Electronic device

Abstract

The present application provides an electronic device capable of improving power generation efficiency in a solar cell provided on a side surface of a housing. The electronic device (calculator (100)) of the present embodiment includes a housing (1), an operation portion (2) provided on a front side surface of the housing 1, i.e., a main surface (front surface), and a solar cell (4) provided on a side surface of the housing (1), and an angle of the solar cell (4) on the side of the housing 1, i.e., a first inclination angle (B1), among angles formed between a light receiving surface (41) of the solar cell (4) and a surface on which the housing (1) is placed, i.e., a placement surface (A), is an acute angle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to electronic devices. Background Technology

[0002] Previously, it was known that a calculator had a solar cell installed on the outer peripheral surface (side) of the calculator body equipped with operation keys and a display window (for example, Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3131570).

[0003] However, when a solar cell is installed on the side of the calculator body, as in Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3131570, the solar cell has difficulty receiving light from the front side of the calculator, which is equipped with operation keys and a display window, resulting in a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar cell. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an electronic device capable of improving the power generation efficiency of a solar cell disposed on the side of a housing.

[0005] Methods for solving problems To solve the above-mentioned problems, the electronic device of the present invention includes: a housing; an operation unit disposed on the main surface of the housing; and a solar cell disposed on the side surface of the housing; wherein the first tilt angle of the housing side in the angle formed by the solar cell and the mounting surface on which the housing is mounted is an acute angle.

[0006] Invention Effects According to the present invention, the power generation efficiency can be improved for solar cells disposed on the side of the housing. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a plan view showing the front of a calculator, an example of an electronic device.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the back of a calculator, an example of an electronic device.

[0009] Figure 3 This is a plan view of the side of the calculator showing the supporting components in a supporting posture.

[0010] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 The cross-sectional view shown at line IV-IV.

[0011] Figure 5 This refers to the case where the supporting component is in a supporting posture. Figure 1 The cross-sectional view shown at line IV-IV.

[0012] Figure 6This is a diagram illustrating an example of prism processing performed on the outer surface of a light-transmitting component.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of prism processing performed on the outer surface of a light-transmitting component.

[0014] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an example of reflective material arranged inside a light-transmitting component.

[0015] Figure 9 It is a variation of Example 1. Figure 1 The cross-sectional view shown at line IV-IV.

[0016] Figure 10 It is variation 2. Figure 1 The cross-sectional view shown at line IV-IV.

[0017] Figure 11 It is variation 3. Figure 1 The cross-sectional view shown at line IV-IV. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the electronic device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, as one embodiment of the electronic device to which the present invention is applied, a calculator will be used as an example for description. Figures 1-3 As shown, the calculator 100 is formed into a long rectangular plate. Furthermore, in the following description, the directions front, back, left, right, up, and down refer to the orientation shown in each figure. That is, the front-back direction refers to the front and back sides (thickness direction) of the calculator 100, the left-right direction refers to the width direction of the calculator 100, and the up-down direction refers to the length direction of the calculator 100.

[0019] The calculator 100 includes a first outer shell component 10 that covers the front side (main surface) of the calculator 100 and a second outer shell component 20 that covers the rear side (back surface) of the calculator 100. The first outer shell component 10 and the second outer shell component 20 engage in the front-rear direction to form the housing 1 of the calculator 100.

[0020] The first housing component 10 is equipped with an operation unit 2 and a display unit 3. The operation unit 2 is a key group for receiving input operations from the user, such as numerical values ​​and calculation symbols, and for receiving instructions for various processing operations. The display unit 3 is positioned above the center of the calculator 100 in the vertical direction. The display unit 3 may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), which displays various data such as text, symbols, and signs corresponding to the user operations received through the operation unit 2.

[0021] The second outer casing component 20 has a support component 21 on the back (bottom) of the casing 1. The support component 21 rotates about a rotation axis (not shown) arranged in the left-right direction of the calculator 100, and can be changed to... Figure 3 , Figure 5 The support posture shown and Figure 4 The diagram shows the non-supported position. In the supported position, the support member 21 protrudes towards the rear of the calculator 100, supporting the back of the housing 1 so that the back of the housing 1 is at a predetermined angle relative to the mounting surface A on which the calculator 100 is mounted. In the non-supported position, the support member 21 does not support the back of the housing 1 and is housed in the storage portion 22 provided in the second outer casing member 20.

[0022] The upper side of the housing 1 is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the back of the housing 1, and has a recess 23 for accommodating the solar cell 4. That is, the solar cell 4 is provided on the side of the housing 1. As a result, the design of the calculator 100 can be improved compared to the case where the solar cell is provided on the front of the housing 1. In addition, compared to the case where the solar cell is provided on the front of the housing 1, the area of ​​the operation section 2 and the display section 3 can be increased. Alternatively, the area of ​​the housing 1 can be reduced without changing the area of ​​the operation section 2 and the display section 3. The solar cell 4 is formed into a rectangular plate that is longer in the left-right direction. The solar cell 4 generates electricity by receiving light, and the electricity generated by the solar cell 4 is stored in a secondary battery (not shown).

