U.S. patent application number 16/671533 was filed with the patent office on 2020-03-05 for housing for thermoelectric module.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation. Invention is credited to Byung Wook Kim, Gyung Bok Kim, Jin Woo Kwak, Han Saem Lee, In Woong Lyo, Kyong Hwa Song.
Application Number | 20200075831 16/671533 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60419048 |
Filed Date | 2020-03-05 |
![](/patent/app/20200075831/US20200075831A1-20200305-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20200075831/US20200075831A1-20200305-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20200075831/US20200075831A1-20200305-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20200075831/US20200075831A1-20200305-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20200075831/US20200075831A1-20200305-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20200075831/US20200075831A1-20200305-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20200075831/US20200075831A1-20200305-D00006.png)
![](/patent/app/20200075831/US20200075831A1-20200305-D00007.png)
![](/patent/app/20200075831/US20200075831A1-20200305-D00008.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20200075831 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Byung Wook ; et
al. |
March 5, 2020 |
HOUSING FOR THERMOELECTRIC MODULE
Abstract
A housing for a thermoelectric module can stably protect
individual elements of the thermoelectric module such as
thermoelectric elements, electrodes, and insulating boards, while
maintaining power generation performance of the thermoelectric
module. The housing for a thermoelectric module includes: a housing
enveloping at least one thermoelectric module; and a heat barrier
unit configured to prevent a flow of heat from being transferred
through a sidewall of the housing.
Inventors: |
Kim; Byung Wook; (Seongnam,
KR) ; Song; Kyong Hwa; (Seoul, KR) ; Kwak; Jin
Woo; (Gyeongsan, KR) ; Kim; Gyung Bok;
(Yongin, KR) ; Lyo; In Woong; (Suwon, KR) ;
Lee; Han Saem; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hyundai Motor Company
Kia Motors Corporation |
Seoul
Seoul |
|
KR
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
60419048 |
Appl. No.: |
16/671533 |
Filed: |
November 1, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15279220 |
Sep 28, 2016 |
10505093 |
|
|
16671533 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 35/32 20130101;
H01L 35/325 20130101; H05K 5/0021 20130101; H05K 5/0213
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01L 35/32 20060101
H01L035/32; H05K 5/02 20060101 H05K005/02; H05K 5/00 20060101
H05K005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 30, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0066739 |
Claims
1. A housing for a thermoelectric module, the housing comprising: a
housing enveloping the thermoelectric module; and a heat barrier
unit configured to prevent a flow of heat from being transferred
through a sidewall of the housing.
2. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing includes a
first base, a second base spaced apart from the first base, and the
sidewall provided on a side surface of the housing between the
first base and the second base, and the heat barrier unit is
provided on the sidewall of the housing.
3. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the housing is formed
of a metal material, and the heat barrier unit is formed of a
material having a thermal conductivity lower than that of the
housing.
4. The housing according to claim 1, wherein an electric wire
connected to an electrode passes through the heat barrier unit and
is disposed in a horizontal direction.
5. The housing according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric
module comprises: at least one pair of thermoelectric elements
having opposite polarities and alternating with each other; and a
plurality of electrodes connecting the pair of thermoelectric
elements in series.
6. The housing according to claim 5, wherein the thermoelectric
module further comprises a pair of insulating boards attached to
the plurality of electrodes, and the pair of insulating boards are
spaced apart from each other.
7.-18. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(a) the
benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0066739, filed on
May 30, 2016 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire
contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
(a) Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a housing enveloping at
least one thermoelectric module, more particularly, to the housing
that can stably protect individual elements of a thermoelectric
module such as thermoelectric elements, electrodes, and insulating
boards, while maintaining power generation performance of the
thermoelectric module.
(b) Description of the Related Art
[0003] A thermoelectric module is used in a thermoelectric power
generation system utilizing the Seebeck effect in which a
difference in temperatures of both surfaces of the thermoelectric
module is used to generate an electromotive force.
[0004] During thermoelectric power generation by such a
thermoelectric module, the output of the thermoelectric power
generation may be increased by maintaining a large temperature
difference between a high temperature side and a low temperature
side. In particular, a heat transfer rate from a heat source to the
thermoelectric module may significantly affect the output.
[0005] The thermoelectric module includes a plurality of
thermoelectric elements (N-type and P-type semiconductors) having
opposite polarities and arranged in an alternating manner. The
thermoelectric elements may be electrically connected in series
through electrodes, and insulating boards may be attached to
respective electrodes.
[0006] Meanwhile, when the thermoelectric elements and/or the
electrodes of the thermoelectric module come into contact with the
outside air under a high temperature environment, they may be
oxidized or chemically changed, which may degrade thermoelectric
power generation performance.
