Photovoltaic power-generating / power-feeding device
The solar power generation power supply device addresses the issue of decreased efficiency due to hand obstruction by allowing the solar cell panel to tilt and positioning it to maximize light exposure, while also facilitating easy maintenance and replacement.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2023163679
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-26
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-08
AI Technical Summary
Existing solar power generation power supply devices face a decrease in power generation efficiency due to the blocking of light by the user's hand when the device is held together with an electronic device.
A solar power generation power supply device with a solar cell panel that can tilt relative to its base, allowing it to be positioned in a way that minimizes hand obstruction and maximizes light exposure, while also featuring a mechanism for easy removal and replacement of the solar panel.
The device effectively suppresses the decrease in power generation efficiency by allowing more light to reach the solar cell panel, and enables easy maintenance and replacement of the solar panel without requiring extensive tools or expertise.
Smart Images

Figure 2025054565000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present invention relates to a photovoltaic power generation and power supply apparatus that includes a solar cell panel and supplies power generated by the solar cell panel to an electronic device such as a mobile terminal. [Background technology]
[0002] In recent years, solar cells are sometimes used to supply power to electronic devices such as smartphones (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also, a small power supply device capable of supplying power to an electronic device without using a commercial power source has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
[0003] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, it is conceivable to attach a small solar power generation power supply device A having a solar cell panel 202 fixed to a base 204 to an electronic device 201, and supply the electricity generated by the solar cell panel 202 to the electronic device 201 via the base 204. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-42778 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2015-142421 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0005] 20, when the photovoltaic power generation power supply apparatus A is held together with the electronic device 201 during use of the electronic device 201, a large portion of the light receiving surface 203 of the solar cell panel 202 is covered by the hand HA. The hand HA is positioned between the light source LS, such as the sun, and the light receiving surface 203. The light generated by the light source LS is largely blocked from reaching the light receiving surface 203 by the hand HA. The power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel 202 decreases by the amount of light that is blocked. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] Various aspects of a solar power generation power supply device for solving the above problems will be described below. [Aspect 1] A solar power supply apparatus comprising: a base that is removably attached to an electronic device and has a base surface on one outer surface in a thickness direction of the base; and a solar cell panel that is electrically connected to the base and has a light-receiving surface on at least one outer surface in the thickness direction of the base, wherein power generated by the solar cell panel is supplied to the electronic device via the base, wherein the solar cell panel is supported on the base by an axis, and the solar cell panel has a variable attitude relative to the base, the attitudes including a storage attitude in which the entire solar cell panel overlaps the base surface from outside the base or is contained inside the base, and also including a usage attitude in which the solar cell panel does not overlap the base surface outside the base and can tilt around the axis.
[0007] According to the above configuration, the solar power generation power supply device is attached to the electronic device at the base. The solar panel generates power according to the amount of light irradiated onto the light receiving surface. The generated power is supplied from the solar panel to the electronic device via the base.
[0008] However, when the solar cell panel in the stored position is put into the use position, the solar cell panel does not overlap with the base surface outside the base. In the use position, a space is created around the base between the solar cell panel and the base into which fingers can be inserted. By inserting fingers into this space, it is possible to hold the photovoltaic power generation supply device together with the electronic device without holding the solar cell panel. It is possible to generate power using the solar cell panel and use (operate) the electronic device. At this time, the portion of the hand located between the light source and the light receiving surface is reduced or eliminated, making it difficult for the light irradiation to the light receiving surface to be largely blocked by the hand. More light is irradiated onto the light receiving surface than when the light irradiation is largely blocked by the hand.
[0009] In addition, in the usage position, the solar panel can be tilted around the axis to orient the light receiving surface toward the light source. When the light receiving surface is orientated toward the light source, more light is irradiated onto the light receiving surface.
[0010] [Aspect 2] A solar power generation power supply device as described in [Aspect 1], wherein one of the base and the solar cell panel is provided with the shaft, and the other is provided with a bearing portion having a bearing hole, the shaft is inserted into the bearing hole so as to be removable due to relative movement between the base and the solar cell panel, the base is provided with a connected portion, and the solar cell panel is provided with a connection portion, and the connection portion is connected to the connected portion so as to be electrically detachable due to relative movement between the base and the solar cell panel.
[0011] According to the above configuration, in the event of a failure of the solar cell panel, the shaft is pulled out of the bearing hole due to the relative movement between the base and the solar cell panel, and the solar cell panel is no longer supported by the shaft and the bearing hole relative to the base. The relative movement also cuts off the connection of the connecting part to the connected part, and the solar cell panel is electrically disconnected from the base. The solar cell panel is removed from the base. This makes it possible to repair the solar cell panel in its detached state.
[0012] By the relative movement of the base and the solar cell panel in the opposite direction to the above, the shaft is inserted into the bearing hole, so that the repaired solar cell panel or another non-faulty solar cell panel is tiltably supported by the base. Also, by the relative movement in the opposite direction, the connection part of the repaired solar cell panel or another non-faulty solar cell panel is connected to the connected part, so that the non-faulty solar cell panel is electrically connected to the base via the connection part and the connected part. In this way, the faulty solar cell panel is replaced with the non-faulty solar cell panel.
[0013] When replacing the solar panel with one of a different design, the shaft is pulled out of the bearing hole by the relative movement of the base and the solar panel in the same manner as described above, and the connection of the connecting part to the connected part is interrupted. The solar panel is removed from the base.
[0014] By the relative movement of the base and the solar cell panel in the opposite direction to the above, the shaft of the solar cell panel with a different design is inserted into the bearing hole and the connection part is connected to the connected part. Then, the solar cell panel with a different design from the replaced solar cell panel is tiltably supported on the base by the shaft, and the solar cell panel is electrically connected to the base via the connection part and the connected part. In this way, the solar cell panel is replaced with a solar cell panel with a different design.
[0015] [Aspect 3] A solar power generation power supply device as described in [Aspect 2], wherein the shaft and the bearing hole extend along a first axis, the connected portion and the connecting portion are constituted by a combination of a connection hole and a terminal portion each extending along a second axis collinear with the first axis, the terminal portion is inserted into the connection hole so as to be removable as the shaft is inserted into the bearing hole, and when inserted into the connection hole, the terminal portion is supported by the inner wall surface of the connection hole so as to rotate around the second axis while in contact with the inner wall surface.
[0016] According to the above configuration, the base and the solar cell panel are moved relative to each other in the direction along the first axis and the second axis, that is, in the direction in which the shaft moves away from the bearing hole and the terminal portion moves away from the connection hole. Then, the shaft is pulled out of the bearing hole and the terminal portion is pulled out of the connection hole. The solar cell panel is no longer supported by the base, and the solar cell panel is electrically disconnected from the base.
[0017] In contrast, when the base and the solar panel are moved relative to each other in the opposite direction, the shaft is inserted into the bearing hole and the terminal is inserted into the connection hole. The solar panel is supported on the base by the shaft and the bearing hole, and is electrically connected to the base via the terminal and the connection hole.
[0018] Even with such a simple structure, it is possible to support or unsupport the solar cell panel with respect to the base by relatively moving the base and the solar cell panel in the directions along the first axis and the second axis, and it is also possible to electrically connect or disconnect the solar cell panel to or from the base.
[0019] When the attitude of the solar panel is changed, the shaft rotates about the first axis within the bearing hole. In addition, in conjunction with the rotation of the shaft, the terminal portion rotates about the second axis within the connection hole. This rotation is performed with the terminal portion in contact with the inner wall surface of the connection hole, i.e., in an electrically connected state. Therefore, while the electrical connection is maintained, the shaft rotates within the bearing hole and the terminal portion rotates within the connection hole. At this time, the terminal portion and the connection hole are unlikely to hinder the rotation of the shaft.
[0020] [Aspect 4] A solar power generation power supply device as described in [Aspect 2] or [Aspect 3], wherein the shaft is fixed to one of the members, the shaft is pressed into the bearing hole, and friction generated between the shaft and the inner wall surface of the bearing hole as the shaft is pressed into the bearing hole is set to a value that enables adjustment of the angle of the solar cell panel relative to the base.
[0021] According to the above configuration, when an external force that overcomes the friction between the axis and the inner wall surface is applied to the solar cell panel, the solar cell panel is tilted about the axis. When an external force smaller than the above magnitude is applied to the solar cell panel, or when no external force is applied, the solar cell panel is held at the tilt angle at that time due to the friction. Therefore, by adjusting the magnitude of the external force applied to the solar cell panel, the tilt angle of the solar cell panel with respect to the base is adjusted, and the solar cell panel is held at the adjusted tilt angle.
[0022] [Aspect 5] A solar power generation power supply device as described in [Aspect 2] or [Aspect 3], wherein a motor is fixed to one of the members, at least a part of the shaft is constituted by the rotating shaft of the motor, the rotating shaft is inserted into the bearing hole so as to be removable, and when inserted into the bearing hole, the rotating shaft is connected to the bearing hole so as to be rotatable integrally with the bearing hole.
[0023] According to the above configuration, when the motor shaft rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the bearing hole. This transmission of rotation causes the solar panel to tilt about the shaft relative to the base. Therefore, it is possible to tilt the solar panel and adjust the tilt angle of the solar panel relative to the base so that the light receiving surface faces the light source without applying an external force to the solar panel by hand or the like.
[0024] Furthermore, by removing the shaft from the bearing hole, the solar panel is no longer supported by the shaft and the bearing hole relative to the base. By inserting the shaft into the bearing hole, the solar panel is supported by the shaft and the bearing hole relative to the base. This makes it possible to repair and replace a broken solar panel, or to modify the solar panel for a design change.
[0025] [Aspect 6] A solar power generation power supply device as described in [Aspect 1], wherein the solar cell panel is arranged relative to the base so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, and in the stored position, the entire solar cell panel is contained within the base, and in the usage position, the portion of the solar cell panel that is supported by the axis relative to the base is located within the base, and the portion different from the support portion is located outside the base.
[0026] According to the above configuration, when the solar panel is in the usage position, many parts other than the part supported by the shaft against the base are located outside the base and do not overlap with the base surface. Therefore, a space is created around the base where fingers can be inserted. By inserting fingers into this space, it is possible to hold the solar power generation supply device together with the electronic device without holding the solar panel. It is possible to generate power using the solar panel and use the electronic device. The part of the hand that is located between the light source and the light receiving surface is reduced or eliminated, making it less likely that the light irradiation to the light receiving surface is blocked significantly by the hand. More light is irradiated onto the light receiving surface than when the light is blocked significantly by the hand.
