JP5166941B2 - Thermoelectric module - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermoelectric module that performs conversion from thermal energy to electrical energy, or conversion from electrical energy to thermal energy.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a thermoelectric module is known in which a plurality of thermoelectric elements are joined by being sandwiched between upper and lower electrode members, and thermoelectric power generation is performed using the Seebeck effect between the thermoelectric elements. In this thermoelectric module, in order to prevent an electrical short circuit between a plurality of thermoelectric elements, a thermoelectric element is arranged in a rectangular lattice (Patent Document 1), or deterioration due to oxidation of the thermoelectric element or the junction is prevented. In order to prevent this, an electrode member, a thermoelectric element, or the like is hermetically sealed with a frame or a lid to prevent deformation due to temperature change (Patent Document 2).

  Further, in order to suppress the thermal stress applied to the thermoelectric element due to the temperature difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the thermoelectric conversion module, an insulating fixing member is disposed between the thermoelectric elements and between the electrode members (Patent Document 3), The assembly of insulating hollow particles bonded to each other is filled between the thermoelectric elements, thereby exhibiting flexibility and heat resistance to absorb thermal expansion, and a joint between the thermoelectric element and the electrode member due to thermal stress. Are known (Patent Document 4), or those in which reinforcing members are arranged between thermoelectric elements to improve the strength of the module and prevent heat leakage between the electrode members (patent) Reference 5).

Special Table 2000-511351 JP 2005-64457 A JP 2006-13133 A JP 2006-332188 A JP 2001-210880 A

  However, in the structures such as Patent Documents 1 and 3, the positions of the thermoelectric elements and electrode members are fixed, and the durability against deformation due to thermal stress is low. In Patent Document 2, a frame and a lid are attached. There is a problem that the thermal stress cannot be sufficiently relaxed. In Patent Document 4, the cost increases depending on the selection of hollow particles and an adhesive that bonds them together. In Patent Document 5, if the interval between thermoelectric elements is reduced, there is a problem in the strength of the reinforcing member. As a result, since the reinforcing member is disposed only between the thermoelectric elements, there is a problem that insulation cannot be performed between the electrode members.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric module capable of improving durability and preventing a short circuit between thermoelectric elements and a short circuit between electrode members.

A thermoelectric module according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a thermoelectric module main body in which a plurality of thermoelectric elements are connected in series with a plurality of electrode members, and a frame body that surrounds the outer periphery of the thermoelectric module main body. A thermoelectric module provided so that one end side is in contact with an object to be contacted as a heat source, and when in contact with the object to be contacted, a gap is formed between the object to be contacted and the frame body. The frame body covers at least a part of the electrode member on the outer peripheral side of the thermoelectric module main body in the thickness direction and is not fixed to the outer periphery of the thermoelectric module main body. It is arranged , and projecting portions are provided on both end faces in the thickness direction of the frame body .
Here, the “non-fixed state” of the frame body with respect to the outer periphery of the thermoelectric module body means that the frame body is fixed only around the electrode member to which the lead wire is connected, or the frame It also includes the case where it is fixed only at 1 to 4 locations around the four corners of the body.

The thermoelectric module according to a second aspect of the present invention is the thermoelectric module according to the first aspect , wherein the frame is a quadrangular shape having four sides, and the protrusions are four corners of an end surface on the high temperature side of the frame. And a central portion of each side of the end surface on the low temperature side.

The thermoelectric module according to claim 3 of the present invention is the thermoelectric module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an electrically insulating insulator is disposed between the plurality of electrode members and between the thermoelectric elements. It is characterized by being.

The thermoelectric module according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the thermoelectric module according to the third aspect , wherein the insulator is formed into a number of particles and is held between the electrode members and between the thermoelectric elements by the frame. It is characterized by that.

The thermoelectric module according to claim 5 of the present invention is the thermoelectric module according to claim 4 , characterized in that the gap is smaller than the diameter of the particles.

