EP0960361A1 - Wheel work part comprising a capacitive sensing device - Google Patents

Wheel work part comprising a capacitive sensing device

Info

Publication number
EP0960361A1
EP0960361A1 EP98901919A EP98901919A EP0960361A1 EP 0960361 A1 EP0960361 A1 EP 0960361A1 EP 98901919 A EP98901919 A EP 98901919A EP 98901919 A EP98901919 A EP 98901919A EP 0960361 A1 EP0960361 A1 EP 0960361A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
rotor
mobile
timepiece according
teeth
sensor
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
Application number
EP98901919A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0960361B1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Félix Perotto
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 Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
Original Assignee
ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA, Ebauchesfabrik ETA AG filed Critical ETA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse SA
Publication of EP0960361A1 publication Critical patent/EP0960361A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0960361B1 publication Critical patent/EP0960361B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04G—ELECTRONIC TIME-PIECES
    • G04G21/00—Input or output devices integrated in time-pieces
    • G04G21/08—Touch switches specially adapted for time-pieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/001—Electromechanical switches for setting or display
    • G04C3/007—Electromechanical contact-making and breaking devices acting as pulse generators for setting
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/14—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means incorporating a stepping motor

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising a rotary mobile and an electric capacitive detection device for detecting positions and / or movements of said mobile, in which the detection device comprises at least one capacitive sensor, having a fixed part provided with one or more fixed electrodes and a mobile part provided with an electrically conductive rotor driven by said mobile, and electronic detection means which are sensitive to variations in the capacity of said sensor.
  • the invention applies particularly, but not exclusively, to the control of functions such as the manual correction of the time or the date in an electronic watch by means of the traditional control rod equipped with an outer crown.
  • the detection of the rotational and translational movements of this rod is essentially based on electromechanical switches actuated by an arrangement of cams integral with the rod, these cams acting on flexible contact strips which will touch fixed contacts generally provided on a printed circuit which includes other components of the timepiece.
  • the main difficulty lies in the reliability of closing the electrical contact, which requires very precise positioning of each contact strip relative to the corresponding cam and relative to the corresponding fixed contact. It is therefore necessary to carry out functional tests and possibly adjustments during the assembly of each timepiece. These operations are costly and considerably hamper the automation of the assembly of watches. Similar problems arise with electrical contacts intended to detect particular positions of a mobile, for example the "zero" position of a chronograph hand or of a date indicator.
  • pulses are generated from variations in the capacitive coupling produced by the rotor electrode between different electrodes of the stator, thanks to variations in the overlap area between the rotor and each fixed electrode, while the thickness of the dielectric between the electrodes remains constant.
  • the rotor must be mounted with sufficient precision and stability so that the distance between the electrodes, that is to say the thickness of the dielectric, remains constant.
  • the present invention aims to avoid the drawbacks of the prior art by creating a reliable contactless detection device, usable in a timepiece such as a watch, which can be produced and assembled at low cost and which can apply advantageously to correct the time or date or the detection of a particular position of a rotary mobile.
  • each fixed electrode is arranged opposite a peripheral surface of the rotor, said surface comprising teeth arranged to pass close to each electrode. fixed during rotation of the rotor.
  • the detection device acts essentially by variation of the capacitance by virtue of the variation in distance between the toothed peripheral surface of the rotor and each fixed electrode.
  • a device By its nature, such a device can be produced in a form which is both compact and consumes little electrical energy, which is very suitable for use in a watch.
  • capacitive sensors can be produced without great complication which make it possible to detect a fairly large number of successive angular positions, for example eight or twelve positions per revolution.
  • the fixed part of the capacitive sensor comprises a pair of fixed electrodes and the rotor is arranged to influence the electric field between the fixed electrodes by its rotational position.
  • the rotor can be kept at a fixed potential, its teeth being arranged to screen in the electric field between the fixed electrodes.
  • these two fixed electrodes are coplanar on a substrate and are separated from each other by an interval, the axis of the rotor being arranged opposite said interval and parallel to the fixed electrodes.
  • the substrate can advantageously be part of a printed circuit element of the timepiece, that is to say that an element is thus used which already exists in an electronic or electromechanical timepiece movement.
  • the rotor in order to maintain a constant spacing between the rotor and the fixed electrodes, it can be provided that the rotor is integral with the mobile, which comprises a support cylinder which bears by sliding against a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate and / or on the fixed electrodes. This avoids any adjustment of the sensor when mounting the mobile.
  • the fixed electrodes form two respective opposite spaced plates and the rotor is arranged between them, its axis of rotation being parallel to this. Thanks to the toothed shape of the peripheral surface of the rotor, the variation in capacitance between the electrodes is due in this case to the thickness modulation of the dielectric.
  • the fixed electrodes can be on the same printed circuit substrate, for example on two opposite edges of an opening in the substrate.
  • the rotor can be isolated and serve as a transmitter of an electrical signal between the two fixed electrodes. The rotor is then at a floating potential.
  • the rotor is a mobile electrode connected to the detection means and the teeth of which, during its rotation, pass alternately opposite one or the other of the fixed electrodes.
  • the rotor thus forms a third electrode for injecting a signal into the two capacitors which it forms respectively with the two fixed electrodes.
  • the fixed part of the capacitive sensor comprises an annular stator provided with internal teeth forming a fixed electrode and in that the rotor is placed inside the stator, its teeth forming a movable electrode in look of the stator teeth.
  • electrodes are thus obtained having a relatively large surface and a small distance between these surfaces, therefore a fairly high capacity.
  • the stator can be internally coated with a thin dielectric layer against which the rotor is capable of pressing while sliding, which ensures the centering of the rotor in the stator.
  • the contactless detection device can also indicate the direction of rotation of the mobile, the detection device preferably comprises two of said capacitive sensors, which are angularly offset so as to provide respective output signals which are in quadrature during the rotation of the mobile.
  • FIG. 1 schematically represents a first embodiment of the invention, more particularly a device for non-contact detection of the positions of a rotary mobile, this device comprising a capacitive sensor
  • FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating another position of the mobile
  • FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view in cross section of a capacitive sensor used in the present invention, along line III-III of Figure 4
  • Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a device comprising two capacitive sensors associated with a rotary and sliding mobile
  • - Figure 5 is a view in schematic section of another embodiment of a capacitive sensor
  • FIG. 1 schematically represents a first embodiment of the invention, more particularly a device for non-contact detection of the positions of a rotary mobile, this device comprising a capacitive sensor
  • FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating another position of the mobile
  • FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view in cross section of a capacitive sensor used in the present invention, along line III-III of Figure
  • FIG. 6 is an equivalent electrical diagram of the cap Figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of a capacitive sensor
  • Figure 8 is an equivalent electrical diagram of the sensor of Figure 7
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of a capacitive sensor
  • FIG. 10 schematically represents yet another embodiment of the invention, where the control rod of a watch is associated with two cylindrical capacitive sensors
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of one of the sensors of FIG. 10
  • FIG. 12 represents electrical signals obtained in the device of FIGS. 10 and 11 during the rotation of the mobile.
  • the mobile whose positions it is a question of detecting is a rod 1 which can be, for example, the time control rod of a watch or of another piece. of watchmaking. However, this mobile could be another part of a timepiece movement, for example a shaft carrying a seconds, minutes or hours hand, or a hand of a chronograph counter.
  • the rod 1 is associated with a device for detecting its angular positions which comprises a capacitive sensor 2 and electronic detection means 3 using the signal from the sensor on an output line 4.
  • the sensor 2 comprises a movable part, constituted by a rotor 5 fixed coaxially on the rod 1, and a fixed part consisting essentially of two fixed electrodes 6 and 7 which, in this case, are coplanar and applied to the underside of an insulating substrate 8 parallel to the axis of the rotor 5.
  • This can advantageously be a printed circuit board such as exists in most electronic or electromechanical watches, this card usually being parallel to the watch dial and to the control rod.
  • a voltage source 9 is connected in series between the ground 10 and the first electrode 6 to apply to it a pulsed voltage Ue.
  • the second electrode 7 is connected to line 4 to deliver a output signal which depends on the capacity between the two electrodes 6 and 7.
