Analysis of Thermoelectric Energy Conversion in Peltier Devices and Making the Devices into General-Purpose Monolithic IC Structure

Abstract

Peltier device is used for both thermoelectric cooling and thermoelectric power generation, where the Peltier and Seebeck effect occur simultaneously when current is applied. Conventional thermal equivalent circuits for Peltier device consider only the effects that are used out of the effects that occur simultaneously. Therefore, in the past, our laboratory proposed a thermal equivalent circuit considers the Seebeck effect in thermoelectric cooling. In this paper, we propose a thermal equivalent circuit that considers the Peltier effect in thermoelectric generation. Furthermore, from the analysis results of the thermal and electrical equivalent circuits during thermoelectric cooling and thermoelectric power generation, the amount of thermal and electrical energy converted is quantitatively clarified.

Also, General-purpose Peltier devices have a hybrid integrated circuit structure in which heat is transferred through a semiconductor and a welded metal, and the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the two causes a short life. Therefore, the authors devised a structure in which the Peltier device is completely monolithic and fabricated a prototype Peltier integrated circuit using a general-purpose CMOS process to extend the life of Peltier device. we report on the structure of the prototype monolithic Peltier IC and the experimental confirmation of the thermoelectric effect.