[0007] When moist or conducting liquid (water or the like) contacts
the thermoelectric elements and/or the electrodes, it may cause
electrical shorting.
[0008] In addition, when impacts or shocks occur due to external
physical factors, then stress, strain, shear force or the like may
cause damage to the thermoelectric module.
[0009] In order to protect the thermoelectric module from external
chemical and/or physical factors, a technique of packaging the
thermoelectric elements, the electrodes, and the like with a
metallic housing has been proposed.
[0010] In a conventional packaging technique, however, heat
transfer may easily occur along sidewalls of the metallic housing,
resulting in severe heat loss. Accordingly, it is difficult to
secure a temperature difference between the high temperature side
and the low temperature side, which may degrade thermoelectric
power generation performance.
[0011] In addition, when the thermoelectric module is exposed to a
heat source for a long period of time or is subjected to repeated
temperature changes, thermal stress or thermal shock may occur due
to a difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the
thermoelectric elements and the electrodes, resulting in damage to
the thermoelectric module and malfunction of the thermoelectric
module.
[0012] Further, an electric wire connected to the electrode of the
thermoelectric module may be sealed through hermetic sealing, which
may cause severe leakage current due to insulation resistance. The
strain of the electric wire may change the electrode resistance,
which may degrade thermoelectric power generation performance.
SUMMARY
[0013] An aspect of the present disclosure provides a housing for a
thermoelectric module, which can effectively prevent an oxidation
reaction, chemical changes, and the like that may be caused by
external factors, avoid electrical shorting that may be caused by
moist, conducting liquid or the like, and protect individual
elements of the thermoelectric module from stress, strain, shear
force and the like due to external physical factors.
[0014] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a housing
for a thermoelectric module includes: a housing enveloping at least
one thermoelectric module; and a heat barrier unit configured to
prevent a flow of heat from being transferred through a sidewall of
the housing.
[0015] The housing may include a first base, a second base spaced
apart from the first base, and the sidewall provided on a side
surface of the housing between the first base and the second base,
and the heat barrier unit may be provided on the sidewall of the
housing.
[0016] The housing may be formed of a metal material, and the heat
barrier unit may be formed of a material having a thermal
conductivity lower than that of the housing.
[0017] An electric wire connected to an electrode may pass through
the heat barrier unit and may be disposed in a horizontal
direction.
[0018] The thermoelectric module may include: at least one pair of
thermoelectric elements having opposite polarities and alternating
with each other; and a plurality of electrodes connecting the pair
of thermoelectric elements in series.
[0019] The thermoelectric module may further include a pair of
insulating boards attached to the plurality of electrodes, and the
pair of insulating boards may be spaced apart from each other.
[0020] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a
housing for a thermoelectric module includes: a first housing
including a first base and a first sidewall disposed on edges of
the first base; a second housing including a second base and a
second sidewall disposed on edges of the second base; and a heat
barrier unit provided between the first sidewall and the second
sidewall, wherein the first base and the second base are spaced
apart from each other, and the first sidewall and the second
sidewall are extended to face each other.
[0021] The heat barrier unit may include a bonding member formed of
a resin material, and the first sidewall and the second sidewall
may be sealed by the bonding member.
[0022] The bonding member may be formed of a heat shrinkable
film.
[0023] The heat barrier unit may further include a sealing tube
sealing an electric wire.
[0024] The heat barrier unit may further include a tube into which
an electric wire is inserted, and a sealing cap sealing the
tube.
[0025] An inner diameter of the tube may be larger than an outer
diameter of the electric wire, such that a gap may be formed
between an internal surface of the tube and an external surface of
the electric wire.
[0026] The first and second housings may further include fitting
parts provided on the first and second sidewalls, respectively, and
the bonding member may be bonded to the fitting parts.
[0027] The fitting parts may include a first fitting part provided
on an end of the first sidewall, and a second fitting part provided
on an end of the second sidewall.
[0028] Each of the first and second fitting parts may include a
horizontal portion extending in a horizontal direction and a bent
portion bent with respect to the horizontal portion at a
predetermined angle.
[0029] The first and second fitting parts may be disposed to be
adjacent to the inside of the first and second housings.
[0030] The first and second fitting parts may be disposed in
opposite positions in relation to the first and second
sidewalls.
[0031] The housing may further include a thermal resistance
increasing part increasing thermal resistance with respect to a
flow of heat transferred through the first and second
sidewalls.
[0032] The thermal resistance increasing part may include a thin
wall portion provided in a portion of at least one of the first and
second sidewalls, and the thin wall portion may be thinner than the
sidewall.
