Patent Description:
The thermoelectric phenomenon is a phenomenon that is generated by the movement of electrons and holes in materials and means direct energy conversion between heat and electricity.

Thermoelectric elements refer to elements using the thermoelectric phenomenon and have a structure in which a P-type thermoelectric material and an N-type thermoelectric material are joined between metal electrodes to form a PN junction pair.

The thermoelectric elements may be classified into elements that use a temperature change in an electrical resistor, elements that use the SeeBeck effect which is a phenomenon in which an electromotive force is generated due to a temperature difference, elements that use the Peltier effect which is a phenomenon in which heat absorption or heat generation occurs due to a current, and the like.

The thermoelectric elements are variously applied to home appliances, electronic components, communication components, and the like. For example, the thermoelectric elements may be applied to cooling devices, heating devices, power generation devices, and the like. Accordingly, the demand of thermoelectric performance of the thermoelectric elements is increasing more and more.

In recent years, there is a need to generate electricity using waste heat generated from engines of automobiles, ships, and the like and the thermoelectric elements. In this case, a structure for increasing power generation performance is required.

In this way, in the case of a power generation device using waste heat, improvement of assembly properties and possibility of replacement of some modules are required and a structure for supporting a region through which cooling water passes due to the weight of the cooling water is also required. <CIT> (<NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>) discloses a thermoelectric conversion device having a plurality of unit modules. <CIT> (<NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>) discloses a heat exchanger for an assembly of thermoelectric elements.

The present invention is directed to providing a heat conversion device that generates power using waste heat.

The invention is given by a heat conversion device according to claim <NUM>. One aspect of the present invention provides a heat conversion device including a plurality of unit modules arranged in each of a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction, a frame configured to support the plurality of unit modules and including a first cooling water inflow tube and a first cooling water discharge tube formed in the first direction, a plurality of second cooling water inflow tubes connected to the first cooling water inflow tube and arranged on one sides of the plurality of unit modules in the second direction, and a plurality of second cooling water discharge tubes connected to the first cooling water discharge tube and arranged on the other sides of the plurality of unit modules in the second direction, wherein each unit module includes a cooling water passage chamber, a first thermoelectric module disposed on a first surface of the cooling water passage chamber, and a second thermoelectric module disposed on a second surface of the cooling water passage chamber, a cooling water inflow port is formed in a third surface between the first and second surfaces of the cooling water passage chamber and a cooling water discharge port is formed in a fourth surface between the first and second surfaces of the cooling water passage chamber, and the cooling water inflow port is connected to the second cooling water inflow tubes and the cooling water discharge port is connected to the second cooling water discharge tubes, wherein cooling water introduced into the first cooling water inflow tube is distributed and introduced into the plurality of second cooling water inflow tubes, and passes through the cooling water passage chamber via the plurality of second cooling water inflow tubes, and the cooling water discharged from the plurality of second cooling water discharge tubes via the cooling water passage chamber is collected by the first cooling water discharge tube and then discharged to the outside.

The plurality of unit modules arranged in the first direction may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval.

Gas may pass through a separation space between the unit modules spaced apart from each other by the predetermined interval, and the temperature of the gas may be higher than the temperature of cooling water of the cooling water passage chamber.

The gas may pass in a direction from the second cooling water discharge tubes to the second cooling water inflow tubes, and the cooling water in the cooling water passage chamber may flow in a direction from the second cooling water inflow tubes to the second cooling water discharge tubes.

A cross-sectional area of the first cooling water inflow tube may be larger than a cross-sectional area of the second cooling water inflow tubes, and a cross-sectional area of the first cooling water discharge tube may be larger than a cross-sectional area of the second cooling water discharge tubes.

A pair of the second cooling water inflow tube and the second cooling water discharge tube may be connected to the plurality of unit modules arranged in the second direction.

The frame may further include a support wall disposed between the plurality of unit modules arranged in the second direction.

First grooves and second grooves may be formed at both ends of the support wall, the second cooling water inflow tubes may be fixed to the first grooves, and the second cooling water discharge tubes may be fixed to the second grooves.

The plurality of unit modules may include a first unit module and a second unit module disposed to be adjacent to the first unit module in the first direction, a first thermoelectric module of the first unit module may include a first thermoelectric element disposed on the first surface and a first heat sink, a second thermoelectric module of the second unit module may include a second thermoelectric element disposed on the second surface and a second heat sink disposed in the second thermoelectric element, and the first heat sink and the second heat sink may be arranged to face each other at predetermined intervals.

The first thermoelectric module and the second thermoelectric module may include a plurality of first thermoelectric elements and a plurality of second thermoelectric elements, and the first unit module and the second unit module may further include a first heat insulation layer disposed between the plurality of first thermoelectric elements and a second heat insulation layer disposed between the plurality of second thermoelectric elements.

As a distance from an inlet of the first cooling water inflow tube increases, the cross-sectional area of the first cooling water inflow tube may decrease.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a heat conversion device that is easily assembled and has excellent power generation performance can be obtained. Further, according to the embodiments of the present invention, the power generation capacity can be adjusted by adjusting the number of unit modules, and replacement and repair of some unit modules are easy. Further, according to the embodiments of the present invention, since the unit module is stably supported, the unit module is not easily deformed even in an environment in which vibration occurs, and thus reliability can be maintained.

Terms including an ordinal number such as second and first may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a second component may be referred to as a first component, and similarly, the first component may be referred to as the second component. The term "and/or" includes a combination of a plurality of related listed items or any of the plurality of related listed items.

It should be understood that, when it is referenced that a first component is "connected" or "coupled" to a second component, the first component may be directly connected or coupled to the second component or a third component may be present between the first component and the second component. On the other hand, it should be understood that, when a first component is "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to a second component, a third component is not present therebetween.

Singular expressions include plural expressions unless clearly otherwise indicated in the context. It should be understood in the present application that terms such as "include" or "have" are intended to indicate that there are features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof that are described in the specification and do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein including technical or scientific terms have the same meanings as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having the same meanings in the context of the related art and may not be interpreted with ideal or excessively formal meanings, unless explicitly defined in the present application.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding components are designated by the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and the duplicated description thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a heat conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a partially enlarged view of the heat conversion device according to the embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a sectional view of <FIG> in a first direction, <FIG> is a perspective view of a unit module of the heat conversion device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is an exploded view of the unit module of <FIG>. <FIG> shows sectional views of a thermoelectric element included in a thermoelectric module according to the embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the thermoelectric element included in the thermoelectric module according to the embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> are views for describing an assembling process of the heat conversion device according to the embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> are views for describing a direction in which high-temperature gas and cooling water flow in the heat conversion device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a heat conversion device <NUM> includes a plurality of unit modules <NUM> and a frame <NUM> supporting the plurality of unit modules <NUM>.

Here, the plurality of unit modules <NUM> may be arranged in each of a first direction and a second direction, and the second direction is a direction intersecting the first direction, for example, a direction perpendicular to the first direction. In the present specification, the plurality of unit modules <NUM> arranged in the first direction may be described as forming one unit module group, and accordingly, the plurality of unit module groups may be arranged in the second direction. Here, the plurality of unit modules <NUM> included in the one unit module group may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval.

