Electricity consumption devices
The gyro device addresses the waste of heat energy by converting it into electricity using a thermoelectric conversion element member, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing power consumption.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TAMAGAWA SEIKI CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2022-10-04
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-29
AI Technical Summary
Conventional gyro devices waste heat energy generated by the gyro and accelerometer, as it is absorbed and exhausted outside, rather than being effectively utilized.
The gyro device incorporates a thermoelectric conversion element member within a case member, which converts the absorbed heat into electricity using a flexible substrate with alternating n-type and p-type semiconductor members, connected by electrodes, and a power supply unit to utilize this electricity for operation.
The device becomes more energy-efficient by converting waste heat into operating power, reducing overall power consumption and enhancing energy utilization.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a power consumption device, and particularly to a power consumption device having a thermoelectric conversion element member.
Background Art
[0002] As a conventional power consumption device, for example, a gyro device as described in Patent Document 1 is known. The gyro device described in this Patent Document 1 has an attachment body to which a gyro and an accelerometer are attached, and a Peltier element is attached to this attachment body as a thermoelectric conversion element. In this gyro device, the heat generated during the operation of the gyro and the accelerometer is absorbed by the Peltier element, and thus the gyro and the accelerometer are cooled.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] However, in a gyro device as described in Patent Document 1, the heat generated during the operation of the gyro and the accelerometer is absorbed by the Peltier element and exhausted outside the gyro device, so there is a problem that the heat energy is only discarded and not effectively utilized.
[0005] This invention has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to save power for the power consumption device by using the heat absorbed by the thermoelectric conversion element member.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the power consumption device of the present invention Gyroscope main unit and Gyroscope main unitA case member that houses the thermoelectric element member provided in the case member, and a unit to which the power generated by the thermoelectric element is input, and the power generated by the thermoelectric element is converted Gyroscope main unit It includes a power supply unit that outputs power for operation. The gyro body comprises a coil bobbin, an optical fiber coil wound around the coil bobbin, and a calculation unit provided inside the coil bobbin. The wall portion of the case member has at least one case curved portion that curves along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber coil. The thermoelectric conversion element member provided on the case curved portion includes a flexible member on which a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged on a flexible substrate, and the flexible member is bent along the case curved portion. .
[0007] Furthermore, the case member may be a cylindrical case, with the wall portion having a circular planar case top portion, and the thermoelectric conversion element member provided on the case top portion may be attached flat to the case top portion. Furthermore, the flexible member has a plurality of rectangular lower electrodes located radially inward, a plurality of rectangular upper electrodes located radially outward, and a plurality of n-type semiconductor members and a plurality of p-type semiconductor members provided between the lower electrodes and the upper electrodes. The lower electrodes and upper electrodes are arranged by alternately connecting adjacent n-type semiconductor members and p-type semiconductor members in series, and the upper electrodes may be arranged so that their longitudinal direction extends along the axial direction of the optical fiber coil. Furthermore, the wall portion of the case member has at least one curved case portion, and the thermoelectric conversion element portion provided on the curved case portion includes a flexible member on which a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged on a flexible substrate, and the flexible member may be bent along the curved case portion. Furthermore, the power consumption unit may be the gyroscope itself. Furthermore, the thermoelectric conversion element may include a heating element that absorbs light in the infrared region and generates heat. Also, Gyroscope main unit A heat-conducting member may be provided between the thermoelectric conversion element and the other component. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] The power consumption device according to this invention comprises a thermoelectric conversion element member provided in a case member, and a power supply unit that receives power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element unit and outputs the power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element unit as the operating power of the power consumption unit. Therefore, the power consumption device can be made more energy-efficient by utilizing the heat absorbed by the thermoelectric conversion element member. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0009] [Figure 1] This is an exploded view of the gyro device of Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view of the gyro device 1 shown in Figure 1, cut along its central axis. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the configuration of the thermoelectric conversion element component. [Figure 4] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the thermoelectric conversion element component. [Figure 5]This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the side element member and the optical fiber coil. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing a portion of the configuration of a conventional thermoelectric conversion element component. [Figure 7] This is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the thermoelectric conversion element member of Embodiment 2. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view of the gyro device of Embodiment 3, cut along its central axis. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0010] Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, a power consumption device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described based on the attached drawings. Figure 1 is an exploded view showing the gyro device of Embodiment 1. The gyro device 1 has a cylindrical case member 30, a thermoelectric conversion element member 40 housed in the case member 30, and a cylindrical gyro body 20 housed in the case member 30. The gyro device 1 constitutes a power consumption device.
