Thermoelectric conversion element module

A thermoelectric conversion element module (101) includes: a heat receiving part (3) disposed so as to be contactable with a heat source; a thermoelectric conversion element (10) having a first surface (10a) and a second surface (10b), the first surface (10a) being disposed in contact with the heat receiving part (3); and a heat radiating part (5) that is disposed in contact with the second surface (10b) and has an inner space (21).

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to a thermoelectric conversion element module.

Description of the Related Art

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-10994 (Patent Document 1) describes an example of a temperature detecting device. This device includes, in this sequence from the distal end, a detecting part, a first heat transfer part, a power generating part, a second heat transfer part, a releasing part, and an output part.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The temperature detecting device described in Patent Document 1 has an elongated shape overall because the detecting part and the power generating part are separated by the first heat transfer part, and the power generating part and the releasing part are separated by the second heat transfer part. In this device, because the output part is located at a position farther from the heat source than the releasing part is, it is difficult to reduce the size.

Under the circumstances, the purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a thermoelectric conversion element module having a compact structure.

To achieve the above-described purpose, a thermoelectric conversion element module of the present disclosure includes: a heat receiving part disposed so as to be contactable with a heat source; a thermoelectric conversion element having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being disposed in contact with the heat receiving part; and a heat radiating part that is disposed in contact with the second surface and has an inner space.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the size of the thermoelectric conversion element module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The dimension ratios shown in the drawings do not necessarily faithfully reflect the actual ratios, and the dimension ratios may be exaggerated for ease of explanation. When the ideas about the top and bottom are mentioned in the description below, they do not necessarily mean the absolute top and bottom, and they may mean the relative top and bottom within the illustrated orientation.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 6, a thermoelectric conversion element module according to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure will be described.FIG. 1is a perspective view of a thermoelectric conversion element module101according to this embodiment.FIG. 2is a perspective view of the thermoelectric conversion element module101in an upside-down state.FIG. 3is a sectional view of the thermoelectric conversion element module101. The thermoelectric conversion element module101includes: a heat receiving part3having a portion exposed outside so as to be contactable with a heat source; a thermoelectric conversion element10having a first surface10aand a second surface10b, the first surface10abeing disposed in contact with the heat receiving part3; a heat radiating part5disposed in contact with the second surface10band has an inner space21; and a power supply circuit11disposed in the inner space21.

The heat radiating part5is made of a material having a high thermal conductivity. The heat radiating part5is made of, for example, metal. The heat radiating part5may be made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. The heat radiating part5has a cylindrical outer circumferential surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the heat radiating part5has a through-hole51. Wires15aand15bpass through the through-hole51. InFIG. 3, the heat radiating part5has an open-top structure, and a lid9is provided so as to cover the open portion at the top. As described herein, the heat radiating part5may have a container shape. Herein, although the heat radiating part5has a shape having a bottom surface, the presence of the bottom surface is not essential. The open portion in the heat radiating part5that is covered by the lid does not need to be located at the top, and it may be provided at another side. The presence of the lid is not essential. The heat radiating part5only needs to have a structure that can define a certain inner space.

The lid9is made of, for example, metal. The lid9may be made of the same material as the heat radiating part5. The lid9may be made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. A sealing member, such as an O ring, may be disposed between the lid9and the heat radiating part5. A fixing part6is attached below the heat radiating part5inFIG. 3. The fixing part6is made of a material having a low thermal conductivity. The fixing part6may be made of, for example, resin. The fixing part6may be made of, for example, polycarbonate resin.

The inner space21accommodates substrates61and62. A power storage part12is mounted to the lower surface of the substrate61. A power supply circuit11and a sensor14are mounted to the upper surface of the substrate61. A substrate connector23, which includes, for example, a pin and a socket, provides the electrical connection between different substrates. A wireless communication part13is mounted to the lower surface of the substrate62. The wireless communication part13may perform, for example, BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) communication. The use of two substrates61and62is merely an example, and the number, size, position, and orientation of the substrates disposed in the inner space21are not limited to those described herein. The surfaces and the positions in the surfaces of the plurality of substrates on which the components, including the power supply circuit11, the power storage part12, the wireless communication part13, and the sensor14, are mounted as described herein are merely examples and are not limited to those described herein.

FIG. 4is a conceptual diagram of the components of the thermoelectric conversion element module101. The thermoelectric conversion element10is connected to the power supply circuit11by the wires15aand15b. The power supply circuit11is electrically connected to the power storage part12. The power storage part12is electrically connected to the wireless communication part13. The sensor14is electrically connected to the wireless communication part13. The power supply circuit11is used to increase the voltage of the electricity generated by the thermoelectric conversion element10. The electricity that has been increased in voltage by the power supply circuit11is stored in the power storage part12.

FIG. 5is an exploded view of the thermoelectric conversion element module101. InFIG. 5, the illustration of the wires15aand15bextending from the thermoelectric conversion element10is omitted. As shown inFIG. 5, the fixing part6has a cylindrical shape and has a screw thread25, which is a female screw, in the inner circumferential surface. The heat radiating part5has a cylindrical portion at the lower part thereof, and a screw thread24, which is a male screw, is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. The fixing part6and the heat radiating part5are fastened together via the screw threads24and25. As a result of the fixing part6and the heat radiating part5being fastened together, as shown inFIG. 3, the thermoelectric conversion element10is sandwiched and fixed between the heat receiving part3and the heat radiating part5.

FIG. 6shows the heat receiving part3alone. The heat receiving part3is an integrally formed component that is made of a single material. The heat receiving part3includes a central portion3aand a flange portion3bprojecting around the central portion3a. The central portion3aof the heat receiving part3has a surface3f. The surface3fis a surface to be brought into contact with a heat source. In the example shown herein, the surface3fis a flat surface. As shown inFIG. 3, the surface3fof the heat receiving part3is projecting beyond the lower surface of the fixing part6.

According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size of the thermoelectric conversion element module. In particular, in the example shown in this embodiment, the heat receiving part3, which includes a portion exposed outside so as to be contactable with a heat source, is in direct contact with one surface of the thermoelectric conversion element10, the heat radiating part5, which is in contact with the other surface of the thermoelectric conversion element10, has the inner space21, and the inner space21accommodates the power supply circuit11. Hence, it is possible to reduce the size of the overall thermoelectric conversion element module.

As has been described in this embodiment, it is desirable that the thermoelectric conversion element module have, between the heat receiving part3and the heat radiating part5, the fixing part6that holds the thermoelectric conversion element10. More specifically, it is desirable that the thermoelectric conversion element module have the fixing part6that fixes the heat receiving part3relative to the heat radiating part5in a state in which the heat receiving part3and the heat radiating part5sandwich the thermoelectric conversion element10. By adopting this configuration, it is possible to securely fix the heat receiving part3and the heat radiating part5relative to each other, and at the same time, it is possible to fix the thermoelectric conversion element in a preferred state. As a result, it is possible to produce a thermoelectric conversion element module from a small number of components.

As has been described in this embodiment, it is desirable that the heat radiating part5have the screw thread24, the fixing part6have the screw thread25configured to be screwed with the screw thread24of the heat radiating part5, and the fixing part6and the heat radiating part5be joined together as a result of one of them being screwed into the other. By adopting this configuration, it is possible to easily connect the fixing part6and the heat radiating part5. Furthermore, the size of the gap between the heat receiving part3and the heat radiating part5can be adjusted according to the extent to which the screw threads24and25are screwed together. Hence, even in the case where there is a possibility that thermoelectric conversion elements10having multiple different Z-direction dimensions are used, it is possible to realize a state in which the heat receiving part3and the heat radiating part5appropriately sandwich the thermoelectric conversion element10of any size therebetween. Note that, although an example in which the screw thread24of the heat radiating part5is a male screw and the screw thread25of the fixing part6is a female screw has been shown in this embodiment, the relationship between the male screw and the female screw may be reversed.

As has been described in this embodiment, it is desirable that the heat receiving part3be a single member, the heat receiving part3have the flange portion3bprojecting so as to surround the outer circumference, the fixing part6be in contact with the flange portion3b, and the heat receiving part3project beyond the fixing part6. By forming the heat receiving part3from a single member, the number of components can be reduced. Since the flange portion3bis provided on the heat receiving part3, it is easy to fix the heat receiving part3. By employing a structure in which the heat receiving part3projects beyond the fixing part6, it is easy to realize a state in which the heat receiving part3is in contact with, and the fixing part6is not in contact with, a target object, serving as the heat source.

As has been described in this embodiment, the power storage part12, which is configured to store the electricity produced by the thermoelectric conversion element10, is provided, and the power storage part12is disposed in the inner space21. Because adopting this configuration makes it possible to store, for future use, the electricity generated by utilizing a temperature difference, the thermoelectric conversion element module does not require battery replacement. The power storage part12may be an MLCC (Multi-Layered Ceramic Capacitor), an all-solid-state battery, or the like. By using the MLCC or the all-solid-state battery as the power storage part12, the thermoelectric conversion element module can be used for a long time under a high-temperature or a low-temperature environment. AlthoughFIGS. 3 and 4show the power storage part12including three elements, this is merely an example. The number of the elements included in the power storage part12is not limited to three and may be any number.

As has been described in this embodiment, it is desirable that the wireless communication part13for performing, using the electricity stored in the power storage part12, at least one of sending and receiving be provided, and the wireless communication part13be provided in the inner space21. By adopting this configuration, it is possible to receive or send certain information from and to the outside by the wireless communication part13.

As has been described in this embodiment, the sensor14that performs measurement using the electricity stored in the power storage part12is provided. By adopting this configuration, it is possible to perform a desired type of measurement. In particular, because the electricity for operating the sensor14is supplied from the power storage part12, and the electricity generated by the temperature difference is stored in the power storage part12, it is possible to continue a measuring task without the need of battery replacement. In the example shown herein, the sensor14is disposed in the inner space21. The size, shape, and position of the sensor14are schematically shown herein and are merely an example. The position where the sensor is disposed is not limited to the inside of the inner space21. For example, the sensor may be disposed inside the space defined by the heat receiving part3and the fixing part6. Alternatively, the sensor may be disposed outside the thermoelectric conversion element module.

In this embodiment, although it has been described that the heat receiving part3of the thermoelectric conversion element module101has a flat lower surface, the shape of the lower surface of the heat receiving part may be appropriately selected. For example, a heat receiving part3i, which is shown inFIG. 7, is also acceptable. The heat receiving part3ihas a surface3fi. The surface3fihas a curved shape corresponding to a portion of a cylindrical outer circumferential surface. By using the heat receiving part3ilike this, the heat receiving part3ican be more easily brought into contact with the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical target object, such as a pipe. In particular, by making the radius of curvature of the surface3fiequal to the radius of curvature of the target object, the heat receiving part3iis in contact with the target object over a large area and thus can efficiently receive heat.

Referring toFIG. 8, a thermoelectric conversion element module according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure will be described.FIG. 8is a sectional view of a thermoelectric conversion element module102. The configuration of the thermoelectric conversion element module102is basically the same as that of the thermoelectric conversion element module101described in Embodiment 1, except for the following points.

In the thermoelectric conversion element module102, a lid26is provided so as to cover the opening above the heat radiating part5. The lid26is made of an insulating body. The lid26is made of, for example, resin. The lid26may be made of a transparent or a semitransparent resin. An LED (Light Emitting Diode) for indicating the operating state may be disposed in the inner space21. By forming the lid26from a transparent or a semitransparent material, the light-emitting state of the LED can be viewed from the outside.

Also, in this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same advantages as those described in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the lid26is made of an insulating body. Specifically, because the inner space21is not completely surrounded by a conducting body, the radio wave transmitted/received by the wireless communication part13is not blocked. Accordingly, the communication by the wireless communication part13is easily performed.

Referring toFIG. 9, a thermoelectric conversion element module according to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure will be described.FIG. 9is an exploded view of a thermoelectric conversion element module according to this embodiment. The configuration of the thermoelectric conversion element module is basically the same as that of the thermoelectric conversion element module101described in Embodiment 1, except for the following points.

