An integrated thermoelectric generator module

Abstract

This invention provides an integrated thermoelectric generator module that integrates multiple thermoelectric generators into a TEG module. On the one hand, the module has a pressure self-sufficiency design, which can provide the designed pressure value to the thermoelectric generators in the module; on the other hand, by integrating multiple dispersed thermoelectric generators into a whole module, it has good thermal insulation and encapsulation, which can improve the installation feasibility of the module with other components in the thermoelectric energy conversion system, as well as its reliability in engineering applications.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of thermoelectric generator application technology, and in particular relates to an integrated TEG module design method. Background Technology

[0002] A thermoelectric generator (TEG) is a transducer that uses the Seebeck effect to directly convert heat energy into electrical energy. It is usually integrated from multiple pairs of thermoelectric elements and a ceramic substrate. It can directly convert heat energy and electrical energy without relying on external components and has the advantages of being lightweight, static, and maintenance-free.

[0003] Based on the characteristics of thermoelectric devices, applying a certain pressure to the thermoelectric elements can help reduce interfacial thermal resistance and improve the thermoelectric conversion efficiency of the device. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the problems existing in the prior art, this invention provides an integrated thermoelectric generator module that integrates multiple thermoelectric generators into a TEG module. This module has a pressure self-sufficiency design, which can provide the designed pressure value to the thermoelectric generators in the module. Furthermore, by integrating multiple dispersed thermoelectric generators into a single module, it has good thermal insulation and encapsulation, which can improve the installation feasibility of the module with other components in the thermoelectric energy conversion system, as well as its reliability in engineering applications.

[0005] The present invention is implemented as follows: an integrated thermoelectric generator module includes a base plate, a heat insulation component, a thermoelectric generator, a conductor block, a heat collection plate, and a self-contained pressure system;

[0006] The base plate has multiple first mounting holes, and a square groove for accommodating the positioning rod base is opened on the back of the first mounting holes. The base plate also has multiple through holes for mechanical installation of the thermoelectric power generation device module and other components in the thermoelectric energy conversion system.

[0007] The heat insulation component has two layers, which are placed on the base plate in sequence. The cavity of the lower heat insulation component is used to accommodate the thermoelectric generator, and the cavity of the upper heat insulation component is used to accommodate the guide block. The heat insulation component has multiple rows and columns of vertical through cavities for embedding thermoelectric generators or guide blocks. Each through cavity has a second mounting hole on its four walls that corresponds to the first mounting hole on the base plate. The heat insulation component also has a groove for accommodating the electrical connection wires of each thermoelectric generator.

[0008] The conductor block, made of metal, is used to improve heat transfer efficiency;

[0009] The heat exchange plate is a vertical structure with one side being a flat plate and the other side having multiple rows of wing plates. The flat plate has a third mounting hole that corresponds to the first mounting hole on the bottom plate.

[0010] Self-contained pressure system, by positioning rod, protective cover and butterfly spring, butterfly spring is contained in protective cover, positioning rod passes through first mounting hole, second mounting, third mounting hole in turn and goes out heat collecting plate top surface, protective cover passes through positioning rod head, through rotating nut, protective cover is pressed to heat collecting plate, realizes to thermoelectric device exerting pressure.

[0011] The through cavity on the heat insulation component is square.

[0012] The second mounting hole on the heat insulation component is a circular hole with an opening on one side.

[0013] The positioning rods are uniformly distributed around each thermoelectric device, which is used for positioning the thermoelectric device and making each thermoelectric device bear force uniformly.

[0014] The number of butterfly springs is determined according to the expected pressure value, and the height of the compressed butterfly spring is equal to the height of the inner cavity of the protective cover.

[0015] The thickness of the wing plate is thinnest at the top edge.

[0016] The present application has the advantages and technical effects:

[0017] 1. The present application adopts heat collecting plate-positioning rod integrated compression integrated design, which can fasten the components of TEG module while providing the designed pressure value for the thermoelectric device in the module, improving the contact flatness of each interface, reducing the thermal resistance, and thus improving the heat transfer efficiency and thermoelectric conversion ability.

