JP2002368248A - Optically rechargeable secondary battery - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optically rechargeable secondary battery, exhibiting charging performance sufficiently durable with respect to repetitive use, by combining a flexible and durable photoelectric conversion sheet, on which a photoelectric conversion element is formed with a storage battery and in which charging efficiency is enhanced. SOLUTION: The optically rechargeable secondary battery comprises a tubular winding core, a flexible photoelectric conversion element wound around the winding core and arranged to be freely able draw, a chargeable storage battery, and a circuit for controlling charge/discharge of the storage battery, where the secondary battery takes a substantially tubular overall shape, when the photoelectric conversion element is wound around the winding core. The storage battery can be fixed removably with respect to the winding core, and the photoelectric conversion element is folded in the drawout direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a photorechargeable secondary battery configured to charge a storage battery with a photoelectric conversion element. More specifically, the storage battery is detachable with respect to the core portion, and the photoelectric conversion element is folded and housed, so that it is expanded at the time of charging and the light receiving surface is widened to increase charging efficiency. The present invention relates to a light rechargeable secondary battery.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A photoelectric conversion element is also called a solar cell, and is an element for converting light energy such as sunlight into electric energy. This photoelectric conversion element does not emit carbon dioxide or the like when extracting electric energy from light energy, unlike fossil fuels and the like that have been conventionally used. Further, the photoelectric conversion element can extract electric energy from light energy such as sunlight, which is said to be almost inexhaustible, and thus can generate power semipermanently. For this reason, in view of global environmental problems, it is considered that the use and scale of use of the photoelectric conversion element will further expand in the future.

[0003] However, in many cases, light energy such as sunlight greatly fluctuates with time, and electric energy generated by converting this light energy also fluctuates with time. Is often not suitable as a direct power source for electrical equipment. Also,
A photoelectric conversion element requires a large light receiving area in order to obtain a predetermined amount of power suitable for use since light energy such as sunlight exists in a spatially sparse state. Therefore, the photoelectric conversion element is used as an auxiliary electric current of an electric device or for a purpose of once charging a converted electric energy to a storage battery and discharging and using the storage battery.

[0004] On the other hand, electric devices have been reduced in size due to recent advances in various processing techniques, and are often used as portable devices. For this reason, dry batteries that are portable and easy to use are usually used as power sources in electric appliances. Therefore, a photorechargeable secondary battery combining the advantages of the photoelectric conversion element as described above and the convenience of a dry battery is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-63-31478.
No. 0 (battery) and JP-A-2-73675 (cylindrical rechargeable solar cell) have been proposed. Such a conventional light rechargeable secondary battery is a commonly used electric device by using a photoelectric conversion element as a power generation unit and a storage battery as a charge / discharge unit in a cylindrical standard battery type. Is driven by electric power generated by light energy.

[0005] However, the conventional light-rechargeable secondary battery emits light energy such as sunlight radiated from one direction.
Not only is it difficult to effectively utilize the entire outer surface area of the storage battery to cause the photoelectric conversion element to receive light, but also because of its structure, the light receiving area of the photoelectric conversion element cannot exceed the outer surface area of the storage battery. For this reason, conventional light-rechargeable secondary batteries require that the charging time when charging the storage battery is too long to be practical, and that the photoelectric conversion element may not be able to generate even the power required to charge the storage battery. There was a problem.

Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have proposed a configuration in which a flexible photoelectric conversion element and a storage battery are combined, so that light energy such as sunlight can be used as a power source for electric equipment which is usually used. Invented a light rechargeable secondary battery that can be used (Japanese Patent Application No. 10-3515).
No. 05). According to the present invention, the present inventors have realized a photorechargeable secondary battery that has practical charging performance and that can be easily used as a power source of a commonly used electric device.

[0007] The above-described photo-chargeable secondary battery uses a flexible photoelectric conversion element repeatedly when charging a storage battery to increase the light-receiving area. At this time, the photoelectric conversion element receives an external force of repeated stretching. By studying the prototype, it has been found that this external force is caused by friction between the flexible photoelectric conversion element and its sliding system and must be so large that it cannot be overlooked. In this case, it has been found that the photoelectric conversion element is damaged or degraded by the external force, the power generation efficiency of the entire element is reduced, and the charging performance is reduced.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above problems by combining a flexible and durable photoelectric conversion sheet on which a photoelectric conversion element is formed with a storage battery. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a light-rechargeable secondary battery having a charging performance enough to withstand repeated use. Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a photo-chargeable secondary battery with higher charging efficiency.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems The inventors of the present invention have conducted intensive studies with the achievement of the above-mentioned object, and as a result, have obtained a cylindrical core, and a core wound around the core and drawn out. A flexible photoelectric conversion element arranged freely,
A photorechargeable secondary battery having a chargeable / dischargeable storage battery and a control circuit unit for controlling charging / discharging of the storage battery, and having a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole in a state where the photoelectric conversion element is wound around the core. , The storage battery is detachable with respect to the core, and the photoelectric conversion element is folded in the pull-out direction, thereby completing a light-rechargeable secondary battery.

More specifically, the photorechargeable secondary battery according to the present invention is characterized in that the photoelectric conversion element is wound around the core and has a predetermined cylindrical battery standard shape.
The storage battery has a discharge voltage of 0.6 to 1.9 V; the storage battery has a shape conforming to a predetermined cylindrical battery standard; and the photoelectric conversion element has a double shape in a drawing direction. The photoelectric conversion element is a photo-rechargeable secondary battery characterized in that the photoelectric conversion element is triple-folded in a drawing direction. The light rechargeable secondary battery configured as described above can use a standard shape as a storage battery, so that the versatility can be expanded and the practicality can be improved. further,
It has been found that the flexible photoelectric conversion element has little curl, is easy to handle, and can effectively receive light. Further studies have been made, and the present invention has been completed.

That is, the present invention provides (1) a cylindrical core, a flexible photoelectric conversion element wound around the core, and disposed so as to be able to be pulled out; Possible storage battery, comprising a control circuit unit for controlling the charge and discharge of the storage battery, in a state where the photoelectric conversion element is wound on the winding core portion, in a photo-chargeable secondary battery having a substantially cylindrical overall shape, A light-chargeable secondary battery, wherein the storage battery is detachable with respect to the core portion, and the photoelectric conversion element is folded in a pull-out direction;
(2) The photorechargeable secondary battery according to the above (1), wherein the photoelectric conversion element has a predetermined cylindrical battery standard shape in a state where the photoelectric conversion element is wound around the core. (3) The storage battery. Has a discharge voltage of 0.6 to 1.9 V, and (4) the cylindrical battery standard is A1, AA or AA. (5) The photorechargeable secondary battery according to (1), wherein the storage battery has a shape conforming to a predetermined cylindrical battery standard. A battery; (6) a cylindrical battery standard of the storage battery is AA, AAA, AAA, or a button type; and (7) the photoelectric conversion. The light-rechargeable secondary battery according to (1), wherein the element is double-folded in a drawing direction. 8) The photorechargeable secondary battery according to the above (1), wherein the photoelectric conversion element is folded threefold in the pull-out direction, (9) an electric device using the photorechargeable secondary battery, About.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 and 2 (FIG. 2) show a photorechargeable secondary battery to which the present invention is applied.
The photorechargeable secondary battery 1 as shown in (a) and (b) will be described.

The photorechargeable secondary battery 1 according to the present invention has a cylindrical winding core 2 and a flexible photovoltaic coil which is wound around the winding core 2 and is disposed so as to be stretchable. It includes a conversion sheet 3, a storage battery 4 and a control circuit unit 5 provided inside the core 2. The light rechargeable secondary battery 1 is
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 has an overall cylindrical shape in a state where the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is wound around the core 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the photorechargeable secondary battery 1 charges the storage battery 4 by allowing the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 to receive light while the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is extended from the core 2.

The winding core 2 is formed of a resin material into a cylindrical shape. As the resin material, for example, ABS
(Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin, S
AN (styrene-acrylonitrile) resin, ASA (acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylamide) resin, A
CS (acrylonitrile-chlorinated polyethylene-styrene) resin, AAS (acrylonitrile-acrylate-
It is preferable to use (styrene) resin or the like. The winding core 2 is formed to be slightly longer than the width around which the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is wound. Therefore, the light rechargeable secondary battery 1
The core 2 can be wound up over the entire width of the photoelectric conversion sheet 3. The winding core 2 is provided with an upper flange 6 and a lower flange 7 at both ends thereof. Incidentally, the photoelectric conversion element is usually formed on a photoelectric conversion sheet.

The upper flange 6 and the lower flange 7
It is formed in a substantially circular flat plate shape using the same material as the core 2 and is fixed to both ends of the core 2 by fixing means such as an adhesive. As the adhesive, a known adhesive may be used as long as the present invention is not impaired. The upper flange 6 and the lower flange 7 may be formed integrally with the core 2.

The upper flange 6 and the lower flange 7 are
The diameter is formed so as to be substantially the same as or slightly larger than the diameter of the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 in a state wound around the core 2. Thereby, the upper flange 6 and the lower flange 7 can protect the side edges of the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 and also serve as guides when the elongated photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is wound around the core 2, The photoelectric conversion sheet 3 can be wound around the winding core 2 without displacement.

The core 2, the upper flange 6 and the lower flange 7 are desirably formed of a material having electrical insulation. Examples of the material having electrical insulation properties include, in addition to a liquid crystal polymer, modified polyphenylene ether (PPE), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and polyphenylene sulfide, which are engineering plastics having chemical resistance, heat resistance, and creep resistance. (P
PS), polyethersulfone (PES), polysulfone (PSF) and the like. Thereby, in the light rechargeable secondary battery 1, the internal wiring and the like are short-circuited through these parts, or the respective parts are electrically short-circuited by contacting, for example, terminals of a battery storage part of an electric device. Can be prevented.

It is desirable that the winding core 2, the upper flange 6 and the lower flange 7 are formed of a material having excellent heat insulating properties. Examples of the material having heat insulation properties include polyamide resins such as para-aramid resins and meta-aramid resins, vinyl chloride resins, polyester resins, polyethylene resins, polystyrene resins, and polyurethane resins. Accordingly, when the light rechargeable secondary battery 1 is exposed to a high temperature such as being left on a dashboard of an automobile, for example, the temperature of the storage battery 4 housed therein rises and is damaged. Can be prevented. For the same reason, it is desirable that the winding core 2, the upper flange 6, and the lower flange 7 are colored in a color that hardly absorbs light or heat, such as white.

Further, the photorechargeable secondary battery according to the present invention is provided with an outer peripheral wall 51 as shown in FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the light rechargeable secondary battery 1 includes an outer peripheral wall 51 having a substantially cylindrical shape having substantially the same diameter as the upper flange 6 and the lower flange 7. As shown in FIG. 5, the light rechargeable secondary battery 1 has outer peripheral walls 51 on an upper flange 6 and a lower flange 7, respectively.
6a and 7a into which the side edges of the shaft are rotatably fitted
Is provided. Therefore, in the light charging type secondary battery 1, the outer peripheral wall 51 freely rotates with respect to the core 2, the upper flange 6 and the lower flange 7.

As described above, FIG. 2 is a general term for FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b). FIG. 2A shows that the photoelectric conversion element 11 that has been double-folded in the pull-out direction is expanded and expanded. FIG. 2B shows that the photoelectric conversion element 11 that has been triple folded in the pull-out direction is unfolded and unfolded. As compared with the simple photoelectric conversion sheet 3 having no folding structure, the light receiving area is increased twice or three times, respectively, and has an advantageous power storage capacity.

The photoelectric conversion sheet 3 according to the present invention comprises:
As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. The number of times of folding may be any number as long as it is wound around the winding core 2 and does not impair the object of the present invention. By adopting this folded structure, the light receiving area at the time of charging can be increased, so that charging can be performed efficiently, versatility is expanded, and practicality can be improved. Also,
This has the advantage that the flexible photoelectric conversion element has a small curl and is easy to handle.

As shown in FIG. 6, a slit 51a is formed in the outer peripheral wall 51. Slit 51a
Are perforated in the outer peripheral wall 51 with a width and a thickness sufficient to pull out the photoelectric conversion sheet 3. Further, in the light charging type secondary battery 1, as shown in FIG. 6, a locking portion 3 a is formed on the outermost peripheral portion of the photoelectric conversion sheet 3. The locking portion 3a is formed to have a thickness sufficient to join the slit 51a when the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is wound around the core 2. The locking portion 3a has a function of preventing the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 from being completely caught in the outer peripheral wall 51, and also has a function of preventing the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 from being caught.
It has a function as a handle when pulling out.

