Thermoelectric Generator Power Control for Stable Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The power generation efficiency of thermoelectric power generators deteriorates due to decreased cooling efficiency caused by reduced power distribution to the fan, which affects the temperature difference between the heat receiver and heat dissipater, leading to inefficient power generation.

Innovation Solution

A thermoelectric power generator with a control device that monitors the cooling device's state and adjusts the power distribution to ensure sufficient consumption power for the fan, maintaining optimal cooling efficiency by dynamically adjusting the effective power supplied to an external load.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the effective power supplied to the external load is increased, then the power generation efficiency improves, but the power distributed to the cooling device decreases, deteriorating the cooling efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidcooling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power distribution adjustment based on real-time monitoring of cooling device performance. The control device dynamically adjusts the power distribution between the external load and cooling device to maintain optimal cooling efficiency while maximizing power generation, transforming the static power distribution into a dynamic adaptive system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control device monitors the state of the cooling device and uses this feedback information to adjust the power distribution. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures that the power distributed to the cooling device is sufficient to maintain effective cooling, preventing the deterioration of cooling efficiency that would otherwise occur when power is prioritized for external load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Power

If the power distributed to the fan is reduced, then more power is available for the external load, but the temperature difference between heat receiver and heat dissipater decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailable power for external loadVSAvoidtemperature difference
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system monitors and adjusts power distribution parameters based on the actual cooling performance. By changing the power allocation parameters dynamically rather than using fixed allocation, the system maintains the temperature difference necessary for efficient thermoelectric power generation while maximizing the power available for external load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively suppresses the deterioration in power generation efficiency by maintaining a sufficient temperature difference between the heat receiver and heat dissipater, ensuring stable operation and preventing overheating of the thermoelectric power generation module.

Implementation Method 1

a thermoelectric power generation module that includes a heat receiver and a heat dissipater and generates electric power by a temperature difference between the heat receiver and the heat dissipater

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSeebeck effect: Seebeck Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4072001B1Thermoelectric power generation device
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 KELK LTD
  • EP4072001B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4072001B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4072001B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A thermoelectric power generator includes: a thermoelectric power generation module that includes a heat receiver and a heat dissipater and generates electric power by a temperature difference between the heat receiver and the heat dissipater; a cooling device that cools the heat dissipater; and a control device. The generated power of the thermoelectric power generation module is distributed to consumption power used in the cooling device and effective power used in an external load. The control device includes: a monitoring unit that monitors a state of the cooling device and outputs monitoring data; an adjustment unit capable of adjusting the effective power supplied to the external load; and a control command unit that outputs a control command that controls an adjustment unit based on the monitoring data.