Method for manufacturing electronic timepiece and solar panel

JP2025176176A5Pending Publication Date: 2026-03-04CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2025-09-18
Publication Date
2026-03-04

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Conventional solar cell structures for electronic watches are custom-made, leading to increased design, development, and manufacturing efforts and costs due to their shape and size-specific nature.

Method used

A solar cell structure with a power generation layer sandwiched between a pair of electrodes, a covering member with lead-out wiring on a second surface, and a connecting portion drawn out from the electrodes, allowing flexible and efficient power output without overlapping the solar cell in a plan view.

Benefits of technology

Enables simpler and more flexible power output from solar cells, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while maintaining power generation efficiency and durability.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a method for manufacturing an electronic timepiece and a solar panel which can output power generation power of a solar battery more easily and more flexibly.SOLUTION: An electronic timepiece includes: a solar battery (71) having a wire electrode (711) and a lower electrode (713) and a power generation layer (712) between the wire electrode (711) and the lower electrode (713); and a laminate film (75) attached to at least a part of a first surface of the solar battery (71). The laminate film (75) is located in a second surface attached to the first surface and has a drawing wire (752) electrically connected to the wire electrode (711) and the lower electrode (713).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an electronic timepiece and a solar panel. [Background technology]

[0002] An electronic watch equipped with a solar cell can store the power generated by the solar cell and operate continuously for a long period of time. In an electronic watch, power is supplied to a battery or the like via an output wiring connected to the electrodes of the solar cell.

[0003] The structure for extracting power from a small electronic watch is prone to damage and breakage, and has durability issues. Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose structures for reliably extracting power. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-76560 [Patent Document 2] Publication No. 7-287081 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, conventional structures tend to be custom-made depending on the shape and size of the electronic watch, which poses the problem of increased effort and cost involved in design, development, and manufacturing.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic timepiece and a method for manufacturing a solar panel that can more easily and flexibly output the power generated by a solar cell. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a solar cell having a power generation layer and a pair of electrodes sandwiching the power generation layer; a covering member having a second surface bonded to at least a portion of the first surface of the solar cell; Equipped with The covering member is a lead wire located on the second surface and electrically connected to the electrode; a first end of the lead-out wiring located in a first range that does not overlap with the solar cell in a plan view; a connecting portion that is drawn out from each of the pair of electrodes and that is bonded to a second end of the drawing wiring opposite to the first end, on the outer side of the power generation layer in a plan view of the first surface; It is an electronic watch. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effect of providing a solar panel that can output power generated by solar cells more simply and flexibly. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electronic timepiece according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a solar panel. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a solar panel. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a plan view of an electronic timepiece according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a solar panel according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a solar panel according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modified example of the structure of the solar panel of the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. [First embodiment] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an electronic timepiece 1 according to a first embodiment.

[0011] The electronic timepiece 1 has a housing 2, a dial 52, hands 51, a bezel 11, and operation acceptance components that accept external operations such as push button switches B1 to B3 and a crown C1. The hands 51 are rotatably positioned on the dial 52, and content is displayed according to the direction the hands 51 point. Content displayed by the hands 51 includes time (which may also be the date and time including the date and day of the week). Marks (hour characters 53) and the like are positioned on the dial 52 to indicate the displayed time.

[0012] Small windows 101-104 (dials) are located on the dial 52, occupying a portion of the display surface. Some of the hands 51 (small hands) rotate within the small windows 101-104, and can display the day of the week, the alarm time, the time in other cities around the world (including UTC), and the 24-hour clock.

[0013] The dial 52 also has an opening 54 at the 6 o'clock position. A date wheel 55 is located below (on the back side of) the dial 52, and by rotating the date wheel 55, a numeral display (date indicator) corresponding to the date is selectively displayed through the opening 54. The date wheel 55 is also light-transmitting except for the frame-shaped portion necessary to support and rotate the date indicator.

[0014] The housing 2 has a cylindrical shape with open top and bottom. The housing 2 houses the hands 51, date indicator 55, dial 52, and hour markers 53, as well as a circuit board including a control unit, a drive unit, and a battery. The control unit controls the timekeeping operation and the display operation of the hands 51. The drive unit includes a stepping motor and a gear train, and rotates the hands 51 and date indicator 55 to change their indicated positions. Push-button switches B1 to B3 and crown C1 protrude outward from the side of the housing 2. Electrical signals related to their operation are transmitted through the housing 2 to the internal circuit board. At the 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock positions of the housing 2, strap attachment portions 2a extend outward from the housing 2 in a plan view. The housing 2 may be made of an insulating material such as resin or ceramic, or a metal material such as titanium. The lower end (rear side) of the housing 2 is sealed by a back cover (not shown).

