electronic machines

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic device that can provide solar cells on the outer surface of its casing while also providing adequate protection for those solar cells. [Solution] The electronic device (calculator 100) in this embodiment comprises a housing 1 having a first case member 10 having a main surface portion 11 and a side portion 12 connected to the main surface portion 11, and a second case member 20 arranged on the back side of the main surface portion 11, an operation unit 2 provided on the main surface portion 11 for receiving user operations, and a solar cell 4 provided on the outer surface of the side portion 12.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a calculator incorporating a solar cell and obtaining a driving voltage from a light source by the solar cell has been known (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, it is conceivable to improve the designability by arranging the solar cell on the side surface (outer peripheral surface) of the calculator housing and to increase the area of the operation unit and the display unit provided in the calculator. However, in this case, the solar cell is arranged so as to straddle the joint between the front case member and the back case member constituting the housing, and there is a risk that the solar cell may be damaged due to loads such as pressure and torsion caused by the fall of the calculator or the like being applied to the joint.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can appropriately protect a solar cell while providing the solar cell on the outer peripheral surface of a housing in view of the above circumstances.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an electronic device according to the present invention includes a housing including a first case member having a main surface portion and a side surface portion continuous with the main surface portion, and a second case member disposed on the back side of the main surface portion, an operation unit provided on the main surface portion and receiving a user operation, and a solar cell provided on the outer surface of the side surface portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, solar cells can be provided on the outer surface of the housing while being properly protected. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing the front of a calculator, an example of an electronic device. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the back of a calculator, an example of an electronic device. [Figure 3] This is a plan view showing the side of a calculator, an example of an electronic device. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view of the calculator in a modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the electronic device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As one embodiment of the electronic device to which the present invention is applied, a calculator will be used as an example. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the calculator 100 is formed in the shape of a long rectangular plate. In the following description, the front, back, left, right, up, and down directions refer to the orientations shown in each figure. That is, the front-to-back direction (thickness direction) of the calculator 100, the left-to-right direction refers to the width direction of the calculator 100, and the up-to-down direction refers to the longitudinal direction of the calculator 100.

[0010] The calculator 100 comprises a first case member 10 and a second case member 20. The first case member 10 and the second case member 20 engage in the front-rear direction to form the housing 1 of the calculator 100.

[0011] The first case member 10 comprises a main surface portion 11 that covers the front surface of the calculator 100, which is the front side, and a side portion 12 that is connected to the main surface portion 11 and covers the upper side of the calculator 100. The main surface portion 11 is home to an operation unit 2 and a display unit 3. The operation unit 2 is a group of keys that receive input operations from the user for mathematical formula components such as numbers and calculation symbols, and for receiving instructions for various processes. The display unit 3 is located above the center in the vertical direction of the calculator 100. The display unit 3 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) and displays various data such as characters, codes, and symbols in response to user operations received by the operation unit 2.

[0012] As shown in Figure 4, the side portion 12 has a recess 23 in which the solar cell 4 is housed. In other words, the solar cell 4 is provided on the outer surface of the side portion 12. This improves the design of the calculator 100 compared to when the solar cell is provided on the front of the housing 1. It also allows for a larger area for the operation section 2 and the display section 3 compared to when the solar cell is provided on the front of the housing 1. Furthermore, the side portion 12 is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the front of the housing 1. In other words, the angle A between the outer surface of the side portion 12 and the outer surface of the main surface 11 is obtuse. This makes it easier for light from the front of the calculator 100 to enter the solar cell 4. The solar cell 4 is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate that is long in the left-right direction. The solar cell 4 generates electricity by receiving light, and the generated power obtained by photoelectric power generation by the solar cell 4 is stored in a secondary battery (not shown).

[0013] On the side portion 12, a light-transmitting member 5 is arranged, which is formed in the shape of a rectangular plate slightly larger than the solar cell 4 and covers the entire surface of the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. The light-transmitting member 5 is made of a transparent material such as transparent acrylic resin.

[0014] The second case member 20 is positioned on the back side (rear side) of the main surface 11 and covers the back surface of the calculator 100, which is the rear side. One end 20a of the second case member 20, which is the upper end, is in contact with the inner surface 121 of the side surface 12. As described above, the upper side of the housing 1, which is composed of the first case member 10 and the second case member 20, is composed only of the side surface 12. In other words, the length of the side surface 12 in the front-to-back direction (thickness direction of the housing 1) is the same as the thickness of the upper end of the housing 1.

