electronic machines

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic device that can improve the power generation efficiency of a solar cell located on the side of a housing. [Solution] The electronic device (calculator 100) in this embodiment comprises a housing 1, an operating unit 2 provided on the main surface (front) which is the front surface of the housing 1, and a solar cell 4 provided on the side surface of the housing 1, wherein the first inclination angle B1, which is the angle on the housing 1 side, is acute, between the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4 and the mounting surface A on which the housing 1 is placed.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a calculator provided with a solar cell on the outer peripheral surface (side surface) of a calculator body on which operation keys and display windows are provided is 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] However, when a solar cell is provided on the side surface of the calculator body as in the invention of Patent Document 1, the solar cell is difficult to receive light from the front side which is the surface on which the operation keys and display windows of the calculator are provided, so there is a problem that the power generation efficiency of the solar cell decreases.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device capable of improving the power generation efficiency of a solar cell provided on a side 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, an operation unit provided on a main surface of the housing, and a solar cell provided on a side surface of the housing, and among the angles formed by the solar cell and the placement surface on which the housing is placed, the first inclination angle on the housing side is an acute angle.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the power generation efficiency of a solar cell provided on the side of a housing can be improved. [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 the calculator when the support member is in the supporting position. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view along line IV-IV. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Figure 1, when the support member is in the supporting position. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of prism processing applied to the outer surface of a light-transmitting component. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of prism processing applied to the outer surface of a light-transmitting component. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of a reflective material placed inside a light-transmitting member. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view of the modified example 1 along the line IV-IV shown in Figure 1. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view along the line IV-IV shown in Figure 1 of Modification 2. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view of the modified example 3 along the line IV-IV shown in Figure 1. [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 that covers the front (main surface), which is the front side of the calculator 100, and a second case member 20 that covers the back side, which is the rear side of the calculator 100. The first case member 10 and the second case member 20 engage in the front-to-back direction to form the housing 1 of the calculator 100.

[0011] The first case component 10 houses an operation unit 2 and a display unit 3. The operation unit 2 is a group of keys for receiving 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 vertical center of the calculator 100. The display unit 3 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays various data such as characters, codes, and symbols in response to user operations received by the operation unit 2.

[0012] The second case member 20 is equipped with a support member 21 on the rear (bottom) surface of the housing 1. The support member 21 rotates around a rotation axis (not shown) arranged along the left-right direction of the calculator 100, allowing it to be changed between the supported position shown in Figures 3 and 5 and the unsupported position shown in Figure 4. In the supported position, the support member 21 protrudes in the direction behind the calculator 100 and supports the rear surface of the housing 1 such that the rear surface of the housing 1 forms a predetermined angle with respect to the mounting surface A on which the calculator 100 is placed. In the unsupported position, the support member 21 does not support the rear surface of the housing 1 and is stored in a storage section 22 provided in the second case member 20.

[0013] The upper side of the housing 1 is inclined at a predetermined angle relative to the back of the housing 1 and has a recess 23 in which the solar cell 4 is housed. In other words, the solar cell 4 is provided on the side of the housing 1. 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 unit 2 and the display unit 3 compared to when the solar cell is provided on the front of the housing 1. Alternatively, the area of ​​the housing 1 can be reduced without changing the area of ​​the operation unit 2 and the display unit 3. 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 electricity obtained by photoelectric power generation by the solar cell 4 is stored in a secondary battery (not shown).

