Thermoelectric generator device

Abstract

Thermoelectric generator device comprising a capsule housing (12; 180) with an inlet port (22) for hot medium and an outlet port (24) for hot medium, a plurality of thermoelectric modules (40) arranged in the capsule housing (12; 180), a hot heat exchanger device (32) with a plurality of hot heat exchangers (34) arranged in the capsule housing (12; 180) and in fluid communication with the inlet port (22) and the outlet port (24), and a cold heat transfer device (36) with a plurality of cold heat exchangers (38; 186) arranged in the capsule housing (12; 180), wherein a thermoelectric module (40) is positioned between a hot heat exchanger (34) and a cold heat exchanger (38), and wherein the cold heat transfer device (36) comprises a first distributor housing (82; 144; 164; 192) and a second distribution housing (84; 152; 166;198) for distributing cold medium to the cold heat exchangers (38; 186), wherein the first distributor housing (82; 144; 164; 192) and / or the second distributor housing (84; 152; 166; 198) are positioned on an outside of the capsule housing (12; 180) and a bottom wall of the first distributor housing (82; 144; 164; 192) and / or the second distributor housing (84; 152; 198) is formed by a wall (102) of the capsule housing (12; 180), characterized in that the first distributor housing (82; 144; 164; 192) and / or the second distributor housing (84; 152; 166; 198) form a mechanical reinforcement structure for the capsule housing (12; 180) and in particular themselves have a mechanical reinforcement structure (132).

Description

The invention relates to a thermoelectric generator device comprising a capsule housing having an input connection for hot medium and an output connection for hot medium, a plurality of thermoelectric modules which are arranged in the capsule housing, a hot heat transfer device having a plurality of hot heat exchangers which is arranged in the capsule housing and are in fluid connection with the input connection and the output connection, and a cold heat transfer device having a plurality of cold heat exchangers arranged in the housing, wherein a thermoelectric module is positioned between a hot heat exchanger and a cold heat exchanger, and wherein the cold heat transfer device has a first distributor housing and a second distributor housing for distributing cold medium to the cold heat exchangers.DE 10 2010 001 417 A1 describes a heat exchanger for thermoelectric generators, which has at least two channels for a cooling medium and at least one channel for a heating medium, wherein the at least one channel for the heating medium is equipped with ribs in the interior region.DE 10 2010 042 603 A1 discloses a thermoelectric generator device having a first housing (capsule housing) and having at least one fluid-tight second housing which is arranged in the first housing, and having at least one fluid-tight third housing which is arranged in the at least one second housing.In the post-published DE 10 2013 112 911 A1, a further thermoelectric generator device is described.A thermoelectric generator with a cross-flow heat exchanger is known (http: / / www.automotiveiq.com / PDFS / IQ_Article_Thermoelectricity_FIAT_case_study.pdf ).DE 10 2006 057 662 A1 discloses a vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a thermoelectric generator. Heating elements are arranged in an exhaust gas duct of the internal combustion engine and exhaust gas flows around or through them.DE 10 2009 058 676 A1 discloses a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between two media in a vehicle.JP 2005-51 952 A discloses a generator.WO 2012 / 098 446 A2 discloses a thermoelectric device which has thermoelectric element modules.DE 10 2011 114 102 A1 discloses a thermoelectric device for arrangement in an exhaust system for temporarily receiving and discharging a flowing hot exhaust gas stream from an internal combustion engine.EP 2 713 412 A1 discloses a thermoelectric generator.The object of the invention is to provide a thermoelectric generator device of the type mentioned at the beginning which has effective cooling.This object is achieved in the thermoelectric generator device mentioned at the beginning according to the invention in that the first distributor housing and / or the second distributor housing are positioned on an outer side of the capsule housing and a bottom wall of the first distributor housing and / or of the second distributor housing is formed by a wall of the capsule housing, and in that the first distributor housing and / or the second distributor housing form a mechanical reinforcing structure for the capsule housing and in particular themselves have a mechanical reinforcing structure.As a result, cold medium can be effectively conducted through the cold heat transfer device.Furthermore, with a corresponding design of the first distributor housing and / or of the second distributor housing, the capsule housing itself can be stiffened. By additional stiffening of the first reinforcement housing and / or of the second reinforcement housing, the mechanical stiffness of the capsule housing can be increased.Cold medium lines can be easily connected to the first distributor housing and / or the second distributor housing. In particular, standard connections can be used.The first distributor housing and the second distributor housing can be produced from plastic. A distributor cavity can be integrated.The first distributor housing and the second distributor housing provide a larger volume for coupling cold medium into the cold heat exchangers which are positioned within the capsule housing. As a result, the speed of the cold medium in an engagement region, disengagement region and deflection region can be reduced and a pressure loss can be minimized.Cold medium can be coupled into the cold heat exchangers in a simple manner over the entire width. This allows uniform flooding to be achieved and no temperature differences arise due to dead zones of the flow.A pressure loss can be minimized.The object mentioned at the outset is furthermore achieved according to the invention in that an electrical circuit device is arranged in the first distributor housing and / or in the second distributor housing, which electrical circuit device is arranged in particular such that it can be cooled by a cold medium flow through the first distributor housing and / or the second distributor housing.Thermoelectric modules provide electrical energy with a relatively low voltage and a relatively high current intensity. The conduction of electrical energy with high current intensities leads to high conduction losses. In addition, plug connections for high current intensities are complicated to implement.According to the invention, an electrical circuit device is arranged in the first distributor housing and / or the second distributor housing. This converter comprises in particular a DC / DC converter. This provides electrical energy of a suitable voltage (such as 12 V) with a lower current intensity.The electrical circuit device is arranged in the immediate vicinity of the capsule housing. Electrical line losses can thereby be kept low.Furthermore, the cold medium current can be used directly to cool the electrical circuit device and in particular its power components.The electrical circuit device advantageously comprises at least one of the following