JPH0829559A - Electronic watch - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a small-sized electronic wrist watch having sufficient power generation capacity by connecting specified number or more of n-type and P-type semiconductors, each comprising a thin film of specific thickness or less, alternately in series and fixing the semiconductors by means of an insulator to constitute a thermoelectric element thereby storing the generated current and driving an electronic watch. CONSTITUTION:2000 pieces or more of n-type semiconductors 103 and P-type semiconductors 104 of 0.1-3mm thick are connected alternately in series and secured by means of insulators 101 (heat absorbing side) and 102 (heat discharging side) made of silicon thus constituting a thermoelectric element 107. Thermoelectromotive force is then generated based on the temperature difference between the arm side body (heat absorbing side) and the movement side (heat discharging side). An electron flow thus generated is taken out from the output terminal parts 106, 106 through a connecting part 105 and fed to a storing means 108. When the voltage of the storing means 108 reaches a predetermined level, a time indication means 109 is driven.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece using a thermoelectric element.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an electronic timepiece provided with a thermoelectric element, there is, for example, one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 55-20483. The thermoelectric element described in this publication includes a cold electrode and a hot electrode, and uses the Seebeck effect of causing electromotive force in the thermoelectric element by making the temperatures of the cold electrode and the hot electrode different from each other. The embodiment described in this publication is shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 12, a thermoelectric element 1002 is provided inside a case back 1003 which comes into contact with the wristwatch case.
A heat electrode is provided on the case back side of the thermoelectric element. On the other hand, the cold pole is provided on the lower surface of the dial on the movement 1003 side.

[0004]

However, JP-A-55-20 showing an electronic timepiece having the thermoelectric element shown in FIG.
Japanese Patent No. 483 discloses only the structure of the thermoelectric element and the movement, and does not show the structure of the electronic timepiece having the detailed structure of the thermoelectric element.

The power generation capacity of the thermoelectric element is proportional to the number of n-type semiconductors and p-type semiconductors. The thicker the thickness of the n-type semiconductors and the p-type semiconductors, the larger the electromotive force generated, and also the power generation efficiency. Get higher However, when this thermoelectric element is used in an electronic timepiece, it is necessary to make the volume of the thermoelectric element as small as possible and to improve the power generation capacity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and provide an electronic timepiece having a thermoelectric element that is small and has a power generating ability such that the electronic timepiece does not stop.

[0007]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a plurality of n-type semiconductors and a plurality of p-type semiconductors which are alternately connected so as to be electrically connected in series in an electronic timepiece. Fixed connection part, output terminal part for taking out electromotive force, fixing every other connection part, first insulator made of silicon, and connection part not fixed to the first insulator A plurality of n-type semiconductors and a plurality of p-type semiconductors.
A thermoelectric element is configured by connecting more than one in series, and a storage means for storing electromotive force generated from the thermoelectric element and a time display means are provided.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of the thermoelectric element of the present invention, the principle of power generation, and the principle of operation of an electronic timepiece. Assuming that the first insulator 101 made of silicon is the heat absorbing side and the second insulator 102 made of silicon is the heat radiating side, the temperature difference on the heat absorbing side is higher than that on the heat radiating side. When applied, heat is transferred from the insulator 101 to the insulator 102.
At that time, in the n-type semiconductor 103, electrons move toward the heat radiating side insulator 102. In the p-type semiconductor 104, holes move toward the insulator 102 on the heat dissipation side. Since the n-type semiconductor 103 and the p-type semiconductor 104 are electrically connected in series via the connection part 105, heat transfer is converted into a current, and an electromotive force can be obtained between the output ends 106.

Further, electromotive force is stored in the storage means 108. The time display means 109 operates by the electromotive force from the power storage means 109. FIG. 9 is a view showing the structure of a thermoelectric element using the composite element of the present invention, the principle of power generation, and the principle of operation of an electronic timepiece. When the first insulator 701 made of silicon is the heat absorbing side and the second insulator 702 made of silicon is the heat radiating side, the temperature difference on the heat absorbing side becomes higher than that on the heat radiating side. When given, heat is transferred from the insulator 701 to the insulator 702. At that time, in the n-type semiconductor composite element 703, electrons move in the direction of the insulator 702 on the heat dissipation side. In the p-type semiconductor composite element 704, holes move toward the heat insulator side insulator 702. Since the n-type semiconductor composite element 703 and the p-type semiconductor composite element 704 are electrically connected in series via the connection portion 705, heat transfer is converted into a current, and an electromotive force is obtained between the output end portions 706. be able to.

Further, electromotive force is stored in the storage means 708. The time display means 709 is operated by the electromotive force from the power storage means 708. FIG. 2 is a system block diagram showing the operating principle of the electronic timepiece according to the present invention. A temperature difference is given to the thermoelectric element 201, an electromotive force is generated, and the electromotive force is stored in the power storage unit 202. When the voltage of the storage means 202 reaches a voltage value capable of driving the time display means 203, the time display means 203 is driven.

[0011]

【Example】

(1) First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure and power generation principle of a thermoelectric element of the present invention and the operation principle of an electronic timepiece provided with a thermoelectric element. Silicon is used for the insulator 101 and the insulator 102. When the insulator 101 is the heat absorbing side and the second insulator 102 is the heat radiating side, when there is a temperature difference such that the heat absorbing side is high temperature and the heat radiating side is low temperature, the first insulator 101 to the second insulator 10
Heat is transferred in the two directions. At that time, the n-type semiconductor 10
When the bismuth-tellurium-based or Namari-tellurium-based material is used for the 3 and p-type semiconductors 104, the n-type semiconductor 1
In 03, electrons move in the direction of the second insulator 102 on the heat dissipation side, and in p-type semiconductor 104, holes move in the direction of the second insulator 102 on the heat dissipation side. n-type semiconductor 103
Since the p-type semiconductor 104 and the p-type semiconductor 104 are electrically connected in series via the electrode 105, heat transfer is converted into a current, and an electromotive force is generated between the electrodes 106 at both ends.

The electromotive force generated between the electrodes 106 is stored in the storage means 108, and when the voltage of the storage means 108 reaches a voltage value capable of driving the time display means 110, the time display means 109 may start driving. it can. FIG. 2 is a system block diagram showing the operating principle of an electronic timepiece using the thermoelectric element of the present invention as an energy source. Thermoelectric element 201
When an electromotive force is generated due to a temperature difference between the power storage means 2
It is stored in 02. When the voltage of the power storage means 202 reaches a level large enough to drive the time display means 203, the time display means 203 starts to operate.

3 to 5 are explanatory views of the manufacturing process in the first embodiment of the present invention. According to the manufacturing method shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the thermoelectric element can be downsized and thinned, and the number of elements per unit area can be increased. When mounting a thermoelectric element on an electronic timepiece, it is necessary to provide many elements in a small space. An example of the manufacturing method is shown below.

A plate-shaped or rod-shaped thermoelectric semiconductor 301 having a thickness larger than a thickness necessary for a thermoelectric element is cut into p-type and n-type columns each having a desired size. At this time, the thermoelectric semiconductor material 3
01 is fixed during cutting and after cutting so that it does not fall apart. For this reason, the thermoelectric semiconductor material 301 is not completely cut, or the thermoelectric semiconductor material 301 is bonded to another substrate 302 such as a glass plate by wax, adhesive, solder or the like (step 30).
01. Step 3002).

Next, the pillars of the p-type semiconductor material 303 and the n-type semiconductor material 304 are alternately arranged so as to face each other so that the tips of the pillars enter the gaps between them (step 3003). By filling a part or all of the gap between the pillars of the p-type semiconductor 303 and the n-type semiconductor 304 facing each other with an insulating substance 305 such as resin, glass, or ceramics and curing, Fix and integrate (process 300
4).

