Thermoelectric Element Layout for Wider Electrode Temperature Difference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermoelectric conversion elements face limitations in enhancing thermoelectric conversion efficiency, particularly in effectively utilizing temperature differences for power generation from geothermal heat and factory exhaust heat.
Innovation Solution
A thermoelectric conversion element design featuring a substrate with a sealing layer covering electrodes and thermoelectric conversion layers, along with high and low thermal conduction portions on opposite faces, optimizing thermal conductivity and spacing to maximize temperature gradients and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If uniform thermal conduction is used across the substrate, then heat distribution is even, but temperature difference between electrodes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is designed with spatially varying thermal conductivity: high thermal conduction portions are located beneath the electrodes to conduct heat efficiently, while the central region has low thermal conduction to maintain temperature difference. This local differentiation of thermal properties maximizes both heat conduction where needed and temperature gradient maintenance where critical for thermoelectric conversion.
2Power
If high thermal conductivity material is used throughout the substrate, then heat conduction is efficient, but temperature gradient is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate incorporates regions with different thermal conductivities in specific locations: high thermal conductivity material is placed under electrodes for efficient heat conduction, while low thermal conductivity material is placed in the central region to maintain temperature gradient, achieving both high power generation efficiency and sustained temperature difference.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate uses a composite structure combining materials with different thermal conductivities (high thermal conduction portions and low thermal conduction portions) to simultaneously achieve efficient heat conduction at electrode interfaces and temperature gradient maintenance in the conversion layer region.
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
This design significantly improves thermoelectric conversion efficiency by widening temperature differences between electrodes and conversion layers, enhancing power generation capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a first high thermal conduction portion, a second high thermal conduction portion, and a low thermal conduction portion provided only on the second main face, wherein the first electrode is overlapped with the first high thermal conduction portion in the thickness direction, the second electrode is overlapped with the second high thermal conduction portion in the thickness direction, a contact portion between the n-type thermoelectric conversion layer and the p-type thermoelectric conversion layer is overlapped with the low thermal conduction portion in the thickness direction
Implementation Method 2
an n-type thermoelectric conversion layer electrically connected to the first electrode, a p-type thermoelectric conversion layer in contact with the n-type thermoelectric conversion layer, and a second electrode electrically connected to the p-type thermoelectric conversion layer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~3(b)
AI summary
A thermoelectric conversion element includes a substrate having a first main face and a second main face, a first electrode, an n-type thermoelectric conversion layer, a p-type thermoelectric conversion layer, and a second electrode provided on the first main face, a sealing layer provided on the first main face and covering the first electrode, the n-type thermoelectric conversion layer, the p-type thermoelectric conversion layer, and the second electrode, and a first high thermal conduction portion, a second high thermal conduction portion, and a low thermal conduction portion provided on the second main face. The first electrode, the n-type thermoelectric conversion layer, the p-type thermoelectric conversion layer, and the second electrode are arranged in order along a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the substrate, the first electrode is overlapped with the first high thermal conduction portion in the thickness direction, the second electrode is overlapped with the second high thermal conduction portion in the thickness direction, and a contact portion of the n-type thermoelectric conversion layer and the p-type thermoelectric conversion layer is overlapped with the low thermal conduction portion in the thickness direction.