Electronic device and power supply circuit

Abstract

To stably start an electronic device with a generator that can be mounted on the electronic device.SOLUTION: An electronic device 1 includes: a power generation module 100 having a power generation unit and a battery 120 that stores power generated by the power generation unit; a detection device; a drive unit having a plurality of circuits including a circuit that outputs voltage to the detection device on the basis of the power of the power generation module 100; a second capacitance unit electrically connected in parallel with the battery 120; and a portable enclosure for accommodating the power generation module 100, the detection device, the drive unit, and the second capacitance unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a power supply circuit. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, generators that can be used as power sources for electronic devices have been known. Patent Document 1 discloses a power generation system that uses a vibration generator that generates electricity using vibration. This power generation system starts supplying power to an external load when the average value of the output voltage of the vibration generator becomes equal to or greater than a reference voltage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-157724 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a growing expectation that generators mounted on small electronic devices will be used as power sources for such devices. However, the power output of such miniaturized generators is limited. This poses a challenge in ensuring that loads with high power consumption are able to operate normally. For example, when starting a load, an excessive inrush current may flow, preventing the generator from supplying sufficient power and preventing the load from starting. This has led to a demand for technology that enables stable operation of electronic devices using generators that can be mounted on electronic devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is an electronic device comprising: a power generation module having a power generation unit and a first capacitance unit that stores the power generated by the power generation unit; a detection device; a drive unit having a plurality of circuits including a circuit that outputs a voltage to the detection device based on the power of the power generation module; a second capacitance unit electrically connected in parallel with the first capacitance unit; and a portable housing that houses the power generation module, the detection device, the drive unit, and the capacitor.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a power supply circuit for an electronic device having a detection device, comprising: a power generation module having a power generation unit and a first capacitance unit that stores the power generated by the power generation unit; a drive unit having a plurality of circuits including a circuit that outputs a voltage to the detection device based on the power of the power generation module; and a second capacitance unit electrically connected in parallel with the first capacitance unit, and the power supply circuit is housed in a portable housing of the electronic device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an electronic device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] A diagram showing voltage fluctuations in a power supply circuit. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing voltage fluctuations in the power supply circuit of the first comparative example. [Figure 6] 10 is a diagram showing voltage fluctuations in a power supply circuit of a second comparative example. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of an electronic device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of an electronic device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of use of an electronic device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of an electronic device according to a fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [1. First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an electronic device 1 according to the first embodiment. The electronic device 1 is a portable device. In this embodiment, a wristwatch-type electronic device 1 that is worn on the user's wrist or the like when used will be described.

[0009] The electronic device 1 is equipped with a pulse wave sensor 60 that measures the user's pulse. In this embodiment, an optical pulse wave sensor 60 is exemplified. The pulse wave sensor 60 has a light-emitting unit 61 and a light-receiving unit 62. The light-emitting unit 61 has a light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode). The light-receiving unit 62 is a photosensor. The pulse wave sensor 60 detects the user's pulse wave by making the light-emitting unit 61 emit light and detecting the light reflected from the user's body, which is the measurement target, with the light-receiving unit 62. The pulse wave sensor 60 corresponds to an example of a detection device or a sensor.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the electronic device 1, showing the main configuration on the rear side. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device 1 has a wristwatch-type housing 200, and the components shown in FIG. 1 are housed in the housing 200. A light-emitting unit 61 and a light-receiving unit 62 of a pulse wave sensor 60 are exposed on a back surface 201 of the housing 200. A band 210 is attached to the housing 200 for wrapping the housing 200 around a user's arm or leg. By wrapping the band 210 around the user's arm or leg, the housing 200 is fixed in place with the back surface 201 in contact with the user's skin. The band 210 corresponds to an example of a wearing jig.

[0011] 1, the electronic device 1 includes a processing unit 51 that controls each unit of the electronic device 1. The processing unit 51 is, for example, a microcontroller or a microprocessor. The processing unit 51 corresponds to an example of a third control circuit.

[0012] The arithmetic processing unit 51 has a built-in wireless communication circuit. The arithmetic processing unit 51 includes an antenna 52 and performs wireless communication via the antenna 52. The arithmetic processing unit 51 performs wireless communication using, for example, Bluetooth Low Energy. The arithmetic processing unit 51 may also be configured to perform communication using other short-range wireless communication methods. For example, the arithmetic processing unit 51 may perform wireless communication using Wi-Fi or Zigbee. Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, and Zigbee are registered trademarks. The arithmetic processing unit 51 corresponds to an example of a transmission unit.

[0013] The electronic device 1 includes a processing unit 51 and a power supply circuit 10 that supplies power to a pulse wave sensor 60.

[0014] The power supply circuit 10 includes a power generation module 100. In this embodiment, a vibration power generation module that generates power from vibrations applied to a housing 200 is exemplified.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the main part of the configuration of the power generation module 100. As shown in FIG. The power generating module 100 includes a power generating unit 101, a rectifier circuit 118, and a battery 120. The power generating unit 101 includes a power generating coil 102, a power generating stator 103, a power generating rotor 104, an oscillating weight 106, an oscillating weight screw 107, an oscillating weight wheel 111, and a power generating rotor transmission wheel 114. The battery 120 corresponds to an example of a first capacitance unit.

[0016] The power generating coil 102 is a coil wound around a highly permeable material, and the power generating stator 103 is also made of a highly permeable material. The power generating rotor 104 has a permanent magnet and a pinion portion 105. A rectifier circuit 118 and a battery 120 are connected to the power generating coil 102.

[0017] The oscillating weight 106 is a weight that is eccentric with respect to the rotation axis, and is rotatably supported together with the oscillating weight wheel 111 by an oscillating weight screw 107. The oscillating weight wheel 111 rotates integrally with the oscillating weight 106. The oscillating weight wheel 111 meshes with a pinion portion 112 of a generator rotor transmission wheel 114, and a gear portion 113 of the generator rotor transmission wheel 114 meshes with the pinion portion 105. Through this train wheel, the rotation of the oscillating weight 106 is transmitted to the generator rotor 104 at a predetermined speed-up ratio.

[0018] When the generator rotor 104 rotates, the direction of the magnetic east that links the generator coil 102 through the generator stator 103 changes, and an AC voltage is generated in the generator coil 102 by electromagnetic induction. This AC voltage is rectified by the rectifier circuit 118 and charged into the battery 120. The battery 120 is a secondary battery, and the type and capacity of the battery 120 are selected as appropriate.

[0019] The oscillating weight 106 rotates in accordance with the vibration of the housing 200. For example, the oscillating weight 106 rotates due to the body movement of the user wearing the housing 200. The rotation of the oscillating weight 106 is accelerated and transmitted to the generator rotor 104, causing the generator rotor 104 to rotate at high speed. This generates an AC voltage in the generator coil 102, which charges the battery 120. Terminals TE1 and TE2 at both ends of the battery 120 are connected to a capacitor 31, which will be described later.

[0020] 1, the capacitor 31 is electrically connected in parallel to the battery 120. For example, a ceramic capacitor can be used as the capacitor 31, but the type and capacity of the capacitor 31 may be selected appropriately. The capacitor 31 corresponds to an example of a second capacitance section.

[0021] A battery voltage V0 of the battery 120 is output to a first power supply circuit 11 and a second power supply circuit 12. The first power supply circuit 11 boosts the battery voltage V0 and outputs a first voltage V1. The first power supply circuit 11 is, for example, a voltage regulator IC (Integrated Circuit) or a boost IC.

[0022] The first control circuit 21 controls a first drive timing when the electronic device 1 is started. The first drive timing is the timing at which the first power supply circuit 11 starts outputting the first voltage V1. Specifically, when the first control circuit 21 detects that the voltage value of the battery voltage V0 has reached a first threshold, it outputs a signal S1 to the first power supply circuit 11. The signal S1 is a control signal that instructs the first power supply circuit 11 to start outputting the first voltage V1. The first control circuit 21 can use, for example, a reset IC, in which case the signal S1 is a reset signal for the first power supply circuit 11.

[0023] The battery voltage V0 is the voltage across the battery 120, and the first threshold is determined based on the specifications of the battery 120, etc. The first threshold is the voltage value of the battery voltage V0 at which the first power supply circuit 11 can operate stably. For example, if the designed battery voltage V0 is 3.3 V, the first threshold is set to 3.3 V or a value within a predetermined range centered around 3.3 V. The first threshold is set in advance in the first control circuit 21. Specifically, the first control circuit 21 may be configured to be able to set or store the first threshold, or the circuit configuration of the first control circuit 21 itself may be designed to match the first threshold.

[0024] The first voltage V1 output from the first power supply circuit 11 is output to the second power supply circuit 12, the second control circuit 22, and a FET (Field Effect Transistor) 23. The FET 23 can be replaced with another type of switching element.

[0025] The second power supply circuit 12 converts the first voltage V1 to output a second voltage V2. The second voltage V2 is supplied to the arithmetic processing unit 51 to drive the arithmetic processing unit 51. The second voltage V2 may also be supplied as a power source for a circuit (not shown) included in the electronic device 1. The second power supply circuit 12 is configured, for example, by a voltage regulator IC.

[0026] The second control circuit 22 controls the second drive timing when the electronic device 1 is started. The second drive timing is the timing at which the second power supply circuit 12 starts outputting the second voltage V2. Specifically, when the second control circuit 22 detects that the voltage value of the first voltage V1 has reached a second threshold, it outputs a signal S2 to the second power supply circuit 12. The signal S2 is a control signal that instructs the second power supply circuit 12 to start outputting the second voltage V2. The second control circuit 22 can use, for example, a reset IC, in which case the signal S2 is a reset signal for the second power supply circuit 12.

[0027] Here, the second control circuit 22 delays the timing of outputting the signal S2 from the first drive timing by a preset delay time. As a result, the second drive timing is delayed from the first drive timing by a predetermined time. The delay time by which the second control circuit 22 delays the signal S2 is preferably, for example, 25 milliseconds or longer.

[0028] The second threshold is a voltage value of the first voltage V1 at which the first power supply circuit 11 can be considered to be operating stably. The second threshold is determined based on the designed output voltage of the first power supply circuit 11, etc. For example, if the designed first voltage V1 is 3.7 V, the second threshold is set to 3.7 V or a value within a predetermined range centered around 3.7 V. The second threshold is set in advance in the second control circuit 22. Specifically, the second control circuit 22 may be configured to be able to set or store the second threshold, or the circuit configuration of the second control circuit 22 itself may be designed to match the second threshold.

[0029] The FET 23 is a switch that turns on / off the input of the first voltage V1 to the third power supply circuit 13. The FET 23 switches on and off the supply of the first voltage V1 to the third power supply circuit 13 in accordance with a signal S3 input from the arithmetic processing unit 51. When the electronic device 1 is started up, the arithmetic processing unit 51 is started up by the input of the second voltage V2 and begins controlling the electronic device 1. The arithmetic processing unit 51 outputs the signal S3 to the FET 23 at a predetermined timing for measuring the pulse wave sensor 60, causing the third power supply circuit 13 to supply the first voltage V1.