components: a DC / DC converter, a power point tracker, a connecting device to a plug connection. The DC / DC converter serves for converting the electrical energy to a higher voltage and a lower current intensity. The power point tracker ensures that this conversion is power-optimized. The connecting device for a plug connection provides the electrical connection within the first distributor housing and / or second distributor housing to a plug connection via which the electrical energy can be picked up from the outside.It is very particularly advantageous if a plug connection is arranged on the first distributor housing and / or the second distributor housing. As a result, the electrical energy provided can be picked up in a simple manner.It is very particularly advantageous if the first distributor housing and / or the second distributor housing are designed as a box which is mounted on an outer side of the capsule housing and is in particular fixed to the capsule housing by adhesion (to the latter). In this way, a cold heat transfer device of cross construction can be realized in a simple manner. Additional distribution spaces and collection spaces are provided. An integrated construction for the thermoelectric generator device can be achieved.It is advantageous if the cold heat transfer device has an input connection for cold medium and an output connection for cold medium, wherein the input connection and the output connection are arranged on the first distributor housing or the input connection is arranged on the first distributor housing and the output connection is arranged on the second distributor housing. In this way, cold medium can be coupled in and out in a simple manner. In particular, a coupling is possible via standard connections. Cold medium can be introduced directly into flow deflection regions with a correspondingly large volume.It is very particularly advantageous if the cold medium transmitters are arranged and designed such that a main flow direction of cold medium is oriented transversely to a main flow direction of a hot medium with respect to a flow at the thermoelectric modules. This results in an optimized heat transfer and thus in turn a good efficiency for thermoelectric energy generation. The reference to the flow of thermoelectric modules refers to the generation of the heat flow via the thermoelectric modules, which leads to the generation of an electric current.In one embodiment, the capsule housing has a first side on which the input connection is arranged, has a second side opposite the first side on which the output connection is arranged, and has a first transverse side and a second transverse side spaced apart from the first transverse side, which are connected in each case to the first side and the second side, and the first distributor housing is arranged on the first transverse side and the second distributor housing is arranged opposite on the second transverse side, wherein in particular the first transverse side and the second transverse side have a greater length between the first side and the second side than the first side and the second side in terms of their length between the first transverse side and the second transverse side. As a result, the distributor housings can be positioned in a simple manner, for example by adhesive bonding on an outer side of the capsule housing. In the case of a longer configuration of the transverse sides with respect to the first side and the second side, heat losses during the coupling-in of a hot medium can be kept low.It is advantageous if a chamber, in which an electrical circuit device is arranged, and / or intermediate spaces in the capsule housing, through which no cold medium and hot medium flow, are or are evacuated in a protective gas atmosphere. As a result, thermal leakage currents are minimized and a high degree of efficiency is achieved.It is very particularly advantageous if channels of the cold heat transfer device within the capsule housing are arranged geometrically and in a flow-effective manner between the first distributor housing and the second distributor housing, wherein main flow directions for cold medium within the channels are parallel or antiparallel to one another, and if flow deflection regions with a main flow direction transversely to the main flow directions are arranged in the channels in the first distributor housing and the second distributor housing outside the capsule housing, wherein in particular the channels within the capsule housing are oriented parallel to one another. This results in an effective heat transfer and high heat flows can thus be achieved for the thermoelectric modules. This in turn results in a high degree of efficiency. Dead zones for the flow of cold medium (in particular water) are avoided within the capsule housing. Flow deflections take place in the first distributor housing and the second distributor housing outside the capsule housing. This also prevents thermal leakage currents and the like, which can have a negative influence on the efficiency.In one embodiment, the first distributor housing has at least one distribution space, to which the inlet connection for cold medium is assigned, and which is in fluidic connection with one or more cold heat exchangers in the capsule housing and provides this or these cold medium. Cold medium is provided via the at least one distribution space in the first distributor housing to ducts of the cold heat exchangers.It can be provided that the first distributor housing and / or the second distributor housing has at least one collecting chamber which is in fluid connection with one or more cold heat exchangers in the capsule housing and to which an outlet connection for cold medium is assigned and provides cold medium to said chamber, wherein in particular a flow deflection is present between the at least one collecting chamber and channels of the cold heat exchanger in the capsule housing. Distribution medium can be collected through the collecting space and, if appropriate, deflected or discharged.It is advantageous if the first distributor housing and the second distributor housing are arranged and configured such that all cold heat exchangers in the capsule housing are flowed through with parallel main flow direction of cold medium, or that all or a group of cold heat exchangers are flowed through serially with cold medium, or that a group of cold heat exchangers is flowed through serially with cold medium and a group of cold heat exchangers is flowed through parallel with cold medium. It is thus possible to set an optimization of the flow conditions both with respect to flow speed and pressure losses. This results in an optimized mode of operation. In principle, the greater the flow velocity, the greater the thermoelectric efficiency, since the heat transfer is then most effective. In order to drive cold medium through the cold heat transfer device, a pump is basically necessary. Higher pressure losses mean that the pump is operated with a higher output. In an overall consideration of the efficiency, the power requirements for the pump must also be taken into account by these pressure losses. By appropriate design, an optimization process for the efficiency of the overall system can be achieved here from diverging target variables (thermoelectric efficiency and pressure loss).In one embodiment, at least one distribution space and at