Patent Publication Number: US-2012032933-A1

Title: Electronic device having solar energy module

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to U.S. patent application with an Attorney Docket Number of US33149 and a title of ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING SOLAR ENERGY COLLECTING MODULE, which has the same assignee as the current application and was concurrently filed. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to electronic devices with solar energy modules and, particularly, to an electronic device having a light guiding module to guide ambient light to the solar energy module. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Energy consumption of portable consumer electronic products has always been a concern. There are portable consumer electronic products equipped with solar cells or panels to collect solar energy. An extra opening in the housing of the electronic product is often needed to allow ambient light to pass through, which may affect the appearance of the electronic product. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portable electronic device in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portable electronic device in accordance with a second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail below, with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an electronic device  100  includes a housing  10  and a display  20 . The housing  10  includes a bottom  11  and two opposite sidewalls  12 . The display  20  is received in a space defined by the bottom  11  and the sidewalls  12 . The electronic device  100  further includes a solar energy module  30  and a light guide member  40 . The solar energy module  30  is arranged on an internal sidewall  12  of the housing  10  and is used to convert light into electricity. 
     The light guide member  40  is arranged above and covers the display  20 . In the embodiment, the light guide member  40  is made of transparent material. The light guide member  40  includes an optical film with a micro-structure, to guide a portion of light incident on the light guide member  40  to be split at a preset angle. When light strikes the top of the light guide member, much of the light is guided to the solar energy module  30 , and the remainder is guided directly to the display  20 . The electricity produced by the solar energy module  30  can be used to power the electronic device  100 . 
     In the embodiment, the display  20  can be a reflective type display, such as a microcapsule type electronic paper display. The display  20  can use light passing through the light guide member  40  as a light source. In the embodiment, the electronic device  100  further includes a protection layer  50  arranged between the sidewalls  12  of the housing, to protect the light guide member  40  from being scratched. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , in an alternative embodiment, an electronic device  100   a  is disclosed. The difference between the electronic devices  100  and  100   a  is that the electronic device  100   a  further includes a lighting module  60 . The lighting module  60  is arranged on the sidewall  12  where the solar energy collecting module  30  is arranged. When the ambient light is weak, the lighting module  60  can be turned on to emit light, a portion of which can pass through the light guide member  40  to the display  20 . Thus, information displayed by the electronic device  100   a  can still readable in poor light conditions. In the embodiment, the lighting module  60  includes a number of light emitting diodes (LEDs). 
     In other embodiments, the display  20  can be a half reflection type liquid crystal display or a backlit display. When the display  20  is a backlit display, the lighting module  60  is not needed. 
     While various embodiments have been described and illustrated, the disclosure is not to be constructed as being limited thereto. Various modifications can be made to the embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.