JP2013029469A - Electronic timepiece with solar battery - Google Patents

Electronic timepiece with solar battery Download PDF

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JP2013029469A
JP2013029469A JP2011167138A JP2011167138A JP2013029469A JP 2013029469 A JP2013029469 A JP 2013029469A JP 2011167138 A JP2011167138 A JP 2011167138A JP 2011167138 A JP2011167138 A JP 2011167138A JP 2013029469 A JP2013029469 A JP 2013029469A
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Prior art keywords
solar cell
timepiece
dial
solar battery
electronic timepiece
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JP2013029469A5 (en
Inventor
Nobuyuki Urano
信之 浦野
Tomonori Tsuruga
智徳 敦賀
Takanori Nakahara
孝典 中原
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Citizen Holdings Co Ltd
Citizen Watch Co Ltd
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Citizen Holdings Co Ltd
Citizen Watch Co Ltd
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Priority to JP2011167138A priority Critical patent/JP2013029469A/en
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Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem of an electronic timepiece with a solar battery having a structure in which a solar cell is arranged in an outer peripheral portion of a dial nearly perpendicularly to a surface of the dial, in which a connection spring interconnecting the solar battery and a circuit board is visible.SOLUTION: An electronic timepiece with a solar battery comprises: a dial constituting a time display part; a timepiece drive portion; a solar battery for generating power to operate the timepiece drive portion, the solar battery provided with an output terminal on a light receiving surface thereof and arranged annularly in an outer peripheral portion of the dial with the light receiving surface turned to the center of the time display part; and a connection member for conducting the power from the solar battery to a circuit board in the timepiece drive portion. In the electronic timepiece, a connection position between the connection member and the solar battery is arranged in a range between the 3 o'clock position and the 9 o'clock position across the 6 o'clock position in the time display part.

Description

本発明は太陽電池付電子時計の構造に関し、とくに太陽電池を時計文字板の表面に対してほぼ垂直に配置する太陽電池付電子時計に関するものである。 The present invention relates to a structure of an electronic timepiece with a solar cell, and more particularly to an electronic timepiece with a solar cell in which the solar cell is arranged substantially perpendicular to the surface of a timepiece dial.

太陽電池を時計ムーブメントに配置する電子時計は、電池交換の必要がないことから、広く一般的に普及してきており、通常の秒針分針時針を有する3針タイプの時計だけでなく、クロノグラフ機能や標準電波を受信する自動時刻修正機能付などの付加機能を搭載した製品が実用化されている。
太陽電池を搭載する電子時計は、文字板を光半透過性の材料で形成し、この文字板と時計駆動部の間に、板状の太陽電池を配設する構造が一般的である。
上記の配置構造を採用した場合、文字板を光半透過性の材料で形成する必要があることから、文字板のデザインに制約が生じる問題点がある。
このような文字板のデザイン制約を解消するために、例えば特許文献1に記載されたように、太陽電池を文字板の下ではなく、文字板の外周に環状に配置した太陽電池付電子時計が提案されている。この時計では太陽電池の受光面(発電面)が時刻表示部の中心側を向くように文字板の外周に配置されているので、文字板はデザイン面での制約を受けることがなくなった。
また特許文献1の時計では、太陽電池の受光面が文字板面に対してほぼ垂直に配置されるので、光を受ける面では従来より多少不利になる。それを補うために特許文献1の時計では、文字板外縁と太陽電池の間に配置された導光部材によって太陽電池に対して効率良く光を導くようにしている。さらに、導光部材によって太陽電池の発電面が有する暗褐色を見え難くして使用者に太陽電池の存在を意識させないようにもしている。
さらに特許文献1では、太陽電池の発電面が時刻表示部の中心側を向いて、かつ文字板の面に対してほぼ垂直に配置されているので、発電面にある出力電極と時計駆動部の回路基板とを、弾性を有する接続バネで導通するように構成している。
Electronic watches that place solar cells in the watch movement have become widespread because there is no need for battery replacement, and not only a three-hand type watch with a normal second, minute, and hour hands, but also a chronograph function and Products with additional functions such as an automatic time correction function that receives standard radio waves have been put into practical use.
An electronic timepiece on which a solar cell is mounted generally has a structure in which a dial plate is formed of a light semi-transmissive material, and a plate-like solar cell is disposed between the dial plate and the timepiece driving unit.
When the above arrangement structure is adopted, there is a problem in that the design of the dial plate is restricted because the dial plate needs to be formed of a light translucent material.
In order to eliminate such a design restriction of the dial, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, an electronic timepiece with a solar cell in which a solar cell is annularly arranged on the outer periphery of the dial instead of under the dial is provided. Proposed. In this timepiece, since the light-receiving surface (power generation surface) of the solar cell is arranged on the outer periphery of the dial so that it faces the center side of the time display unit, the dial is no longer restricted in terms of design.
Further, in the timepiece of Patent Document 1, since the light receiving surface of the solar cell is arranged substantially perpendicular to the dial surface, it is somewhat disadvantageous in terms of receiving light. In order to compensate for this, in the timepiece of Patent Document 1, light is efficiently guided to the solar cell by a light guide member disposed between the outer edge of the dial and the solar cell. Further, the light guide member makes it difficult to see the dark brown color of the power generation surface of the solar cell so that the user is not aware of the presence of the solar cell.
Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, since the power generation surface of the solar cell faces the center side of the time display unit and is disposed substantially perpendicular to the surface of the dial plate, the output electrode on the power generation surface and the timepiece drive unit The circuit board is configured to conduct with an elastic connection spring.

