Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6316714?dq=5,583,822
Timestamp: 2016-07-23 21:55:14
Document Index: 225791066

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 1', 'art 2']

Patent US6316714 - Power generating block provided with thermoelectric generation unit - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA power generating block is provided with a thermoelectric generator unit 180 containing one or more of electrothermic elements 140, further, including a 1st thermally conductive plate 120 constituting a heat absorbing plate and including a 2nd thermally conductive plate constituting a heat radiating...http://www.google.com/patents/US6316714?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6316714 - Power generating block provided with thermoelectric generation unitAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6316714 B1Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 09/529,586PCT numberPCT/JP1998/004590Publication dateNov 13, 2001Filing dateOct 13, 1998Priority dateOct 14, 1997Fee statusPaidAlso published asEP1054505A1, EP1054505A4, WO1999019979A1Publication number09529586, 529586, PCT/1998/4590, PCT/JP/1998/004590, PCT/JP/1998/04590, PCT/JP/98/004590, PCT/JP/98/04590, PCT/JP1998/004590, PCT/JP1998/04590, PCT/JP1998004590, PCT/JP199804590, PCT/JP98/004590, PCT/JP98/04590, PCT/JP98004590, PCT/JP9804590, US 6316714 B1, US 6316714B1, US-B1-6316714, US6316714 B1, US6316714B1InventorsSusumu Kotanagi, Akihiro Matoge, Yoshifumi Yoshida, Fumiyasu Utsunomiya, Matsuo KishiOriginal AssigneeSeiko Instruments Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (5), Referenced by (5), Classifications (8), Legal Events (4) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetPower generating block provided with thermoelectric generation unit
US 6316714 B1Abstract
A power generating block is provided with a thermoelectric generator unit 180 containing one or more of electrothermic elements 140, further, including a 1st thermally conductive plate 120 constituting a heat absorbing plate and including a 2nd thermally conductive plate constituting a heat radiating plate. A thermal conductive body 244 made of a thermally conductive material is arranged to be brought into contact with the 2nd thermally conductive plate 170. The power generating block with a thermoelectric generator unit is provided with a step-up circuit block 240 including a step-up circuit 410 for boosting electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric generator unit 180 and a power supply operation control circuit 416 for controlling operation of storing the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric generator unit 180 and controlling operation of the step-up circuit 410. Images(53) Claims(4)
What is claimed is: 1. A power generating block with a thermoelectric generator unit comprising:
a thermoelectric generator unit (180) containing one or more of electrothermic elements (140) for generating an electromotive force based on the Seebeck effect, including a 1st thermally conductive plate (120) constituting a heat absorbing plate and including a 2nd thermally conductive plate (170) constituting a heat radiating plate; a thermal conductive body (244) made of a thermally conductive material and arranged to be brought into contact with the 2nd thermally conductive plate (170); a step-up circuit block (240) including a step-up circuit (410) for boosting the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric generator unit (180); and a power supply operation control circuit (416) for controlling operation of storing the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric generator unit (180) and controlling operation of the step-up circuit (410). 2. The power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric generator unit (180) is attached to the thermal conductive body (244) in a state in which an outer side face of the 2nd thermally conductive plate (170) is brought into contact with the thermal conductive body (244).
3. The power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a generating block frame (246) made of an electrically insulating material, wherein the step-up circuit block (240) includes a step-up circuit substrate (250), the thermoelectric generator unit (180) includes a lead substrate (130) for transmitting the generated electromotive force and the lead substrate (130) is fixed to the generating block frame (246) in a state in which a pattern of the lead substrate (130) is brought into contact with a pattern of the step-up circuit substrate (250).
4. The power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit according to any one of claim 1 through claim 3, wherein electric elements of the step-up circuit block (240) are arranged at a surrounding of the thermoelectric generator unit (180).
The present invention relates to a generating block with a thermoelectric generator unit including a thermoelectric generator unit containing electrothermic elements for generating an electromotive force based on the Seebeck effect.
Particularly, the invention relates to a power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit characterized in being provided with a booster circuit block including a booster circuit for boosting electromotive force generated by a thermoelectric generator unit and a power supply operation control unit for controlling the operation of storing the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric generator unit and controlling the operation of the booster circuit.
According to a conventional electrothermic wrist watch, as disclosed in, for example, JP-A-55-20483, a thermoelectric type generator comprising a number of individual element parts is arranged between a bottom portion of a casing made of metal and a support ring. According to the thermoelectric type generator (Peltier battery), a hot pole is placed opposedly to the bottom portion of the casing and a cold pole is placed opposed to a cover made of metal. Further, according to other structures, a thermoelectric type generator is held by an intermediary ring via a shock absorber.
According to other electronic timepieces, as disclosed in JP-A-8-43555, a 1st insulating member constitutes a heat absorbing side, a 2nd insulating member constitutes a heat radiating side, electromotive force is provided at an output end portion, the electromotive force is stored in a storage member and time display means is operated by the storage member.
Further, according to a timepiece having conventional power generating elements, as disclosed in JP-A-9-15353, four electrothermic elements are arranged dividedly at other than a portion occupied by a movement in a space inside of a wrist watch. According to the electrothermic element, p type electrothermic members and n type electrothermic members are connected at end portions and form thermocouples. The electrothermic element is constituted by connecting in series all of the thermocouples.
