EP0681228A1 - Kopplungsvorrichtung zwischen einer mechanischen Energiequelle and einem elektrischen Generator in einer Zeitmessvorrichtung - Google Patents

Kopplungsvorrichtung zwischen einer mechanischen Energiequelle and einem elektrischen Generator in einer Zeitmessvorrichtung Download PDF

Info

Publication number: EP0681228A1
Authority: EP; European Patent Office
Prior art keywords: turns; spring; tube; cylindrical element; shaft
Prior art date: 1994-05-04
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.): Granted

Application number

EP95106408A

Other languages

English (en)

French (fr)

Other versions

EP0681228B1 (de

Inventor

Jean-Luc Béguin

Pierre Haefeli

Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)

ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse

Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG

Original Assignee

Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG

Eta SA Fabriques dEbauches

Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)

1994-05-04

Filing date

1995-04-28

Publication date

1995-11-08

1995-04-28 Application filed by Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG, Eta SA Fabriques dEbauches filed Critical Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG

1995-11-08 Publication of EP0681228A1 publication Critical patent/EP0681228A1/de

1998-07-08 Application granted granted Critical

1998-07-08 Publication of EP0681228B1 publication Critical patent/EP0681228B1/de

2015-04-28 Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Status Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
- G04C10/00—Arrangements of electric power supplies in time-pieces