[0023] like Figure 4 As shown, the solar cell 4 is configured such that, with the support member 21 in a non-supported state, the first tilt angle B1 formed between the horizontal mounting surface A and the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4 is an acute angle. Therefore, the light-receiving surface 41 is tilted towards the front of the calculator 100 (i.e., tilted forward), thus allowing light from the front of the calculator 100 to easily enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. Even if the solar cell 4 is slightly tilted at an acute angle B1, the power generation efficiency is improved compared to when the solar cell 4 is arranged perpendicularly to the mounting surface A. Preferably, the first tilt angle B1 is set to 70 degrees or less and 20 degrees or more, more preferably 60 degrees or less and 30 degrees or more. Figure 5As shown, the first tilt angle B2 between the mounting surface A and the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4 when the support member 21 is in a supported position is smaller than the first tilt angle B1 when the support member 21 is in a non-supported position. Therefore, when the support member 21 is in a supported position, compared to when the support member 21 is in a non-supported position, the light-receiving surface 41 is further tilted towards the front of the calculator 100 (that is, by setting the support member 21 in a supported position, the degree of forward orientation can be increased), thus making it easier for light from the front of the calculator 100 to be incident through the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0024] A light-transmitting member 5 is disposed on the upper side of the housing 1. This light-transmitting member 5 is formed into a rectangular plate that is slightly larger than the solar cell 4, covering the entire light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. The light-transmitting member 5 is disposed approximately parallel to the solar cell 4, and the second tilt angle D formed by the mounting surface A and the outer surface 51 when the support member 21 is in an unsupported state is an acute angle. In this embodiment, the first tilt angle B1 and the second tilt angle D are equal. The light-transmitting member 5 is formed of a transparent material such as transparent acrylic resin. A chamfered portion 52 is provided on the front end of the light-transmitting member 5, which is chamfered in the tilt direction. The chamfered portion 52 is chamfered such that the chamfered surface C is approximately parallel to the mounting surface A when the support member 21 is in an unsupported state. This suppresses the scattering of light from the front direction of the calculator 100, allowing light to easily enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. In addition, the shape of the chamfered portion 52 can also be obtained by chamfering the entire chamfered portion with an R-shaped (rounded) corner. In this case, light scattering can be suppressed compared to the case where the angle protrudes towards the front side of the housing 1 without chamfering. Furthermore, if the chamfered surface C is parallel to the mounting surface A, it can also suppress the reflection of vertical light from the front side of the housing 1, but it is sufficient to primarily suppress light scattering. Therefore, the chamfered surface C can also be a surface that is not completely parallel to the mounting surface A and is inclined at approximately 15 degrees. Additionally, the angle formed between the chamfered portion 52 and the outer surface 51 can also be chamfered in an R-shape.

[0025] Additionally, in the aforementioned calculator 100, a prism process can be applied to the outer surface 51 of the light-transmitting component 5 to form small protrusions that facilitate the incident light from the front direction of the calculator 100 onto the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. Specifically, as... Figure 6 As shown, an outwardly protruding, triangular-shaped protrusion is formed on the outer surface 51, which is then processed to refract light E from the front direction towards the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. Alternatively, as... Figure 7As shown, viewed from the left-right direction, a protrusion is formed on the outer surface 51 at a predetermined angle relative to the front direction, and a process is implemented to reflect light E from the front direction downwards (i.e., the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4). In this case, the predetermined angle is preferably 45 degrees relative to light E, but any angle that can reflect at least a portion of light E to the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4 is acceptable. Either process can further improve power generation efficiency. Alternatively, the protrusion can be made to extend in the left-right direction, forming a groove that extends throughout the left-right direction of the light-transmitting member 5. Alternatively, on the back side of the light-transmitting member 5 in the inclined direction, a reflective material can be arranged on the outer surface 51 in a manner that reflects light from the front direction of the calculator 100 to the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4, or as... Figure 8 As shown, the reflective material F is disposed inside the light-transmitting component 5, embedded further into the back side than the back side end of the solar cell 4. In this case, light E from the front direction of the calculator 100 can be reflected toward the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. Alternatively, a reflective processing can be applied to the outer surface 51 of the light-transmitting component 5 on the back side in the inclined direction to reflect light from the front direction of the calculator 100 toward the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. In either case, light from the front direction can be reflected toward the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4, improving power generation efficiency. In this case, it is preferable that the angle between the reflective surface of the reflective material F and the surface with which the reflective processing is applied and the solar cell 4 is an acute angle. Alternatively, a non-reflective coating treatment or a non-reflective film can be applied to the outer surface 51 and inner surface 53 of the light-transmitting component 5 to prevent reflection of light from the front direction of the calculator 100. This processing can also suppress the reflection of light from the surface of the light-transmitting component 5, thereby making it easier for light to enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0026] [Variation Example] Next, variations of the present invention will be described. In these variations, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the same structures as in the embodiments described above, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0027] (Variation Example 1) In the calculator 100 of Variation Example 1, as follows Figure 9 As shown, compared to the above embodiment, the solar cell 4 is positioned further inward within the recess 23. In this case, compared to the above embodiment, light from the front direction of the calculator 100 is less likely to strike the light-receiving surface 41. Therefore, in the recess 23 of the calculator 100 in Modified Example 1, a chamfered portion 231 is provided, with the front side edge in the inclined direction being chamfered. As a result, light from the front direction of the calculator 100 can strike the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4 without being blocked by the front side edge in the inclined direction of the recess 23.

