JPH10335710A - Thermal conversion element and its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make feasible of easy arrangement of N type and P type thermal elements and connection to electrodes, in simple and relatively small steps as well as high efficient mass production of the thermal conversion element. SOLUTION: In a thermal conversion element 10, a plurality of circuits 11a, 11b, 12a are formed on respective opposite surfaces of a first and a second relatively opposite insulating substrates 11, 12 so as to electrically and serially connect a plurality of N type and P type thermal elements 13 and 14 in the order of N, P, N, P by these circuits 11a, 11b, 12a. The plurality of N type and P type thermal elements 13 and 14 are formed into a plurality of element lines 18 alternately and in lines through the intermediary of insulators 17, while the plurality of element lines 18 are arranged in parallel with one another at specific intervals.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a small thermoelectric conversion element used as an energy source for an electronic wristwatch and the like, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 6, a thermoelectric conversion element 1 comprises a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements 2 and a P-type thermoelectric element 3, which are N, P, N,
The plurality of circuits 4 are electrically connected in series in the order of P.
a and 4b, and lead wires 5 and 6 are connected to the N-type thermoelectric element 2a at the end and a P-type thermoelectric element (not shown), respectively. When a temperature difference occurs between the upper circuit 4a and the lower circuit 4b, heat caused by the temperature difference is absorbed on the upper surface or the lower surface of the thermoelectric conversion element 1, and the absorbed heat passes through the respective elements and flows downward. Or they are transported in parallel upward.
As a result, on the low temperature side, a current flows from the N-type of each element to the P-type, and a current corresponding to this heat flows from the N-type of each element to the P-type as shown by the arrow in the figure, and the N-side terminal N P-type terminal (not shown) which is a positive and
A negative voltage is generated in the thermoelectric element, and it is expected to be used as an energy source for portable electronic devices such as electronic wristwatches. Conventionally, the thermoelectric conversion element 1 has a plurality of N-type and P-type thermoelectric elements as shown in FIG.
It is manufactured by arranging at a predetermined interval in the order of N and P, and then soldering to a circuit so as to obtain a predetermined electrical connection.

[0003]

However, the above-mentioned conventional manufacturing method has a large number of steps and is complicated. Further, the N-type thermoelectric element and the P-type thermoelectric element are arranged so as to have a predetermined interval, and the electrodes are formed. The work of connecting the thermoelectric conversion elements requires great care, and it has been difficult to efficiently mass-produce the thermoelectric conversion elements. In particular, in thermoelectric elements for wristwatches, it may be necessary to form more than 100 pairs of semiconductors in a small volume. However, the work is difficult, and if the interval is too narrow, insulation failure occurs. In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to surround the periphery of the N-type thermoelectric element and the P-type thermoelectric element with an insulating material. However, enclosing the entire periphery of the element with an insulating material means that heat is transmitted through the insulating material. Thus, there is a problem that the thermoelectric conversion rate of each element is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a thermoelectric device which has a relatively small number of steps, is simple in arrangement, and can easily connect an N-type thermoelectric element and a P-type thermoelectric element, and can be connected to electrodes. An object of the present invention is to provide a conversion element and a method for manufacturing the same. Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermoelectric conversion element having a high thermoelectric conversion efficiency and capable of effectively disposing a relatively large number of elements in a small volume, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0005]

As shown in FIG. 1, according to the present invention, a plurality of circuits 11a, 11b, 12a are provided on opposing surfaces of opposing first and second insulating substrates 11, 12, respectively.
Are formed, and a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements 13 and a plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements 14 are electrically connected in series in the order of N, P, N, and P by the circuits 11a, 11b, and 12a. It is an improvement of. The characteristic configuration is that the plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements 13 and the plurality of P-type
A plurality of element rows 1 joined alternately and in a row through
8 are formed, and a plurality of element rows 18 are arranged at predetermined intervals in parallel with each other.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a method for manufacturing a thermoelectric conversion element 10 according to the present invention comprises a sheet-shaped N-type thermoelectric material 21 and a sheet-shaped P-type N-type thermoelectric material-insulating material-P-type thermoelectric material-insulating material or P-type thermoelectric material-insulating material-N
Laminated body 24 by alternately laminating the thermoelectric material-insulating material in this order.
(FIGS. 2A and 2B) and a laminate 2
4 in the laminating direction and a plurality of tape-shaped N-type thermoelectric elements 2
6 and a step of forming a laminated plate 29 in which a plurality of tape-shaped P-type thermoelectric elements 27 are alternately joined via an insulator 28 (FIG. 2C), an N-type thermoelectric element 26 and a P-type thermoelectric element. 27 or P
Circuit row 11a and P-type thermoelectric element 2 that are sequentially connected in the laminating direction of the laminate board 29 with the type thermoelectric element and the N-type thermoelectric element as one unit.
7 and an N-type thermoelectric element 26 or a second element in which the N-type thermoelectric element and the P-type thermoelectric element are connected as one unit in the laminating direction of the laminate 29.
Bonding the laminated board 29 to the first insulating substrate 11 in which a plurality of circuit rows 11b are alternately formed (FIG. 3A);
Laminated plate 29 between first and second circuit rows 11a and 11b
Are cut in the stacking direction to form a gap, and a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements 13 and P-type thermoelectric elements 14 bonded to the first and second circuit rows 11a and 11b are alternately joined via an insulator 17. (FIG. 3 (b)) and the N-type thermoelectric element 1 at each end of the plurality of element rows 18.
3 or any element row 1 adjacent to the P-type thermoelectric element 14
8 at the end of P-type thermoelectric element 14 or N-type thermoelectric element 1
3 and an N-type thermoelectric element 13 and a P-type thermoelectric element 14 in the column direction. The element 13 and the plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements 14 are N, P, N,
Obtaining a thermoelectric conversion element 10 electrically connected in series in the order of P.

A plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements 13 and a plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements 14 are joined alternately and in rows via an insulator 17 to reduce the distance between the N-type thermoelectric elements 13 and the P-type thermoelectric elements 14. By arranging a plurality of element rows 18 in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval, the element 1
The transfer of heat caused by surrounding all of the elements 3 and 14 with the insulating material through the insulating material is prevented, and the thermoelectric conversion rates of the respective elements 13 and 14 are improved. Also, by arranging a plurality of element rows 18 alternately and in a row via an insulator 17 at predetermined intervals in parallel with each other, a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements 13 and a plurality of P-type The thermoelectric elements 14 can be arranged exactly every other one, and the number of manufacturing steps can be relatively reduced.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, a thermoelectric conversion element 10 includes first and second insulating substrates 11, 1 opposed to each other.
2 has a plurality of circuits 11a, 11b, 1
2a are formed, and a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements 13 and a plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements 14 are electrically connected in series in the order of N, P, N, P by the circuits 11a, 11b, 12a. . A plurality of elements 13, 1 electrically connected in series
N-type thermoelectric element 13a and P-type thermoelectric element 14a
Are connected to the circuits 11a and 11b, respectively.
6a and 16b are connected, and when a temperature difference occurs between the upper circuit 12a and the lower circuit 11a, heat caused by the temperature difference is transported in parallel through the elements 13 and 14 downward or upward. As a result, a current flows from the N-type to the P-type of each element on the low temperature side, and a current corresponding to the heat is supplied to the plurality of elements 13 and 13.
N-type thermoelectric element 13a and P-type thermoelectric element 14 at the end of 14
a can be obtained through the lead wires 16a and 16b to which a is joined.

A feature of the present invention is that a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements 13 and a plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements 14 are alternately joined in a row through an insulator 17 to form a plurality of element rows 18. The plurality of element rows 18 are arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval. Multiple N-type thermoelectric elements 1
3 and a plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements 14 are joined alternately and in rows via an insulator 17 so that the N-type thermoelectric elements 13
It is possible to narrow the interval between the thermoelectric elements 14 and arrange the plurality of element rows 18 in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval, thereby surrounding the elements 13 and 14 with an insulating material. The transfer of heat via the insulating material is prevented, and the thermoelectric conversion rates of the respective elements 13 and 14 are improved.

Next, a method for manufacturing the thermoelectric conversion element 10 of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 2A, a sheet-shaped N-type thermoelectric material 21 and a sheet-shaped P-type thermoelectric material 22 having the same shape and the same size as the N-type thermoelectric material 21 are prepared. The size of the sheet-like thermoelectric materials 21 and 22 depends on the thermoelectric conversion element 1 to be manufactured.
It is determined by the number of production of 0, but 1 for convenience of handling
It is preferable that the side is formed in a square shape of 10 to 50 mm. The thickness of the sheet-like thermoelectric materials 21 and 22 is determined according to the size of the thermoelectric element used for the thermoelectric conversion element 10, and is particularly preferably 0.05 to 0.30 mm.