特開2003−130974号公報JP 2003-130974 A

しかしながら、特許文献1のように太陽電池と回路基板とを導通する接続バネがあると、接続バネの一部が視認される問題があった。特許文献1の場合、同文献の図5に示したように、接続バネの一部は時刻表示領域の2時位置にあるので、一般的な6時位置と12時位置に装着用のバンドが取り付けられている時計では、使用者が時刻を確認するときに、接続バネの金色が視野に入ってくることになる。接続バネの位置は文字板の表面よりも下側なので、一見すると見えないと思われるが、実際には導光部材を通して文字板の下側まで導かれた光の一部が接続バネまで到達し、それが接続バネ表面で反射して導光部材にもどり、それが視認されていると考えられる。
文字板外縁と接続バネを結ぶ直線上に文字板スペーサー等で遮蔽を設けることで接続バネの金色を直接確認することは出来なくなるが、それでもソーラーセル、文字板スペーサーの暗褐色の中では、接続バネの金色の光沢は反射により僅かながら外観に漏れ出して視認される場合がある。
また同様な問題として太陽電池の端部も視野に入る問題があった。特許文献1の時計で使用する太陽電池は帯の形状をしたフィルム状の太陽電池である。そして文字板外縁に環状
に湾曲させて配置しているが、通常ソーラーセルの長さは、文字板外縁の長さよりも少し長くなるように設定され、両端部は重ねて配置するようにしている。その重なり部分が視認されてしまうという問題もあった。
本発明は上記の太陽電池付電子時計において、文字板の外縁部に配置したソーラーセルと時計駆動部の回路基板とを導通する接続バネの存在を視認し難くさせるための時計構造を提供することにある。
However, when there is a connection spring that conducts the solar cell and the circuit board as in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that a part of the connection spring is visually recognized. In the case of Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 5 of the same document, since a part of the connection spring is at the 2 o'clock position in the time display area, there are mounting bands at the general 6 o'clock position and 12 o'clock position. In the attached watch, when the user checks the time, the gold color of the connecting spring comes into view. Since the position of the connection spring is below the dial surface, it may not be visible at first glance, but in reality, part of the light guided to the bottom of the dial through the light guide member reaches the connection spring. It is considered that it is reflected by the surface of the connection spring and returns to the light guide member, which is visually recognized.
By providing a shield with a dial spacer on the straight line connecting the outer edge of the dial and the connection spring, the gold color of the connection spring cannot be confirmed directly, but it is still connected in the dark brown of the solar cell and dial spacer. The gold-colored luster of the spring may be perceived by being slightly leaked into the appearance due to reflection.
In addition, as a similar problem, there is a problem that the edge of the solar cell is also in view. The solar cell used in the watch of Patent Document 1 is a film-like solar cell having a band shape. And it is arranged to be curved in an annular shape on the outer edge of the dial plate, but the length of the solar cell is usually set to be slightly longer than the length of the outer edge of the dial plate, and both ends are arranged to overlap. . There was also a problem that the overlapping portion was visually recognized.
The present invention provides a timepiece structure for making it difficult to visually recognize the presence of a connection spring that conducts a solar cell disposed on an outer edge of a dial and a circuit board of a timepiece driving unit in the electronic timepiece with a solar cell. It is in.