[0015] The upper parts of the dial 52 and the hands 51 (the upper end, front side of the case 2) are covered with a transparent crystal member (not shown), sealing the case 2. The periphery of the dial 52 is surrounded by a bezel 6. Some or all of the hour markers 53 and the like may be fixed to the bezel 6.

[0016] The crystal member is fitted, for example, along the inner edge of the case 2, and is surrounded by a bezel 11 in plan view. This bezel 11 may have markings indicated by hands 51. The bezel 11 may also have a shock-resistant structure and may also be used for decorative purposes. It may also function as an antenna element when the electronic timepiece 1 receives radio waves or performs communication.

[0017] A solar panel 70 is positioned annularly (between the concentric dashed lines in FIG. 1) along the inner edge of the viewfinder 6 below the dial 52. At least the portion of the dial 52 above the solar panel 70 (second range) is made of a light-transmitting member. This light-transmitting member may be such that the solar panel 70 is difficult to see directly through the light-transmitting member.

[0018] The battery is a secondary battery that is charged with the power generated by the solar panel 70 and supplies the power to the control unit, drive unit, etc. to operate them.

[0019] 2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating the structure of the solar panel 70 in the electronic timepiece 1. FIG. Fig. 2(a) is a plan view of the solar panel 70, Fig. 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA, Fig. 2(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB, Fig. 3(a) is a diagram showing the solar cell 71 and base 72 of the solar panel 70, and Fig. 3(b) is a diagram showing the laminate film 75.

[0020] The solar panel 70 has three solar cells 71a to 71c (collectively referred to as solar cells 71), a base 72, and a laminate film 75. As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 3(a), the solar cells 71a to 71c have an arc-like shape and are arranged in a generally circular pattern overall. The solar cell 71 is located on one surface (third surface 72P) of the base 72, which is slightly larger than the solar cell 71 in a plan view. The solar cell 71 and the base 72 form a structure 700. A laminate film 75 having approximately the same size and shape as the base 72 is at least partially adhered to the side of the wiring electrode 711 (the side of the first surface 71P) of the solar cell 71 of the structure 700.

[0021] The solar cell 71 has a planar lower electrode 713, a power generation layer 712 on the lower electrode 713, and a wiring electrode 711 on the power generation layer 712. That is, the power generation layer 712 is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes consisting of the lower electrode 713 and the wiring electrode 711. The power generation layer 712 outputs generated electromotive force in response to incident light between the pair of electrodes. A first surface 71P of the power generation layer 712 on the wiring electrode 711 side is the light incident surface. The wiring electrodes 711 of each solar cell 71 are linear and extend concentrically along the outer edge of the solar cells 71 arranged in a substantially circular shape. Because the wiring electrodes 711 are thin, the area that blocks light from entering the power generation layer 712 is reduced. The wiring electrodes 711 may be transparent electrodes that are optically transparent.

[0022] The solar cells 71a to 71c are connected in series. Of the two solar cells 71b and 71c at both ends of the series arrangement, the two electrodes 72a connected to the opposite electrodes are positioned exposed along the inner edge of the substantially annular solar cell 71. As shown in FIG. 2(c), the lower electrode 713 of the solar cell 71c is directly connected to the electrode 72a on the lower electrode 713 (solar cell 71c). That is, the power generation layer 712 is removed where the lower electrode 713 overlaps the connection electrode 751 in a plan view. A connecting conductor such as a conductive paste or a conductive adhesive may be located between the lower electrode 713 and the electrode 72a. Alternatively, the conductive paste may be included in the term "electrode 72a." Furthermore, in this case, the electrode 72a may be only a connecting conductor connecting the lower electrode 713 to the outside. That is, a separate electrode conductive layer other than the conductive paste may not be provided above the lower electrode 713. The electrode 72a may be a part of the lower electrode 713. As shown in FIG. 3(a), the wiring electrode 711 of the solar cell 71b is connected to the electrode 72a on the base 72 via a connection wire 725 on the insulating surface (insulating layer 723) along the edge of the solar cell 71b. These electrodes 72a are each electrically connected to one end (second end) of the lead-out wiring 752 on the laminate film 75 (covering member). One end (first end; the end of the lead-out wiring 752 opposite to the second end) of the lead-out wiring 752 is connected to a lead-out electrode 753 located in a portion (first range) separated from the planar view range (second range) of the solar cell 71.