Next, these sheet-like thermoelectric materials 21,
2B, an N-type thermoelectric material 21-an insulating material 23-a P-type thermoelectric material 22-
The laminated body 24 is formed by alternately laminating the insulating materials 23 in this order. The thickness of the insulating material is preferably set to the minimum necessary for ensuring the insulating property between the N-type thermoelectric material 21 and the P-type thermoelectric material 22, and the thickness of 0.025 to 0.200 mm is particularly preferable. This is preferable in reducing the size of the conversion element 10. As the insulating material 23 in this example, a sheet-like insulating material made of polyimide or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) coated with an acrylic or epoxy adhesive on both sides is used. Then, as shown in FIG. 2C, the laminate 24 is cut in the laminating direction to form a plurality of tape-shaped N-type thermoelectric elements 26 and a plurality of tape-shaped P-type thermoelectric elements 27 into an insulator 28.
To obtain a laminated plate 29 joined alternately through the steps. Laminated board 2
The size of 9 is determined according to the size of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 to be manufactured, and is preferably cut to a thickness of 0.01 to 1.00 mm.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the laminated board 29 is bonded to the first insulating substrate 11 on which a predetermined circuit is formed. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4, the first insulating substrate 11 is composed of an N-type thermoelectric element 26 and a P-type thermoelectric element 27 as one unit, and the first circuit array 11 is sequentially connected in the stacking direction of the laminated board 29.
a and the second circuit row 11 sequentially connected in the laminating direction of the laminated board 29 with the P-type thermoelectric body 27 and the N-type thermoelectric body 26 as one unit.
b are alternately formed in a plurality of rows, and the laminated board 29 is soldered to the first insulating substrate 11 on which the first and second circuit rows 11a and 11b are formed, as shown in FIG. The P-type thermoelectric body 27 and the N-type thermoelectric body 26 existing via the insulator 28 are connected in parallel at a plurality of locations by the first and second circuit rows 11a and 11b. First insulating substrate 11
Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, a gap is formed by cutting off the laminated plate 29 in the middle part of the first and second circuit rows in the laminating direction, as shown in FIG. The laminate 29 is cut off by a dicing machine, and the laminate 29 is cut off so that the N-type thermoelectric element 13 and the P-type
The element row 18 alternately joined through the first and second
It is formed on each of the circuit rows 11a and 11b.

After the plurality of element rows 18 are formed, the second
The insulating substrate 12 is bonded to these element rows 18. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 4, an upper circuit 12a is formed on the second insulating substrate 12, and the upper circuit 12a is composed of an L-shaped circuit and an N-type thermoelectric element 13 and a P-type thermoelectric element 14 in the column direction. And a circuit for connecting The circuit formed in an L-shape includes an N-type thermoelectric element 13 or a P-type thermoelectric element 14 at each end of the plurality of element rows 18 and an end of one of the element rows 18 adjacent to the element row 18. The P-type thermoelectric element 14 or the N-type thermoelectric element 13 is connected. By soldering the second insulating substrate 12 on which the upper circuit 12a is formed to the element row 18, FIG.
As shown in (1), a thermoelectric conversion element 10 in which a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements 13 and a plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements 14 are electrically connected in series in the order of N, P, N, and P is obtained.

The L-shaped circuit of the upper circuit 12a includes an N-type thermoelectric element 13 or a P-type thermoelectric element 14 at an end of an element row 18 and an end of an element row 18 adjacent to the element row 18. Since the P-type thermoelectric element 14 or the N-type thermoelectric element 13 in the portion is connected, the thermoelectric element (FIG. 3B) overlaps at the portion where the circuit formed in an L-shape as shown by the broken line in FIG. It is preferable that the N-type thermoelectric element 13) located at the end of the element row 18 be cut off when the laminate 29 is cut off. That is, since the overlapping thermoelectric elements are the N-type or P-type thermoelectric elements 13 and 14 that are not soldered to any of the first and second circuit rows 11a and 11b,
The state shown by the broken line in FIG. 5 is cut out as shown by the solid line, and the N-type or P-type
After the three and the 14 are alternately present, the N-type thermoelectric element 13 and the P-type thermoelectric element 14 at the end of the adjacent element row 18 can be connected by the L-shaped circuit of the upper circuit 12a. preferable. Thus, the plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements 13
And a plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements 14 are electrically connected in series in the order of N, P, N, and P to the thermoelectric conversion element 10, as shown in FIG. Lead wires 16a and 16b are connected to circuits 11a and 11b to which the P-type thermoelectric elements 14a are joined, respectively.

In the above-described embodiment, the gap is formed by cutting the laminated plate 29 in the middle of the first and second circuit rows in the laminating direction by using a dicing machine. May be resected. By cutting off the laminated board 29 with a laser, the laser is forcibly cut off the N-type or P-type thermoelectric elements 13 and 14 that are not soldered to any of the first and second circuit rows 11a and 11b. It has the effect that can be.