上記目的を達成するため、本発明における太陽電池付電子時計は下記記載の手段を採用する。
時刻表示部を構成する文字板と、時計駆動部と、前記時計駆動部を動作させるための電力を発生する太陽電池であって、受光面に出力端子を有するとともに、前記受光面が前記時刻表示部の中心側を向きながら前記文字板の外周に環状に配置された太陽電池と、前記太陽電池の電力を前記時計駆動部の回路基板に導通させるための接続部材とを有する太陽電池付電子時計において、前記接続部材と前記太陽電池との接続位置は、時計使用者が時刻を視認したときに死角になる位置に配置されていることを特徴とする。
In order to achieve the above object, the solar cell electronic timepiece of the present invention employs the following means.
A dial plate that constitutes a time display unit, a timepiece drive unit, and a solar cell that generates electric power for operating the timepiece drive unit, and has an output terminal on a light receiving surface, and the light receiving surface displays the time display A solar cell-equipped electronic timepiece having a solar cell that is annularly arranged on the outer periphery of the dial while facing the center side of the dial, and a connection member for conducting the power of the solar cell to the circuit board of the timepiece drive unit In the above, the connection position between the connection member and the solar cell is arranged at a position that becomes a blind spot when the timepiece user visually recognizes the time.

本発明によれば、時計駆動部の回路基板と太陽電池とを導通させるための導通部材の接続位置が、時計使用者が時刻を視認したときに死角になる位置に配置されているので、時刻を確認する場合に接続部材が視認され難くなる。
本発明を限定するものではないが、例えば一般的な時計の時刻表示部の構造では、6時位置を挟んで3時から9時位置の範囲内に接続バネを配置した場合、6時位置が使用者の手前になり使用者の視界からはケース内縁により接続バネから反射される光は遮られるので、接続部材から反射される不快な光は、使用者に認識され難くなる。
According to the present invention, the connection position of the conducting member for conducting the circuit board of the timepiece driving unit and the solar cell is disposed at a position where the timepiece user visually recognizes the time, so that the dead time is reached. When confirming, it becomes difficult to visually recognize the connection member.
Although the present invention is not limited, for example, in the structure of a time display unit of a general timepiece, when a connection spring is arranged in a range from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock with the 6 o'clock position in between, the 6 o'clock position is Since the light reflected from the connection spring is blocked by the inner edge of the case from the user's field of view before the user, unpleasant light reflected from the connection member is not easily recognized by the user.

本発明の実施形態における太陽電池付電子時計を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows the electronic timepiece with a solar cell in embodiment of this invention. 本発明の実施形態における太陽電池付電子時計の6時位置における断面図である。It is sectional drawing in the 6 o'clock position of the electronic timepiece with a solar cell in embodiment of this invention. 本発明の実施形態における太陽電池付電子時計に使用するソーラーセルを示す平面図である。It is a top view which shows the solar cell used for the electronic timepiece with a solar cell in embodiment of this invention. (a)は腕時計使用者が6時側を手前にして時刻を視認したときの表示状態を示す説明図であり、(b)は(a)の状態で時刻を視認したときに四角となる領域を斜線で示した説明図である。(A) is explanatory drawing which shows a display state when a wristwatch user visually recognizes the time with 6 o'clock side in front, and (b) is a rectangular area when the time is visually recognized in the state of (a). It is explanatory drawing which showed by hatching. 本発明の実施形態における太陽電池付電子時計を腕に装着した状態を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the state which mounted | wore the arm with the electronic timepiece with a solar cell in embodiment of this invention.