[0027] In addition, in the usage position, the solar panel can be tilted around the axis to orient the light receiving surface toward the light source. When the light receiving surface is orientated toward the light source, more light is irradiated onto the light receiving surface.
[0028] [Aspect 7] The solar cell panel includes a thin-film solar cell having both outer portions in a thickness direction thereof constituted by a pair of base materials, and the thin-film solar cell includes a power generation layer that performs photoelectric conversion, a hole transport layer and an electron transport layer disposed on either side of the power generation layer in the thickness direction, a positive electrode connected to the hole transport layer, and a negative electrode connected to the electron transport layer, disposed between the pair of base materials, and both outer surfaces in the thickness direction of the thin-film solar cell constitute the light-receiving surface, and each base material and members disposed between the respective base materials and the power generation layer are made of a material having optical transparency. A solar power generation power supply device according to any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 6].
[0029] According to the above configuration, when light from the light source is irradiated onto the light-receiving surface of the base material on the hole transport layer side of the power generation layer in the thickness direction of the solar cell panel, the light passes through the base material and the members (including the hole transport layer) arranged between the base material and the power generation layer to reach the power generation layer.
[0030] In contrast, when light from a light source is irradiated onto the light-receiving surface of the substrate on the electron transport layer side of the power generation layer in the thickness direction of the solar cell panel, the light passes through the substrate and the members (including the electron transport layer) arranged between the substrate and the power generation layer to reach the power generation layer.
[0031] When light reaches the power generation layer as described above, holes and electrons are generated in the power generation layer by photoexcitation. The holes are transported to the positive electrode by the hole transport layer, and the electrons are transported to the negative electrode by the electron transport layer. Then, a current is extracted from the positive electrode and the negative electrode.
[0032] Therefore, when the light-receiving surface of any of the substrates is irradiated with light, that is, when the light-receiving surface of any of the substrates is directed toward the light source, power is generated in the power generation layer. [Aspect 8] A solar power generation power supply device as described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 6], wherein the solar cell panel includes a pair of thin-film solar cells having one outer surface in the thickness direction of the solar cell as the light-receiving surface, and the pair of thin-film solar cells are arranged back-to-back so that the light-receiving surfaces constitute both outer surfaces in the thickness direction of the solar cell panel.
[0033] According to the above configuration, when the light from the light source is irradiated onto the light receiving surface of either thin-film solar cell, power is generated in the thin-film solar cell having the irradiated light receiving surface. Therefore, power is generated when either light receiving surface faces the light source.
[0034] [Aspect 9] A solar power generation power supply device described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 8], wherein the base includes a power storage unit that stores power generated by the solar panel, and a power transmission unit that transmits the power stored in the power storage unit to the electronic device via contactless power supply.
[0035] According to the above configuration, the power generated by the solar panel is stored in the power storage unit in the base. The power stored in the power storage unit is transmitted to the electronic device by the power transmission unit in the base. The transmitted power operates the electronic device and performs the functions of the electronic device. In particular, when the electronic device has a power storage unit, it is possible to store the supplied power in the power storage unit.
[0036] In addition, the power is transmitted to the electronic device by a non-contact power supply. Therefore, if the electronic device supports non-contact power supply and operates using power stored in its own power storage unit, the electronic device can receive the transmitted power without being connected to the solar power supply device by a cable, which improves convenience. Effect of the Invention
[0037] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the power generation efficiency of a solar cell panel. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0038] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a usage mode of the solar power generation power supply device in the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a side view showing a state in which a solar power generation power supply device in a first embodiment is attached to a mobile terminal. [Diagram 3] 1 is a front view of a solar power generation power supply device according to a first embodiment attached to a mobile terminal, as viewed from the solar power generation power supply device side. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged partial front view of a portion X in FIG. 3. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a solar cell panel according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a base portion attached to a mobile terminal and a solar panel separated from each other in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the support structure in the first embodiment, with the shaft removed from the bearing hole. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view showing the relay structure in the first embodiment, in which a terminal portion is removed from a connection hole. [Figure 10] 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a solar power generation power supply device in a first embodiment, together with a mobile terminal. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a side view showing another usage mode of the solar power generation power supply device in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a side view showing an example of a usage mode of the solar power generation power supply device in the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a side view showing another usage mode of the solar power generation power supply device in the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a modified example of the first embodiment, and corresponds to FIG. 4, and is a partial front view showing a state in which a shaft (a rotating shaft and an external gear) is inserted into a bearing hole. [Figure 15] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modified example of the first embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 8, and is a partially exploded perspective view showing a state in which the shaft (the rotating shaft and the external gear) has been extracted from the bearing hole. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a modified example of the first embodiment, illustrating a usage mode of the photovoltaic power generation power supply device corresponding to FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modification of the second embodiment, and is a side view showing a usage mode of the photovoltaic power generation power supply device corresponding to FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modification of the second embodiment, and is a schematic configuration diagram of a solar cell panel corresponding to FIG. 5. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a state in which a conventional solar power generation power supply apparatus is attached to an electronic device. [Figure 20]FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a usage state of a conventional solar power generation power supply device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of a solar power generation power supply device will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 11.
[0040] The solar power generation power supply device A is a device that is attached to an electronic device and supplies power generated by a solar panel to the electronic device. <Mobile terminal 10> 2 and 3, in the first embodiment, a mobile terminal 10, which is a portable communication device such as a smartphone or a mobile phone, is used as the electronic device. A smartphone is a portable telephone terminal having many functions in addition to the calling function of a mobile phone. For example, a smartphone has an imaging function using a camera, a Web information display function like a personal computer, and the like.
[0041] The outer shell of the mobile terminal 10 is in the shape of a rectangular plate. Although not shown, the mobile terminal 10 has a CPU, a memory, a display, an input device, a communication device, etc. As shown in Fig. 10, the mobile terminal 10 has a built-in power storage unit 11 made of a secondary battery, and is configured to use the power storage unit 11 as a power source to perform its own functions.
[0042] 1 and 3, a camera is incorporated at one end in the longitudinal direction of the mobile terminal 10. A lens 12 of this camera is exposed at a back surface 13 of the mobile terminal 10.
[0043] The solar power generation power supply device A includes a base 20 and a solar cell panel 50. <Base 20> 2 and 7, the base 20 includes a first functional portion 21 and a second functional portion 31. In order to define each portion of the base 20, two directions perpendicular to each other are referred to as a width direction and a length direction, and a direction perpendicular to both directions is referred to as a thickness direction.
[0044] The first functional portion 21 and the second functional portion 31 are adjacent to each other in the length direction. The dimension W1 of the first functional portion 21 in the width direction and the dimension W2 of the second functional portion 31 in the same direction are set to be the same. The dimension L2 of the second functional portion 31 in the length direction is set to be longer than the dimension L1 of the first functional portion 21 in the same direction.
[0045] 2 and 6, the first functional portion 21 has a rectangular cross section. As shown in Fig. 7, the second functional portion 31 has a rectangular plate shape in which the lengthwise dimension L2 is longer than the widthwise dimension W2.
[0046] 2 and 6, one outer surface of the first functional part 21 in the thickness direction of the base 20 is referred to as a front surface 22, and the other outer surface is referred to as a back surface 23. In addition, both outer surfaces of the first functional part 21 in the width direction of the base 20 are referred to as side surfaces 24, 25, as shown in Figs.
[0047] 2 and 6, one outer surface of the second functional portion 31 in the thickness direction is referred to as a front surface 32, and the other outer surface is referred to as a back surface 33. The back surface 23 of the first functional portion 21 and the back surface 33 of the second functional portion 31 are located on the same plane. In addition, as shown in Figs. 3 and 7, both outer surfaces of the second functional portion 31 in the width direction of the base 20 are referred to as side surfaces 35, 36.
[0048] As shown in Fig. 2, a dimension T1 of the first functional portion 21 in the thickness direction is set to be larger than a dimension T2 of the second functional portion 31 in the same direction. A surface 22 of the first functional portion 21 is located farther from the rear surfaces 23, 33 than a surface 32 of the second functional portion 31. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, a step surface 34 extending in the thickness direction and the width direction is formed between the surface 22 of the first functional portion 21 and the surface 32 of the second functional portion 31. The surface 32 of the second functional portion 31 constitutes a base surface of the base 20.
[0049] 2 and 6, the base 20 is removably attached to the mobile terminal 10 with both back surfaces 23, 33 superimposed on the back surface 13 of the mobile terminal 10. This attachment is performed, for example, by adsorbing the base 20 to a fixed position on the mobile terminal 10 using a magnet arranged in at least one of the interior of the second functional unit 31 of the base 20 and the interior of the mobile terminal 10. This attachment is preferably performed with the lens 12 exposed. This is to enable imaging by the camera even when the base 20 is attached to the mobile terminal 10.
[0050] When the base part 20 is attached to the mobile terminal 10, the surface 22 of the first functional part 21 is located farther from the rear surface 13 of the mobile terminal 10 than the surface 32 (base surface) of the second functional part 31.
[0051] Furthermore, the base 20 is formed in a shape and size that allows it to be held together with the mobile terminal 10. The size here includes the thickness. 10, the base 20 includes a power receiving unit 41, a power storage unit 42, a power transmitting unit 43, and a control unit 44. The power receiving unit 41 is electrically connected to the solar cell panel 50 to receive power supplied from the solar cell panel 50. The electrical connection structure (relay structure RS) of the power receiving unit 41 with the solar cell panel 50 will be described later.
[0052] The power storage unit 42 is configured by a secondary battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery. The power transmission unit 43 transmits (supplies) a part of the power stored in the power storage unit 42 to the mobile terminal 10. The control unit 44 is realized, for example, by a hardware processor such as a CPU executing a program (software). The control unit 44 controls the transmission (supply) of power from the power transmission unit 43 to the mobile terminal 10. The control unit 44 also controls the storage of the power received through the power receiving unit 41 in the power storage unit 42 based on the charging state of the power storage unit 42.
