EP0455601A1 - Electronic time-piece - Google Patents
Electronic time-piece Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0455601A1 EP0455601A1 EP91810322A EP91810322A EP0455601A1 EP 0455601 A1 EP0455601 A1 EP 0455601A1 EP 91810322 A EP91810322 A EP 91810322A EP 91810322 A EP91810322 A EP 91810322A EP 0455601 A1 EP0455601 A1 EP 0455601A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- accumulator
- movement
- photovoltaic cells
- dial
- annular
- 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.)
- Granted
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Classifications
-
- 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
- G04C10/00—Arrangements of electric power supplies in time pieces
- G04C10/02—Arrangements of electric power supplies in time pieces the power supply being a radioactive or photovoltaic source
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
- G04B19/00—Indicating the time by visual means
- G04B19/06—Dials
- G04B19/12—Selection of materials for dials or graduations markings
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electronic timepiece with analog display comprising an electronic movement powered by an accumulator, a dial and photoelectric cells ensuring the charging of the accumulator.
- the present invention aims to achieve a construction concept applicable to all types of movements, making it possible to achieve very flat movements and facilitating automatic assembly of watch components.
- the electronic timepiece according to the invention is characterized in that the accumulator is mounted on an annular piece surrounding the movement and carrying the photovoltaic cells located opposite the dial, as well as the components of the electrical circuit. connecting the photovoltaic cells to the accumulator, and that the dial has cutouts in front of the photovoltaic cells.
- the annular part, with its circuit, its photovoltaic cells and the accumulator, constitutes a ring-shaped module easily mountable around the movement.
- This ring can simultaneously serve as a ring for movement. In the case of a movement from one piece with the case back, the movement will also fit into the ring, between the case and the dial.
- the accumulator is itself in annular shape and occupies most of the volume of the ring.
- the capacity of such an accumulator can be very large, while the space which it occupies corresponds practically to that of a ring for fitting the movement.
- Figure 1 is a plan view of a wristwatch valid for the three embodiments.
- Figure 2 is an exploded view of the first embodiment.
- Figure 3 is an exploded view of the second embodiment, without the middle-bezel identical to that of the first embodiment.
- Figure 4 is a plan view of the ring surrounding the movement according to a third embodiment.
- the watch shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a case made up of a metal bezel-frame 1, a lens 2 fixed in a notch of ice in the frame-bezel 1 and a base 9 which is fixed to the notch in the middle- bezel 1.
- the middle case-bezel 1 is provided with two pairs of horns 3, 4, and 5, 6 for fixing a bracelet. Below the notch of ice, the middle-bezel has a range 7, the rest of the interior of the middle-bezel being simply constituted by a cylindrical face 8.
- the watch according to the first embodiment ( Figure 2) comprises a movement 10 integrated into the metal back, as found on the market.
- the movement is surmounted by a dial 11 which comes to rest against the surface 7 of the middle-bezel, leaving sufficient space for the hands 12 and 13.
- the movement 10 is surrounded by a circle 14 of synthetic material having a cylindrical skirt 15 adapted to the movement and a flange 16 in contact with the dial.
- the puddle 16 has rectangular recesses distributed over the periphery and each containing a photovoltaic cell 17.
- an accumulator 18 of annular shape.
- the dial 11 has, at its periphery, rectangular cut-outs or notches 19, each of these cut-outs being located opposite a photovoltaic cell 17. These cut-outs 19, preferably 4, 6 or 12 in number, can occupy the locations of time signs.
- the annular part 14 further carries the diode and the capacitor of the charging circuit of the accumulator 18.
- the galvanic connection of the accumulator to the movement 10 can be ensured on the one hand by the bottom 9 and, on the other hand, by a metal tongue 20 inside the ring 14.
- the dial 11 can be omitted, the movement then being visible and the time signs being directly constituted by the photovoltaic cells 17.
- the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, comprises the same middle-bezel 1.
- the bottom 21 is a simple metallic bottom fixed to the notch in this middle-bezel.
- the movement 22 is any commercial movement, for example a 6 3/4 x 8 movement. Such a movement has a battery compartment in which there is a contact tab 23 which can be folded down so as to protrude outside the metal cage of the movement to establish contact with the bottom 21.
- This annular part 14 also has a contact tongue 20, but directed in the other direction.
- FIG. 4 A third embodiment using such an accumulator is shown partially in FIG. 4.
- this piece is shown, this piece, massive, presenting a housing for a small accumulator 25 in the form of pastille.
- this annular part 24 is similar to part 14 of the other embodiments. It also carries photovoltaic cells 17 and a housing is provided for the diode and the capacitor of the charging circuit of the accumulator.
- the accumulator 25 vertically occupies a space situated in the thickness of the movement and therefore makes it possible to produce very flat watches.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
- Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
- Electric Clocks (AREA)
- Mechanical Treatment Of Semiconductor (AREA)
Abstract
Description
La présente invention a pour objet une pièce d'horlogerie électronique à affichage analogique comprenant un mouvement électronique alimenté par un accumulateur, un cadran et des cellules photoélectriques assurant la charge de l'accumulateur.The present invention relates to an electronic timepiece with analog display comprising an electronic movement powered by an accumulator, a dial and photoelectric cells ensuring the charging of the accumulator.
L'utilisation d'un accumulateur associé à des cellules photovoltaïques permet de réaliser des pièces d'horlogerie présentant une grande réserve de marche. Par ailleurs, la fabrication hautement automatisée de mouvements d'horlogerie électronique à oscillateur à quartz et micromoteur pas à pas permet aujourd'hui de fabriquer des montres à des prix très compétitifs en utilisant l'un ou l'autre des mouvements existants sur le marché. Ces mouvements comportent un logement de pile dont le fond présente une languette métallique élastique assurant la liaison galvanique à l'un des pôles de la pile au circuit électronique du mouvement, l'autre liaison galvanique étant assurée par la cage métallique du mouvement. Dans une précédente demande de brevet, non publiée, du demandeur, il a été proposé de loger l'accumulateur et le mouvement dans un cercle d'encageage en matière synthétique. Le mouvement et l'accumulateur sont superposés et séparés par une feuille de matière isolante.The use of an accumulator associated with photovoltaic cells makes it possible to produce timepieces having a large power reserve. Furthermore, the highly automated manufacture of electronic clock movements with quartz oscillator and stepper micromotor now makes it possible to manufacture watches at very competitive prices using one or the other of the movements existing on the market. . These movements include a battery housing, the bottom of which has an elastic metal tongue ensuring the galvanic connection to one of the poles of the battery to the electronic circuit of the movement, the other galvanic connection being provided by the metal cage of the movement. In a previous, unpublished patent application of the applicant, it was proposed to house the accumulator and the movement in a casing ring made of synthetic material. The movement and the accumulator are superimposed and separated by a sheet of insulating material.
On connaît par ailleurs des montres dans lesquelles le fond fait partie intégrante du mouvement.We also know watches in which the back is an integral part of the movement.
Partant de la conception précédemment déposée et compte tenu des mouvements existant sur le marché, la présente invention a pour but de réaliser un concept de construction applicable à tous types de mouvements, permettant de réaliser des mouvements très plats et facilitant l'assemblage automatique des composants de la montre.Starting from the previously deposited design and taking into account the movements existing on the market, the present invention aims to achieve a construction concept applicable to all types of movements, making it possible to achieve very flat movements and facilitating automatic assembly of watch components.
A cet effet, la pièce d'horlogerie électronique selon l'invention est caractérisée par le fait que l'accumulateur est monté sur une pièce annulaire entourant le mouvement et portant les cellules photovoltaïques situées en regard du cadran, ainsi que les composants du circuit électrique reliant les cellules photovoltaïques à l'accumulateur, et que le cadran présente des découpes en face des cellules photovoltaïques.To this end, the electronic timepiece according to the invention is characterized in that the accumulator is mounted on an annular piece surrounding the movement and carrying the photovoltaic cells located opposite the dial, as well as the components of the electrical circuit. connecting the photovoltaic cells to the accumulator, and that the dial has cutouts in front of the photovoltaic cells.
La pièce annulaire, avec son circuit, ses cellules photovoltaïques et l'accumulateur, constitue un module en forme d'anneau aisément montable autour du mouvement. Cet anneau peut servir simultanément d'anneau d'emboîtage pour le mouvement. Dans le cas d'un mouvement venu d'une pièce avec le fond, le mouvement viendra également s'emboîter dans l'anneau, entre le fond et le cadran.The annular part, with its circuit, its photovoltaic cells and the accumulator, constitutes a ring-shaped module easily mountable around the movement. This ring can simultaneously serve as a ring for movement. In the case of a movement from one piece with the case back, the movement will also fit into the ring, between the case and the dial.
Selon une forme d'exécution particulièrement intéressante de l'invention, l'accumulateur est lui-même en forme annulaire et occupe la majeure partie du volume de l'anneau. La capacité d'un tel accumulateur peut être très importante, alors que l'espace qu'il occupe correspond pratiquement à celui d'un anneau d'emboîtage du mouvement.According to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, the accumulator is itself in annular shape and occupies most of the volume of the ring. The capacity of such an accumulator can be very large, while the space which it occupies corresponds practically to that of a ring for fitting the movement.
Le dessin annexé représente, à titre d'exemple, trois formes d'exécution de l'invention.The accompanying drawing shows, by way of example, three embodiments of the invention.
La figure 1 est une vue en plan d'une montre bracelet valable pour les trois formes d'exécution.Figure 1 is a plan view of a wristwatch valid for the three embodiments.
La figure 2 est un éclaté de la première forme d'exécution.Figure 2 is an exploded view of the first embodiment.
La figure 3 est un éclaté de la deuxième forme d'exécution, sans la carrure-lunette identique à celle de la première forme d'exécution.Figure 3 is an exploded view of the second embodiment, without the middle-bezel identical to that of the first embodiment.
La figure 4 est une vue en plan de l'anneau entourant le mouvement selon une troisième forme d'exécution.Figure 4 is a plan view of the ring surrounding the movement according to a third embodiment.
La montre représentée aux figures 1 et 2comprend un boîtier constitué d'une carrure-lunette métallique 1, d'une glace 2 fixée dans un cran de glace de la carrure-lunette 1 et un fond 9 venant se fixer à cran dans la carrure-lunette 1. La carrure-lunette 1 est munie de deux paires de cornes 3, 4, et 5, 6 pour la fixation d'un bracelet. En dessous du cran de glace, la carrure-lunette présente une portée 7, le reste de l'intérieur de la carrure-lunette étant tout simplement constitué par une face cylindrique 8.The watch shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a case made up of a metal bezel-
La montre selon la première forme d'exécution (figure 2) comprend un mouvement 10 intégré au fond métallique, tel qu'on le trouve sur le marché. Le mouvement est surmonté d'un cadran 11 venant s'appuyer contre la portée 7 de la carrure-lunette en laissant un espace suffisant pour les aiguilles 12 et 13.The watch according to the first embodiment (Figure 2) comprises a
Le mouvement 10 est entouré d'un cercle 14 en matière synthétique présentant une jupe cylindrique 15 adaptée au mouvement et un flasque 16 en contact avec le cadran.The
En regard du cadran 11, le flaque 16 présente des creusures rectangulaires réparties sur la périphérie et contenant chacune une cellule photovoltaïque 17. Dans l'espace annulaire entre la jupe 15 et le flasque 16, est logé un accumulateur 18 de forme annulaire. Le cadran 11 présente, à sa périphérie, des découpes ou encoches rectangulaires 19, chacune de ces découpes étant située en face d'une cellule photovoltaïque 17. Ces découpes 19, de préférence au nombre de 4, 6 ou 12, peuvent occuper les emplacements de signes horaires. La pièce annulaire 14 porte en outre la diode et le condensateur du circuit de charge de l'accumulateur 18.Opposite the
La liaison galvanique de l'accumulateur au mouvement 10 peut être assurée d'une part par le fond 9 et, d'autre part, par une languette métallique 20 à l'intérieur de l'anneau 14.The galvanic connection of the accumulator to the
Si on le désire, le cadran 11 peut être supprimé, le mouvement étant alors visible et les signes horaires étant directement constitués par les cellules photovoltaïques 17.If desired, the
La deuxième forme d'exécution, représentée à la figure 3, comprend la même carrure-lunette 1. Le fond 21 est un simple fond métallique fixé à cran dans cette carrure-lunette. Le mouvement 22 est un mouvement quelconque du commerce, par exemple un mouvement 6 3/4 x 8. Un tel mouvement présente un logement de pile dans lequel on trouve une languette de contact 23 qui peut être replié vers le bas de manière à faire saillie en dehors de la cage métallique du mouvement pour établir un contact avec le fond 21.The second embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, comprises the same middle-
