissipation unit 40 The cooling fan 30 is driven when the air-cooled heat dissipation units 31, 32, 33, and 34 reach the second set temperature.

That is, when the first set temperature, which is the limit temperature at which the plurality of air-cooled heat dissipation units 31, 32, 33, and 34 can be cooled, is reached, the water-cooled heat dissipation unit 40 is driven to perform an additional cooling operation. Further, when the water-cooled heat dissipation unit 40 reaches the second set temperature which is the limit temperature for cooling, the cooling fan 30 is driven to perform the additional cooling operation. The power generation apparatus 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention sequentially uses a plurality of air-cooled heat dissipation units 31, 32, 33, and 34, a water-cooled heat dissipation unit 40, , The temperature can be controlled so as not to occur too rapidly while improving the cooling efficiency.

The battery charging unit 60 senses power consumption through the output terminal of the transforming unit 50 and charges the internal battery using the output voltage according to the detection result. That is, when the digital device is not connected to the USB terminal 70, since the power consumption through the output terminal of the transformer 50 is almost zero, the battery charger 60 charges the internal battery using the output voltage of the output terminal. When a digital device is connected to the USB terminal 70 to consume power, the battery charging unit 60 stops the charging operation. The power charged in the internal battery of the battery charging unit 60 may be provided to the USB terminal 70 when no thermoelectric power is generated in the thermoelectric module unit.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the power generation device 1 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a front view of the power generation device 1 of Fig.

2 and 3, the power generating apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in more detail as follows.

The power generating apparatus 1 receives thermal energy through the protruding portion 12 of the heating metal plate 10 and the thermal energy transmitted to the body 11 through the protruding portion 12 is transmitted to the plurality of thermoelectric module portions 21, , 24) is heated. At the same time, the plurality of air-cooled heat dissipating units (31, 32, 33, 34) cools the cool plates of the plurality of thermoelectric module parts (21, 22, 23, 24). As a result, the temperature difference between the hot plate and the cool plate is increased, and thus the voltage of the generated thermal power is increased.

A cooling fan 30 is disposed on the left side of the power generating apparatus 1 to supply air to the plurality of air-cooling heat dissipating units 31, 32, 33, and 34. The cooling fan 30 can be turned on or turned off by the operation of the switch 31 disposed at the lower end. On the right side of the power generation apparatus 1, a water-cooled heat dissipation unit 40 is disposed to cool the cool plates of the plurality of thermoelectric module portions 21, 22, 23, and 24.

Fig. 4 is a detailed configuration diagram of the thermoelectric module portion 21. Fig.

Referring to FIG. 4, the thermoelectric module portion 21 includes a hot plate 21a attached to one surface of the n-type and p-type thermoelectric semiconductors, and a cool plate 21b attached to the other surface of the thermoelectric semiconductor.

When there is a temperature difference between the hot plate 21a and the cool plate 21b, the electrons at the high temperature end have higher kinetic energy than the electrons at the low temperature end. Therefore, the electrons in the high-temperature stage diffuse to the low-temperature end in order to lower the energy. As the electrons move to the low-temperature end, the low-temperature end is charged with "- ", and the high temperature part is charged with" + "to cause a potential difference between the hot plate 21a and the cool plate 21b. Is generated.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the thermo-electric power generated when cooling by air cooling.

5 shows the temperature difference of the first case (CASE1) in which thermal energy is supplied to the protruding portion 12 of the heating metal plate 10 and the cooling is performed using only the plurality of air-cooled heat dissipating units 31, 32, 33, Are shown.

Time (s) Cooper (℃) Heat sink (℃) 30 13 13.2 60 29 14.5 90 43.5 16.2 120 57.5 20 150 68 25 180 77 30 210 87 36 240 96.5 41.7 270 104.5 48 300 113 54 330 121.5 60.5 360 130 66.5 390 137.5 73 420 145 79 450 152 85 480 159.5 91 510 165 96

5 and Table 1, the first graph 110 represents the temperature difference between the body 11 of the heating metal plate 10 and the air-cooled heat dissipation unit, and the second graph 120 represents the temperature difference between the body 11 of the heating metal plate 10 and the air- Represents the magnitude of the thermal power according to the temperature difference between the body 11 and the air-cooled heat dissipating unit.

The thermal energy is supplied, the temperature difference starts to occur after 30 seconds, and the thermal power increases rapidly to 4V. A voltage is output to the USB terminal 70 from 120 seconds, and when the thermal power of 4.25 V is generated, the transforming unit 50 operates to output the voltage to the USB terminal 70. That is, the transformer 50 starts operating when a temperature difference of about 35 degrees occurs. The thermal power gradually decreases after rising to 4.65V in 210 seconds.

6 is a diagram showing the thermo-electromotive force generated when cooling is performed simultaneously with the air cooling type and the water cooling type.

6 shows an example in which thermal energy is supplied to the protruding portion 12 of the heating metal plate 10 and a plurality of air cooling type heat releasing portions 31, 32, 33 and 34, a water cooling type heat releasing portion 40, and a cooling fan 30 are sequentially used And the temperature difference of the second case (CASE2) and the magnitude of the thermoelectric power are shown.

