CA1311364C - Electronic timepiece - Google Patents
Electronic timepieceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1311364C CA1311364C CA000565187A CA565187A CA1311364C CA 1311364 C CA1311364 C CA 1311364C CA 000565187 A CA000565187 A CA 000565187A CA 565187 A CA565187 A CA 565187A CA 1311364 C CA1311364 C CA 1311364C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- hairspring
- energy
- gear
- rotor
- timepiece
- 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.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
- G04G15/00—Time-pieces comprising means to be operated at preselected times or after preselected time intervals
-
- 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
- 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
Abstract
A B S T R A C T
Apparatus for providing continuous hand movement in analogue electronic timepieces driven by discrete timepiece movement. Energy storage means is coupled to the intermittent driving mechanism and control means continuously releases the stored energy. A linkage means couples the energy storage and control means so that continuous rotation drive for the timepiece hands is achieved. Energy storage means comprising either a hairspring or a driving magnet is described with the control means comprising viscous fluid or a magnetic pendulum escapement gear.
Apparatus for providing continuous hand movement in analogue electronic timepieces driven by discrete timepiece movement. Energy storage means is coupled to the intermittent driving mechanism and control means continuously releases the stored energy. A linkage means couples the energy storage and control means so that continuous rotation drive for the timepiece hands is achieved. Energy storage means comprising either a hairspring or a driving magnet is described with the control means comprising viscous fluid or a magnetic pendulum escapement gear.
Description
t31 t364 ELECTRONIC TIMEPIECE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is generally directed to an Electronic Timepiece which provides for continuous hand movement and in particular to an analog electronic timepiece which provides continuous and smooth hand movement from a disccete timepiece movement.
Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a partial sectional view of a conventional electronic timepiece;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of an electronic timepiece in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;
E'ig. 3 is a plan view of the electronic timepiece of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a graphical representation of the relationship between the wrapping angle of the hairspring and the restoring force of the hairspring:
Fi~. 5 is a graphical representation of the relationship between the angular velocity of the viscous rotor and the load torque thereon:
Fig. 6 is a plan view of a portion of an electronic timepiece in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 7 is a plan view of a poction of an electronic timepiece in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;
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Fig. ~ is a plan view of an electronic timepiece in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 9 is a elan view of an electronic timepiece constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the nvention:
Fig. lO is a sectional view of an electronic timepiece in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention:
Fig. 11 is a partial sectional view of an electronic timepiece utilizing a magnetic escapement in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 12 is a eartial sectional view of an electronic timepiece utilizing a magnetic escapement in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 13 i8 an enlarged partially cut away perspective view of the magnetic escapement of the timepiece of Fig. 11;
Fig. 14 is an enlacged partially cut away perspective view of the magnetic escapement of the timepiece of Fig. 12:
Fig. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of the viscous rotor and viscous fluid assembly in an embodiment of the invention:
Fig. 16 is an enlarged partially cut away sectional view of the viscous cotor and viscous fluid assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention:
Fig. 17 is a sectional view of an electronic timepiece constructed in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the invention:
1 31 ~ 364 Fig. 18 is an enlarged sectional view of the hairspring assembly in an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 19 is a partially exploded, cut away perspective view of an electronic timepiece with a removable control mechanism in an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 20 is a functional block diagram of an electronic timepiece in an embodiment of the invention.
Reference is made to Fig. 1 wherein a timepiece, generally indicated as 100, constructed in accordance with Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-47512 is shown. Timepiece 100, which is only shown in partial relevant section, includes a drive train 101, shown schematically, power gear 102 and power pinion 109 supported by pivots 105 and 119 between main plate 117 and gear train bridge 123. Pivot 119 is supported in pivot support 121 on main plate 117, which is secured in place by screw llZ.
Pinion 109 drives third gear 122 which is supported by pivots 106. Third pinion 110, which is fixed to third gear 122, in turn drives minute hand gear 108. To produce a continuous motion of the second hand or sweep second hand, power pinion 109 drives driving magnet 115. Driving magnet 115 is supported by magnet support 114, which is directly coupled to power pinion 109. A first following magnet 116 is enclosed by a viscous fluid 113, thereby producing viscous resistance to rotation.
First following magnet 116 and viscous fluid 113 are supported by support plate 120 on main plate 117. First following magnet 116 is deiven by the attcactive force of driving magnet 115. A
second following magnet 118 is driven by first following magnet 116. Second following magnet 118 is coupled to second hand display shaft 111. In this way, the conventional ana1og 13113~4 electronic timepiece with a discrete time keeping movement provides for continuous hand movement.
In this type of conventional timepiece, the portion of the timepiece which stores the rotary energy and the portion which gradually releases the rotary energy is formed as a single member, i.e. the driving magnet and following magnets. This results in several problems. If the size or configuration of the following magnet is changed to vary the amount of energy which can be stored, the viscous resistance to the viscous fluid tends to change, thereby resulting in jerky, non-smooth hand movement. On the other hand, if the size of the gap between the following magnet and main plate i~ changed, the magnitude of the magnetic attractive force tends to vary.
Variations in the phase deviation, i.e. the angle between the driving magnet and the first following magnet on the one hand and the angle between the first following magnet and the second following magnet on the other hand, cause the attractive or repulsive forces along the axial direction of the magnets to change. This results in the magnets, and particularly the first following magnet shown in Fig. 1, moving upward or downward within the limits of the clearance providing by the viscous fluid. The movement of the first following 1 31 t 364 magnet within the cavity of viscous fluid changes the viscous resistance to movement of the first following magnet. It also changes the orientation of the magnet which causes changes in friction due to the thrust force and the direct friction of the edges of the first following magnet against the main plate. A non-uniformity of rotation is the result.
In addition, the conventional timepiece of the type shown in Fig. 1 has a multiple step structure, which makes it difficult - 5a -to reduce the thic~ness of the timepiece, and also results in there not being enough of a span between the bearings. Thel axes for supporting the hand are unstably supported and thel hand tends to become undesirably tilted during operation.
Another problem with the conventional structure is the~
sine wave relationship between the ma~netic attractive force and the rotational angle. As a result, when the angle between the driving magnet, and the first following magnet or the first-following magnet and the second following magnet is greater than 90, the magnitude of the restoring force is reduced for increased angular deviation and the magnet system does not properly function to control the rotation of the followillg magllet.
When the angle between the magnets is about either 0 or 90, the restoring force barely changes as the angle between the magnets changes so that responsive speed control is not achieved.
l'his is seen by examination of a sine curve at 0 or 90 where ~he rate o~ change in amplitude per change in angle is slnall.
A~ a result, when the angle between the magnets i8 at 0 or 90, due to Pluctuations or changes in the viscous load, the speéd is not effectively controlled.
In a real world situation there are many forces which result in fluctuations in the magnet attractive force and viscous load or fluctuations due to the dimensional accuracy and uneven magnetization. These stresses to the system may result in angles between the driving magnet and the following magnet being occasionally greater than 180. In these situations the following magnet not only fails to correctly control the speed, but it in fact rotates in the opposite direction. Thus an in-appropriate time is displayed.
131 1364 l Further, because the magnets are rotated in the ~imepiece, there is magnetic interference between~ the magnets and the stepping motor. As a result, tlle layout of the componentsl is severely restricted. In addition, viscous fluids havingi a very high viscosity is required to o~tain the high viscous¦
resistance at low rotary speed required by the conventional 11 arrangement which requires as many rotary magnet assemblies¦
as there are hands. This increases the cost and di~ficulty !
of assembling the timepiece.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved timepiecel wllich converts the discrete movement of the timekeeping circuitry !
and step motor to continuous movement of the hand whicll isl reliable, efEective, relatively insensitive to in~ernal an~, external stresses! compact, easy to repair and adaptable to a thin timepiece.
SUMMA~
The disclosure is generally directed to an electronic timepiece for providing continuous rotation of a hand in response to a discrete driving rotation. The timepiece includes an energy storage mechanism coupled to the discrete driving rotation ~or converting the discrete driving rotation to stored energy.
control mechanism continuously releases the stored rotation~l energy as continuous rotation. A linkage mechanism coupled between the energy stora,ge mechanism and control mechallism transmits the continuous rotation from the energy storac3e mechanism to the control mechanism. The hand is coupled to the linkage mechanism for providing a continous sweep hand movement.
¦ It is an object of the disclosure to provide 30 il an improved electronic timepiece which converts a steppe-l ¦¦ timepiece drive mechanism to continuous sweeping hand movelllent.
'I
1 1311364 ` 'I
further object of the disclosure is to provide an improved timepiece for converting discrete driving rotary movement of~
a timepiece to a continuous sweepina hand movement by use of~
an energy storage system separately formed from a control mechanism for producing substantially constant speed rotary ¦motion.
l Another object of the disclosure is to provide an improved ¦analog-type electronic timepiece in which a stepping motor whicll ¦is intermittently rotated by signals provided from reference' ¦signals drives a display mechanism to display time incorporating a storage mechanism for storing the rotary energy of the stepping l motor and a control mechanism for gradually releasing the rotary~
¦ energy in the form of smooth rotary motion where both the storage mechanism and control mechanism are separately provided in the electronic timepiece.
¦ A further object of the disclosureis to provide ~n improved ¦analog-type electronic timepiece in which a stepping motor which lis intermittently rotated by signals divided from reference ¦signals drives a display mechanism in a continuous sweeping ¦manner utilizing a hairspring to store the rotary energy Oe ¦the stepping motor and a rotor in a viscous fluid to contro]
¦the release of the energy in a substantially continuous manner.
St~ill another object of the disclosure is to provide an analog-type electronic timepiece in which a stepping motor which is intermittently rotated by signals divided from reference signals drives a display mechanism in a sweeping continous manneL-utilizing a magnetic escapement as the control means and a firs~
following magnet as the storage mechanism to convert the stepwise ! rotation of the step motor to continous sweeping motion of a Ihand.
,1 - 8 -t 3t t 36~
Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described.l Reference is first made to Fig. 20 wherein a timepiecel 200 embodying the invention is depicted.
Timepiece 200 includes a quartz crystal oscillator 201, a timepiece circuit 202 which divides the reEerence signal Erom oscillator 201 and generates discrete driving signals Eor driving transducer 203. Transducer 203 is a stepping motor in a preferred embodiment. A storage mechanism 204 saves the rotary energy generated by transducer 203. Control mechanism 206 gradually releases the stored energy in the form of smooth rotaryl motion. The storage mechanism is connected to the control¦
mecllanism through variable speed mechanism 205. Varial~le spce(l !
mechanism 205 drives display mechanism 207.
In a structure of the type shown in Fig. 20 the storage mechanism is separated from the control mechanism. As a result, a timepiec~: embodying the present invention ca~ be con.tructed wi~h desirable characteristics such as size;
and thickn~s characteristics. In addition, the separation of the storage mechanism and control mechanism simplifies repair of th~ timQ~iece ~er assembly.
Reference is next made to Figs. 2 and 3 wherein an electronic timepiece, generally indicated as 210 constructed in accordance with a~ fi~-st embodiment of the invention is depicted. Fig.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention is generally directed to an Electronic Timepiece which provides for continuous hand movement and in particular to an analog electronic timepiece which provides continuous and smooth hand movement from a disccete timepiece movement.
Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a partial sectional view of a conventional electronic timepiece;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of an electronic timepiece in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention;
E'ig. 3 is a plan view of the electronic timepiece of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a graphical representation of the relationship between the wrapping angle of the hairspring and the restoring force of the hairspring:
Fi~. 5 is a graphical representation of the relationship between the angular velocity of the viscous rotor and the load torque thereon:
Fig. 6 is a plan view of a portion of an electronic timepiece in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 7 is a plan view of a poction of an electronic timepiece in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention;
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Fig. ~ is a plan view of an electronic timepiece in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 9 is a elan view of an electronic timepiece constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the nvention:
Fig. lO is a sectional view of an electronic timepiece in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention:
Fig. 11 is a partial sectional view of an electronic timepiece utilizing a magnetic escapement in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 12 is a eartial sectional view of an electronic timepiece utilizing a magnetic escapement in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 13 i8 an enlarged partially cut away perspective view of the magnetic escapement of the timepiece of Fig. 11;
Fig. 14 is an enlacged partially cut away perspective view of the magnetic escapement of the timepiece of Fig. 12:
Fig. 15 is an enlarged sectional view of the viscous rotor and viscous fluid assembly in an embodiment of the invention:
Fig. 16 is an enlarged partially cut away sectional view of the viscous cotor and viscous fluid assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention:
Fig. 17 is a sectional view of an electronic timepiece constructed in accordance with a ninth embodiment of the invention:
1 31 ~ 364 Fig. 18 is an enlarged sectional view of the hairspring assembly in an embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 19 is a partially exploded, cut away perspective view of an electronic timepiece with a removable control mechanism in an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 20 is a functional block diagram of an electronic timepiece in an embodiment of the invention.
Reference is made to Fig. 1 wherein a timepiece, generally indicated as 100, constructed in accordance with Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-47512 is shown. Timepiece 100, which is only shown in partial relevant section, includes a drive train 101, shown schematically, power gear 102 and power pinion 109 supported by pivots 105 and 119 between main plate 117 and gear train bridge 123. Pivot 119 is supported in pivot support 121 on main plate 117, which is secured in place by screw llZ.
Pinion 109 drives third gear 122 which is supported by pivots 106. Third pinion 110, which is fixed to third gear 122, in turn drives minute hand gear 108. To produce a continuous motion of the second hand or sweep second hand, power pinion 109 drives driving magnet 115. Driving magnet 115 is supported by magnet support 114, which is directly coupled to power pinion 109. A first following magnet 116 is enclosed by a viscous fluid 113, thereby producing viscous resistance to rotation.
First following magnet 116 and viscous fluid 113 are supported by support plate 120 on main plate 117. First following magnet 116 is deiven by the attcactive force of driving magnet 115. A
second following magnet 118 is driven by first following magnet 116. Second following magnet 118 is coupled to second hand display shaft 111. In this way, the conventional ana1og 13113~4 electronic timepiece with a discrete time keeping movement provides for continuous hand movement.
In this type of conventional timepiece, the portion of the timepiece which stores the rotary energy and the portion which gradually releases the rotary energy is formed as a single member, i.e. the driving magnet and following magnets. This results in several problems. If the size or configuration of the following magnet is changed to vary the amount of energy which can be stored, the viscous resistance to the viscous fluid tends to change, thereby resulting in jerky, non-smooth hand movement. On the other hand, if the size of the gap between the following magnet and main plate i~ changed, the magnitude of the magnetic attractive force tends to vary.
Variations in the phase deviation, i.e. the angle between the driving magnet and the first following magnet on the one hand and the angle between the first following magnet and the second following magnet on the other hand, cause the attractive or repulsive forces along the axial direction of the magnets to change. This results in the magnets, and particularly the first following magnet shown in Fig. 1, moving upward or downward within the limits of the clearance providing by the viscous fluid. The movement of the first following 1 31 t 364 magnet within the cavity of viscous fluid changes the viscous resistance to movement of the first following magnet. It also changes the orientation of the magnet which causes changes in friction due to the thrust force and the direct friction of the edges of the first following magnet against the main plate. A non-uniformity of rotation is the result.
In addition, the conventional timepiece of the type shown in Fig. 1 has a multiple step structure, which makes it difficult - 5a -to reduce the thic~ness of the timepiece, and also results in there not being enough of a span between the bearings. Thel axes for supporting the hand are unstably supported and thel hand tends to become undesirably tilted during operation.
Another problem with the conventional structure is the~
sine wave relationship between the ma~netic attractive force and the rotational angle. As a result, when the angle between the driving magnet, and the first following magnet or the first-following magnet and the second following magnet is greater than 90, the magnitude of the restoring force is reduced for increased angular deviation and the magnet system does not properly function to control the rotation of the followillg magllet.
When the angle between the magnets is about either 0 or 90, the restoring force barely changes as the angle between the magnets changes so that responsive speed control is not achieved.
l'his is seen by examination of a sine curve at 0 or 90 where ~he rate o~ change in amplitude per change in angle is slnall.
A~ a result, when the angle between the magnets i8 at 0 or 90, due to Pluctuations or changes in the viscous load, the speéd is not effectively controlled.
In a real world situation there are many forces which result in fluctuations in the magnet attractive force and viscous load or fluctuations due to the dimensional accuracy and uneven magnetization. These stresses to the system may result in angles between the driving magnet and the following magnet being occasionally greater than 180. In these situations the following magnet not only fails to correctly control the speed, but it in fact rotates in the opposite direction. Thus an in-appropriate time is displayed.
131 1364 l Further, because the magnets are rotated in the ~imepiece, there is magnetic interference between~ the magnets and the stepping motor. As a result, tlle layout of the componentsl is severely restricted. In addition, viscous fluids havingi a very high viscosity is required to o~tain the high viscous¦
resistance at low rotary speed required by the conventional 11 arrangement which requires as many rotary magnet assemblies¦
as there are hands. This increases the cost and di~ficulty !
of assembling the timepiece.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved timepiecel wllich converts the discrete movement of the timekeeping circuitry !
and step motor to continuous movement of the hand whicll isl reliable, efEective, relatively insensitive to in~ernal an~, external stresses! compact, easy to repair and adaptable to a thin timepiece.
SUMMA~
The disclosure is generally directed to an electronic timepiece for providing continuous rotation of a hand in response to a discrete driving rotation. The timepiece includes an energy storage mechanism coupled to the discrete driving rotation ~or converting the discrete driving rotation to stored energy.
control mechanism continuously releases the stored rotation~l energy as continuous rotation. A linkage mechanism coupled between the energy stora,ge mechanism and control mechallism transmits the continuous rotation from the energy storac3e mechanism to the control mechanism. The hand is coupled to the linkage mechanism for providing a continous sweep hand movement.
¦ It is an object of the disclosure to provide 30 il an improved electronic timepiece which converts a steppe-l ¦¦ timepiece drive mechanism to continuous sweeping hand movelllent.
'I
1 1311364 ` 'I
further object of the disclosure is to provide an improved timepiece for converting discrete driving rotary movement of~
a timepiece to a continuous sweepina hand movement by use of~
an energy storage system separately formed from a control mechanism for producing substantially constant speed rotary ¦motion.
l Another object of the disclosure is to provide an improved ¦analog-type electronic timepiece in which a stepping motor whicll ¦is intermittently rotated by signals provided from reference' ¦signals drives a display mechanism to display time incorporating a storage mechanism for storing the rotary energy of the stepping l motor and a control mechanism for gradually releasing the rotary~
¦ energy in the form of smooth rotary motion where both the storage mechanism and control mechanism are separately provided in the electronic timepiece.
¦ A further object of the disclosureis to provide ~n improved ¦analog-type electronic timepiece in which a stepping motor which lis intermittently rotated by signals divided from reference ¦signals drives a display mechanism in a continuous sweeping ¦manner utilizing a hairspring to store the rotary energy Oe ¦the stepping motor and a rotor in a viscous fluid to contro]
¦the release of the energy in a substantially continuous manner.
St~ill another object of the disclosure is to provide an analog-type electronic timepiece in which a stepping motor which is intermittently rotated by signals divided from reference signals drives a display mechanism in a sweeping continous manneL-utilizing a magnetic escapement as the control means and a firs~
following magnet as the storage mechanism to convert the stepwise ! rotation of the step motor to continous sweeping motion of a Ihand.
,1 - 8 -t 3t t 36~
Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described.l Reference is first made to Fig. 20 wherein a timepiecel 200 embodying the invention is depicted.
