DE10338932B4 - Method for automatically winding a watch - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for automatically mounting a watch (6), in particular a mechanical automatic watch whose noises are detected by means of a signal pickup (5) which is connected to evaluation electronics (3), the evaluation electronics, by analyzing the noises, of the need to wind up the watch determines and controls a device to wind up the clock.

Description

The The invention relates to a method for monitoring a clock, in particular a mechanical automatic watch whose noises are detected by means of a signal pickup be determined, which is connected to an evaluation.

STATE OF THE ART

There are many possibilities of watch monitoring. For example, in the US 5,325,313 a method is described in which the beat interval accuracy is checked. This is done via a microphone and an amplifier, where the mechanical shock is converted into an electrical signal and this signal is amplified. This signal is transmitted to a beat time analyzer.

In the FR 2 767 205 A1 the watch is in an electro-acoustic device and is monitored by a microphone. However, this is done solely to detect errors, with the noise of agitation being monitored.

From the DE 690 01 856 T2 For example, there is known a method of winding a timepiece-type watch that can be wound by an elevator mechanism, wherein to detect the state of the watch by means of a photocell, the rotation of a disk is monitored which can be coupled to the watch's winding mechanism.

To the Winding of mechanical automatic watches in particular are becoming today so-called watch winder used which these automatic watches in turn a certain direction, allowing a winding up of these clocks he follows. This is of course especially for very high quality automatic watches.

From the WO 00/17713 A1 a watch winder for automatic watches is known, wherein the automatic watch is rotated for mounting by means of a rotating device after predetermined winding cycles, which are selected so that a coating is avoided.

Such watch winders are among others from the DE 295 08 442 U1 and the DE 297 03 601 U1 known. In this case, the DE 295 08 442 U1 the peculiarity that the required power for the watch winder is obtained from solar cells and the DE 297 03 601 U1 describes in this context a watch carrier which serves to transmit the torque of an engine to a mechanical wristwatch.

One Disadvantage of this watch winder is that these, unless they are timely to turn off the clock, raise the clock too much. Watches in one run too strongly wound state, swing in the vibrating element (usually in agitation) not harmonious, but it comes to a so-called "bouncing". This is a noise indicating that the common used anchor inhibitors in addition to the normal heavy load an elevated one subject to mechanical stress, as a barrel is constantly maximum Force on the entire work. The barrel itself is burdened by constant "coating" to the effect that the slip clutch is subjected to increased friction in this state. Thus, a wear of such watches is increased.

TASK

Of the The present invention is based on the object, a method the o. g. To develop kind, with which a winding up controlled and especially a "coating" of the clock is avoided.

SOLUTION OF THE TASK

to solution the task leads that the evaluation electronics through the analysis of the noise the need of winding up the clock and controls a device to wind up the clock.

During the Expiration of the power reserve is their value over a long time relatively constant and the vibrating element performs harmonic oscillations out. Towards the end of the power reserve, however, the driving power decreases the barrel, which affects the noise becomes. For example, over a microphone as a signal pickup the strength of certain clock sounds or also determines the time interval between two specific sounds become. Both amplitudes decrease toward the end of the power reserve, so that this for the transmitter is a sign, an elevator operation start.

In a further method, which is preferably to be used together with the method described above, a bouncing sound of the clock is determined. As described above, this bouncing sound indicates that the watch has been plated. As soon as the evaluation unit detects a bouncing noise, it should stop the lift process. Incidentally, the bouncing noise is due to the fact that the barrel initially emits more energy when the watch is fully wound up, than in the subsequent course during the power reserve. In this state, the restlessness produces a bouncing noise. In a preferred embodiment of the invention are used as noise for determining the amplitude of the noise in which an ellipse on the unrest a fork of a Anchor touches the clock, and the sound of an escape wheel falling on a pallet of the anchor. In the context of the invention, however, other sounds can be used.

The invention Procedures can also be coupled with the input of a speed. The speed up to a lift maximum of the clock depends on the factory and the specific construction the clock. In general, this value may be from a watch manufacturer and then entered into the transmitter in advance. On In any case, the clock should at least be at the specified speed be raised. Should be an additional mounting desired up to a maximum become, so the bouncing sound the clock, to which the clock is further rotated.

One Another aspect of the present invention relates to that a sound emitted by the clock is also used to determine the State of the work can be used. Watch oils work For example, as lubricants and take the abrasion of the pin and camps up. This means that the oil gradually gets dirty. Also through Aging, many oils tend additionally for hardening. Overall, this makes the gear train heavier and the amplitude of the restlessness between two sounds becomes smaller.

Should now also a surveillance for example, the need to clean the work, so the clock is clamped on the watch winder on the signal sensor. The state of the watch, for example, if it is freshly outdated, is still preferably entered into the transmitter.

in the Over the course of months or years, then the average value of Amplitude between two sounds from. From a lower value to be defined on average Amplitude is then provided by the transmitter a service for cleaning recommended. This recommendation is made by a signal message in or at the transmitter. After the appropriate service the clock can be controlled and the current amplitude can be restored stored in the evaluation as a base value.

