Manufacturing method and assembly tooling for a light thermoelectric module

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of assembly tool, including positioning base, first positioning plate, second positioning plate and third positioning plate, second positioning plate and third positioning plate are respectively detachably connected in the corresponding clamping groove of first positioning plate, the positioning base is cooperated with first positioning plate, second positioning plate and third positioning plate to position the first copper-clad ceramic plate with solder, second copper-clad ceramic plate;First positioning plate, second positioning plate, third positioning plate are opened along the length direction of each with multiple mutually parallel first recess, second recess and third recess;First recess, second recess and third recess are respectively set along the thickness direction of first positioning plate, second positioning plate and third positioning plate.This present application also relates to a kind of light thermoelectric module manufacturing method.The light thermoelectric module manufacturing method and assembly tool aim to solve the problems that the manufacturing process of thermoelectric module is complex, cost is high and service life is short, unreliable.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of thermoelectric conversion, in particular to a manufacturing method of a light-weight thermoelectric module and an assembly tool. BACKGROUND

[0002] Thermoelectric technology utilizes the Seebeck effect of semiconductor materials to realize the mutual conversion between heat energy and electric energy in a temperature difference environment, and has the advantages of no pollution, no noise, and maintenance-free, etc. It is a new type of energy-saving and environment-friendly thermoelectric conversion technology, and has significant application advantages in the fields of military and aerospace.

[0003] A thermoelectric module is the key of thermoelectric technology, which is composed of P and N type thermoelectric materials, metal flow guides, and ceramic insulation layers. In the initial thermoelectric module preparation technology, first, the P and N type thermoelectric materials are welded with the metal flow guides to form thermoelectric elements; then, a large number (hundreds or even more) of thermoelectric elements are connected in series and parallel; finally, the ceramic insulation layer is welded on the upper and lower surfaces to form the thermoelectric module. In the above existing technology, multiple welding is involved, such as the welding of the high and low temperature end surfaces of each P and N type thermoelectric material with the metal flow guides and the welding between the metal flow guides and the ceramic insulation layer (high and low temperature end surfaces), which makes the thermoelectric module manufacturing process complex, difficult, and high in manufacturing cost, and is not conducive to mass production.

[0004] Subsequently, an overall welding method for a thermoelectric module was invented, which uses an integrated electrode combination plate to weld multiple single pairs into the overall thermoelectric module at one time. First, the high-temperature end multiple pairs of P and N type thermoelectric materials are welded with the hot end electrodes, and then the overall welding of the low-temperature end is completed at one time. Although this method greatly simplifies the preparation process, it requires two steps of welding to complete the preparation of the thermoelectric module, which is high in welding cost. Moreover, the second welding of the low-temperature end will affect the welding of the high-temperature end, reducing the welding quality. In addition, the entire process requires two assemblies of thermoelectric materials, which is still a large and tedious workload.

[0005] In recent years, a bismuth telluride-based thermoelectric module with a frame structure has been developed, i.e. a porous support is added between the high and low temperature ceramic substrates. Although the single pair does not need to be reassembled when welding the low-temperature end of the module, the workload of assembling the thermoelectric materials is reduced. However, the use of a porous support frame will additionally increase the mass of the device. For the aerospace field, the quality control of components is extremely high, and this frame structure thermoelectric device is not the best choice.

[0006] In summary, the existing thermoelectric module needs two-step welding in preparation, that is, high-temperature side welding is completed first, and then low-temperature side welding is completed, which is complex, large in workload and tedious. Although the preparation of the framework structure bismuth telluride-based thermoelectric module can reduce the operation process and reduce the workload to a certain extent, it will bring additional weight penalty.

[0007] Therefore, the inventor provides a manufacturing method and assembly tool for a light thermoelectric module. SUMMARY

[0008] (1) Technical problems to be solved

[0009] The manufacturing method and assembly tool for a light thermoelectric module provided by the embodiments of the present application solve the technical problems of complex manufacturing process, high cost, short service life and unreliability of the thermoelectric module.

[0010] (2) Technical solutions

[0011] The assembly tool comprises a positioning base, a first positioning plate, a second positioning plate and a third positioning plate, the second positioning plate and the third positioning plate are detachably clamped in the corresponding clamping grooves of the first positioning plate, and the positioning base cooperates with the first positioning plate, the second positioning plate and the third positioning plate to position the first copper-clad ceramic plate and the second copper-clad ceramic plate with solder.