[0030] The timing at which the arithmetic processing unit 51 outputs the signal S3 to the FET 23 is after the second power supply circuit 12 starts outputting the second voltage V2. Therefore, the arithmetic processing unit 51 sets the timing at which the third power supply circuit 13 starts outputting the third voltage V3 and / or the fourth voltage V4 to be delayed from the first drive timing and the second drive timing. The arithmetic processing unit 51 is configured to preset the elapsed time from the first drive timing and the second drive timing. The arithmetic processing unit 51 may control the output timing of the signal S3 so that the output of the third voltage V3 and / or the fourth voltage V4 is started with a delay of the set time from the second drive timing.

[0031] The third power supply circuit 13 converts the first voltage V1 to output a third voltage V3 and a fourth voltage V4. The third voltage V3 is a power supply for driving the light-emitting unit 61 and is, for example, 3.3 V. The fourth voltage V4 is a power supply for driving the light-receiving unit 62 and is, for example, 1.8 V.

[0032] The third power supply circuit 13 is configured, for example, by a voltage regulator IC. The third power supply circuit 13 may be configured by a plurality of ICs. For example, the third power supply circuit 13 may include an IC that converts the first voltage V1 to output a third voltage V3, and an IC that converts the first voltage V1 to output a fourth voltage V4.

[0033] The electronic device 1 configured as described above is activated when the voltage of the battery 120 increases due to power generation by the power generation module 100. When the battery voltage V0 reaches a first threshold, the first control circuit 21 outputs a signal S1 to the first power supply circuit 11, and in response, the first power supply circuit 11 starts outputting a first voltage V1 at a first drive timing. Furthermore, based on the output of the first voltage V1, the second control circuit 22 outputs a signal S2 to the second power supply circuit 12 at a timing delayed from the first drive timing.

[0034] The second power supply circuit 12 starts outputting the second voltage V2 in response to the input of the signal S2. When the second voltage V2 is output, the arithmetic processing unit 51 starts up and starts controlling each unit of the electronic device 1.

[0035] Thereafter, the arithmetic processing unit 51 outputs a signal S3 to the FET 23 at the timing when the pulse wave sensor 60 detects a pulse wave. FET 23 is switched on in response to the signal S3, causing the third power supply circuit 13 to output the third voltage V3 and the fourth voltage V4. This causes the pulse wave sensor 60 to detect the user's pulse wave. The arithmetic processing unit 51 wirelessly transmits the detection result of the pulse wave sensor 60 to a device external to the electronic device 1 via the antenna 52.

[0036] When the electronic device 1 starts up, the first power supply circuit 11 starts outputting the first voltage V1, causing an inrush current to flow from the battery 120. In addition, when the second power supply circuit 12 starts outputting the second voltage V2, an inrush current also flows from the battery 120. The power generation module 100 is a small generator that can be housed in the portable housing 200, and therefore has a limit to the amount of power it can generate. Therefore, if an inrush current larger than the power charged in the battery 120 flows, the output of the first power supply circuit 11 and / or the second power supply circuit 12 becomes unstable, and the electronic device 1 may fail to start up.

[0037] In contrast, the power supply circuit 10 includes a capacitor 31 connected in parallel to the battery 120. The capacitor 31 stores power while the battery 120 is being charged as the power generation module 100 generates power. With this configuration, when an inrush current flows through the power supply circuit 10 and the battery voltage V0 drops, power is supplied from the capacitor 31. Therefore, it is possible to suppress voltage fluctuations in the battery voltage V0 caused by the inrush current.

[0038] Furthermore, the second control circuit 22 outputs the signal S2 with a delay from the output of the first voltage V1 so that the second drive timing is delayed a predetermined time from the first drive timing. This prevents the power supply circuit 10 from having the inrush current of the first power supply circuit 11 and the inrush current of the second power supply circuit 12 flowing at the same time. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress fluctuations in the battery voltage V0 due to the inrush current.

[0039] Fluctuations in inrush current and battery voltage V0 in electronic device 1 will be described in comparison with comparative examples. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing voltage fluctuations in power supply circuit 10. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing voltage fluctuations in the power supply circuit of a first comparative example, and Fig. 6 is a diagram showing voltage fluctuations in the power supply circuit of a second comparative example.

[0040] 4, the horizontal axis represents the passage of time. Graph (A) in FIG. 4 represents the value of the battery voltage V0, and graph (B) represents the current flowing from the battery 120. When the power generation module 100 starts generating power from a low battery voltage V0, the battery voltage V0 gradually increases. In Fig. 4, part of the process in which the voltage of the battery 120 increases as the power generation module 100 generates power is omitted.

[0041] Time T1 is the timing when the battery voltage V0 reaches the first threshold value Th1. At time T1, the first control circuit 21 outputs a signal S1, causing the first power supply circuit 11 to start outputting the first voltage V1. As a result, an inrush current flows, as indicated by the symbol RC1. Even if the inrush current is larger than the power of the battery 120, the power stored in the capacitor 31 suppresses voltage fluctuations in the battery voltage V0, and the battery voltage V0 remains at or above the first threshold value Th1.

[0042] Thereafter, the second control circuit 22 outputs a signal S2 at time T2, and when the second power supply circuit 12 starts to output the second voltage V2 based on the signal S2, an inrush current flows as indicated by the symbol RC2. Because the timing of the inrush current RC2 is different from that of the inrush current RC1, the battery voltage V0 can be maintained at a value equal to or higher than the first threshold value Th1.

[0043] The first comparative example shown in Figure 5 corresponds to a configuration in which the capacitor 31, the first control circuit 21, and the second control circuit 22 are not provided in the power supply circuit 10. In other words, it corresponds to an example in which the first power supply circuit 11 and the second power supply circuit 12 are connected to the battery 120. The horizontal axis of the graph shown in Figure 5 indicates the passage of time. Graph (A) in Figure 5 shows the voltage value of the battery charged by the power generation module, and graph (B) shows the current flowing from the battery.