Timepiece 200 includes a quartz crystal oscillator 201, a timepiece circuit 202 which divides the reEerence signal Erom oscillator 201 and generates discrete driving signals Eor driving transducer 203. Transducer 203 is a stepping motor in a preferred embodiment. A storage mechanism 204 saves the rotary energy generated by transducer 203. Control mechanism 206 gradually releases the stored energy in the form of smooth rotaryl motion. The storage mechanism is connected to the control¦
mecllanism through variable speed mechanism 205. Varial~le spce(l !
mechanism 205 drives display mechanism 207.
In a structure of the type shown in Fig. 20 the storage mechanism is separated from the control mechanism. As a result, a timepiec~: embodying the present invention ca~ be con.tructed wi~h desirable characteristics such as size;
and thickn~s characteristics. In addition, the separation of the storage mechanism and control mechanism simplifies repair of th~ timQ~iece ~er assembly.
Reference is next made to Figs. 2 and 3 wherein an electronic timepiece, generally indicated as 210 constructed in accordance with a~ fi~-st embodiment of the invention is depicted. Fig.
2 is a se~tional view of timepiece 210 and Fig. 3 is a plan view of tinepiece 210. Timepiece 210 includes a coil 1 wound around around core 2 having a stator 4. Stator 4 drives rotor ¦~s in a stepwise Eashion. Sixth pinion 6 which engages wi~l, irotor 5 dlives fifth gear 7 which engages with EiE~Il pinion ¦18. Fifth pinion 8 drives hairspring gear 9, whicll is couple(l l'to one end oE hairspring 10. The other end of hairspring 1(~
.
!¦ _ g _ ll is coupled to hairspring pinion 11. I{airsping pinion 11 engages¦
with idler gear 12, which in turn engages with viscous rotor pinion 13. Viscous rotor pinion 13 is fixed to viscous rotor 14, which is enclosed within cavity 19 and surroùnded by viscous fluid 17. In a preferred embodiment, viscous fluid 17 is al silicone oil. Hand 16 is coupled to fourth gear 15, which in¦
~urn engages with viscous rotor pinion 13 through fourth idler gear 12, and is rotated at a speed ratio corresponding to the number of gear teeth. Rotor 5 sixth pinion 6, fif th pilliOIl U, fifth gear 7, a winding stem 23 and idler gear 12 are supported~
!~ between a gear train bridge 22 and a main plate 21. viscous rotor pinion 13 and viscous rotor 14 are supported for rotation between gear train bridge 22 and a cavity member 9a. Coil 1 is fixed to main plate 21 by screw 3.
Electrcnic timepiece 210 uses hairspring 10 as the storage meaJ;3 and ~!:iliæes viscous rotor 14, with the viscous load oE
vl~cou~ ~lUid 17, a~ the control mechanism. Tlle gear train, as describe~l above is provided between main plate 21 and gear train bridg~ 22. Coil 1 generates a magnetic field for driving rotor 5 tl-~ugh stator 4 and magnetic core 2. Rotor 5 drives hairspring gear 9 through a reduction gear train including sixtll pinion 6, fifth gear 7 and fifth pinion 8. The reduction ra~e;
"a" is represented as ~ 7 - ~ where rotor 5 rotates througl an angle o~ for each step, the generated torque is TMgmlll, and the spring constant of the hairspring is Kgmm/. On the other hand, the motion of hairspring pinion 11 is controlle-l by viscous rotor 14 through viscous rotor pinion 13 and idler gear 12.
!l Since four~h gear 15, with hand 16 thsreon is engaged wi~h llviscous rotor pinion 13 through fourth idler gear 12, Eourth Il , !l lo gear 15 is rotated at a speed ratio corresponding to tlle nulllber o ~eeth on the gears. Hairspring gear 9 and hairspring pinion 11 can be independently rotated about winding stem 23 arouncl the same axis. ~airspring gear 9 is coupled to hairspring pinion 11 through hairspring 10.
When rotor 5 is driven in a stepwise fashion, hairspring gear 9 is also rotated in a stepwise or discrete fashion.
llowever, hairspring pinion 11 is continuously and smoothly rotated since its rotation is controlled by the force applied tllrougll hairspring 10 and the viscous resistance of viscous Eluid 17 surrounding viscous rotor 14. Hairspring 10 permits a diEEerence or angular deviation between stepwise rotated hairspring gear 9 and continuously rotated hairspring pinion 11. Ilairspring 10, the gear train and the viscous rotor 14 form a vibrating system in which the viscous resistance is set with substantiall over-damping so that the system can effectively and reliably¦
¦per~orm even with great variations in external stresses and¦
turbulences.
Viscous rotor 14 converts the rota~y energy stored in hairspring 10 into a constant rotary speed correspondiny tol the elastic deformation restoring force of hairspring 10. !
llairspring 10 functions as a storage mechanism for storing the, intermittently generated rotary energy in rotor S. Since the torque balance can be set as desired, the size, lay out oE
components and viscosity of the viscous fluid can be easily selected.
Reference is next made to Fig. 4 wherein the relationsllip between the wrapping angle of the hairspring ~ and the restoring force Th of the hairspring is shown. The graph shows the relationship between the torque Th necessary to restore, the hairspring through angle ~ ~l and the increment ~ T to achieve' a wrapping angle ~ per stepping motor step. Fig. 4 alsol shows the effect of an increase of ~ in the wrapping angle¦
on torque when the hairspring is already wrapped at angle ~
¦~5 clearly seen Fig. 4, there is a linear relationship be~ween, ¦the restoring force and wrapping angle.
Reference is next made to Fig. 5 wherein the relationship¦
between the angular velocity Ws f the viscous rotor and the load torque Th against the rotation of the viscous rotor as the timepiece hand sweeps, i.e. moves smoothly continuously at a constant speed. When the reduction ratio of the gear train between the hairspring and the viscous rotor is b, the angular, velocity T~S and Ws+ ~W .correspond to load torques of b-(TI~) and ~(Th + ~ T) respectively. Thus, to assure that the hand moves ¦smoothiy, the fraction L~W/Ws should be reduced. That is, ~he~
frac~ion ~T/Th shouid be reduced. When the value o~ b~(Th);
¦is greater than the torque L~ T for a single step, the viscous ¦ rotor will rotate with the angular velocity Ws in a condltion ¦in which the hairspring stores the torque associated with several~
¦steps so that smooth angular rota~ion is achieved. To achieve this result the spring constant of hairspring 10 may be lowered ;or the viscous load presented by viscous fluid 17 to viscous rotor 14 may be increased.
In the structure described above, the viscous rotor rota~es at the constant speed at which the torque of the hairsL~rillc~
is balanced with the load torque. The load torque of the viscous ¦¦rotor is pr.oportional to the angular velocity of the viscous ; ~Irotor, thereby preventing the hairspring pinion from cl~angillcJ
il 'I
I!
1 131~364 ¦speed. As a result, the hand movement is smooth and constant¦
¦and does not move in discrete increments.
l Even if the load torque changes in accordance with thel ¦change of viscosity, continuous and smooth hand movement is¦
¦achieved. Although the wrapping angle of the hairspring is¦
¦increased or decreased, because the hairspring is made o~ al ¦desirably elastic material continuous sweeping movement is still¦
¦present. Even under this situation, the hand keeps movin~ as¦
l long as the stepping motor does not stop.
When timepiece 210 to be set to the correct time, the operation of the timepiece is controlled by a control lever 20 which interrupts the movement of fourth gear 15 and thereby~
stops the hand movement and the movement of viscous rotor 14.i ~lowever, because hairspring 10 is elastically deformed wheni the hand movement i8 stopped, continuous sweeping hand movelnellt, will resume as soon as the control lever 20 i~ released. When timepiece 210 is violently disturbed, the viscous rotor controls the extra rotation and elastic deformation of hairspring loi and the positlon o the hand is correctly displayed in smooth fashion. Since the hairspring can provide reverse torque ~o rotor pinion 13, Eurther stability against external turbulance is provided, allowing the gear train including viscous rotor;
pinion 13, viscous rotor 14, idler gear 20 and fourth year 15 to rotate in both a forward and a reverse direction.
Reference is next made to Fig. 6 wherein an electronic timepiece 220 constructed in accordance with a second embodiment l, of the invention is depicted. Like reference numerals refer I to like elements. Electronic timepiece 220 delivers s~epwise ,1 or incremental rotational energy to hairspring 10 in tlle same l ~ashion as does timepiece 210 shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The I
t31 t364 rotational force from hairspring 10 delivered to hairspring¦
pinion 11 is directly transmitted to meshing ~ourth gear lS.I
Viscous rotor 14 controls the angular velocity of ~ourth gearl and thereby controls the release of energy from hairspring¦
through rotor pinion 13. In this structure, the size of the gear train is redùced and the compactness and cost reduction oE the timepiece construction is improved.
l In addition, since the members of the gear train from the !
¦hairspring 10 to viscous rotor 14 (i.e. hairspring pinion ll,j ¦Eourth gear 15 and viscous rotor pinion 13) also functlon to !
¦transmit the stored energy, any backlash is prevented by thel Eorce stored in hairspring 10 so that hand 16 correctly operates.3 Reference is next made to Fig. 7 wherein an electronic timepiece, generally indicated as 230, constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention i5 depicted. Like ¦ elements are represented by like reference numerals. A fourth idler gear L2 is provided between fourth gear lS and hairspring pinion 11 so that a large amount of spacing is provided between ¦the respective axes of fourth gear 15 ~and the display hand ¦16 which is coaxial therewith) and hairspring gear 9 so that ¦additional flexibility of gear placement within timepiec-e 23~) is available to minimize the thickness of the timepiece.
Reerence is next made to Fig. 8 wherein as electronic timepiece, generally indicated as 240, constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention is depicted. Like elements are represented by like reference numerals. Idler gear 12 is provided between fourth gear lS and viscous rotor !I pinion 13 so that fourth gear 15 and cavity 19 can be spaced ~lapart within electronic timepiece 240 to provide increased ' ~lexibility of arrangement o~ components which aids in reducing , . . .
., .
i - 14 -the thickness of the timepiece.
Reference is next made to Fig. 9 wherein an electronic timepiece, generally indicated as 250, constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention is depicted. Like elements are represented by like reference numerals. Fig.9 shows some of the additional conventional components included in an electronic timepiece, excluded in Figs. 2-3 and 6-8 to simplify explanation of the invention. Timepiece 250 includes a battery 36, a quartz vibrator 35, a circuit substrate 34 and an integrated timekeeping circuit 33.
The driving waveform to drive rotor 5 of the stepping motor is supplied to coil 1 through circuit substrate 34 by integrated circuit 33 and Quartz vibrator 35. A time setting gear 24 engages with a clutch gear 37, in response to the operation of a yoke 30. Yoke 30 is driven by a time setting lever 31 in response to the operation of a winding stem 32. This makes it possible to change the positions of the hands. A third gear 25 steps down the rotation of fourth gear 15, which engages with the second hand, to drive the minute hand. A minute gear 23 engages with setting gear 24.
Hairspring 10 is prevented from moving along its axis by lips 9a. A groove 9c in hairspring gear 9, to which the end of hairspring 10 is coupled, allows the torque to be transferred from hairspring gear 9 to hairspring 10. A
fourth idler gear 12 is disposed between and engages hairspring pinion 11 and fourth gear 15. A viscous rotor idler gear 18 is disposed between fourth gear 15 and viscous rotor pinion 13. Fourth idler gear 12 and viscous rotor idler gear 18 allow for greater separation of the various gear components and cavity 19 so that they may be spaced apart and thereby reduce the overall thickness of timepiece 250.
By utilizing the construction shown in Fig. 9, the viscous rotor 14 and hairspring gear 9 can easily be arranged without overlap 80 that a particularly thin timepiece can be easily constructed. The invention is not limited to the particular physical arrangement of the various elements shown in the figures and may be adapted to any appropriate arrangement in accordance with the specific needs and other timepiece elements present.
Reference is next made to Fig. 10 wherein an electronic timepiece, generally indicated as 260, constructed in accordance with a sixth embodiment is depicted. ~ike elements are represented by like reference numerals. In timepiece 260, hairspring 10 is utilized as the storage mechanism for storing the angular energy produced by the stepping motor and viscous rotor 14, which is loaded with the viscous load of viscous fluid 17, is utilized as the control mechanism. The timepiece elements shown, except for hand 16 and the shaft through which it is attached to fourth gear 15, are all located between a main plate 21 and a gear train bridge 22. This provides for a sturdy but thin timepiece. A coil 1 drives rotor 5 through a stator 4 with a magnetic core 2 defining a magnetic flux field. Hairspring pinion 11 and hairspring gear 9 are connected to the opposite ends of hairspring 10. Hairspring 10 is wound by the stepwise rotation of rotor 5 through the gear train including fifth gear 7, fifth pinion 8 and hairspring gear 9. The rotation of fourth gear 15 is controlled by viscous rotor 14, which is ~upported between gear train bridge 22 and cavity member l9a, through viscous rotor pinion 13 and viscous rotor idler gear 26.
Hairspring gear 9 and hairspring pinion 11 are allowed to freely rotate on the same axis while fourth idler 12 and viscous rotor idler gear 26 are rotatably mounted on idler - 16a -axis 29, the range of rotation being greater than the range oE the backlash to engage with fourth gear 15. With this construction, when rotor 5 is driven in a stepwise or intermittent fashion, the angular velocity of hairspring pinion 11 is controlled by viscous rotor 14, which has a load torque which varies directly with the angular velocity of viscous rotor 14 through fourth idler gear 12, viscous rotor idler 26 and fourth¦
gear 15. As a result, the angular deviation between intermittently driven hairspring gear 9 and hairspring pinion 11 is absorbed as stored energy by hairspring 10 so that hairspring pinion 11 can rotate continuously and smoothly at¦
a constant speed corresponding to the elastic deformation !
restoring force of hairspring 10.
Re~erence is next made to Fig. 11 wherein an electronic timepiece, generally indicated as 270 constructed in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention is depicted. Like elemen~s are represented by like reference numerals. Electronic timepiece 270 utilizes a magnetic escape~ent as the control~
mechanism and a first following magnet as the storage mechanism.' ~ driving magnet 51 is coupled to a driving gear 59 for rotation therewith. Driving gear 59 is driven in a stepwise manner by rotor gear 6 which is coupled to rotor S. A first following magnet 52 is spaced a small distance away from driving magnet 51. First following magnet 52 is coupled to a following pinion 57, which in turn is connected to an escapement gear 53.
Following pinion 57 is coupled to fourth gear 15 (and hand 16, ¦jcoupled through a shaf~ 16a), through idler gear 55 and idleL
¦¦pinion 55a.
!1 ,, - 17 -!l . 11 ~ magnetized pendulum 54 is attracted to the teetll o~l escapement gear 53 by magnetic force resulting from the rotation¦
of escapement gear 54.
The construction of escapement gear 53 and magnetized pendulum 54 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 13. As escapement gear 53 rotates due to the driving force applied to first ollowing magnet 52 by driving magnet 51, pendulum 54 begins ~o vibrate. Pendulum 54 quickly comes to vibrate at a resonant frequency or other stable fre~uency which then acts as a control on the rotation of escapement gear 53 and, hand 16 through the ! gear train connecting them.
In this arrangement, the regular application of angular energy applied to first following magnet 52 at regular intervalsl in response to the movement of the stepping motor, results in !
a uniform speed and excellent sweep hand movement. Magnet !
pendulum 54 incude~ a mounting member 54a mounting pendulu~
54 on the main plate 21, gear train bridge 22 or other structure!
with mounting member 54b. Magnetic pendulum 54 is vibrated at its distinctive frequency in the direction of arrows ~ ( Figs.
11, 13). Magnetic pendulum 54 does not physically contact' escapement gear 53, as seen more clearly in Fig. 13. This' minimizes the friction in the system and the resulting power' loss and increases the precision of vibration of pendulum o~
member 54. Accuracy of rotation of escapement gear 53 and hand 16 are thus improved.
Reference is next made to Figs. 12, 14 wherein an electronic timepiece generally indicated as to 80, constructed in accordance wi~h an eight~l embodiment of the invention is depicted. Like Il elements are represented by like reference numerals. Whereas 1, pendulum 54 surrounds escapement gear 53 on bo~h sides in !, - 18 -timepiece 270 sllown in Fig. 11, pendulum 56 in timepiece 280 is surrounded by two part escapement gear 53a, 53b. Pelldulum¦
56 is made of a magnetic material and plate spring 56a is fixed in place by mounting member 56b. Pendulum 56 is attrac~ed by the magnetic force when pendulum 56 leaves the magnetic flux of an attractive magnet 58 provided between escapement gears 53a and 53b. This construction enables a stronger magnetic ~lux to be produced than when a magnetized pendulum as shown in Figs. 11, 13 is used so that a more accurate, continuous hand movement is achieved.
With the use of a magnetic escapement as the control mechanism as shown in Figs. 11-14, the pendulum is only coupled to the teeth of the escapement gear or gears by a magnetic force.
No direct physical contact between the teeth of the escapement gear and the pendulum is present. When the pendulum vibrates i at its peculiar or resonant frequency the escapement gear is, rotated at a uniform speed responsive to the external driving~
~orce supplied by driving magnet 51. Thus, the intermittent rotational energy generated by the transducer (step motor including rotor 5) i8 stored by the first following magnet as an angular deviation from driving magnet 51 and the stored energy is released to the escapement gear as a driving force under the control o~ the pendulum. The escapement gear is thus rotatc<l at a substantially uniform speed until driving magnet 51 ceases to provide rotational energy. However, once driving magne~
51 again begins to rotate, sweeping hand movement again con~ences.
At this time, since the frequency may have been altered slightly by ~he change in load (i.e. the vibrational amplitude), even llif tlle distinctive frequency is not accurately adjusted, tl-e !escaPement gear rotates at an angular velocity direc~ly . 1 !
-- 1 9 -- ,, .:
, ., :
' "
~ 1311364 proportional to the load of the attracting magnet and vibrating period. Even iE the vibrating period of the pendulum changes;
due to external inputs such as a shock, and t.he magnetic connection is broken, after the stored rotational energy is released, the hand movement will stop. Thereafter, once ~otor again begins rotating which causes the rotation oE drivillg magnet 51, continuous movement of the hand will start again.
Thus, if the driving magnet is driven by a quartz crystal oscillator or the like, synchronous continuous driving oE hand!
16 will continue for a relatively long time.
Accordingly, in timepieces 270 and 280 shown in Figs. 11-14, sweeping hand movement at a uniform speed is achieved without any harmful affects on the driving power or variations due to temperature or even change in speed due to fluid leakage or the like. The non-contacting nature of the pendulum and teeth o~ the escapement gear serves to increase the durability of the system and reduce the consumption of energy so that batteriesi or other electric cells can drive the timepiece for extended periods of time.
Re~erence is next made to Fig. 15 wherein a control mechallism in accordance with the viscous fluid arrangement i5 depicted.
_ Like elements are represented by like reference numerals.
rim member 13e, a first opening 13f and a second opening 66 are provided in viscous rotor pinion 13 which is intec3rally formed with a common rotational axis and structure with viscous rotor 14. A cavity 19 is defined by a cavity member 19a and encloses viscous rotor 14 and viscous fluid 17. Cavity member 19a has a groove 65 and a sloping portion 67. A cap 60 whicl ¦Ihas mating portion fitting into groove 65 acts to confine viscous 1l fluid 17 to cavity 19. Sloping portion 67 allows the easy pourinc~
1~ .
of viscous fluid 17 into cavity 19 without spilling or splashing. Gap 60 has a burred portion 60a which curves upwardly and forms a gap 61 with viscous rotor pinion 13.
