KR20220115273A - Thermoelectric module - Google Patents

Abstract

A thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a first heat conduction unit disposed to contact a first tube through which a first fluid flows; a second heat conduction unit disposed to contact a second pipe through which a second fluid having a higher temperature than the first fluid flows; a thermoelectric element disposed between the first heat conduction unit and the second heat conduction unit to contact the first heat conduction unit and the second heat conduction unit. The thermoelectric element includes a first substrate, a first electrode disposed on the first substrate, a semiconductor structure disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode disposed on the semiconductor structure, and a second substrate disposed on the second electrode. The first heat conduction unit is disposed to contact the first substrate. The second heat conduction unit is disposed to contact the second substrate. The first heat conduction unit is disposed to be in contact with a plurality of first heat exchange units disposed to be spaced apart from each other, a first heat conduction substrate which is disposed to contact the first tube and to which one end of the plurality of first heat exchange units is connected, and a second heat conduction substrate which is disposed to contact the first substrate and to which the other end of the plurality of first heat exchange units are connected. The plurality of first heat exchange units are disposed to form an inclination at a predetermined angle with respect to a direction from the first substrate to the second substrate. Electricity is generated using the temperature difference between the high-temperature side and the low-temperature side of a thermoelectric element.

Description

Thermoelectric module {THERMOELECTRIC MODULE}

The present invention relates to a thermoelectric module, and more particularly, to a thermoelectric module that generates electricity by using a temperature difference between a high temperature part and a low temperature part.

The thermoelectric phenomenon is a phenomenon that occurs by the movement of electrons and holes inside a material, and refers to direct energy conversion between heat and electricity.

A thermoelectric element is a generic term for a device using a thermoelectric phenomenon, and has a structure in which a P-type thermoelectric material and an N-type thermoelectric material are bonded between metal electrodes to form a PN junction pair.

Thermoelectric devices can be divided into devices using a temperature change in electrical resistance, devices using the Seebeck effect, which is a phenomenon in which electromotive force is generated by a temperature difference, and devices using the Peltier effect, which is a phenomenon in which heat absorption or heat is generated by current. .

Thermoelectric devices are widely applied to home appliances, electronic parts, and communication parts. For example, the thermoelectric element may be applied to an apparatus for cooling, an apparatus for heating, an apparatus for power generation, and the like. Accordingly, the demand for the thermoelectric performance of the thermoelectric element is increasing.

When the thermoelectric element is applied to a device for power generation, electricity may be generated by using a temperature difference between the high temperature side and the low temperature side of the thermoelectric element.

An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric module that generates electricity by using a temperature difference between a high-temperature side and a low-temperature side of a thermoelectric element.

A thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first heat conduction unit disposed to contact a first pipe through which a first fluid flows, and a second pipe through which a second fluid having a higher temperature than the first fluid flows. a second heat-conducting part, and a thermoelectric element disposed between the first heat-conducting part and the second heat-conducting part so as to be in contact with the first heat-conducting part and the second heat-conducting part, wherein the thermoelectric element is a first substrate , a first electrode disposed on the first substrate, a semiconductor structure disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode disposed on the semiconductor structure, and a second substrate disposed on the second electrode, The first heat-conducting part is disposed to contact the first substrate, the second heat-conducting part is disposed to contact the second substrate, and the first heat-conducting part is a plurality of first heat exchange parts disposed to be spaced apart from each other, the first A first heat-conducting substrate disposed in contact with a tube and connected to one end of the plurality of first heat exchange units, and a second heat-conducting substrate disposed in contact with the first substrate and connected to the other ends of the plurality of first heat exchange units, wherein The plurality of first heat exchange units is disposed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a direction from the first substrate toward the second substrate.

The predetermined angle may be 1° to 30°.

Each of the plurality of first heat exchange units may be a metal bridge connecting the first tube and the first substrate of the thermoelectric element.

Each of the plurality of first heat exchange units may be a heat pipe through which a heat exchange medium circulates.

The heat pipe includes a first region disposed in the first tube, a second region connected to the first region and extending to the first substrate, and a third region connected to the second region and disposed on the first substrate and a fourth region connected to the third region and extending to the first region, wherein the heat exchange medium sequentially circulates through the first region, the second region, the third region, and the fourth region; , a heat exchange medium flowing through the second region may be in a liquid state, a heat exchange medium flowing through the fourth region may be in a gaseous state, and the fourth region may be disposed higher than the second region.

The heat exchange medium may include at least one of water, methanol, ethanol, and ammonia.

A portion of the plurality of first heat exchange units may be embedded in the first substrate.

One end of the plurality of first heat exchange units may be in contact with the first heat-conducting substrate to occupy 30% to 50% of an area of the first heat-conducting substrate.

The second heat conduction unit may include a conductor block disposed between the second tube and the second substrate.

The conductor block may include at least one of copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al).

The second heat conduction unit may include a plurality of second heat exchange units spaced apart from each other, and the plurality of second heat exchange units may be arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a direction from the first substrate toward the second substrate. .

Each of the plurality of second heat exchange units may be a heat pipe through which a heat exchange medium circulates.

