Thermoelectric power generation device

Abstract

To provide a thermoelectric power generation device capable of arranging a thermoelectric power generation module without being limited by the area of a heat receiving plate and capable of ensuring sufficient space on which to arrange circuit substrates.SOLUTION: A thermoelectric power generation device includes a heat-receiving plate 3 in contact with a heat source 2, a heat conductor 4 erected from the heat-receiving plate 3, and a thermoelectric power generation module 1 mounted on the side of the heat conductor 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a thermoelectric power generation device that generates thermoelectric power using exhaust heat from devices in a system that detects abnormalities in the devices and communicates the abnormalities to supply power to the devices. [Background technology]

[0002] In modern industrial society, a huge amount of waste heat, more than 60% of the total primary energy supply, is discharged into the global environment, especially from factories, power plants, steelworks, automobiles, buildings, lighting, ships, etc. At these factories and other sites, sensor networks are configured to monitor the status of the equipment. However, securing power sources for these sensors is a problem.

[0003] Normally, batteries are used as the power source, but since the sensors are arranged at high altitudes and there are a huge number of them, battery replacement is troublesome and the replacement costs are enormous.

[0004] As a solution to this problem, Patent Document 1 discloses a thermoelectric power generation transmitter that uses heat emitted from a device or heat emitted to its surroundings to generate thermoelectric power to secure power supply.

[0005] 7, the thermoelectric power generation transmitter disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a columnar heat conductive member 101 provided on a heat receiving plate 100 that receives heat from an apparatus, and a thermoelectric power generation module 102 mounted on the heat conductive member 101. The thermoelectric power generation module 102 generates power using the temperature difference between the heat transferred from the heat receiving plate 100 via the heat conductive member 101 and a heat sink 104 provided on the thermoelectric power generation module 102. The power generated by the thermoelectric power generation module 102 is supplied to a circuit board 106 including a processor 107 that processes and communicates signals from a sensor 105 such as a thermocouple. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-200518 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, since the thermoelectric power generation transmitter disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which thermoelectric power generation module 102 is placed on thermal conductive member 101 and circuit board 106 is arranged therearound, there is a limit to how large thermoelectric power generation module 102 can be made in order to obtain a large amount of electric power. In addition, if thermal conductive member 101 and thermoelectric power generation module 102 are made large, there is a problem in that the area of ​​circuit board 106 cannot be made large.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and its main object is to provide a thermoelectric power generation device that can arrange a thermoelectric power generation module without being limited by the area of ​​the heat receiving plate, and that can ensure sufficient space for arranging a circuit board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The thermoelectric power generation device according to the present invention includes a heat receiving plate in contact with a heat source, a thermal conductor standing on the heat receiving plate, and a thermoelectric power generation module attached to a side surface of the thermal conductor.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, a heat dissipation means is provided on the side of the thermoelectric power generation module opposite the thermal conductor.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, a circuit board having a function of detecting an abnormality in the device and communicating the detected abnormality is disposed in the space located inside the heat receiving plate and the heat conductor. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a thermoelectric power generation device in which a thermoelectric power generation module can be arranged without being limited by the area of ​​the heat receiving plate, and in which sufficient space can be secured for arranging a circuit board. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1(a) to 1(c) are diagrams showing the configuration of a thermoelectric power generation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modified example of the thermoelectric power generation device in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 10(a) and 10(b) are diagrams showing the configuration of a thermoelectric power generation device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 13(a) and 13(b) are diagrams showing a first modified example of the thermoelectric power generating device according to the second embodiment. [Diagram 5] 13(a) and 13(b) are diagrams showing a second modified example of the thermoelectric power generation device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 6] 13(a) and 13(b) are diagrams showing a third modified example of the thermoelectric power generating device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a conventional thermoelectric power generation transmitter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. In addition, appropriate modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the effects of the present invention.

