JPH0810257B2 - Electronic clock - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece having a chronograph function for measuring and displaying the passage of time.

[Conventional technology]

The watch introduced on page 88 of the magazine "International Watch Communication No.275" has been released as an analog quartz arm chronograph. FIG. 4 is an external view of the chronograph. Hereinafter, each indicating member of the chronograph and its operation will be described.

Reference numeral 1 denotes an hour hand for indicating a time unit of time, 2 denotes a minute hand for indicating a minute unit, and 3 denotes a second hand for indicating a second unit. 4, 5 and 6 are pointers for time measurement, 4 is a 5/100 second chronograph hand that makes 1 step in 5/100 seconds and makes 1 rotation in 1 second, 5 is 1 step in 1 second and 1 in 1 minute A rotating second chronograph hand, 6 is a minute chronograph hand that makes one step in 1 minute and makes one rotation in 30 minutes. These are driven by a well-known step motor, a motor for hour hand 1, minute hand 2, second hand 3, motor for 5/100 second chronograph hand 4, motor for second chronograph hand 5, minute chronograph hand It is equipped with a total of 4 motors for 6. Each motor operates by a drive signal input at a time interval according to the hand movement speed of each pointer. The time measured by the chronograph is
The minute value is read by the minute chronograph hand 6, the second value is read by the second chronograph hand 5, and the value of 1 second or less is read by the 5/100 second chronograph hand 4.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

In the case of the above-mentioned embodiment, in order to read a value of 1 second or less, the dedicated 5/100 second chronograph hand 4 is inevitable, and the motor driving the 5/100 second chronograph hand 4 should be abolished. I can't. This has been a serious problem for downsizing and cost reduction. Also, the design of the watch is round and it is apt to be limited to a special face as shown in Fig. 4, so it was difficult to develop a wide range of designs.

The present invention is to solve such problems,
Its purpose is to provide an analog quartz chronograph that can be miniaturized and has a wide range of design development.

[Means for solving problems]

The electronic timepiece of the present invention includes a power source, a circuit operated by the power source, a step motor that is an electro-mechanical converter,
In an electronic timepiece having a second chronograph hand for displaying the passage of time directly or via a transmission train wheel, the step motor movement, N is an integer, K is an integer of 2 or more, and 60 / K is an integer At this time, the second chronograph hand is driven by one step of the step motor at an angle obtained by dividing one rotation into 60 × N, and the circuit generates a plurality of signals having different frequencies from the oscillation circuit. The counter circuit and the signal of K × N [Hz] are selected at the time of starting the operation of the step motor, and the signal having the frequency of N [Hz] is selected after a lapse of a predetermined time after the operation of the step motor is started. A drive pulse selection circuit for selection and a motor drive circuit for producing a motor drive pulse of the frequency selected by the drive pulse selection circuit are provided, and the value of K is any of 2, 3, 4, 6, 12 To be prescribed And it features.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is an external view of an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an hour hand, 2 is a minute hand, and 3 is a second hand, which are driven by a first step motor which is an electro-mechanical converter. The normal time is indicated by the above guidelines. 7 is a second chronograph hand, and by the second step motor,
Reference numeral 8 denotes a minute chronograph hand, which is driven by a third step motor. The above is the guideline for chronograph display. Each step motor uses a crystal oscillator as a time standard source, and is driven by each motor drive signal generated by an electronic circuit.

The second chronograph hand 7 has one step divided by 60 × N (N is an integer) and is driven by at least two kinds of motor drive signals. There are two kinds of motor drive signals having a frequency of N [Hz] and a frequency of K × N (K is an integer of 2 or more and 60 / K is an integer) [Hz]. This motor drive signal is during time measurement, and a drive signal for returning to the 0 position by fast-forwarding by reset is excluded. The second chronograph hand 7 is driven at K × N [Hz] from the start of the chronograph to the set time T minutes, and thereafter is driven at N [Hz].

Next, the minute chronograph hand 8 has an angle obtained by dividing one rotation into two or more as one step, and the second chronograph hand 7 is set to 1
At least one step is driven for each rotation.

