Thermoelectric conversion module and connector for thermoelectric conversion elements
AssigneeUniversal Entertainment Corporation
InventorKo Takahashi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A connector for a thermoelectric conversion element free of a continuity failure and that is high in electrical reliability. In a thermoelectric conversion module, each thermoelectric conversion element has first and second electrode faces, and the thermoelectric conversion elements adjacent to each other are electrically connected thereto via connectors formed in a predetermined shape. Further, the connectors include a pair of fitted portions that are engagingly mounted to a first electrode face and another second electrode of the thermal electric conversion elements that are adjacent thereto, and a connection portions for connecting one pair of these fitted portions.
Claims18
A thermoelectric conversion module, in which a thermoelectric conversion element is arranged on a substrate and an electrode formed on the thermoelectric conversion element and another electrode which is different therefrom are electrically connected to each other via a conductive connector formed in a predetermined shape,
- the connector comprising:
- a first fitted portion, which is engagingly mounted to the electrode of the thermoelectric conversion element;
- and
- a connector lead portion, which is electrically connected to the first fitted portion and another electrode, the connector lead portion having a second fitted portion engagingly mounted to an electrode of another thermoelectric conversion element as the another electrode arranged on the substrate, wherein
- the first fitted portion and the second fitted portion have bent pieces that are bendable and elastically deformable, and
- the bent pieces are configured to engage end edges of respective main surfaces of an electrode of the thermoelectric conversion element and an electrode of the other thermoelectric conversion element with each other so as to be elastically pushed so as to be widened, and each of which has a short-circuit piece of a sufficient length so as to brought into electrical contact with an adjacent connector when bent.
A connector for thermoelectric conversion element for electrically connecting an electrode of the thermoelectric conversion element to another electrode,
- said connector comprising:
- a first fitted portion, which is engagingly mounted to the electrode of the thermoelectric conversion element;
- and
- a connector lead portion, which is electrically connected to the first fitted portion and another electrode, the connector lead portion having a second fitted portion engagingly mounted to an electrode of an another thermoelectric conversion element as the another electrode arranged on the substrate, wherein
- the first fitted portion and the second fitted portion have bent pieces that are bendable and elastically deformable, and
- the bent pieces are configured to engage end edges of respective main surfaces of an electrode of the thermoelectric conversion element and an electrode of the other thermoelectric conversion element with each other so as to be elastically pushed so as to be widened, and each of which has a short-circuit piece of a sufficient length so as to brought into electrical contact with an adjacent connector when bent.
A thermoelectric conversion module, in which a thermoelectric conversion element is arranged on a substrate and an electrode formed on the thermoelectric conversion element and another electrode which is different therefrom are electrically connected to each other via a conductive connector formed in a predetermined shape, the connector comprising:
- a first fitted portion, engagingly mounted to the electrode of the thermoelectric conversion element;
- and
- a connector lead portion, electrically connected to the first fitted portion and another electrode, the connector lead portion having a second fitted portion engagingly mounted to an electrode of another thermoelectric conversion element as the another electrode arranged on the substrate, and each of the first fitted portion and the second fitted portion includes:
- a bending piece which are elastically deformable, and
- a tapered portion is formed at rims at both ends of the bending piece, wherein
- the bent pieces are configured to engage end edges of respective main surfaces of an electrode of the thermoelectric conversion element and an electrode of the other thermoelectric conversion element with each other so as to be elastically pushed so as to be widened, and each of which has a short-circuit piece of a sufficient length so as to brought into electrical contact with an adjacent connector when bent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.