Numerical simulation method and device and structure optimization method

Abstract

The invention discloses a numerical simulation method and device and a structure optimization method. The method comprises the following steps: determining parameters of a geometric structure of the surface shape thermoelectric generator, and constructing a geometric model of the surface shape thermoelectric generator; constructing a material attribute function corresponding to the temperature-related material corresponding to the geometric structure, and associating the material attribute function with the corresponding geometric structure; drawing grids for the geometric model by adopting a first predetermined method in combination with the physical field; globally defining output characteristics of the geometric model, and calculating by adopting a second predetermined method to obtain a temperature field and current field distribution rule of the geometric model; and performing parametric simulation on the output characteristics according to the distribution rules of the temperature field and the current field to obtain the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency corresponding to the geometric model under the current working condition. Thus, the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency can be simulated only by changing the parameters of the geometric structure, the working efficiency is high, the simulation and analysis workload is small, and operation of multiple tasks is facilitated.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, and particularly relates to a numerical simulation method and device and a structure optimization method. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the related art, the cycle required in the actual preparation and testing process of a thermoelectric generator is long, the cost is high, and the task amount of exploring different thermoelectric generator structures is huge, so it is necessary to simulate the output performance of the thermoelectric generator by using a finite element simulation software. However, the finite element simulation of the thermoelectric generator often needs to calculate multiple times by changing the current condition through the current field to simulate the output characteristics of the thermoelectric generator, which is large in workload and is not conducive to multiple task operations. SUMMARY

[0003] Therefore, the present application aims to at least partially solve one of the problems in the related art. To this end, the present application aims to provide a numerical simulation method and device and a structure optimization method.

[0004] The present application provides a numerical simulation method of an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator. The numerical simulation method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator comprises:

[0005] determining parameters of a geometric structure of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, and constructing a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator;

[0006] constructing a material attribute function corresponding to a temperature-related material corresponding to the geometric structure, and associating the material attribute function with the corresponding geometric structure;

[0007] drawing a grid on the geometric model by using a first predetermined method in combination with a physical field;

[0008] globally defining an output characteristic of the geometric model, and calculating a temperature field and a current field distribution rule of the geometric model by using a second predetermined method;

[0009] performing parameterized simulation on the output characteristic according to the temperature field and the current field distribution rule to obtain a best output power and a best energy conversion efficiency corresponding to the geometric model under a current working condition.

[0010] In some embodiments, the geometric structure comprises a thermoelectric arm, an electrode arranged on the thermoelectric arm, and a substrate arranged on both sides of the thermoelectric arm, and the determining the parameters of the geometric structure of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator and constructing the geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator comprises:

[0011] determining parameters of the thermoelectric arm, the electrode, and the substrate;

[0012] constructing a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to parameters of the thermoelectric arm, the electrode and the substrate.

[0013] In some embodiments, the geometric structure further comprises a transition layer and a barrier layer disposed between the substrate and the thermoelectric arm, and the determining parameters of the geometric structure of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, constructing a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator comprises:

[0014] determining parameters of the transition layer and the barrier layer;

[0015] constructing a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to parameters of the thermoelectric arm, the electrode, the substrate, the transition layer and the barrier layer.

[0016] In some embodiments, the material property function comprises an electrical conductivity-thermal conductivity function, and the constructing a material property function corresponding to the geometric structure corresponding to temperature, associating the material property function with the corresponding geometric structure comprises:

[0017] constructing an electrical conductivity-thermal conductivity function corresponding to the geometric structure corresponding to temperature, and associating the electrical conductivity-thermal conductivity function with the corresponding geometric structure.

[0018] In some embodiments, after the constructing a material property function corresponding to the geometric structure corresponding to temperature, associating the material property function with the corresponding geometric structure, the numerical simulation method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator further comprises:

[0019] determining a resistance value of a configuration resistance of an external circuit of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, and selecting initial values and boundary conditions in a calculation region of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator.

[0020] In some embodiments, the parameterized simulation of the output characteristics according to the temperature field and the current field distribution law to obtain the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency corresponding to the current working condition of the geometric model comprises:

[0021] calculating an internal resistance value of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to the electrical conductivity of the thermoelectric arm of the geometric structure;

[0022] performing parameterized simulation according to the configuration resistance and the internal resistance value of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator to obtain the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency corresponding to the current working condition of the geometric model.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first predetermined method comprises a sweep method and a free polygonal mesh method, and the drawing a mesh of the geometric model by using the first predetermined method in combination with the physical field comprises:

[0024] drawing a mesh associated with the physical field on the geometric model by using the sweeping method and the free polygon mesh method in combination with the physical field.