None of the conventional literature discloses a thermoelectric generator unit containing one or more electrothermic elements.
In an electrothermic element, a force resistant against external force is weak. Particularly, in an electrothermic element, numbers of p type electrothermic members and n type electrothermic members each in a slender columnar shape are arranged and accordingly, when the p type electrothermic members and the n type electrothermic members are exerted with a force in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of these, there is a concern of destroying the electrothermic element. Further, also in the case in which the p type electrothermic members and the n type electrothermic members are exerted with a force along the longitudinal direction of these, when the force exceeds a constant magnitude, there is a concern of destroying the electrothermic element.
Conventionally, an electrothermic element is arranged directly in a space inside of a wrist watch without mounting the electrothermic element as a thermoelectric generator unit and therefore, the strength of the electrothermic element cannot be increased. Further, when a plurality of the electrothermic elements are used, there is needed means for connecting the electrothermic elements.
Further, conventionally, there has not been developed a circuit block with a thermoelectric generator unit having a thermoelectric generator unit including a plurality of thermoelectric elements and provided with a booster circuit and a power supply operation control circuit for controlling operation of the booster circuit.
It is an object of the invention to provide a power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit having excellent power generation efficiency.
It is another object of the invention to provide a small-sized thin type power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit.
It is another object of the invention to provide a power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generation unit which is fabricated simply.
In order to resolve the above-described problem, according to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a power generating block with a thermoelectric generator unit comprising a thermoelectric generator unit containing one or more of electrothermic elements for generating an electromotive force based on the Seebeck effect, including a 1st thermally conductive plate constituting a heat absorbing plate and including a 2nd thermally conductive plate constituting a heat radiating plate, a thermal conductive body made of a thermally conductive material and arranged to be brought into contact with the 2nd thermally conductive plate, a step-up circuit block including a step-up circuit for boosting the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric generator unit, and a power supply operation control circuit for controlling operation of storing the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric generator unit and controlling operation of the step-up circuit.
By the constitution, there can be realized a small-sized power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit having excellent power generation efficiency.
Further, according to the power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit of the invention, it is preferable that the thermoelectric generator unit is attached to the thermal conductive body in a state in which an outer side face of the 2nd thermally conductive plate is brought into contact with the thermal conductive body.
By the constitution, there can be realized a power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit which is fabricated simply.
Further, according to the power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit of the invention, it is preferable that a generating block frame made of an electrically insulating material is provided, the step-up circuit block includes a step-up circuit substrate, the thermoelectric generator unit includes a lead substrate for transmitting the generated electromotive force and the lead substrate is fixed to the generating block frame in a state in which a pattern of the lead substrate is brought into contact with a pattern of the step-up circuit substrate.
By the constitution, there can be realized the power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit which is fabricated simply.
Further, according to the power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit of the invention, it is preferable that electric elements of the step-up circuit block are arranged at a surrounding of the thermoelectric generator unit.
By the constitution, there can be realized the small-sized thin type power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit.
FIG. 1 is a step diagram showing steps of fabricating a thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a plane view of a 1st thermally conductive plate of the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the 1st thermally conductive plate taken along a line 3A—3A of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a plane view of a lead substrate of the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 5 is a plane view showing a state in which the lead substrate is adhered to the 1st thermally conductive plate in the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along a line 6A—6A of FIG. 5 showing a state in which the lead substrate is adhered to the 1st thermally conductive plate.
FIG. 7 is a side view of an outline of an electrothermic element of the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 8 is a plane view of an upper electrothermic element substrate of the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 9 is a plane view of a lower electrothermic element substrate of the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the electrothermic elements taken along a line 10A—10A of FIG. 7.
FIG. 11 is a plane view showing a state in which the electrothermic elements are adhered to the 1st thermally conductive plate in the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along a line 12A—12A of FIG. 11 showing a state in which the electrothermic elements are adhered to the 1st thermally conductive plate.
FIG. 13 is a plane view showing a state in which terminal patterns of the electrothermic elements and lead patterns of the lead substrate are conducted by wire bonding in the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along a line 14A—14A of FIG. 13 showing a state in which the terminal patterns of the electrothermic elements and the lead pattern of the lead substrate are conducted by wire bonding.
FIG. 15 is a plane view of a unit frame of the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the unit frame of the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 17 is a plane view showing a state in which the unit frame is fixed to the 1st thermally conductive plate in the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 18 is a plane view of the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 20 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a timepiece entity of the timepiece according to the invention.
FIG. 21 is a rear plane view of the timepiece entity of the timepiece having the generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention viewed from the case back side by removing the case back and a crown.
FIG. 22 is a rear plane view of a generating block of the timepiece having the generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention viewed from the case back side.
FIG. 23 is a rear plane view (part 1) of enlarged portions of the generating block having the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention viewed from the case back side.
FIG. 24 is a rear plane view (part 2) of enlarged portions of the generating block having the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention viewed from the case back side.
FIG. 25 is a rear plane view (part 3) of enlarged portions of the generating block having the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention viewed from the case back side.
