EP0853265B1 - Electronic apparatus functioning with the aid of a photovoltaic cell, in particular timepiece - Google Patents

Electronic apparatus functioning with the aid of a photovoltaic cell, in particular timepiece Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0853265B1
EP0853265B1 EP19980100113 EP98100113A EP0853265B1 EP 0853265 B1 EP0853265 B1 EP 0853265B1 EP 19980100113 EP19980100113 EP 19980100113 EP 98100113 A EP98100113 A EP 98100113A EP 0853265 B1 EP0853265 B1 EP 0853265B1
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Prior art keywords
voltage
transistor
oscillator
accumulator
source
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EP19980100113
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0853265A1 (en
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Pierre-André Farine
Jean-Pierre Wattenhofer
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Asulab AG
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Asulab AG
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Priority claimed from CH00033/97A external-priority patent/CH691010A5/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G19/00—Electric power supply circuits specially adapted for use in electronic time-pieces

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus low-power autonomous electric vehicle with a supply device comprising a source of energy working by photovoltaic conversion, a electric accumulator and a voltage booster connected between the power source and the accumulator.
  • the invention relates to food in electrical energy of low energy consumers at using a source using a photovoltaic cell, such as timepieces, in particular a watch or alarm clock, pocket calculator, post miniature radio, infrared remote control or by radio waves, cordless phone, GPS receiver etc., and generally any powered device autonomous electric system including an energy accumulator electric maintained in charge from a source photoelectric energy.
  • a photovoltaic cell such as timepieces, in particular a watch or alarm clock, pocket calculator, post miniature radio, infrared remote control or by radio waves, cordless phone, GPS receiver etc.
  • Photovoltaic sources or cells currently used to feed these little ones energy consumers typically provide voltage of approximately 0.3 to 0.5 V per cell, whether semiconductor or photochemical type. Otherwise, electronic circuits require voltage which can hardly be less than 1 V from so we're used to hooking up many of these cells in series to supply them.
  • the accumulator can be of any type currently available on the market, like accumulators chemical, preferably lithium ion, and the capacities electrochemicals, especially those designated usually by the term “supercapacitors” or “Supercap”.
  • the circuit described in the above-mentioned document is capable of maintaining the battery charge at a sufficient voltage for the electronic circuit used, while being able to operate with a single solar cell providing only a voltage of 0.3 to 0.5 V.
  • a particular problem that arises for devices powered by a unit consisting of a cell photovoltaic, an accumulator and a booster tension lies in the fact that the device risks being left in total darkness for a long time. If the device continues to operate in the dark, this which can be the case of a timepiece for example, the battery charge is consumed, without being renewed, so that at some point the device will stop working, the accumulator no longer containing that a residual charge too low to provide the voltage required.
  • the cell will again supply energy, but only at its own voltage of at most 0.5 V.
  • the vital components for the functioning of the device and especially those responsible for ordering the voltage booster cannot operate at such a supply voltage, the device will no longer be able to start and if not must be thrown away, at least be entrusted to a overhaul workshop so that the accumulator can be charged with an external charging device to the device.
  • the invention aims to provide an apparatus electric of the type indicated above whose starting is possible in all circumstances despite the use of a photovoltaic source providing a voltage lower than the minimum operating voltage of the components itself to fulfill its function.
  • the subject of the invention is therefore an autonomous electrical appliance with low energy consumption provided with a supply device comprising an energy source operating by photovoltaic conversion, an electric accumulator and a voltage booster connected between the source of energy and the accumulator to charge it, said source supplying insufficient voltage to operate at least certain parts of the apparatus vital for it to fulfill its function, said voltage booster being of the type controlled by a pulse signal from predetermined frequency supplied by a generator connected to it, characterized in that said pulse signal generator comprises an oscillator designed to operate at a voltage equal to or less than the voltage supplied by said photovoltaic source.
  • the device can start even if the battery is completely discharged, because the oscillator required to control the elevator voltage will work from the moment the device is placed in an environment in which the illumination is strong enough that the energy source photovoltaic produces its supply voltage.
  • the invention is applied to a part PH watchmaking.
  • the appliance at low energy consumption targeted by the invention which can be any other device that must operate independently at using a photovoltaic energy source charging a accumulator.
  • the PH timepiece conventionally comprises a timepiece circuit 1 generally designated by a rectangle in phantom in the figure.
  • this circuit includes a quartz oscillator 2, preferably at 32768 Hz, a divider 3 represented here by two division stages 3a and 3b to divide the frequency from oscillator 2 until a signal is obtained pulse, 1 Hz for example.
  • This impulse signal is applied to a control circuit 4 of a stepping motor 5 intended to drive a set of needles 6.
  • the PH timepiece is powered by an accumulator 7 formed for example by a lithium ion accumulator or a large capacitor and more particularly by a component that watchmakers call a "supercapacitor” or “supercap “.
  • the voltage present at the terminals of this accumulator 7 is designated by V battery .
  • the accumulator 7 is part of a supply device generally designated by the reference 8.
  • This supply device 8 also comprises a photovoltaic cell 9 formed for example from a single element and supplying a voltage V cp situated between 0, 3 V and 0.5 V, preferably 0.4 V. It can be any photovoltaic cell, semiconductor or photochemical type.
  • a voltage booster comprising in series a self 10 and a Schottky diode 11.
  • coil 10 the stepper motor coil 5.
  • the node 12 between the choke 10 and the Schottky diode 11 is connected to the source-drain path of a first switching transistor TR1 which alternately puts this connection node to the voltage of the accumulator 7 and to ground at a frequency which is that of a pulse control signal applied to the gate of this transistor TR1. It follows from this operation that due to the presence of the choke 10, the node 12 is brought to a voltage much higher than the voltage V cp supplied by the cell 9, sufficient to charge the accumulator 7.
