EP0935177A1 - Elektronisches Uhrwerk, mit von einer Zugfeder angetriebenem Generator - Google Patents

Elektronisches Uhrwerk, mit von einer Zugfeder angetriebenem Generator Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0935177A1
EP0935177A1 EP98102192A EP98102192A EP0935177A1 EP 0935177 A1 EP0935177 A1 EP 0935177A1 EP 98102192 A EP98102192 A EP 98102192A EP 98102192 A EP98102192 A EP 98102192A EP 0935177 A1 EP0935177 A1 EP 0935177A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
generator
voltage
timepiece
predetermined value
value
Prior art date
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
EP98102192A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0935177B1 (de
Inventor
Pierre-André Farine
Jean-Jacques Born
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.)
Asulab AG
Original Assignee
Asulab AG
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.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Asulab AG filed Critical Asulab AG
Priority to EP19980102192 priority Critical patent/EP0935177B1/de
Priority to DE1998639389 priority patent/DE69839389T2/de
Publication of EP0935177A1 publication Critical patent/EP0935177A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0935177B1 publication Critical patent/EP0935177B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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 part electronic timepieces of the type comprising a source of energy formed by a spring barrel, winding manual or automatic, coupled to a current generator alternative intended to supply electronic circuits of the room, possibly through a rectifier.
  • the regulator circuit works in the way next.
  • the generator directly coupled to the barrel tends to turn too fast and thus provide a tension whose frequency is higher than a setpoint of frequency derived from a working frequency standard based on a watchmaking quartz.
  • the generator must therefore be braked, this yes is achieved by short-circuiting periodically its winding.
  • the number of brakes required to keep generator running nominal is high at the start of disarming the spring and gradually decreases as the energy accumulated in the spring runs out.
  • This regulator circuit is made in such a way that it can operate with a low voltage feed, which is preferably obtained through the CMOS technology. Its energy consumption depends almost linearly of the voltage applied to it, as long as this is sufficient to allow the operation of circuit components. Indeed, if the supply voltage drops below a value critical, the circuit stops working. There are none left no less true than from the point of view of the weak consumption, favorable to ensure high autonomy of the timepiece when it is not worn, it would be beneficial to operate the circuit regulator at the nearest limit voltage possible of this critical tension but nevertheless sufficient for the part to still function.
  • the timepiece of this way, in other words if we choose the limit voltage too near the critical voltage, it risks being subjected to significant malfunctions (and therefore not to keep the exact time), because the generator voltage supplying the regulator circuit may be subject to large variations due to variations in speed generator rotation. These last variations are caused by all kinds of external factors depending on how the timepiece is scope. For example, the rotational speed of the generator may vary in the event of more or less impact violent, sudden movements of the wearer, etc. If a such a disruptive factor works against the maintenance of nominal speed, supply voltage risk of falling below the critical value. Of irregularities in the running of the timepiece would then inevitable.
  • the invention aims to provide a part clockmaking that can operate with a circuit regulator supplied with a supply voltage located substantially at the limit value necessary for its correct functioning, but without the walking disturbed by possible irregularities in rotation of the generator.
  • the timepiece according to the invention includes a generator symbolized by the rectangle 1 comprising a magnetic rotor 2 and at least one winding 3.
  • the rotor is mechanically coupled, for example through a cog 4 symbolized by lines in dotted, to a barrel 5 in which is housed a spring 6. It can be armed by a winding mechanism, manual or automatic, known per se and symbolized by the rectangle 5a.
  • the cog 4 is also coupled to a game hour indicator hands composed of a 7 hour hands, 8 minute hands and a second hand 9.
  • the hands are coupled together in the usual way with proper gear ratios, and rigidly linked to the generator rotor 1. As a result, they rotate as long as the rotor 2 is in motion.
  • the generator 1 delivers a nominal alternating voltage of a first predetermined value U 1 at its terminals 1a and 1b at a predetermined frequency, for example 21.3 Hz.
  • the maximum value or absolute value ⁇ 1 of the predetermined value U 1 can correspond to a maximum amplitude of 1.5 Volt for example.
  • the invention is not limited to a generator delivering an alternating voltage, a DC generator also suitable.
  • the generator 1 is of the alternating type and connected to a full-wave rectifier 10 delivering a direct voltage U 1 'of a value very slightly lower than that of the alternating voltage of the generator, the difference being determined by losses, incidentally of small value, caused by rectifier 10.
  • the timepiece also includes a crystal oscillator 12 associated with an integrated circuit 11 some components of which form a regulator circuit the speed of rotation of the generator 1.
  • the oscillator 12 standard frequency quartz signal pulse, with a frequency of 32,768 Hz for example, at a frequency divider 13 of the integrated circuit 11, this divider which can be produced for example using a EEPROM circuit. It includes a terminal 14 delivering a signal whose frequency corresponds to the frequency nominal that generator 1 must deliver so that hands 7, 8 and 9 indicate the exact time. In the example described, this nominal frequency is 21.3 Hz.
  • the output 14 is connected to the counting input 15 of a reversible counter 16.
  • Terminal 1a of generator 1 is connected to one inputs of a comparator 17 whose other input is connected to a reference potential source 18 like the mass for example.
  • the output of comparator 17 is connected at the countdown input 19 of the reversible counter 16.
  • Comparator 17 delivers an output pulse to the reversible counter 16 as soon as the voltage on the terminal la of the generator rises slightly above the potential mass. Therefore in the example assuming that generator 1 runs exactly at nominal speed corresponding to a frequency of 21.3 Hz, the content of reversible counter 16 must be equal to zero at the end of each alternation of the output voltage of the generator 1.
  • the output of the reversible counter 16 is connected to a decision logic 20 which according to some predetermined criteria, produces an output signal at a terminal 21, the criteria being materialized by wiring a number of elementary doors that make up this decision logic.
  • the signal present on the output terminal 21 is applied to the control electrode of a component of switching 22 selectively controlling the braking of the generator 1 by short-circuiting the coil 3 thereof.
  • This switching component 22 can be a MOS transistor whose source-drain circuit is connected between terminals 1a and 1b of generator 1.
  • the integrated circuit 11 comprises supply terminals 23 and 24 brought respectively to the voltage V SS and the voltage V DD of the integrated circuit.
  • the peculiarities of the regulator circuit set out above have only been described to recall a particular embodiment thereof which is the subject of European patent application EP 97 112 585.1 in the name of the Applicant.
  • the present invention can be implemented with profit also with regulating circuits of other types ensuring the regulation of the running of the timepiece.
  • the integrated circuit 11 is of the low consumption type, which means that it operates with a supply voltage significantly lower than that of the absolute value ⁇ 1 of the nominal voltage U 1 delivered by the generator 1 .
  • the supply terminals 23 and 24 are connected to the output of a voltage regulator 25.
  • the latter is designed to deliver on its output terminals a regulated voltage having a second predetermined value U 2 .
  • This voltage value corresponds to or is slightly greater than the lower limit voltage, or critical voltage, which the integrated circuit 11 needs to still be able to operate.
  • the output voltage U 2 of the voltage regulator is chosen between 0% and 5% higher, or preferably between 2 and 5% higher than the operating limit voltage of the integrated circuit 11.
  • the continuous output voltage U 2 of regulator 25 is much lower than the maximum or absolute value ⁇ 1 of the alternating voltage U 1 delivered by the generator 1.
  • rate of variation is therefore meant here that governed solely by the fluctuations which the voltage 1 will undergo due to irregularities in rotation of the generator due to mechanical phenomena undergone by the timepiece to be worn.
  • the voltage regulator 25 will manage to smooth out any fluctuation present at its input with respect to the integrated circuit 11 which thus will always have a voltage at least equal to the lower limit value which it will need to function properly.
  • the rate of change of the nominal voltage of the generator can be 20% when worn, so that k will preferably be at least equal to 1.2.
  • the voltage regulator can be of any type suitable realized in low CMOS technology consumption.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
EP19980102192 1998-02-09 1998-02-09 Elektronisches Uhrwerk, mit von einer Zugfeder angetriebenem Generator Expired - Lifetime EP0935177B1 (de)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19980102192 EP0935177B1 (de) 1998-02-09 1998-02-09 Elektronisches Uhrwerk, mit von einer Zugfeder angetriebenem Generator
DE1998639389 DE69839389T2 (de) 1998-02-09 1998-02-09 Elektronisches Uhrwerk, mit von einer Zugfeder angetriebenem Generator

