Patent Description:
There is a known thermoelectric power generator including a thermoelectric power generation module that generates electric power using the Seebeck effect. The thermoelectric power generation module includes a heat receiver and a heat dissipater. The thermoelectric power generation module generates electric power by a temperature difference between the heat receiver and the heat dissipater. The larger the temperature difference between the heat receiver and the heat dissipater, the higher the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module. Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a thermoelectric power generator including: a heat dissipating member joined to a low temperature portion-side of a thermoelectric conversion module; and a fan driven by the generated power of the thermoelectric conversion module and configured to cool the heat dissipating member. The heat dissipating member is cooled by the fan, thereby increasing the temperature difference between the high temperature portion (heat receiver) and the low temperature portion (heat dissipater).

Patent Literature <NUM>: <CIT> Furthermore document <CIT> discloses a thermoelectric power generator comprising: a thermoelectric power generation module that includes a heat receiver and a heat dissipater and generates electric power by a temperature difference between the heat receiver and the heat dissipater; a cooling device that cools the heat dissipater; and a control device, wherein generated power of the thermoelectric power generation module is distributed to effective power used in an external load.

When the generated power of the thermoelectric power generation module is distributed to the fan and an external load, an increase in the power distributed to the external load decreases the power distributed to the fan. The decrease in the power distributed to the fan deteriorates the cooling efficiency of the fan. When the cooling efficiency of the fan deteriorates, the temperature difference between the heat receiver and the heat dissipater does not increase, leading to the possibility of deterioration in power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module.

The present disclosure aims to suppress deterioration in the power generation efficiency of a thermoelectric power generation module.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a thermoelectric power generator comprises: a thermoelectric power generation module that includes a heat receiver and a heat dissipater and generates electric power by a temperature difference between the heat receiver and the heat dissipater; a cooling device that cools the heat dissipater; and a control device, wherein generated power of the thermoelectric power generation module is distributed to consumption power used in the cooling device and effective power used in an external load, and the control device includes: a monitoring unit that monitors a state of the cooling device and outputs monitoring data; an adjustment unit capable of adjusting the effective power supplied to the external load; and a control command unit that outputs a control command that controls the adjustment unit based on the monitoring data.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress deterioration in power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments. The constituents described in the embodiments below can be appropriately combined with each other. In some cases, a portion of the constituents is not utilized.

<FIG> is a view schematically illustrating a thermoelectric power generator 100A according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, the thermoelectric power generator 100A includes a thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> having a heat receiver <NUM> and a heat dissipater <NUM>, a heat receiving member <NUM> connected to the heat receiver <NUM> of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>, a heat dissipating member <NUM> connected to the heat dissipater <NUM> of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>, a cooling device 40A that cools the heat dissipater <NUM> via the heat dissipating member <NUM>, and a control device <NUM>.

The thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> generates electric power using the Seebeck effect. The heat receiver <NUM> of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> is heated by a heat source <NUM> via the heat receiving member <NUM>. The heat dissipater <NUM> of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> is cooled by the cooling device 40A via the heat dissipating member <NUM>. In the state where the heat receiver <NUM> is heated and the heat dissipater <NUM> is cooled, a temperature difference occurs between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>. The thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> generates electric power by the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>.

The heat receiving member <NUM> is connected to the heat receiver <NUM> of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>. The heat receiving member <NUM> has a plate shape. The heat receiving member <NUM> is formed of a metal material such as aluminum or copper. The heat receiving member <NUM> is heated by the heat source <NUM>, whereby the heat receiver <NUM> is heated.

The heat dissipating member <NUM> is connected to the heat dissipater <NUM> of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>. The heat dissipating member <NUM> includes: a plate portion <NUM> connected to the heat dissipater <NUM>; and a fin portion <NUM> connected to the plate portion <NUM>. The fin portion <NUM> is a pin fin or a plate fin. The heat dissipating member <NUM> is formed of a metal material such as aluminum or copper. The heat dissipating member <NUM> is a heat sink that removes heat from the heat dissipater <NUM>. The heat dissipating member <NUM> is cooled by the cooling device 40A, whereby the heat dissipater <NUM> is cooled.

The cooling device 40A cools the heat dissipater <NUM> via the heat dissipating member <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the cooling device 40A includes a fan <NUM> and a motor <NUM> that rotates the fan <NUM>. The fan <NUM> is disposed so as to face the heat dissipating member <NUM>. The fan <NUM> is rotated by the driving of the motor <NUM>. When the fan <NUM> rotates, an airflow is generated in at least a part of the surroundings of the heat dissipating member <NUM>. The generation of the airflow in at least a part of the surroundings of the heat dissipating member <NUM> cools the heat dissipating member <NUM>.

Generated power Pg of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> is distributed to consumption power Pc used in the cooling device 40A and effective power Pe used in an external load <NUM>. The generated power Pg refers to power generated by the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>. The consumption power Pc refers to power supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the cooling device 40A and consumed by the cooling device 40A. The effective power Pe refers to power supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM> and consumed by the external load <NUM>. The generated power Pg, the consumption power Pc, and the effective power Pe have a relationship expressed by the following Formula (<NUM>).

The generated power Pg is proportional to the square of a temperature difference between a heat receiver-side end and a heat dissipater-side end of a thermoelectric semiconductor element <NUM>. Accordingly, by cooling the heat dissipater <NUM> by the cooling device 40A so as to increase the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>, power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> improves. That is, when the heat dissipater <NUM> is cooled by the cooling device 40A, the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> can output a large generated power Pg.

<FIG> is a perspective view schematically illustrating the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> according to the present embodiment. The thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> includes the heat receiver <NUM>, the heat dissipater <NUM>, a plurality of the thermoelectric semiconductor elements <NUM> disposed between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>, a first electrode <NUM>, and a second electrode <NUM>.

The heat receiver <NUM> has a plate shape. The heat receiver <NUM> is formed of an electrically insulating material such as ceramics or polyimide. The heat receiver <NUM> has an outer surface <NUM> connected to the heat receiving member <NUM> and an inner surface 11T facing a direction opposite to the outer surface <NUM>. The outer surface <NUM> and the inner surface 11T are parallel to each other. The first electrode <NUM> is disposed on the inner surface 11T. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the outer surface <NUM> faces downward, and the inner surface 11T faces upward.

The heat dissipater <NUM> has a plate shape. The heat dissipater <NUM> is formed of an electrically insulating material such as ceramics or polyimide. The heat dissipater <NUM> has an outer surface <NUM> connected to the heat dissipating member <NUM> and an inner surface 12T facing an opposite direction of the outer surface <NUM>. The outer surface <NUM> and the inner surface 12T are parallel to each other. The second electrode <NUM> is disposed on the inner surface 12T. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the outer surface <NUM> faces upward, and the inner surface 12T faces downward.

The heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM> are disposed such that the inner surface 11T and the inner surface 12T face each other. The inner surface 11T and the inner surface 12T are parallel to each other.

The thermoelectric semiconductor element <NUM> is disposed between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>. The thermoelectric semiconductor element <NUM> includes a BiTe thermoelectric material, for example. The thermoelectric semiconductor element <NUM> includes a p-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13P and an n-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13N. In a plane parallel to each of the inner surface 11T and the inner surface 12T, the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor elements 13P and the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor elements 13N are alternately arranged.

A plurality of first electrodes <NUM> is disposed on the inner surface 11T of the heat receiver <NUM>. The plurality of first electrodes <NUM> is arranged on the inner surface 11T at intervals. The first electrode <NUM> is connected to each of the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13P and the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13N. One end of the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13P and one end of the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13N are connected to the first electrode <NUM>.

A plurality of second electrodes <NUM> is disposed on the inner surface 12T of the heat dissipater <NUM>. The plurality of second electrodes <NUM> is arranged on the inner surface 12T at intervals. The second electrode <NUM> is connected to each of the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13P and the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13N. The other end of the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13P and the other end of the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13N are connected to the second electrode <NUM>.

When the heat receiver <NUM> is heated and the heat dissipater <NUM> is cooled, a temperature difference occurs between one end and the other end on each of the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13P and the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13N. When a temperature difference occurs between one end and the other end of the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13P, holes move in the p-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13P. When a temperature difference occurs between one end and the other end of the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13N, electrons move in the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13N. The p-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13P and the n-type thermoelectric semiconductor element 13N are connected to each other via the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>. The holes and electrons lead to a potential difference occurring between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>. The occurrence of the potential difference between first electrode <NUM> and second electrode <NUM> causes the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to generate electric power.

The first electrode <NUM> is connected to a lead wire <NUM>. The generated power Pg of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> is output through the lead wire <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a use example of the thermoelectric power generator 100A according to the present embodiment. The thermoelectric power generator 100A is installed onto the heat source <NUM>. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the heat source <NUM> is a portable stove. The heat source <NUM> is not limited to the portable stove. Examples of the heat source <NUM> include exhaust heat from a fireplace heater, a bonfire, a charcoal fire, and industrial equipment. With the heat receiving member <NUM> heated by the heat source <NUM>, and with the heat dissipating member <NUM> cooled by the cooling device 40A, the thermoelectric power generator 100A generates electric power.

The thermoelectric power generator 100A includes: a first power line <NUM> connecting the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> and the motor <NUM> of the cooling device 40A to each other; and a second power line <NUM> connecting the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> and the external load <NUM> to each other. Each of the first power line <NUM> and the second power line <NUM> includes the above-described lead wire <NUM>. Each of the first power line <NUM> and the second power line <NUM> includes an electric cable different from the lead wire <NUM>. At least one of the first power line <NUM> or the second power line <NUM> may be a universal serial bus (USB) cable, for example.

Of the generated power Pg of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>, the consumption power Pc used in the motor <NUM> of the cooling device 40A is supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the motor <NUM> via the first power line <NUM>. Of the generated power Pg of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>, the effective power Pe used in the external load <NUM> is supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM> via the second power line <NUM>.

The external load <NUM> is an electric device or an electronic device that is driven by the effective power Pe. Examples of the external load <NUM> include a smartphone and a tablet personal computer. When the external load <NUM> has a rechargeable battery, the rechargeable battery of the external load <NUM> is charged by the effective power Pe supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM>. The thermoelectric power generator 100A can function as a charger of the external load <NUM>. For example, during an emergency or outdoor activity, the thermoelectric power generator 100A can charge a rechargeable battery of the external load <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating the thermoelectric power generator 100A according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, the thermoelectric power generator 100A includes: the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>: the cooling device 40A including the motor <NUM>; the control device <NUM>; the first power line <NUM> connecting the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> and the cooling device 40A to each other; and the second power line <NUM> connecting the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> and the external load <NUM> to each other. At least a part of the control device <NUM> is disposed in the second power line <NUM>.

The generated power Pg of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> is distributed to the consumption power Pc used in the motor <NUM> of the cooling device 40A and the effective power Pe used in the external load <NUM>. The consumption power Pc is supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the motor <NUM> via the first power line <NUM>. The effective power Pe is supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM> via the second power line <NUM>.

The control device <NUM> monitors the state of the cooling device 40A. The control device <NUM> adjusts the effective power Pe supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM> based on monitoring data Md indicating a monitoring result of the state of the cooling device 40A.

