Patent Description:
A thermoelectric phenomenon is a phenomenon occurring due to movement of electrons and holes in a material and means direct energy conversion between heat and electricity.

A thermoelectric element is a generic term for elements in which the thermoelectric phenomenon is used and has a structure in which P-type thermoelectric materials and N-type thermoelectric materials are joined between metal electrodes to form PN junction pairs.

The thermoelectric elements may be divided into elements which use a change in electrical resistance according to a change in temperature, elements which use the Seebeck effect in which an electromotive force is generated due to a difference in temperature, and elements which use the Peltier effect in which heat absorption or heating occurs due to a current.

The thermoelectric elements are being 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 for thermoelectric performance of the thermoelectric elements is gradually increasing.

The thermoelectric element includes substrates, electrodes, and thermoelectric legs, wherein a plurality of thermoelectric legs are disposed in the form of an array between an upper substrate and a lower substrate, a plurality of upper electrodes are disposed between the upper substrate and the plurality of thermoelectric legs, and a plurality of lower electrodes are disposed between the plurality of thermoelectric legs and the lower substrate. Here, the plurality of upper electrodes and the plurality of lower electrodes connect the thermoelectric legs in series or in parallel.

In general, thermoelectric elements may be arranged on a metal support. To this end, a metal support, a substrate, and an electrode may be aligned and then pressurized. In the present specification, a thermoelectric element disposed on a metal support may be referred to as a thermoelectric module or a thermoelectric device.

The documents <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> provide examples of thermoelectric elements.

<FIG> illustrates a process of manufacturing a lower substrate of a thermoelectric device, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the lower substrate of the thermoelectric device.

Referring to <FIG>, a bonding layer <NUM> may be disposed between a first resin layer <NUM>, on which a plurality of lower electrodes <NUM> are arranged, and a metal support <NUM> and then pressurized. Accordingly, a structure in which the bonding layer <NUM> is disposed on the metal support <NUM> and the first resin layer <NUM> and the plurality of lower electrodes <NUM> are disposed on the bonding layer <NUM> may be obtained.

Meanwhile, due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the first resin layer <NUM> and the metal support <NUM>, delamination may occur between the first resin layer <NUM> and the metal support <NUM> when the temperature changes frequently. In particular, as in the method illustrated in <FIG>, when the bonding layer <NUM> is disposed between the metal support <NUM>, on which the plurality of lower electrodes <NUM> are disposed, and the first resin layer <NUM> and then pressurized, the pressure may not be evenly applied to the entire first resin layer <NUM>, and accordingly, a portion having weak bonding strength may be generated.

For example, since the difference in height between the first resin layer <NUM> and the lower electrode <NUM> is about <NUM>, the pressure applied to a region A of the first resin layer <NUM>, in which the lower electrode <NUM> is not disposed, may be less than the pressure applied to a region of the first resin layer <NUM>, in which the lower electrode <NUM> is disposed. Accordingly, sufficient pressure may not be applied to an edge of the first resin layer <NUM>, in which the lower electrode <NUM> is not disposed, and thus the edge of the first resin layer <NUM> is likely to be delaminated from the metal support <NUM>.

The present invention is directed to providing a substrate and an electrode structure of a thermoelectric element.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a thermoelectric device according to any one of claims <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a thermoelectric element having excellent thermal conductivity and high reliability can be obtained. In particular, the thermoelectric element according to the embodiments of the present invention can have a high bonding strength with a metal support, and allows wires to be easily connected.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a second element could be referred to as a first element, and, similarly, a first element may also be referred to as a second element. The term "and/or" includes a combination of a plurality of related listed items or any one item of the plurality of related listed items.

It should be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected," or "directly coupled" to another element, it should be understood that still another element may not be present between the element and another element.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting to the invention. It is to be understood that the singular forms include plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should be understood that the terms "comprise," "comprising," "include," and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless clearly defined in the present application.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, but, equal or corresponding elements will be referred to as the same reference numerals regardless of drawing signs, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric element, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the thermoelectric element.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a thermoelectric element <NUM> includes a lower substrate <NUM>, lower electrodes <NUM>, a P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, an N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, an upper electrode <NUM>, and an upper substrate <NUM>.