A thermoelectric module according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the thermoelectric module according to the third aspect , wherein the insulator has a plurality of plate shapes and is arranged in parallel to each other.

A thermoelectric module according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the thermoelectric module according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein a resin material is disposed at least between the electrode members.

The thermoelectric module according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the thermoelectric module according to the seventh aspect , wherein the resin material disposed between the electrode members on a high temperature side is cut along a thickness direction of the thermoelectric module main body. The insertion part is provided, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

In the above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, even when the frame is warped due to a temperature difference because the gap is formed between the frame and the contacted object, the amount of displacement of the frame is the gap. Therefore, the durability can be improved while maintaining the power generation performance of the thermoelectric module without hindering the thermal contact between the thermoelectric module main body and the heat source or the insulating substrate due to the deformation of the frame. In addition, since the frame covers at least a part of the electrode member in the thickness direction, the frame can prevent the thermoelectric element and the electrode member from shifting outward, and the thermoelectric module can be prevented from being damaged.
In addition, since the protrusion is provided on the frame body, the frame body can be easily positioned in the thickness direction.

According to the invention of claim 2 , by providing the protrusions at the four corners of the upper surface and the center of each side of the lower surface, when the frame warps due to a temperature difference, the warping of the frame is not hindered. .

According to invention of Claim 3 , the short circuit between electrode members and the short circuit between thermoelectric elements can be prevented reliably by arrange | positioning an insulator between several electrode members and between thermoelectric elements.

According to the invention of claim 4 , since the particulate insulator is held between the electrode members and between the thermoelectric elements, the electrode members can be prevented from coming into contact with each other. And short circuit between thermoelectric elements can be prevented.

According to the invention of claim 5, since the particulate insulator is held between the electrode members and between the thermoelectric elements by the frame, and the gap is smaller than the particle diameter, the particulate insulator is outside the frame. It does not protrude.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the plate-like insulator is disposed along the thickness direction of the thermoelectric module main body, so that short-circuiting between the electrode members and between the thermoelectric elements can be reliably prevented.

According to the invention of claim 7 , by arranging the resin material between the electrode members, it is possible to more reliably prevent the leakage of particles, the displacement of the plate-like insulator, and the displacement of the thermoelectric element and the electrode member. it can. Furthermore, since the resin material has elasticity, the deformation amount of the frame body due to the temperature difference can be allowed, and the durability of the thermoelectric module can be improved.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the amount of deformation of the thermoelectric module main body slightly warped can be allowed by opening the cut portion due to thermal deformation, and the thermal stress generated in the thermoelectric module main body can be relaxed.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second and subsequent embodiments to be described later, the same reference numerals are given to configurations that are the same as or similar to the configuration according to the reference example in the first embodiment described below, and the description will be simplified. Or omitted.

[First Embodiment]
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The present embodiment relates to a reference example of the present invention.
FIG. 1A is a plan view of the thermoelectric module 1 with the high temperature side insulating substrates 5 and 5A removed, and FIG. 1B is a front view of the thermoelectric module 1. 2A is an AA arrow view of the thermoelectric module 1 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a heat exchanger that is a heat source as a contacted object (not shown). It is a figure which shows a state when attached. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thermoelectric module 1 includes a thermoelectric module main body 10 and a frame 11 surrounding the thermoelectric module main body 10.

  The thermoelectric module body 10 includes a plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements 2 and N-type thermoelectric elements 3, a plurality of electrode members 4 joined to the P-type thermoelectric elements 2 and N-type thermoelectric elements 3 by solder, and the electrode members 4. It is composed of a ceramic insulating substrate 5 to be covered, and thermoelectric power generation is performed using the Seebeck effect due to a temperature difference between both ends of the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 (upper and lower in FIG. 2). Further, the thermoelectric module body 10 may not have the insulating substrate 5.