In the present embodiment, the control device <NUM> monitors the consumption power Pc of the cooling device 40A. The consumption power Pc of the cooling device 40A includes the consumption power Pc of the motor <NUM>.

An increase in the effective power Pe distributed to the external load <NUM> causes a voltage drop, leading to a decrease in the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>. The decrease in the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM> lowers the rotational speed of the fan <NUM>, leading to the deterioration in the cooling efficiency of the fan <NUM>. When the cooling efficiency of the fan <NUM> deteriorates, a temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM> of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> does not increase, leading to the possibility of deterioration in the power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>.

In addition, the increase in the effective power Pe distributed to the external load <NUM> can cause shortage of the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>, leading to a possibility of stop of the driving of the motor <NUM>. The stop of the driving of the motor <NUM> and the stop of the rotation of the fan <NUM> during heating of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> by the heat source <NUM> would lead to excessive heating of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>. The excessive heating of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> leads to the possibility of deterioration and failure in the thermoelectric power generator 100A.

In the present embodiment, the control device <NUM> monitors the consumption power Pc distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the motor <NUM>. An increase in the effective power Pe distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM> will decrease the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>. When the consumption power Pc distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the motor <NUM> decreases, the control device <NUM> decreases the effective power Pe distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM>. The decrease in the effective power Pe distributed to the external load <NUM> will increase the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>. With the increase in the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the rotational speed of the fan <NUM> and the stop of the rotation of the fan <NUM>. This makes it possible to sufficiently cool the heat dissipater <NUM> by the fan <NUM>. This can achieve a large temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>, leading to the suppression of the decrease in power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the control device <NUM> includes a power supply unit <NUM>, a control unit <NUM>, an adjustment unit <NUM>, and a storage unit <NUM>. The control unit <NUM> includes a monitoring unit 52A and a control command unit 52B. The adjustment unit <NUM> the adjustment unit <NUM> includes a switch unit 53A and a current changing unit 53B.

In the present embodiment, the control device <NUM> includes hardware such as a control circuit. The power supply unit <NUM> includes a DC power supply device. The control unit <NUM> includes an integrated circuit (IC). The switch unit 53A includes a field effect transistor (FET). The current changing unit 53B includes a DC/DC converter. The storage unit <NUM> includes a nonvolatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM) or flash memory.

The power supply unit <NUM> functions as a power supply of the control unit <NUM>. The thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> can supply a part of the effective power Pe to the power supply unit <NUM> via the second power line <NUM>. The power supply unit <NUM> outputs drive power Pd for driving the control unit <NUM> based on the effective power Pe supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>.

The monitoring unit 52A monitors the state of the cooling device 40A and outputs the monitoring data Md indicating the monitoring result of the state of the cooling device 40A to the control command unit 52B. In the present embodiment, the monitoring unit 52A monitors the consumption power Pc of the cooling device 40A. The consumption power Pc of the cooling device 40A includes the consumption power Pc of the motor <NUM>. The monitoring data Md output from the monitoring unit 52A to the control command unit 52B indicates the consumption power Pc of the motor <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the consumption power Pc of the cooling device 40A includes a voltage Vc applied to the cooling device 40A. The voltage Vc applied to the cooling device 40A includes the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the monitoring unit 52A monitors the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM>. The monitoring data Md output from the monitoring unit 52A to the control command unit 52B indicates the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM>.

The consumption power Pc supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the motor <NUM> corresponds to the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM> on a one-to-one basis. The greater the consumption power Pc, the higher the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM>; the smaller the consumption power Pc, the lower the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM>. By monitoring the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM>, the monitoring unit 52A can monitor the consumption power Pc of the motor <NUM>.

The adjustment unit <NUM> can adjust the effective power Pe supplied to the external load <NUM>. The adjustment unit <NUM> is disposed in the second power line <NUM> between the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> and the external load <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the effective power Pe of the external load <NUM> includes a current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the adjustment unit <NUM> adjusts the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM>.

The effective power Pe supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM> and the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> correspond to each other on a one-to-one basis. The greater the effective power Pe, the greater the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM>; the smaller the effective power Pe, the smaller the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM>. By adjusting the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM>, the adjustment unit <NUM> can adjust the effective power Pe supplied to the external load <NUM>.

The switch unit 53A switches between supply and stop of supply of the current Ie to the external load <NUM>. The current changing unit 53B adjusts the value of the current Ie to be supplied to the external load <NUM>. The switch unit 53A and the current changing unit 53B are arranged in series.

The control command unit 52B outputs a control command that controls the adjustment unit <NUM> based on the monitoring data Md output from the monitoring unit 52A. The control command output from the control command unit 52B includes a switching command Cs output to the switch unit 53A and a change command Cc output to the current changing unit 53B. The switch unit 53A switches between supply and stop of supply of the current Ie to the external load <NUM> based on the switching command Cs. The current changing unit 53B adjusts the value of the current Ie to be supplied to the external load <NUM> based on the change command Cc.

When having determined that the consumption power Pc of the cooling device 40A has decreased based on the monitoring data Md output from the monitoring unit 52A, the control command unit 52B outputs a control command to decrease the effective power Pe of the external load <NUM>. When having determined that the consumption power Pc of the cooling device 40A has increased based on the monitoring data Md output from the monitoring unit 52A, the control command unit 52B outputs a control command to increase the effective power Pe of the external load <NUM>.

The storage unit <NUM> stores a threshold Sh related to the monitoring data Md. In the present embodiment, the storage unit <NUM> stores the threshold Sh related to the consumption power Pc of the cooling device 40A. The threshold Sh is a predetermined value.