  • the gate of transistor TR1 is connected by through an inverter 13 at the node between a resistance R1 and the source-drain path of a transistor TR2 signal shaping, serial connection of these two components being connected between the positive terminal of the accumulator 7 and the mass.
  • the gate of transistor TR2 is connected to the output of the divider stage 3a of the timepiece circuit 1, this stage providing a signal with a frequency of 8192 Hz in the example described here.
  • the switching transistor TR1 when the accumulator 7 is charged and provides sufficient voltage to supply the vital components of the timepiece circuit 1, and in particular the oscillator 2 and the division stage 3a, the switching transistor TR1 is alternately conductive and not -conductor to the rhythm of the output signal of the division stage 3a. If simultaneously, the timepiece PH is exposed to light, this alternation of the conduction state of the transistor TR1 causes the voltage V cp supplied by the photovoltaic cell to multiply, so that the charge of the accumulator 7 is constantly being renewed.
  • the charging device 8 further comprises a second switching transistor TR3, the source-drain path of which is mounted in parallel with that of the transistor TR1.
  • the gate of this transistor TR3 is connected via an inverter 14 to the node situated between a resistor R2 and a second signal shaping transistor TR4, the series connection of these two components being connected between the positive terminal of cell 9 (V cp ) and mass.
  • the gate of the transistor TR4 for shaping signal is connected to the output of an oscillator auxiliary 15 providing at its output 18 a signal whose frequency is preferably close to or equal to that at which appears the control signal at the output of division stage 3a.
  • Oscillator 15 is designed to so that it can operate with voltage very low supply, i.e. of equal value or possibly lower than the voltage supplied by the photovoltaic cell 9.
  • Such an oscillator can be designed in any appropriate manner, but preferably its design is that described in the patent application European No 97100261.3.
  • oscillator 15 can be made using three inverters 16a, 16b and 16c mounted in a ring and produced by MOS transistors operating in the low inversion domain and in suitably polarizing the boxes by means of which the MOS transistors are arranged in the substrate.
  • the increase in the voltage supplied by the photovoltaic cell 9 can be achieved by a change in the conduction state, either of the transistor TR1, or of the transistor TR3, because they are both capable of carrying the node 12 alternately to the ground potential and to a voltage composed of the sum of the voltage V ACCU and the voltage on the diode 11.
  • means are provided to allow selective activation of switching transistors TR1 and TR3 as a function of a signal representative of activity of the energy consuming device which is here the timepiece circuit 1 of the timepiece PH.
  • the activity signal is taken at the exit from division stage 3a and shows the operation of the crystal oscillator 2.
  • the activity signal can be picked up elsewhere in the timepiece circuit, for example at the control circuit 4 output, possibly after have been suitably adapted to allow the command switching transistors TR1 and TR3.
  • oscillator 2 and the stage of division 3a only show activity if that their supply voltage is sufficient to make operate the components of which they are made.
  • this voltage can be equal to or greater than 1 V, although this value should not be considered as limiting the invention.
  • the output of the division stage 3a is connected to the input of a voltage booster 17 which can be formed by a circuit known as its designer Dickson.
  • the output of the voltage booster 17 is connected to ground via a resistor R3, to the gate of a first selection transistor TR5 and at the gate of a second selection transistor TR6 which has a conductivity type opposite to that of the transistor TR5.
  • the transistor TR5 is of type N and the transistor TR6 is of type P.
  • the drain-source path of transistor TR5 is connected between ground and a node 18 which is connected to the output of oscillator 15 and the gate of transistor TR4.
  • the drain-source path of transistor TR6 is connected between the gate of transistor TR2 and the positive terminal of the accumulator 7.
  • the timepiece circuit 1 Since the timepiece circuit 1 is not supplied, it does not provide any activity signal, since the oscillator 2 and the division stage 3a are unable to operate.
  • the voltage booster 17 does not supply voltage at its output so that the transistor TR6 is conductive preventing the control of the transistor TR1, and that the transistor TR5 is non-conductive.
  • the cell 9 being lit, it provides energy at a voltage between 0.3 and 0.5 V. A this voltage, oscillator 15 is capable of operating and it is authorized there thanks to the blocking of transistor TR5. Therefore, the transistors TR4 and TR3 are switched to the oscillator frequency 15.
  • the self 10 accumulates energy which is suddenly released with a spike of tension when the transistor TR3 is blocked. Voltage spikes allow charging the accumulator 7 to a voltage greater than that provided by cell 9.
  • the transistor TR4 accompanied by the inverter 14 serves as a buffer between the output of oscillator 15 and transistor TR3 which is relatively large and therefore has an input capacity important. Thus, the battery can be charged.
  • the transistor TR5 makes the transistor TR5 conductive, short-circuiting oscillator 15 which then stops function.
  • the transistor TR6 is made non conductor which releases the control of transistor TR1, via transistor TR2 and inverter 13.
  • the transistor TR1 replaces the transistor TR3 and the battery 7 can continue to charge for the timepiece circuit is operating normally. So, we understand that the transistors TR5 and TR6 work as alternative control means.
  • Voltage booster 17 is desirable for obtain a frank switching of the transistors TR5 and TR6 as soon as oscillator 2 delivers an activity signal to division stage 3a.
  • the oscillator 2 begins to operate as soon as it detects on these supply terminals a sufficient voltage which causes the activity signal to be lost. This means that the switching between the two oscillators 15 and 2 takes place independently of the construction dispersions that may exist between the circuits of the various timepieces. The value of the minimum accumulated voltage V for the operation of oscillator 2 can thus be determined by each circuit individually according to the values of its own components.
  • oscillator 2 and division stage 3a only for driving the circuit timepiece 1, the oscillator 15 being responsible for piloting the voltage booster.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)

Description

La présente invention est relative à un appareil électrique autonome à faible consommation d'énergie muni d'un dispositif d'alimentation comprenant une source d'énergie fonctionnant par conversion photovoltaïque, un accumulateur électrique et un élévateur de tension connecté entre la source d'énergie et l'accumulateur.The present invention relates to an apparatus low-power autonomous electric vehicle with a supply device comprising a source of energy working by photovoltaic conversion, a electric accumulator and a voltage booster connected between the power source and the accumulator.

