JPH1144772A - Electronic apparatus with solar battery - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure suppressing an increase of the manufacturing cost and capable of reducing the deterioration of shock resistance when the display face is made of a brittle material. SOLUTION: A white translucent surface plate 18 made of polycarbonate is arranged on the surface side of a solar battery 17. The outer edge section of the surface plate 18 is pressed and fixed by a dial ring 19. A decorative plate 20 made of a thin shell is stuck at the center section on the surface of the surface plate 18 with a double-faced tape. The shell is polished to mold the decorative plate 20 into a plate shape, and a very thin backing layer is fitted on the back face by coating or printing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic device with a solar cell, and more particularly, to a technique suitable for a solar cell watch equipped with a solar cell having a light receiving surface arranged along a display surface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a solar cell-equipped timepiece in which a light-receiving surface of a solar cell is arranged on a display surface on which a dial plate originally exists is commercially available. In general, the timepiece with a solar cell is configured such that the solar cell generates power by irradiating the light receiving surface with sunlight or illumination light, and supplies the power generated by the power generation to the secondary battery. Power is supplied from the secondary battery to a stepping motor, a timepiece control circuit, and the like of the timepiece movement.

One disadvantage of such a timepiece with a solar cell is that the appearance of the display surface is poor because the light receiving surface of the solar cell is directly exposed as the display surface. In order to solve this, as shown in FIG.
In a solar cell-equipped timepiece in which a movement 4 is accommodated in a space surrounded by a transparent glass 2 and a back cover 3 and a solar cell 7 is disposed on a dial receiving ring 6 attached to the movement 4, There is a method in which a thin ceramic plate 8 having translucency is arranged as a decorative plate (or a dial) on the surface side of the light receiving surface 7a. For example, the ceramic plate 8 is made of white alumina having a light transmittance of 5%.
A technique is known in which a thin plate of about 0 to 60% is used to adjust the appearance of a display surface by utilizing light scattering of fine ceramic particles while securing a certain amount of power generation of a solar cell.

[0004]

However, in a solar cell watch using the above-mentioned ceramic plate 8, although the appearance is improved by disposing the ceramic plate, the ceramic itself is a brittle material and the light is also reduced. Since it is necessary to form the thickness as thin as about 500 μm in order to secure the transmittance, the watch is extremely easily damaged, and there is a problem that the impact resistance of the timepiece is reduced.

For this reason, as shown in FIG.
Is bonded to the metal frame 9 and the ceramic plate 8 is fixed to the inside of the outer case 1 via the metal frame 9 in some cases. Further, in addition to this method, a method of attaching a transparent resin layer on the back surface of the ceramic plate 8 or interposing a ring made of synthetic resin between the solar cell 7 and the ceramic plate 8 is added. In some cases.

However, as described above, the solar cell 7
Even if a metal frame 9 or a transparent resin layer, a resin ring, or the like is interposed between the ceramic plate 8 and the ceramic plate 8, it is difficult to handle the ceramic plate in the manufacturing process. Since the ceramic plate 8 is fixed to the ceramic plate 9, there is a possibility that the ceramic plate 8 may be damaged by intensive stress applied from the outer edge portion or may be broken by self-damage when the watch falls.

Further, by bonding the outer edge of the ceramic plate 8 to the metal frame 9, attaching a transparent resin layer to the ceramic plate, or interposing a resin ring or the like, the number of parts and man-hours are increased. Alternatively, there is a problem that manufacturing costs cannot be suppressed, for example, assembling work becomes complicated.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its object is to reduce a decrease in impact resistance even when a display surface is formed using a brittle material while suppressing an increase in manufacturing cost. It is to provide a structure which can be used.

[0009]

Means taken by the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems are as follows: a solar cell having a light-receiving surface arranged on a display unit; and operates by electric power generated by the solar cell. In an electronic device with a solar cell having an operating unit, a light-transmitting surface plate is fixed on the surface side of the light-receiving surface of the solar cell, and on the surface of the surface plate, avoiding the fixing portion. The decorative plate is fixed.

[0010] According to this means, since the decorative plate is fixed on the surface of the fixed front plate, the vibration and stress when receiving an impact are reduced because the decorative plate is not directly supported and fixed. Since it is transmitted to the decorative plate and is fixed to the surface plate, it is possible to prevent self-damage due to acceleration when receiving an impact, so that the possibility of damage to the decorative plate can be reduced.

As a fixing structure of the surface plate, a structure in which at least a part of the outer edge portion of the surface plate is pressed and held from the surface side by a holding member is realistic. In this case, the decorative plate is held by the pressure holding. It is fixed by avoiding the portion.
Further, it is possible to conceal the outer edge portion of the fixed decorative plate so as to be invisible by avoiding the press-contact holding portion by the holding member itself.