[0012] The first positioning plate is provided with a plurality of first grooves parallel to each other along the length direction of the first positioning plate, the second positioning plate is provided with a plurality of second grooves parallel to each other along the length direction of the second positioning plate, and the third positioning plate is provided with a plurality of third grooves parallel to each other along the length direction of the third positioning plate, the first grooves are perpendicular to the second grooves, the second grooves are parallel to the third grooves, and the first grooves, the second grooves and the third grooves cooperate to form a grid for mounting P-type thermoelectric material, N-type thermoelectric material and the first copper-clad ceramic plate.

[0013] The first grooves, the second grooves and the third grooves are respectively arranged through the thickness direction of the first positioning plate, the second positioning plate and the third positioning plate.

[0014] Further, the second positioning plate and the third positioning plate are detachably clamped in the upper clamping groove and the lower clamping groove which are staggered on the upper and lower end faces of the first positioning plate.

[0015] Further, the crossbeam between the two adjacent second grooves is located in the middle of the third groove, or the crossbeam between the two adjacent third grooves is located in the middle of the second groove.

[0016] Further, the height difference of the beam between the second groove and the third groove after clamping is set.

[0017] Further, the height of the beam between the two adjacent first grooves is the same as the height of the beam between the two adjacent second grooves or the two adjacent third grooves.

[0018] Further, the upper end surface of the positioning base is provided with a positioning groove for positioning the first copper clad ceramic plate.

[0019] Further, the upper end surface of the positioning base is provided with a plurality of first pin holes, and the second positioning plate and the third positioning plate are provided with second pin holes corresponding to the first pin holes, and the first pin holes and the second pin holes are used for penetrating the pin after being connected.

[0020] Further, the assembly tool further comprises a mask plate, and the mask plate comprises a P-type mask plate and an N-type mask plate for assembling the P-type thermoelectric material and the N-type thermoelectric material respectively.

[0021] The application also provides a manufacturing method of a light thermoelectric module, which utilizes the above-mentioned assembly tool, and the method comprises the following steps:

[0022] The first copper clad ceramic plate with solder is fixed on the positioning base;

[0023] The positioning tool formed by the first positioning plate, the second positioning plate and the third positioning plate after assembly is fixed on the first copper clad ceramic plate on the positioning base;

[0024] The P-type thermoelectric material and the N-type thermoelectric material are assembled in the positioning tool;

[0025] After the mask plate is removed, the second copper clad ceramic plate with solder is placed on the upper end surface of the P-type thermoelectric material and the N-type thermoelectric material, and the thermoelectric module is assembled;

[0026] The thermoelectric module after pressure treatment is put into a welding furnace for welding, and after the welding is completed, the third positioning plate, the second positioning plate and the first positioning plate are extracted in sequence to obtain a light thermoelectric module.

[0027] Further, the P-type thermoelectric material and the N-type thermoelectric material are assembled in the positioning tool, specifically, the corresponding P-type thermoelectric material and N-type thermoelectric material are assembled in the groove of the positioning tool through the P-type mask plate and the N-type mask plate.

[0028] (3) Beneficial effects

[0029] In conclusion, the application can prepare high-quality, compact and frameless thermoelectric module by only once assembling of thermoelectric material through the removable assembly tool, the first copper-clad ceramic plate and the second copper-clad ceramic plate, simplifies the process flow, improves the assembly efficiency, reduces the module weight, improves the quality specific power; only once welding process is needed in the thermoelectric module preparation process, the welding of both ends of the thermoelectric material is completed, the operation is simple, the influence of the second welding on the quality of the first welding is avoided, the manufacturing cost is reduced, and the welding quality is improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments of the application. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the application, and other drawings can be obtained by those skilled in the art without creative labor on the basis of these drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 is an exploded structure schematic diagram of an assembly tool provided by the embodiment of the application;

[0032] Figure 2 is a front structure schematic diagram of a positioning plate of the assembly tool provided by the embodiment of the application;

[0033] Figure 3 is a back structure schematic diagram of the positioning plate of the assembly tool provided by the embodiment of the application;

[0034] Figure 4 is an exploded structure diagram of the positioning plate of the assembly tool provided by the embodiment of the application;

[0035] Figure 5 is a structure elevation view of another assembly tool provided by the embodiment of the application;

[0036] Figure 6 is a structure plan view of another assembly tool provided by the embodiment of the application;

[0037] Figure 7 is a structure schematic diagram of a positioning base of the assembly tool provided by the embodiment of the application;

[0038] Figure 8 is a disassembly schematic diagram of the assembly tool provided by the embodiment of the application;

[0039] Figure 9 is a flow schematic diagram of a manufacturing method of a light thermoelectric module provided by the embodiment of the application.