[0011] The case member 30 is a cylindrical case made of metal and has a wall portion 31. The wall portion 31 is composed of a closed, circular, planar case top portion 32 and a case side portion 33 that is curved along the circumferential direction. The outer portions of the case top portion 32 and the case side portion 33 are in contact with the atmosphere surrounding the gyro device 1. The case side portion 33 constitutes the curved surface portion of the case.
[0012] The thermoelectric conversion element member 40 includes an upper-side element member 41 provided on the case upper surface portion 32 side and a side-side element member 42 provided on the case side portion 33 side. The upper-side element member 41 is formed in a substantially circular shape that can be housed in the case member 30. The side-side element member 42 is formed by bending into a cylindrical shape with a diameter that can be housed in the case member 30. Furthermore, the length of the side-side element member 42 in the direction along the axial direction of the case member 30 is formed to be a size that can be housed in the case member 30.
[0013] The gyro main body 20 constitutes the main body of the gyro device 1 which is an optical fiber gyro, and includes a coil bobbin 21 housed in a case member 30, an optical fiber coil 22 wound around the coil bobbin 21, a base portion 23, and an arithmetic unit 24 disposed inside the coil bobbin 21 on the base portion 23. The optical fiber coil 22 has laser light incident from a laser diode light source (not shown) and detects the rotational movement of the gyro device 1 due to the Sagnac effect. The base portion 23 is connected to the lower end portion of the optical fiber coil 22, constitutes the lower end portion of the gyro device 1 together with the arithmetic unit 24, and supports the arithmetic unit 24. The arithmetic unit 24 calculates the rotational movement of the gyro device 1 detected in the optical fiber coil 22 and outputs the calculation result to the outside of the gyro device 1 as the measurement result of the gyro device 1. Note that the gyro main body 20 constitutes a power consumption part.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the gyro device 1 shown in FIG. 1 cut along the central axis of the gyro main body 20. The upper surface side element member 41 of the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 is flatly attached to the lower part of the case upper surface portion 32. Also, a flexible substrate 43, which will be described later, of the upper surface side element member 41 is in contact with the lower part of the case upper surface portion 32. The side surface side element member 42 of the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 is bent into a cylindrical shape along the curvature of the case side surface portion 33 and is attached to the inner surface of the case side surface portion 33 via an insulating member 35. This insulating member 35 is composed of an insulating material having heat conductivity or an insulating material formed sufficiently thin so that heat can conduct. In the following description, the side facing the arithmetic unit 24 of the upper surface side element member 41 and the side facing the optical fiber coil 22 of the side surface side element member 42 are referred to as the inner side. Also, the side in contact with the case upper surface portion 32 of the upper surface side element member 41 and the side in contact with the case side surface portion 33 of the side surface side element member 42 are referred to as the outer side. Inside the optical fiber coil 22 and above the base portion 23, an arithmetic unit 24 and a power supply unit 70 are arranged. The power supply unit 70 supplies power to each component of the gyro device 1 during the operation of the gyro device 1.
