Electronic device

Abstract

Provided is an electronic device capable of disposing a solar cell on an outer peripheral surface of a frame and properly protecting the solar cell. The electronic device (calculator (100)) in the present embodiment includes: a frame (1) including a first housing member (10) having a main surface portion (11) and a side surface portion (12) connected to the main surface portion (11), and a second housing member (20) disposed on the back side of the main surface portion (11); an operation portion (2) disposed on the main surface portion (11) and receiving a user operation; and a solar cell (4) disposed on the outer surface of the side surface portion (12).

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] Previously, calculators with built-in solar cells and which obtain driving voltage from a light source through the solar cells were known (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Existing technical documents Patent documents Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 1-79149 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The problem that the invention aims to solve However, it is considered to improve the design by placing the solar cells on the side (outer periphery) of the calculator's frame, thereby increasing the area of ​​the calculator's operating and display sections. However, in this case, if the solar cells are positioned across the seam between the housing members on the front and back sides of the frame, loads such as pressure and torsion caused by the calculator falling will be applied to this seam, which may cause the solar cells to break.

[0005] The present invention was made in view of the above circumstances, and its object is to provide an electronic device that can mount a solar cell on the outer peripheral surface of a frame and properly protect the solar cell.

[0006] Methods for solving problems To address the aforementioned issues, the electronic device of the present invention comprises: a frame having a first housing member and a second housing member, the first housing member having a main face and a side face connected to the main face, the second housing member being disposed on the back side of the main face; an operation unit disposed on the main face for receiving user operations; and a solar cell disposed on the outer surface of the side face.

[0007] Invention Effects According to the present invention, solar cells can be disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the frame and the solar cells can be properly protected. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a top view of the front of a calculator, an example of an electronic device.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the back of a calculator, an example of an electronic device.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a top view showing the side of a calculator, an example of an electronic device.

[0011] Figure 4It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of line IV-IV shown.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a 3D diagram of the calculator in the variation example.

[0013] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 100 Calculator (electronic device); 1 Frame; 2 Operation section; 4 Solar cell; 10 First housing component; 11 Main face; 12 Side face; 20 Second housing component. Detailed Implementation

[0014] 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 the figures. That is, the front-back direction refers to the front-to-back direction (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.

[0015] The calculator 100 includes a first housing component 10 and a second housing component 20. The first housing component 10 and the second housing component 20 engage in the front-to-back direction to form the frame 1 of the calculator 100.

[0016] The first housing member 10 has a main surface 11 covering the front side of the calculator 100 (i.e., the front face) and a side surface 12 connected to the main surface 11 and covering the upper side of the calculator 100. An operation unit 2 and a display unit 3 are disposed on the main surface 11. The operation unit 2 is a key group for receiving input operations from the user, such as numerical values ​​and calculation symbols, or for receiving instructions for various processing operations. The display unit 3 is disposed above the vertical center of the calculator 100. The display unit 3 may include, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), displaying various data such as characters, symbols, and signs corresponding to the user operations received through the operation unit 2.

[0017] like Figure 4As shown, the side portion 12 has a recess 23 for housing the solar cell 4. That is, the solar cell 4 is disposed on the outer surface of the side portion 12. This improves the design of the calculator 100 compared to the case where the solar cell is disposed on the front of the frame 1. In addition, the area of ​​the operation section 2 and the display section 3 can be increased compared to the case where the solar cell is disposed on the front of the frame 1. Furthermore, the side portion 12 is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the front of the frame 1. In other words, the angle A formed by the outer surface of the side portion 12 and the outer surface of the main surface 11 is an obtuse angle. This allows light from the front direction of the calculator 100 to easily enter the solar cell 4. The solar cell 4 is formed as 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).

[0018] A light-transmitting member 5 is disposed on the side portion 12. The light-transmitting member 5 is formed into a rectangular plate that is slightly larger than the solar cell 4, covering the entire surface of the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. The light-transmitting member 5 is formed of a transparent material such as transparent acrylic resin.

[0019] The second housing member 20 is disposed on the back side (rearward side) of the main face 11, covering the rearward side of the calculator 100, i.e., the back side. The upper-side end 20a of the second housing member 20 contacts the inner surface 121 of the side panel 12. As described above, the upper-side side of the frame 1 formed by the first housing member 10 and the second housing member 20 is composed only of the side panel 12. That is, the length of the side panel 12 in the front-rear direction (thickness direction of the frame 1) is the same as the thickness of the upper-side end of the frame 1.