least one collecting space are arranged on the first distributor housing, and a first group of cold heat exchangers and a second group of cold heat exchangers are provided, wherein at least one flow deflection region is arranged in the second distributor housing, wherein cold medium which has passed through the first group is provided to the second group by the flow deflection region.In an embodiment, the second group is arranged on the first group in a height distance direction. This results in a compact construction.In a further exemplary embodiment, the second group comprises a first subgroup and a second subgroup, between which the first group is arranged, wherein at least a first flow deflection region and a second flow deflection region are provided in the second distributor housing, wherein the first subgroup is connected in a flow-effective manner to the first flow deflection region and the second subgroup is connected in a flow-effective manner to the second flow deflection region and the second group is connected in a flow-effective manner to the first flow deflection region and the second flow deflection region. This makes it possible to achieve a flow guidance optimized for specific purposes. In particular, a serial flow can be achieved within a subgroup, wherein the flow is parallel with respect to different subgroups.The solution according to the invention can be used in an advantageous manner in a thermoelectric generator device which is constructed as described in DE 10 2013 112 911.0 of 22 November 2013.The solution according to the invention can also be used in a thermoelectric generator device as described in DE 10 2010 042 603 A1.The following description of preferred embodiments serves to explain the invention in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of a first exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generator device according to the invention; FIG. 2 shows a further perspective illustration of the thermoelectric generator device according to FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 shows a sectional view in the sectional plane S of an exemplary embodiment of the thermoelectric generator device according to FIG. 1 ; FIG. 4 shows a representation of components of a cold heat transfer device of the thermoelectric generator device according to FIG. 1 for explaining the flow conditions; FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a variant of a cold heat transfer device; FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing another variant of a cold heat transfer device; FIG. 7 is a plan view of another embodiment of a thermoelectric generator device; FIG. 8 is a perspective top view of the thermoelectric generator device according to FIG. 7 ; FIG. 9 shows a schematic sectional illustration of the thermoelectric generator device according to FIG. 7 ; FIG. 10 is a sectional view of another embodiment of a thermoelectric generator device; FIG. 11 shows a variant of the thermoelectric generator device according to FIG. 10 ; FIG. 12 shows a further variant of the thermoelectric generator device according to FIG. 11 ; FIG. 13 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an electrical circuit device for a thermoelectric generator device according to the invention; and FIG. 14 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric module.A first exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generator device according to the invention, which is shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to 6 and is denoted by 10, comprises a capsule housing 12.On the first side 14, an input connection 22 for a hot medium is arranged. On the second side 16, an output connection 24 for the hot medium is arranged. The capsule housing 12 has an interior 26 through which hot medium can flow between the input connection 22 and the output connection 24.A bypass channel 28 is arranged between the input connection 22 and the output connection 24. Hot medium which is coupled in at the inlet connection 22 is divided by a corresponding distributor device 30, which is arranged downstream of the inlet connection 22, into the bypass channel 28 and the interior 26 of the capsule housing 12.A portion of hot medium coupled at the input port 22 may bypass the capsule housing 12 via the bypass channel 28.In one embodiment, the capsule housing 12 has a length L 1 between the first side 14 and the second side 16. This length L 1 corresponds substantially to a length of the first transverse side 18 or of the second transverse side 20 between the first side 14 and the second side 16.The capsule housing 12 has a width L 2( compare FIG. 3 ) perpendicular to the length L 1. This width L 1( length in the width direction) corresponds to a distance between the first transverse side 18 and the second transverse side 20.In one embodiment, the length L 1 is greater than the width L 2.The thermoelectric generator device 10 comprises a hot heat transfer device 32 with hot heat exchangers 34 arranged in the capsule housing 12.Furthermore, the thermoelectric generator device 10 comprises a cold heat transfer device 36 with cold heat exchangers 38 arranged in the capsule housing 12.Furthermore, the thermoelectric generator device 10 comprises thermoelectric modules 40, which are each arranged between a cold heat exchanger 38 and a hot heat exchanger 36.In one exemplary embodiment (see FIG. 14 ), a thermoelectric module 40 comprises a first housing element 42 and an opposite second housing element 44. the first housing element 42 makes planar contact with a first wall 46 of a hot heat exchanger 34 (see FIG. 3 ). The second housing element 44 makes planar contact with a second wall 48 of a closest cold heat exchanger 38.The first housing element 42 and the second housing element 44 are made of a material with high and in particular metallic thermal conductivity.In one exemplary embodiment, the first housing element 42 and the second housing element 44 each have, in particular, planar sides, at least at one operating point or operating point range of the thermoelectric generator device 10.The first housing element 42 and the second housing element 44 are made of an electrically insulating material or an interior space 50, which lies between the first housing element 42 and the second housing element 44, is positioned facing an electrical insulation on the first housing element 42 and the second housing element 44, respectively.In the interior 50, for example, n-conductors 52 and p-conductors 54 are electrically connected to one another alternately via an electrically conductive bridge 56. The bridge 56 is made of a metallic material, for example.The bridges 56 are disposed on the first housing member 42 and the second housing member 44.A heat flow 58 arises between a hot heat exchanger 34 on an adjacent cold heat exchanger 36 during operation of the thermoelectric generator device 10. The heat flux 58 is also applied between the first housing member 42 and the second housing member 44. A usable electric current can be generated therefrom via the Seebeck effect.In particular, a thermoelectric layer 60 is arranged between a hot heat exchanger 34 and a cold heat exchanger 36, which thermoelectric layer comprises a plurality of thermoelectric modules 40, wherein the thermoelectric modules 40 are in particular connected in series.It can be provided that thermoelectric modules 40 are arranged