[0016]

As described above, according to the present invention, a plurality of element rows in which a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements are joined alternately and in rows via an insulator are formed. Forming
Since the plurality of element rows are arranged at predetermined intervals in parallel with each other, the distance between the N-type thermoelectric element and the P-type thermoelectric element can be reduced as much as possible. As a result, a relatively large number of elements can be effectively arranged in a small volume.

Further, by arranging a plurality of element rows in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval, it is possible to prevent heat from being transmitted through the insulating material due to surrounding the elements with an insulating material. Thus, the thermoelectric conversion rate of each element can be improved. Further, the laminate is cut to form a laminate, and the laminate is bonded to a first insulating substrate having a plurality of circuit rows formed thereon, and the laminate is cut off in the laminating direction to form a plurality of element rows. Then, by bonding the second insulating substrate on which the upper circuit is formed to the element row, the plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements and the plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements are electrically connected in series in the order of N, P, N, and P. Therefore, the process is simple, the number of processes is relatively small, and the arrangement of the N-type thermoelectric element and the P-type thermoelectric element and the connection with the electrodes can be easily performed. As a result, thermoelectric conversion elements can be efficiently mass-produced and connection errors between the elements can be eliminated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thermoelectric conversion element of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a sheet-shaped N-type thermoelectric material and a sheet-shaped P-type thermoelectric material form for manufacturing the thermoelectric conversion element of the present invention. (B) The perspective view of the laminated body for manufacture of the thermoelectric conversion element of the present invention. (C) A perspective view of cutting the laminate to form a laminate.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing a state in which a laminate is bonded to a first insulating substrate. (B) A perspective view showing a state in which a laminate is cut off to form a plurality of element rows on a first insulating substrate.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the first and second insulating substrates.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3 (b).

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional thermoelectric conversion element.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Thermoelectric conversion element 11 1st insulating board 11a 1st circuit row 11b 2nd circuit row 12 2nd insulating board 12a Upper circuit 13 N-type thermoelectric element 14 P-type thermoelectric element 17 Insulator 18 Element row 21 N-type thermoelectric material 22 P-type thermoelectric material 23 Insulating material 24 Laminate 26 N-type thermoelectric 27 P-type thermoelectric 29 Laminated plate

Claims (2)

[Claims] A first insulating substrate facing the first substrate and a second insulating substrate facing the second insulating substrate;
A plurality of circuits (11a, 11b, 12a) are formed on respective opposing surfaces of the (12), and a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements (13) and a plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements (14) are formed by the circuits (11a, 11b, 12a). ) And N, P, N, P
The plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements (13) and the plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements (14).
Form a plurality of element rows (18) joined alternately and in rows via an insulator (17), and the plurality of element rows (18) are arranged at predetermined intervals in parallel with each other. A thermoelectric conversion element. 2. A sheet-shaped N-type thermoelectric material (21) and a sheet-shaped P-type thermoelectric material (22) are interposed via a sheet-shaped insulating material (23). A step of forming a laminate (24) by alternately laminating a material-insulating material or a P-type thermoelectric material-an insulating material-an N-type thermoelectric material-an insulating material in this order; By cutting, a laminated plate (29) is formed in which a plurality of tape-shaped N-type thermoelectric elements (26) and a plurality of tape-shaped P-type thermoelectric elements (27) are alternately joined via an insulator (28). A first circuit row (N-type thermoelectric element (26) and P-type thermoelectric element (27) or a first circuit row (P-type thermoelectric element and N-type thermoelectric element) as one unit and sequentially connected in the stacking direction of the laminate (29). 11a), P-type thermoelectric (27) and N
A plurality of second circuit rows (11b) which are sequentially connected in the stacking direction of the laminated plate (29) with the type thermoelectric element (26) or the N-type thermoelectric element and the P-type thermoelectric element as one unit are formed alternately. 1 insulating substrate (1
1) adhering the laminate (29) to the laminate; and the laminate between the first and second circuit rows (11a, 11b).
The N-type thermoelectric element (13) and the P-type thermoelectric element (14) bonded to the first and second circuit rows (11a, 11b) are cut off by cutting off (29) in the stacking direction to form a gap. Forming a plurality of element rows (18) alternately joined via (17); and an N-type thermoelectric element (13) or a P-type thermoelectric element at each end of the plurality of element rows (18). (14) is connected to the P-type thermoelectric element (14) or the N-type thermoelectric element (13) at the end of any adjacent element row (18), and the N-type thermoelectric elements (13) and P A second insulative substrate (12) on which an upper circuit (12a) for connecting to a thermoelectric element (14) is formed is adhered to the element row (18) and a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements (13) and a plurality of Obtaining a thermoelectric conversion element (10) electrically connected in series with the P-type thermoelectric element (14) in the order of N, P, N, P.