[0014] As shown in Figure 4, the solar cell 4 is positioned such that, when the support member 21 is in an unsupported position, the first inclination angle B1 formed by the horizontal mounting surface A and the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4 is acute. This causes the light-receiving surface 41 to tilt towards the front of the calculator 100 (i.e., tilted forward), making it easier for light from the front of the calculator 100 to enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. The power generation efficiency of the solar cell 4 is improved even if the first inclination angle B1 is only slightly acute compared to when the solar cell 4 is positioned perpendicular to the mounting surface A. Preferably, the first inclination angle B1 is set to 20 degrees or more and 70 degrees or less, and more preferably to 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less. As shown in Figure 5, the first inclination angle B2 formed by the mounting surface A and the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4 when the support member 21 is in a supported position is smaller than the first inclination angle B1 when the support member 21 is in an unsupported position. As a result, when the support member 21 is in the supporting position, the light-receiving surface 41 is tilted to face the front of the calculator 100 even more than when the support member 21 is in the non-supporting position (i.e., the degree of forward orientation can be increased by putting the support member 21 in the supporting position), making it easier for light from the front of the calculator 100 to be incident on the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0015] On the upper side surface of the housing 1, a light-transmitting member 5 is disposed which is formed in a rectangular plate shape slightly larger than the solar cell 4 and covers the entire light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. The light-transmitting member 5 is disposed such that the second inclination angle D formed by the mounting surface A and the outer surface 51 in the state where the support member 21 is in the non-supporting posture is an acute angle, and is disposed substantially parallel to the solar cell 4. In the present embodiment, the first inclination angle B1 and the second inclination angle D are equal. The light-transmitting member 5 is formed of a transparent material such as transparent acrylic resin. The light-transmitting member 5 is provided with a chamfered portion 52 whose front end portion in the inclination direction is chamfered. The chamfered portion 52 is chamfered such that the chamfered surface C is substantially parallel to the mounting surface A in the state where the support member 21 is in the non-supporting posture. Thereby, scattering of light from the front direction of the calculator 100 can be suppressed, and light can be easily incident on the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. Further, the shape of the chamfered portion 52 may be a shape chamfered so that the entire chamfered portion has an R-shaped corner. Also in this case, light scattering can be suppressed as compared with the case where the corner protrudes toward the front side of the housing 1 without chamfering. Further, if the chamfered surface C is parallel to the mounting surface A, reflection of vertical light from the front side of the housing 1 can be suppressed, but mainly it is sufficient to suppress light scattering. Therefore, the chamfered surface C may not be completely parallel to the mounting surface A and may be a surface inclined by about 15 degrees. Further, the corner formed by the chamfered portion 52 and the outer surface 51 may be chamfered so as to have an R-shaped corner.

[0016] Furthermore, in the calculator 100 described above, the outer surface 51 of the light-transmitting member 5 may be processed with prism-like material to form fine protrusions that facilitate the incidence of light from the front of the calculator 100 onto the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, protrusions that project outward and are triangular when viewed from the left and right directions may be formed on the outer surface 51, and the processing may be applied to refract light E from the front towards the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 7, protrusions having a surface at a predetermined angle with respect to the front direction when viewed from the left and right directions may be formed on the outer surface 51, and the processing may be applied to reflect light E from the front downwards (i.e., towards the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4). In this case, the predetermined angle is preferably 45 degrees with respect to the light E, but it is sufficient if it is an angle that can reflect at least a portion of the light E towards the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. In either processing, the power generation efficiency can be further improved. The protrusions may also be extended in the left and right directions, forming grooves that extend across the left and right directions of the light-transmitting member 5. Alternatively, on the back side of the light-transmitting member 5 in the inclined direction, a reflective material may be arranged on the outer surface 51 so as to reflect light from the front of the calculator 100 toward the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4, or, as shown in Figure 8, the reflective material F may be embedded inside the light-transmitting member 5 behind the back end of the solar cell 4. In this case as well, light E from the front of the calculator 100 can be reflected toward the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. Alternatively, on the back side of the light-transmitting member 5 in the inclined direction, a reflective coating may be applied to the outer surface 51 so as to reflect light from the front of the calculator 100 toward the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. In either case, light from the front can be reflected toward the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4, improving power generation efficiency. In this case, it is desirable to make the angle between the reflective surface and the reflective coating of the reflective material F and the solar cell 4 acute. Alternatively, the outer surface 51 and inner surface 53 of the light-transmitting member 5 may be treated with an anti-reflective coating or an anti-reflective film to prevent reflection of light from the front of the calculator 100. This treatment also suppresses light reflection on the surface of the light-transmitting member 5 and makes it easier for light to enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0017] [Modified Example] Next, a modified example of the present invention will be described. In the modified example, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0018] (Modified Example 1) In the calculator 100 of Modified Example 1, as shown in FIG. 9, the solar cell 4 is disposed at a position deeper in the recess 23 than in the above-described embodiment. In this case, light from the front direction of the calculator 100 is less likely to enter the light-receiving surface 41 than in the above-described embodiment. Therefore, a chamfered portion 231 having a chamfered front-side end edge portion in the inclined direction is provided in the recess 23 of the calculator 100 of Modified Example 1. Thereby, light from the front direction of the calculator 100 can be made to enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4 without being blocked by the front-side end edge portion in the inclined direction of the recess 23.