[0015] Next, the configuration of the thermoelectric conversion element member will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a partial schematic view showing a part of the configuration of the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a partial schematic view of the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 shown in FIG. 3. The thermoelectric conversion element member 40 has a plurality of rectangular lower electrodes 44 arranged on a flexible substrate 43. One n-type semiconductor member 45 and one p-type semiconductor member 46 are arranged on each lower electrode 44. The n-type semiconductor member 45 and the p-type semiconductor member 46 are formed by fabricating an n-type semiconductor and a p-type semiconductor of a bismuth tellurium material (bismuth telluride: Bi2Te3) into a rectangular parallelepiped ingot. A plurality of rectangular upper electrodes 47 are arranged above the n-type semiconductor member 45 and the p-type semiconductor member 46. Each upper electrode 47 is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is along the same direction. On the flexible substrate 43 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the direction along which the longitudinal direction of the upper electrode 47 extends is referred to as the X direction, which is the row direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X direction is referred to as the Y direction, which is the column direction.
[0016] The lower electrode 44 and the upper electrode 47 alternately connect adjacent n-type semiconductor members 45 and p-type semiconductor members 46 in series. For example, the n-type semiconductor member 45 in the second column and the p-type semiconductor member 46 in the third column, counted from the first end portion 43a, which is one end portion of the flexible substrate 43 in the X direction, are connected by the lower electrode 44. Also, the p-type semiconductor member 46 in the third column and the n-type semiconductor member 45 in the fourth column, counted from the first end portion 43a, are connected by the upper electrode 47. Then, by alternately connecting the n-type semiconductor members 45 and the p-type semiconductor members 46 with the lower electrode 44 and the upper electrode 47 along the row direction, adjacent n-type semiconductor members 45 and p-type semiconductor members 46 are alternately connected in series.
[0017] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the lower electrodes 44a, whose longitudinal direction is aligned with the Y direction, are arranged to connect one pair each of the n-type semiconductor members 45 and p-type semiconductor members 46 in the first row, counting from the first end 43a of the flexible substrate 43, specifically the first and second rows, and the third and fourth rows, counting from the third end 43c, which is one end in the Y direction. As a result, the first and second rows of the n-type semiconductor members 45 and p-type semiconductor members 46 arranged on the flexible substrate 43 are connected, and the third and fourth rows are also connected.
[0018] Furthermore, at the second end 43b, which is the other end of the flexible substrate 43 in the X direction, lower electrodes 44b are arranged so as to connect a pair of adjacent n-type semiconductor members 45 and p-type semiconductor members 46, specifically the second and third rows counting from the third end 43c, along the Y direction. This connects the second and third rows of n-type semiconductor members 45 and p-type semiconductor members 46 arranged on the flexible substrate 43. Also, at the second end 43b, lower electrodes 44c and 44d are arranged so as to have their longitudinal directions aligned with the column direction X for the first row of n-type semiconductor members 45 and the fourth row of p-type semiconductor members 46. The other lower electrodes 44 are arranged so as to have their longitudinal directions aligned with the X direction.
[0019] As a result, in the thermoelectric conversion element member 40, the n-type semiconductor member 45 and p-type semiconductor member 46 arranged on the flexible substrate 43 are alternately connected in series between the lower electrode 44c and the lower electrode 44d on the second end 43b side, via each lower electrode 44 and each upper electrode 47, thereby forming a Seebeck element. Furthermore, the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 is formed by appropriately combining these configurations as the upper surface element member 41 and the side surface element member 42 shown in Figure 2.
[0020] Figure 5 is a schematic partial diagram showing the positional relationship between the side element member 42 and the optical fiber coil 22 when the side element member 42, which is a thermoelectric conversion element member 40, is provided around the optical fiber coil 22. The side element member 42 (thermoelectric conversion element member 40) is positioned radially outward of the optical fiber coil 22 wound around the coil bobbin 21, with the surface on the upper electrode 47 side attached to the inner surface of the case side portion 33 (see Figure 2). The lower electrode 44 of the thermoelectric conversion element member 40, located on the flexible substrate 43 side, i.e., radially inward, includes lower electrodes 44a and 44b, one whose longitudinal direction extends along the axial direction of the optical fiber coil 22 and the other whose longitudinal direction extends along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber coil 22. The upper electrode 47 of the thermoelectric conversion element member 40, located radially outward, consists only of electrodes whose longitudinal direction extends along the axial direction of the optical fiber coil 22.