FIG. 26 is a rear plane view (part 4) of enlarged portions of the generating block having the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention viewed from the case back side.
FIG. 27 is a partial sectional view (part 1) of a generating block having the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 28 is a partial sectional view (part 2) of a generating block having the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 29 is a plane view of a thermal conductive body included in the generating block having the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 30 is a plane view of a circuit insulated plate included in the generating block having the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 31 is a plane view of a generating block frame included in the generating block having the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 32 is a plane view of a step-up circuit block included in the generating block having the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 33 is a sectional view of enlarged portions showing an electric connection portion between a circuit block of a movement and the step-up circuit block according to the timepiece having the generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 34 is a front view of a circuit lead terminal used for electric connection between the circuit block of the movement and the step-up circuit block according to the timepiece having the generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 35 is a plane view of enlarged portions of a pattern of the circuit block of the movement installed for electric connection with the step-up circuit block and the circuit lead terminals arranged to be brought into contact with the pattern according to the timepiece having the generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 36 is a sectional view of enlarged portions of the electric connection portion between the thermoelectric unit and the step-up circuit block according to the generating block having the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 37 is a sectional view of enlarged portions showing a portion in which the thermal conductive body is fixed to an upper case body according to the embodiment of the timepiece having the generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 38 is a sectional view of enlarged portions showing a case back, a thermal conductive spacer and the thermoelectric generator unit according to the embodiment of the timepiece having the generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
FIG. 39 is a plane view of a thermal conductive spacer used in the timepiece having the generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
(1) A structure of a thermoelectric generator unit used in embodiments of a generating block timepiece having a thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention and a method of fabricating thereof:
An explanation will be given of a method of fabricating a thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
When 10 electrothermic elements are used, 5 electrothermic elements are attached to the electrothermic element base portion 120 d 1 and 5 electrothermic elements are attached to the electrothermic element base portion 120 d 2. Accordingly, the plane shape of the electrothermic element base portions 120 d 1 and 120 d 2 is determined in compliance with the plane shape of the electrothermic element. The thickness of the electrothermic element base portions 120 d 1 and 120 d 2 is thinner than the thickness of the electrothermic element base portion 120 a. In reference to FIG. 4, a lead substrate 130 is formed in a shape including a slender portion. The lead substrate 130 may be a glass epoxy substrate or may be a polyimide film substrate.
The lead substrate 130 is installed with lead patterns 130 a 1 through 130 a 9 for wiring in series 10 electrothermic elements and 2 output terminal patterns 130 t 1 and 130 t 2 for constituting output terminals of the thermoelectric generator unit.
In reference to FIG. 7 through FIG. 9, an electrothermic element 140 of the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention, includes an upper electrothermic element substrate 142, a lower electrothermic element substrate 144, a plurality of p-type semiconductors 146 and a plurality of n-type semiconductors 148.
In reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, successively, 5 of the electrothermic elements 140 a 1 through 140 a 5 are fixedly adhered to one of the electrothermic element base portions 120 d 1 of the 1st thermally conductive plate 120 and 5 of the electrothermic elements 140 a 6 through 140 a 10 are fixedly adhered to other of the electrothermic element base portions 120 d 2 (step 105). In step 105, in a state in which the respective terminal patterns 144 b 1 and 144 b 2 of the lower electrothermic element substrates 144 are arranged at a vicinity of the lead substrate 130, the lower side faces of the lower electrothermic element substrates 140 of the electrothermic elements 144 are adhered to the electrothermic element base portions 120 d 1 and 120 d 2 by a silver paste 134. Thereby, the lower electrothermic element substrates 144 of the electrothermic elements 140 and the 1st thermally conductive plate 120 are made thermally conductive to each other.
In reference to FIG. 13, the terminal pattern 144 b 1 of the electrothermic element 140 a 1 and the output terminal pattern 130 t 1 of the lead substrate 130 are conducted by the wire bonding 150. The terminal pattern 144 b 2 of the electrothermic element 144 a 1 and the output terminal pattern 130 t 2 of the lead substrate 130 are conducted by the wire bonding 150. Similarly, the electrothermic element 140 a 1 through the electrothermic element 140 a 5 are wired in series and the electrothermic element 140 a 6 through the electrothermic element 140 a 10 are wired in series by the wire bonding 150. The electrothermic element 140 a 5 and the electrothermic element 140 a 10 are wired in series via the lead pattern 130 a 9 of the lead substrate 130 by the wire bonding 150.
In reference to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, a unit frame 160 of the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention, is a member having a contour substantially in a rectangular shape and is constituted in a shape capable of surrounding 10 of the electrothermic elements 140 a 1 through 140 a 10. The unit frame 160 is provided with a lower supporting portion 160 d for attaching the 1st thermally conductive plate 120, an upper supporting portion 160 e for attaching a 2nd thermally conductive plate and a lead substrate escaping portion 160 f for escaping the lead substrate 130.
It is preferable that grease used in step 111 is silicone grease having excellent thermal conductivity and, for example, commercial name “Toshiba silicone pound” is used.