As shown in FIG. 2, when charging the storage battery 4, the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 of the photorechargeable secondary battery 1 is pulled out of the winding core 2 by pulling out the locking portion 3 a. In addition, in the light charging type secondary battery 1, the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 can be wound around the core 2 by rotating the outer peripheral wall 51 with respect to the core 2. Therefore, since the photorechargeable secondary battery 1 is provided with the outer peripheral wall 51 having the slit 51a so as to be rotatable, the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 can be easily pulled out and wound up. In addition, the photorechargeable secondary battery 1 is provided with the outer peripheral wall 51 to prevent the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 from being unraveled when housed in an electric device, and further protect the photoelectric conversion sheet 3, It is possible to prevent the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 from being damaged by dust and impact of the external environment, and to prevent the storage battery 4 from being heated by direct sunlight or the like. In order to further improve the effect of preventing the storage battery 4 from heating, the outer peripheral wall 51 is desirably colored in a color that is hard to absorb light or heat, such as white.

The upper flange 6 and the lower flange 7
Each has a positive terminal 8 and a negative terminal 9.
The positive electrode terminal 8 and the negative electrode terminal 9 are formed of a dielectric material, and are electrically connected to predetermined terminals of the control circuit unit 5 by connection means (not shown). Examples of such a dielectric material include glass, quartz, ceramics, metal oxides such as magnesium oxide and aluminum oxide, and dielectric polymers such as polytetraethylene.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is a flexible sheet-shaped substrate 10 formed in a substantially rectangular sheet shape, and is disposed on the sheet-shaped substrate 10. It is constituted by a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 11 and a bent portion 41. The sheet-shaped substrate 10 is formed of a material having an insulating property, and is formed in a sheet shape so as to have flexibility. Examples of such an insulating material include synthetic resins such as polyester, polyamide, and polyethylene. Each photoelectric conversion element 11
On a sheet-like substrate 10, a first electrode layer 12, a photoelectric conversion layer 13, and a second electrode layer 14 are formed by sequentially laminating thin films, respectively. As a lamination method, for example,
Various PVD methods typified by sputtering and vapor deposition, or various CVs typified by plasma CVD and MOCVD
Each layer constituting the photoelectric conversion element 11 is laminated on the sheet-like substrate 10 in a thin film shape by the method D. Since the photoelectric conversion element 11 is formed by laminating each layer into a thin film, the photoelectric conversion element 11 has sufficient flexibility similarly to the on-sheet substrate 10. In the bent portion 41, the first electrode layer 12 and the second electrode layer 14 are
By electrically covering the sheet-like substrate 10 with the conductive portion 43, the stacked electrodes are integrated. The conductive portion 42 and the conductive portion 43 may be foldable and may be a known material as long as the material has conductivity.

Further, the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 may include a polymer laminated sheet having flexibility. This polymer laminate sheet covers the light receiving portion of the photoelectric conversion element, and this portion has at least light transmittance.
It is preferable that the polymer laminated sheet covers the entire surface of the photoelectric conversion sheet, and is further formed so as to protrude from the end of the photoelectric conversion sheet and protect the end of the photoelectric conversion sheet. The polymer laminated sheet is preferably provided on the light receiving surface side of the photoelectric conversion sheet, but is more preferably provided on the back side of the light receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion sheet. Accordingly, when the flexible photoelectric conversion element is repeatedly stretched and used with a large light receiving area, damage or deterioration of the photoelectric conversion element due to repeated bending of the photoelectric conversion element can be reduced. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the photoelectric conversion element from being damaged or deteriorated due to the repeated sliding of the surface accompanying the repeated extension of the photoelectric conversion element, thereby lowering the power generation efficiency of the entire element, and consequently charging. The performance can be prevented from deteriorating. When the photoelectric conversion element is in a wound state for a long time, the photoelectric conversion sheet plastically deforms (has a so-called curl), which hinders effective light reception of the photoelectric conversion element. Due to the presence of the laminated sheet, the plastic deformation can be reduced, and effective light reception can be obtained.