以下、図面を用いて本発明の実施形態における太陽電池付電子時計の構成を詳しく説明する。
図1は、本発明の実施形態における太陽電池付電子時計を示す断面図であり、図2は6時位置における断面図である。図3は、本発明の実施形態におけるソーラーセルの平面図である。図4は本発明の実施形態における太陽電池付電子時計の外観を示す平面図である。図5は本発明の実施形態における太陽電池付電子時計を使用した状態を示す説明図である。
図1において、10は時計駆動部、3は時計駆動部10に搭載された文字板である。2は太陽電池、4は太陽光などの光を太陽電池2へ導くとともに、太陽電池2を見えにくくするためのプリズムである。5はケース、6は時刻表示部を覆うガラスである。1は太陽電池2とプリズム4を保持するとともに、時計駆動部10と文字板3をケース5に適合させ
るために介在している支持部材である。図1に示すように、支持部材1は時計駆動部10の外周側に配置されて時計駆動部10と文字板3を保持する。そして時計駆動部10を保持した支持部材1はケース5内に収納される。
時計駆動部10は、図示しないが、時計駆動部10の基台となって、図示しない輪列機構や回路基板などの構成要素を保持する地板と輪列受との間に、指針を駆動する輪列を回転可能に軸支している。
さらに地板には、時間基準源となる水晶振動子や半導体集積回路を保持した回路基板などが配置されている。本実施例の太陽電池付時計は、回路基板に実装した半導体集積回路装置によって水晶振動子の基準信号を分周して、ステップモータのロータを所定周期、たとえば1秒周期で回転している。ロータの回転は、減速輪列である四番車および三番車を介して中心車に伝達し、中心車は1時間で1回転する。中心車の回転は、減速輪列である日の裏車を介して筒車に伝達し、筒車は12時間で1回転する。
図1に示す支持部材1は樹脂材料からなり、その外周部に凸部1fと、この凸部1fと少し間隔をあけてさらに外周部側にソーラーセルガイド1bを設けてある。
凸部1fは、文字板3の端面3aが対向する内側壁1cと、ソーラーセルガイド1bと所定の間隙を介して対向する外側壁1gと、内側壁1cと外側壁1gとの間の頂部1eを有する。さらに支持部材1には、文字板3を載置して、文字板裏面3bと接する文字板受面1dを設けてある。
ソーラーセルガイド1bの内周壁面と外側壁1gとの間の間隙は、ソーラーセル2を収納保持するソーラーセル収納部1aになっている。ソーラーセル収納部1aに収納保持されるソーラーセル2は、凸部1fの外側壁1gによって斜めに傾くことを抑えられ、文字板3の表面に対して発電面(符号つけること)をほぼ垂直に保持可能となっている。
ソーラーセル2は、ポリエチレンテレフタレート(PET)やポリエーテルニトリル(PEN)に代表される樹脂基板上に、導電型が異なるアモルファスシリコン層を積層して構成している。樹脂材料からなる基板は可撓性を有しており、発電の特性を損なうことなく、ソーラーセル2はある程度自由に丸めたり曲げたりすることができるようになっている。
ソーラーセル2の受光面2a側には、透光性材料からなる環状のプリズム4が配設されている。プリズム4は、ソーラーセル2をガラス6側から視認したとき、ソーラーセル2を見にくくする役割と、ガラス6を透過してプリズム4に入射する光を屈折させてソーラーセル2の受光面に効率よく光照射させる役割とをもつ。
プリズム4は、プリズム面を具備し、6つの面をもつ断面形状を有する。
プリズム4は、支持部材1の頂部1eとケース5の鍔部5aとの間に挟持されて固定されている。
このプリズム4は、光を透過しやすい無色透明のポリカーボネート材で形成する。したがって、ガラス6を透過して文字板3側から入射する光は、プリズム4を透過してソーラーセル2の発電面へと入射し、ソーラーセル2に光起電力が発生する。
ケース5のガラス6固定面と反対側には、ケース5内部を密閉する裏蓋11が固定されている。
ソーラーセル2は、前述のように、樹脂材料からなる基板上に形成していることから、支持部材1のソーラーセル収納部1aに組み込むと、樹脂基板の弾性力によって広がろうとする力が働き、ソーラーセルガイド1bの内壁壁面に張り付くように保持される。
また、ソーラーセル2の長さは、文字板3の外周長さより長くなるように構成されている。このため、ソーラーセル2をソーラーセル収納部1aに組み込むと、図2に示すように、6時位置のソーラーセルガイド1bと凸部1f間で、ソーラーセル2の長さ方向の両端部が重なって配置されている。
このように、ソーラーセル2の長さ方向の端部が重なるようにソーラーセル収納部1aに収納保持することによって、ソーラーセル2を支持部材1に組み込んだ後におけるハンドリングや組立て工程において、ソーラーセル2がソーラーセルガイド1bから外れることはなく、作業性が良好となる効果を得ることができる。
この効果を発揮させるために、ソーラーセルガイド1bの内側壁面と外側壁1gとの間の間隙寸法、すなわちソーラーセル収納部1aの幅寸法は、ソーラーセル2の厚さ寸法の2倍より若干大きくなるように設定している。
ソーラーセル2と時計駆動部10の回路基板との接続構造は次にようになっている。図2に示すように、ソーラーセル2はソーラーセル受光部2aとソーラーセル電極部2bとからなり、支持部材1の文字板の6時表示位置に配置するソーラーセルガイド1h部分に、ソーラーセル電極部2bが形成されている一端を挿入して固定する。
本発明の一番の特徴は、ソーラーセル2と接続バネ7とのとの接続位置が、時刻表示部の6時位置を挟んで3時位置から9時位置の範囲内に配置されていることである。本実施例では、6時位置に接続バネ7とソーラーセル2との接続位置を配置し、接続バネ7は時計駆動部10の回路基板10a面に配置して固定されている。つまり、6時位置において、ソーラーセル出力端子部2bが形成されたソーラーセル2の一方の端部は、支持部材1のソーラーセル接続端子収納部1aの底面を貫通させた部分に挿入されて位置決めされており、ソーラーセル受光部2aは支持部材1のソーラーセル収納部1aに沿って1周環状に配置され、他方の端部はソーラーセル接続端子部2bが形成された一方の端部の内周部分で重なるように配置されている。
そして、接続バネ7とソーラーセル接続端子部2bを導通させるために、支持部材1のソーラーセルガイド1bでソーラーセル接続端子部2bが形成された端部を保持している。ソーラーセルガイド1bは図2に示すように、文字板3よりさらに下にある接続バネ7側まで延長した形状になっている。これによりソーラーセル2の背面を保持して、ソーラーセル接続端子部2bから時計駆動部10の回路基板10aに、接続バネ7でソーラーセル2により得られた電気的エネルギーを導通させている。
このように構成した太陽電池付時計を視認したときの状態を図4、図5に示す。図4(a)は腕時計使用者が6時側を手前にして時刻を視認したときの表示状態を示す説明図であり、図4(b)は図4(a)の状態で時刻を視認したときに死角となる領域を斜線で示した説明図である。図5は、本発明の実施形態における太陽電池付電子時計を腕に装着した状態を示す説明図である。
通常時刻表示部を視認する場合は、図5に示したように、6時側が手前になる。したがって、図4(a)に示すように、12時を挟んで3時から9時の領域13は、その内側内面が使用者からも視認できる状態になるが、使用者の手間になる6時側は死角となって時刻表示領域の縁の部分が見え難くなる。つまり図4(b)に斜線部で示したように、文字板の6時位置斜め上方より文字板3を見た場合には、ケース内縁5aにより遮られる領域12が発生する。
このケース内縁5aにより遮られる領域12は、6時位置を挟んで3時位置から9時位置の範囲内になるので、接続バネ7とソーラーセル2の接続端子2bとの接続位置をこの領域内に配置することにより、時計使用者から接続バネ7で反射される光を視認されることがなくなる。同様にソーラーセル2の両端が重なる位置もこの領域内に配置することにより、視認されることがなくなる。
なお本実施例では、腕時計を実施例として説明したが、本発明は腕時計に限定されるものではない。例えば、壁掛け時計などは目線よりもやや高い壁面に配置されることが多いので、腕時計と同様に効果がある。
また時計のデザインによっては、必ずしも時計使用者の死角になる範囲が6時位置を挟んで3時位置から9時位置の範囲内にならないデザインになる場合もあるが、その場合は適宜、時計使用者の死角になる範囲に接続バネ7とソーラーセル2の接続端子2bとの接続位置を配置すればよい。本発明の特徴を逸脱しない範囲での改良は本発明に含まれるものである。
Hereinafter, the configuration of the electronic timepiece with solar cell in the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an electronic timepiece with a solar cell according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view at the 6 o'clock position. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the solar cell in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the appearance of the solar cell equipped electronic timepiece according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a state in which the solar cell-equipped electronic timepiece according to the embodiment of the present invention is used.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a timepiece driving unit, and 3 denotes a dial mounted on the timepiece driving unit 10. 2 is a solar cell, 4 is a prism for guiding light such as sunlight to the solar cell 2 and making the solar cell 2 difficult to see. Reference numeral 5 denotes a case, and 6 denotes glass that covers the time display unit. Reference numeral 1 denotes a support member that holds the solar cell 2 and the prism 4 and is interposed to adapt the timepiece driving unit 10 and the dial 3 to the case 5. As shown in FIG. 1, the support member 1 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the timepiece driving unit 10 and holds the timepiece driving unit 10 and the dial 3. The support member 1 holding the timepiece driving unit 10 is housed in the case 5.
