Solar Battery Nesting in Wrist Apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices, such as wrist-mounted wearables, face challenges in power management due to high power consumption from sensors like GPS and pulse wave sensors, making it difficult to maintain portability and efficiency without increasing battery size or thickness, especially when integrating power generation components like solar batteries.

Innovation Solution

The placement of solar batteries and sensors is optimized within the device's casing to minimize overlap and maximize surface area for power generation while reducing heat interference and external light influence, allowing for a thinner design and increased power storage without compromising measurement accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a solar battery is mounted in the portable electronic apparatus to generate power, then power generation capability is improved, but the thickness of the apparatus increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation capabilityVSAvoidthickness of apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The solar battery is nested within the recess of the case, allowing it to be integrated into the apparatus structure without adding external thickness. The solar battery is positioned in a recessed area, effectively nesting it within the existing form factor of the device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The solar battery is arranged in a planar configuration on the inner edge side of the opening, utilizing the two-dimensional surface area of the recess rather than extending in the thickness dimension. This dimensional arrangement allows power generation capability to be added without increasing apparatus thickness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If various sensors including GPS receiver and pulse wave sensor are mounted to acquire biological information, then measurement functionality is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement functionalityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The solar battery provides universal power generation capability that supports multiple sensors simultaneously, including GPS receiver, pulse wave sensor, and acceleration sensor. This single power generation source serves multiple functions by powering the entire sensor array, reducing the need for separate power management systems for each sensor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Use of energy by moving object

If the solar battery is positioned to maximize power generation area, then power generation efficiency is improved, but heat interference with sensors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower generation efficiencyVSAvoidheat interference with sensors

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The internal space is segmented into distinct functional zones: the solar battery occupies the recessed power generation area, while sensors are positioned in separate measurement areas. This spatial segmentation allows the solar battery to maximize its power generation surface area without its heat directly affecting sensor performance, as the sensors are isolated in their own thermal environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Quantity of substance

If the apparatus size is increased to accommodate larger secondary battery, then power storage capacity is improved, but portability is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower storage capacityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary battery is nested within the case structure, utilizing the internal volume efficiently. The solar battery in the recess provides additional power generation without requiring external expansion, allowing the secondary battery to be sized appropriately for portability while still achieving sufficient power storage capacity through optimized internal arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enables efficient power generation and storage, reduces the device's thickness, and minimizes the impact of radiant heat on sensor accuracy, thereby enhancing the portability and functionality of portable electronic devices.

Implementation Method 1

a solar battery that is provided in the case

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10646126B2Portable electronic apparatus and wrist apparatus

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A wrist apparatus as a portable electronic apparatus includes a case, a solar battery that is provided in the case, and has an outer circumference along an outer edge of the case and an inner circumference of which a circumferential length is shorter than a circumferential length of the outer circumference, and an acceleration sensor that is provided in the case, in which the solar battery is disposed outside an outer edge of the acceleration sensor in a plan view of a light reception surface of the solar battery.