[0033] The thermal resistance increasing part may include a
non-straight portion provided in a portion of at least one of the
first and second sidewalls.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present disclosure will be more apparent from the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings:
[0035] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric module
and a housing for a thermoelectric module, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric module
and a housing for a thermoelectric module, according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0037] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a bonding state of a bonding
member and a sealing tube of a heat barrier unit in a housing for a
thermoelectric module, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric module
and a housing for a thermoelectric module, according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric module
and a housing for a thermoelectric module, according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric module
and a housing for a thermoelectric module, according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0041] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric module
and a housing for a thermoelectric module, according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0042] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric module
and a housing for a thermoelectric module, according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] It is understood that the term "vehicle" or "vehicular" or
other similar term as used herein is inclusive of motor vehicles in
general such as passenger automobiles including sports utility
vehicles (SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles,
watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and
the like, and includes hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in
hybrid electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles and other
alternative fuel vehicles (e.g. fuels derived from resources other
than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a
vehicle that has two or more sources of power, for example both
gasoline-powered and electric-powered vehicles.
[0044] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this
specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude
the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As
used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of
one or more of the associated listed items. Throughout the
specification, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the
word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising"
will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but
not the exclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms
"unit", "-er", "-or", and "module" described in the specification
mean units for processing at least one function and operation, and
can be implemented by hardware components or software components
and combinations thereof.
[0045] Further, the control logic of the present invention may be
embodied as non-transitory computer readable media on a computer
readable medium containing executable program instructions executed
by a processor, controller or the like. Examples of computer
readable media include, but are not limited to, ROM, RAM, compact
disc (CD)-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, flash drives, smart
cards and optical data storage devices. The computer readable
medium can also be distributed in network coupled computer systems
so that the computer readable media is stored and executed in a
distributed fashion, e.g., by a telematics server or a Controller
Area Network (CAN).
[0046] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. For reference, the dimensions of elements, thicknesses of
lines, and the like, illustrated in the drawings referred to in the
description of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, may
be exaggerated for convenience of understanding. In addition, terms
used for describing the present inventive concept have been defined
in consideration of the functions of elements, and may be altered
in accordance with the intention of a user or an operator, in view
of practice, or the like. Therefore, the terms should be defined on
the basis of the entirety of this specification.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 1, a thermoelectric module, according to
exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, includes one or
more first thermoelectric elements 11 and one or more second
thermoelectric elements 12 that are arranged in an alternating
manner, and a plurality of electrodes 21 and 22 electrically
connecting the first and second thermoelectric elements 11 and 12
in series.
[0048] The first and second thermoelectric elements 11 and 12 that
are semiconductors having opposite polarities may be paired while
alternating with each other. Adjacent first and second
thermoelectric elements 11 and 12 may form a semiconductor pair.
For example, when the first thermoelectric element 11 is an N-type
semiconductor, the second thermoelectric element 12 is a P-type
semiconductor. On the contrary, when the first thermoelectric
element 11 is a P-type semiconductor, the second thermoelectric
element 12 is an N-type semiconductor.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of electrodes 21 and 22
includes at least one first electrode 21 connecting the top of the
first thermoelectric element 11 to the top of the second
thermoelectric element 12, and at least one second electrode 22
connecting the bottom of the first thermoelectric element 11 to the
bottom of the second thermoelectric element 12. The first and
second electrodes 21 and 22 may be disposed on the tops and bottoms
of the first and second thermoelectric elements 11 and 12 in a
zigzag arrangement, thereby electrically connecting the first and
second thermoelectric elements 11 and 12 in series.
[0050] The thermoelectric module 10 according to exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure further includes a first
insulating board 31 provided with respect to one or more first
electrodes 21, and a second insulating board 32 provided with
respect to one or more second electrodes 22.
[0051] The plurality of first electrodes 21 and the plurality of
second electrodes 22 may be provided on facing surfaces of the
first insulating board 31 and the second insulating board 32,
respectively.
[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of first electrodes 21 may
be formed to be integrated on a bottom surface of the first
insulating board 31 through a patterning process or the like.
Alternatively, the plurality of first electrodes 21 may be attached
to the bottom surface of the first insulating board 31 through an
adhesive or soldering.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 1, the plurality of second electrodes 22
may be formed to be integrated on a top surface of the second
insulating board 32 through a patterning process or the like.
Alternatively, the plurality of second electrodes 22 may be
attached to the top surface of the second insulating board 32
through an adhesive or soldering.
[0054] The first insulating board 31 and the second insulating
board 32 may be spaced apart from each other in a vertical
direction, such that the first and second thermoelectric elements
11 and 12 may be disposed in a vertical direction between the first
insulating board 31 and the second insulating board 32, and the
adjacent first and second thermoelectric elements 11 and 12 may be
spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction
therebetween.
