Thermoelectric module

Abstract

A thermoelectric module is provided that includes a housing that has at least two opposite walls, and a plurality of thermoelectric elements that have at least two opposite surfaces, and a plurality of conductor bridges. At least two thermoelectric elements are connected to a conductor bridge, and the thermoelectric elements, via one of the surfaces thereof, are in thermal contact with a support element, a combination of at least two thermoelectric elements and a conductor bridge being in thermal contact with a support element.

Claims

1. A thermoelectric module comprising: a housing with at least two opposite walls; a plurality of thermoelectric elements that have at least two opposite surfaces; and a plurality of conductive bridges, wherein at least two of the thermoelectric elements are connected to a first surface of one of the conductive bridges and a second surface of the one of the conductive bridges is connected to a support element, such that a combination of the at least two of the thermoelectric elements and the one of the conductive bridges is in thermal contact with the support element, wherein a wall of the housing has a cutout that is formed as a hole that extends entirely through the wall, wherein at least one thermal stress equalizing device is arranged in the thermoelectric module, and wherein the thermal stress equalizing device is formed by a plurality of the support elements, the support elements being plate-shaped each having an upper surface upon which the conductive bridges are positioned, a lower surface that opposes the upper surface and side edges, wherein individual plate-shaped support elements are elastically connected at their side edges to adjacent plate-shaped support elements, and wherein at least one side edge of at least two of the plate-shaped support elements have an at least partially peripheral flange region that has a bent peripheral flange extending therefrom.

2. The thermoelectric module according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plate-shaped support elements is connected elastically to a wall of the housing.

3. The thermoelectric module according to claim 1, wherein the plate-shaped support elements cover the cutout in the housing of the thermoelectric module in a fluid-tight manner.

4. The thermoelectric module according to claim 1, wherein one of the surfaces of the thermoelectric elements are in thermal contact with one of the walls of the housing and the respective other surface of the thermoelectric elements are in thermal contact with the plate-shaped support elements.

5. The thermoelectric module according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plate-shaped support elements overlaps the housing at a connection site between the support element and the housing, and/or overlaps another support element at a connection site between the support element and the another support element.

6. The thermoelectric module according to claim 1, wherein the plate-shaped support elements are movable relative to one another and are movable relative to the housing of the thermoelectric module.

7. A thermoelectric module comprising: a housing; a plurality of thermoelectric elements that have at least two opposite surfaces; and a plurality of conductive bridges, wherein at least two of the thermoelectric elements are connected to a first surface of one of the conductive bridges and a second surface of the one of the conductive bridges is connected to a support element, such that a combination of the at least two of the thermoelectric elements and the one of the conductive bridges is in thermal contact with the support element, and wherein the support element is formed as at least two tub-shaped support elements and wherein at least one thermal stress equalizing device is arranged in the thermoelectric module, the at least one thermal stress equalizing device formed by the tub-shaped support elements, the tub-shaped support elements each having a bottom region and a peripheral side edge protruding from and extending around a periphery of the bottom region to form a tub shape having a concave space therein, the thermoelectric elements being positioned inside of the concave space of the tub shape.

8. The thermoelectric module according to claim 7, wherein the tub-shaped support elements are connected to one another at their respective peripheral side edges, and wherein a gap is left between the bottom regions of adjacent tub-shaped support elements.

9. The thermoelectric module according to claim 7, wherein each of the tub-shaped support elements has at least two thermoelectric elements provided therein, which are connected to at least one of the conductive bridges.

10. The thermoelectric module according to claim 7, wherein at least two thermoelectric elements of two adjacent tub-shaped support elements are connected to one another via a conductive bridge.

11. The thermoelectric module according to claim 7, further comprising a box-shaped cover, wherein the tub-shaped support elements are positioned inside the box-shaped cover, wherein the housing of the thermoelectric module is formed by a combination of the box-shaped cover and the tub-shaped support elements, and wherein a first wall of the housing is formed by a bottom region of the box-shaped cover and a second wall of the housing is formed by the bottom regions of the tub-shaped support elements.