[0053] The power receiving unit 41, the power storage unit 42, a part of the power transmitting unit 43, and the control unit 44 are disposed, for example, inside the first functional unit 21 of the base 20. The power is supplied from the power transmitting unit 43 to the mobile terminal 10 by a contactless (wireless) power transmission method capable of transmitting power without using metal contacts, connectors, etc. This method is also called non-contact power supply or non-contact power transmission. In the first embodiment, of the methods called non-radiative methods that can be used in a relatively close range, electromagnetic induction type contactless power transmission is adopted. The power transmitting unit 43 includes a power transmitting coil (not shown) as a primary coil that generates a magnetic field (magnetic flux) when a current flows through it. The power transmitting coil is disposed inside the second functional unit 31 in the base 20.
[0054] On the other hand, the mobile terminal 10 includes a power receiving coil (not shown) as a secondary coil. Then, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 6, when the rear surfaces 23, 33 of the base 20 are placed on and attracted to the rear surface 13 of the mobile terminal 10, the power transmitting coil and the power receiving coil are electromagnetically coupled to convert the magnetic field into electric power. The converted electric power is stored in the power storage unit 11 (see Fig. 10) of the mobile terminal 10.
[0055] As a non-contact power supply method, a magnetic resonance method, an electric field coupling method, a radio wave receiving method, or the like may be used instead of the above-mentioned electromagnetic induction method. <Solar panel 50> As shown in FIG. 1, the solar cell panel 50 has a thin plate shape with a planar expansion. In the first embodiment, a film-based thin-film solar cell 51 (see FIG. 5) such as a perovskite solar cell is adopted as the solar cell panel 50. The solar cell panel 50 has a rectangular plate shape. Here, in order to define each part of the solar cell panel 50, two mutually perpendicular directions are referred to as a width direction and a length direction, and a direction perpendicular to both directions is referred to as a thickness direction. As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the solar cell panel 50 has a pair of side faces 52, 53 and a pair of end faces 54, 55 on its outer periphery. The side faces 52, 53 face each other in the width direction and extend in the length direction in parallel to each other. The end faces 54, 55 face each other in the length direction and extend in the width direction in parallel to each other. The solar cell panel 50 has one of both outer faces in the thickness direction, which in the first embodiment is the face farther from the surface 32 of the second functional part 31, as a light receiving surface 56.
[0056] FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of a thin-film solar cell 51. Both outer portions in the thickness direction (left and right direction in FIG. 5) of the thin-film solar cell 51 are configured by a pair of base materials 61, 75. Both base materials 61, 75 are formed of a transparent or semi-transparent material having optical transparency, such as a resin film, glass, or the like.
[0057] The thin-film solar cell 51 includes a power generating layer 66, a hole transport layer 67, an electron transport layer 68, positive electrodes 62 and 71, a negative electrode 63, and a sealing material 74 between the base materials 61 and 75. The power generation layer 66 is a layer that absorbs light generated by the light source LS and performs photoelectric conversion. A representative example of the light source LS is the sun, but it may also be a lighting fixture or the like.
[0058] The power generation layer 66 is formed of a metal halide material having a perovskite structure (hereinafter referred to as a "perovskite compound"). The perovskite compound has an octahedral crystal structure represented by AMX3 (A is a monovalent cation, M is a divalent metal cation, and X is a halide ion).
[0059] The hole transport layer 67 and the electron transport layer 68 are disposed on either side in the thickness direction of the power generation layer 66. The hole transport layer 67 is laminated on the surface of the power generation layer 66 facing the substrate 75. The electron transport layer 68 is laminated on the surface of the power generation layer 66 facing the substrate 61.
[0060] The positive electrodes 62 and 71 are electrically connected to the hole transport layer 67. The positive electrode 62 is laminated on the surface of the substrate 61 facing the substrate 75, or in other words, on the inner surface in the thickness direction of the substrate 61. A portion of the positive electrode 62 is located between the substrate 61 and the electron transport layer 68.
[0061] The positive electrode 71 includes a main electrode section 72 and a connecting electrode section 73. The entire positive electrode 71 is formed of a metal material having electrical conductivity. The main electrode section 72 is laminated on the surface of the hole transport layer 67 opposite to the power generation layer 66 (the substrate 75 side). The connecting electrode section 73 extends in the thickness direction of the thin-film solar cell 51 and penetrates the hole transport layer 67, the power generation layer 66, and the electron transport layer 68. One end of the connecting electrode section 73 is connected to the main electrode section 72, and the other end is connected to the positive electrode 62. A wiring member 64 is connected to the positive electrode 62.
[0062] The negative electrode 63 is connected to the electron transport layer 68. The negative electrode 63 is laminated on the inner surface in the thickness direction of the base material 61 at a location spaced apart from the positive electrode 62. A part of the negative electrode 63 is located between the base material 61 and the electron transport layer 68. A wiring member 65 is connected to the negative electrode 63.
[0063] The positive electrode 62 and the negative electrode 63 are both transparent or translucent, and are formed of a material that is light-transmitting and conductive, such as a metal oxide film such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or zinc oxide (ZnO).
[0064] The sealant 74 covers the power generation layer 66 , the hole transport layer 67 , the electron transport layer 68 and the main electrode section 72 between the positive electrode 62 and the negative electrode 63 and the substrate 75 . In the thin-film solar cell 51 configured as described above, the surface of the base material 61 opposite to the base material 75, ie, one outer surface of the base material 61 in the thickness direction of the thin-film solar cell 51, constitutes the light-receiving surface 56.
[0065] <Support structure SS> As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 7 and 8, the solar panel 50 is mechanically supported on the base 20 by the following support structure SS.
[0066] When the solar cell panel 50 is supported on the base 20, a protrusion 81 protrudes toward the first functional unit 21 from a portion of the outer periphery of the solar cell panel 50, that is, in the first embodiment, an end face 54 on the side close to the first functional unit 21, at a location close to one side face 53. The tip face of the protrusion 81 in the protruding direction is configured by a curved surface 81a that curves so as to bulge toward the first functional unit 21. The curved surface 81a is provided to avoid interference between the protrusion 81 and the step surface 34 of the first functional unit 21 when the solar cell panel 50 is tilted. The protrusion 81 is provided with a shaft 82 that extends along a first axis AL1 parallel to the width direction and is fixed to the protrusion 81. The shaft 82 protrudes from the protrusion 81 toward the side face 53.
[0067] Meanwhile, in the step surface 34 of the first functional portion 21, a bearing portion 26 protrudes from a portion adjacent to one side surface 25 of the first functional portion 21 toward an end surface 54 of the solar cell panel 50. In the bearing portion 26, a curved surface 26a is formed by chamfering at a boundary portion between a surface on a side farther from the first functional portion 21 in the length direction and a surface on a side farther from the surface 32 of the second functional portion 31 in the thickness direction. The curved surface 26a is provided to prevent interference between the bearing portion 26 and the end surface 54 of the solar cell panel 50 when the solar cell panel 50 tilts.
[0068] A bearing hole 27 is formed in the bearing portion 26 at a location on the same line as the first axis AL1. The bearing hole 27 opens in an end face 26b of the bearing portion 26 on the side surface 24 (protrusion 81) side in the width direction, and extends along the first axis AL1 toward the side surface 25. The shaft 82 is inserted into the bearing hole 27 so as to be removable by relative movement of the base 20 and the solar cell panel 50.
[0069] <Relay structure RS> 3, 7 and 9, the solar panel 50 is electrically releasably connected to the base 20 by the following relay structure RS. This releasable connection is achieved by the relative movement of the base 20 and the solar panel 50.
[0070] A connected portion is provided on the base 20, and a connecting portion is provided on the solar cell panel 50. The connected portion and the connecting portion are configured by a combination of a connection hole 29 and a terminal portion 84, which respectively extend along a second axis AL2 that is collinear with the first axis AL1.
[0071] In the first embodiment, a connection hole 29 is provided as a connected portion, and a terminal portion 84 is provided as a connecting portion. More specifically, a protrusion 28 protrudes toward the solar cell panel 50 from a portion of the stepped surface 34 of the first functional portion 21 that is spaced from the bearing portion 26 toward the side surface 24 in the width direction. A curved surface 28a is formed by chamfering at a boundary portion of the protrusion 28 between a surface farther from the first functional portion 21 in the length direction and a surface farther from the surface 32 of the second functional portion 31 in the thickness direction. The curved surface 28a is provided to avoid interference between the protrusion 28 and an end surface 54 of the solar cell panel 50 when the solar cell panel 50 is tilted.
[0072] The connection hole 29 is opened in an end surface 28b of the protrusion 28 on the side surface 24 side in the width direction. The connection hole 29 extends along the second axis AL2 toward the side surface 25. A positive terminal receiving portion and a negative terminal receiving portion (both not shown) which are insulated from each other are provided on an inner wall surface 29a of the connection hole 29. The positive terminal receiving portion and the negative terminal receiving portion are connected to the power receiving portion 41 (see FIG. 10) in the base 20 described above.
[0073] Meanwhile, in the end face 54 of the solar cell panel 50 closer to the first functional unit 21, a protrusion 83 protrudes from a location closer to the side face 52 toward the step face 34 of the first functional unit 21. The tip face of the protrusion 83 in the protruding direction is configured with a curved surface 83a that curves so as to bulge toward the first functional unit 21. The curved surface 83a is provided to prevent interference between the protrusion 83 and the step face 34 of the first functional unit 21 when the solar cell panel 50 is tilted.
[0074] The terminal portion 84 is provided in a fixed state relative to the protrusion 83. The terminal portion 84 protrudes from the protrusion 83 toward the side surface 53 along the second axis AL2. The terminal portion 84 includes a positive terminal portion and a negative terminal portion (both not shown) that are insulated from each other. The positive electrode 62 is electrically connected to the positive terminal portion via the wiring member 64. The negative electrode 63 is electrically connected to the negative terminal portion via the wiring member 65.
[0075] The terminal portion 84 is inserted into the connection hole 29 so as to be removable when the shaft 82 is inserted into the bearing hole 27. The terminal portion 84 inserted into the connection hole 29 is supported by the inner wall surface 29a so as to rotate about the second axis AL2 while in contact with the inner wall surface 29a.
[0076] The state in which the terminal portion 84 is in contact with the inner wall surface 29a means that the terminal portion 84 and the connection hole 29 are electrically connected. That is, the positive terminal portion is in contact with and electrically connected to the positive terminal receiving portion, and the negative terminal portion is in contact with and electrically connected to the negative terminal receiving portion.
[0077] When the shaft 82 is pulled out from the bearing hole 27, the terminal portion 84 is pulled out from the connection hole 29, and the electrical connection of the terminal portion 84 to the connection hole 29 is cut off.
