JP2018110499A - Thermoelectric generator - Google Patents

Abstract

A technique for suppressing a load applied to an end plate that supports a flow path through which a heat medium on a high temperature side flows. A pair of end plates (30, 40) support both ends of a first heat medium flow path (50, 60), and at least one of the pair of end plates (30, 40) is a first heat medium. A first heat medium is connected by connecting the first channel insertion part (41) into which the end of the channel (50, 60) is inserted, the first channel insertion part (41) and the core case (21). And a thermal elongation absorbing portion (42) that absorbs thermal elongation of the flow path (50, 60). The thermal elongation absorbing portion (42) has an inclined portion (42a) that is inclined with respect to the flow direction of the first heat medium when at least the first heat medium flow path (50, 60) is elongated by heat. The inclination angle of the inclined portion (42a) changes before and after the thermal elongation. [Selection] Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an improved thermoelectric generator.

  There is a thermoelectric generator in which a thermoelectric conversion element is disposed between a high-temperature heat source and a low-temperature heat source, and the thermoelectric conversion element generates power based on a temperature difference. As a conventional technique related to a thermoelectric generator using a thermoelectric conversion element, there is a technique disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  Please refer to FIG. FIG. 8 is a reprinted version of FIG. The thermoelectric generator 100 disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a core case 101, a pair of end plates 102 and 102 that close both ends of the core case 101, and both ends supported by the end plates 102 and 102. A first heat medium flow path 103 through which one heat medium flows, and a second heat medium flow path 104 through which the second heat medium flows and is provided in the core case 101 with a gap with respect to the first heat medium flow path 103 The thermoelectric conversion element 105 is disposed in the gap between the first heat medium flow path 103 and the second heat medium flow path 104 and generates power based on the temperature difference. The thermoelectric conversion element 105 generates power based on the temperature difference between the first heat medium and the second heat medium.

  By the way, when the temperature of the first heat medium is higher than that of the second heat medium, the first heat medium flow path 103 expands more greatly. Both ends of the first heat medium flow path 103 are supported by a pair of end plates 102 and 102. Therefore, when the first heat medium flow path 103 is thermally expanded, a force is applied to the end plates 102 and 102 in a direction away from each other, and a load is applied to the end plates 102 and 102. It is desired to suppress the load applied to the end plates 102 and 102.

JP 2014-86650 A

  This invention makes it a subject to provide the technique which suppresses the load added to the end plate which supports the flow path through which the heat medium of the high temperature side flows.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the cylindrical core case, the pair of end plates that close both ends of the core case, and the first heat medium in which the both ends are supported and the first heat medium flows inside. A flow path, a second heat medium flow path that is provided in the core case with a gap with respect to the first heat medium flow path, and through which the second heat medium flows, and the first heat medium flow path and the second heat medium flow path. In a thermoelectric power generation device comprising a thermoelectric conversion element that is arranged in a gap between heat medium flow paths and generates power based on a temperature difference,
At least one of the pair of end plates is connected to a first flow path insertion part into which an end of the first heat medium flow path is inserted, and the first flow path insertion part and the core case. A thermal elongation absorbing portion that absorbs thermal elongation of one heat medium flow path,
The thermal elongation absorption part has an inclined part that is inclined with respect to the flow direction of the first heat medium when at least the first heat medium flow path is elongated by heat.
The inclination angle of the inclined portion changes before and after the thermal elongation, and a thermoelectric power generator is provided.

  As described in claim 2, preferably, the end plate supports an end portion on the downstream side of the first heat medium flow path.

  As described in claim 3, preferably, the end plate has a plurality of thermal elongation absorbing portions.

  In the invention according to claim 1, the pair of end plates supports both ends of the first heat medium flow path, and at least one of the pair of end plates is inserted with the end of the first heat medium flow path. A first flow path insertion section; and a thermal elongation absorption section that connects the first flow path insertion section and the core case and absorbs thermal expansion of the first heat medium flow path. The thermal elongation absorbing portion has an inclined portion that is inclined with respect to the flow direction of the first heat medium when at least the first heat medium flow path is extended by heat, and the inclination angle of the inclined portion is the thermal elongation. It changes before and after.