[0015] (First embodiment) 1(a) to (c) are diagrams showing the configuration of a thermoelectric power generation device in a first embodiment of the present invention, where FIG. 1(a) is a see-through top view, FIG. 1(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line Ib-Ib in FIG. 1(a), and FIG. 1(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line Ic-Ic in FIG. 1(a).

[0016] 1(a) to 1(c), the thermoelectric power generation device in this embodiment includes a heat receiving plate 3 in contact with a heat source 2, a thermal conductor 4 standing from the heat receiving plate 3, and a thermoelectric power generation module 1 attached to the side of the thermal conductor 4. A heat dissipation means 5 is provided on the side of the thermoelectric power generation module 1 opposite to the thermal conductor 4. A circuit board 6 is disposed in a space 10 located inside the heat receiving plate 3 and the thermal conductor 4, and includes a circuit 7 such as a processor that detects abnormalities in the device with a sensor and processes and communicates the signals. The circuit board 6 is supported by a support portion 9 provided on the heat receiving plate 3, and the heat dissipation means 5 is held by a holder 8 provided on the heat receiving plate 3.

[0017] Specifically, a heat transfer plate (thermal conductor) 4 made of an L-shaped metal plate is provided on a heat receiving plate 3, and a thermoelectric power generation module 1 is attached to the side of the heat transfer plate 4. Heat from a heat source 2 is transferred to the thermoelectric power generation module 1 via the heat receiving plate 3 and the heat transfer plate 4. A heat dissipation plate (heat dissipation means) 5 made of an L-shaped metal plate is attached to the opposite side of the thermoelectric power generation module 1.

[0018] In the thermoelectric power generation module 1, effective power generation is performed due to the temperature difference between the heat transfer plate 4 and the heat dissipation plate 5. A circuit board 6 can be installed in the large space 10 inside the heat receiving plate 3, the heat transfer plate 4, and the heat dissipation plate 5. The thermoelectric power generation module 1 can be attached to the entire side surface of the heat transfer plate 4, and if it is desired to make it larger, it is sufficient to widen the side surface of the heat transfer plate 4. Therefore, there is no restriction on the size of the thermoelectric power generation module 1 and the circuit board 6.

[0019] In a specific example, the heat transfer plate 4 and the heat sink plate 5 can be made of Al or Cu plates with a thickness of 1 mm. The size of the thermoelectric power generation device is, for example, 80 mm long and 60 mm wide when viewed from above, with the side being 25 mm long. A thermoelectric power generation module 1 with a size of 66 mm x 20 mm is attached to the side of the heat transfer plate 4. With a temperature difference of 44°C between the heat transfer plate 4 and the heat sink plate 5, an output of about 14 mW is obtained. This is sufficient to cover the power required by the processor that processes and communicates the sensor signals.

[0020] In this embodiment, if the heat transfer plate 4 installed on the heat receiving plate 3 is close to the heat source 2 and has a large heat transfer function, the heat sink plate 4 does not need to be provided.

[0021] (Modification of the first embodiment) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a modified example of the thermoelectric power generating device in the first embodiment, which corresponds to FIG. 1(b).

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, in the thermoelectric power generation device of this modification, a heat dissipation sheet 11 is further attached on the heat sink 5, which improves heat dissipation. The heat dissipation sheet 11 is preferably a laminated structure of graphite-mixed gauze fiber and a graphite sheet. The graphite-mixed gauze fiber has a high thermal conductivity of about 13 W / mK, a high emissivity, and the sheet surface is not smooth, so that the effective surface area is large and the heat dissipation is excellent. The graphite sheet has an extremely high thermal conductivity in the planar direction of 1500 W / mK and is thin.

[0023] For example, when a 0.2 mm thick graphite-mixed gauze fiber sheet was laminated with a 25 μm thick graphite sheet, the temperature difference between the heat transfer plate 4 and the heat sink plate 5 increased to approximately 46° C., and an output increase of approximately 19 mW was obtained.

[0024] Second embodiment 3(a) and (b) are diagrams showing the configuration of a thermoelectric power generation device in a second embodiment, where FIG. 3(a) is a perspective top view and FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIIb-IIIb in FIG. 3(a).