Pinion 13d of viscous rotor pinion 13 is rotatably supported in cavity support portion l9b. Rim member 13e prevents viscous fluid which leaks out of cavity 19 from entering teeth 13g, in conjunction with first opening portion 13f. Second opening portion 66 provides additional space to deal with any thermal expansion of viscous fluid 17 due to variations in temperature. Groove 65 effectively joins with cap 60 to prevent leakage of viscous fluid around the edges of cavity 19. In addition, a sealing treatment is performed at gap 61 on the opposed sur~aces of the cap and rotor pinion to prevent any leakage through gap 61. Burred portion 60a, in addition to providing a narrow gap 61 also serves to extend the length of the gap 61 so that leakage of the viscous fluid through gap 61 is prevented by the resistance to fluid flow of the long narrow gap.
Reference is next made to Fig. 16 wherein a viscous rotor and viscous fluid assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention in which a magnetic fluid is utilized to seal cavity 19 is depicted. Like elements are represented by like reference numerals.
Rather than having an open gap 61 as in the embodiment of Fig. 15, a magnetic fluid 161 is placed in gap 61 to prevent the outward flow of viscous fluid 17. A mounting portion l9c of cavity member l9a supports a yoke 63 which supports pivot frame 64 and confines magnet 62 with magnetic cap 60. Magnetic axis 13a is formed of a magnetic material and serves as a rotating axis on which viscous pinion 13 is mounted for transmitting the frictional torqus of viscous rotor - 21a -X
13~1364 l~l and viscous fluid 17 to the remaining portion oE tl~e drive¦
train not shown in Fig. 16. A magnetic field is formed by yoke 63, pivot frame 64, pinion 13, axis 13a, cap 60 and burringl portion 60a to trap magnetic fluid 161 in gap 61 between rotor¦
yoke 13b and burring portion 60a of cap 60. In a construction¦
such as shown in Fig. 16, the viscous fluid can be formed in¦
a preferred embodiment oEsilicone oil with the magnetic Eluicl¦
desirably formed oE a fluorine solvent, thereby preventin~ the¦
viscous fluid from leaking out oE cavity 19. I
Reference is next made to Fig. 17 wherein an electronic¦
timepiece generally indicated as 290 constructed in accordance¦
with a ninth embodiment of the invention is depicted. Lik~
elements are represented by like reference numerals. Timepiece 290 utilizes a pair of magnets, i.e. a driving magnet anct a following magnet as the storage mechanism and a viscous ~luid assembly as the control mechanism.
Rotor 5 of the stepping motor is rotated in response to the current supplied to coil 1, which is wound around magnetic core 2, through stator 4. Driving magnet 51, which is driven through the gear train including fifth gear 7, Eiftll piniorl 8 and driving gear 59, stores the rotational energy of rotor 5 as the angular difference between driving magnet 51 and followi~g magnet 52. The magnet attractive force increases as the angle between driving magnet 51 and Eollowing magne~
52 increases from 0 to 90. Fourth idler gear 12 engages wi~h ourth gear 15 which engages with hand 16, viscous rotor pinion 13 and following gear 57. Viscous rotor pinion 13 is conllcc~ct to viscous rotor 14 wllicll, as described above, is sublnerscd llin viscous fluid 17 within cavity 19. The angular deviation ll~etween driving magnet 51 and following magnet 52 is graduaJly ,1 , ! - 22 -,, restored and energy gradually released as the rotational speed of fourth idler gear 12 which is controlled by the viscous friction. As a result, indicating hand 16 smoothly rotates.
In the construction of timepiece 290, following magnet 52 is supported between gear train bridge 22 and main plate 21 so that a sufficient span and stability is achieved. In addition, because viscous rotor idler gear 26 is separated from fourth gear 15, a thin timepiece is easily constructed without producing a tilted sweep second hand suffered by the prior art timepiece. An additional benefit of the separation of the storage mechanism formed of the magnets and the control mechanism including the viscous fluid assembly is the absence of interaction which ensures reliable continuous sweeping hand movement.
Referencs is next made to Fig. 18 wherein an enlarged view of the hairspring gear 9, hairspring 10 and hairspring pinion 11 embodying the invention is depicted.
Like elements are represented by like reference numerals.
Hairspring pinion 11 has a hairspring connector 70 within hairspring gear 9. Hairspring 10 is constructed so as to be enlarged upon application of a load and it is caulked to connector 70 at a caulking portion 70a. The inside end of coil hairspring 10 is connected to caulking portion 70a. The outside end of hairspring 10 is connected to hairspring gear 9 at groove portion 9c. In this way, hairspring 10 is coupled between hairspring gear 9 and hairspring pinion 11 so that rotational energy is stored as an elastic deformation of hairspring 10 dependent upon the angular deviation between hairspring gear 9 and hairspring pinion 11. Movement of hairspring 10 along the axis of hairspring gear 9 and hairspring pinion 11 is restricted by lip portions 9a shown also in Fig. 9 and sloping portion - 23a -~ 1311364 9b. ~tl escapement portion lla is formed so as to prevellt¦
hairspring gea- 9 and hairspring pinion 11 from contactin~ each o~l~er under various situations, such as wllen hairspring pinio rocks from side to side.
l TJlis construction allows hairspring 10 to be easily assembled ¦and, because the frictional load between hairspring pinion 11 and hairsping gear 9 is small, this construction provides excellent efficient sweeping hand movement.
Reference is next made to Fig. 19 wherein a portion of a semiconductor device 300 constructed in accordance with a _ te~ltl~ embodiment of the invention is depicted. Li~e elements are represented by like reference numerals. Electronic timepiece 300 is characterized by a removable control mechanism so that~
upon removable oE the control mechanism intermittent hand movement is achieved.
The detachable control mechanism includes Cavity 19 with cap 60, and viscous rotor pinion 13 assembly. The assembl~ I
is inserted through opening 81 in main plate 21 until viscous !
rotor pinion 13 etlgages with idler géar 12 so that the rotation of hairspring pinion 11 is controlled by the viscous resistance.
¦Cavity 19 is prevented from itself rotating by the locking~
interaction of notched portion 87 and engagement member 80 ofi idler gear 12 on main plate 21.
In this way, the control mechanism can be optimally Eormed~
and flexibly assembled and tested apart from the timepiece.
- ¦I'L`he removable nature of the entire control mechanism also allows ¦Ifor easier repair of the timepiece. Finally; the timepiece can llbe nlalluFactured in the same fashion whether a timepiece witl 30 '! a stepping hand movement or a continuous sweeping lland movemetlt " - 24 -is desired. In the event that a sweeping hand movement lS desired the control mechanism can be inserted. Otherwise, the timepiece will function with a stepping hand movement in the absence of the control mechanism. The control mechanism is shown mounted on the main plate side of timepiece 300 but may be mounted on the gear train bridge side and can be formed in a variety of shapes and sizes.
~ccordingly, an electronic timepiece which stores discrete rotational energy as either the elastic deformation force oE
a hairspring or other elastic member or the magnetic attraction force between magnetic materials and which then discharges the stored rotational energy gradually through a control means, either with a viscous rotor and viscous resistance or a magnetic;
escape~nent is provided. In each case the storage mechanismj and control mechanism are separately formed. This enables smooth,l sweeping hand movement. The constructions de8cribed above are¦
not limited t~ the specific embodiments shown and described.l In addition, Applicant's invention may be applied to the !
conversion of discrete rotational energy to continuous sweeping motion in applications beyond timepieces.
In the timepiece embodiments, a sweeping hand movement which incorporates the extremely accurate timekeeping qualities~
of the quartz system as well as the ability to prevent increases in thickness of the timepiece or shortening of the life expectancy of the battery cell used to operate the timepiece is achieved.
Accordingly, an analog timepiece which converts intermittent stepping motion of the timekeeping circuitry to a continuous ¦¦sweeping hand display by separating the mechanism for storing ¦¦the rotational energy and the control mechanism for smootllly 1l releasing the stored energy is provided.
I!
, - 25 -It will thus be seen that the objects set Eorth above,l among those made apparent from the preceding description, are¦
efL` ciently attained and, since certain changes may be made¦
in the above constructions without departing from the spirit ~nd scope oE the invention, it is intended that all matter¦
contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingl clrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in ai limiting sense.
It is also to be understood tht the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specifi~c features oE' the invention herein described and all statements of the scope oE the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
.
!¦ _ g _ ll is coupled to hairspring pinion 11. I{airsping pinion 11 engages¦
with idler gear 12, which in turn engages with viscous rotor pinion 13. Viscous rotor pinion 13 is fixed to viscous rotor 14, which is enclosed within cavity 19 and surroùnded by viscous fluid 17. In a preferred embodiment, viscous fluid 17 is al silicone oil. Hand 16 is coupled to fourth gear 15, which in¦
~urn engages with viscous rotor pinion 13 through fourth idler gear 12, and is rotated at a speed ratio corresponding to the number of gear teeth. Rotor 5 sixth pinion 6, fif th pilliOIl U, fifth gear 7, a winding stem 23 and idler gear 12 are supported~
!~ between a gear train bridge 22 and a main plate 21. viscous rotor pinion 13 and viscous rotor 14 are supported for rotation between gear train bridge 22 and a cavity member 9a. Coil 1 is fixed to main plate 21 by screw 3.
Electrcnic timepiece 210 uses hairspring 10 as the storage meaJ;3 and ~!:iliæes viscous rotor 14, with the viscous load oE
vl~cou~ ~lUid 17, a~ the control mechanism. Tlle gear train, as describe~l above is provided between main plate 21 and gear train bridg~ 22. Coil 1 generates a magnetic field for driving rotor 5 tl-~ugh stator 4 and magnetic core 2. Rotor 5 drives hairspring gear 9 through a reduction gear train including sixtll pinion 6, fifth gear 7 and fifth pinion 8. The reduction ra~e;
"a" is represented as ~ 7 - ~ where rotor 5 rotates througl an angle o~ for each step, the generated torque is TMgmlll, and the spring constant of the hairspring is Kgmm/. On the other hand, the motion of hairspring pinion 11 is controlle-l by viscous rotor 14 through viscous rotor pinion 13 and idler gear 12.