on a separate carrier, or they are arranged directly between the closest cold heat exchanger 38 and the closest hot heat exchanger 34.The first housing element 42 and the second housing element 44 themselves form carriers for thermoelectric elements of thermoelectric modules 40.The first housing element 42 and / or the second housing element 44 have regions of different stiffness in one exemplary embodiment. It has in particular regions 62 of a first stiffness and regions 64 of a second stiffness, wherein the second stiffness is lower and in particular considerably lower than the first stiffness. The thermoelectric elements are arranged on the regions 62 of the first stiffness and, in particular, the bridges 56 are arranged.In one embodiment, the regions 64 are formed by slots 66.With regard to this configuration of thermoelectric modules, reference is made to the German application No. 10 2013 112 911.0 of 22 November 2013 of the same applicant.The thermoelectric generator device 10 comprises combinations 68, wherein a combination comprises the component of each of the first cold heat exchanger 70, the second cold heat exchanger 72, the first thermoelectric layer 74 (having a plurality of thermoelectric modules 40), the second thermoelectric layer 76, and the hot heat exchanger 78. In such a combination 68, the hot heat exchanger 78 is disposed between the first thermoelectric layer 74 and the second thermoelectric layer 76. The first cold heat exchanger 70 is in turn arranged on the first thermoelectric layer 74 and the second cold heat exchanger is arranged on the second thermoelectric layer 76.A plurality of such combinations 68 are positioned within the capsule housing 12.In one exemplary embodiment, an inner side of a corresponding wall of the capsule housing 12 is in direct planar mechanical contact with the first cold heat exchanger 70 of a combination 68.In the case of an internal combination 80 which has the same components as the combination 68, the second cold heat exchanger 72 forms the first cold heat exchanger 80; the stacking sequence of first cold heat exchangers 72 (for the combination 80) follows in turn, thermoelectric layer, hot heat exchanger, thermoelectric layer, further cold heat exchangers.It is provided in particular that the capsule housing 12 provides a contact pressure by positive locking at least at one operating point or operating point range of the thermoelectric generator device 10, which contact pressure clamps the components of the combinations 68, 80 etc. against one another and clamps them in the housing.Such a configuration of a thermoelectric generator device is described in DE 10 2013 112 911.0 of 22 November 2013 of the same applicant.The cold heat transfer device 36 comprises a first distributor housing 82 and a second distributor housing 84. The second distributor housing 84 is arranged opposite the first distributor housing 82 on the second transverse side 20.The first distributor housing is designed as a box which is fixed on an outer side of the capsule housing 12 on the first transverse side 18. The first distributor housing 82 is glued in particular to the first transverse side 18 of the capsule housing 12.The first distributor housing 82 comprises a dome-shaped wall 86. the wall 86 delimits a first chamber space 88, which is arranged in the first distributor housing 82.Furthermore, a second chamber space 90 is arranged in the first distributor housing, which chamber space comprises a first subspace 92 and a second subspace 94. The first subspace 92 is a distribution space for cold medium. The second subspace 94 is a collecting space for cold medium.A bottom of the first distributor housing 82, to which the wall 86 is connected, is formed by the corresponding wall region of the capsule housing 12. Accordingly, the wall 86 is connected to the capsule housing 12 on its outer side in a fluid-tight manner.Connected to the distribution space 92 is an input port 96 for cold medium. An output connection 98 for cold medium is connected to the collecting chamber 94. Fresh cold medium is injected into the cold heat transfer device 96 at the inlet connection 96. Heated cold medium is removed at the outlet connection 98.In one exemplary embodiment, the distribution space 92 and the collection space 94 are arranged in a fluid-tight and separated manner in the first distributor housing 82.The first chamber space 88 is separated from the second chamber space 90 in a fluid-tight manner. A wall 100 is situated between the first chamber space 88 and the second chamber space 90. The first chamber space 88 is formed between the wall 100 and the wall 86. The second chamber space 90 is formed between the wall 100 and a wall region 102 of the capsule housing 12 (compare FIG. 1 ).An electrical circuit device 104 (see also FIG. 13 ) is seated in the first chamber space 88. The electrical circuit device 104 comprises a DC / DC converter 106. In operation of the thermoelectric generator device 10, the thermoelectric modules 40 provide a relatively large current, with the voltage being relatively small (on the order of 1 V). The DC / DC converter 106 converts into a usable voltage of, for example, 12 V, while reducing the current intensity.The electrical circuit device 104 further comprises a power point tracker 108 in one embodiment. This adjusts the current, so that in particular a power maximum is reached. The power point tracker 108 is in particular connected upstream of the DC / DC converter 106.The electrical circuit device 104 further comprises a connecting device 110 to a plug connection 112.The plug connection 112 is arranged on the wall 86 on the first distributor housing 82, so that electrical energy can be picked up from an outer side of the capsule housing 12.In one embodiment, the plug terminal 112 is seated on a wall portion 114 of the wall 86 that is parallel to the second side 16.From the thermoelectric modules 40 of the corresponding thermoelectric layers 60, electrical lines 116 in the capsule housing 12 lead into the first distributor housing 82 to the electrical circuit device 104.The first chamber space 88 is, for example, under a protective gas atmosphere or is evacuated.The first chamber space 88 is closed off in a fluid-tight manner with respect to the second chamber space 90 and with respect to the interior space 26 of the capsule housing 12.In one exemplary embodiment, a through connection 118 for electrical lines 116 is situated between the first subspace 92 (distribution space) and the second subspace 94 (collection space) of the second chamber space 90, via which connection these are led into the first distributor housing 82. The through-connection 118 is in particular designed in such a way that it separates the first subspace 92 from the second subspace 94 in a fluid-tight manner.The second distributor housing 84 is likewise arranged on the outer side of the capsule housing 12 and in this case on the second transverse side 20. It comprises a dome-shaped wall 120, which is positioned on the second transverse side 20 and is in particular glued on.The wall 120 defines an interior 122. This is designed as a flow deflection region 124. The capsule housing 12 is open at the flow deflection region 124, wherein a fluid-tight closure is effected by the wall 120.Via channels 126 of the cold heat exchangers 38, the first subspace 92 is in flow-effective connection with the