THERMOELECTRIC CONVERSION MODULE AND ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermoelectric conversion module from which the resistances held by thermoelectric elements 3 themselves can be drawn out by reducing contact resistances to the utmost, and in which the performance of the thermoelectric elements is not deteriorated even when the elements are modularized. SOLUTION: In this thermoelectric conversion module 1, a serial circuit is constituted by alternately arranging p-type thermoelectric elements 2 and n-type thermoelectric elements 3 and successively connecting the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 to each other through conductive members 4. In addition, insulating members 5 are provided on the outsides of the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3. The conductive members 4 are composed of copper electrodes 6 and binders 7 which join one surfaces of the electrodes 6 to the thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 and the other surfaces of the electrodes 6 to the insulating members 5. The binders 7 which join them to each other are obtained by sintering conductive paste prepared by dispersing fine metallic particles having a mean particle diameter of 1-10 nm in a liquid. It is preferable that the fine metallic particles are composed of silver that can accomplish good junctions between the insulating members 5 and thermoelectric elements 2 and 3 and the copper electrodes 6. COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI