EP1172713A1 - Mechanische uhr mit einem optischen detektionselement und einem bremselement - Google Patents

Mechanische uhr mit einem optischen detektionselement und einem bremselement Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1172713A1
EP1172713A1 EP00905401A EP00905401A EP1172713A1 EP 1172713 A1 EP1172713 A1 EP 1172713A1 EP 00905401 A EP00905401 A EP 00905401A EP 00905401 A EP00905401 A EP 00905401A EP 1172713 A1 EP1172713 A1 EP 1172713A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
balance
hairspring
rotation
mechanical timepiece
wheel
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00905401A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Yuko Seiko Instruments Inc. Sasaki
Koichiro Seiko Instruments Inc. JUJO
Takeshi Seiko Instruments Inc. TOKORO
Kenji Seiko Instruments Inc. Ogasawara
Masafumi Seiko Instruments Inc. HOSHINO
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Seiko Instruments Inc
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Seiko Instruments Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Seiko Instruments Inc filed Critical Seiko Instruments Inc
Publication of EP1172713A1 publication Critical patent/EP1172713A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • 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
    • G04C3/04—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance
    • G04C3/06—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance using electromagnetic coupling between electric power source and balance
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/20—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B17/00—Mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/20—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency
    • G04B17/26—Compensation of mechanisms for stabilising frequency for the effect of variations of the impulses
    • 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
    • G04C3/04—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance
    • G04C3/047—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means wherein movement is regulated by a balance using other coupling means, e.g. electrostrictive, magnetostrictive

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a mechanical timepiece having an optical detecting unit and a braking unit constituted such that force of restraining rotation of a balance with hairspring is exerted to the balance with hairspring based on a result of detecting a swing angle of the balance with hairspring.
  • a movement (machine body) 1100 of a mechanical timepiece is provided with a main plate 1102 constituting a base plate of the movement.
  • a winding stem 1110 is rotatably integrated to a winding stem guide hole 1102a of the main plate 1102.
  • a dial 1104 (shown in Fig. 9 by an imaginary line) is attached to the movement 1100.
  • a side thereof having the dial is referred to as “back side” of the movement and a side thereof opposed to the side having the dial is referred to as “front side” of the movement.
  • a train wheel integrated to the "front side” of the movement is referred to as “front train wheel” and a train wheel integrated to the "back side” of the movement is referred to as “back train wheel”.
  • a position in the axis line direction of the winding stem 1110 is determined by a switch apparatus including a setting lever 1190, a yoke 1192, a yoke spring 1194 and a setting lever jumper 1196.
  • a winding pinion 1112 is provided rotatably at a guide shaft portion of the winding stem 1110.
  • a ratchet wheel 1116 is rotated by rotation of the crown wheel 1114. By rotating the ratchet wheel 1116, a mainspring 1122 contained in a barrel complete 1120 is wound up.
  • a center wheel & pinion 1124 is rotated by rotation of the barrel complete 1120.
  • An escape wheel & pinion 1130 is rotated via rotation of a fourth wheel & pinion 1128, a third wheel & pinion 1126 and the center wheel & pinion 1124.
  • the barrel complete 1120, the center wheel & pinion 1124, the third wheel & pinion 1126 and the fourth wheel & pinion 1128 constitute a front train wheel.
  • An escapement & speed control apparatus for controlling rotation of the front train wheel includes a balance with hairspring 1140, the escape wheel & pinion 1130 and a pallet fork 1142.
  • the balance with hairspring 1140 includes a balance stem 1140a, a balance wheel 1140b and a hairspring 1140c.
  • a cannon pinion 1150 is simultaneously rotated.
  • a minute hand 1152 attached to the cannon pinion 1150 displays "minute”.
  • the cannon pinion 1150 is provided with a slip mechanism relative to the center pinion & wheel 1124.
  • an hour wheel 1154 is rotated.
  • An hour hand 1156 attached to the hour wheel 1154 displays "hour”.
  • the barrel complete 1120 is supported rotatably by the main plate 1102 and a barrel bridge 1160.
  • the center wheel & pinion 1124, the third wheel & pinion 1126, the fourth wheel & pinion 1128 and the escape wheel & pinion 1130 are supported rotatably by the main plate 1102 and a train wheel bridge 1162.
  • the pallet fork 1142 is supported rotatably by the main plate 1102 and a pallet bridge 1164.
