DE1042478B - By means of a direct current source, e.g. B. a battery powered electric clock - Google Patents

Description

GERMAN

The invention relates to a device by means of a direct current source, e.g. B. a battery powered electric clock. Any device used to measure time, but in particular one, is used as a clock Pocket watch or wrist watch, understood.

There have already been proposed clocks driven by means of electrical direct current sources in which the spring mechanism by an electric battery and the gear train with the escapement by an electric one driven transducer, e.g. B. od a balance wheel or a pendulum. Like., Have been replaced. The regulator stayed there the clock always has a mechanical oscillator, e.g. B. a balance wheel with a spring, a pendulum, a tuning fork, a crystal, in particular quartz or the like.

The disadvantages of the purely mechanical oscillator, such as balance and pendulum, are used to regulate the rate of the clock numerous: the power required to maintain their oscillation is relatively large, insufficient Lubrication and different positions of the watch can often result in considerable deviations in the rate, and other external influences, in particular changes in the amplitude due to changes in the drive voltage, can affect the accuracy of the time measurement, plus the disturbances of the very frequent actuated contacts.

For small clocks, such as wristwatches and pocket watches, a rate control is by means of high frequencies Electrically excited mechanical oscillators, in particular quartz oscillators, for reasons of space not possible because, due to the very high oscillator frequency, a multi-stage oscillator in addition to the actual oscillator Frequency divider must be provided, which is impossible in a wrist or pocket watch can be accommodated.

In the recently known, contactless clocks working with transistor circuits it is either pure feedback circuits, in which by a low-frequency mechanical Schwinger z. B. inductively generated impulses react after amplification on this driving, or around electrical oscillating circuits that are controlled or synchronized by such a mechanical oscillator will. It is true that here the contact difficulties disappear, as well as the need for Frequency division, but the dependence of the oscillator amplitude on the voltage remains. In addition, the temperature influences the transistor gain.

In order to avoid the disadvantages of the mechanical regulator, is already without any mechanical Speed regulator the arrangement of electronic feedback generators, which are an electrical, frequency-determining Network is assigned and which generators to the pointer drive system ratio-means a direct current source,

e.g. a battery,
powered electric clock

Applicant:

OMEGA Louis Brandt & Frere SA,
Biel (Switzerland)

Representative: Dr. E. Sturm, patent attorney,
Munich 23, Leopoldstr. 20th

Claimed priority:
Switzerland from April 2, 1955

Alexis Kwartiroff and Eugene Patkewitsch,

Geneva (Switzerland),
have been named as inventors

deliver moderately low-frequency pulses of constant frequency, known. These feedback generators were generally provided with a single frequency-determining resonant circuit, a feedback coil and, if necessary, a coupling-in coil for synchronization pulses and a decoupling coil for the output pulses. It is inevitable that the switching elements, for. B. inductors and capacitors, such resonant circuits get relatively large values and thus large dimensions if the oscillation frequency is to be kept low. It is therefore already known to insert metal foils, eg tinfoil, between the individual winding layers of the coils, or to add metal powder, eg. B. made of aluminum to add to increase the self-capacitance of the coils and thus to keep the natural frequency of the resonant circuits in which these coils are connected as low as possible. At the same time, the aim of this known arrangement was to obtain two coupled resonant circuits with mutually different natural frequencies such that the oscillator frequency is equal to the beat frequency between the two natural frequencies of the resonant circuits. be _; whereby an exceptionally low oscillation frequency of 1 to 10 ¹ Hz of the oscillator can be achieved. Indeed, this known generator is likely to result

809 661/109

very strong coupling between the anode and
the grid circle work as a blocking oscillator, and it
it is known that such strongly coupled oscillators are voltage-dependent by changing the frequency
with fluctuations in the supply voltages is greatly changed because the current flow in the anode circuit and
thus the control voltage fed back to the grid strongly depend on the supply voltage; This is
especially the case because to achieve out

a delay line as an exclusively frequency-determining variable in an electronically controlled one Clock to use.