The frame <NUM> may be a frame or edge disposed to surround the outer periphery of the plurality of unit modules <NUM>. In this case, the frame <NUM> may include cooling water inflow tubes for injecting cooling water into the plurality of unit modules <NUM> and cooling water discharge tubes for discharging the cooling water passing through the insides of the plurality of unit modules <NUM>. To this end, the frame <NUM> may include a first cooling water inflow tube <NUM> and a first cooling water discharge tube <NUM> formed in the first direction. The first cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> and the first cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> may be formed in the first direction on side surfaces, which are arranged at both borders of the plurality of unit modules <NUM>, of the unit module group. To this end, the first cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> and the first cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> may be formed in edges, which are arranged on the side surfaces of the unit module group arranged at both of the borders of the plurality of unit modules <NUM>, among the edges constituting the frame <NUM>. In this case, the first cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> may be formed in lower portions of the edges, and the first cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> may be formed in upper portions of the edges. Accordingly, the cooling water heated while passing through the plurality of unit modules <NUM> may be easily discharged to the outside using the convection phenomenon.

The heat conversion device <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a plurality of second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> connected to the first cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> of the frame <NUM> and arranged on one sides of the plurality of the plurality of unit modules <NUM> in the second direction and a plurality of second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> connected to the first cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> of the frame <NUM> and arranged on the other sides of the plurality of unit modules <NUM> in the second direction. Here, the one sides of the plurality of unit modules <NUM> may mean lower portions of the plurality of unit modules <NUM> in a third direction intersecting the first direction and the second direction, and the other sides of the plurality of unit modules <NUM> may mean upper portions of the plurality of the unit modules <NUM> in the third direction.

Meanwhile, each unit module <NUM> includes a cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, a first thermoelectric module <NUM> disposed on one surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, and a second thermoelectric module <NUM> disposed on the other surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. Here, the one surface <NUM> and the other surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be both surfaces arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the first direction by a predetermined interval, and in the present specification, the one surface <NUM> and the other surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> are interchangeable with a first surface and a second surface of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. A low temperature part, that is, a heat radiation part, of the first thermoelectric module <NUM> may be disposed on the outer surface of the first surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, and a high temperature part, that is, a heat absorption part, of the first thermoelectric module <NUM> may be disposed to face the second thermoelectric module <NUM> of another adjacent unit module <NUM>. Likewise, a low temperature part, that is, a heat radiation part, of the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may be disposed on the outer surface of the second surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, and a high temperature part, that is, a heat absorption part, of the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may be disposed to face the first thermoelectric module <NUM> of another adjacent unit thermoelectric module <NUM>.

The heat conversion device <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention may generate electric power by using a temperature difference between the cooling water flowing through the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> and high-temperature gas passing through a separation space between the plurality of unit modules <NUM>, that is, a temperature difference between the heat absorption part and the heat radiation part of the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and a temperature difference between the heat absorption part and the heat radiation part of the second thermoelectric module <NUM>. Here, the cooling water may be water but is not limited thereto and may be various types of fluids having cooling performance. The temperature of the cooling water flowing into the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be less than <NUM>, preferably less than <NUM>, and more preferably less than <NUM>, but is not limited thereto. The temperature of the cooling water discharged after passing through the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be higher than the temperature of the cooling water introduced into the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. The temperature of the high-temperature gas passing through the separation space between the plurality of unit modules <NUM> may be higher than the temperature of the cooling water. For example, the temperature of the high-temperature gas passing through the separation space between the plurality of unit modules <NUM> may be <NUM> or more, preferably <NUM> or more, and more preferably <NUM> or more, but is not limited thereto. In this case, the width of the separation space between the plurality of unit modules <NUM> may be several millimeters to several tens of millimeters, and may vary depending on the size of the heat conversion device, the temperature of introduced gas, the inflow rate of the gas, the required amount of power generation, and the like.

In particular, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may each include a plurality of thermoelectric elements <NUM>. The number of thermoelectric elements included in each thermoelectric module may be adjusted depending on the required amount of power generation.

The plurality of thermoelectric elements <NUM> included in each thermoelectric module may be electrically connected to each other, and at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements <NUM> may be electrically connected to each other using a bus bar (not illustrated). For example, the bus bar may be disposed on a side of a discharge port through which the high-temperature gas is discharged after passing through the separation space between the plurality of unit modules <NUM> and may be connected to an external terminal. Accordingly, even while a printed circuit board (PCB) for the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM> is not disposed inside the heat conversion device, power may be supplied to the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM>, and accordingly, the design and assembly of the heat conversion device <NUM> is easy. Each unit module <NUM> may further include a heat insulation layer <NUM> and a shield layer <NUM> arranged between the plurality of thermoelectric elements <NUM>. The heat insulation layer <NUM> may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the outer surface of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> except for a region in which the thermoelectric element <NUM> is disposed among the outer surface of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. In particular, when the heat insulation layer <NUM> is disposed between the thermoelectric elements <NUM> on the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> on which the plurality of thermoelectric elements <NUM> are arranged among the outer surface of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, heat insulation between a low-temperature portion and a high-temperature portion may be maintained due to the heat insulation layer <NUM>, thereby increasing power generation efficiency.

Further, the shield layer <NUM> may be disposed on the heat insulation layer <NUM> and protect the heat insulation layer <NUM> and the plurality of thermoelectric elements <NUM>. To this end, the shield layer <NUM> may include a stainless material.

The shield layer <NUM> and the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be fastened to each other by screws. Accordingly, the shield layer <NUM> may be stably coupled to the unit module <NUM> and the first thermoelectric module <NUM> or the second thermoelectric module <NUM> and the heat insulation layer <NUM> may be fixed together.

In this case, each of the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may adhere to the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> using a thermal pad. Since the thermal pad facilitates heat transfer, the heat transfer between the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> and the thermoelectric module may not be disturbed. Further, each of the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may further include a heat sink disposed on the high-temperature portion side of the thermoelectric element <NUM> and a metal plate <NUM>, for example, an aluminum plate, disposed on the low-temperature portion side of the thermoelectric element <NUM>. In this case, the heat sink <NUM> is disposed toward another adjacent unit module <NUM>. The heat sink <NUM> included in the first thermoelectric module <NUM> may be disposed toward the second thermoelectric module <NUM> of another adjacent unit module <NUM>, and the heat sink <NUM> included in the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may be disposed toward the first thermoelectric module <NUM> of still another adjacent unit module <NUM>. In this case, the heat sinks <NUM> of different adjacent unit modules <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval. Accordingly, the temperature of air passing between the plurality of unit modules <NUM> may be efficiently transferred to the high-temperature portion side of the thermoelectric element <NUM> through the heat sinks <NUM>. Meanwhile, since the metal plate <NUM>, for example, the aluminum plate, has high heat transfer efficiency, the temperature of the cooling water passing through the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be efficiently transferred to the low-temperature portion side of the thermoelectric element <NUM> through the metal plate <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, each thermoelectric element <NUM> includes a first substrate <NUM>, a plurality of first electrodes <NUM> arranged on the first substrate <NUM>, a plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> and a plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> arranged on the plurality of first electrodes <NUM>, a plurality of second electrodes <NUM> arranged on the plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> and the plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs <NUM>, and a second substrate <NUM> disposed on the plurality of second electrodes <NUM>.