[0025] In some embodiments, the physical field comprises a circuit simulation physical field module.

[0026] The application also provides a numerical simulation device. The numerical simulation device comprises a determining module, a constructing module, a drawing module, a calculating module and a simulating module. The determining module is configured to determine parameters of a geometric structure of an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator and construct a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator. The constructing module is configured to construct a material property function corresponding to a temperature-related material corresponding to the geometric structure, and associate the material property function with the corresponding geometric structure. The drawing module is configured to draw a mesh on the geometric model by using a first predetermined method in combination with a physical field. The calculating module is configured to globally define an output characteristic of the geometric model and calculate a temperature field and a current field distribution law of the geometric model by using a second predetermined method. The simulating module is configured to perform parameterized simulation on the output characteristic according to the temperature field and the current field distribution law to obtain a best output power and a best energy conversion efficiency corresponding to the geometric model under a current working condition.

[0027] The application also provides a structure optimization method of an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator. The structure optimization method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator comprises:

[0028] determining parameters of a geometric structure of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator and constructing a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator;

[0029] constructing a material property function corresponding to a temperature-related material corresponding to the geometric structure, and associating the material property function with the corresponding geometric structure;

[0030] drawing a mesh on the geometric model by using a first predetermined method in combination with a physical field;

[0031] globally defining an output characteristic of the geometric model and calculating a temperature field and a current field distribution law of the geometric model by using a second predetermined method;

[0032] performing parameterized simulation on the output characteristic according to the temperature field and the current field distribution law to obtain a best output power and a best energy conversion efficiency corresponding to the geometric model under a current working condition;

[0033] adjusting parameters of the geometric structure according to the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency in sequence, and performing parameterized simulation on the geometric structure according to the adjusted parameters of the geometric structure to obtain a plurality of the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency;

[0034] selecting optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency optimized from the plurality of the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency.

[0035] The numerical simulation method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, the device and the structure optimization method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to the embodiments of the present application determine the parameters of the geometric structure of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, construct the geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, and construct the material attribute function corresponding to the temperature corresponding to the geometric structure. After associating the material attribute function with the corresponding geometric structure, the first predetermined method is used to draw a grid on the geometric model combined with the physical field. Finally, the second predetermined method is used to calculate the temperature field and the current field distribution law of the geometric structure model, and the output characteristics are parameterized simulated according to the temperature field and the current field distribution law. The corresponding optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency of the geometric structure model under the current working condition are obtained. The additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be partially given in the following description, partially will become obvious from the following description, or will be understood by the practice of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0036] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present application can become apparent and can be understood by a description of embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0037] Figure 1 is a flowchart of the numerical simulation method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0038] Figure 2 is a structural diagram of the numerical simulation device according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0039] Figure 3 is a structural diagram of the geometric structure of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0040] Figure 4 is a grid division diagram of the geometric structure of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0041] Figure 5 is a temperature distribution diagram of the geometric structure of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0042] Figure 6 is an isotherm diagram of the geometric structure of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0043] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the potential distribution of the geometric structure of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to certain embodiments of the present application;

[0044] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of current density distribution of the geometric structure of an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to certain embodiments of the present application;

[0045] Figure 9 is a flow chart of a numerical simulation method for an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to certain embodiments of the present application;

[0046] Figure 10 is a flow chart of a numerical simulation method for an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to certain embodiments of the present application;

[0047] Figure 11 is a flow chart of a numerical simulation method for an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to certain embodiments of the present application;

[0048] Figure 12 is a flow chart of a numerical simulation method for an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to certain embodiments of the present application;

[0049] Figure 13 is a flow chart of a numerical simulation method for an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to certain embodiments of the present application;

[0050] Figure 14 is a flow chart of a numerical simulation method for an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to certain embodiments of the present application;

[0051] Figure 15 is a flow chart of a numerical simulation method for an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to certain embodiments of the present application;

[0052] Figure 16 is a flow chart of a structural optimization method for an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to certain embodiments of the present application;

[0053] Figure 17 This is a diagram showing the relationship between the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency as a function of height in certain embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0054] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the embodiments of the present application, and should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present application.