12. The thermoelectric module according to claim 11, wherein one of the surfaces of the thermoelectric elements are in thermal contact with the bottom regions of the tub-shaped support elements, respectively, and the respective other surface of the thermoelectric elements are in thermal contact with the bottom region of the box-shaped cover.

13. The thermoelectric module according to claim 11, wherein the box-shaped cover has an at least partially peripheral flange.

14. The thermoelectric module according to claim 11, further comprising a plate positioned physically between the tub-shaped support elements and the box-shaped cover, the plate having cutouts for accommodating the thermoelectric elements, wherein the plate is arranged between the peripheral edge of the tub-shaped support elements and the box-shaped cover, the thermoelectric elements extending through the cutouts of the plate when the plate is arranged.

15. The thermoelectric module according to claim 14, wherein the tub-shaped support elements are connected to one side of the plate and the box-shaped cover is connected to the other opposing side of the plate.

16. The thermoelectric module according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plate-shaped support elements overlaps another support element at a connection site between the at least one of the support elements and the another support element.

17. The thermoelectric module according to claim 1, wherein the bent peripheral flange of one plate-shaped support element accommodates an edge region of an adjacent plate-shaped support element aligned therewith.

18. The thermoelectric module according to claim 1, wherein the plate-shaped support elements are aligned adjacent to one another such that the plate-shaped support elements extend along a same plane.

19. The thermoelectric module according to claim 8, wherein side walls of the tub-shaped support elements are inclined inwardly from the peripheral edge towards the bottom region, such that the gap is provided between the adjacent tub-shaped support elements.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus, are not limitive of the present invention, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a cut through a housing of a thermoelectric module, with individual thermoelectric elements and support elements on which the thermoelectric elements are placed;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a partial view of a housing of a thermoelectric module in a top plan view and two cuts through this view;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a perspective partial view of a housing of a thermoelectric module according to FIG. 2, whereby here an interior view of the housing part is shown, for which reason the thermoelectric elements within the thermoelectric module and conductive bridges are shown;

(5) FIG. 4 shows a perspective partial view according to FIGS. 2 and 3, whereby here a view of the outer side of the housing part is shown;

(6) FIG. 5 shows a partial side view of a thermoelectric module, with support elements that are arranged within the thermoelectric module, with thermoelectric elements and conductive bridges;

(7) FIG. 6 shows a perspective partial view of the thermoelectric module according to FIG. 5, with a view of the outer side of the housing in the top part of FIG. 6 and a view of the inner side of the housing in the bottom part of FIG. 6;

(8) FIG. 7 shows a partial side view of an alternative embodiment of a thermoelectric module, with support elements that are arranged outside the thermoelectric module, with thermoelectric elements and conductive bridges;

(9) FIG. 8 shows a perspective partial view of the thermoelectric module according to FIG. 7, with a view of the outer side of the housing in the top part of FIG. 8 and a view of the inner side of the housing in the bottom part of FIG. 8;

(10) FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of two tub-shaped support elements;

(11) FIG. 10 shows a plurality of interconnected tub-shaped support elements, a view of the inner side of the tub-shaped support elements being shown in the top part of FIG. 10 and a view of the outer side of the tub-shaped support elements being shown in the bottom part of FIG. 10;

(12) FIG. 11 shows a top plan view of a plurality of tub-shaped support elements according to the top part of FIG. 10, with thermoelectric elements that are inserted within the tub-shaped elements;

(13) FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of a box-like cover with a peripheral flange that can be placed on the arrangement according to FIG. 11;

(14) FIG. 13 shows a top plan view of a thermoelectric module, formed from elements according to FIGS. 11 and 12, illustrated in the bottom part of FIG. 13, and furthermore a cut through this thermoelectric module in the top part of FIG. 13;

(15) FIG. 14 shows a plate with cutouts for the thermoelectric elements in the top part of FIG. 14 and an arrangement of thermoelectric elements in tub-shaped support elements according to FIG. 11 in the bottom part of FIG. 14;

(16) FIG. 15 shows a perspective view of an assembly of the elements in FIG. 14 with additional conductive bridges, which have been attached to the thermoelectric elements after the placement of the plate on the tub-shaped elements;

(17) FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of a thermoelectric module according to FIG. 15, with a mounted cover; and

(18) FIG. 17 shows a top plan view of a thermoelectric module according to FIG. 16 in the bottom part of FIG. 17, and a cut through the thermoelectric module in the top part of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(19) The following FIGS. 1 to 8 each show an incomplete thermoelectric module 11. Inter alia, a part of housing 4, which surrounds thermoelectric elements 1 and plate-shaped support elements 3 and seals them fluid-tight outwardly, is not shown for reasons of clarity. In a complete illustration, the surfaces of thermoelectric elements 1 opposite the plate-shaped support elements would be in thermal contact with a wall of housing 4.

(20) FIG. 1 shows an arrangement of a plurality of thermoelectric elements 1, which are connected in pairs to one another with conductive bridges 2. Thermoelectric elements 1 are arranged here on plate-shaped support elements 3. In the illustration shown in FIG. 1, two adjacent thermoelectric elements 1 each are arranged on one plate-shaped support element 3.

(21) Plate-shaped support elements 3, which are interconnected, here cover a cutout 9 in a wall 7, 8 of a housing 4. To this end, plate-shaped support elements 3 at the junctions to either housing 4 or an adjacent plate-shaped support element 3 have a flange region 5. Overlapping regions 6 arise between adjacent plate-shaped support elements 3 or plate-shaped support elements 3 and housing 4.

(22) Flanges 5 of plate-shaped support elements 3 in the example shown in FIG. 1 are formed by an L-shaped angle, which joins the plate-like region of plate-shaped support element 3 on the side.

(23) In alternative embodiments, designs different from the shown form of flange 5 can be provided. Thus, a flange in C-shape can be used that accommodates the adjacent element in its cutout.

(24) At the junctions between housing 4 and plate-shaped support elements 3 or the junctions between two plate-shaped support elements 3, a connector is inserted, which connects housing 4 to the plate-shaped support elements 3 and the plate-shaped support elements 3 among one another.

(25) The connector is hereby a connector with a sufficiently high ductility, so that plate-shaped support elements 3 are movable against one another and against housing 4. Furthermore, the connector should be sufficiently temperature-resistant, in order to withstand being subjected to a hot fluid without damage, for example, the exhaust gas in an exhaust gas line.

(26) The arrangement of plate-shaped support elements 3 in a cutout 9 of housing 4 is used to absorb stress forces, which occur in the environment of housing 4 due to temperature differences.

(27) In a normal operation, the arrangements as shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, are exposed to a fluid with a high temperature on the surface, facing away from thermoelectric element 1, of plate-shaped support elements 3. The surface opposite plate-shaped support elements 3 of thermoelectric elements 1, in a functioning arrangement is brought into thermal contact with housing 4, which is not shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, however. This part (not shown) of housing 4 is then exposed to a fluid with a lower temperature. A temperature difference arises in this way across the material thickness of thermoelectric elements 1.

(28) Plate-shaped support elements 3 expand because of the higher temperature on their surface. Since both thermoelectric elements 1 and conductive bridges 2 are sensitive to mechanical stresses, as they can occur, e.g., due to thermal stresses, a protective measure should be taken to prevent damage to thermoelectric elements 1 and conductive bridges 2. In FIGS. 1 to 8 this is realized by plate-shaped support elements 3 movable against one another.

(29) FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of housing 4, as it was already illustrated in FIG. 1. Plate-shaped support elements 3, which overlap each other and parts of housing 4, are visible in the middle of FIG. 4. A sectional view along section axis D-D is illustrated on the left next to this view. A sectional view along section axis C-C is shown in the bottom part of FIG. 2.

(30) The basic structure of thermoelectric elements 1 and conductive bridges 2 corresponds to the structure shown in FIG. 1. Only the arrangement of plate-shaped support elements 3 to one another in FIG. 2 differs from the example in FIG. 1.

(31) The left four plate-shaped support elements 3 are arranged on surface 8, facing the viewer, of housing 4. The right four plate-shaped support elements 3 are arranged on surface 7, facing away from the viewer, of housing 4. The left four plate-shaped support elements 3 overlap each other at their junctions and also housing 4 on surface 8 facing the viewer. The right four plate-shaped support elements 3 also overlap each other as well as surface 7 of housing 4 facing away from the viewer.

(32) Plate-shaped support elements 3 in their totality form thermal stress equalizing device 12. The device completely covers cutout 9 of housing 4.

(33) Two thermoelectric elements 1 are again arranged on each plate-shaped support element 3. Two thermoelectric elements 1 each are also connected to one another via a conductive bridge 2.

(34) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the inner side of thermoelectric module 11, which was already shown in the sectional views in FIG. 2. In the perspective view of FIG. 3, it is easily recognized once again that the left four plate-shaped support elements 3 are arranged on the inner side, labeled with surface 7, of housing 4. In contrast, the right plate-shaped support elements 3 are arranged on the outer side, opposite inner surface 7 of housing 4.

(35) It can also be seen in FIG. 3 that the individual plate-shaped support elements 3 overlap each other in a region 6 and likewise overlap housing 4 in its edge regions of cutout 9.

(36) FIG. 4 shows a view of outer surface 8, facing away from thermoelectric elements 1, of housing 4. Especially plate-shaped support elements 3 can now be seen here, which are attached from outer surface 8 to housing 4. Likewise, plate-shaped support elements 3 attached to inner surface 7 are visible as well. As already described, plate-shaped support elements 3 overlap each other and also housing 4. Thermoelectric elements 1 and conductive bridges 2 correspond to the elements already described in FIG. 3.

(37) Plate-shaped support elements 3 that are arranged on inner surface 7 and outer surface 8, together form thermal stress equalizing device 12. By the relative movement of the individual plate-shaped support elements 3 to one another and to housing 4, thermal stress equalizing device 12 can compensate the expansions in length occurring due to temperature and thus reduce the stresses in thermoelectric module 11.

(38) FIG. 5 shows a further section through a possible embodiment and arrangement of plate-shaped support elements 3 within a thermoelectric module 11.

(39) As in the previous figures, each plate-shaped support element 3 has two thermoelectric elements 1. This also applies to the following FIGS. 6 to 8 and for this reason is not mentioned further.

(40) In FIG. 5, plate-shaped support elements 3 are arranged on inner surface 7 of housing 4.

(41) The top part of FIG. 6 shows a view of housing part 4 from outside. It is especially visible that now instead of a large cutout 9, small cutouts 10 are provided in housing 4.

(42) Each of these cutouts 10 is covered by its own plate-shaped support element 3, which is arranged on inner side 7 of housing 4. The individual plate-shaped support elements 3 have no direct physical contact with adjacent plate-shaped support elements 3. Plate-shaped support elements 3 are each connected only to housing 4 and, as a departure from FIGS. 1 to 4, no longer have a flange 5 on their outer edges.

(43) The individual plate-shaped support elements 3, however, are connected to one another via conductive bridges 2, which connect thermoelectric elements 1, which are arranged on plate-shaped support elements 3. The totality of plate-shaped support elements 3 forms thermal stress equalizing device 12.

(44) The bottom part of FIG. 6 shows a view of inner surface 7 of housing 4. The spatial distance of the individual plate-shaped support elements 3 to one another is especially evident here.

