JP6592377B2 - Solar cell composite sensor device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a solar cell composite sensor device.

  In recent years, composite sensor devices including solar cells and sensors have been studied (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In such a composite sensor device, in order to obtain light necessary for power generation, the solar cell is arranged so as to be exposed to the outside or a part of the wall of the box housing the composite sensor device is a transparent member. In the vicinity thereof, a solar cell is arranged (Patent Document 1). Installation of such a composite sensor device indoors has also been studied (Patent Document 2).

JP 2005-295608 A JP 2004-355165 A

  However, the appearance of the solar cell is not necessarily excellent, and there is a demand for a device by which the solar cell is not easily seen from the outside. In particular, when the composite sensor device is disposed in a living space, it is also desired that the design is high.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, and provides a solar cell composite-type sensor apparatus with which a solar cell is not easily visually recognized from the outside.

[1] An insulating substrate, a decorative plate that covers a surface of the insulating substrate, and a gap between the insulating substrate and the decorative plate, and at least a solar cell and a sensor element are disposed in the gap. It is a sensor apparatus, Comprising: The visible light transmittance | permeability of the area | region which covers the said solar cell at least among the said decorative boards is 10-90%, The solar cell composite type sensor apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned.
[2] The solar cell composite sensor device according to [1], wherein an antenna that transmits a signal obtained from the sensor element to the outside is disposed in the gap.
[3] The solar cell composite sensor according to [2], wherein a control circuit for controlling at least one of the solar cell, the sensor element, and the antenna is further disposed in the gap. apparatus.
[4] A power supply circuit that supplies electric power generated by the solar cell to the sensor element is disposed in the gap portion, according to any one of [1] to [3]. Solar cell composite sensor device.
[5] Any of [1] to [4], wherein a secondary battery that stores electric power generated by the solar cell and supplies electric power to the sensor element is disposed in the gap. A solar cell composite sensor device according to claim 1.
[6] The sensor element senses a state in the gap, a gas in the gap, a physical property of an external gas separated by the decorative plate, or a substance contained in the gas [1] The solar cell composite sensor device according to any one of to [5].
[7] The sensor element senses one or more selected from temperature, humidity, pressure, sound, vibration, odor substance, chemical substance other than the odor substance, and fine particles [1] to [6] ] The solar cell composite-type sensor apparatus as described in any one of.
[8] The solar cell composite sensor device according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the gap is a sealed space.
[9] The solar cell composite sensor device according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the decorative board has a gas permeability of 1 cm ³ / m ² · 24 h · atm or more.
[10] Any one of [1] to [9], wherein a communication hole is provided over a part or the entire surface of the decorative board to communicate the gap and the outside across the decorative board. The solar cell composite sensor device according to one item.
[11] The solar cell composite sensor device according to [10], wherein a plurality of the communication holes are provided over a part or the entire surface of the decorative plate, and an average opening diameter is less than 1 mm.
[12] The design part which consists of a character, a picture, a symbol, or a pattern is arrange | positioned in a part or the whole surface of the said decorative board, It is any one of [1]-[11] characterized by the above-mentioned. Solar cell composite sensor device.
[13] The solar cell composite sensor device according to any one of [1] to [12], wherein the decorative plate is formed of a material having radio wave permeability.
[14] The solar cell composite sensor device according to any one of [1] to [13], wherein the insulating substrate is made of a synthetic resin.

  In the solar cell composite sensor device of the present invention, a solar cell that may impair the aesthetic appearance of the entire device is hidden by a decorative plate and is not easily visible from the outside. As a result, the design of the apparatus of the present invention is enhanced. Therefore, for example, even when the present invention is arranged in an indoor living space, a comfortable living space can be realized.

It is a fragmentary perspective view of the solar cell composite type sensor apparatus which concerns on this invention.