  More specifically, in the thermoelectric module main body 10, the high temperature side electrode member 4 </ b> A located at the upper side in FIG. 2 and the low temperature side electrode member 4 </ b> B located at the lower side are alternately arranged, and the upper and lower electrode members 4 </ b> A, 4 </ b> B are arranged. The P-type thermoelectric element 2 and the N-type thermoelectric element 3 are arranged. Thereby, each thermoelectric element 2 and 3 is arrange | positioned so that it may be electrically connected in series via the electrode member 4, and the lead wire which is not shown in figure is connected to the electrode member 4 arrange | positioned at the both ends of a connection direction. Thus, the electric power generated by the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 is added and taken out.

  In the present embodiment, the insulating substrate 5 having electrical insulation is attached to the upper surface of the electrode member 4 </ b> A and the lower surface of the electrode member 4 </ b> B via the heat conductive grease 6. The insulating substrate 5 is sized to cover the electrode member 4 and the frame body 11, and when the thermoelectric module 1 is attached to the heat exchanger, the frame body 11 is in a state where no temperature difference is given to the thermoelectric module 1. There is no direct contact with the heat exchanger. The insulating substrate 5 may have a size that covers the middle of the frame 11.

  The frame body 11 is square in this embodiment, but may be rectangular and is disposed so as to surround the outer periphery of the thermoelectric module main body 10. The frame 11 is fixed only around the electrode member 4 to which the lead wire is connected. Therefore, the frame 11 is arranged in a relatively free state. Specifically, referring to FIG. 1B, a cutout portion 21 is provided on one side of the frame body 11, and the frame body 11 is fixed only around the cutout portion 21.

  The vertical thickness dimension T1 of the frame body 11 in FIG. 2 is larger than the thickness dimension T2 of the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3, and the upper and lower ends of the frame body 11 are respectively applied to part of the electrode members 4A and 4B. . That is, the upper and lower ends of the frame 11 are positioned within the thickness of the electrode members 4A and 4B. Here, the gap dimension A1 as a gap between the frame 11 and the insulating substrate 5A located on the high temperature side (upper side in the drawing) is 0.1 mm or more. Further, the gap dimension A2 between the frame 11 and the P-type thermoelectric element 2 or the N-type thermoelectric element 3 is less than 0.5 mm. As the material of the frame 11, PEEK (polyether ether ketone) made of high heat resistance resin or fluororesin is used. When PEEK is applied, the frame 11 can be manufactured by injection molding.

  The thermoelectric module 1 described above is mounted such that the high temperature side comes into contact with a heat source such as a heat exchanger. Then, as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 (B), in the thermoelectric module 1, the thermoelectric elements 2, 3, the electrode member 4 and the insulating substrate 5 are hardly deformed, whereas the frame 11 has a thermal stress. Will warp. However, since the gap dimension A1 between the frame 11 and the insulating substrate 5A on the high temperature side and the gap dimension A2 between the frame 11 and the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 are 0.1 mm or more, the displacement amount of the frame 11 is a gap. Allowed by the dimensions A1 and A2, the influence of the deformation of the frame 11 on the thermoelectric module main body 10 can be eliminated, and the durability of the thermoelectric module 1 can be improved.

  Further, since the thickness dimension T1 of the frame body 11 is larger than the thickness dimension of the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3, the thermal conductive grease 6 between the electrode member 4 and the insulating substrate 5 and the heat conductive grease 6 are formed particularly on the high temperature side. Due to the lowering of the viscosity, the frame 11 can prevent the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 and the electrode member 4 from moving outward with the thermal conductive grease 6 as a boundary, and the thermoelectric module 1 can be prevented from being damaged.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the thermoelectric module 1 according to the reference example according to the second embodiment , and corresponds to the AA arrow view in the first embodiment described above. The present embodiment relates to a reference example of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the upper and lower insulating substrates 5 are sized to cover only the electrode member 4 and do not cover the frame body 11. In this case, the thickness dimension T1 of the frame 11 is smaller than the thickness dimension T3 of the thermoelectric module main body 10, and is a size having a gap dimension A3 with the heat source on the high temperature side . The thickness dimension T1 is a size that completely covers the electrode members 4A and 4B in the thickness direction, and the upper and lower ends of the frame body 11 are within the thickness of the thermoelectric module main body 10 including the insulating substrate 5. The size of the position. At this time, the gap dimension A3 is 0.1 mm or more, and the dimensional difference A4 on one side in the thickness direction between the frame 11 and the thermoelectric module main body 10 is also 0.1 mm or more.