flow deflection region 124, and the flow deflection region 124 is in flow-effective connection with the collecting space 94.Cold medium, which is coupled into the first distributor housing 82 via the inlet connection 96, is distributed by the distribution space 92 to channels 126. The channels 126 of the cold heat exchangers 38 are arranged within the capsule housing 12. The distribution space 92 is disposed in the distribution housing 82 outside the capsule housing 12.Hot medium, which is coupled into the capsule housing 12 at the input connection 22 and is coupled out at the output connection 24, flows through the cold heat exchangers 38 in the capsule housing 12 in a main flow direction 128, which substantially corresponds to a length direction between the first side 14 and the second side 16.Cold medium, which flows through the cold heat exchangers 38 in the channels 126, flows in a main flow direction 130, which is oriented transversely and in particular at least approximately to the main flow direction 128 of the hot medium.The cold heat transfer device 36 is in particular configured such that the cold medium flows within the capsule housing 12 substantially only in the main flow direction 130 (direction and opposite direction). A flow deflection takes place outside the capsule housing 12 in the first distributor housing 82 and the second distributor housing 84.The first distribution space 92 and the second distribution space 94 are also flow deflection regions in which flow deflection takes place.In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the distribution space 92 distributes cold medium to the channels 26 of those cold heat exchangers 38 which are connected directly to the distribution space 92.Cold medium which has flowed through the channels 126 is collected in the flow deflection region 124, that is to say in the interior space 122 of the second distributor housing 84, and is distributed again to channels 126' of those cold heat exchangers 38 which are connected to the collection space 94.The outlet connection 98 is arranged on the collecting chamber 94 and (heated) cold medium can then be removed there.In those channels 126' which are connected to the collecting space 94 and are thereby in flow-effective connection with the flow deflection region 124, the main flow direction 130' is antiparallel to the main flow direction 130 of the channels 126 which are directly connected to the distribution space 92.The first manifold housing 82 and the second manifold housing 84 form a mechanical reinforcement structure for the capsule housing 12 and increase its rigidity.The first distributor housing 82 or the second distributor housing 84 can itself be provided with a reinforcing structure and in particular a rib structure 132 in order to obtain a correspondingly high mechanical rigidity.FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the flow conditions. A line and, for example, a hose for cold medium and, in particular, cooling water can be connected to the input connection 96 and the output connection 98. Cold medium is guided in the distribution chamber 92, the flow deflection region 124 and the collecting chamber 94. It is guided in particular outside the capsule housing 12. Cold medium is guided in the channels 126, 126' between the first distributor housing 82 and the second distributor housing 84. The first distributor housing 82 and the second distributor housing 84 ensure a supply and discharge and, via the flow deflection region 124, a deflection of cold medium.The electrical circuit device 104, which is closest to the second chamber space 90 having the distribution space 92 and the collection space 94 in the first chamber space 88, can be cooled via cold medium which is coupled into the cold heat exchangers 38 or is coupled out from there. The electrical circuit device 104 is arranged on the capsule housing 12 via the distributor housing 82, such that a corresponding conversion can be carried out there in order to minimize the electrical transport losses.This results in a compact construction with an optimized coolability.The first distributor housing 82 and the second distributor housing 84 have a functional integration as a result of the mounting on the capsule housing 12. The respective spaces 92, 94, 124 in the first manifold housing 82 and the second manifold housing 84 have a relatively large volume. This brings about a reduction in the speed of the cold medium and thus a minimization of pressure losses.By distributing and collecting cold medium through the first distributor housing 82 and the second distributor housing 84, a supply of cold medium can be achieved over a large surface area. A flow in the capsule housing 12 can be achieved over the entire width, wherein this flow is uniform. As a result, no temperature differences arise due to dead zones of a flow.By means of such an optimized flow guidance, pressure losses within the capsule housing can also be kept lower.In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 3, 4, cold heat exchangers are flowed through in parallel with the main flow direction 130 and the main flow direction 130'. Such parallel flow causes little pressure loss.In another embodiment (FIG. 5 ), the second manifold housing is modified. It is designated 134 in FIG. 5. Otherwise, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements as in the embodiment according to FIG. 3.In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 5, the second distributor housing 134 has the flow deflection region 124. The flow guidance is basically the same as described with reference to FIG. 3.In addition, the second distributor housing 134 has a chamber space 136 which is closed off in a fluid-tight manner with respect to the flow deflection region 124 and in which an electrical circuit device 138 is likewise arranged.The electrical circuit device 138 corresponds to the electrical circuit device 104.Correspondingly, a plug connection 140 is arranged on the second distributor housing 134.The chamber space 136 has a common wall 142 with the flow deflection region 124. Cold medium flows past this wall 142, so that the electrical circuit device 138 can be cooled in the chamber chamber 136.Electrical lines lead from the thermoelectric modules 40 to the electrical circuit device 138.In this embodiment, the electrical circuit devices 106, 138 are disposed in both the first junction box 82 and the second junction box 134.Otherwise, the respective cold heat transfer device with the first manifold housing 82 and the second manifold housing 134 functions as described above.The input port 96 and the output port 98 on the first junction box 82 are located on opposite sides of the first junction box 82, and are aligned. A main flow direction for the coupling-in for cold medium at the input connection 96 is at least approximately parallel to a main flow direction for the coupling-out for cold medium at the output connection 98.In a further exemplary embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 6, a first distributor housing 144 is provided, which is arranged on the first transverse side 18 of the capsule housing 12. This first distribution housing 144 has an input connection 146. This input port 146 is seated at a central portion of the first manifold housing 144.The first distribution housing 144 further includes an output port 148. This is seated in an end region of