[0018] 2. The TEG module in the present application is composed of a plurality of dispersed thermoelectric devices, has good heat insulation and packaging, and can improve the installation feasibility of the module and other components in the thermoelectric conversion system, and the reliability in engineering application BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a top view schematic diagram of the integrated thermoelectric device module of the present application.

[0020] Figure 2 It is A-A view of Figure 1 .

[0021] Figure 3 It is B-B view of Figure 2 .

[0022] Figure 4 It is a bottom plate schematic diagram of the integrated thermoelectric device module of the present application.

[0023] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the heat insulation component of the integrated thermoelectric generator module of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the invention will be further described in detail below with reference to embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the invention.

[0025] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not 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.

[0026] Furthermore, the terms “first”, “second”, etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated.

[0027] Therefore, features specified with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0028] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" 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 mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0029] The electrical devices, controllers, etc., described in this invention are all conventional setups, and the electrical connections are also conventional connections.

[0030] like Figures 1-5 As shown, the integrated thermoelectric generator module of the present invention includes a base plate 1, a heat insulation component 2, a thermoelectric generator 3, a conductor block 4, a heat collection plate 5, and a self-contained pressure system.

[0031] The base plate 1 has multiple first mounting holes 1-1, and a square groove for accommodating the base of the positioning rod 6 is opened on the back of the first mounting holes. The base plate also has multiple through holes 1-2 for mechanical installation of the thermoelectric power generation device module and other components in the thermoelectric energy conversion system.

[0032] The heat insulation component 2 has two layers, which are placed on the base plate 1 in sequence. The cavity of the lower heat insulation component is used to accommodate the thermoelectric generator 3, and the cavity of the upper heat insulation component is used to accommodate the guide block 4. The heat insulation component has multiple rows and columns of vertical through cavities 2-1 for embedding the thermoelectric generator 3 or the guide block 4. Each through cavity 2-1 has a second mounting hole 2-2 on its four walls that corresponds to the first mounting hole 1-1 on the base plate. The heat insulation component 2 also has a wire groove for accommodating the electrical connection wires of each thermoelectric generator.

[0033] Conductor block 4 is made of metal to improve heat transfer efficiency;

[0034] The heat exchange plate 5 is a vertical structure with one side being a flat plate and the other side having multiple rows of wing plates. The flat plate has a third mounting hole corresponding to the first mounting hole 1-1 on the bottom plate.

[0035] The self-contained pressure system consists of a positioning rod 6, a protective cover 7, and a butterfly spring 8. The butterfly spring 8 is housed in the protective cover 7. The positioning rod 6 passes through the first mounting hole 1-1, the second mounting hole 2-2, and the third mounting hole in sequence and exits the top surface of the heat exchange plate 5. The protective cover 7 passes through the head of the positioning rod. By rotating the nut 9, the protective cover is pressed onto the heat exchange plate to apply pressure to the thermoelectric generator.

[0036] Preferably, the through cavity 2-1 on the heat insulation component 2 is square.

[0037] Preferably, the second mounting hole 2-2 on the heat insulation component 2 is a circular hole with an opening on one side.

[0038] Preferably, the positioning rods are evenly distributed around each thermoelectric generator, which serves to position the thermoelectric generator and to ensure that each thermoelectric generator is subjected to uniform force.

[0039] Preferably, the number of the disc springs 8 is determined according to the expected applied pressure value, and their height after compression is equal to the height of the inner cavity of the protective cover.

[0040] Preferably, the thickness of the wing plate is thinnest at its top edge.

