Thermoelectric Module Parallel Series Wiring Redundancy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermoelectric modules and electricity generating devices experience a significant decrease in output due to disconnections within the thermoelectric elements, leading to reduced electric-generating capacity, as they lack components to effectively reroute power from other modules when a thermoelectric element fails.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves connecting multiple series units in parallel and utilizing connection wirings to interlink series wirings between units, allowing power from other thermoelectric modules to compensate for disconnected ones, thereby maintaining output stability and reducing losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If multiple thermoelectric modules are connected in series to achieve desired output voltage, then the output voltage is improved, but the reliability deteriorates because a single disconnection causes the entire series unit to fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the series connection into multiple series units, where each unit contains multiple thermoelectric modules connected in series. This segmentation allows the system to maintain higher output voltage while creating independent failure zones, so a disconnection in one unit does not affect other units.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple series units in parallel connection, merging their output capabilities. This merging approach maintains the high output voltage achieved by series connections while adding redundancy through parallel paths, so if one series unit fails, current can still flow through other units.
2Power
If thermoelectric modules are connected in parallel to achieve desired output current, then the output current is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple connection points and wiring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the parallel connection structure into distinct series units, where each unit is self-contained with its own series-connected thermoelectric modules. This segmentation organizes the complexity into manageable modules, making the overall parallel structure more systematic and easier to manage despite having multiple connection points.
Solution Approach 2:
The series units are designed with universal connection interfaces that can be systematically interconnected. Each series unit serves multiple functions: it maintains series connection for voltage generation while providing parallel redundancy for current output, and the standardized connection points facilitate easier assembly and maintenance.
3Device complexity
If conventional series-parallel connections are used without inter-unit connection wirings, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates because disconnections cannot be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces connection wirings as intermediary elements between series units. These connection wirings act as mediators that provide alternative current paths when disconnections occur within series units, enabling compensation for failures without requiring complete redesign of the connection structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection wirings are pre-installed between series units before operation, creating redundant current paths in advance. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when disconnections occur during operation, the alternative paths are already in place to compensate for the failure, maintaining output stability without requiring real-time reconfiguration.
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 configuration effectively suppresses output decreases even when disconnections occur, ensuring stable power generation by utilizing the remaining thermoelectric modules, thus enhancing the electric-generating capacity and reliability of the device.
Implementation Method 1
electric power is generated by utilizing a thermal electromotive force generated by a temperature difference
Data Source
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AI summary
Included are a first and second output terminals, a first series unit connected between the first output terminal and the second output terminal, the first series unit being formed by connecting first thermoelectric modules in series, a second series unit connected between the first output terminal and the second output terminal so as to be in parallel with the first series unit, the second series unit being formed by connecting second thermoelectric modules in series, and connection wirings connecting the first series unit and the second series unit. Then, the first series unit includes first series wirings connecting the first thermoelectric modules in series, the second series unit includes second series wirings connecting the second thermoelectric modules in series, and each of the connection wirings connects one of the first series wirings and one of the second series wirings.