Definitions

the present invention relates to a coupling device between a mechanical energy source and an electrical energy generator in a timepiece comprising a shaft driven by said mechanical energy source and a cylindrical element fixedly and coaxially mounted on this tree.
Such a coupling device is known from US Pat. No. 4,644,246 for supplying current, in particular a timepiece.
the latter comprises an AC generator, a rechargeable battery and a charging system interposed between the generator and the battery, the generator comprising a multipolar rotor carrying permanent magnets and a stator provided with windings delivering the AC current.
An eccentric mass drives the rotor.
the rotor, stator and ground are mounted coaxially.
the coupling between the mass, source of mechanical energy, and the rotor of the electric power generator is carried out, at least in one described embodiment, by a spiral spring one end of which is attached to a cylindrical element making part of the pivot shaft of the eccentric mass, the other end of which is attached to a cage carrying the generator rotor.
the rotor In the idle state, the rotor is magnetically retained by the stator, which constitutes a certain positioning torque.
the mass tends or winds the spiral spring around the cylindrical element until the energy accumulated by the spring exceeds the positioning energy of the rotor relative to the stator. From this moment, the rotor is released and rotated at high speed until the kinetic energy stored by the spring, the generator then producing a high electromotive force to charge the battery.
the present invention is characterized in that said cylindrical element is surmounted by a tube mounted to rotate freely around said shaft and arranged to drive said generator, a helical spring being adjusted with fatty friction on the cylindrical element and on the tube by its first and last turns respectively, a space being provided between said tube and cylindrical element and the central turns of said spring.
the coupling device 1 fits between a source of mechanical energy 2 and a generator of electrical energy 3 as seen in FIG. 1.
the source of mechanical energy 2 is an eccentric oscillating weight of the type found on mechanical self-winding watches.
the electric power generator 3 is made up of a magnetic rotor 33 carried by a shaft 27. By turning, the rotor produces variations in magnetic flux on a winding 34 disposed in a casing 40 for flux return.
the casing is fixed in a plate 32 of the watch.
the AC alternating current collected at the terminals of the coil 34 is intended to charge an accumulator of the gold cap type for example, and this via a conventional rectifier. In turn the accumulator will power a quartz oscillator, a frequency divider and a stepping motor as is well known in electronic watches.
the oscillating weight is driven by a bidirectional movement which must be made unidirectional to wind a barrel spring.
this oscillating mass pivots in the center of the movement and coaxially with the switch and is supported by a ball bearing, a part 41 of which is represented in FIG. 1.
To this mass is linked a wheel 30 whose teeth are engaged with a first pawl wheel 13.
the wheel 30 also meshes on a second pawl wheel 14 as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2.
the first pawl wheel 13 (see FIGS. 1 and 2) cooperates with a first driving disc 50 driven out a shaft 4 driving the coupling device 1 according to the invention.
the second pawl wheel 14 (see dotted representation of FIG.
FIG. 2 shows that on the shaft 4 driven as we saw above, is mounted fixedly and coaxially, by driving for example , a cylindrical element 5.
the cylindrical element 5 is surmounted by a tube 6 arranged to rotate freely around the shaft 4.
the freedom of the tube 6 is ensured by two stones 23 and 24 driven into the tube and whose hole center is freely adjusted on the shaft 4 which is arranged to drive the generator 3 ( Figure 1).
a helical spring 7 is adjusted with fatty friction on the cylindrical element 5 and on the tube 6 by its first 8 and last 9 turns respectively.
FIG. 2 also shows that a space 10 is provided between the tube and cylindrical element and the central turns 11 that the spring 7 presents.
the generator 3 is driven by a wheel 15 of large diameter.
This wheel is integral with the tube 6.
the teeth 26 of this wheel 15 are engaged with a pinion 25 carried by the shaft 27 of the generator 3.
the shaft 4 of the coupling device pivots between stage 32 of the movement and a bridge 31 carried by this movement.
the operation of the coupling device is as follows:
the shaft 4 When the shaft 4 rotates (unidirectionally as mentioned above), it drives the first turns 8 of the spring 7, tightened with fatty friction around the cylindrical element 5 and wound in a direction which tends to tighten this friction even more , to shoot with him.
the last turns 9 of the spring 7 wound with fatty friction on this tube are further tightened around it, which has the consequence of tensioning the spring 7 in its central turns 11 which contract and decrease in diameter to thus accumulate the energy developed by the source of mechanical energy from the oscillating mass.
the torque stored by the spring 7 exceeds the positioning torque of the generator 3, the latter starts to rotate at high speed, driven as it is by the wheel 15 secured to the tube 6.
the generator will rotate until exhaust the potential energy stored in the spring 7, then will continue its race for a few more laps because, as of this exhaustion, the spring 7 tends to slip at the place of the first and last turns 8 and 9, which allows the generator 3 further releasing the kinetic energy acquired by its rotor 33.
This device shows that not only is it free of shocks (the spring 7 is not fixed anywhere) thereby giving it a long service life, but also that it is capable of restoring the energy which has was conferred almost entirely, since yields of the order of 98% could be measured. It is in fact a very advantageous device allowing on the one hand the clutch and the disengagement between a source of mechanical energy and a generator of electrical energy and on the other hand the almost total restitution of energy stored by the mechanical energy source.
the proposed device also makes it possible to transform the relatively slow speed of the mechanical energy source (approximately 240 revolutions / minute) into a very rapid speed (approximately 15,000 revolutions / minute) which is favorable to the overall efficiency of the generator.
the strong multiplication of speed generated by the ratio between the number of teeth of the pinion 25 of the generator shaft and the number of teeth 26 of the big wheel uniting with the device of the invention contributes significantly important at this high speed.
the generator is always driven at the same speed, since it is released only when its positioning torque is less than the mechanical torque stored by the spring. This has the advantage of ensuring a constant output, the generator always restoring the same amount of energy.
the helical spring has central turns 11 whose diameter is larger than the diameter of the first and last turns 8 and 9, these first and last turns having a substantially equal diameter. Therefore the outer diameter 16 of the tube 6 and the outer diameter 18 of the cylindrical member 5 are also substantially the same. This way we simplify the way of making the spring 7.
the tube 6 is stepped according to at least two different diameters, the first 16 receiving the last turns 9 of the spring 7 and the second 17, smaller penetrating at least partially inside the cylindrical element 5 shaped into a cup, the outside diameter 18 of said cup receiving the first turns 8 of the spring 7.
a spring 7 of constant diameter from top to bottom since a space 10 would be always formed between the lower part 45 of the tube 6 and the central turns 11 of the spring 7.

