EP2169479B1 - Time base device for a watch - Google Patents

Time base device for a watch Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2169479B1
EP2169479B1 EP08165408A EP08165408A EP2169479B1 EP 2169479 B1 EP2169479 B1 EP 2169479B1 EP 08165408 A EP08165408 A EP 08165408A EP 08165408 A EP08165408 A EP 08165408A EP 2169479 B1 EP2169479 B1 EP 2169479B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
time base
connection terminals
oscillator
base device
electronic module
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.)
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Application number
EP08165408A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP2169479A1 (en
Inventor
Daniel Koch
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 Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
Original Assignee
ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
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.)
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Publication date
Application filed by ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA filed Critical ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
Priority to AT08165408T priority Critical patent/ATE535844T1/en
Priority to EP08165408A priority patent/EP2169479B1/en
Priority to SG200905970-0A priority patent/SG160286A1/en
Priority to TW098131217A priority patent/TW201017351A/en
Priority to US12/563,675 priority patent/US8259537B2/en
Priority to CN2009101780512A priority patent/CN101713958B/en
Priority to JP2009222248A priority patent/JP5475382B2/en
Priority to KR1020090092113A priority patent/KR101190319B1/en
Publication of EP2169479A1 publication Critical patent/EP2169479A1/en
Priority to HK10110409.2A priority patent/HK1143867A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2169479B1 publication Critical patent/EP2169479B1/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C10/00—Arrangements of electric power supplies in time pieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/008—Mounting, assembling of components
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/14—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means incorporating a stepping motor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04F—TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING
    • G04F5/00—Apparatus for producing preselected time intervals for use as timing standards
    • G04F5/04—Apparatus for producing preselected time intervals for use as timing standards using oscillators with electromechanical resonators producing electric oscillations or timing pulses
    • G04F5/06—Apparatus for producing preselected time intervals for use as timing standards using oscillators with electromechanical resonators producing electric oscillations or timing pulses using piezoelectric resonators
    • G04F5/063—Constructional details
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G17/00—Structural details; Housings