  • the balance with hairspring 1140 is supported rotatably by the main plate 1102 and a balance bridge 1166.
  • the hairspring 1140c is a leaf spring in a helical (spiral) shape having a plural turn number. An inner end portion of the hairspring 1140c is fixed to a hairspring holder 1140d fixed to the balance stem 1140a and an outer end portion of the hairspring 1140c is fixed via a hairspring stud 1170a attached to a stud support 1170 fixed to the balance bridge 1166 by fastening screws.
  • a regulator 1168 is attached rotatably to the balance bridge 1166.
  • a hairspring bridge 1168a and a hairspring rod 1168b are attached to the regulator 1168.
  • a portion of the hairspring 1140c proximate to the outer end portion is disposed between the hairspring bridge 1168a and the hairspring rod 1168b.
  • mainspring torque is reduced.
  • the mainspring torque is about 27 gácm in the fully wound state, becomes about 23 gácm after elapse of 20 hours from the fully wound state and becomes about 18 gácm after elapse of 40 hours from the fully wound state.
  • the swing angle of thebalance with hairspring is also reduced.
  • the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is about 240 to 270 degrees and when the mainspring torque is 20 to 25 gácm, the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is about 180 to 240 degrees.
  • a transitional change of instantaneous rate with regard to swing angle of a balance with hairspring according to a conventional representative mechanical timepiece (numerical value indicating accuracy of timepiece).
  • the "instantaneous rate” is defined as "a value indicating gain or loss of a mechanical timepiece after elapse of one day when the mechanical timepiece is assumed to be left for one day while maintaining state or environment of swing angle of a balance with hairspring or the like when the rate is measured".
  • a swing angle of abalance with hairspring is equal to or larger than 240 degrees or is equal to or smaller than 200 degrees, the instantaneous rate is retarded.
  • the instantaneous rate is about 0 through 5 seconds / day (gain of 0 through 5 seconds per day), however, when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is about 170 degrees, the instantaneous rate becomes about -20 seconds / day (loss of about 20 seconds per day).
  • a transitional change of elapse time and instantaneous rate when a mainspring is rewound from a fully wound state in a conventional representative mechanical timepiece in the conventional mechanical timepiece, "rate" indicating gain of the timepiece or loss of the timepiece per day, is obtained by integrating instantaneous rate with regard to elapse time of rewinding the balance with hairspring from a fully wound state, which is indicated in Fig. 12 by an extremely slender line, over 24 hours.
  • the conventional mechanical timepiece with elapse of duration time period of rewinding the mainspring from the fully wound state, the mainspring torque is reduced, the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is also reduced and accordingly, the instantaneous rate is retarded. Therefore, according to the conventional mechanical timepiece, by estimating loss of the timepiece after elapse of the duration time period of 24 hours, instantaneous rate when the mainspring is brought into the fully wound state, is previously gained and previously adjusted such that the "rate" indicating gain of the timepiece or loss of the timepiece per day becomes positive.
  • the instantaneous rate is about 3 seconds / day (gain of about 3 seconds per day), after elapse of 20 hours from the fully wound state, the instantaneous rate becomes about -3 seconds / day (loss of about 3 seconds per day), after elapse of 24 hours from the fully wound state, the instantaneous rate becomes about -8 seconds per day (loss of about 8 seconds per day) and after elapse of 30 hours from the fully wound state, the instantaneous rate becomes about -16 seconds / day (loss of about 16 seconds per day).
  • a conventional apparatus of adjusting a swing angle of a balance with hairspring there is disclosed a constitution having a swing angle adjusting plate generating eddy current and exerting braking force to a balance with hairspring at every time of pivotal approach of a magnet of the balance with hairspring in, for example, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 41675/ 1979.
  • the invention is characterized in that in a mechanical timepiece comprising a mainspring constituting a power source of the mechanical timepiece, a front train wheel rotated by a rotational force when the mainspring is rewound and an escapement & speed control apparatus for controlling rotation of the front train wheel in which the escapement & speed control apparatus is constituted to include a balance with hairspring alternately repeating right rotation and left rotation, an escape wheel & pinion rotated based on the rotation of the front train wheel and a pallet fork for controlling rotation of the escape wheel & pinion based on operation of the balance with hairspring, the mechanical timepiece further comprising a detecting unit provided for detecting a swing angle of the balance with hairspring by detecting an operational state of the balance with hairspring by using light, and a braking unit constituted such that when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring detected by the detecting unit is equal to or larger than a previously set angle, a force of restraining rotation of the balance with hairspring is exerted to the balance with hairspring
  • the detecting unit includes a light emitting portion for irradiating a balance arm portion and a light receiving portion for receiving light which has irradiated the balance arm portion.
