Holding jig and thermoelectric conversion device

Abstract

This holding jig is used by being attached to the outer circumferential side of a shaft-shaped member serving as a heat source, while holding a thermoelectric conversion module provided with a thermoelectric conversion element which generates electricity as a result of a temperature difference. The thermoelectric conversion element is formed with an elongated shape which extends in a substantially radial direction from the shaft-shaped member side, and includes a first end portion of the elongated shape on the shaft-shaped member side, and a second end portion on the opposite side to the first end portion. The holding jig is provided with a first holding member which holds the first end portion in such a way that heat can be transferred. The first holding member has a contacting surface which is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped member, and heat from the shaft-shaped member is transferred to the first holding member by way of the contacting surface.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding jig and a thermoelectric converter. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a thermoelectric conversion module having a bellows-shaped insulating substrate and a p-type thermoelectric conversion element and an n-type thermoelectric conversion element has been known (for example, Patent Document 1). The thermoelectric conversion element is an element capable of converting heat into electric power. Patent Document 1 describes a method in which the thermoelectric conversion module is sandwiched between frames and placed on a hot plate as a heat source via a thermally conductive sheet. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2017 / 038553 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Conventional thermoelectric conversion modules have room for improvement. For example, there are cases where a thermoelectric conversion module is required to be mounted on a shaft-shaped member that serves as a heat source. When a thermoelectric conversion module is mounted on the shaft-shaped member, it is required to efficiently transfer heat from the shaft-shaped member that serves as the heat source to the thermoelectric conversion module.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide a holding jig and a thermoelectric conversion device that can efficiently transfer heat from an axial member that serves as a heat source to a thermoelectric conversion module. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention aims to advantageously solve the above-mentioned problems. The holding jig of the present invention is attached to the outer periphery of a shaft-shaped member serving as a heat source and holds a thermoelectric conversion module including a thermoelectric conversion element that generates electricity using a temperature difference. The thermoelectric conversion element is formed into an elongated shape extending approximately radially from the shaft-shaped member, and has a first end portion on the shaft-shaped member side and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The holding jig includes a first holding member that holds the first end portion in a heat-transferable state. The first holding member has a contact surface that contacts the outer periphery of the shaft-shaped member, and heat from the shaft-shaped member is transferred to the first holding member via the contact surface. With this configuration, heat from the shaft-shaped member can be efficiently transferred to the first end portion of the thermoelectric conversion element via the first holding member.

[0007] Here, in the holding jig of the present invention, it is preferable that the thermoelectric conversion module comprises a thermoelectric conversion unit having a sheet substrate and a plurality of the thermoelectric conversion elements arranged in contact with the sheet substrate.

[0008] In the holding jig of the present invention, the thermoelectric conversion module is preferably configured as a laminate in which a plurality of the thermoelectric conversion units are stacked. By configuring the thermoelectric conversion module as a laminate in which a plurality of the thermoelectric conversion units are stacked, the thermoelectric conversion module can be made smaller.

[0009] Preferably, the holding jig of the present invention further comprises a heat-conducting sheet formed to straddle and cover the first ends of the thermoelectric conversion elements adjacent in the axial direction of the shaft-shaped member. By having the heat-conducting sheet straddle the first ends of the thermoelectric conversion elements adjacent in the axial direction, heat from the first holding member can be efficiently transferred to the first ends of the thermoelectric conversion elements via the heat-conducting sheet.

[0010] In the holding jig of the present invention, it is preferable that the thermoelectric conversion unit has a plurality of folding lines formed thereon, the thermoelectric conversion unit is configured to be foldable along the folding lines, and in a folded state has a folding portion shaped along the outer periphery of the shaft-shaped member. By folding the thermoelectric conversion unit, it is possible to make the thermoelectric conversion unit smaller.

[0011] Preferably, the holding jig of the present invention further comprises a heat-conducting sheet formed to cover the folded portion, whereby heat from the first holding member can be efficiently transferred to the folded portion via the heat-conducting sheet.

[0012] Furthermore, in the holding jig of the present invention, it is preferable that the first holding member includes a first plate-shaped member and a second plate-shaped member that sandwich the front and back surfaces of the first end portion. By sandwiching the back surface of the first end portion of the thermoelectric conversion element between the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member in this manner, the surface of the first plate-shaped member or the surface of the second plate-shaped member can be in more reliable contact with the thermoelectric conversion unit near the first end portion. With this configuration, heat from the shaft-shaped member can be efficiently transferred to the first end portion via the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member.

[0013] In the holding jig of the present invention, it is preferable that the contact surface is formed on at least one of the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member.

[0014] In the holding jig of the present invention, it is preferable that the length of the contact surface in the axial direction of the shaft-shaped member is greater than the thickness of the thermoelectric conversion module. With this configuration, the area of ​​the contact surface of the first holding member that comes into contact with the shaft-shaped member can be increased.

[0015] Preferably, the holding jig of the present invention further comprises a second holding member for holding the second end portion of the thermoelectric conversion element. By the second holding member holding the second end portion of the thermoelectric conversion element, the mechanical strength of the portion of the thermoelectric conversion device opposite to the shaft-shaped member can be improved.

[0016] Preferably, the holding jig of the present invention further includes a connecting member connecting the first holding member and the second holding member, the connecting member having a thermal conductivity lower than that of both the first holding member and the second holding member. Such a connecting member can fix the position of the second holding member relative to the first holding member while suppressing heat transfer from the first holding member to the second holding member.

[0017] In the holding jig of the present invention, the second holding member preferably includes a third plate-shaped member and a fourth plate-shaped member that sandwich the front and back surfaces of the second end portion. By sandwiching the front and back surfaces of the second end portion of the thermoelectric conversion element between the third plate-shaped member and the fourth plate-shaped member in this manner, the mechanical strength of the portion of the thermoelectric conversion device opposite to the shaft-shaped member can be further improved.

[0018] In the holding jig of the present invention, it is preferable that the length of each of the thermoelectric conversion module and the holding jig along the circumferential direction of the shaft-shaped member is in the range of ¼ to ½ of the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member. With this configuration, the thermoelectric conversion module and the holding jig can be easily arranged on the shaft-shaped member even when the shaft-shaped member is located near a wall, a roof, the ground, or the like.

[0019] The present invention has an object to advantageously solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides a thermoelectric conversion device including the holding jig and the thermoelectric conversion module. With this configuration, heat from the shaft-shaped member can be efficiently transferred to the first end of the thermoelectric conversion element via the first holding member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a holding jig and a thermoelectric conversion device that can efficiently transfer heat from a shaft-shaped member that serves as a heat source to a thermoelectric conversion module. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1]1 is an external view of a thermoelectric conversion device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a diagram showing the thermoelectric converter as viewed from the opposite side in the axial direction shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the thermoelectric converter shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the thermoelectric converter taken along line L1-L1 shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric conversion device according to a comparative example. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is an external view of a thermoelectric converter according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the thermoelectric conversion unit shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the thermoelectric conversion unit shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a development view of the thermoelectric conversion unit shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing regions and blocks of the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a development view showing a detailed configuration of the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view of the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG. [Figure 13] 12 is a cross-sectional view of the thermoelectric conversion module taken along line L2-L2 shown in FIG. [Figure 14] 12 is a cross-sectional view of the thermoelectric conversion module taken along line L3-L3 shown in FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 15] 12 is a diagram showing a current path in the thermoelectric conversion module shown in FIG. 11. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the thermoelectric converter taken along line L4-L4 shown in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is an external view of a thermoelectric conversion device according to a modified example of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the holding jig shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0023] (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is an external view of a thermoelectric converter 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a view showing the thermoelectric converter 1 as viewed from the opposite side of the axial direction A2 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the thermoelectric converter 1 shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the thermoelectric converter 1 taken along the line L1-L1 shown in Fig. 2.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1 , the thermoelectric converter 1 can be disposed on the outer periphery of an axial member 100. The axial member 100 is a heat source. The axial member 100 is, for example, a cylindrical pipe. However, the shape of the axial member on which the thermoelectric converter 1 is disposed may be any shape, including an elliptical cross-sectional shape and a polygonal cross-sectional shape, as long as the axial member serves as a heat source. The center of the axial member 100 is also referred to as "center O." When the axial member 100 serving as a heat source is a pipe, heat can be generated from the axial member 100 by passing hot water, hot air, or the like through the pipe. When the axial member 100 is, for example, a pipe, it can be installed at any location in a factory, etc.

[0025] Although the shaft-shaped member 100 is configured to allow a so-called hot heat source to pass through as a heat source, it may also be configured to allow a cold heat source such as a cooling medium to pass through.

[0026] 1 and other figures, the circumferential direction A1 is the circumferential direction of the shaft-shaped member 100. In this embodiment, the circumferential direction A1 is the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the front side of the paper surface of FIG.

[0027] 1 etc., the axial direction A2 is the axial direction of the shaft-shaped member 100. In this embodiment, the axial direction A2 is the direction from the top to the bottom of the paper surface of FIG.

[0028] 1 etc., the radial direction A3 is the radial direction of the shaft-shaped member 100. In this embodiment, the radial direction A3 is the direction from the shaft-shaped member 100 toward the outside. The radial direction A3 corresponds to the direction in which heat generated from the shaft-shaped member 100 as a heat source spreads radially toward the outside of the shaft-shaped member 100.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the thermoelectric converter 1 may extend along the circumferential direction A1. When viewed from the axial direction A2, the shape of the portion of the thermoelectric converter 1 on the side of the axial member 100 and the shape of the portion of the thermoelectric converter 1 opposite to the axial member 100 may be an arc of a circle centered on the axial member 100. The length of the thermoelectric converter 1 along the circumferential direction A1 may be a length ranging from ¼ to ½ of the circumferential length of a circle centered on the axial member 100, as described below. The thermoelectric converter 1 may have a predetermined width in the radial direction A3. This predetermined width may be set appropriately based on the width of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 in the radial direction A3, which will be described later, or the like. The shape of the thermoelectric converter 1 when viewed from the axial direction A2 may be a part of a substantially circular ring, or may be a substantially circular ring.

[0030] 1, the thermoelectric converter 1 includes a thermoelectric conversion module 2 and a holding jig 4. As shown in FIG.

[0031] (Configuration of thermoelectric conversion module) As shown in FIG. 4, the thermoelectric conversion module 2 is a module capable of generating electricity by receiving heat from a shaft-shaped member 100 as a heat source, and may be configured as a laminated body in which a thermoelectric conversion unit 3A and a thermoelectric conversion unit 3B are stacked. Hereinafter, when there is no particular distinction between the thermoelectric conversion unit 3A and the thermoelectric conversion unit 3B, they are also collectively referred to as the "thermoelectric conversion unit 3." FIG. 4 shows a thermoelectric conversion module 2 configured as a laminated body in which two thermoelectric conversion units 3 are stacked. However, the thermoelectric conversion module 2 may be configured as a laminated body in which any number of thermoelectric conversion units 3 are stacked. Furthermore, the number of thermoelectric conversion units 3 included in the thermoelectric conversion module 2 may be one.

[0032] The thermoelectric conversion module 2 is configured as a laminate in which a plurality of thermoelectric conversion units 3 are stacked, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the thermoelectric conversion module 2. Furthermore, the thermoelectric conversion module 2 is configured as a laminate in which a plurality of thermoelectric conversion units 3 are stacked, thereby making it possible to increase the number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 (described below) in the thermoelectric conversion module 2 compared to, for example, a case in which the thermoelectric conversion module 2 is not configured as such a laminate. Increasing the number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 (described below) in the thermoelectric conversion module 2 makes it possible to increase the power generation capacity of the thermoelectric conversion module 2.

[0033] 4, the thermoelectric conversion unit 3A is located on the opposite side of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3B in the axial direction A2. The shape of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3A and the shape of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3B may be the same.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2 , the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 may extend along the circumferential direction A1. When viewed from the axial direction A2, the shape of the portion of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 on the shaft-shaped member 100 side and the shape of the portion of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 opposite to the shaft-shaped member 100 may be an arc of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100. The length of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 along the circumferential direction A1 may be a length ranging from ¼ to ½ of the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100, as described below. The thermoelectric conversion unit 3 may have a predetermined width in the radial direction A3. This predetermined width may be set appropriately based on the length of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in the radial direction A3, which will be described later, or the like. The shape of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 when viewed from the axial direction A2 may be a part of a substantially circular ring shape or may be a substantially circular ring shape.

[0035] 3, the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 includes a first edge 3H as an edge located on the shaft-shaped member 100 side, and a second edge 3L as an edge on the opposite side. The first edge 3H and the second edge 3L are each formed in an arc shape that extends approximately along the circumferential direction A1. The radius of curvature of each of the first edge 3H and the second edge 3L may be set appropriately based on the radius of the shaft-shaped member 100, etc. The radius of curvature of the second edge 3L may be smaller than the radius of curvature of the first edge 3H.

[0036] 2, the first edge portion 3H is located closer to the shaft-shaped member 100 than the second edge portion 3L. Because the first edge portion 3H is located closer to the shaft-shaped member 100 than the second edge portion 3L, the temperature near the first edge portion 3H can become higher than the temperature near the second edge portion 3L.

[0037] 4, the first edge portion 3H is not in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped member 100 when the thermoelectric converter 1 is arranged on the shaft-shaped member 100, but is in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped member 100 in a manner that allows heat transfer via the first holding member 30, which will be described later. However, the first edge portion 3H may be in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped member 100 when the thermoelectric converter 1 is arranged on the shaft-shaped member 100.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 2 , the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 includes a thermoelectric conversion element 10P, a thermoelectric conversion element 10N, and a sheet substrate 20. The thermoelectric conversion element 10P and the thermoelectric conversion element 10N are arranged in contact with the sheet substrate 20. Hereinafter, when there is no particular distinction between the thermoelectric conversion element 10P and the thermoelectric conversion element 10N, they are also collectively referred to as "thermoelectric conversion elements 10." In this embodiment, the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10 included in the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 include both the thermoelectric conversion element 10P and the thermoelectric conversion element 10N. However, the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10 included in the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 may be only either the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10P or the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10N. The thermoelectric conversion unit 3 may further include wiring that connects the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in series.

[0039] The thermoelectric conversion elements 10P are p-type thermoelectric conversion elements. The thermoelectric conversion elements 10N are n-type thermoelectric conversion elements. The shapes of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N may be the same. The thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N may be arranged alternately along the circumferential direction A1. The thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N may be connected alternately in series by wiring provided in the thermoelectric conversion module 2.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the thermoelectric conversion element 10 may extend along the radial direction A3. The thermoelectric conversion element 10 may be formed in an elongated shape extending from the shaft-shaped member 100 side substantially along the radial direction A3. The thermoelectric conversion element 10 may include two end portions in the elongated shape. Of the two end portions, the end portion on the shaft-shaped member 100 side is also referred to as the "first end portion 10H." Of the two end portions, the end portion opposite the shaft-shaped member 100 is also referred to as the "second end portion 10L."

