A new approach, platform-based and modular, for conceiving , developing and manufacturing thermoelectric assemblies

Thermoelectric technology has a transversal and multipurpose character with respect to applications and it can lead to original solutions for a wide range of thermal issues and user's common thermal needs. The spread of thermoelectricity on many niche applications is hindered and slowed down by the difficulty to develop and industrialize thermoelectric assemblies which need a well balanced integration of thermoelectric modules, heat exchangers and heat sinks, and must be optimized in performance while also reaching a high quality level at a reasonable cost, even for the low-to-medium volume potential of each niche application. The work will summarize the achievements of an original platform approach applied to the engineering of thermoelectric assemblies: a modular architecture made of a set of base components with common interface definitions, using the same thermo-mechanical coupling methods, ruled by the constraints of geometry construction guidelines and common assembly methods. Originally designed modular components are part of the platform's base set of parts as well as identified commercial components, that are all individually characterized with respect to the constraints of platform's architecture. A proprietary mathematical model to predict performance of any assembly built out of the platform has been developed and is maintained together with a database of platform components' characteristics, properties and cost, thus permitting to conceive new solutions upon any special application's requirements, with accurate and reliable prediction of performance and manufacturing costs. Moreover, prototyping a new custom solution corresponds to just sampling a new combination of well known elements within the well known platform architecture, setting the premises for the shortest time-to-market for any new solution.