[0040] In the drawings:

[0041] 1-Positioning base; 101-Positioning groove; 2-First positioning plate; 201-First groove; 202-Upper slot; 203-Lower slot; 204-Gradient groove; 3-Second positioning plate; 301-Second groove; 4-Third positioning plate; 401-Third groove; 5-Mask plate; 100-First copper-clad ceramic plate. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawings are used to illustrate the principles of the present invention by way of example, but should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. That is, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and any modifications, substitutions and improvements to the parts, components and connection methods are covered without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0043] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0044] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product of this invention is in use, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly understood by those skilled in the art. They are only used to facilitate the description of this invention and to simplify the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0045] In the description of this invention, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set" and "install" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0046] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of an assembly tooling provided in an embodiment of the present invention, as shown below. Figures 1-4 As shown, the assembly fixture may include a positioning base 1, a first positioning plate 2, a second positioning plate 3 and a third positioning plate 4. The second positioning plate 3 and the third positioning plate 4 are respectively detachably snapped into the corresponding slots of the first positioning plate 2. The positioning base 1 cooperates with the first positioning plate 2, the second positioning plate 3 and the third positioning plate 4 to position the first copper-clad ceramic plate 100 and the second copper-clad ceramic plate with solder.

[0047] The first positioning plate 2 is provided with a plurality of first grooves 201 parallel to each other along the length direction of the first positioning plate 2, the second positioning plate 3 is provided with a plurality of second grooves 301 parallel to each other along the length direction of the second positioning plate 3, and the third positioning plate 4 is provided with a plurality of third grooves 401 parallel to each other along the length direction of the third positioning plate 4. The first grooves 201 are perpendicular to the second grooves 301, and the second grooves 301 are parallel to the third grooves 401. The first grooves 201, the second grooves 301 and the third grooves 401 cooperate to form a grid for mounting the P-type thermoelectric material, the N-type thermoelectric material and the first copper-clad ceramic plate 100.

[0048] The first grooves 201, the second grooves 301 and the third grooves 401 are respectively provided through the thickness direction of the first positioning plate 2, the second positioning plate 3 and the third positioning plate 4.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the first positioning plate 2, the second positioning plate 3 and the third positioning plate 4 are detachably mounted to realize the positioning assembly between the thermoelectric material and the upper and lower layers of the first copper-clad ceramic plate 100 with solder. Only one thermoelectric material assembly is required to prepare a high-quality, compact and frameless thermoelectric module, which simplifies the process flow, improves the assembly efficiency, reduces the module weight and improves the quality specific power. Since the first grooves 201, the second grooves 301 and the third grooves 401 are all provided through, only one welding is required during the preparation of the thermoelectric module, and the welding of both ends of the thermoelectric material is completed, which is simple to operate, avoids the influence of secondary welding on the quality of the first welding, reduces the manufacturing cost and improves the welding quality.

[0050] As an optional embodiment, as shown in Figure 4 The second positioning plate 3 and the third positioning plate 4 are detachably clamped to the upper and lower end faces of the first positioning plate 2 which are provided with upper and lower clamping grooves 202 and 203.

[0051] Specifically, as shown in Figures 3-4 By providing the upper and lower clamping grooves 202 and 203 which are provided in the length direction perpendicular to the second positioning plate, the second positioning plate 3 and the third positioning plate 4 are installed in the first positioning plate 1 in a staggered manner, thereby forming grooves for positioning and mounting the thermoelectric material. In addition, in combination with the gradient grooves 204, the grid grooves for positioning the first copper-clad ceramic plate 100 are formed.

[0052] It should be noted that the second positioning plate 3 and the third positioning plate 4 can also be detachably clamped to the same end face of the first positioning plate 2, and are not limited in detail, as long as the detachable assembly of the three positioning plates can form the grid grooves.

[0053] As an optional embodiment, as shown in Figures 2-4As shown, the crossbeam between two adjacent second grooves 301 is located in the middle of the third groove 401, or the crossbeam between two adjacent third grooves 401 is located in the middle of the second groove 301.