In this case, the first electrodes <NUM> may be arranged between the first substrate <NUM> and lower bottom surfaces of the P-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric legs <NUM>, and the second electrodes <NUM> may be arranged between the second substrate <NUM> and upper bottom surfaces of the P-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric legs <NUM>. Accordingly, the plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> and the plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> may be electrically connected to each other through the first electrodes <NUM> and the second electrodes <NUM>. A pair of the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, which are arranged between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> and electrically connected to each other, may form a unit cell.

Here, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be a bismuth telluride (Bi-Te)-based thermoelectric leg containing bismuth (Bi) and tellurium (Ti) as main raw materials. The P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be a thermoelectric leg containing, based on <NUM> wt% of the total weight, a total of <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% bismuth telluride (Bi-Te)-based main raw material containing at least one of antimony (Sb), nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), lead (Pb), boron (B), gallium (Ga), tellurium (Te), bismuth (Bi), and indium (In), and <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% mixture including Bi or Te. For example, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may have a main raw material of Bi-Se-Te and may further contain <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% Bi or Te based on the total weight. The N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be a thermoelectric leg containing, based on <NUM> wt% of the total weight, a total of <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% bismuth telluride (Bi-Te)-based main raw material containing at least one of selenium (Se), nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), lead (Pb), boron (B), gallium (Ga), tellurium (Te), bismuth (Bi), and indium (In), and <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% mixture including Bi or Te. For example, the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may have a main raw material of Bi-Sb-Te and may further contain <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% Bi or Te based on the total weight.

The P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be formed in a bulk type or a stacked type. In general, the bulk-type P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> or the bulk-type N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be obtained through a process of producing an ingot by heat-treating a thermoelectric material, obtaining powder for a thermoelectric leg by pulverizing and sieving the ingot, sintering the powder, and then cutting the sintered object. The laminate-type P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> or the laminate-type N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be obtained through a process of forming a unit member by applying a paste containing a thermoelectric material on a sheet-shaped substrate and then laminating and cutting the unit member.

In this case, the pair of P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may have the same shape and volume or may have different shapes and volumes. For example, since the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> have different electric conduction characteristics, the height or cross-sectional area of the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be different from the height or cross-sectional area of the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>.

The performance of the thermoelectric element according to the embodiment of the present invention may be expressed by the Seebeck index. The Seebeck index (ZT) may be expressed as in Equation <NUM>.

Here, α denotes a Seebeck coefficient [V/K], σ denotes an electrical conductivity [S/m], and α2σ denotes a power factor [W/mK<NUM>]. Further, T denotes a temperature, and k denotes a thermal conductivity [W/mK]. k may be expressed as a·cp·ρ, a denotes a thermal diffusivity [cm<NUM>/S], cp denotes a specific heat [J/gK], and ρ denotes a density [g/cm<NUM>].

In order to obtain the Seebeck index of the thermoelectric element, the Seebeck index ZT may be calculated by measuring a Z value (V/K) using a Z meter and using the measured Z value.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may have a structure illustrated in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, the thermoelectric legs <NUM> and <NUM> include thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM>, first plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> laminated on one surfaces of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM>, second plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> laminated on the other surfaces opposite to the one surfaces of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM>, first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> arranged between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the second plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, and first metal layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and second metal layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> laminated on the first plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>.

In this case, the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be in direct contact with each other, and the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be in direct contact with each other. Further, the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the first plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be in direct contact with each other, and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be in direct contact with each other. Further, the first plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the first metal layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be in direct contact with each other, and the second plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second metal layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be in direct contact with each other.

Here, the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> may contain bismuth (Bi) and tellurium (Te) which are semiconductor materials. The thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> may have the same material or shape as the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> or the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> described in <FIG>.

Further, the first metal layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second metal layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may include one selected from copper (Cu), copper alloy, aluminum (Al), and aluminum alloy and may have a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM>, and preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>. Since the coefficients of thermal expansion of the first metal layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second metal layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> are larger than or similar to the coefficients of thermal expansion of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM>, compressive stress is applied to interfaces between the first metal layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second metal layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> during sintering, and thus cracking or peeling may be prevented. Further, since the coupling force between the first metal layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second metal layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the electrodes <NUM> and <NUM> is high, the thermoelectric legs <NUM> and <NUM> may be stably coupled to the electrodes <NUM> and <NUM>.

Next, the first plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may contain at least one of Ni, Sn, Ti, Fe, Sb, Cr, and Mo and may have a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM>, and preferably <NUM> to <NUM>. Since the first plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> prevent the reaction between Bi or Te, which are semiconductor materials in the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM>, and the first metal layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second metal layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, the degradation of the thermoelectric elements may be prevented and the oxidation of the first metal layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second metal layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be prevented.

In this case, the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be arranged between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the second plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. In this case, the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may contain Te. For example, the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may contain at least one of Ni-Te, Sn-Te, Ti-Te, Fe-Te, Sb-Te, Cr-Te, and Mo-Te. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM>, and preferably, <NUM> to <NUM>. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> containing Te are prearranged between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, and thus Te in the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> may be prevented from spreading to the first plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. Accordingly, the occurrence of a Bi-rich region may be prevented.

Accordingly, the Te content is higher than the Bi content from the centers of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> to the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, and the Te content is higher than the Bi content from the centers of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> to the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. The Te content from the centers of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> to the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the Te content from the centers of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> to the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM> time the Te content in the centers of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the Te content within a thickness of <NUM> from the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> to the centers of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM> time the Te content in the centers of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM>. Here, the Te content may be maintained constant even within the thickness of <NUM> from the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> to the centers of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the change rate of the weight ratio of Te may be in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> within the thickness of <NUM> from the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> to the centers of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM>.

Further, the Te content in the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be equal or similar to the Te content in the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the Te content in the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM> time, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> time, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> time, and more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> time the Te content in the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM>. Here, the content may be a weight ratio. For example, when the Te content in the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> is <NUM> wt%, the Te content in the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be in the range of <NUM> wt% to 50wt%, preferably <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%, more preferably <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%, and more preferably <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%. Further, the Te content in the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be larger than an Ni content. The Te content in the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> is uniform, but the Ni content may decrease from the first bonding layer <NUM>-<NUM> an <NUM>-<NUM> or the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> toward the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM>.

Further, the Te content from the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> to the interfaces between the first plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the interfaces between the second plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be uniformly distributed. For example, the change rate of the weight ratio of Te from the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> to the interfaces between the first plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the interfaces between the second plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>. Here, as the change ratio of the weight ratio of Te becomes closer to <NUM>, this may mean that the Te content from the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> to the interfaces between the first plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the interfaces between the second plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> is uniformly distributed.