  When the first heat medium flow path is heated by the high-temperature heat medium, the first heat medium flow path is thermally stretched. Due to the thermal expansion of the first heat medium flow path, a force is applied to the end plate in a direction away from the core case with reference to the flow direction of the first heat medium. Here, the thermal elongation absorption part in the end plate has an inclined part. Therefore, the end portion on the end plate side of the inclined portion is displaced in a direction away from the core case, and the inclined portion is inclined in a direction in which the inclination with respect to the flow direction of the first heat medium is reduced. When the inclined portion is inclined, the length of the thermal elongation absorbing portion becomes longer with reference to the flow direction of the first heat medium. That is, the thermal elongation of the first heat medium flow path is absorbed by deformation of the thermal elongation absorbing portion that constitutes a part of the end plate. Therefore, the load applied to the end plate can be suppressed.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 2, the end plate which has a heat | fever elongation absorption part has supported the edge part of the downstream of a 1st heat carrier flow path. The downstream end of the first heat medium flow path has a lower temperature than the upstream end. Therefore, compared with the case where the end plate which has a heat | fever elongation absorption part is arrange | positioned in the edge part of an upstream, durability of the end plate in use condition becomes high.

  In the invention which concerns on Claim 3, an end plate has a some thermal elongation absorption part. Therefore, the thermal elongation of the first heat medium flow path can be dispersed in the plurality of thermal elongation absorbing portions, and can cope with larger thermal elongation.

1 is a perspective view of an exhaust gas power generator according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a thermoelectric generator mounted on the exhaust gas generator shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an end plate of the thermoelectric generator shown in FIG. 2. It is a principal part enlarged view of the thermoelectric power generator shown by FIG. FIG. 3 is an operational diagram of the thermoelectric generator shown in FIG. 2. It is an effect | action figure of the exhaust gas power generation device by Example 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the thermoelectric generator by a prior art.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, Up represents the upstream side of the exhaust gas flow path, and Dn represents the downstream side.
<Example 1>

  Please refer to FIG. FIG. 1 shows an exhaust gas power generation apparatus 10 that generates power using exhaust gas (first heat medium) of a vehicle. The exhaust gas power generation device 10 includes an exhaust gas introduction member 11 into which exhaust gas is introduced, a thermoelectric power generation device 20 connected to the exhaust gas introduction member 11, and a valve that opens and closes a flow path on the downstream side of the thermoelectric power generation device 20. The chamber 12 includes an actuator 13 connected to the thermoelectric generator 20, an exhaust gas passage 14 disposed in parallel with the thermoelectric generator 20, and an exhaust gas discharge member 15 connected to the valve chamber 12.

  The actuator 13 has a rod 16 that can advance and retract. A rotatable shaft member 17 is provided in the valve chamber 12, and an arcuate plate 18 that can swing around the shaft member 17 as a rotation center is provided in the valve chamber 12. The end of the shaft member 17 constitutes a part of the crank mechanism, and the plate 18 swings as the rod 16 provided in the actuator 13 advances and retreats. The plate 18 opens and closes a boundary portion 19 between the thermoelectric generator 20 and the valve chamber 12.

  The exhaust gas is introduced from the exhaust gas introduction port 11 a of the exhaust gas introduction member 11. Since the thermoelectric generator 20 is provided immediately below the exhaust gas inlet 11a, most of the exhaust gas flows into the thermoelectric generator 20. The cooling water (second heat medium) is introduced from the lower part of the thermoelectric generator 20. The thermoelectric generator 20 generates power due to the temperature difference between the exhaust gas and the cooling water introduced into the thermoelectric generator 20.

  The exhaust gas that has passed through the thermoelectric generator 20 passes through the valve chamber 12 and is discharged from the exhaust gas discharge port 15 a of the exhaust gas discharge member 15. The cooling water that has passed through the thermoelectric generator 20 passes through the inside of the actuator connecting member 13b and is discharged from the cooling water discharge port 13a.

  When the cooling water passing through the inside of the actuator connecting member 13b reaches a predetermined temperature, the rod 16 advances toward the shaft member 17. As the rod 16 advances, the plate 18 swings and the boundary 19 is closed. Since the downstream side of the thermoelectric generator 20 is blocked, most of the exhaust gas passes through the exhaust gas passage 14. The exhaust gas that has passed through the exhaust gas passage 14 is discharged from the exhaust gas discharge port 15 a of the exhaust gas discharge member 15. Hereinafter, details of the thermoelectric generator will be described.

  Please refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. The thermoelectric generator 20 includes a cylindrical core case 21, a pair of upstream end plates 30, downstream end plates 40 that close both ends of the core case 21, and both ends supported by these end plates 30, 40. The first and second exhaust gas passages 50 and 60 (first heat medium passages 50 and 60) through which the exhaust gas flows, and the first and second exhaust gas passages 50 and 60 through a gap. The cooling water flow path 22 (second heat medium flow path 22) that is provided in the core case 21 and through which the cooling water flows, and a gap between the first and second exhaust gas flow paths 50 and 60 and the cooling water flow path 22 And a plurality of thermoelectric conversion units 70 arranged in the.