  • the rotor 5 is a conductive part, preferably metallic, in the shape of a star, its peripheral surface having in this case four teeth 11 to 14 regularly spaced angularly. Preferably, it is connected to ground 10 by means of the rod 1.
  • the rotor is opposite the gap 15 separating the electrodes 6 and 7 and its teeth pass a short distance from the electrodes. The presence and position of the rotor thus influences the electric field 16 and therefore the capacitive coupling between the electrodes.
  • the capacity of the sensor 2 varies periodically and the output signal on the line 4 passes through a minimum in the position of FIG. 1, where the rotor forms a screen in the electric field, and by a maximum in the position of FIG. 2, where the rotor practically does not screen.
  • the sensor output signal is applied to the negative input of an amplifier 16 connected in parallel to an integration capacitor 17 of capacitance Ci.
  • Each pulse of this signal represents the passage of one of the teeth 11 to 14 in front of the electrodes, therefore a step of rotation of the rod 1, this step being a quarter turn in the present example.
  • the signal Us is used in a processing circuit 19 which controls the desired function in known manner, for example setting the time or setting the date of the watch.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an advantageous embodiment of the capacitive sensor 2, in order to maintain a determined distance and as small as possible between the teeth of the rotor 5 and the electrodes 6 and 7, so that the variations in capacitance of the sensor during the movements of rod 1 are as high as possible and can therefore be detected easily.
  • a thin dielectric layer 20 is applied to at least part of the electrodes 6 and 7 and to the gap 15 between them.
  • This layer can be formed for example of a resin film having a thickness of a few micrometers. This thickness is obviously exaggerated in the drawing.
  • the rod 1 carries a support cylinder 21 placed at a sufficient distance from the rotor 5 so as not to influence the capacitance between the electrodes.
  • the rod 1 is placed relative to the substrate 8 so that its cylinder 21 bears lightly against the layer 20, which also extends on the substrate opposite the cylinder.
  • the end surfaces of the teeth 11 to 14 of the rotor 5 can be cylindrical and have the same radius as the cylinder 21, so that their distance from the electrodes 6 and 7 is practically equal to the thickness of the dielectric layer 20.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment comprising, next to the capacitive sensor 2, a second similar capacitive sensor 22 in order to be able to detect the direction of rotation of the rod 1.
  • the sensor 22 comprises a rotor 25 fixed on the rod 1 and a pair of electrodes 26 and 27 identical to electrodes 6 and 7 and applied to the substrate 8 next to these. These electrodes are also covered by the dielectric layer 20.
  • the rotor 25 is identical to the rotor 5, but angularly offset by a quarter of the pitch of the teeth, that is to say a sixteenth of a turn in this case, so that the output signals of sensor 22 are in quadrature with those of sensor 2. Signals of this kind are described below with reference to FIG. 12.
  • control rod 1 of the watch can slide axially between at least two positions, one of which is a positioning position. at the time, shown in solid lines in Figure 4.
  • the other axial position of the rod is a neutral position, shown in broken lines, where the rod 1 must be able to rotate without correcting the time of the watch.
  • the rotor 25 of the sensor 22 is then located opposite the electrodes 6 and 7 of the sensor 2, so that the sensor 2 is active, while the sensor 22 is inactive.
  • the processing circuits 19 detect this fact when the rod 1 rotates and they do not trigger any action.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of a capacitive sensor which can be used in place of each of the sensors 2 and 22 described above.
  • This sensor 30 comprises two fixed electrodes disposed on a common insulating substrate 33 and connected to respective terminals A and B. Each electrode 31, 32 extends in particular on opposite edges of an opening 34 of the substrate 33 to each form a plate electrode 35, 36.
  • the axis 37 of the rotary rod 1 extends in the middle of the opening 34, in the median plane of the substrate, so that the rotor 5 fixed on the rod 1 is substantially at the same distance from each of the electrodes 31 and 32.
  • the rotor 5 has an even number of teeth, it is electrically isolated and is at a floating potential, to serve as a passive transmitter of an electrical signal between the two electrodes.
  • the equivalent diagram in FIG. 6 shows that the capacity of the sensor 30 is equal to the placing in series of the variable capacities C1 and C2 situated respectively between the electrode 31 and the rotor 5 and between the rotor 5 and the electrode 32.
  • the capacitances C1 and C2 vary together by variation of the distances and therefore of the dielectric intervals between the conducting rotor and the electrodes when the rod 1 rotates. If necessary, the rod 1 can be guided by the insulating substrate 33. Of course, it can be associated with two sensors 30 delivering quadrature signals which also make it possible to indicate the direction of rotation of the rod by a method analogous to that described with reference to Figure 4.
  • FIGS 7 and 8 illustrate a capacitive sensor 40 in which there are the same elements 31 to 37 as in the sensor 30, but with a different rotor 41 which constitutes a mobile electrode connected to a terminal D by a flexible blade 42 which rubs on a collar 43 of the rotor 41.
  • This comprises an odd number of teeth, for example three teeth 44, 45 and 46, which have equal angular intervals and therefore pass alternately in front of one or the other of the electrodes 31 and 32
  • Terminal D is used for injecting an electrical signal on the mobile electrode formed by rotor 41, the output signals being collected on terminals A and B.
  • Another advantage of the sensor 40 is that its resolution for one revolution of the rotor is twice the number of teeth. For example, a resolution of ten steps per revolution would be obtained with only five teeth.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates a capacitive sensor 50 comprising the same elements 31 to 37 and 41 to 43 as the sensor 40 described above, but in this case the rotor 41 has only two teeth 44 and 45 arranged asymmetrically, their angular distance being for example 135 °.
  • the signals collected at terminals A and B follow one another in a different order depending on whether the rod 1 rotates in one direction or in the other. Therefore, the detection means can determine both angular positions and the direction of rotation of the rod 1 by means of the single sensor 50.
  • the control rod 1 of a watch 51 has a conventional outer crown 52 and it is rotatably and slidingly supported in the case 53 of the watch and in a fixed part 54 of the watch movement.
  • the rod 1 is equipped with two coaxial cylindrical capacitive sensors 55 and 56 arranged to deliver quadrature output signals, as in the example of the Figure 4.
  • Each sensor 55, 56 has a rotor 57, 58 made in one piece with the rod 1 and an annular stator 59, 60 arranged coaxially around the rotor (when the rod 1 occupies the axial position shown in Figure 10) and attached to the inside of the watch.
  • Figure 11 is a schematic sectional view of the sensor 55, on an enlarged scale.
  • the generally cylindrical outer surface of the metal rotor 57 is striated with axial grooves 62 which define between them, for example eight regularly spaced outer teeth 63.
  • the metal stator 59 is internally striated by the same number of axial grooves not referenced, defining between them eight interior teeth 64 regularly spaced and having substantially the same width as the teeth 63 of the rotor.
  • the stator 59 is coated internally with a layer 65 of dielectric material, this layer being as thin as possible on teeth 64 in order to increase the capacity of the sensor.
  • the stator is also provided with a longitudinal slot 66 in order to be able to be applied by elasticity against the periphery of the rotor.
  • the stator 59 has for example two opposite ears 67 engaging with a small clearance in recesses (not shown) inside the watch.
  • the circumferential width of the teeth 63 and 64 is preferably slightly less than that of the grooves of the rotor and the stator. During rotation, the capacity goes through a maximum when the teeth 63 and 64 are located opposite one another and through a minimum when the grooves 62 of the rotor are located opposite the teeth 64 of the stator.
  • FIG. 12 represents, as a function of the angle ⁇ of rotation of the rod 1, the variation of the capacitance Cl of the sensor 55 and of the capacitance C2 of the sensor 56. These two signals are in quadrature if, by example, the teeth 63 of the two rotors 57 and 58 are mutually aligned while the teeth 64 of the stator 60 are offset by a quarter of their pitch, that is to say 1/32 of a turn, relative to those of the stator 59 in the direction of rotation (arrow F) of the rod 1.
  • FIG. 12 also shows the square pulses of voltage Us1 and Us2 which are obtained for each sensor as described with reference to the figure 1 and which allow the detection means to indicate the number of steps and the direction of rotation of the rod 1.

Abstract

The invention concerns a wheel work part (51) comprising a rotary mobile (1) and a contactless electric sensing device for detecting the positions and/or movements of said mobile. In order to avoid the problems arising from standard systems with electric switches, the sensing device comprises at least a capacitive sensor (55, 56) having one or several fixed electrodes (59, 60) and a toothed rotor (57, 58) driven by said mobile, and electronic sensing means sensitive to variations in capacitance of said sensor. The device may have two capacitive sensors (55, 56) with output signals in quadrature for indicating the direction of the rotation of the mobile. This mobile can be a control stem (1) for time setting, or another component such as a watch hand stem.

Description

PIECE D'HORLOGERIE COMPORTANT UN DISPOSITIF DE DETECTION CAPACITIF CLOCK PIECE COMPRISING A CAPACITIVE DETECTION DEVICE
La présente invention concerne une pièce d'horlogerie, notamment une montre, comportant un mobile rotatif et un dispositif électrique de détection capacitif pour détecter des positions et/ou des mouvements dudit mobile, dans laquelle le dispositif de détection comporte au moins un capteur capacitif, ayant une partie fixe pourvue d'une ou plusieurs électrodes fixes et une partie mobile pourvue d'un rotor électriquement conducteur entraîné par ledit mobile, et des moyens électroniques de détection qui sont sensibles à des variations de capacité dudit capteur.The present invention relates to a timepiece, in particular a watch, comprising a rotary mobile and an electric capacitive detection device for detecting positions and / or movements of said mobile, in which the detection device comprises at least one capacitive sensor, having a fixed part provided with one or more fixed electrodes and a mobile part provided with an electrically conductive rotor driven by said mobile, and electronic detection means which are sensitive to variations in the capacity of said sensor.
L'invention s'applique particulièrement, mais pas exclusivement, à la commande de fonctions telles que la correction manuelle de l'heure ou de la date dans une montre électronique au moyen de la traditionnelle tige de commande équipée d' ne couronne extérieure . Habituellement, la détection des mouvements de rotation et translation de cette tige est essentiellement basée sur des interrupteurs électromécaniques actionnés par un agencement de cames solidaires de la tige, ces cames agissant sur des lamelles de contact flexibles qui vont toucher des contacts fixes prévus généralement sur un circuit imprimé qui comprend d'autres composants de la pièce d'horlogerie. Pour la fabrication et le montage de ces interrupteurs, la difficulté principale réside dans la fiabilité de fermeture du contact électrique, qui exige un positionnement très précis de chaque lamelle de contact par rapport à la came correspondante et par rapport au contact fixe correspondant. Il est donc nécessaire d'effectuer des tests de fonctionnement et éventuellement des réglages lors du montage de chaque pièce d'horlogerie. Ces opérations sont coûteuses et gênent considérablement 1 ' automatisation de 1 ' assemblage des montres . Des problèmes analogues se présentent avec les contacts électriques destinés à détecter des positions particulières d'un mobile, par exemple la position "zéro" d'une aiguille de chronographe ou d'un indicateur de quantièmes .The invention applies particularly, but not exclusively, to the control of functions such as the manual correction of the time or the date in an electronic watch by means of the traditional control rod equipped with an outer crown. Usually, the detection of the rotational and translational movements of this rod is essentially based on electromechanical switches actuated by an arrangement of cams integral with the rod, these cams acting on flexible contact strips which will touch fixed contacts generally provided on a printed circuit which includes other components of the timepiece. For the manufacture and mounting of these switches, the main difficulty lies in the reliability of closing the electrical contact, which requires very precise positioning of each contact strip relative to the corresponding cam and relative to the corresponding fixed contact. It is therefore necessary to carry out functional tests and possibly adjustments during the assembly of each timepiece. These operations are costly and considerably hamper the automation of the assembly of watches. Similar problems arise with electrical contacts intended to detect particular positions of a mobile, for example the "zero" position of a chronograph hand or of a date indicator.
Il serait donc souhaitable de remplacer les interrupteurs susmentionnés par des dispositifs sans contact, aptes à être utilisés dans des montres.It would therefore be desirable to replace the above-mentioned switches with contactless devices suitable for use in watches.
Dans la demande de brevet DE 3934158 Al, il est décrit un générateur d'impulsions utilisable pour commander une horloge électronique dans un appareil domestique, ce générateur correspondant approximativement à un capteur capacitif du genre indiqué en préambule ci- dessus. Un rotor en forme de disque, rotatif autour d'un axe perpendiculaire au disque, porte une électrode plate ayant deux secteurs diamétralement opposés, en face d'un stator plat pourvu de plusieurs électrodes fixes ayant une disposition particulière et raccordées à des circuits électroniques de détection. Un diélectrique mince est placé entre le stator et le rotor. Lorsque le rotor tourne, des impulsions sont engendrées à partir des variations du couplage capacitif produit par l'électrode du rotor entre différentes électrodes du stator, grâce aux variations de la surface de recouvrement entre le rotor et chaque électrode fixe, tandis que l'épaisseur du diélectrique entre les électrodes reste constante.In patent application DE 3934158 A1, there is described a pulse generator which can be used to control an electronic clock in a domestic appliance, this generator corresponding approximately to a capacitive sensor of the kind indicated in the preamble above. A disc-shaped rotor, rotating around an axis perpendicular to the disc, carries a flat electrode having two diametrically opposite sectors, opposite a flat stator provided with several fixed electrodes having a particular arrangement and connected to electronic circuits of detection. A thin dielectric is placed between the stator and the rotor. When the rotor turns, pulses are generated from variations in the capacitive coupling produced by the rotor electrode between different electrodes of the stator, thanks to variations in the overlap area between the rotor and each fixed electrode, while the thickness of the dielectric between the electrodes remains constant.
Une telle construction est beaucoup trop encombrante pour des applications dans l'industrie horlogère, en particulier dans les montres. D'autre part, le rotor doit être monté avec une précision et une stabilité suffisante pour que la distance entre les électrodes, c'est-à-dire l'épaisseur du diélectrique, reste constante.Such a construction is far too bulky for applications in the watch industry, in particular in watches. On the other hand, the rotor must be mounted with sufficient precision and stability so that the distance between the electrodes, that is to say the thickness of the dielectric, remains constant.
La présente invention a pour but d'éviter les inconvénients de l'art antérieur en créant un dispositif fiable de détection sans contact, utilisable dans une pièce d'horlogerie telle qu'une montre, pouvant être réalisé et monté à un faible coût et pouvant s'appliquer avantageusement à la correction de l'heure ou de la date ou à la détection d'une position particulière d'un mobile rotatif .The present invention aims to avoid the drawbacks of the prior art by creating a reliable contactless detection device, usable in a timepiece such as a watch, which can be produced and assembled at low cost and which can apply advantageously to correct the time or date or the detection of a particular position of a rotary mobile.
A cet effet, il est prévu une pièce d'horlogerie telle que définie en préambule, caractérisée en ce que chaque électrode fixe est disposée en face d'une surface périphérique du rotor, ladite surface comportant des dents agencées pour passer à proximité de chaque électrode fixe au cours de la rotation du rotor.For this purpose, there is provided a timepiece as defined in the preamble, characterized in that each fixed electrode is arranged opposite a peripheral surface of the rotor, said surface comprising teeth arranged to pass close to each electrode. fixed during rotation of the rotor.
Ainsi, le dispositif de détection agit essentiellement par variation de la capacité grâce à la variation de distance entre la surface périphérique dentée du rotor et chaque électrode fixe. Par sa nature, un tel dispositif est réalisable sous une forme à la fois peu encombrante et consommant peu d'énergie électrique, ce qui convient bien à une utilisation dans une montre. De plus, on peut réaliser sans grande complication des capteurs capacitifs qui permettent de détecter un assez grand nombre de positions angulaires successives, par exemple huit ou douze positions par tour. Dans une forme de réalisation particulière, la partie fixe du capteur capacitif comporte une paire d'électrodes fixes et le rotor est agencé pour influencer le champ électrique entre les électrodes fixes par sa position de rotation. Le rotor peut être maintenu à un potentiel fixe, ses dents étant agencées pour faire écran dans le champ électrique entre les électrodes fixes.Thus, the detection device acts essentially by variation of the capacitance by virtue of the variation in distance between the toothed peripheral surface of the rotor and each fixed electrode. By its nature, such a device can be produced in a form which is both compact and consumes little electrical energy, which is very suitable for use in a watch. In addition, capacitive sensors can be produced without great complication which make it possible to detect a fairly large number of successive angular positions, for example eight or twelve positions per revolution. In a particular embodiment, the fixed part of the capacitive sensor comprises a pair of fixed electrodes and the rotor is arranged to influence the electric field between the fixed electrodes by its rotational position. The rotor can be kept at a fixed potential, its teeth being arranged to screen in the electric field between the fixed electrodes.