[0078] <About the posture of the solar panel 50> The solar cell panel 50 is capable of changing its attitude relative to the base 20. The attitudes include a storage attitude and a usage attitude.
[0079] 2, the stored position is a position in which the entire solar cell panel 50 overlaps with the surface 32 (base surface) of the second functional unit 31 from outside the base 20. In the stored position, the solar cell panel 50 is parallel to the surface 32 and is not inclined relative to the surface 32.
[0080] 2, the usage position is a position in which the entire solar cell panel 50 is outside the base 20, does not overlap with the surface 32 (base surface), and can tilt about the axis 82. In the usage position, the solar cell panel 50 is inclined with respect to the surface 32.
[0081] 8, the shaft 82 is inserted into the bearing hole 27 by press-fitting. As a result of the press-fitting, friction is generated between the outer circumferential surface of the shaft 82 and the inner wall surface 27a of the bearing hole 27. This friction is set to a value that allows angle adjustment of the solar cell panel 50 relative to the base 20 in the usage position.
[0082] The angle adjustment here means changing the tilt angle of the solar cell panel 50 relative to the base 20 within a predetermined angle range and holding the solar cell panel 50 at the changed tilt angle. The tilt angle is changed by tilting the solar cell panel 50 around the axis 82.
[0083] Furthermore, due to the above friction, when the solar cell panel 50 is tilted with the hand HA, a load of an appropriate magnitude is generated as an operating load. When an external force having a magnitude sufficient to overcome the friction is applied to the solar cell panel 50 in the thickness direction, the solar cell panel 50 is tilted about the axis 82. On the other hand, if an external force is applied to the solar cell panel 50 but the external force is smaller than the magnitude sufficient to overcome the friction, or if no external force is applied, the solar cell panel 50 is maintained at the tilt angle at that time.
[0084] Next, the operation of the first embodiment configured as above will be described. <Power Supply to the Mobile Terminal 10> 2, the solar power generation power supply device A is attached to the back surface 13 of the mobile terminal 10 of a type that supports contactless power supply at the base 20. That is, the back surfaces 23, 33 of the base 20 are positioned and placed on the back surface 13, and the base 20 is attracted to the mobile terminal 10 by the magnetic force of the magnet. As a result of the attraction, the power transmission coil of the solar cell panel 50 and the power receiving coil of the mobile terminal 10 are electromagnetically coupled, and the solar power generation power supply device A is electrically connected to the mobile terminal 10.
[0085] 10, the power stored in the power storage unit 42 of the base 20 is transmitted to the mobile terminal 10 by contactless power supply as a result of the control unit 44 controlling the power transmission unit 43, and is stored in the power storage unit 11. The power supply from the solar power generation power supply device A to the mobile terminal 10 is possible regardless of the attitude of the solar cell panel 50.
[0086] 11, the mobile terminal 10 operates using power stored in the power storage unit 11, and performs its own functions such as calling and communication. The above-mentioned operation of the mobile terminal 10 is possible whether the solar power generation power supply device A is attached to the mobile terminal 10 or not. Furthermore, when the solar power generation power supply device A is attached, the mobile terminal 10 can operate regardless of the attitude of the solar panel 50.
[0087] <Power generation and storage by solar power supply device A> Here, as shown in FIG. 5, in the solar cell panel 50, as described above, the base material 61 having the light receiving surface 56 and the member located between the base material 61 and the power generation layer 66 in the thin-film solar cell 51 have light transmittance. Therefore, in the solar power generation power supply device A, when the light receiving surface 56 of the solar cell panel 50 is directed toward the light source LS, the light from the light source LS is irradiated onto the light receiving surface 56. The solar cell panel 50 generates power according to the amount of light irradiated onto the light receiving surface 56. That is, a part of the light irradiated onto the light receiving surface 56 passes through the base material 61, the positive electrode 62, and the electron transport layer 68, respectively, and reaches the power generation layer 66. Another part of the light passes through the base material 61, the negative electrode 63, and the electron transport layer 68, respectively, and reaches the power generation layer 66. Another part of the light passes through the base material 61 and the electron transport layer 68, respectively, and reaches the power generation layer 66.
[0088] In the power generation layer 66, holes and electrons are generated by photoexcitation. The holes are transported to the positive electrodes 71 and 62 by the hole transport layer 67. The electrons are transported to the negative electrode 63 by the electron transport layer 68. Then, a current is taken out from the wiring member 64 connected to the positive electrode 62 and the wiring member 65 connected to the negative electrode 63.
[0089] The power generation is possible by orienting the light receiving surface 56 of the solar cell panel 50 in the storage position shown in Figures 2 and 3 toward the light source LS. The power generation is also possible by orienting the light receiving surface 56 of the solar cell panel 50 in the usage position toward the light source LS. At this time, as shown in Figure 1, the solar cell panel 50 may be tilted while the base 20 is held together with the mobile terminal 10, so that the light receiving surface 56 is orientated toward the light source LS.
[0090] 11, the solar power generation power supply device A with the solar cell panel 50 tilted relative to the base 20 may be placed on a flat surface FS such as a desk without being held by a hand HA. In this case, both the base 20 and the solar cell panel 50 are placed in a tilted state relative to the flat surface FS. It becomes possible to generate power using the solar cell panel 50 while the mobile terminal 10 is held in a tilted state by the solar power generation power supply device A. At this time, the tilted mobile terminal 10 may be used for calls, communications, and the like.
[0091] Although not shown, the above power generation is also possible even when the solar power generation power supply device A is not attached to the mobile terminal 10 and is used alone. 5, 9, and 10, the power generated by the solar cell panel 50 is supplied to the power receiving unit 41 via the wiring members 64, 65, the terminal unit 84, and the connection hole 29. The power is stored in the power storage unit 42 by the control unit 44 controlling the power receiving unit 41.
[0092] <Regarding prevention of decrease in power generation efficiency of solar cell panel 50> Here, when using the portable terminal 10 equipped with the photovoltaic power supply device A, if the portable terminal 10 is held by the hand HA and the solar cell panel 50 is in a stored position, the light receiving surface 56 may be covered by the hand HA. This is because, in the stored position, the solar cell panel 50 overlaps with the surface 32 (base surface) from the outside of the base 20 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 2, and the photovoltaic power supply device A has a compact shape and size suitable for holding. That is, when the solar cell panel 50 is in the stored position, the photovoltaic power supply device A becomes in a similar state to the conventional photovoltaic power supply device A in which the solar cell panel 202 is fixed to the base 204 as shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20. In this case, the hand HA is located between the light source LS and the light receiving surface 56, and the light irradiation to the light receiving surface 56 is largely blocked by the hand HA. The light irradiated to the light receiving surface 56 is reduced by the amount of light blocked by the hand HA, and the power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel 50 decreases.
[0093] In this regard, as shown in Fig. 2, the solar cell panel 50 can tilt around an axis 82. Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 8, friction is generated between the axis 82 and the inner wall surface 27a of the bearing hole 27, which is large enough to allow the angle of the solar cell panel 50 relative to the base 20 to be adjusted.
[0094] As shown in FIG. 3, a terminal portion 84 positioned on the same line as the shaft 82 supports the solar cell panel 50 in an auxiliary manner so as to be tiltable relative to the base portion 20. An external force is applied from a thickness direction by a hand HA to the solar cell panel 50 in the above-mentioned stored position. When an external force large enough to overcome the above-mentioned friction is applied to the solar cell panel 50, the solar cell panel 50 is tilted about the axis 82. This tilting causes the solar cell panel 50 to assume a usage position outside the base 20 where it does not overlap with the surface 32 (base surface).
[0095] In contrast, when an external force is applied to the solar cell panel 50 but the external force is smaller than the magnitude required to overcome the friction, or when no external force is applied, the solar cell panel 50 is maintained at the tilt angle at that time due to the friction. Therefore, by adjusting the magnitude of the external force applied to the solar cell panel 50, the tilt angle of the solar cell panel 50 relative to the base 20 is adjusted, and the solar cell panel 50 is maintained at the adjusted tilt angle.
[0096] When the inclination angle of the solar cell panel 50 with respect to the base 20 becomes large to a certain extent, a space is generated around the base 20 between the solar cell panel 50 and the base 20, into which a finger FI can be inserted. As shown in FIG. 1, by inserting a finger FI into this space, it is possible to hold the solar cell power generation supply device A together with the mobile terminal 10 without holding the solar cell panel 50 at all or hardly at all. It is possible to use (operate) the mobile terminal 10 while generating power with the solar cell panel 50. The portion of the hand HA located between the light source LS and the light receiving surface 56 is reduced or eliminated, and the light irradiation to the light receiving surface 56 is less likely to be blocked significantly by the hand HA. More light is irradiated to the light receiving surface 56 than in the conventional solar cell power generation supply device A in which the light irradiation is blocked significantly by the hand HA.
[0097] In addition, in the usage position, when the solar cell panel 50 is tilted about the axis 82 so that the light receiving surface 56 faces the light source LS, more light is irradiated onto the light receiving surface 56. When the attitude of the solar cell panel 50 is changed, the shaft 82 is rotated about the first axis AL1 in the bearing hole 27 as shown in Fig. 8. In accordance with the rotation of the shaft 82, the terminal portion 84 is rotated about the second axis AL2 in the connection hole 29 as shown in Fig. 9. The rotation of the terminal portion 84 is performed in a state where the terminal portion 84 is in contact with the inner wall surface 29a of the connection hole 29, i.e., in a state where an electrical connection is maintained, and without interfering with the rotation of the shaft 82 relative to the bearing hole 27.
[0098] <Replacement of solar panel 50> In the event of a failure of the solar cell panel 50, the base 20 and the solar cell panel 50 are moved relatively in the directions along the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2, that is, in the direction in which the shaft 82 moves away from the bearing hole 27 and the terminal portion 84 moves away from the connection hole 29. Then, as shown in Fig. 7, the shaft 82 is pulled out of the bearing hole 27, and the solar cell panel 50 is no longer supported by the base 20 by the bearing hole 27 and the shaft 82. In addition, the terminal portion 84 is pulled out of the connection hole 29, and the connection of the connection portion to the connected portion is interrupted. The electrical connection of the solar cell panel 50 to the base 20 is cut off.
[0099] The solar cell panel 50 is in a state where it is detached from the base 20. Therefore, it becomes possible to repair the solar cell panel 50 in the detached state. It becomes possible to repair the solar cell panel 50 at a location away from the base 20.