The lower electrodes <NUM> are disposed between the lower substrate <NUM> and lower surfaces of the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, and the upper electrode <NUM> is disposed between the upper substrate <NUM> and upper surfaces of the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>. Thus, a plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> and a plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> are electrically connected due to the lower electrodes <NUM> and the upper electrodes <NUM>. A pair of P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, which are disposed between the lower electrodes <NUM> and the upper electrode <NUM> and electrically connected to each other, may form a unit cell.

For example, when a voltage is applied to the lower electrode <NUM> and the upper electrode <NUM> through lead lines <NUM> and <NUM>, due to the Peltier effect, the substrate through which a current flows from the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> to the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may absorb heat and thus serve as a cooling part, and the substrate through which a current flows from the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> to the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be heated and thus serve as a heating part.

Alternatively, when a temperature difference is provided between the lower electrode <NUM> and the upper electrode <NUM>, due to the Seebeck effect, charges in the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> move, and thus electricity may be produced.

Here, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be bismuth-telluride (Bi-Te)-based thermoelectric legs including bismuth (Bi) and tellurium (Te) as main raw materials. The P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be a thermoelectric leg including a Bi-Te-based main raw material containing at least one among antimony (Sb), nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), lead (Pb), boron (B), gallium (Ga), tellurium (Te), bismuth (Bi), and indium (In) in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> wt% and a mixture containing Bi or Te in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> wt% based on a total weight of <NUM> wt%. For example, a main raw material of the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be Bi-selenium (Se)-Te, and the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may further include Bi or Te in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> wt% based on a total weight. The N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be a thermoelectric leg including a Bi-Te-based main raw material containing at least one among Se, Ni, Al, Cu, Ag, Pb, B, Ga, Te, Bi, and In in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> wt% and a mixture containing Bi or Te in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> wt% based on a total weight of <NUM> wt%. For example, a main raw material of the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be Bi-Sb-Te, and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may further include Bi or Te in the range of <NUM> to <NUM> wt% based on a 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. Generally, the bulk type P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> or the bulk type N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be obtained through a process of performing a thermal process on a thermoelectric material to manufacture an ingot, crushing and sieving the ingot to obtain a powder for a thermoelectric leg, sintering the powder, and cutting a sintered body. The stacked type P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> or the stacked type N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be obtained through a process of coating a sheet-shaped base with a paste including a thermoelectric material to form unit members, stacking the unit members, and cutting the stacked unit members.

Here, 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 electrical conduction properties of the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> are different, a height or cross-sectional area of the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be formed to be different from that of the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>.

The performance of the thermoelectric element according to one embodiment of the present invention may be expressed as a thermoelectric figure-of-merit. The thermoelectric figure-of-merit (ZT) may be expressed by Equation <NUM>, <MAT> where α is the Seebeck coefficient [V/K], σ is electrical conductivity[S/m], and α<NUM>σ is a power factor [W/mK<NUM>]. In addition, T is temperature and k is thermal conductivity [W/mK]. k may be expressed as a·cp·ρ, wherein a is thermal diffusivity [cm<NUM>/S], cp is specific heat [J/gK], and ρ is density [g/cm<NUM>].

In order to obtain a thermoelectric figure-of-merit of a thermoelectric element, a Z value [V/K] is measured using a Z meter, and the thermoelectric figure-of-merit (ZT) may be calculated using the measured Z value.

Here, the lower electrodes <NUM> disposed between the lower substrate <NUM> and the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, and the upper electrode <NUM> disposed between the upper substrate <NUM> and the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may include at least one among Cu, Ag, and Ni.