[0044] In the first comparative example, as the battery voltage rises due to power generation by the power generation module, the first power supply circuit begins outputting power before the battery voltage reaches the first threshold value Th1. That is, when the battery voltage reaches the operation start voltage ThA, at which the first power supply circuit can perform boost operation, the first power supply circuit begins operating. In the power supply circuit 10 disclosed herein, the first threshold value Th1 is the battery voltage V0 at which the first power supply circuit 11 can stably operate, and is therefore higher than the operation start voltage ThA. When the battery voltage reaches the operation start voltage ThA, the power charged in the battery is insufficient to withstand the inrush current. Therefore, when an inrush current flows, as indicated by the symbol RC11, the battery voltage drops significantly, and the first power supply circuit stops operating. Consequently, the electronic device fails to start up. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated each time the battery voltage rises due to power generation and reaches the operation start voltage ThA.

[0045] 6 corresponds to a configuration in which a first control circuit 21 and a second control circuit 22 are provided in the first comparative example. In other words, it is a configuration in which a capacitor 31 is provided in the power supply circuit 10. However, in the second comparative example, the second control circuit 22 does not delay the start of operation of the second power supply circuit 12.

[0046] The horizontal axis of the graph shown in Figure 6 represents the passage of time. Graph (A) in Figure 6 represents the voltage value of the battery being charged by the power generation module, and graph (B) represents the current flowing from the battery.

[0047] In the second comparative example, the battery voltage rises as the power generation module generates power, and the first power supply circuit does not begin outputting until it reaches the first threshold value Th1. Therefore, the battery voltage rises to a higher voltage than in the first comparative example. When the battery voltage reaches the first threshold value Th1 and the first power supply circuit begins operating, the second power supply circuit also begins operating. Therefore, as indicated by the symbol RC21, a large inrush current flows from the battery, causing the battery voltage to drop and the first and second power supply circuits to stop operating. Consequently, the electronic device fails to start up. Thereafter, the same operation is repeated each time the battery voltage rises due to power generation.

[0048] As described above, the electronic device 1 according to the first embodiment includes a power generation module 100 having a power generation unit 101 and a battery 120 that stores the power generated by the power generation unit 101. The electronic device 1 also includes a pulse wave sensor 60, a drive unit having a plurality of circuits including a circuit that outputs a voltage to the pulse wave sensor 60 based on the power of the power generation module 100, and a capacitor 31 electrically connected in parallel with the battery 120. The drive unit includes, for example, any one of a first power supply circuit 11, a second power supply circuit 12, and a third power supply circuit 13. The electronic device 1 also includes a portable housing 200 that houses the power generation module 100, the pulse wave sensor 60, the drive unit, and the capacitor 31.

[0049] The power supply circuit 10 is a power supply circuit for the electronic device 1 having a pulse wave sensor 60, and includes a power generation module 100 having a power generation unit 101 and a battery 120 that stores the power generated by the power generation unit 101. The power supply circuit 10 includes a drive unit that includes multiple circuits, including a circuit that outputs a voltage to the pulse wave sensor 60 based on the power of the power generation module 100. The drive unit includes, for example, any of a first power supply circuit 11, a second power supply circuit 12, and a third power supply circuit 13. The power supply circuit 10 includes a capacitor 31 electrically connected in parallel with the battery 120, and is housed in a portable housing 200 that the electronic device 1 has.

[0050] According to the electronic device 1 and the power supply circuit 10 of the electronic device 1, by providing a capacitor 31 in parallel with the battery 120, fluctuations in the voltage supplied to the drive unit can be suppressed even if an inrush current flows from the battery 120 to the drive unit when the drive unit starts operating. This allows the drive unit to be reliably started and operated stably using the power generated by the power generation module 100. For example, even if the power generation module 100 is a small generator, stable start-up and operation of the electronic device 1 can be achieved.

[0051] In the power supply circuit 10, the drive unit has a first power supply circuit 11, a first control circuit 21, a second power supply circuit 12, and a second control circuit 22. The first power supply circuit 11 outputs a first voltage V1 to the pulse wave sensor 60 based on the power of the power generation module 100. The first control circuit 21 controls a first drive timing at which the first power supply circuit 11 starts outputting the first voltage V1. The second power supply circuit 12 outputs a second voltage V2 from the first voltage V1. The first control circuit 21 controls a second drive timing at which the second power supply circuit 12 starts outputting the second voltage V2. The second control circuit 22 delays the second drive timing by a predetermined time from the first drive timing. With this configuration, the second drive timing, at which the second power supply circuit 12 starts outputting the second voltage V2, is delayed from the first drive timing, at which the first power supply circuit 11 starts outputting the first voltage V1. As a result, the timing at which an inrush current flows from the battery 120 when the first power supply circuit 11 is started does not coincide with the timing at which an inrush current flows when the second power supply circuit 12 is started. This makes it possible to more reliably suppress fluctuations in the voltage supplied by the battery 120. This makes it possible to further stabilize the start-up and operation of the electronic device 1.

[0052] The second control circuit 22 delays the second drive timing by a predetermined time or more from the first drive timing. The predetermined time is, for example, 25 milliseconds. This more reliably staggers the timing at which an inrush current flows due to the startup of the first power supply circuit 11 from the timing at which an inrush current flows due to the startup of the second power supply circuit 12. This more reliably suppresses fluctuations in the voltage supplied by the battery 120. This further stabilizes the startup and operation of the electronic device 1.