  Hereinafter, a preferred example of an embodiment of a solar cell composite sensor device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  A solar cell composite sensor device (hereinafter, simply referred to as a composite sensor device) 10 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes an insulating substrate 1 and a decorative plate 2 that covers the surface of the insulating substrate 1. And a gap 3 between the insulating substrate 1 and the decorative plate 2, and at least a solar cell 4 and a sensor element 5 are arranged in the gap 3.

<Insulating substrate 1>
The thickness of the insulating substrate 1 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include 0.1 mm to 100 mm.
The material of the insulating substrate is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include insulating materials used for general molded products such as synthetic resin, glass, and ceramics. Among these, an insulating substrate used in the field of known printable electronics is preferable, and a synthetic resin film is more preferable.
The insulating substrate 1 may be supported by another supporting base material.

<Decorative board 2>
The visible light transmittance | permeability of the area | region which covers the said solar cell at least among the decorative boards 2 is 10 to 90%. When the visible light transmittance is within this range, the solar cell 4 can sufficiently generate power using the light transmitted through the decorative plate 2.
When the visible light transmittance of the decorative plate 2 is 90% or less, it is not easy to see the inside of the gap 3 through the decorative plate 2 from the outside, and the solar cell 4 and sensor provided in the gap 3 Of the electronic components having a mechanical appearance such as the element 5, at least the solar cell 4 can be blinded by the decorative plate 2.
When the visible light transmittance of the decorative plate 2 is 10% or more, a power generation amount that can be substantially used by the solar cell 4 can be obtained.

Here, “visible light transmittance” refers to the visible light wavelength range of 400 to 800 nm in accordance with “Plastics—How to obtain total light transmittance and total light reflectance” of Japanese Industrial Standard JIS 7375: 2008. This is the calculated value.
In addition, also when the through-hole mentioned later is formed in the decorative board 2, the visible light transmittance | permeability of the decorative board 2 which has a through-hole is measured by the said method similarly to the case where it is not formed.

  The location where the visible light transmittance of the decorative plate 2 is particularly required to be 10 to 90% is a region covering the solar cell 4, that is, a region immediately above the solar cell 4. Accordingly, at least the visible light transmittance of the decorative plate 2 in the region covering the solar cell 4 may be in the above range, and the visible light transmittance of the decorative plate 2 in the portion that does not affect the power generation of the solar cell 4 is out of the above range. It may be.

However, from the viewpoint of enhancing the design of the entire device by blinding the mechanical appearance (mechanical and inorganic appearance) in the gap 3 with the decorative plate 2, not only the region covering the solar cell 4 but also the solar cell 4. It is preferable that the visible light transmittance | permeability of the decorative board 2 of the area | region covered including the vicinity of 10-90%. Here, the “near” range of the solar cell 4 refers to, for example, a region surrounded by a line 100 mm away from the periphery of the solar cell 4.
Moreover, it is more preferable that the visible light transmittance of the decorative plate 2 in the region covering the solar cell 4 and the sensor element 5 is 10 to 90%, and further includes the transmission / reception unit including the antenna 6 described later and the control circuit 7. It is more preferable that the visible light transmittance of the decorative plate 2 in the region is 10 to 90%.

  From the viewpoint of obtaining as high a photoelectric conversion efficiency as possible while blinding the solar cell 4, the visible light transmittance of the decorative plate 2 covering the solar cell 4 is preferably 10 to 90%, more preferably 30 to 70%, and more preferably 40 to 40%. 60% is more preferable.

The material of the decorative board 2 will not be specifically limited if it is a material which can implement | achieve the said visible light transmittance | permeability, For example, synthetic resins, such as a polycarbonate, polyester, polyolefin, glass, paper, etc. are mentioned.
In consideration of disposing the antenna in the gap 3, the decorative plate 2 is preferably made of a material having radio wave permeability. As such a material, an insulating material is preferable.

When the material of the decorative board 2 is a synthetic resin, fine particles such as a metal, a metal oxide, a carbon material, a coloring matter, and a pigment may be dispersed in the synthetic resin. Usually, the greater the content of fine particles, the lower the visible light transmittance.
Examples of the thickness of the decorative board 2 made of synthetic resin include 1 mm to 10 mm.