  For example, when the thermoelectric module 1 according to this embodiment is attached to a heat exchanger or the like, a space having a gap dimension A3 as a gap is formed between the frame body 11 and the heat exchanger or the like. The dimension A3 corresponds to the gap dimension A1 in the first embodiment. That is, the frame 11 is fixed only at both ends of the electrode member 4 to which the lead wire is connected in this embodiment, and has a gap dimension A3, so that the thermoelectric module 1 is heated in a state where no temperature difference is given. It can be said that it is arranged in a free state without directly contacting the exchanger.

  In the present embodiment, since the thickness dimension T1 of the frame 11 completely covers the electrode members 4A and 4B in the thickness direction, the electrode members 4A and 4B are prevented from greatly deviating even when used at high temperatures. it can. Further, although the insulating substrate 5 does not cover both ends of the frame 11, the thickness dimension T1 is smaller than the thickness dimension T3 of the thermoelectric module main body 10 including the insulating substrate 5, and this causes a gap dimension A3. The warp of the frame body 11 can be allowed by the gap dimension A3, and can be stopped only by the warp of the frame body 11, so that the durability can be improved.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the thermoelectric module 1 according to the reference example, which is the third embodiment , and corresponds to the AA arrow view in the first embodiment described above. The present embodiment relates to a reference example of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the insulating substrate 5A on the upper high temperature side in the drawing is sized to cover only the electrode member 4A and does not cover the frame 11. The low temperature side insulating substrate 5B in the lower part of the figure covers the entire thermoelectric module body 10 and at least a part of the frame 11 on the bottom surface side.

In the present embodiment, the description of the dimensions of each part is omitted, but the dimension setting in the first embodiment is applied on the low temperature side, and the dimension setting in the second embodiment is applied on the high temperature side. Therefore, the effects of the first and second embodiments can be similarly obtained in this embodiment.
As described above, the first to third embodiments described above serve as a base for the fourth to thirteenth embodiments described later, and the dimensional rules are the same.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 5 (A) is a plan view showing a fourth embodiment according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 (B) is a BB arrow view in FIG. 5 (A).
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 (A), projections 12 projecting upward are provided at the four corners of the end surface on the high temperature side of the frame body 11, and the end surfaces on the low temperature side of each side of the frame body 11 are provided. A protrusion 12 protruding downward is provided at the center. Referring to FIG. 5B, the protrusion 12 attached to the frame body 11 is in contact with the insulating substrate 5. Similar to the first embodiment, the protrusion 12 is provided in such a size that a gap dimension A1 is formed between both ends of the frame body 11 and the insulating substrates 5A and 5B.

  According to the present embodiment, since the projection 12 is provided on the frame 11 so as to contact the insulating substrate 5, the position of the frame 11 in the thickness direction is stabilized between the insulating substrates 5A and 5B. be able to. Further, since the protrusions 12 are provided at the four corners on the upper surface side of the frame body 11 and are provided at the center of each side on the lower surface side, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The warping of the body 11 is not hindered.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 6 (A) is a plan view of the thermoelectric module 1 according to the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 6 (B) is a CC arrow view in FIG. 6 (A).
In the present embodiment, a frame-shaped or plate-shaped insulating member 13 having an electrically insulating property is provided between the thermoelectric module main body 10 and the frame 11 so as to surround the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3. The material of the insulating member 13 is mica or the like. Such an insulating member 13 prevents a short circuit between the frame 11 and the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 or between the frame 11 and the electrode member 4 when the frame 11 is made of metal. Is arranged. The distance A5 between the frame 11 and the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 and the insulating member 13 is less than 0.5 mm. Other dimension settings are the same as those in the first embodiment, although not shown.