Time (s) Cooper (℃) Heat sink (℃) 240 96.5 20 270 104.5 34 300 110 37 330 120 44 360 125 49.5 390 125.6 50 420 126 50.21 450 126.2 50.6 480 127 52 510 127.8 54

6 and Table 2, the third graph 210 represents the temperature difference between the body 11 of the heating metal plate 10 and the air-cooling heat dissipating unit, and the fourth graph 220 represents the temperature difference between the heating metal plate 10 Represents the magnitude of the thermal power according to the temperature difference between the body 11 and the air-cooled heat dissipating unit.

When cooled using only air cooling, the thermoelectric power gradually decreases after rising to 4.65 V in 210 seconds. Accordingly, when the water-cooled heat dissipation unit 40 is driven using the cooling water of 15 degrees after 210 seconds, the thermal power rapidly increases and the voltage gradually decreases after 240 seconds. When the cooling fan 30 is further driven from 240 seconds, the heat power rises again. The maximum value of the thermoelectric power is 10.4 V, and the temperature difference is 76 degrees.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the difference in the thermoelectric power generated according to the cooling system.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown the difference of the thermal power generated according to the cooling methods of the first case (CASE1) and the second case (CASE2).

If the water-cooling system is used after 210 seconds, the thermal power will rise sharply. When the cooling fan 30 is further used, the thermal power rises again.

The maximum value of the thermal power of the first case (CASE1) is 4.65V and the maximum value of the thermal power of the second case (CASE2) is 10.4V. As a result, when the cooling method of the second case (CASE 2) is used in the first case (CASE 1), a 2.2 times higher voltage rise rate is derived.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the power generation device 1 of Fig. 1 is arranged in a heat energy source.

Referring to Fig. 8, the electric power generating apparatus 1 is installed on the side of the portable burner. When the thermal energy of the portable burner is transferred to the heating metal plate 10, the hot plate of the thermoelectric module is heated, and a temperature difference is generated between the hot plate and the cool plate.

The power generating device 1 disposed on the side surface of the portable burner should be designed to generate a thermoelectric power while the portable burner is being used for its original use so that the height of the heating metal plate 10 is preferably designed to be lower than that of the portable burner Do. Although not shown in the drawing, a connecting portion for fixing the portable burner and the power generating device 1 may be provided.

The power generation device 1 using the thermoelectric conversion according to the embodiment of the present invention can increase the voltage generation efficiency by increasing the temperature difference between the hot plate and the cool plate of the thermoelectric module.

Also, since the power generator operates by mixing the water cooling type and the air cooling type cooling method, the temperature difference between the hot plate and the cool plate can be largely maintained.

In addition, since the thermoelectric module is controlled using a water-cooled system so as not to reach a high temperature at which the thermoelectric module is destroyed, the power generation apparatus can stably generate a voltage.

Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. It is therefore to be understood that the embodiments described above are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the detailed description and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents are to be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention do.

10: Heating plate
11: Body
12:
21, 22, 23, 24: a plurality of thermoelectric module parts
31, 32, 33, 34: a plurality of air-
30: Cooling fan
40: water-cooled heat dissipating unit
50:
60: battery charging section
70: USB terminal
21a: Hot plate
21b: Cool plate
110: first graph
120: second graph
210: Graph 3
220: fourth graph

Claims (6)

1. A power generation apparatus using thermoelectric conversion,
A plurality of thermoelectric module parts for generating thermoelectric power due to a temperature difference between the hot plate and the cool plate;
A plurality of air-cooled heat dissipating units attached to the cool plates of the plurality of thermoelectric module units;
A heat dissipating unit for cooling the cool plate of the plurality of thermoelectric module parts;
A heating metal plate having a body attached to the hot plate of the plurality of thermoelectric module parts and a protrusion partially protruding from the body to be close to a heat energy source, the protrusion having a plurality of pores for receiving thermal energy;
A transformer for converting a voltage generated by the plurality of thermoelectric module units into an output voltage having a predetermined voltage level and outputting the output voltage to an output terminal; And
A battery charging unit that senses power consumption through the output terminal and charges the internal battery using the output voltage according to the detection result;
And a second power supply.
The method according to claim 1,
The water-
Wherein the cooling water is supplied to a position adjacent to the surface of the heating metal plate body when the body temperature of the heating metal plate is in a predetermined range or more.
The method according to claim 1,
And a cooling fan for supplying air to the plurality of air-cooled heat dissipation units using a voltage generated in any one of the plurality of thermoelectric module units.
The method of claim 3,
The power generation device includes:
Wherein the cooling fan is driven when the plurality of air-cooling heat radiation parts reach a first set temperature, and when the plurality of air-cooling heat radiation parts reach a second set temperature after driving the water cooling type heat radiation part, Power generating device.
The method of claim 3,
The transformer
Wherein the controller senses an input voltage to be applied and increases the rotation speed of the cooling fan when the input voltage is equal to or higher than a set voltage.
The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the body of the heating metal plate is covered with a heat insulating material for preserving heat.

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