At least a portion of the first tube and the second tube may be arranged to overlap each other in a horizontal direction from the first substrate to the second substrate.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a thermoelectric module that is easy to construct and increase the power generation efficiency by maximizing the temperature difference (ΔT) between the low temperature part and the high temperature part. In particular, according to an embodiment of the present invention, electricity may be generated by using a temperature difference between a supply pipe for supplying heat and a return pipe for returning heat after supplying heat.

1 is a perspective view of a power generation system including a thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the power generation system of FIG. 1 .
3 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction A-A' of the power generation system of FIG.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of area B of FIG. 3 .
5 is a cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric element included in a thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a perspective view of a thermoelectric element included in a thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a perspective view in which a sealing member is added to a thermoelectric element included in a thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 is an exploded perspective view of the thermoelectric element of FIG. 7 .
9 is a cross-sectional view of a power generation device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a part of FIG. 9 .

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

However, the technical spirit of the present invention is not limited to some embodiments described, but may be implemented in various different forms, and within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention, one or more of the components may be selected between the embodiments. It can be combined and substituted for use.

In addition, terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the embodiments of the present invention may be generally understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains, unless specifically defined and described explicitly. It may be interpreted as a meaning, and generally used terms such as terms defined in advance may be interpreted in consideration of the contextual meaning of the related art.

In addition, the terms used in the embodiments of the present invention are for describing the embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention.

In this specification, the singular form may also include the plural form unless otherwise specified in the phrase, and when it is described as "at least one (or one or more) of A and (and) B, C", it is combined with A, B, C It may include one or more of all possible combinations.

In addition, in describing the components of the embodiment of the present invention, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc. may be used.

These terms are only for distinguishing the component from other components, and are not limited to the essence, order, or order of the component by the term.

And, when it is described that a component is 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' to another component, the component is not only directly connected, coupled or connected to the other component, but also with the component It may also include the case of 'connected', 'coupled' or 'connected' due to another element between the other elements.

In addition, when it is described as being formed or disposed on "above (above) or under (below)" of each component, the top (above) or bottom (below) is one as well as when two components are in direct contact with each other. Also includes a case in which another component as described above is formed or disposed between two components. In addition, when expressed as "upper (upper) or lower (lower)", the meaning of not only an upper direction but also a lower direction based on one component may be included.

1 is a perspective view of a power generation system including a thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the power generation system of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a direction A-A' of the power generation system of FIG. It is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of area B of FIG. 3 . 5 is a cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric element included in a thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a thermoelectric element included in a thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. A perspective view in which a sealing member is added to a thermoelectric element included in the thermoelectric module according to an embodiment, and FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the thermoelectric element of FIG. 7 .

1 to 4, the power generation system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a first pipe (P1), a second pipe (P2), and a first pipe (P1) and a second pipe (P2) and a thermoelectric module 1000 disposed therebetween. The first fluid flows in the first pipe (P1), and the second fluid flows in the second pipe (P2). Accordingly, the first pipe (P1) and the second pipe (P2) may be mixed with the first fluid pipe and the second fluid pipe, respectively. Here, the fluid may be a liquid or a gas. At this time, the temperature of the fluid flowing along the first pipe (P1) and the temperature of the fluid flowing along the second pipe (P2) may be different. For example, the temperature of the fluid flowing along the first pipe (P1) may be lower than the temperature of the fluid flowing along the second pipe (P2). The thermoelectric module 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention may generate electricity by using a temperature difference between the first fluid flowing through the first pipe P1 and the second fluid flowing through the second pipe P2 .

For example, the second pipe (P2) may be a supply pipe for supplying heat, and the first pipe (P1) may be a return pipe through which heat is supplied and then returned. The supply pipe may be mixed with a heat supply pipe, a hot water pipe, a heat transport pipe, and the like, and the return pipe may be mixed with a recovery pipe and the like. For example, the supply pipe and the return pipe may be for heating, but are not limited thereto. The first pipe (P1) and the second pipe (P2) are arranged spaced apart at a predetermined interval in the same space, and the temperature difference between the fluid flowing along the first pipe (P1) and the fluid flowing along the second pipe (P2) When the level is higher than a predetermined level, the power generation device according to an embodiment of the present invention may be applied to all. When the second pipe (P2) is a supply pipe and the first pipe (P1) is a return pipe, the direction of the fluid flowing along the second pipe (P2) and the direction of the fluid flowing along the first pipe (P1) may be different have. For example, the direction of the fluid flowing along the second pipe (P2) and the direction of the fluid flowing along the first pipe (P1) are parallel, but may be opposite.

In this case, the heat insulating material P1_I may be disposed on the surface of the first tube P1 to surround the surface of the first tube P1 . Accordingly, the heat of the fluid flowing along the first pipe (P1) can reach the destination without being taken away, and it is possible to prevent the problem that the temperature around the first pipe (P1) increases due to the heat of the fluid. Similarly, the heat insulating material P2_I may be disposed on the surface of the second tube P2 to surround the surface of the second tube P2 . Accordingly, the heat of the fluid flowing along the second pipe (P2) can reach the destination without being taken away, and it is possible to prevent the problem that the temperature around the second pipe (P2) increases due to the heat of the fluid.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the thermoelectric module 1000 includes a thermoelectric element 100 , and the thermoelectric element 100 includes a first heat conduction unit 200 and a second heat conduction unit disposed to contact the first tube P1 . It may be disposed to contact the first heat-conducting part 200 and the second heat-conducting part 300 between the second heat-conducting parts 300 arranged to contact the tube P2 . Accordingly, the heat of the second fluid flowing in the second pipe P2 is transferred to the hot side of the thermoelectric element 100 through the second heat conduction unit 300 to increase the temperature of the high temperature part, and the thermoelectric element 100 . ) of the cold side may be transferred to the first fluid flowing in the first pipe P1 through the first heat conduction unit 200 to cool the cold side. Accordingly, the thermoelectric module 1000 according to the embodiment of the present invention may generate electricity by using the temperature difference between the low temperature part and the high temperature part of the thermoelectric element 100 .

