Patent Publication Number: US-2007119186-A1

Title: Universal thermoelectric module apparatus

Description:
Cross Reference to Related Applications  
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     Statement Regarding Federally Sponsored Research or Development  
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     Description of Attached Appendix  
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     Background of the Invention  
      This invention relates generally to the field of thermoelectric coolers and more specifically to a Universal Thermoelectric Module Apparatus. There are different types of consumer portable coolers on the market today, utilizing a variety of cooling technology. Some use passive cooling, such as ice coolers, some use active cooling such as compressor-based coolers or heat pumps type coolers. A common low-cost heat pump cooler today often uses thermoelectric technology as the cooling engine.  
      U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,937 to Fritsch discloses a consumer portable cooler utilizing a thermoelectric heat pump, also commonly known in this industry as a thermoelectric module. A thermoelectric module is a heat pump transferring heat from the inside of the cooler to the surrounding environment. A thermoelectric module generally consists of a cold side exposed to the inside of the cooler and a hot side exposed to the surrounding environment. A thermoelectric chip sandwiched between the cold side and the hot side provides the active mean of transferring heat from the cold side to the hot side.  
      There are many different commercial embodiments of thermoelectric coolers on the market today. Each have their own set of specifications and characteristics. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,937 to Fritsch, the invention discloses a thermoelectric cooler with a unique ventilation system. Such ventilation system is custom-made for this cooler and is an integral part of the cooler. Another prior art as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,789 to Lundblade also discloses a thermoelectric cooler with an integral thermoelectric module. In the inventions above, the thermoelectric module is an integral part of the cooler, the thermoelectric module is specifically designed to fit only this one cooler, repair or maintenance of the thermoelectric module requires extensive handling and disassembling.  
      Other inventions such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,508 to Kahl or U.S. Pat. No. 6,301,901 B1 to Coffee describe a thermoelectric cooler using a thermoelectric module where the thermoelectric module assembly is an integral one-piece engine that can be installed rapidly without complicated assembly. Such inventions improves the cooler&#39;s assembly process, however, each cooler design still utilizes a custom-designed thermoelectric module. Furthermore, such designs require the use of a mounting hardware between the thermoelectric module and the cooler increasing assembly labor and compromising good thermal insulation properties.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The primary object of the invention is to provide a one-piece thermoelectric heat pump assembly.  
      Another object of the invention is to provide a ready to use one-piece thermoelectric heat pump assembly.  
      Another object of the invention is to provide a one-piece thermoelectric heat pump assembly with a one-step installation process.  
      A further object of the invention is to provide a one-piece thermoelectric heat pump assembly easy to replace.  
      Yet another object of the invention is to provide a cross-compatible one-piece thermoelectric heat pump assembly.  
      Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.  
      In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed Universal Thermoelectric Module Apparatus comprising: a thermoelectric heat pump assembly, an air circulation system, a structural plate, and an insulated interface.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to. be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the invention.  
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the invention.  
       FIG. 4  is a partial exploded view of the invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the invention.  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the invention.  
       FIG. 7  is a partial cross sectional view of the invention.  
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of the invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner. Turning first to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  there is shown a perspective view of the present invention  10 .  FIG. 1  displays the hot side of the invention and  FIG. 2  displays the cold side of the present invention. There is shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  the insulated interface  20  and structural plate  30 .  FIG. 1  reveals the hot side visible portion of the thermoelectric heat pump assembly  40  with the finned heat sink  41  visible.  FIG. 2  reveals the cold side visible portion of the thermoelectric heat pump assembly  40  with the finned cols sink  42  visible.  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  also reveal the air circulation system  60  composed of an electric rotor system  61  visible in  FIG. 1  and a fan blade system where in this preferred embodiment there is shown in  FIG. 1  the hot side fan blade  62  and shown in  FIG. 2  the cold side fan blade  63 .  
      Now turning to  FIG. 3 , there is shown an exploded view of the present invention  10 .  FIG. 3  reveals the elements of the thermoelectric heat pump assembly  40  such as the finned heat sink  11  and finned cold sink  42 . Finned heat sink  41  and finned cold sink  42  sandwich in between them the thermoelectric chip  43  and cold block  44 . As in any thermoelectric modules, the thermoelectric chip  43  provides the heat transfer ability to the thermoelectric heat pump assembly  40 , the cold block  44  provides physical distance between the hot side and cold side of the thermoelectric heat pump assembly  40 , finned heat sink  41  allows thermoelectric heat pump assembly  40  to radiate heat while finned cold sink  42  allows thermoelectric assembly  40  to absorb heat. Also shown in  FIG. 3  is the insulated interface  20 , structural plate  30  and the air circulation system  60  composed of electric rotor system  61  and fan blade system hot side fan blade  62  and cold side fan blade  63 .  
      In accordance with an important claim of this invention there is shown in  FIG. 3  the finned heat sink  41 , thermoelectric chip  43 , cold block  44  and finned cold sink  42  arranged in a vertical assembly and secured together to structural plate  30  using fasteners  101  and  102 . In accordance with another important claim of this invention air circulation system  60  composed of hot side fan blade  62 , electric rotor system  61 , and cold side fan blade  63  fastens to structural plate  30  using fasteners  103  and  104 . Gasket  105  and gasket  106  provide thermal and noise insulation between structural plate  30  and other parts of the invention.  
      Also in accordance with important claims of the present invention  10 ,  FIG. 3  shows insulated interface  30 . Insulated. interface  30  is made of semi-rigid insulated material such as insulation grade expanded polystyrene or other similar materials. Insulated interface  30  is of generally quadrilateral shape and thermally insulates the cold side from the hot side of the thermoelectric heat pump assembly  40 .  
      Lastly, as shown in  FIG. 3 , structural plate  30  fastens thermoelectric heat pump assembly  40  and air circulation system  60  in a generally longitudinal relationship enabling continuous motions of air across finned heat sink  41  and finned cold sink  42 .  
      Now turning to  FIG. 4  there is shown an exploded assembly view of the present invention  10  assembled with an insulated vessel  70  and a cosmetic outside cover  80 . Invention  10  fits within cavity  71  of insulated vessel  70 . In accordance with an important claim of the present invention insulated interface  20  has perimeter compressible surface features  21 .  
       FIG. 5  shows the present invention  10  assembled in insulated vessel  70  viewed from the hot side.  
       FIG. 6  shows the present invention  10  assembled in insulated vessel  70  viewed from the cold side.  
       FIG. 7  Shows a partial section view of the present invention  10  assembled in insulated vessel  70 , showing insulated interface  20  fitting within cavity  71  and where insulated interface  20  perimeter compressible surface features  21  form a dissengageable friction and thermal bond with cavity  71  of insulated vessel  70 .  FIG. 8  shows a sectional view of the present invention  10  installed in insulated vessel  70  where it shows a dissengageable tight compressed fit between insulated interface  20  at the physical junction between perimeter compressible features  21  and cavity  71 .  
      In conclusion, and in accordance with the claims of the present invention, this specification discloses a Universal Thermoelectric Module Apparatus that is a one-piece thermoelectric heat pump assembly and than can be installed or removed without the use of tools or fasteners with an insulated vessel where the insulated vessels physical characteristics and application can change, the same invention can fit in a wide varieties of applications.  
      While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.