[0055] Meanwhile, the first insulating board 31 and the second
insulating board 32 may form a low temperature part and a high
temperature part, respectively, in order to produce an appropriate
temperature difference. For example, a cooling unit may be
integrally provided in the inside of the first insulating board 31
or may be attached to the outside of the first insulating board 31,
such that the first insulating board 31 may be configured as the
low temperature part (a heat dissipation part); and a heat source
may be integrated with the second insulating board 32 or may be
attached to the second insulating board 32, such that the second
insulating board 32 may be configured as the high temperature part
(a heat absorption part).
[0056] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the
cooling unit is provided with the first insulating board 31 such
that the first insulating board 31 may be configured as the low
temperature part (the heat dissipation part), and the heat source
is provided with the second insulating board 32 such that the
second insulating board 32 may be configured as the high
temperature part (the heat absorption part).
[0057] On the contrary, the heat source is provided with the first
insulating board 31 such that the first insulating board 31 may be
configured as the high temperature part (the heat absorption part);
and the cooling unit is provided with the second insulating board
32 such that the second insulating board 32 may be configured as
the low temperature part (the heat dissipation part).
[0058] A housing 40 according to exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure may envelop one or more thermoelectric modules
10.
[0059] The housing 40 may be formed of a material having high
thermal resistance and high rigidity so as to protect the
thermoelectric elements 11 and 12, the electrodes 21 and 22, and
the insulating boards 31 and 32 of the thermoelectric module 10.
For example, the housing 40 may be formed of a metal such as
stainless steel or a ceramic.
[0060] According to an exemplary embodiment, the housing 40
includes a first housing 41 and a second housing 42.
[0061] The first housing 41 has a first base 43 covering a top
surface of the first insulating board 31, and a first sidewall 45
disposed on edges of the first base 43.
[0062] The first sidewall 45 may extend along the edges of the
first base 43, and thus, the first housing 41 may envelop the first
insulating board 31 and parts adjacent to the first insulating
board 31.
[0063] The second housing 42 has a second base 44 covering a bottom
surface of the second insulating board 32 and a second sidewall 46
disposed on edges of the second base 44.
[0064] The second sidewall 46 may extend along the edges of the
second base 44, and thus, the second housing 42 may envelop the
second insulating board 32 and parts adjacent to the second
insulating board 32.
[0065] The first sidewall 45 and the second sidewall 46 may be
extended to face each other such that they cover side surfaces of
the thermoelectric module 10, i.e., lateral space between the first
insulating board 31 and the second insulating board 32.
[0066] Meanwhile, heat may be transferred through the sidewalls 45
and 46 of the housing 40 due to a temperature difference between
the high temperature part and the low temperature part. As heat is
transferred through the sidewalls 45 and 46, heat loss may occur
and the temperature difference between the high temperature part
and the low temperature part may not be stably maintained, which
may degrade thermoelectric power generation performance.
[0067] In this regard, in exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, a heat barrier unit 60 may be provided to prevent the
transfer of heat through the sidewalls 45 and 46 of the housing
40.
[0068] According to exemplary embodiments, the heat barrier unit 60
may be formed of a material having thermal conductivity lower than
that of the housing 40. For example, the heat barrier unit 60 may
be formed of a material having low thermal conductivity such as
resin such that it may prevent or reduce the flow of heat
transferred through the sidewalls 45 and 46 of the metallic housing
40.
[0069] In addition, the heat barrier unit 60 may combine the first
sidewall 45 of the first housing 41 with the second sidewall 46 of
the second housing 42 in a sealing manner, such that it may secure
the sealability and bonding properties of the first and second
housings 41 and 42 enveloping the thermoelectric module 10.
[0070] According to exemplary embodiments, the heat barrier unit 60
includes a bonding member 61, and the bonding member 61 may be
formed of a sheet or film made of a material capable of being
melted by heat. For example, the bonding member 61 may be formed of
a resin material capable of being melted by heat such that it may
hermetically seal the first housing 41 and the second housing
42.
[0071] In addition, the flow of heat transferred through the first
sidewall 45 of the first housing 41 and the second sidewall 46 of
the second housing 42 may be prevented or reduced by the bonding
member 61 formed of the resin material.
[0072] According to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, the bonding member 61 may be formed of a heat
shrinkable film or sheet. By applying heat to the bonding member 61
using an electron-beam, laser, or the like, in a state in which the
bonding member 61 is interposed between the first sidewall 45 of
the first housing 41 and the second sidewall 46 of the second
housing 42, the bonding member 61 formed of the heat shrinkable
film or sheet may be thermally shrunk and attached between the
first sidewall 45 of the first housing 41 and the second sidewall
46 of the second housing 42, and then may be cured, whereby the
first sidewall 45 and the second sidewall 46 may be firmly combined
by thermal shrinkage of the bonding member 61, and a gap between
the first sidewall 45 and the second sidewall 46 may be
hermetically sealed.