[0053] The first control circuit 21 detects the voltage value held in at least one of the battery 120 and the capacitor 31, and when the voltage value reaches a first threshold, causes the first power supply circuit 11 to start outputting the first voltage V1. The second control circuit 22 starts outputting the second voltage V2 a predetermined time after the first voltage V1 reaches the second threshold. This allows the first power supply circuit 11 to start up after the voltage of the battery 120 has risen to an appropriate voltage value, and the second power supply circuit 12 to start up after the operation of the first power supply circuit 11 has stabilized. This allows the first power supply circuit 11 and the second power supply circuit 12 to start up smoothly. This further stabilizes the startup and operation of the electronic device 1.

[0054] The pulse wave sensor 60 includes a light-emitting unit 61 that emits detection light and a light-receiving unit 62 that detects light from a detection target. The drive unit includes a third power supply circuit 13 that outputs a third voltage V3 and a fourth voltage V4 to the light-emitting unit 61 and the light-receiving unit 62, and a calculation processing unit 51 that controls a third drive timing at which the third power supply circuit 13 starts outputting the third voltage V3 and the fourth voltage V4. The calculation processing unit 51 sets the third drive timing to be delayed from the first drive timing and the second drive timing. With this configuration, the timing at which an inrush current flows due to activation of the third power supply circuit 13 is further delayed from the first drive timing and the second drive timing. Therefore, fluctuations in the voltage of the battery 120 can be suppressed even when the pulse wave sensor 60 consumes a large amount of power.

[0055] The power generation module 100 includes an arithmetic processing unit 51 that operates on the second voltage V2 and wirelessly transmits the detection results of the pulse wave sensor 60. With this configuration, even if the amount of power generated by the power generation module 100 is small, the device that wirelessly transmits the results measured by the pulse wave sensor 60 to an external device can be operated stably.

[0056] Housing 200 has band 210 that can be worn on the user's body, and pulse wave sensor 60 is a sensor that detects the user's physical information. With this configuration, small electronic device 1 that is worn on the user's body and includes a sensor that detects physical information can be operated stably.

[0057] [2. Second Embodiment] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the electronic device 2 according to the second embodiment. The electronic device 2 includes a power supply circuit 20. The power supply circuit 20 corresponds to a configuration in which a power receiving circuit 41 and a charging control unit 43 are added to the configuration of the power supply circuit 10. The electronic device 2 differs from the electronic device 1 in that it includes the power supply circuit 20, but the other configuration of the electronic device 2 is common to the electronic device 1 described in the first embodiment. These common configurations are assigned the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0058] Like the electronic device 1, the components of the electronic device 2 shown in FIG. 7 are housed in a housing 200 and are worn on the user's body.

[0059] The power receiving circuit 41 is a circuit that receives a supply of power from a power transmitting device 9 that is an external device of the electronic device 2. The power receiving circuit 41 receives a supply of power from the power transmitting device 9 and outputs a voltage to a charging control unit 43. The charging control unit 43 is connected to the power generating module 100. The charging control unit 43 charges the battery 120 of the power generating module 100 with the voltage output by the power receiving circuit 41. The power receiving circuit 41 corresponds to an example of a power receiving unit.

[0060] The power receiving circuit 41 may be, for example, a circuit that includes a connector and receives power via a power supply cable connected to the connector. In this embodiment, the power receiving circuit 41 includes an antenna 42. The antenna 42 outputs a voltage to the charging control unit 43 based on an electromotive force generated in the antenna 42 by radio waves transmitted by the power transmitting device 9. For example, the power receiving circuit 41 is a circuit that receives power using an electromagnetic induction method such as NFC (Near Field Communication) technology. The power receiving circuit 41 may be a circuit that supports a magnetic resonance method, an electric field coupling method, a method using a laser, or other wireless power transfer technology.

[0061] In this way, the electronic device 2 includes a power receiving circuit 41 that supplies voltage to the power generating module 100 based on power supplied from the power transmitting device 9 external to the electronic device 2. As a result, when there is a possibility that the battery 120 will run out of power due to the operation of the electronic device 2, power can be supplied from the power transmitting device 9, thereby enabling the electronic device 2 to operate stably.

[0062] For example, assume that the amount of power consumed when the arithmetic processing unit 51 performs wireless communication via the antenna 52 is relatively large compared to the capacity of the battery 120. Depending on how the electronic device 2 is used, the amount of power generated by the power generation module 100 may be small, resulting in an insufficient charge of the battery 120. For example, this may occur when the electronic device 2 is subjected to little vibration for a long period of time. In such a case, there is a concern that the electronic device 2 may be detached from the user's body and the arithmetic processing unit 51 performs wireless communication, resulting in a power shortage.

[0063] The calculation processing unit 51 monitors the voltage value of the second voltage V2 or the voltage value of the battery voltage V0, and when it detects that the voltage has become lower than a predetermined value, it maintains a state in which wireless communication is not performed.

[0064] Here, the arithmetic processing unit 51 may include a memory inside or outside the arithmetic processing unit 51, and may store the detection results of the pulse wave sensor 60. In this case, when the voltage value of the second voltage V2 or the voltage value of the battery voltage V0 reaches a sufficiently high value, the arithmetic processing unit 51 transmits the detection results of the pulse wave sensor 60 stored in the memory by wireless communication.

[0065] For example, assume that in the electronic device 2, when the arithmetic processing unit 51 is not performing wireless communication, the housing 200 of the electronic device 2 is placed in a position close to the power transmitting device 9, causing the power transmitting device 9 to start transmitting power. In this case, the power receiving circuit 41 outputs a voltage to the charging control unit 43 due to power transmission from the power transmitting device 9, and the charging control unit 43 charges the battery 120. This increases the battery voltage V0. Furthermore, if the second voltage V2 is lower than the design value due to a decrease in the battery voltage V0, the second voltage V2 increases as the battery 120 is charged. The arithmetic processing unit 51 can detect the increase in the battery voltage V0 or the second voltage V2 and start wireless communication.