[0055] See also Figure 1The application provides a numerical simulation method of an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator. The numerical simulation method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator comprises the following steps:

[0056] 01: determining parameters of a geometric structure of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, and constructing a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator;

[0057] 02: constructing a material attribute function corresponding to a temperature-related material corresponding to the geometric structure, and associating the material attribute function with the corresponding geometric structure;

[0058] 03: drawing a grid on the geometric model by using a first predetermined method in combination with a physical field;

[0059] 04: globally defining an output characteristic of the geometric model, and calculating a temperature field and a current field distribution rule of the geometric model by using a second predetermined method;

[0060] 05: parameterizing simulation on the output characteristic according to the temperature field and the current field distribution rule, so as to obtain a best output power and a best energy conversion efficiency corresponding to the geometric model under a current working condition.

[0061] Please refer to Figure 2 The application also provides a numerical simulation device 100. The numerical simulation device 100 comprises a determining module 110, a constructing module 130, a drawing module 150, a calculating module 170 and a simulation module 190. Step 01 can be realized by the determining module 110. Step 02 can be realized by the constructing module 130. Step 03 can be realized by the drawing module 150. Step 04 can be realized by the calculating module 170. Step 05 can be realized by the simulation module 190. That is, the determining module 110 is used for determining parameters of a geometric structure of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, and constructing a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator. The constructing module 130 is used for constructing a material attribute function corresponding to a temperature-related material corresponding to the geometric structure, and associating the material attribute function with the corresponding geometric structure. The drawing module 150 is used for drawing a grid on the geometric model by using a first predetermined method in combination with a physical field. The calculating module 170 is used for globally defining an output characteristic of the geometric model, and calculating a temperature field and a current field distribution rule of the geometric model by using a second predetermined method. The simulation module 190 is used for parameterizing simulation on the output characteristic according to the temperature field and the current field distribution rule, so as to obtain a best output power and a best energy conversion efficiency corresponding to the geometric model under a current working condition.

[0062] Specifically, as Figure 3As shown, first, the component parameters of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator geometric structure 200 can be set in the COMSOL software to construct a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to the determined parameters of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator geometric structure 200. It should be noted that the geometric structure 200 can include a substrate 210, an electrode 230, and a thermoelectric arm 250.

[0063] Secondly, the material property functions corresponding to the temperature-related materials of the substrate 210, the electrode 230, and the thermoelectric arm 250 are respectively constructed, and the material property functions are respectively associated with the corresponding geometric structure 200, i.e., the temperature-related material corresponding to the substrate 210 can be aluminum oxide, the temperature-related material corresponding to the electrode 230 can be copper, and the temperature-related material corresponding to the thermoelectric arm 250 can be high-performance thermoelectric materials such as bismuth telluride and lead telluride. At this time, the material property functions corresponding to aluminum oxide, copper, bismuth telluride, and lead telluride can be constructed in the COMSOL software, and the material property functions are associated with the corresponding geometric structure 200.

[0064] Then, the geometric model is meshed in the COMSOL software by using a first predetermined method combined with the heat conservation relationship, the current conservation equation, Ohm's law, and the thermoelectric effect to obtain a mesh graph of the geometric model as shown in Figure 4 It should be noted that it can be known from Figure 4 that the color of the geometric model is basically close to 1, and the mesh quality of the overall geometric model is good. The first predetermined method can be an unstructured mesh method and a structured mesh method, wherein the structured mesh method can be used to draw the mesh of the thermoelectric arm 250 and the substrate 210, and the unstructured mesh method can be used to draw the mesh of the electrode 230, so that the number of meshes of the drawn geometric structure 200 will not be too many. The thermoelectric effect can include the Seebeck effect, the Peltier effect, and the Thomson effect.

[0065] Further, the geometric structure 200 parameters and the output characteristic parameters of the geometric model are globally defined in the COMSOL software, and the temperature field and the current field distribution law of the geometric model are calculated by using a second predetermined method, i.e., the temperature distribution of the geometric model as shown in Figure 5 , the isotherm graph of the geometric model as shown in Figure 6 , the potential distribution graph of the geometric model as shown in Figure 7 , and the current density graph of the geometric model as shown in Figure 8 It should be noted that the second predetermined method can refer to the finite element simulation in the COMSOL software.

[0066] Finally, the COMSOL software can simulate the output characteristics according to the calculated temperature field and current field distribution of the geometric model, and then obtain the corresponding optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency of the geometric model under the current working condition.

[0067] Thus, the numerical simulation method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator in the embodiments of the present application determines the parameters of the geometric structure 200 of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, constructs a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, and constructs a material attribute function corresponding to the temperature-related material corresponding to the geometric structure 200. After associating the material attribute function with the corresponding geometric structure 200, a first predetermined method is used to draw a grid on the geometric model in combination with the physical field. Finally, a second predetermined method is used to calculate the temperature field and current field distribution of the geometric structure 200 model, and the output characteristics are simulated according to the temperature field and current field distribution. The optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency corresponding to the geometric structure 200 model under the current working condition are obtained. Only the parameters of the geometric structure 200 need to be changed to simulate the optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator under different working conditions. The working efficiency is high, the simulation and analysis process has less workload, and multiple tasks can be run at the same time. It can provide sufficient theoretical basis and technical guidance for subsequent preparation and testing of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator.