5 to 6 , the thermoelectric element 100 includes a lower substrate 110 , a lower electrode 120 , a P-type thermoelectric leg 130 , an N-type thermoelectric leg 140 , an upper electrode 150 , and an upper portion. and a substrate 160 .

The lower electrode 120 is disposed between the lower substrate 110 and the lower bottom surfaces of the P-type thermoelectric leg 130 and the N-type thermoelectric leg 140 , and the upper electrode 150 is formed between the upper substrate 160 and the P-type thermoelectric leg 140 . It is disposed between the thermoelectric leg 130 and the upper bottom surface of the N-type thermoelectric leg 140 . Accordingly, the plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs 130 and the plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs 140 are electrically connected by the lower electrode 120 and the upper electrode 150 . A pair of P-type thermoelectric legs 130 and N-type thermoelectric legs 140 disposed between the lower electrode 120 and the upper electrode 150 and electrically connected may form a unit cell.

For example, when a voltage is applied to the lower electrode 120 and the upper electrode 150 through the lead wires 181 and 182 , a current flows from the P-type thermoelectric leg 130 to the N-type thermoelectric leg 140 due to the Peltier effect. The substrate through which flows absorbs heat to act as a cooling unit, and the substrate through which current flows from the N-type thermoelectric leg 140 to the P-type thermoelectric leg 130 may be heated and act as a heating unit. Alternatively, when a temperature difference between the lower electrode 120 and the upper electrode 150 is applied, the charges in the P-type thermoelectric leg 130 and the N-type thermoelectric leg 140 move due to the Seebeck effect, and electricity may be generated. . In the present specification, the thermoelectric leg is a semiconductor structure, a semiconductor element, a semiconductor material layer, a semiconductor material layer, a semiconductor material layer, a conductive semiconductor structure, a thermoelectric structure, a thermoelectric material layer, a thermoelectric material layer, a thermoelectric material layer, a thermoelectric semiconductor structure, a thermoelectric semiconductor element. , a thermoelectric semiconductor material layer, a thermoelectric semiconductor material layer, a thermoelectric semiconductor material layer, and the like.

In this case, the pair of P-type thermoelectric legs 130 and N-type thermoelectric legs 140 may have the same shape and volume, or may have different shapes and volumes. For example, since the electrical conductivity properties of the P-type thermoelectric leg 130 and the N-type thermoelectric leg 140 are different, the height or cross-sectional area of the N-type thermoelectric leg 140 is calculated as the height or cross-sectional area of the P-type thermoelectric leg 130 . may be formed differently.

In this case, the P-type thermoelectric leg 130 or the N-type thermoelectric leg 140 may have a cylindrical shape, a polygonal column shape, an elliptical column shape, or the like.

The performance of the thermoelectric element according to an embodiment of the present invention may be expressed as a figure of merit (ZT). The thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) can be expressed as in Equation (1).

Here, α is the Seebeck coefficient [V/K], σ is the electrical conductivity [S/m], and α ² σ is the power factor (Power Factor, [W/mK ² ]). And, T is the temperature, and k is the thermal conductivity [W/mK]. k can be expressed as a·cp·ρ, a is the thermal diffusivity [cm ² /S], cp is the specific heat [J/gK], ρ is the density [g/cm ³ ].

In order to obtain the thermoelectric figure of merit of the thermoelectric element, a Z value (V/K) is measured using a Z meter, and a thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) can be calculated using the measured Z value.

Here, the lower electrode 120 is disposed between the lower substrate 110 and the P-type thermoelectric leg 130 and the N-type thermoelectric leg 140 , and the upper substrate 160 and the P-type thermoelectric leg 130 and the N-type thermoelectric leg 130 . The upper electrode 150 disposed between the thermoelectric legs 140 includes at least one of copper (Cu), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), and nickel (Ni), and has a thickness of 0.01 mm to 0.3 mm. can When the thickness of the lower electrode 120 or the upper electrode 150 is less than 0.01 mm, the function as an electrode may deteriorate and the electrical conduction performance may be lowered. If it exceeds 0.3 mm, the conduction efficiency may be lowered due to an increase in resistance. .

