Composite thermoelectric element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermoelectric elements using graphite sheets face issues with graphite powder scattering, unreliable contact, inadequate heat conductivity, and poor shock absorption due to their flake structure and exposure, leading to decreased performance in heat transfer and electromagnetic shielding.
Innovation Solution
A composite thermoelectric element is designed with a thermoelectric sheet having self-stickiness and embedding a graphite sheet, where the edges of the graphite sheet are separated inward from the thermoelectric sheet edges, ensuring reliable contact and preventing graphite powder scattering, while also providing high heat conductivity and electromagnetic wave shielding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a graphite sheet is used as a heat emitting sheet, then heat conductivity in surface direction is improved, but graphite powder scatters at the cross section and the sheet is easily separated
Solution Approach 1:
The graphite sheet is embedded within the thermoelectric sheet, creating a nested structure where the graphite sheet is contained inside the thermoelectric material. This prevents graphite powder from scattering at cross sections while maintaining the high surface heat conductivity of graphite.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining graphite sheet and thermoelectric sheet. The graphite sheet provides high surface heat conductivity while the thermoelectric sheet matrix prevents powder scattering and structural separation, achieving both high performance and stability.
2Ease of operation
If coating solution is applied to one side of graphite sheet, then ease of sticking is improved, but heat conductivity is decreased due to contact with thermal conductive adhesive on one side and coating solution on other
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the coating solution from the graphite sheet structure entirely. Instead, the graphite sheet is embedded within the thermoelectric sheet which provides both structural integrity and thermal conductivity, eliminating the heat-conducting barrier created by coating solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermoelectric sheet serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, prevents graphite powder scattering, maintains heat conductivity, and enables sticking to objects. This multi-functional approach replaces the separate coating solution layer, improving both ease of operation and heat conductivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composite thermoelectric element effectively transfers heat in both surface and thickness directions, prevents graphite powder scattering, absorbs external shocks, and maintains reliable contact, enhancing heat conductivity and electromagnetic shielding performance.
Implementation Method 1
transfers heat between the objects
Implementation Method 2
heat conductivity is high about 1,000 W in a surface direction
Implementation Method 3
having self stickiness at least at the facing surface
Data Source
AI summary
A composite thermoelectric element including thermoelectric sheets each including a facing surface and an exposed surface, which are opposite to each other, and a graphite sheet embedded in the thermoelectric sheets from the facing surfaces thereof. Here, edges of the graphite sheet are separated inward from edges of the thermoelectric sheets such that a contact portion is formed at the facing surfaces of the thermoelectric sheets. Also, the contact portion of the thermoelectric sheets is stuck to one of the objects due to the self stickiness, and the graphite sheet comes in contact with the other of the objects.