[0068] Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 9 In some embodiments, the geometric structure 200 includes a thermoelectric arm 250, an electrode 230 disposed on the thermoelectric arm 250, and a substrate 210 disposed on both sides of the thermoelectric arm 250. Step 01 includes:

[0069] 011: determining the parameters of the thermoelectric arm, the electrode, and the substrate;

[0070] 012: constructing a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to the parameters of the thermoelectric arm, the electrode, and the substrate.

[0071] Referring to Figure 2 In some embodiments, steps 011 and 012 can be implemented by a determination module 110. That is, the determination module 110 is used to determine the parameters of the thermoelectric arm 250, the electrode 230, and the substrate 210; and construct a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to the parameters of the thermoelectric arm 250, the electrode 230, and the substrate 210.

[0072] The thermoelectric arm 250 can include an n-type thermoelectric arm 251 and a p-type thermoelectric arm 253. The n-type thermoelectric arm 251 and the p-type thermoelectric arm 253 can be connected end to end through the electrode 230, and the substrate 210 can be disposed on both sides of the n-type thermoelectric arm 251 and the p-type thermoelectric arm 253, respectively.

[0073] Specifically, as shown in Figure 10 firstly, the length, width and height of the thermoelectric arm 250 can be determined as 4.25mmx4.25mmx5mm in the COMSOL software, the number of pairs of the thermoelectric arm 250 can be 32, the length, width and height of the electrode 230 can be 4.25mmx4.25mmx9.1mm, and the length, width and height of the substrate 210 can be 40mmx40mmx0.76mm, at this time, the geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator can be constructed according to the determined parameters of the thermoelectric arm 250, the electrode 230 and the substrate 210, as shown in Figure 3

[0074] It should be noted that the above-mentioned parameters of the thermoelectric arm 250, the electrode 230 and the substrate 210 are only for example, and the user can set the parameters of the thermoelectric arm 250, the electrode 230 and the substrate 210 in the COMSOL software according to the actual application requirements to construct the geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator meeting the actual application requirements of the user, so that the parameters of the thermoelectric arm 250, the electrode 230 and the substrate 210 are flexible and variable, the construction period of the geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator is shorter, and the cost is lower.

[0075] Please refer to Figure 11 In some embodiments, the geometric structure 200 further comprises a transition layer and a barrier layer arranged between the substrate 210 and the thermoelectric arm 250, and step 01 comprises:

[0076] 013: determining the parameters of the transition layer and the barrier layer;

[0077] 014: constructing the geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to the parameters of the thermoelectric arm, the electrode, the substrate, the transition layer and the barrier layer.

[0078] Please refer to Figure 2 In some embodiments, step 013 and step 014 can be realized by the determination module 110. That is, the determination module 110 is used to determine the parameters of the transition layer and the barrier layer; and construct the geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to the parameters of the thermoelectric arm 250, the electrode 230, the substrate 210, the transition layer and the barrier layer.

[0079] ​Specifically, while the parameters of the thermoelectric arm 250, the electrode 230 and the substrate 210 are determined, the parameters of the transition layer and the barrier layer can also be determined, and at this time, the geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator obtained can be constructed according to the determined parameters of the thermoelectric arm 250, the electrode 230, the substrate 210, the transition layer and the barrier layer. It should be noted that the parameters of the transition layer and the barrier layer can refer to the contact resistivity of the transition layer and the barrier layer. The contact resistivity of the transition layer and the barrier layer can be, for example, any value in 1 μΩ / cm^2 to 100 μΩ / cm^2, and the user can select and set according to the actual application needs, which is not limited herein.

[0080] In this way, the embodiments of the present application introduce the parameters of the transition layer and the barrier layer while determining the parameters of the thermoelectric arm 250, the electrode 230 and the substrate 210, so that the geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator obtained is closer to the actual situation.

[0081] Referring to Figure 12 In some embodiments, the material property function includes an electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity function, and step 02 includes:

[0082] 021: constructing an electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity function corresponding to a temperature-dependent material corresponding to a geometric structure, and associating the electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity function with the corresponding geometric structure.