the first distributor housing 144.It is provided in particular that a main flow direction for the coupling in of cold medium at the input connection 146 is transverse and in particular perpendicular to a main flow direction for the coupling out of cold medium at the output connection 148.The input connection 146 opens into a distribution space 150 of the first distributor housing 144. This distribution space 150 is in direct communication with channels 126 of the cold heat exchangers 38.A second distributor housing 152 is arranged opposite the first distributor housing 144 on the second transverse side 20 of the capsule housing 12. In this chamber space 154, an electrical circuit device corresponding to the electrical circuit device 106 is arranged.In the second distributor housing 152, a first collecting space 156 and a second collecting space 158 are arranged, which are separated from one another in a fluid-tight manner. From the distribution space 150 in the first distributor housing 144, channels lead into the first collection space 156 and the second collection space 158, respectively. The main flow direction for cold medium in such channels corresponds to the flow direction 130 as described above.The first collecting chamber 156 and the second collecting chamber 158 form flow deflection regions which deflect cold medium outside the capsule housing 12, namely inside the second distributor housing 152, onto channels 126' in which the main flow direction is antiparallel, namely corresponds to the main flow direction 130'.In the first distributor housing 144, a collecting chamber 160 is arranged, into which such channels 126' open. This collecting space 160 is separated from the distribution space 150 in a fluid-tight manner.The output port 148 is disposed on the collection space 160.In channels 126 and 126', main flow directions 130, 130' are anti-parallel.Cold heat exchangers which are connected to the distribution space 150 and the collecting space 160 are connected in series in a flow-effective manner.This allows a high flow velocity to be achieved and thus a higher (negative) degree of heat transfer. This results in a higher efficiency for the operation of the thermoelectric generator device 10.In the exemplary embodiments according to FIGS. 3, 4, 5 to 6, the input connection 96 or 146 and the output connection 98 or 148 are arranged on the first distributor housing 82 or 144. The second distributor housing 84 or 134 or 152 does not have a fluid connection.In a further exemplary embodiment of a thermoelectric generator device (FIGS. 7, 8 to 9 ), which is denoted 162, a first distributor housing 164 is seated in turn on the capsule housing 12 on the first transverse side 18 and a second distributor housing 166 is seated on the opposite second transverse side 20. The first distribution housing 164 has an input connection 168 for cold medium. The second distribution housing 166 has an output connection 170 for cold medium.In this exemplary embodiment, fresh cold medium is coupled in at one distributor housing, namely the distributor housing 164, and heated cold medium is coupled out at the other distributor housing, namely the second distributor housing 166.In an embodiment (FIG. 9 ), the first distributor housing 164 and the second distributor housing 166 are each provided with a chamber space 172 a, 172 bin which an electrical circuit device 104 is arranged as described above. Correspondingly, a respective plug connection 174 aand 174 bis arranged on the first distributor housing 140 and on the second distributor housing 166.A distribution space 176 is arranged in the first distributor housing 164. Cold medium which is coupled into the distribution space 176 via the inlet connection 168 is divided in parallel by said space, which acts as a flow deflection region, into the channels 126 of the cold heat exchangers 38 which are located within the capsule housing 12.All the channels 126 of the cold heat exchangers 38 are flowed through in parallel.In the second manifold housing 166, a collection space 178 is disposed outside the capsule housing 12. This is in fluid communication with the output port 170. It also acts as a flow deflection region.Cold medium which has passed through the channels 126 is collected in the collecting space 178 and can then be discharged via the output connection 170.A parallel distribution of cold medium is effected over all the channels 126. As a result, a high flow velocity for cold medium in the cold heat exchangers 38 can be obtained, which results in a high efficiency for thermoelectric energy generation.Basically, the temperature of the hot medium decreases from the input terminal 22 toward the output terminal 24. This also means that, with a uniform temperature of the cold medium, a greater heat flow flows closer to the input connection 22 at thermoelectric modules 40 than closer to the output connection 24.As a result of an asymmetric distribution of cold medium, a homogenization of the temperature in a direction between the first side 14 and the second side 16 can be achieved. Then, cold medium flooding is made to be increased in areas where the temperature of the hot medium decreases than in areas closer to the input port 22.This can be produced by asymmetrical flow guidance, as indicated schematically in FIG. 7 by the reference symbol 250, in that, for example, the flow velocity of the cold heat exchangers 38 is reduced in regions closer to the inlet connection 22.In an alternative embodiment, cooling is more pronounced closer to the first side 14, with the temperature of the hot medium being lowered "more strongly" in order to reduce a maximum temperature at the thermoelectric module closest to the first side 14; by this reduction at the hot side of the module, the other modules can be operated with higher temperature gradients.In a further exemplary embodiment (FIG. 10 ), a capsule housing 180 is provided, in which fluid-tight second housings 182 are arranged. Cold medium can flow in spaces 184 between capsule housing 180 and housing 182.Cold heat exchangers 186 are formed by the intermediate spaces 184 within the capsule housing 180.In the second housing 182, a fluid-tight third housing 188 is in turn arranged, which is a housing of a hot heat exchanger.Thermoelectric layers 190 are arranged between the third housing 188 and the second housing 182.This structure of a thermoelectric generator device is described in DE 10 2010 042 603 A1.A first distributor housing 192 is arranged on the capsule housing 180. In the region of the first distributor housing 192, the capsule housing 180 is open.The first distribution housing 192 has an input port 194. It also has a distribution space 196, in which cold medium can be coupled in via the input connection 194.Opposite the first distributor housing 192, a second distributor housing 198 having a collecting space 200 and an output connection 202 is arranged on the capsule housing 180. (The existing electrical circuit devices 104 are not shown in FIG. 10 ).Via the distribution chamber 196, fresh cold medium is supplied to the intermediate spaces 184 and thus to the cold heat exchangers 186. Heated cold medium is collected via the collecting chamber 200 and then discharged via the output connection 202.It can be provided here that elements 204 are arranged on end sides of the second housings 182 facing the collecting space 200 and the distribution