[0028] Alternatively, in the recess 23 of the calculator 100 in Modified Example 1, a chamfered portion 232 can be provided on the inclined back side edge. This allows light from above the calculator 100 to easily strike the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. The inclined back side edge of the recess 23 is located in the housing 1 opposite to the bottom side edge of the housing 1 of the solar cell 4. Furthermore, a reflective material can be disposed on the chamfered portion 232 to reflect light from the front direction of the calculator 100 toward the light-receiving surface 41. Alternatively, instead of providing a chamfered portion 232 in the recess 23, a reflective material can be disposed on the inclined back side edge of the recess 23 to reflect light from the front direction of the calculator 100 toward the light-receiving surface 41. In this case, it is preferable to set the angle between the reflective material and the solar cell 4 to an acute angle. Through these processing methods, light from the front side that does not strike the light-receiving surface 41 is reflected back to the light-receiving surface 41, thereby further improving power generation efficiency. Alternatively, the housing 1 of the calculator 100 in Modified Example 1 can be formed from a material that easily reflects light (e.g., white). Or, the housing 1 can be painted with a material that easily reflects light (e.g., white). With such processing, light can more easily be incident on the light-receiving surface 41 compared to the case where the housing is formed from a material that does not easily reflect light (i.e., easily absorbs light).

[0029] (Variation Example 2) In the calculator 100 of variant example 2, such as Figure 10 As shown, compared to the above embodiment, the solar cell 4 is arranged at a more inclined angle in the recess 23. That is, the first inclined angle B1 between the mounting surface A of the support member 21 in the unsupported state and the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4 in Modification 2 is smaller than the first inclined angle B1 in the above embodiment. In addition, the second inclined angle D between the mounting surface A of the support member 21 in the unsupported state and the outer surface 51 in Modification 2 is greater than the first inclined angle B1 between the mounting surface A of the support member 21 in the unsupported state and the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. Therefore, by arranging the solar cell 4 at a more inclined angle in the recess 23, light from the front direction of the calculator 100 can more easily enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0030] (Variation Example 3) In the calculator 100 of variant example 3, such as Figure 11 As shown, compared to Figure 10In the embodiment shown, the solar cell 4 is arranged in the recess 23 at a more tilted angle. That is, similar to Modification 2, the second tilt angle D between the mounting surface A and the outer surface 51 when the support member 21 is in a non-supported state is greater than the first tilt angle B1 between the mounting surface A and the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4 when the support member 21 is in a non-supported state.

[0031] In the light-transmitting component 5 of the calculator 100 in Modified Example 3, a recess 54 is formed on the inner surface 53 opposite to the solar cell 4. The rear side of the solar cell 4 in the tilt direction extends into the recess 54. Therefore, by arranging the solar cell 4 in the recess 23 at a more inclined angle and configuring it so that the rear side of the solar cell 4 in the tilt direction extends outward, light from the front direction of the calculator 100 can more easily enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0032] As described above, the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment includes a housing 1, an operation unit 2 provided on the main surface (front) of the housing 1, and a solar cell 4 provided on the side of the housing 1. The first tilt angles B1 and B2 of the angle formed between the solar cell 4 and the mounting surface A on which the housing 1 is mounted are acute angles on the housing 1 side. Therefore, light from the front direction of the calculator 100 can easily enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. As a result, the power generation efficiency of the solar cell provided on the side of the housing 1 can be improved.