[0083] Referring to Figure 2 In some embodiments, step 021 can be implemented by the construction module 130. That is, the construction module 130 is configured to construct an electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity function corresponding to a temperature-dependent material corresponding to a geometric structure 200, and associate the electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity function with the corresponding geometric structure 200.

[0084] Specifically, the temperature-dependent material corresponding to the substrate 210 can be aluminum oxide, the temperature-dependent material corresponding to the electrode 230 can be copper, and the temperature-dependent material corresponding to the thermoelectric arm 250 can be high-performance thermoelectric materials such as bismuth telluride and lead telluride. At this time, the electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity function corresponding to the aluminum oxide, the electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity function corresponding to the copper, the electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity function corresponding to the bismuth telluride and the electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity function corresponding to the lead telluride can be constructed in the COMSOL software, and each electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity function is associated with the corresponding geometric structure 200, so that when the geometric model is simulated, the resistance value of each geometric structure 200 can be simulated in real time as the temperature changes.

[0085] Referring to Figure 13 In some embodiments, after step 02, the numerical simulation method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator further includes:

[0086] 06: determining the resistance value of the configuration resistance of the external circuit of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, and selecting the initial value and boundary condition in the calculation region of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator.

[0087] Referring to Figure 2 In some embodiments, step 06 can be implemented by the determining module 110. That is, the determining module 110 is configured to determine the resistance value of the configuration resistance of the external circuit of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, and select the initial value and boundary condition in the calculation region of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator.

[0088] Specifically, in one embodiment, after the geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator is constructed, the resistance value of the configuration resistance of the external circuit of the geometric model can be set to 20 micro-ohms, and the ratio of the resistance value of the configuration resistance to the internal resistance value of the geometric model is defined as a global parameter, i.e., the resistance value of the configuration resistance is in a multiple relationship with the internal resistance value of the geometric model, so that the internal resistance value of the geometric model can be obtained by multiplying the resistance value of the configuration resistance by the multiple. Then, the initial value in the calculation region of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator is selected, i.e., the reference temperature is set to 300 K, the reference impedance is set to 50 Ω, and the electric potential is set to 0 V, and the boundary condition of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator is selected, i.e., the hot end temperature of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator is 270℃, and the cold end temperature of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator is 20℃. It should be noted that the calculation region can refer to all regions within the geometric structure 200 of the geometric model.

[0089] Referring to Figure 14 In some embodiments, step 05 includes:

[0090] 051: calculating the internal resistance value of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to the electrical conductivity of the thermoelectric arm of the geometric structure;

[0091] 052: performing parameterized simulation according to the configuration resistance and the internal resistance value of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator to obtain the corresponding optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency of the geometric model under the current working condition.

[0092] Referring to Figure 2 In some embodiments, steps 051 and 052 can be implemented by the simulation module 190. That is, the simulation module 190 is configured to calculate the internal resistance value of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to the electrical conductivity of the thermoelectric arm 250 of the geometric structure 200, and perform parameterized simulation according to the configuration resistance and the internal resistance value of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator to obtain the corresponding optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency of the geometric model under the current working condition.

[0093] Specifically, the initial internal resistance value of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator is calculated according to the electrical conductivity of the thermoelectric arm 250 of the geometric structure 200. Then, parameterized simulation is performed according to the internal resistance value of the configuration resistance and the internal resistance value of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, to obtain a plurality of output powers and energy conversion efficiencies of the geometric model under the current working condition, so as to select the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency under the current working condition. It should be noted that since the resistance value of the configuration resistance is in a multiple relationship with the internal resistance value of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, the internal resistance value of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator can be obtained in real time by multiplying the resistance value of the configuration resistance by the multiple, and then the plurality of output powers and energy conversion efficiencies of the geometric model under the current working condition can be calculated by the internal resistance value of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator.

[0094] Referring to Figure 15 In some embodiments, the first predetermined method includes a sweep method and a free polygon mesh method, and step 03 includes:

[0095] 031: using the sweep method and the free polygon mesh method in combination with the physical field to draw the grid associated with the physical field for the geometric model.

[0096] Referring to Figure 2 In some embodiments, step 031 can be implemented by the drawing module 150. That is, the drawing module 150 is configured to use the sweep method and the free polygon mesh method in combination with the physical field to draw the grid associated with the physical field for the geometric model.

[0097] Specifically, in one embodiment, the sweep method can be used to select a hexahedron grid to draw the grid of the thermoelectric arm 250 and select a triangular prism to draw the substrate 210, and the free polygon mesh method can be used to draw the electrode 230 in combination with the physical field, so as to draw the grid associated with the physical field for the geometric model in the geometric model without using a large number of grids.