!l Since four~h gear 15, with hand 16 thsreon is engaged wi~h llviscous rotor pinion 13 through fourth idler gear 12, Eourth Il , !l lo gear 15 is rotated at a speed ratio corresponding to tlle nulllber o ~eeth on the gears. Hairspring gear 9 and hairspring pinion 11 can be independently rotated about winding stem 23 arouncl the same axis. ~airspring gear 9 is coupled to hairspring pinion 11 through hairspring 10.
When rotor 5 is driven in a stepwise fashion, hairspring gear 9 is also rotated in a stepwise or discrete fashion.
llowever, hairspring pinion 11 is continuously and smoothly rotated since its rotation is controlled by the force applied tllrougll hairspring 10 and the viscous resistance of viscous Eluid 17 surrounding viscous rotor 14. Hairspring 10 permits a diEEerence or angular deviation between stepwise rotated hairspring gear 9 and continuously rotated hairspring pinion 11. Ilairspring 10, the gear train and the viscous rotor 14 form a vibrating system in which the viscous resistance is set with substantiall over-damping so that the system can effectively and reliably¦
¦per~orm even with great variations in external stresses and¦
turbulences.
Viscous rotor 14 converts the rota~y energy stored in hairspring 10 into a constant rotary speed correspondiny tol the elastic deformation restoring force of hairspring 10. !
llairspring 10 functions as a storage mechanism for storing the, intermittently generated rotary energy in rotor S. Since the torque balance can be set as desired, the size, lay out oE
components and viscosity of the viscous fluid can be easily selected.
Reference is next made to Fig. 4 wherein the relationsllip between the wrapping angle of the hairspring ~ and the restoring force Th of the hairspring is shown. The graph shows the relationship between the torque Th necessary to restore, the hairspring through angle ~ ~l and the increment ~ T to achieve' a wrapping angle ~ per stepping motor step. Fig. 4 alsol shows the effect of an increase of ~ in the wrapping angle¦
on torque when the hairspring is already wrapped at angle ~
¦~5 clearly seen Fig. 4, there is a linear relationship be~ween, ¦the restoring force and wrapping angle.
Reference is next made to Fig. 5 wherein the relationship¦
between the angular velocity Ws f the viscous rotor and the load torque Th against the rotation of the viscous rotor as the timepiece hand sweeps, i.e. moves smoothly continuously at a constant speed. When the reduction ratio of the gear train between the hairspring and the viscous rotor is b, the angular, velocity T~S and Ws+ ~W .correspond to load torques of b-(TI~) and ~(Th + ~ T) respectively. Thus, to assure that the hand moves ¦smoothiy, the fraction L~W/Ws should be reduced. That is, ~he~
frac~ion ~T/Th shouid be reduced. When the value o~ b~(Th);
¦is greater than the torque L~ T for a single step, the viscous ¦ rotor will rotate with the angular velocity Ws in a condltion ¦in which the hairspring stores the torque associated with several~
¦steps so that smooth angular rota~ion is achieved. To achieve this result the spring constant of hairspring 10 may be lowered ;or the viscous load presented by viscous fluid 17 to viscous rotor 14 may be increased.
In the structure described above, the viscous rotor rota~es at the constant speed at which the torque of the hairsL~rillc~
is balanced with the load torque. The load torque of the viscous ¦¦rotor is pr.oportional to the angular velocity of the viscous ; ~Irotor, thereby preventing the hairspring pinion from cl~angillcJ
il 'I
I!
1 131~364 ¦speed. As a result, the hand movement is smooth and constant¦
¦and does not move in discrete increments.
l Even if the load torque changes in accordance with thel ¦change of viscosity, continuous and smooth hand movement is¦
¦achieved. Although the wrapping angle of the hairspring is¦
¦increased or decreased, because the hairspring is made o~ al ¦desirably elastic material continuous sweeping movement is still¦
¦present. Even under this situation, the hand keeps movin~ as¦
l long as the stepping motor does not stop.
When timepiece 210 to be set to the correct time, the operation of the timepiece is controlled by a control lever 20 which interrupts the movement of fourth gear 15 and thereby~
stops the hand movement and the movement of viscous rotor 14.i ~lowever, because hairspring 10 is elastically deformed wheni the hand movement i8 stopped, continuous sweeping hand movelnellt, will resume as soon as the control lever 20 i~ released. When timepiece 210 is violently disturbed, the viscous rotor controls the extra rotation and elastic deformation of hairspring loi and the positlon o the hand is correctly displayed in smooth fashion. Since the hairspring can provide reverse torque ~o rotor pinion 13, Eurther stability against external turbulance is provided, allowing the gear train including viscous rotor;
pinion 13, viscous rotor 14, idler gear 20 and fourth year 15 to rotate in both a forward and a reverse direction.
Reference is next made to Fig. 6 wherein an electronic timepiece 220 constructed in accordance with a second embodiment l, of the invention is depicted. Like reference numerals refer I to like elements. Electronic timepiece 220 delivers s~epwise ,1 or incremental rotational energy to hairspring 10 in tlle same l ~ashion as does timepiece 210 shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The I
t31 t364 rotational force from hairspring 10 delivered to hairspring¦
pinion 11 is directly transmitted to meshing ~ourth gear lS.I
Viscous rotor 14 controls the angular velocity of ~ourth gearl and thereby controls the release of energy from hairspring¦
through rotor pinion 13. In this structure, the size of the gear train is redùced and the compactness and cost reduction oE the timepiece construction is improved.
l In addition, since the members of the gear train from the !
¦hairspring 10 to viscous rotor 14 (i.e. hairspring pinion ll,j ¦Eourth gear 15 and viscous rotor pinion 13) also functlon to !
¦transmit the stored energy, any backlash is prevented by thel Eorce stored in hairspring 10 so that hand 16 correctly operates.3 Reference is next made to Fig. 7 wherein an electronic timepiece, generally indicated as 230, constructed in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention i5 depicted. Like ¦ elements are represented by like reference numerals. A fourth idler gear L2 is provided between fourth gear lS and hairspring pinion 11 so that a large amount of spacing is provided between ¦the respective axes of fourth gear 15 ~and the display hand ¦16 which is coaxial therewith) and hairspring gear 9 so that ¦additional flexibility of gear placement within timepiec-e 23~) is available to minimize the thickness of the timepiece.
Reerence is next made to Fig. 8 wherein as electronic timepiece, generally indicated as 240, constructed in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention is depicted. Like elements are represented by like reference numerals. Idler gear 12 is provided between fourth gear lS and viscous rotor !I pinion 13 so that fourth gear 15 and cavity 19 can be spaced ~lapart within electronic timepiece 240 to provide increased ' ~lexibility of arrangement o~ components which aids in reducing , . . .
., .
i - 14 -the thickness of the timepiece.
Reference is next made to Fig. 9 wherein an electronic timepiece, generally indicated as 250, constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention is depicted. Like elements are represented by like reference numerals. Fig.9 shows some of the additional conventional components included in an electronic timepiece, excluded in Figs. 2-3 and 6-8 to simplify explanation of the invention. Timepiece 250 includes a battery 36, a quartz vibrator 35, a circuit substrate 34 and an integrated timekeeping circuit 33.
The driving waveform to drive rotor 5 of the stepping motor is supplied to coil 1 through circuit substrate 34 by integrated circuit 33 and Quartz vibrator 35. A time setting gear 24 engages with a clutch gear 37, in response to the operation of a yoke 30. Yoke 30 is driven by a time setting lever 31 in response to the operation of a winding stem 32. This makes it possible to change the positions of the hands. A third gear 25 steps down the rotation of fourth gear 15, which engages with the second hand, to drive the minute hand. A minute gear 23 engages with setting gear 24.
Hairspring 10 is prevented from moving along its axis by lips 9a. A groove 9c in hairspring gear 9, to which the end of hairspring 10 is coupled, allows the torque to be transferred from hairspring gear 9 to hairspring 10. A
fourth idler gear 12 is disposed between and engages hairspring pinion 11 and fourth gear 15. A viscous rotor idler gear 18 is disposed between fourth gear 15 and viscous rotor pinion 13. Fourth idler gear 12 and viscous rotor idler gear 18 allow for greater separation of the various gear components and cavity 19 so that they may be spaced apart and thereby reduce the overall thickness of timepiece 250.
By utilizing the construction shown in Fig. 9, the viscous rotor 14 and hairspring gear 9 can easily be arranged without overlap 80 that a particularly thin timepiece can be easily constructed. The invention is not limited to the particular physical arrangement of the various elements shown in the figures and may be adapted to any appropriate arrangement in accordance with the specific needs and other timepiece elements present.
Reference is next made to Fig. 10 wherein an electronic timepiece, generally indicated as 260, constructed in accordance with a sixth embodiment is depicted. ~ike elements are represented by like reference numerals. In timepiece 260, hairspring 10 is utilized as the storage mechanism for storing the angular energy produced by the stepping motor and viscous rotor 14, which is loaded with the viscous load of viscous fluid 17, is utilized as the control mechanism. The timepiece elements shown, except for hand 16 and the shaft through which it is attached to fourth gear 15, are all located between a main plate 21 and a gear train bridge 22. This provides for a sturdy but thin timepiece. A coil 1 drives rotor 5 through a stator 4 with a magnetic core 2 defining a magnetic flux field. Hairspring pinion 11 and hairspring gear 9 are connected to the opposite ends of hairspring 10. Hairspring 10 is wound by the stepwise rotation of rotor 5 through the gear train including fifth gear 7, fifth pinion 8 and hairspring gear 9. The rotation of fourth gear 15 is controlled by viscous rotor 14, which is ~upported between gear train bridge 22 and cavity member l9a, through viscous rotor pinion 13 and viscous rotor idler gear 26.