[0041] The thermoelectric conversion element 10 can generate electricity due to a temperature difference. For example, the temperature of the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 can be higher than the temperature of the second end 10L because the first end 10H is located closer to the shaft-shaped member 100. When the temperature of the first end 10H is higher than the temperature of the second end 10L, a temperature difference can occur between the first end 10H and the second end 10L. The temperature difference between the first end 10H and the second end 10L can generate a temperature gradient in the thermoelectric conversion element 10. This temperature gradient causes the Seebeck effect, which generates an electromotive force, allowing the thermoelectric conversion element 10 to generate electricity.

[0042] The thermoelectric conversion material for forming the thermoelectric conversion element 10 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include bismuth tellurium-based compounds, antimony-based compounds, silicon-based compounds, metal oxide-based compounds, Heusler alloy-based compounds, conductive polymer compounds, conductive fibers, and composite materials thereof. Among these, conductive fibers are preferred, and fibrous carbon nanostructures such as carbon nanotubes (hereinafter also referred to as "CNTs") are more preferred. That is, the thermoelectric conversion element 10 may be formed containing CNTs. The use of CNTs further improves the mechanical strength of the thermoelectric conversion module 2 of the present invention and reduces its weight. Furthermore, the CNTs are not particularly limited, and single-walled CNTs and / or multi-walled CNTs can be used. However, single-walled CNTs are preferred. This is because single-walled CNTs tend to have superior thermoelectric properties (Seebeck coefficient). Single-walled carbon nanotubes can be produced using a method (see International Publication No. WO 2006 / 011655) in which raw material compounds and a carrier gas are supplied to a substrate bearing a catalyst layer on its surface to synthesize CNTs by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The presence of a trace amount of oxidizing agent (catalytic activator) in the system dramatically improves the catalytic activity of the catalyst layer. (Hereinafter, CNTs produced using this method may be referred to as "SGCNTs"). Furthermore, SGCNTs are characterized by their frequent bending. While CNTs have high thermal conductivity due to electron transfer, they are also thought to have a high thermal conductivity reduction effect due to phonon vibrations. However, because SGCNTs have more bending than CNTs produced using other common methods, their structure makes phonon vibrations less amplified, thereby suppressing the reduction in thermal conductivity due to phonon vibrations. Therefore, SGCNTs may be more advantageous as thermoelectric conversion materials than other common CNTs.

[0043] 3, in this embodiment, the sheet substrate 20 may be formed in a substantially semicircular shape and extend along the circumferential direction A1. By extending along the circumferential direction A1, the sheet substrate 20 includes two edge portions along the circumferential direction A1. Each of the two edge portions of the sheet substrate 20 may correspond to a first edge portion 3H and a second edge portion 3L, respectively.

[0044] The sheet substrate 20 may have a layered structure as shown in Figs. 13 and 14 described below. A plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 may be located inside the sheet substrate 20. Also, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 may be formed on the sheet substrate 20.

[0045] Hereinafter, as shown in Fig. 4, the thickness of the portion of the thermoelectric conversion module 2 in the axial direction A2 is also referred to as "thickness T1." When the thermoelectric conversion module is configured as a stack of multiple thermoelectric conversion units 3, thickness T1 can be the thickness of the portion of the stack of multiple thermoelectric conversion units 3 in the axial direction A2. When the thermoelectric conversion module 2 includes one thermoelectric conversion unit 3, thickness T1 can be the thickness of the portion of the one thermoelectric conversion unit 3 in the axial direction A2.

[0046] Since the thermoelectric conversion module 2 is configured with the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 having the sheet substrate 20, the thickness of the thermoelectric conversion module 2 in the axial direction A2 can be reduced. The thinner the thermoelectric conversion module 2, the smaller the thermoelectric conversion device 1 can be. However, as shown in FIG. 5 , the thinner the thermoelectric conversion module 2, the smaller the contact area between the shaft-shaped member 100 and the thermoelectric conversion module 2 when the thermoelectric conversion module 2 is in direct contact with the shaft-shaped member 100. If the contact area between the shaft-shaped member 100 and the thermoelectric conversion module 2 is reduced, heat from the shaft-shaped member 100 may not be efficiently transferred to the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10. In this embodiment, by using a holding jig 4 as described below, the thermoelectric conversion module 2 can be kept small while efficiently transferring heat from the shaft-shaped member 100 to the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10. In this embodiment, by maintaining the small size of the thermoelectric conversion module 2, the thermoelectric conversion device 1 can be prevented from becoming large.

[0047] (Configuration of holding jig) As shown in FIG. 1, the holding jig 4 is a member for holding the thermoelectric conversion module 2, and is used by being attached to the outer periphery of a shaft-shaped member 100 that serves as a heat source while holding the thermoelectric conversion module 2.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 2 , the holding jig 4 includes a first holding member 30 that holds an inner portion of the thermoelectric conversion module 2 that faces the shaft-shaped member 100, a second holding member 40 that holds an outer portion of the thermoelectric conversion module 2 that faces away from the shaft-shaped member 100, and two connecting members 50 that connect the first holding member 30 and the second holding member 40 to increase the strength of the holding jig 4. However, the number of connecting members 50 may be any number depending on the size of the holding jig 4, etc. Each of the first holding member 30 and the second holding member 40 has thermal conductivity. Each of the first holding member 30 and the second holding member 40 may be made of any material as long as it has thermal conductivity.

[0049] The first holding member 30 may hold the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in a state in which heat can be transferred. The first holding member 30 may hold the first end 10H in a state in which heat from the first holding member 30 can be transferred to the first end 10H. The first holding member 30 may have contact surfaces that come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped member 100, such as contact surfaces 31d and 32d described below. Heat from the shaft-shaped member 100 can be transferred to the first holding member 30 via these contact surfaces.

[0050] The first holding member 30 holds the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in a heat-transferable state, and the first holding member 30 has a contact surface that contacts the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped member 100. This allows heat from the shaft-shaped member 100 to be efficiently transferred to the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 via the first holding member 30. The efficient transfer of heat from the shaft-shaped member 100 to the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 can increase the temperature of the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10. The increase in the temperature of the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 can increase the temperature difference between the first end 10H and the second end 20L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10. The increase in the temperature difference between the first end 10H and the second end 20L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 increases the temperature gradient generated in the thermoelectric conversion element 10, thereby increasing the power generation of the thermoelectric conversion element 10.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 2 , the first holding member 30 may extend along the circumferential direction A1. When viewed from the axial direction A2, the shape of a portion of the first holding member 30 on the shaft-shaped member 100 side and the shape of a portion of the first holding member 30 opposite to the shaft-shaped member 100 may be an arc of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100. The length of the first holding member 30 along the circumferential direction A1 may be a length ranging from ¼ to ½ of the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100, as described below. The first holding member 30 may have a predetermined width in the radial direction A3. The predetermined width may be set appropriately based on, for example, the length of the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in the radial direction A3. The shape of the first holding member 30 when viewed from the axial direction A2 may be a part of a substantially annular shape or may be a substantially annular shape.

[0052] The first holding member 30 has a first plate-shaped member 31 and a second plate-shaped member 32. The first holding member 30 may further have a fastening member 33. However, as long as the first holding member 30 holds the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in a heat-transferable state and has a contact surface that comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped member 100, the form of the first holding member 30 is not limited to having the first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32.

[0053] Each of the first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32 has thermal conductivity. Each of the first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32 may be made of any material having thermal conductivity. The material for forming each of the first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32 is not particularly limited, and metal materials such as copper or aluminum can be used.

[0054] The first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32 may extend along the circumferential direction A1. The length of each of the first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32 along the circumferential direction A1 may be equal to or greater than the length of the first edge portion 3H of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 along the circumferential direction A1.

[0055] When viewed from the axial direction A2, the shape of the portion of the first plate-shaped member 31 on the shaft-shaped member 100 side and the shape of the portion opposite the shaft-shaped member 100, and the shape of the portion of the second plate-shaped member 32 on the shaft-shaped member 100 side and the shape of the portion opposite the shaft-shaped member 100 may be arcs of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100. The shape of the first plate-shaped member 31 and the shape of the second plate-shaped member 32 may be the same as or different from each other. The radius of curvature of each of the first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32 may be set appropriately based on the radius of the shaft-shaped member 100, etc. The radius of curvature of the edge portion of the first plate-shaped member 31 on the shaft-shaped member 100 side and the edge portion of the second plate-shaped member 32 on the shaft-shaped member 100 side may be the same as or larger than the radius of curvature of the first edge portion 3H of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3.

[0056] 4, the thickness of the portion of the first plate-shaped member 31 in the axial direction A2 will also be referred to as "thickness T2." The thickness of the portion of the second plate-shaped member 32 in the axial direction A2 will also be referred to as "thickness T3." The thickness T2 of the first plate-shaped member 31 and the thickness T3 of the second plate-shaped member 32 may be the same or different.

[0057] Hereinafter, the width of the portion of the first plate-shaped member 31 in the radial direction A3 will also be referred to as "width W1." The width of the portion of the second plate-shaped member 32 in the radial direction A3 will also be referred to as "width W2." Width W1 and width W2 may be the same or different.

[0058] 4, the first plate-shaped member 31 is located on the opposite side of the thermoelectric conversion module 2 in the axial direction A2. The second plate-shaped member 32 is located on the axial direction A2 side of the thermoelectric conversion module 2. The first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 may be located between the first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32. At least the range from the first edge portion 3H of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 to the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 may be located between the first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32.

[0059] 3 and 4, the first plate-shaped member 31 may include an opening 31a, a surface 31b, a surface 31c, and a contact surface 31d. The second plate-shaped member 32 may include an opening 32a, a surface 32b, a surface 32c, and a contact surface 32d.

[0060] The openings 31a and 32a may be located at positions that do not overlap with the thermoelectric conversion module 2 when viewed from the opposite side of the axial direction A2 as shown in Fig. 2. As an example, each of the openings 31A and 32A may be located closer to the shaft-shaped member 100 than the first edge portion 3H of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3. Also, when viewed from the opposite side of the axial direction A2, the positions of the openings 31a and 32a may be the same. The first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32 can be fastened together by inserting fastening members 33 into each of the openings 31a and 32a.

[0061] Surface 31b is the surface of the first plate-shaped member 31 that faces the axial direction A2. Surface 31c is the surface of the first plate-shaped member 31 that faces the opposite direction of the axial direction A2. Surface 32b is the surface of the second plate-shaped member 32 that faces the opposite direction of the axial direction A2. Surface 32c is the surface of the second plate-shaped member 32 that faces the axial direction A2. Surface 31b and surface 32b face each other. Contact surface 31d and contact surface 32d will be described later.

[0062] The first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32 can be fastened together by the fastening member 33 to sandwich the front and back surfaces of the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10. The first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32 may at least sandwich the area from the first edge 3H of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 to the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10.

[0063] In this manner, the first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32 sandwich the front and back surfaces of the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10, so that the surface 31b of the first plate-shaped member 31 or the surface 32b of the second plate-shaped member 32 can be in more reliable contact with the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 near the first end 10H. With this configuration, heat from the shaft-shaped member 100 can be efficiently transferred to the first end 10H via the first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32.

[0064] Furthermore, by sandwiching the front and back surfaces of the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 between the first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32, the mechanical strength of the portion of the thermoelectric conversion device 1 on the axial member 100 side can be improved.

[0065] Furthermore, the first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32 sandwich the front and rear surfaces of the first ends 10H of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10, thereby making it possible to uniform the temperature of the first ends 10H of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10. By making the temperatures of the first ends 10H of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 uniform, the temperature gradient occurring in the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 can be made uniform, and the power generation of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 can be made uniform.

[0066] A contact surface 31d may be formed on the first plate-shaped member 31. A contact surface 32d may be formed on the second plate-shaped member 32. However, it is sufficient that the contact surface 31d or the contact surface 32d is formed on either the first plate-shaped member 31 or the second plate-shaped member 32. The contact surface 31d and the contact surface 32d can come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped member 100.

[0067] The contact surface 31d may be the side surface of the first plate-shaped member 31 that is located on the shaft-shaped member 100 side. The contact surface 32d may be the side surface of the second plate-shaped member 32 that is located on the shaft-shaped member 100 side. The shapes of the contact surfaces 31d and 32d may correspond to the outer peripheral surface of the shaft-shaped member 100. For example, if the outer peripheral surface of the shaft-shaped member 100 is curved, each of the contact surfaces 31d and 32d may be curved.

[0068] Since the contact surface 31d or the contact surface 32d is formed on at least one of the first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32, heat from the shaft-shaped member 100 can be efficiently transferred to the first holding member 30 via at least one of the contact surface 31d or the contact surface 32d. Since the heat from the shaft-shaped member 100 is efficiently transferred to the first holding member 30, the heat from the shaft-shaped member 100 can be efficiently transferred to the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 via the first holding member 30.

[0069] The length of the contact surface 31d in the axial direction A2 or the length of the contact surface 32d in the axial direction A2 may be greater than the thickness T1 of the thermoelectric conversion module 2. In the present embodiment, at least one of the thickness T2 of the first plate-shaped member 31 and the thickness T3 of the second plate-shaped member 32 may be greater than the thickness T1 of the thermoelectric conversion module 2. With this configuration, at least one of the area of ​​the contact surface 31d and the area of ​​the contact surface 32d that contacts the shaft-shaped member 100 can be greater than the contact area between the thermoelectric conversion module 2 and the shaft-shaped member 100 when the thermoelectric conversion module 2 and the shaft-shaped member 100 are in direct contact as shown in FIG. 5 . By increasing at least one of the area of ​​the contact surface 31d and the area of ​​the contact surface 32d that contacts the shaft-shaped member 100, heat from the shaft-shaped member 100 can be efficiently transferred to the first holding member 30 via at least one of the contact surface 31d and the contact surface 32d. By efficiently transmitting heat from the shaft-shaped member 100 to the first holding member 30, the heat from the shaft-shaped member 100 can be efficiently transferred to the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 via the first holding member 30.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 4, the width W1 of the first plate-shaped member 31 and the width W2 of the second plate-shaped member 32 may each be set appropriately based on the desired mechanical strength of the portion of the thermoelectric conversion device 1 on the axial member 100 side, etc.

[0071] The fastening member 33 may be any member such as a screw or a bolt. The fastening member 33 may be formed from the same material as the first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32. The side surfaces of the openings 31a and 32a into which the fastening member 33 is inserted may be threaded.

[0072] The second holding member 40 may hold the second end 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10. The second holding member 40 may hold the range from the second edge portion 3L of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 to the second end 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10. The second holding member 40 may be separated from the first holding member 30.