[0098] In some embodiments, the physical field includes a circuit simulation physical field module. That is, since the internal resistance of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator cannot be directly measured and cannot be directly changed when performing parameterized simulation, the embodiments of the present application add a circuit simulation physical field module in COMSOL software when numerically simulating the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, that is, an external resistance is configured on the basis of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, and then when parameterizing the geometric model, the internal resistance value of the configured resistance is measured, and the internal resistance value of the configured resistance is multiplied by the multiple of the internal resistance of the configured resistance and the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator to obtain the internal resistance value of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator after parameterization simulation; or when the user needs to change the internal resistance value of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, the internal resistance value of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator can be changed by changing the internal resistance value of the configured resistance, so that the internal resistance value of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator is flexible and variable.

[0099] In addition, in the embodiments of the present application, the physical field can also include a solid heat transfer physical field module and a current mutual coupling physical field module. That is, the user can add a solid heat transfer physical field module in COMSOL software to enable the geometric model to simulate the heat change of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator from top to bottom during simulation. The user can also add a current mutual coupling physical field module in COMSOL software to enable the geometric model to simulate the electromotive force generated by the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator during simulation, and then simulate the current generated by the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator.

[0100] Referring to Figure 2 The present application provides a numerical simulation device 100. The specific numerical simulation device 100 is as described above, and will not be described here for the sake of brevity.

[0101] Thus, the numerical simulation device 100 of the embodiments of the present application determines the parameters of the geometric structure 200 of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, constructs a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, and constructs a material attribute function corresponding to the temperature-related material corresponding to the geometric structure 200. After associating the material attribute function with the corresponding geometric structure 200, a first predetermined method is used to draw a grid on the geometric model in combination with the physical field. Finally, a second predetermined method is used to calculate the temperature field and current field distribution of the geometric structure 200 model, and the output characteristics are parameterized simulated according to the temperature field and current field distribution, to obtain the corresponding optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency of the geometric structure 200 model under the current working condition. Only the parameters of the geometric structure 200 need to be changed to simulate the corresponding optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator under different working conditions, the working efficiency is high, the simulation and analysis process has small workload, and multiple tasks can be run at the same time, which can provide sufficient theoretical basis and technical guidance for subsequent preparation and testing of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator.

[0102] Referring to Figure 16 The application also provides a structure optimization method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator. The structure optimization method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator comprises:

[0103] 001: determining parameters of a geometric structure of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, and constructing a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator;

[0104] 002: constructing a material attribute function corresponding to a temperature-related material corresponding to the geometric structure, and associating the material attribute function with the corresponding geometric structure;

[0105] 003: drawing a grid on the geometric model by using a first predetermined method combined with a physical field;

[0106] 004: globally defining an output characteristic of the geometric model, and calculating a temperature field and a current field distribution law of the geometric model by using a second predetermined method;

[0107] 005: parameterizing simulation on the output characteristic according to the temperature field and the current field distribution law, so as to obtain a corresponding optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency of the geometric model under a current working condition;

[0108] 006: sequentially adjusting parameters of the geometric structure 200 according to the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency, and parameterizing simulation on the geometric structure according to the adjusted parameters of the geometric structure, so as to obtain a plurality of optimal output powers and optimal energy conversion efficiencies;

[0109] 007: selecting an optimized optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency from the plurality of optimal output powers and optimal energy conversion efficiencies.

[0110] Referring to Figure 2In some embodiments, step 001 can be implemented by the determination module 110. Step 002 can be implemented by the construction module 130. Step 003 can be implemented by the drawing module 150. Step 004 can be implemented by the calculation module 170. Steps 005, 006 and 007 can be implemented by the simulation module 190. That is, the determination module 110 is used to determine the parameters of the geometric structure 200 of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator and construct a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator. The construction module 130 is used to construct a material property function corresponding to the temperature-related material corresponding to the geometric structure 200, and associate the material property function with the corresponding geometric structure 200. The drawing module 150 is used to draw a mesh for the geometric model by combining the physical field using a first predetermined method. The calculation module 170 is used to globally define the output characteristics of the geometric model, and to calculate the temperature field and current field distribution law of the geometric model using a second predetermined method. The simulation module 190 is used to perform parametric simulation of the output characteristics according to the temperature field and current field distribution laws to obtain the optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency corresponding to the current working conditions of the geometric model; adjust the parameters of the geometric structure 200 in turn according to the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency, and perform parametric simulation of the geometric structure 200 according to the adjusted parameters of the geometric structure 200 to obtain multiple optimal output powers and optimal energy conversion efficiencies; select the optimized optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency from the multiple optimal output powers and optimal energy conversion efficiencies.