(45) FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment different from FIG. 5. In the case of FIG. 7, plate-shaped support elements 3 are arranged on housing 4 from outer surface 8. As is also evident in FIGS. 5 and 6, FIG. 7 also has a number of individual cutouts 10, which are individually covered by plate-shaped support elements 3.

(46) FIG. 8, like FIG. 6, again shows two perspective views of the arrangement of thermoelectric module 11. Plate-shaped support elements 3 are attached from outer surface 8 of housing 4, as already mentioned in regard to FIG. 7. The bottom half of FIG. 8 shows a top plan view of inner surface 7 of housing 4, as well as thermoelectric elements 1 and conductive bridges 2 connecting them.

(47) As described in FIG. 6, the totality of all plate-shaped support elements 3 constitutes thermal stress equalizing device 12.

(48) In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, in each case, plate-shaped support elements 3 can move relative to housing 4 or to the other plate-shaped support elements 3. In this way, thermal stresses due to expansions in length can be compensated, without the absolute linear dimension of housing 4 being influenced. Plate-shaped support elements 3 during expansion due to the heat only reduce the distances to the other plate-shaped support elements 3 or housing 4. As a result, the mechanical stress on thermoelectric elements 1 is kept to a minimum, so that damage due to stress is effectively prevented.

(49) Glass solder can be used as a suitable connector between plate-shaped support elements 3 and housing 4. Glass solder advantageously has a sufficiently high ductility within certain defined temperature ranges and thus provides a good possible manner for decoupling the individual elements from one another. Moreover, glass solder has a sufficiently high temperature resistance and is also suitable for connecting housing parts fluid-tight to one another, even under temperature stress. Alternatively, the use of other elastic adhesives and materials that allow a sufficiently ductile but nevertheless temperature-resistant connection can also be provided.

(50) FIG. 9 shows two individual tub-like support elements 20. Tub-like support elements 20 each have a bottom region 21 and a peripheral edge 22 arranged opposite bottom region 21. Tub-like support elements 20 shown in FIG. 9 have substantially a rectangular box-shaped basic shape. Each of the shown tub-shaped support elements 20 has four side walls 23.

(51) The left tub-shaped support element 20 has a top side wall region 24 in the upper region, adjacent to the peripheral edge, of wall 23. The top side wall region 24 stands perpendicular to bottom region 21 of tub-shaped support element 20. Side walls 23, arranged below top side wall region 24, run at an angle, inclined to the center point of tub-shaped support element 20, slightly conically toward bottom region 21.

(52) Tub-shaped support element 20, which is illustrated in the right half of FIG. 9, does not show this top edge region 24 that stands perpendicular to bottom area 21. However, side walls 23 of right tub-shaped support element 20 also run at an inwardly inclined angle conically to bottom region 21.

(53) FIG. 10 shows two views of an arrangement of a plurality of tub-shaped support elements 20. Here the two arrangements of FIG. 10 are each formed from a plurality of tub-shaped support elements 20, as shown in the right half of FIG. 9.

(54) In the case of FIG. 10, an arrangement is shown comprising three tub-shaped support elements 20 in width and four tub-shaped support elements 20 in length. The individual tub-shaped support elements 20 are connected to one another in the region of their peripheral edge 22 and thus form connection site 25 in their upper region. The top part of FIG. 10 shows a top plan view of tub-shaped support elements 20 open from above.

(55) Alternatively, the same structure is also possible with tub-shaped support elements 20 shown on the left in FIG. 9. As a result, because of the perpendicular sections of top side wall 24, a larger connection site 25 would occur between the individual tub-shaped support elements 20, which would additionally increase the stability of the arrangement.

(56) The totality of tub-shaped support elements 20 forms thermal stress equalizing device 34.