Next, the circuit configuration will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. In FIG. 2, 15 is an oscillator circuit. 16 is a frequency divider / timer circuit, 17 is a drive pulse selection circuit, 18 is a second chronograph motor drive circuit, 19 is a second chronograph motor, 20 is a second chronograph hand, 21 is a minute chronograph counter, 22 Is a motor drive circuit for the minute chronograph, 23 is a motor for the minute chronograph, and 24 is a minute chronograph hand. The circuit section for time display is omitted. First, the operation of the second chronograph hand will be described. Dividing
The clock circuit 16 divides the pulse of the oscillator circuit 15 into K × N.
Creates [Hz] and N [Hz] pulses. One of these pulses is selected by the drive pulse selection circuit 17, a motor drive pulse is created by the motor drive circuit 18 based on the frequency, the second chronograph motor 19 is driven, and it is transmitted to the second chronograph hand 20. The drive pulse selection circuit 17 uses a selection signal.
Select the pulse with 25 logic levels. Select signal 25
Is the logic level L from the start of measurement to the set time T, and the logic level H thereafter, and when it is L, K × N
In the case of [Hz] and H, N [Hz] drive pulse is selected.
For the operation of the minute chronograph hand 24, the number of pulses is counted by the minute chronograph counter 21, and the second chronograph hand 20
When the number of rotations reaches 1, the motor drive circuit 22 creates a motor drive pulse, drives the minute chronograph motor 23, and transmits it to the minute chronograph hand 24. Next, the circuit configuration of the drive pulse selection circuit 17 will be described with reference to FIG. 2
Reference numerals 6 and 27 denote clocked inverters, and 28 denotes an inverter.
When the logic level of the selection signal 25 is L, the inverter 28 outputs H on the K × N [Hz] side and outputs K × N [Hz]. When the logic level of the selection signal 25 is H, the N [Hz] side becomes H and N [Hz] is output. Circuits other than the drive pulse selection circuit 17 are well known and will not be described. Further, the circuit configuration is one embodiment, and if the circuit has two or more kinds of drive pulses for time measurement for driving the second chronograph hand, and the pulse can be selected by the set time T minutes, It is not limited to.

Regarding the actual operation, in this embodiment, N = 5, K = 6, T =
The three-minute chronograph hand 8 is set to be divided into 30 divisions, and the following description will be made in correspondence with the operation.

When a chronograph start signal is input to the circuit by operating each part operation member, the second chronograph hand 7 moves to K ×.
It is driven by a drive signal of N = 6 × 5 = 30 [Hz]. At this time, the second chronograph hand 7 makes one turn of 60 × N = 60 × 5 = 30.
Since it is divided into 0, one rotation will be completed in 300 ÷ 30 = 10 seconds. The minute chronograph hand 8 operates one step when the second chronograph hand 7 makes one rotation. The above movement is similarly continued until the set time T = 3 minutes. During this period, when a stop signal is input by operating the external operating member, the second chronograph hand 7 and minute chronograph hand 8
Stops and the minute and chronograph hands 8 and the scale 10 for the minute and chronograph hands read the values in minutes and 10 second units, and the second chronograph hand 7 and the scale 9 for the second and chronograph hands indicate seconds and seconds or less. The value of can be read. Since the drive signal is 30 Hz, the resolution of 1/30 second per step can be obtained for the value less than a second. Next, when 3 minutes or more elapses, the second chronograph hand 7 is driven at N = 5 [Hz], and one rotation is divided into 300, so one rotation is made in 300/5 = 60 seconds. The minute chronograph hand 8 operates one step when the second chronograph hand 7 makes one rotation, as in the previous case. Scale for minute chronograph hands
While 10 was 10 seconds per step within the previously set time, it was changed to 1 minute per step due to changes in the movement of the second chronograph hand. When stopped at this time, only the minute unit is indicated by the minute chronograph hand 8 and the minute chronograph scale 10, and the seconds and values below the second are indicated by the seconds chronograph hand 7.
And, it can be read by the scale 11 of the normal time. Since the value of seconds or less is 5 [Hz] for driving the second chronograph hand, a resolution of 1/5 second per step can be obtained. In accordance with this, the scale 11 provided at 1-minute intervals is further increased to 5
If it is divided into equal parts, values of seconds or less will be easier to read. Regarding resetting, like the conventional chronograph, the motor is fast forwarded or reversely rotated to return to the initial 0 position.

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to perform time measurement as a highly accurate full-scale chronograph within the set time T = 3 minutes and as a simple chronograph over 3 minutes. Considering the usage of a general chronograph, it is considered that a fairly high accuracy is required when measuring a short time, and an approximate value is often satisfied when measuring a long time to some extent. From this, it can be said that the above specifications match the usage status of the chronograph. In the above-mentioned embodiment, N = 5, K = 6, T = 3, and the minute chronograph hand is divided into 30 pieces, but these can be set arbitrarily, and the larger N becomes, the more K The bigger it is 1
Higher resolution in seconds or less. Especially when the value of K is selected from 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12, one rotation of the second chronograph hand is 30 seconds, 20 seconds, 15 seconds, 10 seconds and 5 seconds, respectively. Therefore, the readability can be improved. In the case of the above-described embodiment, the dedicated step motor is used to drive the minute chronograph hand, but in addition to this, the motor for the second chronograph hand and the motor for the hour and minute hands are transmitted by the train wheel to reset. At the time, a structure in which a heart cam is hit to return to the 0 position like a chronograph of a mechanical timepiece is possible, and the present invention is not limited to this. Also, the feeding of the minute chronograph hand was explained as one step for one rotation of the second chronograph hand, but the present invention is not limited to this. Even if one step is carried out, it does not matter as long as it indicates the elapse of the measurement time of the second chronograph hand.