[0073] The second holding member 40 holds the second end 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10, thereby improving the mechanical strength of the portion of the thermoelectric conversion device 1 opposite to the shaft-shaped member 100. Furthermore, because the second holding member 40 is spaced apart from the first holding member 30, heat transfer from the first holding member 30 to the second holding member 40 can be suppressed. Therefore, because the second holding member 40 holds the second end 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 and the second holding member 40 is spaced apart from the first holding member 30, heat is efficiently dissipated from the second end 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 to the outside air via the second holding member 40. The efficient dissipation of heat from the second end 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 to the outside air can increase the temperature difference between the first end 10H and the second end 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10. As the temperature difference between the first end 10H and the second end 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 increases, the temperature gradient generated in the thermoelectric conversion element 10 increases, and the power generation of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 can be increased.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 2 , the second holding member 40 may extend along the circumferential direction A1. When viewed from the axial direction A2, the shape of a portion of the second holding member 40 on the shaft-shaped member 100 side and the shape of a portion of the second holding member 40 opposite to the shaft-shaped member 100 may be an arc of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100. The length of the second holding member 40 along the circumferential direction A1 may be a length ranging from ¼ to ½ of the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100, as described below. The second holding member 40 may have a predetermined width in the radial direction A3. The predetermined width may be set appropriately based on, for example, the length of the second end 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in the radial direction A3. The shape of the second holding member 40 when viewed from the axial direction A2 may be a part of a substantially circular ring shape or may be a substantially circular ring shape.

[0075] The second holding member 40 has a third plate-shaped member 41 and a fourth plate-shaped member 42. The second holding member 40 may further have a fastening member 43. The third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42 each have thermal conductivity. However, as long as the second holding member 40 can hold the second end 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10, the aspect of the second holding member 40 is not limited to having the third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42.

[0076] The third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42 each have thermal conductivity. The third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42 may each be made of any material that has thermal conductivity. The material for forming the third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42 is not particularly limited, and metal materials such as copper or aluminum can be used.

[0077] The third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42 may extend along the circumferential direction A1. The length by which each of the third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42 extends along the circumferential direction A1 may be equal to or greater than the length by which the second edge portion 3L of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 extends along the circumferential direction A1.

[0078] When viewed from the axial direction A2, the shape of the portion of the third plate-shaped member 41 on the shaft-shaped member 100 side and the shape of the portion opposite to the shaft-shaped member 100, and the shape of the portion of the fourth plate-shaped member 42 on the shaft-shaped member 100 side and the shape of the portion opposite to the shaft-shaped member 100 may be arcs of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100. The shape of the third plate-shaped member 41 and the shape of the fourth plate-shaped member 42 may be the same as or different from each other. The radius of curvature of each of the third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42 may be set appropriately based on the radius of the shaft-shaped member 100, etc. The radius of curvature of each of the third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42 may be smaller than the radius of curvature of each of the first plate-shaped member 31 and the second plate-shaped member 32. The radius of curvature of the edge portion of the third plate-shaped member 41 opposite the axial member 100 and the radius of curvature of the edge portion of the fourth plate-shaped member 42 opposite the axial member 100 may be the same as the radius of curvature of the second edge portion 3L of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 or may be smaller than the radius of curvature of the second edge portion 3L of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3.

[0079] 4, the thickness of the third plate-shaped member 41 in the axial direction A2 will also be referred to as "thickness T4." The thickness of the fourth plate-shaped member 42 in the axial direction A2 will also be referred to as "thickness T5." The thickness T4 of the third plate-shaped member 41 and the thickness T5 of the fourth plate-shaped member 42 may be the same or different.

[0080] Hereinafter, the width of the portion of the third plate-shaped member 41 in the radial direction A3 will also be referred to as "width W3." The width of the portion of the fourth plate-shaped member 42 in the radial direction A3 will also be referred to as "width W4." Width W3 and width W4 may be the same or different.

[0081] 4, the third plate-shaped member 41 is located on the opposite side of the thermoelectric conversion module 2 in the axial direction A2. The fourth plate-shaped member 42 is located on the axial direction A2 side of the thermoelectric conversion module 2. The second end portion 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 may be located between the third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42. At least the range from the second end portion 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 to the second edge portion 3L of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 may be located between the third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42.

[0082] 3 and 4, the third plate-shaped member 41 may include an opening 41a, a surface 41b, and a surface 41c. The fourth plate-shaped member 42 may include an opening 42a, a surface 42b, and a surface 42c.

[0083] The openings 41a and 42a may be located at positions that do not overlap with the thermoelectric conversion module 2 when viewed from the opposite side of the axial direction A2 as shown in Fig. 2. As an example, each of the openings 41a and 42a may be located on the opposite side of the shaft-shaped member 100 from the second edge portion 3L of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3. Also, when viewed from the opposite side of the axial direction A2, the positions of the openings 41a and 42a may be the same. The third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42 can be fastened together by inserting fastening members 43 into each of the openings 41a and 42a.

[0084] Surface 41b is the surface of the third plate-shaped member 41 that faces the axial direction A2. Surface 41c is the surface of the third plate-shaped member 41 that faces the opposite direction of the axial direction A2. Surface 42b is the surface of the fourth plate-shaped member 42 that faces the opposite direction of the axial direction A2. Surface 42c is the surface of the fourth plate-shaped member 42 that faces the axial direction A2. Surface 41b and surface 42b face each other.

[0085] The third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42 can be fastened together by the fastening members 43 to sandwich the front and back surfaces of the second end 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10. The third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42 may at least sandwich the range from the second end 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 to the second edge L of the thermoelectric conversion module 2.

[0086] In this way, the third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42 clamp the front and back surfaces of the second end 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10, thereby further improving the mechanical strength of the portion of the thermoelectric conversion device 1 opposite the axial member 100.

[0087] Furthermore, by sandwiching the front and back surfaces of the second end 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 between the third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42, the surface 41b of the third plate-shaped member 41 or the surface 42b of the fourth plate-shaped member 42 can be in more reliable contact with the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 near the second end 10L. With this configuration, heat from the second end 10L can be efficiently dissipated to the outside air via the third plate-shaped member 41 or the fourth plate-shaped member 42.

[0088] Furthermore, by sandwiching the front and back surfaces of the second ends 10L of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 between the third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42, it is possible to uniform the temperature of the second ends 10L of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10. By uniforming the temperature of the second ends 10L of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10, the temperature gradient occurring in the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 can be uniformed, and the power generation of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 can be uniformed.

[0089] At least one of the thickness T4 of the third plate-shaped member 41 and the thickness T5 of the fourth plate-shaped member 42 may be thicker than the thickness T1 of the thermoelectric conversion module 2. By making at least one of the thickness T4 of the third plate-shaped member 41 and the thickness T5 of the fourth plate-shaped member 42 thicker than the thickness T1 of the thermoelectric conversion module 2, the mechanical strength of the thermoelectric converter 1 on the side opposite to the shaft-shaped member 100 can be further improved.

[0090] As shown in Figure 4, the width W3 of the third plate-shaped member 41 and the width W4 of the fourth plate-shaped member 42 may each be set appropriately based on the desired heat dissipation efficiency of the second edge portion 3L of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 or the second end portion 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10, etc.

[0091] The fastening member 43 may be any member such as a screw or a bolt. The fastening member 43 may be formed from the same material as the third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42. The side surfaces of the openings 41a and 42a into which the fastening member 43 is inserted may be threaded.

[0092] The connecting member 50 can connect the first holding member 30 and the second holding member 40. The thermal conductivity of the connecting member 50 may be lower than the thermal conductivity of the first holding member 30 and the thermal conductivity of the second holding member 40. The material for forming the connecting member 50 is not particularly limited, and a resin material can be used. Such a connecting member 50 can fix the position of the second holding member 40 relative to the first holding member 30 while suppressing the transfer of heat from the first holding member 30 to the second holding member 40.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 3 , the connecting member 50 may have a plate-like shape. The connecting member 50 may include two ends. One of the two ends of the connecting member 50 may be fixed to the surface 31c of the first plate-shaped member 31 of the first holding member 30. The other of the two ends of the connecting member 50 may be fixed to the surface 41c of the third plate-shaped member 41 of the second holding member 40. By fixing one end of the connecting member 50 to the first plate-shaped member 31 and the other end of the connecting member 50 to the third plate-shaped member 41, the connecting member 50 can mechanically connect the first holding member 30 and the second holding member 40. Each of the two ends of the connecting member 50 may be fixed to the first plate-shaped member 31 and the third plate-shaped member 41 by any fixing means. The any fixing means may be, for example, adhesive or fastening with fastening members such as screws or bolts.

[0094] It is also possible that one of the two ends of the connecting member 50 is fixed to the second plate-shaped member 32 of the first holding member 30, and the other of the two ends of the connecting member 50 is fixed to the fourth plate-shaped member 42 of the second holding member 40. In this case, the one end of the connecting member 50 may be fixed to the surface 32c of the second plate-shaped member 32. The other end of the connecting member 50 may be fixed to the surface 42c of the fourth plate-shaped member 42.

[0095] (Thermal Conduction Sheet Composition) As shown in FIG. 4 , the thermally conductive sheet 5 may be formed so as to straddle the first ends 10H of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 adjacent to each other in the axial direction A2 and cover the first ends 10H. The thermally conductive sheet 5 may cover the area from the first edge portion 3H of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 to the first ends 10H of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10. The thermally conductive sheet 5 may be in contact with either the surface 31b of the first plate-shaped member 31 or the surface 32b of the second plate-shaped member 32. Note that FIG. 3 illustrates a thermoelectric converter 1 including two thermally conductive sheets 5. However, the number of thermally conductive sheets 5 included in the thermoelectric converter 1 may be one or more, as long as the thermally conductive sheet 5 is formed so as to straddle the first ends 10H of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 adjacent to each other in the axial direction A2 and cover the first ends 10H. When the thermoelectric converter 1 includes multiple thermally conductive sheets 5, the multiple thermally conductive sheets 5 may be in contact with each other.

[0096] 4, the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3A and the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3B are adjacent to each other in the axial direction A2. The thermally conductive sheet 5 is formed so as to straddle the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3A and the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3B and cover these first end portions 10H. The thermally conductive sheet 5 also contacts the surface 31b of the first plate-shaped member 31 and the surface 32B of the second plate-shaped member 32.

[0097] The thermally conductive sheet 5 may be a metal foil such as copper foil or aluminum foil. When a plurality of thermoelectric conversion units 3 are stacked in the axial direction A2, some of the thermoelectric conversion units 3 may not be in direct contact with the first holding member 30. In this embodiment, the thermally conductive sheet 5 straddles the first ends 10H of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 adjacent to each other in the axial direction A2, so that heat from the first holding member 30 can be efficiently transferred to the first ends 10H of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 via the thermally conductive sheet 5.

[0098] For example, heat from the first plate-shaped member 31 can be transferred to the back surfaces of the first ends 10H of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the thermoelectric conversion unit 3A and the back surfaces of the first ends 10H of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the thermoelectric conversion unit 3B by a heat conduction sheet 5 in contact with the surface 31b of the first plate-shaped member 31 or a heat conduction sheet 5 in contact with this heat conduction sheet 5. Furthermore, heat from the second plate-shaped member 32 can be transferred to the back surfaces of the first ends 10H of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the thermoelectric conversion unit 3A and the back surfaces of the first ends 10H of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the thermoelectric conversion unit 3B by a heat conduction sheet 5 in contact with the surface 32b of the second plate-shaped member 32 or a heat conduction sheet 5 in contact with this heat conduction sheet 5.

[0099] As described above, in the thermoelectric converter 1 according to the first embodiment, the first holding member 30 holds the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in a heat-transferable state, and the first holding member 30 has a contact surface that contacts the outer peripheral surface of the shaft-shaped member 100. With this configuration, heat from the shaft-shaped member 100 can be efficiently transferred to the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 via the first holding member 30. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a holding jig 4 and a thermoelectric converter 1 that can efficiently transfer heat from the shaft-shaped member 100, which serves as a heat source, to the thermoelectric conversion module 2.

[0100] Furthermore, in the thermoelectric converter 1 according to this embodiment, the first holding member 30 can efficiently transfer heat from the shaft-shaped member 100 to the thermoelectric converter module 2 while maintaining the compact size of the thermoelectric converter module 2. In this embodiment, by maintaining the compact size of the thermoelectric converter module 2, an increase in size of the thermoelectric converter 1 can be suppressed.

[0101] Here, the length of the thermoelectric converter 1 according to this embodiment along the circumferential direction A1 may be shorter than the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100. As an example, the length of the thermoelectric converter 1 along the circumferential direction A1 may be in the range of ¼ to ½ of the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100. In other words, the length of the thermoelectric conversion module 2 along the circumferential direction A1 and the lengths of the first holding member 30 and the second holding member 40 along the circumferential direction A1 may be in the range of ¼ to ½ of the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100. For example, when the shaft-shaped member 100 is a pipe or the like, the shaft-shaped member 100 is often located near a wall, a roof, the ground, or the like. If the shaft-shaped member 100 is located near a wall or the like, it may be difficult to arrange the thermoelectric converter across the circumferential direction A1 of the shaft-shaped member 100. Since the length of the thermoelectric conversion device 1 along the circumferential direction A1 is in the range of 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the circumference of a circle centered on the axial member 100, the thermoelectric conversion device 1 can be easily placed on the axial member 100 even if the axial member 100 is located near a wall, roof, ground, etc.

[0102] When the shaft-shaped member 100 is separated from a wall or the like, the length of the thermoelectric converter 1 along the circumferential direction A1 may be equal to or shorter than the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100. In other words, the length of the thermoelectric conversion module 2 along the circumferential direction A1 and the lengths of the first holding member 30 and the second holding member 40 along the circumferential direction A1 may be equal to or shorter than the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100. When the shaft-shaped member 100 is separated from a wall or the like, two thermoelectric converters 1 may be combined and arranged along the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped member 100. In this case, the length of each of the two thermoelectric converters 1 along the circumferential direction A1 may be half the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100.

[0103] (Second embodiment) 6 is an external view of a thermoelectric converter 101 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The view shown in FIG. 6 corresponds to the view shown in FIG. 2. The thermoelectric converter 101 includes a thermoelectric conversion module 102 and a holding jig 4. The thermoelectric converter 101 may further include at least one thermally conductive sheet 5.

[0104] As shown in FIG. 6 , the thermoelectric converter 101 may extend along the circumferential direction A1, as in the first embodiment. When viewed from the axial direction A2, the shape of the portion of the thermoelectric converter 101 on the side of the shaft-shaped member 100 and the shape of the portion of the thermoelectric converter 101 opposite to the shaft-shaped member 100 may be an arc of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100. As in the first embodiment, the length of the thermoelectric converter 101 along the circumferential direction A1 may be a length ranging from ¼ to ½ of the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100. The thermoelectric converter 101 may have a predetermined width in the radial direction A3. This predetermined width may be set appropriately based on the width of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 in the radial direction A3, which will be described later, or the like. The shape of the thermoelectric converter 1 when viewed from the axial direction A2 may be a portion of a substantially circular ring, or may be a substantially circular ring.

[0105] (Configuration of thermoelectric conversion module) The thermoelectric conversion module 102 includes a thermoelectric conversion unit 103. The thermoelectric conversion unit 103 has a plurality of folding lines formed therein. As will be described below, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 is configured to be foldable by the plurality of folding lines. By folding the thermoelectric conversion unit 103, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 can be made smaller.

[0106] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 shown in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 shown in Fig. 6.