  According to the present embodiment, even when the frame body 11 is made of metal, while preventing a short circuit between the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 and the frame body 11 and a short circuit between the electrode members 4A and 4B and the frame body 11, The effects of the present invention described above can be achieved.

[Sixth Embodiment]
FIG. 7A is a plan view of the thermoelectric module 1 according to the sixth embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a DD arrow view in FIG. 7A. Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the frame 11 holds a large number of particulate glass beads 14 as an insulator between the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 and between the electrode members 4, and the gap dimension A1. Is smaller than the diameter of the glass beads 14, the insulating substrate 5 and the frame 11 prevent the glass beads 14 from flowing out.

  However, the frame 11 is fixed only at both ends of the electrode member 4 to which the lead wire of the thermoelectric module main body 10 is connected, and the entire inner peripheral surface of the frame 11 is not joined to the thermoelectric module main body 10. In addition, the clearance dimension A2 between the frame 11 and the thermoelectric module main body 10 is less than 0.5 mm. The insulating substrate 5 may have a size that covers the middle of the frame 11.

  According to the present embodiment, since the frame 11 is only in contact with the thermoelectric module main body 10 and is in a non-fixed state, the frame 11 can be allowed to warp, and the frame 11 can be warped against the warp on the frame 11 side. The influence on the elements 2 and 3 and the electrode member 4 can be reduced, and the durability can be improved as compared with the prior art. Further, since the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 and the electrode member 4 are prevented from contacting each other by being filled with the glass beads 14, it is possible to prevent a short circuit between the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 and a short circuit between the electrode members 4. . Further, since the glass beads 14 are inexpensive, they can be realized at a low cost.

[Seventh Embodiment]
FIG. 8A is a plan view of the thermoelectric module 1 according to the seventh embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a bottom view of the thermoelectric module 1. FIG. 8C is a view taken along the line E-E in FIG. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, the silicone rubber 15 as a resin material is disposed between the low temperature side electrode members 4B on the lower side in the drawing. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8C, the glass beads 14 filled between the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 and between the electrode members 4 are transferred to the outside by the frame 11, the insulating substrate 5A, and the silicone rubber 15 below. Outflow is prevented.

  According to the present embodiment, by disposing the silicone rubber 15, it is possible to reliably prevent the glass beads 14 from leaking out on the low temperature side, and to allow the thermoelectric module main body 10 to warp particularly on the high temperature side. Can be improved. In the present embodiment, the thermoelectric module main body 10 also slightly warps together with the frame body 11. However, since the silicone rubber 15 is not used on the high temperature side of the thermoelectric module main body 10, warpage on the high temperature side on the thermoelectric module main body 10 side can be allowed, and durability can be improved. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

[Eighth Embodiment]
FIG. 9A is a plan view of the thermoelectric module 1 according to the eighth embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a bottom view of the thermoelectric module 1. FIG. 9C is a FF arrow view in FIG. 9A. In this embodiment, referring to FIGS. 9A to 9C, a silicone rubber 15 is disposed between the upper and lower electrode members 4A and 4B in the drawing to prevent the glass beads 14 from flowing out to the outside. It has a structure to do.

  According to the present embodiment, leakage of the glass beads 14 and displacement of the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 and the electrode member 4 can be prevented more reliably, and the silicone rubber 15 has elasticity, so Even when it is used, the thermoelectric module main body 10 can slightly warp, and durability can be improved. Other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

[Ninth Embodiment]
FIG. 10A is a plan view of the thermoelectric module 1 according to the ninth embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a bottom view of the thermoelectric module 1. FIG. 10C is a view taken along arrows G-G in FIGS. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10 (A), (B) , rectangular plurality of insulating plate 16 insulating substrate 5A as insulation body, between 5B, and as shown in FIG. 10 (C) Further, they are arranged in parallel with each other between the electrode members 4 and between the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3.