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP19980102192 EP0935177B1 (de) 1998-02-09 1998-02-09 Elektronisches Uhrwerk, mit von einer Zugfeder angetriebenem Generator

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0935177A1 true EP0935177A1 (de) 1999-08-11
EP0935177B1 EP0935177B1 (de) 2008-04-23

Family

ID=8231376

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19980102192 Expired - Lifetime EP0935177B1 (de) 1998-02-09 1998-02-09 Elektronisches Uhrwerk, mit von einer Zugfeder angetriebenem Generator

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0935177B1 (de)
DE (1) DE69839389T2 (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1843227A1 (de) 2006-04-07 2007-10-10 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd. Gekoppelter Resonator für Regelsystem
EP3748438A1 (de) 2019-06-06 2020-12-09 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Messung der präzision einer uhr, die einen kontinuierlich drehenden elektromechanischen transducer in ihrer analogen uhrzeitanzeigevorrichtung umfasst
EP4009119A1 (de) 2020-12-07 2022-06-08 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Uhrwerk, das einen generator und eine schaltung zur regulierung der drehfrequenz dieses generators umfasst

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4799003A (en) * 1987-05-28 1989-01-17 Tu Xuan M Mechanical-to-electrical energy converter
US5668414A (en) * 1994-07-04 1997-09-16 Seiko Epson Corporation Spring driven electricity generator with a control circuit to regulate the release of energy in the spring

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4799003A (en) * 1987-05-28 1989-01-17 Tu Xuan M Mechanical-to-electrical energy converter
US5668414A (en) * 1994-07-04 1997-09-16 Seiko Epson Corporation Spring driven electricity generator with a control circuit to regulate the release of energy in the spring

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1843227A1 (de) 2006-04-07 2007-10-10 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd. Gekoppelter Resonator für Regelsystem
WO2007115985A1 (fr) 2006-04-07 2007-10-18 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Resonateur couple pour systeme reglant
US7889028B2 (en) 2006-04-07 2011-02-15 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Coupled resonator for regulating system
EP3748438A1 (de) 2019-06-06 2020-12-09 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Messung der präzision einer uhr, die einen kontinuierlich drehenden elektromechanischen transducer in ihrer analogen uhrzeitanzeigevorrichtung umfasst
EP4009119A1 (de) 2020-12-07 2022-06-08 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Uhrwerk, das einen generator und eine schaltung zur regulierung der drehfrequenz dieses generators umfasst

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69839389T2 (de) 2009-05-07
DE69839389D1 (de) 2008-06-05
EP0935177B1 (de) 2008-04-23

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