Further, the Te content in a surface in contact with the first plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> in the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, that is, the interfaces between the first plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or a surface in contact with the second plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> in the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, that is, the interfaces between the second plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM> time, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> time, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> time, and more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> time the Te content in a surface in contact with the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> in the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM>, that is, the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or a surface in contact with the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> in the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM>, that is, the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. Here, the content may be a weight ratio.

Further, it may be seen that the Te content in the centers of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> is equal or similar to the Te content in the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. That is, the Te content in the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM> time, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> time, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> time, and more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> time the Te content in the centers of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM>. Here, the content may be a weight ratio. Here, the centers of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> may mean a peripheral area including the centers of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM>. Further, the interface may mean the interface itself or may mean a region including the interface and the peripheral area adjacent to the interface within a predetermined distance.

Further, the Te content in the first plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the second plating layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be smaller than the Te content in the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the Te content in the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>.

Further, it may be seen that the Bi content in the centers of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> is equal or similar to the Bi content in the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. Accordingly, since the Te content is higher than the Bi content from the centers of the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> to the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, there is no section where the Bi content is not higher than the Te content in a region around the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or a region around the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. For example, the Bi content in the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> may be <NUM> to <NUM> time, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> time, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> time, and more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> time the Bi content in the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the first bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> or the interfaces between the thermoelectric material layers <NUM> and <NUM> and the second bonding layers <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. Here, the content may be a weight ratio.

Meanwhile, the first electrode <NUM> disposed between the first substrate <NUM> and the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> disposed between the second substrate <NUM> and the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may contain at least one of copper (Cu), silver (Ag), and nickel (Ni) and have a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM>. When the thickness of the first electrode <NUM> or the second electrode <NUM> is less than <NUM>, the function of the first electrode <NUM> or the second electrode <NUM> as an electrode is degraded, and thus electric conduction performance may be degraded, and when the thickness of the first electrode <NUM> or the second electrode <NUM> is more than <NUM>, electric conduction efficiency may be degraded due to an increase in resistance.

Further, the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> facing each other may be an insulating substrate or a metal substrate. The insulating substrate may be an aluminum substrate or a polymer resin substrate. The polymer resin substrate may contain various insulation resin materials such as polyimide (PI), polystyrene (PS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), cyclic olefin copoly (COC), and highly permeable plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Otherwise, the polymer resin substrate may be a thermally conductive substrate made of a resin composition containing an epoxy resin and an inorganic filler. The thickness of the thermally conductive substrate may be in the range of <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, and more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, and the thermal conductivity thereof may be <NUM> W/mK or more, preferably <NUM> W/mK or more, and more preferably <NUM> W/mK.

To this end, the epoxy resin may contain an epoxy compound and a curing agent. In this case, the epoxy resin may include <NUM> volume ratio of the epoxy compound and a <NUM> to <NUM> volume ratio of the curing agent. Here, the epoxy compound may include at least one of a crystalline epoxy compound, an amorphous epoxy compound, and a silicone epoxy compound. The crystalline epoxy compound may include a mesogen structure. The mesogen is a basic unit of liquid crystal and includes a rigid structure. Further, the amorphous epoxy compound may be a general amorphous epoxy compound having two or more epoxy groups in a molecule and may be, for example, a glycidyl ether compound derived from bisphenol A or bisphenol F. Here, the curing agent may include at least one of an amine-based curing agent, a phenol-based curing agent, an acid anhydride-based curing agent, a polymercaptan-based curing agent, a polyaminoamide-based curing agent, an isocyanate-based curing agent, and a block isocyanate-based curing agent, and a mixture of two or more types of the curing agents may be used as the curing agent.

An inorganic filler may include at least one of aluminum oxide, boron nitride, and aluminum nitride. In this case, the boron nitride may include a boron nitride aggregate in which a plurality of plate-shaped boron nitrides are aggregated. Here, the surface of the boron nitride aggregate may be coated with a polymer having Monomer <NUM> below or at least a portion of voids in the boron nitride aggregate may be filled with the polymer having Monomer <NUM> below.

Here, one of R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM>, and R<NUM> may be H, the rest may be selected from the group consisting of C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl, C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkene, and C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyne, and R<NUM> may be a linear, branched, or cyclic divalent organic linker having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms.

In one embodiment, one of R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM>, and R<NUM> excluding H may be selected from C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkene, and another and still another of the rest may be selected from C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl. For example, the polymer according to the embodiment of the present invention may include Monomer <NUM> below.

Otherwise, the rest of R<NUM>, R<NUM>, R<NUM>, and R<NUM> except for H may be selected from the group consisting of C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl, C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkene, and C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyne to be different from each other.

In this way, when the polymer according to Monomer <NUM> or Monomer <NUM> is applied on the boron nitride aggregate in which the plate-shaped boron nitride is aggregated, and at least a portion of the voids in the boron nitride is filled, an air layer in the boron nitride aggregate is minimized, and thus the heat conduction performance of the boron nitride aggregate may be increased, and a bonding force between the plate-shaped boron nitrides may be increased to prevent the boron nitride aggregate from being broken. Further, when a coating layer is formed on the boron nitride aggregate in which the plate-shaped boron nitride is aggregated, a functional group may be easily formed, and when the functional group is formed on the coating layer of the boron nitride aggregate, the affinity with the resin may be increased.

When the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> are polymer resin substrates, the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> may have a thinner thickness, higher heat radiation performance, and higher insulation performance than those of a metal substrate. Further, when an electrode is disposed on a semi-cured polymer resin layer applied onto the heat sink <NUM> or the metal plate <NUM> and is then thermally compressed, a separate adhesive layer may not be required.

In this case, the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> may have different sizes. For example, the volume, the thickness, or the area of one of the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM> may be formed larger than the volume, the thickness, or the area of the other thereof. Accordingly, heat absorption performance or heat radiation performance of the thermoelectric element may be increased.

Further, a heat radiation pattern, for example, an uneven pattern, may be formed on the surface of one of the first substrate <NUM> and the second substrate <NUM>. Accordingly, heat radiation performance of the thermoelectric element may be increased. When the uneven pattern is formed on the surface in contact with the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> or the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, a bonding property between the thermoelectric leg and the substrate may be also improved.

Meanwhile, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> or the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape, a polygonal column shape, an oval column shape, or the like.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> or the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be formed to have a wide width at a portion thereof that is bonded to the electrode.

Referring back to <FIG>, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> and the second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> may be arranged in each of the unit modules <NUM> arranged in the first direction. That is, the number of each of the second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> and the second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> may be equal to the number of the unit modules <NUM> arranged in the first direction or a multiple of the number of the unit modules <NUM> arranged in the first direction.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the second cooling water inflow tube and the second cooling water discharge tube arranged on the same unit module side, for example, a second cooling water inflow tube <NUM>-<NUM> and a second cooling water discharge tube <NUM>-<NUM> arranged on a first unit module <NUM>-<NUM>, may be referred to as a pair of second cooling water inflow tube <NUM>-<NUM> and second cooling water discharge tube <NUM>-<NUM>.