  • the braking unit includes coils arranged to be capable of braking motion of a balance magnet.
  • the rotational angle of the balance with hairspring of the mechanical timepiece can effectively be controlled, thereby, accuracy of the mechanical timepiece can be promoted.
  • the mechanical timepiece of the invention it is preferable to include a balance rotation detecting circuit constituted to control light emitted by the light emitting portion and a balance rotation controlling circuit constituted to measure operation of the balance arm portion and calculate the swing angle of the balance with hairspring, and wherein the balance rotation controlling circuit does not conduct the coils when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is less than a constant threshold and conducts the coils when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is equal to or larger than the constant threshold.
  • an electricity storing unit for operating the balance rotation detecting circuit and the balance rotation controlling circuit.
  • an electricity generating unit for charging the electricity storing unit.
  • the mechanical timepiece further comprises an electricity storing unit constituting a power source, an electricity generating unit for charging the electricity storing unit, a speed control unit including the balance with hairspring and a balance magnet provided to the balance with hairspring, a detecting unit including a light emitting portion for irradiating a balance arm portion and a light receiving portion for receiving light which has irradiated the balance armportion.
  • the mechanical timepiece of the invention further includes a braking unit including coils arranged to be capable of braking motion of the balance magnet provided at the balance with hairspring, an IC including a balance rotation detecting circuit constituted to control light emitted by the light emitting portion and a balance rotation controlling circuit constituted to measure operation of the balance arm portion and calculate a swing angle of the balance with hairspring.
  • the balance rotation controlling circuit of the mechanical timepiece of the invention is constituted not to conduct the coils when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is less than a constant threshold and conduct the coils when the swing angle of the balance with hairspring is equal to or larger than the constant threshold.
  • Fig. 1 is a plane view showing an outline shape of a front side of a movement according to an embodiment of the mechanical timepiece of the invention (in Fig. 1, portions of parts are omitted and bridge members are indicated by imaginary lines).
  • Fig. 2 is a sectional view of an enlarged portion showing an outline shape of portions of train wheels and an escapement & speed control apparatus according to the embodiment of the mechanical timepiece of the invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a plane view of an enlarged portion showing an outline shape of a portion of a balance with hairspring according to the embodiment of the mechanical timepiece of the invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a sectional view of an enlarged portion showing an outline shape of the portion of the balance with hairspring according to the embodiment of the mechanical timepiece of the invention.
  • Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an outline shape of a balance magnet used in the mechanical timepiece of the invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an outline constitution of the mechanical timepiece according to the invention.
  • Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing operation of the mechanical timepiece according to the invention.
  • Fig. 8 is a plane view showing an outline shape of a front side of a movement of a conventional mechanical timepiece (in Fig. 8, portions of parts are omitted and bridge members are indicated by imaginary lines).
  • Fig. 9 is an outline partial sectional view of the movement of the conventional mechanical timepiece (in Fig. 8, portions of parts are omitted).
  • Fig. 10 is a graph showing an outline relationship between an elapse time period and mainspring torque when the mainspring is rewound from a fully wound state in a mechanical timepiece.
  • Fig. 11 is a graph showing an outline relationship between a swing angle of a balance with hairspring and mainspring torque in a mechanical timepiece.
  • Fig. 12 is a graph showing an outline relationship between a swing angle of a balance with hairspring and an instantaneous rate in a mechanical timepiece.
  • Fig. 13 is a graph showing an outline relationship between an elapse time period and an instantaneous rate when a mainspring is rewound from a fully wound state in a mechanical timepiece according to the invention and the conventional mechanical timepiece.
  • a movement (machine body) 100 of the mechanical timepiece is provided with a main plate 102 constituting a base plate of the movement.
  • a winding stem 110 is rotatably integrated to a winding stem guide hole 102a of the main plate 102.
  • a dial 104 is attached to the movement 100.
  • the winding stem 110 is provided with a square portion and a guide shaft portion.
  • a clutch wheel (not illustrated) is integrated to the square portion of the winding stem 110.
  • the clutch wheel is provided with a rotational axis line the same as a rotational axis line of the winding stem 110. That is, the clutch wheel is provided with a square hole and is provided to rotate based on rotation of the winding stem 110 by fitting the square hole to the square portion of the winding stem 110.