[0066] The configuration of the electronic device 2 of the second embodiment has the same effect as the electronic device 1 described in the first embodiment, in that the drive unit can be reliably started and operated stably by the power generated by the power generation module 100. Furthermore, according to the electronic device 2, when there is a possibility that the power of the battery 120 will be insufficient, the battery 120 can be quickly charged even when the power generation module 100 is not generating power.

[0067] Furthermore, by stopping some of the loads in the electronic device 2 that consume a large amount of power, the functionality of the electronic device 2 can be maintained even if the battery 120 is not fully charged. For example, the arithmetic processing unit 51 can be placed in a so-called standby state or a power-saving state in which wireless communication is not performed temporarily. In this case, by receiving power from the power transmitting device 9 via the power receiving circuit 41, all functions of the electronic device 2 can be quickly made available. Therefore, even if the amount of power generated by the power generating module 100 is small, the effect of not impairing user convenience can be obtained.

[0068] 3. Third Embodiment Fig. 8 is a circuit diagram of the electronic device 3 of the third embodiment. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of how the electronic device 2 of the third embodiment is used.

[0069] The electronic device 3 includes a power supply circuit 10, similar to the electronic device 1 described in the first embodiment. In the configuration of the electronic device 3, components common to the electronic device 1 are given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0070] The electronic device 3 includes a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receiver 70. The GNSS receiver 70 receives radio signals transmitted from artificial satellites using an antenna 71 to determine the current position of the electronic device 3. The GNSS receiver 70 outputs position information indicating the determined position to the arithmetic processing unit 51. The GNSS receiver 70 corresponds to an example of a detection device. The arithmetic processing unit 51 wirelessly transmits the position information indicating the immediate result of the GNSS receiver 70 to a device external to the electronic device 3.

[0071] The GNSS receiver 70 is supplied with the third voltage V3 output by the third power supply circuit 13 via an FET 73. The FET 73 is a switch that turns on / off the input of the third voltage V3 to the GNSS receiver 70. The FET 73 switches the supply of the third voltage V3 to the GNSS receiver 70 on and off in accordance with a signal S4 input from the arithmetic processing unit 51. Instead of the FET 73, a switching element other than an FET may be used.

[0072] When the electronic device 3 is started up, the arithmetic processing unit 51 is started up by input of the second voltage V2 and starts controlling the electronic device 3. The arithmetic processing unit 51 outputs a signal S3 to the third power supply circuit 13, causing the third power supply circuit 13 to start outputting the third voltage V3. Furthermore, at a predetermined timing when positioning is performed by the GNSS receiver 70, the arithmetic processing unit 51 outputs a signal S4 to the FET 73, causing the GNSS receiver 70 to start supplying power.

[0073] The arithmetic processing unit 51 can control the activation timing of the third power supply circuit 13 by controlling the output of the signal S3. If the electronic device 3 includes devices that consume the third voltage V3 and the fourth voltage V4 in addition to the GNSS receiver 70, there may be a state in which the operation of the third power supply circuit 13 is necessary and the GNSS receiver 70 can be stopped. In such a state, the arithmetic processing unit 51 can reduce the power consumption of the electronic device 3 by turning off the FET 73. The GNSS receiver 70 is a device that may consume a large amount of power in a small electronic device 3. By controlling the power supply to the GNSS receiver 70, the arithmetic processing unit 51 can reduce the power load and enable the electronic device 3 to operate stably using the power generated by the small power generation module 100.

[0074] Each part of the electronic device 3 shown in FIG. 8 may be housed in a housing 200, similar to the electronic device 1, and may be worn on the body of the user. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the electronic device 3 can be attached to an object other than the human body and used for tracking its position.

[0075] FIG. 9 shows a housing 250 as another example of a housing that houses an electronic device 3. The housing 250 is a box-shaped container of a portable size. In the housing 250, the antenna 71 is preferably arranged near the surface of the housing 250 or installed on the surface of the housing 250. The housing 250 is used, for example, by being attached to a pallet 300 that carries cargo. The pallet 300 is a transport member that can load cargo on a loading surface 301, and is moved by a forklift or the like.

[0076] When the housing 250 is attached to the pallet 300, vibrations are applied to the housing 250 as cargo moves, enabling power generation by the power generation module 100. Furthermore, by placing the housing 250 on the loading surface 301 or side of the pallet 300, the GNSS receiver 70 can easily receive radio signals from artificial satellites. The housing 250 may be installed by being embedded in the loading surface 301 or side of the pallet 300.

[0077] By installing the housing 250 on the pallet 300 and receiving the information sent by the processing unit 51 using a communication terminal installed at a logistics center or a communication terminal carried by the delivery person, the position of the pallet 300 can be tracked and the movement path of the pallet 300 can be recorded. The housing 250 may be attached to, for example, a cardboard box containing luggage, in addition to the pallet 300. The housing 250 may also be attached to a vehicle or luggage carried by a person.

[0078] According to the configuration of the electronic device 3 of the third embodiment, similarly to the electronic device 1 described in the first embodiment, it is possible to obtain the effect that the drive unit can be reliably started by the power generated by the power generation module 100 and can operate stably. Furthermore, the electronic device 3 includes a GNSS receiver 70 as a detection device, and the GNSS receiver 70 detects the position of the electronic device 3 and outputs the position information. This has the effect of realizing a configuration that can acquire and transmit the position information of the electronic device 3 using the power generation module 100 that is small and has a small power generation capacity.