When the polymer laminate sheet is used on the front and back of the photoelectric conversion sheet as described above, it can be made of the same sheet material on the front and back, or can be made of different kinds of sheet materials as appropriate. As a material, a material that covers at least the light receiving portion of the photoelectric conversion element is a light transmissive material. Further, it is desirable to have abrasion resistance due to friction and weather resistance to light. Examples of such a material include a halogenated olefin, particularly a polymer of a fluorinated olefin, or a copolymer of this with an olefin. Further, an adhesive layer can be provided to fix these sheets to the photoelectric conversion sheet. As a material of the adhesive layer, a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate (EV
A) and the like.

In the photoelectric conversion sheet 3, the photoelectric conversion elements 11 are electrically connected to each other in series.
A positive electrode terminal 12a and a negative electrode terminal 14a are respectively formed on the electrode layers of the photoelectric conversion element 11 located at both ends in the lateral direction. The positive terminal 12a and the negative terminal 14a are electrically connected to predetermined terminals of the control circuit 5, respectively.

The photoelectric conversion element 11 is configured to receive light such as sunlight from the main surface 11a on the side opposite to the sheet-like substrate 10, that is, on the side facing outward. The first electrode layer 12 and the second electrode layer 14 are formed of a dielectric material, and function as a pair of electrodes for the photoelectric conversion layer 13. The photoelectric conversion layer 13 is formed to include, for example, an amorphous semiconductor thin film typified by an a-Si pin junction structure, and is configured to generate an electromotive force when light such as sunlight enters. It is formed with a film configuration having a photoelectric conversion effect.

The photoelectric conversion layer 13 is made of, for example, p
A pn junction structure formed of a type organic semiconductor and an n-type organic semiconductor such as copper phthalocyanine may be used. Note that the photoelectric conversion layer 13 is not limited to the above-described thin film structure, and may be formed with a film configuration having sufficient flexibility and a photoelectric conversion effect. The first electrode layer 12 is made of, for example, Ag, Al, Cr, Ni,
The photoelectric conversion layer 13 formed of a metal material such as Cu
It is desirable that the light-emitting element be formed so as to have a high reflectance with respect to the light to be received. Thereby, the photoelectric conversion layer 13
Is reflected and made incident on the photoelectric conversion layer 13 again, so that the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the photoelectric conversion layer 13 can be improved. The second electrode layer 14 is made of, for example, SnO ₂
Alternatively, it is desirable that the electrode is formed as a so-called transparent electrode formed of a material mainly containing a metal oxide such as In ₂ O ₃ . Thereby, the light received by the photoelectric conversion layer 13 can be efficiently transmitted, and the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the photoelectric conversion layer 13 can be improved.

In FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the first electrode layer 12 and the second electrode layer 14 of the specific photoelectric conversion element 11 are different from each other. 11 shows an example in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 11 are configured to share each electrode layer as the second electrode layer 14 and the first electrode layer 12. This allows
In the photoelectric conversion sheet 3, the adjacent photoelectric conversion elements 1
1 are electrically connected in series. In this case, for example, the first electrode layer 12 and the second electrode layer 14 are formed of SnO ₂ or In ₂ O as described above.
Formed of a material mainly containing a metal oxide such as ₃ ;
A light reflection layer (not shown) made of, for example, a metal material may be provided between the first electrode layer 12 and the sheet substrate 10. Thereby, each photoelectric conversion element 1
1 can receive a sufficient amount of light via the second electrode layer 14 and can improve the photoelectric conversion efficiency by the light reflecting layer. In this case, the photoelectric conversion elements 11 are connected to each other by wires with electrodes having a length substantially equal to the length in the longitudinal direction.
Therefore, for example, compared with the case where each photoelectric conversion element 11 is connected at a point by a lead wire or the like, for example,
It is possible to reduce the possibility that a connection failure such as disconnection occurs.