[0033] Furthermore, the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment includes a light-transmitting member 5 covering the solar cell 4. A chamfered portion 52 is provided at the end of the housing 1 of the light-transmitting member 5 on the main surface side. The chamfered portion 52 has a chamfered surface C that is approximately parallel to the horizontal mounting surface A when placed on a horizontal mounting surface A. Therefore, light from the front direction of the calculator 100 can more easily enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0034] In addition, variations of this embodiment (see Figure 10 , Figure 11 The electronic device (calculator 100) includes a light-transmitting component 5 covering the solar cell 4. The second tilt angle D on the housing 1 side of the angle formed between the light-transmitting component 5 and the mounting surface A is an acute angle, and this second tilt angle D is larger than the first tilt angle B1. Therefore, by arranging the solar cell 4 at a more inclined angle in the recess 23, light from the front direction of the calculator 100 can easily enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0035] In addition, variations of this embodiment (see Figure 11The electronic device (calculator 100) includes a light-transmitting component 5 covering a solar cell 4. A recess 54 is provided on the surface (inner surface 53) of the light-transmitting component 5 opposite to the solar cell 4. The bottom (back) side of the housing 1 in the solar cell 4 extends into the recess 54. Therefore, by arranging the solar cell 4 at a more tilted angle in the recess 23, and arranging it so that the back side of the solar cell 4 in the tilt direction extends outward, light from the front direction of the calculator 100 can more easily enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0036] Furthermore, the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment includes a light-transmitting member 5 covering the solar cell 4. The outer surface 51 of the light-transmitting member 5 is processed to allow light from the main surface (front) side of the housing 1 to enter the solar cell 4. Therefore, light from the front direction of the calculator 100 can easily enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0037] Furthermore, the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment includes a light-transmitting member 5 covering the solar cell 4. On the bottom (back) side of the housing 1 of the light-transmitting member 5, a process is performed to reflect light from the main (front) side of the housing 1 towards the solar cell 4. Therefore, light from the front direction of the calculator 100 can be reflected and easily incident on the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0038] Furthermore, in the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment, a process is performed at a position in the housing 1 opposite to the bottom (back) side end of the housing 1 of the solar cell 4 to reflect light from the main (front) side of the housing 1 towards the solar cell 4. Therefore, light from the front direction of the calculator 100 can be reflected and easily incident on the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0039] Furthermore, the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment includes a support member 21 capable of changing the support posture of the bottom (back) surface of the support housing 1 and the non-support posture of not supporting the bottom surface of the housing 1. The first tilt angle B2 of the support member 21 in the support posture state is smaller than the first tilt angle B1 of the support member 21 in the non-support posture state. Therefore, when the support member 21 is in the support posture state, compared with the state where the support member 21 is in the non-support posture state, light from the front direction of the calculator 100 can more easily enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0040] The present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified within the scope of its spirit. For example, in the above embodiments, a calculator was described as an example of an electronic device to which the present invention is applied, but the electronic device is not limited to the case of a calculator. Any electronic device (e.g., keyboard, numeric keypad, handheld terminal, electronic dictionary, notebook PC, etc.) is applicable as long as the electronic device has a solar cell provided on the side of the housing.

[0041] Furthermore, the detailed structure of each component of the calculator 100 in the above embodiments can, of course, be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electronic device, characterized in that, have: case; An operating section is disposed on the main surface of the housing; and Solar cells are disposed on the side of the housing. The first tilt angle of the solar cell on the housing side is an acute angle in the angle formed between the solar cell and the mounting surface on which the housing is mounted.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It has a light-transmitting component that covers the solar cell. A chamfer is provided at the end of the main surface side of the housing in the light-transmitting component.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The chamfered portion has a chamfered surface that is substantially parallel to the horizontal mounting surface when placed on a horizontal mounting surface.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It has a light-transmitting component that covers the solar cell. The second tilt angle of the housing side in the angle formed by the light-transmitting component and the mounting surface is an acute angle, and the second tilt angle is larger than the first tilt angle.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It has a light-transmitting component that covers the solar cell. A recess is provided on the surface of the light-transmitting component opposite to the solar cell. The bottom side of the housing in the solar cell extends into the recess.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It has a light-transmitting component that covers the solar cell. On the outer surface of the light-transmitting component, a process is performed to allow light from the main surface side of the housing to enter the solar cell.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It has a light-transmitting component that covers the solar cell. On the bottom surface of the housing in the light-transmitting component, a process is performed to reflect light from the main surface of the housing toward the solar cell.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, characterized in that, At a position in the housing opposite the bottom side end of the housing of the solar cell, a process is performed to reflect light from the main surface side of the housing toward the solar cell.

9. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The device includes a support component capable of changing its support posture (supporting the bottom surface of the housing) and its non-support posture (not supporting the bottom surface of the housing). The first tilt angle of the support member in the supported posture is smaller than the first tilt angle of the support member in the unsupported posture.

Images