When the material of the decorative board 2 is glass, the glass may be a single layer or a multilayer glass including an intermediate film. Examples of the intermediate film include known synthetic resin films. The visible light transmittance of the interlayer film is reflected in the visible light transmittance of the decorative board 2.
Examples of the thickness of the glass decorative plate 2 include 1 mm to 10 mm.

  The surface of the decorative board 2 formed of synthetic resin or glass may be subjected to minute unevenness processing or rubbing processing. The visible light transmittance can also be adjusted by these surface treatments.

When the material of the decorative board 2 is paper, examples of the thickness thereof include 0.1 mm to 5 mm. Moreover, as a basic weight of the said paper, 40-300 g / m < ² > is mentioned, for example. Moreover, as a density (tensity | strength) of the said paper, 0.5-1.5 g / cm < ³ > is mentioned, for example. In general, the visible light transmittance of the decorative board 2 tends to decrease as the thickness increases, the basis weight increases, or the tension increases.

  The decorative board 2 may be a single layer or a multilayer (a plurality of layers). In the case of the single-layer decorative board 2, the visible light transmittance of the single-layer decorative board 2 is 10 to 90%. In the case of the multilayer decorative board 2, the visible light transmittance of the entire multilayer is set to 10 to 90% regardless of the visible light transmittance of the individual layers. In addition, a support plate or a support member that supports the single-layer or multilayer decorative plate 2 may be arbitrarily installed. When the support plate or the support member does not substantially affect the visible light transmittance of the decorative plate 2 (for example, when the visible light transmittance of the support plate or the support member is 97 to 100%, When the visible light transmittance of the support member affects only a part of the decorative plate 2), it can be said that the support plate and the support member do not correspond to the decorative plate 2.

The gas permeability (unit: cm ³ / m ² · 24h · atm) of the decorative board 2 is not particularly limited, but the air or gas outside the decorative board 2 of the sensor element 5 installed in the gap portion 3 is not limited. From the viewpoint of sensing, it is preferably 1 cm ³ / m ² · 24 h · atm or more, for example.
Here, the gas permeability is a value measured according to JIS K7126-1 (differential pressure method).

  A communication hole that allows communication between the gap 3 and the outside across the decorative plate 2 may be provided over part or the entire surface of the decorative plate 2. That is, the decorative plate 2 may be provided with a communication hole through which gas can permeate. The shape of the communication hole is not particularly limited, and may be a porous shape in which a large number of minute irregular holes communicate with each other, or may be a through hole that linearly penetrates the front and back surfaces of the decorative plate 2 Good.

  The magnitude | size of a through-hole is not specifically limited, For example, the magnitude | size of a diameter of 1 micrometer-10 cm is mentioned. The number of through holes may be singular or plural. When providing a through-hole with a small diameter, it is preferable that the number of the through-holes is plural. The size and number of through holes are appropriately adjusted according to the desired gas permeability. The position where the through hole is provided in the decorative board 2 is not particularly limited. For example, a large number of through holes having a diameter of 50 to 500 μm may be formed over the entire surface of the decorative board 2; About ~ 100 pieces may be formed in the vicinity of the sensor element 5.

When the communication hole is formed in the decorative plate 2, the surface of the decorative plate 2 has an opening for the communication hole. The opening diameter in plan view of the opening is obtained by approximating an inscribed circle inscribed in the opening.
As an example, there may be mentioned a case where a plurality of the communication holes are provided over a part or the entire surface of the decorative board 2 and the average of the opening diameters (average opening diameter) is less than 1 mm. When the average opening diameter is less than 1 mm, the opening is not conspicuous on the surface of the decorative plate 2, and the gas permeability can be increased without impairing the design of the decorative plate 2.
Moreover, the case where the one or several said communicating hole is provided locally in the decorative board 2, and the average (average opening diameter) of the opening diameter is 1 mm or more as another example is mentioned. When the average opening diameter is 1 mm or more, the gas permeability can be further increased. When the sensor element 5 has a function of sensing external gas, the local area is preferably in the vicinity of the sensor element 5 (for example, within 100 mm from the sensor element 5).

  A design portion made up of characters, pictures, symbols, patterns, and the like may be disposed on a part or the entire surface of the decorative plate 2. The design portion may be printed on the surface of the decorative board 2, may be bonded, or may be fixed by other known methods.

  In the present invention, the influence of the design portion on the visible light transmittance of the decorative board 2 is not ignored and is considered. For example, as a configuration of the decorative plate 2 in the region covering the solar cell 4, the visible light transmittance is adjusted to 10 to 90% by printing the design portion on the surface of an acrylic plate having a visible light transmittance of more than 90%. The structure which was made is mentioned.

<Cavity 3>
The thickness of the gap 3 corresponds to the distance from the insulating substrate 1 to the decorative plate 2. This thickness is not particularly limited, and can be designed to be, for example, about 0.1 mm to 50 mm.
The area of the gap 3 when the insulating substrate 1 and the decorative board 2 are viewed in plan is not particularly limited. For example, the book size is about 5 cm × 10 cm, the frame size is about 50 cm × 100 cm, and the wall size is about 5 m × 10 m. Etc.

The space 3 may be a space sealed (sealed) by the insulating substrate 1, the decorative board 2, and any other member, or may be a non-sealed space.
When the gap portion 3 is a sealed space, when the gas permeability of the decorative plate 2 is assumed to be 0 cm ³ / m ² · 24 h · atm, the inflow and outflow of gas to the gap portion 3 are substantially zero. Can do. With such a configuration, by adjusting the gas permeability of the decorative plate 2 or by forming a through-hole in the decorative plate 2, the inflow and outflow of gas to the sealed space formed by the gap portion 3 can be easily controlled. can do.

<Solar cell 4>
The kind of solar cell 4 is not specifically limited, For example, a dye-sensitized solar cell, a silicon-type solar cell, a perovskite solar cell etc. are mentioned.
The current dye-sensitized solar cell using a general ruthenium dye exhibits a photoelectric conversion efficiency of about 9 to 11% when the incident light intensity is ² to 100 mW / cm ² , and the incident light intensity is 0. Even in the case of low illuminance of 0.01 to 1 mW / cm ^2, the photoelectric conversion efficiency is about 9 to 10%. Since dye-sensitized solar cells have very little leakage current, they exhibit high conversion efficiency even at low illuminance.
On the other hand, the current general crystalline silicon solar cell shows a photoelectric conversion efficiency of about 8 to 14% when the incident light intensity is ² to 100 mW / cm ² , but the incident light intensity is 0.01 to In the case of low illuminance of 1 mW / cm ^2, the photoelectric conversion efficiency is reduced to about 0 to 7%. Crystalline silicon solar cells tend to exponentially decrease in photoelectric conversion efficiency as the illuminance decreases under low illuminance conditions.
Here, 100mW / cm ² is equivalent to the outdoor illumination subjected to sunlight, 0.01~1mW / cm ² corresponds to the indoor illumination.
Therefore, it is preferable that the solar cell 4 is a dye-sensitized solar cell from the viewpoint of increasing the power generation efficiency of the solar cell 4 blinded by the decorative plate 2.

The light receiving area, shape, and size of the solar cell 4 are appropriately designed according to the purpose.
The electric power generated by the solar cell 4 may be supplied to at least one of the sensor element 5 and a transmission / reception unit including the antenna 6 described later and the control circuit 7, or supplied to the outside and used for other purposes. Also good. It is preferable that the power supply circuit necessary for this power supply is disposed on the surface of the insulating substrate 1 in the gap 3. The power supply circuit is preferably formed by a known printable electronics technique.

<Sensor element 5>
The sensor element 5 may be mounted on an IC chip, or may be formed by an electric circuit printed on the surface of the insulating substrate 1 by a known printable electronics technique. Examples of the electric circuit include those formed by conductive ink containing conductive particles and a binder.

