Electronic device fitted with power generators

• US 6,320,280 B1
• Filed: 01/26/1999
• Issued: 11/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Seiko Instruments Incorporated (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Instruments Incorporated (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Kanesaka, Toshiya
• Primary Examiner(s): Ballato, Josie
• Assistant Examiner(s): RIOS CUEVAS, ROBERTO JOSE
• Application Number:
  US09/237,232
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 307/43, 307/72, 307/84, 307/85, 368/203, 368/204, 368/205, 968/889, 968/891, 968/893
• US Class Current: 307/72
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 10/00 Arrangements of electric power supplies in time pieces circuits G04G19/00; mounting, assembling of components of electromechanical watches G04C3/008, of electronic watches G04G17/00
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 10/10 including a supplementary source of electric power, e.g. hybrid diesel-PV energy systems combinations with gas-turbine plants F02C6/00
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 10/00 Thermoelectric devices comprising a junction of dissimilar materials, i.e. devices exhibiting Seebeck or Peltier effects integrated devices or assemblies of multiple devices H10N19/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

An electronic device has a housing having a first transparent surface and a second transparent surface opposite to the first transparent surface. A timepiece movement is disposed in the housing and has a display for displaying time through the first transparent surface of the housing. A thermoelectric generator is disposed in the housing for generating electric power in response to a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator. At least one solar generator is disposed on the second transparent surface of the housing for receiving light transmitted through the second transparent surface to generate electric power. An electrical power storage device stores electric power generated by at least one of the thermoelectric generator and the solar generator and supplies the electric power to the timepiece movement.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

display means having a display face for displaying time;

a transparent cover disposed opposite to the display face of the display means; and

electronic timepiece circuit for driving the display means to display time;

a thermoelectric generator for generating electric power;

a pair of solar generation disposed on opposite sides of the thermoelectric generator and disposed opposite to the display face of the display means for receiving light transmitted through the transparent cover to generate electric power;

switching means for outputting at least one of the electric power generated by the thermoelectric generator and the electric power generated by the solar generators; and

electric power storage means for storing the electric power outputted from the switching means and for supplying the electric power to the electronic timepice circuit.

2. An electronic device according to claim 1;

further comprising voltage step-up means for stepping up a voltage generated by the thermoelectric generator utilizing electric power generated by the solar generator.

3. An electronic device according to claim 2;

wherein the solar generator consists of one stage of thermoelectric cell.

4. An electronic device according to claim 1;

wherein the solar generator consists of one stage of thermoelectric cell.

9. An electronic device according to claim 1;

wherein the thermoelectric generator is disposed on a central portion of the transparent cover.

5. An electronic device comprising:

a housing having a first transparent surface and a second transparent surface opposite to the first transparent surface;

a timepiece movement disposed in the housing and having a display for displaying time through the first transparent surface of the housing;

a thermoelectric generator disposed in the housing for generating electric power in response to a temperature difference across the thermoelectric generator;

a pair of solar generators disposed on opposite sides of the thermoelectric generator and disposed on the second transparent surface of the housing for receiving light transmitted through the second transparent surface to generate electric power; and

electrical power storage means for storing electric power generated by at least one of the thermoelectric generator and the solar generators and for supplying the electric power to the timepiece movement.

6. An electronic device according to claim 5;

further comprising a switching circuit for outputting to the electric power storage means at least one of the electric power generated by the thermoelectric generator and the electric power generated by the solar generator.

7. An electronic device according to claim 5;

further comprising voltage step-up means for stepping up a voltage generated by the thermoelectric generator utilizing electric power generated by the solar generator.

8. An electronic device according to claim 5;

wherein the pair of solar generators are connected in series.

10. An electronic device according to claim 5;

wherein the thermoelectric generator is disposed on a central portion of the second transparent surface of the housing.