[0021] In other words, in the side element member 42, the lower electrode 44 located radially inward includes an electrode whose longitudinal direction extends in the circumferential direction of the optical fiber coil 22, while the upper electrode 47 located radially outward consists only of an electrode whose longitudinal direction extends in the direction along the axial direction of the optical fiber coil 22. Therefore, the side element member 42 (thermoelectric conversion element member 40) is flexible and can be easily bent along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber coil 22 when the side with the upper electrode 47 is facing outward. The side element member 42 constitutes a flexible member.
[0022] The lower electrode 44c at one end and the lower electrode 44d at the other end of the upper element member 41 and the side element member 42, which are thermoelectric conversion element members 40, are connected to the power supply unit 70 shown in Figure 2 by a wire (not shown). The power supply unit 70 is connected to an external power source (not shown) located outside the gyro device 1, and converts the power supplied from the outside appropriately to supply the operating power of the calculation unit 24 and the optical fiber coil 22 of the gyro device 1. Power output from the upper element member 41 and the side element member 42 is also input to the power supply unit 70. Furthermore, the power supply unit 70 boosts the input power from the upper element member 41 and the side element member 42 using a boost converter (not shown) and supplies it to the calculation unit 24 and the optical fiber coil 22.
[0023] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing a part of the configuration of a conventional thermoelectric element member 100, and the differences between the conventional thermoelectric element member 100 and the thermoelectric element member 40 of Embodiment 1 of this application will be explained with reference to this figure. In the conventional thermoelectric element member 100, components that are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the thermoelectric element member 40 of Embodiment 1 of this application are the same or corresponding components as those of the thermoelectric element member 40. The conventional thermoelectric element member 100 has a substrate 103, which is made of a flexible substrate or a rigid substrate that does not have flexibility, such as a glass epoxy substrate. Lower electrodes 44 are arranged on the substrate 103 so that their longitudinal direction is along the X direction. An n-type semiconductor member 45 and a p-type semiconductor member 46 are arranged on the lower electrodes 44, and upper electrodes 47 are connected to the n-type semiconductor member 45 and the p-type semiconductor member 46.
[0024] The upper electrodes 47a are arranged such that the longitudinal direction is aligned with the Y direction, by connecting one pair each of the n-type semiconductor members 45 and p-type semiconductor members 46 in the first row, counting from the first end 103a of the substrate 103, that are adjacent to each other along the Y direction, specifically the first and second rows and the third and fourth rows, counting from the third end 103c, which is one end in the Y direction. As a result, the first and second rows, and the third and fourth rows of the n-type semiconductor members 45 and p-type semiconductor members 46 arranged on the substrate 103 are connected.
[0025] Furthermore, at the second end 103b, which is the other end of the substrate 103 in the X direction, a pair of adjacent n-type semiconductor members 45 and p-type semiconductor members 46, counting from the third end 103c, are connected, and upper electrodes 47b are arranged so that their longitudinal direction is aligned with the Y direction. This connects the second and third rows of n-type semiconductor members 45 and p-type semiconductor members 46 arranged on the substrate 103. Also, at the second end 103b, upper electrodes 47c and 47d are arranged on the first row of n-type semiconductor members 45 and the fourth row of p-type semiconductor members 46 so that their longitudinal direction is aligned with the column direction X. The other upper electrodes 47 are arranged so that their longitudinal direction is aligned with the X direction.
[0026] Conventional thermoelectric element members 100 are difficult to bend and lack flexibility when a rigid substrate is used as the substrate 103. Furthermore, even when a flexible substrate is used as the substrate 103 in conventional thermoelectric element members 100, the upper electrode 47 located radially outward includes electrodes arranged so that their longitudinal direction extends along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber coil 22 (see Figure 5). Therefore, the thermoelectric element member 40 is difficult to bend along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber coil 22 and has lower flexibility compared to the thermoelectric element member 40 of Embodiment 1 of this application.