[0020] Furthermore, the length from one end 10a (the upper side) of the side portion 12 in the first housing member 10 to the other end 10b opposite to that end 10a is the same as the length from one end to the other end in the vertical direction of the frame 1. The other end 10b is the lower end of the first housing member 10.

[0021] Furthermore, the length from one end 20a, which is located on the upper side of the second housing member 20, to the other end 20b, which is located opposite to the first housing member 10, is shorter than the length from one end 10a, which is located on the upper side of the second housing member 20, to the other end 10b. The other end 20b is the lower end of the second housing member 20.

[0022] Furthermore, the first housing member 10 is positioned at one end 10a where the side portion 12 is located, in a manner that covers one end 20a of the second housing member 20. In other words, on the side (upward side) where the side portion 12 is located in the frame 1, the seam between one end 10a of the first housing member 10 and one end 20a of the second housing member 20 is not exposed. Therefore, for example, in the event of liquid spillage onto the main surface 11, liquid can be prevented from entering the interior of the frame 1 from between the main surface 11 and the side portion 12. Additionally, this prevents foreign matter such as dust from entering the interior of the frame 1 from between the main surface 11 and the side portion 12. Furthermore, by eliminating the seam between the main surface 11 and the side portion 12, the aesthetics are improved.

[0023] Additionally, the first housing member 10 has a hook 13 protruding downward from the inner surface of the side portion 12. The second housing member 20 has a locking portion 22, which has a recess that engages with the hook 13. The first housing member 10 and the second housing member 20 are engaged by the hook 13 and the locking portion 22 to form the frame 1.

[0024] Furthermore, on the side opposite to the side portion 12 in the frame 1, i.e., the lower side, the seam B between the other end 10b of the first housing member 10 and the other end 20b of the second housing member 20 is exposed. Therefore, the lower end of the frame 1 can be assembled using conventional assembly methods.

[0025] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first housing member 10 has a main face 11 and a side face 12, but is not limited thereto. Alternatively, the first housing member 10 may have a main face 11, and the second housing member 20 may be disposed on the back side of the main face 11 and have a side face 12. In this case, the end portion of the first housing member 10 on the side face 12 side, i.e., one end portion, contacts the inner surface of the side face 12.

[0026] 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] In the variant example, such as Figure 5 As shown, the frame 1 of the calculator 100 is composed of a first housing member 10A and a second housing member 20A that engages with the first housing member 10A. The second housing member 20A covers the entire left and right sides of the calculator 100. At the end of the side portion 12 in the frame 1 (the upward side), the upward end of the second housing member 20A is exposed. In other words, at the side portion 12 in the frame 1 (the upward side), the seam C between the end of the first housing member 10A and the end of the second housing member 20A is exposed.

[0028] Furthermore, in a modified example, the first housing member 10A is configured such that its lower-direction end covers the lower-direction end of the second housing member 20A. Alternatively, the second housing member 20A is configured such that its lower-direction end covers the lower-direction end of the first housing member 10A. In other words, on the lower-direction side of the frame 1, opposite to the side portion 12, the seam between the ends of the first housing member 10A and the second housing member 20A is not exposed.

[0029] As described above, the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment includes: a frame 1, a first housing member 10 having a main face 11 and a side face 12 connected to the main face 11, and a second housing member 20 disposed on the back side of the main face 11; an operation unit 2 disposed on the main face 11 for receiving user operation; and a solar cell 4 disposed on the outer surface of the side face 12. Therefore, it is possible to configure the structure so that the solar cell 4 is disposed on the outer surface of the side face 12 connected to the main face 11 of the first housing member 10. Thus, by configuring the solar cell to span the seam between the front-side housing member and the back-side housing member, it is possible to suppress the possibility of damage to the solar cell caused by pressure, torsion, or other loads applied to the seam due to the calculator falling, etc. Therefore, the solar cell can be disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the frame, and the solar cell can be appropriately protected. Furthermore, by not providing a seam between the main face 11 and the side face 12, it is possible to prevent liquids, dust, etc., from entering the interior of the calculator from between the main face 11 and the side face 12. In addition, by not providing a joint between the main face 11 and the side face 12, the aesthetics can be improved.

[0030] Furthermore, in the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment, at the end of the frame 1 in the first direction (upward direction in the figure) from the main face 11 toward the side face 12, the seam between the first housing member 10 and the second housing member 20 is not exposed; however, at the end of the frame 1 in the second direction (right or left direction in the figure) orthogonal to the first direction, the seam between the first housing member 10 and the second housing member 20 is exposed. Therefore, a structure can be obtained in which the solar cell 4 is provided on the outer surface of the side face 12 connected to the main face 11 of the first housing member 10. Thus, by arranging the solar cell across the seam between the front-side housing member and the back-side housing member, damage to the solar cell caused by pressure, torsion, or other loads applied to the seam due to the calculator falling can be suppressed. Consequently, the solar cell can be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the frame, and the solar cell can be appropriately protected. Furthermore, at the end of the calculator in the first direction from the main face 11 toward the side face 12, the seam between the front side housing member and the back side housing member is not exposed, thereby improving aesthetics and properly protecting the solar cell as described above.