[0041] Specifically, the base plate has square slots to accommodate the positioning rod base. The base plate also has through holes for mechanical mounting of the TEG module to other components in the thermoelectric conversion system. The insulation component has two layers: the lower insulation cavity houses the thermoelectric generator, and the upper insulation cavity houses the guide blocks. The thermoelectric generator converts thermoelectricity into electrical energy. The insulation component serves two purposes: firstly, it reduces heat leakage from the TEG module, allowing heat to pass through the thermoelectric generator as much as possible; secondly, it positions and supports the multiple distributed thermoelectric generators. Since the thermoelectric generators are used for thermoelectric conversion, the insulation component should have grooves to accommodate the electrical connection wires of each thermoelectric generator. The guide blocks are made of metal to improve heat transfer efficiency by establishing a larger temperature difference between the hot and cold surfaces of the thermoelectric generators, thereby improving thermoelectric conversion efficiency. The heat exchange plate uses a multi-layer vertical structure to increase the heat exchange area and improve the heat transfer efficiency between the heat source and the TEG module. The self-contained pressure system consists of positioning rods, a protective cover, and butterfly springs. The positioning rods are evenly distributed around each thermoelectric generator, serving both to position the generators and to ensure uniform force distribution. The butterfly springs are housed within the protective cover; the number of springs is determined by the expected applied pressure, and their compressed height is equal to the height of the protective cover's inner cavity. To apply pressure, a nut is passed through the head of the positioning rod and placed on the protective cover. Rotating the nut presses the protective cover against the heat exchange plate. This compresses the butterfly springs within the cover, transferring pressure from the heat exchange plate to the guide block, and then from the guide block to the thermoelectric generator, thus applying pressure to the generator.

[0042] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An integrated thermoelectric device module, comprising: It comprises a base plate (1), a heat insulation component (2), a thermoelectric device (3), a guide block (4), a heat collection plate (5) and a self-contained pressure system. The base plate (1) is provided with a plurality of first mounting holes (1-1) and a plurality of through holes (1-2) for the mechanical installation of the thermoelectric device module and the rest of the thermoelectric conversion system. The heat insulation component (2) has two layers, which are placed on the base plate (1) in sequence. The lower layer of the heat insulation component is used to accommodate the thermoelectric device (3), and the upper layer of the heat insulation component is used to accommodate the guide block (4). The heat insulation component is provided with a plurality of rows and columns of through cavities (2-1) for embedding the thermoelectric device (3) or the guide block (4). Each through cavity (2-1) is provided with a second mounting hole (2-2) corresponding to the first mounting hole (1-1) on the base plate. The heat insulation component (2) is also provided with a wire slot for accommodating the electrical connection wires of each thermoelectric device. The guide block (4) is made of metal material and is used to improve the heat transfer efficiency. The heat collection plate (5) is a vertical structure with a flat plate on one side and a plurality of wing plates on the other side. The flat plate is provided with third mounting holes corresponding to the first mounting holes (1-1) on the base plate. The self-contained pressure system is composed of a positioning rod (6), a protective cover (7) and a butterfly spring (8). The butterfly spring (8) is accommodated in the protective cover (7), and the positioning rod (6) passes through the first mounting hole (1-1), the second mounting hole (2-2) and the third mounting hole in sequence and protrudes out of the top surface of the heat collection plate (5). The protective cover (7) passes through the head of the positioning rod. By rotating the nut (9), the protective cover is pressed onto the heat collection plate to apply pressure to the thermoelectric device.

2. The integrated thermoelectric device module of claim 1, wherein, The through cavities (2-1) on the heat insulation component (2) are square.

3. The integrated thermoelectric device module of claim 1, wherein, The second mounting holes (2-2) on the heat insulation component (2) are circular holes with an opening on one side.

4. The integrated thermoelectric device module of claim 3, wherein, The positioning rods are uniformly distributed around each thermoelectric device, which is used for positioning the thermoelectric device and making the force on each thermoelectric device uniform.

5. The integrated thermoelectric device module of claim 1, wherein, The number of butterfly springs (8) is determined according to the expected pressure value. The height of the compressed butterfly spring is equal to the height of the inner cavity of the protective cover.

6. The integrated thermoelectric device module of claim 1, wherein, The thickness of the wing plate is thinnest at the top edge.

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