(57) The bottom area of FIG. 10 shows a top plan view of bottom region 21 of tub-shaped support elements 20. A gap 26 arises between the individual adjacent tub-shaped support elements 20 by the conically tapering shape of side walls 23.

(58) FIG. 11 shows an expansion of the arrangement of tub-shaped support elements 20 as shown in FIG. 10. In addition, in FIG. 11 two thermoelectric elements 1 are now inserted in each tub-shaped support element 20. It is not visible in the figure that thermoelectric elements 1 arranged in a tub-shaped support element 20 are connected electrically conductively to one another via conductive bridge 2. The illustrated thermoelectric elements 1 are in thermal contact with tub-shaped support elements 20 via conductive bridges 2.

(59) As already shown in FIG. 10, junctions 25 between tub-shaped support elements 20 and gaps 26, which arise in the vicinity of the bottom region between adjacent tub-shaped support elements 20, are also evident.

(60) All tub-shaped support elements 20 together form thermal stress equalizing device 34.

(61) FIG. 12 shows a box-like cover 27, which has a bottom region 28. Box-like cover 27 is made open downward away from bottom region 28 and is dimensioned so that the arrangement shown in FIG. 11 can be inserted in box-shaped cover 27. The side walls of box-like cover 27 run substantially perpendicular to bottom region 28. A flange region 29, which in the case of FIG. 12 is made completely peripheral, joins the bottom edge of box-like cover 27.

(62) In alternative embodiments for the box-like cover, as also in the case of tub-shaped support elements 20, conically tapering side walls could be provided. Likewise, only a partially peripheral flange region 29 could be provided.

(63) FIG. 13 now shows in its bottom area a top plan view of a thermoelectric module 32. It includes the arrangement, as already illustrated in FIG. 11, and box-like cover 27 of FIG. 12, which was placed from above on thermoelectric elements 1 and tub-shaped support elements 20.

(64) The view shown in the bottom area in FIG. 13 shows bottom area 21, facing the viewer, of tub-shaped support elements 20, which in their totality form thermal stress equalizing device 34. Peripheral flange 29 of box-like cover 27 is shown around the arrangement of tub-shaped support elements 20. Box-like cover 27 together with bottom region 21 forms housing 33 of thermoelectric module 32.

(65) A view along the section axis F-F is illustrated in the top part of FIG. 13. The inner structure of thermoelectric module 32 can be readily seen in the sectional view F-F. As already described in the previous figures, each of tub-shaped support elements 20 has two thermoelectric elements 1, each of which is connected within tub-shaped support element 20 to a conductive bridge 2. Furthermore, two thermoelectric elements 1 of two adjacent tub-shaped support elements 20 are connected to one another on the side, facing away from tub-shaped support element 20, of thermoelectric elements 1 via conductive bridges 2. In this way, all thermoelectric elements 1 arranged in thermoelectric module 32 are connected electrically conductively to one another.

(66) Bottom region 28 of box-like cover 27 in FIG. 13 forms the first wall of housing 33. Bottom regions 21 of the arrangement of tub-shaped support elements 20 form the second wall of housing 33, which is opposite the first wall.

(67) During operation, bottom regions 21 are now subjected to a hot fluid. Bottom region 28 in contrast is subjected to a cold fluid.

(68) Bottom regions 21 expand due to the heat input of the hot fluid. Gaps 26, which are arranged between tub-shaped support elements 20 and which are arranged between individual tub-shaped support elements 20 and also between box-like cover 27 and the respective outer tub-shaped support elements 20, are reduced in size as a result.

(69) Only an expansion in length of the individual tub-shaped support elements 20 occurs in this way. Thermoelectric module 32 experiences no change in length overall. As in FIGS. 1 to 8, this results in relief for thermoelectric elements 1 and conductive bridges 2 connecting them.