[0023] The power generation layer 712 is not particularly limited, but may include, for example, a compound semiconductor material such as InGaP. The lower electrode 713 is a surface electrode, but its shape in a plan view does not have to be the same as that of the power generation layer 712. Adjacent wiring electrodes 711 and lower electrodes 713 are connected by connection wiring 714 that vertically connects the gaps between the adjacent solar cells 71 (which may be areas on the lower electrode 713 where the power generation layer 712 and wiring electrode 711 are intentionally not provided).

[0024] As shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 3(b), the base 72 and the laminate film 75 are located above and below the solar cell 71, as well as having a portion that protrudes inward from the solar cell 71. The surface of the laminate film 75 that is attached to the solar cell 71 (second surface 75P) is provided with a connection terminal 751 for connecting to the solar cell 71 and a lead-out wiring 752 that extends from the connection terminal 751 and connects to a lead-out electrode 753 located at one end (second end) of the connection terminal 751. The lead-out electrode 753 located at one end (second end) of the lead-out wiring 752 is located at the protruding portion of the laminate film 75, separated from the solar cell 71 in a planar view (first area). As shown in FIG. 2(c), the attached connection terminal 751 overlaps the electrode 72a. The laminate film 75 is made of a light-transmitting material so as not to impede power generation. 2(a) and 3(b), the wiring pattern (connection terminal 751, lead-out wiring 752, and lead-out electrode 753) is shown as it is seen through the laminate film 75 on the back side. A through-hole is located in the area that overlaps with the lead-out electrode 753 in a plan view of the base 72. Wiring for connecting to the circuit board of the electronic timepiece 1 and the like is connected to the lead-out electrode 753 through this through-hole. The electrode 72a (which may be / include a connecting conductor) and the connecting wire 725 constitute the connecting portion of this embodiment.

[0025] The laminate film 75 may be flexible. This allows the laminate film 75 to bend, stick, or adhere along the base 72, etc., even in areas other than the area where the connection terminal 751 shown in FIG. 2(c) is attached to the electrode 72a. Furthermore, the laminate film 75 may have a concave-convex structure (moth-eye film) that suppresses reflection of incident light. Alternatively, such a film may be attached on top of the laminate film 75. The laminate film 75 also has an opening 755. This opening 755 corresponds to the position of the opening 54 through which the date wheel 55 is exposed, and there is a gap of approximately the same size between the solar cell 71b and the solar cell 71c. Similarly, an opening is also provided in the base 72 in accordance with the position of the opening 54. This allows the date display by the date wheel 55 to be properly performed without being obstructed by the solar cell 71.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2(b), the base 72 has an insulating layer 723 positioned on a support film 721 with an adhesive layer 722 sandwiched between them. The insulating layer 723 is adhered to the lower electrode 713 of the solar cell 71. The combination of the support film 721 and the insulating layer 723 can be determined appropriately depending on, for example, the combination of adhesiveness and conformability with the solar cell 71 and support strength. The connection terminal 751, the lead wiring 752, and the lead electrode 753 (collectively referred to as the wiring pattern) are formed, for example, by applying a conductive paste onto a laminate film 75. The conductive paste contains metal particles, such as silver particles, which are continuously bonded to each other, thereby providing conductivity.

[0027] As described above, the laminate film 75 is attached to the light incident surface (first surface 71P) of the solar cell 71. If the laminate film 75 has an adhesive / tacky component on its surface, it can be attached directly to the solar cell 71. However, in this case, a conductive adhesive is applied to the connection terminal 751, and then the connection terminal 751 and the electrode 72a are bonded via the conductive adhesive. This allows for a more reliable electrical connection between the connection terminal 751 and the electrode 72a with low resistance. The conductive adhesive contains, for example, particles of silver or copper. Although not particularly limited, the connection terminal 751 and the electrode 72a can be more reliably bonded by using the same metal contained in the conductive adhesive as the metal contained in the conductive paste.

[0028] The method for manufacturing such a solar panel 70 is as follows: (1) A wiring pattern (connection terminals 751, lead wires 752, and lead electrodes 753) is formed using a conductive paste on a laminate film 75 having a designed shape (FIG. 3(b)). The formation of the wiring pattern using the conductive paste may be performed by any suitable well-known method, such as printing.

[0029] (2) A conductive adhesive is applied to the position of the electrode 72a of a structure 700 (FIG. 3(a)) having a solar cell 71 and a base 72 cut out from a wafer. The conductive adhesive may also be applied to the connection terminal 751 of the laminate film 75.

[0030] (3) The structure 700 and the laminate film 75 are aligned relative to each other and brought into contact, and the laminate film 75 (connection terminal 751) is attached (bonded) to the structure 700 (electrode 72a) using a conductive adhesive so that the wiring pattern is electrically connected to the electrode of the solar cell 71 (Figure 2(a)).

[0031] [Second embodiment] FIG. 4 is a plan view of an electronic timepiece 1a according to the second embodiment. The electronic timepiece 1a differs from the electronic timepiece 1 in the positions of the small windows 101-104 and the opening 54. The solar panel 80 is located inside the small window 102. Portions of the dial 52 other than the small window 102 do not need to be light-transmitting. Furthermore, the date indicator 55 has each date mark facing in a direction that matches the position of the opening 54. The other configurations are the same between both embodiments, and the same components are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described again.

[0032] 5 and 6 are diagrams illustrating the solar panel 80. FIG. Fig. 5(a) is a plan view illustrating the panel arrangement of a solar panel 80. Fig. 5(b) is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure taken along the cross-sectional line CC in Fig. 5(a). Fig. 6(a) is a plan view of a solar cell 81 and a base 82. Fig. 6(b) is a plan view of a laminate film 85.

[0033] The solar panel 80 includes a base 82, a structure 800 having a plurality of, for example, three solar cells 81a-81c (collectively referred to as solar cells 81) positioned on one surface (third surface 82P) of the base 82, and a laminate film 85. As shown in FIGS. 5(a) and 6(a), the solar cells 81a-81c are each fan-shaped. They are arranged in a circular positional relationship with the centers of the fan-shaped cells being approximately the same. The range of this circular shape roughly corresponds to the display surface of the small window 102 (the range of rotation of the pointer 51 (small hand) that rotates within the small window 102), but the solar cells do not need to be the same size. Furthermore, the solar cells 81a-81c do not necessarily have to have the same shape. They may each have a different angular width. Similar to the solar cell 71 of the first embodiment, the solar cell 81 includes a lower electrode 813, a power generation layer 812, and a wiring electrode 811 stacked in this order. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the wiring electrodes 811 extend along the outer edges of the solar cells 81a to 81c in a plan view.

[0034] The base 82 has a regular hexagonal shape (polygonal shape) that encompasses the above-mentioned circular range. A total of six electrodes 82a, 82b connected to both poles of the three solar cells 81a to 81c are located near each vertex of the regular hexagon outside the solar cell 81 in a plan view. The structure of the base 82 may be the same as that of the base 72 of the above-mentioned first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0035] 5(a), 5(b), and 6(b), a laminate film 85 (covering member) is attached to the light incident surface (first surface 81P) of the solar cell 81. On the surface (second surface 85P) of the laminate film 85 attached to the first surface 81P, an extraction electrode 853, an extraction wiring 852 having one end (second end) connected to the extraction electrode 853, and a connection wiring 854 connecting the solar cells 81a to 81c in series are positioned.

[0036] The laminate film 85 is larger than the base 82, the solar cell 81, and the small window 102, and has a through-hole 510 (hole portion) positioned at the rotation axis of the pointer 51, through which an axis for rotating the pointer 51 passes. This allows the laminate film 85 to be aligned. The laminate film 85 also has notches at its edges, and is aligned by inserting screws or the like into the edges. The laminate film 85, for example, entirely covers the base 82 and the solar cell 81, and at least the portion (second region) that overlaps with the solar cell 81 (power generation layer 812) in a planar view is optically transparent. Alternatively, the laminate film 85 does not have to entirely cover the base 82 and the solar cell 81. The laminate film 85 may not have optical transparency in the portion that does not overlap with the solar cell 81 in a planar view.

[0037] As described above, the solar cells 81a to 81c are connected in series. Of the two solar cells 81b and 81c at both ends of the series arrangement, the two electrodes 82a connected to the electrodes on the opposite sides are electrically connected to the lead-out wiring 852 of the laminate film 85. One end (first end; the end opposite the second end) of the lead-out wiring 852 is connected to the lead-out electrode 853 located in a portion (first range) separated from the planar view range (second range) of the solar cell 81. The remaining four electrodes 82b are connected to the solar cells 81a to 81c in series by the connection wiring 854. The lead-out wiring 852, the lead-out electrode 853 (first end), and the connection wiring 854 do not overlap with the solar cell 81 (power generation layer 812) in a planar view. As a result, the lead-out wiring 852 and the connection wiring 854 do not block light incident on the solar cell 81. The three lower electrodes 813 are connected to one of the electrodes 82a (solar cell 81b) and two of the electrodes 82b (solar cells 81a and 81c) on the base 82 by connecting conductors 824 shown in FIG. 5(b).

[0038] 6(b), connection terminals 851 (the second ends of the lead-out wiring 852 and both ends of the connection wiring 854) are located at positions overlapping with electrodes 82a and 82b when laminate film 85 is viewed in a plan view. A wiring pattern including connection terminals 851, lead-out wiring 852, lead-out electrode 853, and also connection wiring 854 may be formed by applying a conductive paste onto laminate film 85, similar to the wiring pattern of the first embodiment.

[0039] The lead electrode 853 at the tip of the lead wiring 852 located on the second surface 85P of the laminate film 85 attached to the first surface 81P of the solar cell 81 faces downward. Because the laminate film 85 is larger than the base 82 and there is no base 82 in a position that overlaps with the lead electrode 853 in a planar view, the lead electrode 853 is exposed toward the interior of the electronic timepiece 1a. This facilitates connection to the substrate (circuit board) of the electronic timepiece 1a. For the solar cell 81 on the base 82, if the lead electrode were to face in the opposite direction (downward) to the incident direction of light (upward), additional work would be required, such as creating a through-hole in the base 82. However, fabrication is easy if the lead wiring 852 and lead electrode 853 are separately formed on the laminate film 85 and then attached to the structure 800 consisting of the base 82 and the solar cell 81.

[0040] Furthermore, since the extraction wiring 852 and extraction electrode 853 are located on the laminate film 85, even if the above structure 800 has a general-purpose shape and electrode arrangement, the wiring can be easily extracted to any position depending on the internal structure of the electronic watch 1a.

[0041] Furthermore, since the structure 800 has a general-purpose shape and is limited to the range required to obtain the solar cell 81, it becomes easier to obtain a larger number of structures 800 from one wafer.

[0042] The wiring electrodes 811 on the light incident surface (first surface 81P) side of the solar cell 81 have a thin line shape so as not to prevent light from entering the power generation layer 812. In FIG. 6(a), the wiring electrodes 811 are drawn along the edge of the power generation layer 812, but this is not limited to this. They may cross the inside of the power generation layer 812 in a planar view. Furthermore, the wiring electrodes 811 are not limited to an arc shape. The wiring electrodes 811 may be arbitrarily bent or curved. As shown in FIG. 6(a), the three wiring electrodes 811 are connected to one of the electrodes 82a (solar cell 81c) and two of the electrodes 82b (solar cells 81a and 81b) on the base 82 by connection wires 825. Note that the electrodes 82a and 82b may extend toward the wiring electrodes 811 and be directly connected to the wiring electrodes 811. The electrode 82a, the connection conductor 824, and the connection wire 825 constitute the connection portion of this embodiment.

[0043] 5(b), the electrodes 82a, 82b on the base 82 are thicker than the solar cell 81. Therefore, the electrodes 82a, 82b can be easily connected to the connection terminal 851 with a conductive adhesive or the like.

[0044] As described above, the electronic timepiece 1, 1a of this embodiment includes a solar cell 71, 81 having a power-generating layer 712, 812, a pair of electrodes sandwiching the power-generating layer 712, 812—the wiring electrode 711, 811 and the lower electrode 713, 813—and a laminate film 75, 85 bonded to at least a portion of the first surface 71P, 81P of the solar cell 71, 81. The laminate film 75, 85 is located on the second surface 75P, 85P of the solar cell 71, 81, which is bonded to the first surface 71P, 81P, and has lead-out wiring 752, 852 electrically connected to the pair of electrodes. With this electronic timepiece 1, 1a, the lead-out wiring 752, 852 can be flexibly formed on the laminate film 75, 85 according to the structure of the individual electronic timepiece 1, 1a. Therefore, the structure of the solar cell 71, 81 itself can be easily used in multiple electronic timepieces. Therefore, the electronic timepieces 1, 1a can more easily and flexibly output the power generated by the solar cells 71, 81 to the circuit board or the like.

[0045] Furthermore, one end of the lead-out wiring 752, 852 (the connection end with the lead-out electrode 753, 853) is located in a first range that does not overlap the solar cell 71, 81 in a plan view. Therefore, the electronic timepiece 1, 1a can form lead-out wiring without difficulty, making it easier to connect the solar cell 71, 81 to internal circuit boards and the like.

[0046] Furthermore, the electronic timepieces 1, 1a are provided with electrodes 72a, 82a and the connecting conductors 824 and connecting lines 725, 825 that are drawn out from a pair of electrodes (wiring electrodes 711, 811 and lower electrodes 713, 813) on the outside of the power generation layer 712, 812 when viewed in plan on the first surface 71P, 81P of the solar cell 71, 81, as needed, and are bonded to connection terminals 751, 851 located at second ends opposite the first ends of the drawn-out wiring 752, 852. Since the connection ends with the drawn-out wiring 752, 852 are positioned away from the solar cell 71, 81, it is easier to ensure a reliable connection with the solar cell 71, 81.

[0047] Furthermore, the lead-out wiring 752, 852 does not overlap with the power generation layers 712, 812 in a plan view. In other words, the lead-out wiring 752, 852 itself does not affect power generation, and can be appropriately designed and arranged to transmit the power extracted via the electrodes 72 a, 82 a.

[0048] Furthermore, the first surfaces 71P, 81P of the solar cells 71, 81 are the surfaces through which light enters the power generation layers 712, 812. Therefore, the lead-out wiring 752, 852 does not substantially impede power generation, effectively minimizing any decline in power generation efficiency. Furthermore, when the light-incident surface faces the outside of the electronic timepiece 1, the second surfaces 75P, 85P of the laminate films 75, 85, which face the first surfaces 71P, 81P, face the inside of the electronic timepiece 1. This facilitates connection between the lead-out electrodes 753, 853 on the second surfaces 75P, 85P and circuit boards and other components inside the electronic timepiece 1. This positional relationship can be easily achieved by attaching the laminate films 75, 85 to the first surfaces 71P, 81P.

[0049] Furthermore, the laminate films 75, 85 have a second area that overlaps with the power generation layers 712, 812 in a planar view, and at least the second area is optically transparent. That is, the laminate films 75, 85 can also be used as protective films for the power generation layers 712, 812. The optical transparency of the laminate films 75, 85 allows them to appropriately protect the power generation layers 712, 812 without affecting power generation, and can suppress a decrease in power generation efficiency due to deterioration or damage.

[0050] The electronic timepiece 1, 1a also has multiple solar cells 71, 81. The laminate film 85 has connection wiring 854 located on the second surface 85P, connecting the multiple solar cells 81a-81c in series. Even when a sufficient amount of light is incident, if the generated voltage of a single solar cell 71, 81 is insufficient due to the configuration of the solar cell 71, 81 or its internal operating voltage, connecting multiple solar cells 71, 81 in series can provide an appropriate voltage without using a boost circuit. This simplifies the structure of the solar panel 70, 80. Furthermore, by forming the connection wiring 854 on the surface of the laminate film 85, complex wiring is not required in the structure 800 of the solar cells 81 and base 82. This further enhances the versatility of the structure 800.

[0051] The laminate films 75, 85 may be flexible, which makes them easier to handle when aligning and attaching them. Furthermore, the laminate films 75, 85 are positioned along the irregularities on the upper surfaces of the structures 700, 800, which can protect the solar cells 71, 81, etc.