The control command unit 52B outputs a control command based on a result of comparison between the monitoring data Md indicating the consumption power Pc of the cooling device 40A output from the monitoring unit 52A and the threshold Sh stored in the storage unit <NUM>. The threshold Sh includes: a change threshold Shv related to the change of the value of the effective power Pe; and a stop threshold Shp related to the stop of supply of the effective power Pe. The stop threshold Shp is a value lower than the change threshold Shv.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a relationship between the threshold Sh and the effective power Pe according to the present embodiment. The threshold Sh is a threshold related to the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM>. The change threshold Shv is a threshold related to the change of the value of the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM>. The stop threshold Shp is a threshold related to the stop of supply of the current Ie to the external load <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the change threshold Shv includes a first change threshold Shv1, a second change threshold Shv2 lower than the first change threshold Shv1, and a third change threshold Shv3 lower than the second change threshold Shv2. The stop threshold Shp is lower than the change threshold Shv. The first change threshold Shv1 is <NUM> [V], for example. The second change threshold Shv2 is <NUM> [V], for example. The third change threshold Shv3 is <NUM> [V], for example. The stop threshold Shp is <NUM> [V], for example.

When the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A exceeds the third change threshold Shv3, the control command unit 52B outputs a control command so as to enable the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> to maintain a present value. For example, when the value of the current Ie currently supplied to the external load <NUM> is <NUM> [mA] and the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A exceeds the third change threshold Shv3, the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> is maintained at <NUM> [mA].

When the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A decreases to the third change threshold Shv3 or below, the control command unit 52B outputs a control command so as to decrease the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> by a specified amount ΔIe. The specified amount ΔIe is <NUM> [mA], for example. For example, when the value of the current Ie currently supplied to the external load <NUM> is <NUM> [mA] and the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A decreases to the third change threshold Shv3 or below, the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> is decreased to <NUM> [mA].

When the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A decreases to the stop threshold Shp or below, the control command unit 52B outputs a control command to stop the supply of the current Ie to the external load <NUM>.

When the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A exceeds the first change threshold Shv1 and the value of the current Ie currently supplied to the external load <NUM> is a first predetermined value Ie1 or below, the control command unit 52B outputs a control command to increase the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> by a specified amount ΔIe. The first predetermined value Ie1 is <NUM> [mA], for example. The specified amount ΔIe is <NUM> [mA], for example. For example, when the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A exceeds the first change threshold Shv1 and the value of the current Ie currently supplied to the external load <NUM> is equal to or below <NUM> [mA] being the first predetermined value Ie1, the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> is to be increased to <NUM> [mA].

When the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A is between the first change threshold Shv1 and the second change threshold Shv2, and the value of the current Ie currently supplied to the external load <NUM> is a second predetermined value Ie2 or below, the control command unit 52B outputs a control command to increase the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> by the specified amount ΔIe. The second predetermined value Ie2 is a value lower than the first predetermined value Ie1. The second predetermined value Ie2 is <NUM> [mA], for example. The specified amount ΔIe is <NUM> [mA], for example. For example, when the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A is between the first change threshold Shv1 and the second change threshold Shv2, and the value of the current Ie currently supplied to the external load <NUM> is <NUM> [mA] lower than the second predetermined value Ie2, the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> is increased to <NUM> [mA].

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the thermoelectric power generator according to the present embodiment. After installation of the thermoelectric power generator 100A onto the heat source <NUM>, the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> starts power generation. When the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> starts power generation, the voltage Vc is applied to the motor <NUM>. The monitoring unit 52A monitors the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM>.

The control command unit 52B determines whether the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A is a start threshold Shs or above and the switch unit 53A has stopped the supply of the current Ie (step S10).

The start threshold Shs is a threshold Sh related to the voltage Vc. As illustrated in <FIG>, the start threshold Shs is a value lower than the second change threshold Shv2 and higher than the third change threshold Shv3. The start threshold Shs is <NUM> [V], for example.

When having determined in step S10 that the voltage Vc is the start threshold Shs or above and the switch unit 53A has stopped the supply of the current Ie (step S10: Yes), the control command unit 52B outputs the switching command Cs to the switch unit 53A to start the supply of the current Ie to the external load <NUM> (step S20).

In step S20, the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> is <NUM> [mA], for example. That is, the initial value of the current Ie immediately after the start of the supply of the current Ie is <NUM> [mA] lower than the stop threshold Shp.

The control command unit 52B determines whether the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A is the second change threshold Shv2 or above and the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> is the second predetermined value Ie2 or below (step S30).

When having determined in step S30 that the voltage Vc is the second change threshold Shv2 or above and the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> is the second predetermined value Ie2 or below (step S30: Yes), the control command unit 52B outputs the change command Cc to the current changing unit 53B to increase the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> by the specified amount ΔIe (step S40).

The control command unit 52B determines whether the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A is the first change threshold Shv1 or above and the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> is the first predetermined value Ie1 or below (step S50).

When having determined in step S50 that the voltage Vc is the first change threshold Shv1 or above and the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> is the first predetermined value Ie1 or below (step S50: Yes), the control command unit 52B outputs the change command Cc to the current changing unit 53B to increase the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> by the specified amount ΔIe (step S60).

The control command unit 52B determines whether the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A is the third change threshold Shv3 or below and the current Ie is supplied to the external load <NUM> (step S70).

When having determined in step S70 that the voltage Vc is the third change threshold Shv3 or below and the current Ie is supplied to the external load <NUM> (step S70: Yes), the control command unit 52B outputs the change command Cc to the current changing unit 53B so as to decrease the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> by the specified amount ΔIe (step S80).

The control command unit 52B determines whether the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A is the third change threshold Shv3 or above (step S90).

