Patent ID: 9054272
Filing Date: 2015-06-09
Classification: H01L

Abstract:
1. A thermoelectric module comprising: a first input and a first output of the thermoelectric module; a second input and a second output of the thermoelectric module; a first set of thermocouples electrically connected in series and connecting the first input with the first output, the first set of thermocouples being supported by a substrate provided with through hole, each thermocouple comprising first and second legs made from conducting materials, the first and second legs being electrically connected to one another so as to form the thermocouple; a conducting element configured to cross the substrate via the through hole; and a micro electromechanical system configured to reversibly move the conducting element toward and away from the substrate, the micro electromechanical system moving the conducting element reversibly between a first position maintaining the conducting element at a distance from the first set of thermocouples, and a second position maintaining the conducting element in the through hole so as to be in electric contact with two legs of the first set of thermocouples to short-circuit the two legs and to form a second set of thermocouples connected in series and connecting the second input with the second output, the second set of thermocouples having a quantity of thermocouples strictly lower than a quantity of thermocouples of the first set of thermocouples.