[0107] As shown in FIG. 7 , the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 in the folded state may extend along the circumferential direction A1. When viewed from the axial direction A2, the shape of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 on the shaft-shaped member 100 side and the shape of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 on the opposite side from the shaft-shaped member 100 may be an arc of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100. As in the first embodiment, the length of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 along the circumferential direction A1 may be a length ranging from ¼ to ½ of the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100. The thermoelectric conversion unit 103 may have a predetermined width in the radial direction A3. This predetermined width may be set appropriately based on the length of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in the radial direction A3, etc.

[0108] The shape of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 in the folded state can be a substantially circular ring when viewed from the axial direction A2. The shape of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 when viewed from the axial direction A2 can be a part of a substantially circular ring, or can be a substantially circular ring. The thermoelectric conversion unit 103 in the folded state has six protrusions 103p that protrude in the radial direction A3. The thermoelectric conversion unit 103 in the folded state can have a cavity in the center of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 7, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 in a folded state includes a first edge portion 103h and a second edge portion 103l. The first edge portion 103h may correspond to a first valley fold line 1H, which will be described later. The second edge portion 103l may correspond to a first mountain fold line 1L, which will be described later. The first edge portion 103h and the second edge portion 103l are aligned along the circumferential direction A1. As shown in FIG. 6, the first edge portion 103h is positioned closer to the shaft-shaped member 100 than the second edge portion 103l. Because the first edge portion 103h is positioned closer to the shaft-shaped member 100 than the second edge portion 103l, the temperature near the first edge portion 103h can be higher than the temperature near the second edge portion 103l.

[0110] As will be described later, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 includes a thermoelectric conversion element 10. As shown in Fig. 7, in the folded thermoelectric conversion unit 103, the thermoelectric conversion element 10 may have an elongated shape extending substantially along the radial direction A3 from the shaft-shaped member 100 side. The thermoelectric conversion element 10 includes a first end portion 10H and a second end portion 10L, similar to the first embodiment.

[0111] 6, the first edge portion 103h is not in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped member 100 when the thermoelectric converter 101 is disposed on the shaft-shaped member 100. However, the first edge portion 103h may be in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped member 100 when the thermoelectric converter 101 is disposed on the shaft-shaped member 100.

[0112] The thermoelectric conversion unit 103 can be folded as described below with reference to Fig. 9. However, the thermoelectric conversion unit of the present disclosure may be folded in any manner as long as the thermoelectric conversion unit in the folded state extends in the circumferential direction A1. As an example, the thermoelectric conversion unit of the present disclosure may be folded in a manner conforming to known folding methods such as the Sogame folding, the Miura folding (registered trademark), or the accordion folding.

[0113] For ease of explanation, the length of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 in the folded state along the circumferential direction A1 is assumed to be the same as the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 100, as shown in Fig. 8. In other words, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 in the folded state is assumed to have a substantially annular shape.

[0114] Fig. 9 is a development view of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 9 mainly shows the first valley fold line 103H, the first mountain fold line 103L, the first fold line 103A, and the second fold line 103B of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103.

[0115] In FIG. 9, the first direction B1 and the second direction B2 are perpendicular to each other. However, the first direction B1 and the second direction B2 do not have to be perpendicular to each other as long as they intersect. In this embodiment, the first direction B1 is the direction from the left side of the paper to the right side of the paper in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the second direction B2 is the direction from the top of the paper to the bottom of the paper in FIG. 9. The third direction B3 is perpendicular to the plane containing the first direction B1 and the second direction B2. In this embodiment, the third direction B3 is the direction perpendicular to the paper in FIG. 9, that is, the direction from the back of the paper to the front of the paper in FIG. 9.

[0116] The thermoelectric conversion unit 103 may be configured with a unit 103U as a single unit. In this embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 may be configured with a plurality of units 103U. However, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 may be configured with at least one unit 103U. When the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 is configured with a plurality of units 103U, the plurality of units 103U may be aligned along the second direction B2 in the unfolded state as shown in FIG. 9.

[0117] Folding lines are formed in the thermoelectric conversion unit 103. The folding lines can be formed on a sheet substrate 130, which will be described later. By folding the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 along the folding lines, the unit can be made smaller while still ensuring sufficient power generation.

[0118] In this embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 has the following folding lines: first valley fold line 103H, first mountain fold line 103L, first fold line 103A, and second fold line 103B. When the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 is composed of a single unit 103U, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 does not need to have the first fold line 103A and the second fold line 103B. The number of first valley fold lines 103H, first mountain fold lines 103L, first fold lines 103A, and second fold lines 103B formed in the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 may be appropriately set depending on the desired shape of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 in the folded state. The first fold line 103A may include a second valley fold line 103A1 and a second mountain fold line 103A2. The second fold line 103B may include a third valley fold line 103B1 and a third mountain fold line 103B2. In FIG. 9, thin lines correspond to valley fold lines, and thick lines correspond to mountain fold lines.

[0119] The thermoelectric conversion unit 103 according to this embodiment can be formed into a cylindrical shape by aligning the first mountain fold line 103L located closest to the first direction B1 among the first mountain fold lines 103L with the first mountain fold line 103L located closest to the opposite side of the first direction B1 among the first mountain fold lines 103L. The cylindrical thermoelectric conversion unit 103 can be folded by valley folding along the first valley fold line 103H, the first valley fold line 103A1, and the second valley fold line 103B1, and mountain folding along the first mountain fold line 103L, the second mountain fold line 103A2, and the third mountain fold line 103B2. In this embodiment, a "valley fold" refers to folding so as to protrude in the direction opposite to the third direction B3. In this embodiment, a "mountain fold" refers to folding so as to protrude in the third direction B3. When the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 in a folded state is placed on the shaft-shaped member 100 by the holding jig 4 as shown in FIG. 6, the first valley fold line 103H can be positioned closer to the shaft-shaped member 100 than the first mountain fold line 103L.

[0120] The first valley fold lines 103H and the first mountain folds 103L may be arranged alternately in the first direction B1. The first valley fold lines 103H and the first mountain folds 103L may be arranged alternately in the first direction B1 at a predetermined interval. The predetermined interval may be the width of sections s1 and s3 described below or the width of sections s2 and s4 described below.

[0121] The first valley fold lines 103H may extend along the second direction B2. The first valley fold lines 103H may extend along the second direction B2 in a zigzag pattern. In other words, the first valley fold lines 103H may include portions 103P1 that protrude in the first direction B1 and portions 103P2 that protrude in the opposite direction to the first direction B1, alternating along the second direction B2.

[0122] Specifically, the first valley fold line 103H may include a first line segment 103H1 and a second line segment 103H2. The first line segments 103H1 and the second line segments 103H2 may be alternately arranged along the second direction B2 at an interval d1. The first line segment 103H1 may be inclined at a first angle θ1 from the second direction B2 toward the first direction B1. The second line segment 103H2 may be inclined at a first angle θ1 from the second direction B2 toward the opposite direction to the first direction B1.

[0123] The first line segment 103H1 and the second line segment 103H2 may extend linearly. The length of the first line segment 103H1 and the length of the second line segment 103H2 may be the same. The end of the first line segment 103H1 on the first direction B1 side may be connected to the end of the second line segment 103H2 located on the second direction B2 side of the first line segment 103H1 and adjacent to the first line segment 103H1 in the second direction B2. The portion where the end of the first line segment 103H1 on the first direction B1 side and the end of the second line segment 103H2 on the first direction B1 side are connected may be portion 103P1. An end of the second line segment 103H2 on the opposite side in the first direction B1 may be connected to an end of a first line segment 103H1 located on the second direction B2 side of the second line segment 103H2 and adjacent to the second line segment 103H2 in the second direction B2 on the opposite side in the first direction B1. The portion where the end of the second line segment 103H2 on the opposite side in the first direction B1 and the end of the first line segment 103H1 on the opposite side in the first direction B1 are connected can be portion 103P2.

[0124] The first mountain fold line 103L may extend along the second direction B2. The first mountain fold line 103L may extend along the second direction B2 in a zigzag pattern. In other words, the first mountain fold line 103L may include portions 103P3 that protrude in the first direction B1 and portions 103P4 that protrude in the opposite direction to the first direction B1, alternately along the second direction B2.

[0125] Specifically, the first mountain fold line 103L may include a third line segment 103L1 and a fourth line segment 103L2. The third line segments 103L1 and the fourth line segments 103L2 may be alternately arranged along the second direction B2 at an interval d1. The third line segment 103L1 may be inclined at a second angle θ2 from the second direction B2 toward the first direction B1. The fourth line segment 103L2 may be inclined at a second angle θ2 from the second direction B2 toward the opposite direction to the first direction B1. The second angle θ2 may be smaller than the first angle θ1.

[0126] The third line segment 103L1 and the fourth line segment 103L2 may extend linearly. The lengths of the third line segment 103L1 and the fourth line segment 103L2 may be the same. The end of the third line segment 103L1 on the first direction B1 side may be connected to the end of the fourth line segment 103L2 located on the second direction B2 side of the third line segment 103L1 and adjacent to the third line segment 103L1 in the second direction B2. The portion where the end of the third line segment 103L1 on the first direction B1 side and the end of the fourth line segment 103L2 on the first direction B1 side are connected may be portion 103P3. An end of the fourth line segment 103L2 on the opposite side in the first direction B1 may be connected to an end of a third line segment 103L1 located on the second direction B2 side of the fourth line segment 103L2 and adjacent to the fourth line segment 103L2 in the second direction B2, on the opposite side in the first direction B1. The portion where the end of the fourth line segment 103L2 on the opposite side in the first direction B1 and the end of the third line segment 103L1 on the opposite side in the first direction B1 are connected can be portion 103P4.

[0127] The position of a portion 103P1 where the first valley fold line 103H protrudes in the first direction B1 and the position of a portion 103P2 where the first mountain fold line 103L protrudes in the first direction B1 may be the same in the second direction B2.

[0128] The position of a portion 103P3 where the first valley fold line 103H protrudes in the opposite direction to the first direction B1 and the position of a portion 103P4 where the first mountain fold line 103L protrudes in the opposite direction to the first direction B1 may be the same in the second direction B2.

[0129] The first angle θ1, the second angle θ2, and the interval d1 may be set as appropriate depending on the desired shape of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 in the folded state and the radius of the shaft-shaped member 100 as shown in Fig. 6. The first angle θ1 and the second angle θ2 may be determined as appropriate based on the number of protrusions 103p that the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 has in the folded state as shown in Fig. 7. As an example, when the radius of the shaft-shaped member 100 is approximately 12 mm and the number of protrusions 103p is six, the first angle θ1 may be approximately 42 degrees, the interval d1 may be approximately 20 mm, and the second angle θ2 may be approximately 12 degrees.

[0130] Each of the first fold lines 103A and the second fold lines 103B may extend linearly along the first direction B1. The first fold lines 103A and the second fold lines 103B may be alternately arranged along the second direction at intervals d1. The first fold lines 103A and the second fold lines 103B may be parallel to each other.

[0131] The first fold line 103A may pass through portions 103P1 and 103P3, which are located at the same position in the second direction B2, of the portion 103P1 where the first valley fold line 103H protrudes in the first direction B1 and the portion 103P3 where the first mountain fold line 103L protrudes in the first direction B1.

[0132] The second fold line 103B may pass through portions 103P2 and 103P4, which are located at the same position in the second direction B2, among portions 103P2 where the first valley fold line 103H protrudes in the opposite direction of the first direction B1 and portions 103P4 where the first mountain fold line 103L protrudes in the opposite direction of the first direction B1.

[0133] On the same first fold line 103A, the second valley fold line 103A1 and the second mountain fold line 103A2 may be alternately arranged along the first direction B1. Here, the section between the adjacent first line segment 103H1 and third line segment 103L1 on the first fold line 103A may alternate between sections s1 and s2 along the first direction B1 because the second angle θ2 is smaller than the first angle θ1. The width of section s1 is narrower than the width of section s2. The second valley fold line 103A1 may be formed in the narrower section s1 of sections s1 and s2 on the first fold line 103A. The second mountain fold line 103A2 may be formed in the wider section s2 of sections s1 and s2 on the first fold line 103A.

[0134] On the same second fold line 103B, the third valley fold line 103B1 and the third mountain fold line 103B2 may be alternately arranged along the first direction B1. Here, the section between the adjacent first line segment 103H1 and third line segment 103L1 on the second fold line 103B may alternate between sections s3 and s4 along the first direction B1 because the second angle θ2 is smaller than the first angle θ1. The width of section s3 is narrower than the width of section s4. The third valley fold line 103B1 may be formed in the narrower section s3 of sections s3 and s4 on the second fold line 1B. The third mountain fold line 103B2 may be formed in the wider section s4 of sections s3 and s4 on the second fold line 1B.

[0135] The second valley fold lines 103A1 and the third mountain fold lines 103B2 may be arranged alternately along the second direction B2. The second mountain fold lines 103A2 and the third valley fold lines 103B1 may be arranged alternately along the second direction B2.

[0136] The length of the second valley fold line 103A1 in the first direction B1, i.e., the width of section s1, and the length of the third valley fold line 103B1 in the first direction B1, i.e., the width of section s3, may be the same. The length of the second mountain fold line 103A2 in the first direction B1, i.e., the width of section s2, and the length of the third mountain fold line 103B2 in the first direction B1, i.e., the width of section s4, may be the same. The widths of sections s1 and s3 and sections s2 and s4 may be set appropriately depending on the desired shape of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 in the folded state and the radius of the shaft-shaped member 100 as shown in FIG. 6. As an example, when the radius of the shaft-shaped member 100 is approximately 12 mm, the widths of sections s1 and s3 may be approximately 22 mm, and the widths of sections s2 and s4 may be approximately 35.7 mm.

[0137] 10, the substantially trapezoidal region is also referred to as "region 103R." Region 103R is a region defined by first valley fold lines 103H and first mountain fold lines 103L that are adjacent to each other in the first direction B1. When the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 is configured from a plurality of units 103U, region 103R can be a region defined by first valley fold lines 103H and first mountain fold lines 103L that are adjacent to each other in the first direction B1, and first fold lines 103A and second fold lines 103B that are adjacent to each other in the second direction B2.

[0138] 10, of the multiple regions 103R included in the thermoelectric conversion unit 103, the region 103R that is located furthest from the first direction B1 and furthest from the second direction B2 is also referred to as "region 103R(1,1)." In addition, the region 103R that is located M-th (M is an integer greater than or equal to 1) from the region 103R(1,1) along the first direction B1 and N-th (N is an integer greater than or equal to 1) from the region 103R(1,1) along the second direction B2 is also referred to as "region 103R(M,N)." In this embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 includes regions 103R(1,1) to 103R(1,12), regions 103R(2,1) to 103R(2,12), regions 103R(3,1) to 103R(3,12), and regions 103R(4,1) to 103R(4,12).

[0139] As shown in FIG. 10, the multiple regions 103R arranged along the second direction B2 are also referred to as "blocks 103b." Of the multiple blocks 103b included in the thermoelectric conversion unit 103, the block 103b located furthest from the first direction B1 is also referred to as "block 103b1." The block 103b located Lth (L is an integer equal to or greater than 1) from the block 103b1 along the first direction B1 is also referred to as "block 103bL." In this embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 includes blocks 103b1 to 103b8. The number of multiple regions 103R included in each block 103b may be the same. In this embodiment, the number of regions 103R in each block 103b may be four.

