Vehicle Thermoelectric Generator Segmented Heat Transfer Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermoelectric generators in vehicles face inefficiencies due to inadequate thermal energy transfer from exhaust gas to the high-temperature part, leading to low thermoelectric generation efficiency and a large size, which increases the heat exchange dimension and noise.
Innovation Solution
A thermoelectric generator design featuring a high-temperature part with heat transfer plates and a low-temperature part with circular cooling water passages, connected by various units, enhances thermal energy transfer and reduces noise, while maintaining a compact size by using a heat-exchange mesh and optimizing the layout to improve contact with exhaust gas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the heat exchange dimension is increased to improve thermal energy transfer, then thermoelectric generation efficiency is improved, but the device size increases and noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer plate is divided into multiple segments with different surface areas, creating a segmented structure that increases the effective heat exchange surface area within a compact volume. This segmentation allows thermal energy to be transferred more efficiently across multiple zones without proportionally increasing the overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a conventional planar heat exchange surface to a three-dimensional structured heat transfer plate with varying surface areas. By utilizing vertical dimensionality and creating a multi-level structure, the effective heat exchange area is expanded without proportionally increasing the horizontal footprint, thus improving thermal energy transfer while maintaining a compact device size.
2Productivity
If the heat transfer plate has a large surface area to improve thermal energy transfer, then thermoelectric generation efficiency is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer plate is segmented into multiple zones with different surface areas, allowing each segment to be optimized for its specific function. This segmentation enables more efficient thermal energy transfer across the plate while using material more strategically, reducing the total material quantity required compared to a uniformly large plate, thus lowering manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the heat transfer plate are designed with different surface areas to match the local thermal energy transfer requirements. Areas with higher thermal flux have larger surface areas, while areas with lower flux have smaller surfaces. This local optimization improves overall thermoelectric generation efficiency while minimizing material usage and manufacturing cost.
3Temperature
If the cooling device occupies a large dimension to improve cooling efficiency, then temperature difference is increased, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is nested within or integrated with the heat transfer plate structure, with cooling channels positioned inside or adjacent to the heat transfer zones. This nesting arrangement allows the cooling function to be embedded within the existing thermal structure, maintaining an effective temperature difference across the thermoelectric modules without adding significant external volume to the device.
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 improves thermoelectric generation efficiency, reduces noise, and allows for a smaller, more cost-effective and easily mountable thermoelectric generator, suitable for various vehicles by efficiently transferring thermal energy and reducing the overall size.
Implementation Method 1
an exhaust pipe heated by exchange heat with exhaust gas while high-temperature exhaust gas passes therein
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of pairs of thermoelectric modules acquired by bonding a P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor, interposed between the plurality of pairs of heat transfer plates to generate electricity by using a thermoelectric phenomenon
Implementation Method 3
a low-temperature part interposed between the plurality of pairs of thermoelectric modules and cooling inner surfaces of the plurality of pairs of thermoelectric modules by cooling water that flows therein
Data Source
AI summary
A thermoelectric generator of a vehicle converts thermal energy of exhaust gas of an engine into electric energy by using a thermoelectric phenomenon, and may include: a high-temperature part heated by exchange heat and a plurality of pairs of heat transfer plates mounted on an outer peripheral surface of an exhaust pipe at a predetermined interval; pairs of thermoelectric modules acquired by bonding a P-type semiconductor and an N-type semiconductor, interposed between the pairs of heat transfer plates to generate electricity, and electrically connected to each other; and a low-temperature part interposed between the pairs of thermoelectric modules and cooling inner surfaces of the pairs of thermoelectric modules. The plurality of thermoelectric modules generates electricity by a difference in temperature between heated outer surfaces and cooled inner surfaces. Thermoelectric efficiency is improved and a small-sized thermoelectric generator of a vehicle may be implemented.