[0111] Specifically, if Figure 3 As shown, first, the component parameters of the geometric structure 200 of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator can be set in COMSOL software. Based on the determined parameters of the geometric structure 200 of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator can be constructed in COMSOL software. It should be noted that the geometric structure 200 can include a substrate 210, an electrode 230, and a thermoelectric leg 250.

[0112] Secondly, material property functions corresponding to the temperature-related materials of the substrate 210, the electrode 230 and the thermoelectric arm 250 are respectively constructed, and the material property functions are respectively associated with the corresponding geometric structures 200. That is, the temperature-related material corresponding to the substrate 210 can be aluminum oxide, the temperature-related material corresponding to the electrode 230 can be metallic copper, and the temperature-related material corresponding to the thermoelectric arm 250 can be high-performance thermoelectric materials such as bismuth telluride and lead telluride. At this time, the material property functions corresponding to aluminum oxide, the material property functions corresponding to metallic copper, the material property functions corresponding to bismuth telluride and the material property functions corresponding to lead telluride can be constructed in the COMSOL software, and the material property functions can be associated with the corresponding geometric structures 200.

[0113] Then, the first predetermined method is adopted to draw a grid for the geometric model in the COMSOL software in combination with a heat conservation relationship, a current conservation equation, Ohm's law and a thermoelectric effect to obtain a grid map of the geometric model as shown in FIG. 8. It should be noted that the color of the geometric model is basically close to 1, and the grid quality of the overall geometric model is good. Figure 4 Figure 4 The first predetermined method can be an unstructured grid method and a structured grid method, wherein the structured grid method can be used to draw the grid of the thermoelectric arm 250 and the substrate 210, and the unstructured grid method can be used to draw the grid of the electrode 230, so that the number of the drawn grid of the geometric structure 200 is not too much. The thermoelectric effect can include the Seebeck effect, the Peltier effect and the Thomson effect, etc.

[0114] The geometric structure 200 parameters and the output characteristic parameters of the geometric model are defined globally in the COMSOL software, and the second predetermined method is adopted to calculate the temperature field and the current field distribution law of the geometric model, i.e., the temperature distribution of the geometric model as shown in FIG. 9, the isotherm map of the geometric model as shown in FIG. 10, the electric potential distribution map of the geometric model as shown in FIG. 11, and the current density map of the geometric model as shown in FIG. 12. It should be noted that the second predetermined method can refer to the finite element simulation in the COMSOL software. Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Figure 8

[0115] Then, the COMSOL software can perform parameterized simulation on the output characteristics according to the calculated temperature field and current field distribution law of the geometric model, and further obtain the corresponding optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency of the geometric model under the current working condition.

[0116] The length, width and height of the thermoelectric arm 250, the length, width and height of the electrode 230, and the length, width and height of the substrate 210 are adjusted according to the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency in sequence, and the geometric structure 200 is parameterized simulated according to the parameters of the adjusted geometric structure 200, so that a plurality of corresponding optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency of the geometric mechanism in different topological ranges are obtained, and a relationship curve graph of the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency changing with the height as shown in FIG. 13 is drawn according to the plurality of optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency. It should be noted that Figure 17 Figure 17 in which P can represent the optimal output power, η can represent the optimal energy conversion efficiency, and h can represent the height of the geometric structure 200.

[0117] Finally, the user can select the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency according to the actual requirements from Figure 17 ​​​​​​In the method, the optimized optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency are selected from the plurality of optimal output powers and optimal energy conversion efficiencies, so as to realize the personalized setting of the user.

[0118] Therefore, the structure optimization method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator in the embodiments of the present application can greatly improve the work efficiency, reduce the workload of simulation and analysis process, realize the hierarchical optimization design of the geometric structure 200 and the geometric arrangement inside the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, and provide sufficient theoretical basis and technical guidance for the subsequent preparation and testing of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator.