When having determined in step S90 that the voltage Vc is the third change threshold Shv3 or above (step S90: Yes), the control command unit 52B maintains the value of the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> (step S100).

When having determined in step S10 that the voltage Vc is not the start threshold Shs or above, or the current Ie is supplied to the external load <NUM> (step S10: No), the control command unit 52B determines whether the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A is the stop threshold Shp or below and the current Ie is supplied to the external load <NUM> (step S110).

When having determined in step S110 that the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A is the stop threshold Shp or below and the current Ie is supplied to the external load <NUM> (step S110: Yes), the control command unit 52B outputs the switching command Cs to the switch unit 53A so as to stop the supply of the current Ie to the external load <NUM> (step S120).

When having determined in step S30 that the voltage Vc is not the second change threshold Shv2 or above, or the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> is not the second predetermined value Ie2 or below (step S30: No), the control command unit 52B returns to the processing of step S10.

When having determined in step S50 that the voltage Vc is not the first change threshold Shv1 or above, or the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> is not the first predetermined value Ie1 or below (step S50: No), the control command unit 52B returns to the processing of step S10.

When having determined in step S70 that the voltage Vc is not the third change threshold Shv3 or below, or the current Ie is not supplied to the external load <NUM> (step S70: No), the control command unit 52B returns to the processing of step S10.

When having determined in step S90 that the voltage Vc is not the third change threshold Shv3 or above (step S90: No), the control command unit 52B returns to the processing of step S10.

When having determined in step S110 that the voltage Vc monitored by the monitoring unit 52A is not the stop threshold Shp or below, or the current Ie is not supplied to the external load <NUM> (step S110: No), the control command unit 52B returns to the processing of step S10.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the generated power Pg of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> is distributed to the consumption power Pc used in the cooling device 40A and the effective power Pe used in the external load <NUM>, the effective power Pe supplied to the external load <NUM> is adjusted based on the monitoring data Md indicating the state of the cooling device 40A. A change in the effective power Pe changes the state of the cooling device 40A. Therefore, by monitoring the state of the cooling device 40A and adjusting the effective power Pe based on the monitoring data Md indicating the state of the cooling device 40A, the control device <NUM> can suppress the deterioration of the cooling efficiency of the cooling device 40A. The suppression of the deterioration in the cooling efficiency of the cooling device 40A makes it possible to sufficiently cool the heat dissipater <NUM>. This increases the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>. The increased temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM> makes it possible to suppress the deterioration in power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the monitoring data Md is the consumption power Pc of the motor <NUM> of the cooling device 40A. The monitoring unit 52A monitors the consumption power Pc distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the motor <NUM> of the cooling device 40A. An increase in the effective power Pe distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM> will decrease the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>. When having determined the decrease in the consumption power Pc distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the motor <NUM> based on monitoring data Md acquired by the monitoring unit 52A, the control command unit 52B decreases the effective power Pe to be distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM>. The decrease in the effective power Pe distributed to the external load <NUM> will increase the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>. The increase in the consumption power Pc and the increase in the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM> will suppress a decrease in the rotational speed of the fan <NUM> and stop of the rotation of the fan <NUM>. Therefore, due to sufficient cooling by the fan <NUM>, excessive heating of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> is suppressed. In addition, the heat dissipater <NUM> is sufficiently cooled by the fan <NUM>, increasing the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>. This makes it possible to suppress the deterioration in power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>.

When having determined the increase in the consumption power Pc distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the motor <NUM> based on the monitoring data Md acquired by the monitoring unit 52A, the control command unit 52B decreases the effective power Pe to be distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM>. When the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM> is sufficient and the generated power Pg is sufficient, the control command unit 52B can increase both the consumption power Pc and the effective power Pe.

In the present embodiment, when the consumption power Pc distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the motor <NUM> decreases to the predetermined third change threshold Shv3 or below, the control command unit 52B outputs the change command Cc to the current changing unit 53B to decrease the effective power Pe supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM>. A decrease in the effective power Pe supplied to the external load <NUM> will increase the consumption power Pc supplied to the motor <NUM>. The increase in the consumption power Pc and the increase in the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM> will suppress a decrease in the rotational speed of the fan <NUM> and stop of the rotation of the fan <NUM>. Therefore, due to sufficient cooling by the fan <NUM>, excessive heating of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> is suppressed. In addition, the heat dissipater <NUM> is sufficiently cooled by the fan <NUM>, increasing the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>. This makes it possible to suppress the deterioration in power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, when the consumption power Pc distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the motor <NUM> decreases to the predetermined stop threshold Shp or below, the control command unit 52B outputs the switching command Cs to the switch unit 53A to stop supply of the effective power Pe from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM>. The stop of supply of the effective power Pe to the external load <NUM> will increase the consumption power Pc supplied to the motor <NUM>. The increase in the consumption power Pc and the increase in the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM> will suppress a decrease in the rotational speed of the fan <NUM> and stop of the rotation of the fan <NUM>. Therefore, due to sufficient cooling by the fan <NUM>, excessive heating of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> is suppressed. In addition, the heat dissipater <NUM> is sufficiently cooled by the fan <NUM>, increasing the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>. This makes it possible to suppress the deterioration in power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, when the consumption power Pc distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the motor <NUM> increases to the predetermined second change threshold Shv2 or above, the control command unit 52B outputs the change command Cc to the current changing unit 53B to increase the effective power Pe supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM>. Furthermore, when the consumption power Pc increases to the first change threshold Shv1 or above, the control command unit 52B further increases the effective power Pe supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM>. This makes it possible supply the appropriate effective power Pe to the external load <NUM> while suppressing deterioration in the cooling efficiency of the cooling device 40A.

