Thermoelectric Device Membrane Support for Electro-Thermal Performance
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermoelectric devices have limitations in optimizing electro-thermal performance due to additional components supporting the energy-absorbing or releasing element, which restricts the potential of the membrane's characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A thermoelectric device design where the energy-absorbing or releasing element is supported solely by a membrane made of thermoelectric material, eliminating additional supporting components and allowing the membrane's characteristics to optimize the device's performance, with a patterned structure comprising n-type and p-type regions to enhance electrical and thermal conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If additional supporting components are attached to the energy-absorbing or releasing element, then the element is securely supported to the frame, but the electro-thermal performance of the thermoelectric device is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the additional supporting components from the device structure. By eliminating these extra components, the patent allows the membrane's thermoelectric characteristics to be fully utilized without restriction, thereby optimizing electro-thermal performance while maintaining support functionality through the membrane alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as both the supporting structure for the energy-absorbing or releasing element and as the active thermoelectric material for energy conversion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate supporting components and maximizes the utilization of the membrane's thermoelectric properties.
2Loss of energy
If the membrane's characteristics are fully utilized without additional components, then electro-thermal performance is optimized, but the element may lack sufficient support stability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the membrane's physical and thermal parameters to enhance its load-bearing capacity while maintaining its thermoelectric efficiency. By adjusting parameters such as membrane thickness, material composition, and structural configuration, the membrane achieves sufficient mechanical strength to support the energy-absorbing or releasing element without requiring additional components.
3Reliability
If additional components are used to support the element, then support stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes unnecessary supporting components from the device structure, simplifying the overall design. By relying solely on the membrane for support, the patent reduces the number of parts, minimizes assembly complexity, and eliminates potential failure points associated with additional components while maintaining adequate support stability.
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 the sensitivity and stability of the thermoelectric device by maximizing the thermoelectric figure-of-merit ZT, enabling efficient conversion of temperature differences to electric voltage or vice versa, and optimizing heating/cooling capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The thermoelectric effect refers to a direct conversion of temperature differences to electric voltage or vice versa
Implementation Method 2
an element for absorbing or releasing energy, the element being supported to the frame solely by the membrane
Data Source
AI summary
A thermoelectric device (1) comprising a frame (2), a membrane (3) made of thermoelectric material, and an element (4) for absorbing or releasing energy. The element (4) is supported to the frame (2) solely by the membrane (3).