In addition, sizes of the lower substrate <NUM> and the upper substrate <NUM> may be formed to be different from each other. For example, a volume, a thickness, or an area of one of the lower substrate <NUM> and the upper substrate <NUM> may be formed to be greater than that of the other one thereof. Accordingly, the heat absorption performance or heat dissipation performance of the thermoelectric element may be enhanced. Preferably, at least one of the volume, thickness, or area of the lower substrate <NUM> may be formed to be greater than that of the upper substrate <NUM>. Here, in a case in which the lower substrate <NUM> is disposed in a high temperature region for the Seebeck effect, the lower substrate <NUM> is applied as a heating region for the Peltier effect, or a sealing member for protecting a thermoelectric module, which will be described later, from the external environment is disposed on the lower substrate <NUM>, at least one of the volume, thickness, or area of the lower substrate <NUM> may be greater than that of the upper substrate <NUM>. Here, the area of the lower substrate <NUM> may be formed in a range of <NUM> to <NUM> times the area of the upper substrate <NUM>. When the area of the lower substrate <NUM> is formed to be less than <NUM> times that of the upper substrate <NUM>, the effect of improving heat transfer efficiency is not great, and when the area of the lower substrate <NUM> is formed to be more than <NUM> times that of the upper substrate <NUM>, the heat transfer efficiency is significantly reduced, and the basic shape of the thermoelectric module may be difficult to maintain.

In addition, a heat dissipation pattern, for example, an irregular pattern, may be formed on at least one surface of the lower substrate <NUM> and the upper substrate <NUM>. Accordingly, the heat dissipation performance of the thermoelectric element may be enhanced. In a case in which the irregular pattern is formed on a 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 also be improved.

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

Alternatively, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> or the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may have a stacked type structure. For example, the P-type thermoelectric leg or the N-type thermoelectric leg may be formed by a method of stacking a plurality of structures each having a sheet-shaped base coated with a semiconductor material and then cutting the plurality of structures. Thus, it is possible to prevent the loss of a material and improve electrical conduction properties.

Alternatively, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> or the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be manufactured according to a zone melting method or a powder sintering method. According to the zone melting method, a thermoelectric leg is obtained through a method in which an ingot is manufactured using a thermoelectric material, and heat is slowly applied to the ingot to refine the ingot such that particles are re-arranged in a single direction and then slowly cooled. According to the powder sintering method, a thermoelectric leg is obtained through a process of manufacturing an ingot using a thermoelectric material, crushing and sieving the ingot to obtain a powder for a thermoelectric leg, and then sintering the powder.

Although not illustrated in the drawing, the sealing member may be further disposed between the lower substrate <NUM> and the upper substrate <NUM>. The sealing member may be disposed on side surfaces of the lower electrode <NUM>, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, and the upper electrode <NUM> between the lower substrate <NUM> and the upper substrate <NUM>. Accordingly, the lower electrode <NUM>, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, and the upper electrode <NUM> may be sealed from external moisture, heat, contamination, and the like.

Here, the sealing member may include a sealing case disposed to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the outermost side of the plurality of lower electrodes <NUM>, the outermost side of the plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> and the plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs <NUM>, and the outermost side of the plurality of upper electrodes <NUM>, a sealing material disposed between the sealing case and the lower substrate <NUM>, and a sealing material disposed between the sealing case and the upper substrate <NUM>. As described above, the sealing case may be in contact with the lower substrate <NUM> and the upper substrate <NUM> through the sealing materials. Accordingly, a problem may be prevented in which thermal conduction occurs through the sealing case when the sealing case is in direct contact with the lower substrate <NUM> and the upper substrate <NUM>, and as a result, the temperature difference between the lower substrate <NUM> and the upper substrate <NUM> is lowered.

Here, the sealing material may include at least one of an epoxy resin and a silicone resin, or may include a tape having both sides on which at least one of an epoxy resin and a silicone resin is applied. The sealing material may serve to seal between the sealing case and the lower substrate <NUM> and between the sealing case and the upper substrate <NUM>, may enhance the effect of sealing the lower electrode <NUM>, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, and the upper electrode <NUM>, and may be mixed with a finishing material, a finishing layer, a waterproof material, a waterproof layer, or the like.

Here, the sealing material that seals between the sealing case and the lower substrate <NUM> may be disposed on an upper surface of the lower substrate <NUM>, and the sealing material that seals between the sealing case and the upper substrate <NUM> may be disposed on side surfaces of the upper substrate <NUM>. To this end, the area of the lower substrate <NUM> may be greater than the area of the upper substrate <NUM>.