[0031] Furthermore, in the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment, at the end of the frame 1 in the first direction from the main face 11 toward the side face 12, the seam C between the first housing member 10A and the second housing member 20A is exposed, while at the end of the frame 1 in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the seam C between the first housing member 10A and the second housing member 20A is not exposed. Therefore, a structure can be obtained in which the solar cell 4 is provided on the outer surface of the side face 12 connected to the main face 11 of the first housing member 10A. Thus, by arranging the solar cell across the seam between the front-side housing member and the back-side housing member, damage to the solar cell caused by pressure, torsion, or other loads applied to the seam due to the calculator falling can be suppressed. Therefore, the solar cell can be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the frame, and the solar cell can be appropriately protected. Furthermore, at the end of the calculator in the second direction orthogonal to the first direction from the main face 11 toward the side face 12, the seam C between the front-side housing member and the back-side housing member is not exposed, thereby improving aesthetics and appropriately protecting the solar cell as described above.

[0032] Furthermore, in the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment, the length of the frame 1 in the thickness direction (front-to-back direction) of the side portion 12 is the same as the thickness of the frame 1. Therefore, it is possible to configure the solar cell 4 to be provided on the outer surface of the side portion 12, which is connected to the main face 11 of the first housing member 10.

[0033] Furthermore, in the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment, the length from one end 10a of the first housing member 10 where the side portion 12 is located to the other end 10b opposite to that end 10a is the same as the length from one end to the other end in the vertical direction of the frame 1. The length from one end 20a of the second housing member 20 that contacts the inner surface 121 of the side portion 12 to the other end 20b opposite to that end 20a is shorter than the length from one end 10a to the other end 10b of the first housing member 10. Therefore, it is possible to configure the solar cell 4 to be provided on the outer surface of the side portion 12 connected to the main face portion 11 of the first housing member 10.

[0034] Furthermore, in the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment, the first housing member 10 is arranged at one end 10a where the side portion 12 is located, in a manner that covers one end 20a of the second housing member 20. Therefore, it is possible to configure a solar cell 4 to be provided on the outer surface of the side portion 12 connected to the main portion 11 of the first housing member 10.

[0035] Furthermore, in the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment, the angle between the side portion 12 and the main portion 11 is an obtuse angle. Therefore, light from the front direction of the calculator 100 can easily enter the solar cell 4 provided on the outer surface of the side portion 12.

[0036] Furthermore, in the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment, a light-transmitting member 5 covering the solar cell 4 is provided on the side portion 12. Therefore, the solar cell 4 can be protected by the light-transmitting member 5, thereby improving its strength.

[0037] 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 a calculator. As long as the electronic device has a solar cell provided on the side (outer peripheral surface) of the frame, it is also applicable to any electronic device (e.g., keyboard, numeric keypad, handheld terminal, electronic dictionary, notebook PC (personal computer), etc.).

[0038] 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, wherein, have: The frame includes a first shell member and a second shell member. The first shell member has a main face and a side face connected to the main face, and the second shell member is disposed on the back side of the main face. The operation unit, located on the main face, accepts user operations; as well as A solar cell is disposed on the outer surface of the side portion.

2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, At the end of the frame in a first direction from the main face towards the side face, the seam between the first housing member and the second housing member is not exposed. At the end of the frame in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the seam between the first housing member and the second housing member is exposed.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, At the end of the frame in a first direction from the main face toward the side portion, the seam between the first housing member and the second housing member is exposed. At the end of the frame in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, the seam between the first housing component and the second housing component is not exposed.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The length of the frame in the thickness direction of the side portion is the same as the thickness of the frame.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The length of the first housing member from one end containing the side portion to the other end opposite to that end is the same as the length of the frame from one end to the other. The length of the second housing member from one end in contact with the inner surface of the side portion to the other end opposite to the first end is shorter than the length of the first housing member from one end to the other end.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The first housing member is configured to cover the second housing member at one end where the side portion is located.

7. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, The angle between the side portion and the main face portion is an obtuse angle.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, A light-transmitting component covering the solar cell is provided on the side portion.

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