EP0427077B1 - Pièce d'horlogerie électronique - Google Patents

Pièce d'horlogerie électronique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0427077B1
EP0427077B1 EP90120671A EP90120671A EP0427077B1 EP 0427077 B1 EP0427077 B1 EP 0427077B1 EP 90120671 A EP90120671 A EP 90120671A EP 90120671 A EP90120671 A EP 90120671A EP 0427077 B1 EP0427077 B1 EP 0427077B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
frequency
timepiece
output
signal
timebase
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP90120671A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0427077A1 (fr
Inventor
Jean-Pierre Wattenhofer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ETA SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
Original Assignee
Eta SA Fabriques dEbauches
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Application filed by Eta SA Fabriques dEbauches filed Critical Eta SA Fabriques dEbauches
Publication of EP0427077A1 publication Critical patent/EP0427077A1/fr
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Publication of EP0427077B1 publication Critical patent/EP0427077B1/fr
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04D—APPARATUS OR TOOLS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR MAKING OR MAINTAINING CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04D7/00—Measuring, counting, calibrating, testing or regulating apparatus
    • G04D7/12—Timing devices for clocks or watches for comparing the rate of the oscillating member with a standard
    • G04D7/1207—Timing devices for clocks or watches for comparing the rate of the oscillating member with a standard only for measuring
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G3/00—Producing timing pulses
    • G04G3/02—Circuits for deriving low frequency timing pulses from pulses of higher frequency
    • G04G3/027—Circuits for deriving low frequency timing pulses from pulses of higher frequency by combining pulse-trains of different frequencies, e.g. obtained from two independent oscillators or from a common oscillator by means of different frequency dividing ratios

