Thermoelectric module

A thermoelectric module comprising:

• a first substrate;
• multiple unit thermoelectric materials comprising N-type thermoelectric materials and P-type thermoelectric materials and arranged on one surface of the first substrate;
• multiple first electrodes each electrically connected to a first end of a respective one of the N-type thermoelectric materials or to a first end of a respective one of the P-type thermoelectric materials, the multiple first electrodes being configured to be supplied with electric power from a power supply unit;
• multiple second electrodes each disposed to be spaced apart from a second end of the respective one of the N-type thermoelectric materials and a second end of the respective one of the P-type thermoelectric materials by a predetermined gap;
• and
• a second substrate configured to support the multiple second electrodes,
• wherein the second substrate is locally and elastically deformed when a pressing force is applied to the second substrate from outside of the thermoelectric module, such that some of the multiple second electrodes are electrically connected to the second ends of some of the N-type thermoelectric materials and the second ends of some of the P-type thermoelectric materials,
• wherein elastic support parts are arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate so that the predetermined gap is maintained when the pressing force is released,
• wherein one of the elastic support parts comprises:
• a rigid member extending perpendicularly to the second substrate along a vertical direction in which the pressing force is applied to the second substrate and disposed on a side surface of at least one of the N-type thermoelectric materials or P-type thermoelectric materials between the first substrate and the second substrate;
• and
• an elastic member disposed on at least one of plural ends of the rigid member, and,
• wherein a length of the rigid member in the vertical direction is greater than a length of the multiple unit thermoelectric materials in the vertical direction.