Here, it is preferable that the decorative plate is a thin plate having a light transmitting property.

According to this means, since the decorative plate also has a light-transmitting property, the decorative plate can be fixed with a free area on the surface of the surface plate without greatly reducing the power generation amount of the solar cell. .

In this case, it is preferable that the decorative plate is a thin plate made of a brittle material having lower strength than the surface plate.

According to this means, the strength of the decorative plate can be supplemented by the surface plate, and the vibration and stress transmitted to the decorative plate by the surface plate can be reduced.

In this case, the decorative plate further includes a shell,
It is desirable to be a thin plate made of stone, mineral or ceramics.

According to this means, the decorativeness of these materials and the blinding effect of the backside structure due to their light scattering properties can be achieved at a high level by a thin plate using shells, stones, minerals or ceramics. it can.

It is preferable that the decorative plate is fixed to the surface plate via an elastic or flexible adhesive layer.

Since the decorative plate is fixed to the surface plate via an elastic or flexible adhesive layer, vibration and stress transmitted from the surface plate to the decorative plate can be greatly reduced.

Further, it is preferable that a decorative member having a thickness arranged so as to extend along an edge of the decorative plate is fixed on the surface plate.

According to this means, by arranging the decorative member so as to extend along the edge of the decorative plate, it is possible to hide the end surface of the decorative plate and make it difficult to visually recognize, thereby improving the quality of the display unit. And the edge of the decorative plate can be protected.

Preferably, the surface plate is made of a synthetic resin having a light transmitting property.

According to this means, since the surface plate is made of a synthetic resin, high impact strength and impact absorption can be obtained, and the production can be performed at low cost.

[0024]

Next, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of a wristwatch main body to which the present invention is applied.
In this figure, in order to show the internal structure of the main body of the wristwatch in detail, the outer edge portion of the outer case 10, most of the movement, and components present in the central portion of the internal structure are omitted.

A transparent glass plate 11 made of sapphire glass or the like is fixed to the front side of the outer case 10 made of a corrosion-resistant metal such as titanium, various alloys, or synthetic resins. Has a back cover 12 made of stainless steel or the like. In a region surrounded by the outer case 10, the transparent glass plate 11, and the back cover 12, a secondary battery 13 for storing power, a circuit board (not shown) having a clock control circuit, and a clock signal are provided. A crystal oscillator (not shown) for generating,
A movement including a driving mechanism including a stepping motor (not shown), a transmission wheel train (not shown), a pointer (not shown), and the like is accommodated.

The above-mentioned movement is fixed in the outer case 10 by a base plate 14 and a middle frame 15 for supporting a transmission wheel train and other components. Main plate 14
, A dial receiving ring 16 is fitted and fixed, and a thin disk-shaped solar cell 17 is arranged on the dial receiving ring 16. The solar cell 17 can adopt various structures. For example, an amorphous silicon film is laminated on a stainless steel thin plate to form a pin structure,
The surface is a light receiving surface 17a on which an antireflection film is attached.

On the front side of the solar cell 17, a white translucent surface plate 18 made of polycarbonate is arranged. As the surface plate, in addition to the above, it is preferable to use acrylic or other synthetic resin, but other materials can be used as long as they have translucency. This face plate 1
8 is pressed and fixed by a dial ring 19. The dial ring 19 may be integrated with the outer case 10. In the central part on the surface of the surface plate 18,
A thin decorative plate 20 is adhered with a double-sided tape.
The decorative plate 20 is obtained by polishing a shell such as white butterflies or abalone to form a plate, applying an extremely thin backing layer on the back surface by painting or printing, and adjusting the outer shape by pressing. . The backing layer can color the decorative plate 20 lightly by using a dye or a pigment. In the present embodiment, the thickness of the decorative plate 20 is 50 to 250 μm.
In the case where the above-mentioned backing layer is applied, it is preferable to reduce the thickness of the shell portion to about 70 to 150 μm in consideration of light transmittance.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a simplified overall configuration inside the outer case 10 of the present embodiment. The main plate 14 incorporated in the movement 21 is supported by a middle frame 15, and a dial receiving ring 16 is fitted and fixed to the main plate 14. Dial receiving ring 1
6, a solar cell 17 and a face plate 18 are sequentially mounted, and the outer edge of the face plate 18 is placed on the dial ring 1 from above.
9 is holding down.

In this embodiment, the translucent surface plate 1 made of high-strength polycarbonate is placed on the solar cell 17.
A decorative plate 20 polished and thinned from a shell of white butterfly is attached to the surface of the surface plate 18, and the decorative plate 20 is attached to the dial receiving ring 16 and the dial ring 19. Are not directly in contact with each other, so that a strong stress is not directly applied to the decorative plate 20 even if a strong impact is received from the outside.