  • the clutch wheel is provided with tooth A and tooth B.
  • the tooth A is provided at an end portion of the clutch wheel proximate to the center of the movement.
  • the tooth B is provided at an end portion of the clutch wheel proximate to an outer side of the movement.
  • the movement 100 is provided with a switch apparatus for determining a position of the winding stem 110 in the axial line direction.
  • the switch apparatus includes a setting lever 190, a yoke 192, a yoke spring 194 and a setting lever jumper 196.
  • the position in the rotational axis line of the winding stem 110 is determined.
  • a position in the rotational axis line direction of the clutch wheel is determined.
  • the yoke is positioned to two positions in the rotational direction.
  • a winding pinion 112 is provided rotatably at the guide shaft portion of the winding stem 110.
  • the winding pinion 112 is constituted to rotate via rotation of the clutch wheel.
  • a crown wheel 114 is constituted to rotate by rotation of the winding pinion 112.
  • a ratchet wheel 116 is constituted to rotate by rotation of the crown wheel 114.
  • the movement 100 is provided with a mainspring 122 contained in a barrel complete 120 as its power source.
  • the mainspring 122 is made of an elastic material having spring performance such as iron. By rotating the ratchet wheel 116, the mainspring 122 is constituted to be capable of being wound up.
  • a center wheel & pinion 124 is constituted to rotate by rotation of the barrel complete 120.
  • a third wheel & pinion 126 is constituted to rotate based on rotation of the center wheel & pinion 124.
  • a fourth wheel & pinion 128 is constituted to rotate based on rotation of the third wheel & pinion 126.
  • An escape wheel & pinion 130 is constituted to rotate based on rotation of the fourth wheel & pinion 128.
  • the barrel complete 120, the center wheel & pinion 124, the third wheel & pinion 126 and the fourth wheel & pinion 128 constitute a front train wheel.
  • the movement 100 is provided with an escapement & speed control apparatus for controlling rotation of the front train wheel.
  • the escapement & speed control apparatus includes a balance with hairspring 140 repeating right rotation and left rotation at a constant period, the escape wheel & pinion 130 rotating based on rotation of the front train wheel and a pallet fork 142 for controlling rotation of the escape wheel & pinion 130 based on operation of the balance with hairspring 140.
  • the balance with hairspring 140 includes a balance stem 140a, a balance wheel 140b and a hairspring 140c. There are provided four of balance arm portions 140f (referred to as "amida") for connecting the balance stem 140a and the balance wheel 140b. The number of the balance arm portions 140f may be two, may be three or may be four or more.
  • the hairspring 140c is made of an elastic material having spring performance such as "elinbar". That is, the hairspring 140c is made of an electrically conducting material of metal.
  • a cannon pinion 150 is simultaneously rotated.
  • a minute hand 152 attached to the cannon pinion 150 is constituted to display "minute”.
  • the cannon pinion 150 is provided with a slip mechanism having a predetermined slip torque relative to the center wheel & pinion 124.
  • a minute wheel (not illustrated) is rotated.
  • an hour wheel 154 is rotated.
  • An hour hand 156 attached to the hour wheel 154 is constituted to display "hour”.
  • the barrel complete 120 is supported rotatably by the main plate 102 and a barrel bridge 160.
  • the center wheel & pinion 124, the third wheel & pinion 126, the fourth wheel & pinion 128 and the escape wheel & pinion 130 are supported rotatably by the main plate 102 and a train wheel bridge 162.
  • the pallet fork 142 is supported rotatably by the main plate 102 and a pallet bridge 164.
  • the balance with hairspring 140 is supported rotatably by the main plate 102 and a balance bridge 166. That is, an upper mortise 140a1 of the balance stem 140a is supported rotatably by a balance upper bearing 166a fixed to the balance bridge 166.
  • the balance upper bearing 166a includes a balance upper hole jewel and a balance upper cap jewel.
  • the balance upper hole jewel and the balance upper cap jewel are made of an insulating material such as ruby.
  • a lower mortise 140a2 of the balance stem 140a is supported rotatably by a balance lower bearing 102b fixed to the main plate 102.
  • the balance lower bearing 102b includes a balance lower hole jewel and a balance lower cap jewel.
  • the balance lower hole jewel and the balance lower cap jewel are made of an insulating material such as ruby.