In the present embodiment, the consumption power Pc of the cooling device 40A includes the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM>, and the effective power Pe of the external load <NUM> includes the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM>. The monitoring unit 52A monitors the voltage Vc, and the control command unit 52B outputs a control command for adjusting the current Ie to the adjustment unit <NUM> based on the monitoring data Md indicating the voltage Vc. An increase in the current Ie supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM> decreases the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM>. When having determined the decrease in the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM> based on the monitoring data Md acquired by the monitoring unit 52A, the control command unit 52B decreases the current Ie supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM>. The decrease in the current Ie supplied to the external load <NUM> increases the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM>. The increase in the voltage Vc applied to the motor <NUM> suppresses a decrease in the rotational speed of the fan <NUM> and the stop of the rotation of the fan <NUM>. Therefore, due to sufficient cooling by the fan <NUM>, excessive heating of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> is suppressed. In addition, the heat dissipater <NUM> is sufficiently cooled by the fan <NUM>, increasing the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>. This makes it possible to suppress the deterioration in power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an experimental result on the effect of the thermoelectric power generator 100A according to the present embodiment. In the graph illustrated in <FIG>, the horizontal axis represents the temperature of the heat receiver <NUM>, and the vertical axis represents the effective power Pe used in the external load <NUM>. In <FIG>, the maximum power refers to a maximum value of the effective power Pe that can be supplied to the external load <NUM> without stopping the motor <NUM>. The shutdown power refers to a value of the effective power Pe when the effective power Pe supplied to the external load <NUM> is gradually increased and the control command unit 52B stops supplying the effective power Pe. As illustrated in <FIG>, it has been confirmed that the control command unit 52B outputs the switching command Cs that stops the supply of the effective power Pe when the effective power Pe exceeds the maximum power.

A second embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same or equivalent components as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the monitoring data Md indicates the consumption power Pc of the motor <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the monitoring data Md indicates a rotational speed Rc of the fan <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a thermoelectric power generator 100B according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, the monitoring unit 52A monitors the rotational speed Rc of the fan <NUM> per unit time. In the present embodiment, the thermoelectric power generator 100B includes a rotation sensor <NUM> that detects the rotational speed Rc of the fan <NUM>. Detection data of the rotation sensor <NUM> is output to the monitoring unit 52A. By acquiring the detection data of the rotation sensor <NUM>, the monitoring unit 52A can monitor the rotational speed Rc of the fan <NUM>.

An increase in the effective power Pe distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM> will decrease the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>. The decrease in the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM> decreases the rotational speed Rc of the fan <NUM>. When the rotational speed Rc of the fan <NUM> decreases, the control command unit 52B decreases the effective power Pe distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM>. The decrease in the effective power Pe distributed to the external load <NUM> will increase the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>. An increase in the consumption power Pc increases the rotational speed Rc of the fan <NUM>. This allows the heat dissipater <NUM> to be sufficiently cooled by the fan <NUM>, increasing the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>. This makes it possible to suppress the deterioration in power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>.

A third embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same or equivalent components as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

In the above-described embodiment, the monitoring data Md indicates the monitoring result of the state of the cooling device 40A. In the present embodiment, monitoring data Md indicates a state of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>. As an example, it is assumed that the monitoring data Md indicates a temperature Tc of the heat dissipater <NUM> of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> cooled by the cooling device 40A.

The heat dissipater <NUM> is cooled by the cooling device 40A. The cooling capacity of the cooling device 40A and the temperature Tc of the heat dissipater <NUM> correspond to each other on a one-to-one basis. By monitoring the temperature Tc of the heat dissipater <NUM>, the monitoring unit 52A can monitor the state of the cooling device 40A.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating a thermoelectric power generator 100C according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, the monitoring unit 52A monitors the temperature Tc of the heat dissipater <NUM>. In the present embodiment, the thermoelectric power generator 100C includes a temperature sensor <NUM> that detects the temperature Tc of the heat dissipater <NUM>. The detection data of the temperature sensor <NUM> is output to the monitoring unit 52A. By acquiring detection data of the temperature sensor <NUM>, the monitoring unit 52A can monitor the temperature Tc of the heat dissipater <NUM>.

An increase in the effective power Pe distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM> will decrease the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>. The decrease in the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM> decreases the rotational speed Rc of the fan <NUM>. A decrease in the rotational speed Rc of the fan <NUM> increases the temperature of the heat dissipater <NUM>. When the temperature Tc of the heat dissipater <NUM> has increased, the control command unit 52B decreases the effective power Pe distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM>. The decrease in the effective power Pe distributed to the external load <NUM> will increase the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>. An increase in the consumption power Pc increases the rotational speed Rc of the fan <NUM>. This allows the heat dissipater <NUM> to be sufficiently cooled by the fan <NUM>, increasing the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>. This makes it possible to suppress the deterioration in power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the monitoring data Md may indicate the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>. By providing not only the temperature sensor <NUM> that detects the temperature Tc of the heat dissipater <NUM> but also the temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heat receiver <NUM>, the monitoring unit 52A can monitor the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>. An increase in the effective power Pe distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM> will decrease the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>. The decrease in the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM> decreases the rotational speed Rc of the fan <NUM>. The decrease in the rotational speed Rc of the fan <NUM> decreases the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>. When the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM> has decreased, the control command unit 52B decreases the effective power Pe distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM>. The decrease in the effective power Pe distributed to the external load <NUM> will increase the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>. An increase in the consumption power Pc increases the rotational speed Rc of the fan <NUM>. This allows the heat dissipater <NUM> to be sufficiently cooled by the fan <NUM>, increasing the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>. This makes it possible to suppress the deterioration in power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>.

A fourth embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same or equivalent components as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

<FIG> is a diagram schematically illustrating a thermoelectric power generator 100D according to the present embodiment. As illustrated in <FIG>, the thermoelectric power generator 100D in the present embodiment includes a thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> having a heat receiver <NUM> and a heat dissipater <NUM>, a heat receiving member <NUM> connected to the heat receiver <NUM>, a heat dissipating member <NUM> connected to the heat dissipater <NUM>, a cooling device 40A that cools the heat dissipater <NUM>, a heating device <NUM> that adjusts the temperature of the heat receiver <NUM>, and a control device <NUM>.

As in the above-described embodiments, the control device <NUM> includes: a control unit <NUM> including a monitoring unit 52A and a control command unit 52B; and an adjustment unit <NUM> including a switch unit 53A and a current changing unit 53B.

As in the above-described embodiments, the cooling device 40A includes a fan <NUM> and a motor <NUM> that rotates the fan <NUM>. The cooling device 40A cools the heat dissipater <NUM> via the heat dissipating member <NUM>.

The heat receiver <NUM> is heated by a heat source <NUM>. The heat source <NUM> generates heat by burning fuel FL. The heating value of the heat source <NUM> changes based on the amount of the fuel FL.

The heating device <NUM> adjusts the amount of the fuel FL supplied to the heat source <NUM>. The larger the amount of the fuel FL supplied to the heat source <NUM>, the higher the heating value of the heat source <NUM>. The smaller the amount of the fuel FL supplied to the heat source <NUM>, the lower the heating value of the heat source <NUM>. The higher the heating value of the heat source <NUM>, the higher the temperature of the heat receiver <NUM>. The lower the heating value of the heat source <NUM>, the lower the temperature of the heat receiver <NUM>. The heating device <NUM> can adjust the temperature of the heat receiver <NUM> by adjusting the amount of the fuel FL supplied to the heat source <NUM>.

The heating device <NUM> includes: a fuel tank <NUM> that stores the fuel FL; a conveyance member <NUM> that can convey the fuel FL from the fuel tank <NUM> to the heat source <NUM>; and a motor <NUM> that drives the conveyance member <NUM>.

The fuel tank <NUM> stores the fuel FL. There is provided a supply port <NUM> at a lower end of the fuel tank <NUM>. The fuel FL of the fuel tank <NUM> is supplied to the heat source <NUM> via the supply port <NUM>.

The conveyance member <NUM> includes a conveyance roller disposed inside the fuel tank <NUM>. Rotation of the conveyance member <NUM> allows the fuel FL of the fuel tank <NUM> to be conveyed through the supply port <NUM>. The fuel FL conveyed to the supply port <NUM> is supplied from the supply port <NUM> to the heat source <NUM> by the action of gravity.

The motor <NUM> is joined to the conveyance member <NUM> via a power transmission mechanism <NUM> including a pulley and a belt. The power generated by the motor <NUM> is transmitted to the conveyance member <NUM> via the power transmission mechanism <NUM>. The conveyance member <NUM> is rotated by the power of the motor <NUM> transmitted from the motor <NUM> via the power transmission mechanism <NUM>. Driving of the motor <NUM> causes the fuel FL to be supplied from the fuel tank <NUM> to the heat source <NUM>. An increased rotational speed of the motor <NUM> increases the conveyance amount of the fuel FL by the conveyance member <NUM>, leading to an increase in the amount of the fuel FL supplied from the fuel tank <NUM> to the heat source <NUM>. A decreased rotational speed of the motor <NUM> decreases the conveyance amount of the fuel FL by the conveyance member <NUM>, leading to a decrease in the amount of the fuel FL supplied from the fuel tank <NUM> to the heat source <NUM>. When the driving of the motor <NUM> is stopped, the supply of the fuel FL from the fuel tank <NUM> to the heat source <NUM> is stopped.

In the present embodiment, generated power Pg of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> is distributed to the consumption power Pc used in the cooling device 40A, the effective power Pe used in the external load <NUM>, and the consumption power Ph used in the heating device <NUM>. The consumption power Ph refers to the power supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the heating device <NUM> and consumed by the heating device <NUM>. The consumption power Pc of the cooling device 40A includes the consumption power Pc of the motor <NUM>. The consumption power Ph of the heating device <NUM> includes the consumption power Ph of the motor <NUM>. The generated power Pg, the consumption power Pc, the effective power Pe, and the consumption power Ph have a relationship expressed by the following Formula (<NUM>).

The monitoring unit 52A of the control device <NUM> monitors individual states of the cooling device 40A and the heating device <NUM> and outputs monitoring data Md. In the present embodiment, the monitoring data Md includes the consumption power Pc of the motor <NUM> of the cooling device 40A and the consumption power Ph of the motor <NUM> of the heating device <NUM>.

The control command unit 52B of the control device <NUM> outputs a control command that controls the adjustment unit <NUM> based on the monitoring data Md output from the monitoring unit 52A.

The control command unit 52B performs control according to the determinations based on the monitoring data Md, so as to decrease the effective power Pe when having determined that the consumption power Pc of the cooling device 40A has decreased, and so as to decrease the effective power Pe when having determined that the consumption power Ph of the heating device <NUM> has decreased.

The increase in the effective power Pe distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM> will decrease each of the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM> and the consumption power Ph distributed to the motor <NUM>.

When the consumption power Pc distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the motor <NUM> decreases, the control command unit 52B decreases the effective power Pe distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM>. The decrease in the effective power Pe distributed to the external load <NUM> will increase the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>. With the increase in the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the rotational speed of the fan <NUM> and the stop of the rotation of the fan <NUM>.