[0100] Here, the repaired solar cell panel 50 or another solar cell panel 50 that is not broken will be referred to as a new solar cell panel 50. The base 20 and the new solar cell panel 50 are moved relative to each other in the opposite direction to the above. The opposite direction is a direction along the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2 in which the shaft 82 approaches the bearing hole 27 and the terminal portion 84 approaches the connection hole 29. Then, the shaft 82 is inserted into the bearing hole 27, and the new solar cell panel 50 is supported by the shaft 82 so as to be tiltable on the base 20. In addition, the terminal portion 84 is inserted into the connection hole 29, and the new solar cell panel 50 is electrically connected to the base 20 via the terminal portion 84 and the connection hole 29. In this way, the faulty solar cell panel 50 is replaced with a non-faulty solar cell panel 50.
[0101] Furthermore, when replacing the solar cell panel 50 with one of a different design, the shaft 82 is pulled out of the bearing hole 27 by the relative movement of the base 20 and the solar cell panel 50 in the same manner as described above. Also, the terminal portion 84 is pulled out of the connection hole 29. The solar cell panel 50 is in a state of being detached from the base 20.
[0102] By the relative movement in the opposite direction to the above, the shaft 82 of the solar cell panel 50 with a different design is inserted into the bearing hole 27, and the terminal portion 84 is inserted into the connection hole 29. Then, the solar cell panel 50 with a different design from the solar cell panel 50 before replacement is tiltably supported on the base 20 by the shaft 82, and is electrically connected to the base 20 via the terminal portion 84 and the connection hole 29. In this way, the solar cell panel 50 is replaced with the solar cell panel 50 with a different design.
[0103] Next, the effects of the first embodiment will be described. (1-1) As shown in Fig. 2, the solar cell panel 50 is supported by a shaft 82 relative to the base 20. By tilting the solar cell panel 50 about the shaft 82, the attitude of the solar cell panel 50 relative to the base 20 can be changed.
[0104] Therefore, by putting the solar cell panel 50 in the usage position, the solar power generation power supply device A can be held together with the mobile terminal 10 without gripping the solar cell panel 50 at all or without gripping much of the solar cell panel 50. This prevents the light irradiation to the light receiving surface 56 from being significantly blocked by the hand HA, and prevents a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel 50 caused by the blocking.
[0105] In addition, in the usage position, the solar cell panel 50 can be tilted around the axis 82 to face the light receiving surface 56 toward the light source LS, thereby allowing more light to be irradiated onto the light receiving surface 56 and increasing the power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel 50.
[0106] (1-2) Here, in the usage position, the solar cell panel 50 is inclined with respect to the base 20 as indicated by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 2. Therefore, the overall size of the solar power generation power supply device A in the thickness direction becomes large.
[0107] In contrast, in the first embodiment, when the solar cell panel 50 is in the stored posture, the entire solar cell panel 50 overlaps with the front surface 32 (base surface) as shown by the solid line in Fig. 2. Therefore, the overall size of the solar power generation power supply device A in the thickness direction can be made smaller in the stored posture than in the usage posture.
[0108] (1-3) As shown in Figs. 7 to 9, a shaft 82 is provided on the solar cell panel 50, and a bearing portion 26 having a bearing hole 27 is provided on the base 20. The shaft 82 is inserted into the bearing hole 27 so as to be removable by relative movement between the base 20 and the solar cell panel 50. A connected portion is provided on the base 20, and a connecting portion is provided on the solar cell panel 50. The connecting portion is connected to the connected portion so as to be electrically detachable by the above-mentioned relative movement.
[0109] Therefore, if the solar cell panel 50 breaks down, it can be removed from the base 20 and repaired. The repaired solar cell panel 50 or another solar cell panel 50 that is not broken can be attached to the base 20. In addition, the solar cell panel 50 can be replaced with one with a different design.
[0110] It should be noted that the base 20 does not need to be replaced or purchased again. (1-4) As shown in Figures 7 to 9, the shaft 82 and the bearing hole 27 extend along the first axis AL1. The connected portion and the connecting portion are configured by a combination of a connection hole 29 and a terminal portion 84, which respectively extend along a second axis AL2 that is aligned with the first axis AL1. The terminal portion 84 is inserted into the connection hole 29 so as to be removable as the shaft 82 is inserted into the bearing hole 27. When the terminal portion 84 is inserted into the connection hole 29, the terminal portion 84 is supported by the inner wall surface 29a of the connection hole 29 in contact with the inner wall surface 29a so as to rotate about the second axis AL2.
[0111] Therefore, even with the above-mentioned simple structure, by relatively moving the base 20 and the solar cell panel 50 in the directions along the first axis AL1 and the second axis AL2, the solar cell panel 50 can be supported or unsupported with respect to the base 20. In addition, the solar cell panel 50 can be electrically connected to or disconnected from the base 20.
[0112] (1-5) By adopting the configuration of (1-4) above, it is possible to rotate the shaft 82 in the bearing hole 27 while maintaining electrical connection, and to rotate the terminal portion 84 in the connection hole 29. In addition, it is possible to prevent the terminal portion 84 and the connection hole 29 from interfering with the rotation of the shaft 82 in the bearing hole 27.
[0113] (1-6) As shown in FIG. 8 , friction generated between the shaft 82 and the inner wall surface 27a of the bearing hole 27 due to the press-fitting of the shaft 82 into the bearing hole 27 is set to a value that enables adjustment of the angle of the solar cell panel 50 relative to the base 20.
[0114] Therefore, by adjusting the magnitude of the external force applied to the solar cell panel 50 in the thickness direction, the tilt angle of the solar cell panel 50 relative to the base 20 can be adjusted, and the solar cell panel 50 can be held at the adjusted tilt angle.
[0115] (1-7) As shown in FIG. 10, the base 20 is provided with a power storage unit 42 that stores power generated by the solar panel 50, and a power transmission unit 43 that transmits the power stored in the power storage unit 42 to the mobile terminal 10 via contactless power supply.
[0116] Therefore, even if the mobile terminal 10 is not connected to the base 20 of the solar power generation power supply device A by a cable or the like, it can receive the transmitted power and store the power in the power storage unit 11. By attaching the solar power generation power supply device A to the mobile terminal 10, it is possible to easily charge the power storage unit 11 without having to worry about the connection state between the mobile terminal 10 and the solar power generation power supply device A. In addition, since there is no need to carry a cable, convenience is improved.
[0117] (1-8) As shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the solar power generation power supply device A is attached to the mobile terminal 10 at a location away from the lens 12. Therefore, with the solar power generation power supply device A attached to the mobile terminal 10, an image can be captured by the camera.
[0118] Second embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the photovoltaic power generation power supply device A will be described with reference to Figs.
[0119] Similar to the first embodiment, the solar cell panel 50 of the second embodiment has a rectangular plate shape whose length is longer than its width. The base 20 has a rectangular plate shape that is longer in the length direction than in the width direction. Although the shape of the base 20 is slightly different from that described in the first embodiment, the base 20 includes a power receiving unit 41, a power storage unit 42, a power transmitting unit 43, and a control unit 44 shown in FIG.
[0120] The dimension of the base 20 in the width direction is greater than the dimension of the solar cell panel 50 in the same direction. The dimension of the base 20 in the length direction is greater than the dimension of the solar cell panel 50 in the same direction. 12 and 13, one outer surface in the thickness direction of the base 20 is referred to as a front surface 37, and the other outer surface is referred to as a back surface 38. When the solar power generation power supply device A is attached to the mobile terminal 10, the front surface 37 is located on the side farther from the back surface 13 of the mobile terminal 10, and the back surface 38 faces (contacts) the back surface 13.
[0121] The base 20 has at least a part of the surface 37, and in the second embodiment, the entire surface 37 as a base surface. The base 20 is provided with a storage section 91 for the solar cell panel 50. The storage section 91 is a space large enough to store the entire solar cell panel 50, for example, slightly larger than the solar cell panel 50. The storage section 91 extends in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base 20, more specifically, in both the length direction and the width direction. The storage section 91 is opened in a part of the outer periphery of the base 20. In the second embodiment, the storage section 91 is opened in one end surface 92 in the length direction of the base 20. This end surface 92 is the end surface farther from the lens 12 when the base 20 is attached to the mobile terminal 10, out of both outer end surfaces in the length direction.
[0122] Grooves 93 extending in the length direction are formed on an inner wall surface 91a of the storage portion 91 at a pair of locations opposing each other in the width direction. Meanwhile, shafts 85 protruding outward in both directions in the width direction are provided on one end of each of both side surfaces 52, 53 (only one side surface 53 is shown in Figs. 12 and 13) of the solar cell panel 50 in the longitudinal direction. Both shafts 85 are located on the same line.
[0123] With the shaft 85 slidably engaged with the groove 93, the solar cell panel 50 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 91 so as to be capable of being inserted and removed therefrom. In other words, the solar cell panel 50 is arranged in the base 20 so as to be capable of sliding in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction.
[0124] A relay mechanism (not shown) that electrically connects the solar cell panel 50 and the base 20 is provided between them. For example, the relay mechanism may be one in which one shaft 85 has a configuration similar to the connection portion (terminal portion 84) in the first embodiment, and a groove 93 with which the shaft 85 engages has a configuration similar to the connected portion (connection hole 29) in the first embodiment.
[0125] In the second embodiment, the storage position is a position in which the entire solar cell panel 50 is accommodated in the accommodation section 91, that is, a position in which the solar cell panel 50 is accommodated inside the base 20. In the storage position, the shaft 85 engages with the groove 93 at a location close to the end face opposite to the end face 92 among both outer end faces of the base 20 in the above-mentioned length direction. In addition, the use position is a position in which the solar cell panel 50 does not overlap with the surface 37 (base surface) outside the base 20 and can tilt around the shaft 85. The use position here is a position in which each shaft 85 is positioned at one end of the corresponding groove 93 in the length direction, that is, in a state in which both shafts 85 remain inside the base 20, and most of the solar cell panel 50 is protruding from the accommodation section 91 to the outside. In the use position, the portion of the solar cell panel 50 supported by the shaft 85 with respect to the base 20 is located inside the base 20, and the portion other than the supporting portion is located outside the base 20. The usage posture includes not only a posture in which the solar cell panel 50 is inclined with respect to the surface 37 (base surface) but also a posture in which the solar cell panel 50 is parallel to the surface 37 (base surface) (see the solid line in FIG. 13). In the usage posture, the solar cell panel 50 can tilt with respect to the base 20 around both axes 85.