In addition, the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate 160 facing each other may be a metal substrate, and the thickness thereof may be 0.1 mm to 1.5 mm. When the thickness of the metal substrate is less than 0.1 mm or exceeds 1.5 mm, heat dissipation characteristics or thermal conductivity may be excessively high, and thus the reliability of the thermoelectric element may be deteriorated. In addition, when the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate 160 are metal substrates, the insulating layer 170 is respectively between the lower substrate 110 and the lower electrode 120 and between the upper substrate 160 and the upper electrode 150 . ) may be further formed. The insulating layer 170 may include a material having a thermal conductivity of 1 to 20 W/mK. Each insulating layer 170 may include a plurality of layers. For example, the plurality of layers constituting each insulating layer 170 may differ in at least one of composition, elasticity, and tensile strength. A portion of the side surfaces of the electrodes 120 and 150 may be embedded in at least one of the plurality of layers constituting each insulating layer 170 , and the upper surface of each insulating layer 170 is formed on the side surfaces of the electrodes 120 and 150 . A region concave toward (110, 160) may be disposed. Areas of the plurality of layers constituting each insulating layer 170 may be different from each other. For example, when one of the plurality of layers constituting each insulating layer 170 is in contact with the substrates 110 and 160 and the other is disposed to contact the electrodes 120 and 150, the electrodes 120 and 150 The area of the layer in contact with the substrate may be smaller than the area of the layer in contact with the substrates 110 and 160 .

In this case, the sizes of the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate 160 may be different. For example, the volume, thickness, or area of one of the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate 160 may be larger than the volume, thickness, or area of the other. Accordingly, heat absorbing performance or heat dissipation performance of the thermoelectric element may be improved. Preferably, the volume, thickness, or area of the lower substrate 110 may be larger than at least one of the volume, thickness, or area of the upper substrate 160 . At this time, when the lower substrate 110 is disposed in a high temperature region for the Seebeck effect, when it is applied as a heating region for the Peltier effect, or a sealing member for protection from the external environment of a thermoelectric element to be described later is on the lower substrate 110 . At least one of a volume, a thickness, and an area may be larger than that of the upper substrate 160 when it is disposed on the . In this case, the area of the lower substrate 110 may be formed in a range of 1.2 to 5 times the area of the upper substrate 160 . When the area of the lower substrate 110 is formed to be less than 1.2 times that of the upper substrate 160, the effect on the improvement of heat transfer efficiency is not high. It can be difficult to maintain the basic shape of

In addition, a heat dissipation pattern, for example, a concave-convex pattern, may be formed on the surface of at least one of the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate 160 . Accordingly, the heat dissipation performance of the thermoelectric element may be improved. When the concave-convex pattern is formed on a surface in contact with the P-type thermoelectric leg 130 or the N-type thermoelectric leg 140 , bonding characteristics between the thermoelectric leg and the substrate may also be improved. The thermoelectric element 100 includes a lower substrate 110 , a lower electrode 120 , a P-type thermoelectric leg 130 , an N-type thermoelectric leg 140 , an upper electrode 150 , and an upper substrate 160 .

7 to 8 , a sealing member 190 may be further disposed between the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate 160 . The sealing member may be disposed between the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate 160 on the side surfaces of the lower electrode 120 , the P-type thermoelectric leg 130 , the N-type thermoelectric leg 140 , and the upper electrode 150 . . Accordingly, the lower electrode 120 , the P-type thermoelectric leg 130 , the N-type thermoelectric leg 140 , and the upper electrode 150 may be sealed from external moisture, heat, contamination, and the like. Here, the sealing member 190 includes the outermost portions of the plurality of lower electrodes 120 , the outermost portions of the plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs 130 and the plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs 140 , and the plurality of upper electrodes 150 . Between the sealing case 192, the sealing case 192 and the lower substrate 110, the sealing material 194, and the sealing case 192 and the upper substrate 160 are disposed spaced apart from the outermost side of the predetermined distance. It may include a sealing material 196 disposed on the. As such, the sealing case 192 may contact the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate 160 via the sealing materials 194 and 196 . Accordingly, when the sealing case 192 is in direct contact with the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate 160, heat conduction occurs through the sealing case 192, and as a result, the lower substrate 110 and the upper substrate 160. It is possible to prevent the problem that the temperature difference between the lowering. Here, the sealing materials 194 and 196 may include at least one of an epoxy resin and a silicone resin, or a tape in which at least one of an epoxy resin and a silicone resin is applied to both surfaces. The sealing materials 194 and 194 serve to seal between the sealing case 192 and the lower substrate 110 and between the sealing case 192 and the upper substrate 160, and the lower electrode 120, the P-type thermoelectric leg ( 130), the sealing effect of the N-type thermoelectric leg 140 and the upper electrode 150 may be increased, and may be mixed with a finishing material, a finishing layer, a waterproofing material, a waterproofing layer, and the like. Here, the sealing material 194 for sealing between the sealing case 192 and the lower substrate 110 is disposed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 110, and the sealing material for sealing between the sealing case 192 and the upper substrate 160 ( 196 may be disposed on the side of the upper substrate 160 . To this end, the area of the lower substrate 110 may be larger than the area of the upper substrate 160 . Meanwhile, a guide groove G for drawing out the lead wires 181 and 182 connected to the electrode may be formed in the sealing case 192 . To this end, the sealing case 192 may be an injection-molded product made of plastic or the like, and may be mixed with a sealing cover. However, the above description of the sealing member is only an example, and the sealing member may be modified in various forms. Although not shown, an insulating material may be further included to surround the sealing member. Alternatively, the sealing member may include a heat insulating component.

In the above, the terms lower substrate 110 , lower electrode 120 , upper electrode 150 , and upper substrate 160 are used, but these are arbitrarily referred to as upper and lower for ease of understanding and convenience of description. However, the positions may be reversed so that the lower substrate 110 and the lower electrode 120 are disposed on the upper portion, and the upper electrode 150 and the upper substrate 160 are disposed on the lower portion.

In an embodiment of the present invention, it is intended to increase the power generation performance by increasing the temperature difference between the low temperature part and the high temperature part of the thermoelectric element.

To this end, referring again to FIGS. 1 to 4 , in the above description, the heat insulating materials P1_I and P2_I are disposed on the surfaces of the first pipe P1 and the second pipe P2, but the heat insulating materials P1_I and P2_I) may be disposed except for an area in which the first heat-conducting part 200 and the second heat-conducting part 300 are disposed. Accordingly, the first heat-conducting part 200 and the second heat-conducting part 300 are in direct contact with the first pipe P1 and the second pipe P2, respectively, and the first pipe P1 and the second pipe P2 ) can be efficiently exchanged with

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first heat-conducting part 200 includes a first heat-conducting substrate 210 disposed to be in contact with the first tube P1, and one end is connected to the first heat-conducting substrate 210, and the other end is connected to the first heat-conducting substrate 210. The thermoelectric element 100 may include a plurality of first heat exchange units 220 disposed on the first substrate 110 , and the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other. According to this, the thermoelectric module 1000 can be implemented in a light weight regardless of the distance between the first tube P1 and the second tube P2, the material cost of the first heat conduction unit 200 can be reduced, and the installation is easy. Easy.

In this case, the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other at the same distance. Accordingly, heat exchange may be uniformly performed over the entire area of the first substrate 110 of the thermoelectric element 100 .

In this case, the first heat-conducting substrate 210 may be disposed according to the shape of the surface of the first tube P1 so as to be in contact with the surface of the first tube P1 . For example, when the surface of the first tube (P1) is a curved surface, the surface in contact with the first tube (P1) among both surfaces of the first heat-conducting substrate 210 corresponds to the surface shape of the first tube (P1). It may be curved. Accordingly, the contact area between the first tube P1 and the first heat-conducting substrate 210 may increase, and heat exchange may be performed efficiently.

At this time, one end of the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 is disposed on the opposite side of the surface in contact with the first tube P1 among both surfaces of the first heat conductive substrate 210 , and the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 . One end of the first heat-conducting substrate 210 may be disposed in contact so as to occupy 30% to 50% of the area of the first heat-conducting substrate 210 . When the area occupied by one end of the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 in the first heat conduction substrate 210 is within the numerical range, heat exchange between the plurality of first exchange units 220 and the first heat conduction substrate 210 is performed. In addition to being efficiently performed, the thermoelectric module 1000 can be easily assembled and implemented with a light weight.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (a), the first heat-conducting unit 200 further includes a second heat-conducting substrate 230 to which the other ends of the plurality of first heat-exchanging units 220 are connected, The second heat-conducting substrate 230 may be disposed to contact the first substrate 110 of the thermoelectric element 100 . Accordingly, heat exchange between the second heat-conducting substrate 230 of the first heat-conducting unit 200 and the first substrate 110 of the thermoelectric element 100 may easily occur. In this case, the other ends of the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 may be embedded in the second heat conduction substrate 230 . Accordingly, heat exchange between the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 and the second heat-conducting substrate 230 may be efficiently performed. Here, the second heat-conducting substrate 230 may be adhered to the first substrate 110 by an adhesive member. In this case, the adhesive member may be an adhesive member having thermal conductivity, for example, a thermal pad or thermal grease. Alternatively, the second heat-conducting substrate 230 may be fastened to the first substrate 110 by a fastening member (not shown). To this end, a through hole for a fastening member (not shown) to pass through may be formed in the second heat conductive substrate 230 and the first substrate 110 , and the fastening member (not shown) passes through the through hole and the second The heat conductive substrate 230 and the first substrate 110 may be coupled to each other. In this case, an insulator may be disposed between the fastening member (not shown) and the wall surface of the through hole. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a problem that the withstand voltage performance of the thermoelectric element 100 is lowered due to the fastening member (not shown).

In this embodiment, the height of the first tube (P1) from the ground is shown as being higher than the height of the second tube (P2), but is not limited thereto, and the height of the second tube (P2) from the ground is the first tube (P1) ) may be higher than or equal to the height of the In detail, the first pipe (P1) and the second pipe (P2) may be arranged such that at least a portion overlaps each other in a horizontal direction from the ground, that is, in a horizontal direction from the first substrate 110 to the second substrate 160. have. Also in this case, one end of the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 may be disposed in contact so as to occupy 30% to 50% of the area of the first heat-conducting substrate 210 , and in this case, each of the first heat exchange units 220 . ) is in contact with the first heat-conducting substrate 210 within a predetermined angle θ of 1° to 30° with respect to the first direction from the first substrate 110 to the second substrate 160 of the thermoelectric element 100 . It can be selectively arranged according to the position.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4B , the other ends of the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 may be directly disposed on the first substrate 110 of the thermoelectric element 100 . For efficient heat exchange between the other end of the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 and the first substrate 110 of the thermoelectric element 100 , the other end of the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 is the first end of the thermoelectric element 100 . It may be embedded in the substrate 110 .

