JP2007036112A - Generator with built-in sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a generator with a built-in sensor in which a solar cell panel and the sensor are easily integrated. <P>SOLUTION: The generator 100 with a built-in sensor is provided with a support substrate 101, a solar cell panel body 102 formed on the surface of the support substrate 101, and a sensor part 109 formed on the same plane as that of the solar cell panel. The solar cell panel body 102 is composed so that a ground electrode, a power-generation layer having a PIN junction structure, and a transparent electrode are laminated in that order. While, the sensor part 109 is at least provided with the ground electrode shared with the solar cell panel body, a sensor layer formed on the ground electrode, a transparent electrode formed on the sensor layer, and a lead electrode 110 formed on the transparent electrode. The sensor layer has the same structure as that of the power-generation layer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power generator with a built-in sensor, and more particularly to a power generator with a built-in sensor configured using a solar cell.

  Recently, a system for controlling various objects on the basis of information such as temperature and humidity detected by a sensor wirelessly has been used, and a circuit for transmitting and receiving sensor information wirelessly (hereinafter referred to as a wireless transceiver). Demand) is increasing. Since a wireless transceiver is a relatively power-saving electronic device, a button battery is often used as its power source. Recently, however, a clean power source such as a solar cell is desired in consideration of environmental problems. Although the power generation efficiency of a solar cell is not so high, it is suitable for an application that transmits and receives minute signals intermittently and does not require much energy, such as a transmission wireless communication unit.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a general circuit configuration of a conventional radio transceiver.

  As shown in FIG. 7, this wireless transceiver 600 includes an antenna 601, an RF circuit 602, a baseband circuit 603, a transmission / reception data processing circuit 604, a sensor circuit 605 including an optical sensor and a temperature sensor, a power supply driving circuit 606, and a power supply 607. It consists of The sensor output obtained from the optical sensor or the temperature sensor is processed in the order of the transmission / reception data processing circuit 604, the baseband circuit 603, and the RF circuit 602, and is transmitted wirelessly via the chip antenna 601. Each circuit is supplied with power from the power source 607 via the power source driving circuit 606. As described above, the wireless transceiver 600 may only transmit the sensor output to the host, and may have applications such as receiving a control signal from the host and performing various operations.

  8 and 9 are external perspective views showing an example of the configuration of a conventional radio transceiver, in which FIG. 8 shows a state without a shield case, and FIG. 9 shows a state with a shield case attached.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the wireless transceiver 700 is composed of various electronic components mounted on a printed circuit board 610, whereby the above-described RF circuit 602, baseband circuit 603, transmission / reception data processing circuit 604, sensor A circuit 605 and a power supply driving circuit 606 are configured. The RF circuit 602 includes a chip antenna 611 as the antenna 601, and the sensor circuit 605 includes an optical sensor 605 a and a temperature sensor 605 b. Further, a solar cell panel 612 is used as the power source 607. The solar cell panel 612 is connected to a radio transceiver body, specifically, a DC connector 614 on the printed circuit board 610 via a DC cable 613. As shown in FIG. 9, these various electronic components are electromagnetically shielded and physically protected by a shield case 615, but the chip antenna 611 and the optical sensor 605a are both shielded so as to operate correctly. 615 is exposed to the outside.

  FIG. 10 is an external perspective view showing another example of a conventional wireless transceiver, and shows a state where a shield case is attached.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in this wireless transceiver 800, an external antenna 616 is used instead of the chip antenna 611, and the external antenna 616 is connected to a coaxial connector 617 on the printed board 610 via a coaxial cable 618. Other configurations are the same as those of the wireless transceiver 600 described above. In the case of such a configuration, the mounting area on the printed board is not occupied over a wide area by the chip antenna, and the mounting area on the printed board can be effectively used.

In addition, a semiconductor device in which an image sensor and a solar cell are integrated, a physical quantity sensor equipped with a solar cell for supplying energy to the circuit, and a solar cell module incorporating a snow / melt melting detection sensor There are various conventional techniques related to the present invention. (See Patent Documents 1 to 5).
JP-A-10-242443 JP-A-6-42983 JP-A-10-273955 JP-A-5-55886 JP 2002-373993 A

  The conventional radio transceiver 700 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 has a problem that the entire radio transceiver including the solar cell panel is enlarged because the solar cell panel and the radio transceiver body are separate bodies. In addition, since sensor elements such as an optical sensor and a temperature sensor are mounted on the printed circuit board of the wireless transceiver body, in order to expose the sensor while shielding the entire printed circuit board, a part of the shield case is cut away. It also takes time.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a sensor built-in power generator in which a solar cell panel and a sensor are easily integrated.