The end faces of the p-type semiconductor and the n-type semiconductor are exposed by cutting or polishing the integrated body in a direction perpendicular to the pillar (step 3005 and step 3006).
Step 3007 shown in FIG. 5 is a view showing a cross section and a surface of this thermoelectric element wafer. According to this method, several mm
The thermoelectric semiconductor material cut into chips having the following sizes can be processed in a state where they are collectively arranged and fixed without being arranged on the substrate. That is, it becomes possible to manufacture a thermoelectric element of a minute size, which has been difficult to manufacture in the past, and a large number of thermoelectric semiconductor elements can be arranged even in a small space such as a wristwatch, so that a high electromotive force can be generated. Is possible.

FIG. 6 is a diagram simulating changes in the thickness of the thermoelectric element and the output voltage when silicon is used for each insulator. At this time, the temperature difference given to the thermoelectric element was set to 2 ° C. between the heat absorbing side and the heat radiating side based on the experimental result of using the wristwatch at room temperature. The cross-sectional area of the device was 0.01 mm ^2, and the number of thermoelectric devices was 2000 to 4500 in total for n-type semiconductors and p-type semiconductors. When mounting a thermoelectric element on a wristwatch, etc.,
Considering the movement thickness and the exterior thickness, it is desirable to set the thickness of the thermoelectric element to 0.1 mm or more and 3 mm or less, because there are restrictions on the appearance. Here, the thickness is 4m
The change in the output voltage from the thermoelectric element up to m is shown.

From FIG. 6, considering that the actual value of the operating voltage of a general IC is 0.7 V, when the thickness of the thermoelectric element is 3 mm, the number of thermoelectric elements is 2000 or more. Therefore, it becomes possible to generate an electromotive force of 0.7 V, and the wristwatch IC can be driven.

Further, considering that the standard value of the operating voltage of a general IC is 1.2 V, if the increase rate of the output voltage with respect to the increase of the thickness of the element is 10% or less, the output voltage due to the thickness of the element is increased. Can not be expected to increase,
Further, in consideration of the thinning of the thermoelectric element, the thickness of the element is preferably 0.2 mm or more and 1 mm or less. Here, when the thickness of the element is 0.2 mm or more and 1 mm or less,
In order to generate an electromotive force of 1.2 V, which is the standard value of the operating voltage of a general IC, it is necessary to connect at least 4000 thermoelectric elements in total of the number of n-type semiconductors and the number of p-type semiconductors. Recognize.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of calculation by simulation of changes in the output current value when silicon is used as the insulator. The simulation condition is that the temperature on the heat absorbing side of the insulator is compared with the temperature on the heat radiating side by 2 ° C., and the change in the output current when the total number of n-type and p-type elements is 4000 is calculated by a theoretical calculation. It is a thing.

From FIG. 7, it can be seen that when the thickness of the element is 0.2 mm, the output current is 0.3 mA, and it is possible to generate a chargeable current in the secondary battery or the like. 8 (a) and 8 (b) are sectional views showing the appearance and structure of an electronic wristwatch using the thermoelectric element of the present invention as an energy source. The insulating plate 601 generally serves as a heat absorbing side because it touches an arm that is hotter than the ambient temperature, and the insulating plate 602 serves as a heat radiating side because it is in the atmosphere. When the insulating plate 601 absorbs the heat of the human body from the arm and a temperature difference occurs between the insulating plate 602 and the insulating plate 602, the heat passes from the insulating plate 601 through the element 603 to the insulating plate 60.
It is transmitted to 2 and is radiated to the atmosphere. At this time, electromotive force is generated by the Seebeck effect, and the electricity is stored in the electricity storage unit 604, for example, a lithium secondary battery or a vanadium-lithium secondary battery, and the stored electricity drives the movement 605.

The cross-sectional area of the n-type semiconductor and the p-type semiconductor is 0.01 mm ² , the thickness of the element is 1 mm, and the number of elements is n.
If the total thickness of the p-type and the p-type is 4000, the distance between the n-type semiconductor and the p-type semiconductor is 0.2 mm, and the combined thickness of the heat dissipation side electrode and the heat absorption side electrode and the insulating plate is 1 mm, the size of the thermoelectric element Is approximately 14 mm × 14 mm × 3 mm, the thermoelectric element can be mounted simultaneously with the movement and the secondary battery in the wristwatch, and a temperature difference of 2 ° C is applied to the thermoelectric element. ,
An electromotive force of about 1.2V can be obtained.

(2) Second Embodiment FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the structure of the thermoelectric element of the second embodiment of the present invention, the power generation principle, and the operation principle of the electronic timepiece provided with the thermoelectric element. Silicon is used for the insulator 701 and the insulator 702. When the insulator 701 is the heat absorbing side and the second insulator 702 is the heat radiating side, when a temperature difference is given such that the heat absorbing side becomes high temperature and the heat radiating side becomes low temperature, the first insulator 701 to the second insulator 702 Heat is transferred in the direction of. At that time, the n-type semiconductor composite element 703 and the p-type semiconductor composite element 704
When a bismuth-tellurium-based or namari-tellurium-based material is used, in the n-type semiconductor composite element 703, electrons move toward the second insulator 702 on the heat dissipation side and p
In the type semiconductor composite element 704, holes move toward the second insulator 702 on the heat dissipation side. n-type semiconductor composite element 703
Since the p-type semiconductor composite element 704 and the p-type semiconductor composite element 704 are electrically connected in series via the electrode 705, heat transfer is converted into a current, and an electromotive force is generated between the electrodes 706 at both ends.

By constructing the thermoelectric element 708 using such a semiconductor composite element, the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
It is possible to improve yield and reliability. Further, similarly to the first embodiment, the electromotive force generated between the electrodes 706 is stored in the storage means 708, and when the voltage of the storage means 708 reaches a voltage value capable of driving the time display means 709,
The time display means 709 can start driving.

(3) Third Embodiment FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the structure of a thermoelectric element according to the third embodiment of the present invention and the structure of an electronic timepiece provided with the thermoelectric element. The insulator 801 and the insulator 802 are made of silicon, and the insulator 802 is formed of I for operating components of the electronic timepiece.
An integrated circuit 810 such as C or LSI is provided. With such a configuration of the thermoelectric element 807, the thermoelectric element 8
Since 07 and the space required for mounting the wristwatch driving IC 810 can be shared, this is a very effective method when many elements need to be configured in a small space such as a wristwatch.

In the third embodiment, the integrated circuit 810 is provided on the insulator 802 made of silicon. However, by providing the integrated circuit on the insulator 801 at the same time, more integrated circuits can be provided in a small space. It is possible to configure at the same time. The electromotive force generated between the electrodes 806 is stored in the storage means 808, and when the voltage of the storage means 808 reaches a certain voltage value, the integrated circuit 810 such as IC, LSI and the like and the time display means 809 start driving. become.

(4) Fourth Embodiment FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the structure of a thermoelectric element according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention and the structure of an electronic timepiece provided with the thermoelectric element. The insulator 902 on the heat radiation side is made of silicon, and at the same time, an integrated circuit 910 such as an IC or an LSI for operating the components of the electronic timepiece is provided.

Further, the insulator 901 on the heat absorption side is made of the oxide film 9
It is constructed from aluminum 911 with twelve.
Aluminum 911 provided with oxide film 912 has a higher thermal conductivity than silicon, so that when considered as thermoelectric element 907, aluminum on the heat absorption side and the heat radiation side is composed of silicon compared to the case of The power generation efficiency can be improved.

Further, since the thermoelectric element 907 and the wristwatch driving IC etc. 910 can be used as a space, many elements can be configured in a small space such as a wristwatch. The configuration of 907 is a very effective method for improving the power generation efficiency and reducing the pace.

The electromotive force generated between the electrodes 806 is stored in the storage means 808, and when the voltage of the storage means 808 reaches a certain voltage value, the integrated circuit 810 such as IC, LSI and the time display means 809 are driven. Will start.