The cooling water introduced into the first cooling water inflow tube <NUM> in the first direction is distributed and introduced into the plurality of second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM>. Further, the cooling water discharged from the plurality of second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> is collected by the first cooling water discharge tube <NUM> and then discharged to the outside in the first direction. Accordingly, the cross-section area of the first cooling water inflow tube <NUM> may be larger than the cross-sectional area of the second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> and the cross-sectional area of the first cooling water discharge tube <NUM> may be larger than the cross-sectional area of the second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the cooling water introduced through the second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> in the second direction may pass through the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> of each unit module <NUM> in the third direction and then be discharged through the second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> in the second direction. To this end, at least one cooling water inflow port <NUM> and at least one cooling water discharge port <NUM> may be formed in each cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. The cooling water inflow port <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be formed on a third surface that is one surface between the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, and the cooling water discharge port <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be formed in a fourth surface <NUM> that is the other surface between the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. Here, the third surface <NUM> may be a surface disposed in a downward direction from the third direction, and the fourth surface <NUM> may be a surface disposed in an upward direction from the third direction. That is, the third surface <NUM> may be a surface disposed close to the second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM>, and the fourth surface <NUM> may be a surface disposed close to the second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM>.

Further, the cooling water inflow port <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be connected to the second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> and a cooling water discharge port (not illustrated) of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be connected to the second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM>. To this end, at least one cooling water discharge port <NUM> may be formed in the second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM>, at least one cooling water inflow port (not illustrated) may be formed in the second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM>, the cooling water discharge port <NUM> of the second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> may be connected to the cooling water inflow port <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, and the cooling water inflow port of the second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> may be connected to a cooling water discharge port of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. In this case, the cooling water discharge port and the cooling water inflow port may be formed at positions corresponding to each other and at least one of the cooling water discharge port and the cooling water inflow port may include a protrusion. Accordingly, the cooling water discharge port and the cooling water inflow port may be fitted with each other or may be fitted by a fitting member, and additionally, a region where the cooling water discharge port and the cooling water inflow port are connected to each other may be sealed by a sealing member.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, after the plurality of second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> are arranged in a lower end of the frame <NUM>, the plurality of unit modules <NUM> are arranged on the plurality of second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM>, and the plurality of second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> are arranged in an upper end of the frame <NUM> on the plurality of unit modules <NUM>.

As many holes <NUM> as the number of the plurality of second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> may be formed in the first cooling water inflow tube <NUM> formed at a lower end of the frame <NUM> such that the cooling water may be distributed and introduced into the plurality of second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> from the first cooling water inflow tube <NUM> of the frame <NUM>, and the second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> may be arranged according to the positions of the holes <NUM>. Likewise, as many holes <NUM> as the number of the plurality of second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> may be formed in the first cooling water discharge tube <NUM> formed in the upper end of the frame <NUM> such that the cooling water may be collected and discharged to the first cooling water discharge tube <NUM> of the frame <NUM> from the plurality of second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM>, and the second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> may be arranged according to the positions of the holes <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the pair of second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> and the pair of second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> may be connected to the plurality of unit modules <NUM> arranged in the second direction. For example, the second cooling water inflow tube <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected to the first unit module <NUM>-<NUM> and another unit module <NUM>-<NUM> disposed adjacent to the first unit module <NUM>-<NUM> in the second direction. Likewise, the second cooling water discharge tube <NUM>-<NUM> may be connected to the first unit module <NUM>-<NUM> and another unit module <NUM>-<NUM> disposed adjacent to the first unit module <NUM>-<NUM> in the second direction. To this end, the frame <NUM> may further include a support wall <NUM> disposed between the plurality of unit modules <NUM> arranged in the second direction. That is, the support wall <NUM> may be disposed between one unit module group including the plurality of unit modules <NUM> arranged in the first direction and another unit module group disposed adjacent to the one unit module group in the second direction. In this case, first grooves <NUM> in which the second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> are arranged and second grooves <NUM> in which the second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> are arranged may be formed in the support wall <NUM>. The number of the first grooves <NUM> and the number of the second grooves <NUM> formed in one support wall <NUM> may be equal to the number of the second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> and the number of the second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM>, respectively, that is, the number of the unit modules <NUM> arranged in the one unit module group.

The second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> and the second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> may be fixed to the first grooves <NUM> and the second grooves <NUM>, respectively. To this end, a fixing member <NUM> may be assembled on the plurality of second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM>, and the fixing member <NUM>, the plurality of second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM>, and the support wall <NUM> may be fastened to each other by screws. Although not illustrated, fixing members having the same structure may be assembled on the plurality of second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> sides.

According to such an assembling method, the number of the assembled unit modules may be easily adjusted according to the desired amount of power generation. Further, when some of the unit modules are damaged or malfunctioned, a process of disassembling the heat conversion device, replacing the unit module, and then reassembling the unit modules is easy. Further, since the unit module itself does not need to be fixed to the frame by screws, the assembling is easy. Further, since the second cooling water inflow tubes arranged below the unit modules may perform not only a function of cooling water inflow but also a function of supporting the unit modules, the heat conversion device has the rigidity, and thus may be prevented from being deformed during vibration or impact.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the cooling water may be introduced through the first cooling water inflow tube <NUM> in the first direction and distributed into the plurality of second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM>. Further, the cooling water may flow through the second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> in the second direction and be introduced into the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. The cooling water introduced into the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may flow toward an upper end of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> in the third direction and be discharged to the second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM>. Further, the cooling water in the second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> may flow toward the first cooling water discharge tube <NUM> in the second direction and the cooling water collected in the first cooling water discharge tube <NUM> may be discharged to the outside.

In this case, the high-temperature gas flows from the upper end toward a lower end of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. When the second cooling water discharge tubes <NUM> are arranged at an upper end of the unit module <NUM> as in the embodiment of the present invention, a problem that the performance of the thermoelectric element is degraded due to the high temperature of the high-temperature gas may be prevented. Further, since the cooling water flows from the lower end toward the upper end of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, the cooling water may be filled from the bottom of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, and since a direction in which the high-temperature gas flows is opposite to a direction in which the cooling water flows, a uniform heat exchange temperature may be provided to all of the unit modules.

<FIG> is a top view of a heat conversion device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the heat conversion device of <FIG>. Here, although it is illustrated that only a portion of the frame <NUM> may be filled with the unit modules, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the entirety or a portion of the frame <NUM> may be filled with the unit modules. Duplicated description for the same contents illustrated in <FIG> will be omitted.

Referring to <FIG>, the cross-sectional areas of the first cooling water inflow tube <NUM> and the first cooling water discharge tube <NUM> of the frame <NUM> may decrease as the first cooling water inflow tube <NUM> and the first cooling water discharge tube <NUM> become further away from an inlet of the first cooling water inflow tube <NUM>. Accordingly, high hydraulic pressure may be applied even to the second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM> arranged at a large distance from the inlet of the first cooling water inflow tube <NUM>, and thus the cooling water may be uniformly introduced into the plurality of second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a heat conversion device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. Here, although it is illustrated that only a portion of the frame <NUM> may be filled with the unit modules, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the entirety or a portion of the frame <NUM> may be filled with the unit modules. Duplicated description for the same contents illustrated in <FIG> will be omitted.