Landscapes

Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
Power Engineering (AREA)
Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
Connection Of Motors, Electrical Generators, Mechanical Devices, And The Like (AREA)

EP95106408A 1994-05-04 1995-04-28 Kopplungsvorrichtung zwischen einer mechanischen Energiequelle and einem elektrischen Generator in einer Zeitmessvorrichtung Expired - Lifetime EP0681228B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number	Priority Date	Filing Date	Title
CH1398/94		1994-05-04
CH01398/94A CH686474B5 (fr)	1994-05-04	1994-05-04	Dispositif de couplage entre une source d'énergie mécanique et une génératrice électrique dans une pièce d'horlogerie.

Publications (2)

Publication Number	Publication Date
EP0681228A1 true EP0681228A1 (de)	1995-11-08
EP0681228B1 EP0681228B1 (de)	1998-07-08

Family

ID=4209498

Family Applications (1)

Application Number	Title	Priority Date	Filing Date
EP95106408A Expired - Lifetime EP0681228B1 (de)	1994-05-04	1995-04-28	Kopplungsvorrichtung zwischen einer mechanischen Energiequelle and einem elektrischen Generator in einer Zeitmessvorrichtung

Country Status (8)

Country	Link
US (1)	US5532982A (de)
EP (1)	EP0681228B1 (de)
JP (1)	JP3607359B2 (de)
KR (1)	KR100321491B1 (de)
CN (1)	CN1088859C (de)
CH (1)	CH686474B5 (de)
DE (1)	DE69503313T2 (de)
TW (1)	TW285724B (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
EP0791867A4 (de) *	1995-09-13	1997-12-10	Citizen Watch Co Ltd	Kleiner elektronischer apparat mit generator
EP1213626A1 (de) *	2000-12-07	2002-06-12	Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches	Stossfeste Übertragungsmittel zum Antrieb eines Generators durch eine Schwungmasse, insbesondere in einer Uhr
NL1017551C2 (nl) *	2001-03-09	2002-09-10	Kinetron Bv	Elektrisch voedingsspanningssysteem voor het omzetten van kinetische energie in elektrische energie ten behoeve van miniatuurinrichtingen.
DE102011106785A1 (de)	2011-07-06	2013-01-10	JuB-Creative Product GmbH	Kinetischer Wandler
WO2023105270A1 (fr) *	2021-12-09	2023-06-15	Mb & F Sa	Mouvements horlogers à chronographe et leur application dans des pièces d'horlogerie

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
EP0905587B1 (de) *	1997-09-26	2002-11-13	Seiko Epson Corporation	Elektrisch geregelte mechanische Uhr
US6288519B1 (en)	1998-12-22	2001-09-11	Ericsson Inc.	Charging and vibrating method using movable magnets for a product using rechargeable batteries
EP1085383B1 (de) *	1999-09-17	2009-01-21	ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse	Stossfeste Vorrichtung für einen durch eine Schwungmasse angetriebenen Generator

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
EP0170303A1 (de) *	1984-07-03	1986-02-05	Kinetron B.V.	Elektrisches Energieversorgungssystem für tragbare miniaturisierte Energieverbrauchsvorrichtungen
JPS63128286A (ja) *	1986-11-19	1988-05-31	Seiko Epson Corp	発電装置付電子腕時計
WO1992004662A1 (en) *	1990-09-07	1992-03-19	Kinetron B.V.	Generator

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
KR950001429Y1 (ko) *	1988-01-25	1995-03-06	세이꼬 엡슨 가부시끼가이샤	발전장치 부착 전자 팔목시계
CH671669B5 (de) *	1988-03-21	1990-03-30	Phare Jean D Eve Sa Le
CH680252B5 (de) *	1990-08-21	1993-01-29	Ebauchesfabrik Eta Ag
DE59107118D1 (de) *	1990-10-22	1996-02-01	Gigandet Charles Sa	Armbanduhr