Of the Advantage of the inventive Procedure is thus that the clocks, the corresponding the inventive Process controlled, a much lower Wear is subject. Furthermore, the watch goes through the power reserve area, So it is not permanent in the upper spring tension range. The entire durability becomes clear extended.

Further the clock is active regarding monitored their cleaning condition and is therefore also subject to a significantly reduced wear by Abrasion and resinification.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further Advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent the following description of preferred embodiments and by reference the drawing; this shows in

1 a schematic, partial perspective view of an inventive device for monitoring a clock;

2 to 4 a plan view of the interaction of elements of a clock to generate sounds.

According to 1 is a watch winder 1 via a data line 2 with an evaluation electronics 3 connected. The watch winder 1 has a carrier 4 in which a microphone 5 as a signal pick-up for noises of a clock shown only in dashed lines 6 is arranged.

The clock 6 makes above all three sounds corresponding to three different positions of elements of the clock, which in the 2 to 4 is indicated. A restlessness 7 is an anchor 8th with a fork 9 assigned. Through the anchor 8th becomes a pallet 10 moving in an escape wheel 11 intervenes.

A first sound is generated according to 2 if an ellipse on the balance 7 the fork of the anchor 9 touched. This noise is very precise in time and therefore can be used as noise for the present method.

A second sound is generated according to 3 when lifting the pallet 10 from the escape wheel 11 , This noise is very irregular and is therefore not preferred for the present method.

The third and strongest sound is when the escape wheel 11 on the plate 10 of the anchor 8th falls. This noise can also be utilized for the present method.

The operation of the present invention is as follows:
To monitor a clock 6 this will be on the carrier 4 the clockwinder 1 spanned, leaving the microphone 5 Sounds of this clock can recognize. These sounds are then sent over the data line 2 to the transmitter 3 passed.

The transmitter only uses the first one Noise and the third sound according to the 2 and 4 , The transmitter calculates the time between the two noises (period or amplitude) and determines, for example, an existing power reserve of the clock. During the expiration of the power reserve, this value is relatively constant. Towards the end of the power reserve, however, a driving force from a barrel decreases and the amplitude of the noise decreases significantly. From this, the transmitter can close to one end of the power reserve and start, for example, an elevator operation.

A different possibility, which is preferably carried out together with the former option, is that a bouncing sound the clock is determined. Watches that are too over-tightened run, swing in the vibrating element (usually in agitation) not harmonious, but it comes to "bouncing". Appears this noise, so does this for the transmitter that the clock is raised enough so that the transmitter stops the further elevator process.

In addition to the determination of the noise, a predetermined speed for a watch winder can also be entered into the transmitter. A speed up to the lift maximum depends on the factory and the specific construction. A corresponding value can be learned from the movement manufacturer and selected accordingly in the watch winder. For the transmitter, this means that it pays particular attention to the value above the speed, whether here bouncing sounds occur, so that thereby a watch can also be applied over the value specified by the movement manufacturer. Position Number List 1 winder 2 data line 3 evaluation 4 carrier 5 microphone 6 Clock 7 unrest 8th anchor 9 fork 10 palette 11 escape wheel

Claims (9)

Method for automatically winding a clock ( 6 ), in particular a mechanical automatic watch whose noise is detected by means of a signal receiver ( 5 ), which is equipped with evaluation electronics ( 3 ), the transmitter, by analyzing the noises, determining the need to wind up the watch and controlling a device to wind up the watch. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a bouncing sound of the clock ( 6 ) is detected during winding and, as soon as this occurs, the winding of the watch is stopped. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the time between the noise in which an ellipse on the unrest ( 7 ) a fork ( 9 ) of an anchor ( 8th ) the clock ( 6 ), and the sound at which an escape wheel ( 11 ) on a pallet ( 10 ) of the anchor ( 8th ), determined and used as the amplitude. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that falls below a predetermined amplitude via an evaluation ( 3 ) an elevator operation is started. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that when exceeding a predetermined amplitude via an evaluation ( 3 ) the elevator process is stopped. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that from a comparison of at least one of the sounds with a stored noise on a maintenance need of the clock ( 6 ) is closed. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a predetermined speed for a watch winder ( 1 ), which moves the clock, into the transmitter ( 3 ) is entered. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the signal sensor ( 5 ) the watch winder ( 1 ) assigned. Watch winder for automatic winding of a watch ( 6 ) mounted on a support ( 4 ), whereby the clock ( 6 ) on the carrier ( 4 ) a signal sensor ( 5 ) for determining the sounds of the clock ( 6 ) and this with an evaluation ( 3 ) connected is.