[0126] In the usage position, the friction generated between the shaft 85 and the inner wall surface 93a of the groove 93 is set to a value that allows the angle of the solar cell panel 50 relative to the base 20 to be adjusted, similar to the first embodiment.
[0127] In the second embodiment, a solar cell panel 50 having a configuration slightly different from that used in the first embodiment is used. As shown in Fig. 5, a thin-film solar cell 51 includes a power generation layer 66, a hole transport layer 67, an electron transport layer 68, positive electrodes 62 and 71, a negative electrode 63, and a sealant 74 between two substrates 61 and 75.
[0128] The substrate 61 and the members located between the substrate 61 and the power generation layer 66 are made of transparent or semi-transparent materials that transmit light. This is the same as in the first embodiment. In addition, in the second embodiment, the substrate 75 and the members located between the substrate 75 and the power generation layer 66 are made of transparent or semi-transparent materials that transmit light. The corresponding members include the hole transport layer 67, the positive electrode 71, and the sealant 74.
[0129] The outer surface of the base material 61 in the thickness direction and the outer surface of the base material 75 in the thickness direction both constitute the light-receiving surface 56. In this way, the thin-film solar cell 51 has the light-receiving surface 56 on both of its outer surfaces in the thickness direction. When light is irradiated onto either of the light-receiving surfaces 56, the light can reach the power generation layer 66.
[0130] In the second embodiment, in the base 20 shown in Figs. 12 and 13, both side portions of the storage portion 91 in the thickness direction are opaque and made of a material with low light transmittance.
[0131] In the second embodiment, the same elements as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. Next, the operation of the photovoltaic power generation power supply device A of the second embodiment configured as above will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.
[0132] <Power Supply to the Mobile Terminal 10> The solar power generation power supply device A is attached to the back surface 38 of the base 20 on the back surface 13 of a type of mobile terminal 10 that supports contactless power supply. That is, the back surface 38 is positioned and placed over the back surface 13, and the base 20 is attracted to a fixed position on the mobile terminal 10 by the magnetic force of the magnet. This attachment is preferably performed with the lens 12 exposed so that imaging by the camera is possible even when the solar power generation power supply device A is attached to the mobile terminal 10. With the above attachment, the mobile terminal 10 is electrically connected to the solar power generation power supply device A.
[0133] 10, the power stored in the power storage unit 42 of the base 20 is transmitted to the mobile terminal 10 by contactless power supply, as in the first embodiment, and stored in the power storage unit 11. The power supply from the solar power generation power supply device A to the mobile terminal 10 is possible regardless of the attitude of the solar cell panel 50.
[0134] The mobile terminal 10 operates using the power stored in the power storage unit 11, and performs its own functions such as calling and communication. The above-mentioned operation of the mobile terminal 10 is possible whether the solar power generation power supply device A is attached to the mobile terminal 10 or not. Furthermore, when the solar power generation power supply device A is attached to the mobile terminal 10, the mobile terminal 10 can operate regardless of the attitude of the solar panel 50.
[0135] <Power generation and storage by solar power supply device A> Here, in the stored position, the entire solar cell panel 50 is housed in the housing section 91. Both light receiving surfaces 56 are located inside the housing section 91. No or almost no light from the light source LS reaches the housing section 91. Therefore, not only when the solar power generation power supply device A is not held, but also when the solar power generation power supply device A is held together with the mobile terminal 10, the solar cell panel 50 does not generate power.
[0136] When generating power in the solar power generation power supply device A, an external force is applied to the portion of the solar cell panel 50 exposed from the housing portion 91 in a direction to pull the solar cell panel 50 out of the housing portion 91 of the base 20. This external force causes a pair of shafts 85 of the solar cell panel 50 to slide along the corresponding grooves 93, as shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. The direction of the sliding movement is the direction away from the lens 12 of the mobile terminal 10 in the length direction of the base 20.
[0137] When each shaft 85 slides to one end of the groove 93, the solar panel 50 is in the usage position. The lens 12 of the mobile terminal 10 is not covered by the solar panel 50 in the usage position. Even when the solar panel 50 is in the usage position, it is possible to capture an image with the camera.
[0138] In the usage position, both light receiving surfaces 56 are exposed from the housing portion 91 . In the usage position, the portion of the solar cell panel 50 that is supported by the axis 85 relative to the base 20 is located inside the base 20, and the portion different from the supported portion is located outside the base 20. The solar cell panel 50 is tilted about the axis 85 relative to the base 20 so that one light receiving surface 56 faces the light source LS. Light from the light source LS is irradiated onto the light receiving surface 56 facing the light source LS.
[0139] When light from the light source LS shown in FIG. 5 is irradiated onto the light receiving surface 56 of the substrate 61, the light passes through the substrate 61, passes through the components (including the electron transport layer 68) arranged between the substrate 61 and the power generation layer 66, and reaches the power generation layer 66.
[0140] In contrast, when light from a light source LS (not shown) is irradiated onto the light receiving surface 56 of the substrate 75, the light passes through the substrate 75, passes through the components (including the hole transport layer 67) arranged between the substrate 75 and the power generation layer 66, and reaches the power generation layer 66.
[0141] When light reaches the power generation layer 66 as described above, holes and electrons are generated by photoexcitation in the power generation layer 66. The holes are transported to the positive electrodes 71 and 62 by the hole transport layer 67, and the electrons are transported to the negative electrode 63 by the electron transport layer 68. Then, a current is taken out from the wiring member 64 connected to the positive electrode 62 and the wiring member 65 connected to the negative electrode 63.
[0142] Therefore, regardless of whether the light receiving surface 56 of the base material 61, 75 is directed toward the light source LS, the power generation layer 66 generates power whose magnitude corresponds to the amount of light irradiated onto the light receiving surface 56. The above power generation is possible when the solar panel 50 is in the usage position, whether the solar power generation power supply device A is attached to the mobile terminal 10 or when the solar power generation power supply device A is used alone without being attached to the mobile terminal 10.
[0143] The power generation can also be achieved by directing the light receiving surface 56 of the solar cell panel 50 in the usage position toward the light source LS. At this time, the solar cell panel 50 may be tilted while the base 20 is held together with the mobile terminal 10, as shown in Fig. 12. At this time, the lens 12 is not blocked by the solar cell panel 50, so that imaging by the camera is possible.
[0144] 13, the solar power generation power supply device A attached to the mobile terminal 10 may be placed on a flat surface FS such as a desk without being held. In this case, the surface 37 (base surface) of the base 20 is placed on the flat surface FS. The mobile terminal 10 is placed on the base 20. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 13, the solar cell panel 50 is pulled out of the housing 91 and placed in a usage position. Depending on the position of the light source LS, the solar cell panel 50 is tilted around the axis 85 so that the light receiving surface 56 faces the light source LS, as shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 13.
[0145] In this way, even when the solar power generation power supply device A is placed on the flat surface FS, the orientation of the light receiving surface 56 can be adjusted according to the position of the light source LS, so that a large amount of light can be irradiated onto the light receiving surface 56. At this time, the mobile terminal 10 may be used for calls, communications, and the like.
[0146] Although not shown, the above power generation is also possible even when the solar power generation power supply device A is not attached to the mobile terminal 10 and is used alone. As described above, the power generated by the solar cell panel 50 is supplied to the power receiving unit 41 in Fig. 10 via the wiring members 64, 65, the shaft 85, and the groove 93. This power is stored in the power storage unit 42 by the control unit 44 controlling the power receiving unit 41.
[0147] <Regarding prevention of decrease in power generation efficiency of solar cell panel 50> When using the mobile terminal 10 equipped with the solar power generation power supply device A, if the solar cell panel 50 is in a stored position, as described above, the light from the light source LS does not reach the solar cell panel 50, and no power generation is generated.
[0148] 12, when the solar cell panel 50 is in the usage position, the solar cell panel 50 can tilt about an axis 85 located at one end of the groove 93. Moreover, similar to the first embodiment, friction is generated between the axis 85 and the inner wall surface 93a of the groove 93, which is large enough to allow the angle of the solar cell panel 50 to be adjusted.
[0149] Therefore, when the mobile terminal 10 is used, an external force from a finger FI is applied to the solar cell panel 50 in the above-mentioned usage position from the thickness direction. When an external force large enough to overcome the friction is applied to the solar cell panel 50, the solar cell panel 50 is tilted about the axis 85. This tilting changes the inclination angle of the solar cell panel 50 with respect to the base 20. The tilting is performed with the axis 85 in contact with the inner wall surface 93a of the groove 93, i.e., with the axis 85 electrically connected to the power receiving unit 41 (see FIG. 10) in the base 20.
[0150] When an external force smaller than the above magnitude is applied to the solar cell panel 50, or when no external force is applied, the friction causes the solar cell panel 50 to be held at the tilt angle at that time. Therefore, by adjusting the magnitude of the external force applied to the solar cell panel 50, the tilt angle of the solar cell panel 50 with respect to the base 20 is adjusted, and the solar cell panel 50 is held at the adjusted tilt angle.
[0151] In the use position, the solar cell panel 50 is located outside the base 20 and does not overlap with the surface 37 (base surface). Unless the inclination angle of the solar cell panel 50 with respect to the base 20 is extremely small, a space in which a finger FI can be inserted is generated around the base 20 and between the solar cell panel 50. By inserting a finger into this space, as shown in FIG. 12, it is possible to hold the solar cell power generation power supply device A together with the mobile terminal 10 without holding the solar cell panel 50. At this time, the portion of the hand HA located between the light source LS and the light receiving surface 56 becomes smaller or disappears, and the light irradiation to the light receiving surface 56 is less likely to be blocked significantly by the hand HA. More light is irradiated to the light receiving surface 56 than in the conventional solar cell power generation power supply device A in which the light irradiation is blocked significantly by the hand HA.
[0152] In addition, in the usage position, the light receiving surface 56 can be directed toward the light source LS by tilting the solar cell panel 50 about the axis 85. When the light receiving surface 56 is directed toward the light source LS, more light is irradiated onto the light receiving surface 56.