[0015] Furthermore, the length from one end 10a, which is the end on the side (upward side) of the first case member 10 where the side portion 12 is located, to the other end 10b, which is opposite to the one end 10a, is the same as the length from one end to the other end in the vertical direction of the housing 1. The other end 10b is the downward end of the first case member 10. Furthermore, the length from one end 20a, which is the upper end of the second case member 20, to the other end 20b, which is opposite to the said end 20a, is shorter than the length from one end 10a to the other end 10b of the first case member 10. The other end 20b is the lower end of the second case member 20.

[0016] Furthermore, the first case member 10 is positioned so as to cover one end 20a of the second case member 20 at one end 10a where the side portion 12 is located. In other words, on the side of the housing 1 on the side where the side portion 12 is located (upward side), the joint between one end 10a of the first case member 10 and one end 20a of the second case member 20 is not exposed. This prevents, for example, if liquid spills onto the main surface portion 11, from entering the interior of the housing 1 from between the main surface portion 11 and the side portion 12. This also prevents foreign matter such as dust from entering the interior of the housing 1 from between the main surface portion 11 and the side portion 12. In addition, this improves the aesthetic appearance by eliminating the joint between the main surface portion 11 and the side portion 12.

[0017] Further, the first case member 10 includes a hook 13 that protrudes downward from the inner surface of the side surface portion 12. The second case member 20 includes an engaged portion 22 that has a recess for engaging with the hook 13. The first case member 10 and the second case member 20 are engaged by the hook 13 and the engaged portion 22 to form the housing 1.

[0018] Also, on the lower side surface, which is the side opposite to the side surface portion 12 in the housing 1, a joint B between the other end portion 10b of the first case member 10 and the other end portion 20b of the second case member 20 is exposed. Thereby, the lower end portion of the housing 1 can be assembled by a conventional assembly method.

[0019] In addition, in the above embodiment, the first case member 10 is described as including the main surface portion 11 and the side surface portion 12, but it is not limited thereto. The first case member 10 may include the main surface portion 11, and the second case member 20 may be disposed on the back side of the main surface portion 11 and include the side surface portion 12. In this case, one end portion, which is the end portion on the side surface portion 12 side of the first case member 10, is in contact with the inner surface of the side surface portion 12.

[0020] Next, a modification of the present invention will be described. In the modification, the same components as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0021] In the modification, the housing 1 of the calculator 100 is composed of a first case member 10A and a second case member 20A that engages with the first case member 10A, as shown in FIG. 5. The second case member 20A covers the entire side surface in the left - right direction of the calculator 100. At the end portion on the side (upper side) where the side surface portion 12 of the housing 1 is located, the upper end portion of the second case member 20 is exposed. In other words, at the side surface on the side (upper side) where the side surface portion 12 of the housing 1 is located, a joint C between the end portion of the first case member 10A and the end portion of the second case member 20A is exposed.

[0022] In the modified version, the first case member 10A is positioned so as to cover the lower end of the second case member 20A at its lower end. Alternatively, the second case member 20A is positioned so as to cover the lower end of the first case member 10A at its lower end. In other words, on the lower side of the housing 1, which is the side opposite to the side portion 12, the joint between the end of the first case member 10A and the end of the second case member 20A is not exposed.

[0023] As described above, the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment comprises a housing 1 having a first case member 10 having a main surface portion 11 and a side portion 12 connected to the main surface portion 11, and a second case member 20 arranged on the back side of the main surface portion 11, an operation unit 2 provided on the main surface portion 11 for receiving user operations, and a solar cell 4 provided on the outer surface of the side portion 12. Therefore, since the solar cell 4 can be provided on the outer surface of the side portion 12 connected to the main surface portion 11 of the first case member 10, by positioning the solar cell to straddle the joint between the front case member and the rear case member, it is possible to suppress damage to the solar cell caused by loads such as pressure and twisting due to dropping the calculator, etc., applied to the joint. This makes it possible to provide a solar cell on the outer surface of the housing while appropriately protecting the solar cell. In addition, by not providing a joint between the main surface portion 11 and the side portion 12, it is possible to prevent liquids, dust, etc. from entering the inside of the calculator from between the main surface portion 11 and the side portion 12. Furthermore, the aesthetic appeal can be improved by eliminating the need for a joint between the main surface portion 11 and the side portion 12.

[0024] Furthermore, in the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment, the joint between the first case member 10 and the second case member 20 is not exposed at the end of the housing 1 in the first direction (upward direction in the drawing) from the main surface 11 toward the side surface 12, while the joint between the first case member 10 and the second case member 20 is exposed at the end of the housing 1 in the second direction (rightward or leftward direction in the drawing) perpendicular to the first direction. Therefore, the solar cell 4 can be provided on the outer surface of the side surface 12 of the first case member 10 that is connected to the main surface 11. By positioning the solar cell so that it straddles the joint between the front case member and the rear case member, it is possible to prevent damage to the solar cell caused by pressure, twisting, or other loads from dropping the calculator, etc., applied to the joint. This makes it possible to provide the solar cell on the outer surface of the housing while appropriately protecting the solar cell. Furthermore, at the end portion in the first direction from the main surface portion 11 to the side portion 12 of the calculator, the joint between the front case member and the rear case member is not exposed, thereby improving the design and, as mentioned above, properly protecting the solar cell.

[0025] Furthermore, in the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment, the joint C between the first case member 10A and the second case member 20A is exposed at the end of the housing 1 in the first direction from the main surface 11 toward the side surface 12, while the joint between the first case member 10A and the second case member 20A is not exposed at the end of the housing 1 in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Therefore, the solar cell 4 can be provided on the outer surface of the side surface 12 of the first case member 10A that is connected to the main surface 11. By positioning the solar cell so that it straddles the joint between the front case member and the rear case member, it is possible to prevent damage to the solar cell caused by pressure, twisting, or other loads applied to the joint due to the calculator being dropped. This makes it possible to provide the solar cell on the outer surface of the housing while appropriately protecting the solar cell. Furthermore, at the end of the second direction perpendicular to the first direction from the main surface 11 to the side surface 12 of the calculator, the joint between the front case member and the back case member is not exposed, thereby improving the design and, as mentioned above, properly protecting the solar cell.

[0026] Furthermore, in the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment, the length of the side portion 12 in the thickness direction (front-to-back direction) of the housing 1 is the same as the thickness of the housing 1. Therefore, the solar cell 4 can be provided on the outer surface of the side portion 12 connected to the main surface portion 11 of the first case member 10.

[0027] Furthermore, in the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment, the length from one end 10a where the side portion 12 of the first case member 10 is located to the other end 10b opposite to that end 10a is the same as the length from one end to the other end in the vertical direction of the housing 1. The length from one end 20a in the second case member 20 that contacts the inner surface 121 of the side portion 12 to the other end 20b opposite to that end 20a is shorter than the length from one end 10a to the other end 10b of the first case member 10. Therefore, a configuration can be made in which a solar cell 4 is provided on the outer surface of the side portion 12 connected to the main surface portion 11 of the first case member 10.

[0028] Furthermore, in the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment, the first case member 10 is positioned so as to cover one end 20a of the second case member 20 at one end 10a where the side portion 12 is located. Therefore, the solar cell 4 can be provided on the outer surface of the side portion 12 connected to the main surface portion 11 of the first case member 10.

[0029] Furthermore, in the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment, the angle between the side portion 12 and the main surface portion 11 is obtuse. Therefore, light from the front of the calculator 100 can be easily incident on the solar cell 4 provided on the outer surface of the side portion 12.

[0030] Furthermore, in the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment, a light-transmitting member 5 that covers the solar cell 4 is provided on the side portion 12. Therefore, the light-transmitting member 5 can protect the solar cell 4 and improve its strength.

[0031] Although the present invention has been described in detail based on embodiments above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified without departing from its essence. For example, in the above embodiments, a calculator was given as an example of an electronic device to which the present invention is applied, but the electronic device is not limited to a calculator. It can be applied to any electronic device (for example, a keyboard, numeric keypad, handheld terminal, electronic dictionary, notebook PC (Personal Computer), etc.) to which a solar cell is provided on the side (outer surface) of the housing.

[0032] Furthermore, it goes without saying that the detailed configuration of each component of the calculator 100 in the above embodiment can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0033] 100 Calculator (electronic device), 1 Housing, 2 Operating section, 4 Solar cell, 10 First case component, 11 Main surface, 12 Side surface, 20 Second case component

Claims

1. A housing comprising a first case member having a main surface portion and a side portion connected to the main surface portion, and a second case member disposed on the back side of the main surface portion, The main surface portion includes an operating section that accepts user input, A solar cell provided on the outer surface of the aforementioned side portion, Electronic devices equipped with the following features.

2. At the end portion of the housing in the first direction from the main surface portion toward the side portion, the joint between the first case member and the second case member is not exposed. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein at the end of the housing in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the joint between the first case member and the second case member is exposed.

3. At the end of the housing in the first direction from the main surface to the side surface, the joint between the first case member and the second case member is exposed. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein at the end of the housing in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the joint between the first case member and the second case member is not exposed.

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

5. The length from one end of the first case member where the side portion is located to the other end opposite to that end is the same as the length from one end to the other end of the housing. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the length from one end of the second case member that contacts the inner surface of the side portion to the other end opposite to the one end is shorter than the length from one end to the other end of the first case member.

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

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

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

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