(70) As a departure from tub-shaped support elements 20 of FIG. 11, tub-shaped support elements 20 of FIG. 13 now also have a top side wall region 24 that is arranged perpendicular to bottom region 21. Tub-shaped support elements 20 are connected to one another in the area of this top side wall region 24. Likewise, outer tub-shaped support elements 20 in the area of their top side wall 24 are connected to the side walls of box-shaped cover 27. Peripheral flange 29 of box-like cover 27 in the assembled state lies in a plane with bottom regions 21 of tub-shaped support elements 20.

(71) FIG. 14 shows a variation of the structure of FIG. 11. In addition to tub-shaped support elements 20 that already have two thermoelectric elements 1, a plate 30 is now attached to the arrangement from above, the plate which has cutouts 31 arranged corresponding to thermoelectric elements 1. This plate 30 after assembly comes to lie on junctions 25 of tub-shaped support elements 20 and is there connected to tub-shaped support elements 20. The remaining structure of FIG. 14 corresponds to that in FIG. 11.

(72) FIG. 15 now shows a further development of FIG. 14. After plate 30 has been placed on the arrangement of tub-shaped support elements 20, the individual thermoelectric elements 1 are connected electrically conductively to one another by conductive bridges 2.

(73) As already indicated in FIG. 13, the connection of thermoelectric elements 1 occurs in that in each case two thermoelectric elements 1, which are arranged in tub-shaped support elements 20 adjacent to one another, are connected to one another. Cutouts 31 of plate 30 are thereby arranged so that in each case the two thermoelectric elements 1, which are arranged within a tub-shaped support element 20, pass through a cutout 31.

(74) FIG. 16 shows a further development of the structure in FIGS. 14 and 15. In addition, a box-shaped cover 27 with a peripheral flange region 29, is now placed from above on plate 30. The box-like cover 27 is connected with plate 30 at flange region 29. Thermoelectric module 32 is closed by box-like cover 27. Tub-shaped support elements 20 with box-like cover 27 form housing 33 of thermoelectric module 32.

(75) FIG. 17 shows a view of thermoelectric module 32 of FIG. 16. A view of tub-shaped support elements 20 is illustrated in the bottom area. A sectional view along section axis E-E is illustrated in the top area of FIG. 17.

(76) It can be recognized here again that in each case two thermoelectric elements 1 within a tub-shaped support element 20 are connected to one another via a conductive bridge 2. Thermoelectric elements 1 adjacent to one another are connected electrically conductively to one another with a conductive bridge 2 on the surface opposite tube bottom region 21.

(77) As in FIG. 13, bottom regions 21 form the one wall of housing 33 that is subjected to a hot fluid in the operational state. The wall of housing 33 at the same time forms thermal stress equalizing device 34 having the totality of tub-shaped support elements 20.

(78) Bottom region 28 forms the second wall of housing 33, which is subjected to a cold fluid in the operational state. Gaps 26 arising between tub-shaped support elements 20 again serve here as well as a free space for compensating the expansion of the individual tub-shaped support elements 20 due to high temperatures.

(79) As a departure from thermoelectric module 32, shown in FIG. 13, the side walls of housing 33 are now formed both by box-like cover 27 and by side walls 23 of outer tub-shaped support elements 20. Box-like cover 27 has no direct connecting point with tub-shaped support elements 20. Both box-like cover 27 and also tub-shaped support elements 20 are connected only to plate 30.

(80) In alternative embodiments, basic shapes different from the rectangular basic shape of tub-shaped support elements 20 can also be provided. This is not limited to basic shapes only with straight side walls; however these are to be preferred from the manufacturing-related standpoint.

(81) It is crucial for tub-shaped support elements 20 that the design of the side walls is such that they taper conically from their peripheral edge 22 toward bottom region 21. Gap 26 between the individual tub-shaped support elements 20 is formed by this tapering shape. The gap 26 is important to be able to compensate the expansion in length of the individual tub-shaped support elements 20 and thereby to be able to protect from damage thermoelectric elements 1 and the conductive bridges connecting them.

(82) The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.