Meanwhile, the first heat conduction unit 200 may further include a heat insulating member disposed between the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 spaced apart from each other. Alternatively, a heat insulating layer may be formed on the surface of each first heat exchange unit 220 . Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a problem that the heat of each first heat exchange unit 220 is lost to the outside, and it is possible to maximize the heat exchange efficiency of the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 .

In this case, according to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 may be a heat pipe through which a heat exchange medium circulates, and the heat exchange medium may include a phase change material. For example, the phase change material may include at least one of water, methanol, ethanol, and ammonia. Accordingly, when the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 are cooled, the heat exchange medium may flow in a liquid state, and when the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 are heated, the heat exchange medium may flow in a gaseous state. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4B , the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 includes a first region 221 and a first region 221 disposed in the first pipe P1, respectively. is connected to the second region 222 extending to the first substrate 110 of the thermoelectric element 100 , connected to the second region 222 and disposed on the first substrate 110 of the thermoelectric element 100 . a third region 223 and a fourth region 224 connected to the third region 223 and extending to the first region 221 , wherein the heat exchange medium includes the first region 221 and the second region 222 . ), the third region 223 and the fourth region 224 may be sequentially cycled.

In this case, the heat exchange medium absorbs heat from the first substrate 110 of the thermoelectric element 100 and radiates heat to the first tube P1 , and as a result, the first substrate 110 may be cooled. Accordingly, the temperature of the heat exchange medium flowing from the first substrate 110 of the thermoelectric element 100 toward the first tube P1 is the first substrate 110 of the thermoelectric element 100 from the first tube P1. It may be higher than the temperature of the heat exchange medium flowing toward it. Accordingly, the temperature of the heat exchange medium flowing from the first substrate 110 of the thermoelectric element 100 toward the first tube P1 is a gaseous state, and the first substrate of the thermoelectric element 100 from the first tube P1 . The heat exchange medium flowing toward 110 may be in a liquid state. That is, the heat exchange medium flowing through the second region 222 may be in a liquid state, and the heat exchange medium flowing through the fourth region 224 may be in a gaseous state.

In addition, the fourth region 224 may be disposed higher than the second region 222 with respect to the ground. Accordingly, the gaseous heat exchange medium moves along the fourth region 224 and the liquid heat exchange medium moves along the second region 222 can be efficiently performed.

In the above, it has been described that the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 are heat pipes as an example, but at least some of the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 may be metal bridges. The metal bridge may include a metal material having high thermal conductivity, for example, at least one of copper and aluminum.

Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 , the second heat conduction unit 300 may include a conductor block 320 disposed between the second tube P2 and the second substrate 160 of the thermoelectric element 100 . can A first fixing member 310 surrounding the second tube P2 may be disposed at one end of the conductor block 320, and a second fixing member 330 is disposed at the other end of the conductor block 320 to form a thermoelectric element ( It may be fixed to the second substrate 160 of 100). At this time, the first fixing member 310 and the second fixing member 330 are each adhered to the second substrate 160 of the second tube P2 and the thermoelectric element 100 by an adhesive member, or a fastening member ( not shown) may be concluded. To this end, a through hole for a fastening member (not shown) to pass through may be formed in the second fixing member 330 and the second substrate 160 , and the fastening member (not shown) passes through the through hole and the second The fixing member 330 and the second substrate 160 may be fastened to each other. In this case, an insulator may be disposed between the fastening member (not shown) and the wall surface of the through hole. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a problem that the withstand voltage performance of the thermoelectric element 100 is lowered due to the fastening member (not shown).

The first fixing member 310 and the second fixing member 330 may each include a heat-conducting material, and the first fixing member 310, the conductor block 320, and the second fixing member 330 are separate components. Or, it may be any configuration.

In this case, the conductor block 320 may include a heat-conducting material. For example, the conductor block 320 may include at least one of copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al). Accordingly, the heat of the second tube P2 may be transferred to the second substrate 160 of the thermoelectric element 100 . Although not shown, a heat insulating member may be disposed on the surface of the conductor block 320 , so that heat transferred between the second tube P2 and the second substrate 160 of the thermoelectric element 100 is lost to the outside. can be minimized

As such, when the first heat conduction unit 200 includes the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 , and the second heat conduction unit 300 includes the conductor block 320 , the heat transfer from the second tube P2 is It is easy to implement the distance to the device 100 shorter than the distance from the first tube P1 to the thermoelectric device 100 . Even if a heat insulating member is disposed in each of the first heat conducting unit 200 and the second heat conducting unit 300 , some heat may be lost to the outside through each of the first heat conducting unit 200 and the second heat conducting unit 300 . have. When the first substrate 110 is a low-temperature portion and the second substrate is a high-temperature portion, when heat transferred to the second substrate 160 through the second heat-conducting portion 300 is lost, the temperature difference between the low-temperature portion and the high-temperature portion is reduced. Accordingly, in order to maximize the temperature difference between the low-temperature portion and the high-temperature portion, the distance from the second tube P2 to the thermoelectric element 100 is set shorter than the distance from the first tube P1 to the thermoelectric element 100 to maximize the second Heat loss between the tube P2 and the thermoelectric element 100 may be minimized.

Alternatively, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the second heat-conducting part 300 may have a structure similar to that of the first heat-conducting part 200 .

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a power generation device according to another embodiment of the present invention, Figure 10 is an enlarged view of a part of Figure 9.

Duplicate descriptions of the same contents as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 will be omitted.

9 to 10 , the second heat-conducting unit 300 may have a structure similar to that of the first heat-conducting unit 200 . That is, the second heat-conducting unit 300 includes a third heat-conducting substrate 340 disposed to be in contact with the second tube P2 and one end connected to the third heat-conducting substrate 340 , and the other end of the thermoelectric element 100 . It may include a plurality of second heat exchange units 350 disposed on the second substrate 160 , and the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other. According to this, the thermoelectric module 1000 can be implemented in a light weight regardless of the distance between the first tube P1 and the second tube P2, the material cost of the second heat conduction unit 300 can be reduced, and the installation is easy. Easy.

In this case, the third heat-conducting substrate 340 may be disposed according to the surface shape of the second tube P2 so as to be in contact with the surface of the second tube P2 . For example, when the surface of the second tube (P2) is a curved surface, the surface in contact with the second tube (P2) among both surfaces of the third heat-conducting substrate 340 corresponds to the surface shape of the second tube (P2). It may be curved. Accordingly, the contact area between the second tube P2 and the third heat-conducting substrate 340 may increase, and heat exchange may be performed efficiently.

At this time, one end of the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 is disposed on the opposite side to the side in contact with the second tube P2 among both surfaces of the third heat conducting substrate 340 , and the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 . One end of may be arranged to occupy 30% to 50% of the area of the third heat-conducting substrate 340 . When the area occupied by one end of the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 in the third heat conduction substrate 340 is within the above numerical range, heat exchange between the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 and the third heat conduction substrate 340 is performed. In addition to being efficiently performed, the thermoelectric module 1000 can be easily assembled and implemented with a light weight.

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 (a), the second heat-conducting unit 300 further includes a fourth heat-conducting substrate 360 to which the other ends of the plurality of second heat-exchanging units 350 are connected, 4 The heat-conducting substrate 360 may be disposed to contact the second substrate 160 of the thermoelectric element 100 . Accordingly, heat exchange between the fourth heat-conducting substrate 360 of the second heat-conducting unit 300 and the second substrate 160 of the thermoelectric element 100 may easily occur. In this case, the other ends of the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 may be embedded in the fourth heat-conducting substrate 360 . Accordingly, heat exchange between the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 and the fourth heat-conducting substrate 360 may be efficiently performed.

Here, the fourth heat-conducting substrate 360 may be adhered to the second substrate 160 by an adhesive member. In this case, the adhesive member may be an adhesive member having thermal conductivity, for example, a thermal pad or thermal grease. Alternatively, the fourth heat-conducting substrate 360 may be fastened to the second substrate 160 by a fastening member (not shown). To this end, a through hole for a fastening member (not shown) to pass through may be formed in the fourth heat-conducting substrate 360 and the second substrate 160 , and the fastening member (not shown) passes through the through hole and the fourth The heat-conducting substrate 360 and the second substrate 160 may be coupled to each other. In this case, an insulator may be disposed between the fastening member (not shown) and the wall surface of the through hole. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a problem that the withstand voltage performance of the thermoelectric element 100 is lowered due to the fastening member (not shown).

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10B , the other end of the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 may be directly disposed on the second substrate 160 of the thermoelectric element 100 . For efficient heat exchange between the other end of the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 and the second substrate 160 of the thermoelectric element 100 , the other end of the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 is the second end of the thermoelectric element 100 . It may be embedded in the substrate 160 .

Meanwhile, the second heat conduction unit 300 may further include a heat insulating member disposed between the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 disposed to be spaced apart from each other, or a heat insulating layer may be disposed on the surface of each second heat exchange unit 350 . may be Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a problem in which the heat of each second heat exchange unit 350 is lost to the outside, and it is possible to maximize the heat exchange efficiency of the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 .

In this case, according to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 may be a heat pipe through which a heat exchange medium circulates, and the heat exchange medium may include a phase change material. For example, the phase change material may include at least one of water, methanol, ethanol, and ammonia. Accordingly, when the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 are cooled, the heat exchange medium may flow in a liquid state, and when the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 are heated, the heat exchange medium may flow in a gaseous state. The plurality of second heat exchange units 350 are respectively connected to the first region 351 and the first region 351 disposed in the second tube P2 , up to the second substrate 160 of the thermoelectric element 100 . The extended second region 352 , connected to the second region 352 , and connected to the third region 353 and the third region 353 disposed on the second substrate 160 of the thermoelectric element 100 , and a fourth region 354 extending to the first region 351 , and the heat exchange medium sequentially passes through the first region 351 , the second region 352 , the third region 353 , and the fourth region 354 . can be cycled through

In this case, heat flowing from the second tube P2 to the second substrate 160 of the thermoelectric element 100 may be supplied to the second substrate 160 through the third region 353 . Accordingly, the heat exchange medium flowing from the second substrate 160 of the thermoelectric element 100 toward the second tube P2 is in a liquid state, and the second substrate 160 of the thermoelectric element 100 from the second tube P2 . The heat exchange medium flowing toward ) may be in a gaseous state. That is, the heat exchange medium flowing through the fourth region 354 may be in a liquid state, and the heat exchange medium flowing through the second region 352 may be in a gaseous state. Accordingly, the heat of the second tube P2 is transferred to the second substrate 160 through the heat exchange medium, and the second substrate 160 may be heated.