[0031]

According to the present invention, the thickness of the n-type and p-type semiconductors of the thermoelectric element using silicon as the insulator is 0.1 mm to
By setting the thickness to 3 mm, and more preferably 0.2 mm to 1 mm, it is possible to obtain a thermoelectric element that has good power generation efficiency and is miniaturized as a thermoelectric element for obtaining the required electromotive force. It is possible to realize an electronic timepiece in which a small and thin thermoelectric element is used as an energy source for use as the energy source.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an operating principle of an electronic timepiece according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of the electronic timepiece of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram (Part 1) of the manufacturing process of the thermoelectric element according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view (No. 2) of the manufacturing process of the thermoelectric element according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram (Part 3) of the manufacturing process of the thermoelectric element according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a simulation result (output voltage value) of the thermoelectric element in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a simulation result (output current value) of the thermoelectric element in the first example of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the appearance and structure of an electronic wrist watch according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an operation principle diagram of the electronic timepiece according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an operation principle diagram of the electronic timepiece according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an operation principle diagram of the electronic timepiece according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing a conventional wristwatch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101, 102 Insulator 103 n-type semiconductor 104 p-type semiconductor 105 connection part 106 output terminal part 107 thermoelectric element 108 storage means 109 time display means

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of n-type semiconductors (103) and a plurality of p-types.
A plurality of connecting portions (105) for alternately connecting the semiconductors (104) so as to be electrically connected in series, an output terminal portion (106) for extracting an electromotive force, and another connecting portion (105). A first insulator (101) made of silicon, which is fixed to the first insulating member, and a connecting portion (1) not fixed to the first insulator (101).
05) is fixed to the second insulator (102) made of silicon, and a plurality of n-type semiconductors (103) and a plurality of p-type semiconductors (10) are provided.
4) is connected in series with 2000 or more and the thermoelectric element (10
7), and a storage means (10) for storing electromotive force generated from the thermoelectric element.
8) and an electronic timepiece having a time display means (109) which is operated by the electromotive force stored in the power storage means (108). 2. An n-type semiconductor composite element (703) composed of a plurality of n-type semiconductors (7031) and a p-type semiconductor composite element (704) composed of a plurality of p-type semiconductors (7041) are alternately arranged. It has a plurality of connecting parts (705) that are electrically connected in series and an output terminal part (706) for extracting electromotive force, and fixes every other connecting part (705) with silicon. The configured first insulator (701) and the connecting portion (7) not fixed to the first insulator (701).
01) is fixed to the second insulator (705) made of silicon, and a plurality of n-type semiconductor composite elements (703) and a plurality of p-type semiconductor composite elements (704) are connected in series of 2000 or more. A storage unit (70) that is connected to form a thermoelectric element (707) and stores electromotive force generated from the thermoelectric element
8) and an electronic timepiece having a time display means (709) which is operated by the electromotive force stored in the power storage means (708). 3. The first insulator (101) according to claim 1.
N fixed between the second insulator (102) and the second insulator (102)
-Type semiconductor (103) and a plurality of p-type semiconductors (104)
Is a thickness of 0.1 mm to 3 mm, an electronic timepiece. 4. A plurality of n-type semiconductor composite elements (7) fixed between the first insulator and the second insulator according to claim 2.
03) and the plurality of p-type semiconductor composite elements (704) have a thickness of 0.1 mm to 3 mm. 5. The thermoelectric element (107) according to claim 1, wherein
An electronic timepiece characterized in that the plurality of n-type semiconductors (103) and the plurality of p-type semiconductors (104) have a thickness of 0.2 mm to 1 mm. 6. The thermoelectric element (707) according to claim 2,
Each of the plurality of n-type semiconductor composite elements (703) and the plurality of p-type semiconductor composite elements (704) has a thickness of 0.2 m.
An electronic timepiece characterized by being m to 1 mm. 7. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, 3, or 5, wherein the number of thermoelectric elements (107) is
An electronic watch characterized in that the number is 4000 or more. 8. The electronic timepiece according to claim 2, wherein the number of thermoelectric elements (707) is
An electronic watch characterized in that the number is 4000 or more. 9. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein one of the first insulator (101) and the second insulator (102) is made of silicon and the other is insulated. An electronic watch whose body is made of a material other than silicon. 10. The electronic timepiece according to claim 1, wherein an integrated circuit is formed on at least one of the first insulator (101) and the second insulator (102). An electronic watch characterized by being.