Horology: time measuring systems or devices – Power supply details – Electrical
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-10-16
Miska, Vit (Department: 2859)
Horology: time measuring systems or devices
Power supply details
Electrical
C368S203000, C368S276000, C368S281000, C368S282000, C136S205000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06304521
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece having a thermoelectric generator.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a thermoelectric type electronic timepiece for generating electricity by using a thermoelectric generator as an energy source of the timepiece, a thermoelectricity generating element for generating electricity by using the Seebeck effect is arranged on an inner side of a case. Heat of the above thermoelectric generator is absorbed from an arm and is radiated to the outside air so that a temperature difference is provided. Electricity is generated by this temperature difference. Generated electric energy is accumulated to an accumulator and is used as an energy source for driving the timepiece (for example, see Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 2-13279). In another example, there is an electronic timepiece having a structure in which the thermoelectricity generating element is arranged within a band (for example, see Japanese Laid-Open (Kokai) Patent No. 6-109868).
In an electronic timepiece having a conventional thermoelectric generator, when the above electronic timepiece is mounted to an arm, heat of this thermoelectric generator is absorbed from the arm and is radiated to the outside air so that a temperature difference is obtained and electricity is generated. Generated electric power is accumulated to the accumulator. When the above electronic timepiece is detached from the arm, electricity generation is stopped when no temperature difference is obtained. While the electricity generation is stopped, the electric power accumulated to the accumulator is consumed and the above electronic timepiece is operated by this electric power. Therefore, a problem exists in that a large temperature difference must be given between a cold pole and a hot pole of the thermoelectric generator at an electricity generating time to efficiently generate electricity and accumulate more electric power while the above electronic timepiece is mounted to the arm.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The thermoelectric generating electronic timepiece of the present invention has a heat radiating case thermally connected to a cold pole of a thermoelectric generator and radiating heat to the atmosphere, a heat absorbing case thermally connected to a hot pole of the thermoelectric generator and absorbing heat, a heat insulating case for insulating heat between the heat absorbing case and the heat radiating case, a band, and connecting means for connecting the heat absorbing case and the band. In this construction, heat is absorbed from both the heat absorbing case and the band.
The heat absorbing case and the band are integrated with each other so as to reduce heat loss due to a connection of the band and the heat absorbing case. One portion of the band comes in contact with the heat absorbing case or is arranged in proximity to the heat absorbing case so as to reduce heat loss due to the connection of the band and the heat absorbing case. The band is constructed by a heat absorbing member for easily absorbing heat from at least an arm and having a good heat transfer property, and a heat insulating member for restraining radiation and transfer of the absorbed heat. The heat insulating member is arranged on a heat radiating side of the heat absorbing member to restrain heat radiated from the band. The heat transfer member and the heat absorbing case are thermally connected to each other so as to easily conduct heat from the heat transfer member to the heat absorbing case. The heat transfer member for reducing heat loss due to the connection is used in the connecting means. Thus, a heat absorbing area is increased and heat radiated from the band can be restrained, and the heat loss due to the connection of the band and the heat absorbing case is reduced so that a heat absorbing amount is increased. Accordingly, a large temperature difference is given to the thermoelectric generator.
The thermoelectric generating electronic timepiece of the present invention has also a thermoelectric generator for generating electricity by giving a temperature difference, a heat radiating case thermally connected to a cold pole of the thermoelectric generator and radiating heat, a heat absorbing case thermally connected to a hot pole of the thermoelectric generator and absorbing heat, a heat insulating case for thermally insulating the heat absorbing case and the heat radiating case, a band for fixing the timepiece to an arm, and connecting means for connecting the heat radiating case and the band. In this construction, heat is radiated from both the heat radiating case and the band.
The heat absorbing case and the band are integrated with each other so as to reduce heat loss due to a connection of the band and the heat radiating case.
One portion of the band comes in contact with the heat radiating case or is arranged in proximity to the heat radiating case so as to reduce heat loss due to the connection of the band and the heat radiating case.
The band is constructed by a heat insulating member having a good heat insulating property so as not to easily absorb heat from at least the arm, and a heat radiating member for easily radiating the absorbed heat. The heat insulating member is arranged on an arm side of the heat radiating member to restrain heat absorbed from the band.
Further, a heat transfer member for reducing heat loss due to the connection is used in the connecting means.
Thus, a heat radiating area is increased and heat radiated from the band can be added to heat radiated from the heat radiating case, and the heat loss due to the connection of the band and the heat radiating case is reduced so that a heat radiating amount is increased. Accordingly, a large temperature difference can be given to the thermoelectric generator.
The thermoelectric generating electronic timepiece of the present invention further has a heat radiating case thermally connected to a cold pole of a thermoelectric generator and radiating heat to the atmosphere, a heat absorbing case thermally connected to a hot pole of the thermoelectric generator and absorbing heat, a heat insulating case for insulating heat between the heat absorbing case and the heat radiating case, a band for mounting a timepiece to an arm, and connecting means for connecting the heat insulating case and the band. In this construction, heat flowing from the band to the heat radiating case and the heat absorbing case is insulated.
Further, heat is insulated by integrating the band and the heat insulating case.
The band, the heat absorbing case and the heat radiating case are separated from each other to increase heat loss due to a connection of the band and the heat radiating case.
Further, one portion of the band is set to a heat insulating member for insulating transfer of heat to increase heat loss from the band to a timepiece body.
Further, the connecting means is set to a heat insulating member to increase the heat loss from the band to the timepiece body.
Thus, a thermal influence at an attaching time of the band to the timepiece body is reduced by increasing the heat loss between the band and the timepiece body. Accordingly, a quantity of heat flowing to the thermoelectric generator is increased so that a large temperature difference is given to the thermoelectric generator.
Further, a heat absorbing portion, a heat radiating portion and a heat insulating portion are arranged in the band. The heat radiating portion and the heat radiating case come in contact with each other, or are arranged in proximity to each other so that a heat radiating amount is increased. The heat absorbing portion and the heat absorbing case come in contact with each other, or are arranged in proximity to each other so that a heat absorbing amount is increased. Further, the heat radiating portion and the heat absorbing portion of the band are thermally insulated from each other so that no heat easily directly flows. Thus, the heat absorbing amount and the heat radiating amount are increased so that a quantity of
Adams & Wilks
Goodwin Jeanne-Marguerite
Miska Vit
Seiko Instruments Inc.
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