In particular, since the decorative plate 20 is adhered to the surface of an elastic or flexible substrate such as paper or resin with a double-sided tape having an adhesive layer disposed thereon, the surface plate 1
Since the stress applied to the watch 8 is buffered and transmitted to the decorative plate 20, the impact resistance of the timepiece can be further improved.

Further, since the entire decoration plate 20 is supported by the surface plate 18, it is possible to prevent the decoration plate 20 from being damaged (self-harming) due to vibration of the decoration plate itself due to acceleration upon receiving an impact.

The decorative plate 20 has a complicated color tone and a pattern that changes depending on the sight depending on the material of the shell, but various decorative materials can be used instead. As a material constituting the surface,
Various types of stones and minerals, such as marble and black onyx, and thin plates, and various ceramic plates can also be used.
In the present embodiment, even if the decorative plate made of a shell or other material is brittle, it is hardly damaged by being attached to the surface of the front plate 18.

In this embodiment, the decorative plate 20 is connected to the surface plate 18.
Since it is stuck on the upper side, the light transmittance of the surface plate 18 and the area and light transmittance of the decorative plate 20 are adjusted to adjust the solar cell 17.
It is necessary to design so that a sufficient amount of light reaches the light receiving surface 17a. Surface plate 18 with decorative plate 20 on the surface
If the total light transmittance of the watch is about 40 to 60%, it is possible to generate sufficient electric power to drive the movement of the wristwatch.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a specific example of the surface plate 18 to which the decorative plate 20 of the present embodiment is adhered, and FIG.
Are shown below. A center hole 18a for inserting a pointer is formed in the center of the surface plate 18, and a display hole 18b for displaying a date and a day of the week is formed in a peripheral portion at 3 o'clock. A fan-shaped overhang 18c is provided in the direction from 4:00 to 8:00 of the outer edge of the surface plate 18. A pair of cutouts 1 for attaching the surface plate 18 to the dial receiving ring 16 is provided on the outer edge near the end of the overhang portion 18c.
8d are formed. Around the decorative plate 20, after performing nickel electroforming on the surface of the substrate, patterning is performed, and furthermore, a decorative member 22 provided with an adhesive layer on the back surface of a gold-plated surface thereof is adhered so as to surround the decorative plate. ing. The decorative member 22 has a window edge 22a arranged at the edge of the display hole 18b.

In this embodiment, the thickness of the surface plate 18 is about 400 μm, the thickness of the decorative plate 20 is about 100 μm including the backing layer, and both surfaces inserted between the surface plate 18 and the decorative plate 20 are provided. The thickness of the tape 27 is about 30 μm.

Since the front plate 18 and the decorative plate 20 are adhered by the double-sided tape 27 having elasticity and flexibility, the impact applied to the front plate 18 is buffered and transmitted to the decorative plate 20. At the same time, since the decorative plate 20 is not fixed or in contact with members other than the surface plate 18,
The risk of damage is extremely low. In this case, the strength is also improved because the planar shape of the decorative plate 20 is a perfect circle.

Also in the manufacturing process, after the decorative plate 20 is once fixed to the surface plate 18, the decorative plate 20 is reinforced by the surface plate to prevent a breakage accident.

Further, since the decorative member 22 is arranged along the outer edge of the decorative plate 20, there is an effect that the end face of the decorative plate 20 is hidden, making it difficult to visually recognize, and the decorativeness can be further enhanced. In this case, the decorative member 22 needs to have a thickness. However, if the thickness of the decorative member 22 is smaller than the thickness of the decorative plate 20, the effect can be obtained only if the end face of the decorative plate 20 is not easily recognized. is there. The decorative member 22 also has the effect of reducing the possibility that the outer edge of the decorative plate 20 will be damaged in the manufacturing process after attaching the decorative plate to the surface plate. For this purpose, it is preferable that the thickness of the decorative member 22 be equal to or slightly larger than the thickness of the decorative plate 20.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the electronic device with a solar cell according to the present invention. Also in this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a wristwatch as in the above-described embodiment, and the same structures are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, a decorative plate 30 having a larger area than the previous embodiment shown in FIG. This decorative plate 30 is located inside the pressing portion 28a of the dial ring 28 against the surface plate 18, but the dial ring 28
Has an outer edge portion that extends to the outside of the inner edge portion 28b. In this manner, in the present embodiment, when the display surface is viewed from the outside through the transparent glass 11, the decorative plate 30 appears to cover the entire display surface.