[0140] FIG. 11 is a development view showing a detailed configuration of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 mainly shows thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and 10N, a first connecting portion 120, and a second connecting portion 121. FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 taken along line L2-L2 shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 taken along line L3-L3 shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a current path in the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a heat dissipation sheet 150.

[0141] As shown in FIG. 11 , the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 includes one or more thermoelectric conversion elements 10P, one or more thermoelectric conversion elements 10N, one or more first connecting portions 120, one or more second connecting portions 121, a sheet substrate 130, an electrode 160, and an electrode 161. That is, in this embodiment, the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10 included in the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 include both the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N. The thermoelectric conversion unit 103 shown in FIG. 11 includes multiple second connecting portions 121. However, the number of second connecting portions 121 included in the thermoelectric conversion unit of the present disclosure may be one depending on the configuration of the thermoelectric conversion unit. The thermoelectric conversion unit 103 may further include a heat dissipation sheet 150 as shown in FIG. 16 . Each of the first connecting portion 120 and the second connecting portion 121 may be electrically conductive.

[0142] The dimensions and orientations of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and 10N may be designed as appropriate. The shapes of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and 10N may be the same as or different from each other.

[0143] The longitudinal direction of each of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P, 10N may be parallel to the first direction B1. However, the longitudinal direction of each of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P, 10N may be deviated from parallel to the first direction B1 within an acceptable range so long as the thermoelectric conversion element 10P and the thermoelectric conversion element 10N do not overlap. The longitudinal length of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P and the longitudinal length of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N may be the same.

[0144] The short-side direction of each of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P, 10N may be parallel to the second direction B2. However, as with the long-side direction, the short-side direction of each of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P, 10N may deviate from parallel to the second direction B2 within an acceptable range as long as the thermoelectric conversion element 10P and the thermoelectric conversion element 10N do not overlap. The short-side length of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P and the short-side length of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N may be the same.

[0145] The plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 may be located inside the region 103R. One or more thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and one or more thermoelectric conversion elements 10N may be located inside the region 103R. The number of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 located inside each region 103R may be set appropriately depending on the desired power generation of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103. By positioning the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 inside the region 103R, the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 may not straddle fold lines such as the first valley fold line 103H in the thermoelectric conversion unit 103. By not having the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 straddle fold lines such as the first valley fold line 103H, damage to the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 can be suppressed when the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 is folded along the fold lines.

[0146] 12, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N may be alternately arranged in the second direction B2 with a gap therebetween. The width of the gap may be set appropriately depending on the distance in the second direction B2 between the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N required to ensure insulation between the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N. By arranging the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N alternately in the second direction B2, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N can be efficiently connected in series alternately by the first connectors 120 described below.

[0147] The thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N may be arranged alternately in the second direction B2 with gaps between them across the region 103R. For example, as shown in FIG. 12 , three thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and two thermoelectric conversion elements 10N are positioned in the region 103R(3,1), and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N are arranged alternately in the second direction B2 across the region 103R(3,1). The width of the gaps may be set appropriately depending on factors such as the distance in the second direction B2 between the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N required to ensure insulation between the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N. By arranging the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N alternately along the second direction B2 across the region 103R, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N can be efficiently connected in series alternately across the region 103R by the first connecting portion 120 described below.

[0148] Note that, as long as the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 are electrically connected in series across the region 103R by the first connecting portions 120 described below, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N do not have to be arranged alternately along the second direction B2 across the region 103R. For example, as described above, three thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and two thermoelectric conversion elements 10N are located in the region 103R(3,1) as shown in FIG. 12. In this case, as long as the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 are electrically connected in series across the region 103R(3,1) by the first connecting portions 120 described below, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 may be arranged in the region 103R(3,1) along the second direction B2 in the order of thermoelectric conversion element 10P, thermoelectric conversion element 10P, thermoelectric conversion element 10P, thermoelectric conversion element 10N, and thermoelectric conversion element 10N.

[0149] The thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N may be alternately arranged in the second direction B2 across the block 103b with gaps between them. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N are alternately arranged in the second direction B2 across the block 103b1. The width of the gap may be appropriately set depending on the distance in the second direction B2 between the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N required to ensure insulation between the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N. By alternately arranging the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N across the block 103b in the second direction B2, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N can be efficiently and alternately connected in series across the block 103b by the first connecting portion 120 and the second connecting portion 121, which will be described later.

[0150] Note that the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N do not have to be arranged alternately along the second direction B2 across the block 103b as long as the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 are electrically connected in series across the block 103b by the first connecting portion 120 and the second connecting portion 121, which will be described later. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 11, of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(2,1) of the block 103b1, the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located closest to the second direction B2 is the thermoelectric conversion element 10N, and of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(3,1) of the block 103b1, the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located closest to the opposite side of the second direction B2 is the thermoelectric conversion element 10P. In this case, if the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 are electrically connected in series across the block 103b1 by the first connecting portion 120 described below and the second connecting portion 121 described below, the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located furthest from the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(2,1) may be the thermoelectric conversion element 10N, and the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located furthest from the opposite side of the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(3,1) may be the thermoelectric conversion element 10N.

[0151] The thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N may be alternately arranged along the first direction B1 with a gap therebetween. The width of the gap may be set appropriately depending on the distance in the first direction B1 between the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N required to ensure insulation between the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N. By arranging the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N alternately along the first direction B1, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P can be efficiently connected in series alternately by the second connectors 121 described below across two blocks 103b adjacent to each other in the first direction B1. Furthermore, by arranging the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N alternately along the first direction B1, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N that are electrically connected in series alternately across each block 103b can be efficiently electrically connected in series across the thermoelectric conversion unit 103.

[0152] Note that, as long as the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 are electrically connected in series across two blocks 103b adjacent in the first direction B1 by second connecting portions 121 described below, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N do not need to be arranged alternately along the first direction B1. Furthermore, as long as the thermoelectric conversion elements 10, which are electrically connected in series across each block 103b by second connecting portions 121 described below, are electrically connected in series across the thermoelectric conversion unit 103, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N do not need to be arranged alternately along the first direction B1. For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 11, block 103b1 and block 103b2 are adjacent in the first direction B1. Among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,1) of the block 103b1, the thermoelectric conversion element 10P located closest to the second direction B2 is adjacent to the thermoelectric conversion element 10N located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,2) of the block 103b2 in the first direction B1. In this case, if the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 are electrically connected in series across the blocks 103b1 and 103b2 by second connecting portions 121 described below, the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,1) may be the thermoelectric conversion element 10P, and the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,2) may be the thermoelectric conversion element 10P.

[0153] One longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P may be located closer to the first valley fold line 103H than the other longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P. When the folded thermoelectric conversion unit 103 is placed on the shaft-shaped member 100 by the holding jig 4 as shown in FIG. 6, the first valley fold line 103H is located closer to the shaft-shaped member 100 than the first mountain fold line 103L. Because the first valley fold line 103H is located closer to the shaft-shaped member 100 than the first mountain fold line 103L, the temperature near the first valley fold line 103H may be higher than the temperature near the first mountain fold line 103L. Because one longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P is located closer to the first valley fold line 103H than the other longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P, the temperature of the one end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P may be higher than the temperature of the other end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P. Because the temperature of the one end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P is higher than the temperature of the other end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P, a temperature difference may occur between the one end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P and the other end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P. The temperature difference between the one end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P and the other end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P may create a temperature gradient in the thermoelectric conversion element 10P. This temperature gradient causes the Seebeck effect to generate an electromotive force, which allows the thermoelectric conversion element 10P to generate electricity. When the thermoelectric conversion element 10P generates electricity, a current may flow as shown in FIG. 13 . In the thermoelectric conversion element 10P, a current can flow from the end with the lower temperature to the end with the higher temperature.

[0154] One longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N may be located closer to the first valley fold line 103H than the other longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N. Similar to the thermoelectric conversion element 10P, a temperature gradient may be generated in the thermoelectric conversion element 10N due to the one end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N being located closer to the first valley fold line 103H than the other end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N. Similar to the thermoelectric conversion element 10P, the thermoelectric conversion element 10N may generate electricity due to the Seebeck effect caused by this temperature gradient. When the thermoelectric conversion element 10N generates electricity, a current may flow as shown in FIG. 13. In the thermoelectric conversion element 10N, a current may flow from the end with a higher temperature to the end with a lower temperature. In the thermoelectric conversion element 10N, a current may flow from the end with a higher temperature to the end with a lower temperature.

[0155] 16, one longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P may be located near the first valley fold line 103H. The one longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P may be located close to the first valley fold line 103H to such an extent that the other longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P can be covered with the heat dissipation sheet 150. When the one longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P is located close to the first valley fold line 103H and the other longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P is covered with the heat dissipation sheet 150, the temperature difference between the one longitudinal end and the other longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P can be increased. When the temperature difference between the one longitudinal end and the other longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P is increased, the temperature gradient generated in the thermoelectric conversion element 10P increases, thereby increasing the power generation of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P. The distance between the one end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P and the first valley fold line 103H may be the minimum distance that ensures insulation between the thermoelectric conversion element 10P and the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located on the first direction B1 side of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P. The one end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P may straddle the first valley fold line 103H as long as insulation can be ensured between the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located on the first direction B1 side of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P.

[0156] One longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N may be located near the first valley fold line 103H, similar to the thermoelectric conversion element 10P. One longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N may be located close to the first valley fold line 103H to such an extent that the other longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N can be covered with the heat dissipation sheet 150. With this configuration, the power generation of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P can be increased, similar to the thermoelectric conversion element 10P. The distance between the one end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N and the first valley fold line 103H may be the minimum distance that ensures insulation between the thermoelectric conversion element 10N and the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located on the first direction B1 side of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N. The one end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N may straddle the first valley fold line 103H as long as insulation between the thermoelectric conversion element 10N and the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located on the first direction B1 side of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N can be ensured.

[0157] 13 and 14, the thermoelectric conversion element 10P and the thermoelectric conversion element 10N may be thin-film shaped. The thickness of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P in the third direction B3 and the thickness of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N in the third direction B3 may be set appropriately based on the desired power generation of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103, etc. As an example, the thickness of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P in the third direction B3 and the thickness of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N in the third direction B3 may be approximately 35 μm.

[0158] The first connectors 120 may electrically connect the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in series inside the region 103R. In this embodiment, the plurality of first connectors 120 may alternately connect the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N in series inside the region 103R. When the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N are arranged alternately along the second direction B2, the plurality of first connectors 120 may electrically connect the ends of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N that are adjacent to each other in the second direction B2, thereby alternately connecting the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N in series. With this configuration, the first connectors 120 can efficiently connect the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N in series alternately.

[0159] For example, as shown in FIG. 12 , three thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and two thermoelectric conversion elements 10N are positioned in a region 103R(3,1), and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N are alternately arranged along the second direction B2 across the region 103R(3,1). Inside the region 103R(3,1), four first connectors 120 electrically connect the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N alternately in series. Specifically, two first connectors 120 electrically connect an end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P on the first direction B1 side to an end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N located on the second direction B2 side of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P and adjacent to the thermoelectric conversion element 10P in the second direction B2, on the first direction B1 side. In addition, the two first connecting portions 120 electrically connect the end portion of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N on the opposite side of the first direction B1 to the end portion of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P located on the second direction B2 side of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N and adjacent to the thermoelectric conversion element 10N in the second direction B2 on the opposite side of the first direction B1.

[0160] As described above, as long as the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 are electrically connected in series across the region 103R by the first connecting parts 120, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N do not have to be arranged alternately along the second direction B2 across the region 103R. As an example, as described above, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 may be arranged in the region 103R(3,1) along the second direction B2 in the order of thermoelectric conversion element 10P, thermoelectric conversion element 10P, thermoelectric conversion element 10P, thermoelectric conversion element 10N, and thermoelectric conversion element 10N. In this case, the first connecting parts 120 only need to electrically connect three thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and two thermoelectric conversion elements 10N in series.

[0161] 14 , the first connector 120 may be located between the ends of two thermoelectric conversion elements 10 adjacent to each other in the second direction B2. In the present embodiment, the first connector 120 may be located between the longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P and the longitudinal end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N adjacent to each other in the second direction B2. By having the first connector 120 located between the ends of the two thermoelectric conversion elements 10 adjacent to each other in the second direction B2, a portion of the first connector 120 is electrically connected to the end of one of the two thermoelectric conversion elements 10, and another portion of the first connector 120 is electrically connected to the end of the other of the two thermoelectric conversion elements 10. In this embodiment, in the thermoelectric conversion element 10P and the thermoelectric conversion element 10N adjacent to each other in the second direction B2, a part of the first connecting portion 120 is electrically connected to an end portion in the longitudinal direction of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P, and another part of the first connecting portion 120 is electrically connected to an end portion of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N. With this configuration, the first connecting portion 120 can electrically connect the ends of two thermoelectric conversion elements 10 adjacent to each other in the second direction B2.

[0162] The first connecting portion 120 may be formed of a conductive paste such as silver paste or solder. The first connecting portion 120 may also be formed like the second connecting portion 121 described below. That is, the first connecting portion 120 may include a conductive member similar to the conductive member 122 described below, a bonding member similar to the first bonding member 123 described below, and a bonding member similar to the second bonding member 124 described below.

[0163] In this way, the multiple first connecting portions 120 can electrically connect the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in series inside the region 103R. In other words, the multiple first connecting portions 120 can connect the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in series inside the region 103R without spanning the fold lines. Since the first connecting portions 120 do not span the fold lines, deterioration of the first connecting portions 120 due to bending, etc. can be suppressed.

[0164] Here, by using the multiple first connectors 120 to electrically connect the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in series across the region 103R, when the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 generate power, a single current path I1 may be generated in the region 103R as shown in FIG. 15 . The current path I1 includes a starting point P1 and an ending point P2. The starting point P1 may correspond to the negative end of the two ends of the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10 connected in series in the region 103R as shown in FIG. 12 . The ending point P2 may correspond to the positive end of the two ends of the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10 connected in series in the region 103R as shown in FIG. 12 .

[0165] 12, the second connector 121 may be configured to connect a start point P1 of a current path I1 in one region 103R to an end point P2 of the current path I1 in the other region 103R. Specifically, the second connector 121 may electrically connect in series the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in one region 103R and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the other region 103R of the two adjacent regions 103R such that the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 are electrically connected in series across the two adjacent regions 103R. The thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in one region 103R and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the other region 103R, which are electrically connected in series by the second connector 121, may be adjacent to each other via a fold line such as a first valley fold line 103H. The second connecting portion 121 may electrically connect the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in one region 103R and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the other region 103R of two adjacent regions 103R in series so that the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 are electrically connected in series across the thermoelectric conversion unit 103. By electrically connecting the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in series across the thermoelectric conversion unit 103, a single current path as shown in FIG. 15 can be generated when the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 generate power.

[0166] In this embodiment, some of the multiple second connecting portions 121 may electrically connect the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in one region 103R and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the other region 103R of two regions 103R adjacent in the second direction B2 in series, so that the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N are electrically connected in series alternately across the block 103b.