Meanwhile, guide grooves for leading the lead lines <NUM> and <NUM> connected to the electrode may be formed in the sealing case. To this end, the sealing case may be an injection molded product made of plastic or the like and may be used with a sealing cover.

However, the above description of the sealing member is merely exemplary, and the sealing member may be modified in various forms.

Although not illustrated in the drawing, a heat-insulating material may be further included to surround the sealing member. Alternatively, the sealing member may include a heat-insulating component.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, bonding strength between the substrate and the metal support is enhanced by evenly applying pressure to the substrate when bonding the substrate to the metal support.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric device according to one embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a top view of a resin layer and an electrode structure included in the thermoelectric device according to one embodiment of the present invention, <FIG> is a top view of a resin layer and an electrode structure included in a thermoelectric device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and <FIG> is a top view of a resin layer and an electrode structure included in a thermoelectric device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a thermoelectric device <NUM> includes a first metal support <NUM>, a first bonding layer <NUM> disposed on the first metal support <NUM>, a first resin layer <NUM> disposed on the first bonding layer <NUM>, a plurality of first electrodes <NUM> disposed on the first resin layer <NUM>, a plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> and a plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> disposed on the plurality of first electrodes <NUM>, a plurality of second electrodes <NUM> disposed on the plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> and the plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs <NUM>, a second resin layer <NUM> disposed on the plurality of second electrodes <NUM>, a second bonding layer <NUM> disposed on the second resin layer <NUM>, and a second metal support <NUM> disposed on the second bonding layer <NUM>. Here, the first resin layer <NUM>, the first electrode <NUM>, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, the second electrode <NUM>, and the second resin layer <NUM> may correspond to the lower substrate <NUM>, the lower electrode <NUM>, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, the upper electrode <NUM>, and the upper substrate <NUM>, respectively, which are described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. Although not illustrated in the drawing, a heat sink may be disposed on at least one of the first metal support <NUM> and the second metal support <NUM>. For example, the heat sink may be attached to a surface of both surfaces of the first metal support <NUM>, which is opposite to a surface on which the bonding layer <NUM> is disposed, and may be attached to a surface of both surfaces of the second metal support <NUM>, which is opposite to a surface on which the bonding layer <NUM> is disposed. Alternatively, the first metal support <NUM> and the heat sink may be integrally formed, and the second metal support <NUM> and the heat sink may be integrally formed.

In the present specification, a thermoelectric element may mean the thermoelectric element including the first metal support <NUM>, the first resin layer <NUM>, the first electrode <NUM>, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, the second electrode <NUM>, the second resin layer <NUM>, and the second metal support <NUM>.

Alternatively, a thermoelectric element may mean the thermoelectric element including the first metal support <NUM> to which a heat sink is attached or formed integrally with the heat sink, the first resin layer <NUM>, the first electrode <NUM>, the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM>, the second electrode <NUM>, the second resin layer <NUM>, and the second metal support <NUM> to which a heat sink is attached or formed integrally with the heat sink.

The first metal support <NUM> and the second metal support <NUM> may be made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, a copper alloy, or the like. The first metal support <NUM> and the second metal support <NUM> may support the first resin layer <NUM>, the plurality of first electrodes <NUM>, the plurality of P-type thermoelectric legs <NUM> and the plurality of N-type thermoelectric legs <NUM>, the plurality of second electrodes <NUM>, the second resin layer <NUM>, and the like. To this end, an area of the first metal support <NUM> may be greater than an area of the first resin layer <NUM>, and an area of the second metal support <NUM> may be greater than an area of the second resin layer <NUM>. That is, the first resin layer <NUM> may be disposed in a region spaced apart from an edge of the first metal support <NUM> by a predetermined distance, and the second resin layer <NUM> may be disposed in a region spaced apart from an edge of the second metal support <NUM> by a predetermined distance. Although not illustrated in the drawing, a heat sink may be formed on the surface of the both surfaces of the first metal support <NUM>, which is opposite to the surface on which the first resin layer <NUM> is disposed. Similarly, a heat sink may be formed on the surface of the both surfaces of the second metal support <NUM>, which is opposite to the surface on which the second resin layer <NUM> is disposed. In addition, although not illustrated in the drawing, each of the first metal support <NUM> and the second metal support <NUM> may be integrally formed with the heat sink.