  The insulating plate 16 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is along the longitudinal direction of the electrode member 4. When the arrangement of the electrode member 4 on the high temperature side is considered, referring to FIG. 10C, the thermoelectric module body 10 has the center in the figure upward and the left and right sides downward, that is, upward. This is because it is warped in a convex shape, and it is necessary to arrange so as not to resist this warp. Further, the insulating plate 16 is not joined to the electrode members 4A, 4B, etc., and is disposed between the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 with a degree of freedom. Mica is used as the material of the insulating plate 16.

  According to the present embodiment, the glass beads 14 in the sixth embodiment (FIG. 7) are replaced with the insulating plate 16, and the durability of the thermoelectric module 1 can be improved as in the sixth embodiment. The insulating plate 16 can reliably prevent a short circuit between the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 and a short circuit between the electrode members 4.

[Tenth embodiment]
FIG. 11A is a plan view of the thermoelectric module 1 according to the tenth embodiment, and FIG. 11B is a bottom view of the thermoelectric module 1. FIG.11 (C) is a HH arrow line view in FIG. 11 (A). In the present embodiment, as in the seventh embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11B, a silicone rubber 15 is disposed between the lower electrode members 4B in the drawing. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 11C, the insulating plate 16 disposed between the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 and between the electrode members 4 is disposed between the insulating substrate 5A and the lower silicone rubber 15.
Also in this embodiment, the same effects as those in the seventh embodiment can be obtained with respect to improvement of durability and prevention of electrical short circuit.

[Eleventh embodiment]
FIG. 12A is a plan view of the thermoelectric module 1 according to the eleventh embodiment, and FIG. 12B is a bottom view of the thermoelectric module 1. FIG. 12C is a view taken along the arrow I-I in FIG. In the present embodiment, as in the eighth embodiment, referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B, the silicone rubber 15 is disposed between the upper and lower electrode members 4A and 4B in the drawing, and FIG. Referring to FIG. 12 (C), the insulating plate 16 is sandwiched between the upper and lower silicone rubbers 15.
The effects obtained in this embodiment are substantially the same as those in the eighth embodiment except for the leakage of the glass beads 14.

[Twelfth embodiment]
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the thermoelectric module 1 according to the twelfth embodiment. The present embodiment is a state in which the glass beads 14 and the insulating plate 16 in the eighth and eleventh embodiments are removed, and a cut portion is formed in the silicone rubber 15 disposed at least between the electrode members 4A on the high temperature side. 151 is formed along the thickness direction of the electrode member 4 and the thermoelectric module main body 10.
According to the present embodiment, the cut portion 151 is opened by thermal deformation, so that the amount of deformation of the thermoelectric module body 10 that slightly warps can be allowed, and thermal stress generated in the thermoelectric module body 10 can be relieved. In the present embodiment, all of the silicone rubber 15 is cut, but a part may be cut.

[Thirteenth embodiment]
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the thermoelectric module 1 according to the thirteenth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the silicone rubber 15 is filled between the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 and between the electrode members 4, and the silicone rubber 15 disposed between the high temperature side electrode members 4A has a thickness larger than that of the electrode member 4A. A large cut portion 152 is formed. According to this configuration, since the cut portion 152 is opened by the warp of the thermoelectric module main body 10, the thermal stress can be relaxed as in the twelfth embodiment. Moreover, since the silicone rubber 15 is filled in the entire region between the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3, an electrical short circuit can be prevented more reliably. In the present embodiment, the cut portion 152 is formed from the upper end in FIG. 14 to the middle of the silicone rubber 15, but may be formed all the way to the lower end in FIG.

The best configuration, method, and the like for carrying out the present invention have been disclosed above, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the invention has been illustrated and described with particular reference to certain specific embodiments, but without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, Various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art in terms of quantity and other detailed configurations.
Therefore, the description limited to the shape, quantity and the like disclosed above is an example for easy understanding of the present invention, and does not limit the present invention. The description by the name of the member which remove | excluded the limitation of one part or all of such restrictions is included in this invention.

