Thermoelectric element of vehicle exhaust system

Abstract

A thermoelectric element of a vehicle exhaust system is provided, which achieves maximum generation efficiency without exceeding an endurance limit thereof. The thermoelectric element includes a thermoelectric module and a heat dissipation plate. Arrangement of the heat dissipation plate directly exposes one side to the exhaust system and the opposite side contacts the thermoelectric module. Furthermore, the thermoelectric element includes a cooling unit having interior cooling channels and disposed on the other side of the thermoelectric module.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermoelectric element of a vehicle exhaust system comprising:
 a thermoelectric module;   a heat dissipation plate exposed to the exhaust system at a first side thereof while contacting a first side of the thermoelectric module at a second side; and   a cooling unit disposed on a second side of the thermoelectric module and including a cooling channels within an interior.   
     
     
         2 . The thermoelectric element according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit includes:
 a cooling plate having a first side disposed at, on the second side of the thermoelectric module; and   a cooling system disposed on a second side of the cooling plate and having the cooling channels disposed within the interior, to allow cooling water to flow therethrough.   
     
     
         3 . The thermoelectric element according to  claim 2 , wherein the cooling plate and the cooling system are formed separately formed, and are coupled to one another. 
     
     
         4 . The thermoelectric element according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit has an integrated structure. 
     
     
         5 . The thermoelectric element according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat dissipation plate is spaced apart from an adjacent surface of the exhaust system by a predetermined distance. 
     
     
         6 . The thermoelectric element according to  claim 1 , wherein the heat dissipation plate obstructs a high temperature from the vehicle exhaust system from being directly applied to the thermoelectric element. 
     
     
         7 . A vehicle having the thermoelectric element of  claim 1 .