Guide pins 170 c and 170 d which are used for attaching the thermoelectric generator unit 180 to other members are installed on one face of the 2nd thermally conductive plate 170. The 2nd thermally conductive plate 170 is attached to the unit frame 160 in a state in which the guide pins 170 c and 170 d are directed to outside. Although a number of the guide pins is preferably 2, it may be 1 or 3 or more.
There is shown as follows an example of sizes of the thermoelectric generator unit 180 according to the invention and constituent parts used in the thermoelectric generator unit.
Distance between outer side face and inner face of unit frame: 0.8 mm.
Further, the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention may be fabricated by steps shown below.
Next, a thermally conductive adhesive agent such as silver paste is coated on the electrothermic element base portions 120 d 1 through 120 d 10 of the 1st thermally conductive plate 120 and 10 of the electrothermic elements 140 a 1 through 140 a 10 are respectively adhered fixedly to the electrothermic element base portions 120 d 1 and 120 d 2 of the 1st thermally conductive plate 120. Next, silver paste used in step 105 mentioned above is dried and resistance of each of the electrothermic elements 140 is measured.
(2) A structure of an embodiment of a case of a timepiece having a generating block with a thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention:
Next, an explanation will be given of a structure of a timepiece having a generating block with a thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention.
In reference to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, a complete entity of a timepiece having the generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention, that is, a timepiece 200 is provided with a case 202, a movement 204, a generating block 206, a dial 208, hands 210, a casing frame 212 and a crown 214.
“Movement” signifies a mechanical entity including portions for driving a timepiece. The movement 204 is installed with a power supply, a timepiece driving circuit operated by the power source for driving a timepiece, a converter of a step motor or the like operated by a signal output from the timepiece driving circuit, a wheel train rotated based on the operation of the converter and a switch mechanism for modifying positions of the hands 210. The hands 210 are attached to the wheel train and display information in respect of time or a period of time by rotation of the wheel train. The hands 210 include, for example, a hour hand, a minute hand and a second hand.
In respect of the “movement”, a side thereof having a case back 226 is referred to as “case back side” of the “movement” and a side thereof having the glass 228 is referred to as “glass side” of the “movement”.
The dial 208 is disposed on the “glass side” of the movement 204. The casing frame 212 is attached from the “case back side” of the movement 204.
(3) Structure of a generating block having the thermoelectric generator unit having the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention:
In reference to FIG. 22 through FIG. 28, the generating block 206 having the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention, is installed with the thermoelectric generator unit 180, a step-up circuit block 240, a circuit insulated plate 242, a thermal conductive body 244 and a generator block frame 246.
In reference to FIG. 31, the generating block frame 246 is a member having a substantially circular outer peripheral shape and is fabricated by an electrically insulating material. It is preferable to fabricate the generating block frame 246 by plastic of polycarbonate, polyacetal or the like. Three of screw pins 246 a through 246 c are fixed to the generating block frame 246.
In reference to FIG. 32, the step-up circuit block 240 is installed with a step-up circuit substrate 250 having a substantially circular outer peripheral shape. The step-up circuit substrate 250 is constituted by a glass epoxy substrate or a polyimide substrate. The step-up circuit substrate 250 is attached with a step-up integrated circuit 252 for constituting the step-up circuit, a plurality of capacitors 260, a tantalum capacitor 262 and a plurality of diodes 264.
Further, according to the power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit 206, electric elements of the step-up circuit block, that is, the step-up integrated circuit, the plurality of capacitors 260, the tantalum capacitor 262, the plurality of diodes 264, are arranged at a surrounding of the thermoelectric generator unit 180.
Further, a detailed explanation will be given later of the constitution of the step-up circuit.
In reference to FIG. 22 through FIG. 28 again, in fabricating the generating block 206, in a state in which the guide pins 170 c and 170 d are inserted into the thermal conductive body 244 and an outer side face of the 2nd thermally conductive plate 170 is brought into contact with the thermal conductive body 244, the thermoelectric generator unit 180 is attached to the thermal conductive body 244. By a thermoelectric generator unit lead terminal support screw 290, the output terminal patterns 130 t 1 and 130 t 2 of the lead substrate 130 of the thermoelectric generator unit are brought into contact with a pattern of the step-up circuit substrate 250 to thereby fix the lead substrate 130 to the generating block frame 246. Under the state, the step-up circuit substrate 250, the circuit insulated plate 242 and the thermal conductive body 244 are interposed between the lead substrate 130 and the generating block frame 246. As a result, the output terminal patterns 130 t 1 and 130 t 2 of the lead substrate 130 are conducted to the pattern of the step-up circuit substrate 250. Further, by 2 thermal conductive body support screws 292, the thermal conductive body 244 is fixed to the generating block frame 246.
(4) A structure of an embodiment of a timepiece having the generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention:
In reference to FIG. 33, according to an embodiment of a timepiece having the generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit of the invention, the movement 204 includes a circuit block 350 attached with an integrated circuit for driving the timepiece for controlling operation of the timepiece. A portion of a face of the circuit block 350 on the case back side is arranged to be opposed to a portion of a face of the generating block frame 246 on the glass side.