For example, in the seventh, eighth and tenth to thirteenth embodiments, the silicone rubber 15 is used between the electrode members 4, but a resin material such as a resin may be used.
In addition, the protrusion 12, the resin material such as the silicone rubber 15 and the resin, and the insulator such as the insulating member 13, the glass beads 14, and the insulating plate 16 used in the above embodiment may be used in any combination. Good.

  The present invention can be suitably used for a thermoelectric module.

The top view and front view which show the thermoelectric module which concerns on this invention. The AA arrow directional view of the thermoelectric module which is 1st Embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and concerns on a reference example . The AA arrow directional view of the thermoelectric module which is 2nd Embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and concerns on a reference example . The AA arrow directional view of the thermoelectric module which is 3rd Embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and concerns on a reference example . The figure which shows the thermoelectric module which concerns on 4th Embodiment. The figure which shows the thermoelectric module which concerns on 5th Embodiment. The figure which shows the thermoelectric module which concerns on 6th Embodiment. The figure which shows the thermoelectric module which concerns on 7th Embodiment. The figure which shows the thermoelectric module which concerns on 8th Embodiment. The figure which shows the thermoelectric module which concerns on 9th Embodiment. The figure which shows the thermoelectric module which concerns on 10th Embodiment. The figure which shows the thermoelectric module which concerns on 11th Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the thermoelectric module which concerns on 12th Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the thermoelectric module which concerns on 13th Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Thermoelectric module, 2 ... P type thermoelectric element (thermoelectric element), 3 ... N type thermoelectric element (thermoelectric element), 4 ... Electrode member, 10 ... Thermoelectric module main body, 11 ... Frame, 12 ... Projection, 13 ... Insulating member (insulator), 14 ... Glass beads (insulator), 15 ... Silicone rubber (resin material), 16 ... Insulating plate (insulator), 151, 152 ... Notch, A1, A3 ... Gap dimensions (gap) ).

Claims (8)

A thermoelectric module main body in which a plurality of thermoelectric elements are connected in series with a plurality of electrode members, and a frame surrounding the outer periphery of the thermoelectric module main body, and one end side of the thermoelectric module main body is in contact with an object to be contacted as a heat source A thermoelectric module provided in
In a state where it is in contact with the contacted object, a gap is formed between the contacted object and the frame,
The frame covers at least a portion of the thickness direction of at least the high-temperature side of the electrode member located on the outer peripheral side of the thermoelectric module body, and are arranged in a non-fixed state with respect to the outer periphery of the thermoelectric module body ,
The thermoelectric module according to claim 1, wherein protrusions are provided on end faces on both sides in the thickness direction of the frame body . The thermoelectric module according to claim 1 ,
The frame is a quadrangular shape having four sides,
The protrusions are provided at the four corners of the end surface on the high temperature side of the frame and the central portion of each side of the end surface on the low temperature side. The thermoelectric module according to claim 1 or 2 ,
An electrically insulating insulator is disposed between the plurality of electrode members and between thermoelectric elements. A thermoelectric module, wherein: The thermoelectric module according to claim 3 , wherein
The said insulator is made into many particle form, and is hold | maintained between the said electrode members and between thermoelectric elements with the said frame, The thermoelectric module characterized by the above-mentioned. The thermoelectric module according to claim 4 , wherein
The said clearance gap is smaller than the diameter of the said particle | grain. The thermoelectric module characterized by the above-mentioned. The thermoelectric module according to claim 3 , wherein
The said insulator is made into several plate shape, and is arrange | positioned in parallel mutually. The thermoelectric module characterized by the above-mentioned. The thermoelectric module according to any one of claims 1 to 6 ,
A thermoelectric module, wherein a resin material is disposed at least between the electrode members. The thermoelectric module according to claim 7 ,
The thermoelectric module, wherein the resin material disposed between the electrode members on the high temperature side is provided with a cut portion along a thickness direction of the thermoelectric module main body.