In this case, the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 may be disposed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the first direction from the first substrate 110 to the second substrate 160 of the thermoelectric element 100 . For example, the predetermined angle may be selectively arranged within 1° to 30°, respectively. In addition, the second region 352 may be disposed higher than the fourth region 354 with respect to the ground. For example, the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 may be disposed parallel to the plurality of first heat exchange units 320 . Accordingly, a process in which the gaseous heat exchange medium moves along the second region 352 and the liquid heat exchange medium moves along the fourth region 354 can be efficiently performed.

In the above, it has been described that the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 are heat pipes as an example, but at least some of the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 may be metal bridges. The metal bridge may include a metal material having high thermal conductivity, for example, at least one of copper and aluminum.

Meanwhile, a length of each of the plurality of second heat exchange units 350 may be set to be shorter than a length of each of the plurality of first heat exchange units 220 . When the first substrate 110 is a low-temperature portion and the second substrate is a high-temperature portion, when heat transferred to the second substrate 160 through the second heat-conducting portion 300 is lost, the temperature difference between the low-temperature portion and the high-temperature portion is reduced. Accordingly, in order to maximize the temperature difference between the low temperature portion and the high temperature portion, it is advantageous to set the distance from the second tube P2 to the thermoelectric element 100 to be shorter than the distance from the first tube P1 to the thermoelectric element 100 . do.

Electricity obtained from the thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention may be stored in the battery unit, and the electricity stored in the battery unit may be supplied to various electronic devices such as a sensing device around the thermoelectric module. For example, a sensing device for detecting a flow rate, temperature, leakage, etc. of the fluid may be disposed around a pipe through which a high-temperature fluid flows, and electricity is required for the sensing device to operate. Although separate electrical wiring work is required to supply electricity to the sensing device, when it is placed in a place where human access is not easy, such as a tube through which a high-temperature fluid flows is buried underground, electrical wiring work and maintenance are difficult can experience After generating electricity by itself using the thermoelectric module according to an embodiment of the present invention, it can be used in a surrounding sensing device.

Although the above has been described with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art can variously modify and change the present invention within the scope without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. You will understand that it can be done.

Claims (13)

a first heat conduction unit disposed to contact the first tube through which the first fluid flows;
A second heat conduction unit disposed to contact a second tube through which a second fluid having a temperature higher than that of the first fluid flows, and
a thermoelectric element disposed between the first heat-conducting part and the second heat-conducting part so as to be in contact with the first heat-conducting part and the second heat-conducting part;
The thermoelectric element includes a first substrate, a first electrode disposed on the first substrate, a semiconductor structure disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode disposed on the semiconductor structure, and a second electrode disposed on the second electrode a second substrate;
The first heat-conducting part is disposed to contact the first substrate, and the second heat-conducting part is disposed to contact the second substrate,
The first heat-conducting part is disposed to be in contact with a plurality of first heat-exchanging parts spaced apart from each other, a first heat-conducting substrate disposed to contact the first tube and to which one end of the plurality of first heat-exchange parts is connected, and the first substrate. and a second heat-conducting substrate to which the other ends of the plurality of first heat exchange units are connected,
The plurality of first heat exchange units is disposed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a direction from the first substrate toward the second substrate. According to claim 1,
The predetermined angle is 1 ° to 30 ° thermoelectric module. According to claim 1,
The plurality of first heat exchange units are metal bridges connecting the first tube and the first substrate of the thermoelectric element, respectively. According to claim 1,
The plurality of first heat exchange units are heat pipes through which a heat exchange medium circulates, respectively. 5. The method of claim 4,
The heat pipe includes a first region disposed in the first tube, a second region connected to the first region and extending to the first substrate, and a third region connected to the second region and disposed on the first substrate and a fourth region connected to the third region and extending to the first region,
The heat exchange medium sequentially circulates through the first region, the second region, the third region, and the fourth region, the heat exchange medium flowing through the second region is in a liquid state, and the heat exchange medium flowing through the fourth region is the gaseous state,
The fourth region is disposed higher than the second region. 5. The method of claim 4,
The heat exchange medium includes at least one of water, methanol, ethanol, and ammonia. According to claim 1,
A thermoelectric module in which a portion of the plurality of first heat exchange units is embedded in the first substrate. According to claim 1,
One end of the plurality of first heat exchange units is in contact with the first heat-conducting substrate to occupy 30% to 50% of an area of the first heat-conducting substrate. According to claim 1,
and the second heat conduction unit includes a conductor block disposed between the second tube and the second substrate. 10. The method of claim 9,
The conductor block includes at least one of copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al). According to claim 1,
The second heat conduction unit includes a plurality of second heat exchange units spaced apart from each other, and the plurality of second heat exchange units are arranged to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a direction from the first substrate toward the second substrate. . 12. The method of claim 11,
The plurality of second heat exchange units are heat pipes through which a heat exchange medium circulates, respectively. According to claim 1,
At least a portion of the first tube and the second tube is disposed to overlap each other in a horizontal direction from the first substrate to the second substrate.

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