[0027] Next, the operation of the gyro device 1 according to this embodiment 1 will be described. During operation of the gyro device 1 shown in Figure 2, operating power is supplied from the power supply unit 70 to the calculation unit 24 and the optical fiber coil 22, and heat is generated in the calculation unit 24 and the optical fiber coil 22. In other words, the calculation unit 24 and the optical fiber coil 22 become heat sources during the operation of the gyro device 1. The heat generated in the calculation unit 24 is mainly conducted to the upper surface element member 41 attached to the upper surface 32 of the case. The heat generated in the optical fiber coil 22 is mainly conducted to the side surface element member 42 attached to the side surface 33 of the case. In addition, the upper surface 32 and the side surface 33 of the case are in contact with the atmosphere surrounding the gyro device 1.
[0028] The top surface 32 of the case is in contact with the outside of the top surface element member 41, and heat mainly dissipated from the calculation unit 24 is conducted to the inside of the top surface element member 41, creating a temperature gradient between the inside and outside of the top surface element member 41. Similarly, the side surface 33 of the case is in contact with the outside of the side surface element member 42, and heat mainly dissipated from the optical fiber coil 22 is conducted to the inside of the side surface element member 42, creating a temperature gradient between the inside and outside of the side surface element member 42. As a result, an electromotive force is generated between the inside and outside of the top surface element member 41 and the side surface element member 42 due to the Seebeck effect, and the top surface element member 41 and the side surface element member 42 output power. In this case, as shown in Figure 5, the side element member 42 is curved along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber coil 22, so the distance between the side element member 42 and the optical fiber coil 22, which is the heat source, is short, and the heat conducted from the optical fiber coil 22 is efficiently transferred to the side element member 42.
[0029] Next, the power output by the top-side element member 41 and the side-side element member 42 is input to the power supply unit 70 (see Figure 2). The power supply unit 70 uses a boost converter to boost the power output by the top-side element member 41 and the side-side element member 42 to an appropriate voltage and outputs it as the operating power for the calculation unit 24 and the optical fiber coil 22.
[0030] As a result, the heat generated from the coil bobbin 21 and calculation unit 24 of the gyro body 20 by the operation of the gyro device 1 is converted into electricity by the thermoelectric conversion element members 40, which consist of the upper element member 41 and the side element member 42, and input to the power supply unit 70. This converts the heat generated by the operation of the gyro device 1 into the operating power of the gyro device 1, thereby reducing the power consumption of the gyro device 1 and saving power.
[0031] As described above, the gyro device 1 according to this embodiment 1 includes a gyro body 20 that constitutes a power consumption unit, a case member 30 that houses the gyro body 20, a thermoelectric conversion element member 40 provided in the case member 30, and a power supply unit 70 that receives power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 and outputs the power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 as the operating power of the gyro body 20. Therefore, the heat absorbed by the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 can be used as the operating power of the gyro device 1, thereby reducing the power consumption of the gyro device 1 and saving power.
[0032] Furthermore, the wall portion 31 of the case member 30 has at least one case side portion 33, and the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 provided on the case side portion 33 includes a side portion element member 42 on which a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged on a flexible substrate, and since the side portion element member 42 is bent along the case side portion 33, the side portion element member 42, which is a heat source, curves along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber coil 22, the distance between the side portion element member 42 and the optical fiber coil 22 becomes shorter, the heat conductivity to the side portion element member 42 is improved, and the gyro device 1 can be made more power-efficient.
[0033] Furthermore, since the power consumption unit is the gyro body 20, the gyro device 1 can be made more power-efficient by utilizing the heat generated by the gyro body 20, which generates a large amount of heat.
[0034] In this embodiment 1, the lower electrode 44 was provided on the flexible substrate 43 of the side element member 42, and the side element member 42 was attached to the side of the case 33 with the lower electrode 44 facing inward. However, the side element member 42 may be any other flexible thermoelectric conversion element member. For example, the upper electrode 47 may be provided on the flexible substrate 43 of the side element member 42, and the flexible substrate 43 may be attached to the inside of the side of the case 33 with the upper electrode 47 facing outward.