[0079] [4. Fourth Embodiment] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of an electronic device 4 according to the fourth embodiment. The electronic device 4 includes a power supply circuit 10, similar to the electronic device 1 described in the first embodiment. In the configuration of the electronic device 4, components common to the electronic device 1 are given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0080] The electronic device 4 includes a GNSS receiver 80 and a communication module 85. The GNSS receiver 80 receives radio signals transmitted from artificial satellites using an antenna 81 to determine the current position of the electronic device 4. The GNSS receiver 80 corresponds to an example of a detection device. The communication module 85 corresponds to an example of a transmission unit.

[0081] The GNSS receiver 80 has a function of controlling each part of the electronic device 4, similar to the arithmetic processing unit 51 in the electronic device 1. For example, the GNSS receiver 80 outputs a signal S3 to the FET 23. The GNSS receiver 80 also outputs a signal S5 to an FET 87, which will be described later.

[0082] The communication module 85 is a communication device that performs wireless communication. Compared with the arithmetic processing unit 51 described in the first to third embodiments, the communication module 85 is capable of long-distance communication. For example, the communication module 85 may perform a low-power wide-area (LPWA) communication method. Specifically, the communication performed by the communication module 85 may be a wireless communication method such as cellular communication including 5G, 4G, LTE (Long Term Evolution), or satellite communication. The communication module 85 includes an antenna 86 for communication.

[0083] The fourth voltage V4 output by the third power supply circuit 13 is supplied to the communication module 85 via a FET 87. The FET 87 is a switch that turns on / off the input of the fourth voltage V4 to the communication module 85. The FET 87 switches on and off the supply of the fourth voltage V4 to the communication module 85 in accordance with a signal S5 input from the GNSS receiver 80. Instead of the FET 87, a switching element other than a FET may be used.

[0084] When the electronic device 4 is started up, the GNSS receiver 80 is started up by the input of the second voltage V2 and starts controlling the electronic device 4. The GNSS receiver 80 outputs a signal S3 to the third power supply circuit 13, causing the third power supply circuit 13 to start outputting the fourth voltage V4. The GNSS receiver 80 also outputs a signal S4 to the FET 87 at a predetermined timing when communication is to be performed by the communication module 85, causing the supply of power to the communication module 85 to start.

[0085] The electronic device 4 can be housed and mounted in the housing 200, similar to the electronic device 1 described in the first embodiment. In this case, the electronic device 4 can be worn on the user's body when used. Furthermore, the electronic device 4 can be housed and mounted in the housing 250, similar to the electronic device 3 described in the third embodiment. In this case, it is possible to detect the position of luggage other than the human body, track the luggage, and record the movement route of the luggage.

[0086] The communication module 85 wirelessly transmits location information indicating the positioning results of the GNSS receiver 80 to an external device such as a server. Because the communication module 85 is capable of long-distance communication, it can transmit the location information, etc. of the electronic device 4 to an external device such as a server even when there is no other device to communicate with near the electronic device 4. Therefore, restrictions on the timing and location for transmitting location information to an external device are significantly relaxed compared to the electronic device 3.

[0087] The communication module 85 is expected to consume more power than the arithmetic processing unit 51 described in the first embodiment. In the configuration of Fig. 10, the GNSS receiver 80 switches on the FET 87 at a timing when communication by the communication module 85 is required, and starts supplying the fourth voltage V4 to the communication module 85. After the communication by the communication module 85 is completed, the GNSS receiver 80 switches off the FET 87, thereby reducing the power consumption of the electronic device 4.

[0088] Comparing the configuration of the electronic device 4 with that of the electronic device 3, the electronic device 4 is equipped with a communication module 85 instead of the arithmetic processing unit 51 to enable longer-distance communication than the electronic device 3. The electronic device 4 is configured to be able to turn on / off the power supply to the communication module 85 using a FET 87 to suppress an increase in power consumption due to use of the communication module 85. Furthermore, the GNSS receiver 80 has a control function for the electronic device 4 to control the electronic device 4 while the communication module 85 is stopped. The GNSS receiver 80 may have a function to suppress power consumption by stopping the core of the processor of the GNSS receiver 80 while the GNSS receiver 80 is not performing positioning of the electronic device 4.

[0089] According to the configuration of the electronic device 4 of the fourth embodiment, similarly to the electronic device 1 described in the first embodiment, it is possible to obtain the effect that the drive unit can be reliably started by the power generated by the power generation module 100 and can operate stably. Furthermore, the electronic device 4 includes a GNSS receiver 80 as a detection device, which detects the position of the electronic device 4 and outputs the position information. The electronic device 4 can wirelessly transmit the position information detected by the GNSS receiver 80 via the communication module 85, and it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the communication module 85 by using the FET 87. This has the effect of enabling the acquisition and transmission of position information of the electronic device 4 using the power generation module 100, which is small and has a low power generation capacity, and realizing a configuration that is less subject to restrictions on the timing and location of transmitting the position information.

[0090] 5. Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0091] The electronic devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 may be any devices having a portable housing. The wristwatch-type housing 200 and the box-shaped housing 250 described in this embodiment are merely examples of specific implementations of the electronic devices 1, 2, 3, and 4. The shapes, usage positions, usage methods, and wearing styles on the user's body of the housings 200 and 250 can all be modified as appropriate.

[0092] The power generation module 100 has been described as a vibration power generation module that generates power by rotating the oscillating weight 106 due to vibrations applied to the housing 200 or 250. The power generation module 100 may be configured to generate power using other methods. For example, the electronic device 1 may be configured to include a solar power generation module that generates power using sunlight, instead of the power generation module 100. The solar power generation module may be configured to include, for example, a solar power generation panel and a battery 120 that stores the power generated by the solar power generation panel. In this configuration, connecting a capacitor 31 in parallel to the battery 120 can achieve the same effects as in this embodiment. Furthermore, for example, the electronic device 1 may be configured to include, for example, a temperature difference power generation module that generates power using sunlight, instead of the power generation module 100. The temperature difference power generation module may be configured to include, for example, a temperature difference power generator and a battery 120 that stores the power generated by the temperature difference power generator. In this configuration, connecting a capacitor 31 in parallel to the battery 120 can achieve the same effects as in this embodiment. The same applies when the power generation module 100 is mounted on the electronic devices 2, 3, and 4.