[0052] The structures 700, 800 also include bases 72, 82 having a plurality of solar cells 71, 81 located on third surfaces 72P, 82P. The solar cells 81 each have a sector shape and are arranged in a circular shape overall on the base 82. The base 82 has a polygonal shape that encompasses a circular area in plan view. By using structures 700, 800 that are supported by bases 72, 82 that are slightly larger than solar cells 71, 81, it is possible to use semiconductor processes with high precision to obtain structures 700, 800 that include solar cells 71, 81. Furthermore, cutting into polygonal shapes is easy, and multiple solar cells can be efficiently arranged on a single wafer, improving manufacturing efficiency.

[0053] The electronic timepieces 1, 1a also have rotatable hands 51. The hands 51 include a small hand that rotates only on a portion of the display surface, and multiple solar cells 71, 81 are located within a small window 104, which corresponds to the range of rotation of the small hand. In this way, in an electronic timepiece 1 that has a small window (dial) on the dial, by limiting the solar panel 70 to a specific small window, it is less susceptible to design restrictions due to the boundaries of that range, and a wider variety of dial designs for the electronic timepiece 1 are possible.

[0054] Furthermore, laminate film 85 may have a through-hole 510 through which the rotation axis of pointer 51 passes. When laminate film 85 is larger than solar cell 81, it becomes easier to determine the fixing position appropriately in multiple locations. This makes it possible to more appropriately reduce misalignment during manufacturing and prevent a decrease in yield.

[0055] The manufacturing method of the solar panels 70, 80 of this embodiment includes the following steps: (1) forming a wiring pattern (connection terminals 751, 851, lead wiring 752, 852, and lead electrodes 753, 853) on a laminate film 75, 85. (2) attaching the laminate film 75, 85 to a solar cell structure 700, 800 having a power generation layer 712, 812 and a pair of electrodes (wiring electrodes 711, 811 and lower electrodes 713, 813) sandwiching the power generation layer 712, 812, so that the wiring pattern is electrically connected to the pair of electrodes. In this way, it is easier than ever to form wiring patterns on the laminate film 75, 85 separately from the solar cells 71, 81 and bases 72, 82 for outputting power to circuit boards, such as control and drive units. Furthermore, by attaching the laminate film 75, 85 to the structure 700, 800 after forming such wiring patterns, it is possible to attach laminate films 75, 85 with a variety of wiring patterns. Therefore, the electromotive force of the solar cells 71, 81 can be easily supplied to the outside without having to change the design of the solar cells 71, 81 and other structures for each electronic watch product. Therefore, electronic watches 1, 1a using the solar panels 70, 80 obtained in this way can reduce the development and design effort and manufacturing costs.

[0056] The structure 800 also includes a base 82. The solar cells 71, 81 are positioned on the bases 72, 82. Electrodes 72a, 82a connected to the pair of electrodes are positioned on at least one of the bases 72, 82 and the base 72. The wiring pattern includes lead-out wiring 752, 852 leading from the pair of electrodes to the outside. When attaching the laminate films 75, 85, one end (connection terminal 751, 851) of the lead-out wiring 752, 852 is bonded to the electrodes 72a, 82a with a conductive adhesive. This allows the solar cells 71, 81 to be easily obtained reliably and with a high yield using a semiconductor process. This allows the solar panels 70, 80 to reliably electrically connect the solar cells 71, 81 to the laminate films 75, 85 with low resistance.

[0057] The wiring pattern may also be formed using a conductive paste, which allows flexible and appropriate wiring patterns to be obtained on the laminate films 75 and 85.

[0058] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiment, the laminate films 75 and 85 are used as the covering member, but the present invention is not limited to this. The covering member may be a general resin film or resin plate that is not a laminate film. Furthermore, the covering member may be made of different materials for the light-transmitting portion covering the power generation layers 712 and 812 and the other portions. The portions made of different materials may be attached to the structures 700 and 800 separately.

[0059] Furthermore, the shapes and positional relationships of the multiple solar cells 71, 81 are not limited to the examples shown above. Furthermore, multiple solar cells 81 may be distributed and arranged in multiple small windows. In this case, a common laminate film 85 may be used, which has connection wiring 854 that connects the solar cells 81 in the multiple small windows in series. Alternatively, the lead-out wiring 852 that outputs the generated electromotive force obtained by connecting the solar cells in series in each small window may be connected in parallel. In this case, the circuit is determined so that backflow does not occur when the output voltages of the lead-out wiring 752 differ. Furthermore, the shape of the base 72 is not limited to the above.

[0060] Furthermore, the connection wiring 854 may be located on the base 82 , and the connection wiring 714 may be located on the laminate film 75 .

