Switchable thermoelectric cooler with radial heatsink for dual-mode thermal management system

• A switchable thermoelectric cooler (STEC) featuring a radial heatsink is proposed. • STEC outperforms conventional passive and active coolers in cooling performance. • The coefficient of performance (COP) in the active mode is improved by 1.81 times. • The thermal resistance in passive mode is reduced by over 50 %. • STEC consumed just 25.6 % of the power required by the Peltier-based active cooler. As futuristic mobility advances, the importance of light-emitting diode (LED) lighting systems is growing, emphasizing the need for advanced, energy-efficient cooling systems. Herein, we propose a switchable thermoelectric cooler (STEC) with a unique configuration comprising a radial heatsink, a Peltier element, a rectangular heatsink, and a fan arranged in sequence. This configuration enables the selective activation of the thermoelectric cooler module, allowing the STEC to operate in both passive and active cooling modes for enhanced energy efficiency. Moreover, the radial heatsink—a key component—effectively dissipates heat by acting as a passive element in the passive mode and reducing the load on active elements in the active mode, thereby enhancing overall performance. The STEC was evaluated by experimentally comparing its cooling performance with that of both passive and active coolers. Across all conditions, the STEC consistently achieved lower junction temperatures, reduced thermal resistance, and improved coefficient of performance (COP). Notably, the STEC exhibited 1.81 times higher COP in the active mode and more than 50 % lower thermal resistance in the passive mode compared to conventional designs. In addition, a supplemental parametric analysis confirmed that the optimal Peltier power required to balance thermal stability and efficiency was 1 W. Below the LED’s target junction temperature of 60 °C, the STEC consumed only 25.6 % of the power required by the active cooler, clearly demonstrating its superior energy efficiency. Results indicate that STEC offers a scalable and high-performance solution for LED thermal management in next-generation mobility applications.