In the photoelectric conversion sheet 3, each photoelectric conversion element 11 is arranged in parallel with the longitudinal direction. That is, the pair of electrode layers of each photoelectric conversion element 11 is disposed so as to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the photoelectric conversion sheet 3. Thereby, when the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is extended in order to charge the storage battery, even if a part of the photoelectric conversion element is not sufficiently irradiated with light, the photoelectric conversion sheet can be used. It is possible to prevent the overall power generation efficiency from decreasing. Further, the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is wound around the core 2 and is disposed so as to be stretchable, and one innermost side is connected and fixed to the core 2. The photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is
The above-described positive electrode terminal 12a and negative electrode terminal 14a are provided on one side of the innermost peripheral side. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the end of the photoelectric conversion element 11 of the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is connected to the winding core 2 so that the end of the photoelectric conversion element 3 can be sufficiently outside the slit 51 a of the outer peripheral wall 51 in the stretched state. The photoelectric conversion element section is attached to the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 from one side which is the innermost peripheral side of the fixed photoelectric conversion sheet 3 to the inner peripheral side end of the photoelectric conversion element section 11 of the photoelectric conversion sheet 3. 11, a sheet portion 31 having a positive electrode terminal 12a and a negative electrode terminal 14a is interposed. Thereby, in the charging operation, it is possible to prevent light from being blocked on the outer peripheral wall 51 of the photoelectric conversion element 11 due to insufficient extraction. Further, the photoelectric conversion element section 11 can be moved from the inner periphery having a higher curvature to the outer periphery having a lower curvature, and fatigue deterioration due to bending of the photoelectric conversion element 11 can be reduced. Further, the sheet portion 31 having no photoelectric conversion element can be higher in flexibility than that having the photoelectric conversion element, and the durability of the connection fixing of the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 to the core 2 can be improved. be able to. In this case, the sheet portion 31 having no photoelectric conversion element can be formed integrally with the photoelectric conversion sheet 3, but can be formed by connecting sheets of the same or different materials as necessary. .

Further, the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 can be disposed so that the light receiving surface thereof is on the inner side in a state of being wound around the core 2. Thereby, when the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is wound around the core part 2 and used for discharge, the light receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is not exposed to the outside. It is possible to prevent the light receiving surface from being damaged or damaged. However, although the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is disposed so as to be wound around the core 2 with its light receiving surface inside, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. As in the form,
When there is little concern about the damage, the photoelectric conversion sheet 3
It can be arranged so that the light receiving surface is outside and wound around the core 2.

The storage battery 4 is housed in the internal space of the winding core 2 and is a chargeable / dischargeable secondary battery. Storage battery 4
Specifically, for example, nickel-hydrogen secondary battery, nickel-cadmium secondary battery, nickel-zinc secondary battery,
Zinc-silver oxide secondary batteries, iron-nickel secondary batteries, and the like. The storage battery 4 is preferably a nickel-hydrogen secondary battery. Thereby, the storage battery 4 can improve the energy density per unit volume, and does not use heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, and has excellent environmental compatibility.

The storage battery 4 may be a standard dry battery having a predetermined battery standard shape. The storage battery 4 is, specifically,
R6 type battery called so-called AA type, R03 type battery called AA type, defined by IEC, JIS, etc.
It may be an R1 type battery called an AA type battery, an R44 type battery called a button type battery, an R1220 type battery, or the like. Thereby, in the light rechargeable secondary battery 1, development and manufacturing costs can be reduced. However, storage battery 4
From the viewpoint of the storage capacity, it is also desirable to directly enclose a storage battery component such as an electrolyte solution in the internal space of the winding core part 2 without using a standard storage battery. Thereby, the storage battery 4 can enclose the storage battery component in a space corresponding to the exterior part of the standard storage battery, and the storage capacity can be increased. The storage battery 4 is configured to be detachable from the core 2. Specifically, for example, a configuration may be adopted in which a part of the lower flange 7 can be opened and closed, and the storage battery 4 is inserted into and removed from the winding core 2 from this opening / closing portion. Alternatively, for example, a configuration in which a part of the core part 2 exposed to the outside in a state where the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is stretched can be freely opened and closed, and the storage battery 4 is attached to and detached from the core part 2 from the opening / closing part. May be.

Thus, in the photorechargeable secondary battery 1, even if the storage battery 4 has been repeatedly charged and discharged and its life has expired, only the storage battery 4 can be replaced. Therefore, the light rechargeable secondary battery 1 does not need to discard other parts having a longer life than the storage battery 4 together with the storage battery 4 whose life has expired, which is desirable from the viewpoint of effective utilization of resources. Thus, the light charging type secondary battery 1 can be used as a charger for charging the storage battery 4. That is, the storage battery 4 can be charged by the light-rechargeable secondary battery 1, the charged storage battery 4 can be taken out from the light-rechargeable secondary battery 1, and the storage battery 4 can be used as a power source of an electronic device.

Further, the storage battery 4 uses a standard storage battery as described above, and is detachable from the winding core 2. As described above, by using the standard storage battery as the storage battery 4 in a detachable manner, the light-rechargeable secondary battery 1 can easily and easily perform the replacement work when the storage battery 4 is replaced. Also, in this case, as described above,
The light rechargeable secondary battery 1 may be used as a charger for charging the storage battery 4. Thereby, the storage battery 4 having the standard storage battery shape is detachable from the light rechargeable secondary battery 1 and can be easily used for electric equipment using a normal standard battery as a power source. It is desirable that the storage battery 4 has a discharge voltage of about 0.6 to 1.9 V.
As a result, when the photorechargeable secondary battery 1 is used for electric equipment using a normal cylindrical standard battery as a power supply, the light rechargeable secondary battery 1 cannot be operated without satisfying the operating voltage of the electric equipment. Thus, it is possible to prevent the device from being damaged due to exceeding the allowable voltage.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control circuit unit 5 is disposed in the internal space of the core 2. The control circuit unit 5
It has at least one function selected from a function of rectifying the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 and the storage battery 4, a function of preventing overcharge of the storage battery 4 by the photoelectric conversion sheet 3, a function of preventing overdischarge of the storage battery 4, and the like. The control circuit unit 5 can be specifically configured by an electric circuit using a diode, an operational amplifier, or the like, but includes a rectifier circuit, an overcharge prevention circuit, Since it can be configured by an overdischarge prevention circuit, detailed description of the circuit configuration is omitted. The control circuit unit 5 has at least four terminals, and these terminals are respectively connected to the positive terminal 12a and the negative terminal 14a of the photoelectric conversion sheet 3.
And the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the storage battery 4 are electrically connected. The control circuit unit 5 functions so that the storage battery 4 can be charged by the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 and the storage battery 4 can be efficiently discharged.

The photorechargeable secondary battery 1 is configured as described above, and has a substantially cylindrical shape as shown in FIG. 2 in a state where the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is wound around the core 2. . In this state, the light-rechargeable secondary battery 1 can be easily attached to and detached from electric devices as a power source for the electric devices. Such electric devices include a mobile phone, a portable music player, and the like. Further, it is desirable that the dimensions and the like of each part of the photorechargeable secondary battery 1 be determined so as to have a predetermined cylindrical battery standard shape in a state where the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is wound around the core part 2. Light rechargeable secondary battery 1
Specifically, for example, an R20 type battery called a so-called single type A, an R14 type battery called a single type B, or an R type battery called a single type A, specified by IEC or JIS, for example.
It may be a 6-type battery or the like.

Thus, the light rechargeable secondary battery 1 can be easily used for electric equipment designed to house and use a normal cylindrical standard battery.
Therefore, in this case, the light rechargeable secondary battery 1 converts the light energy of sunlight into electric energy and stores it, and uses the light energy as a power source for electric equipment using a cylindrical standard battery as is generally used. Can be. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the light rechargeable secondary battery 1 charges the storage battery 4 in a state where the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is extended from the core 2. At this time, since all of the photorechargeable secondary battery 1 can be directed in the light irradiation direction to the light receiving area of the photoelectric conversion sheet 3, the power generation of the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 can be improved. Therefore, the light rechargeable secondary battery 1 is
The charging time for charging the battery can be shortened practically sufficiently.

Further, the photorechargeable secondary battery according to the present invention comprises:
As described above, the innermost side of the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is not limited to the configuration in which one side of the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is connected and fixed to the winding core 2. The battery 1 may be detachable. Thus, when the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is physically or electrically damaged, the photorechargeable secondary battery 1 can be replaced with a normal photoelectric conversion sheet 3 for use. That is, the photorechargeable secondary battery according to the present invention may have a configuration in which the photoelectric conversion sheet 3 is electrically connected to the storage battery 4 at least at the time of charging.