  • the hairspring 140c is a leaf spring in a helical (spiral) shape having a plural turn number. An inner end portion of the hairspring 140c is fixed to a hairspring holder 140d fixed to the balance stem 140a and an outer end portion of the hairspring 140c is fixed by screws via a hairspring stud 170a attached to a stud support 170 rotatably fixed to the balance bridge 166.
  • the balance bridge 166 is made of an electrically conductive material of metal such as brass.
  • the stud support 170 is made of an electrically conductive material of metal such as iron.
  • a phototransistor 130 is arranged at the balance bridge 166 to irradiate the balance armportion 140f. That is, the phototransistor 130 constitutes a light emitting portion.
  • a photodiode 132 is provided at the main plate 102. That is, the photodiode 132 constitutes a light receiving portion.
  • the light receiving portion can be constituted by, for example, photodiode, optical fiber, CCD or the like.
  • the phototransistor 130 (light emitting portion) and the photodiode 132 (light receiving portion) constitute a detecting unit 176.
  • a speed control unit 144 includes the balance with hairspring 140 and a balance magnet 140e. A description will be given later of details of the balance magnet 140e.
  • balance arm portion 140f of the balance with hairspring 140 is operated to rotate between the phototransistor 130 and the photodiode 132.
  • balance arm portion 140f When the balance arm portion 140f is disposed between the phototransistor 130 and the photodiode 132, light emitted by the phototransistor 130 is constituted to be blocked by the balance arm portion 140f and not incident on the photodiode 132. By contrast, when the balance arm portion 140f is not disposed between the phototransistor 130 and the photodiode 132, light emitted by the phototransistor 130 is constituted to reach the photodiode 132.
  • the photodiode 132 is connected to IC 134.
  • IC 134 includes a balance rotation detecting circuit 172 and a balance rotation controlling circuit 174.
  • the balance rotation detecting circuit 172 is constituted to control light emitted by the phototransistor 130.
  • the balance rotation controlling circuit 174 is constituted to calculate the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 by measuring operation of the balance arm portion 140f.
  • the balance rotation controlling circuit 174 is previously stored with a relationship between a period of light incident on the photodiode 132 and a swing angle of the balance with hairspring. Therefore, calculation of the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 can be carried out by using the period of light incident on the photodiode 132.
  • a secondary battery 136 for operating IC 134 is fixed to the main plate 102.
  • the secondary battery 136 constitutes an electricity storing unit 137. That is, the electricity storing unit 137 constitutes a power source for operating IC 134.
  • the electricity storing unit 137 may be constituted by the secondary battery or may be constituted by a condenser. Or, in place of the electricity storing unit 137, a primary battery can also be utilized.
  • an electricity generating unit 150 is provided.
  • the electricity generating unit 150 may be a hand-winding power generating mechanism for generating voltage by rotation of the barrel complete 102 or may be an automatic-winding power generating mechanism for generating voltage by rotation of an oscillating weight.
  • the electricity generating unit 150 may be arranged on the "back side” of the movement 100 or may be arranged on the "front side” of the movement 100.
  • a structure similar to a conventional structure can be used and therefore, the structure is not illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • Fig. 6 shows an outline constitution when the electricity generating unit 150 is constituted by a hand-winding power generating mechanism.
  • the electricity generating unit 150 includes a wind up mechanism 152 operated by rotation of the barrel complete 102, an accelerating train wheel 154 for accelerating and transmitting rotation of the wind up mechanism 152, a rotor 156 rotated by rotation of the accelerating train wheel 154, a stator 157 having a rotor hole opposed to a rotor magnet of the rotor 156, a power generating coil 158 for generating electromotive force by rotation of the rotor 156 and a rectifying circuit 160 for rectifying current generated at the power generating coil 158.
  • Rectifying operation carried out by the rectifying circuit 160 may be half-wave rectifying operation or full-wave rectifying operation.
  • the rectifying circuit can be built in IC 134 or may be provided separately from IC 134.
  • the electricity generating unit When the electricity generating unit is constituted by an automatic-winding power generating mechanism, the electricity generating unit includes an oscillating weight, an accelerating train wheel for accelerating and transmitting rotation of the oscillating weight, a rotor rotated by rotation of the accelerating train wheel, a stator having a rotor hole opposed to a rotor magnet of the rotor, a power generating coil for generating electromotive force by rotation of the rotor and a rectifying circuit for rectifying current generated at the power generating coil. Current rectifiedby the rectifying circuit is constituted to flow to the secondary battery 136.