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a time base device for a watch, in particular an electronic watch.
  • the timebase device comprises at least one coil of an electric motor that can be used to drive analog display means, a module having at least one timebase oscillator circuit mounted in a module housing, and a power source.
  • Such a time base device also includes a frequency divider for dividing the frequency of the oscillator and a control circuit of an electric motor connected to the frequency divider. Said electric motor is controlled by the control circuit for driving particular needles of a time display on a watch dial for example.
  • Each element of the time base device is generally fixed on at least one printed circuit board, on which the electrical connections between the different electronic elements of the time base device are made.
  • the printed circuit board, including said timebase device may also be connected to the watch movement.
  • These different elements are also powered by a voltage source, such as a battery or accumulator, which can be mounted in a housing provided for this purpose, which is connected to the printed circuit board.
  • a voltage source such as a battery or accumulator
  • tuning fork crystal resonator associated with an oscillator to form a part of the timebase.
  • Said tuning fork crystal resonator and the integrated circuit comprising the oscillator can be grouped together in one and the same housing.
  • the electronic watch includes an electric time display driver motor, and a time base, which includes an oscillator and resonator circuit.
  • the oscillator circuit and the resonator are mounted in the same housing.
  • a control circuit of the electric motor which is connected to the oscillator circuit via a frequency divider.
  • the oscillator circuit, the frequency divider and the motor control circuit form a single integrated circuit housed in the housing with the resonator.
  • the circuit for a quartz watch, which is provided with a stepper motor for rotating the hands of the watch.
  • the circuit comprises an oscillator connected to a crystal, a frequency divider connected to the oscillator, and a motor control circuit connected to the output of the divider.
  • the circuit electronic is powered by a battery.
  • WO 2004/061588 it is a monitoring system of a workout.
  • a coach unit is used to transmit alerts or information to units carried by people training. At each alert, a vibration is generated by each unit carried by the people training.
  • Each unit includes a time base and a data processing unit, which are powered by a battery. However it is not defined how to connect the different electronic components in a compact way.
  • the main purpose of the invention is therefore to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a time base device for a watch, which is compact and easy to handle for mounting operations in a small watch case.
  • the present invention relates to a time base device for a watch, which comprises the features of the independent claim 1.
  • An advantage of the time base device lies in the fact that the electrical connection between the voltage source, which may be a battery, a battery or an accumulator, and the electronic module of time base, as well as the connection electrical connection between the motor coil and said electronic module are made without the use of a printed circuit board.
  • Metal flanges connect the positive and negative poles of the cell to two external connection terminals of the module, and two metal wires of a winding of the coil are directly connected to two other external connection terminals of the module.
  • the electronic module advantageously comprises in the same housing an oscillator, such as a crystal oscillator, a frequency divider and a motor control circuit, only 4 or 5 electrical connection terminals are required on one side outside of the module housing.
  • the oscillator, the frequency divider and the control circuit may constitute a single integrated circuit. This makes it possible to reduce the volume of all the elements of the time base device, that is to say to reduce the volume of the watch movement by bringing the motor closer to the stack.
  • the figure 1 schematically represents various components of an electronic watch, which comprises a time base device according to the invention.
  • This watch comprises a voltage source 8, for example a battery, a battery or an accumulator, for powering an electronic module 1 having a time base and control means of an electric motor 6.
  • the electric motor is controlled to drive cogs not shown to rotate the analog display means, such as hands 9 for indicating the time for example.
  • the time base device consists essentially of the voltage source 8, the electronic module 1, and at least one coil of an electric motor 6. These elements of the time base device are advantageously mechanically and electrically connected without the aid of a printed circuit board to form a compact set of small dimensions, as explained hereinafter with reference to the figure 2 .
  • the electronic module 1 comprises in a housing, an oscillator 3, which may be an oscillator with a resonator 2, for example a piezoelectric resonator, such as a quartz resonator or a silicon resonator of the MEMS type connected to the terminals of the oscillator 3.
  • electronic module 1 further comprises a frequency divider 4, whose input is connected to the output of the oscillator 3, to obtain the desired operating frequency for the watch so as to indicate the exact time.
  • the output of the frequency divider 4 is connected to a control circuit 5 of an electric motor 6 for driving the hands 9.
  • the oscillator 3 with the resonator 2, as well as the frequency divider 4 can be part of a time base oscillator circuit.
  • Lavet type stepper motor also called bipolar, formed of a magnetized rotor, a stator with high magnetic permeability for looping the magnetic circuit and at least one coil.
  • This coil has the function, when energized, of creating a magnetic field in the stator which is thus transformed into a magnet whose polarity depends on the direction of the current in the coil.
  • the control circuit 5 of the motor 6 provides a current flowing in the coil.
  • the motor is controlled by a succession of positive and negative pulses spaced from power failure.
  • other types of engine such as a two-phase stepper motor to obtain a bidirectional motor for setting the time of the watch in the forward and backward directions. In the case of a two-phase motor, three motor outputs must be provided on the electronic module 1.
  • the oscillator 3, the frequency divider 4 and the control circuit 5 of the electric motor are all part of a single integrated circuit 7. This saves the space occupied by these electronic elements in the electronic module 1, and to reduce the electromagnetic disturbances on these electronic elements, due in particular to the length of the wired connections between elements.
  • said electronic module 1 comprises only four or five external connection terminals instead of eight terminals in normal time. Indeed, it is normally provided two connection terminals for the excitation of the resonator 2, two other terminals for the connection with the integrated circuit 7, two other terminals for the power supply of the integrated circuit and finally two terminals for the control of the motor .
  • this electronic module 1 four terminals shown in the figures, or even five terminals, are required externally on the housing, namely the two power supply terminals of the integrated circuit and the two or three terminals of the integrated circuit for the control. of the motor.
  • the other terminals are arranged only in the housing of the electronic module 1.
  • the figure 2 represents a three-dimensional view of the timebase device of the present invention.
  • This time base device therefore comprises a voltage source 8, which is preferably a battery or battery, an electronic module 1 and a coil 30 of an electric motor.
  • the electronic module 1 comprises in a particular ceramic housing, the oscillator with the resonator, the frequency divider and the control circuit of the electric motor.
  • the oscillator, the frequency divider and the control circuit can form a single integrated circuit, but of course it may be possible to make these elements on more than one integrated circuit if necessary.
  • connection terminals 14, 15, 16 and 17 are provided on an outer face of the electronic module 1. These connection terminals, as explained with reference to FIGS. Figures 3 and 4 , are disposed on an outer face of a wall of the housing on the inner side of which are mounted the integrated circuit and conductive connection tracks connecting said integrated circuit to the resonator and to the connection terminals.
  • the four connection terminals shown are preferably arranged respectively at the four angles of the outer face.
  • These connection terminals on the outside face advantageously serve as a base for the connection of the other elements of the time base device. This makes it possible to simplify the assembly of the elements of the time-based device of the watch movement, and also to greatly reduce the volume of the assembly by reducing the number of components.
  • This electronic module 1 can be housed in a receptacle 10 of generally parallelepipedal shape open on one or two sides.
  • the receptacle 10 may be defined as all or part of a metal or plastic plate, or may be part of an integrated movement of the watch. In the example shown in figure 2 , the receptacle 10 is open on two sides.
  • connection terminals 14 15, 16 and 17 are accessible from an open upper face of the receptacle.
  • the outer face of the module 1, on which are placed the connection terminals 14, 15, 16 and 17, is disposed at the same level as the mouth of the open upper face of the receptacle 10, in particular at the upper edge vertical walls of the receptacle. This facilitates the mechanical and electrical connection of the other elements of the timebase device.
  • Two first terminals 14 and 15 of the outer face of the module are provided to be connected respectively by two conventional metal flanges 24 and 25 to the two positive and negative poles of the voltage source 8, which is here preferably a battery.
  • a first flange 24 is fixed or welded to one of the first metal connection terminals 14 to connect the positive pole of the battery, while the second flange 25, which surrounds an outer portion of the receptacle 10, is fixed or welded to the other first metal connection terminals 15 for connecting the negative pole of said stack.
  • Two second connection terminals 16 and 17 of the outer face of the module which are arranged on a side opposite to the two first terminals 14 and 15, are in turn connected to a conventional winding of a coil 30. an electric motor.
  • a first wire 31 of the coil 30 is soldered to one of the second metal connection terminals 16, while a second wire 32 of the coil 30 is soldered to the other of the second metal connection terminals 17.
  • the core this coil 30 is a part of a magnetic circuit 33, which can be fixed, for example by screws through the two openings provided for this purpose, to another part of a magnetic circuit of the electric motor not shown.
  • connection flanges 24 and 25 of the stack can be integrated into a housing for receiving the stack, not shown. This housing may be part of the receptacle 10 or be attached to a side wall of the receptacle.
  • the figure 3 is a view in median and longitudinal section of the electronic module 1 of the time base device.
  • the resonator 2 is fixed by welding or gluing with a conductive adhesive the connection pads of two groups of electrodes located on the base of the resonator with corresponding conductive pads 18 provided on steps This allows the positioning of the resonator 2 above the integrated circuit 7, which is arranged on an inner face of a bottom wall of the housing 11.
  • connection between the connection pads located on the base of the resonator 2 and the integrated circuit 7 for effecting the excitation of the electrodes and ensuring the vibration of the resonator can be done via the conductive pads 18 connected to the holes 22.
  • holes 22 are formed in the rungs 19 and filled with a suitable conductive material, and connected to the conductive tracks disposed on the inner face of the bottom wall of the housing. These conductive tracks are themselves connected to corresponding contact pads of the integrated circuit 7.
  • the integrated circuit 7 may be connected to the outside of the housing at connection terminals 14, 15, 16 and 17, which are arranged on an outer face of the bottom wall of the housing as previously explained. To do this in this example, it is provided on the inner face of the bottom wall, connection pads 12 advantageously located under the integrated circuit 7. These pads or connection bumps 12 are arranged in the same arrangement as ranges of contact of the integrated circuit 7 to be able to electrically connected said contact pads of the integrated circuit by a technique called "flip chip" in English terminology. Some contact pads of the integrated circuit are thus electrically connected by conductive tracks to the external connection terminals 14, 15, 16 and 17, through holes 20 passing through the bottom wall of the housing 11, which are filled with a conductive glue 21 or any other suitable conductive material. These holes being located opposite the connection terminals 14, 15, 16 and 17, the conductive adhesive 21 provides the electrical connection with the inside of the housing.
  • the figure 4 is a top view of the electronic module 1, without closure cover, of the time base device.
  • the resonator is not shown in the housing, which can be made of ceramic material and of parallelepipedal general shape.
  • the not shown lid which hermetically closes the housing, can be advantageously made of glass to allow precise laser adjustment of the frequency of the resonator.
  • an integrated circuit 7 is fixed via its contact pads 13, seen in transparency, on the not shown connection pads, which are arranged on the inner face of the bottom wall. of the case. As indicated above, the connection pads have an equivalent arrangement to the contact pads 13 in order to fix said integrated circuit by the so-called "flip chip” technique.
  • the integrated circuit 7 comprises the oscillator, the frequency divider and the control circuit of the electric motor.
  • the electrodes of the resonator are welded to conductive pads 18, which are connected to holes 22. These holes 22 are formed in rungs 19 and filled with a suitable conductive material, such as a conductive glue or metal.
  • a suitable conductive material such as a conductive glue or metal.
  • the conductive pads 18 are connected to conductive tracks 23 disposed on the inner face of the bottom wall of the housing. These conductive tracks 23 connect on the one hand these conductive pads 18 to certain contact pads 13 of the integrated circuit 7, and on the other hand some other conductive pads 13 of the integrated circuit 7 to the external connection terminals 14, 15, 16 and 17 .
  • the electrical connection of the integrated circuit 7 to the external connection terminals is made through holes 20 passing through the bottom wall of the housing 11. These holes 20 are filled with a conductive adhesive 21 or any other suitable conductive material. These holes being located opposite the connection terminals 14, 15, 16 and 17, the conductive adhesive 21 provides the electrical connection with the electronic elements in the housing.
  • the first two external connection terminals 14 and 15 are connected to a voltage source, such as a battery, to enable the integrated circuit 7 to be powered.
  • the second two external connection terminals 16 and 17 are themselves connected. winding a coil of an electric motor to provide positive and negative electrical pulses.
  • the space occupied by all of these elements is optimized.
  • protection of the integrated circuit or circuits 7 is ensured vis-à-vis any external disturbances and this also thanks to the relatively short connection tracks between the various elements.
  • the compact form of time base device can be designed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims. It can be provided the connection of several electric motors on the same terminals of the electronic module or on different connection terminals. The actuation time of each of the motors connected to the electronic module may be different.
  • the electronic module can be connected to the voltage source and to the coil without being placed in a receptacle.
  • the voltage source for the power supply of the electronic module may be composed in part of a solar cell in combination with a battery or accumulator.