Le mouvement 22, muni de son cadran 11, identique au cadran de la première d'exécution, vient s'emboîter dans la pièce annulaire 14 de la première forme d'exécution. Cette pièce annulaire 14 présente également une languette de contact 20, mais dirigée dans l'autre sens.The
Les progrès réalisés dans les accumulateurs au lithium ont permis de réduire considérablement le volume de tels accumulateurs pour une capacité égale. Il est donc possible d'envisager l'utilisation de petits accumulateurs en forme de pastilles. Une troisième forme d'exécution utilisant un tel accumulateur est représenté partiellement à la figure 4. Dans cette figure, on a représenté seulement une pièce annulaire en matière synthétique 24, cette pièce, massive, présentant un logement pour un petit accumulateur 25 en forme de pastille. Pour le reste, cette pièce annulaire 24 est analogue à la pièce 14 des autres formes d'exécution. Elle porte également des cellules photovoltaïques 17 et un logement est prévu pour la diode et le condensateur du circuit de charge de l'accumulateur. Dans ce cas également, l'accumulateur 25 occupe verticalement un espace situé dans l'épaisseur du mouvement et permet donc de réaliser des montres très plates.The progress made in lithium batteries has made it possible to considerably reduce the volume of such batteries for an equal capacity. It is therefore possible to envisage the use of small accumulators in the form of pellets. A third embodiment using such an accumulator is shown partially in FIG. 4. In this figure, only an annular piece of
Claims (5)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CH1531/90 | 1990-05-04 | ||
CH1531/90A CH679439B5 (en) | 1990-05-04 | 1990-05-04 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0455601A1 true EP0455601A1 (en) | 1991-11-06 |
EP0455601B1 EP0455601B1 (en) | 1995-07-12 |
Family
ID=4212624
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP91810322A Expired - Lifetime EP0455601B1 (en) | 1990-05-04 | 1991-04-26 | Electronic time-piece |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0455601B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH05126968A (en) |
KR (1) | KR910020525A (en) |
CH (1) | CH679439B5 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69111135T2 (en) |
NL (1) | NL9101514A (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE10142705A1 (en) * | 2001-08-31 | 2003-07-03 | Wilfried Guenthe Maseko-Patzig | Accumulator used for electronic devices comprises a housing having a lithium ion battery and gallium indium phosphide and gallium arsenide solar cells |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2425664A1 (en) * | 1978-05-10 | 1979-12-07 | Bulova Watch Co Inc | THERMOELECTRIC BRACELET WATCH |
US4407590A (en) * | 1977-12-10 | 1983-10-04 | Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. | Battery unit for an electric timepiece |
EP0198390A2 (en) * | 1985-04-11 | 1986-10-22 | Junghans Uhren Gmbh | Photovoltaic clock and time piece for such a clock |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS52141272A (en) * | 1976-05-20 | 1977-11-25 | Seiko Epson Corp | Solar cell clock |
-
1990
- 1990-05-04 CH CH1531/90A patent/CH679439B5/fr unknown
-
1991
- 1991-04-26 EP EP91810322A patent/EP0455601B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-04-26 JP JP3095971A patent/JPH05126968A/en active Pending
- 1991-04-26 DE DE69111135T patent/DE69111135T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-05-02 KR KR1019910007078A patent/KR910020525A/en active IP Right Grant
- 1991-09-09 NL NL9101514A patent/NL9101514A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4407590A (en) * | 1977-12-10 | 1983-10-04 | Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. | Battery unit for an electric timepiece |
FR2425664A1 (en) * | 1978-05-10 | 1979-12-07 | Bulova Watch Co Inc | THERMOELECTRIC BRACELET WATCH |
EP0198390A2 (en) * | 1985-04-11 | 1986-10-22 | Junghans Uhren Gmbh | Photovoltaic clock and time piece for such a clock |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 2, no. 22 (E-77)(11468) 14 février 1978, & JP-A-52 141272 (SUWA SEIKOSHA K.K.) 25 novembre 1977, * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH05126968A (en) | 1993-05-25 |
DE69111135D1 (en) | 1995-08-17 |
DE69111135T2 (en) | 1996-03-21 |
KR910020525A (en) | 1991-12-20 |
NL9101514A (en) | 1993-04-01 |
EP0455601B1 (en) | 1995-07-12 |
CH679439B5 (en) | 1992-08-31 |
CH679439GA3 (en) | 1992-02-28 |
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