  • an electronic wrist watch having a power generating apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 266989/1986 or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 293143/ 1986 and a portable timepiece having charging function is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 288192/1986.
  • a modified example can be constituted without using an electricity generating mechanism by using a battery (primary battery) such as silver battery, lithium battery or the like.
  • a battery primary battery
  • silver battery lithium battery or the like.
  • Coils 180a and 180b are attached to a face of the main plate 102 on the front side to be opposed to a side face of the balance wheel 140b on the side of the main plate.
  • the coils 180a and 180b constitute the braking unit 146.
  • the number of the coils is, for example, two as shown by Fig. 1 through Fig. 4, the number may be one, may be two, may be three. or may be four or more.
  • the balance magnet 140e is attached to a side face of the balance wheel 140b on the side of the main plate to be opposed to a face of the main plate 102 on the front side.
  • an interval between the coils 180a and 180b in the circumferential direction in the case of arranging pluralities of the coils 180a and 180b is equal to an interval between an S pole and an N pole of the balance magnet 140e arranged to be opposed to the coils 180a and 180b multiplied by an integer, all of the coils may not be disposed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.
  • wirings among the respective coils may be wired in series such that currents generated at the respective coils by electromagnetic induction are not canceled by each other.
  • the wirings among the respective coils may be wired in parallel such that currents generated at the respective coils are not canceled by each other by electromagnetic induction.
  • the balance magnet 140e is provided with an annular (ring-like) shape and along the circumferential direction, magnet portions comprising, for example, 12 pieces of S poles 140s1 through 140s12 and 12 pieces of N poles 140n1 through 140n12 polarized in the up and down direction are alternately provided.
  • the number of the magnet portions arranged in the annular shape (ring-like shape) in the balance magnet 140e is 12 in the example of Fig. 5, the number may be a plural number of 2 or more. In this case, it is preferable that a length of a chord of the magnet portion is substantially equal to an outer diameter of the coil provided to be opposed to the magnet portion.
  • a clearance is provided between the magnet 140e and the coils 180a and 180b.
  • the clearance between the balance magnet 140e and the coils 180a and 180b is determined such that when the coils 180a and 180b are conducted, magnetic force of the balance magnet 140e effects influence on the coils 180a and 180b.
  • the balance magnet 140e is fixed by adhesion or the like to a face of the balance wheel 140b on the side of the main plate in a state in which one face thereof is brought into contact with a ring-like rim portion of the balance wheel 140b and other face thereof is opposed to the face of the main plate 102 on the front side.
  • a first lead wire 182 is provided to connect one terminal of the coil 180a and a first coil terminal of IC 134.
  • a second lead wire 184 is provided to connect one terminal of the coil 180b and a second coil terminal of IC 134.
  • a thickness of the hairspring 140c is, for example, 0.021 millimeter.
  • an outer diameter thereof is about 9 millimeters
  • an inner diameter thereof is about 7 millimeters
  • a thickness thereof is about 1 millimeter
  • magnetic flux density thereof is about 0.02 tesla.
  • respective turn number is, for example, 8 turn and a coil wire diameter thereof is about 25 micrometers.
  • the clearance between the balance magnet 140e and the coils 180a and 180b is, for example, about 0.4 millimeter.
  • the hairspring 140c is elongated and contracted in the radius direction of the hairspring 140c in accordance with a rotational angle of rotating the balance with hairspring 140.
  • a rotational angle of rotating the balance with hairspring 140 For example, in a state shown by Fig. 3, when the balance with hairspring 140 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the hairspring 140c is contracted in a direction toward the center of the balance with hairspring 140, in contrast thereto, when the balance with hairspring 140 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the hairspring 140c is expanded in a direction remote from the center of the balance with hairspring 140.
  • the coils 180a and 180b are constituted not to be conducted.
  • the balance rotation controlling circuit 174 When the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 becomes equal to or larger than 180 degree, by operation of the balance rotation controlling circuit 174, the coils 180a and 180b are conducted and by induction current generated by a change in magnetic flux of the balance magnet 140e, force of restraining the rotational motion of the balance with hairspring 140 is exerted to the balance with hairspring 140. Further, by operation of the balance rotation control circuit 174, the coils 180a and 180b and the balance magnet 140e, the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is constituted to reduce by exerting braking force for restraining rotation of the balance with hairspring 140 to the balance with hairspring 140.