Abstract

The device has an electronic module (1) with a time base oscillator circuit mounted in a case of the module. The electronic module and an electric power voltage source (8) e.g. battery, are mechanically and electrically connected with each other. The electronic module includes an oscillator, a frequency divider and a control circuit for an electric motor. The oscillator is connected to a piezoelectric resonator e.g. quartz resonator, where the oscillator, the frequency divider and the motor control circuit are made in a single integrated circuit.

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUETECHNICAL AREA

La présente invention concerne un dispositif base de temps pour une montre, notamment une montre électronique. Le dispositif base de temps comprend au moins une bobine d'un moteur électrique susceptible d'être utilisé pour entraîner des moyens d'affichage analogique, un module ayant au moins un circuit oscillateur de base de temps monté dans un boîtier du module, et une source d'alimentation électrique.The present invention relates to a time base device for a watch, in particular an electronic watch. The timebase device comprises at least one coil of an electric motor that can be used to drive analog display means, a module having at least one timebase oscillator circuit mounted in a module housing, and a power source.

ARRIERE-PLAN TECHNOLOGIQUEBACKGROUND

Dans l'état de la technique, il est connu de réaliser un dispositif base de temps pour un mouvement horloger avec un oscillateur relié à un résonateur à quartz. Un tel dispositif base de temps comprend également un diviseur de fréquence pour diviser la fréquence de l'oscillateur et un circuit de commande d'un moteur électrique relié au diviseur de fréquence. Ledit moteur électrique est commandé par le circuit de commande pour l'entraînement notamment d'aiguilles d'un affichage horaire sur un cadran de montre par exemple.In the state of the art, it is known to produce a time-based device for a watch movement with an oscillator connected to a quartz resonator. Such a time base device also includes a frequency divider for dividing the frequency of the oscillator and a control circuit of an electric motor connected to the frequency divider. Said electric motor is controlled by the control circuit for driving particular needles of a time display on a watch dial for example.

Chaque élément du dispositif base de temps est généralement fixé sur au moins une plaque à circuit imprimé, sur laquelle sont réalisées les liaisons électriques entre les différents éléments électroniques du dispositif base de temps. La plaque à circuit imprimé, comprenant ledit dispositif base de temps, peut être relié également au mouvement de montre. Ces différents éléments sont également alimentés par une source de tension, telle qu'une batterie ou un accumulateur, qui peut être monté dans un logement prévu à cet effet, qui est relié à la plaque à circuit imprimé. L'assemblage de tous ces éléments électroniques du dispositif base de temps occupe ainsi un volume relativement important, ce qui constitue un inconvénient pour un montage ou une intégration dans une pièce d'horlogerie de petites dimensions.Each element of the time base device is generally fixed on at least one printed circuit board, on which the electrical connections between the different electronic elements of the time base device are made. The printed circuit board, including said timebase device, may also be connected to the watch movement. These different elements are also powered by a voltage source, such as a battery or accumulator, which can be mounted in a housing provided for this purpose, which is connected to the printed circuit board. The assembly of all these electronic elements of the time base device thus occupies a relatively large volume, which is a disadvantage for an assembly or integration into a timepiece of small dimensions.

Pour réduire le volume de l'ensemble des éléments électroniques du dispositif base de temps, il est déjà connu d'utiliser un résonateur à quartz en forme de diapason associé à un oscillateur pour former une partie de la base de temps. Ledit résonateur à quartz en forme de diapason et le circuit intégré comprenant l'oscillateur peuvent être regroupés dans un même boîtier.To reduce the volume of all the electronic elements of the timebase device, it is already known to use a tuning fork crystal resonator associated with an oscillator to form a part of the timebase. Said tuning fork crystal resonator and the integrated circuit comprising the oscillator can be grouped together in one and the same housing.

Le regroupement de divers composants électroniques dans un même boîtier est notamment connu du document de brevet US 3,784,725 . Dans ce document, un ensemble électronique pour une montre forme un même bloc. Des composants électroniques de l'ensemble sont montés et connectés généralement individuellement sur une plaque de circuit imprimé, ce qui peut créer certains problèmes et coûts pour un montage dans une boîte de montre de petites dimensions. Par contre, cet ensemble électronique permet de regrouper tous les composants électroniques, ainsi que le cadran pour faciliter le montage de l'ensemble dans un mouvement de montre traditionnel, une boîte de montre plastique ou un bijou.The grouping of various electronic components in the same housing is known in particular from the patent document. US 3,784,725 . In this document, an electronic assembly for a watch forms the same block. Electronic components of the assembly are typically mounted and connected individually to a printed circuit board, which can create certain problems and costs for mounting in a small watch case. On the other hand, this electronic assembly makes it possible to group together all the electronic components, as well as the dial to facilitate assembly of the assembly in a traditional watch movement, a plastic watch case or a jewel.

Dans le document de brevet EP 1 890 204 A1 , il est décrit une montre électronique. La montre électronique comprend un moteur électrique d'entraînement des aiguilles d'affichage de l'heure, et une base de temps, qui comprend un circuit oscillateur et résonateur. Le circuit oscillateur et le résonateur sont montés dans un même boîtier. Dans le boîtier, il est également prévu un circuit de commande du moteur électrique, qui est relié au circuit oscillateur par l'intermédiaire d'un diviseur de fréquence. Le circuit oscillateur, le diviseur de fréquence et le circuit de commande du moteur forme un unique circuit intégré logé dans le boîtier avec le résonateur. Cependant rien ne décrit la façon de relier les différents composants électroniques de manière compacte.In the patent document EP 1 890 204 A1 , there is described an electronic watch. The electronic watch includes an electric time display driver motor, and a time base, which includes an oscillator and resonator circuit. The oscillator circuit and the resonator are mounted in the same housing. In the housing, there is also provided a control circuit of the electric motor, which is connected to the oscillator circuit via a frequency divider. The oscillator circuit, the frequency divider and the motor control circuit form a single integrated circuit housed in the housing with the resonator. However nothing describes how to connect the different electronic components compactly.

Dans le document FR 2 283 478 , il est également décrit un circuit électronique pour une montre à quartz, qui est muni d'un moteur pas à pas pour faire tourner les aiguilles de la montre. Pour ce faire, le circuit comprend un oscillateur relié à un quartz, un diviseur de fréquence relié à l'oscillateur, et un circuit de commande du moteur relié en sortie du diviseur. Le circuit électronique est alimenté par une batterie. Cependant rien ne décrit la façon de relier les différents composants électroniques de manière compacte.In the document FR 2,283,478 , there is also described an electronic circuit for a quartz watch, which is provided with a stepper motor for rotating the hands of the watch. To do this, the circuit comprises an oscillator connected to a crystal, a frequency divider connected to the oscillator, and a motor control circuit connected to the output of the divider. The circuit electronic is powered by a battery. However nothing describes how to connect the different electronic components compactly.

Dans le document WO 2004/061588 , il est un système de surveillance d'un entraînement. Une unité de l'entraîneur est utilisée pour transmettre des alertes ou des informations à des unités portées par des personnes s'entraînant. A chaque alerte, une vibration est générée par chaque unité portée par les personnes s'entraînant. Chaque unité comprend une base de temps et une unité de traitement de données, qui sont alimentées par une batterie. Cependant il n'est pas défini la façon de relier les différents composants électroniques de manière compacte.In the document WO 2004/061588 it is a monitoring system of a workout. A coach unit is used to transmit alerts or information to units carried by people training. At each alert, a vibration is generated by each unit carried by the people training. Each unit includes a time base and a data processing unit, which are powered by a battery. However it is not defined how to connect the different electronic components in a compact way.