[0093] In the above embodiment, the pulse wave sensor 60, the GNSS receiver 70, and the GNSS receiver 80 are shown as examples of the detection device, but these are merely examples. The detection device may be a thermometer, a hygrometer, a clinical thermometer, a blood oxygen level meter, an acceleration sensor, a gyro sensor, a magnetic sensor, or any other type of sensor.

[0094] The pulse wave sensor 60, the GNSS receiver 70, and the communication module 85 described in the above embodiments can be considered as loads in the electronic devices 1, 2, 3, and 4. The electronic devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 are configured to switch on / off the power supply to the loads using FETs 23, 73, and 87. The arithmetic processing unit 51 and the GNSS receiver 80 can also be considered as loads in the electronic devices 1, 2, 3, and 4. The loads mounted on the electronic devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 are not limited to the above examples. For example, the electronic devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 may be configured to include more than one of the pulse wave sensor 60, the GNSS receiver 70, and the communication module 85. The electronic devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 may also be configured to include various sensors not described in the above embodiments.

[0095] The circuit diagrams shown in Figures 1, 7, 8, and 10 are examples showing the main configurations of electronic devices 1, 2, 3, and 4. These diagrams have been omitted or simplified for ease of understanding, and do not limit the detailed configurations of electronic devices 1, 2, 3, and 4. For example, the first power supply circuit 11, the second power supply circuit 12, the third power supply circuit 13, the first control circuit 21, the second control circuit 22, the FET 23, and other devices that make up the circuit of electronic device 1 may further include multiple devices. Alternatively, multiple of the above devices may be configured using a single element. The same applies to electronic devices 2, 3, and 4. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1, 2, 3, 4...Electronic device, 9...Power transmission device, 10...Power supply circuit, 11...First power supply circuit (drive unit), 12...Second power supply circuit (drive unit), 13...Third power supply circuit (drive unit), 20...Power supply circuit, 21...First control circuit, 22...Second control circuit, 23...FET, 31...Capacitor (second capacitance unit), 41...Power receiving circuit (power receiving unit), 42...Antenna, 43...Charging control unit, 51...Calculation processing unit (third control circuit, transmission unit), 52... Antenna, 60...pulse wave sensor (detection device, sensor), 61...light emitting unit, 62...light receiving unit, 70...GNSS receiver (detection device), 73...FET, 80...GNSS receiver (detection device), 81...antenna, 85...communication module (transmitter), 86...antenna, 87...FET, 100...power generation module, 101...power generation unit, 120...battery (first capacitor unit), 200, 250...housing, 210...band (mounting jig).

Claims

1. a power generation module including a power generation unit and a first capacitance unit that stores the electric power generated by the power generation unit; A detection device; a drive unit having a plurality of circuits including a circuit that outputs a voltage to the detection device based on the power of the power generation module; a second capacitance section electrically connected in parallel to the first capacitance section; a portable housing that houses the power generation module, the detection device, the drive unit, and the second capacitance unit, The drive unit is a first power supply circuit that outputs a first voltage to the detection device based on the power of the power generation module; a first control circuit that controls a first drive timing at which the first power supply circuit starts outputting the first voltage; a second power supply circuit that outputs a second voltage from the first voltage; a second control circuit that controls a second drive timing at which the second power supply circuit starts outputting the second voltage; The second control circuit delays the second drive timing by a predetermined time from the first drive timing.

2. the first control circuit detects a voltage value held in at least one of the first capacitance unit and the second capacitance unit, and starts outputting the first voltage from the first power supply circuit when the voltage value reaches a first threshold value; The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the second control circuit starts outputting the second voltage after the predetermined time has elapsed from the timing when the first voltage reaches the second threshold value.

3. The detection device includes a light emitting unit that emits detection light and a light receiving unit that detects light from a detection target, the drive unit includes a third power supply circuit that outputs a third voltage to the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, and a third control circuit that controls a third drive timing at which the third power supply circuit starts outputting the third voltage; 3 . The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the third control circuit sets the third drive timing to a timing delayed from the first drive timing and the second drive timing.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1 , further comprising a transmitter that operates using the second voltage and wirelessly transmits the detection result of the detection device.

5. The electronic device according to claim 1 , further comprising a power receiving unit that supplies a voltage to the power generating module based on power supplied from an external source of the electronic device.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the detection device detects a position of the electronic device and outputs position information.

7. The housing has a mounting tool that can be mounted on a user's body, The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the detection device includes a sensor for detecting physical information of the user.

8. A power supply circuit for an electronic device having a detection device, a power generation module including a power generation unit and a first capacitance unit that stores the electric power generated by the power generation unit; A drive unit including a plurality of circuits, including a circuit that outputs a voltage to the detection device based on the power of the power generation module; a second capacitance section electrically connected in parallel to the first capacitance section, The electronic device is housed in a portable housing, The drive unit is a first power supply circuit that outputs a first voltage to the detection device based on the power of the power generation module; a first control circuit that controls a first drive timing at which the first power supply circuit starts outputting the first voltage; a second power supply circuit that outputs a second voltage from the first voltage; a second control circuit that controls a second drive timing at which the second power supply circuit starts outputting the second voltage; The second control circuit delays the second drive timing by a predetermined time from the first drive timing.

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