[0167] 11, in the block 103b1, three second connecting portions 121 may be configured to alternately electrically connect the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N in series across the block 103b1. Specifically, the region 103R(1,1) and the region 103R(2,1) are adjacent to each other in the second direction B2. The thermoelectric conversion element 10P located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(1,1) and the thermoelectric conversion element 10N located closest to the opposite side of the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(2,1) are adjacent to each other across the first fold line 103A. The second connecting portion 121 electrically connects in series the thermoelectric conversion element 10P located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(1,1) and the thermoelectric conversion element 10N located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(2,1). The regions 103R(2,1) and 103R(3,1) are adjacent to each other in the second direction B2. The thermoelectric conversion element 10N located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(2,1) and the thermoelectric conversion element 10P located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(3,1) are adjacent to each other via the second valley fold line 103B. The second connecting portion 121 electrically connects in series the thermoelectric conversion element 10N located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(2,1) and the thermoelectric conversion element 10P located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(3,1). The regions 103R(3,1) and 103R(4,1) are adjacent to each other in the second direction B2. The thermoelectric conversion element 10P located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(3,1) and the thermoelectric conversion element 10N located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,1) are adjacent to each other across the first fold line 103A. The second connecting portion 121 electrically connects in series the thermoelectric conversion element 10P that is located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(3,1) and the thermoelectric conversion element 10N that is located closest to the opposite side of the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,1).

[0168] As described above, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N do not have to be arranged alternately along the second direction B2 across the block 103b as long as the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 are electrically connected in series across the block 103b by the second connecting portions 121. As an example, as described above, the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(2,1) may be the thermoelectric conversion element 10N, and the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located closest to the opposite side of the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(3,1) may be the thermoelectric conversion element 10N. In this case, the second connecting portion 121 electrically connects in series the thermoelectric conversion element 10N that is located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(2,1) and the thermoelectric conversion element 10N that is located closest to the opposite side of the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(3,1).

[0169] In this embodiment, another part of the plurality of second connecting portions 121 may electrically connect in series the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in one region 103R and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the other region 103R of two regions 103R adjacent to each other in the first direction B1, such that the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N, which are electrically connected in series alternately across each block 103b, are electrically connected in series alternately across the thermoelectric conversion unit 103. An example of this connection mode will be described below.

[0170] Hereinafter, of two blocks 103b adjacent to each other in the first direction B1, one block 103b will also be referred to as "block 103bL1" (L1 is an odd number greater than or equal to 1), and the other block 103b will also be referred to as "block 103bL2" (L2 is an even number greater than or equal to 1). It is assumed that block 103bL2 is located on the first direction B1 side of block 103bL1. For example, if block 103bL1 is block 103b1, block 103bL2 can become block 103b2. Furthermore, block 103b located on the first direction B1 side of block 103bL2 and adjacent to block 103bL2 in the first direction B1 will also be referred to as "block 103bL3" (L3 is an odd number greater than or equal to 1). For example, if block 103bL2 is block 103b2, then block 103bL3 can become block 103b3.

[0171] The region 103R of the block 103bL1 that is closest to the second direction B2 and the region 103R of the block 103bL2 that is closest to the second direction B2 are adjacent to each other in the first direction B1. For example, if the block 103bL1 is the block 103b1 and the block 103bL2 is the block 103b2, the region 103R(4,1) of the block 103b1 that is closest to the second direction B2 and the region 103R(4,2) of the block 103b2 that is closest to the second direction B2 are adjacent to each other in the first direction B1. The second connecting portion 121 may electrically connect in series the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R of the block 103bL1 that is located closest to the second direction B2, and the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R of the block 103bL2 that is located closest to the second direction B2. In other words, the second connecting portion 121 may electrically connect in series the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located closest to the second direction B2 among the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the block 103bL1, and the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located closest to the second direction B2 among the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the block 103bL2. For example, the second connecting portion 121 electrically connects in series the thermoelectric conversion element 10P located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,1) and the thermoelectric conversion element 10N located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,2). The thermoelectric conversion element 10P located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,1) and the thermoelectric conversion element 10N located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,2) are adjacent to each other via the first valley fold line 103H.

[0172] The region 103R of the block 103bL2 that is located furthest in the opposite direction to the second direction B2 and the region 103R of the block 103bL3 that is located furthest in the opposite direction to the second direction B2 are adjacent to each other in the first direction B1. For example, if the block 103bL2 is the block 103b2 and the block 103bL3 is the block 103b3, the region 103R(1,2) of the block 103b2 that is located furthest in the opposite direction to the second direction B2 and the region 103R(1,3) of the block 103R that is located furthest in the opposite direction to the second direction B2 are adjacent to each other in the first direction B1. The second connecting portion 121 may electrically connect in series the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located furthest in the opposite direction to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R of the block 103bL2 that is located furthest in the opposite direction to the second direction B2, and the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located furthest in the opposite direction to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R of the block 103bL3 that is located furthest in the opposite direction to the second direction B2. In other words, the second connecting portion 121 may electrically connect in series the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located furthest in the opposite direction to the second direction B2 among the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the block 102bL2, and the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located furthest in the opposite direction to the second direction B2 among the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the block 103bL3. For example, the second connecting portion 121 electrically connects in series the thermoelectric conversion element 10N located furthest from the side opposite the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(1,2) and the thermoelectric conversion element 10P located furthest from the side opposite the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(1,3). The thermoelectric conversion element 10N located furthest from the side opposite the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(1,2) and the thermoelectric conversion element 10P located furthest from the side opposite the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(1,3) are adjacent to each other via the first mountain fold line 103L.

[0173] The second connecting portion 121 may electrically connect in series the thermoelectric conversion element 10 furthest in the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R of the block 103bL1 that is furthest in the opposite direction to the second direction B2, and the thermoelectric conversion element 10 furthest in the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R of the block 103bL2 that is furthest in the opposite direction to the second direction B2. In other words, the second connecting portion 121 may electrically connect in series the thermoelectric conversion element 10 furthest in the opposite direction to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the block 103bL1, and the thermoelectric conversion element 10 furthest in the opposite direction to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the block 103bL2. In this case, the second connecting portion 121 electrically connects in series the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R located closest to the second direction B2 in the region 103R of the block 103bL2, and the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R of the block 103bL3. In other words, the second connecting portion 121 electrically connects in series the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the block 103bL2, and the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the block 103bL3. In such a configuration, an electrode 160 described later may be electrically connected to the negative end of the two ends of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 electrically connected in series across the thermoelectric conversion unit 103. An electrode 161 described later may be electrically connected to the positive end of the two ends of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 electrically connected in series across the thermoelectric conversion unit 103.

[0174] Furthermore, as described above, as long as the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 are electrically connected in series by the second connectors 121 across two blocks 103b adjacent to each other in the first direction B1, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N do not need to be arranged alternately along the first direction B1. Furthermore, as long as the thermoelectric conversion elements 10, which are electrically connected in series alternately across the blocks 103b by the second connectors 121, are electrically connected in series alternately across the thermoelectric conversion unit 103, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10N do not need to be arranged alternately along the first direction B1. As an example, as described above, the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,1) may be the thermoelectric conversion element 10P, and the thermoelectric conversion element 10 located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,2) may be the thermoelectric conversion element 10P. In this case, the second connecting portion 121 electrically connects in series the thermoelectric conversion element 10P that is located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,1) and the thermoelectric conversion element 10P that is located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,2).

[0175] Alternatively, the blocks 103bL1 and 103bL3 may have an even number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and an odd number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10N, and the block 103bL2 may have an odd number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and an even number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10N. In this case, the number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in each of the regions 103R(4,1) to 103R(4,12) that are located closest to the second direction B2 among the regions 103R of each block 103b may be adjusted as appropriate. For example, if the block 103bL1 is the block 103b1, the block 103bL2 is the block 103b2, and the block 103bL3 is the block 103b3, then in each of the blocks 103b1 and 103b3, the number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10P is 10, which is an even number, and the number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10N is 9, which is an odd number. The number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10P in block 103b2 is 9, which is an odd number, and the number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10N in block 103b2 is 10, which is an even number. The number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in regions 103R other than regions 103R(4,1) to 103R(4,12), such as region 103R(1,1), is 5. In contrast, the number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in each of regions 103R(4,1) to 103R(4,12) is 4.

[0176] In this way, since the blocks 103bL1 and 103bL3 have an even number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and an odd number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10N, and the block 103bL2 has an odd number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and an even number of thermoelectric conversion elements 10N, the ends of two thermoelectric conversion elements 10 electrically connected by the second connector 121 in the first direction B1 can face each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , the end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,1) and the end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N located closest to the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,2) are electrically connected by the second connector 121 in the first direction B1. These two ends face each other. Furthermore, an end of thermoelectric conversion element 10N, which is located furthest from the side opposite the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in region 103R(1,2), and an end of thermoelectric conversion element 10P, which is located furthest from the side opposite the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in region 103R(1,3), are electrically connected in the first direction B1 by a second connecting portion 121. These two end portions face each other. By having the end portions of two thermoelectric conversion elements 10 adjacent in the first direction B1 electrically connected by the second connecting portion 121 face each other in this manner, the routing of the second connecting portion 121 can be reduced.

[0177] Here, since the region 103R is a region partitioned by a fold line, two adjacent regions 103R are adjacent to each other via a fold line such as the first valley fold line 103H. For example, the region 103R(1,1) and the region 103R(1,2) adjacent to each other in the first direction B1 are adjacent to each other via the first valley fold line 103H. For example, the region 103R(1,2) and the region 103R(1,3) adjacent to each other in the first direction B1 are adjacent to each other via the first mountain fold line 103L. For example, the region 103R(1,1) and the region 103R(2,1) adjacent to each other in the second direction B2 are adjacent to each other via the first fold line 103A. For example, the region 103R(2,1) and the region 103R(3,1) adjacent to each other in the second direction B2 are adjacent to each other via the second fold line 103B.

[0178] By having the two regions 103R adjacent to each other via a fold line, the second connecting portion 121 can electrically connect the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in one region 103R to the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the other region 103R of the two adjacent regions 103R in series across a fold line such as the first valley fold line 103H. Here, as described above, the first connecting portion 120 can connect the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and 10N in series in the region 103R without spanning the fold line. In this way, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 can be configured so that only the second connecting portion 121 spans the fold line, rather than all of the wiring, including the first connecting portion 120 and the second connecting portion 121, spanning the fold line. With this configuration, in the thermoelectric conversion unit 103, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and 10N are connected in series by wiring across the thermoelectric conversion unit 103, while the number of wires spanning the fold lines can be reduced. Reducing the number of wires spanning the fold lines can suppress overall deterioration of the wiring of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103. It is preferable that the number of second connecting portions 121 spanning the fold lines between adjacent regions 103R in the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 be as small as possible, for example, preferably four or less, and more preferably two or less.

[0179] 13, the second connector 121 may be located between an end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in one of two adjacent regions 103R and an end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in the other of the two adjacent regions 103R. In the configuration shown in Fig. 13, the second connector 121 is located between an end in the longitudinal direction of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P in one of the two adjacent regions 103R and an end in the longitudinal direction of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N in the other of the two adjacent regions 103R. The second connecting portion 121 is located between the end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in one of the two adjacent regions 103R and the end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in the other region 103R, so that a part of the second connecting portion 121 is electrically connected to the end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in one region 103R, and another part of the second connecting portion 121 is electrically connected to the end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in the other region 103R. With this configuration, the second connecting portion 121 can electrically connect the end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in one region 103R to the end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in the other region 103R.

[0180] The second connecting portion 121 may include a conductive member 122, a first joint member 123, and a second joint member 124. In the second connecting portion 121 configured in this manner, for example, during the manufacturing process of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P, 10N, and the conductive member 122 can be prevented from peeling off from the cover layer 132 described below.

[0181] The conductive member 122 may be in the form of a thin film. The conductive member 122 may be formed of any material that has electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity. The material for forming the conductive member 122 is not particularly limited, and metals such as silver and copper can be used.

[0182] The second connecting portion 121 may be formed to include CNTs or CNTs doped with a metal. In this case, the conductive member 122 may be formed of CNTs or CNTs doped with a metal. Since the second connecting portion 121 is formed of CNTs or CNTs doped with a metal, the mechanical strength of the second connecting portion 121 can be improved. By improving the mechanical strength of the second connecting portion 121, the durability of the second connecting portion 121 against bending can be improved.

[0183] Second connecting portion 121 may have first valley fold line 103H, first mountain fold line 103L, first fold line 103A, or second fold line 103B formed therein depending on the location of second connecting portion 121. In this case, conductive member 122 may have first mountain fold line 103L, first fold line 103A, or second fold line 103B formed therein.

[0184] Second connecting portion 121 may not have a fold line such as first valley fold line 103H. For example, when perforations are formed as fold lines in sheet substrate 130 (described later), second connecting portion 121 may not have a perforation. In this case, conductive member 122 may not have a perforation. Not forming a fold line in second connecting portion 121 can improve the durability of second connecting portion 121 against bending. Furthermore, the area occupied by second connecting portion 121 in sheet substrate 130 may be smaller than the entire area of ​​sheet substrate 130. Even if second connecting portion 121 does not have a fold line, forming a fold line in sheet substrate 130 allows sheet substrate 130 to be easily folded at first valley fold line 103H or the like.

[0185] The second connecting portion 121 may have a mesh structure. In this case, the conductive member 122 may have a mesh structure. The mesh structure may be a structure in which a plurality of openings are arranged in a lattice pattern. When the second connecting portion 121 has a mesh structure, the durability of the second connecting portion 121 against bending can be improved. The size of the openings of the mesh structure may be set appropriately based on the load applied to the second connecting portion 121, etc.

[0186] Each of the first bonding member 123 and the second bonding member 124 may be formed of a conductive paste such as silver paste or solder. The first bonding member 123 may be located between one of two adjacent thermoelectric conversion elements 10 and the conductive member 122. The second bonding member 124 may be located between the other of the two adjacent thermoelectric conversion elements 10 and the conductive member 122. In the configuration shown in FIG. 13 , the first bonding member 123 is located between the thermoelectric conversion element 10P and the conductive member 122, and the second bonding member 124 is located between the thermoelectric conversion element 10N and the conductive member 122. By having the first bonding member 123 located between the one thermoelectric conversion element 10 and the conductive member 122, a portion of the first bonding member 123 may be electrically connected to the one thermoelectric conversion element 10, and another portion of the first bonding member 123 may be electrically connected to the conductive member 122. With this configuration, the first joint member 123 can electrically connect the one thermoelectric conversion element 10 and the conductive member 122. Furthermore, by positioning the second joint member 124 between the other thermoelectric conversion element 10 and the conductive member 122, another part of the second joint member 124 can be electrically connected to the other thermoelectric conversion element 10, and another part of the second joint member 124 can be electrically connected to the conductive member 122. With this configuration, the second joint member 124 can electrically connect the other thermoelectric conversion element 10 and the conductive member 122.