Referring to <FIG>, the inlet of the first cooling water inflow tube <NUM> of the frame <NUM> may be formed in a side surface of the first cooling water inflow tube <NUM>. Accordingly, since the cooling water introduced into the inlet of the first cooling water inflow tube <NUM> may be introduced in the second direction, the cooling water may be uniformly introduced into the plurality of second cooling water inflow tubes <NUM>.

Heat radiation fins may be arranged on the inner wall of each cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. The shape and the number of the heat radiation fins, the area where the heat radiation fins occupy the inner wall of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, and the like may be variously changed depending on the temperature of the cooling water, the temperature of waste heat, the required power generation capacity, and the like. The area where the heat radiation fins occupy the inner wall of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be, for example, <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the cross-sectional area of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. Accordingly, high thermoelectric conversion efficiency may be obtained without disturbing the flow of the cooling water.

Further, the inside of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be partitioned into a plurality of regions. When the inside of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> is partitioned into the plurality of regions, since the cooling water may be uniformly distributed inside the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> even when the flow rate of the cooling water is not sufficient to fully fill the inside of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, uniform thermoelectric conversion efficiency for the entire surface of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be obtained.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a heat conversion device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a partially enlarged view of the heat conversion device according to the embodiment of <FIG>, <FIG> is a perspective view of a unit module included in the heat conversion device according to the embodiment of <FIG>, <FIG> is an exploded view of the unit module of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a sectional view of the heat conversion device according to another embodiment of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a heat conversion device <NUM> includes a plurality of unit module groups and a frame <NUM> supporting the plurality of unit module groups. Here, each unit module group includes a plurality of unit modules <NUM>.

Here, the plurality of unit modules <NUM> may be arranged in a first direction and a second direction, and the second direction is a direction intersecting the first direction, for example, a direction perpendicular to the first direction. In the present specification, the plurality of unit modules <NUM> arranged in the first direction may be described as forming one unit module group, and accordingly, the plurality of unit module groups may be arranged in the second direction. Here, the plurality of unit modules <NUM> included in the one unit module group may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval. In the present specification, for convenience of description, the heat conversion device <NUM> is described as an example of including five unit module groups arranged in the second direction, that is, a first unit module group <NUM>-A, a second unit module group <NUM>-B, a third unit module group <NUM>-C, a fourth unit module group <NUM>-D, and a fifth unit module group <NUM>-E. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

The frame <NUM> may be a frame or edge disposed to surround the outer periphery of the plurality of unit modules <NUM>. In this case, the frame <NUM> may include a cooling water inflow tube (not illustrated) for injecting cooling water into the plurality of unit modules <NUM> and a cooling water discharge tube (not illustrated) for discharging the cooling water passing through the insides of the plurality of unit modules <NUM>. One of the cooling water inflow tube and the cooling water discharge tube may be formed at an edge disposed on the side surface of a unit module group disposed at one border among the plurality of unit module groups, for example, the first unit module group <NUM>-A, and the other one may be formed at an edge disposed on the side surface of a unit module group disposed at another border among the plurality of unit module groups, for example, the fifth unit module group <NUM>-E.

In particular, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, each unit module <NUM> includes a cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, a first thermoelectric module <NUM> disposed in one surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, and a second thermoelectric module <NUM> disposed in the other surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. Here, the one surface <NUM> and the other surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be both surfaces arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the first direction by a predetermined interval, and in the present specification, the one surface <NUM> and the other surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> are interchangeable with a first surface and a second surface of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>.

A low temperature part, that is, a heat radiation part, of the first thermoelectric module <NUM> may be disposed on the outer surface of the first surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, and a high temperature part, that is, a heat absorption part, of the first thermoelectric module <NUM> may be disposed to face the second thermoelectric module <NUM> of another adjacent unit module <NUM>. Likewise, a low temperature part, that is, a heat radiation part, of the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may be disposed on the outer surface of the second surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, and a high temperature part, that is, a heat absorption part, of the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may be disposed to face the first thermoelectric module <NUM> of another adjacent unit thermoelectric module <NUM>.

The heat conversion device <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention may generate electric power by using a temperature difference between the cooling water flowing through the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> and high-temperature gas passing through a separation space between the plurality of unit modules <NUM>, that is, a temperature difference between the heat absorption part and the heat radiation part of the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and a temperature difference between the heat absorption part and the heat radiation part of the second thermoelectric module <NUM>. Here, the cooling water may be water but is not limited thereto and may be various types of fluids having cooling performance. The temperature of the cooling water flowing into the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be less than <NUM>, preferably less than <NUM>, and more preferably less than <NUM>, but is not limited thereto. The temperature of the cooling water discharged after passing through the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be higher than the temperature of the cooling water introduced into the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. The temperature of the high-temperature gas passing through the separation space between the plurality of unit modules <NUM> may be higher than the temperature of the cooling water. For example, the temperature of the high-temperature gas passing through the separation space between the plurality of unit modules <NUM> may be <NUM> or more, preferably <NUM> or more, and more preferably <NUM> or more, but is not limited thereto. In this case, the width of the separation space between the plurality of unit modules <NUM> may be several millimeters to several tens of millimeters and may vary depending on the size of the heat conversion device, the temperature of introduced gas, the inflow rate of the gas, the required amount of power generation, and the like.

The first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may each include a plurality of thermoelectric elements <NUM>. The number of thermoelectric elements included in each thermoelectric module may be adjusted depending on the required amount of power generation.

The plurality of thermoelectric elements <NUM> included in each thermoelectric module may be electrically connected to each other, and at least some of the plurality of thermoelectric elements <NUM> may be electrically connected to each other using a bus bar (not illustrated). For example, the bus bar may be disposed on a side of a discharge port through which the high-temperature gas is discharged after passing through the separation space between the plurality of unit modules <NUM> and may be connected to an external terminal. Accordingly, even while a PCB for the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM> is not disposed inside the heat conversion device, power may be supplied to the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM>, and accordingly, the design and assembly of the heat conversion device <NUM> is easy. Each unit module <NUM> may further include a heat insulation layer <NUM> and a shield layer <NUM> arranged between the plurality of thermoelectric elements <NUM>. The heat insulation layer <NUM> may be disposed to surround at least a portion of the outer surface of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> except for a region in which the thermoelectric element <NUM> is disposed among the outer surface of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. In particular, when the heat insulation layer <NUM> is disposed between the thermoelectric elements <NUM> on the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> on which the plurality of thermoelectric elements <NUM> are arranged among the outer surface of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, heat insulation between a low-temperature portion and a high-temperature portion may be maintained due to the heat insulation layer <NUM>, thereby increasing power generation efficiency.