  The core case 21 is configured by fitting an upstream core case 21b to a downstream core case 21a. The first exhaust gas flow path 50 includes a cylindrical first case 51, first exhaust gas fins 52, 52 arranged in two layers inside the first case 51, and the first exhaust gas And a first separator 53 disposed between the fins 52 and 52.

  The second exhaust gas flow channel 60 has the same configuration as the first exhaust gas flow channel 50. The second exhaust gas flow path 60 includes a cylindrical second case 61, second exhaust gas fins 62 and 62 disposed in two layers inside the second case 61, and the second exhaust gas flow. And a second separator 63 disposed between the fins 62 and 62.

  Please refer to FIG. The outer periphery of the first case 51 is covered with the first cover member 23 with a gap for disposing the thermoelectric conversion unit 70. Similarly, the outer periphery of the second case 61 is covered with the second cover member 24 with a gap for disposing the thermoelectric conversion unit 70 therebetween.

  A plurality of thermoelectric conversion units 70 are attached between the first case 51 and the first cover member 23. The thermoelectric conversion part 70 includes a high temperature side electrode part 71 in contact with the first case 51, a low temperature side electrode part 72 in contact with the first cover member 23, and the high temperature side and low temperature side electrode parts 71, And a thermoelectric conversion element 73 connected to 72.

  A plurality of thermoelectric converters 70 are also attached between the second case 61 and the second cover member 24. The high temperature side electrode part 71 contacts the second case 61, the low temperature side electrode part 72 contacts the second cover member 24, and the thermoelectric conversion element 73 is connected between the high temperature side and low temperature side electrode parts 71, 72.

  A first cooling water fin 25 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the first cover member 23. Similarly, a second cooling water fin 26 is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the second cover member 24.

  Based on the temperature difference between the exhaust gas flowing through the first and second exhaust gas passages 50 and 60 and the cooling water flowing through the cooling water passage 22, the plurality of thermoelectric converters 70 generate power.

  Please refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. Next, details of the upstream and downstream end plates 30 and 40 will be described. The upstream end plate 30 and the downstream end plate 40 have the same configuration.

  The upstream end plate 30 includes an upstream insertion portion 31 (first flow passage insertion portion 31) into which upstream end portions 50a and 60a of the first and second exhaust gas flow passages 50 and 60 are inserted. Connected to the upstream insertion portion 31 and connects the upstream thermal elongation absorbing portion 32 that absorbs the thermal elongation of the first and second exhaust gas passages 50, 60, the upstream thermal elongation absorbing portion 32, and the core case 21. An upstream main body 33.

  The downstream end plate 40 includes a downstream insertion portion 41 (first flow passage insertion portion 41) into which downstream end portions 50b and 60b of the first and second exhaust gas flow passages 50 and 60 are inserted. Connected to the downstream insertion portion 41, the downstream thermal elongation absorbing portion 42 that absorbs the thermal elongation of the first and second exhaust gas passages 50, 60, the downstream thermal elongation absorbing portion 42, and the core case 21. A downstream main body 43.

  Please refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. Hereinafter, details of the downstream end plate 40 will be described. The details of the upstream end plate 30 are the same as the details of the downstream end plate 40, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  The downstream side insertion portion 41 has a substantially U shape in cross-sectional view, and extends substantially perpendicularly to the first exhaust gas flow path 50, and an end portion on the outer peripheral side of the insertion bottom portion 41a. The insertion outer peripheral portion 41b extends from the inner peripheral side of the insertion bottom portion 41a toward the downstream side, and the insertion inner peripheral portion 41c extends toward the downstream side.

  The downstream side thermal expansion absorbing portion 42 has a crank shape in a cross-sectional view and extends substantially perpendicular to the first exhaust gas flow path 50, and an outer periphery of the thermal expansion bottom portion 42a. The outer peripheral portion 42b extends from the end on the side to the downstream side, and the inner peripheral portion 42c extends from the end portion on the inner peripheral side of the thermal extension bottom portion 42a toward the upstream side.

  The thermal expansion bottom portion 42a is inclined substantially vertically with respect to the flow direction of the exhaust gas. The inclination angle θ of the thermal expansion bottom portion 42a changes before and after the thermal expansion of the first exhaust gas passage 50. Details will be described later.