[0054] Specifically, the second groove 301 and the third groove 401 arranged in a staggered manner can divide the second groove 301 and the second groove 401 into two parts, which can be used for positioning and installing the corresponding P-type thermoelectric material and N-type thermoelectric material, and then a second copper clad ceramic plate (not shown in the figure) corresponding to the first copper clad ceramic plate 100 is covered on the upper end surface of the P-type thermoelectric material and the N-type thermoelectric material to realize the positioning and assembly of the thermoelectric material and the second copper clad ceramic plate.

[0055] As an optional embodiment, as shown in Figures 2-3 As shown, the crossbeam between the second groove 301 and the third groove 401 after clamping has a set height difference. Specifically, the assembly tool with a gradient structure (height difference between grooves, gradient groove 204) is used to realize the accurate positioning between the upper electrode of the first copper clad ceramic plate 100 and the second copper clad ceramic plate and the thermoelectric material, reduce the operation difficulty, ensure the manufacturing quality, and improve the qualified rate and high reliability of the thermoelectric module.

[0056] As an optional embodiment, as shown in Figure 7 As shown, the upper end surface of the positioning base 1 is provided with a positioning groove 101, and the positioning groove 101 is used for positioning and installing the first copper clad ceramic plate 100.

[0057] Specifically, the depth of the positioning groove 101 is not large, and the shape is matched with the first copper clad ceramic plate 100 to fix the first copper clad ceramic plate 100 on the positioning base 1, realize the stability in the welding process, and prevent the deviation to cause low welding precision.

[0058] As an optional embodiment, the upper end surface of the positioning base 1 is provided with a plurality of first pin holes, the second positioning plate 3 and the third positioning plate 4 are provided with second pin holes corresponding to the first pin holes, and the first pin holes and the second pin holes are used for penetrating the pin after being connected.

[0059] In the above embodiment, the first positioning plate 2, the second positioning plate 3 and the third positioning plate 4 are fixed on the positioning base 1 by the pin; specifically, the first positioning plate 2, the second positioning plate 3 and the third positioning plate 4 can be fixed and installed by four pins distributed at four corners of the positioning base 1.

[0060] As an optional embodiment, as shown in Figures 5-6 As shown, the assembly tool further includes a mask plate 5, and the mask plate 5 includes a P-type mask plate and an N-type mask plate for assembling the P-type thermoelectric material and the N-type thermoelectric material, respectively.

[0061] Specifically, the mask plate is divided into P and N types, one of which is a plate with holes corresponding to the positions where P-type thermoelectric materials are to be placed, for batch assembly of P-type thermoelectric materials. Similarly, the other is a plate with holes corresponding to the positions where N-type thermoelectric materials are to be placed, for batch assembly of N-type thermoelectric materials. With the aid of the mask plate and assembly tooling, accurate and rapid assembly of a large number of P-type and N-type thermoelectric materials is completed.

[0062] As an optional implementation, as shown in Figures 2-3 The height of the crossbeam between two adjacent first grooves 201 is the same as that of the crossbeam between two adjacent second grooves 301 or two adjacent third grooves 401. Among them, such arrangement is to make the horizontal height the same, so as to facilitate the horizontal degree when laying the mask plate 5, and to ensure more accurate installation of P-type and N-type thermoelectric materials.

[0063] Figure 9 is a flowchart of a manufacturing method of a light thermoelectric module provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method can include the following steps:

[0064] S100, fixing a first copper-clad ceramic plate with solder on a positioning base;

[0065] S200, fixing the positioning tooling formed by the assembled first positioning plate, second positioning plate and third positioning plate on the first copper-clad ceramic plate (i.e. Figure 1 100) in the positioning base;

[0066] S300, assembling P-type thermoelectric materials and N-type thermoelectric materials in the positioning tooling;

[0067] S400, after removing the mask plate, placing a second copper-clad ceramic plate (not shown in the figure) with solder on the upper end surface of the P-type thermoelectric materials and N-type thermoelectric materials to assemble a thermoelectric module;

[0068] S500, placing the thermoelectric module after pressure treatment into a welding furnace for welding. After welding, the third positioning plate, second positioning plate and first positioning plate are extracted in sequence to obtain a light thermoelectric module.

[0069] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 8 After the thermoelectric module is welded, the third positioning plate, second positioning plate and first positioning plate in the assembly tooling are extracted in sequence to obtain a light thermoelectric module.