[0042]

As described above, the photorechargeable secondary battery according to the present invention can be used as a storage battery having a standard shape, so that the versatility can be expanded and the practicality can be improved. further,
The flexible photoelectric conversion element is easy to handle, and light reception can be made effective. Therefore, according to the photorechargeable secondary battery according to the present invention, it becomes practical to use light energy such as sunlight as a power source of an electric device, and to prevent environmental pollution due to generation of harmful emissions. While at the same time making effective use of global resources.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a photorechargeable secondary battery of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a schematic perspective view of a photorechargeable secondary battery in a state where a photoelectric conversion sheet carrying a photoelectric conversion element is pulled out and a double-folded photoelectric conversion sheet is spread. It is. (B) is a schematic perspective view of the photo-rechargeable secondary battery in a state where the photoelectric conversion sheet carrying the photoelectric conversion element is drawn out and the triple-folded photoelectric conversion sheet is spread.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a photoelectric conversion sheet in a state where the photoelectric conversion sheet is stretched from a winding core portion and a folded structure is further expanded.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA ′ of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of a photorechargeable secondary battery having upper and lower flanges provided with grooves so that side edges of an outer peripheral wall are rotatably fitted.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a photorechargeable secondary battery in a state where a photoelectric conversion sheet carrying a photoelectric conversion element is partially pulled out.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a photorechargeable secondary battery in a state where a photoelectric conversion sheet carrying a photoelectric conversion element is partially pulled out and the double-folded photoelectric conversion sheet is spread.

8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Rechargeable secondary battery 2 Core 3 Photoelectric conversion sheet 4 Storage battery 5 Control circuit part 6 Upper flange 6a Groove part 7 Lower flange 7a Groove part 8 Positive terminal 9 Negative terminal 10 Sheet substrate 11 Photoelectric conversion element 11a Main surface 12 Electrode Layer 12a Positive electrode terminal 13 Photoelectric conversion layer 14 Electrode layer 14a Negative terminal 31 Sheet part 41 Bent part 42 Conductive part 43 Conductive part 51 Outer wall 51a Slit

Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Koichiro Hima 6-7-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Inside Sony Corporation (72) Inventor Tomichi Watanabe 6-35-35 Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony (72) Inventor Hiroshi Miyazawa 6-35, Kita-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo Sony Corporation F-term (reference) 5F051 AA05 AA12 DA04 FA02 GA05 JA01 JA05 JA06 5G003 AA06 BA01 FA01 5H030 AA01 AS11 AS14 BB07 BB12 DD01 DD04 DD27 DD30 5H032 AA05 AA06 AA10 AS01 AS03 AS06 AS19 CC01 CC28 EE10 HH04 HH08 HH10

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A cylindrical winding core, a flexible photoelectric conversion element wound around the winding core and disposed so as to be freely drawn out, a chargeable / dischargeable storage battery, and the storage battery A photorechargeable secondary battery having a substantially cylindrical shape in a state in which the photoelectric conversion element is wound around the winding core, wherein the storage battery has the winding core. A photorechargeable secondary battery which is detachable from a unit and wherein the photoelectric conversion element is folded in a drawing direction. 2. The photorechargeable secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the secondary battery has a predetermined cylindrical battery standard shape when the photoelectric conversion element is wound around the core. 3. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the storage battery has a discharge voltage of 0.6 to 1.9.
The photorechargeable secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein V is V. 4. The photo-chargeable secondary battery according to claim 2, wherein the standard of the cylindrical battery is AA, AA or AA. 5. The photorechargeable secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the storage battery has a shape conforming to a predetermined cylindrical battery standard. 6. The light rechargeable secondary battery according to claim 5, wherein the storage battery has a cylindrical battery standard of AA, AAA, AAA, or button type. 7. The photorechargeable secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the photoelectric conversion element is double-folded in a drawing direction. 8. The photorechargeable secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein said photoelectric conversion element is folded threefold in a drawing direction. 9. An electric device using the photo-chargeable secondary battery.