The sensor element 5 includes, for example, the state in the gap 3, the gas flowing into the gap 3, or the physical property of the external gas separated by the decorative plate 2 or the gas by a contact method or a non-contact method. Examples include those that sense the substances that are detected.
Here, the contact method refers to a method in which the sensor element 5 and the sensing target of the sensor element 5 directly interact, and the non-contact method refers to a direct contact between the sensor element 5 and the sensing target of the sensor element 5. Refers to a method that does not interact. In an example of the non-contact method, an example in which the sensor element 5 transmits a laser beam and observes a state in which the laser beam acts on an external sensing object across the decorative plate 2 can be given.

  The function of the sensor element 5 is not particularly limited. For example, the function of sensing physical quantities or changes thereof, specifically, for example, temperature, humidity, pressure, sound, vibration, odorous substances, chemical substances other than the odorous substances, and fine particles. A function of sensing one or more selected from the following.

  When the sensor element 5 is a temperature sensor that senses the temperature, the temperature sensor may sense the temperature of the gas that has flowed into the gap 3, or sense the temperature of the external gas across the decorative plate 2. May be.

  When the sensor element 5 is a humidity sensor that senses humidity, the humidity sensor may sense the humidity of the gas that has flowed into the gap 3 or the humidity of the external gas across the decorative plate 2. May be.

  When the sensor element 5 is a pressure sensor that senses pressure, the pressure sensor may constantly or intermittently monitor a steady pressure in the gap 3 or sense a pressure change in the gap 3. May be. When the gap 3 is the sealed space, it is easy to detect that the decorative plate 2 is pressed inward and the volume of the gap 3 is changed as a pressure change.

  When the sensor element 5 is a sound sensor that senses sound, the sound sensor senses sound waves propagated into the gap 3.

  When the sensor element 5 is a vibration sensor that senses vibration, the vibration sensor senses vibration of at least one of the vibration of the insulating substrate 1 and the decorative plate 2 that form the gap 3.

  When the sensor element 5 is an odor sensor that senses an odor substance, the odor sensor includes an odor substance (a substance that is recognized as an odor when the animal smells it) contained in the gas flowing into the gap 3. ).

  When the sensor element 5 is a chemical sensor that senses a chemical substance other than the odor substance, the chemical sensor senses a chemical substance contained in the gas flowing into the gap 3.

  In the case where the sensor element 5 is a dust sensor that senses fine particles, the dust sensor may sense the concentration of fine particles contained in the gas flowing into the gap 3 or an external gas across the decorative plate 2. You may sense the density | concentration of the fine particle contained in. The fine particles may be solid or liquid. The size of the fine particles is, for example, a size capable of floating or scattering in the air. Specifically, for example, the major axis has a size of 1000 μm or less. Examples of such fine particles include PM10 and PM2.5 known as air pollutants, smoke, dust, house dust such as mites and molds, and the like.

  The electric power necessary for the sensor element 5 to function may be supplied from the solar cell 4 or may be supplied from another power source.

<Antenna 6>
The composite sensor 10 in FIG. 1 includes an antenna 6 as an optional part. The antenna 6 transmits a signal obtained from the sensor element 5 to the outside. The antenna 6 may receive an external signal. The received signal is transmitted to the sensor element 5 or the control circuit 7, for example. In this specification, transmission and reception are collectively referred to as transmission / reception.

  Examples of the antenna 6 include a coil antenna, a dipole antenna, and a patch antenna. Communication radio waves transmitted and received by the antenna 6 are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include microwaves such as 900 MHz band and 2.45 GHz band. Examples of the antenna length of the antenna 6 that transmits and receives these microwaves include 3 to 20 cm.

  The antenna 6 is preferably provided with a transmission circuit that converts the signal into a sensor signal suitable for transmission to the outside. The antenna 6 may be provided with a receiving circuit that transmits a signal from the outside to the sensor element 5 or the control circuit 7. In this specification, a transmission circuit and a reception circuit are collectively referred to as a transmission / reception circuit.