Although not shown, the timepiece drive unit 10 serves as a base of the timepiece drive unit 10 and drives a pointer between a ground plate that holds components (not shown) such as a train wheel mechanism and a circuit board and a train wheel bridge. The train wheel is rotatably supported.
Furthermore, a quartz substrate serving as a time reference source, a circuit board holding a semiconductor integrated circuit, and the like are disposed on the ground plane. The solar cell timepiece of this embodiment divides the reference signal of the crystal resonator by a semiconductor integrated circuit device mounted on a circuit board, and rotates the rotor of the step motor at a predetermined cycle, for example, a 1 second cycle. The rotation of the rotor is transmitted to the central vehicle via the fourth wheel and the third wheel, which are reduction gear trains, and the central vehicle rotates once in one hour. The rotation of the central wheel is transmitted to the hour wheel via the minute wheel which is a reduction gear train, and the hour wheel rotates once in 12 hours.
The support member 1 shown in FIG. 1 is made of a resin material, and has a convex portion 1f on its outer peripheral portion and a solar cell guide 1b on the outer peripheral portion side with a slight gap from the convex portion 1f.
The convex portion 1f includes an inner wall 1c facing the end surface 3a of the dial 3, an outer wall 1g facing the solar cell guide 1b with a predetermined gap, and a top portion 1e between the inner wall 1c and the outer wall 1g. Have Further, the support member 1 is provided with a dial receiving surface 1d on which the dial 3 is placed and in contact with the dial back surface 3b.
A gap between the inner peripheral wall surface and the outer wall 1g of the solar cell guide 1b serves as a solar cell storage portion 1a that stores and holds the solar cell 2. The solar cell 2 stored and held in the solar cell storage portion 1a is prevented from being inclined obliquely by the outer wall 1g of the convex portion 1f, and the power generation surface (signing) is made substantially perpendicular to the surface of the dial 3 It can be retained.
The solar cell 2 is configured by laminating amorphous silicon layers having different conductivity types on a resin substrate typified by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyether nitrile (PEN). The substrate made of a resin material has flexibility, and the solar cell 2 can be freely rounded or bent to some extent without impairing the power generation characteristics.
An annular prism 4 made of a translucent material is disposed on the light receiving surface 2 a side of the solar cell 2. The prism 4 has a role of making the solar cell 2 difficult to see when the solar cell 2 is viewed from the glass 6 side, and efficiently refracting light incident on the prism 4 through the glass 6 to the light receiving surface of the solar cell 2. It has the role of light irradiation.
The prism 4 includes a prism surface and has a cross-sectional shape having six surfaces.
The prism 4 is sandwiched and fixed between the top 1 e of the support member 1 and the flange 5 a of the case 5.
The prism 4 is formed of a colorless and transparent polycarbonate material that easily transmits light. Therefore, the light that passes through the glass 6 and enters from the dial 3 side passes through the prism 4 and enters the power generation surface of the solar cell 2, and a photovoltaic power is generated in the solar cell 2.
A back cover 11 that seals the inside of the case 5 is fixed to the side of the case 5 opposite to the glass 6 fixing surface.
Since the solar cell 2 is formed on the substrate made of a resin material as described above, when it is incorporated in the solar cell storage portion 1a of the support member 1, a force to spread by the elastic force of the resin substrate works. The solar cell guide 1b is held so as to stick to the inner wall surface.
Moreover, the length of the solar cell 2 is configured to be longer than the outer peripheral length of the dial 3. For this reason, when the solar cell 2 is incorporated in the solar cell storage portion 1a, as shown in FIG. 2, both end portions in the length direction of the solar cell 2 overlap between the solar cell guide 1b at 6 o'clock and the convex portion 1f. Are arranged.
In this way, in the handling and assembling process after the solar cell 2 is incorporated into the support member 1 by being housed and held in the solar cell housing 1a so that the lengthwise ends of the solar cell 2 overlap, 2 does not come off from the solar cell guide 1b, and an effect of improving workability can be obtained.