  • the coils 180a and 180b are constituted not to be conducted. Therefore, in the range of the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 exceeding 0 degrees and less than 180 degrees, the coils 180a and 180b are not conducted and the force of restraining the rotational motion of the balance with hairspring 140 is not exerted to the balance with hairspring 140.
  • the balance rotation detecting circuit 172 determines a detection time period (step 2 of Fig. 7). Determination of the detection time period is carried out by, for example, a counter. A set time period for detecting rotation of the balance with hairspring is previously stored in the balance rotation detecting circuit 172.
  • the set time period for detecting rotation of the balance with hairspring is, for example, about 1 hour.
  • the set time period for detecting rotation of the balance with hairspring is preferably about 0.25 through 6 hours, further preferably, about 0.5 through 3 hours and further preferably, about 1 through 2 hours.
  • the balance rotation detecting circuit 172 determines elapse of the set time period, the balance rotation detecting circuit 172 makes ON the phototransistor 130 (step S3 of Fig. 7).
  • the balance rotation detecting circuit 172 determines that the set time period has not elapsed, the operation returns to step S2 of Fig. 7 and operation of determining the detection time period is repeated.
  • the balance rotation controlling circuit 174 determines the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 (step S4 of Fig. 7).
  • the balance rotation controlling circuit 174 measures the operational state of the balance arm portion 140f by using light incident on the photodiode 132 and calculates the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140.
  • the balance rotation controlling circuit 174 is previously stored with the relationship between the period of light incident on the photodiode 132 and the swing angle of the balance with hairspring and therefore, calculation of the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is carried out by using the period of light incident on the photodiode 132.
  • the balance rotation controlling circuit 174 determines that the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is equal to or larger than the set angle. In this case, the balance rotation controlling circuit 174 conducts the coils 180a and 180b (step S6 of Fig. 7). When the coils 180a and 180b are conducted, induction current is generated by the change in the magnetic flux of the balance magnet 140e and force of restraining the rotational motion of the balance with hairspring 140 is exerted to the balance with hairspring 140. Further, by exerting the braking force for restraining rotation of the balance with hairspring 140 to the balance with hairspring 140, the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is reduced. When the balance rotation controlling circuit 174 conducts the coils 180a and 180b and the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is reduced, the operation returns to step S2 of Fig. 7 and operation of determining the detection time period is repeated.
  • the relationship between the time period which the balance rotation controlling circuit 174 is to conduct the coils 180a and 180b and the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is previously calculated by experiment and a result thereof is stored to the balance rotation controlling circuit 174.
  • the set angle of the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is previously stored to the balance rotation controlling circuit 174.
  • the set angle of the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is, for example, 180 degrees.
  • the set angle of the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is preferably about 150 through 210 degrees and further preferably 180 degrees.
  • the balance rotation controlling circuit 174 determines that the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is less than the set angle, the balance rotation detecting circuit 172 makes OFF the phototransistor 130 (step S7 of Fig. 7). In this case, the balance rotation controlling circuit 174 does not conduct the coils 180a and 180b (step S8 of Fig. 7).
  • step S2 of Fig. 7 the operation returns to step S2 of Fig. 7 and repeats operation of determining the detection time period.
  • a modified example may be constituted such that when the balance rotation controlling circuit 174 determines that the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 is equal to or larger than the set angle, the balance rotation detecting circuit 172 makes OFF the phototransistor 130, the balance rotation controlling circuit 174 conducts the coils 180a and 180b, the force of restraining the rotational motion of the balance with hairspring 140 for conducting the coils 180a and 180b is exerted to the balance with hairspring 140 and thereafter, the rotation controlling circuit 174 determines again the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140. That is, in Fig. 7, a loop of returning to step S4 by a constant number of times after step S6 may be provided in Fig. 7.
  • the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 can further accurately be adjusted.
  • the swing angle of the balance with hairspring 140 can be controlled accurately and efficiently.
  • circuits for carrying out various functions may be constituted in IC or IC may be PLA-IC incorporating programs for carrying out various operations.
  • the escapement and speed control apparatus includes the balance with hairspring repeating right rotation and left rotation, the escape wheel & pinion rotated based on rotation of the front train wheel and the pallet fork for controlling rotation of the escape wheel & pinion based on operation of the balance with hairspring
  • the swing angle is changed with elapse of time.