[0153] Next, a description will be given of the effects of the photovoltaic power generation power supply device A of the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, in addition to the effects similar to those of (1-7) and (1-8) above, the following effects can be obtained. (2-1) The solar cell panel 50 is supported on the base 20 by an axis 85. By tilting the solar cell panel 50 about the axis 85, the attitude of the solar cell panel 50 with respect to the base 20 can be changed.
[0154] Therefore, by putting the solar cell panel 50 in the usage position, it is possible to prevent the light irradiation to the light-receiving surface 56 from being blocked by the hand HA, and by facing the light-receiving surface 56 toward the light source LS, it is possible to irradiate more light to the light-receiving surface 56. As in the above (1-1), it is possible to increase the power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel 50 while using the mobile terminal 10.
[0155] (2-2) Here, in the usage position, the portion of the solar cell panel 50 that is supported by the shaft 85 relative to the base 20 is located inside the base 20, and the portion different from the supported portion is located outside the base 20. Therefore, in the usage position, the overall size of the solar cell power supply device A becomes larger in at least one of the direction in which the solar cell panel 50 is inserted or removed from the base 20 and the thickness direction of the base 20.
[0156] In contrast, in the second embodiment, in the storage position, the entire solar cell panel 50 is housed inside the base 20. Therefore, in the storage position, the overall size of the solar cell power supply device A can be made smaller in both the direction in which the solar cell panel 50 is inserted or removed from the base 20 and in the thickness direction of the base 20, compared to the usage position in which the solar cell panel 50 is located outside the base 20.
[0157] (2-3) The friction generated between the shaft 85 and the inner wall surface 93a of the groove 93 is set to a value that enables adjustment of the angle of the solar cell panel 50 relative to the base 20. Therefore, similar to the above (1-6), when the solar cell panel 50 is in the usage position, the tilt angle of the solar cell panel 50 relative to the base 20 can be adjusted and maintained at the adjusted tilt angle by increasing or decreasing the magnitude of the external force applied to the solar cell panel 50.
[0158] (2-4) In the thin-film solar cell 51 shown in Fig. 5, the base material 61 and the member located between the base material 61 and the power generation layer 66 are made of a material having optical transparency. In addition, the base material 75 and the member located between the base material 75 and the power generation layer 66 are made of a material having optical transparency. Therefore, when light is irradiated onto the light receiving surface 56 of either of the base materials 61, 75, i.e., when either of the light receiving surfaces 56 is directed toward the light source LS, power can be generated in the power generation layer 66.
[0159] The above embodiment can also be implemented as modified examples as follows: The above embodiment and the following modified examples can be implemented in combination with each other within a range that does not cause technical contradiction.
[0160] <Common features between the first and second embodiments> In the first and second embodiments, the positive electrode 62 is laminated together with the negative electrode 63 on one of the substrates 61 as shown in Fig. 5, however, only the negative electrode 63 may be laminated on the substrate 61, and the positive electrode 62 may be laminated on the substrate 75. That is, the negative electrode 63 and the positive electrode 62 may be laminated on separate substrates 61, 75.
[0161] In this case, the negative electrode 63 is disposed between the substrate 61 and the electron transport layer 68. The positive electrode 62 is disposed between the substrate 75 and the hole transport layer 67. The positive electrode 71 is omitted.
[0162] The base surface of the base 20 may be constituted by at least a part of the surfaces 32, 37. Therefore, the entire surfaces 32, 37 may be the base surface, or only a part of them may be the base surface. Of at least one of the outer surfaces in the thickness direction of the solar cell panel 50, if the surface has a light-receiving surface 56, a part of that surface may be made into the light-receiving surface 56, or the entirety of the surface may be made into the light-receiving surface 56.
[0163] As a structure for removably mounting the solar power generation power supply device A to the mobile terminal 10, a mounting structure different from the one used in the first and second embodiments (adsorption by a magnet) may be adopted.
[0164] 10, the power transmission unit 43 of the solar power generation power supply device A may be connected to the mobile terminal 10 via a cable or the like. Then, the power generated by the solar cell panel 50 may be stored in the power storage unit 42 in the base 20, and the power may be supplied to the mobile terminal 10 by the power transmission unit 43 via the cable or the like.
[0165] <Matters Concerning the First Embodiment> During power generation by the solar panel 50, there may be cases where there is no problem even if the solar panel 50 blocks imaging by the camera. Therefore, in this case, the base 20 may be attached to the mobile terminal 10 in a state where it overlaps with the lens 12, as shown in FIG. 2 etc.
[0166] 3 and 4, the shaft 82 may be inserted into the bearing hole 27 so as not to be removable. Also, the terminal portion 84 may be inserted into the connection hole 29 so as not to be removable. However, in this case, it becomes difficult to remove the solar cell panel 50 from the base 20.
[0167] Contrary to the first embodiment, the connected portion in the base 20 may be configured by the terminal portion 84, and the connecting portion in the solar cell panel 50 may be configured by the connection hole 29. In this case, however, the terminal portion 84 is inserted into the connection hole 29 as the shaft 82 is inserted into the bearing hole 27.
[0168] Contrary to the first embodiment, the shaft 82 may be provided on the base 20, and a bearing portion 26 having a bearing hole 27 may be provided on the solar cell panel 50. In this case, similar to the first embodiment, the connected portion on the base 20 may be configured by the connection hole 29, and the connection portion on the solar cell panel 50 may be configured by the terminal portion 84. Also, contrary to the first embodiment, the connected portion on the base 20 may be configured by the terminal portion 84, and the connection portion on the solar cell panel 50 may be configured by the connection hole 29. However, in either case, the terminal portion 84 is inserted into the connection hole 29 as the shaft 82 is inserted into the bearing hole 27.
[0169] 7 and the like may or may not pass through the bearing portion 26. Similarly, the connection hole 29 may or may not pass through the protrusion 28. 14 and 15, as a modification of the support structure SS, a part or all of the protrusion 81 may be configured by a motor 101 having a rotating shaft 102 extending in a direction along the first axis AL1. In this case, the motor 101 is provided in a state fixed to the solar cell panel 50. The rotating shaft 102 is inserted into the bearing hole 27 so as to be removable. When inserted into the bearing hole 27, the rotating shaft 102 is coupled to the bearing hole 27 so as to be rotatable integrally therewith.
[0170] For example, an external gear 103 having a plurality of external teeth 104 each extending along the first axis AL1 is attached to the rotating shaft 102 so as to be rotatable together with the rotating shaft 102. The rotating shaft 102 and the external gear 103 form the shaft 82. The bearing portion 26 is formed by an internal gear 105 having in its bearing hole 27 a plurality of internal teeth 106 each extending along the first axis AL1.
[0171] The external teeth 104 of the external gear 103 mesh with the internal teeth 106 of the internal gear 105, whereby the shaft 82 and the bearing hole 27 are coupled to be able to rotate together. Note that the internal teeth 106 are not shown in FIG.
[0172] Since each of the external teeth 104 and each of the internal teeth 106 extends along the first axis AL1, the external gear 103 and the internal gear 105 can be coupled or disengaged by moving the external gear 103 and the internal gear 105 relatively along the first axis AL1 toward each other. The shaft 82 is inserted into the bearing hole 27 by the external gear 103 and the internal gear 105 moving relatively toward each other along the first axis AL1. When the external teeth 104 and the internal teeth 106 mesh with each other as a result of this insertion, the shaft 82 is coupled to the bearing hole 27 so as to be rotatable together with the shaft 82. From this coupled state, the external gear 103 and the internal gear 105 are moved relatively away from each other along the first axis AL1, and the shaft 82 is extracted from the bearing hole 27. When the external gear 103 and the internal gear 105 no longer mesh with each other as a result of this extraction, the coupling of the shaft 82 to the bearing hole 27 is cut off.
[0173] According to this modified example, when the rotating shaft 102 of the motor 101 rotates, the rotation is transmitted to the bearing hole 27 via the external teeth 104 of the external gear 103 and the internal teeth 106 of the internal gear 105. This transmission of rotation causes the solar cell panel 50 to tilt about the axis 82 relative to the base 20. Therefore, by tilting the solar cell panel 50 so that the light receiving surface 56 faces the light source LS, it is possible to adjust the tilt angle of the solar cell panel 50 relative to the base 20 without applying an external force to the solar cell panel 50 by hand HA or the like.
[0174] Furthermore, by extracting the shaft 82 from the bearing hole 27, the solar cell panel 50 is no longer supported by the shaft 82 and the bearing hole 27 with respect to the base 20. By inserting the shaft 82 into the bearing hole 27, the solar cell panel 50 is supported by the shaft 82 and the bearing hole 27 with respect to the base 20. Therefore, even in this modified example, it is possible to repair and replace a broken solar cell panel 50, or to modify the solar cell panel 50 to change the design.
[0175] 14 and 15, a motor 101 having a rotating shaft 102 to which an external gear 103 is attached so as to be integrally rotatable may be provided on the base 20. An internal gear 105 having internal teeth 106 in a bearing hole 27 may be provided on the solar cell panel 50.
[0176] 14 and 15, the rotating shaft 102 of the motor 101 may be spline-connected to the bearing hole 27 so as to be rotatable together with the bearing hole 27 without using an external gear 103. In this case, external teeth are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rotating shaft 102, and internal teeth are formed on the inner wall surface of the bearing hole 27. The shaft 82 is constituted by the rotating shaft 102 having external teeth on its outer circumferential surface.
[0177] In FIG. 10, power may be supplied from the solar panel 50 to the power receiving unit 41 by contactless power supply. The tilt direction of the solar panel 50 relative to the base 20 may be changed to a direction different from that of the first embodiment. Fig. 16 shows one such modification. In this modification, the first functional portion 21 and the second functional portion 31 are adjacent to each other in the width direction (left-right direction in Fig. 16) of the base 20 instead of in the length direction.
[0178] A protrusion 81 having an axis and a bearing portion 26 having a bearing hole are arranged along the length direction. The axes of the axis and the bearing hole extend in the length direction. In the first embodiment, the direction in which the axis extends is perpendicular to the direction in which the first axis line AL1 and the second axis line AL2 extend. The solar cell panel 50 is supported by the axis so as to be tiltable relative to the bearing hole in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 16.
[0179] In this case, too, the solar cell panel 50 can be tilted to change its attitude relative to the base 20. The solar cell panel 50 is in a stored attitude (not shown) when the entire panel overlaps the surface 32 (base surface) from outside the base 20. When the solar cell panel 50 is in a usage attitude, it does not overlap the surface 32 (base surface) outside the base 20 and can be tilted about an axis.
