Gentherm Incorporated
THERMOELECTRIC DEVICE HAVING CIRCUITRY THAT FACILITATES MANUFACTURE

Abstract:

A thermoelectric device includes a thermally conductive first plate and a plurality of thermoelectric sub-assemblies, each having a thermally conductive second plate and a plurality of thermoelectric elements in a region between the first plate and the second plate. At least some electrically conductive portions of the first plate are positioned at least partially outside the regions, in electrical communication with the plurality of thermoelectric sub-assemblies, and include a first electrically conductive portion and a second electrically conductive portion. The first electrically conductive portion is configured to be in electrical communication with an input electrical conduit and the second electrically conductive portion is configured to be in electrical communication with an output electrical conduit. The first electrically conductive portion and the second electrically conductive portion are positioned at a first edge of the first plate without a thermoelectric sub-assembly of the plurality of thermoelectric sub-assemblies between the first electrically conductive portion and the second electrically conductive portion.