US Patent 7355113 Thermoelectric conversion device and method of manufacturing the same

A thermoelectric conversion device for securely fixing a junction of a thermocouple to a top plate while ensuring heat transfer between the junction and the top plate. The thermoelectric conversion device includes a substrate having a main surface, a top plate facing the main surface of the substrate, and a plurality of series-connected thermocouples. Each thermocouple has a first end including a first junction and a second end including a second junction. The first junction of each thermocouple is fixed to the main surface of the substrate and the second junction of each thermocouple is provided with a bump for attaching the second junction to the top plate in such a way that the second junction is separated from the substrate.