Moreover, when the consumption power Pc distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the motor <NUM> decreases, the control command unit 52B decreases the effective power Pe distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM>. The decrease in the effective power Pe distributed to the external load <NUM> will increase the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>. With the increase in the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM>, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the amount of the fuel FL supplied to the heat source <NUM> and stop of the supply of the fuel FL.

Since the heat receiver <NUM> is sufficiently heated by the heat source <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM> is sufficiently cooled by the cooling device 40A, the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM> increases. This makes it possible to suppress the deterioration in power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the monitoring data Md may indicate the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>. By providing the temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heat receiver <NUM> and the temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the heat dissipater <NUM>, the monitoring unit 52A can monitor the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>. When the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM> has decreased, the control command unit 52B decreases the effective power Pe distributed from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> to the external load <NUM>. With the decreased effective power Pe distributed to the external load <NUM>, the consumption power Pc distributed to the motor <NUM> and the consumption power Ph distributed to the motor <NUM> increase. This increases the temperature difference between the heat receiver <NUM> and the heat dissipater <NUM>. This makes it possible to suppress the deterioration in power generation efficiency of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>.

A fifth embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same or equivalent components as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

<FIG> is a view schematically illustrating a thermoelectric power generator 100E according to the present embodiment. In the above-described embodiments, the heat dissipater <NUM> is cooled by the cooling device 40A including the fan <NUM> and the motor <NUM>. In the present embodiment, a cooling device 40E that cools the heat dissipater <NUM> includes: a temperature controller <NUM> that adjusts the temperature of the refrigerant; a refrigerant jacket <NUM> connected to the heat dissipater <NUM>; a first channel 47A that allows passage of the refrigerant supplied from the temperature controller <NUM> to the refrigerant jacket <NUM>; and a second channel 47B that allows passage of the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant jacket <NUM> to the temperature controller <NUM>. The refrigerant circulates in a circulation system of the cooling device 40E including the temperature controller <NUM>, the first channel 47A, the refrigerant jacket <NUM>, and the second channel 47B.

The temperature controller <NUM> adjusts the temperature of the refrigerant. The temperature controller <NUM> includes, for example, a heat exchanger and a circulation pump, adjusts the temperature of the refrigerant, and supplies the temperature-adjusted refrigerant to the refrigerant jacket <NUM>. The heat exchanger and the circulation pump of the temperature controller <NUM> are driven by the consumption power Pc supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>.

The refrigerant jacket <NUM> has an internal space through which the refrigerant flows. The refrigerant jacket <NUM> is disposed in contact with the heat dissipater <NUM>. The refrigerant whose temperature has been controlled by the temperature controller <NUM> is supplied to the refrigerant jacket <NUM> via the first channel 47A. The refrigerant flowing through the internal space of the refrigerant jacket <NUM> takes heat from the heat dissipater <NUM> and then returns to the temperature controller <NUM> via the second channel 47B.

The generated power Pg of the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM> is distributed to the consumption power Pc used in the temperature controller <NUM> of the cooling device 40E and the effective power Pe used in the external load <NUM>. The monitoring unit 52A monitors the consumption power Pc of the temperature controller <NUM> and outputs the monitoring data Md. When the consumption power Pc of the temperature controller <NUM> decreases, the control command unit 52B decreases the effective power Pe of the external load <NUM>.

A sixth embodiment will be described. In the following description, the same or equivalent components as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be simplified or omitted.

<FIG> is a view schematically illustrating a thermoelectric power generator 100F according to the present embodiment. In the fifth embodiment described above, the cooling device 40E includes the temperature controller <NUM>. In the present embodiment, a cooling device 40F that cools the heat dissipater <NUM> includes: a radiator <NUM> that radiates heat from the refrigerant; a refrigerant jacket <NUM> connected to the heat dissipater <NUM>; a first channel 47A that allows passage of the refrigerant supplied from the temperature controller <NUM> to the refrigerant jacket <NUM>; a second channel 47B that allows passage of the refrigerant supplied from the refrigerant jacket <NUM> to the temperature controller <NUM>; and a circulation pump <NUM> disposed in the second channel 47B. The refrigerant circulates in a circulation system including the radiator <NUM>, the first channel 47A, the refrigerant jacket <NUM>, and the second channel 47B.

The radiator <NUM> radiates heat from the refrigerant. The refrigerant whose temperature has been lowered by the radiator <NUM> is supplied to the refrigerant jacket <NUM> via the first channel 47A. The refrigerant flowing through the internal space of the refrigerant jacket <NUM> takes heat from the heat dissipater <NUM> and then returns to the radiator <NUM> via the second channel 47B. The circulation pump <NUM> is driven to circulate the refrigerant through the circulation system of the cooling device 40F. The circulation pump <NUM> is driven by the consumption power Pc supplied from the thermoelectric power generation module <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A thermoelectric power generator comprising:
a thermoelectric power generation module (<NUM>) that includes a heat receiver (<NUM>) and a heat dissipater (<NUM>) and generates electric power by a temperature difference between the heat receiver (<NUM>) and the heat dissipater (<NUM>) ;
a cooling device (40A, 40E, 40F) that cools the heat dissipater (<NUM>); and
a control device (<NUM>), characterised in that generated power of the thermoelectric power generation module (<NUM>) is distributed to consumption power used in the cooling device (40A, 40E, 40F) and effective power used in an external load (<NUM>), and
the control device (<NUM>) includes:
a monitoring unit (52A) that monitors a state of the cooling device (40A, 40E, 40F) and outputs monitoring data;
an adjustment unit (<NUM>) capable of adjusting the effective power supplied to the external load (<NUM>); and
a control command unit (52B) that outputs a control command that controls the adjustment unit (<NUM>) based on the monitoring data.