In order to exhibit this effect, the gap dimension between the inner wall surface and the outer wall 1g of the solar cell guide 1b, that is, the width dimension of the solar cell storage portion 1a is slightly larger than twice the thickness dimension of the solar cell 2. It is set to be.
The connection structure between the solar cell 2 and the circuit board of the timepiece driving unit 10 is as follows. As shown in FIG. 2, the solar cell 2 is composed of a solar cell light receiving portion 2a and a solar cell electrode portion 2b. The solar cell electrode 1b is arranged at the 6 o'clock display position on the dial of the support member 1. One end where the portion 2b is formed is inserted and fixed.
The most important feature of the present invention is that the connection position between the solar cell 2 and the connection spring 7 is arranged within the range from the 3 o'clock position to the 9 o'clock position across the 6 o'clock position of the time display section. It is. In this embodiment, the connection position between the connection spring 7 and the solar cell 2 is disposed at the 6 o'clock position, and the connection spring 7 is disposed and fixed on the surface of the circuit board 10 a of the timepiece driving unit 10. That is, at the 6 o'clock position, one end of the solar cell 2 on which the solar cell output terminal portion 2b is formed is inserted into the portion of the support member 1 that penetrates the bottom surface of the solar cell connection terminal storage portion 1a and positioned. The solar cell light receiving part 2a is arranged in a ring around the solar cell storage part 1a of the support member 1, and the other end is one of the end parts where the solar cell connection terminal part 2b is formed. It arrange | positions so that it may overlap in a peripheral part.
And in order to conduct | electrically_connect the connection spring 7 and the solar cell connection terminal part 2b, the edge part in which the solar cell connection terminal part 2b was formed with the solar cell guide 1b of the supporting member 1 is hold | maintained. As shown in FIG. 2, the solar cell guide 1 b has a shape extending to the connection spring 7 side further below the dial 3. Thereby, the back surface of the solar cell 2 is held, and the electrical energy obtained by the solar cell 2 is conducted by the connection spring 7 from the solar cell connection terminal portion 2b to the circuit board 10a of the timepiece drive unit 10.
4 and 5 show states when the solar cell timepiece thus configured is viewed. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing a display state when the wristwatch user visually recognizes the time with the 6 o'clock side facing forward, and FIG. 4B shows the time visually recognized in the state of FIG. 4A. It is explanatory drawing which showed the area | region used as a blind spot by the oblique line. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the solar cell-equipped electronic timepiece according to the embodiment of the present invention is attached to the arm.
When visually recognizing the normal time display unit, the 6 o'clock side is in front as shown in FIG. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, the region 13 from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock with 12 o'clock is in a state where the inner inner surface can be visually recognized by the user, but at 6 o'clock which is troublesome for the user. The side becomes a blind spot and it becomes difficult to see the edge of the time display area. That is, as shown by the hatched portion in FIG. 4B, when the dial 3 is viewed from a diagonally upper position of the 6 o'clock position, a region 12 blocked by the case inner edge 5a is generated.
Since the region 12 blocked by the case inner edge 5a is in the range from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock with the 6 o'clock position in between, the connection position of the connection spring 7 and the connection terminal 2b of the solar cell 2 is within this region. By disposing, the light reflected by the connection spring 7 is not visually recognized by the watch user. Similarly, the position where both ends of the solar cell 2 overlap is also not visually recognized by arranging it in this region.
In this embodiment, the wristwatch is described as an embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the wristwatch. For example, a wall clock or the like is often arranged on a wall surface slightly higher than the line of sight, so that it is as effective as a wristwatch.
Depending on the design of the watch, the range of the blind spot of the watch user may not necessarily be within the range from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock with the 6 o'clock position in between. What is necessary is just to arrange | position the connection position of the connection spring 7 and the connection terminal 2b of the solar cell 2 in the range which becomes a blind spot of a person. Improvements without departing from the features of the present invention are included in the present invention.