The drawing shows in the

1 to 3 three embodiments of the electrical or electronic equipment of the invention Clock and in the

Fig. 4 to 7 embodiments of used

by their metal inclusions also as a delay line, e.g. B. act as a cable. It lets itself on do not dispute that at least theoretically a certain delay in the rise in current 5 will occur at the opposite ends of the anode coil of this known circuit. From this fact d. H. from this typical property of the delay line, however, is used in the known No use has been made of the circuit, and the sufficient power of coils with iron cores with oscillator frequency is by no means used here either were, so that the inductance with the eventual or only predominantly by the running excitation current strength changes. This known circuit determines the time of the pulses; because the one on the grid of the is thus not only for spatial reasons, but the voltage returned to the oscillator tube does not depend also for reasons of accuracy for wearable from this term, but from the change of the Watches, such as wrist or pocket watches, that operate during 15 magnetic flux emitted by the anode coil is generated for a longer period of time fed by the same battery and which in the grid coil the are to be whose voltage induced by the discharge S expensive voltage This change in flux is available constantly falling, not suitable. but in no direct connection with the

The present invention now brings the transit time of the current pulses through the anode coil; Possibility of using a purely electronic rate change - and thus the regulator, ie without any mechanical oscillators, also the decisive peak voltage at the control grid - in a pocket watch or wristwatch, despite the need not to limit the maximum current increase available space and despite the strong one coil end of the anode coil, ie with the variable battery voltage with sufficient running time of the current pulses through this coil, to use together-frequency constancy. This goal will hang at 25 men. This known arrangement thus has one by means of a direct current source, e.g. B. one by no means suggested the doctrine, the running time by battery, powered electric clock, in which
instead of a mechanical gear regulator, an electronic feedback generator to which an electrical, frequency-determining emergency mechanism is assigned, 30
supplies relatively low-frequency pulses of constant frequency to the pointer mechanism drive system, achieved according to the invention in that a delay line is assigned to the feedback generator in a manner known per se, and by means of such delay circuits, like dimensioning and arrangement of the delay on in the illustrated embodiments

line, e.g. B. a multi-link delay chain, a transistor formed gain element 1 a structure exhibiting cable properties or is in the following way of an electrical a semiconductor arrangement and such an assignable battery 2: the collector of transistor 1 tion of the same to the feedback generator that the 40 is with the input of a suitable delay frequency the circuit 3 supplied to the engine system for slowing down the propagation Impulses so far from the cut-off frequency - electromagnetic waves, whose evasion, in particular below the same is that it is coupled to the base of the transistor 1 gang. only by a considerably long running time of the Gives one to the base of the transistor 1 an elek-impulse through the delay line, but not an Irish pulse, this has a pulse-like change through the pulse voltage is determined. So there the tion of the current in the collector circuits of the transistor Oscillator frequency from the pulse voltage to the sequence, and the thus amplified pulse becomes the is going independent, the sinking of the circuit 3 plays. This delay circuit 3 Battery voltage does not matter. With a suitable construction, either a cable with a large delay structure can be used and the rating of the delay line is 50 digit, by one of capacitors and inductors possible to bring the same delay chain or the like built up in a very small space, are or can preferably be made of a material time-of-flight generators whose frequency is determined by the large delay coefficients, such as. B. Ger runtime electrical impulses through a delay manium, silicon or some other suitable line is determined, are, as indicated, in the 55 semiconductors exist. The running time of the impulses or High-frequency technology is known per se, and the delay of the same depends exclusively on by suitable phase position of the pulses, in general the properties of those in circuit 3 but only with several tubes in the circuit, circuit elements borrowed and in particular is unachievable is that the frequency depends largely on changes in the pulse amplitude as a result Voltage is independent. However, it has so far been under 60 of changes to the other switching elements never on the possibility of using just external influences such as temperature and pressure of these Kind of oscillators in a watch indicated, fluctuations and the like, or as a result of aging and and it is thus the merit of the inventor that other internal influences, such as e. B. Decrease in the special advantages of such generators for the voltage of the battery 2, decrease of the amplification time measurement, especially for small electric watches of 65 degrees and the like Correct comparison with all of the above-mentioned known system measurements adapted by the intended use and switching of the delay line first with mechanical frequency-determining Schwinmalig to have made usable. like, z. B. Quartz crystals, the oscillation of which could be objected to, the coils of the above frequency not only depend on the temperature of the quartz, especially mentioned oscillating circuit generator would 70 but also to a considerable extent from the oscillating

gungsamplitu.de depends, which in turn depends primarily on the supply voltage, e.g. B. the battery voltage, and also on the properties of the active switching elements (tubes, transistors or the like). The circuit is therefore particularly suitable for battery operation, because despite the inevitable gradual decrease in battery voltage operates at a constant frequency and therefore the battery voltage has no disruptive influence on the accuracy of the watch.

The pulses leaving the circuit 3 after a certain running time are transmitted via the capacitor 5 fed back to the base of transistor 1 and again amplified in the transistor, the gain factor and the feedback factor can be chosen so that the arrangement automatically in oscillating state remains.

A resistor 6 and a synchronous motor or pulse motor 4 are also provided in the collector circuit. The resistor 6 is used to decouple the motor circuit from the base circuit of the transistor. The motor 4 controls mechanical or electrical transmission means for driving the clock hands, e.g. B. a reduction gear or an indexing gear.

FIG. 2 shows a variant of the circuit shown in FIG. 1. The transistor 1 that Battery 2 and the delay circuit 3 are constructed and connected in the same way as in FIG. 1. On the other hand the motor 4 has a secondary winding via which the collector circuit is inductive with the base of the transistor is coupled and in which the feedback pulse is induced.

The two circuits described above do not self-excite and therefore require one external initial impulse to trigger the feedback oscillation.

In Fig. 3 a circuit is shown which oscillates automatically when the battery is switched on begins, but the frequency is also determined exclusively by the delay circuit 3 will. The transistor 1 and the transformer 4 form a self-excited oscillator, preferably a blocking oscillator, which is fed by the battery 2. The natural frequency of this oscillator is essentially determined by the time constant of the capacitance 7 and the resistor 8. This frequency is to be chosen so that it is slightly below the frequency determined by the delay circuit 3 lies. The blocking oscillator is synchronized with the delay network certain frequency.

If the battery 2 is switched on, the blocking oscillator begins to work, with a first Pulse is delivered to the delay circuit 3. The one exiting the same with a delay Pulse is transmitted through the secondary winding of the transformer 4 and the capacitor 7 to the base of the Transistor 1 is fed back and causes the onset of a new pulse before the pulse of the Self blocking oscillation sets in. In this way synchronization is achieved by the delay circuit achieved. The transformer 4 also forms a synchronous motor or pulse motor or is with one such coupled, and the clock hands are driven by this motor.

The reinforcement could also be in more than one stage and by means of other reinforcing elements, e.g. B. Electron tubes or a magnetic amplifier or the like. Take place.

4 shows a delay circuit that can be used in the clock according to the invention in the form of a line with concentrated or point-like distributed switching elements, which here consist of inductances L.

or - and capacities C exist. The calculation of such lines is simple because all characteristic values can be determined using three formulas.

The delay is

τ = n] fLC '

1 -

Seconds,

Ct) Cl) ₀

where η denotes the number of links in the line, ω ₀ denotes the cut-off frequency and ω denotes the operating frequency, where

Ct) ₀ =

In order to achieve good stability, ω ₀ should be chosen to be large compared to ω.

To z. B. an oscillation frequency of 800 Hz that is suitable for direct operation of a small synchronous motor can achieve the following values be used:

L = 0.15Hy,
C =

In this case, we get a delay of 55 μβ per line link, which is twenty-three Links are required to achieve the target frequency of 800 Hz. In this case it is

= 25,000 Ohm, Ct) ₀ = 36,300 Hz, CO ₀ = 7.3.