Plus précisément, l'invention concerne l'alimentation en énergie électrique de faible consommateurs d'énergie au moyen d'une source utilisant une cellule photovoltaïque, comme par exemple les pièces d'horlogerie, notamment une montre ou un réveil, une calculatrice de poche, un poste de radio miniature, une télécommande par infrarouges ou par ondes radio, un téléphone sans fil, un récepteur GPS etc., et d'une façon générale tout appareil à alimentation électrique autonome comprenant un accumulateur d'énergie électrique maintenu en charge à partir d'une source d'énergie photoélectrique.More specifically, the invention relates to food in electrical energy of low energy consumers at using a source using a photovoltaic cell, such as timepieces, in particular a watch or alarm clock, pocket calculator, post miniature radio, infrared remote control or by radio waves, cordless phone, GPS receiver etc., and generally any powered device autonomous electric system including an energy accumulator electric maintained in charge from a source photoelectric energy.

Les sources ou cellules photovoltaïques actuellement utilisées pour assurer l'alimentation de ces petits consommateurs d'énergie, fournissent typiquement une tension d'environ 0,3 à 0,5 V par élément, qu'elles soient de type semi-conducteur ou photochimique. Par ailleurs, les circuits électroniques nécessitent une tension d'alimentation qui ne peut guère être inférieure à 1 V de sorte que l'on a l'habitude de brancher plusieurs de ces cellules en série pour en assurer l'alimentation.Photovoltaic sources or cells currently used to feed these little ones energy consumers, typically provide voltage of approximately 0.3 to 0.5 V per cell, whether semiconductor or photochemical type. Otherwise, electronic circuits require voltage which can hardly be less than 1 V from so we're used to hooking up many of these cells in series to supply them.

Or, pour des raisons d'esthétique, d'encombrement, de prix etc., (critères qui sont particulièrement cruciaux dans la technologie horlogère), on cherche actuellement des solutions de construction dans lesquelles il suffit d'une seule cellule photovoltaïque pour assurer l'alimentation de l'appareil. However, for reasons of aesthetics, size, price etc., (criteria which are particularly crucial in watchmaking technology), we are currently looking building solutions in which it is enough of a single photovoltaic cell to ensure power to the device.

On voit donc qu'il y a en principe incompatibilité entre d'une part la faible tension fournie par une seule cellule photovoltaïque et d'autre part les besoins en tension électrique des circuits intégrés courants nécessaires pour faire fonctionner les appareils du genre visé ici.So we see that there is in principle incompatibility between on the one hand the low voltage supplied by a single photovoltaic cell and secondly the needs in electrical voltage of current integrated circuits necessary to operate such devices referred here.

Pour remédier à cette incompatibilité, il a déjà été proposé par la Demanderesse de la présente demande de brevet (voir la demande de brevet international n° PCT/CH97/00052 du 17 février 1997), d'équiper les appareils en question d'un circuit par lequel l'accumulateur est chargé par l'intermédiaire d'un élévateur de tension à partir d'une unique cellule photovoltaïque, l'élévateur de tension étant, par exemple, du type à découpage.To remedy this incompatibility, it has already been proposed by the Applicant of the present request for patent (see international patent application no. PCT / CH97 / 00052 of February 17, 1997), to equip the devices in question from a circuit by which the accumulator is charged via a voltage booster from a single cell photovoltaic, the voltage booster being, for example, of the switching type.

L'accumulateur peut être de tout type actuellement disponible sur le marché, comme les accumulateurs chimiques, à ions lithium de préférence, et les capacités électrochimiques, notamment celles que l'on désigne habituellement par le terme de "supercondensateurs" ou "supercap".The accumulator can be of any type currently available on the market, like accumulators chemical, preferably lithium ion, and the capacities electrochemicals, especially those designated usually by the term "supercapacitors" or "Supercap".

Le circuit décrit dans le document précité est capable de maintenir la charge de l'accumulateur à une tension suffisante pour le circuit électronique utilisé, tout en pouvant fonctionner avec une seule cellule solaire fournissant seulement une tension de 0,3 à 0,5 V.The circuit described in the above-mentioned document is capable of maintaining the battery charge at a sufficient voltage for the electronic circuit used, while being able to operate with a single solar cell providing only a voltage of 0.3 to 0.5 V.

Un problème particulier qui se pose pour les appareils alimentés par un ensemble composé d'une cellule photovoltaïque, d'un accumulateur et d'un élévateur de tension réside dans le fait que l'appareil risque d'être laissé dans l'obscurité totale pendant une longue période. Si l'appareil continue à fonctionner dans l'obscurité, ce qui peut être le cas d'une pièce d'horlogerie par exemple, la charge de l'accumulateur est consommée, sans être renouvelée, de sorte qu'à un moment donné, l'appareil cessera de fonctionner, l'accumulateur ne contenant plus qu'une charge résiduelle trop faible pour fournir la tension nécessaire. A particular problem that arises for devices powered by a unit consisting of a cell photovoltaic, an accumulator and a booster tension lies in the fact that the device risks being left in total darkness for a long time. If the device continues to operate in the dark, this which can be the case of a timepiece for example, the battery charge is consumed, without being renewed, so that at some point the device will stop working, the accumulator no longer containing that a residual charge too low to provide the voltage required.

Cependant, cette charge résiduelle de l'accumulateur se perdra également par auto-décharge de telle sorte que, si la période d'obscurité perdure, la tension de l'accumulateur peut atteindre la valeur zéro.However, this residual charge of the accumulator will also be lost by self-discharge so that, if the period of darkness continues, the tension of the accumulator can reach zero.