[0073] Meanwhile, an electric wire or a lead may be connected to
the first electrode 21 or the second electrode 22. The electric
wire or the lead may be led to the outside of the housings 41 and
42 to output electrical energy generated by the thermoelectric
elements 11 and 12 and the electrodes 21 and 22 externally.
Hereinafter, the electric wire or the lead for outputting
electrical energy will be referred to as an "electric wire 71", and
the electric wire 71 includes all types of output units for
outputting the electrical energy generated by the thermoelectric
elements 11 and 12 and the electrodes 21 and 22 externally.
[0074] According to exemplary embodiments, the electric wire 71 may
be connected to the first electrode 21 to be led to the outside of
the housings 41 and 42.
[0075] According to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, the electric wire 71 may pass through the bonding
member 61 of the heat barrier unit 60 to be led to the outside of
the housings 41 and 42 in a horizontal direction.
[0076] By allowing the electric wire 71 to pass through the bonding
member 61 of the heat barrier unit 60 and to be provided in the
horizontal direction, electrical connections with respect to
adjacent electrical components may easily be made, and a lead-out
length of the electric wire 71 may be optimized such that
insulation resistance may be minimized. Therefore, leakage may be
prevented during the thermoelectric power generation, and the
strain of the electric wire 71 may be prevented such that
variations in resistance of the electrodes 21 and 22 may be
minimized.
[0077] According to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, the heat barrier unit 60 further includes a sealing
tube 63 for sealing the electric wire 71 as shown in FIGS. 1 to
5.
[0078] The sealing tube 63 may be formed of an insulating resin
material, and may be provided to pass through a portion of the
bonding member 61. By hermetically inserting the electric wire 71
into the inside of the sealing tube 63, sealability and insulating
properties with respect to the electric wire 71 passing through the
heat barrier unit 60 may be secured.
[0079] In particular, the sealing tube 63 may be extended in a
direction perpendicular to the sidewalls 45 and 46 of the housing
40, i.e., in a horizontal direction, such that the electric wire 71
sealed by the sealing tube 63 may easily be provided in the
horizontal direction. By allowing the electric wire 71 to pass
through the sealing tube 63 and be led out in the horizontal
direction, the insulation resistance of the electric wire 71 may be
minimized, whereby leakage may be prevented during the
thermoelectric power generation, and the strain of the electric
wire 71 may be prevented such that variations in resistance of the
electrodes 21 and 22 may be minimized.
[0080] According to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, the sealing tube 63 may be formed of a heat shrinkable
tube. By applying heat to an external surface of the sealing tube
63, the sealing tube 63 formed of the heat shrinkable tube may be
thermally shrunk and attached to an external surface of the
electric wire 71, whereby sealability and insulating properties of
the electric wire 71 may be secured.
[0081] FIG. 3 illustrates a state of the heat barrier unit 60
before being bonded between the first sidewall 45 of the first
housing 41 and the second sidewall 46 of the second housing 42. As
shown in FIG. 3, the sealing tube 63 formed of the heat shrinkable
tube may be provided to pass through a portion of the bonding
member 61 formed of the heat shrinkable film.
[0082] A bonding process of the first sidewall 45 of the first
housing 41 and the second sidewall 46 of the second housing 42
using the heat barrier unit 60 will be detailed below. First, when
heat is applied to the sealing tube 63 formed of the heat
shrinkable tube, the sealing tube 63 may be hermetically attached
to the external surface of the electric wire 71 through thermal
shrinkage of the sealing tube 63, and thus, the sealability and
insulating properties of the electric wire 71 may be secured.
Thereafter, when heat is applied to the bonding member 61 in a
state in which the bonding member 61 formed of the heat shrinkable
film is interposed between the first sidewall 45 of the first
housing 41 and the second sidewall 46 of the second housing 42, the
bonding member 61 may be firmly bonded to the first sidewall 45 of
the first housing 41 and the second sidewall 46 of the second
housing 42, and sealability may be secured.
[0083] According to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, the heat barrier unit 60 further includes a tube 64
into which the electric wire 71 is inserted, and a sealing cap 65
sealing an end portion of the tube 64, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0084] The tube 64 may be formed of an insulating material such as
resin. An inner diameter of the tube 64 may be larger than an outer
diameter of the electric wire 71. When the electric wire 71 is
inserted into the inside of the tube 64, a gap 64a may be formed
between an internal surface of the tube 64 and the external surface
of the electric wire 71. An inert gas may be injected into the
inside of the first and second housings 41 and 42, or air within
the first and second housings 41 and 42 may be discharged
externally through the gap 64a between the tube 64 and the electric
wire 71, thereby vacuumizing the internal space of the housing
40.