[0187] 11, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P, 10N, the first connecting portion 120, and the second connecting portion 121 may be located on the sheet substrate 130. As will be described later, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the sheet substrate 130 may have cover layers 132, 133, and 134 that protect the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 and the like. In this case, the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P, 10N, the first connecting portion 120, and the second connecting portion 121 will be located inside the sheet substrate 130.

[0188] Fold lines may be formed on the sheet substrate 130. In the present embodiment, a first valley fold line 103H, a first mountain fold line 103L, a first fold line 103A, and a second fold line 103B may be formed on the sheet substrate 130. The first valley fold line 103H, the first mountain fold line 103L, the first fold line 103A, and the second fold line 103B may be formed as perforations on the sheet substrate 130. The perforations may have a structure in which slit-shaped through holes are arranged at predetermined intervals. The size of the through holes and the predetermined intervals may be set appropriately based on the bulkiness of the sheet substrate 130 when the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 is folded, etc. Note that the fold lines such as the first valley fold line 103H are not limited to being formed as perforations. As an example, the first valley fold line 103H, the first mountain fold line 103L, the first fold line 103A, and the second fold line 103B may be formed as grooves, or may be formed by forming bends or creases.

[0189] By forming perforations in the sheet substrate 130, when the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 is folded along the fold lines, the thickness of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 in the folded state can be made thinner. By making the thickness of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 in the folded state thinner, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 can be made more compact. Furthermore, by forming perforations in the sheet substrate 130, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 can be folded more reliably along the fold lines. By folding the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 more reliably along the fold lines, the amount of air between the sheet substrates 130 can be reduced. By reducing the amount of air between the sheet substrates 130, heat is prevented from being trapped inside the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 by the air, and therefore the possibility of a small temperature difference between one end and the other end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 can be reduced.

[0190] 12 , if no fold line is formed in second connecting portion 121, first valley fold line 103H, first mountain fold line 103L, first fold line 103A, and second fold line 103B may not be formed in the portion of sheet substrate 130 where second connecting portion 121 is located. The area of ​​the portion of sheet substrate 130 where second connecting portion 121 is located may be smaller than the entire area of ​​sheet substrate 130. Even if no fold line such as first valley fold line 103H is formed in the portion of sheet substrate 130 where second connecting portion 121 is located, as long as fold lines such as first valley fold line 103H are formed in other portions of sheet substrate 130, sheet substrate 130 can be easily folded at first valley fold line 103H, etc.

[0191] 13 and 14, the sheet substrate 130 has a cover layer 132, a cover layer 133, and a cover layer 134. Hereinafter, among the layers included in the sheet substrate 130, the layer in which the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and 10N are located will also be referred to as a "thermoelectric conversion layer." The sheet substrate 130 has a resin layer 135 in the thermoelectric conversion layer. As shown in FIG. 11, the sheet substrate 130 may further have a portion 131.

[0192] As shown in FIG. 11 , portion 131 may be located where first valley fold line 103H intersects with first fold line 103A or second fold line 103B, and where first mountain fold line 103L intersects with first fold line 103A or second fold line 103B. The shape of portion 131 is not particularly limited and may be circular. Portion 131 may be a through region or a region that is thinner than other portions of sheet substrate 130. Here, when folding thermoelectric conversion unit 103, sheet substrate 130 may become bulky at the location where first valley fold line 103H intersects with first fold line 103A or second fold line 103B, and at the location where first mountain fold line 103L intersects with first fold line 103A or second fold line 103B. Positioning portion 131 at this location reduces the bulkiness of sheet substrate 130 at this location. Reducing the bulkiness of sheet substrate 130 at this location can make thermoelectric conversion unit 103 easier to fold.

[0193] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , the cover layers 132 to 134 can protect the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P, 10N, etc. The cover layer 132 is located on the opposite side of the thermoelectric conversion layer in the third direction B3. The cover layer 133 is located between the thermoelectric conversion layer and the cover layer 134. The cover layer 134 is located closer to the third direction B3 than the cover layer 133. The thickness of each of the cover layers 132, 133, 134 in the third direction B3 may be set appropriately based on factors such as the stress applied to fold lines such as the first valley fold line 103H. As an example, the thickness of each of the cover layers 132, 133, 134 in the third direction B3 may be approximately 37.5 μm.

[0194] The cover layer 132 includes a resin layer 136 and an adhesive layer 137. The cover layer 133 includes a resin layer 138 and an adhesive layer 139. The cover layer 134 includes a resin layer 140 and an adhesive layer 141.

[0195] The material for forming the resin layers 135, 136, 138, and 140 is not particularly limited, and polyimide or the like can be used. The resin layer 135 is located in a portion of the thermoelectric conversion layer where the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P, 10N, first connecting portion 120, and second connecting portion 121 are not located. The resin layer 136 is located on the opposite side of the adhesive layer 137 in the third direction B3. The resin layer 138 is located between the adhesive layer 139 and the resin layer 140. The resin layer 140 is located on the third direction B3 side of the adhesive layer 141.

[0196] The material for forming the adhesive layers 137, 139, and 141 is not particularly limited, and epoxy resin or the like can be used. The adhesive layer 137 bonds the resin layer 136 and the thermoelectric conversion layer. The adhesive layer 139 bonds the thermoelectric conversion layer and the resin layer 138. The adhesive layer 141 bonds the resin layer 138 and the resin layer 140.

[0197] As shown in FIG. 16 , the heat dissipation sheet 150 may cover one of the two longitudinal ends of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 that is located closer to the first mountain fold line 103L. The heat dissipation sheet 150 may be formed of any heat dissipation material. The material for forming the heat dissipation sheet 150 is not particularly limited, and aluminum foil, for example, may be used. As described above, the heat dissipation sheet 150 can increase the power generation of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and 10N. In this embodiment, the shape of the region 103R may be substantially trapezoidal, as described above. When the region 103R has a substantially trapezoidal shape, when the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and 10N having the same longitudinal length are arranged in each region 103R, the area of ​​the portion where the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P and 10N are not located may be larger than when each region 103R has a rectangular shape. In this embodiment, as described above, one end of each of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P, 10N can be positioned near the first valley fold line 103H, and the other end of each of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P, 10N and the first mountain fold line 103L can be covered with the heat dissipation sheet 150. With this configuration, the area of ​​the portion of the region 103R where the thermoelectric conversion elements 10P, 10N are not positioned can be effectively utilized.

[0198] The heat dissipation sheet 150 may be located on the third direction B3 side of the cover layer 134 as shown in Figures 13 and 14. In other words, the heat dissipation sheet 150 may cover the ends of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 via the cover layer 134. By having the heat dissipation sheet 150 cover the ends of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 via the cover layer 134, if the heat dissipation sheet 150 has electrical conductivity, the cover layer 134 can prevent the two thermoelectric conversion elements 10 from passing electricity through the heat dissipation sheet 150. The heat dissipation sheet 150 may cover the ends of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 via a separately provided insulating layer.

[0199] As shown in FIG. 16 , the heat dissipation sheet 150 may be located at a position corresponding to the first mountain fold line 103L. By positioning the heat dissipation sheet 150 at a position corresponding to the first mountain fold line 103L, the temperatures of the ends of the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10 covered by the heat dissipation sheet 150 can be uniform. By uniforming the temperatures of the ends of the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10 covered by the heat dissipation sheet 150, the temperature difference between both ends of the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10 can be uniform. By uniforming the temperature difference between both ends of the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10, the power generated by the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10 can be uniform. Furthermore, when the heat dissipation sheet 150 is located at a position corresponding to the first mountain fold line 103L, the first mountain fold line 103L may be formed in the heat dissipation sheet 150. By forming the first mountain fold line 103L in the heat dissipation sheet 150, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 can be easily folded. Alternatively, when the heat dissipation sheet 150 is located at a position corresponding to the first mountain fold line 103L, the first mountain fold line 103L does not have to be formed on the heat dissipation sheet 150. By not forming the first mountain fold line 103L on the heat dissipation sheet 150, the manufacturing process of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 can be simplified.

[0200] Heat dissipation sheet 150 may cover portion 131 of sheet substrate 130. Heat dissipation sheet 150 may have a through-hole region at a location corresponding to portion 131 of sheet substrate 130. This through-hole region may be used to extract wiring that connects electrodes 160 and 161 (described below) to external devices or the like.

[0201] The electrode 160 and the electrode 161 shown in FIG. 11 are electrodes for extracting electric power from the thermoelectric conversion unit 103. The electrode 160 may be a negative electrode. The electrode 161 may be a positive electrode. The electrode 160 may be electrically connected to the negative end of two ends of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 that are alternately electrically connected in series across the thermoelectric conversion unit 103. For example, the electrode 160 is electrically connected to the end of the thermoelectric conversion element 10P that is located furthest away from the second direction B2 among the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(1,1) shown in FIG. 11, on the opposite side in the first direction B1. The electrode 161 may be electrically connected to the positive end of two ends of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 that are alternately electrically connected in series across the thermoelectric conversion unit 103. For example, the electrode 161 may be electrically connected to the end portion on the first direction B1 side of the thermoelectric conversion element 10N that is located furthest from the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(1,12) as shown in FIG. 11 in the opposite direction to the second direction B2.

[0202] The electrodes 160 and 161 may be made of any conductive material. There are no particular limitations on the material for forming the electrodes 160 and 161, and metals such as silver and copper can be used.

[0203] As described above, in the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 according to this embodiment, fold lines are formed in the sheet substrate 130. By folding the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 at the fold lines, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 can be miniaturized while ensuring power generation. Furthermore, the sheet substrate 130 has fold lines formed therein, namely, a first valley fold line 103H, a first mountain fold line 103L, a first fold line 103A, and a second fold line 103B. By folding the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 at the first valley fold line 103H, the first mountain fold line 103L, the first fold line 103A, and the second fold line 103B, a cavity as shown in FIG. 7 can be formed. By having the cavity as shown in FIG. 7, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 can be easily disposed on the shaft-shaped member 100 as a heat source.

[0204] Furthermore, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 according to this embodiment includes a first connecting portion 120 and a second connecting portion 121. As described above, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 can be configured such that only the second connecting portion 121 crosses the fold line, rather than all of the wiring including the first connecting portion 120 and the second connecting portion 121 crossing the fold line, due to the first connecting portion 120 and the second connecting portion 121. With this configuration, the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 can reduce the number of wirings crossing the fold line while electrically connecting the multiple thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in series by wiring across the thermoelectric conversion unit 103.

[0205] Generally, in a thermoelectric conversion unit, when the thermoelectric conversion unit is generating power, heat from a heat source or heat generated by a thermoelectric conversion element can be transmitted to the wiring. In a thermoelectric conversion unit, when such heat is transmitted to the wiring, the sheet substrate or the wiring may expand. When the sheet substrate or the wiring expands, if a fold line is formed in the sheet substrate, stress may concentrate at the fold line. When stress concentrates at the fold line, the wiring may break.

[0206] In general, the larger the size of the thermoelectric conversion unit, the more difficult it may be to form a uniform fold line on the sheet substrate when forming the fold line on the sheet substrate. Therefore, the larger the size of the thermoelectric conversion unit, the more likely it is that the fold line will be formed deeper in some parts of the sheet substrate than in other parts. When the thermoelectric conversion unit is folded, stress may concentrate in the parts where the fold line is formed deeper in the sheet substrate. The stress concentration in these parts may cause a break in the wire located near these parts.

[0207] In order to prevent the above-described wiring breakage, it is conceivable to form shallow fold lines in the sheet substrate. However, if the fold lines are formed shallowly in the sheet substrate, the thermoelectric conversion unit may shift or become bulky when folded along the fold lines. Furthermore, if the fold lines are formed shallowly in the sheet substrate, it becomes difficult to reliably fold the thermoelectric conversion module along the fold lines, which may increase the amount of air between the sheet substrates when the thermoelectric conversion unit is folded. If the amount of air between the sheet substrates increases, the air may trap heat inside the thermoelectric conversion unit. If heat is trapped inside the thermoelectric conversion unit, the temperature difference between both ends of the thermoelectric conversion element may become small.

[0208] In the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 according to this embodiment, of the wiring including the first connecting portion 120 and the second connecting portion 121, only the second connecting portion 121 crosses the fold line. This configuration reduces the number of wirings that cross the fold line, making it possible to easily identify the broken wiring even in the event of a break in the wiring, as described above. Furthermore, in this embodiment, by not forming a fold line at the second connecting portion 121 as described above, it is not necessary to form a shallow fold line in the sheet substrate 130. By not forming a shallow fold line in the sheet substrate 130, as described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent misalignment or bulkiness when the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 is folded along the fold line. Furthermore, by not forming a shallow fold line in the sheet substrate 130, it is possible to prevent an increase in the amount of air between the sheet substrates 130, as described above, and therefore it is possible to prevent heat from being trapped in the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 due to the air. Therefore, in this embodiment, the temperature difference between both ends of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 can become large.

[0209] Furthermore, in the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 according to this embodiment, a plurality of fold lines that separate two adjacent regions are formed on the sheet substrate 130, and at least one of the plurality of fold lines may have one second connector 121. For example, among the plurality of fold lines as shown in FIG. 11 , the first valley fold line 103H, which is located furthest away from the first direction B1, has one second connector 121. Specifically, at the first valley fold line 103H, only one second connector 121 is located, electrically connecting the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,1) and the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 in the region 103R(4,2) in series. By having only one second connector 121 at at least one of the plurality of fold lines, the number of wirings crossing the fold lines in the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 can be reduced.

[0210] (Configuration of holding jig) As in the first embodiment, the third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42 as shown in FIG. 6 can be fastened together with a fastening member 43 to sandwich the front and back surfaces of the second end portion 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10. In the second embodiment, when the third plate-shaped member 41 and the fourth plate-shaped member 42 sandwich the second end portion 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10, the surface 41b of the third plate-shaped member 41 and the surface 42b of the fourth plate-shaped member 42 as shown in FIG. 4 may contact a heat dissipation sheet 150 as shown in FIG. 16. When the surface 41b of the third plate-shaped member 41 and the surface 42b of the fourth plate-shaped member 42 contact the heat dissipation sheet 150, heat from the second end portion 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 can be efficiently dissipated from the third plate-shaped member 41 or the fourth plate-shaped member 42 to the outside air via the heat dissipation sheet 150 or the like.

[0211] Other configurations and effects of the holding jig 4 according to the second embodiment are the same as or similar to those of the holding jig 4 according to the first embodiment.

[0212] (Thermal Conduction Sheet Composition) FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the thermoelectric converter 101 taken along the line L4-L4 shown in FIG. When the thermoelectric conversion unit 103 is folded, it has folding portions 103p1, 103p2, 103p3, and 103p4. The folding portions 103p1 to 103p4 may be the portions from the first edge portion 103h of the thermoelectric conversion unit 103, i.e., the first valley fold line 1H, to the first end portion 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 as shown in Fig. 7. The shapes of the folding portions 103p1 to 103p4 as viewed from the axial direction A2 may be a shape that follows the outer periphery of the shaft-shaped member 100.