Bien que les solutions antérieures permettent de réduire en partie le volume occupé notamment par certains composants d'une base de temps, l'espace disponible reste cependant insuffisant pour réaliser une pièce d'horlogerie de petites dimensions. La nécessité de monter plusieurs circuits intégrés pour remplir plusieurs fonctions de la montre sur une ou plusieurs plaques à circuit imprimé entraîne une importante occupation de l'espace disponible dans la montre. Ceci nécessite d'augmenter le volume de cette dernière de manière excessive, ce qui n'est pas souhaitéAlthough the previous solutions can partly reduce the volume occupied by particular components of a time base, the available space is still insufficient to make a timepiece of small dimensions. The need to mount several integrated circuits to fulfill several functions of the watch on one or more printed circuit boards leads to a significant occupation of the space available in the watch. This requires increasing the volume of the latter excessively, which is not desired

RESUME DE L'INVENTIONSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

L'invention a donc pour but principal de pallier aux inconvénients susmentionnés en fournissant un dispositif base de temps pour une montre, qui soit compact et facile à manipuler pour des opérations de montage dans une boîte de montre de petites dimensions.The main purpose of the invention is therefore to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by providing a time base device for a watch, which is compact and easy to handle for mounting operations in a small watch case.

A cet effet, la présente invention concerne un dispositif base de temps pour une montre, qui comprend les caractéristiques de la revendication indépendante 1.To this end, the present invention relates to a time base device for a watch, which comprises the features of the independent claim 1.

Des formes particulières de réalisation du dispositif base de temps sont définies dans les revendications dépendantes 2 à 11.Particular embodiments of the time base device are defined in dependent claims 2 to 11.

Un avantage du dispositif base de temps selon l'invention réside dans le fait que la connexion électrique entre la source de tension, qui peut être une pile, une batterie ou un accumulateur, et le module électronique de base de temps, ainsi que la connexion électrique entre la bobine d'un moteur et ledit module électronique sont réalisées sans l'utilisation d'une plaque à circuit imprimé. Des brides métalliques relient les pôles positif et négatif de la pile à deux bornes externes de connexion du module, et deux fils métalliques d'un enroulement de la bobine sont directement reliés à deux autres bornes externes de connexion du module. Dans le cas d'un moteur biphasé, il peut être avantageusement prévu trois fils métalliques de bobine reliés directement à trois bornes externes de connexion du module.An advantage of the time base device according to the invention lies in the fact that the electrical connection between the voltage source, which may be a battery, a battery or an accumulator, and the electronic module of time base, as well as the connection electrical connection between the motor coil and said electronic module are made without the use of a printed circuit board. Metal flanges connect the positive and negative poles of the cell to two external connection terminals of the module, and two metal wires of a winding of the coil are directly connected to two other external connection terminals of the module. In the case of a two-phase motor, it can be advantageously provided three coil wires connected directly to three external connection terminals of the module.

Grâce au fait que le module électronique comprend avantageusement dans un même boîtier un oscillateur, tel qu'un oscillateur à quartz, un diviseur de fréquence et un circuit de commande du moteur, uniquement 4, voire 5 bornes de connexion électrique sont nécessaires sur une face extérieure du boîtier du module. L'oscillateur, le diviseur de fréquence et le circuit de commande peuvent constituer un seul circuit intégré. Ceci permet de réduire le volume de l'ensemble des éléments du dispositif base de temps, c'est-à-dire de réduire le volume du mouvement horloger en rapprochant le moteur de la pile.Due to the fact that the electronic module advantageously comprises in the same housing an oscillator, such as a crystal oscillator, a frequency divider and a motor control circuit, only 4 or 5 electrical connection terminals are required on one side outside of the module housing. The oscillator, the frequency divider and the control circuit may constitute a single integrated circuit. This makes it possible to reduce the volume of all the elements of the time base device, that is to say to reduce the volume of the watch movement by bringing the motor closer to the stack.

En regroupant dans un espace réduit les divers éléments du dispositif base de temps, cela réduit également la longueur des connexions entre les éléments électroniques du dispositif, et aussi la sensibilité de l'oscillateur aux perturbations externes. Ceci permet également de supprimer plusieurs opérations mécaniques d'assemblage des composants électroniques, ce qui réduit les coûts de production du mouvement muni du dispositif base de temps selon l'invention.By grouping the various elements of the time base device in a small space, this also reduces the length of the connections between the electronic elements of the device, and also the sensitivity of the oscillator to external disturbances. This also makes it possible to eliminate several mechanical assembly operations of the electronic components, which reduces the production costs of the movement provided with the time base device according to the invention.

BREVE DESCRIPTION DES FIGURESBRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Les buts, avantages et caractéristiques du dispositif base de temps pour une montre apparaîtront mieux dans la description suivante de manière non limitative en regard des dessins sur lesquels :

  • la figure 1 représente une vue schématique d'une montre électronique avec affichage analogique, qui comprend le dispositif base de temps selon l'invention;
  • la figure 2 représente une vue tridimensionnelle des divers éléments du dispositif base de temps selon l'invention;
  • la figure 3 représente une vue partielle en coupe longitudinale du module électronique du dispositif base de temps selon l'invention; et
  • la figure 4 est une vue partielle de dessus du module électronique du dispositif base de temps selon l'invention.
The purposes, advantages and characteristics of the time base device for a watch will appear better in the following description in a nonlimiting manner with regard to the drawings in which:
  • the figure 1 represents a schematic view of an electronic watch with an analogue display, which comprises the time base device according to the invention;
  • the figure 2 represents a three-dimensional view of the various elements of the time base device according to the invention;
  • the figure 3 represents a partial view in longitudinal section of the electronic module of the time base device according to the invention; and
  • the figure 4 is a partial view from above of the electronic module of the time base device according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION DETAILLEE DE L'INVENTIONDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Dans la description suivante, tous les éléments du dispositif base de temps d'une montre électronique qui sont bien connus de l'homme du métier dans ce domaine technique ne sont relatés que de manière simplifiée.In the following description, all elements of the timebase device of an electronic watch which are well known to those skilled in the art are only described in a simplified manner.

La figure 1 représente schématiquement divers composants d'une montre électronique, qui comprend un dispositif base de temps selon l'invention. Cette montre comprend une source de tension 8, par exemple une batterie, une pile ou un accumulateur, pour alimenter un module électronique 1 ayant une base de temps et des moyens de commande d'un moteur électrique 6. Le moteur électrique est commandé pour entraîner des rouages non représentés pour faire tourner les moyens d'affichage analogique, tels que des aiguilles 9 servant à indiquer l'heure par exemple.The figure 1 schematically represents various components of an electronic watch, which comprises a time base device according to the invention. This watch comprises a voltage source 8, for example a battery, a battery or an accumulator, for powering an electronic module 1 having a time base and control means of an electric motor 6. The electric motor is controlled to drive cogs not shown to rotate the analog display means, such as hands 9 for indicating the time for example.

Le dispositif base de temps est constitué essentiellement de la source de tension 8, du module électronique 1, et d'au moins une bobine d'un moteur électrique 6. Ces éléments du dispositif base de temps sont avantageusement reliés mécaniquement et électriquement sans l'aide d'une plaque à circuit imprimé pour former un ensemble compact de petites dimensions, comme expliqué ci-après en référence à la figure 2.The time base device consists essentially of the voltage source 8, the electronic module 1, and at least one coil of an electric motor 6. These elements of the time base device are advantageously mechanically and electrically connected without the aid of a printed circuit board to form a compact set of small dimensions, as explained hereinafter with reference to the figure 2 .

Le module électronique 1 comprend dans un boîtier, un oscillateur 3, qui peut être un oscillateur avec un résonateur 2 par exemple piézoélectrique, comme un résonateur à quartz ou encore un résonateur en silicium du type MEMS connecté aux bornes de l'oscillateur 3. Le module électronique 1 comprend encore un diviseur de fréquence 4, dont l'entrée est reliée à la sortie de l'oscillateur 3, pour obtenir la fréquence de marche souhaitée pour la montre de manière à indiquer l'heure exacte. La sortie du diviseur de fréquence 4 est connectée à un circuit de commande 5 d'un moteur électrique 6 pour l'entraînement des aiguilles 9. L'oscillateur 3 avec le résonateur 2, ainsi que le diviseur de fréquence 4 peuvent faire partie d'un circuit oscillateur de base de temps.The electronic module 1 comprises in a housing, an oscillator 3, which may be an oscillator with a resonator 2, for example a piezoelectric resonator, such as a quartz resonator or a silicon resonator of the MEMS type connected to the terminals of the oscillator 3. electronic module 1 further comprises a frequency divider 4, whose input is connected to the output of the oscillator 3, to obtain the desired operating frequency for the watch so as to indicate the exact time. The output of the frequency divider 4 is connected to a control circuit 5 of an electric motor 6 for driving the hands 9. The oscillator 3 with the resonator 2, as well as the frequency divider 4 can be part of a time base oscillator circuit.

Il peut être utilisé comme moteur électrique 6, un moteur pas à pas de type Lavet, encore appelé bipolaire, formé d'un rotor aimanté, un stator à haute perméabilité magnétique pour réaliser le bouclage du circuit magnétique et d'au moins une bobine. Cette bobine a pour fonction, lorsqu'elle est mise sous tension, de créer un champ magnétique dans le stator qui se transforme ainsi en aimant dont la polarité dépend du sens du courant dans la bobine. Ainsi le circuit de commande 5 du moteur 6 fournit un courant qui circule dans la bobine. Le moteur est commandé par une succession d'impulsions positives et négatives espacées de coupure de courant. Toutefois, il peut être utilisé d'autres types de moteur, comme par exemple un moteur pas à pas biphasé pour obtenir un moteur bidirectionnel permettant une mise à l'heure de la montre dans les sens avant et arrière. Dans le cas d'un moteur biphasé, il doit être prévu trois sorties moteur sur le module électronique 1.It can be used as an electric motor 6, a Lavet type stepper motor, also called bipolar, formed of a magnetized rotor, a stator with high magnetic permeability for looping the magnetic circuit and at least one coil. This coil has the function, when energized, of creating a magnetic field in the stator which is thus transformed into a magnet whose polarity depends on the direction of the current in the coil. Thus the control circuit 5 of the motor 6 provides a current flowing in the coil. The motor is controlled by a succession of positive and negative pulses spaced from power failure. However, it can be used other types of engine, such as a two-phase stepper motor to obtain a bidirectional motor for setting the time of the watch in the forward and backward directions. In the case of a two-phase motor, three motor outputs must be provided on the electronic module 1.

Avantageusement, comme cela est représenté sur la figure 1, l'oscillateur 3, le diviseur de fréquence 4 et le circuit de commande 5 du moteur électrique font tous partie d'un unique circuit intégré 7. Ceci permet d'économiser la place occupée par ces éléments électroniques dans le module électronique 1, ainsi que de diminuer les perturbations électromagnétiques sur ces éléments électroniques, dues notamment à la longueur des connexions filaires entre éléments.Advantageously, as shown on the figure 1 , the oscillator 3, the frequency divider 4 and the control circuit 5 of the electric motor are all part of a single integrated circuit 7. This saves the space occupied by these electronic elements in the electronic module 1, and to reduce the electromagnetic disturbances on these electronic elements, due in particular to the length of the wired connections between elements.

Comme représenté sur les figures 2 à 4 et grâce au regroupement de tous les éléments décrits ci-dessus dans le module électronique 1, ledit module électronique 1 ne comprend que quatre, voire cinq bornes de connexion externes au lieu de huit bornes en temps normal. En effet, il est normalement prévu deux bornes de connexion pour l'excitation du résonateur 2, deux autres bornes pour la connexion avec le circuit intégré 7, deux autres bornes pour l'alimentation du circuit intégré et enfin deux bornes pour la commande du moteur. Dans ce module électronique 1, quatre bornes représentées sur les figures, voire cinq bornes, sont nécessaires en externe sur le boîtier, à savoir les deux bornes d'alimentation du circuit intégré et les deux ou trois bornes de connexion du circuit intégré pour la commande du moteur. Les autres bornes sont agencées uniquement dans le boîtier du module électronique 1.As shown on Figures 2 to 4 and by grouping all the elements described above in the electronic module 1, said electronic module 1 comprises only four or five external connection terminals instead of eight terminals in normal time. Indeed, it is normally provided two connection terminals for the excitation of the resonator 2, two other terminals for the connection with the integrated circuit 7, two other terminals for the power supply of the integrated circuit and finally two terminals for the control of the motor . In this electronic module 1, four terminals shown in the figures, or even five terminals, are required externally on the housing, namely the two power supply terminals of the integrated circuit and the two or three terminals of the integrated circuit for the control. of the motor. The other terminals are arranged only in the housing of the electronic module 1.

La figure 2 représente une vue tridimensionnelle du dispositif base de temps de la présente invention. Les signes de référence des mêmes éléments expliqués en référence à la figure 1 sont identiques. Ce dispositif base de temps comprend donc une source de tension 8, qui est de préférence une pile ou batterie, un module électronique 1 et une bobine 30 d'un moteur électrique.The figure 2 represents a three-dimensional view of the timebase device of the present invention. The reference signs of the same elements explained with reference to the figure 1 are the same. This time base device therefore comprises a voltage source 8, which is preferably a battery or battery, an electronic module 1 and a coil 30 of an electric motor.

Le module électronique 1 comprend dans un boîtier notamment en céramique, l'oscillateur avec le résonateur, le diviseur de fréquence et le circuit de commande du moteur électrique. Comme expliqué ci-dessus, l'oscillateur, le diviseur de fréquence et le circuit de commande peuvent former un unique circuit intégré, mais bien entendu, il peut être envisageable de réaliser ces éléments sur plus d'un circuit intégré en cas de nécessité.The electronic module 1 comprises in a particular ceramic housing, the oscillator with the resonator, the frequency divider and the control circuit of the electric motor. As explained above, the oscillator, the frequency divider and the control circuit can form a single integrated circuit, but of course it may be possible to make these elements on more than one integrated circuit if necessary.

Sur une face extérieure du module électronique 1, il est prévu quatre bornes de connexion 14, 15, 16 et 17. Ces bornes de connexion, comme expliqué en référence aux figures 3 et 4, sont disposées sur une face extérieure d'une paroi du boîtier sur la face intérieure de laquelle sont montés le circuit intégré et les pistes conductrices de connexion reliant ledit circuit intégré au résonateur et aux bornes de connexion. Les quatre bornes de connexion représentées sont disposées de préférence respectivement aux quatre angles de la face extérieure. Ces bornes de connexion sur la face extérieure servent avantageusement comme base pour la connexion des autres éléments du dispositif base de temps. Ceci permet de simplifier l'assemblage des éléments du dispositif base de temps du mouvement horloger, et également de réduire fortement le volume de l'ensemble en diminuant le nombre de composants.On an outer face of the electronic module 1, four connection terminals 14, 15, 16 and 17 are provided. These connection terminals, as explained with reference to FIGS. Figures 3 and 4 , are disposed on an outer face of a wall of the housing on the inner side of which are mounted the integrated circuit and conductive connection tracks connecting said integrated circuit to the resonator and to the connection terminals. The four connection terminals shown are preferably arranged respectively at the four angles of the outer face. These connection terminals on the outside face advantageously serve as a base for the connection of the other elements of the time base device. This makes it possible to simplify the assembly of the elements of the time-based device of the watch movement, and also to greatly reduce the volume of the assembly by reducing the number of components.

Ce module électronique 1 peut être logé dans un réceptacle 10 de forme générale parallélépipédique ouvert sur une ou deux faces. Le réceptacle 10 peut être défini comme tout ou partie d'une platine métallique ou plastique, ou peut faire partie d'un mouvement intégré de la montre. Dans l'exemple représenté à la figure 2, le réceptacle 10 est ouvert sur deux faces.This electronic module 1 can be housed in a receptacle 10 of generally parallelepipedal shape open on one or two sides. The receptacle 10 may be defined as all or part of a metal or plastic plate, or may be part of an integrated movement of the watch. In the example shown in figure 2 , the receptacle 10 is open on two sides.

Une fois que le module électronique 1 est fixé par exemple par collage dans le réceptacle, ses quatre, voire cinq bornes de connexion sont accessibles depuis une face supérieure ouverte du réceptacle. De préférence, la face extérieure du module 1, sur laquelle sont placées les bornes de connexion 14, 15, 16 et 17, est disposée au même niveau que l'embouchure de la face supérieure ouverte du réceptacle 10, notamment au niveau du bord supérieur des parois verticales du réceptacle. Ceci permet de faciliter la connexion mécanique et électrique des autres éléments du dispositif base de temps.Once the electronic module 1 is fixed for example by gluing in the receptacle, its four or five connection terminals are accessible from an open upper face of the receptacle. Preferably, the outer face of the module 1, on which are placed the connection terminals 14, 15, 16 and 17, is disposed at the same level as the mouth of the open upper face of the receptacle 10, in particular at the upper edge vertical walls of the receptacle. This facilitates the mechanical and electrical connection of the other elements of the timebase device.

Deux premières bornes de connexion 14 et 15 de la face extérieure du module sont prévues pour être reliées respectivement par deux brides métalliques classiques 24 et 25 aux deux pôles positif et négatif de la source de tension 8, qui est ici de préférence une pile. Une première bride 24 est fixée ou soudée sur une des premières bornes de connexion métallique 14 pour relier le pôle positif de la pile, alors que la seconde bride 25, qui entoure une partie extérieure du réceptacle 10, est fixée ou soudée sur l'autre des premières bornes de connexion métallique 15 pour relier le pôle négatif de ladite pile.Two first terminals 14 and 15 of the outer face of the module are provided to be connected respectively by two conventional metal flanges 24 and 25 to the two positive and negative poles of the voltage source 8, which is here preferably a battery. A first flange 24 is fixed or welded to one of the first metal connection terminals 14 to connect the positive pole of the battery, while the second flange 25, which surrounds an outer portion of the receptacle 10, is fixed or welded to the other first metal connection terminals 15 for connecting the negative pole of said stack.

Deux secondes bornes de connexion 16 et 17 de la face extérieure du module, qui sont disposées sur un côté opposé aux deux premières bornes 14 et 15, sont quant à elles reliées à un enroulement traditionnel d'une bobine 30 d'un moteur électrique. Un premier fil métallique 31 de la bobine 30 est soudé à une des secondes bornes de connexion métallique 16, alors qu'un second fil métallique 32 de la bobine 30 est soudé à l'autre des secondes bornes de connexion métallique 17. Le noyau de cette bobine 30 est une partie d'un circuit magnétique 33, qui peut être fixé, par exemple par des vis à travers les deux ouvertures prévues à cet effet, à une autre partie d'un circuit magnétique du moteur électrique non représenté.Two second connection terminals 16 and 17 of the outer face of the module, which are arranged on a side opposite to the two first terminals 14 and 15, are in turn connected to a conventional winding of a coil 30. an electric motor. A first wire 31 of the coil 30 is soldered to one of the second metal connection terminals 16, while a second wire 32 of the coil 30 is soldered to the other of the second metal connection terminals 17. The core this coil 30 is a part of a magnetic circuit 33, which can be fixed, for example by screws through the two openings provided for this purpose, to another part of a magnetic circuit of the electric motor not shown.

Il peut être également envisageable d'utiliser le réceptacle 10 du module électronique 1 comme support de la bobine 30 du moteur avec éventuellement tout son mécanisme. Cette bobine peut aussi être directement fixée au bord d'une face latérale ouverte du réceptacle 10. Les brides de connexion 24 et 25 de la pile peuvent être intégrées dans un logement de réception de la pile, non représenté. Ce logement peut faire partie du réceptacle 10 ou être fixé à une paroi latérale du réceptacle.It may also be possible to use the receptacle 10 of the electronic module 1 as support for the motor coil 30 with possibly all its mechanism. This coil can also be directly attached to the edge of an open side face of the receptacle 10. The connection flanges 24 and 25 of the stack can be integrated into a housing for receiving the stack, not shown. This housing may be part of the receptacle 10 or be attached to a side wall of the receptacle.

L'agencement de tous les éléments à l'intérieur du boîtier par exemple en matériau céramique du module électronique 1 est expliqué maintenant en référence aux figures 3 et 4. Les signes de référence des mêmes éléments expliqués en référence aux figures 1 et 2 sont identiques.The arrangement of all the elements inside the casing, for example made of ceramic material of the electronic module 1, is explained now with reference to the Figures 3 and 4 . The reference signs of the same elements explained with reference to Figures 1 and 2 are the same.

La figure 3 est une vue en coupe médiane et longitudinale du module électronique 1 du dispositif base de temps. A l'intérieur du boîtier 11 dudit module, le résonateur 2 est fixé en soudant ou en collant avec une colle conductrice les plages de connexion de deux groupes d'électrodes situées sur la base du résonateur avec des plages conductrices correspondantes 18 prévues sur des échelons 19 du fond du boîtier 11. Ceci permet le positionnement du résonateur 2 au-dessus du circuit intégré 7 disposé quant à lui sur une face intérieure d'une paroi de fond du boîtier 11.The figure 3 is a view in median and longitudinal section of the electronic module 1 of the time base device. Inside the housing 11 of said module, the resonator 2 is fixed by welding or gluing with a conductive adhesive the connection pads of two groups of electrodes located on the base of the resonator with corresponding conductive pads 18 provided on steps This allows the positioning of the resonator 2 above the integrated circuit 7, which is arranged on an inner face of a bottom wall of the housing 11.

La connexion entre les plages de connexion situées sur la base du résonateur 2 et le circuit intégré 7 pour effectuer l'excitation des électrodes et assurer la vibration du résonateur peut se faire par l'intermédiaire des plages conductrices 18 reliées à des trous 22. Ces trous 22 sont formés dans les échelons 19 et remplis d'un matériau conducteur approprié, et connectés aux pistes conductrices disposées sur la face intérieure de la paroi de fond du boîtier. Ces pistes conductrices sont reliées elles-mêmes à des plages de contact correspondantes du circuit intégré 7.The connection between the connection pads located on the base of the resonator 2 and the integrated circuit 7 for effecting the excitation of the electrodes and ensuring the vibration of the resonator can be done via the conductive pads 18 connected to the holes 22. holes 22 are formed in the rungs 19 and filled with a suitable conductive material, and connected to the conductive tracks disposed on the inner face of the bottom wall of the housing. These conductive tracks are themselves connected to corresponding contact pads of the integrated circuit 7.

Le circuit intégré 7 peut être connecté vers l'extérieur du boîtier à des bornes de connexion 14, 15, 16 et 17, qui sont disposées sur une face extérieure de la paroi de fond du boîtier comme expliqué auparavant. Pour ce faire dans cet exemple, il est prévu sur la face intérieure de la paroi de fond, des plots de connexion 12 avantageusement situés sous le circuit intégré 7. Ces plots ou bosses de connexion 12 sont disposés selon un même arrangement que des plages de contact du circuit intégré 7 afin de pouvoir connecté électriquement lesdites plages de contact du circuit intégré par une technique dénommée "flip chip" en terminologie anglaise. Certaines plages de contact du circuit intégré sont donc reliées électriquement par des pistes conductrices aux bornes de connexion externes 14, 15, 16 et 17, par l'intermédiaire de trous 20 traversant la paroi de fond du boîtier 11, qui sont remplis d'une colle conductrice 21 ou de tout autre matériau conducteur approprié. Ces trous étant situés en regard des bornes de connexion 14, 15, 16 et 17, la colle conductrice 21 assure la connexion électrique avec l'intérieur du boîtier.The integrated circuit 7 may be connected to the outside of the housing at connection terminals 14, 15, 16 and 17, which are arranged on an outer face of the bottom wall of the housing as previously explained. To do this in this example, it is provided on the inner face of the bottom wall, connection pads 12 advantageously located under the integrated circuit 7. These pads or connection bumps 12 are arranged in the same arrangement as ranges of contact of the integrated circuit 7 to be able to electrically connected said contact pads of the integrated circuit by a technique called "flip chip" in English terminology. Some contact pads of the integrated circuit are thus electrically connected by conductive tracks to the external connection terminals 14, 15, 16 and 17, through holes 20 passing through the bottom wall of the housing 11, which are filled with a conductive glue 21 or any other suitable conductive material. These holes being located opposite the connection terminals 14, 15, 16 and 17, the conductive adhesive 21 provides the electrical connection with the inside of the housing.

La figure 4 est une vue de dessus du module électronique 1, sans couvercle de fermeture, du dispositif base de temps. Par simplification, le résonateur n'est pas représenté dans le boîtier, qui peut être réalisé en matériau céramique et de forme générale parallélépipédique. Le couvercle non représenté qui referme hermétiquement le boîtier, peut être avantageusement réalisé en verre afin de permettre un réglage précis au laser de la fréquence du résonateur.The figure 4 is a top view of the electronic module 1, without closure cover, of the time base device. For simplicity, the resonator is not shown in the housing, which can be made of ceramic material and of parallelepipedal general shape. The not shown lid which hermetically closes the housing, can be advantageously made of glass to allow precise laser adjustment of the frequency of the resonator.

Dans le boîtier 11 du module électronique 1, un circuit intégré 7 est fixé par l'intermédiaire de ses plages de contact 13, vues en transparence, sur les plots de connexion non représentés, qui sont disposés sur la face intérieure de la paroi de fond du boîtier. Comme indiqué précédemment, les plots de connexion ont un agencement équivalent aux plages de contact 13 afin de pouvoir fixer ledit circuit intégré par la technique dénommée "flip chip". Le circuit intégré 7 comprend l'oscillateur, le diviseur de fréquence et le circuit de commande du moteur électrique.In the housing 11 of the electronic module 1, an integrated circuit 7 is fixed via its contact pads 13, seen in transparency, on the not shown connection pads, which are arranged on the inner face of the bottom wall. of the case. As indicated above, the connection pads have an equivalent arrangement to the contact pads 13 in order to fix said integrated circuit by the so-called "flip chip" technique. The integrated circuit 7 comprises the oscillator, the frequency divider and the control circuit of the electric motor.

Les électrodes du résonateur non représenté sont soudées sur des plages conductrices 18, qui sont reliées à des trous 22. Ces trous 22 sont formés dans des échelons 19 et remplis d'un matériau conducteur approprié, tel qu'une colle conductrice ou du métal. Ainsi les plages conductrices 18 sont reliées à des pistes conductrices 23 disposées sur la face intérieure de la paroi de fond du boîtier. Ces pistes conductrices 23 relient d'une part ces plages conductrices 18 à certaines plages de contact 13 du circuit intégré 7, et d'autre part certaines autres plages conductrices 13 du circuit intégré 7 aux bornes de connexion externes 14, 15, 16 et 17.The electrodes of the resonator, not shown, are welded to conductive pads 18, which are connected to holes 22. These holes 22 are formed in rungs 19 and filled with a suitable conductive material, such as a conductive glue or metal. Thus the conductive pads 18 are connected to conductive tracks 23 disposed on the inner face of the bottom wall of the housing. These conductive tracks 23 connect on the one hand these conductive pads 18 to certain contact pads 13 of the integrated circuit 7, and on the other hand some other conductive pads 13 of the integrated circuit 7 to the external connection terminals 14, 15, 16 and 17 .

La connexion électrique du circuit intégré 7 aux bornes de connexion externes est réalisée par l'intermédiaire de trous 20 traversant la paroi de fond du boîtier 11. Ces trous 20 sont remplis d'une colle conductrice 21 ou de tout autre matériau conducteur approprié. Ces trous étant situés en regard des bornes de connexion 14, 15, 16 et 17, la colle conductrice 21 assure la connexion électrique avec les éléments électroniques dans le boîtier. Les deux premières bornes de connexion externes 14 et 15, sont connectées à une source de tension, telle qu'une pile, pour permettre d'alimenter le circuit intégré 7. Les deux secondes bornes de connexion externes 16 et 17 sont quant à elles connectées à un enroulement d'une bobine d'un moteur électrique pour lui fournir des impulsions électriques positives et négatives.The electrical connection of the integrated circuit 7 to the external connection terminals is made through holes 20 passing through the bottom wall of the housing 11. These holes 20 are filled with a conductive adhesive 21 or any other suitable conductive material. These holes being located opposite the connection terminals 14, 15, 16 and 17, the conductive adhesive 21 provides the electrical connection with the electronic elements in the housing. The first two external connection terminals 14 and 15 are connected to a voltage source, such as a battery, to enable the integrated circuit 7 to be powered. The second two external connection terminals 16 and 17 are themselves connected. winding a coil of an electric motor to provide positive and negative electrical pulses.

Grâce à l'agencement du circuit intégré 7 relié au résonateur à l'intérieur du boîtier, l'espace, occupé par l'ensemble de ces éléments, est optimisé. De plus, une protection du ou des circuits intégrés 7 est assurée vis-à-vis d'éventuelles perturbations externes et ceci grâce également aux pistes de connexion relativement courtes entre les divers éléments.Thanks to the arrangement of the integrated circuit 7 connected to the resonator inside the housing, the space occupied by all of these elements is optimized. In addition, protection of the integrated circuit or circuits 7 is ensured vis-à-vis any external disturbances and this also thanks to the relatively short connection tracks between the various elements.

A partir de la description qui vient d'être faite, plusieurs variantes de réalisation du dispositif base de temps de forme compacte peuvent être conçues par l'homme du métier sans sortir du cadre de l'invention définie par les revendications. Il peut être prévu la connexion de plusieurs moteurs électriques sur les mêmes bornes de connexion du module électronique ou sur des bornes de connexion différentes. La temporisation d'actionnement de chacun des moteurs reliés au module électronique peut être différente. Le module électronique peut être relié à la source de tension et à la bobine sans être disposé dans un réceptacle. La source de tension pour l'alimentation électrique du module électronique peut être composée en partie par une cellule solaire en combinaison à une pile ou à un accumulateur.From the description that has just been given, several embodiments of the compact form of time base device can be designed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention defined by the claims. It can be provided the connection of several electric motors on the same terminals of the electronic module or on different connection terminals. The actuation time of each of the motors connected to the electronic module may be different. The electronic module can be connected to the voltage source and to the coil without being placed in a receptacle. The voltage source for the power supply of the electronic module may be composed in part of a solar cell in combination with a battery or accumulator.

Claims (11)

  1. Time base device for a watch including at least one coil (30) of an electric motor (6), an electronic module (1) having at least one time base oscillator circuit (2, 3, 4) mounted in a case (11) of the module, and an electric power voltage source (8), the coil (30), the electronic module (1) with an oscillator circuit and the voltage source being connected to each other mechanically and electrically without using a printed circuit board so as to form a compact unit, characterized in that the electronic module (1) is housed in a receptacle (10) that is open on at least a top surface, and in that the electronic module (1) includes four connection terminals (14, 15, 16, 17) on an external rectangular surface of a bottom wall of the case (11), said module being arranged in the receptacle such that the four connection terminals are accessible through the open top surface of the receptacle (10).
  2. Time base device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic module (1) includes, inside the case, an oscillator (3), a frequency divider (4) and a control circuit (5) for an electric motor (6), the oscillator and the frequency divider forming the time base oscillator circuit, which is powered from outside the case by the voltage source.
  3. Time base device according to claim 2, characterized in that the oscillator (3) is connected to the inside of the case, to a piezoelectric resonator (2), such as a quartz resonator, or a silicon MEMS resonator, and in that the oscillator, the frequency divider and the motor control circuit are made in a single integrated circuit (7).
  4. Time base circuit according to claim 2, characterized in that the oscillator, the frequency divider and the motor control circuit are made in several integrated circuits (7).
  5. Time base device according to claim 3, characterized in that contact pads (13) of the integrated circuit (7) are connected to conductive bumps (12) that have the same arrangement as the contact pads, the conductive connection bumps (12) being arranged on an inner surface of a bottom wall of the case of the electronic module (1), and in that conductive paths (23) connect some conductive bumps on the inner surface of the bottom wall, to the resonator (2) and to connection terminals (14, 15, 16, 17), which are arranged outside the module case (11).
  6. Time base device according to claim 5, characterized in that some conductive paths (23) connect at least four connection terminals (14, 15, 16, 17) via conductive holes (20) through the bottom wall of the case, and in that the four connection terminals are arranged at the four corners of the external rectangular surface, the first two connection terminals (14, 15) being connected to the voltage source by means of two contact flanges (24, 25) and the second two connection terminals (16, 17) being connected on an opposite side to the first two terminals, respectively to two metal wires (31, 32) of a winding of an electric motor coil (30), with the control circuit (5) in the case controlling said motor to drive analogue display means.
  7. Time base device according to claim 6, characterized in that the electronic module (1) includes three second external connection terminals, which are respectively connected to three metal wires of at least one winding of a two-phase motor coil (30).
  8. Time base device according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the four connection terminals (14, 15, 16, 17) are arranged at the four corners of the external rectangular surface of the bottom wall of the case (11).
  9. Time base device according to claim 8, characterized in that the external surface of the module (1), on which the connection terminals (14, 15, 16 and 17) are placed, is arranged at the same level as the mouth of the open top surface of the receptacle (10), in that the first two connection terminals (14, 15) are connected via two metal flanges (24, 25) to the two negative and positive poles of the voltage source, such as a battery (8), and in that the second two connection terminals (16, 17) on an opposite side to the first connection terminals, are each connected to a respective metal wire of the coil (30) of an electric motor (6).
  10. Time base device according to claim 9, characterized in that the coil (30) and/or the voltage source are secured to the receptacle (10) as a support to define a compact unit.
  11. Time base device according to claim 9, characterized in that the receptacle (10) forms one part of a watch movement or part of a watch.
EP08165408A 2008-09-29 2008-09-29 Time base device for a watch Active EP2169479B1 (en)

Priority Applications (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT08165408T ATE535844T1 (en) 2008-09-29 2008-09-29 TIME BASE UNIT FOR A WRISTWATCH
EP08165408A EP2169479B1 (en) 2008-09-29 2008-09-29 Time base device for a watch
SG200905970-0A SG160286A1 (en) 2008-09-29 2009-09-08 Time base device for a watch
TW098131217A TW201017351A (en) 2008-09-29 2009-09-16 Time base device for a watch
US12/563,675 US8259537B2 (en) 2008-09-29 2009-09-21 Time base device for a watch
CN2009101780512A CN101713958B (en) 2008-09-29 2009-09-28 Time base device for a watch
JP2009222248A JP5475382B2 (en) 2008-09-29 2009-09-28 Time reference device for clock
KR1020090092113A KR101190319B1 (en) 2008-09-29 2009-09-29 Time base device for a watch
HK10110409.2A HK1143867A1 (en) 2008-09-29 2010-11-08 A time base device for a watch

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08165408A EP2169479B1 (en) 2008-09-29 2008-09-29 Time base device for a watch

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2169479A1 EP2169479A1 (en) 2010-03-31
EP2169479B1 true EP2169479B1 (en) 2011-11-30

Family

ID=40119407

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08165408A Active EP2169479B1 (en) 2008-09-29 2008-09-29 Time base device for a watch

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US8259537B2 (en)
EP (1) EP2169479B1 (en)
JP (1) JP5475382B2 (en)
KR (1) KR101190319B1 (en)
CN (1) CN101713958B (en)
AT (1) ATE535844T1 (en)
HK (1) HK1143867A1 (en)
SG (1) SG160286A1 (en)
TW (1) TW201017351A (en)

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EP2787399B1 (en) * 2011-12-13 2015-07-29 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Modular clock movement with functional modules
JP5939852B2 (en) * 2012-03-22 2016-06-22 エスアイアイ・セミコンダクタ株式会社 Analog electronic clock
EP2784605A1 (en) * 2013-03-27 2014-10-01 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Thermocompensated chronometer circuit
EP2936254B1 (en) * 2012-12-21 2021-08-11 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Thermocompensated chronometer circuit
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EP3054359A1 (en) * 2015-02-05 2016-08-10 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Device for mounting an electric power source
CN106647222A (en) * 2017-02-28 2017-05-10 广西天睿精工精密电子有限公司 Movement part of quartz watch

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR20100036207A (en) 2010-04-07
ATE535844T1 (en) 2011-12-15
US8259537B2 (en) 2012-09-04
CN101713958A (en) 2010-05-26
KR101190319B1 (en) 2012-10-11
EP2169479A1 (en) 2010-03-31
JP5475382B2 (en) 2014-04-16
US20100080088A1 (en) 2010-04-01
TW201017351A (en) 2010-05-01
CN101713958B (en) 2013-09-11
JP2010085406A (en) 2010-04-15
SG160286A1 (en) 2010-04-29
HK1143867A1 (en) 2011-01-14

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