De préférence, ces deux électrodes fixes sont coplanaires sur un substrat et sont séparées l'une de l'autre par un intervalle, l'axe du rotor étant disposé en face dudit intervalle et parallèlement aux électrodes fixes. Le substrat peut avantageusement faire partie d'un élément à circuits imprimés de la pièce d'horlogerie, c'est-à-dire qu'on utilise ainsi un élément qui existe déjà dans un mouvement d'horlogerie électronique ou électromécanique.Preferably, these two fixed electrodes are coplanar on a substrate and are separated from each other by an interval, the axis of the rotor being arranged opposite said interval and parallel to the fixed electrodes. The substrate can advantageously be part of a printed circuit element of the timepiece, that is to say that an element is thus used which already exists in an electronic or electromechanical timepiece movement.
Dans la forme de réalisation susmentionnée, afin de maintenir un écartement constant entre le rotor et les électrodes fixes, on peut prévoir que le rotor est solidaire du mobile, lequel comporte un cylindre d'appui qui s'appuie en glissant contre une couche diélectrique disposée sur le substrat et/ou sur les électrodes fixes. Ceci permet d'éviter tout réglage du capteur lors du montage du mobile.In the above-mentioned embodiment, in order to maintain a constant spacing between the rotor and the fixed electrodes, it can be provided that the rotor is integral with the mobile, which comprises a support cylinder which bears by sliding against a dielectric layer disposed on the substrate and / or on the fixed electrodes. This avoids any adjustment of the sensor when mounting the mobile.
Dans un autre agencement à deux électrodes fixes, les électrodes fixes forment deux plaques respectives opposées espacées et le rotor est disposé entre celles-ci, son axe de rotation étant parallèle à celle-ci . Grâce à la forme dentée de la surface périphérique du rotor, la variation de capacité entre les électrodes est due dans ce cas à la modulation d'épaisseur du diélectrique. Dans cet agencement aussi, les électrodes fixes peuvent se trouver sur un même substrat à circuits imprimés, par exemple sur deux bords opposés d'une ouverture du substrat. Le rotor peut être isolé et servir de transmetteur d'un signal électrique entre les deux électrodes fixes. Le rotor est alors à un potentiel flottant.In another arrangement with two fixed electrodes, the fixed electrodes form two respective opposite spaced plates and the rotor is arranged between them, its axis of rotation being parallel to this. Thanks to the toothed shape of the peripheral surface of the rotor, the variation in capacitance between the electrodes is due in this case to the thickness modulation of the dielectric. Also in this arrangement, the fixed electrodes can be on the same printed circuit substrate, for example on two opposite edges of an opening in the substrate. The rotor can be isolated and serve as a transmitter of an electrical signal between the two fixed electrodes. The rotor is then at a floating potential.
Une autre forme de réalisation avantageuse du capteur comportant une paire d'électrodes fixes consiste en ce que le rotor est une électrode mobile reliée aux moyens de détection et dont les dents, au cours de sa rotation, passent alternativement en face de l'une ou l'autre des électrodes fixes. Le rotor forme ainsi une troisième électrode pour l'injection d'un signal dans les deux condensateurs qu'il forme respectivement avec les deux électrodes fixes.Another advantageous embodiment of the sensor comprising a pair of fixed electrodes consists in that the rotor is a mobile electrode connected to the detection means and the teeth of which, during its rotation, pass alternately opposite one or the other of the fixed electrodes. The rotor thus forms a third electrode for injecting a signal into the two capacitors which it forms respectively with the two fixed electrodes.
Une autre forme de réalisation se caractérise en ce que la partie fixe du capteur capacitif comporte un stator annulaire pourvu de dents internes formant une électrode fixe et en ce que le rotor est disposé à 1 ' intérieur du stator, ses dents formant une électrode mobile en regard des dents du stator. On obtient ainsi, dans une construction de volume relativement petit, des électrodes ayant une surface relativement grande et une faible distance entre ces surfaces, donc une capacité assez élevée. Plus les dents sont nombreuses, plus la résolution angulaire du capteur est élevée. Le stator peut être revêtu intérieurement d'une couche diélectrique mince contre laquelle le rotor est susceptible de s'appuyer en glissant, ce qui assure le centrage du rotor dans le stator. Afin que le dispositif de détection sans contact puisse indiquer aussi le sens de rotation du mobile, le dispositif de détection comporte de préférence deux desdits capteurs capacitifs, qui sont décalés angulairement de façon à fournir des signaux de sortie respectifs qui sont en quadrature au cours de la rotation du mobile.Another embodiment is characterized in that the fixed part of the capacitive sensor comprises an annular stator provided with internal teeth forming a fixed electrode and in that the rotor is placed inside the stator, its teeth forming a movable electrode in look of the stator teeth. In a construction of relatively small volume, electrodes are thus obtained having a relatively large surface and a small distance between these surfaces, therefore a fairly high capacity. The more teeth there are, the higher the angular resolution of the sensor. The stator can be internally coated with a thin dielectric layer against which the rotor is capable of pressing while sliding, which ensures the centering of the rotor in the stator. So that the contactless detection device can also indicate the direction of rotation of the mobile, the detection device preferably comprises two of said capacitive sensors, which are angularly offset so as to provide respective output signals which are in quadrature during the rotation of the mobile.
D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de la présente invention apparaîtront dans la description suivante de différents exemples de réalisation, en référence aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels : la figure 1 représente schématiquement une première forme de réalisation de l'invention, plus particulièrement un dispositif de détection sans contact des positions d'un mobile rotatif, ce dispositif comportant un capteur capacitif, la figure 2 est une vue analogue à la figure 1, illustrant une autre position du mobile, la figure 3 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale d'un capteur capacitif utilisé dans la présent invention, suivant la ligne III-III de la figure 4, la figure 4 est une vue latérale schématique d'un dispositif comportant deux capteurs capacitifs associés à un mobile rotatif et coulissant, - la figure 5 est une vue en coupe schématique d'une autre forme de réalisation d'un capteur capacitif, la figure 6 est un schéma électrique équivalent du capteur de la figure 5, la figure 7 est une vue en coupe schématique d'une autre forme de réalisation d'un capteur capacitif, la figure 8 est un schéma électrique équivalent du capteur de la figure 7, la figure 9 est une vue en coupe schématique d'une autre forme de réalisation d'un capteur capacitif, la figure 10 représente schématiquement encore une autre forme de réalisation de l'invention, où la tige de commande d'une montre est associée à deux capteurs capacitifs cylindriques, la figure 11 est une vue en coupe transversale d'un des capteurs de la figure 10, et la figure 12 représente des signaux électriques obtenus dans le dispositif des figures 10 et 11 au cours de la rotation du mobile.Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear in the following description of various exemplary embodiments, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 schematically represents a first embodiment of the invention, more particularly a device for non-contact detection of the positions of a rotary mobile, this device comprising a capacitive sensor, FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating another position of the mobile, FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view in cross section of a capacitive sensor used in the present invention, along line III-III of Figure 4, Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a device comprising two capacitive sensors associated with a rotary and sliding mobile, - Figure 5 is a view in schematic section of another embodiment of a capacitive sensor, FIG. 6 is an equivalent electrical diagram of the cap Figure 5 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of a capacitive sensor, Figure 8 is an equivalent electrical diagram of the sensor of Figure 7, FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of a capacitive sensor, FIG. 10 schematically represents yet another embodiment of the invention, where the control rod of a watch is associated with two cylindrical capacitive sensors, FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of one of the sensors of FIG. 10, and FIG. 12 represents electrical signals obtained in the device of FIGS. 10 and 11 during the rotation of the mobile.
Dans l'exemple des figures 1 et 2 , le mobile dont il s'agit de détecter des positions est une tige 1 qui peut être par exemple la tige de commande de mise à l'heure d'une montre ou d'une autre pièce d'horlogerie. Toutefois, ce mobile pourrait être une autre pièce d'un mouvement d'horlogerie, par exemple un arbre portant une aiguille des secondes, des minutes ou des heures, ou une aiguille d'un compteur de chronographe . La tige 1 est associée à un dispositif de détection de ses positions angulaires qui comprend un capteur capacitif 2 et des moyens électroniques de détection 3 utilisant le signal issu du capteur sur une ligne de sortie 4. Le capteur 2 comprend une partie mobile, constituée par un rotor 5 fixé coaxialement sur la tige 1, et une partie fixe constituée essentiellement par deux électrodes fixes 6 et 7 qui, dans le cas présent, sont coplanaires et appliquées sur la face inférieure d'un substrat isolant 8 parallèle à l'axe du rotor 5. Celui-ci peut avantageusement être une carte à circuits imprimés telle qu'il en existe dans la plupart des montres électroniques ou électromécaniques, cette carte étant habituellement parallèle au cadran de la montre et à la tige de commande. Une source de tension 9 est branchée en série entre la masse 10 et la première électrode 6 pour appliquer à celle-ci une tension puisée Ue. La seconde électrode 7 est raccordée à la ligne 4 pour délivrer un signal de sortie qui dépend de la capacité entre les deux électrodes 6 et 7.In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the mobile whose positions it is a question of detecting is a rod 1 which can be, for example, the time control rod of a watch or of another piece. of watchmaking. However, this mobile could be another part of a timepiece movement, for example a shaft carrying a seconds, minutes or hours hand, or a hand of a chronograph counter. The rod 1 is associated with a device for detecting its angular positions which comprises a capacitive sensor 2 and electronic detection means 3 using the signal from the sensor on an output line 4. The sensor 2 comprises a movable part, constituted by a rotor 5 fixed coaxially on the rod 1, and a fixed part consisting essentially of two fixed electrodes 6 and 7 which, in this case, are coplanar and applied to the underside of an insulating substrate 8 parallel to the axis of the rotor 5. This can advantageously be a printed circuit board such as exists in most electronic or electromechanical watches, this card usually being parallel to the watch dial and to the control rod. A voltage source 9 is connected in series between the ground 10 and the first electrode 6 to apply to it a pulsed voltage Ue. The second electrode 7 is connected to line 4 to deliver a output signal which depends on the capacity between the two electrodes 6 and 7.
Le rotor 5 est une pièce conductrice, de préférence métallique, en forme d'étoile, sa surface périphérique présentant dans le cas présent quatre dents 11 à 14 régulièrement espacées angulairement . De préférence, il est raccordé à la masse 10 par 1 ' intermédiaire de la tige 1. Le rotor se trouve en face de 1 ' intervalle 15 séparant les électrodes 6 et 7 et ses dents passent à une faible distance des électrodes. La présence et la position du rotor influence ainsi le champ électrique 16 et donc le couplage capacitif entre les électrodes . Au cours de la rotation de la tige 1, la capacité du capteur 2 varie périodiquement et le signal de sortie sur la ligne 4 passe par un minimum dans la position de la figure 1, où le rotor forme un écran dans le champ électrique, et par un maximum dans la position de la figure 2, où le rotor ne fait pratiquement pas écran.The rotor 5 is a conductive part, preferably metallic, in the shape of a star, its peripheral surface having in this case four teeth 11 to 14 regularly spaced angularly. Preferably, it is connected to ground 10 by means of the rod 1. The rotor is opposite the gap 15 separating the electrodes 6 and 7 and its teeth pass a short distance from the electrodes. The presence and position of the rotor thus influences the electric field 16 and therefore the capacitive coupling between the electrodes. During the rotation of the rod 1, the capacity of the sensor 2 varies periodically and the output signal on the line 4 passes through a minimum in the position of FIG. 1, where the rotor forms a screen in the electric field, and by a maximum in the position of FIG. 2, where the rotor practically does not screen.
Dans les moyens de détection 3, le signal de sortie du capteur est appliqué à l'entrée négative d'un amplificateur 16 branché en parallèle à un condensateur d'intégration 17 de capacité Ci. On obtient à la sortie 18 de l'amplificateur 16 un signal à impulsions carrées de tension Us = (Cv/Ci) • Ue, où Cv est la capacité entre les deux électrodes 6 et 7. Chaque impulsion de ce signal représente le passage d'une des dents 11 à 14 devant les électrodes, donc un pas de rotation de la tige 1, ce pas étant d'un quart de tour dans le présent exemple. Le signal Us est utilisé dans un circuit de traitement 19 qui commande de manière connue la fonction voulue, par exemple la mise à l'heure ou la mise à la date de la montre.In the detection means 3, the sensor output signal is applied to the negative input of an amplifier 16 connected in parallel to an integration capacitor 17 of capacitance Ci. The output 18 of the amplifier 16 is obtained a signal with square pulses of voltage Us = (Cv / Ci) • Ue, where Cv is the capacitance between the two electrodes 6 and 7. Each pulse of this signal represents the passage of one of the teeth 11 to 14 in front of the electrodes, therefore a step of rotation of the rod 1, this step being a quarter turn in the present example. The signal Us is used in a processing circuit 19 which controls the desired function in known manner, for example setting the time or setting the date of the watch.
La figure 3 illustre une forme de réalisation avantageuse du capteur capacitif 2, afin de maintenir une distance déterminée et aussi faible que possible entre les dents du rotor 5 et les électrodes 6 et 7 , pour que les variations de capacité du capteur lors des mouvements de la tige 1 soient aussi élevées que possible et puissent donc être détectées facilement. Une mince couche diélectrique 20 est appliquée sur au moins une partie des électrodes 6 et 7 et sur l'intervalle 15 les séparant. Cette couche peut être formée par exemple d'un film de résine ayant une épaisseur de quelques micromètres. Cette épaisseur est évidemment exagérée dans le dessin. Par ailleurs, la tige 1 porte un cylindre d'appui 21 placé à une distance suffisante du rotor 5 pour ne pas influencer la capacité entre les électrodes . La tige 1 est placée par rapport au substrat 8 de façon que son cylindre 21 s'appuie légèrement contre la couche 20, qui s'étend aussi sur le substrat en face du cylindre. Les surfaces d'extrémité des dents 11 à 14 du rotor 5 peuvent être cylindriques et avoir le même rayon que le cylindre 21, si bien que leur distance aux électrodes 6 et 7 est pratiquement égale à 1 ' épaisseur de la couche diélectrique 20.FIG. 3 illustrates an advantageous embodiment of the capacitive sensor 2, in order to maintain a determined distance and as small as possible between the teeth of the rotor 5 and the electrodes 6 and 7, so that the variations in capacitance of the sensor during the movements of rod 1 are as high as possible and can therefore be detected easily. A thin dielectric layer 20 is applied to at least part of the electrodes 6 and 7 and to the gap 15 between them. This layer can be formed for example of a resin film having a thickness of a few micrometers. This thickness is obviously exaggerated in the drawing. Furthermore, the rod 1 carries a support cylinder 21 placed at a sufficient distance from the rotor 5 so as not to influence the capacitance between the electrodes. The rod 1 is placed relative to the substrate 8 so that its cylinder 21 bears lightly against the layer 20, which also extends on the substrate opposite the cylinder. The end surfaces of the teeth 11 to 14 of the rotor 5 can be cylindrical and have the same radius as the cylinder 21, so that their distance from the electrodes 6 and 7 is practically equal to the thickness of the dielectric layer 20.
Les avantages d'un tel agencement ne concernent pas seulement la qualité des signaux obtenus : comme il détermine positivement la distance entre la tige 1 et le substrat 8, il permet un montage facilité du capteur 2 en évitant tout réglage. En particulier, lorsque la tige 1 est la tige de commande d'une montre, elle est mise en place après le substrat à circuit imprimé 8. Celui-ci peut être maintenu d'une manière élastique de façon à s'appuyer légèrement contre le cylindre 21 de la tige.The advantages of such an arrangement do not only concern the quality of the signals obtained: as it positively determines the distance between the rod 1 and the substrate 8, it allows easy mounting of the sensor 2 while avoiding any adjustment. In particular, when the rod 1 is the control rod of a watch, it is put in place after the printed circuit substrate 8. The latter can be held in an elastic manner so as to bear lightly against the cylinder 21 of the rod.