Hairspring gear 9 and hairspring pinion 11 are allowed to freely rotate on the same axis while fourth idler 12 and viscous rotor idler gear 26 are rotatably mounted on idler - 16a -axis 29, the range of rotation being greater than the range oE the backlash to engage with fourth gear 15. With this construction, when rotor 5 is driven in a stepwise or intermittent fashion, the angular velocity of hairspring pinion 11 is controlled by viscous rotor 14, which has a load torque which varies directly with the angular velocity of viscous rotor 14 through fourth idler gear 12, viscous rotor idler 26 and fourth¦
gear 15. As a result, the angular deviation between intermittently driven hairspring gear 9 and hairspring pinion 11 is absorbed as stored energy by hairspring 10 so that hairspring pinion 11 can rotate continuously and smoothly at¦
a constant speed corresponding to the elastic deformation !
restoring force of hairspring 10.
Re~erence is next made to Fig. 11 wherein an electronic timepiece, generally indicated as 270 constructed in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention is depicted. Like elemen~s are represented by like reference numerals. Electronic timepiece 270 utilizes a magnetic escape~ent as the control~
mechanism and a first following magnet as the storage mechanism.' ~ driving magnet 51 is coupled to a driving gear 59 for rotation therewith. Driving gear 59 is driven in a stepwise manner by rotor gear 6 which is coupled to rotor S. A first following magnet 52 is spaced a small distance away from driving magnet 51. First following magnet 52 is coupled to a following pinion 57, which in turn is connected to an escapement gear 53.
Following pinion 57 is coupled to fourth gear 15 (and hand 16, ¦jcoupled through a shaf~ 16a), through idler gear 55 and idleL
¦¦pinion 55a.
!1 ,, - 17 -!l . 11 ~ magnetized pendulum 54 is attracted to the teetll o~l escapement gear 53 by magnetic force resulting from the rotation¦
of escapement gear 54.
The construction of escapement gear 53 and magnetized pendulum 54 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 13. As escapement gear 53 rotates due to the driving force applied to first ollowing magnet 52 by driving magnet 51, pendulum 54 begins ~o vibrate. Pendulum 54 quickly comes to vibrate at a resonant frequency or other stable fre~uency which then acts as a control on the rotation of escapement gear 53 and, hand 16 through the ! gear train connecting them.
In this arrangement, the regular application of angular energy applied to first following magnet 52 at regular intervalsl in response to the movement of the stepping motor, results in !
a uniform speed and excellent sweep hand movement. Magnet !
pendulum 54 incude~ a mounting member 54a mounting pendulu~
54 on the main plate 21, gear train bridge 22 or other structure!
with mounting member 54b. Magnetic pendulum 54 is vibrated at its distinctive frequency in the direction of arrows ~ ( Figs.
11, 13). Magnetic pendulum 54 does not physically contact' escapement gear 53, as seen more clearly in Fig. 13. This' minimizes the friction in the system and the resulting power' loss and increases the precision of vibration of pendulum o~
member 54. Accuracy of rotation of escapement gear 53 and hand 16 are thus improved.
Reference is next made to Figs. 12, 14 wherein an electronic timepiece generally indicated as to 80, constructed in accordance wi~h an eight~l embodiment of the invention is depicted. Like Il elements are represented by like reference numerals. Whereas 1, pendulum 54 surrounds escapement gear 53 on bo~h sides in !, - 18 -timepiece 270 sllown in Fig. 11, pendulum 56 in timepiece 280 is surrounded by two part escapement gear 53a, 53b. Pelldulum¦
56 is made of a magnetic material and plate spring 56a is fixed in place by mounting member 56b. Pendulum 56 is attrac~ed by the magnetic force when pendulum 56 leaves the magnetic flux of an attractive magnet 58 provided between escapement gears 53a and 53b. This construction enables a stronger magnetic ~lux to be produced than when a magnetized pendulum as shown in Figs. 11, 13 is used so that a more accurate, continuous hand movement is achieved.
With the use of a magnetic escapement as the control mechanism as shown in Figs. 11-14, the pendulum is only coupled to the teeth of the escapement gear or gears by a magnetic force.
No direct physical contact between the teeth of the escapement gear and the pendulum is present. When the pendulum vibrates i at its peculiar or resonant frequency the escapement gear is, rotated at a uniform speed responsive to the external driving~
~orce supplied by driving magnet 51. Thus, the intermittent rotational energy generated by the transducer (step motor including rotor 5) i8 stored by the first following magnet as an angular deviation from driving magnet 51 and the stored energy is released to the escapement gear as a driving force under the control o~ the pendulum. The escapement gear is thus rotatc<l at a substantially uniform speed until driving magnet 51 ceases to provide rotational energy. However, once driving magne~
51 again begins to rotate, sweeping hand movement again con~ences.
At this time, since the frequency may have been altered slightly by ~he change in load (i.e. the vibrational amplitude), even llif tlle distinctive frequency is not accurately adjusted, tl-e !escaPement gear rotates at an angular velocity direc~ly . 1 !
-- 1 9 -- ,, .:
, ., :
' "
~ 1311364 proportional to the load of the attracting magnet and vibrating period. Even iE the vibrating period of the pendulum changes;
due to external inputs such as a shock, and t.he magnetic connection is broken, after the stored rotational energy is released, the hand movement will stop. Thereafter, once ~otor again begins rotating which causes the rotation oE drivillg magnet 51, continuous movement of the hand will start again.
Thus, if the driving magnet is driven by a quartz crystal oscillator or the like, synchronous continuous driving oE hand!
16 will continue for a relatively long time.
Accordingly, in timepieces 270 and 280 shown in Figs. 11-14, sweeping hand movement at a uniform speed is achieved without any harmful affects on the driving power or variations due to temperature or even change in speed due to fluid leakage or the like. The non-contacting nature of the pendulum and teeth o~ the escapement gear serves to increase the durability of the system and reduce the consumption of energy so that batteriesi or other electric cells can drive the timepiece for extended periods of time.
Re~erence is next made to Fig. 15 wherein a control mechallism in accordance with the viscous fluid arrangement i5 depicted.
_ Like elements are represented by like reference numerals.
rim member 13e, a first opening 13f and a second opening 66 are provided in viscous rotor pinion 13 which is intec3rally formed with a common rotational axis and structure with viscous rotor 14. A cavity 19 is defined by a cavity member 19a and encloses viscous rotor 14 and viscous fluid 17. Cavity member 19a has a groove 65 and a sloping portion 67. A cap 60 whicl ¦Ihas mating portion fitting into groove 65 acts to confine viscous 1l fluid 17 to cavity 19. Sloping portion 67 allows the easy pourinc~
1~ .
of viscous fluid 17 into cavity 19 without spilling or splashing. Gap 60 has a burred portion 60a which curves upwardly and forms a gap 61 with viscous rotor pinion 13.
Pinion 13d of viscous rotor pinion 13 is rotatably supported in cavity support portion l9b. Rim member 13e prevents viscous fluid which leaks out of cavity 19 from entering teeth 13g, in conjunction with first opening portion 13f. Second opening portion 66 provides additional space to deal with any thermal expansion of viscous fluid 17 due to variations in temperature. Groove 65 effectively joins with cap 60 to prevent leakage of viscous fluid around the edges of cavity 19. In addition, a sealing treatment is performed at gap 61 on the opposed sur~aces of the cap and rotor pinion to prevent any leakage through gap 61. Burred portion 60a, in addition to providing a narrow gap 61 also serves to extend the length of the gap 61 so that leakage of the viscous fluid through gap 61 is prevented by the resistance to fluid flow of the long narrow gap.
Reference is next made to Fig. 16 wherein a viscous rotor and viscous fluid assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention in which a magnetic fluid is utilized to seal cavity 19 is depicted. Like elements are represented by like reference numerals.
Rather than having an open gap 61 as in the embodiment of Fig. 15, a magnetic fluid 161 is placed in gap 61 to prevent the outward flow of viscous fluid 17. A mounting portion l9c of cavity member l9a supports a yoke 63 which supports pivot frame 64 and confines magnet 62 with magnetic cap 60. Magnetic axis 13a is formed of a magnetic material and serves as a rotating axis on which viscous pinion 13 is mounted for transmitting the frictional torqus of viscous rotor - 21a -X
13~1364 l~l and viscous fluid 17 to the remaining portion oE tl~e drive¦
train not shown in Fig. 16. A magnetic field is formed by yoke 63, pivot frame 64, pinion 13, axis 13a, cap 60 and burringl portion 60a to trap magnetic fluid 161 in gap 61 between rotor¦
yoke 13b and burring portion 60a of cap 60. In a construction¦
such as shown in Fig. 16, the viscous fluid can be formed in¦
a preferred embodiment oEsilicone oil with the magnetic Eluicl¦
desirably formed oE a fluorine solvent, thereby preventin~ the¦
viscous fluid from leaking out oE cavity 19. I
Reference is next made to Fig. 17 wherein an electronic¦
timepiece generally indicated as 290 constructed in accordance¦
with a ninth embodiment of the invention is depicted. Lik~
elements are represented by like reference numerals. Timepiece 290 utilizes a pair of magnets, i.e. a driving magnet anct a following magnet as the storage mechanism and a viscous ~luid assembly as the control mechanism.
Rotor 5 of the stepping motor is rotated in response to the current supplied to coil 1, which is wound around magnetic core 2, through stator 4. Driving magnet 51, which is driven through the gear train including fifth gear 7, Eiftll piniorl 8 and driving gear 59, stores the rotational energy of rotor 5 as the angular difference between driving magnet 51 and followi~g magnet 52. The magnet attractive force increases as the angle between driving magnet 51 and Eollowing magne~
52 increases from 0 to 90. Fourth idler gear 12 engages wi~h ourth gear 15 which engages with hand 16, viscous rotor pinion 13 and following gear 57. Viscous rotor pinion 13 is conllcc~ct to viscous rotor 14 wllicll, as described above, is sublnerscd llin viscous fluid 17 within cavity 19. The angular deviation ll~etween driving magnet 51 and following magnet 52 is graduaJly ,1 , ! - 22 -,, restored and energy gradually released as the rotational speed of fourth idler gear 12 which is controlled by the viscous friction. As a result, indicating hand 16 smoothly rotates.