[0019] Further, a chamfered portion 232 having a chamfered rear-side end edge portion in the inclined direction may be provided in the recess 23 of the calculator 100 of Modified Example 1. Thereby, light from above the calculator 100 can be made to easily enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. The rear-side end edge portion in the inclined direction in the recess 23 is a position facing the bottom-side end portion of the housing 1 of the solar cell 4 in the housing 1. Further, a reflective material for reflecting light from the front direction of the calculator 100 toward the light-receiving surface 41 may be disposed on the chamfered portion 232. Alternatively, without providing the chamfered portion 232 in the recess 23, a reflective material for reflecting light from the front direction of the calculator 100 toward the light-receiving surface 41 may be disposed on the rear-side end edge portion in the inclined direction of the recess 23. In this case, it is desirable to make the angle formed by the reflective material and the solar cell 4 an acute angle. By these processes, the power generation efficiency can be further improved by reflecting the light that did not enter the light-receiving surface 41 from the front side to the light-receiving surface 41. Further, the housing 1 of the calculator 100 of Modified Example 1 may be formed of a material having a color that is easy to reflect light (for example, white). Alternatively, the housing 1 may be painted with a color that is easy to reflect light (for example, white). By such a process, light is more likely to enter the light-receiving surface 41 than in the case where the housing is formed of a material having a color that is difficult to reflect light (that is, easy to absorb).

[0020] (Modified Example 2) In the calculator 100 of Modified Example 2, the solar cell 4 is positioned at a more reclined angle in the recess 23 than in the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 10. That is, the first inclination angle B1 formed by the mounting surface A and the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4 when the support member 21 is in an unsupported position in Modified Example 2 is smaller than the first inclination angle B1 in the above embodiment. Also, the second inclination angle D formed by the mounting surface A and the outer surface 51 when the support member 21 is in an unsupported position in Modified Example 2 is larger than the first inclination angle B1 formed by the mounting surface A and the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4 when the support member 21 is in an unsupported position. Therefore, by positioning the solar cell 4 at a more reclined angle in the recess 23, it is possible to make it easier for light from the front of the calculator 100 to enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0021] (Variation 3) In the calculator 100 of Modification 3, the solar cell 4 is positioned at a more reclined angle in the recess 23 than in the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 11. That is, similar to Modification 2, the second inclination angle D between the mounting surface A and the outer surface 51 when the support member 21 is in an unsupported position in Modification 3 is greater than the first inclination angle B1 between the mounting surface A and the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4 when the support member 21 is in an unsupported position.

[0022] In the light-transmitting member 5 of the calculator 100 in Modification 3, a recess 54 is formed on the inner surface 53, which is the surface facing the solar cell 4. The back side of the solar cell 4 in the direction of inclination extends into the recess 54. Therefore, by arranging the solar cell 4 at a more reclined inclination angle in the recess 23, and arranging it so that the back side of the solar cell 4 in the direction of inclination extends outward, it is possible to make it easier for light from the front of the calculator 100 to enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0023] As described above, the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment comprises a housing 1, an operating section 2 provided on the main surface (front) of the housing 1, and a solar cell 4 provided on the side of the housing 1. The first inclination angles B1 and B2 on the housing 1 side of the angle formed by the solar cell 4 and the mounting surface A on which the housing 1 is placed are acute angles. Therefore, light from the front of the calculator 100 can be easily incident on the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4. This makes it possible to improve the power generation efficiency of the solar cell provided on the side of the housing 1.