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an electronic timepiece, the running of which can be controlled by a measurement system, such as those fitted to watch production lines or those currently available to watchmakers and jewelers.
  • Electronic timepieces such as watches, are generally provided with a time base comprising a quartz resonator capable of supplying, in the most stable manner possible, a signal whose frequency is divided, the divided signal being transmitted, in the case of an analog electronic watch, to a stepping motor which controls time indicators (hands, calendar), while this signal is transmitted in the case of a digital watch to a circuit which generally controls a liquid crystal display device.
  • a time base comprising a quartz resonator capable of supplying, in the most stable manner possible, a signal whose frequency is divided, the divided signal being transmitted, in the case of an analog electronic watch, to a stepping motor which controls time indicators (hands, calendar), while this signal is transmitted in the case of a digital watch to a circuit which generally controls a liquid crystal display device.
  • the pulse suppression technique or inhibition technique is that to which reference will be made in the description which follows. follow, it being understood that the invention can be applied by analogy to the technique of adding pulses.
  • FIG. 1 there has been represented, in number N of pulses with respect to time t , the drift of an uncorrected output signal Se supplied by the time base, with respect to a nominal signal Sn which would cause the timepiece in a strictly exact manner.
  • the inhibition therefore consists in removing from the time base signal a number K of pulses every T seconds, T being the inhibition period.
  • a relatively large inhibition period T is chosen, generally between 480 and 640 seconds, or between 8 and a little more than 10 minutes.
  • timepieces are checked at the manufacturing stage.
  • This control which is carried out by a measurement called gait measurement must, to minimize the costs, be carried out over the shortest possible period M, the duration of which generally does not exceed one minute, that is to say a much shorter time than the above inhibition period.
  • quartz provides a signal which varies over time.
  • watchmakers have at their disposal a measuring device which, by an acoustic reception process or by magnetic detection, monitors the progress of timepieces that their customers entrust to them for this purpose.
  • the timepiece 1 which must be checked is placed on a device 2 which indicates by a display means 3 if the running of the watch is good or if, on the contrary, it has any deviation.
  • this type of device available to watchmakers is designed to operate, for each measurement, over a period M of the order of a minute.
  • the first measurement MS1 represented in FIG. 2a is launched at time T1 and is stopped at time T2.
  • the measurement period M being eight to ten times shorter than the inhibition period T (this scale not being observed in the drawings), it can be seen that the inhibition could not have taken place, so that despite l existence of a correction at the level of the signal supplied by the time base, there remains between the corrected signal Sinh and the nominal signal Sn an error Na, corresponding to a number of pulses transmitted in excess.
  • the inhibition occurs during the measurement period M so that the signal Sinh is deficient in a number Nb of pulses.
  • the measurement of the gait can turn out to be completely false since the period M over which the measurement is carried out is much shorter than the period inhibition T.
  • the display means are supplied, during this measurement, on the basis of an output signal, either too corrected or not enough, this since, as shown in FIG. 2a, the inhibition in one case could not be realized, or on the contrary in another case as shown in Figure 2b, just to realize it induces the transmission of an over-corrected signal.
  • a timepiece in which adjustment means are provided which, with a periodicity of 640 seconds, adjust the frequency of the control signal of the display means of this part (these display means being constituted inter alia by the motor) in order to compensate for the frequency differences of the time base which are caused in particular by temperature variations .
  • This timepiece also includes means making it possible to reduce the periodicity of the adjustment, and this in view of ensuring a frequency control of the time base which is not of too long duration.
  • These means include a ring oscillator which is capable of supplying a signal of a relatively high frequency (greater than 2.1 MHz) and which is connected to the motor control circuit by means of a counting circuit. - even connected to an arithmetic and logic circuit coupled to a temperature measurement circuit.
  • This arrangement makes it possible to replace, during a control, the pulses normally applied to the motor, by control pulses repeating with a reduced periodicity (of 10 seconds) compared to the periodicity of the running correction in normal operation.
  • the ring oscillator which has, by construction, an unstable frequency, is controlled by comparison with the frequency of the time base oscillator then the periodicity of the control pulses is adjusted, by the arithmetic circuit and logical, as a function of the deviation of the oscillation of the time base caused by temperature variations.
  • the control pulses which then take into account the influence of the gait adjustment can then be detected by a measuring device installed for example at the retailer responsible for after-sales service.
  • this assembly must necessarily include a complex calculation circuit which risks introducing errors, precisely when it is desired to check the correct functioning of the timepiece. In addition to its high cost, this assembly therefore has the drawback of not ensuring reliable control of the running of the watch. Finally, during the check, this assembly necessarily prevents the exact time of the timepiece from being kept.
  • the object of the invention is to provide a timepiece comprising a simple and reliable circuit allowing easy control of the movement of a timepiece provided with an adjustment device by inhibition or by adding a pulse, while offering the possibility of keeping the exact time.
  • control device by comparison between these signals, must be able to determine whether the number of inhibitions present has been properly programmed.
  • This control method therefore requires a very specific device and does not meet the purpose set here.
  • This timepiece includes a time base G which is provided with an oscillator 10 controlled by a quartz resonator 12 and which is capable of supplying an output signal Se with a frequency of 32,768 Hz.
  • a first division chain 14 which receives from this time base G the output signal Se.
  • the division chain 14 has a division rate D equal to 32,768 and it is linked to a TAF display means which is sensitive to a signal divided into frequency Sd, emitted by this division chain.
  • the TAF display means comprises for example, in the case of an analog electronic timepiece, a stepping motor coupled to a gear train driving the hands.
  • a stepping motor coupled to a gear train driving the hands.
  • it can be formed, in the case of a digital electronic timepiece, by a microprocessor associated with a display of the liquid crystal type.
  • the display means TAF processes and transforms into a time indication the signal Sd transmitted by the first division chain 14, the signal Sd having a frequency of 1 Hz.
  • the timepiece of Figure 4 further includes an adjustment system 16 of the output signal Se.
  • the adjustment system 16 acts by a correction process on the division chain 14.
  • a correction process by inhibition it being understood that the invention can be '' apply indifferently to the technique of adding pulses.
  • a second division chain 18 At the output of the first division chain 14 is connected a second division chain 18.
  • This second division chain 18 which belongs to the adjustment system 16 consists of two dividers 18a and 18b.