Further, in the above embodiment, the second chronograph hand has been described as having two kinds of hand movement speeds, but it is also possible to change the frequency of the drive pulse and measure for a long time. A specific example will be described. In the above embodiment, it is possible to read along the scale up to 15 minutes. The second chronograph hand is driven in the same manner until one round is made. However, the minute chronograph hand is configured so that the second chronograph hand does not make one rotation step and makes one step, but up to 18 minutes the second chronograph hand makes one step when the second chronograph hand advances 10 seconds. This is to move the minute chronograph hand according to the scale of the minute chronograph. After 18 minutes, return to normal movement. After the minute chronograph hand makes two revolutions and measures 30 minutes, the second chronograph hand makes one revolution in 10 minutes. After that, using the concept of the above-mentioned embodiment, it is possible to measure up to 3 hours in units of 2 seconds and thereafter, in units of 1 minute, up to 15 hours. Based on this idea, frequency,
Chronographs with various specifications are possible by combining steps and scales.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is based on a three-hand timepiece wearing hours, minutes and seconds. However, if it is based on two hands only for hours and minutes, the appearance as shown in FIG. 5 is also possible. is there. 1 for hour hand, 2
Indicates a minute hand, 7 indicates a second chronograph hand, and 8 indicates a minute chronograph hand. This design is a "model with 1 second hand"
It has a design that is similar to what is commonly used,
While it has the additional function of a chronograph, it is possible to create the atmosphere of a fashionable watch. Further, since the second chronograph hand makes one rotation in 60 seconds after the set time T has passed, it can be used instead of the second hand.

〔The invention's effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, when N is an integer, K is an integer of 2 or more, and 60 / K is an integer, the second chronograph hand is an angle obtained by dividing one revolution into 60 × N. Is driven by one step of a step motor, and the circuit includes an oscillation circuit and a frequency dividing / counting circuit that generates a plurality of signals having different frequencies.
A drive pulse selection circuit for selecting a signal of K × N [Hz] at the start of operation of the step motor, and selecting a signal of frequency N [Hz] after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of operation of the step motor; And a motor drive circuit that produces a motor drive pulse of a frequency selected by the drive pulse selection circuit, and the value of K is defined by any one of 2, 3, 4, 6, and 12 seconds. The driving frequency of the step motor that drives the chronograph hands can be set to two types to improve the accuracy of the short-time measured value within a predetermined time.

Moreover, since the rotation of the second chronograph hand is 30 seconds, 20 seconds, 15 seconds, 10 seconds, and 5 seconds depending on the value of K, it is easy to read the position of the second chronograph hand. Has the effect of becoming.

Also, in the conventional chronograph, to read the measurement time,
Whereas a minute chronograph hand, a second chronograph hand, and a 5/100 second chronograph hand were required, in the present invention, the second chronograph hand indicates the step unit of the step motor by indicating the unit of seconds and seconds or less. The number and the pointer are reduced by one from the conventional one, and the timepiece with a chronograph can be downsized, a wide range of designs can be developed, and the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

 FIG. 1 is an external view of a watch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a drive pulse selection circuit according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an external view of a conventional watch. FIG. 5 is an external view of a watch according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A power supply, a circuit operated by the power supply, and electricity.
An electronic timepiece having a step motor, which is a mechanical converter, and a second chronograph hand that indicates the lapse of time directly or through a transmission train wheel, in which N is an integer and K is an integer of 2 or more. , And when 60 / K is an integer, the second chronograph hand is driven by one step of the step motor at an angle obtained by dividing one rotation into 60 × N, and the circuit includes an oscillation circuit and a frequency. , A frequency dividing / counting circuit for generating a plurality of different signals, K × N [Hz] of the signal is selected at the time of starting the operation of the step motor, and after a lapse of a predetermined time from the operation of the step motor. A drive pulse selection circuit for selecting the signal having a frequency of N [Hz], and a motor drive circuit for generating a motor drive pulse having a frequency selected by the drive pulse selection circuit are provided. An electronic timepiece characterized in that the value is defined as 2, 3, 4, 6, or 12.