[0180] Therefore, by putting the solar cell panel 50 in the usage position, as shown in Fig. 16, the solar power generation power supply device A can be held together with the mobile terminal 10 without holding the solar cell panel 50. This prevents the light irradiation to the light receiving surface from being largely blocked by the hand HA, and prevents a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel 50.
[0181] In addition, in the usage position, the solar cell panel 50 can be tilted around the axis to face the light receiving surface toward the light source, thereby allowing more light to be irradiated onto the light receiving surface and increasing the power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel 50.
[0182] 16, protrusion 83 having a terminal portion and protrusion 28 having a connection hole may be arranged along the length direction. In this case, too, solar cell panel 50 can be electrically connected to base 20 by inserting the terminal portion into the connection hole in a contacting state.
[0183] In Figs. 3 and 7, a plurality of combinations of the protrusion 81 having the shaft 82 and the bearing portion 26 having the bearing hole 27 may be provided. In FIG. 5, a thin-film solar cell 51 according to the second embodiment in which each of the base materials 61 and 75 has a light-receiving surface 56 may be used as the thin-film solar cell 51 of the solar cell panel 50 according to the first embodiment.
[0184] The relay structure RS may be realized by a structure different from that of the first embodiment in which the terminal portion 84 is inserted in a contacting state into the connection hole 29. In this case, the relay structure RS may be provided at a position other than on the second axis line AL2.
[0185] <Matters Concerning the Second Embodiment> During power generation by the solar panel 50, there may be cases where there is no problem even if the solar panel 50 blocks imaging by the camera. Therefore, when the solar panel 50 is switched from the stored position to the usage position, the solar panel 50 in the housing portion 91 may be slid in the length direction of the base 20 in a direction approaching the lens 12, as shown by the solid line in FIG.
[0186] In this case, as shown in Fig. 17, the solar cell panel 50 is tilted around the axis 85 while the base 20 is held together with the mobile terminal 10. This tilting allows the light receiving surface 56 to face the light source LS as shown by the solid line in Fig. 17, thereby improving the power generation efficiency of the solar cell panel 50. Furthermore, depending on the position of the light source LS, the solar cell panel 50 may be tilted so that the light receiving surface 56 faces the light source. The solar cell panel 50 shown by the two-dot chain line in Fig. 17 shows an example of a tilted solar cell panel 50.
[0187] 16, the tilt direction of the solar cell panel 50 relative to the base 20 may be changed to a direction different from that of the second embodiment. For example, the solar cell panel 50 in the stored position may be moved in the width direction of the base 20 to be in the usage position. In the usage position, the support portion of the base 20 supported by the shaft 85 is left inside the storage portion 91, and the portion different from the support portion is pulled out to the outside in the width direction of the base 20. Then, the solar cell panel 50 is tilted about the shaft 85 extending in the length direction, so that the light receiving surface 56 is directed toward the light source LS.
[0188] 12, 13 and 17, at least one of both side portions of the housing portion 91 in the thickness direction of the base 20 may be made of a transparent or semi-transparent material that transmits light. By modifying in this manner, it becomes possible to irradiate light to the light receiving surface 56 even when the solar cell panel 50 is in the stored position. The solar cell panel 50 can generate power even when it is in the stored position.
[0189] A structure different from that of the second embodiment may be adopted as the structure in which both outer surfaces in the thickness direction of the solar cell panel 50 constitute the light receiving surface 56. Fig. 18 shows one such modified example. In the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, a single thin-film solar cell 51 is used as the solar cell panel 50. The thin-film solar cell 51 of the first embodiment has one outer surface in the thickness direction of the solar cell as the light receiving surface 56.
[0190] In contrast, the solar cell panel 50 of the modified example uses a pair of thin-film solar cells 51 having a structure similar to that of the thin-film solar cell in the first embodiment, as shown in Fig. 18. That is, the solar cell panel 50 of the modified example includes a pair of thin-film solar cells 51 each having one outer surface in the thickness direction of the solar cell as a light-receiving surface 56.
[0191] In addition, the pair of thin-film solar cells 51 in the modified example are arranged back-to-back so that the light-receiving surfaces 56 form both outer surfaces in the thickness direction of the solar cell panel 50. That is, the pair of thin-film solar cells 51 are arranged so that the base materials 75 are adjacent to each other.
[0192] According to this modification, power is generated in the thin-film solar cell 51 on the irradiated side when light from the light source LS is irradiated onto the solar cell panel 50 from either side in the thickness direction. Therefore, power can be generated when either light receiving surface 56 faces the light source LS.
[0193] The configuration of this modified example may be applied to the solar cell panel 50 in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the shaft 85 may be engaged with the groove 93 in a removable manner or in a non-removable manner. In the former case, the solar cell panel 50 can be attached to and detached from the base 20. The same effect as (1-3) of the first embodiment can be obtained. That is, when the solar cell panel 50 breaks down, it can be repaired and replaced, or replaced with a panel of a different design.
[0194] As shown in FIG. 5, the thin-film solar cell 51 of the first embodiment having the light-receiving surface 56 on only one of the base materials 61, 75 may be used as the solar cell panel 50 of the second embodiment.
[0195] <Other matters> The electronic device may be changed to something other than the mobile terminal 10, provided that it is small enough to be held with the solar power generation power supply device A attached and is powered by electricity generated by the solar power generation power supply device A.
[0196] For example, the electronic device may be a wearable device, which is a device that is attached to a living body such as a human body, and is typically known as a wearable terminal such as a smart watch or smart glasses.
[0197] The power supplied to the electronic device from the power transmission unit 43 of the photovoltaic power supply device A shown in Fig. 10 may be used for a purpose other than the storage of power in the power storage unit 11 of the electronic device. For example, the power may be used to make the electronic device perform the function of the main body. In addition, if the electronic device includes an electrically-operated device such as a cooling fan that performs a function that is not directly related to the original function of the electronic device, the power may be used to operate the electrically-operated device. [Explanation of symbols]
[0198] 10...Mobile terminals (electronic devices) 20…Base 26...Bearing part 27…Bearing hole 27a, 29a…Inner wall surface 29…Connection hole (connected part) 32,37…Surface (base surface) 42…Electricity storage unit 43...Power transmission section 50…Solar panel 51...Thin-film solar cells 56…Light receiving surface 61,75…Base material 62, 71…Positive electrode 63...Negative electrode 66…Power generation layer 67...Hole transport layer 68...Electron transport layer 82,85…Axis 84...Terminal section (connection section) 101...Motor 102...Rotation axis (constituting part of the axis) 103...External gear (constitutes part of the shaft) A…Solar power supply device AL1…1st axis line AL2…Second axis
Claims
1. a base portion that is removably attached to the electronic device and has a base surface on one outer surface in a thickness direction of the base portion; a solar cell panel electrically connected to the base and having a light receiving surface on at least one outer surface in a thickness direction of the solar cell panel; a solar power generation supply device, the solar panel being provided with power generated by the solar panel and supplied to the electronic device via the base, The solar panel is supported by a shaft relative to the base, The solar cell panel has a variable attitude relative to the base, The positions include a storage position in which the entire solar cell panel overlaps with the base surface from outside the base or is housed inside the base, and also a usage position in which the solar cell panel is outside the base, does not overlap with the base surface, and can tilt around the axis, a solar power generation power supply device.
2. the shaft is provided on one of the base and the solar cell panel, and a bearing portion having a bearing hole is provided on the other of the base and the solar cell panel, and the shaft is inserted into the bearing hole so as to be removable by relative movement between the base and the solar cell panel; The base portion is provided with a connected portion, 2 . The photovoltaic power supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the solar cell panel is provided with a connection portion, and the connection portion is connected to the connected portion in an electrically detachable manner by relative movement between the base and the solar cell panel.
3. The shaft and the bearing hole extend along a first axis, the connected portion and the connecting portion are each formed by a combination of a connection hole and a terminal portion, the connection hole and terminal portion each extending along a second axis that is collinear with the first axis, the terminal portion is inserted into the connection hole so as to be removable when the shaft is inserted into the bearing hole, The solar power generation power supply device of claim 2, wherein when the terminal portion is inserted into the connection hole, the terminal portion is supported by the inner wall surface of the connection hole so as to rotate around the second axis while in contact with the inner wall surface of the connection hole.
4. The shaft is provided in a fixed state to the one member, The shaft is press-fitted into the bearing hole, 3. The solar power generation power supply device of claim 2, wherein friction generated between the shaft and the inner wall surface of the bearing hole due to the shaft being pressed into the bearing hole is set to a value that enables angle adjustment of the solar cell panel relative to the base.
5. A motor is fixed to the one member, At least a portion of the shaft is formed by a rotating shaft of the motor, The rotating shaft is inserted into the bearing hole so as to be removable, The photovoltaic power generation supply device according to claim 2 , wherein the rotating shaft is coupled to the bearing hole so as to be rotatable integrally therewith when inserted into the bearing hole.
6. the solar cell panel is disposed on the base so as to be movable in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction, In the stored position, the solar panel is entirely contained within the base; The photovoltaic power supply device according to claim 1 , wherein in the usage position, a portion of the solar cell panel supported by the shaft relative to the base is located within the base, and a portion different from the supported portion is located outside the base.
7. The solar cell panel includes a thin-film solar cell, both outer portions of which in a thickness direction thereof are formed of a pair of base materials; The thin-film solar cell includes a power generation layer that performs photoelectric conversion, a hole transport layer and an electron transport layer disposed on either side of the power generation layer in a thickness direction, a positive electrode connected to the hole transport layer, and a negative electrode connected to the electron transport layer, the positive electrode being disposed between the pair of base materials; Both outer surfaces of the thin-film solar cell in the thickness direction constitute the light receiving surface, The photovoltaic power generation supply device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the base materials and a member located between each of the base materials and the power generation layer are made of a material having optical transparency.
8. The solar cell panel includes a pair of thin-film solar cells each having one outer surface in a thickness direction of the solar cell as the light receiving surface, The photovoltaic power generation supply device according to claim 1 , wherein the pair of thin-film solar cells are arranged back-to-back so that the light receiving surfaces form both outer surfaces in the thickness direction of the solar cell panel.
9. The solar power generation power supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the base includes a power storage unit that stores power generated by the solar panel, and a power transmission unit that transmits the power stored in the power storage unit to the electronic device via contactless power supply.
Citation Information
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