Si par la suite, l'utilisateur sort l'appareil de l'obscurité, la cellule fournira de nouveau de l'énergie, mais seulement à sa tension propre d'au plus 0,5 V. Les composants vitaux pour le fonctionnement de l'appareil et en particulier ceux responsables de la commande de l'élévateur de tension ne pouvant fonctionner à une telle tension d'alimentation, l'appareil ne pourra plus démarrer et doit alors sinon être jeté, du moins être confié à un atelier de révision pour que l'accumulateur puisse être chargé avec un dispositif de charge extérieur à l'appareil.If the user subsequently extracts the device from darkness, the cell will again supply energy, but only at its own voltage of at most 0.5 V. The vital components for the functioning of the device and especially those responsible for ordering the voltage booster cannot operate at such a supply voltage, the device will no longer be able to start and if not must be thrown away, at least be entrusted to a overhaul workshop so that the accumulator can be charged with an external charging device to the device.

Pour remédier à cet inconvénient, on prévoit dans la demande de brevet antérieure précitée, de bloquer les circuits consommateurs d'énergie de l'appareil de manière que l'accumulateur conserve toujours au minimum entre 10% et 20% de sa charge. De cette manière, si l'appareil est sorti de l'obscurité, il démarrera sans difficultés à l'aide de l'énergie conservée dans l'accumulateur, celui-ci pouvant ensuite être rechargé par l'intermédiaire de la cellule photovoltaïque au cours du fonctionnement normal.To remedy this drawback, provision is made in the aforementioned earlier patent application, to block device energy consuming circuits so that the accumulator always keeps at least between 10% and 20% of its charge. In this way, if the device is out of the dark, it will start without difficulty to using the energy stored in the accumulator, can then be recharged via the photovoltaic cell during normal operation.

Cependant, à supposer que l'appareil reste dans l'obscurité pendant très longtemps, même les 10% à 20% de la charge de l'accumulateur seront perdus à la longue par le phénomène d'auto-décharge. Il arrive alors un moment où la tension sur l'accumulateur sera en tout état de cause inférieure à la valeur limite de fonctionnement de l'appareil de sorte que la solution préconisée dans le document précité ne peut résoudre tous les cas de figure en ce qui concerne le démarrage.However, assuming the device remains in darkness for a very long time, even the 10% to 20% of the battery charge will be lost in the long run by the phenomenon of self-discharge. There comes a time when the voltage on the accumulator will in any event lower than the operating limit value of the device so that the solution recommended in the aforementioned document cannot resolve all cases regarding start-up.

L'invention a pour but de fournir un appareil électrique du type indiqué ci-dessus dont le démarrage est possible en toute circonstance malgré l'utilisation d'une source photovoltaïque fournissant une tension inférieure à la tension de fonctionnement minimale des composants lui permettant de remplir sa fonction.The invention aims to provide an apparatus electric of the type indicated above whose starting is possible in all circumstances despite the use of a photovoltaic source providing a voltage lower than the minimum operating voltage of the components itself to fulfill its function.

L'invention a donc pour objet un appareil électrique autonome à faible consommation d'énergie muni d'un dispositif d'alimentation comprenant une source d'énergie fonctionnant par conversion photovoltaïque, un accumulateur électrique et un élévateur de tension connecté entre la source d'énergie et l'accumulateur pour charger celui-ci, ladite source fournissant une tension insuffisante pour faire fonctionner au moins certaines parties de l'appareil vitales pour qu'il remplisse sa fonction, ledit élévateur de tension étant du type commandé par un signal impulsionnel de fréquence prédéterminée fourni par un générateur qui lui est connecté,
   caractérisé en ce que ledit générateur de signal impulsionnel comprend un oscillateur conçu pour fonctionner à une tension égale ou inférieure à la tension fournie par ladite source photovoltaïque.The subject of the invention is therefore an autonomous electrical appliance with low energy consumption provided with a supply device comprising an energy source operating by photovoltaic conversion, an electric accumulator and a voltage booster connected between the source of energy and the accumulator to charge it, said source supplying insufficient voltage to operate at least certain parts of the apparatus vital for it to fulfill its function, said voltage booster being of the type controlled by a pulse signal from predetermined frequency supplied by a generator connected to it,
characterized in that said pulse signal generator comprises an oscillator designed to operate at a voltage equal to or less than the voltage supplied by said photovoltaic source.

Grâce à ces caractéristiques, l'appareil peut démarrer même si l'accumulateur est complètement déchargé, car l'oscillateur nécessaire à la commande de l'élévateur de tension fonctionnera dès l'instant où l'appareil est placé dans un environnement dans lequel l'éclairement est suffisamment fort pour que la source d'énergie photovoltaïque produise sa tension d'alimentation.Thanks to these features, the device can start even if the battery is completely discharged, because the oscillator required to control the elevator voltage will work from the moment the device is placed in an environment in which the illumination is strong enough that the energy source photovoltaic produces its supply voltage.

D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaítront au cours de la description qui va suivre, donnée uniquement à titre d'exemple et faite en se référant au dessin annexé sur lequel:

  • la figure unique représente un exemple de schéma d'un appareil électrique autonome à faible consommation d'énergie, plus précisément une pièce d'horlogerie telle qu'une montre ou un réveil.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawing in which:
  • the single figure shows an example of a diagram of an autonomous electrical appliance with low energy consumption, more precisely a timepiece such as a watch or an alarm clock.

Suivant l'exemple de réalisation représenté à la figure unique, l'invention est appliquée à une pièce d'horlogerie PH. On notera qu'il ne s'agit ici que d'un exemple d'application de l'invention, l'appareil à basse consommation d'énergie visé par l'invention pouvant être tout autre appareil devant fonctionner de façon autonome à l'aide d'une source d'énergie photovoltaïque chargeant un accumulateur.According to the example of embodiment shown in single figure, the invention is applied to a part PH watchmaking. Note that this is only a example of application of the invention, the appliance at low energy consumption targeted by the invention which can be any other device that must operate independently at using a photovoltaic energy source charging a accumulator.

La pièce d'horlogerie PH comprend de façon classique un circuit garde-temps 1 désigné globalement par un rectangle en traits mixtes sur la figure. De façon classique, ce circuit comprend un oscillateur à quartz 2, à 32768 Hz de préférence, un diviseur 3 représenté ici par deux étages de division 3a et 3b pour diviser la fréquence de l'oscillateur 2 jusqu'à l'obtention d'un signal impulsionnel, de 1 Hz par exemple. Ce signal impulsionnel est appliqué à un circuit de commande 4 d'un moteur pas-à-pas 5 destiné à entraíner un jeu d'aiguilles 6.The PH timepiece conventionally comprises a timepiece circuit 1 generally designated by a rectangle in phantom in the figure. In a way conventional, this circuit includes a quartz oscillator 2, preferably at 32768 Hz, a divider 3 represented here by two division stages 3a and 3b to divide the frequency from oscillator 2 until a signal is obtained pulse, 1 Hz for example. This impulse signal is applied to a control circuit 4 of a stepping motor 5 intended to drive a set of needles 6.

La pièce d'horlogerie PH est alimentée par l'intermédiaire d'un accumulateur 7 formé par exemple d'un accumulateur à ions lithium ou d'un gros condensateur et plus particulièrement par un composant que les horlogers appellent un "supercondensateur" ou "supercap". La tension présente aux bornes de cet accumulateur 7 est désignée par Vaccu.The PH timepiece is powered by an accumulator 7 formed for example by a lithium ion accumulator or a large capacitor and more particularly by a component that watchmakers call a "supercapacitor" or "supercap ". The voltage present at the terminals of this accumulator 7 is designated by V battery .

L'accumulateur 7 fait partie d'un dispositif d'alimentation désigné globalement par la référence 8. Ce dispositif d'alimentation 8 comporte également une cellule photovoltaïque 9 formée par exemple d'un seul élément et fournissant une tension Vcp située entre 0,3 V et 0,5 V, de préférence à 0,4 V. Il peut s'agir de toute cellule photovoltaïque, à semi-conducteur ou de type photochimique.The accumulator 7 is part of a supply device generally designated by the reference 8. This supply device 8 also comprises a photovoltaic cell 9 formed for example from a single element and supplying a voltage V cp situated between 0, 3 V and 0.5 V, preferably 0.4 V. It can be any photovoltaic cell, semiconductor or photochemical type.

Entre la cellule photovoltaïque 9 et l'accumulateur 7 est monté un élévateur de tension comportant en série une self 10 et une diode de Schottky 11. Avantageusement, on peut utiliser pour la self 10 la bobine du moteur pas-à-pas 5.Between the photovoltaic cell 9 and the accumulator 7 is mounted a voltage booster comprising in series a self 10 and a Schottky diode 11. Advantageously, we can use for coil 10 the stepper motor coil 5.

Le noeud 12 entre la self 10 et la diode de Schottky 11 est connecté au trajet source-drain d'un premier transistor de commutation TR1 qui met alternativement ce noeud de connexion à la tension de l'accumulateur 7 et à la masse à une fréquence qui est celle d'un signal de commande impulsionnel appliqué sur la grille de ce transistor TR1. Il résulte de cette opération que du fait de la présence de la self 10, le noeud 12 est porté à une tension bien supérieure à la tension Vcp fournie par la cellule 9, suffisante pour charger l'accumulateur 7.The node 12 between the choke 10 and the Schottky diode 11 is connected to the source-drain path of a first switching transistor TR1 which alternately puts this connection node to the voltage of the accumulator 7 and to ground at a frequency which is that of a pulse control signal applied to the gate of this transistor TR1. It follows from this operation that due to the presence of the choke 10, the node 12 is brought to a voltage much higher than the voltage V cp supplied by the cell 9, sufficient to charge the accumulator 7.

La grille du transistor TR1 est connectée par l'intermédiaire d'un inverseur 13 au noeud entre une résistance R1 et le trajet source-drain d'un transistor TR2 de mise en forme de signal, le montage en série de ces deux composants étant connecté entre la borne positive de l'accumulateur 7 et la masse. La grille du transistor TR2 est connectée à la sortie de l'étage diviseur 3a du circuit garde-temps 1, cet étage fournissant un signal d'une fréquence de 8192 Hz dans l'exemple décrit ici.The gate of transistor TR1 is connected by through an inverter 13 at the node between a resistance R1 and the source-drain path of a transistor TR2 signal shaping, serial connection of these two components being connected between the positive terminal of the accumulator 7 and the mass. The gate of transistor TR2 is connected to the output of the divider stage 3a of the timepiece circuit 1, this stage providing a signal with a frequency of 8192 Hz in the example described here.

Ainsi, lorsque l'accumulateur 7 est chargé et fournit une tension suffisante pour alimenter les composants vitaux du circuit garde-temps 1, et notamment l'oscillateur 2 et l'étage de division 3a, le transistor de commutation TR1 est alternativement conducteur et non-conducteur au rythme du signal de sortie de l'étage de division 3a. Si simultanément, la pièce d'horlogerie PH est exposée à la lumière, cette alternance de l'état de conduction du transistor TR1 provoque la multiplication de la tension Vcp fournie par la cellule photovoltaïque, de sorte que la charge de l'accumulateur 7 est constamment renouvelée.Thus, when the accumulator 7 is charged and provides sufficient voltage to supply the vital components of the timepiece circuit 1, and in particular the oscillator 2 and the division stage 3a, the switching transistor TR1 is alternately conductive and not -conductor to the rhythm of the output signal of the division stage 3a. If simultaneously, the timepiece PH is exposed to light, this alternation of the conduction state of the transistor TR1 causes the voltage V cp supplied by the photovoltaic cell to multiply, so that the charge of the accumulator 7 is constantly being renewed.

Selon l'invention, le dispositif de charge 8 comprend en outre un second transistor de commutation TR3 dont le trajet source-drain est monté en parallèle à celui du transistor TR1. La grille de ce transistor TR3 est reliée par l'intermédiaire d'un inverseur 14 au noeud situé entre une résistance R2 et un second transistor TR4 de mise en forme de signal, le montage en série de ces deux composants étant connecté entre la borne positive de la cellule 9 (Vcp) et la masse.According to the invention, the charging device 8 further comprises a second switching transistor TR3, the source-drain path of which is mounted in parallel with that of the transistor TR1. The gate of this transistor TR3 is connected via an inverter 14 to the node situated between a resistor R2 and a second signal shaping transistor TR4, the series connection of these two components being connected between the positive terminal of cell 9 (V cp ) and mass.

La grille du transistor TR4 de mise en forme de signal est raccordée à la sortie d'un oscillateur auxiliaire 15 fournissant à sa sortie 18 un signal dont la fréquence est de préférence proche ou égale à celle à laquelle apparaít le signal de commande à la sortie de l'étage de division 3a. L'oscillateur 15 est conçu de telle façon qu'il puisse fonctionner avec une tension d'alimentation très faible c'est-à-dire d'une valeur égale ou éventuellement inférieure à la tension fournie par la cellule photovoltaïque 9. Un tel oscillateur peut être conçu de toute manière appropriée, mais de préférence sa conception est celle décrite dans la demande de brevet européeen No 97100261.3. On notera pour les besoins de la présente description que l'oscillateur 15 peut être réalisé à l'aide de trois inverseurs 16a, 16b et 16c montés en anneau et réalisé au moyen de transistors MOS fonctionnant dans le domaine de faible inversion et en polarisant convenablement les caissons au moyen desquels les transistors MOS sont disposés dans le substrat.The gate of the transistor TR4 for shaping signal is connected to the output of an oscillator auxiliary 15 providing at its output 18 a signal whose frequency is preferably close to or equal to that at which appears the control signal at the output of division stage 3a. Oscillator 15 is designed to so that it can operate with voltage very low supply, i.e. of equal value or possibly lower than the voltage supplied by the photovoltaic cell 9. Such an oscillator can be designed in any appropriate manner, but preferably its design is that described in the patent application European No 97100261.3. Note for the needs of the present description that oscillator 15 can be made using three inverters 16a, 16b and 16c mounted in a ring and produced by MOS transistors operating in the low inversion domain and in suitably polarizing the boxes by means of which the MOS transistors are arranged in the substrate.

On conçoit en examinant le montage décrit ci-dessus, que l'élévation de la tension fournie par la cellule photovoltaïque 9 peut être réalisée par un changement de l'état de conduction, soit du transistor TR1, soit du transistor TR3, car ils sont tous deux capables de porter le noeud 12 alternativement au potentiel de la masse et à une tension composée de la somme de la tension VACCU et la tension sur la diode 11.It is understood by examining the assembly described above, that the increase in the voltage supplied by the photovoltaic cell 9 can be achieved by a change in the conduction state, either of the transistor TR1, or of the transistor TR3, because they are both capable of carrying the node 12 alternately to the ground potential and to a voltage composed of the sum of the voltage V ACCU and the voltage on the diode 11.

Selon un aspect particulièrement important de la présente invention, il est prévu des moyens pour permettre une activation sélective des transistors de commutation TR1 et TR3 en fonction d'un signal représentatif de l'activité de l'appareil consommateur d'énergie qui est ici le circuit garde-temps 1 de la pièce d'horlogerie PH. Dans l'exemple décrit, le signal d'activité est prélevé à la sortie de l'étage de division 3a et témoigne du fonctionnement de l'oscillateur à quartz 2. Toutefois, on comprendra que le signal d'activité pourra être prélevé ailleurs dans le circuit garde-temps, par exemple à la sortie du circuit de commande 4, éventuellement après avoir été adapté convenablement pour permettre la commande des transistors de commutation TR1 et TR3.According to a particularly important aspect of the present invention, means are provided to allow selective activation of switching transistors TR1 and TR3 as a function of a signal representative of activity of the energy consuming device which is here the timepiece circuit 1 of the timepiece PH. In the example described, the activity signal is taken at the exit from division stage 3a and shows the operation of the crystal oscillator 2. However, we will understand that the activity signal can be picked up elsewhere in the timepiece circuit, for example at the control circuit 4 output, possibly after have been suitably adapted to allow the command switching transistors TR1 and TR3.

Dans l'exemple décrit, l'oscillateur 2 et l'étage de division 3a ne manifestent une activité qu'à la condition que leur tension d'alimentation soit suffisante pour faire fonctionner les composants dont ils sont constitués. Typiquement, cette tension peut être égale ou supérieure à 1 V, bien que cette valeur ne doive pas être considérée comme limitative de l'invention.In the example described, oscillator 2 and the stage of division 3a only show activity if that their supply voltage is sufficient to make operate the components of which they are made. Typically, this voltage can be equal to or greater than 1 V, although this value should not be considered as limiting the invention.

Pour adapter le signal d'activité, la sortie de l'étage de division 3a est connectée à l'entrée d'un élévateur de tension 17 qui peut être formé par un circuit connu sous le nom de son concepteur Dickson.To adapt the activity signal, the output of the division stage 3a is connected to the input of a voltage booster 17 which can be formed by a circuit known as its designer Dickson.

La sortie de l'élévateur de tension 17 est connectée à la masse par l'intermédiaire d'une résistance R3, à la grille d'un premier transistor de sélection TR5 et à la grille d'un second transistor de sélection TR6 qui présente un type de conductivité opposé à celui du transistor TR5. Dans l'exemple décrit, le transistor TR5 est de type N et le transistor TR6 est de type P.The output of the voltage booster 17 is connected to ground via a resistor R3, to the gate of a first selection transistor TR5 and at the gate of a second selection transistor TR6 which has a conductivity type opposite to that of the transistor TR5. In the example described, the transistor TR5 is of type N and the transistor TR6 is of type P.

Le trajet drain-source du transistor TR5 est connecté entre la masse et un noeud 18 qui est relié à la sortie de l'oscillateur 15 et à la grille du transistor TR4.The drain-source path of transistor TR5 is connected between ground and a node 18 which is connected to the output of oscillator 15 and the gate of transistor TR4.

Le trajet drain-source du transistor TR6 est relié entre la grille du transistor TR2 et la borne positive de l'accumulateur 7.The drain-source path of transistor TR6 is connected between the gate of transistor TR2 and the positive terminal of the accumulator 7.

Le fonctionnement de la pièce d'horlogerie ainsi conçu est le suivant.The functioning of the timepiece as well designed is as follows.

On suppose que la pièce d'horlogerie a été laissée dans l'obscurité pendant un temps d'une longueur telle que l'accumulateur 7 est complètement déchargé, la tension Vaccu étant voisine, voire égale, à zéro. On suppose également que, dans ces conditions, l'utilisateur veuille réutiliser la pièce d'horlogerie et de ce fait la ressorte de l'obscurité. Le circuit garde-temps 1 n'étant pas alimenté, il ne fournit aucun signal d'activité, car l'oscillateur 2 et l'étage de division 3a sont incapables de fonctionner. L'élévateur de tension 17 ne fournit pas de tension à sa sortie de sorte que le transistor TR6 est conducteur empêchant la commande du transistor TR1, et que le transistor TR5 est non conducteur.It is assumed that the timepiece has been left in the dark for a time of such length that the accumulator 7 is completely discharged, the voltage V accumulated being close to, or even equal to, zero. It is also assumed that, under these conditions, the user wants to reuse the timepiece and thereby comes out of the dark. Since the timepiece circuit 1 is not supplied, it does not provide any activity signal, since the oscillator 2 and the division stage 3a are unable to operate. The voltage booster 17 does not supply voltage at its output so that the transistor TR6 is conductive preventing the control of the transistor TR1, and that the transistor TR5 is non-conductive.

La cellule 9 étant éclairée, elle fournit de l'énergie à une tension d'une valeur entre 0,3 et 0,5 V. A cette tension, l'oscillateur 15 est capable de fonctionner et il y est autorisé grâce au blocage du transistor TR5. De ce fait, les transistors TR4 et TR3 sont commutés à la fréquence de l'oscillateur 15.The cell 9 being lit, it provides energy at a voltage between 0.3 and 0.5 V. A this voltage, oscillator 15 is capable of operating and it is authorized there thanks to the blocking of transistor TR5. Therefore, the transistors TR4 and TR3 are switched to the oscillator frequency 15.

Plus précisément, lorsque le transistor TR3 est conducteur, la self 10 accumule de l'énergie qui est libérée brusquement avec une pointe de tension lorsque le transistor TR3 est bloqué. Les pointes de tension permettent de charger l'accumulateur 7 à une tension supérieure à celle fournie par la cellule 9. Le transistor TR4 accompagné de l'inverseur 14 sert de tampon entre la sortie de l'oscillateur 15 et le transistor TR3 qui est relativement gros et présente donc une capacité d'entrée importante. Ainsi, l'accumulateur peut se charger.More specifically, when the transistor TR3 is conductor, the self 10 accumulates energy which is suddenly released with a spike of tension when the transistor TR3 is blocked. Voltage spikes allow charging the accumulator 7 to a voltage greater than that provided by cell 9. The transistor TR4 accompanied by the inverter 14 serves as a buffer between the output of oscillator 15 and transistor TR3 which is relatively large and therefore has an input capacity important. Thus, the battery can be charged.

Dès que l'accumulateur 7 est suffisamment chargé pour fournir une tension d'alimentation convenant à l'oscillateur 2 et à l'étage de division 3a, un signal d'activité apparaít à la sortie de cet étage. Le circuit garde-temps démarre et l'élévateur de tension 17 fournit une tension de sortie.As soon as the accumulator 7 is sufficiently charged to supply a supply voltage suitable for oscillator 2 and on division stage 3a, a signal activity appears at the exit of this floor. The circuit timepiece starts and the voltage booster 17 provides an output voltage.

Ce dernier rend conducteur le transistor TR5, court-circuitant l'oscillateur 15 qui cesse alors de fonctionner. En revanche, le transistor TR6 est rendu non conducteur ce qui libère la commande du transistor TR1, par l'intermédiaire du transistor TR2 et l'inverseur 13. Ainsi, le transistor TR1 se substitue au transistor TR3 et la charge de l'accumulateur 7 peut se poursuivre pendant que le circuit garde-temps fonctionne normalement. Ainsi, on comprend que les transistors TR5 et TR6 fonctionnent comme des moyens de commande de substitution.The latter makes the transistor TR5 conductive, short-circuiting oscillator 15 which then stops function. On the other hand, the transistor TR6 is made non conductor which releases the control of transistor TR1, via transistor TR2 and inverter 13. Thus, the transistor TR1 replaces the transistor TR3 and the battery 7 can continue to charge for the timepiece circuit is operating normally. So, we understand that the transistors TR5 and TR6 work as alternative control means.

L'élévateur de tension 17 est souhaitable pour obtenir une commutation franche des transistors TR5 et TR6 dès que l'oscillateur 2 délivre un signal d'activité à l'étage de division 3a.Voltage booster 17 is desirable for obtain a frank switching of the transistors TR5 and TR6 as soon as oscillator 2 delivers an activity signal to division stage 3a.

On notera que l'oscillateur 2 commence à fonctionner dès qu'il détecte sur ces bornes d'alimentation une tension suffisante ce qui fait naítre le signal d'activité. Ceci signifie que la commutation entre les deux oscillateurs 15 et 2 a lieu indépendamment des dispersions de construction pouvant exister entre les circuits des différentes pièces d'horlogerie. La valeur de la tension Vaccu minimale pour le fonctionnement de l'oscillateur 2 peut ainsi être déterminée par chaque circuit individuellement selon les valeurs de ses propres composants.Note that the oscillator 2 begins to operate as soon as it detects on these supply terminals a sufficient voltage which causes the activity signal to be lost. This means that the switching between the two oscillators 15 and 2 takes place independently of the construction dispersions that may exist between the circuits of the various timepieces. The value of the minimum accumulated voltage V for the operation of oscillator 2 can thus be determined by each circuit individually according to the values of its own components.

Selon une variante qui n'a pas été représentée au dessin, il est possible d'utiliser l'oscillateur 2 et l'étage de division 3a uniquement pour piloter le circuit garde-temps 1, l'oscillateur 15 étant chargé de piloter en permanence l'élévateur de tension. Dans cette variante, on pourra alors se dispenser des transistors TR1, TR2, TR5 et TR6, de l'inverseur 13, des résistances R1 et R3 et de l'élévateur de tension 17.According to a variant which has not been shown in drawing it is possible to use oscillator 2 and division stage 3a only for driving the circuit timepiece 1, the oscillator 15 being responsible for piloting the voltage booster. In this variant, we can then dispense with transistors TR1, TR2, TR5 and TR6, inverter 13, resistors R1 and R3 and the voltage booster 17.

Claims (12)

  1. Autonomous low power consumption electrical apparatus having a supply device (8) comprising a power source (9) operating by photo-voltaic conversion, an electrical accumulator (7) and a voltage booster (10, 11, TR1, TR3) connected between the power source (9) and the accumulator (7) for charging said accumulator, said source supplying an insufficient voltage for operating at least certain vital parts of the apparatus for it to fulfil its function, said voltage booster being controlled by a pulse signal having a predetermined frequency supplied by a first generator which is connected thereto,
    characterized in that said first pulse signal generator comprises an oscillator (15) arranged so as to operate at a voltage equal to or less than the voltage (Vcp) supplied by said photo-voltaic source (9).
  2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said oscillator (15) is a ring oscillator.
  3. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said voltage booster comprises an inductor (10) connected between said photo-voltaic source (9) and the series connection of a diode (11) and said accumulator (7) and in that the output (18) of said oscillator (15) is connected to first switching means (TR3, TR4) capable of bringing the node (12) between said diode (11) and said inductor (10) alternatively to a voltage level equal to the sum of the voltage (Vaccu) of this accumulator (7) and the voltage across diode (11) and to ground.
  4. Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that said first switching means comprise a switching transistor (TR3) whose source-drain path is connected between the ground and said node (12) and whose gate is connected to the output of said oscillator (15) via a shaping transistor (TR4) for the signal supplied by the oscillator (15).
  5. Apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that an inverter (14) is connected between said switching transistor (TR3) and said shaping transistor (TR4).
  6. Apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that one of said vital parts of said apparatus is formed of second pulse signal generator means (2,3a) and in that it further comprises :
    second switching means (TR1, TR2) capable of bringing the node (12) between said series connection (7, 11) and said inductor (10) alternatively to said voltage level and to ground voltage level;
    activity signal generating means (2, 3, 17) representative of the execution of said function by the apparatus; and
    substitution control means (TR5, TR6) for, when said generating means generate said activity signal, connect to said voltage booster (10) said second pulse signal generating means (2, 3a) instead of said oscillator (15).
  7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that said second pulse signal generator means (2, 3a) form said activity signal generating means.
  8. Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that said substitution control means comprises a first control transistor (TR5) capable of short-circuiting the output of said oscillator (15) and a second transistor (TR6) capable of activating said second switching means when said activity signal appears.
  9. Apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said second switching means comprise a transistor (TR1) whose source-drain path is connected between the ground and said node (12) and whose gate is connected to receive the activity signal via a second transistor (TR2) for shaping this signal.
  10. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that an inverter (13) is connected between said switching transistor (TR1) of said second switching means and said second shaping transistor (TR2).
  11. Apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that said first and second control transistors (TR5, TR6) are connected to said activity signal generating means via voltage booster means (17).
  12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that it comprises a time keeping circuit (1) and in that said second pulse signal generating means are formed by a quartz oscillator (2) and possibly also by a part (3a) of the divider (3) of said time keeping circuit.
EP19980100113 1997-01-09 1998-01-07 Electronic apparatus functioning with the aid of a photovoltaic cell, in particular timepiece Expired - Lifetime EP0853265B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH00033/97A CH691010A5 (en) 1997-01-09 1997-01-09 electrical apparatus operating with a photovoltaic source, such timepiece.
CH3397 1997-01-09
EP97100238 1997-01-09
EP97100238 1997-01-09
CH33/97 1997-01-09

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EP0853265A1 EP0853265A1 (en) 1998-07-15
EP0853265B1 true EP0853265B1 (en) 2002-04-24

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JP3650269B2 (en) * 1997-10-07 2005-05-18 セイコーインスツル株式会社 Electronic timepiece with power generation element

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JPS5761981A (en) * 1980-10-01 1982-04-14 Hitachi Ltd Electronic circuit using voltage reguction means
JPH0792506B2 (en) * 1984-11-21 1995-10-09 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Electronic clock
NL8701278A (en) * 1987-05-29 1988-12-16 Philips Nv INTEGRATED CMOS CIRCUIT WITH A SUBSTRATE PRESSURE GENERATOR.
JP3140308B2 (en) * 1994-10-05 2001-03-05 シャープ株式会社 Boost type chopper regulator

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