space 106, which elements are in particular designed to be thermally insulating. These prevent cooling at end faces of the second housings 184.This reduces parasitic heat flows in particular; cold medium is only guided along the second housing 182 at those regions, namely outside end faces of the second housing 182, where it is required for cooling thermoelectric modules 40.In a variant of an embodiment (FIG. 11 ), flow guide elements 206 such as flow guide plates are arranged between elements 204 and the corresponding second housing 182. Such a flow guiding element 206 serves to keep the flow away from regions at which a flow is not required.A flow guiding element 206 can, as shown in FIG. 11, point toward the second housing 182 and in the process not be connected thereto.As shown schematically in FIG. 12 and denoted there as 206', it can be connected to the second housing 182. In this case, a region 208 is formed between an element 206 and the second housing 182, into which region cold medium flowing through the capsule housing 180 cannot enter.The distributor housings 192, 198 also have the same function as described above in this construction of the thermoelectric generator device.List of reference characters10 Thermoelectric generator device (first exemplary embodiment) 12 Capsule housing 14 First side 16 Second side 18 First transverse side 20 Second transverse side 22 Input connection 24 Output connection 26 Interior space 28 Bypass channel 30 Distributor 32 Hot heat transfer device 34 Hot heat exchanger 36 Cold heat transfer device 38 Cold heat exchanger 40 Thermoelectric module 42 First housing element 44 Second housing element 46 First wall 48 Second wall 50 Interior space 52 N-conductor 54 P-conductor 56 Bridge 58 Heat flow 60 Thermoelectric layer 62 regions 64 regions 66 Slot 68 Combination 70 First cold heat exchanger 72 Second cold heat exchanger 74 First thermoelectric layer 76 Second thermoelectric layer 78 Hot heat exchanger 80 Combination 82 First distributor housing 84 Second distributor housing 86 Wall 88 First Chamber chamber space 90 Second chamber space 92 First subspace (distribution space) 94 Second subspace (collection space) 96 Input connection 98 Output connection 100 Wall 102 Wall region 104 Electrical circuit device 106 Converter 108 Power point tracker 110 Connection device 112 Plug connection 114 Wall region 116 Electrical line 118 Through connection 120 Wall 122 Interior space 124 Flow deflection region 126 Channel 126' Channel 128 Main flow direction 129 Hot medium 130 Cold medium 130' Cold medium 132 Reinforcing structure 134 Second distributor housing 136 Chamber space 138 Electrical circuit device 140 Plug connection 142 Wall 144 First distributor housing 146 Input connection 148 Output connection 150 Distribution space 152 Second distributor housing 154 Chamber space 155 Height spacing direction 156 First collection space 158 Second collection space 160 Collection space 162 Thermoelectric generator device 164 First distributor housing 166 Second distributor housing 168 Input connection 170 Output connection 172 a Kammer chamber space 172 b Kammer chamber space 174 aPlug connection 174 bPlug connection 176 Distribution space 178 Collecting space 180 Capsule housing 182 Second housing 184 Intermediate spaces 186 Cold heat exchanger 188 Third housing 190 Thermoelectric layer 192 First distributor housing 194 Input connection 196 Distribution space 198 Second distributor housing 200 Collecting space 202 Output connection 204 Element 206 Flow guide element 206' Flow guide element 208 Region 250 Flow asymmetry

Claims

A thermoelectric generator device comprising a capsule housing (12; 180) having a hot medium input port (22) and a hot medium output port (24), a plurality of thermoelectric modules (40) disposed in the capsule housing (12; 180), a hot heat transfer device (32) having a plurality of hot heat transfer devices (34) disposed in the capsule housing (12; 180) and in fluid communication with the input port (22) and the output port (24), and a cold heat transfer device (36) having a plurality of cold heat transfer devices (38; 186) disposed in the capsule housing (12; 180), wherein a thermoelectric module (40) is positioned between a hot heat transfer device (34) and a cold heat transfer device (38), and wherein the cold heat transfer device (36) includes a first manifold housing (82; 144; 164; 192) and a second distributor housing (84; 152; 166; 198) for distributing cold medium to the cold heat exchangers (38; 186), wherein the first distributor housing (82; 144; 164; 192) and / or the second distributor housing (84; 152; 166; 198) are positioned on an outer side of the capsule housing (12; 180) and a bottom wall of the first distributor housing (82; 144; 164; 192) and / or of the second distributor housing (84; 152; 198) is formed by a wall (102) of the capsule housing (12; 180), characterized in that the first distributor housing (82; 144; 164; 192) and / or the second distributor housing (84; 152; 166; 198) is a mechanical reinforcing structure for the capsule housing (12; 152; 180) and in particular themselves have a mechanical reinforcing structure ( 132).Thermoelectric generator device according to Claim 1, characterized in that an electrical circuit device (104) is arranged in the first distributor housing (82; 144; 164; 192) and / or in the second distributor housing (84; 152; 198), said electrical circuit device being arranged in particular such that it can be cooled by a cold medium flow through the first distributor housing (82; 144; 164; 192) and / or the second distributor housing (84; 152; 198).Thermoelectric generator device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the electrical circuit device (104) comprises at least one of the following components: a DC / DC converter (106), a power point tracker (108), a connection device (116) to a plug connection (112).Thermoelectric generator device according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that a plug connection (112; 140; 174, 174b) is arranged on the first distributor housing (82; 144; 164; 192) and / or on the second distributor housing (84; 152; 166; 198).Thermoelectric generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first distributor housing (82; 144; 164; 192) and / or the second distributor housing (84; 152; 166; 198) are designed as a box which is mounted on an outer side of the capsule housing (12; 180) and is fixed in particular to the capsule housing (12; 180) by adhesive bonding.Thermoelectric generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cold heat transfer device (36) has an input connection (96; 146; 168; 194) for cold medium and an output connection (98; 148; 170; 196) for cold medium, wherein the input connection (96; 146) and the output connection (98; 148) are arranged on the first distributor housing (82; 144) or the input connection (168; 194) is arranged on the first distributor housing (164; 192) and the output connection (170; 202) is arranged on the second distributor housing (166; 198).Thermoelectric generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cold heat exchangers (38) are arranged and designed such that a main flow direction (130; 130') of cold medium is oriented transversely with respect to a main flow direction (128) of a hot medium with respect to a flow for generating a heat flow (58) at the thermoelectric modules (40).Thermoelectric generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the capsule housing (12; 180) has a first side (14) on which the input connection (22) is arranged, a second side (16), which is opposite the first side (14) and on which the output connection (24) is arranged, and has a first transverse side (18) and a second transverse side (20), which are spaced apart from the first transverse side (18) and are respectively connected to the first side (14) and the second side (16), and in that the first distributor housing (82) is seated on the first transverse side (18) and the second distributor housing (84) is seated opposite on the second transverse side (20), wherein in particular the first transverse side (18) and the second transverse side (20) have a greater length (L 1) between the first side (14) and the second side (16) than the first side (14) and the second side (16), respectively, in relation to a length (L 2) between the first transverse side (18) and the second transverse side (20).Thermoelectric generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a chamber in which an electrical circuit device (104) is arranged and / or intermediate spaces of the capsule housing (12; 180) through which cold medium and hot medium do not flow are under protective gas atmosphere or are evacuated.Thermoelectric generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that channels (126, 126') of the cold heat transfer device (36) within the capsule housing (12; 180) are arranged geometrically and in a flow-effective manner between the first distributor housing (82) and the second distributor housing (84), wherein main flow directions (130, 130') for cold medium within the channels (126, 126') are parallel or antiparallel to one another, and in that flow deflection regions (92, 94, 124) having a main flow direction transverse to the main flow directions (130, 130') in the channels (126, 126') in the first distributor housing (82) and the second distributor housing (84) are arranged outside the capsule housing (12; 180), wherein in particular the channels (126, 126') within the capsule housing (12; 180) are oriented parallel to one another.Thermoelectric generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first distributor housing (82) has at least one distribution space (92), to which the input connection (96) for cold medium is assigned, and which is in fluidic connection with one or more cold heat exchangers (38) in the capsule housing (12) and provides cold medium to this or these.Thermoelectric generator device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the first distributor housing (82) and / or the second distributor housing (84) has at least one collecting space (94; 124), which is in fluidic connection with one or more cold heat exchangers (38) in the capsule housing (12) and to which an output connection (98) for cold medium is assigned and provides cold medium to said cold medium, wherein in particular a flow deflection takes place in the at least one collecting space (94; 124) and the at least one distribution space (92) with respect to main flow directions (130; 130') in the cold heat exchangers (38).Thermoelectric generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first distributor housing (82) and the second distributor housing (84) are arranged and designed such that cold medium flows through all cold heat exchangers (38) in the capsule housing (12; 180) with parallel main flow directions (130, 130'), or that cold medium flows through all or a group of cold heat exchangers in series, or that cold medium flows through a group of cold heat exchangers in series and cold medium flows through a group of cold heat exchangers in parallel.Thermoelectric generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one distribution space (92; 150) and at least one collecting space (94; 160) are arranged on the first distributor housing (82; 144), and a first group of cold medium exchangers and a second group of cold medium exchangers are provided, wherein at least one flow deflection region (124; 156, 158) is arranged in the second distributor housing (84; 152), said flow deflection region providing cold medium, which has flowed through the first group, to the second group.The thermoelectric generator device according to claim 14, characterized in that the second group is disposed on the first group in a height-spacing direction (155).Thermoelectric generator device according to Claim 14, characterized in that the second group comprises a first subgroup and a second subgroup, between which the first group is arranged, wherein in particular a first flow deflection region (156) and a second flow deflection region (158) are provided in the second distributor housing (152), wherein the first subgroup is connected in a flow-effective manner to the first flow deflection region (156) and the second subgroup is connected in a flow-effective manner to the second flow deflection region (158) and the second group is connected in a flow-effective manner to the first flow deflection region (156) and the second flow deflection region (158).Thermoelectric generator device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bycombinations with the components of first cold heat exchanger (70), second cold heat exchanger (72), first thermoelectric layer (74), second thermoelectric layer (76) and hot heat exchanger (78), wherein in the combination the hot heat exchanger (78) is arranged between the first thermoelectric layer (74) and the second thermoelectric layer (76), the first cold heat exchanger (70) is arranged on the first thermoelectric layer (74) and the second cold heat exchanger (72) is arranged on the second thermoelectric layer (76), and wherein the combination is positioned in the capsule housing (12), a first inner side of a first wall of the capsule housing (12) is in direct planar mechanical contact with the first cold heat exchanger (70) of the combination or the first wall forms a wall of the first cold heat exchanger (70), a second inner side of a second wall of the capsule housing (12) opposite the first inner side is in direct planar mechanical contact with the second cold heat exchanger (72) of the combination or of a further combination or forms a wall of the second cold heat exchanger (72), and the capsule housing (12) provides a contact pressure by positive locking at least at one operating point or operating point range of the thermoelectric generator device, which contact pressure clamps the components of the combination against one another and clamps them in the capsule housing (12).Thermoelectric generator device according to one of Claims 1 to 17, characterized in that at least one fluid-tight second housing (182) is provided, which is arranged in the capsule housing (180), a cold medium flow being guided between the capsule housing (180) and the at least one second housing (182), in that a fluid-tight third housing (188) which is arranged in the at least one second housing (182) is provided, a hot medium flow being guided in the third housing (188), and in that at least one thermoelectric module (40) is arranged between the at least one second housing (182) and the third housing (188) and is in thermal contact with a second housing (182) by a first side and is in thermal contact with the third housing (188) by a second side.

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