[0085] The sealing cap 65 may be provided to seal the outer end
portion of the tube 64 after the injection of the inert gas or the
vacuumizing operation through the gap 64a between the tube 64 and
the electric wire 71.
[0086] The sealing cap 65 may be formed of an insulating resin
material to implement the sealing of the tube 64 and the insulation
of the electric wire 71.
[0087] The sealing cap 65 may be formed of a heat shrinkable
material. By applying heat to the sealing cap 65 formed of the heat
shrinkable material, the sealing cap 65 formed of the heat
shrinkable material may be thermally shrunk and attached to the
external and internal surfaces of the tube 64, thereby firmly
sealing the end portion of the tube 64. In addition, the sealing
cap 65 may also be attached to a portion of the external surface of
the electric wire 71, whereby the insulating properties of the
electric wire 71 may also be secured.
[0088] The tube 64 may be extended in a direction perpendicular to
the sidewalls 45 and 46 of the housings 41 and 42, i.e., in a
horizontal direction, such that the electric wire 71 provided in
the tube 64 may easily be provided in the horizontal direction. By
allowing the electric wire 71 to pass through the tube 64 and be
led out in the horizontal direction, the insulation resistance of
the electric wire 71 may be minimized, whereby leakage may be
prevented during the thermoelectric power generation, and the
strain of the electric wire 71 may be prevented such that
variations in resistance of the electrodes 21 and 22 may be
minimized.
[0089] Meanwhile, the heat barrier unit 60 may be disposed to be
adjacent to the low temperature part so as to effectively prevent
strain due to heat of the high temperature part and prevent
dielectric breakdown or shorting of the electric wire 71.
[0090] According to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, when the
first insulating board 31 and the first electrode 21 are configured
to form the low temperature part, the heat barrier unit 60 may be
disposed to be adjacent to the first insulating board 31 and the
first electrode 21. To this end, as shown in FIG. 1, the first
sidewall 45 may be shorter than the second sidewall 46, and thus,
the heat barrier unit 60 may be disposed to be adjacent to the
first electrode 21 and the first insulating board 31 forming the
low temperature part.
[0091] Alternatively, according to another exemplary embodiment,
when the second insulating board 32 and the second electrode 22 are
configured to form the low temperature part, the heat barrier unit
60 may be disposed to be adjacent to the second insulating board 32
and the second electrode 22. To this end, the second sidewall 46
may be shorter than the first sidewall 45, and thus, the heat
barrier unit 60 may be disposed to be adjacent to the second
electrode 22 and the second insulating board 32 forming the low
temperature part.
[0092] According to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, fitting parts 51 and 52 may be provided with the first
sidewall 45 of the first housing 41 and the second sidewall 46 of
the second housing 42, respectively, and the heat barrier unit 60
may be provided on the fitting parts 51 and 52, whereby the
sealability and bonding properties of the first housing 41 and the
second housing 42 through the heat barrier unit 60 may be further
stabilized and secured.
[0093] The fitting parts 51 and 52 include a first fitting part 51
provided at the bottom of the first sidewall 45 of the first
housing 41, and a second fitting part 52 provided at the top of the
second sidewall 46 of the second housing 42.
[0094] The first fitting part 51 includes a first horizontal
portion 53 extending from the bottom of the first sidewall 45 of
the first housing 41 in a horizontal direction, and a first bent
portion 55 bent from an end of the first horizontal portion 53 at a
predetermined angle.
[0095] The first horizontal portion 53 may be extended from the
first sidewall 45 of the first housing 41 toward the internal space
of the housing in the horizontal direction.
[0096] FIG. 1 illustrates the first bent portion 55 being bent at
approximately 90 degrees with respect to the first horizontal
portion 53 by way of example. However, the first bent portion 55
may be bent at an angle smaller than 90.degree. or at an angle
larger than 90.degree..
[0097] Meanwhile, corners of the first horizontal portion 53 and
the first bent portion 55 may be rounded, such that the bonding
member 61 may easily be fitted to the first fitting part 51.
[0098] The second fitting part 52 includes a second horizontal
portion 54 extending from the top of the second sidewall 46 of the
second housing 42 in a horizontal direction, and a second bent
portion 56 bent from an end of the second horizontal portion 54 at
a predetermined angle.
[0099] The second horizontal portion 54 may be extended from the
second sidewall 46 of the second housing 42 toward the internal
space of the housing in the horizontal direction.
[0100] FIG. 1 illustrates the second bent portion 56 being bent at
approximately 90 degrees with respect to the second horizontal
portion 54 by way of example. However, the second bent portion 56
may be bent at an angle smaller than 90.degree. or at an angle
larger than 90.degree..
[0101] Meanwhile, corners of the second horizontal portion 54 and
the second bent portion 56 may be rounded, such that the bonding
member 61 may easily be fitted to the second fitting part 52.
[0102] According to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, when the bonding member 61 is formed of a heat
shrinkable tube, heat may be applied to the bonding member 61 after
the bonding member 61 is easily inserted into the first and second
fitting parts 51 and 52, and thus, the bonding member 61 may be
thermally shrunk and cured while being hermetically attached to the
first and second fitting parts 51 and 52, whereby the sealability
and bonding properties through the bonding member 61 may be stably
secured.
[0103] Meanwhile, the first horizontal portion 53 and the first
bent portion 55 of the first fitting part 51 may be disposed
inwardly of the first sidewall 45 of the first housing 41 and the
second horizontal portion 54, and the second bent portion 56 of the
second fitting part 52 may be disposed inwardly of the second
sidewall 46 of the second housing 42, and thus, when heat is
applied to the bonding member 61 formed of the heat shrinkable
tube, the overheat of the bonding member 61 may be prevented and
stable thermal shrinkage of the bonding member 61 may be induced.
In addition, the bonding member 61 may be disposed in the internal
space of the housings 41 and 42, such that it may be concealed from
the outside, and thus, the possibility of damage thereof may be
minimized.
[0104] According to other exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, the bonding member 61 may be formed to have a shape
corresponding to the aforementioned structure of the first and
second fitting parts 51 and 52, and the bonding member 61 may be
forcibly fitted to the first and second fitting parts 51 and 52.
Thus, the bonding force and sealability of the first and second
housings 41 and 42 through the bonding member 61 may be stably
secured, and the assembly of the first and second housings 41 and
42 may be convenient and easy.
[0105] According to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, a thermal resistance increasing part 48 or 49 may be
further provided on the sidewall 46 of the housing 40.
[0106] The thermal resistance increasing part 48 or 49 may be
provided to increase thermal resistance at the sidewall 46 of the
housing 40, thereby minimizing the flow or transfer of heat through
the sidewall 46 of the housing 40.
[0107] The thermal resistance increasing part 48 or 49 may be
provided on at least one of the first sidewall 45 and the second
sidewall 46. In particular, the thermal resistance increasing part
48 or 49 may be disposed on the sidewall that is adjacent to the
high temperature part, so as to minimize the flow or transfer of
heat through the sidewall 45 or 46. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the
thermal resistance increasing parts 48 and 49 may be formed on the
second sidewall 46 that is adjacent to the high temperature
part.
[0108] According to an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1,
the thermal resistance increasing part 48 may be provided as a thin
wall portion 48 that is formed in a portion of the sidewall 46, and
the thin wall portion 48 may be thinner than the sidewall 46. By
allowing heat to flow through the thin wall portion 48, thermal
resistance may be increased.
[0109] According to another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG.
2, the thermal resistance increasing part 49 may be provided as a
non-straight portion 49 that is formed to have a zigzag structure
or a curved structure in a portion of the sidewall 46, thereby
increasing thermal resistance.
[0110] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, according to other exemplary
embodiments, fitting parts 151 and 152 include a first fitting part
151 provided at the bottom of the first sidewall 45 of the first
housing 41, and a second fitting part 152 provided at the top of
the second sidewall 46 of the second housing 42. The first fitting
part 151 and the second fitting part 152 may be formed in opposite
positions in relation to the first and second sidewalls 45 and 46
of the housings 41 and 42.
[0111] The first fitting part 151 includes a first horizontal
portion 153 extending from the bottom of the first sidewall 45 in a
horizontal direction, and a first bent portion 155 bent from an end
of the first horizontal portion 153 at a predetermined angle.
[0112] The first horizontal portion 153 may be extended from the
first sidewall 45 toward the exterior space of the first housing 41
in the horizontal direction.
[0113] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the first bent portion 155 being
bent at approximately 90 degrees with respect to the first
horizontal portion 153 by way of example. However, the first bent
portion 155 may be bent at an angle smaller than 90.degree. or at
an angle larger than 90.degree..
[0114] Meanwhile, corners of the first horizontal portion 153 and
the first bent portion 155 may be rounded, thereby allowing the
bonding member 61 to be fitted more stably.
[0115] The second fitting part 152 includes a second horizontal
portion 154 extending from the top of the second sidewall 46 of the
second housing 42 in a horizontal direction, and a second bent
portion 156 bent from an end of the second horizontal portion 154
at a predetermined angle.
[0116] The second horizontal portion 154 may be extended from the
second sidewall 46 toward the internal space of the second housing
42 in the horizontal direction.
[0117] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the second bent portion 156 being
bent at approximately 90 degrees with respect to the second
horizontal portion 154 by way of example. However, the second bent
portion 156 may be bent at an angle smaller than 90.degree. or at
an angle larger than 90.degree..
[0118] Meanwhile, corners of the second horizontal portion 154 and
the second bent portion 156 may be rounded, thereby allowing the
bonding member 61 to be fitted more stably.
[0119] As stated above, the first fitting part 151 and the second
fitting part 152 may be formed in opposite positions in relation to
the sidewalls 45 and 46 of the housings 41 and 42, whereby the
assembly workability may be improved by the bonding member 61, and
the sealability and bonding properties may be further improved by
the bonding member 61.
[0120] In the above descriptions with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5,
the first horizontal portion 153 and the first bent portion 155 of
the first fitting part 151 are positioned outwardly of the first
housing 41, and the second horizontal portion 154 and the second
bent portion 156 of the second fitting part 152 are positioned
inwardly of the second housing 42, but the present inventive
concept is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the first horizontal
portion 153 and the first bent portion 155 of the first fitting
part 151 may be positioned inwardly of the first housing 41, and
the second horizontal portion 154 and the second bent portion 156
of the second fitting part 152 may be positioned outwardly of the
second housing 42.
[0121] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a cooling unit 80 or 90 may be
disposed to be adjacent to the low temperature part of the housing,
and a portion 85 or 95 of the cooling unit 80 or 90 may be extended
to contact or be adjacent to at least a portion of the heat barrier
unit 60.
[0122] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the cooling unit 80 or 90 may be
provided on the first base 43 of the first housing 41, such that
the first insulating board 31 and the first base 43 of the first
housing 41 adjacent thereto may form the low temperature part.
[0123] The cooling unit 80 according to the exemplary embodiment of
FIG. 7 includes a cooling body 81 having a channel 82 through which
a cooling fluid such as coolant passes, and an extension portion 85
extending from one side of the cooling body 81 toward the heat
barrier unit 60.
[0124] The extension portion 85 may contact or be adjacent to at
least a portion of the heat barrier unit 60 such that cool air of
the cooling body 81 may be transferred to the heat barrier unit 60,
thereby preventing heat strain or damage of the heat barrier unit
60 and effectively preventing strain, dielectric breakdown,
electrical shorting or the like of the electric wire 71.
[0125] The cooling unit 90 according to the exemplary embodiment of
FIG. 8 includes a cooling body 91 having cooling fins 92 through
which a vapor-phase cooling fluid such as air passes, and an
extension portion 95 extending from one side of the cooling body 91
toward the heat barrier unit 60.
[0126] The extension portion 95 may contact or be adjacent to at
least a portion of the heat barrier unit 60, such that cool air of
the cooling body 91 may be transferred to the heat barrier unit 60,
thereby preventing heat strain or damage of the heat barrier unit
60 and effectively preventing strain, dielectric breakdown,
electrical shorting or the like of the electric wire 71.
[0127] According to exemplary embodiments, the housing may envelop
the external surface of the thermoelectric module, i.e., the
external surfaces of the insulating boards and the thermoelectric
elements and the electrodes disposed between the insulating boards,
thereby effectively preventing an oxidation reaction, chemical
changes, and the like that may be caused by external factors, avoid
electrical shorting that may be caused by moist, conducting liquid
or the like, and protect the individual elements of the
thermoelectric module from stress, strain, shear force and the like
due to external physical factors.
[0128] In particular, heat loss that may occur at the sidewalls of
the housings may be minimized, such that the temperature difference
between the high temperature part and the low temperature part may
be stably secured, which may improve thermoelectric power
generation performance.
[0129] In addition, thermal stress and thermal shock due to the
temperature difference between the high temperature part and the
low temperature part may be alleviated, whereby damage to the
thermoelectric module may be prevented.
[0130] Further, the first and second housings may be firmly
assembled by the bonding member, thereby effectively pressurizing
the insulating boards, the electrodes, and the thermoelectric
elements. Thus, electric resistance and thermal resistance at
interfaces of the thermoelectric elements and the electrodes due to
temperature changes may be minimized, and thermal resistance at
interfaces of the electrodes and the insulating boards may also be
minimized.
[0131] Hereinabove, although the present disclosure has been
described with reference to exemplary embodiments and the
accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited
thereto, but may be variously modified and altered by those skilled
in the art to which the present disclosure pertains without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure
claimed in the following claims.
* * * * *