  • the first divider 18a which is connected to the input of the second 18b has a division rate with a value N for example equal to 48, while the second divider 18b has a division rate U for example equal to 10.
  • the adjustment system 16 conventionally operates, in normal use mode, over an inhibition period T of 480 seconds.
  • the timepiece comprises generator means 20 which, when they operate in the control mode and as will be explained below, allow efficient and error-free verification of the progress of the timepiece.
  • generator means 20 comprise at least one phase comparator 22 and a variable frequency oscillator 24 which is preferably of the voltage controllable type.
  • the power supply terminal of the variable frequency oscillator 24 is connectable to the power supply V + of the timepiece by means of a switch 31 provided between said power supply and the terminal d supply of this oscillator 24.
  • One of the inputs of the phase comparator 22 is connectable to the output of the time base G by means of a switch 30 which is arranged between the output of the time base G and the input of the phase comparator 22.
  • phase comparator 22 Since the other input of the phase comparator 22 is connected to the output of the variable frequency oscillator 24, the frequency of which is controlled by the comparator 22, this arrangement forms a means for controlling the generator means 20 at the time base. G.
  • the generator means 20 are capable of supplying an auxiliary signal Sr (FIG. 5) whose frequency can be controlled by the frequency of the output signal Se of the time base G.
  • a switch 32 is provided at the junction 28 between the time base G and the frequency divider 14.
  • the common terminal of this switch 32 which forms the output terminal is therefore connected to the input of the division chain 14, while one of its input terminals is connected to the output of the time base G and the other is connected to the output of the variable frequency oscillator 24.
  • the switches 30, 31 and the switch 32 form actuation means arranged so that they simultaneously allow the supply of the generator means 20 and the connection of these generator means 20, on the one hand at the outlet of the base of time G with a view to their enslavement, and on the other hand at the entry of the chain of division 14.
  • actuating means are moreover arranged so that when one acts on a member of the timepiece which is externally accessible, such as for example the rod and the crown 4 (FIG. 3), these actuating means are in their active (switches 31, 30) or switched (switch 32) position.
  • a divider 26 is provided between the output of the variable frequency oscillator 24, after its junction with the switch 28, and the input of the frequency comparator 22.
  • This divider 26 having a division rate P, it is therefore understood that the signal Sr which will be supplied by the generator means 20, during the control, may have a frequency P times higher than that of the output signal Se supplied by the base of time G.
  • the common terminal 36a of this switch which here forms an output terminal, is connected to the input of the display means TAF.
  • the other terminal 36c is connected to the output of the first divider 18a of the division chain 18, this chain managing the operating frequency of the adjustment system 16.
  • the display means TAF can be selectively connected, either to the input or to the output of the divider 18a.
  • the division rate P of the divider 26 is chosen equal to the division rate N of the divider 18a.
  • the timepiece according to the invention can be provided with a divider 40 with a division rate Q, connected between the output of the time base G and the common junction of the switch 30 and switch 32.
  • This divider 40 makes it possible to decrease by Q times the frequency of the signal Sr supplied by the generator means 20, the division rate of the division chain 14 being, therefore, equal to D / Q.
  • a signal is provided at the input of the phase comparator 22, the duty cycle of which is that of a square signal, which makes it possible to use a phase comparator of simplified construction.
  • the operation of the timepiece according to the invention is as follows.
  • the rod When using the timepiece in normal operating mode, the rod by means of its crown 4 (FIG. 3) is in its pushed position or simply pulled up to its reset notch. time or date movement, so that the switches 31, 30 and the switches 32, 36 are left in the position shown in FIG. 4.
  • the generator means 20 are not supplied and the time base G delivers to the division chain 14 its output signal Se.
  • the display means TAF is connected directly to the output of the division chain 14 from which the signal Sd comes.
  • the motor advances by one step every second and, via the hands, provides the normal time indication.
  • the division rate of the division chain 18 being equal to N x U, ie 480, the inhibition by the adjustment system 16 is repeated over a periodicity of 480 seconds.
  • the time base G being connected to the generator means 20, and more particularly to the phase comparator 22, the frequency of the generator means 20 is controlled by that of the time base G.
  • switches 32 and 36 are in their switched position.
  • the input of the division chain 14 is no longer connected to the output of the time base G, but to that of the generator means 20.
  • the generating means 20 therefore supply the division chain 14 with the auxiliary signal Sr which is a signal P times faster than the signal Se.
  • the display means TAF is now connected to the output of the divider 18a, and as the division rate N of this divider is preferably chosen equal to that (P) of the divider 26, the signal Sd is found, which has a frequency of 1 Hz, at the output of the divider 18a.
  • the signal at the output of the division chain 14 has a frequency of the same P times higher (originally 1 Hz and now 48 Hz) and as the value P is equal to the value N, we find at the output from the divider 18a a signal of a frequency N times reduced, that is to say again equal to 1 HZ (that is to say the signal Sd).
  • the display means TAF being connected at this point, it functions as when it is used in normal mode, and the motor which advances by one step per second provides the control device 2 with detectable information.
  • This information is processed by this device which indicates to the controller or the watchmaker via a display means 3, whether the running of the watch is correct or not.
  • the periodicity T of the adjustment is therefore reduced.
  • This inhibition is therefore always launched every 480 pulses received from the output signal of the division chain 14, but since this signal is faster (48 times) the time between these pulses is reduced and the inhibition period (measurement relative to time and not with respect to the number of pulses) is correspondingly shortened.
  • the timepiece comprises generator means which are provided with servo means for slaving the frequency of the auxiliary signal Sr to that of the signal Se supplied by the time base G
  • the generating means are arranged to be selectively connected to the junction between the time base G and the division chain 14 in order to shorten, during the control of the walk, the periodicity of adjustment, it is possible perform a reliable and error-free measurement without losing the time provided by the timepiece.
  • this device would be entirely satisfactory even if the switch 36 were omitted. This would require the possibility of setting the control device 2 on a control frequency P times higher and then reset the timepiece, which of course is not an optimal solution.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
  • Liquid Crystal Substances (AREA)
  • Lubrication Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Nitrogen Condensed Heterocyclic Rings (AREA)
  • Developing Agents For Electrophotography (AREA)
EP90120671A 1989-11-10 1990-10-29 Pièce d'horlogerie électronique Expired - Lifetime EP0427077B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH4054/89A CH677577B5 (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html) 1989-11-10 1989-11-10
CH4054/89 1989-11-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0427077A1 EP0427077A1 (fr) 1991-05-15
EP0427077B1 true EP0427077B1 (fr) 1993-03-03