The first resin layer <NUM> and the second resin layer <NUM> may be made of a resin composition including a resin and an inorganic filler. The first resin layer <NUM> and the second resin layer <NUM> may have a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, and more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>, and may have a thermal conductivity of <NUM> W/mK or more, preferably <NUM> W/mK or more, and more preferably <NUM> W/mK or more.

Here, the resin may include an epoxy resin or a silicone resin. The silicone resin may include, for example, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

The epoxy resin may include an epoxy compound and a curing agent. In this case, the curing agent may be included in a volume ratio of <NUM> to <NUM> with respect to a volume ratio of <NUM> of the epoxy compound. Here, the epoxy compound may include at least one among a crystalline epoxy compound, an amorphous epoxy compound, and a silicone epoxy compound. The crystalline epoxy compound may include a mesogen structure. Mesogen is a basic unit of a liquid crystal and includes a rigid structure. In addition, the amorphous epoxy compound may be a conventional amorphous epoxy compound having two or more epoxy groups in a molecule, and for example, may be glycidyl ethers derived from bisphenol A or bisphenol F. Here, the curing agent may include at least one among 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 alternatively, two or more kinds of curing agents may be mixed to be used as the curing agent.

The inorganic filler may include a boron nitride agglomerate in which aluminum oxide and a plurality of plate-like boron nitrides are agglomerated. The inorganic filler may further include aluminum nitride. Here, the surface of the boron nitride agglomerate may be modified in order to increase the affinity with the resin. For example, the surface of the boron nitride agglomerate may be coated with a polymeric material having a functional group with a high affinity to the resin, or at least some of voids in the boron nitride agglomerate may be filled with a polymeric material having a functional group with a high affinity to the resin.

The first bonding layer <NUM> and the second bonding layer <NUM> may include a thermal interface material (TIM). Alternatively, the first bonding layer <NUM> and the second bonding layer <NUM> may include the same resin composition as the resin composition forming the first resin layer <NUM> and the second resin layer <NUM>. That is, the first resin layer <NUM> and the second resin layer <NUM> may be bonded to the first metal support <NUM> and the second metal support <NUM>, respectively, by a method of coating the first metal support <NUM> and the second metal support <NUM> with the same resin composition, in a non-cured state, as a resin composition forming the first resin layer <NUM> and the second resin layer <NUM>, and then laminating the first resin layer <NUM> and the second resin layer <NUM> in a cured state and pressurizing at high temperature.

Meanwhile, the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> and the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> may be manufactured by a method of disposing a Cu substrate on the resin composition in a semi-cured state, forming the first resin layer <NUM> and the second resin layer <NUM>, followed by pressing and etching the Cu substrate in an electrode shape. Alternatively, the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> and the plurality of second electrodes <NUM> may be manufactured by a method of disposing the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> and the plurality of second electrodes <NUM>, which are pre-aligned, on the resin composition in a cured state forming the first resin layer <NUM> and the second resin layer <NUM>, followed by pressing.

Alternatively, the first bonding layer <NUM> and the second bonding layer <NUM> may be omitted. For example, the first metal support <NUM> and the second metal support <NUM> may be coated with the resin composition in a non-cured state, forming the first resin layer <NUM> and the second resin layer <NUM> and semi-cured, and in this state, a Cu substrate or a pre-aligned electrode may be disposed and then pressurized.

A pair of the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be disposed on each of the first electrodes <NUM>, and a pair of the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> may be disposed on each of the second electrodes <NUM> such that one of the pair of the P-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> and the N-type thermoelectric leg <NUM> disposed on each of the first electrodes <NUM> is overlapped.

Referring to <FIG>, at least one dummy electrode <NUM> is further disposed on the first resin layer <NUM>. The at least one dummy electrode <NUM> is disposed on at least one side of the outermost row and the outermost column of the plurality of first electrodes <NUM>.

The dummy electrode <NUM> may have the same material and the same thickness as the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> but does not have a thermoelectric leg disposed thereon and may not be electrically connected. The dummy electrode <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from the plurality of first electrodes <NUM>. Here, a plurality of dummy electrodes <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other at predetermined intervals. The dummy electrode <NUM> and the first electrode <NUM> may have the same shape and may also have different shapes. Here, the fact that the dummy electrode <NUM> and the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> have the same thickness means that the thickness of the dummy electrode <NUM> may be <NUM>% to <NUM>% of the thickness of each of the plurality of first electrodes <NUM>, preferably <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and more preferably <NUM>% to <NUM>%. When the thickness is less than <NUM>% and greater than <NUM>%, pressure may not be evenly distributed, when the thickness is less than <NUM>%, a portion having a weak bonding strength may be generated in a position in which the dummy electrode <NUM> is disposed, and when the thickness is greater than <NUM>%, a portion having a weak bonding strength may be generated in positions at which the outermost column and the outermost row of the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> are disposed.

As described above, when the dummy electrode <NUM> is disposed on at least one side of the outermost row and the outermost column of the plurality of first electrodes <NUM>, in the process of bonding the first resin layer <NUM> to the metal support <NUM>, pressure is applied evenly to a region in which the dummy electrode <NUM> is disposed as in a region in which the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> are disposed so that the metal support <NUM> may be bonded to an edge region of the first resin layer <NUM> with high bonding strength.

Meanwhile, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a plurality of first electrodes <NUM> may include a first terminal connection electrode <NUM> to which a first terminal is connected, and a second terminal connection electrode <NUM> to which a second terminal having a different polarity from the first terminal is connected. For example, the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> may be disposed at one corner of the plurality of first electrodes <NUM>, and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM> may be disposed at another corner of the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> in the same row or the same column as the first terminal connection electrode <NUM>. A P-type thermoelectric leg and an N-type thermoelectric leg may be respectively disposed on the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM>.

The first terminal and the second terminal may be connected to the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM>, respectively, through wires. In order for the wires to be easily connected, the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM> may be formed to be greater than other first electrodes <NUM>. For example, as shown in <FIG>, the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM> may extend in a direction of an edge of a first resin layer <NUM> from a row or column in which the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM> are disposed. For example, as shown in <FIG>, a first terminal connection electrode <NUM> may be parallel to a row or column in which the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and a second terminal connection electrode <NUM> are disposed and may further extend in a direction toward the second terminal connection electrode <NUM>, and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM> may be parallel to the row or column in which the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM> are disposed and may further extend in a direction toward the first terminal connection electrode <NUM>. That is, the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM> may each have an "L" shape.

Here, a plurality of dummy electrodes <NUM> may be disposed between the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM> along a side of the row or column in which the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM> are disposed.

As described above, when dummy electrodes, that is, the plurality of dummy electrodes <NUM>, are disposed between the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM>, even when the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM> are formed to be large, pressure applied to a region between the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM> may be maintained at the same level as pressure applied to a region in which other first electrodes <NUM> are disposed. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain the overall bonding strength between a first resin layer <NUM> and a first metal support <NUM> to be high.

When the plurality of first electrodes <NUM> include the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM>, the area of the first resin layer <NUM> may be formed to be greater than that of the second resin layer <NUM>. Accordingly, by forming sizes of the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM> to be greater than those of other first electrodes <NUM>, wires may be easily connected and a region for arranging dummy electrodes, that is, the plurality of dummy electrodes <NUM>, may be secured.

Although a case in which the plurality of dummy electrodes <NUM>, which are dummy electrodes, are disposed only between the first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and the second terminal connection electrode <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the present invention is not limited thereto, and as illustrated in <FIG>, the plurality of dummy electrodes <NUM> may be further disposed on the side of the outermost row or outermost column of the plurality of first electrodes <NUM>.

Further, although a case in which the dummy electrode <NUM> for bonding the first resin layer <NUM> to the first metal support <NUM> is disposed is illustrated in <FIG>, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a dummy electrode (not shown) for bonding the second resin layer <NUM> to the second metal support <NUM> may also be formed on the second resin layer.

<FIG> illustrates a test result of the bonding strength of a resin layer in a thermoelectric element manufactured according to Example, and <FIG> illustrates a test result of the bonding strength of a resin layer in a thermoelectric element manufactured according to Comparative Example.

As shown in <FIG>, in Example, a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of dummy electrodes were disposed on a resin layer as in the structure of <FIG>, and as shown in <FIG>, in Comparative Example, only a plurality of electrodes were disposed on a resin layer excluding the plurality of dummy electrodes from the structure of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, in a back surface of the resin layer bonded to a metal support according to Example, it can be seen that a lifting or delaminating phenomenon did not occur in an edge of the resin layer, particularly, in a region <NUM> between a first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and a second terminal connection electrode <NUM> and high bonding strength was maintained.

In contrast, referring to <FIG>, in a back surface of the resin layer bonded to a metal support according to Comparative Example, it can be seen that an edge of the resin layer, particularly, a region <NUM> between a first terminal connection electrode <NUM> and a second terminal connection electrode <NUM>, was easily delaminated.

Hereinafter, an example in which the thermoelectric element is applied to a water purifier will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an example in which the thermoelectric element according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a water purifier.

A water purifier <NUM> to which the thermoelectric element according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied includes a raw water supply pipe 12a, a purified water tank inlet pipe 12b, a purified water tank <NUM>, a filter assembly <NUM>, a cooling fan <NUM>, a heat storage tank <NUM>, a cold water supply pipe 15a, and a thermoelectric device <NUM>.

The raw water supply pipe 12a is a supply pipe which introduces water to be purified into the filter assembly <NUM> from a water source, the purified water tank inlet pipe 12b is an inlet pipe which introduces the purified water from the filter assembly <NUM> into the purified water tank <NUM>, and the cold water supply pipe 15a is a supply pipe from which cold water cooled in the purified water tank <NUM> by the thermoelectric device <NUM> to a predetermined temperature is finally supplied to a user.

The purified water tank <NUM> temporarily accommodates purified water to store and supply the water, which is purified by passing through the filter assembly <NUM> and is introduced through the purified water tank inlet pipe 12b, to the outside.

The filter assembly <NUM> includes a precipitation filter 13a, a pre-carbon filter 13b, a membrane filter 13c, and a post-carbon filter 13d.

That is, the water introduced into the raw water supply pipe 12a may be purified while passing through the filter assembly <NUM>.

The heat storage tank <NUM> is disposed between the purified water tank <NUM> and the thermoelectric device <NUM> and stores cold air formed in the thermoelectric device <NUM>. The cold air stored in the heat storage tank <NUM> is supplied to the purified water tank <NUM> to cool the water stored in the purified water tank <NUM>.

The heat storage tank <NUM> may be in surface contact with the purified water tank <NUM> so that the cold air can be smoothly transferred.

As described above, the thermoelectric device <NUM> is provided with a heat absorption surface and a heating surface, and one side of the thermoelectric device <NUM> is cooled and the other side thereof is heated due to electron movements in a P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor.

Here, the one side may be a side of the purified water tank <NUM>, and the other side may be a side opposite to the purified water tank <NUM>.

In addition, as described above, the thermoelectric device <NUM> has excellent waterproof and dust-proof performance and improved heat flow performance so that the thermoelectric device <NUM> may efficiently cool the purified water tank <NUM> in the water purifier.

Hereinafter, an example in which the thermoelectric element according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a refrigerator will be described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an example in which the thermoelectric element is applied to a refrigerator.

The refrigerator includes a deep temperature evaporation chamber cover <NUM>, an evaporation chamber partition wall <NUM>, a main evaporator <NUM>, a cooling fan <NUM>, and a thermoelectric device <NUM> in a deep temperature evaporation chamber.

An interior of the refrigerator is divided into a deep temperature storage chamber and the deep temperature evaporation chamber by the deep temperature evaporation chamber cover <NUM>.

In more detail, an inner space corresponding to a front side of the deep temperature evaporation chamber cover <NUM> may be defined as the deep temperature storage chamber, and an inner space corresponding to a rear side of the deep temperature evaporation chamber cover <NUM> may be defined as the deep temperature evaporation chamber.

A discharge grille 23a and a suction grille 23b may be formed on a front surface of the deep temperature evaporation chamber cover <NUM>.

The evaporation chamber partition wall <NUM> is installed at a position spaced apart from a back wall of an inner cabinet to the front side, thereby partitioning a space in which a deep temperature chamber storage system is provided from a space in which the main evaporator <NUM> is provided.

Cold air cooled by the main evaporator <NUM> is supplied to a freezer compartment and then returned to the main evaporator.

The thermoelectric device <NUM> is accommodated in the deep temperature evaporation chamber and has a structure in which the heat absorption surface faces a drawer assembly of the deep temperature storage chamber and the heating surface faces an evaporator. Accordingly, a heat absorption phenomenon which occurs in the thermoelectric device <NUM> may be used to quickly cool food stored in the drawer assembly to an ultra-low temperature state that is less than or equal to <NUM> degrees Celsius. Further, as described above, the thermoelectric device <NUM> has excellent waterproof and dust-proof performance and improved heat flow performance so that the thermoelectric device <NUM> may efficiently cool the drawer assembly in the refrigerator.

The thermoelectric element according to the embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a power generation device, a cooling device, and a heating device. In more detail, the thermoelectric element according to the embodiment of the present invention may be mainly applied to optical communication modules, sensors, medical devices, measurement devices, the aerospace industry, refrigerators, chillers, vehicle ventilation seats, cup holders, washing machines, dryers, wine cellars, water purifiers, power supplies for sensors, thermopiles, and the like.

Here, an example in which the thermoelectric element according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a medical device includes a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) device. The PCR device is a device for amplifying deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) to determine a DNA base sequence and requires accurate temperature control and a thermal cycle. To this end, a Peltier-based thermoelectric element may be applied.

Another example in which the thermoelectric element according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a medical device includes a photo detector. Here, the photo detector includes an infrared/ultraviolet detector, a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor, an X-ray detector, a thermoelectric thermal reference source (TTRS), and the like. A Peltier-based thermoelectric element may be applied to cool the photo detector. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent a variation in wavelength, a decrease in output, and a decrease in resolution due to an increase in temperature in the photo detector.

Still other examples in which the thermoelectric element according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a medical device include an immunoassay field, an in vitro diagnostics field, general temperature control and cooling systems, a physical therapy field, a liquid chiller system, a blood/plasma temperature control field, and the like. Accordingly, accurate temperature control is possible.

Yet another example in which the thermoelectric element according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to a medical device includes an artificial heart. Accordingly, power may be supplied to the artificial heart.

Examples of the thermoelectric element according to the embodiment of the present invention applied to an aerospace industry include a star tracking system, a thermal imaging camera, an infrared/ultraviolet detector, a CCD sensor, the Hubble space telescope, a TTRS, and the like. Accordingly, it is possible to maintain a temperature of an image sensor.

Other examples in which the thermoelectric element according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to an aerospace industry include a cooling device, a heater, a power generation device, and the like.

In addition to the above description, the thermoelectric element according to the embodiment of the present invention may be applied for power generation, cooling, and heating in other industrial fields.

Claim 1:
A thermoelectric device (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a first metal support (<NUM>, <NUM>);
a first resin layer (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on the first metal support;
a plurality of first electrodes (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on the first resin layer;
at least one dummy electrode (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on the first resin layer;
thermoelectric legs (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on the plurality of first electrodes;
a plurality of second electrodes (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on the thermoelectric legs;
a second resin layer (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on the plurality of second electrodes; and
a second metal support (<NUM>, <NUM>) disposed on the second resin layer,
wherein the at least one dummy electrode is disposed on at least one side of an outermost row and an outermost column of the plurality of first electrodes, and
wherein the thermoelectric legs are not disposed on the at least one dummy electrode..