[0213] The thermally conductive sheet 5 may be formed to cover the folded portions 103p1 to 103p4. The thermally conductive sheet 5 may cover the first edge portion 103h, i.e., the first mountain fold line 103H, of each of the folded portions 103p1 to 103p4. The thermally conductive sheet 5 may be in contact with at least one of the surface 31b of the first plate-shaped member 31 and the surface 32b of the second plate-shaped member 32. Such a thermally conductive sheet 5 allows heat from the first holding member 30 to be efficiently transferred to the folded portions 103p1 to 103p4 via the thermally conductive sheet 5. By efficiently transferring heat from the first holding member 30 to the folded portions 103p1 to 103p4 via the thermally conductive sheet 5, the heat can be efficiently transferred to the first ends 10H of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 located at the folded portions 103p1 to 103p4. The number of thermally conductive sheets 5 included in the thermoelectric converter 1 may be one or more, as long as the thermally conductive sheets 5 can cover the folded portions 102p1 to 102p4. When the thermoelectric converter 101 includes multiple thermally conductive sheets 5, the multiple thermally conductive sheets 5 may be in contact with each other.

[0214] For example, heat from the first plate-shaped member 31 can be transferred to the rear surfaces of the first end portions 10H of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 of each of the folded portions 103p1 to 103p4 through the heat conduction sheet 5 in contact with the surface 31b of the first plate-shaped member 31 and the heat conduction sheet 5 in contact with this heat conduction sheet 5. Also, heat from the second plate-shaped member 32 can be transferred to the rear surfaces of the first end portions 10H of the thermoelectric conversion elements 10 of each of the folded portions 103p1 to 103p4 through the heat conduction sheet 5 in contact with the surface 32b of the second plate-shaped member 32 and the heat conduction sheet 5 in contact with this heat conduction sheet 5.

[0215] Other configurations and effects of the thermally conductive sheet 5 according to the second embodiment are the same as or similar to those of the thermally conductive sheet 5 according to the first embodiment.

[0216] Other configurations and effects of the thermoelectric converter 101 according to the second embodiment are the same as or similar to those of the thermoelectric converter 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0217] (Variation) In the above-described embodiment, the thermoelectric converter 1, 101 is disposed on a cylindrical shaft-shaped member 100. However, the thermoelectric converter of the present disclosure may be disposed on a shaft-shaped member of any shape as long as the shaft-shaped member serves as a heat source. Below, as a modified example of the present disclosure, an example in which a thermoelectric converter is disposed on a shaft-shaped member serving as a heat source, including a polygonal pillar-shaped member, will be described.

[0218] Fig. 18 is an external view of a thermoelectric converter 201 according to a modified example of the present invention. Fig. 19 is an exploded view of the holding jig 204 shown in Fig. 18.

[0219] As shown in FIG. 18 , a thermoelectric converter 201 may be disposed on a shaft-shaped member 200 that serves as a heat source. The shaft-shaped member 200 is, for example, a hexagonal nipple. The shaft-shaped member 200 may be used to connect two pipes. The shaft-shaped member 200 includes a threaded portion 200a, a threaded portion 200b, and a body portion 200c. The body portion 200c is located between the threaded portion 200a and the threaded portion 200b. The threaded portion 200a may be inserted into one of the two pipes that the shaft-shaped member 200 connects. The threaded portion 200b may be inserted into the other of the two pipes that the shaft-shaped member 200 connects. When the shaft-shaped member 200 connects two pipes, hot water, hot air, or the like from one of the two pipes may pass through the inside of the shaft-shaped member 200. When hot water or hot air passes through the inside of the shaft-shaped member 200, heat can be generated from the shaft-shaped member 200.

[0220] Although the shaft-shaped member 200 is configured to allow a so-called hot heat source to pass through as a heat source, it may also be configured to allow a cold heat source such as a cooling medium to pass through.

[0221] In the modified example, the circumferential direction A1 is the circumferential direction of the shaft-shaped member 200. In the modified example, the circumferential direction A1 is the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the front side of the paper in FIG. 18. Furthermore, the axial direction A2 is the axial direction of the shaft-shaped member 200. In the modified example, the axial direction A2 is the direction from the top side of the paper in FIG. 18 to the bottom side of the paper. Furthermore, the radial direction A3 is the radial direction of the shaft-shaped member 200. In the modified example, the radial direction A3 is the direction from the shaft-shaped member 200 toward the outside.

[0222] As shown in FIG. 18 , the thermoelectric converter 201 may extend along the circumferential direction A1. When viewed from the axial direction A2, the shape of the portion of the thermoelectric converter 201 on the side of the shaft-shaped member 200 and the shape of the portion of the thermoelectric converter 201 opposite to the shaft-shaped member 200 may be an arc of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 200. The length of the thermoelectric converter 201 along the circumferential direction A1 may be a length ranging from ¼ to ½ of the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 200, as in the first embodiment. The thermoelectric converter 201 may have a predetermined width in the radial direction A3. This predetermined width may be set appropriately based on the width of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 of the thermoelectric conversion module 2 in the radial direction A3 as shown in FIG. 3 . The shape of the thermoelectric converter 201 when viewed from the axial direction A2 may be a portion of a substantially circular ring, or may be a substantially circular ring.

[0223] The thermoelectric converter 201 may be disposed in the body portion 200c of the shaft-shaped member 200. The body portion 200c has a hexagonal prism shape. The thermoelectric converter 201 includes a thermoelectric conversion module 2 and a holding jig 204. The thermoelectric converter 201 may include a thermoelectric conversion module 102 instead of the thermoelectric conversion module 2. The thermoelectric converter 201 may further include a thermally conductive sheet 5.

[0224] The holding jig 204 may be attached to the trunk portion 200c of the shaft-shaped member 200 when in use. As shown in Fig. 19, the holding jig 204 includes a first holding member 230. The holding jig 204 may further include a second holding member 40 and a connecting member 50. The number of connecting members 50 included in the holding jig 204 may be any number depending on the size of the holding jig 204, etc.

[0225] The first holding member 230 may hold the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in a heat-transferable state, similar to the first holding member 30 shown in Fig. 1. The first holding member 230 may hold the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in a heat-transferable state of the first holding member 230 to the first end 10H, similar to the first holding member 30 shown in Fig. 1.

[0226] The first holding member 230 may extend along the circumferential direction A1, similar to the first holding member 30 shown in FIG. 1 . The shape of the portion of the first holding member 230 on the shaft-shaped member 200 side and the shape of the portion of the first holding member 230 opposite to the shaft-shaped member 200, as viewed in the axial direction A2, may be an arc of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 200. The length of the first holding member 230 along the circumferential direction A1 may be a length ranging from ¼ to ½ of the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 200, as in the first embodiment. The first holding member 230 may have a predetermined width in the radial direction A3. As in the first embodiment, the predetermined width may be set appropriately based on the length of the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 in the radial direction A3, etc. The shape of the first holding member 230 as viewed in the axial direction A2 may be a part of a substantially annular shape or may be a substantially annular shape.

[0227] The first holding member 230 has a first plate-shaped member 231 and a second plate-shaped member 232. The first holding member 230 may further have a fastening member 33. Each of the first plate-shaped member 231 and the second plate-shaped member 232 has thermal conductivity. Each of the first plate-shaped member 231 and the second plate-shaped member 232 may be made of any material that has thermal conductivity.

[0228] The first plate-shaped member 231 may include an opening 31a, a surface 231b, a surface 231c, and a contact surface 231d. The second plate-shaped member 232 may include an opening 32a, a surface 232b, a surface 231c, and a contact surface 231d.

[0229] The surface 231b is a surface of the first plate-shaped member 231 facing the axial direction A2, similar to the surface 31b shown in Fig. 4. The surface 231c is a surface of the first plate-shaped member 231 facing the opposite direction of the axial direction A2, similar to the surface 31c shown in Fig. 4. The surface 232b is a surface of the second plate-shaped member 232 facing the opposite direction of the axial direction A2, similar to the surface 32b shown in Fig. 4. The surface 232c is a surface of the second plate-shaped member 232 facing the axial direction A2, similar to the surface 32c shown in Fig. 4.

[0230] A contact surface 231d may be formed on the first plate-shaped member 231. A contact surface 232d may be formed on the second plate-shaped member 232. However, it is sufficient that the contact surface 231d or the contact surface 232d is formed on either the first plate-shaped member 231 or the second plate-shaped member 232. The contact surface 231d and the contact surface 232d can come into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped member 200.

[0231] The contact surface 231d may be a side surface of the first plate-shaped member 231 that is located on the shaft-shaped member 200 side. The contact surface 232d may be a side surface of the second plate-shaped member 232 that is located on the shaft-shaped member 200 side. The shapes of the contact surfaces 231d and 232d may correspond to the outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped member 200. For example, when the length of the first holding member 230 along the circumferential direction A1 is half the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member 200, each of the contact surfaces 231d and 232d may include two flat surfaces that can come into contact with the trunk portion 200c.

[0232] Since the contact surface 231d or the contact surface 232d is formed on at least one of the first plate-shaped member 231 and the second plate-shaped member 232, heat from the shaft-shaped member 200 can be efficiently transferred to the first holding member 230 via at least one of the contact surface 231d or the contact surface 232d. Since the heat from the shaft-shaped member 200 is efficiently transferred to the first holding member 230, heat from the shaft-shaped member 200 can be efficiently transferred to the first end 10H of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 via the first holding member 230.

[0233] In a modified example, one of the two ends of the connecting member 50 may be fixed to the surface 231c of the first plate-shaped member 231 of the first holding member 230. The other of the two ends of the connecting member 50 may be fixed to the surface 41c of the third plate-shaped member 41 of the second holding member 40.

[0234] Other configurations and effects of the first holding member 230, the first plate-shaped member 231, and the second plate-shaped member 232 are the same as or similar to those of the first holding member 30, the first plate-shaped member 31, and the second plate-shaped member 32 shown in Figure 3.

[0235] Other configurations and effects of the thermoelectric converter 201 according to the modified example are the same as or similar to those of the thermoelectric converter 1 shown in FIG.

[0236] The above description merely shows one embodiment of the present invention, and it goes without saying that various modifications may be made within the scope of the claims.

[0237] For example, a thermoelectric conversion unit 3 as shown in Fig. 3 may be provided with a heat dissipation sheet 150 as shown in Fig. 16. In this case, the heat dissipation sheet 150 may cover from the second edge portion 3L of the thermoelectric conversion unit 3 to the second end portion 10L of the thermoelectric conversion element 10 as shown in Fig. 4. The heat dissipation sheet 150 may also be in contact with the surface 41b of the third plate-shaped member 41 and the surface 42b of the fourth plate-shaped member 42. [Industrial Applicability]

[0238] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a holding jig and a thermoelectric conversion device that can efficiently transfer heat from a shaft-shaped member that serves as a heat source to a thermoelectric conversion module. [Explanation of symbols]

[0239] 1,101,201 Thermoelectric conversion device 2, 2A, 2B, 102 Thermoelectric conversion module 3,103 Thermoelectric conversion units 3H,103h 1st edge 3L,103l 2nd edge 4,204 Holding fixture 5. Thermal Conduction Sheet 30,230 First retaining member 31,231 First plate-shaped member 32,232 Second plate-shaped member 31a,32a opening 31b,31c,32b,32c,231b,231c,232b,232c surface 31d,32d,231d,232d Contact surface 33 Fastening members 40 second holding member 41 third plate-shaped member 42 Fourth plate-shaped member 41A,42A opening 43 Fastening members 50 Connecting member 10, 10N, 10P thermoelectric conversion element 10H 1st end 10L 2nd end 20,130 sheet substrate 100,200 Shaft-shaped member 103A First fold line 103A1 Second valley fold line 103A2 Second mountain fold line 103B Second fold line 103B1 Third valley fold line 103B2 Third mountain fold line 103H First valley fold line 103H1 First line 103H2 Second line segment 103L First mountain fold line 103L1 Third line segment 103L2 4th line 103R,103R1~103R4 area 103U unit Blocks 103b, 103b1 to 103b12 103p protrusion 103P1,103P2,103P3,103P4 part 120 1st connection part 121 2nd connection part 122 Conductive materials 123 First joining member 124 Second joining member 130 sheet substrate 131 parts 132,133,134 Cover layer 135,136,138,140 Resin layer 137,139,141 Adhesive layer 150 Heat dissipation sheet 160,161 electrode 200a, 200b threaded part 200c body

Claims

1. A holding jig is attached to an outer periphery of a shaft-shaped member that serves as a heat source in a state in which the holding jig holds a thermoelectric conversion module having a thermoelectric conversion element that generates electricity using a temperature difference, the thermoelectric conversion element is formed in an elongated shape extending from the shaft-shaped member side along a substantially radial direction, and has a first end portion on the shaft-shaped member side in the elongated shape, and a second end portion opposite to the first end portion; the holding jig includes a first holding member that holds the first end portion in a heat-transferable state; the first holding member has a contact surface that contacts an outer circumferential surface of the shaft-shaped member, and heat of the shaft-shaped member is transferred to the first holding member via the contact surface; The length of the contact surface in the axial direction of the shaft-shaped member is greater than the thickness of the thermoelectric conversion module.

2. The holding jig according to claim 1, The thermoelectric conversion module is a holding jig that includes a thermoelectric conversion unit having a sheet substrate and a plurality of the thermoelectric conversion elements that are arranged in contact with the sheet substrate.

3. The holding jig according to claim 2, The thermoelectric conversion module is configured as a stack of a plurality of the thermoelectric conversion units.

4. The holding jig according to claim 2, The holding jig further includes a thermally conductive sheet formed to straddle and cover the first ends of the thermoelectric conversion elements adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the shaft-shaped member.

5. The holding jig according to claim 2, The thermoelectric conversion unit has a plurality of fold lines formed therein, The thermoelectric conversion unit is configured to be foldable along the folding lines, and in a folded state has a folding portion that is shaped along the outer periphery of the shaft-shaped member.

6. The holding jig according to claim 5, The holding jig further includes a heat conductive sheet formed to cover the folded portion.

7. The holding jig according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The first holding member is a holding jig that includes a first plate-shaped member and a second plate-shaped member that sandwich the front and back surfaces of the first end portion.

8. The holding jig according to claim 7, The holding jig, wherein the contact surface is formed on at least one of the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member.

9. The holding jig according to any one of claims 1 to 8, The holding jig further includes a second holding member that holds the second end portion.

10. The holding jig according to claim 9, a connecting member that connects the first holding member and the second holding member; The holding jig, wherein the thermal conductivity of the connection member is lower than the thermal conductivity of both the first holding member and the second holding member.

11. The holding jig according to claim 9 or 10, The second holding member includes a third plate-shaped member and a fourth plate-shaped member that sandwich the front and back surfaces of the second end portion.

12. The holding jig according to any one of claims 1 to 11, A holding jig, wherein the length of each of the thermoelectric conversion module and the holding jig along the circumferential direction of the shaft-shaped member is in the range of 1 / 4 to 1 / 2 of the circumferential length of a circle centered on the shaft-shaped member.

13. The holding jig according to any one of claims 1 to 12; A thermoelectric conversion device comprising the thermoelectric conversion module.

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