If switching elements with suitable temperature coefficients are selected, a very high level of stability can be achieved can be achieved with temperature fluctuations that are higher than the stability of quartz oscillators.

Instead of a delay line according to FIG. 4, a suitable delay line with distributed switching elements in the form of a cable or the like could also be used. Existing cables have delay coefficients of up to 5 μδ per meter of cable length, and it should be possible to achieve significantly higher delays with appropriate cable construction. Such very small cables could be wound into coils and also used as delay circuit 3 in the clock.

Figs. 5 to 7 show delay circuits constructed by means of semiconductor elements. Fig. 5 shows a Experimental circuit with a semiconductor element 10, ζ. B. of germanium, silicon or the like. Which one-sided with which the terminals 11 and 12 connecting conductor is connected and against which on the opposite Surface tips 15 or 16 are applied at a distance of 1 mm, which is connected to the clamps 13 and 14 are connected. With this arrangement, an electrical voltage applied to terminals 11 and 13 occurs Pulse with a delay of 5 to 10 μβ at terminals 12 and 14. Tests have shown that this delay time is very constant.

In order to increase the delay time of 5 to 10 μβ, which is in itself insufficient for the purposes of the invention increase, e.g. B. the arrangement shown in Fig. 6, where the tips 15 and 16 are significantly further apart than in the experimental circuit shown in FIG. 5. So that can the delay time can be increased considerably. If necessary, an increase can also be achieved by using particularly suitable semiconductor materials can be achieved. The spacing of the tips 15 and 16 in The arrangement shown in FIG. 6 can in principle be selected to be of any size, with the semiconductor element 10 z. B. can be designed as a thread and wound on a spool.

It is also possible to have a sufficient delay produced by semiconductors by connecting them in series to obtain several units according to FIG. 5 or 6. Such a circuit is shown in Fig. 7, where the Tips 15 and 16 are replaced by surface contacts 17 and 18, respectively. Such a series connection of semiconductor elements can cause a very considerable delay in the transmission of a signal to terminals 11 and 13 result in an electrical signal applied to terminals 12 and 14. The individual elements of the Delay circuits can be dimensioned so small, especially when using semiconductors, that the whole arrangement takes up little space and possibly in a wrist or pocket watch could be accommodated.

Claims (3)

Patent claims: 1. By means of a direct current source, e.g. B. a battery, powered electric clock, in particular Pocket or wrist watch with an electronic one instead of a mechanical regulator Feedback generator to which an electrical, frequency-determining network is assigned is, relatively low-frequency pulses to the pointer drive system are more constant Frequency supplies, characterized in that the feedback generator is known per se Way a delay line is assigned, and characterized by such a rating and arranging the delay line, e.g., a multi-link delay chain, one Cable properties having structure or a semiconductor device, and such Assignment of the same to the feedback generator that the frequency of the engine system delivered pulses deviates from the cutoff frequency to such an extent, especially below the same lies in the fact that it only occurs through a considerably long duration of the impulses the delay line, however, is not determined by the pulse voltage. 2. Clock according to claim 1, characterized in that said feedback generator is designed as a blocking oscillator, which by its own, the delay line traversing Pulses is synchronized. 3. Clock according to claim 1, characterized in that the delay line is one or more Has semiconductor elements on which for the purpose of passing through the electrical to be delayed Impulse at a preferably large distance from each two tip or surface contacts are attached, with thread-like, elongated semiconductor elements, which optionally to coils are wound, are formed in such a way and / or wherein a plurality of semiconductor elements are connected in series are that the required large delay is obtained. Considered publications: Austrian patent specification No. 133 325,
875; French Patent No. 1090564; U.S. Patent Nos. 2,047,912, 1,514,751; La ret, Annales fra ^ aises de Chronometrie, 1953, November issue, pp. 117 to 124; Patier, "Les lignes a retard et leur utilization", Paris, 1953, pp. 93, 94. 1 sheet of drawings 80Ϊ 661/108 10.58