[0035] Furthermore, in this embodiment 1, the upper surface element member 41 was a flexible thermoelectric conversion element member 40 equipped with a flexible substrate 43, but any non-flexible thermoelectric conversion element member may be used. For example, the conventional thermoelectric conversion element member 100 shown in Figure 6 may be used.
[0036] Embodiment 2. Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. Reference numerals identical to those in Figures 1 to 6 indicate the same or similar components, so a detailed explanation of them will be omitted. The power consumption device according to Embodiment 2 uses a thermoelectric conversion element member that includes a heating element that absorbs light in the infrared region and generates heat, compared to Embodiment 1.
[0037] Figure 7 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the thermoelectric conversion element member of this second embodiment. The thermoelectric conversion element member 40 of the gyro device 1 (see Figure 2) is provided with an upper electrode 48 that connects an n-type semiconductor member 45 and a p-type semiconductor member 46. The upper electrode 48 is formed of a silver (Ag) film. A calcium fluoride (CaF2) layer 49 is laminated on the upper part of the upper electrode 48. Multiple flat silver nanoparticles, known as silver nanodiscs (AgND) 50, are arranged on the upper part of the calcium fluoride layer 49. The upper electrode 48, the calcium fluoride layer 49, and the silver nanodiscs 50 constitute a metamaterial structure 51. The metamaterial structure 51 also constitutes a heat-generating element.
[0038] The metamaterial structure 51 absorbs infrared light from thermal radiation, exciting magnetic field resonance. As a result, heat is generated due to a portion of the magnetic field resonance loss. The generated heat propagates through the upper electrode 48, which is made of silver film, to the lower n-type semiconductor member 45 and p-type semiconductor member 46. A temperature gradient is generated inside the n-type semiconductor member 45 and the p-type semiconductor member 46, generating an electromotive force in the thermoelectric conversion element member 40. The diameter and arrangement period of the silver nanodiscs 50 and the thickness of the calcium fluoride layer 49 are optimized so that the absorption peak of the metamaterial structure 51 matches the thermal radiation spectrum peak of a blackbody at 500 K (Kelvin). The other configurations are the same as in Embodiment 1.
[0039] Next, the operation of the gyro device 1 according to this second embodiment will be described. When infrared light is emitted from the optical fiber coil 22 and the calculation unit 24 by thermal radiation to the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 of the gyro device 1 shown in Figure 2, the metamaterial structure 51 shown in Figure 7 absorbs the infrared light, exciting magnetic field resonance, and heat is generated due to a portion of the loss from the magnetic field resonance. This generated heat propagates through the upper electrode 48 to the lower n-type semiconductor member 45 and p-type semiconductor member 46, and a temperature gradient (thermal gradient) is generated inside the n-type semiconductor member 45 and the p-type semiconductor member 46, generating an electromotive force in the thermoelectric conversion element member 40. The power generated is input to the power supply unit 70 (see Figure 2) and used as the operating power for the gyro device 1.
[0040] Generally, thermoelectric conversion element members do not generate an electromotive force, or only generate a very small electromotive force, when the temperature gradient between one surface and the other is 0°C or a small value close to 0°C. On the other hand, the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 having the metamaterial structure 51 of this embodiment 2 can absorb infrared light from the heat radiation of the optical fiber coil 22 and the calculation unit 24, which are heat sources, and generate a temperature gradient within the film of the n-type semiconductor member 45 and the film of the p-type semiconductor member 46. Therefore, even if the ambient temperature around the gyro device 1 is high, or the elapsed time since the start of operation of the gyro device 1 is short, resulting in a small amount of heat accumulated in the optical fiber coil 22 and the calculation unit 24, and the temperature gradient between the inside and outside of the case member 30 is 0°C or a small value close to 0°C, the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 can still output power due to the temperature gradient generated within the film of the n-type semiconductor member 45 and the film of the p-type semiconductor member 46 by infrared light.