In this case, each of the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may adhere to the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> using a thermal pad <NUM>. Since the thermal pad <NUM> facilities heat transfer, the heat transfer between the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> and the thermoelectric module may not be disturbed. Further, each of the first thermoelectric module <NUM> and the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may further include a heat sink disposed on the high-temperature portion side of the thermoelectric element <NUM> and a metal plate <NUM>, for example, an aluminum plate, disposed on the low-temperature portion side of the thermoelectric element <NUM>. In this case, the heat sink <NUM> is disposed toward another adjacent unit module. The heat sink <NUM> included in the first thermoelectric module <NUM> may be disposed toward the second thermoelectric module <NUM> of another adjacent unit module <NUM>-<NUM> (see <FIG>) and the heat sink <NUM> included in the second thermoelectric module <NUM> may be disposed toward the first thermoelectric module <NUM> of still another adjacent unit module <NUM>-<NUM> (see <FIG>). In this case, the heat sinks <NUM> of different adjacent unit modules <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined interval. Accordingly, the temperature of air passing between the plurality of unit modules <NUM> may be efficiently transferred to the high-temperature portion side of the thermoelectric element <NUM> through the heat sinks <NUM>. Meanwhile, since the metal plate <NUM>, for example, the aluminum plate, has high heat transfer efficiency, the temperature of the cooling water passing through the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be efficiently transferred to the low-temperature portion side of the thermoelectric element <NUM> through the metal plate <NUM>. As illustrated, although a plurality of thermoelectric elements <NUM> may be arranged in one metal plate <NUM>, the present invention is not limited thereto, and one thermoelectric element <NUM> may be disposed in one metal plate <NUM>. Detailed description of the thermoelectric element <NUM> is the same as that of <FIG> and <FIG>, the duplicated description will be omitted.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, the unit module <NUM> may further include a first support frame <NUM> disposed on a third surface <NUM> side between the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> and a second support frame <NUM> disposed on a fourth surface <NUM> side between the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. Here, the third surface <NUM> may be a surface facing downward in the third direction and the fourth surface <NUM> may be a surface facing upward in the third direction. The shape of at least one of the first support frame <NUM> and the second support frame <NUM> may be an H shape, for example, an H beam. The number of the first support frames <NUM> and the second support frames <NUM> included in the heat conversion device <NUM> may be the same as the total number of the unit modules <NUM> included in the heat conversion device <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first support frame <NUM> and the second support frame <NUM> arranged on the same unit module side may be referred to as a pair of support frames. When the first support frame <NUM> and the second support frame <NUM> are arranged on the third surface <NUM> side and the fourth surface <NUM> side of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, respectively, the rigidity of the unit module may be maintained and bending or deformation during vibration may be prevented.

To this end, the frame <NUM> may further include a support wall <NUM> disposed between the first unit module group <NUM>-A and the second unit module group <NUM>-B and each of the first support frame <NUM> and the second support frame <NUM> may be fastened to the support wall <NUM>. In this case, the support wall <NUM> may be fastened to a frame or edge of the frame <NUM> or formed integrally.

In more detail, the support wall <NUM> may be disposed between the first unit module group <NUM>-A and the second unit module group <NUM>-B, the first support frame <NUM> and the second support frame <NUM> arranged in the unit module <NUM> of the first unit module group <NUM>-A may extend from lower and upper portions of the support wall <NUM> toward a direction in which the second unit module group <NUM>-B is disposed, and the first support frame <NUM> and the second support frame <NUM> arranged in the unit module <NUM> of the second unit module group <NUM>-B may extend from lower and upper portions of the support wall <NUM> toward a direction in which the first unit module group <NUM>-A is disposed. In this case, the extension length of each of the first support frame <NUM> and the second support frame <NUM> may not exceed a half of the thickness of the support wall <NUM>. Further, a lower portion of the first support frame <NUM> and the support wall <NUM> and an upper portion of the second support frame <NUM> and the support wall <NUM> may be fastened to each other by screws. Accordingly, since the unit module itself does not need to be directly fixed to the frame by screws, the assembling is easy. Further, it is easy to adjust the number of the unit modules according to the desired amount of power generation.

Here, although it is illustrated that the pair of support frames support one single module, the present invention is not limited thereto. The first support frame <NUM> and the second support frame <NUM> may extend in the second direction to simultaneously support one of a plurality of unit modules included in one unit module group and one of a plurality of unit modules included in another adjacent unit module group. Accordingly, the numbers of the first support frames <NUM> and the second support frames <NUM> included in the heat conversion device <NUM> may be the same as the number of the unit modules <NUM> included in the first unit module group <NUM>-A or a multiple of the number of the unit modules <NUM> included in the first unit module group <NUM>-A.

To this end, a plurality of grooves in which the first support frame <NUM> is disposed may be formed in a lower end of the support wall <NUM>, a plurality of grooves in which the second support frame <NUM> is disposed may be formed in an upper end of the support wall <NUM>, and each of the first support frame <NUM> and the second support frame <NUM> may be fastened to the support wall <NUM> by fixing members such as screws. The number of the grooves formed in the lower and upper ends of one support wall <NUM> may be the same as the number of the unit modules <NUM> arranged in one unit module group.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, a cooling water inflow port is formed on one side surface of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> and a cooling water discharge port is formed on the other side surface thereof.

A cooling water inflow port <NUM> may be formed in a fifth surface <NUM> that is one of both surfaces between the first surface <NUM>, the second surface <NUM>, the third surface <NUM>, and the fourth surface <NUM> and a cooling water discharge port <NUM> may be formed in a sixth surface <NUM> that is the other one of both of the surfaces between the first surface <NUM>, the second surface <NUM>, the third surface <NUM>, and the fourth surface <NUM>. In <FIG>, when the first unit module group <NUM>-A, the second unit module group <NUM>-B, the third unit module group <NUM>-C, the fourth unit module group <NUM>-D, and the fifth unit module group <NUM>-E may be sequentially arranged in the second direction, and the cooling water flows in a direction from the first unit module group <NUM>-A toward the fifth unit module group <NUM>-E, the cooling water inflow port <NUM> may be formed in one side surface, that is, the fifth surface <NUM> that is an outer side surface, of each cooling water passage chamber <NUM> of each unit module <NUM> included in the first unit module group <NUM>-A, and the cooling water discharge port <NUM> may be formed in the other side surface, that is, the sixth surface <NUM> that is a side surface disposed to face the second unit module group <NUM>-B, of each cooling water passage chamber <NUM> of each unit module <NUM> included in the first unit module group <NUM>-A. Likewise, the cooling water inflow port <NUM> may be formed on one side surface, that is, the fifth surface <NUM> that is a side surface disposed to face the first unit module group <NUM>-A, of each cooling water passage chamber <NUM> of each unit module <NUM> included in the second unit module group <NUM>-B, and the cooling water discharge port <NUM> may be formed on the other side surface, that is, the sixth surface <NUM> that is a side surface disposed to face the third unit module group <NUM>-C, of each cooling water passage chamber <NUM> of each unit module <NUM> included in the second unit module group <NUM>-B.