La figure 4 illustre une forme de réalisation comportant, à côté du capteur capacitif 2, un deuxième capteur capacitif semblable 22 afin de pouvoir détecter le sens de rotation de la tige 1. Le capteur 22 comprend un rotor 25 fixé sur la tige 1 et une paire d'électrodes 26 et 27 identiques aux électrodes 6 et 7 et appliquées sur le substrat 8 à côté de celles-ci. Ces électrodes sont également recouvertes par la couche diélectrique 20. Le rotor 25 est identique au rotor 5, mais décalé angulairement d'un quart du pas des dents, soit d'un seizième de tour dans le cas présent, pour que les signaux de sortie du capteur 22 soient en quadrature avec ceux du capteur 2. Des signaux de ce genre sont décrits plus loin en référence à la figure 12. Comme d'habitude, la tige de commande 1 de la montre peut coulisser axialement entre au moins deux positions, dont l'une est une position de mise à l'heure, représentée en traits continus dans la figure 4. L'autre position axiale de la tige est une position neutre, représentée en traits interrompus, où la tige 1 doit pouvoir tourner sans corriger l'heure de la montre. Le rotor 25 du capteur 22 se trouve alors en face des électrodes 6 et 7 du capteur 2 , de sorte que le capteur 2 est actif, tandis que le capteur 22 est inactif. Les circuits de traitement 19 détectent ce fait quand la tige 1 tourne et ils n'enclenchent aucune action. Si au contraire les deux capteurs 2 et 22 fournissent des signaux en quadrature, les circuits de traitement 19 effectuent une correction horaire dont l'ampleur est déterminée par le nombre de pas indiqué par le capteur 2 , et le sens par 1 ' ordre de succession des signaux issus des capteurs 2 et 22. Les figures 5 et 6 illustrent une autre forme de réalisation d'un capteur capacitif utilisable à la place de chacun des capteurs 2 et 22 décrits ci-dessus. Ce capteur 30 comporte deux électrodes fixes disposées sur un substrat isolant commun 33 et raccordées à des bornes respectives A et B. Chaque électrode 31, 32 s'étend notamment sur des bords opposés d'une ouverture 34 du substrat 33 pour former chacune une plaque d'électrode 35, 36. L'axe 37 de la tige rotative 1 s'étend au milieu de l'ouverture 34, dans le plan médian du substrat, de sorte que le rotor 5 fixé sur la tige 1 se trouve sensiblement à la même distance de chacune des électrodes 31 et 32. Dans le cas présent, le rotor 5 comporte un nombre pair de dents, il est isolé électriquement et se trouve à un potentiel flottant, pour servir de transmetteur passif d'un signal électrique entre les deux électrodes. Le schéma équivalent de la figure 6 montre que la capacité du capteur 30 est égale à la mise en série des capacités variables Cl et C2 situées respectivement entre l'électrode 31 et le rotor 5 et entre le rotor 5 et l'électrode 32. Les capacités Cl et C2 varient ensemble par variation des distances et donc des intervalles diélectriques entre le rotor conducteur et les électrodes lorsque la tige 1 tourne. Au besoin, la tige 1 peut être guidée par le substrat isolant 33. Bien entendu, elle peut être associée à deux capteurs 30 délivrant des signaux en quadrature qui permettent d'indiquer aussi le sens de rotation de la tige par une méthode analogue à celle décrite en référence à la figure 4.FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment comprising, next to the capacitive sensor 2, a second similar capacitive sensor 22 in order to be able to detect the direction of rotation of the rod 1. The sensor 22 comprises a rotor 25 fixed on the rod 1 and a pair of electrodes 26 and 27 identical to electrodes 6 and 7 and applied to the substrate 8 next to these. These electrodes are also covered by the dielectric layer 20. The rotor 25 is identical to the rotor 5, but angularly offset by a quarter of the pitch of the teeth, that is to say a sixteenth of a turn in this case, so that the output signals of sensor 22 are in quadrature with those of sensor 2. Signals of this kind are described below with reference to FIG. 12. As usual, the control rod 1 of the watch can slide axially between at least two positions, one of which is a positioning position. at the time, shown in solid lines in Figure 4. The other axial position of the rod is a neutral position, shown in broken lines, where the rod 1 must be able to rotate without correcting the time of the watch. The rotor 25 of the sensor 22 is then located opposite the electrodes 6 and 7 of the sensor 2, so that the sensor 2 is active, while the sensor 22 is inactive. The processing circuits 19 detect this fact when the rod 1 rotates and they do not trigger any action. If, on the contrary, the two sensors 2 and 22 supply signals in quadrature, the processing circuits 19 carry out a time correction whose magnitude is determined by the number of steps indicated by the sensor 2, and the direction by the order of succession signals from sensors 2 and 22. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another embodiment of a capacitive sensor which can be used in place of each of the sensors 2 and 22 described above. This sensor 30 comprises two fixed electrodes disposed on a common insulating substrate 33 and connected to respective terminals A and B. Each electrode 31, 32 extends in particular on opposite edges of an opening 34 of the substrate 33 to each form a plate electrode 35, 36. The axis 37 of the rotary rod 1 extends in the middle of the opening 34, in the median plane of the substrate, so that the rotor 5 fixed on the rod 1 is substantially at the same distance from each of the electrodes 31 and 32. In the present case, the rotor 5 has an even number of teeth, it is electrically isolated and is at a floating potential, to serve as a passive transmitter of an electrical signal between the two electrodes. The equivalent diagram in FIG. 6 shows that the capacity of the sensor 30 is equal to the placing in series of the variable capacities C1 and C2 situated respectively between the electrode 31 and the rotor 5 and between the rotor 5 and the electrode 32. The capacitances C1 and C2 vary together by variation of the distances and therefore of the dielectric intervals between the conducting rotor and the electrodes when the rod 1 rotates. If necessary, the rod 1 can be guided by the insulating substrate 33. Of course, it can be associated with two sensors 30 delivering quadrature signals which also make it possible to indicate the direction of rotation of the rod by a method analogous to that described with reference to Figure 4.
Les figures 7 et 8 illustrent un capteur capacitif 40 dans lequel on retrouve les mêmes éléments 31 à 37 que dans le capteur 30, mais avec un rotor 41 différent qui constitue une électrode mobile reliée à une borne D par une lame flexible 42 qui frotte sur un collet 43 du rotor 41. Celui-ci comporte un nombre impair de dents, par exemple trois dents 44, 45 et 46, qui présentent des intervalles angulaires égaux et passent donc alternativement devant l'une ou l'autre des électrodes 31 et 32. Ainsi, la capacité Cl est maximale quand la capacité C2 est minimale. La borne D est utilisée pour l'injection d'un signal électrique sur l'électrode mobile constituée par le rotor 41, les signaux de sortie étant recueillis sur les bornes A et B. On peut ainsi mesurer d'une manière précise une capacité différentielle entre A et B, en éliminant les capacités parasites entre les différents conducteurs et la masse, lesquelles sont souvent beaucoup plus élevées que Cl et C2. Un autre avantage du capteur 40 est que sa résolution pour un tour du rotor est égale au double du nombre de dents. Par exemple, une résolution de dix pas par tour serait obtenue avec cinq dents seulement .Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a capacitive sensor 40 in which there are the same elements 31 to 37 as in the sensor 30, but with a different rotor 41 which constitutes a mobile electrode connected to a terminal D by a flexible blade 42 which rubs on a collar 43 of the rotor 41. This comprises an odd number of teeth, for example three teeth 44, 45 and 46, which have equal angular intervals and therefore pass alternately in front of one or the other of the electrodes 31 and 32 Thus, the capacity C1 is maximum when the capacity C2 is minimum. Terminal D is used for injecting an electrical signal on the mobile electrode formed by rotor 41, the output signals being collected on terminals A and B. It is thus possible to measure accurately a differential capacitance between A and B, by eliminating the stray capacitances between the various conductors and the ground, which are often much higher than Cl and C2. Another advantage of the sensor 40 is that its resolution for one revolution of the rotor is twice the number of teeth. For example, a resolution of ten steps per revolution would be obtained with only five teeth.