[0041] Thus, in the gyro device 1 according to this second embodiment, the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 includes a metamaterial structure 51 that absorbs light in the infrared region and generates heat. Therefore, even when the temperature gradient between one surface of the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 and the other surface is 0°C or a small value close to 0°C, the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 can output power.
[0042] In this embodiment 2, the metamaterial structure 51 was composed of an upper electrode 48 made of silver film, a calcium fluoride layer 49, and a silver nanodisc 50, but it may be made of any other material and configuration. Also, in this embodiment 2, the heating element was composed of the metamaterial structure 51, but the heating element may be composed of any other structure and component.
[0043] Embodiment 3. Next, Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. The power consumption device according to Embodiment 3 is provided with a heat conductive member between the gyro body and the thermoelectric conversion element member, compared to Embodiment 1. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the gyro device according to Embodiment 3, cut along the central axis. A heat conductive member 34 is positioned between the optical fiber coil 22 of the gyro body 20 and the side element member 42, which is a thermoelectric conversion element member 40. The heat conductive member 34 is a silicone-based clay-like heat conductive member with high thermal conductivity, insulation, and plasticity. This improves the thermal conductivity between the optical fiber coil 22 and the side element member 42. The other configurations are the same as in Embodiment 1.
[0044] As described above, a heat conductive member 34 is provided between the gyro body 20 and the thermoelectric conversion element member 40. This improves the thermal conductivity between the optical fiber coil 22 of the gyro body 20 and the side element member 42, allowing the heat generated from the optical fiber coil 22 to be used more efficiently as operating power for the gyro device 1.
[0045] In the gyro device according to this third embodiment, a heat conductive member 34 was provided between the optical fiber coil 22 and the side element member 42. However, the heat conductive member 34 may also be placed between the calculation unit 24 of the gyro body 20 and the top element member 41, which is the thermoelectric conversion element member 40. Alternatively, the heat conductive member 34 may be provided both between the optical fiber coil 22 and the side element member 42, and between the calculation unit 24 and the top element member 41. This improves the thermal conductivity between the calculation unit 24 and the top element member 41, allowing the heat generated from the calculation unit 24 to be used more efficiently as operating power for the gyro device 1.
[0046] Furthermore, although the heat conductive member 34 in this third embodiment was a silicone-based clay-like heat conductive member, any other heat conductive member may be used. For example, an insulating heat conductive member in which a ceramic material is filled into a silicone member may be used, or a heat conductive member without any insulating properties may be used by applying an appropriate insulating treatment to the thermoelectric conversion element member 40, or a known heat conductive sheet member may be used.
[0047] Furthermore, while gyro device 1, which is an optical fiber gyroscope, was used as the power consumption device in embodiments 1 to 3, the invention is not limited to this, and other types of gyro devices such as a ring laser gyroscope may be used, or any power consumption device other than a gyro device, such as an accelerometer, may be used.
[0048] Furthermore, although the case member 30 was made of metal in embodiments 1 to 3, it is not limited to this. For example, the case member 30 may be made of any resin or the like that has excellent heat dissipation properties, either partially or entirely.
[0049] Furthermore, in embodiments 1 to 3, Seebeck elements that produce the Seebeck effect were used as the upper element member 41 and the side element member 42, which are thermoelectric conversion element members 40. However, power may be supplied to at least one of the upper element member 41 and the side element member 42 to be used as a Peltier element. This allows the gyro body 20 to be cooled by the Peltier effect, especially when cooling of the gyro body 20 is required, by supplying power to at least one of the upper element member 41 and the side element member 42.
[0050] Furthermore, in these embodiments 1 to 3, the n-type semiconductor member 45 and the p-type semiconductor member 46 were formed from bismuth tellurium ingots, but they may also be formed using semiconductor materials other than bismuth tellurium.
[0051] Furthermore, the components included in Embodiments 1 to 3 of the present invention and the components included in their modified forms can be used in appropriate combinations.
[0052] Although preferred embodiments have been described in detail above, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and substitutions can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the claims.
[0053] The various aspects of this disclosure are summarized below as an appendix.
[0054] (Note 1) Power consumption unit (20), A case member (30) housing the power consumption unit (20), A thermoelectric conversion element member (40) is provided on the case member (30), The power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element member (40) is input to the power supply unit (70), and the power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element member (40) is output as the operating power for the power consumption unit (20). A power consumption device equipped with the following features. (Note 2) The wall portion (31) of the case member (30) has at least one case curved portion (33), The power consumption device according to Appendix 1, wherein the thermoelectric conversion element member (40) provided on the curved surface portion (33) of the case includes a flexible member (42) on which a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged on a flexible substrate, and the flexible member (42) is bent along the curved surface portion (33) of the case. (Note 3) The power consumption unit is the gyro body (20), as described in Appendix 1 or 2. (Note 4) The power consumption device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, wherein the thermoelectric conversion element member (40) includes a heating element (51) that absorbs light in the infrared region and generates heat. (Note 5) A power consumption device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, wherein a heat conductive member (34) is provided between the power consumption unit (20) and the thermoelectric conversion element member (40). [Industrial applicability]
[0055] The gyro device 1 according to this embodiment 1 includes a gyro body 20 constituting a power consumption unit, a case member 30 housing the gyro body 20, a thermoelectric conversion element member 40 provided in the case member 30, and a power supply unit 70 that receives power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 and outputs the power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 as the operating power of the gyro body 20. Therefore, the heat absorbed by the thermoelectric conversion element member 40 can be used as the operating power of the gyro device 1, reducing the power consumption of the gyro device 1 and saving power, making it suitable for use in gyro devices that generate heat during operation. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0056] 20 Gyroscope main body (power consumption section), 30 Case member, 31 Wall section, 33 Case side section (curved case section), 34 Heat conductive member, 40 Thermoelectric conversion element member, 42 Side element member (flexible member), 51 Metamaterial structure (heat generating member), 70 Power supply section.
Claims
1. A gyro body (20) and A case member (30) that houses the gyro body (20), A thermoelectric conversion element member (40) is provided on the case member (30), The power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element member (40) is input to the power supply unit (70), and the power generated by the thermoelectric conversion element member (40) is output as the operating power for the gyro main unit (20). Equipped with, The gyro body (20) is, Coil bobbin (21), The optical fiber coil (22) wound around the coil bobbin (21), The calculation unit (24) provided inside the coil bobbin (21) and It has, The wall portion (31) of the case member (30) has at least one case curved portion (33) that is curved along the circumferential direction of the optical fiber coil (22), The thermoelectric conversion element member (40) provided on the curved surface portion (33) of the case includes a flexible member (42) on which a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements are arranged on a flexible substrate, and the flexible member (42) is bent along the curved surface portion (33) of the case, in a power consumption device.
2. The power consumption device according to Claim 1, wherein the case member (30) is a cylindrical case, the wall portion (31) has a circular planar case upper portion (32), and the thermoelectric conversion element member (40) provided on the case upper portion (32) is attached flat to the case upper portion (32).
3. The flexible member (42) has a plurality of rectangular lower electrodes (44) located radially inward, a plurality of rectangular upper electrodes (47) located radially outward, and a plurality of n-type semiconductor members (45) and a plurality of p-type semiconductor members (46) provided between the lower electrodes (44) and the upper electrodes (47), The lower electrode (44) and the upper electrode (47) are connected in series alternately to adjacent n-type semiconductor members (45) and p-type semiconductor members (46). The power consumption device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper electrode (47) is arranged such that its longitudinal direction extends along the axial direction of the optical fiber coil (22).
4. The power consumption device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the thermoelectric conversion element member (40) includes a heating element (51) that absorbs light in the infrared region and generates heat.
5. The power consumption device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a heat conductive member (34) is provided between the gyro body (20) and the thermoelectric conversion element member (40).