In reference to FIG. 33 again, one end of the step-up circuit lead terminal 216 is brought into contact with the pattern of the step-up circuit substrate 250 and the other end thereof is brought into contact with the pattern of the circuit block 350. The step-up circuit lead terminal 216 conducts the pattern of the step-up circuit substrate 250 with the pattern of the circuit block 350 in a compressed state.
In reference to FIG. 35, according to an embodiment of a timepiece having the generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit of the invention, 8 of the step-up circuit lead terminals 216 are installed and the respective lead terminals conduct patterns of 8 of the step-up circuit substrates with patterns of 8 of the circuit blocks 350. According to the step-up circuit lead terminals 216, two of them are installed for transmitting clock signals for step-up circuits, one of them is installed for transmitting a charge switch signal, one of them is installed for transmitting a generation detecting signal, two of them are installed for transmitting a secondary battery voltage detecting signal, one of them is installed for a plus electrode and one of them is installed for GND (ground).
According to the thermal conductive body 244 used in the timepiece having the generating block with thermoelectric generator unit of the invention, the surface area is smaller than that of a conventional thermal conductive body in which bending is carried out. As a result, by using the thermal conductive body 244, heat can be transferred extremely efficiently from the 2nd thermally conductive plate 170 to the projected portions 220 a of the upper case body 220.
Such a silicone rubber sheet can be obtained as, for example, “Heat radiating silicone rubber sheet TC-TH type” by Shinetsu Chemicals Co., Ltd., or “Gap pad” and “Soft pad” of Kitagawa Kogyo Co., Ltd. Such a silicone rubber sheet is soft, compressible and thermally conductive.
In such a structure, the thickness of the thermal conductive spacer 320 is constituted to be larger than a maximum value of the gap between the face 180 f of the thermoelectric generator unit 180 on the case back side and the inner side face 226 f of the case back 226 in consideration of tolerances of related parts. For example, when the thickness of the thermal conductive spacer 320 is set to 0.5 mm, the thermal conductive spacer 320 is integrated to the timepiece and the case back 226 is fixed to the lower case body 224, tolerances of relates parts can be determined such that the thickness of the thermal conductive spacer 320 becomes 0.1 mm through 0.4 mm. By such a constitution, heat can efficiently be transferred always from the case back 226 to the 1st thermally conductive plate 120 of the thermoelectric generator unit 180 via the thermal conductive spacer 320.
In reference to FIG. 41 and FIG. 42, power supply of the timepiece, that is, a secondary battery 600 is arranged in the movement 204. The secondary battery 600 constitutes a storage member 420 for storing electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric generator unit 180. It is preferable to constitute the secondary battery 600 by a chargeable battery such as an ion lithium secondary battery. Such a chargeable battery can be obtained as “Titanium lithium ion secondary battery MT920” (diameter 9.5 mm�thickness 2.0 mm, nominal capacity; 3.0 mAh, nominal voltage; 1.5 vol.) made by Matsushita Denchi Co., Ltd. As a modified example, in place of the secondary battery 600, a chargeable capacitor can also be utilized.
(5) A constitution of a step-up circuit used in an embodiment of a generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention:
In reference to FIG. 44, FIG. 46 and FIG. 47, according to an embodiment of a generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit of the invention, the step-up circuit 410 is constituted by a step-up circuit of “Switched capacitor system”. The step-up circuit 410 includes a 1st step-up circuit 430, a 2nd step-up circuit 432, a 3rd step-up circuit 434, a 4th step-up circuit 436, an inverter circuit 438 and smoothing capacitors 440, 442 and 444.
A pulse signal input terminal 454 for inputting a pulse signal from the oscillation circuit 412 is connected to an input terminal of the inverter circuit 438 and also connected to a 1st pulse signal input terminal 494 of the 1st step-up circuit 430, a 1st pulse signal input terminal 524 of the 2nd step-up circuit 432, a 1st pulse signal input terminal 554 of the 3rd step-up circuit 434 and a 1st pulse signal input terminal 554 of the 4th step-up circuit 436. The output terminal of the inverter circuit 438 is connected to a 2nd pulse signal input terminal 498 of the 1st step-up circuit 430, a 2nd pulse signal input terminal 528 of the 2nd step-up circuit 432, a 2nd pulse signal input terminal 558 of the 3rd step-up circuit 434 and a 2nd pulse signal input terminal 558 of the 4th step-up circuit 436.
In reference to FIG. 45, an output terminal of an inverter circuit 460 is connected to an input terminal of an inverter circuit 462 and connected also to a 1st electrode of a capacitor 464. An output terminal of the inverter circuit 462 is connected-to an input terminal of an inverter circuit 466 and connected to a 1st electrode of a capacitor 468. An output terminal of the inverter circuit 466 is connected to an input terminal of the inverter circuit 460, an input terminal of an inverter circuit 470 and a 1st electrode of a capacitor 472. An output terminal of the inverter circuit 470 is connected to an input terminal of an inverter circuit 474. An output terminal of the inverter circuit 474 is connected to a pulse signal output terminal 476. A pulse signal P1 is constituted to be output from the pulse signal output terminal 476. 2nd electrodes of the capacitors 464, 468 and 472 are connected to a GND terminal 478 constituting a low potential electrode of the storage member 420.
Power supply terminals of the respective inverter circuits are connected to a power supply terminal 480 of the oscillation circuit 412. Ground terminals of the respective inverter circuits are connected to the GND terminal 478. By the constitution of the circuits, a pulse signal having duty of about 50% can be obtained.
First, when the 1st pulse signal input from the 1st pulse signal input terminal 494 is “HIGH”, the 2nd pulse signal input from the 2nd pulse signal input terminal 498 becomes “LOW”, the N-channel type MOS transistors 492 and 496 are made ON and the N-channel type MOS transistors 490 and 502 are made OFF. Voltage supplied to the start voltage input terminal 450 is supplied to the 1st electrode of the capacitor 504 via the N-channel type MOS transistor 492 and the 1st electrode of the capacitor 504 is stepped up to voltage Va. GND voltage is supplied to the 2nd electrode of the capacitor 504 via the N-channel type MOS transistor 496 and the 2nd electrode of the capacitor 504 becomes “LOW”.
Next, when the 1st pulse signal input from the 1st pulse signal input terminal 494 is “LOW”, the 2nd pulse signal input from the 2nd pulse signal input terminal 498 becomes “HIGH”, the N-channel type MOS transistors 492 and 496 are made OFF and the N-channel type MOS transistors 490 and 502 are made ON. Voltage supplied to the start voltage input terminal 450 is supplied to the 2nd electrode of the capacitor 504 via the N-channel type MOS transistor 490 and the 2nd electrode of the capacitor 504 is stepped up to voltage Vb. The 1st electrode of the capacitor 504 is stepped up to voltage produced by adding the voltages Va and Vb. The stepped-up voltage is supplied to the output terminal 506 via the N-channel type MOS transistor 502 and voltage of the output terminal 506 is stepped up to Vc.
In this case, the “maximum voltage value” of each of the N-channel type MOS transistors mentioned above is voltage produced by subtracting the threshold voltage from voltage of “HIGH” of each pulse signal input to the gate of each of the N-channel type MOS transistors, that is, voltage applied to the N-channel type MOS transistor.
First, when the 1st pulse signal input from the 1st pulse signal input terminal 524 is “HIGH”, the 2nd pulse signal input from the 2nd pulse signal input terminal 528 becomes “LOW”, the N-channel type MOS transistors 522 and 526 are made ON and the N-channel type MOS transistor 520 and the P-channel type MOS transistor 532 are made OFF. Voltage supplied to the input terminal 510 is supplied to the 1st electrode of the capacitor 534 via the N-channel type MOS transistor 522 and the 1st electrode of the capacitor 534 is stepped up to voltage Va1. GND voltage is supplied to the 2nd electrode of the capacitor 534 via the N-channel type MOS transistor 526 and the 2nd electrode of the capacitor 534 becomes “LOW”.
Next, when the 1st pulse signal input from the 1st pulse signal input terminal 524 is “LOW”, the 2nd pulse signal input from the 2nd pulse signal input terminal 528 becomes “HIGH”, the N-channel type MOS transistors 522 and 526 are made OFF and the N-channel type MOS transistor 520 and the P-channel type MOS transistor 532 are made ON. The voltage supplied to the input terminal 510 is supplied to the 2nd electrode of the capacitor 534 via the N-channel type MOS transistor 520 and the 2nd electrode of the capacitor 534 is stepped up to voltage Vb1. Therefore, the 1st electrode of the capacitor 534 is stepped up to voltage produced by adding the voltages Va1 and Vb1. The stepped-up voltage is supplied to the output terminal 536 via the P-channel type MOS transistor 532 and voltage of the output terminal 536 is stepped up to Vc1.
That is, when voltage at the 1st electrode of the capacitor 534 is less than 0.6 V (that is, voltage for flowing current in the forward direction from the drain of the P-channel type MOS transistor 532 toward the substrate), the voltage cannot be supplied to the output terminal 536. When the voltage at the 1st electrode of the capacitor 534 is equal to or higher than 0.6 V and less than the minimum voltage value capable of flowing current between the source and the drain of the P-channel type MOS transistor 532, voltage of “(voltage of 1st electrode of capacitor 534) −(0.6 V)” is supplied to the output terminal 536.
In this case, the “minimum voltage value capable of flowing current between the source and the drain of the P-channel type MOS transistor 532” mentioned above is a value of voltage of the gate of the P-channel type MOS transistor 532 subtracted by the threshold voltage of the P-channel type MOS transistor 532. Therefore, the “minimum voltage value” of the P-channel type MOS transistor 532 shown by FIG. 47 is a value produced by subtracting the threshold value from the “LOW” voltage value of the gate of the P-channel type MOS transistor 532, that is, a value produced by subtracting the threshold voltage from GND potential. As a result, the “minimum voltage value” of the P-channel type MOS transistor 532 becomes “an absolute value of the threshold value voltage”.
First, when the 1st pulse signal input from the 1st pulse signal input terminal 554 is “HIGH”, the 2nd pulse signal input from the 2nd pulse signal input terminal 558 becomes “LOW”, the N-channel type MOS transistor 556 and the P-channel type MOS transistor 552 are made ON and the P-channel type MOS transistors 550 and 562 are made OFF. Voltage supplied to the input terminal 540 is supplied to the 1st electrode of the capacitor 564 via the P-channel type MOS transistor 552 and the 1st electrode of the capacitor 564 is stepped up to voltage Va2. GND voltage is supplied to the 2nd electrode of the capacitor 564 via the N-channel type MOS transistor 556 and the 2nd electrode of the capacitor 564 becomes “LOW”.
Next, when the 1st pulse signal input from the 1st pulse signal input terminal 554 is “LOW”, the 2nd pulse signal input from the 2nd pulse signal input terminal 558 becomes “HIGH”, the N-channel type MOS transistor 556 and the P-channel type MOS transistor 552 are made OFF and the P-channel type MOS transistors 550 and 562 are made ON. The voltage supplied to the input terminal 540 is supplied to the 2nd electrode of the capacitor 564 via the P-channel type MOS transistor 550 and the 2nd electrode of the capacitor 564 is stepped up to the voltage Vb2. Therefore, the 1st electrode of the capacitor 564 is stepped up to voltage produced by adding together the voltages Va2 and Vb2. The stepped-up voltage is supplied to the output terminal 566 via the P-channel type MOS transistor 562 and voltage of the output terminal 566 is stepped up to Vc2.
In reference to FIG. 49, an input terminal 570 of the 4th step-up circuit 436 is connected to the output terminal 566 of the 3rd step-up circuit 434. An output terminal 596 for outputting stepped-up voltage is connected to the source of a P-channel type MOS transistor 562 grounded to the substrate. Therefore, the 4th step-up circuit 436 is constituted such that the stepped-up voltage is output from the output terminal 596. The constitution of other portions of the 4th step-up circuit 436 is the same as the constitution of that of the 3rd step-up circuit 434 mentioned above. Therefore, a detailed explanation of the constitution of other portions of the 4th step-up circuit 436 will be omitted.
That is, first, when the 1st pulse signal input from the 1st pulse signal input terminal 554 is “HIGH”, the 2nd pulse signal input from the 2nd pulse signal input terminal 558 becomes “LOW”, the N-channel type MOS transistor 556 and the P-channel type MOS transistor 552 are made ON and the P-channel type MOS transistors 550 and 562 are made OFF. Voltage supplied to the input terminal 570 is supplied to the 1st electrode of the capacitor 564 via the P-channel type MOS transistor 552 and the 1st electrode of the capacitor 564 is stepped up to voltage Va3. GND voltage is supplied to the 2nd electrode of the capacitor 564 via the N-channel type MOS transistor 556 and the 2nd electrode of the capacitor 564 becomes “LOW”.
Next, when the 1st pulse signal input from the 1st pulse signal input terminal 554 is “LOW”, the 2nd pulse signal input from the 2nd pulse signal input terminal 558 becomes “HIGH”, the N-channel type MOS transistor 556 and the P-channel type MOS transistor 552 are made OFF and the P-channel type MOS transistors 550 and 562 are made ON. The voltage supplied to the input terminal 570 is supplied to the 2nd electrode of the capacitor 564 via the P-channel type MOS transistor 550 and the 2nd electrode of the capacitor 564 is stepped up to voltage Vb3. Therefore, the 1st electrode of the capacitor 564 is stepped up to voltage produced by adding together the voltages Va3 and Vb3. The stepped-up voltage is supplied to the output terminal 596 via the P-channel type MOS transistor 562 and voltage at the output terminal 596 is stepped up to Vc3.
(6) Operation of a timepiece having the generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention:
According to an embodiment of a timepiece having the generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention, in reference to FIG. 42, the output voltage from the thermoelectric generator unit 180 is input to the step-up circuit 410 or the power supply operation control circuit 416. The voltage stepped up by the step-up circuit 410 is supplied to the timepiece driving circuit 418.
“Second” is displayed by the second hand 640 attached to the fourth wheel & pinion 618. “Minute” is displayed by the minute hand 642 attached to the center wheel & pinion 622. “Hour” is displayed by the hour hand 646 attached to the hour wheel 626.
In reference to FIG. 20 and FIG. 50, when a timepiece having the generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention is worn by the arm, heat of the arm 650 is transferred to the case back 226. Heat of the case back 226 is transferred to the 1st thermally conductive plate 120 of the thermoelectric generator unit 180 via the thermal conductive spacer 320. That is, the 1st thermally conductive plate 120 constitutes a heat absorbing plate. The electrothermic elements 140 of the thermoelectric generator unit 180 generates electromotive force by the Seebeck effect. Therefore, the 2nd thermally conductive plate 170 of the thermoelectric generator unit 180 constitutes a heat radiating plate. Heat radiated from the 2nd thermally conductive plate 170 is transferred to the upper case body 220 via the thermal conductive body 244 and is discharged to outside air 652.
According to an embodiment of a timepiece having the generating block with the thermoelectric generator unit of the invention, the electrothermic element 140 is constituted to connect in series, for example, 10 pairs of modules including 50 pairs of PN junctions and the threshold voltage of the transistors included in the oscillation circuit 412 and the step-up circuit 410 is constituted to be 0.3.