La figure 9 illustre un capteur capacitif 50 comportant les mêmes éléments 31 à 37 et 41 à 43 que le capteur 40 décrit ci-dessus, mais dans ce cas le rotor 41 n'a que deux dents 44 et 45 disposées de manière dissymétrique, leur distance angulaire étant par exemple de 135°. Il en résulte que les signaux recueillis aux bornes A et B se succèdent dans un ordre différent selon que la tige 1 tourne dans un sens ou dans 1 ' autre . Donc les moyens de détection peuvent déterminer à la fois des positions angulaires et le sens de rotation de la tige 1 au moyen du seul capteur 50.FIG. 9 illustrates a capacitive sensor 50 comprising the same elements 31 to 37 and 41 to 43 as the sensor 40 described above, but in this case the rotor 41 has only two teeth 44 and 45 arranged asymmetrically, their angular distance being for example 135 °. As a result, the signals collected at terminals A and B follow one another in a different order depending on whether the rod 1 rotates in one direction or in the other. Therefore, the detection means can determine both angular positions and the direction of rotation of the rod 1 by means of the single sensor 50.
On notera qu'il est possible d'obtenir le même résultat avec un rotor ayant des dents diamétralement opposées, si les deux plaques d'électrodes 35 et 36 ne sont pas diamétralement opposées par rapport à l'axe 37 du rotor.Note that it is possible to obtain the same result with a rotor having diametrically opposite teeth, if the two electrode plates 35 and 36 are not diametrically opposite with respect to the axis 37 of the rotor.
Dans la forme de réalisation de 1 ' invention selon les figures 10 et 11, la tige de commande 1 d'une montre 51 comporte une couronne extérieure classique 52 et elle est supportée de manière rotative et coulissante dans la boîte 53 de la montre et dans une partie fixe 54 du mouvement d'horlogerie. Pour commander la mise à l'heure de la montre sans actionnement d'un contact électrique, la tige 1 est équipée de deux capteurs capacitifs cylindriques coaxiaux 55 et 56 agencés pour délivrer des signaux de sortie en quadrature, comme dans l'exemple de la figure 4. Chaque capteur 55, 56 comporte un rotor 57, 58 fait d'une pièce avec la tige 1 et un stator annulaire 59, 60 disposé coaxialement autour du rotor (quand la tige 1 occupe la position axiale représentée à la figure 10) et fixé à l'intérieur de la montre.In the embodiment of the invention according to FIGS. 10 and 11, the control rod 1 of a watch 51 has a conventional outer crown 52 and it is rotatably and slidingly supported in the case 53 of the watch and in a fixed part 54 of the watch movement. To control the time setting of the watch without actuating an electrical contact, the rod 1 is equipped with two coaxial cylindrical capacitive sensors 55 and 56 arranged to deliver quadrature output signals, as in the example of the Figure 4. Each sensor 55, 56 has a rotor 57, 58 made in one piece with the rod 1 and an annular stator 59, 60 arranged coaxially around the rotor (when the rod 1 occupies the axial position shown in Figure 10) and attached to the inside of the watch.
La figure 11 est une vue en coupe schématique du capteur 55, à une échelle agrandie. La surface extérieure généralement cylindrique du rotor métallique 57 est striée de rainures axiales 62 qui définissent entre elles par exemple huit dents extérieures 63 régulièrement espacées. De manière analogue, le stator métallique 59 est strié intérieurement par un même nombre de rainures axiales non référencées, définissant entre elles huit dents intérieures 64 régulièrement espacées et ayant sensiblement la même largeur que les dents 63 du rotor. Pour pouvoir s'ajuster et se centrer sur le rotor, le stator 59 est revêtu intérieurement d'une couche 65 de matière diélectrique, cette couche étant aussi mince que possible sur les dents 64 afin d'augmenter la capacité du capteur. Le stator est en outre pourvu d'une fente longitudinale 66 pour pouvoir s'appliquer par élasticité contre le pourtour du rotor. Pour sa fixation à l'intérieur de la montre, le stator 59 présente par exemple deux oreilles opposées 67 s ' engageant avec un faible jeu dans des évidements (non représentés) à l'intérieur de la montre. Pour que la capacité du capteur soit aussi élevée que possible tout en variant assez fortement au cours de la rotation du rotor, la largeur circonférentielle des dents 63 et 64 est de préférence légèrement inférieure à celle des rainures du rotor et du stator. Pendant la rotation, la capacité passe par un maximum quand les dents 63 et 64 se trouvent les unes en face des autres et par un minimum quand les rainures 62 du rotor se trouvent en face des dents 64 du stator.Figure 11 is a schematic sectional view of the sensor 55, on an enlarged scale. The generally cylindrical outer surface of the metal rotor 57 is striated with axial grooves 62 which define between them, for example eight regularly spaced outer teeth 63. Similarly, the metal stator 59 is internally striated by the same number of axial grooves not referenced, defining between them eight interior teeth 64 regularly spaced and having substantially the same width as the teeth 63 of the rotor. In order to be able to adjust and center on the rotor, the stator 59 is coated internally with a layer 65 of dielectric material, this layer being as thin as possible on teeth 64 in order to increase the capacity of the sensor. The stator is also provided with a longitudinal slot 66 in order to be able to be applied by elasticity against the periphery of the rotor. For its fixing inside the watch, the stator 59 has for example two opposite ears 67 engaging with a small clearance in recesses (not shown) inside the watch. So that the capacity of the sensor is as high as possible while varying quite strongly during the rotation of the rotor, the circumferential width of the teeth 63 and 64 is preferably slightly less than that of the grooves of the rotor and the stator. During rotation, the capacity goes through a maximum when the teeth 63 and 64 are located opposite one another and through a minimum when the grooves 62 of the rotor are located opposite the teeth 64 of the stator.
Le diagramme supérieur de la figure 12 représente, en fonction de l'angle α de rotation de la tige 1, la variation de la capacité Cl du capteur 55 et de la capacité C2 du capteur 56. Ces deux signaux sont en quadrature si, par exemple, les dents 63 des deux rotors 57 et 58 sont mutuellement alignées tandis que les dents 64 du stator 60 sont décalées d'un quart de leur pas, c'est-à-dire de 1/32 de tour, par rapport à celles du stator 59 dans le sens de rotation (flèche F) de la tige 1. On a également représenté dans la figure 12 les impulsions carrées de tension Usl et Us2 qui sont obtenues pour chaque capteur comme on l'a décrit en référence à la figure 1 et qui permettent aux moyens de détection d'indiquer le nombre de pas et le sens de rotation de la tige 1.The upper diagram of FIG. 12 represents, as a function of the angle α of rotation of the rod 1, the variation of the capacitance Cl of the sensor 55 and of the capacitance C2 of the sensor 56. These two signals are in quadrature if, by example, the teeth 63 of the two rotors 57 and 58 are mutually aligned while the teeth 64 of the stator 60 are offset by a quarter of their pitch, that is to say 1/32 of a turn, relative to those of the stator 59 in the direction of rotation (arrow F) of the rod 1. FIG. 12 also shows the square pulses of voltage Us1 and Us2 which are obtained for each sensor as described with reference to the figure 1 and which allow the detection means to indicate the number of steps and the direction of rotation of the rod 1.
Les exemples décrits ci-dessus démontrent que la présente invention permet d'installer dans une pièce d'horlogerie de petite taille, comme une montre, un dispositif de détection sans contact qui remplace avantageusement les dispositifs de détection de rotation à contacts électriques, grâce à sa simplicité et sa fiabilité. The examples described above demonstrate that the present invention makes it possible to install in a small timepiece, such as a watch, a non-contact detection device which advantageously replaces rotation detection devices with electrical contacts, thanks to its simplicity and reliability.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Pièce d'horlogerie comportant un mobile rotatif (1) et un dispositif électrique de détection capacitif pour détecter des positions et/ou des mouvements dudit mobile, dans laquelle le dispositif de détection comporte au moins un capteur capacitif (2, 22, 30, 40, 50, 55, 56), ayant une partie fixe pourvue d'une ou plusieurs électrodes fixes et une partie mobile pourvue d'un rotor électriquement conducteur entraîné par ledit mobile, et des moyens électroniques de détection (3) qui sont sensibles à des variations de capacité dudit capteur, caractérisée en ce que chaque électrode fixe (6, 7, 26, 27, 31, 32, 59, 60) est disposée en face d'une surface périphérique du rotor (5, 25, 41, 57, 58), ladite surface comportant des dents (11-14, 44-46, 63) agencées pour passer à proximité de chaque électrode fixe au cours de la rotation du rotor.1. Timepiece comprising a rotary mobile (1) and an electric capacitive detection device for detecting positions and / or movements of said mobile, in which the detection device comprises at least one capacitive sensor (2, 22, 30 , 40, 50, 55, 56), having a fixed part provided with one or more fixed electrodes and a mobile part provided with an electrically conductive rotor driven by said mobile, and electronic detection means (3) which are sensitive variations in the capacity of said sensor, characterized in that each fixed electrode (6, 7, 26, 27, 31, 32, 59, 60) is arranged opposite a peripheral surface of the rotor (5, 25, 41, 57, 58), said surface comprising teeth (11-14, 44-46, 63) arranged to pass near each fixed electrode during the rotation of the rotor.
2. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la partie fixe du capteur (2, 22, 30, 40, 50) comporte une paire d'électrodes fixes (6, 7 ; 26, 27; 31, 32) et en ce que le rotor (5, 25, 41) est agencé pour influencer le champ électrique entre les électrodes fixes par sa position de rotation.2. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed part of the sensor (2, 22, 30, 40, 50) comprises a pair of fixed electrodes (6, 7; 26, 27; 31, 32 ) and in that the rotor (5, 25, 41) is arranged to influence the electric field between the fixed electrodes by its rotational position.
3. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que le rotor (5) est maintenu à un potentiel fixe et en ce que ses dents (11-14) sont agencées pour faire écran dans le champ électrique entre les électrodes fixes .3. Timepiece according to claim 2, characterized in that the rotor (5) is maintained at a fixed potential and in that its teeth (11-14) are arranged to screen in the electric field between the fixed electrodes .
4. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que lesdites dents (11-14, 44-46) sont réparties selon un pas angulaire constant autour du rotor.4. Timepiece according to claim 2, characterized in that said teeth (11-14, 44-46) are distributed at a constant angular pitch around the rotor.
5. Pièce d'horlogerie selon l'une des revendications 2 à 4, caractérisée en ce que les deux électrodes fixes (6, 7; 26, 27) sont coplanaires sur un substrat (8) et sont séparées l'une de l'autre par un intervalle (15), et en ce que l'axe de rotor (5, 25) est disposé en face dudit intervalle et parallèlement aux électrodes fixes 5. Timepiece according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the two fixed electrodes (6, 7; 26, 27) are coplanar on a substrate (8) and are separated from one of the other by an interval (15), and in that the rotor axis (5, 25) is arranged opposite said interval and parallel to the fixed electrodes
6. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que le substrat (8) fait partie d'un élément à circuits imprimés de la pièce d'horlogerie.6. Timepiece according to claim 5, characterized in that the substrate (8) is part of a printed circuit element of the timepiece.
7. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 5 ou 6, caractérisée en ce que le rotor (5, 25) est solidaire du mobile (1), lequel comporte un cylindre d'appui (21) qui s'appuie en glissant contre une couche diélectrique (20) disposée sur le substrat et/ou sur les électrodes fixes.7. Timepiece according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the rotor (5, 25) is integral with the mobile (1), which comprises a support cylinder (21) which bears by sliding against a dielectric layer (20) disposed on the substrate and / or on the fixed electrodes.
8. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que les électrodes fixes (31, 32) forment deux plaques respectives opposées espacées (35, 36) et en ce que le rotor (5, 41) est disposé entre lesdites plaques, son axe de rotation (37) étant parallèle à celles-ci. 8. Timepiece according to claim 2, characterized in that the fixed electrodes (31, 32) form two respective opposite spaced plates (35, 36) and in that the rotor (5, 41) is disposed between said plates , its axis of rotation (37) being parallel to these.
9. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 8, caractérisée en ce que le rotor (5) est isolé et sert de transmetteur d'un signal électrique entre les deux électrodes fixes .9. Timepiece according to claim 8, characterized in that the rotor (5) is isolated and serves as a transmitter of an electrical signal between the two fixed electrodes.
10. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 2 ou 8, caractérisée en ce que le rotor (41) est une électrode mobile reliée aux moyens de détection et dont les dents (44, 45, 46), au cours de sa rotation, passent alternativement en face de l'une ou de l'autre des électrodes fixes. 10. Timepiece according to claim 2 or 8, characterized in that the rotor (41) is a mobile electrode connected to the detection means and whose teeth (44, 45, 46), during its rotation, pass alternately opposite one or the other of the fixed electrodes.
11. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que la partie fixe du capteur capacitif (55, 56) comporte un stator annulaire (59, 60) pourvu de dents internes (64) formant une électrode fixe et en ce que le rotor (57, 58) est disposé à l'intérieur du stator, ses dents (63) formant une électrode mobile en regard des dents du stator.11. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixed part of the capacitive sensor (55, 56) comprises an annular stator (59, 60) provided with internal teeth (64) forming a fixed electrode and in that the rotor (57, 58) is arranged inside the stator, its teeth (63) forming an electrode movable opposite the teeth of the stator.
12. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce que le stator (59) est revêtu intérieurement d'une couche diélectrique (65) contre laquelle le rotor (57) est susceptible de s'appuyer en glissant .12. Timepiece according to claim 11, characterized in that the stator (59) is coated internally with a dielectric layer (65) against which the rotor (57) is capable of pressing while sliding.
13. Pièce d'horlogerie selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le dispositif de détection comporte deux desdits capteurs capacitifs (5, 25; 55, 56), qui sont décalés angulairement de façon à fournir des signaux de sortie respectifs qui sont en quadrature au cours de la rotation du mobile. 13. Timepiece according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device detection comprises two of said capacitive sensors (5, 25; 55, 56), which are angularly offset so as to provide respective output signals which are in quadrature during the rotation of the mobile.
14. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que le mobile rotatif est une tige de commande (1) ayant au moins deux positions axiales, à savoir une position de mise à l'heure dans laquelle le capteur capacitif (25) est actif et au moins une autre position dans laquelle ledit capteur est inactif.14. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotary mobile is a control rod (1) having at least two axial positions, namely a time setting position in which the capacitive sensor (25 ) is active and at least one other position in which said sensor is inactive.
15. Pièce d'horlogerie selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que le mobile rotatif est un organe indicateur ayant une position de référence qui est détectée par le dispositif de détection. 15. Timepiece according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotary mobile is an indicator member having a reference position which is detected by the detection device.
EP98901919A 1997-02-17 1998-02-16 Wheel work part comprising a capacitive sensing device Expired - Lifetime EP0960361B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9701813A FR2759792B1 (en) 1997-02-17 1997-02-17 WATCHMAKING PART COMPRISING A NON-CONTACT DETECTION DEVICE
FR9701813 1997-02-17
PCT/CH1998/000057 WO1998036332A1 (en) 1997-02-17 1998-02-16 Timepiece comprising a capacitive sensing device

Publications (2)

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EP0960361A1 true EP0960361A1 (en) 1999-12-01
EP0960361B1 EP0960361B1 (en) 2003-08-27

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EP98901919A Expired - Lifetime EP0960361B1 (en) 1997-02-17 1998-02-16 Wheel work part comprising a capacitive sensing device

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EP (1) EP0960361B1 (en)
JP (1) JP2001524206A (en)
CN (1) CN1119724C (en)
DE (1) DE69817536T8 (en)
FR (1) FR2759792B1 (en)
HK (1) HK1024064A1 (en)
TW (1) TW342472B (en)
WO (1) WO1998036332A1 (en)

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WO1998036332A1 (en) 1998-08-20
DE69817536D1 (en) 2003-10-02
CN1119724C (en) 2003-08-27
TW342472B (en) 1998-10-11
DE69817536T8 (en) 2004-12-30
DE69817536T2 (en) 2004-06-24
FR2759792B1 (en) 1999-04-16
CN1248332A (en) 2000-03-22
FR2759792A1 (en) 1998-08-21
HK1024064A1 (en) 2000-09-29
JP2001524206A (en) 2001-11-27
EP0960361B1 (en) 2003-08-27
US6252825B1 (en) 2001-06-26

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