1994
- 1994-05-04 CH CH01398/94A patent/CH686474B5/fr not_active IP Right Cessation
1995
- 1995-04-20 TW TW084103917A patent/TW285724B/zh active
- 1995-04-25 KR KR1019950009688A patent/KR100321491B1/ko not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-04-27 US US08/429,574 patent/US5532982A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-04-28 DE DE69503313T patent/DE69503313T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-04-28 EP EP95106408A patent/EP0681228B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-05-01 JP JP12884095A patent/JP3607359B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-05-03 CN CN95105759A patent/CN1088859C/zh not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
EP0170303A1 (de) *	1984-07-03	1986-02-05	Kinetron B.V.	Elektrisches Energieversorgungssystem für tragbare miniaturisierte Energieverbrauchsvorrichtungen
JPS63128286A (ja) *	1986-11-19	1988-05-31	Seiko Epson Corp	発電装置付電子腕時計
WO1992004662A1 (en) *	1990-09-07	1992-03-19	Kinetron B.V.	Generator

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
A.G. RANDALL: "Technical Report - The Jean d'Eve Samara", HOROLOGICAL JOURNAL, vol. 132, no. 4, UPTON GB, pages 124 - 125, XP000054948 *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 12, no. 383 (P - 770) 13 October 1988 (1988-10-13) *

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number	Priority date	Publication date	Assignee	Title
EP0791867A4 (de) *	1995-09-13	1997-12-10	Citizen Watch Co Ltd	Kleiner elektronischer apparat mit generator
US5903071A (en) *	1995-09-13	1999-05-11	Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.	Small electric apparatus equipped with generator
EP1213626A1 (de) *	2000-12-07	2002-06-12	Eta SA Fabriques d'Ebauches	Stossfeste Übertragungsmittel zum Antrieb eines Generators durch eine Schwungmasse, insbesondere in einer Uhr
US6587401B2 (en)	2000-12-07	2003-07-01	Eta Sa Fabriques D'ebauches	Anti-shock transmission device for driving a generator by an oscillating weight in particular in a watch
NL1017551C2 (nl) *	2001-03-09	2002-09-10	Kinetron Bv	Elektrisch voedingsspanningssysteem voor het omzetten van kinetische energie in elektrische energie ten behoeve van miniatuurinrichtingen.
EP1239349A1 (de) *	2001-03-09	2002-09-11	Kinetron B.V.	In Miniatur-Geräten verwendbare Stromversorgungsvorrichtung zur Umformung von kinetischer Energie in elektrische Energie
DE102011106785A1 (de)	2011-07-06	2013-01-10	JuB-Creative Product GmbH	Kinetischer Wandler
DE102011106785B4 (de) *	2011-07-06	2015-07-23	JuB-Creative Product GmbH	Kinetischer Wandler
WO2023105270A1 (fr) *	2021-12-09	2023-06-15	Mb & F Sa	Mouvements horlogers à chronographe et leur application dans des pièces d'horlogerie

Also Published As

Publication number	Publication date
JP3607359B2 (ja)	2005-01-05
KR950033740A (ko)	1995-12-26
KR100321491B1 (ko)	2002-07-02
CN1113018A (zh)	1995-12-06
JPH08152487A (ja)	1996-06-11
TW285724B (de)	1996-09-11
CN1088859C (zh)	2002-08-07
HK1012445A1 (en)	1999-07-30
EP0681228B1 (de)	1998-07-08
CH686474GA3 (fr)	1996-04-15
DE69503313T2 (de)	1999-03-11
CH686474B5 (fr)	1996-10-15
US5532982A (en)	1996-07-02
DE69503313D1 (de)	1998-08-13

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1997-09-17	17Q	First examination report despatched	Effective date: 19970731
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