  The downstream main body 43 is substantially J-shaped in a cross-sectional view, and extends from the main body bottom 43a extending substantially vertically to the first exhaust gas flow path 50 and the outer peripheral end of the main body bottom 43a. A main body outer peripheral portion 43b extending toward the upstream side, and a main body inner peripheral portion 43c extending toward the upstream side from an end portion on the inner peripheral side of the main body bottom portion 43a.

  Please refer to FIG. An end 50 b on the downstream side of the first case 51 of the first exhaust gas passage 50 is inserted into and joined to the insertion inner peripheral portion 41 c of the downstream insertion portion 41. The insertion outer peripheral part 41b and the heat extension outer peripheral part 42b are mutually joined. The thermal expansion inner peripheral portion 42c and the main body inner peripheral portion 43c are joined to each other. The main body outer peripheral portion 43b and the core case 21 are joined.

  Next, the operation and effect of the present invention will be described.

  Please refer to FIG. 4 and FIG. The downstream end plate 40 includes a downstream insertion part 41, a downstream thermal elongation absorption part 42, and a downstream body part 43. The downstream thermal elongation absorbing portion 42 has a thermal elongation bottom portion 42a that is inclined with respect to the flow direction of the exhaust gas.

  As indicated by the arrow (a), when the first exhaust gas flow path 50 is heated by the exhaust gas, the first exhaust gas flow path 50 is thermally expanded. Due to the thermal expansion of the first exhaust gas passage 50, a force directed toward the downstream side is applied to the downstream insertion portion 41 with reference to the flow direction of the exhaust gas. As shown by the arrow (b), the thermal expansion outer peripheral portion 42b is pulled downstream by the insertion outer peripheral portion 41b. When the exhaust gas flows, the core case 21 also heats up. As indicated by the arrow (c), the thermal expansion inner peripheral portion 42 c is pulled downstream by the downstream main body portion 43 joined to the core case 21. However, the first exhaust gas passage 50 through which the high-temperature exhaust gas flows has a larger amount of thermal elongation than the core case 21. Therefore, the thermal expansion bottom portion 42a is inclined in a direction in which the inclination angle θ with respect to the flow direction of the exhaust gas is reduced. When the thermal elongation bottom portion 42a is inclined, the length L of the downstream thermal elongation absorption portion 42 becomes longer with reference to the flow direction of the exhaust gas.

  That is, the thermal expansion of the first exhaust gas passage 50 is absorbed by the deformation of the downstream side thermal elongation absorbing portion 42 that constitutes a part of the downstream side end plate 40. Therefore, the load applied to the downstream end plate 40 can be suppressed.

  When the first exhaust gas flow path 50 and the core case 21 are thermally stretched, the main body bottom 43a of the downstream main body 43 is also slightly inclined. Therefore, the downstream main body 43 also has an effect of absorbing thermal elongation. That is, the inclined portion according to the present invention is not limited to only a portion inclined with respect to the flow direction of the exhaust gas before the thermal expansion. Even a portion that extends vertically with respect to the flow direction of the exhaust gas before thermal expansion can be said to be an inclined portion if the inclination angle changes before and after thermal expansion.

  The upstream end plate 30 has the same operations and effects as the downstream end plate 40. Description is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the upstream and downstream end plates 30 and 40 have thermal elongation absorbing portions 32 and 42, respectively, but the thermal elongation absorbing portions 32 and 42 are either upstream or downstream. You may provide in the end plates 30 and 40. FIG.

  Please refer to FIG. The downstream end portions 50b and 60b of the first and second exhaust gas passages 50 and 60 have a lower temperature than the upstream end portions 50a and 60a. Therefore, when the end plate 40 having the thermal elongation absorbing portion 42 is provided at the downstream end portions 50b and 60b, the durability of the end plate 40 under use conditions is increased.

  In addition, the outer peripheral portion 42b and the inner peripheral portion 42c of the downstream side thermal elongation absorbing portion 42 are raised in the exhaust gas flow direction. Therefore, when the downstream end plate 40 is assembled, the downstream thermal elongation absorbing portion 42 is easily aligned with the downstream insertion portion 41 and the downstream main body portion 43, and can be easily joined to each other.

<Example 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In Example 2, the number of thermal elongation absorption parts is different. About another structure, it is the same as that of the structure of Example 1, a code | symbol is diverted and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  Please refer to FIG. On the upstream side of the downstream thermal elongation absorbing portion 42, the second thermal elongation absorbing portion 82 and the third thermal elongation absorbing portion 83 are arranged so as to overlap each other.

  The second heat extension absorbing portion 82 has a substantially U shape in cross-sectional view, and extends to the first exhaust gas flow channel 50 substantially vertically, and the outer peripheral side of the second heat extension bottom portion 82a. The second thermal expansion outer peripheral portion 82b extending upstream from the end of the second thermal expansion, and the second thermal expansion inner peripheral portion 82c extending upstream from the inner peripheral end of the second thermal expansion bottom portion 82a.

  Similarly, the third thermal elongation absorbing portion 83 has a substantially U shape in cross-sectional view, and a third thermal elongation bottom portion 83a and a third thermal elongation bottom portion 83a that extend substantially perpendicular to the first exhaust gas passage 50. A third thermal extension outer peripheral portion 83b extending upstream from the outer peripheral end portion, and a third thermal extension inner peripheral portion 83c extending upstream from the inner peripheral end portion of the third thermal extension bottom portion 83a. .

  The heat stretch inner peripheral portion 42c and the second heat stretch inner peripheral portion 82c are joined. The 2nd heat extension outer peripheral part 82b and the 3rd heat extension outer peripheral part 83b are joined. The third heat stretch inner peripheral portion 83c and the main body inner peripheral portion 43c are joined.

  Also in the thermoelectric generator 20A, the predetermined effect of the present invention can be obtained. Furthermore, according to the thermoelectric generator 20A, the following specific effects can be obtained by the above configuration.

  The downstream end plate 40 </ b> A has three thermal elongation absorbing portions 42, 82, and 83. Therefore, the thermal elongation of the first and second exhaust gas passages 50, 60 is absorbed by the thermal elongation absorbing portions 42, 82, 83 that deform into an accordion shape. Since each thermal elongation absorption part 42,82,83 changes, it can respond to larger thermal elongation. In addition, you may provide a some thermal elongation absorption part in the upstream end plate 30 (refer FIG. 3).

  In addition, although the thermoelectric power generation device according to the present invention has been described by taking the exhaust gas power generation device as an example, the embodiment of the thermoelectric power generation device is not limited to this type. That is, the present invention is not limited to the examples as long as the operations and effects of the present invention are exhibited.

  The thermoelectric generator of the present invention is suitable for mounting on an exhaust gas generator.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Exhaust gas power generation device 20 ... Thermoelectric power generation device 21 ... Core case (21a ... downstream side, 21b ... upstream side)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 22 ... Cooling water flow path 30 ... Upstream side end plate 31 ... Insertion part 32 ... Thermal expansion absorption part 33 ... Main-body part 40 ... Downstream side end plate 41 ... Downstream side insertion part (41a ... Bottom part, 41b ... Outer peripheral part, 41c ... inner circumference)
42... Downstream thermal expansion absorbing portion (42 a... Bottom portion, 42 b... Outer peripheral portion, 42 c... Inner peripheral portion)
43 ... downstream side body (43a ... bottom, 43b ... outer periphery, 43c ... inner periphery)
50. First exhaust gas flow path (first heat medium flow path)
60: Second exhaust gas flow path (first heat medium flow path)
70 ... thermoelectric conversion part 82 ... second thermal elongation absorption part (82a ... bottom part, 82b ... outer peripheral part, 82c ... inner peripheral part)
83 ... third thermal elongation absorbing portion (83a ... bottom, 83b ... outer periphery, 83c ... inner periphery)

Claims (3)

A cylindrical core case, a pair of end plates that close both ends of the core case, a first heat medium passage that is supported at both ends by the end plates and through which the first heat medium flows, and the first heat medium A second heat medium flow path provided in the core case through the gap with respect to the flow path, through which the second heat medium flows, and a gap between the first heat medium flow path and the second heat medium flow path. In a thermoelectric power generation device comprising a thermoelectric conversion element that is arranged and generates power based on a temperature difference,
At least one of the pair of end plates is connected to a first flow path insertion part into which an end of the first heat medium flow path is inserted, and the first flow path insertion part and the core case. A thermal elongation absorbing portion that absorbs thermal elongation of one heat medium flow path,
The thermal elongation absorption part has an inclined part that is inclined with respect to the flow direction of the first heat medium when at least the first heat medium flow path is elongated by heat.
The inclination angle of the inclined portion changes before and after the thermal elongation.   The thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, wherein the end plate supports an end portion on the downstream side of the first heat medium flow path.   3. The thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, wherein the end plate has a plurality of thermal elongation absorbing portions on the basis of a flow direction of the first heat medium. 4.

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