In the construction of timepiece 290, following magnet 52 is supported between gear train bridge 22 and main plate 21 so that a sufficient span and stability is achieved. In addition, because viscous rotor idler gear 26 is separated from fourth gear 15, a thin timepiece is easily constructed without producing a tilted sweep second hand suffered by the prior art timepiece. An additional benefit of the separation of the storage mechanism formed of the magnets and the control mechanism including the viscous fluid assembly is the absence of interaction which ensures reliable continuous sweeping hand movement.
Referencs is next made to Fig. 18 wherein an enlarged view of the hairspring gear 9, hairspring 10 and hairspring pinion 11 embodying the invention is depicted.
Like elements are represented by like reference numerals.
Hairspring pinion 11 has a hairspring connector 70 within hairspring gear 9. Hairspring 10 is constructed so as to be enlarged upon application of a load and it is caulked to connector 70 at a caulking portion 70a. The inside end of coil hairspring 10 is connected to caulking portion 70a. The outside end of hairspring 10 is connected to hairspring gear 9 at groove portion 9c. In this way, hairspring 10 is coupled between hairspring gear 9 and hairspring pinion 11 so that rotational energy is stored as an elastic deformation of hairspring 10 dependent upon the angular deviation between hairspring gear 9 and hairspring pinion 11. Movement of hairspring 10 along the axis of hairspring gear 9 and hairspring pinion 11 is restricted by lip portions 9a shown also in Fig. 9 and sloping portion - 23a -~ 1311364 9b. ~tl escapement portion lla is formed so as to prevellt¦
hairspring gea- 9 and hairspring pinion 11 from contactin~ each o~l~er under various situations, such as wllen hairspring pinio rocks from side to side.
l TJlis construction allows hairspring 10 to be easily assembled ¦and, because the frictional load between hairspring pinion 11 and hairsping gear 9 is small, this construction provides excellent efficient sweeping hand movement.
Reference is next made to Fig. 19 wherein a portion of a semiconductor device 300 constructed in accordance with a _ te~ltl~ embodiment of the invention is depicted. Li~e elements are represented by like reference numerals. Electronic timepiece 300 is characterized by a removable control mechanism so that~
upon removable oE the control mechanism intermittent hand movement is achieved.
The detachable control mechanism includes Cavity 19 with cap 60, and viscous rotor pinion 13 assembly. The assembl~ I
is inserted through opening 81 in main plate 21 until viscous !
rotor pinion 13 etlgages with idler géar 12 so that the rotation of hairspring pinion 11 is controlled by the viscous resistance.
¦Cavity 19 is prevented from itself rotating by the locking~
interaction of notched portion 87 and engagement member 80 ofi idler gear 12 on main plate 21.
In this way, the control mechanism can be optimally Eormed~
and flexibly assembled and tested apart from the timepiece.
- ¦I'L`he removable nature of the entire control mechanism also allows ¦Ifor easier repair of the timepiece. Finally; the timepiece can llbe nlalluFactured in the same fashion whether a timepiece witl 30 '! a stepping hand movement or a continuous sweeping lland movemetlt " - 24 -is desired. In the event that a sweeping hand movement lS desired the control mechanism can be inserted. Otherwise, the timepiece will function with a stepping hand movement in the absence of the control mechanism. The control mechanism is shown mounted on the main plate side of timepiece 300 but may be mounted on the gear train bridge side and can be formed in a variety of shapes and sizes.
~ccordingly, an electronic timepiece which stores discrete rotational energy as either the elastic deformation force oE
a hairspring or other elastic member or the magnetic attraction force between magnetic materials and which then discharges the stored rotational energy gradually through a control means, either with a viscous rotor and viscous resistance or a magnetic;
escape~nent is provided. In each case the storage mechanismj and control mechanism are separately formed. This enables smooth,l sweeping hand movement. The constructions de8cribed above are¦
not limited t~ the specific embodiments shown and described.l In addition, Applicant's invention may be applied to the !
conversion of discrete rotational energy to continuous sweeping motion in applications beyond timepieces.
In the timepiece embodiments, a sweeping hand movement which incorporates the extremely accurate timekeeping qualities~
of the quartz system as well as the ability to prevent increases in thickness of the timepiece or shortening of the life expectancy of the battery cell used to operate the timepiece is achieved.
Accordingly, an analog timepiece which converts intermittent stepping motion of the timekeeping circuitry to a continuous ¦¦sweeping hand display by separating the mechanism for storing ¦¦the rotational energy and the control mechanism for smootllly 1l releasing the stored energy is provided.
I!
, - 25 -It will thus be seen that the objects set Eorth above,l among those made apparent from the preceding description, are¦
efL` ciently attained and, since certain changes may be made¦
in the above constructions without departing from the spirit ~nd scope oE the invention, it is intended that all matter¦
contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingl clrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in ai limiting sense.
It is also to be understood tht the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specifi~c features oE' the invention herein described and all statements of the scope oE the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.
Claims (9)
1. An electronic timepiece for providing continuous rotation for a hand in response to an intermittent driving rotation, the timepiece comprising:
energy storage means coupled to the intermittent driving rotation for converting the intermittent driving rotation to stored energy;
control means for continuously releasing the stored energy as continuous rotation; and said hand being driven by the continuous rotation obtained by said energy storage means and said control means.
energy storage means coupled to the intermittent driving rotation for converting the intermittent driving rotation to stored energy;
control means for continuously releasing the stored energy as continuous rotation; and said hand being driven by the continuous rotation obtained by said energy storage means and said control means.
2. The electronic timepiece of claim 1, comprising:
linkage means coupled between the energy storage means and control means for transmitting the continuous rotation therebetween and driving the hand in a continuous sweeping manner.
linkage means coupled between the energy storage means and control means for transmitting the continuous rotation therebetween and driving the hand in a continuous sweeping manner.
3. The electronic timepiece of claim 1, wherein the energy storage means includes a hairspring, the energy being stored as deformation energy of the hairspring.
4. The electronic timepiece of claim 1, wherein the energy storage means includes a driving magnet and a following magnet which are spaced apart, the energy being stored as the attractive force between the driving magnet and the following magnet due to the angular deviation therebetween.
5. The electronic timepiece of claim 1, wherein the control means includes a pendulum and escapement gear.
6. An electronic timepiece for providing continuous rotation for a hand in response to an intermittent driving rotation, the timepiece comprising:
energy storage means coupled to the intermittent driving rotation for converting the intermittent driving rotation to stored energy;
a rotor submerged in a viscous fluid for continuously releasing the stored energy as continuous rotation; and said hand being driven by the continuous rotation obtained by said energy storage means and said control means.
energy storage means coupled to the intermittent driving rotation for converting the intermittent driving rotation to stored energy;
a rotor submerged in a viscous fluid for continuously releasing the stored energy as continuous rotation; and said hand being driven by the continuous rotation obtained by said energy storage means and said control means.
7. The electronic timepiece of claim 6, comprising:
linkage means coupled between the energy storage means and viscous rotor for transmitting the stored energy to the rotor which releases the stored energy as continuous rotation of the rotor by balancing the resistance of the rotor to rotation in the viscous fluid with the stored energy and the linkage means couples the hand to the rotor to drive the hand in a continuous manner.
linkage means coupled between the energy storage means and viscous rotor for transmitting the stored energy to the rotor which releases the stored energy as continuous rotation of the rotor by balancing the resistance of the rotor to rotation in the viscous fluid with the stored energy and the linkage means couples the hand to the rotor to drive the hand in a continuous manner.
8. The electronic timepiece of claim 6, wherein the energy storage means includes a hairspring, the energy being stored as deformation energy of the hairspring.
9. The electronic timepiece of claim 6, wherein the energy storage means includes a driving magnet and a following magnet which are spaced apart, the energy being stored as the attractive force between the driving magnet and the following magnet due to the angular deviation therebetween.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP13928187 | 1987-06-03 | ||
| JP139281/19 | 1987-06-03 | ||
| JP168179/19 | 1987-07-06 | ||
| JP16817987 | 1987-07-06 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1311364C true CA1311364C (en) | 1992-12-15 |
Family
ID=26472135
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000565187A Expired - Fee Related CA1311364C (en) | 1987-06-03 | 1988-04-27 | Electronic timepiece |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| KR (1) | KR910008674B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1014554B (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1311364C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3812172A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2616238B1 (en) |
| MY (1) | MY103163A (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2197969B (en) * | 1986-10-28 | 1990-05-16 | Seiko Epson Corp | Energy storing apparatus, e.g. for use in a timepiece |
| EP2735922A1 (en) * | 2012-11-23 | 2014-05-28 | ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse | Drive mechanism for the hands of an electro-mechanical watch, provided with a locking device |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB989229A (en) * | 1900-01-01 | |||
| DE940722C (en) * | 1943-09-25 | 1956-03-22 | Siemens Ag | Device on the drives for time drives u running at a constant speed. like |
| GB890349A (en) * | 1959-12-15 | 1962-02-28 | Kenji Tokita | Electric clock |
| US3978654A (en) * | 1973-06-07 | 1976-09-07 | Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha | Motion transformer |
| JPS5647512B2 (en) * | 1973-11-30 | 1981-11-10 |
-
1988
- 1988-04-07 CN CN88102603A patent/CN1014554B/en not_active Expired
- 1988-04-12 FR FR888804822A patent/FR2616238B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-04-12 DE DE3812172A patent/DE3812172A1/en active Granted
- 1988-04-27 CA CA000565187A patent/CA1311364C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1988-04-28 KR KR1019880004816A patent/KR910008674B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1988-05-09 MY MYPI88000487A patent/MY103163A/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN1014554B (en) | 1991-10-30 |
| KR910008674B1 (en) | 1991-10-19 |
| FR2616238B1 (en) | 1991-04-12 |
| DE3812172C2 (en) | 1991-09-05 |
| MY103163A (en) | 1993-04-30 |
| KR890000939A (en) | 1989-03-17 |
| DE3812172A1 (en) | 1988-12-22 |
| CN88102603A (en) | 1988-12-14 |
| FR2616238A1 (en) | 1988-12-09 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |