Method for packaging thermoelectric module

Abstract

A method for packaging a thermoelectric module may include thermoelectric module accommodation, of accommodating at least one thermoelectric module in a housing having a base and a sidewall, electric wire sealing, of sealing an electric wire of the thermoelectric module with a sealing tube, bonding member interposing, of placing a cover having a top portion and a sidewall on top of the housing and interposing a bonding member between the sidewall of the housing and the sidewall of the cover, and bonding, of bonding the sidewall of the housing and the sidewall of the cover that are hermetically sealed by the bonding member, in which the bonding member may be formed of a resin material.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0087513, filed Jul. 11, 2016, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to a method for packaging at least one thermoelectric module and, more particularly, to a method for packaging a thermoelectric module, which can stably protect individual elements of the thermoelectric module such as thermoelectric elements, electrodes, and insulating boards, while maintaining the power generation performance of the thermoelectric module.Description of 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 the thermoelectric power generation...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The method effectively prevents oxidation and shorting, maintains power generation performance by reducing heat loss and thermal stress, and enhances the durability of thermoelectric modules against external factors and thermal expansion.

Problems solved by technology

Here, a heat transfer rate from a heat source to the thermoelectric module may significantly affect the output.

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.

When moist or conducting liquid (water or the like) contacts the thermoelectric elements and / or the electrodes, it may cause electrical shorting.

In addition, when impacts or shocks may occur due to external physical factors, stress, strain, shear force or the like may cause damages to the thermoelectric module.

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.

In addition, when the thermoelectric module is exposed to a heat source for a long 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 damages to the thermoelectric module and malfunction of the thermoelectric module.

Furthermore, 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.

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