Transient thermal behavior of a segmented thermoelectric cooler with variable cross-sectional areas

In this work, a simulation model based on finite element analysis for a one-dimensional p-type segmented semiconductor element with different cross-sectional areas is analyzed to predict transient thermal behavior for thermoelectric coolers (TECs). The proposed model considers all thermoelectric effects, including the Peltier effect, Thomson effect, Joule heating, and Fourier's heat conduction. The supercooling occurs when a pulse current higher than the steady-state optimum current is applied to a TEC. Dynamic characteristics, such as minimum cold side temperature and holding time of transient state, which arise in transient supercooling are very important to be considered for the design and operation of TECs. In this study, we present a new approach of transient performance based on leg geometry shape, considering variable cross-sectional areas, as well as individual element lengths of two different thermoelectric materials using a segmentation model proposed. A variety of model designs are analyzed, considering rectangular, trapezoidal, and inverse trapezoidal legs, where also optimum pulse current is found as a function of the element lengths. It is demonstrated that an improvement of 4.75% in the cooling is possible when using trapezoidal legs compared with conventional rectangular systems. Our presented model is mainly a new alternative in characterizing Peltier supercooling as a function of both pulse current ratio as well as the leg shape.