[0025] As shown in Figs. 3(a) and (b), in the thermoelectric power generation device of this embodiment, a cylindrical metal heat transfer body 4 is placed upright on a heat receiving plate 3 in contact with a heat source 2, and a thermoelectric power generation module 1 is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the heat transfer body 4. The thermoelectric power generation module 1 generates effective power due to the temperature difference between the heat transfer body 4 and the outside air. The thermoelectric power generation module 1 can be attached to the entire outer circumferential surface of the heat transfer body 4, and if a larger size is required, the diameter of the heat transfer body 4 can be increased. This increases the space 10 inside the heat transfer body 4, and the space for accommodating the circuit board 6 is also increased, so that the thermoelectric power generation module 1 and the circuit board 6 are freed from the size constraints. It is preferable to provide a resin plate 12 for protection on the upper part of the heat transfer body 4. In addition, the resin plate 12 is preferably made of resin that transmits radio waves for communication purposes.

[0026] In a specific example, the heat receiving plate 3 and the heat transfer body 4 can be made of Al or Cu plates having a thickness of 1 to 2 mm. The size of the heat receiving plate 3 is, for example, 120 mm square when viewed from above, and the size of the heat transfer body 4 is, for example, an outer diameter of 70 mm and a height of 52 mm. Two thermoelectric generation modules 1 having a size of 13 mm x 88 mm are attached to the outer circumferential surface of the heat transfer body 4. When the temperature difference between the heat transfer plate 4 and the heat dissipation plate 5 is 7°C, an output of about 8 mW is obtained. This is sufficient to cover the power required by a processor that processes and communicates the sensor signals.

[0027] (Modification 1 of the second embodiment) 4(a) and (b) show a first modified example of a thermoelectric power generation device in the second embodiment, where FIG. 4(a) is a see-through top view and FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVb-IVb in FIG. 4(a).

[0028] 4(a) and (b), in the thermoelectric power generation device of this modification, a metal, rectangular, cylindrical heat transfer body 4 is placed upright on a heat receiving plate 3 in contact with a heat source 2, and a thermoelectric power generation module 1 is attached to its outer circumferential surface. The thermoelectric power generation module 1 generates effective power due to the temperature difference between the heat transfer body 4 and the outside air. The thermoelectric power generation module 1 can be attached to the entire outer circumferential surface of the heat transfer body 4, and if a larger size is desired, the diameter of the heat transfer body 4 can be increased. This increases the space 10 within the heat transfer body 4, and also increases the space for accommodating the circuit board 6, freeing the user from the size restrictions imposed by the thermoelectric power generation module 1 and the circuit board 6.

[0029] (Modification 2 of the second embodiment) 5(a) and (b) show variant 2 of the thermoelectric power generation device in the second embodiment, where FIG. 5(a) is a see-through top view and FIG. 5(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line Vb-Vb in FIG. 5(a).

[0030] 5(a) and (b), in the thermoelectric power generation device of this modification, a metal, rectangular, half-tubular heat transfer body 4 is placed upright on a heat receiving plate 3 in contact with a heat source 2, and a thermoelectric power generation module 1 is attached to its outer circumferential surface. The thermoelectric power generation module 1 generates effective power due to the temperature difference between the heat transfer body 4 and the outside air. The thermoelectric power generation module 1 can be attached to the entire outer surface of the heat transfer body 4, and if a larger size is desired, the heat transfer body 4 can be made larger and higher. This makes it possible to use the space outside the heat transfer body 4 and expand the space for accommodating the circuit board 6, which results in freedom from size restrictions on the thermoelectric power generation module 1 and the circuit board 6.

[0031] (Modification 3 of the second embodiment) 6(a) and (b) show a third modified example of a thermoelectric power generation device in the second embodiment, where FIG. 6(a) is a perspective top view and FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIb-VIb in FIG. 6(a).

[0032] As shown in Figures 6(a) and (b), the thermoelectric power generation device in this modified example has the configuration shown in Figures 3(a) and (b), in which a heat dissipation heat transfer plate 13 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the thermoelectric power generation module 1 and a heat dissipation fin 14 is attached to the outside of the heat dissipation heat transfer plate 13, thereby improving heat dissipation performance.

[0033] Instead of the heat dissipation and heat transfer plate 13, a heat dissipation sheet may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the thermoelectric power generation module 1. Also, the heat dissipation and heat transfer plate 13 may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the thermoelectric power generation module 1 via a heat dissipation sheet. The heat dissipation sheet is preferably a laminated structure of graphite-mixed gauze fiber and a graphite sheet. The graphite-mixed gauze fiber has a high thermal conductivity of about 13 W / mK and a high emissivity, and since the sheet surface is not smooth, the effective surface area is large and it has excellent heat dissipation properties. The graphite sheet has an extremely high thermal conductivity in the planar direction of 1500 W / mK and is thin.

[0034] In the embodiment, a structure in which a 25 μm graphite sheet is laminated to a 0.2 mm thick graphite-mixed gauze fiber sheet is used as the heat dissipation sheet. This improves heat dissipation, and when the temperature of the heat receiving plate 3 is 63° C. at room temperature of 25° C., the temperature difference between the heat transfer body 4 and the outer surface of the thermoelectric power generation module 1 increases to 9° C., and an output improvement of about 10 mW is obtained. The heat dissipation fins 14 are made of Al, have a base plate size of 40 mm×229 mm, a fin height of 20 mm, and 74 fins, and are wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the thermoelectric power generation module 1. The temperature difference between the heat transfer body 4 and the outer surface of the thermoelectric power generation module 1 increases to about 12° C., and a further output improvement of about 16 mW is obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0035] 1 Thermoelectric power generation module 2 Heat source 3 Heat receiving plate 4 Heat transfer plate (heat conductor) 5 Heat sink (heat sink) 6 Circuit Board 7 Circuit Elements 10 Space 11 Heat dissipation sheet 12 Resin plate 13 Heat dissipation and heat transfer plate 14 Heat dissipation fin

Claims

1. A heat receiving plate in contact with a heat source; A heat conductor standing upright on the heat receiving plate; a thermoelectric power generation module attached to one side of the thermal conductor; a heat dissipation means provided on a side surface of the thermoelectric power generation module opposite to the thermal conductor; A circuit board installed on a support provided on the heat receiving plate; Equipped with The circuit board is disposed in an internal space located inside the main surface of the heat receiving plate and the other side surface of the thermal conductor.

2. A thermoelectric power generation device as described in claim 1, wherein the circuit board has the function of detecting abnormalities in the equipment and communicating the same.

3. 2. The thermoelectric generating device according to claim 1, wherein the heat dissipation means comprises a laminated structure of graphite-mixed gauze fiber and a graphite sheet, or a heat dissipation fin.

4. 4. The thermoelectric power generating device according to claim 1, wherein the thermal conductor is an L-shaped metal plate.

5. A heat receiving plate in contact with a heat source; A heat conductor standing upright on the heat receiving plate; a thermoelectric power generation module attached to a side surface of the thermal conductor; Equipped with A thermoelectric power generation device, comprising: a heat dissipation means having a laminated structure of graphite-mixed gauze fiber and a graphite sheet, the heat dissipation means being provided on a side of the thermoelectric power generation module opposite to the thermal conductor.

6. The thermoelectric power generating device according to claim 5 , wherein the thermal conductor is an L-shaped metal plate.

7. An L-shaped heat dissipation plate is disposed above the heat receiving plate, The thermoelectric power generation device according to claim 6 , wherein the thermoelectric power generation module is sandwiched between the L-shaped metal plate and the L-shaped heat dissipation plate.

8. The thermoelectric power generating device according to claim 6 , further comprising a heat dissipation sheet provided on the L-shaped heat dissipation plate.

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