[0119] In the description of the present specification, the description of the terms "one embodiment", "certain embodiments", "exemplary embodiment", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In the present specification, the exemplary description of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described can be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0120] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art can understand that various changes, modifications, replacements and variations can be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and purposes of the present application, and the scope of the present application is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A numerical simulation method of an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, characterized by, include: Determining parameters of the geometric structure of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator and constructing a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator; Constructing a material property function corresponding to the temperature-dependent material of the geometric structure, and associating the material property function with the corresponding geometric structure; Using a first predetermined method in combination with a physical field to draw a grid for the geometric model; Globally defining the output characteristics of the geometric model, and calculating the temperature field and current field distribution laws of the geometric model using a second predetermined method; The output characteristics are parametrically simulated according to the temperature field and the current field distribution law to obtain the optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency corresponding to the current working condition of the geometric model.

2. The numerical simulation method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The geometric structure includes a thermoelectric arm, an electrode disposed on the thermoelectric arm, and a substrate disposed on both sides of the thermoelectric arm. Determining the parameters of the geometric structure of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator and constructing a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator include: determining parameters of the thermoelectric arm, the electrode, and the substrate; A geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator is constructed according to the parameters of the thermoelectric arms, the electrodes and the substrate.

3. The numerical simulation method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The geometric structure further includes a transition layer and a barrier layer provided between the substrate and the thermoelectric arm. Determining the parameters of the geometric structure of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator and constructing a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator include: determining parameters of the transition layer and the barrier layer; A geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator is constructed according to the parameters of the thermoelectric arms, the electrodes, the substrate, the transition layer, and the barrier layer.

4. The numerical simulation method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The material property function includes electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity functions, and constructing a material property function corresponding to a temperature-dependent material corresponding to the geometric structure and associating the material property function with the corresponding geometric structure includes: An electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity function corresponding to the temperature-dependent material of the geometric structure is constructed, and the electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity function is associated with the corresponding geometric structure.

5. The numerical simulation method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, characterized in that, After constructing a material property function corresponding to the temperature-dependent material corresponding to the geometric structure and associating the material property function with the corresponding geometric structure, the numerical simulation method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator further includes: The resistance value of the configuration resistor of the external circuit of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator is determined, and the initial value and boundary conditions in the calculation area of ​​the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator are selected.

6. The numerical simulation method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to claim 5, wherein The performing parameterized simulation on the output characteristics according to the temperature field and the current field distribution law to obtain the optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency corresponding to the current working condition of the geometric model includes: Calculating the internal resistance of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator based on the electrical conductivity of the thermoelectric arms of the geometric structure; A parametric simulation is performed based on the configuration resistor and the internal resistance of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator to obtain the optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency corresponding to the current working condition of the geometric model.

7. The numerical simulation method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to claim 1, wherein The first predetermined method includes a sweeping method and a free polygon mesh method, and the meshing of the geometric model using the first predetermined method in combination with a physical field includes: The grid associated with the physical field is drawn for the geometric model by using the sweeping method and the free polygon mesh method in combination with the physical field.

8. The numerical simulation method of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator according to claim 4, characterized in that, The physical field includes a circuit simulation physical field module.

9. A numerical simulation apparatus characterized by comprising: The numerical simulation device includes: A determining module is configured to determine parameters of a geometric structure of an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, and construct a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator. A constructing module is configured to construct a material attribute function corresponding to a temperature-related material corresponding to the geometric structure, and associate the material attribute function with the corresponding geometric structure. A drawing module is configured to draw a grid for the geometric model by using a first predetermined method in combination with a physical field. A calculating module is configured to globally define an output characteristic of the geometric model, and calculate a temperature field and a current field distribution law of the geometric model by using a second predetermined method. A simulation module is configured to perform parameterized simulation on the output characteristic according to the temperature field and the current field distribution law, to obtain a corresponding optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency of the geometric model under a current working condition.

10. A method of optimizing the structure of an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, characterized in that, The method includes: determining parameters of a geometric structure of an out-of-plane thermoelectric generator, and constructing a geometric model of the out-of-plane thermoelectric generator; constructing a material attribute function corresponding to a temperature-related material corresponding to the geometric structure, and associating the material attribute function with the corresponding geometric structure; drawing a grid for the geometric model by using a first predetermined method in combination with a physical field; globally defining an output characteristic of the geometric model, and calculating a temperature field and a current field distribution law of the geometric model by using a second predetermined method; performing parameterized simulation on the output characteristic according to the temperature field and the current field distribution law, to obtain a corresponding optimal output power and optimal energy conversion efficiency of the geometric model under a current working condition; adjusting parameters of the geometric structure according to the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency in sequence, and performing parameterized simulation on the geometric structure according to the adjusted parameters of the geometric structure, to obtain a plurality of the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency; selecting an optimal output power and an optimal energy conversion efficiency optimized from the plurality of the optimal output power and the optimal energy conversion efficiency.

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