  The antenna 6 and the transmission / reception circuit may be formed by an electric circuit printed on the surface of the insulating substrate 1 by a known printable electronics technique, or may be formed by an IC chip or the like.

  The electric power necessary for the transmission / reception unit including the antenna 6 and the transmission / reception circuit may be supplied from the solar battery 4 or may be supplied from another power source.

<Control circuit 7>
The composite sensor device 10 in FIG. 1 has a control circuit 7 in the gap 3. The control circuit 7 constitutes a control unit that controls the transmission / reception unit including the solar cell 4, the sensor element 5, and the antenna 6 provided in the composite sensor device 10.
The control circuit 7 may be formed by an electric circuit printed on the surface of the insulating substrate 1 by a known printable electronics technique, or may be formed by an IC chip or the like.

<Secondary battery>
Although not shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that a secondary battery that stores power generated by the solar battery 4 is installed in the gap 3 of the composite sensor 10.
The electric power stored in the secondary battery may be supplied to at least one of the transmission / reception unit including the sensor element 5 and the antenna 6 and the control circuit 7, or may be supplied to the outside and used for other purposes. . It is preferable that the power supply circuit necessary for this power supply is disposed on the surface of the insulating substrate 1 in the gap 3. The power supply circuit is preferably formed by an electric circuit printed on the surface of the insulating substrate 1 by a known printable electronics technique.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims. Deformation / change is possible.

  The present invention can be widely used in the field of printable electronics, particularly in the field of sensors.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Insulating board | substrate, 2 ... Decorative plate, 3 ... Gap part, 4 ... Solar cell, 5 ... Sensor element, 6 ... Antenna, 7 ... Control circuit

Claims (14)

An insulating substrate, a decorative plate covering the surface of the insulating substrate, and a gap between the insulating substrate and the decorative plate,
A sensor device in which at least a solar cell and a sensor element are arranged in the gap,
A visible light transmittance of a region covering at least the solar cell in the decorative plate is 10 to 90%.   The solar cell composite sensor device according to claim 1, wherein an antenna that transmits a signal obtained from the sensor element to the outside is disposed in the gap.   The solar cell composite sensor device according to claim 2, wherein a control circuit for controlling at least one of the solar cell, the sensor element, and the antenna is further disposed in the gap.   The solar cell composite type according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a power supply circuit that supplies power generated by the solar cell to the sensor element is disposed in the gap. Sensor device.   5. The secondary battery that stores electric power generated by the solar cell and supplies electric power to the sensor element is disposed in the gap portion. 6. Solar cell composite sensor device.   6. The sensor element according to claim 1, wherein the sensor element senses a state in the gap, a gas in the gap, a physical property of an external gas separated by the decorative plate, or a substance contained in the gas. The solar cell composite sensor device according to any one of the above.   The sensor element senses at least one selected from temperature, humidity, pressure, sound, vibration, odor substance, chemical substance other than the odor substance, and fine particles. The solar cell composite sensor device according to Item.   The solar cell composite sensor device according to claim 1, wherein the gap is a sealed space. The decorative plate solar cell complex sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the gas permeability is equal to or is ^{1cm 3 / m 2 · 24h ·} atm or more.   The communication hole which connects the said space | gap part and the exterior which separated the said decorative board over the part or the whole surface of the said decorative board is provided. Solar cell composite sensor device.   11. The solar cell composite sensor device according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of the communication holes are provided over a part or the entire surface of the decorative plate, and an average opening diameter is less than 1 mm.   The solar cell composite type according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein a design portion composed of a character, a picture, a symbol, or a pattern is disposed on a part or the entire surface of the decorative plate. Sensor device.   The solar cell composite sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the decorative plate is formed of a material having radio wave permeability.   The solar cell composite sensor device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the insulating substrate is made of a synthetic resin.

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