[0061] Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the laminate film 85 has been described as having a through hole 510 through which the rotation axis of the pointer 51 passes, but the position may also be aligned using holes or notches corresponding to other pins, etc.

[0062] Furthermore, the wiring electrodes 711 and 811 may be a plurality of electrodes extending in parallel. FIG. 7 shows a modified example of a structure 700 of the solar panel 70 of the first embodiment. The wiring electrodes 711b may be two that extend parallel to one another. By having a plurality of wiring electrodes 711b in this way, the solar cell 71 can continue to generate power even if one of the wiring electrodes 711b is cut.

[0063] In the above embodiment, the display screen has been described as having a small window and a small hand that rotates within the small window, but this is not limited to this. The hands 51 may only rotate around a common rotation axis located approximately at the center of the dial 52. Furthermore, the dial 52 may include a digital display screen in addition to or instead of the display by the hands 51.

[0064] Furthermore, the wiring pattern may be formed not from a paste but from a liquid or sol that hardens under specific conditions.

[0065] In addition, while the laminate films 75, 85 have been described as being bonded to the connection terminals 751, 851 and the electrodes 72a, 82a with a conductive adhesive, this does not exclude further bonding of other portions. The laminate films 75, 85 may be bonded to the bases 72, 82, etc. with a normal insulating adhesive at positions that do not affect power generation or conduction. In addition, the specific configurations, contents and procedures of the processing operations, etc. shown in the above embodiments can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1, 1a Electronic clock 2. Case 2a Mounting part 6. Clearance board 8 Windshield material 11 Bezel 51 Guidelines 52 Dial 53 Tokiji 54 Aperture 55 day car 70, 80 solar panels 71, 71a~71c, 81, 81a~81c solar cell Page 71, Page 81, Page 1 72, 82 Base 72a, 82a, 82b electrode 72P, 82P 3rd page 75, 85 Laminate film 75P, 85P, Page 2 101~104 Small windows 510 Through hole 700, 800 structure 711, 811 Wiring electrode 712, 812 power generation layer 713, 813 Lower electrode 824 Connecting conductor 725, 825 connecting wire 751, 851 connection terminal 752, 852 Lead wiring 753, 853 Extraction electrode 754, 814 connection wiring 755 Aperture

Claims

1. an annular solar cell having a power generation layer and a pair of electrodes sandwiching the power generation layer; a covering member having a second surface bonded to at least a portion of the first surface of the solar cell; Equipped with the covering member is located on the second surface and has a lead wire electrically connected to the electrode, a first end of the lead wiring located in a first range spaced apart from an inner edge of the solar cell in a plan view; Electronic clock.

2. In a plan view, the solar cell is provided with connection portions on the inner edge side that are drawn out from the pair of electrodes and bonded to second ends of the drawing wiring opposite to the first ends, 2. The electronic watch according to claim 1.

3. the lead-out wiring does not overlap the power generation layer in a plan view; 3. The electronic watch according to claim 2.

4. The annular solar cell is formed by a plurality of solar cells, the covering member has connection wiring located on the second surface and connecting the plurality of solar cells in series; 2. The electronic watch according to claim 1.

5. a substrate having the plurality of solar cells located on a third surface thereof; the plurality of solar cells each have a sector shape and are arranged in a circular shape on the base; The base has a polygonal shape that includes the circular range in a plan view.

5. The electronic watch according to claim 4.

6. Equipped with a rotatable pointer, The pointer includes a small hand that rotates only on a portion of the display surface, the plurality of solar cells are positioned in a range corresponding to the range of rotation of the small hand; 6. The electronic watch according to claim 5.

7. forming a wiring pattern on the covering member; attaching the covering member to an annular solar cell structure having a power generation layer and a pair of electrodes sandwiching the power generation layer so that the wiring pattern is electrically connected to the pair of electrodes; the structure includes a substrate; the solar cell is located on the substrate; an electrode connected to each of the pair of electrodes is located on at least one of the base and the solar cell; the second surface of the covering member is bonded to at least a part of the first surface of the solar cell; the wiring pattern includes lead-out wiring located on the second surface, which is led from the pair of electrodes to a first range spaced apart from an inner edge of the solar cell; How solar panels are manufactured.

8. the wiring pattern is formed from a conductive paste; A method for manufacturing the solar panel according to claim 7.