[0070] As an optional implementation, in the step S300, the P-type thermoelectric material and the N-type thermoelectric material are assembled in the positioning tool, specifically, the corresponding P-type thermoelectric material and N-type thermoelectric material are assembled in the recess of the positioning tool through the P-type mask plate and the N-type mask plate. The first copper-clad ceramic plate is precisely positioned through the height difference and gradient recess between the second recess and the third recess.

[0071] It should be noted that each of the embodiments in the specification is described in a progressive manner, and the same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other. Each embodiment mainly describes the difference from other embodiments. The application is not limited to the specific steps and structures described above and shown in the drawings. Moreover, for the sake of brevity, detailed description of known methods and techniques is omitted.

[0072] The above is only an embodiment of the present application, and is not limited to the present application. The present application can have various modifications and changes for those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the scope of claims of the present application.

Claims

1. An assembly tooling, characterized in that, It includes a positioning base (1), a first positioning plate (2), a second positioning plate (3) and a third positioning plate (4). The second positioning plate (3) and the third positioning plate (4) are respectively detachably snapped into the corresponding slots of the first positioning plate (2). The positioning base (1) cooperates with the first positioning plate (2), the second positioning plate (3) and the third positioning plate (4) to position the first copper-clad ceramic plate (100) and the second copper-clad ceramic plate with solder. The first positioning plate (2) has a plurality of parallel first grooves (201) along its length, the second positioning plate (3) has a plurality of parallel second grooves (301) along its length, and the third positioning plate (4) has a plurality of parallel third grooves (401) along its length. The first groove (201) and the second groove (301) are perpendicular to each other, and the second groove (301) and the third groove (401) are parallel to each other. The first groove (201), the second groove (301) and the third groove (401) cooperate to form a grid for installing P-type thermoelectric material, N-type thermoelectric material and the first copper-clad ceramic plate (100). The first groove (201), the second groove (301) and the third groove (401) are respectively arranged through the thickness direction of the first positioning plate (2), the second positioning plate (3) and the third positioning plate (4); The second positioning plate (3) and the third positioning plate (4) are respectively detachably snapped into the upper slot (202) and lower slot (203) that are offset from each other on the upper and lower end faces of the first positioning plate (2). The crossbeam between two adjacent second grooves (301) is located in the middle of the third groove (401), or the crossbeam between two adjacent third grooves (401) is located in the middle of the second groove (301); It also includes a mask plate (5), which includes a P-type mask plate and an N-type mask plate for assembling the P-type thermoelectric material and the N-type thermoelectric material, respectively.

2. The assembly fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The crossbeam between the second groove (301) and the third groove (401) after being snapped together has a set height difference.

3. The assembly fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The upper surface of the positioning base (1) is provided with a positioning groove (101), which is used to position and install the first copper-clad ceramic plate (100).

4. The assembly tooling according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The upper surface of the positioning base (1) is provided with a plurality of first pin holes, and the second positioning plate (3) and the third positioning plate (4) are provided with second pin holes corresponding to the first pin holes. The first pin holes and the second pin holes are connected to each other for passing through the pins.

5. The assembly fixture according to claim 1, characterized in that, The crossbeam between two adjacent first grooves (201) has the same height as the crossbeam between two adjacent second grooves (301) or two adjacent third grooves (401).

6. A method for manufacturing a lightweight thermoelectric module, characterized in that, Using the assembly fixture as described in any one of claims 1-5, the method includes the following steps: The first copper-clad ceramic plate with solder is fixed on the positioning base; The positioning fixture formed by the assembled first positioning plate, second positioning plate and third positioning plate is attached to the first copper-clad ceramic plate and fixed to the positioning base. The P-type thermoelectric material and the N-type thermoelectric material are assembled into the positioning fixture; After removing the mask plate, place the second copper-clad ceramic plate with solder on the upper surface of the P-type thermoelectric material and the N-type thermoelectric material to assemble a thermoelectric module. The pressurized thermoelectric module is placed in a welding furnace for welding. After welding, the third positioning plate, the second positioning plate, and the first positioning plate are extracted in sequence to obtain a lightweight thermoelectric module.

7. The method for manufacturing a lightweight thermoelectric module according to claim 6, characterized in that, The assembly of the P-type thermoelectric material and the N-type thermoelectric material onto the positioning fixture specifically involves: The corresponding P-type thermoelectric material and N-type thermoelectric material are sequentially assembled into the groove of the positioning fixture using P-type and N-type mask plates.

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