In this embodiment, the front plate 18 is fixed, and the decorative plate 30 is stuck on the surface of the front plate so as to cover the entire visible area.
The entire display surface can be designed by the appearance of the decorative plate 30. In this case, the surface plate 18 may be a transparent plate, and also in this case, the light receiving surface 17a of the solar cell 17 can be seen through by setting the decorative plate 30 to an appropriate light transmittance. Can be prevented.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing still another embodiment of the electronic device with a solar cell according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the outer edge of the surface plate 29 is formed to be partially thicker, and a protruding surface 29a is formed so as to be higher than the surface inside the surface plate 29. It is held by the ring 19. The inner edge 19a of the dial ring 19 is disposed inside the portion in contact with the protruding surface 29a, and the decorative plate 40 has the outer edge disposed outside the inner edge 19a of the dial ring 19. Spread to be.

Also in this embodiment, similarly to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, when the display surface is viewed through the transparent glass 11, only the decorative plate 40 is visible inside the dial ring 19. I have.

According to each of the above embodiments, since the decorative plate is fixed on the surface of the surface plate, the decorative plate does not directly contact the support member, so that the vibration and stress transmitted from the support member can be reduced. Since the decoration plate can be alleviated and the decoration plate can be entirely supported by the surface plate, self-damage due to acceleration can be prevented. Even if it receives an impact, the possibility that the decorative plate is damaged can be reduced.

Further, as described above, the thickness of the decorative plate can be made thinner when it is strong against impacts, so that the design of the decorative plate thickness is also increased, and the appearance and light transmittance are reduced. It is possible to set more freely.

Further, since the decorative plate may be fixed to the surface plate by bonding or the like, handling during manufacture is easier than with the conventional structure, and even if a decorative plate made of a brittle material is used,
The decorative plate can be prevented from being damaged during the manufacturing process.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the first aspect, since the decorative plate is fixed on the surface of the fixed front plate, the decorative plate is not directly supported and fixed, so that the vibration and stress when receiving an impact are reduced. Is transmitted to the decorative plate, and is fixed to the surface plate, so that self-damage due to acceleration upon receiving an impact can be prevented, so that the possibility of damage to the decorative plate can be reduced. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the decorative plate also has a light-transmitting property, the decorative plate can be fixed on the surface of the front plate with a free area without greatly reducing the power generation amount of the solar cell. it can.

According to the third aspect, the strength of the decorative plate can be supplemented by the surface plate, and the vibration and stress transmitted to the decorative plate by the surface plate can be reduced.

According to the fourth aspect, a thin plate made of shells, stones, minerals, or ceramics achieves a high level of compatibility between the decorativeness of these materials and the blinding effect of the backside structure due to their light scattering properties. Can be.

According to the fifth aspect, since the decorative plate is fixed to the surface plate via an elastic or flexible adhesive layer, vibration and stress transmitted from the surface plate to the decorative plate are greatly reduced. Can be.

According to the sixth aspect, by arranging the decorative member so as to extend along the edge of the decorative plate, it is possible to hide the end surface of the decorative plate and make it difficult to visually recognize the display panel, and to provide a high quality display unit. In addition to this, it is possible to protect the edge of the decorative plate.

According to the seventh aspect, by forming the surface plate of a synthetic resin, it is possible to obtain high impact strength and impact absorption, and it is possible to manufacture at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing an embodiment of a main body structure of a wristwatch as an electronic device with a solar cell according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a simplified overall configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a simplified overall configuration of a different embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a simplified overall configuration of still another embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the structure of a specific example of a surface plate and a decorative plate in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

6 is a sectional view showing the structure of the embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a simplified internal structure of a conventional wristwatch equipped with a solar cell.

[Explanation of symbols]

 16 Dial receiving ring 17 Solar cell 17a Light receiving surface 18 Surface plate 27 Double-sided tape

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device with a solar cell, comprising: a solar cell provided with a light receiving surface disposed on a display unit; and an operating unit operable by electric power generated by the solar cell. An electronic device with a solar cell, characterized in that a light-transmitting surface plate is fixed to the front side of a surface, and a decorative plate is fixed on the surface of the surface plate, avoiding the fixing portion. 2. The electronic device with a solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the decorative plate is a thin plate having a light-transmitting property. 3. The electronic device with a solar cell according to claim 2, wherein the decorative plate is a thin plate made of a brittle material having lower strength than the surface plate. 4. The decorative plate according to claim 3, wherein the decorative plate is a shell,
An electronic device with a solar cell, which is a thin plate made of stone, mineral, or ceramic. 5. The electronic device with solar cells according to claim 1, wherein the decorative plate is fixed to the surface plate via an elastic or flexible adhesive layer. 6. The electronic device with a solar cell according to claim 1, wherein a decorative member having a thickness is fixed on the surface plate so as to extend along an edge of the decorative plate. . 7. The electronic device with a solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the surface plate is made of a synthetic resin having a light-transmitting property.