Thermoelectric module and optical transmission apparatus
A thermoelectric module includes a first insulated substrate having a first opposing surface, a second insulated substrate having a second opposing surface, the second opposing surface faces the first opposing surface, a plurality of electrodes formed on the first and second opposing surfaces, a plurality of thermoelectric transducers provided between the first insulated substrate and the second insulated substrate, the plurality of thermoelectric transducers electrically connected with one another in series and/or in parallel via each electrode, and a conducting circuit electrically connecting the plurality of electrodes with an external power source, wherein the first insulated substrate includes a substrate body having the first opposing surface and a projecting portion being formed continuously from the substrate body and extending in a direction that intersects the substrate body, and the projecting portion includes a fixing surface extending in the direction that intersects the substrate body.
1. An optical transmission apparatus comprising:
a retaining member including a bottom wall;
a thermoelectric module accommodated in the retaining member,
the thermoelectric module including a first insulated substrate having a first opposing surface, a second insulated substrate having a second opposing surface, the second opposing surface faces the first opposing surface, a plurality of electrodes formed on the first and second opposing surfaces, a plurality of thermoelectric transducers provided between the first insulated substrate and the second insulated substrate, the plurality of thermoelectric transducers electrically connected with one another in series and/or in parallel via each electrode, and a conducting circuit electrically connecting the plurality of electrodes with an external power source; and
an optical transmission device accommodated in the retaining member,
wherein the first insulated substrate includes a substrate body having the first opposing surface and a portion being continuously extended from the substrate body parallel to the substrate body and an insulated projecting portion continuously extending from the portion in a direction that the first and second opposing surfaces face each other,
the portion which is not covered with the second insulated substrate,
the insulated projecting portion includes a fixing surface extending in the direction that the first and second opposing surfaces face each other,
the projecting portion has a poriform connecting portion opening at the fixing surface,
an inside of the poriform connecting portion is in communication with the conducting circuit,
a lead terminal is inserted into the corresponding connecting portion, and
the fixing surface is fixed to the bottom wall of the retaining member.
2. The optical transmission apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the optical transmission device is mounted on the second insulated substrate that is cooled by the thermoelectric module.
3. The optical transmission apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein at least one of the first insulated substrate and the second insulated substrate has a multi-layered structure, which is formed by a body layer made up of a metal material and an insulated layer formed on a surface of the body layer, the insulated layer made up of an insulated material.
4. The optical transmission apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the first insulated substrate is of an L-shaped structure.
5. The optical transmission apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the first insulated and second substrates are in a form of outermost-located members, respectively.