The thermoelectric conversion element module according to this embodiment includes a heat radiating part5iand a lid9iinstead of the heat radiating part5and the lid9in Embodiment 1. The heat radiating part5iand the lid9ido not have cylindrical shapes but have rectangular parallelepiped shapes.

Also, in this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same advantages as those described in Embodiment 1. The rectangular parallelepiped heat radiating part5iis sometimes more desirable than the cylindrical heat radiating part5i, depending on the shapes of the components to be accommodated in the inner space. By configuring as in this embodiment, it may be possible to increase the volume of the inner space.

Although an example in which the heat radiating part has a rectangular parallelepiped shape has been shown here, the shape of the heat radiating part is not limited thereto and may be another shape.

Referring toFIGS. 10 and 11, a thermoelectric conversion element module according to Embodiment 4 of the present disclosure will be described.FIG. 10is a perspective view of a thermoelectric conversion element module103according to this embodiment.FIG. 11is a plan view of the thermoelectric conversion element module103. The configuration of the thermoelectric conversion element module is basically the same as that of the thermoelectric conversion element module101described in Embodiment 1, except for the following points.

The thermoelectric conversion element module according to this embodiment includes a heat radiating part5j. The heat radiating part5jhas a cylindrical body, and a plurality of radially extending fins27are provided on the outer circumference of the body. The shape, size, number, and positional relationship of the fins27shown herein are merely an example. For example, the number of the fins27may be only one or two. Although the plurality of fins72are flat herein, the fins72do not need to be flat.

Also, in this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same advantages as those described in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, because the heat radiating part5jhas at least one fin27, heat release is promoted by the function of the fin27. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a reliable thermoelectric conversion element module. The fins may be connected to another component.

Referring toFIG. 12, a thermoelectric conversion element module according to Embodiment 5 of the present disclosure will be described. As shown inFIG. 12, the thermoelectric conversion element module according to this embodiment includes a data recording part16instead of the wireless communication part13. The data recording part16is connected to the power storage part12. The data of the measurement result obtained by the sensor14is recorded in the data recording part16. The data recording part16is disposed in the inner space21of the heat radiating part5.

Also, in this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same advantages as those described in Embodiment 1. The data recording part16can operate by receiving the supply of power from the power storage part12.

Referring toFIG. 13, a thermoelectric conversion element module according to Embodiment 6 of the present disclosure will be described. The thermoelectric conversion element module according to this embodiment has a simpler configuration than the other embodiments. The thermoelectric conversion element module according to this embodiment does not have the wireless communication part13, the sensor14, or the data recording part16, but the power storage part12. The power storage part12is connected to the power supply circuit11.

Also, in this embodiment, it is possible to obtain the same advantages as those described in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the number of components can be reduced. In this thermoelectric conversion element module, the electricity generated in the thermoelectric conversion element10can be stored in the power storage part12. The electricity thus stored in the power storage part12may be extracted from the thermoelectric conversion element module by certain means. For example, it is possible to configure such that the thermoelectric conversion element module is attached to the heat source while the electricity generated in the thermoelectric conversion element10is being stored in the power storage part12, and the electricity is extracted from the power storage part12in the thermoelectric conversion element module after the thermoelectric conversion element module is removed from the heat source and is collected.

Note that, in the configurations having the wireless communication part13in the embodiments described above, the information may be retrieved by wire instead of wireless. Specifically, a certain wire extending from the thermoelectric conversion element module may be provided to enable the information retrieval through the wire. A certain connector may be provided on the thermoelectric conversion element module, and the information may be retrieved by using an attachable/detachable cable.

The above-described embodiments may be appropriately combined.

The above-described embodiments disclosed herein are not limiting in all respects. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims and includes all modifications having meanings equivalent to the claims and within the scope of the claims.3heat receiving part3acentral portion3bflange portion3f,3fisurface5,5i,5jheat radiating part6fixing part9(metal) lid10thermoelectric conversion element10afirst surface10bsecond surface11power supply circuit12power storage part13wireless communication part14sensor15a,15bwire16data recording part21inner space23substrate connector24,25screw thread26(resin) lid27fin51through-hole61,62substrate101,102,103thermoelectric conversion element module