  • the instantaneous rate is changed with elapse of time. Therefore, it has been difficult to prolong the duration time period of the timepiece capable of maintaining constant accuracy.
  • the timepiece is adjusted to a state of gaining the instantaneous rate of the timepiece.
  • the rate is about 18 seconds / day (gain of about 18 seconds per day), after elapse of 20 hours from the fully wound state, the instantaneous rate becomes about 13 seconds / day (gain of about 13 seconds per day) and with elapse of 30 hours from the fully wound state, the instantaneous rate becomes about -2 seconds / day (loss of about 2 seconds per day).
  • the instantaneous rate when the braking unit is operated, as shown by plots of black circles and an extremely bold line, in a state of operating the braking unit, that is, until elapse of 27 hours from the state of completely winding up the mainspring, the instantaneous rate can be maintained at about 5 seconds / day (maintaining state of gaining about 5 seconds per day) and when 30 hours has elapsed from the fully wound state, the instantaneous rate becomes about -2 seconds / day (loss of about 2 seconds per day).
  • the mechanical timepiece having the mechanism of controlling the rotational angle of the balance with hairspring of the invention, by controlling the swing angle of the balance with hairspring, the change in the instantaneous rate of the timepiece is restrained and accordingly, in comparison with the conventional mechanical timepiece shown by plots of squares and the imaginary line in Fig. 13, the elapse time period from the fully wound state at which the instantaneous rate is about 0 through 5 seconds / day can be prolonged.
  • the duration time period in which the instantaneous rate falls within plus and minus 5 seconds / day is about 32 hours.
  • the value of the duration time period is about 1.45 times as large as the duration time period in which the instantaneous rate falls within plus and minus 5 seconds / day, or about 22 hours in the conventional mechanical timepiece.
  • the mechanical timepiece of the invention is suitable for realizing a mechanical timepiece having a simple structure and having an excellent accuracy.
  • the mechanical timepiece of the invention is provided with the optical detection type detection unit of the swing angle of the balance with hairspring and accordingly, fabrication and rate adjustment of the mechanical timepiece are extremely facilitated.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Micromachines (AREA)
EP00905401A 2000-02-29 2000-02-29 Mechanische uhr mit einem optischen detektionselement und einem bremselement Withdrawn EP1172713A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/JP2000/001164 WO2001065318A1 (fr) 2000-02-29 2000-02-29 Piece d'horlogerie mecanique a element de detection optique et element de freinage

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1172713A1 true EP1172713A1 (de) 2002-01-16

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EP (1) EP1172713A1 (de)
CN (1) CN1357120A (de)
WO (1) WO2001065318A1 (de)

Cited By (1)

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EP2876507A1 (de) 2014-06-23 2015-05-27 Ponomarev, Dmitrij Maksimovich Uhr

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2466396A1 (de) * 2010-12-15 2012-06-20 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd. Magnetische Abschirmung für Spiralunruh einer Uhr
CN103984269A (zh) * 2014-05-29 2014-08-13 西安交通大学 一种通用的机械定时器的测试方法
CN106321374A (zh) * 2016-09-22 2017-01-11 徐汉武 便携式移动发电机
EP3339982B1 (de) * 2016-12-23 2021-08-25 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Regulierung durch mechanisches bremsen eines mechanischen oszillators einer uhr
JP6847758B2 (ja) * 2017-05-09 2021-03-24 セイコーインスツル株式会社 ムーブメント及び時計
CN110361955B (zh) * 2018-04-09 2023-07-25 天津海鸥表业集团有限公司 一种光电式摆轮游丝分档仪
EP3584645B1 (de) 2018-06-19 2021-06-30 The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd Uhr, die ein mechanisches uhrwerk umfasst, dessen ganggenauigkeit durch eine elektromechanische vorrichtung reguliert wird

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
BE790818A (fr) * 1971-11-01 1973-02-15 Timex Corp Moyens de commande d'amplitude pour oscillateurs a balancier
JPS5134765A (ja) * 1974-09-19 1976-03-24 Seiko Instr & Electronics Denshidokei
JPS5441675U (de) * 1977-08-29 1979-03-20

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See references of WO0165318A1 *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2876507A1 (de) 2014-06-23 2015-05-27 Ponomarev, Dmitrij Maksimovich Uhr

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WO2001065318A1 (fr) 2001-09-07
CN1357120A (zh) 2002-07-03

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