Family

ID=4268958

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90120671A Expired - Lifetime EP0427077B1 (fr) 1989-11-10 1990-10-29 Pièce d'horlogerie électronique

Country Status (4)

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EP (1) EP0427077B1 (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html)
JP (1) JP3066605B2 (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html)
CH (1) CH677577B5 (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html)
DE (1) DE69001009T2 (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
TW475991B (en) * 1998-12-28 2002-02-11 Nippon Kouatsu Electric Co Ltd Fault point location system
JP2001343474A (ja) * 2000-06-02 2001-12-14 Seiko Epson Corp 電子時計、電子時計の制御方法及び電子時計の検査システム
EP3168695B1 (fr) * 2015-11-13 2021-03-10 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Procédé de test de la marche d'une montre à quartz

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5550191A (en) * 1978-10-06 1980-04-11 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Electronic timepiece
US4282594A (en) * 1978-12-27 1981-08-04 Citizen Watch Company Limited Electronic timepiece
US4400093A (en) * 1981-07-06 1983-08-23 Omega Louis Brandt & Frere S.A. Method for inspecting the running of a timepiece and timepiece adapted for such method
US4408897A (en) * 1982-09-22 1983-10-11 Ebauches Electroniques S.A. Electronic timepiece having a digital frequency correction circuit

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0427077A1 (fr) 1991-05-15
DE69001009T2 (de) 1993-09-30
DE69001009D1 (de) 1993-04-08
JPH03172791A (ja) 1991-07-26
CH677577GA3 (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html) 1991-06-14
JP3066605B2 (ja) 2000-07-17
CH677577B5 (cg-RX-API-DMAC7.html) 1991-12-13

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