1 支持部材
1a ソーラーセル収納部
1b ソーラーセルガイド
1f 凸部
2 ソーラーセル
3 文字板
4 プリズム
5 ケース
6 ガラス
8 文字板装飾部
10 ムーブメント主要部
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Support member 1a Solar cell storage part 1b Solar cell guide 1f Convex part 2 Solar cell 3 Dial 4 Prism 5 Case 6 Glass 8 Dial decoration part 10 Movement main part

Claims (4)

時刻表示部を構成する文字板と、時計駆動部と、前記時計駆動部を動作させるための電力を発生する太陽電池であって、受光面に出力端子を有するとともに、前記受光面が前記時刻表示部の中心側を向きながら前記文字板の外周に環状に配置された太陽電池と、前記太陽電池の電力を前記時計駆動部の回路基板に導通させるための接続部材とを有する太陽電池付電子時計において、前記接続部材と前記太陽電池との接続位置は、時計使用者が時刻を視認したときに死角になる位置に配置されていることを特徴とする太陽電池付電子時計。 A dial plate that constitutes a time display unit, a timepiece drive unit, and a solar cell that generates electric power for operating the timepiece drive unit, and has an output terminal on a light receiving surface, and the light receiving surface displays the time display A solar cell-equipped electronic timepiece having a solar cell that is annularly arranged on the outer periphery of the dial while facing the center side of the dial, and a connection member for conducting the power of the solar cell to the circuit board of the timepiece drive unit The solar cell-attached electronic timepiece is characterized in that the connection position between the connection member and the solar cell is arranged at a position that becomes a blind spot when the timepiece user visually recognizes the time. 前記時計使用者が時刻を視認したときに死角になる位置が、前記時刻表示部の6時位置を挟んで3時位置から9時位置の範囲内であることを特徴とする請求項1に記載の太陽電池付電子時計。 The position at which the blind spot when the watch user visually recognizes the time is within a range from 3 o'clock to 9 o'clock with the 6 o'clock position of the time display unit interposed therebetween. Electronic watch with solar battery. 前記太陽電池は、矩形で帯状のフィルム状太陽電池であり、前記太陽電池の長さは、前記文字板の外縁の長さよりも長く、両端部は重ねて配置されており、重なった前記両端部が前記範囲内に配置されていることを特徴とする請求項1または請求項2に記載の太陽電池付電子時計。 The solar cell is a rectangular and strip-like film-like solar cell, and the length of the solar cell is longer than the length of the outer edge of the dial, and both end portions are overlapped, and the overlapping both end portions The electronic timepiece with solar cell according to claim 1 or 2, wherein is arranged within the range. 前記接続部材が弾性を有するバネ部材である請求項1から請求項3のいずれか1つに記載の太陽電池付電子時計。
The electronic timepiece with solar cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the connecting member is a spring member having elasticity.
JP2011167138A 2011-07-29 2011-07-29 Electronic timepiece with solar battery Pending JP2013029469A (en)

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Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20160105015A (en) * 2015-02-27 2016-09-06 삼성전자주식회사 Connection Module and electronic device including the same
JP2017102134A (en) * 2017-03-14 2017-06-08 シチズン時計株式会社 Electronic watch

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003130974A (en) * 2001-10-26 2003-05-08 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Electronic timepiece with solar cell
US20060153011A1 (en) * 2003-01-23 2006-07-13 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd Electronic timepiece with solar cell
JP2008224482A (en) * 2007-03-14 2008-09-25 Citizen Holdings Co Ltd Electronic watch with solar cell

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2003130974A (en) * 2001-10-26 2003-05-08 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Electronic timepiece with solar cell
US20060153011A1 (en) * 2003-01-23 2006-07-13 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd Electronic timepiece with solar cell
JP4598535B2 (en) * 2003-01-23 2010-12-15 シチズンホールディングス株式会社 Electronic watch with solar cell
JP2008224482A (en) * 2007-03-14 2008-09-25 Citizen Holdings Co Ltd Electronic watch with solar cell

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20160105015A (en) * 2015-02-27 2016-09-06 삼성전자주식회사 Connection Module and electronic device including the same
KR102348027B1 (en) 2015-02-27 2022-01-07 삼성전자주식회사 Connection Module and electronic device including the same
JP2017102134A (en) * 2017-03-14 2017-06-08 シチズン時計株式会社 Electronic watch

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