According to an embodiment of a timepiece having the generating unit with the thermoelectric generator unit for the invention, a power generation amount of one piece of an electrothermic material element constituting the thermoelectric generator unit 140 is, for example, about 200 μV/� C. Accordingly, when the operation voltage of the timepiece is set to 1.5 V, in order to drive the timepiece directly by the thermoelectric generator unit, when a difference between temperatures of the 1st thermally conductive plate 120 and the 2nd thermally conductive plate 170 is 2� C., there is needed the electrothermic element 140 having 18125 pairs of PN junctions.
However, the embodiment of the timepiece having the generating unit with the thermoelectric generator unit of the invention is constituted to include the step-up circuit 410, the oscillation circuit 412 and the power supply operation control circuit 416 described above and accordingly, in the case in which power generating voltage immediately after the timepiece is worn by the arm exceeds the minimum drive voltage of the oscillation circuit 412, even when power generating voltage in a later steady state becomes voltage lower than the minimum drive voltage of the oscillation circuit 412, voltage can be stepped up by the step-up circuit 410.
For example, according to an experiment in respect of an embodiment of a timepiece having the generating unit with the thermoelectric generator unit of the invention, the power generating voltage immediately after the timepiece was worn by the arm was 2 V and the power generating voltage in a later steady state was 0.5 V. According to the embodiment of the timepiece having the thermoelectric generator unit of the invention, when the threshold voltage of the transistors included in the oscillation circuit 412 was about 0.3 V, the minimum drive voltage of the oscillation circuit 412 was about 0.7 V.
For example, according to the timepiece having the generating unit with the thermoelectric generator unit of the invention, as mentioned above, the power supply operation control circuit 416 inputs the stepped-up voltage Vpp and distributes power to the timepiece driving circuit 418 and the storage member 420 in accordance with a value of the stepped-up voltage Vpp.
(7) A structure of an electronic device having the the generating unit with the thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention:
In reference to FIG. 51 and FIG. 52, according to a portable electronic device having the generating unit with the thermoelectric generator unit of the invention, a portable electronic device 700 is installed with a liquid crystal panel 710, a speaker 712 and a lamp 718.
A drive control circuit 720 is operated by voltage supplied from the power supply operation circuit 416. According to the embodiment, the constitutions and operations of the thermoelectric generator unit 180, the step-up circuit 410, the oscillation circuit 412, the power supply operation circuit 416, the secondary battery 600 and the crystal oscillator, are the same as those of the embodiment of the timepiece having the generating unit with the thermoelectric generator unit of the invention mentioned above. Accordingly, a detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.
There are provided 4 buttons, that is, a 1st button 740, a 2nd button 742, a 3rd button 744 and a 4th button 746 for operating the portable electronic device 700. In FIG. 51, only the 1st button is shown. A 1st switch terminal 750 is installed to carry out operation of a switch by pushing to operate the 1st button 740. A 2nd switch terminal 752 is installed to carry out operation of a switch by pushing to operate the 2nd button 742. A 3rd switch terminal 754 is installed to carry out operation of a switch by pushing to operate the 3rd button 744. A 4th switch terminal 756 is installed to carry out operation of a switch by pushing to operate the 4th button 746. The operation of the switch is carried out when the respective switch terminal provides an input signal to the corresponding switch input terminal of the drive control circuit 720.
According to the electronic device having the generating unit with the thermoelectric generator unit of the invention, the portable electronic device 700 may be provided with only the liquid crystal panel 710, may be provided with the liquid crystal panel 710 and the speaker 712, may be provided with the liquid crystal panel 710 and the lamp 718 and may be provided with the liquid crystal panel 710, the speaker 712 and the lamp 718.
As has been explained, in the power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit, the invention is constituted as described above and accordingly, there can be realized the small-sized thin type power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit having excellent power generation efficiency.
Further, the power generating block provided with a thermoelectric generator unit according to the invention is fabricated simply.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS6232543 *Jun 30, 1999May 15, 2001Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.Thermoelectric systemJPH0622572A * Title not availableJPH02119589A * Title not availableJPH06153549A * Title not availableJPS61254082A * Title not available* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS6573636 *Nov 16, 2000Jun 3, 2003Seiko Instruments Inc.Ultrasonic motor having single booster circuit and electronic device with ultrasonic motorUS7317296 *May 19, 2004Jan 8, 2008Grundfos A/SElectric motorUS8269393Sep 18, 2012Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationCrowned end winding support for main wound field of a generatorUS20040251869 *May 19, 2004Dec 16, 2004Pierre VadstrupElectric motorUS20150115868 *Feb 28, 2014Apr 30, 2015Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Energy harvest and storage system and multi-sensor module* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification136/242, 136/205International ClassificationH02N11/00, G04C10/00, H01L35/02Cooperative ClassificationH01L35/32, G04C10/00European ClassificationG04C10/00Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionSep 24, 2001ASAssignmentOwner name: SEIKO INSTRUMENTS INC., JAPANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:KOTANAGI, SUSUMU;MATOGE, AKIHIRO;YOSHIDA, YOSHIFUMI;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:012191/0390Effective date: 20010828Apr 19, 2005FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Apr 15, 2009FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Mar 7, 2013FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 12RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services