  The object of the present invention includes at least a solar cell panel and a sensor incorporated in the solar cell panel, and the solar cell panel is provided on a base electrode, a power generation layer formed on the base electrode, and a power generation layer. The sensor includes a transparent electrode formed, and the sensor includes at least a base electrode, a sensor layer formed on the base electrode, a transparent electrode formed on the sensor layer, and a lead electrode formed on the transparent electrode. The sensor layer has the same structure as the power generation layer, and is achieved by a sensor built-in power generation device. Here, “transmission / reception” means transmission or reception or both transmission and reception, and includes not only both transmission and reception, but also only transmission or reception.

  The sensor is preferably an optical sensor or a temperature sensor configured to further include a light shielding unit that blocks light from entering the sensor layer. Since these sensors can be formed using the solar cell panel manufacturing process as they are, it is extremely easy to integrate the solar cell panel and the sensor.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that a transmission / reception circuit unit formed integrally with the solar cell panel is further provided, and the transmission / reception circuit unit is driven by DC power obtained from the solar cell panel and transmits the output of the sensor. According to this, since the transmission / reception circuit unit, which is the main part of the wireless transceiver, and the solar cell panel are integrated, the wireless panel is wireless compared to the case where the solar cell panel and the circuit board of the transmission / reception circuit unit are separately prepared. The entire transceiver can be significantly reduced in size and weight. Furthermore, since one output electrode of the solar cell panel is used as a ground plane of the transmission / reception circuit unit, and the transmission / reception circuit unit is configured around the ground surface, electrical interference between the solar cell and the transmission / reception circuit unit is prevented. Can be suppressed.

  In the present invention, the solar cell panel itself may function as a sensor. Such a configuration eliminates the need for an independent sensor element, so that it is not necessary to separate the sensor from the solar cell panel, and the manufacturing process can be further facilitated.

  According to the present invention, since the solar cell panel receives sunlight and generates electric power, when this is used as the power source of the radio transceiver, predetermined power supply can be supplied to the radio transceiver. This eliminates the need for a button battery for driving the wireless transceiver and eliminates the inconvenience of having to be replaced whenever the battery reaches the end of its life. In addition, since the solar cell panel and the sensor are integrated, when this sensor is used for a wireless transceiver, there is no need to mount the sensor on the printed circuit board of the wireless transceiver body, and the wireless transceiver is compact. It is possible to reduce weight and height. Also, it is possible to save the trouble of notching a part of the shield case to expose these sensors. In addition, since the sensor layer has the same structure as the power generation layer of the solar cell panel, and the solar cell panel and the sensor share the transparent electrode and the lower electrode, the sensor and the solar cell panel are formed simultaneously. And the sensor can be incorporated into the solar panel without the need for a special manufacturing process.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the surface side of the sensor built-in power generation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, this sensor built-in power generation device 100 includes a substantially rectangular support substrate 101, a solar cell panel body 102 formed on the surface of the support substrate 101, and the same plane as the solar cell panel body. It is comprised with the sensor part 109 formed on the top. The solar cell panel body 102 includes a base electrode 103 formed on the support substrate 101, a power generation layer 104 formed on the base electrode 103, and a transparent electrode 105 formed on the power generation layer 104. Further, a negative lead electrode 106 connected to the base electrode 103 is provided on the right side of the solar cell panel body 102, and a substantially comb shape connected to the transparent electrode 105 is provided on the left side of the solar cell panel body 102. The positive lead electrode 107 is provided. The entire surface of the solar cell panel body 102 is covered with a protective film (coating resin) 108.

  The support substrate 101 plays a role of ensuring the mechanical strength of the solar cell panel body 102. The material of the support substrate 101 is not particularly limited, but polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethersulfone (PES), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene, polyimide, or the like may be used. It is preferable to use a flexible film-like substrate. In addition, an alumina substrate with good high-frequency characteristics, an LTCC (low temperature fired ceramic) multilayer substrate, a glass substrate, a resin substrate, a resin multilayer substrate, or the like can be used.

  The base electrode 103 serves as a negative output electrode (ground electrode) of the solar cell panel body 102, and improves the power generation efficiency by reflecting the light transmitted through the power generation layer 104 and returning it to the power generation layer 104. Also plays a role. Therefore, the base electrode 103 is also referred to as a “reflection electrode”. Although not particularly limited, it is preferable to use a conductor such as silver (Ag) or aluminum (Al) as the material of the base electrode.

  The power generation layer 104 includes an amorphous silicon film (N layer) doped with N-type impurities such as phosphorus, an amorphous silicon film (I layer) not doped with impurities, and an amorphous silicon film doped with P-type impurities such as boron. The (P layer) is composed of a multilayer film laminated in this order, and has a PIN junction structure in which the I layer is sandwiched between the P layer and the N layer. In the present embodiment, the N layer faces the base electrode 103 side. When light strikes the power generation layer 104, electrons in the valence band of the I layer are excited to generate a pair of electrons and holes, and these electrons and holes are respectively an N layer and a P layer according to the internal electric field due to the PIN junction. Therefore, a potential difference is generated and a current can be taken out. That is, when the N layer and the P layer are connected in a state where the power generation layer is activated, a current flows from the P layer toward the N layer. The power generation layer 104 may be composed of a large number of cells. In this case, the individual cells may be connected in series or may be connected in parallel.

The transparent electrode 105 serves as a positive output electrode of the solar cell panel body 102 and also serves as a light incident electrode, and thus has a certain light transmittance. The transparent electrode 105 is sometimes referred to as a “surface electrode” because it is close to the light incident direction as viewed from the power generation layer (provided on the light incident surface side). On the other hand, the base electrode 103 is sometimes called a “back electrode” because it is far from the incident direction of light. The material of the transparent electrode is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use a conductor such as zinc dioxide (SnO ₂ ), indium tin oxide (ITO), or silicon oxide (SiO).

  In this embodiment, in order to secure the formation region of the negative lead electrode 106, the power generation layer 104 and the transparent electrode 105 are not formed on the entire surface of the base electrode 103, and a wide margin is provided at the right end along the Y direction. Thus, an exposed region of the base electrode 103 is formed. The minus side lead electrode 106 is formed in the exposed region at the right end of the base electrode 103, and the plus side lead electrode 107 located on the opposite side of the minus side lead electrode 106 is formed on the transparent electrode 105. It is formed at the left end.

  The sensor unit 109 according to the present embodiment includes two types of sensors. One is the optical sensor 109a and the other is the temperature sensor 109b. Both the optical sensor 109a and the temperature sensor 109b are a base electrode 103 common to the solar cell panel body 102, a sensor layer 104X formed on the base electrode 103, a transparent electrode 105X formed on the sensor layer 104X, The lead electrode 110 is formed on the transparent electrode 105X. Further, the temperature sensor 109b has a light shielding film 111 that blocks light from entering the sensor layer 104X. Each sensor layer 104X has a PIN junction structure like the power generation layer 104 of the solar cell panel body. In the case of the optical sensor 109a, the amount of current obtained according to the amount of light incident on the sensor layer 104X. The amount of light is detected. In the case of the temperature sensor 109b, the temperature is detected using the temperature characteristics of the sensor layer 104X.

  As described above, the base electrode 103 of the sensor unit 109 is common to the solar cell panel body 102, but the sensor layer 104X and the transparent electrode 105X are both separated from the power generation layer 104 and the transparent electrode 105 of the solar cell panel body. These are independent laminates. The sensor layer 104X and the transparent electrode 105X of the sensor unit 109 are formed simultaneously with the power generation layer 104 and the transparent electrode 105 of the solar cell panel body 102. These may be formed by a subtractive method or may be formed by an additive method. In the case of the subtractive method, a P layer, an I layer, and an N layer are sequentially deposited on almost the entire surface of the base electrode 103 by a CVD method, and further a transparent electrode material is deposited, and then the power generation layer 104 and the sensor layer 104X are formed. Cut off by etching. In the case of the additive method, after masking the areas other than the regions where the power generation layer 104 and the sensor layer 104X are formed, the P layer, the I layer, and the N layer are sequentially deposited by the CVD method, and the transparent electrode material is further deposited, and then the mask is formed. Remove. Thereafter, the lead electrode 110 is formed on the surface of the transparent electrode 105X on the sensor layer 104X. Further, for the temperature sensor, a light shielding film 111 that blocks the incidence of light on the sensor layer 104X is formed so that the sensor output does not change directly due to the incidence of light.

  The sensor built-in power generation device 100 having the above-described configuration operates as a normal solar cell. In other words, it receives sunlight and generates power to generate an electromotive force between the two lead electrodes 106 and 107, so that a predetermined power supply can be supplied. Therefore, when this is used for a radio transceiver, the button battery of the radio transceiver is not necessary, and the inconvenience that the button battery must be replaced every time the lifetime is reached can be solved. Moreover, since the photosensor and temperature sensor are built in the solar cell panel, it is not necessary to mount these sensors on the printed circuit board of the radio transceiver body, and a part of the shield case is used to expose these sensors. It is also possible to save the trouble of notching the. Further, since the sensor layer 104X has the same structure as the power generation layer 104 of the solar cell panel, and the solar cell panel and the sensor share the transparent electrode and the lower electrode, the sensor and the solar cell panel are formed at the same time. Can be incorporated into the solar panel without the need for special manufacturing processes.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the back surface side of the sensor built-in power generation device according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the component same as the power generation apparatus 100 with a built-in sensor which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the sensor built-in power generation device 200 is characterized in that it includes a transmission / reception circuit unit 201 formed on the back surface of the support substrate 101. The transmission / reception circuit unit 201 of this embodiment includes an RF circuit 202, a baseband circuit 203, a transmission / reception data processing circuit 204, and a power supply driving circuit 205. These circuits are formed by forming a wiring pattern 206 on the back surface of the support substrate 101 and mounting chip components such as a chip capacitor 207 and a transistor 208 and an IC 209. The IC 209 is connected to the baseband circuit 203 and the transmission / reception data processing circuit 204. It constitutes the main part.

  Although not particularly limited, the power supply drive circuit 205 can be configured by a three-terminal regulator 211, a backflow prevention protection diode 212, and a smoothing capacitor 213, as shown in FIG. The input terminal 107X of the power supply driving circuit 205 is connected to the plus-side lead electrode 107 of the solar cell panel body via a via hole electrode 214 that penetrates the support substrate 101. The wiring pattern 206 connecting each circuit block is configured by a microstrip line that is a transmission line having an impedance of approximately 50Ω with respect to the ground plane, and a part of the microstrip line in the RF circuit 202 is RF. It is connected to an external antenna (see FIG. 13) via a connector 215. In addition, the ground line of each circuit block is secured by being connected to the base electrode 103 of the solar cell panel body via a via hole electrode 216 that penetrates the support substrate 101. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the output signal of the sensor unit 109 is supplied to the transmission / reception data processing circuit 203 via the lead electrode 110 and the via hole electrode 217. The entire surface of the transmission / reception circuit unit 201 is covered with a protective film (coating resin) 108b.

  According to the present embodiment, the transmission / reception circuit unit 201 is provided on the back surface of the support substrate 101, and the transmission / reception circuit unit 201 is configured using almost the entire back surface of the solar cell panel. The transmitter / receiver circuit unit can be integrated, and the overall size of the radio transmitter / receiver can be greatly reduced compared to the case where the solar battery panel and the circuit board of the transmitter / receiver circuit unit are separately prepared. In addition, since the ground electrode 103 which is one output electrode of the solar cell panel is used as the ground plane of the transmission / reception circuit unit 201 and the transmission / reception circuit unit 201 is configured around the ground surface, the solar cell and the transmission / reception circuit unit Electrical interference with 201 can be suppressed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  For example, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the base electrode 103 that is the negative output electrode is used as the ground plane of the transmission / reception circuit unit 201 has been described, but the transparent electrode 105 may be used as the ground plane of the transmission / reception circuit unit 201. It doesn't matter. Which of the base electrode and the transparent electrode becomes the negative electrode depends on the direction of the power generation layer (PIN layer). Therefore, when the transparent electrode 105 becomes the negative output electrode, the transparent electrode 105 should be used as the ground plane. Can do. Furthermore, although the case where the power generation layer of the solar cell is amorphous is described in the above embodiment, it goes without saying that crystalline silicon may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the case where one optical sensor and one temperature sensor are provided as the sensor unit has been described. However, the number of sensors may be any number, and the formation position thereof is also freely determined. It is possible.

  In the above embodiment, the light shielding film 111 is used as means for blocking the incidence of light on the sensor layer 104X of the temperature sensor 109. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The periphery may be covered with a lead electrode so that light does not enter. In other words, any method can be used as long as the incidence of light on the sensor layer 104X can be blocked.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where the solar cell panel and the sensor element were comprised independently was demonstrated, this invention is not limited to this, For example, a solar cell panel itself is a sensor as it is. It may be used as Since the electromotive force of the solar cell panel changes depending on the amount of light, it is possible to obtain the amount of light by detecting this. Time division control is effective when performing more accurate measurement. That is, the solar cell panel is used as an optical sensor only when it is desired to measure the amount of light. In this way, since the entire solar cell panel functions as an optical sensor within a certain time, it becomes possible to measure the amount of light more accurately.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the case where the wireless transceiver has both transmission and reception functions has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, for example, a function of transmitting sensor output And a case where only a function of receiving a control signal to the data display device is included. That is, in the present invention, “transmission / reception” means both transmission and reception, transmission only, or reception only.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the surface side of the sensor built-in power generation device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the sensor built-in power generator according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the configuration of the power supply driving circuit. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a general circuit configuration of a conventional radio transceiver. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a conventional wireless transceiver, and shows a state without a shield case. FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a conventional wireless transceiver, and shows a state where a shield case is attached. FIG. 10 is an external perspective view showing another example of a conventional wireless transceiver, and shows a state where a shield case is attached.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Power generation apparatus 101 with a built-in sensor Support substrate 102 Solar cell panel body 103 Base electrode 104 Power generation layer 104X Sensor layer 105 Transparent electrode 105X Transparent electrode 106 Negative side lead electrode 107 Positive side lead electrode 107X Input terminal 109 of a power supply circuit Sensor unit 109a Light Sensor 109b Temperature sensor 110 Lead electrode 111 Light-shielding film 200 Power generation device with built-in sensor 201 Transmission / reception circuit unit 202 RF circuit 203 Baseband circuit 204 Transmission / reception data processing circuit 205 Power supply drive circuit 206 Wiring pattern (microstrip line)
207 Chip capacitor 208 Transistor 211 Three-terminal regulator 212 Backflow prevention protection diode 213 Smoothing capacitor 214 Via hole electrode 215 RF connector 216 Via hole electrode 217 Via hole electrode 600 Radio transceiver 601 Antenna 602 RF circuit 603 Baseband circuit 604 Transmission / reception data processing circuit 605 Sensor Circuit 605a Optical sensor 605b Temperature sensor 606 Power supply drive circuit 607 Power supply 610 Printed circuit board 611 Chip antenna 612 Solar panel 613 DC cable 614 DC connector 615 Shield case 616 External antenna 617 Coaxial connector 618 Coaxial cable 700 Wireless transceiver 800 Wireless transceiver

Claims (5)

Comprising at least a solar cell panel and a sensor incorporated in the solar cell panel,
The solar cell panel includes a base electrode, a power generation layer formed on the base electrode, and a transparent electrode formed on the power generation layer,
The sensor includes at least the base electrode, a sensor layer formed on the base electrode, a transparent electrode formed on the sensor layer, and a lead electrode formed on the transparent electrode,
The sensor layer has the same structure as that of the power generation layer.   The sensor built-in power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor.   The sensor built-in power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a temperature sensor configured to further include a light shielding unit that blocks light from entering the sensor layer. A transmission / reception circuit unit formed integrally with the solar cell panel;
4. The sensor built-in power generation device according to claim 1, wherein the transmission / reception circuit unit is driven by direct-current power obtained from the solar cell panel and transmits an output of the sensor. 5. The sensor built-in power generation device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the solar cell panel itself functions as the sensor.

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