In this case, in order for the cooling water to flow in a direction from the first unit module group <NUM>-A to the fifth unit module group <NUM>-E, a hole <NUM> may be formed in the support wall <NUM> disposed between both unit module groups to correspond to the positions of the cooling water inflow port <NUM> and the cooling water discharge port <NUM>. For example, the hole <NUM> may be formed to simultaneously correspond to the position of the cooling water discharge port <NUM> formed in each cooling water passage chamber <NUM> of each unit module <NUM> included in the first unit module group <NUM>-A and the position of the cooling water inflow port <NUM> formed in each cooling water passage chamber <NUM> of each unit module <NUM> included in the second unit module group <NUM>-B. Accordingly, the cooling water discharge port <NUM> formed in each cooling water passage chamber <NUM> of each unit module <NUM> included in the first unit module group <NUM>-A may be connected, through the hole <NUM>, to the cooling water inflow port <NUM> formed in each cooling water passage chamber <NUM> of each unit module <NUM> included in the second unit module group <NUM>-B, and the cooling water may flow from each cooling water passage chamber <NUM> of each unit module <NUM> included in the first unit module group <NUM>-A to each cooling water passage chamber <NUM> of each unit module <NUM> included in the second unit module group <NUM>-B. This structure may be equally applied to the second unit module group <NUM>-B, the third unit module group <NUM>-C, the fourth unit module group <NUM>-D, and the fifth unit module group <NUM>-E.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in <FIG>, a first fitting member <NUM> may be connected to each cooling water inflow port <NUM> and a second fitting member <NUM> may be connected to each cooling water discharge port <NUM>. In this case, the first fitting member <NUM> and the second fitting member <NUM> may be fitted with the cooling water inflow port <NUM> and the cooling water discharge port <NUM>, respectively, and may have a hollow tubular shape such that the cooling water may pass therethrough. Further, the first fitting member <NUM> and the second fitting member <NUM> may be simultaneously fitted with one hole <NUM>. For example, the second fitting member <NUM> connected to the cooling water discharge port <NUM> formed in each cooling water passage chamber <NUM> of each unit module <NUM> included in the first unit module group <NUM>-A and the first fitting member <NUM> connected to the cooling water inflow port <NUM> formed in each cooling water passage chamber <NUM> of each unit module <NUM> included in the second unit module group <NUM>-B may be fitted together in one of a plurality of the holes <NUM> formed in the support wall <NUM> disposed between the first unit module group <NUM>-A and the second unit module group <NUM>-B. In this case, in order to prevent a problem that the cooling water leaks between the second fitting member <NUM> and the first fitting member <NUM>, the outer circumferential surface of the first fitting member <NUM>, the outer circumferential surface of the second fitting member <NUM>, and the inner circumferential surface of the hole <NUM> may be sealed together.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of the cooling water inflow ports <NUM> and a plurality of the cooling water discharge ports <NUM> are formed in the fifth surface <NUM> and the sixth surface <NUM> of each cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, and the plurality of holes <NUM> may be formed in the support wall <NUM> to correspond to the positions of the plurality of cooling water inflow ports <NUM> and the positions of the plurality of cooling water discharge ports <NUM>.

In this case, in order for the cooling water to flow smoothly, a plurality of cooling water passage tubes <NUM> may be formed inside the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. The cooling water passage tube <NUM> may be connected from the cooling water inflow port <NUM> to the cooling water discharge port <NUM> inside the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, and the cooling water may flow in the second direction through the cooling water passage tube <NUM>. Accordingly, since the cooling water may be uniformly distributed inside the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> even when the flow rate of the cooling water is not sufficient to fully fill the inside of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>, uniform thermoelectric conversion efficiency for the entire surface of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM> may be obtained.

In this way, after flowing into the first unit group module <NUM>-A, the cooling water may be discharged to the fifth unit group module <NUM>-E via the second unit group module <NUM>-B, the third unit group module <NUM>-C, and the fourth unit group module <NUM>-D in the second direction.

Further, the high-temperature gas flows from the upper end toward the lower end of the cooling water passage chamber <NUM>. When the second support frame <NUM> is disposed at an upper end of the unit module <NUM> as in the embodiment of the present invention, a problem that the performance of the thermoelectric element is degraded due to the high temperature of the high-temperature gas may be prevented.

Although not illustrated, according to the embodiment of the present invention, a cooling water inflow tube may be formed on one side surface of the first unit module group <NUM>-A, for example, in a frame or edge of the frame <NUM> facing the fifth surface, and a cooling water discharge tube may be formed on the other side surface of the fifth unit module group <NUM>-E, for example, in a frame or edge of the frame <NUM> facing the sixth surface. The cooling water introduced into the cooling water inflow tube may be distributed and introduced into the cooling water inflow ports <NUM> of the cooling water passage chambers <NUM> of the plurality of unit modules <NUM> included in the first unit module group <NUM>-A. Further, the cooling water discharged from the cooling water discharge ports <NUM> of the cooling water passage chambers <NUM> of the plurality of unit modules <NUM> included in the fifth unit module group <NUM>-E may be collected in the cooling water discharge tube and discharged to the outside.

Claim 1:
A heat conversion device comprising:
a plurality of unit modules (<NUM>) arranged in each of a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction;
a frame (<NUM>) configured to support the plurality of unit modules (<NUM>) and including a first cooling water inflow tube (<NUM>) and a first cooling water discharge tube (<NUM>) formed in the first direction;
a plurality of second cooling water inflow tubes (<NUM>) connected to the first cooling water inflow tube (<NUM>) and arranged on one side of the plurality of unit modules (<NUM>) in the second direction; and
a plurality of second cooling water discharge tubes (<NUM>) connected to the first cooling water discharge tube (<NUM>) and arranged on the other side of the plurality of unit modules (<NUM>) in the second direction,
wherein each unit module (<NUM>) includes:
a cooling water passage chamber (<NUM>);
a first thermoelectric module (<NUM>) disposed on a first surface of the cooling water passage chamber (<NUM>); and
a second thermoelectric module (<NUM>) disposed on a second surface of the cooling water passage chamber (<NUM>),
a cooling water inflow port (<NUM>) is formed in a third surface between the first and second surfaces of the cooling water passage chamber (<NUM>) and a cooling water discharge port (<NUM>) is formed in a fourth surface between the first and second surfaces of the cooling water passage chamber (<NUM>), and
the cooling water inflow port (<NUM>) of the cooling water passage chamber (<NUM>) is connected to the second cooling water inflow tubes, and the cooling water discharge port (<NUM>) of the cooling water passage chamber (<NUM>) is connected to the second cooling water discharge tubes (<NUM>),
wherein:
cooling water introduced into the first cooling water inflow tube (<NUM>) is distributed and introduced into the plurality of second cooling water inflow tubes (<NUM>), and passes through the cooling water passage chamber (<NUM>) via the plurality of second cooling water inflow tubes (<NUM>), and the cooling water discharged from the plurality of second cooling water discharge tubes (<NUM>) via the cooling water passage chamber (<NUM>) is collected by the first cooling water discharge tube (<NUM>) and then discharged to the outside.