[0024] Furthermore, the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment includes a light-transmitting member 5 that covers the solar cell 4. A chamfered portion 52 is provided at the end of the light-transmitting member 5 on the main surface side of the housing 1. When placed on a horizontal mounting surface A, the chamfered surface 52 has a chamfered surface C that is substantially parallel to the horizontal mounting surface A. Therefore, light from the front of the calculator 100 can be easily incident on the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0025] Furthermore, the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment includes a light-transmitting member 5 that covers the solar cell 4. Of the angles formed between the light-transmitting member 5 and the mounting surface A, the second inclination angle D on the housing 1 side is acute, and this second inclination angle D is greater than the first inclination angle B1. Therefore, by arranging the solar cell 4 at a more reclined inclination angle in the recess 23, it is possible to make it easier for light from the front of the calculator 100 to enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0026] Furthermore, the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment includes a light-transmitting member 5 that covers the solar cell 4. A recess 54 is provided on the surface of the light-transmitting member 5 facing the solar cell 4 (inner surface 53). The bottom (back) side of the housing 1 of the solar cell 4 extends into the recess 54. Therefore, by arranging the solar cell 4 in the recess 23 at a more reclined inclination angle, and arranging the back side of the solar cell 4 in the direction of inclination to extend outward, it is possible to make it easier for light from the front of the calculator 100 to enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0027] Furthermore, the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment includes a light-transmitting member 5 that covers the solar cell 4. The outer surface 51 of the light-transmitting member 5 is processed to allow light from the main surface (front) of the housing 1 to enter the solar cell 4. Therefore, it is possible to make it easier for light from the front of the calculator 100 to enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0028] Furthermore, the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment includes a light-transmitting member 5 that covers the solar cell 4. The bottom (back) side of the housing 1 of the light-transmitting member 5 is processed to reflect light from the main (front) side of the housing 1 toward the solar cell 4. Therefore, it is possible to reflect light from the front of the calculator 100 and make it easier for it to enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0029] Furthermore, in the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment, the housing 1 is processed at a position facing the bottom (rear) end of the housing 1 of the solar cell 4 to reflect light from the main (front) side of the housing 1 toward the solar cell 4. Therefore, light from the front of the calculator 100 can be reflected and more easily incident on the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4.

[0030] Furthermore, the electronic device (calculator 100) of this embodiment includes a support member 21 that can switch between a support position that supports the bottom surface (back) of the housing 1 and an unsupport position that does not support the bottom surface of the housing 1. The first inclination angle B2 when the support member 21 is in the support position is smaller than the first inclination angle B1 when the support member 21 is in the unsupport position. Therefore, when the support member 21 is in the support position, it is possible to make it easier for light from the front of the calculator 100 to enter the light-receiving surface 41 of the solar cell 4 than when the support member 21 is in the unsupport position.

[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 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, A Mounting surface

Claims

1. The casing and An operating section provided on the main surface of the housing, A solar cell is provided on the side of the aforementioned housing, Equipped with, An electronic device in which, of the angle formed between the solar cell and the mounting surface on which the housing is placed, the first inclination angle on the housing side is acute.

2. The solar cell is covered by a light-transmitting member, The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a chamfered portion is provided at the end of the light-transmitting member on the main surface side of the housing.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein when the chamfered portion is placed on a horizontal mounting surface, the chamfered surface has a chamfered surface that is substantially parallel to the horizontal mounting surface.

4. The solar cell is covered by a light-transmitting member, The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein, of the angles formed between the light-transmitting member and the aforementioned mounting surface, the second inclination angle on the housing side is acute, and the second inclination angle is greater than the first inclination angle.

5. The solar cell is covered by a light-transmitting member, A recess is provided on the surface of the light-transmitting member facing the solar cell. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom side of the housing of the solar cell extends into the recess.

6. The solar cell is covered by a light-transmitting member, The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the light-transmitting member is processed to allow light from the main surface side of the housing to be incident on the solar cell.

7. The solar cell is covered by a light-transmitting member, The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the housing in the light-transmitting member is processed to reflect light from the main surface of the housing toward the solar cell.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the housing is processed at a position facing the bottom end of the housing of the solar cell to reflect light from the main surface side of the housing toward the solar cell.

9. The system includes a support member that can switch between a support position that supports the bottom surface of the housing and a non-support position that does not support the bottom surface of the housing. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first inclination angle when the support member is in a supporting position is smaller than the first inclination angle when the support member is in a non-supporting position.

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